{"id":22757,"date":"2019-06-24T08:10:11","date_gmt":"2019-06-24T14:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=22757"},"modified":"2019-07-03T17:16:58","modified_gmt":"2019-07-03T23:16:58","slug":"blacktail-ptarmigan-rocks-mount-baldy-chugach-state-park-alaska-9-2-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=22757","title":{"rendered":"Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks & Mount Baldy, Chugach State Park, Alaska (9-2-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 30 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

7:23 AM, Bottenintnin Lake<\/em> – Although the sky was blue, mist hung over Bottenintnin Lake.\u00a0 Two white swans sailed among lily pads far from shore.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed eagerly through the forest nearby, but wasn’t having any luck.\u00a0 Still early.\u00a0 Apparently the squirrels were still in bed.\u00a0 SPHP worked on catching up the trip journal, but also made several forays into the forest with Loop.\u00a0 The were-puppy put in an appearance, and as the morning wore on, the forest rang with the shrill happy barking of the American Dingo.\u00a0 The chattering squirrels had finally gotten up!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop off to an early start at Bottenintnin Lake<\/strong> on the Kenai Peninsula.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The ferocious were-puppy appears to threaten SPHP!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Full of water lilies, Bottenintnin Lake<\/strong> is wide, but shallow. At one point, Lupe saw two white swans far from shore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP had discovered this quiet spot along Bottenintnin Lake after Lupe’s adventure to the Skilak Lookout<\/strong><\/span><\/a> last year.\u00a0 On a sunny day like this one, Looper was going to find a mountain to climb somewhere before it was over, but Bottenintnin Lake had become a favorite place.\u00a0 SPHP was glad the Carolina Dog got to spend a big part of the morning here, but after a few happy hours, it was time to move on.\u00a0 (10:38 AM)<\/em><\/p>\n

By 2:00 PM, Lupe was out of the Kenai Peninsula back in Anchorage.\u00a0 The only stop along the way had been for a look at Hope Point<\/span><\/a> (3,709 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> across the Turnagain Arm, which Loop had climbed 6 days ago in rain and fog.\u00a0 Today Hope Point basked in sunshine beneath a cloudless sky.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
We should have stopped and climbed Hope Point<\/strong> again, SPHP! We would have had splendid views today!<\/em> Hope Point<\/strong> (Center) across the Turnagain Arm<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nearly mid-afternoon.\u00a0 If Lupe was actually going to climb a mountain today, she had better get on with it.\u00a0 Fortunately, Chugach State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a> had plenty of great peaks to choose from within striking distance.\u00a0 Couldn’t take on anything too long or difficult, though, with the day more than half shot already.<\/p>\n

3:15 PM, Mount Baldy & Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks trailhead<\/em> – At the end of Golden Eagle Drive in Eagle River, Looper already had an impressive view of the Knik Arm to the NW.\u00a0 This was the trailhead for Baldy, Mount Baldy, Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks, and points beyond.\u00a0 SPHP was shocked to find cars and trucks lining both sides of the road.\u00a0 50 or 60 vehicles up here, easy!\u00a0 More coming and going all the time.\u00a0 People and dogs all over the place.\u00a0 SPHP had a hard time finding a place to park the G6.<\/p>\n

Before hitting the trail, Lupe paused for a look at the grand view of the Knik arm from right here at the trailhead.\u00a0 Far beyond the Knik Arm lay Mount Susitna<\/span><\/a> (4,396 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the Sleeping Lady<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mighty busy here at the Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks trailhead, but what a view of the Knik Arm<\/strong> already! And there’s Mount Susitna<\/strong>, the Sleeping Lady<\/strong>, beyond it!<\/em> Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No posted information was evident at the trailhead.\u00a0 Lupe had a choice of taking a gravel road that disappeared up to the R, or a level path on what appeared to be an abandoned road beyond a large red metal gate.\u00a0 Everyone else seemed to be taking the easy way on the path, so Looper did, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the start of the easy path.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The busy gravel path was lined with tall bushes, and remained level or at a slight incline all the way to a small pond where the trail divided.\u00a0 Shortly before getting to this pond, SPHP spoke with a man who advised staying to the R here, going past an old wooden building, and taking a steeper route.\u00a0 This would avoid a long muddy stretch of trail coming down from Baldy<\/span><\/a> (3,038 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The man had a 3 year old girl with him who had made it up Baldy under her own power, a gain of over 1,200 feet of elevation!\u00a0 They had climbed Baldy by a different steep route, which started with the gravel road that went off to the R back at the trailhead, and approaches Baldy from the W.\u00a0 They had just come down by a much easier route, which leaves Baldy heading E, and then makes a big sweeping curve around to the N before arriving at the pond.<\/p>\n

Apparently the way the man and the 3 year old had gone was a popular loop route, but the big curve providing a much gentler rate of descent that they had just slogged down had been a sea of mud.<\/p>\n

Sounded like good advice.\u00a0 SPHP thanked the man, congratulated the plucky 3 year old on her successful ascent of Baldy, and Lupe had gone on to the pond.\u00a0 After helping herself to a drink, the Carolina Dog took the recommended trail to the R, which soon did go past an old wooden building.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the little pond a bit over 0.5 mile from the trailhead. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
We’ve hardly left the pond, and there’s the wooden building up ahead!<\/em> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once past the wooden building, the trail turned toward Baldy<\/span><\/a> (3,038 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and started climbing.\u00a0 Before long, Lupe reached a T intersection where she went L.\u00a0 She hadn’t gone far, when a couple coming down said that this way was very muddy higher up, and they didn’t recommend it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading toward Baldy after passing the old wooden building. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So Lupe went back to the T to try the trail to the R.\u00a0 This branch soon started directly up Baldy’s steep N slope.\u00a0 The trail deteriorated rapidly as Lupe climbed above several people picking berries.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up Baldy’s N slope. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back down from partway up Baldy. The pond and wooden building are both visible. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The side of the mountain became very steep.\u00a0 The trail turned into such a faint path, that it was on the verge of disappearing entirely.\u00a0 Loopster gained hundreds of feet of elevation without any discernable change in the situation.\u00a0 Quite plainly, SPHP must not have understood the advice others had provided.\u00a0 This route couldn’t possibly be what they had been recommending.\u00a0 However, if a 3 year old girl could make it up Baldy on a steep route, so could Lupe and SPHP.<\/p>\n

Resigned to climbing straight up the N slope clear to the summit, more than halfway up Baldy, SPHP was surprised to see Lupe standing next to a much better trail.\u00a0 This trail was traversing Baldy’s N slope, gradually gaining elevation as it went E.\u00a0 Little pink flags marked the route.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nearly 2\/3 of the way up Baldy, Lupe comes to a much better trail traversing the N slope. Knik Arm<\/strong> in the distance. Mount Susitna<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What a gift!\u00a0 An easier way up.\u00a0 Loopster followed the trail E.\u00a0 She could already see her primary peakbagging goal for the day, the 3-pronged summit of Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/span><\/a> (4,449 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, in the distance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/strong> (Center) and Roundtop<\/strong> (L) on the horizon. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following the curvature of the mountain, the trail turned SE.\u00a0 This trail was brand new!\u00a0 So new, that it was still under construction.\u00a0 Loopster started seeing chunks of tundra that had been freshly torn up and set aside.\u00a0 After going only a short distance, she reached an abrupt end.\u00a0 Pink flags continued along the slope marking the route the unfinished trail would eventually take.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the end of the unfinished trail. Pink flags mark the future route. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So that was that!\u00a0 Lupe resumed going straight up the slope.\u00a0 Hundreds of feet higher, the terrain finally started leveling out.\u00a0 Lupe eventually arrived at the W end of Baldy’s summit ridge.\u00a0 From here she could see the town of Eagle River, and the Knik Arm all the way to Cook Inlet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the W end of Baldy’s summit ridge<\/strong>. Cook Inlet<\/strong> is in the distance on the L, the Knik Arm<\/strong> on the R. The town of Eagle River is spread out below. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The trailhead Lupe started out from is the bare spot down in the trees beyond her head. Eagle River, the Glenn Highway, and Knik Arm are all in sight. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Baldy<\/span><\/a> (3,038 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was a super popular destination!\u00a0 A dozen people were milling around enjoying the views.\u00a0 A rock formation where the Dowling survey benchmark was shown on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> was clearly the highest spot at the W end.\u00a0 So many people were coming and going, that Lupe had to wait in line for a turn on top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop gets a turn on the high point at the W end of Baldy<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Roundtop<\/strong> (L) and Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/strong> (R) from the W end of Baldy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everyone hung around the scenic W high point, as if it were Baldy’s true summit.\u00a0 However, a considerably smaller rock formation toward the E end of the summit ridge appeared to be slightly higher.\u00a0 No one else was paying any attention to this less notable high point, so Lupe didn’t have to wait for a turn here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Baldy’s true summit. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having visited both the E and W high points, the American Dingo could now claim a successful ascent of Baldy.\u00a0 However, according to the topo map, she hadn’t made it to the summit of Mount Baldy<\/span><\/a> (3,281 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> yet, a rounded hill almost a mile farther ESE toward Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks along a vast ridge.<\/p>\n

The distinction between Baldy and Mount Baldy is a bit confusing.\u00a0 SPHP would have bet money that all these people up at Baldy would have said they’d climbed Mount Baldy.\u00a0 Hardly mattered.\u00a0 Mount Baldy is almost 250 feet higher, but since Baldy is at the far W end of the same giant ridge, the views were almost certainly better from here.\u00a0 No real reason to go to Mount Baldy unless one is continuing on to Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks, which Lupe was.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Baldy<\/strong> (L) is barely distinguishable as a hill toward the end of the ridge leading to Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/strong> (L). Photo looks ESE from Baldy’s true summit<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the E end of Baldy, Lupe followed a trail ENE losing a fair amount of elevation.\u00a0 This was the popular route down Baldy that eventually curves N through the muddy stretch leading to the pond.\u00a0 However, as soon as she could, Loop left the trail and headed for Mount Baldy.<\/p>\n

Since it was already getting late to consider climbing Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks, no one else was going this way.\u00a0 Lupe had the whole giant ridge to explore pretty much to herself.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Baldy<\/strong> (at the end of the ridge) from High Point 3058<\/span><\/strong> (932 m) on the way to Mount Baldy. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Baldy<\/strong> (Center) from Mount Baldy<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Roundtop<\/strong> (L) and Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/strong> (R) from the E end of Mount Baldy<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After briefly visiting High Point 3058<\/span><\/strong> and Mount Baldy<\/span><\/a> (3,281 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe headed for Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks.\u00a0 A dirt road took her to the base of the long slope leading up to the jagged rock formations along the top of a rugged ridgeline.\u00a0 A trail that sometimes climbed aggressively, and other times switchbacked higher, provided a route up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way up the long slope. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Knik Arm<\/strong> beyond a flat part of the huge ridge that extends N. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The SE side of the ridgeline that forms Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks is cliffy, so all the unmaintained trails and routes Lupe followed always stayed on the NW side of the mountain.\u00a0 The ridgeline itself was too rugged for any trail to stay right on top.\u00a0 Once Loop got up to the rock formations, she sometimes had views to the SE through gaps between them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the first of the big rock formations Lupe came to upon reaching the ridgeline. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/span><\/a> (4,449 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> has three distinct high points.\u00a0 Having long had a clear view of the mountain from a distance, it was plainly evident that the first one Loop was coming to was definitely the lowest.\u00a0 The trail passed fairly close to the first high point, but Lupe did not leave the trail to visit it.\u00a0 With the sun starting to sink noticeably, it was more important to push on to the true summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the first, and lowest, of 3 distinct high points on Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/strong>. Although Lupe passed near it, she did not go to the top. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite having had a great look at the mountain, which of the other two high points was the true summit was not entirely clear.\u00a0 SPHP was of the opinion that the most distant high point was slightly higher, but that could have been an illusion.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting closer to Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/strong>‘ last two high points. Roundtop<\/strong> is on the L. The third high point SPHP thought was the true summit<\/strong> is at Center, The competing middle high point<\/strong>, which must be nearly the same elevation, is at R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Past the first high point approaching the middle one (L). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Blacktail’s middle summit<\/strong> (L), Vista Peak<\/span><\/a> (4,987 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center), and Mile High Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Little Peters Creek drainage<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Magnificent<\/span><\/a> (4,272 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in the foreground. Photo looks SE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back down the Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks ridgeline<\/strong> before reaching the middle high point. Two people are standing on the first high point<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So far everything had been easy, but as Lupe approached the middle high point, that began to change.\u00a0 The trail she was following was braided, and amounted to little more than a goat path.\u00a0 The NW side of the mountain became increasingly steep.\u00a0 Switching over to the SE side where there were now gigantic cliffs was out of the question.<\/p>\n

Lupe got very high, quite close to the middle high point, but she skipped this one, too, although reaching it didn’t appear difficult.\u00a0 The situation deteriorated as the Carolina Dog tried to continue on to the last high point.\u00a0 The goat paths along the steep slopes were very narrow, but the worst part was trying to get beyond long spines of rock that went straight down the mountainside.\u00a0 Many others had done it, and Lupe could, too, but the rocks were worn so smooth that SPHP didn’t trust the hand or foot holds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way around the middle high point. The third and final high point is on the L. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The true summit of Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/strong> (as far as SPHP could tell) is on the L. One of the most challenging rock spines to get past extends far down to the L from the rock formation on the R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The problem was ultimately solved by making a considerable down climb to reach a more favorable spot to get around the biggest of the spines.\u00a0 Once that had been accomplished, Lupe climbed back up to the ridgeline.\u00a0 She reached a good-sized area of fairly level ground at a big gap in the rock formations that provided grand views to the SE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Beyond the last of the spines of rock that ran down the NW side of the mountain. Loop is on the way back up to the big gap along the ridgeline at R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the big gap between the second and third high points. Mount Magnificent<\/strong> (Center) in the foreground. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Similar view with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rest was easy again.\u00a0 From the gap, Lupe followed a path across a slope that wasn’t nearly as steep as those near the middle high point.\u00a0 The path led up to a ridge running NW from the third high point.\u00a0 A modest cairn sat right where Loop gained the NW ridge.\u00a0 This ridge was plenty wide, and provided an excellent direct ramp to the summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cairn where Lupe reached the third high point’s NW ridge. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the way up the NW ridge to the third high point. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A small conical hill, the uppermost portion of which was nearly all rock, capped the third high point at the NE end of Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks.\u00a0 A single tall boulder was the absolute high point.\u00a0 Lupe leapt up on top.\u00a0 She had done it!\u00a0 The American Dingo stood astride the true summit of Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/span><\/a> (4,449 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/p>\n

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On the third high point at the NE end of the mountain, the true summit of Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe on the true summit<\/strong>. The middle high point, which seemed very nearly as high, is on the R. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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An intrepid Carolina Dog atop Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the third high point, the middle high point did look slightly lower.\u00a0 Admittedly, it was a close call.\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t 100% certain Lupe was at the true summit of Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks, but almost.<\/p>\n

The views, of course, were spectacular!\u00a0 Lupe could see all the way down the Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks ridgeline to the middle and first high points, and clear on down to Baldy, which looked tiny from here.\u00a0 To the W was the Knik Arm.\u00a0 To the SW, Anchorage, Cook Inlet, and very far away, Redoubt Volcano<\/span><\/a> (10,197 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Iliamna Volcano<\/span><\/a> (10,016 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In other directions, Lupe gazed upon a sea of peaks in Chugach State Park.\u00a0 The peaks nearby looked barren and dry.\u00a0 Farther away, especially toward the SE, were considerably higher mountains, some with snow or glaciers on them.\u00a0 If Lupe had gotten an early start here this morning, it looked like it would have been fun and relatively easy to continue along the ridgelines to either Roundtop<\/span><\/a> (4,787 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> or Vista Peak<\/span><\/a> (4,987 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
If Lupe had gotten a much earlier start, it would have been easy to follow the ridgelines to Roundtop<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Roundtop<\/strong> (R) from Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Vista Peak<\/strong> (R) was farther away than Roundtop, but looked like a fun ridge walk, too. Mile High Peak<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back down the Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks ridgeline<\/strong>. The middle high point<\/strong> (L) and lower first high point<\/strong> (R) are both in view. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Middle summit<\/strong> (L), first summit<\/strong> (Center), and Mount Baldy<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Higher peaks to the SE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unfortunately, Lupe didn’t have time to explore farther along the ridges connecting to other mountains.\u00a0 She had a gorgeous evening, but it was evening.\u00a0 The sun was getting close to the horizon.\u00a0 Loop couldn’t even stay at the summit of Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks for too long before she would have to start back.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The sinking sun. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the return, Lupe did not down climb to get past the rock spines near the middle high point.\u00a0 She stayed higher this time, and managed to find a slightly less daunting and troublesome way through.\u00a0 Loop again found herself near the top of the middle high point.\u00a0 This time, since SPHP couldn’t entirely rule out the possibility that the middle high point was actually the true summit, she did climb to the top.<\/p>\n

In truth, from here, the middle summit did look just as high as the third high point had been.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks’ middle high point<\/strong>. The third summit<\/strong> is hard to see in front of Roundtop<\/strong> (L), since it blends in so well from this perspective. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The top of Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks’ middle summit was a very small area.\u00a0 With the sun only half an hour from setting now, Lupe could only stay a few minutes.\u00a0 SPHP congratulated her on making it to the top of both of Blacktail Ptarmigan Rock’s highest points.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog seemed quite pleased by the praise and attention.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the middle high point<\/strong>. Mount Magnificent<\/strong> (Center) in the foreground.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun set before Lupe made it down off Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks, but for a while she enjoyed the long twilight of the far N.\u00a0 Although she again passed close to Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks’ first high point, Loop never did go to the top.\u00a0 She did revisit Mount Baldy at dusk.\u00a0 By the time she made it to Baldy, the city lights of Eagle River and Anchorage glittered beneath the deep black of space.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sunset beyond the Knik Arm<\/strong> during the descent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading down to Mount Baldy<\/strong> (lower L) and Baldy<\/strong> (L of Center).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Anchorage<\/strong> and Cook Inlet<\/strong>. Redoubt Volcano<\/strong> (Center) and Iliamna Volcano<\/strong> (far L). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Eagle River (foreground) and Anchorage (background) from Baldy. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Spooky Dingo of the Night back on Baldy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The descent from Baldy took a long time.\u00a0 With only the aide of a weak flashlight, SPHP slowly, uncertainly, tried to navigate the very steep slope that the trail from the W came up.\u00a0 Some places the trail was so braided, it seemed like the whole mountain was trail.\u00a0 Other spots, Lupe had to help search for signs of any trail at all.\u00a0 Sometimes the flashlight revealed only a dark abyss ahead, mandating a course correction.<\/p>\n

After losing what seemed like a lot of elevation, Lupe finally came to some switchbacks on a fairly good path.\u00a0 It felt like the worst must be over.\u00a0 However, the switchbacks suddenly ended at a drop off.\u00a0 After a tricky down climb, Lupe found the switchbacks again, but finding and losing the switchbacks recurred with distressing frequency.<\/p>\n

Near the end, the slope diminished.\u00a0 The trail became more consistent.\u00a0 Ahead was a tower with red lights that SPHP suspected the gravel road from the trailhead must go to.\u00a0 This proved to be the case.\u00a0 Lupe came to the road before getting to the tower, and was soon back at the trailhead.<\/p>\n

Middle of the night.\u00a0 Time for a quick bite, and a long snooze.\u00a0 Perhaps to dream again of those glorious fleeting moments in the blue Alaskan sky atop the soaring pinnacle of Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks.\u00a0 (12:10 AM, 41\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks<\/strong>, Chugach State Park, Alaska 9-2-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trailhead Directions:<\/strong> From the curve at the NE corner of Eagle River Loop Road in the town of Eagle River, take Skyline Road (a R turn, if heading N).\u00a0 Skyline Road winds with many curves up through a residential neighborhood eventually leading into or becoming Golden Eagle Drive.\u00a0 The trailhead is at the end of Golden Eagle Drive.<\/em><\/p>\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\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chugach State Park Map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Chugach State Park Brochure<\/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 30 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska! 7:23 AM, Bottenintnin Lake – Although the sky was blue, mist hung over Bottenintnin Lake.\u00a0 Two white swans sailed among lily pads far from shore.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed eagerly through the forest nearby, but wasn’t having any luck.\u00a0 Still early.\u00a0 Apparently the … Continue reading Blacktail Ptarmigan Rocks & Mount Baldy, Chugach State Park, Alaska (9-2-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22741,"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":[704,105,1144,106,765,26,1145,104,1143],"class_list":["post-22757","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-yukon-northwest-territiories-alaska","tag-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-blacktail-ptarmigan-rocks","tag-carolina-dog","tag-chugach-state-park","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-eagle-river","tag-lupe","tag-mount-baldy"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/IMG_1760.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\/22757","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=22757"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23726,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22757\/revisions\/23726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22741"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22757"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22757"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}