White Ranch Park – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Silver Dollar Lake, White Ranch Park & Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado (6-18-24 to 6-20-24)

Days 3-5 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2024 Dingo Vacation to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming & Montana!

6-18-24, early – After taking Hwy 40 over Berthoud Pass (11,307 ft.), a spectacular route, the iPhone rang shortly before reaching I-70. It was Mark. Was Lupe going to arrive by 9:00 AM, as planned?

Told him you’d be there right on time, if not before, Looper.

You better believe it, SPHP! We’re not missing out on a chance to stay with Mark and Hilary tonight. Dingoes love luxury, you know, and they don’t call him 5 Star Mark for nothing!

Yeah, Mark and Hilary have quite the place, don’t they, Loopster? 10 stars compared to what we’re used to. Plus, we’re going to get to enjoy a romp up the Silver Dollar Lake trail with them today.

Terrific, but remember to bring a chocolate coconut bar this time, SPHP!

6-18-24, 10:20 AM – Lupe had arrived 5 minutes before the appointed hour at Mark and Hilary’s home. Hilary had already packed a lunch for everyone. Once her friend, Deb, appeared, everyone had piled into the fancy jeep Mark drove up to Georgetown. The 4WD recommended road to the Silver Dollar Lake trailhead was cake in this monster. Lupe now stood blinking in the bright sunlight. Everyone was ready to go!

At the **Silver Dollar Lake trailhead** with **Deb** (center), **Hilary** & **Mark** (R).

The first part of the Silver Dollar Trail wound up through a forest where dirty snowbanks were still melting away in some places. Deb and Hilary set the pace, while Lupe hung back with Mark and SPHP. Recovering from a hip replacement gone awry, Mark was taking it easy. After Lupe’s long jaunt up Clark Peak yesterday, that was perfectly fine with SPHP. No rush at all! Mark could take as much time as he wanted to.

Following **Mark** along the forested first part of **Silver Dollar Lake Trail No. 79**.

Mark and SPHP sauntered along chit-chatting up a storm. 0.5 mile led to a view of Naylor Lake, first of three lakes along the Silver Dollar Lake Trail. Lupe was already well above Naylor Lake by the time it appeared. Mark explained that the trail provided no access to Naylor Lake, since it was privately owned. However, excellent views of both Argentine Peak (13,742 ft.) farther up the valley, and Mount Wilcox (13,412 ft.) across the lake, were already in sight.

**Argentine Peak** (Center) and **Mount Wilcox** (R) from the **Naylor Lake** viewpoint. Photo looks WNW.

Now in the alpine, the Silver Dollar Lake Trail continued W, climbing along the S side of the same huge valley Naylor Lake was nestled in. As the last trees were left behind, the trek featured bushy regions, bogs, and small streams. Parts of the trail were muddy. Higher up, the terrain was rockier, and the trail crossed increasingly large snowfields.

**Mark** and **Hilary** near the start of the rockier region. **Argentine Peak** (far R). Photo looks W.

**Deb** and **Hilary** approaching the **first snowfields**. Photo looks W.

Making progress up the valley. **Argentine Peak** (R). Photo looks WNW.

On **one of the rockiest stretches**. Photo looks W.

Roughly 1.5 miles in, the terrain flattened out. Silver Dollar Lake soon appeared ahead. Ice still covering a substantial portion of its surface, the round lake lived up to it’s name with a strong silvery cast to it. Fed by rapidly melting snowfields, the outlet stream had good flow. No bridge, but fortunately easily rock-hopped without getting too wet.

**Deb** (far R) and **Hilary** (R) at **Silver Dollar Lake**. Photo looks WSW.

About to rock-hop the **Silver Dollar Lake outlet stream**. Photo looks WSW.

Silver Dollar Lake was not the end of the line. Continuing beyond the lake, Silver Dollar Lake Trail No. 79 climbed another slope. When Mark announced his intention to slide down a large snowfield covering most of this slope on the way back, this seemed an unnecessarily risky notion, especially with Mark still recovering from hip surgery.

Knowing Mark, though, there was little doubt that he would actually do it. Mark exuded nothing but confidence, apparently having successfully survived this same very steep slide on prior occasions.

Above **Silver Dollar Lake** and part of the snowfield Mark intended to toboggan down. Photo looks SE.

250 feet above Silver Dollar Lake, Murray Lake, the third and final lake along Silver Dollar Lake Trail No. 79, was in sight from a gently rounded ridge. Soaring more than 1,500 feet above and beyond icy Murray Lake, Argentine Peak (13,742 ft.) beckoned. The terrain leading to Argentine Peak didn’t look bad at all, but the effort that would have been required to reach the summit was far beyond the excursion envisioned today.

**Hilary** contemplates **Murray Lake** and **Argentine Peak** (R). Photo looks WNW.

From the rounded ridge, the Silver Dollar Lake Trail headed NW down to the Murray Lake outlet stream, which required another rock-hop. Beyond this stream, the trail faded as it continued up a gentle slope.

Icy **Murray Lake** from near the outlet stream. Photo looks WSW.

6-18-24, 1:03 PM – Scattered boulders in a flat region only a little way up the slope beyond Murray Lake provided seating with awesome views all around. Massive Square Top Mountain (13,797 ft.), another readily climbable peak, dominated the scene S of the lake. Hilary provided ham and cheese sandwiches, bananas, and Nature Valley granola bars for all. Lupe was happy when SPHP finally gave her the chocolate coconut bar she had earned yesterday at Clark Peak.

**Deb** (L) **Hilary** and **Mark** (R) at the lunch break spot. Photo looks ENE.

A relaxing 20 minute rest break, and that was it. The whole pack started back down Silver Dollar Lake Trail No. 79. Deb and Hilary again led the way, while SPHP and Lupe stuck with Mark. Didn’t take long to get back to the snowfield above Silver Dollar Lake.

Starting back. **Square Top Mountain** (Center & R) beyond **Murray Lake**. Photo looks S.

**Naylor Lake** from the ridge between Murray and Silver Dollar lakes. Photo looks E.

**Mark** approaching **Silver Dollar Lake**. Photo looks SE.

Once the trail descended to the top of the snowfield overlooking Silver Dollar Lake, Mark was true to his word. Without the least hesitation, he took off his pack, sat down with it on his lap, and launched himself down the frighteningly steep slope toward Hilary and Deb, who having already followed the trail to the bottom of the snowfield, were waiting below.

As Mark hurtled down the slope, SPHP was amazed by his descent.

Nothing to it, SPHP! He’s not going all that fast. Mark is even having to push himself in some spots in order to maintain any momentum.

Huh. Shows what I know, Loopster. A totally controlled slide. Here I was expecting a rocket ride toward an abrupt, and possibly very unhappy end.

Looks like fun, doesn’t it, SPHP?

It does! Shall we Loop?

The American Dingo was all for it! Lupe didn’t slide, but ran alongside barking excitedly as SPHP slid down the slope with similar results.

Beauty all around, the rest of the return was full of good conversation and wonderful views, but otherwise uneventful. (End 6-18-24, 4:21 PM)

**Wildflowers** along the **Silver Dollar Lake Trail**.

Silver Dollar Lake Trail No. 79 had been a great romp in the Rockies! Not too hard, or too far, with great scenery and excellent company, it had been just right after Clark Peak yesterday.

More great things were in store, too! Returning to Mark and Hilary’s home, they both fed and entertained Lupe and SPHP the rest of the day, and well on into the evening. When SPHP asked for advice on some sort of external battery pack for the iPhone to keep GPS tracks going on some of Lupe’s longer adventures, Mark instantly produced one in excellent condition that SPHP could have.

Mark and Hilary’s home was like a palace! Everything was immaculate and beautifully decorated.

**Mark and Hilary’s home**. Totally awesome!

A Dingo could get used to this! Take notes, SPHP. This is what Carolina Dogs love and deserve – life in the lap of luxury!

Yeah, no doubt. Enjoy it while you can, though, Loopster. This is a special occasion, not our everyday reality.

6-19-24, 1:59 PM – Mark and Hilary were terrific hosts! Lupe and SPHP’s luxurious stay had been perfectly delightful, with a single odd exception beyond their control. Shortly after arriving at Mark and Hilary’s home, a packrat had taken up residence in the RAV4’s engine compartment. Despite repeated attempts to shoo it away with a broom, or spray it with water, the packrat stubbornly refused to leave.

As Mark and Hilary waved goodbye to Lupe, that crazy packrat was still in the RAV4, unwittingly about to hitch a ride into the big city.

**Mark** and **Hilary** wave bon voyage!

6-19-24, 2:32 PM – The afternoon was sunny and hot when Lupe arrived at Hotel Dixie in Arvada where she would be staying in the ever-popular Cowboy Room the next 2 nights. Uncle Joe and Cousin Dixie were out watering the front yard. Joe greeted Lupe and SPHP enthusiastically, but despite a splendid effort, couldn’t match the wild excitement Cousin Dixie displayed.

For the first time ever, no trek around the 100 acre field behind Hotel Dixie was on the agenda. The grass was tall, and according to Uncle Joe, full of ticks. Nevertheless, festivities commenced almost immediately with a stroll up Ralston Creek. Lupe and Dixie both enjoyed wading in the cool, clear stream.

Once Aunt Andrea returned home, it was off to Parker for dinner with Matt and Cassie in their beautiful new home. They’d actually been in it for 2 years, but Lupe and SPHP had never been there before. Emery was very taken with Lupe, who basked in the attention and affection Emery gave her.

6-20-24, 9:40 AM – Well-rested after a cozy night in the Cowboy Room, a lucky Carolina Dog set out with Uncle Joe and Cousin Dixie on the first of not one, but two adventures today from the upper parking lot for the W trailhead at White Ranch Park.

**Information display** at the **W trailhead**.

White Ranch Park featured expansive views of rolling territory typical of the Colorado front range foothills.

A 6 mile loop along the Rawhide Trail provided a good look at the rugged Ralston Buttes (7,790 ft.) region across the deep Ralston Creek canyon.

On the **Rawhide Trail**. **Ralston Buttes** (R). Photo looks NNE.

Good thing Joe and SPHP had both brought water! The day warmed up fast beneath the hot June sun. Lupe and Dixie were both thirsty, and the entire trail featured water at only a single small stream crossing.

The hike’s main objective became a shaded bench that sported a distant glimpse of mighty Longs Peak (14,257 ft.) from the far N end of the loop.

At the **N end of the loop**. **Longs Peak** (Center) faint on the horizon. Photo looks N.

A cool breeze that stirred occasionally amid the heat on the way back to the parking lot was most welcome. Returning to Hotel Dixie after the White Ranch Park hike, a light mid-afternoon lunch was followed by a siesta. Meanwhile, cumulus clouds built up outside. Waking late in the afternoon, 0.10″ of rain had fallen. Just enough to cool things down a bit.

Although the sky remained cloudy, more rain didn’t seem imminent. Aunt Andrea was back home again, and ready for action now, too. A jaunt up Clear Creek Canyon sounded good to her.

6-20-24, 5:30 PM, Clear Creek Canyon Park – Setting out from the Gateway trailhead, the evening air was comfortably cool. Steps along a broad cement path led from the parking lot down to Clear Creek, which was rushing along with such a tremendously powerful current that Lupe and Cousin Dixie couldn’t be allowed near it.

Heading upstream, an excellent pawbridge crossed the creek early on.

**Dixie**, **Joe**, **Andrea**, and **Lupe** on the **first bridge** over **Clear Creek**. Photo looks SW.

With very little elevation gain to contend with, the stroll along the broad cement path was cake. From the Tough Cuss bridge farther upstream, Clear Creek looked more like Turbulent River.

**Clear Creek** from the **Tough Cuss bridge**. Photo looks S.

Putting in from a few access points along the way, people using rafts, kayaks, and even paddleboards were trying to navigate the Clear Creek torrent. The paddleboarders had no luck at all. Clear Creek was simply too rough this time of year.

The trail went less than 1.5 miles up Clear Creek Canyon before ending at a high, metal fence that prevented access any farther upstream. Uncle Joe said that someday the trail was going to be extended clear to Idaho Springs, but that hadn’t happened yet.

**Andrea** and **Lupe**. The trail ended right around the next bend. Photo looks SE.

The metal fence became the turnaround point. Shortly before reaching it, there had been another bridge over Clear Creek. The Welch Ditch bridge provided access to the Welch Ditch Trail, a flat, but narrower trail running along the steep slope S of Clear Creek, 30 or 40 feet above it.

Crossing the **Welch Ditch bridge**. Photo looks S.

The Welch Ditch Trail would eventually lead back down to the concrete path close to the first bridge near the start, making a loop possible. So, why not take it? At one point, rock climbers were practicing scaling the cliffs next to the trail.

On the **Welch Ditch Trail**. Photo looks NE.

After completing the loop, it was back to Hotel Dixie. What was left of the evening was spent relaxing while enjoying the many amenities of civilization. One more blissful night in the Cowboy Room would be it.

Civilization is awesome, SPHP, but we’re in Colorado! Big mountains are calling!

They are, Loopster! I feel it, too, but the mountains can wait a bit longer. Let’s settle in for a good night’s snooze, followed bright and early by a hearty breakfast, first.

Sounds like a plan, SPHP.

Lupe closed her eyes, twitching a little as she drifted off to adventures in Dingo Dreamland.

**Lupe’s Silver Dollar Lake Trail GPS Track**

Links:

Next Adventure Prior Adventure

Lupe’s Scrollable Silver Dollar Lake Trail GPS Track

Lupe’s Scrollable White Ranch Park GPS Track

Lupe’s Scrollable Clear Creek Canyon Park GPS Track

Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Master Peak Map, Summer of 2024 Dingo Vacations to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index. Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

A Quick Trip to Colorado – Visiting Babies Felix & Owen plus a fun White Ranch Park outing (12-28-17 thru 12-31-17)

Christmas had come and gone. The year was almost shot, but Lupe had a final chance for adventure in 2017. Xochitl, Steve and baby Felix were flying into the Denver area from Chicago for a couple of days. They would be staying at Matt, Cassie and baby Owen’s home in Parker. Lupe and SPHP had an invitation from Joe and Andrea to come and stay in the Cowboy room at cousin Dusty’s home in Arvada.

Adventures with babies? That was something new, and a rare opportunity! Babies have a way of changing fast, and not being babies any more. SPHP told Lupe that even though it would be a quick trip, there might be time for an outdoor adventure or two as well. Even if Loop wasn’t certain about how adventures with babies might turn out, the year was going to end with bitterly cold subzero weather in the Black Hills. Nothing was going to happen these last few days here at home. So, did Loopster want to go to Colorado?

Cousin Dusty comes to visit the Black Hills every so often, so Lupe’s ears pricked up at the mention of Dusty’s name. Loop hadn’t been to Colorado, though, for a very long time – not since November, 2015. She could scarcely remember the Cowboy room at Dusty’s house, other than a vague sense that it had been a great place to stay. There hadn’t been any babies around back then, but Lupe had climbed a couple of choice Colorado county high points. That had been fun!

Babies in Colorado, with the possibility of an outdoor adventure or two? Or stay home and spend the rest of the year laying on the living room rug staring bored-to-tears out the window at a subzero polar display? Hah! Lupe knew the answer to that one!

The novel adventure began on the frosty morning of 12-28-17 (6:58 AM, 16°F) when Lupe left home in the G6 comfortably riding shotgun atop her usual pile of pillows and blankets. A Dingo Vacation in the winter was something completely unheard of up until now. Lupe had great expectations!

At first those expectations were disappointed. Hwy 471 S of Edgemont was snow-packed and slippery. The day hadn’t warmed up a bit. SPHP cancelled two possible short peakbagging breaks in the Nebraska panhandle, deciding to stay on main Hwy 18 which was clear to Mule Creek Junction in Wyoming. No consideration was given to any other significant breaks the rest of the way.

Lupe arrived at cousin Dusty’s house in Arvada before mid-afternoon (2:06 PM, 39°F). Dusty and Andrea were both home and answered the door. Lupe dashed right in all excited to see them! After the initial excitement, Loop sniffed around for a few minutes. Yes, it was all coming back to her now. The Carolina Dog did remember this place!

A lot of pent-up canine energy needed to be released. Dusty, Andrea, Lupe and SPHP set out on a favorite walk around the 100 acre field out in back of Dusty’s house.

Andrea, Dusty & Lupe in the 100 acre field behind Dusty’s house. Photo looks W.

Cousin Dusty was sure surprised when Lupe showed up!

Cousin Dusty loves to fetch sticks. The bigger the stick, the better. She ran ahead of Andrea and SPHP looking for sticks to drop in their path, hoping to entice them to throw them for her. Dusty would then zoom away after the stick, often catching it on the first bounce after a good throw.

Dusty waits for Andrea or SPHP to toss the stick she has carefully positioned out in front of her. Photo looks N.

Lupe never shows the slightest interest in chasing Dusty’s sticks. Instead, she loves to act as defense on the stick’s behalf. As soon as the stick gets tossed, she focuses entirely on barking and trying to herd Dusty. While Lupe ignores the stick, Dusty ignores Lupe. It’s a game they rarely tire of.

Dusty awaits the tossing of the stick, while Lupe awaits the opportunity to herd Dusty.

When the journey around the 100 acre field was over, Lupe was quick to reclaim the Cowboy room back at Dusty’s house. Even though they like to spend time in the wilderness, American Dingoes are big fans of luxury, too!

Lupe was quick to claim her spot in the Cowboy room at Dusty’s house, where she would stay the next 3 nights. American Dingoes love luxury in addition to the outdoors!

As sunset approached, Lupe, Dusty and SPHP took one more trip around the 100 acre field. There was more Dingo excitement when Joe came home after work. After dinner, Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP went on a long evening walk on the bike path near Ralston Creek. Lupe went all the way past Jungle and Utah bridges.

The next day, Joe and Andrea had to work. Dusty and Lupe went on dawn patrol with SPHP around the 100 acre field to get the day off to a good start. Lupe and SPHP then drove down to Matt, Cassie and Owen’s house in Parker, arriving late in the morning.

Babies Owen (6 months) and Felix (9 months) were up looking bright-eyed and happy, but the adults were about shot. The plane Steve, Xochitl and Felix had taken last evening had been hours late, arriving in Denver after midnight. Felix had then proceeded to cry and scream until 3:30 AM. A bleary-eyed Xochitl was up, and so was Matt. Matt was probably exhausted, too, but he is always so calm natured, it was hard to tell. Cassie and Steve were both asleep.

Lupe with Felix. Lupe isn’t used to being around children much, especially infants. She sometimes eyed Felix suspiciously as he crawled toward her. Perhaps it was because Felix liked to whack her face, his way of petting her.

The afternoon was spent watching, feeding, and playing with Felix and Owen. Lupe also played with Matt and Cassie’s dog, Maya. She went on a neighborhood walk with Matt, Maya and SPHP. Cassie eventually appeared, long before Steve finally regained consciousness at 3:45 PM. By then, Felix was taking a nap.

Steve, Xochitl, Matt, Cassie and Owen all went out for sushi around dinnertime. Lupe and SPHP stayed at the house with Felix. Felix is known for not sleeping much, so he was expected to wake up at any moment. Instead he was still snoozing when everyone returned from the restaurant at 9 PM. Lupe and SPHP then headed back to the Cowboy room at Dusty’s house in Arvada.

Saturday morning was Lupe’s one chance on this short Dingo Vacation for an adventure in the Colorado front range foothills. Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP headed for the lower E trailhead at White Ranch Park, which was only 10 minutes from Dusty’s house.

Joe, Dusty & Lupe about to set out on the Belcher Hill trail from the lower E trailhead at White Ranch Park.

It was a chilly 14°F when Lupe and her pack set out on the Belcher Hill trail. The trees and fields were frosty, wisps of fog and low clouds hung in the air, but the sky overhead was blue. The trail lost a bit of elevation on the way N to a low spot, then started climbing gradually as it followed the dry Van Bibber creek drainage NW.

Joe leads the way on the brief initial drop down to Van Bibber creek (where the frosty trees are). The creekbed was dry down here, but contained a little flowing water higher up. Photo looks NNW.

Joe, Dusty & Lupe near the start of the climb. Photo looks NW.

The Belcher Hill trail starts out on an easement across private property that leads to the rest of White Ranch Park. At first there were homes not far from the trail. It wasn’t long before Lupe had gained enough elevation to be looking down on several Colorado shacks.

As shacks go, they were really quite nice. No doubt one can be had for only a few million dollars. Lupe liked the looks of them, and asked SPHP’s opinion. SPHP liked them too, but sadly checked pocket change and came up rather short.

Looking down on several Colorado foothills shacks from the Belcher Hill trail. Photo looks NNE.

After 1.1 mile, Lupe reached a junction with the Whippletree trail. She stayed on the Belcher Hill trail, which turned SW here. By now it was clear that a huge expanse of cold air E of the foothills was capped with a layer of low clouds. The city of Denver and all its surrounding suburbs were hidden from view. Lupe could see the top of North Table Mountain (6,570 ft.) off to the SE floating barely above the clouds.

The flat top of **North Table Mountain** could be seen floating like an island above low clouds. Photo looks SE.

Joe and Dusty on the Belcher Hill trail a little beyond the junction with the Whippletree trail. Photo looks NE.

Shortly after bypassing the Whippletree trail, the effects of a powerful inversion became evident. The temperature started changing rapidly, sometimes quite noticeably within only a few feet. Overall it was getting a lot warmer out, but Lupe came to pockets of cold air, too.

Joe, Dusty & Lupe nearing the end of the Belcher Hill trail portion of the hike. It was already a lot warmer out, mostly due to a powerful inversion. Joe & SPHP were soon shedding layers. Photo looks SW.

The Belcher Hill trail steepened, and made a switchback shortly before coming to another junction, this time with the Longhorn Trail.

**North Table Mountain** again from the Belcher Hill Trail. The low clouds were just starting to clear out, moving slowly off to the E. Photo looks SE.

Lupe still along the Belcher Hill trail. She had started out near the frosty trees seen way down in the valley below. Photo looks SE.

Joe and Dusty pause for a look around near the end of the Belcher Hill trail section of the hike. Photo looks W.

At an intersection 1.8 miles from the E trailhead where Lupe had started, Joe and Dusty led the way onto the Longhorn Trail.

Lupe at the intersection of the Belcher Hill and Longhorn trails 1.8 miles from the trailhead. Joe & Dusty are already leading the way on the Longhorn Trail. Photo looks NE.

As clouds moved off to the E, it became possible to get a good look at Ralston Reservoir (R). Photo looks NE from the Longhorn Trail.

Ralston Reservoir (L) from rocks near the Longhorn Trail. Photo looks NE.

Another look at Ralston Reservoir from some different rocks. Photo looks NE.

After a short steep section, the Longhorn trail leveled out and became more of an up and down affair as it headed N. After 0.4 mile, a junction with the Shorthorn trail was reached. A longer loop could be made by taking the Shorthorn trail. It was such a nice warm day this high up due to the temperature inversion, longer was definitely the better choice. Everyone hit the Shorthorn trail.

The Shorthorn trail gained a bit more elevation, but only gradually with both up and down stretches along the way. At first it headed NW. This was a unique part of the hike, because the trail went through a shady forest of large pines. Later on the trail turned NE, and wound around a series of ravines on much more exposed sunny slopes.

Joe and Dusty on the Shorthorn trail. Photo looks NE.

Dusty on the Shorthorn trail. Photo looks E.

Cousin Dusty again. **North Table Mountain** is seen on the R, still partially hidden by clouds. Photo looks SE.

**North Table Mountain** from the Shorthorn trail in White Ranch Park. Photo looks SE.

A 1.1 mile trek on the Shorthorn trail led to a different point on the Longhorn trail. Shortly after reaching this junction, Joe discovered he had forgotten his walking stick about 0.33 mile back while shedding layers due to the near 60°F temperatures. Everyone doubled back to retrieve it.

Joe, Dusty & Lupe near a second junction of the Shorthorn & Longhorn trails. Photo looks SE.

Heading back on the Shorthorn trail to retrieve Joe’s walking stick. Photo looks SW.

The walking stick successfully retrieved, it was back to the second junction of the Shorthorn and Longhorn trails. A short hike up the Longhorn trail led to a tiny creek in a ravine. At a big rock beside the little stream, it was time for a break. Lupe and Dusty shared some Taste of the Wild. Joe and SPHP had apples. Dusty enjoyed polishing off the apple cores.

At the break rock near the tiny stream along the Longhorn trail.

After the break, it was time to head back down to the trailhead. Joe and Dusty lead the way, using the Longhorn and Whippletree trails to complete a loop back to the Belcher Hill trail. By the time Lupe arrived back at the trailhead, the air had warmed up some down here, but it was still only 30°F compared to near 60°F higher up.

Joe and Dusty lead the way down the Longhorn Trail on the way back to the trailhead.

The White Ranch Park adventure was over, but more good things were about to happen! Joe, Andrea, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP were soon on the way back to Matt and Cassie’s house in Parker. It was time for more fun with babies! Owen was the only baby there at first. Steve and Xochitl had taken Felix with them to visit friends. Felix hadn’t woken up until 7 AM this morning, a recent personal record of 16 consecutive hours of sleep!

Knowing that SPHP was certain to sneak her some, Lupe was especially pleased at the news that Matt was going to smoke a huge chicken and ribs this afternoon!

*Oh, boy! Smoked chicken and ribs! Let’s make this a tradition after every adventure! Whad’ya say SPHP?*

Andrea with momentarily camera shy baby Owen.

Lupe had fun with Maya. Eventually Steve, Xochitl and Felix showed up. Mark did, too. SPHP built towers with Owen’s blocks. Felix had a good time knocking them down.

Lupe kept wanting to wrestle with Maya. Maya did a little bit, but finally retreated to her doggie bed for a respite from the over-active Dingo.

Felix eventually showed up at Matt & Cassie’s. Felix liked knocking down towers of blocks that SPHP built for that very purpose.

The big chicken and ribs took a long time to smoke. Steve, Dusty, Maya, Lupe and SPHP took a walk at dusk. Upon return, the smoked chicken and ribs were nearly ready. The feast was soon served. The smoked chicken and ribs were delicious! Everyone had a great time! A certain sly Dingo feasted on both chicken and ribs.

All too soon, it was time to head back to the Cowboy room in Arvada with Joe, Andrea and Dusty. The next morning, Lupe left Dusty’s house after one last spin around the 100 acre field with Joe, Dusty and SPHP. The trip to Arvada and Parker, Colorado had been a quick one, but a fun time!

By the time the sun set for the last time in 2017, Lupe was back in her Black Hills of South Dakota. The G6 said it was 5 below zero when Lupe finally got home. 2018 was destined to get off to a frigid start.

In Wyoming on the way home on the last day of 2017. Photo looks W with the Laramie Range (R) seen faintly on the far horizon.

Looking S at I-25 from the rest stop near Orin, WY as 2017 draws to a close.

Related Links:

White Ranch Park trail map

Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index. Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.