Tombstone Territorial Park – Page 2 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Windy Pass Peak, Distincta Peak & Peak 5906, Yukon Territory, Canada (8-16-18)

Days 12 & 13 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!

8-15-18, 6:00 AM, 42°F at the Mount Haldane trailhead two miles N of the Silver Trail – Looked like rain, darkly overcast without a speck of blue. Lupe had gotten lucky climbing Mount Haldane (6,032 ft.) yesterday. The situation was less promising today, though. Hopefully conditions would be better at Tombstone Territorial Park. SPHP drove back to the Silver Trail, and turned W.

**Mayo River** from near the Minto Bridge along Silver Trail Highway No. 11.

At Stewart Crossing, patches of blue sky could be seen. Encouraging! SPHP took North Klondike Highway No. 2 heading N. It was a sunny day by the time Lupe reached the official start of the Dempster Highway E of Dawson City. SPHP fueled the G6, then accompanied Looper over to the commemorative sign. (9:50 AM, 50°F)

In early September, 2017, the Carolina Dog had explored part of the Dempster Highway, but only as far as Tombstone Territorial Park. The scenery had been absolutely stunning! Below the gloom of a sullen sky, dark grey and silver mountains had loomed over river valleys ablaze with reds, golds, and oranges.

This year, Loopster was going to go farther, much farther! In fact, she was going to travel the entire length of the Dempster to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories, 737 km (458 miles) of gravel away. Not only that, but, if the G6 could manage it, the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood was going to continue N beyond Inuvik, a feat that would have been impossible a year ago. In November, 2017, a brand new all season road had been opened that went another 140 km (87 miles) all the way to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean!

The mighty American Dingo stood at the start of the Dempster Highway blinking and squinting in the sunlight. For good measure, she licked her schnoz at the moment SPHP snapped the photo, a fact not noticed until later. Ah, well. So it goes.

Miss Tasty Nose at the start of the Dempster Highway.

The sun vanished on the road N. Gray clouds blanketed the mountains by the time Lupe reached Tombstone Territorial Park a mere 50 km up the Dempster Highway. Everything was still green in mid-August. The scene was a far cry from the brilliant fall colors Lupe had enjoyed here last September.

50 km along the Dempster Highway, Lupe reaches Tombstone Territorial Park.

11:47 AM, 47°F – SPHP dropped by the visitor center at km 71.5 to get a weather forecast. Not good. Rain showers every day. The plan had been for Lupe to go up Charcoal Ridge to Mount Chester Henderson today, but clearly that wasn’t in the cards. No sense hanging around, either, with days of rain and fog expected.

New plan – just keep heading N. Loop stopped at a few favorite spots in Tombstone Territorial Park along the way.

Looking SW up the **North Klondike river valley** from a pullout at km 74.0. Last year the vivid fall colors Lupe had seen from this very spot had been incredible.

At a shallow, bubbling pond Lupe had visited in 2017, too.

All these stops were brief. Lupe was soon going by the L turn at km 98 to Surfbird Mountain (5,300 ft.), which was as far N along the Dempster Highway as she had gone in 2017. Everything from here on, for more than 750 km to Tuktoyaktuk, was all new, unexplored territory!

Already beyond the highest and most rugged part of the Ogilvie Range, the Dempster Highway entered the open, gently rolling tundra of the Blackstone Plateau. Two Moose Lake wasn’t much farther at km 102.6. From the lake, Peak 5262 was in view.

**Peak 5262** from **Two Moose Lake**. Photo looks NW.

The sky was still overcast, but now that Lupe was more or less out of the mountains, bits of blue began to appear. The situation seemed to be improving. Maybe Lupe could climb Peak 5262? That would be awesome! Furthermore, if for some reason the weather forecast was wrong, the Carolina Dog would be close enough to return to Charcoal Ridge for an attempt on Mount Chester Henderson tomorrow morning.

Yeah, that made sense! SPHP parked the G6 at a rest area at km 107.6 next to the East Blackstone River. Loop sniffed among the bushes near the river, while SPHP got ready. (1:00 PM, 51°F)

At km 107.6 along the **East Blackstone Rive**r. Photo looks N.

Lupe and SPHP set out heading N along the Dempster Highway. Ahead the road curved R (NE) to avoid a couple of low ridges. The more distant ridge was slightly higher, but SPHP figured the closer ridge ought to work out just as well. After the road went over a creek coming down from the W, the American Dingo left the highway.

Dense bushes covering the side of the first ridge made getting up on top harder than it should have been. Fortunately, it was no big deal. Lupe gained the ridgeline, and Peak 5262 was in sight again to the WNW.

Looking back at the **East Blackstone River** and the rest area at km 107.6 from the first ridge. Photo looks S.

The top of the ridge was a vast, gentle incline. At the far end, Peak 5262 sat looking like no more than a big hill. A profusion of low bushes too small to impede progress covered the entire ridge. Anywhere else, this sort of terrain would have been cake. Lupe would simply saunter on over to Peak 5262, wander up to the summit, and that would be that.

However, what looks easy in the Arctic, often is not. Firm, reasonably dry ground was crucial to success.

Looper on the way to **Peak 5262**. Photo looks WNW.

The top of the ridge was fairly dry. However, the ground was not firm. The tundra the bushes grew out of was thick, spongy, tussocky. Loop wasn’t having much trouble with it, but what appeared to be so easy, was a wearying march for SPHP. Still, it wasn’t too bad. Lupe and SPHP kept at it, gradually getting closer and closer to Peak 5262.

For a long way, the tundra stayed dry. Lupe made a lot of progress, but in the end, it was all for naught. Approaching the base of the mountain, Loop came to an enormous bog. SPHP tried tussock hopping, but it was soon clear that wasn’t going to work. The tundra was getting wetter and wetter. The trek turned into a difficult, soggy slog. The terrain ahead looked super easy, but the tussocks kept getting bigger and tougher to navigate, and the gaps between them deeper and full of water.

SPHP now regretted not having had Lupe go to the second, higher ridge before leaving the highway. From here, the other ridge definitely looked like a better choice. However, both the huge bog and an unseen stream filled the gap between here and there. Gazing at the gentle slope head, turning back seemed ridiculous. Peak 5262 wasn’t that much farther! Yet continuing on meant an exhausting, mucky ordeal simply to reach the base of the mountain. No, it just wasn’t worth it.

Lupe may have been puzzled, but she wasn’t perturbed when SPHP gave up and turned back. Even for the Carolina Dog these bigger tussocks, and the deep wet holes around them, weren’t an easy matter.

*Are you serious, SPHP? We’re turning back here?* Yes, it was true. Even all the seemingly dry ground in the foreground is actually part of a vast bog. Photo looks NW.

Taking a break from the tussocks. The ridge Lupe should have tried to get to Peak 5262 is the next one over. Photo looks NE.

Though disappointed by not even getting to Peak 5262, much less to the summit, the trek back to the Dalton Highway along the open ridge was a fabulous, beautiful march. Splendid remote hills and mountains of the Yukon were in sight in all directions.

*Roaming the Yukon wilderness is such fun!* Photo looks ESE.

3:25 PM – Despite how wonderful it all was, Lupe and SPHP both arrived back at the G6 rather weary from dealing with the tussocks. A bite to eat was followed by a lazy afternoon nap.

The sun was still shining, when the Carolina Dog woke up refreshed and ready for action. Such a beautiful evening! Without any particular goal in mind, Lupe and SPHP explored the tundra W of the Dalton Highway both N and S of the rest area. Lupe sniffed and explored long stretches of tall bushes near the East Blackstone River, too. Despite setbacks, this had turned out to be such a fun, happy day, after all!

An evening romp out on the golden tundra. Photo looks SW.

*Hey! There’s **Blackstone Mountain (6,900 ft.)** on the L!* Photo looks SW.

8-16-18, 6:57 AM, 32°F, km 107.6 of the Dempster Highway – Frost! SPHP turned the engine on to let things warm up a bit. Chilly out, but the skies were blue! Not so much back toward the higher peaks to the S where clouds still reigned, but out here on the Blackstone Plateau, it was a beautiful morning.

Cloudy to the S? Go N, young Dingo! Lupe did, but not too far. Her first stop of the day came at Chapman Lake at km 116.0. Though the largest lake anywhere along the Dempster Highway, Chapman Lake still wasn’t all that big.

A display told about the Lost Patrol, which had set out in December, 1910 from Fort McPherson on a 765 km trek to Dawson City without adequate supplies or an experienced guide. The result, while tragic, didn’t seem terribly surprising.

Approaching **Chapman Lake**. Photo looks NE.

*There’s **Peak 5262**, SPHP! I bet we could make it up there today. Want to give it a shot? …. Nope, we’ve got bigger fish to fry on a day like this, Looper!* Photo looks SW.

From Chapman Lake, the Dempster Highway proceeded N still following the Blackstone River. A line of mountains was ahead that the river had carved a course through. The resulting valley was very scenic, but after a while the highway turned W abandoning the Blackstone River. A long climb began up to Windy Pass at km 152.8.

SPHP was pleased to see a large pullout along the N side of the highway at the Windy Pass summit. Perfect! How easy is that? SPHP parked, and an enthusiastic American Dingo bounded out of the G6. (8:08 AM)

8:44 AM, 44°F – The setup was great! On the S side of Windy Pass, a long valley coming straight N down toward the pass was flanked on both sides by large ridges. According to the topo map, the ridge on the L (E) led up to Windy Pass Peak (5,249 ft.), Lupe’s peakbagging objective for the day. This ridge was nicely rounded, not too steep, and looked like it would provide an easy, steady ramp higher.

At **Windy Pass**. The large ridge on the L (E) leads to Windy Pass Peak. Photo looks S.

A chilly breeze blew out of the W, as Lupe set out for Windy Pass Peak. Crossing over to the S side of the Dempster Highway, the Carolina Dog sniffed her way SE through a short section of stunted forest followed by a spongy, boggy stretch of open tundra, which fortunately wasn’t too bad. Loop soon reached drier terrain at the base of the big ridge.

The climb up onto the toe of the ridge was a bit steep, but not difficult or the least bit scary. This rocky, dry ground was so much easier to traverse than that much gentler, but tussocky ridge Lupe had roamed yesterday trying to get to Peak 5262! Once Loopster made it up onto the ridgeline, a beautiful, easy route higher was ahead. For a long way, the slope was so gentle that even SPHP seldom had to pause for breath.

Lupe reaches the ridgeline. Photo looks WNW back at **Windy Pass**.

The route higher was so nice! Photo looks S.

Loop on a particularly easy section. Photo looks S.

The high point on the L isn’t far from the N summit of Windy Pass Peak. Photo looks S.

Getting higher! Looking NNW back at **Windy Pass**.

**Distincta Peak** (Center) in the distance, and **Peak 5906** (R). Photo looks S.

Eventually, the ridge steepened and became much rockier. Slower, but still a simple straightforward climb.

Eventually the ridge steepened and became much rockier. Photo looks SSE.

Windy Pass Peak has two N ridges. Lupe was coming up the NW ridge. A big level stretch of the **NE ridge** is in view. Photo looks NE.

The **NW ridge** Lupe has just come up is seen in sunlight from Center down to the R. **Windy Pass** is now far below, also on the R. Photo looks NW.

After a nice climb, the terrain began to level out. The going was getting easier again. The N summit of Windy Pass Peak (5,249 ft.) was just ahead. Lupe arrived to find a couple of good-sized cairns, as well as some fabulous views.

At the **N summit of Windy Pass Peak**. The slightly higher **S summit** is in view on the L. **Distincta Peak** is in shadow at Center, with **Peak 5906** also in shadow on the R. Photo looks SSW.

Looking down the **NE ridge** (Center to L) from the N summit. Photo looks NNE.

Looking NNE again with help from the telephoto lens.

**Distincta Peak (L) and Peak 5906** (Center) from the N summit of **Windy Pass Peak**. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Windy Pass Peak has two summits. Slightly higher than the N one, the S summit is the true summit. Naturally Lupe had to visit it, too, in order to claim her peakbagging success. The S summit looked farther away than SPHP expected, but an easy march. After enjoying the tremendous views from the N summit, Looper headed S.

The **S (true) summit of Windy Pass Peak** (L) is just ahead. **Distincta Peak** in the distance on the R. Photo looks S.

Except for the cold W wind, getting to the S summit was a fun, easy romp. In under 10 minutes, the Carolina Dog was there. After a brief visit to the cairn at the absolute high point, Lupe and SPHP retreated slightly down the E side of the ridge to escape the wind.

Nearing the true summit of **Windy Pass Peak**. Photo looks SSW.

Looper at the **true (S) summit of** **Windy Pass Peak**, but not enjoying the cold W wind. **Distincta Peak** is directly beyond her. **Peak 5906** on the R. Photo looks SSW.

A look back at the **N summit** (Center) from the **S summit**. Photo looks N.

**True summit of Windy Pass Peak**. Photo looks ENE with help from the telephoto lens.

Down the E slope a bit to escape the chilly W wind. The **N summit** is in sunshine (R). Photo looks N.

As Lupe and SPHP sat together enjoying the wonderful panoramas on display, there was more than just the views to think about. Covering Loop with a jacket, SPHP pondered the situation. This whole trek up to Windy Pass Peak had gone amazingly well, and the day was still young.

Long before the Carolina Dog had ever set out on this Dingo Vacation, SPHP had harbored faint hopes that if the American Dingo was able to get to Windy Pass Peak, she might also be able to continue along the ridgeline as far Distincta Peak (5,775 ft). That had seemed like a rather far-fetched hope, because the ridge leading to Distincta was long. Many hundreds of feet elevation would have to be lost and regained going over other high points along the way.

However, given a nice enough day, the biggest potential problem hadn’t been the distance or the elevation gain/loss, but that this might turn out to be such rugged territory that Lupe wouldn’t stand a chance. Even one technical point anywhere along the whole ridge might easily prove to be an insurmountable obstacle.

That sure hadn’t been the case so far, though. Furthermore, Distincta Peak had been in sight from almost the very start, and nothing that had come into view so far looked all that difficult. Maybe Lupe could get to Distincta Peak? And if that went well, maybe she could even make a huge loop around the whole valley to the W while tagging Peak 5906, too? The whole notion was exciting!

Admittedly, the wind was annoying, but it wasn’t bad enough to be a show-stopper. So far, the weather was actually holding up pretty well. One thing for sure, if Loopster didn’t give it a shot today, when she was already this far along, she would never get another chance.

Puppy, ho! Onward!

And so it began. Lupe briefly returned to the true summit of Windy Pass Peak, before continuing S along the ridge.

Starting for **Distincta Peak** (R) from Windy Pass Peak. The plan was now to go clear around the entire valley seen on the R. Beyond Lupe are two high points she would have to go over along the way. The closest one is **High Point 5053** (1540 m). Beyond it in shadow is **High Point 5381** (1640 m). Photo looks S.

Loopster lost more than 400 feet of elevation descending to the saddle leading to High Point 5053, the next big bump along the ridgeline. It all went just fine, though, and soon she was facing a less dramatic loss on the approach to High Point 5381. When that went well, too, confidence soared. Yes! If only the weather would hold, the American Dingo was going to make it to Distincta Peak!

Starting the descent to the saddle leading to **High Point 5053** (L). **Distincta Peak** at Center. Photo looks SSW.

**High Point 5381** (Center) from **High Point 5053**. Photo looks S.

**Windy Pass Peak** (L) from the SE slope of **High Point 5053**. Photo looks N.

S of High Point 5053 now with smooth sailing to **High Point 5381** ahead. Photo looks S.

*Come on, SPHP! We’re getting there!* Lupe approaching **High Point 5381** (L). **Distincta Peak** (Center) and **Peak 5906** (far R). Photo looks SW.

The Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood on her way to **High Point 5381** (L). Photo looks WSW.

A look at the Blackstone River valley on the way up High Point 5381. Photo looks SSE.

**Blackstone River** from **High Point 5381**. Photo looks SE.

When Lupe reached the top of High Point 5381, a large plateau was in sight to the SW. This plateau, High Point 5371, was almost as high as where Loop was now, and had been visible earlier on much of the way here. Even from a great distance, some sort of structure had been seen on it at the far S end of the long valley W of Windy Pass Peak.

The mysterious structure was now clearly a big microwave tower plus a group of associated buildings. Getting over to the tower was going to be a snap. Once there, all that remained was for Lupe to head directly W to Distincta Peak.

*Here we are at the summit of **High Point 5381**! Next it’s on to the big plateau behind me where the microwave tower sits* (Center). Photo looks SW.

*Look how far we’ve come! That bright white hill (Center) is **Windy Pass Peak**.* Photo looks N.

The big plateau where the microwave tower sits (L) is **High Point 5371**. **Distincta Peak** is at far R. Photo looks SW.

The microwave tower and everything else on High Point 5371 must have been brought in by helicopter. When Lupe got there, she found no sign of any road. The tower stood on the highest ground near the N edge of the plateau, which sloped gradually down toward the S. Ready for a bit of a break prior to tackling Distincta Peak, Lupe and SPHP rested on the barren slope well S of the tower.

The views, of course, were fantastic, but would be even better yet from higher up on Distincta Peak. 15 pleasant minutes were spent relaxing on the S slope of High Point 5371 before Loopster headed NW over to the microwave tower.

Near the microwave tower on **High Point 5371**. **Distincta Peak** on the L. The long ridge seen beyond Loop is **Peak 5906**. Photo looks NW.

Once W of the microwave tower, **Distincta Peak** (L) is directly ahead. The ridge on the R is **Peak 5906**. Photo looks NW.

Looking back at the microwave tower. Photo looks ESE.

**Windy Pass** from **High Point 5371**. **Windy Pass Peak** is on the R. Photo looks N.

Distincta Peak (5,775 ft.) was only a short distance W of the microwave tower. The climb up Distincta’s E slope was the steepest Lupe would have to face all day. Near the top, a bit of scrambling was required, but it was easy – pure fun! Before long, Loop was approaching the summit.

Approaching **Distincta Peak** (R). Photo looks SW.

*A bit of scrambling is good for the soul!*

At a nice rest spot just before the final steep push to the top. **Distincta Peak’s SW ridge** is seen on the L. The distant peak at Center is likely **Mount Abraham (5,446 ft.)**. Photo looks SW.

Getting close to the top. Photo looks W.

Unlike all the other peaks and high points Lupe visited today, the summit of Distincta Peak encompassed only a relatively small area. Still, there was plenty of room to move around a bit, plus a little more on a slightly lower shelf to the E. Distincta was a truly beautiful summit, nearly flat, adorned with colorful tundra and a cairn of suitable size. Best of all, the views were absolutely grand!

Looper up on top. Most of the summit area is in view here. Photo looks W.

**Infant Peak (4,856 ft.)** (R) with **Chapman Lake** directly beyond it. Photo looks S with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

The E end of Distincta Peak’s summit. The microwave tower on **High Point 5371** (R) is seen beyond Lupe. The white hill on the L is **High Point 5381**. Photo looks ENE.

**Peak 5906** from **Distincta Peak**. Photo looks NNW.

The wind was now out of the S instead of the W, but hadn’t warmed up at all. Thrilled with Lupe’s success at reaching Distincta Peak, a longer rest break was in order. SPHP sought refuge from the cold breeze a few feet below the N edge of the summit. Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap, and kindly granted permission to pet and praise her.

In a pale blue Yukon sky, cotton ball clouds sailed overhead. Facing N, Windy Pass was out of sight beyond a curve in the valley below, but both summits of Windy Pass Peak (5,249 ft.) were in view. Nearly the entire long ridge route Lupe had taken to get here was, too. Remote, unspoiled mountains stretched away to the horizon. Few appeared to be as high as Distincta Peak where Lupe was right now.

However, that big light grey ridge off to the L was an exception. Peak 5906 was a bit higher, and wasn’t very far off now, either. With no rain showers in sight, the American Dingo simply had to visit it, too! In fact, having come this far, Peak 5906 was by now probably the quickest way back to the G6. No rush on that yet, though.

Though Windy Pass is out of sight to the L, **Windy Pass Peak** (L) is brightly lit near the far end of the valley leading to it. Photo looks NNE.

Since **Peak 5906** was so close, Lupe simply had to visit it, too! Photo looks NNW.

Looking NW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

A fabulous half hour shot by. One more peak to go!

The trek down Distincta Peak’s NW face was nearly as steep as coming up from the E had been. Surprisingly large rocks were prone to shifting unexpectedly, making progress trickier than it looked. Lupe had plenty of time to sniff around while SPHP lost the 350 feet of elevation required to get down to the saddle leading to Peak 5906.

Of course, Loop immediately had to regain all that lost elevation and more, before getting to where the S shoulder of Peak 5906 leveled out. The true summit was still some distance away at the opposite far N end, but the rest was easy. The views were spectacular during the relaxing trek along the massive ridge, on a journey only sweetened by obviously guaranteed success.

**Distincta Peak** (R) from the **S end of Peak 5906**. The microwave tower on **High Point 5371** (L) is in sight, too. Photo looks SE.

The spectacular easy trek to the **true summit of Peak 5906** (R) is a joyous formality from here! Photo looks NNW.

At Center is the high point along Distincta Peak’s SW ridge. **Chapman Lake** is just to the R. Photo looks S.

Approaching the true summit. Photo looks N.

Near the E edge of the mountain, a modest cairn sat at the true summit of Peak 5906. Fields of light gray stones sloped gradually away in all other directions. Bits and pieces of humanity’s junk were strewn around nearby – cables, wires, metal rods, bolts, a rotten rope. SPHP stuffed as much of this trash into the backpack as possible for disposal later on.

Lupe stood near the cairn. This was a dream come true! Windy Pass Peak, Distincta Peak, and now even Peak 5906 – way up here in the Yukon, N of Tombstone Territorial Park, the Carolina Dog had actually made it to them all! An undeniable moment of joy and glory.

Lupe at the **true summit of** **Peak 5906**. Photo looks SSW.

The weather seemed to be changing. Not drastically, but something to keep an eye on. The wind had shifted slightly, and was now out of the SW. Made no difference. Nowhere to escape it up here, anyway. More concerning, some clouds were starting to look darker. A distant line of showers was drifting this way, and others were developing to the NW.

Lupe wanted to curl up on SPHP’s lap again. Of course, sweet Dingo! SPHP sat facing away from the wind, while Loop settled in.

What an incredible scene! The Yukon – a seemingly endless expanse, all of it mountainous, a sea of desolate, unexplored peaks. Only a chosen distant few appeared to be any higher than Peak 5906. No enormous, towering, monstrous crags in any direction, but the overall effect was deeply moving.

So amazingly beautiful and untouched! It was like gazing upon a world none had ever seen before.

**Windy Pass Peak** in the foreground (N summit on the L, S summit on the R) from **Peak 5906**. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.

SPHP sat mesmerized. Loop rested completely content, a sublime half hour ticking away right there on SPHP’s lap. Dark clouds swept by, but the rain showers never arrived. Lucky! The weather was holding up just fine.

Eventually, though, the time came to move around a bit. The summit area was so large that it was necessary to get closer to the various edges, in order to see as much as possible.

The microwave tower on **High Point 5371** (R of Center) from Peak 5906’s summit. Photo looks SE.

Along the E edge looking back at the long ridge Lupe had followed to reach the summit. **Distincta Peak** on the L. Photo looks S.

Near the N edge now. On the way back to the G6, Lupe would take the big ridge seen on the R. Photo looks N.

Part of Peak 5906’s long NW ridge (Center). Photo looks NW.

A fraction of the huge summit area. Loop next to the summit cairn. Photo looks SSW.

American Dingoes are seldom seen on **Peak 5906**, but here’s one now!

Can’t get enough! Another look at the NW ridge and beyond. Photo looks NW.

After traipsing back and forth all over the summit, Lupe returned to the cairn one last time. She had been on Peak 5906 for more than an hour. Although plenty of daylight remained, and the Carolina Dog intended to take a shortcut back to the highway, she still had a long way to go.

SPHP enthusiastically congratulated the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood, and praised her for her grand peakbagging successes on this fabulous day. And then, after a last look around from glorious Peak 5906, Loop headed N.

Final moments by the summit cairn. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

Last look back at **High Point 5371** (L) and **Distincta Peak** (R), both in the foreground. Photo looks SE.

Loop ready to head down. Exploring new territory, she would follow the big ridge in the foreground. **Windy Pass Peak’s true summit** is in sunlight on the R. Photo looks NNE.

No more peaks to climb, but the fun wasn’t over yet. Lupe had a grand time on the way back. This was still all new territory, downhill practically all the way, on easy terrain where the wind wasn’t blowing nearly as hard as higher up. The views remained tremendous.

Looking back S from the N ridge. **Peak 5960** (Center) and **Distincta Peak** (L).

A little more than halfway back, Lupe came to rock formations at the E end of a high point. Nearby, Peak 5906’s N ridge split in two. Since it was the most direct route to Windy Pass, Lupe took the NE prong.

Heading down the N ridge, which divides into two parts on the far side of the big area in sunlight. From the rock formations seen at the R end, Loop continued down toward the R. Photo looks NNW.

Loop reaches the rock formations. **Windy Pass** is down by the Dalton Highway on the R. At far R is the start of the ridge to Windy Pass Peak. Loop continued on to the high point on the L before traveling R down the ridge seen directly beyond her. Photo looks NNE.

Looking back from the top of the rock formations. **Peak 5906** at Center. Photo looks S.

The Dalton Highway from near the end of the NE prong. Photo looks NW.

The American Dingo still had a lot of elevation to lose when she reached the end of the NE prong. No choice, but to make a long, steep descent. As usual, this was no big deal for Loop. She roamed and sniffed, while SPHP slowly picked a way down all the steep, loose rock.

Windy Pass was in sight the whole time. Getting there was taking forever, but it wasn’t far away now. Yet one potential obstacle remained. Lupe would have to cross the creek flowing out of the valley to the E to get back to the road. SPHP had plenty of time to fret about this during the long descent. What if it couldn’t be done?

Starting the steep descent to Windy Pass (R).

Fortunately, at mid-August the creek turned out to be an easy rock hop. A quick, squishy, spongy march up a tundra slope to the stunted forest near the Dalton Highway was all that remained.

What a day! Couldn’t have turned out any better. Loop had made the big loop, clear around from Windy Pass Peak to Distincta Peak, on to Peak 5906, and back down the long N ridge. Exactly as hoped, though prospects for success had seemed dim when originally conceived. A magnificent Yukon dream come true! (8:02 PM, 50°F)

Peak 5906, Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon Territory, Canada 8-16-18

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On the Grizzly Ridge Trail to Grizzly Lake & Views of Mount Monolith, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada (9-6-17)

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.

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!

**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!

Goldensides, Oligvie Range, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada (9-5-17)

Tombstone Territorial Park

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Goldensides, Oligvie Range, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada (9-5-17)

Day 37 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

8:54 AM, 47°F at the lower part of a two-tier pullout along the Dempster Highway SE of Surfbird Mountain – The promise of those hopeful pink glowing clouds late yesterday evening had come to naught. After a fitful night’s sleep, Lupe woke to fog and light mist. Not what SPHP had been hoping for, but the Carolina Dog seemed happy enough, despite her sore right rear paw. She eagerly explored the bushes, sometimes hopping about on 3 paws.

Enjoying an overcast morning romp among the bushes.

After her morning romp, and a leisurely breakfast of chili, English muffins, and cheese, the American Dingo was ready for the day’s main event. Though the light mist had ended, the sky remained overcast. Fog cloaked the mountaintops. Conditions weren’t really very promising. Nevertheless, Lupe and SPHP left the two tier pullout, heading S on the Dempster Highway in the G6. (10:49 AM, 49°F)

When the highway crossed the East Blackstone River, Lupe wanted to stop briefly to check it out. The river was lovely, and though not far from its headwaters, already a good-sized stream.

On the E bank of the lovely **East Blackstone River**. Photo looks S.

**East Blackstone River**, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory.

Loop made another stop in the North Fork Pass area. The lower slopes of Goldensides Mountain (6,000 ft.), her peakbagging objective for the day, were in view. Discouragingly, clouds hid the summit.

(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.)

From **North Fork Pass**, **Goldensides Mountain** (Center) is partially in view, its summit hidden by clouds. Part of **Black Cap Mountain (6,000 ft.)** (L) can also be seen. Photo looks SE.

**Goldensides Mountain** from **North Fork Pass**. Photo looks SE.

If the weather stayed like this, there wouldn’t be much point in climbing Goldensides, but maybe the sky would clear up later on? At the very least, Looper could take the 1.5 km trail to a couple of viewpoints S of Goldensides Mountain. She would still be below the cloud cover, and ought to be able to see something.

Lupe and SPHP drove S looking for the turn to the Goldensides trailhead. A side road appeared near kilometer 74. That had to be it! The side road went E up a hillside, arriving at a small parking area next to a fenced microwave tower roughly a kilometer from the highway. A sign confirmed that Lupe was at the right place. (12:00 PM, 46°F)

Loop arrives at the Goldensides trailhead. A 1.5 km long developed trail (one way) goes E from here to a couple of viewpoints S of **Goldensides Mountain**. Photo looks NW.

The Goldensides trail was in good shape and easy to follow. From the very start, Lupe was surrounded by beautiful fall foliage. Before long, Looper was getting views down the North Klondike River valley. She could see the Tombstone Interpretive Centre down there.

Having hardly started on the Goldensides trail, Lupe is already immersed in spectacular fall foliage! Photo looks NW.

Looking down the **North Klondike River valley**. The Tombstone Interpretive Centre, park headquarters, is visible in the valley near the Dempster Highway. Photo looks S.

At first, the trail gained elevation slowly. As Looper continued onward, she began climbing more steeply, but still at only a moderate pace.

Looking up **Goldensides Mountain** from farther along the trail. Photo looks NW.

Looking back toward the trailhead, which is near the microwave tower (R). The upper **North Klondike River valley** (L) is in the distance. Photo looks SW.

The Goldensides trail continues up toward the high points on the L. Photo looks E.

Fall had already arrived in Tombstone Territorial Park. The hardy tundra plants featured amazingly brilliant colors.

Lupe was well along the trail, when she came to a fork. A side trail to the R led to a nearby rocky hill. This hill is the first main viewpoint along the Goldensides trail. Naturally, Loop went to the top of the little hill to check it out.

A short side trail leads to this rocky hill, the first major viewpoint along the Goldensides trail. Photo looks SSW.

**Goldensides Mountain** from the first viewpoint. Photo looks NNE.

The **upper North Klondike River valley** from the first viewpoint. Photo looks SW.

Loopster could see the main Goldensides trail heading E toward another hill not too far away. The official trail ends at the second hill, which is the final viewpoint. When SPHP was done taking in the scenes from this first hill, Lupe continued on to the last one. Coming down off the first viewpoint, she stopped next to an interesting column of rock.

The Goldensides trail officially ends at the slightly higher hill at Center. Photo looks E.

Loop by a dramatic column of rock at the edge of the first viewpoint. Photo looks SE.

Lupe reached the end of the Goldensides trail less than an hour after leaving the trailhead. From here, she could see more territory farther up a valley to the E.

On the final hill at the end of the official Goldensides trail. Loopster could see farther E from here. Photo looks E.

Although the mountaintops were still in the clouds, the beautiful mountainsides were worth coming to see. Colorful slopes presented a combination of rich reds and golds of the tundra mixed with both light and dark grays of the rocks. Photo looks SE.

**Fold Mountain** is the massive peak seen beyond the **North Klondike River valley**. Photo looks SW.

At the end of the Goldensides trail, Looper had gained nearly 700 feet of elevation. The summit of Goldensides was another 1200 feet higher. To get there, the Carolina Dog would have to scramble up the steep S face of the mountain.

Here at the official end of the Goldensides trail, Loopster had gained nearly 700 feet of elevation. If she wanted to continue to the summit of Goldensides Mountain, she would have to scramble up the steep S face. The summit was up there somewhere, another 1200 feet higher. Photo looks N.

The S face didn’t look too bad. Lupe could probably do that! While the sky remained completely overcast, the good news was that the clouds had lifted somewhat. The top of Goldensides was no longer in fog. May as well go for it!

The Carolina Dog left the end of the Goldensides trail heading straight for the S face of the mountain. As the slope became steeper, she began climbing toward the NW. The idea was to get up on a long SW ridge that looked a bit easier than a direct assault on the S face.

From here, Lupe headed directly toward **Goldensides Mountain**. As she reached the area where the S face started getting steep, she angled NW (L) trying to reach the SW ridgeline (L).

Intricate tundra plants on the S side of Goldensides Mountain.

Lupe climbed and climbed. The mountain got steeper and steeper. At first there were helpful lanes of vegetation to follow between the rocks. Higher up, it was nothing but rock.

Loop is a great scrambler. She had no trouble at all. She had plenty of time to look around at the views as SPHP struggled to carefully pick a way up the mountain behind her. Most of the dark rocks were stable, and smallish to medium sized.

Intrepid American Dingo Lupe on her way up Goldensides. Photo looks, yeah baby, up!

The climb was steep, but not scary. Lupe finally did reach the SW ridge she had been aiming for. She was already very high on the mountain.

Peering over the ridgeline, Loop made several discoveries. First, the other side of the ridge was even steeper. She would be best off staying right on the ridgeline, or on this SE side of it. Second, she could now see a long way N beyond North Fork Pass to the East Blackstone River valley.

Third, and most importantly, the summit of Goldensides Mountain was still considerably farther away than expected. Fortunately, it looked like getting there would be easy, if Loopster could reach a smoother ridge seen NNE of her present position. It wasn’t possible yet to see how hard that might be.

Peering over the SW ridgeline. The Dempster Highway heads away to **North Fork Pass** (near the lake) and beyond into the East Blackstone River valley. Photo looks NW.

Lupe reaches the SW ridgeline. She’s already quite high. The summit of Goldensides is farther off than expected somewhere over on that ridge beyond her. Photo looks NNE.

Climbing NE along the ridgeline, Lupe found a path. Others had been here before! That was reassuring. Loop must be on the right track. It was starting to look like getting over to the smoother ridge to the NNE wasn’t going to be a problem.

Making progress toward the smoother ridge on the L. Photo looks NE.

The American Dingo hadn’t traveled far along the SW ridge when SPHP realized she was rapidly approaching a massive rock formation on the ridgeline ahead. How was Loop going to get beyond that? Suddenly, what had seemed easy was now worrisome. The informal path Loop was following led straight toward the rocks.

The path went right on up to a high point next to the rock formation. Looking over the other side, there was no path, only a rock strewn slope dropping steeply away. To the SE (R) was a tall, straight, solid wall of rock. Was this the right way?

Loopster approaching the huge rock formation (L) on the SW ridge. The path she was on led her right up to it. Photo looks SSW.

The informal path Lupe followed on the upper SW ridge ended here next to a wall of rock. Photo looks NE.

This had to be it, didn’t it? If Loop could get down from here to the rocks at the base of this wall, she could easily scramble back up the other side to the easy terrain leading toward the summit. She only had to safely descend 25 or 30 feet. Looked like it ought to be possible, if none of the drops were too high.

Loopster and SPHP started down. Eh, not too bad. At one particularly high drop, SPHP had to ease down first, then help Loop get down, too. That was it. Cake! Well, almost. Anyway, Lupe had made it over this rocky little pass. Henceforth known as Dingo Pass, of course!

Lupe safely over **Dingo Pass**, the narrow notch seen above her on the L.

Once safely over Dingo Pass, Loop had to scramble across a boulder field at the base of the wall of rock. No big deal. She soon got beyond the boulders, and arrived on a smooth gravel hillside.

The Carolina Dog had reached the lower end of the smooth ridge she had seen upon reaching the SW ridgeline. Ought to be easy going from here! In fact, Lupe could see some sort of tower or antenna ahead. Maybe that was the summit? If so, she had it made. Easy, squeezy all the way!

Beyond Dingo Pass and the boulder field at the base of the wall of rock, Lupe stands atop a gravel hillside. A tower or antenna is in view on the L. If that was the summit, Lupe was almost there! Photo looks NNE.

Lupe made for the tower. Before she even got close, it became apparent the tower or antenna or whatever it was, was not at the summit. A higher hill came into view farther NNE. Two knobs of rock could be seen up there, perched along the W edge. Maybe that was the summit? Before heading over there, Lupe went to the antenna first.

Lupe on the way to the antenna. Photo looks S back the way she has just come up. From here, it was easy to see that the rock formation she’d crossed was a huge band running completely across the upper S end of the mountain. **Dingo Pass** is toward the R. The gravel hill she had been standing on is at Center next to the rock formation.

Well before Lupe even got to the antenna, this higher hill with two knobs of rock on it appeared farther to the NNE.

Lupe reaches the “tower”, which turned out to be an antenna with a solar array.

It doesn’t take an American Dingo long to inspect a little antenna and a solar array, not when there is a lofty summit to get to nearby! Loopster sniffed around the antenna for a minute or two, then it was off to the higher hill. It wasn’t as far away as it looked. As Lupe approached the top, she could see that the two knobs of rock were actually large cairns.

Heading toward the higher hill from the antenna. Photo looks NE.

Yes, this was it! The highest natural rocks were at the N end of the hill. Lupe stood at the true summit of Goldensides (6,000 ft.)! Grand views all around. Too bad clouds hid all the higher peaks, but at least the top of Goldensides wasn’t lost in them. Looper could see a lot, despite the overcast sky.

Lupe reaches the true summit of **Goldensides Mountain**! The largest of several cairns is on the L. Photo looks NW.

*Chalk another one up for the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood, SPHP! This is it, the top of **Goldensides Mountain** in Tombstone Territorial Park!*

The top of Goldensides Mountain featured not one, but three cairns. The largest was closest to the true summit. Not content with merely standing on the highest natural point on the mountain, Lupe clambered up on the biggest cairn, too.

Loopster atop the highest cairn. The Dempster Highway and **North Fork Pass** are on the L. The peak in the clouds to the L of Lupe is **Angelcomb Peak (6,300 ft.)**. Photo looks NNW.

Loop visited the two smaller cairns, too.

Lupe sits next to the smallest cairn, which was E of the true summit. Photo looks E.

At the second largest cairn. The antenna is visible beyond Loop. Photo looks SW.

For a while, Lupe stayed busy exploring the summit area. Eventually, though, she decided to take a break down by the second largest cairn.

For a while Loop stayed busy exploring the summit area. Photo looks S.

Eventually Looper (R) was content with her explorations of the summit area. She settled down to take a break by the second largest cairn. Photo looks SW.

Resting on Goldensides. On a clear day, Looper would have had a tremendous view of **Tombstone Mountain (7,192 ft.)** at the far end of the **upper North Klondike River valley**. Photo looks SW.

While Looper relaxed, SPHP admired the views in all directions.

**Blackcap Mountain (6,000 ft.)** from **Goldensides**. Photo looks NE.

**Blackcap Mountain** from a slightly different angle. Photo looks ENE.

Looking down Goldensides’ NW ridge toward **North Fork Pass**.

The Dempster Highway and **North Fork Mountain (6,000 ft.)** (L). Photo looks W.

**North Klondike River valley** with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks S.

**North Fork Pass** from the largest cairn. Photo looks NW.

The ridge in weak sunlight at Center is **Surfbird Mountain (5,300 ft.)**, which Lupe had climbed yesterday. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

Looking down on the Dempster Highway more than 2,000 feet below. Photo looks W.

Looking S with help from the telephoto lens.

The **upper North Klondike River valley**. Photo looks SW.

Beyond the far end of the upper North Klondike River valley looking toward **Tombstone Mountain** (L) lost in clouds. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

When the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood was done resting up, she was ready to get back into the picture. The first thing she did was to return to the true summit.

Fresh as a daisy, the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood returns to the summit of **Goldensides Mountain**. Photo looks NW.

On top of the big cairn again. Photo looks N.

Upper North Klondike River valley again. The microwave tower where the Goldensides trail starts is in view below. Photo looks SW.

A panoramic view toward **Fold Mountain** (L), which has also emerged from the cloud cover. Photo looks SW.

After nearly an hour up at the Goldensides summit, Lupe started down again. She would have to go back the same way she came up.

After nearly an hour up on Goldensides, Loop is about ready to start the descent. Photo looks S.

**Fold Mountain** (Center). Photo looks SW.

Approaching **Dingo Pass** (L) again, this time from above. Photo looks SW.

The return trip was uneventful and, of course, stunningly beautiful. The cloud cover had lifted quite a bit over the past few hours. SPHP wished the sun would break through, if only for a little while, but it never did. After a time consuming descent of the S face waiting for slowpoke SPHP, Lupe made it back down to the Goldensides trail. The rest was easy.

Down off the S face, getting close to the end of the Goldensides trail. Photo looks SE.

Back on the Goldensides trail. All easy from here! Photo looks SW.

The trailhead (L) comes back into sight. Photo looks W.

Once Lupe got back to the trailhead (5:38 PM, 54°F), SPHP drove her back around to the NW side of Goldensides again. This time Looper had a clear view of the mountain.

Lupe NW of **Goldensides Mountain** after having been on top only a few hours ago. Photo looks SE.

Beautiful Goldensides was the last mountain Lupe would climb in the Yukon in 2017. Soon the American Dingo would have to start for home. Yet one more big adventure awaited her in Tombstone Territorial Park. Tomorrow she would take the Grizzly Lake trail to see Mount Monolith (7,000 ft.).

On the Grizzly Ridge Trail to Grizzly Lake & Views of Mount Monolith, Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada (9-6-17)

Tombstone Territorial Park