{"id":38005,"date":"2022-04-08T08:10:39","date_gmt":"2022-04-08T14:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=38005"},"modified":"2022-04-19T07:22:58","modified_gmt":"2022-04-19T13:22:58","slug":"winchester-mountain-cascade-range-washington-8-16-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=38005","title":{"rendered":"Winchester Mountain, Cascade Range, Washington (8-16-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 7 – 11 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast!<\/em><\/p>\n

8-12-21, 6:45 AM, 59\u00baF, NE Washington<\/em> – Bluer skies!\u00a0 Perhaps a shame Lupe had climbed Abercrombie Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,308 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> yesterday?<\/p>\n

Eh, maybe not.\u00a0 By the time the RAV4 made it out of the forest and back to Hwy 9435, it was apparent that there was still a lot of smoke around.<\/p>\n

Not looking very good, SPHP!\u00a0 What are we going to do?<\/em><\/p>\n

We’ll just stick with the plan, Looper.\u00a0 Keep driving W until we either find blue skies again, or run out of continent.<\/em><\/p>\n

Running out of continent seemed a distinct possibility.\u00a0 From Colville, SPHP drove W on Hwy 20.\u00a0 Hour after hour went by.\u00a0 Lupe barked at cows and horses whenever she could, but didn’t see many, and wound up snoozing in air-conditioned comfort much of the day.\u00a0 Should have been a beautiful drive, but smoke was everywhere, marring the views.<\/p>\n

In fact, the drive W only seemed to make matters worse.\u00a0 Approaching Washington Pass in the N Cascades, fabulous towering peaks were in all directions.\u00a0 All a hazy blur, though.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t even bother to stop at a pullout.\u00a0 W of the Cascades, Lupe actually was running out of continent.\u00a0 A scorching 97\u00baF, and smoky, even here.\u00a0 Unfathomable!<\/p>\n

What to do?\u00a0 After fueling up in Burlington, the day ended with a drive N on I-5 to Bellingham, then E on Hwy 542 back up into the Cascades until a L turn onto USFS Road No. 3065 to Twin Lakes appeared.\u00a0 Driving up to the Yellow Aster trailhead, SPHP didn’t like the looks of it.\u00a0 1.5 miles back down No. 3065, a hidden side road dead-ended at a flat spot overlooking Swamp Creek.<\/p>\n

Only 70\u00baF here.\u00a0 So much better!\u00a0 Lupe was set for the night.<\/p>\n

8-13-21, 7:51 AM, 55\u00baF, Swamp Creek – <\/em>Humid, yet smoky.\u00a0 Definitely worse this morning, but maybe conditions were better higher up, or would improve by the time Lupe could get to Winchester Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,510 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>?\u00a0 After spending nearly the entire day in the RAV4 yesterday, the American Dingo was at least going to give it a shot.<\/p>\n

Leaving the Swamp Creek camp behind, Lupe trotted along the narrow lane leading back to USFS Road No. 3065.\u00a0 Upon reaching it, she turned R heading NW for Twin Lakes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
End of the lane campsite near Swamp Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the lane leading back to USFS Road No. 3065.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Twin Lakes Road (USFS Road No. 3065).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A miles long, uphill road hike past Yellow Aster trailhead to Twin Lakes was in store, but the Carolina Dog was happy just being on the move.\u00a0 Progress was good.\u00a0 After passing a mile 3 marker, the road leveled out and widened at a small clearing.\u00a0 On the R was a line of beehive boxes, where plenty of activity was in sight.<\/p>\n

Allergic to insect stings, SPHP stayed way over on the L, hoping to slip by without incident.\u00a0 However, a single bee came flying over, unhappy with the intrusion.\u00a0 Lupe watched as SPHP repeatedly batted the bee away with a pole.\u00a0 Increasingly angry, the dang insect kept coming back for more.\u00a0 A particularly good thwack finally dazed the bee long enough to get past the beehives.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, none of the bee’s comrades had felt threatened enough to join in the attack.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the dangerous beehives.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the beehives, Twin Lakes Road resumed its climb.\u00a0 An amazingly dense forest with thick underbrush lined both sides.\u00a0 Bushwhacking would be a near impossibility in a steep jungle like this!\u00a0 Fortunately, no need for that.\u00a0 Lupe passed several rushing streams that went through culverts.\u00a0 A view finally opened up where it was possible to see across the valley.\u00a0 The smoke was discouragingly thick.<\/p>\n

Loop was getting close to the Yellow Aster trailhead when she came to a stream that trickled right over the road.\u00a0 Two Honda Elements appeared on their way down the mountain.\u00a0 The first one stopped.\u00a0 A young couple inside said they’d just spent the night up at Twin Lakes.\u00a0 The smoke was terrible up there now, so bad that it stung the eyes.\u00a0 Completely ruined their plans, so they were heading home.\u00a0 And with that cheery tidbit, both Elements were on their way.<\/p>\n

Well, fiddlesticks, Loopster!<\/em><\/p>\n

This is a fail, isn’t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah.\u00a0 No doubt about it now.\u00a0 Worst part of it was that SPHP had to run the beehive gauntlet again.\u00a0 Sure enough, that same lone deranged bee launched another attack.\u00a0 Insect brain must have had quite a headache by the time Lupe managed to get by again.<\/p>\n

8-13-21, 9:13 AM, Swamp Creek<\/em> – SPHP turned the key, and the RAV4 sprang to life.<\/p>\n

So, what’s the plan?\u00a0 Where to now, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Why bless you, Looper, for thinking that I even have a plan.\u00a0 About the only thing I can think of is to keep going W.\u00a0 Maybe out on the Olympic Peninsula skies are blue?\u00a0 Last bit of continent we have left before total, abject defeat.<\/em><\/p>\n

Heading W out of the mountains on Hwy 542, SPHP saw a ranger station near Glacier, and stopped to buy a Northwest Forest Annual Pass.\u00a0 $30.\u00a0 What a deal!\u00a0 S of Everett, I-5 was stop and go traffic.\u00a0 Seattle was a 100\u00b0F nightmare, creeping along for hours on end.\u00a0 Once again, the RAV4’s AC got a workout.\u00a0 Fortunately, it was up to the task.<\/p>\n

Took all day to get around to the S end of the Olympic Peninsula, but at least the air quality was much better.\u00a0 As night came on, SPHP finally parked the RAV4 at a wide spot along some unmarked USFS Road a few miles N of Wynoochee Lake.<\/p>\n

8-14-21 –<\/em> Like dominoes, one fiasco led to the next.\u00a0 The plan for the day was to climb Discovery Peak<\/span><\/a> (4,837 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Not smoky here, but on USFS Road No. 2270 on the way to the trailhead, it became clear that there was a new problem.\u00a0 The high country was all lost in the clouds.\u00a0 Not going to see a thing, even if Lupe could manage to climb the mountain.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo did get to see a waterfall alongside the road before SPHP gave up and turned the RAV4 around.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The consolation waterfall along USFS Road No. 2270.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way out, Loopster might as well have a look at Wynoochee Lake while she was in the area, too.\u00a0 Due to drought, the lake was low, but it was still in a lovely setting.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Wynoochee Lake<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since the mountains were clouded over, maybe Lupe could stop at a beach along the Pacific Ocean?\u00a0 Sounded like fun.\u00a0 Saturday, though.\u00a0 Driving N on Hwy 101 all the beaches were packed.\u00a0 Nowhere to park.\u00a0 Brief glimpses of the ocean flashed by between the trees.<\/p>\n

Aren’t you even going to stop, SPHP?\u00a0 The Pacific Ocean is right there!\u00a0 We’re missing it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Naw.\u00a0 Too crowded.\u00a0 Let’s try for Cape Alava, instead!\u00a0 It’s on the West Coast way up near the N end of the Olympic Peninsula.\u00a0 Westernmost point of the 48 contiguous US states!\u00a0 An easy 3 mile boardwalk trail through the rain forest from Ozette Lake will get us to the Pacific, where we can stroll another mile N along a scenic rocky beach to Tskawahyah Island<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Surely, it won’t be so busy.\u00a0 How does that sound, Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounded great, but Ozette Lake was a long winding drive.\u00a0 At Sekiu, Lupe just had to stop to get up onto a brightly painted rock, and take a look at Vancouver Island across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the dazzling painted rock of Sekiu.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Vancouver Island<\/strong> across the Strait of Juan de Fuca<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just think, SPHP!\u00a0 Canada, right over there!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yep.\u00a0 Tantalizingly close, Loopster, but still the forbidden land.<\/em><\/p>\n

8-14-21, 4:16 PM, Ozette Lake, Olympic Peninsula<\/em> –\u00a0 Finally, some action!\u00a0 Expectantly, Lupe stood on the bridge leading to the Cape Alava trail, waiting for SPHP.\u00a0 Parking hadn’t been a problem, but only because the parking lot was huge.\u00a0 Must have been more than 100 vehicles present.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ready for Cape Alava!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sorry, Loopster, but Cape Alava is out.\u00a0 We can’t go.<\/em><\/p>\n

What?\u00a0 After coming all this way!\u00a0 Why not, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

I didn’t even think about this being part of Olympic National Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Loop.\u00a0 No Dingoes allowed!<\/em><\/p>\n

With No Dingo signs everywhere, tons of people around, and a ranger station right at the trailhead, this just wasn’t going to work.\u00a0 Doomed!<\/p>\n

The counter-clockwise journey around the Olympic Peninsula resumed.\u00a0 A brief stop at the Pillar Point Recreation Area along the Strait of Juan de Fuca was small consolation for the Cape Alava fail, but Lupe did enjoy the rare ocean sniffing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Pillar Point<\/strong> (Center) along the Strait of Juan de Fuca<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8-14-21, 8:40 PM, Port Townsend<\/em> – Too late!\u00a0 Last ferry to Whidbey Island left 10 minutes ago.\u00a0 Par for the course!\u00a0 The entire venture around the Olympic Peninsula had been a colossal waste of time and fuel.\u00a0 Lupe had seen a gazillon trees, but hadn’t climbed any peaks, and had spent hardly any time at the ocean.<\/p>\n

Drive clear back through Seattle in the night when the traffic wouldn’t be so bad, or stay here and wait for morning?<\/p>\n

Lupe waited.<\/p>\n

8-15-21<\/em> – Waiting was the right call.\u00a0 Sunday morning!\u00a0 Plenty of room on the 6:30 AM ferry.\u00a0 Cool, and very foggy, so there was absolutely nothing to see, even if Lupe had left the RAV4.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the ferry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog arrived at Whidbey Island without having to endure another long drive through Tacoma and Seattle.\u00a0 Sunny with clear blue skies by the time she reached Bellingham!\u00a0 Loopster spent a pleasant morning at Whatcom Falls Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and Whatcom Lake.\u00a0 In the afternoon, she had to wait in the RAV4 while SPHP dined with Erik, Ana, and their friend, Erin, on the veranda at Anthony’s.<\/p>\n

8-16-21, 8:17 AM, 62\u00baF, Swamp Creek<\/em> – Lupe was back!\u00a0 Raining, but only lightly.\u00a0 At least there wasn’t any smoke.<\/p>\n

Well, wha’dya think, Loopster?\u00a0 Winchester Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,510 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>?\u00a0 Might get skunked again.<\/em><\/p>\n

All excited, the were-puppy attacked!<\/p>\n

Ack!\u00a0 Stop!\u00a0 I’ll take that as a yes.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

This time, no bee dared come out to harass SPHP as Lupe trotted on past the beehives.\u00a0 The miles long road trek up the side of the Swamp Creek valley wasn’t all that exciting, but eventually there was a great view of Mount Baker<\/span><\/a> (10,781 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> back to the SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Passing the Tomyhoi\/Yellow Aster trailhead. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Baker<\/strong> (L) from Twin Lakes Road. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Baker<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rain had ended well before Mount Baker came into sight, giving rise to hopes that maybe the clouds would dissipate.\u00a0 However, the situation didn’t change much as Loopster wound her way up 5 long switchbacks.\u00a0 Meanwhile, across the valley, views of Goat Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were steadily improving.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Goat Mountain E<\/strong> (Center) and W<\/strong> (R) summits<\/strong> from the switchbacks. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Wildflowers along Twin Lakes Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the upper end of the last switchback, the road finally leveled out and curved NE as Lupe reached the Twin Lakes trailhead.\u00a0 The first lake and Winchester Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,510 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were now in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Winchester Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the SW Twin Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road led over to the area between the Twin Lakes.\u00a0 Several vehicles and tents were there.\u00a0 Before passing between the lakes, Lupe climbed a knoll with a view of both lakes and Winchester Mountain beyond them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading over to the area between the lakes. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Winchester Mountain<\/strong> (Center) from the knoll. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The NE Twin Lake<\/strong>. Pocket Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,056 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After coming down off the knob and passing between the lakes, Lupe reached the start of the Winchester Mountain and High Pass trails.\u00a0 SPHP paused for a look at the posted map and trail information.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the actual trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Seemed simple enough.\u00a0 Stay to the L where High Pass trail No. 676 splits off, then follow Winchester Mountain trail No. 685 to the lookout at the summit.\u00a0 Without further ado, Looper was on her way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Setting out from Twin Lakes. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Didn’t take long at all to reach a marker at the junction with High Pass trail No. 676.\u00a0 Winchester Mountain trail No. 685 continued to the L, winding steadily up the mountain’s SE slope.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Marker at the Winchester Mountain and High Pass trails junction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The easy to only moderately steep trail was in great shape.\u00a0 Early views included Pocket Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,056 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Big Bosom Buttes<\/span><\/a> (6,521 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> to the E, plus the W summit of Goat Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,725 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Mount Baker<\/span><\/a> (10,781 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0to the S.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Goat Mountain’s W Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pocket Peak<\/strong> (L) and Big Bosom Buttes<\/strong> (Center & R), along with the NE Twin Lake<\/strong> (R). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Winchester Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Baker<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Baker<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Blueberries caused some delays.\u00a0 Absolutely delicious, and the views were better at each stop!\u00a0 Bear Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,480 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> came into sight beyond the Twin Lakes.\u00a0 Soon Mount Shuksan<\/span><\/a> (9,131 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> could be seen between Goat Mountain’s E and W summits.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Big Bosom Buttes<\/strong> (L). Mount Chardonnay<\/strong> and NE Twin Lake<\/strong> (R). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Peak<\/strong> (Center). E & W summits of Goat Mountain<\/strong> (R) with Mount Shuksan<\/strong> in the distance between them. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well up on the SE slopes of Winchester Mountain, Trail No. 685 leveled out and turned SW toward a pass next to a big knob of rock along the S ridge.\u00a0 The only stretch of trail that required any caution was just ahead, a narrow, sloping band of tan rock that led up to the pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Trail No. 685 levels out high on Winchester Mountain’s SE slope<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the pass (Center) on the S ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the tan rock band, just below the pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The tan rock band wasn’t as daunting as it appeared from a distance.\u00a0 Once up at the pass, the trail curved sharply NW.\u00a0 A whole new vista was ahead, the rocky shoulder of Winchester Mountain’s SW ridge.\u00a0 Before continuing on, Lupe paused for a last look down on Twin Lakes.<\/p>\n

SPHP was also keeping an eye on Mount Baker, because it seemed to be getting cloudier now.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the magnificent, glacier-clad peak might not be visible by the time the American Dingo managed to get to Winchester Mountain’s summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Twin Lakes<\/strong> from the S pass. Bear Peak<\/strong> (R of Center). E summit of Goat Mountain<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another glance at Mount Baker<\/strong> as more clouds seem to be moving in. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Winchester Mountain’s SW ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail headed toward another pass leading to the SW ridge, but did not go all the way to it, instead switchbacking steadily up Winchester’s SW slope.\u00a0 Once high enough, Lupe could see Tomyhoi Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,435 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Mount McGuire<\/span><\/a> (6,588 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> beyond the gap.<\/p>\n

Higher yet, a dramatic display of American Border Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,994 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, plus Mount Larrabee<\/span><\/a> (7,861 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and The Pleiades<\/span><\/a> (7,520 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> came into view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the W pass<\/strong> (R) to Winchester’s SW ridge<\/strong> (L). The trail did not go all the way to it. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Tomyhoi Peak<\/strong> (Center), Mount McGuire<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
American Border Peak<\/strong> (L), Mount Larrabee<\/strong> (L of Center), and The Pleiades<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The switchbacks grew shorter and shorter, as Trail No. 685 snaked higher.\u00a0 Couldn’t be much farther!\u00a0 Suddenly, a gray building appeared.\u00a0 The lookout!\u00a0 Lupe had arrived!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Almost there! Mount Larrabee<\/strong> (L). Winchester summit<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the Winchester Mountain lookout. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8-16-21, 12:06 PM, 53\u00baF, Winchester Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,510 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/em> – A little tan knob of rock a few feet N of the lookout was Winchester Mountain’s true summit.\u00a0 Claiming her peakbagging success, Lupe visited it briefly, but that wasn’t where the action was.\u00a0 The big, splendid view was to the N from rock outcroppings ENE of the lookout – Mount Larrabee flanked by the dramatic spire of American Border Peak and rugged Pleiades.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Success! On the true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The lookout from the rock outcroppings with the big views. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Canadian Border Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,470 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (far L), American Border Peak<\/strong> (L), and Mount Larrabee<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Too bad it was such a gray day!\u00a0 Winchester Mountain offered a lot of scenic splendor for a summit with such an easy trail all the way to the top.\u00a0 A vast sea of glamourous peaks extended in all directions.<\/p>\n

No complaints!\u00a0 At least there wasn’t any smoke for once, and Lupe could see what was out there.\u00a0 Glancing over at Mount Baker gradually being enveloped in clouds, it was apparent that the Carolina Dog might have reached the top of Winchester Mountain with little time to spare.<\/p>\n

I know you’ve earned a chocolate coconut bar and some Taste of the Wild, Looper, but we better get a few photos while we still can!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Final look at Mount Baker<\/strong> (Center) in the midst of its disappearing act. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Baker<\/strong>. Zoomed in even more. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Shuksan<\/strong> (Center) between the Goat Mountain peaks<\/strong>. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Tomyhoi Peak<\/strong> (L) and Mount McGuire<\/strong> (R). Tomyhoi Lake<\/strong> below. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So many magnificent mountains!\u00a0 SPHP knew the names of only a few.\u00a0 Happily, a man who had been relaxing in the lookout eventually came out and was able to identify Mount Redoubt<\/span><\/a> (8,969 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which was nearly beyond vision on the far E horizon.<\/p>\n

To the SE, snowy Ruth Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,115 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was lined up directly behind Bear Peak, with Mount Chardonnay<\/span><\/a> (7,020 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> closer and farther E.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Pleiades<\/strong> (L), with countless other inspiring peaks in sight SPHP didn’t recognize. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Big Bosom Buttes<\/strong> (Center) in the foreground with Mount Redoubt<\/strong> (L of Center) on the horizon framed between them. Photo looks E with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Chardonnay<\/strong> (L of Center), Bear Peak<\/strong> (R) with Ruth Mountain<\/strong> (R) beyond. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After introductions, SPHP asked Matt Westerheide, if a registry was in the lookout?\u00a0 Matt said that there was.\u00a0 So, Lupe got to go inside.\u00a0 On a small table sat the largest, most elaborate old registry SPHP had ever seen.\u00a0 Loopster’s name got added, of course!<\/p>\n

Matt was very friendly, and happy to meet Lupe and chat with SPHP.\u00a0 As it turned out, Matt was living the dream!\u00a0 Since 2018, he had been living out of his van while traveling to many beautiful places between gigs as a contract nurse.\u00a0 He was a big time skier and kayaker, who did a little mountain climbing, too.\u00a0 Tonight he intended to stay up here in the Winchester Mountain lookout.<\/p>\n

Matt was an incredibly interesting guy.\u00a0 Upon learning that Lupe hoped to visit Oregon on this Dingo Vacation, he recommended the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a> an hour from Portland, and Thor’s Well<\/strong><\/span><\/a> along the Oregon coast.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
With a new friend, adventurer Matt Westerheide, in the snug lookout.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Matt and Lupe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8-16-21, 3:16 PM, Winchester Mountain<\/em> – After a long, most entertaining conversation, Lupe and SPHP left Matt to enjoy his stay at the lookout.\u00a0 Once again, the Carolina Dog stood on the rock outcropping with that splendid view of Mount Larrabee and American Boundary Peak.<\/p>\n

Nothing remained.\u00a0 A cold, damp, gray fog had settled over Winchester Mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back at the viewpoint.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, at least Lupe had arrived in time to see the world earlier on from this beautiful place.\u00a0 If the weather cleared, she’d get to visit another one tomorrow, a special spot not too far away that was already on her list.\u00a0 Matt had been there yesterday, and highly recommended it.<\/p>\n

Staring briefly into the fog, SPHP sighed, then followed Lupe back down lovely Winchester Mountain.\u00a0 (End 8-16-21, 6:16 PM, 59\u00baF, light rain)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Winchester Mountain<\/strong>, Cascade Range, Washington 8-16-21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Previous 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 – 11 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast! 8-12-21, 6:45 AM, 59\u00baF, NE Washington – Bluer skies!\u00a0 Perhaps a shame Lupe had climbed Abercrombie Mountain (7,308 ft.) yesterday? Eh, maybe not.\u00a0 By the time the RAV4 made it out of the forest and back to Hwy 9435, … Continue reading Winchester Mountain, Cascade Range, Washington (8-16-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37996,"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":[105,106,1515,26,104,501,1514],"class_list":["post-38005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1416","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-cascade-range","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-washington","tag-winchester-mountain"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_1714-scaled.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\/38005","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=38005"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38005\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39662,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38005\/revisions\/39662"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}