Peakbagging – Page 20 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Caribou Mountain, Alaska (8-16-17)

Day 17 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

4:20 AM – Light rain. The sky showed no improvement. Lupe wanted out. SPHP let her go. She sniffed around in the ditch next to the Dalton Highway on Finger Mountain (2,202 ft.). It was still dark out, but not completely. The first faint hint of dawn made it possible to see Loop dimly as she trotted this way and that conducting her investigations.

Suddenly there was movement in the air! A large bird swooped out of the night to hover directly over Lupe, perhaps 15 or 20 feet above her. The bird hovered only a few seconds before flying off, but returned a moment later. It appeared to be some kind of an owl. An owl intent on Dingo for breakfast!

Lupe took no notice of the owl swooping and hovering above her. The owl made 7 or 8 different passes before wisely flying off into the gloom, no doubt deeply disappointed that the American Dingo hadn’t been half as big. Apparently a 30+ pound Dingo was beyond its capabilities.

The Carolina Dog returned to the G6 completely oblivious to the fact that her first and last red eye flight over Finger Mountain’s tundra had been fortuitously cancelled. Loop curled up and went back to sleep.

7:52 AM – Oh, joy! SPHP woke to find the rain had ended. Half the sky was blue! It was going to be a great day. Lupe was going to get to climb Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.) after all!

Before heading for Caribou Mountain, though, Loopster ought to climb Finger Mountain again. The summit was only 100 yards from the Dalton Highway. Lupe had been up there yesterday afternoon, but conditions were much better now. A second journey up Finger Mountain would take hardly any time at all.

In only a few minutes, the Carolina Dog was standing on the summit rocks once again.

On the way to the summit of **Finger Mountain**. Blue sky had been hard to come by in recent days. It was exciting to see it again! Photo looks NNE.

Lupe back on the highest rock on **Finger Mountain**. She’d been here yesterday afternoon and in August, 2016, too!

Although half the sky was blue, SPHP soon realized there was fog around, too, some of which can be seen in the background beyond where Lupe is poised dramatically atop **Finger Mountain**. Photo looks SSW.

Loopster did need a boost from SPHP to get up there. From the other side, it’s not as difficult as it looks from here. Photo looks SSW.

*Owls? What owls? I don’t see any owls. Why would I want to keep an eye out for big owls up here? You aren’t making a lick of sense, SPHP!*

Back at the G6, SPHP needed to get a few things ready before Lupe left Finger Mountain to look for a place from which to begin her ascent of Caribou Mountain. After hearing SPHP’s tale about a giant owl that had been ready to swoop down and carry her off into the night to be devoured, Loop decided she would wait inside the G6.

Lupe rests in the G6 while waiting for SPHP to get ready for Caribou Mountain. She pondered the crazy, scary tale SPHP told her about an owl swooping down out of the night sky wanting to devour her. *What is an owl, anyway? How big are they really? Are we talking chickadees or pterodactyls here?*

Caribou Mountain is only 7 miles WNW of Finger Mountain. Lupe was going to head a few miles N on the Dalton Highway to see if she could find a place to start closer to it, but the mountain was already in view. Did Loop want to have a look at Caribou Mountain from Finger Mountain before heading out?

Yes, she did! No owl would dare swoop down on a fully grown ferocious American Dingo in broad daylight! If it did, it would be that owl’s last swoop ever. We’d see just who would devour who. SPHP was full of it. Maybe it was August Fool’s Day or something?

Lupe crossed over to the W side of the Dalton Highway. She climbed up on the same rock formation she had visited yesterday over here. Sure enough, there was Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.) off to the WNW. It looked easy! Just a miles long, gentle ridge. Why, Lupe would have a blast up there! Running around exploring open tundra was one of her favorite things.

**Caribou Mountain** (R in the distance) from **Finger Mountain**. Photo looks WNW.

Loop on the Dalton Highway near the G6 before leaving for Caribou Mountain. The summit of **Finger Mountain** is the knob of rock on the R. Photo looks NE.

After taking a gander at Caribou Mountain from Finger Mountain, Lupe and SPHP took off in the G6 heading N on the Dalton Highway. The idea was to find a place along the highway where the G6 could be stashed somewhere close to the end of Caribou Mountain’s miles long NE ridge.

SPHP was surprised to see buildings W of the Dalton Highway where the best place to start an ascent of Caribou Mountain seemed to be. There was no sign of anyone around. The place looked like an abandoned homestead, but maybe not, too. The buildings didn’t look old enough to be certain.

Buildings way out here? A lone house 15 miles from the Arctic Circle? Was this area private property? SPHP had no clue. It seemed unlikely to say the least. Hmm. SPHP drove on to see what other possibilities might exist.

After driving back and forth over the same few miles several times, SPHP finally parked the G6 along the edge of a wide gravel road 30 feet from where it left the W side of the Dalton Highway. Lupe was a little farther N than SPHP would have liked, about a mile S of the Kanuti River, but the chances of an angry landowner suddenly appearing here seemed remote.

The short road was blocked by a large red metal gate. This road was a link to the Alaska oil pipeline service road only a short distance from the highway. The G6 was parked leaving plenty of room so service vehicles needing to get by could easily do so.

When Lupe set out (9:39 AM, 50°F), the summit of Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.) was about 4 miles away as the crow or evil owl flies, perhaps 5 following the NE ridge. A line of trees blocked views of the ridge from the G6. Loop and SPHP went around the red gate, which was chained shut, and followed the gravel road. A short stroll brought Lupe beyond the stand of trees.

Ahead was a mixed deciduous forest of small trees and tall bushes. Beyond the forest was a big hill, part of a rounded ridge leading higher and farther S. A conifer forest was present on lower portions of the big hill, but the upper slopes looked like a mostly barren region of alpine tundra.

Lupe’s first mission was clear. She needed to get beyond the forests and bushes. If the Carolina Dog could reach the alpine tundra, she should have an easy obstacle-free climb the rest of the way up the big hill. From there she could proceed to the ridge beyond it.

Only a few minutes after leaving the G6 and bypassing the red metal gate, Lupe came to this view of a big hill she would need to climb. Beyond the hill, she could continue up Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge. Photo looks SSW.

Loop followed the road as far as it went toward the big hill, which wasn’t far at all. Directly ahead was an area that looked like flat, easy terrain. However, it proved to be full of tussocks and boggy. A tremendously thick layer of spongy vegetation gave way at each step.

It soon became clear that Lupe was heading for a pond. There seemed to be somewhat higher ground on the N side of the pond, which proved to be true. The ground here was much firmer and drier. Lupe managed to circle around the N and W sides of the pond without further difficulties.

Lupe on drier ground along the N side of the pond. The pond had a small island (Center) in it. The hill Lupe is headed for is on the R. Photo looks S.

Looking back at the pond after getting past it. Photo looks NE.

Once around the pond, Lupe was almost immediately confronted with an area dominated by a dense tangle of bushes higher than SPHP’s head. The terrain was beginning to rise here, but was rough and uneven. Low spots were filled with water, in some places several feet deep.

This region was a real jungle for Lupe. Even SPHP couldn’t see a thing. At least Looper could maneuver through it reasonably well, but for SPHP it was a tough slog trying to force a way through. Fortunately the dense jungle trek wasn’t terribly long. The Carolina Dog eventually stumbled upon a little hill about 10 feet high. Beyond it was a more open slope of scattered conifers and bushes.

Loop down in the jungle wondering why SPHP had led her to this place?

Beyond the jungle of bushes, Lupe came to more open ground where scattered pines and bushes were plentiful. These bushes were not nearly so large as those comprising the jungle had been. Photo looks SW.

The terrain was now rising at a steady clip. It wasn’t steep, but going up the long slope was harder than anticipated. The scattered forest was surprisingly wet and boggy. Small pools of water, often connected by little streams, were all over the place. Tussocks were present, making footing unreliable. Deadfall timber was scattered about, but wasn’t too much of a problem since the trees here were stunted. A fair number of dead trees were still standing.

Lupe and SPHP forged ahead, trying to aim for whatever seemed to be the driest part of the slope. Gradually the trees and bushes thinned out and disappeared. The pools of water and little streams faded away, too. Lupe had made it to the mostly barren upper slopes of the big hill. Underpaw were small rocks and sparse tundra vegetation.

Lupe reaches the barren upper slopes of the hill she’s been climbing. The trees, bushes and wet terrain have all been left behind down below. The pond Lupe had passed by is now seen beyond Lupe way down at the base of the hill. The Dalton Highway is in view, too. Photo looks NNE.

The climb was steeper up here, but the terrain was great. No obstacles at all! Somewhere along the way, Lupe reached the top of the big hill she’d been aiming for, but it was hard to say exactly where. It was all part of a broad, rounded ridge continuing higher. The American Dingo just kept climbing.

On the way up to Caribou Mountain’s main NE ridgeline. Steeper here than down below, but this was obstacle-free terrain far easier than what Lupe had dealt with earlier. Photo looks SW.

Getting closer to the main ridgeline. Things are starting to level out quite a bit. If SPHP had been able to park the G6 farther S where originally planned, Lupe would have been coming up the ridge seen in the distance on the L. Photo looks SE.

Lupe reached Caribou Mountain’s main NE ridgeline at a particularly barren point. Hardly any vegetation was present here. Small reddish rocks covered the ground. The area was quite flat, having only a slightly rounded aspect to it. A couple hundred yards ahead was a cluster of rocks perhaps 25 or 30 feet high. To the SE was a bigger hill along the ridgeline, High Point 2355 on the topo map.

If SPHP had been able to park the G6 farther S as originally intended, Lupe would have arrived here from the direction of High Point 2355. As it was, the Carolina Dog had effectively bypassed it.

Lupe reaches Caribou Mountain’s main NE ridgeline. Ahead on the R is a cluster of rocks she would go explore. On the L is **High Point 2355**. Photo looks S.

**Olsons Lake** is one of the large ponds in the distance beyond Lupe. Photo looks E.

For the first time, the summit of Caribou Mountain was now in view, about 3 miles to the SW. Lupe could see much of the very wide, gently rounded NE ridge leading to it. A number of high points were visible along the way.

The summit of **Caribou Mountain** is on the L. A huge part of Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge is in view here. After exploring the cluster of rocks nearby (not pictured off the L edge), Loop would next continue on to the closest, but lower, high point seen in shadow on the R. Photo looks SW.

Before continuing on toward the summit, Lupe went to check out the nearby cluster of rocks. She climbed partway up, getting quite close to the top.

**Caribou Mountain** from the N end of the cluster of rocks. Photo looks SW.

Lupe up on the cluster of rocks. Photo looks NW.

Intrepid Carolina Dog, Lupe, on her way to Caribou Mountain.

After finishing her fun little scramble on the cluster of rocks, all Lupe had to do was keep following Caribou Mountain’s vast NE ridge toward the summit. The next high point along the way was a small rocky ridge about 15 minutes away off to the W. Loopster would actually lose a little elevation going over to it.

As Lupe neared this next high point, the terrain changed a bit. Medium size rocks were strewn around the area near the ridge. Small trees and bushes grew here. The ridge itself was 40 or 50 feet high, consisting of rough rock and assorted large boulders. A short easy rock hopping scramble would get Loop to the top.

Approaching the next high point along Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge. This rocky little ridge would be a quick, easy scramble for the Carolina Dog. Photo looks WNW.

On the highest rocks. **High Point 2355** is in the distance R of Center. Photo looks E.

Still on the highest rocks, but looking NE now.

Lupe had approached this small ridge from the E, which turned out to be its highest and most dramatic side. Beyond the boulders at the top, the ridge was more like a relatively level hilltop. Medium size rocks and small bushes covered this area. Several more large boulders were here, too. Lupe got up on one of the biggest.

Loop up on another big rock. On the L are some of the bushes and medium size rocks that cover the flat hilltop on the W side of this little ridge. In the distance on the L are several high points leading to the summit of **Caribou Mountain**. Photo looks SW.

The sky was starting to cloud up, but the weather wasn’t an issue yet. The summit of **Caribou Mountain** is in the distance on the L. Photo looks SW.

I can see for miles from up here in every direction, but still haven’t seen a single owl, SPHP! You sure you didn’t make that scary owl story up? Hey, isn’t this Caribou Mountain? Come to think of it, I haven’t seen any caribou yet, either! What’s up with that?

Continuing on, Lupe scrambled down the W side of the rocky hilltop. Two much bigger high points were now ahead to the SW. The summit of Caribou Mountain was in view beyond them.

After a short scramble down off the rocky hill, two much larger high points are ahead. The summit of **Caribou Mountain** is beyond them in the distance. Photo looks SW.

These next two high points were not collections of medium to large rocks and boulders, like the two high points Looper had just visited. They were big, rounded hills covered with alpine tundra and mostly smaller rocks.

Loop did not go clear to the top of either of these next two high points. Expending the extra energy required to do so was unnecessary. The smooth, steadily rising slope made it easier to simply skirt around the NW side of each hill, although Lupe did pass fairly close to the summits in both cases.

Loop beyond the first of the big hills. She would go around the NW (R) side of the next hill seen on the R, too. Photo looks SW.

Nearing the second of the big hills, Lupe came to another cluster of big rocks and boulders that formed a small prominent point perhaps 20 to 25 feet high. SPHP was well beyond this prominence, before realizing that the American Dingo was still back there.

Lupe had discovered some sort of squirrel or pika or something similar that apparently made this cluster of rocks its home. The Carolina Dog was in hot pursuit of the lively squirrel, which was extraordinarily quick and agile. The squirrel leapt confidently boulder to boulder, circling the cluster of rocks, suddenly appearing as if by magic first one place then another.

The squirrel had the advantage of being able to scramble way up to the top of the spire where Lupe couldn’t possibly reach it. However, the squirrel didn’t seem to realize it was completely safe up there, and kept darting down among the lower rocks hoping to get out of sight.

For Lupe this was an exhilarating game of chase! When it came to speed and agility, she was no slouch either. She bounded around circling the whole rock cluster at such an enthusiastic, single-minded pace, that SPHP feared Loop might break a leg, if this game wasn’t brought to a speedy end. SPHP had to call her twice before she reluctantly left the squirrel unharmed, still lord and master of its rock cluster.

Lupe returned to SPHP breathless, panting hard, with an enormous grin on her face. For the next little while, she roamed far and wide searching diligently for another squirrel, but her efforts were disappointed.

Continuing up toward the second big high point (R). Photo looks SW.

Looking back down Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge. The closest high point (L of Center) is the first of the big hills, which Loop is now well above. The small rocky ridge she had been to before that is beyond it on the L. Photo looks NE.

On rocky ground not too far from where the lively squirrel was. Lupe is already beyond that little adventure. The second big hill is dead ahead.

Looper on her way around the second big hill. She’s fairly high on its upper NW slope, standing on one of a series of minor rock outcroppings in this area. Photo looks WNW.

Still along a line of minor rock outcroppings on the way around the second hill’s NW slope. Caribou Mountain’s summit is ahead on the L. Photo looks SSW.

When Lupe made it beyond the second big hill, she found herself in a moderately sloping area. This region had a fair amount of small to medium size rock, and was surprisingly boggy. The water supply made the tundra more lush here. Ahead, a long ridge slanted steadily up from the N toward the NE end of a dark hill.

The summit of Caribou Mountain was somewhere up on that hill. From a distance, the summit had appeared heavily forested. By now, though, Lupe could clearly see that it wasn’t. The hill consisted of exposed dark colored rocks and boulders.

Lupe traipsed through the boggy area, angling WSW toward the ridge slanting up to the NE base of the summit hill.

Beyond the second big hill, Lupe reaches a surprisingly boggy area full of pools and trickling streams. She headed WSW (R) to get up on the ridge sloping up to the base of Caribou Mountain’s summit hill (Center). Photo looks SSW.

The boggy area was more extensive than anticipated. It took longer than expected to get through it, and make the trek up the ridge. Eventually, though, Lupe was approaching the hill of dark rock at the top of Caribou Mountain. It was maybe 125 to 150 feet high, and would be a pretty steep scramble the entire way up.

Loop approaches Caribou Mountain’s big summit hill comprised of dark rocks. A steep scramble up the NE face awaits her. This hill was perhaps 125 to 150 feet high. Photo looks SW.

Looper could have scrambled up the E end of the summit hill. This route would have been longer, but not as steep. Instead of taking this E route, Loop went right up the NE face. Photo looks S.

The scramble up the NE face of the big summit hill was fun and actually quite easy. It went quickly. Most of the rocks were stable, and it wasn’t hard to find routes avoiding the biggest boulders and other impassable spots. Many rocks were covered with bright orange lichens.

Loop pauses to check out the views on the way up the NE face of the big summit hill. She had plenty of time to look around while pokey SPHP tried to keep up.

Bright orange lichens grew on many rocks.

At the end of the scramble, Lupe reached a gently sloping region. The top of the summit hill was a vast area many acres in size. The ground was covered with scattered patches of alpine tundra. Between the patches were ditches full of rocks. Each patch of tundra was sort of like an island, surrounded by these rock-filled ditches.

From a great distance, a little dark knob had been visible up on top of Caribou Mountain. As it turned out, Lupe had scrambled up quite near it. She could now see that the dark knob was actually a hill of rock about 75 feet high superimposed upon the vast general summit region she had just reached. Unless something higher was hidden beyond it, the true summit of Caribou Mountain had to be up on this final rocky hill.

Lupe reaches Caribou Mountain’s general summit region. The 75 foot high hill ahead is the dark knob she had seen from miles away. Photo looks SW.

The N face of the smaller hill was another fun scramble. Lupe came up right between the two highest rocks. It was instantly clear Loop had made it to the true summit of Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.)!

On the highest rock was a survey benchmark. It even said Caribou.

To SPHP’s surprise, Lupe found this Caribou survey benchmark on the highest rock on Caribou Mountain.

Lupe reaches the true summit of **Caribou Mountain**. The survey benchmark is next to and slightly behind Loop on the L. Much of the long NE ridge Lupe had followed to get here is seen beyond her in the distance. Photo looks NE.

View to the NW from the true summit. The deep valley beyond the barren light green territory in the foreground is the **Kanuti River** valley.

After an initial look around, Lupe found a bigger surprise 25 feet SW of the true summit. Among the rocks was another survey marker. Next to the marker were two plaques in memory of Jamie & Jason Burroughs.

25 feet SW of the true summit, Lupe discovered another survey marker and two plaques in memory of Jamie & Jason Burroughs.

Were Jamie and Jason siblings? It seemed likely. They were born within a few years of each other. Both died young. Jamie lived only 18 years. Jason passed away 2 days after his 34th birthday.

Stashed among the rocks near the plaques were a clear plastic jar and a thermos with the Big Dipper and North Star on it. The jar contained only a plastic bag with a pen and two pencils in it. The thermos was tightly stuffed with two plastic bags containing more pens, registries, and some other papers.

Stashed among the rocks near the commemorative plaques were a clear plastic jar and a thermos with the Big Dipper and North Star on it.

The registries contained so few entries, SPHP read them all. One entry of particular interest was by Jason Burroughs dated 2008 or 2009. Jason had written that he had lived at the base of Caribou Mountain for 2 years. Some of the additional papers revealed that Jason ran a resort – Old Man Alaska Bed & Breakfast. There was even a photo of Jason and his two daughters.

Nothing indicated how or why either Jason or Jamie had died so young. Those buildings Lupe had seen this morning on the W side of the Dalton Highway while SPHP had been looking for a place to park the G6 must have been where Jason had lived. It was probably the former site of Old Man Alaska Bed & Breakfast. Absolutely nothing else was around here way out in the Alaskan wilderness.

SPHP signed Lupe into the registry, then put everything back in place. Time to check out the views from Caribou Mountain.

Looking down from the knob where the true summit of Caribou Mountain is located on the much larger general summit area below. The striking pattern of patches of tundra scattered among a network of rock-filled ditches is evident. Photo looks S.

All the major high points Lupe came to along Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge are in view here. Photo looks NE.

Lupe in sunshine on **Caribou Mountain**. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.

The pattern made by the tundra and rocks on **Caribou Mountain** was so cool to look down upon! Photo looks SSW.

The sky had been totally overcast when Lupe arrived at the true summit of Caribou Mountain. Since then, holes had appeared in the clouds once or twice. Lupe basked briefly in bright sunshine. However, as time wore on, it was becoming clear the Carolina Dog was leading a charmed existence. Rain showers could be seen in every direction.

The showers to the N and E were quite a long way off. The ones to the W were closer, but weren’t headed this way. The real threat was from the S. A long line of showers was advancing toward Caribou Mountain, driven by a steady S breeze.

Lupe had arrived early enough in the day so she should have been able to spend a long time at the summit. Sadly, it wasn’t going to work out that way.

Looking W with help from the telephoto lens.

Looking N with help from the telephoto lens.

Lupe and SPHP spent 45 minutes up on the rocky summit of Caribou Mountain. Then, with rain showers approaching, it was time to get going. Before departing glorious Caribou Mountain, Lupe returned to the highest rocks at the true summit.

Lupe on Caribou Mountain’s highest rocks. The survey benchmark (near her rear paw) and long NE ridge are both in view. Photo looks NE.

Another look with less help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NE.

A better look at the NE ridge. Lupe has moved slightly. The Caribou survey benchmark is a few feet beyond her at Center. Photo looks NE.

Lupe remained briefly up at the summit while SPHP started down.

Lupe along the N edge of the knob at the top of Caribou Mountain.

*Be there in a minute, SPHP. Keep going! I’m a much faster scrambler than you are.*

The return trip was a race against deteriorating weather. Loop followed the same general route back down the NE ridge. For a long way, the return trip was a great deal of fun. Lupe never saw the sun again, but the views were so awesome! The strengthening S breeze and encroaching clouds created a wild, gloomy, menacing mood enhanced by the knowledge that Lupe and SPHP were alone in northern Alaska.

Looking back toward the summit of **Caribou Mountain**. Lupe is almost back down to the second big hill she’d come to on the way up. Photo looks SW.

On the way back, Lupe tagged the summits of both the big hills she had skirted on the way up. Between them, a rain shower caught her. SPHP had stopped to put on the rain poncho only minutes before. The S wind drove the rain so hard the raindrops stung a little. This first shower lasted only 10 minutes. Lupe got wet, but SPHP hadn’t fared too badly.

Looper now between the first and second big hills she’d passed by on the way up. The first rain shower would catch up with her in only a few minutes. She still had miles to go to get to the G6. Photo looks NE.

The first big hill is the closest one on the L. Beyond it at far L is the little rock ridge. **High Point 2355** is near Center. The cluster of rocks Loop came to first on the way up is the little dark knob to the L of **High Point 2355**. Photo looks NE.

On a scenic knob along the way to the first big hill. Photo looks NE.

Little tundra plants can be so incredibly colorful and beautiful!

Lupe was doing great! She was making excellent progress. Rain was all around, but except for that one 10 minute shower, the Carolina Dog was lucky. She made it all the way back to the area where she had first reached the main NE ridgeline. SPHP wasn’t eager to go back down the boggy lower slope Lupe had originally come up to get here, however. It would be nice to avoid that jungle of bushes down near the bottom, too.

Lupe makes it back to the area where she’d originally reached Caribou Mountain’s main NE ridgeline. Photo looks SW back toward the summit.

The original route Loop had taken up to reach the main NE ridgeline is below on the R. SPHP wasn’t eager to repeat a long boggy trek down the lower slope and through the jungle of bushes waiting at the bottom. The Dalton Highway is finally back in sight here. Photo looks NNE.

Instead of taking the same route down that she had come up in the morning, Lupe stuck with the main NE ridge longer. This time she passed only a little N of High Point 2355. The Carolina Dog went to the far E end of Caribou Mountain’s NE ridge before turning N.

Turning N near the far E end of Caribou Mountain’s long NE ridge. The Dalton Highway crosses the Kanuti River in the distance on the R. Photo looks NNW.

Lupe needed only another half hour to get back to the Dalton Highway and the G6 from here, but her luck was about to run out. Photo looks E.

The G6 was only half an hour away when Lupe’s luck ran out. A second rain shower finally caught her. This time it was no mere 10 minute affair. Rain poured down twice as long and twice as hard as the first time.

Lupe had avoided the boggy terrain and the jungle of bushes, but it hardly mattered. Coming down off the ridge, she had to go through a forest with deadfall, meadows of high grass, and stands of tall bushes. Everything was soaking wet. By the time Loop and SPHP reached the service road along the buried Alaska oil pipeline, both were drenched. May as well have gone swimming! (7:30 PM)

No matter. The G6 wasn’t far away now. SPHP would make everything alright there. The important thing was Lupe had made it to the top of Caribou Mountain today.

Lupe returning from Caribou Mountain, Alaska 8-16-17

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Finger Mountain on the Dalton Highway, Alaska (8-15-17)

Days 15 & 16 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

Day 15, 8-14-17 – Windy! Waves were crashing into the shore of Kluane Lake when Lupe wanted out in the wee hours of the night. She was soon back, and apparently famished. Another generous helping of Alpo, and the Carolina Dog was ready to curl up under her blankie again, still worn out from her big climb up Sheep Mountain (6,400 ft) yesterday.

Hours later, Lupe had chocolate sugar wafer cookies for breakfast as SPHP drove N on the Alaska Highway. The cookies were a big hit! In the rear view mirrors, Mount Decoeli (7,650 ft.) could be seen in clear skies far to the S. Up ahead, though, the sky was cloudy and dark.

The plan for the day was to climb a mountain Lupe had seen near the Donjek River last year. The mountain ought to have a fabulous view of a long stretch of the braided river, and snowy mountains of the St. Elias Range to the SW as well. Of course, it all depended on the weather, and SPHP was soon driving through rain showers.

The rain eventually ended. The sky cleared somewhat. A mountain came into view that looked like it might be the one Lupe hoped to climb. Although most of the sky was still cloudy, the mountain was bathed in sunshine. The upper slopes sported an unexpected dusting of new snow.

A mountain bathed in sunshine and sporting a dusting of new snow on its upper reaches came into view. At first, SPHP thought this was the mountain near the Donjek River that Lupe intended to climb. Turned out it wasn’t. Photo looks N.

The brightly lit mountain turned out not to be the one Lupe intended to climb. The Donjek River was still farther away than SPHP thought. By the time Loop was getting close to the river, she was beyond the sunny mountain and seeing wonderful white peaks off to the SW. One of these peaks, situated on the distant horizon, was a monstrous white spire that dominated everything else.

After crossing the bridge over the Donjek River, SPHP found a place to park the G6. Lupe got out for a look around. An easy stroll brought her to a bank overlooking the river. Beyond the meandering stream, Looper could see the closest of the white mountains. They gleamed white and gray beneath a mix of soft clouds and pale blue sky.

Lupe arrives at the **Donjek River** where the Alaska Highway crosses it. To the SW, she could see white peaks in sunshine beneath a mix of pale blue sky and clouds. Photo looks SW.

The forested territory between the **Donjek River** and these white peaks may be part of the **Wolverine Plateau**, but SPHP isn’t entirely certain about that. Photo looks SW.

These amazing white peaks are only the start of genuine mountaineering territory in the heart of the mighty **St. Elias Range** beyond them. Photo looks SW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Even higher peaks were seen more to the S, some completely covered with snow. They made a gorgeous backdrop for the Donjek River.

A couple of entirely white peaks soar above the front range beyond the **Donjek River**. Photo looks S.

Unfortunately, all the blue sky was way over by the white and gray mountains to the SW. Apparently, only that one big hole existed in the general layer of cloud cover seen over the rest of the sky. SPHP still thought the mountain next to the Alaska Highway that Lupe had come to climb looked possible, but the summit was hidden by fog. Hmm.

On a clear day, the views of the Donjek River and St. Elias Range from up there would be amazing! No telling what the Carolina Dog might see! SPHP pondered whether it was worth making an attempt. Conditions were marginal, if Loop really expected to see much. No point in taking on trackless wilderness and more than 3,400 feet of elevation gain, if she wouldn’t. In the end, it seemed like the wrong move. The mountain near the Donjek River really ought to be saved for a day with brilliant sunshine.

Loop and SPHP continued N. The American Dingo’s next stop came after crossing the White River. The White is even bigger than the Donjek. In fact, the Donjek River becomes a tributary of the White River somewhat farther downstream.

Lupe stops for a look at the **White Rive**r, a giant braided stream even larger than the Donjek. Photo looks NE.

The **White Rive**r has a super wide flood plain as it flows N out of the mountains. The SE end of **Horsecamp Hill (4,600 ft.)** is seen on the L. **Horsecamp Hill** was another peakbagging possibility that got scratched today. Photo looks NE.

N of the White River was Horsecamp Hill (4,600 ft.), another mountain on Lupe’s list of possible peakbagging objectives. However, the shortest approaches from the SW off the Alaska Highway looked very steep, and the whole mountain appeared heavily forested. Even if Lupe made it to the top, she might not get any bird’s eye views of the White River, the whole point of even considering an ascent. The weather was no better here than it had been at the Donjek River, either. With so many strikes against it, Horsecamp Hill was out. Oh, well! Onward!

Gray skies and occasional light rain showers extended mile after mile. No blue sky anywhere. Lupe alternately snoozed atop her pile of pillows and blankets, or stared out the window searching in vain for wildlife. She left Canada entering Alaska again. The bridge over the Tanana River came 12 miles before Tok. It wasn’t raining here, and there was a rest area. Time to get out and sniff the air for a few minutes.

Lupe takes a break from the G6 near the Alaska Highway bridge over the **Tanana River**. Photo looks SE.

Though she traveled hundreds of miles, Lupe failed to find even a speck of blue sky the rest of the day. NW of Tok, the sky was heavily overcast. Loopster may not have gotten a workout, but the windshield wipers did. It rained frequently. It wasn’t raining when the Carolina Dog pulled into Fairbanks at 5:45 PM, but looked like it could again at any moment.

Loop would spend the night in Fairbanks. Hopefully morning would bring better news.

Day 16, 8-15-17 – The only thing that was clear, was that not much had changed overnight. No rain at the moment, but the pavement was wet. Dark clouds still ruled the sky.

SPHP bought supplies and fuel for the G6. Eventually there was good news. Patches of blue sky had appeared, and were growing in the W. It was enough. Lupe and SPHP left Fairbanks.

On the drive to Livengood, the Elliot Highway was wet the entire way. Every time the road turned E or N, the weather deteriorated. Every time it turned W, conditions improved. SPHP sometimes drove into fog high on forested ridges, but always drove out of it again in the valleys below. A little past Livengood, Lupe reached the start of the Dalton Highway.

Lupe reaches the start of the Dalton Highway. The Dalton Highway goes 414 miles N to the Arctic Ocean, officially ending only a few miles short of Prudhoe Bay.

The first 40 miles or so on the Dalton Highway were all dirt and gravel. Today the road was a complete sloppy, muddy mess. SPHP drove slowly. The G6 became filthy, but kept going. Current weather conditions were gradually improving. Sunshine peeked through gaps in the clouds. Bits and pieces of blue sky managed to reach the highway.

A 12 mile stretch of pavement led to a few more miles of dirt and gravel before Loopster reached the bridge over the Yukon River at milepost 56. After crossing the bridge, she stopped for a look at the mighty Yukon.

Looking NE down the Dalton Highway bridge over the Yukon River. The Alaska oil pipeline crosses the river attached to the underside of this same bridge, and can be seen snaking away from the far end.

Lupe has a look at the **Yukon River**. There is a small visitor center on the N side of the river E of the Dalton Highway. Fuel is available on the W side of the highway, but it ain’t cheap at $5.50 per gallon. SPHP didn’t buy any. Don’t quibble, though, if you’re getting low! The next gas station is at Coldfoot camp 119 miles farther N.

Lupe on the N bank of the mighty **Yukon River**. She had been here in 2016, too. It was sort of amazing, almost hard to believe, that she had made it all the way back here again! Photo looks WNW.

In addition to visiting the Yukon River, Lupe went to see the Alaska oil pipeline. Although sometimes miles from the Dalton Highway, the oil pipeline roughly parallels the highway all the way to the Arctic Ocean, and is often in view.

Lupe visits the Alaska oil pipeline during her stop at the Yukon River. In 2016, Lupe learned it could be lots of fun exploring sections of the service road that follows the pipeline. Much of her gorgeous **last mile N trek** in the Brooks Range in 2016 had been along the pipeline service road. Photo looks NE.

This map showing highlights along the Dalton Highway was on display near the Yukon River visitor center.

N of the Yukon River, the Dalton Highway was dirt and gravel, which meant mud. SPHP was concerned about the first few miles. In 2016, when the weather had been sunny and much drier, there had been a mile or two of very soft highway in this area. The G6 had threatened to bog down even then. The road might easily be impassable now.

Not to worry. The road was much improved over the past year. Despite the mud, the G6 sailed through much more confidently than a year ago. Loop wasn’t going to be forced to retreat S. Finger Mountain (2,202 ft.), today’s destination, was only 42 miles N of the Yukon River. Loopster was going to get there!

On the way to Finger Mountain, the weather deteriorated again. SPHP drove through intermittent rain showers. Only tiny patches of blue sky remained. A couple miles before reaching Finger Mountain, the Dalton Highway turned from mud to good pavement. That was a relief!

A rain shower was in progress when Lupe made it to Finger Mountain sometime after 3:00 PM. A strong wind blew out of the W. Low, ragged clouds raced by at a tremendous pace. Off to the NW, the summit of Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.) was hidden from view. The S side of the Brooks Range, which ought to have been in sight, wasn’t.

Finger Mountain is only a big, rounded, gentle hill. The Dalton Highway goes right over it around milepost 98. A few stunted trees exist, but most of the mountain is covered with low bushes and small plants typical of alpine tundra. E of the highway, a granite rock outcropping juts some 20 or 30 feet above the surrounding terrain. This rock outcropping is the true summit of Finger Mountain.

Lupe had climbed Finger Mountain only a little over a year ago. For the American Dingo, it was a quick, easy peakbagging success. On a clear day, the views had been wonderful, too. Loopster had every intention of repeating this exploit. When the rain quit and wind slackened around 4:30 PM, both Lupe and SPHP left the G6 heading directly for the summit.

A short stroll, a tiny scramble, a boost from SPHP, and Lupe was there. For the second time in her life, Lupe stood at the tippy top of Finger Mountain (2,202 ft.)!

Lupe needed a boost from SPHP to get to the top of **Finger Mountain**. After an absence of a little more than a year, the Carolina Dog was back!

Lupe remains perched atop **Finger Mountain** while SPHP scrambles down for a more distant shot. Photo looks N.

Kind of windy up here, SPHP! Can I come down yet? …. *No, stay where you are Looper, gimme a couple more minutes!*

The granite formation at the summit of **Finger Mountain** looks the most impressive from this direction. Pretty much the entire elevation gain coming from the Dalton Highway only 100+ yards away is on display here. Photo looks N.

With clouds obscuring some of the best views, Lupe was ready to get down out of the annoying breeze as soon as SPHP said she could. She leapt down all on her own.

A short nature trail circles the hillside immediately NE of Finger Mountain’s summit. For fun, Loop and SPHP took a leisurely stroll around the loop. Lupe wound up right back at the base of the summit rocks. This time she didn’t bother going to the top.

Lupe stands below the summit rock she had been up on top of earlier. Photo looks SSW.

With all the clouds around, the views from Finger Mountain weren’t nearly what they might have been. Lupe was going to spend the night here. Maybe they’d be better in the morning?

After having spent most of today and yesterday cooped up, Lupe wasn’t ready yet to retreat to the G6 again. Fortunately, there were a couple more things to do on Finger Mountain.

Another granite formation, not as large or high as the one at the summit, was right across the Dalton Highway on the W side of the road. With plenty of time left in the day, and not a whole lot to do with it, Lupe was all for sniffing around and exploring that rock formation, too.

The smaller granite formation on the W side of the Dalton Highway.

On a clear day, Lupe would have had a great view of **Caribou Mountain (3,179 ft.)** from here. The summit is in the distance on the L, currently hidden by clouds. Photo looks WNW.

**Olsons Lake** is one of the large ponds near Center. The Dalton Highway winds off into the distance. The Alaska oil pipeline is buried underground here where the strip of bare land is seen on the L. Photo looks NNW.

Finger Mountain is named after a famous tor, Finger Rock, located roughly 0.25 to 0.50 mile SSE of the true summit where Lupe had just been. Finger Rock is said to point in the general direction of Fairbanks. Bush pilots have been rumored to use it as a navigation aide. Lupe may as well go see Finger Rock while she was here.

From the edge of a large parking area off the E side Dalton Highway, a trail led SSE into the tundra. Lupe followed it down a long gradual slope. She had a good time sniffing around exploring the tundra. The trail ultimately became hard to follow, sunken beneath standing water in many places. SPHP rock hopped part of the way to Finger Rock, which was always in view ahead.

Finger Rock wasn’t anything Lupe could get to the top of, but she did climb partway up its base.

Loop reaches famed **Finger Rock**. It reminded SPHP of an artillery piece from this angle. Photo looks ESE.

**Finger Rock** can be seen from the Dalton Highway. SPHP had spotted it on the way up Finger Mountain.

The side trek to **Finger Rock** was easy and didn’t take Lupe long. In 2016, she hadn’t visited **Finger Rock** when she came to **Finger Mountain** the first time. Lupe was glad she’d come to see it today.

After visiting Finger Rock, Lupe returned to the nature trail near the summit of Finger Mountain. Dark clouds and showers were once again approaching from the W. Lupe and SPHP fled to the protection of the G6! (5:45 PM)

Rain showers came and went. A rainbow did, too, but by then SPHP was chatting with a guy from Indiana and his two sons-in-law. Finger Mountain was a brief stop on their way N to hunt caribou near Galbraith Lake on the N side of the Brooks Range. They eventually drove on, but by then the rainbow had departed as well.

From the safety of the G6, Lupe and SPHP spent the evening watching one rain shower after another blow over Finger Mountain. Traffic on the Dalton Highway faded away long before the late arctic twilight did. If the weather would cooperate, tomorrow would be a long day. Time to rest.

Alone on Finger Mountain, less than 18 miles from the Arctic Circle, Lupe and SPHP slept.

Lupe near **Finger Rock** on **Finger Mountain**, Alaska 8-15-17

Sheep Mountain, Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory, Canada (8-13-17)

Day 14 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

Yesterday evening, after a couple of peakbagging adventures on overcast days, Lupe and SPHP had driven N out of Haines, Alaska back into Yukon Territory looking for sunnier skies. By nightfall Loop had made it as far as Dezadeash Lake. Although there were patches of blue sky this morning, clouds still prevailed. Before continuing N, the Carolina Dog spent a few minutes stretching and sniffing around.

Morning began with a view of **Dezadeash Lake**. Photo looks NNE.

A mountain on the E side of **Dezadeash Lake** wears a cap of cloud like a powdered white wig. All the rage only a quarter of a millennia ago, but what’s that to a mountain? Though clouds were prevalent this morning, encouraging patches of blue sky were also present. Photo looks ESE.

**Dezadeash Lake** is quite large, but shallow. Pink wildflowers add a splash of color to the scene. Photo looks NE.

After a short morning romp, Lupe and SPHP proceeded N on Haines Highway No. 7 to the Alaska Highway at Haines Junction. Although Dezadeash Lake was big, Lupe’s next stop farther N along the Alaska Highway was at a much larger lake, beautiful Kluane Lake E of Kluane National Park & Reserve.

Lupe arrives at the S end of beautiful, huge **Kluane Lake**. Only the far SW end of the lake is in view here. Photo looks W.

Lupe had been to Kluane Lake on her 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska, too. A big gravel parking lot at the S end of Kluane Lake right off the Alaska Highway was a favorite spot. Lupe could see her next peakbagging goal, Sheep Mountain (6,400 ft.), right across the bay.

**Sheep Mountain** from the S end of **Kluane Lake**. The high point straight up from Lupe’s head is **Mount Wallace (7,700 ft.)** (R). The summit of **Sheep Mountain** is the next highest point seen a little to the L of Lupe. Photo looks NW.

The Sheep Creek trail providing access to Sheep Mountain was closed due to grizzly bear activity, when Lupe had been here in 2016. SPHP stopped by the Tachal Dahl visitor center to check on the status today. The American Dingo was in luck! Not only was the Sheep Creek trail open, but park personnel were recommending it.

SPHP returned to the G6 with the good news that Loopster had a green light on Sheep Mountain. The Slims West trailhead was nearby, only a short drive W from the Alaska Highway along the base of the mountain. Soon Loop and SPHP were leaving the trailhead parking area heading SW on the Slims River West trail. (10:45 AM, 60°F)

**Sheep Mountain** from the Slims River West trailhead. The trailhead is a few minutes drive W off the Alaska Highway on a good gravel road. Photo looks N.

The Slims River West trail begins as an easy stroll along an abandoned roadbed. In 10 minutes, Lupe reached a turn NW onto the Sheep Creek trail. A map was posted nearby, in addition to a plaque commemorating a hiker killed by a grizzly in July, 1996.

The Sheep Creek trail is officially only 5 km long, but a perfectly good unofficial route continues on up to the Sheep Mountain ridgeline.

The Sheep Creek trail headed NW into a forest. The trail was very wide and well worn. Lupe was soon climbing steadily. Although clouds were floating this way out of the SW, the drive N had been successful in finding sunshine at Kluane Lake. Uphill exertion made it feel plenty warm out. Squirrels provided occasional excitement and reason for happy Dingo barkfests.

A fine powdery dust covered the whole Sheep Creek trail. Puffs of dust poofed up with each pawstep, as though Looper were traveling through a desert. The trail might be named after Sheep Creek, but there was absolutely no water. Loop seldom saw or even heard Sheep Creek, which was soon hundreds of feet lower in a canyon to the SW. Lupe would have been better off as an Arabian Dingo, storing water in a hump on her back. Fortunately, as long as SPHP was around packing in a water supply, Lupe wouldn’t have to change her nationality.

The Sheep Creek trail was an uphill trudge, devoid of views until Lupe was getting close to the 2 km mark. She could now see SSW up the Slims River valley. And oh yeah, there was Sheep Creek, way the heck down there!

After a dusty 2 km climb on the Sheep Creek trail, Lupe finally comes to a point where she has a view of the **Slim River valley**. Photo looks SSW.

About the first and only good look at the not terribly convenient **Sheep Creek** (Center) from the Sheep Creek trail. **Sheep Creek** flows into the much larger **Slims River** seen in the broader valley below. Photo looks S.

The trail seldom stopped climbing, though some stretches were steeper than others, as Lupe journeyed onward. She was still in forest most of the time, but it was starting to thin out. Viewpoints were becoming more frequent. Of course, the higher the Carolina Dog went, the better the views were getting.

Looking SSW up the **Slims River valley** from a bit higher up.

Looking up the **Sheep Creek valley**. A different trail goes up the big ridge on the other side of the valley to the **Bullion Plateau**. Lupe hasn’t ever done any exploring over there yet. Photo looks NW.

Lupe passed signs marking the 2 km and 3.8 km points along the trail. Beyond the 3.8 km marker, the Sheep Creek trail narrowed down to a good single track. Trees became scarce. The mountainside was now covered in bushes.

The last trail marker came at the 5 km point. This was the official end of the Sheep Creek trail. From here, Lupe could see all the way S up the Slims River valley to the toe of the Kaskawulsh Glacier. The glacier was so far away, it was difficult to be certain Lupe was really seeing it. Only by using the telephoto lens on the camera was it possible to tell for sure. Binoculars would have been a tremendous help.

Looper at the 5 km marker, the official end of the Sheep Creek trail. Photo looks NW toward the **Bullion Plateau** area.

From the official end of the Sheep Creek trail, Lupe could see the toe of the mighty **Kaskawulsh Glacier** (L). Photo looks S up the **Slims River valley** with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Looking NNE over the **Fortyeight Pup Creek** drainage (coming down from the R).

Although Lupe had reached the official end of the Sheep Creek trail, she had a lot farther to go, if she wanted to climb Sheep Mountain. The long NW ridge coming down from the SW end of the mountain was in view from here. This ridge is on the S side of the Fortyeight Pup Creek drainage. Lupe would have to climb it.

The ridge on the L leads up to the SW end of **Sheep Mountain**. Climbing it was Lupe’s next task. Photo looks E.

From the end of the Sheep Creek trail, an unmaintained “Ridge” trail continues E around the N side of a hill covered with bushes. As Lupe rounded the hill, she could see that this trail really was going to take her to the start of the ridge she needed to climb.

Lupe on the Ridge trail going around the N side of a brushy hill. Ahead on the R is the start of the long ridge she needs to climb. The **Fortyeight Pup Creek** drainage is on the L. The high point in the distance is the summit of **Sheep Mountain**. Photo looks ENE.

The climb up the NW ridge leading to the SW end of Sheep Mountain was long, but not difficult. The steepest part was at the beginning. The Ridge trail helped make the ascent easier, and wasn’t hard to follow. It was just a matter of having sufficient heart, leg and lung power to keep going. As usual, Lupe had plenty of all three, while SPHP lagged behind.

Despite SPHP’s frequent stops to catch breath, Lupe was making good progress up the ridge. She soon had a beautiful view of Red Castle Ridge back toward the Bullion Plateau area. Loop could also see the summit of Sheep Mountain beyond the end of the Fortyeight Pup Creek drainage, though SPHP didn’t recognize as such yet.

**Red Castle Ridge** in the **Bullion Plateau** area as seen on the way up the Ridge trail to the SW end of **Sheep Mountain**. Photo looks NW.

Going up the NW ridge, Lupe was quickly above even bush line. Only low alpine plants remained. The Carolina Dog would have to follow the Ridge trail 2.5 km from the end of the Sheep Creek trail to reach the first high point at the SW end of Sheep Mountain’s main ridge. Photo looks SE.

Looking up the **Fortyeight Pup Creek** drainage. SPHP didn’t recognize it yet, but the summit of **Sheep Mountain** is at Center. The more distant high point on the L is **High Point 6378** (1,944 m), also part of the Sheep Mountain main ridge, but not quite as high. Photo looks E.

Lupe loved being in the alpine on the big open ridge! None of it was the least bit scary. No large rock formations, boulders, scree or talus fields appeared. No cliffs or steep drop offs existed. The ridge was always plenty wide. The only mildly discouraging factor was a series of false summits, but they couldn’t go on forever.

Clouds sailed overhead out of the SW. Sometimes it was windy; most of the time it wasn’t. From the end of the Sheep Creek trail up to the first viewpoint from the SW end of Sheep Mountain’s main ridge, the Ridge trail was 2.5 km long. Of course, Loop had amazing views all the way up the barren ridge, too.

Lupe loved being up on the big, smooth alpine ridge. Nothing scary, but the wind blew sometimes, and she came to a series of false summits. Photo looks ESE.

As Lupe climbed, the view of **Red Castle Ridge** kept improving. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

Looking up the **Slims River valley**. The weather was looking more iffy as the day wore on. Clouds were starting to take over. Photo looks S.

Same view with a little more help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks S.

Beyond the last of the false summits, the already broad ridge widened out even more. Only very short sparse vegetation existed up here. The Ridge trail all but disappeared, but there was never any question on which way to go.

End of the climb ahead! Photo looks ESE.

Finally the trek up the long ridge was over. Lupe reached the high point at the far SW end of Sheep Mountain. Here there was need for a little caution and presence of mind. Tremendous cliffs existed all along the SE edge of the mountain.

The views were incredible! For the first time, Lupe could see the entire length of the Slim River valley all the way from mountains beyond the toe of the Kaskawulsh glacier clear down to the Alaska Highway and Kluane Lake.

At the high point at the far SW end of Sheep Mountain’s long main ridge, Lupe stands a few feet from SE facing cliffs with a view all the way up the **Slims River valley** to the toe of the **Kaskawulsh Glacier** and beyond. Photo looks S.

Lupe has her first view of beautiful **Kluane Lake** from up on **Sheep Mountain**. Photo looks E.

Looking down on the mouth of the **Slims River** where it empties into **Kluane Lake**. Photo looks SE.

The Alaska Highway sweeps around the SW end of **Kluane Lake** crossing the **Slims River delta**, Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

Lupe could now see much of **upper Sheep Creek valley** with **Red Castle Ridge** beyond it. Photo looks NW.

Another look at **Red Castle Ridge** with more help from the telephoto lens. **Upper Sheep Creek valley** is in the foreground. Photo looks NW.

Stupendous snow-capped peaks were off to the WSW. SPHP’s maps showed no names for them.

Lupe and SPHP were taking a break on the high point at the SW end of Sheep Mountain, when suddenly there were voices. A couple appeared coming up the Ridge trail. They turned out to be from Whitehorse, and had a rangefinder with them. They quickly spotted several herds of Dahl sheep grazing on a mountainside beyond the Fortyeight Pup Creek drainage. The sheep were so far away, Lupe hadn’t even noticed them.

SPHP chatted with the couple from Whitehorse. Loopster relaxed and enjoyed being petted. This viewpoint was as far as the couple intended to go. They had no interest in continuing on to the true summit. By the time they started back down, more than 30 minutes had shot by.

Lupe had better get going! The true summit was still some distance away. Although it wasn’t much higher than where Loop was now, she would have to lose then regain a fair amount of elevation to get there.

*“Lupe had better get going?” Sheesh, SPHP, you’re the one chit-chatting the day away up here! Come on!* The true summit of **Sheep Mountain** is at the L (N) end of the short ridge seen ahead on the L. Photo looks NE.

Looking down the SE face of **Sheep Mountain** from the SW high point before departing for the true summit. The Tachal Dahl visitor center parking lot is seen close to the near curve of the Alaska Highway. Photo looks ESE.

Looper sets off for Sheep Mountain’s true summit from the SW high point. She had to lose a fair amount of elevation right away. The views of **Kluane Lake** along the entire main ridge were spectacular!

A slightly different perspective on the **Slims River valley**. Photo looks S.

The first elevation drop leaving the high point at the SW end of Sheep Mountain was by far the biggest. Lupe subsequently came to a number of other high points and smaller drops along the way, too. However, the trek along Sheep Mountain’s main ridgeline was a dream, such a treat! The views of Kluane Lake were simply stupendous!

Lupe at an impressive little high point along Sheep Mountain’s main ridge after the initial big elevation drop. Photo looks E.

*It’s a precipitous drop, SPHP. If you want to come up here and get any closer to the edge for a photo, be my guest!*

Still a ways to go. The true summit is in sight way beyond Lupe. Photo looks NE.

As Lupe proceeded NE along the ridgeline, she now began noticing herds of Dahl sheep. That really perked the Carolina Dog up. She was keenly interested in sheep! The Dahl sheep were grazing in alpine meadows on both sides of Sheep Mountain (6,400 ft.), but all were far, far below Looper’s lofty position up on the main ridge. None of the sheep had the slightest idea that such a ferocious predator as an American Dingo was eyeing them greedily from above. Eh, they were so far away, they had no cause for alarm.

Lupe finally reached the highest ridge toward the NE end of Sheep Mountain where the true summit is located. More than 50 minutes had gone by since she’d left the SW high point. The true summit was now an easy stroll to the N. Loopster could already see more of Kluane Lake, and also had a great view of High Point 6378 (1944 m on the topo map).

Lupe reaches the high ridge where the true summit of **Sheep Mountain** is located. She could now see **High Point 6378** (1944 m) (Center) and more of **Kluane Lake**. Photo looks NE.

**Sheep Mountain** is fun! Such tremendous views! And Dahl sheep! Don’t forget the fascinating Dahl sheep! Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.

**Mount Decoeli (7,650 ft.)** is seen at Center in the distance. Unfortunately, the summit is hidden by clouds. **Decoeli** is another fantastic peak in **Kluane National Park**! Lupe climbed **Decoeli** in 2016. Photo looks SE.

The true summit of Sheep Mountain (6,400 ft.) was at the N end of the summit ridge. Lupe trotted on over to claim her peakbagging success! For a mountain with over 4,000 feet of elevation gain (including some of the extra elevation regained traipsing along the main ridgeline) Sheep Mountain had been easy, super fun, and a visual treasure.

Lupe at the true summit of **Sheep Mountain**. Slightly lower **High Point 6378** (1944 m) is dead ahead with **Kluane Lake** beyond. Photo looks NE.

*Oh, there’s always something bigger and better, isn’t there?* Lupe at the true summit of **Sheep Mountain** with **Mount Wallace (7,700 ft.)** soaring higher on the L. Photo looks N.

*And there you have it! This is Lupe, the peakbagging American Dingo, reporting from high atop fabulous **Sheep Mountain** in **Kluane National Park & Reserve** in SW **Yukon Territory**!* Photo looks N.

**Mount Wallace** (L) from the true summit of **Sheep Mountain**. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

Lupe spent half an hour at the top of Sheep Mountain. SPHP passed the time gazing upon the glorious 360° views, while Loop concentrated on monitoring the tiny white specks far below that were herds of Dahl sheep. Sheep Mountain had something for everyone!

Looking back along Sheep Mountain’s long main ridge. The high point at the far SW end that Lupe had come from is on the R. Photo looks SSW.

Looking down the **Fortyeight Pup Creek** drainage. The S end of **Red Castle Ridge** is on the R. Photo looks W.

Zoomed in on a distant mighty snow and ice clad peak. Photo looks W.

Looking E. The S end of **Kluane Lake** is more than 3,800 feet below. There’s actually a much steeper, shorter, alternate route up **Sheep Mountain** from this direction than the way Lupe took.

A big glacier is seen on the R. It is at the upper end of a large side valley on the far side of the Slims River valley. Somewhere in the clouds to the L of the glacier is **Vulcan Mountain**. Photo looks S with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

**Mount Wallace (7,700 ft.)** and **Kluane Lake**. Photo looks N.

Dahl Sheep, objects of endless fascination for Lupe! None of the sheep were ever aware Loop was even around, but they provided her a great deal of entertainment. Photo looks down with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Loopster’s ear on the R points straight up at distant **Mount Decoeli (7,650 ft.)**. Unfortunately, Decoeli never escaped the clouds while Looper was on Sheep Mountain, so she never got a clear view of it. Photo looks SE.

The American Dingo and SPHP would gladly have stayed up on Sheep Mountain much longer, but the weather was beginning to deteriorate. Blue sky was disappearing. An endless procession of gray clouds was steadily approaching from the direction of the Slim River valley.

Probably best to be moving on. Sad, but true.

Sunshine was disappearing. An endless procession of gray clouds was advancing on **Sheep Mountain** from the direction of the **Slim River valley**. Sadly, it was time to go. Photo looks S.

Lupe wasn’t eager to be torn away from watching Dahl sheep, but she would see more of them on the trek back along the main ridgeline to the SW high point. Before setting out, Looper took one more look down on the Slims River valley and Kluane Lake from the S end of the summit ridge.

A last look at the **Slim River valley** from the S end of the **Sheep Mountain** summit ridge. Photo looks S.

A final look down on **Kluane Lake** from the S end of the summit ridge. Photo looks SE.

Starting back. The high point at the SW end of the **Sheep Mountain** main ridge is in the distance on the L. Photo looks SW.

While still on the main ridge, a rain shower hit. Fortunately, it didn’t rain hard, and didn’t last long. Lupe and SPHP pressed on. More rain showers were threatening. However, Lupe did stop briefly when she reached Sheep Mountain’s SW high point again.

Yikes! Looking down Sheep Mountain’s SE face.

Loopster back at the SW high point. Rain was threatening again, but never did hit. Photo looks S.

Looking S up the **Slim River valley** from **Sheep Mountain** before heading down.

A final look at the toe of the **Kaskawulsh Glacier**. Photo looks S with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Rain threatened again, but never did catch up with Lupe. On the way down the long NW ridge from the SW high point, Looper had a blast! It was windy out, and the breeze made her half wild. She ran all over the place sniffing and exploring.

Back on the Sheep Creek trail, the fun continued when the Carolina Dog found squirrels to bark at in the trees. Many times she showed off how fast she was for SPHP, racing up and down the dusty trail kicking up clouds of dust as if she were the Roadrunner. SPHP praised her for her boundless energy and great enthusiasm.

And that was it. Lupe’s marvelous Sheep Mountain adventure was over. (8:32 PM, 59°F) Evening found her at the S end of Kluane Lake.

At the S end of **Kluane Lake** at the end of the day. **Mount Wallace** is on the L. Photo looks N.

Of course, Sheep Mountain was in view right across the bay. Sheep Mountain had been a great adventure, a superb day! Only a few hours ago, Lupe had been up there, way up at the top.

Only a light breeze blew down here. Kluane Lake was a gently rippling inland sea. Everything was blue and white and silver and gray. A dark blue procession of seldom visited, mysterious peaks marched endlessly N, far beyond Kluane Lake, forever on their way to the Arctic.

Tomorrow Lupe would be on her way there, too.

Kluane Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada 8-13-17

Kluane Lake & Shepherd’s Knoll in the Slims River Valley, Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory, Canada (8-8-16)

Decoeli, Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory, Canada (8-9-16)