Day 4 & Part of Day 5 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!
8-7-18, 7:46 AM, 53°F, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada – SPHP pulled out onto Icefields Parkway Hwy 93. Within minutes, Lupe saw Bow Lake again, and magnificent Mount Jimmy Simpson (9,731 ft.). Yesterday she’d had the grand good fortune to make it to the summit, but mountain climbing wasn’t on the agenda today. This was a rest and travel day.
Not the kind of hurried, don’t stop for anything except restrooms, fuel, and food sort of travel. The Canadian Rockies are too wonderful for that! Although the American Dingo was going hundreds of miles, she would still have opportunities to stop at favorite places along the road.
So that was the plan. By the time Lupe reached Jasper National Park, though, the sky was uncharacteristically hazy. Smoke from distant forest fires dimmed normally crisp views of the mountains.
8-7-18, 9:09 AM, 58°F, Icefields Centre, Jasper National Park – Smoky, but not bad. SPHP stopped so Lupe could see one of the Canadian Rockies’ most amazing views from the highway, the Athabasca Glacier. The huge glacier, one of six major arms of the Columbia Icefield, has retreated a long way over the past century, but remains a must see, if one has any opportunity at all!
Of course, Lupe had seen the Athabasca Glacier before – a couple of times from an even more spectacular vantage point up by Wilcox Pass. Despite the smoke, the view from the highway was still absolutely worthwhile.
The Athabasca Glacier is a must see attraction of the Canadian Rockies! Photo looks SW.Mount Athabasca, one of several splendid peaks near the Athabasca Glacier. Photo looks SSE.Mount Athabasca(11,453 ft.) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SSE.
As Lupe and SPHP continued N on Icefields Parkway Hwy 93, the smoky haze did not diminish. The smoke marred views of the mountains, but didn’t interfere with sights closer by. Waterfalls, rivers, and lakes were destined to become the focus for the day. Luckily, the Carolina Dog was going to go right past some great ones!
8-7-18, 9:57 AM, 62°F, Sunwapta Falls, Jasper National Park – The first big waterfall N of the Athabasca Glacier was Sunwapta Falls. The silt-laden Sunwapta River was running high. A torrent of light gray water swept by an upstream island then plunged into a narrow gorge immediately downstream.
Lupe checked out the impressive scene from both a bridge over the gorge, and a chain link fence at the very brink of the falls.
Sunwapta Falls. The Sunwapta River starts at Sunwapta Pass at the S end of Jasper National Park. Meltwaters from the Athabasca Glacier contribute to the flow.Wow! I don’t think we’ve ever seen Sunwapta Falls with such tremendous flow before!
8-7-18, 10:28 AM, 68°F, Athabasca River, Jasper National Park – The Sunwapta River flows into the mighty Athabasca River. Athabasca Falls was going to be absolutely roaring today! Before Lupe got that far, though, SPHP stopped at the American Dingo’s favorite picnic ground on the W side of Icefields Parkway Hwy 93.
This choice spot right along the Athabasca River was often completely vacant several years ago when Lupe first discovered it. For some reason there hadn’t been any signage for it along the highway. Signage was sadly present now, but since it was still a bit early for lunch, Lupe found her picnic ground delightfully quiet again this morning.
Loop enjoyed a stroll upstream along the Athabasca River, spent some time roaming the forest looking for squirrels to bark at, and even went wading along the river’s edge. Having skipped breakfast, SPHP had an early lunch at one of the tables overlooking the river, while catching up the trip journal.
How’s this for a view from your picnic table? There’s always squirrels in the forest, too!I’ll stay right by the edge here, SPHP, promise! I remember that giant waterfall downstream. Not going over that! Loop in the Athabasca River.
8-7-18, 11:31 AM, 75°F, Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park – The turn to Athabasca Falls was only 5 miles N of the picnic ground. This close to noon on a lovely day in early August, Athabasca Falls was teeming with tourists. Justifiably so. Lupe and SPHP played tourist, too. It was a wait your turn at the viewpoints situation, but totally worth it.
Lupe liked all the activity! People smiled at her, children petted her, plenty of other doggie tourists were available to sniff with, and, of course, there was that enormously powerful waterfall to admire.
Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park.Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park.Even if you have to wait in line, just do it! Athabasca Falls is so impressive!Athabasca Falls is 20 miles S of Jasper just off Icefields Parkway Highway 93.
8-7-18, 1:07 PM, Yellowhead Pass – The morning had flown by. After a stop for fuel in Jasper, SPHP drove W on Yellowhead Hwy 16. Only 21 miles to the British Columbia border at Yellowhead Pass (3,760 ft.).
SPHP stopped here briefly, so Loop could stretch her legs. A small lake, Portal Lake, was nearby. A sign said there was a 20 minute return trail along Portal Lake, but Lupe didn’t take it. Greater sights were ahead.
Lupe reaches British Colombia at Yellowhead Pass.By Portal Lake at Yellowhead Pass.
8-7-18, 1:38 PM, 72°F, Moose Lake – At the British Columbia border, Lupe also entered Mount Robson Provincial Park. Continuing W on Hwy 16, SPHP expected the sky to clear any time now, but instead the smoke was getting thicker. By the time Lupe made it to Moose Lake, it was hard to see the mountains at all.
Fortunately, there were 2 more big waterfalls ahead to look forward to along the Fraser River.
At Yellowhead Pass, Lupe entered Mount Robson Provincial Park.Well, here we are at beautiful Moose Lake along Hwy 16, but it’s smokier than ever!
8-7-18, 1:58 PM, 75°F, Overlander Falls, Mount Robson Provincial Park – The first waterfall on the Fraser River was Overlander Falls. A trailhead was right along Hwy 16 just a mile or so before the Mount Robson Park visitor center. Lupe took a shady 10 minute trail from Hwy 16 down a series of switchbacks to the gorgeous waterfall.
Overlander Falls was only 30 feet high, but the Fraser River gushing through a narrow gap and dropping into a huge swirling pool of pale blue-green waters was an amazing sight. While relaxing by Overlander Falls, Lupe wound up making a new friend from Saskatchewan.
10 minutes on this lovely trail will get us down to Overlander Falls!Overlander Falls is the uppermost of 2 major waterfalls on the Fraser River.Overlander Falls isn’t as big as Sunwapta Falls or Athabasca Falls, but the color of the water and this big swirling pool are simply amazing!The cool spray feels great!There’s always time for love and new friends!
8-7-18, 3:16 PM, 78°F, Rearguard Falls Provincial Park – The second major waterfall along the Fraser River was only 10 miles from Overlander Falls. Rearguard Falls has its own provincial park! Once again, Lupe took a 10 or 15 minute trail from a trailhead right along Hwy 16 down to the waterfall.
Rearguard Falls wasn’t even as high as Overlander Falls, almost more of a giant rapids than a waterfall, but the breadth and strength of the water surging over it was also impressive. A sign up by the parking lot said Rearguard Falls was as far up the Fraser River as salmon were able to make it.
Here’s the plan, SPHP! When we get down to the falls, I’ll race in and snag us one of the big salmon leaping out of the river, while you fight off the bears. Ready? Let’s do this!I can almost taste that big delicious salmon already! Come on, it’s this way!A first glimpse of Rearguard Falls from the trail.How’s this for a snazzy walkway setup? We’re almost to Rearguard Falls now.Rearguard Falls. The air was still smoky, but the Fraser River was simply gorgeous!Rearguard Falls on the Fraser River.So beautiful! Kind of a shame there aren’t any salmon here today, though. I was really looking forward to seeing SPHP fend off the grizzly bears, while I nabbed us dinner!
8-7-18, 5:06 PM, Goat River, British Columbia – After leaving Rearguard Falls, it hadn’t been much farther to the junction with Yellowhead South Hwy 5. Nearly all the traffic went that way, heading for Kamloops. Lupe and SPHP stayed on Yellowhead Hwy 16 going NW following the wide Fraser River valley.
The Fraser River was seldom in view, but this was now a most relaxing drive with virtually no traffic. Loopster was well past McBride, the only community of any significant size, when, after crossing a bridge, a short side road led down to a rest area and picnic ground by the Goat River. This was a beautiful spot Lupe had been to once before in 2016.
It wasn’t quite time to eat yet, but the Carolina Dog was happy making a brief exploration along the river.
Lupe enjoys a drink from the Goat River.The Goat River was considerably higher than when Lupe had stopped here in 2016.An upstream view. Still smoky out!
The Goat River was a nice break, but the last one of the day. The long drive continued. Lupe went through Prince George (86°F!) and beyond, still on Yellowhead Hwy 16. The whole day, for hundreds of miles, had been smoky. If anything, the smoke was getting worse.
8-7-18, 8:43 PM, 67°F, Dry Williams Lake – Beyond Fort Fraser a pinkish-red sun sank into the murk. An eerie twilight developed. The smoke was bad. Nevertheless, time to call it a day. A rest area appeared a few miles farther on at Dry Williams Lake. This would do nicely! There were picnic tables, and a mowed area where the American Dingo could romp with a view of the lake.
Lupe had gone a long way today. The day’s highlights had all involved water in some form – a glacier, waterfalls, rivers and lakes. Smoke had increasingly spoiled the mountain views, but it couldn’t last forever, could it? After dinner (not fresh salmon unfortunately), the Carolina Dog curled up on her pile of pillows and blankets to snooze and dream of crystal blue skies tomorrow.
Evening at Dry Williams Lake.
8-8-18, 6:45 AM, 54°F, Dry Williams Lake – The sun rose as it had sunk last night, oddly colored from a murky sea of smoke where a horizon should have been. Any dreams of crystal blue skies were apparently just that – dreams. The forest fires must not be terribly far away. The G6 was covered with a layer of ash. A short stroll around the rest area to let Lupe do some sniffing, then it was time to hit the road again.
Sunrise at Dry Williams Lake.
Lupe had barely left Dry Williams Lake, when upon rounding a bend in the road, a patch of blue sky was visible to the N. The end of the smoke! Conditions improved steadily. Crystal blue skies weren’t a mere dream! It took an hour and a half to drive completely out of the smoke. By then it wasn’t much farther to Houston.
A stop in Houston is traditional, perhaps even mandatory. Lupe always visits Houston’s lovely Steelhead Park. Hwy 16 goes right past it. Loop wasn’t about to miss out on Steelhead Park on this crystal blue summer day, a dream come true!
Steelhead Park in Houston is a piece of paradise! Come on, let’s go sniffing around. The sniffing is fantastic here!Steelhead Park is supposed to be in honor of steelhead fishing, which Houston is famous for, but for me, it’s all about the flowers.Steelhead Park, Houston, British ColumbiaKind of bright out with the smoke gone.Why, it’s a Dingo god! It’s OK, though, if you just keep worshiping me, SPHP!There’s the steelhead pond, over there.Hey, SPHP! Here’s our big chance! Not a bear in sight. I’ll go nab us a steelhead from the pond.Too late! Not a single one left! Wonder if the city of Houston knows all their steelheads are gone? Either bears got ’em or people bought ’em. The pond is full of coins.Sniffs like peppermint, I bet!
Steelhead Park was a lovely break from the road. Lupe had a fun time sniffing among the brilliant flowers. Adventure was calling, though.
Time to leave already?
Lupe and SPHP left Steelhead Park at 9:45 AM. Less than 2 hours later, the Carolina Dog was standing on Babine Lake Road E of Smithers with her next big adventure in sight.
Mount Astlais (L) & The Big Onion (R), Babine Mountains, British Columbia 8-8-18
Days 39, 40 & 41 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!
9-7-17, 6:24 AM, 44°F, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory – Lupe and SPHP were awake dark and early. That’s right – dark and early. A week into September now, long days of the far north were ending. SPHP drove S on the Dempster Highway just to let the G6 warm things up a bit. Lupe stopped and had breakfast near the big sign at the entrance to Tombstone Territorial Park.
Lupe’s Tombstone Park adventures were over. She’d had a grand time climbing Surfbird Mountain, Goldensides, and taking the Grizzly Ridge trail to Grizzly Lake. In fact, Loopster was done here in the Yukon. It was time to head home, but home was thousands of miles away. Most of the remaining days of her 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska would be spent on the road. Still, there would be stops at various sights, and a couple more big adventures along the way.
After breakfast, Lupe rode shotgun watching for wildlife, while SPHP drove. The fall scenery was magnificent.
A week into September, the fall scenery along the Dempster Highway was magnificent.
Upon reaching the North Klondike Highway, SPHP turned SE toward Whitehorse, the capitol city of Yukon Territory. Whitehorse, which was 550 kilometers from where the Carolina Dog started this morning, was as far as Lupe was going today.
Lupe and SPHP had never been on the North Klondike Highway before. The road wound among countless hills, ridges, and valleys. There were mountains to be seen, but the highest ones were generally far away on some horizon. The highway crossed streams and rivers, and went past small lakes. Everywhere Loop looked, bright yellow forests of deciduous trees mixed with the dark greens of conifers.
The long, peaceful drive was beautiful and relaxing – just the ticket after Lupe’s nearly 14 hour day on the Grizzly Ridge trail yesterday. Loopster snoozed when she felt like it, but was always eager to get out of the G6 to look around when SPHP stopped briefly at memorable spots along the highway.
A view of the Tintina Trench from along the North Klondike Highway. Photo looks N.The Tintina Trench is a geological feature which extends across the Yukon into Alaska. A fault line along the trench has shifted laterally 450 kilometers.Patches of low clouds hang over the Tintina Trench. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.View of the Five Finger Rapids area on the Yukon River. Photo looks W.At Fox Lake. Photo looks S.Fox Lake was the largest lake Lupe saw along the North Klondike Highway. She wasn’t far from Whitehorse by the time she got here. Photo looks NW.
Late in the afternoon, Lupe arrived in Whitehorse. SPHP found a Jiffy Lube, and the G6 got a needed oil change. Evening featured a roasted chicken from President’s Choice. The American Dingo enthusiastically helped to devour the chicken at Takhini Hot Pools, which SPHP enjoyed for the second time on this Dingo Vacation.
9-8-17, 4:41 AM, 48°F in Whitehorse – Two foxes! SPHP watched them for a couple of minutes before Lupe woke up and saw them, too. A Dingo barkfest ensued, but the foxes only seemed perplexed and curious. After a minute or two of this abuse, they sauntered off together heading for downtown. Awesome!
Another relaxing day on the road. The morning featured gorgeous S Yukon Territory scenery along the Alaska Highway. After turning S on the Cassiar Highway, Lupe spent the afternoon in British Colombia. The Cassiar Highway was in better shape this year than in 2016. No more long stretches of gravel. Those had been replaced with new pavement. Smooth! Lupe passed by many beautiful lakes – Good Hope, Lang, Deese and others.
Lupe by the Yukon River SE of Whitehorse. Photo looks W.
With so many miles to go, it wasn’t possible to stop much. By late afternoon, after nearly 2 days in the G6, Lupe was getting restless. Something had to be done. A stop along the Stikine River for a 30 minute break helped. Loop found a squirrel up in the trees. Superb Dingo therapy!
Loop licks her schnoz after enjoying some Stikine River water. Photo looks ESE.About time you let me out of the G6! Photo looks SW.This is more like it! Searching for squirrels in the trees along the Stikine River. Found one, too! Oh, happy half hour!
Two black bears and a horse along the highway provided what little excitement there was the rest of the day. Between these episodes, Lupe’s eyelids grew heavy. She went back to snoozing. The highway went by many beautiful snow-capped peaks. Made 550 miles today. Stopped for the night somewhere S Ningunsaw Pass. Out of Alpo. Out of everything. Crackers for dinner. Oh, yum! (8:37 PM, 50°F)
9-9-17, 4:11 AM – Out to sniff the air, then onward! Turned out Lupe hadn’t been far from the Bell 2 rest stop last night. Reached it within 15 minutes. Later stopped briefly at Bell 1 near the Bell Irving River where Lupe had spent a night on her 2016 Dingo Vacation. In the dark, Bell 1 seemed just as mysterious now as it had back then.
5:55 AM – Still dark. Stopped to fuel up at Meziadin Junction. Raining! Not good. Hours to Smithers yet, though. Hopefully the rain will stop, so Lupe can climb Harvey Mountain(6,083 ft)!
From Meziadin Junction, it rained for a long way. Finally, though, the rain slackened to only intermittent showers. Still lots of clouds around, but even that situation improved enough so that by the time Lupe was approaching Smithers on Hwy 16, it was decided the American Dingo was at least going to take a shot at Harvey Mountain.
After a quick stop at Safeway in Smithers, Lupe and SPHP continued SE on Hwy 16. On the way out of town, the highway crossed a bridge over the Bulkley River. SPHP watched for a N (L) turn onto Old Babine Lake Road. The turn soon materialized. Several miles of twists and turns later, Lupe was heading up Driftwood Canyon.
10:10 AM, 47°F – The Harvey Mountain trailhead has limited parking. No problem. There was plenty of room for the G6. No other vehicles around. As soon as Lupe got out of the G6, she ran across the road over to Driftwood Creek for a drink. The rushing creek was shaded in deep forest. Mossy rocks lined the creek banks, and formed mossy islands midstream. Pretty, but once Looper was hydrated, it was time to hit the trail for Harvey Mountain(6,083 ft.)!
At Driftwood Creek right across Driftwood Road from the Harvey Mountain trailhead.This way to Harvey Mountain, SPHP!
The Harvey Mountain trail proved to be an abandoned road or former jeep trail. Most of it was grassy, though a single track was beaten down to dirt a lot of the way. In some places, forest undergrowth had taken over all but the single track.
Looper hits the Harvey Mountain trail in Babine Mountains Provincial Park.
The trail started off easy enough, but that didn’t last long. Soon it was a steady uphill grind at a pretty fierce rate of climb. It stayed that way for a long way with only occasional short level stretches. SPHP was pausing frequently to catch breath. Lupe enjoyed showing off, trotting easily up and down the trail, while SPHP stood gasping between pushes onward and upward.
The trail switchbacked up a steep mountainside though dense forest. Other than the challenging rate of ascent, everything about this was easy. No rocks, no roots, no cliffs, no rough terrain or obstacles. In many places the whole grassy roadbed was exposed, so the trail was plenty wide, too. This was simply a relentlessly steep road hike.
Due to the dense forest, there were also no views. Even after gaining 2,000 feet of elevation, Lupe still hadn’t seen much of anything except trees. Oh, there were hints of views now and then, but not even a single decent opening appeared to allow some contemplation and appreciation of what was out there just beyond the forest.
Lupe came to a large yellow metal gate. The gate was padlocked shut to prevent any possibility of vehicle traffic on the trail. After passing this gate, the situation finally started to show some signs of changing. The forest ahead was beginning to thin out. Before long, Loop was emerging from the trees. A huge sloping alpine meadow was ahead.
After passing a large yellow metal gate, Lupe finally began to emerge from the forest.As Lupe left the forest, she entered a huge, sloping alpine meadow. The trail went on in the general direction of the high point seen on the L. Photo looks E.Onward and upward! Climbing the steep alpine meadow. Photo looks NW.
Lupe had gone a long way up the slope, when it became apparent rain was approaching from the SW. SPHP donned the blue rain poncho, then sat next to a modest-sized rock which had a cairn on it. Looper curled up on SPHP’s lap inside the rain poncho, hoping to stay dry, too.
Lupe was high on the long slope she’d been climbing when it became clear rain was on the way. Photo looks SW.Better get that rain poncho on fast, SPHP! The rain is almost here! Photo looks W.Staying dry while rain and fog sweep over Harvey Mountain.
Rain and fog swept over Harvey Mountain. Visibility was close to zero. The rain showers had seemed limited in scope, when SPHP saw them coming. 30 minutes later, however, Lupe and SPHP were still sitting next to the rock with the cairn in dense fog. Rain continued to fall.
The rain fell hardest shortly before suddenly ending. The fog flew away. Loop was out of the rain poncho like a shot when SPHP urged her to move. Locally the sky was brighter again, but ragged clouds clung to nearby mountains. More rain wasn’t far off in several directions.
Conditions after the shower weren’t nearly so bright and encouraging as SPHP had expected, but Harvey Mountain wasn’t being threatened at the moment. This was Lupe’s chance to make a break for the summit. Puppy, ho! Onward!
Yes, we hid right here from the rain! Photo looks S.Lupe still at the rock with the cairn. From here she headed for the high point beyond her. Photo looks SE.Although Harvey Mountain wasn’t directly threatened at the moment, ragged clouds clung to nearby mountains. Photo looks N.
The trail had completely faded away even before the rain hit. Loop was climbing SE following Harvey Mountain’s broad NW ridge. Cairns were seen every now and then, but the route was clear enough without them. The obstacle free terrain was getting even easier. The slope of the ridge was decreasing as Lupe progressed.
Going up the very broad NW ridge. A small cairn is seen beyond Lupe a little to the R. Photo looks SE.
The topo map showed a high point labeled “Mt. Harvey” toward the N end of the mountain. This N high point couldn’t be the true summit. The map also clearly showed a higher contour well to the SSE. Since the N high point was closest, Lupe went looking for it first.
The Carolina Dog climbed or skirted several minor high points along the N end of the mountain before reaching the highest one. She sometimes had glimpses of impressive mountains and the deep valley to the N, but even during this break in the clouds, Looper could seldom see very far. She did get a good look at the true summit of Harvey Mountain from one of the minor high points.
Even during this local break in the clouds, Lupe could seldom see very far. She did get glimpses now and then like this one of the huge, deep Driftwood Creek valley to the N. The S end of Mt. Elmsted is on the L. Photo looks NNE.The true summit at the S end of Harvey Mountain is the dark knob directly beyond Lupe. Photo looks SSE.The true summit (L) from the same spot with help from the telephoto lens.Looking toward Mt. Hyland (R) during a rare semi-break in the clouds in that direction. Photo looks NE.
Once Lupe made it to the highest of the N high points, the one marked “Mt. Harvey” on the topo map, all that remained was an easy trek across an undulating summit plateau to the true summit. Loop could see her destination from here.
Lupe at the N high point. The true summit is in the distance at Center. Photo looks SSE.Another view from the N high point showing more of Harvey Mountain’s summit plateau. The true summit is on the L. Clearly there’s another spot on the mountain higher than where Lupe is on the R. Call it the S Central high point. Photo looks S.
The weather made the otherwise simple trek to the summit far more dramatic than it otherwise would have been. Fog repeatedly streamed by out of the SW producing temporary whiteouts, or giving the summit plateau a ghostly aura. Big patches of blue sky also appeared, suddenly bathing the American Dingo in brilliant sunshine.
Lupe nearing the S Central high point (R). She did not climb it on the way to the true summit (L). Photo looks SE.Another look at the true summit from the same spot. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.Getting closer! Photo looks SE.Nearly there! Photo looks SE.
The true summit of Harvey Mountain was up on a small ridge of dark colored rock. This ridge was 25 to 30 feet long, 5 to 10 feet wide, and sat 25 to 30 feet above the immediately surrounding terrain. Looper easily scrambled to the top from the W end. Except for doubt caused by the weather, Harvey Mountain(6,083 ft.) had been cake!
Loopster claims another peakbagging success at the summit of Harvey Mountain. Photo looks E.On a clear day, Lupe would have had some spectacular views of the Babine Mountains from Harvey Mountain. No such luck today!With the weather as dicey as it was, Lupe only got to spend 10 minutes at the summit before SPHP thought it best to start the descent. Reaching Harvey Mountain’s summit was still an accomplishment, even if Lupe didn’t have long to relish her success.More rain showers in the distance. Photo looks SW.Looking NNW back across the summit plateau. Lupe came here from this direction. The S Central high point is on the L. The N high point is the dark bump R of Center.Sunshine in the distance. The S Central high point is on the R. Photo looks W.Fog sweeps in again. Photo looks SW.
SE of the summit, Harvey Mountain dropped very steeply away into a deep canyon. Lupe could see clear to the bottom. Clouds continually hid Pyramid Mountain on the other side. The topo map suggested it might be possible to journey over to Pyramid Mountain and an even higher peak to the E traversing a saddle farther N, but the weather squelched all ideas of giving that a try.
In fact, after only 10 or 12 minutes at the summit, with another line of showers approaching from the SW, Lupe had spent long enough up here. The American Dingo would have had tremendous views of the Babine Mountains on a clear day, but that didn’t seem to be in the cards. Loop had better start her descent in case the situation decided to take a turn for the worse.
So Lupe left the summit of Harvey Mountain. She proceeded NW toward the S Central high point.
On the way to the S Central high point (L) after leaving the summit. Photo looks NW.
This time, Lupe did go to the top of the S Central high point. By the time she got there, though, the next squall had arrived. This one was mostly a dense fog. Once again, everything disappeared from view. Raindrops fell at first, quickly followed by snow granules.
Lupe was stuck here. The snow granules, which stung a little driven by the wind, weren’t the problem. With no trail and no visibility, it would be way too easy to get turned around.
Another wait doing nothing. The wind and snow made it cold. SPHP started getting nervous when the fog didn’t show any sign of breaking up quickly. 20 minutes went by. Finally, the outline of another hill not far to the N could be seen. Lupe headed for it, and the fog thinned some more. Enough so Loop could keep going.
After waiting more than 20 minutes up on the S Central high point, the outline of another hill to the N could be seen. Lupe headed for it. Photo looks N.
By the time Loop was near the N end of the mountain again, the fog was only wispy. She turned and started down the broad NW ridge. Blue sky appeared! Oh, yeah! Nearby, though, clouds still prevailed.
Looper back near the N end of Harvey Mountain again as wisps of fog continue to sweep by. The summit she’d left behind is on the L, the S Central high point on the R. Photo looks S.Blue sky returns! Summit on the L. Photo looks S.Improvements in the weather looked potentially temporary. Photo looks W.
By the time Lupe reached the last big rock formations on the NW ridge, she was in sunshine. She had it made now. The trail was just down the big alpine slope from here. Once she reached the trail, it wouldn’t matter how foggy it got.
In sunshine on the last big rock formation on the NW ridge. Photo looks SSW.Looking W from the same spot. Lupe would pick up the trail again down toward the L.A peek back to the NE before continuing the descent.Beautiful W slope of Harvey Mountain. Photo looks S.
Of course, Lupe did reach the trail. The return was super simple the rest of the way. Gravity helped to make it all so easy compared to SPHP’s huffing and puffing ascent. The weather steadily improved (naturally!). Looper even saw the glacier on Hudson Bay Mountain(8,494 ft.) off to the WSW, although the summit remained shrouded.
Hudson Bay Mountain W of Smithers is an ultra prominent peak (more than 5,000 ft. of prominence). Photo looks WSW.Zoomed in on Hudson Bay Mountain.
After glimpsing Hudson Bay Mountain, it was down the winding trail through the forest all the way back to the trailhead. (3:46 PM, 59°F)
On the pleasant, now sunlit, journey back to the trailhead.Back for another taste of refreshing Driftwood Creek.Delicious! Why don’t you ever have any, SPHP?Mossy banked Driftwood Creek.
Harvey Mountain was destined to be the last peak Lupe climbed in Canada in 2017. After another round of refreshment in Driftwood Creek, the Carolina Dog left the Babine Mountains returning to Highway 16. The rest of the day was spent on the road, traveling SE through gorgeous British Columbia toward Prince George.
Loop didn’t make it all the way to Prince George. Toward evening she stopped for another adventure. This adventure wasn’t about climbing mountains, instead it was an adventure in beauty. In 2016, when Lupe had been on her way NW on Hwy 16, she had stopped at the prettiest city park, Steelhead Park, in the little town of Houston.
Steelhead Park is right along the highway. It isn’t very large, but walkways lead across a beautifully manicured lawn past shady trees and carefully cultivated flower beds. There is even a fountain. A stop to stretch those legs and enjoy Steelhead Park again was a must!
Lupe sets out on an adventure in beauty at Steelhead Park.Steelhead Park features beautifully manicured lawns and carefully cultivated flower beds.Whatcha think, SPHP? Do I look good in pink? …. Oh, yes! You’re so beautiful, Looper!See any tall, dark, and handsome Dingoes around, SPHP? This is my sweet come hither look. …… Oh my, deadly!By the fountain featuring leaping Steelheads.Harvey Mountain was the last mountain I’m going to get to climb in Canada this year? That’s a sad thought!Purple and gold! Think the Minnesota Vikings need an American Dingo mascot? I’d be pretty scary with horns, you know. Give me the ball, and I’m fast enough to score touchdowns, too!No, on second thought, maybe I’ll just stick with beautiful things like mountains and flowers. Hard to win when they out weigh you 10 to 1. One good hit in the NFL, and I would be a Dingo pancake!Yes, beautiful things are the way to go. I fit right in, don’t I?Steelhead Park really is wonderful. So glad we stopped to enjoy it again! There’s mountains near Houston, too, SPHP! Maybe we could come back and climb one or two around here some day?
After visiting Steelhead Park, Lupe continued on. Near Cluculz Lake SE of Vanderhoof, it got dark. Lupe and SPHP stopped for the night. No sense missing any scenery! Tomorrow was another day.
Harvey Mountain trailhead directions: From Smithers, British Columbia head SE on Hwy 16. After crossing the Bulkley River bridge, watch for Old Babine Lake Road, which soon appears on the L. Follow Old Babine Lake Road approximately 4 miles to another L turn onto Telkwa High Road. Go 1 mile to a R turn onto Driftwood Canyon Road. Follow signs to Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park. Keep going 6 km up Driftwood Canyon. After crossing a series of single lane bridges over Driftwood Creek, the Harvey Mountain trailhead appears on the R. Parking is limited. Additional parking is available 1 km farther on at the Silver King trailhead. Total elevation gain to the summit is 2,943 feet.
