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

East Glacier Gap Mountain, Amphitheater Mountains, Alaska (8-28-19)

Day 24 of Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

8-27-19, evening at the Glacier Gap to Sevenmile Lake trailhead, Denali Highway MP 31 –

So what does it say, SPHP?

Hah! Good news, lucky Dingo! Says here that the trail goes all the way to Sevenmile Mile Lake. 8.5 miles one way. The only caveat is that we have to be able to get across Rock Creek, a big stream 0.25 mile from here. Hopefully not a problem this time of year.

Awesome! We’ll get to see Sevenmile Lake then!

Oh, I think so! Should be an easy, absolutely beautiful trek.

Info posted at the **Glacier Gap to Sevenmile Lake** trailhead.

Wasn’t going to happen until tomorrow, of course. A fabulous evening to relax right here at the trailhead, though! Lupe had her Alpo, then eyed SPHP’s beef stew. Oh, alright! In nothing flat, the Carolina Dog polished off the beef stew, too. So much for dinner, aye? SPHP wandered over to read a plaque about the Tangle Lakes Archeological District while Loop sniffed around among the bushes.

Tangle Lakes Archeological District plaque.

**Glacier Gap** (L) from the trailhead. Photo looks N.

Hey, SPHP! Check out that mountain!

Which one?

The one just E of Glacier Gap. What do you think?

It’s lovely, Loop. Tomorrow morning you’ll get to see it up close. The trail will take us right by it on the way to Glacier Gap.

It’s pretty big, but doesn’t look that hard, does it? Do you think we could see Sevenmile Lake from up there?

**East Glacier Gap Mountain**. Photo looks N.

The more SPHP stared at East Glacier Gap Mountain (6,060 ft.), the more it seemed Lupe was right! Didn’t look like a technical climb at all. A big S slope right in the middle of the mountain looked perfectly doable. Just stroll on up!

You might be right, Loop! Let me take another look at that map again.

The trailhead map showed the trail getting fairly close to the base of the mountain. If SPHP could get through the bushy region by the trail up to the rocks, there didn’t appear to be any other obstacles to success. The mountain had two summits both contained in 6,000 ft. contours. Only the E summit had an elevation shown – 6,050 ft. Maybe that indicated it was the true summit?

Looks feasible, Looper! That mountain is still a few miles from Sevenmile Lake, though. We could probably see the middle part of the lake from up there, but not the whole thing. Want to climb the mountain instead of just taking the trail all the way to Sevenmile Lake?

Yes, let’s do it!

The sky cleared as darkness fell. A good omen!

8-28-19, 7:21 AM, 35ºF at the Glacier Gap to Sevenmile Lake trailhead – Sigh. A mere 3 hours ago, a slender crescent moon had hung low in the E sky, stars of the northern universe brilliant overhead. Cloudy out now, although not threatening. Still some blue stuff off to the NW.

Good enough! East Glacier Gap Mountain was a go. Loopster was ready! She hit the nice wide ATV or jeep route that left the trailhead heading NE. A gradual 0.25 mile descent soon brought the American Dingo to Rock Creek.

Looper about to leave the trailhead. Photo looks NE.

**Glacier Gap to Sevenmile Lake trail**.

Approaching **Rock Creek**. Photo looks NE.

The Rock Creek stream bed was 100 feet wide. Luckily only a fraction of it held flowing water. Even better, most of what water there was sank underground 200 feet downstream. Barely even a rock hop today. Lupe and SPHP were both across in nothing flat.

Crossing **Rock Creek**. **West Glacier Gap Mountain (6,050 ft.)** (R). Photo looks NW.

Beyond Rock Creek, the ATV trail was quite level as it continued NE. After a bit, the trail turned N. The terrain was slightly higher off to the E, so Lupe couldn’t see much that way. However, several big ponds were visible scattered across low-lying grasslands to the W.

Near the lowlands. **West Glacier Gap Mountain** (R). Photo looks NW.

Now headed toward East Glacier Gap Mountain, the trail slowly gained elevation. The morning sun broke through the clouds illuminating the fabulously colorful terrain. Lupe got up on a small ridge paralleling the trail. The top of the little ridge was a bit rocky and sparsely vegetated. The brilliant blood reds of the tundra were simply incredible!

Heading for **East Glacier Gap Mountain**. Photo looks N.

**Peak 4850 on Whistle Ridge** (Center) from the small ridge. Photo looks SSW.

**Peak 4716** (Center) at the far W end of **Whistle Ridge** (L). Photo looks WSW.

By the time the little ridge played out, the ATV trail was curving W. Loop could see another very similar ridge in that direction that was a larger version of the one she had just followed. The Glacier Gap to Sevenmile Lake trail swept right around the S end of it. The bigger ridge appeared to provide a great off-trail route to get closer to the base of East Glacier Gap Mountain while avoiding the dense bushes.

The ATV trail turns W. Lupe got back on it to reach the low ridge (R) in the foreground. She then turned N (R) following that ridge. Photo looks W.

This plan worked beautifully! Briefly returning to the Glacier Gap to Sevenmile Lake trail, Lupe followed it over to the bigger ridge. She then left the trail to climb up onto the ridge and follow it N. The American Dingo was soon gaining elevation at an ever faster clip as she closed in on East Glacier Gap Mountain (6,060 ft.).

Heading up the bigger ridge. **East Glacier Gap Mountain** dead ahead! Photo looks N.

Back to the S were beautiful views of Whistle Ridge where Lupe had been yesterday. She could see the whole thing, all the way from Peak 4716 at the W end to Peak 4850 and HP4757 at the E end.

**Whistle Ridge**. **Peak 4716** (R). Photo looks SW.

**HP4757** (straight up from Lupe) and **Peak 4850** just to the R of it. Photo looks SSW.

Climbing faster. **Glacier Gap** (L). **East Glacier Gap Mountain** (R). Photo looks NNW.

The **S end of Glacier Gap Lake** (Center) comes into view. **Peak 4716** (L). Photo looks W.

By the time this second ridge ended, Lupe was more or less already at the base of East Glacier Gap Mountain. She dropped down a little into a wide, shallow valley full of bushes and tufty grasses. Enough open area was present to easily avoid the bushes. While SPHP trudged higher, Loopster had a blast exploring as she roamed ahead.

At the base of the mountain. Photo looks N.

Roaming the wide shallow valley. Lupe avoided the steep rocky valley seen on the R, staying well E (R) of it. The knob on the L is **HP4660**. Photo looks NW.

After following the shallow valley higher for some distance, Lupe left it to start climbing more steeply up a rumpled region of moderately steep slopes. Separated by benches and ramps, each rise got the Carolina Dog 50 to 100 feet higher. Before long, Lupe was above bush line in a world of tundra and rock.

Starting up a series of slopes and benches. Photo looks N.

Taking a break. **Swede Mountain (4,660 ft.)** (Center). Photo looks SE.

Glancing back. **Peak 4716** (Center) beyond the **S end of Glacier Gap Lake**. Photo looks SW.

Toward the end, Lupe came to two particularly large benches. From the second bench, a steep golden ramp went N directly up the mountain. This was the steepest part of the entire ascent. The golden ramp was longer than it looked from below.

Ascending the golden ramp. Photo looks N.

Above the golden ramp, the tundra started to fail. The terrain remained quite steep and became increasingly rocky.

The slope finally decreased somewhat. Lupe was at least halfway up East Glacier Gap Mountain by now. A long rocky climb was still ahead. The ground was rough, but it was clear nothing was going to prevent the American Dingo from getting to the top! Loopster headed for the saddle between the E and W summits.

Still a long march higher to the **saddle** (Center) between the 2 summits. Photo looks N.

All of **Whistle Ridge** is in sight. **Peak 4850** (L) and **Peak 4716** (R). **S end of Glacier Gap Lake** (R). Photo looks SW.

**West Glacier Gap Mountain** (Center) beyond **Glacier Gap**. Photo looks NW.

**East Glacier Gap Mountain’s W summit** (straight up from Lupe). Photo looks N.

Nearing the ridgeline, Lupe veered a little E of the saddle. Nothing but rock the rest of the way!

Approaching the summit ridge. Photo looks NNE.

The Carolina Dog reached the ridgeline a short distance E of the saddle, but well above it. Her ascent from the S had been a straightforward non-technical feat. The N face of the mountain was shockingly different. Tremendous jagged cliffs plunged into a deep valley.

Looking E, a rugged ridgeline rose along the brink of fearsome drops. Cliffs extended all the way along the N face clear over to the W summit, too. However, it was plain that Lupe wouldn’t have a problem getting to the W summit if she stayed just a little S of the ridgeline. Several miles to the NNW was a sight Lupe had come to see.

Look, SPHP! That’s got to be Sevenmile Lake, doesn’t it?

Yup, yup. The middle of it anyway. We’re only seeing about 1/3 of it from here, but what a vantage point!

On the ridgeline. The **E summit** is the most distant point at Center. Photo looks E.

**W summit** (L). **Sevenmile Lake** (R) in the distance. Photo looks NNW.

Part of **Sevenmile Lake** (L) and the mountains beyond it. **Cumberland Peak (8,900 ft.)** (L of Center). Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.

Time for a break! Rock everywhere. Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap. The views were tremendous. Incredible here, but SPHP soon became leery of clouds gathering both to the SW and NW. Getting to both summits was going to take a while. Better not relax too long.

20 minutes after reaching the ridgeline, Loop was ready to press on. Which summit first? Sometimes right on top of the ridge, but generally staying a little S of it, the Carolina Dog headed E.

First objective: The **E summit** (Center). Photo looks E.

200 feet higher, if that. Skirting along the S side of the ridge worked fine. Rocky the entire way, but most of the time travel was relatively easy. Really wasn’t that far. Soon Lupe was approaching the E summit.

The E summit of East Glacier Gap Mountain (6,060 ft.) was smallish. A rough, flat area jutted out to the N. On a boulder near the N edge sat a cairn of 4 greenish stones splashed with white. Huge cliffs surrounded the cairn in all directions except S. The highest natural point was a large rock standing on end 15 feet S of the cairn.

Loopster at **East Glacier Gap Mountain’s E summit**. **W summit** (far L). **Sevenmile Lake** (Center). Photo looks NNW.

Propped up against the **highest natural rock**. **Peak 6100** (L). Photo looks NE.

To the E was a line of rugged peaks. The same to the W. It was hard to tell which of East Glacier Gap Mountain’s summits was highest. The E summit where Lupe was now seemed a tad higher, but the W summit was more than 0.5 mile away, and that might have been an illusion.

**Peak 6200** (Center). Photo looks ESE.

**West Glacier Gap Mountain (6,200 ft.)** (Center). **East Glacier Gap Mountain’s W summit** (R of Center) is in the foreground. Photo looks WNW.

The air was hazy to the S, so the views weren’t as impressive. Whistle Ridge and Swede Mountain (4,660 ft.) both looked small from here.

**Swede Mountain** (Center). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

**Whistle Ridge** (L). **S end of Glacier Gap Lake** (Center). Photo looks SW.

The scene to the N was the real attention grabber. A precipitous plunge ended down in a huge valley that drained NW toward Sevenmile Lake. Beyond the lake was another line of peaks somewhat lower than East Glacier Gap Mountain, but Lupe could see over them to a mightier snow-clad range harboring many snowfields and glaciers. Cumberland Peak (8,900 ft.) and Peak 8927 stood out from the rest.

**Sevenmile Lake** (Center) and **Cumberland Peak** (far R). Photo looks NNW.

**Cumberland Peak** with lots of help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNW.

The weather seemed to be holding. For a while Lupe dozed, her head resting on SPHP’s lap. Grandeur all around!

More than an hour passed. The American Dingo still had a W summit to get to! Lupe returned to both the cairn and the rock that was the natural high point. She even explored a little way down the SE slope, going far enough to see East Glacier Gap Mountain’s entire SE ridge.

Back at the **E summit cairn**. Photo looks NNW.

By the **natural high point**. Photo looks N.

**East Glacier Gap Mountain’s SE ridge** (Center), which wasn’t entirely visible from the summit. **Peak 6200** (L). **Swede Mountain** (R) in the distance. Photo looks SE.

Puppy ho! Onward! Abandoning the glorious E summit, Lupe headed back W.

Heading W. W summit (far R). **West Glacier Gap Mountain** (R). **Glacier Gap Lake** (L) with **Peak 4716** **of Whistle Ridge** beyond it. Photo looks W.

**W summit** (L) and **Sevenmile Lake** (Center) from the ridgeline. Photo looks NNW.

Looking down the long slope Loopster had come up. **Glacier Gap Lake** (R) with many smaller lakes and **Whistle Ridge** beyond. Photo looks SW.

Approaching the saddle leading to the **W summit** (L). Photo looks NNW.

The saddle leading to the W summit harbored a large snowbank. Lupe did not cross it, but went around well to the S, since the ground close to the snow was soft and mucky. The terrain turned rocky and firm as soon as she started to climb.

Getting up to the W summit was easier than getting to the E summit had been. Lanes of tundra helped smooth the way. The climb was steepest near the start, but not difficult. The tundra had disappeared by the time Lupe reached a rough level area leading to a little hill.

Almost there! **W summit** just ahead. Photo looks NNW.

The W summit was a flat-topped knob encompassing an area about the same size as a large room in a house. Much larger than that, if the only slightly lower part of the ridge Loop crossed on her final approach was included. Some of the highest rocks were nice and flat. Several small cairns were present.

With the gargantuan cliffs only to the N and NE here, the W summit felt far less exposed than the E one had. Looking back, it was still hard to say which summit was highest.

**East Glacier Gap Mountain’s E summit** (Center) from the W one. Photo looks SE.

The views here were perhaps even a little more fabulous than they had been back at the E summit. Lupe was a more than 0.5 mile closer to both Sevenmile Lake and Glacier Gap Lake. SPHP was somewhat surprised Loop couldn’t quite see all of Glacier Gap Lake or Glacier Gap itself.

**Sevenmile Lake** (R) from the **W summit**. Photo looks NW.

**West Glacier Gap Mountain** (L). Photo looks NW.

It was sunny when Lupe arrived at the W summit, but that wasn’t going to last. The darkest clouds yet now seemed to be heading this way out of the NW. Rain seemed possible. While she still had the opportunity, Loop basked in sunshine with a tremendous view of Sevenmile Lake, which was already in shadow.

Relaxing at the **W summit**. Photo looks NNW.

**Cumberland Peak**. Photo looks NNW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

**Peak 6100** (L), **Peak 6200** (Center) and **East Glacier Gap Mountain’s E summit** (R). Photo looks SE.

Half an hour shot by.

How you feeling, Looper?

Good, although these rocks aren’t as comfy as they might be.

Not terribly surprising. Most rocks aren’t. Feel up to exploring the NW ridge?

I suppose. Any particular reason?

Yeah. I’d kind of like to go far enough to see Glacier Gap and all of Glacier Gap Lake.

Oh, we ought to do that! Sounds like fun, if it’s not too far!

Shouldn’t be. Come on!

**East Glacier Gap Mountain’s NW ridge** from the W summit. Photo looks NW.

It was farther than it looked. Despite oncoming clouds, Lupe led the way exploring the NW ridge. Conditions deteriorated, but thankfully it didn’t rain. However, the ridge went on and on down a series of drops. At the end of each fairly level stretch, SPHP kept expecting to be able to peer down into Glacier Gap. Loop must have lost a good 300 feet of elevation before it finally happened.

Exploring the **NW ridge**. Photo looks NW.

Oh, it was all worth it! Lupe had reached a point where the mountain now dropped off so steeply that she could see all of Glacier Gap Lake. Glacier Gap itself was in sight, too, the whole thing from Glacier Gap Lake all the way to Sevenmile Lake. The Carolina Dog could even see the ATV trail she would have taken to Sevenmile Lake today, if she hadn’t climbed East Glacier Gap Mountain instead.

Looking down on **Glacier Gap**. Photo looks WNW.

15 glorious minutes, then it was time to head back up to the W summit. Another brief pause there, and Loop was on her way back to the saddle between the two summits.

Heading back up the NW ridge. Photo looks SE.

Approaching the saddle, Lupe turned SW heading down the mountain. Never did rain. The sun broke through. What a beautiful evening! Such a splendid peak and scenes of grandeur!

Early part of the descent. All of **Whistle Ridge** on display. **Glacier Gap Lake** (R). Photo looks SW.

The descent was pure fun until SPHP’s big mistake. Instead of going down the golden ramp, SPHP led Lupe farther W down the big gash in the mountain that had been purposely avoided on the way up. Right the first time! The gash was an endless, steep jumble of large rocks.

Going down the gash. Not a good choice. Photo looks SW.

Lupe was thrilled to finally reach the bottom. Soft tundra, grass, bushes! The Carolina Dog raced off to sniff and explore on her own. Now and then a marmot whistled revealing her approximate location.

One more thing to do! At the base of East Glacier Gap Mountain, Lupe turned W passing over a low ridge. And there was Glacier Gap Lake.

Heading down a bushy slope, Lupe made it to the ATV trail not far from the shore. 4 awesome miles back to the trailhead.

The American Dingo never did go quite all the way down to the shore of Glacier Gap Lake or travel through Glacier Gap to Sevenmile Lake. Yet she did see beautiful Glacier Gap Lake up close, and she got to peer through Glacier Gap to a land where adventure still beckons.

And of course, Loopster had also seen it all from on high up on fabulous East Glacier Gap Mountain (6,060 ft.)! (End 8:28 PM, 50ºF)

**East Glacier Gap Mountain**, Amphitheater Range, Alaska 8-28-19

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The Denali Highway

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Whistle Ridge, Alaska (8-27-19)

Day 23 of Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

**Maclaren River**, Denali Highway MP 40. Photo looks N.

Early on the Denali Highway after crossing the Maclaren River – Ai-yi-yi! The Carolina Dog was having a conniption fit! Directly ahead, 3 caribou trotted away right in front of the G6, steadfastly refusing to leave the road. What was wrong with these caribou, anyway? Were they deaf?

The excitement was more than a Dingo could bear! For a tortuously slow mile, complete pandemonium reigned in the G6. By the time the caribou finally had sense enough to abandon the highway for the bush, Lupe was a complete foaming-at-the-mouth frazzle.

Nothing like a little excitement to start the day, aye, Looper?

For pity sake, SPHP! Why didn’t you gun it, and run over those caribou? So easy! We would have been up to our necks in caribou steaks the rest of this Dingo Vacation!

No hunting license, Loop.

You didn’t need one! You’ve got a driver’s license, right?

Of course.

Well, then use it!

No amount of explaining was going to make any difference, so SPHP changed the subject.

Maclaren Summit is just ahead. As soon as we get there, Whistle Ridge will be right around the corner.

Oh, are we going to explore Whistle Ridge, SPHP?

Yup. It’s a little different from Crazy Notch Ridge (4233 ft.) yesterday. Two separate summits, Peak 4716 and Peak 4850, 4 or 5 miles apart.

Are we peakbagging Peak 4850 then, since it’s the highest?

Both actually, since they are real close to the highway. We’ll come to Peak 4716 first. After that, we’ll just drive to Peak 4850. Easier than trying to travel the entire ridge and back.

9:44 AM, 45ºF, pullout on the N side of the Denali Highway at MP 35.2 – Looked simple enough. The N face of Peak 4716 was directly across the highway from where the G6 was parked. A moderately steep slope led up to an unseen summit some 650+ feet higher. Cake! Lupe crossed the highway, scrambled up an embankment, and was on her way.

The **N face of Peak 4716** from the Denali Highway pullout at MP 35.2. Photo looks S.

By angling SW, the American Dingo was able to avoid a bushy region. Climbing steadily, Lupe headed for the top of the mountain’s NW ridge. The slope went from mostly grass to tundra, then rock. In less than 10 minutes, it appeared she was on the verge of reaching the ridgeline.

Not true. Upon reaching the supposed ridgeline, a rockier slope that wasn’t as steep as what Loop had just climbed led to another apparent ridgeline higher yet. Onward! Loopster kept going.

This time when Lupe got to the top, she really was up on Peak 4716’s NW ridge. Turning SE toward the summit, she traveled a broad slope higher, eventually arriving at a big shelf partially occupied by bushes.

Approaching the bushes on the first big shelf. Photo looks SE.

Toward the N (L), there were fewer bushes. Loop got through without difficulty. A 30 to 40 foot high embankment comprised almost entirely of rock was next. Climbing it, she came to another big shelf. This one was more barren than the one below. Hardly any bushes, just hillocky grasses and tundra.

On the second big shelf. Photo looks SE.

Again a rocky climb was ahead, but the summit couldn’t be too much farther. Lupe scrambled the rocky slopes, crossing a smaller bench or two on the way. Soon she was at the top.

Before her was a huge circular-shaped summit region, perhaps 10 acres in size, elongated and somewhat lower to the SE. The terrain was open and flat. Low grasses, tundra, and blocky-shaped rocks of moderate size dominated the landscape.

Loop had come up at the NW end. The topo map showed a “Boulder” survey benchmark somewhere out in the middle. The Carolina Dog wandered out there, sniffing around the highest ground, but neither she nor SPHP encountered any sign of a marker.

Searching for the Boulder survey benchmark on **Peak 4716**. Photo looks ESE.

Might be anywhere, or completely gone. 2 rusty cans and a piece of wire were all that turned up. The summit was so vast, SPHP was soon ready to forget it. May as well take a break. Loopster wanted to lay down. SPHP sat beside her.

Overhead, the sky was blue. Hardly any of yesterday’s haziness except to the S. Crazy Notch Ridge (4,233 ft.) where Lupe had such a grand time yesterday looked like a little hill from here.

Looking down **Peak 4716’s broad NW ridge**. **Crazy Notch Ridge** (Center) is the little hill with the long ridge extending to the L. Photo looks NW.

20 minutes was enough. Lupe was ready for action again. Still keeping an eye out for the Boulder survey benchmark, a counter-clockwise tour of Peak 4716’s summit region commenced.

Lupe’s summit tour started at the NW end. Photo looks S.

**“Round” Benchmark (4,797 ft.)** (Center) beyond the **Maclaren River**. Photo looks SW.

Quite a few cairns, seemingly of little significance, were scattered across Peak 4716. Many of the biggest ones were concentrated along the SW edge. A few more big ones were farther SE where the summit region was definitely somewhat lower.

Cairns along the SW edge. Photo looks S.

Virtually everywhere to the S and W, a huge expanse of lowlands dotted with numerous small lakes separated Peak 4716 from distant ridges. At the far SE end of the summit region, Lupe came to a slightly raised grassy spot, which stood out from the rest of the terrain.

To the E, the rest of Whistle Ridge stretched away for miles clear over to Peak 4850. Whistle Ridge seemed small and insignificant compared to the Alaska Range to the N, yet a trek all the way to Peak 4850 from here did look like an appealing march. Lupe would love it! For a while, SPHP didn’t rule it out.

**Whistle Ridge** from Peak 4716. **Peak 4850** (R of Center) at the far end. Photo looks E.

Lupe had saved the best for last! The most spectacular views from Peak 4716 were to the N. Beyond another flat expanse full of small lakes, lower peaks of the Alaska Range were in sight. Clouds permitted only tantalizing glimpses of several gleaming white monsters lurking deeper into the range. Lupe could see part of the Maclaren Glacier, although it was many miles away.

**Maclaren Glacier** (Center) and the **Alaska Range**. Photo looks N.

**Maclaren Glacier** (L). Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

Oh, for a truly clear day! There were some giant peaks lurking far to the N. Photo looks N with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Zoomed in on the **Maclaren Glacier** (L). Photo looks N.

To the NE, the S end of Glacier Gap Lake was in view. Off to the NW, Looper could see the Maclaren River valley, Crazy Notch Ridge, and the Clearwater Mountains.

Part of **Glacier Gap Lake** (L) was in sight. Photo looks NE.

**Maclaren River valley** beyond **Lake 3806** (R). Photo looks NW.

The G6 (lower R) is a mere speck down at the Denali Highway. Photo looks NNW.

Exploring Peak 4716 had been fun, but over an hour had already shot by up at the summit. The Carolina Dog couldn’t stay. Peak 4850, the true high point of all of Whistle Ridge was calling!

Lupe started back down the NW slope. Half an hour later, she was back at the G6. (12:28 PM)

Back at the **Denali Highway** MP 35.2. **Whistle Ridge** (R). Photo looks E.

A relaxing mid-day drive was a nice respite, but even at only 30 mph it wasn’t long before Lupe was approaching the E end of Whistle Ridge. The Denali Highway curved S, and SPHP parked the G6 down in a big pullout situated below the E side of the road. This pullout was just S of the MP 30 sign.

**Whistle Ridge** as Lupe cruised E in the G6.

Peak 4850 was in sight across the Denali Highway, but it was only 12:45 PM, so Lupe had lots of time. Lunch, then a Dingo nap! A parade of dump trucks raised dust as they rumbled by carrying loads of gravel for road construction going on somewhere E of here. One went by every few minutes.

1:54 PM, 53ºF, pullout at MP30 of the Denali Highway NE of Peak 4850 – Oh, it was on again! Whistle Ridge, Phase 2 commenced. Crossing the Denali Highway, Lupe traveled S down in a 40 foot wide ditch next to the road where the vegetation appeared to have been disturbed a few years back. Nearing the point where the highway veered E, she turned SW heading for Peak 4850.

Setting out for **Peak 4850**. Photo looks SW.

During the first part of the trek, Lupe explored a gently sloping region full of yellow bushes. The bushes were chest high on SPHP, and tended to concentrate in large stands separated by less dense growth. Animal trails and the less shrubby areas kept the slow climb easy.

The grade increased as the American Dingo got closer and closer to the base of Whistle Ridge. Up ahead there was a high point snazzed up by a stand of short orange bushes. By the time Lupe got there, the terrain had steepened a fair amount.

At **Snazzy Orange Bush Ridge**, the first landmark on the way up. Photo looks E.

Snazzy Orange Bush Ridge turned out to be just a flat spot at the lower end of a steeper slope going SW up the mountain. The bushes thinned out as Lupe continued higher.

Heading up the steeper slope above Snazzy Orange Bush Ridge. Photo looks SW.

Looper gained quite a bit of elevation before finally coming to a large grassy amphitheater flanked by steep rock slopes to the S.

Progressing toward the amphitheater. Photo looks SSW.

At the upper end of the grassy amphitheater. Photo looks S.

Following narrow lanes of grass and tundra, Lupe began a steep trudge up the rocky slopes above the amphitheater. She stuck with the slopes to the SE, which didn’t appear as challenging as those to the SW that went directly up to Peak 4850.

Entering the rocky zone. Photo looks SSE.

Higher and higher! The views were improving rapidly. Almost due N was a great view of Glacier Gap Lake.

**Glacier Gap Lake** (Center) and **East Glacier Gap Mountain** (R). Photo looks N.

At the last patch of tundra on the way up, Lupe paused for a break.

Taking a breather. **Peak 4850** (Center). Photo looks WSW.

**Whistle Ridge** (L) and **Glacier Gap Lake** (R) with the Denali Highway between them. Photo looks NW.

A little Taste of the Wild, a little water. Then onward and upward! Not much farther now, 50-75 feet? Nothing but rock the whole way.

Turned out to be somewhat farther than it looked. Close to the top, Lupe turned WSW. She came up at the NE end of a huge saddle between two large, flat high points. Across the wide saddle, the high point to the W was her ultimate destination, Peak 4850. The American Dingo didn’t venture that way yet, though. Instead she turned SE. Climbing another rocky slope a few tens of feet higher, Loop reached the top of a big flat region strewn with rocks and tundra.

This was HP4745, the last major summit at the far E end of Whistle Ridge. It looked a lot like Peak 4716. The top was about 10 acres in size, flat yet rough, being even rockier than Peak 4716 had been. Once again, way over at the far SE end, Lupe could see a small grassy mound unlike anything else up here. How odd!

Loopster went to see it.

On **HP4745**, the **far E summit of Whistle Ridge**. Photo looks SE.

Was the grassy mound even natural? It didn’t seem to be, although the mound looked undisturbed for a long time. A cairn sat S of the mound.

HP4745 ‘s grassy mound was bigger than Peak 4716’s grassy spot, but otherwise they were very similar. Their significance remained unclear. The only thing for certain was that Lupe liked it here.

**Swede Mountain (4,660 ft.)** (Center) from the grassy mound. Photo looks SE.

View to the NE. **Tangle Benchmark** is the distant big knob seen straight up from Loop.

**Tangle Benchmark (5,715 ft.)** (R) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NE.

The grassy mound was soft and comfortable. Soon Loop was putting on her best innocent, tired puppy act. Bleary-eyed she squinted at SPHP as though completely exhausted. Lupe wanted to be petted and loved, and responded by enthusiastically licking SPHP’s hand.

Who could resist? She got to stay.

A poor, innocent, super-tired puppy rests on the comfy mound.

Again 20 minutes was enough. SPHP was still relaxing propped up by the grassy mound, when the American Dingo sprang back to life.

*You coming or not? We’ve still got a mountain to climb!* **Peak 4850** (L). Photo looks WNW.

Alright, already! Onward then! Puppy ho!

Before leaving HP4745, Lupe explored over to the NE edge for a look at Glacier Gap Lake, then it was W back to the saddle leading to Peak 4850.

**Glacier Gap Lake** (Center) from **HP4745**. Photo looks NNW.

Leaving **HP4745** for **Peak 4850**. Photo looks W.

Crossing the huge saddle didn’t take long, nor did the roughly 150 foot climb up to the top of Peak 4850.

Glancing back at **HP4745** (Center) on the way up Peak 4850. **Tangle Benchmark** (L) and **Swede Mountain** (R) in the distance. Photo looks E.

Greatly resembling the tops of both Peak 4716 and HP4745, Peak 4850’s summit region looked familiar. 10 or more acres of flat ground covered with rocks and tundra. No grassy spot or mound, though, to the SE or anywhere else. Lupe could see two cairns, a big one along the N edge, and a smaller one by the S edge. She visited the N cairn first.

On **Peak 4850**. The cairn (L) along the N edge is in sight. Photo looks NW.

At the **N cairn**. **Peak 4716** (L). Photo looks NW.

**Peak 4716** where Lupe had been just a few hours ago. Photo looks WNW with help from the telephoto lens.

Crossing the center of the summit region, Lupe briefly visited the cairn along the S edge, too. She then traveled NW along the SW rim. Most of Whistle Ridge was in sight the whole way, with Peak 4716 now at the far end. It was all so beautiful that SPHP was sorry Lupe hadn’t traveled the entire length of the ridge.

**Whistle Ridge** from the NW end of Peak 4850. **Peak 4716** (L). Photo looks NW.

In the end, Lupe spent most of her time on Peak 4850 relaxing near the big N cairn enjoying a stunning view of Glacier Gap Lake flanked by two mountains both much higher and far more rugged than where she was now. Snow-capped peaks glimmered faintly beyond Glacier Gap.

Sort of makes you wonder what’s through that gap, doesn’t it, SPHP?

There’s a big lake, Loop. Sevenmile Lake. In fact, we passed a trailhead just S of Glacier Gap Lake a mile or two before we got to where the G6 is now. No peakbagging involved, but would you like to see if we can make it through Glacier Gap to Sevenmile Lake tomorrow?

Sounds like fun! A lake would be something different for a change.

No promises. Don’t really know if we can actually get there, Looper. Our topo map only shows a trail as far as Glacier Gap Lake, but even that looks like a fabulous destination. Wouldn’t take all that long, either, if that’s as far as we make it.

Maybe we ought to go see if there’s any information at that trailhead when we get back to the G6?

Sure, Loop, why not? Makes sense. Maybe we’ll learn something?

The time came to leave Peak 4850. Lupe headed E going back down to the huge saddle leading to HP4757 again. She crossed the saddle, but did not return to HP4757 and its soft grassy mound. Instead, she turned N starting down the long rocky slope.

**HP4757** (R). It’s N slope which Lupe had come up and was about to go down again is in view. Photo looks NE.

Partway down the N slope of Whistle Ridge’s HP4757, suddenly Lupe did hear a whistle!

A marmot! The formerly poor, weary, bleary-eyed Dingo was instantly transformed. Off like a shot! SPHP was left to trudge the rocky slope alone. 300 feet lower a Carolina Dog raced here and there across the grassy tundra, weaving frantically in and out among the bushes.

The rest of the return was marvelous! Lupe’s delight was obvious. Roaming free and feeling strong, the Carolina Dog ran hither and yon in wild Alaska chasing the exhilarating scent of adventure. (End 5:47 PM)

**Glacier Gap** from **Peak 4850**, **Whistle Ridge**, Alaska 8-27-19

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The Denali Highway

Crazy Notch Ridge, Alaska Range, Alaska (8-26-19)

Days 21 & 22 of Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!

8-25-19, 8:32 AM, 37ºF, Denali State Park – Cloudy this morning, but it didn’t look like rain. Still some blue sky around. However, a certain bleary-eyed American Dingo wasn’t looking terribly ambitious. After a fabulous long day up on K’esugi Ridge yesterday, nothing too strenuous had much appeal.

During breakfast, SPHP mulled over various options. Actually, a day of rest did sound good.

Mind just taking it easy today, Looper?

I already am, SPHP.

So I see. We could scout out the Reindeer Hills (5,102 ft.), if you like, and get into position to take ’em on tomorrow. That wouldn’t be too hard.

Not the Reindeer Hills again! How many times have we been there and never gotten anywhere with them? Last year we’d barely left the Denali Highway when I fell into a deep water hole! Remember? That bog was a death trap! And you never did find a way across the creek.

Yeah, sorry about that. Promise we won’t try that spot again, but maybe there is better access somewhere else. No harm in looking is there?

How about you look, while I snooze?

Oh, come on! You can snooze on the way over there. Deal?

I suppose. Deal, but I’m not climbing them today!

Despite the clouds and some haziness, the drive NE on the George Parks Highway was gorgeous. Approaching Cantwell, the Reindeer Hills came into view.

The ever-elusive **Reindeer Hills** dead ahead! Photo looks NE.

By mid-afternoon, SPHP’s scouting was done. Two possible access points, both near the W end. Nothing to do now, but relax and wait. Loop spent the rest of the day hanging out near the E Fork of the Jack River and a small lake.

By the **E fork of the Jack River**. Photo looks SE.

Evening at a small lake S of the Reindeer Hills. Photo looks SW.

8-26-19, 6:13 AM, 39ºF, E fork of the Jack River, Denali Hwy – Gah! So much for the Reindeer Hills. Not happening. A dreary day, completely overcast with a very low ceiling. The Reindeer Hills were cloaked in fog.

Might as well head E. The G6 bumped and rattled 20 to 30 mph along the Denali Highway. The Nenana River was beautiful, but SPHP didn’t stop. Peak 5464 looked climbable, and was almost out of the clouds, but didn’t seem worth the effort on a day like today.

The sky soon darkened, and it began to rain. However, the rain didn’t last. Loop was getting restless. SPHP began stopping at various points of interest to let the Carolina Dog sniff about for a few minutes.

Approaching the **Susitna River**. Photo looks SE.

On the **Susitna River bridge** at MP 79.5. Photo looks ENE.

Drifting clouds and fog lent an aura of mystery at every turn. Misty mountains lay beyond dark evergreens and brilliantly colored bushes.

Heading away from the mountains. MP 60.5.

The relaxing drive was beautiful, but hours passed and there didn’t seem to be anything to do. At least, not until a stop overlooking a lake. Off in the distance, Looper could see a long, low ridge with a notable rounded high point at one end.

The intriguing ridge from a lake along the Denali Highway. Photo looks NE.

The weather remained gloomy, yet Crazy Notch Ridge (4,233 ft.) wasn’t lost in the clouds. With the summit only a little over 2 miles N of the Denali Highway, what looked like an easy trek exploring the big ridge seemed a perfect choice.

A few miles farther, the Denali Highway curved E. Crazy Notch was less than a mile away. A dirt road on the N side of the highway provided a spot to park the G6 hidden a few hundred feet back among the bushes.

8-26-19, 12:08 PM, 47ºF, Denali Highway MP 46.5 – With the G6 safely stashed, the American Dingo was ready for action! Going N on the dirt road, she quickly passed a pond on the L (NW). The road soon split. Lupe went R (E) heading straight for Crazy Notch Ridge.

The pond near the start. Photo looks NW.

The **summit** (L) was in view even from the G6. Photo looks NE.

It quickly became apparent getting to Crazy Notch Ridge was going to be a little more complicated than SPHP expected. Almost immediately, the dirt road curved back to the SE. Lupe couldn’t head directly for the high ground. A slough occupied the bottom of a small valley between here and the ridge.

The slough in the way (L). The Denali Highway heads through **Crazy Notch** (R). Photo looks SE.

Eh, no problem! The dirt road looped all the way back to the Denali Highway. Lupe followed it 0.33 mile E to the W end of Crazy Notch. No slough here, only a 75 foot high slope to deal with. The Carolina Dog left the Denali Highway at MP 46, beginning her ascent.

**W end of Crazy Notch**. Lupe left the Denali Highway here to begin her ascent of the slope on the L. Photo looks E.

The whole slope was thickly grown with bushes nearly as tall as SPHP. While Lupe had little difficulty sneaking through this jungle, forcing a way higher against all the branches pushing back down the rather steep slope made progress dreadfully slow for SPHP. Not that far to the top, though, so SPHP persevered.

Must have rained here earlier. The bushes were all wet. Loop was soon soaked, and so was SPHP. Fun, fun! 2/3 of the way up the slope, SPHP suddenly noticed the air was humming. Horrors! Hornets! The air was now full of them, and they sounded none too pleased at the disturbance created as SPHP had pushed right past their nest. Lupe stood smiling right below it!

Looper, hurry! Keep going! Up, up! Don’t stop!

SPHP was allergic. No damage done. Lupe also escaped unstung. Lucky!

Reaching the top of the 75 foot slope, the news otherwise wasn’t good. Loop hadn’t reached the broad gentle part of the ridge yet, not even close. Ahead rose a hilly area, all densely covered with bushes. SPHP had envisioned Loop trotting easily across a gently sloping tundra plain all the way to the summit, not an unremitting bushwhack!

At the top of the 75 foot slope with a long bushwhack still in store. Photo looks NE.

Fortunately, animal trails led through the bushes making it possible for SPHP to push through. Each time a trail ended, Lupe sniffed out another one close by. After making some progress in this manner, Loop came to an open spot, a bit of tundra and rocky ground.

On a bit of tundra. **Crazy Notch Ridge summit** beyond Loop. Photo looks N.

A glimpse back at the **Denali Highway** down in **Crazy Notch**. Photo looks E.

The colorful bushes were amazing, but this rocky ground was a welcome sight. Photo looks NNE.

Encouraging! This was more like it! The open ground proved to be a rare respite, but animal trails continued to provide assistance. Pushing on, Lupe soon reached a high spot. Ahead was a ravine, about 30 feet deep. No choice, but to cross it. Going down was easy, but getting back up the opposite side was a chore. Again animal trails helped.

Two more high spots, two more ravines to cross. Each time it got a bit easier. These ravines weren’t as deep as the first one, and as Lupe slowly gained elevation, the bushes were getting smaller.

Crossing the tussocky last ravine. Photo looks NW.

After climbing out of the third ravine, Lupe had finally made it to the far S end of the long gentle slope leading N to the summit. This region was still blanketed with bushes tall and thick enough to make it exhausting for SPHP to fight through them for any distance.

Beyond the last ravine with the long, broad slope leading to the summit now ahead. Photo looks N.

Happily, countless animal trails criss-crossed the broad plain. As Lupe roamed N, the bushes continued to shrink. The plain was somewhat higher toward the opposite E side. Despite angling NNE, Loop never quite seemed to reach the highest ground.

Heading for the summit. The bushes are much smaller now. Photo looks N.

The terrain became increasingly tussocky as the bushes shriveled away. No rocky ground at all. SPHP had the impression that if Alaska hadn’t experienced a drought this summer, this whole region might be a giant bog. Loopster was one lucky Dingo to be trying this in 2019!

A mere 2 miles, yet the trek seemed endless. No worries. The farther Lupe went, the easier and more fun it became. At last she was closing in on the big rise at the N end of the mountain. At the base of the steeper slope, she came upon a dried-up pool. The only significant feature of the rounded hill ahead was a rocky point jutting out about 2/3 of the way up.

After crossing the dried-up pool, Lupe started up the slope. Only a few hundred feet to the top. Staying W(L) of the rocky point seemed to be the way to go. By now there were few bushes, and Loop was on firm, slightly rocky ground of the sort SPHP had been hoping for all this time.

Halfway up, closing in on the rocky point. Photo looks NNW.

As Lupe drew near the rocky point, Crazy Notch Ridge (4,233 ft.) really rolled out the red carpet for the American Dingo!

**Crazy Notch Ridge** rolls out the crimson carpet for Lupe.

Naturally, Lupe visited the rocky point. The top turned out to be a flat, brightly decorated shelf. Looper went all the way out to the end, which was a bit grassy. Off to the S she had a grand view of the enormous lower part of Crazy Notch Ridge she had just traveled to get here.

The shelf on top of the rocky point. Photo looks SE.

Gazing back across the **vast lower portion of Crazy Notch Ridge**. The **dried-up pool** is in sight not too far away. Photo looks SSE.

The summit wasn’t much farther. Another 125 feet higher? Something like that. The slope was an easy climb. The weather was improving, with blue sky overhead as Lupe reached the top.

The top of Crazy Notch Ridge turned out to be a rounded ridgeline 1,000 feet long. The highest portion of this summit ridge was a narrower 200 foot long section toward the W end. A disorganized heap of stones sat at the very top. Just E of the stones, a 20″ tall threaded metal rod stuck up out of the ground.

Although Crazy Notch Ridge wasn’t at all rugged, its open summit and isolated position provided commanding views in all directions. Despite considerable haziness, what Lupe could see was impressive!

*Made it! Well worth the trek, too!* Photo looks NW.

Break time! For a long while, Lupe and SPHP sat resting together at the true summit. Off to the NW was a great valley flanked by mountains. This valley split going around both sides of Crazy Notch Ridge to join the surrounding lowlands. The West Fork of the Maclaren River meandered E out of the valley.

Relaxing at the **true summit**. Photo looks NW.

The hazy **valley of the W Fork of the Maclaren River**. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

The sunshine was intermittent, clouds regularly sailed overhead. At all times the distant views were hazy. Only part of it was due to humidity. Diffused smoke drifted this way from forest fires raging far to the W.

Whether in sunshine or shadow, the distant views remained hazy. Photo looks SW.

Loopster felt like exploring of the lower E end of the summit ridge. The topo map showed a pond between the E end and a subpeak to the NE. Why not go see if that pond was really there?

The E end of the summit ridge from the true summit. Photo looks NE.

A pond actually was nestled in the saddle leading to the NE subpeak. Off to the NNE, a line of snow-capped peaks could be dimly seen beyond the Maclaren River. Two large peaks were snowier than the others. Less spectacular, but more clearly seen, Whistle Ridge (4,850 ft.) was off to the SE.

**Whistle Ridge** (R) in the distance beyond the **Maclaren River**. Photo looks ESE.

The pond in the saddle leading to the NE subpeak. Photo looks NE.

The **two big snow-capped peaks** beyond the **Maclaren Rive**r. Photo looks NNE.

Peering a little farther up the **Maclaren River valley**. Photo looks NNE.

**Maclaren River valley**. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.

Evidently the smoke from out W really had caught up with Lupe again. The views should have been awesome, but weren’t all they might have been. Returning to the true summit, Lupe ventured out to the far W end of the ridge where the smoke was even worse.

Returning to the **true summit** (Center). Photo looks W.

The smoky scene from the W end of the summit ridge. Strangely, the large lake in the foreground wasn’t even shown on the **topo map**. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Despite it all, Crazy Notch Ridge (4,233 ft.) was a terrific vantage point. Strolling back to the true summit, Lupe and SPHP lingered a long time.

Looking S down the length of **Crazy Notch Ridge**.

A few miles to the WNW, beyond the lowlands, Lupe could see a large tableland. That whole region was about as high as Crazy Notch Ridge. Beyond the plateau were the Clearwater Mountains. Looked like a fun place to explore!

The **tableland** (L) leading to the **Clearwater Mountains**. Photo looks WNW.

Wistfully, the American Dingo sat thinking about it, but the world is a big place. Even if there was a way to cross the wet lowlands, that tableland was well beyond the limits of adventure today.

*Guess we can’t do it all, can we, SPHP? …. No, truth is, most things are beyond us Loop. Always will be*. Photo looks WNW.

Two hours gone at the summit of Crazy Notch Ridge! The great beyond still beckoned. Yet no matter what one does, there are always limits. It was time to turn back.

Lupe returned to the crimson shelf of the rocky point. Once again, she traipsed the brilliant red carpet down to the dried-up pond.

Leaving **Crazy Notch Ridge**. Photo looks W.

Approaching the dried-up pond. Photo looks SSE.

A glorious evening! Once past the dried-up pond, Lupe stayed farther E than during her ascent, sticking with the highest ground she could find. Wild and free, she roamed the vast golden tussocky tundra stretching away to the S having a grand time.

Crossing the golden plain. Photo looks S.

Farewell to **Crazy Notch Ridge**. Photo looks N.

Still quite a march, but the happy return along animal trails seemed to go much faster than the ascent. Upon reaching the bushes again, Lupe discovered another dried up pond. This one was perfectly round.

*Looks like we’re too late for a drink, SPHP! Got any water in that pack?* Photo looks S.

At the S end of Crazy Notch Ridge, it turned out the Carolina Dog was far enough E to avoid having to cross all 3 of the drainages she’d wandered through during her ascent. Loop wound up in a much deeper ravine choked with bushes.

Suddenly a strange grunting noise was heard. What the heck was that? Lupe became intensely excited. A young caribou!

Caribou at the S end of Crazy Notch Ridge.

The caribou ran off. Disappointed, Lupe continued down the ravine. Huge bushes towered over SPHP. The ravine was becoming quite steep when the view opened up.

Not much farther now. The Denali Highway was in sight down in Crazy Notch. The American Dingo reached it 0.5 mile E of MP 46. Less than a mile back to the G6! Trotting easily along the quiet Denali Highway, Loopster headed W into the golden sun. (End 7:29 PM)

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The Denali Highway