Lupe – Page 3 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 336 – Peak 6927, Peak 7031 & Peak 6987 (11-10-24)

10:09 AM, 42ºF, USFS Road No. 291 – A roomy flat spot on the L in front of several big stones placed to prevent any vehicle traffic on abandoned USFS Road No. 291.4H was a perfect spot to stash the RAV4. Lupe leapt out as soon as SPHP opened the door.

Mild, no wind, a few wispy clouds in a bright blue sky, and a little snow on the ground. What more could you want on a November day in the Black Hills high country?

At the **start of abandoned USFS Road No. 291.4H**. Photo looks SSE.

Looks like a fabulous day ahead of us, SPHP! What’s the plan?

It’s pretty simple, Loop. We’ll wander E up the Heely Creek valley from here until we’re S of Hat Mountain (6,783 ft.), then explore farther S. Goal is to tag 3 peaks near the E edge of the limestone plateau country, then circle back past Ditch Creek campground and the Dragon Caves.

Apparently approving this plan, the Carolina Dog set off. Following a remnant of USFS Road No. 291.4H, Lupe quickly came to a fallen tree trunk blocking the road. Going around it, the way ahead was open. A single track trail along the N side of Heely Creek led up a grassy valley.

The valley turned S, then curved NE for a little way, before broadening out and heading E. On the shadier S side of Heely Creek, 3 or 4 inches of crusty snow covered the ground. The sunny N side of the creek where the trail was had little, if any, snow at all.

The unmaintained trail was in great shape. Photo looks E.

A bit of ancient, rotten deadfall was about the only obstacle. Photo looks NE.

An old road not shown on the map appeared over on the S side of Heely Creek. Venturing over there, Lupe had no problem walking on the snow covering this road. Hat Mountain (6,783 ft.) was in sight off to the NE.

**Hat Mountain** (L), **Peak 6612** (R). Photo looks ENE.

However, the crusty snow wasn’t strong enough to hold SPHP’s weight. Breaking through the surface with every step required more effort than it was worth. After a little bit of that, SPHP returned to the N side of the Heely Creek. The trail was muddy along in here, but walking on the grass next to it was easy enough.

Before long, the trail joined another road not shown on the map. Staying on the grass was the best bet here, as well. The valley was very wide and shallow as Lupe followed this road ENE toward Peak 6612.

At the **trail/road junction**. **Peak 6612** (Center). Photo looks ENE.

In the **broad, shallow valley**. Photo looks E.

S of Hat Mountain, the muddy dirt road led to a junction with ATV route No. 6069. After pausing briefly for a look back down the scenic valley, Lupe headed S on No. 6069. The road soon crossed Heely Creek, then led up into the forest.

**Heely Creek valley** from the junction with **ATV route No. 6069**. Photo looks W.

Crossing **Heely Creek** on **No. 6069**. Photo looks SW.

In the forest on a N slope, the roads were even muddier and often snowy or icy. A relatively short climb SW on No. 6069 led to a junction with No. 6004 (USFS Road No. 691.1I). Turning E (L) on No. 6004, a short level stretch quickly led to a junction with ATV route No. 6005.

At the **junction of ATV routes No. 6069 and No. 6004**. Photo looks ESE.

No. 6004 continued E on the level, while No. 6005, the snowiest road yet, climbed somewhat steeply S.

We go up, SPHP?

You know it, Sweet Puppy!

Starting up **ATV route No. 6005**. Photo looks SSE.

No. 6005 climbed to yet another junction. Leveling out here, No. 6005 turned W. The other road, which was also fairly flat, went E. This road was unmarked and appeared to be long abandoned.

Now what, SPHP?

Hmm. Not sure, Looper. We may have reached the level of old USFS Road No. 691.1D. If so, maybe we should head W (R) on No. 6005. If No. 6005 is No. 691.1D’s current designation, it will curve up around to the region SW of Peak 6927, dead-ending at around 6,700 feet. That wouldn’t leave us much of an off-road climb.

And if we go E (L)? Where will that take us, SPHP?

0.33 mile would get us to USFS Road No. 691, aka Williams Draw Road.

Going W (R) made more sense, but No. 691.1D, if that’s what it really was, was muddy that way. Toward the E (L), the road was grassy to the point of almost not being a road at all. Much more appealing!

Eh, we’ll get to to Peak 6927 either way. Let’s head E, Loopster.

On the **E remnant** (maybe) **of USFS Road No. 691.1D**. Photo looks ESE.

At first, travel on No. 691.1D was easy. The American Dingo followed the grassy remnant with ease, but soon the road started angling downhill into a region thick with deadfall, essentially disappearing among it. The now rather steep snowy slope to the S also had quite a bit of deadfall.

We zigged when we should have zagged, SPHP.

A fine tradition, Loopster. Guess we start your first ascent in earnest here.

Starting up the **snowy, deadfall-laden slope**. Photo looks SSE.

As Lupe climbed S through the slippery obstacle course, a glance at the topo map, which had finally loaded on the iPhone, persuaded SPHP that angling SW might actually be better. Lupe had no objections. She was having a blast exploring the forest.

Exploring the **snowy forest**. Photo looks SW.

Reaching a stand of aspens amid the pine forest, the aspens were not only much easier to travel through, but conveniently extended SW in the very direction Lupe needed to go. A gradual climb soon led to a snowy clearing, which appeared to be the turnaround point at the end of yet another unmarked road that came in from the E.

What road is this, SPHP?

I have no idea, Loop. Must come from No. 691, though, and we don’t need to go that way at this point.

Keep exploring SW, then?

Yup. Peak 6927, or bust, Loopster!

The aspens gave out shortly after leaving the dead-end clearing. Pines thick with low bushes made progress more difficult. Often blocked by dense forest to the SW, the easiest route kept being more directly S, but this was putting the Carolina Dog on steeper and steeper terrain.

In the **dense, bushy forest**. Photo looks SW.

Gads! We’re about to wind up on the steepest part of the mountain, Loop.

Your innate navigation skills strike again, SPHP, despite your acquisition of that iPhone and GPS!

Oh, well. It didn’t matter. Trudging almost due S straight up a steep slope full of snow, trees, and deadfall, sunlight appeared between the pines ahead, indicating a top. Steepest part of the mountain, or not, the American Dingo was going to succeed in making it up onto a ridge.

Climbing toward **Peak 6927’s NW ridge**. Photo looks S.

Approaching the crest of the ridge, limestone formations were visible only a short distance W.

Let’s go over that way, SPHP! Maybe there’s a view from those rocks?

Approaching **limestone formations (R) near the end of Peak 6927’s NW ridge**. Photo looks WSW.

Reaching the first limestone outcropping, Lupe scrambled up onto it. From the top of a cliff, she enjoyed a view of Hat Mountain (6,783 ft.) and part of the Heely Creek valley. Terry Peak (7,069 ft.) was visible on the horizon in the same direction, but was very far away.

**Hat Mountain** (R) with **Terry Peak** on the far horizon beyond. Photo looks NNW.

More limestone cliffs were nearby, a little higher than the formation Lupe had scrambled up onto. She did some exploring near them, too, but without discovering a better, readily accessible viewpoint.

Exploring the **limestone cliffs**. Photo looks SW.

These cliffs were slightly below the end of Peak 6927’s NW ridge. The sunlit ridge was broad and dry where Lupe first reached it, pine needles and plenty of deadfall covering a region of otherwise open forest.

On **Peak 6927’s NW ridge**. Photo looks SE.

About time we found the summit, Looper. We’re not that far from it.

Picking a way through the deadfall, a gradual climb SE soon led to half a foot of snow in a much shadier region.

**Closing in on the snowy summit of Peak 6927**. Photo looks SE.

12:26 PM, 55ºF, Peak 6927 – What a mess! Lupe arrived at the summit to find it dominated by juniper bushes, deadfall, shattered trees, and snow. Despite how many trees had fallen, enough were still standing to reduce what might otherwise have been excellent views to mere glimpses.

Standing in exactly the right spot, Hat Mountain’s summit and a slice of Deerfield Reservoir were in sight at the same time. Narrow glimpses of other mountains were possible, too, but moving around was so difficult that it was hardly worth the effort.

At **Peak 6927’s summit**. Photo looks ESE.

A mere glimpse of **Hat Mountain** (Center) and **Deerfield Reservoir** (R). Photo looks N.

Gently shaking Lupe’s paw, SPHP congratulated the American Dingo on her successful ascent, then looked for a place to sit down. Brushing the snow off a fallen tree trunk provided a halfway decent perch, but Lupe was left standing, paws in the snow, half-buried in bushes.

Sorry, Loopster. Not the best situation for you, is it?

A chocolate coconut bar would help, SPHP.

After sharing the eagerly anticipated chocolate coconut bar, and having some Taste of the Wild, Lupe laid down on the snow.

Oh, you poor thing! You know, tradition, or not, we don’t have to spend an entire hour here, Looper. No sense in freezing your tummy. With 3 peaks on the agenda, if we spend 20 minutes at each one, that would amount to an hour. In fact, with days as short as they are this time of year, we really can’t afford to spend an entire hour on each mountain.

Cheating, but I like how you think, SPHP. Let me know when 20 minutes is up!

20 minutes shot by. Satisfied that she’d enjoyed an entirely sufficient Peak 6927 experience, the Carolina Dog headed SE. The ridge was broad and nearly level going this way. Soon past the worst of the snow, bushes, and deadfall, Lupe came to a significantly better view than any to be had back at Peak 6927’s summit. Peak 7062 and Gillette Prairie were in sight.

**Gillette Prairie** (L & Center), **Peak 7062** (R). Photo looks ESE.

Peak 7062 looks like a better summit, SPHP. Will we get that far today?

Oh, it is better, Loop. We were there once a long time ago after visiting Green Mountain (7,176 ft.), but no, we aren’t going to get that far.

Too bad, SPHP. What’s next?

Peak 7031, Looper. It’s only 0.5 mile S of here.

Meandering S through a maze of bushes, kinnikinnick, deadfall, and young doghair pines, progress was fairly decent at first, but after hitting a low point on a broad saddle, Lupe encountered much more snow and deadfall as the terrain sloped up again.

Heading S in search of Peak 7031. Photo looks S.

**Peak 7031** dead ahead! It really wasn’t all that much higher. Photo looks S.

Back into the thick of bushes and deadfall on **Peak 7031’s N slope**. Photo looks S.

1:25 PM, 56ºF, Peak 7031 – After what seemed like a ridiculously tough, slow slog up a gentle N slope, the terrain leveled out as Lupe reached a large, nearly flat region. Peak 7031’s summit was a mess, too, but not quite as badly cramped with obstacles as Peak 6927 had been.

A couple pieces of deadfall stacked one on the other initially seemed to be at about the true summit, but wandering roughly 150 feet farther W, the ground proved to be marginally higher.

At **Peak 7031’s E high point**. Photo looks WSW.

**Peak 7031’s true summit**. Photo looks NW.

I like this summit better, SPHP. More room to move around. Still doesn’t have any views, though.

Yes, another nice, quiet place in the forest is about all Peak 7031 amounts to, Loop. Let’s see if we can find a spot where there isn’t so much snow to sit down.

Going only 5 feet down a nearby S slope, some snow-free terrain met the basic requirements for a decent break spot. After dumping the pack, SPHP shook Lupe’s paw for the 2nd time today.

At the **break spot immediately S of the summit**. Photo looks SSW.

Congratulations, Loopster! You’ve bagged another peak. A harder one than the topo map led us to believe.

SPHP munched on an apple. Lupe had more Taste of the Wild. After a short rest on the nice, dry forest floor, the Carolina Dog suddenly leapt to her paws and started barking up several nearby trees. A bit puzzling, since SPHP couldn’t detect anything unusual among the treetops.

What’s this ruckus all about, Loop? Just practicing barking at squirrels? I don’t see or hear any.

Lupe made no response. Evidently, she was convinced something was up there, because the shrill bark of the Dingo rang through the forest for several more minutes before she came over to lie down next to SPHP.

A pleasant 25 minutes on Peak 7031, and the American Dingo was on her way again. Only one more peak to go!

About to depart from **Peak 7031**. Photo looks SSW.

Venturing SW on terrain that didn’t have quite so many obstacles, Lupe soon reached a barbed wire fence. Immediately beyond the fence, a road cut through a small clearing.

At **USFS Road No. 691.1C**. Photo looks SSW.

Wonder where this road goes, SPHP? Does your map show it?

Yup. This is USFS Road No. 691.1C, Loopster. It won’t take us where we want to go, but if we turn L (SE) here, we can follow it a little way.

A short, easy stint on No. 691.1C helped speed things along a bit before Lupe abandoned the road to return to the forest.

Following **USFS Road No. 691.1C**. Photo looks S.

At a snowy spot shortly before abandoning the road at the curve ahead. Photo looks S.

After leaving No. 691.1C, a gradual climb SW led to a region within a large 7,000 foot contour on the topo map. Turning SSE, Lupe went over the highest spot shortly before reaching a flat clearing. A dip beyond the clearing brought her to another unmarked road (ATV route No. 6010).

At the **7,000+ foot clearing**. Photo looks SE.

Crossing **ATV route No. 6010**. Photo looks SE.

Continuing SE after crossing this road, Lupe reached another high spot in the forest after a slight, gradual climb. The high ground angled S, but the forest was more open a little farther E, so the Carolina Dog lost a bit of elevation in exchange for easier travel.

Shadows were lengthening when Lupe came to another road.

**ATV route No, 6009**, the **last road N of Peak 6987**. Photo looks NW.

Almost there, Loop!

Almost where, SPHP?

Peak 6987, Loopster, final summit of the day. Can’t be much farther.

Maybe not, but the road didn’t go that way.

2:40 PM, 55ºF, Peak 6987 – Most of the route here from Peak 7031 really hadn’t been bad, but the last 0.1 mile was once again a struggle amid bushes and deadfall. The true summit proved to be a small, flat, slightly elevated region bordered by juniper bushes. Situated along the E edge of a broad ridge, the summit was only marginally higher than the rest of the terrain in other directions.

**Peak 6987 summit**. The highest ground is at far R. Photo looks N.

Upon arrival, Lupe continued S beyond the true summit, hoping to get a better view of Peak 7025 and Peak 7062 off to the ENE. However, the Carolina Dog couldn’t find a completely unobstructed view.

**Peak 7025** (L) behind the tree, **Peak 7062** (L of Center). Photo looks ENE.

Returning to the true summit, Lupe laid down, facing the slanting rays of the late afternoon sun.

Relaxing on **Peak 6987**. Photo looks WNW.

Great job, Loop! 3 peaks in one day! How many hundreds of dead trees and branches did you have to leap over to get here?

Lupe didn’t say much, but the tired look on her face said plenty.

Chocolate coconut bar, SPHP?

Yes, I have one more.

SPHP shook Lupe’s paw, then split the second, final chocolate coconut bar of the day with her. Lupe then had more Taste of the Wild, while SPHP drank a vanilla Equate.

Peaceful, quiet, remote. Although high territory for the Black Hills, by most standards, none of the peaks Lupe visited today really had much to commend them. They offered little in the way of views or particularly interesting terrain, and were needlessly difficult to get to due mainly to the annoying amount of deadfall.

Yet it had been fun exploring, not seeing anyone the entire day. Sitting alone here together, late on a November afternoon amid the colors and minute details of nature suddenly felt sublime. A moment in time to be cherished, in a place seldom seen.

3:03 PM, Peak 6987 –

We must have been here 20 minutes by now, SPHP. The sun is sinking.

Yup, a little more than that, Loop. Suppose we better skedaddle.

Leaving Peak 6987, likely forever, Lupe headed back N through the bushes and deadfall. When she reached the last road she’d come to on the way here, it was that magical time of day when the sunlight filtering through the trees made the forest glow.

Back on the **snowy road 0.1 mile N of Peak 6987**. Photo looks NNW.

Beautiful! Still plenty of fun exploring to do, too, Loopster. Let’s see where this road will take us. Too late to wander back off-road.

I like the sound of that, SPHP. Follow me!

A short, easy rise and the road leveled out. Lupe soon came to a signed junction. The road she’d just been on was ATV route No. 6009, and she’d just reached No. 6010 (USFS Road No. 612.1C).

Heading SW on No. 6010, Lupe descended a long, mostly open slope. SPHP had to stay on the grass again much of the time due to all the mud. After losing substantial elevation, a junction appeared where No. 6010 veered L. Lupe went R on a flat, grassy route that was more appealing.

Starting down **ATV route No. 6010**. Photo looks SW.

At the **bottom of the long slope**. Photo looks SW.

On a **branch of USFS Road No. 612**. Photo looks W.

The grassy route didn’t pan out. The road soon turned NE and started to climb. Lupe did get to see a small herd of deer here, which was exciting, and making a course correction was easy. Turning SW, the Carolina Dog left the road, beginning a gradual descent through a long valley.

About to head down the valley. Photo looks SW.

Near the start of USFS Road No. 612.1B, Lupe passed a large, white water storage tank. Crossing the road, the valley continued SSW, eventually leading to a junction where ATV route No. 6008 (USFS Road No. 612.1A) branched off to the L, heading SE. Intercepting ATV route No. 6010 (USFS Road No. 612) again here, it went R.

Approaching the **water storage tank**. **USFS Road No. 612.1B** ahead. Photo looks SW.

An easy romp down the long valley. Photo looks SW.

At the **junction of ATV routes No. 6008 (L) and No. 6010 (R)**. Photo looks SSW.

Taking No. 6010, the road soon turned NW. A long, icy descent was ahead. Still the better part of a mile back to USFS Road No. 291, and from there, more than 3 miles back to the RAV4. Passing the deserted Ditch Creek campground, and eventually the turn to the Dragon Caves in the growing gloom, there was no traffic at all, only the sound of snow crunching beneath boot and paw as night came on. (End 5:15 PM, 33ºF)

**USFS Road No. 612** on the way back from **Peak 6927**, **Peak 7031** & **Peak 6987**, Black Hills of South Dakota 11-10-24

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Sapper Hill, Nahoni Range, Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon Territory, Canada (8-19-23)

Day 27 & Part 1 of Day 28 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska!

8-17-23, 10:10 PM – Back at the gravel yard used as a trailhead, spirits were running high. Mount Hare (4,052 ft.) had been an unexpected success! Lupe and SPHP were both full of Dinty Moore beef stew, and the American Dingo had spent much of the evening happily chomping away on a Busy Rib Hide and a Dingo stick as rewards for her intrepid journey. Now, comfortably situated on her pink blanket, she was all ears, listening to SPHP’s dissertation on what might be.

Well fed, comfy, and all ears during the late evening planning session.

I feel great! Don’t you, Loop?

Simply fantastic, SPHP! What’cha thinking for tomorrow’s exploits?

If this weather will hold just one more day for us, we can still go back to the Northwest Territories tomorrow, and climb Peak 1402M! Tag that one, and you will have visited every peak on your list of possibilities in the Richardson Mountains on this Dingo Vacation. A complete success!

That would be awesome, SPHP, but do we have enough fuel to do that without getting ourselves stranded?

Yes, I’ve been thinking about that, Loopster. Even if we go back, we still ought to be able to make it to Eagle Plains once were done with 70 extra miles worth of fuel to spare.

8-18-23, 12:34 PM, 51ºF – So much for that bright idea. The sky had been glumly overcast all morning. Last evening’s clearing trend was long gone. Not a hint of blue sky. A rain shower passed through a little while ago, and it was breezy, even down here.

Trip journal’s caught up, Loop. I’m calling it. The weather isn’t that bad, but it isn’t very good, either. Peak 1402M isn’t happening. Too chancy. Even if we drove clear back there, it’s so late now that an attempt would have to wait until tomorrow, anyway.

So we’re heading S to Eagle Plains, SPHP?

Yup, and beyond, Sweet Puppy! First stop, the Arctic Circle.

Even though the Arctic Circle wasn’t much farther, that wasn’t entirely true. Struck by the beauty of the Richardson Mountains foothills under a gloomy sky, SPHP stopped briefly for a quick look.

**Richardson Mountains foothills** (L) a few miles N of the Arctic Circle. Photo looks SE.

8-18-23, 12:49 PM, the Arctic Circle – This was going to be about it as far as decent views of the Richardson Mountains on this Dingo Vacation. Lupe hopped out of the RAV4 for a final look around.

At the **Arctic Circle display** along the **Dempster Highway**. Photo looks E.

Sadly, time for the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood to bid farewell to the true Arctic for another year, Loopster.

We had fun, and a lot of success, didn’t we, SPHP?

Sure did, Loop. An epic trip! Remember 2019? This was as far N as we got. A blizzard forced us to turn tail and flee S.

And this year we didn’t see a thing here on our way N due to the smoke of the Arctic apocalypse, SPHP. A beautiful view today, though.

Certainly was! For 15 minutes, Lupe and SPHP hung around enjoying it before continuing the drive S.

**Yukon Territory** from the **Arctic Circle**. Photo looks SSE.

Final view of the **Richardson Mountains**. Photo looks NE.

On the way to Eagle Plains, enormous regions of blackened boreal forest that had burned during this summer’s Arctic apocalypse were evident. Happily, the fires were all out now, and the smoke that had been here not so long ago was completely gone.

8-18-23, 2:00 PM, Eagle Plains – SPHP enjoyed a club sandwich at the Arctic Circle restaurant then fueled up the RAV4. As always, it felt rather sad to be on the way S again after true Arctic adventures, but evidently it had been the right decision. Resuming the drive, the sky brightened, patches of blue appeared, and the temperature hit a comfortable 61ºF.

While SPHP admired the expansive views of the Eagle Plains from the high ridges that the Dempster Highway wound along, Lupe snoozed on her pink blanket. The RAV4 rolled on mile after mile, raising a great plume of dust. Eventually the Ogilvie Mountains came into view, and a long descent along Seven Mile Hill led down into the Ogilvie River valley.

8-18-23, 7:13 PM – After a scenic drive S up the big valley, the Dempster Highway turned SE, crossing a bridge over the Ogilvie River. Less than a km farther, SPHP parked the RAV4 at a roomy spot just off the highway right before the bridge over Engineer Creek.

Hey ho, sleepy Dingo! Had enough of a beauty rest yet? You ought to be ready for a stroll by now aren’t you?

Long ago, SPHP!

Great! We’re parked near the W end of Sapper Hill (3,084 ft.). Let’s get out, and see if we can find a good spot to begin an ascent tomorrow.

By the bridge over **Engineer Creek**. Photo looks SE.

The Carolina Dog no sooner leapt out of the RAV4 than, sniffing bushes along the edge of the parking area, she had important news to impart.

Found it, SPHP!

Found what, Loop?

The trail up Sapper Hill, silly!

There’s a trail? Are you sure? Show me!

It starts right here, SPHP.

15 feet from the RAV4, Lupe stood next to a boulder with a metal sign post by it, but no sign. On the ground, an arrow made of rocks pointed straight into the bushes.

At the **start of the Sapper Hill trail**. Photo looks NE.

Huh. This is great news, Loopster! I had no idea that there was a trail.

Following the trail into the bushes and partway up a rather steep slope revealed that this was indeed a continuous path, and not some fluke.

Alrighty, far enough, Looper. Weather permitting, we’ll take a shot at climbing Sapper Hill tomorrow. Too late to do it now.

Returning to the Dempster Highway, Lupe enjoyed an easy evening stroll all the way to the bridge over the Ogilvie River and back, then went the opposite direction almost all the way to the Engineer Creek campground before calling it good for the night.

**Mount Jeckell** (Center) from the **Dempster Highway**. Photo looks NW.

8-19-23, 7:50 AM, 48ºF, N side of the bridge over Engineer Creek – Overcast, but otherwise not a bad day. The weather seemed stable, not threatening at all, when the American Dingo passed the rock arrow and headed NE up into the bushes. The Sapper Hill trail climbed steeply for 100+ feet before reaching a more gentle slope overlooking the Dempster Highway and the distinctive orange-brown waters of Engineer Creek. Looking ENE, big rock formations were visible far up the forested slope.

Heading for the **massive rock formations** (L of Center) at the **W end of Sapper Hill**. Photo looks ENE.

Lupe had often seen Sapper Hill (3,084 ft.) from the Dempster Highway or the bridge over the Ogilvie River on two prior Dingo Vacations. It had always been of interest. Rising 1,000 feet above Engineer Creek, while Sapper Hill wasn’t a particularly big mountain, from the S it possessed a distinctive, easily-recognized appearance. A giant E/W running ridge with very steep sides, Sapper Hill featured a crest more than a km long capped by a line of massive gray rock formations of nearly equal height.

As the American Dingo climbed toward the formations at the upper W end of the mountain, the big question that had always existed was on SPHP’s mind. How difficult it was going to be to get to the true summit? Did Lupe even stand a chance of getting there? Depending on how hard maneuvering among the rocks would prove to be, it might be difficult just to identify the true summit, much less reach it.

Guess we’ll know the answer soon enough, Loopster.

Heading ENE through a thin boreal forest with a soft, thick tundra floor, the assistance provided by the unexpected trail made maintaining good progress during the ascent easy. The slope eventually steepened, and the trail soon turned N as it entering a clearing. The lowest rock formations at the W end of the Sapper Hill ridge were now directly ahead.

Entering the **clearing**. Photo looks NNE.

Heading for the **first rock formations** (R). **Mount Jeckell** (L). Photo looks N.

Just before reaching two giant pillars of rock, the main trail veered E, heading straight up a rather steep slope. However, a very short spur at this turn led directly toward the gap between the pillars.

A window on the world! Let’s go see what’s there, SPHP.

Approaching the **pillars**. Photo looks N.

The window framed a terrific view of Mount Jeckell (4,724 ft.) beyond the Ogilvie River and Dempster Highway 800 feet below.

**Mount Jeckell** (L of Center) from the **gap between the pillars**. Photo looks NW.

Wow! This first big view is awesome, SPHP.

Indeed! And of particular interest, too, Looper. Mount Jeckell is on your list of possibilities.

Exciting! Are we going to climb Mount Jeckell while we’re here, SPHP?

I don’t know, Loop. We’ll see. Mount Jeckell’s true summit is way over at the W end, farthest from the Dempster Highway. Hard to tell for sure from here, but what I can see looks pretty tough by our standards.

Returning to the main trail, Lupe followed it E, climbing steeply toward two enormous fins of rock with an even bigger gap between them.

Back on the **main trail**. Photo looks E.

Entering the big gap between the fins. Photo looks E.

The Sapper Hill trail went right through the gap between the big fins. The fin on the L (N) quickly proved to be more of another isolated pillar. Lupe was soon past it. However, the fin on the R (S) turned out to be the leading edge of a long, continuous, 50 foot high rock wall.

On the **N side of the wall of rock that continued E**. Photo looks ESE.

A glance back at the **pillar** (R of Center) that had been on the L on the way up. **Engineer Creek** and the **Ogilvie River** are seen below flowing toward their **confluence** (Center). Photo looks W.

As Lupe kept climbing and following the trail E, she was now trapped by the wall of rock on the N side of Sapper Hill, which dropped away very sharply. The trail stayed high, close to the wall where the terrain wasn’t that steep. Approaching another tall rock formation on the L, the trail leveled out as Lupe reached a pass.

The view from here was somewhat encouraging. Beyond a minor dip into a forested region, a series of rock formations ahead weren’t as tall and vertical as the others the Carolina Dog had come to so far.

Following the **rock wall** toward the **pass** (L of Center) ahead. Photo looks E.

We might be able to get to the tops of some of these high points, SPHP.

Yes, this definitely looks more promising, Loop. Let’s keep going, though, far enough to see if there’s anything higher ahead. If not, we’ll come back and try to identify and tag Sapper Hill’s summit.

Not to be! Beyond the dip, various rock formations were on both sides of the trail as Lupe climbed to a second pass that was a little higher. The trail continued E from here, now S of a long line of rock formations on the crest of the ridge. Lupe was still generally gaining a little elevation as the trail bounced up and down along a forested, sloping bench that was fairly wide, although sometimes the bench narrowed, putting the American Dingo near cliffs.

Now trapped on the S side of the mountain, the views were spectacular in that direction. Engineer Creek and the Dempster Highway were far below, with more of the Ogilvie Mountains visible beyond a region of lower, forested hills.

Heading down into the **dip** on the way to the **second pass** (Center). Photo looks ESE.

Above **cliffs** on the way E. **Engineer Creek** and the **Dempster Highway** (L) below. Photo looks SW.

The view from the first pass had been encouraging, but before getting too far, Lupe came to one that was not. In fact, it was a serious blow to her hopes of ever reaching the summit of Sapper Hill. Farther E, several prominent high points sat atop the most massive, continuous, vertical wall of rock yet. The closest high point was a big tower jutting skyward.

**Sapper Hill’s likely true summit** (L of Center). Photo looks E.

Not 100% certain yet, but that tower appears to be our objective, Loop.

We’re doomed, SPHP!

Looks that way, Looper. Sure can’t get to the top from this side. We need to find a way back over to the N side of the mountain. Maybe there’s a route up from there, if we can get to it?

Even SPHP had little faith in that notion, but the American Dingo might as well check out the possibilities. Continuing E, Lupe searched for an opportunity to get back over to the N side of the mountain. Her initial attempt well up on a rock wall led only to a dead end.

At the **dead end** (Center). Photo looks E.

Not gonna work, Loopster. Scary and dangerous. We better retreat.

Returning to the trail, SPHP kept hoping that it might lead up to the top of the ridge at some point. In the vicinity of the apparent summit would have been ideal, but anywhere might have helped. However, it never did. Instead, staying well below the crest of the ridge, the trail simply continued E.

Looking for a way up. **Potential summit** (R of Center). Photo looks E.

Below a jagged part of the ridge. Photo looks NW.

Still stuck on the **S side of the mountain**. Photo looks E.

Passing the vicinity of the currently unseen summit, Lupe kept going. The trail faded away. Occasional small cairns continued to mark the route, encouraging further exploration. The views were amazing, and the rock wall itself was incredibly scenic.

Below the **impassable wall**. Photo looks ENE.

An incredible view! **Engineer Creek** (Center & L), **Dempster Highway** (R of Center). Photo looks SE.

Same scene, zoomed in a bit from another vantage point. Photo looks SE.

However, the towering rock wall went on and on, and eventually the view ahead strongly suggested that this was far enough.

Think this is a about it, Sweet Puppy! Appears we’re never going to be able to get up to the top of the ridge, and the E end looks impassable, too. We can’t go around it.

We’re turning back, SPHP?

Yeah, might as well, Loop. It’s not happening. Even if we somehow find a spot where we can reach the ridgeline, we aren’t going to be able to get to the summit.

On the way back, we can still see how high we can get, can’t we, SPHP?

Sure, why not, Loopster?

The first attempt to get as high as possible on the mountain came shortly after starting back W. Ascending a very steep slope, Lupe managed to reach a cleft among the rocks just below a 4 foot drop. SPHP might have been able to get up onto a boulder above this cleft, but Lupe would have needed a boost. The highest rocks in this region appeared to be another 20 feet higher.

This will have to be good enough, Loop. Not going to boost you up there. Too dangerous. We might have a hard time getting back down safely.

Retreating, Lupe continued W. The scenery was a little different going this way.

**Dempster Highway** and **Engineer Creek** (far L). **Ogilvie River** (L of Center). Photo looks W.

The **scenic ridgeline**. Photo looks WNW.

Exploring a **steep slope**. Photo looks W.

A second attempt to get as high as possible came quite a bit farther W, at a spot where a ramp of vegetation so steep that SPHP was reduced to clinging to trees to get up it led to an easier slope that actually brought Lupe over to the N side of the ridge. The Carolina Dog managed to get close to a big knob along the ridgeline, but she couldn’t get up on it, which didn’t really matter, since the knob wasn’t the true summit.

Back on the **N side of the ridge** near the **knob along the ridgeline**. Photo looks E.

While the first attempt to get as high as possible might have been the highest point Lupe reached on Sapper Hill, getting to the ridgeline felt like more of an accomplishment. SPHP shook her paw.

Congratulations, Loopster! After simply driving by admiring it all these years, we finally made it up Sapper Hill (3,084 ft.)!

Well, thank you, SPHP, but are congratulations really in order? We never made it to the true summit. Don’t even really know how high we got, do we? Did you make a GPS track? What does it say?

Yes, we’ve got a GPS track, but how accurate it is elevation-wise, I don’t know, Loop. It claims we got to 3,119 feet. That’s 950 meters, and the topo map shows the highest contour as 940 meters, so it’s within reason. Yet we have to admit that from a peakbagging standpoint, this has been a fail. Even so, we did our best, and made it high on the mountain at multiple points. Not a total success, but a valiant effort!

It’s still disappointing that we didn’t get to the top, SPHP. On the other paw, for a small mountain, Sapper Hill has been truly amazing! It’s been fun exploring way up here. All these towering, dramatic rock formations along the crest of the ridge are impressive, and the views are spectacular! I’m glad we came.

8-19-23, 10:48 AM, 59ºF – Sapper Hill (3,084 ft.) – A bit E of the big knob, just below the crest of the ridge, there was a nice spot with a few trees and plenty of soft tundra where Lupe could relax in comfort. The views were tremendous, and a short rest break before heading back down the mountain seemed to be a good idea. While SPHP scanned the beautiful, unspoiled territory to the N, the American Dingo had water and a silver bowl of Taste the Wild, before curling up on the tundra.

Taking a break high on **Sapper Hill**. **Mount Jeckell** (far R). Photo looks WNW.

Of all the views to the N, the one toward the NNW was of most interest. Two peaks that had long been on Lupe’s list of possibilities were in sight, Mount Jeckell (4,724 ft.) and Peak 4265. A third coveted candidate, Transplant Mountain (4,331 ft.), remained hidden between them.

**Mount Jeckell** (far L), **Peak 4265** (far R). Photo looks NNW.

How do difficult do they look to you, SPHP?

Mount Jeckell looks tough, Loop. The W end where the true summit is, is likely too rugged for us. Peak 4265 is too far away to really tell. I see some rock bands that might cause us difficulty near the top, but maybe they don’t amount to anything? Based on the topo map, Transplant Mountain is probably easiest, but I can’t even see it from here.

15 minutes was about it for the break high on the N side of Sapper Hill. On the way back to the main trail, Lupe climbed an inspiring spire that served as a terrific Dingo perch with a fabulous view. Peak 4068, Mount Jeckell, the Ogilvie River, and the Dempster Highway were all in sight.

On the inspiring spire. **Peak 4068** (Center), **Mount Jeckell** (far R), **Ogilvie River** and **Dempster Highway** (R). Photo looks W.

**Sapper Hill’s most splendid Dingo perch**. **Peak 4068** (R). Photo looks W.

Another look with help from the telephoto lens. **Peak 4068** (R). Photo looks W.

The rest of the return was also very scenic. Once back to the Sapper Hill trail, it was all so perfectly easy, too! Near the W end of the mountain, the view approaching the first pass Lupe had come to on the way up was simply exquisite.

Heading back down to the main trail. Photo looks SW.

Approaching the **first pass** (Center) again. Photo looks W.

**First pass** (Center) in sunshine. Photo looks W.

8-19-23, 12:02 PM, 62ºF, at the RAV4 by the Engineer Creek bridge –

What a terrific half day adventure Sapper Hill turned out to be, Loopster! Wish we’d made it to the top, but I truly enjoyed it all the same.

Me, too, SPHP! So beautiful up there! What’s next, lunch?

Yeah, but not here. You’re going to have to wait a while, chow Dingo. How about lunch at the bubbling pond?

We’re heading S, SPHP? What about Mount Jeckell, Transplant Mountain, and Peak 4265? Aren’t we going to climb any of them?

Not so sure we’re even capable of doing them, Looper, so we’re going to try another peak where I believe we’ll stand a better chance of success. Thinking we should get into position for it this afternoon, since it’s way down at Tombstone Territorial Park.

Oh, I love Tombstone Park! That sounds awesome, too, SPHP!

The Carolina Dog was soon on her pink blanket ready for another very scenic drive S, but only a little more than a km after crossing the bridge over Engineer Creek, SPHP pulled into the Engineer Creek campground and parked the RAV4.

One more thing we’ve got to do here, Loopster! C’mon!

Trotting WNW back along the Dempster Highway, Lupe soon stopped.

Such a lovely day this has turned into! How’s this, SPHP?

Perfect, Loop. Got it! Thank you.

With the iconic view of Sapper Hill as seen from the Dempster Highway down by Engineer Creek captured on pixels, Lupe headed back to the RAV4, and the road to adventure. (End, 8-19-23, 12:22 PM)