Remembering Cousin Dusty

9-16-22 – Mournful eyes stared reproachfully at SPHP.  Laying listlessly on the hallway carpet, the Carolina Dog wore an expression of complete and utter boredom.  Back only yesterday from weeks of adventures, and already a clear-cut case of post Dingo Vacation depression!

Great to be home again, aye, Loopster?

I wish we were still in Alaska, SPHP!

Yeah, me too, Looper.  Getting kind of chilly up there by now, though!  Every single day can’t be another grand adventure, you know.  Most of the time, life just isn’t that scintillating.  But you really can’t complain.  We had an awesome summer!

I can complain if I want to, SPHP, because it’s all over and done with now.  You could make things better, though!

Better?  Like how?

We could go on a Black Hills expedition!

Oh, we will, Loop, but not yet.  Got a lot of unpacking, cleaning, yard work, bills to pay, and other catching up to do here first.  Gonna be a while!

Whoooeee!  Don’t all those chores sound delightful?  Have fun, SPHP!  And feel free to start without me.

Sheesh!  Spoiled Dingo!  Actually, we are going to be having fun before too much longer.  I’m checking email.  Listen to this!  Your Aunt Andrea says that she and Uncle Joe will be coming up from Colorado with Cousins Dusty and Laddie on the 21st.  That’s only 5 days from now!

Really, truly?  Finally!  Some good news!  Uncle Joe, Dusty, and Laddie will bring us some action.  They’ll want to go up in the hills!  I can hardly wait!

Finally?  We’ve scarcely been back 24 hours!  My sincere apologies for any dreariness you’ve had to put up with during this extended period of the Dingo entertainment committee’s failure to live up to your exacting standards.

Oh, I’m sorry, SPHP.  We did have a wonderful summer, didn’t we?  It’s just hard to readjust to the same old routine of waiting days, sometimes weeks, for the next adventure.  Know what I mean?  ….  Why, SPHP, whatever’s wrong?  Are you OK?

No.  There’s a second email, Loop.  I just saw it.

Bad news?  They aren’t coming?

Much worse than that, Loop.  They’re still coming, but your Cousin Dusty won’t be with them.  Dusty passed away yesterday morning while we were driving home across Montana.

The terrible, sad news was a shock, but not an entirely unexpected one.  On June 10th, Cousin Dusty had turned sweet 16, admittedly an event that isn’t nearly as sweet for canines as it is for humans.  Dusty had been slowing down the last couple of years, starting to suffer from hearing loss, dogaracts, weakness in her hind legs, and decreasing energy.  Early in 2020, several months before Dusty turned 15, she’d had a large tumor removed.  Happily, the incision had healed completely with no apparent recurrence of the tumor.

The last time Lupe and SPHP had seen Dusty was back in April.  She’d been doing pretty well for her age then.  Dusty had clearly enjoyed being in the Black Hills again, and had even led the pack most of the way to Gimlet Pond and back.

Cousin Dusty is dead, SPHP?  That’s horrible!  Say it isn’t so!

Afraid it is, Lupe.  We won’t ever see Dusty again.  All we have now are the memories of how wonderful and what a great friend she always was.

Memories aren’t the same as seeing her, SPHP!  What happened?

You mean how did she die?  I don’t know, Loop.  The email doesn’t say.  I’ll have to call your Uncle Joe or Aunt Andrea to find out.

SPHP eventually reached Andrea on the phone.  The heart-wrenching story of Dusty’s demise was short and simple.  Dusty had been fine only 2 days ago on September 14th, but then something had transpired that night.  The next morning when Joe and Andrea got up, Dusty was still alive, but in critical condition.  They rushed her to the vet, but there was nothing to be done.  Dusty had suffered a severely crippling stroke or seizure of some sort.  It was the end.

Knowing what happened doesn’t really help, does it, SPHP?  It’s still awful to lose Cousin Dusty!

Yes, it’s dreadful, Loop.  But don’t you think there’s at least some comfort in knowing that Dusty didn’t have to suffer long?  The suddenness is a shock, but a mercy, too.

I guess so, SPHP, but I wish Cousin Dusty was still alive and coming to see us like always.

Me too, Looper!  Dusty was the best ever, wasn’t she?

No denying that, SPHP!  We always had such good times together.  I know Dusty has appeared on my blog fairly often since she made so many trips up to the Black Hills, but would you be willing to gather up some of the best photos and tell about Dusty again?  That way we’ll always have something beautiful to remember her by.

Great idea, Lupe!  I’ll do it.

COUSIN DUSTY

An Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix, Dusty was born on or about June 10, 2006 on an elk ranch in Colorado.  Literally so dirty when Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea first saw her that they requested she be cleaned up before taking her home, they named their newly acquired adorable puppy Dusty.  She was 3 months old.

The rest of her life, Dusty lived in Arvada, Colorado.  Although Arvada is part of the Denver metropolitan area, Joe and Andrea’s house backs onto 100 acres of undeveloped land along Ralston Creek.  Dusty enjoyed daily walks around the 100 acres, or on the bike path that follows the creek.

Arriving at Hotel Dusty, Arvada, Colorado 11-5-15
Dusty & Lupe in the part of the 100 acre field right behind Dusty’s house, 11-5-15.
Dusty, Andrea & Lupe in the 100 acre field, Arvada, Colorado on 12-28-17.
Cousin Dusty, 100 acre field 12-28-17
Dusty swimming in Ralston Creek, while Lupe decides maybe not, 5-8-21.
With Dusty at the Jungle Bridge over Ralston Creek, Arvada, Colorado 5-11-21.

Dusty’s favorite activities included fetching ridiculously large sticks, catching Frisbees mid-air, and especially chasing tennis balls.  Exhibiting tremendous speed and agility, and eager for the fun to continue beyond most anyone else’s endurance, she tirelessly plunked tennis balls and Frisbees at one’s feet as many times as you were willing to launch them for her.  During walks around the 100 acres, Dusty almost always sought out a stick, the bigger, the better, then repeatedly trotted ahead to drop it where the stick could be tossed again as soon as you came to it.

Dusty awaits the tossing of an unusually small stick.  Lupe never cared about the stick.  Instead, she insisted on trying to herd Dusty as soon as it launched.  Always focused on the stick, Dusty never objected to this rude treatment.  100 acre field 12-28-17

Unlike Lupe, Cousin Dusty did not like traveling.  Perhaps she always felt a little car sick?  She rarely displayed the slightest interest in looking out the window, preferring to curl up on the floor behind the front seats for however long it took to get to a destination.  Most of Dusty’s travels were local, of course.  Uncle Joe often took her to various parks, or up into the Rockies.  Spacious White Ranch Park was a frequently visited favorite due to its numerous trails, scenic vistas, and proximity to home.

Dusty, Joe & Lupe on the Rawhide trail, White Ranch Park, 11-8-15.
Lupe and Dusty at a trail junction in upper White Ranch Park, 11-8-15.
Entering lower White Ranch Park 12-30-17
Joe and Dusty heading up the Belcher Hill trail, White Ranch Park 12-30-17
Exploring White Ranch Park 12-30-17
Dusty on the Shorthorn trail, White Ranch Park 12-30-17
Taking a break on a boulder, White Ranch Park 12-30-17
North Table Mountain from White Ranch Park on a day of crazy temperature swings.  12-30-17

Dusty’s longer trips were frequently to Grandma and Grandpa’s house on the edge of Spring Creek canyon in the Black Hills.  Dusty had been coming to the Black Hills over long weekends 2 or 3 times a year before Lupe was even born.

Lupe’s arrival was an immediate boon for Dusty.  Before Lupe came along, Dusty was generally confined in the basement when staying at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.  Lupe never met Grandpa.  He was gone when Lupe first started coming to see Grandma on a regular basis in early 2011.  Only 2 months old, little Lupe charmed Grandma with her floppy-tipped ears, freckled paws, curly tail, and friendly disposition.

And that spelled the instant demise of Dusty’s basement confinements!  Since Lupe was always granted the run of the house, the next time Dusty appeared, she was, too, which made her Black Hills visits a lot more fun!

From the very start, Dusty and Lupe always got along together.  Their only arguments, which were rare, were over food.  Food was sometimes a problem for Dusty and SPHP, too, but not due to any mutual dispute.  Used to spoiling Lupe, SPHP often shared human food with Dusty.

Not a problem, as far as Dusty was concerned!  She was all for it, and came to expect great things from SPHP.  Pleading, hopeful eyes under the dinner table generally achieved the desired delicious results.  However, this smuggling of tasty tidbits sometimes got SPHP in trouble.  Human food for dogs was a no-no in Joe and Andrea’s household.  Though guilty, SPHP was never really remorseful, other than over simply being caught.  SPHP was Dusty’s trusted partner in crime.

Cousin Dusty sometimes committed food crimes of her own.  Like Lupe, Dusty loved chocolate.  Andrea and Joe eventually learned to stash wrapped boxes of chocolates intended as Christmas presents in places Dusty couldn’t get to.  More than once they had returned home to find that Dusty had sniffed out chocolates under the tree.  The result was not pretty.  You wouldn’t feel all that great, either, if you consumed 5% of your body weight in chocolates, wrappers and all, in one sitting.

Yes, it’s SPHP’s considered opinion that chocolate in sufficient quantities is poisonous to humans and canines alike!  Ahh, but what a way to go!

As the years went by, Lupe occasionally visited Dusty at her home in Arvada, but far more often, it was Dusty who came to the Black Hills.  Either way, there were always long walks, and mountain adventures.  Dusty and Uncle Joe enthusiastically joined Lupe and SPHP on numerous Black Hills expeditions.  At Grandma’s house, there were balls and flying discs to chase, countless journeys to the cul-de-sac and back, and every once in a while, a trek down into Spring Creek canyon.

In Arvada, Lupe always got to stay in Hotel Dusty’s luxurious Cowboy room, participate in jaunts around the 100 acre field, and up Ralston Creek.  A White Ranch Park visit was almost a requirement.  Sometimes there were other destinations, too.  One hike up North Table Mountain (6,570 ft.) was particularly memorable when ordinarily mild-mannered Dusty swam in a muddy pond up on the plateau, and emerged looking ready to go completely feral and join the coyotes.

On rare occasions, when Cousin Mark was around to play the piano, Dusty and Lupe would howl a most charming duet.

Uncle Joe & Dusty welcome Lupe to 5+ star Hotel Dusty, Arvada, Colorado 5-8-21.
An earlier visit to the luxurious Cowboy Room at Hotel Dusty. 12-29-17
Back in the lap of luxury on 5-9-21.

COUSIN DUSTY in the Black Hills

Most of the adventures Lupe and SPHP shared with Dusty (& Uncle Joe) occurred during Dusty’s frequent visits to the Black Hills.  Highlights from many of the Black Hills, SD Expeditions they participated in follow in chronological order:

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 55 (4-20-13) –  Dusty on Flume Trail No. 50.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 93 (9-1-14) – Together on Mount Warner (5,889 ft.).
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 94 (9-2-14) – Joe & Dusty on Harney Peak (7,231 ft.).
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 94 (9-2-14) – Joe & Dusty on Harney Peak (7,231 ft.).
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 111 (12-24-14)Centennial Trail No. 89, the Ponderosa Hike.  Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) (Center) in the background.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 129 (5-22-15) – Centennial Trail No. 89: Dusty with Lupe on a ridge SW of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.).
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 130 (5-23-15) – Together at Horsethief Lake.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 137 (9-7-15) – Swimming in Sylvan Lake.  Dusty was a great swimmer!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 137 (9-7-15) – On the way to Harney Peak again.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 137 (9-7-15) – On the Harney Peak (7,231 ft.) lookout viewing platform.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 137 (9-7-15)Harney Peak.  Dusty’s 2nd ascent.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 137 (9-7-15) – Dusty relaxing on Harney Peak.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 137 (9-7-15) – Joe and Dusty on the way to the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) (L) and Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) (R).
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 137 (9-7-15) – 2nd swim of the day in Sylvan Lake.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 169 (4-22-16) – The gang on Boulder Hill (5,331 ft)Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.) in the background.  Boulder Hill was such a hit that everyone returned again the next day.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 169 (4-22-16) – Joe & Dusty start the descent.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 169 (4-23-16) – Taking a break along Flume Trail No. 50.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 169 (4-23-16) – Climbing Boulder Hill a 2nd time.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 169 (4-23-16) – Joe & Dusty return to the summit.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 169 (4-23-16)Silver Mountain (L) and Harney Peak (R) from Boulder Hill.

Uncle Joe is a ham radio operator (call sign AA0Q).  Starting in July, 2016, Joe transmitted from several different Black Hills peaks in connection with the Summits on the Air program.  Response was always terrific, overwhelming, in fact.

Dusty and Lupe always enjoyed hanging out on whatever mountain while Joe did his transmitting.  Sadly, the Summits on the Air website eventually changed.  For some reason, Joe lost the ability to log in, putting an end to this sensation.

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 174(a) (7-2-16) – Dusty & Lupe on the Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) fire lookout tower balcony.  First Summits on the Air peak.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 174(a) (7-2-16) – Relaxing on Custer Peak.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 174(a) (7-2-16) – Dusty, Joe & Lupe below the Custer Peak lookout tower. Photo looks SE.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 174(a) (7-2-16) – Together by the flag on Custer Peak.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 174(b) (7-4-16) – Back on Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) for a 3rd time in 2016 to set up for Summits on the Air!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 174(b) (7-4-16) – AA0Q transmitting for Summits on the Air from Boulder Hill, with Dusty looking on.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 174(b) (7-4-16) – AA0Q and Dusty on Boulder Hill after another grand Summits on the Air success!  Silver Mountain (L) and Harney Peak (R).
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 201 (4-22-17) – Dusty & AA0Q during another highly successful Summits on the Air event, this time from Silver Mountain (5,404 ft.).
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 201Summits on the Air is serious business!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 201 (4-22-17) – Dusty, Joe & Lupe checking out Silver Mountain’s W ridge.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 201 (4-22-17) – Dusty’s 4th ascent of Boulder Hill, exactly a year after her 1st!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 201 (4-22-17) – On Boulder Hill and loving it!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 231 (5-25-18) – Fetching a stick from Deerfield Reservoir.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 231 (5-25-18) – Emerging triumphant!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 231 (5-25-18) – Climbing Hat Mountain (6,779 ft).
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 231 (5-25-18) – On the Hat Mountain summit plateau.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 231 (5-25-18) – View from the top.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 231 (5-25-18) – Dusty on Hat Mountain.  Nearly 12 now.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 231 (5-25-18) – Happy bunch on Hat Mountain.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 231 (5-25-18) – Back at Deerfield Reservoir.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 232 (5-26-18) – On Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.) for what turned out to be AA0Q’s final Summits on the Air transmission.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 232 (5-26-18) – Relaxing on Flag Mountain.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 232 (5-26-18) – Exploring the Dragon Caves.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 232 (5-26-18) – Dusty checking for dragons.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 232 (5-26-18) – Exploring Ditch Creek.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 232 (5-26-18) – Swimming in Deerfield Reservoir.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 232 (5-26-18) – Dusty and her prize.  Deerfield Reservoir.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 243 (12-22-18) – Dusty, Joe, Mark & Lupe on the way to Peak 5917.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 243 (12-22-18) – Mark & Dusty lead the ascent.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 243 (12-22-18)Peak 5917 summit.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 243 (12-22-18) – Dusty with Joe and Lupe with Mark at Pistol Point.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 243 (12-22-18) – Dusty started shivering in the wind at Pistol Point.  Time to head back!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 243 (12-22-18) – Dusty having a good time now that she’s low enough to be out of the worst of the wind.  Peak 5800 (L).
Cousin Dusty arrives at Hotel Lupe on 4-23-21.  Her first Black Hills trip since the onset of Covid 19.  Grandma sold her house on Spring Creek Canyon 5-1-20.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-23-21)Deerfield Trail No. 40 near Silver City.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-23-21) – With Cousin Dusty by Rapid Creek.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-23-21) -Dusty resting on the snow.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-24-21) – Setting out for Peak 5520.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-24-21) – Getting close to the top.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-24-21) Peak 5520 summit.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-24-21) – Cousin Dusty still peakbagging in the Black Hills at 14 years, 10.5 months!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-24-21) – Always together!  Peak 5520.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-24-21) – Visiting the Gold Mountain Mine near Lowden Mountain (6,055 ft.).
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-24-21) – Dusty at the Gold Mountain Mine.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 277 (4-24-21) – Taking a dip in the pond near the mine.  Union Hill (6,120 ft.) (Center) in the background.
Busy Rib Hide time at Grandma’s apartment later in the day. 4-24-21
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 281 (10-29-21)Centennial Trail No. 89 near the start of Uncle Joe’s favorite “Ponderosa Hike”.  New Cousin Laddie now part of the pack, too!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 281 (10-29-21) – Cousin Dusty looking good at nearly 15.5 on Peak 4027.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 281 (10-29-21) – Joe & Dusty confer on Peak 4027.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 281 (10-29-21) – Taking a break on a ridge overlooking Fort Meade before heading back.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 281 (10-29-21) – A beautiful fall day.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 281 (10-29-21) – Cooling off in Alkali Creek at day’s end.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 282 (10-30-21) – In the fog on Peak 5261.  Dusty’s last Black Hills summit.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 301 (4-16-22) – Back at Sylvan Lake.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 301 (4-16-22) – Heading up the steps near the dam.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 301 (4-16-22) – Joe trying to help Dusty up slick ice.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 301 (4-16-22) – At the S end of Sylvan Lake.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 301 (4-16-22) – Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 301 (4-16-22) – Hunting for buffalo Custer State Park.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 301 (4-16-22) – Found some!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 301 (4-16-22)
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 302 (4-18-22) – Cousin Dusty at 15 years, 10 months leading the way to Gimlet Pond on her last Black Hills Expedition.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 302 (4-18-22) – Enjoying Gimlet Creek.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 302 (4-18-22) – Wading in Gimlet Pond.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 302 (4-18-22) – Dusty, Laddie, and Joe relaxing on the hill overlooking Gimlet Pond.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 302 (4-18-22) – Exploring a bit farther up Gimlet Creek.
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 302 (4-18-22) – Trail’s end for Cousin Dusty’s Black Hills adventures.  Heading back for the last time, still leading the way.

Tennis balls, enormous sticks, flying discs, smuggled tidbits, contraband chocolates, long walks, countless mountain adventures, swims in lakes and streams!  Through it all, Dusty’s disposition was always cheerful and loving.  Ever eager to join in the next big event, she was a faithful, gentle, true friend and companion.

What so recently was, is no more, a happy life completed.  Still hard to believe, and even harder to accept.  Cousin Dusty will be forever missed by Lupe, SPHP, and her family – Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, Cousins Matt, Ryan, and Mark.

Joyful times with Cousin Dusty at White Ranch Park, Colorado 11-8-15

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Remembering Cousin Laddie

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 302 – Gimlet Pond (4-18-22)

11:30 AM, start of USFS Road No. 203 off Rochford Road – What?  Totally unexpected!  A crew was doing some kind of maintenance work on USFS Road No. 203, the very road SPHP had chosen for today’s expedition in light of Cousin Dusty’s need for a relatively easy experience.

At the start of USFS Road No. 203 with unexpected road work ahead. Photo looks NW.

Fortunately, the maintenance work wasn’t a big deal.  Merely a culvert being replaced.  After waiting just a couple of minutes, the friendly two man crew waved Lupe and the pack by without further delay.  No. 203 soon curved around a hillside, blotting out the sound of the machinery busily digging a trench for the new culvert.

Only two days ago, it had felt like winter up at frozen Sylvan Lake, all cold and gray with snow on the ground.  Springtime today, though!  Sunny and comfortably warm with a clear blue sky overhead.

Around the bend beyond the road work. Photo looks NE.

The plan was to escort Uncle Joe, and Cousins Dusty and Laddie up the scenic, gentle Gimlet Creek valley.  It was a perfect choice, since Dusty was now nearly 16 years old.  The objective, to the extent there was one, and provided Dusty could manage it, was to visit Gimlet Pond 2.5 miles up the valley.

Cousin Dusty has always enjoyed water, and soon availed herself of an opportunity to cool off in Gimlet Creek.

Dusty in Gimlet Creek.

No. 203 proceeded NNW up the valley with little variation in course.  Elevation gain was slow, but steady.

Heading up the Gimlet Creek valley. Photo looks N.
Lupe with Cousins Laddie (Center) and Dusty (R).
Looking back down the valley. Photo looks S.

The valley eventually widened out.  When a single track trail closer to the creek appeared, everyone abandoned the road for a while to march through a field.

The day was getting warmer.  Dusty and Lupe started taking frequent dips in Gimlet Creek.  Laddie drank a little water, but preferred not to get his fancy, long thick coat wet.

Abandoning the road to take the trail through the field. Photo looks N.
Dusty helps herself to a drink. Photo looks N.
Laddie, Lupe and Joe on the trail. Photo looks SSW.
Lupe takes a turn in the creek while landlubber Laddie strolls by. Photo looks WSW.

Near the N end of the field, Gimlet Creek flowed right over USFS Road No. 203.  The road climbed more steeply from here, soon passing a small rise on the L (W).  Briefly leaving the road, everyone went up onto the rise, which provided a great view back down the valley.

Getting close to where Gimlet Creek flows over USFS Road No. 203. Photo looks N.
Laddie and Dusty at the shallow ford. Photo looks S.
Looking back down the valley from the rise. Photo looks S.

Although Dusty still seemed to be doing fine, Joe was beginning to think that maybe this was far enough.  However, Lupe had explored this valley on at least a couple of different occasions.  It had been years since she’d last been here, but SPHP was almost certain Gimlet Pond wasn’t all that much farther now.

In that case, Joe was fine with letting Dusty continue.  Beyond the rise, now on the W side of the valley, the road flattened out entirely.  Several deer had been seen in the big field, but many were now visible racing across the N end of the valley ahead, close to where Gimlet Pond should be.  More and more deer kept appearing until nearly 100 of them must have dashed by.

Joe pointing toward deer in the distance. Photo looks NNW.

As expected, it didn’t take much longer to reach Gimlet Pond, yet not a deer was in sight by the time Lupe got there.  The lovely pond was just as she remembered it.  Cousin Dusty went wading almost right away.

Arriving at Gimlet Pond. Photo looks NW.
Joe and Laddie on the bridge over the outlet. Photo looks NNW.
Dusty wading in Gimlet Pond. Photo looks SW.

Everyone except Dusty crossed the bridge over the outlet to get a look at Gimlet Pond from along the N shore.  Dusty merely waded through the pond.  Loopster soon decided she might as well go wading, too.  As usual, Laddie showed no interest in getting wet.

Dusty emerges from Gimlet Pond. Photo looks S.
Lupe wading, too. Photo looks SSE.

12:42 PM – About time to let Dusty rest for a while, so a break was taken on a small hill overlooking Gimlet Pond from the S.  Looking down the Gimlet Creek valley, Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) was visible far to the SSE.

Sitting in the shade of the pines, Joe and SPHP had Kind bars and apples while the dogs shared a couple of chocolate coconut bars.  Lupe also had some Taste of the Wild, which Cousin Dusty shared in, too.

Black Elk Peak (L of Center) on the far horizon. Photo looks SSE.
Dusty, Laddie, and Joe relaxing on the hill. Photo looks NNE.
Gimlet Pond from the hill. Photo looks NE.

Oh, it was great to be here at Gimlet Pond on a lovely spring day!  Lupe and SPHP were happy that Cousin Dusty had made it in good shape.

Toward the end of the rest break, Uncle Joe took an interest in the field W of the hill.  Looked like it might be a good place to look for signs of old Native American encampments, so the whole pack went down there to have a sniff around.

Searching for artifacts. Photo looks SW.

Joe found nothing in the field.  Further investigation down by the creek yielded the same result, but it was fun to look.

Joe and Dusty down by the creek. Photo looks E.
Wandering upstream. Photo looks WNW.

Well, soon time to head back.  Happily, still another 2.5 miles of fun in the Black Hills along Gimlet Creek to go.  Better savor every moment!  Tomorrow, Joe, Andrea, Dusty and Laddie would return to Colorado.

About ready to head back. Photo looks E from just downstream of Gimlet Pond.
Leaving the Gimlet Pond region on USFS Road No. 203. Photo looks S.

Cousin Dusty was a veteran of many Black Hills expeditions with Lupe.  On the way back, it was sad to think that at nearly 16, this might be her last one.  Dusty had done great!  Clearly, she was still enjoying herself.  Cousin Dusty always did love the Black Hills where she was free to roam without a leash, a rare treat in crowded Colorado.

Faithful Dusty following Joe while Laddie and Lupe lag behind. Photo looks SSE.

By the time it was all over and done with, Dusty had gone more than 5 miles.  Sylvan Lake, the Custer State Park buffalo hunt, and now Gimlet Pond!  Lupe and SPHP were so glad that Joe, Dusty, and Laddie had come to visit, and especially hoped that Cousin Dusty would make it back to the beautiful Black Hills again some day.

Gimlet Creek valley, not too far from the end, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-18-22

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 301 – Sylvan Lake & the Custer State Park Buffalo Hunt (4-16-22)

11:48 AM, 32ºF, Sylvan Lake Picnic Area – Oh, the news was wonderful!  Yesterday evening Cousins Dusty, Laddie, and Uncle Joe had arrived for a visit.  Lupe was thrilled!  The enthusiastic American Dingo knew what that meant – good times on joint expeditions in the Black Hills!  The real question had been where to go?  Cousin Dusty would be turning sweet 16 in less than 2 months, and wasn’t up to anything long or strenuous.

This morning, SPHP had suggested the loop trail around Sylvan Lake, a choice agreeable to all, but hadn’t taken the lake’s 6,145 foot elevation fully into account.  Mid-April, but there was ice on the lake, snow on the ground, and a chill in the air as Lupe and her cousins set out from the picnic area for a counter-clockwise tour around the lake.  It was so cold out that only a couple of Canadians were hardy enough to be hanging out down by the beach.

Setting out from the picnic area. Photo looks NW.
Sylvan Lake from near the beach along the N shore. Photo looks SW.
Canadian geese.

Beyond the beach, the trail wound NW past massive granite formations and improbable spires.  Going over a bit of a rise, another part of Sylvan Lake came into view.  Cousin Dusty was doing great!  She even led the way, happy to be back in the Black Hills again.

Among the granite formations. Photo looks N.
Approaching the N end of Sylvan Lake. Cousin Dusty (R) in the lead. Photo looks NW.

Going around a bay, the trail climbed onto rock formations overlooking Sylvan Lake.  On this cold, overcast morning, the scene was mostly gray and white.  Pines added a green too subdued to break a wintery mood.

The N bay from up on the rocks. Photo looks SE.

Joe, Dusty, and Laddie got a head start as the trail turned SW descending into Sunday Gulch.  Protected from the sun by towering rock formations, there was even more snow down here.  Water seeped from a big crack in the granite.

Joe and Laddie start down into Sunday Gulch. Photo looks SW.
A snowy descent. Photo looks SW.
Laddie, Joe, and Dusty in Sunday Gulch.

Once down in Sunday Gulch, it was only a short distance to a junction with Sunday Gulch Trail No. 6 near the Sylvan Lake dam.  The cloud cover thinned, and the sky brightened.  Suddenly, winter seemed to be losing its grip.  A hint of spring was in the air.

Joe, Laddie, and Lupe below the dam. Photo looks SE.

Sunday Gulch Trail No. 6 is scenic, but steep.  Cousin Dusty wasn’t going to be able to take on a side excursion like that.  In fact, she had a bit of a problem with the next section of the Sylvan Lake trail.  Beyond the dam, the trail turned S going up a series of snowy steps that led into a narrow passage between vertical rock walls.

The passage was a sheet of ice!  A minor rise near the end was so slick that Dusty could scarcely get up it.  Repeatedly losing traction, she kept sliding back.  Joe had to brace himself between the rock walls to try to give her a helping paw.

Joe, Dusty, and Laddie head up the steps. Photo looks S.
Joe trying to help Dusty up the super slick ice.

After a couple of comical attempts, Dusty got the extra help she needed.  Emerging from the narrow passage at lake level near the dam, the rest of the path around the lake was a cinch.  Flat as a pancake, the trail ran right along the SW shore nearly all the way to the S end of the lake.

Near the dam (unseen off to the L) after successfully negotiating the icy passage. Photo looks NE.
Along the SW shore. Photo looks SE.
Looking NW back toward the dam (L beyond Joe).

Didn’t take long at all to get there.

Laddie, Joe, and Dusty at the S end of Sylvan Lake. Photo looks NNW.
Loopster basking in weak sunshine.
The massive granite formation near the dam. Photo looks NW.

The scenic jaunt around Sylvan Lake was almost complete.  Not much farther back to the picnic area now.  Cousin Dusty seemed perplexed.  Other than the one icy spot that everyone had had a little trouble with, she was doing fine.  The adventure couldn’t be over already, could it?

At 15 years, 10 months, Cousin Dusty ready for more Black Hills action!

Joe proposed extending the trek with a stroll along Needles Highway No. 87, which remained closed to vehicles for the season.  After 0.33 mile, a shortcut was taken up to the high point of Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 between the trailhead and the picnic area back at Sylvan Lake.

Heading up to Trail No. 4 after leaving the Needles Highway. Photo looks SW.

A log served as a bench during a rest break.  The dogs shared a chocolate coconut bar, while Joe and SPHP munched on apples and Kind bars.  The party broke up after Laddie barked at hikers on the trail.

The return to the Sylvan Lake picnic area on Little Devils Trail No. 4 was quick and easy.  Downhill all the way!

On Little Devils Trail No. 4, about to head back to the Sylvan Lake picnic area.

1:45 PM – When everyone got back to the RAV4, there was still plenty of time to do something more today, but that was up to Uncle Joe and his assessment of how Cousin Dusty was faring.

Dusty appeared to be fine.  SPHP suggested Custer State Park’s wildlife loop.  Dusty might enjoy exploring the rolling grasslands.  Would take a while to drive there, with a good chance of seeing buffalo somewhere along the way.

A buffalo hunt, whether from the RAV4 or out on the prairie, sounded like a great idea!  Lupe was clearly in favor, and no one else seemed to have any objections.

2:36 PM – Buffalo had already been seen by the time Uncle Joe parked at a curve along CSP Road No. 2 about 0.33 mile N of Racetrack Butte.  Lupe had given her cousins live demonstrations of how to bark ferociously at bison from the safety of the RAV4.  Laddie was interested, but hadn’t quite picked up on it yet.

Dusty was ready for another outing, if it wasn’t a long one.  The plan was to climb a nearby flat-topped ridge hoping to spot more buffalo from a safe distance.

Setting off on the Custer State Park buffalo hunt! Photo looks SW.

Upon reaching the top of the ridge, the buffalo hunt became an instant success.  Two buffalo were relaxing on the prairie up here.  Not exactly a thundering herd, but they were impressive.  Upon seeing an American Dingo, both got up to keep an eye on Lupe, but didn’t really do anything except stand there.

I’m thinking buffalo burgers! How about you, SPHP? …. I’m thinking you’re close enough, Loop. Stay here!

Both buffalo soon decided they might as well eat grass.  Sensible enough, but not terribly exciting.  A lone pine stood near the SE end of the ridge.  Ought to be a great view of Racetrack Butte (4,320 ft.) and quite a bit of surrounding territory from over there.  Might as well check it out.

Dusty, Laddie, and Joe up on the ridge. Racetrack Butte (L). Photo looks SSE.

The hunch paid off!  From the end of the ridge there was a terrific view of a whole herd of buffalo in the valley next to Racetrack Butte.

Gazing down on the buffalo herd. Racetrack Butte (L). Photo looks SE.

This was a fabulous vantage point!  Many brand new calves were among the herd.  Joe, Dusty, Laddie, and SPHP all watched in fascination.

Buffalo and their calves with help from the telephoto lens.

Lupe was fascinated, too, but the excitement of seeing so many buffalo all at once quickly became almost unbearable.  The Carolina Dog began whining so loudly that the bison must have heard her.  All of a sudden, several began ambling off to the E.  Before long, they were running.

None of the buffalo wanted to be left behind.  Evidently convinced utter disaster threatened, the whole herd began stampeding away.  This did nothing to calm Lupe down.  Whining more than ever, the frustrated American Dingo watched the bison vanish across the prairie.

The buffalo race away past Racetrack Butte (R). Photo looks ESE.

Within minutes, the show was over.  The buffalo had provided quite a spectacle!

Joe, Laddie, and Dusty heading back.to the RAV4.

That wasn’t the end of all the excitement, though!  Once back in the RAV4, part of the same buffalo herd that had fled the Carolina Dog’s mere whining when she was way up on the ridge far from them, had stopped right on CSP Road No. 2, blocking the road.  Now that Lupe was barking hysterically right next to them from the RAV4, most barely glanced up.

Shut it, pesky Dingo! Can’t you see we’re grazing here?
Yeah, really not all that concerned.

Joe eventually had to ease the RAV4 slowly through the herd to get them to move enough to get by.  It was a good thing he got through, or Lupe would have busted a gut.  The whole experience left her foaming at the mouth, chest heaving.  Laddie had been so impressed that even he’d joined in for a moment.

That still wasn’t the end, though.  Lupe had plenty more chances to bark like a nutcase.  Wildlife was everywhere!  On the way out of Custer State Park, Loop saw more buffalo, a huge herd of elk, lots of mountain sheep, marmots, wild turkeys, and turkey vultures.  Uncle Joe was amazed at the quantity and variety of wildlife around, not to mention just about deaf, by the time the Custer State Park adventure was over.

Mountain sheep.
Being ignored by mountain sheep.

The reprieve of silence didn’t last long.  Outside the park, this was cattle country.  Cows and horses!  Lupe had to give them all what for.

So glad Uncle Joe, and cousins Dusty and Laddie were here!  What a great day!

Near Racetrack Butte, Custer State Park, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-16-22

Links:

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 282 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Elk Creek to Peak 5261 (10-30-21)

The “Ponderosa Hike” along Centennial Trail No. 89 had worked out so well for new Cousin Laddie and Cousin Dusty yesterday, that SPHP had proposed another jaunt along the Centennial Trail this morning.

What a difference a day made, though!  Yesterday had been sunny and warm, almost summer.  On the way to the Elk Creek trailhead, Uncle Joe drove under a dark cloud hanging over the hills.  Late fall, maybe even early winter, greeted Lupe as she leapt out of the RAV4.  Definitely on the chilly side!

In fact, it was so chilly that the American Dingo soon leapt right back into the warm comfort of the RAV4, staying there until Uncle Joe and SPHP were ready to hit the trail.

A chilly start at Centennial Trail No. 89’s Elk Creek trailhead.

Despite the temperature plunge, everyone was in good spirits!  Soon Loop and Cousin Dusty were leading the way as Centennial Trail No. 89 started NNE up a wooded ravine.  Before long the trail left the ravine, climbing to a flatter region of open pine forest toward the NW.  This flat stretch didn’t last long, either.  The trail began climbing again as it curved up a hillside.

In the open forest, starting to climb again.

Rounding a sharp bend, the trail resumed a NE course, climbing more steeply.  This turn had scarcely been left behind when Uncle Joe spotted a curious rock formation 200 feet off toward the SE.  Looked like there was a cave over there!  The whole gang ventured over to investigate.

The rock formation proved to be a high point at the end of a small flat region overlooking a forested ravine.  Sure enough, there was a dark opening into the rocks!  While caves aren’t all that unusual in the Black Hills, nearly all of them are found in limestone formations.  These rocks clearly weren’t limestone, so Uncle Joe’s discovery was a rare find.

By the mysterious cave.

Cousins Dusty and Laddie weren’t inclined to investigate any further.  What if a mountain lion lived there?  Lupe, however, wasn’t worried at all.  Without hesitating in the least, the Carolina Dog went up to peer into the black opening.

Cousins Dusty and Laddie look on, ready to run for it, if Lupe gets eaten by a lion.

No need to worry about any mountain lions!  If there was one, it’s already escaped out the back.  This isn’t a cave, it’s a tunnel!

Loopster was right!

At the tunnel’s entrance.

A tunnel!  That was really strange.  Uncle Joe and SPHP both took a look.  The tunnel was about 20 feet long, perfectly straight, uniform diameter, and slanted somewhat down toward the S.  Other than a few loose rocks, the bottom was fairly smooth.

The rock formation the tunnel went through looked completely natural, but neither Joe nor SPHP could decide if this tunnel was natural, or not.  If human-made, what purpose had it served?  Dingo-sized, Lupe could have trotted through it with ease, but the tunnel seemed too small for most human projects.  No signs of any other construction were round about.  Odd, very odd.

Uncle Joe scrambled around to the back side of the tunnel, which exited the rock formation next to a drop-off.  He then tried to entice Lupe to go through the tunnel to join him.

Maybe even Lupe was starting to get the willies?   The American Dingo entered the tunnel, but even though she could see Joe at the far end, she refused to go all the way through.

Uncle Joe by the tunnel’s exit above the drop-off.
Loop partway in, getting spooked despite Joe’s encouragement to come on through!
Joe framed by the tunnel’s exit.

Whether human-made or natural, the tunnel was so unusual that there seemed to be no explanation for its existence.  Finding no clues, and in case a mountain lion might be on its way back home, everyone returned to Centennial Trail No. 89 leaving the mystery unsolved.

Continuing on, the trail climbed a bit steeply, but soon the slope became much more gradual.  Eventually the trail began curving N.  Abandoning it, everyone headed for a minor ridge to the E for a look around.  Not much to be seen up here, so a shortcut was taken down a slope to the N to rejoin Centennial Trail No. 89 at a saddle where it crossed unmarked USFS Road No. 169.

Up on the minor ridge. HP5141 (R). Photo looks N.

After crossing the road, the trail began angling WNW along the SW slopes of HP5141.  Before Centennial Trail No. 89 headed back into the forest, there was a bit of a view of hills to the NW, their tops softened and blurred by the low hanging clouds.

N of USFS Road No. 169. Photo looks WNW.

0.25 mile beyond USFS Road No. 169, a small clearing was reached at a second pass between HP5141 and HP5212.  A sign indicated that it was a mile back to the Elk Creek trailhead.  The trail continued W from here traversing a steep slope, but remained fairly level.

Once past the S end of HP5212, Centennial Trail No. 89 gradually began to curve N.  The trail first lost, then regained some elevation, eventually going over another minor pass.  Meanwhile, the sky was darkening as the gray clouds blanketing the region slowly crept down the hillsides.

Dusty, Joe, and Laddie leading the way SW of HP5212. Photo looks NW.

Getting colder out!  A barely detectable mist began.  The trail widened as it reached an old roadbed.  Patches of snow left over from a prior storm added to an increasingly wintery feel.

Patches of snow added to a wintery atmosphere as the sky darkened and a light mist began.

Winding along the mountainside, the trail continued N.  Uncle Joe began to wonder if maybe it wasn’t getting to be time to turn back?  However, Lupe had been here before.  SPHP was convinced that it wasn’t much farther to a junction with a trail that went to the Sturgis Reservoirs, and that junction was very close to Peak 5261, today’s peakbagging objective.

The chilly march went on and on.  The trail junction was farther than SPHP remembered, but it finally appeared.  From here, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved E, climbing 60 feet up to a broad grassy pass.

At the junction with the trail to the Sturgis Reservoirs. Centennial Trail No. 89 continued up to the R (E) from here. Photo looks NE.
Up at the pass N of Peak 5261. Photo looks SE.

Peak 5261 was only 0.2 mile S of this pass.  The trail didn’t go up there, but the N slope was only moderately steep.  Cousins Dusty and Laddie couldn’t get this close and not go to the top to claim their Peak 5261 peakbagging success, could they?  That would be a shame!

Peak 5261 from the pass. Nothing to it! Photo looks S.

Following a long snowbank, Lupe started up first, leading the way.

Heading up Peak 5261. Photo looks S.

Peak 5261’s summit was only 120 feet higher than the pass.  Soon the N slope was leveling out.  The top of the mountain could be seen a short distance ahead.

Peak 5261’s summit region. Joe heading for the true summit. Photo looks S.

Of course, everyone got there.  Cousins Dusty and Laddie secured their second Black Hills peakbagging success in two days.  Unfortunately, this ascent wasn’t as successful in other respects.  Cold and foggy with a chill, damp breeze, conditions were none too pleasant.

Back at home this morning, the day had been sunny and bright.  SPHP had chosen this destination partly because getting here wouldn’t be too hard for Cousin Dusty, who was now 15, but also in part for the views of Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) and Bear Butte (4,422 ft.).  Cousin Dusty had made it, but the views were a disappointing no show.

We made it, but the views didn’t! Sorry about that! Joe and Lupe at Peak 5261’s summit.
Joe strikes a dramatic pose pointing out the fabulous display of nothing but fog while Lupe and Laddie gather round.

Too miserable out to linger!  Plans for a summit celebration involving chocolate coconut bars, Kinkaid bars, and apples were cancelled.  A few minutes at the top, and the whole pack headed back down Peak 5261’s N slope to pick up Centennial Trail No. 89 again.

Merely a postponement!  The Peak 5261 ascent celebration actually did come off due to popular demand a mile later at a more sheltered spot.  Not to be denied, Lupe, Dusty and Laddie all got their chocolate coconut bar rewards.

Then it was back through the wintery fog, all the way past the Tunnel of Mystery to the Elk Creek trailhead.

Tomorrow was Halloween!  Sadly, Uncle Joe, Dusty and Laddie would all be heading back home to Colorado.  Meeting cousin Laddie and getting to introduce him to the Black Hills had been fun, and it had been terrific to hit the trail with Joe and Dusty again.

Joe, Dusty, and new cousin Laddie on Peak 5261, Black Hills of South Dakota 10-30-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition                       Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 274 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Elk Creek to Alkali Creek (4-10-21)

Centennial Trail No. 89 Brochure & Map

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 281 – Centennial Trail No. 89: The Ponderosa Hike (10-29-21)

10-28-21 – Lupe could hardly believe her big soft Dingo ears!  Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty were coming from Colorado.  Not only would they be here tonight, but Lupe had a brand new cousin that was coming with them, too!

When Cousin Laddie gets here, Loop, you’re going to have to be extra nice to him.  Laddie’s had a tough life and might be scared.  He’s a nice dog, a little Sheltie not even as big as you.  So, no growling or rough-housing!  Got that?

Why?  What happened to Cousin Laddie, SPHP?

Oh, I don’t know the whole story, but Laddie’s been at the shelter.  He got adopted, but a few months ago Laddie was grabbed by the neck and torn into by another dog in the same family that adopted him, and was just about done in.  To survive, Laddie needed thousands of dollars worth of surgery.  The fur on his chest is still growing back.  Laddie’s also missing almost all his front teeth, which were rotten and had to be pulled back when he first got to the shelter.

No teeth?  My poor cousin!  His bark must be worse than his bite!

Probably right about that, Loop, but he still has his back teeth.

How come you’ve never mentioned Cousin Laddie before, SPHP?

Because he’s a brand new cousin.  He just joined the family when Aunt Andrea and Uncle Joe agreed to adopt him, since he couldn’t stay with the same family any longer after being attacked.  In fact, Laddie is his new name.  He used to be called Danny Boy.

It was all true!  Later that evening Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousins Dusty and Laddie did arrive.  Loopster raced around barking for joy, wild with delight!  Extremely curious about Cousin Laddie, she sniffed and sniffed.  SPHP hadn’t said anything about sniffing.  Lupe sniffed so much that Laddie maybe did get a little scared, but nothing bad happened.

The amazing thing about Cousin Laddie was that he was almost the same color as Lupe.  Laddie’s fur was a lot longer, though, except on his chest where it had been cut.  Laddie did have one front tooth, an upper canine on the L side.  That lone tooth gave Laddie sort of a crooked smile.  SPHP later said that Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea should have named him Snaggle Fang.

10-29-21, Centennial Trail No. 89, Alkali Creek trailhead – Everyone was excited!  Cousin Laddie was about to get his first introduction to the Black Hills.  Cousin Dusty was 15 now, so the hike had to be a relatively easy one.  The stretch of Centennial Trail No. 89 N of the Alkali Creek trailhead to a ridge overlooking the old 7th cavalry post at Fort Meade was one of Uncle Joe’s favorites, and would do nicely.  He always called it the Ponderosa hike.

The whole pack at the start of Uncle Joe’s “Ponderosa Hike” along Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks NE.
Off to a good start, looking back toward the Alkali Creek trailhead. Photo looks SSW.

The first part of the trail was an easy stroll through the grasslands.  Soon Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) was coming into view.  At the top of a rise, the trail diverged by a gate in a barbed wire fence.  Centennial Trail No. 89 went L here, heading W for a forested ridge.

At the gate where Centennial Trail No. 89 turns W (L) to go up onto the forested ridge. Bear Butte (R) in the distance. Photo looks NNE.
Bear Butte. Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.
About to head up the ridge. Photo looks W.

Upon entering the forest at the base of the ridge, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W, working steadily higher on a winding course.  At nearly the end of October, autumn leaves still clinging to the scrub oaks were well past their scenic best, but did add splashes of color.  Cousin Dusty, a veteran of many prior adventures in the Black Hills, was doing great!  She often took turns leading the way with Lupe.

Still unaccustomed to the Black Hills and his new life, Cousin Laddie was happiest sticking close to Uncle Joe.

Loop and Dusty, together again in the Black Hills!
Loopster in the lead.
Getting close to the top of the ridge. Photo looks ESE.

Centennial Trail No. 89 reached the top of the ridge at its far S end.  Here the trail leveled out.  Peak 4027, true summit of the entire mile long ridge, was only a little farther N.  The trail went practically right to it, but never did go quite all the way to the top, sweeping around the hillside E of the summit instead.

Naturally, being this close, Lupe had to tag the high point!  The Carolina Dog left Centennial Trail No. 89, venturing up to the summit.  Everyone else followed as a matter of course.

It took only a couple of minutes to reach the top, a big, flat, grassy field ringed by Ponderosa pines in most directions.  Lupe, SPHP, Cousin Dusty, and Uncle Joe had all been here before, but this was Cousin Laddie’s first Black Hills peakbagging success.  Peak 4027 was super easy, but Laddie seemed happy enough with it.

The whole pack up on Peak 4027. Photo looks NNW.
Lupe and Uncle Joe.

A short break was taken up on Peak 4027.  Although trees blocked the views in most directions, Bear Butte and the prairies E of the Black Hills were on display.  SPHP had brought apples and chocolate coconut bars.  Uncle Joe shared Kirkland bars.  All of the dogs enjoyed some chocolate coconut bar, and Cousin Dusty even wanted the apple cores.  Water was available, too.

Cousin Dusty looking good at 15 on Peak 4027.
Dusty asking Uncle Joe if it’s alright to have some chocolate coconut bar?
In the sunshine back on good ole Peak 4027.
Bear Butte (Center) from Peak 4027. Photo looks NNE.

When all the goodies were gone, it was time to continue on.  From Peak 4027, Centennial Trail No. 89 ran another 0.75 mile all the way to the far N end of the ridge.  Most of this route was forested, but there was a big clearing approaching HP3983, and a little past HP3983 was a viewpoint off to the L (W) overlooking I-90.

Laddie N of Peak 4027 hitting Centennial Trail No. 89 again.
Uncle Joe and the pack in the meadow approaching HP3983. Photo looks N.
At the viewpoint N of HP3893 overlooking I-90 (R). Photo looks SSW.

At the N end of the ridge was another viewpoint overlooking the town of Sturgis.  Oyster Mountain (4,040 ft.), Sly Hill (3,920 ft.), and Peak 3950 were all in sight, too.

At the N end of the ridge. Oyster Mountain (Center), Sly Hill (R) and Peak 39050 (far R). Photo looks NW.

From the Sturgis viewpoint, the trail began descending NE.  Halfway down the mountain it curved back into a valley to the S, then turned NE again upon reaching the valley floor.  Scrub oaks were the most scenic feature of this trek, especially lower down where, protected from the wind, they still had quite a few leaves.

Heading down the N end of the ridge.
Cousin Dusty amid the scrub oaks as she enters the valley.

The valley of the scrub oaks eventually led clear down to Old Stone Road.  Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed the road, entering a larger, flatter drainage which continued NE out toward the prairie.  The trail soon curved E, but everyone abandoned it to take a shortcut up a grassy slope onto the ridge to the N.

Near the start of the wider drainage after crossing Old Stone Road. Photo looks NE.
Approaching the prairie. Centennial Trail No. 89 curves E (R) beyond the magnificent tree, but everyone left the trail here to go N (L) up onto the ridge. Photo looks NE.
Joe, Laddie and Dusty getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.

Overlooking both Fort Meade and Bear Butte (4,422 ft.), the top of this ridge was the traditional end of the “Ponderosa Hike”.

Fort Meade (L) and Bear Butte (R) from the end of Uncle Joe’s traditional “Ponderosa Hike”. Photo looks NNE.

Hardly a cloud in the sky, and incredibly warm for practically the end of October!  A little farther W along the ridge, everyone hid out from the sun in the shade of a few large pine trees enjoying a second rest break.  More bars, more apples, more water!

Relaxing in the shade at the end of the Ponderosa hike. Photo looks SW.
New cousin Laddie taking it easy on his first ever Black Hills expedition.

When the time came to start back, there was some discussion of possibly exploring farther W first.  In the end, though, the whole pack headed right back down the grassy ridge’s S slope.

Ready to start back to the trailhead. Photo looks WSW.
Final moments on the grassy ridge. Photo looks S.

Rejoining Centennial Trail No. 89 down in the wide drainage, the pack followed it SW only a short distance.  Before reaching Old Stone Road, it was decided not to return via the ridge leading to Peak 4027.  Instead, a different trail was taken that went S down on the rolling prairie.

Briefly back on Centennial Trail No. 89 again S of the grassy ridge. Photo looks SW.
Lupe and Cousin Dusty out on the prairie. Photo looks SSW.
Still more than a mile from the Alkali Creek trailhead. Photo looks SSW.

Near the end, Centennial Trail No. 89 was eventually rejoined at the gate where it turned W going up to the forested ridge and Peak 4027.  Getting just plain hot out!  The sun was a beast with the temperature soaring into the mid 70’s ºF.  In their fur coats, Lupe, Dusty and Laddie were all panting, tongues hanging out on the final stretch.

Arrival back at the Alkali Creek trailhead was promptly celebrated with a much anticipated cold drink out of Alkali Creek.  Lupe and Laddie both eagerly waded in and drank their fill, but Dusty wasn’t satisfied with just getting her paws and insides wet.  Instead, she plunked herself right down in the stream and stayed there.

Relief from the heat at Alkali Creek.
Cousin Dusty cooling off in Alkali Creek.

No one was going anywhere, and Black Hills Expedition No. 281 wasn’t finished, until Cousin Dusty was ready to declare it over and done with.  Taking her sweet time about it, Dusty finally got sufficiently cooled down to come dripping out of Alkali Creek.

A little under 4 hours round trip on a summery October afternoon, the Ponderosa hike had been a great choice!  Easy enough for Dusty, and a gentle introduction to Black Hills peakbagging for Laddie, the day had been a success.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition                     Prior Black Hills Expedition

Centennial Trail No. 89 Brochure & Map

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 243 – Peak 5917 & Pistol Point with Uncle Joe & Cousins Dusty & Mark (12-22-18)

Lupe was delirious with delight!  The shocking news SPHP had just given her was so incredibly wonderful!  Why, Christmas was coming!  Not only that, but Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe were in town all the way from Colorado.  Cousin Mark had even come with them.  They all wanted to go on a Black Hills Expedition with Loop.  Nothing too fancy or long, but enough to get a workout and see a few sights.

Was the American Dingo up for that?  Oh, boy!  Was she ever!  She barked and leapt at SPHP.  What’s the holdup?  Let’s go right now!

Loopster raced through the front door of Grandma’s house and greeted everyone with great joy and energy.  It was true!  They were all here!  Dusty was instantly excited, too, and responded in kind.  Greetings all around.  Dusty and Lupe both looked at SPHP expectantly.  Oh, yeah.  They both knew that Grandma had a big bag of Beggin’ Strips downstairs.  Of course, they each got one.  Sly dingo Loop grabbed two.

Start – 9:51 AM, 27°F at the junction of Highway 385 & USFS Road No. 710

Kind of cold and snowy, but this was a good spot for a quick romp in the hills.  Peak 5917 was only a little more than a mile away.  Several options from there depending how things were going.  With minimal delay the whole gang started up No. 710.  The road headed W up a shady valley N of Peak 5800.  Cousin Dusty led the way.

Setting out for Peak 5917 on USFS Road No. 710. Uncle Joe with Cousin Dusty. Cousin Mark with Lupe.
Cousin Dusty leads the way.

After 0.75 mile on No. 710, the road reached the upper end of the valley.  The terrain flattened out.  No snow here.  The road curved S passing through an open stand of tall Ponderosa pines.

Lupe’s entourage reaches the open stand of Ponderosa pines at the upper end of the valley. Photo looks SW.

Beyond the pines the road turned W again, and began to fade.  Ahead was a region of grasslands dotted with scattered pines.  Peak 5917 was already in sight.

Beyond the tall pines, heading for Peak 5917 (R). Photo looks W.

Soon everyone was on the way up Peak 5917’s SE slope.  Mark and Dusty were out in front.

Cousins Mark & Dusty led the way up.
Joe pauses to look back. The tall pines are at the far edge of the grasslands beyond him. Peak 5800 is on the R. Photo looks ESE.

Mark and Dusty reached the summit well before Joe, Lupe and SPHP caught up.

Cousin Mark atop Peak 5917. Mark is a Dance Dance Revolution champion who competes in tournaments. No wonder he was stepping so lively!
Joe and Dusty join Mark at the summit. Photo looks N.
Mark & Joe at the summit of Peak 5917. A triumph of sorts. They’re from Colorado. Maybe they’ve been on an even loftier peak once or twice before? Part of Pactola Reservoir (R) is in the background. Photo looks NNE.
Lupe’s turn on the highest rocks while getting a pat from Mark. New Year’s Eve Peak is in view beyond her. Photo looks W.

December.  Not especially cold, but definitely cool out.  A chilly breeze was blowing out of the W.  Prior to leaving Peak 5917, a group photo was hastily arranged.

L to R – Mark, Dusty, Lupe & Joe. Five Points (6,221 ft.) is a little L of Mark, and conical False North Point (6,130 ft.) is R of him. Pistol Point (5,880 ft.) is at the far end of the half grassy, half forested ridge on the R. Photo looks SW.

What now?  Was everyone done?  The closest options for extending the trek were New Year’s Eve Peak (6,046 ft.) a mile NW as the ridges went, go only halfway there to Pistol Point, or head SE back to Peak 5800.

Pistol Point sounded good to everyone.  Mark, Dusty and Joe started down Peak 5917’s SW slope.  Loop lingered briefly at the summit before following after them.

Looper lingers in the chilly W breeze atop Peak 5917. New Year’s Eve Peak (L) in the distance. Lupe had been there only 5 days ago on Expedition No. 242. Photo looks NW.
Mark, Dusty & Joe start down the SW slope. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) (L), Five Points (Center) and False North Point (R) are all in sight. Photo looks SSW.
Pistol Point is at the far end of the half grassy ridge on the L. Photo looks W.

Pistol Point is only 0.5 mile SW of Peak 5917.  Cousin Mark was soon poised atop the rocky ridge.

Heading up to Pistol Point. Photo looks W.
Mark poised atop the rock formations at Pistol Point while Joe takes a photo. Lupe is standing over near the rock resembling the handle of a pistol jammed into the ground that Pistol Point is named for. Photo looks ENE.
Cousin Mark staying hydrated.
Mark and Dusty relax for a moment taking in the views. Photo looks SE.
Joe and Lupe take a turn up on the rocks. Photo looks W.

Pistol Point offers the same sweeping 180° views to the S that Peak 5917 does from only a slightly different perspective.  The W wind was still chilly.  If it hadn’t been for the breeze, New Year’s Eve Peak, only 0.5 mile NW, probably would have happened.

As it was, though, Cousin Dusty was shivering.  At 12 years old, she was doing great to have come this far leading the way most of the time.  Best to head back, though, to get her out of the cold wind.

Group photo at Pistol Point shortly before departure. Mark and Lupe on the L. Joe and Dusty on the R. Photo looks SW.
Peak 5917 from Pistol Point. Photo looks NE.
Joe and Dusty start down. Peak 5917 (L) and Peak 5800 (R). Photo looks ENE.

Dusty felt better as soon as she was out of the wind.  The trek back to the G6 was scenic with great company to share the day with.  The route back was the same, minus an excursion up to Peak 5917 again.

Dusty leads as Mark and Joe follow her down. Peak 5800 (R). Photo looks ENE.
A momentary pause while Joe checks his phone. Part of Sheridan Lake is seen beyond Dusty.  Calumet Ridge (5,601 ft.) is beyond the lake. Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.) is L of Calumet Ridge. Photo looks SE.
Another pause on the return. Peak 5800 (Center). Photo looks ESE.
Lupe in familiar territory. Nearly every year she makes a pilgrimage to New Year’s Eve Peak coming this way. Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) (R) is the prominent knob far beyond her. Peak 5800 (L). Photo looks SE.
Dusty having a good time in the Black Hills now that she’s out of the wind.
Back on the road in the tall pines area. Photo looks E.

Before long, everyone was heading down the valley on snowy USFS Road No. 710.  A ride back to Grandma’s house for goodies and more fun was waiting at the end of the road.  Best of all, the festivities would continue for the next several days, because, you know, Christmas was coming!  (12:52 PM, 29°F)

Mark, Joe, Dusty & Lupe on USFS Road No. 710, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-22-18

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