Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 148 – Smith Mountain, Flag Mountain & Campaign Hill (12-5-15)

The Black Hills experienced a cold snap over Thanksgiving and the following long weekend.  Several nights there was light snow.  At the very end of November, there was about 4″ of additional new snow overnight at Lupe’s house.  Then it started to warm up.  SPHP decided to wait for a few days to let some of the snow melt before Lupe’s next expedition.

Finally, on December 5th, Lupe and SPHP headed out for adventure again.  Lupe was excited.  She could hardly wait.  At 9:29 AM, SPHP parked the G6 at the Newton Lake trailhead.  It was 37 °F and overcast.  Lupe leaped over SPHP to get out of the G6 at the first possible moment.  She was expecting great things!

SPHP had 4 peakbagging goals in mind for Lupe.  The first was Smith Mountain (5,897 ft.), which was very close at hand.  Soon Lupe and SPHP were heading up the fairly steep NE slope.  It was very slow going.  There was still some snow on the ground, which made it a bit slippery.  The real problem, though, was the terrible condition of the forest.  There were lots of dead trees, killed by the pine bark beetles, that had fallen over.

For SPHP, it was a struggle getting over, under or around all the deadfall timber.  At one point, SPHP lifted Lupe over a dangerous barbed wire fence that was partially collapsed by the dead trees.  Lupe only needed to gain a little over 600 feet of elevation to get up on the ridge, but it was taking SPHP a long time to get up there.  Finally, the ground began to level out a bit, and there was somewhat less deadfall around.

View from the upper NE slopes of Smith Mountain looking SE towards Harney Peak. There is less deadfall timber here than lower down.
View from the upper NE slopes of Smith Mountain looking SE towards Harney Peak. There is less deadfall timber here than lower down.

Once Lupe and SPHP were up on the ridge, the going was a bit easier.  The deadfall wasn’t quite as bad, and the ground wasn’t so steep.  Lupe and SPHP reached the ridgeline near the N end of Smith Mountain.  There was a series of rock outcroppings spaced out along the ridge as Lupe headed S toward the summit.

Lupe on one of the rock outcroppings near the N end of Smith Mountain. It took so long for SPHP to get up here, by now the formerly overcast skies were almost clear. It was going to be a beautiful day!
Lupe on one of the rock outcroppings near the N end of Smith Mountain. It took so long for SPHP to get up here, by now the formerly overcast skies were almost clear. It was going to be a beautiful day!  Photo looks W or SW.
Here Lupe is shown at another rock outcropping farther S on Smith Mountain. At first, SPHP thought this might be the true summit, but it wasn't.
Here Lupe is shown at another rock outcropping farther S on Smith Mountain. At first, SPHP thought this might be the true summit, but it wasn’t.
Lupe up on the false summit of Smith Mountain.
Lupe up on the false summit of Smith Mountain.  Despite the pine bark beetle carnage, there were still too many trees standing to permit any really decent distant views.

The Smith Mountain ridge runs N/S for about a mile.  The ridge was all forested, and provided only occasional glimpses of distant hills.  It was pretty easy going along the ridge, since it was plenty wide.  Although it went up and down some, it was overall pretty level.  Lupe found the true summit of Smith Mountain at a big rock outcropping a bit S of the mid-point along the ridge.

Lupe reaches the true summit of Smith Mountain.
Lupe reaches the true summit of Smith Mountain.
Although the highest rock on Smith Mountain was too steep for Lupe to reach the tippy top, she got pretty close. Close enough for Dingo work!
SPHP reached up to touch the top of the closest high rock. It was still a foot or two below the very highest point. Lupe and SPHP are both claiming success, though.
SPHP reached up to touch the top of the closest high rock. It was still a foot or two below the very highest point. Lupe and SPHP are both claiming success, though.

With her Smith Mountain peakbagging goal accomplished, Lupe continued S along the Smith Mountain ridge.  It was easier going along in here, since there wasn’t nearly so much deadfall.  This part of the forest seemed to have been thinned by loggers some years ago.  Whatever the reason, the forest was in better condition.  SPHP was a bit surprised to find some big rock outcroppings near the S end of the mountain, but is pretty certain they weren’t quite as high as the rocks farther N.

Lupe’s 3 remaining peakbagging goals were all mountains along a line S of Smith Mountain.  Her next goal was Flag Mountain (5,896 ft.).  To get to Flag Mountain, Lupe went down the S end of Smith Mountain, and crossed Patterson Creek.  Patterson Creek isn’t very large, and didn’t have much flow at this time of year.  Lupe and SPHP had no problem crossing it.  S of Patterson Creek, Lupe started climbing the N slope of Flag Mountain.

Lupe on her way to Flag Mountain, seen to the S in the background. Lupe is developing a habit of taking picture time very seriously, kind of like they did back in the late 1800's. Here she strikes her very best stiff and serious historic 1870 Carolina Dog pose. She often starts smiling again as soon as SPHP turns off the camera. It's a bit frustrating sometimes!
Lupe on her way to Flag Mountain, seen to the S in the background. Lupe is developing a habit of taking picture time very seriously, kind of like they did back in the late 1800’s. Here she strikes her very best stiff and serious historic 1870 Carolina Dog pose. She often starts smiling again as soon as SPHP turns off the camera. It’s a bit frustrating sometimes!

The last part of the climb up Flag Mountain was the steepest.  There was snow again on the N slope, but only a couple of inches.  The situation on Flag Mountain was the reverse of what it had been on Smith Mountain.  Most of the deadfall timber was up on the highest slopes.  The first part of the climb went fast, but the last part was slow.

Despite the deadfall, Lupe and SPHP reached the top of Flag Mountain.  Lupe had accomplished her 2nd peakbagging goal of the day.  It was time for a break.  Lupe had some water and a bit of Taste of the Wild.  She licked herself for a few minutes, and laid down to rest, but SPHP didn’t think a thing of it.

The top of Flag Mountain is pretty flat.  Unlike Smith Mountain, Flag Mountain is not a long ridge.  There is no chance of mistaking the summit.  Toward the E is a spacious open grassy area.  The actual highest point is over at some slightly higher rocks toward the W.

There are trees around the summit, some of them dead, which effectively block the views from Flag Mountain in most directions.  However, there were really nice open views to the SE toward Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) from the grassy area.  There was also a pretty good view to the NW, from the highest rocks at the W end of the summit area.

Lupe reaches the grassy area at the E end of the top of Flag Mountain. Photo looks SE toward Harney Peak.
Lupe reaches the grassy area at the E end of the top of Flag Mountain. Photo looks SE toward Harney Peak, the highest point on the horizon.
Harney Peak from Flag Mountain. The E part of the top of Campaign Hill, Lupe's 3rd peakbagging goal of the day is seen in the foreground on the R.
Harney Peak from Flag Mountain. The E part of the top of Campaign Hill, Lupe’s 3rd peakbagging goal of the day, is seen in the foreground on the R.
Lupe on the highest rocks on Flag Mountain. Photo looks NW.
Lupe on the highest rocks on Flag Mountain. Photo looks NW.

Lupe had now completed 2 of her 4 peakbagging goals of the day.  Her next goal wasn’t very far away.  Just to the S of Flag Mountain is Campaign Hill (5,800 ft.).  Campaign Hill isn’t quite as high as Flag Mountain, so it didn’t look like a very impressive goal.  Due to the trees, it was hard to get a very good look at it, except from the very SE edge of the summit on Flag Mountain.

Since the sun stays pretty low this time of year, even at mid-day it always feels like sunset isn’t very far off.  Lupe and SPHP enjoyed a little time up on Flag Mountain, but didn’t linger up there too long before Lupe began descending the SW slope.  She only had to lose a few hundred feet of elevation to get down to the saddle between Flag Mountain and Campaign Hill.

Down at the saddle, there was a USFS road junction.  USFS Road No. 727 passes through the gap between the two mountains.  No. 727.1F branches off to head N on the W side of Flag Mountain.   Lupe crossed No. 727, and started climbing directly up the N slope of Campaign Hill.  It was fairly steep, especially near the top.  Again there was some snow, but SPHP was glad that this time there wasn’t much of the pesky deadfall timber.  Lupe was soon up on the highest rocks at the E end of Campaign Hill.

Lupe reaches the highest rocks at the E end of Campaign Hill. This was not the true summit.
Lupe reaches the highest rocks at the E end of Campaign Hill. This was not the true summit.

Lupe on Campaign Hill, 12-5-15There were too many trees near the rocks at the E end of the Campaign Hill ridge to really see much.  It proved not to be the true summit anyway.  Lupe headed W along the ridge, which soon turned SW, and came to a big rock that was clearly higher.  Beyond it was a grouping of rocks that were even higher yet.  This was the true summit of Campaign Hill.

SPHP had to lift Lupe up to get her up on top of the true summit.  The entire Campaign Hill ridge, which wasn’t terribly long, was all pretty heavily forested.  There weren’t really hardly any views.  There was a glimpse of Harney Peak, though, from where Lupe was up on top.

Lupe on the very top of Campaign Hill. There was just a glimpse of Harney Peak to the SSE through the trees.
Lupe on the very top of Campaign Hill. There was just a glimpse of Harney Peak to the SSE through the trees.
An American Dingo is just visible peering out from the rocks on top of Campaign Hill.
An American Dingo is just visible peering out from the rocks on top of Campaign Hill.
Lupe was very good about staying up on top of Campaign Hill for photos while SPHP scrambled around on the rocks below for position.
Lupe was very good about staying up on top of Campaign Hill for photos while SPHP scrambled around on the rocks below for position.

Usually Lupe just jumps down off rocks, when SPHP says it is OK after taking photos.  The rocks up on Campaign Hill were a bit high, however.  Lupe waited for SPHP to come back up to help get her down off the rocks.  She was reluctant to jump down.  Again, SPHP thought nothing of it.

Lupe’s 4th and last peakbagging goal of the day was Peak 6048, about a mile to the S of Campaign Hill.  The sun was definitely getting lower, so Lupe was soon on her way.  She enjoyed running around in the slanting sunlight filtering through the forest, as she and SPHP continued S along the ridge.  Near the lowest saddle on the way to Peak 6048, there was a little opening with a glimpse of Peak 6048 ahead.  It wasn’t going to be long before Lupe would be up there!

Looking S at Peak 6048, the high point on the L. Lupe would be there soon, to complete her 4th peakbagging goal of the day!
Looking S at Peak 6048, the high point on the L. Lupe would be there soon, to complete her 4th peakbagging goal of the day!

Except Lupe never made it to Peak 6048.  Lupe raced ahead of SPHP into a thick forest of small trees at the low point of the saddle.  When she came out again, suddenly SPHP saw red.  There was blood between Lupe’s hind legs!  SPHP made Lupe stop and lay down.  SPHP lifted up a hind leg.  There was a gash at least 2 inches long where her left hind leg and abdomen meet.  A big area of flesh was exposed where the skin was peeled back.

Fortunately, it didn’t look like anything other than the skin had been pierced or torn.  Lupe wasn’t bleeding much, and she could still walk and run around.  In fact, if SPHP hadn’t seen the blood, there wasn’t anything at all alarming about her behavior.  She showed no sign of pain or distress.  She didn’t want SPHP to touch the wound, though.  It had to hurt!

Expedition No. 148 was essentially over.  There would be no continuing on to Peak 6048.  The only thing left to do was to get Lupe back to the G6.  She needed to see a veterinarian ASAP.  It was 5 miles back to the G6 along the only road SPHP was certain about.  Before heading for the G6, though, it was time for first aid!  Lupe had been hurt back on Expedition No. 135.  Since then SPHP has been carrying bandages and gauze in case of an emergency.

SPHP tried a bandage first.  Lupe was cooperative and let SPHP work on her, but the bandage was of no real use.  Lupe’s fur was kind of long where her wound was, and the bandage wouldn’t stick to the wound.  It stuck to her fur, but hung below her belly.  The bandages were going to be useless without a way to shave the fur off around the wound.

SPHP tried using gauze wrapped up over Lupe’s back to hold the bandage in place closer to the wound.  This would have worked, but it didn’t feel right to Lupe.  She took a few steps and sat down.  She just looked piteously at SPHP and refused to move.  Maybe it hurt.  Maybe it just felt weird.  Probably both.  Whatever.  It was clear Lupe would not go on under her own power with the gauze wrapped around her like that.  SPHP took the gauze off.

Injured Lupe with gauze wrapped around her back. She refused to move with it on.
Injured Lupe with gauze wrapped around her back. She refused to move with it on.

What had happened to Lupe?  SPHP didn’t see the injury occur, but it is almost certain she was impaled by a sharp broken limb sticking up from one of the hundreds of deadfall trees she had jumped over.  It is a constant threat in the Black Hills these days.  Perhaps the original injury was small, but once the wound was opened, it would have been easy for the edges of the broken skin to get caught on other sticks and twigs and tear further each time.

Thinking back, SPHP wondered if Lupe hadn’t been injured coming over the deadfall timber while climbing Flag Mountain.  She had licked the area where the wound was up on top of Flag Mountain during her break.  Up on Campaign Hill, she hadn’t wanted to jump down off the rocks like she usually does.  Perhaps the poor injured Carolina Dog had been putting on a brave front for quite some time.

She was still putting on a brave front.  Once the gauze was off, she was ready to go again.  With nothing to protect her belly where the wound was, though, it was vitally important to stay away from any more deadfall timber.  The last thing she needed was to get the broken skin caught on anything else and torn some more.  Lupe needed to get to a road.

Lupe and SPHP headed down through the forest to the W of the saddle.  Fortunately, USFS Road No. 727 wasn’t very far away.  Lupe and SPHP reached the road very quickly.  Lupe followed it N.  She took No. 727.1F at the intersection between Flag Mountain and Campaign Hill, staying W of Flag Mountain.

No. 727.1F ended before reaching Patterson Creek.  Lupe and SPHP had to continue off-road down to the creek.  Fortunately, there wasn’t much deadfall in this area.  N of the creek was another road, USFS Road No. 386.1B.  Lupe and SPHP had explored No. 386.1B once before heading around the W side of Smith Mountain on a prior expedition.  Upon reaching the road, SPHP stopped and looked at the map.

It was still close to 4 miles back to the G6 by the route around the W side of Smith Mountain.  The map showed No. 386.1B also curled around the E side of the mountain, though, too.  It didn’t show the E route going all the way to the highway, but it looked like it got pretty close.  The E route would be less than half as long.  It might easily save 1.5 hours, if it worked.

It was hard to know what to do.  If the E route ended in a tangle of deadfall, Lupe and SPHP would have to come all the way back.  She would then still have go clear around the W side of Smith Mountain.  On the other hand, time was of the essence.  Just because Lupe seemed happy enough didn’t mean things were fine.  With nothing protecting the open wound, no doubt infection was setting in.  The longer it took to get to the vet, the worse it would be for Lupe.

The road to the E looked pretty good.  SPHP hesitated only a minute or two, before Lupe and SPHP took it.  Thankfully, the shortcut worked.  At 4:10 PM, Lupe was back at the G6.  SPHP drove her directly to the Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Rapid City.  Emergency veterinarian Dr. David Christensen saw Lupe almost right away.  She was soon led away for wound cleaning, anesthesia, and stitches.

SPHP waited for Lupe to return.  And waited.  And waited.  The clinic staff and Dr. Christensen were busy early on a Saturday evening.  A woman brought in a black and white dog that was trembling all over.  She thought her dog had been poisoned.  A man brought in a little white dog that had a badly abscessed tooth.  One side of its face was all bloody.

Eventually, a staff member told SPHP that Lupe was waking up from the anesthesia, and it would be another 5 or 10 minutes.  Nearly an hour passed, though, with no further word.  Finally, Lupe returned.   She was walking, but looked dazed from the experience.  Her fur on her chest was all wet from drooling.  She was all stitched up, though!   She was going to be fine!

Lupe's stitches the morning after Expedition No. 148. Her abdomen was red and swollen. She is on antibiotics for the infection, and gets a beef flavored pain killer, too.
Lupe’s stitches the morning after Expedition No. 148. Her abdomen was red and swollen. She is on antibiotics for the infection, and gets a beef flavored pain killer, too.
Oh, no! It's the return of Cone-On the Luparian! Sigh.....
Oh, no! It’s the return of Cone-On the Luparian! Sigh…..
Stay tuned! I will return with more American Dingo adventures very soon!
Stay tuned! I will be back with more American Dingo adventures very soon!

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition                     Prior Black Hills Expedition

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Lupe Is Back In Action, Thanks to Emergency Veterinarian Dr. Erin Brown!

For pet emergencies in the Black Hills of South Dakota region, Lupe recommends the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital at the Animal Clinic of Rapid City.  The Emergency Veterinarian Hospital has a veterinarian and an assistant on duty 24/7, even on weekends and holidays.  Pets in Rapid City and the Black Hills region are fortunate to have such professionally qualified and caring help available at any time.  Lupe thanks lead emergency veterinarian Dr. Erin Brown for helping her late on the Saturday night of 6-27-15 following a bad injury that needed immediate attention!P1060503P1060504

About Dr. Erin Brown – Lead Emergency Veterinarian

Dr. Brown grew up all over South Dakota, but has always considered the Black Hills home. She received both her undergraduate and veterinary degrees from Iowa State University (Go Cyclones!) Her interests include emergency medicine, internal medicine and toxicology. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening and spending time with her family. Her dog, cat, and rat also like to keep her busy!

Lupe and Dr. Erin Brown, Lupe's angel of mercy when injured. Thank you SOOO much, Dr. Brown!
Lupe and Dr. Erin Brown, Lupe’s angel of mercy when injured. Thank you SOOO much, Dr. Brown!

After climbing Peak 6820 and Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.) on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 135 on 6-27-15, Lupe was seriously injured in Trebor Draw.  The entire front of her left front leg was sliced wide open when she ran straight into a 5-strand barbed wire fence that had fallen over across her path.  Fortunately, the barbed wire had only nicked the muscle beneath the skin.  The jagged wound with Lupe’s fur hanging loose and the muscle exposed looked terrible, but Lupe could still walk, even run.

Lupe on South Rapid Creek Road (USFS No. 231) with a nasty gash from a fallen barbed wire fence in nearby Trebor Gulch. The heroic dingo partly walked and was partly carried by SPHP to Black Fox campground to find help.

Still, the wound was horrifying to look at and extremely worrisome.  SPHP carried Lupe as much as possible, but it was a couple miles to Black Fox Campground where there were people who could help her.  Lupe got at least half of the way there under her own power.  At Black Fox, kind people helped with some emergency first aid.  A man named Jim gave Lupe and SPHP a ride in his pickup truck to the G6, which was still many miles away.

Lupe needed to see a veterinarian right away.  SPHP called the offices of both of the veterinarians who have seen Lupe before.  It was late on a Saturday evening and their offices were closed, but a recording gave SPHP the phone number for the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital at the Animal Clinic of Rapid City.  SPHP called the number and was very happy when someone answered the phone.  Yes, they were open.  Lead emergency veterinarian Dr. Erin Brown was on duty.  SPHP could bring Lupe in right away!

It was close to 10:00 PM by the time Lupe and SPHP arrived at the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital to see the puppy doctor.  SPHP had to fill out a few forms.  An assistant explained that Dr. Brown was with another emergency patient, but said Dr. Brown would soon be available.  The assistant looked at Lupe and recorded some routine information.

It wasn’t long before Dr. Brown came into the examination room to see Lupe.  She was very kind and sympathetic to the wounded dingo.  Lupe seemed to trust her.  (Even before meeting Dr. Brown, SPHP had assured Lupe that the puppy doctor loves all puppies and would help her get better.)  Dr. Brown examined Lupe.  Of course, she was going to need a bunch of stitches.

Dr. Brown left the examination room for a few minutes.  She returned with a written medical treatment plan for SPHP to authorize.  All the treatment options were itemized, complete with exact pricing.  Dr. Brown calmly and clearly explained all the treatment options, what the risks were, etc.  She answered all of SPHP’s questions.  Within just a few minutes, SPHP had decided and authorized Lupe’s treatment.

Soon Lupe was being anesthetized in preparation for stitches.  An hour after disappearing into the operating room, Lupe was conscious and back with SPHP again.  The huge gaping wound on Lupe’s left front leg was now all carefully stitched up.  She looked like FrankenPuppy.  A plastic drain tube to help prevent serious infection stuck out of both sides of her leg.  Dr. Brown said she had to trim some of the edges of the wound where the tissue had already died.  (At least 3 hours elapsed from the time Lupe was injured before she got to the hospital.)

Lupe was going to be, OK, though.  Dr. Brown explained to SPHP what to do.  She said Lupe should wear a protective cone to prevent her from licking the wound.  In 3-5 days, one of Lupe’s regular vets should remove the drain.  The stitches could come out in a couple of weeks.  Lupe got painkillers and antibiotics.  Lupe and SPHP thanked Dr. Brown and went home.  It was around midnight.

Wounded dingo the morning after when it still really hurt. Thank you Dr. Erin Brown for your skillful and timely help late on a Saturday night!
FrankenPuppy
FrankenPuppy
Heroic dingo Lupe struggles to survive! Somehow Dr. Brown forgot to mention treats and vanilla ice cream as a pain killer and antibiotic delivery system, but SPHP took care of it. Lupe was certain treats had to be part of any decent "treat"ment plan.
Heroic dingo Lupe struggles to survive! Somehow Dr. Brown forgot to mention treats and vanilla ice cream as a pain killer and antibiotic delivery system, but SPHP took care of it. Lupe was certain treats had to be part of any decent “treat”ment plan.

American Dingoes are good at having adventures and lots of fun.  They are not quite as good at following doctor’s orders.  SPHP still had an old plastic cone for Lupe’s head to keep her from licking the wound.  Lupe despised it.  SPHP relented and just kept a very close eye on her.  Lupe was much happier and really pretty good about not licking the wound.  “No licking!” was the order of the day every time she did think about it.  Lupe liked her painkiller medicine, but refused the antibiotic.  Being July, it was really hot out though.  Lupe had no objections to the antibiotic as long as vanilla ice cream was used as a delivery system.

Lupe went in to see her regular vet on July 1st to get the drain out.  The vet said one stitch had come loose.  The vet reprimanded SPHP for letting Lupe get away without having the protective cone on.  The drain came out just fine.  There was no sign of infection.  After visiting the vet, Lupe had to wear the cone, like-it-or-not.NOT! was the dingo’s answer.  She kept running into things and getting her neck twisted.  She pawed at the cone trying to get it off.  She laid on the floor staring into space looking totally bored and forlorn.  She didn’t want to eat.  Every time her spirit brightened, she ran into something else and got her head snapped around.  Depression set in again.

The old cone wasn’t up to this abuse.  It was made of a kind of brittle clear plastic.  By the morning of July 3rd, two chunks of the old cone had cracked and broken off.  Some of the remaining plastic came to a big sharp point.  It looked vaguely dangerous to be wearing that thing, but the sharp end was at least pointed away from Lupe.

That evening, on the way to her grandma’s house, Lupe tried to stick her head out the partially open window of the G6.  The cone snapped in half.  It was useless.  Lupe was thrilled.  At grandma’s house she ran around playing squeaker ball.  Late in the evening, on the way home again, SPHP saw that Lupe’s wound had partially opened up again.  Several stitches had broken loose, not from licking, but from racing around with joy at the demise of the evil cone.

So late at night on July 3rd, SPHP took Lupe back to the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital again.  SPHP bought another, bigger and better protective cone for her.  Dr. Brown wasn’t on duty, but another vet was.  SPHP didn’t even meet this vet, but Lupe got her wound stapled back together.  Done in minutes, at no charge!  The new, improved protective cone went right on.  And that was the last of the problems.

Stapled up again.
Cone-On the Luparian didn't get to go to Little Devil's Tower on 7-10-15. She had to stay home to continue healing up.
Cone-On the Luparian didn’t get to go to Little Devil’s Tower on 7-10-15. She had to stay home to continue healing up.

Lupe didn’t like the new improved protective head cone any better than the last one.  It was better built, though, and could stand up to dingo abuse.  It took a while, but eventually Lupe resigned herself to it.  Her wound started healing fast.  Her stitches and staples came out on July 14th.  The hated cone came off a day later.  The Carolina Dog was free once more!  Even so, for the rest of the month SPHP tried to just keep her quiet to let the healing process really take hold.

July, 2015 was a pretty frustrating and dull month for Lupe.  About the only real outing she got to go on was Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 136 on Xochitl’s birthday.  Even then, Lupe did not get to go on any long trek.  She just waded in the creek at Cascade Falls.  On a really hot day, she did enjoy it.  The rest of the month was spent doing some pretty dull stuff or just laying around waiting to get better.

Xochitl & Lupe at Cascade on Xochi's birthday.
Xochitl & Lupe at Cascade on Xochi’s birthday.
Out of boredom in July, 2015, Lupe takes up supervising required fence repairs.
Out of boredom in July, 2015, Lupe takes up supervising required fence repairs.

P1060449P1060450P1060457

All done! That was dull!
All done! That was dull!
Bored dingo takes up flower gardening.
I can't even chew my rawhide stick with this thing on. There is nothing to do!
I can’t even chew my rawhide stick with this thing on. There is nothing to do!
Will it ever end?
Will it ever end?

Thanks to Dr. Erin Brown at the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital, Lupe IS better – much, much better.  So much better, that Lupe went to see Dr. Brown again yesterday evening.  This time she just went to show Dr. Brown that she is all healed up, and to thank Dr. Brown for being there at Lupe’s time of great need – so late on a Saturday night!

Lupe and Dr. Erin Brown shake on a deal. Dr. Brown agreed to provide a treat. Lupe agreed to eat it.
Lupe returned to the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital on 8-5-15 to say thank you to Dr. Erin Brown.  While there, Lupe strikes up a deal with Dr. Brown and they shake on it. Dr. Brown agrees to provide a treat. Lupe agrees to eat it.
Dr. Brown, SPHP put this contraption around my head and wouldn't take it off for forever! That's puppy abuse isn't it?
Dr. Brown, SPHP put this contraption around my head and wouldn’t take it off for practically forever!  I got out of one, but I couldn’t break the other one.  That’s puppy abuse isn’t it?
Lupe and Dr. Erin Brown, Lupe's angel of mercy when injured. Thank you SOOO much, Dr. Brown!
Lupe and Dr. Erin Brown, Lupe’s angel of mercy when injured. Thank you SOOO much, Dr. Brown!

Now that Lupe well again, she is destined for lots more dingo adventures in August, 2015!  Within just a day or two, she is setting off on her action-packed great Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation!  In September, she will return with tales from the American West.  In the meantime, she has new posts scheduled to keep coming all through August about her adventures on her 2013 Dingo Vacation to the Beartooths and Canadian Rockies.

Want more Lupe adventures?  Choose from Lupe’s Dingo Tales Index or Master Adventure Index.  Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 135 – Peak 6820 & Crooks Tower (6-27-15)

Lupe started Expedition No. 135 on USFS Road No. 259.2A about 0.25 mile W of Nahant Road.  Nahant Road leaves the W side of paved County Road No. 17 about 5 miles N of Rochford in the west central Black Hills of South Dakota.  Both Nahant Road and USFS Road No. 259.2A are marked.  No. 259.2A leaves Nahant Road about 0.5 mile S of County Road No. 17.  There is a small corral near the intersection and two barbed wire gates to go through to gain access to No. 259.2A.

After the traumatic finish to Expedition No. 134 a week earlier, Lupe had been reluctant to even take her nightly walks for a few days.  When no more lightning, thunder and hail storms made an appearance, towards the middle of the week Lupe regained her confidence and enthusiasm for the outdoors.  Although the forecast was for the mid-80’s in the lower Black Hills, Saturday was supposed to be clear weather all day long.  SPHP thought Lupe might be ready for another expedition in the higher western Black Hills, where it should at least be a bit cooler out.

Early Saturday morning, Lupe expressed great enthusiasm for “hiking in the mountains”.  She was eager to go.  Soon Lupe and SPHP were in the G6 and underway.  It was a very pleasant 60°F when SPHP parked the G6 at 8:29 AM along USFS Road No. 259.2A just 0.25 mile W of Nahant Road.  Lupe and SPHP have been here before on at least a couple of prior expeditions, so it was familiar territory.   SPHP’s plan was to let Lupe enjoy a romp along Tillson Creek in Swede Gulch and then do some peakbagging with Peak 6820 and Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.) as goals.

Before too long, USFS Road No. 259.2A basically comes to a dead end where the road reaches Tillson Creek in Swede Gulch.  A remnant of the road continues on upstream, but is in poor to non-existent condition in a lot of places.  Many pine bark beetle-killed trees have fallen across the route.  The main problem this morning though, was that there was a lot of marshy, mucky wet ground.  (The Black Hills have received nearly 3 times their normal rainfall for the month of June in 2015!)  Getting around the soft areas meant frequent detours into the forest up on the sides of the valley and picking a way through the deadfall timber.

Lupe near Tillson Creek in lower Swede Gulch. Lupe traveled upstream on Expedition No. 135.

Lupe had fun in Tillson Creek and exploring around Swede Gulch, but Lupe and SPHP weren’t making great time.  It didn’t really matter.  Despite being a very busy dingo, Lupe has no deadlines to meet.  SPHP was really hoping Lupe would get as far as Crooks Tower though, before it got too late in the day.

About 2 miles from the end of the good road, Lupe reached the confluence of Tillson Creek and a good-sized tributary coming in from the W.  Shortly after passing the confluence, it became necessary to cross Tillson Creek.  While on past occasions, SPHP had always managed to cross Tillson Creek without getting wet boots, this time there was so much flow in the creek nothing could be done except to just wade right in and ford it.

Lupe cools off in Tillson Creek just below the confluence of Tillson and a major tributary coming in from the W. Although hidden by the grass, the main flow of Tillson Creek is coming in from the right side of this photo looking W.
Lupe cools off in Tillson Creek just below the confluence of Tillson and a major tributary coming in from the W. Although hidden by the grass, the main flow of Tillson Creek is coming in from the right side of this photo looking W.

The creek had to be forded several more times as Lupe progressed up Swede Gulch.  Lupe loved the fords, and frequently waded into Tillson Creek to cool off and drink even where it wasn’t necessary.  SPHP was now resigned to marching soggily along in wet boots.  SPHP splashed right on into Tillson Creek at each ford without hesitation.

Tillson Creek is smaller by the time it gets here. This photo looks NNW up Hallorans Draw. The main flow of Tillson Creek comes from a valley to the W (L side) of this photo.
With all the recent rains (8.40″ so far in June), Lupe found a little temporary waterfall on the N side of Swede Gulch. It will probably be gone in a very short period of time, but was fun to see.

Eventually Lupe heard a great deal of mooing going on up ahead.  Where USFS Road No. 234 crosses Tillson Creek, there was a herd of cattle out on the road.  Beyond the road is some private land, but these cattle were outside of the fence in the Black Hills National Forest.  This is not uncommon as grazing permits are available in the national forest.  Lupe and SPHP took a little break near No. 234, while the cattle decided maybe it would be best to mosey on along, since they preferred their own company to that of dingoes.

Lupe and SPHP left Tillson Creek and headed S on No. 234, which started climbing the hillside.  After a bit, the road leveled out and then curved SW.  A high point became visible ahead.  SPHP stopped to check the maps and give Lupe a little water and Taste of the Wild.  Lupe rested in the shade of a spruce tree and snapped at flies.

The topo map SPHP had printed out from Peakbagger.com showed that Peak 6820 was about 1 mile due W of Lupe’s location.  A draw heading WNW would be the least steep approach.  Lupe could curve back to the SW for the last little bit of the climb.  Lupe and SPHP backtracked just a little bit to go through a gate up into the draw.  There was a faint remnant of a road heading up the draw.  Lupe and SPHP followed it.  SPHP repeatedly lost the remnant road and then found what looked like what might be it again.

Lupe started seeing these striking flowers scattered in open areas in the woods on the E slopes of Peak 6820.
Lupe started seeing these striking flowers scattered in open areas in the woods on the E slopes of Peak 6820.

The plan worked.  Lupe and SPHP had been to Peak 6820 once before, back on Expedition No. 99 on 10-08-14.  Arriving on flat terrain that seemed to be the top of the mountain, SPHP recognized a particular mud puddle toward the W end of the summit area.  Lupe happily went over to lay down in it and have a drink of mineral water.  A cool, wet, muddy dingo is a happy dingo!

Lupe enjoys her mud puddle on top of Peak 6820.
Lupe enjoys her mud puddle on top of Peak 6820.

Although a high point, Peak 6820 is all forested and there aren’t really any decent views, since they are blocked by all the trees.  The top of the mountain is very flat.  There is a fairly large summit area rather than any discernable peak or highest point.  Lupe and SPHP explored around for just a few minutes before SPHP was satisfied there really wasn’t much more to be done up here.  Then it was time to continue on to Crooks Tower where the views would be better.

Lupe on the summit of Peak 6820. The summit area is pretty large and flat. There is no discernable definite highest point. The views look pretty similar in every direction due to the forest.

Lupe and SPHP went back to the mud puddle and then down an old road heading SW from the W end of the summit area of Peak 6820.  The first time Lupe had climbed Peak 6820, she had come up this road.  SPHP remembered it as being pretty choked with deadfall timber along most of its length near the top.  Things really hadn’t changed.  It still was.  Lupe and SPHP were off the road more than on it.

SPHP was hoping to find again a strange little area in the saddle between Peak 6820 and a ridge to the SW.  Lupe had found it on Expedition No. 99.  There was a big water tank and a tall deteriorating wooden tower, plus a nearby opening in the forest completely fenced in and covered by metal sheeting just 6″ off the ground.  SPHP thought the metal sheeting might serve as a safety cover for a large open mine shaft, but wasn’t sure.  In any case, Lupe didn’t find it again this time.  SPHP wasn’t sure it was worth spending extra time looking for it either.  If the metal sheeting did cover a mine shaft, it might just be best for Lupe to stay away from it.

The strange wooden tower and water tank Lupe found on Expedition No. 99 on 10-8-14. Lupe did not find it again on Expedition No. 135.
This photo from Expedition No. 99 shows the sheet metal cover on the ground Lupe found SW of Peak 6820 on 10-8-14.
This photo from Expedition No. 99 shows the sheet metal cover on the ground Lupe found SW of Peak 6820 on 10-8-14.

Lupe and SPHP crossed the saddle area and climbed a ridge SW of Peak 6820.  Lupe headed W along the ridge and came to a high spot.  Lupe’s immediate goal was to get to South Rapid Creek Road (USFS Road No. 231).  The terrain seemed to push Lupe and SPHP farther N than SPHP really wanted to go despite crossing a couple of ridges.  SPHP didn’t want to go too far S either.  The topo map showed some pretty steep terrain and even small cliffs to the S.  With no views and no roads or paths to follow, it was hard to know just where Lupe would come out.

Lupe stands near a collection of the pretty orange flowers. This was the biggest group of them Lupe found all in one spot.
Lupe stands near a collection of the pretty orange flowers. This was the biggest group of them Lupe found all in one spot.

It took quite a while, but Lupe eventually emerged from the forest just E of the intersection of USFS Road No. 231 and Besant Park Road (No. 206).  Lupe had been here quite a few times before.  From the intersection, Lupe and SPHP headed S near the edge of the forest W of No. 231.  The grass was so tall in the big meadow, Lupe had a hard time seeing over it.  She bounded along to see where she was going.  The meadow eventually narrowed.  Lupe and SPHP walked on No. 231 for the last part of the distance to USFS Road No. 631.1.

The start of No. 631.1 was the low elevation point on Lupe’s journey from Peak 6280 to Crooks Tower.  From here on, the rest of the way was up, although mostly at a moderate pace.  Lupe went W up No. 631.1 until reaching No. 631.1B.  She followed No. 631.1B NW up a side gully, but after gaining some elevation left the road to travel W through the forest.  Loggers had stacked a big pile of tree trunks up near the top of the ridge.  Once there, Lupe followed the logging trail heading generally WSW.  The logging trail was pretty flat and easy, but gained a little elevation as it went along.

Perhaps a mile or less N of Crooks Tower is a flat ridge that extends out to the WNW.  At the end of the ridge from some small cliffs is a very nice overlook with good views off to the NW.  Lupe has been to this viewpoint on several occasions before.  As SPHP expected, the logging trail passed just to the SE of this ridge and Lupe was able to trot on over to the WNW for another look.

Lupe at the end of the overlook located about a mile N of Crooks Tower. Photo looks NNW.

Lupe and SPHP took a break in the shade of a small tree at the end of the ridge.  Lupe had a bit more Taste of the Wild.  Both Lupe and SPHP enjoyed the views.  Miles off to the NW was a high ridge which might be Cement Ridge.  Far off to the N a sharper peak stuck up above the rest of the Black Hills.  This might be Crow Peak W of Spearfish.  SPHP wasn’t certain in either case.

Lupe went back to the logging road and followed it S a short distance farther.  The logging road started turning to the W and losing elevation.  Lupe left it before it lost any elevation and continued S through the forest.  At times there were remnants of roads to follow, and at other times there weren’t.  Crooks Tower could sometimes be seen ahead at openings in the forest.  It was now only a couple hundred feet higher than where Lupe was.  Lupe came to a road, which was probably USFS Road No. 189.4F.  She crossed it continuing S.

As Lupe got closer to Crooks Tower, the terrain became steeper.  Lupe and SPHP worked their way on up the forested slope.  Upon gaining the top of the ridgeline, Lupe followed the ridge SE still gaining elevation.  When SPHP saw some 15 foot tall limestone outcroppings ahead, SPHP thought Lupe was practically at the summit.  Lupe skirted around the W side of the outcroppings and found an easy way to the top.  Nothing was familiar to SPHP.  This wasn’t the true summit of Crooks Tower.

The question was, since this wasn’t it, where was it?  It couldn’t be too far away, but there were no views through the forest.  Lupe was either too far E or too far W.  SPHP decided to head SW hoping to find USFS Road No. 189.4A, which passes just S of the summit of Crooks Tower.  (You can practically drive to the summit of Crooks Tower, if you want to.  USFS Road No. 189.4A comes in from the W.)  Within just a minute or two, SPHP knew where Lupe was.  She was just NE of Crooks Tower.

A platform of limestone about 20 feet high forms the summit of Crooks Tower.  A path leads to the top from the W side.  Lupe headed around the S side of the summit passing a couple with two young children picnicking in the shade of a spruce tree below the summit.  In just a few minutes Lupe was at the top of Crooks Tower.  She had completed both her peakbagging goals of the day!

Lupe on Crooks Tower. Photo looks SE toward Harney Peak in the distance.
Lupe on Crooks Tower. Photo looks SE toward Harney Peak barely seen as a faint blue line in the distance above Lupe’s head.

A forested ridge nearly as high as Crooks Tower itself lies not far away to the E.  (Lupe had initially climbed up to the N end of this ridge.)  The ridge blocks any views farther to the E.  Similarly, to the W the forest blocks any views in that direction where the land is nearly as high as Crooks Tower.  There are nice views to the N, though, and even better views to the S.  Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) can be seen in the distance to the SE.

Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.) is the highest point in Lawrence County, SD, and the 4th highest ranked peak in the Black Hills of South Dakota on Peakbagger.com.  [Green Mountain (7,164) feet is actually the 4th highest point, but unranked since it lacks the required 280 feet of prominence.  Lupe had been to Green Mountain twice just a week ago on Expedition No. 134.]

Lupe on Crooks Tower. This photo looks NW.
Lupe on Crooks Tower. This photo looks NW.

Lupe and SPHP stayed up on Crooks Tower for a little while.  SPHP ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Lupe helped out with the sandwich and had some Taste of the Wild, too.  The young couple left with their children in tow heading W on USFS Road No. 189.4A.  Soon SPHP heard their vehicle start up and move away.  Lupe and SPHP had Crooks Tower to themselves.  The sun was still high in the sky.  While there were still some hours of daylight left, SPHP knew most of the day had already shot on by.  It was a long way back to the G6.  Lupe couldn’t stay up on Crooks Tower too long.

Lupe on the tippy top of Crooks Tower 6-27-15

SPHP thought it was unwise to try to head back to the G6 the same way Lupe had come to Crooks Tower.  It was going to get dark long before Lupe could be back.  SPHP did not like the idea of trying to go back down Swede Gulch through all the mud and deadfall timber in the dark.  Instead, Lupe would go down Trebor Draw to South Rapid Creek Road.  Lupe could follow South Rapid Creek Road SE past the turn for Black Fox Campground, and then miles more to the E until reaching USFS Road No. 259.  No. 259 would take Lupe N through Telegraph Gulch a few miles to Nahant and the G6.

At first, it all went fine.  Lupe left Crooks Tower following No. 189.4A around the S end of the ridge to the E.  E of the ridge, it headed N for longer than SPHP had remembered, but finally did turn SE winding steeply down the mountain to No. 631.2.  A short jog to the S on No. 631.2 brought Lupe to a virtually abandoned USFS road (signed as an administrative road only) at Trebor Draw.  Lupe and SPHP headed NE down into Trebor Draw.

Trebor Draw was in the shade of the mountain.  The grass was thick, tall and green.  Lupe could not see over it, so it was like a complete jungle to her.  The administrative road went on for some distance, then faded to a single track before disappearing altogether.  The valley narrowed and led into a thick forest to the E.  Lupe had been here once before, but that time SPHP had not taken her through the forest, instead leading her up over the high ridge to the N.

South Rapid Creek Road was to the E.  This time Lupe had to continue on down Trebor Draw through the dense forest.  At least it couldn’t be much more than 0.5 mile further to the road.  The going was very slow.  A lot of deadfall timber had fallen down into the narrow valley.  It was bad, but Lupe and SPHP have dealt with worse.  Lupe steadily made progress down Trebor Gulch.  A very narrow cow trail appeared.  (What cows would have been doing in this mess, SPHP had no clue, but the trail was there with an occasional cow pie to prove it.)  Lupe was able to run along the cow trail.

SPHP saw the danger just before tragedy struck.  An old barbed wire fence had fallen over the trail.  Five strands of barbed wire lay in wait for Lupe who raced right into them.  SPHP called out to Lupe and heard her hit the fence.  A moment later SPHP saw Lupe standing on the trail.  The barbed wire had cut a big bloody gash across the whole front of her left front leg.  Her fur was hanging open to reveal the bare flesh beneath the skin.  SPHP was horrified.

Lupe on South Rapid Creek Road (USFS No. 231) with a nasty gash from a fallen barbed wire fence in nearby Trebor Gulch. The heroic dingo partly walked and was partly carried by SPHP to Black Fox campground to find help.

Fortunately, the barbed wire had only just nicked the muscle beneath the fur.  At first Lupe didn’t even seem to realize anything really bad had happened.  She could still walk, even run.  It wasn’t bleeding much, but it looked ghastly and had to hurt.  Quickly SPHP dug through the whole backpack.  Matches, plastic bags, flashlight, extra batteries, gloves, hat, sunscreen, gloves, toilet paper and a plastic raincoat were all there.  But not the little first aid kit.  Major mistake!  It had been a long time since SPHP had even thought about checking on the first aid kit.  No telling now how long it had not been in the pack.  Probably removed and forgotten during a cleaning months ago.  The kit wouldn’t have had much to treat such a large wound in any case.

Lupe needed to get to a veterinarian and soon.  SPHP picked her up and started to carry her.  It was hard on the uneven ground with obstacles.  SPHP carried her part of the time and she walked part of the time.  Fortunately, within 10 minutes or so, Lupe reached South Rapid Creek Road.  As much as possible, SPHP carried Lupe, but she walked as much as she was carried and probably more.  She occasionally seemed to realize something was wrong with her bloody leg and would pause to lick it.  SPHP stopped her from doing that.  She must not have felt too horrible.  She still sometimes wanted to run off into the forest, or up a hillside off the road to bark at a squirrel.  SPHP didn’t permit that either.

Black Fox Campground was about 2 miles from where Lupe reached South Rapid Creek Road.  It really didn’t take too long to get there, but it seemed endless to SPHP.  Fortunately there were people camping at Black Fox.  SPHP asked for help for Lupe.  Four people with two dogs (Achilles and Lily – naturally SPHP has forgotten the kind people’s names) had a first aid kit.  Lupe got a generous dose of antibacterial gel.  Then her leg was wrapped with a gauze bandage and taped up.  Another kind man named Jim, who lives in the Wonderland Homes subdivision near Black Hawk and Piedmont, SD gave Lupe and SPHP a ride in his Ford pickup truck all the way back to the G6.

Lupe liked Jim’s Ford pickup.  She didn’t want to get out.  Maybe she was just afraid SPHP was going to make her walk some more.  SPHP thanked Jim for the ride, gathered Lupe up and got her in the G6 as fast as possible.  It was 8:30 PM.  Without Jim’s help it would have been well after midnight before Lupe could have gotten back to the G6, even if she had been totally well.

Somewhere around 10:00 PM, SPHP brought Lupe into the Animal Clinic of Rapid City, also known as the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital.  The Emergency Veterinarian Hospital has a veterinarian on duty 24/7.  Even though it was late on a Saturday night, lead emergency veterinarian Dr. Erin Brown was on duty.  Soon Lupe was being anesthetized in preparation for stitches.  Dr. Brown stitched Lupe’s leg up and put a drain in to help prevent serious infection.  An hour after disappearing into the operating room, Lupe walked back to SPHP.  There were tears in her eyes, but she was smiling.

Lupe's wounded front leg the morning after lead emergency veterinarian Dr. Erin Brown stitched it up. The plastic is a drain to help prevent a serious infection.
Lupe’s wounded front leg the morning after lead emergency veterinarian Dr. Erin Brown stitched it up. The plastic is a drain to help prevent a serious infection. 6-28-15
Wounded dingo the morning after when it still really hurt. Thank you Dr. Erin Brown for your skillful and timely help late on a Saturday night!
Heroic dingo Lupe struggles to survive! Somehow Dr. Brown forgot to mention treats and vanilla ice cream as a pain killer and antibiotic delivery system, but SPHP took care of it. Lupe was certain treats had to be part of any decent "treat"ment plan.
Heroic dingo Lupe struggles to survive! Somehow Dr. Brown forgot to mention treats and vanilla ice cream as a pain killer and antibiotic delivery system, but SPHP took care of it. Lupe was certain treats had to be part of any decent “treat”ment plan.  6-28-15

Many thanks to Jim and the other good people who helped Lupe at Black Fox campground, and especially to veterinarian Dr. Erin Brown.  Lupe is going to be OK!  She is on pain medication and antibiotics, but less than 48 hours after seeing Dr. Brown, she is back to running around and barking at the garbage truck, recycling truck and Lupe’s long-suffering mailman.

There will be no more new Black Hills, SD Expeditions until Lupe is fully healed up (and a new much beefed up first aid kit is in SPHP’s pack).  While Lupe recuperates, The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe will continue in July with new posts on some of her previously unpublished prior adventures in the Canadian Rockies, Beartooth Mountains and Bighorn Mountains.

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