After Lupe’s success at reaching a viewpoint over Sky Pilot Lake in the Beartooth Mountains of southern Montana and subsequent somewhat exciting retreat during a thunderstorm on 7-17-13, SPHP thought it was about time for Lupe to move on to the next part of Lupe’s 2013 Dingo Vacation. It was time for Lupe to see a new country – beautiful Canada! So the plan on 7-18-13 was to get everything organized, packed up, and head out for Canada.
It didn’t happen. Mick from the motorhome parked near Lupe’s “tiny house” (tent) came over in the morning. He was very friendly and chatty. He had lots of interesting and amusing tales from his wild partying days years ago in the music industry in England. As the day wore on, Mick offered free beer. The first beer pretty much put an end to any ambitions SPHP had for the day. After the 15.5 hour adventure to Sky Pilot Lake the previous day, both Lupe and SPHP were perfectly content to spend the entire day lounging around at the beautiful campsite on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River hanging out with Mick.
While Mick clearly missed the good old days back in England, he was pretty high on America, too. He told about how his wife had put $17,000 into some tech stock after the stock market crash in late 2008 or early 2009. Mick had been a bit nervous about it, but that stock was now worth over $400,000. After that, he no longer questions his wife’s investment decisions. She is free to invest as she pleases. Mick was quite a character and regaled SPHP with one tale after another like this. After a few beers, it all became somewhat fuzzy, but very amusing nonetheless.
The next morning found Lupe and SPHP still camped at the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River. Both Lupe and SPHP felt way more energetic after the very relaxing prior day spent with Mick. After a couple of hours spent cleaning, writing and packing up; it was time to bid a fond farewell to Pilot and Index Peaks and the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River. Mick was up and bid Lupe and SPHP bon voyage. Lupe and SPHP then hopped in the G6 and headed out over spectacular Beartooth Pass.
The rest of 7-19-13 was spent on a very pleasant drive heading N across central Montana. Lupe had loads of chances to bark enthusiastically at cows, horses and haystacks along the way. After various stops along the way, evening came. Lupe and SPHP spent the night in the G6 at a rest stop along I-15 N of Dutton, Montana.
At 8:00 AM on 7-20-13, Lupe entered Canada for the first time. SPHP had all the proper documentation along for Lupe to enter Canada, but the border agent didn’t even ask for any of it. At Lethbridge, Lupe and SPHP went for a walk in a park along the Oldman River. Then it was back into the G6 and on to the fabulous Canadian Rockies!
Lupe reached Banff a little after mid-afternoon. Banff is a very busy tourist town on the Bow River in the Canadian Rockies. Normally SPHP doesn’t like busy places, but Banff is an exception – Banff is great! The scenery is gorgeous and there are lots of things to see and do in Banff, although many are not for American Dingoes. SPHP was thrilled to be back in Banff again. Lupe was here for the very first time. It was time for a walk!
Lupe and SPHP found the cemetery near the Bow River where Bill Peyto is buried. Naturally, Lupe couldn’t go in, so she continued on to cross a nice, new (since SPHP was last there) footbridge across the Bow River. There were lots of people around and plenty of other doggies to sniff with. Lupe followed a trail downstream along the Bow River until coming to a place where she had to turn back, because dingoes weren’t allowed any further.
Lupe along the Bow River just downstream of Banff, Canada. The new footbridge across the river is visible upstream.Cascade Mountain(9,836 ft.) from near the footbridge over the Bow River in Banff, Canada.Banff Avenue bridge over the Bow River, Banff, Canada
Lupe and SPHP took various walks along the Bow River and in downtown Banff. Lupe was rather bewildered and overwhelmed at first by the throngs of tourists, but soon learned to enjoy crossing the street as part of the crowd whenever the light changed. She also discovered there were plenty of opportunities for brief encounters with all kinds of other dogs. On the grounds of the Whyte Museum of the Rockies, Lupe saw one of Bill Peyto’s original rustic cabins.
Lupe at one of Bill Peyto’s cabins on the grounds of the Whyte Museum of the Rockies. Bill Peyto was a famous outfitter and guide based in Banff in the late 1800’s.
In the evening, SPHP ate at a café with some outdoor tables. Lupe very much enjoyed sharing SPHP’s buffalo burger and milkshake. Lupe and SPHP then went for another walk up and down both sides of Banff Avenue (main street). This was Lupe’s first ever Pretty Puppy Parade, which has become a tradition every evening Lupe is in Banff ever since. By now Lupe was getting used to the crowds and even seemed to be enjoying herself. She stared curiously and hopefully into open shop doors, sniffed with other doggies, and allowed friendly tourists to pet her.
Cascade Mountain from Banff Park.Looking N across Banff Avenue bridge towards downtown and Cascade Mountain.
The next day, Lupe and SPHP woke up as the sky was just starting to get light. Lupe found $10 Canadian on the sidewalk near the Bow River. Lupe and SPHP drove down to Bow River Falls. While Lupe was there, a raft full of people was launching a short distance down the river from the falls. Someone dressed in Scottish garb was playing bagpipes from a hill they floated past shortly after launch.
Lupe at Bow River Falls, Banff 7-21-13Bow River Falls is located within walking distance downstream of Banff.Bagpiper along the Bow River.Bow River downstream of Bow River Falls 7-21-13
Lupe and SPHP went up to the famous Banff Springs Hotel for a look around. The Banff Springs Hotel was first opened in 1888, and is one of Canada’s grand railway hotels. It is built in Scottish Baronial style and is often referred to as a castle. Although Dingoes can stay at the Banff Springs Hotel, Lupe didn’t get to stay there. SPHP’s spouse, unlike Mick’s spouse, has never invested $17,000 and turned it into $400,000, although SPHP would have been eternally grateful.
Looking E from a veranda at the Banff Springs Hotel.Cascade Mountain from Banff Springs Hotel.A section of the Banff Springs Hotel.
Lupe was pretty certain the Banff Springs Hotel would meet Carolina Dog standards, but cheapskate SPHP didn’t book her a room.This view of the Banff Springs Hotel is from Surprise Point on the opposite side of the Bow River.
SPHP started thinking that maybe Lupe could ride the Sulphur Mountain gondola. Sulphur Mountain has a wonderful commanding view of Banff and the Bow River Valley. The gondola ride to the top is a very popular attraction. SPHP drove over there, but it was a madhouse. The giant parking lot was full and busloads of more people were arriving all the time. When SPHP found out it was $35.00 per ticket to ride the gondola, SPHP didn’t even bother to ask if Lupe could go. SPHP seemed to be the only cheapskate in Canada, though. People were lined up in droves to pay it.
Instead, SPHP took Lupe to see the flower gardens at the Parks Administration Building located just S of the Bow River from downtown at the end of Banff Avenue. Lupe had a dull time of it, since signs there said dingoes weren’t allowed on the grounds. SPHP snapped a few photos and then it was already time for lunch. After lunch, Lupe and SPHP took another stroll downtown.
Parks Administration Building, Banff, Canada. There are extensive flower gardens on the grounds.Oh, nice… no thrilling gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain and now no dingoes allowed to even sniff the flowers… you sure know how to show a dingo a good time, SPHP!
Although it was great to be in Banff, SPHP was ready to be done with crowds. There were many more things for people to do in Banff, but not that many for American Dingoes and Carolina Dogs. SPHP was satisfied that Lupe had had a chance to experience Banff. It had been 4 days now since the big adventure to Sky Pilot Lake in the Beartooths. It was time to get out of town and go explore some mountain trails! Lupe was ready for some action! So, early on the afternoon of 7-21-13, Lupe and SPHP left beautiful Banff heading W in the G6 on Trans-Canada Hwy No. 1 looking for adventure.
For pet emergencies in the Black Hills of South Dakota region, Lupe recommends the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital at the Animal Clinic of Rapid City. The Emergency Veterinarian Hospital has a veterinarian and an assistant on duty 24/7, even on weekends and holidays. Pets in Rapid City and the Black Hills region are fortunate to have such professionally qualified and caring help available at any time. Lupe thanks lead emergency veterinarian Dr. Erin Brown for helping her late on the Saturday night of 6-27-15 following a bad injury that needed immediate attention!
About Dr. Erin Brown – Lead Emergency Veterinarian
Dr. Brown grew up all over South Dakota, but has always considered the Black Hills home. She received both her undergraduate and veterinary degrees from Iowa State University (Go Cyclones!) Her interests include emergency medicine, internal medicine and toxicology. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening and spending time with her family. Her dog, cat, and rat also like to keep her busy!
Lupe and Dr. Erin Brown, Lupe’s angel of mercy when injured. Thank you SOOO much, Dr. Brown!
After climbing Peak 6820 and Crooks Tower(7,137 ft.) on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 135 on 6-27-15, Lupe was seriously injured in Trebor Draw. The entire front of her left front leg was sliced wide open when she ran straight into a 5-strand barbed wire fence that had fallen over across her path. Fortunately, the barbed wire had only nicked the muscle beneath the skin. The jagged wound with Lupe’s fur hanging loose and the muscle exposed looked terrible, but Lupe could still walk, even run.
Lupe on South Rapid Creek Road (USFS No. 231) with a nasty gash from a fallen barbed wire fence in nearby Trebor Gulch. The heroic dingo partly walked and was partly carried by SPHP to Black Fox campground to find help.
Still, the wound was horrifying to look at and extremely worrisome. SPHP carried Lupe as much as possible, but it was a couple miles to Black Fox Campground where there were people who could help her. Lupe got at least half of the way there under her own power. At Black Fox, kind people helped with some emergency first aid. A man named Jim gave Lupe and SPHP a ride in his pickup truck to the G6, which was still many miles away.
Lupe needed to see a veterinarian right away. SPHP called the offices of both of the veterinarians who have seen Lupe before. It was late on a Saturday evening and their offices were closed, but a recording gave SPHP the phone number for the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital at the Animal Clinic of Rapid City. SPHP called the number and was very happy when someone answered the phone. Yes, they were open. Lead emergency veterinarian Dr. Erin Brown was on duty. SPHP could bring Lupe in right away!
It was close to 10:00 PM by the time Lupe and SPHP arrived at the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital to see the puppy doctor. SPHP had to fill out a few forms. An assistant explained that Dr. Brown was with another emergency patient, but said Dr. Brown would soon be available. The assistant looked at Lupe and recorded some routine information.
It wasn’t long before Dr. Brown came into the examination room to see Lupe. She was very kind and sympathetic to the wounded dingo. Lupe seemed to trust her. (Even before meeting Dr. Brown, SPHP had assured Lupe that the puppy doctor loves all puppies and would help her get better.) Dr. Brown examined Lupe. Of course, she was going to need a bunch of stitches.
Dr. Brown left the examination room for a few minutes. She returned with a written medical treatment plan for SPHP to authorize. All the treatment options were itemized, complete with exact pricing. Dr. Brown calmly and clearly explained all the treatment options, what the risks were, etc. She answered all of SPHP’s questions. Within just a few minutes, SPHP had decided and authorized Lupe’s treatment.
Soon Lupe was being anesthetized in preparation for stitches. An hour after disappearing into the operating room, Lupe was conscious and back with SPHP again. The huge gaping wound on Lupe’s left front leg was now all carefully stitched up. She looked like FrankenPuppy. A plastic drain tube to help prevent serious infection stuck out of both sides of her leg. Dr. Brown said she had to trim some of the edges of the wound where the tissue had already died. (At least 3 hours elapsed from the time Lupe was injured before she got to the hospital.)
Lupe was going to be, OK, though. Dr. Brown explained to SPHP what to do. She said Lupe should wear a protective cone to prevent her from licking the wound. In 3-5 days, one of Lupe’s regular vets should remove the drain. The stitches could come out in a couple of weeks. Lupe got painkillers and antibiotics. Lupe and SPHP thanked Dr. Brown and went home. It was around midnight.
Wounded dingo the morning after when it still really hurt. Thank you Dr. Erin Brown for your skillful and timely help late on a Saturday night!FrankenPuppyHeroic dingo Lupe struggles to survive! Somehow Dr. Brown forgot to mention treats and vanilla ice cream as a pain killer and antibiotic delivery system, but SPHP took care of it. Lupe was certain treats had to be part of any decent “treat”ment plan.
American Dingoes are good at having adventures and lots of fun. They are not quite as good at following doctor’s orders. SPHP still had an old plastic cone for Lupe’s head to keep her from licking the wound. Lupe despised it. SPHP relented and just kept a very close eye on her. Lupe was much happier and really pretty good about not licking the wound. “No licking!” was the order of the day every time she did think about it. Lupe liked her painkiller medicine, but refused the antibiotic. Being July, it was really hot out though. Lupe had no objections to the antibiotic as long as vanilla ice cream was used as a delivery system.
Lupe went in to see her regular vet on July 1st to get the drain out. The vet said one stitch had come loose. The vet reprimanded SPHP for letting Lupe get away without having the protective cone on. The drain came out just fine. There was no sign of infection. After visiting the vet, Lupe had to wear the cone, like-it-or-not.NOT! was the dingo’s answer. She kept running into things and getting her neck twisted. She pawed at the cone trying to get it off. She laid on the floor staring into space looking totally bored and forlorn. She didn’t want to eat. Every time her spirit brightened, she ran into something else and got her head snapped around. Depression set in again.
The old cone wasn’t up to this abuse. It was made of a kind of brittle clear plastic. By the morning of July 3rd, two chunks of the old cone had cracked and broken off. Some of the remaining plastic came to a big sharp point. It looked vaguely dangerous to be wearing that thing, but the sharp end was at least pointed away from Lupe.
That evening, on the way to her grandma’s house, Lupe tried to stick her head out the partially open window of the G6. The cone snapped in half. It was useless. Lupe was thrilled. At grandma’s house she ran around playing squeaker ball. Late in the evening, on the way home again, SPHP saw that Lupe’s wound had partially opened up again. Several stitches had broken loose, not from licking, but from racing around with joy at the demise of the evil cone.
So late at night on July 3rd, SPHP took Lupe back to the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital again. SPHP bought another, bigger and better protective cone for her. Dr. Brown wasn’t on duty, but another vet was. SPHP didn’t even meet this vet, but Lupe got her wound stapled back together. Done in minutes, at no charge! The new, improved protective cone went right on. And that was the last of the problems.
Stapled up again.Cone-On the Luparian didn’t get to go to Little Devil’s Tower on 7-10-15. She had to stay home to continue healing up.
Lupe didn’t like the new improved protective head cone any better than the last one. It was better built, though, and could stand up to dingo abuse. It took a while, but eventually Lupe resigned herself to it. Her wound started healing fast. Her stitches and staples came out on July 14th. The hated cone came off a day later. The Carolina Dog was free once more! Even so, for the rest of the month SPHP tried to just keep her quiet to let the healing process really take hold.
July, 2015 was a pretty frustrating and dull month for Lupe. About the only real outing she got to go on was Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 136 on Xochitl’s birthday. Even then, Lupe did not get to go on any long trek. She just waded in the creek at Cascade Falls. On a really hot day, she did enjoy it. The rest of the month was spent doing some pretty dull stuff or just laying around waiting to get better.
Xochitl & Lupe at Cascade on Xochi’s birthday.Out of boredom in July, 2015, Lupe takes up supervising required fence repairs.
All done! That was dull!Bored dingo takes up flower gardening.I can’t even chew my rawhide stick with this thing on. There is nothing to do!Will it ever end?
Thanks to Dr. Erin Brown at the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital, Lupe IS better – much, much better. So much better, that Lupe went to see Dr. Brown again yesterday evening. This time she just went to show Dr. Brown that she is all healed up, and to thank Dr. Brown for being there at Lupe’s time of great need – so late on a Saturday night!
Lupe returned to the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital on 8-5-15 to say thank you to Dr. Erin Brown. While there, Lupe strikes up a deal with Dr. Brown and they shake on it. Dr. Brown agrees to provide a treat. Lupe agrees to eat it.Dr. Brown, SPHP put this contraption around my head and wouldn’t take it off for practically forever! I got out of one, but I couldn’t break the other one. That’s puppy abuse isn’t it?Lupe and Dr. Erin Brown, Lupe’s angel of mercy when injured. Thank you SOOO much, Dr. Brown!
Now that Lupe well again, she is destined for lots more dingo adventures in August, 2015! Within just a day or two, she is setting off on her action-packed great Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation! In September, she will return with tales from the American West. In the meantime, she has new posts scheduled to keep coming all through August about her adventures on her 2013 Dingo Vacation to the Beartooths and Canadian Rockies.
On 7-16-13, the day after Lupe’s long day spent looking for Fossil Lake (and actually reaching Fizzle Lake instead) in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana, Lupe and SPHP spent an easy day in camp on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River. There weren’t nearly so many “bad bugs” (mosquitoes) at camp, so SPHP started feeling more positive about staying in the Beartooths another couple of days.
SPHP still had it in mind that Lupe ought to at least try to reach Sky Pilot Lake before leaving the Beartooths. Getting there would be a very long day hike. In the morning, SPHP spent some time looking at maps to consider possible alternate routes. In the afternoon, a guy named Mick drove up in his motor home and camped by the river near Lupe’s camp. Mick was originally from England, but had married an American. Now he and his wife live in Boulder, CO.
Mick was very friendly and quite a character. He had a start in the music industry in England, but spent most of his career as a welder in the USA. He had been many places and had lots of stories to tell. Although Mick was traveling alone, he does own a dog. Mick was very kind to Lupe, even giving her treats intended for his dog.
SPHP spent hours visiting with Mick. In the evening, Mick invited SPHP and Lupe in for a tour of his motor home. Lupe got to spend the whole evening in there “roughing it” in the lap of luxury. Mick knows lots of famous people from the music industry. He said he has had a tremendously fun life. He told some pretty wild tales about the music industry, places he had been, and people he knew. His nickname in the music industry was “puker” – not terribly charming, but related to the wild partying lifestyle he shared for a while with the rich and famous.
On 7-17-13, Lupe and SPHP woke up pretty early, refreshed from the easy prior day in camp spent visiting with Mick. Lupe and SPHP were ready to go find Sky Pilot Lake! SPHP intended to start the trek Beartooth Lake campground, so Lupe and SPHP went there first. However, SPHP wasn’t able to find a source of water there. Since the familiar Island Lake campground and trailhead were only a few miles farther E on Beartooth Hwy No. 212, SPHP quickly gave up on a start from Beartooth Lake. At the Island Lake campground, SPHP got water and Lupe was ready to go.
Lupe left the Island Lake trailhead at around 8:15 AM. Even though Lupe had taken the trail from Island Lake twice before (once with Lanis in August, 2012 as far as Beauty and Becker Lakes, and a 2nd time just 3 days earlier on 7-14-13 as far as Two Bits Lake), Lupe and SPHP were perfectly happy to take this trail again. It really is the easiest and most direct route to Sky Pilot Lake from Beartooth Hwy No. 212. Better yet, the entire trail goes through simply gorgeous alpine territory.
At first, Lupe and SPHP made very good time. Lupe and SPHP passed Island Lake, Night Lake, Flake Lake, Mutt & Jeff Lakes, Becker Lake and were all the way to Albino Lake by 11:15 AM. Soon Lupe and SPHP reached Jasper Lake. From Jasper Lake on, the going became much slower. Lupe left the trail at the S end of Jasper Lake, and the ground became progressively rougher with more and more boulder fields. The weather had been cool and overcast, which was great for hiking, but began to clear and became sunny as Lupe and SPHP worked around the E side of Jasper Lake.
Lonesome Mountain from Jasper Lake 7-17-13. Much later in the day, Lupe and SPHP were caught in a storm near this point.
From Jasper Lake, Lupe headed NNW up a rocky ridge towards Two Bits Lake. On the other side of the ridge was a series of little lakes and ponds scattered among the rocks and grassy areas. Once up on the ridge, instead of heading N for Two Bits Lake again (which Lupe had reached just 3 days earlier), this time Lupe stayed farther W. She wound her way around to cross the stream which comes from Two Bits Lake just downstream of Triskele Lake.
Beyond the ridge NNW of Jasper Lake. A sliver of Triskele Lake is seen beyond this pond toward the left side of this photo.Lupe takes a break near the pond before reaching Triskele Lake in the Beartooth Mountains.Lupe investigates something interesting near the stream below Triskele Lake.
Lupe and SPHP were happy. Lupe was now exploring new country. It was all wonderful! Lupe and SPHP climbed NNW up the big ridge beyond Triskele Lake. Lupe kept coming to one false top after another. It was very rough country, but not a dangerous climb.
When Lupe finally reached the top of the ridge, there was a grand view from the SE to the SW all the way around to the NW. There were many high mountains in view. Relatively close by and most dramatic was Lonesome Mountain(11,399 ft.) back to the S. Nearby and for the first time, Lupe and SPHP could now see Donelson and Maryott Lakes below to the WNW.
Lupe up on the ridge NNW of Triskele Lake and W of Two Bits Lake. Lupe is enjoying a view of the SE end of Donelson Lake. Photo looks SW.Donelson Lake and a bit of Maryott Lake beyond. Looks like very interesting territory to explore! Photo looks SW. Beartooth Mountains, Montana.Donelson (closest) and Maryott (farthest) Lakes from higher up. The W arm of Donelson Lake is seen beyond the little ridge at the left side of the photo.
Once up on the ridge, SPHP had expected it to be relatively easy to find High Pass where Lupe needed to go to get to Sky Pilot Lake, but even with the topo map it was hard to figure out exactly which way to go. Lupe and SPHP kept climbing along the ridgeline heading N and scrambling around the boulder fields trying to figure out which way was the easiest way to High Pass. The boulder fields really slowed progress down. SPHP could now see what looked like a line of storms developing to the W, and some big clouds that looked a bit threatening to the N of the high ridge hiding Sky Pilot Lake.
Lonesome Mountain(11,399 ft.) as seen from the ridge W of Two Bits Lake and NNW of Triskele Lake.Our intrepid American Dingo, Lupe, rests above Donelson and Maryott Lakes in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana on 7-17-13.
After much consulting of the maps and gazing at the terrain to the N, SPHP could see 3 possible ways that might lead to High Pass. The closest one was the westernmost. SPHP thought Lupe was too far W for it to be the right one, but although steep, it looked relatively easy to climb.
Since it was taking so long to traverse the endless boulder fields, SPHP didn’t want to go to the E to check out the other possibilities. SPHP decided Lupe would just climb this closest big ridge, which was directly N of the ridge Lupe was on. It took a while to get up there, but Lupe and SPHP finally got to the top.
Lupe reaches the top of the ridge about 0.67 mile NNE of Donelson Lake and just W of High Pass. This was her high point reached at around 11,120 feet. The jagged mountains N of High Pass are now in view.
At the top was a huge view in almost every direction. For the first time Lupe and SPHP could see farther N. SPHP had been right. Lupe’s climb up to this N ridge was W of the best access to High Pass. A few hundred feet below, Lupe and SPHP could see High Pass and High Pass Lake. Some dramatic towering jagged mountains including Sky Pilot Mountain(12,047 ft.) were in view beyond High Pass Lake.
High Pass Lake. SPHP believes the mountain at the L is the SE ridge and a false summit of Sky Pilot Mountain(12,047 ft.). The mountain seen in the center beyond the gap is probably Whitetail Peak(12,551 ft.). Photo looks NNE. Beartooth Mountains, Montana, 7-17-13Lonesome Mountain from the ridge just to the W above High Pass. In the far distance beyond Lonesome Mountain to the L a small portion of Island Lake is seen. The far side of the lake is where Lupe started this long day hike! Photo looks S.
By now the storm clouds to the W & N looked closer. SPHP realized there wasn’t a lot of time to dawdle. High Pass is 10,800+ feet and Lupe had climbed several hundred feet higher than that. Lupe was probably somewhere around 11,120+ feet. Lupe and SPHP worked on down the other side of the ridge into High Pass. Despite the need to hurry, it was slow going. Once down in the pass, the going was much easier. Lupe and SPHP headed N past High Pass Lake up to a small ridge. SPHP hoped to see Sky Pilot Lake from this ridge, but was disappointed when it was not visible from there.
There was one more ridge to the N, a bit lower, but which was hiding some land in a big cirque. SPHP thought Sky Pilot Lake might be just beyond that ridge. SPHP certainly hoped it would be. SPHP could see that there was a gigantic canyon ahead heading off to the NE. Lupe shouldn’t go very far down into the gigantic canyon to find Sky Pilot Lake, given the developing weather conditions. This last ridge was as far as SPHP was willing to go. So Lupe went down to the lower ridge. The first thing that Lupe saw was the upper end of the big cirque beyond the ridge.
The big cirque as viewed from the final (lower) ridge. Snow, yes, but not looking like a glacier to SPHP no matter what the topo map showed!
The topo map showed a glacier in the big cirque. Although there was a considerable amount of snow, it really didn’t look like much. It certainly didn’t look like there was a glacier any more. More disappointingly, Sky Pilot Lake was not visible. Lupe and SPHP headed a bit further to the NNE up to the end of the ridge. There, nearby, but hundreds of feet below Lupe, was Sky Pilot Lake! Lupe had succeeded in finding it!
Lupe rests on the final ridge above beautiful Sky Pilot Lake in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana 7-17-13Sky Pilot Lake (10,478 ft.) shines beautifully in the sunlight. Whitetail Peak(12,551 ft.) is shrouded by clouds to the N.
Sky Pilot Lake was a very beautiful lake! It shimmered with a gorgeous blue-green color when the sun shone on it. SPHP wished it hadn’t taken so long to get here, because it would have been great to go down to the shore of the lake and see it from there. However, it was getting late and the weather looked increasingly ominous. It clouded up, but then blue sky came out again. Lupe and SPHP sat high up near the end of the little ridge looking at the great view of Sky Pilot Lake. Lupe rested and had some Taste of the Wild and water.
The SE arm of Sky Pilot Mountain, which is a false summit.Looking E from the ridge SW of Sky Pilot Lake and N of High Pass. The mountain at L may be the W side of Beartooth Mountain(12,351 ft.).SE arm and false summit of Sky Pilot Mountain (L) and Whitetail Peak (center).
Lupe and SPHP had been there maybe 20 minutes or more when Lupe started hearing thunder in the distance. Reluctantly, SPHP decided Lupe had better get going. After a last glance at Sky Pilot Lake, as fast as SPHP could manage, Lupe and SPHP scrambled back over to High Pass and High Pass Lake. Soon it completely clouded up and started to sprinkle. SPHP had raingear in the backpack, but did not stop to put it on.
Lupe got over High Pass and had just barely started down the S side of the pass when the storm hit with driving rain. Soon there was hail, too. The hail was only pea-sized, but still stung a bit. SPHP saw an especially big rock nearby with a little bit of an overhang. Lupe and SPHP headed for it. Arriving at the big rock, SPHP got Lupe under the overhang and out of the hail. There was room for SPHP’s head under there too, but that was it. At least the backpack provided some protection, too. Still, it was a good thing the hail didn’t get any bigger, or SPHP would have been pounded. Lupe and SPHP hid there under the overhang for a few minutes while it hailed and SPHP got drenched.
The hail let up pretty soon. Lupe and SPHP got going again. It was still raining, but not as hard. More concerning, lightning was now not too far away, and there was frequent thunder. The lightning was really the scariest thing. Lupe needed to lose elevation as fast as possible. Lupe and SPHP were way too high up and easy targets. As far as SPHP could see to the W (and SPHP could see a long way from here!), there were more storm clouds.
Lupe and SPHP scrambled onward. Sometimes it rained harder again, but mostly it was relatively light. Thankfully, it didn’t hail again. From the sound of the thunder, lightning was close, but still a little ways away. Lupe and SPHP made it all the way down through the biggest boulder fields and crossed the stream below Triskele Lake again. Lupe and SPHP were utterly alone. The scenery seemed even more beautiful, dramatic and wild in the storm. Once past the stream, Lupe and SPHP headed up and over the ridge to the S and down to Jasper Lake.
Lupe and SPHP were heading around the E side of Jasper Lake when the storm hit hard again. It poured rain and hailed again, but the hail was so tiny it didn’t do anything. This time though, the lightning was now close. It flashed all around and thunder roared, echoing in the mountains. Lupe and SPHP crouched down beside a big boulder not far from the shore of Jasper Lake. There Lupe waited for the storm to pass. It was an amazing view. The surface of Jasper Lake danced with raindrops while lightning struck Lonesome Mountain on the other side of the lake.
After 10 or 15 minutes, the rain let up quite a bit. The lightning and thunder moved away to the E. Lupe and SPHP got going again. Lupe and SPHP got up over the ridge S of Jasper Lake and started heading for Albino Lake. Although occasionally thunder and lightning threatened again, it was never as bad as at Jasper Lake and never again caused Lupe to seek cover. It rained, but not hard. Eventually the rain diminished to become just a light sprinkle. At times it quit entirely. The clouds broke up and the half moon was out.
Lupe had fun exploring. There no more mishaps the rest of the way to the G6. It got so dark, SPHP had to start using the flashlight before Lupe was even back to Mutt & Jeff Lakes. For hours, Lupe continued to see lightning in the darkness far to the SE. SPHP was tired, but still felt amazingly good. Lupe seemed to feel the same way. Lupe made it back to the G6 back at the Island Lake trailhead at 11:42 PM. It was 50°F.
By 12:30 PM, Lupe and SPHP were back at camp at the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. It looked like it had really rained hard there. SPHP was tempted to sleep in the G6, but Lupe wanted to go in her “tiny house” (tent). So SPHP got rid of the water in the tiny house and put things in order. Sometime around 1:00 AM, Lupe and SPHP sacked out in the tiny house.
At nearly 15.5 hours, this was Lupe and SPHP’s longest day hike in the Beartooths on her 2013 Dingo Vacation, and the most spectacular. It had also been the most dangerous, when Lupe and SPHP got caught in the storm up in High Pass at around 10,800 feet elevation. Sometime it would be fun to explore the high country around Donelson and Maryott Lakes. SPHP was very happy Lupe did get to see Sky Pilot Lake, which was very pretty and remote. The peaks nearby and the gigantic canyon to the NE below Sky Pilot Lake were most impressive too.
A year later, Lupe returned to the Beartooth Mountains as part of her 2014 Dingo Vacation. On 8-3-14 she climbed Lonesome Mountain, which she had passed by this day on the way to Sky Pilot Lake.
Whitetail Peak beyond Sky Pilot Lake, Beartooth Mountains, Montana 7-17-13
SPHP started thinking that maybe Lupe could ride the Sulphur Mountain gondola. Sulphur Mountain has a wonderful commanding view of Banff and the Bow River Valley. The gondola ride to the top is a very popular attraction. SPHP drove over there, but it was a madhouse. The giant parking lot was full and busloads of more people were arriving all the time. When SPHP found out it was $35.00 per ticket to ride the gondola, SPHP didn’t even bother to ask if Lupe could go. SPHP seemed to be the only cheapskate in Canada, though. People were lined up in droves to pay it.
Although it was great to be in Banff, SPHP was ready to be done with crowds. There were many more things for people to do in Banff, but not that many for American Dingoes and Carolina Dogs. SPHP was satisfied that Lupe had had a chance to experience Banff. It had been 4 days now since the big adventure to Sky Pilot Lake in the Beartooths. It was time to get out of town and go explore some mountain trails! Lupe was ready for some action! So, early on the afternoon of 7-21-13, Lupe and SPHP left beautiful Banff heading W in the G6 on Trans-Canada Hwy No. 1 looking for adventure.
