May 2015 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

The Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness & A Night on Bald Mountain (7-10-13)

Early on the gorgeous summer morning of July 10, 2013, Lupe and SPHP set out on their 2nd Annual Great Dingo Vacation. Unlike 2012, this time they were alone. Once on the road, SPHP could hardly remember ever feeling so free. Although SPHP had told everyone that Lupe was headed for the Beartooths and Canadian Rockies, the truth was that Lupe and SPHP could have gone anywhere and done anything in the next 3 or 4 weeks and no one would have been the wiser.

What a cutie pie! Lupe in the G6 ready to hit the road on her 2nd Annual Great Dingo Vacation 7-10-13

SPHP turned off the cell phone shortly after leaving town. It and the radio would not be turned on again until dingo vacation was over. SPHP had the windows on the G6 partly down so Lupe could sniff the wonderful cool morning air. Lupe was riding shotgun and kept a close eye out for cows to bark at. It was plenty noisy in the G6 with the frantic dingo sounding off every 30 seconds. There were big beautiful clouds over the Black Hills, but the clouds were smaller by the time Lupe was crossing into Wyoming on I-90.

The plan for the first day was to head to the glorious Bighorn Mountains in N central Wyoming. There was plenty of time to get there. In 2012, when Lanis had been along, SPHP had wanted to see some new territory and had Lanis turn N on Hwy 14/16 at Gillette, WY to go see Spotted Horse. There had proven to be just one little store there, but there was a spotted horse! SPHP thought it would be fun for Lupe to go see it again this year.

Lupe and SPHP took the northern route into the Bighorns on Hwy 14A through Ranchester and Dayton up to Burgess Junction. Near Burgess Junction, SPHP turned N on a gravel road for a couple of miles. The road led to the North Tongue River and SPHP parked the G6 near it. A huge gorgeous field of wildflowers stretched unbroken upstream. Young Lupe, only 2.5 years old, had arrived at the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness!

Lupe cools off in the North Tongue River, Bighorn Mountains, WY

Lupe & SPHP roamed upstream. Lupe sometimes got into the crystal clear North Tongue River to cool off and drink. Colorful butterflies flitted through the air, dragonflies zoomed around, and bees buzzed among the infinity of blossoms. Lupe raced, bounded and sniffed her way through the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness.

SPHP wandered up onto a nearby small ridge and followed it to a forested hill. Lupe and SPHP climbed up onto the rocks from where there was a view of the surrounding open fields, forests and mountains. Black and brown cows grazed near the river below. The scene was typical of the beauty of the Bighorns. It was great to be alive and free!

Lupe went as far as the nearby forested hill at the right of this photo.

Bighorn Mountains from the rocky hill Lupe climbed.

Lupe surveys the scene above the North Tongue River. — Lupe surveys the scene from above the North Tongue River.

The afternoon wore on. Sadly Lupe’s time in the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness drew to an end. SPHP headed the G6 W on Hwy 14A from Burgess Junction. Just E of Bald Mountain near the W end of the Bighorns, SPHP turned the G6 onto a side road. The only clouds were far on the western horizon. Very fortunately, the weather was going to be clear this evening.

Despite not really being very well equipped for it, SPHP managed to lug 2 sleeping bags, and a pillow or two up to the summit of Bald Mountain (10,042 ft.). From there, Lupe and SPHP continued on along the gently rounded ridge to the slightly lower SW part of the mountain.

Lupe just E of Bald Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, WY

There Lupe & SPHP spent the evening with a sweeping view from the E around to the S and W. Lupe and SPHP searched the mountain. SPHP almost despaired of finding them, and then suddenly stumbled upon the names. Very happily, SPHP fixed them.

After the sun went down, SPHP persuaded Lupe to lay down in a sleeping bag for a little while. That wouldn’t last. The stars came out and the universe was on display. Far below and away on the prairies to the S and W, gradually the distant lights of little Wyoming towns started to shine too. A sliver of a moon was about to set in the W.

There was no tent. Lupe was going to spend the night under the stars. Her amazement and excitement eventually proved uncontainable. She slept well for a few hours and then SPHP awoke to suddenly realize she was gone. Lupe hadn’t gone far though, SPHP soon heard the tinkle of the little tag on her collar as she ran around beneath the stars. Lupe could not be persuaded to lay down again. SPHP tried to sleep.

Lupe on Bald Mountain, WY 7-10-13 — Looking S from Bald Mountain.

But I'm not sleepy!!!! — But I’m not sleepy!!!! Lupe with a big night of sniffing and racing around beneath the stars ahead of her.

For hours, SPHP dozed fitfully, while listening every few minutes for the tinkle of the little tag on Lupe’s collar. Lupe raced back and forth in the darkness sniffing at top speed the open ground on top of Bald Mountain. She returned to check in with SPHP every 10 or 15 minutes.

Lupe and SPHP were at nearly 10,000 feet. The Milky Way blazed spectacularly above as the rest of the universe sped away as it has been doing for billions of years. The silence and solitude of being totally alone on a high mountain were primal and magnificent. Sometime in the wee hours of the night, Lupe was finally willing to lay down on her sleeping bag and SPHP passed out.

Morning on Bald Mountain looking W towards the mountain where the Medicine Wheel Historical Site is located. 7-11-13

Lupe immortalized in stone on Bald Mountain 7-11-13

Morning on Bald Mountain looking ESE. 7-13-15 — Morning on Bald Mountain looking SE, Bighorn Mountains, WY 7-11-13

A chilly breeze was blowing in the morning. The fuzzy white heads at the tops of the stems on some kind of plant that covered the area were waving in the breeze, somewhat like dandelions whose seeds didn’t fly away. The effect was beautiful. SPHP looked for the place of names again and found it. SPHP added Lupe’s name to the collection. Then Lupe and SPHP returned to the summit of Bald Mountain, an easy stroll up a gentle rise to the east.

After a pause at the top of Bald Mountain to absorb the glory of the scene spreading out in every direction, Lupe & SPHP headed down to the G6, a tiny red dot below.

Sweet Lupe in the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness 7-10-13. May it always be so!

Links:

Next Adventure

Beyond the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness to the Garden of the Gods & The Crack of Doom! (6-11-18)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 130 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Samelius to Big Pine & Horsethief Lake (5-23-15)

Lupe’s uncle Joe and cousin Dusty were in town for Memorial Day weekend. Joe had hoped to climb Harney Peak (7,242 ft.), but the weather was not cooperating. With gloomily overcast skies this morning, it wasn’t at all sure there was going to be any kind of a successful outing this day. An 80% chance of rain was in the forecast, but it wasn’t raining yet as Lupe and SPHP drove out to Lupe’s grandma’s house to pick up Joe & Dusty. The plan was to head out not too far into the hills and hope the rain would hold off for at least a few hours.

Joe parked the G6 at the Samelius trailhead of the Centennial Trail just off Hwy 16. Surprisingly, the almost foggy conditions had broken up on the way. There were even sizeable patches of blue sky around. Perhaps there was an inversion going on, which sometimes happens in the hills. Typically the inversions happen in the winter though – May would be quite an unusual time for one. In any case, things were looking up.

Since Joe and Dusty had already hiked N on the Centennial Trail No. 89 with Lupe as far as Mount Warner (5,889 ft.) on a previous trip to the Black Hills, today SPHP suggested heading S towards the Big Pine trailhead. Horsethief Lake was just a short distance off the trail beyond Big Pine and might be a good goal for the day, provided the weather continued to be cooperative. Fog still swirled around the summits of nearby Samelius (5,856 ft.) and Hardesty Peaks (5,562 ft.) as Lupe, Dusty, Joe & SPHP headed S on the Centennial Trail from the Samelius trailhead.

Lupe and Dusty ran ahead resuming their role as scouts, just as they had the day before on Expedition No. 129. The first part of the trail paralleled Hwy 16 heading W for a little way before turning S to go through a narrow little tunnel for foot traffic under Hwy 16. Lupe hadn’t been here since Expedition No. 9 way back on 3-4-12. Back then Lupe had only been 14 months old and the long, dark, narrow tunnel had been just too scary for her. SPHP had carried her through it in both directions.

Lupe S of Hwy 16 on the Centennial Trail No. 89.

Lupe had forgotten all about those long ago fears now. She and Dusty both trotted through the tunnel with complete confidence. Beyond the tunnel, the Centennial Trail headed up a partially wooded hillside and joined a gravel road for a short distance. Soon the Centennial Trail left the gravel road again and went through an area of small hills covered with a woods sparse enough so a fair amount of grass was growing between the trees. Both Lupe and Dusty had a great time running around exploring the area.

Dusty on Centennial Trail No. 89. New leaves are sprouting on the trees this time of year. — Dusty having a romp along Centennial Trail No. 89. New leaves are sprouting on the trees this time of year.

At first, the Centennial Trail was close enough to Hwy 16 to hear the traffic on it. Sometimes the highway was even in view. After about 0.5 mile though, the trail reached a creek which is a small tributary of Battle Creek and headed away from the highway down into a wooded narrow valley with steep rocky walls. The trail didn’t follow the creek for too long before leaving it to head more to the W while heading up a small side valley.

Lupe & Dusty scout ahead on Centennial Trail No. 89.

The trail came to a wide gentle little pass where there were some rock outcroppings on both sides of the trail. While still in the area of the pass, the 1880 train could be heard in the distance ahead. The trail headed into a grassy field. Small trees were growing in the field and will eventually turn this field into forest again. Just ahead, some of the big granite outcroppings near the start of the Black Elk Wilderness came into view.

Lupe in the field beyond the little pass. Granite outcroppings in the Black Elk Wilderness visible in the distance.

Nearing a home along the old Keystone to Hill City road, Lupe and Dusty heard some marmots whistle an alarm over by the rocks to the N. They ran over to investigate, but were soon back, the marmots having taken cover. The Centennial Trail skirted to the SE of the private property with its heard, but not seen, ferocious little defending doggie. The trail crossed Battle Creek, the 1880 train tracks, and the old Keystone to Hill City road (paved) in rapid succession. Unfortunately, the 1880 train had already gone by, so Lupe missed seeing it, although it could still be heard now far away towards Keystone.

Once S of the old Keystone to Hill City road, the trail began the only relatively steep part of this day’s traverse. It was just around 0.33 mile to the Big Pine trailhead along Hwy 244, and the trail started leveling out even before reaching it. A few people were around at the Big Pine trailhead. Hwy 244 had a fair amount of traffic on it. Big Pine is only a few miles NW of Mount Rushmore (5,725 ft.), and Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the tourist season in the Black Hills.

From Big Pine, it wasn’t far to Horsethief Lake. No more than 0.25 mile. SPHP wasn’t even sure Horsethief Lake had any water in it, since the last time Lupe had been by it on the highway, SPHP had been surprised to see it had been completely drained. (Perhaps to be dredged out?) After crossing Hwy 244, Joe & SPHP stayed on the Centennial Trail a short distance before leaving it and heading down a little gulch towards the lake.

There is quite a nice campground at Horsethief Lake. Soon Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP emerged from the forest on the paved campground road. There were a few people camping, but the big majority of the sites were open. The wet, cool weather had discouraged camping, which is not unusual for Memorial Day weekend in the Black Hills. Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP headed towards the lake.

This footbridge at the W end of the campground at Horse Thief Lake leads to the trailhead for the Horsethief Trail No. 14 into the Black Elk Wilderness. — This footbridge at the W end of the campground at Horse Thief Lake leads to the trailhead for Horsethief Trail No. 14 into the Black Elk Wilderness.

Horsethief Lake did have water in it, but wasn’t as pretty as it normally is. Normally the lake is nice and blue, but it was all brown this day – probably partially from dirt and silt in runoff from recent rains, but mostly from not having had a chance to settle out from having been completely drained and refilled not long ago. Close to the lake, Joe & SPHP selected a picnic table to use for 10 minutes for a little energy bar break. Lupe wasn’t hungry yet, but Dusty was very happy to partake of as much Taste of the Wild as SPHP allowed her.

Cousin Dusty and Lupe at Horsethief Lake.

Horsethief Lake isn’t very big, perhaps in the 5 – 10 acre range. However, it is in a scenic little spot near Hwy 244 just a few miles from Mt. Rushmore. The campground is really nice and has some campsites quite close to the water. There are big granite outcroppings around and two good trails nearby leading into the Black Elk Wilderness. Centennial Trail No. 89 doesn’t come down to the lake or the campground, but is just up a hill to the N of the campground. Lupe recommends Horsethief Trail No. 14 which heads into the Black Elk Wilderness from a trailhead near the SW corner of Horsethief Lake.

After the snack, Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP headed across the curved footbridge to the road on the W side of Horsethief Lake. The road led to the Horsethief Trail No. 14 trailhead. About 0.75 mile in from the trailhead, Horsethief Trail No. 14 would link up with Centennial Trail No. 89. It was possible to make an almost complete loop around well to the W of Horsethief Lake and come back just N of it on the Centennial Trail. However, clouds had kept coming and going the entire time so far. With possible heavy rain in the forecast, it was decided to return to the G6 at the Samelius trailhead on the Centennial Trail without making the loop.

Lupe on the way back went wading in the water of a tributary of Battle Creek. Cousin Dusty wasn’t as convinced it was a good idea.

At a little under 4 hours round trip, Expedition No. 130 was one of Lupe’s shorter Black Hills expeditions. Like Expedition No. 129 the day before though, it was shared with her uncle Joe & cousin Dusty, which added to the fun.

This proved to be Lupe’s last outing in the Black Hills this Memorial Day weekend. The next day was a combination of rain and fog all day. Lupe never saw the sun. Joe and Dusty didn’t get to climb Harney Peak this trip before heading home for Arvada, CO on Memorial Day.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Next Trail Section North:

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 228 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Spring Creek to Samelius (5-6-18)

Centennial Trail Map & Brochure

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 129: Centennial Trail near Fort Meade (5-22-15)

Lupe’s uncle Joe and cousin Dusty from Arvada, CO arrived in town late Thursday evening prior to Memorial Day weekend. Naturally, Joe, Dusty, Lupe & SPHP wanted to start the weekend off right with an outing the very next day. A 70% chance of rain was in the forecast, so rather than go up into the higher Black Hills, Joe suggested a hike he is fond of which he refers to as “The Ponderosa”. The Ponderosa hike starts at the Alkali Creek trailhead on the Centennial Trail No. 89 just a few miles SE of Sturgis, SD, and goes N from there up a pine-covered ridge and back down again onto a more open ridge. This area is on the very NE edge of the Black Hills.

However, upon reaching the Alkali Creek trailhead, Joe changed his mind and suggested doing a part of the Centennial Trail a bit farther to the N. After driving a couple of miles farther N, the G6 was abandoned at the Fort Meade National Cemetery. Lupe and Dusty served as advanced scouts along the Centennial Trail heading N from there. Joe and Dusty had never been on this part of the Centennial Trail, although Lupe and SPHP had. From the cemetery, it was a 0.5 mile heading N generally downhill through pine and scrub oak forest to the Fort Meade trailhead. Lupe and Dusty sniffed around what remained of the foundations from some old buildings along the way, and generally had a good time roaming around.

Just N of the Fort Meade trailhead, the Centennial Trail crosses Hwy 34 less than a mile E of Sturgis. From there the trail heads N into the trees along Bear Butte Creek, across a wooden bridge, and then heads up onto a barren exposed ridge. Once up on the ridge, the Centennial Trail turns and heads ENE in the direction of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.), which is in clear view a few miles away.

Up on the ridge there was a S breeze blowing. It was unseasonably cool out, somewhere in the 50’s although it was near mid-day. The sky was all overcast, and the clouds were especially dark back to the W towards the Black Hills. The ponderosa pines growing on the hills made them look quite dark in contrast to the lighter green of the prairie. It really was very pleasant out in the cool breeze, shaded by the clouds. N of the ridge was open ranch land dotted by little stock ponds. It has been wet recently, so the stock ponds were full.

The Centennial Trail eventually leaves the ridge to go down into a lower area between the ridge and Bear Butte Lake. Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP went partway down the ridge before stopping at some low rocks sticking up out of the prairie. Using rocks for stools during a short rest break, Joe and SPHP ate energy bars while admiring the scene. Lupe and Dusty had water and Taste of the Wild. Dusty doesn’t normally get Taste of the Wild and was pretty enthusiastic about it. Dusty was prepared to devour the entire supply on the spot, but SPHP rationed it out.

Lupe & Dusty up on the ridge a few miles SW of Bear Butte. The 111 mile long Centennial Trail starts at the top of Bear Butte, and runs S through the Black Hills to Wind Cave National Park.

When the rest break was over, Joe was ready to head back. Everyone had just as good a time on the return trip to the S as before. Lupe and Dusty investigated everything along the way again, and at one point both dogs ran far off down the ridge before racing back to arrive breathless and panting hard. Despite the forecast, the rain held off. For Lupe and SPHP, it had been a pretty short trip, barely enough to qualify as one of Lupe’s expeditions, but it was a pleasant time spent with good company.

Lupe was thrilled with this expedition. After spending most of the first few weeks of May indoors due to inclement weather and waiting many days for SPHP to finish up on some work that had a deadline, Lupe finally got to spend some time sniffing, exploring, running and roaming around again.

The fun wasn’t done yet either. Lupe got to spend the evening with her Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, Grandma Kitty, Cousin Dusty and SPHP at her grandma’s house at the edge of the big canyon. Hamburgers and chocolate ice cream were on the menu. A very satisfied dingo spent the late evening snoozing on the plush carpet at Grandma’s house while the rain finally started outside.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Centennial Trail No. 89 Map & Brochure

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 149 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Fort Meade to Bear Butte Lake (12-19-15)

Next Trail Section South:

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 241 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Alkali Creek to Fort Meade (12-10-18)

Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index , Dingo Vacations Adventure Index, or Master Adventure Index. Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.