Deerfield Trail No. 40 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 278 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Daugherty Gulch & Peak 5800 (4-28-21)

8:34 AM, 41ºF, Silver City trailhead –

Deerfield Trail No. 40 again, SPHP? We were just here with Cousin Dusty!

I know it, and it was a fun time, too! Pure inspiration! Hope you’re ready for a big adventure today, Loopster.

Aren’t I always? What’cha got in mind?

Silver City to Daugherty Gulch. Roughly 11.25 miles one way, I figure. Then if we still have any moxie left, we’ll tack on another couple of miles to climb Peak 5800 before circling back to Deerfield Trail No. 40 via USFS Road No. 530 and the Slate Creek Dam.

Oh, that is a big day! We better get crackin’!

Five days ago it had been snowing when Lupe had been here with Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe. What a difference those 5 days had made! Suddenly it was springtime – blue skies, tweeting birds, the whole bit! Progress was rapid on the broad, flat trail. Silver Peak (5,810 ft.) was soon coming into view.

In scenic **Rapid Creek canyon**. Photo looks W.

**Silver Peak** (L of Center). Photo looks SW.

Just beyond the Silver Peak view, Lupe crossed the 4th bridge already over Rapid Creek. The first 3 had been concrete and as wide as a road, but this one was an all wooden pawbridge complete with railings. All the rest of the bridges across Rapid Creek would be like this.

Downstream view of **Rapid Creek** from the first wooden bridge. Photo looks N.

Deerfield Trail No. 40 narrowed after crossing the wooden pawbridge, but was still well-beaten and super easy to follow, remaining flat and rock-free. The trail passed mostly through the forest, but was never far from Rapid Creek.

**Rapid Creek** from Deerfield Trail No. 40. Photo looks SW.

Five minutes from the first pawbridge, Lupe came to her Dingo Cave, a great spot to hang out during a hail storm.

No hail expected today, so the American Dingo went right on by, enjoying the sunshine as the day warmed up. Rapid Creek is the largest stream in the Black Hills, and this beautiful stretch of Deerfield Trail No. 40 along it certainly had to rank among the most scenic hikes in the entire region.

Every now and then, another pawbridge appeared. After the 5th one, Loop reached a big bend in the river not far from where Spurgeon Gulch comes in from the N. W of Spurgeon Gulch, the trail passed through a region of tall, slender bushes. Beyond the bushes was another super scenic trail segment along Rapid Creek.

Ordinarily quite a clear-running stream, Rapid Creek’s color resembled the muddy Mississippi today with all the spring run-off.

Getting close to the Spurgeon Gulch area after crossing the 5th wooden pawbridge. Photo looks N.

At the big bend a little **E of Spurgeon Gulch** and Canyon City. Photo looks E.

Past the bushes **W of Spurgeon Gulch**. Photo looks SW.

Nearly 0.4 mile W of Spurgeon Gulch and Canyon City, Lupe came to a 6th and final pawbridge over Rapid Creek. Crossing it, she followed a long straight stretch of Deerfield Tail No. 40 going WSW on the S side of the creek. In the shade of a mountain, much of this part of the trail was still icy. After 0.33 mile, Lupe came to a big bank of ice at the confluence of Slate Creek and Rapid Creek.

Looper was now 3.33 miles from the Silver City trailhead. Slate Creek, a mere tributary of Rapid Creek, was running as high as SPHP could ever remember seeing it. Something was missing, wasn’t it?

Approaching the 6th and final pawbridge over **Rapid Creek**. Photo looks WSW.

Looking upstream from the 6th pawbridge. Photo looks WSW.

On the straightaway S of the creek. Photo looks WSW.

Confluence of **Slate Creek** (L) and **Rapid Creek** (Center & R). Photo looks NW.

Seems we’ve reached the Slate Creek glacier, SPHP! Watch your step! Might be pretty slippery for you!

So we have, Looper. Say, didn’t there used to be a bridge over Slate Creek here? Not a big pawbridge with railings like the ones over Rapid Creek, just 4 or 5 planks on end bolted together.

Don’t really remember, SPHP. Been a while since we’ve been here, like years! Maybe there was, or maybe we always rock-hopped Slate Creek? Never had this much water in it before!

Well, hard to say. I don’t remember, either, but I was sort of expecting a plank bridge here, since I remember lots of them across Slate Creek farther upstream.

You aren’t saying we’re done already, are you, SPHP? Slate Creek still isn’t very deep! Can’t you wade across it?

Yup! In fact, I even brought water shoes, since I do remember at least one ford farther up Slate Creek. Guess they’re about to come in handy a lot sooner than I thought.

Lupe waited while SPHP switched from boots to water shoes prior to fording Slate Creek. The water shoes were actually SPHP’s old gray and blue Merrell running shoes bought in Haines, Alaska in 2017. When brand new, they were the prettiest shoes SPHP had ever had, almost like dancing slippers, but now they were dingy and falling apart. No matter! As long as they still held together, they were light-weight and perfect for fording streams.

Waiting for SPHP prior to fording **Slate Creek**. Photo looks SW.

Slate Creek was frigid, but the water shoes worked perfectly. Once across, there was another delay as SPHP sat in the sun swapping back over to boots. As soon as that was accomplished, Loopster hit the trail again. Deerfield Trail No. 40 abandoned Rapid Creek. For the next 4.25 miles, it would follow Slate Creek upstream instead.

Starting up the **Slate Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

Deerfield Trail No. 40 had been flat and smooth all along Rapid Creek, but going up the smaller Slate Creek valley, it soon became rockier and started gaining elevation. Still an easy trek, but not quite the total cake walk it had been before.

Within 5 minutes, Loopster came to another stream crossing. Just like SPHP remembered, a sturdy plank bridge went over Slate Creek.

As the Carolina Dog continued up the valley, Deerfield Trail No. 40 kept crossing Slate Creek at short intervals in a narrow gorge. The 2nd and 3rd crossings also had plank bridges, but approaching the 4th crossing Lupe discovered that the bridge had washed out.

**3rd Slate Creek crossing** beyond the confluence with Rapid Creek.

The bridge at the **4th crossing** was washed out.

Water shoe time! SPHP donned them again prior to fording the stream. Then it was back to putting on the boots once more before Lupe could keep going.

Fording **Slate Creek** at the **4th crossing**.

Didn’t take long to became apparent that the whole process of constantly switching footwear was a ridiculous waste of time. The bridges were out everywhere! Sick of it, and now used to the cold water, SPHP relegated the boots to the pack, marching along in water shoes as Lupe came to one ford after another.

SPHP kept count of the number of times Deerfield Trail No. 40 crossed Slate Creek after starting up the valley. After the 9th crossing, the trail climbed 50 feet above creek level. On the way up the steep hillside, Loop found another glacier slowly melting away in the shade of a bend. This second Slate Creek glacier was centered on the trail, and treacherously sloped and slippery, but SPHP managed to get over it without mishap.

Beyond the glacier, the trail flattened and stayed well above Slate Creek for a little way, but Lupe was soon fording it again. It wasn’t until Loop got to the 12th crossing that she found another bridge intact.

Fording **Slate Creek** for the 8th time in a row at the **11th crossing**.

On the plank pawbridge at the **12th crossing**.

No bridge at the 13th crossing, but after that none were washed out for a while. In fact, there were 2 bridges at both the 15th and 17th crossings. By the time Lupe got past the 16th crossing, the Slate Creek valley was widening out to a considerable degree.

At the **13th crossing**, the last ford for a while.

The **14th crossing**, where intact bridges finally began to consistently appear again.

The **Slate Creek valley** opened up beyond the 16th crossing.

At the **17th crossing**, where there were 2 bridges.

The journey up the narrow gorge had been scenic with a very secluded feel to it. As the valley opened up, that sense of seclusion diminished, and the stream crossings were more spaced out. After the 17th crossing, Lupe reached the Flannigan cabin. Not much was left of it mouldering away beneath a stand of ancient spruce trees.

Doesn’t take an American Dingo long to inspect a wreck like that! A brief examination, and Lupe pressed on. Deerfield Trail No. 40 crossed Slate Creek for the 18th time beyond the confluence with Rapid Creek just past the cabin. A green gate in a pole fence led to a circular drive where USFS Road No. 606 dead-ended at the lower end of Spaw Gulch.

N end of USFS Road No. 606 which comes down Spaw Gulch.

Lupe went through another green gate on far side of the circle. Beyond it was a sign about an old road that used to follow Slate Creek, crossing it 25 times in 3.5 miles!

Only 25, SPHP? At the rate we’re going, we’re going to beat that record!

Sure enough, Lupe continued to come to more stream crossings. Since there had been perfectly good plank bridges over all of them for some time now, a short break was taken after No. 20 while SPHP abandoned the water shoes, exchanging them for boots again. A chocolate coconut bar got shared before following the trail up over a little ridge.

On the other side of the ridge, Loop came to a place that looked sort of like a campsite. 5 sections of big logs stood arranged in an “X” pattern out in the middle of this area. Lupe got up on the center log.

She was still standing there, when SPHP noticed a hole resembling an old mining dig over in the hillside to the E. Further inspection revealed a short tunnel through the ridge.

Venturing in, the tunnel opened up at the far end at a spot overlooking Slate Creek. Inside the tunnel, some filthy ancient plywood shelves were arranged like bunk beds along one side. Attached to the shelves was a clear plastic sleeve containing an astonishing bright new sheet of paper.

In this rat hole out in the middle of nowhere? You have got to be kidding me!

What’s it say, SPHP?

It’s says the world has completely lost it’s mind, Looper!

Nonsense! It does not! What does it really say?

It’s a warning notice about Covid-19, Loop. Talks like this is the Holiday Inn or something.

Here? Doesn’t look like anyone has been here in ages!

Exactly my point, except, of course, for whoever thought this joint needed a Covid-19 notice. If Covid-19’s here, they must have brought it with them!

Whether the notice was totally Looney Tunes, or not, Loopster didn’t have a reservation at this 0 star establishment, and it was still a long way to Daugherty Gulch. The American Dingo pressed on.

Deerfield Trail No. 40 continued to wind SW following Slate Creek. Lupe came to several more creek crossings with plank bridges. After No. 23, a brown wand marking the route pointed off toward the R, away from the obvious trail. Evidently a re-route up a less traveled path in order to avoid another couple of creek crossings ahead.

The official route climbed 60 feet before topping out near a rocky point overlooking the next part of the Slate Creek valley. Part of USFS Road No. 245.1A was in sight. The topo map showed a short section of the road paralleling Slate Creek before leaving the valley.

At the **Slate Creek valley** overlook. Photo looks SSW.

Continuing back down into the valley, the trail now led to a set of stairs with rock walls. However, the stairway was virtually unusable due to an enormous spruce tree which had collapsed along the length of it. Even so, Loop was soon through this obstacle, and approaching an impressive natural rock wall towering next to Slate Creek.

The huge rock wall was quite a scenic spot! Nearby was a 24th crossing of Slate Creek. No bridge, but paving stones made for a super easy ford as SPHP employed the water shoes again.

Approaching the scenic wall of rock. Photo looks S.

As seen from the **24th Slate Creek crossing**. Photo looks E.

Beyond the impressive rock wall, the Slate Creek valley was even more open. A 25th stream crossing, another ford with paving stones instead of a bridge, wasn’t far from the 24th one, but that was the last ford.

Wasn’t the last stream crossing, though! The crossings were farther apart now, but the count continued to rise as the Carolina Dog crossed one bridge over Slate Creek after another. Meanwhile, she was seeing lots of deer and having a fabulous time!

Approaching **crossing No. 26**, another one with 2 bridges. Photo looks S.

Near **crossing No. 29**. Photo looks NNE.

A curious dilapidated structure between crossings No. 30 and 31.

Wading just for fun at **crossing No. 32**.

The trail went on and on. Lupe finally arrived at a fork. A brown wand along a path going SW across a big field indicated that this was the way Deerfield Trail No. 40 went. At the far end of the field, Slate Creek ran along the base of a forested hill. The last bridge over the steam, crossing No. 35, if SPHP hadn’t lost count somewhere along the way, was visible from the divide.

About to leave the **Slate Creek valley** via the bridge seen at the base of the hill. Photo looks SW.

Crossing the field and the last bridge, Lupe left the Slate Creek valley. Deerfield Trail No. 40 started steeply up a slope, but quickly turned L and began to switchback less aggressively higher. Near the top of a ridge, the trail ran W along the N side before crossing over to the S.

For the first time today, the cheerful sound of flowing water was absent and missed, but Lupe had gained enough elevation to get a distant view of some forested hills, the higher ones still sporting a little snow. Not a spectacular scene, but a pleasant one.

On the N side of the ridge. Photo looks SW.

First distant view of the day. Photo looks SW.

How much farther to Daugherty Gulch, SPHP?

Still a ways, Loop. About 3.67 miles from where we left Slate Creek.

Trending W or SW, the trail leveled out as it began winding along the top of the ridge. Lupe visited a couple of high points separated by 0.33 mile, the second one a bit higher than the first.

The high points had only a minor drop between them, but Loop came to a larger drop after passing the second one. During the descent, the trail went by an old horizontal mining shaft. Turned out it wasn’t very big, and the Carolina Dog didn’t find anything of interest in it.

Losing 160 feet of elevation heading S into a valley, the trail bottomed out at a junction with an abandoned road. Deerfield Trail No. 40 turned W again here, but not for long. The road kept going W, but within a few hundred feet, the trail veered SW up a steeper drainage. Before long it was curving NW. Upon regaining all the elevation she’d just lost, Lupe arrived at a minor pass.

Near the low point in the valley, starting up the abandoned road. Photo looks W.

Going over the pass, a smaller drop of 50 feet ensued. Soon USFS Road No. 245 could be seen ahead. The trail turned W, paralleling the road for a little way before merging with it just before the road came to another pass. At about 5,500 feet, this pass was the high point of Deerfield Trail No. 40 between Silver City and Daugherty Gulch.

At the high point of USFS Road No. 245 and this segment of Deerfield Trail No. 40. Photo looks NW.

From the pass, No. 245 went NW down Lind Gulch for more than a mile. A bit muddy at first, the road hike was super easy, although not terribly interesting. After losing 400 feet of elevation, Lupe finally reached a gate where the Mickelson Trail crossed the road.

Heading down **Lind Gulch**. Photo looks NW.

More than halfway down **Lind Gulch** it became a little more scenic.

Junction of USFS Road No. 245 and the Mickelson Trail. Photo looks NW.

Deerfield Trail No. 40 abandoned USFS Road No. 245, turning SW along the Mickelson Trail. Site of a former railroad line, the Mickelson Trail curved W on a gradual incline that led to a tunnel that trains used to run through many years ago. The tunnel was pretty cool!

After reaching the Mickelson Trail, Deerfield Trail No. 40 follows it the rest of the way to the Daugherty Gulch trailhead. Photo looks SSW.

Beyond the tunnel, the trail continued W on a slight incline for nearly 0.33 mile before starting to curve S. A trailhead sign appeared ahead. Soon Lupe was going through a green gate, down a little slope to the W, over a tiny tributary of Castle Creek, and across Mystic Road.

Continuing W beyond the tunnel. Photo looks W.

Getting close to the end. Photo looks SW.

Leaving the Mickelson Trail. Photo looks ENE.

Success! At the **Daugherty Gulch trailhead**. Photo looks NW.

3:38 PM, 58ºF, Daugherty Gulch trailhead –

Congratulations, Loopster! We made it!

Thank you, SPHP! Such a beautiful trek, especially the parts along Rapid Creek and Slate Creek. Really wonderful!

Yes, indeed! Best part of the entire Deerfield Trail, if you ask me, although the loop around Deerfield Reservoir is mighty nice, too.

7 hours, though, SPHP! We sure took our sweet time getting here! Are we still going to climb Peak 5800, too? Do you have it in you?

Sure! We’ll share another chocolate coconut bar up there. Maybe that will spur me on? Wha’dya say?

Last one there is a human!

Not much doubt about that! Some things never change. 5 minutes after arriving at the Daugherty Creek trailhead, the Carolina Dog headed back to the Mickelson Trail. Turning S, the trail slowly, relentlessly, continued uphill.

Heading S on the Michelson Trail. Photo looks S.

Keeping an eye on Mystic Road to the W, SPHP watched for side roads. USFS Road No. 241 came first. It went SW up Daugherty Gulch. For some odd reason, the Daugherty Gulch trailhead was actually located at Whitetail Gulch. No logical explanation seemed possible other than that someone was confused when they named it.

The next road was the critical one. When USFS Road No. 231.1A came into sight, that was the signal to start looking SE. Looper would start her ascent of Peak 5800 following the next ridge the Michelson Trail went by in that direction.

Worked great! Climbing from the WNW, the Carolina Dog was soon on top of the mountain.

Heading up **Peak 5800’s WNW ridge**. Photo looks ESE.

4:48 PM, 55ºF, Peak 5800 – Peak 5800’s summit proved to be a large flat area of open forest with no obvious absolute high point. SPHP dropped the pack beneath a big Ponderosa pine with many branches that seemed to be about where the highest ground was. Nearby stood a weathered tree stump. 4 feet tall, it was almost as if it were a post deliberately set to mark the summit location.

By the weathered tree stump. Photo looks NW.

Congratulations were once again in order! Praising Lupe, SPHP shook her paw, but wasn’t going to get off that easy. The chocolate coconut bar had to be delivered as promised, along with a silver bowl full of Taste of the Wild. SPHP ate the last of two apples, the first one having met its fate hours ago.

For a while Lupe and SPHP just sat there, looking WSW across a barren spot. Never know what you might see when you climb a new peak in the Black Hills. As it turned out, there were enough trees on Peak 5800 to mar the views in all directions. Sometimes that’s the way it goes. Plenty of glimpses of hills and ridges, but no clear views.

After resting for 20 minutes, it was time to get up and move around. The summit region was big, and there weren’t that many trees! Surely Lupe could find some decent viewpoints, if she looked for them.

The viewpoints were all toward the S, somewhat below the summit’s perimeter. To the SW were high ridges difficult to identify from here. Peak 6167 and Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.) were in sight to the ESE. To the SSE, Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) made Lowden Mountain (6,055 ft.) look like a little hill.

**Old Bald Peak** (R) and **Peak 6167** (far R). Photo looks E.

**Lowden Mountain** in front of **Black Elk Peak** (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Shadows were lengthening. A long way back. 40 minutes after reaching Peak 5800, Lupe headed down the S slope. Here she came upon the best view yet, a lovely panorama due S. Black Elk Peak, Lowden Mountain, Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.), and Redfern Mountain (6,075 ft.) on display!

**Black Elk Peak** and **Lowden Mountain** (far L), **Sylvan Peak** (R of Center), **Redfern Mountain** (far R). Photo looks S.

After losing some elevation, Lupe turned E down into a valley that led to USFS Road No. 530. Loop had never been on this part of it before. In the evening light, No. 530 was a scenic journey and downhill practically all the way. A good thing, since there was now a need for speed!

With only few hours of daylight left, the race was on. SPHP wasn’t keen on doing close to 40 Slate Creek crossings via narrow plank bridges or outright fords in the dark, even if the stream wasn’t all that big.

The American Dingo showed great energy, often racing ahead. Herds of deer kept her excited. Progress was limited only by SPHP’s pace. Still took nearly an hour to get to the little lake at the Slate Creek Dam.

**USFS Road No. 530** close to where Lupe first reached it. Photo looks E.

Approaching the Slate Creek Dam. Photo looks NE.

By the little lake at the Slate Creek Dam. Photo looks S.

After a look at the lake, Lupe turned WNW on USFS Road No. 530.1C, which followed Slate Creek.

A little over 0.25 mile, and No. 530.1C ended. No problem! A single track trail continued down the valley. Over the course of a mile, Lupe crossed 4 or 5 more plank bridges, one of which didn’t extend all the way across the stream, before getting back to Deerfield Trail No. 40.

The last rays of sunlight disappeared from the hilltops about the time Lupe reached the fords back at the 25th and 24th Slate Creek crossings. Dusk arrived and deepened as she hurried on.

Still some light in the sky, but everything was turning pitch black down in Slate Creek’s narrow gorge by the time she got there. The flashlight had to come out before attempting to cross the slippery glacier between crossings No. 10 and No. 9.

It all went well! Every bridge, every ford! Better than expected. Once Lupe got across Slate Creek at its confluence with Rapid Creek, success was assured. Flat trail and bridges with railings the rest of the way.

Yet still miles to go in the night! In the black as eternity canyon, Rapid Creek rushed noisily downstream as silver stars glittered in a narrow band of sky visible above. On the deep space edge of the weak beam ahead, a curly tail waved, confidently leading the way. (10:30 PM, 34ºF)

**Deerfield Trail No. 40**, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-28-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Next Trail Section W:

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 256 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Daugherty Trailhead to Signal Knob & Deerfield Lake (10-30-20)

Next Trail Section E:

Black Hills SD Expedition No. 236 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Deer Creek to Silver City & Peak 5707 (10-6-18)

Deerfield Trail No. 40 – Map & Brochure

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 – Rapid Creek, Peak 5520 & the Gold Mountain Mine with Cousin Dusty (4-23-21 & 4-24-21)

4-23-21, late morning – It was the shrillest, happiest, most enthusiastic greeting ever! Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty from Colorado could scarcely get in the door or be heard above the din. The Carolina Dog was in a complete frenzy of joy and excitement! Lupe knew what their arrival meant – good times ahead!

Festivities started off with a quick trip to Qdoba’s for take-out, and a visit to Grandma’s, where Lupe and Dusty each enjoyed a Busy Rib Hide.

After lunch, Aunt Andrea and Grandma were going shopping. Uncle Joe did not disappoint. How about a romp in the hills? A suggestion very well received by the pack!

Where to, was the immediate question? The day was breezy and gray. Barely above freezing, it was cold for late April. Furthermore, Cousin Dusty would be 15 in June, and was recovering from surgery to remove a tumor. She was doing well, but something not terribly strenuous was in order. SPHP suggested an easy trek along Rapid Creek.

4-23-21, 1:30 PM, Silver City trailhead – Out of the wind down in scenic Rapid Creek canyon, Deerfield Trail No. 40 was the perfect solution! The trail was easy to follow and wound upstream with minimal elevation gain. Dusty could go as far as she wanted to, or turn back at any time.

Heading W from Silver City on Deerfield Trail No. 40.

Early on there was a nice view of Silver Peak (5,810 ft.).

The trail passed through forest, and along stretches of Rapid Creek. It even went by a Dingo Cave.

Lupe and Cousin Dusty by **Rapid Creek**.

Uncle Joe and Cousin Dusty from the Dingo Cave.

Lupe had been here many times before, but today there was something new to show off to her guests from Colorado. 3 bighorn sheep were up on a steep slope overlooking the trail. One wore two tags, No. 353 and No. 354, plus a radio collar.

Cousin Dusty was doing great! In fact, she was having such a grand time that she often led the way, even doing some off-trail exploring. As the trek continued, Dusty crossed several more bridges over Rapid Creek. Eventually, the sky darkened further. It began to snow.

One of several bridges over **Rapid Creek**.

On a remnant of a mysterious man-made wall or support.

Dusty leading the way across another bridge.

Could have been November! Snowflakes filled the air, drifting silently lower. After passing Stewart Gulch, Uncle Joe called a halt. Probably far enough for Dusty. A break was taken. SPHP shared chocolate coconut bars with everyone, and Uncle Joe provided Kind bars.

**Rapid Creek** not far from the point of farthest advance.

The bighorn sheep were still there on the way back, they’d hardly moved at all. Snowed the whole time, but it was too warm for any of it to stick. The return seemed to go fast. Cousin Dusty was still leading when the trailhead appeared ahead. (3:35 PM, 36ºF)

4-24-21, 10:30 AM, 45ºF, Horse Creek Road – Gray and cold earlier, just like yesterday, but the clouds were breaking up now! Sunny, getting warmer, and not too windy. A bit muddy, but everyone was in a good mood while setting out on USFS Road No. 243.2J.

Heading down **Horse Creek valley**. Photo looks SSW.

Crossing **Horse Creek**. Photo looks SSW.

No. 243.2J led to a junction with USFS Road No. 669 near a pond that had been frozen over the last time Lupe was here a little over a month ago. Not so today! Cousin Dusty decided to take a dip.

By the pond. Joe and Dusty over on USFS Road No. 669. Photo looks SW.

Although the pond still had to be mighty cold, Dusty showed no sign of being chilled when she emerged. She went right back to leading the way on USFS Road No. 669 as it headed SE up a valley.

No. 669 topped out at a broad saddle 0.6 mile past the pond. Peak 5520, an objective chosen for its excellent views and because Cousin Dusty would be able to climb it, was just 0.2 mile NE.

At the saddle with **Peak 5520** in the background. Photo looks NE.

Could have chosen a tougher peak! Dusty had no problem at all. Soon everyone was congregated at the top of the mountain.

Joe and Dusty not too far from the top. Photo looks NE.

Cousin Dusty still peakbagging in the Black Hills at 14 years, 10.5 months!

Veterans of many trips over the years, Joe and Dusty were no strangers to the Black Hills. A number of peaks they had climbed before with Lupe were visible from Peak 5520, including Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.), Peak 5917, Mount Warner (5,889 ft.), Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) and Custer Peak (6,804 ft.).

Fond memories on display in almost every direction!

**Peak 6070** (L) and **Peak 5917** (R). Photo looks N.

**Mount Warner** (L) and **Black Elk Peak** (R). Photo looks SSE.

**Mount Warner** (L of Center), **Peak 5741** (R of Center), with **Samelias Peak (5,856 ft.)** (Center) between them. Photo looks SE.

Lupe and Uncle Joe on **Peak 5520**. **Five Points (6,221 ft.)** (L). Photo looks SW.

Naturally, a chocolate coconut bar break, shared in by all, was taken to commemorate another successful Black Hills ascent. Then it was down Peak 5520’s S slope, a slightly different route back to USFS Road No. 669, with a brief stop to check out the still splendid views from some of the rock formations.

Uncle Joe starts the descent. **Mount Warner** (Center). Photo looks SE.

On the rocks with Uncle Joe. **Five Points** (R). Photo looks SW.

4-24-21, 12:50 PM, Horse Creek Road, back at the G6 – Good times with Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe! Two nice hikes in two days, but this was only a very quick trip for them. Although they’d arrived only 27 hours ago, bright and early tomorrow morning they would be on the road back to Colorado.

Still early afternoon, though, and Dusty was doing great! Would they consider spending a little longer in the hills before heading back to town? SPHP suggested lunch in Hill City, then another short outing.

And so it was. Lupe and Dusty rested up in the G6, while Joe and SPHP enjoyed a fabulous meal at the Alpine Inn. Then it was on to Burnt Fork Road and a hike to the Gold Mountain Mine.

At the **Gold Mountain Mine**. **Lowden Mountain (6,055 ft.)** (L). Photo looks SW.

Joe reads one of 7 or 8 plaques while Dusty looks on.

Cousin Dusty at the **Gold Mountain Mine**.

In the valley SE of the mine was another pond, considerably larger than the one on the way to Peak 5520. On the way back to the G6, Cousin Dusty couldn’t resist taking another dip.

Cousin Dusty in the bigger, more **scenic pond** **SE of the Gold Mountain Mine**. **Union Hill (6,120 ft.)** (Center). Photo looks E.

Then it was back to town to Grandma’s apartment where Aunt Andrea was playing cards with her, and where two lucky cousins got to enjoy Busy Rib Hides after another fun day together in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.

**Busy Rib Hide time** at Grandma’s apartment, 4-24-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 256 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Daugherty Trailhead to Signal Knob & Deerfield Lake (10-30-20)

8:36 AM, 26ºF, Mystic Road, Daugherty trailhead, Deerfield Trail No. 40 –

After that big storm last week, I never dreamed there would be so little snow up here, Loopster! We could have gone up to the high country, if I’d realized it was going to be practically snow-free.

Still can if you want to, SPHP, but this is fine with me.

Eh, I didn’t plan anything out for up there thinking the G6 wouldn’t even be able to get close. Maybe we should just go with the flow? You can knock out a section of the Deerfield trail today. We might even have time for a side excursion to Signal Knob (6,200 ft.) for some peakbagging fun!

You know I’m not picky, SPHP. Happy just to be here! If you are, too, let’s go! Don’t want to keep the early squirrels waiting!

Somehow I doubt an American Dingo is what the squirrels are hoping for, but onward! Puppy, ho!

Lupe was on it, anxious to make tracks and get in some long overdue sniffing action. Sprinting ahead, she left the Daugherty trailhead of Deerfield Trail No. 40 following USFS Road No. 182 W up Whitetail Gulch. Daugherty Gulch was 0.75 mile S of here, and why this wasn’t called the Whitetail trailhead instead of Daugherty had always been a mystery to SPHP.

However, it was more of a curiosity than a real mystery. Whatever the answer was, it made no difference at all to Lupe.

Waiting impatiently at the **Daugherty trailhead** for the photo to get snapped so the day’s adventures can begin.

Not a cloud in the sky! Tiny sunlight diamonds sparkled on thin layers of frost and snow. The air was crisp and clean, summer’s smoky skies at long last a thing of the past. Deerfield Trail No. 40 wound gradually up Whitetail Gulch past ponderosa pine covered slopes and naked aspens. A tiny creek trickled in the ditch next to the roadbed. The road crossed it 10 minutes from the trailhead.

On USFS Road No. 182, which doubles as Deerfield Trail No. 40 in Whitetail Gulch.

Loop returning from one of her romps ahead.

At the tiny stream crossing 10 minutes from the trailhead.

A long straight stretch bordered by white-barked aspens.

All of the terrain Deerfield Trail No. 40 would take Lupe through today was pretty easy stuff. Some variation, of course, but mostly a series of long gentle inclines and descents. A good 0.5+ mile from the trailhead, Whitetail Gulch curved S. The trail, however, continued W a little way before making a short steeper jog up to the N. Turning W again, the road leveled out, reaching a high point shortly after passing No. 182.1D, a side road on the R (N).

Just beyond this high point, the Deerfield Trail curved SSW as it began a gradual descent. Some open ground provided Lupe with her first views of nearby hills. Nothing too spectacular, but pleasant enough.

At the curve beyond the junction with USFS Road No. 182.1D. Photo looks SW.

Lupe was soon past the open grassy region. The trail now dipped more steeply down into a shady canyon, entering a different drainage. At the bottom, the road crossed Crooked Creek, which was considerably larger than the tiny creek in Whitetail Gulch, but still a small stream. Paving blocks in Crooked Creek made for a trivial stream crossing.

Immediately beyond Crooked Creek, the road forked. A brown Deerfield Trail fiberglass wand was in sight ahead along the L branch. Going that way, Loop quickly came to a second Crooked Creek crossing, also blessed with paving stones.

At the first **Crooked Creek** crossing. Stay L at the road fork ahead!

The second **Crooked Creek** crossing was only a few hundred feet farther.

Crooked Creek was a major low point. From here, Deerfield Trail No. 40 climbed steadily following the creek valley higher. Within 10 minutes, Lupe arrived at another place where the road forked. She stayed to the R entering a shaded, narrower portion of the valley. A snowy trek on a straight stretch led to a curve to the L where the road crossed Crooked Creek yet again, which this time flowed beneath it in a culvert.

Immediately beyond the culvert crossing, the road curved sharply R (NW), starting up a hill at a steeper pace. However, Deerfield Trail No. 40 parted from the road at this curve. SPHP nearly missed the trail as it headed off to the L. The only sign was 25 feet from the road where a big ponderosa pine had a metal “40” diamond nailed to its trunk, and a pink ribbon could be seen behind it flapping in the breeze.

Heading W up the S side of the **Crooked Creek valley** after the 2nd stream crossing.

Looper at the fork 10 minutes W of the 2nd Crooked Creek crossing. Stay to the R here!

By the big ponderosa pine with the 40 diamond and pink ribbon. The trail has just left the road 25 feet back and is now a single track. Don’t miss this turn! Photo looks SW.

Deerfield Trail No. 40 now continued SW up Crooked Creek as a single track. At first, the single track looked a little like an abandoned ATV trail, but soon lost that characteristic as it promptly entered a narrow, V-shaped valley. The shady forest seemed dank and dark, but the trail was easy to follow.

Before long, Lupe came to another creek crossing. This one was a bit of a mess. A mostly frozen-over pool of water was surrounded by deadfall and tree trunks that had been cut to clear the trail, but which were still crowding the crossing. The ice wasn’t thick enough to be trusted, and getting past this little spot was more trouble than it ought to have been. On the far side, SPHP had to crawl under a downed spruce, but the Carolina Dog enjoyed plenty of clearance.

As it turned out, Loopster came to 3 of these stream crossings in quick succession. None were significant obstacles, but they did slow SPHP down, which admittedly doesn’t take much.

First of the 3 **Crooked Creek** crossings that came in rapid succession.

Second crossing. The log next to Lupe would have made this one a cinch, if it hadn’t been icy.

Shortly after Lupe passed the third stream crossing, the valley turned S and began to open up. The single track reached an old forest service road again, which continued up the valley at an easy pace, crossing Crooked Creek one last time at a point where the stream was a simple rock hop, almost a step-across.

The old road eventually began curving R (W), and soon arrived at a 3-way junction at a sunny clearing. Another 3-way junction was just 150 feet away up a hill to the S. A check of SPHP’s maps showed that all Lupe had to do was continue straight W on a road clearly marked as USFS Road No. 443.

The valley opens up after the 3 rapid succession stream crossings. Loop is approaching a final easy Crooked Creek ford just ahead. Photo looks SSW.

*Still following Crooked Creek higher, but we won’t have to cross it again!* Photo looks SW.

*2 different 3-way junctions in this area. Stay straight W on No. 443!* Photo looks WSW.

No. 443 headed W from the junction, then gradually curved NW. What was left of Crooked Creek was still on the L (S) side of the road, but was now largely reduced to a strip of mucky terrain with only a little free flowing water among tufted grasses. A little after No. 443 turned NW, Lupe reached an unmarked fork.

Directly ahead, a grassy slope lay between the two choices, either a road to the R (N) which went uphill into an area where several trees had pink plastic ribbons tied around them, or a road to the L (W).

The road to the L looked more heavily trafficked, as though it might be a continuation of No. 443. After some debate, Lupe went that way. She soon came to a place where the hillside N of the road had been carved away by a bulldozer. In fact, the guilty bulldozer was still rusting away up in the scar. Orange signs in the trees nearby said this was an “active” mine site, but it sure didn’t look like it.

Part of the carved up hillside N of the trail. Photo looks E.

Looking ahead. No. 443, if that’s what it still was, continues W. Photo looks W.

Continuing W past the inactive active mine site, the road soon curved NW again, leaving the last remaining trickle of Crooked Creek behind for good. Lupe came to a 3-way junction in a large clearing. A tree on the E side of this junction had a 40 diamond nailed to it. The positioning made it look like this meant the road heading NE up a little hill was actually the Deerfield Trail, not the way Loop had just come.

Wondering if the road from the NE was a continuation of the branch to the R that Loopster had not taken at the last fork before the mine, SPHP led her up to the top of the little hill. Off to the L (N) was a somewhat higher ridge that looked like it might provide some distant views. The road kept going NE, instead of bending around to the R (S) like it should have if it was going to head back to that last fork.

Inconclusive. Didn’t really matter. SPHP was certain Lupe needed to go back down and take the road going SW. She sure didn’t need to be going NE. Might as well forget this for now. Maybe the Carolina Dog had taken a little shortcut by going past the mine, and maybe she hadn’t, but it was true that she hadn’t seen any 40’s along the road that went by the mine.

Lupe reached this junction from the R (SE). However, the 40 diamond on the pine at R seemed to indicate that this road to the NE (Center) had been the correct route. Photo looks NE.

On a brief foray to the NE to see if this was the route Lupe should have been on. Result: inconclusive. Photo looks NE.

Lupe turned around, went back down the little hill, and continued SW past the 3-way junction. The road climbed gradually for a while, then leveled out. Was this the place? Nothing stood out, but then again, that was to be expected. There wouldn’t be anything to make it stand out. A brown fiberglass “40” wand confirmed Loopster was definitely on the Deerfield Trail again.

On the flat high ground. Photo looks SW.

A long time ago, the Carolina Dog had been this way. In fact, back in the early days of her Black Hills expeditions she had traveled both the entire Deerfield and Centennial trails, among the longest in the Black Hills. That was years before she had her very own adventure Dingo blog. In the last few years, Loop had revisited some sections of both trails, which was more or less what this expedition was all about, too.

Today’s re-exploration had all seemed like a completely new voyage of discovery. Nothing had triggered memories of having been here before until now. Yet a growing eerie feeling of long lost familiarity still wasn’t conclusive.

Keep an eye out, Loop. I think somewhere up here the trail veers off to the R, going downhill as a single track again. If I remember right, the turn is marked, but still easy to miss.

I’ll try, SPHP, but I’m sort of busy watching for squirrels and deer, too. Are we close to the turn you’re expecting, now?

Not sure. Suddenly feel like I’m in an ancient dream walking in a real, but long forgotten land. All I really remember is being up on a stretch of flat high country like this that didn’t offer any views, and subsequently missing the turn. That scarred hill and rusting bulldozer we passed now seem vaguely familiar, too, but I could be confusing all this with some other completely different place.

Well, that’s really helpful, SPHP! Let me know if your dream walk is due to turn into a nightmare somewhere up here. Think I’ll stick to the squirrels and deer in the meantime.

The march SW went on and on, just like SPHP “remembered” it would, but Lupe still didn’t come to anything definitely recognizable, and no single track trail appeared veering off to the R. Instead, Loop eventually came to a 3-way junction SPHP had no recollection of at all with USFS Road No. 429, which was marked with a brown wand and continued SW.

*So here we are up in dreamland! Flat high ground, pine trees, no views, but an easy trek.* Photo looks SW.

*So far, so good, but still no single track off to the R (NW)!* Photo looks SW.

Junction with USFS Road No. 429. (Near **HP6006** on the **topo map**.) Photo looks SW.

No. 429 soon started dropping. Slowly at first, but Looper hadn’t gone far before she was losing elevation at a good clip. She came to a place where the road curved R (N) into a valley. SPHP called a brief halt to check maps, and take a little break. A building was off to the SW on a partially open hillside of mixed grasslands and pines.

Well, we’ve done it again, Looper.

Done what, SPHP?

Missed the turn onto the single track. No harm done, though. I suspect we’ll find it right around this bend. That grassy hillside with the building makes me think we’re getting close to Slate Prairie.

Off the official Deerfield Trail a bit, but getting close to Slate Prairie. Photo looks SW.

Loop wasn’t hungry, but SPHP ate an apple. Once it was gone, onward!

Apparently, the few brain cells that hadn’t suffered a memory dump were right. Continuing around the curve down into the valley to the NNW, Deerfield Trail No. 40 crossed the road only a few minutes from the rest spot.

By the section of single track trail Lupe’d missed. It provides a little shortcut compared to following USFS Road No. 429 around a bend to the S. Photo looks E.

From USFS Road No. 429 (which Lupe is standing on), Deerfield Trail No. 40 continues as a single track up the ravine seen beyond her. Photo looks SW.

Leaving No. 429, Lupe turned WSW following a single track up a ravine. This ravine was the upper end of the Bittersweet Creek drainage, a very small stream at this point. The creek was a mucky mess where the trail first met it. Loop avoided crossing it, staying along the S bank for a little way, waiting until SPHP found an easy spot to leap over.

A use path on the N bank led up to a boulder where it merged with the official Deerfield Trail. The use path contained a hazard the official trail did not. Several strands of rusty barbed wire from a downed fence were hidden in the grass just before the boulder. Fortunately, Lupe did not get tangled in it.

An American Dingo forges ahead after successfully avoiding a barbed wire trap only a few feet from this rock. Photo looks SW.

Following the official trail up the ravine, Loop came to a flat region on the edge of Slate Prairie. Signal Knob (6,200 ft.) could now be seen 0.6 mile to the SSE.

Approaching **Slate Prairie**. Photo looks WSW.

Signal Knob wasn’t impressive, merely a small pine-forested hill isolated out in the Slate Prairie grasslands. Lupe had been there before, more than 5.5 years ago. SPHP remembered a deadfall timber laden summit due to a severe pine bark beetle infestation.

Noon already, but Looper had been making fairly decent time. She was only a little over a mile from the Kinney Canyon trailhead, her minimum goal along the Deerfield Trail today. No more significant peaks were close to this section of the trail, so SPHP figured the Carolina Dog might as well pay Signal Knob another visit. The side trip would cost her an hour or so, but no more than that.

Leaving Deerfield Trail No. 40, Loopster struck out heading S across the rolling grasslands of Slate Prairie. After crossing a ravine containing what remained of tiny Bittersweet Creek, she passed through a big field leading to County Road No. 307. Ducking under a fence to cross the road, she was soon approaching Signal Knob from the NW.

Approaching **Signal Knob**. Photo looks SE.

The N end of Signal Knob was private property, but the S half was USFS land. Lupe circled S partway along the W slope before turning toward the summit. The entire W slope was a mess of deadfall and stickers, making what should have been a trivial romp higher a slow process.

**Signal Knob** is sort of a mess, but we knew that! Photo looks SE.

As expected, Signal Knob’s flat summit was still littered with deadfall, but patches of open ground existed, too. Despite the pine bark beetles’ work, enough trees were still standing to interfere with the views. The only really clear view was a nice one of Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) far to the SE. The last time Lupe had been here, it had still been Harney Peak.

**Black Elk Peak** (L of Center) from **Signal Knob**. Photo looks SE.

**Black Elk Peak** with help from the telephoto lens.

12:29 PM, 55ºF, Signal Knob – A 10-15 mph breeze blew out of the W, but it was still nice up here for almost the end of October. SPHP was glad Lupe had returned to Signal Knob. However, if she was going to get as far along Deerfield Trail No. 40 as SPHP hoped, Loop couldn’t stay long.

Time enough for a relaxing light lunch, and that was about it. Taste of the Wild for Lupe, who was somewhat hungry now. Another apple for SPHP. A small chocolate coconut bar served as desert. Naturally, it got shared with the insistent sweet tooth Dingo.

Back on **Signal Knob** for the first time in more than 5.5 years. Photo looks NW.

Relaxing a bit before pressing on. Photo looks S.

A pleasant 20 minutes, and it was time to go. At least the Carolina Dog had one minor peakbagging success to show for the day! Bidding Signal Knob farewell, Lupe started down the W slope again. The lower part wasn’t forested, and actually provided quite nice views of the E edge of the limestone plateau region off to the W.

A number of peaks Loopster had been to before were in sight, including South Castle Rock (6,840 ft.), Castle Rock (6,783 ft.) and Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.).

**South Castle Rock** (Center) and **Castle Rock** (R of Center), both part of the same ridge. **Nipple Butte** (far R). Photo looks NW over **Slate Prairie** and more distant **Reynolds Prairie** with help from the telephoto lens.

View to the SW from the lower **W slope of Signal Knob**.

Once down off Signal Knob, Lupe went NW intent upon getting back to Deerfield Trail No. 40 again. She didn’t return to it at the exact same spot she’d left it, but picked the trail up somewhat farther W where it crossed USFS Road No. 187.

In **Slate Prairie**, almost back to Deerfield Trail No. 40. **Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.)** (far L), **Peak 6962** (L), and **White Tail Peak (6,962 ft.)** (R) in the distance. Photo looks NW.

Back at the Deerfield Trail where it crosses USFS Road No. 187. **South Castle Rock** (straight up from wand). Photo looks WNW.

From USFS Road No. 187, the trail left Slate Prairie heading W into the trees. Lupe soon came to a metal gate. At roughly 6,220 feet elevation, this gate was the highest point along the entire Deerfield Trail. From here the trail continued WNW on a long gradual descent. At the bottom, Lupe popped out onto County Road No. 307 again, the same road she’d crossed near Signal Knob.

On the other side of No. 307 was a big grassy clearing, site of the Kinney Canyon trailhead.

At the metal gate W of USFS Road No. 187. This is the high point of the entire Deerfield Trail. Photo looks W.

Losing elevation after passing the gate. Photo looks WNW.

Looking back from County Road No. 307. Photo looks ESE.

At the **Kinney Canyon trailhead**. Photo looks W.

Not yet 2:00 PM, but close to it. Looper had met her minimum goals for this Black Hills expedition. Sure would be nice to continue far enough to link up with the Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L, though. Another mile would almost do it. SPHP actually hoped the American Dingo could get even farther than that.

Wha’dya think, Loop? How are you feeling?

Great! What’s up?

We can turn around here and call it a day, but want to keep going? Be kind of fun to go all the way to the Deerfield Reservoir dam and see the lake. On the other paw, the sun goes down mighty early these days. We won’t get back to the G6 until well after dark, if we do all that.

I’m having a blast! Let’s keep going! You brought the flashlight?

Yup. Extra batteries, too, if we need ’em.

So onward it was! From Kinney Canyon, the Deerfield Trail continued SW up a little valley, now as a road again. Shortly after the trailhead was out of sight, however, the trail veered off to the R as a single track. A steady climb eventually leveled out in a young pine forest.

SW of the Kinney Canyon trailhead, the Deerfield Trail again becomes a single track as it splits off here from a short stretch of road it had been following. “40” trail wand beyond Lupe. Photo looks W.

In the young forest at the top of the next rise. Photo looks WNW.

A long descent was about to begin. Beyond the young pines, Lupe went through a second metal gate. Past the gate, she came to a big field. On the far side was a road. The last of the single track trail led over to it.

Last of the single track trail. The road leading to the junction with trail No. 40L is just ahead. Photo looks W.

Upon reaching the road, Lupe followed it R. It immediately entered the shade of a forested valley. The snowy road lost elevation more quickly than the single track had, but wasn’t steep. Winding W down this valley, Loopster came to a sign for the Deerfield Recreation Area. The junction with Lake Loop Trail No. 40L couldn’t be much farther.

A few more bends in the road, and there was the intersection at a small sunny clearing.

Entering the Deerfield Recreation Area. Photo looks NW.

*We’re getting close to the junction with Lake Loop Trail No. 40L now!* Photo looks W.

*This is it! W end of the official Deerfield Trail No. 40. Of course, it links up with No. 40L here, which goes clear around Deerfield Lake.* Photo looks SW.

A couple of signs were at the junction of No. 40 & No. 40L. One said Loop was now 7 miles from the Mystic Road trailhead, which is just another name for the Daugherty trailhead. The other sign said the Custer Trails trailhead, accessible from No. 40L, was 2 miles away.

W end of Deerfield Trail No. 40. The E end links up with Centennial Trail No. 89.

Still at the junction, but on Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L now. Photo looks N.

Only one more objective left! Lupe headed NW on Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. Castle Creek wasn’t as far as SPHP remembered, only 0.33 mile. Another 0.33 mile past Castle Creek, and the Carolina Dog reached the top of the Deerfield Reservoir dam near its NW end.

Approaching Castle Creek below the Deerfield Reservoir dam. Photo looks NW.

**Deerfield Reservoir** from the NW end of the dam. Photo looks SSW.

A cool W breeze swept across the lake. Trotting along the length of the dam, Lupe headed for a grassy region at its opposite SE end. Leaving the dam, SPHP walked along a steep slope below a fence, stopping to rest where as much of the lake was in view as possible. Loopster thought this slope was a little too steep, but SPHP helped her get comfortable.

**Deerfield Lake** from farther along the dam. Photo looks W.

Looking back along the dam. Photo looks NW.

Tall strands of yellow grass danced in the wind. Sunlight glittered on Deerfield Reservoir as an unceasing parade of shimmering blue waves rippled into the dam’s rocky shore. Beyond the lake were ponderosa pine forested hills and ridges of the western Black Hills, dark green nearby, bluer in the distance. Other than the wind sighing in the pines, silence. Solitude.

Most of the rest of the Taste of the Wild disappeared. The last chocolate coconut bar vanished. Partially resting on SPHP’s lap, Lupe stayed a while, watching the waves.

3:11 PM, Deerfield Reservoir – Two hours until sunset. Nearly 8 miles to go. Better get with it! The American Dingo paused at the SE end of the dam for a final look, and was on her way.

The return was fun! Such a beautiful evening! Returning to Deerfield Trail No. 40, Lupe headed E. Long uphill and downhill stretches, but never very steep, and more downhill going this way than uphill. No rest breaks, no photo stops, no side trips, except a brief one that proved the road past the bulldozer and the inactive “active” mine site really was part of the official Deerfield trail.

Looper sniffed and explored to her heart’s content. In Slate Prairie, she saw cattle grazing in the fields N of Signal Knob. Later, she came upon several small groups of whitetail deer in the Crooked Creek valley.

Minus the stops, it all went by much faster than before, yet the last rays of sunlight vanished and dusk came on. A bright star appeared, most likely a planet, and as the darkness grew, a circular glow highlighted the black outlines of pines in the E.

Tomorrow was Halloween, and October’s second full moon – a blue moon. It was nearly full tonight. As the moon rose above the treetops, Deerfield Trail No. 40 became a mix of shadows and moonlight, where a homeward bound Carolina Dog roamed at will. (End 6:54 PM, 50ºF)

**Signal Knob** (R) from **Deerfield Trail No. 40**, Black Hills of South Dakota 10-30-20

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 240 – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L & Hat Mountain (11-14-18)

Deerfield Trail No. 40 – Map & Brochure

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!