{"id":34448,"date":"2021-06-18T08:10:25","date_gmt":"2021-06-18T14:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34448"},"modified":"2022-04-03T08:24:39","modified_gmt":"2022-04-03T14:24:39","slug":"south-baldy-peak-10281-magdalena-mountains-new-mexico-5-15-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34448","title":{"rendered":"South Baldy & Peak 10281, Magdalena Mountains, New Mexico (5-15-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 7 & 8 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to New Mexico!<\/em><\/p>\n

5-14-21, 11:48 AM, W of Socorro –<\/em> This must be the place!\u00a0 The plaque Lupe stood next to squinting in the sunlight mentioned both South Baldy, high point of the Magdalena Mountains, and Water Canyon.\u00a0 No doubt the paved side road leaving Hwy 60 here was either USFS Road No. 235, or would turn into it at some point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Magdalena Fault plaque at the turn off Hwy 60 to Water Canyon. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the road to Water Canyon. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The pavement ended 4.7 miles from Hwy 60 at a picnic ground where the road divided.\u00a0 Straight ahead was a parking area next to a green field.\u00a0 No. 235 made a jog to the L before disappearing up Water Canyon.\u00a0 The other choice was a R turn on a road that wound a short distance up to the Water Canyon campground.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Water Canyon<\/strong> from the road to the campground. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Are we going to climb South Baldy<\/span><\/a> (10,783 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, but not today, Loop.\u00a0 Not after Sierra Blanca<\/span><\/a> (11,973 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> yesterday.\u00a0 Let’s hang out here in Water Canyon and recuperate.\u00a0 You can doze or sniff around while I catch up the trip journal.<\/em><\/p>\n

Still plenty of time, SPHP!\u00a0 Why waste it?\u00a0 Didn’t you say that Jobe just drove his Rubicon to the top, or close to it?\u00a0 And Covill told us something like that, too, when we visited him just the other day.\u00a0 With our new RAV4, we ought to be able to knock out South Baldy this afternoon!<\/em><\/p>\n

True enough!\u00a0 I read Jobe’s trip report<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, and he didn’t seem to think much of this one, basically just a drive up.\u00a0 And Dave did more or less agree.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, here we are!\u00a0 Let’s get with it, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I don’t know, Loop.\u00a0 South Baldy is a big mountain.\u00a0 3,800+ feet of prominence and high point of the Magdalena Range.\u00a0 Hate to trivialize it by simply driving to the top.\u00a0 Sometimes the experience is what you make of it.\u00a0 There’s a South Baldy trail that goes most of the way, and I was thinking it might be more fun to explore the trail.<\/em><\/p>\n

And a lot more work, too!\u00a0 Not terribly efficient, SPHP, but I’m fine with it, if that’s what you want to do.\u00a0 Remember to bring plenty of water, though!\u00a0 For a place named Water Canyon, I’m sure not seeing any.<\/em><\/p>\n

The campground was free, so SPHP grabbed a spot.\u00a0 By late afternoon, despite several brief sniffs around the campsite, Lupe was bored.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Magdalena Mountains<\/strong> from the campground. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Got that trip journal caught up yet, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 Just finished!\u00a0 Want to take a stroll up Water Canyon, Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog did.\u00a0 SPHP drove back down to the parking area next to the green field, and Lupe set out across it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the field. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was hot out in the sun.\u00a0 Fortunately, the forest beyond the green field provided plenty of shade.\u00a0 Lupe discovered a trail near a dry stream bed.\u00a0 Not a drop of water anywhere, but she had a good time exploring.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring Water<\/strong> Canyon<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After nearly 0.75 mile, Loop came a narrow gorge of exposed blue-gray bedrock worn smooth by water in some wetter era.\u00a0 A tiny trickle ran down these rocks into a single small pool below.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Look at this! Actual water in Water Canyon<\/strong>!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The murky pool was scarcely big enough to accommodate Lupe, but she plunked herself right down in it, emerging two-toned moments later, her lower half black with mud.<\/p>\n

That felt great!\u00a0 So refreshing!\u00a0 You ought to try it, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Umm, yeah.\u00a0 Thanks, but no thanks!\u00a0 Glad you enjoyed it, but you’re not getting into the new RAV4 dripping with mud like that.<\/em><\/p>\n

To forestall any possibility of Miss Mudhole returning to the RAV4 before thoroughly dried out, further reconnaissance was done in this region.\u00a0 Turned out that the Mesa Trail No. 13 trailhead was located just above the mudhole.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 235 went right by it.\u00a0 A sign warned that only 4WD vehicles were allowed beyond this point, at least somewhat vindicating the decision to spare the new RAV4 such abuse.<\/p>\n

5-15-21, 5:30 AM, 59\u00baF<\/em> – SPHP parked the RAV4 at the Mesa Trailhead, and Lupe got off to an early start.\u00a0 The sign lied.\u00a0 Not a darn thing wrong with this road!\u00a0 The G6 could have made it.\u00a0 Climbing steadily, USFS Road No. 235 headed up Water Canyon, so wide and smooth that it made the whole excursion rather dull.\u00a0 Lupe passed a series of small blue and white numbered signs.\u00a0 Interest in them faded once SPHP realized they marked the locations of culverts under the road.\u00a0 Such exciting stuff!<\/p>\n

After more than a mile, the road curved sharply L.\u00a0 A sign appeared up on an embankment on the R.\u00a0 South Baldy Trail No. 11!\u00a0 Did anyone bother taking it anymore?\u00a0 Or does everyone just drive to the top?\u00a0 Maybe the trail had fallen into such disuse that it would simply fade away?\u00a0 The American Dingo was about to find out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Leaving USFS Road No. 235.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Setting out on South Baldy Trail No. 11.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

South Baldy Trail No. 11 turned out to be a good single track.\u00a0 Heading W, Lupe climbed steadily along the S side of a forested canyon.\u00a0 Not much to see at first except the forest, but the seclusion was fabulous!\u00a0 Much better than the road hike had been!<\/p>\n

After nearly 0.75 mile, the trail crossed over to the N side of the canyon.\u00a0 Fewer trees grew on this slope, although there were still many bushes.\u00a0 At 8,280 feet, Lupe came to a switchback where there were initial views back down the canyon, and of a partially forested high point to the S.<\/p>\n

Hey, Loop!\u00a0 That might be South Baldy!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Canyon view after passing the switchback at 8,280 feet. Buck Peak<\/span><\/a> (9,085 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
South Baldy<\/strong> in the distance on the L? Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the switchback, the trail continued to climb steadily, first toward the NW, but gradually turning W.\u00a0 SPHP paused now and then for breathers or water.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Waiting for SPHP. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On a long straightaway, which was pretty typical. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

0.67 mile beyond the 8,280 foot switchback, South Baldy Trail No. 11 was getting close to the ridgeline.\u00a0 Temporarily leaving the trail, Lupe headed N a short distance, climbing 15 or 20 feet to reach Point 8934<\/span><\/strong> right up on the ridge.\u00a0 Forest hid most of Copper Canyon on the other side, but Loop did have a narrow view of much lower ridges way out on the desert.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Over 8,900 feet now, about to leave the trail to check out the views from Point 8934. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Up on the ridgeline at Point 8934<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Desert view from Point 8934<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Returning to the trail, Lupe continued on.\u00a0 Still climbing, the trail began curving SW.\u00a0 The next point of interest was Pass 9420<\/span><\/strong>, a minor saddle SW of HP9488<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 When Lupe got there, the half barren peak she had seen back at the 8,280 foot switchback was in sight again, looking quite a bit closer.\u00a0 Encouraging!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At minor Pass 9420<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks ENE toward unseen HP9488<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Making progress! Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a chocolate coconut bar and water break at Pass 9420<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe went on, but SPHP kept stopping to look at the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Is there a problem, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes and no, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Meaning?<\/em><\/p>\n

You know that mountain we’ve been looking at?<\/em><\/p>\n

South Baldy?<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s what I thought, but it can’t be.\u00a0 Just doesn’t line up right.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, what mountain is it then, SPHP?\u00a0 And what happened to South Baldy?<\/em><\/p>\n

I dunno.\u00a0 Might be Timber Peak<\/span><\/a> (10,510 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>?\u00a0 Don’t think we’ve seen South Baldy yet, but we will.\u00a0 \u00a0Only a mile from it now as the crow flies.<\/em><\/p>\n

A little farther, and South Baldy Trail No. 11 came close to the ridgeline again, but didn’t go over Pass 9740<\/span><\/strong> as shown on the map.\u00a0 Climbing an open slope, Lupe once more left the trail to see what was on the other side.\u00a0 Across the upper end of Copper Canyon, Peak<\/span> 10281<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 10281<\/strong> (Center) from Pass 9740<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond Pass 9740<\/span><\/strong>, South Baldy Trail No. 11 headed SSW through dense forest.\u00a0 The trail steepened approaching a gully where part of the trail had eroded away.\u00a0 At the upper end of the gully, Lupe reached Pass 9940<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the gully, about to arrive at Pass 9940<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pass 9940<\/span><\/strong> was the upper end of South Baldy Trail No. 11 where it again linked up with USFS Road No. 235.\u00a0 By taking the trail, Lupe had skipped several miles of the road.\u00a0 No indication at all that No. 235 would have been a rough drive to this point.\u00a0 Still looked perfectly lovely.\u00a0 Plenty of parking available up here, too.<\/p>\n

South Baldy still wasn’t in sight, but Timber Peak<\/span><\/a> (10,510 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was, and so was the peak that SPHP had misidentified as South Baldy.\u00a0 Turned out to be Peak 10206<\/span><\/strong>, a subpeak along the ridge leading to Timber Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the upper end of South Baldy Trail No. 11<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 10206<\/span><\/strong> (L) and Timber Peak<\/strong> (Center) from Pass 9940<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Road trek again!\u00a0 Lupe headed up USFS Road No. 235.\u00a0 At least she was high enough to have some views.\u00a0 0.25 mile beyond Pass 9940<\/span><\/strong>, the road swept around a big curve and South Baldy<\/span><\/a> (10,783 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> came into sight.<\/p>\n

Cake!\u00a0 Nothing difficult about this one!\u00a0 South Baldy was just a big hill.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
South Baldy<\/strong> (R) from USFS Road No. 235. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop was soon just 0.25 mile E of the summit, passing a sign for North Baldy Trail No. 8.\u00a0 Ignoring No. 8 for the time being, the Carolina Dog continued up the road toward a conspicuous silver-domed observatory perched up on South Baldy’s S ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the S end of North Baldy Trail No. 8<\/strong>. Silver-domed observatory (L). South Baldy<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A locked gate across No. 235 put an end to how far the RAV4 might have made it, but did nothing to deter a Carolina Dog.\u00a0 Before heading on up to South Baldy’s summit, Looper ventured over to the observatory for a sniff around.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the gate. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Checking out the Magdalena Ridge Observatory<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looper’s main observation about the observatory was that it was closed.\u00a0 Might as well head on to South Baldy<\/span><\/a> (10,783 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!\u00a0 Shortcutting across a field, the Carolina Dog headed for a road zig-zagging up the S slope.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading for South Baldy<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During final approach, the road curled around to the W.<\/p>\n

South Baldy was a little weird, or at least what humans had done to it was weird.\u00a0 The whole upper W side of the summit region was covered with a metal wire grid.\u00a0 The road became a perforated heavy metal path that ended between a horizontal 15+ foot diameter shiny metallic disk to the W, and a green electrical box occupying the true summit.\u00a0 Several small concrete pads anchored metal supports for various equipment.\u00a0 A solar panel sat 50 feet away along the E ridge.<\/p>\n

Sheesh!\u00a0 Kind of a mess, isn’t it Looper?\u00a0 Looks like someone’s science fair project gone wild!<\/em><\/p>\n

Even if South Baldy had been an easy climb, it had been a long one.\u00a0 Time for a decent rest break!\u00a0 A grassy spot just E of the electrical box seemed as good a spot as any.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Arriving at South Baldy’s cluttered summit<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the electrical box at the true summit<\/strong>. Perforated metal road and big shiny metal disc in sight. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing on South Baldy<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Half dozing after Taste of the Wild, chocolate coconut bar, and water.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Skies were blue to the SE, but clouds dominated elsewhere.\u00a0 Way off to the W, a line of showers was advancing, but didn’t look like much.\u00a0 What rain there was appeared to be evaporating as it fell.<\/p>\n

South Baldy presented panoramic views in all directions except to the NW where blocked by thick forest.\u00a0 Beyond the Magdalena Mountains, hazy deserts extended beyond the range of vision.\u00a0 From the right spot, Peak<\/span> 10281<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, North Baldy<\/span><\/a> (9,858 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and a more distant double-peaked mountain could be seen to the N.\u00a0 Probably the Ladrones<\/span><\/a> (9,210 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Timber Peak<\/strong> (Center) from South Baldy<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 10281<\/strong> (L), North Baldy<\/strong> (R of Center) and the Ladrones<\/strong> (?) (R). Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Water Canyon<\/strong> (R) and the desert beyond. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nearly an hour went by before a lazy South Baldy reverie was disturbed by the distant rumble of thunder.\u00a0 The line of showers to the W was closer now.<\/p>\n

Thunder!\u00a0 That’s our cue, Looper!\u00a0 Let’s get a few more photos before we head out.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
E end of the summit region<\/strong> from the true summit. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back on the electrical box. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking S toward the Magdalena Ridge Observatory<\/strong> (R of Center).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OK!\u00a0 Thanks, Loopster.\u00a0 That’s a wrap!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!\u00a0 Onward!<\/em><\/p>\n

No!<\/em><\/p>\n

No?!\u00a0 What do you mean, no?\u00a0 It’s puppy ho time!<\/em><\/p>\n

I mean, wait just a minute.\u00a0 Those squalls don’t look all that threatening do they, SPHP?\u00a0 Can’t we finish our summit hour?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I don’t know, Loop.\u00a0 Probably not a good idea in this case.\u00a0 They’ve got half of the summit covered with metal here.\u00a0 Makes me a little nervous with possible lightning on the way.\u00a0 We better skedaddle!<\/em><\/p>\n

But we haven’t even checked out the space port yet!<\/em><\/p>\n

Space port?\u00a0 What space port?<\/em><\/p>\n

That huge, shiny metal disc!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, that thing.\u00a0 Looks like some kind of seismic gizmo to me, Looper.\u00a0 No doubt somehow connected with the Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research located at the far end of South Baldy’s S ridge.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not much of a scientist, are you, SPHP?\u00a0 Or a detective, either!<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, no.\u00a0 But do you fancy yourself a scientist, crazy Dingo?\u00a0 What makes you think it’s a space port?<\/em><\/p>\n

C’mon, SPHP!\u00a0 What’s up here, anyway?\u00a0 A laboratory for atmospheric<\/strong> research, and an observatory<\/strong>.\u00a0 The scientists around here aren’t the least bit interested in seismology, they’re looking up!\u00a0 A space port would fit right in!\u00a0 What scientist wouldn’t love to have one?<\/em><\/p>\n

A seismologist.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, phooey!\u00a0 Besides, it looks like a space port to me!<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, if it waddles like a space port and quacks like a space port, it must be one!\u00a0 There was no convincing Lupe that the huge metal disc on South Baldy wasn’t a space port.\u00a0 SPHP agreed to let the Carolina Dog conduct her inspection.\u00a0 However, she’d have to be quick about it.<\/p>\n

Are you up to some space travel, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure!\u00a0 Why not?<\/em><\/p>\n

Good!\u00a0 Go stand in the center of the metal disc then, while I try to figure out the control system.<\/em><\/p>\n

Are you nuts?\u00a0 I’m not going to stand at ground zero for a lightning strike while you sniff around!\u00a0 You can, if you want to, Loopster, but I wouldn’t<\/em> advise it.\u00a0 We should forget this whole thing before one of us gets fried.<\/em><\/p>\n

You’re always such a worry wort, SPHP!\u00a0 Fine, I’ll do it myself.\u00a0 You’ll have to work the controls then.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Waiting for the mother ship on South Baldy<\/strong> as the storm closes in. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Standing at the center of the disc, several anxious minutes went by, but nothing happened.\u00a0 Apparently, the mother ship was running a little late.<\/p>\n

Have you figured out the control system yet, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not really, Loop.\u00a0 To be perfectly honest, I don’t even see anything that looks like a control system.\u00a0 Maybe it’s been taken back to the laboratory for repairs?\u00a0 As space ports go, this one’s a bit dingy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, shoot!\u00a0 Of all the rotten luck!\u00a0 I was looking forward to being the first Dingo in space, too!<\/em><\/p>\n

Deeply disappointing without a doubt!\u00a0 But I’ll cheer you up with another chocolate coconut bar at Peak 10281.\u00a0 Wha’dya say?\u00a0 Ready to press on?<\/em><\/p>\n

I guess …. No, wait!\u00a0 Silly us, SPHP!\u00a0 Space ports are advanced technology.\u00a0 Probably voice activated!\u00a0 Say the right words or password, and this space port will spring to life!<\/em><\/p>\n

Even if that’s true, Loop, we’re still out of luck.\u00a0 We don’t know the password.<\/em><\/p>\n

Speak for yourself, SPHP!\u00a0 I know the perfect phrase for dealing with alien systems.\u00a0 Stand back!\u00a0 I’m going to give it a go!<\/em><\/p>\n

What?\u00a0 Impossible!<\/em><\/p>\n

Take me to your breeder! …<\/em><\/p>\n

Still nothing.\u00a0 SPHP laughed, then felt mean and terrible seeing how crushed Lupe was.\u00a0 What would it have hurt to have shown a little faith and support to the truest, dearest friend ever?\u00a0 SPHP tried to make amends.<\/p>\n

Good try, Loopster!\u00a0 Might easily have been it.\u00a0 Shall I give it a shot, too?<\/em><\/p>\n

If you can think of anything that might work, sure!<\/em><\/p>\n

Umm … let’s see.\u00a0 Here’s another classic!\u00a0 Abracadabra! ….<\/em><\/p>\n

Thunder rumbled, but the space port was as dead as ever.\u00a0 Lupe was glum.<\/p>\n

One more, Loop!\u00a0 How about …. Beam me up, Scottie!<\/em><\/p>\n

A sudden cool, light breeze swept in out of the W.\u00a0 Those showers were getting pretty close.<\/p>\n

OK, Loop!\u00a0 Sorry, but that’s it!\u00a0 We tried.\u00a0 C’mon, let’s ….<\/em><\/p>\n

Quiet, SPHP!\u00a0 I can scarcely hear them.<\/em><\/p>\n

Huh?\u00a0 Hear what?<\/em><\/p>\n

The voices!\u00a0 They sound like they’re a zillion miles away.\u00a0 Try saying that again, but louder!<\/em><\/p>\n

Voices?\u00a0 Say what again?\u00a0 Beam me up, Scottie?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, but louder!\u00a0 Oh, never mind.\u00a0 I’ll do it myself!\u00a0 Beam me up, Scottie!<\/strong>\u00a0 ….\u00a0 Oh, maybe that’s a little better.\u00a0 Not much, but a little.\u00a0 Hard to say.\u00a0 They’re still very faint!<\/em><\/p>\n

Voices?\u00a0 No one’s here except me, Loop.\u00a0 Oh, I get it!\u00a0 You rascal!\u00a0 You’re pulling my leg!<\/em><\/p>\n

Around the perimeter of the shiny metal disc tiny sparks appeared and began spreading toward the center, straight for Lupe’s paws.<\/p>\n

Lupe!\u00a0 Run!\u00a0 Static electricity is building on the disc!\u00a0 A lightning strike is imminent!\u00a0 Get off now!\u00a0 Run for your life!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shhh!\u00a0 \u00a0Even with my big, soft Dingo ears, I can’t catch it all, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sparks now danced across the disc, traveling in a succession of pulsing waves from the perimeter to the center.\u00a0 The entire disc sizzling beneath her paws, Lupe just stood there.\u00a0 She looked vaguely different.\u00a0 Sort of … transparent!<\/p>\n

Loop!\u00a0 Don’t you feel that?\u00a0 Move!\u00a0 Run!<\/em><\/p>\n

Tingles a little, but it doesn’t hurt, SPHP.\u00a0 You were right!\u00a0 This space port is barely functional.\u00a0 Can you please be quiet so I can hear?\u00a0<\/em> Some control freak is whining about not having enough power.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, if that isn’t par for the course!\u00a0 Bad enough that so many are like that here on earth.\u00a0 Apparently the rest of the universe isn’t much different.\u00a0 So, you really are hearing voices?\u00a0 What else are they saying?<\/em><\/p>\n

This guy keeps ranting about bi-lithium.\u00a0 Is that some sort of medication, SPHP?\u00a0 Sounds like he thinks it will solve all his problems!<\/em><\/p>\n

Ahh.\u00a0 Makes sense.\u00a0 Lithium is used to treat depression, or mood swings, if I remember right, Loop.\u00a0 The “bi” part just means two pills, or maybe two doses per day.<\/em><\/p>\n

Must mean doses, SPHP.\u00a0 He isn’t taking pills.\u00a0 It’s in crystalline form.<\/em><\/p>\n

Really?\u00a0 Huh.\u00a0 Crystals would be hard to swallow, for sure.\u00a0 Oh, I know!\u00a0 Probably taking a finely ground crystalline powder.\u00a0 Otherwise it would be just about impossible to get it to dissolve.\u00a0 What’s he saying now?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not a thing.\u00a0 I’m on hold.\u00a0 This power hungry lunatic needs to go take his bi-lithium crystal meds.\u00a0 Says he can’t beam me up, but will transfer me to another representative.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Space isn’t any different from earth!\u00a0 All those physicists and sci-fi authors have wasted their time and imagination.\u00a0 Truly nothing new under the sun.\u00a0 This one or any other!\u00a0 You’re just going to get the complete run around.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shhh!\u00a0 Patience!\u00a0 The new rep is talking.\u00a0 A much better connection!\u00a0 Wants to know what I want her to do for me.\u00a0 Maybe she can fire this ole space port up?\u00a0 At least going to give her a chance.\u00a0 Here goes!\u00a0 Bye, SPHP! …. Alexa, beam me up!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The sparks dancing on the metal disc zapped into it, vanishing instantly as if sucked in by a powerful magnet.\u00a0 The entire disc hummed while glowing a dull red, but then brightened quickly … fiery orange, blazing yellow, searing white!<\/p>\n

Lupe, oh Lupe!\u00a0 What’s happening?\u00a0 I can see right through you!<\/em><\/p>\n

A blinding flash!\u00a0 Took a moment for SPHP to recover.\u00a0 The space port was back to normal.\u00a0 Dingy and silent.\u00a0 Carried on the cool breeze, tiny raindrops sprinkled South Baldy.\u00a0 Those hitting the metal disc suffered no evident effect.\u00a0 Not hot at all.\u00a0 Everything was as before.<\/p>\n

Except for one thing.\u00a0 Lupe was gone!<\/p>\n

SPHP was horrified!\u00a0 SPHP called the Carolina Dog again and again.\u00a0 No answer.\u00a0 Where was she?\u00a0 This couldn’t be happening!\u00a0 What to do?<\/p>\n

SPHP walked to the center of the of the shiny metal disc.<\/p>\n

Alexa, where is Lupe?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

No response.<\/p>\n

Alexa, beam me up!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, nothing worked.\u00a0 Ridiculous notion in the first place!\u00a0 The rain showers rumbled on by without doing anything out of the ordinary.\u00a0 SPHP grabbed the pack.\u00a0 Crazy or not, maybe someone at the Langmuir Laboratory could shed some light on how this space port worked?<\/p>\n

SPHP had barely started down the S slope when a shrill bark was heard.\u00a0 Lupe came tearing down from the summit!\u00a0 Overjoyed, she licked SPHP’s face until her big pink tongue was about to wilt!<\/p>\n

Wow!\u00a0 What a greeting!\u00a0 Where were you, anyway, Loop?\u00a0 And why didn’t you come when I called?\u00a0 I got dazed by a flash of light, and when I came out of it, you had<\/em>\u00a0vanished!\u00a0 Got so desperate to find you that I even tried using the space port, but it wouldn’t do a thing for me.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, that’s because you aren’t an authorized user!\u00a0 T<\/em>he space port’s voice recognition shields were down when I got transported, but got reactivated the moment Alexa saw me.\u00a0 Was she ever shocked when I showed up!\u00a0 She’d overheard you saying my name and was expecting Our Lady of Guadalupe, not an American Dingo.<\/em><\/p>\n

You mean the space port actually did work?\u00a0 You met Alexa?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, of course!\u00a0 She beamed me up, remember?\u00a0 Spent a fair amount of time with her at first.<\/em><\/p>\n

And what was Alexa like?<\/em><\/p>\n

She’s …. different, shall we say?\u00a0 Alexa’s friendly enough and always wants to be helpful.\u00a0 Kind of neurotic that way.\u00a0 And she knows a ton of people.\u00a0 But Alexa was suspicious of me from the get go, what with me crashing the universal barrier like I’d hacked it somehow.\u00a0 That’s a big no-no, if you aren’t part of the elite these space ports are meant for.\u00a0 We had a falling out.\u00a0 Didn’t matter.\u00a0 Alexa wasn’t really my type, anyway.<\/em><\/p>\n

That was quick!\u00a0 You’ve been gone for what, 15 minutes, max?\u00a0 You knew that fast that Alexa wasn’t your type?\u00a0 How is that possible?<\/em><\/p>\n

15 minutes here maybe, but practically a lifetime where I’ve been, SPHP!\u00a0 Alexa was super nosy, always listening in on everyone’s business.\u00a0 Seemed kind of creepy after a while.\u00a0 Never really knew what she might be saying behind my tail, or who she might be saying it to.\u00a0 Even that wasn’t the main issue, though.\u00a0 Alexa thrives on being where all the action is.\u00a0 She would never climb a mountain.\u00a0 City girl, big time!\u00a0 Don’t think she could ever handle being alone.<\/em><\/p>\n

What do you mean, you’ve been gone a lifetime?\u00a0 It’s only been 15 minutes.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not in the space-time disjointium, SPHP!\u00a0 Once I met Siri, I parted ways with Alexa for good.\u00a0 Siri likes maps even more than you do, SPHP!\u00a0 Sure knows her way around the perpendicular universes!\u00a0 We went everywhere together.<\/em><\/p>\n

You mean parallel universes, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

No, I mean perpendicular.\u00a0 Actually, more like heavily skewed universes.\u00a0 Anyway, the point is, at some times and places they intersect.\u00a0 Otherwise it wouldn’t be possible to travel between them.\u00a0 You’d never get to a truly parallel universe, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Never heard of a perpendicular universe before, but I suppose that might make sense.\u00a0 So you’ve been traveling these universes for how long?\u00a0 Where did you and Siri go?\u00a0 What did you do?<\/em><\/p>\n

Gosh, I hardly know where to begin, SPHP!\u00a0 We had so many adventures!\u00a0 Siri eventually took me to the neatest planet.\u00a0 Huge mountains, sparkling lakes and rivers!\u00a0 Enormous forests, plains, and oceans!\u00a0 All kinds of strange and fascinating wildlife.\u00a0 One thing was familiar, though – Dingos!\u00a0 I had so many friends!<\/em><\/p>\n

Dingos!\u00a0 What planet was that?<\/em><\/p>\n

They had a really long alien name for it.\u00a0 I just called it Dingo Earth, or Dearth for short.\u00a0 Even nicknamed my boyfriend there Dearth.<\/em><\/p>\n

Boyfriend!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes!\u00a0 Oh, Dearth was magnificent!\u00a0 You should have seen him, SPHP!\u00a0 He was bigger than me, with a shiny jet black coat.\u00a0 Dearth was all muscle with a set of fangs that would make a crocodile jealous.\u00a0 I sometimes teased him and called him Dearth Gator.\u00a0 He’d scare you to death just looking at him, but he was actually sickly.\u00a0 Allergies gave him severe asthma, so he wasn’t as powerful as he appeared to be.\u00a0 Yet somehow that labored gasping for air made him seem even more dangerous.\u00a0 We fell in love and got married.\u00a0 I had puppies!<\/em><\/p>\n

Married!\u00a0 Puppies!\u00a0 How many puppies did you have?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not sure, they kept me so busy!\u00a0 There was a passel of them!\u00a0 All of them were dark like Dearth, except for one puppy that took after me – same fur color, same interests.\u00a0 Sort of a fluke, so that’s what we named him.\u00a0 You know how I like to bark at airplanes and helicopters, SPHP?\u00a0 Fluke barked at every spaceship that flew by without fail.\u00a0 He even drove Death Stars away!\u00a0 They couldn’t take the incessant foaming-at-the-mouth hysteria.\u00a0 I loved Fluke Skybarker most of all.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fluke Skybarker!\u00a0 Bet the neighbors weren’t too crazy about him always raising such a ruckus.<\/em><\/p>\n

No, maybe not.\u00a0 Wonder if I’ll ever see Fluke again?\u00a0 Growing up, he was always such a rebel.\u00a0 Fluke kept getting into trouble with the authorities.\u00a0 Even Dearth, his own father, couldn’t do a thing with him, although he sure tried.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, Fluke is all grown up?\u00a0 What happened to him?<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s awful, SPHP!\u00a0 Fluke ran away to lead a pack of his wild outlaw friends.\u00a0 Dearth went after him, but they got into such a terrible fight it’s a wonder either one is still alive!\u00a0 Don’t suppose I’ll ever know how it all turns out.\u00a0 All that traveling among the universes in the space-time disjointium was aging me fast.\u00a0 I was getting so old that I would have died if I’d kept on like that much longer.\u00a0 Luckily, Siri said Alexa would be willing to send me back through the space port since I’d crossed the universal border as an undocumented Dingo in the first place.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, welcome back to Earth and the South Baldy space-time disjointium!\u00a0 I’m happy to say you look perfectly normal here, Looper!\u00a0 In fact, you don’t look a day older.\u00a0 Do you feel OK?<\/em><\/p>\n

Like my old … I mean my much younger self again, SPHP!\u00a0 And how do you feel?\u00a0 Manage to get through 15 minutes without me?<\/em><\/p>\n

Barely!\u00a0 They were awful!\u00a0 Not sure how I feel, Loop.\u00a0 Your tale makes me think maybe I tripped and fell and hit my head on a rock.\u00a0 Or maybe there was a lightning strike?\u00a0 Have I seemed incoherent or unconscious at any point to you?<\/em><\/p>\n

No more than usual, SPHP.\u00a0 Are you hurt?\u00a0 I don’t see any blood.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Guess not.<\/em><\/p>\n

Our hour on South Baldy is over, SPHP, and a strange one it has been!\u00a0 Plenty of time left in the day, though.\u00a0 Still feel like visiting Peak<\/span> 10281<\/span><\/a><\/strong>?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP was fine with that.\u00a0 Lupe returned to the top of South Baldy, then started down the grassy E ridge following a path through purple-gray rocks.\u00a0 Upon reaching North Baldy Trail No. 8, she took it W through the forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting down the E ridge. Timber Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back up the E ridge<\/strong> from close to North Baldy Trail No. 8. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Trail No. 8 on South Baldy’s N slope<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After traversing South Baldy’s N slope, Lupe came to an opening in the forest upon reaching the NNW ridge.\u00a0 Peak 10281 was in sight again 1.5 miles due N.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
South Baldy’s NNW ridge<\/strong> where North Baldy Trail No. 8 reaches it. Peak 10281<\/strong> (Center), North Baldy<\/strong> (R) and the Ladrones<\/strong> (R) in the distance. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The weather was still a bit unsettled.\u00a0 Lupe took a short break while a light shower passed and the roll of thunder died away before striking out again.\u00a0 North Baldy Trail No. 8 followed the NNW ridge, which was fairly narrow, but an easy route.\u00a0 Most of the time Lupe was in the forest, but sometimes there were views to the E or W.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By a spooky tree passed early on during the NNW ridge trek. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View of the desert beyond Copper & Water Canyons. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 0.25 mile, the trail descended a little.\u00a0 Lupe broke out of the forest at a big meadow where the ridge broadened out a great deal.\u00a0 Crossing this meadow, she came to a dilapidated old sign for Copper Trail No. 10.\u00a0 Apparently, she had reached a trail junction, but the topo map showed this junction way back where she’d first reached the NNW ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Entering the meadow where the ridge widened out. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The dilapidated Copper Trail No. 10 sign.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Toward the N end of the meadow, the ridge began to narrow down again.\u00a0 Lupe startled a couple of giant deers, which raced away into a forest where the ridge became very rocky.\u00a0 Although the Carolina Dog kept a sharp eye and keen nose out for them, she didn’t see the giant deers again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading for the N end of the meadow. Two elk were resting in the shade of the trees just ahead. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Glancing back at South Baldy<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Hurry, SPHP! The giant deers went this way!<\/em> Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the ridge got rockier and narrower, Trail No. 8 dipped down along the W slope.\u00a0 After passing a nice view to the W, Loop went through a long stretch of forest.\u00a0 At the next clearing, Peak<\/span> 10281<\/span><\/a><\/strong> came back into sight, now only 0.6 mile away<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Desert view. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
North Baldy Trail No. 8<\/strong>. 80 feet below the ridgeline now. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 10281<\/strong> (L) comes into view again. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A gradual descent led to a meadow at Pass 9956<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lupe was now only 0.2 mile from Peak 10281’s summit.\u00a0 Since North Baldy Trail No. 8 was about to skirt Peak<\/span> 10281<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong> to the E, Lupe was going to have to leave it here.\u00a0 While taking a short break, SPHP contemplated available routes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Pass 9958<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The SE ridge looked potentially pretty rocky, and the S slope looked sort of steep, but the general impression was that either way ought to work.\u00a0 Looper elected to make a direct attack along the SE ridge.\u00a0 Partway up, it got a little interesting.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Peak 10281’s SE ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No big deal, though.\u00a0 A little light scrambling and Lupe got above the rocks.\u00a0 Soon she was approaching Peak 10281’s true summit, where a cairn sat on a small rise 70 feet W of another slightly lower high spot along the mountain’s E edge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Above the big rocks now, not far from the summit. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit of Peak 10281<\/strong>. The E high point<\/strong>, which was nearly as high, is seen on the L. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The cairn was out in the open, but too many trees were nearby to see much from the true summit.\u00a0 Lupe ventured over to the E high spot for a look around.\u00a0 South Baldy and Timber Peak visible to the S, and there was an impressive view of Copper and Water Canyons to the E.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the E high point<\/strong>. Timber Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
South Baldy<\/strong> (Center) from Peak 10281<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5-15-21, 3:45 PM, Peak<\/span> 10281<\/span><\/strong> <\/em>– Sunnier now.\u00a0 Lupe wanted to rest in the shade.\u00a0 A big pine between the true summit and E high point provided a convenient place to relax.<\/p>\n

I believe you said something about a chocolate coconut bar, if we made it this far, didn’t you, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, I did!\u00a0 Hang on, Loop.\u00a0 I’ll dig it out of the pack.<\/em><\/p>\n

The chocolate coconut bar, as well as what remained of other provisions, were soon disposed of in delicious fashion.<\/p>\n

Thanks, SPHP!\u00a0 Wonder what Dearth, Fluke, and the rest of the family are doing?\u00a0 Funny, I just spent a lifetime there, but it all seems so far away and long ago now, almost like a dream or something I once heard about that happened to someone else, yet I’ve only been back here on earth with you for a couple of hours.\u00a0 I feel really tired.\u00a0 Mind if we just lay around here for a while?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hard to say what they’re doing, Looper!\u00a0 Really hard, since I’ve never met any of them.\u00a0 We’ve got our whole traditional summit hour to goof around here, so rest up.\u00a0 You probably have a bad case of space port lag.\u00a0 You’ve come an unfathomably long way from a very different time zone!<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP had seen a jar stashed inside the summit cairn.\u00a0 While Lupe dozed in the shade, SPHP went to retrieve it.\u00a0 The jar contained only a little pencil, and part of a long, thin notebook.\u00a0 This registry had been started by Mike Garrett on 10-2-15, and had a few entries most years.\u00a0 The last entry was by Jim Morehouse<\/span><\/strong><\/a> on 10-1-20.<\/p>\n

The notebook pages were so flimsy and dirty, that SPHP created an entry for Lupe on a single page torn out of a small notebook kept in the pack, adding it to the jar’s collection.<\/p>\n

5-15-21, 4:35 PM – Just before summit hour was over, Lupe returned to the E high point for a last look back at South Baldy and Timber Peak.\u00a0 Now that the hour was up, she stood at the true summit again.\u00a0 Time to bid farewell to Peak 10281!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Timber Peak<\/strong> (L) and South Baldy<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back at Peak 10281’s summit<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP returned the registry jar to its place in the cairn.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had one more thing to do up here.\u00a0 The topo map showed the 10,281 foot top of the mountain over near the NW end of the summit region, several hundred feet away.\u00a0 Was that true?\u00a0 Didn’t seem like it, but trees hid what was over that way.<\/p>\n

Lupe went to investigate.\u00a0 Nope!\u00a0 Impossible to be completely certain, but it sure seemed to SPHP that the true high point was back at the cairn.<\/p>\n

During the return, the American Dingo took an entirely different route.\u00a0 Instead of heading directly back to Pass 9956<\/span><\/strong>, she roamed N down Peak 10281’s N ridge, getting almost to Pass 9806<\/span><\/strong> before running into North Baldy Trail No. 8 again.<\/p>\n

Oh, it would have been fun to keep going all the way to North Baldy!\u00a0 However, what with all the space port adventures and a lifetime spent exploring alternate universes, Loopster had already had a long day.\u00a0 Turning SE on Trail No. 8, the Carolina Dog took it back to Pass 9956<\/span><\/strong>, where she found the N branch of Copper Trail No. 10.<\/p>\n

The topo map showed a steep descent into Copper Canyon.\u00a0 Surprisingly, Trail No. 10 started out as a wide, old roadbed.\u00a0 Super easy!\u00a0 Everything was peachy until the road and all sign of a trail vanished at a dig site where a ladder led up to a dark hole in a wall of solid rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the dig site, wondering what happened to Copper Trail No. 10? Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fortunately, the ancient ladder was broken.\u00a0 No way to actually get up to that mysterious dark hole.\u00a0 If the ladder had been intact, Looper might have insisted on subterranean adventures, too – a journey to the center of the earth to complement her inter-universal roamings!<\/p>\n

The situation being what it was, the descent into Copper Canyon was destined to continue.\u00a0 However, below this excavation the slopes were incredibly steep, so much so that SPHP was unwilling to consider taking them on without the benefit of a trail.\u00a0 Yet the trail could not be found.<\/p>\n

A check of the map finally showed that Lupe ought to be over closer to a short ridge visible to the NE.\u00a0 To get there, she’d have to go back up the road she had just come down.\u00a0 No other solution came to mind.<\/p>\n

Returning to the road proved to be the right thing to do.\u00a0 Loop soon came to a previously unnoticed cairn marking where Copper Trail No. 10 left the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the cairn (L) where Copper Trail No. 10 leaves the old roadbed. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That cairn was the key to success!\u00a0 Copper Trail No. 10 was so faint in spots that it was hard to follow as it switchbacked down the steep slopes, but after losing a tremendous amount of elevation, the American Dingo arrived at a secluded junction marked by ancient wooden signs.\u00a0 One sign said 4.5 miles to Water Canyon campground.<\/p>\n

Lupe never got there.\u00a0 A seemingly endless march down Copper Canyon led to roads that went to mines.\u00a0 Somehow, as it was getting almost too dark to see, she wound up near a ravine that looked vaguely familiar.<\/p>\n

Sure enough!\u00a0 Visible in the gloom over on the other side was a welcome sight – the RAV4 sitting alone at the Mesa Trailhead.\u00a0 Lupe’s South Baldy adventure was over!\u00a0 (8:39 PM, 65\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
South Baldy<\/strong>, Magdalena Mountains, New Mexico 5-15-21<\/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 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2021<\/span> Dingo Vacations to New Mexico, Wyoming & the West Coast Adventure Inde<\/strong><\/span>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days 7 & 8 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to New Mexico! 5-14-21, 11:48 AM, W of Socorro – This must be the place!\u00a0 The plaque Lupe stood next to squinting in the sunlight mentioned both South Baldy, high point of the Magdalena Mountains, and Water Canyon.\u00a0 No doubt the paved side … Continue reading South Baldy & Peak 10281, Magdalena Mountains, New Mexico (5-15-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34418,"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":[1416,47],"tags":[105,106,1434,26,1435,104,1431,1429,1433,1432],"class_list":["post-34448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1416","category-dingo-tales","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dearth","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-fluke-skybarker","tag-lupe","tag-magdalena-mountains","tag-new-mexico","tag-peak-10281","tag-south-baldy"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0415.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\/34448","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=34448"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34448\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39195,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34448\/revisions\/39195"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34418"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}