{"id":8367,"date":"2017-05-17T08:10:59","date_gmt":"2017-05-17T14:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=8367"},"modified":"2020-05-13T09:13:15","modified_gmt":"2020-05-13T15:13:15","slug":"pepper-peak-chugach-state-park-alaska-8-31-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=8367","title":{"rendered":"Pepper Peak, Chugach State Park, Alaska (8-31-16)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 33 of Lupe’s Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska<\/em><\/p>\n

Yowser!\u00a0 Over 4,500 feet of elevation gain!\u00a0 Most definitely a long day ahead.\u00a0\u00a0Yet it would be a glorious one, if Lupe and SPHP could make it to the top of Pepper Peak.\u00a0 Soup, Swiss Miss and sardines for breakfast.\u00a0 SPHP was sick of sardines, but Lupe devoured the rest of the tin with gusto.\u00a0 Thank heavens!<\/p>\n

SPHP paid the $5.00 daily trailhead parking fee, then Lupe went down for a look at gorgeous Eklunta Lake.\u00a0 Totally clear skies and nearly calm.\u00a0 Conditions were going to be perfect!\u00a0 After a few minutes along the lakeshore, Lupe and SPHP went looking for the trail to Twin Peaks.\u00a0 (9:19 AM, 39\u00b0F)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s long last day of August 2016 started on the shore of beautiful Eklunta Lake. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way to the trail, Lupe got a glimpse of what was in store for her –\u00a0the\u00a0long, long\u00a0SW ridge of\u00a0Pepper Peak<\/a><\/span> (5,381 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 The view was a bit daunting.\u00a0 It didn’t look scary, or like something Lupe couldn’t do, just exhaustingly long.\u00a0 As they say, though, every journey starts with that first step.\u00a0 Lupe’s paws were already trotting right along.\u00a0 She would get up Pepper Peak, if SPHP could.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The sheer size of Pepper Peak from down near lake level was a bit daunting. However, it didn’t look like anything technical or too scary. Lupe could do that! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe crossed a bridge over Thachkatnu Creek.\u00a0 The Twin Peaks trail headed off to the L (NNW).\u00a0\u00a0Lupe’s long climb began.<\/p>\n

Such a beautiful day!\u00a0 The Twin Peaks trail started in a forest.\u00a0 There wasn’t much to be seen except the trees.\u00a0\u00a0The trail zigged NE.\u00a0 Right away, Lupe gained 300 or 400 feet of elevation on a relentless, fairly steep climb.\u00a0 The trail then zagged NW for a longer stretch on the way to the Thachkatnu Creek valley between Twin Peaks and Pepper Peak.<\/p>\n

The trail wasn’t as steep along in here.\u00a0\u00a0Autumn was\u00a0already on its way to Alaska.\u00a0 Leaves\u00a0were beginning to turn yellow.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed and explored along the newly carpeted\u00a0Yellow Leaf trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the Yellow Leaf Trail! Toto on the way to the Emerald … no wait, make that Lupe on a relatively flat section of the Twin Peaks trail on her way to the Thachkatnu Creek valley between Twin Peaks and Pepper Peak. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the Twin Peaks trail\u00a0reached the Thachkatnu Creek valley, it turned NE again, staying high up on the Pepper Peak side.\u00a0 Near the gradual turn, the trail had become steeper, gaining\u00a0elevation\u00a0even faster\u00a0than before.\u00a0 Lupe gained another 300 or 400 feet\u00a0before the slope slackened as the trail zigged back to the SE.<\/p>\n

Lupe had gained enough elevation by now so that she was getting close to tree line.\u00a0 The forest was starting to thin out a bit.\u00a0 Along another steep climb to the NE, Lupe reached an opening with a gorgeous view of Eklunta Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the first clear view of Eklunta Lake from the Twin Peaks trail. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two benches are positioned along the Twin Peaks trail.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe was almost to the first one.\u00a0 Another steep little climb and she was there.<\/p>\n

SPHP had been looking for the benches for a while.\u00a0 Lupe had already come so far, SPHP thought it was possible she had somehow missed the first bench, but this was actually it.\u00a0 As SPHP learned a little later on, only the first bench has a view of Eklunta Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the first of two benches along the Twin Peaks trail. Only the first bench has a view of Eklunta Lake. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the first bench, the trail turned back to the NW again leaving Eklunta Lake behind.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe was still mostly in forest, but tall bushes were becoming more prominent.\u00a0 From here on, the trail kept climbing steadily.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe came to\u00a0no more relatively level sections.\u00a0 It was all\u00a0sort of\u00a0steep.<\/p>\n

Soon\u00a0Lupe was back over toward the Thachkatnu Creek valley again.\u00a0 Once more, the trail turned NE going up the valley,\u00a0remaining high up on the Pepper Peak side.\u00a0 The forest gave way to the tall bushes as Lupe went up.\u00a0 Lupe could see Twin Peaks towering over the opposite side of the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Twin Peaks from the Twin Peaks trail before reaching the 2nd bench. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe\u00a0must have been almost\u00a0a mile from the first bench, when she reached the second one.\u00a0\u00a0This bench\u00a0was located on the Thachkatnu Creek side of Pepper Peak’s SW ridge.\u00a0 Twin Peaks were in view, but not Eklunta Lake.\u00a0 There were still lots of tall bushes near the second bench, but Lupe wasn’t far from reaching bush line where the views would really open up.<\/p>\n

At the second bench, Lupe faced a choice.\u00a0 She could continue following a trail, presumably part of the Twin Peaks trail,\u00a0up the Thachkatnu Creek valley toward the saddle between the Twin Peaks and Pepper Peak.\u00a0 The other choice was to take a side trail going SE up to the SW ridgeline coming down from Pepper Peak.<\/p>\n

According to information SPHP had found online, Lupe could eventually reach the top of Pepper Peak either way.\u00a0 However, the trail going up the Thachkatnu Creek valley would have limited views for a long way.\u00a0\u00a0On Pepper Peak’s SW ridge, Lupe would be able to see Eklunta Lake the entire time, plus lots of magnificent mountains beyond.<\/p>\n

With no more to go on than that, the choice was easy. \u00a0Lupe left the second bench following the trail toward\u00a0the SW ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe takes a break while SPHP checks the map. She is already a little past the second bench back at the Twin Peaks trail, on her way over to the SW ridgeline coming down from Pepper Peak. By now, she was above the forest and tall bushes, but still faced a tremendous climb to the top of Pepper Peak. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ridgeline was farther from the second bench than SPHP expected, but it didn’t take Lupe too long to get there.\u00a0 Beautiful Eklunta Lake was in sight again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches Pepper Peak’s SW ridgeline after leaving the Twin Peaks trail and the second bench behind. Even though a very long way remained to the top of Pepper Peak, she had definitely made some progress. The view of Eklunta Lake was getting better and better. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had already come a long way, but the real climb, the long one up Pepper Peak’s SW ridge was just about to begin.\u00a0 Lupe was no longer on any formal, maintained trail, but\u00a0there was still a path leading\u00a0higher.\u00a0 Even without the path, the route was plain to see.\u00a0 Just keep heading up the ridge.<\/p>\n

Lupe climbed and climbed.\u00a0 The views kept improving with every step higher.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Going up Pepper Peak’s SW ridge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
West Twin Peak<\/a><\/span> (5,472 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) and East Twin Peak<\/a><\/span> (5,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) from Pepper Peak’s SW ridge.\u00a0 Sorry ’bout making you stare into the sun, Looper!<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a long way, Pepper Peak’s SW ridge was broad and rounded.\u00a0 Other than the steepness, there were no other issues at all to deal with.\u00a0 Up and up was all there was to it, as fast as heart, lungs, legs and desire allowed.\u00a0 SPHP was getting close to a high point near the end of this relatively easy part of the climb, when suddenly Lupe let out a tremendous WOOF!<\/p>\n

SPHP looked around.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 What on earth was she woofing at here?\u00a0 Lupe WOOFED again.\u00a0 Oh, there!\u00a0 SPHP looked up, straight up.\u00a0 Two parasailors were floating high above!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe spotted these two parasailors high above Pepper Peak’s SW ridge. Photo looks, yes, UP!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wow!\u00a0 That looked both scary and amazingly fun.\u00a0 Time for a parasailor break!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went just a little higher to the top of the nearby high point, then stopped to watch the parasailors for a while.<\/p>\n

The parasailors were moving quite fast.\u00a0 They lost elevation relatively quickly, but seemed to have no problem finding thermals to take them soaring again.\u00a0 It was incredible how far and fast they flew.\u00a0 The one with the pink chute soon flew miles away to the SE far beyond Shaker Peak, and ultimately completely out of sight.<\/p>\n

The parasailor with the green, white and blue chute hung around for a while.\u00a0 He made a couple of passes not terribly far above Lupe, which excited her tremendously.\u00a0 She had never seen such a huge bird in all her life!\u00a0 Why it must be a Roc, or a Pterodactyl!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The parasailer with the pink chute soon flew miles away out of sight far beyond Shaker Peak, but this one stuck around to buzz Lupe a couple of times. Was she ever excited! She had never seen a Pterodactyl so close up before! It’s wingspan was HUGE! However, even a Pterodactyl didn’t have the guts to come all the way down to the ground to tangle with an American Dingo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Simply WOW! What else is there to say?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second parasailor drifted away out of sight.\u00a0 Wow!\u00a0 SPHP wondered where they had started from, and how they would ever get back.\u00a0 Who knew?<\/p>\n

Time to press on again.\u00a0 The way forward was becoming steeper and rockier.\u00a0 The toughest part of the climb was about to begin.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at newly designated Parasailor Point. The toughest part of the climb up Pepper Peak was about to begin. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Salt Peak<\/a><\/span> (5,455 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) and Shaker Peak<\/a><\/span> (5,089 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) from Parasailor Point. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ridge became rockier and rockier as Lupe progressed.\u00a0 There was still a trail, but it\u00a0was less well-defined and harder to follow.\u00a0 The slope became steeper.\u00a0 Exposure increased.\u00a0 Lupe\u00a0encountered more and more loose rock.\u00a0 She tried to stay up near the ridge line, but wound up a little below and to the SE of it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NW toward Twin Peaks just before tackling the last, big ragged rocky section of Pepper Peak’s SW ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The last ragged, rocky section nearing the top of Pepper Peak. Lupe stayed a little below the ridgeline on the SE (R) side. The trail was hard to follow here. Lupe encountered quite a bit of loose rock and some exposure. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the ragged part of the ridge wasn’t terribly long, it took a while to navigate it.\u00a0 Lupe finally got past it, though.\u00a0 The ridge was now leveling out.\u00a0 The going was getting a lot easier.\u00a0\u00a0It couldn’t be much farther to the top of Pepper Peak!<\/p>\n

Ahead was one more big knob of rock.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP\u00a0had seen it from far, far\u00a0below.\u00a0 SPHP\u00a0believed it was the summit.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe seemed to be way up in the sky.\u00a0 Who knew what kind of precipice might be on the other side?<\/p>\n

The trail was in much better condition again here.\u00a0 It wound up the SE side of the knob.\u00a0 Lupe headed up.\u00a0 SPHP followed close behind.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on her way up the last craggy knob. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe reached the top of the craggy knob.\u00a0 SPHP was glad to see Lupe had not arrived at a\u00a0pinnacle\u00a0surrounded by\u00a0dangerous cliffs.\u00a0 The top of the craggy knob wasn’t terribly large, but had a nice, flat area where Lupe could relax with a fantastic view of Eklunta Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe arrives up on top of the last craggy knob of Pepper Peak’s SW ridge. She had a nice flat area on which to relax. The view of Eklunta Lake more than 4,000 feet below was fantastic! Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe had approached the craggy knob, SPHP caught a glimpse of a rounded hill some distance beyond it.\u00a0 The truth became clear even before Lupe reached the top of the knob.\u00a0 This last knob of rock was not<\/em><\/strong> the summit of\u00a0Pepper Peak.\u00a0 The true summit was over\u00a0at the top of the rounded hill.<\/p>\n

This wasn’t bad news.\u00a0 In fact, it was good news!\u00a0\u00a0The remaining\u00a0distance to the\u00a0true summit was an easy trek.\u00a0 The trail followed an\u00a0almost level\u00a0final stretch\u00a0of ridgeline straight toward it.\u00a0 Piece of cake!\u00a0 When Lupe arrived, she was going\u00a0to find a\u00a0nice, big, roomy summit.\u00a0 She could be there in minutes!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Even before Lupe reached the top of the final crag of rock coming up the SW ridge, the last stretch of the ridgeline leading to the true summit of Pepper Peak came into view. Getting there was going to be a piece of cake! Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views were so amazing, Lupe and SPHP stayed on the last craggy knob of rock for a few minutes before continuing on.<\/p>\n

The final journey to the true summit was joyous.\u00a0 Lupe was going to make it to the top of Pepper Peak!\u00a0 She arrived to find a large cairn at the high point at the N end of a spacious summit.\u00a0 This was it.\u00a0 More than 4,500 feet above where she’d started, Lupe stood at the very top of Pepper Peak<\/a><\/span> (5,381 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the true summit of Pepper Peak! Twin Peaks, and the saddle leading over to them, are in view beyond her. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The summit of Pepper Peak was an amazing place!\u00a0 Lupe had sweeping 360\u00b0 panoramic views.\u00a0 Nearby, she could see many peaks of similar elevation.\u00a0 Long, barren ridges, many knife-edged,\u00a0connected one peak to another to another.\u00a0 In between the ridges were deep U-shaped valleys carved by long departed giant glaciers of the ice age.\u00a0 Eklunta Lake was a beautiful highlight, with big snow and ice-covered peaks in sight miles away beyond its S end.<\/p>\n

However, Pepper Peak had a lot more to offer than just the glories relatively close at hand.\u00a0 Pepper Peak is a place for binoculars.\u00a0 Despite not being the highest peak around, Lupe could see tremendous distances in most directions.\u00a0 On the far horizons gleamed many\u00a0white wonders of Alaska.\u00a0 SPHP knew the names of a few, but most were unknown places of mystery, glimpsed for the first time from afar here on Pepper Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
One of the more spectacular high peaks in the distance far from Pepper Peak. Photo looks ESE using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Many of the grand peaks visible in the distance from Pepper Peak were so far away, it was next to impossible to get both Lupe and the distant mountain in focus in the same photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the SW, barely visible beyond shimmering Cook Inlet, Lupe could make out\u00a0Redoubt Volcano<\/a><\/span> (10,197 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and nearby white mountains of the Aleutian Range.\u00a0 Redoubt was so far away, it hardly even showed up in a photo.\u00a0 To the NW, still far off, but somewhat closer, were the colossal peaks of the Alaska Range.\u00a0 Mount Foraker<\/a><\/span> (17,400 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Denali<\/a><\/span> (20,310 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> at least showed up using the camera’s telephoto lens.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Denali, the highest mountain in North America, from Pepper Peak using the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Foraker. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Unknown peaks of the Alaska Range visible from Pepper Peak. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the ESE, Lupe saw a huge, long snowy ridge.\u00a0 SPHP had no idea what the names of any of those mountains along the ridge were, but the sight was spectacular, and not quite so far away.\u00a0 In fact, the views toward the E and\u00a0S were the most amazing of any Lupe saw from Pepper Peak.\u00a0 The amount of snow and ice visible, even from a distance, was incredible!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Amazing sights were to the E & S of Pepper Peak, such as this huge, long, towering ridge of white mountains. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking ESE with even a little more help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Many people only go as far on the Twin Peaks trail as the first or second bench. Nice, of course, but only by coming all the way up to the top of Pepper Peak will you see this!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The huge snowy ridge connected to an enormous snowfield to the S. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Wow! Gorgeous! Love that soft appearing pure white ridge on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course, Eklunta Lake to the SSE and the snowy peaks beyond it were highlights of the views from Pepper Peak, too!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Eklunta Lake from the summit of Pepper Peak. The high peak on the left is Bold Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,522 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peaks beyond Eklunta Lake through the telephoto lens. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
More peaks beyond Eklunta Lake. Still looking SSE, but a bit more toward the S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bold Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,522 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, seen again here, is a couple miles E of the S end of Eklunta Lake. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
S end of Eklunta Lake using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before arriving at the summit of Pepper Peak, SPHP had given some thought to having Lupe go on to Shaker Peak<\/a><\/span> (5,089 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>,\u00a0about a mile away to the SE.\u00a0 However, the views were so splendid from Pepper Peak, and it had been such a long climb to get here, that the Shaker Peak idea got dropped.<\/p>\n

Lupe was fine with the decision.\u00a0 It meant she got a nice long rest on Pepper Peak, while SPHP continued to stare off into the distance in fascination.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Anyone out there know the name of this eye-catching mountain?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking N toward Palmer and the Matanuska River. Lazy Mountain<\/a><\/span> (3,740 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is seen on the R. Lupe hoped to climb Lazy Mountain tomorrow!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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It was hard not to keep coming back to this view again and again. It made such an impression! Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
SPHP believes the top of Shaker Peak is in view here on the lower right. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking ESE again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at Pepper Peak’s summit cairn with Mount Foraker(L) and Denali(R) in the distance. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe with Denali in the background. Lupe never got a clear view of Denali when she had been in Denali State Park. The titanic mountain had almost always been completely hidden in the clouds. She had a clear, if distant, view of it from Pepper Peak, though! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looper and SPHP stayed up on Pepper Peak for more than 2 hours.\u00a0 Only one other person came up to the summit during all that time, despite the perfect weather.\u00a0 An Alaskan\u00a0named Craig\u00a0appeared from the Twin Peaks route.<\/p>\n

SPHP raved about the views from Pepper Peak.\u00a0 To Craig, though,\u00a0Pepper Peak was just another\u00a0pleasant summit among many in Alaska.\u00a0 Craig stayed all of 10 minutes on top, then headed for the SW ridge Lupe had come up.\u00a0 Another day, another amazing mountain in Alaska, ho-hum.<\/p>\n

SPHP’s enthusiasm wasn’t diminished in the least.\u00a0 Lupe seemed happy here, too!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster on Pepper Peak with gorgeous Eklunta Lake as a backdrop. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe keeps an eye on the sky. You never know when another Pterodactyl might choose to come swooping down on you around here!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Did you bring any water, SPHP? I’m getting thirsty just looking at this.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Well, did you?<\/em> Bold Peak on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Hmmm, this is starting to look faintly familiar. Sure is beautiful, though! Loopster, we need one of these for the back yard!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This would do nicely, as well.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>Lupe was just chillin’ up on Pepper Peak, while SPHP took more photos of photographed photos.\u00a0 Although time was moving on, SPHP found it difficult to tear away from the tremendous views.\u00a0 Mountain mania continued a little longer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe chillin’ on Pepper Peak with the Twin Peaks in view beyond her. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe wasn’t in any big hurry to leave either. She liked Pepper Peak just fine. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
See that white peak poking up on the far left? SPHP wondered if Lupe hadn’t also seen it from The Ramp<\/a><\/span> (5,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> a couple of days ago.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This photo doesn’t make as much use of the telephoto lens, but shows the relationships between some of the peaks better.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sweet! Cranking up the telephoto lens for an even closer look than before.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>After more than 2 hours on Pepper Peak, it really was time to go.\u00a0 Even so, it was hard to tear away from the incomparable views.\u00a0\u00a0This climb had been so worthwhile!\u00a0 SPHP was very glad Lupe had made the trip.\u00a0 At last, though, Lupe had to\u00a0begin the trek back to the G6.<\/p>\n

On the way down, Lupe was going to take the Twin Peaks route, even though it meant not being able to see\u00a0as much along the way.\u00a0 The Twin Peaks route did have one advantage. \u00a0Lupe would avoid the rocky scramble along the upper part of Pepper Peak’s SW ridge.<\/p>\n

Exactly how to get to the Twin Peaks route wasn’t entirely clear.\u00a0 One thing was for certain. \u00a0Lupe needed to get down to the saddle between Pepper Peak and Twin Peaks.\u00a0 Craig had reached the summit cairn coming up from the N, which was the shortest route and\u00a0probably made the most\u00a0sense.<\/p>\n

Lupe, however, started off going S back down toward the last rocky knob she’d reached on the SW ridge on the way up.\u00a0 Before she quite got to it, she turned sharply back toward the N, following sheep trails below and to the W of\u00a0the summit of Pepper Peak toward the saddle to Twin Peaks.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the last rocky knob of Pepper Peak’s SW ridge (seen on the L) on the way down from the summit. From here, Lupe turned sharply almost 180\u00b0 back toward the right. She followed sheep trails below the summit over to the saddle between Pepper Peak and Twin Peaks. This worked just fine, though Craig’s more direct route going N from the summit was shorter and probably just as easy. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back up toward Pepper Peak from the saddle leading to Twin Peaks. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe saw a couple herds of sheep way over on the slopes of the Twin Peaks. Several dozen sheep were in sight. Photo taken using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail Lupe was following along the saddle seemed determined to stay up on the ridgeline.\u00a0 Perhaps SPHP gave up on the trail too soon?\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP left it to start heading down into the Thachkatnu Creek valley, expecting to find another trail down there before too long.\u00a0 That didn’t happen.<\/p>\n

As is often the case, Lupe had most of her fun on the Pepper Peak excursion on the way back to the G6.\u00a0 She loved roaming the tundra in the Thachkatnu Creek valley!\u00a0 She ran far and wide, sniffing and exploring.\u00a0 At times she was just a distant speck of a Dingo.\u00a0\u00a0Once she reappeared from a completely unexpected direction after being out of sight for a few minutes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Pepper Peak from the upper part of the Thachkatnu Creek valley, still not terribly far below the saddle between Pepper Peak and the Twin Peaks. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The route back down via the saddle and Thachkatnu Creek valley had absolutely no scrambling, exposure, or areas of loose rock.\u00a0 So it’s perfectly possible to reach the top of Pepper Peak completely avoiding that kind of thing.\u00a0 Somewhere, there’s probably a decent trail much of the way, but it must have been closer to Twin Peaks than Lupe and SPHP went.<\/p>\n

For a long, long way, Lupe and SPHP lost elevation without coming to a trail.\u00a0 The vegetation became denser and taller as Lupe went lower.\u00a0 However, she didn’t get quite all the way down to where the tall bushes and forest started in earnest.\u00a0 Lupe finally found a trail when she was about at the elevation of the second (higher) bench on the Twin Peaks trail.\u00a0 By then, she wasn’t that far away from it.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP lost even more elevation crossing Thachkatnu Creek,\u00a0but immediately had to regain it, climbing steeply on the other side.\u00a0 Not too surprisingly, Lupe arrived at\u00a0the Twin Peaks trail right at the second bench.\u00a0 All that\u00a0remained was a long, pleasant downhill stroll on the Twin Peaks trail.<\/p>\n

Near\u00a0the first bench, Lupe saw Eklunta Lake in the evening sunlight one more time from above.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Eklunta Lake in the evening sunlight from near the first bench on the Twin Peaks trail. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And one more time, Lupe followed the Yellow Leaf trail, this time all the way to the end of her magnificent Pepper Peak adventure.\u00a0 (8:38 PM, 58\u00b0F)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the Yellow Leaf trail once more.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Chugach State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Chugach State Park Map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Chugach State Park Brochure<\/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<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 33 of Lupe’s Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska Yowser!\u00a0 Over 4,500 feet of elevation gain!\u00a0 Most definitely a long day ahead.\u00a0\u00a0Yet it would be a glorious one, if Lupe and SPHP could make it to the top of Pepper Peak.\u00a0 Soup, Swiss Miss and sardines for breakfast.\u00a0 … Continue reading Pepper Peak, Chugach State Park, Alaska (8-31-16)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8313,"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":[704,105,106,765,26,771,104,770],"class_list":["post-8367","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-chugach-state-park","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-eklunta-lake","tag-lupe","tag-pepper-peak"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_2646.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\/8367","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=8367"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27131,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8367\/revisions\/27131"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}