{"id":7571,"date":"2017-02-02T08:10:44","date_gmt":"2017-02-02T15:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=7571"},"modified":"2023-04-17T18:01:49","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T00:01:49","slug":"kesugi-ridge-indian-benchmark-kesugi-mountain-denali-state-park-alaska-8-18-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=7571","title":{"rendered":"K’esugi Ridge: Indian Benchmark & K’esugi Mountain, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-18-16)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days 18, 19 & 20 of Lupe’s 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska<\/em><\/p>\n

8-16-16.\u00a0 Morning in the Arctic.\u00a0 Still lots of clouds around, but the sun was shining promisingly\u00a0on a field W of the Dalton Highway.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP weren’t going anywhere.<\/p>\n

Yesterday had been incredible!\u00a0 Lupe had succeeded in\u00a0climbing Dillon Mountain<\/a><\/span> (4,820 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, close to 90 miles N of the Arctic Circle.\u00a0 Cold and soaking wet, Lupe and SPHP had returned after midnight, only to find the G6’s battery was dead.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the G6 was parked at a small pullout N of milepost 207\u00a0right alongside the Dalton Highway.\u00a0 SPHP raised the hood.\u00a0 Someone would stop to help.\u00a0 While Lupe sniffed around outside, SPHP arranged sopping wet clothes to dry\u00a0on top of the G6, then proceeded to put things back in order inside.\u00a0 About the time SPHP was finishing up, a vehicle pulled up.<\/p>\n

A couple of guys jumped out, and asked if everything was OK.\u00a0 Well, not quite.\u00a0 SPHP had jumper cables along, could they give the G6 a quick jump?\u00a0 Yeah, no problem.\u00a0 A couple minutes later, the G6 was purring again.\u00a0 Thanks, so very, very much!\u00a0 Would they take payment for their assistance?\u00a0 Nope.\u00a0 What great guys!<\/p>\n

Lupe’s benefactors were Devon Drayton and John Antes.\u00a0 Devon had gotten a job and moved to Fairbanks 2.5 months ago.\u00a0 John\u00a0lives in Pennsylvania, where he\u00a0works as\u00a0a website graphics designer.\u00a0 They were on their way N to Deadhorse on\u00a0Prudhoe Bay to see the Arctic Ocean.<\/p>\n

Devon and John were both friendly and kind\u00a0to Lupe.\u00a0 After the jump start, they stayed chatting with SPHP\u00a0for a while.\u00a0 They were impressed that Lupe had climbed Sukakpak and Dillon mountains.\u00a0 Devon had a scary tale about a narrow escape from being alone\u00a0half-buried in snow.\u00a0 John described difficult hikes and mountain climbs in virtually impenetrable forests.\u00a0 The visit was fun, but eventually Devon and John\u00a0had to hit the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Devon Drayton(L) and John Antes(R) helped Lupe and SPHP out with a jumpstart for the G6 on the morning of 8-16-16. Devon and John were on their way N to see the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thanks to Devon and John, the G6 was running!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP spent the whole day driving S.\u00a0 Lupe crossed the Arctic Circle.\u00a0 She shared a beef stew picnic with SPHP at the Yukon River.\u00a0 By evening, Lupe was way down S in Fairbanks.\u00a0 She visited Pioneer Park there shortly before sunset.<\/p>\n

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Lupe visited Pioneer Park in Fairbanks shortly before sunset.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The next morning, Lupe left Fairbanks on\u00a0Alaska Route\u00a03, the George Parks Highway.\u00a0 Half an hour after leaving town, SPHP stopped at a pullout at a high point.\u00a0 Far away to the S were many impressive peaks.\u00a0 Even more remotely off to the SW, however,\u00a0was a shocking sight.<\/p>\n

Visible across an incredible distance, a\u00a0colossal mountain clad in white rose to an impossible height!\u00a0 Otherwise totally exposed, the monster’s summit scraped the clouds.\u00a0 There\u00a0could be\u00a0no mistaking that gigantic peak.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe\u00a0was getting her first\u00a0look at\u00a0Denali<\/a><\/span> (20,310 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the highest mountain in North America!<\/p>\n

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There was no mistaking this massive white mountain, totally dominating the far horizon. Lupe was getting her first look at Denali, the highest mountain in North America! Photo looks SW using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sight of Denali was exciting!\u00a0 Often the mountain is obscured by clouds for many days at a time.\u00a0 Today,\u00a0it appeared Lupe had an excellent\u00a0chance of getting a\u00a0grand view of the mountain up close!\u00a0 Plans for the day changed instantly.\u00a0 Suddenly, Lupe’s primary objective\u00a0was to reach the N Denali viewpoint at milepost 162.6 along the George Parks Highway as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

It was farther to the viewpoint than SPHP realized.\u00a0 Traffic was heavy.\u00a0 There was considerable road construction.\u00a0 A lot of time was lost waiting for pilot cars.\u00a0 Hours went by.\u00a0 When Lupe arrived at the N Denali viewpoint in Denali State Park, the mountain had vanished.\u00a0 A bank of clouds hung over the Alaska Range.\u00a0 Most disappointing.<\/p>\n

SPHP drove over to the Little Coal Creek trailhead at milepost 163.9.\u00a0 Lupe could take the Little Coal Creek\u00a0trail up onto K’esugi Ridge.\u00a0 If Denali reappeared, Lupe would have a fantastic view from up there!\u00a0 The sky had been clouding up, though.\u00a0 It was already after 3 PM.\u00a0 How likely was it Denali would reappear today?\u00a0 No, maybe it was best to\u00a0just go back to the original plan for the day.<\/p>\n

That meant driving 50 miles back to Cantwell.\u00a0 The plan had been for Lupe to check out a couple of mountains in that area, and get positioned to be ready to climb one or the other of them tomorrow.<\/p>\n

The drive back to Cantwell was gorgeous.\u00a0 Some of the rugged\u00a0lower peaks of the Alaska Range, were in view N of the highway.\u00a0 They weren’t Denali by a\u00a0long shot, but they were still impressive.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lower peaks of the Alaska Range seen N of the George Parks Highway on the way back to Cantwell.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About 10 miles NE of Cantwell, Lupe checked out Panorama Mountain<\/a><\/span> (5,778 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from the George Parks Highway.\u00a0 There was no trail up Panorama Mountain as far as SPHP knew.\u00a0 Almost none of the route up Slime Creek that SPHP had hoped Lupe might be able to take was visible from the highway.\u00a0 Panorama Mountain looked challenging.\u00a0 The\u00a0probability of success was too low.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Panorama Mountain near Denali National Park from the George Parks Highway. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next Lupe went to check out Reindeer Hills<\/a><\/span> (5,102 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, situated 6 or 7 miles E of Cantwell, and\u00a02 miles N of gravel Denali Highway (No. 8).\u00a0 There was no trail up Reindeer Hills, either, but Reindeer Hills looked much easier to climb than Panorama Mountain.\u00a0 SPHP liked the idea.\u00a0 Lupe would easily be able to do this!\u00a0 Reindeer Hills looked like a fun climb.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Reindeer Hills located ENE of Cantwell looked very promising as a possible Lupe peakbagging objective! The high point is on the R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Reindeer Hills high point. This looked like a fun, relatively easy climb for Lupe. There were much more rugged mountains around in every direction, too. The views from the top would be fabulous! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unfortunately, as SPHP drove E on Denali Highway No. 8 looking for the best point for Lupe to start her trek up the Reindeer Hills, there were “No Trespassing” signs posted all along the road.\u00a0 Land in the area was owned by a Native American tribe.\u00a0 The signs said a permit was required to enter.<\/p>\n

Lupe made stops at a number of scenic points along Denali Highway No. 8.\u00a0 Near a small lake of\u00a0SE Reindeer Hills, an old\u00a0map was posted showing the extent of the\u00a0Native American lands.\u00a0 Reindeer Hills didn’t appear to be included, but there was no reasonable access point that didn’t cross the Native American property.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the small lake SE of Reindeer Hills where a map was posted which appeared to show there was no access to Reindeer Hills without crossing Native American property. Photo looks SE at different mountains beyond the lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe made one foray toward Reindeer Hills from the SE where the map showed a possible route avoiding the Native American tribe’s land. The terrain wasn’t favorable on this approach. A lake, and possibly a river, blocked the way. Photo looks NW at Reindeer Hills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sadly, the Reindeer Hills idea\u00a0had to be abandoned.\u00a0 The long drive back to the Cantwell area had been a waste, but at least the situation was clear.\u00a0 Tomorrow, Lupe would go to K’esugi Ridge in Denali State Park.\u00a0 Her objectives would be to climb to the Indian Benchmark and K’esugi Mountain.\u00a0 SPHP hoped the weather would be clear, so Lupe would get a great view of Denali.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP enjoyed a beautiful evening drive back toward Denali State Park.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe briefly visited this lovely creek S of Denali Hwy No. 8 before leaving the Cantwell area. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SW over Summit Lake along the George Parks Highway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A pensive Lupe in the G6 enjoying the ride back toward Denali State Park in Alaska, 8-17-16.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Evening sky in Alaska.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe got closer to Denali State Park again, there it was, off in the distance.\u00a0 Denali was back!\u00a0 SPHP hoped it was a good omen for Lupe tomorrow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way back toward Denali State Park, Lupe caught a glimpse of Denali in the evening light. Was it a good omen for Lupe tomorrow? SPHP hoped so. Photo looks WSW using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The next morning, conditions weren’t nearly as encouraging.\u00a0 The sky was totally overcast.\u00a0 Rain\u00a0looked like\u00a0a real possibility.\u00a0 Low fog drifted among the mountains.\u00a0 Denali was nowhere in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The morning of 8-18-16, the weather was looking iffy. Photo looks SW toward Indian Benchmark(L) and K’esugi Mountain(Center).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP wasn’t at all certain Lupe should even attempt the climb up to the\u00a0Indian Benchmark and K’esugi Mountain.\u00a0 No point in going in rain or fog.\u00a0 SPHP\u00a0drove to the Little Coal Creek trailhead at milepost 163.9 along the George Parks Highway, anyway.\u00a0 At the trailhead, Lupe waited in suspense, while SPHP checked maps and prepared for the trek.<\/p>\n

There was\u00a0no discernable\u00a0change in the weather by the time everything was ready.\u00a0 May as well try it, and hope for the best.\u00a0 Lupe could always turn back, if conditions deteriorated.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP\u00a0set off on the Little Coal Creek Trail (11:10 AM, 56\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

The trail started out in the forest.\u00a0 At first, there no views and\u00a0only gradual elevation gain, but that began to change when the trail got closer to Little Coal Creek.\u00a0\u00a0The\u00a0trail\u00a0turned ESE staying N of the creek,\u00a0and began to climb steadily.\u00a0 Little Coal Creek was seldom seen, down in a deep ravine.<\/p>\n

Lupe’s first real views came\u00a0when\u00a0the trail reached treeline.\u00a0 The sky was still overcast.\u00a0 Clouds clung to the mountaintops.\u00a0 At least it wasn’t raining.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe above treeline on the Little Coal Creek Trail. Clouds were still clinging to the peaks. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Only the lowest glories of the Alaska Range beyond the broad Chulitna River valley were in view below the clouds. Photo looks NW using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The last part of the climb along the Little Coal Creek Trail was fairly steep.\u00a0 The trail then\u00a0leveled out entirely, even beginning to lose a little elevation\u00a0as it turned SW.\u00a0\u00a0 Lupe was almost to the end of the 3.3 mile long\u00a0Little Coal Creek Trail.\u00a0 Soon it would become the\u00a0K’esugi Ridge Trail\u00a0where it\u00a0crosses the ravine Little Coal Creek\u00a0originates from\u00a0N of K’esugi Mountain.<\/p>\n

Lupe had already gained 1,750 feet of elevation from the trailhead.\u00a0 By now she was well above treeline, even bushline, up on open tundra.\u00a0 The views would already have been spectacular, if it had been a clear day.<\/p>\n

Lupe wasn’t continuing on to the K’esugi Ridge Trail.\u00a0 Her first peakbagging objective, the Indian Benchmark<\/a><\/span> (4,558 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0was off trail to the SE.\u00a0\u00a0Ahead, Lupe could see\u00a0a\u00a0large ridge that\u00a0swept around to the E before curving to approach Indian Benchmark from the NE.\u00a0 The long ridge looked like an easy climb.\u00a0 Only the last little bit near the summit, partially hidden in the clouds, looked like it might present a problem.\u00a0 What could be seen from down here\u00a0didn’t look too bad.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches flat open tundra near the end of the Little Coal Creek Trail. Ahead, seen directly above her partially hidden in the clouds, is her first peakbagging objective, the Indian Benchmark. The plan was to take the long, sweeping ridge over to the E (L) and then back to the SW (R) up to the summit. In practice, Lupe took a shortcut up to the saddle seen almost straight up from the L edge of the backpack. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe abandoned the Little Coal Creek Trail, and made for the start of the long sweeping ridge to the Indian Benchmark.\u00a0 The ridge\u00a0route was easy.\u00a0 So easy that Lupe followed the sweeping ridge only partway.\u00a0 To save time, she cut straight across the tundra past a small pond on her way SSE to the base of a higher saddle.\u00a0 After a steep climb, she regained the ridgeline\u00a0only 0.33 mile NE of the summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the long sweeping ridge before taking a shortcut directly to the saddle seen on the L. Indian Benchmark is now nearly cloud-free on the R. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A pond comes into view. Lupe would pass to the R of it. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking SSW at Indian Benchmark using the telephoto lens now that the lowest clouds have drifted away from the summit. The N face looked daunting. Lupe wouldn’t be able to climb that!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe takes a break (SPHP needed one) on her way up to the saddle NE of Indian Benchmark. The long, high ridge in the background is part of K’esugi Mountain. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Still on the climb to the high saddle, which is to the R of this photo. Taking this shortcut enabled Lupe to skip going over the rocky part of the sweeping E ridge seen beyond her. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Lupe regained the ridgeline, SPHP was concerned.\u00a0 The upper slopes of Indian Benchmark looked mighty steep.\u00a0 Lupe\u00a0went SW along the ridge to get as close and high as possible prior to a final assessment.<\/p>\n

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Yikes! Lupe has reached the ridgeline up on the high saddle, but the upper slopes of Indian Benchmark look a lot steeper and more formidable than they had from below. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe drew near the base of the sharp final rise up to the top of Indian Benchmark, SPHP\u00a0became increasingly dismayed.\u00a0 The N face of the mountain was way too cliffy to consider, as expected.\u00a0 Any hopes of climbing straight up the narrow NE ridge were dashed, too.\u00a0 Lupe could get partway up,\u00a0but then it looked way too intimidating.<\/p>\n

However, the previously unseen SE\u00a0face was the real disappointment.\u00a0 A very long,\u00a0steep, rocky slope\u00a0plunged far, far\u00a0below to the Indian River valley.\u00a0 Above Lupe’s current position, the slope began at the base of even steeper, more intact rock formations, almost cliffs,\u00a0close to the top of the mountain.<\/p>\n

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Lupe near the base of the final steep rise to the top of Indian Benchmark. SPHP had hoped Lupe would be able to climb directly up the narrow NE ridge (straight ahead) or the SE face (on the L), but they both looked intimidating. What now? Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Even though she was still below the top of Indian Benchmark, Lupe had this tremendous view to the E. Encouragingly, blue sky was visible toward the S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Had coming this way all been a\u00a0huge mistake?\u00a0 Lupe was only 100-150 feet below the summit.\u00a0 Up to this point, her route up Indian Benchmark had been simple and sweet.\u00a0 Now there appeared to be no safe way up the final short stretch.<\/p>\n

Maybe Lupe should have climbed K’esugi Mountain first?\u00a0 The topo map showed a gently sloping ridge 0.125 mile wide\u00a0going all the way\u00a0to the summit of Indian Benchmark from K’esugi Mountain.\u00a0 In fact, Lupe could see part of\u00a0that wide ridge\u00a0from here.\u00a0 There was no way over to it.\u00a0 Lupe would have to traverse the N face of Indian Benchmark to get there.\u00a0 That just wasn’t happening.<\/p>\n

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Lupe could see part of the broad, gentle ridge leading to Indian Benchmark from K’esugi Mountain. Getting to the top of Indian Benchmark from that direction would have been a stroll in the park for Lupe. Unfortunately, there was no safe way over there from here. Photo looks W at K’esugi Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Time to calm down and consider the possibilities, all the possibilities –\u00a0including retreat.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP milled around on the ridgeline,\u00a0studying the views, especially the view of that unexpectedly steep SE face of the mountain.\u00a0 The N face was definitely out.\u00a0 It\u00a0didn’t take long to conclude the narrow spine of the NE ridge to the top wasn’t worth trying, either, but that SE face … maybe it was possible to traverse that SE face and find a way?<\/p>\n

If it hadn’t been for\u00a0some of the experiences Lupe had already been through on\u00a0her Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation, SPHP would most certainly have called a retreat.\u00a0 King’s Throne and Decoeli in the Yukon, Sukakpak and Dillon here in Alaska N of the Arctic Circle, they had all been challenging,\u00a0daunting,\u00a0even\u00a0scary.\u00a0 Yet Lupe had made it to the top of them all.<\/p>\n

Most of those rocks on the SE face were fairly large.\u00a0 They looked pretty stable.<\/p>\n

Loop, let’s see how it goes!<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite the dizzying view, things went fine, at first.\u00a0 The rocks were mostly stable.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP picked a way along to the SW, gaining elevation gradually.\u00a0 After some of\u00a0Lupe’s other recent climbs, this\u00a0wasn’t even scary.\u00a0 Hopes began to soar.<\/p>\n

Soon Lupe was near the base of some of the larger intact rock formations.\u00a0 There appeared to be a reasonable route higher near one of the first ones.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP started up.\u00a0 After a little progress, it was a no go.\u00a0 Too cliffy!\u00a0 Lupe retreated.\u00a0 She continued working SW.<\/p>\n

Another opportunity to climb higher soon presented itself beyond another rock formation.\u00a0 Up and up.\u00a0 Slowly, carefully.\u00a0 The route got steeper, but there were handholds and footholds for SPHP.\u00a0 Somehow, Lupe never seems to have a problem scrambling.\u00a0 She was getting close to the top of the ridge visible above.<\/p>\n

A false summit!\u00a0\u00a0The top\u00a0couldn’t be much farther, though.\u00a0 Wrong again.\u00a0 Lupe climbed and climbed.\u00a0 The route was getting steeper.\u00a0 Progress was slow.\u00a0 There was starting to be more exposure than SPHP cared for.\u00a0 The intrepid Carolina Dog showed no concern, but SPHP was on the verge of retreat again.<\/p>\n

Another 5 or 6 feet almost straight up, there appeared to be some kind of a top, or at least a ledge.\u00a0 SPHP made Lupe wait below, carefully climbing and then hoisting up onto the ledge, face and stomach down on the rock.\u00a0 SPHP looked up, legs still dangling over the edge.\u00a0 The view ahead was amazing and unexpected.<\/p>\n

SPHP was at the far\u00a0NE end of a narrow ridge.\u00a0 The ridge was flat, perhaps\u00a03 or 4 feet wide, 20 feet long, and covered with\u00a0smallish to medium-sized\u00a0rocks.\u00a0 Drop-offs were on both sides.\u00a0 After 20 feet, the ridge broadened out tremendously.<\/p>\n

Looper!\u00a0 You’ve done it!\u00a0 We’re here!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe was up in a flash.\u00a0 SPHP literally crawled along the ridge, not daring to stand up until it had broadened out.\u00a0\u00a0As soon\u00a0as SPHP stood up, there it was!\u00a0 One step to the N,\u00a0sat the Indian Benchmark.<\/p>\n

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The Indian Benchmark sits near the far NE end of the vast summit area at the high point of the mountain. A register is nearby, but there’s not much of a summit cairn. Plenty of rocks around to build one, though!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This was it!\u00a0 The summit of Indian Benchmark mountain.\u00a0 SPHP congratulated Lupe heartily on her latest peakbagging success!\u00a0 Somehow Lupe had reached the top of the mountain right at its very NE end.\u00a0 SPHP must have turned to climb directly up the SE slope much\u00a0sooner than intended.\u00a0 Lupe hadn’t been very far from coming right up\u00a0that NE spine of the mountain SPHP had supposedly ruled out.<\/p>\n

The sky was clearing.\u00a0 Off to the NW,\u00a0the top of\u00a0a gigantic peak peered over the remaining clouds.\u00a0 Denali!?\u00a0 For 10 minutes, Denali spied on Lupe, then vanished.<\/p>\n

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Skies were clearing as Lupe reached the Indian Benchmark. The top of Denali, or some massive peak, appeared briefly above the remaining clouds, as if the mountain was peering over to see how Lupe was faring. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>That was\u00a0a little spooky, Loop!\u00a0 It’s as if Sauron has taken over Denali and is spying on you!\u00a0 You aren’t carrying some ring of power on a necklace concealed under your fur with the intention of destroying it at Mt. Doom are you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Mind your own business, SPHP!\u00a0 The burdens of an American Dingo are no concern of yours.\u00a0 My precious is … I mean, my burdens are my own.<\/em><\/p>\n

Just wondering, for a few minutes there, I was starting to believe we were climbing Mt. Doom.<\/em><\/p>\n

By the way, SPHP,\u00a0is Mt. Doom somewhere around here?\u00a0 Is it on our itinerary?<\/i><\/p>\n

No, not as far as I know.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not far from the survey benchmark, a little out onto the broad summit area, Lupe came to a ridiculously small cairn for a mountain covered with loose rocks.\u00a0 A heavy-duty registry container leaned against it.\u00a0 Lupe’s name is not on the registry.\u00a0 Someone had closed\u00a0the container\u00a0so tightly, SPHP couldn’t get it open.\u00a0 Oh well, time for a short break and photos.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on Indian Benchmark mountain at the pathetic little summit cairn. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking NE toward the end of the mountain where Lupe came up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Intrepid Loopster on Indian Benchmark. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking down on a good deal of the territory Lupe traveled through on her way to Indian Benchmark from the Little Coal Creek Trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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K’esugi Mountain(R), Lupe’s next peakbagging objective, from Indian Benchmark. Getting across that broad, gentle ridge was going to be a snap! Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking SE across the Indian River valley. The large lake on the R is the one marked 1395 ft. elevation on the Peakbagger.com topo map.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As glorious as the views were, Lupe and SPHP stayed only\u00a015 or 20 minutes up on Indian Benchmark.\u00a0 Time waits for no Dingo.\u00a0 Although it\u00a0had certainly\u00a0turned into a beautiful day with blue skies and white clouds,\u00a0Lupe had gotten a rather late start due to the questionable morning weather.\u00a0 Lupe still had to get to K’esugi Mountain<\/a><\/span> (4,700 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, her next peakbagging objective.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe about ready to leave Indian Benchmark for K’esugi Mountain, seen beyond her. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A final look SW along K’esugi Ridge from Indian Benchmark. The K’esugi Ridge Trail popular with backpackers doesn’t come up onto the top of the ridge in this area, staying much lower down NW of K’esugi Mountain. Meanwhile, Carolina Dogs prowl among these remote high points.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe starts down Indian Benchmark. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe went W, crossing the huge ridge over to K’esugi Mountain.\u00a0 Along the way, Lupe had a great view back at Indian Benchmark and\u00a0much of the\u00a0NE ridge she had traveled to get there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Indian Benchmark(R) from the E slopes of K’esugi Mountain. Much of the upper part of Lupe’s route up to Indian Benchmark is seen from the saddle(Center) then R along the NE ridge toward the summit. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Less than an hour after leaving Indian Benchmark, Lupe arrived at the summit of K’esugi Mountain.\u00a0 A\u00a03 or 4\u00a0foot high semi-circular rock wall served as a summit cairn.\u00a0 Lupe liked the rock wall.\u00a0 It provided a bit of shelter from a cold breeze.<\/p>\n

A registry was\u00a0in a sturdy container nearly identical in every respect to the one on Indian Benchmark, with the single important\u00a0exception\u00a0that SPHP was able to get this one open.\u00a0 While Lupe\u00a0hid out\u00a0in the semi-circle,\u00a0SPHP logged her K’esugi Mountain peakbagging success into\u00a0the summit registry.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches the summit of K’esugi Peak. The Chulitna River valley is seen in the distance. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The summit area on Indian Benchmark had been large, but the top of K’esugi Mountain was even bigger. While the part of it seen here is quite flat, large areas sloped gently down at gradually increasing rates from the perimeter in most directions. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe takes shelter from the wind. Finally, a useful summit cairn! Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe spent nearly an hour up on K’esugi Mountain.\u00a0 She explored parts of the huge summit area.\u00a0 SPHP had the idea that she would be able to go down the NW side of the mountain.\u00a0 Not terribly thorough\u00a0investigations in that direction were not encouraging.<\/p>\n

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Indian Benchmark from K’esugi Mountain. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe explores the huge summit area. The rock wall cairn at the actual true summit is in view to the SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It would have been absolutely awesome\u00a0fun if Denali would have come out to play.\u00a0 The views would have been so tremendous!\u00a0 To the S,\u00a0skies were blue with puffy white clouds, but Denali and the rest of the Alaska Range to the NW stubbornly remained hidden in the clouds.\u00a0 If anything, the sky was gradually clouding up even more\u00a0in that direction again.<\/p>\n

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Denali and the rest of the Alaska Range NW of the Chulitna River valley refused to come out of the clouds to play with Lupe. If anything, the sky was clouding up even more in that direction. The rocks on parts of K’esugi Mountain were very dark, almost black, like those seen here. On closer inspection, they were all covered with thick black lichens. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The beautiful Chulitna River valley. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe never went back to the NW end of the mountain to see if there really was a way down, or not.\u00a0\u00a0There seemed to be enough time left in the day for Lupe to explore a longer route.\u00a0 When it was time to leave, Lupe went S instead of N.<\/p>\n

The route became a little worrisome.\u00a0 The S ridge Lupe was going down became progressively narrower and steeper.\u00a0 SPHP\u00a0feared\u00a0Lupe might cliff out, but she didn’t.\u00a0 Lupe made it down to a big saddle leading over to the next\u00a0high hill to the W.<\/p>\n

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Going down the steep S ridge of K’esugi Mountain. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe\u00a0left the saddle going NW down a long rocky slope.\u00a0\u00a0She\u00a0lost\u00a0another 300 feet of elevation before the terrain leveled out.\u00a0\u00a0SPHP took a\u00a0long time, but finally made it down.\u00a0 Lupe turned N.<\/p>\n

Ahead was rough terrain, an\u00a0open\u00a0wilderness filled with\u00a0a variety of\u00a0features.\u00a0 There were rocks and ridges, hills and drop-offs, large boulder fields left by landslides or erosion.\u00a0 Green oases\u00a0surrounded diminutive mirror-like ponds connected by sparkling streams.\u00a0 Soft\u00a0tundra,\u00a0easy on the paws, blanketed part of the scene.\u00a0 A slowly melting\u00a0snowbank invited Lupe\u00a0to cool off.<\/p>\n

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

The air was cool; the evening light, dramatic; the solitude, complete.\u00a0 Lupe dashed around at great speed,\u00a0abruptly changing directions,\u00a0exploring wherever she wanted to go.\u00a0 She stopped to drink cold water, and sniff the wild world.\u00a0 As far as Lupe was concerned, this was the best part of the day.\u00a0 For an hour, she was in Dingo Paradise.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Looking NE along part of the NW face of K’esugi Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pure joy NW of K’esugi Mountain. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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N face of K’esugi Mountain. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At a little pass near 3,500 foot elevation, Lupe found the K’esugi Ridge Trail.\u00a0 She followed it E back\u00a0to the Little Coal Creek Trail she had left many hours before.\u00a0 Three guys from Houston, Texas were standing on the trail.\u00a0 They had expensive wonderful cameras, and\u00a0were planning to camp nearby, hoping to get some shots of Denali at sunrise tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Twilight was already fading fast, but for a few minutes, a little patch of Denali peered stealthily at Lupe\u00a0through\u00a0a hole in the clouds.\u00a0 Everyone was tremendously excited and encouraged.\u00a0 SPHP wished the guys from Houston well.\u00a0 Then Lupe\u00a0proceeded down Little Coal Creek Trail looking forward to a meal and 40 winks at the G6. (11:31 PM)<\/p>\n

Note: The 3.3 mile long Little Coal Creek Trail is the northernmost\u00a0of several access routes\u00a0to the K’esugi Ridge Trail in Denali State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 The K’esugi Ridge Trail is popular with multi-day backpackers for its alpine terrain and sweeping views to the N\u00a0of Denali and the Alaska Range.\u00a0 The traverse\u00a0of K’esugi Ridge\u00a0from the Little Coal Creek\u00a0trailhead\u00a0is as much as 37 miles to the Upper Troublesome Creek trailhead, but shorter\u00a0treks are possible using other access trails.<\/em><\/p>\n

Link to Map & Guide of K’esugi Ridge Trail System North<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Link to Map & Guide of K’esugi Ridge Trail System South<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Lupe in Dingo Paradise near K’esugi Mountain, Alaska.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Related Posts:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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

K’esugi Ridge: Ermine Hill & Peak 3700, Denali State Park, Alaska (9-4-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

K’esugi Ridge: Ermine Hill, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-26-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

K’esugi Ridge: Whimbrel Hill & Golog Benchmark, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-19-16)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from Lupe’s 2016 Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, <\/span><\/em>Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days 18, 19 & 20 of Lupe’s 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska 8-16-16.\u00a0 Morning in the Arctic.\u00a0 Still lots of clouds around, but the sun was shining promisingly\u00a0on a field W of the Dalton Highway.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP weren’t going anywhere. Yesterday had been incredible!\u00a0 Lupe had succeeded in\u00a0climbing Dillon … Continue reading K’esugi Ridge: Indian Benchmark & K’esugi Mountain, Denali State Park, Alaska (8-18-16)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7553,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","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":[726],"tags":[704,105,106,731,26,734,735,732,733,104,11],"class_list":["post-7571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2016-canadian-rockies-yukon-alaska","tag-alaska","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-denali-state-park","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-indian-benchmark","tag-kesugi-mountain","tag-kesugi-ridge-trail","tag-little-coal-creek-trail","tag-lupe","tag-peakbagging"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/IMG_2122.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\/7571","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=7571"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7571\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47284,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7571\/revisions\/47284"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7553"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7571"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7571"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7571"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}