{"id":38690,"date":"2022-05-18T08:10:48","date_gmt":"2022-05-18T14:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=38690"},"modified":"2022-05-29T15:25:02","modified_gmt":"2022-05-29T21:25:02","slug":"sleeping-beauty-cascade-range-washington-8-22-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=38690","title":{"rendered":"Sleeping Beauty, Cascade Range, Washington (8-22-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 17 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast!<\/em><\/p>\n

9:38 AM, 52\u00baF, USFS Road No. 040 pullout 0.15 mile SW of the Sleeping Beauty trailhead<\/em> – Before midnight there’d been stars every time Lupe wanted out of the RAV4, but by daybreak there had been a change.\u00a0 Overcast!\u00a0 Low clouds.\u00a0 Not good.\u00a0 SPHP had spent a few hours on the trip journal.\u00a0 Completely caught up now, but no improvement outside.<\/p>\n

Our usual dilemma, Loopster.\u00a0 Sit here and wait, hoping against hope for blue skies, simply go for it, or just forget it entirely, and move on?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Not raining.\u00a0 We might as well climb the mountain, since we’re already here, SPHP.\u00a0 Sleeping Beauty<\/span><\/a> (4,907 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> won’t take long, will it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Shouldn’t, Loop.\u00a0 1,400 feet of elevation gain over 1.4 miles.\u00a0 Trail all the way.\u00a0 Just afraid it will turn out like Sunrise Peak yesterday, and we won’t see a thing.<\/em><\/p>\n

And I suppose I’ll have to put up with you and your huckleberries again.<\/em><\/p>\n

Huckleberries!\u00a0 That’s right!\u00a0 The ones on the way to Sunrise Peak had been at their juicy height of scrumptiousness.\u00a0 A continuation of SPHP’s newly adopted huckleberry diet was an attractive proposition regardless of what the weather might be like.<\/p>\n

You know, I believe you’re right, Looper!\u00a0 Let’s climb the mountain!<\/em><\/p>\n

Leaving the excellent pullout SPHP had discovered yesterday evening, Lupe trotted along USFS Road No. 040 to the Sleeping Beauty trailhead where Trail No. 037 headed NNE into the forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the pullout along USFS Road No. 040 only 0.15 mile from the trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Start of Sleeping Beauty trail No. 37.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trail No. 37 set out as a pleasant path winding through a leafy forest.\u00a0 Lupe was soon climbing steadily.\u00a0 She’d gone only a little way, when she came to a large chunk of deadfall over the trail.\u00a0 Way over the trail, that is, like suspended 9 or 10 feet above it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Into the leafy forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Oh, you think you’re so hilarious, don’t you, SPHP?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even SPHP didn’t have to duck.<\/p>\n

My kind of deadfall, Loopster!\u00a0 Don’t run into it very often.<\/em><\/p>\n

Couldn’t run into it if you tried, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe went on.\u00a0 Naturally, a light mist soon began to fall.\u00a0 No biggie, just enough to get everything damp and dripping.\u00a0 Might as well enjoy some of those juicy, moist huckleberries!\u00a0 However, the bushes along Trail No. 37 weren’t the right type.\u00a0 No huckleberries at all!<\/p>\n

You tricked me, mangy Dingo!<\/em><\/p>\n

Mangy!\u00a0 I’ll have you know, I’m well-groomed, SPHP.\u00a0 See to it personally every day with my giant pink tongue.\u00a0 You on the other paw …<\/em><\/p>\n

Let’s not go there, sweet puppy!\u00a0 You have to admit, though, that there’s nary a huckleberry along this trail.<\/em><\/p>\n

And how was I supposed to know that, SPHP?\u00a0 Dingoes aren’t huckleberry experts.\u00a0 We don’t even like them!\u00a0 I just assumed since Sunrise Peak had gobs of them that there would be plenty here, too.\u00a0 Just like you did!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
No huckleberries! Imagine that! A crying shame. Hehe!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe’s climb continued.\u00a0 No clearings, no views, not even misting any more, just forest.\u00a0 Steepest in the middle part of 1,000 feet of elevation gain, the trail eventually leveled out at a big saddle.\u00a0 Loop was now only a little way NW of Sleeping Beauty, which although nearly another 400 feet higher, still wasn’t in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on the broad, flat saddle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the saddle, the trail turned E.\u00a0 Within minutes, Lupe was climbing again, this time traversing a steep slope.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Traversing Sleeping Beauty’s lower NW slopes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog came to a series of sharp switchbacks.\u00a0 At the first turn, a clearing provided a glimpse of a huge rocky knob way up the slope.\u00a0 The second switchback came at the base of a giant wall of rock.\u00a0 The third featured more rock formations.<\/p>\n

Although the mountain was becoming more interesting, the bad news was that Lupe was climbing right up into the clouds.\u00a0 Getting foggy!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking up from the clearing near the first switchback.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Below the giant rock wall at the second turn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the third turn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the fourth switchback, the American Dingo got a better view of the rock formations above.\u00a0 Practically cliffs!\u00a0 Exactly how the trail would get her up there wasn’t clear.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The answer came at the end of the fifth and final switchback.\u00a0 Instead of a sharp, narrow turn here like all the previous ones, the trail widened out.\u00a0 Beyond this point, rock walls that must have taken an eternity to build enclosed the path as Lupe wound up a series of stony terraces.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the fifth turn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On one of the rock walls enclosing the trail as it winds higher.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The top of the mountain wasn’t much farther.\u00a0 Several big knobs could be seen arrayed along an unusually lumpy summit region.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the last of the terraces, the trail made a short steep climb up to a little notch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up in the notch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The notch was a cramped narrow spot along the summit ridge.\u00a0 A quick scramble to the NE (L) got Loop up to some rocks where the ridge was a little wider and more open.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Above the notch. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The notch is down among the trees beyond Lupe. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This still wasn’t the top, though.\u00a0 A path continued NE past a few trees to another little scramble.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Still climbing! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Nearly there! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11:10 AM, 42\u00baF, Sleeping Beauty<\/span><\/a> (4,907 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/em> – Skunked again!\u00a0 No mist, but a thick fog enveloped the mountain as Lupe reached the apparent summit.\u00a0 The path leveled out, passing between two stony ridges, the ridge on the R (SE) only half as high as the one on the L.\u00a0 Another high spot, which couldn’t have been much lower, was visible off to the E.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the lower of the 2 summit ridges. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, shucks!\u00a0 Whose nutty idea was it to come up here in such conditions anyway, Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

Ours, SPHP!\u00a0 It was a joint decision.<\/em><\/p>\n

I blame the huckleberries, Looper.\u00a0 The ones that don’t exist!<\/em><\/p>\n

We could console ourselves with a chocolate coconut bar, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Might as well, but not until you get up on that highest ridge, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Fine, fine! How’s this?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Close, but no banana!\u00a0 No chocolate coconut bar, either.\u00a0 C’mon silly Dingo, get up there!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
There ya go! That’s better!<\/em> Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On Sleeping Beauty<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alright, I’m at the top!\u00a0 Why did we come here, anyway, SPHP?\u00a0 What was the big attraction?<\/em><\/p>\n

Why, for the spectacular view you’re currently enjoying of Mount Adams, of course!<\/em><\/p>\n

Mount Adams<\/span><\/a> (12,276 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> seems a bit hazy at the moment, if you don’t mind me saying so, SPHP!\u00a0 What direction should I be looking?<\/em><\/p>\n

NE, Loop.\u00a0 It’s a giant volcano.\u00a0 You can’t miss it!<\/em><\/p>\n

And yet, somehow, I am, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

On a day like today, you have to use your mind’s eye, Loopster.\u00a0 Close your real eyes and concentrate!\u00a0 Go all Zen Dingo!\u00a0 Tell me when you see it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, yes!\u00a0 There it is, SPHP!\u00a0 Wow!\u00a0 Amazing!
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

What does Mount Adams look like, Looper?\u00a0 Describe it.\u00a0 I’ll take notes so I can include the description in your post about Sleeping Beauty later on.<\/em><\/p>\n

OK!\u00a0 Mount Adams is enormous, SPHP!\u00a0 Truly incredible!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, yes!\u00a0 What else?<\/em><\/p>\n

And looks so delicious …<\/em><\/p>\n

Delicious?\u00a0 That’s an odd description for a mountain, Loop, especially for a volcano.\u00a0 How so?<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP, you aren’t going to believe this, but Mount Adams is shaped like a massive bar, rich with chocolately coconut goodness!<\/em><\/p>\n

I might have known.<\/em><\/p>\n

Good!\u00a0 Glad you understand me, SPHP!\u00a0 Now I have a question for you …<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Can I come down yet?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By all means, Looper!\u00a0 Appears chocolate coconut bar time is upon us!<\/em><\/p>\n

In no time at all, the chocolate coconut bar did resemble Mount Adams – gone for good!<\/p>\n

Despite virtually non-existent hopes, the American Dingo hung around on Sleeping Beauty awaiting a Mount Adams miracle.\u00a0 Lupe checked out various perches.\u00a0 She peered down the trail, which went farther beyond the summit, but there didn’t appear to be any reason to follow it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the lower summit ridge. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Waiting for a weather miracle. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
And waiting …<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A cold breeze sprang up out of the SW, making conditions less tolerable.\u00a0 More than half an hour gone by, and not the slightest hint that the fog might dissipate.<\/p>\n

Might as well call it, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

Heading SW along the short little trek back down to the notch, a massive rock formation was momentarily visible some distance away.\u00a0 It looked every bit as high as where Lupe was.\u00a0 Maybe a good 10 feet higher!<\/p>\n

Once below the notch, Loopster tried to investigate, but didn’t get far.\u00a0 However, she did get close enough to see that something was up there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
As close to the SW knob as Lupe got. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Took the assistance of the camera’s telephoto lens to see what it was.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
An old railing (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looks like an old railing, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, like the one on Sunrise Peak, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I think so.\u00a0 Must have been a fire lookout here, too, at one time.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ought to be a way to get over there then, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Couldn’t find it, though.\u00a0 Not in the fog.<\/p>\n

If we’re ever back this way on a sunny day, I guess we can check it out then, SPHP, along with that spectacular view of Mount Adams!<\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe so!\u00a0 A happy thought!\u00a0 With reason enough to return some day, Lupe started down the winding path among the rock walls and terraces.\u00a0 (End 12:23 PM, 55\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once back at the RAV4, Lupe soon hit the road.\u00a0 Naturally, the afternoon turned sunny by the time she reached the Columbia River.\u00a0 SPHP pulled over to the side of the highway.<\/p>\n

Crossing the railroad tracks, Loopster saw lots of people parasailing out on the river.\u00a0 A strong wind was blowing out of the W, evidently coming from the narrow gap where the Colombia River flowed through the mountains.\u00a0 The sky looked darker over that way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the Columbia River<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the SE, blue skies, white clouds!\u00a0 The town of Hood River was visible on the S bank.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Columbia River<\/strong> from the N bank. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oregon, SPHP!\u00a0 Looks like fun!<\/em><\/p>\n

That it does, Looper!\u00a0 But we aren’t quite done with Washington yet.<\/em><\/p>\n

And with that, Lupe and SPHP returned to the RAV4, and drove W into the storm.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sleeping Beauty<\/strong>, Cascade Range, Washington 8-22-21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Next Adventure\u00a0<\/span><\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sleeping Beauty GPS Track by Jason O’Connell (9-5-21)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/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":"

Day 17 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast! 9:38 AM, 52\u00baF, USFS Road No. 040 pullout 0.15 mile SW of the Sleeping Beauty trailhead – Before midnight there’d been stars every time Lupe wanted out of the RAV4, but by daybreak there had been a change.\u00a0 Overcast!\u00a0 Low clouds.\u00a0 … Continue reading Sleeping Beauty, Cascade Range, Washington (8-22-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38673,"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":[105,106,1515,26,104,1532,501],"class_list":["post-38690","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-sleeping-beauty","tag-washington"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_1988-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\/38690","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=38690"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40677,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38690\/revisions\/40677"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/38673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}