Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 265 – Custer Peak & Peak 6600 (2-3-21)

8:28 AM, 41ºF, start of USFS Road No. 216.1, 0.5 mile SE of Custer Peak – Bright and breezy when Lupe hopped out of the G6.  Such a long time since she’d been here!  Snow!  Only yesterday, deadfall had been her bane on the way to Peak 5316 in the southern Black Hills.  Snow was much more to the American Dingo’s liking.

Cool, clear, and breezy at the start of USFS Road No. 216.1. Photo looks WSW.

To what do I owe this great honor, SPHP?

What honor is that, Loop?

2 Black Hills Expeditions in a row.  Been forever since we’ve done that!

Ahh!  Easily explained.  This is the last warm day before a long cold snap moves in.  We’ve been spoiled!  Real winter is on the way.  Subzero every night!  A few more days until it gets that bad, but the deterioration is supposed to start this evening with a chilly wind out of the NW.  Sort of surprised at how breezy it is already.

Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad we’re here!  C’mon, SPHP, I’ll race you to the top!

Heh.  Might as well chalk another one up for the Carolina Dog right now.  SPHP started the trudge WNW, snow crunching underpaw.

C’mon, slowpoke! Loopster with her usual early lead. Photo looks WNW.

This was familiar territory.  Looper’s 7th ascent of Custer Peak, in fact.  Want the best views in the N central Black Hills?  The under 2 mile road trek up to the fire lookout tower on Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) is where to go.  Dominant views of the entire region!  Judging by how breezy it was down here, though, might be a gale up there today.

For nearly a mile, USFS Road No. 216.1 gradually steepened as it curved NW on the way to the saddle between Peak 6600 and Custer Peak.  The E face of Peak 6600 came into sight less than halfway there.  It wasn’t until Lupe got to the saddle region that she had her first really good look at Custer Peak.

Peak 6600 comes into view early on. Photo looks WNW.
Custer Peak from a knoll near the saddle leading to Peak 6600. Photo looks ENE.

USFS Road No. 216.1 curved sharply SSE shortly before Lupe got to the saddle.  However, No. 216.2A continued right on up to the saddle, where SPHP was surprised to see a new outhouse.  New in the 4.5 years since Lupe had last been here, that is.  At the saddle, No. 216.2A turned toward Custer Peak.  The road would go nearly all the way to the top.

At SPHP’s insistence, Lupe paused early on the No. 216.2A trek for a good look at the NE face of Peak 6600.

Peak 6600 from USFS Road No. 216.2A. Photo looks SW.

Didn’t take Loopster long to get to where No. 216.2A approached the base of Custer Peak.  From here, the road climbed steadily, ultimately completing a clockwise circuit of the entire mountain.  The views were fabulous where unobstructed, as they were most of the way up.

Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) to the NW was the most impressive sight, but the Carolina Dog was happier on the E and S sides of the mountain, where she was protected from the gusty wind which continually strengthened as she gained elevation.

Approaching Custer Peak on USFS Road No. 216.2A. Photo looks NE.
On the much calmer E side of the mountain. Photo looks N.
Getting close to the end of the road. Terry Peak (L). Photo looks NW.

No. 216.2A dead-ended 100 feet below the summit.  Exposed to the wind, Lupe did not enjoy the path that switchbacked the rest of the way to the top.  SPHP paused to examine a new plaque near the fire lookout tower, but the Carolina Dog was anxious to get out of the breeze.

Start of the short path that switchbacks to the summit. Photo looks SSW.
The new information plaque near the lookout tower.
Come on, SPHP! Let’s get out of the wind!

The wind wasn’t all that terrible, but SPHP had to agree that life was more pleasant on the sunny E side of the lookout tower.  To Loopster’s joy, this time SPHP hadn’t forgotten to bring the chocolate coconut bars.  She curled up on SPHP’s lap, inhaling her share, then munched some Taste of the Wild.

After a pleasant 10 or 15 minutes peacefully enjoying the views, it was time to brave the wind and take a few photos between major gusts.

The sunny E side of the lookout tower, where Loop and SPHP hung out for a bit. Photo looks W.
Peak 6380 (L) in the foreground, and Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) (far L) in the distance. Photo looks ENE.

Terry Peak (7,064 ft.), framed between Deer Mountain (6,652 ft.) and Bald Mountain (6,617 ft.), was the big view, but Lupe could also see all the way S to Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), and W to the limestone plateau country.

Deer Mountain (L), Terry Peak (Center), and Bald Mountain (R). Photo looks NW.
Peak 6600 (L of Center) in the foreground. Photo looks SW.

One or two laps around the lookout tower was about all the American Dingo was willing to put up with.  She didn’t get any respite from the wind yet, though.  After descending the tower steps, SPHP searched for the Custer survey benchmarks near the N side of the foundation.

Benchmark No. 2 near the NW corner of the lookout tower points E toward another marker 10 feet away.
“Custer” survey benchmark dated 1925.

Lupe’s Custer Peak tour concluded with a look at the views from a short ridge SW of the tower.

Black Elk Peak (far L) on the horizon. Photo looks S.
Looking SSW.
Peak 6600 (Center) in the foreground. Photo looks SW.

40 minutes!  After a 4.5+ year absence, hardly seemed enough to do justice to Custer Peak, but the wind wouldn’t let up, and the Carolina Dog was anxious to go.  Plenty more to do today, anyway, down where the breeze wouldn’t be so stiff.  Lupe started her descent leaving the summit as she’d found it, bathed in sunshine and battered by the wind.

About to head down. Photo looks NE.

Once back to the road, SPHP paused briefly for another look at Peak 6600, then it was on down around to the leeward side of the mountain.

Peak 6600 (Center) in the foreground. Photo looks SW.

You sure seem interested in Peak 6600 today, SPHP!

That’s because that’s where we’re going next!

We are?  I thought we might be done with the wind and all.

The wind’s not that bad, Loop, especially down below.  More adventures in store!  We’re going to climb Peak 6600, since it’s got such a fabulous view of Custer Peak, then head NW a few miles to climb Peak 6480.

Peak 6480?

Yes, another 300+ foot prominence peak from Lists of John.  Sort of been thinking maybe we ought to start working the 300+ foot prominence lists this year, since you’ve been to just about every named peak in the Black Hills that we can legally climb.  Quite a few of them more than once.  Gives us new places to explore!

I’m all for exploring, SPHP!  Sounds good!

By the time Lupe got back around to the windy N side of Custer Peak, a line of gray clouds could be seen approaching from the NW.

Wonder if that’s the lead edge of the front coming in, Loop?  Didn’t think it was supposed to get here until this evening.  Hope the wind doesn’t get too much stronger.

Started out OK, but sure hasn’t warmed up any today, either, SPHP.

Reaching the saddle leading to Peak 6600, Lupe left the road, plunging right into the dense, snowy forest.  A 260 foot climb almost due S would get her up to the 6600 foot contour at the NW end of the summit ridge.

In the snowy forest, beginning the trek up Peak 6600.

As expected, the route steadily steepened.  Some rocks, some deadfall, but mostly just trees and snow.  Lupe had done this once before, nearly 6 years ago, and been rewarded with a fantastic view of Custer Peak.  Best one possible, in fact, since Peak 6600 was the easily the highest point anywhere close to Custer Peak, and the summit ridge had a nice rocky spot where an unobstructed view could be obtained.

Any idea how much deeper this snow is going to get, SPHP?

Lupe wasn’t far from the top when the forest darkened.  Overhead, the sky was now a soft gray.  What happened to all the sunshine?  Loop was right!  Felt colder out, too.

C’mon, Looper!  The front must be here early!  Let’s get up to where we can get a couple of nice shots of Custer Peak before the weather deteriorates any further.

Didn’t take long.  A few more minutes, and Loopster was there, standing in the cold wind on the rocky viewpoint at the NW end of Peak 6600.

An hour had gone by since Lupe had left Custer Peak.  What a change!  Not only had all hint of sunshine utterly vanished, but a massive soft gray cloud hung low over everything.  Only on the far horizon did a brighter line indicate the already distant edge of the monstrous cloud.

The rocky viewpoint at the NW end of Peak 6600’s summit ridge. Photo looks S.

Custer Peak was still in view, except for the top 50 or 100 feet, where fog was now streaming by.  All in shadow now, instead of lovely sunshine, but nothing to be done about that.

Be ready, Loopster!  As soon as the fog clears from the summit, we’ll grab a quick photo of Custer Peak before things get any worse.

Bad decision!  Should have snapped one right away.  The Carolina Dog was ready, but the summit didn’t clear even for an instant.  Instead, the cloud suddenly swallowed the entire mountain.  Moments later, even Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), far to the S, was gone.

Black Elk Peak (Center) dimly on the horizon, moments before it vanished, too. Photo looks SSE.

Oh, come on!  Really?  It’ll clear, if we have a bit of patience, Loop.  Got to be a little break before too long.

Lupe seemed unconvinced, but was willing to curl up on SPHP’s lap for the warmth, if nothing else.  Another chocolate coconut bar didn’t hurt a thing, either.

No break in the cloud.  Peak 6600 became an island in a gray oblivion, the only place left standing in the whole world.  15 minutes ticked away.  Tiny snowflakes filled the air.

OooooK!  Even I can take a hint, if ya knock me over the head with a 2 x 4!  Custer Peak photo isn’t happening, Loop.  Wha’dya say we go in search of the true summit of Peak 6600?  After that we can see about Peak 6480.

Best idea you’ve had in the last hour, SPHP!  Let’s do it!

Final moments at the NW high point of Peak 6600. Photo looks N.

The summit ridge dipped a bit as Lupe traveled SE along it.  Pines and fog hid whatever was ahead until she was almost upon it.  After going several hundred feet or more, a sizable rock formation appeared.  Possibly the true summit, although no telling in this fog.

Circling around to the SE, Loop found a spot where she could scramble to the top, which proved to be kind of a weird jagged area.

At the jagged-topped true summit candidate. Photo looks N.

Nope!  Not the true summit.  Continuing SE only a little farther, Lupe went up a slope to definitely higher terrain.  The American Dingo was almost at the SE end of the summit ridge.  Congratulations were in order!  SPHP was almost certain the elevated line of rock Lupe had reached was the true summit of Peak 6600.

True summit of Peak 6600. Photo looks N.

There didn’t seem to be any reason to linger on Peak 6600, especially if Loop still hoped to get to Peak 6480 when the forecast was for steadily deteriorating conditions.  A couple of minutes at the top, and Lupe was on her way down the S ridge.

Starting down Peak 6600’s S ridge. Photo looks S.

Not too far to USFS Road No. 216.1!  The descent went well, and in less than 0.25 mile, Lupe picked the road up again a little SE of a high point.  (Point 6427 on the topo map)  Looper headed for it, reaching an open gate at the top in a thin fog and light snow.

At Point 6427 on USFS Road No. 216.1. Photo looks NW.

Continuing NW on the snowy road, Lupe soon came to an intersection at a low spot.  A map was posted here.  SPHP took a look.

Snowmobile trail map posted along USFS Road No. 216.1.

What’s it say, SPHP?

Nothing helpful to us, Looper.  It’s a large scale snowmobile trail map.

The way things are going, we’ll be needing a snowmobile before this is over.

That had a ring of truth to it.  SPHP looked down at the American Dingo standing patiently on the snowy road, earnestly returning SPHP’s gaze.  All around, the forest was a mystery of fog and tiny swirling flakes.  Treetops swayed in the wind, releasing occasional cascades of fresh accumulations.  Snowing harder.  Even Loop was starting to turn white.

Not really that bad out.  Barely cold enough for snow, but the temp was supposed to drop, the winds increase.  Would it even be possible to find Peak 6480 in the fog?  Suppose Lupe did, what then?  Not going to see a thing.

What do you think, Loop?

About?

Call it, or go on?  We can come back, and do Peak 6480 another time.

Awesome out here in the snowy woods, isn’t it, SPHP?

Absolutely!  But possibly pointless, too.  Not sure it’s worth trying to go all the way to Peak 6480.  Might not recognize it, even if we find it.

Whatever you want to do, SPHP!  You know I’ll be there!

Truer words never spoken.  Not spoken now either, only conveyed by those completely trusting eyes.  No sense in letting a friend like that catch pneumonia!

So, Expedition No. 265 came to an early end.  Part success, part failure.  1.5 miles back to the G6.  A beautiful time in fog and snow, enjoying winter’s silence and solitude together.  (End 1:07 PM, 31ºF)

USFS Road No. 216.1A near Peak 6600, Black Hills of South Dakota 2-3-21

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 174(a) – Summits on the Air! (Custer Peak, 7-2-16)

Lupe returned from her grand adventures in the Laramie Mountains of Wyoming on June 1, 2016.  Naturally, she expected to resume her explorations of the Black Hills in short order, but it didn’t happen.

May and June are normally the wettest months of the year in the Black Hills, but May had been very dry with temperatures running much above normal.  By early June, the sun was blazing day after day in cloudless skies.  Temperatures frequently soared to near record-breaking levels.  Almost no rain fell.  SPHP may as well have planted saguaros in the garden.  For Lupe, climbing mountains in a fur coat would have been miserable.  The Black Hills just aren’t high enough.

So Lupe’s adventures in June were mostly along the line of adventures in watering the lawn.  She fought with the old garden hose, converting it into a sprinkler hose in the process.  She chewed foot-long pieces off the end.  She played tug-of-war with SPHP, won most of the time, and became a very soggy (and cool!) doggie in the process, as the leaky hose sprayed water in every direction.

When she wasn’t a soggy doggie, Lupe licked ice cream from the freezer and consumed cold Alpo from the refrigerator.  A whole lot of panting and dozing went on the rest of the time.  Whenever the temperature got close to 100°F, SPHP would finally break down and turn on the AC in the bedroom, so Lupe could hide from the heat.

Nothing really changed until July 1st.  That morning, Lupe and SPHP woke up to rain!  It wasn’t raining hard, but at least the air was much cooler and clouds covered the sky.  Within a couple of hours, Lupe had another surprise.  Andrea called!  She was in town with Joe and Dusty!  Did Lupe want to come over to grandma’s house and play?

When she heard the news, Lupe was ecstatic!  She barked and leaped to hurry SPHP along.  Soon she was racing up the steps into grandma’s house to welcome everyone to South Dakota in her most enthusiastic Carolina Dog style.  Grandma had Beggin’ Strips for Lupe and Dusty.  The two dogs got to play ball and Frisbee with Joe and SPHP in the yard, go for walks, and lay on the deck with a view of the canyon.  There was ice cream, too.  July was off to a good start!

Joe is a ham radio operator.  He started telling SPHP about Summits on the Air, “an awards scheme for radio amateurs that encourages portable operation in mountainous areas”.  Peaks are assigned a point value.  Ham radio operators can earn points toward the SOTA “Mountain Goat” award by meeting certain criteria while operating from a peak, or points toward the “Shack Sloth” award for contacting those operating on a peak from home.

The home page for Summits on the Air (SOTA).
The home page for Summits on the Air (SOTA).

Joe had never tried the SOTA system before, but wondered if Lupe and SPHP would like to serve as guides to a suitable peak in the Black Hills?  Since Summits on the Air combines Lupe’s peakbagging interests with Joe’s amateur radio hobby, it sounded like fun!  Following the rain, the next day’s weather was supposed to be good, too, with highs only in the 70’s.  The question was, where to go?

Joe and SPHP looked over the SOTA website.  All of the Black Hills in South Dakota is included in two SOTA regions with a total of 181 listed peaks.  Most of these peaks have never been officially “activated” in the Summits on the Air system by anyone operating a portable radio from the peak.  After considerable discussion, Joe and SPHP selected Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) for Joe’s first SOTA attempt.  Joe created a free Summits on the Air account for himself.

The next morning, Joe posted a notification (called an “alert”) on the SOTA website that Joe (call sign AA0Q) would be operating his portable radio from Custer Peak.  The alert included the frequencies he would be using, and an estimated start time.  Once the alert was posted, Lupe, Dusty, Joe and SPHP dashed off to Custer Peak!

At 10:58 AM (72°F), Joe parked the G6 at Lupe’s usual starting point at the junction of USFS Road No. 216 (Custer Peak Road) and USFS Road No. 216.2A.  Although Lupe was only a little over 0.5 mile SE of the summit, the road to Custer Peak was nearly 2 miles long.  Lupe, Dusty, Joe and SPHP started the trek to the top along No. 216.2A.

Looking S from No. 216.2A near the start of the trek up Custer Peak (not shown).
Looking S from No. 216.2A near the start of the trek up Custer Peak (not shown).

Although Joe and Dusty had never been to Custer Peak before, this was Lupe’s 6th ascent.  Based on prior experience, SPHP had been telling Joe not to expect to see anyone at all on Custer Peak.  SPHP couldn’t have been more wrong!  SPHP’s pronouncement quickly became a joke.  First, Lupe and Dusty started coming to vehicles parked along the road.  Then dozens of people began to appear, most of them arriving in caravans of 4 or 5 ATV’s.

ATV’s roared up and down the dusty road.  As Lupe, Dusty, Joe and SPHP got higher on the mountain, Lupe also encountered groups of people coming down on foot.  SPHP was totally amazed!  What SPHP had failed to consider was that Lupe normally goes on very few expeditions in the Black Hills during the hot summer months, when everyone else is out and about.  Apparently, Custer Peak is a far more popular summer destination than SPHP ever realized.

Another surprise was in store at the top of the mountain.  The ranger station was manned!  The hatch door to the balcony around the station was unlocked and open.  Lupe, Dusty, Joe and SPHP went up on the balcony for a look around.

Lupe and Dusty on the ranger station's balcony. Although this was Lupe's 6th ascent of Custer Peak, she'd never been up on the balcony before.
Lupe and Dusty on the ranger station’s balcony. Although this was Lupe’s 6th ascent of Custer Peak, she’d never been up on the balcony before.

Joe found the ranger on duty to tell him that he would be operating a portable ham radio using 4 watts from the summit for an hour or so.  He just wanted to make certain it wouldn’t interfere with the ranger’s equipment.

The ranger didn’t think there was any equipment the radio would interfere with.  However, that didn’t mean there wasn’t a problem.  The American people declared independence and proclaimed freedom nearly 240 years ago, but times have changed.  The Land of the Free and Home of the Brave is now the Land of the Over-Regulated and Home of the Bureaucracy.  The ranger was cordial, but insisted that Joe contact the headquarters of the Spearfish district of the Black Hills National Forest to get official permission to operate the ham radio.

Neither Joe nor SPHP had a phone along, but the ranger allowed Joe to use his phone.  Naturally, since it was Saturday on the 4th of July holiday weekend, all Joe got was a recording.  The headquarters of the Spearfish district of the Black Hills National Forest wouldn’t be open until Tuesday.  Joe reasoned with the ranger inside the station.  Meanwhile, SPHP stayed out of it with Lupe and Dusty on the balcony.

It turned out the ranger’s concerns had to do with the ranger station being part of a designated historical site of some sort.  The ranger thought operating a ham radio might somehow break the historical site regulations.  Fortunately, the ranger had a map of the historical site area.  It covered only a relatively small part of the summit area surrounding the ranger station.

Joe and the ranger finally agreed that the NE side of a jagged rock outcropping a little way NW of the ranger station was outside the boundary of the historical site delineated on the map.  The ranger was OK with Joe setting up the ham radio operation over there.  That was a relief!  Lupe, Dusty, Joe and SPHP left the ranger station to go set up the antenna and other equipment.

Joe made a perfect toss of a large metal nut tied to fishing line up over the very top of a tall tree situated near the spine of the jagged rock outcropping.  The fishing line was then used to pull up a thin antenna wire.  Joe instructed SPHP on how to help deploy 4 lateral wires at the base of the antenna.

The ground on the NE side of the ridge was quite steep and rocky, so it took a little time to maneuver around and get set up.  Lupe and Dusty supervised operations from the most comfortable vantage points they could find.

Joe makes a perfect toss of a metal nut tied to fishing line over the top of the tall thin tree near the ridgeline. The fishing line was then tied to a very thin antenna wire, and pulled up to the top of the tree. Photo looks NW.
Joe makes a perfect toss of a metal nut tied to fishing line over the top of the tall thin tree near the ridgeline. The fishing line was then tied to a very thin antenna wire, and pulled up to the top of the tree. Photo looks NW.
Lupe supervises from the shade while Joe sets up his portable ham radio NE of a jagged rock outcropping NW of the ranger station.
Joe and Lupe continue working on the portable ham radio setup. Dusty sneaks off to check out SPHP's backpack on the chance there might be something good in it. One of the lateral wires can be seen in front of Dusty. Photo looks SW.
Joe and Lupe continue working on the portable ham radio setup. Dusty sneaks off to check out SPHP’s backpack on the chance there might be something good in it. One of the lateral wires can be seen in front of Dusty. Photo looks S.
Joe nearing completion of the portable ham radio setup. Joe's call sign is AA0Q.
Joe nearing completion of the portable ham radio setup. Joe’s call sign is AA0Q.
Dusty finds a shady spot to rest near some of the lateral wires. Photo looks E.
Dusty finds a shady spot to rest near some of the lateral wires. Photo looks E.

The ranger’s concerns, and the rough ground where Joe was forced to set up the radio, slowed things down.  By the time Joe was ready to try his very first Summits on the Air peak activation, it was more than half an hour after the time Joe had posted on the SOTA website.  Would any other ham radio operators still be listening for AA0Q on Custer Peak?  Joe had no idea what to expect.

Joe turned on his radio.  AA0Q was on the air on Custer Peak!  Almost immediately, another ham radio operator made contact with Joe.  (A contact is apparently referred to as a QSO.)  The contact told Joe that he would “Spot” him on the SOTA website.  Although Joe has many years of experience with ham radio, he wasn’t prepared for what happened next.

Almost instantly, there was a “pileup”.  Joe shouted out to SPHP that it sounded like 20 people were trying to contact him all at once!

While Lupe looks on, Joe is instantly swamped by the response to his Summits on the Air activation of Custer Peak! Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) (R of Center) is the highest mountain in the distance. Photo looks NW.
While Lupe looks on, Joe is instantly swamped by the response to his Summits on the Air activation of Custer Peak! Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) (R of Center) is the highest mountain in the distance. Photo looks NW.
Dusty, surrounded by wires, looks happy with all the success Joe is having with his very first ever activation of a peak using Summits on the Air.
Dusty, surrounded by wires, looks happy with all the success Joe is having with his very first ever activation of a peak using Summits on the Air.
AA0Q's portable ham radio during use on Custer Peak.
AA0Q’s portable ham radio during use on Custer Peak.

Joe had a frantic time trying to respond to the enormous demand.  Mostly he was quiet, busy listening intently through the headphones while using Morse Code to reply to as many of the radio operators seeking him as possible.  At the same time, he was trying to log the call signs, time of contact, location and a few other details of each successful contact.  Just to keep Lupe, Dusty and SPHP informed, now and then he called out where the operators he was “working” were from.

The pileup eventually ended as those trying to contact Joe either got through, or gave up on reaching him.  After half an hour, new contacts were sporadic.  Joe kept his radio active another 15 minutes, switching to a voice frequency toward the end.  After one or two voice contacts, Joe was satisfied.  He’d managed to make and log 15 different QSO’s (contacts) from ham radio operators scattered all over the USA.

Joe was pretty happy with his first SOTA experience.  AA0Q had never been so popular and in demand before!  He’d made mistakes that kept him from “working” many of those who had tried to contact him, but Joe had learned a lot.  In the future, it would be easy to correct the worst errors.  Keeping the contacts short was vitally important.  People wanted their “Shack Sloth” points awarded for a successful QSO fast!  No dilly-dallying around allowed in this business.  Next time, Joe would have SPHP do the logging.

After taking down the antenna and putting the radio equipment away, it was time to return to the summit for a few pictures.  Joe also wanted to chat with the ranger to let him know his SOTA radio operation was over.

Up on the jagged ridge before returning to the summit. Photo looks SE from a point not too far from Joe’s SOTA activation of Custer Peak.
Joe, Dusty & Lupe below the ranger station. Photo looks SE.
At the summit.
AA0Q was the first to ever use Lupe's "Radio-Active" American Dingo guide services to a Black Hills peak for a Summits on the Air purpose. Joe earned 8 points toward SOTA's Mountain Goat designation for "activating" Custer Peak (6,804 ft.)! Photo looks NW toward Terry Peak.
AA0Q was the first to ever use Lupe’s “Radio-Active” American Dingo guide services in the Black Hills for a Summits on the Air peak activation. AA0Q earned 8 points toward SOTA’s Mountain Goat designation for “activating” Custer Peak (6,804 ft.)! Photo looks NW toward Terry Peak.
Looking NE.
Looking SSW.

Joe’s operating point on the NE side of the jagged NW ridge hadn’t been the easiest place to work from (or the most comfortable), but it did have a couple things going for it.  The NE side of the ridge was hidden from the trail to the ranger station, so Joe hadn’t been bothered by all the people coming and going.  The site had also been close enough to the top of the mountain to meet SOTA’s standards for a “peak activation”.

Joe and Dusty start down the trail. Joe had conducted his SOTA activation of Custer Peak from the opposite side of the jagged NW ridge seen here. Photo looks N.
Joe and Dusty start down the trail. Joe had conducted his SOTA activation of Custer Peak from the opposite side of the jagged NW ridge seen here. Photo looks N.
Lupe on the jagged NW ridge. Photo looks N.
Lupe on the jagged NW ridge. Photo looks N.

When Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP got back to grandma’s house, Joe logged all 15 contacts (QSO’s) he’d made into the Summits on the Air website.  Joe was awarded his first 8 of 1,000 points required to earn the “Mountain Goat” designation.  The 15 QSO’s each earned points toward the 1,000 points required for the “Shack Sloth” designation.

The SOTA map showing the activation of Custer Peak by AA0Q earlier in the day.
The SOTA map showing the activation of Custer Peak by AA0Q earlier in the day.

Joe was happy.  Lupe and Dusty were happy, too.  They had earned extra ice cream and Beggin’ Strips for becoming “Radio-Active”!

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170 – Kirk Hill, Tetro Rock & Custer Peak (5-1-16)

April in the Black Hills ended with 5 straight days when Lupe never saw the sun.  Sometimes it rained, sometimes it snowed, sometimes it didn’t do anything except blow.  The one thing that didn’t change was the unrelenting gloom.  Lupe stared out the window for hours.  She dozed when the boredom got to be too much to bear.

The clouds were breaking up and the sun was shining, though, on the first morning of May.  Was Lupe ready for a Black Hills expedition?  Was she ever!  Impatiently she urged SPHP to action.  Let’s go this very second!  That didn’t happen, but as soon as the usual preparations were complete, the Carolina Dog got her wish.

Within moments of when SPHP parked the G6 near the intersection of USFS Roads No. 180 and No. 541.1, Lupe was even happier!  After spending all of her April expeditions in cactus country in the southern or SW Black Hills, she was now much farther N.  Lupe instantly seemed to realize there was no danger of encountering any of the hated cactus here.  She ran with abandon through the fields and pine forests.  This was more like it, as far as the American Dingo was concerned!

Lupe near the start of USFS Road No. 541.1. She was very happy to be up in the hills again, and even happier to be out of cactus country! Photo looks S.

Lupe’s first peakbagging goal, Kirk Hill (5,345 ft.), was only a little more than a mile SSE of the G6.  Lupe and SPHP started out following USFS Road No. 541.1, which gained elevation steadily as it headed SE up a small valley.  A tiny stream soon appeared just W of the road, but Lupe was more interested in the delightful patches of cool, wet snow in the forest.

On USFS Road No. 541.1. Photo looks SE.

After following No. 541.1 uphill for a mile, Lupe arrived at a flat stretch of road at a pass just E of Kirk Hill.  Lupe had already gained hundreds of feet of elevation.  Here the forest had several inches of heavy wet snow, not just scattered patches.  That didn’t bother Lupe in the slightest.  She left the road heading W up the mountain.

Lupe left USFS Road No. 541.1 here to climb Kirk Hill from the E. Photo looks W at her way up.
Lupe left USFS Road No. 541.1 here to climb Kirk Hill from the E. Photo looks W at her way up.

Lupe didn’t have to go very far through the snowy forest before she found another road.  That made things real easy.  Lupe and SPHP followed this new road N.  As SPHP hoped, it soon curved W and took Lupe all the way to the summit near the SW end of Kirk Hill.

Lupe arrives at the summit of Kirk Hill. The summit area was broad, flat and mostly forested. Photo looks W.
Lupe arrives at the summit of Kirk Hill. The summit area was broad, flat and mostly forested. Photo looks W.

The very highest rocks were in a sunny little meadow, but the much larger summit area was broad, nearly flat and mostly forested.  Some of the forest had been thinned, but although Lupe and SPHP wandered around the mountaintop quite a bit, it was hard to find any really good viewpoints.  The very best view was of Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) to the SW, which looked quite snowy and rather dramatic.

The best view Lupe could find from Kirk Hill was this look at Custer Peak (6,804 ft.). Photo looks SW. Taken with the telephoto lens.
The best view Lupe could find from Kirk Hill was this look at Custer Peak (6,804 ft.). Photo looks SW. Taken with the telephoto lens.
Lupe sniffing around on Kirk Hill. Photo looks NW.
Lupe sniffing around on Kirk Hill. Photo looks NW.

After exploring much of the W end of Kirk Hill, Lupe returned briefly to the highest rocks at the summit one more time.  Then she and SPHP started back E on the road.

After exploring the W end of the mountain, Lupe returns to the summit for the last time. Photo looks NE.
After exploring the W end of the mountain, Lupe returns to the summit for the last time. Photo looks NE.

Toward the middle of the mountain, Lupe and SPHP left the road to scout out the S rim.  It was thinly forested, snowy, and sunny.  The forest still interfered with the views to a significant degree, but it didn’t matter.  The area to the S was pretty, but not dramatic.  Lupe and SPHP returned to the road.

Just to find out if this road was marked in any way, Lupe and SPHP stayed on it all the way until it reached No. 541.1 again.  There was a marker at the intersection.  The road to the top of Kirk Hill was No. 541.1G.  If Lupe and SPHP had stayed on No. 541.1 just a little longer on the way up, Lupe would have reached this junction within a few minutes.

Lupe and SPHP returned to the G6 on No. 541.1, this time following it downhill to the NW (12:04 PM, 50°F).  Before leaving the area, Lupe went to get a drink out of the tiny stream nearby.  The little stream has no name on the maps, but is a seasonal tributary of Park Creek.

Looking down USFS Road No. 541.1 on the way back to the G6. Photo looks N.
Lupe got a drink out of this little seasonal tributary of Park Creek before leaving the Kirk Hill area. It was nice to be in a place where there was a stream of any size after spending all her April expeditions in parched cactus country!

Lupe’s journey to Kirk Hill had been a success, but her next peakbagging mission was quite some distance away.  She was going to climb Tetro Rock (5,562 ft.) located 6 miles SSE of Spearfish, SD.  Lupe took a rest break while SPHP drove.

Tetro Rock was only 1.5 miles SSE as the crow flies from where SPHP parked the G6 at the intersection of Maitland Road and USFS Road No. 195.2A (12:53 PM, 52°F).  Before heading out to Tetro Rock, however, Lupe and SPHP went to take a quick look at False Bottom Creek.

False Bottom Creek was flowing along quite nicely due to runoff from melting snow. False Bottom Creek tends to dry up to a large extent in late summer.
False Bottom Creek was flowing along quite nicely due to runoff from melting snow. False Bottom Creek tends to dry up to a large extent in late summer.

With snow melting up in the nearby hills, False Bottom Creek was looking good.  What wasn’t looking so good were some Lupe Treasures scattered around both banks.  SPHP collected some of them before Lupe left for Tetro Rock following USFS Road No. 195.2A.

No. 195.2A started off heading NNE away from Tetro Rock.  It gained a little elevation heading out of the Black Hills National Forest and then leveled out as it turned E, passing by a couple of large homes up in the forest S of the road.  The road soon jogged to the S a bit, turned E again, and then went SE back into the National Forest.

The original plan had been to follow No. 195.2A as it wound around crazily for well over a mile.  At a point about 2 miles NNE of Tetro Rock, the Peakbagger.com topo map showed some kind of faint road leaving No. 195.2A a little to the W of Tetro Creek.  This road snaked S up a ridge about halfway to Tetro Rock.  Lupe would then have to bushwhack the rest of the way trying to follow the high ground to the summit.

The original plan might have worked just fine, but shortly after No. 195.2A entered Section 6, an unmarked side road appeared on the SE side of 195.2A.  It was just the sort of private, secluded little road that Lupe and SPHP love.  A hump of dirt near its start looked likely to discourage any low-clearance vehicles.  Lupe and SPHP went up onto the hump to get a better look at where this side road was going.

Lupe up on the hump of dirt near the start of the side road off USFS Road No. 195.2A. Photo looks SSW.

Past the hump of dirt, the little side road turned W gaining elevation gradually.  The grassy road looked inviting.  SPHP checked the topo map again.  This road wasn’t shown, but if it were to turn S, it might actually be a shortcut to Tetro Rock.  The terrain seemed to favor the notion that it would at least turn and head SW for a little while.

Well, so much for the original plan!  Lupe and SPHP abandoned No. 195.2A to follow the side road.  It went W for a little way, but as anticipated, gradually bent around to the S.  SPHP became quite enthused with the way things were working out.  The side road was staying on the E side of a drainage near the E side of Section 1.  Although it wasn’t in view yet, Lupe and SPHP were heading almost directly toward Tetro Rock.

Lupe and SPHP made great progress for a little while on the grassy road.  That is, until it ended.  Suddenly, that was it.  No more road.  It really wasn’t surprising, but still a little disappointing that it hadn’t gone further.  Lupe was still at least a mile N of Tetro Rock.  The snow covered slopes of the mountain ahead looked fairly steep.

The choice was either to bushwhack on up the mountain and try to follow the high ground to Tetro Rock, or double back to No. 195.2A and go back to the original plan.  SPHP checked the topo map again.  It looked like Lupe ought to be able to continue following the high ground easily enough, if the way didn’t get too steep.  Yeah, Lupe could do this!

The first part of the climb up the snowy slope was filled with a tangle of the branches of small trees and large, slender bushes.  It didn’t take very long to get up above the worst of it.  The rest of the climb was steep, but not steep enough to prevent Lupe from continuing onward.  Lupe had fun exploring, while SPHP plodded slowly upward.  Lupe reached a rock outcropping at the top of this first big climb.

Lupe on the rocks at the top of the first steep climb up from where the grassy road dead-ended.
Lupe on the rocks at the top of the first steep climb up from where the grassy road dead-ended.

SPHP paused for a breather and another map check.  The worst was over.  It looked like the way S from here had to be less steep.  Lupe should be able to stay toward the W side of a ridgeline and just keep climbing.  There would be a couple of minor high points along the way, but it ought to be possible to find and climb Tetro Rock.

So Lupe and SPHP continued on S through the trackless forest.  As Lupe gained elevation, there was even more snow in the woods.  Happily, as the topo map showed, the way forward wasn’t as steep as what Lupe had just come through.  After climbing for a while longer, Lupe and SPHP took a break near another rock outcropping.  SPHP ate an apple.  Lupe had some Taste of the Wild.

Off to the WNW, the top of Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.) could be seen between the trees.  Across the valley to the W was a ridge at least as high as where Lupe was.  SPHP checked the topo map again.  Yes, it looked like Lupe was on the right track, but Tetro Rock was still 0.75 mile farther S.

Lupe at the break area near more rocks. Another high ridge can be seen between the trees. It helped confirm Lupe's position on the topo map, but Lupe didn't have to go over there. Photo looks W.
Lupe at the break area near more rocks. Another high ridge can be seen between the trees. It helped confirm Lupe’s position on the topo map, but Lupe didn’t have to go over there. Photo looks W.

Suddenly, Lupe growled.  Her hackles raised up.  She stood at attention looking W at the nearby rocks.  Lupe growled several low threatening growls over the span of a few minutes.  She detected something out there.  SPHP stared W wondering what was approaching.  SPHP detected nothing unusual.

Whatever it was never appeared.  Lupe relaxed.  So did SPHP.  SPHP wondered what Lupe had sensed.  Maybe it was better not knowing.

What was out there? Only Lupe knew.
What was out there? Only Lupe knew.

It was time to get going again.  A little farther S, Lupe should come to the first, and highest, of a couple of minor high points near the SW corner of Section 6.  Maybe Lupe would be able to see Tetro Rock from there?

Lupe and SPHP continued a gradual climb to the SE through the snowy woods.  Sure enough, Lupe came to a high point.  There were a number of nice rock formations here, but the biggest one with the best view was toward the SW end of the high ground.

Lupe on the rock formation at the SW end of the high point N of Tetro Rock. Photo looks SW.
Lupe on the rock formation at the SW end of the high point N of Tetro Rock. Photo looks SW.

Ahead to the S was a higher forested hill where Tetro Rock was supposed to be.  SPHP shouldn’t have been disappointed, but this first view of Tetro Rock was a bit of a letdown.  Of course, the topo map showed that Tetro Rock was not steep when viewed from the N.  The SW slope is much steeper and probably far craggier and more impressive, but the SW slope wasn’t in view from this angle.

Tetro Rock, the high forested hill on the L, as seen from the minor high point. SPHP wasn't too impressed from this angle. Photo looks SW.
Tetro Rock, the high forested hill on the L, as seen from the minor high point. SPHP wasn’t too impressed from this angle. Photo looks SW.
Lupe among the interesting rock formations at the SW end of the highest minor high point N of Tetro Rock. Photo looks NW.
Lupe among the interesting rock formations at the SW end of the highest minor high point N of Tetro Rock. Photo looks NW.
This chipmunk was curious about Lupe and SPHP. Lupe was interested in it, too! The chipmunk wisely hung out at the very edge of the rock formations where Lupe couldn't get close, as much as she would have liked to.
This chipmunk was curious about Lupe and SPHP. Lupe was interested in it, too! The chipmunk wisely hung out at the very edge of the rock formations where Lupe couldn’t get close, as much as she would have liked to.

Tetro Rock was still 0.5 mile away.  Lupe and SPHP left the minor highpoint continuing S.  Now Lupe was losing elevation.  She soon came to another lower high point.  It featured less impressive rock formations and no views.  The forest was too dense.

S of the second high point, Lupe entered a small meadow created by heavy logging.  Slash was on the ground everywhere, along with numerous big long tree trunks that had been cut into 2.5 foot long pieces left to rot on the ground.  Lupe and SPHP had come to lots of similar areas where loggers had been busy along the way, but none as big as this one.  It was slow going picking a route through all the debris.

At the bottom of the saddle between the last minor high point and the start of the climb to Tetro Rock, Lupe found a logging road.  It was pretty snowy, but it helped speed things up considerably.  The road took Lupe S to a point 0.25 mile E of the summit of Tetro Rock.  At the high ground there, another logging road branched off to the W.  SPHP suspected it would take Lupe right to the top of Tetro Rock.

The logging road going W was blocked in quite a few places by dead trees, but it did go to the summit area on Tetro Rock.  The road ended in a snowy clearing surrounded by forest.  Gah!  No views at all.  With a name like Tetro Rock, SPHP had been expecting, or at least hoping for something more exotic.  Well, viewed from the SW it probably was, as the topo map indicated.  Coming from the N or E, it was just another high spot in the forest.

Lupe at the edge of the snowy clearing on Tetro Rock where the logging road ended. Photo looks WSW.
Lupe at the edge of the snowy clearing on Tetro Rock where the logging road ended. Photo looks WSW.

The snowy clearing was nearly level.  There was no obvious high point or summit.  It looked like there might be higher ground off to the N, and maybe some places scattered in the nearby forest that were a little higher than the snowy clearing.  Nothing looked like it was more than a few feet higher, though.  Lupe was basically at the top of the mountain.

Before going to check out the possible rise to the N, Lupe and SPHP headed SW to see what the steep SW face of Tetro Rock looked like from above.  From the edge of the level ground, the mountain sloped off increasingly steeply.  There were too many trees to see the views from the high ground, although it looked like it might be possible to see something from some of the rock formations below.

Someone had dumped this red pickup truck bed over the SW edge of the flat summit area on Tetro Rock. The pickup bed wasn't very far down the slope. It would have made a stupendous Lupe Treasure, but SPHP wasn't up to the task.
Someone had dumped this red pickup truck bed over the SW edge of the flat summit area on Tetro Rock. The pickup bed wasn’t very far down the slope. It would have made a stupendous Lupe Treasure, but SPHP wasn’t up to the task.

A little cautiously, Lupe and SPHP went over the SW edge of Tetro Rock.  The slope wasn’t bad, but looked like it was going to get steeper.  In fact, this looked like the kind of place that might easily end in some dramatic cliffs.  Not too far below, there were rock formations that looked like the tops of cliffs.

Lupe and SPHP went down to check out the view from the most promising one nearby.  Lupe was treated to a beautiful view of Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) to the SSW.

Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) (Center) from the top of cliffs on the SW slope of Tetro Rock. The ski runs on Terry Peak were plainly visible. Photo looks SSW.
Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) (Center) from the top of cliffs on the SW slope of Tetro Rock. The ski runs on Terry Peak were plainly visible. Photo looks SSW.
Terry Peak using the telephoto lens.
Terry Peak using the telephoto lens.

Lupe and SPHP were satisfied.  At least Tetro Rock had yielded a lovely view of Terry Peak.  Lupe and SPHP climbed back up to the rim of the flat ground.  It was time to go check out the possible higher ground N of the snowy clearing.  Lupe passed through the snowy clearing again on the way.

It wasn’t too far to the high ground to the N.  It took longer than it should have to get there.  The loggers had been busy here, too.  There were lots of big tree trunks cut into sections on the ground.  Slash was everywhere.  As Lupe drew near the highest rocks, it was possible to see a long way off to the NE.  Unfortunately, there were still enough standing trees to mar the view for the camera.

A collection of fairly big rocks among all the debris of the logged trees seemed to be the highest point on Tetro Rock.  This was probably the true summit.  It did seem a little higher than the snowy clearing had been, though SPHP wouldn’t swear to it.  Several rocks looked about equally high.  SPHP encouraged Lupe to get up on the most impressive looking of these rocks for her Tetro Rock summit photo.

Lupe on the rock SPHP designated the true summit of Tetro Rock. Photo looks NE.
Lupe on the rock SPHP designated the true summit of Tetro Rock. Photo looks NE.

It didn’t look like there was any higher ground farther N, but it did look like there were some bigger rock formations not too far away in that direction.  Lupe and SPHP went over to check them out.  The true summit definitely wasn’t over here, but the rock formations were certainly more impressive than those at the actual summit.

Up on rock formations near the NW end of Tetro Rock. Photo looks N.

By now Lupe and SPHP were near the NW end of Tetro Rock.  Lupe’s explorations of the summit area were complete.  The sensible thing to have done would have been to just go back S to the snowy clearing and take the logging roads back to the saddle S of the minor high points N of Tetro Rock.

However, it seemed more enticing to explore a shortcut by simply heading NE down the mountain.  This route might not be any faster than taking the logging roads, but it went through still unexplored territory.  The topo map indicated it should work.  So off Lupe and SPHP went, heading NE down off Tetro Rock.  At first it was kind of steep, and Lupe passed by more big rocks.

Lupe on rocks encountering coming down the N slope of Tetro Rock. The area E of Spearfish, SD can be seen in the distance. Photo looks N.
Lupe on rocks encountering coming down the N slope of Tetro Rock. The area E of Spearfish, SD can be seen in the distance. Photo looks N.

The shortcut worked!  It was slow going over the snowy rough ground, and Lupe eventually had to turn more to the E to maintain elevation, but Lupe found the same logging road again a little S of the two minor high points.

From here, the trek back was easy.  Lupe and SPHP just followed their tracks in the snow.  SPHP was happy that Lupe had made it to Tetro Rock.  Lupe enjoyed exploring the woods.  Once Lupe reached the dead-end of the grassy side road again, the rest of the way back to the G6 was just a pleasant late afternoon road hike.  Lupe and SPHP spent a little time collecting more Lupe Treasures at False Bottom Creek before leaving the area (5:56 PM, 55°F).

What now?  Lupe already had a successful peakbagging day behind her.  She could have gone straight home.  The American Dingo didn’t seem at all tired, though.  SPHP still had some energy reserves left, too.  There were still a couple of hours of daylight left.

Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) had looked snowy and impressive from Kirk Hill earlier in the day.  Why not go there?  It was an easy road hike.  Lupe could reach the top before sunset.  The dominant peak of the N central Black Hills would provide impressive views in every direction.  Lupe had been there before, but it sounded like a good way to end the day.

About 0.5 mile SE of Custer Peak, SPHP parked the G6 at an intersection along USFS Road No. 216 (6:41 PM, 42°F).  It was chillier up here.  There was a N breeze blowing.  Lupe and SPHP started the familiar road hike to the top.

Custer Peak from the road to the top. Photo looks ENE using the telephoto lens.
Custer Peak from the road to the top. Photo looks ENE using the telephoto lens.

A lot of snow must have melted during the day.  There wasn’t nearly as much around as SPHP expected.  It was an easy trek, but the N breeze felt quite cool as Lupe and SPHP neared the summit.  The road up the mountain ends a little short of the summit.  From there, a trail goes up to the lookout tower.  Lupe was already beyond the end of the road and on the trail’s switchbacks, when SPHP was very surprised to see a vehicle driving up the road.

Lupe on the trail just below the top of Custer Peak. The sun was getting close to the horizon.
Lupe on the trail just below the top of Custer Peak. The sun was getting close to the horizon.
Lupe on the rock wall around the lookout tower. This was Lupe's 5th ascent of Custer Peak! Photo looks E.
Lupe on the rock wall around the lookout tower. This was Lupe’s 5th ascent of Custer Peak! Photo looks E.

Lupe reached the lookout tower to complete her 5th ascent of Custer Peak.  The sun wouldn’t set for another 15 minutes or so.  SPHP expected people from the vehicle that had driven up the mountain would be coming up to see the sunset, but no one came.  Lupe and SPHP wandered around the lookout tower and the surrounding area while waiting for sunset.

The E side of Custer Peak was still snowy, but the afternoon sun had melted nearly all the snow on the W side. These trees near the lookout tower still had snow and ice clinging to their NE branches.
The E side of Custer Peak was still snowy, but the afternoon sun had melted nearly all the snow on the W side. These trees near the lookout tower still had snow and ice clinging to their NE branches.
Looking SW.
Looking SW.
Lupe waits for the sun to set on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170 at the top of Custer Peak.
Lupe waits for the sun to set on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170 at the top of Custer Peak.

The sky was almost completely clear.  There were no clouds in the W to make the sunset glorious.  Lupe and SPHP watched a golden-orange fireball sink below the horizon.  Except for the trek back to the G6, Lupe’s Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170 was over.

On the way down the switchbacks, suddenly there were two dogs!  Two people appeared right behind them.  Lupe sniffed with Ansel and Fern.  SPHP chatted briefly in the cool breeze with Aaron Ploog and his girlfriend, Kelsey.  It was already near freezing out, but Aaron, Kelsey and 3 dogs (there was a husky still in the car) were going to car camp on Custer Peak!  They were on their way up to the top, so Aaron could decide what to shoot.

Ansel (L) and Fern (R).
Ansel (L) and Fern (R).

Aaron said he was with Awake At Night and lived in Spearfish.  Later on at home, SPHP looked up Awake At Night Photography on the internet.  Aaron is a Noctographer, taking photos after dark and selling them.  Pretty cool stuff!

Lupe seldom meets anyone on most of her adventures.  Every now and then, though, Lupe meets some very interesting people (and dogs) out on adventures of their own!  (8:54 PM, 33°F)

The sun sets on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170.
The sun sets on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170.

Lupe Treasures collected: 6 glass bottles, 3 plastic bottles, 8 aluminum cans.

Links:

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 146(b) – Custer Peak (11-23-15)

After Xochitl and Steve’s successful visit to Cheyenne Crossing and Roughlock Falls with Lupe the day before, Xochitl had intended to wait another day before venturing out with Lupe again.  However, Lanis wanted to join the fun, and he couldn’t get his day off work changed.  So the very next day, Xochitl, Steve, and Lanis showed up at Lupe’s house to join her next Black Hills, SD Expedition.

Since Lanis didn’t have the entire day off, and Xochitl was still acclimating to the Black Hills elevation, Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) was chosen as a suitable objective.  It’s a pretty easy hike along a USFS road up to the lookout tower, but does involve over 800 feet of elevation gain.  Prior to heading out, Xochitl prepared for the adventure by fortifying her biological systems with a sip of Macadamia Nut Oil.

Xochitl sips a bit of Macadamia Nut Oil in preparation for another adventure with Lupe.

About 2 miles from Hwy 385, Xochitl parked the G6 at an intersection along USFS Road No. 216 a bit over 0.5 mile SE of Custer Peak.  Lupe led her pack of humans NW up No. 216, eventually following a spur road off it that winds entirely around the mountain before almost reaching the summit.  A short single track trail completed the route up.

Near the start of the trek up Custer Peak, USFS Road No. 216 passes by this scenic field which is a favorite with both Lupe and SPHP.
Near the start of the trek up Custer Peak, USFS Road No. 216 passes by this scenic field which is a favorite with both Lupe and SPHP.

Even with the winding route the road takes, it was only a mile or so to the lookout tower on top of Custer Peak.  Lupe and her pack were soon there.  Custer Peak is the dominate peak of the N central Black Hills and features 360° views.

Lupe is joined by Steve (L), Xochitl, and Lanis (R) at the lookout tower on the summit of Custer Peak.
Lupe is joined by Steve (L), Xochitl, and Lanis (R) at the lookout tower on the summit of Custer Peak.

Steve Larson, Xochitl, Lanis & Lupe on Custer Peak, 11-23-15Xochitl, Steve Larson, Lanis & Lupe on Custer Peak, 11-23-15Lupe, Lanis, Steve Larson & Xochitl on Custer Peak, 11-23-15

There are expansive views of the north central Black Hills in every direction from Custer Peak. Here, Lupe poses with Lanis (L), Xochitl, and Steve (R) in a photo looking NE. Bear Butte can be seen faintly on the horizon.
There are expansive views of the north central Black Hills in every direction from Custer Peak. Here, Lupe poses with Lanis (L), Xochitl, and Steve (R) in a photo looking NE. Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) near Sturgis, SD can be seen faintly on the horizon above Lanis.
Lupe squints looking into the sun in this photo looking NW toward Terry Peak.
Lupe squints looking into the sun in this photo looking NW toward Terry Peak.
Terry Peak from Custer Peak.
Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) from Custer Peak.

After enjoying the views up on Custer Peak, everyone started down from the lookout tower.  It was time to head back to the G6.  Lanis didn’t really have the entire day off.  He needed to get back to Blue Room Studios to spend at least some time mixing and mastering music that was due for completion.

Lanis, Xochitl & Steve depart the Custer Peak lookout tower.

Xochitl & Steve Larson near the Custer Peak lookout tower, 11-23-15Lupe and SPHP lingered on the mountain for a few more photos.

Looking SW. USFS Road No. 216 is seen below.
Looking SW. USFS Road No. 216 is seen below.
Looking S. Harney Peak is on the horizon L of center.
Looking S. Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) is on the horizon L of center.
Lupe and SPHP get left behind. Lupe will have no problem catching up.
Lupe and SPHP get left behind. Lupe will have no problem catching up.
Maybe you want to think about getting a move on SPHP!
Maybe you want to think about getting a move on SPHP!
Nah, what's the rush? Oh, yeah, Lanis needs to get back.
Nah, what’s the rush? Oh, yeah, Lanis needs to get back.
Terry Peak from rock outcroppings on Custer Peak.
Heading down Custer Peak.

Xochitl had no problems climbing or returning from Custer Peak.  Clearly, fortifying her biological systems with a sip of Macadamia Nut Oil had worked.

Still, Lupe preferred Xochitl’s prior day’s method of fortifying her biological systems with a buffalo burger and carrot cake.  After the hike, Lupe missed fortifying her own biological systems with a big helping of Cheyenne Crossing carrot cake from a Dingo box.

Lupeo – “Carrot Cake or Macadamia Nut Oil, that is the question:  Whether ’tis more fortifying for the biological systems to suffer the oiliness and slipperiness of outrageous Macadamia Nut Oil, or to take fangs against an entire Dingo box of caramel-drizzled Carrot Cake, and by devouring it, end it?”

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition                       Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 146(a) – Roughlock Falls (11-22-15)

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 127 – Hat Mountain, Anchor Hill & Custer Peak (4-19-15)

Since discovering the site Peakbagger.com in early May, 2014, SPHP has used Peakbagger.com to record many of Lupe’s climbs and explorations.  Peakbagger helps keep track of which mountains Lupe has climbed along with various other statistics about Lupe’s climbing exploits.  Peakbagger also maintains a data base on mountains worldwide including maps and all kinds of statistical information.  Users can even add “provisional peaks” to the data base for review and possible acceptance to the permanent data base.

Even including the still provisional peaks, Lupe has already climbed nearly all of the Black Hills, SD mountains currently in the Peakbagger.com data base.  Most of the remaining ones Lupe will never climb for one reason or another.  Some of them, like the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) and Peak 6920, are basically cliffs and require technical rock climbing equipment.  Others, like Mt. Rushmore (5,725 ft.), are illegal for her to climb.  A few peaks are on private property where it would be difficult to get permission from the landowner.  Thunderhead Mountain (6,567 ft.) where the Crazy Horse Memorial carving is would be an example.

However, prior to Expedition No. 127 there were still a couple of Black Hills, SD mountains in the Peakbagger.com data base that Lupe had never climbed where she might be successful.  Both are provisional peaks.  Hat Mountain (4,883 ft.) (the one NW of Norris Peak (4,982 ft.), not the one S of Deerfield Reservoir) was one.  Anchor Hill (5,720 ft.) was the other.  Lupe had already made prior attempts in 2015 to climb both of these peaks.  Hat Mountain was a secondary goal on Expedition No. 116 (1-24-15), and a primary goal on Expedition No. 117 (1-31-15).  Lupe never even got to Hat Mountain either time, since SPHP had started both of those expeditions from too far away (rain, fog and short daylight hours also played a role).

Lupe had tried to find Anchor Hill on Expedition No. 119 after climbing to the Meade County High Point (5,460 ft.) , but the approach from Hwy 385 was confusing to SPHP and led to a dead end at the old Gilt Edge gold mine.  On Expedition No. 120 Anchor Hill had been the most distant possible goal, but Lupe only reached Pillar Peak after SPHP wasted a bunch of time on another dead end down in Two Bit Creek valley.  SPHP actually thought Lupe had succeeded in climbing Anchor Hill on Expedition No. 122 only to realize later that she had really climbed a slightly higher hill (now dubbed “Fake Anchor Hill”) about 0.5 mile to the NE of Anchor Hill.

SPHP resolved that Lupe was going to find and climb both Hat Mountain and Anchor Hill, or find out why she couldn’t, on Expedition No. 127.  At last Lupe would have done all that she could do to climb all of the Black Hills, SD peaks currently in the Peakbagger.com data base.

At 10:18 AM, SPHP parked the G6 at the intersection of Norris Peak Road and Geary Blvd, a point just a little over 0.5 mile S of Hat Mountain.  This was a much, much closer starting point to Hat Mountain than Lupe had on either Expedition No. 116 or No. 117.  There were scattered little puffy clouds racing across the mostly sunny sky driven by a 25 mph NNW wind.  With the wind, the 40°F temperature seemed a bit chilly.  Fortunately, most of the time the forest provided considerable relief from the wind.

This time, Lupe had no problem getting to Hat Mountain.  A very nice brief hike along mostly level ground through a forest crisscrossed by all kinds of little roads and trails brought Lupe to the SW slope of Hat Mountain in what seemed like no time at all.  (For an even shorter hike to Hat Mountain, take USFS Road No. 721 from Norris Peak Road.  No. 721 passes just S of Hat Mountain.)

The small cliffs along the S side of Hat Mountain.
The small cliffs along the S side of Hat Mountain.

Hat Mountain wasn’t really all that much of a climb.  However, it still wasn’t certain in SPHP’s mind that Lupe could reach the top.  SPHP had seen Hat Mountain from a distance before many times.  From a distance Hat Mountain appeared round, and near the top it seemed to be surrounded by a ring of solid rock cliffs.  It remained to be seen if the cliffs extended all the way around the mountain top or not.  Lupe was soon at the base of the cliffs on the SW slope.  The cliffs were only maybe 20-30 feet high, but there was no way up them for Lupe here.

In the cleft in the small cliffs on the SE side of Hat Mountain.

Lupe started scouting around the mountain near the base of the cliffs along the S and then SE side.  On the SE side was a narrow cleft in the rocks with a steep, but easy way up.  In just a few minutes, Lupe had climbed up the cleft and gone on up to the summit of Hat Mountain.  Success!  Already, only Anchor Hill remained to be conquered.

Norris Peak (L) and Thrall Mountain (R) from Hat Mountain.
Norris Peak (L) and Thrall Mountain (5,091 ft.) (R) from Hat Mountain.
Norris Peak to the SE from Hat Mountain.
Norris Peak to the SE from Hat Mountain.
Success! Lupe on the Hat Mountain summit.
Quick & easy success! Lupe on the Hat Mountain summit.

Lupe wandered around exploring on top of Hat Mountain for 10 minutes or so while SPHP checked to see if there were other easier routes down.  The cliffs went pretty much all the way around the summit, but they were highest to the S.  In many places on other sides of the mountain, the cliffs were only 10-15 feet high or even less.  There proved to be several places where there were ways up or down without any problem.

On the little cliffs at the NNW end of Hat Mountain, just above the easy way down.

Lupe and SPHP took a very easy route down on the NNW side of Hat Mountain.  From there Lupe headed S along the W side of the mountain just below the cliffs.  Once completely down from Hat Mountain, Lupe headed S through the forest.  She eventually came to the edge of a small cliff perhaps 10-20 feet tall.  Lupe then headed E along the rocky rim of the cliff.  Before long the rocks and cliffs played out, but by then Lupe was already pretty close to the G6.  She reached the G6 again at 11:28 AM.

On the rim rock ledge a short hike S of Hat Mountain. Thrall Mountain is the highest point seen just to the R of the tree.

Anchor Hill was quite some distance away, so Lupe enjoyed a ride through the hills while SPHP drove to Galena about 5 or 6 miles SE of Deadwood.  Back in the late 1800’s, Galena was a thriving mining camp for a few years, but eventually became a ghost town.  These days Galena is no longer a ghost town.  There are quite a few homes and cabins in the area scattered along Bear Butte Creek.  The homes and cabins vary tremendously in size, age and condition.

Lupe at Galena.
OK... will we even know if we hit one?
Umm …. OK …. will we even know if we hit one?  Lupe stares closely at the road trying to discern any ghosts.  If she saw any, she never told SPHP.

SPHP drove through Galena and continued on Galena Road perhaps 0.25 or 0.50 mile to a big wide spot in the road and parked the G6 at 12:35 PM.  This wide spot was a short distance from a sign indicating the end of county road maintenance.  The puffy clouds in the sky were now bigger than before, but it was still sunny out.  Surprisingly, even next to Bear Butte Creek the wind was blowing hard down through the deep canyon.  The plan was to hike from Galena up through Butcher Gulch to an area just NE of Anchor Hill.

Lupe and SPHP headed back up Galena Road.  SPHP had seen a sign along a side road crossing Bear Butte Creek to the N for public access through private land to Butcher Gulch.  Lupe took this side road to enter Butcher Gulch.  Soon the private property was left behind.  Lupe came to a sign for the Vinegar Hill cemetery, where a little road in poor condition led up a steep hill to the left (W).  Lupe had no bones to bury, so she skipped the cemetery.

Twin rock spires on the way up the narrow rocky road in Butcher Gulch.
Twin rock spires on the way up the narrow rocky road in Butcher Gulch.

The road up Butcher Gulch wasn’t that great either.  It was narrow and rather rocky.  Pretty soon Lupe reached a fork in the road.  The best part of the road swung around the hillside switch-backing above where Lupe had just been and then disappeared from view.  A very rocky and narrow road continued on straight ahead.  SPHP guessed that straight ahead was probably the correct choice, which it later proved to be.

Two of the three limestone walls forming a big terrace in Butcher Gulch. Part of some old mining operation?

The road up Butcher Gulch is the type of road only a shocks, struts and tire salesperson could love.  Unsurprisingly, SPHP found a couple of vehicle parts for recycling along the way.  Happily, this poor excuse for a road made a great hiking trail.  Butcher Gulch was full of squirrels to bark at and Lupe had a blast.  There was absolutely no one else around, which was perfect.  In addition to squirrels, highlights along the way up Butcher Gulch included a little creek, a couple of unusual pointy up rocks, and a terrace of three limestone walls positioned one above another (probably somehow connected with some old mining operation).

The climb up Butcher Gulch was unrelenting, but Lupe did finally reach the upper end of the gulch.  Fortunately, the terrible road had gone all the way up the gulch and now intersected a better road.  Lupe and SPHP went across this new road and took a break up on a small hill.  Lupe had her usual water and Taste of the Wild.  SPHP had the usual apple and pored over maps in between scans of the nearby terrain.

Lupe near the summit of "Fake Anchor Hill". SPHP recognized this pipe with a block of wood on it from when Lupe was here on Expedition No. 122.
Lupe on “Fake Anchor Hill”. SPHP recognized this pipe with a block of wood on it from when Lupe was here on Expedition No. 122.

The highest ground nearby was a hill just to the NE.  SPHP suspected this was the same hill, now known as Fake Anchor Hill, that Lupe had climbed back on Expedition No. 122.  At the time, SPHP had believed it was Anchor Hill, but later concluded otherwise.  After the break, the first thing Lupe did was to climb this hill to see if it really was Fake Anchor Hill.  Sure enough, it was.  That meant that the real Anchor Hill was still about 0.5 mile to the SW.

Lupe and SPHP left Fake Anchor Hill and headed SW.  SPHP used topo maps and the curvature of the road encountered at the top of Butcher Gulch to navigate towards Anchor Hill.  Everything was matching up.  Anchor Hill was marked on the map as being just to the S of this same road about 0.25 mile SW of the intersection at the top of Butcher Gulch.  All along the S side of the road, however, was a barbed wire fence with frequent signs saying “Danger” and/or “No Trespassing”.  One said “EPA Superfund Site 2012”.  Peering S from the road up through the forest, SPHP could see that Anchor Hill ended abruptly perhaps 40 feet in elevation above the road.

Anchors aweigh! Lupe learned that the original Anchor Hill has moved. The top of Anchor Hill was removed by the Gilt Edge gold mine and apparently moved S to the tailings pile seen here. The tailings pile appears to be a little bit higher than Anchor Hill ever was.
Anchors aweigh! Lupe learned that the original Anchor Hill set sail and moved! The top of Anchor Hill was removed by the Gilt Edge gold mining operation and apparently repositioned S to the big tailings pile seen here. The tailings pile appears to be a little bit higher than Anchor Hill ever was.  Thus ended Lupe’s ambition to climb the original Anchor Hill.

SPHP was now certain that Lupe would never climb Anchor Hill.   The top 20 or 30 feet of elevation, at least as shown on the Peakbagger.com topo map, is no longer there.  The summit of Anchor Hill had weighed anchor and set sail to the S or SE where it is now part of a big tailings pile, helped along by the former Gilt Edge gold mining operation.  So Lupe’s quest to climb Anchor Hill, which had been a potential goal of four expeditions, had been doomed to failure all along.    There was no question of climbing the tailings pile, as it is also clearly mining property.  Interestingly enough, the tailing pile looks to be slightly higher than Anchor Hill originally was.

SPHP took consolation in the fact that Lupe had now at least climbed Fake Anchor Hill to the NE twice, which was a higher hill than Anchor Hill had ever been.  Anchor Hill was only a provisional peak on Peakbagger anyway.  It’s hardly likely to be accepted as part of the Peakbagger.com permanent mountain data base having gone AWOL.

Anchor Hill is shown on SPHP’s old USFS maps, but why remains a mystery.  There were other hills just as high or higher nearby.  What was so special about Anchor Hill?  One thing was special about it for sure, there must have been some gold there to encourage the Gilt Edge mine people to go to so much trouble.

On a rare decent stretch of the road in Butch Gulch.

Lupe and SPHP headed back down Butcher Gulch again on the way back to the G6.  Lupe had lots of fun again.  She certainly was taking the decapitation of Anchor Hill in stride.  Going downhill was so easy and pleasant that even SPHP was soon in a great mood again.  It was 47°F and 4:23 PM when Lupe reached the G6.  Still hours of daylight left and time to do something else!

SPHP had been considering what else Lupe might do on the way down Butcher Gulch.   Peakbagger.com really needed a decent photo of Custer Peak (6,804 ft.).  About 0.5 mile to the WSW of Custer Peak was a 6,600 ft. high ridge from which a very nice photo of Custer Peak might be obtained.  There was even time for Lupe to climb Custer Peak for the third time.

NE of Custer Peak along the road from Brownsville (Boondocks).

So Lupe and SPHP got in the G6 and headed back through Galena.  After a little side trip for a photo of Custer Peak from the NE, SPHP wound up parking the G6 at a sharp turn in USFS Road No. 216 at 5:06 PM.  Custer Peak was now 0.5 mile to the NW, although a much greater distance along the road.  During the drive from Galena, the weather had changed.  Now big clouds covered most of the sky.  It was only 35°F and occasional snow squalls were sweeping over the area.  The wind was still roaring up in the trees.  Lupe and SPHP started hiking up USFS Road No. 216.

Approaching Custer Peak

Lupe and SPHP followed USFS Road No. 216 up to a side road that goes all the way up to the lookout tower.  About 100 feet in elevation from the top, a thin sheet of ice covered about 2/3 of the ground.  The wind wasn’t too bad until the last 50 feet.  There it was a steady 30 mph gale out of the N.  Mentally SPHP thanked the Canadians for their traditional generosity with their healthy and undeniably fresh air, but Lupe wasn’t so sure.

At the lookout tower, Lupe and SPHP took shelter from the wind at the S corner of the tower.  Lupe had icicles hanging down from the fur on her belly, but that didn’t seem to bother her.  She didn’t want to stay in an extra jacket SPHP had brought along to warm her up.  She eagerly ate some Taste of the Wild.  SPHP ate the last apple.  The view was pretty awesome.  To the E of the Black Hills, the prairie was all lit up in sunlight.  Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) was glowing in the light.  The W edge of the Black Hills had some sunlight and fewer clouds too.  But all of the heart of the Black Hills was in shadow and snow showers could be seen here and there.

Lupe on the rock wall at the ranger tower on Custer Peak. Photo looks SW towards snow squalls sweeping the region. Lupe was most anxious for SPHP to get some sense and head down out of the N wind.
Lupe on the rock wall at the ranger tower on Custer Peak. Photo looks SW towards snow squalls sweeping the region. Lupe was most anxious for SPHP to get some sense and head down out of the N wind.

Lupe could only be persuaded to pose for one photo up on the N side of the lookout tower exposed to the relentless wind.  She clearly wanted to leave and head down the mountain.  Lupe is the brains in this operation, so when the wind showed no signs of giving any respite, SPHP conformed to her wishes.  The retreat down the mountain along the road was actually pretty pleasant soon after leaving the totally exposed summit.  SPHP did manage to get a couple of photos from just below the summit looking WSW toward the 6,600 foot ridge about 0.5 mile to the WSW.  SPHP was hoping to get over there for a nice photo of Custer Peak.

Still very close to the summit of Custer Peak, this photo looks WSW towards the 6,600 foot ridge. Lupe later posed for photos of Custer Peak from the snowiest high spot on the ridge seen here above and just to the left of Lupe.
Still very close to the summit of Custer Peak, this photo looks WSW towards the nearby 6,600 foot ridge. Lupe later posed for photos of Custer Peak from the snowiest high spot on the ridge seen here as a white patch above and just to the left of Lupe.

Lupe was happy going down the mountain.  The wind at the top was her whole objection.  At the saddle between Custer Peak and the 6,600 foot ridge to the WSW, she was quite happy to follow SPHP away from the road and up through the dense forest and maze of deadfall timber.  Amazingly this little trek up to the 6,600 foot ridge proved to be the most satisfying part of the day.

Little intermittent snow showers pelted the area with round mini-ice balls instead of normal fluffy snowflakes.  With the sun getting low, at times the forest seemed dark and forlorn.  But a little layer of snow on the ground brightened the setting.  Every now and then the sun made a brief brilliant appearance up on Custer Peak.  The clean fresh snow and brisk air seemed wonderful after the warm dry Expedition No. 126 just 8 days earlier.

Lupe near the top of the 6,600 foot ridge, but before reaching it. SPHP snapped this quick photo of Custer Peak not knowing if the sun would still be out by the time Lupe could get to the top of the ridge. It was!
Lupe near the top of the 6,600 foot ridge, but before reaching it. SPHP snapped this quick photo of Custer Peak not knowing if the sun would still be out by the time Lupe could get to the top of the ridge. It was!

The climb got steeper and steeper.  Near the top, Lupe and SPHP were at the edge of a little cliff along a spine of the mountain.  The sun broke through and shone on the surrounding forest.  The snow was pure white, the spruce tree needles bright green, Lupe’s fur a glowing golden brown, and the sky a clear light blue above.  The wind was fresh and exhilarating, and not so strong as up on Custer Peak.  SPHP hoped Lupe could make it to the top of the 6,600 foot ridge in time for a photo of Custer Peak before clouds hid the sun again.

Custer Peak from the top of the 6,600 foot ridge to the WSW.
Custer Peak from the top of the 6,600 foot ridge to the WSW.
Lupe in the last rays of sunlight on the 6,600 foot ridge. This was the photo of Custer Peak that SPHP chose to add to Peakbagger.com.
Lupe in the last rays of sunlight on the 6,600 foot ridge. This was the photo of Custer Peak that SPHP chose to add to Peakbagger.com.

She did!  Lupe and SPHP were in beautiful slanting sunlight for 10 minutes or so at the top of the 6,600 foot ridge.  Lupe posed for several photos of Custer Peak.  And then it was over.  The sun sank beneath the last big cloud to the WNW.  A hoped for glorious sunset never materialized.  Lupe and SPHP headed down the steep W slope off the 6,600 foot ridge.  The slope was much steeper than SPHP had anticipated, but fortunately no cliffs were encountered.  Heading S as much as possible, Lupe and SPHP worked their way down through the maze of deadfall timber on the W slope.

Big clue to SPHP that it might be time to head down from the 6,600 foot ridge and put an end to Expedition No. 127.
Big clue to SPHP that it might be time to head down from the 6,600 foot ridge and put an end to Expedition No. 127.

After losing maybe 200 or 250 feet, the ground began to level out.  SPHP continued to lead Lupe S or SSW as much as possible.  SPHP knew that USFS Road No. 216 couldn’t be too far away to the S.  Lupe and SPHP had been in the area many expeditions ago.  Soon No. 216 was found and could be followed all the way back to the G6.  It was a great hike and over too soon.  There was still some light in the sky when Lupe arrived back at the G6 at 8:04 PM.  The G6 said it was 32°F.  That didn’t stop Lupe from sticking her nose out the window to sniff the cold air for miles on the way home.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 119 – Meade County High Point & Custer Peak (2-13-15)

After a couple of weeks of very warm weather (including two straight record setting days), colder weather was on its way to the Black Hills.  So Friday, February 13, 2015 was Lupe’s last chance for a while to get out for an expedition on an unseasonably warm day.

SPHP decided on the Meade County, SD High Point (5,460 ft.) as the main objective for Lupe on Expedition No. 119.  Although the roads remained quite muddy, much of the snow had melted so that only scattered large patches were still around.  SPHP parked the G6 at the intersection of USFS Roads No. 151 (Old Ridge Road) and No. 151.2G .  This point is at least a couple miles SW of the Meade County HP.  (There are much closer and better access points, but SPHP often parks miles from the intended destination so Lupe can enjoy the fun of exploring the region.)  It was 48 degrees when Lupe set out from the G6 at 10:34 AM under mostly clear skies.

Lupe followed No. 151 heading N for about 1.5 miles.  Here she left the road and went ENE through a still snowy forest (northern exposure) down towards the saddle at the W end of Virkula Gulch, which was snow-free.

P1050910
Lupe near the saddle at the W (upper) end of Virkula Gulch.

After crossing the saddle, Lupe started the climb up the hill shown in the above photo.  Close to the first high point, she came to some rocks where there was a view back to the WNW towards Terry Peak (7,064 ft.).

The snow on the ski runs at Terry Peak to the WNW can be seen beyond Lupe in the distance.

Near the rocks, a jeep trail headed E.  It made a short climb up to a big nearly level area above 5,400 feet which was heavily forested.

SPHP hadn’t checked the maps and initially thought the Meade County HP was somewhere around here, not realizing Lupe was still in Lawrence County.  Consequently Lupe explored the thick forest looking for the highest point.  Towards the E side of this area Lupe found a rocky jeep trail.  She followed it N to where there was a cliff with a very nice unobstructed view of the big valley Elk Creek runs through.

Still in Lawrence County, Lupe stands near the edge of the N cliff. Elk Creek flows through the valley below.
Still in Lawrence County, Lupe stands near the edge of the N cliff. Elk Creek flows through the valley below.

A NW wind made it quite breezy here, although back in the forest the breeze had been barely noticeable.  Even though the view was better here, SPHP led Lupe back S to a point along the S edge of the high ground with a sunny and less windy view of Virkula Gulch.  While SPHP chomped an apple and surveyed the view of Virkula Gulch, Lupe took a little Taste of the Wild break.

Finally consulting the maps, SPHP suddenly realized the Meade County HP was still close to 0.75 mile farther E.  So once the break was over, Lupe headed E back to the rocky jeep trail.  She followed it SE down off the high ground.  Before Lupe had lost much elevation, the big limestone rock outcropping at High Point 5401 came into view.  Lupe left the jeep trail and made the easy climb up HP 5401 from the W.  The views from HP 5401 are the best available in the general vicinity of the Meade County HP.

P1050913
The rock at the left is the summit of High Point 5401. The W end of Virkula Gulch is beyond Lupe. Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) is the sharp peak on the far horizon near the center of the photo.

From HP 5401 it was also easy to see the heavily forested hill close at hand to the E which is the site of the Meade County HP.  (Due to thick forest, this hill had NOT been visible from the hill W of HP 5401.)  Lupe left HP 5401 and headed E to climb this hill.  Although the hilltop seemed fairly level, it had been easy to see from HP 5401 that the highest point on this hill was towards the N.  This also agreed with the topo map SPHP had printed out from Peakbagger.com showing the Meade County HP near the NNW end of the hill.

Towards the far N end of the hill was a small area noticeably 2 or 3 feet higher than the rest of the ground around it.  On this high ground stood two large pine trees about 10 or 12 feet apart.  The bases of their trunks seemed to be on the very highest ground.  Just a few feet NW from the easternmost tree was a very small whitish limestone cairn.  Lupe posed for a photo next to the cairn, which as near as SPHP could tell, appeared to mark the Meade County HP.  (This is the photo featured at the start of this trip report.)  Before leaving, SPHP lifted up and then carefully replaced several of the larger rocks forming the cairn hoping to find a survey marker, but there was nothing.

There were no views from the cairn in any direction other than the thick forest. Lupe did scout around a short distance to the N, but it was soon clear there wasn’t any higher ground on this hill anywhere farther N.  Before heading S to see what could be seen from the S end of the hill, Lupe returned briefly once more to the Meade County HP cairn so SPHP could retrieve the backpack.  Soon Lupe was at the S end of the hill, which presented a pretty view of the E end of Virkula Gulch.

Lupe above the E end of Virkula Gulch at the S (opposite) end of the hill the Meade County HP is located on.
Lupe above the E end of Virkula Gulch at the S (opposite) end of the hill the Meade County HP is located on.

Having achieved her main objective by reaching the Meade County High Point, it was time for the return trip to the G6.  Lupe returned by nearly the exact same route.  She didn’t climb HP 5401 again, but did go to the N end of the hill to the W where the cliffs with the view of Elk Creek valley were for one more look.

It was 50 degrees and only 3:36 PM when Lupe arrived back at the G6.  There were still a couple of hours of daylight left.  Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 119 was not over!  SPHP thought it might be interesting to explore USFS Road No. 151.2G to the W, but just before setting out on it, Lupe heard a gunshot from that direction.  Lupe hates gunfire and immediately hopped into the G6.

SPHP knew Lupe wasn’t about to hop back out of the G6 again here with gunfire around.  So the idea of heading NW towards the Strawberry Hill area on Hwy 385 came to mind.  From there Lupe might find a way to Anchor Hill (5,800 ft.) which she has never climbed before.  Lupe got to have a nice long ride in the G6 while hanging her head out the window, which is great good fun!

Upon reaching Strawberry Hill, SPHP turned onto Gilt Edge Road.  It was only a couple of miles to Anchor Hill, but the area was full of homes and private property.  Gilt Edge Road ended down in a deep valley at what appeared to be an EPA superfund site connected with the old Gilt Edge gold mine.  It was clear Lupe wasn’t going to find easy access to Anchor Hill from anywhere along Gilt Edge Road.  SPHP turned the G6 around, drove back to Hwy 385, and headed S.

SPHP had one more idea for Expedition No. 119.  Lupe could climb Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) which she had seen from HP 5401 earlier in the day.  At 4:42 PM, SPHP parked the G6 at the sharp turn in USFS Road No. 216 about 0.5 mile SE of Custer Peak.  No. 216 to the NW was closed to vehicles from here for the season by a gate across the road.  It was 44 degrees out when Lupe hopped out of the G6.  The sun was still shining up on Custer Peak.

Lupe headed NW on No. 216 up the E side of a scenic valley that is one of SPHP’s favorites.  About a mile from the G6, she left No. 216 and crossed over a saddle beyond which she turned E.  A spur road heads toward Custer Peak and eventually winds clock-wise around the mountain on up to the summit.  However, the spur was covered with so much snow it made the hike difficult for SPHP.  It was actually easier going directly up the W slope of Custer Peak, even though it meant working through a considerable amount of deadfall timber.  (Pine bark beetles killed the trees a few years back.)

Lupe actually got up into the sunlight while on the upper slopes of Custer Peak, but by the time she reached the old abandoned lookout tower at the summit, the sun had set.  A steady breeze was blowing out of the NW.  SPHP had hoped for a dramatic sunset, but the sky was almost totally clear.   Everything just faded unspectacularly into twilight.  Lupe posed for a few photos to document her ascent, but they didn’t turn out that great in the low light conditions.

Lupe on the rock wall around the old lookout tower on Custer Peak shortly after sunset.
Lupe on the rock wall around the old lookout tower on Custer Peak shortly after sunset.

On the way back, SPHP didn’t want to have to try to scramble down through the deadfall timber in the dark, so Lupe took the spiral road from the summit back down the mountain.  There were feet of snow on much of the road and it was slow going for SPHP, although Lupe could mostly trot along on top of the snow without breaking through.

The stars were out and the Milky Way was on brilliant display by the time Lupe reached the G6 again at 6:55 PM.  It was 39 degrees and calm.  Lupe stood sniffing the air for a few extra minutes and then hopped into the G6 for the ride home.

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