{"id":2251,"date":"2015-11-15T08:10:46","date_gmt":"2015-11-15T15:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=2251"},"modified":"2019-03-16T13:57:18","modified_gmt":"2019-03-16T19:57:18","slug":"flat-top-mountain-colorado-8-21-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=2251","title":{"rendered":"Flat Top Mountain, Colorado (8-21-15)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lupe didn’t show up at the Stillwater TH until 1:49 PM on 8-21-15, Day 13 of her Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP had both spent the morning recovering from Lupe’s big adventures the previous day going to the Devil’s Causeway, Peak 12,008, the Rio Blanco County High Point and Orno Peak<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Now Lupe was setting out from the same TH, but in a new direction – she was going to climb Flat Top Mountain<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(12,354 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

It had been breezy all day, even down in the valley.\u00a0 The breeze whipped up waves on the Stillwater Reservoir.\u00a0 To get to Flat Top Mountain, Lupe was going to follow Trail No. 1122.\u00a0 The trail\u00a0went across the Stillwater Reservoir dam, dropped down a bit to cross a valley, and then climbed up a ridge to the S to a pass.\u00a0 From the pass, Lupe would leave the trail and climb the long, reasonably gentle SW slope leading to the summit of Flat Top Mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The breeze whipped up waves on the Stillwater Reservoir. Lupe isn’t a big fan of wind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the Stillwater Reservoir dam. Her peakbagging destination is Flat Top Mountain, seen here to the SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP stopped to register Lupe’s trip into the Flat Tops\u00a0Wilderness Area\u00a0at the registry station along Trail No. 1122.\u00a0 Although there were quite a few pages in the registry book, they all seemed to be completely filled in already.<\/p>\n

SPHP flipped back to the first page to start looking for room to place an entry, and received a bit of a shock.\u00a0 For there, in big bold handwriting in the margin on page one, was a name SPHP recognized.\u00a0 Furthermore, the entry bore today’s date, 8-21-15, noted Flat Top Mountain as the destination, described the party as 1 person and 1 dog,\u00a0and concluded with “Out!”<\/p>\n

Beth Lakin had already climbed Flat Top Mountain\u00a0earlier in the day\u00a0with her\u00a0black lab,\u00a0Sprocket!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP didn’t really know Beth\u00a0and Sprocket at all, but SPHP recognized the name.\"Registration<\/a>It all started in early May, 2014, when SPHP happened across the website Peakbagger.com.\u00a0 Peakbagger.com is a site for people (and American Dingoes!)\u00a0interested in mountains, and like recording data about their hikes and climbs.\u00a0 The site has a large database on mountains worldwide including locations, elevations, various maps, photos and trip reports submitted by users, etc.\u00a0 Registration for a Peakbagger.com account is free, so SPHP registered an account for Lupe.\u00a0 Click\u00a0here\u00a0to visit Lupe’s homepage on Peakbagger.com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In general, anyone can\u00a0view\u00a0data submitted by\u00a0registered account holders on Peakbagger.com –\u00a0including what mountains they’ve climbed, trip reports they’ve submitted, etc.\u00a0\u00a0 One day in September or October, 2014, SPHP happened to click on Beth Lakin’s account on Peakbagger.com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Her homepage had a link to her blog at 3UpAdventures.com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0Beth blogs about her adventures in life with her black lab, Sprocket.<\/p>\n

Beth is a prolific and talented blogger, likes climbing mountains with Sprocket (who is close to the same age as Lupe), and has an incredibly wide variety of interests and adventures.\u00a0 She is a member of Columbia Sportswear’s #Omniten program<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 During the #OmniGames\u00a0in early 2014,\u00a0Beth\u00a0won a place on a Columbia Sportswear sponsored\u00a0trip later that year\u00a0to the nation of Jordan<\/span><\/strong><\/a> in the Middle East (click the Jordan link to see the video on that trip).\u00a0 She is also an ambassador for other company brands.<\/p>\n

SPHP first became interested in blogging while reading 3UpAdventures.\u00a0\u00a0It’s fair to say that The\u00a0(Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe at least partially owes its existence to Beth Lakin, Sprocket and 3UpAdventures.com.\u00a0 Check on what Beth & Sprocket are up to any time\u00a0from\u00a0The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe\u00a0by using the drop down menu under the category “Favorite Blogs”.<\/p>\n

So, by now, SPHP had been a regular reader of Beth’s 3UpAdventures blog for nearly a year.\u00a0\u00a0As Lupe climbed Trail No. 1122 up to the pass, SPHP thought how fun it would be for Lupe to meet Beth and Sprocket.\u00a0 It was Friday, so they were probably around for the weekend.\u00a0 SPHP knew one of Beth’s climbing priorities has been to climb as many county high points in Colorado as possible.\u00a0 SPHP guessed Beth and Sprocket might be heading for the Rio Blanco County High<\/span> Point<\/span><\/strong><\/a> tomorrow,\u00a0the same\u00a0Rio Blanco County High Point that\u00a0Lupe had been to just yesterday.<\/p>\n

About the time Lupe was reaching the pass on Trail No. 1122, SPHP suddenly realized the weather was deteriorating.\u00a0 While SPHP had been thinking about Beth & Sprocket, a squall line had approached out of the W.\u00a0 For a few minutes, a combination of rain and\u00a0little tiny snowballs fell out of the sky.\u00a0 Then the squall line headed E.\u00a0 The weather cleared, but another bigger squall line was visible off to the W.\u00a0 It was still far off, but headed this way.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe at the pass. Photo looks N towards the Stillwater Reservoir.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe needed to make fast tracks up Flat Top Mountain!\u00a0 She left Trail No. 1122 and started heading NE up the long ridge to the summit.\u00a0 Along the way, she\u00a0arrived at\u00a0an intermediate high point called Flat Top Mountain West<\/a> (11,685 ft.)<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, a minor peakbagging goal.\u00a0 There was still a big climb left up to the main summit.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe now above the pass and climbing Flat Top Mountain. Photo looks SSW at the country S of the pass. SPHP isn’t sure if the lake seen in the distance is Hooper or Keener Lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking W from intermediate high point Flat Top Mountain West. The next squall line is approaching!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking N from Flat Top Mountain West. Amazing how much smoke haze there still is even after the little rain and snow shower of the 1st squall line.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe still has a bit of a climb left. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe climbed the rest of the way up Flat Top Mountain, SPHP kept an eye on the still approaching 2nd squall line to the W.\u00a0 It spread out and became a long inescapable wall of rain heading straight for Lupe.\u00a0 However, there was no sign of any lightning or thunder.\u00a0 Lupe could keep going, but she and SPHP might just have to grin and bear it for a while at the top.\u00a0 It looked like the squall would hit right about the time Lupe got there.<\/p>\n

The luck of the Dingo held.\u00a0 As the squall line, which had been strengthening, drew closer, it changed and started to dissipate.\u00a0 Lupe reached the top of Flat Top Mountain.\u00a0 The squall hit, but it was only a shadow of its former self just 10 minutes earlier.\u00a0 The wind blew pretty hard, but the rain was lighter than expected.\u00a0 For 10 minutes, the top of Flat Top Mountain wasn’t a great place to be.\u00a0 And then it was again.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe at the big summit cairn on Flat Top Mountain. Yamcolo Reservoir is visible below off to the NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The U.S. Geological Survey Benchmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking SE toward the summit cairn. Flat Top Mountain at 12,354 feet was a new personal record for Lupe! Her previous highest mountain summit was Mount Zirkel<\/a><\/span> (12,180 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which she had climbed just 4 days before on 8-17-15.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Maybe<\/a>
They could have named it Flat & Rocky Top!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A<\/a>
A look back to the WNW at Stillwater Reservoir where Lupe started this trek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Climbing 12,354 foot Flat Top Mountain set a new personal elevation record for Lupe!\u00a0 Flat Top Mountain broke the record of 12,180 feet she had achieved by climbing Mount Zirkel<\/a><\/span><\/strong> (12,180 ft.)<\/strong><\/span> just 4 days earlier on 8-17-15.\u00a0 Although Flat Top Mountain was higher, Mount Zirkel<\/a><\/span><\/strong> had been more of a challenge.<\/p>\n

It was time to head back down the mountain.\u00a0 On the way, Lupe\u00a0took time\u00a0for more photos near Flat Top Mountain West and a few other points.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe starts down.\u00a0 Trail No. 1122 is way down at the pass\u00a0at the base of the\u00a0big ridge with snow on it.\u00a0 Stillwater Reservoir is seen at the extreme right.\u00a0 Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bear<\/a>
Bear Lake (L) and Yamcolo (R) reservoirs. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Yes!<\/a>
Yes! Lupe was over there the day before! Peak 12,008<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong> (L ridge), the Rio Blanco County High Point<\/a> (12,027 ft.)<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(center), and Orno Peak<\/a> (12,133 ft.)<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(end of ridge on R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Stillwater<\/a>
Stillwater Reservoir. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe pauses to sniff the air on her way down the mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe reached the G6 down at the Stillwater TH at 7:36 PM (52\u00b0F).\u00a0\u00a0Her adventure to Flat\u00a0Top Mountain was over, but a new adventure was about to begin.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were going to look for Beth & Sprocket!\u00a0 SPHP knew Beth would likely be driving an easily recognizable vehicle – her red 1977 Jeep Cherokee FSJ.\u00a0 There couldn’t be too many of those hiding out around the campgrounds and trailheads between Stillwater Reservoir and Yampa!<\/p>\n

So the search began, but\u00a0it didn’t go\u00a0well.\u00a0 There was no vehicle\u00a0around that even slightly resembled a 1977 Jeep Cherokee FSJ.\u00a0\u00a0 The FSJ was the only clue Lupe and SPHP had to go by.\u00a0 There was no telling where Beth & Sprocket might be, or if they were really still even in the area – it made sense, but was only a hunch.<\/p>\n

The light faded fast.\u00a0 Night was coming on.\u00a0 Soon the stars would be out.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP returned to where the G6 had been parked the prior two nights.\u00a0 And then, there it was.\u00a0 Parked in the exact same spot, was a red 1977 Jeep Cherokee FSJ!<\/p>\n

\"Beth<\/a>
Beth & Sprocket’s 1977 Jeep Cherokee FSJ.\u00a0 This photo was taken the next morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP wound up startling poor Beth out of a deep sleep.\u00a0 After introducing Lupe, SPHP piteously pled to be allowed to take a picture of Lupe with Beth & Sprocket.\u00a0 Despite any annoyance Beth may have felt, she very graciously consented.\u00a0 SPHP seldom takes pictures of Lupe in the mountains at night, and at first could not remember how to use the flash.\u00a0\u00a0In a few minutes,\u00a0the problem was solved and the prized picture was taken.<\/p>\n

At first, Sprocket seemed puzzled by the whole\u00a0turn of events.\u00a0 Why are we getting up?\u00a0 Why\u00a0is this Dingo here?\u00a0 What is going on?\u00a0 Beth allowed SPHP to give Sprocket a few Cheesy Barkin’ Beggin’ Strips.\u00a0 Although it was still all rather confusing, Sprocket clearly hoped events would continue along this trend.\u00a0 Beth\u00a0permitted SPHP to stretch Sprocket’s quota by\u00a0one more Cheesy Barkin’ Beggin’ Strip.<\/p>\n

Beth and SPHP had an amiable chat.\u00a0 Beth and Sprocket were indeed planning to head up to the Rio Blanco County High Point in the morning.\u00a0 On August 8th, they had been to Mount Zirkel.\u00a0 Had Lupe been there?\u00a0 SPHP confirmed that Lupe had climbed Mount Zirkel<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, too, on the 17th.\u00a0\u00a0And so it went\u00a0for a little while.\u00a0 Soon\u00a0it was time to let Beth & Sprocket get back to sleep.<\/p>\n

It had been a great day!\u00a0 Lupe climbed Flat Top Mountain setting a new personal elevation record.\u00a0 She saw beautiful\u00a0places she had never been\u00a0to before along the way.\u00a0 She met Beth Lakin,\u00a0whose 3UpAdventures had at least in part inspired The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe.\u00a0 She\u00a0sniffed with the tall, dark and handsome Sprocket.\u00a0 She had her souvenir photo with Beth & Sprocket, the Celebrity Adventuring &\u00a0Blogging\u00a0Duo of 3UpAdventures.com<\/a><\/strong><\/span> – both\u00a0as awesome and friendly\u00a0in real life as they are on the internet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe with Beth & Sprocket of 3UpAdventures in the Flat Top Mountains, Colorado 8-21-15<\/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 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s 2015 Wyoming, Colorado & Utah Adventure Index<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span> <\/a>or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lupe didn’t show up at the Stillwater TH until 1:49 PM on 8-21-15, Day 13 of her Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP had both spent the morning recovering from Lupe’s big adventures the previous day going to the Devil’s Causeway, Peak 12,008, the Rio Blanco County High Point and Orno Peak.\u00a0 Now … Continue reading Flat Top Mountain, Colorado (8-21-15)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2233,"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":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[274],"tags":[340,105,337,106,296,26,335,325,104,338],"class_list":["post-2251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2015-wyoming-colorado-utah","tag-3upadventures-com","tag-american-dingo","tag-beth-lakin","tag-carolina-dog","tag-colorado","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-flat-top-mountain","tag-flat-tops-wilderness-area","tag-lupe","tag-sprocket"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/P1060824.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\/2251","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=2251"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20743,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2251\/revisions\/20743"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}