Cement Ridge – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 62 – Cement Ridge (6-8-13)

8:15 AM, 58ºF, Old Baldy Mountain trailhead off USFS Road No. 134 – The skies were clouding up. Looking like rain again, although any rain was supposed to end later this morning, chased away by 20 to 30 mph winds expected to kick up this afternoon.

The American Dingo was here for the 2nd time in 6 days. Since Lupe had already visited Old Baldy Mountain (6,096 ft.) last time around, that wasn’t her destination today. Cement Ridge (6,674 ft.), 4 miles WNW, was the goal, and perhaps some wandering after that.

The air was humid and still at the moment, but it would be good to get to Cement Ridge before the wind. Lupe left the vacant trailhead heading W on Trail No. 66, this time ignoring the turn for the E route of the No. 66 loop she had taken to Old Baldy Mountain 6 days ago.

The weather had been super wet for weeks. Must have had yet another substantial rain here again last night. Verging on mucky, the level trail wound W through a mixed forest of dark pines and white-barked aspens sporting newly sprouted light green leaves.

Lupe soon reached the place where the W half of the Trail No. 66 loop turns N toward Beaver Creek. Instead of making this turn, Lupe took an old abandoned side road that went SW down into Schoolhouse Gulch. Picking up USFS Road No. 222 here, the Carolina Dog headed N.

Where Lupe reached No. 222, a lush green meadow was visible beyond a thin line of trees W of the road. A large stock pond brimming with water was seen only a little farther N. As Lupe drew even with the pond, a man driving an ATV stopped to chat.

Introducing himself as “Hank”, the man said he was on his way to mend fences on property he owned nearby. Noting SPHP’s interest in the stock pond, Hank said he knew the owner, and had even requested permission to fish there. The owner readily granted that permission, but told Hank there weren’t any fish to catch. Although he had once stocked the pond with 2,000 trout, the pond froze solid, winter-killing all of them.

Hank commented that he didn’t see many hikers in this area, and was curious about where Lupe was going and where she’d started from. When SPHP relayed that information, Hank said he needed to be more active in the hills himself. Wishing Lupe success, he drove off.

The **stock pond in Schoolhouse Gulch** W of USFS Road No. 222. Photo looks WSW.

Soon another vehicle came along. This time it was the driver of a pickup truck that stopped to chat. He said he was on his way to fix fences with a friend, and was surprised when SPHP told him that Hank was already there waiting for him.

The pickup truck driver also owned property in this region, 270 acres in all, in 2 separate parcels. 160 acres were back in the forest W of USFS Road No. 222, land that had been in his family since the early 1900’s. He had grown up there, although the old cabin was now in such a state of disrepair that it was unusable.

This driver also commented on how seldom they saw hikers here, and wondered where Lupe was going? When SPHP said Cement Ridge, he replied that she had a long walk ahead of her. A neighbor had told him they’d gotten 17 inches of rain in the last 2 storms up that way, the most water received in such a short period of time since the floods of 1965.

Before he drove off, SPHP assured the pickup driver that Lupe had all day, and would have no problem at all getting to Cement Ridge.

For 0.5 mile, No. 222 proceeded NNW, sloping gradually downhill to the confluence of 2 major tributaries of Beaver Creek. Joining forces at a low point just W of the road, the combined stream turned E flowing through a culvert.

Once past Beaver Creek, Lupe started gaining elevation. Hank was soon spotted doing something near a spring in a field W of the road. The pickup driver, who had supposedly been on the way to help him mend fences, was nowhere in sight, but Hank waved and shouted a friendly greeting to Lupe and SPHP.

Climbing steadily, USFS Road No. 222 curved W. Scattered patches of blue sky appeared amid lots of puffy white, and sometimes gray, clouds. A light and airy breeze sprang up. SPHP collected Lupe treasures from the ditches, while Lupe ran sniffing through the woods investigating whatever seemed interesting.

A moment of relaxation on the way to Cement Ridge.

After winding W for more than a mile, USFS Road No. 222 turned N again upon reaching its high point. No. 103, little more than a jeep trail, took off to the L here. Leaving No. 222, Lupe took No. 103, which quickly turned S. For 0.5 mile, the road was fairly straight and level.

Although this region was forested, the trees were young. Lupe was high enough to get some decent glimpses of views to the E. She trotted along, drinking from little streams and mud puddles, while SPHP continued to gather Lupe treasures. No. 103 started to wind SW. Lupe passed a sign saying a permit was required for off-road vehicles in Wyoming. She had left South Dakota.

After a mile or so on No. 103, a long switchback turned first SE, then sharply NW, going more steeply uphill. At the upper end, Lupe reached a saddle where No. 103 linked up with USFS Road No. 850, which had come up past Guidinger Spring from Rattlesnake Canyon.

No. 850 was a much better road, and went NW a little over a mile to the fire lookout tower on Cement Ridge. Rather than follow the road, Lupe stayed up on higher ground NE of it, traveling the crest of the ridgeline through open forest and fields of wildflowers.

Wildflowers on the way to the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower.

So beautiful! The wildflowers were nice, too!

A healthy specimen of the “yellow wildflower” category.

Wildflowers were beautiful and abundant! The air – breezy, light, and fresh. Big clouds sailed overhead, and the views improved with each passing moment. A bicyclist soon appeared on No. 850, pedaling for the summit. Before long, another one was spotted, and more kept appearing after that. At first, the bicyclists were all on their way up to the lookout, but soon some were seen coasting down No. 850, too. Something must be going on!

The Cement Ridge lookout tower came into view. People were gathered near a canopy set up along the road SW of the tower, but Lupe headed straight to the top.

Approaching the **Cement Ridge fire lookout tower**. Photo looks NW.

After giving Lupe some Taste of the Wild, SPHP relaxed at a picnic table near the NW corner of the lookout tower and began eating an orange. Tremendous views by Black Hills standards in nearly all directions!

Sundance Mountain (5,824 ft.) and Warren Peaks (6,650 ft.) were in sight to the WNW. Inyan Kara (6,360 ft.) was off to the SW. Looking back into South Dakota, both Crow Peak (5,787 ft.) to the NNE, and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) to the E, were easy to spot.

**Inyan Kara Mountain** (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks SW.

**Terry Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks E.

Low overhead, an endless procession of big clouds raced by from out of the W. Although Lupe was sometimes in sunshine, most of the time she was in shadow. The darker clouds spit a little rain as they passed. SPHP had only been at the picnic table for 10 minutes when suddenly a NW wind kicked up, coming in 20 to 30 mph gusts, as forecast.

Moving to the more sheltered SE side of the lookout tower, SPHP worked on an apple. Accepting pieces of a Pop Tart, Lupe promptly decided to bury them for future use, but found it tough to do so in the hard-packed gravel surrounding the tower.

Although the wind was a bit annoying, once the snack break was over, Lupe and SPHP headed down to the canopy to find out what was going on. A young man and woman, both smartly dressed in genuine western outfits, were busy grilling burgers and hot dogs to go along with water or beer for 140 contestants in a 110 mile long bicycle race that started and ended in Spearfish. Cement Ridge, 40 miles along the course, was one of the main support stops along the way. A photographer with a fancy camera was taking pictures of contestants that made it this far.

Curiosity satisfied, Lupe head over to another picnic table for a final look around before returning briefly to the lookout tower. She would have stayed longer, but Carolina Dogs aren’t fond of wind. Lupe was soon heading SE back down the ridgeline overlooking USFS Road No. 850, where bicyclists continued to stream by.

A windy and impressively cloudy day at **Cement Ridge**. Photo looks E.

Despite the wind, Lupe would have gone up to the top of the tower, if it had been open.

Lupe was nearly back to the saddle where USFS Road No. 103 joined No. 850, when she suddenly became very interested in something hidden in deep grass amid a tight group of young trees. Taking a look, SPHP saw a dead chipmunk.

Picking the chipmunk up to prevent Lupe from eating it, SPHP was in the process of examining the chipmunk, when it suddenly sprang up, leapt back into the grass, and began scurrying away. The American Dingo was on it in a flash! SPHP made Lupe release the chipmunk more than once in a span of only seconds, but the episode ended in tragedy with the poor, innocent chipmunk laying motionless in the grass.

Terrible! Fearing Lupe had killed the harmless chipmunk, SPHP again picked it up, checking for injuries. Promptly awakening and biting SPHP, the chipmunk made another mad dash for freedom. This time SPHP managed to prevent Lupe from going after it. So much for handling “dead” wild animals!

USFS Road No. 103 was just ahead. Not even noon yet. The Carolina Dog had the rest of the day to wander now, if she wanted to. 6 days ago on Expedition No. 61, a line of almost equally high ridges had been visible S of the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower. This was a great opportunity to explore them!

Instead of heading back on No. 103, Lupe left the saddle climbing S up a forested slope.

Approaching the saddle where USFS Roads No. 850 (R) and No. 103 meet. The **true summit of Cement Ridge** is visible (R of Center). Photo looks S.

Upon reaching level terrain on top of the first ridge S of the roads, Lupe went WNW a little way exploring toward the highest point, ultimately reaching a spot where she had a view of the fire lookout tower more than a mile NW. SPHP didn’t realize it until nearly a year later, but Lupe was now at the true summit of Cement Ridge (6,674 ft.).

Without any real plan other than to explore whatever high ground she might come to, Lupe headed S through the forest. Didn’t seem to be any pine bark beetle infestation up here, so there wasn’t much deadfall to contend with. Juniper bushes growing on the forest floor were about the only impediment, and these were usually easily avoided.

The terrain sloped gradually lower. SPHP eventually encouraged Lupe to turn SE, losing a bit more elevation as she went down to a meadow in a small valley. Lupe found a logging road and followed it S. Before long, she came to a spring bubbling up from a 4″ hole in the road. The day was getting sunnier and warmer, so she helped herself to a big drink.

Going over a series of hills, Lupe worked her way S, generally heading SE while up on top, then turning SW when the hill or ridge played out to head over to the next one. She crossed a road, which might have been USFS Road No. 804, where 2 bicyclists from the race appeared, but they were the last ones Lupe saw. SPHP kept hoping for some distant views, but the hills were all forested, and little could be glimpsed except the next rise ahead.

Exactly where Lupe went, is now impossible to say. The American Dingo followed various old logging roads up on the ridges, and occasionally crossed USFS roads in the valleys. None of these roads were marked. Lupe saw many deer, and once, when the sky darkened for a little while, she saw 2 giant deers (elk) near a dense pine forest.

The sky brightened again. After crossing a road that went E/W, Lupe came to a small vigorous stream that flowed W. She laid right down in it to cool off, emerging greatly refreshed. Pausing to check the old Black Hills NF map, SPHP figured this might be the stream S of USFS Road No. 805 that drains into Wagon Canyon. A beautiful cloud appeared over the next hill. It never developed into anything threatening.

The stream that Lupe cooled off in. Photo looks W.

The magnificent cloud sailed off to the E. Lupe continued S. A logging road took her up to a high point where the forest had been thinned enough to permit a view of the top of Inyan Kara Mountain (6,360 ft.), still many miles to the SW.

Going S along a ridge from the high point, the sky darkened again. Tiny hailstones fell for several minutes before morphing into a 10 minute rain shower. A shallow green valley appeared ahead with a faint road going through it. Upon reaching the road, a minor pass could be seen 200 yards to the NW.

Lupe ventured up to the pass, where SPHP was surprised to see a brown wand identifying this road as USFS Road No. 393.1. Nearby to the S was a little hill with lots of pine trees. Climbing up to see what could be seen from here, the answer was, not much. SPHP sat down next to a pine tree for another look at the map, while Lupe rested on a bed of pine needles looking like she was truly enjoying this aimlessly wandering adventure.

No. 393 was shown on the map, but No. 393.1 wasn’t. Lupe must have drifted far enough E to be back in South Dakota, but how far S she was wasn’t clear. Taking a short break, Lupe and SPHP stayed on the little hill for a while. Couldn’t stay long. A few hours of daylight remained, but the sun was starting to sink toward the horizon.

Returning to No. 393.1, Lupe followed it SE. The shallow green valley led to a larger valley with a better road that turned NE, the direction Lupe needed to go to get to the G6. At this turn, another marker showed that Lupe had just come down USFS Road No. 106.1A. Confusing! SPHP still wasn’t certain where the American Dingo was.

The shallow green valley Lupe had just come down from the No. 106.1A wand. Photo looks WNW.

The evening stroll down the larger valley was gorgeous! Fabulous clouds drifted by on a cool, light breeze. Birds sang the happy songs of late spring. Lupe trotted along, pausing for drinks from each puddle she came to, while SPHP began finding and gathering Lupe treasures again. Another wand appeared saying that this was USFS Road No. 134.3B, which was on the map. For the first time in hours, SPHP knew exactly where Lupe was.

On USFS Road No. 134.3B. Photo looks NNE.

After a mile or two, the valley came to an abrupt end. For the next 0.25 mile, No. 134.3B passed through a narrow gap flanked by limestone walls. The road was badly eroded in here. Rocks, silt, and gravel had been washed away and deposited farther down the mini-gorge.

When Lupe emerged from the gap, the junction with USFS Road No. 134 was just ahead. Another check of the map. Still 5 splendid miles to go!

8:26 PM, 52ºF, Old Baldy Mountain trailhead – Lupe’s journey to Cement Ridge, and her long wanderings S along both sides of the seldom visited South Dakota – Wyoming border had been a success, a fabulous 12 hour excursion! 76 Lupe treasures gathered, too! A new record.

A terrific day, but the sort of one that works up an appetite. About time for some cheeseburgers! SPHP stopped at McDonald’s in Spearfish and bought 4. The famished American Dingo made sure she got 2 of them before curling up to snooze the rest of the way home.

**Miles S of Cement Ridge**, Black Hills National Forest 6-8-13

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 141 – Old Baldy Mountain & Cement Ridge (10-11-15)

Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 205 – Balm of Gilead Gulch & Cement Ridge (5-20-17)

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Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 205 – Balm of Gilead Gulch & Cement Ridge (5-20-17)

Start, 11:04 AM, 33°F, intersection of USFS Roads No. 189, 189.4A & 631.2C about 0.33 mile WSW of Crooks Tower

This was supposed to be an expedition to celebrate the rapid approach of a glorious new summer! Lupe would explore mysteriously named Balm of Gilead Gulch before continuing on to Cement Ridge. There, beneath cotton ball clouds sailing a crystal blue sea, the Carolina Dog would sniff colorful wildflowers swaying in warm breezes. She would gaze upon panoramic views of Inyan Kara, the Bear Lodge Mountains, and far into eastern Wyoming.

The scene would both excite the imagination and serve as a call to action! Nearly 8.5 months after Lupe’s return from her grand Summer of 2016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska, the time for new Dingo adventures beyond the Black Hills was almost here!

Hah! Dream on. Even before leaving home, SPHP knew the forecast didn’t include much in the way of warm breezes.

A week ago on Expedition No. 204, Lupe had visited Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.), one of the highest points in the Black Hills. She’d made a day of it coming up from Merow Spring and Clayton Pond, and subsequently continuing on to Peak 6820. Now, driving W on South Rapid Creek Road (USFS Road No. 231), it occurred to SPHP that Loop was very close to Crooks Tower again. Why not go back for a good look at how much conditions had changed?

It wasn’t necessary to spend a whole day on foot and paw to get to Crooks Tower. In fact, a 2 mile detour S on USFS Road No. 189 would bring Lupe to a point only 0.33 mile WSW of the summit. Let’s do it! SPHP made the turn. Five minutes later, Lupe sprang out of the G6 into a world where the mood was better suited to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer than 4th of July fireworks.

*Sooooo, let me get this straight. We’re here to celebrate the imminent approach of summer, right? Did you get a really big discount for booking early SPHP, or what?* At the W end of USFS Road No. 189.4A. Photo looks SSE.

Although the forecast called for 0% chance of precipitation, the sky was heavily overcast. Any more overcast, and Lupe would have been in a fog. Humidity filled the air. It felt like it could rain buckets at any time. Or snow. At a chilly 33°F, snow seemed equally plausible. The ground was already white with the stuff.

Lupe concealed her disappointment with summer’s non-arrival well. In fact, she seemed thrilled and energized by the snow. She charged through fields and forests as SPHP began a mucky march E along USFS Road No. 189.4A.

USFS Road No. 189.4A leads ENE from the junction with No. 189 & No. 631.2C. About 0.33 mile later, it passes just S of the summit of Crooks Tower. Photo looks E.

About 0.33 mile from the G6, the road passed just S of the summit of Crooks Tower. Lupe and SPHP left the road to take the short path leading to the top from the SW. Only a week after her 8th ascent, Lupe was here for the 9th time.

Back on Crooks Tower for the 9th time! Photo looks SE.

Each pine needle was beautifully flocked, but that wouldn’t last long this time of year. The snow already looked like it was starting to melt.

Loopster at the highest point. Photo looks N.

Having been here only a week ago, Lupe and SPHP dawdled only a little while on Crooks Tower. It was fun to be there again, but the plan was still to explore Balm of Gilead Gulch and reach Cement Ridge today. Lupe returned to the G6 (11:35 AM, 33°F), and SPHP drove onward.

N of Highway 85, a little W of O’Neill Pass, SPHP parked the G6 again (11:53 AM, 39°F) near corrals S of the junction of USFS Roads No. 175 (Willow Springs Road) and No. 106 (Riflepit Canyon Road). Here Lupe was only 0.67 mile W of Laird Peak (6,906 ft.), another mountain along the way. SPHP figured she might as well climb it, too, since it was an easy peak and wouldn’t take long.

An unmarked grassy road led E from the parking area up a little valley past Tom Spring. This area was hundreds of feet lower than Crooks Tower, so there wasn’t nearly as much snow around. What snow there was in the pines was melting fast. Snowmelt dripped to the ground in such abundance, Lupe was getting rained on beneath the trees.

In the valley leading E to Tom Spring on the way to Laird Peak. There wasn’t nearly as much snow here as there had been at Crooks Tower. Photo looks S.

Loop had a good time exploring on the way to Laird Peak. Photo looks E.

Tom Spring was a muddy area. Water poured from a pipe into a circular water trough. Not too exciting. Lupe didn’t seem interested. She pressed on up the valley. The road faded somewhat beyond Tom Spring, but could still be followed.

Upon reaching a ridgeline where several better dirt roads intersected, Lupe took a road going N. She stayed on it for only 100 feet or so to get past a fence running E/W. She then turned E following the N side of the fence line. Laird Peak’s summit was only a couple hundred yards ahead. The summit appeared only as a small hill in the forest.

Approaching the summit of Laird Peak from the W. The summit appears to be just another small hill in the forest. Photo looks E.

Lupe quickly reached the top. The summit area was easily the size of a modest yard in town and quite flat. Deadfall timber lay scattered about the perimeter of a small clearing. A sign marking the location of the survey benchmark was in sight near the N edge of the clearing.

Lupe at the survey benchmark on **Laird Peak (6,906 ft.)**. A little less than half of the flat summit area is in view. Photo looks N.

This was Lupe’s 3rd ascent of Laird Peak. Other than having to deal with a little deadfall timber, it’s a quick easy climb from the W via Tom Spring. Photo looks N.

Pine bark beetles had damaged the surrounding forest enough to provide tree-broken glimpses of distant views in various directions, but only enough to tantalize. Lupe couldn’t really see much from here other than the immediate area. With no clear views to contemplate, the American Dingo was soon ready to go.

Lupe ready to head back down the W slope. Photo looks WNW.

The sky was still overcast, but not as darkly as before. Now and then a small patch of blue sky appeared. SPHP kept expecting the clouds to burn off, but they didn’t. Instead the clouds kept closing up the gaps, and the sunshine would disappear. Nothing had really changed by the time Lupe reached the G6 again (12:45 PM).

A winding drive NW down Grand Canyon ensued. USFS Road No. 175 turned to No. 875 at the Wyoming border. By the time SPHP parked the G6 at the intersection of No. 875 & No. 804, it was already 1:23 PM (47°F). If Lupe was going to explore Balm of Gilead Gulch and still have time to reach Cement Ridge, she had best get on with it. The Carolina Dog and SPHP took off heading E up Rattlesnake Canyon on No. 804.

Dandelions prospered along No. 804 on the way up Rattlesnake Canyon. Nuisances in yards, dandelions are amazingly resilient plants.

The stroll up Rattlesnake Canyon was easy. A couple of miles E of the G6, SPHP started looking for a R (S) turn on USFS Road No. 804.1A which would take Lupe up into Balm of Gilead Gulch. A road going S up a hill did appear. There weren’t any signs at the turn, but a forest service gate was in view a little way up the hill.

Was this No. 804.1A? It didn’t seem quite right. The topo map showed a 4WD trail heading S up a smaller valley about 0.5 mile before (W of) the turn to Balm of Gilead Gulch, and this was the first side road Lupe had come to. SPHP almost led Lupe past this road, but decided she might as well check out the forest service gate for any clues first.

Good thing! Nearing the gate, Lupe found a marker showing this was USFS Road No. 804.1A.

Nearing the forest service gate, Lupe found a marker showing this was USFS Road No. 804.1A after all. She was bound for Balm of Gilead Gulch! Photo looks S.

So this was it! Lupe was bound for Balm of Gilead Gulch! Except for one thing that raised doubts again. As the Carolina Dog trotted past the gate, SPHP noticed large white letters on the round metal swivel housing on the L. The letters read OLDB 05. What did that mean? SPHP was suspicious.

It might mean that this road had been renumbered. USFS Road No. 805 went up Wagon Canyon 1.5 miles to the S. Was this possibly a connecting spur, formerly known as No. 805.B? Seemed like a possibility, but who knew? May as well try it. After all, the official sign did say this was No. 804.1A, which was supposed to be the road into Balm of Gilead Gulch.

Lupe continued up No. 804.1A. The road turned SE and led up a small forested valley. The day had warmed up some, and Lupe was still considerably lower here than she had been at either Crooks Tower or Laird Peak, so she didn’t find any snow in this area. There had been some, though. The road was damp, nearly muddy.

Although no tire tracks were to be seen, an amazing number of animal tracks crisscrossed the soft road. It wasn’t long before Lupe started seeing wildlife – whitetail deer and Lupe’s giant deers – the elk.

Lupe saw many whitetail deer and a number of her giant deers (elk), too, as she traveled up USFS Road No. 804.1A.

It was fun being where there were so many animals in the forest, and sort of easy to see why they were here. No tire tracks on the road at all meant people seldom come here. The forest was full of hidden grassy glens. This was a good place to hide and hang out.

Lupe at a grassy glen along USFS Road No. 804.1A. There seemed to be plenty more such glens hidden back in the forest, making this area popular with deer and elk.

Lupe gained elevation steadily for perhaps a mile before the road leveled out. Here, the main road turned SW and started going downhill. A fainter road curved ESE. Lupe needed to go E, so she took the fainter road. When she wanted to stop for a water break 5 or 10 minutes later, SPHP took a look at the maps.

Hmmm. SPHP was soon convinced that Lupe hadn’t been traveling through Balm of Gilead Gulch at all. Where the main road had turned SW, it almost had to be headed for Kirley Gulch on its way down to Wagon Canyon. Apparently the road numbers really had been changed. The old No. 804.1A leading into Balm of Gilead Gulch that Lupe had been looking for was no more. The new No. 804.1A actually was a road connecting No. 804 in Rattlesnake Canyon and No. 805 in Wagon Canyon.

The inescapable conclusion was that Balm of Gilead Gulch was 0.5 mile N or NE of where Lupe was now. She could have gone through the forest looking for it, but that would have meant losing elevation she’d already gained. Furthermore, she would only get to travel through part of the gulch. Instead of doing that, SPHP decided Lupe might just as well continue on to Cement Ridge. She could hit Balm of Gilead Gulch on the way back.

Break done, Lupe roamed happily in the forest along a series of remote USFS roads. She traveled E or SE, and once in a while NE. She was generally still gaining elevation, but at a slow rate. Sometimes there were markers at the road junctions, but even when there were, usually only one road was marked. It wasn’t always clear which road the marker was meant for.

This was pretty high country, but due to the forest, Lupe seldom had any distant views. Some ridges did eventually appear off to the S and SW. Loop was already nearly as high as they were.

Roaming the back roads on the way to Cement Ridge. Photo looks E.

The light green of the newly emerging aspen leaves contrasted nicely with the dark green of the Ponderosa Pines. Lupe loves wandering back roads like this one. Photo looks ESE.

This was a 3 way intersection (roads also went to the L & R) where Lupe found a marker for USFS Road No. 805.3J, but which road it was meant for was impossible to tell. She had reached this point coming up the road seen on the R. Photo looks W.

On her explorations, Lupe either traveled along or passed by USFS Roads No. 805.3J, 805.3G, and 805.3A. About two miles E of where she’d left No. 804.1A, she came down a side road marked No. 105.1B to arrive at the first major gravel road she’d seen since leaving No. 804 down in Rattlesnake Canyon.

A check of the maps revealed that Loop was now only 0.25 mile S of No. 105’s junction with No. 804. Cement Ridge (6,674 ft.) was only 1.5 miles NNW beyond the intersection. Before setting out again, Lupe was ready for more water and Taste of the Wild. SPHP ate the only apple, which was supposed to have been saved for Cement Ridge, but, oh well.

All tanked up again, Lupe set off along No. 105 for Cement Ridge. Upon reaching the junction with No. 804, she followed No. 804 NNW a good 0.5 mile to its high point, then plunged into the forest. The American Dingo loves being off road most of all, so she had a grand time. Gradually things got steeper, but it was never more than a straightforward trudge up a hill.

When Lupe reached the ridgeline along the N face, she turned W and followed the ridge a short distance to a pathetic little limestone cairn at the high point. This was it, the true summit of Cement Ridge!

Lupe next to the pathetic little limestone cairn at the true summit of Cement Ridge. Photo looks WNW.

Crow Peak is seen faintly on the horizon beyond Lupe. The sky was still cloudy and rather hazy. Loop found a small amount of snow remaining here on Cement Ridge, but only close to the true summit. Photo looks NE.

Virtually no one from the Black Hills region would recognize this place where Lupe was now as the summit of Cement Ridge. This might be the true summit according to the topo maps, but only a handful of peakbagging Dingoes would even be aware of its existence. Cement Ridge is well known locally as one of the Black Hills’ premier viewpoints, but what everyone around here is referring to are the views from the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower.

The fire lookout tower is located on a barren highpoint near the NW end of Cement Ridge over a mile from the true summit. According to the topo map, the lookout tower is 27 feet lower than the true summit. Nevertheless, the views from the tower are far superior to those available from the heavily forested true summit.

Lupe could see the lookout tower from the true summit. Perhaps it was only an illusion, but it actually looked higher to SPHP.

The Cement Ridge fire lookout tower (L) was visible from the cairn where the true summit is supposed to be. SPHP thought the lookout tower actually appeared higher, but perhaps its an illusion. Lupe offered no opinion. Photo looks NW.

Lupe had no comment on which point she thought might be highest, the lookout tower or this pathetic little cairn. She was content to let surveyors battle that one out. However, when SPHP asked if she wanted to go see the fabulous views at the tower, she was all for that!

A 10 minute trek N down through an aspen forest brought Lupe to a saddle where USFS Road No. 850 coming up from the W turns N. Loop followed the road all the way to the lookout tower. Not a soul was around.

Lupe reaches the Cement Ridge Lookout Tower. Photo looks E.

This survey benchmark is located at the base of the flag pole NW of the lookout tower.

The Cement Ridge fire lookout tower in eastern Wyoming is only 1 mile W of the South Dakota border. The true summit is even closer to South Dakota, only 0.5 mile away.

Instead of cotton ball clouds sailing a crystal blue sky, Lupe saw scattered tiny patches of blue lost in a gray-white ocean. She felt no warm breezes. There were wildflowers to sniff, but they tossed about tormented by a chilly N breeze. The views were wonderful, but felt remote and forlorn, not bright and inspiring.

Looking SE along the length of Cement Ridge. The access road is seen below. The true summit (R) is the high point in the distance appearing almost straight up from Lupe’s head.

**Inyan Kara (6,360 ft.)** (R) from Cement Ridge. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

George Armstrong Custer reached the summit of Inyan Kara on July 23, 1874, less than 2 years before his death in the Battle of the Little Bighorn (Custer’s Last Stand) on June 25-26, 1876 in Montana. Lupe reached the summit on November 9, 2014, more than 140 years after Custer.

**Crow Peak (5,787 ft.)** (R) is the most prominent peak W of Spearfish, SD. Photo looks NNE.

Looking NW toward the Bear Lodge Mountains. **Warren Peaks (6,650 ft.)** is the high point where another fire tower exists.

With sweeping views in nearly all directions, Lupe saw a great many Black Hills peaks she had been to before. The wind was coldest and strongest, though, up near the fire tower. Lupe and SPHP retreated a bit down the W slope to an old picnic table. Conditions were only slightly better here, and only the views to the W could still be seen, but they were grand.

Looper and SPHP stayed at the lower picnic table soaking it all in.

Loopster up on the old picnic table. Inyan Kara is on the horizon to her R. Photo looks SW.

Looking E back toward the lookout tower from the lower picnic table. Two newer picnic tables were located up close to the tower.

Cement Ridge would be a great place to see the sunset, but Lupe was here too early for that. The sun wouldn’t set for another couple of hours. Even if she waited, the sky was so overcast, it wasn’t likely she would see much. Besides, if she was ever going to see Balm of Gilead Gulch, she needed to get going.

Puppy ho! After a little rest curled up beneath the old picnic table, Lupe set out for Balm of Gilead Gulch again. The first part of the journey took her SE back along the length of Cement Ridge. This time, instead of following the access road, she stayed up on the highest parts of the ridge where she could see the terrific views to the E.

A glance back at the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower. Photo looks NW.

Tiny wildflowers grew in profusion. These pretty little purple/pink flowers were SPHP’s favorites.

On her way, since she had to pass so close to it again, Lupe returned to Cement Ridge’s true summit.

Approaching the true summit again, this time from the N. Photo looks S.

Looper returns to the true summit. She was now in a hurry to get to Balm of Gilead Gulch, so this time she didn’t dilly dally here more than a few minutes. Photo looks WNW.

Since Looper was now in a hurry to get to Balm of Gilead Gulch before the sun set, she stayed only a couple of minutes at the summit before pressing on to the S. She came across a dirt road going SSE, which was faster for SPHP than traveling through the forest.

Going down this road, suddenly sunshine was filtering through the trees. The sky, which had been 90%+ overcast all day long, was almost completely clear! SPHP was astonished at how fast this transformation had taken place. Only a few clouds remained. The rest hadn’t floated on by, they had simply dissipated into thin air.

The sun was noticeably lower now, but would still be up for a while. The evening light brought out even more wildlife. Lupe saw more whitetails and giant deers.

The road eventually reached USFS Road No. 105, this time a little E of its junction with No. 804. A marker showed Lupe had been coming down USFS Road No. 105.1A.

Lupe at the marker for USFS Road No. 105.1a where it reaches No. 105. Lupe had just followed No. 105.1A SSE nearly all the way down from Cement Ridge’s true summit. Photo looks NNW.

A short trek to the W on No. 105 brought Lupe to the junction with No. 804 again. This time she turned S on No. 105, following it back to the turn W onto No. 105.1B.

Earlier in the day, before ever reaching No. 105 on her way to Cement Ridge, Lupe had reached a broad gentle saddle where there was a 4-way intersection. This was probably where she’d gotten on No. 105.1B as she continued E at the time. However, SPHP had seen that the road going NW from there sloped gradually into a wide valley. That wide valley was likely the upper end of Balm of Gilead Gulch.

With the sun getting ever lower, Lupe and SPHP hurried back along No. 105.1B, hoping to reach the broad saddle before the sun was down. Even hurrying along, it was hard not to appreciate the beauty of the sunlight filtered by the trees. What a wonderful evening trek! Lupe was enthusiastic. She raced through the forest exploring everything.

Sunlight filters through the forest nearing Balm of Gilead Gulch.

Lupe did make it to the broad saddle before the sun was down. She turned NW on the road leading through the wide valley. She followed the road a little way, but left it to follow a single track trail W down into Balm of Gilead Gulch.

Lupe reaches the beautiful broad valley at the upper end of Balm of Gilead Gulch. The sun wouldn’t be up much longer. Photo looks WNW.

On the single track trail after leaving the road.

Lupe traveled the entire length of Balm of Gilead Gulch, as sunlight left the valley floor to linger on the forested hillsides. The pale golden light of day retreated to the uppermost treetops, and was lost. Lupe saw deer. She saw elk. A hawk screeched and flew away. Lower down where the valley narrowed, the Carolina Dog came to a tiny stream.

It was all beautiful, but though she sniffed and looked everywhere she could, the Carolina Dog never found it. If a different road to a different place hadn’t been relabeled as USFS Road No. 804.1A, she would have been here much earlier and had more time. Maybe, maybe then, she would have found it. As it was, twilight faded, darkness descended, stars glittered in the night sky.

But Lupe never did find the fabled Balm of Gilead. (End 9:32 PM, 32°F)

“Prophet! said I, “thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil! –

Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,

Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted –

On this home by Horror haunted – tell me truly, I implore –

Is there – is there balm in Gilead? – tell me, tell me, I implore!”

Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”

from The Raven, Edgar Allen Poe

Note: The Cement Ridge fire lookout tower is accessible by road from the W or SE by following USFS Road No. 804 to No. 850. The true summit is the hill immediately S of where No. 850 reaches a saddle on the ridgeline, and turns N to continue on to the lookout. Another route exists from the E on USFS Road No. 103 to this same point, but requires a high clearance vehicle.

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Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 141 – Old Baldy Mountain & Cement Ridge (10-11-15)

Lupe was happy and excited. She was on her way to another Black Hills Expedition. On USFS Road No. 256, SPHP stopped the G6 along the road. There was a very nice stand of yellow aspens, and SPHP wanted a photo of it. This late in the season, most of the aspens higher up were probably past their prime already, but these still looked good. Their golden glory wouldn’t last long, though. Leaves fell by the thousands with every gust of the NW breeze.

Aspens along USFS Road No. 256 E of Minnesota Ridge. — Aspens along USFS Road No. 256 east of Minnesota Ridge.

Lupe’s chance to sniff around along No. 256 didn’t last long. Soon it was time to continue on. Lupe enjoyed the long ride through the hills. She rode with her head out the window in the wind, barking ferociously at cows and horses along the way. By the time most of them even looked up to see what the commotion was all about, she was already past them. It didn’t matter, Lupe was satisfied she had done her barking duty.

At 10:59 AM, SPHP parked the G6 at the Old Baldy trailhead off USFS Road No. 134 . It was 67°F, overcast and breezy. Old Baldy Trail No. 66 goes to Old Baldy Mountain (6,096 ft.). There is a W route and an E route to get there, the W route being a little longer. Both routes meet up again 0.8 mile from the summit for the final climb. Both trails go up and down through the hills, but there really isn’t all that much net elevation change – the trail is pretty easy.

Lupe and SPHP took the E route to Old Baldy Mountain. This trail is a bit unusual for the Black Hills. It goes through a forest consisting mostly of aspens with some scattered pines. Usually it is the other way around, and the pines dominate. Most of the aspens were well beyond their peak for fall colors, but there was still enough color around for a very pleasant journey. The trail and forest floor were now decorated with the speckled browns, pale yellows and golds of the fallen aspen leaves.

Lupe on the E route of Old Baldy Trail No. 66.

At the low point along the E route of the Old Baldy Trail, there was a sign for Baldy Lake. Beyond the sign was a big beautiful pasture and a tiny stream, but no lake. Baldy Lake couldn’t have been more than just a stock pond, even when it did exist. The tiny creek trickled through a breach in a low earthen dam where Baldy Lake used to be. After crossing the tiny creek, it didn’t take Lupe long to reach the junction of the E and W routes to Old Baldy Mountain.

The bridge across the tiny creek at the low point of the E route of Old Baldy Trail No. 66.

The trail up to the summit of Old Baldy Mountain gains only about 300 feet of elevation. It didn’t take Lupe long to reach the top. The NW breeze was still blowing, but the clouds were gone. Now it was sunny, clear and rather warm out, especially for 1/3 of the way through October. Lupe was thirsty! She had a big drink of water up on Old Baldy, one of many this day.Old Baldy Mountain isn’t particularly high for the area, but there were some pretty nice views. Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) could be seen about 11 miles to the ESE. The Beaver Creek valley was just S of Old Baldy. Lupe’s next destination, Cement Ridge (6,674 ft.), was several miles to the WSW.

Cement Ridge, Lupe's next destination. — Cement Ridge, Lupe’s next destination.

Lupe and SPHP went back down Old Baldy Mountain. This time Lupe took the W route on Old Baldy Trail No. 66. Lupe followed it quite a long way as it wound around through the forest. She came to one spot where there was an unobstructed view of Old Baldy Mountain from the S.

Looking W at the Beaver Creek valley. Lupe is SE of Old Baldy Mountain here, not far from the W route of Old Baldy Trail No. 66. — Looking W at the Beaver Creek valley. Lupe is SE of Old Baldy Mountain here, near the W route of Old Baldy Trail No. 66.

Looking N at Old Baldy Mountain from the W route of Old Baldy Trail No. 66.

When the W route of the Old Baldy trail started taking Lupe SE, she left the trail and plunged into the forest. Lupe needed to head W to get to Schoolhouse Gulch Road, USFS Road No. 222. Going W through the forest was a short cut. Lupe was happy in the forest. She likes being off any road or trail. It really wasn’t very far to No. 222. Soon Lupe and SPHP were there. Lupe may have been disappointed the shortcut was so very short.

Looking W from USFS Road No. 222 (Schoolhouse Gulch Road).

Lupe and SPHP headed N on No. 222. Part of the time, Lupe and SPHP just paralleled the road out in the field to the W. Lupe got a drink out of Beaver Creek where she crossed it still heading N. No. 222 curved to the NW. As a road hike on a fairly major gravel road, Lupe wasn’t all that thrilled with it, but it was still quite pretty. Lupe dashed in and out of the forest checking for squirrels. SPHP started collecting some of the inevitable trash along a main road.

After following USFS Road No. 222 for a couple of miles, Lupe reached USFS Road No. 103. This road was more to Lupe’s liking. It was more like a jeep trail or logging road. It wound around to the S before turning W to connect with USFS Road No. 850 up on Cement Ridge. Before reaching Cement Ridge, Lupe crossed the border from South Dakota into Wyoming.

From where Lupe reached No. 850, the Cement Ridge lookout tower was still a mile or more off to the NW. Lupe and SPHP mostly stayed NE of the road following the highest part of the ridgeline. There were big views off to the NE over the northern Black Hills of South Dakota. The prairie could be seen beyond the hills.

Vehicles started coming and going on the road. Lupe was going to have company up at the lookout tower. As it turned out, Lupe was never alone up there. Four or five carloads of people with kids and dogs arrived. Lupe was a bit overwhelmed with so many dogs, so Lupe and SPHP went a bit W of the lookout tower to an old picnic table. Lupe panted and rested in the shade of the table.

Cement Ridge is located at the NW end of the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is so far NW, that the lookout tower is actually a mile into Wyoming. The hillside surrounding the lookout tower is barren, and has a commanding view of a good deal of territory. Crow Peak (5,787 ft.) was off to the NNE. Warren Peaks (6,650 ft.) and Sundance Mountain (5,824 ft.) were far away to the NW. Inyan Kara (6,360 ft.) was on the horizon to the SW.

Unfortunately, there was a fair amount of smoke haze in the air. The views, especially to the W towards the sun, were not as distinct as they normally would be. The camera just didn’t want to pick up the hazy peaks in the distance towards the W.

Lupe on Cement Ridge. The lookout tower is now in view to the NW. — Lupe on Cement Ridge. The lookout tower is in view to the NW.

Looking NW from near the picnic table W of the lookout tower. Warren Peaks is on the horizon, but the camera wouldn't pick it up with all the haze around. — Looking NW from W of the lookout tower. Warren Peaks is on the horizon, but the camera wouldn’t pick it up with all the haze around.

Looking SW. In this shot, Lupe is a purple-eared puppy, due to a reflection of sunlight on the lens.

Looking SW. Inyan Kara Mountain is the high point just right of center.

The Cement Ridge fire lookout tower from the NW.

The topo maps on Peakbagger.com show the true summit of Cement Ridge more than a mile to the SE of where the lookout tower is. Peakbagger shows a high point there of 6674 feet, compared to 6647 feet at the lookout tower. It doesn’t really look higher than the lookout tower, especially from the lookout tower. SPHP doubts that it really is higher.

Lupe did not say what she thought. She seemed unconcerned by this issue. Nevertheless, when Lupe was done at the lookout tower, Lupe and SPHP went and climbed up to this other high point. There was what might of been a small limestone cairn next to a bush, but nothing else of note. The only view from the purported true summit of Cement Ridge was back to the NW towards the lookout tower.

Lupe leaves the Cement Ridge Lookout Tower on USFS Road No. 850. Photo looks NW.

The high point on the ridge shown here is shown on Peakbagger.com topo maps as the true summit of Cement Ridge at 6,674 feet. SPHP really thinks the lookout tower is higher, but Lupe went to investigate. — The high point on the ridge seen here is shown on Peakbagger.com topo maps as the true summit of Cement Ridge at 6,674 feet. SPHP really thinks the lookout tower is higher, but Lupe went to investigate. In any case, the views are much better at the lookout tower.

Lupe at the supposed true summit of Cement Ridge according to Peakbagger.com topo maps. Photo looks NW. The Cement Ridge lookout tower is seen at the top of the bare spot more than a mile away.

Lupe at what might be a poorly assembled cairn at the purported true summit of Cement Ridge.

By now it was time to start making tracks back to the G6. The sun was still above the horizon, but only for another 30 or 40 minutes. Lupe and SPHP left the controversial summit of Cement Ridge. Lupe explored the rest of this ridge, which trended to the SE. The ridge remained quite high for at least 0.25 mile. Although this ridge was all forested, there were some small NE facing cliffs at regular intervals. There were often quite nice views in that direction from these cliffs.

The ridge didn’t lose much elevation until it curved to the S, then it went steadily downhill. Lupe loved following the ridge. There was no trail at all. She played wild forest Dingo, running here and there exploring everything. The sun went down a little while before the ridge ended at a pasture full of cows. The cows made way for Lupe. Just beyond their pasture was a dirt road.

SPHP was looking for USFS Road No. 105, but knew this wasn’t it. Lupe and SPHP started following the dirt road S. When it curved to the SE, suddenly there was rather loud gunfire. The sound was coming from over the ridge to the W. Lupe was immediately anxious. She wanted to stop and hide. SPHP made a number of short stops to encourage the nervous Carolina Dog, but mostly urged her to just keep going.

Lupe reached USFS Road No. 105. A marker showed she had been following No. 105.1D. There was a nice red barn in the field to the S of No. 105. SPHP now knew for certain where Lupe was. She was maybe 3 miles from the G6. The gunfire continued for 30 minutes. Finally it ended, but Lupe wasn’t immediately relieved. She kept begging to stop. SPHP even carried her a couple of times, but only for short distances. Lupe made slow progress in between many stops along the way.

When it got dark enough for the stars and flashlight to come out, Lupe finally felt better. The gunfire was long gone. Under cover of darkness, her confidence was back. When she reached the G6 at 7:44 PM (47°F), she wasn’t ready to get in and go home. Instead, she wanted to stay out under the stars and play wild forest Dingo all night.

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