{"id":22098,"date":"2019-06-04T08:10:14","date_gmt":"2019-06-04T14:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=22098"},"modified":"2019-06-08T16:34:14","modified_gmt":"2019-06-08T22:34:14","slug":"slaughter-ridge-kenai-mountains-alaska-8-28-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=22098","title":{"rendered":"Slaughter Ridge, Kenai Mountains, Alaska (8-28-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 25 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

2:58 PM, 66\u00b0F<\/em> – Was this the right place?\u00a0 Must be.\u00a0 No one around, but 4 or 5 vehicles sat along a little loop at a dead end in the forest.\u00a0 SPHP parked the G6 off to the side as far as possible, and Lupe leapt out.\u00a0 No trailhead information anywhere, but a trail did head into the forest from the NE end of the loop.<\/p>\n

Lupe was back on the Kenai Peninsula not far from Cooper Landing after having spent the night in Anchorage.\u00a0 The whole morning had been chewed up procuring a new camera to replace the one that died in the rain during the journey to Hope Point<\/span><\/a> (3,708 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> yesterday.\u00a0 After that, the long drive from Anchorage, followed by a search for the trailhead, had taken more time.<\/p>\n

SPHP had found Bean Creek Road 0.2 mile E of the bridge over the Kenai River easily enough.\u00a0 The road to the trailhead was supposed to be an unmarked dirt road just E of Bean Creek Road on the same (N) side of the Sterling Highway.\u00a0 Instead of an unmarked road, a road with a street sign saying “Stetson Circle” left the highway from what seemed to be the correct spot.<\/p>\n

Stetson Circle looked like a private driveway, and actually did go past a house or two, before curving R (E) and ending at this loop in the forest not terribly far from the highway.<\/p>\n

Lupe was raring to go!\u00a0 Mid-afternoon already on a rare sunny day.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog didn’t want to waste another minute.\u00a0 Two young women were emerging from the forest about the time SPHP was finally ready.\u00a0 They were both quite taken with Lupe, and she was more than willing to delay her departure to bask in the adoration of new fans.<\/p>\n

Was this the trail to Slaughter Ridge<\/span><\/a> (3,216 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>?\u00a0 Yes!\u00a0 The two women confirmed this was it.\u00a0 A fabulous destination, but they emphasized that the trail was very steep.\u00a0 When the Dingo love-fest finally concluded, Lupe and SPHP set off into the forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looper setting off for Slaughter Ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail started off nearly level, an easy, shady hike through the woods.\u00a0 Before long, it passed near a wooden fence marking the edge of private property.\u00a0 A house could be seen beyond the fence.\u00a0 The trail gradually turned L (N), and Lupe started gaining elevation.\u00a0 An initial moderate pace quickly steepened.\u00a0 The forest hid all views, but Lupe was making frequent little stops anyway, since SPHP seemed so inclined to pause to gasp for breath.<\/p>\n

For a trail, this was indeed a very steep route.\u00a0 However, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.\u00a0 The trail was dry, and footing was generally good.\u00a0 No slippery spots, and hardly any loose rock.\u00a0 Loop would have gained elevation at a tremendous pace, if SPHP could have kept moving.\u00a0 During wheezing breaks, several groups of hikers passed by on their way down.\u00a0 Each and every one cheerfully commented on the steepness of the trail, in case SPHP hadn’t noticed.<\/p>\n

After a considerable climb, Lupe came to a clearing.\u00a0 She was already high enough to have a grand view of Kenai Lake and the Kenai River.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the first clearing. The beautiful Kenai River<\/strong> is in view. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
We’re just getting going, and look at that view of Kenai Lake<\/strong>!<\/em> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing on, the trail re-entered the forest.\u00a0 Openings where Lupe had views became more frequent.\u00a0 She started catching glimpses of a much higher ridge that the trail was apparently destined for.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
An early glimpse of the ridgeline the trail heads for. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Can you believe it? No rain! No fog! What a gorgeous day!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing after polishing off some Taste of the Wild while SPHP wheezed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Kenai Lake<\/strong> from a higher viewpoint with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail eventually reached the ridgeline it had been climbing toward.\u00a0 Lupe came to a cairn and an engraved stone at an open spot at the E end of a level part of the ridge.\u00a0 The stone had been placed here in memory of Wayne Fritz Koecher, who passed away at the beginning of 2006 at the age of 24.\u00a0 Perhaps this beautiful spot with its amazing views had been one of Wayne’s favorite places?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the first cairn and engraved stone up on the ridgeline. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In Loving Memory of Wayne Fritz Koecher, 15 April 1981 – 2 January 2006<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was now up on Slaughter Ridge<\/span><\/a> (3,216 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but toward the far E end at about the 2,000 foot level, nowhere near its highest point.\u00a0 The true summit was still nearly 2 miles W.\u00a0 Even Juneau Point<\/span><\/a> (3,216 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>close to the E end of the summit plateau was still a mile away.<\/p>\n

From this first cairn and memorial stone, the trail continued NW toward a hill several hundred feet higher.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From the first cairn and memorial stone, a short level section of the trail continues toward a hill farther up Slaughter Ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reaching the base of the hill took only a couple of minutes.\u00a0 However, the trail divided here without any indication of which way to go.\u00a0 Since the R fork showed the most use, Loop went that way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the base of the next hill close to where the trail forks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Almost immediately, the R branch started angling NNW avoiding the forested ridgeline.\u00a0 Soon Lupe was losing a little elevation.\u00a0 The trail didn’t even stay up along the side of Slaughter Ridge, instead taking Looper out to a flat, swampy area near a pond.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
You sure this is right, SPHP? Don’t we need to be up there?<\/em> The R fork left Slaughter Ridge<\/strong> taking Lupe NNW out to this pond. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe stuck with the R fork only as far as a small stream beyond the pond before SPHP had second thoughts.\u00a0 This couldn’t be right!\u00a0 The trail kept crossing wetlands heading toward a broad pass N of Slaughter Ridge.<\/p>\n

No harm done.\u00a0 The little side jaunt had been a scenic detour, and hadn’t taken long.\u00a0 Lupe turned around and headed back.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This couldn’t be right! Lupe needed to be climbing the ridge, not wandering around in the wetlands. She turned back at this small stream. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Back where the trail divided, Lupe tried the L fork this time.\u00a0 The L fork went straight into the forest, promptly curved N, and in practically no time, joined up with the R fork again returning to the pond.<\/p>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Didn’t seem right, but maybe SPHP hadn’t given the trail enough of a chance?\u00a0 So Lupe visited the pond once again, this time pushing on well past the little stream.\u00a0 The terrain was rising slowly, and eventually flattened out completely.\u00a0 A larger pond, a lake really, appeared ahead.<\/p>\n

The trail, or what was left of it, showed not the slightest inclination to turn back toward Slaughter Ridge.\u00a0 Maybe Lupe should just head straight for it, and try to find a way up?\u00a0 The viewpoint back at the cairn and memorial stone might be as far up the mountain as the trail went.<\/p>\n

SPHP paused to contemplate the N side of Slaughter Ridge.\u00a0 Forested and steep.\u00a0 No way!\u00a0 The trail had been steep enough without bushwhacking a way up.\u00a0 Must be another way, another trail that split off somewhere between the memorial stone and the fork at the base of the hill.\u00a0 Better go back and look for it.<\/p>\n

Sure enough, there was!\u00a0 A missed turn went to the L shortly before the divide that veered off to the pond.\u00a0 Sheesh!\u00a0 A good 45 minutes wasted on the wrong trail!\u00a0 Daylight was burning.\u00a0 Lupe had better get on with it, if she expected to get to the top of Slaughter Ridge today.<\/p>\n

Now on the correct trail, Lupe followed it W through a short section of forest.\u00a0 She emerged from the trees in open territory high on the steep S side of the ridgeline.\u00a0 The views were spectacular!\u00a0 The trail continued W making frequent steep spurts higher.\u00a0 Level stretches separated each big burst upward.<\/p>\n

SPHP kept expecting the trail to climb back up onto the ridgeline, but for a long way, it didn’t.\u00a0 Instead, the trail stayed high on the S slope, as Lupe bypassed one false summit after another.\u00a0 At last, the trail did climb up onto the ridgeline, but Lupe still wasn’t at the top.\u00a0 Much higher ground was still ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Come on! We’re getting there!<\/em> Back on the ridgeline. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail was still pretty steep.\u00a0 On and on it went.\u00a0 Getting to the top of one knob only revealed another higher one ahead.\u00a0 Couldn’t be much farther, though, could it?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Slaughter Ridge<\/strong> continues higher. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Almost to the top! No fooling this time!<\/em> True dat. A second cairn is on the hill ahead. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on the lake Lupe had been heading toward while on the wrong trail. Peak<\/span> 4422<\/span><\/a><\/strong> on the R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A second cairn greeted Lupe at the top of the final hill.\u00a0 This cairn sat at the far E end of the Slaughter Ridge summit plateau, a location known as Juneau Point<\/span><\/strong><\/a> (3,216 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 The ridge was still narrow here, but quickly broadened out to the W.\u00a0 Views from the cairn were stupendous!\u00a0 Lupe could see from Kenai Lake all the way down the Kenai River valley to Skilak Lake.\u00a0 Wonderful mountain scenes in all directions!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back down the ridgeline Lupe had just come up.\u00a0 Wrong Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,260 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), Right Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,085 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center), and Axis Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,161 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) on the horizon. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Kenai Lake<\/strong> from the 2nd cairn at the E end of Slaughter Ridge<\/strong>. Axis Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,161 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) is the snowiest high point beyond Lupe. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Kenai Lake<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak<\/span> 4422<\/span><\/a><\/strong> is straight up from the cairn. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Trout Lake<\/strong> from Slaughter Ridge<\/strong>. Peak<\/span> 3940<\/span><\/a><\/strong> is beyond Lupe. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Slaughter Ridge summit plateau<\/strong>. The true summit<\/strong> is in sight more than a mile away past Lupe’s shoulder. Round Mountain<\/span><\/a> (3,901 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) in the distance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Kenai Lake<\/strong> (L) and the Kenai River<\/strong>. Cooper Landing (R) is on the far bank. Cecil Rhode Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,400 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Kenai River valley<\/strong>. Russian Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,318 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, the Juneau benchmark was supposed to be somewhere around here.\u00a0 Expecting to find it easily, SPHP scanned the area close to the second cairn, surprisingly without success.<\/p>\n

Despite how fantastic the views were at Juneau Point<\/span><\/a> (3,216 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, with the true summit of Slaughter Ridge still more than a mile away, Lupe could only afford to take a short rest break.\u00a0 Soon she was on her way again, heading W across the vast Slaughter Ridge summit plateau.<\/p>\n

The plateau was a super fun trek, so much easier than the steep climb to Juneau Point had been!\u00a0 Lupe had a blast sniffing and exploring her way across the open rolling plain, making great progress.\u00a0 The trail faded on the way to a succession of minor high points.\u00a0 Didn’t matter.\u00a0 Even from Juneau Point, a little blip at the far W end, no doubt the true summit, or very close to it, was in sight along S edge of the plateau.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Slaughter Ridge summit plateau<\/strong> from close to the second cairn. The true summit (L) is a mere blip at the far end. Round Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Peak<\/span> 3835<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (R) are beyond the plateau. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe wandered W, generally staying close to the S edge of the plateau where the fabulous views of the Kenai River valley and the grand peaks beyond it were.\u00a0 After she had already passed a couple of minor high points, SPHP remembered the Juneau benchmark again, and started checking each little rise for it, but still without success.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo paused now and then to check out the views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Kenai River valley<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Cecil Rhode Mountain<\/strong> on the L. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A fabulous view of Kenai Lake<\/strong> from Slaughter Ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Similar view. Right Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Axis Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Trout Lake<\/strong> (L) and Juneau Lake<\/strong> (R). Peak 3940<\/strong> is L of Trout Lake. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Slaughter Ridge summit plateau is divided into two parts – an E half, which Lupe was on now, and a W half, the location of the true summit.\u00a0 The two halves are connected by a narrow corridor, but even along this connecting route, a drop of between 300 and 400 feet separates the E and W plateaus.<\/p>\n

This drop had not been visible from Juneau Point where Lupe came up, but as she drew near the W end of the E plateau, it came into view.\u00a0 A faint trail headed right on down to the connecting corridor, which was along the S edge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the W end of the E plateau, the gap separating the two plateaus starts coming into view. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The connecting ridge leading over to the W plateau. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going down to the connecting ridge was easy.\u00a0 Not too steep, and even once at the bottom where the ridge was narrowest, it was plenty wide and smooth.\u00a0 No jaggedness at all.\u00a0 Lupe was soon across the saddle and on her way up the SE slope of the W plateau.\u00a0 This was a much steeper climb, the ascent made even slower when SPHP realized the tundra was full of ripe blueberries.<\/p>\n

SPHP was immediately ensnared in the, oh, so delicious blueberry trap!\u00a0 Progress slowed to a crawl.\u00a0 At first, Lupe tolerated the situation, but when SPHP quit moving entirely, the were-puppy appeared to threaten SPHP, and demand a speedy return to action.<\/p>\n

Freed from the blueberry trap by the ferocious were-puppy, SPHP kept heading higher.\u00a0 Finally, after gaining close to 300 feet of elevation, the rate of climb began to lessen.\u00a0 Lupe emerged from the shadow of the W plateau on terrain beautifully illuminated by the slanting rays of the early evening sun.\u00a0 As SPHP slogged on after her, Lupe pranced toward the high ground still ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the connecting ridge to the saddle leading to the W plateau (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In sunlight during the last part of the ascent of the W plateau. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe prancing higher.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the W plateau, Lupe continued W from high point to high point.\u00a0 At last, only two more could be seen ahead, the most distant being the true summit of Slaughter Ridge <\/span><\/a>(3,216 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 It wasn’t much farther, or even much higher, than where the Carolina Dog was already.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Axis Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,161 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), Kenai Lake<\/strong>, and Cecil Rhode Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,400 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) from a high point on the W plateau. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The true summit of Slaughter Ridge<\/strong> is the more distant of the two minor high points toward the sun. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Dingo visited both of the last two high points.\u00a0 On the final little slope leading to the true summit of Slaughter Ridge, the Alaskan wilderness rolled out a crimson carpet of surpassing beauty for Lupe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the true summit<\/strong> (R). Round Mountain<\/span><\/a> (3,901 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Skilak Lake<\/strong> (L) in the distance. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the true summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the crimson carpet of Slaughter Ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The summit rock was light-colored, nearly white, and quite large enough to serve as an excellent Dingo display pedestal.\u00a0 Views were, of course, splendid, but basically the same as those Lupe had been seeing all the way here.\u00a0 The far W end of the W summit plateau was a bit farther.\u00a0 Lupe could see a third cairn over there, clearly at a slightly lower point.<\/p>\n

After a look around from the white summit rock, Lupe ventured over to the third cairn at the W end of Slaughter Ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit of Slaughter Ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The third cairn (R) at the W end of Slaughter Ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW from the true summit (L).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the third cairn. Kenai River<\/strong> (L), Skilak Lake<\/strong> (Center) and Round Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

N of the third cairn, there was quite a lot of territory that could have been explored, if it hadn’t been so late in the day.\u00a0 Lupe did spend a few minutes sniffing beyond the cairn, going far enough to get to where the mountain started dropping off more steeply.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring the W plateau N of the third cairn. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Trout Lake<\/strong> from the W end of the W plateau. Peak<\/span> 3940<\/span><\/a><\/strong> on the L. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back at the 3rd cairn (R). The true summit (far R) is in view, too. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun was sinking.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog returned to the summit rock.\u00a0 Glories of the Kenai Peninsula were on display in all directions.\u00a0 Even a sliver of Cook Inlet of the North Pacific Ocean was in sight.\u00a0 For a little while, Lupe and SPHP remained at the summit, taking it all in.\u00a0 Such a gorgeous evening!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back at the true summit for a little while longer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lateness of the hour prevailed.\u00a0 Loop was soon forced to abandon her peakbagging success.\u00a0 The long return trek back the way she had come began.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near day’s end on Slaughter Ridge<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down the steep descent from the W plateau to the saddle leading to the E plateau. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The return trek was a beautiful time.\u00a0 So much fun!\u00a0 Once Lupe made it back to the E plateau, SPHP resolved to check every high point along the way for the Juneau benchmark.\u00a0 The first high point Lupe came to on her way E was the true summit of the E plateau.\u00a0 Not right at the high point, but 20 or 30 feet farther S, near the edge where the views were best, Loopster made a discovery.<\/p>\n

Nope, not the Juneau benchmark, but something else.\u00a0 Laying among the rocks was a stone 2″ long.\u00a0 A Bible verse, John 15:5, was painted on it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe found this small stone with a Bible verse painted on it near the high point of Slaughter Ridge’s E summit plateau.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Reverse side.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whether the stone had been left here intentionally, or simply forgotten, was unknown.\u00a0 SPHP picked it up.\u00a0 Lupe could keep it as a souvenir to add to the small rock collection SPHP had started for her last year with a stone taken from the Beaufort Sea near Deadhorse.\u00a0 Dated 2018, the stone couldn’t have been on Slaughter Ridge too long.<\/p>\n

At the very last high point prior to reaching the second cairn at the E end of the E plateau, Lupe found it.\u00a0 The Juneau benchmark!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Juneau survey benchmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loop by the Juneau benchmark. It’s next to her front paw. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe paused for the last time at the second cairn high on Slaughter Ridge before beginning the steep descent to the trailhead, far to the SW she could see something she hadn’t been able to when the sun was higher.\u00a0 Beyond Cook Inlet was the unmistakable outline of the Iliamna Volcano<\/span><\/a> (10,016 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Awesome!\u00a0 How cool was that?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Iliamna Volcano<\/strong> from Slaughter Ridge. Photo looks SW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And then it was down, down, down!\u00a0 Never stopping, except as caution dictated.\u00a0 30 minutes before reaching the trailhead, the flashlight had to come out.\u00a0 Lupe arrived at the G6 famished and tired.\u00a0 She wasn’t alone.\u00a0 A quick dinner, then lights out.\u00a0 (11:10 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

What a tremendous day Slaughter Ridge had been!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Slaughter Ridge<\/strong>, Kenai Mountains, Alaska 8-28-18<\/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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

On the Skyline Trail to the Mystery Hills, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska (8-27-16)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Skilak Lookout, Kenai Mountains, Alaska (8-30-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

W<\/em>ant more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska Adventure Inde<\/strong>x<\/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 25 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska! 2:58 PM, 66\u00b0F – Was this the right place?\u00a0 Must be.\u00a0 No one around, but 4 or 5 vehicles sat along a little loop at a dead end in the forest.\u00a0 SPHP parked the G6 off to the side as far … Continue reading Slaughter Ridge, Kenai Mountains, Alaska (8-28-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22072,"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":[997],"tags":[704,105,106,1122,26,1123,949,104,11,1121],"class_list":["post-22098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-yukon-northwest-territiories-alaska","tag-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-cooper-landing","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-kenai-lake","tag-kenai-mountains","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging","tag-slaughter-ridge"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1389.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\/22098","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=22098"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22098\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23707,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22098\/revisions\/23707"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}