Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 314 – Hat Mountain with Poppy, HV & LV, plus Nipple Butte, Flag Mountain & Peak 6962 (5-1-23)

8:40 AM, 47ºF, Deerfield Road – Not a cloud in the sky!  A gorgeous day, and Lupe was excited.  For the first time since early February, she was adventure bound in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota!

To what do I owe this great honor, SPHP?  I’d about given up on ever going on another Black Hills expedition again!

I know it, Loop.  That’s been my fault.  Got way behind on your blogging, and have been trying to catch up.  Already May now, and summer is just around the corner.  Want to be ready for your next Dingo Vacation, you know!

Oh, I get it, SPHP!  You’ve caught up, and we need to start adventuring again, so you’ll have something to write about.  That’s even better!

No, I’m not caught up quite yet, Loopster, but this outing has been in the works for many moons now, and we’re super overdue for an adventure.  Today you’re going to get to meet Poppy, HV, and LV.

Poppy and HV!  They’ve written a lot of nice comments on my blog, SPHP!  Will be awesome to get to meet them, but who is LV?

LV means Low Voice, which is Rollie.

Oh, so HV means High Voice, SPHP?

Correctamundo, Looper!  HV is Dawnette.  It’s all quite simple.  Poppy just has a bigger support team than you do.

Like SPHP means Slow Plodding Human Porter, got it, SPHP!

Good!  Now try to behave.  No were-puppy attacks, please!

8:50 AM – S of Deerfield Reservoir, SPHP turned L onto Williams Draw Road (USFS Road No. 691), and parked the RAV4 near a corral Lupe had never seen before.  The American Dingo leapt out as soon as SPHP opened the door.  No one was around.

Where is Poppy, SPHP?

Don’t worry, she’ll be here, Loop.  We’re a few minutes early, that’s all.

Actually, Poppy, HV & LV had already been here.  Moments later, their Honda Accord returned to the corral, coming N on Williams Draw Road after checking for Lupe farther S.  As they emerged from their vehicle, Loopster was all wound up, shrilly barking greetings to one and all.

Poppy, was very friendly and excited, too, but not so vocal about it.  A three year old Golden Retriever with a beautiful red coat and bright, happy eyes, Poppy was full of energy and enthusiasm, clearly looking forward to a romp in the hills.

New friend Poppy by the corral.
Rollie (LV) and Dawnette (HV).

Greetings and introductions were exchanged among the humans, too.  During initial chatter about careers, and life events like graduations, Dawnette made a comment SPHP mischievously interpreted as implying disbelief that SPHP had ever actually graduated from anything.

Not what Dawnette meant, of course, (or so she maintained).  Everyone laughed, and the subject became a running joke.

Once these preliminaries were complete, it was Onward!  Puppies, ho! heading S on Williams Draw Road.  Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) was the morning’s objective, an excellent choice selected by HV some time ago.

Setting off for Hat Mountain (Center) on Williams Draw Road. Photo looks SW.

Right from the start, Poppy joyfully raced ahead.  Apparently, being off leash was a relatively rare treat for her, due to prior incidents of having set off on her own private alone-in-the-woods overnight adventures.  No doubt they had been interesting times, but HV and LV weren’t keen on a repeat, since such antics can turn out poorly.

Meanwhile, the trek had barely started when the Carolina Dog pooped right on the road.  SPHP shot her a look.

Loopster!  Really?  What happened to being on your best behavior?

Sorry, SPHP.  Just had to get that out of my system!  Good to go now!

Looks like you already went.

Fine company and pleasant conversation made the time fly during the gradual uphill march along Williams Draw Road.  Suddenly, everyone was already less than 0.25 mile E of Hat Mountain’s summit.  SPHP was of the opinion that this was as good a spot as any to leave the road.

Starting up Hat Mountain’s E slope. Photo looks W.

Leaving Williams Draw Road, Hat Mountain’s summit was already less than 300 feet higher.  The E slope began as a moderately steep climb through open Ponderosa pine forest.  Soon the rate of climb diminished, and trees were scarcer as snow banks near the grassy S ridge came into view.  Soon the whole gang was up on the broad ridge, looking N at the last bit remaining to get on top, Poppy still leading the way.

HV, LV and Poppy on the upper E slope. Photo looks SW.
On the S ridge. Summit dead ahead! Photo looks N.

9:46 AM, 52ºF – HV had been to Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) before, so she had already known what a fabulous viewpoint it would be when she’d chosen it.  Somewhat rare in that it sits in grand isolation a mile or two away from the rest of the limestone plateau high country of the western Black Hills, Hat Mountain is also unusual for it’s roomy, pancake flat, barren summit that provides sweeping 360º panoramic views.

HV, Poppy and LV with Loopster on Hat Mountain. Photo looks SSW.
The broader, pancake flat summit region.

Although both HV and Lupe had been here before, LV and Poppy hadn’t.  A leisurely tour of the views began with a stroll over to the N end of the summit plateau.  Reynolds Prairie was in sight beyond glimpses of still frozen Deerfield Reservoir.  Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) stuck out near the horizon.

Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) was even farther away past the W edge of Reynolds Prairie, well beyond where South Castle Rock (6,840 ft.), Castle Rock (6,783 ft.), Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.), and Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.) were all lined up along the E edge of the limestone plateau overlooking the prairie.

Flag Mountain & Terry Peak (far L), Custer Peak (R of Center) beyond Reynolds Prairie. Part of Deerfield Reservoir (R). Photo looks NNE.

Higher pine-covered ridges of the limestone plateau hemmed in views to the W and S, but LV was able to identify Five Points (6,221 ft.) miles off to the E.  Turned out that Poppy, HV, and LV live not too far from it.

To the SE, Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) loomed beyond Gillette Prairie.  Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.) and Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) were easy to pick out along the edge of the limestone plateau.

Black Elk Peak (L) beyond Gillette Prairie, Copper Mountain (Center) beyond HV, and Green Mountain (R) beyond LV. Photo looks SE.

Every now and then, Poppy dashed down one side of the mountain or the other to do some sniffing and exploring on her own, but always came charging back up when called.  Such a beautiful day that SPHP wondered if Poppy, HV and LV might have time to do a little more?

There was talk of a quick visit to the Dragon Caves, which weren’t too far away, but LV had work he really needed to get back to.  50 minutes after arriving, Poppy and HV led the way down Hat Mountain’s NW slope.  HV kind of wanted to go back that way, looking for a road she’d taken the first time she’d been here.

Poppy, HV and LV start down. Photo looks NW.
Loopster still up on Hat Mountain. Photo looks ESE.

Descending the NW slope, LV commented on the crocuses beginning to emerge.  SPHP was surprised and happy to hear them referred to that way.  Crocuses was what SPHP had always called them, too, although all the online information SPHP had seen referred to them as pasques, the South Dakota state flower.

Emerging crocuses.

After losing sufficient elevation, HV rediscovered the road she’d been on before down in the forest.  Taking it NE, the unmarked road soon linked up with Williams Draw Road.  From there, it was an easy stroll back to the vehicles still waiting near the corral.

Poppy enjoying a lingering snowbank along the unmarked road while LV and HV look on. Photo looks NE.

11:36 AM, 54ºF, Williams Draw Road near Deerfield Road – Hat Mountain had been a success, but it was already time for good-byes.  It had been fun getting to meet Poppy, HV and LV.  Poppy might have had the best time of all, with all the running and roaming around she’d gotten to do.  She was a beautiful dog, with many fabulous adventures ahead of her!

Black Hills adventurer Poppy.

Poppy, HV, and LV were soon on their way.  Naturally, the question was now, what next?  The American Dingo didn’t have any work she needed to get back to.

That was fun, SPHP!  Poppy, HV, and LV sure were nice, but I do have one other question, too.

Oh, really?  What’s that Looper?

So, did you really graduate, or not, SPHP?

Oh, for Pete’s sake!  Not you, too!  Of course, I graduated!

Sorry for asking, SPHP.  It’s just that sometimes you … oh, never mind!  It’s a gorgeous day in May, so what are we going to do?

I dunno.  Don’t really have anything planned, but give me a few minutes, and I’ll think of something, Loop.  Meanwhile, Deerfield Reservoir is close.  Why don’t we have a look?

12:04 PM –  The W end of Deerfield Reservoir was only partially frozen, and the ice looked thin where it still was.  Not a thing was going on here, other than a lone Canadian enjoying a brisk swim.

Dropping by the W end of Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks W.
The hardy Canadian.

Time’s a-wasting, SPHP!  Come up with anything yet?

Yes, I think so, Loop.  Been a long time since we’ve been to some of these named peaks along the E edge of the limestone plateau, and we’re not far from them.  We could visit Nipple Butte, Flag Mountain, and Peak 6962.

Peak 6962!  Why, SPHP?  There’s a good reason we haven’t been there in a long time.  The approach is ghastly!  Don’t you remember all the deadfall and the broken barbed wire fence?  I’m fine with Nipple Butte and Flag Mountain, though.

Yeah, but we can do Peak 6962 one more time, Looper.  Been meaning to return to it for ages now, and when LV mentioned the crocuses, that got me thinking.  First time we ever went to Peak 6962 we came to a place we called Perfect Crocus Ridge because so many beautiful crocuses were there.  Would kind of like to see if we can find them again.  You’ve got to admit, it’s the perfect time of year for it, too!

Oh, I suppose, but let’s do Nipple Butte and Flag Mountain first, SPHP.  We can go for Peak 6962 after that, if there’s still time.  Deal?

Deal!

12:26 PM, 56ºF, Junction of USFS Roads No. 189 & No. 599 – Lupe leapt out as soon as SPHP opened the door.  Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.) was only 0.3 mile S.  Forest hid its ragged limestone summit from where the RAV4 was parked, but the meadow N of the road provided a good look at it.

Parked at the junction of USFS Roads No. 189 & No. 599. Photo looks NW.
Nipple Butte (L of Center). Photo looks SSW.

Nipple Butte doesn’t look like much from here, SPHP.  Feels a lot different up on top, though!  How long has it been since we climbed it?  Seems like forever.

More than 5 years, Looper.  Can hardly believe it’s been that long myself.

On the Carolina Dog’s previous ascents, she’d always been coming from the S, and had ultimately gone up via a chute on the very steep upper W slope.  Approaching from the N was a new experience, but turned out to be quite similar in most respects.

What began as a gentle climb through a thin forest, quickly steepened, as Lupe picked her way through a minefield of deadfall.  By the time the first limestone outcroppings appeared, she wasn’t far from the top.

Approaching Nipple Butte from the N. Photo looks SSW.
Below the first limestone formations. Photo looks S.

Swinging around to the W, and up a rocky ramp, the American Dingo managed to reach an initial viewpoint.  Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.) was only a mile N, with Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) in the distance beyond it.

Going up the ramp. Photo looks SSW.
Flag Mountain (far L). NW end of Reynolds Prairie (R). Photo looks NE.

Switching to the E side of the next higher outcropping, a fairly easy route led to an opening with access to the summit block.  SPHP had to give the Carolina Dog a 5 or 6 foot boost, before scrambling up after her.

The upper NE route to the true summit (Center). Photo looks SW.
On the summit platform. Photo looks SW.

1:00 PM, 61ºFNipple Butte (6,800 ft.) also has a flat, open summit, but a tiny one compared to Hat Mountain.  With vertical edges never more than a few feet away, it’s an airy perch.  A lone chunk of limestone, just the right size to serve as a Dingo display rock, was the absolute top.  Lupe was able to leap up onto it under her own power.

On Nipple Butte. Photo looks SW.

Ta da!  Chocolate coconut bar time, SPHP!

So it was!  Lupe hopped off the summit rock, then laid down while SPHP fetched a chocolate coconut bar out of the pack.

HP6856 (R). Photo looks W.

Once the chocolate coconut bar had been dispatched, SPHP munched an apple.

This squeezy little platform always makes Nipple Butte feel so much higher than it really is, doesn’t it, Loop?

Nipple Butte is plenty high, SPHP!  Can we see Hat Mountain from here?

Yup.  It’s a little hard to pick out, because the ridge behind it is higher, but it’s that conical hill almost due S with the grassy slope toward the R.

I see it, SPHP.  Looks mighty small.

Well, it’s 5 miles away, Loop.

S end of Reynolds Prairie (L), Green Mountain (Center), Hat Mountain (R), Castle Rock (far R in the foreground). Photo looks SSE.

Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.) was a mile N.  Castle Rock (6,783 ft.) was less than that far S.  Reynolds Prairie was E, and the forested highlands of the limestone plateau country were W.  Lupe barely had to budge to see it all from up here.

Castle Rock (L). Photo looks SSW.
Reynolds Prairie. Photo looks ENE.
Flag Mountain (L), Reynolds Prairie (R). Photo looks NE.

Half an hour was going to have to be enough on Nipple Butte with both Flag Mountain and Peak 6962 on the agenda.  Soon it was time to head back down.  Lupe watched while SPHP carefully slid backward over the N edge of the summit block, before helping her down, too.

Final moments on Nipple Butte. Photo looks SSW.

Instead of heading back down the N slope, Lupe made her traditional W chute descent.  Once safely below the chute, she headed NW down to USFS Road No. 189.1B, then NE back to the RAV4.

Looking down the W chute.
And back up it. Photo looks NE.
Lower end of the W chute. Photo looks SE.
Heading down to USFS Road No. 189.1B. HP6897 (L of Center). Photo looks NW.

Without stopping, Lupe went right on by.  Heading up the slope leading to Flag Mountain’s S ridge, she had a terrific view of Nipple Butte back to the S.

Nipple Butte as seen from the S end of Flag Mountain’s S ridge. Photo looks SSW.

The rate of climb soon diminished.  Flag Mountain came back in sight, as Lupe continued N along the broad ridgeline.

Flag Mountain (Center) from its S ridge. Photo looks N.

Gradually gaining elevation despite a couple of dips along the way, Lupe stayed to the W (L) when she came to a big limestone formation near the Flag Mountain access spur off USFS Road No. 189.  Following the road all the way to the end got the Carolina Dog just shy of the summit.

A set of stone steps led up onto the limestone escarpment where what remained of the old fire lookout still stood perched at the E end.

At the end of the Flag Mountain access road, just below the summit. Photo looks NE.
At what’s left of the old Flag Mountain fire lookout. Photo looks E.

2:49 PM, 63ºF, Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.)

Nearly a year since we were here with Dennis Stewart, remember, Loop?

Yes, of course!  What a difference, too, SPHP!  We could hardly see a thing back then due to fog.  So cold that it was even trying to snow!

With scarcely a cloud in the sky, there were no such difficulties today.  The views were excellent, but to the S, E and W they were all similar to those seen from Nipple Butte.

L to R beyond Reynolds Prairie: Medicine Mountain, Copper Mountain, Green Mountain and Hat Mountain. Nipple Butte and Castle Rock (far R). Photo looks S.
Hat Mountain (L) in the distance, Nipple Butte and Castle Rock (Center).
Flag Mountain’s limestone summit ridge from within the fire lookout foundation. Photo looks W.
Out on the escarpment. Black Elk Peak (far R) on the horizon. Photo looks ESE.

The view to the N, though, was now substantially different.  The dreaded Peak 6962 and White Tail Peak (6,962 ft.) were now in sight.  Both were long ridges along the E edge of the limestone plateau country, bordered partly by lines of cliffs, and without any conspicuous summit.

Peak 6962 (Center), White Tail Peak (R), and Terry Peak (far R). Photo looks NNW.

Yes, but White Tail Peak has all the best viewpoints, and all Peak 6962 has is a wretched long approach choked with deadfall, SPHP.

Yup, it’s icky, Loop, but there’s actually a better way than our traditional route from the SW.  Craig Johnson later described a route from the S that’s not supposed to have much deadfall.  We saw that valley before, but never went that way.

Then let’s go that way now, SPHP!

We can do that on the way back, Loopster.  If we don’t take our old route there, we’ll never find Perfect Crocus Ridge again.

For the crocuses then, SPHP!  Last time I’m ever going this way, though.

Lupe had only been to Peak 6962 twice before, and both times she’d gone W from Flag Mountain, staying high while skirting a gigantic bowl.  This route was nearly all forested, and involved a fair amount of up and down along the way, although nothing particularly steep.

Horrid amounts of deadfall, along with a dangerous, damaged barbed wire fence, made the last part of the journey particularly odious.  No reason not to expect the same again today.  Nevertheless, the American Dingo once again left Flag Mountain plunging W into the forest.

Even here, the deadfall was pretty bad.  Winding and leaping her way through it, the situation didn’t improve until after Lupe crossed the Flag Mountain access road, and continuing W, got over the next hill.

A rare clearing on the way to Peak 6962. Photo looks WNW.

A mile W of Flag Mountain, Lupe passed close to USFS Road No. 189.  It was time to turn NW.  Quite a bit of deadfall was on this next thickly forested hill as the Carolina Dog began climbing again.

You know, SPHP, we could take one of these roads!  Would make life a lot easier, at least part of the way.

Yeah, but where’s the tedious adventure in that?  Besides, this route is both shorter and an old tradition now, Looper.  We’re doing fine.

Reaching HP6920, USFS Road No. 189 was in view again.  After a short break, even SPHP was ready to take the road for a while.

USFS Road No. 189 from HP6920. Photo looks N.

Too late!  Lupe had hardly made any progress along No. 189 when SPHP realized that she really ought to be up on the ridge next to it.  The map showed some sort of a primitive road up on the ridge, too, but when the American Dingo got up there, it didn’t really exist.

Briefly on USFS Road No. 189 shortly before leaving it again. Photo looks N.
Hmm. Not much of a road up here, is there, Loopster? Photo looks NNE.

Well, maybe in another 200 or 300 years, the series of small hills along Peak 6962’s mile plus long SW ridge will be the way to go.  Not today.  The dreaded deadfall was worse than ever, and the broken barbed wire fence was still a dangerous, hidden tangle amid it all.  Staying W of the treacherous fence, poor Lupe had to leap over countless dead trees, their trunks often stacked 2 or 3 high.

All in vain, too!  Sadly, Perfect Crocus Ridge was no more.  At least, SPHP couldn’t find it, even though Lupe must have gone right by it at some point.  Not a crocus to be seen anywhere along the way.

Along the rim of the bowl. Peak 6962‘s S ridge (L), Reynolds Prairie (Center), Flag Mountain (R). Photo looks SE.

6:15 PM, 60ºF, Peak 6962 –  The barbed wire fence had been left behind, but the ghastly deadfall extended all the way to a small, bright green patch of kinnikinnick which seemed to be at or close to the highest point on the mountain.  Hard to be precise, since such an enormous region was at essentially the same elevation.

Sunlight was streaming through the shattered forest when Lupe arrived, but all distant views were badly tree-broken.

Peak 6962 summit, or at least the S high point. Photo looks NNW.

Think this is about it, Looper.  Summit of Peak 6962!

Hasn’t changed much, has it, SPHP?  How long has it been since we’ve been here?

A long time, Loopster.  Nearly 8 years!

It’s been a grueling journey, SPHP.  Wouldn’t happen to have a chocolate coconut bar and some water, would you?

I do, but before we do that, Loop, there is supposed to be another high point that’s also potentially a true summit candidate 500 feet farther N.  We ought to tag it, as well.

Without complaint, Lupe made this journey, too.

At or near Peak 6962’s N summit candidate. Photo looks SSE.

6:26 PM, Peak 6962 – The exact location of the N high point was similarly next to impossible to identify, but Lupe must have been close to it when SPHP shared that final hard-won chocolate coconut bar of the day with her.  With nothing but tree-broken views here, too, the Carolina Dog saw no reason to linger.

Satisfied, SPHP?

Yeah, I guess so, Loop.

So what’s your opinion, SPHP?  Which high point is Peak 6962’s true summit?

The S one, Loopster, but that’s just a wild guess, a faint impression.  Might easily be totally mistaken.

Hardly matters, SPHP.  Can’t be much difference between them, and how often does anyone visit Peak 6962, anyway?  Not much to see here, until the forest burns down someday.

Still glad we came, Loop.  I like the quiet remoteness of it.  Sad we couldn’t find Perfect Crocus Ridge again, though.  Would have been fun to see it.

Heading back through the deadfall, which wasn’t as bad here as along the SW ridge, Lupe returned to Peak 6962’s S high point, which SPHP still considered, rightly or wrongly, the true summit.  For a moment, Lupe paused briefly to glance WNW toward the sinking sun and a distant blue ridge.  SPHP wondered if she would ever be here again?

This time, the American Dingo departed Peak 6962 heading down the previously unexplored valley to the S recommended by Craig Johnson.  Super easy!  Nothing at all like the traditional ordeal along the SW ridge!  Lupe followed a broad swath of open ground bordered by scattered stands of pines down a nearly mile long obstacle-free slope.

Exploring the S valley. Photo looks SSW.

USFS Road No. 599 was waiting at the bottom.  A pleasant 2 mile road hike around the E side Flag Mountain was all that remained.

7:52 PM, 42ºF – The sun was down, but it was still light out when Lupe reached the RAV4.  As dusk came on during the drive home, the Carolina Dog was hysterical due to all the deer along Deerfield Road, including a giant deer that sprang across the highway right in front of the RAV4.  The exciting wildlife display didn’t end until nearly Hill City.

Well, Expedition No. 314 turned out to be quite the day!  Felt good being back out in the Black Hills again, didn’t it, Loop?

Sure did, SPHP!  Got to meet Poppy, HV and LV, and visited 4 mountains at or near the edge of the limestone plateau!  Hoping this is a sign of more good times to come!

Poppy launched us back into action, Loopster!  Summer of 2023 is right around the corner now.  Gonna be great.  Adventure season is upon us, sweet puppy!

With Poppy, HV and LV on Hat Mountain, Black Hills of South Dakota 5-1-23

Note: Dawnette (HV) and Rollie (LV) are owner-operators of the popular, highly-rated Annie Lode Coffee Cabin located 3.5 miles NE of Hill City on US Hwy No. 385/16 (0.3 mile W of Three Forks).  Dingo recommended!

At the Annie Lode Coffee Cabin, 23828 Hwy 385, Hill City, South Dakota

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition               Prior Black Hills Expedition

Hat Mountain GPS Track

Nipple Butte GPS Track

Flag Mountain & Peak 6962 GPS Track

Peak 6962 GPS Track (Descent)

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. 240 – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L & Hat Mountain (11-14-18)

Start – 8:33 AM, 39°F at the Gold Run trailhead, Deerfield Reservoir

Nearly mid-November, but such a beautiful morning that an expedition way out in the W central Black Hills seemed like a great idea.  Loopster might not have many more chances to get out in the high country before winter set in.  She arrived at the Gold Run trailhead by Deerfield Reservoir to find a skiff of snow already on the ground.

Lupe arrives at the Gold Run trailhead near Deerfield Reservoir in the W central Black Hills. Photo looks NE.

Lupe’s primary objective was an easy one.  She was here for a romp around Deerfield Reservoir exploring Lake Loop Trail No. 40L.  The 11.65 mile long trail would be perfect for a leisurely all day expedition this time of year.  The American Dingo would encounter a fair amount of elevation gain and loss along the way, but in easily managed chunks without any truly steep parts.

Looper ready to set out on Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. Photo looks NNW.

The Gold Run trailhead is located at the S end of an arm of Deerfield Reservoir.  The plan was to follow Lake Loop Trail No. 40L clockwise around the lake.  Lupe set off heading N along the W side of the bay.  A thin shelf of ice covered by snow extended out from the near shore.

Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.) (Center L) is in view beyond the S arm of Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks NNW.
Gold Run trailhead (R) is at the end of this S arm of Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks SE.

Lake Loop Trail No. 40L followed the S arm of Deerfield Reservoir N, but not all the way to the main body of the lake.  Before getting that far, the trail turned W climbing a modest slope.  At the top, Lupe found a road leading to a nearby picnic ground.

Nearing the main part of Deerfield Reservoir, Lake Loop Trail No. 40L turned W (L) here and climbed a modest slope. Photo looks NNE.

The trail followed the road a very short distance SW to a junction.  Here Lupe turned R (NW) onto a road going downhill.  100 feet brought her to a marker where the trail left the road again.  Lake Loop Trail No. 40L went W before heading S up a draw taking Lupe away from the lake.

Going S up a draw heading away from the lake.

After gaining some elevation, Lake Loop Trail No. 40L left the draw, crossed Whitetail Loop Road, and began gradually working its way W.  The trail wound through ravines and along hillsides.  Lupe was well S of the lake, glimpses of which were only occasionally in sight.

This part of the forest was full of deadfall timber.  Fortunately, the trail was mostly free of it.  Even so, Looper came to places where the trail would have been easy to lose.  The trail was not marked at a couple of critical points.  Paying a little extra attention went a long way toward staying on the right path.

S of the lake on hillsides strewn with deadfall timber. Photo looks SW.

Lupe got as much as 150 to 200 feet above lake level before Lake Loop Trail No. 40L started a steady descent.  The trail eventually brought her down to Whitetail Loop Road again along the S shore near the W end of the lake.

Loop near the high point of the trail approaching the W end of Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks W.
On Whitetail Loop Road near the W end of Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks W.

The trail followed Whitetail Loop Road only a short distance W before cutting NW across a small field.  A sign commemorating Deerfield Dam & Reservoir stood 50 feet SW of the trail.

Starting around the W end of Deerfield Reservoir after leaving Whitetail Loop Road. Photo looks W.
Near the commemorative sign at the SW end of Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks NE.

After visiting the sign, Lupe returned to the trail.  It took her around the W end of Deerfield Reservoir staying right beside paved Deerfield Road much of the way.

Back on the trail going around the W end of Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks ENE.
Following Deerfield Road. Photo looks NW.

Beyond the W end of the lake, a footbridge over Castle Creek came into view.  Castle Creek is Deerfield Reservoir’s main water source.

The footbridge over Castle Creek comes into view. Photo looks NW.
At the footbridge over Castle Creek. Photo looks N.
Looking downstream. Photo looks SE.

Lupe crossed the footbridge.  Lake Loop Trail No. 40L followed Castle Creek SE.  Nearing the W end of Deerfield Reservoir again, Loop came upon a forested high point.

Nearby rocks offered a unique vantage point.  The American Dingo left the trail for a look around.

Near the W end of Deerfield Reservoir again. Deerfield Road is now on the other side of the lake. Whitetail Loop Road (far L) is also in sight. Photo looks S.
W end of Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks SE.

Lupe’s travels along the most accessible portions of Deerfield Reservoir were now over.  From here on she would be in more remote territory.  Beyond the rocky viewpoint Lake Loop Trail No. 40L headed NE into the forest.  Lupe followed abandoned roads with a bit of snow on them.  For quite a while Deerfield Reservoir was no longer in view.

Following a snowy road. Photo looks E.
For a while, Lupe didn’t see the lake at all. Photo looks E.

After more than a mile, Lupe reached a junction with a spur trail from the unseen North Shore trailhead.

Just past the junction with a spur trail from the North Shore trailhead. Photo looks SSE.

Shortly after passing this junction, Loopster reached a flat grassy area overlooking Deerfield Reservoir.  A substantial portion of the main body of the lake was in view from here.  Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) could be seen off to the S beyond the lake.

Lupe reaches a large grassy area overlooking Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks SE.
Hat Mountain (Center) was in sight. Photo looks S.
N slope of Hat Mountain with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks S.
Looking E from the grassy area.

Lake Loop Trail No. 40L now turned ENE paralleling the N shore of the lake.  Lupe crossed hilly open terrain providing continuous lake views.  Approaching High Point 6087 from the W, the trail re-entered the forest.  Lupe gained elevation going around the S side of High Point 6087.  (Scroll N from Hat Mountain on the topo map.)

Loop back in the forest with a tree-broken lake view on the way around High Point 6087. Photo looks S.

Most of the way around High Point 6087 trees effectively blocked the views.  Lupe and SPHP took a short break near a lone spot where it was possible to get a decent look around.  Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) and even the top of more distant Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.) could be seen.

Hat Mountain from close to High Point 6087. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.
Green Mountain (Center) and more distant Copper Mountain (L). Photo looks SSE.
A glimpse back toward the W end of the lake. Photo looks SW.

Continuing on after the break, Lake Loop Trail No. 40L wrapped around the E side of High Point 6087, too.  The forest permitted occasional glimpses of peaks in various directions.  Lupe saw Hat Mountain again, and got a pretty good look at Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.).

Continuing around High Point 6087. Photo looks E.
Another look at Hat Mountain (L of Center). Photo looks S.

At one point, shortly before reaching a shattered forest, SPHP thought Castle Peak (6,358 ft.) could be seen off to the NE.  Thinking Lupe would get an even better look at it, SPHP failed to take a photo.  Unfortunately, Castle Peak never came into view again.

Shortly before reaching this shattered forest, Lupe had a distant view of Castle Peak. Unfortunately, SPHP did not take a photo, and Castle Peak never came into view again. Photo looks NE.

Lake Loop Trail No. 40L continued winding around NE of High Point 6087.  Lupe came to a view of another part of Deerfield Reservoir more to the E which hadn’t been in sight before.  The Carolina Dog could see the start of the first of two NW arms of the lake.  She would have to go around both arms.

Somewhere NE of High Point 6087. Photo looks WNW.
A previously unseen portion of Deerfield Reservoir comes into view. The closest part is the start of one of 2 NW arms that Lupe would have to go around. Photo looks E.

The trail turned NW then began to lose elevation.  The first NW arm of the lake wasn’t in view again until Lupe was nearly down to lake level.  Looper crossed a wooden bridge over a tiny stream in a scenic draw.  Around the next bend to the E was the W tip of the first NW arm.

Crossing the wooden bridge in the scenic draw. Photo looks NW.
By the W tip of the first NW arm. Lupe still had to get past a N tip, too. Photo looks E.

This first NW arm of the lake also had a slightly larger N tip.  Lupe was soon heading N again on the way around the N tip.

Beyond the N tip of the first NW arm. Photo looks NNW.

The trail continued N past the end of the N tip reaching a fence line at the S end of Reynold’s Prairie, an extensive area of grasslands.  Lupe had a great view of South Castle Rock (6,840 ft.), Castle Rock (6,783 ft.), Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.), and Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.) from here.

South Castle Rock (L), Castle Rock (part of same ridge straight up from Lupe), Nipple Butte (R of Center) & Flag Mountain (far R) from the S end of Reynold’s Prairie. Photo looks NW.

The trail turned E.  Deerfield Reservoir was left behind.  Lupe crossed a road leading to the Custer Trails campground.  Eventually Deerfield Reservoir came back into view.

After getting around the first NW arm of the lake, Lupe headed E for perhaps 0.5 mile before Deerfield Reservoir came back into view again. Photo looks SSW toward Hat Mountain (Center).

Soon the trail curved back around to the N again.  Although it wasn’t in view yet, Lupe was getting close to the second and last NW arm of the lake.  Lake Loop Trail No. 40L led across grasslands on the way N.

Looking back as Lake Loop Trail No. 40L curves N again. Hat Mountain is in the distance on the R. Photo looks SSW.
Heading N once more through the grasslands of Reynolds Prairie. Castle Rock (L), Nipple Butte (Center) and Flag Mountain (R) are all in sight. Photo looks NW.

The second NW arm of the lake was longer than the first one, perhaps 0.25 mile in total length.  Coming over the top of a grassy hill, Lupe saw the end of it ahead.  She followed Lake Loop Trail No. 40 along treeless hillsides clear around the N end, crossing a tiny stream in the process.

Coming over a grassy hill, the N end of the second NW arm of Deerfield Reservoir comes into view. Photo looks N.
Getting closer to the N end. Photo looks N.
Looking back along the length of the second NW arm. Photo looks SE.

Once across, the trail followed the tiny stream SE back to the second NW arm.  Lupe was only slightly above the level of the lake.

Heading back toward the second NW arm of the lake after crossing the tiny stream. Photo looks SSE.
So far, so good! We’re easily over halfway around Deerfield Reservoir now! Looper down by the 2nd NW arm. Photo looks SSE.

After passing some pine trees on the way over a small rise, Looper came to a large grassy draw that led off to the E.  She went through a gate in a barbed wire fence and found she had a couple of choices.  She could go E on a trail heading up the draw, or follow a different trail back to the edge of the lake, hoping it would continue SE along the shore.

A sign did not clearly indicate which way the official trail went.  Lupe and SPHP made a foray down to the lake.  Nope.  The trial faded away.  The shoreline farther SE looked too heavily forested and steep to follow.  Lupe headed E back up the draw, and soon came to markers for Lake Loop Trail No. 40L again.

The E draw (L) where there was confusion over which way the trail went is seen across the 2nd NW arm of the lake. Going R (SE) along the far shore was the wrong way and proved impractical. Lake Loop Trail No. 40L actually goes partway up the draw before turning R (SE) toward higher ground. Photo looks E.

Beyond the E draw, the trail headed SE or E across more open territory.  Looking back to the NW, Lupe had her final views of South Castle Rock, Nipple Butte and Flag Mountain.

Looking back after going through one of more than half a dozen gates Lupe came to along Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. South Castle Rock (L), Castle Rock (Center), and Nipple Butte (R) are in view for the last time. Photo looks NW.

Lupe had now traveled the entire length of Deerfield Reservoir N of the lake.  Lake Loop Trail No. 40L turned decisively SE.  Lupe entered the forest again and started losing elevation. Before she had lost much, an opening on a hillside provided a first view of Deerfield Dam.

Deerfield Dam comes into view. Photo looks SSW.

Continuing a bit farther down the trail, Lupe discovered an even better viewpoint where she could see both the dam and Castle Creek.  A nice spot for a rest break while enjoying the scene!  Castle Creek roared as it shot out of two large culverts at the base of the dam.

Deerfield Dam & Castle Creek. Photo looks SW.
Castle Creek gushes out of two large culverts at the base of Deerfield Dam. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

When break time was over, Lupe returned to the trail, which now headed S down into the Castle Creek valley.  Upon reaching the valley floor, Lake Loop Trail No. 40L continued S on a road over Castle Creek, but Lupe didn’t cross the creek yet.

Lake Loop Trail No. 40L didn’t go to Castle Creek’s outlet below Deerfield Dam, but a dirt road did.  Lupe had even seen a side road that went right up onto the dam itself.  Seemed like the American Dingo ought to explore these highlights while she was in the area.

Loopster began her off trail investigations trotting NNW up the dirt road to Castle Creek’s outlet at the base of the dam.

Come on! Let’s go take a look at Castle Creek roaring out from the base of Deerfield Dam! Photo looks W.
This is it! Castle Creek comes gushing out of these two big pipes. Photo looks W.
Here’s more of a side view. Photo looks NW.
Wonder how much ice forms in the dead of winter?

After visiting Castle Creek’s exit from the base of Deerfield Dam, Lupe next went up the side road to the top of the dam itself.  Deerfield Dam is oriented roughly NW/SE.  Loopster reached the top of the dam near the NW end.

Deerfield Reservoir from the NW end of the dam. Photo looks S.
Lupe at Deerfield Dam.
Looking along the length of the dam. Photo looks SE.

The lake was beautiful from the NW end of the dam, but SPHP figured Loop might as well go see it from the SE end, too.  She was glad she did.  If anything, the views were even prettier from here!

Sweet! This might be the best view of Deerfield Reservoir yet! Photo looks WSW.
Lupe at the SE end of Deerfield Dam. Photo looks W.
Looking NW along the dam.

The side trip to the Deerfield Dam hadn’t taken all that much time, but it was definitely getting later in the day.  Lupe and SPHP left the dam and returned to Lake Loop Trail No. 40 down by Castle Creek.

Looking upstream along Castle Creek below the dam. Lake Loop Trail No. 40L crosses the creek on a road over it near this point. This is the lowest elevation point along the entire trek around Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks NW.

Lupe now took the road S over Castle Creek.  This Castle Creek crossing was the lowest elevation point of the entire trek around Deerfield Reservoir.  Lake Loop Trail No. 40L now began a long, steady, gentle ascent of a narrow, winding valley.  This was the valley of Dutchman Creek.  The creek was small, especially at first, but did have some flow.

Lupe starts up into the Dutchman Creek valley. Photo looks S.

0.25 mile up Dutchman Creek valley, Lupe came to a trail junction.  She had been here once before a very long time ago on a day when she had been badly injured by barbed wire.  Poor Looper had had to run many miles back to the G6 from here with a big bloody gash in one of her legs.

This junction was with Deerfield Trail No. 40, which goes 23 miles E to another junction with the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89 before ending at the Deer Creek trailhead.  SPHP had forgotten exactly where Deerfield Trail No. 40 meets Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L, but this was it.  Lupe had found the junction again.

Lupe rediscovers the junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40 down in the Dutchman Creek valley about 0.25 mile SE of where Lake Loop Trail No. 40L crosses Castle Creek E of Deerfield Dam. Photo looks NE.

Without ever leaving the Lake Loop/Deerfield/Centennial trail system it’s possible to go all the way to Wind Cave National Park in the S or Bear Butte State Park in the N.  Be that as it may, Loop just needed to head back to the G6 now.  Another sign at the junction said she was a mere 2.5 miles from the Gold Run trailhead.

Another sign at the junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40 said Lupe was only 2.5 miles from the Gold Run trailhead where she had started out this morning. Photo looks S.

Lupe and SPHP continued S on Lake Loop Trail No. 40L.  Dutchman Creek exhibited greater flow, not less, as Lupe progressed up the valley.

Continuing up the Dutchman Creek valley. Photo looks S.
By Dutchman Creek near its point of greatest flow. Photo looks S.

Lake Loop Trail No. 40 eventually veered W.  Dutchman Creek vanished.  The trail continued on following dirt roads most of the time.

Heading WSW after the trail abandoned Dutchman Creek. Photo looks W.

Other unmarked roads began to intersect the road the trail followed.  Which way?  Trail markers weren’t reliably present at important points.  The trail had been following a road S again for quite a way when Lupe came to a place where the road divided.  S or W?  A broken marker lay on the ground, but which direction it was supposed to point was no longer clear.

200 yards on the road going S revealed no more markers.  Worse, the road seemed to be turning SE, definitely the wrong direction.  Loopster returned to the junction with the broken marker.  Taking the road W, another road quickly came into view at the far end of a field.  Better yet, a single track trail angled S off the road Lupe was on into the trees.  A pink ribbon tied around a tree highlighted a small marker nailed to the trunk.

No question now.  Lupe headed S on the single track.

A little W of a confusing junction where the road divided, Lupe finds Lake Loop Trail No. 40L again (L) as it leaves a dirt road angling S into the trees.

For farther than SPHP expected, the single track went S paralleling the road Lupe had seen at the far end of the field.  This was Deerfield Cove Road, which goes N to Dutchman Campground then on to a boat ramp on the S shore of Deerfield Reservoir.  Lake Loop Road No. 40L finally turned W and crossed this road.

About to cross Deerfield Cove Road. Photo looks W.

The sun was low.  Only a mile back to the Gold Run trailhead!  Slanting sunbeams highlighted the forest as Lupe crossed the highest ground reached anywhere along Lake Loop Trail No. 40L.  Looper was now in the vicinity of High Point 6248 and couldn’t have passed far from it.

Somewhere in the vicinity of High Point 6248, the highest ground encountered anywhere along Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. Photo looks W.
Hat Mountain (Center) again as seen through the late afternoon sunlit forest. Photo looks SW.

The long gradual uphill stretch that had started way back at Castle Creek was over.  The terrain near High Point 6248 was fairly flat for quite a distance.  Finally the trail started down.  Lupe was on the descent to the E side of the S arm of Deerfield Reservoir.  When she got there, the Gold Run trailhead was in sight.

Lupe reaches the E shore of Deerfield Reservoir’s S arm. Gold Run trailhead where she had started out from this morning is in sight at the far S end. Photo looks SSE.

A shortcut across a field at the S end of the lake directly to the Gold Run trailhead would have saved a bunch of distance.  However, the field was fenced off, and Lupe would have had to cross Gold Run Creek.  So she stuck with Lake Loop Trail No. 40L, which went the long way around all the way S to Deerfield Road before turning back N to the trailhead.

Looking back at Gold Run trailhead (L) from Lake Loop Trail No. 40L near Deerfield Road. The trail sure took the long way around to get there! Photo looks NNW.

The sun was still up, but not for much longer, when Lupe reached the Gold Run trailhead again.  (End – 4:12 PM, 41°F)  The American Dingo had successfully explored all of Lake Loop Trail No. 40L.  She’d gone clear around Deerfield Reservoir.  Even so, Loop wasn’t quite done yet.

Barely enough daylight left for a quick peakbagging effort!  The sun was so low, SPHP drove Lupe W to USFS Road No. 691 (Williams Draw Road), then S to a side road only 0.5 mile N of Hat Mountain.

Lupe had seen Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) from so many places on Lake Loop Trail No. 40L, that climbing it seemed like a great way to end the day.  Up and back wouldn’t take long.  No sense in lugging the backpack along was there?  SPHP left it in the G6.  (Start – 4:19 PM, 41°F)

Lupe followed USFS Road No. 691 a little farther S before plunging into the forest.  Halfway up the NE slope, SPHP realized leaving the backpack behind meant no flashlight.  Doh!  Too late to go back for one now.  Just another reason to hurry.  No flashlight meant Loop wasn’t going to get to tarry more than a few minutes up on Hat Mountain.

The sun was already down by the time Lupe reached the summit, but the sunset was still developing.  The Carolina Dog could linger enjoying the colorful display a bit longer than expected.

Lupe (R) reaches the flat summit of Hat Mountain just after sunset.
Reynolds Prairie (Center) and part of Deerfield Reservoir (R) from Hat Mountain. Photo looks N.
Green Mountain (L) from Hat Mountain. Photo looks S.

The glory of sunset faded as quickly as it arrived.  The rush back down to USFS Road No. 691 began.  Sensing the urgency SPHP felt, Lupe charged ahead.

Made it with photons to spare!  A short easy road hike back to the G6, and Expedition No. 240 was done.  Another adventure come and gone.  No complaints.  None at all.  Lake Loop Trail No. 40L had been a perfect day.  (End – 5:16 PM, 39°F)

Sunset from Hat Mountain, Black Hills of South Dakota, 11-14-18

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition                    Prior Black Hills Expedition

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

Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L – Map & Brochure

Gold Run trailhead directions:  From Hill City take Deerfield Road (Highway 17) 14.6 miles NW to a signed R turn onto a dirt road.  The trailhead is visible from this turn 0.2 mile to the N.

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. 231 – Hat Mountain with Cousin Dusty & Uncle Joe (5-25-18)

Lupe was beside herself with joy!  SPHP had just informed her that Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe were in town.  That could mean only one thing – an adventure in the mountains!  The Carolina Dog couldn’t wait.  She insisted that SPHP take her to Grandma’s house to pick them up right away.  Sure enough, it was true!  Dusty and Joe were there, ready and waiting to go.

Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) in the W central Black Hills was the day’s peakbagging objective.  Although Dusty and Joe have visited South Dakota many times, they had never been to this part of the hills before.  Maybe they would enjoy seeing nearby Deerfield Reservoir before heading for the mountain?   A quick stop was a success.  Dusty and Lupe both had a fun time cooling off in the lake.  Dusty loves fetching!  Joe threw a stick into the water for her several times.

Dusty enjoys a cool swim while fetching a stick. Photo looks ENE.
Dusty and the all important stick.
Lupe emerges from Deerfield Reservoir. The American Dingo didn’t go swimming like Dusty did, preferring to restrict herself to just wading.

Once Dusty and Lupe were done cooling off, it was time to head for Hat Mountain.  The trek started 0.5 mile S of the lake at the junction of Deerfield Road and USFS Road No. 691.  For the first mile, everyone followed No. 691 going SSW toward the mountain.  The last 0.25 mile was an easy off-road hike up Hat Mountain’s N slope.  Dusty led the way.

On the way up Hat Mountain’s N slope. Photo looks S.
Dusty nears the summit. Photo looks S.

The top of Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) is a flat oblong close to 80 feet long and half that wide.  Bushes grow in a small depression toward the S end, but no trees are found on the summit.  Joe and Dusty were impressed with the 360° panoramic views.

Dusty and Joe on the summit. Part of Deerfield Reservoir (R) is in view. Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) is on the far horizon way beyond Dusty. Photo looks NNE.
The valley of the N Fork of Castle Creek is seen in the distance beyond Joe. Photo looks NW.
Cousin Dusty on Hat Mountain. Dusty was doing mighty well for a 12 year old! She loves visiting the Black Hills where she can roam off leash like Lupe.

While Dusty and Joe pondered the views, Lupe and SPHP went over to get a photo of the old Hat survey benchmark.  Set in 1950, it’s looking rather worse for the wear now.  The “A” in “Hat” has been completely obliterated, though parts of the “H” and “T” are still visible.

Hey, SPHP! The survey benchmark is over this way, remember? This was Lupe’s 4th ascent of Hat Mountain. Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) is the highest ridge on the L. Photo looks SSE.
The Hat survey benchmark is easy to find toward the E side of the summit area.

A week ago on Expedition No. 230, Lupe had gone with Rizzo, Buddy & Josh Hilpert to Ward Draw and K2 Peak.  Josh had told SPHP about a friend of his who had seen lots of pieces of old Indian artifacts up on Hat Mountain.  Although Lupe and SPHP had been on Hat Mountain 3 times before, SPHP had never noticed anything like that up here.  Still, it was an intriguing tale, and one of the main reasons Joe had been interested in coming to Hat Mountain today.

An initial scan of the small rocks scattered across the summit area proved disappointing.  Joe found a few pieces of rock that looked like they might possibly have been chipped as part of a tool making process, but none even faintly resembled a finished product.  SPHP didn’t see anything unusual, and the few poorly chipped rocks Joe came up with didn’t interest Lupe or Dusty at all.

Despite the discouraging results on the summit, Joe wasn’t ready to completely give up on the idea that there might be something of interest here.  Joe decided to make an exploratory circle a little below the top of the mountain to see if might be possible to run across something down there.  Dusty went with Joe, while Lupe and SPHP hung around up top just enjoying the views.

Joe and Dusty circle the summit of Hat Mountain looking for artifacts. Photo looks NNE.
Lupe in the depression at the S end of the summit area. According to the story Josh had told SPHP, there were supposed to be lots of pieces of artifacts here, but even Joe, who is a geologist, couldn’t find anything too interesting. Photo looks SSW.
Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) (L on the horizon) and Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) (R).  Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.
Black Elk Peak (L) and Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) (R). Photo looks SE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Lupe a little below the S end of the summit area. Photo looks NE.
Joe & Dusty continue circling the summit. Photo looks WSW.

The stroll below the summit was scenic, but unproductive.  Joe found even less of interest down below than up on top.  The whole artifact deal was basically a bust.

Oh, well.  Just looking had been sort of fun.  Joe and Dusty returned to the summit for a group photo with Lupe.

Cousin Dusty & Uncle Joe with Lupe on Hat Mountain.

Then it was time to head back down to the G6.

South Castle Rock (6,840 ft.) & Castle Rock (6,783 ft.) (both on L), Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.) (Center), and Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.) (R) from USFS Road No. 691 on the way back to the G6. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

Upon reaching the G6, Dusty and Lupe were both very much in favor of another refreshing short side trip to cool off in Deerfield Reservoir.

Dusty & Joe back at Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks NW.
Lupe wading in Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks W.

Then it was back to Grandma’s house for dinner on the deck, fun chasing tennis balls on the front lawn, and the traditional walk up the hill and around the bend to the cul-de-sac.

Links:

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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.
Looking SW along the rim.
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.
The cairn can be seen better here.
Peakbagging Carolina Dog (L) in the foreground, Black Elk Peak (R) in the distance, and Copper Mountain (R) between them. Photo looks ESE.

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.

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

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

It’s getting to that time of year when Lupe’s expeditions into the Black Hills usually stop for the summer.  The weather just gets too warm for a long day’s march in the hills to be much fun.  Usually the mud puddles have dried up by now, and the little seasonal creeks and streams are starting to dry up too.  SPHP has a hard time carrying enough water to satisfy a hot, thirsty American dingo.

So far this June though, temperatures have been pretty mild.  Rainfall has been way above normal, so there are still lots of mud puddles.  All the creeks and streams are looking good.  With a still reasonably tolerable high temperature forecast in the lower hills just in the low 80’s, this day was still going to be pretty nice in the higher hills.  Lupe could continue her peakbagging along the E edge of the limestone plateau country of the western hills.

SPHP parked the G6 at 7:49 AM along USFS Road No. 301.1A just off No. 301 at the exact same spot as on Expedition No. 132 two weeks earlier.  It was a beautiful 59°F, with completely clear blue skies and a light N breeze.  Since they were so close, Expedition No. 134 was going to start the same way as Expedition No. 132, with ascents of Copper and then Odakota Mountains.

Lupe on the SE cliffs of Copper Mountain. Harney Peak is the highest point in the distance. Medicine Mountain is at the right edge. Photo looks ESE.
Lupe on the SE cliffs of Copper Mountain. Harney Peak is the highest point in the distance. Medicine Mountain is at the right edge. Photo looks ESE.
Lupe on the flat top of Copper Mountain.
Lupe on the flat top of Copper Mountain.
The first of many water holes, mud puddles and streams made use of by Lupe. This one is on the W side of Copper Mountain.
The first of many water holes, mud puddles and streams made use of by Lupe. This one is on the W side of Copper Mountain.
Green Mountain is the high point on the right. Photo looks NNW from USFS Road No. 301.

The views were great from the SE end of Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.).  Lupe and SPHP stopped here for a little while for SPHP to goop up with sunscreen (the first of 3 goopings on this sunny day) while appreciating the bright morning views.  The stop at the summit of Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) was shorter, just long enough for a photo of Lupe at the summit cairn.  Lupe and SPHP weren’t going to trek all the way to the SE edge of the mountain through all that deadfall timber again like Lupe did on Expedition No. 132.  Instead, Lupe left Odakota Mountain to head for Green Mountain (7,164 ft.).

Odakota Mountain summit cairn.
Odakota Mountain summit cairn.

Lupe headed W from Odakota Mountain crossing USFS Road No. 693 at its high point and continuing on following the ridge line, which had a series of small rock escarpments along it.  There was a fair amount of deadfall timber around, but not so much as to seriously impede progress.  More annoying was the barbed wire fence which followed along fairly close to the ridge line, too.  No matter which side of the fence Lupe and SPHP got on, it seemed like the terrain soon changed to make the other side of the fence more desirable again.

Lupe and SPHP reached USFS Road No. 301 again just E of No. 301.1R, which goes N up Windmill Draw.  Windmill Draw is a pretty shallow broad valley with open meadows in the middle.  Pines and a few aspens line the sides of the draw.  No. 301.1R stuck to the W side of the draw near the pines.  Beetle-killed deadfall blocked the way fairly frequently, but it was easy to just drop down a bit into the valley to get around it where it was bad.  Pines still standing provided some shade, which was welcome with the sun so high in the sky.

At the upper end of Windmill Draw, No. 301.1R meets up with No. 691.1B (both unmarked here).   Lupe and SPHP took No. 691.1B NE to Green Mountain.  The best views here were from the cliffs at the SE end of the mountain.  There were splendid views of everything from the NE around to the SE and S.  Lupe and SPHP took a break on the cliffs.  Lupe was ready for some Taste of the Wild.  SPHP had the usual apple and split a little granola bar with Lupe.

Looking SE towards Copper Mountain (near center) from Green Mountain.
Looking SE towards Copper Mountain (lower rounded hill near center) from Green Mountain.

Lupe on Green Mountain 6-20-15

Gillette Prairie from Green Mountain. Photo looks E.
Gillette Prairie from Green Mountain. Photo looks E.
Lupe on Green Mountain 6-20-15. Photo looks E.

Lupe’s next peakbagging goal of the day was Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) over 3 miles to the NW.  Although Hat Mountain is near the limestone plateau country, it is a little different from Copper, Odakota and Green Mountains in that it sits out a little distance from the limestone plateau instead of being along the E edge of the long escarpment.  Lupe and SPHP left Green Mountain exploring to the N of No. 691.1B until the terrain forced a turn to the W to stay on the high ground.  Although SPHP was hoping for views of Hat Mountain, there were none from here that were any good.  There were too many trees.

There was also a substantial amount of deadfall timber to contend with.  Somewhere not too far W of the junction of USFS Roads No. 301.1R and No. 691.1B at the upper N end of Windmill Draw, Lupe and SPHP retreated S to get back on No. 691.1B heading W.  The road was open and the deadfall timber in the forest was just too much to deal with.  Lupe had a long way to go yet on this expedition, and it just took too much time.  When No. 691.1B reached No. 691, Lupe turned N on No. 691.

No. 691 isn’t a major gravel road, but it was in good condition and wide enough so that it didn’t get much shade.  Even though No. 691 lost elevation as Lupe headed N on it, the trek was so sunny and warm that SPHP was soon sweating.  Lupe and SPHP took occasional shade breaks (and a goop break) along the way in the forest just off the road.  SPHP was glad to leave No. 691 to turn W on No. 691.1E (marked as ATV trail No. 6004) just before reaching Heely Creek S of Hat Mountain.  No. 691.1E was a lesser road and much shadier.

Lupe takes a rest break on her way to Hat Mountain.
Pretty girl Lupe takes a rest break on her way to Hat Mountain.  What a lovely dingo!

From No. 691.1E, Hat Mountain, now just a mile to the N, was soon visible through the trees.  SPHP hoped for an easy way down the short, but steep bank through the trees into the meadow near Heely Creek, but finally gave up and just plunged N into the forest full of deadfall to get down to the valley.  Shortly after getting there, it was apparent that no more than a couple hundred yards farther W on No. 691.1E would have brought Lupe and SPHP to an easy side road right on down to a little ford across Heely Creek.  Exploring is like that.

Hat Mountain dead ahead! Lupe in the Heely Creek valley. Photo looks N.

There was a lot of marshy ground along Heely Creek and the easiest crossing point was at the little ford on the side road, so Lupe and SPHP crossed the creek there.  Once across the creek, it was an easy matter to make the trek up Hat Mountain from the S.  Unlike the other mountains Lupe had already climbed earlier in the day, Hat Mountain is not thickly forested and there was no deadfall timber to contend with.

Looking W at the Heely Creek valley S of Hat Mountain.
Looking W at the Heely Creek valley S of Hat Mountain.

The top of Hat Mountain is a flat limestone escarpment.  Without any trees up there, the views were excellent in every direction.  Consequently, Lupe and SPHP dallied up on Hat Mountain quite a while.  Lupe took a generous helping of Taste of the Wild.  The last little granola bar was shared and the last apple disappeared.  There were some beautiful clouds around and some big birds came swooping by for a little while.  The only thing Lupe didn’t like was that the top was so rocky.  It wasn’t terribly comfortable laying down to rest while viewing the scenic display.

Getting there! Lupe nears the summit of Hat Mountain from the S.
Getting there! Lupe nears the summit of Hat Mountain from the S.
The view N from Hat Mountain towards South Castle Rock, Nipple Butte and Flag Mountain where Lupe had been on Expedition No. 133.
The view N from Hat Mountain towards South Castle Rock, Nipple Butte and Flag Mountain (all near the center on the horizon) where Lupe had been on Expedition No. 133.
Deerfield Lake from Hat Mountain. Photo looks N.
The flat summit of Hat Mountain.
The flat summit of Hat Mountain.
A big bird soars over Hat Mountain.
A big bird soars over Hat Mountain.
Looking S from Hat Mountain towards Green Mountain (large ridge at right) and Copper Mountain (lower ridge just left of Green Mountain).
Looking S from Hat Mountain towards Green Mountain (large ridge at right) and Copper Mountain (lower shaded ridge just left of and beyond Green Mountain).
Another look S from Hat Mountain. Green Mountain at very right edge. Copper Mountain beyond it and now in sunlight. Harney Peak toward left side of photo.
Another look S from Hat Mountain. Green Mountain at very right edge. Copper Mountain beyond it and now in sunlight. Harney Peak toward left side of photo.
Looking SW from Hat Mountain towards the limestone plateau country where the Dragon Caves are hidden.
Looking SW from Hat Mountain towards the limestone plateau country where the Dragon Caves are hidden.
Deerfield Lake from Hat Mountain. Photo looks N.
Deerfield Lake from Hat Mountain. Photo looks N.  Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) is the highest point toward the left on the horizon.  Reynolds Prairie is the open ground beyond and to the left of Deerfield Lake.  Only a small portion of the lake is visible from Hat Mountain.

A 50% chance of scattered thunderstorms had been in the forecast for between 1-4 PM.  There were enough clouds around by now so that rain did look like it might develop.  SPHP thought maybe it was time for Lupe to head for the Dragon Caves.  There was probably time to get there before any serious rain developed.  So Lupe left Hat Mountain heading SW.  She rounded the S end of a low ridge down near Heely Creek and then followed the creek to USFS Road No. 291 (Ditch Creek Road).

A look back at Hat Mountain from the SW before Lupe rounded the low ridge near Heely Creek.

Lupe turned S on No. 291, which is a pretty major gravel road.  It is a beautiful drive, but was way busier than SPHP likes for hiking.  Groups of ATV’s roared up and down the road, along with cars and pickup trucks.  Nothing really all that major, but Lupe and SPHP usually go many hours and often the entire day without seeing anyone on Lupe’s expeditions.  Now it was minutes, and not all that many, between traffic events.  Fortunately, it was only 2/3 mile from Heely Creek to the bridge across Ditch Creek that leads to the Dragon Caves.

Lupe refreshed after a dip in Heely Creek.

Lupe crossed the bridge over Ditch Creek and instead of following USFS Road No. 385 to the right, continued straight ahead on an ATV trail up a small hill.  A right turn at an open area leads directly to the Dragon Caves.  The Dragon Caves have three large openings (they have to be large to accommodate dragons) facing S.  Farther back into the caves all three entrances connect.  Imagine a capital letter “E” with the long connecting side running E/W and the three shorter lines pointing S, and you have a good idea of the floor plan and orientation of the Dragon Caves entrances.

Lupe reaches the Dragon Caves. Two of the entrances are seen here. The third is around a little corner to the right.
Lupe reaches the Dragon Caves. Two of the entrances are seen here. The third is around a corner to the right.
Uh, SPHP, you did bring the flashlight didn’t you? Ever consider using it? Maybe you should now.

It was cool inside the Dragon Caves.  And dark.  SPHP got the flashlight with weak batteries out.  The dim light showed the dusty floor well enough to continue in to the area where the entrances are connected.  There is more to the Dragon Caves than just the “E”.  Big side passages and some smaller ones go back into the dark recesses.  Lupe went dragon hunting.  Fortunately for Smaug and any other dragons, they must have had some warning that a Carolina Dog was coming for them.  They had already departed.

I’ve got this exit covered SPHP, see if you can find any dragons over there.
Lupe dragon hunting in the Dragon Caves.
Possessed dingo prepares to face dragons in the Dragon Caves.
American Dingo heroine Lupe arrives at the Dragon Caves too late! The dragons have already fled with all their treasure hoards and damsels in distress.

Unfortunately for Lupe and SPHP, the dragons had evidently had time to pack up their treasure hoards and damsels in distress and depart with the entire bounty.  The only thing left other than dust was a beer can, dropped no doubt by some poor tourist during a dragon encounter with an unhappy ending.  Tourists just don’t know enough to bring a Carolina Dog with them for protection.  It’s not their fault really, they are from somewhere else and unfamiliar with the situation.  SPHP picked up the beer can as the only souvenir of Lupe’s dragon hunting this time around.

Lupe emerged from the Dragon Caves to find that it was sprinkling outside.  Now and then weak pathetic thunder could be heard.  If this was the scattered thunderstorm in the forecast, there was nothing to worry about.  Lupe went back to USFS Road No. 291 and turned S again.  About 1.5 miles farther on Lupe passed Ditch Creek campground, which seemed to be a source of the traffic in the area.  Despite its dreadful name, Ditch Creek campground is one of the nicest and most scenic campgrounds in the Black Hills.  Many of the campsites are right on Ditch Creek, a small clear cold stream that always has decent flow.  Plenty of people were around, but the campground wasn’t yet full.

Approaching Ditch Creek campground from the N.
Approaching Ditch Creek campground from the N.

Lupe wasn’t going to camp.  She pressed on to the S on No. 291.  An ATV trail map back at Ditch Creek campground had shown SPHP that Lupe should watch for ATV trail No. 6008 less than 0.75 mile S of the campground.  It supposedly wound its way E back to USFS Road No. 691.

Pretty soon Lupe reached No. 6008 and made the turn to the E.  No. 6008 was a lovely little road that climbed steadily, but not too steeply.  By the time Lupe turned on to No. 6008, the sun was low on the horizon.  As she climbed on No. 6008, though, the sun just didn’t set.  It always seemed like it was going to, but Lupe kept getting high enough up to keep it in view.

A look back N along USFS Road No. 291 (Ditch Creek Road) shortly before Lupe left it to head E on ATV trail No. 6008.
A look back N along USFS Road No. 291 (Ditch Creek Road) shortly before Lupe left it to head E on ATV trail No. 6008.

No. 6008 went on and on, climbing higher and higher.  Lupe saw a nice herd of 10 elk (the “giant deers”, as Lupe knows them!) disappear into the forest.  There started to be various intersecting ATV trails, all with different numbers.  Where No. 6008 went to, SPHP couldn’t say.  After a while Lupe seemed to be on No. 6010 and still later on No. 6011.  Lupe was on No. 6011 when the road finally reached the high point of the ridge between No. 291 to the W and No. 691 to the E.  Unfortunately, No. 6011 turned S and didn’t look like it was going to complete the trip to No. 691, which couldn’t have been much farther E at this point.

By now the sun was down, but it was still plenty light out to leave No. 6011 in search of No. 691.  Lupe and SPHP headed E and then SE through the forest.  Sure enough, before long Lupe reached No. 691.  SPHP recognized the spot, too.  Lupe was just 100 yards N of where No. 691.1B leaves No. 691 to head for Green Mountain.  SPHP decided it would be fun for Lupe to go tag the summit of Green Mountain again.  It would be nearly dark by the time Lupe got there, but so what?  It was a beautiful evening.

The 2nd ascent of Green Mountain was Lupe’s final peakbagging accomplishment of the day.  The light was fading fast, but Lupe and SPHP were both ready for a rest.  Copper Mountain was visible a couple miles to the SE.  The G6 was a short distance beyond Copper Mountain.  However, with darkness coming on, Lupe and SPHP would have to stick to the roads.  That meant the G6 was still 6 miles away.  After a 10 or 15 minute rest break at the cliffs on Green Mountain, it was time to move on ready or not.

Lupe ascended Green Mountain for a 2nd time this date, reaching it as dusk was coming on.
Lupe ascended Green Mountain for a 2nd time this date, reaching it as dusk was coming on.
Lupe on Green Mountain at nightfall. Still 6 miles by road back to the G6!
Lupe on Green Mountain at nightfall. Still 6 miles by road back to the G6!

The flashlight had to come out as the crescent moon wasn’t going to provide much light.  It was going to set within 2 or 3 hours and was obscured by clouds part of the time anyway.  Lupe and SPHP retraced No. 691.1B going SW to No. 301.1R at the N end of Windmill Draw.  SPHP started S through Windmill Draw on No. 301.1R and somehow got on a dirt track heading down through the meadow in the middle of Windmill Draw.  This was actually better than being on No. 301.1R, since there wasn’t any deadfall timber to contend with.

By the time Lupe reached the main gravel road, No. 301, there was lightning.  There was a little cloud-to-cloud lightning in the thin clouds nearby, but in the distance there was intense lightning in several different directions.  Lupe and SPHP took a rest break, but it didn’t last long.  SPHP heard thunder, still faint, but coming from off to the NW, the likely source of approaching weather.  It was time for Lupe to hurry on.

Lupe and SPHP took several more short rest breaks.  It had been a very long day.  The lightning display grew brighter and more dazzling, though it was still far enough away so only distant thunder could be heard and even that only now and then.  The situation changed after Lupe passed the turnoff for No. 693 to Odakota Mountain and Long Draw, which Lupe did not take.  There started to be clear bolts of cloud-to-ground lightning.  Thunder rumbled ominously.

Lupe wanted SPHP to stop and hide.  She was scared of the lightning.  SPHP wouldn’t let her stop and urged her to find the G6.  Lupe was almost to Copper Mountain and the G6 wasn’t far beyond it.  On the final stretch of road beyond Copper Mountain, the lightning bolts directly to the ground started striking alarmingly close.  The lightning was nearly continuous.  Thunder exploded, echoing in the forest.  When Lupe finally saw the G6, the terrified dingo bolted away from SPHP and ran for it.  When SPHP caught up, she leaped into the G6 as soon as the door was open.

Through all of this, not a drop of rain had fallen.  Within a minute of reaching the G6 though, it began.  First one large drop, then another, then a few more, then a hailstone.  Oddly enough, the terrified dingo regained enormous courage, bolstered by the comforting familiarity and armor of the G6.  Lupe now wanted to stick her head out the window to sniff the air and see what was going on as SPHP drove the gravel roads towards the pavement at Deerfield Road.

The whole head out the window and sniffing bit didn’t last more than a few minutes.  Rain and hail grew stronger.  The wind blew.  Lightning and thunder raged.  The dingo decided to take full advantage of the G6 armor, brought her head back inside the vehicle and curled up on the seat.  On the way home there were two significant weather events.

The first was something Lupe and SPHP had never been in before.  About 5 miles NW of Hill City, SD was a “hailburst” – like a cloudburst, except with hail instead of just rain.  In seconds the road went from having a few hailstones on it to being completely white.  In fact, everything was white.

SPHP had to completely stop the G6 several times right on the highway.  Even with high beams on and windshield wipers on the fastest setting, nothing but a wall of white hailstones streaking down could be seen beyond the hood of the G6.  SPHP could not see any portion of the road or anything else around the G6.  Fortunately, there was no traffic and the hail was not large enough to cause major damage.

The 2nd event occurred later on after a lull in the storm, a cloudburst with just rain and no hail.  Although intense, it seemed like a piece of cake next to the hailburst.

Lupe had reached the G6 at 11:40 PM (53°F), 15 hours and 51 minutes after setting out on Expedition No. 134.  At nearly 16 hours, Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 134 had been the 2nd longest expedition Lupe has ever been on.  It was certainly a memorable one.  Lupe didn’t reach home until after 1 AM.  A very tired and dirty dingo gobbled up some Alpo and then went straight to bed.  Outside the open window, the rain, wind, lightning and thunder continued in the night.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Approaching Custer Peak

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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