{"id":23035,"date":"2019-07-06T08:10:46","date_gmt":"2019-07-06T14:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=23035"},"modified":"2019-07-10T08:19:33","modified_gmt":"2019-07-10T14:19:33","slug":"grey-mountain-near-whitehorse-yukon-territory-canada-9-9-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=23035","title":{"rendered":"Grey Mountain near Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada (9-9-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 37 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

7:15 AM, 41\u00b0F, Tormented Valley, British Columbia<\/em> – The rain had ended within an hour of when Lupe arrived last night, yet the morning dawned cool, breezy and still drearily overcast.\u00a0 The higher peaks were scraping the clouds.\u00a0 A brief light shower blew through.\u00a0 Didn’t look much like rain, but the uniformly dull sky didn’t appear likely to improve, either.\u00a0 Not a very nice day for Peak<\/span> 6053<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A chilly, overcast morning in the Tormented Valley<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10:34 AM, 46\u00b0F<\/em> – Waiting hadn’t helped, at least not enough.\u00a0 Slightly warmer out, but otherwise little change.\u00a0 Frustrating, but might as well admit defeat.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 6053<\/span><\/a><\/strong> wouldn’t be any fun under these conditions.\u00a0 A year ago, Lupe had enjoyed a such fabulous day on the International Falls trail here that returning to climb nearby Peak 6053 had become a priority this year.\u00a0 The American Dingo would have had an even more spectacular view of a sea of tremendous snowy peaks in Alaska!<\/p>\n

Not happening.\u00a0 Not today.\u00a0 The G6 needed an oil change.\u00a0 Should at least get that done, instead of letting the whole day go to waste.<\/p>\n

11:44 AM, 54\u00b0F, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory<\/em> – Brilliant!\u00a0 An hour’s drive to Whitehorse only to realize that it was Sunday.\u00a0 So much for getting an oil change.\u00a0 The good news was that the weather was much better here than back in the Tormented Valley.\u00a0 Blue skies, puffy clouds, less wind, and warmer.\u00a0 Lupe could do something here, but what?<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, the Whitehorse visitor center was open.\u00a0 Loop waited in the G6, while SPHP went in.\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t finding much of potential interest to a peakbagging Dingo until picking up a pamphlet entitled “Wildlife in Whitehorse”.\u00a0 Inside were brief descriptions of 15 different locations in or around Whitehorse to see wildlife.\u00a0 One in particular stood out:<\/p>\n

14 – Grey (or Canyon) Mountain is the prominent landmark southeast of Whitehorse.\u00a0 About 6 km up the Grey Mountain Road (off of Alesk Drive in Riverdale) a small viewpoint overlooks the Yukon River valley.\u00a0 You may want to continue up the road by foot or mountain bike to the sub-alpine areas for a chance to see Dall Sheep or ptarmigan.\u00a0 The road is not maintained beyond the viewpoint and is not suitable for vehicle travel.<\/em><\/p>\n

Grey Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,901 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> sounded promising!\u00a0 Maybe Lupe could get in a peakbagging success today after all?\u00a0 A map on the reverse side of the pamphlet showed how to get there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From the SS Klondike at the S end of downtown Whitehorse, go SE on the bridge over the Yukon River. Hang a L on Alsek Drive, and another one on Grey Mountain Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grey Mountain Road was paved at first, but eventually turned to gravel.\u00a0 It was fine for the 6 km mentioned in the pamphlet all the way to a big pullout on the R.\u00a0 A map posted here showed an extensive trail system, including a summit trail that continued on from the end of Grey Mountain Road.\u00a0 Sweet!<\/p>\n

SPHP sort of expected to see the small viewpoint overlooking the Yukon River at this pullout, but maybe the trees had grown up enough to hide the view?\u00a0 At any rate, it didn’t seem to be here.\u00a0 This was probably the end of the maintained road, but the road continuing on past the pullout didn’t look that bad.\u00a0 Since it was already afternoon, and still quite a long way to the end of Grey Mountain Road, SPHP drove on.<\/p>\n

Yeah, this was the unmaintained road alright!\u00a0 It quickly turned rough – deep potholes, large stones, and ridges of exposed bedrock.\u00a0 No big deal in a high clearance vehicle, but pretty terrible for the G6.\u00a0 Driving very slowly and carefully, SPHP navigated another km up the obstacle course to a little spot where the G6 could get off the road.\u00a0 Upon parking here, the Carolina Dog immediately leapt out.<\/p>\n

A moment later, she leapt back in.\u00a0 Nope, Lupe wasn’t going to do this!<\/p>\n

Why not?\u00a0 Grey Mountain Road had gone past a shooting range before reaching the big pullout at the end of the maintained road.\u00a0 Nothing makes intrepid explorer and adventurer Lupe as nervous as the sound of gunfire, no matter how distant.\u00a0 Of course, she had heard some.<\/p>\n

So SPHP got back in, and continued the ill-advised drive.\u00a0 After getting quite a bit farther this time, SPHP parked at another little off-road spot.\u00a0 Safety first!\u00a0 Big Chicken still refused to get out.\u00a0 SPHP finally caught her and physically dragged her out.\u00a0 As soon as Loop realized she could no longer hear shooting, she was fine.<\/p>\n

3:16 PM, 52\u00b0F<\/em> – Lupe still had a good road hike ahead of her as she set off for Grey Mountain<\/span><\/a>(4,901 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Heading SE along the mountainside, she passed through a forested gap, then arrived at a better part of the road where the mountain dropped off steeply to the S.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Grey Mountain Road isn’t bad here! Still a bit of a trek to the end, though.<\/em> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rounding a corner, two towers came into view.\u00a0 The road curved along the side of a big drainage, switchbacked higher, then curled around the S end of Grey Mountain before turning N.\u00a0 Once up to the S end, Lupe had a grand view of the Yukon River valley all the way to Marsh Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The road ends up at those towers (Center)!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the S end of Grey Mountain<\/strong>. The Yukon River<\/strong> flows this way from Marsh Lake<\/strong> seen in the distance on the L. Mount Lorne<\/span><\/a> (6,629 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is on the R. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grey Mountain Road climbed steeply shortly before ending at a parking area near the towers.\u00a0 The towers were fenced off, but Lupe was free to get up on a big wooden platform nearby.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the wooden platform near the towers at the end of Gray Mountain Road. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the absolute summit wasn’t in view from the platform, Lupe could see Grey Mountain ahead to the NNW.\u00a0 A trail was visible on the ridge leading to it.\u00a0 Getting to Grey Mountain was going to be a cinch!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Grey Mountain<\/strong> from the wooden platform. The summit trail follows the ridge on the R. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The journey along the ridge was gorgeous!\u00a0 Beneath blue sky and white clouds, bushes blazed in the golds, oranges, and crimsons of autumn amid scattered deep green conifers and light grey rock.\u00a0 The trail climbed at an easy to moderate pace with only a few steep sections.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The summit trail goes up Grey Mountain<\/strong> (L) from the R. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe gained 1,000 feet of elevation during her stroll up Grey Mountain Road. From the wooden platform near the towers, the summit of Grey Mountain<\/strong> is only another 700 feet higher.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cantlie Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The early autumn colors were gorgeous!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting closer! The trail stays to the R here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back toward the towers. Mount Lorne<\/strong> (L) in the distance. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Nearing the top! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Lupe reached the high point visible from the wooden platform, she was at the S end of a large summit ridge.\u00a0 This ridge was lumpy with many exposed light grey rock formations, and still rose gradually toward the N.\u00a0 Low bushes and sparse tundra were present, but almost no trees grew up here, so Lupe already had tremendous views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the S end of Grey Mountain’s long, broad, lumpy summit ridge. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Chadburn Lake<\/strong> (Center & R) from Grey Mountain. The lake on the L is actually part of the Yukon River<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exploring N along the broad, lumpy ridge, Lupe searched for the true summit.\u00a0 She often had a choice of trails to follow.\u00a0 A succession of high points led to a survey marker with an arrow pointing toward one more high spot, the apparent true summit of Grey Mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing N looking for the summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The survey marker at the last high point before the true summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The true summit<\/strong> (Center) from close to the survey marker. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Beautiful tundra.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Between the survey marker and the summit, Lupe came to a wide gash 40 or 50 feet deep that sliced across the entire ridge.\u00a0 The sides of the gash were fairly steep, but the American Dingo had no problem getting across the gash to reach the top of Grey Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,901 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the edge of the gash before crossing it. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The NW end of the gash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking WNW while climbing out of the gash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The summit of Grey Mountain was a flat mini-ridge superimposed upon the rest of the mountain.\u00a0 Metal bars stuck up out of the ground here, but Loop did not find another survey benchmark.\u00a0 Low bushes grew around the perimeter of the mini-ridge, while the center was nearly barren.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On top of Grey Mountain<\/strong>. The gash Lupe had just crossed is on the R. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring the mini summit ridge. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Blending in with the golden bushes. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the high point. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster looking pensive at the true summit of Grey Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP congratulated Lupe on climbing Grey Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,901 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 She gracefully accepted the praise, but what the Carolina Dog really wanted was protection!\u00a0 She had been hearing gunfire again for a while now, and had been gently begging SPHP to comfort her.<\/p>\n

Of course, sweet puppy!<\/em><\/p>\n

At the top of Grey Mountain, SPHP sat facing SW with a panoramic view of a vast region of magnificent Yukon territory.\u00a0 The air was getting a bit chilly again.\u00a0 Wrapped in a purple pullover, Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap to be loved and petted.<\/p>\n

More than half an hour went by, during which Lupe gazed calmly upon splendid scenes.\u00a0 Directly ahead to the SW, was a fabulous view of the mighty Yukon River valley.\u00a0 Snowy peaks mostly hidden by clouds were far to the S.\u00a0 Mount Lorne<\/span><\/a> (6,229 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in the same general direction, but somewhat closer.\u00a0 To the SE, the Yukon River stretched all the way to Marsh Lake on the horizon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back toward the gap Lupe had crossed to get to the summit of Grey Mountain. Mount Lorne<\/strong> in the distance on the L. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Chadburn Lake<\/strong> and the Yukon River valley<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Marsh Lake<\/strong> (R of Center) in the distance. Yukon River valley<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whitehorse, capitol city of the Yukon Territory, was off to the NW.\u00a0 Cantlie Lake was back to the E.\u00a0 To the NE were unknown mountains higher than Grey Mountain that looked like relatively easy climbs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Whitehorse<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Higher peaks to the NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clouds repeatedly cast Grey Mountain into shadow.\u00a0 Even when Lupe was in sunshine, it wasn’t warm out.\u00a0 Well into September now.\u00a0 Time was running out on this Dingo Vacation.\u00a0 Depending on the weather in the next day or two, it was possible Grey Mountain might be the last Yukon peak Lupe would ever climb.\u00a0 Such a gloomy thought!<\/p>\n

Lupe would have liked to stay even longer relaxing and enjoying the views.\u00a0 She was right, so incredible here!\u00a0 However, another mini-ridge was a little farther N beyond another smaller gash.\u00a0 Since it looked close to being in contention for the title of true summit of Grey Mountain, the Carolina Dog really ought to go tag that high point, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The next mini-ridge to the N (Center) of where Lupe and SPHP had been relaxing. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Getting over there took only a few minutes.\u00a0 At about the highest spot, Looper found a collection of rocks.\u00a0 A tumbled down cairn?\u00a0 Maybe this actually was the true summit of Grey Mountain?\u00a0 Admittedly a close call, but SPHP still thought the first mini-summit ridge was a bit higher.\u00a0 Hardly mattered.\u00a0 Lupe had been both places now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the possible tumbled down cairn at the high point of the N mini-ridge. SPHP still thought the true summit of Grey Mountain<\/strong> was on the first mini-ridge (R) Lupe had been to, but it was a close call. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe explored the second mini-ridge a bit farther N.\u00a0 She didn’t get much beyond the wrecked cairn before the mountain began to drop away.\u00a0 Clearly, nothing higher was ahead.\u00a0 This was the end.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About as far N on Grey Mountain<\/strong> as Lupe went. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cantlie Lake<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Marsh Lake<\/strong> (R) is in the distance. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The return trip was a beautiful, easy trek.\u00a0 Lupe never did see any Dall sheep on Grey Mountain, but she did spot a ptarmigan.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The pamphlet was right! Lupe did see a ptarmigan on Grey Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>All too soon, the towers at the end of Grey Mountain Road were in view again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way back. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the towers. Part of Grey Mountain Road is seen on the R. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The downhill road trek was pleasant enough, but couldn’t compare with being up on the trail.\u00a0 Lupe was happy, though.\u00a0 She was leading the way back to the G6, a bumpy return ride to the maintained road, and dinner.<\/p>\n

Trudging along behind that curly tail in the shadow of the mountain, SPHP couldn’t help but think about what an unexpected and fabulous peak Grey Mountain had been.\u00a0 The perfect end to what had begun as a dismal day!\u00a0 (8:37 PM, 56\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Climbing Grey Mountain<\/strong>, Yukon Territory, Canada 9-9-18<\/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 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/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 37 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon, Northwest Territories & Alaska! 7:15 AM, 41\u00b0F, Tormented Valley, British Columbia – The rain had ended within an hour of when Lupe arrived last night, yet the morning dawned cool, breezy and still drearily overcast.\u00a0 The higher peaks were scraping the clouds.\u00a0 A brief light … Continue reading Grey Mountain near Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada (9-9-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23029,"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":[105,30,1157,106,26,1158,104,11,1155,774],"class_list":["post-23035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2018-yukon-northwest-territiories-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-canada","tag-canyon-mountain","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-grey-mountain","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging","tag-whitehorse","tag-yukon-territory"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_2006.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\/23035","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=23035"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23035\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23735,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23035\/revisions\/23735"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}