{"id":65998,"date":"2025-12-13T10:40:40","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T17:40:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=65998"},"modified":"2026-01-25T09:43:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T16:43:15","slug":"silver-dollar-lake-trail-no-79-with-mark-hilary-front-range-colorado-6-18-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=65998","title":{"rendered":"Silver Dollar Lake, White Ranch Park &#038; Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado (6-18-24 to 6-20-24)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Days 3-5 of Lupe&#8217;s 1st Summer of 2024 Dingo Vacation to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming &amp; Montana!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>6-18-24, early<\/em> &#8211; After taking Hwy 40 over <strong>Berthoud Pass <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(11,307 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, a spectacular route, the iPhone rang shortly before reaching I-70.\u00a0 It was Mark.\u00a0 Was Lupe going to arrive by 9:00 AM, as planned?<\/p>\n<p><em>Told him you&#8217;d be there right on time, if not before, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>You better believe it, SPHP!\u00a0 We&#8217;re not missing out on a chance to stay with Mark and Hilary tonight.\u00a0 Dingoes love luxury, you know, and they don&#8217;t call him 5 Star Mark for nothing!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Yeah, Mark and Hilary have quite the place, don&#8217;t they, Loopster?\u00a0 10 stars compared to what we&#8217;re used to.\u00a0 Plus, we&#8217;re going to get to enjoy a romp up the Silver Dollar Lake trail with them today.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Terrific, but remember to bring a chocolate coconut bar this time, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>6-18-24, 10:20 AM<\/em> &#8211; Lupe had arrived 5 minutes before the appointed hour at Mark and Hilary&#8217;s home.\u00a0 Hilary had already packed a lunch for everyone.\u00a0 Once her friend, Deb, appeared, everyone had piled into the fancy jeep Mark drove up to Georgetown.\u00a0 The 4WD recommended road to the Silver Dollar Lake trailhead was cake in this monster.\u00a0 Lupe now stood blinking in the bright sunlight.\u00a0 Everyone was ready to go!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65955\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65955\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4144-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65955\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4144-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4144-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4144-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4144-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65955\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the <strong>Silver Dollar Lake trailhead<\/strong> with <strong>Deb<\/strong> (center), <strong>Hilary<\/strong> &amp; <strong>Mark<\/strong> (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The first part of the Silver Dollar Trail wound up through a forest where dirty snowbanks were still melting away in some places.\u00a0 Deb and Hilary set the pace, while Lupe hung back with Mark and SPHP.\u00a0 Recovering from a hip replacement gone awry, Mark was taking it easy.\u00a0 After Lupe&#8217;s long jaunt up <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=65584\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Clark Peak<\/strong><\/span><\/a> yesterday, that was perfectly fine with SPHP.\u00a0 No rush at all!\u00a0 Mark could take as much time as he wanted to.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65956\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65956\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4145-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65956\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4145-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4145-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4145-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4145-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65956\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Following <strong>Mark<\/strong> along the forested first part of <strong>Silver Dollar Lake Trail No. 79<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mark and SPHP sauntered along chit-chatting up a storm.\u00a0 0.5 mile led to a view of Naylor Lake, first of three lakes along the Silver Dollar Lake Trail.\u00a0 Lupe was already well above Naylor Lake by the time it appeared.\u00a0 Mark explained that the trail provided no access to Naylor Lake, since it was privately owned.\u00a0 However, excellent views of both <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=5668\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Argentine Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(13,742 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> farther up the valley, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=5667\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mount Wilcox<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(13,412 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> across the lake, were already in sight.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65957\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65957\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4146-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65957\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4146-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4146-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4146-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4146-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65957\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Argentine Peak<\/strong> (Center) and <strong>Mount Wilcox<\/strong> (R) from the <strong>Naylor Lake<\/strong> viewpoint. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Now in the alpine, the Silver Dollar Lake Trail continued W, climbing along the S side of the same huge valley Naylor Lake was nestled in.\u00a0 As the last trees were left behind, the trek featured bushy regions, bogs, and small streams.\u00a0 Parts of the trail were muddy.\u00a0 Higher up, the terrain was rockier, and the trail crossed increasingly large snowfields.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65958\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65958\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4147-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65958\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4147-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4147-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4147-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4147-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65958\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Mark<\/strong> and <strong>Hilary<\/strong> near the start of the rockier region. <strong>Argentine Peak<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65959\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65959\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4148-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65959\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4148-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4148-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4148-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4148-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65959\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Deb<\/strong> and <strong>Hilary<\/strong> approaching the <strong>first snowfields<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65960\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65960\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4149-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65960\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4149-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4149-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4149-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4149-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65960\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Making progress up the valley. <strong>Argentine Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65961\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65961\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4150-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65961\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4150-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4150-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4150-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4150-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65961\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">On <strong>one of the rockiest stretches<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Roughly 1.5 miles in, the terrain flattened out.\u00a0 Silver Dollar Lake soon appeared ahead.\u00a0 Ice still covering a substantial portion of its surface, the round lake lived up to it&#8217;s name with a strong silvery cast to it.\u00a0 Fed by rapidly melting snowfields, the outlet stream had good flow.\u00a0 No bridge, but fortunately easily rock-hopped without getting too wet.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65965\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65965\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4154-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65965\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4154-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4154-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4154-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4154-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65965\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Deb<\/strong> (far R) and <strong>Hilary<\/strong> (R) at <strong>Silver Dollar Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65966\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65966\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4155-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65966\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4155-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4155-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4155-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4155-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65966\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">About to rock-hop the <strong>Silver Dollar Lake outlet stream<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Silver Dollar Lake was not the end of the line.\u00a0 Continuing beyond the lake, Silver Dollar Lake Trail No. 79 climbed another slope.\u00a0 When Mark announced his intention to slide down a large snowfield covering most of this slope on the way back, this seemed an unnecessarily risky notion, especially with Mark still recovering from hip surgery.<\/p>\n<p>Knowing Mark, though, there was little doubt that he would actually do it.\u00a0 Mark exuded nothing but confidence, apparently having successfully survived this same very steep slide on prior occasions.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65967\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65967\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4156-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65967\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4156-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4156-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4156-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4156-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65967\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Above <strong>Silver Dollar Lake<\/strong> and part of the snowfield Mark intended to toboggan down. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>250 feet above Silver Dollar Lake, Murray Lake, the third and final lake along Silver Dollar Lake Trail No. 79, was in sight from a gently rounded ridge.\u00a0 Soaring more than 1,500 feet above and beyond icy Murray Lake, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=5668\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Argentine Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(13,742 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> beckoned.\u00a0 The terrain leading to Argentine Peak didn&#8217;t look bad at all, but the effort that would have been required to reach the summit was far beyond the excursion envisioned today.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65968\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65968\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4157-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65968\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4157-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4157-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4157-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4157-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65968\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Hilary<\/strong> contemplates <strong>Murray Lake<\/strong> and <strong>Argentine Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>From the rounded ridge, the Silver Dollar Lake Trail headed NW down to the Murray Lake outlet stream, which required another rock-hop.\u00a0 Beyond this stream, the trail faded as it continued up a gentle slope.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65972\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65972\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4162-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65972\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4162-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4162-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4162-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4162-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65972\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Icy <strong>Murray Lake<\/strong> from near the outlet stream. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65969\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65969\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4158-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65969\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4158-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4158-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4158-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4158-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65969\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Murray Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>6-18-24, 1:03 PM<\/em> &#8211; Scattered boulders in a flat region only a little way up the slope beyond Murray Lake provided seating with awesome views all around.\u00a0 Massive <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=5670\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Square Top Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(13,797 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, another readily climbable peak, dominated the scene S of the lake.\u00a0 Hilary provided ham and cheese sandwiches, bananas, and Nature Valley granola bars for all.\u00a0 Lupe was happy when SPHP finally gave her the chocolate coconut bar she had earned yesterday at <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=65584\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Clark Peak<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65970\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65970\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4159-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65970\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4159-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4159-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4159-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4159-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65970\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Deb<\/strong> (L) <strong>Hilary<\/strong> and <strong>Mark<\/strong> (R) at the lunch break spot. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A relaxing 20 minute rest break, and that was it.\u00a0 The whole pack started back down Silver Dollar Lake Trail No. 79.\u00a0 Deb and Hilary again led the way, while SPHP and Lupe stuck with Mark.\u00a0 Didn&#8217;t take long to get back to the snowfield above Silver Dollar Lake.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65971\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65971\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4161-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65971\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4161-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4161-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4161-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4161-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65971\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Starting back. <strong>Square Top Mountain<\/strong> (Center &amp; R) beyond <strong>Murray Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65975\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65975\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4165-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65975\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4165-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4165-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4165-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4165-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65975\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Naylor Lake<\/strong> from the ridge between Murray and Silver Dollar lakes. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65976\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65976\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4166-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65976\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4166-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4166-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4166-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4166-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65976\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Mark<\/strong> approaching <strong>Silver Dollar Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Once the trail descended to the top of the snowfield overlooking Silver Dollar Lake, Mark was true to his word.\u00a0 Without the least hesitation, he took off his pack, sat down with it on his lap, and launched himself down the frighteningly steep slope toward Hilary and Deb, who having already followed the trail to the bottom of the snowfield, were waiting below.<\/p>\n<p>As Mark hurtled down the slope, SPHP was amazed by his descent.<\/p>\n<p><em>Nothing to it, SPHP!\u00a0 He&#8217;s not going all that fast.\u00a0 Mark is even having to push himself in some spots in order to maintain any momentum.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Huh.\u00a0 Shows what I know, Loopster.\u00a0 A totally controlled slide.\u00a0 Here I was expecting a rocket ride toward an abrupt, and possibly very unhappy end.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Looks like fun, doesn&#8217;t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>It does!\u00a0 Shall we Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The American Dingo was all for it!\u00a0 Lupe didn&#8217;t slide, but ran alongside barking excitedly as SPHP slid down the slope with similar results.<\/p>\n<p>Beauty all around, the rest of the return was full of good conversation and wonderful views, but otherwise uneventful.\u00a0 <em>(End 6-18-24, 4:21 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65979\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65979\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4171-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65979\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4171-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4171-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4171-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4171-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65979\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Wildflowers<\/strong> along the <strong>Silver Dollar Lake Trail<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Silver Dollar Lake Trail No. 79 had been a great romp in the Rockies!\u00a0 Not too hard, or too far, with great scenery and excellent company, it had been just right after Clark Peak yesterday.<\/p>\n<p>More great things were in store, too!\u00a0 Returning to Mark and Hilary&#8217;s home, they both fed and entertained Lupe and SPHP the rest of the day, and well on into the evening.\u00a0 When SPHP asked for advice on some sort of external battery pack for the iPhone to keep GPS tracks going on some of Lupe&#8217;s longer adventures, Mark instantly produced one in excellent condition that SPHP could have.<\/p>\n<p>Mark and Hilary&#8217;s home was like a palace!\u00a0 Everything was immaculate and beautifully decorated.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65988\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65988\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4180-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65988\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4180-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4180-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4180-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4180-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65988\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Mark and Hilary&#8217;s home<\/strong>. Totally awesome!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65987\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65987\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4179-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65987\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4179-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4179-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4179-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4179-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65987\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Entry<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65982\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65982\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4174-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65982\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4174-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4174-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4174-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4174-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65982\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Living room<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65983\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65983\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4175-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65983\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4175-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4175-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4175-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4175-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65983\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Kitchen<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65984\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65984\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4176-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65984\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4176-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4176-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4176-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4176-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65984\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Relaxing in the <strong>dining room<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65985\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65985\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4177-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65985\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4177-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4177-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4177-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4177-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65985\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Family room<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>A Dingo could get used to this!\u00a0 Take notes, SPHP.\u00a0 This is what Carolina Dogs love and deserve &#8211; life in the lap of luxury!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Yeah, no doubt.\u00a0 Enjoy it while you can, though, Loopster.\u00a0 This is a special occasion, not our everyday reality.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>6-19-24, 1:59 PM<\/em> &#8211; Mark and Hilary were terrific hosts!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP&#8217;s luxurious stay had been perfectly delightful, with a single odd exception beyond their control.\u00a0 Shortly after arriving at Mark and Hilary&#8217;s home, a packrat had taken up residence in the RAV4&#8217;s engine compartment.\u00a0 Despite repeated attempts to shoo it away with a broom, or spray it with water, the packrat stubbornly refused to leave.<\/p>\n<p>As Mark and Hilary waved goodbye to Lupe, that crazy packrat was still in the RAV4, unwittingly about to hitch a ride into the big city.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_65989\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-65989\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4181-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-65989\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4181-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4181-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4181-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4181-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-65989\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Mark<\/strong> and <strong>Hilary<\/strong> wave bon voyage!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>6-19-24, 2:32 PM<\/em> &#8211; The afternoon was sunny and hot when Lupe arrived at Hotel Dixie in Arvada where she would be staying in the ever-popular Cowboy Room the next 2 nights.\u00a0 Uncle Joe and Cousin Dixie were out watering the front yard.\u00a0 Joe greeted Lupe and SPHP enthusiastically, but despite a splendid effort, couldn&#8217;t match the wild excitement Cousin Dixie displayed.<\/p>\n<p>For the first time ever, no trek around the 100 acre field behind Hotel Dixie was on the agenda.\u00a0 The grass was tall, and according to Uncle Joe, full of ticks.\u00a0 Nevertheless, festivities commenced almost immediately with a stroll up Ralston Creek.\u00a0 Lupe and Dixie both enjoyed wading in the cool, clear stream.<\/p>\n<p>Once Aunt Andrea returned home, it was off to Parker for dinner with Matt and Cassie in their beautiful new home.\u00a0 They&#8217;d actually been in it for 2 years, but Lupe and SPHP had never been there before.\u00a0 Emery was very taken with Lupe, who basked in the attention and affection Emery gave her.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66089\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66089\" style=\"width: 1650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4182-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66089\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4182-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C880&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4182-scaled.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4182-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4182-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66089\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">With <strong>Emery<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>6-20-24, 9:40 AM<\/em> &#8211; Well-rested after a cozy night in the Cowboy Room, a lucky Carolina Dog set out with Uncle Joe and Cousin Dixie on the first of not one, but two adventures today from the upper parking lot for the W trailhead at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgolden.com\/outdoors\/parks\/white-ranch-park\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>White Ranch Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66090\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66090\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4183-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66090\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4183-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4183-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4183-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4183-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66090\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Information display<\/strong> at the <strong>W trailhead<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66091\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66091\" style=\"width: 1650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4184-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66091\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4184-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C880&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4184-scaled.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4184-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4184-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66091\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>White Ranch Park trail system<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>White Ranch Park featured expansive views of rolling territory typical of the Colorado front range foothills.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66092\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66092\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4185-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66092\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4185-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4185-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4185-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4185-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66092\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>White Ranch Park<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A 6 mile loop along the Rawhide Trail provided a good look at the rugged <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=59843\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ralston Buttes<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(7,790 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> region across the deep Ralston Creek canyon.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66093\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66093\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4186-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66093\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4186-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4186-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4186-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4186-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66093\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">On the <strong>Rawhide Trail<\/strong>. <strong>Ralston Buttes<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Good thing Joe and SPHP had both brought water!\u00a0 The day warmed up fast beneath the hot June sun.\u00a0 Lupe and Dixie were both thirsty, and the entire trail featured water at only a single small stream crossing.<\/p>\n<p>The hike&#8217;s main objective became a shaded bench that sported a distant glimpse of mighty <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=5642\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Longs Peak<\/span><\/a><\/strong> <strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(14,257 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0from the far N end of the loop.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66102\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66102\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4197-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66102\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4197-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4197-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4197-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4197-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66102\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the <strong>N end of the loop<\/strong>. <strong>Longs Peak<\/strong> (Center) faint on the horizon. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A cool breeze that stirred occasionally amid the heat on the way back to the parking lot was most welcome.\u00a0 Returning to Hotel Dixie after the White Ranch Park hike, a light mid-afternoon lunch was followed by a siesta.\u00a0 Meanwhile, cumulus clouds built up outside.\u00a0 Waking late in the afternoon, 0.10&#8243; of rain had fallen.\u00a0 Just enough to cool things down a bit.<\/p>\n<p>Although the sky remained cloudy, more rain didn&#8217;t seem imminent.\u00a0 Aunt Andrea was back home again, and ready for action now, too.\u00a0 A jaunt up Clear Creek Canyon sounded good to her.<\/p>\n<p><em>6-20-24, 5:30 PM, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitgolden.com\/outdoors\/parks\/clear-creek-canyon-park\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Clear Creek Canyon Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a> &#8211; <\/em>Setting out from the Gateway trailhead, the evening air was comfortably cool.\u00a0 Steps along a broad cement path led from the parking lot down to Clear Creek, which was rushing along with such a tremendously powerful current that Lupe and Cousin Dixie couldn&#8217;t be allowed near it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66109\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66109\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4205-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66109\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4205-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4205-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4205-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4205-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66109\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Clear Creek Canyon Park map<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Heading upstream, an excellent pawbridge crossed the creek early on.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66103\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66103\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4198-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66103\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4198-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4198-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4198-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4198-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66103\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Dixie<\/strong>, <strong>Joe<\/strong>, <strong>Andrea<\/strong>, and <strong>Lupe<\/strong> on the <strong>first bridge<\/strong> over <strong>Clear Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With very little elevation gain to contend with, the stroll along the broad cement path was cake.\u00a0 From the Tough Cuss bridge farther upstream, Clear Creek looked more like Turbulent River.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66105\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66105\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4200-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66105\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4200-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4200-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4200-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4200-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66105\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Clear Creek<\/strong> from the <strong>Tough Cuss bridge<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Putting in from a few access points along the way, people using rafts, kayaks, and even paddleboards were trying to navigate the Clear Creek torrent.\u00a0 The paddleboarders had no luck at all.\u00a0 Clear Creek was simply too rough this time of year.<\/p>\n<p>The trail went less than 1.5 miles up Clear Creek Canyon before ending at a high, metal fence that prevented access any farther upstream.\u00a0 Uncle Joe said that someday the trail was going to be extended clear to Idaho Springs, but that hadn&#8217;t happened yet.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66106\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66106\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4201-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66106\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4201-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4201-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4201-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4201-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66106\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Andrea<\/strong> and <strong>Lupe<\/strong>. The trail ended right around the next bend. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The metal fence became the turnaround point.\u00a0 Shortly before reaching it, there had been another bridge over Clear Creek.\u00a0 The Welch Ditch bridge provided access to the Welch Ditch Trail, a flat, but narrower trail running along the steep slope S of Clear Creek, 30 or 40 feet above it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66107\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66107\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4202-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66107\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4202-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4202-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4202-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4202-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66107\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Crossing the <strong>Welch Ditch bridge<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Welch Ditch Trail would eventually lead back down to the concrete path close to the first bridge near the start, making a loop possible.\u00a0 So, why not take it?\u00a0 At one point, rock climbers were practicing scaling the cliffs next to the trail.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66108\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66108\" style=\"width: 1651px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4204-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66108\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4204-scaled.jpg?resize=660%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4204-scaled.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4204-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4204-scaled.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66108\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">On the <strong>Welch Ditch Trail<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After completing the loop, it was back to Hotel Dixie.\u00a0 What was left of the evening was spent relaxing while enjoying the many amenities of civilization.\u00a0 One more blissful night in the Cowboy Room would be it.<\/p>\n<p><em>Civilization is awesome, SPHP, but we&#8217;re in Colorado!\u00a0 Big mountains are calling!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>They are, Loopster!\u00a0 I feel it, too, but the mountains can wait a bit longer.\u00a0 Let&#8217;s settle in for a good night&#8217;s snooze, followed bright and early by a hearty breakfast, first.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Sounds like a plan, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Lupe closed her eyes, twitching a little as she drifted off to adventures in Dingo Dreamland.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66012\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66012\" style=\"width: 1733px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Silver-Dollar-Lake-Trail-CO-6-18-24.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-66012\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Silver-Dollar-Lake-Trail-CO-6-18-24.jpg?resize=660%2C331&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Silver-Dollar-Lake-Trail-CO-6-18-24.jpg?w=1733&amp;ssl=1 1733w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Silver-Dollar-Lake-Trail-CO-6-18-24.jpg?resize=300%2C151&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Silver-Dollar-Lake-Trail-CO-6-18-24.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66012\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Lupe&#8217;s Silver Dollar Lake Trail GPS Track<\/strong><\/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=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=66256\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=65584\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/climber\/ascent.aspx?aid=2676193\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>Lupe&#8217;s Scrollable Silver Dollar Lake Trail GPS Track<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/climber\/ascent.aspx?aid=2676413\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>Lupe&#8217;s Scrollable White Ranch Park GPS Track<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/climber\/ascent.aspx?aid=2676464\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>Lupe&#8217;s Scrollable Clear Creek Canyon Park GPS Track<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em style=\"background-color: transparent; text-align: inherit; font-size: 10pt;\">Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe&#8217;s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=64359\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Master Peak Map<\/span><\/a>,<\/strong> <strong>Summer of 2024 Dingo Vacations to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Canada &amp; Alaska Adventure Index<\/strong><\/em><em style=\"background-color: transparent; text-align: inherit; font-size: 10pt;\">, <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><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Days 3-5 of Lupe&#8217;s 1st Summer of 2024 Dingo Vacation to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming &amp; Montana! 6-18-24, early &#8211; After taking Hwy 40 over Berthoud Pass (11,307 ft.), a spectacular route, the iPhone rang shortly before reaching I-70.\u00a0 It was Mark.\u00a0 Was Lupe going to arrive by 9:00 AM, as planned? Told him you&#8217;d be &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=65998\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Silver Dollar Lake, White Ranch Park &#038; Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado (6-18-24 to 6-20-24)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":65957,"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":[1703],"tags":[105,1722,106,1813,296,26,1683,1810,1807,451,104,863,1811,1808,445],"class_list":["post-65998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1703","tag-american-dingo","tag-andrea","tag-carolina-dog","tag-clear-creek-trail","tag-colorado","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-dixie","tag-georgetown","tag-hilary","tag-joe","tag-lupe","tag-mark","tag-murray-lake","tag-silver-dollar-lake-trail","tag-white-ranch-park"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_4146-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\/65998","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=65998"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65998\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66548,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65998\/revisions\/66548"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/65957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=65998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=65998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=65998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}