{"id":50279,"date":"2024-01-26T08:10:25","date_gmt":"2024-01-26T15:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=50279"},"modified":"2024-05-12T23:37:15","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T05:37:15","slug":"west-spanish-peak-sangre-de-cristo-range-colorado-6-13-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=50279","title":{"rendered":"West Spanish Peak, Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado (6-13-23)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 6 & 7 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Colorado & New Mexico!<\/em><\/p>\n

6-12-23, 8:53 AM, N Blue Lake off USFS Road No. 369<\/em> – Got cold last night!\u00a0 Lupe woke early to ice on the RAV4.\u00a0 After a 10 minute dawn patrol, the Carolina Dog had returned to her pink blanket.\u00a0 SPHP worked on the trip journal while she snoozed.\u00a0 Outside, thunder heralded the onset of rain and fog, followed shortly by hail and enough snow pellets to turn the ground white.<\/p>\n

Sunny now, though.\u00a0 The American Dingo had already enjoyed a short romp through the forest to an ancient corral at the end of USFS Road No. 369.1Q, and was now busy dividing her time between a chipmunk hiding underneath the RAV4 and sniffing around near scenic N Blue Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Morning at North Blue Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
North Peak<\/strong> (R of Center) from N Blue Lake. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I love it here, SPHP!\u00a0 So beautiful, and so much fun!<\/em><\/p>\n

Enjoy it while you can, Loopster.\u00a0 Half an hour, and we’ll be on our way.<\/em><\/p>\n

6-12-23, 1:06 PM, Hwy 12 NE of La Veta –<\/em><\/p>\n

There they are, Loop.\u00a0 Site of your next adventure – the Spanish Peaks!<\/em><\/p>\n

Which one are we going to climb, SPHP?\u00a0 Or will we be climbing both?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
E Spanish Peak<\/strong> (L) and W Spanish Peak<\/strong> (R) from Hwy 12. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Only the biggest one, Looper.\u00a0 Third highest mountain you will have ever been on, if we make it.\u00a0 West Spanish Peak is also the Las Animas county, Colorado high point, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wow!\u00a0 Looks pretty big, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I’ve read there’s a long steep talus climb that I’m kind of worried about.\u00a0 We’ll just have to see how it goes.\u00a0 Greenhorn Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> was a gimme compared to West Spanish.<\/em><\/p>\n

6-12-23, 4:27 PM, USFS Road No. 46, S of La Veta<\/em> – Today was just a rest and positioning day.\u00a0 After scouting out Cordova Pass, the trailhead for West Spanish Peak<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (13,626 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> located 6 miles from Cuchara Pass on USFS Road No. 46, SPHP drove clear back to the more sheltered John B. Farley Memorial Wildflower Overlook<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The terrain around the wildflower overlook was steep, but by exploring back up USFS Road No. 46 a little way, Lupe managed to find a beautiful level field of dandelions in which to enjoy a sunny late afternoon romp.\u00a0 Evening, however, brought a cold, dense fog.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the John B. Farley Memorial Wildflower Overlook<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Enjoying an afternoon romp. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6-13-23, 6:42 AM, 40\u00baF, John Farley Memorial Wildflower Overlook<\/em> –\u00a0 Blue skies!\u00a0 Last evening’s fog was but a memory.\u00a0 SPHP fired up the RAV4.\u00a0 20 minutes later, Lupe was at Cordova Pass.\u00a0 West Spanish Peak was a go!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Cordova Pass<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Posted information at the trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6-13-23, 7:28 AM, 37\u00baF, Cordova Pass<\/em> – The pack was ready.\u00a0 Despite a certain degree of trepidation after seeing how steep West Spanish Peak was yesterday, it was now or never.<\/p>\n

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

Certainly nothing to worry about at the start.\u00a0 West Peak trail No. 1390 began flat as a pancake as Lupe left the trailhead trotting into a forest.\u00a0 After a quick 0.25 mile, the Salazar trail branched off to the L.\u00a0 Just past this fork, Lupe emerged from the forest, entering a huge meadow.\u00a0 On the far side, a more extensive forest stretched all the way to the base of mighty West Spanish Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,626 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Start of West Peak trail No. 1390<\/strong> at Cordova Pass<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Along the first stretch of forest. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the junction with the Salazar trail<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
West Spanish Peak<\/strong> (R) from the meadow. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 West Spanish Peak’s not looking any easier from here, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Won’t know what it’s really like until we get there, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe kept going, quickly crossing the meadow.\u00a0 Shortly after entering the next forest, Levi Krier trail No. 1392 split off to the L.\u00a0 West Peak trail No. 1390 now began a long, gradual descent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction with Levi Krier trail No. 1392<\/strong> (L). West Peak trail No. 1390<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Signage at the junction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a while, the American Dingo came to no more side trails, except an unmarked one that went 50 feet up onto a ridge to the L.\u00a0 Sticking with what appeared to be the main West Peak trail, it continued slowly losing elevation before finally bottoming out.<\/p>\n

6-13-23, 8:12 AM<\/em> – Still in forest, Lupe reached a junction with Apishapa trail No. 1324.\u00a0 By now, West Peak trail No. 1390 had turned SE for a little way, and regained a fair amount of the elevation that had been slowly lost.\u00a0 The West Peak trail made a nearly 180\u00ba turn back to the NW here, while the Apishapa trail continued straight.\u00a0 Wouldn’t be that hard to miss this turn due to the way the signage was oriented, except that the Apishapa trail was not as well traveled.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Apishapa trail No. 1324<\/strong> continues straight here, while West Peak trail No. 1390<\/strong> makes a U-turn L. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Same junction after Lupe made the turn. The lower trail returns to Cordova Pass<\/strong>. The upper one goes to West Spanish Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This signage does not face the hiker on the way to West Spanish Peak. Only the back side is visible on the L when coming from Cordova Pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond this junction, West Peak trail No. 1390 began a steady climb made easier by a series of switchbacks.\u00a0 So far, there had been virtually no clearings in the forest, but within minutes, Lupe came to an opening with a view back to the SW of the big meadow she’d crossed with snowy Trinchera Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,517 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> lined up behind it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The huge meadow<\/strong> (foreground) and Trinchera Peak<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

20 minutes later, the switchbacks ended as Lupe reached a small, flat meadow with gritty soil.\u00a0 A short water and beef jerky break was taken here while admiring and studying the view of West Spanish Peak, which was now much closer.\u00a0 A new worry presented itself.\u00a0 Although it was still early, clouds were already spreading across much of the sky.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
West Spanish Peak<\/strong> from the small meadow. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We better not dilly-dally here too long, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ready when you are, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Beyond the small meadow, the West Peak trail returned to the forest, and began climbing again at a gradually increasing pace.\u00a0 Another series of switchbacks appeared as the slope steepened.\u00a0 Lupe soon came upon a snowbank several feet high over the trail.<\/p>\n

Crossing the snowbank was easy.\u00a0 Just past it, the Carolina Dog reached another switchback.\u00a0 This turn was out in the open, providing the first big view to the N.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the snowbank. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Blanca Peak<\/strong> (L) on the horizon, Mount Mestas<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Impressive view already, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

It is, Loop!\u00a0 That must be Blanca Peak<\/span><\/a> (14,345 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> on the NW horizon, and Mount Mestas<\/span><\/a> (11,569 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> sitting out there alone on the R.<\/em><\/p>\n

What about that distant range between them, SPHP?\u00a0 Can you pick out Greenhorn Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> from here?<\/em><\/p>\n

No, not really.\u00a0 That area is so far away, that I can’t tell what’s what.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ever consider investing in binoculars, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Some fine day, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

From this viewpoint, the trail once again turned sharply back to the SE, re-entering the forest before quickly leaving it again.\u00a0 Ahead, the next turn, a big curve completely out in the open, provided another grand view of Trinchera Peak<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (13,517 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, plus a long string of peaks farther S extending all the way to Culebra Peak<\/span><\/a> (14,047 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Culebra Peak<\/strong> (L) and Trinchera Peak<\/strong> (R) on the horizon. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was now at treeline.\u00a0 The trail made one more jog back to the N, where the American Dingo reached an enormous cairn.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the enormous cairn. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6-13-23, 9:06 AM<\/em> – This was it, the crux of the matter.\u00a0 No more forests, meadows or switchbacks.\u00a0 Beyond the cairn, which apparently marked the official end of West Peak trail No. 1390, the SW face of West Spanish Peak soared toward an as yet unseen summit less than a mile away.<\/p>\n

Shoot!\u00a0 No worries, SPHP!\u00a0 Steep enough, but doesn’t look that bad, except maybe close to the top.\u00a0 We’ve done slopes like this plenty of times before.\u00a0 This one’s just super long.\u00a0 The talus isn’t even very big.<\/em><\/p>\n

Got to agree, Looper.\u00a0 I’m encouraged!\u00a0 Like you say, looks like the crucial area is the region just below that upper rim.\u00a0 Appears it all depends on how steep and loose it gets up there.\u00a0 Heck of a trudge, though, so we best get started.\u00a0 We’re still a good 1,700 to 1,800 feet below the summit.<\/em><\/p>\n

As Lupe started up the mountain, there was another favorable sign.\u00a0 The general cloudiness which had been building rapidly not so long ago, was now actually burning away to some degree.<\/p>\n

Following a use path, Lupe went up a series of several humps partially covered with low green vegetation.\u00a0 Beyond them, the slope steepened some more as the American Dingo entered a world of nothing but rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Off to a good start down where there was still a bit of greenery. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Among some of the larger rocks. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe really seemed into it!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog climbed and climbed.\u00a0 Meanwhile, laggard SPHP huffed and puffed, frequently pausing for breathers.\u00a0 The use trail became braided, offering a variety of routes.\u00a0 In some places, the talus was so small that SPHP would have considered it scree, but then, what did SPHP know about such things?\u00a0 In other places, short sections of the trails were simply hard-packed grit.<\/p>\n

A few little patches of snow were ahead.\u00a0 Happy to reach them, Lupe chomped away at the snow.\u00a0 Numerous tiny frozen waterfalls among the rocks were just starting to drip in the morning sun.\u00a0 Toward the L, bands of exposed bedrock formed lines of small cliffs and ledges.\u00a0 Looked like Lupe would soon be above them, but more kept appearing above.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Enjoying a patch of snow. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Below a small band of bedrock. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Among the tiny frozen waterfalls. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The enormous slope was very steep, but uniform.\u00a0 Nothing scary at all.\u00a0 No super tough scrambles higher, edges of precipices, etc.\u00a0 For the most part, the talus was pretty stable.\u00a0 Even SPHP caused surprisingly little rock slide.\u00a0 Bigger chunks were nearly always firmly anchored.<\/p>\n

Lupe did fantastic!\u00a0 SPHP kept stopping to gasp for air, sometimes even sitting down for a few minutes.\u00a0 Chocolate peanut butter bars and beef jerky were often shared during these short breaks to keep energy levels from crashing.<\/p>\n

It was a long way up.\u00a0 Yet, bit by bit, despite more terrain continuing to appear above, even SPHP was getting there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peering back down the slope. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster ready to keep going. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Leading the way. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was still 300 feet from the top when a line of snowbanks along the S side of the West Spanish Peak’s summit ridge first came into view.\u00a0 \u00a0The steepest part of the climb that came near the end, just before gaining the ridgeline, really wasn’t any worse than the rest of the ascent.<\/p>\n

Suddenly Lupe was there, up on a broad, almost level region near the W end of the summit ridge.\u00a0 Still some elevation yet to be gained from here, but it was basically a romp.\u00a0 Turning E, Lupe crossed a big snowfield, then started the final part of her ascent in search of the true summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Snow along the upper S side of West Spanish Peak’s summit ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the lower W end of the summit ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6-13-23, 11:30 AM, 52\u00baF, West Spanish Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,626 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/em> –\u00a0 The highest part of the summit ridge was several hundred feet long.\u00a0 Arriving at the W end, Lupe discovered a cairn.\u00a0 Whether this cairn was actually at the true summit or not wasn’t completely clear.\u00a0 A couple more minor high points farther E were at least in contention.\u00a0 Hardly mattered, since any elevation differences along the entire upper ridge were minimal.<\/p>\n

SPHP examined the cairn.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the summit cairn<\/strong> on West Spanish Peak<\/strong>. East Spanish Peak<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, shucks!<\/em><\/p>\n

What’s wrong, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

This is a day to remember, Loop!\u00a0 West Spanish Peak is the 3rd highest mountain you’ve ever summited.\u00a0 Haven’t been this high since you climbed Mount Massive<\/strong><\/span><\/a> nearly 8 years ago.\u00a0 Wanted to enter your name in the registry, but there doesn’t seem to be one<\/em>.<\/p>\n

You can still shake my paw and congratulate me, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Why, of course.\u00a0 Congratulations, Loopster!\u00a0 Well done, sweet puppy!\u00a0 We actually made it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you, SPHP!\u00a0 Can we take a break now?\u00a0 It’s been quite a climb.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure, but let’s go over to the E end of the ridge first, Looper.\u00a0 We can tag the other high points along the way.<\/em><\/p>\n

A long snowbank clung to the S side of the summit ridge.\u00a0 Lupe had to go over part of it on her way to the E end, which she didn’t mind at all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way to the E end of the summit ridge<\/strong>. Blanca Peak<\/strong> (R) on the horizon. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cooling off near the E end. Trinchera Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Trinchera Peak<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Culebra Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You somehow managed to forget to bring the chocolate coconut bars on this Dingo Vacation, SPHP.\u00a0 What else have you got in that pack?<\/em><\/p>\n

Well now, let’s see.\u00a0 How does a Full Moon Savory Stick or a chocolate peanut butter bar sound, Looper?<\/em><\/p>\n

How about both, SPHP?\u00a0 And Taste of the Wild and water, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

Your wish is my command, oh famished one!\u00a0 Coming right up.<\/em><\/p>\n

The sky was quite cloudy now.\u00a0 Although Lupe was usually in sunshine, rain showers were in all directions, especially dark and a little ominous off to the W.\u00a0 SPHP kept an eye on developments in that direction.\u00a0 So far, no cause for alarm.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rain showers beyond the town of La Veta<\/strong>. Mount Mestas<\/strong> (far L). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The dark horizon. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 2 Spanish Peaks being somewhat isolated from others, views were tremendous in all directions.\u00a0 East Spanish Peak<\/span><\/a> (12,683 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, less than 5 miles ENE, was a big mountain, yet nearly 1,000 feet lower.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
East Spanish Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another angle. East Spanish Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other than East Spanish Peak, nothing anywhere toward the E was even remotely close to being as high as West Spanish Peak.\u00a0 The green plains of eastern Colorado stretched away to a murky horizon.\u00a0 Only lowlands existed toward the S, too.\u00a0 Lupe could see some high mountains to the N, but they were very far away.\u00a0 \u00a0Only significantly lower ones, the highest of which was Mount Mestas<\/span><\/a> (11,569 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, were relatively nearby.<\/p>\n

Thousands of feet below, several long, thin lines of rock radiated away to the N from the base of West Spanish Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peering down West Spanish Peak’s N slope<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mighty Blanca Peak<\/span><\/a> (14,345 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> dominated an impressive group near the NW horizon.\u00a0 Somewhat closer, a long line of partially snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Range peaks ran all the way from the WNW clear down to Culebra Peak<\/span><\/a> (14,047 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> on the SSW horizon.<\/p>\n

By the time only 15 minutes remained of Lupe’s traditional summit hour, numerous cumulus clouds were sailing over West Spanish Peak.\u00a0 Dark showers off to the W had already advanced to the nearest line of snowy mountains, and were still coming this way.\u00a0 Abandoning the E end of the summit ridge, Loopster headed back toward the cairn.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At possibly the true summit<\/strong> on the way back to the cairn (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hanging out by the cairn, the Carolina Dog watched conditions steadily deteriorate as what was left of her summit hour slipped away.\u00a0 Either fog or a cloudburst made it past the snowy peaks, apparently now destined straight for West Spanish Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on the cairn. Mount Mestas<\/strong> (R). Blanca Peak<\/strong> (far L) obscured by clouds. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Atop West Spanish Peak<\/strong> as the storm approaches. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Monitoring the situation with a view of the lower W end of the summit ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6-13-23, 12:29 PM, West Spanish Peak summit<\/em> – Lupe stood by the cairn, East Spanish Peak beyond her beneath an increasingly dramatic sky.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A final look at East Spanish Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) from West Spanish Peak’s summit<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is our hour up yet, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

One more minute, Loopster!\u00a0 Hate to abandon such a glorious perch, but we may have already overstayed our welcome.<\/em><\/p>\n

Haven’t heard any thunder yet, SPHP.\u00a0 Why don’t you start down first?\u00a0 I’ll linger here a bit longer, then catch up.<\/em><\/p>\n

Loathe to leave, SPHP stuck around a few more minutes, praising Lupe on her successful ascent while watching the darkening sky amid rain showers all around.\u00a0 SPHP finally set off back down the W ridge while the Carolina Dog remained, now poised alone atop West Spanish Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the W ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Glancing down the NW slope<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Last moments atop West Spanish Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ever faithful, Lupe couldn’t stand to let SPHP get too far away.\u00a0 Before long, she came streaking across the snow, overtaking SPHP in nothing flat.\u00a0 Passing by a collection of boulders, the biggest rocks she’d seen on West Spanish Peak, Lupe paused long enough to scramble up onto them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on the lower W ridge boulders<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looks like we’re in for it, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Afraid so, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

How long before the storm hits, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

15, maybe 20 minutes.\u00a0 No more than that.\u00a0 Let’s hope it’s just a squall.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nothing happened.\u00a0 Shortly after Lupe started down that very long steep SW slope, the weather changed.\u00a0 The storm began breaking up.\u00a0 Drifting off to the N, its remnants missed West Spanish Peak entirely.\u00a0 By the time the American Dingo made it back to West Peak trail No. 1390, it was a beautiful day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back down on the switchbacks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The return was easy.\u00a0 Never tiring, Lupe led the way.\u00a0 On the other paw, SPHP sometimes had to take rest breaks even on minor inclines.\u00a0 Lupe paused now and then, too, glancing wistfully back at West Spanish Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bidding West Spanish Peak<\/strong> (Center) farewell. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Final look back from the huge meadow. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6-13-23, 3:30 PM<\/em> – It was sunny, breezy, and cool when Lupe made it back to Cordova Pass.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog did seem happy to leap into the RAV4 and curl up on her pink blanket.\u00a0 SPHP somehow summoned the energy required to provide food and water before passing out.\u00a0 A 3 hour joint nap ensued.<\/p>\n

When SPHP finally came to again, it was cold and windy.\u00a0 Returning to the much lower John B. Farley Memorial Wildflower Overlook 0.5 mile from Cuchara Pass suddenly seemed like a terrific idea.<\/p>\n

6-13-23, 7:00 PM, John B. Farley Memorial Wildflower Overlook<\/em> – The sky was full of clouds when Lupe arrived.\u00a0 5 minutes later, a combination of rain and sleet set in.\u00a0 Rained and sleeted the rest of the evening, at times quite hard.\u00a0 By the time the light began to dim, a thick fog had moved in.<\/p>\n

No matter.\u00a0 What a grand and glorious day!\u00a0 The day before she turned 12.5 years old, Lupe had been to West Spanish Peak<\/span><\/a> (13,626 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
West Spanish Peak<\/strong>, Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado 6-13-23<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Legends of Spanish Peaks<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s GPS track<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Lupe’s Scrollable GPS Track<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adve<\/em>ntures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacations to Colorado, New Mexico, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em>, 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><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days 6 & 7 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2023 Dingo Vacation to Colorado & New Mexico! 6-12-23, 8:53 AM, N Blue Lake off USFS Road No. 369 – Got cold last night!\u00a0 Lupe woke early to ice on the RAV4.\u00a0 After a 10 minute dawn patrol, the Carolina Dog had returned to her pink … Continue reading West Spanish Peak, Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado (6-13-23)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50275,"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":[1659],"tags":[105,106,296,1665,26,104,1664,1666],"class_list":["post-50279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1659","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-colorado","tag-cordova-pass","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-sangre-de-christo-range","tag-west-spanish-peak"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_0968-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\/50279","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=50279"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54099,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50279\/revisions\/54099"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/50275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=50279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=50279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=50279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}