{"id":27747,"date":"2020-06-14T08:10:05","date_gmt":"2020-06-14T14:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=27747"},"modified":"2023-12-20T00:30:32","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T07:30:32","slug":"montana-mountain-yukon-territory-canada-9-11-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=27747","title":{"rendered":"Montana Mountain, Yukon Territory, Canada (9-11-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 37 & 38 of Lupe’s Summer of 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska!<\/em><\/p>\n

9-10-19, 7:55 AM, 37\u00baF<\/em> – Good-bye Donjek River!\u00a0 Lupe was heading S.\u00a0 Stars last night, but no sign of the northern lights.\u00a0 A beautiful, clear early fall morning today with no sign of yesterday’s smoky haze.<\/p>\n

For a travel day, the morning got off to an exciting start.\u00a0 A grizzly bear!\u00a0 Now that was something worth barking about!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog gave it her foaming-at-the-mouth best.<\/p>\n

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Grizzly along the Alaska Highway 4 or 5 miles NW of Burwash Landing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A little later, Lupe stopped at a favorite pullout at the S end of Kluane Lake, the largest lake entirely within the Yukon Territory.\u00a0 The water level still seemed to be dropping.\u00a0 The Slims River, once the lake’s main water source had largely dried up back in May, 2016, when most of its flow had been naturally diverted into the Kaskawulsh River due to the retreat of the Kaskawulsh Glacier<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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At the S end of 50 mile long Kluane Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Kluane Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sheep Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,400 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R of Center), which Lupe climbed back in 2017, and Mount Wallace<\/span><\/a> (7,700 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way to Haines Junction, several more stops were made to enjoy the beauty of the St. Elias Mountains.<\/p>\n

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Possibly Mount Cairnes<\/span><\/a> (9,186 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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St. Elias Mountains<\/strong> from the Alaska Highway. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Miles rolled by.\u00a0 Hours passed away.\u00a0 By evening, the American Dingo was at the Mount Lorne<\/span><\/a> (6,629 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> trailhead along the S Klondike Highway.\u00a0 Nearly a month since Lupe had ventured up Mount Lorne now.\u00a0 Already seemed like a long time ago.<\/p>\n

Loop enjoyed two trips along the early easy portion of the trail.\u00a0 The first, a 0.5 mile romp looking for squirrels a little before sunset.\u00a0 Next, a second, longer foray at dusk as gloom spread through the forest.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog waded in Bear Creek, and spotted a deer wandering in the woods.\u00a0 Fun times!\u00a0 But the real action wouldn’t start until tomorrow.<\/p>\n

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On the Mount Loren trail near sunset. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Searching for squirrels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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By Bear Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9-11-19, 9:39 AM, 34\u00baF, S of Carcross, on Montana Mountain Road<\/em> – Close enough!\u00a0 The G6 had done well to get this far.\u00a0 SPHP parked at a wide spot 200 yards beyond the last building.\u00a0 Lupe hopped out.\u00a0 The road wasn’t bad here, but had been stony, rough, and often steep most of the 4+ miles to this point.\u00a0 Somewhere not too far ahead, it was supposed to become impassable.<\/p>\n

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4+ miles up Montana Mountain Road a little beyond the last building (Center). Caribou Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,400 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Montana Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,233 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> located just S of Carcross is known for its awesome mountain biking trails<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 The Mountain Hero trail, designated as one of only 6 “epic” trails in Canada by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), is especially popular.\u00a0 On the way up, SPHP had stopped for a quick look at posted maps of the trail system.<\/p>\n

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Montana Mountain lower trail map. S is up on this map.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Part of the upper trail system.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, Loop wasn’t here for the mountain biking.\u00a0 If possible, she was going to climb Montana Mountain.\u00a0 Maybe even Brute Mountain (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> or Mount Matheson (7,200 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, too, if she had time and they looked viable.\u00a0 As soon as SPHP was ready, Lupe started up the road.<\/p>\n

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Setting out for Montana Mountain. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Within 10 minutes, the hills and ridges of Brute Mountain were already coming into sight.\u00a0 Another 5 minutes brought Looper to a spot where a small stream passed through a culvert.\u00a0 Half of the road had eroded into the V-shaped gully down by the stream.\u00a0 The G6 might have made it past this point, but SPHP never would have chanced it.<\/p>\n

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Brute Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the washed out spot. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road trek was a steady uphill grind.\u00a0 20 minutes past the washout, Lupe reached an intersection with the McDonald Creek trail.\u00a0 Beyond this junction, the road curved SW.\u00a0 A small black bear was 100 yards ahead!\u00a0 However, by the time Lupe got there, the bear had vanished among the bushes.<\/p>\n

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At the McDonald Creek trail<\/strong> junction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before long Montana Mountain Road began curving back to the S again.\u00a0 From this bend, Lupe could see a sliver of Bennett Lake off to the W.<\/p>\n

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Bennett Lake<\/strong> (Center). Peak 4260<\/span><\/strong> (far R). Mount Gray<\/span><\/a> (6,083 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> beyond it. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Peering around the bend. The hills and ridges are all part of Brute Mountain<\/strong> which sports several areas within 7,000 ft. contours. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing around the bend, Lupe’s ultimate destination, the summit of Montana Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,233 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, came into sight for the first time.\u00a0 Looked like there was a skiff of new snow up there!<\/p>\n

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Montana Mountain<\/strong> (L) comes into view! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road kept curving.\u00a0 Within a few minutes of turning SE, Lupe came to a landslide where the entire roadbed had collapsed into a deep valley.\u00a0 So much for Montana Mountain Road!<\/p>\n

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At the start of the landslide, the effective end of Montana Mountain Road as far as any vehicles are concerned. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking down the collapsed slope. Brute Mountain<\/strong> in the distance. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A narrow, single track trail continued on from here.\u00a0 At first the path stayed on relatively firm terrain, but soon Lupe was traversing the worst of the landslide on loose sand and small rocks.<\/p>\n

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Crossing the landslide. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Near the end. Mount Gray<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hundreds of feet of road were completely gone.\u00a0 Looper eventually did get past the landslide to where the road picked up again heading due S.\u00a0 The American Dingo was already close to treeline, but bushes remained abundant.\u00a0 Long abandoned, what remained of Montana Mountain Road was rough and partially overgrown.<\/p>\n

Before long, the road appeared to dead-end.\u00a0 Yet, Lupe could still see it continuing S only modestly higher up the slope to the SE.\u00a0 A short trek on open ground following a faint path got her up there.\u00a0 Looking back, SPHP was under the impression that perhaps a thickly overgrown switchback had been missed.\u00a0 This was almost certainly all part of the same road.<\/p>\n

Whatever!\u00a0 Lupe kept going.\u00a0 The road kept climbing.\u00a0 After a while, a better jeep trail came in from over the ridge to the NE.<\/p>\n

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Beyond the landslide, looking up the drainage separating the road Lupe was on from Brute Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the junction with the better jeep trail. Caribou Mountain<\/strong> (L), Mount Lansdowne (5,882 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center), and Nares Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,833 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following the jeep trail, Lupe soon came to a fork.\u00a0 One branch angled off toward the SW, descending into the valley between here and Brute Mountain.\u00a0 Seeing that this route went clear down to a creek ford before winding its way up lower slopes of Brute Mountain, Looper continued straight S instead.\u00a0 Another km on the jeep trail brought the Carolina Dog to the saddle between Brute Mountain and Sugarloaf Hill<\/span><\/a> (6,106 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This saddle was a major intersection.\u00a0 Roads came in from all directions.\u00a0 A large post stuck up from a cairn.\u00a0 Beyond this cairn was a landscape incapable of supporting anything more than minimal tundra vegetation.\u00a0 Not a single tree or shrub dotted the barren expanse between here and Montana Mountain.<\/p>\n

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On the jeep trail. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the saddle. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The barren expanse between the saddle and Montana Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A good 5 km from the G6 now, Loopster was ready for a break.\u00a0 While she enjoyed water and Taste of the Wild, SPHP surveyed the situation.\u00a0 A tiny creek swept down the wide open basin between here and Montana Mountain.\u00a0 Off to the SW, a road led gradually higher along lower slopes of Brute Mountain.\u00a0 That appeared to be the way to go.<\/p>\n

Brute Mountain (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> didn’t look like a difficult climb from here, although it was hard to tell which of several high points might actually be the true summit.\u00a0 Maybe Loop really could climb it later in the day?<\/p>\n

Eh.\u00a0 Too soon to think about that!\u00a0 Montana Mountain was the American Dingo’s main objective.\u00a0 She appeared to have 2 choices on how to get there.\u00a0 The first, and most direct route, was to head up to an opening just W of the summit.\u00a0 The second, and likely easiest approach, was to go up the NW end of a big ridge W of that region.\u00a0 Following the ridge SE ought to get Lupe to high ground providing summit access.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Relaxing in the saddle. Lupe would take the road seen heading off to the L (SW) on her way to Montana Mountain. The three highest points of Brute Mountain<\/strong> are visible from here. Looked like maybe the middle one was highest, but hard to say for sure. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Montana Mountain summit<\/strong> (L, with snow). Two possible routes: (1) the saddle at Center, or (2) the big ridge on the R. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once underway again, Lupe took a road heading SW along the base of Brute Mountain, gaining only a little elevation before reaching another fork.\u00a0 At this fork she went L (SE) on a road that lost all the elevation she had just gained.<\/p>\n

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At the fork. From here Lupe took the road seen winding toward the gap at Center. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road began to climb again, and a choice soon had to be made.\u00a0 Which way?\u00a0 SPHP was undecided.\u00a0 Cutting across the tundra up to the end of the big ridge, which wasn’t too far away, seemed like maybe the thing to do.<\/p>\n

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Off road now, heading for the NW (R) end of the big ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some nut who had gotten a bulldozer in his Christmas stocking had been all over the place, scarring up the whole region.\u00a0 Lupe reached a spot where she could see roads going toward both the end of the big ridge, and the gap just W of Montana Mountain.<\/p>\n

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The road heading straight for the gap (R) was tempting. So direct! Montana Mountain<\/strong> (straight up from Lupe). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Option 2: Follow the big ridge higher. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back. Sugarloaf Hill<\/strong> (R) beyond Lupe. The saddle with the cairn and post that Lupe had come up from is at the base of the hill in the foreground on the L. Nares Mountain<\/strong> (L) pokes up from behind this same hill. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A snowfield immediately below the gap looked suspiciously shiny even from a distance, but the temptation to try to save a bunch of time and distance proved to be too much.\u00a0 SPHP led Lupe toward the gap.<\/p>\n

The road going that way started out merely rocky.\u00a0 From there it ramped up to very rocky, then extremely rocky, finally becoming a jagged jumble of huge stones even the bulldozer must had trouble with.\u00a0 Eventually all signs that a bulldozer might have made it this far vanished.\u00a0 Picking a way through all this rubble was distressingly time-consuming, but did let Loop get a look at a good-sized tarn nestled below a steep ridge to the E.<\/p>\n

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A lovely tarn comes into view on the way to the gap. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The “road” gets a bit rough approaching the gap (Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If the snowfield had actually been snow, Lupe wouldn’t have had much of a problem reaching the territory above the gap.\u00a0 However, she arrived at the edge of the snowfield to find not snow, but a thin, crystalline mini-glacier instead.\u00a0 Ice!\u00a0 Rocks were embedded in the ice, but in insufficient quantities to provide reliable support all the way up to the gap.<\/p>\n

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Close up of the crystalline ice of the mini-glacier.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ice was hard, damp, and very slick.\u00a0 Even though the gap wasn’t all that far away now, any attempt to cross the steep mini-glacier looked like an invitation to an uncontrolled rocket slide to be dashed upon rocks waiting below.\u00a0 No way!<\/p>\n

A line of small cliffs formed a wall a little above Lupe’s current position.\u00a0 A couple of breaks might have provided a reasonable scramble to better terrain higher up, but those breaks were full of ice, too.<\/p>\n

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At the edge of the thin, steep mini-glacier with the gap tantalizingly close, yet unobtainable. Montana Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A line of small cliffs a little higher up looked insurmountable, too. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Coming this way was starting to look like a mistake, but SPHP wasn’t ready to give up quite yet.\u00a0 Maybe Loop could go around the lower end of the mini-glacier?\u00a0 The rocky slopes on the opposite side might be negotiable.<\/p>\n

So down the edge of the glacier the sure-footed American Dingo went.\u00a0 SPHP carefully picked a way lower using poles and ice-embedded rocks for support.\u00a0 Slow, but faster than trying to scramble amidst the boulder field next to the ice.<\/p>\n

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Heading down the edge of the mini-glacier. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking up the mini-glacier toward the elusive gap. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once at the bottom of the glacier, Lupe turned E.\u00a0 She got only halfway along the toe before SPHP called a halt.\u00a0 The territory beyond the glacier looked less friendly than before.\u00a0 Looper could climb that hillside, but whether SPHP could seemed doubtful.\u00a0 Maybe yes, maybe no.\u00a0 The longer SPHP pondered, the stronger the “no” impression became.<\/p>\n

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The territory beyond the mini-glacier. Montana Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Zoomed in for a closer look. Maybe going up toward the R passing below the boulder near (Center) would work?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, it might have worked, might even have been easy, but this jaunt to the mini-glacier had already taken more than an hour.\u00a0 With prospects for success still uncertain, investing more time in what could prove to be a lost cause seemed a poor choice.\u00a0 Should have stuck with the big ridge!\u00a0 At least it had looked like an almost guaranteed success.<\/p>\n

Before heading back to give the big ridge a shot, Lupe climbed up onto a small ridge overlooking the scenic tarn.<\/p>\n

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About as far as Lupe got around the mini-glacier (off the R edge). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Near the tarn. The ridge Lupe had to return to is on the L. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On the field of stones leading back to the big ridge (L). Brute Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once back on the road winding up to the lower NW end of the big ridge, Lupe followed it to a point overlooking the pass between the ridge and Brute Mountain.\u00a0 More of Bennett Lake and smoke from several small forest fires were in view beyond the pass.\u00a0 Loopster left the road here, starting up a moderately steep slope of white stones.\u00a0 Her ascent of Montana Mountain’s long NW ridge had begun.<\/p>\n

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Starting up Montana Mountain’s NW ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nothing to it!\u00a0 The ascent went well.\u00a0 Views improved.\u00a0 The nutcase with the bulldozer had been zig-zagging higher even up here.\u00a0 Every now and then, Lupe crossed the bulldozer’s path, little more than flattened zones of loose rock.<\/p>\n

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Sugarloaf Hill<\/strong> (L) and Tagish Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Montana Mountain<\/strong> (R) and the mini-glacier Lupe hadn’t gotten past (closest one straight up from her ears). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rocks eventually changed from white to tan or brown.\u00a0 After gaining 600 feet of elevation, Loop reached the first high point along the ridge.\u00a0 A cairn sat on a rocky knoll here, and a patch of tundra provided a good spot to take a break.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the first high point at 6,600 ft<\/strong>. (Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Brute Mountain<\/strong> from the 6,600 ft. high point. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking down the Knob Creek drainage<\/strong> at smoke from forest fires on the lower slopes of Finger Mountain (5,500 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) across Bennett Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Zoomed in on the smoldering E slopes of Finger Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Caribou Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,400 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From this vantage point, the true summit of Brute Mountain appeared to be one of two closer, gentler high points rather than a much more jagged region farther NW.\u00a0 An ascent later on still looked feasible.\u00a0 However, a mere glance at Mount Matheson (7,200 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which was now in view to the S, instantly dispelled any notion that Lupe might be able to climb it.<\/p>\n

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The forbidding N aspect of Mount Matheson<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

20 minutes, and it was time to move on.\u00a0 A couple of successively higher points were visible farther SE along the ridge.\u00a0 Lupe set out for them on a trail that started out right up on the ridgeline, and never strayed too far from it.\u00a0 Soon she was getting views of the broad, moderately sloping region she had been unable to reach above the mini-glacier.<\/p>\n

Montana Mountain was in sight, too, a striking peak of mottled dark and light grays, tans, and browns.<\/p>\n

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Loopster ready to get going again. Montana Mountain<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Following the ridge SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking down on the tarn Loop had visited below the mini-glacier. Sugarloaf Hill<\/strong> (L). Tagish Lake<\/strong> (Center) in the distance. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Montana Mountain<\/strong> from its NW ridge. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the 3rd high point along the ridgeline, Lupe could see that the ridge flattened out from here on.\u00a0 Instead of heading directly for Montana Mountain, which would have required substantial elevation loss, she kept following the ridge SE.<\/p>\n

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At the 3rd high point along the ridgeline. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Glancing back at Brute Mountain<\/strong> from the 3rd high point. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Dingo stuck with the ridgeline until she was able to leave it with minimal elevation loss.\u00a0 Sweeping around the S end of the broad basin to the E, she headed for a minor ridge SW of Montana Mountain’s summit.<\/p>\n

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Sticking with the NW ridge all the way to the R. Montana Mountain<\/strong> (L). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Crossing the upper end of the rocky plain. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No trail led across the flat, rocky plain, but Lupe picked one up again as soon as she got to the SW ridge.\u00a0 Following the first part of this ridge was easy.\u00a0 The SE (R) side dropped sharply away, but the NW side was never difficult.\u00a0 Most of the time Looper could stay right up on the ridgeline.<\/p>\n

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Following the SW ridge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the end, Lupe came to a minor pass of light brown sand and rock.\u00a0 This was easily crossed.\u00a0 Ahead was a much steeper climb, but not a long one.\u00a0 The summit was now only 200 or 300 feet higher!<\/p>\n

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Approaching the light brown pass. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A trail was visible going up from the W, the direction Lupe would have come from if she had made it past the mini-glacier.\u00a0 She reached this trail partway up.\u00a0 A bit of light scrambling was involved, but nothing at all daunting.\u00a0 Soon Loop was only a short stroll from the top.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the true summit. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9-11-19, 4:45 PM, 38\u00baF, summit of Montana Mountain<\/em> – Despite doubts during the final approach, it was immediately obvious that Lupe really had reached the true summit of Montana Mountain.\u00a0 Off to the NE, a high point with a tower was clearly somewhat lower.<\/p>\n

The very top of Montana Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,233 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was a rocky point.\u00a0 A small region almost as high extended a little way S.\u00a0 The N face was a cliff.\u00a0 No cairn, but a metal rod stuck up out of the rocks.\u00a0 A shiny metal plate shaped like a stop sign rested right below the true summit.\u00a0 SPHP picked it up expecting to find a registry, but found only rocks beneath.<\/p>\n

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Lupe at the true summit. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On Montana Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The small summit region. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another view. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the fruitless mini-misadventure to the mini-glacier, it had taken a while to get here.\u00a0 The weather seemed to be deteriorating.\u00a0 Shortly after reaching the summit, Lupe was pelted with snow granules for 5 minutes, followed soon after by a series of cold, light rain showers.\u00a0 Any sunshine lingered in the distance in a few scattered spots.<\/p>\n

Yet the gray clouds overhead were still above the mountaintops.\u00a0 Driven by a 10 to 15 mph S breeze, they sailed N in endless procession.\u00a0 The air below them was rather hazy, obscuring the most distant peaks, but Lupe could see plenty of closer mountains in all directions.<\/p>\n

Mount Matheson loomed only a couple of km off to the SW.\u00a0 To the W, bits of Bennett Lake were visible, along with smoke still rising from the fires smoldering on Finger Mountain.\u00a0 Nearly the entire length of the long ridge Lupe had traveled to get here was in view, too.<\/p>\n

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Mount Matheson<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The long dark ridge Lupe followed (from R to L) on her way here is in the foreground. Bennett Lake<\/strong> beyond. Mountain Matheson<\/strong> (L). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Off to the NW, Brute Mountain still looked quite climbable.\u00a0 Sadly, it was clear by now that SPHP must have been nuts.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog wasn’t going to have anywhere close to enough time to do that, but it was still possible to admire the mountain from here.<\/p>\n

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Brute Mountai<\/strong>n (Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Seen dimly through the haze to the N were a couple of friends!\u00a0 Two splendid peaks Lupe had been to – Mount Lorne<\/span><\/a> (6,629 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which she had climbed exactly a month ago, and Canyon Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,901 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> way up by Whitehorse.<\/p>\n

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Mount Lorne<\/strong> (Center) in the distance. Canyon Mountain<\/strong> (L) even farther away. Caribou Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another friend was in sight to the NNE.\u00a0 Nares Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,833 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which Lupe had visited a year ago, was lined up almost directly beyond Sugarloaf Hill.<\/p>\n

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Nares Mountain<\/strong> (Center) is lined up behind Sugarloaf Hill<\/strong> in the foreground. Caribou Mountain<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the S, a couple of small green tarns nestled in a cirque.\u00a0 Far beyond them, the S end of Tutsi Lake was visible.<\/p>\n

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S end of Tutsi Lake<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rocks everywhere!\u00a0 No place for the American Dingo to get comfortable except SPHP’s lap.\u00a0 For a good long while, Lupe curled up as SPHP sat petting her, and gazing at the wonders all around.<\/p>\n

Might that not be Paddy Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,238 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> way off to the SSW?\u00a0 And far to the ESE, that had to be Mount Minto<\/span><\/a> (6,913 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!\u00a0 So on and so forth, as Lupe’s precious minutes on fabulous Montana Mountain ticked away.<\/p>\n

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Paddy Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,238 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center)? Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Mount Minto<\/span><\/a> (6,913 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Tagish Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Mount Patterson (6,500 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center), with Mount Conrad (5,800 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> in front of it. Ramshorn Creek valley<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The weather was improving again.\u00a0 Nearly an hour gone by.\u00a0 Ready or not, soon time to leave.\u00a0 Lupe explored the little summit region again.\u00a0 She could have gone all the way on to the high point with the tower, but never did.\u00a0 Getting too late even for that.<\/p>\n

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Might have been fun to go over to that tower, SPHP!<\/em> Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Brute Mountain<\/strong> (Center) from the N face of Montana Mountain. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Summit view. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe by the N face. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All too soon, beneath a clearing sky in Canada’s fabled Yukon Territory, an American Dingo again stood at the summit of Montana Mountain.\u00a0 This was it.\u00a0 Time to say good-bye to the last incredible peak Lupe would climb on her grand Summer of 2019 Dingo Vacation.\u00a0 What a great choice Montana Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,233 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> had been!<\/p>\n

\"\"
Final moments at the summit. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

The return was beautiful!\u00a0 Same route, minus the misadventure to the mini-glacier.\u00a0 No Mount Matheson, or even Brute Mountain, but it was an evening of solitude, breath-taking scenery, and joy.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Back down to the SW ridge. Mount Matheson<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Heading back along the NW ridge. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Montana Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A colorful bit of tundra in a gray world.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Back at the first 6,600 ft. high point along the NW ridge. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Same place, by the little cairn. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Farewell, Montana Mountain<\/strong>! Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the time Lupe made it to the abandoned upper reaches of Montana Mountain Road on the way back to the landslide, trouble was brewing.\u00a0 The sun was long down, and it was getting too dark to see.\u00a0 Worse yet, the road was becoming way more overgrown than SPHP remembered.<\/p>\n

The flashlight had to come out.\u00a0 Helpful, but not with orientation.\u00a0 The landslide couldn’t be too much farther, but the road vanished.\u00a0 Bushes everywhere.\u00a0 SPHP followed a faint trail N until it too, appeared to end.\u00a0 Confusion.\u00a0 Now what?\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t even certain whether Lupe was too high or too low.\u00a0 Too low would be a disaster.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog made a sharp turn to the SW.\u00a0 Gradually descending, she went farther than SPHP thought could possibly be correct.\u00a0 Finally, Lupe turned W beginning a steeper descent.\u00a0 Not even the slightest sign of a trail!\u00a0 Better not go too far!\u00a0 She didn’t.\u00a0 A road appeared.\u00a0 Had Loopster saved the day?\u00a0 No telling.\u00a0 SPHP marked the middle of the road with a small cairn.\u00a0 Might have to find this spot again, and go back up.<\/p>\n

No need.\u00a0 A short road trek N, and there was the landslide!\u00a0 Alright!\u00a0 Back on track!\u00a0 In the silent Yukon night, Lupe led the way back across the landslide along the skinny soft trail, the only sound made by pebbles tumbling down the steep slope.<\/p>\n

Made it!\u00a0 Still a few weary km to go, but the G6 was sure to be waiting at the end.\u00a0 (9-11-19, 10:51 PM, 44\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Montana Mountain<\/strong>, Yukon Territory, Canada 9-11-19<\/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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

W<\/em>ant more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska Adventure Inde<\/strong>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> 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 37 & 38 of Lupe’s Summer of 2019 Dingo Vacation to the Yukon & Alaska! 9-10-19, 7:55 AM, 37\u00baF – Good-bye Donjek River!\u00a0 Lupe was heading S.\u00a0 Stars last night, but no sign of the northern lights.\u00a0 A beautiful, clear early fall morning today with no sign of yesterday’s smoky haze. For a travel … Continue reading Montana Mountain, Yukon Territory, Canada (9-11-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27718,"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":[105,30,1160,106,26,104,1271,11,708],"class_list":["post-27747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2019-yukon-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-canada","tag-carcross","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-montana-mountain","tag-peakbagging","tag-yukon"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/IMG_5746.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\/27747","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=27747"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27747\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49526,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27747\/revisions\/49526"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}