Iron Mountain – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 305 – Cousin Laddie Pays a Visit (9-22-22 thru 9-25-22)

9-21-22, 8:00 PM – Shrill barking told the tale. They were here! Lupe was ecstatic, racing out the door to greet Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Laddie as soon as SPHP opened it. Sadly, no Cousin Dusty ever again, but the Carolina Dog put on as enthusiastic a display as possible for those who had arrived. Good times were sure to follow!

But what had happened to Cousin Laddie? He looked strikingly different from the last time Lupe had seen him back in April. Laddie’s luxurious long coat was gone! Joe and Andrea explained that they’d had most of it shaved off to help Laddie stay cool this summer. His coat was returning, but still had a considerable amount of growing out to do. As Uncle Joe maintained, in the meantime, Laddie was part fuzzy caterpillar.

9-22-22 – It was already early afternoon by the time Uncle Joe parked the RAV4 at the high point of Boulder Hill Road on this unseasonably cool, gray day with low clouds spitting a few raindrops now and then. Despite the weather, everyone was in good spirits on the way up the access road to the base of the mountain.

Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) was a short, easy trek, offering plenty of scenic bang for relatively little effort. At least, that was the general consensus among Lupe, Joe and SPHP. Laddie had no expectations, having never been to Boulder Hill before. All went well until the access road ended at the base of the rocky ridge atop the mountain. Partway up the single track trail that wound up to the summit, there was a spot requiring a pretty good jump for Laddie’s short legs.

Seeing that Laddie might have a problem with the jump, SPHP offered encouragement. Laddie gave it one half-hearted effort, failed miserably, and promptly started back down the mountain. SPHP would have given Laddie the boost required to get past the trouble spot, but having once been latched onto and shaken like a rag doll by another dog, Laddie was extraordinarily fearful and opposed to ever being picked up.

Farther up the trail, Lupe watched and waited as Uncle Joe called Laddie and shouted encouragement. SPHP demonstrated how easy it actually was to get up past the trouble spot, leaving Laddie alone below. Laddie responded to Joe a couple of times, but turned around and went back down again each time he reached the trouble spot.

Well, this would never do! If Cousin Laddie hoped to be a peakbagging Sheltie in the Black Hills, he’d have to develop a little more spirit and gumption. Joe finally went down to Laddie, attached a leash, and with a gentle tug got him past the trouble spot. Only took a second or two. With Joe by his side, Laddie demonstrated more confidence.

Uncle Joe proclaimed Laddie “a weird and needy little dog”, but Laddie did manage to make it the rest of the way up under his own power.

Laddie practicing some light scrambling on the way up **Boulder Hill** with Joe by his side.

Loopster reaches the familiar summit. This was her 8th **Boulder Hill** ascent.

Ordinarily, a nice, long break would have been taken up on Boulder Hill to enjoy the magnificent views so easily obtained. However, the summit was much windier than it had been on the way up, and the cold breeze seemed to be gaining strength with every passing moment.

Furthermore, although Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.) was in sight less than 1.25 mile SSW, most higher peaks were in the clouds.

Joe and Lupe together on **Boulder Hill** while Cousin Fuzzy Caterpillar has a sniff around. **Silver Mountain** (R). Photo looks SSW.

10 minutes up top were about it before a general retreat was decided upon. The descent went fine. Laddie was somewhat bolder, having so recently gone this way before.

Approaching the RAV4, a change was evident. A pickup truck with a trailer was now parked nearby. Of even more interest, a horse was tied to the trailer. Despite how much bigger the horse was, Laddie felt plenty bold now. Unafraid, he rushed at the enormous equine, barking.

Unable to run away, the horse did nothing, but seemed nervous. Not a good situation! Uncle Joe sprang into action, running over to re-attach Laddie’s leash, then dragging Cousin Watch-Me-Get-Kicked-in-the-Head away from the confrontation.

No harm done! The Boulder Hill jaunt having taken minimal time, there was still opportunity to do a little more this afternoon. Driving down to the official Boulder Hill trailhead less than a mile farther N, the plan was to explore part of Loop B of Flume Trail No. 50.

Going clockwise around the loop, everyone made it to a slimy gray-green pond on a tiny tributary of Bitter Creek.

A few cows were standing in the muck, so Joe restrained Laddie again. Going only a little farther before turning back, the cows moved away as Lupe and Laddie approached a second time. Halfway back to the RAV4, a whole herd appeared moving through the forest from out of the SW.

Turned out a cowboy was rounding the cows up. He was riding a horse that looked strangely familiar. On his best behavior, Laddie watched the cows cross the trail, maintaining both a respectful silence and distance until they were gone.

Not a particularly long or strenuous outing, but it had nevertheless been a successful day. Laddie was learning the ropes! He was both surprised, and evidently quite pleased, when he was ultimately rewarded with a big bowl of the spaghetti SPHP made for dinner.

9-23-22 – A much nicer day! Only partly cloudy, and considerably warmer. Still a rather leisurely start as everyone piled out of the RAV4 at Legion Lake shortly before 11:00 AM. A jaunt along Centennial Trail No. 89 was the intended order of the day.

Since the Centennial Trail’s Badger Hole trailhead was a 0.25 mile SE of Legion Lake down the Galena Creek valley, Lupe and Laddie started out following another trail circling the lake’s W and S shores to get to where the creek leaves the E end of the lake. This was the long way around, but in the process, they got to cross the dam along the W shore, and had an opportunity to do a short quick scramble up to a viewpoint provided by a large rock formation overlooking the lake’s S shore.

After yesterday’s Boulder Hill experience, Laddie had no problem with this scramble, although he wasn’t cooperative as far as posing for SPHP up at the viewpoint. Loopster filled in for him, since she loves posing!

Crossing the **Legion Lake dam**. Photo looks SE.

Joe and Lupe up on the rocky viewpoint that was just N of the trail. Newly confident scrambler Laddie’s already somewhere up there, too. Photo looks NE.

A wider view of **Legion Lake**. Photo looks NW.

The trek down the Galena Creek valley was a mere road hike. Upon reaching the Badger Hole trailhead, a single track spur went SW up a shallow, forested valley to the main Centennial Trail No. 89 N/S route.

About to leave the **Badger Hole trailhead**. Photo looks SSW.

At the intersection, Lupe and Laddie turned L, taking the route S. The trail steepened somewhat as it continued SW up the valley. Still forested at first, a more open region of tall grass was soon reached. The lower NE slopes of Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) were now in sight directly ahead.

Centennial Trail No. 89. **Lower NE slopes of Mount Coolidge** ahead. Photo looks SW.

Continuing toward Mount Coolidge, the trail began curving S, becoming rocky and quite a bit steeper before leveling out at Pass 5180. Heading ESE from here, the trail was flat for a little way. This elevated stretch was more scenic, offering views of nearby rock formations, plus a great look at Peak 5440 off to the NE.

At **Pass 5180**. **Peak 5440** (Center). Photo looks NE.

After passing some smaller rock formations offering viewpoints, the trail turned S, heading steeply down into the next valley. This descent was eroded and quite rocky. When reached, the broad valley floor was a mix of meadow and open forest. The trail turned E here, paralleling a tiny tributary of Galena Creek that was completely dry.

In the next valley to the S. Photo looks W.

The valley was flat, a nearly effortless trek on a pleasantly warm, sunny day. After going E for a while, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved SW prior to looping most of the way around a small hill. Uncle Joe was starting to think this was about far enough.

Before turning back, a break was taken on the little hill. Joe shared some beef jerky, a treat eagerly accepted by one and all. Apples, water, and a chocolate coconut bar SPHP offered to Lupe and Laddie were also a hit.

Break time up on the little hill before turning back.

During the return, a few minutes were spent exploring some of the smaller rock formations in the Pass 5180 region. Several towers on Mount Coolidge were visible from here.

**Mount Coolidge** (Center) from **Pass 5180**. Photo looks WSW.

In all the times Joe and Dusty had been to the Black Hills, they’d never been to Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.). A newcomer in just the past year, Cousin Laddie had never been there, either. Once back at Legion Lake, SPHP suggested making the drive to the fire lookout tower. Joe agreed.

The winding gravel road to the summit was much busier than SPHP ever dreamed it would be. Arriving at the parking lot on top, a small crowd was streaming to and from the lookout’s viewing deck. Although it had been a nice, sunny day down at Legion Lake and along Centennial Trail No. 89, a 40 mph wind was roaring out of NW up here.

By Black Hills standards, Mount Coolidge offers some pretty impressive panoramic views. With the unexpected gale creating such an ominous, eerie moan among the various towers, Mount Coolidge seemed like a much more formidable and higher peak than it really was. Joe decided Cousin Laddie ought to stay in the RAV4 rather than risk being blown right off the mountain.

Lupe wasn’t worried by the wind. She didn’t want to miss out! Crazy Horse, Sylvan Peak (7,000 ft.), Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), and many other notable high points were in sight, along with a vast expanse of western South Dakota plains beyond the Black Hills.

**Mount Coolidge lookout tower**. Photo looks SSW.

Joe up on the viewing deck. **Black Elk Peak** (L) on the horizon. Photo looks N.

**Sylvan Peak** (Center) and **Little Devils Tower** (far R) in the distance. Photo looks NW.

Up in the roaring wind, Mount Coolidge made quite an impression on Joe. He’d never really experienced the Black Hills quite like this. Even SPHP was surprised. Cousin Laddie had completely missed out on the highlight of the day!

Laddie begged to differ, though, after SPHP later offered him a big bowl of sloppy joe meat for dinner. Unsure of it at first, after just a couple of bites, Laddie was a believer, requesting and receiving a second helping!

9-24-22, 10:42 AM – Joe parked the RAV4 at the Lakota Lake picnic ground, then sauntered over to the little lake for a look. A light breeze rippled the surface of this glorified pond beneath a thinly overcast sky. Big rock formations were visible over on the far shore near the dam.

The **Lakota Lake picnic ground** off Iron Mountain Road. Photo looks NW.

Like Legion Lake yesterday, Lakota Lake was merely a starting point, not the focus of today’s outing. The main event was going to be a trek up Iron Creek Trail No. 15. To get to the trailhead, everyone set off heading SW along the picnic ground access road, which overlooked a skinny arm of Lakota Lake that extended nearly all the way back to Iron Mountain Road. Crossing the highway, the trailhead was found on the other side.

Loop at the start of **Iron Creek Trail No. 15**. Photo looks SW.

Although Iron Creek Trail No. 15 was only going to wind gradually up the Iron Creek valley, a bit of Black Hills adventure dog training was in store for Cousin Laddie. The trail would cross Iron Creek 11 times over just a couple of miles.

Reaching the first crossing immediately beyond the trailhead, Laddie was uncertain what to do. Iron Creek had some flow, but was running low this time of year. With encouragement from Joe, Laddie managed to ford the stream, while Joe rock-hopped it with ease. Having been here before, Lupe and SPHP crossed on a narrow plank bridge.

Past the equinox, it was officially early autumn now. The leaves on the trees were just beginning to turn. As the trail wound its way W up the Iron Creek valley, there were some pretty spots. Laddie forded a couple more creek crossings before attempting to use the plank bridges. Soon he was crossing them with confidence.

Early autumn along **Iron Creek Trail No. 15**.

Taking advantage of one of the plank bridges over **Iron Creek**.

Towering rock formations were soon visible way up on the S side of the valley. They were part of the E end of Woodpecker Ridge (5,680 ft.). Lupe had been up there once upon a time. Horrid deadfall was what SPHP remembered, but there had been some worthwhile views, too.

Part of **Woodpecker Ridge** (Center). Photo looks SE.

All seemed to be going perfectly well, when Joe suddenly announced deep concern over the amount of poison ivy along the trail. He was soon pronouncing the poison ivy collection along Iron Creek Trail No. 15 the most extensive he’d ever seen. Knowing he was quite susceptible to it, having suffered through poison ivy infections before, Joe seemed on the verge of wanting to beat a hasty retreat.

Fortunately, Joe stuck with it. Continuing on, the worst of the poison ivy was left behind.

On a late September weekend, Iron Creek Trail No. 15 was surprisingly busy. Quite a few other canines were out exploring with their humans. Two in particular had some rather Old West names. Lupe and Laddie got to meet an Australian Shepherd named One-Eyed Jack, and a Husky named Outlaw. Jack actually had 2 eyes.

Farther upstream, the bridges got better. Instead of mere planks, several were regular footbridges with railings. The upper end of the Iron Creek trail wasn’t much farther. Rather than a complete dead end, the trail led to a gravel road. Continuing a little farther, this road went past the Iron Creek Summer Home Group, a collection of classic, rustic cabins.

One with a sign saying “Minnelusa” looked particularly sweet.

The **Minnelusa cabin**. Iron Creek flows right behind it.

0.75 mile from Iron Creek Trail No. 15, Iron Mountain Trail No. 16 would leave this same road, eventually intersecting a spur of Centennial Trail No. 89 leading to the Iron Mountain picnic ground. A bushwhack clear to the top of Iron Mountain (5,445 ft.) itself is possible from there.

Eh. More than Uncle Joe wanted to take on. Shortly before reaching Trail No. 16, it was time to turn back to rerun the poison ivy gauntlet.

Heading back to Lakota Lake. Part of **Woodpecker Ridge** (R). Photo looks SE.

Cousin Laddie got to visit Iron Mountain, anyway. On the way back to Hotel Lupe, Iron Mountain Road went practically right over the top of it. A quick stop to enjoy a terrific view of both Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) and Mount Rushmore (5,725 ft.) was the highlight of the day.

**Black Elk Peak** (L) and **Mount Rushmore** (R) from **Iron Mountain**. Photo looks WNW.

Well, except for Cousin Laddie, who was anxiously looking forward to a heaping helping of SPHP’s spaghetti or sloppy joes this evening. SPHP didn’t disappoint. Laddie got 2 big bowls of spaghetti.

9-25-22 – Cousin Laddie had one more day in the Black Hills, but Uncle Joe wasn’t going to be available. He and Andrea were taking Grandma down to Mush and David’s 40 acre ranch in the southern hills for a visit. Mush and David’s dog, Chewy, was easily bigger than both Lupe and Laddie put together, much stronger, younger, and very territorial.

To prevent any possible tragic outcomes, SPHP stayed home with Laddie and Lupe. After 3 days running of adventures in the hills, that was fine with both of them. So, a leisurely day was spent at Hotel Lupe. Sloppy joes were once again served for dinner, much to Laddie’s delight.

9-26-22 – Sadly, it was time. Bright and early, Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Laddie hit the road home to Colorado. Laddie’s Black Hills adventure training had gone just fine, and the cuisine at Hotel Lupe had apparently been among the best he’d ever experienced. His Black Hills visit had been a big success.

Sure was fun, SPHP! Hope they’ll be back again sometime soon!

Indeed it was, Looper! Realistically, though, I doubt they’ll be back until sometime next spring.

Oh, that’s too bad! Makes me wonder, though.

Wonder about what, Loop?

Any spaghetti or sloppy joes left?

Hah! Fat chance! Not when Cousin Fuzzy Caterpillar has been around. About time you got back on your Taste of the Wild diet, anyway.

Well, shucks! Now I really am sad that they’ve left.

I thought you liked Taste of the Wild, Loop?

Oh, I do! But it isn’t spaghetti or sloppy joes!

On **Iron Mountain** with Black Hills adventure Sheltie Laddie, and Uncle Joe, 9-24-22

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 186 – Iron Mountain & Peak 5440 (12-23-16)

The cold came first. Single and low double digit highs. Subzero nights. Ten days later, the snow arrived. Lupe was in for a white Christmas.

Yes, Christmas was coming, and what Lupe wanted most for Christmas was action! All these days laying around waiting for the weather to improve were excruciatingly dull for the Carolina Dog. Three weeks into December, a break in the weather came. Three days with highs in the 40’s. A little snow melted the first two days. Only one day remained before things turned cold again.

Lupe’s Christmas wish was going to be granted a little early. When she saw SPHP starting to get the pack ready, Loop was as excited as if she had caught Santa Claus himself coming down the chimney. Leaping! Barking! Hurry! Hurry! Lupe was anxious to go.

SPHP did a poor job of hurrying. Much of the morning got chewed up by pre-Christmas errands. Two days after winter solstice, this wasn’t going to be a very long expedition. Lupe didn’t care. She was taking what she could get.

Iron Mountain (5,446 ft.) was once again on the way to Lupe’s peakbagging objective. Since Iron Mountain Road essentially winds all the way up to the top of Iron Mountain, Lupe stopped briefly to check out the view from the summit (11:42 AM, 41°F). Maybe the Black Hills looked more like Christmas now that there was some snow around?

Lupe arrives up on Iron Mountain on her first Black Hills expedition in 19 dreadfully long days!

**Mount Rushmore (5,725 ft.)** from Iron Mountain. Lupe saw some snow around, but there wasn’t any up in the trees to make the views look Christmas white. Photo looks NW.

**Harney Peak (7,242 ft.)** from Iron Mountain. Photo looks W.

From Iron Mountain, Lupe saw some snow around, but the scene wasn’t exactly a winter wonderland. There wasn’t any snow up in the trees to make things really look Christmas white. Lupe and SPHP returned to the G6 and continued on.

Lupe’s peakbagging objective for the day was Peak 5440. Although the mountain is only 0.25 mile E of the Needles Highway (Hwy 87), Lupe would start for it from Center Lake (12:04 PM, 45°F), 2 miles to the NE. Her actual route would be longer than that. After all, Lupe was here to enjoy the day, not to be done with it all as soon as possible!

Lupe started for Peak 5440 here at Center Lake. Center Lake looked plenty white enough, with a good 6″ of snow or more. Photo looks SE.

From Center Lake, Lupe climbed an embankment to reach a road W of the lake. The map showed this road would lead to some kind of trail following Grace Coolidge Creek to the SSE. The road climbed a little to the SW, then turned S and dropped down to creek level.

It turned out the trail along Grace Coolidge Creek was actually an abandoned dirt road. That made it easy to follow, even with half a foot of snow on the ground. Lupe had a great time looking for squirrels in the forest, while SPHP plodded along. She found several to bark at that had emerged to enjoy the relatively warm, sunny afternoon.

On the abandoned road that serves as a trail near Grace Coolidge Creek.

Despite the recent long cold snap, Grace Coolidge Creek wasn’t entirely frozen. In places there was still open flowing water. Even where there wasn’t, the ice couldn’t be trusted. The trail crossed the creek a number of times. It wasn’t a problem, since a single, long sturdy plank provided a footbridge at each crossing.

Lupe pauses on the snowy trail to listen and look for squirrels. She had some success finding squirrels that had emerged to bask in the sunshine on this relatively warm afternoon.

While the mighty squirrel hunter was busily occupied, SPHP was looking for the turn where Lupe needed to leave the creek to start climbing. The plan was to follow a side trail up a canyon to the W passing N of High Point 4924. There was no telling what that side trail or canyon might look like. SPHP rejected a couple of possibilities after comparing actual terrain to the topo map.

The turn couldn’t be much farther. Lupe came to a place where the trail was about to cross to the E side of the creek again. Ahead was a small concrete dam next to the base of a natural solid rock wall. A narrow side canyon full of trees veered off to the NW.

The terrain seemed right, but at first there didn’t appear to be any trail going up the canyon. That would be bad news. Lupe and SPHP left the trail by the creek to investigate further.

Yes! Lupe came across a faint, remnant of a road. Clearly, it had been a long time since any vehicle had come this way. The old road was impassable for vehicles now, but looked easy enough to follow on foot and paw.

Lupe looks for the turn to the W. A little concrete dam on Grace Coolidge Creek next to a natural wall of rock is seen beyond Lupe. This was where Lupe needed to leave the creek and start following a narrow side canyon leading NW. Photo looks S.

Lupe left Grace Coolidge Creek behind, following what remained of the ancient road going NW up the narrow side canyon. The canyon eventually broadened out becoming a wider valley, which wound around toward the W. SPHP wasn’t entirely certain Lupe had taken the correct route, but things seemed to be matching up pretty well with the topo map. Lupe passed to the N of a hill which was likely High Point 4924.

This valley was a beautiful and obviously seldom visited place. Lupe gained elevation steadily, but so did the sides of the valley. There was lots of snow, but it wasn’t too deep for Lupe to get through. The big disappointment was that there weren’t nearly as many squirrels here as back along the creek.

For a mile or so, everything seemed fine, but then the valley narrowed sharply, becoming a canyon again. What was left of the old road had completely vanished. The canyon floor became increasingly rocky and steep. This didn’t seem right. The topo map had shown this route climbing gradually toward Pass 5111. SPHP halted for another look at the map.

Lupe having a good time in a seldom visited valley W of Grace Coolidge Creek. She is already more than a mile from the creek, near the start of a side valley SPHP took by mistake. Photo looks W.

The map showed Lupe was likely in a minor side canyon SPHP mistook for the main route to Pass 5111. Lupe was probably N of High Point 5196. If so, she wasn’t off track by much at all. Lupe could easily backtrack a short distance back to the main route, or she could climb up the ridge to the N, then follow it W to Pass 5111.

Lupe continued up the narrow canyon. She left it as soon as an opportunity arose to climb up onto the ridge to the N. It wasn’t hard to reach a high point along the ridgeline. From here, Lupe could see a big hill to the N. SPHP tried to place it on the map. It seemed to be a hill 0.25 mile NE of Pass 5111.

Lupe reaches the ridgeline N of High Point 5196. She could see this hill off to the N. After consulting the topo map, SPHP concluded this hill was 0.25 mile NE of Pass 5111.

Off to the SW, barely in view due to the forest, was an even higher hill that might well be Peak 5440. At least everything seemed to make sense again. Lupe headed W along the ridgeline, climbing steadily. She soon came to a road that led her right to Pass 5111. Lupe could see Harney Peak to the NW on the other side of the pass.

At Pass 5111. Harney Peak (Center) is in view. From here, Lupe only needed to follow a ridgeline S to reach Peak 5440. Photo looks NW.

From Pass 5111, Lupe only had to follow one more ridge SSW to Peak 5440. This ridge has a couple of high spots along the way. Although the topo map didn’t show any trail leading toward Peak 5440, Lupe found a side road that took her SW partway up onto this next ridge.

Lupe on a snowy side road that went SW from Pass 5111 partway up onto the ridge that would take Lupe to Peak 5440. Photo looks SW.

Lupe reached the ridgeline. She followed it SSW, still climbing, until she reached the first of the two high points along the way. This first high point was the highest, and open enough so Lupe had some great views from here.

**Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.)**(L) and **Harney Peak (7,242 ft.)**(R of Center) from the first high point Lupe came to on the ridge leading to Peak 5440. Photo looks NW.

From here, Lupe had her first good look at her peakbagging objective, Peak 5440(L of Center). It was less than 0.5 mile away. Photo looks SSW.

Looking NNW. Cathedral Spires(L), Harney Peak(L of Center) and Peak 5688(far R). Lupe recently visited **Peak 5688** for the first time on a windy day in November on **Expedition No. 184**.

Lupe continued S along the ridge. She lost some elevation coming off the first high point, crossed over the second lower high spot, and began a fairly steep climb up the forested N face of Peak 5440. Soon she reached the top of the mountain. A small rock outcropping only a few feet high toward the NW was the true summit.

Success! Lupe on the true summit of Peak 5440. Harney Peak is in view beyond her. Photo looks NW.

Lupe had her peakbagging success for the day! Time for a break. SPHP sat on a rock near the true summit munching an apple. Lupe wasn’t hungry or thirsty.

At least this expedition had accomplished something! Lupe was tired enough to want to curl up and lay down next to SPHP for a little bit. The temperature had been dropping. It was now close to freezing, yet Lupe insisted upon laying on a patch of snow.

Break time lasted only until the apple was gone. The sun was getting low. Lupe and SPHP explored the summit area, which was of modest size. Most of the summit area was SE of the true summit. There were good views in most directions, although forest screened everything to the NE.

Cathedral Spires through the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.

Looking up toward the top of Peak 5440 from the S.

**Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.)**(L of Center). Lupe hasn’t been to Mount Coolidge since Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 13, way back on 3-22-12. Photo looks SW.

Time to be heading back, or it would get pitch black out before Lupe would reach the G6. Lupe and SPHP left Peak 5440 heading down the N slope. Lupe would retrace her route up back to Pass 5111. There, a decision would have to be made on which way to go.

Lupe sniffs around in the forest on her way back down the N slope of Peak 5440.

Looking back at Peak 5440 from the N ridge. Sunlight illuminates some of the pine trees for a little while longer. Soon the sun would be down. Photo looks S.

The sun was down by the time Lupe reached Pass 5111 again. Which way? Taking the road going NNW would quickly bring Lupe down to the Needles Highway only 0.25 mile away. It was the safest choice. Lupe could then take known roads back to the G6.

The other option was the road going SE from the pass. The topo map showed it going down to the canyon leading to Grace Coolidge Creek. Once at the creek, Lupe could easily follow the trail back to Center Lake. This route was more remote, and a little chancy. Twilight would fade. However, Lupe should reach the canyon in plenty of time to verify she was on the right track before it got dark.

Lupe took the remote route instead of going to the highway.

Soon there was a problem. The road didn’t go SE as expected. Instead, it went NE, staying high on a ridge. Lupe pressed onward. As long as the road didn’t play out, NE was actually the shortest route back.

The luck of the Dingo held. The road didn’t play out. It remained high on the ridge until finally descending to come out at the Black Hills Playhouse. Lupe had taken a shortcut on a road not shown on the map. All was well. White Dingo magic again! (5:06 PM, 28°F)

A last look back at Peak 5440 from the high point SW of Pass 5111.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 184 – Iron Mountain & Peak 5688 (11-28-16)

Windy. Not all that cold out, but not terribly warm, either. SPHP dithered. Lupe was due for another of her Black Hills expeditions, but what were conditions going to be like up in the hills? Lupe was anxious to go. SPHP checked the forecast again. Not much of a change expected all day long. It would probably be OK. Lupe won out, Expedition No. 184 was a go!

After a bit of a late start, SPHP parked the G6 at the parking lot on top of Iron Mountain (10:38 AM, 34°F). Lupe’s first peakbagging success of the day was going to be a super easy, trivial one. A short paved path curved NW toward an official viewpoint at the NW edge of the large, forested summit area.

Expedition No. 184 started with Lupe already almost at the top of Iron Mountain. The rocky ridge seen between the trees is the true summit at the W end of the mountain. Photo looks W.

The big view from Iron Mountain (5,446 ft.) is off to the W toward Harney Peak (7,242 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota. The main attraction for most people, however, is closer by to the NW. Mount Rushmore (5,725 ft.) can be seen only 3 miles away.

Lupe didn’t go to the official, safely-fenced, tourist viewpoint. She made the 20 foot climb up onto the short, scenic rock ridge where the true summit is to claim her pathetically easy Iron Mountain peakbagging success. Once on top at the edge of the mountain, she had no interest in sticking around for the views. Every blast of the N wind, gusting 30-35 mph, was hitting her full force. Not Lupe’s idea of a good time!

Lupe, partially protected from the roaring N wind, at the base of the solid rock summit ridge on Iron Mountain. Photo looks SW.

Harney Peak from the summit of Iron Mountain. Photo looks W.

Of course, Iron Mountain wasn’t Lupe’s real peakbagging goal for Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 184. Simply driving practically to the top of the mountain would have been a poor excuse for an expedition.

Eight days ago, on Expedition No. 183, Lupe had made it from Lakota Lake to nearby Woodpecker Ridge (5,680 ft.). Her route traveling SW along the length of the ridge had been so difficult and taken so long, Lupe had run out of time to go on to Peak 5688. Lupe was back to find and climb Peak 5688 on Expedition No. 184.

Lupe stayed on the windy summit of Iron Mountain for only a moment or two. She wanted down out of that gale! Lupe and SPHP left the Iron Mountain summit area heading first S, then W down to the Iron Mountain Picnic Ground along Iron Mountain Road (Hwy 16A). From the picnic ground, Lupe took Centennial Bypass Trail No. 89B going SW into the Black Elk Wilderness. The wind wasn’t much of a problem down here.

Before long, Lupe came to a sign along the trail. SPHP intended for Lupe to take Iron Mountain Trail No. 16 going S to Iron Creek, but the sign didn’t mention that trail. The sign was actually at the intersection, but deadfall timber hid Trail No. 16 from view. SPHP failed to look carefully enough to find it, and missed the turn.

Lupe was a lot farther along Centennial Bypass Trail No. 89B before SPHP stopped to check the maps and realized the mistake. No matter, Trail No. 89B was one of the few trails Lupe had never been on before in the Black Elk Wilderness. She was having fun exploring it. Soon Lupe would reach the junction with the main Centennial Trail No. 89. She could turn S there.

Lupe near the junction of Centennial Bypass Trail No. 89B and Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks E back along the bypass trail she had just traveled.

Back in 2012, when Lupe first started her Black Hills, SD Expeditions, she explored virtually the entire length of the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89 over the course of the year, one section at a time. It seemed like a long time ago. When Lupe turned S on Centennial Trail No. 89, at first SPHP didn’t recognize anything.

On Centennial Trail No. 89. Lupe had explored virtually the entire length of this 111 mile trail back in 2012, one section at a time. Even so, SPHP didn’t recognize this part of the trail. Photo looks S.

As Lupe headed S on Centennial Trail No. 89, she started seeing huge granite rock formations a little E of the trail. Before long, Lupe arrived at an intersection that did look familiar. SPHP remembered being confused back in 2012 as to which way to go from here. The correct choice had been to turn E, so Lupe did so again.

On Centennial Trail No. 89 just after turning E at the intersection where SPHP had been confused back in 2012. Photo looks E.

Very shortly after turning E, the trail started curving S again, arriving almost immediately at yet another intersection. Centennial Trail No. 89 went S staying to the W of the huge rock formations. If Lupe went that way, she would arrive at the Iron Mountain Horse Camp near Iron Creek.

There was a faster way to get to Iron Creek, though. Lupe left Centennial Trail No. 89 taking Grizzly Bear Creek Trail No. 7 (unmarked at the junction) instead. Trail No. 7 went SE between towering walls of solid granite. Lupe followed Grizzly Bear Creek Trail No. 7 all the way down to a trailhead at USFS Road No. 345 near Iron Creek.

In the Black Elk Wilderness on the way to Iron Creek via Grizzly Bear Creek Trail No. 7. Photo looks NNE.

From the trailhead along USFS Road No. 345, Peak 5688 was about 2 miles to the SSE as the crow flies. It had taken Lupe quite a while to reach Iron Creek on the route she had taken, but there was still plenty of time to search for Peak 5688. No road or trail led to it from here. Lupe would have to make her way to Peak 5688 by exploring the forest, but she loves doing that!

The first task was to cross Iron Creek, which was S of the road. Lupe crossed USFS Road No. 345, went to the creek, and quickly found a way over it.

Newly formed ice crystals on Iron Creek. 8 days ago, on Expedition No. 183, there had been an inch of snow down along Iron Creek. The snow had melted, but apparently it had been cold again recently.

About to cross Iron Creek. Photo looks upstream (W).

Beyond the creek, Lupe continued S, climbing up onto a small ridge. She could see massive granite formations typical of this part of the Black Hills back to the N.

Looking N from the small ridge at massive granite rock outcroppings typical of this part of the Black Hills.

Lupe and SPHP wandered through the forest, trying to travel S in the general direction of Peak 5688. For a while, it was hard to keep one’s bearings. The rumpled terrain kept forcing Lupe in different directions. There were no clear landmarks in view. Lupe had never been here before.

Lupe wanders looking for Peak 5688. Photo looks S?

After wandering around for a while, Lupe finally saw a high hill ahead. The high hill was part of Woodpecker Ridge, where Lupe had been 8 days ago on Expedition No. 183.

Still looking for Peak 5688, Lupe discovers the high hill in the background. SPHP correctly surmised it was part of Woodpecker Ridge, not too far from the summit where Lupe had been 8 days ago on Expedition No. 183. Photo looks SE?

Lupe continued her explorations, eventually entering an area of deadfall timber and thistles that looked vaguely familiar from Expedition No. 183. She came across a primitive road that led up to some high ground. Studying the topo map, SPHP became convinced this road was part of a route shown on the map a little W of Woodpecker Ridge.

Lupe saw a long forested ridge off to the SSW. That ridge almost certainly had to be Peak 5688. Lupe was closest to it’s NNE end. She headed S toward it, crossing High Point 5428 on the topo map along the way.

In the forest N of High Point 5428. Photo looks S.

Loop reaches the top of High Point 5428. Photo looks NE.

Lupe crossed a dirt road in the saddle between High Point 5428 and the NNE end of Peak 5688. Instead of heading for the very end of the ridge, Lupe climbed up its NW slope to gain the ridgeline a little farther S. This part of the ridge was narrow, forested, and strewn with boulders.

Lupe makes it up onto the Peak 5688 ridgeline a little S of its NNE end. This part of the ridge was relatively narrow, strewn with many boulders and some deadfall timber. Photo looks NNE.

Lupe was still about 0.5 mile from the summit of Peak 5688, which is near the SSW end of the ridgeline. Lupe followed the ridge toward the summit, gaining elevation gradually along the way. She started coming to places with big views again, especially toward the N and W.

Wherever there were openings in the forest, Lupe had views again from the Peak 5688 ridgeline. Photo looks NW toward the Cathedral Spires(L) and Harney Peak(R).

Although the wind hadn’t been a problem since leaving the summit of Iron Mountain, it was still blowing just as hard now as it had been earlier. Up on the Peak 5688 ridgeline, Lupe was increasingly exposed to the wind again as she progressed toward the summit. She often stayed a little E of the ridgeline to avoid the worst of it.

The strong wind was a problem again up on Peak 5688. It was very windy where Lupe is seen here up on the little wall of rocks, or anywhere to the R (NW). It was much less windy just a few feet to the L (SE). Photo looks SW.

The biggest rock outcropping on the horizon at center is Mt. Rushmore. The tall, thin dead tree to Lupe’s L is pointing almost straight up at George Washington’s head. The wind made it hard to hold the camera steady enough for a clear shot. Photo looks N.

Lupe came to a higher, broader, more open part of the ridge. At first, SPHP thought this might be the summit. There were great views from this area, but with only a few trees to slow it down here, the wind was exceptionally strong.

Looking NW from the open area. Harney Peak in view R of Center.

From the high open ground, a more heavily forested area was partially in view to the SSW. Uncertain whether Lupe had already reached the top of Peak 5688 or not, Lupe and SPHP continued on to check it out. In a few minutes, Lupe came across a small cairn on larger rocks.

Stuffed in a crack in the rocks right below the cairn was a small, torn, zip-lock plastic bag. It contained a few crumpled pieces of aluminum foil, some damp rotten paper, and a plastic toy of two dogs water skiing. There was also a piece of paper with the names William Wade & Charles Wade Johnson on it. It was dated 8-13-12, and signed CWJ.

Another Carolina Dog peakbagging success! Lupe stands on the highest rocks of Peak 5688. Photo looks S.

Lupe discovered this plastic toy in a little plastic bag tucked into a crack in the rocks beneath the summit cairn. SPHP left the toy in the plastic bag along with a paper signed 8-13-12 by CWJ where Lupe had found it, but packed out the small amount of trash the bag contained.

Lupe takes a break at the summit of Peak 5688. Photo looks S.

After a short break near the cairn, Lupe and SPHP toured the general area to make absolutely certain Lupe had reached the true summit of Peak 5688. She had! Although the summit was mostly hidden by trees, there were nice views available close by.

Harney Peak from within a few feet of Peak 5688’s true summit. Photo looks NW.

Looking N toward the true summit during a brief exploration Lupe made to the S.

Cathedral Spires using the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.

The days are short near the end of November. Even though it wasn’t all that late, the sun was low. It would be down within the hour. Lupe still had a long way to go to get back to the G6. She at least needed to reach USFS Road No. 345 near Iron Creek before it got dark. It was time to leave Peak 5688. Lupe was tired of the wind, anyway.

Lupe in a nice little flat area next to the summit rocks. (The small cairn is visible on the L.) She would stay here on Peak 5688 only a few more minutes before leaving to head back to the G6. Photo looks N.

Lupe started back to the G6 going NNE along the Peak 5688 ridgeline. She didn’t follow the ridge nearly as far back as she had originally come up along it. As soon as she could, she headed NW down off the ridge. Within 20 minutes of leaving the summit, Lupe was out of the wind in a beautiful grassy valley.

Lupe on her way down. Here she’s still in the high open area NNE of the summit. Woodpecker Ridge(R) can be seen in the distance between the trees. Photo looks NNE.

Lupe reaches the beautiful grassy valley NW of Peak 5688. Photo looks SW.

The sun sank down behind the hills. Lupe found a fairly good dirt road on the other side of the beautiful valley which led N. She followed it for a little way. When it turned toward the W, she left the road. Lupe and SPHP wandered N in the forest. Well before twilight faded, Lupe reached Iron Creek again at a small frozen pond.

Lupe nears a frozen pond along Iron Creek. USFS Road No. 345 is in view beyond the pond. Photo looks NW.

Beyond Iron Creek and the frozen pond, Lupe returned to USFS Road No. 345. She followed the road NE two miles to the Iron Mountain Trail No. 16 trailhead. Along the way, she passed Camp Remington and the Grizzly Bear Creek Trail No. 7 trailhead. She went by old cabins scattered along the road. Everything was quiet and deserted. Not a soul was around.

Lupe at Camp Remington. No one was around at any of the cabins here, or anywhere else along her route.

Twilight was almost gone by the time Lupe started up Iron Mountain Trail No. 16. The flashlight had to be put to use. Wind still blew in the trees. Faint stars appeared in the sky. It was that last quiet hour of darkness Lupe often experiences at the end of her Black Hills expeditions while traveling back to the G6.

Uncharacteristically, SPHP decided to try a few night time shots using the camera’s flash. What would they show?

The first shot SPHP took in the dark using the flash was the best. It revealed a scary wide-eyed American Dingo on Iron Mountain Trail No. 16.

Lupe finally arrived at the intersection with Centennial Bypass Trail No. 89B. No wonder SPHP had missed the intersection earlier in the day! A huge amount of deadfall timber was strewn all over Iron Mountain Trail No. 16 in this area.

Lupe took Trail No. 89B back to the Iron Mountain Picnic Ground. She crossed Iron Mountain Road. Lupe returned to the summit of Iron Mountain.

The wind had died down only a little. Tiny snowflakes whipped by in the gusty breeze. SPHP fumbled around trying to get a photo of Lupe on top of Iron Mountain in the dark. Success was limited.

Oh, well. Lupe’s Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 184 to Iron Mountain & Peak 5688 was over. At least, Lupe had been successful! Time to go home. (5:52 PM, 31°F)