Dingo Vacations – Page 48 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Sierra Blanca, Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico (5-13-21)

Days 4-6 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to New Mexico!

5-11-21, before noon, I-25 in Colorado – After leaving Hotel Dusty, SPHP found the drive S from Denver in heavy traffic rather nerve-wracking. Not Lupe! The American Dingo considered it a smashing bore. Nothing but city – not a cow or horse to bark at anywhere! Meanwhile, low dark clouds blanketed the plains, obscuring the Rockies. The sun hadn’t put in an appearance in 3 days.

Well into May already, yet the temperature barely budged, remaining chilly in a tight range between 37-41ºF for many miles. S of Colorado Springs, the traffic finally started to thin out as open country began to predominate. Approaching Walsenburg, vapor rising from several inches of heavy, wet, new snow created a foggy winter wonderland.

Looks like we’re on our way to Canada, SPHP! I thought we were going to the desert? How much farther is it, anyway?

Yeah, kind of nuts, isn’t it, Loop? Have to admit I didn’t expect to see any snow! We’re less than an hour from the border now. Just think! Your first new state since Alaska way back in 2016! Are you excited?

Actually, I’m not so sure about this, SPHP. Are they going to shave me at the border? I like my fur, and don’t want to lose it, especially if it’s going to be so cold!

Shave you at the border? What on earth are you talking about?

I’m talking about Nude Mexico, SPHP! That’s where we’re going, right? I’ve heard about those Mexican Hairless dogs. Not having any fur might be fine for them, but we Carolina Dogs like the way we are, fur and all! You always told me that I look beautiful in my fur, and now you want me to let them shave it all off? Are you going to let them confiscate all your removable fur, too? Not so sure you’ll be such a grand spectacle, either, if they do! Maybe we should go to some other state?

Nude Mexico! I never said we were going to Nude Mexico. You need to clean out your ears, Looper! We’re going to New Mexico! N-E-W … NEW!

Clean out my ears! Nothing wrong with my ears, SPHP! I hear all kinds of things you’re completely oblivious to. Learn to enunciate! You’ve been mumbling again. Anyway, I’m glad it’s New Mexico. So they’re not going to shave me, right?

Of course not, silly Dingo! Not even if you’re dying of the heat.

The snow and fog were gone before Lupe even got to New Mexico. After going over Raton Pass, two mountains were visible in the distance. An expanse of lowlands before them glowed yellow in sunlight, although no blue sky could be seen from here.

The promised land, Loopster! New Mexico, your 13th state! We crossed the border a few miles back.

This is more like it, SPHP! Is that the desert down there?

To be sure! We’ll soon be crossing it.

Down in the desert, vegetation was sparse as the RAV4 rolled S toward Las Vegas, NM, but every now and then Lupe saw a few horses to bark at. Far to the W, thick clouds hung over deep blue ridges. Stormy! SPHP began to realize heading for the mountains of northern New Mexico wasn’t going to work, at least not yet.

Between Las Vegas and Santa Fe, SPHP left I-25, turning S on Hwy 3. The drive was scenic, especially after crossing the Pecos River at Villanueva. Skies cleared, and the temperature soared to 77ºF at one point as the miles clicked away. By evening, Sierra Blanca (11,973 ft.) was in sight.

**Sierra Blanca** (Center) from Hwy 54 N of Carrizozo. Photo looks S.

5-12-21, 7:14 AM, 41ºF, Hwy 37 S of Nogal – Lupe stood on a little rise at the high point of a picnic ground. The Carolina Dog was ready to climb mountains! However, it had been windy all night and gotten much colder than expected. Now, light mist rode a chill breeze. A raw, gray day. All the high peaks were lost in the clouds.

What happened? Can you believe this weather, Loop? We’re in southern New Mexico for pity sake! I thought it would be like summer!

We aren’t going to climb Sierra Blanca, SPHP?

Not in this soup! No telling how cold and miserable it might be way up there! Wouldn’t be able to see anything, anyway.

So, what’s Plan B?

Actually, Sierra Blanca was plan B.

Plan C, then!

Ya got me, Loopster. Going to have to take a look at the map.

Light rain fell beneath sullen skies practically all the way to Roswell. Plan C consisted of a couple of long shots. Probably wouldn’t turn out to be much more than a long joy ride in the brand new RAV4, but being on the move seemed better than sitting around doing nothing all day. At least Lupe would get to see a lot of new territory.

At the entrance to **Carlsbad Caverns National Park**.

Even before entering Carlsbad Caverns National Park, SPHP knew Loop wouldn’t be allowed to tour the cave.

A 7 mile drive up a scenic desert canyon ended at a fancy visitor center way up on a high plateau. The view would have been spectacular on a clear day, but was murky and indistinct today. Since it was still quite cool and gray, the plan was to let Lupe snooze in the RAV4 for an hour with plenty of water available and the windows partially open while SPHP toured the cave.

Nope. Signs forbid leaving Dingos in vehicles. Not all that surprising. Probably good policy considering how hot it might get much of the year. Kennels were available, but SPHP wasn’t too keen on that idea. Caged and alone in a strange place? Lupe would hate that!

Turned out that proof of a current rabies vaccination was required, and SPHP hadn’t brought any such documentation along, anyway.

*As holes in the ground go, this one is supposed to be fabulous!* At the visitor center.

Dingos weren’t allowed on any surface trails, either, so that was that.

Returning to Hwy 62/180, it wasn’t far to the only certain highlight of the day. One day after entering New Mexico, her 13th state, Lupe made it to her 14th, the great state of Texas!

Entering the Lone Star State for the first time.

Plan C’s real prize was just ahead, Guadalupe Peak (8,749 ft.), highest mountain in Texas! Climbing Guadalupe Peak would be awesome!

Arriving at **Guadalupe Mountains National Park**.

Hopes ran high entering Guadalupe Mountains National Park, but were quickly dashed. A trail went 3,000 feet clear up to the top of the mountain, but no Dingos allowed!

Guadalupe Peak – so close, and yet so far! Frustrating!

Abandoning the park, skies cleared on the way down to the Salt Basin desert. Lupe might not have gotten to visit Guadalupe Peak, but she did get to see it.

Leaving Guadalupe Mountains National Park behind. Photo looks N.

**Guadalupe Peak** (L) from the **Salt Basin**. Photo looks NE.

N of El Paso, Lupe returned to New Mexico. As the evening sun sank in the W, Sierra Blanca was in sight again on the horizon. The huge loop the American Dingo had traveled today had been scenic, but otherwise hadn’t accomplished much. Maybe tomorrow would be a better day?

**Sierra Blanca** (L) in the distance. Photo looks NNE.

5-13-21, 8:38 AM, 50ºF – Cold, almost foggy, and in the low 40’s ºF again earlier this morning, but skies were blue now! 12 miles from Alto at the W end of Hwy 532, SPHP parked the RAV4 at a trailhead just before the entrance gate to Ski Apache.

The last half of the drive in had been spectacular as the narrow highway, hemmed in by guard rails of dubious strength, wound ever higher up the steep-sided slopes of Buck Mountain (10,769 ft.). Much of the old forest had burned, revealing a dizzying expanse of the Sacramento Mountains.

The trailhead itself was tucked down in a bowl, away from the views. Several pickup trucks could be seen down at Ski Apache, but the RAV4 was the only vehicle at the trailhead. Two signs warned of the dangers of entering the burn area. A permanent metal sign painted yellow with black lettering said to proceed at your own risk. Paperwork stapled to a plywood plaque seemed to indicate the area was closed.

Closed! But we’ve come so far, SPHP!

Heh. Yeah. If anyone asks, Looper, we’re going by the yellow sign!

Great minds think alike, SPHP! C’mon, let’s go!

Glancing back at the trailhead after starting up Trail No. 15. Photo looks SE.

Trail No. 15 headed NW up the side of a ravine toward a short stretch of unburned forest. Once past the trees, it continued through a meadow to a switchback that traversed a steeper grassy slope. Upon reaching a flat spot, Lupe arrived a junction with Crest Trail No. 25. From this junction, Sierra Blanca (11,973 ft.) was visible beyond Lookout Mountain (11,580 ft.).

Heading up the ravine toward the live trees. Photo looks NW.

Continuing higher. The saddle ahead leads to **Buck Mountain**, which is off to the R. Photo looks NW.

At the start of the switchback. Photo looks SSW.

Signage at the **junction with Crest Trail No. 25**. Photo looks NW.

**Sierra Blanca** (L) and **Lookout Mountain** (R) from the junction. Photo looks SW.

Proceeding W on Crest Trail No. 25, it slowly lost elevation traversing a slope. Lupe entered a forest of dead trees. Many had fallen. Fortunately, most had been cleared from the trail. A chairlift and other Ski Apache facilities were visible down in the valley to the S. Loopster didn’t see anyone, but the whine of a chainsaw filled the air.

In the burnt forest on **Crest Trail No. 25**. Photo looks WNW.

**Ski Apache** facilities down in the valley. **Lookout Mountain** (L). Photo looks SW.

Crest Trail No. 25 curved NW. Lupe entered a big meadow that swept up toward HP10595. A Trail No. 25 sign stood over by the edge of another burnt forest on the opposite side of the meadow. Scratched into the sign, an arrow pointed S (L), but the trail itself seemed to have vanished.

In the meadow where Trail No. 25 vanishes. **HP 10595** (R). Photo looks NW.

An arrow scratched onto this Trail No. 25 sign pointed S (L), although no trail seemed to go that way.

Starting up the slope to the S, Lupe found Crest Trail No. 25 again shortly after reaching the trees. It switchbacked NW almost right away. At first, the trail was easy to follow, but the deadfall hadn’t been cleared in this region. Before long, so much blocked the trail that climbing directly up the steep slope to the W seemed easier than facing all the obstacles.

*Enough of this! How about we just go right on up the slope?* Photo looks NW.

This shortcut worked out well. The forest was fairly open. After gaining several hundred feet of elevation, Lupe came across Crest Trail No. 25 on its way back S. The trail was in better shape up here. Less deadfall!

Climbing through the open forest. Photo looks W.

As Crest Trail No. 25 began curving W again, there was movement above. Two wild dogs stared down on Lupe!

The trail climbed slowly as Lupe continued W. Burnt forest gave way to more open slopes. Ski runs were visible over on Lookout Mountain. Part of the forest that hadn’t burned appeared ahead. Shortly after Lupe entered the live forest, SPHP noticed a side trail taking off to the N (R).

Ski runs on **Lookout Mountain** (L). Photo looks W.

Approaching the live forest. Photo looks NW.

Looper hadn’t reached Ice Spring yet, but had to be getting close. The White Mountain Wilderness High Point (11,300 ft.) was only 0.33 mile away. A quick check of the topo map showed Crest Trail No. 25 veering off to the N at a junction with Lookout Trail No. 78A somewhere in this region. No signage here, though. Was this the junction?

The side trail looked much less used, but that might make sense. Crest Trail No. 25 doesn’t go all the way to Sierra Blanca, instead passing S of the White Mountain Wilderness High Point before turning N to follow the crest of the ridge it’s named after to White Horse Hill (10,255 ft.) and points beyond. Perhaps less popular destinations?

The plan all along was to visit both the White Mountain Wilderness High Point and Lookout Mountain, since they were more or less on the way to Sierra Blanca. Maybe Buck Mountain, too, if there was time during the return. Lupe took the side trail.

SPHP expected it to turn NW almost immediately, but it didn’t. Instead Loop wandered among a maze of faint use trails that soon disappeared. Apparently this wasn’t Crest Trail No. 25 after all. Shucks! Might as well keep climbing N, though! 200 feet higher and the Carolina Dog would be on the White Mountain Wilderness High Point’s E ridge.

The top of the E ridge was broad, forested, and almost flat where Lupe reached it. Not much to see except trees. The American Dingo sniffed W in search of the summit. Before long, she came to a meadow. The high point was just ahead.

**White Mountain Wilderness High Point** (**Peak 11300**) dead ahead! Photo looks W.

Although there were good views of both Lookout Mountain and Sierra Blanca while crossing the meadow, the White Mountain Wilderness High Point summit was buried in trees, and views were much more limited. The actual high point appeared to be at the base of a large spruce tree. Immediately to the W was a blackened area which had apparently been involved in a very recent fire. More could be seen from over there, but the views were still tree-broken.

**Sierra Blanca** (Center) from the **White Mountains Wilderness High Point** summit. Photo looks S.

In the recent burn area W of the true summit. Photo looks N.

A 20 minute break was taken up on the White Mountains Wilderness High Point. Lupe then traveled S through mostly open territory down to a saddle where she reached Crest Trail No. 25 again at an intersection with Lookout Trail No. 78. Continuing S to a nearby gently sloped ridge, it proved to have a great view of Lookout Mountain and Sierra Blanca.

Signage at the Crest Trail No. 25 and Lookout Trail No. 78 intersection.

**Lookout Mountain** (Center) & **Sierra Blanca** (R) from the gentle ridge. Photo looks S.

Following the rounded ridge toward Lookout Mountain, Lupe picked up Lookout Trail No. 78. After taking her back into the forest, No. 78 led down to an opening where Trails No. 78 & 78A converged. This opening provided a nice look at Buck Mountain (10,769 ft.) back to the ENE.

**Buck Mountain** (Center). Photo looks ENE.

Signage at the Trail No. 78 & 78A convergence. No. 78A goes to Ice Spring.

A wide grassy lane continued S to a saddle, where it linked up with the Ambush Run of Ski Apache. Ascending along the edge of the run, Lupe soon reached the upper end of a chairlift next to a large metal building. Staying W of these facilities, the American Dingo passed several picnic tables with big views to the W, and came to a broad path.

Looking S from the clearing down the lane that leads to the Ambush Run of Ski Apache.

Near the chairlift and metal building. Photo looks SSE.

On the broad path after passing the chairlift and picnic tables. Photo looks S.

The top of Lookout Mountain (11,580 ft.) was just S of the ski facilities and about 150 feet higher. Since it was quickly evident that the path was going to bypass the summit, Lupe left it. Climbing a slope of small rocks and grass, she reached a thick circular concrete pad supporting a rock wall around most of the perimeter.

Approaching the **summit of Lookout Mountain**. Photo looks S.

On the concrete viewing platform at the **top of Lookout Mountain**. Photo looks W.

Concrete benches incorporated along the interior of the wall provided a nice spot to relax. The panoramic views were impressive, but Lupe took only a short break. Sierra Blanca was higher yet, and now beckoning from only a little more than a mile away!

**Sierra Blanca** (Center) from **Lookout Mountain**. Photo looks S.

Another Ski Apache chairlift came into sight as soon as Lupe started for Sierra Blanca. After passing it, Loop returned to the broad path. When the path went through an opening in a zig-zaggy log fence, she deserted it again, following a use trail along the W side of a minor hill.

Another chairlift ahead! **Sierra Blanca** (R). Photo looks SSE.

Ski Apache chairlift on the S side of Lookout Mountain. Photo looks E.

The trek from Lookout Mountain to the saddle N of Sierra Blanca was easy. However, Lupe now faced a fairly steep 500 foot climb up an open slope of grass and smallish rocks. SPHP did a big bad wolf impression, huffing and puffing slowly higher while the Carolina Dog roamed at will.

Approaching the **saddle N of Sierra Blanca**. Photo looks S.

The 500 foot climb led to a short, level ridge that jutted out to the W. SPHP insisted upon taking a somewhat extended breather here. Ahead, a rockier and somewhat higher ridge led straight toward the summit.

Gazing back at **Lookout Mountain** (Center) from the first short ridge. Photo looks N.

**Sierra Blanca** from the first ridge. Photo looks S.

The E side of this next section was very steep, almost a cliff. Continuing onward, Lupe stayed high on the W side, sometimes even right up on the ridgeline. The terrain became rough, forcing her to downclimb a bit just before reaching a notch.

Approaching the still unseen notch. Photo looks S.

The notch provided a narrow opening to the E just past the cliffy region. A use trail went through it, then turned S back up to the ridgeline, which soon became so bouldery Lupe had to abandon it. Returning to the W side again, the Carolina Dog kept working her way higher. This whole region was plenty steep.

Above and beyond the notch, enjoying a patch of melting snow. Photo looks E.

Back over the W side, not far from the summit! Photo looks SSW.

5-13-21, 2:43 PM, Sierra Blanca (11,793 ft.) – By the time Lupe reached the top, clouds that had been building earlier on had largely dissipated. Loop came up just S of the true summit boulder, located along the W rim of a region roughly 75 feet long N/S and 25 feet wide E/W. Only distant haziness obstructed otherwise commanding views in all directions.

Up on top! The **true summit** boulder (R) is the next one over. Photo looks NNW.

Ready for a prolonged rest break, Lupe headed to the N end first, where she could relax while contemplating the region she had just journeyed through to get here.

On the biggest boulder at the N end of the summit region. Photo looks N.

Peering down on the route taken. **Lookout Mountain** (Center). The **White Mountain Wilderness High Point** (L) is the forested hill beyond it. Photo looks N.

**Buck Mountain** (L) in the foreground, with the **Capitan Mountains** (R) on the horizon. Photo looks NE.

Nearly an hour shot by blissfully hanging out at the N end. SPHP finally felt sufficiently recovered to explore the rest of the summit region. Lupe took this opportunity to enjoy the views in other directions, too.

Having a look around. **True summit** (Center). Photo looks SW.

**Sierra Blanca’s E ridge** (L). Photo looks ESE.

**White Sands Missile Range** (Center) discernable on the horizon. Photo looks SW.

Two survey markers with arrows pointed toward a main “Sierra Blanca” benchmark located E of the true summit. A spacious cavity below the true summit boulder harbored a mailbox. It proved to be packed full of old registries. SPHP added Lupe’s name to the most recent one, a red notebook that started with a 2020 entry.

Loop on the **true summit** boulder. The survey benchmark (lower L) is visible nearby. Photo looks SW.

The mailbox containing the registries is stashed beneath the true summit (Center). Photo looks SSW.

After SPHP signed her into the registry, Loopster got up on true summit, striking a dramatic pose.

Sierra Blanca was awesome! Hadn’t been hard to get here, either. The Carolina Dog lingered an hour and 40 minutes, so long that she wasn’t going to have time to climb Buck Mountain on the way back. Oh, well! Time spent here was well worth it. No regrets.

Lingering on **Sierra Blanca**. Photo looks W.

5-13-21, 4:22 PM – SPHP started down first. The return, mostly along the same route, went well. After passing through the notch again, Lupe took advantage of a use trail lower down on the W side of the rocky ridge that led back to the first ridge above the 500 foot grassy slope. This use trail was easier than staying high, and definitely the way to go.

Final moments atop **Sierra Blanca**. Photo looks E.

Heading down to the notch. Photo looks N.

On the use trail leading back to the **first ridge** (R). Photo looks NNW.

Back at the first ridge. **Sierra Blanca** (R of Center). Photo looks SSE.

Lupe returned to Lookout Mountain (11,580 ft.), going over the hill she had skirted earlier. During another short break, SPHP had a look at a couple of plaques attached to the rock wall. The most interesting one pointed out the Carrizozo Malpais Lava Beds, site of the first atomic bomb explosion.

**Sierra Blanca** from the hill Lupe had skirted earlier in the day. Photo looks S.

Relaxing on **Lookout Mountain**, 2nd ascent. Photo looks N.

Atomic bomb explosion plaque. Not something you want too many of around!

Lupe did not revisit the White Mountain Wilderness High Point (11,300 ft.), instead taking the Lookout Trail No. 78A shortcut to Ice Spring (which she saw no sign of) and back to Crest Trail No. 25.

Now that it was about over, the most exciting part of the entire day was about to begin! Lupe never saw the coyotes again, but the burned forest turned out to be full of giant deers emerging to graze!

Oh, it was a thrilling time on a great day, the day Lupe climbed her first peaks in New Mexico! Reaching the RAV4 at dusk, the Carolina Dog was tired, famished, and perhaps more than a little sad that it was all over and done. (5-13-21, 8:35 PM)

On **Sierra Blanca**, Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico 5-13-21

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Atlantic Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Atlantic Lake to the Summit! (9-15-20)

Days 3-6 of Lupe’s 5th Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

9-15-20, 7:27 AM, Atlantic Lake – Squirrels! A great way to start any day. An American Dingo’s shrill enthusiasm broke the tranquility of the mountain air.

Loopster! Hush! You’ll wake up the campers.

Well, lucky them! They’re missing out! Lots of squirrels here. No doubt they’ll want to get in on the action!

Yeah, keep that up, and I’m sure they’ll be coming over to thank you any minute now. Anyway, c’mon, we’re ready. You can look for more squirrels after we get sufficiently past their camp.

Smooth as silk! Scarcely a ripple disturbed the surface of Atlantic Lake. Such a beautiful spot! Unfortunately, no improvement in air quality. A little smokier than yesterday, if anything. Disappointing, but sadly not entirely unexpected.

**Atlantic Peak** (L of Center) from **Atlantic Lake**. Photo looks WNW.

The Carolina Dog set out heading W along the S shore, utilizing a mix of faint use trails. Soon turned out that there was a better trail a little off in the forest, away from the lake. As this region narrowed, Lupe traveled along the base of rock formations or slides. Big rocks sometimes created openings along the shoreline that provided viewpoints.

**Atlantic Lake** shortly after sunrise. Photo looks ESE.

Near the W end of Atlantic Lake, Lupe came to a vacant campsite. Not a bad spot! If SPHP had known about it yesterday, Loop would have spent the night here. A rushing stream was just beyond the campsite. Leaving Atlantic Lake, Loopster followed the stream up a steep forested slope. Crossing the stream after the terrain leveled out to some degree quickly proved to be a mistake.

At the campsite near the W end of Atlantic Lake.

Loop crossed the stream (hidden in the bushes) here, but ran into difficult terrain on the other side.

Returning to the S bank, Looper kept going, venturing through a region bounded by a steep rocky slope on the L (S), and the stream and forest on the R (N). She was often forced to scramble over talus at the base of rock slides. Only intermittent signs of any use trail now.

Following the base of the slope. **Atlantic Peak** (R). Photo looks WNW.

*Best to stay low and keep heading W for a while yet!* Photo looks S.

Crossing talus. **Atlantic Peak** straight up from Lupe. Photo looks WNW.

After a while, the stream disappeared in the forest. Lupe eventually came to the brink of a wide ravine. She needed to get across it, but was too high. A pond was visible 50 feet lower off to the N (R). This seemed like a decent landmark to check progress against, but the topo map didn’t show a pond in this region at all. Puzzling.

The mysterious unmapped pond. **Silas Peak (12,248 ft.)** (L). Photo looks NNW.

Need to get over there! Photo looks WNW.

Retreating into the forest, Lupe found a way to get down close to pond level. The pond was actually a wide spot in the same stream she’d been following earlier. Crossing only a minor tributary, Loop made it over to the base of the rock formations W of the ravine. The American Dingo’s ascent of Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) was about to start in earnest.

Looking up **Atlantic Canyon**. **Silas Peak** (R). Photo looks NW.

*Made it across the ravine! Ready to start climbing?* Photo looks WSW.

Going around the S side of the first rock formation, Loop found herself on a rocky slope that would have been a slow trudge for SPHP, if not for exposed slabs providing excellent routes higher. The slabs were steep, but dry, so traction was good. Staying on the slabs as much as possible, Lupe and SPHP traipsed toward an increasingly blue sky.

*These slabs we’re coming to are the way to go!* Photo looks SW.

In the heart of slab country. Photo looks S.

*Wouldn’t want it to get too much steeper, but we’re doing great!* Photo looks W.

All good things must come to an end, and the slabs did, too. Lupe came to two high spots densely covered with low evergreens. Reaching the top of the first one, a world of rock was visible beyond it. Looked like some pretty rough ground.

At the **first high spot**. **Second high spot** (L) ahead. Photo looks W.

The evergreens were so thick, it was hard to push through them. Turned out to be easier to avoid them altogether by staying along the N edge of this hill. After getting past them, Lupe went SW toward the second high spot. She never quite got to the top of this next high point, again finding it easier to simply avoid the whole evergreen situation by staying NW.

Immediately beyond the second high spot was a ravine choked with talus. Fortunately, this ravine wasn’t terribly wide, enabling SPHP to rock hop through it all without losing too much time.

Lupe resumed her ascent. The slope ahead was rocky and steep, but she again came to a series of slabs creating easy routes higher. Between the slabs, she often found lanes of vegetation to follow. Progress was good. At about 11,000 feet, Loop could see a rock-free depression to the S that was somewhat lower. Maybe a tarn that had gradually filled in with sediment?

Looking down on the **sediment-filled depression** (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Comprising much of the enormous slope W of the depression was a huge expanse of exposed slabs. Looked steep at the upper end, and SPHP wasn’t eager to head that far S. Nevertheless, Lupe inched toward the slabs as she continued up the mountain. Soon a much smaller orange slab with a tiny meltwater stream appeared ahead.

Above the orange slab, a series of grassy benches existed among all the rocks. Various ramps connecting these benches enabled a winding route higher without having to do much scrambling. Lupe reached the N edge of the enormous slabby region far above the sediment-filled depression. A good chunk of Atlantic Lake was now in sight.

Exploring a grassy bench. Photo looks SW.

**Atlantic Lake** (L) and the sediment-filled depression (R). Photo looks E.

The slope Lupe was climbing was taking her W toward the ridge SSE of HP12261, Atlantic Peak’s eastern subpeak. The American Dingo was now getting close to the apparent top of this ridge, but SPHP realized that was merely an illusion. Fearing a long talus scramble ahead in the as yet unseen region above the slabs, reality ultimately proved to be much kinder. Far more vegetation and less rock than expected. Cake!

*Above all the slabs now, and my, isn’t this nice!* **HP12261** (R). Photo looks NW.

Before long, Lupe was approaching the genuine top of the ridge, a broad rock-strewn region between HP12261 and HP11801. The true summit of Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) was already coming into view.

Along the W side of the crest of this ridge sat a line of rock formations, several separate mounds of talus of varying size and shape.

Approaching the ridgeline. **Atlantic Peak** (Center). Photo looks NW.

Approaching rock formations along the W side of the crest. Photo looks WSW.

Going to the rock formation at the S end of the line, Loop peered over the edge, getting her first look at a huge expanse of territory S of Atlantic Peak. Unfortunately, a grand panorama of Wyoming’s sagebrush plains beyond the Wind River Range was hazy and indistinct. Darn smoke!

The smoke was bad, but it wasn’t terrible. Lake 9590 was visible in the Blair Creek drainage, and so were the Sweetwater Needles (10,548 ft.) 1.5 miles beyond it.

**Lake 9590** (L), **Sweetwater Needles** (Center), **Peak 11101** (R), and **Peak 11456** (far R). Photo looks SW.

After surveying this smoke-diminished scene, Loop headed N, passing E of the rest of the rock formations.

E of the rock formations. **Atlantic Peak** (L) and **HP12261** (R). Photo looks NW.

**Atlantic Peak** (R of Center) from the N end. Photo looks NW.

From the formation at the N end, Atlantic Peak’s summit was in sight less than 0.75 mile NW. So were the long slopes leading to it. Rocky and steep, but nothing intimidating. Merely a time-consuming grind. SPHP got things off to a poor start by leading Lupe angling higher, which soon put her in talus. Would have been better to have stayed lower where there was more vegetation.

*Not that far now!* **Atlantic Peak** (Center). Photo looks NW.

Looking back to the SSE. **Peak 11892** (Center) with **Peak 11761** poking up just to the R.

Climbing was often easier than going straight ahead or back down, so Loop kept working her way higher. Trending NNW, the Carolina Dog gained a fair amount of elevation, but never reached the elusive top of the ridge above. None of these maneuvers provided significant relief from the talus.

A wretchedly slow traverse, but SPHP eventually got through the worst of it. A stretch of smaller rock and patches of vegetation allowed spurts of progress. More rock, including talus still ahead, but not as intense as what Lupe had just come through.

*Looking better now! We’ll aim for the saddle near that snowbank.* Photo looks NW.

Upon reaching the big saddle between Atlantic Peak and HP12261, Loop had only 300 feet of elevation still to go. A long, icy snowbank provided a useful ramp up a good part of it. Above the snow was another talus climb that wasn’t too bad. Staying toward the N, Lupe skirted a minor subpeak and came to a large flat spot. Another 50 or 60 foot scramble and she’d be on top!

W end of the saddle between **Atlantic Peak** (Center) and **HP12261**. Photo looks W.

Glancing back. **Silas Peak** (L), saddle leading to **HP12261** (R). Photo looks ENE.

Coming up to the **minor subpeak** (L). **Atlantic Peak** (R). Photo looks W.

Scrambling for the top! Photo looks WSW.

9-15-20, 1:22 PM, Atlantic Peak – Lupe came up at the E end of a 200 foot long E/W summit ridge. The whole thing was a collection of talus with a steep slope to the S, and an absolute cliff to the N, the highest rocks mostly right along that fearsome N edge.

**E end of Atlantic Peak’s summit ridge**. Photo looks W.

*Time to find the true summit and chalk this one up as a peakbagging success!*

Although not quite to the true summit yet, the views were tremendous! Due to the smoke’s interference with the clarity of distant objects, the most interesting view was of the Saddlebag Lakes and another unnamed lake tucked below the vertical S face of Silas Peak (12,248 ft.) way down in Atlantic Canyon.

**Saddlebag Lakes** (L & Center). **Silas Peak** (R). Photo looks NNE.

Despite the talus, it was relatively easy to maneuver W looking for the true summit. A white rock resting on a larger boulder, both on the brink of the precipice to the N, proved to be the high point, although another boulder 20 feet farther W appeared to be nearly as high.

The white rock was too small, sloped, and close to the edge for Lupe to get up on. However, she could easily touch the top with her paw, and stand on the boulder supporting it. She also visited that other boulder in contention to the W to complete her peakbagging success.

At the **true summit of Atlantic Peak**. **Highest rock** next to Loop. **2nd highest rock** (L). Photo looks NW.

One of the **Saddlebag Lakes** (far L) with **Silas Peak** and an unnamed lake beyond it. **True summit** rock by Lupe. Photo looks NE.

On the **2nd highest rock**. **West Atlantic Peak (12,430 ft.)** (Center) is the high point of the dark ridge beyond Loop. Photo looks NW.

So much to see! Atlantic Peak’s long W ridge curled N to a high point that had to be West Atlantic Peak (12,430 ft.). Miles beyond it, partially obscured by the haze, were several recognizable giants of the SE Wind River Range. Temple Peak (12,972 ft.), East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.), and mighty Wind River Peak (13,192 ft.) were all dimly displayed.

**Atlantic Peak’s W ridge** (L of Center). **Mount Nystrom (12,356 ft.)** (R of Center), **West Atlantic Peak** (R), and **Temple Peak** (far R) in the distance. Photo looks WNW.

**Mount Nystrom** (far L), **West Atlantic Peak** (L), **Temple Peak** (L of Center), **East Temple Peak** (Center), and **Wind River Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

**Temple Peak** (L), **East Temple Peak** (Center), and **Wind River Peak** (R). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

Zoomed in on **Temple Peak**. Icky haze! Photo looks NW.

To the SW was the view of Lake 9590 in the Blair Creek drainage and the Sweetwater Needles (10,548) that Lupe had seen before from the rock formations in the saddle between HP11801 and HP12261. However, she now saw them from a different perspective as she peered down Atlantic Peak’s SW ridge.

**Lake 9590** (L) and the **Sweetwater Needles** (R). Photo looks SW.

**Atlantic Peak’s SW ridge** (Center). **Sweetwater Needles** (L) beyond **Peak 11456**. Atlantic Peak’s connecting **W ridge** (R). Photo looks WSW.

Lupe gazed down into Atlantic Canyon, she surveyed the route she’d taken up from the SE, and sat on many a boulder. After a good long while, though, it was time for a break.

With nowhere to rest close to the true summit, Lupe retreated back to the E, choosing shady spot where SPHP put sweatshirts and a jacket on a rock to provide some cushioning. Looper munched her Taste of the Wild and inhaled the beef jerky SPHP offered before trying to nap.

Looking NNW over **Atlantic Canyon**. One of the **Saddlebag Lakes** (R).

**HP12261** (L), **Peak** **11892** (straight up from Lupe), **Peak 11761** (R). Photo looks SE.

The **saddle where Lupe first reached the ridgeline** (far L). **Peak 11892** (Center) and **Peak 11761** (R) all in the foreground. **Christina Lake** (far L), **Granite Peak (10,404 ft.)** (L) and **Pabst Peak (10,261 ft.)** (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks SE.

Chillin’ on **Atlantic Peak**. Photo looks E.

High in the mighty Winds of Wyoming! Photo looks NW.

3rd time had been a charm! The American Dingo finally really was way up here on Atlantic Peak. SPHP drank a Coke, pondering the splendid scenes in all directions. A shame it had to be so smoky, but what a spot!

The melancholy moment arrived. Looper stood again at the summit of Atlantic Peak. All the planning, long anticipation, and effort to get here! Not just here, but to any big remote peak. The joy of success! Precious minutes savoring it all, the world at your paws! Then suddenly it’s on the verge of over and done with, a fabulous airy place almost certainly never to be seen again. An instant both wonderfully real and terrible.

9-15-20, 2:52 PM, Atlantic Peak – Well, no sense in brooding. Just the way things are, have always been, and always will be. Plenty of fun yet to come! 1.5 hours after arriving, Lupe left the summit of Atlantic Peak.

About to head down. **HP12261** (Center). Photo looks E.

During the return, Lupe varied the route a bit. Instead of heading back to the saddle between HP12261 and HP11801, she stayed higher going through minor passes SE and SW of HP12261. After going through the second pass, an enormous long slope was in sight. Lots of rock. All the usual travails and little assists. And way down in the valley, a blue gem, Atlantic Lake!

Approaching the **first pass SW of HP12261** (R). Photo looks SE.

**Second pass SE of HP12261** (L) with **Christina Lake** beyond it. Lupe’s route up went through the lower pass seen on the R. **HP11892** (R) and **HP11761** (far R). Photo looks SE.

*At least it’s all downhill now!* **Atlantic Lake** (L) and **Christina Lake** (R of Center). Photo looks SE.

The sun was down and light beginning to fade as Lupe headed E along the S shore of Atlantic Lake. Not much farther to the tiny house! SPHP was surprised to see a campfire. Sort of expected the campers might be gone by now. Two people! They hailed SPHP. Up to greet them.

So Lupe and SPHP met Peter and Meghan Cielenski, brother and sister, from Cincinnati, Ohio. Right away, a miracle! Peter and Meghan knew Lupe! What? Turned out Meghan’s boyfriend, Josh, had found The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe while researching a prior trip to Tayo and Coon lakes here in the Wind River Range. Tayo Lake was on the way to Wind River Peak, which Loop had climbed in 2017.

Astonishing! First time anyone had ever recognized Lupe from her blog! SPHP asked Meghan and Peter if they were planning on staying up for a while, and if it would be OK to join them? Answer – affirmative on both counts! A quick trip to the tiny house to ditch the backpack and feed Loop before heading back to the campfire.

Starting to get dark already, but maybe enough light for a photo?

Lupe with **Peter & Meghan Cielenski**. First (and only so far!) people ever to recognize Lupe from T(M)TAOL.

**Peter & Meghan Cielenski** with Loop. A little fuzzy due to low light conditions. It was much darker than it looks.

Peter and Meghan were both very friendly, and a fun evening was spent with them. Unaccustomed to a campfire, Lupe mostly hung back in the shadows, listening to the conversation.

Peter had discovered the Wind River Range back in 2019. Already on his 3rd trip, he was a fan! Peter’s main interest was in fly fishing. He showed SPHP photos of brilliantly colored Golden Trout he’d caught when he and Meghan had gone all the way up Atlantic Canyon to the Saddlebag Lakes yesterday.

Meghan was a runner. She sometimes runs marathons, and was more into exploring than fishing. Meghan was hoping to see some shooting stars. Wyoming wish granted! The Milky Way appeared in the heavens as the night turned black. A zillion stars glittered overhead. A few fell, as sparks from the campfire’s embers sailed skyward in brief, doomed efforts to meet them.

The Cielenskis offered SPHP a Snickers bar, peanut M&M’s, and Babybel cheeses wrapped in cellophane and red wax so they’ll keep. SPHP had never seen Babybel cheeses before, but they were good, and a really big hit with Lupe! When the Cielenskis declined beef jerky offered by SPHP, the Carolina Dog made sure none of that went to waste, either.

Good times with Kevin and Meghan! But the evening wore on, the fire faded to embers, and it got late. A fabulous, long day in the mountains. Eventually everyone was ready to say good-night.

9-16-20, 8:04 AM, Atlantic Lake – Ready to go! If anything, Atlantic Lake was even smoother this morning when Lupe appeared to bid a final farewell to Atlantic Peak. A few moments to reflect, and it was nearly Puppy, ho! time. Before departing, the American Dingo ventured back to Peter and Meghan’s camp to say good-bye. No activity. Maybe they were already out and about?

On the way back to the trailhead, several groups of Californians were met. All had fled the bonfire their drought-stricken home had become. Some described smoke so thick that day turned to night. Not good! Some Year of Perfect Vision this turned out to be!

9-16-20, 1:10 PM, Christina Lake trailhead – The Atlantic Peak adventure was over. A guy was changing a flat tire on his pickup truck when Lupe got back to the trailhead. Not especially happy about it, he blamed the sharp gray rock they’d repaired the access road with recently, which he claimed were cheap tailings from an iron mine. He had relatives that had suffered 8 flats on this road in the past 2 months.

Fortunately, the G6’s tires were fine. No damage on the way in. Now all they had to do was survive the trip out. Still looking good upon reaching pavement on Hwy 28 at the SE end of the Winds. SPHP turned S.

Lots more to do in the Wind River Range on this Dingo Vacation, if the weather and sky would co-operate! Looper had a blast barking at cows along the Lander Cutoff. Wind out of the WSW, though. The mountains were barely visible when the G6 pulled into Pinedale. Discouraging.

9-17-20, 2:30 PM, 80ºF, New Fork Lake – Chilly this morning, but the day had warmed up nicely. Lupe had seen a moose and been entertained for hours by a squirrel in a big spruce tree at the dispersed camping site. Trip journal caught up, it was time for a last stroll down to the beach.

Dispersed camping site near New Fork Lake.

A hint of fall, aspens on the hillsides were suddenly yellow. Beautiful! Not a problem, but the smoke obscuring the mountains was. No change overnight, or during the day thus far. Apparently not much chance that the smoke was going to dissipate anytime soon, either.

Might as well face it. Further delay wasn’t going to help. Atlantic Peak was it, a one mountain Dingo Vacation! Terribly inefficient, but it had been great fun. No regrets!

The American Dingo headed for home. Normally a classic western scenic drive, but smoke was everywhere.

9-18-20, 6:53 AM, Wright, WY – Well, isn’t that special? The G6’s R rear tire was nearly flat. After airing it up at a gas station, SPHP asked the convenience store cashier where it might be possible to get it repaired? R & B Tire, a mile or two back along Hwy 387.

Stroke of luck! R & B Tire opened at 7:00 AM. No waiting. The tire was repaired and the G6 good to go in no time. $18.00. Say, by the way, had the mechanic found a nail in the tire, or what was the issue?

Nope, no nail. A small, sharp shard of gray rock.

Figured.

(End, 9-18-20, 11:10 AM, 66ºF, breezy, smoky)