Green Mountain – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 304 – Getting High in the Black Hills with Peakbagger Dennis Stewart (5-5-22)

8:40 AM, USFS Road No. 297 – Oh, it was on, and Lupe was excited! After a quick weather-shortened introductory jaunt with new friend Dennis Stewart out to a couple of peaks of the limestone plateau country yesterday, the weather was much improved. “Stewy” was ready to hit it hard today. Time permitting, 7 of the 14 highest named peaks in South Dakota were on his agenda, and the American Dingo had every intention of getting high with him at each one.

Starting the day in the **Negro Creek valley** along USFS Road No. 297. Photo looks NNE.

With that many peaks to visit, even though none of them were all that hard to get to, there wasn’t going to be a lot of time for dilly-dallying. Within minutes of when SPHP parked the RAV4 at a wide spot along USFS Road No. 297, everyone was ready.

Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) was first. Although actually the lowest peak Dennis would be climbing today, it was the steepest and involved the most elevation gain from the starting point, a little over 900 feet.

Dennis and Loop about to set out for **Medicine Mountain** (L of Center). Photo looks W.

An old jeep trail going W from No. 297 got things off to an easy start. Less than 100 feet of elevation gain led to USFS Road No. 297.3F, which wasn’t much help, since 3F ran almost horizontally N/S along the E slope instead of toward the summit. Crossing the road to head straight up the mountain, No. 297.3F was encountered a second time 200 feet higher, but the situation was no different here.

Coming up the jeep trail. Photo looks ENE.

Dennis checks his GPS after reaching USFS Road No. 297.3F. Photo looks SSW.

And checks it again after reaching No. 297.3F a second time. Photo looks N.

After crossing No. 297.3F the second time, that was it for roads. The rest of the way up was merely a fairly steep trudge higher. A little deadfall and a few scattered boulders to contend with, but otherwise a romp through open pine forest.

Loop squinting in weak sunshine for the first time in the last couple of days as she heads up **Medicine Mountain’s E slope**. Photo looks W.

Stewy coming up the **E slope**. Photo looks E.

Loop posing for Dennis on a rock. Photo looks NW.

Starting to get close to the top. Photo looks WNW.

The last 100+ feet of elevation gain was steepest. Dennis preferred to go directly up the E face. However, Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) has two summits, the S one being the true summit. Looper hadn’t been here in nearly 5 years, but SPHP was pretty certain that by angling NW toward the saddle between the two summits, the Carolina Dog could pick up a use trail that would get her to the top.

A little longer, but the Lazy Dingo route worked out perfectly. While Dennis proved his mettle against the mountain, Lupe came to a nicely rounded clearing up at the saddle, easily sniffed out the use trail, and was there in time to greet Dennis as he reached the summit.

On the grassy saddle between the N and S summits. Photo looks SSW.

Up on **Medicine Mountain’s S summit**. Photo looks S.

9:34 AM, Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) – The true summit was a rock tucked in at the base of a small birch tree that was slightly higher than others nearby. After the required summit shot, a short rest break was in order. Lupe shared a chocolate coconut bar with SPHP, and drank some water. Dennis opened a can of cashews, and enjoyed a few while sitting on a big rock, offering some cashews to SPHP, too.

Getting to be a beautiful day! Partly cloudy with blue sky and sunshine. As everyone relaxed, the big view was toward the SE, where several of the highest peaks in South Dakota were visible on the horizon.

Dennis had already been to Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), South Dakota’s high point, many years ago back when it was still officially Harney Peak, and wouldn’t be returning on this trip. SPHP pointed out two others, Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) and Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.), that were on his current itinerary.

Looper near **Medicine Mountain’s true summit**, the rock (R of Center) beneath the birch tree. Photo looks NW.

**Black Elk Peak** (far L), **Little Devils Tower** (L), and **Sylvan Hill** (L of Center) all on the horizon. Photo looks SE.

Two peakbagging nuts, plus a can of nuts, on **Medicine Mountain**.

The view NW was of more immediate interest. Dennis’ next 3 objectives, Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.), Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) and Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.) were in sight. In fact, all of the other peaks Dennis intended to climb today were visible from Medicine Mountain, since Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) was also in view off to the SSW.

**Green Mountain** (L of Center) and **Copper Mountain** (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

The views were sweet, and Medicine Mountain had been a decent climb, but with so much left to do today, less than half an hour went by before it was already Onward, puppy ho! time. One mountain down, six to go!

10:49 AM, junction of Sixmile Road and USFS Road No. 297.3O – Next up, Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.)! Crossing Sixmile Road, Lupe looked for a spot where an old road once headed N. A little deadfall to contend with, but this open lane made what would otherwise have been an annoying, and needlessly difficult task contending with a thick forest of young pines, a simple one.

Before long, the lane opened onto a big clearing. At the far end, another lane was visible. Following these lanes was the secret to getting to the summit of Copper Mountain without undue aggravation.

At the clearing with the next open lane (R) in sight on the ridge ahead. Photo looks N.

According to the topo map, Copper Mountain’s summit was 0.33 mile due N of where the RAV4 was parked. However, as everyone was getting close to that region, where it was impossible to see much of anything due to all the young pines, SPHP surprised Dennis by insisting that the true summit was actually well off to the E near a line of cliffs.

Trusting the map, Stewy was skeptical to say the least. However, since there was nothing to be seen here, and SPHP assured him that not only was the true summit E, but that the best views by far were available from the cliffs over that way, Dennis went along with the detour.

By now, the wide open lanes were gone, but it was still possible to follow narrower ones through the trees until the terrain began to rise. Soon the forest began opening up as the ground became rockier.

Upon reaching the limestone platform along the E edge of the mountain, Dennis set his GPS unit on what appeared to be the highest rock, and took a reading. After wavering around, it settled in at about 6,946 feet.

Lupe on the rock where Dennis took his GPS elevation reading. Photo looks SE.

After gathering this data point, everyone headed SE to the cliffs at end of the platform where the big views were. A cairn Looper hadn’t seen here before, now sat on the highest rocks along the S edge.

Dennis didn’t bother with another GPS reading, since it seemed unlikely to yield a significantly different result. Instead, several minutes were spent exploring the rocks along the cliff edge while taking in the views. Medicine Mountain stood out 2.25 miles SE, with some of Dennis’ higher objectives well beyond it in the distance.

**Sylvan Hill** (far L) on the horizon, **Medicine Mountain** (L of Center). Photo looks SE.

Loop and Dennis at the **far SE end of Copper Mountain**. Photo looks SE.

L to R beyond Dennis: **Black Elk Peak**, **Peak 6920,** **Little Devils Tower**. **Sylvan Hill** (R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

Loopster and Dennis over by the cairn. Photo looks WNW.

Time to head back! Not to the RAV4, but to the region shown on the topo map as Copper Mountain’s summit. Returning to the rock where Dennis had taken the elevation reading, everyone then went WNW, first down a slope, then gradually higher through deadfall and dense young pines tall enough to hide what was ahead.

The terrain flattened out. Dennis reported that, according to the map, this was Copper Mountain’s summit. Laying the GPS unit on a log about a foot above the ground, another elevation reading was taken. In just a moment it would be clear whether SPHP or the topo map was correct about the location of Copper Mountain’s true summit. After bouncing around a bit, the reading settled out at 6,947 ft.

One foot higher than the rock back E! Except that here the GPS unit was a foot above the ground, resting on the log instead of a rock. Within the limits of the GPS unit’s accuracy, it was a tie.

Hmm. Well, so be it. There were no views here at the W summit except of the thick stand of pines in all directions. SPHP didn’t even bother to take a photo, although Stewy did.

12:11 PM – Less than a mile W of where the RAV4 had been parked near Copper Mountain, SPHP turned S off Sixmile Road onto USFS Road No. 693. 0.125 mile, and No. 693 turned SW. After yesterday’s precipitation, the road was pretty soft here, with a couple of ruts in it.

SPHP parked the RAV4. The top of Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) was only 0.4 mile SE. Somewhat more than that following the road, but still within easy reach.

Striking out for Odakota Mountain along USFS Road No. 693. Photo looks SW.

After a jog to the W, the road turned SE, climbing gradually all the time. Halfway to the summit, No. 693 topped out and curved SW toward Long Draw. Abandoning the road, Lupe traveled ESE through a gently sloping field toward a small pillar of limestone near the trees. Coming to a fence a little beyond the pillar, she ducked under it, then followed it S.

Heading for Odakota Mountain’s summit after leaving No. 693. Photo looks ESE.

SPHP’s intention had originally been to go farther E in order to approach Odakota’s summit ridge near the NE end, which past experience had shown to be the easiest route up. The problem coming up from the SW had always been that the barbed wire fence, which ran right by the SW end of the ridge, was broken down and dangerous due to a huge jumble of deadfall that had collapsed upon it.

However, Dennis had left USFS Road No. 693 before SPHP, getting a head start following a jeep trail trail toward the SW end of the summit ridge. Hoping to intercept him, Lupe continued S along the fence all the way to the end of the ridge. Amazingly, since the last time the American Dingo was here more than 4.5 years ago, someone had removed the deadfall and repaired the fence.

Stewy had already made his way up to the summit. A 20 foot climb got Lupe up onto the flat ridge, which was still full of deadfall. Going 200 feet NE, Loop found Dennis where a tall, skinny white rock cairn had once stood. The white rocks were still here, but now all tumbled over. Dennis was busily setting up his tripod and resurrecting the cairn in preparation for his traditional summit selfie.

On the lovely summit of South Dakota’s 2nd highest mountain. Photo looks SW.

12:35 PM, Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) – Poor Odakota Mountain! South Dakota’s second highest peak was a mess. Surviving pines and a crop of new ones grew among what remained of a forest devastated by pine bark beetles 10 years ago. No views from the cairn, although both Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) and a pond down by the old Boy Scout camp could be seen to the S from a little farther SW along the summit ridge.

Certainly not much up here to make Dennis want to hang around. After getting a group selfie shot, he packed up his camera and tripod, and took the easy way down off the NE end of the ridge. Meanwhile, Lupe and SPHP went to take a quick look at the view of Bear Mountain and the Boy Scout pond. It was actually a little better than the last time Loop had been here, since more trees had fallen over.

**Bear Mountain** (R) and the **Boy Scout pond** (L of Center). Photo looks SSE.

Turning around to leave and catch up with Dennis, SPHP saw something Lupe had never noticed on Odakota Mountain before. Back in the trees, only 25 feet from where Stewy had rebuilt the cairn, there was a sign.

Going over to check it out, the sign said “Odakota Mountain High Point 7,198 feet”. Below it, a round marker set in concrete was stamped “Odakota High Point”. There was also another white rock cairn.

Lupe at the now apparently **official Odakota Mountain high point**. Photo looks N.

The sign must have been here a while. Some of the paint was peeling. Odd that Lupe had never seen it before, but maybe a few years out in the weather was sufficient to get the peeling process underway? This spot really wasn’t discernably higher than where the first cairn was, or most of Odakota’s summit ridge, but the sign and marker were exactly the sort of thing Dennis would be interested in.

SPHP started yelling. Fortunately, Dennis hadn’t gotten too far away yet.

Glancing back at **Odakota Mountain’s summit ridge** from the barbed wire fence after starting back to the RAV4. Photo looks SE.

1:35 PM, junction of Sixmile Road and a faint road – Started out looking like the right spot, but the farther up the faint road Lupe went, the less familiar it all seemed. SPHP must not have driven far enough W to get to Windmill Draw. This was the wrong place. Instead of going a long way up a gentle grassy valley, the faint road merged into an unmarked USFS road near the trees.

It didn’t help when the USFS road played out shortly thereafter. SPHP hadn’t even brought a topo map.

Well, no matter. Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) had to be less than a couple of miles away. Lupe would find it! To SPHP’s recollection, all she had to do was find the E edge of the limestone plateau and follow it N.

On the faint road, setting out for Green Mountain. Photo looks N.

Going through open forest, the terrain kept rising. Eventually there was a lot of deadfall. The E edge of the limestone plateau didn’t materialize. Lupe had never come this way before. Consulting his GPS, Dennis led the way in a direction that seemed 90 degrees off kilter to SPHP.

Lupe finally reached a flat region up on a broad ridge. There was a ton of deadfall up here. A higher hill to the N didn’t look right. None of the terrain looked right. Was this the edge of the limestone plateau? SPHP was expecting a much sharper drop-off, something more cliff-like. No sign of the limestone pillar Lupe used to get up on over by the hill.

Frequently consulting his GPS, Dennis led the way along what appeared to be the only plausible route. Circling along the upper W slope of a big bowl, Lupe leapt over one fallen log after another. An unfamiliar road finally provided relief, leading to a gate near a large, flat clearing.

Still following his GPS, Dennis crossed the clearing. Continuing a little way into the forest, he arrived at a cairn.

Stewy setting up for another group summit selfie.

2:26 PM – Lupe had never seen a cairn on Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) before, but again, it had been more than 4.5 years since she’d been here. Furthermore, this boring spot in the forest did resemble the featureless region SPHP recalled as being all that could be found in the way of a high point where the summit was supposed to be.

As soon as Stewy had his summit selfies, it would be easy to figure out if this was the same place Lupe had been to several times before. If it was, the limestone pillar she used to get up on had to be along the edge of the mountain somewhere near the clearing.

Summit shots taken, everyone headed back there.

Oh, yeah! This was the right place, alright. Going over to the edge of the clearing, slightly down the slope beyond it, there was Lupe’s pillar.

In the **clearing 200 feet SE of the cairn**. **Top of the pillar** (Center) is visible next to Dennis, who is partly behind a tree. Photo looks SE.

Lupe’s Green Mountain limestone pillar (L). Photo looks SE.

After the long, tedious bushwhack through the trackless deadfall-laden forest, and disappointing cairn in the middle of nowhere buried in trees summit, Dennis brightened immediately at the sight of the big sweeping view to the E and SE, and that taunting limestone pillar. If a Carolina Dog could do it, Stewy could, too! The peakbagger in him took over.

Dennis stakes his claim to **Green Mountain’s limestone pillar**. **Black Elk Peak** (L), **Copper Mountain** (Center), **Sylvan Hill** (R of Center), **Medicine Mountain** (R), in front of Stewy. Photo looks SE.

SPHP wasn’t getting up there, but sent a personal representative. Since Lupe hadn’t brought her Dingo wings, SPHP had to give her a boost.

Carefully, carefully! Dennis getting off the pillar.

Lupe’s turn. **Gillette Prairie** (L). Photo looks E.

*Oh, it’s good to be back on the **Green Mountain pillar** again!*

Part of Copper Mountain (far L), **Sylvan Hill** (L), **Medicine Mountain** (Center) with help from the telephoto lens.

A short break was taken before starting back to the RAV4. Dennis was in the habit of texting a photo to family and friends from each summit, and sent out the one of him standing on the pillar. He often got quick, but brief responses. In this case, the most common response was “jump”!

SPHP had to laugh. Always nice to know you’re loved.

A final look at **Green Mountain’s limestone pillar** (L). Photo looks NNE.

4:26 PM – Four down, three to go! Unfortunately, Green Mountain had taken up more time than expected, in part due to SPHP’s error in not parking far enough W at the start of Windmill Draw. Would have been much more of a road hike from there, instead of a bushwhack through deadfall-laden forest.

Couldn’t be helped. Done is done. Happily, Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.), the next objective, was a mere drive-up to a lookout tower. Shortly after turning onto USFS Road No. 293, SPHP was astonished by the amount of logging that had gone on since Lupe had last been here.

In fact, it was still ongoing. 0.5 mile from the summit, a log truck being actively loaded completely blocked the road. Apparently, this was going to take a while. Pulling off the road, SPHP parked the RAV4. Everyone leapt out. After circling past the log truck, the road hike began.

The RAV4 parked a little way off USFS Road No. 293. Photo looks W.

Past the log truck on USFS Road No. 293. Photo looks W.

Approaching the **Bear Mountain fire lookout tower**. Photo looks E.

Lupe had once paid a visit to the ranger at the top of the tower. On a clear day, it was possible to see Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.) in Wyoming. Unfortunately, the tower wasn’t open for the season yet. A sign said it was closed to the public.

A survey benchmark and another sign showing the elevation were at the base of the tower, but there wasn’t a view from here without actually climbing the tower. However, Lupe knew there was a nice view from a small limestone outcropping a short distance SE.

At the base of the tower. Photo looks SW.

Loop and Dennis on the limestone outcropping SE of the tower. Photo looks ENE.

**Elkhorn Mountain (6,381 ft.)** (far L), **Black Elk Peak** (L), **Little Devils Tower** (Center), and **Sylvan Hill** (R) from the viewpoint.

5:58 PM, Needles Highway No. 87, Little Devils Tower trailhead – Upon reaching the RAV4 after Bear Mountain, Dennis faced a choice. 5 of 7 complete, but delays had chewed up enough time so that climbing both remaining peaks wasn’t going to be possible unless Dennis wanted to be out after dark, which he didn’t.

Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) or Little Devils Tower (6,920 ft.)? SPHP spoke of the differences in what would be involved, since the nature of the routes was so different. Either one had fabulous views.

Really wasn’t a monumental decision. Dennis could climb whichever peak he didn’t get to today tomorrow. In the end, Stewy chose Little Devils Tower as his last summit with Lupe.

Sweet! A great choice! (Both would have been.) 700 feet of elevation gain along a maintained trail that went past scenic granite formations, followed by a fun scramble to the top.

Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 was nearly level as it started up a valley. Lupe was soon passing the first granite formations. The views improved steadily as the trail gradually steepened.

Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4. Photo looks NE.

Big granite formations in a side valley.

Approaching some spires. Photo looks NNE.

After more than a mile, Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 topped out on a ridge near the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.). From here, a spur trail split off to the L, heading N. Taking this spur, Little Devils Tower’s massive granite summit quickly came into view.

On the spur trail. Little Devils Tower (R). Photo looks N.

At first, the spur trail was level, or nearly so, but as Lupe got close to the granite, it turned NE and began to climb.

The spur trail starts getting interesting. Photo looks NE.

The spur trail soon topped out at a high spot tucked between huge rock walls. However, this wasn’t the end. Blue arrows painted on the rocks marked the route from here, which now turned NW through a narrow slot in the granite. The first part of the slot was so steep that Loopster needed a boost from SPHP to get up to where she could continue under her own power.

Climbing the slot after an initial boost. Photo looks NW.

Dennis emerging from the slot. Photo looks SE.

Above the slot, minor variations in the route were possible. All involved scrambling up the granite. A little exposure in spots, but not much. The route wound along the granite to a final brief push higher.

Dennis leading the way during the scramble up the granite. Photo looks N.

6:55 PM, Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) – Suddenly, Lupe was there! The summit region was a roomy collection of large granite outcroppings and boulders that didn’t vary an awful lot in elevation. There was even a flat area of packed dirt with a bit of vegetation.

The views were incredible! Little Devils Tower is right in the heart of the most rugged part of the Black Hills. While Dennis climbed up onto the highest boulder to tag the true summit, Loopster had a look around. Highlights included Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) a little more than a mile NNE, and the magnificent Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) only 0.25 mile SE.

**Black Elk Peak** (R) from **Little Devils Tower.** Photo looks N.

The **Cathedral Spires**, also known locally as the **Needles**. Photo looks SE.

Dennis made it up onto the true summit boulder. Lupe needed another boost from SPHP to join him.

Stewy over at the high point. Photo looks S.

Loop and Dennis together at the **true summit**. Photo looks S.

6 of 7 complete, but Little Devils Tower was definitely going to be it. The sun was already low. Sylvan Hill wasn’t happening today.

That was alright. Kind of took the pressure off. Lupe, Dennis, and SPHP could all linger for a while in the beautiful evening light.

**Black Elk Peak** from Little Devils Tower. Photo looks NNE.

**Cathedral Spires** (L and Center) in the evening light. Photo looks SE.

Dennis relaxing at the **true summit**. Photo looks SSW.

Over all too soon! Before long, Stewy was at the end of the scramble lower, about to descend from the slot to the spur trail.

So, Little Devils Tower was a happy ending to a fabulous day! Dennis pronounced it easily his favorite peak in the Black Hills. Sometime he was going to have to bring his wife, Geri, up here.

Lupe hopes to welcome her to the beautiful Black Hills on that great day.

With Stewy on **Little Devils Tower**, Black Hills of South Dakota 5-5-22

Note: Dennis did climb Sylvan Hill the next day before heading to Nebraska to continue his peakbagging adventures. Among his greatest goals are (1) climb the 10 highest named peaks in all of the 48 contiguous US states, (2) climb the 10 highest named county high points in each state, (3) visit every state park with his wife, Geri, (4) float the length of rivers in all states that have a river of the same name. At 73, he realizes these are tall orders.

Before departing, Dennis gave Lupe and SPHP an autographed copy of his book 23 Nights Working for the US Treasury Department, which tells of his experiences working for the US government’s most feared agency, the IRS.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 210 – Hat Mountain & Green Mountain (10-7-17)

Start – 10:44 AM, 57°F at the Gold Run trailhead near Deerfield Reservoir

Sunny skies, a light S breeze, and pleasant early October temperatures – a great day for a romp in the Black Hills! Lupe would likely get to see some fall colors, too. First things first, though. Loop hadn’t been to Deerfield Reservoir in a while. She may as well take a quick look at the lake before dashing off on her peakbagging adventures.

Only a small portion of the lake was visible from here, but the deep blue waters were a pretty sight surrounded by low pine-covered hills.

Lupe started the day with a look at **Deerfield Reservoir**. The blue lake was a pretty sight. Photo looks N.

After admiring the lake, Lupe set off for her first peakbagging destination of the day. She left Deerfield Reservoir heading SW up a forested embankment. It wasn’t far to Deerfield Road, which she followed W to USFS Road No. 691 (Williams Draw Road). Traveling S along No. 691, Loop came to a small field where she could see Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) up ahead.

From this small field near USFS Road No. 691, Lupe gets a fairly good view of **Hat Mountain** up ahead. Photo looks SSW.

Hat Mountain was only a mile away, so it wouldn’t take Lupe long to get there. That is, if cows blocking the road could be convinced to get out of the way. Not to worry! The cattle were mightily and speedily impressed by the Carolina Dog’s enthusiastic persuasive abilities. They complied immediately with her wishes.

These cattle on USFS Road No. 691 were quickly convinced to move and let Lupe and SPHP pass. Photo looks SW.

A little farther on, Lupe left the road herself. She started her trek up the lower NE slope of Hat Mountain passing through a beautiful stand of yellow aspens.

Starting up among the yellow aspens. Photo looks SSW.

Above the aspens, Lupe climbed through a pine forest. Above the pines, the upper N slope of Hat Mountain was grassy and treeless.

Looper on the upper N slope of Hat Mountain. Photo looks S.

When Lupe reached the summit, the first thing she did was to go over to the survey benchmark. It was easy to find toward the E side of the flat, barren summit area.

Lupe stands next to the survey benchmark. Part of Deerfield Reservoir, where she had started from, is in view. **Custer Peak (6,804)** (Center) can be seen on the horizon. The huge grassy area in between is **Reynolds Prairie**. Photo looks NNE.

The survey benchmark is so scratched up it’s getting a little hard to read “Hat”.

Next Lupe went to see the sights. She had unobstructed views in every direction. Simply fabulous!

Looking NNW. The grassy area seen straight up from Lupe is part of the **Castle Creek valley**. The most distant peak seen on the R is **Terry Peak (7,064 ft.)**.

**Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** is the distant high point on the L. **Green Mountain (7,164 ft.)** is the high ridge on the R. Photo looks SE.

**Green Mountain**, the long high ridge on the R, would be Lupe’s next peakbagging goal. The summit is near the edge seen almost straight up from Lupe. Photo looks SE.

Most of **Hat Mountain’s** flat, oval-shaped summit area is in view here. Photo looks S from near the N edge.

Near the S end of **Hat Mountain’s** otherwise flat summit is this small depression. Photo looks SW.

Loopster stands next to the small depression. The grassy ground seen in the distance straight up from her back is the upper S slope of **South Castle Rock (6,840 ft.)**. Photo looks N.

Loop stands on a ledge at the S edge of the summit area. A little of the **Heely Creek valley** is seen below. Photo looks SW.

*Kind of windy up here, SPHP! Think I’m going to go hide in the depression as soon as you’ve taken this shot.* Photo looks NE.

Carolina Dogs aren’t fans of wind, and it was rather breezy up on Hat Mountain. The steady 15 mph SW breeze was enough to make Lupe want to look for a sheltered spot. She found that the small depression near the S end of the summit area worked fine. She curled up there and took a little break.

Lupe retreats to the small depression to relax out of the wind. Photo looks SW.

*Take as much time looking at the views as you like, SPHP. Think I’ll take a nap. Wake me when it’s time to go to the next mountain.*

SPHP joined Lupe in the depression for a short break, then left to stroll around the summit again for another look at the views. Meanwhile, Loop dozed off for a few minutes in her sunny, sheltered spot before SPHP announced it was time to move on.

Lupe left Hat Mountain heading S. Green Mountain (7,164 ft.), her next peakbagging goal was still close to 4 miles away even as the crow flies.

Looper stands at the S end of **Hat Mountain’s** summit ready to head down to the grassy slope below. Photo looks S.

On the way down **Hat Mountain**. Photo looks SW.

Looking back at the **Hat Mountain** summit from the upper S slope. Photo looks N.

Lupe leaves **Hat Mountain** heading for **Green Mountain**, the high ridge on the L. On the way, she would cross the **Heely Creek valley**, seen below on the R. Photo looks SSE.

The first part of the way to Green Mountain was easy. Lupe descended mostly open ground into the Heely Creek valley where fall colors were on display.

On the way down **Hat Mountain** to cross **Heely Creek**. Photo looks SW.

Fall colors on display in the **Heely Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

Heely Creek was very small this time of year, only a foot wide and a few inches deep. As soon as Lupe crossed it, her long gradual climb to the top of Green Mountain began.

Once she entered the forest S of Heely Creek, Lupe followed old logging trails and minor USFS roads. Sometimes she was on faint roads abandoned so long ago that pine trees were growing on them. Other times she simply went through the forest not on any road or trail at all.

On the way to **Green Mountain**, still W of USFS Road No. 691. Photo looks SSE.

About 2 miles from Hat Mountain, Lupe reached USFS Road No. 691 again. She followed it S for a mile. When it began angling SW, she left No. 691 going SE up a forested slope with enough deadfall on it to slow progress down for a while. Eventually she came to a minor USFS road, which she was able to follow E the rest of the way to Green Mountain.

Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) is one of the highest points in the entire Black Hills. However, the only distant views available are obtained along the E rim of the mountain. The best views are toward the SE from limestone outcroppings right along the edge.

Lupe reaches the E edge of **Green Mountain**. On the horizon are **Five Points (6,221 ft.)** (L) and **Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** (R). The large grassy area is the S end of **Gillette Prairie**. Photo looks E.

Looking N along the E edge of **Green Mountain**.

A cairn can be seen on the limestone pillar beyond and behind Lupe. The pillar has a commanding view to the E, but is not the actual summit of **Green Mountain**. Photo looks NE.

**Black Elk Peak** (Center) is in view on the horizon. **Copper Mountain (6,290 ft.)** is the much closer forested hill toward the R. Photo looks SE.

While Lupe was enjoying the big views, SPHP noticed a chipmunk. Lupe hadn’t spotted it yet. The chipmunk was scrambling around the limestone, appearing and disappearing right along the brink of the cliffs.

Lupe didn’t notice this chipmunk scrambling around the limestone right along the brink of the cliffs. Sometimes it disappeared over the edge before reappearing again a few feet away.

SPHP kept a watchful eye on the Carolina Dog. These limestone cliffs were no place to go chasing around after chipmunks or anything else! The chipmunk was sure-footed and could cling to the vertical face of the limestone. Lupe could not. Fortunately, she never saw the crafty, quiet “tiny squirrel”.

Lupe perches near the edge of the cliffs where the chipmunk had been scrambling around a few minutes earlier. She never did see it. The big ridge on the R is **High Point 7159**, an unnamed mountain only 5 feet lower than **Green Mountain**. Photo looks SE.

After taking in the views, and enjoying a Taste of the Wild and water break, Lupe agreed to let SPHP give her a boost up onto the limestone pillar where the cairn was. The pillar was an excellent American Dingo display platform with a tremendous view.

On the limestone pillar. **Five Points** is in view on the horizon on the L. Part of **Gillette Prairie** is seen below. Photo looks E.

Ordinarily, Green Mountain offers complete solitude. That wasn’t the case today, however. Upon arrival at the E edge of the mountain, Lupe and SPHP had both seen a hunter perched on the limestone. He had a tremendous view, and was using binoculars to scan a wide swath of territory below. The hunter and SPHP had waved at one another, but did not speak.

Surprisingly, Lupe and SPHP weren’t alone on **Green Mountain**. From his limestone perch, this hunter quietly scanned a broad swath of territory below. **Gillette Prairie** is seen in the distance. Photo looks NE.

Lupe hates gunfire. If that hunter took a shot at anything from so close by, poor Loopster would have been terrified. Having seen the views and had a little break, it was probably best not to tarry here any longer. It was a long way back to Deerfield Reservoir, anyway.

Of course, before leaving Green Mountain, Lupe still needed to visit the true summit to claim her peakbagging success. Lupe and SPHP headed N from the limestone pillar. The highest ground on Green Mountain was somewhere back in the forest only a little W of the E rim.

A fairly large area was nearly level. It wasn’t really possible to identify an exact high point. A variety of potential highest spots existed, none convincingly higher than the others. Most of them featured small mounds of broken limestone. After searching around for a few minutes, it was time to pick one. Close enough for Dingo work!

At **Green Mountain’s** true summit, or as close to it as Lupe and SPHP could find. Photo looks N.

This was Lupe’s 4th visit to **Green Mountain**.

Although Lupe had been to Green Mountain 3 times before, it was a big place. She’d never explored some of the territory toward the N end. Enough daylight remained today so she could go sniff about over there on her way back to Deerfield Reservoir. Looper headed NW through the forest looking for a couple of sub-peaks shown on the topo map. Both were still over 7,000 feet elevation.

The first hill she would come to was High Point 7062. Plentiful deadfall timber slowed SPHP’s progress, but High Point 7062 eventually did come into view.

**High Point 7062** (L), located 0.625 mile NW of **Green Mountain’s** summit, comes into view. Photo looks NNW.

As it turned out, High Point 7062 was worth visiting. The small summit was capped with a limestone outcropping from which there were 180° views to the N. Lupe climbed up for a look around. She could see the top of Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) from here.

Up on **High Point 7062**. Photo looks N.

**High Point 7062** was worth visiting! Lupe could see a long way N from here. Photo looks N.

**Hat Mountain**, where Lupe had been earlier in the day, is the grassy, flat-topped hill on the L. Photo looks NW from **High Point 7062** with help from the telephoto lens.

From High Point 7062, Loop could also see her next objective, High Point 7025, more than 0.5 mile to the W. High Point 7025 had a much larger summit area in the form of a 400 to 500 foot long ridge. The fairly narrow ridge was all about the same elevation, but heavily forested. Lupe wouldn’t have much in the way of views over there.

**High Point 7025**, Lupe’s next objective, is the heavily forested ridge seen on the L. Photo looks W.

Even so, when Lupe left High Point 7062, she headed W for High Point 7025. She enjoyed a beautiful early evening trek, while exploring new territory.

Lupe enjoys the evening on her way to **High Point 7025**. Photo looks WNW.

Lupe made it to High Point 7025. She traversed the entire summit ridge from N to S, then back again. As anticipated, there wasn’t much to be seen in the way of views due to the forest.

On the **High Point 7025** ridge. Photo looks SE back toward **Green Mountain**.

The sun was getting low. Deerfield Reservoir was still 4 miles N as the crow flies. Better keep going! Lupe left High Point 7025 heading N. She explored more beautiful territory, saw lots of deer, and eventually found minor roads that led her back to USFS Road No. 691.

Darkness fell on the long road hike back to the G6. Stars glittered above in a moonless sky. The wind had died down hours ago. SPHP tramped along, Lupe trotting nearby. No lights, no traffic, no noise. Everything as it should be when adventure’s done. Quiet time together, then the long drive home. (End – 8:09 PM, 44°F)

Heading down the N slope of **High Point 7025** on the way back to **Deerfield Reservoir**. **Hat Mountain** on the L.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 134 – Copper, Odakota, Green & Hat Mountains Plus the Dragon Caves (6-20-15)

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 116 – Green Mountain, Northern Rainbows & High Point 5219 (1-24-15)

SPHP almost chickened out. Even though the forecast was for an unseasonably warm 52°F, it was supposed to be windy with possible rain showers. Rain showers are almost unheard of in the Black Hills of South Dakota in late January, but that was what the forecast said. The rain showers were supposed to end by noon, but a little rain was not the problem. The 35 mph NW wind in the forecast was. Up on a mountaintop, 52°F, if it even reached that, might be less than wonderful when combined with a 35 mph gale.

Lupe was bored and restless, though. She stared expectantly at SPHP with eager, pleading puppy eyes. She knew SPHP had been considering taking her into the mountains, due to preparations that had been underway before checking the forecast. Lupe was ready for action. She was expecting to go, eager to go, and doing her Carolina Dog best to demand to go!

Well, it would probably be alright. Lupe won out! At 9:46 AM, Lupe and SPHP left the G6 parked along Duran Road (USFS Road No. 679.1) just across Box Elder Creek from Nemo Road. It was already a very balmy 46°F. There wasn’t any rain yet. It was only partly cloudy, but those clouds were making good time across the sky. The wind was roaring in the trees. Fortunately, the breeze wasn’t too bad down at ground level.

Lupe had two peakbagging goals for the day. The first one was Green Mountain. No! Not the Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) along the E edge of the limestone plateau country of the western Black Hills, but the Green Mountain (5,240 ft.) located a little under 2 miles S of better known Steamboat Rock. Lupe’s second goal was Hat Mountain. No! Not the Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) S of Deerfield Reservoir, but a much more diminutive Hat Mountain (4,883 ft.) located about 3 miles SE of Lupe’s Green Mountain goal.

USFS Road No. 679.1 was covered with snow and ice. It wound around a lot, but steadily gained elevation while working its erratic way W. After Lupe had gone nearly 2 miles along the road (just 1 mile as the crow flies), she came to a huge pile of logs. A couple of loggers were there getting ready to go to work. The loggers had the interesting news that they had seen a mountain lion right there the previous day.

Lupe on the pile of logs along USFS Road No. 679.1 on her way to Green Mountain.

Lupe had scarcely passed the loggers when the ridge to Green Mountain came into sight to the SW. Lupe and SPHP left the road to head up through an area where the forest had been greatly thinned to reach the top of the ridge. The top of the ridge was still forested. Lupe followed a faint path SE along the ridge.

Lupe on the forested ridge leading to Green Mountain. Photo looks SE the direction would take to the summit.

As Lupe got close to the summit of Green Mountain, she started to encounter rock outcroppings. At the summit, there was a small area of limestone jutting sharply up above the surrounding terrain. The limestone formation was about 20 – 25 feet high. It was pretty easy to climb almost all the way to the top. In order for Lupe to reach the very top, though, SPHP had to lift her up onto the highest rock.

Lupe didn’t like it up on the highest rock on Green Mountain. It was high enough to be a little scary. Mostly, though, she didn’t like the wind. The wind hadn’t been much of a problem, so far, but up on top of Green Mountain, Lupe felt its full force. SPHP wanted Lupe to stay up on the highest rock long enough for SPHP to climb down and get a good picture of her sitting up there.

The only picture SPHP got of Lupe on the very top of Green Mountain was one taken while still right beside her. As soon as SPHP moved away, despite SPHP’s protestations, Lupe leaped down. She wasn’t staying up there in that gale! No way! American Dingoes have lots better sense than that!

Lupe started to encounter limestone rock outcroppings as she got close to the summit of Green Mountain.

Lupe was fine sitting next to the highest rock on Green Mountain. It was to her N and shielding her from the strong wind.

This is the only photo SPHP would get of Lupe on the highest rock on Green Mountain. She did not like it up there in the wind! She jumped down at her first opportunity.

SPHP knew it was pointless to lift Lupe back up onto the top rock again. She would just jump down again. The 30+ mph N wind was just too annoying. Instead, Lupe and SPHP retreated maybe 20 feet down to the SE of the summit, where it wasn’t so breezy. There were some nice views to the S and E from here.

Lupe likes it better here. She's just SE of the summit of Green Mountain, but much better protected from the wind. Photo looks SE toward forested High Point 5136. — Lupe likes it better here. She’s just SE of the summit of Green Mountain, but much better protected from the wind. Photo looks SE toward forested High Point 5136.

Looking E toward a burned area E of Nemo Road from Green Mountain.

The views were great from Green Mountain from the E around to the S, and all the way over to the WSW. SPHP tried to spot Hat Mountain, Lupe’s next objective, which was about 3 miles off to the SE. There was a clear view of a lot of territory in that direction, but SPHP had no success identifying Hat Mountain.

SPHP persuaded Lupe to go back up toward the summit of Green Mountain again. Lupe agreed to cooperate, but only if she didn’t have to sit way up on top getting blasted by the wind. She was fine with being just a little below the summit, sheltered from the wind by the rocks.

Lupe just below the summit of Green Mountain. There was a considerably larger drop off on the other side of the rocks. Photo looks NW.

To get to Hat Mountain, Lupe’s next peakbagging goal, she needed to go SE. However, Green Mountain dropped off very steeply in that direction. The easiest way down was to go back to the NW along the ridge far enough to where the sides of the mountain weren’t so steep.

Lupe and SPHP were about to leave Green Mountain heading NW, when a series of squall lines started moving in from the N. Blown by the strong N wind, they came fast and left just as fast, spitting rain as they passed over.

Lupe caught a glimpse of the first of several rare Northern Rainbows that she would see during the day as she left Green Mountain. All the rainbows that SPHP could remember had always been in the E or the W, when slanting rays of the sun shone through raindrops in the air. These rare Northern Rainbows were due to the date, time, and unusually warm weather.

The January sun just isn’t all that high above the S horizon, even during the middle of the day. Ordinarily any precipitation this time of year would have been in the form of snow, not rain. The combination of the sun’s rays coming slanting in from the S, and shining through the rain squalls blowing in from the N, caused the Northern Rainbows.

Some of the rainbows were quite brilliant for a few moments, but they didn’t last long as the wind pushed the squall lines through quickly. Unfortunately, Lupe and SPHP were never where there was a clear view to the N when the rainbows formed. It was still fun to catch glimpses of them now and then.

Lupe caught a glimpse of this Northern Rainbow as she left Green Mountain. She saw several others during the day, too, but never had a good clear view of them.

As soon as the sides of Green Mountain’s NW ridge were less steep, Lupe and SPHP started heading S down off the ridge. When the ground eventually leveled out, Lupe turned more SE in the direction of Hat Mountain, still 3 miles away.

Soon Lupe and SPHP found themselves at the edge of a long limestone cliff above the Bogus Jim Creek valley. Even if there had been a way down, the land below was nearly all privately owned. Homes on acreages were scattered sparsely in the valley below.

Lupe and SPHP searched for a way down and around the private land. Finally, Lupe found a way, but it involved a long detour to the W. Lupe reached USFS Road No. 201.2J, and eventually made it to the main gravel road near Bogus Jim Creek. Now down in the valley, Lupe headed E on the main road. SPHP kept an eye out for USFS Road No. 201.1B.

Lupe trots along USFS Road No. 201.2J. This detour to the W took a lot of time, but did ultimately lead Lupe on down to County Road No. 270 (Bogus Jim Road), the main gravel road near Bogus Jim Creek.

When Lupe finally made it to USFS Road No. 201.1B, SPHP was still optimistic that Lupe would find and climb Hat Mountain. A lot of time had been lost on the detour way around to the W, but all Lupe had to do was follow No. 201.1B up over a big ridge on the S side of the Bogus Jim Creek valley, and then turn ESE until she came to Hat Mountain.

Lupe takes a break 100 yards from USFS Road No. 201.1B on the S side of the Bogus Jim Creek valley. Green Mountain, where Lupe had been just a couple hours ago, looms to the N. Only a few minutes earlier, there had been a bright Northern Rainbow, but by the time Lupe and SPHP got to this opening in the forest for a photo, the sky clouded over and the rainbow disappeared.

It sounded easy, but it wasn’t. No. 201.1B turned E before it got up over the ridge. Lupe and SPHP tried a side road, which may have been No. 201.1H, but it soon turned W. Lupe and SPHP abandoned the roads to climb directly up the slope, and ultimately succeeded in reaching flatter ground above. There Lupe and SPHP encountered a maze of little roads in the forest. Some of the roads were marked with ATV Trail Numbers, but they meant nothing on SPHP’s old USFS map.

Lupe and SPHP had by now crossed over the S ridge, and out of the Bogus Jim Creek drainage area. Hat Mountain was likely no more than 1.5 miles away, and probably less, but the weather was deteriorating. The sky was clouded over nearly all the time now. Although the rain showers were supposed to have ended by noon, the rain was really just getting going. The wind continued to roar in the trees. Occasionally the sun still made a brief appearance, but increasingly the low clouds and rain were closing in.

Without being able to see the sun, orientation became difficult. The relatively level forest provided no views. SPHP led Lupe on a series of little roads heading SE, but Hat Mountain did not appear. Finally, through the forest, SPHP saw a small rocky high point that looked like it would offer a view. Lupe and SPHP were soon there.

The little rock outcropping yielded a view alright, but not the view SPHP was expecting. SPHP expected to see Hat Mountain, or perhaps Norris Peak (4,982 ft.) or even Thrall Mountain (5,091 ft.). Hat Mountain was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Norris Peak. Much farther off to the E than it should have been, was a mountain that looked like it might be Thrall Mountain. It was hard to tell in the rain and clouds.

Just a glance was enough. SPHP knew instantly that Lupe was nowhere near Hat Mountain. Lupe and SPHP had been heading SW instead of SE. Far below, SPHP could see a short stretch of Hwy 44W that looked familiar. Lupe was well W of Johnson Siding, or even Pine Cliff. Miles off to the SW was a mountain that SPHP recognized. The Seth Bullock Lookout Tower was barely visible on Scruton Mountain (5,922 ft.).

Looking SW from High Point 5219. This view, which disappeared in the clouds minutes later, enabled SPHP to quickly figure out where Lupe was.

Time to look at the maps. Lupe sat uncomfortably on the rocks while SPHP tried to pinpoint where Lupe might really be. The wind continued blowing. It was raining, not hard, but enough so Lupe was gradually becoming a pretty soggy doggie. SPHP glanced up for another look at the view to the SW. It was gone. Now there was just fog.

Lupe sat uncomfortably on the rocks getting wetter and more miserable looking as SPHP checked the maps.

A rather soggy doggie Lupe at High Point 5219. Why she chose to sit perched so strangely is a mystery.

"Come on, SPHP, figure it out! You told me we were going to Hat Mountain. If this isn't it, where in the world are we?" — “Come on, SPHP, figure it out! You told me we were going to Hat Mountain. If this isn’t it, where in the world are we?”

It was OK. SPHP had seen enough. From the maps, the only thing that made sense was that Lupe and SPHP had inadvertently arrived at High Point 5219. Hat Mountain was now nearly 2 miles to the ENE. No way Lupe and SPHP were going to find it today. There wasn’t time, even if the weather had been better.

It was late, the weather wasn’t so hot, Hat Mountain had eluded Lupe, and it was a long way back to the G6. Time to start making tracks! Actually, time to start following tracks back the way Lupe and SPHP had come. It was a good thing there was some snow on the ground. SPHP set off from High Point 5219 at a lively pace retracing Lupe’s path in the snow. SPHP was making great progress until…..

Until SPHP turned around. Lupe wasn’t there! She wasn’t following, and SPHP hadn’t seen her up ahead for a few minutes either. SPHP was alone in the windy, rainy, almost foggy forest. Raindrops on SPHP’s glasses made it difficult to see clearly. Where had Lupe gone? She always stays close. She never runs off for more than a few minutes, without coming back to check on SPHP.

SPHP went back. Soon SPHP spotted Lupe. She was at the end of a dead tree trunk, digging furiously. Clouds of reddish brown dirt and rotten wood went up around her. SPHP was amazed to see her start ripping the old tree trunk apart with her teeth. Clearly, Lupe was convinced something mighty interesting was in that old log.

Lupe had forgotten all about SPHP and was digging furiously at the end of a hollow log.

Clouds of rotten wood flew; Lupe ripped big chunks of the old log off with her teeth. Lupe kept hard at it. When Lupe loosened a particularly big piece of wood, SPHP helped her break it off. She continued digging like a Dingo possessed.

Suddenly a bunny streaked out of the other end of the log, and made a mad dash through the forest. Lupe yipped and was after it. They were both out of view in a flash. SPHP ran after them. Lupe’s frustrated yipping led SPHP to her. The bunny knew this forest, and every hollow log in it. It was now hiding in Hollow Log No. 2. No telling how many hollow logs that rabbit was familiar with!

Lupe hadn’t lost an ounce of enthusiasm. She was digging furiously again, now at the end of Hollow Log No. 2. Well, this couldn’t go on. Time to leave the bunny alone. Lupe was plenty disappointed when SPHP made her leave. No doubt the American Dingo thought SPHP had absolutely no idea how to fend for oneself in the wild. Here was a perfectly good fresh rabbit dinner being passed up for a long trek in the wind and rain on an empty stomach. Humans have no instincts worthy of the name!

It was a long way, hours, back to the G6. Lupe and SPHP made it back to the main gravel road in the Bogus Jim Creek valley while there was still some light. The rain had stopped. The wind even died down somewhat. The sky partially cleared. Lupe and SPHP trudged onward.

Along USFS Road No. 679.1, the darkness came. It should have been easy to follow the road back, but SPHP got lost. More than once. Several times SPHP took wrong side roads, not realizing they were side roads. Lupe waited patiently while SPHP stopped to study maps with a flashlight each time it became clear something wasn’t right.

Orion was blazing brightly in the night sky by the time Lupe and SPHP reached the G6 again. It was 7:54 PM, and still 36°F when Lupe hopped into the G6 for the ride home. Back home, Lupe and SPHP feasted on spaghetti and chocolate cake. It was good, but SPHP suspected Lupe would have much preferred rabbit.

Near High Point 5219, Lupe rips apart Hollow Log No. 1 with her teeth in her anxiety to get at the bunny hiding inside!

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

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