Lupe – Page 253 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 202 – Ford Mountain, Storm Hill & Ingersoll Peak (4-29-17)

Start – Old Hill City Road near the 1880 Train crossing NNE of Ford Mountain (10:13 AM, 40°F).

The week after Joe & cousin Dusty headed back home to Colorado was overcast and cold. On the 25th, Lupe stared bored out the window all day as light snow fell. Winter’s last blast didn’t amount to much, but snowflakes were still sailing on the breeze the next morning. Although only an inch or two had fallen, once again Lupe’s world was all white.

By afternoon, the snow ended. By evening, it had warmed up enough to melt almost everything that had fallen. The world reverted to green, but gray clouds remained. The next few days weren’t much warmer. Now and then a cold rain or mist fell.

When Lupe finally got to venture up into the Black Hills again, it wasn’t surprising Expedition No. 202 got off to a snowy start. The snow hadn’t melted yet up here. Lupe, of course, was delighted! She frolicked and cooled off on the clean new snow with enormous enthusiasm. It was a great start to her journey up Ford Mountain (5,641 ft.).

Lupe was delighted to find a couple inches of snow to frolic on as she set out for Ford Mountain.

The snow was only a couple of inches deep, but it was everywhere on the N slope. Fortunately, the slope wasn’t too steep. SPHP was able to follow Lupe up despite the slick snow. Before long, Lupe had gained enough elevation to see another mountain she hoped to climb today. Storm Hill was off to the NE.

Storm Hill, another mountain Lupe hoped to visit today, came into view as she climbed Ford Mountain. Photo looks NE.

At first, going up Ford Mountain was easy. Less than 1/3 of the way up, though, Lupe reached a zone covered with a lot of deadfall timber. Progress up the mountain slowed considerably.

Lupe arrives at the zone of heavy deadfall timber. The deadfall greatly slowed SPHP’s progress up the mountain. Photo looks SSE.

The deadfall didn’t diminish until Lupe neared the top of Ford Mountain’s NE shoulder. The NE shoulder featured scattered rock outcroppings. Lupe got up on the highest one, but the forest was so thick she didn’t have any distant views. She could barely make out Ford Mountain’s summit off to the SW.

Lupe on the highest rock outcropping on Ford Mountain’s NE shoulder. The mountain’s summit is barely discernable between the trees beyond her. Photo looks SW.

Lupe lost only a little elevation traversing the snowy saddle leading to the final climb. Deadfall was a problem here, too, though not quite as bad as earlier on. This climb was noticeably steeper, making footing more difficult for SPHP with the snow around.

The final 50 feet up was much rockier than the rest of the mountain had been. Lupe still had an easy time of it, while SPHP scrambled slowly to the top.

The last 50 feet to the top were steeper and much rockier than the rest of Lupe’s route up had been. Photo looks SSW.

When Lupe reached the top of Ford Mountain (5,641 ft.), she found a roughly circular summit area 100 feet in diameter. The area was nearly flat, but slightly higher toward the center. All along the edge, from the NE around to the E and S, an uneven rock ledge perched above cliffs offered sweeping unobstructed views.

Lupe close to where she first reached the summit area. **Five Points (6,221 ft.)** (R) is the highest mountain seen beyond her. **Union Hill (6,120 ft.)** is the snowiest high point on the far L. Photo looks N.

**Storm Hill (5,656 ft.)** is on the L. Farther away R of Center is **Mount Warner (5,889 ft.)**. **Samelius Peak (5,856 ft.)** is on the far R. Photo looks ENE.

**Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)**, the highest mountain in South Dakota, is straight up from Lupe on the horizon. Photo looks S.

**Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.)** is the most distant peak L of Center. **Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.)** is the smaller, snowy mountain in the distance beyond Lupe. Photo looks SSW.

After checking out the splendid views, Lupe visited Ford Mountain’s true summit. The center of the summit area was so flat, she really didn’t find any one point that looked noticeably higher than the rest. No cairn or survey benchmark was to be seen either, but Lupe did find something way cooler than that – a stone fortress!

Another look at Black Elk Peak. This photo shows more of Ford Mountain’s summit. Photo looks S.

No cairn or survey benchmark could be found on Ford Mountain, but Lupe did find this cool stone fortress! Photo looks WNW.

On her many adventures in the Black Hills, Lupe sometimes comes across small structures which could serve as Dingo Outposts, but seldom anything as elaborate as the Dingo Fortress on Ford Mountain. Someone had spent a lot of time moving a lot of heavy rocks building it.

An opening to the WNW served as a doorway. Lupe went inside to inspect her latest Black Hills Dingo Bastion.

Yes, a Carolina Dog would be safe in this solid stone fort. It was almost a Dingo Castle! Photo looks E.

The stone fort met with Lupe’s approval. Best, most elaborate summit cairn ever! After sniffing around the interior a bit, Lupe came out to see what else there was to see up here.Part of Hill City was in view off to the NW.

The NE end of Hill City is in view in the valley below. The highest peak on the R is **Union Hill (6,120 ft.)**. Photo looks NW.

The view of Bishop Mountain (5,706 ft.) to the SW was partially blocked by the forest, and wasn’t that impressive. So that was about it. Lupe made a final tour of the sights from the cliff edge.

A nice look S all the way from Black Elk Peak (L) over to Sylvan Hill (far R).

Storm Hill, Lupe’s next peakbagging objective. She would travel up the W slope seen on the L. An intense fire on the mountain destroyed most of the forest some years ago. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.

Looking N at Five Points (Center) using the telephoto lens. The peak on the L is known to Lupe as False North Point.

Lupe retraced her original route up on the way down Ford Mountain. She was surprised when she arrived at G6 and SPHP walked right on by without even stopping. She was even more surprised when SPHP started following train tracks on the other side of Old Hill City Road. It was the first time she’d ever followed train tracks.

SPHP knew they would lead her to the base of Storm Hill.

Lupe was surprised to be following train tracks on her way to Storm Hill.

Lupe wouldn’t see a train today, but the tracks aren’t abandoned. They only see use during the summer, when the 1880 Train runs from Hill City past Oblivion to Keystone and back. The round trip is a popular sightseeing excursion for tourists. A few more weeks, and the 1880 Train would be running again.

Fortunately, there was something else Lupe didn’t see as she was busy sniffing along the tracks in the first gap the railroad passed through. The bunny saw Lupe, though. It remained absolutely still on a bank only a few feet above the tracks.Lupe followed the 1880 Train tracks for 0.5 mile to the base of Storm Hill.

Lupe left the railroad tracks here where they turned SE. The back side of Mt. Rushmore is seen in the distance. Photo looks SE.

The first part of Lupe’s ascent went through a gently sloping pine forest. The day had warmed up enough so the snow on the ground was melting. Lupe ate snow and had a fun romp in the open forest as she headed NE toward a saddle.

Upon reaching the saddle, Loop turned E. The mountain was getting progressively steeper and rockier. Lupe reached the part of the forest that had burned years ago. With less shade, the snow was vanishing fast here.

The real climb began when Lupe reached the charred forest. Photo looks ENE.

So many dead trees were still standing that the amount of deadfall timber laying on the ground wasn’t too bad yet. Lupe could still easily run around exploring.

Lupe exploring the charred W slope of Storm Hill.

Of course, it got rockier and steeper the higher up Lupe went. However, her route was never too difficult, even for SPHP. As Lupe neared the top of Storm Hill, she could see a tower and a solar panel up there.

As Lupe neared the top of Storm Hill, she could see a tower and solar panel at the summit.

It turned out that by coming up from the W, Lupe arrived at the true summit right away without having to traverse any of the summit ridge. Most of the summit ridge was off to the E and notably lower. The area around the true summit was very rocky and much, much smaller than on Ford Mountain.

Ropes and guy wires supported the small tower. Electrical wires were around, too. At first, it wasn’t clear if they were live or not.

Lupe reaches the top of Storm Hill. It wasn’t initially clear if the tower, solar panel, and all the wires running around still served a purpose, or not. Photo looks SW.

The true summit of Storm Hill was quite a small area dominated by the tower and associated paraphernalia perched on top. Photo looks SW.

Lupe and SPHP approached the tower cautiously paying special attention to electrical cords and wires. Lupe made it up onto the highest rocks with no problem. Although someone had gone to considerable effort to set all this stuff up, nothing appeared to be in working condition. It was all dead.

The view of **Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** still sporting a dusting of snow at the end of April was gorgeous. **Summit Peak (5,655 ft.)** is the lower forested ridge to the L of Lupe’s ears. Lupe had been there on **Expedition No. 194**. Although the topo maps show the true summit of Summit Peak at the SW (R) end of the ridge, Lupe remains quite certain it is at the NE (L) end. Photo looks S.

The solar panel appeared to have been meant to charge a bank of 7 batteries. What purpose the tower used to serve wasn’t clear. All the wires and equipment around made moving about the summit a bit tricky.

The solar panel was probably meant to charge this bank of 7 batteries.

Lupe enjoys a bit of shade from the solar panel. **Ford Mountain (5,641 ft.)** is the closest rock-capped hill on the L. **Bishop Mountain (5,706 ft.)** is the ridge immediately beyond it. Photo looks SW.

Loopster on the very highest rock on Storm Hill. The EverStart battery appeared more likely to be a NeverStart battery at this point in time.

Part of the notably lower portion of Storm Hill’s summit ridge is seen on the L. On the horizon, **Mount Warner (5,889 ft.)** is the highest point straight up from Lupe’s head. **Samelius Peak (5,856 ft.)** is the high point straight up from her tail. Photo looks E.

After taking a look around from the true summit, Lupe and SPHP retreated a little down off the high point just to get away from the wires and equipment. It was time for a break. At least SPHP thought so, but Lupe wasn’t hungry. She was happy enough to curl up for a rest, though, while SPHP consumed the usual apple.

Since Lupe wasn’t really into it, break time didn’t last any longer than the apple did. When it was over, Lupe briefly returned to the true summit. SPHP took a few more photos before Lupe started back down the mountain.

Looking N. Hwy 385/16 E of Hill City is seen below. Part of Mitchell Lake is, too. The highest peak on the L is Five Points.

Once again, Lupe returned to the G6 (1:52 PM) by the same route she had taken to the mountain. This time SPHP let her in. She still had plenty of time to climb another peak, but a ride was in order to get closer to her next objective. Lupe enjoyed barking at several cows and horses along the way.

SPHP parked the G6 again 3 or 4 miles farther E where Centennial Trail No. 89 crosses Old Hill City Road (2:07 PM, 46°F). Ingersoll Peak (5,356 ft.) was Lupe’s next destination. It was somewhere not too far off to the NE, but SPHP wasn’t completely certain exactly how far away it was. A mile or two, maybe? The plan was to follow Centennial Trail No. 89 going N a little way before leaving it to turn E to search for the peak.

Lupe set out crossing the 1880 Train tracks and Battle Creek immediately N of Old Hill City Road. She continued N on Centennial Trail No. 89. The trail led gradually up a side valley where a mix of pines and aspens lined both sides of the trail.

After crossing the 1880 Train tracks and Battle Creek, Lupe followed Centennial Trail No. 89 going N up a gentle side valley. A mix of pines and aspens lined both sides of the trail. It was now close to mid-afternoon. Only a little melting snow remained. Photo looked NNE.

Lupe hadn’t gone too far when a logging road left Centennial Trail No. 89 heading up the ridge to the E. Why not follow it to see if Ingersoll Peak could be seen from up there? Lupe took the logging road.

The logging road faded away before even reaching the top of the ridge. Lupe kept going, though, and managed to get there. The forest had been thinned, but not enough to see much off to the E. However, it appeared the ridge gained more elevation to the NE, which seemed to be the right direction to go.

Lupe struck off following the ridgeline. It had minor ups and downs, but on the whole she was gaining elevation. After reaching a couple of high spots where there still wasn’t much to see, she finally came to a rock outcropping on the E side of the ridge where there was a view. Ingersoll Peak was in sight, but farther away than SPHP expected.

From this rock outcropping, Lupe got her first look at Ingersoll Peak. It was farther away than SPHP expected. Photo looks E.

It took a while to get there. Lupe tried to go around the N end of an intervening valley to avoid losing elevation, but it didn’t work. The valley was too long. She wound up turning E and going down into two sizable valleys separated by a lower ridge before the terrain allowed her to climb out again and regain all her lost elevation.

Once she was out of the second valley, Loop came across a dirt road leading NE toward even higher ground. Before long it curved around to the SE and brought her to the base of Ingersoll Peak’s W slope. Here Lupe followed an abandoned side road that made a big switchback to the NE and then S, gaining more elevation along the way.

The side road leveled out near a huge rock, turned SE and looked like it was about to start losing elevation. Lupe left the side road near the huge rock to climb Ingersoll Peak’s W slope. The slope was heavily forested, so it wasn’t possible to see very far ahead. After gaining 200 feet of elevation, suddenly the slope leveled out rapidly.

A rock formation 50 feet away looked higher than anything else around. Subsequent exploration proved this rock formation was the true summit of Ingersoll Peak (5,356 ft.). Lupe needed a boost from SPHP to get up on the highest rocks.

Lupe reaches the summit of Ingersoll Peak! The mountain was so heavily forested she didn’t have much of a view. Photo looks NW.

On the very highest rock. Photo looks N.

Ingersoll Peak was so heavily forested, Lupe didn’t have much of a view. She saw no reason to dawdle on the highest rocks, preferring to explore the summit area as soon as SPHP told her it was OK to jump down.

More of the summit rock formation is seen here. The highest rocks are just to the L of Lupe and a bit behind her. Photo looks NNW.

Most of the large summit area was off to the E. It was so heavily forested, a couple inches of snow remained up here. Lupe didn’t find any views, but sunlight filtered by the trees created a pleasing pattern of shadows and highlights on the snow. The top of Ingersoll Peak felt secluded and still a bit wintery.

Looking back toward the true summit (hidden by the trees on the R) from near the NE end of the larger summit area. The dense forest, snow, shadows, and filtered sunlight made Ingersoll Peak feel secluded and remote. Winter still lingered here. Photo looks SW.

The wily Snow Dingo on secluded Ingersoll Peak.

When exploration confirmed Lupe had already been to the true summit, Lupe returned to it. This time she didn’t want to get up on the highest rocks where there wasn’t any room to move around. However, she did agree to hang out among the slightly lower rocks for a few more photos.

Among the rocks of the summit formation. Photo looks WSW.

Lupe left the summit of Ingersoll Peak going back down the W slope. She had already lost substantial elevation when she came to a rock outcropping where she could see Storm Hill off to the NW.

From this rock outcropping well down the W slope, Lupe got her only decent view from Ingersoll Peak. **Storm Hill (5,656 ft.)** is in the distance straight up from Lupe. **Samelius Peak (5,856 ft.)** is the high point on the R. Photo looks NW.

Lupe came to the abandoned road near the huge rock again. She followed the switchback down to the lower road, which she took back to the area where she first found it. W of the road was a barren hill strewn with scattered deadfall. Lupe went over there for a look at the view, which was far better than any she’d had from Ingersoll Peak.

From this barren hillside, Lupe had a much better view than she’d found anywhere on Ingersoll Peak. The rugged terrain near **Black Elk Peak** (Center) can be seen. Photo looks SW.

Lupe returned to the road. She wasn’t going to cross the two valleys to the W this time. Instead she followed the road down into a long valley.

Lupe near the start of the road’s descent into the long valley. Photo looks SW.

At the end of the valley, Lupe arrived at Old Hill City Road again. For more than a mile, she followed the 1880 Train tracks as they wound around toward the W. Along the way, she saw a single Canadian goose floating on a tiny pond. The lonely goose honked a hopeful greeting.

From the 1880 Train tracks on the way back to the G6, Lupe saw this solitary Canadian Goose floating on a tiny pond. It honked at Lupe, but didn’t fly away.

Canadian geese and Carolina Dogs aren’t likely to become best of friends. SPHP encouraged Lupe to keep trotting right on by. (End 5:52 PM, 44°F)

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Pepper Peak, Chugach State Park, Alaska (8-31-16)

Day 33 of Lupe’s Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska

Yowser! Over 4,500 feet of elevation gain! Most definitely a long day ahead. Yet it would be a glorious one, if Lupe and SPHP could make it to the top of Pepper Peak. Soup, Swiss Miss and sardines for breakfast. SPHP was sick of sardines, but Lupe devoured the rest of the tin with gusto. Thank heavens!

SPHP paid the $5.00 daily trailhead parking fee, then Lupe went down for a look at gorgeous Eklunta Lake. Totally clear skies and nearly calm. Conditions were going to be perfect! After a few minutes along the lakeshore, Lupe and SPHP went looking for the trail to Twin Peaks. (9:19 AM, 39°F)

Lupe’s long last day of August 2016 started on the shore of beautiful Eklunta Lake. Photo looks SE.

On the way to the trail, Lupe got a glimpse of what was in store for her – the long, long SW ridge of Pepper Peak (5,381 ft.). The view was a bit daunting. It didn’t look scary, or like something Lupe couldn’t do, just exhaustingly long. As they say, though, every journey starts with that first step. Lupe’s paws were already trotting right along. She would get up Pepper Peak, if SPHP could.

The sheer size of Pepper Peak from down near lake level was a bit daunting. However, it didn’t look like anything technical or too scary. Lupe could do that! Photo looks NE.

Lupe crossed a bridge over Thachkatnu Creek. The Twin Peaks trail headed off to the L (NNW). Lupe’s long climb began.

Such a beautiful day! The Twin Peaks trail started in a forest. There wasn’t much to be seen except the trees. The trail zigged NE. Right away, Lupe gained 300 or 400 feet of elevation on a relentless, fairly steep climb. The trail then zagged NW for a longer stretch on the way to the Thachkatnu Creek valley between Twin Peaks and Pepper Peak.

The trail wasn’t as steep along in here. Autumn was already on its way to Alaska. Leaves were beginning to turn yellow. Lupe sniffed and explored along the newly carpeted Yellow Leaf trail.

Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the Yellow Leaf Trail! Toto on the way to the Emerald … no wait, make that Lupe on a relatively flat section of the Twin Peaks trail on her way to the Thachkatnu Creek valley between Twin Peaks and Pepper Peak. Photo looks NW.

As the Twin Peaks trail reached the Thachkatnu Creek valley, it turned NE again, staying high up on the Pepper Peak side. Near the gradual turn, the trail had become steeper, gaining elevation even faster than before. Lupe gained another 300 or 400 feet before the slope slackened as the trail zigged back to the SE.

Lupe had gained enough elevation by now so that she was getting close to tree line. The forest was starting to thin out a bit. Along another steep climb to the NE, Lupe reached an opening with a gorgeous view of Eklunta Lake.

Lupe reaches the first clear view of Eklunta Lake from the Twin Peaks trail. Photo looks SE.

Two benches are positioned along the Twin Peaks trail. Lupe was almost to the first one. Another steep little climb and she was there.

SPHP had been looking for the benches for a while. Lupe had already come so far, SPHP thought it was possible she had somehow missed the first bench, but this was actually it. As SPHP learned a little later on, only the first bench has a view of Eklunta Lake.

Lupe reaches the first of two benches along the Twin Peaks trail. Only the first bench has a view of Eklunta Lake. Photo looks SE.

From the first bench, the trail turned back to the NW again leaving Eklunta Lake behind. Lupe was still mostly in forest, but tall bushes were becoming more prominent. From here on, the trail kept climbing steadily. Lupe came to no more relatively level sections. It was all sort of steep.

Soon Lupe was back over toward the Thachkatnu Creek valley again. Once more, the trail turned NE going up the valley, remaining high up on the Pepper Peak side. The forest gave way to the tall bushes as Lupe went up. Lupe could see Twin Peaks towering over the opposite side of the valley.

Twin Peaks from the Twin Peaks trail before reaching the 2nd bench. Photo looks NNW.

Lupe must have been almost a mile from the first bench, when she reached the second one. This bench was located on the Thachkatnu Creek side of Pepper Peak’s SW ridge. Twin Peaks were in view, but not Eklunta Lake. There were still lots of tall bushes near the second bench, but Lupe wasn’t far from reaching bush line where the views would really open up.

At the second bench, Lupe faced a choice. She could continue following a trail, presumably part of the Twin Peaks trail, up the Thachkatnu Creek valley toward the saddle between the Twin Peaks and Pepper Peak. The other choice was to take a side trail going SE up to the SW ridgeline coming down from Pepper Peak.

According to information SPHP had found online, Lupe could eventually reach the top of Pepper Peak either way. However, the trail going up the Thachkatnu Creek valley would have limited views for a long way. On Pepper Peak’s SW ridge, Lupe would be able to see Eklunta Lake the entire time, plus lots of magnificent mountains beyond.

With no more to go on than that, the choice was easy. Lupe left the second bench following the trail toward the SW ridge.

Lupe takes a break while SPHP checks the map. She is already a little past the second bench back at the Twin Peaks trail, on her way over to the SW ridgeline coming down from Pepper Peak. By now, she was above the forest and tall bushes, but still faced a tremendous climb to the top of Pepper Peak. Photo looks NE.

The ridgeline was farther from the second bench than SPHP expected, but it didn’t take Lupe too long to get there. Beautiful Eklunta Lake was in sight again.

Lupe reaches Pepper Peak’s SW ridgeline after leaving the Twin Peaks trail and the second bench behind. Even though a very long way remained to the top of Pepper Peak, she had definitely made some progress. The view of Eklunta Lake was getting better and better. Photo looks SE.

Lupe had already come a long way, but the real climb, the long one up Pepper Peak’s SW ridge was just about to begin. Lupe was no longer on any formal, maintained trail, but there was still a path leading higher. Even without the path, the route was plain to see. Just keep heading up the ridge.

Lupe climbed and climbed. The views kept improving with every step higher.

Going up Pepper Peak’s SW ridge. Photo looks NE.

**West Twin Peak (5,472 ft.)** (L) and **East Twin Peak (5,840 ft.)** (R) from Pepper Peak’s SW ridge. *Sorry ’bout making you stare into the sun, Looper!* Photo looks NW.

For a long way, Pepper Peak’s SW ridge was broad and rounded. Other than the steepness, there were no other issues at all to deal with. Up and up was all there was to it, as fast as heart, lungs, legs and desire allowed. SPHP was getting close to a high point near the end of this relatively easy part of the climb, when suddenly Lupe let out a tremendous WOOF!

SPHP looked around. Nothing. What on earth was she woofing at here? Lupe WOOFED again. Oh, there! SPHP looked up, straight up. Two parasailors were floating high above!

Lupe spotted these two parasailors high above Pepper Peak’s SW ridge. Photo looks, yes, UP!

Wow! That looked both scary and amazingly fun. Time for a parasailor break! Lupe and SPHP went just a little higher to the top of the nearby high point, then stopped to watch the parasailors for a while.

The parasailors were moving quite fast. They lost elevation relatively quickly, but seemed to have no problem finding thermals to take them soaring again. It was incredible how far and fast they flew. The one with the pink chute soon flew miles away to the SE far beyond Shaker Peak, and ultimately completely out of sight.

The parasailor with the green, white and blue chute hung around for a while. He made a couple of passes not terribly far above Lupe, which excited her tremendously. She had never seen such a huge bird in all her life! Why it must be a Roc, or a Pterodactyl!

The parasailer with the pink chute soon flew miles away out of sight far beyond Shaker Peak, but this one stuck around to buzz Lupe a couple of times. Was she ever excited! She had never seen a Pterodactyl so close up before! It’s wingspan was HUGE! However, even a Pterodactyl didn’t have the guts to come all the way down to the ground to tangle with an American Dingo!

The second parasailor drifted away out of sight. Wow! SPHP wondered where they had started from, and how they would ever get back. Who knew?

Time to press on again. The way forward was becoming steeper and rockier. The toughest part of the climb was about to begin.

Lupe at newly designated Parasailor Point. The toughest part of the climb up Pepper Peak was about to begin. Photo looks NE.

**Salt Peak (5,455 ft.)** (L) and **Shaker Peak (5,089 ft.)** (R) from Parasailor Point. Photo looks E.

The ridge became rockier and rockier as Lupe progressed. There was still a trail, but it was less well-defined and harder to follow. The slope became steeper. Exposure increased. Lupe encountered more and more loose rock. She tried to stay up near the ridge line, but wound up a little below and to the SE of it.

Looking NW toward Twin Peaks just before tackling the last, big ragged rocky section of Pepper Peak’s SW ridge.

The last ragged, rocky section nearing the top of Pepper Peak. Lupe stayed a little below the ridgeline on the SE (R) side. The trail was hard to follow here. Lupe encountered quite a bit of loose rock and some exposure. Photo looks NE.

Although the ragged part of the ridge wasn’t terribly long, it took a while to navigate it. Lupe finally got past it, though. The ridge was now leveling out. The going was getting a lot easier. It couldn’t be much farther to the top of Pepper Peak!

Ahead was one more big knob of rock. Lupe and SPHP had seen it from far, far below. SPHP believed it was the summit. Lupe seemed to be way up in the sky. Who knew what kind of precipice might be on the other side?

The trail was in much better condition again here. It wound up the SE side of the knob. Lupe headed up. SPHP followed close behind.

Lupe on her way up the last craggy knob. Photo looks N.

Lupe reached the top of the craggy knob. SPHP was glad to see Lupe had not arrived at a pinnacle surrounded by dangerous cliffs. The top of the craggy knob wasn’t terribly large, but had a nice, flat area where Lupe could relax with a fantastic view of Eklunta Lake.

As Lupe had approached the craggy knob, SPHP caught a glimpse of a rounded hill some distance beyond it. The truth became clear even before Lupe reached the top of the knob. This last knob of rock was not the summit of Pepper Peak. The true summit was over at the top of the rounded hill.

This wasn’t bad news. In fact, it was good news! The remaining distance to the true summit was an easy trek. The trail followed an almost level final stretch of ridgeline straight toward it. Piece of cake! When Lupe arrived, she was going to find a nice, big, roomy summit. She could be there in minutes!

Even before Lupe reached the top of the final crag of rock coming up the SW ridge, the last stretch of the ridgeline leading to the true summit of Pepper Peak came into view. Getting there was going to be a piece of cake! Photo looks N.

The views were so amazing, Lupe and SPHP stayed on the last craggy knob of rock for a few minutes before continuing on.

The final journey to the true summit was joyous. Lupe was going to make it to the top of Pepper Peak! She arrived to find a large cairn at the high point at the N end of a spacious summit. This was it. More than 4,500 feet above where she’d started, Lupe stood at the very top of Pepper Peak (5,381 ft.)!

Lupe reaches the true summit of Pepper Peak! Twin Peaks, and the saddle leading over to them, are in view beyond her. Photo looks NW.

The summit of Pepper Peak was an amazing place! Lupe had sweeping 360° panoramic views. Nearby, she could see many peaks of similar elevation. Long, barren ridges, many knife-edged, connected one peak to another to another. In between the ridges were deep U-shaped valleys carved by long departed giant glaciers of the ice age. Eklunta Lake was a beautiful highlight, with big snow and ice-covered peaks in sight miles away beyond its S end.

However, Pepper Peak had a lot more to offer than just the glories relatively close at hand. Pepper Peak is a place for binoculars. Despite not being the highest peak around, Lupe could see tremendous distances in most directions. On the far horizons gleamed many white wonders of Alaska. SPHP knew the names of a few, but most were unknown places of mystery, glimpsed for the first time from afar here on Pepper Peak.

One of the more spectacular high peaks in the distance far from Pepper Peak. Photo looks ESE using the telephoto lens.

Many of the grand peaks visible in the distance from Pepper Peak were so far away, it was next to impossible to get both Lupe and the distant mountain in focus in the same photo.

To the SW, barely visible beyond shimmering Cook Inlet, Lupe could make out Redoubt Volcano (10,197 ft.) and nearby white mountains of the Aleutian Range. Redoubt was so far away, it hardly even showed up in a photo. To the NW, still far off, but somewhat closer, were the colossal peaks of the Alaska Range. Mount Foraker (17,400 ft.) and Denali (20,310 ft.) at least showed up using the camera’s telephoto lens.

Denali, the highest mountain in North America, from Pepper Peak using the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.

Unknown peaks of the Alaska Range visible from Pepper Peak. Photo looks NW.

To the ESE, Lupe saw a huge, long snowy ridge. SPHP had no idea what the names of any of those mountains along the ridge were, but the sight was spectacular, and not quite so far away. In fact, the views toward the E and S were the most amazing of any Lupe saw from Pepper Peak. The amount of snow and ice visible, even from a distance, was incredible!

Amazing sights were to the E & S of Pepper Peak, such as this huge, long, towering ridge of white mountains. Photo looks ESE.

Looking ESE with even a little more help from the telephoto lens.

Many people only go as far on the Twin Peaks trail as the first or second bench. Nice, of course, but only by coming all the way up to the top of Pepper Peak will you see this!

The huge snowy ridge connected to an enormous snowfield to the S. Photo looks SE.

Wow! Gorgeous! Love that soft appearing pure white ridge on the R.

Of course, Eklunta Lake to the SSE and the snowy peaks beyond it were highlights of the views from Pepper Peak, too!

Eklunta Lake from the summit of Pepper Peak. The high peak on the left is **Bold Peak (7,522 ft.)**. Photo looks SSE.

Peaks beyond Eklunta Lake through the telephoto lens. Photo looks SSE.

More peaks beyond Eklunta Lake. Still looking SSE, but a bit more toward the S.

**Bold Peak (7,522 ft.)**, seen again here, is a couple miles E of the S end of Eklunta Lake. Photo looks SE.

S end of Eklunta Lake using the telephoto lens.

Before arriving at the summit of Pepper Peak, SPHP had given some thought to having Lupe go on to Shaker Peak (5,089 ft.), about a mile away to the SE. However, the views were so splendid from Pepper Peak, and it had been such a long climb to get here, that the Shaker Peak idea got dropped.

Lupe was fine with the decision. It meant she got a nice long rest on Pepper Peak, while SPHP continued to stare off into the distance in fascination.

Anyone out there know the name of this eye-catching mountain?

Looking N toward Palmer and the Matanuska River. **Lazy Mountain (3,740 ft.)** is seen on the R. Lupe hoped to climb Lazy Mountain tomorrow!

It was hard not to keep coming back to this view again and again. It made such an impression! Photo looks ESE.

SPHP believes the top of Shaker Peak is in view here on the lower right. Photo looks SE.

Lupe at Pepper Peak’s summit cairn with Mount Foraker(L) and Denali(R) in the distance. Photo looks NW.

Lupe with Denali in the background. Lupe never got a clear view of Denali when she had been in Denali State Park. The titanic mountain had almost always been completely hidden in the clouds. She had a clear, if distant, view of it from Pepper Peak, though! Photo looks NW.

Looper and SPHP stayed up on Pepper Peak for more than 2 hours. Only one other person came up to the summit during all that time, despite the perfect weather. An Alaskan named Craig appeared from the Twin Peaks route.

SPHP raved about the views from Pepper Peak. To Craig, though, Pepper Peak was just another pleasant summit among many in Alaska. Craig stayed all of 10 minutes on top, then headed for the SW ridge Lupe had come up. Another day, another amazing mountain in Alaska, ho-hum.

SPHP’s enthusiasm wasn’t diminished in the least. Lupe seemed happy here, too!

Loopster on Pepper Peak with gorgeous Eklunta Lake as a backdrop. Photo looks SSE.

Lupe keeps an eye on the sky. You never know when another Pterodactyl might choose to come swooping down on you around here!

*Did you bring any water, SPHP? I’m getting thirsty just looking at this.*

*Hmmm, this is starting to look faintly familiar. Sure is beautiful, though! Loopster, we need one of these for the back yard!*

Lupe was just chillin’ up on Pepper Peak, while SPHP took more photos of photographed photos. Although time was moving on, SPHP found it difficult to tear away from the tremendous views. Mountain mania continued a little longer.

Lupe chillin’ on Pepper Peak with the Twin Peaks in view beyond her. Photo looks WNW.

Lupe wasn’t in any big hurry to leave either. She liked Pepper Peak just fine. Photo looks SW.

See that white peak poking up on the far left? SPHP wondered if Lupe hadn’t also seen it from **The Ramp (5,240 ft.)** a couple of days ago.

This photo doesn’t make as much use of the telephoto lens, but shows the relationships between some of the peaks better.

Sweet! Cranking up the telephoto lens for an even closer look than before.

After more than 2 hours on Pepper Peak, it really was time to go. Even so, it was hard to tear away from the incomparable views. This climb had been so worthwhile! SPHP was very glad Lupe had made the trip. At last, though, Lupe had to begin the trek back to the G6.

On the way down, Lupe was going to take the Twin Peaks route, even though it meant not being able to see as much along the way. The Twin Peaks route did have one advantage. Lupe would avoid the rocky scramble along the upper part of Pepper Peak’s SW ridge.

Exactly how to get to the Twin Peaks route wasn’t entirely clear. One thing was for certain. Lupe needed to get down to the saddle between Pepper Peak and Twin Peaks. Craig had reached the summit cairn coming up from the N, which was the shortest route and probably made the most sense.

Lupe, however, started off going S back down toward the last rocky knob she’d reached on the SW ridge on the way up. Before she quite got to it, she turned sharply back toward the N, following sheep trails below and to the W of the summit of Pepper Peak toward the saddle to Twin Peaks.

Approaching the last rocky knob of Pepper Peak’s SW ridge (seen on the L) on the way down from the summit. From here, Lupe turned sharply almost 180° back toward the right. She followed sheep trails below the summit over to the saddle between Pepper Peak and Twin Peaks. This worked just fine, though Craig’s more direct route going N from the summit was shorter and probably just as easy. Photo looks WSW.

Looking back up toward Pepper Peak from the saddle leading to Twin Peaks. Photo looks SSE.

Lupe saw a couple herds of sheep way over on the slopes of the Twin Peaks. Several dozen sheep were in sight. Photo taken using the telephoto lens.

The trail Lupe was following along the saddle seemed determined to stay up on the ridgeline. Perhaps SPHP gave up on the trail too soon? Lupe and SPHP left it to start heading down into the Thachkatnu Creek valley, expecting to find another trail down there before too long. That didn’t happen.

As is often the case, Lupe had most of her fun on the Pepper Peak excursion on the way back to the G6. She loved roaming the tundra in the Thachkatnu Creek valley! She ran far and wide, sniffing and exploring. At times she was just a distant speck of a Dingo. Once she reappeared from a completely unexpected direction after being out of sight for a few minutes.

Pepper Peak from the upper part of the Thachkatnu Creek valley, still not terribly far below the saddle between Pepper Peak and the Twin Peaks. Photo looks SE.

The route back down via the saddle and Thachkatnu Creek valley had absolutely no scrambling, exposure, or areas of loose rock. So it’s perfectly possible to reach the top of Pepper Peak completely avoiding that kind of thing. Somewhere, there’s probably a decent trail much of the way, but it must have been closer to Twin Peaks than Lupe and SPHP went.

For a long, long way, Lupe and SPHP lost elevation without coming to a trail. The vegetation became denser and taller as Lupe went lower. However, she didn’t get quite all the way down to where the tall bushes and forest started in earnest. Lupe finally found a trail when she was about at the elevation of the second (higher) bench on the Twin Peaks trail. By then, she wasn’t that far away from it.

Lupe and SPHP lost even more elevation crossing Thachkatnu Creek, but immediately had to regain it, climbing steeply on the other side. Not too surprisingly, Lupe arrived at the Twin Peaks trail right at the second bench. All that remained was a long, pleasant downhill stroll on the Twin Peaks trail.

Near the first bench, Lupe saw Eklunta Lake in the evening sunlight one more time from above.