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.
A little farther on.

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.
Heading up the stream.
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.

Orange slab dead ahead! Photo looks W.
On the orange slab. Photo looks W.

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.
Heading up the snowbank. 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.
Wind River Peak. Same story!

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.
Catching a couple of z’s.

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.

Back on top. Photo looks WNW.

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.

Dingo recommended!

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?

Final moments at Atlantic Lake.

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.
Squirrel fever!

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!

A touch of fall at New Fork Lake.
Hopes dashed at New Fork Lake.

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)

Atlantic Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming 9-15-20

Links:

Next Adventure                         Prior Adventure

Atlantic Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: The Christina Lake Trail & Beyond to Atlantic Lake (9-14-20)

Big Sandy to Jackass Pass & Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming (9-1-15)

Wind River Peak, Wyoming – Part 1: Worthen Meadow to Tayo Park (7-8-17 & 7-9-17)

East Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Big Sandy Opening to Clear Lake (7-18-20)

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Utah & Montana Adventure IndexDingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Atlantic Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: The Christina Lake Trail & Beyond to Atlantic Lake (9-14-20)

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 5th Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

9-13-20, 3:20 PM, 85ºF, Lander city park – Only 6 days ago, Lupe had left Lander intent upon climbing Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.).  Instead, she’d wound up fleeing S into Utah in a futile attempt to avoid a freak Labor Day blizzard.  Well, guess what?  85ºF!  Summer of 2020 was back, and the American Dingo was, too!

“Police Line Do Not Cross” said a plastic yellow streamer cordoning off most of the deep green lawn beneath the big old cottonwood trees.  Piles of broken branches, damage from the recent storm, were heaped up throughout the park awaiting removal.

Didn’t matter.  Loopster loves Lander City park!  Free camping and squirrels!  Going to be home for tonight.  Tomorrow morning she would head up into the SE end of Wyoming’s mighty Wind River Range.

Return of the Dingo! Back at Lander city park.

9-14-20, 9:49 AM, Christina Lake trailhead just off County Road No. 300 – The W was still on fire.  The blizzard may have cleared the air for a while, but smoke was already drifting back into the Wind River Range.  Didn’t seem to be too bad.  Nothing to be done about it in any case.

Smoky or not, Looper was doing this!  Just getting to the trailhead this morning was as close to Atlantic Peak as she’d made it this summer.  Her first “attempt” had been back in July, when it turned out that the access road, County Road No. 300, had been closed for repairs.  Then, of course, there was the Labor Day blizzard, which had once again forced a retreat before the Carolina Dog ever even left the highway.

3rd time’s a charm, Loopster!  C’mon, let’s hit it!

At the Christina Lake trailhead off County Road No. 300, just S of Fiddlers Lake.

Near a small corral, Christina Lake trail No. 721 left the trailhead as a stony path heading N up into the forest.  The trail turned W after a brief climb, leveling out before getting quite to the top of a minor ridge.  The topo map showed Fiddlers Lake nearby, likely just on the other side.

Here now!  Might as well take a look!  Lupe left the trail, angling NW up onto the ridge.  Sure enough!  There was Fiddlers Lake.  A rocky dam was visible not too far away along the SW shore, which ought to be a good viewpoint.  Loop sniffed her way over to it.

Near the dam, Fiddlers Lake was calm and weedy.  Looked like there were lots of lily pads farther out before reaching truly open water.  Nice, but not super impressive.  Fiddlers lake resembled an overgrown pond.  Most of it probably wasn’t very deep, but maybe the fishing was good?

Carolina Dogs don’t fish much.  Lupe returned to the Christina Lake trail.

Leaving the Christina Lake trailhead. Photo looks N.
Sign at the start.
Fiddlers Lake. Photo looks NE.

Morning sunlight streamed through the trees.  The air was humid and fresh.  Scattered patches of snow melting in the forest made it feel more like spring than mid-September.  Easy to follow, the Christina Lake trail bounced along neither gaining nor losing much elevation.  Less than 0.5 mile from the trailhead, Lupe reached Fiddlers Creek.  No bridge, but Fiddlers Creek was too small to present any difficulties.

Feels like spring with all this melting snow! Christina Lake trail No. 721.
Fiddlers Creek.

After crossing Fiddlers Creek, Lupe gained 200 feet of elevation before the trail leveled out again.  Proceeding SW, a gradual downhill section led to several more streams, all mere trickles.  After another modest climb, the trail straightened and flattened well up on the side of a steep slope.  At the end of this straightaway came a curve to the R.  Beyond it, Loop arrived at a junction.

Silas Lake trail No. 722 headed off to the W (R) here on its way to Upper Silas Lake, a popular destination judging from the registry 1.5 miles back at the trailhead.  Lupe, however, didn’t need to go to Upper Silas Lake.  Sticking with the Christina Lake trail, she continued on.

At the junction with the Silas Lake trail.

Occasionally, small clearings had been visible off to one side or another, most of which looked like boggy regions.  20 minutes past the Silas Creek trail junction, the largest clearing yet appeared on the L.  A little beyond it, Lupe reached Silas Creek, the biggest stream she had come to so far.

Glimpse of the big clearing on the L side of the trail. Photo looks S.
Silas Creek.

Silas Creek wasn’t all that big, either, but was fairly wide where the trail crossed it.  Many rocks were in the stream, both upstream and down, but a quick check didn’t reveal any spots where they were arranged quite fortuitously enough to permit a rock hop.  Oh, well!  Shedding boots and socks, SPHP waded across.  Lupe followed after.

That was easy enough!  However, the American Dingo didn’t get much farther before coming to an even larger stream.  Atlantic Creek had twice, maybe triple, the flow that Silas Creek did.  The bottom of Silas Creek had been sand and gravel, but Atlantic Creek was rocky.  As much as 2 or 3 feet deep, the prospect of wading across Atlantic Creek’s stony bottom wasn’t too attractive.  Fortunately, the water was just low enough to permit a rock hop on stones barely protruding above the surface.

Atlantic Creek.
SPHP’s such a tenderpaw! Nothing to it!
Looking back after crossing Atlantic Creek. Photo looks NW.

Shortly after leaving Atlantic Creek, the Christina Lake trail went over a minor rise, passing through a clearing strewn with rocks and several large boulders.  Beyond this clearing, the trail re-entered the forest going gradually downhill.  At a low spot, the Carolina Dog came to the edge of an enormous field.  This field looked grassy and dry, but was actually quite soggy.

While looking upstream back at Atlantic Creek, Loopster had caught a glimpse of a high mountain.  SPHP had wondered at the time if it might have been Atlantic Peak?  A much better view of that same mountain, plus a number of peaks along a ridge S of it, was now available.  A quick check of the topo map convinced SPHP that the high mountain probably really was part of Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.).

Crossing the rocky clearing.
That’s HP12261, the E end of Atlantic Peak behind me! Photo looks WNW.
HP12261 (Center). Photo looks WNW with help from the telephoto lens.

Staying near the edge of the damp field, the American Dingo followed the Christina Lake trail through a boggy depression before returning to drier ground in the forest.  For a little way, the trail paralleled the field closely enough to still see it between the trees.  After that, Lupe roamed SW at will for another mile.  Meanwhile SPHP had an easy time, making good progress on a gradual incline.

Enjoying an easy trek through the forest.

Christina Lake trail No. 721 ended as a single track at a “T” junction with the Christina Lake 4WD trail, a dirt road liberally endowed with plenty of protruding boulders and an ample assortment of mud puddles.

Signage at the junction with the Christina Lake 4WD trail.
Not exactly G6 territory! Christina Lake 4WD trail.

This junction was very close to where the 4WD trail crossed the Little Popo Agie River.  SPHP had originally intended for Lupe to get here by taking Louis Lake trail No. 724 to the Christina Lake 4WD trail, but had ultimately decided against it, leery of what Loop might have to face in order to get across the Little Popo Agie.  The Christina Lake trail avoided this necessity entirely, and also had the additional advantage of saving an extra 800 feet of elevation gain required coming from Louis Lake.

Ditching the backpack for the moment, SPHP led Loop down to the Little Popo Agie River, 150 feet away.  One look, and SPHP was thrilled!  The decision to come by way of Christina Lake trail No. 721 had been a great call.  No bridge, and the Little Popo Agie River was 5 to 10 times the size Atlantic Creek had been.

Hah!  Don’t get too used to it, Looper, but every now and then I do manage to do something right!

You know what they say, SPHP!  Even a broken clock is … well, never mind.  Good call, SPHP!

Never would have rock hopped this baby! Little Popo Agie River. Photo looks SSW.
Of course, maybe crossing that little log jam would have worked! I could have done it!

Since Gustav Lake was only a little farther upstream, Lupe might as well have a look at it, too.  However, Gustav Lake proved to be surrounded by bushes and marshy ground.  Getting all the way to the shoreline wasn’t going to be possible.

Gustav Lake. HP10669 (Center) beyond it. Photo looks SSW.

Returning to the junction, SPHP grabbed the pack.  Lupe now headed W on the Christina Lake 4WD Trail.  The road would have been a G6 killer, but was fine as a hiking trail.  Only 0.5 mile to Christina Lake!

9-14-20, 1:31 PM, Christina Lake – A spur off the 4WD trail led to a long rock dam at the NE end of Christina Lake.  It was immediately apparent that the big lake was far below capacity.  The shoreline wasn’t even close to the dam.  Christina Lake was surrounded by a broad swath of sand and boulders exposed below the normal high water mark.

Arriving at Christina Lake. HP10669 (Center). Dam (L). Photo looks SSE.

A little off to the W along the N shore was an open flat region with a great view.  SPHP stashed the backpack against a sun-bleached log here.  About time for a rest break, but Lupe was going to do a little exploring first.  As soon as SPHP was ready, she wandered down to the beach.

At capacity, Christina Lake is more than a mile long, and still must have been close to that big even now.  Flanked by mountains to the S and W, Christina Lake was much larger and far more impressive than Fiddlers Lake had been.

Christina Lake. Peak 11448 (R) beyond Lupe. Photo looks SW.

Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) was in sight.  However, it was clear that Loop would be able to get a better look at it if she went farther SE.  Continuing in that direction, she soon came to a narrow channel that the Middle Popo Agie River was surging through.  Following the channel E toward the dam, the whole river disappeared into a hole.

Christina Lake was being drained like a bathtub!  Up on top of the dam, a valve could be seen, no doubt used to control the flow.

Atlantic Peak (R). Photo looks WNW.
By the Little Popo Agie River as it drains out of Christina Lake. Photo looks SW.
Approaching the dam. Flow control valve (R of Center) up on top. Photo looks E.

Once S of the Little Popo Agie River channel, Lupe ventured down to the lake again.  From here she could see the true summit of Atlantic Peak, still 4 miles away.

Atlantic Peak (Center) from Christina Lake. Photo looks NW.
Atlantic Peak (straight up from Lupe) with help from the telephoto lens.

Satisfied with having gotten about as good a look at Atlantic Peak from Christina Lake as possible, Lupe and SPHP returned to the backpack.  A pleasant half hour was spent having lunch and resting in the shade of a couple of large pines while enjoying the view.

Christina Lake as seen during a break for lunch. Photo looks SW.
Relaxing in the shade.

Nearly an hour after arriving at Christina Lake, it was about time to press on.  Lupe hopped up on a boulder for a final look around before returning to the Christina Lake 4WD Trail.  Heading W, the road forked almost immediately.  Loop took the L branch paralleling Christina Lake’s N shore.  However, the lake was seldom seen, since the road stayed back in the forest as much as several hundred feet from the shoreline.

After nearly 0.5 mile, the road curved N away from Christina Lake shortly before ending at a sign for Atlantic Lakes trail No. 723.

About to depart from Christina Lake.
Start of the Atlantic Lakes trail.

Somewhat unexpectedly, the sign said it was 2 miles to Lower Atlantic Lake, or 4 miles to Upper Atlantic Lake.  Hmm.  SPHP didn’t remember seeing more than one Atlantic Lake on the topo map.  A quick re-check confirmed the existence of only one lake named “Atlantic Lake” as far as the map was concerned, which had to be the lower one referred to by the sign, since it wasn’t any more than 2 miles away.

Heading N deeper into the forest as a faint single track, the Atlantic Lakes trail was a bit worrisome at first.  Before long, though, the route became clearer and stayed that way, the trail ultimately proving to be easy to follow.

Gradually gaining elevation, the trail soon curved NW.  Lupe came to a sign for the Popo Agie Wilderness.  She’d barely left the sign behind, when a last glimpse of Christina Lake appeared.

Entering the Popo Agie Wilderness.
The only glimpse of Christina Lake from Atlantic Lakes trail No. 723. Photo looks S.

The Atlantic Lakes trail continued NW through a featureless forest, still slowly gaining elevation most of the time.  The forest contained many dead trees.  Plenty of rounded light-gray boulders were scattered about.  Small plants provided a bright green ground cover.

After a while, the trail passed a rocky depression on the R, then leveled out.  A dip led to a tiny stream, the only water seen along the way.

Dead trees and scattered boulders along the Atlantic Lakes trail.
Exploring the forest.

9-14-20, 3:54 PM, Atlantic Lake – Between the trees on the N (R) side of the trail Lupe could see a clearing, and beyond it, water.  This must be it!  Leaving the trail, Loop and SPHP went down for a look.  A little under 0.5 mile long, and not nearly as wide, Atlantic Lake wasn’t anywhere close to being as large as Christina Lake had been, but tucked in among big mountains at the SE end of Atlantic Canyon, it was even more scenic.

2 miles to the NW, the summit of Silas Peak (12,248 ft.) was sight.  From the shoreline, Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.) was also visible to the WNW.

Atlantic Lake. Silas Peak poking up L of Center. Photo looks NW.
Atlantic Peak (L) and Silas Peak (R) from Atlantic Lake. Photo looks WNW.

Returning to the trail, Lupe continued W.  A few hundred feet farther, the Atlantic Lakes trail appeared to end at a clearing.  Back from the lake a little way, this clearing would have been an ideal spot to pitch Looper’s tiny house, but SPHP was surprised to see that it was already taken.

With the exception of a forest ranger riding an ATV, Loop hadn’t seen anyone at all since leaving the Christina Lake trailhead this morning.  No one was here at the moment, either.  After a brief search, SPHP settled on another spot to pitch the tiny house.

What a great spot! Atlantic Peak (R). Photo looks WNW.
No one around at the moment, but they’ll be back sooner or later!
Not as nifty as that clearing was, but this will work!

After dinner, Lupe was free to enjoy the rest of the evening.  She spent most of it exploring, or just relaxing along the S shore of Atlantic Lake.

On Dingo Island! Photo looks NW.
E end of Atlantic Lake from the S shore. Photo looks NE.

What a fun day this had been!  Atlantic Lake was roughly 7 miles from the trailhead where Lupe had started out this morning – 5 miles to Christina Lake, and another 2 miles to get here, yet this had been about as easy a mountain trek as the American Dingo had ever been on.  Only 800 feet of net elevation gain, good trails the entire way, and no steep sections at all.

Tomorrow would be different.  More than 2,200 feet of elevation gain in a little over 2 miles to get to Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.)!

Watching the sun sink behind her ultimate destination as she rested by Atlantic Lake’s S shore, Lupe didn’t have to think about that yet.  Dusk was deepening when a man appeared a few hundred feet away.  The other campers must have returned!  Whether he saw Looper or not, wasn’t certain, but he gave no indication of it.

Evening repose at Atlantic Lake. Atlantic Peak (R). Photo looks W.

Shortly after the man disappeared again, Lupe retired to her tiny house, hoping for blue skies in the morning.  Not too likely with all the wildfires out W, but hope springs eternal.  With a little luck, sometime tomorrow an American Dingo would stand atop Atlantic Peak!

That’s where were going next! Hope you will return to join us for Atlantic Peak!

Links:

Next Adventure                          Prior Adventure

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Utah & Montana Adventure IndexDingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.