{"id":26593,"date":"2020-04-25T08:10:28","date_gmt":"2020-04-25T14:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=26593"},"modified":"2023-04-17T18:13:55","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T00:13:55","slug":"kesugi-ridge-little-coal-creek-to-peak-4500-denali-state-park-alaska-8-24-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=26593","title":{"rendered":"K’esugi Ridge: Little Coal Creek to Peak 4500, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-24-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 19 & 20 of Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

8-23-19, 6:34 AM, 31\u00baF, 1.5 miles NNW of Glenn Highway MP 123.3 – <\/em>After her tremendous exertions up on Syncline Mountain yesterday, Lupe had scarcely moved a muscle all night.\u00a0 She was up and about bright and early now, though, sniffing among the bushes while SPHP straightened up the G6.<\/p>\n

Still smoky this morning, so no great rush.\u00a0 A leisurely breakfast (beef stew!) was prepared at the Gunsight Mountain trailhead (MP 118.5).\u00a0 SPHP was surprised when Loop only wanted her Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 After breakfast she snoozed through most of the scenic drive to Palmer, where the smoke proved to be worse than ever.<\/p>\n

Not good.\u00a0 Plan A had been to climb one of several possible peaks in the Palmer area, but evidently that wasn’t going to happen.\u00a0 Maybe the air would be clearer closer to the ocean?\u00a0 Lots of great peaks in Chugach State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!<\/p>\n

SPHP drove all the way to Anchorage, but Plan B was a flop, too.\u00a0 The mountains were barely visible.\u00a0 The smoke was as bad here as in Palmer, if not worse.\u00a0 Drought and forest fires in Alaska!\u00a0 It seemed incredible.\u00a0 In prior years, it had been hard to find a day when it didn’t rain.<\/p>\n

Stops for supplies, an oil change for the G6.\u00a0 Hours frittered away.\u00a0 What to do?\u00a0 No sense in hanging around, the smoke wasn’t going to go away unless it rained hard, or the wind shifted.\u00a0 Kenai Peninsula or inland?\u00a0 The Carolina Dog stated no preference.\u00a0 SPHP gambled on inland.<\/p>\n

N of Wasilla, a lighted sign said “FIRE MP82-91 expect 3-4 hour delays”.\u00a0 Plan C was looking shaky, at best.<\/p>\n

8-24-19, 8:44 AM, 46\u00baF, Little Coal Creek trailhead, Denali State Park<\/em> – The lighted sign had either been hype, or outdated.\u00a0 Lupe had gotten through yesterday with only a single 30 minute delay.\u00a0 She’d seen some charred acreage right next to the Parks Highway, but no flames, no billowing smoke, no emergency.\u00a0 However, she’d arrived at Denali State Park<\/span><\/strong><\/a> too late to take on any big excursions.<\/p>\n

A beautiful morning today, though!\u00a0 Blue skies and no sign of smoke at all.\u00a0 Wind must be blowing the right direction.\u00a0 Better take advantage of the situation while good fortune held.\u00a0 After a whole day of rest, the American Dingo was ready for action!<\/p>\n

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The Little Coal Creek trailhead is at Parks Highway MP 163.9 in Denali State Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The trailhead parking lot. Look at those blue skies! Going to be a fabulous day!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expectations were high!\u00a0 A return to Denali State Park’s beloved K’esugi Ridge was on the agenda.\u00a0 The Little Coal Creek trail<\/strong><\/span><\/a> would get the Carolina Dog up there.\u00a0 Ultimate destination, an off-trail exploration of Peak<\/span> 4500<\/span><\/a><\/strong>!<\/p>\n

The Little Coal Creek trail began as a nearly level trek in a ferny forest.\u00a0 Lupe trotted along watching for squirrels, with occasional success.\u00a0 A joyful start!<\/p>\n

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Setting out on the Little Coal Creek trail<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Early success. A squirrel tree!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sending telepathic waves inviting squirrel down for breakfast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail crossed 2 small tributaries of Little Coal Creek.\u00a0 Both had plank bridges.\u00a0 The second stream, which was the biggest, drained a nearby pond.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the pond. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Only SPHP made use of the plank bridges.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A look back at the pond after crossing the stream. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After passing the pond, Lupe came to a first glimpse of the Little Coal Creek valley just S of the trail.\u00a0 Although she could hear it, the valley was so full of trees, Looper couldn’t see Little Coal Creek.<\/p>\n

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First glimpse of the Little Coal Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe hadn’t gained much elevation yet, but the trail began to steepen as it veered away from Little Coal Creek.\u00a0 The upward pace was still easy to moderate.\u00a0 For quite a long way, trees and tall bushes hid all views.<\/p>\n

Eventually things began to open up.\u00a0 Tantalizing glimpses of the Alaska Range beyond the Chulitna River valley appeared.\u00a0 SPHP tried to hurry, hoping to get high enough to see more before the sky could cloud up.\u00a0 Vegetation shrank.\u00a0 Loopster made it above treeline.\u00a0 Although clouds partially obscured the highest peaks, all the lower ones were on display.\u00a0 The views were already incredible!<\/p>\n

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Getting close to treeline. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Alaska Range<\/strong> beyond the Chulitna River valley<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Eldridge Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks NW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had never enjoyed such a clear day on the way up to K’esugi Ridge before.\u00a0 As she kept going, even the summit of Denali<\/span><\/a> (20,310 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the highest mountain in North America, sometimes appeared.<\/p>\n

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One of the best views up the Little Coal Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Heading higher! Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Denali<\/strong> (Center) appears! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Denali<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens – a mountain among mountains!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As impressive as the Denali and the Alaska range were, the beauty of K’esugi Ridge was also stunning.\u00a0 The Little Coal Creek trail steepened considerably shortly before the American Dingo reached the tundra.<\/p>\n

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It’s all so magnificent!<\/em> Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The trail steepens. K’esugi Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,700 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center).\u00a0 Little Coal Creek valley<\/strong> (R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Near the end of the Little Coal Creek trail up on K’esugi Ridge<\/strong>. Indian Benchmark<\/span><\/a> (4,558 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Denali<\/strong> (Center) & the Eldridge Glacier<\/strong> (R) beyond the Chulitna River<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 3.3 mile long Little Coal Creek trail formally ended soon after Lupe reached a region of gentler slopes near K’esugi Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,700 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 She was now on massive K’esugi Ridge, a world of tundra and rocks!<\/p>\n

The end of the Little Coal Creek trail was a mere technicality.\u00a0 The trail actually kept going, but now as the K’esugi Ridge trail.\u00a0 Pass 3500<\/span><\/strong> on the other side of the Little Coal Creek valley was now the next objective.\u00a0 Skirting along the base of K’esugi Mountain, the K’esugi Ridge trail headed right for it.<\/p>\n

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The Little Coal Creek trail<\/strong> formally ends right along in here, but continues on as the K’esugi Ridge<\/strong> trail toward the saddle seen on the R. K’esugi Mountain<\/strong> (L) and upper Little Coal Creek valley<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although Lupe crossed the main channel of Little Coal Creek on the way to Pass 3500<\/span><\/strong>, she only saw minor tributaries.\u00a0 However, she did heard the main stream gurgling beneath a boulder field that slowed SPHP down considerably.<\/p>\n

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Our next mission, should you choose to accept it, is to get up to Pass 3500<\/span><\/strong> (L).<\/em> Photo looks W overlooking the upper Little Coal Creek valley<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Approaching the boulder field at the base of K’esugi Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back after crossing Little Coal Creek. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Heading for Pass 3500<\/span><\/strong>. The K’esugi Ridge trail goes over it toward the R. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching Pass 3500<\/span><\/strong>, Loopster again had a sweeping view of the Chulitna River valley and the Alaska Range.\u00a0 Ahead, the K’esugi Ridge trail gradually descended a broad, open slope leading to a level region W of K’esugi Mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Chulitna River<\/strong> from Pass 3500<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
K’esugi Ridge trail<\/strong> W of Pass 3500. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Glancing back at Pass 3500<\/span><\/strong> (L). K’esugi Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The trail levels out a mile W of K’esugi Mountain. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For more than a mile the K’esugi Ridge trail was wide, well-worn, and nearly flat.\u00a0 Lupe passed a couple of scenic small tarns.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Near one of the tarns the trail went by. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Tremendous views of the Alaska Range<\/strong> were constantly on display from the K’esugi Ridge trail. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1.5 miles from Pass 3500<\/span><\/strong>, a larger tarn appeared.\u00a0 Beyond it was the long ridge that leads up to Peak<\/span> 4500<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Approaching the larger tarn. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The ridge beyond this tarn leads to Peak 4500. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Glancing back. Pass 3500<\/span><\/strong> (far L). K’esugi West (4,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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K’esugi West (4,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) beyond the same tarn. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Chulitna River valley<\/strong> & the Alaska Range<\/strong> from the K’esugi Ridge trail. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe stuck with the K’esugi Ridge trail as she continued on beyond the big tarn.\u00a0 Before too long the trail crossed a stream.\u00a0 The American Dingo didn’t have much farther to go to reach the start of the long ridge to Peak<\/span> 4500<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Crossing the stream 0.25 mile beyond the big tarn. The ridge to Peak 4500 is in the background. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
At the NW end of Peak 4500<\/strong> about to leave the K’esugi Ridge trail. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the base of the ridge, Lupe abandoned the K’esugi Ridge trail.\u00a0 Turning S, she climbed a slope that grew rocky and steepened shortly before Loop made it up to the ridgeline.<\/p>\n

Ahead a rumpled region of tundra and rock stretched away toward a series of higher benches.\u00a0 Most of the tundra was a mix of red and cream colors.\u00a0 Little bushes added a few splashes of yellow or orange.\u00a0 Greens were evident wherever the ground was damp.\u00a0 Fields of dark gray rocks covered the steeper slopes.<\/p>\n

The terrain wasn’t particularly rough, and it was all, oh, so beautiful!\u00a0 This was going to be a fabulous exploration!\u00a0 Looper was in for a treat!<\/p>\n

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Up on the ridge, the search for Peak 4500 begins! Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As SPHP picked a way higher, Lupe roamed the landscape.\u00a0 Alaska was suffering a drought.\u00a0 Instead of exhibiting its usual soft sponginess, the parched tundra crunched underpaw.\u00a0 Wherever possible, SPHP tried to stay on rocks to avoid unnecessary damage.<\/p>\n

Eventually Lupe reached the upper end of this first region.\u00a0 Before her was a similar area that sloped more gently.\u00a0 Beyond this plain was a ridge more formidable than anything she’d come to so far.\u00a0 Off to the SW was a sweeping view of a lower part of K’esugi Ridge.\u00a0 Lupe could see both Peak<\/span> 3700<\/span><\/a><\/strong> and Ermine Hill<\/span><\/a> (2,700 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Crossing the plain leading to a more challenging ridge (R). K’esugi West<\/strong> (L). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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K’esugi Ridge<\/strong> is 2 miles wide and tens of miles long. Peak 3700<\/strong> (L). Ermine Hill<\/strong> (R) is the closest bump seen near Byers Lake<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the gentle plain near the upper end of a moist area, Lupe started climbing toward the more formidable ridge.\u00a0 This region was steeper and rockier, but really wasn’t all that difficult.\u00a0 The slope was a long one, though.\u00a0 Soon the Carolina Dog was ready for water and a rest.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t mind in the least.\u00a0 The break felt so good, another one was taken shortly before reaching the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Not bad at all, but still a long way!<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Taking it easy with a view of the Alaska Range<\/strong>. Eldridge Glacier<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Two rest breaks are twice as nice as one! Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The top of the formidable ridge turned out not to be a top at all, just the end of the steepest part of the climb.\u00a0 A rocky region ahead led toward a big tundra-covered slope with a slightly higher ridge in view beyond it.\u00a0 Maybe that was the summit?<\/p>\n

\"\"
Above the formidable ridge now. Is that the summit (Center) ahead? Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Glancing over at K’esugi West<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Getting closer! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the edge of the tundra was a giant boulder, easily bigger than any other rock in the vicinity.\u00a0 Lupe leapt up onto it.\u00a0 From here she could see yet another ridge a little farther off that might even be higher than the one that wasn’t too far away now.<\/p>\n

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On the enormous boulder, with yet another ridge (L) now in sight. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the giant boulder, a short stroll on the tundra brought Lupe to a pancake flat plain.\u00a0 The more distant ridge did appear higher than the one now close at paw.\u00a0 The American Dingo headed for it.<\/p>\n

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On “Pancake Plain”<\/strong> heading for the more distant ridge (L). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Approaching the once more distant ridge. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Alaska Range<\/strong> from Pancake Plain<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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We’ve got to be getting close now!<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The slopes leading up onto this second ridge were an easy trek.\u00a0 The top turned out to be a flattish, yet uneven region with 3 high points.\u00a0 The S high point was 20 feet lower than the other two, which were so close to being the same elevation it was hard to tell which might be highest.<\/p>\n

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Peak 4500’s summit region<\/strong>. NE high point<\/strong> (Center) and Center high point<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No doubt about it!\u00a0 Lupe had made it to the summit of Peak<\/span> 4500<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 She arrived first at the Center high point where a thick, round stone sat amid similar boulders.<\/p>\n

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On the highest rock at the Center high point<\/strong>. Peak 3700<\/strong> (Center) beyond Loop. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On Peak 4500’s Center high point<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Alaska Range<\/strong> from Peak 4500. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dark lichens growing on the boulders.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Denali<\/strong> from Peak 4500. Photo looks NW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The NE high point 200 feet away was different.\u00a0 It consisted of a narrow ridge of much smaller rocks.\u00a0 Since the NE high point looked just as high as the Center one, to truly claim her peakbagging success Loop had to go over there, too.\u00a0 Beyond a steeper rocky slope, the American Dingo had a fabulous view of K’esugi West (4,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, K’esugi Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,700 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Indian Benchmark<\/span><\/a> (4,558 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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K’esugi West<\/strong> (L) and Peak 4500’s NE High Point<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the NE high point<\/strong>. K’esugi West<\/strong> (Center) & K’esugi Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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K’esugi West<\/strong> (L), K’esugi Mountain<\/strong> (Center) and Indian Benchmark<\/strong> (R) from Peak 4500. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Peering down Peak 4500’s N slope<\/strong>. K’esugi West<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Center high point<\/strong> (Center) from Peak 4500’s NE high point<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having visited both the Center and NE high points, it was still difficult to say which might be the true summit.\u00a0 SPHP suspected the NE high point, but it was such a close call.\u00a0 The S high point was clearly out of the running, but having come so far, Loop visited it, too.\u00a0 She was rewarded with a sweeping view of the Susitna River valley.<\/p>\n

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The Susitna River valley<\/strong> from the S high point<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Center high point<\/strong> (Center) and the NE high point<\/strong> (R) from the S high point<\/strong>. The Center high point is about 600 feet away. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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K’esugi West<\/strong> (L), K’esugi Mountain<\/strong> (Center) and Indian Benchmark<\/strong> (R) from the S high point<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lake 1395<\/span><\/strong> (Center) and the Susitna River<\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although not a difficult trek, getting to Peak<\/span> 4500<\/span><\/a><\/strong> had been a long one.\u00a0 Now that she’d visited all 3 high points, Lupe was ready to relax.\u00a0 She returned to the Center high point with its scenic big boulders, selecting a comfy spot.\u00a0 55\u00baF, a soft NE breeze.\u00a0 Surrounded by the glory of Alaska atop K’esugi Ridge’s Peak 4500, the Carolina Dog laid basking in the slanting rays of the late afternoon sun.<\/p>\n

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Eldridge Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Part of the Alaska Range<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Dozing on Peak 4500<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A perfect late summer day!\u00a0 Clouds drifted slowly by the gleaming white form of North America’s highest mountain.\u00a0 Who would ever want to leave?<\/p>\n

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Denali<\/strong>, formerly Mount McKinley<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yet the moment came.\u00a0 1.5 hours gone by since the American Dingo had arrived up on Peak 4500.\u00a0 Lupe was ready.\u00a0 Once again she stood poised atop the highest rocks.<\/p>\n

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Eldridge Glacier<\/strong> (R) from the Center high point. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Denali<\/strong> from Peak 4500<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Onward!\u00a0 Puppy ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, there was more, so much more!\u00a0 The adventure wasn’t over yet!<\/p>\n

Let’s do some exploring, Looper!<\/em><\/p>\n

Batteries recharged, Lupe was all in favor of that!\u00a0 Returning to Peak 4500’s NE high point, she paused only briefly before starting down the rocky N slope.<\/p>\n

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Leaving Peak 4500. After reaching the edge of the canyon seen below, Loop traveled along it to the small dark hill<\/strong> at far L. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Near the canyon S of K’esugi West<\/strong>. Lupe traveled L along the edge from here. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A better view of the canyon. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After an initial 200 foot descent to the edge of a canyon NE of Peak 4500, Lupe traveled NNW along it.\u00a0 Near the end she came to a flat region as she approached a small dark rocky hill.\u00a0 From here Loop might easily have gone NE down a long slope to Pass 3900<\/span><\/strong>, the saddle between Peak 4500 and K’esugi West.\u00a0 However, off to the WNW at the far end of the flat region was an unusual rock formation.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the small dark hill<\/strong> (L). From here Lupe first explored the flat region to the L before returning to head down the slope on the R to Pass 3900<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hey, SPHP!\u00a0 Let’s go check that out!<\/em><\/p>\n

Leading the way across the flat region, the Carolina Dog soon came to the world famous (well, it is now!)<\/em> “K’esugi Stonehenge”.<\/p>\n

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Approaching “K’esugi Stonehenge”<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Peak 4500<\/strong> from K’esugi Stonehenge<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a thorough investigation, Lupe tried to take a shortcut from K’esugi Stonehenge to Pass 3900<\/span><\/strong> by going E around the N side of the small dark hill.\u00a0 Things quickly became a bit steep.<\/p>\n

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This way, SPHP! What do you mean by “you’re not coming”?<\/em> Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Eh, maybe not that way either, Looper.<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OK, more than “a bit”.\u00a0 SPHP did a magnificent poultry impression and chickened out.\u00a0 Loop wound up traveling back across the flat region to the easy way down to Pass 3900<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Think you can manage this, SPHP? …. Yes, much better!<\/em> Pass 3900<\/span><\/strong> (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From Pass 3900<\/span><\/strong>, it looked like it might be possible to go right up the SW face to the top of K’esugi West.\u00a0 Unfortunately, there wasn’t time for that.<\/p>\n

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K’esugi West<\/strong> from Pass 3900<\/span><\/strong>. Doesn’t look that hard to go up from the L, does it? Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rest was easy.\u00a0 Staying close to the base of K’esugi West for a little way, the American Dingo eventually headed down to a shallow pond that came into view, and continued NW beyond it.<\/p>\n

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Descending from Pass 3900. The ridge in the background is the one that led up to Peak 4500 during the ascent. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Skirting the base of K’esugi West<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Glancing back. A small slice of Peak 4500’s summit (L) is still in view. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And oh, what a happy time it was!\u00a0 Lupe explored and sniffed to her heart’s content, roaming seldom seen parts of beautiful K’esugi Ridge.\u00a0 An evening in Dingo Heaven!<\/p>\n

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Heading for the shallow pond. Loop eventually passed through the gap beyond it. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The valley beyond the shallow pond. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Evening in Dingo Heaven! Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exactly 2 hours after leaving Peak 4500, Lupe reached the K’esugi Ridge trail again.\u00a0 The fun wasn’t over.\u00a0 Still 5 gorgeous miles to go back to the Little Coal Creek trailhead.<\/p>\n

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On the K’esugi Ridge trail<\/strong> again. Pass 3500<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Who could ask for anything more?\u00a0 (End 11:06 PM, 42\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Peak 4500<\/strong>, K’esugi Ridge, Denali State Park, Alaska 8-24-19<\/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 Prior Adventure<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

K’esugi Ridge: Ermine Hill, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-26-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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

W<\/em>ant more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation<\/span> to the Yukon & Alaska Adventure Inde<\/strong>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/a><\/span> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days 19 & 20 of Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska! 8-23-19, 6:34 AM, 31\u00baF, 1.5 miles NNW of Glenn Highway MP 123.3 – After her tremendous exertions up on Syncline Mountain yesterday, Lupe had scarcely moved a muscle all night.\u00a0 She was up and about bright and early now, though, sniffing … Continue reading K’esugi Ridge: Little Coal Creek to Peak 4500, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-24-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26507,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[1210],"tags":[704,105,106,731,26,995,732,733,104,1238],"class_list":["post-26593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2019-yukon-alaska","tag-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-denali-state-park","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-kesugi-ridge","tag-kesugi-ridge-trail","tag-little-coal-creek-trail","tag-lupe","tag-peak-4500"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/IMG_4947.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\/26593","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=26593"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47288,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26593\/revisions\/47288"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/26507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=26593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=26593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=26593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}