Lupe – Page 203 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 225 – Roundtop Hill (4-9-18)

Start – Cascade Springs picnic ground at J. H. Keith Memorial Park along Hwy 71, 10:02 AM, 34°F

Blue sky! A welcome sight! This day was going to be fine after all.

Good thing, too. It had been a while, and Lupe was anxious to get back out in the hills. The forecast was for the first near normal temperature day since March, a vast improvement over April’s chilly start. However, on the way here SPHP had begun to wonder. The sky had been so darkly overcast and the clouds so low, that SPHP had driven through stretches of fog with the headlights on. The temperature had sunk to a pathetic 14°F. Mighty brisk for nearly a third of the way into April!

It was 20°F warmer here at the Cascade Springs picnic ground, though. Not a particularly bright day, but Looper was at least going to get some sunshine. She was eager to get going, and was soon happily sniffing her way along Hwy 71.

Loop left Hwy 71 at USFS Road No. 328. The dirt road followed Cascade Creek SW for 0.33 mile before turning N to climb out of the creek valley. The road brought the Carolina Dog up onto the low end of a long ridge. Devil’s Slide Mountain (3,965 ft.) was in view to the SE.

**Devil’s Slide Mountain** (L) from the start of the ridge. Photo looks SE.

Once up on the toe of the ridge, USFS Road No. 328 turned NW following the ridge higher. Lupe was gaining elevation steadily at an easy pace. The broad ridge was mostly grassland, but pine trees were never far away. The views back to the S kept improving as Looper went higher.

The views were gradually improving as Lupe followed the ridge higher. Photo looks S.

Loopster was excited to see a small herd of deer. The deer noticed the Carolina Dog, too, but weren’t as thrilled to see Lupe as she was to see them. After a moment’s hesitation, they retreated to a nearby forest.

Lupe was excited to see this small herd of deer. When the deer saw Lupe, they decided to head for a nearby stand of pines.

This was dry country at the far S end of the Black Hills. SPHP could see cactus hidden among the grass. The cacti weren’t super abundant, but were definitely a clear and present danger for Lupe. Loop must have sensed that cactus was around. Without any prompting from SPHP, she played it safe and stayed right on the road.

After the deer, Lupe didn’t see much else of interest until she had been on the ridge for nearly 0.75 mile. Here she passed between a couple of low hills, and came to a tiny reedy pond. The pond didn’t have much open water at all, but frogs were singing merrily. When Loop got close, they suddenly went silent.

After following the ridge nearly 0.75 mile, Lupe came to this reedy pond where frogs were singing. Photo looks NW.

The pond didn’t have much open water, but the frogs seemed happy enough with it. Photo looks S.

Lupe kept going. 0.25 mile beyond the frog pond, the ridge narrowed down substantially. This area was forested, but didn’t extend far. Soon Lupe was emerging from the trees again. Ahead the road went up a very broad grassy slope.

When Loop was nearly 2 miles past the frog pond, the road crested. Past this point, No. 328 dipped slightly and bent N. From the crest, Lupe could see Horse Trap Mountain (4,682 ft.) 3 miles to the NW. She had been to Horse Trap Mountain once, more than a year ago.

*Why, SPHP, look! There’s Horse Trap Mountain (R) up ahead. Remember being there? …. Sure do, Looper! It was a pretty cool spot.* Photo looks NW.

Returning to Horse Trap Mountain was tempting, but not the plan. Lupe’s actual peakbagging objective was in sight from here. From the little crest, the road curved N toward Roundtop Hill (4,469 ft.).

Mighty **Roundtop Hill** (R of Center) was today’s peakbagging objective. Photo looks N.

Lupe and SPHP had first seen Roundtop Hill from Horse Trap Mountain on Expedition No. 197. However, there hadn’t been time enough to get over to Roundtop then. Loopster was going to get there today, though!

Before continuing on to Roundtop Hill, Lupe and SPHP took a break at a stand of pines W of the crest in the road. Along the SW edge of these trees was a grouping of yucca plants. The yuccas looked pretty snazzy, so Lupe thought she might like a photo. SPHP helped her watch out for the plentiful cacti growing nearby.

Lupe by the snazzy yucca plants W of the crest in the road. Photo looks SSW.

Roundtop Hill was still 1.5 miles away as the crow flies. After a short break, Lupe and SPHP hit the road again.

Ready to hit the road again for **Roundtop Hill** (R). Photo looks N.

**Roundtop Hill** with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks N.

USFS Road No. 328 headed straight for Roundtop Hill until it got close. Then it swung around the W side of the hill. Instead of going directly to the summit, or at least the saddle W of it, Lupe stuck with the road. As she approached the W end of Roundtop Hill, the Carolina Dog had some nice views of Falls Canyon.

Nearing the W end of Roundtop Hill, Lupe could see **Falls Canyon**. Photo looks SSW.

Looking WSW across an E branch of **Falls Canyon**.

Circling the W end of Roundtop Hill the road became steeper. By the time Lupe was around to the N side, she had already gained almost all of the elevation she needed to in order to reach her objective.

The summit of Roundtop Hill was now 0.5 mile ESE. Leaving the road, Lupe approached a deadfall strewn slope beyond a power line. The trees had all died in a wildfire a long time ago. Only one dead tree was still standing. A Devil Tree stood slightly below the top of the slope. Lupe headed for it.

Lupe reaches the Devil Tree at the WNW end of Roundtop Hill. Photo looks ESE.

Past the Devil Tree, Lupe came upon a surprisingly flat grassy area. She could now see the summit of Roundtop Hill ahead. Getting there looked easy. As it turned out, there was virtually no cactus up here, either, which made the trek to the summit ridge both simple and fun.

*Oh, we’re almost there, SPHP! Roundtop Hill (L) is in the bag!* Photo looks ESE.

Loopster nearing the summit ridge. Photo looks ESE.

Roundtop Hill’s summit ridge runs NW/SE, and is hundreds of feet long. It’s quite narrow at the NW end where big boulders of pockmarked sandstone are prominent, and much wider toward the lower SE end. Lupe started her quest for the true summit by climbing up among the boulders at the NW end.

*It’s kind of interesting up here, SPHP. Come on up and see for yourself!* Lupe at the NW end of Roundtop Hill’s summit ridge. Photo looks SE.

The top of Roundtop Hill used to be forested. However, a fire had killed every living tree. When Lupe reached the summit ridge, the bleached white trunks and branches of the small trees that used to live up here were scattered all over among the rocks. The jumble of dead wood made moving around more difficult than it should have been.

The true summit of Roundtop Hill (4,469 ft.) was a large flat boulder 40 feet from the big rocks at the NW end. A couple of other rocks along the SW edge were also in contention for the title. Lupe ultimately visited all of the highest rocks.

Lupe at the **true summit of Roundtop Hill**. A couple of other rocks nearly as high are seen to the R. Photo looks S.

On a perfect Dingo display rock along the SW edge of the summit area. Photo looks W.

A chilly 20 mph NW breeze was blowing. The temperature couldn’t have been much more than the mid 40’s °F. After tagging the true summit, Lupe and SPHP went to the lower SE end of the summit area. This area was protected from the wind, so it was a good place to take a break.

Pockmarked sandstone was plentiful. Standing water filled many of the holes in the rocks. Lupe and SPHP took a break at Lake Rock. Loopster enjoyed drinking freely from the tiny lakes. SPHP supplied her with Taste of the Wild.

Loopster at Lake Rock. She took a break here, sampling the water from several of the lakes. Photo looks WNW.

*What a great spot! Help yourself SPHP! There’s plenty of water to go around.*

The best views from Roundtop Hill were generally toward the S. Lupe could see a number of peaks she had been to before.

This was one of the best views from **Roundtop Hill**. **Flagpole Mountain (4,320 ft.)** is at Center far beyond Lupe. Photo looks SE.

Three peaks Lupe had been to before are lined up in the distance. The ridge L of Center is **Seven Sisters Range** **(4,420 ft.)**. At Center above Loop’s rump is **Peak 4371**. Straight up from her head is **Peak 4310**. Photo looks E.

The long ridge beyond Lupe is **Horse Trap Mountain (4,682 ft.)**. The smaller ridge in the distance at far R is **Parker Peak (4,848 ft.)**. Photo looks WNW.

It would have been fun to go back to Horse Trap Mountain, but a check of the maps showed that it was probably best to just stay here and enjoy Roundtop Hill. Getting past Falls Canyon would take too much time. So Loop and SPHP lingered up on Roundtop Hill for well over an hour just chillin’ and enjoying the views.

Looking N along the summit area. The dead trees were kind of a mess.

Same spot with help from the telephoto lens. On the way to the Roundtop Hill area, Loop had come up from the L along the grassy slope beyond her. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe’s final approach to Roundtop Hill’s summit ridge had been from this direction. **Horse Trap Mountain** is in the distance on the L. Photo looks NW.

Among the big boulders at the NW end of the summit area. Photo looks WNW.

Up on one of the more dramatic rocks. Photo looks SE.

This was kind of a cool rock formation, too. On her way back to the G6, Lupe would go to the pines (L) seen beyond her, then on to the Devil Tree, which is out of sight over the near ridge a little to Lupe’s R. Photo looks WNW.

Lupe and SPHP wandered slowly along the SW edge of Roundtop Hill gazing at the views. When Loop reached the last big boulder up at the NW end, it was time for a final dramatic Dingo pose.

Lupe at the last big boulder at the NW end of the summit. Photo looks SSE.

On the way back to the G6, Lupe simply retraced her original route to Roundtop Hill. She returned to USFS Road No. 328 near the Devil Tree, then just followed the road back. Getting back to the Cascade Springs picnic ground was close to a 5 mile trek, but it was a pleasant, easy stroll. Lupe had gained nearly 1,100 feet of elevation on the way to Roundtop Hill. She now had gravity on her side.

Roundtop Hill had been fun! The views had been impressive for no higher than it was, and this far S end of the Black Hills is an area Lupe had only explored occasionally before. Now she’d seen another piece of the puzzle.

*Roundtop Hill worked out pretty well, didn’t it, SPHP? When I first saw how little it was, it didn’t seem like much, but we could see clear to Nebraska!* Photo looks SE.

Plenty of daylight remained when the American Dingo reached the G6. (4:20 PM, 57°F) Cascade Falls, one of her favorite places in this part of the Black Hills was only a few miles from here. So SPHP drove Loop to Cascade Falls for a little while to sniff around and see the clear water tumble into the swimming hole. No one else was around.

A quick visit to **Cascade Falls** was an end of the day treat.

In an over-crowded world, that just made it seem that much better.

On **Roundtop Hill**, Black Hills of South Dakota, 4-9-18

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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

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