{"id":14482,"date":"2018-09-05T08:10:44","date_gmt":"2018-09-05T14:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=14482"},"modified":"2023-04-17T18:08:47","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T00:08:47","slug":"kesugi-ridge-ermine-hill-denali-state-park-alaska-8-26-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=14482","title":{"rendered":"K’esugi Ridge: Ermine Hill, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-26-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 27 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

7:00 AM<\/em> – Lupe prowled among the bushes sniffing excitedly.\u00a0 She liked this place!\u00a0 Getting to be late August.\u00a0 The bushes were starting to show some fall colors.\u00a0 SPHP stretched and walked around a bit looking at the views to the N or NE where mountains and glaciers of the Alaska Range could be seen 15 miles away beyond Monahan Flat.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s day started off well with some excited prowling about among these bushes. Part of the Alaska Range is seen in the distance beyond Monahan Flat. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Zoomed in on the Alaska Range beyond Monahan Flat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A glacier in the Alaska Range<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views were awesome, but the sky was more darkly overcast than SPHP would have liked.\u00a0 Lupe had an adventure planned for today over in Denali State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 She intended to take the to Ermine Hill trail to a point where she could scramble up Ermine Hill<\/span><\/a> (2,700 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, then press on taking the K’esugi Ridge trail to Golog Benchmark<\/span><\/a> (2,970 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 A long day, but a fun one, if the weather didn’t interfere.<\/p>\n

With so much in the works, Lupe had to get going.\u00a0 47 miles of gravel road on Denali Highway No. 8 brought her to the pavement on George Parks Highway No. 3 at Cantwell.\u00a0 SPHP turned L heading SW for Denali State Park.\u00a0 Disappointingly, though no surprise, only the lower peaks of the Alaska Range were in view as Lupe neared Denali State Park.\u00a0 All the high stuff, including Denali<\/span><\/a> (20,310 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> itself, was shrouded in clouds.<\/p>\n

No other vehicles were at the Ermine Hill trailhead at milepost 156.5 when Lupe and SPHP arrived.\u00a0 Despite the general cloud cover, a few patches of blue sky offered encouragement.\u00a0 Looper was at least going to try for Ermine Hill.\u00a0 Whether she would continue all the way to Golog Benchmark might depend on how the weather developed.<\/p>\n

A short stroll into the forest led to a registration station.\u00a0 SPHP registered, and the Carolina Dog was on her way.\u00a0 (9:59 AM, 51\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe arrives at the Ermine Hill trailhead at MP 156.5 along George Parks Highway No. 3 in Denali State Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Ermine Hill trail started off in a forest full of ferns.\u00a0 Lupe quickly reached a section of trail overgrown with tall grass, ferns, and bushes.\u00a0 It must have rained recently.\u00a0 All the vegetation was sopping wet.\u00a0 Within 5 minutes, Lupe and SPHP were, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe starting out on the Ermine Hill trail. Within 5 minutes she would be one soggy doggie from all the wet vegetation overhanging the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail gained a little elevation going up a small hill, leveled out for a short distance, then turned SW and dropped close to 200 feet down into the Byers Creek valley.\u00a0 A footbridge across Byers Creek tilted somewhat precariously.\u00a0 The creek had undermined the foundation on the near bank.\u00a0 Fortunately the bridge was still stable enough to cross.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Byers Creek had eroded away the foundation on the near bank for the footbridge going over it. The bridge leaned precariously, but was still stable enough to cross.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the bridge, the Ermine Hill trail paralleled Byers Creek through another area of thick, wet vegetation.\u00a0 The trail became quite muddy and went over a couple of similar, but much shorter and better supported footbridges.\u00a0 Lupe passed a scenic pond.\u00a0 The trail then started to climb.\u00a0 A final bridge crossed over a different rushing stream.<\/p>\n

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Loopster on the last bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once Lupe was over the last bridge, the trail began to climb in earnest.\u00a0 It wound up the W side of a steep slope in a series of long switchbacks.\u00a0 By the time the switchbacks ended, Loop was getting close to tree line.\u00a0 Here the trail straightened out, and proceeded SE up a long slope.\u00a0 Lupe left the forest behind, entering a zone of tall bushes.\u00a0 Soon she was above the bushes, too.\u00a0 She could now see lower peaks of the Alaska range to the N beyond the broad Chulitna River valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Above the forest and the zone of tall bushes, Lupe has a view across the Chulitna River valley<\/strong> of lower peaks of the Alaska Range<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe kept going up the slope, which eventually became more gradual.\u00a0 The trail was heading into a sheltered valley where a few scattered trees grew among another profusion of tall bushes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looks like we’re coming to more bushes again, SPHP.<\/em> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> showed the Ermine Hill trail would continue SE past a narrow lake tucked near the upper end of the valley.\u00a0 A little beyond the lake would be an intersection with the K’esugi Ridge trail.\u00a0 Lupe would eventually need to go there in order to continue on to Golog Benchmark.\u00a0 However, since the Ermine Hill trail only skirts the NE side of Ermine Hill and doesn’t go to the top, the Carolina Dog would first need to leave the trail to finish her ascent.<\/p>\n

Lupe drew even with a small pond to the NE.\u00a0 She could already see the start of the narrow lake ahead.\u00a0 A steep, bush-free slope appeared next to the trail offering an unobstructed lane of tundra extending up to more open ground above.\u00a0 This looked like a fairly easy route, so Loop and SPHP left the Ermine Hill trail and started climbing.<\/p>\n

The route was even easier than anticipated.\u00a0 The slope was plenty steep enough, but there wasn’t much huffing and puffing going on.\u00a0 Blueberry bushes only 4 or 5 inches high were everywhere!\u00a0 They were loaded with sweet, ripe blueberries.\u00a0 So addictively delicious!\u00a0 SPHP spent less and less time climbing, and more and more time consuming.\u00a0 Progress slowed to a few steps at a time.<\/p>\n

The open tundra was beautifully colored.\u00a0 Lupe had lovely views to look at.\u00a0 Yet she became so bored waiting for SPHP, that she took to resting on the soft tundra.\u00a0 Each time SPHP finally managed to go a little farther, she would test the comfort of another slightly higher spot.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Almost there, SPHP! Come on, before I sign you up for Blueberries Anonymous!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Ermine Hill trail passes the near side of the narrow lake seen in the valley below. It meets up with the K’esugi Ridge trail in the open area beyond the far end of the lake. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Here, Lupe has almost succeeded in leading SPHP above the deadly, delicious, time-consuming blueberry zone. The tundra was full of vivid colors. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe sitting patiently waiting partway up Ermine Hill. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As SPHP consumed blueberries, blueberries consumed time.\u00a0 An hour went by before SPHP managed to gain 300 or 400 feet of elevation.\u00a0 Here, Lupe was on gentler, interesting terrain.\u00a0 Close by was a striking ridge of white sand and gray rock.\u00a0 It couldn’t be much more than another 100 feet higher, and looked like a cinch to climb.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Above the steep blueberry slope, Lupe found gentler terrain. The summit of Ermine Hill<\/strong> is up on the ridge beyond her. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No longer distracted by blueberries, SPHP accompanied Lupe heading W for the near end of the ridge.\u00a0 An easy climb brought Lupe to the top of the ridgeline for a look around.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo saw several colorful rounded hills to the SE.\u00a0 Those rounded hills were all part of Ermine Hill, which encompasses a large area.\u00a0 In fact, the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> shows 4 different areas contained within 2700 foot contours on Ermine Hill.\u00a0 SPHP anticipated Lupe might have to visit several, perhaps even all of them, to figure out which was the true summit.\u00a0 As it turned out, Lupe wasn’t going to have to work that hard.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the top of the striking white sand and gray rock ridge. Several colorful rounded hills, all part of the Ermine Hill<\/strong> group are seen beyond her. Lupe is already about as high as they are. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The colorful rounded hills Lupe saw to the SE included 3 of the 4 areas contained within 2,700 foot contours on the topo map.\u00a0 Lupe was clearly about as high as any of them.\u00a0 The 4th area was farther W on the ridge she was already on.\u00a0 The ground was noticeably higher over there.\u00a0 So it was easy to see that the true summit of Ermine Hill<\/span><\/a> (2,700+ ft.)<\/span><\/strong> had to be closer to the W end of this ridge.<\/p>\n

Looper didn’t have far to go to get there.\u00a0 She enjoyed a gorgeous, fun, easy ridge walk among flat sandy or gravelly areas and interesting rock formations.\u00a0 The very top of Ermine Hill featured an unusual summit offering a variety of convenient rocky Dingo perches.\u00a0 Despite the clouds, the views were tremendous in all directions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ermine Hill’s summit offered a variety of perfect Dingo perches with tremendous views. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe gained 1,625 feet of elevation from the Ermine Hill trailhead to reach the summit, making Ermine Hill<\/strong> a relatively easy peakbagging objective in the K’esugi Ridge area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The huge Chulitna River valley<\/strong> is seen beyond Lupe. On the far side of the river only the lowest peaks of the Alaska Range<\/strong> are in view below the cloud cover. On a clear day, Lupe would have had a fantastic view of Denali, the highest mountain in North America from here! Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look at the Chulitna River<\/strong> from a slightly different angle. For hours, clouds drifted NE (R) up the river valley. Unfortunately, the great white peaks of the Alaska Range<\/strong> remained hidden all day long. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe had plenty of dramatic perches to choose from. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking ENE. The true summit was a little E (R) of here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looper on a different perch. The top of Ermine Hill<\/strong> has sort of a badlands type of feel to it, though the views certainly did not. Looking SE from close to the true summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Same view with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This perch is very nearly as high as the true summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe could see Golog Benchmark<\/span><\/a> (2,970 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> off to the SW.\u00a0 She had been there a year ago, having first reached K’esugi Ridge and Whimbrel Hill<\/span><\/a> (2,645 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from the Byers Lake trailhead.\u00a0 Today’s original plan called for Loop to continue on to Golog Benchmark from Ermine Hill.\u00a0 If she did so, she would complete the entire portion of the K’esugi Ridge trail system between the Byers Lake and Ermine Hill trailheads.<\/p>\n

However, Lupe hadn’t gotten off to a very early start, the blueberry trap was another hour lost, and the weather didn’t look all that favorable.\u00a0 Rain showers were drifting up the Chulitna River valley only a few miles to the NW.\u00a0 Furthermore, Loopster would have to first lose 1,200 feet of elevation, then gain 1,500 feet to get over to Golog Benchmark, only to repeat a portion of that process just to get back to the Ermine Hill trail.\u00a0 Golog looked far away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe could see Golog Benchmark<\/strong> (Center). She had been there a year ago. Back then she had come up to K’esugi Ridge from Byers Lake to get to Golog from the other side. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loopster was perfectly content lingering up on Ermine Hill, while SPHP pondered whether it made any sense to head for Golog Benchmark.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe was perfectly content to linger on Ermine Hill<\/strong> enjoying the fabulous views while SPHP pondered whether it made any sense to go on to Golog Benchmark. Sadly, the sky over the Alaska Range<\/strong> beyond the Chulitna River<\/strong> showed no sign of clearing up. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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In 2016, Lupe had reached Golog Benchmark from Byers Lake<\/strong>, seen in the distance on the L. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the meantime, a few photos from the cluster of rocks at Ermine Hill’s true summit were in order.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop on one of the rocks close to Ermine Hill’s true summit. The Chulitna River valley<\/strong> is in the background. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near the true summit. She had been up on the rock near Center a little while ago. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The true summit of Ermine Hill<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had spent 50 minutes up on Ermine Hill.\u00a0 Decision time.\u00a0 On to Golog Benchmark, or not?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
So, what’s it gonna be, SPHP? Are we going to try for Golog Benchmark (L) again this year, or not?<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sadly, the answer was no.\u00a0 Under the circumstances, Golog Benchmark just looked too far away.<\/p>\n

However, the no go on Golog didn’t mean Ermine Hill was the end of Lupe’s explorations today.\u00a0 Another option existed.\u00a0 A little more than 3 miles away to the ENE, a big hill was in view.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 3700<\/span><\/a><\/strong> wasn’t really much closer than Golog Benchmark as the crow flies, but Lupe’s route to it would be more direct and less time consuming.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Although Lupe wasn’t going to get to go to Golog Benchmark again, she could still try for Peak 3700<\/strong>, the distant highest hill on the R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After nearly an hour up on gorgeous Ermine Hill, Lupe started for Peak 3700.\u00a0 She began by traveling Ermine Hill’s summit ridge to its far E end.\u00a0 She saw Ermine Hill’s other colorful hills within 2,700 foot contours again, plus a tarn nearby that she hadn’t seen on her way up.<\/p>\n

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Lupe at the far E end of Ermine Hill’s big summit ridge. Below is a small lake she hadn’t seen on her way up. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog was now SE of where SPHP had dallied on the steep blueberry slope on the way up.\u00a0 She could see more of the narrow lake the Ermine Hill trail passes by in the valley to the E.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, no! You’re not going down that blueberry slope again, SPHP, or we’ll never get to Peak 3700!<\/em> The SE end of the narrow lake that the Ermine Hill trail goes by is in view below. Peak 3700<\/strong> is somewhere out of sight beyond the hills on the L. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There wasn’t a clear, bush-free route down from here like the blueberry slope had been.\u00a0 Most of the way was fine, but Loopster would have to go through a stand of tall jungley bushes to reach the Ermine Hill trail.<\/p>\n

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Lupe passed by colorful plants like this one on her descent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog was making good progress on her descent when she spotted someone 200 feet lower down on the Ermine Hill trail not far from the lake.\u00a0 That someone quickly proved to be two someones and a large dark brown dog.\u00a0 They were all staring intently at the hillside on the far (E) side of the lake.<\/p>\n

Nothing appeared unusual about that hillside.\u00a0 Upon closer inspection, however, a black speck was visible way over there in a clearing between the bushes that covered most of the hill.\u00a0 That black speck didn’t seem to be moving, but suspicions were immediately aroused.\u00a0 A quick check with the camera’s telephoto lens confirmed those suspicions.<\/p>\n

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A black bear was on the hillside across the lake. Probably stuck in a blueberry trap like SPHP had been.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The people and dog watching the bear remained where they were for a few minutes, before turning around and heading back down the Ermine Hill trail.\u00a0 The bear was far away on the other side of the lake, but was something to stay alert for, since it was sort of on the way to Peak 3700.\u00a0 Lupe was going to be on that same hillside, but would pass well above the bear’s current location without having to go right by it.<\/p>\n

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The bear is visible in this photo, if expanded, but only as a dark speck. The bear is in a large clearing a little R of Center well above the lake and somewhat below the exposed rocks. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a while, Lupe and SPHP monitored the bear’s position as Loopster continued her descent.\u00a0 The bear never moved before Lupe lost sight of the hillside.\u00a0 No doubt it was anxiously devouring as many blueberries as possible before SPHP could get over there to scarf them all down.<\/p>\n

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The Ermine Hill trail junction with the K’esugi Ridge trail is at the base of the whitish area on the R. From there, Lupe would take the K’esugi Ridge trail up the big gully seen below the peak on the L, and around the back side of the hill at far L. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop had lost nearly all the elevation she needed to in order to get back to the Ermine Hill trail again when she was confronted with a jungle of tall bushes.\u00a0 They were much taller than even SPHP was.\u00a0 The American Dingo had no issues with the bushes, but SPHP struggled to get through, especially at the start where they were on a steep slope.\u00a0 Nevertheless, Looper and SPHP did make it down to the trail.<\/p>\n

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Lupe by a nice grouping of colorful plants having reached the Ermine Hill trail again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once back on the Ermine Hill trail, Lupe made rapid progress.\u00a0 She got past all the bushes, and soon arrived at the junction with the K’esugi Ridge trail.<\/p>\n

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Loop at the junction of the Ermine Hill and K’esugi Ridge trails. She would go NE (L) on the K’esugi Ridge trail from here. Going SW (R) would have taken her past Skinny Lake to Golog Benchmark. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the intersection, Lupe went NE (L) crossing the valley the narrow lake was in.\u00a0 The lower part of this valley was swampy.\u00a0 On the far side of the swamp, the K’esugi Ridge trail led Lupe up a steep creek drainage.\u00a0 She eventually wound up behind a wall of rock bordered by another, larger swamp.<\/p>\n

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Looking down the length of the narrow lake as Lupe went by it. The Ermine Hill trail comes up the SW (L) side of this lake. The Chulitna River valley<\/strong> is seen in the distance. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The whole ridge in the distance is part of Ermine Hill<\/strong>. The summit is out of sight toward the far R. The K’esugi Ridge trail is in view below, and meets the Ermine Hill trail over at the base of Ermine Hill. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe got muddy legs going across this second swamp.\u00a0 She seemed quite pleased with the experience.\u00a0 SPHP managed to gingerly use stepping stones near the rock wall to avoid the worst of the swamp.\u00a0 Beyond the second swamp, a very short climb led to a side trail that headed W to a nearby rocky viewpoint.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went there for a look around.<\/p>\n

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Lupe emerged from her explorations of the second swamp with muddy legs looking quite satisfied with the experience. After all, what’s more fun than wandering through a mucky swamp practically up to your chest in mud?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the viewpoint, Lupe had a wonderful view of Ermine Hill, where she had just come from.\u00a0 She was now somewhere up above the slope where the bear had been.\u00a0 Looking down, the bear was nowhere in sight.\u00a0 Even though Lupe had come out on top in her encounter with a grizzly bear at the Maclaren River yesterday, it was a bit worrisome not knowing where the black bear had disappeared to.\u00a0 Was it close by?<\/p>\n

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From a rocky viewpoint at the end of a short spur off the main K’esugi Ridge trail, Lupe has a wonderful view of Ermine Hill<\/strong>. She appears more worried about where that black bear is now. She isn’t too far from where the bear had been earlier. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Keeping an eye and keen nose out for the bear, Lupe returned to the main K’esugi Ridge trail.\u00a0 The trail now climbed steadily as it wound its way N up tundra covered hillsides.\u00a0 Lupe loves this kind of high open territory!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was soon dashing away across the tundra to explore whatever she could find of interest.\u00a0 Meanwhile, SPHP stuck with the trail.<\/p>\n

The trail crossed a couple of small streams.\u00a0 After a mile or so, it leveled out on high ground while rounding a big ridge coming down from the E.\u00a0 This was the same ridge that ought to take Loop to Peak<\/span> 3700<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 SPHP now joined Lupe in her off trail explorations to begin the climb up the long ridge.\u00a0 Unseen, Peak 3700 was now a little more than 2 miles due E.<\/p>\n

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Lupe leads the way, charging off for Peak 3700<\/strong>! Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exploring the huge ridge was a grand time!\u00a0 The ridge was big and broad and hilly.\u00a0 Lots of rocks, some quite large, were scattered across it, but most places there was plenty of nice soft-on-the-paws tundra vegetation, too.\u00a0 Lupe climbed up a series of hilly high points, but each proved to be only another false summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking for Peak 3700<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe finally reached the top of a larger hill where big rocks covered with black lichens were common.\u00a0 She could now see several considerably higher hills ahead, still perhaps a mile or more away.<\/p>\n

One of the two most distant hills was almost certainly the summit of Peak<\/span> 3700<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Loopster would have to lose some elevation to continue on toward them, but all the intervening terrain from here to the top of Peak 3700 looked easy no matter which distant hill was the true summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The summit of Peak 3700<\/strong> appears ahead! It had to be either the distant hill seen straight up from Lupe, or the somewhat closer one to the L. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe worked her way down the E side of the rocky hill she was on and reached the tundra.\u00a0 Though still a mile away, Peak 3700 seemed to be in the bag already!\u00a0 Lupe was doing great, the terrain was a cinch, and she was making great progress.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t that simple.\u00a0 The sky had been growing darker for some time.\u00a0 Loop hadn’t seen the sun for several hours, and it was starting to feel late.\u00a0 Clouds were everywhere.\u00a0 A huge dark one now appeared passing directly overhead.\u00a0 This cloud didn’t seem to be dropping much rain, none on Lupe yet, but certainly seemed like it might at any moment.<\/p>\n

Rain showers could be seen in several directions.\u00a0 They weren’t terribly far away.\u00a0 If Lupe kept going, SPHP was convinced she was destined to get drenched.\u00a0 Even if this dark cloud didn’t rain on her, it certainly seemed like only a matter of time before another one would.<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, SPHP concluded the only prudent thing for Lupe to do was turn around.\u00a0 The clouds had held off most of the day, but a rainy evening appeared to be in store.\u00a0 No sense in getting wet and chilled.\u00a0 Another 30 minutes and Loop would have made it to the top of Peak 3700.\u00a0 Now she wasn’t going to get there.\u00a0 So close and yet, so far!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster at the turn around point. Sadly her ascent of Peak 3700<\/strong> had to be called off due to deteriorating weather. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ever since reaching Ermine Hill, Lupe had enjoyed a fantastic day up in the alpine tundra.\u00a0 The return trip was no different.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog ran like the wind, streaking across vast distances, pausing briefly here and there to sniff and investigate more thoroughly.\u00a0 It was so much fun to watch her go – feeling vibrant and wonderful, so full of life, all joyful and excited to be here.\u00a0 Lupe returned to check on SPHP often, looking like the happiest Dingo in the world, strong and beautiful.<\/p>\n

The dark cloud passed by without raining on Lupe or SPHP.\u00a0 Dodged a bullet there.\u00a0 The sky brightened, but remained overcast.\u00a0 Rain showers could still be seen, but none appeared headed this way yet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way back. Ermine Hill<\/strong> is the lower gray hill on the L. The Chulitna River<\/strong> is seen in the distance. Overhead, the end of the dark cloud is approaching. Fortunately, this cloud never did rain on Lupe. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Golog Benchmark<\/strong> is the distant high point at Center. The much closer lower gray ridge on the R is part of Ermine Hill<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A rain shower drifts up the Chulitna River valley<\/strong>. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP reached the K’esugi Ridge trail again.\u00a0 Lupe still spent most of her time running and playing on the tundra.\u00a0 She never did see that black bear again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ermine Hill<\/strong> from the K’esugi Ridge trail. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It wasn’t until SPHP made it all the way back to the forest well on the way down the Ermine Hill trail, that Lupe finally decided she better stick to the trail, or at least very close by.<\/p>\n

Loop was near the tippy footbridge over Byers Creek, when suddenly the sky darkened again.\u00a0 SPHP had already been gloating that Loopster was actually going to make it all the way back to the G6 without getting rained on.\u00a0 Clearly rain was now on the way, but the G6 wasn’t much more than 0.5 mile away.\u00a0 Surely, the American Dingo could still get there before the rain hit!<\/p>\n

Uh, uh.\u00a0 Halfway there, the raindrops started.\u00a0 Slowly at first, but soon building to a steady downpour.\u00a0 If SPHP had aborted the attempt on Peak 3700 only 10 minutes earlier, Lupe would have arrived back at the the G6 completely dry.\u00a0 As it was, both the American Dingo and SPHP returned cold, absolutely drenched and miserable.\u00a0 (8:32 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

Ermine Hill had been a fabulous day, but it rarely pays to gloat.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way back from the aborted attempt on Peak 3700, K’esugi Ridge, Denali State Park, Alaska 8-26-17<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

K’esugi Ridge: Ermine Hill & Peak 3700, Denali State Park, Alaska (9-4-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

K’esugi Ridge: Indian Benchmark & K’esugi Mountain, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-18-16)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

K’esugi Ridge: Whimbrel Hill & the Golog Benchmark, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-19-16)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Denali State Park, Alaska<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Denali State Park Brochure<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

South K’esugi Ridge Trail System Map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

North K’esugi Ridge Trail System Map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska 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<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 27 of Lupe’s 2017 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska! 7:00 AM – Lupe prowled among the bushes sniffing excitedly.\u00a0 She liked this place!\u00a0 Getting to be late August.\u00a0 The bushes were starting to show some fall colors.\u00a0 SPHP stretched and walked around a bit looking at the views to the N or … Continue reading K’esugi Ridge: Ermine Hill, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-26-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14450,"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":[835],"tags":[8,704,105,106,26,933,934,732,104,11],"class_list":["post-14482","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2017-yukon-alaska","tag-omniten","tag-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-ermine-hill","tag-ermine-hill-trail","tag-kesugi-ridge-trail","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_6972.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\/14482","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=14482"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14482\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47287,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14482\/revisions\/47287"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14450"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14482"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14482"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14482"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}