2015 Wyoming, Colorado & Utah – Page 3 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Flaming Gorge, The Little Hole Trail by the Green River & Spirit Lake, Utah (8-26-15)

The skies were overcast on the first morning Lupe ever spent in the state of Utah. They remained so all day. After the hot drive across NW Colorado on the way to Utah the previous day, Lupe and SPHP were glad. Day 18 of Lupe’s great Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation was beginning up in the Uinta Mountains under much more tolerable conditions.

Lupe’s day started out with a visit to the Flaming Gorge dam on the Green River.

Lupe at the Flaming Gorge reservoir near the dam. — Lupe near Flaming Gorge dam.

When full, the Flaming Gorge Reservoir extends 91 miles N of the dam well into Wyoming, and has over 42,000 acres of surface area.

This Flaming Gorge Visitor Center is located right at the W end of the dam.

Near the E end of the dam, there is a winding paved access road down to the Green River below the dam. SPHP had been there before, years ago, and taken a half day raft trip down the Green River to Little Hole about 6 miles downstream. SPHP remembered the raft trip as a pleasant, easy float with only a few small rapids. The Green River itself had been beautiful, cool and clear as it passed through the lower end of Red Canyon. Juniper-dotted red cliffs rose as much as 1,000 feet above the river.

The 502 foot high Flaming Gorge Dam was built in 1969. It is actually built across Red Canyon, not Flaming Gorge, which is farther upstream and now submerged by the reservoir.

The Green River below Flaming Gorge dam.

Lupe wasn’t going to get to go river rafting, but SPHP thought she would enjoy the Little Hole Trail alongside the Green River. Things had changed since SPHP had been here before, though. It used to be free to just drive on down to the boat launch next to the river. Halfway down there is now a parking lot and a fee booth. It costs $5.00 to park or go down to the river.

After parking the G6, Lupe and SPHP left the parking lot along the Little Hole Trail. The first thing Lupe came to was a big sign with a bunch of bureaucratic regulations, a couple of which neither Lupe nor SPHP had ever encountered anywhere else before.

Sheesh, they sure were bureaucratic here in Utah! Not only was Lupe prohibited from throwing rocks, she couldn't pitch people or vehicles over the cliff either! — Sheesh, they sure were bureaucratic here in Utah. Not only was Lupe prohibited from throwing rocks, she couldn’t pitch people or vehicles over the cliff either!

The first short section of the Little Hole Trail wound its way down the steep hillside. There was a lot of cactus around, so Lupe had to be careful. Soon Lupe was down next to the Green River.

Lupe along the Little Hole Trail on the way down to the Green River.

Once down to the river, Lupe and SPHP followed the Little Hole Trail downstream. No one was rafting on the river, but there were lots of boats with people fly fishing from them.

Lupe didn’t follow the Little Hole Trail all the way to Little Hole. She only went a couple of miles downstream at most. SPHP thought it might be fun to take Lupe upstream to the boat launch area below Flaming Gorge Dam.

A wooden walkway allowed Lupe to head upstream far enough to reach the boat launch below Flaming Gorge dam.

A look up at Hwy 191 near the E end of Flaming Gorge dam.

Lupe liked watching these big birds circling near the dam. (Click on the photo to enlarge it and see them better!)

Lupe waded in the shallow waters of the Green River near the boat launch. She had a good drink. She watched big birds circling up in the sky near the dam. She watched fishermen getting ready to launch their boats. Then she was ready to go.

Lupe seemed content with her visit to Flaming Gorge dam and the Green River below it. Now it was time to complete her Flaming Gorge experience by taking a look at the reservoir from the cliffs above. Lupe and SPHP left the Little Hole Trail. After a picnic at a pond called West Green Lake, where there were ducks and a heron, Lupe arrived at the Red Canyon Visitor Center & Lookout. Lupe couldn’t go in the visitor center, but she could go take a look at Flaming Gorge reservoir from the high cliffs at the lookout.

Lupe at the Red Canyon Lookout above Flaming Gorge reservoir.

Looking upstream from the Red Canyon Lookout.

The views of Red Canyon and the Flaming Gorge reservoir were impressive from way up on the high cliffs. The cliff tops were interesting, too. There were big cracks and deep fissures in the rocks. It wasn’t hard to imagine some pretty big chunks of the cliff crashing to the bottom some day.

After seeing Red Canyon from above, Lupe was ready to move on. Her next destination was Spirit Lake on the N side of the Uintas. Lupe and SPHP took Hwy 44 to the Sheep Creek Geological Loop. At the SW corner of the loop was a turn off onto gravel USFS Roads. It was a fairly long drive, somewhere close to 20 miles from the pavement, to get to Spirit Lake.

Lupe reaches the N end of Spirit Lake in the Uinta Mountains.

Lupe and SPHP stopped first at the N end of Spirit Lake at a pullout near the outlet stream. Lupe enjoyed getting out and exploring the area. SPHP was more relaxed about letting her enjoy herself, too. There weren’t any big cliffs around, just the lake, stream and the forest.

The sky grew darker and the wind started blowing. Pretty soon it started to rain. The wind hadn’t bothered Lupe, but Carolina Dogs know enough to come in out of the rain. She hopped in the G6 and took a nap, while SPHP read. After about half an hour, the rain quit. Although the wind and rain were over, the sky was still leaden. Before it got too late, SPHP thought it might be a good idea to check out Spirit Lake Lodge and the trailhead at the S end of the lake.

Spirit Lake Lodge at the S end of Spirit Lake in the Uinta Mountains. This lodge is at the end of long gravel roads to get here. It felt isolated and remote. Lupe and SPHP liked it. — Spirit Lake Lodge at the S end of Spirit Lake in the Uinta Mountains. This lodge is at the very end of long gravel roads to get here. It felt isolated and remote. Lupe and SPHP liked the area. There is also a campground and a trailhead near by.

The Spirit Lake Lodge had a number of very rustic looking cabins. Each cabin had its own name taken from an early western explorer. Only one or two of the cabins appeared to be rented out for the night. From outside, most of the cabins looked like they needed maintenance. The lodge was open, though, and a sign said they were serving meals.

This cabin is named after John Wesley Powell, who gave Flaming Gorge its name after exploring it via the Green River in 1869. Other cabins were named after other explorers.

Lupe went down to check out the dock on Spirit Lake. There were a few small boats available for rent there.

On the way back from the dock to the G6, a moose wandered through between the cabins, apparently quite at home here. It headed out across a field in front of the Spirit Lake Lodge. How cool is that?

A moose trots past Spirit Lake Lodge. This was only the 2nd moose Lupe had ever seen. She saw one once before in Canada in 2014.

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Way Down South, Independence Pass, Colorado & Going to Utah (8-25-15)

After two huge climbs on the previous two days up to Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, the highest peaks in Colorado, it was time for Lupe to move on. It was 8-25-15, already Day 17 of Lupe’s great Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation. SPHP gassed up the G6 before leaving Leadville, CO, and then headed S on Highway 24. A short time later, Lupe achieved another personal first: Lupe reached the southernmost point she has ever been to at the junction of Highways 24 and 82.

SPHP turned W on Highway 82. Soon Lupe was at Twin Lakes, which she and SPHP had seen for the first time from up on top of Mount Elbert two days before.

Lupe at Twin Lakes, Colorado, close to as far S as she has ever been. Photo looks SW.

After a wonderful time in the mountains of N Central Colorado, Lupe was on her way out of the state. She would see quite a bit of scenic NW Colorado on the way. Highway 82 went over 12,095 ft. Independence Pass. Lupe and SPHP took the short walkway there to a viewpoint overlooking more beautiful mountains of the Colorado Rockies.

Once over Independence Pass, Hwy 82 lost a great deal of elevation on its way to Aspen. From Aspen, Hwy 82 continued losing elevation, although at a reduced rate, all the way to Glenwood Springs. Lupe and SPHP stopped at a park next to the highway for a picnic. SPHP would have liked to have gone to the hot springs in Glenwood Springs, but it was near noon. It was hot, approaching 80°F – too hot to leave Lupe unattended for any length of time in the G6.

It got hotter as the day wore on. Until now, Lupe and SPHP had spent the vast majority of Lupe’s great Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation at 8,000 to 12,000 feet. At these lower elevations, the heat was oppressive. In the G6, however, Lupe rode in air conditioned comfort as the miles clicked by. Lupe and SPHP headed W from Glenwood Springs on I-70. It wasn’t too far to Rifle, where SPHP stopped at a McDonald’s to buy Lupe a hot fudge sundae.

From Rifle, Lupe went N on Highway 13. SPHP soon turned W onto Piceance Creek Road. Piceance Creek Road was interesting. It went 40 miles down a valley that gradually turned to the N. It was 10 miles before Piceance Creek had any water in it. Piceance Creek never became a very big stream. The valley grew wider as it lost elevation. It was bordered by low juniper and sage-brush covered mountains. There were cows and horses near the creek in the valley, which kept Lupe entertained for miles.

Lupe reached the White River again when Piceance Creek Road reached Highway 64. Lupe had seen the North Fork of the White River before. It flows out of Trappers Lake in the Flat Top Mountains. The scenery heading W on Highway 64 was interesting, but not inviting. Lupe was heading into increasingly barren territory. By the time she reached Rangely, even the sagebrush was sparse and struggling. It was 97°F in Rangely.

Beyond Rangely everything was hot, thirsty, white and barren. Late August was no time to be visiting here. At Dinosaur, though, SPHP did stop to get a picture of Lupe with a cool, colorful Stegosaurus.

Lupe at the cool Stegosaurus at Dinosaur, Colorado.

SPHP would have loved to take Lupe to Echo Park in Dinosaur National Monument. Echo Park is located at the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers. It is a beautiful spot down in a big canyon with vertical rock walls, and very worth seeing. However, SPHP knew the G6 might have trouble with the road there, which is best traversed with a high clearance vehicle. (SPHP once put a hole in a Chevy Corsica’s oil pan on that road – not an experience SPHP was eager to repeat.)

So Lupe missed out on Echo Park. Instead she turned W on Highway 40 at Dinosaur. A big event was only a short distance away. Lupe was going to enter the state of Utah for the very first time. It had been nearly 2 years since Lupe last visited a new state, so it was an event worthy of note. Soon Utah became Lupe’s 11th state!

Near Jensen, Utah, Lupe stopped by the sign for the Dinosaur National Monument Fossil Bone Quarry. The quarry features quite an amazing exhibit of dinosaur bones. The partially exposed bones are on display in their original locations on a hillside which has been enclosed with a building. The Quarry Exhibit Hall serves both to protect the fossils and as a visitor center.Of course, Lupe could not go into the Quarry Exhibit Hall, so there was no point in even going all the way to it. Instead, Lupe got to go see the Green River just below the Highway 40 bridge.

Lupe at the Green River where Highway 40 crosses it just E of Jensen, Utah.

It was almost 5:00 PM by the time Lupe reached Vernal, Utah. SPHP had hoped to get some pictures of Lupe with some dinosaurs outside the Dinosaur Museum. It had been years since SPHP had been to Vernal, though. The Dinosaur Museum (officially the Utah Field House of Natural History Museum) had moved. It is now housed in much fancier quarters. Unfortunately, the museum closed at 5:00 PM. Although there were dinosaurs outside the building, they were all behind walls and fences.

SPHP had to settle for taking a picture of Lupe and the profusion of petunias along the street.

This happy pink dino welcomed Lupe to Vernal, UT as she came into town from the E along Hwy 40.

Lupe outside the Dinosaur Museum in Vernal, UT. It was closed by the time Lupe and SPHP got there, or SPHP would have bought Lupe a ticket just for some photo ops with the dinosaurs outside the building.

Pretty puppy poses with piles of petunias in Vernal, Utah. — Pretty puppy poses with a profusion of petunias in Vernal, Utah.

Lupe and SPHP toured Vernal, Utah. It looked like a thriving place with lots of new stores and development. It was like an oven there though, at 98°F when Lupe arrived. It was still 91°F at sunset when Lupe left town heading N on Highway 191. Up in the Uinta Mountains, it was 59°F when SPHP parked the G6 for the night. So much better!

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Mount Massive, Colorado (8-24-15)

On 8-23-15, Lupe climbed Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado, second highest peak in the 48 contiguous United States, and quite possibly the highest mountain she will ever climb. What could she possibly do for an encore the next day? Why, climb the second highest peak in Colorado, of course!

Mount Massive (14,421 ft.) is conveniently located just 5 miles NNW of Mount Elbert (14,433 ft.). Only 12 feet lower than Mount Elbert, Mount Massive is the third highest peak in the 48 contiguous United States. So on 8-24-15, Day 16 of her Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation, Lupe set out from the Mount Massive trailhead near Halfmoon Creek at 9:32 AM (57°F).

It was another beautiful day. It was also Monday. The weekend crowds had disappeared. SPHP had been able to park the G6 in the TH parking lot. Only a few other vehicles were there. Although the elevation gain would be very similar, only slightly less than she had gained climbing Mount Elbert the day before, climbing Mount Massive was going to be a more peaceful experience.

The trailhead was actually a TH on the Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail climbed fairly steeply at first, and then leveled out with both up and down sections. Lupe followed the Colorado Trail for about 3 miles. It wound its way around some, but generally towards the N. After 3 miles on the Colorado Trail, Lupe reached the Mount Massive Trail No. 1487. Mount Massive Trail No. 1487 heads W for about 2.5 miles to reach a ridgeline S of the summit.

Going up Mount Massive, there were similarities with Lupe’s climb up Mount Elbert the previous day. The Colorado Trail and the first part of the Mount Massive Trail were all in the forest. There weren’t any views until Lupe reached tree line along the Mount Massive Trail. Once on the Mount Massive Trail, it was a steady climb all the way up the mountain. The steepest, hardest parts of the climb were near the top.

Lupe didn’t meet many people on the trail at first, but this time it wasn’t due to a late start. There just weren’t that many people on the mountain. After a while, Lupe did meet some people and a few dogs who were coming down the mountain, as she climbed up, but far fewer than the day before.

Once again, the views started at tree line. There were far more bushes above tree line than on Mount Elbert. Lupe likes bushes. She sought their shade whenever SPHP had to stop to rest.

Lupe near tree line along Mount Massive Trail No. 1487.

Most of Trail No. 1487 seemed less steep than Trail No. 1184 up Mount Elbert. It did get steep as it approached the ridgeline leading to the summit. As Lupe approached the ridgeline, there were a couple of mountain goats up ahead. People and a dog were on their way down, so the goats had to make a decision on which way to go. They disappeared around the W side of the ridge.

Mount Massive was, well, massive! There was huge amount of open ground above tree line.

The high point seen here is a false summit. Lupe would soon be scrambling around up on that ridge, though.

The two mountain goats shortly before they realized they had visitors.

Mount Massive features 5 high points along a huge ridge that extends NW/SE. All of these high points are over 14,100 feet. From SE to NW these high points are: (1) Mount Massive – Southeast Peak (14,132 ft.), (2) Mount Massive (14,421 ft.) (the true summit), (3) Mount Massive – Green Peak (14,280 ft.), (4) Mount Massive – Northwest Peak (14,320 ft.), and (5) Mount Massive – Far Northwest Peak (14,169 ft.).

Trail No. 1487 reaches the top of the ridgeline between Mount Massive – Southeast Peak and the true summit. When Lupe reached the ridgeline, she followed the trail NW toward the true summit.

Looking SE towards Mount Massive - Southeast Peak. This photo shows the saddle where Trail No. 1487 gains the ridgeline from the E (left). — Looking SE towards Mount Massive – Southeast Peak. This photo shows the saddle where Trail No. 1487 gains the ridgeline from the E (left).

Looking NNW along the ridgeline up to the true summit. — Looking NNW along the ridgeline leading to the true summit. The true summit isn’t in view yet in this photo.

The trail to the top stayed mostly along the NE side of the mountain a bit below the ridgeline until quite close to the summit. There were some pretty huge drops to the SW on the other side of the ridge. Some scrambling was required along the way. Nothing serious, but this last leg up Mount Massive was certainly more challenging than the easy stroll along a ridge Mount Elbert had been. It was pretty fun! Lupe was happy climbing among the rocks.

Lupe having fun along the trail to the summit. A few people were on their way down as Lupe was heading up.

Lupe up on the ridgeline. The summit of Mount Massive is now in view. Photo looks N.

Success! Lupe atop the true summit of Mount Massive.

A few people had been coming down as Lupe worked her way up, but by the time Lupe reached the ridgeline and final approach to the true summit, Lupe and SPHP were alone. Once again the weather was wonderful. There wasn’t even a breeze. The views all around were gorgeous.

Looking S back along the ridgeline from the summit. Mount Elbert is in the shadow of a cloud at L Center. La Plata Peak is seen just R of Center. — Looking S back along the ridgeline from the summit. Mount Elbert is in the shadow of a cloud at L Center. **La Plata Peak (14,336 ft.)** is seen just R of Center.

What a view! Mt. Oklahoma is seen beyond the North Halfmoon Lakes. Photo looks WSW. — What a view! **Mt. Oklahoma** **(13,845 ft.)** rises above the North Halfmoon Lakes. Photo looks WSW.

Looking N now from the true summit at the ridge that heads NW towards Mount Massive - Green Peak. A trail is visible along the ridgeline, but Lupe didn't go that far. — Looking N now from the true summit at the ridge that heads NW towards Mount Massive – Green Peak. A trail is visible along the ridgeline, but Lupe didn’t go that far.

Mount Elbert from Mount Massive. Photo looks SSE.

Deer Mountain (13,761 ft., Center) and Mt. Oklahoma (13,845 ft., on R). This photo shows a little better view of the steep drop down to the WSW. Both of the upper basins of North Halfmoon Creek are in view. — **Deer Mountain** **(13,761 ft.)** (Center) and **Mt. Oklahoma (13,845 ft.)** (R). This photo shows a little better view of the steep drop down to the WSW. Both of the upper basins of North Halfmoon Creek are in view.

Looking NW now towards Mount Massive - Green Peak, Northwest Peak and Far Northwest Peak. — Looking NW now towards Mount Massive – Green Peak, Northwest Peak and Far Northwest Peak. All three are lined up on the R side of this photo.

Looking NE towards Turquoise Lake and Leadville, CO.

It is possible to make a trek known as the “Tour de Massive” by visiting all five of the high points along the huge Mount Massive ridge. SPHP had been thinking Lupe could do the Tour de Massive. She could have, too, but the reality up on the summit of Mount Massive was that SPHP could not. Not after climbing up Mount Elbert the previous day. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.

A look at the high points (Green, Northwest and Far Northwest) off to the NW revealed that it might well involve considerably more than an easy stroll up and down along a ridgeline to get over to those peaks. Climbing the Southeast Peak, on the other hand, was clearly pretty easy, but in the end, SPHP was content to just call it a day – another wonderful day spent with Lupe.

Lupe and SPHP lingered quite some time up on Mount Massive. No one else appeared. Lupe and SPHP had Mount Massive entirely to themselves. It was a grand time. SPHP and Lupe both enjoyed the tremendous views. Lupe also found a snowbank to frolic on.

Delightful snow on Mt. Massive made a great American Dingo playground.

Going up to the summit along the ridgeline had been really fun. Going back down was a good time, too. Lupe scrambled quickly among the rocks. SPHP scrambled slowly. The route was rough enough to be interesting and engaging, without being difficult. The views, of course, remained simply splendid.

Mt. Elbert (Center L) and La Plata Peak (Center R). The saddle between Mount Massive - Southeast Peak and Mount Massive is seen on the L, as well as Trail No. 1487 heading down to the E (L). — Mount Elbert (L of Center) and La Plata Peak (R of Center).

Mount Massive - Southeast Peak (L) and Mount Elbert (R). — Mount Massive – Southeast Peak (L) and Mount Elbert (R). The saddle between Mount Massive – Southeast Peak and Mount Massive is the low point on the ridgeline below. Trail No. 1487 can be seen heading down the mountain to the E (L).

Once below the ridgeline, and heading E on Mount Massive Trail No. 1487, the long trek back to the G6 began in earnest. Lupe had lots of wide open territory to explore. She had a wonderful time. A little later on, the light faded in the forest while Lupe followed the Colorado Trail. Between the trees, the light of a huge bonfire could be seen to the E of the trail.

Lupe met a couple of guys intending on camping on Mount Massive up above tree line. They were from Florida. One of them had seen Lupe on the trail, and thought she was a wolf! (Quite a few people have said she resembles a fox before, but never a wolf!) They were carrying sleeping bags, but seemed to have no backpacks or other gear. SPHP wondered if they weren’t heading for a bit of a shock. It was conceivable that a night above tree line (around 12,000 feet) on Mount Massive, even in August, might not be much like camping out on a Florida beach.

Lupe met no one else the entire way back. At 8:45 PM (52°F), Lupe reached the G6. For Lupe and SPHP, it had been a fabulous day together on Mount Massive. Fortunately for the Floridians, it looked like it was going to be a fabulous night, too.

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