Days 7 & 8 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!
8-10-18 – After a black night and morning fog, Lupe had spent nearly the entire day relaxing in the G6 while SPHP drove N. The Carolina Dog was now in NW British Columbia on Cassiar Highway No. 37. The scenery was gorgeous – remote mountains, pristine lakes, and wild rivers. Lupe had briefly escaped the G6 at several quick stops along the way, notably Meziadin Provincial Park and a rest area E of Eddontenajon Lake.
Upon reaching the Stikine River (5:18 PM), it was finally time for a longer break at this favorite spot.
Taking a break from the G6 at the Stikine River. Photo looks E.Looking downstream. Photo looks SW.
Lupe searched for squirrels among the trees, while SPHP read information posted up by the side road off Hwy 37. Of interest was a statement saying that the Grand Canyon of the Stikine downstream from here was described by John Muir in 1879 as “a Yosemite 100 miles long”. Might be something worth researching for a future trip?
Map of the area posted along a side road N of the Stikine River.
An 1/8 mile stroll W on a dirt road up in the forest N of the river led to a locked gate where a sign posted by the Stikine Canyon Ranch advertised trail rides. The sign failed to mention the area’s main attraction. Lupe had been delighted to find several squirrels along the road.
This sign was posted near a locked gate on the dirt road N of the Stikine River.
The squirrels were the day’s highlight. More than an hour long delay waiting for a turn for fuel at Dease Lake meant Lupe didn’t get as far N as she might have. Day ended at the charmingly named Rabid Grizzly rest area 45 km N of Dease Lake, still 205 km from the Alaska Highway.
8-11-18, 5:50 AM, 36°F – A chilly morning encouraged an early start. A few hours later, the Yukon border presented an opportunity for Lupe to get out and sniff around a bit. (8:44 AM, 50°F)
The Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood returns to the Yukon!
Cassiar Highway No. 37 ended at a “T” intersection a mere 2 km into the Yukon. SPHP turned L onto the Alaska Highway, and Lupe cruised W for hours. Her only major break came at Teslin Lake.
Lupe was glad to get out of the G6 for a bit of a romp at Teslin Lake.Heading for Atlin today, Lupe still had quite a long ride ahead of her.At Teslin Lake. Photo looks SSE.Teslin Lake.
More miles flew by. At Jake’s Corner, SPHP turned L (SW) off the Alaska Highway onto Hwy 8 to Tagish and Carcross. Actually bound for Atlin, within a few km another L turn was taken onto Hwy 7.
Atlin is 94 km from the Alaska Highway. Lupe had never been to Atlin before, so the drive S was interesting. Mount Minto(6,913 ft.) came into view near the N end of Atlin Lake. SPHP pulled off on a side road up on a bluff. Lupe hopped out for a look around.
From a bluff W of Hwy 7, Lupe has her first view of Atlin Lake and Mount Minto (R). Photo looks SSW.
Atlin Lake and Mount Minto were beautiful, but still a few miles away. Lupe trotted W on the side road to see where it went. She passed an old man sitting in a chair near a van. The old man was facing Atlin Lake, but whether he was asleep or awake wasn’t clear. He made no gesture, and never stirred as Lupe went on by.
The dirt road turned NW away from the lake and Mount Minto. Lupe took a shortcut back to the G6, exploring an open forest and enjoying a good sniff. Her next stop didn’t come until Hwy 7 reached Surprise Lake Road in Atlin. By then she was back in British Columbia.
Lupe reaches Atlin.
It was now mid-afternoon. A list of local activities was posted at the junction with Surprise Lake Road. SPHP was pleased to see several on the list that Lupe might enjoy. Down by Atlin Lake there was a historic white boat, the Tarahne, to look at. The Tarahne had been built during World War I as an excursion boat for tourists interested in pleasure cruises on Atlin Lake.
Two short trails were also of interest, the Beach Trail along Atlin Lake, and the Crocus Trail which led to a view of Pine Creek Falls.
Lupe began her local tour by going into the hamlet of Atlin for a look at the Tarahne and Atlin Lake. The Tarahne was Atlin’s premier landmark along the water’s edge. It looked so well preserved it was possible to imagine the Tarahne setting off on another excursion again today.
The Tarahne was looking good!
Atlin Lake was clear and beautiful. Across the lake were two mountains of particular interest. Atlin Mountain(6,722 ft.) loomed large on the opposite shore. Farther S, Birch Mountain(6,765 ft.) on Teresa Island was in view. Birch Mountain is the second most prominent peak on a lake island in the world.
Atlin Mountain(6,722 ft.) from the hamlet of Atlin on Atlin Lake. Photo looks SW.Birch Mountain(6,765 ft.) on Teresa Island is the 2nd most prominent peak on a lake island in the world! Photo looks SSW.Birch Mountain on Teresa Island in Atlin Lake with help from the telephoto lens.
Lupe took a short stroll along Atlin Lake. People were around, but Atlin didn’t feel at all crowded. The American Dingo enjoyed a quick tour of Atlin’s main streets. She came to some unusual Atlin architecture, her favorite being the Pyramid House.
Along the E shore of beautiful Atlin Lake. The Tarahne is visible on the R. Photo looks NNW.This Pyramid House is awesome!
Well, you weren’t going to beat a Pyramid House! Two short trails were both a little way out of town. Perhaps it was time to go check them out? The first one was the Crocus Trail, E of Atlin along Surprise Lake Road. SPHP drove through a light industrial area, and eventually saw a sign for the Crocus Trail on the R.
Just beyond the sign was a small pullout rimmed with concrete barriers. SPHP parked here. (4:32 PM, 63°F) Lupe bounded out of the G6, happy to be free again. Peering over the barriers, it was already possible to see Pine Creek rushing through a surprisingly deep, narrow gorge. Looked promising! Lupe headed over to the sign at the start of the Crocus Trail.
Oh, finally a trail again! Let’s go check it out!
The Crocus Trail began by heading downhill. After only 50 feet, Lupe came to an open grassy spot on the L. A lone bench was situated in a sunny location near the trees.
The open spot was a small area. A little beyond the bench was a cliff without any fence or railing. From near the edge, Lupe could see Pine Creek plunging down a series of small waterfalls in the upper portion of the deep gorge. This was certainly an exciting start to the Crocus Trail!
Oh, look at that! Kind of a double waterfall up there at the top.
From the bench, the Crocus Trail went W through the woods. Lupe was on level terrain. She soon reached open ground along the upper rim of Pine Creek Canyon. The canyon had already widened out considerably.
On the Crocus Trail not too far from the bench.Along the open N rim of Pine Creek canyon. Photo looks W.
Mighty Pine Creek Falls was nowhere in sight, though the roar of water could be heard. SPHP kept expecting the trail to go down to Pine Creek, but it didn’t. Instead, approaching a higher section of bluffs, a signed switchback wound a little way NW into the forest away from the canyon’s edge.
As Lupe gained the modest elevation required to get up to the higher bluff, the trail returned to the rim of the canyon. Here was a junction where what appeared to be a side trail headed NW into the forest again. Wooden signs said this was the Pom Pom trail to a cemetery.
At the junction with the Pom Pom trail.
Lupe continued W along the rim of Pine Creek canyon. As the trail went on and on, the canyon was broadening out a great deal. The Crocus Trail to Pine Creek Falls was only supposed to be 1.2 km long, and Lupe had already gone at least that far. The truth finally dawned on SPHP.
The trail curved NW. Lupe came to a bigger opening along the bluffs where she could see SW all the way to Atlin Lake, Birch Mountain, and Atlin Mountain.
Atlin Lake, Birch Mountain (L) and Atlin Mountain (R) from the W end of what might still have been the Crocus Trail. Photo looks SW.
This is about it, Looper. It’s a lovely view, isn’t it?
Yes, it is, SPHP! But where is Pine Creek Falls? Shouldn’t we be there by now?
We saw it already.
We did? When? Did I blink?
Back at the start. That first waterfall must have been it. Apparently we did the Crocus Trail backwards. Guess I should have paid more attention to the directions. We must have started at the end. The way we’ve gone about it, this lovely view is our somewhat anti-climactic finish.
So we’re actually at the start of the Crocus Trail now?
No. Not quite. I’m not even completely sure we are still on the Crocus Trail anymore. We can go a bit farther, if you like. We might come to the trailhead. Probably not much to see there, though, even if we do.
Lupe was in favor of going farther. A grassy road led off into the forest. Almost immediately, Loop came to a sad place. Not far from the bluff with the lovely view was a pet cemetery.
The cemetery was a small one. Looking around, SPHP noticed only 5 simple graves. One had a metal marker in the shape of a stop sign. Cut through the metal was the outline of a dog with a curly tail. The sign said only “King, Life-Long Friend”.
As the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood stood next to the sign full of life, smiling happily, and squinting in the bright sunshine, the world filled with mist. SPHP’s cheeks felt the raindrops begin.Come on, Looper, let’s go! This is far enough.
Lupe returned along the Crocus Trail the way she had come, all the way back to the bench by the Pine Creek Falls overlook. Looking back at the trail from here, SPHP suddenly realized there was a side trail branching off the Crocus Trail that went down into the canyon. Surely it led to Pine Creek?
Lupe was more than willing to explore this side trail, too. An easy stroll through the woods down into the canyon led to an open floodplain full of rounded rocks. Nearby, Pine Creek came rippling around a bend on its journey W to Atlin Lake.
On the side trail leading down to Pine Creek.At Pine Creek.
A man was camping out of a van parked near the creek. A huge brown dog rested motionless next to the van. The man seemed startled at the sight of anyone else, but came over to talk to SPHP.
He was hard to understand. The man spoke with an accent so thick, it wasn’t even clear if he was speaking English or some other language. The conversation wasn’t particularly enlightening for either party. SPHP managed to gather that the man knew nothing about any trail down here that might lead to Pine Creek Falls. In fact, he was unaware of the falls’ existence.
The massive brown beast over by the van made SPHP nervous. Using the first break in the unproductive conversation as an excuse to leave, SPHP took a look at information posted nearby. Somewhere around here was “the powerhouse”, an Atlin area attraction.
The posted information included the same description of the Crocus Trail seen before, including directions on how to find the trailhead.
How to find the start of the Crocus Trail. Probably works great if one can follow simple instructions.
Not terribly interested in a powerhouse, there didn’t seem to be much more to do down by Pine Creek, so it was back up the side trail to the bench by the Crocus Trail for a final look at Pine Creek Falls.
Pine Creek Falls with help from the telephoto lens.Looking downstream along the narrow gorge below Pine Creek Falls.
Lupe’s adventures on and off the Crocus Trail were now over. (6:01 PM) Returning to Atlin Lake, dinner was enjoyed at a picnic table right next to the Tarahne. Afterwards, came a short evening drive 3.7 km S on Warm Bay Road to the huge Monarch Mountain trailhead.
The Beach Trail, the second short trail in the Atlin area, began at the S end of the parking lot. A forested embankment led down to Atlin Lake.
A long sunset stroll along the huge lake sounded wonderful! However, when Lupe got down to lake level, the Beach Trail disappeared into big stands of tall bushes. Maybe Atlin Lake was at an unusually high level from some reason? In any case, the trail disappearing into the bushes was submerged beneath dark standing water.
Utilizing a combination of less flooded portions of the trail, and off-trail bushwhacks, Lupe did manage to get to the shore of Atlin Lake. No sign of a trail existed along the beach, and only a relatively short stretch of beach a few hundred feet long was out in the open. What could be seen of the rest of the shoreline was choked with the tall bushes.
This wasn’t the eagerly anticipated long walk, but Lupe still had fun. She was still full of energy, all corked up from spending most of 2 whole days in the G6. The Carolina Dog raced up and down the beach, weaving in and out among nearby bushes, streaking past SPHP as fast as she could. Having shown off how fast and agile she was, she concluded with a were-puppy attack on SPHP.
So as the evening sun sank, whether on any Beach Trail, or more likely, not, Lupe had her fun by the shore of fabulous Atlin Lake. It was great to see her in the joy of life. And whether the American Dingo noticed, or not, Monarch Mountain(4,723 ft.), tomorrow’s big adventure, stood brightly illuminated by the slanting rays overlooking her happy antics.
Monarch Mountain from Atlin Lake, British Columbia, Canada 8-11-18
Day 6 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!
Lupe was up early and ready for action! Moonlit Mountain(5,951 ft.), and with luck, maybe even Kispiox Mountain(6,877 ft.), both in the Skeena Mountains were on the agenda. SPHP let Loopster sniff around on the bluff overlooking the Bulkley River S of Moricetown for a few minutes before hitting the road. Beyond the river, Lupe could still see Hudson Bay Mountain(8,494 ft.) near Smithers. (6:32 AM, 57°F)
Bulkley River S of Moricetown. Hudson Bay Mountain (R) is in the distance. Photo looks S.
By 7:00 AM, after crossing the railroad tracks in New Hazelton, SPHP was turning R (N) off Hwy 16 onto Hwy 62 (Churchill Street). A sign said 5 km to Old Hazelton. Before getting that far, though, a single lane bridge appeared ahead – the Hagwilget Bridge over the Bulkley River.
Approaching the Hagwilget Bridge over the Bulkley River between New Hazelton and Old Hazelton. Photo looks WNW.
After crossing the bridge, Lupe stopped at a viewpoint overlooking the river. The sharp spire of Stegyawden Peak, also known as Roche de Boule or Hagwilget Peak, was in sight.
Stegyawden Peak (L) beyond the Bulkley River. Photo looks SW.
Driving through Old Hazelton, SPHP looked for a R (N) turn onto Kispiox Valley Road. A second bridge over to the W side of the Skeena River came a few miles later. 12 miles from Hwy 16 a third bridge appeared. This one went NE over the Kispiox River into Kispiox village, but Lupe didn’t cross this bridge.
SPHP was following directions in a Peakbagger.com trip report by John Stolk. The “trailhead” to Moonlit Mountain and Kispiox Mountain was a long way back into the forest from here at the end of a logging road. This was the end of the pavement. Instead of crossing the bridge, Lupe was supposed to take Kispiox Westside Road continuing N along the W side of the river.
Lupe and the G6 are over on Kispiox Westside Road, the way to get to Moonlit & Kispiox Mountains. The bridge on the R leads to Kispiox village. Photo looks N.Sign at the junction.
Kispiox Westside Road was fine for miles, but gradually deteriorated. Several side roads went off in various directions. Four miles from the pavement one of several minor bridges over small creeks had a sign for Date Creek. Two miles farther was a fork where the road to the R was signed for Sunday Lake. SPHP stayed to the L here, avoiding Sunday Lake per Stolk’s instructions.
Somewhere along the way, Kispiox Westside Road had become Date Creek Forest Service Road.
Stay to the L here! Don’t go R to Sunday Lake.
Another mile or two, and the road forked again. Both options were still good roads. An orange sign said only “1200”. Stolk hadn’t mentioned this junction. SPHP guessed and went R. Four miles later, another fork. This time the orange sign said “1800”. SPHP stayed R again.
Lupe was still on the correct route. 200 yards farther was a sign Stolk had mentioned. By an overgrown road on the L, it said Kispiox Mt. Trail, BC Forest Service.
Three more miles led to an area where the forest had been cleared. A sharp L turn went up a fairly steep slope. This was the turn S of McCully Creek, which was not in view. Stolk had correctly said that up to this point the road was fine for passenger vehicles. However, it was about to steepen considerably.
SPHP made the sharp turn and drove another 0.5 mile up the slope, but when the road steepened even more ahead and disappeared around a corner, that was it. 15 miles from pavement, the G6 was done! A small level area provided a spot to turn around and park. (10:05 AM, 63°F)
Lupe at her Moonlit Mountain “trailhead”. The real trail doesn’t actually begin until the end of this logging road 3 to 5 miles farther on. Photo looks SE.
The actual trail to Moonlit and Kispiox Mountains didn’t even start for another 3 to 5 miles at the end of this logging road. Having to set out from here was discouraging. Lupes chances of making it all the way to Kispiox Mountain might well already be down the drain. Could still try. Maybe it didn’t matter, anyway? Sort of looked like rain. Even Moonlit Mountain might not pan out.
In any case, Puppy, Ho! Onward!
The steepest section of road lasted only another 0.5 mile. Really wasn’t all that bad. Fallen trees partially blocked the road, but the G6 could have gotten around them. When the road flattened out entirely, and continued on in good condition, SPHP was tempted to go back and give it a shot in the G6. Maybe should have, but didn’t.
Lupe trotted happily along the road, sniffing wherever she pleased. A wide swath of forest had been clear cut along both sides, creating room for bushes and beautiful stands of tall pink flowers to flourish. Every now and then, Looper passed long stacks of logs bleaching in the sun.
The road wound around quite a bit, but remained in good shape. Lupe gained elevation in short bursts separated by relatively level stretches or minor dips. Overall, she was gaining net elevation at a decent clip.
SPHP had printed out a satellite photo of this area. The photo had turned out too dark to see any details of the terrain, but it did show the road pattern, so it was still useful for navigating a number of junctions along the way. Often the side roads were overgrown, and it would have been easy enough to make the correct choice even without the photo.
Forest hid the views, but occasionally Looper could catch glimpses in one direction or another. 40 minutes into the road hike, the American Dingo got her first look at Moonlit Mountain.
Moonlit Mountain with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.Beautiful stands of pink flowers often lined the roadway. Photo looks NW.
As the road trek went on and on, and the road didn’t deteriorate, SPHP increasingly regretted not having gone back to retrieve the G6. Loopster could have started so much closer! Of course, the farther she went, the less sense it made to go back. Moonlit Mountain came into view again a time or two, before Lupe finally reached a critical point.
Rounding a curve, Moonlit Mountain (R) comes into view again. Photo looks SW.
SPHP knew exactly where Lupe was. This was the final fork in the road. Straight ahead (SW), a road dipped then disappeared over a small rise. To the L (SE), an orange sign saying “2300 C” overlooked another road that went steadily higher. Both spurs were in decent condition. At the end of one of them was the trail to Moonlit and Kispiox Mountains.
Lupe reaches the critical final road junction. Which way to the trailhead? Photo looks SW.
The idea is to end up on the spur which ends just east of a creek drainage a couple of miles north of Moonlit Mountain.
That’s what John Stolk had written. SPHP consulted the satellite photo. The road straight ahead did appear to end E of a creek drainage that was difficult to make out on the dark photo. The road to the L looked like it did, too, somewhat farther S. It didn’t go quite as far W, but at least got close to the same drainage. The road to the L ended higher up and closer to Moonlit Mountain.
Hard to tell distances on the photo, but it was still a good march to the end of these roads. More than a mile either way. The road straight ahead was a bit shorter. Which way?
SPHP led Lupe L on “2300 C”.
For quite a long way, “2300 C” was fine. Lupe gained elevation steadily. She had gone nearly a mile before it became apparent this was not the right way. Gah! Another big mistake! Was Loop going to miss out on Moonlit Mountain now, too?
The thought of going all the way back down to the intersection to take the right road was disheartening. All that extra distance! And Lupe would have to regain all this elevation she had just gained again. Maybe it was better to simply keep going? Maybe this road went farther than the map showed? Even if it didn’t, perhaps Lupe could head W or SW from the end of the road, and still intersect the trail somewhere?
Right or wrong. Puppy, ho! Onward!
“2300 C” had already become rough and rocky. In someone’s opinion, not rocky enough. Lupe started coming to trenches dug at a slant across the roadbed. Soil from the trenches had been piled up next to them to create impassable humps for vehicles. Trees and bushes grew 4 feet high right on the road. Not a chance on earth John Stolk had ever come this way. Nevertheless, the Carolina Dog pressed on.
The road went exactly as the satellite photo showed. Every twist and turn. The big hope was that maybe “2300 C” would get high enough to reach the alpine, or at least close to it, before ending.
Didn’t happen, but the news wasn’t entirely bad. Lupe rounded a bend and “2300 C” started down a slope. The end of the road was just ahead. However, Looper could see open ground high up on a forested slope, and Moonlit Mountain was again in view beyond it!
As Lupe approaches the end of road “2300 C”, Moonlit Mountain (R) comes into view again. Photo looks SW.
At the end of “2300 C” Moonlit Mountain and the alpine territory were out of sight. Ahead was a thick, trackless forest, full of deadfall timber. Lupe waited as SPHP pondered the situation.
So, are we doing this or not, SPHP? Lupe awaits a decision at the edge of the deep forest at the end of road “2300 C”. Photo looks SW.
The alpine slope Lupe had seen was significantly higher, and perhaps as much as a mile away. Progress looked like it would be incredibly slow going through the nearly impenetrable jungle that lay ahead. Once Lupe had ventured very far in there, it might become next to impossible to find a way back to “2300 C”.
Still, Lupe ought to be able to head SW or WSW and eventually find the trail, or end up on that alpine slope.
Decision time. Better not make another bad one.
Abandoning “2300 C” Lupe and SPHP plunged straight into the jungle.
Not without trepidation. No useful landmarks existed the moment the road was left behind. Deadfall timber was stacked 2 or 3 high. Even Lupe was struggling to get through. Leaping over or up onto the fallen logs was exhausting work, although Loop could sometimes use them as Dingo highways. The forest floor was spongy with thick vegetation. Ferns and blueberry bushes grew in abundance. Moss, ferns, and even small trees grew on the rottenest logs.
The world was green. Plants everywhere, but not a sound was heard. No animals of any kind. Not a single bird. Except for the cracking of branches while trying to force a way through – silence.
In the jungle.
Progress was pathetically slow. On and on, at a snail’s pace. Finally less deadfall was present, which helped a great deal. Lupe passed a low spot and the terrain started to rise. However, even the American Dingo was becoming concerned. Lupe started hanging back instead of leading. She stopped completely, keeping a steady, worried expression fixed on SPHP, but she would not move unless called.
For once, it was SPHP forging slowly ahead, while the reluctant Carolina Dog followed only when SPHP insisted. Evidently Lupe wanted to go back. This was crazy!
No going back. By now, finding “2300 C” again would be a long shot. Forward was the only option.
A 30 foot deep ravine appeared. At the bottom was a tiny stream. Loop got a drink, and even laid down in the stream before continuing on.
Lupe in the tiny stream.
On the far side of the ravine, the terrain became much steeper. Lupe climbed hundreds of feet SSW up a long slope, but never reached a top that always looked only a little higher. After a while, the ground was clearly flatter to the W, so Lupe headed that way. Over here the forest was thinner. Progress was easier.
Now SPHP was getting nervous. The beautiful, amazing, trackless jungle gave no sign of ending. An hour had gone by. How much farther? Then suddenly, Lupe was standing on the trail.
Lupe discovers the trail to Moonlit Mountain.
Hah! It had worked! Lupe was now on a long ridge so broad it didn’t seem like a ridge at all, but this was the ridge that led SSW to the E end of Moonlit Mountain. The Carolina Dog followed the trail higher, as it wound its way up through the forest. This was so much easier! Yet it was still farther than SPHP expected before the forest finally began to give out. 20 minutes after reaching the trail, Lupe entered the alpine.
Although there had been plenty of clouds around earlier, the day had been mostly sunny. Now, though, clouds covered virtually the entire sky. Small patches of blue occasionally passed overhead momentarily letting sunlight stream through. Most of the time Lupe was in shadow.
Yesterday had been a big day, and today already felt like one, too.
It was a relief to be able to see. Beautiful mountains and ridges were in all directions, but on a vast scale. Most were far, far away. A long climb was still ahead. Lupe passed many colorful wildflowers, but that soon changed. Flowers vanished. Scattered stunted conifers and low, sparse tundra began to prevail. Eventually the conifers vanished, too.
Make sure to note the location of the trail once it fades in the alpine for your return.
Advice from John Stolk. The trail faded as Lupe was passing along the W side of a shallow drainage where the plant life was noticeably greener. This area was easy to spot from higher up. SPHP took note of it.
Looking back. The trail had faded as Lupe came up the W (L) side of the greener drainage on the R. Photo looks NNE.
The broad ridge was narrowing fast as Lupe climbed a big open tundra slope. The sky was dark over Moonlit Mountain. Sprinkles of rain were felt. At 1600 meters, the ridge flattened, and became long and skinny. Back in the forest the air had been still, but it was unpleasantly windy here. The wind came gusting out of the SW, with brief periods of nearly dead calm between successive blasts.
Heading up the tundra slope. Moonlit Mountain on the R. Photo looks SSW.
A stand of short conifers clung to the N end of the 1600 meter ridge. The exposed, barren route Lupe had to take to Moonlit Mountain lay beyond them. Except for the wind, the 1600 meter ridge was a romp in the park. However, at the far S end, a steep climb up to the E shoulder of Moonlit Mountain awaited.
At the N end of the 1600 meter ridge. Photo looks SSW.N slope of Moonlit Mountain. Photo looks SW.
John Stolk had mentioned a goat/climber’s path up to the E shoulder, and it existed as described. This path became very steep near the top. With the mountain blocking the wind, Lupe scampered and danced her way up having a great time, while SPHP made a much more cautious ascent.
About to start up to Moonlit Mountain’s E shoulder (L) from the S end of the 1600 meter ridge. Photo looks WSW.
As soon as Lupe reached the top, she was again exposed to the full force of the gale. 40 mph, dead calm, 40 mph! The annoying cycle went on and on, but the brief respites did help. Light rain fell. A short distance to the SW, a skinny cairn sat out on an open slope. Apparently this cairn served to mark the approximate location of the goat/climber path for return trips back down to the 1600 meter ridge.
For the first time, Kispiox Mountain(6,877 ft.) was in sight! Kispiox had a pleasing reddish, purplish-brown cast to it. A bit of snow along the top, and a little glacier in a ravine along its L (NE) flank decorated the mountain. An easy open ridge led S toward High Point 5643 (1720 m) about halfway to the start of a serious climb up Kispiox’s NE ridge.
John Stolk had almost climbed Kispiox Mountain twice, first following the more direct NE ridge to a point near 2000 meters where the terrain forced a retreat. Stolk had gone clear back down to 1600 meters before finding it possible to head over to the NW ridge, which had ultimately proven to be a successful route to the summit. Lupe had a clear view of all the territory John had explored.
Kispiox Mountain (Center) comes into view for the first time. Lupe stands next to the skinny cairn close to where the goat/climber’s path came up. Photo looks S.High Point 5643 (1720 m) is the greenish hill on the L. Kispiox Mountain’s NE ridge which Stolk climbed to 2000 meters before being forced to retreat is at Center. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.
Despite the annoying wind, the weather wasn’t that bad. Intermittent rain hadn’t amounted to much so far, and patches of blue sky could still be seen. However, threatening clouds hung continually over Kispiox Mountain. Driven by the gusty gale, more sailed overhead from an apparently endless supply out of the gloomy SW.
So close, and yet so far! An attempt on Kispiox Mountain was clearly out of the question. Lupe had arrived too late. Maybe it hadn’t been meant to be all along? Conditions really weren’t conducive. The weather might take a nasty turn at any moment. Kispiox Mountain would be no place to be then.
Better get on with it, and at least go tag the summit of Moonlit Mountain while Looper was so close! No sense in giving the situation a chance to deteriorate further and deprive the American Dingo of success here.
Loopster on Moonlit Mountain’s E shoulder not far from where the goat/climber’s path (out of sight to the L) came up. Moonlit Mountain’s long ESE ridge is in view. Photo looks SE.
Lupe hurried W along Moonlit Mountain’s vast summit ridge. Two high points, both along the N edge, could be seen ahead. The first was a steep prominent knob. Some distance beyond the knob was a clearly higher ridge topped by a small, conical blip – potentially the true summit.
As Lupe started W along Moonlit Mountain’s vast summit ridge, two high points were seen along the N edge. The first was a prominent knob, and beyond it a higher ridge capped by a conical blip. Photo looks WNW.
The prominent knob could have been avoided, but Lupe climbed it. At the top was a patch of grass. The knob was a tremendous viewpoint, but the views were hard to appreciate in the gale. The Carolina Dog did not linger, but pushed on toward the higher ridge and its conical blip.
Lupe enduring the wind on the prominent knob. The goat/climber’s path comes up to the high point on the R from the lower, flat, narrow 1600 meter NNE ridge seen on the L. Photo looks E.The higher ridge and its conical blip from near the prominent knob. Photo looks WNW.
Pelted by rain and blasted by the wild wind on the way to the blip, Lupe was transformed into the ferocious were-puppy! Responsible for putting her in this situation, SPHP was repeatedly attacked. The were-puppy followed up by circling and barking menacingly. A couple of minutes were required to calm the were-puppy down before Lupe reappeared.
Sheesh! Puppy, ho! Onward!
Approaching the blip. Photo looks WNW.
A short scramble up the rocky ridge, and Lupe was there, sitting atop the blip! The fierce wind was unrelenting. SPHP congratulated Lupe on reaching the summit of Moonlit Mountain(5,951 ft.)! As if concurring, a rainbow suddenly appeared to the NE.
Lupe atop the blip. The prominent knob is seen on the L. Photo looks SE.Kispiox Mountain (R) from Moonlit Mountain. Photo looks SSE.A rainbow appears. Photo looks NE.Zoomed in on Lupe’s congratulatory rainbow. The correct road spur leading to the trailhead is seen near center beneath the rainbow. The end of “2300 C” where Lupe plunged into the jungle is along the R edge. Photo looks NE.
SPHP had initially been certain that the blip was Moonlit Mountain’s true summit. However, another smaller ridge off to the W looked like it might be in contention. Maybe the blip was only Moonlit Mountain’s E summit? The smaller ridge wasn’t far away. An easy few minutes stroll would get Lupe over there.
SPHP started that way, while Loop lingered briefly on the blip.
Lupe on “the blip”, Moonlit Mountain’s E summit. Photo looks ENE.Final moments atop the blip. Photo looks ENE.
Lupe was soon up on top of the smaller ridge. Surprisingly, she could now see yet another high point farther W, although it definitely looked a little lower. This central summit, which had appeared perhaps a bit shy of being as high as the blip from the blip, actually seemed higher than the blip now that Lupe was here.
Who knew which was the true summit? If SPHP had to guess, perhaps this central summit was actually it, although not by much. In any case, this wasn’t quite as dramatic and charming a spot as the blip had been. Both summits were so close to the same elevation it hardly mattered. Besides, the Carolina Dog had now visited both.
Lupe on Moonlit Mountain‘s central, and perhaps, true summit. Kispiox Mountain (L of Center) in the background. Photo looks S.On Moonlit Mountain’s central summit. Kispiox Mountain at Center. Although the peak to the R always looked a little higher than Kispiox, this is an illusion according to the topo maps. Photo looks SSE.Looking back toward the blip (E summit) from the central summit. Photo looks ENE.Looking toward the far W summit (L), which seemed definitely a little lower. Due to the inhospitable weather, Lupe never went over there. Photo looks W.
Loop might not have made it to Kispiox Mountain, but at least she was able to claim a peakbagging success here at Moonlit Mountain! A few wistful moments were spent in the wind and rain gazing upon Kispiox Mountain hoping the American Dingo might return someday.
Stolk’s failed route up Kispiox Mountain is the NE ridge seen on the L. Persevering, Stolk successfully went up the NW ridge seen on the R. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.Kispiox’s NW ridge, Stolk’s successful route to the summit (L). Photo looks S.Kispiox Mountain summit.
The weather hadn’t changed. That gusty SW wind kept battering Lupe. Dark clouds threatened. Raindrops pelted her from time to time. Under better conditions, lingering up on Moonlit Mountain would have been lovely. Not today.
Enough was enough! The long trek back began.
Looking back after starting the return. Moonlit Mountain’s W summit is on the L. The Central summit on the R. Photo looks W.
Lupe did not return to the blip or the prominent knob. She stayed lower, on easier terrain, skirting them to the S. The were-puppy attacked again on the way back E to the goat/climber’s path.
A final look at Kispiox Mountain (L). Photo looks SW.The prominent knob (L) and the “Blip” (E summit) (Center). Photo looks WNW.At the top of the goat/climber’s path looking down on the 1600 meter ridge (Center). Photo looks NE.
Once the steep down climb on the goat/climber’s path was over, the rest was easy. Even as the wild wind blasted Lupe, the trek along the 1600 meter ridge was joyful. Despite some bad choices on SPHP’s part, Lupe had made it to Moonlit Mountain! Yes, it was sad she hadn’t gotten to make an attempt on Kispiox Mountain, but at least she had seen Kispiox. Maybe someday.
From the 1600 meter ridge, it was down the tundra slope to the L side of the patch of green in the shallow ravine where the trees began. Lupe picked up the trail again here, and followed it all the way down to the correct spur of the logging roads where it began.
Looking down the tundra slope. The patch of green where Lupe would pick up the trail again is at Center. The correct road spur where the trail begins is seen on the L. The end of “2300 C” is on the R below the faint rainbow. Photo looks NE.Back on the trail in the ferny forest.Down in the drainage close to where the trail begins.Lupe (L) up on the embankment where the trail to Moonlit Mountain begins. Photo looks S.
Nothing was at the end of the road. No indication that this was a trailhead of any kind. The trail started at the very end of the road up on an embankment toward the L (SE) next to a couple of fallen logs at the edge of the forest. And that was it.
The long road trek back to the G6 was mostly downhill. Light rain fell much of the time, but hardly enough to even dampen the roadbed. A pleasant, tired march, uneventful until near the end. 0.75 mile from the G6, Lupe suddenly stopped on the road staring intently at bushes on the R side. The American Dingo turned to see SPHP’s reaction.
SPHP saw nothing but a patch of black at the edge of the forest. It was gone in a flash amid a cracking of branches. A bear! Lupe barked once, but the bear had already fled.
The rain started in harder two minutes before Lupe reached the G6. (8:03 PM, 63°F) Steady. A wet night ahead. No reason to go anywhere. As the rain came down, Lupe enjoyed her Alpo up on her pile of pillows and blankets. She then curled up for a long snooze, as light faded early beneath the weeping gray sky.
No moonlight on Moonlit Mountain tonight.
Moonlit Mountain from the N end of the 1600 meter ridge, Skeena Mountains, British Columbia, Canada 8-9-18
Come on, Looper, let’s go! This is far enough.
