{"id":34658,"date":"2021-10-01T08:10:13","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T14:10:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34658"},"modified":"2022-04-03T08:25:48","modified_gmt":"2022-04-03T14:25:48","slug":"whitewater-baldy-mogollon-mountains-new-mexico-5-17-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34658","title":{"rendered":"Whitewater Baldy, Mogollon Mountains, New Mexico (5-17-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Days 9 &amp; 10 of Lupe&#8217;s 1st Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to New Mexico!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>5-16-21, 5:28 PM, Sandy Point, 8 miles E of Mogollon on Bursum Road &#8211;\u00a0 <\/em>Backpacks ready, the 3 young men hoisted them up, buckled in, and headed into the forest.\u00a0 Lupe watched them go.\u00a0 Sandy Point was quiet again.\u00a0 Their black Mazda 6 was the only other vehicle at the spacious trailhead.\u00a0 A breeze kicked up a little sand, which whirled away.<\/p>\n<p><em>Are they going to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=4238\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Whitewater Baldy<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10895 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, too, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>No, they&#8217;re doing some big trail loop that will take a few days.\u00a0 Not going to climb the peak.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>What did they think of the road?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Scraped bottom once, but they got here.\u00a0 I guess our old G6 would have, too, Looper.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Nice to have the RAV4&#8217;s clearance, though, isn&#8217;t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Oh, yeah!\u00a0 Didn&#8217;t really have to worry at all.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>1.5 miles S of Alma, the turn E off Hwy 180 onto Bursum Road (Hwy 59) had been easy to find.\u00a0 Within a few miles Bursum Road had climbed up onto Whitewater Mesa, a pancake flat region at the base of the Mogollon Mountains.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34513\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34513\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0449.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34513\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0449-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0449.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0449.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0449.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0449.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0449.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0449.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34513\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Crossing <strong>Whitewater Mesa<\/strong> heading into the <strong>Mogollon Mountains<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After crossing the mesa, Bursum Road had narrowed down to little more than a single lane with occasional pullouts, climbing steeply as it wound along precipitous mountainsides providing spectacular views before dropping even more steeply into the old mining town of Mogollon.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34514\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34514\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0450.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34514\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0450-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0450.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0450.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0450.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0450.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0450.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0450.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34514\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Entering <strong>Mogollon<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The pavement ended just past Mogollon.\u00a0 Bursum Road forded Silver Creek several times within a few miles.\u00a0 In arid New Mexico, Silver Creek didn&#8217;t amount to much, even in May.\u00a0 The road eventually climbed way above Silver Creek, becoming narrow and rocky before finally topping out at Silver Creek Divide where it flattened and widened the last couple of miles to Sandy Point.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34516\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34516\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0453.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34516\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0453-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0453.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0453.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0453.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0453.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0453.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0453.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34516\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Sandy Point trailhead<\/strong>, about 14 miles from Hwy 180. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sandy Point had a great view of <strong>Spring Mountain <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(9,683 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> off to the W.\u00a0 Lupe would be spending the night here, but as the evening wore on hopes for a colorful sunset were dashed by a nearly cloudless sky.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34515\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34515\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0451.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34515\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0451-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0451.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0451.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0451.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0451.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0451.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0451.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34515\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Spring Mountain<\/strong> (L) from <strong>Sandy Point<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>5-17-21, 6:55 AM, 39\u00baF<\/em> &#8211; Lupe left Sandy Point heading S on Crest Trail No. 182, the same one the 3 young men had taken yesterday afternoon.\u00a0 The trail climbed steadily through a forest of young aspens sprouting new leaves.\u00a0 The aspens grew among the charred trunks of countless large pines killed by fire years ago.\u00a0 For the pines, the wildfire had been devastating &#8211; they didn&#8217;t seem to be regenerating at all.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34517\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34517\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0455.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34517\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0455-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0455.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0455.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0455.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0455.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0455.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0455.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34517\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Setting out on <strong>Crest Trail No. 182<\/strong> from the <strong>Sandy Point trailhead<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34518\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34518\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0456.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34518\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0456-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0456.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0456.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0456.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0456.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0456.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0456.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34518\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Signage a little way in along the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34519\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34519\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0457.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34519\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0457-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0457.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0457.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0457.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0457.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0457.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0457.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34519\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Among the young aspens and charred pines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34520\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34520\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0458-rotated.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34520\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0458-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0458-rotated.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0458-rotated.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0458-rotated.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0458-rotated.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0458-rotated.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0458-rotated.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34520\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Crest Trail No. 182<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The trail soon reversed course, sweeping gradually back around to the N before trending SE along the E slopes of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=15981\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Willow Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,785 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lupe enjoyed views of a vast expanse of lower hills and ridges to the NE, views partially obstructed by the trunks of the burnt forest.\u00a0 There was a stretch of live pines, but nearly all of Willow Mountain had burned.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was soon back among the burnt trees and young aspens.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34521\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34521\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0459.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34521\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0459-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0459.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0459.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0459.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0459.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0459.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0459.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34521\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nearly all the views along Crest Trail No. 182 were tree-broken. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34523\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34523\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0461.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34523\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0461-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0461.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0461.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0461.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0461.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0461.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0461.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34523\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Still near the N end, but on the E flank of Willow Mountain now.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Crest Trail No. 182 leveled out after crossing a broad ridge that extended off to the NE.\u00a0 Many of the larger dead trees had blown over in this area, providing somewhat clearer views of the Willow Creek drainage to the E.\u00a0 Lupe came to a sign for Bead Spring, but was disappointed that there didn&#8217;t seem to be any water.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34524\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34524\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0462.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34524\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0462-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0462.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0462.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0462.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0462.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0462.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0462.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34524\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Upper Willow Creek drainage<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34525\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34525\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0463.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34525\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0463-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0463.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0463.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0463.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0463.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0463.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0463.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34525\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">By the Bead Spring sign. Apparently Bead Spring was actually somewhere off-trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0464.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-34526\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0464-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0464.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0464.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0464.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0464.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0464.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0464.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34527\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34527\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0465.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34527\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0465-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0465.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0465.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0465.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0465.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0465.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0465.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34527\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A little farther on, looking NE down the Willow Creek valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Progress had been rapid all the way to the Bead Spring sign.\u00a0 However, the situation changed shortly after passing it.\u00a0 Up to this point the trail had been clear, but the Carolina Dog now began to encounter substantial quantities of deadfall.\u00a0 Some of it was quite large.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34528\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34528\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0466.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34528\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0466-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0466.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0466.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0466.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0466.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0466.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0466.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34528\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">After passing Bead Spring, large diameter deadfall blocking the trail became an almost continual problem.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Slowed by SPHP&#8217;s travails dealing with all the deadfall, Lupe finally made it to the first saddle along the ridge SE of Willow Mountain.\u00a0 The original plan for the day had included an off-trail jaunt up to the top of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=15981\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Willow Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,785 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> before pressing on to Whitewater Baldy.\u00a0 However, one look at the atrocious situation toward Willow was enough to put an end to any such notion, at least for now.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34529\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34529\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0467.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34529\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0467-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0467.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0467.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0467.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0467.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0467.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0467.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34529\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Approaching the first saddle along the ridge SE of Willow Mountain. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34530\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34530\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0471.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34530\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0471-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0471.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0471.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0471.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0471.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0471.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0471.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34530\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nearly a mile of this sort of off-trail nonsense put the kibosh on an early attempt on Willow Mountain. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Eh, maybe later?\u00a0 Whitewater Baldy first!\u00a0 Lupe continued SE.\u00a0 The <a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=4238\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> showed Crest Trail No. 182 staying NE of the first long hill topping the ridgeline, but it actually traversed the steeper SW slope.\u00a0 At the far SE end of the long hill, Loop came to a clearing where several small rock outcroppings provided the first unobstructed views of the day.<\/p>\n<p><strong>HP<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">10510<\/span><\/strong>, the next hill along the SE ridge, was directly ahead.\u00a0 Beyond it, Hummingbird Saddle connected to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=4238\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Whitewater Baldy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> (10,895 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Off to the W, Lupe had her first view ever of Arizona, less than 25 miles away.\u00a0 Closer by, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=28725\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Grouse Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,135 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=46300\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Indian Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,115 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=46301\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Black Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,643 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were all in sight.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34531\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34531\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0472.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34531\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0472-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0472.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0472.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0472.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0472.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0472.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0472.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34531\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>HP<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">10510<\/span><\/strong> (L) and <strong>Whitewater Baldy<\/strong> (R) with <strong>Hummingbird Saddle<\/strong> between them. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34534\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34534\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0475.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34534\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0475-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0475.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0475.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0475.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0475.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0475.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0475.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34534\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Black Mountain<\/strong> (R of Center) with <strong>Sacaton Mountain<\/strong> beyond it. <strong>Indian Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34533\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34533\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0474.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34533\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0474-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0474.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0474.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0474.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0474.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0474.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0474.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34533\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Arizona<\/strong> on the horizon! <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=46401\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Holt Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(9,780 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R of Center), <strong>Grouse Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In addition to views, there were voices, too!\u00a0 Down the slope to the N, the 3 young men were dismantling a blue tent.\u00a0 Seeing Lupe, they shouted greetings.\u00a0 However, their backpacking trip was over.\u00a0 The wearying deadfall and an eerie night in the dead forest had convinced them to head back to their Mazda 6.\u00a0 Next stop &#8211; some hot springs.\u00a0 Was the Carolina Dog still going to Whitewater Baldy?<\/p>\n<p>Darn tootin&#8217;!\u00a0 She was!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34532\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34532\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0473.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34532\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0473-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0473.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0473.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0473.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0473.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0473.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0473.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34532\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Just down the hill, the 3 young men were preparing to bail on their backpacking trip in favor of some hot springs. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Whitewater Baldy was only 1.5 miles away, but getting there was still no easy task.\u00a0 Took a while just to get to Hummingbird Saddle.\u00a0 The deadfall was so bad that it was sometimes better venturing off-trail.\u00a0 Crest Trail No. 182 never did go to the top of <strong>HP<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">10510<\/span><\/strong>, instead traversing its SW slope.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t until the descent to Hummingbird Saddle began that the deadfall began to ease up.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34536\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34536\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0477.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34536\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0477-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0477.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0477.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0477.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0477.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0477.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0477.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34536\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Such a lovely rest spot, site of a brief water and chocolate coconut bar break.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34537\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34537\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0478-rotated.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34537\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0478-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0478-rotated.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0478-rotated.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0478-rotated.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0478-rotated.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0478-rotated.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0478-rotated.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34537\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Where the trail went was easy to see. Following it was the hard part. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34538\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34538\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0480.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34538\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0480-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0480.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0480.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0480.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0480.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0480.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0480.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34538\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ahh! Much better now on the way down to <strong>Hummingbird Saddle<\/strong>. <strong>Whitewater Baldy<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hummingbird Saddle hadn&#8217;t burned.\u00a0 Live conifers provided shade along the edges of a grassy clearing.\u00a0 Toward the W stood a big Z sign.\u00a0 Since Hummingbird Saddle was a trail junction, there was some trail signage, too.\u00a0 Lupe found the shade most enticing, so a rest break was taken here.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34539\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34539\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0481.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34539\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0481-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0481.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0481.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0481.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0481.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0481.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0481.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34539\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Hummingbird Saddle<\/strong> &#8211; an oasis amid devastation. <strong>Whitewater Baldy<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34540\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34540\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0482.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34540\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0482-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0482.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0482.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0482.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0482.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0482.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0482.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34540\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">By the Z sign. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34541\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34541\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0483.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34541\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0483-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0483.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0483.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0483.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0483.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0483.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0483.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34541\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trail signage minus its original support.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Rest break over, Loop started up Whitewater Baldy&#8217;s N slope.\u00a0 Would have been a cake walk minus the deadfall, but it really wasn&#8217;t too bad.\u00a0 Parts of the trail had been worse.\u00a0 The Z sign more or less described the route &#8211; back and forth searching for the easiest way up.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34542\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34542\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0484.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34542\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0484-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0484.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0484.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0484.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0484.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0484.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0484.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34542\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Heading up <strong>Whitewater Baldy&#8217;s N slope<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The slope steepened for a while, then finally began to diminish.\u00a0 One last rise appeared ahead.\u00a0 The top of the mountain wasn&#8217;t much farther!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34543\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34543\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0486.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34543\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0486-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0486.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0486.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0486.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0486.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0486.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0486.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34543\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Approaching the last rise. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Upon reaching the upper edge of the rise, Lupe discovered a small cairn.\u00a0 However, this wasn&#8217;t the high point.\u00a0 Whitewater Baldy&#8217;s summit region was big, maybe 20 acres, and it all sloped gradually up toward the S.\u00a0 The entire summit had burned and was choked with deadfall.\u00a0 Leaping her way through it all, a massive 6 foot high cairn appeared ahead at the far S edge of the mountain.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34544\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34544\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0487.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34544\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0487-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0487.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0487.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0487.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0487.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0487.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0487.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34544\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Approaching the massive cairn at <strong>Whitewater Baldy&#8217;s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>An almost dead calm had prevailed all day, but as Lupe approached the true summit cairn, a strong breeze suddenly sprang up out of the W.\u00a0 A general shrieking and moaning commenced.\u00a0 A minute or two later it all died away with the wind.\u00a0 Spooky!<\/p>\n<p>Reaching the cairn, Lupe scrambled up.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34546\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34546\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0489.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34546\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0489-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0489.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0489.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0489.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0489.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0489.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0489.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34546\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At <strong>Whitewater Baldy&#8217;s true summit<\/strong>! <strong>Mogollon Baldy<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34545\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34545\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0488.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34545\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0488-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0488.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0488.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0488.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0488.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0488.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0488.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34545\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Success! Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34547\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34547\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0490.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34547\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0490-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0490.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0490.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0490.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0490.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0490.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0490.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34547\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Whitewater Baldy&#8217;s summit region<\/strong> from the cairn. The <strong>top of Willow Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center) is visible in the background. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Time for a nice long break!\u00a0 SPHP cleared a spot under a log where Lupe could relax in a bit of shade.\u00a0 Water and the last of 3 chocolate coconut bars got shared.\u00a0 SPHP then munched an apple while Loop got up to sniff around.\u00a0 There were views in all directions, but the only unobstructed views were to the S and W.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the strange gusty wind returned at regular intervals, bringing with it the forlorn wailing.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34549\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34549\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0492.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34549\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0492-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0492.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0492.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0492.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0492.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0492.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0492.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34549\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Relaxing under the log. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34552\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34552\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0496.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34552\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0496-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0496.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0496.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0496.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0496.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0496.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0496.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34552\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Mogollon Baldy<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>No wonder those guys said they&#8217;d spent an eerie night!\u00a0 Must have been a little unnerving listening to this in the dark!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The trees aren&#8217;t happy, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Burning to death has that effect on most anyone, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Oh, that happened years ago, SPHP.\u00a0 They don&#8217;t feel pain any more, but they&#8217;re terrified.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Terrified?\u00a0 Of what?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Of dying.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Don&#8217;t be silly, Loopster!\u00a0 They&#8217;re already dead!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Their spirits don&#8217;t know that, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>You mean the trees&#8217; spirits are still here?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Yes, their ghosts.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The trees&#8217; ghosts are afraid of dying?\u00a0 That doesn&#8217;t make any sense.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Sure it does, SPHP!\u00a0 I&#8217;ll explain in a moment.\u00a0 There&#8217;s something in this cairn!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>As the conversation had gone on, Lupe had begun circling Whitewater Baldy&#8217;s summit cairn, sniffing more and more intently.\u00a0 Apparently the Carolina Dog detected some animal ensconced inside this stone fortress.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34550\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34550\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0494.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34550\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0494-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0494.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0494.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0494.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0494.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0494.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0494.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34550\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Investigating the summit cairn. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Repeated efforts to get at whatever it was all failed, but that didn&#8217;t keep the American Dingo from trying.\u00a0 Again and again Lupe circled the cairn, sometimes barking furiously in frustration.\u00a0 All to no discernable effect.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34551\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34551\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0495.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34551\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0495-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0495.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0495.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0495.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0495.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0495.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0495.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34551\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Probing the cairn. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=46301\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Black Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,643 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center) with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=47684\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Sacaton Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,640 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) beyond it. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Dead trees shrieked and groaned.\u00a0 Looper stayed busy probing the cairn.\u00a0 For a long while, SPHP gazed into the unfamiliar distances of New Mexico.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, enough was enough.<\/p>\n<p><em>Give it up, Loopster!\u00a0 What about the trees&#8217; ghosts?\u00a0 Why do they think they&#8217;re still alive, and worry about dying?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Panting from her efforts, Lupe paused and laid down near the cairn.<a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0499.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-34555\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0499-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0499.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0499.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0499.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0499.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0499.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0499.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>You hear them, SPHP!\u00a0 They still have voices!\u00a0 That&#8217;s why they believe they are still alive.\u00a0 But the wind that enables them to speak is terrifying, since it threatens to blow them over.\u00a0 If they fall, they&#8217;ll be dead, unable to ever speak again.\u00a0 That&#8217;s why they&#8217;re screaming!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Must be terrible for them, Loop.\u00a0 They can only talk when they&#8217;re in danger!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Oh, that&#8217;s not true, SPHP.\u00a0 They aren&#8217;t always afraid.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>They&#8217;re not?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>No.\u00a0 They still have happy times.\u00a0 When the breeze is gentle, they whisper of their days of glory.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Glory?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Yes, they remember the green living forest that once was here.\u00a0 Whitewater Baldy is the highest peak in the Mogollon Mountains.\u00a0 These tre<\/em>es <em>were the loftiest &#8211; rulers of the vast domain you see all around us.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Hmm.\u00a0 Well, that&#8217;s quite the tale, Loop.\u00a0 I suppose you&#8217;re right.\u00a0 Guess I never realized how attuned Carolina Dogs are to the nature of things.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>We Dingoes know many secrets hidden from you humans, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>No doubt, Loopster.\u00a0 Well, we&#8217;ve been here a while.\u00a0 Spooky Whitewater Baldy has been interesting to say the least, but are you ready to head back?\u00a0 Maybe there&#8217;s still time to climb Willow Mountain?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>I thought you&#8217;d given up on that, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Oh, I don&#8217;t know.\u00a0 Maybe its worth a shot?\u00a0 We made it up here.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Lupe took a final look at the views from the S edge of the mountain.\u00a0 She posed by the cairn still harboring its intriguing unidentified resident.\u00a0 An hour after arriving, the Carolina Dog left <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=4238\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Whitewater Baldy<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,895 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, this time staying close to the W edge of the summit region as she circled back to the N slope leading down to Hummingbird Saddle.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34556\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34556\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0500.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34556\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0500-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0500.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0500.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0500.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0500.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0500.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0500.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34556\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=46308\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Center Baldy<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,535 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), <strong>Sacaton Mountain<\/strong> (R) and <strong>Black Mountain<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34553\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34553\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0497.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34553\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0497-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0497.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0497.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0497.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0497.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0497.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0497.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34553\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Willow Mountain<\/strong> (Center) from Whitewater Baldy. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34554\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34554\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34554\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34554\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">By the fascinating cairn. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34557\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34557\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0501.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34557\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0501-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0501.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0501.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0501.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0501.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0501.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0501.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34557\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Starting down the N slope. <strong>Willow Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On the way down Whitewater Baldy&#8217;s N slope, the gusty wind died away for the last time.\u00a0 Silence reigned once more.\u00a0 Somehow the journey back seemed easier.\u00a0 Lupe arrived SE of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=15981\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Willow Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(10,785 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> with what appeared to be plenty of daylight to justify an attempt.<\/p>\n<p>The American Dingo made a valiant effort and considerable progress, but the deadfall was horrendous, far worse than anything encountered at Whitewater Baldy.\u00a0 A few small grassy spots, but the rest of the region was a thicket of young aspens amid stacks of blowdown.\u00a0 Loop reached rock formations along the SW edge of the long slope leading toward Willow Mountain&#8217;s summit, but more than an hour had already slipped by.\u00a0 She kept going a while longer, but SPHP finally called a halt.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34558\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34558\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0502.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34558\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0502-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0502.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0502.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0502.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0502.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0502.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0502.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34558\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A relatively clear spot on the way up<strong> Willow Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>Not happening, Looper!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>You sure, SPHP?\u00a0 It&#8217;s not that much farther!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Yeah, but this is taking forever.\u00a0 Probably farther than it looks, too.\u00a0 We might get there before our daylight&#8217;s gone, but I don&#8217;t want to spend hours scrambling through this mess in the dark trying to get back to Crest Trail No. 182.\u00a0 Not worth it!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Even from here, getting back to Crest Trail No. 182 was an ordeal.\u00a0 At one point Lupe got separated from SPHP by a continuous wall of deadfall hundreds of feet long and more than 10 feet high.\u00a0 The American Dingo ran along, hopping from log to log searching for an opening, unable to find one.\u00a0 In the end, SPHP had to climb over the wall to rejoin her.<\/p>\n<p><em>What&#8217;s that, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Something blue, shiny, and unnatural had caught Lupe&#8217;s attention.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34559\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34559\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0503.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34559\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0503-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0503.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0503.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0503.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0503.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0503.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0503.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34559\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The shiny blue thing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>That&#8217;s a balloon, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Well, what does that tell you, SPHP?\u00a0 Guess it&#8217;s a good thing we gave up.\u00a0 Even a balloon can&#8217;t get to the top of Willow Mountain!<\/em><\/p>\n<p>(End &#8211; 8:43 PM, 46\u00baF)<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_34554\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-34554\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-34554\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0498.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-34554\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">On <strong>Whitewater Baldy<\/strong>, Mogollon Mountains, New Mexico 5-17-21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34749\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34448\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=39088\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Summer of 2021<\/span> Dingo Vacations to New Mexico, Wyoming &amp; the West Coast Adventure Inde<\/strong><\/span><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=138\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000080;\"><a style=\"color: #000080;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Days 9 &amp; 10 of Lupe&#8217;s 1st Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to New Mexico! 5-16-21, 5:28 PM, Sandy Point, 8 miles E of Mogollon on Bursum Road &#8211;\u00a0 Backpacks ready, the 3 young men hoisted them up, buckled in, and headed into the forest.\u00a0 Lupe watched them go.\u00a0 Sandy Point was quiet again.\u00a0 Their &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34658\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Whitewater Baldy, Mogollon Mountains, New Mexico (5-17-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34548,"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],"tags":[105,106,1440,26,104,1439,1429,1438,1437],"class_list":["post-34658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1416","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-crest-trail-no-182","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-mogollon-mountains","tag-new-mexico","tag-whitewater-baldy","tag-willow-mountain"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/IMG_0491.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\/34658","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=34658"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34658\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39196,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34658\/revisions\/39196"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}