Days 23 & 24 of Lupe’s 2nd Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Canada & Alaska!
8-21-22, 6:03 AM, E of Nugget Creek near Victor Gulch – The American Dingo was still sleeping like a rock when SPHP poked a nose outside the tiny house.
Daylight in the swamps, Loopster!
What? Already, SPHP?
Yup, yup! Better get with it! Long climb ahead of us, if things don’t get any worse. Nearly 4,200 feet!
What’s it like out there this morning, SPHP?
Completely overcast. Kind of looks and feels like rain soon, but except for a little fog right at the summit, Poss Mountain (6,180 ft.) is cloud-free.
Doesn’t sound that promising, SPHP.
Yeah, it’s right on the edge of being acceptable at the moment, but who knows? Anything might happen, Loop. It’s the weather, you know. If it clears off even a little bit, this will be our big chance, so we best get into position to take advantage.
Suppose you’re right, SPHP. Can we eat first? I’m starving!
Sure. How about some Taste of the Wild? You can munch away while I break camp.
We aren’t coming back here, SPHP?
Nope. Not going over Peak 3780 again. It was beautiful, but I’m thinking there must be easier ways out.
Once SPHP had the tiny house packed up and was ready, Looper set off heading SE, gradually gaining elevation while crossing an open slope of thick, spongy tundra and low bushes.
During last evening’s descent from Peak 3780 to low camp, the big open ridge N of Peak 5500 had looked not only like the best way to get closer to Poss Mountain, but a great place to establish high camp, too. To get to that ridge, though, Lupe was going to have to descend slightly into Victor Gulch to ford the E fork of Nugget Creek.
On the way down to the creek, the brilliantly colored bushes were much taller, and more of an obstacle. Forcing a way through, the Carolina Dog got down to an alder thicket right along the stream. Nugget Creek still had substantial flow up here, cascading swiftly down dark rocks.
Can’t rock hop it, and it looks too swift, powerful, and deep for you to safely ford it here, Loopster. Let’s look for a more tranquil spot.
Continuing upstream despite the alders, a shallower, less turbulent spot soon appeared. SPHP went first, wading across without any problem.
You can do this, Looper! C’mon over.
Without hesitation, Lupe cast herself into the icy stream. Moments later, she was shaking herself off next to SPHP.
Gee, thanks, Loop!
If I can plunge in practically up to my neck, you can endure a few drops, SPHP. Onward!
For some reason, there were hardly any alders on this side. Pushing up a steep bank through small trees and more colorful bushes, Lupe was quickly through them. A long, open tundra slope continued hundreds of feet higher. Heading SW, the rate of climb gradually diminished as the Carolina Dog gained close to 500 feet of elevation.
Lupe was now up on the broad, gently sloping toe of Peak 5500‘s N ridge. The tundra was gorgeous up here, a mix of crimson, green, and gold. Unfortunately, instead of improving, the weather was looking less favorable. The top of Poss Mountain was now in the clouds.
Turning S, the American Dingo continued her climb at a much easier pace. An intermittent light mist began to fall. Really didn’t amount to much, but the way the sky was looking, SPHP paused to put on the new red rain jacket. Lupe simply had to put up with the mist. It didn’t curb her enthusiasm in the least, as she ran and sniffed her way toward big rock formations visible ahead along the crest of the ridge.
Upon reaching the rock formations, Lupe had a blast exploring them! Toward the W, they formed a dramatic line of sheer cliffs that dropped down to a broad, gently curving slope. The E side offered a spectacular view of a smooth tundra slope swooping ever more steeply down into Victor Gulch. A large waterfall tumbled into the deeply eroded chasm.
The line of cliffs was not continuous, making it easy to switch from one side to the other. As Lupe continued her climb S, she visited both. The line of cliffs toward the W grew taller and even more impressive. Over on the E side, the gently curved upper valley from which Nugget Creek plunged into Victor Gulch was soon visible ahead.
From right up on top of the rock formations, Peak 3780, where Lupe had been only yesterday, was in view back to the N.
Gosh, SPHP! We’re doing great! We’re already higher than Peak 3780.
Yeah, too bad this weather has turned so soupy, Looper. The upper valley over by Nugget Creek looks like a great place to establish high camp. Let’s head over that way.
The upper valley looked gorgeous, but the tundra proved to be boggy. Well before Lupe reached Nugget Creek, SPHP had a change of heart.
Sorry for the confusion, Loop, but let’s nix the valley. No point in setting up in a swamp. Let’s stick with the original plan, and find a spot back up on the ridge instead.
Returning to the ridgeline, the American Dingo continued S past all the cliffs to where the ridge was more rounded on both sides. Going all the way to a saddle next to Peak 5500’s N face, this looked like an ideal spot.
Lots of bare dirt in this region, but SPHP began erecting the tiny house on a suitably soft patch of tundra. Suddenly, there was movement high on Peak 5500. A mountain goat! Excited, Lupe dashed off toward it. The lone goat had no intention of making her acquaintance, promptly disappearing over a W ridge.
SPHP hadn’t even finished setting up the tiny house, when fog swept in from out of nowhere, and hid everything. After a few minutes, it drifted away, but Poss Mountain was now almost entirely shrouded in clouds. Only the lower black and gold slopes were visible. Not good!
However, Lupe was not discouraged in the least. Enthralled with this spectacular location, she had already turned her attention to exploring the immediate vicinity, sniffing excitedly around the base of scattered boulders. Finished with the tiny house, SPHP enjoyed watching her enormous enthusiasm.
The air had been completely calm all this time, but a sudden gust of wind sent all the bags for the tiny house, including the ones for the poles and stakes, flying NW. High in the air, they swirled away so lightly and easily, it was as if they’d been designed for flight. In a flash, they were way down the W slope!
After them, Loop! Don’t let them get away!
Barking excitedly at this new sensation, Lupe raced off in hot pursuit. SPHP eventually managed to recover 2 of the 3 bags. However, the bag for the poles flew beyond vision, disappearing hundreds of feet lower. Gone for good! Never going to find it! Fortunately, not a huge tragedy. SPHP was more upset at having it litter this unspoiled land than its loss.
8-21-22, 10:53 AM, high camp at 4,000+ feet near the N face of Peak 5500 – While returning to the tiny house with the recovered bags, mist turned to rain. Lupe was perfectly positioned for an attempt on Poss Mountain (6,180 ft.), but it clearly wasn’t going to happen under these conditions.
Might as well go inside, Loop. We can dry off, have something to eat, and rest up while waiting for the weather to improve.
That last part seemed like a long shot.
SPHP dozed off and on, as it rained for hours. At times, Lupe attempted to snooze, too, but she was too corked up to remain in the tiny house for long. The Carolina Dog had already discovered that pikas or marmots were living unseen beneath a few big boulders scattered nearby. This temptation was simply too much. Loop kept going out in the rain to race back and forth from one boulder to the next, sniffing like a mad Dingo at the many access holes around them leading into hidden burrows below.
Out in the rain and mist, Lupe had a superb time roaming at will. It wasn’t until it started raining harder that she finally returned sopping wet to the tiny house, and settled down on her red sleeping bag.
8-21-22, 3:00 PM, high camp at 4,000+ feet near the N face of Peak 5500 – Waking, SPHP found the American Dingo peacefully asleep. However, something had changed. It wasn’t raining! Full of hope, SPHP peered outside. Those hopes were immediately dashed. Dense gray fog.
Hey, Loop! Wake up. It stopped raining.
It did? Are we going to climb Poss Mountain, SPHP?
No, afraid not. Foggy out. Evidently, Poss Mountain isn’t happening today, but we could explore the ridge a bit.
The American Dingo was eager to get back out there again. Wandering N along the ridge, most of the fog soon drifted away, revealing another big boulder at a high point. After continuing the foray N to the brink of the cliffs just for the fun of it, Lupe returned to the high point boulder.
You sure look happy here, Looper. Didn’t realize you thrive so under such gloomy conditions.
Even without climbing Poss Mountain, this place is awesome, SPHP! Pikas, marmots, a mountain goat, all this fantastic open tundra, big rock formations, and dark mountains. All mysteriously hidden and revealed in the ever-shifting fog. A Dingo could hardly ask for more!
Hmm. I see. Well, how about a trip farther up the Nugget Creek valley, Loop? We could find out what’s up that way, and reconnoiter whatever might be visible of possible routes up Poss Mountain.
Sounds like fun, SPHP! Let’s do it!
Abandoning the high point boulder, Lupe headed S back to the tiny house before angling SE into the upper Nugget Creek valley.
Staying high enough on the W side of the valley to avoid the wet tundra down by the creek, Lupe explored all the way to the S end of the valley where it curled SW. Another 1,000 feet higher, Peak 5500‘s true summit was visible from here, barely in the clouds.
Doesn’t look that hard to get up there, SPHP! We could climb Peak 5500!
Believe you’re right, Looper, but let’s save our strength. Still hoping we might get a shot at Poss Mountain.
Getting mighty late in the day to do that, SPHP, even if conditions improve, which they aren’t.
I know, Loop. Poss Mountain has denied us today, but the weather might be better tomorrow. Would hate to fail at Poss because we unnecessarily wore ourselves out on Peak 5500 in this gloom.
Suit yourself, SPHP. It was just a thought.
Looking E across the valley, a couple of spots looked like feasible starting points for an attempt on Poss Mountain in the morning. They both led to some pretty steep terrain, but what was visible below the clouds looked doable. SPHP favored the spot closest to the S end of the valley.
Well, Loop, we aren’t going to try it now, so I suppose we might as well head back.
Rain on the way back to the tiny house continued intermittently during the early evening. After dinner, Lupe slipped out while SPHP wasn’t looking. No doubt off in search of pikas and marmots again.
Funny thing about these pikas. Apparently they were expert gardeners. SPHP had noticed that beautiful thick tundra flourished for 2 or 3 feet around the circumference of the huge boulders they liked to congregate beneath, even though those boulders were otherwise sitting in barren areas of nothing but dirt.
8-21-22, 8:04 PM, high camp at 4,000+ feet near the N face of Peak 5500 – It wasn’t all about pikas and marmots. While SPHP dozed, the Carolina Dog spent quite a bit of time lying outside the tiny house just looking at the views, always searching for some sign of movement.
The cloud cover had lifted some. Poss Mountain remained shrouded, but Lupe could see many lower peaks off to the W, along with part of Minnie Creek Lake, and portions of the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River close to where she’d started out from yesterday morning.
Want to go see the big waterfall in Victor Gulch, Loop?
She did, but it turned out that the waterfall seen earlier in the day wasn’t visible from this far S due to how deep it was in Victor Gulch. Lupe had a fantastic time anyway, racing across the tundra like a Dingo possessed. Rain sprinkled yet again during the return to the tiny house.
Late evening brought more ambling forays N along the ridge. Gloomy and dark, Poss Mountain remained eternally shrouded in fog. Specks of blue sky to the N provided a glimmer of hope for tomorrow, as a bright white spot in the clouds slid toward the horizon.
Dusk arrived. The American Dingo spent a final dim hour lying on the wet tundra watching wisps of fog drift among distant mountains before retiring for the night.
What a glorious, restful day it had been! With high camp only a little over a mile W of Poss Mountain’s summit, Lupe was perfectly positioned for tomorrow, too. Hadn’t rained for a while now, either. Maybe those blue specks really did portend good news in the morning?
In any case, it would be Lupe’s last chance. First light would tell the tale.
8-22-22, the wee hours, high camp at 4,000+ feet near the N face of Peak 5500 – The sad news came well before first light. Rain on the tiny house again! It rained for hours, and was still raining when Lupe went out at daybreak. Foggy, little or no visibility, and a chill, steady rain.
Criminy, Loopster! Looks like ark building time!
Retreating back into the tiny house, it was actually time for breakfast and another snooze.
8-22-22, 8:33 AM, high camp at 4,000+ feet near the N face of Peak 5500 – Not raining now, and the fog had blown away from the ridge.
Now’s our chance, Looper!
Really? To climb Poss Mountain, SPHP?
No! To get out of here while we can stay dry for at least a little while. Still totally overcast out there, and we’ve seen what to expect. Sooner or later the rain and fog will be back. Hate to bail on Poss Mountain when we’re so close, but no telling how long we’d have to wait for decent conditions.
Disappointing, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Everything out! SPHP packed up the tiny house, and Lupe was on her way.
Leaving the high camp ridge, SPHP led Loop WSW along Peak 5,500’s steep N slope. Staying fairly high, she crossed a number of rock slides and ravines during a gradual descent. Slow going, but the Carolina Dog came to some nice stretches of tundra, too. An hour into it, the clouds developed a blue tinge.
Maybe we should go back, SPHP?
Pay no attention to this little bit of blue, Looper! Just a trap. You’ll see!
Took 2.5 hours to work around to the first rock formations on the giant, rounded ridge NW of Peak 5500. Lupe had skirted along through a lot of rock, tundra, and even a swampy region with tall bushes and a stream to get here.
Smooth sailing now, though! Turning NW, the Carolina Dog made rapid progress on firm, gently sloping terrain. Stunningly beautiful tundra led from one interesting, isolated rock formation to the next.
Glancing back to the E, Poss Mountain’s summit was completely cloud free for the first time in two days. Annoyed, SPHP muttered something about being taunted by the mountain’s evil spirit, and continued NW.
The big rounded ridge was a wonderfully fun, easy, downhill romp! Spectacular scenery on all sides, and what rock formations there were presented no difficulties. A grand view of the Nugget Creek valley was off to the N, sandwiched between Peak 3286 and Peak 3780. Minnie Creek Lake was coming into sight again to the NW.
A mile E of Minnie Creek Lake, Lupe reached a minor hill along the big ridge. A small rock formation stood along a low ridge of flat gray rock. On the surrounding gentle slopes, little bushes of brilliant crimson and orange put on a stunning display of Arctic beauty.
What an incredible place! Can we stop here for a while, SPHP?
Sure, let’s take a break, Loop. This is fantastic!
8-22-22, 12:03 PM – Lupe curled up on the tundra. SPHP threw a maroon jacket over her. While the Carolina Dog napped, SPHP munched on trail mix. Pondering the gorgeous views, SPHP speculated on what route Lupe ought to take back to the Dalton Highway from here?
2 viable options seemed to make sense. Proceed to Minnie Creek Lake, then NW down the Over Creek valley, or up and over Peak 3286.
Any preference, Loop?
Which is easiest, SPHP?
Probably Minnie Creek Lake, Looper. Downhill all the way, whereas we’d have to climb more than 700 feet to get over Peak 3286. Of course, Peak 3286 could be sort of a consolation prize for not having made it to Poss Mountain. Not a comparable peak at all, but it’s something.
I’m feeling more energetic after this nap, SPHP. Let’s climb Peak 3286. After all, we came to climb mountains!
From the dazzling hill overlooking Minnie Creek Lake, Lupe roamed freely down a vast slope toward an enormously broad saddle leading to Peak 3286. The last part of this journey was thick with spongy tundra. The saddle itself proved tussocky, always difficult terrain.
After crossing the boggy tussocks, Lupe made her escape. Starting her ascent of Peak 3286, she began climbing a steeper slope covered with bushes chest high on SPHP. These bushes would have been trouble, if not for a maze of open lanes among them. Thus saved from any serious bushwhacking, progress was decent as Lupe continued higher.
Regaining nearly 200 feet of elevation, the American Dingo reached a nearly level region of tundra and far fewer bushes. Aiming W of cliffs along Peak 3286’s upper SE face, Lupe quickly crossed this plain, and started up the next slope full of bushes, which was dotted with trees.
During a final glance back at Minnie Creek Lake, Peak 5400 was starting to disappear from view.
I knew Poss Mountain has just been taunting us today, Loopster! Look at that! The weather is going to pot on us. We better hustle!
As the slope steadily steepened during the ascent to Peak 3286’s W ridge, hustling was easier said than done. More lanes among the bushes here helped again, but SPHP had to keep pausing to gasp for air.
The sky was leaden, the air heavy with humidity, as Lupe reached the base of a line of small cliffs. Forcing her way through extraordinarily dense vegetation, the Carolina Dog managed to traverse 50 feet E to where a break in the cliffs permitted a 30 foot scramble above them.
No obstacles up here! Instead, a broad, featureless, maroon and brown tundra plain rose gradually NE.
Hurry, Loopster! Let’s tag the summit before the rain hits! Onward! Puppy, ho!
8-22-22, 2:07 PM, Peak 3286 – It was only 400 feet to the summit, a 100 foot long nearly flat region on the brink of SSE facing cliffs. Opposite the cliffs, a gently rounded slope began gradually dropping away.
Happily, Lupe had arrived just in time to spend a few precious minutes enjoying the views. Beneath the threatening sky, the entire incredible world she’d spent the last 3 days exploring was on display.
To the SE, Poss Mountain’s elusive summit was back in the clouds again, but Lupe could see her beloved 4,000+ foot ridge where the tiny house had been, and she’d had such a fun time yesterday in a land of mist and rain where pikas, marmots, and a lone mountain goat lived.
A glance at the steep alder-infested slope below HP3400 across the deep Nugget Creek valley made perfectly clear why Lupe’s repeated attempts to traverse it 2 days ago had all been doomed to failure from the start. HP3400 and Peak 3780, both of which she’d ultimately visited, were in sight high above it.
Our first backpacking trip ever in Alaska has been amazing, hasn’t it, SPHP?
Yes! Absolutely, Loop, but I’m sorry, we can’t stay here.
Five minutes after arriving at Peak 3286’s summit, scattered raindrops were already starting to fall. SPHP put on the new, red rain jacket, hood and all.
Cripes! How do you even tighten this hood? Never used it before.
Don’t ask me, SPHP, and don’t complain! I’m going to get soaked, aren’t I?
Afraid so, sweet puppy! Well, never mind the hood. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Raindrops were falling thick and fast as Lupe started down Peak 3286’s NNW slope.
The terrain rapidly steepened. For a long way, a lip was always ahead, an indication of even steeper ground to come. Looked like Lupe would cliff out, but having seen this side of the mountain before, SPHP knew she wouldn’t.
As though sent by Poss Mountain, an E wind sprang up. In a driving, heavy rain, poor Lupe got soaked to the bone. The hood kept blowing off SPHP, but the red rain jacket otherwise did it’s job. Never complaining, Lupe led the way on thick tundra, which made the descent easier.
Head for that upside down gingerbread man, Looper! That’s the old, long abandoned construction camp where we stayed 3 nights ago.
At last, the whole runout slope was visible below. The rate of descent slowly decreased. Once low enough, the going got easier, although the construction camp Lupe was aiming for was no longer in sight.
Still more than a mile to the old construction camp! Loopster braved tussocks and forests. She crossed a weird ravine full of mud and brown grass. Impenetrable dense thickets of alders were to the R (NE) along Nugget Creek, which was close enough to be heard, but never seen. The American Dingo discovered a trail through sopping wet bushes head high on SPHP.
A 2 track road finally appeared off to the R. Going to it, 300 feet along the road got Lupe to the abandoned construction camp. Nothing to it now! The rain and wind had ended a little while ago. Continuing NW, Lupe headed for Peak 3470 looming ahead.
Before getting to the Dalton Highway, Lupe looked back one more time. There in the distance beyond the Nugget Creek valley gap between Peak 3780 and Peak 3286, the lower slopes of Poss Mountain were visible, the summit still hidden in clouds.
8-22-22, 4:40 PM, 43ºF – Scarcely any traffic on the Dalton Highway as Lupe trotted the last 0.25 mile NE. Once back to the RAV4 parked at the side road just N of Nugget Creek, she hopped up onto her pink blanket, eagerly awaiting dinner since supplies had completely run out during the return.
SPHP threw another blanket over the thoroughly drenched Carolina Dog to help warm her up, then produced a dinner of beef stew, Ritz crackers, cheese, and a whole bag of Fritos.
Nothing but health food again, Loop! Enjoy!
Although denied at Poss Mountain (6,180 ft.), Lupe’s fabulous day in the mists and fog at high camp up on the 4,000+ foot ridge only a mile W of the summit would always be fondly remembered. The American Dingo had climbed both Peak 3780 and Peak 3286 on her first backpacking trip in Alaska, too!
We had a blast! Don’t give up on Poss Mountain, SPHP! Let’s come back on a sunnier day, and try again. We can explore Minnie Creek Lake, and climb Peak 3878!
Continuing N tomorrow, Loopster, but, yeah, why not give Poss another shot sometime? I’m game! In fact, we’ll be coming back this way before this Dingo Vacation is over. Maybe we can try it then?
Oh, I hope so, SPHP! Bet that mountain goat on Peak 5500 will sure be surprised to see me again, won’t he?
Links:
Next Adventure Prior Adventure
Poss Mountain, Brooks Range, Alaska – Part 1: Nugget Creek & Peak 3780 (8-20-22)
Andrew Holman’s Poss Mountain Trip Report & GPS Track (9-4-21)
Lupe’s GPS Track – Descent from Peak 3286
BLM Dalton Highway Visitor Guide
Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index. Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.
