{"id":11549,"date":"2017-12-15T08:10:50","date_gmt":"2017-12-15T15:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=11549"},"modified":"2022-05-13T11:17:42","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T17:17:42","slug":"ferris-mountain-charlie-brown-range-wyoming-6-17-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=11549","title":{"rendered":"Ferris Peak, Charlie Brown Range, Wyoming (6-17-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 10 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Laramie Range & Beyond!<\/em><\/p>\n

As you drive along I-80 through Rawlins WY, you can see in the distance about 35 miles north a mountain range with a very striking feature: a zigzagging white cliff band running nearly the entire length of the range from left to right.\u00a0 That band is the Madison formation, an upended layer of limestone which has subsequently been eroded into a series of V-notches by a succession of streams coming down from the crest above.\u00a0 I first noticed this mountain range in the late 1980s, and that zigzagging line reminded me of the zigzagging line across the bottom of the shirt that Charlie Brown wears.\u00a0 For this reason, I personally dubbed the range the “Charlie Brown Mountains”.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/span>– excerpt from Edward Earl’s trip report<\/span><\/strong><\/a> on his 9-5-2014 ascent of Ferris Mountain on Peakbagger.com<\/em><\/p>\n

Rain!\u00a0 Not good.\u00a0 If it rained too hard, the dirt road would turn to mud.\u00a0 The G6 might get stuck way out here NW of Bairoil.\u00a0 Better get back to pavement, now!<\/p>\n

It was still dark out, but Lupe was already awake.\u00a0 SPHP had just come to.\u00a0 In pre-dawn rain and fog, SPHP drove back to Bairoil.\u00a0 The rain had already let up to a light sprinkle, by the time Lupe reached the pavement on Hwy 73.\u00a0 May as well keep going.<\/p>\n

Eight miles E of Muddy Gap, SPHP turned S off Hwy 220 onto Carbon County Road No. 499.\u00a0 The rain and fog were gone, but dark clouds still hid the Charlie Brown Range.\u00a0 It was light out now, but still very early.\u00a0 Lupe was ready for action!\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t.<\/p>\n

Gimme a few more hours snoozing time, Loop.\u00a0 Need to wait a bit to see what the weather’s going to do anyway.<\/em>\u00a0 And with that, SPHP parked the G6 and went back to sleep.<\/p>\n

A few hours later, SPHP was ready.\u00a0 Time for Lupe to take on dreaded Ferris Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,037 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, high point of the entire Charlie Brown Range!\u00a0 Of course, that was provided she could even get close enough to make an attempt feasible.<\/p>\n

The first part of the way ought to be easy enough.\u00a0 Lupe could follow directions in peakbagging hero Edward Earl’s trip report.\u00a0 She was already at the first place Mr. Earl mentioned, the sign for Pete Creek Road & Cherry Creek Road at the turn off Hwy 220.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The BLM sign off Hwy 220 at the turn onto Carbon County Road No. 499. Whiskey Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,225 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), which Lupe had good time climbing yesterday, is in view. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr. Earl’s trip report contained detailed instructions on how to get to Ferris Mountain.\u00a0 The next thing to look for was 0.9 mile from Hwy 220 along Carbon County Road No. 499, where a road branching off to the R was marked only by an unreadable sign.\u00a0 This intersection quickly came into view.<\/p>\n

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The intersection 0.9 mile from Hwy 220 (L) where an unmarked road branches to the R off County Road No. 499 quickly came into view. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr. Earl’s instructions said to go straight at this first intersection, avoiding the R turn on the unmarked road.\u00a0 2 miles from Hwy 220 was another R turn, this time onto Cherry Creek Road, which was also to be avoided.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP stayed on Carbon County Road No. 499 both times, and came to the Handcart Ranch sign 2.5 miles from Hwy 220.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe by the unreadable sign at the first turn to the R, which is the wrong way to go. The G6 is parked along Carbon CR No. 499, which is the correct way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Stay straight on Carbon County Road No. 499. Loop is on the correct route here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the 2nd turn to the R, which goes to Cherry Creek. Lupe did not take this side road either.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the Handcart Ranch sign mentioned by Edward Earl as being 2.5 miles from Hwy 220. There was no turn off Carbon County Road No. 499 here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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These pronghorn antelope got Lupe excited!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Edward Earl mentioned a fork in the road 4.3 miles from Hwy 220.\u00a0 The R branch goes to a ranch, while Carbon County Road No. 499 continues to the L.\u00a0 Lupe arrived at this fork just as Mr. Earl said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the fork in the road 4.3 miles from Hwy 220. Carbon County Road No. 499 goes L here. The road to the R goes to a private ranch headquarters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Edward Earl also said that the condition of Carbon County Road No. 499 worsened beyond this intersection.\u00a0 He cited frequent mud holes which were dry when he was here, but correctly surmised they were mud puddles during wet weather.<\/p>\n

SPHP had scarcely made the L turn at the fork, when there was trouble ahead.\u00a0 A large mud puddle fed by a small stream completely blocked the road.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP got out for a look.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe inspects the mud puddle and small stream blocking Carbon County Road No. 499.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nope!\u00a0 Not gonna try it!\u00a0 This mud puddle was as far as the G6 was going.\u00a0 Mr. Earl’s trip report indicated that it wouldn’t be much farther before high clearance would be needed anyway.\u00a0 Even though the base of the Charlie Brown Range where Mr. Earl had parked his Nissan pickup truck was still 6.5 miles away, it was going to be paw and foot for Lupe and SPHP from here.\u00a0 Loopster was in for a very long day!<\/p>\n

SPHP parked the G6 in the field next to Carbon County Road No. 499, and proceeded to get ready for Lupe’s long march.\u00a0 The ranch headquarters was in sight from this location, not too far away.\u00a0 Soon a vehicle was seen leaving HQ.\u00a0 A couple minutes later, Lupe and SPHP met Kyra Torgensen and her son.\u00a0 The G6 was parked on the ranch Kyra and her husband own.\u00a0 Naturally, she wanted to know what was going on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Torgensen’s ranch HQ was in view from where the G6 was parked. Kyra Torgensen and her son soon drove up wanting to know what was going on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP explained that Lupe was here to climb Ferris Mountain.\u00a0 It was only another 0.2 mile to BLM land.\u00a0 SPHP would have parked over there, but the G6 couldn’t get past the mud puddle.\u00a0 Did she mind if the G6 was parked here for the day?<\/p>\n

Mrs. Torgensen was a little reluctant at first.\u00a0 However, Carbon County Road No. 499 had to be a public right-of-way, which she must have known.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t mention this fact, though, hoping to avoid an argument.\u00a0 In the end, while she may not have been thrilled with the idea, Kyra Torgensen was fine with the G6 where it was.\u00a0 Before she drove away, she warned SPHP not to stay out too late, and to beware of wolves.<\/p>\n

A few minutes later, Lupe and SPHP jumped the little stream, and began the long trek to Ferris Mountain (10:17 AM, 68\u00b0F)<\/em>.\u00a0 Only 0.2 mile farther, the Carolina Dog went through a gate onto BLM land.\u00a0 The road forked again.\u00a0 Following Edward Earl’s instructions, Lupe took the road to Pete Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After leaving the Torgensen’s ranch, Lupe took BLM Road No. 3148 to Pete Creek. The Charlie Brown Range was still more than 6 miles away.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP weren’t worried about wolves.\u00a0 However, Ferris Mountain had long been the most dreaded peakbagging goal of this entire Dingo Vacation.\u00a0 The mountain itself wasn’t the worry.\u00a0 Distance wasn’t either.\u00a0 Forewarned by Edward Earl’s trip report, SPHP had realized all along that Lupe would likely have a 6+ mile trek just to get to the Charlie Brown Range.<\/p>\n

The problem was the sagebrush prairie Lupe would have to cross.\u00a0 Two of Lupe’s nemeses might well be out there – cactus and rattlesnakes.\u00a0 If Lupe became scared of cacti, she would refuse to move.\u00a0 Rattlesnakes, of course, would be far worse.<\/p>\n

For these reasons, SPHP encouraged Lupe to stay very close, preferably right on the road.\u00a0 Most of the time she did.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A few cacti did grow out on the high prairie. Fortunately, they weren’t too abundant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the way to the Charlie Brown Range<\/strong> on Pete Creek Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Wildflowers blooming on the normally arid prairie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fortunately, Lupe saw only a few cactus and no rattlesnakes.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the weather remained questionable.\u00a0 Dark clouds hung around.\u00a0 Sometimes they obscured virtually the entire Charlie Brown Range.\u00a0 Other times, they lifted to reveal the mountains.\u00a0 A significant storm was brewing off to the SE.\u00a0 For a while it came closer, but eventually it sailed off to the NE.<\/p>\n

Roughly 4 miles from the G6, Lupe came to a cairn on the L side of Pete Creek Road.\u00a0 Edward Earl mentioned 3 cairns in this area, but the Loop only saw 1.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the only cairn she saw on the L side of Pete Creek Road. Ferris Mountain<\/strong>, her ultimate goal, is straight up from Lupe’s head. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the wire gate described by Edward Earl 9.2 miles from Hwy 220. The view of the mountains ahead shrouded in clouds wasn’t too encouraging at this point.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6.5 miles from the G6, Lupe finally reached the base of the Charlie Brown Range on a grassy ridge E of the mouth of Pete Creek Canyon.\u00a0 A white pickup truck was parked here near the edge of the forest, right about where Edward Earl must have parked his Nissan pickup.\u00a0 Pete Creek Road, which had been going due S for miles, turned SE here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the base of the Charlie Brown Range<\/strong> close to where Edward Earl must have parked his Nissan pickup truck in 2014. Pete Creek Road (No. 3148) (R) heads SE from here. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe still had another 0.5 mile to go on Pete Creek Road along the base of the mountains.\u00a0 On the way, she lost 120 feet of elevation crossing the Rush Creek drainage, where she saw a salt lick noted by Edward Earl.\u00a0 By the time she reached a green metal gate near the mouth of Pole Canyon, she had regained all of the lost elevation and a good deal more.<\/p>\n

Beyond the green metal gate, Loop finally left Pete Creek Road.\u00a0 She headed into Pole Canyon, and quickly came upon a different faint road heading up the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A pronghorn antelope near Pole Creek, which is hidden in the trees. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the green metal gate after crossing the Rush Creek drainage on Pete Creek Road. The mouth of Pole Canyon is seen beyond her. Loop left Pete Creek Road near this point. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Starting up Pole Canyon. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Edward Earl had followed this same road up Pole Canyon.\u00a0 His trip report mentioned fallen trees and a few marshy spots, but Mr. Earl had been here in September when conditions are much drier.\u00a0 Pole Creek was no occasional marshy spot in the middle of June, but a clear running stream.\u00a0 It was easy enough to wade across, however, and Lupe enjoyed the cold water.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the first crossing of Pole Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road crossed Pole Creek more than once.\u00a0 Lupe also came to marshy glades, where the road hardly existed, but she could usually find it again a little higher up.\u00a0 After a while the road completely disappeared, lost for good.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At another Pole Creek crossing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loop cools her paws in Pole Creek. By now, the road she had been following had faded away. So far, it was still pretty easy traveling up the R (NW) side of the canyon. The easiest routes usually weren’t right down by the creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At 8,450 feet, Loop arrived at the place where Pole Canyon splits.\u00a0 When Edward Earl had been here, only the R (W) branch had flowing water.\u00a0 Both branches had flowing water now.\u00a0 Like Edward Earl, Lupe stayed L (E).\u00a0 As she continued gaining elevation, the creek was increasingly hidden beneath snow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop (behind the tree on the right) reaches the 8,450 foot level where Pole Canyon and the stream divide. She would follow the stream seen on the L here up the E branch of the canyon. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
As Lupe continued to gain elevation, the creek was increasingly hidden by snow. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe stayed to the W (R) of the creek, but it started getting harder to make progress.\u00a0 The forest was dense, and the American Dingo came to more and more rocks and deadfall.\u00a0 The canyon sides steepened, becoming more difficult to traverse.\u00a0 SPHP decided Loop might have an easier time up on the ridge W of the creek.<\/p>\n

For a while, leaving the canyon seemed like a good decision.\u00a0 Lupe had no problem reaching the ridgeline.\u00a0 It went straight S rising relentlessly at a pretty good clip, but there was less deadfall to deal with.\u00a0 Sometimes there was even some open ground.\u00a0 When she did come to rock formations, they usually weren’t much trouble to get around.\u00a0 Lupe gained elevation rapidly.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After abandoning the canyon to get up on the ridge to the W, Lupe gained elevation rapidly. Here she is perched on the largest rock formation she had to maneuver around in the early going. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Terrain like this open spot on the ridge was a lot easier to deal with than all the rocks and deadfall in the canyon Loop had left behind. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was a long way up.\u00a0 Lupe gained lots of elevation, but the ridge started getting ever steeper and rockier.\u00a0 Huge rock formations appeared above.\u00a0 Looper ended up on steep slopes of broken rock interspersed with spruce trees.\u00a0 This was challenging terrain.\u00a0 SPHP began to fear there wouldn’t be a way to the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe had gained a lot of elevation, but the ridge route became increasingly challenging. Lupe found herself on steep slopes of broken rock interspersed with spruce trees. This was slow going. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ridgeline had basically disappeared.\u00a0 Lupe now seemed to be going straight up the N face of a mountain.\u00a0 She needed to get to easier terrain.\u00a0 SPHP led her up a very steep rocky chute toward a forested saddle between two massive rock formations.<\/p>\n

Loop never made it to the saddle.\u00a0 Everything got so steep, progress ground to a halt.\u00a0 At the top of a long, narrow snow bank, SPHP realized that even if Loop could get up to the saddle, she probably didn’t stand much chance of getting over or around the giant rock formations towering above.\u00a0 She would be trapped between them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the top of the snow bank where SPHP realized she needed to down climb and go around this part of the mountain. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had to down climb.\u00a0 She needed to get farther E.\u00a0 She didn’t have to lose all that much elevation, but it took a lot of time.\u00a0 Fortunately, it wasn’t terribly far around the huge rock formation above her.\u00a0 Once she managed to get around it, things became easier.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was still on steep, rocky stuff, but the route up was more manageable.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Once Lupe worked her way around to the E of the massive rock formation that had towered over her, this route up was much more manageable. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop climbed and climbed.\u00a0 She was very high, and getting close to the top of something!\u00a0 Her luck needed to hold only a little longer.\u00a0 It did.\u00a0 Suddenly she was there!\u00a0 Lupe stood next to a wooden pole at the top of a big cairn.\u00a0 The views were spectacular!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe climbed and climbed. SPHP could see she was getting close to the top of something. Suddenly she was there, standing on top of a big cairn next to a wooden pole! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Had Lupe arrived at the top of Ferris Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,037 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>?\u00a0 The grand views, and presence of the big cairn with the pole sticking out of it made SPHP think so.<\/p>\n

A more careful look at the views and a glance at the topo map revealed this wasn’t the case.\u00a0 Lupe was already nearly as high as the true summit, but she was actually on Ferris Mountain’s most westerly sub-peak over 10,000 feet.\u00a0 The true summit was in view from here, still 0.5 mile away to the SE.<\/p>\n

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Although SPHP initially thought Lupe might have reached the top of Ferris Mountain<\/strong> here, the true summit (R), which wasn’t much higher, was actually still 0.5 mile away. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clearly, the vast majority of the work of climbing Ferris Mountain<\/span><\/a> (10,037 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was done.\u00a0 Getting over to the true summit didn’t look hard.\u00a0 This appeared to be the 2nd highest point on the mountain, and an amazing place.\u00a0 Lupe had time to take a rest break and enjoy the views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NW along the Charlie Brown Range<\/strong> from the westernmost 10,000+ ft. subpeak of Ferris Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The rocky crag seen below on the L is Ferris Mountain North<\/span><\/a> (9,740 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Far beyond it out on the prairie, part of Pathfinder Reservoir<\/strong> is in view. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on Lupe’s route up. Pole Canyon<\/strong> divides near the center of the photo. Lupe had started up the R (E) branch, but soon got up on the forested ridge between the divided canyons. After that it was mostly straight on up, with a short down climb to get a bit farther E. Pole Canyon<\/strong> empties out onto the prairie on the R. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe takes a break on Ferris Mountain West<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After relaxing on fabulous Ferris Mountain West, it was time to move on.\u00a0 The ridge Loop had to follow wasn’t difficult.\u00a0 Her first objective along it was a slightly lower subpeak only 0.1 mile E.\u00a0 She was soon there, looking down on the 9,900 foot saddle where Edward Earl had first reached the ridgeline.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The route along the ridge leading to the true summit of Ferris Mountain<\/strong> (R) didn’t look too difficult. Lupe’s first objective, a slightly lower subpeak 0.1 mile E of Ferris Mountain West<\/strong> is seen on the L. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Heading toward the 9,900 foot saddle. Ferris Mountain’s true summit<\/strong> (Center) is seen straight up from Lupe. Ferris Mountain Middle<\/span><\/a> (10,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is across the saddle toward the R. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop went down to the 9,900 foot saddle and crossed it.\u00a0 Edward Earl hadn’t gone all the way up to Ferris Mountain West, but the American Dingo was back on his trail again here.\u00a0 She was now approaching Ferris Mountain Middle<\/span><\/a> (10,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the next high point along the ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on Ferris Mountain North<\/strong>, the rocky crag on the R, from the 9,900 ft. saddle. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe approaches Ferris Mountain Middle<\/strong>, the next 10,000+ ft. high point along the ridge. Lupe went around the N (L) side of it before climbing up to the top from the E. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog stayed high as she went around the N side of Ferris Mountain Middle looking for a way to the top.\u00a0 She had to get E beyond the high point before she found a route.\u00a0 Ferris Mountain Middle<\/span><\/a> (10,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was another rather dramatic place to be!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After circling around the N (R) side of Ferris Mountain Middle<\/strong>, Lupe found a route to the top from the E. This was a rather dramatic place to be! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the top of Ferris Mountain Middle<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Ferris Mountain West<\/strong>, where Lupe had first come up, is seen in the distance slightly L of Center. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ferris Mountain’s true summit was now no more than 0.25 mile away.\u00a0 A lot of time had gone by.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were anxious to get there.\u00a0 The terrain wasn’t difficult, so Loop made great progress.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the true summit. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the very end, everything was rocky.\u00a0 Fortunately, it still wasn’t too hard getting around.\u00a0 Lupe seemed to be running out of mountain, when suddenly the summit appeared ahead.\u00a0 Right below the highest rocks, a metal sign said “Ferris Peak, Continental Divide, 10,037 ft.”\u00a0 Lupe had made it!<\/p>\n

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This what we’ve been looking for, SPHP? …. Yes, ma’am, that’s it, sweet Puppy!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On Ferris Mountain<\/strong> at the top of the Charlie Brown Range<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ferris Mountain<\/strong> summit. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What a tremendous mountain!\u00a0 The views were superb.\u00a0 The weather was vastly improved from what it’d been this morning.\u00a0 Beauty shone forth in every direction in the early evening light.\u00a0 A glorious day!\u00a0 SPHP congratulated Lupe on her grand success, shaking her freckled paw.<\/p>\n

Scrambling the short remaining distance to the highest rocks, Lupe came across two survey markers.\u00a0 At the very top, tucked among rocks near the metal sign, she found a plastic jar.\u00a0 Inside was a registry.\u00a0 SPHP was eager to have a look at.<\/p>\n

Was it there?\u00a0 Yes, it was!\u00a0 Happy day!\u00a0 SPHP found the entry by Edward Earl.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
One of two survey markers Lupe found on Ferris Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Survey marker No. 2.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The plastic jar containing the registry in its hiding place behind the metal sign.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Edward Earl’s 9-5-2014 entry in the Ferris Mountain<\/strong> registry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Seeing that Edward Earl had written about the Charlie Brown Mountains made SPHP smile.\u00a0 Lupe had been to quite a few mountains with assistance from Mr. Earl’s detailed trip reports.\u00a0 Once again, she was at the top of a mountain Edward had been to before her.\u00a0 Sadly, Lupe would never get to meet him.<\/p>\n

Edward Earl had perished tragically nearly 2 years ago on 6-19-2015, drowned in the rushing Jago River in the Brooks Range in NE Alaska following two failed attempts to climb Mount Isto<\/span><\/a> (8,976 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Others appreciate Edward Earl’s excellent route descriptions, too. John Stolk of Redmond, WA mentioned Edward in his registry entry dated 8-21-16.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s entry in the Ferris Mountain<\/strong> registry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe taking it easy in the least uncomfortable spot she could find on Ferris Mountain<\/strong> while waiting for SPHP to finish with the registry. The registry showed that 4 other people had been here earlier today, but Loop never saw anyone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe rested among the rocks, while SPHP fiddled with the registry.\u00a0 When SPHP was finally done, it was time to spend a while contemplating the tremendous views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe looking beautiful in the evening light up on Ferris Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking S. Edward Earl was once where Lupe was now.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Final moments at the top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking NW from the summit. Ferris Mountain’s westernmost 10,000+ foot high point where Lupe came up is in the distance on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe had seen these same dome-like hills from Whiskey Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,225 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> a day earlier. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pathfinder Reservoir<\/strong> from Ferris Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Pedro Mountains<\/strong> rise on the far side of the southern end of Pathfinder Reservoir<\/strong>. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All too soon, the angle of the sun insisted it was time to move on.\u00a0 Lupe left Ferris Mountain starting back the way she’d come up.\u00a0 SPHP figured the American Dingo still had some time to spare.\u00a0 She revisited the summit of Ferris Mountain Middle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe returns to the top of Ferris Mountain Middle<\/strong>. On the way back the plan was to visit Ferris Mountain North<\/strong>, the rocky knob on the R, too. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ferris Mountain North<\/strong> (R) from Ferris Mountain Middle<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ferris Mountain West<\/strong> (L) from Ferris Mountain Middle<\/strong>. Lupe wasn’t going all the way back over there on her way down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From Ferris Mountain Middle, Lupe went down to the 9,900 foot saddle.\u00a0 She was about to leave the mountain’s main ridgeline.\u00a0 Before continuing down, she took a last look at the huge expanse of prairie S of the Charlie Brown Range.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Before leaving the 9,900 foot saddle, Lupe took a final look at the huge expanse of prairie S of the Charlie Brown Range<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She then turned her attention to her final peakbagging objective of the day, Ferris Mountain North<\/span><\/a> (9,740 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on Ferris Mountain North<\/strong> from the 9,900 foot saddle. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looper headed down to the 9,700 foot saddle leading to Ferris Mountain North.\u00a0 She went N toward the high point.\u00a0 As she got close, she circled around to the E where it wasn’t as steep.\u00a0 Lupe quickly found a rocky route to the top.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the top of Ferris Mountain North<\/strong> from the SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the S, were the forested upper N slopes of Ferris Mountain leading to the ridge where the Carolina Dog had spent the last several hours atop the Charlie Brown Range.\u00a0 To the N, thirsty sagebrush prairie stretched away to distant hills.\u00a0 Shadows of ridges made the land look like ripples on a sea.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on Ferris Mountain North<\/strong> with a view of the NE side of the Charlie Brown Mountains<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ferris Mountain<\/strong> (L), Ferris Mountain Middle<\/strong> (Center), and the 9,900 foot saddle<\/strong> (R) from Ferris Mountain North<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on the 9,700 foot saddle<\/strong> from Ferris Mountain North<\/strong>. The 9,900 foot saddle<\/strong> is seen up on the ridge on the L. Ferris Mountain Middle<\/strong> is the high point on the far L. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A commanding view to the N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe couldn’t linger long on Ferris Mountain North.\u00a0 She was 2 miles from the green metal gate near the mouth of Pole Canyon.\u00a0 Another 7 miles to the G6.\u00a0 After a good look around, and a little time spent in contemplation, Lupe headed back to the 9,700 foot saddle.<\/p>\n

Downhill all the way now!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog plunged N down into the E branch of Pole Canyon.\u00a0 The forest was a maze of 3 to 5 foot high snow drifts and deadfall timber, but this route was easier than the way Lupe had gone up.\u00a0 The terrain was only moderately steep, and not too rocky.<\/p>\n

Loop soon discovered that the roughest ground was at the bottom of the canyon.\u00a0 For a long way, she stayed E and higher up, sometimes more than 100 feet above the creekbed.\u00a0 The snowbanks shrank and became less numerous, as she lost elevation.<\/p>\n

By the time Lupe was low enough so most of the snow was gone, the deadfall wasn’t as bad either.\u00a0 She now made fast progress, which was a good thing.\u00a0 The sun, though still up, was hidden behind the mountains.\u00a0 Sunset couldn’t be too far off.<\/p>\n

As Lupe drew near the point where both branches of Pole Canyon converge, the terrain changed.\u00a0 Lupe made her way to the bottom of the canyon, and leapt over to the W side of the creek.\u00a0 She soon came to the stream confluence, and had to make one more crossing.\u00a0 For a while she traveled down Pole Canyon staying W or NW of the stream.<\/p>\n

To avoid the larger stream crossings and swampy ground closer to the mouth of Pole Canyon, Lupe eventually got up on the side of the ridge to the NW.\u00a0 Nearing the base of the Charlie Brown Range, she reached the ridgeline.\u00a0 The sun was down, the land dark.\u00a0 Thin clouds glowed brilliantly orange in a pale sky.<\/p>\n

The colorful display faded to gray.\u00a0 Lupe managed to reach the green metal gate before it was too dark to see.\u00a0 Still 7 miles to go, but Loop had made it to Pete Creek Road.\u00a0 After crossing the Rush Creek drainage, the road turned N.\u00a0 All gently downhill from here.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP marched away from the Charlie Brown Range, never looking back.\u00a0 Only blackness was behind.\u00a0 Ahead, distant headlights on Hwy 220.\u00a0 The infinite universe glittered above.<\/p>\n

Every now and then Lupe heard something, and went racing away into the night.\u00a0 Antelope?\u00a0 Rabbits?\u00a0 No telling.\u00a0 Fortunately, the luck of the Dingo held.\u00a0 She always came streaking back, panting happily.\u00a0 No cactus had stabbed her.\u00a0 No rattler had bit her.\u00a0 No wolves had devoured her.<\/p>\n

Ferris Mountain had been a fabulous day!\u00a0 Yet, things don’t always go one’s way.\u00a0 Luck can run out.\u00a0 Perhaps weariness, or the silent black night was to blame, but during the long trek back it was hard not to think about another adventurer who had come this way.\u00a0 An adventurer who ultimately helped make this day a success for beloved Lupe, but whose luck had run out nearly 2 years ago.<\/p>\n

It was hard not to ponder the life and times, and tragic fate of Edward Earl.\u00a0 (12:05 AM)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Sunset in the Charlie Brown Range, 6-17-17.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Edward Earl on Peakbagger.com<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Edward Earl’s trip report on his 9-5-2014 ascent of Ferris Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2017 Laramie Range, Wyoming & Beyond Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 10 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Laramie Range & Beyond! As you drive along I-80 through Rawlins WY, you can see in the distance about 35 miles north a mountain range with a very striking feature: a zigzagging white cliff band running nearly the entire length of the range from left to … Continue reading Ferris Peak, Charlie Brown Range, Wyoming (6-17-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11518,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[834],"tags":[105,106,861,26,1572,1571,104,11,275],"class_list":["post-11549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2017-laramie-range-wyoming-beyond","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-charlie-brown-range","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-ferris-mountains","tag-ferris-peak","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_5260.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11549","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11549"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11549\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40260,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11549\/revisions\/40260"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11549"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11549"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}