A mile N of Hazelrodt picnic ground, SPHP parked the G6 off USFS Road No. 341 at a pullout by French Creek (10:28 AM, 50°F). Lupe leapt out. She ran down to the creek for a look. Even though the last 3 weeks of November had been very warm and dry, the edge of the stream was rimmed with ice.
Mt. Coolidge (6,023 ft.) was Lupe’s peakbagging goal for Expedition No. 218. She’d been there once before, but it had been a very long time ago. Lupe had only been 15 months old when she’d climbed Mt. Coolidge for the first time way back on Expedition No. 13.
Today Lupe was trying a new route. She would explore the mountain’s SW ridge. The Carolina Dog started out traveling ENE on the S side of French Creek. At first, she was in a forest of large pines that had been thinned out. This was easy ground, but didn’t last long. Soon Loop was leaving French Creek and the large pines behind.
The climb up the SW ridge began in earnest on a steep slope crowded with young pines. After gaining close to 150 feet of elevation, Lupe reached a small rocky ridge. Off to the SW, she could see the NE face of Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.).
Beyond this first small ridge, Lupe passed through a forest of larger pines again. She emerged from the forest at the edge of a big meadow. Ahead was a sparsely forested hill.
Looper headed for the hill. When she reached the top, she got her first look at Mount Coolidge ahead. Behind her, the view of Northeast Cicero Peak was better than before.
Lupe turned E following a ridgeline. Much of the area had burned at some point, which opened up views in various directions.
The irregular ridge wound E and N. Lupe came to a succession of high points, each one higher than the last. The high points were separated by shallow saddles where Looper lost a bit of elevation, but she always regained it quickly.
It was too bad this was such an overcast day. A little blue sky and sunlight would have made some of the views far more striking.
Lupe had a good time sniffing and exploring. She was making progress, too. Each time Mt. Coolidge came into view, she was closer than before.
After more than a mile on the winding, partially burnt ridge, Lupe finally reached the end of the burn area. The last couple of high points she came to were far more heavily forested. On one slope, spindly dog hair pines grew so thickly, it was slow going trying to force a way through.
After passing through the dog hair pine forest, Lupe arrived at the bottom of the deepest saddle of her whole trek to Mt. Coolidge. She came across a dirt road here, but followed it only a little way. She left the road to start the longest, steepest part of the climb up Mount Coolidge. The forest had been thinned here, and the slope was full of leftover slash.
Near the top of the long slope, the slash gave way to jumbled rocks. The rocks were easier to deal.
The rocky part led to a larger rock outcropping at the SW end of a nearly level ridge. Loop was now so close to Mt. Coolidge that she could see the road that leads to the lookout tower on top.
Loop headed for the access road. Once she reached it, she stayed on it the rest of the way. It circled around to the N clear over to the opposite side of Mt. Coolidge. Lupe ended up approaching the summit from the NE, even though she had spent nearly all her time coming up the SW ridge.
The access road is closed this time of year. There wasn’t a soul around when Lupe and SPHP reached the top of Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.). The first thing Loop did was check out the lookout tower.
Lupe went up to the observation deck. A sign said no Dingoes allowed. Hmmph! Loop didn’t stay long before retreating, since that’s the way they wanted to be about it.
Lupe and SPHP went over to the NW side of the summit area. Some of the highest territory in the Black Hills was in sight. After a few photos, it was time for a break.
Lupe drank some water, then curled up on the ground next to her silver bowl. She ate a little Taste of the Wild, but not too much. There hadn’t been much of a breeze at all on the way up, but now a chilly wind blew out of the SW, moaning in the trees and antenna wires. In solitude, Lupe and SPHP gazed out across the hills.
Lupe was last here 205 Expeditions ago. More than 5.5 years had gone by. The first time she’d come, Loop was still basically a puppy. SPHP sat petting Lupe, stroking her soft fur. Her birthday was coming soon. Not long afterwards, 2017 would draw to a close. Time marches on. Best not to think about it too much.
C’mon, Looper! Guess we’ve seen what there is to see up here today. Too bad the sun didn’t come out. Mt. Coolidge is a sweet viewpoint, but the light just isn’t what it might have been. All our photos are kind of faded and washed out. I feel kind of the same way for some reason.
Loop was ready. One more photo before going, then the Carolina Dog took off down the mountain. She went SW, skipping most of the winding route the access road takes, and headed directly for the SW ridge.
It felt good to be on the move again. Going back down Mt. Coolidge’s long SW ridge with all its ups and downs, twists and turns, was fun. Lupe had a blast sniffing and investigating whatever caught her attention.
The G6 was only 2 miles away. SPHP was surprised at how late it was when Lupe got back (3:37 PM). Less than 1.5 hours of daylight remained. Still time enough to do a little something, but not what SPHP had originally intended.
Half an hour’s ride in the G6 brought Lupe to a trailhead (4:11 PM, 52°F). The sky had finally started clearing off, but sunset was imminent. As light faded, Lupe enjoyed a mile long trek. At first she followed a creek, but most of the way was over a rolling prairie with views. Clouds brightened, then darkened again as the sun abandoned the Black Hills.
Loop reached a minor high point, only a small hill, but a peakbagging goal nonetheless. By now it was so dark, the flash had to be used. No dawdling! This was it for Expedition No. 218. Lupe turned and started back. SPHP hurried, trying to keep up, as the Carolina Dog headed for home (5:23 PM).
Note: Most visitors to Mt. Coolidge drive to the summit on a wide, gravel access road which originates along Hwy 87 in Custer State Park. The access road is closed during the off-season.
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