Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 304 – Getting High in the Black Hills with Peakbagger Dennis Stewart (5-5-22)

8:40 AM, USFS Road No. 297 –  Oh, it was on, and Lupe was excited!  After a quick weather-shortened introductory jaunt with new friend Dennis Stewart out to a couple of peaks of the limestone plateau country yesterday, the weather was much improved.  “Stewy” was ready to hit it hard today.  Time permitting, 7 of the 14 highest named peaks in South Dakota were on his agenda, and the American Dingo had every intention of getting high with him at each one.

Starting the day in the Negro Creek valley along USFS Road No. 297. Photo looks NNE.

With that many peaks to visit, even though none of them were all that hard to get to, there wasn’t going to be a lot of time for dilly-dallying.  Within minutes of when SPHP parked the RAV4 at a wide spot along USFS Road No. 297, everyone was ready.

Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) was first.  Although actually the lowest peak Dennis would be climbing today, it was the steepest and involved the most elevation gain from the starting point, a little over 900 feet.

Dennis and Loop about to set out for Medicine Mountain (L of Center). Photo looks W.

An old jeep trail going W from No. 297 got things off to an easy start.  Less than 100 feet of elevation gain led to USFS Road No. 297.3F, which wasn’t much help, since 3F ran almost horizontally N/S along the E slope instead of toward the summit.  Crossing the road to head straight up the mountain, No. 297.3F was encountered a second time 200 feet higher, but the situation was no different here.

Coming up the jeep trail. Photo looks ENE.
Dennis checks his GPS after reaching USFS Road No. 297.3F. Photo looks SSW.
And checks it again after reaching No. 297.3F a second time. Photo looks N.

After crossing No. 297.3F the second time, that was it for roads.  The rest of the way up was merely a fairly steep trudge higher.  A little deadfall and a few scattered boulders to contend with, but otherwise a romp through open pine forest.

Loop squinting in weak sunshine for the first time in the last couple of days as she heads up Medicine Mountain’s E slope. Photo looks W.
Stewy coming up the E slope. Photo looks E.
Loop posing for Dennis on a rock. Photo looks NW.
Starting to get close to the top. Photo looks WNW.

The last 100+ feet of elevation gain was steepest.  Dennis preferred to go directly up the E face.  However, Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) has two summits, the S one being the true summit.  Looper hadn’t been here in nearly 5 years, but SPHP was pretty certain that by angling NW toward the saddle between the two summits, the Carolina Dog could pick up a use trail that would get her to the top.

A little longer, but the Lazy Dingo route worked out perfectly.  While Dennis proved his mettle against the mountain, Lupe came to a nicely rounded clearing up at the saddle, easily sniffed out the use trail, and was there in time to greet Dennis as he reached the summit.

On the grassy saddle between the N and S summits. Photo looks SSW.
Up on Medicine Mountain’s S summit. Photo looks S.

9:34 AM, Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) – The true summit was a rock tucked in at the base of a small birch tree that was slightly higher than others nearby.  After the required summit shot, a short rest break was in order.  Lupe shared a chocolate coconut bar with SPHP, and drank some water.  Dennis opened a can of cashews, and enjoyed a few while sitting on a big rock, offering some cashews to SPHP, too.

Getting to be a beautiful day!  Partly cloudy with blue sky and sunshine.  As everyone relaxed, the big view was toward the SE, where several of the highest peaks in South Dakota were visible on the horizon.

Dennis had already been to Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), South Dakota’s high point, many years ago back when it was still officially Harney Peak, and wouldn’t be returning on this trip.  SPHP pointed out two others, Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) and Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.), that were on his current itinerary.

Looper near Medicine Mountain’s true summit, the rock (R of Center) beneath the birch tree. Photo looks NW.
Black Elk Peak (far L), Little Devils Tower (L), and Sylvan Hill (L of Center) all on the horizon. Photo looks SE.
Two peakbagging nuts, plus a can of nuts, on Medicine Mountain.

The view NW was of more immediate interest.  Dennis’ next 3 objectives, Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.), Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) and Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.) were in sight.  In fact, all of the other peaks Dennis intended to climb today were visible from Medicine Mountain, since Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) was also in view off to the SSW.

Green Mountain (L of Center) and Copper Mountain (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

The views were sweet, and Medicine Mountain had been a decent climb, but with so much left to do today, less than half an hour went by before it was already Onward, puppy ho! time.  One mountain down, six to go!

10:49 AM, junction of Sixmile Road and USFS Road No. 297.3O – Next up, Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.)!  Crossing Sixmile Road, Lupe looked for a spot where an old road once headed N.  A little deadfall to contend with, but this open lane made what would otherwise have been an annoying, and needlessly difficult task contending with a thick forest of young pines, a simple one.

Before long, the lane opened onto a big clearing.  At the far end, another lane was visible.  Following these lanes was the secret to getting to the summit of Copper Mountain without undue aggravation.

At the clearing with the next open lane (R) in sight on the ridge ahead. Photo looks N.

According to the topo map, Copper Mountain’s summit was 0.33 mile due N of where the RAV4 was parked.  However, as everyone was getting close to that region, where it was impossible to see much of anything due to all the young pines, SPHP surprised Dennis by insisting that the true summit was actually well off to the E near a line of cliffs.

Trusting the map, Stewy was skeptical to say the least.  However, since there was nothing to be seen here, and SPHP assured him that not only was the true summit E, but that the best views by far were available from the cliffs over that way, Dennis went along with the detour.

By now, the wide open lanes were gone, but it was still possible to follow narrower ones through the trees until the terrain began to rise.  Soon the forest began opening up as the ground became rockier.

Upon reaching the limestone platform along the E edge of the mountain, Dennis set his GPS unit on what appeared to be the highest rock, and took a reading.  After wavering around, it settled in at about 6,946 feet.

Lupe on the rock where Dennis took his GPS elevation reading. Photo looks SE.

After gathering this data point, everyone headed SE to the cliffs at end of the platform where the big views were.  A cairn Looper hadn’t seen here before, now sat on the highest rocks along the S edge.

Dennis didn’t bother with another GPS reading, since it seemed unlikely to yield a significantly different result.  Instead, several minutes were spent exploring the rocks along the cliff edge while taking in the views.  Medicine Mountain stood out 2.25 miles SE, with some of Dennis’ higher objectives well beyond it in the distance.

Sylvan Hill (far L) on the horizon, Medicine Mountain (L of Center). Photo looks SE.
Loop and Dennis at the far SE end of Copper Mountain. Photo looks SE.
L to R beyond Dennis: Black Elk Peak, Peak 6920, Little Devils Tower. Sylvan Hill (R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.
Loopster and Dennis over by the cairn. Photo looks WNW.
On Copper Mountain.

Time to head back!  Not to the RAV4, but to the region shown on the topo map as Copper Mountain’s summit.  Returning to the rock where Dennis had taken the elevation reading, everyone then went WNW, first down a slope, then gradually higher through deadfall and dense young pines tall enough to hide what was ahead.

The terrain flattened out.  Dennis reported that, according to the map, this was Copper Mountain’s summit.  Laying the GPS unit on a log about a foot above the ground, another elevation reading was taken.  In just a moment it would be clear whether SPHP or the topo map was correct about the location of Copper Mountain’s true summit.  After bouncing around a bit, the reading settled out at 6,947 ft.

One foot higher than the rock back E!  Except that here the GPS unit was a foot above the ground, resting on the log instead of a rock.  Within the limits of the GPS unit’s accuracy, it was a tie.

Hmm.  Well, so be it.  There were no views here at the W summit except of the thick stand of pines in all directions.  SPHP didn’t even bother to take a photo, although Stewy did.

12:11 PM – Less than a mile W of where the RAV4 had been parked near Copper Mountain, SPHP turned S off Sixmile Road onto USFS Road No. 693.  0.125 mile, and No. 693 turned SW.  After yesterday’s precipitation, the road was pretty soft here, with a couple of ruts in it.

SPHP parked the RAV4.  The top of Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) was only 0.4 mile SE.  Somewhat more than that following the road, but still within easy reach.

Striking out for Odakota Mountain along USFS Road No. 693. Photo looks SW.

After a jog to the W, the road turned SE, climbing gradually all the time.  Halfway to the summit, No. 693 topped out and curved SW toward Long Draw.  Abandoning the road, Lupe traveled ESE through a gently sloping field toward a small pillar of limestone near the trees.  Coming to a fence a little beyond the pillar, she ducked under it, then followed it S.

Heading for Odakota Mountain’s summit after leaving No. 693. Photo looks ESE.

SPHP’s intention had originally been to go farther E in order to approach Odakota’s summit ridge near the NE end, which past experience had shown to be the easiest route up.  The problem coming up from the SW had always been that the barbed wire fence, which ran right by the SW end of the ridge, was broken down and dangerous due to a huge jumble of deadfall that had collapsed upon it.

However, Dennis had left USFS Road No. 693 before SPHP, getting a head start following a jeep trail trail toward the SW end of the summit ridge.  Hoping to intercept him, Lupe continued S along the fence all the way to the end of the ridge.  Amazingly, since the last time the American Dingo was here more than 4.5 years ago, someone had removed the deadfall and repaired the fence.

Stewy had already made his way up to the summit.  A 20 foot climb got Lupe up onto the flat ridge, which was still full of deadfall.  Going 200 feet NE, Loop found Dennis where a tall, skinny white rock cairn had once stood.  The white rocks were still here, but now all tumbled over.  Dennis was busily setting up his tripod and resurrecting the cairn in preparation for his traditional summit selfie.

On the lovely summit of South Dakota’s 2nd highest mountain. Photo looks SW.
Dennis rebuilding the cairn.

12:35 PM, Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) – Poor Odakota Mountain!  South Dakota’s second highest peak was a mess.  Surviving pines and a crop of new ones grew among what remained of a forest devastated by pine bark beetles 10 years ago.  No views from the cairn, although both Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) and a pond down by the old Boy Scout camp could be seen to the S from a little farther SW along the summit ridge.

Certainly not much up here to make Dennis want to hang around.  After getting a group selfie shot, he packed up his camera and tripod, and took the easy way down off the NE end of the ridge.  Meanwhile, Lupe and SPHP went to take a quick look at the view of Bear Mountain and the Boy Scout pond.  It was actually a little better than the last time Loop had been here, since more trees had fallen over.

Bear Mountain (R) and the Boy Scout pond (L of Center). Photo looks SSE.

Turning around to leave and catch up with Dennis, SPHP saw something Lupe had never noticed on Odakota Mountain before.  Back in the trees, only 25 feet from where Stewy had rebuilt the cairn, there was a sign.

Going over to check it out, the sign said “Odakota Mountain High Point 7,198 feet”.  Below it, a round marker set in concrete was stamped “Odakota High Point”.  There was also another white rock cairn.

Lupe at the now apparently official Odakota Mountain high point. Photo looks N.

The sign must have been here a while.  Some of the paint was peeling.  Odd that Lupe had never seen it before, but maybe a few years out in the weather was sufficient to get the peeling process underway?  This spot really wasn’t discernably higher than where the first cairn was, or most of Odakota’s summit ridge, but the sign and marker were exactly the sort of thing Dennis would be interested in.

SPHP started yelling.  Fortunately, Dennis hadn’t gotten too far away yet.

All official now!
Glancing back at Odakota Mountain’s summit ridge from the barbed wire fence after starting back to the RAV4. Photo looks SE.

1:35 PM, junction of Sixmile Road and a faint road – Started out looking like the right spot, but the farther up the faint road Lupe went, the less familiar it all seemed.  SPHP must not have driven far enough W to get to Windmill Draw.  This was the wrong place.  Instead of going a long way up a gentle grassy valley, the faint road merged into an unmarked USFS road near the trees.

It didn’t help when the USFS road played out shortly thereafter.  SPHP hadn’t even brought a topo map.

Well, no matter.  Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) had to be less than a couple of miles away.  Lupe would find it!  To SPHP’s recollection, all she had to do was find the E edge of the limestone plateau and follow it N.

On the faint road, setting out for Green Mountain. Photo looks N.

Going through open forest, the terrain kept rising.  Eventually there was a lot of deadfall.  The E edge of the limestone plateau didn’t materialize.  Lupe had never come this way before.  Consulting his GPS, Dennis led the way in a direction that seemed 90 degrees off kilter to SPHP.

Lupe finally reached a flat region up on a broad ridge.  There was a ton of deadfall up here.  A higher hill to the N didn’t look right.  None of the terrain looked right.  Was this the edge of the limestone plateau?  SPHP was expecting a much sharper drop-off, something more cliff-like.  No sign of the limestone pillar Lupe used to get up on over by the hill.

Frequently consulting his GPS, Dennis led the way along what appeared to be the only plausible route.  Circling along the upper W slope of a big bowl, Lupe leapt over one fallen log after another.  An unfamiliar road finally provided relief, leading to a gate near a large, flat clearing.

Still following his GPS, Dennis crossed the clearing.  Continuing a little way into the forest, he arrived at a cairn.

Stewy setting up for another group summit selfie.

2:26 PM – Lupe had never seen a cairn on Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) before, but again, it had been more than 4.5 years since she’d been here.  Furthermore, this boring spot in the forest did resemble the featureless region SPHP recalled as being all that could be found in the way of a high point where the summit was supposed to be.

As soon as Stewy had his summit selfies, it would be easy to figure out if this was the same place Lupe had been to several times before.  If it was, the limestone pillar she used to get up on had to be along the edge of the mountain somewhere near the clearing.

Summit shots taken, everyone headed back there.

Oh, yeah!  This was the right place, alright.  Going over to the edge of the clearing, slightly down the slope beyond it, there was Lupe’s pillar.

In the clearing 200 feet SE of the cairn. Top of the pillar (Center) is visible next to Dennis, who is partly behind a tree. Photo looks SE.
Lupe’s Green Mountain limestone pillar (L). Photo looks SE.

After the long, tedious bushwhack through the trackless deadfall-laden forest, and disappointing cairn in the middle of nowhere buried in trees summit, Dennis brightened immediately at the sight of the big sweeping view to the E and SE, and that taunting limestone pillar.  If a Carolina Dog could do it, Stewy could, too!  The peakbagger in him took over.

Dennis stakes his claim to Green Mountain’s limestone pillar. Black Elk Peak (L), Copper Mountain (Center), Sylvan Hill (R of Center), Medicine Mountain (R), in front of Stewy. Photo looks SE.

SPHP wasn’t getting up there, but sent a personal representative.  Since Lupe hadn’t brought her Dingo wings, SPHP had to give her a boost.

Carefully, carefully! Dennis getting off the pillar.
Lupe’s turn. Gillette Prairie (L). Photo looks E.
Oh, it’s good to be back on the Green Mountain pillar again!
Another angle. Photo looks SE.
Part of Copper Mountain (far L), Sylvan Hill (L), Medicine Mountain (Center) with help from the telephoto lens.

A short break was taken before starting back to the RAV4.  Dennis was in the habit of texting a photo to family and friends from each summit, and sent out the one of him standing on the pillar.  He often got quick, but brief responses.  In this case, the most common response was “jump”!

SPHP had to laugh.  Always nice to know you’re loved.

A final look at Green Mountain’s limestone pillar (L). Photo looks NNE.

4:26 PM –  Four down, three to go!  Unfortunately, Green Mountain had taken up more time than expected, in part due to SPHP’s error in not parking far enough W at the start of Windmill Draw.  Would have been much more of a road hike from there, instead of a bushwhack through deadfall-laden forest.

Couldn’t be helped.  Done is done.  Happily, Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.), the next objective, was a mere drive-up to a lookout tower.  Shortly after turning onto USFS Road No. 293, SPHP was astonished by the amount of logging that had gone on since Lupe had last been here.

In fact, it was still ongoing.  0.5 mile from the summit, a log truck being actively loaded completely blocked the road.  Apparently, this was going to take a while.  Pulling off the road, SPHP parked the RAV4.  Everyone leapt out.  After circling past the log truck, the road hike began.

The RAV4 parked a little way off USFS Road No. 293. Photo looks W.
Past the log truck on USFS Road No. 293. Photo looks W.
Approaching the Bear Mountain fire lookout tower. Photo looks E.
By the tower. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe had once paid a visit to the ranger at the top of the tower.  On a clear day, it was possible to see Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.) in Wyoming.  Unfortunately, the tower wasn’t open for the season yet.  A sign said it was closed to the public.

A survey benchmark and another sign showing the elevation were at the base of the tower, but there wasn’t a view from here without actually climbing the tower.  However, Lupe knew there was a nice view from a small limestone outcropping a short distance SE.

At the base of the tower. Photo looks SW.
The Bear Mountain survey benchmark.
Loop and Dennis on the limestone outcropping SE of the tower. Photo looks ENE.
Elkhorn Mountain (6,381 ft.) (far L), Black Elk Peak (L), Little Devils Tower (Center), and Sylvan Hill (R) from the viewpoint.

5:58 PM, Needles Highway No. 87, Little Devils Tower trailhead –  Upon reaching the RAV4 after Bear Mountain, Dennis faced a choice.  5 of 7 complete, but delays had chewed up enough time so that climbing both remaining peaks wasn’t going to be possible unless Dennis wanted to be out after dark, which he didn’t.

Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) or Little Devils Tower (6,920 ft.)?  SPHP spoke of the differences in what would be involved, since the nature of the routes was so different.  Either one had fabulous views.

Really wasn’t a monumental decision.  Dennis could climb whichever peak he didn’t get to today tomorrow.  In the end, Stewy chose Little Devils Tower as his last summit with Lupe.

Sweet!  A great choice!  (Both would have been.)  700 feet of elevation gain along a maintained trail that went past scenic granite formations, followed by a fun scramble to the top.

Map posted at the trailhead.

Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 was nearly level as it started up a valley.  Lupe was soon passing the first granite formations.  The views improved steadily as the trail gradually steepened.

Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4. Photo looks NE.
Big granite formations in a side valley.
Approaching some spires. Photo looks NNE.

After more than a mile, Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 topped out on a ridge near the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.).  From here, a spur trail split off to the L, heading N.  Taking this spur, Little Devils Tower’s massive granite summit quickly came into view.

On the spur trail. Little Devils Tower (R). Photo looks N.

At first, the spur trail was level, or nearly so, but as Lupe got close to the granite, it turned NE and began to climb.

The spur trail starts getting interesting. Photo looks NE.
Dennis on the way up. Photo looks SW.

The spur trail soon topped out at a high spot tucked between huge rock walls.  However, this wasn’t the end.  Blue arrows painted on the rocks marked the route from here, which now turned NW through a narrow slot in the granite.  The first part of the slot was so steep that Loopster needed a boost from SPHP to get up to where she could continue under her own power.

Climbing the slot after an initial boost. Photo looks NW.
Dennis emerging from the slot. Photo looks SE.

Above the slot, minor variations in the route were possible.  All involved scrambling up the granite.  A little exposure in spots, but not much.  The route wound along the granite to a final brief push higher.

Dennis leading the way during the scramble up the granite. Photo looks N.

6:55 PM, Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.)  Suddenly, Lupe was there!  The summit region was a roomy collection of large granite outcroppings and boulders that didn’t vary an awful lot in elevation.  There was even a flat area of packed dirt with a bit of vegetation.

The views were incredible!  Little Devils Tower is right in the heart of the most rugged part of the Black Hills.  While Dennis climbed up onto the highest boulder to tag the true summit, Loopster had a look around.  Highlights included Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) a little more than a mile NNE, and the magnificent Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) only 0.25 mile SE.

Black Elk Peak (R) from Little Devils Tower. Photo looks N.
The Cathedral Spires, also known locally as the Needles. Photo looks SE.

Dennis made it up onto the true summit boulder.  Lupe needed another boost from SPHP to join him.

Stewy over at the high point. Photo looks S.
Loop and Dennis together at the true summit. Photo looks S.

6 of 7 complete, but Little Devils Tower was definitely going to be it.  The sun was already low.  Sylvan Hill wasn’t happening today.

That was alright.  Kind of took the pressure off.  Lupe, Dennis, and SPHP could all linger for a while in the beautiful evening light.

Black Elk Peak from Little Devils Tower. Photo looks NNE.
Cathedral Spires (L and Center) in the evening light. Photo looks SE.
Dennis relaxing at the true summit. Photo looks SSW.
Texting a photo before departure.

Over all too soon!  Before long, Stewy was at the end of the scramble lower, about to descend from the slot to the spur trail.

Descending the slot. Blue arrow (R).

So, Little Devils Tower was a happy ending to a fabulous day!  Dennis pronounced it easily his favorite peak in the Black Hills.  Sometime he was going to have to bring his wife, Geri, up here.

Lupe hopes to welcome her to the beautiful Black Hills on that great day.

With Stewy on Little Devils Tower, Black Hills of South Dakota 5-5-22

Note: Dennis did climb Sylvan Hill the next day before heading to Nebraska to continue his peakbagging adventures.  Among his greatest goals are (1) climb the 10 highest named peaks in all of the 48 contiguous US states, (2) climb the 10 highest named county high points in each state, (3) visit every state park with his wife, Geri, (4) float the length of rivers in all states that have a river of the same name.  At 73, he realizes these are tall orders.

Before departing, Dennis gave Lupe and SPHP an autographed copy of his book 23 Nights Working for the US Treasury Department, which tells of his experiences working for the US government’s most feared agency, the IRS.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 211 – Bear Mountain & Odakota Mountain (10-15-17)

Start: 10:54 AM, 44 °F, junction of USFS Roads No. 299 (Bobcat Road) & No. 299.1C.

Wow, surprising!  Snow on the road here.  Only a dusting really, but it was the first snow Lupe had seen up in the Black Hills so far this fall.  A harbinger of things to come, but probably not in quantity for another month yet.  American Dingoes love snow, if there’s not too much of it.  Lupe was in a cheerful mood as she began her trek up Bear Mountain along USFS Road No. 299.1C.

Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) was only a couple miles SW, so it wouldn’t take her long to get there.

Lupe was excited to see snow on USFS Road No. 299.1C as she started up Bear Mountain. Photo looks W.

More than 0.5 mile from where she’d started, Lupe reached an intersection.  USFS Road No. 299.1C turned N here.  Loop took No. 299.1J heading W instead.  Up until now, the road had been in the forest, but No. 299.1J soon curved SW entering more open territory.

USFS Road No. 299.1J curves SW as Lupe continues up Bear Mountain. Photo looks WSW.

Although Lupe came to no more intersections, by the time she reached a barbed wire fence practically at the top of the mountain, a marker said she was on No. 299.1K.  Exactly where the transition occurred wasn’t clear.  It hardly mattered.  Lupe didn’t care.  The important thing was she had made it to the top of Bear Mountain.

Lupe went over to the base of the fire lookout tower to claim her latest peakbagging success!

Lupe arrives at the base of the fire lookout tower on Bear Mountain. This was her 3rd ascent of the 3rd highest mountain in the Black Hills. Photo looks SW.

This was Lupe’s 3rd ascent of the 3rd highest mountain in the Black Hills.  On one of her previous visits, Lupe had actually gone all the way to the top of the lookout tower.  She and SPHP had paid a visit to the friendly forest ranger on active duty inside the ranger quarters.

No one was around today.  With no opportunity for another social visit in the comfort of the ranger station, Lupe didn’t bother to climb the tower.  A chilly 15 mph breeze blew out of the N.  The cold wind would only be worse higher up.

Instead, Lupe went to a small limestone outcropping SE of the tower to check out the views.

Lupe up on the limestone SE of the ranger tower. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) (Center) is the high point seen in the distance. Photo looks E.
Looking back at the fire lookout tower. Photo looks NW.

The best views were off to the E where Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota, dominated the scene.  Lupe also enjoyed a panoramic view to the S.  The American Dingo could see much of the southern Black Hills from here.

Black Elk Peak (Center) is 11 miles due E of Bear Mountain.
Looking ESE with a bit of help from the telephoto lens. Black Elk Peak is now on the L.
From Bear Mountain, Lupe also had a sweeping view of much of the southern Black Hills. The highest point in the distance on the L is Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.). Photo looks S.

Climbing Bear Mountain was only the beginning for Lupe.  The plan was to visit Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) nearly 4 miles to the N, too.  Since Lupe and SPHP had gotten off to a rather late start, it was already past noon.  With days getting short in mid-October, Lupe couldn’t linger on Bear Mountain too long.

After checking out the views, Loopster briefly dropped by the Bear Mountain fire lookout tower again before continuing on her way.

Lupe at the fire lookout tower on Bear Mountain again before leaving for Odakota Mountain. Photo looks E.
Loop ready to depart Bear Mountain. Photo looks N, the direction she would be heading to get to Odakota Mountain.

Both Bear Mountain and Odakota Mountain lie along the E edge of the high limestone plateau country of the western Black Hills.  The first part of Lupe’s journey N to Odakota Mountain would be along the E rim of the high country.

From the Bear Mountain fire lookout tower, Lupe took the same road she had come in on NE a short distance.  When she got close to the E rim, she followed another road that angled N.  This road eventually turned NW.  Lupe left the road to continue N along the rim.  Odakota Mountain was already in sight!

Lupe near the E rim of the high country of the limestone plateau. Her next objective, Odakota Mountain is the high ridge seen beyond her. Photo looks N.

The terrain along the E rim was hilly.  The area was forested, but generally not too densely.  However, a fair amount of deadfall timber existed in spots.  In a couple of places, the deadfall was dreadfully thick.

Back this summer, Lupe’s mountaineering friend Jobe Wymore had given SPHP a free pair of excellent Komperdell trekking poles.  SPHP had never used trekking poles before, and until today had done nothing with Jobe’s gift.  SPHP quickly discovered that the poles really did help going through the deadfall!

For 1.5 miles, Lupe traveled N near the E rim of the limestone plateau country.  When the American Dingo finally reached a road, SPHP knew she had arrived at an intermediate objective, the Boy Scout overlook.

Coming from the W, USFS Road No. 291.3K leads almost to the edge of the E rim here.  A short path goes from the highest ground down to a large, flat limestone platform perched at the top of sheer cliffs.  A pond a mile to the NE near the Medicine Mountain Boy Scout camp can be seen far below.  The platform also provides sweeping views of the Black Hills to the E.

Lupe reaches the limestone platform known as the Boy Scout overlook. Photo looks ENE.
The short path leading to the Boy Scout overlook is seen on the L. Photo looks ENE.

The Boy Scout overlook is a favorite spot.  Lupe had been here before on other Black Hills expeditions.  Before taking a Taste of the Wild and water break, Lupe took a look at the glorious views.

Lupe on the Boy Scout overlook, a large platform of limestone perched at the E edge of the high country of the western Black Hills. Bear Mountain, where Lupe had just come from, is the high ridge seen beyond her in the distance. Photo looks S.
Looking E from the Boy Scout overlook. Black Elk Peak is on the horizon beyond Lupe.
Black Elk Peak (L), Peak 6920 (Center) and Little Devil’s Tower (6,960 ft.) (R) plus some of the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) (R). Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.
Looking NE now. Peak 6720 is the rounded semi-barren hill on the L. Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) is the double humped hill with the high point straight up from Lupe’s back. Farther away a bit more to the R is Five Points (6,221 ft.).

Although Odakota Mountain was now only 2.5 miles away to the N as the crow flies, Lupe’s break at the Boy Scout overlook had to be kept short.  To actually get to Odakota Mountain, she had to swing more than 1.5 miles W going down Grand Vista Draw.  She would then have to go another 1.5 miles back E again on her way up Long Draw.  All that extra mileage, plus the distance N!

Loop curled up next to SPHP on the limestone platform for a few minutes, but soon it was back to business.  Lupe left the Boy Scout overlook heading W on USFS Road No. 291.3K.

In the upper end of Grand Vista Draw, Lupe reached an intersection.  The Carolina Dog left No. 291.3K to take No. 291.3A down the wide, shallow canyon.  Beautiful light brown grass lined the road.  Lupe passed through a stand of aspens where a few colorful leaves still held on.

Beautiful light brown grass stood along USFS Road No. 291.3A on the way down into Grand Vista Draw. Photo looks WNW.
Passing the aspens. A few colorful leaves still clung to the trees. Photo looks WNW.

The trek down Grand Vista Draw was easy.  On the way, Lupe saw scattered limestone formations along the canyon sides, but they weren’t high or dramatic.  Meadows dominating the upper end of the draw gave way to pine forests lower down.  Finally, near the low point where Grand Vista Draw and Long Draw meet, Lupe reached a line of boulders placed across the road.

Lupe reaches a line of boulders across the road in the area where Grand Vista Draw and Long Draw meet. Photo looks N.

A few boulders couldn’t stop Lupe!  She continued N on the road, but it ended abruptly in the forest.  A short, shady trek brought Lupe to Spring Creek.

Lupe reaches Spring Creek at the start of Long Draw. Photo looks N.

Loop and SPHP crossed Spring Creek (those Komperdell trekking poles proving useful once again!), and climbed through a small meadow to reach a minor road.  The minor road quickly brought Lupe to USFS Road No. 693, which she could follow all the way up Long Draw.

Long Draw did seem long.  Along the way, Lupe saw deer.  She found squirrels to bark at.  She had a fun time, but at last the Carolina Dog reached the high point of No. 693 at the upper end of Long Draw where the road turned N.

Loopster in the upper end of Long Draw. Photo looks E.

At the high point, Lupe abandoned the road.  The summit of Odakota Mountain was now only 0.25 mile ESE through the forest.  SPHP was surprised when Lupe drew near the small, slightly higher ridge where the summit is located.  A barbed wire fence crushed in many spots by collapsing trees killed by pine bark beetles had been repaired since Lupe was last here.

The repaired fence was good news!  Lupe has been seriously injured by downed barbed wire several times in the past.  This had been a dangerous place.  It still was to some degree.  Even though the fence was fixed, a tremendous amount of deadfall timber still infested the area.  Lupe and SPHP cautiously picked a way through the mess.

Lupe found the small cairn near the E end of the relatively short summit ridge.  She had made it to the top of Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.), the 2nd highest mountain in South Dakota!

Lupe reaches the summit cairn on Odakota Mountain, the 2nd highest mountain in South Dakota. Photo looks WSW.
The summit ridge on Odakota Mountain is a jungle of deadfall timber. Photo looks WSW.

Although Odakota Mountain is the 2nd highest in South Dakota, the summit doesn’t provide much in the way of views.  Despite how many trees have died and fallen over, more still remain.  A tree-broken view to the S was about all there was to see.

A tree-broken view to the S is all the summit of Odakota Mountain has to offer. Lupe could see Bear Mountain (the long high ridge in the distance) where she had come from, and the small pond near the Medicine Mountain Boy Scout camp (far L).

Cliffs at the far SE end of Odakota Mountain do offer unobstructed views.  Lupe had seen them once, long ago.  However, getting there from the summit requires a bushwhack through a significant stretch of bad deadfall timber.  Lupe didn’t have time to go see those views today.

Lupe relaxed next to the summit cairn.  Once again, a short break was all she could afford to take.

Lupe relaxes next to the summit cairn. Another short break was all she could take here. Photo looks NW.

Odakota Mountain is one of the mountains Lupe has visited most.  This was her 8th time at the summit.  The first time the Carolina Dog had come here nearly 3.5 years ago, there hadn’t even been a cairn.  The last time she’d been here was over 1.5 years ago, when she had first met her friend Jobe Wymore and guided him to the mountain.  Sadly, Jobe wasn’t here to share the mountain with her today.

Snap out of it, Loop!  Enough reminiscing!  We’ve got to get going.  You still have to go all the way back to Bear Mountain and then back down to the G6!

The American Dingo sprang to her paws!  Time for action?  She was ready!  Isn’t she always?

Leaving Odakota Mountain, Lupe got to do something she had never done before.  For over 0.5 mile, she explored the high ground along the edge of the mountain’s SW ridge.  SPHP wanted to see if she could find any unobstructed views from this area.  She did, too!

Bear Mountain, the long high ridge on the R is where Lupe was heading back to from Odakota Mountain now. Part of the pond down at the Medicine Mountain Boy Scout camp is seen below on the L. Photo looks S.
Lupe did find beautiful, unobstructed views from Odakota Mountain’s SW ridge. Black Elk Peak is on the horizon beyond Lupe’s face. Photo looks ESE.
Exploring Odakota Mountain’s SW ridge. Photo looks WSW.

Lupe had a great time exploring Odakota Mountain’s SW ridge, but only got to go about halfway along it.  Too much deadfall timber was slowing things down, and the American Dingo no longer had time to waste.  She returned to Long Draw.  Lupe traveled through the fields paralleling the road.

Day nears an end as Lupe travels back down Long Draw. Photo looks SW.

Hurry, hurry!  Now it was a race against time.  The sun sank ever lower, then disappeared.  Lupe and SPHP made good time, but twilight was fading fast as Lupe came back up Grand Vista Draw.

Looper followed USFS Road No. 291.3A S beyond its junction with No. 291.3K.  For a while she stuck with it, but when the road turned SW it was decision time.  Staying on the road meant miles and miles of extra distance.  The other option was to bushwhack SE to the E edge of the limestone plateau country on the most direct route to Bear Mountain.

SPHP led Lupe SE.  Leaving the road was contrary to long-standing rules against trying to bushwhack after dark.   On the other hand, Lupe had already traveled much of this same territory earlier in the day.  SPHP felt confident that having the E rim to follow meant she wouldn’t get lost.

Faint twilight lingered only far to the W now.  Stars shone above, but no moon.  Black night took over.  Somehow the Carolina Dog always seems able to navigate in the dark without any problem.  Not SPHP, who was walking unseeing straight into waist-high pines.

SPHP ran into a barbed wire fence.  No damage done.  Lucky!  SPHP was blind as a bat.  Better bring out the flashlight.  The fence was good news, actually, it meant Lupe was getting close to the E rim.  Deadfall timber was bad here, though.  The Komperdell trekking poles were enormously helpful!  SPHP would have tripped and fallen a jillion times without them.

After getting past the worst of the deadfall, Lupe reached the E rim!  She saw a great many lights glittering far to the NE.  That was Rapid City!  An amazing number of lights were also scattered toward the SE in the general direction of Custer, but the town was not in view.  Guided by the lights of Rapid City, Lupe and SPHP worked S along the E rim.  Sooner or later, Looper would come to Bear Mountain again.

Despite initial confusion over exactly where Lupe was upon reaching a road, she had made it!  She was back at Bear Mountain.  A cold N wind still blew up here.  Despite the wind, Lupe returned to the fire lookout tower.  So what if it was cold, windy and dark?  She’s a peakbagging Dingo, and this was another successful ascent!  (End – 9:10 PM, 30°F)

Back at Bear Mountain!

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 132 – Copper, Odakota & Bear Mountains (6-7-15)

SPHP postponed Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 132 by one day due to the threat of rain.  A big storm did hit Hill City and flooded the highway.  The next day was a gorgeous early summer day.  Lupe was eager to go.  The highway was no longer flooded, although the creeks and streams were still running high and out of their banks.  At 8:27 AM, SPHP parked the G6 just off USFS Road No. 301.1A about 100 yards from its junction with USFS Road No. 301.  It was 57 °F with a slight N breeze and a few clouds around.

Lupe still near the G6 at the start of the day. Photo looks SSE towards Medicine Mountain.
Lupe still near the G6 at the start of the day. Photo looks SSE towards Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.)

Lupe’s peakbagging goals for this Expedition included Copper, Odakota, Bear and Green Mountains.  All four of these mountains are in the west central Black Hills along the E edge of the high ground of the Limestone Plateau country.  Approaches from the W involve very little elevation gain, but to the E there are cliffs or steep slopes.

Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.) was only about 0.5 mile to the W of where the G6 was parked, so Lupe headed there first.  Lupe circled around to the SW side of Copper Mountain before climbing up on the W ridge.  Once up on the W ridge, it was a gentle climb through a young forest to the summit.  Soon Lupe was posing for photos on the cliffs just S of the summit, and drinking out of water holes in the rocks.  Next stop would be Odakota Mountain, now in view 1.25 miles to the SW.

Lupe on Copper Mountain. Odakota Mountain is the high ridge seen above Lupe's head in the background.
Lupe on Copper Mountain. Odakota Mountain is the high ridge seen above Lupe’s head in the background to the SW.
Another of Lupe's peakbagging goals of the day, Bear Mountain, is the high ridge in the distance. Photo taken looking due S from Copper Mountain.
Another of Lupe’s peakbagging goals of the day, Bear Mountain, is the high ridge in the distance. Photo taken looking due S from Copper Mountain.
The view N from Copper Mountain towards the S portion of Gillette Prairie.
The view NE from Copper Mountain towards the S portion of Gillette Prairie.
Medicine Mountain from Copper Mountain. Photo looks SE.
Medicine Mountain from Copper Mountain. Photo looks SE.
Harney Peak, highest mountain in the Black Hills, is the highest point in the distance. Photo is looking ESE from Copper Mountain.
Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) , highest mountain in the Black Hills, is the highest point in the distance. Photo is looking ESE from Copper Mountain.

Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) is the 2nd highest mountain in the Black Hills according to Peakbagger.com.  Lupe had been up there once before on Expedition No. 87 on 5-10-14.  Lupe headed W off Copper Mountain, with only modest elevation loss.  She found the first of many big mud puddles to cool off in on the W side of Copper Mountain.  Lupe and SPHP reached USFS Road No. 301 again and followed it W only as far as the intersection with No. 299, which heads down Bobcat Gulch to the Boy Scout camp.

At the intersection, Lupe and SPHP left the road and started W up the draw to the S of USFS Road No. 301.  SPHP remembered that Odakota Mountain was full of deadfall timber the last time Lupe had been there.  Pine bark beetles were wreaking havoc with the forest.  Despite all the fallen trees, there were still enough dead or dying trees still standing to obstruct the views at the summit.  As Lupe and SPHP climbed Odakota Mountain from the NE, it became apparent the situation hadn’t changed at all in a year’s time.  There was still lots of deadfall timber to contend with.

Instead of going directly up to the summit, Lupe and SPHP climbed to a high point on the ridge E of the summit.  From there, Lupe and SPHP headed away from the summit towards the SE to see if there was any place where there were any decent views.  It was slow going with all the deadfall to work around.  At the very S end of the E edge of the mountain were a couple of rock ledges with open views to the S and E.  This area is less than 100′ lower than the summit and features the only clear views from Odakota Mountain at this time.

Lupe up on the E edge of Odakota Mountain. Photo looks back to the NE at Copper Mountain (Center) where she had just come from. The rock ledges she had been standing on there are visible toward the R.
Lupe at the SE end of Odakota Mountain. Photo looks ESE towards Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) in the foreground and Harney Peak in the distance.
Lupe at the SE edge of Odakota Mountain. Bear Mountain is the high ridge in the distance to the S.
Lupe at the SE edge of Odakota Mountain. Bear Mountain is the high ridge in the distance to the S.
Lupe still at the SE edge of Odakota Mountain. Photo looks SE towards Peak 6680 seen as the first hill in the foreground directly above Lupe. The pond at the Boy Scout camp is visible to the R.
Bear Mountain to the S from the SE end of Odakota Mountain.

From the viewpoints, Lupe and SPHP worked their way back to the NW to the true summit of Odakota Mountain.  At the summit, SPHP was surprised to find a 2.5 foot high cairn made of limestone.  It hadn’t been there the first time Lupe had climbed Odakota Mountain on Expedition No. 87.  Lupe headed W off Odakota Mountain in the direction of Long Draw.  She could have gone a couple of miles NNW to Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) at this point, but SPHP was more interested in exploring Long Draw first.

Lupe at the summit cairn on Odakota Mountain the morning of 6-7-15. Photo looks N.
Lupe at the summit cairn on Odakota Mountain the morning of 6-7-15. Photo looks N.

USFS Road No. 693 comes within 0.25 mile NW of Odakota Mountain and goes SW for 3 miles or so to Spring Creek where it turns W.  Lupe and SPHP headed SW down Long Draw sometimes on the road, but often off of it just traipsing through the fields.  The bottom of the draw was mostly meadows with scattered aspens and pines.  Lupe romped her way through Long Draw sniffing this way and that.  She returned to No. 693 now and then in search of mud puddles to get a drink from and cool off in.  SPHP is pretty sure Lupe gets plenty of minerals in her diet from all the murky mud puddle water she drinks.

Upper end of Long Draw not far from Odakota Mountain 6-7-15.
Upper end of Long Draw not far from Odakota Mountain 6-7-15.

Close to Spring Creek, USFS Road No. 693 turned and headed W up the canyon following Spring Creek upstream.  Instead of heading W, Lupe and SPHP left the road here and headed down to cross Spring Creek.  Even with all the recent wet weather, Spring Creek was only a few feet wide this close to its source.  The water was amazingly clear and cold.  Lupe cooled off in the stream and had a better drink than the mud puddles offered.  A short distance downstream, Lupe came to the intersection of Long Draw and Grand Vista Draw.

Lower portion of Long Draw before reaching Spring Creek.
Getting close to Spring Creek in Long Draw. The creek is at the edge of the trees on the R. Grand Vista Draw goes up around the R side of the hill ahead.
Cooling off in the clear cold waters of Spring Creek in Long Draw.

USFS Road No. 291.3A headed up Grand Vista Draw.  Lupe followed it S up Grand Vista Draw as it gradually turned SE.  Spring Creek had continued on down the canyon to the E and there was no water other than scattered mud puddles in Grand Vista Draw.  A spur off No. 291.3A headed E to the scenic overlook at the edge of the limestone plateau about a mile WSW of the Boy Scout camp.  The overlook is a block of limestone about 20′ below the rim of the high country.  There is a trail leading down to it.  At this scenic overlook, Lupe and SPHP rested for a bit.  Lupe was kind of hungry by now and ate some Taste of the Wild.

Wild Irises were abundant in Grand Vista Draw.
Wild Irises were abundant in Grand Vista Draw.
This block of limestone along the E edge of the limestone plateau country is the Boy Scout camp overlook.
Lupe on the Boy Scout camp overlook. Photo looks back to the N towards Odakota Mountain at the left and Copper Mountain, the lower ridge just beyond and to the right where Lupe had just come from.
Lupe on the Boy Scout camp overlook. Photo looks back to the N towards Odakota Mountain at the left and Copper Mountain, the lower ridge just beyond and to the right where Lupe had just come from.  Peak 6680 is the kind of striped hill at the right side of the photo.
Harney Peak is the highest point in the distance. View from Boy Scout camp overlook looking E.
Harney Peak is the highest point in the distance. View from Boy Scout camp overlook looking E.
Now looking S from the Boy Scout camp overlook towards the E end of Bear Mountain, Lupe's next peakbagging goal.
Now looking SSE from the Boy Scout camp overlook towards the E end of Bear Mountain, Lupe’s next peakbagging goal.

Lupe’s next Peakbagging goal was Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.), the 3rd highest mountain in the Black Hills.  Bear Mountain is about 4 miles S of Odakota Mountain, but Lupe’s route through Long and Grand Vista Draws had taken her over 1.5 mile W before working back to the E.  Bear Mountain was still 2 miles SSE from the Boy Scout camp overlook.  There was no road.  From the overlook, Lupe and SPHP just went S along the rim of the high country until almost to the ranger tower on Bear Mountain.

Instead of going directly to the ranger station, SPHP led Lupe E along the Bear Mountain ridge.  From the Boy Scout camp overlook, it had appeared the highest point on Bear Mountain was at the E end of the mountain.  This wasn’t strictly true.  The highest point really is where the ranger tower is located.  Still, it was worth a bit of exploring to see what the views might be like from the E end of Bear Mountain.  The best view proved to be towards the N back toward Odakota and Copper Mountains where Lupe had just come from.

Lupe arrives at the E end of Bear Mountain. The best view from here is shown. It looks N back at Odakota and Copper Mountains. Lupe has already climbed them once this day and would return to climb each of them again before the day was out.
Lupe arrives at the E end of Bear Mountain. The best view from here is shown. It looks N back at Odakota (highest ridge) and Copper Mountains. Lupe has already climbed them once this day and would return to climb each of them again before the day was out.

After exploring the E end of the mountain, Lupe went back W to the summit at the ranger tower.  Lupe and SPHP climbed up the tower.  Three steps from the top, Lupe decided it was a bit scary and started turning around to go back down, but SPHP urged her onward.  A ranger was on duty and Lupe got to go inside the ranger’s station at the top of the tower.  She laid on the floor listening to the radio chatter while SPHP talked to the ranger.

Approaching the ranger tower on Bear Mountain.
Lupe climbed the Bear Mountain ranger tower and spent a while relaxing up there while SPHP chatted with the ranger.
Lupe climbed the Bear Mountain ranger tower and spent a while relaxing up there while SPHP chatted with the ranger.  On a very clear day (not today!) Laramie Peak in Wyoming can be seen from Bear Mountain.

The ranger had been working this job at various towers in the Black Hills region for 13 years.  He described the Bear Mountain tower as the Cadillac of ranger facilities in the Black Hills.  The station at the top of the tower was roomier than at any of the other towers.  The ranger said he had seen two tornados from ranger towers in his 13 years on the job.

The 360° view from Bear Mountain at the top of the tower was really great!  SPHP had been told once before that Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.) in Wyoming can be seen from Bear Mountain when conditions are clear.  The ranger confirmed this, but said it wasn’t that clear very often.

Harney Peak as seen from Bear Mountain. Photo looks E.
Harney Peak as seen from Bear Mountain. Photo looks E.
Lupe S of the ranger tower on Bear Mountain.
Looking E on Bear Mountain from S of the ranger tower. The end of the Bear Mountain E ridge is one more hill E beyond the high spot pictured.
Looking E on Bear Mountain from S of the ranger tower. The end of the Bear Mountain E ridge is one more hill E beyond the high spot pictured.

The most immediately useful of the interesting things SPHP learned up in the Bear Mountain lookout tower was that it was 3:30 PM.  It was time for Lupe to head back N!  Lupe and SPHP bid adieu to the ranger and headed down off the ranger tower.  Lupe went W on USFS Road No. 293.  (No. 293 goes right to the top of Bear Mountain, approaching it from the SSW.  Bear Mountain is easily accessibly by car.)  At the first hill to the W was a big tower.  There Lupe and SPHP left the road and went along a forested ridge descending towards the NW.

The forested ridge ended in a meadow where there were some pretty aspen trees with light green new leaves shining in the sunlight.  Beyond the meadow was USFS Road No. 291.3A, the same road that Lupe had followed up Grand Vista Draw earlier before taking a spur E to the Boy Scout camp overlook.  SPHP intended to follow No. 291.3A back to Grand Vista Draw, but at a little pass shortly before getting there, took a side road labeled No. 2 North with an orange marker.

Lupe nears USFS Road No. 291.3A NW of Bear Mountain.
Lupe nears USFS Road No. 291.3A just beyond the aspens NW of Bear Mountain.

The side road went W then N and then turned back to the S.  SPHP didn’t want to go S.  Lupe needed to go N, so SPHP abandoned No. 2 North in favor of a trek through the forest continuing N towards Grand Vista Draw.  It all worked out just fine and soon Lupe reached No. 291.3A again in Grand Vista Draw as anticipated.  Lupe now started retracing the path she had followed earlier in the day.  Lupe and SPHP halted upon reaching Spring Creek just S of USFS Road No. 693 in Long Draw.

Lupe returns to Spring Creek near the junction of Grand Vista Draw and Long Draw.

Lupe got a big, cold clear drink from Spring Creek and finished her Taste of the Wild.  SPHP studied maps.  SPHP had intended to take USFS Road No. 693 W to No. 291 and then head N to the Four Corners Well.  From there the plan had been to go on to Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) via a short stint to the E on No. 301 and then taking USFS Road No. 691 NNE to Green Mountain.  However, it was too late in the day to do all that.  As usual, SPHP had bit off more than could be chewed.  The fastest route to Green Mountain was going back up Long Draw.

So Lupe headed back up Long Draw on No. 693.  SPHP saw a couple of elk along the way.  Lupe barked at chipmunks and squirrels, and didn’t even notice the elk.  As Lupe and SPHP neared the high point on No. 693, SPHP decided Lupe may as well go and hit the summit of Odakota Mountain again since it was only 0.25 mile away to the E.  Lupe found the cairn at the high point again and had her second picture of the day taken there.

Lupe’s 2nd ascent of Odakota Mountain on 6-7-15. Photo looks S.

Lupe and SPHP left Odakota Mountain and headed back to USFS Road No. 693.  Although there was still probably time to reach Green Mountain before it got dark, a large cloud was now hanging around in that direction.  It had already been a long day.  SPHP didn’t really think the cloud was going to cause any problems, but used it as an excuse to shorten the trip back to the G6.  SPHP decided Lupe would just go back and have another look at the world from the top of Copper Mountain.  Green Mountain would just have to wait for another day.

Lupe didn’t care.  She was just as happy going to Copper Mountain again.  Lupe and SPHP followed No. 693 back to No. 301.  At the high point on No. 301 near Copper Mountain, Lupe and SPHP left the road and started the modest climb up Copper Mountain along the W ridge.  Earlier in the day, SPHP had wondered if there were good lookout points along the N side of the W ridge, but hadn’t gone over there.  Now Lupe and SPHP headed over to the N side of the ridge.

Pine bark beetles need to kill more trees for there to be much of a view to the N.  Glimpses of Gillette Prairie were frequently available as Lupe and SPHP followed the N edge of the ridge heading E towards the summit of Copper Mountain, but there just weren’t any unobstructed views anywhere.  It wasn’t until Lupe was very close to the E edge of Copper Mountain that there were views off to the N.  Even then they were only partial views.

Lupe also climbed Copper Mountain a 2nd time on 6-7-15. This photo looks NE towards the S portion of Gillette Prairie from Copper Mountain.
Lupe also climbed Copper Mountain a 2nd time on 6-7-15. This photo looks NNE towards the S portion of Gillette Prairie from Copper Mountain.

Lupe tagged the summit of Copper Mountain for the 2nd time this day.  The sun was still up, but getting low.  The big cloud to the WNW over by Green Mountain was still hanging around.  Most of the rest of the sky had only scattered clouds.  The views to the E and S from the SE edge of Copper Mountain were still the best.  Sometimes slanting sunlight broke through the clouds to the WNW and illuminated the scene.  Lupe and SPHP stayed for a while on Copper Mountain, taking a break from the long day’s trek and enjoying the moment.

Then it was time to go.  Lupe and SPHP left Copper Mountain heading W, but soon turned SW and then S to reach USFS Road No. 301 more quickly.  SPHP then followed the road the rest of the way back to No. 301.1A and the G6.  Lupe wasn’t quite done though.  While SPHP walked the road, Lupe dashed in and out of the forest still sniffing madly and exploring.  It was 8:10 PM and 58°F out when Lupe and SPHP reached the G6 again.  The sun was still up for a bit longer and shining on some of the mountain tops.  Lupe laid down by the G6.  She didn’t want to hop in.  Nearly 12 hours on the go wasn’t enough!

For a few minutes SPHP let Lupe rest on the ground.  Then SPHP lifted the reluctant Carolina dog into the G6.  Lupe wasn’t tired.  She didn’t curl up on the passenger side seat like she often does after a long expedition.  Instead she stood up with her paws on the dash still looking for adventure.  SPHP lowered the windows so she could ride with her head out the window of the G6.  She loved the wind rushing past her face.  She barked at cows and horses as she flew on by.

Lupe on Copper Mountain towards the end of the day.
Lupe on Copper Mountain towards the end of the day.

At a couple of points along County Road No. 309 before reaching the highway there were quite a few cows and their calves right on the road.  Greeted by a hysterical dingo, they looked quite puzzled at what all the excitement was about. Finally they got the idea that the crazy dingo was trying to be big and scary and the cows all moseyed off the road.  Lupe continued to stand up and bark at every opportunity all the way along Deerfield Road to Hill City.  With no cows or horses in sight in Hill City, she was finally content to curl up on the seat and pant for a while.  It had been another great day to be an American dingo in the Black Hills of South Dakota!

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