Start – 10:42 AM, 69 °F, Rapid Creek trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89
Sad to say it, but Lupe’s many adventures on 3 separate Dingo Vacations during the grand summer of 2018 were over. It was officially fall now, and the American Dingo had been back at home for a whole week. That was more than enough time to get all rested up and start missing those long summer days spent exploring magnificent far away places.
When SPHP suggested it might be time to check out another section of Centennial Trail No. 89 in the Black Hills, Loopster was excited at the prospect of getting back into action. Oh, yeah! She could hardly wait!
Loop had explored some of the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89 back in the spring. It seemed only natural to pick up from where she’d left off at the Rapid Creek trailhead below the Pactola Reservoir dam. The plan was to follow the next section of the trail N all the way to the Deer Creek trailhead, a distance of 5.0 miles.
Lupe happy to be back at the Rapid Creek trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89 for the first time since spring.
Leaving the trailhead, Centennial Trail No. 89 goes a short distance W before crossing Rapid Creek on Pactola Basin Road. Instead of crossing the creek right away, though, Lupe continued upstream for a look at the pond at the base of the Pactola Reservoir dam.
Lupe drops by for a look at the scenic pond below the dam. Photo looks WSW.
A couple of ducks flew away as the Carolina Dog approached. At the pond’s outlet, a footbridge provided a way over Rapid Creek. Lupe and SPHP lingered a few minutes admiring the scenic pond before following the creek downstream back to Pactola Basin Road. Along the way, Loop cooled her paws off and helped herself to a drink.
Cooling off in Rapid Creek. The footbridge Lupe had crossed by the pond is in view. Photo looks SW.
Once back at Pactola Basin Road, Lupe followed it NW. The road soon curved to the L (W) to start winding steeply up to the top of the dam. Centennial Trail No. 89, however, took a side road NW up a small valley. Sticking with the trail, Lupe passed by several cabins.
Sticking with Centennial Trail No. 89 after leaving Pactola Basin Road, Lupe passes by the last cabin along a side road. Photo looks W.
Beyond the last cabin, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued NW. The trail was well marked and easy to follow.
Heading up the valley. Part of Pactola Reservoir dam is seen on the L (W).The trail was clearly marked and easy to follow even though the road soon began to fade. Photo looks N.
The road faded away. Centennial Trail No. 89 was now a single track trail, which began to climb more steeply. Lupe quickly reached the top of a small ridge. The Carolina Dog was now high enough to see Highway 385 and part of Pactola Reservoir off to the W & SW.
Centennial Trail No. 89 had narrowed to a single track by the time Lupe was high enough to see Highway 385 and part of Pactola Reservoir. Photo looks SW.
The steepest part of Centennial Trail No. 89 the American Dingo would encounter today was just ahead. Even so, the rate of climb remained moderate. The trail snaked up a long slope, passing near a utility line. Higher up, a view began to open up back to the S.
Continuing higher. This next section was the steepest part of Centennial Trail No. 89 that Lupe would encounter today. Photo looks NW.As Lupe gained elevation, a view to the S began to open up.
After passing through a meadow, Loopster reached a high point where Centennial Trail No. 89 leveled out. The Carolina Dog had gained 500 feet of elevation, and was now 0.75 mile from the Rapid Creek trailhead. This was the end of the first big climb. Directly ahead the trail entered the forest.
Although Lupe had gotten a late morning start, SPHP figured she had plenty of time to get to the Deer Creek trailhead and back before dark. In fact, Lupe probably had enough time to leave the trail and do a little peakbagging. Perrin Mountain(5,212 ft.) was less than a mile E.
Centennial Trail No. 89 levels out and enters the forest 0.75 mile NW of the Rapid Creek trailhead. This is the end of the steepest climb on this section of the trail. Photo looks N.
Lupe left the trail setting out for Perrin Mountain. She gained another 100 feet of elevation climbing a forested slope to the NE. This brought her up onto Perrin Mountain’s WNW ridge. The Carolina Dog traveled NE across a broad thinly forested saddle to a big rock formation.
Off trail now, Lupe approaches a big rock formation on her way to Perrin Mountain. Photo looks NE.
From the big rock formation, Lupe followed the ridge SE. She passed over several high and low points on the way to Perrin Mountain, but the elevation changes weren’t dramatic. She soon came to a large power line. The clear cut area along the power line provided the best view of Pactola Reservoir thus far.
Looking S toward Pactola Reservoir from the power line that crosses Perrin Mountain’s WNW ridge.
The rest of the way to Perrin Mountain, Lupe caught only tree-broken glimpses of the lake. Closing in on the summit, Lupe came to a short stretch of dirt road beyond which a single track trail led to the odd “Hurt Locker” sign at the top of the mountain. The true summit was a small rock outcropping 30 feet to the N.
Lupe arrives at the odd “Hurt Locker” sign on Perrin Mountain. Photo looks E.At Perrin Mountain’s true summit. Photo looks NE.
Perrin Mountain was too heavily forested to see much of anything. Lupe took a short break near the summit before returning to Centennial Trail No. 89 via the same route. The Perrin Mountain(5,212 ft.) side trip was Lupe’s only peakbagging success of the day. From now on she would stick to the trail.
Heading back to Centennial Trail No. 89 along Perrin Mountain’s WNW ridge. Photo looks WNW.
Lupe made it back to Centennial Trail No. 89 at the same point she’d left it. She now followed the trail N into the forest. It remained level for a little while, before curving W and beginning to lose elevation steadily. Going down a fairly steep forested ravine, Lupe soon reached Highway 385. SPHP helped Lupe cross the busy highway safely.
Starting down toward Highway 385 after reaching Centennial Trail No. 89 again. Photo looks W.Approaching Highway 385 after losing nearly 300 feet of elevation. Photo looks W.
W of Highway 385 the trail lost a bit more elevation. Lupe could soon see the inlet where the N boat launch on Pactola Reservoir is located. The trail got quite close the lake, but stayed 30 feet above the water.
Lupe enjoys some fall colors along Centennial Trail No. 89 after crossing Hwy 385. Photo looks W.Looking toward the N boat launch on Pactola Reservoir. Photo looks S.
Beyond the N end of the inlet, Centennial Trail No. 89 headed NW up a shallow valley. This was the start of the second notable climb along the trail. This climb was much longer than the first one, but quite gradual the whole way. Occasionally it was interrupted by level or short downhill sections.
After crossing the paved road leading down to the N boat launch, the trail turned back toward the SW. Eventually the boat launch could be glimpsed below to the E. Although Lupe wasn’t far from the main body of Pactola Reservoir here, she couldn’t see it due to the forest. The trail now curved toward the W on high ground SE of Boarding House Gulch.
Where the trail turned N again, Lupe came to a bit of open ground from which she could see part of Pactola Reservoir. This was a good spot to take another break.
Lupe on a bit of grassy high ground SE of Boarding House Gulch with a partial view of Pactola Reservoir. This was a good spot to take a second break. Photo looks SW.
Lupe wasn’t quite halfway to the Deer Creek trailhead yet, so this second rest break was also fairly brief. Upon resuming her trek, Centennial Trail No. 89 wound around high up on a mostly forested slope on the NE side of Boarding House Gulch.
The trail was fairly level along in here. SPHP liked this area since higher ground to the NE screened most of the traffic noise from Hwy 385. Lupe liked it because she was having success finding squirrels to bark at.
Lupe liked racing along level sections of the trail near Boarding House Gulch like this one looking for squirrels.
After winding around quite a bit, Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed over to the other side of Boarding House Gulch. Here the trail was no longer single track. For about a mile it followed a much straighter dirt road climbing slowly, but steadily NW.
Lupe approaching the end of the single track trail in Boarding House Gulch. Just ahead Centennial Trail No. 89 crosses to the other side of the valley and starts following a dirt road. Photo looks NW.Going up Boarding House Gulch. Photo looks NW.Nearing a minor pass at the upper end of Boarding House Gulch. Photo looks NNW.
Lupe reached a minor pass at the upper end of Boarding House Gulch. A few buildings could be seen off to the NE. Centennial Trail No. 89 left the dirt road here, heading WNW into Smoker Gulch. The trail reverted to single track once again. Lupe passed through beautiful secluded stands of aspens that were just beginning to show fall colors.
Lupe on the single track trail leading into Smoker Gulch. The aspens were just beginning to show some fall colors. Photo looks NW.Heading W into Smoker Gulch. This relatively short section of single track trail was one of the prettiest and most secluded areas Lupe came to.
Leaving most of the aspens behind, the trail soon curved NNW again as it entered the upper portion of Smoker Gulch. For a while the trail closely paralleled yet another dirt road.
Beyond most of the aspens heading farther up Smoker Gulch. Photo looks NNW.
Smoker Gulch was only a third as long as Boarding House Gulch had been. Lupe was soon approaching another minor pass at its upper N end. At about 5150 feet, this pass was the high point of the entire section of Centennial Trail No. 89 the Carolina Dog was traveling today. She had gained about 550 feet of elevation from where she’d left the inlet of Pactola Reservoir near the N boat launch.
At this pass, Lupe discovered a clearly marked junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40, which heads W for 23 miles to Deerfield Reservoir. Looper wasn’t going that way today. Instead, she continued N over the pass on a section of trail shared by both Centennial Trail No. 89 and Deerfield Trail No. 40. It wasn’t much farther to Silver City Road.
Lupe reaches a junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40 at the N end of Smoker Gulch. Photo looks WNW.Lupe continus N on a section of single track trail shared by both Centennial Trail No. 89 & Deerfield Trail No. 40. She passed by the house seen on the R on the way to Silver City Road. Photo looks N.Loop arrives at Silver City Road. Centennial Trail No. 89 & Deerfield Trail No. 40 both cross the road here. Photo looks NW.
100 yards after crossing Silver City Road, Lupe reached another junction, this time with the spur trail leading to the Deer Creek trailhead. SPHP didn’t immediately recognize the junction for what it was. Lupe stayed to the L continuing N on Deerfield Trail No. 89. She didn’t get far before SPHP realized the mistake.
Lupe reaches the junction with the relatively short spur trail to the Deer Creek trailhead. SPHP didn’t immediately recognize this junction for what it was, mistakenly leading Lupe to the L continuing N on Centennial Trail No. 89.Going the wrong way! Lupe continuing N on Centennial Trail No. 89 when she should have been on the spur trail going E down to the Deer Creek trailhead. She didn’t get much farther than this before turning around. Photo looks NW.
It only took a minute or two to get back to the spur trail. The spur trail itself was only a 5 minute trek down a slope to the E. At the bottom Lupe finally reached the Deer Creek trailhead, her objective for the day.
Lupe reaches the Deer Creek trailhead, her objective for the day. This is the official E end of Deerfield Trail No. 40, as well as an access point for Centennial Trail No. 89.
Except for the empty parking lot, there wasn’t much to see at the Deer Creek trailhead. Lupe didn’t stick around for long. She now had to head S retracing her entire 5.0 mile long trek on Centennial Trail No. 89 back to the Rapid Creek trailhead where the G6 was parked.
Ready to head back! Lupe sits at the start of the spur trail at the Deer Creek trailhead. Photo looks SW.Back at the junction of the spur trail and Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks S.
The return trip was pleasant and easy. Except for the big climb after crossing Highway 385, it was mostly downhill. Lupe sniffed and ran. She barked at squirrels. She saw several deer and even a couple of elk. She did not revisit Perrin Mountain, staying on Centennial Trail No. 89 the whole way.
The sun was about to disappear by the time the American Dingo reached the Rapid Creek trailhead again. (End – 6:51 PM, 63 °F) It had been a fun day on Centennial Trail No. 89, but Lupe was ready to head home. She hopped into the G6. SPHP drove up Pactola Basin Road to the junction with Highway 385 near the N end of the dam.
Lupe’s return home had to be delayed! From the dam, a gorgeous sunset could be seen over Pactola Reservoir. SPHP drove across the highway to a viewpoint overlooking the lake. Together Lupe and SPHP watched until the blazing display faded to gray.
Oh, I guess we better hang around for this!Sunset at Pactola Lake, 9-22-18.Starting to fade, but still exquisite!That was quite a show! You don’t see many sunsets like this one. SPHP and I are going to hang around a while longer. Thanks for joining us on Centennial Trail No. 89! Bye for now!
Day 38 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!
7:48 AM, 59°F along the North Klondike River – Overcast again! At least it wasn’t foggy this morning. Lupe’s right rear paw was doing better, too. While SPHP made breakfast, Looper explored the bushes near the river, or sniffed around the huge pullout near the Dempster Highway.
Along the North Klondike River. Photo looks NE.Waiting for breakfast. Summer sausage and English muffins. Loop didn’t want any soup.
After breakfast, Lupe and SPHP headed S on the Dempster Highway. Fall colors were already spectacular here in the Yukon!
Not even a week into September yet, and the fall colors were already spectacular!
Near kilometer 58.5, SPHP found the turn to the W (R) to the Grizzly Ridge trailhead. A surprising number of vehicles were in the parking lot, but plenty of room remained for the G6.
9:36 AM, 61°F overcast with a light S breeze, Grizzly Ridge trailhead – As soon as she set out on the Grizzly Ridge trail, Lupe knew this was going to be an epic day! She found 3 squirrels in short order up in the spruce trees of the boreal forest. A rushing stream nearby couldn’t drown out the shrill enthusiasm of the excited American Dingo.
Near the start of the Grizzly Ridge trail.Oh, boy! Squirrels!Having a stream nearby is mighty convenient when your barker gets dry.
The first part of the Grizzly Ridge trail climbed gradually through the forest. The trail was in good shape and easy to follow. Tree roots were frequently encountered, but were only minor annoyances. Yellow bushes brightened the forest beneath the dark green canopy of the spruce trees. The trail came to two creeks, but didn’t cross them.
Lupe loved being in the forest!
Farther from the trailhead, tree roots were frequently encountered on the trail. Yellow bushes brightened the forest beneath the dark green of the spruce trees.
This first part of the trail was easy! Near the end, Lupe came to several sets of well-constructed stairs. By now she had gained enough elevation so the spruce trees were starting to thin out. Beyond the stairs, the trail began climbing more aggressively. Soon trees were few and far between. Colorful bushes dominated the landscape.
Coming to the first set of stairs. The spruce trees were already beginning to thin out.Leaving the forest behind to enter the blazing bush zone. Photo looks SE.
The trail became an increasingly steep grind up Grizzly Ridge. Lupe was sad to leave the forest and its lovely squirrels behind. However, she now enjoyed impressive views. Brilliant bushes blanketed the mountainsides to such an extent that entire mountains looked crimson, orange, or gold. On a clear day, the brilliance of the colors would have been unreal. Even beneath the cloudy sky, astonishing beauty was on all sides.
The trail goes up gorgeous Grizzly Ridge to the high points ahead. Photo looks NW.Starting to get glimpses of mountain spires near Grizzly Lake, which isn’t in view yet. Photo looks WSW.Entire mountains were crimson, orange, and gold. So amazing! The trailhead is back down in the forest by the Dempster Highway at lower R. Photo looks ESE.
Down at the trailhead, there had been a bit of a breeze. Now that Lupe was up on the exposed slopes of Grizzly Ridge, the breeze was a SE wind, not a light one, either. As the Carolina Dog continued gaining elevation, the wind became more and more powerful. Looper kept going, though. Soon she would be high enough to see Grizzly Lake.
Lupe wasn’t enjoying the increasingly powerful wind as she went up Grizzly Ridge. However, she would soon be high enough to see Grizzly Lake at the far end of Grizzly Creek valley (Center). Photo looks WSW.The Grizzly Creek valley with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks WSW.Continuing up Grizzly Ridge. Photo looks WNW.Looking back down toward some of the lower high points along the way. The trail skirted some of these hills instead of climbing to the top of each one. Photo looks SE.
The trail continued up and up. Lupe climbed and climbed. Eventually she was high enough so that even the bushes started disappearing. Looper entered a zone of tundra. The trail was rockier now. The wind swept over the ridgeline at 30 to 35 mph, with gusts that made it hard for SPHP to maintain balance.
Lupe enduring the wind (which was coming from the L) up on Grizzly Ridge. She was above most of the bushes here. The trail was becoming rockier. Photo looks W.
The Grizzly Ridge trail must be popular. Two days ago, Lupe hadn’t seen anyone when she climbed Surfbird Mountain. Yesterday she’d met 4 or 5 people on the Goldensides trail. By the time Lupe was way up in the tundra on Grizzly Ridge, she had already met twice that many people. They were all on their way down, heading back to the trailhead.
Ahead, the ridge leveled out and narrowed. The trail went right across the top of the narrow area. At the start of this section, Looper met a group of 4 hikers, who were also on their way back to the trailhead. The wind was blowing something fierce up here. Everyone was huddled on the N side of a minor rock outcropping taking a break from the wind.
One of the hikers noticed that SPHP wasn’t using hiking poles. This guy immediately expressed concern. He practically screamed into the wind that it wasn’t safe to go any farther without poles. Even with them, the wind was blowing so hard, he had barely made it across. He held out his hiking poles at nearly a horizontal position to demonstrate how hard he had fought to avoid being blown entirely off the ridgeline. He screamed that the ridge ahead was very narrow, pronounced the wind a virtual hurricane, and screeched that it was SCARY!
This was a somewhat unnerving display of no confidence to say the least. That the wind was strong there was no doubt, but was it really that bad? Would SPHP get blown into the canyon to the N? Would the Carolina Dog unwillingly take flight and sail helplessly into the abyss?
Lupe sheltered behind the rock outcropping for 5 minutes with the rest of the hikers. When they started getting ready to continue their descent, Loopster and SPHP struck out along the windy ridgeline in the opposite direction.
SPHP crouched. Loopster kept her head down. Forward! Despite the gale, the American Dingo did not take flight. SPHP managed to stagger onward. The ridgeline was narrow, but not as bad as that hiker would have had one believe. It wasn’t fun in this wind, but scary is relative to what one is accustomed to. SPHP didn’t think this was so bad. Looper hated the wind, but she wasn’t frightened, either.
Beyond this narrow section, the wind started to ease up. The Grizzly Ridge trail gains more than 2,600 feet of elevation from the trailhead to its high point. The American Dingo had already gained the vast majority of that elevation. As the ridge continued higher, the trail stayed to the S below the ridgeline.
As the wind continued to ease, Lupe caught glimpses of Grizzly Lake. Encouraging! The sky, however, was looking darker than before, and Grizzly Lake was still a long way off.
Beyond the narrowest section of the ridgeline, the wind began easing up. Lupe could see Grizzly Lake (L) ahead. While that was encouraging, the sky was growing darker. Photo looks WSW.
The Carolina Dog kept going. The mountaintops had disappeared in fog a while ago back to the E. Now it looked like it was raining over there.
Looking back along Grizzly Ridge. Mountains in the distance had disappeared in fog some time ago. Now it looked like it was raining over there. Photo looks E.
Lupe soon came to a place where a rocky hill sat a little S of the trail. From the saddle between the rock formation and Grizzly Ridge, Loop had her best view of Grizzly Lake yet. Things were certainly looking gloomy over there.
From a saddle between Grizzly Ridge and a big rock formation to the S, Lupe had her best view of Grizzly Lake yet. Photo looks WSW.Um, looks rather gloomy over by the lake, SPHP! You sure we should be doing this?
Within a couple of minutes, Grizzly Lake disappeared completely. A rain shower was working its way down the Grizzly Creek valley straight for Lupe’s position. It wouldn’t take long to get here. SPHP donned the rain poncho. There was room for the pack and Lupe to get up underneath it, too. On the E side of the big rock formation, Loopster sat on SPHP’s lap inside the rain poncho.
The rain began immediately. Gray clouds scudded by 500 to 800 feet above, all but the closest mountains vanished, wisps of fog streamed by. Of course, the question was, how long was this going to last? If this was going to turn into an all day affair, which seemed entirely plausible, Lupe might as well beat a retreat to the G6 now.
Loop and SPHP sat there waiting as rain poured down driven by the wind. No cloudburst, or anything like that, but steady, relentless. The rain poncho, aided by the rock formation, was working. The Carolina Dog stayed dry.
For 30 minutes nothing changed. Rain fell everywhere, in every direction. Finally, it slackened. The sky looked lighter toward Grizzly Lake. The rain returned, however. Lupe and SPHP waited out another couple of brief showers over the next 15 minutes. When it was nearly over, Loopster hit the trail again. Onward! Puppy, ho!
The trail now went up and down, still gaining net elevation slowly, as it wound along the upper S side of Grizzly Ridge. The ridge was much broader here than back at that windiest narrow section. The rain soon quit entirely, and, thankfully, the wind died down to a gentle breeze. The sky remained overcast, but not so darkly as before.
The top of Grizzly Ridge was now often considerably higher than the trail. However, Loop did round corners a couple of times to find places where the ridgeline dipped down to the trail’s level. At these saddles, the Carolina Dog could see into the deep canyon to the N. A cluster of high mountains was visible off to the NW.
Looking back after rounding a corner. The rain had stopped, the sky was lighter, and the wind was only a breeze now. Photo looks SE.Directly ahead is the first of a couple of dips in the ridgeline where the trail went along the top of Grizzly Ridge again. Photo looks NW.At the dip, Lupe could see into the deep canyon to the N (R). A cluster of mountains (L) was visible in the distance off to the NW. Photo looks NW.
For a while, Lupe had views of Grizzly Lake. She was getting closer and closer, but still had a long way to go. The clouds had now lifted enough so she could see one of the iconic peaks of Tombstone Territorial Park. Mount Monolith(7,000 ft.) could be seen on the R above and beyond other towering spires closer to the lake.
(Note: To see topo maps after clicking on any mountain link in this post, switch from CalTopo to MyTopo at upper L on the Google dynamic map.)
Each time the trail provided Lupe with a view of Grizzly Lake (L), she could see she was getting closer, though it was still a long way off. The clouds had lifted enough so she could now see iconic Mount Monolith (Center), too. Note the lime green flag near Lupe. As the trail became rockier, it was sometimes hard to tell where it went. These small lime green flags marked the correct route. Photo looks WSW.Grizzly Lake (Center) and Mount Monolith (highest peak on the R). Photo looks WSW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.Approaching the last dip on the ridgeline (R) where the trail reached the top of Grizzly Ridge for the final time. The trail eventually works its way up over to the shelf seen on the L. Photo looks WNW.Looking toward the canyon to the N (R) and mountains beyond (Center) from the last dip. Photo looks NW.
The Grizzly Ridge trail reached its highest elevation beyond the last of the dips where the trail reached the ridgeline. By now, the ridgeline was much higher than the trail, and stayed that way the rest of the way to Grizzly Lake.
Due to the configuration of the terrain, Grizzly Lake was no longer in view. The trail went up and down over a series of big benches where there were alpine meadows, and sometimes bushes. In between these meadows, the trail ascended or descended rocky hillsides. On balance, Loop was now gradually losing net elevation.
Loop somewhere close to the high point of the Grizzly Ridge trail. Grizzly Lake is no longer in view at the far end of the valley (L). From here, the trail crosses the alpine meadows seen on the gently sloping benches ahead. Photo looks SW.Crossing the benches, losing elevation in the process. Photo looks SW.The trail became increasingly rocky, but Lupe preferred these stretches with beautiful vegetation. Photo looks SW.
At last, Lupe rounded a corner, and saw the glorious sight she had come all this way to see. Beyond a golden slope, Grizzly Lake lay nestled at the foot of towering stone spires. Toward the R, Mount Monolith(7,000 ft.) soared above all else. The promised land! One of the greatest sights of Tombstone Territorial Park!
Beyond this golden mountain slope, Grizzly Lake rests below towering spires. Mount Monolith (R) soars above it all. This was the sight Lupe had come all this way to see! Photo looks WSW.Grizzly Lake, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada
Grizzly Lake was no longer that far away. Lupe and SPHP hurried on, but the trail crossed many boulder fields here that slowed SPHP down. Lupe saw an unusual bird. SPHP didn’t know what kind of bird it was, but it sure had a gorgeous home.
Closing in on Grizzly Lake. Photo looks SW.What a lucky duck to live here in such a gorgeous place! Well, not a duck, actually. SPHP had no clue what kind of bird this might really be.
Suddenly, Lupe was there, crossing Grizzly Creek where it left the lake! The stream was so low, SPHP easily rock hopped across, too.
Oh, we’re almost there, SPHP! Grizzly Lake! Isn’t it wonderful?Crossing Grizzly Creek close to the lake. Photo looks W.
Beyond the creek, Lupe reached the Grizzly Lake campground. A gravel walkway wound among a dozen campsites consisting of plastic grids within wooden frameworks. Lupe passed by a solitary blue tent, but no one was there. Past the campsites were two outhouses raised 8 feet above the ground. The doors were reached by sloping metal walkways. If they’d had windows, the outhouses would have had commanding views of Grizzly Lake.
Down closer to the lake, two big white tents were set up. In one of them, two women were cooking dinner. One of the women about jumped out of her skin, when SPHP asked if they had the time. She hadn’t heard Lupe coming.
The women were from Germany, and friendly enough after recovering from the shock of being disturbed. It was 5:00 PM. SPHP thanked them. Lupe went on down to the shore of Grizzly Lake. It had taken more than 7 hours to get here. Sadly, the American Dingo couldn’t stay long. The G6 was 11 mountainous kilometers away back at the trailhead.
Half an hour, Loopster, that’s all we’ve got.
Lupe arrives at the rocky E shore of Grizzly Lake. Photo looks W.
Lupe and SPHP spent the half hour by the rocky E shore of Grizzly Lake. A bit of sunshine would have been amazing! If only. Lupe had been in Tombstone Territorial Park for 3 days now, and hadn’t seen the sun yet, except as a bright, white spot in the clouds. In truth, the Carolina Dog had been lucky the weather had been good enough to get here.
It was too bad Loopster and SPHP weren’t equipped to spend the night. Sigh. A permit is required for backcountry camping, anyway. Staying here would have been awesome, though.
A couple of trails leave Grizzly Lake for other fabulous destinations. The Twin Lakes trail goes over a ridge SW of the lake to a viewpoint where Mount Monolith can be seen. A longer trail goes N over Glissade Pass to Divide Lake. From there, a second trail continues on to Talus Lake for a view of Tombstone Mountain(7,192 ft.).
None of that was going to happen for Lupe, at least not in 2017. Who knew, though? Maybe another time.
Lupe at Grizzly Lake. She’d done mighty well to come so far. She still had 11 kilometers to go to get all the way back to the G6 this evening.A couple of other trails leave the Grizzly Lake area. A trail goes over Glissade Pass somewhere on the ridge to the R (N) to another campground at Divide Lake. From there, yet another trail continues on to Talus Lake to see Tombstone Mountain. Photo looks W.Mount Monolith can’t be seen from Grizzly Lake. It’s hidden behind the closer peaks across the lake. However, the Twin Lakes trail goes SW (L) over a pass to a view of Mount Monolith. Photo looks W.
Lupe’s wonderful half hour at Grizzly Lake ticked away. She stayed by the E shore, together with SPHP, the whole time. Loop devoured Taste of the Wild. SPHP ate pudding. There was hardly any wind. Waves lapped gently up against the rocks lining the lake’s edge. Every moment was to be savored. Grizzly Lake was Lupe’s last big adventure in the Yukon.
The Grizzly Ridge trail to Grizzly Lake was Lupe’s last Yukon adventure in 2017.Next time I come here, SPHP, we’ve got to stay longer! Bring my tiny house, and we can go see both Mount Monolith and Tombstone Mountain!
Grizzly Lake was magnificent, and the rest and relaxation had been helpful, but time was up. Better get going. SPHP wasn’t at all certain it would be possible to follow the trail over the rockier parts in the dark. Lupe needed to at least get beyond those questionable areas before the light faded away. Parting photos, and it was Puppy, Ho! once again.
The Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood at Grizzly Lake as departure time nears. Photo looks W.Shortly after departure Grizzly Lake is no longer in view, but Mount Monolith can be seen peeking up on the R. Photo looks WSW.Looking back at Grizzly Lake and Mount Monolith (R). What a day this had been! Photo looks WSW.
It was a long trudge. For several hours, Lupe traveled through light mist. There were more rock fields to cross than SPHP remembered. The mist eventually quit, however, and Loopster was making good progress. There was no wind at all now, which helped a great deal. Light would fade early again tonight with the cloud cover. No more breaks allowed than necessary to catch breath.
Nearing the second dip where the trail had last reached the top of Grizzly Ridge. Photo looks NE.Still a long way to go, Looper. Carry on! I’m coming!A last look back at Grizzly Lake and Mount Monolith (R) from the Grizzly Ridge trail. Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.
Although Lupe had met more than a dozen people on the way to Grizzly Lake, no one was on the trail on the way back. By the time she reached the forest again, it was pitch black. SPHP wore the headlamp set on red, and carried a flashlight. The forest was a short portion of the overall journey, but seemed to go on forever. Lupe was tired. SPHP was tired. It had been an incredible day, but both were ready for it to end.
11:18 PM, 50°F at the Grizzly Ridge trailhead – Well, it was over. Time for dinner, such as it was. Simple fare for sure. Too tired to do anything else. Lupe finished the 30th can of Alpo she’d had on this trip. Then she was out like a light, snoozing peacefully beneath her blankie on top of her stack of pillows and blankets.
SPHP had a harder time. Everything ached. Oh, well. It would all get better. It had all been worth it, too. Tomorrow Lupe would start for home. The rest of her Dingo Vacation would be mostly spent on long, relaxing, scenic drives. Loop would still have a couple more adventures on the way, but the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood was now completely done in the Yukon and Alaska in 2017.
SPHP was glad that Lupe had come here to Tombstone Territorial Park. She almost hadn’t, you know. What a fantastic place this turned out to be! Surfbird Mountain, Goldensides Mountain, and Grizzly Lake had all been big successes for Loop amid splendid scenery at what had to be the height of autumnal glory.
Tombstone Territorial Park was a long way from home. Who knew, though, maybe someday Lupe would return? A happy thought!
In the promised land nearing the end of the Grizzly Ridge trail, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada 9-6-17
