Old Bald Peak – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 224 – Peak 6167 & Old Bald Peak (3-24-18)

Start – 11:52 AM, 52°F, intersection of USFS Road No. 243 & Horse Creek Road

That last stretch of Horse Creek Road had been a muddy mess, but the G6 made it through. Lupe was at the start of USFS Road No. 243 again for the first time since … well, SPHP couldn’t remember since when. Whenever it was, it sure seemed like a long time ago now.

Lupe finally had a nice sunny, sort of warm day for late March. Right away, she was clearly happy with the situation. Due at least in part to more wintry weather than normal, the Carolina Dog hadn’t been on a proper Black Hills expedition in nearly 2 months. She was long overdue and looking forward to finally enjoying a romp in the hills.

Today’s peakbagging goal was Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.) in the E central hills. Lupe had been there twice before, most recently well over 2 years ago on SPHP’s birthday. That wasn’t the most important thing about Old Bald Peak, however.

Old Bald Peak has the distinction of being Lupe’s very first peakbagging goal ever. Way back on 1-29-12 (Expedition No. 3!) when the Carolina Dog was only 13.5 months old, Lupe and SPHP had set out to find Old Bald Peak. Loop had started from Horse Creek Road that day, too, but from considerably farther away than where she was now. SPHP hadn’t been able to find the mountain, so her first peakbagging attempt had been officially unsuccessful, although she’d made it to the top of several other hills that day.

Finding the mountain wouldn’t be a problem today. Getting to Old Bald Peak from here would be cake. As a new twist on things, Lupe would also visit nearby Peak 6167, a slightly higher hill S of Old Bald Peak on the way. Looper had never been to Peak 6167 before.

A cheerful American Dingo set out following USFS Road No. 243 going SSW up a long draw. The road was partially covered by melting snow and ice, and partly by muddy rivulets of snow melt making the road rather mucky.

A cheerful American Dingo sets off on USFS Road No. 243 on her way to Old Bald Peak. Photo looks SW.

SPHP was surprised at how little snow was actually up in the hills. The road was snowier than anywhere else. Of course, Lupe loved the snow! Photo looks SW.

After more than 0.5 mile, the draw Lupe was going up split. So did the road. An unmarked side road continued SSW. Loop stuck with No. 243, which turned WSW here. Nothing else changed much. The road was still snowy, and Lupe continued gaining elevation steadily.

After another 0.5 mile, Loop reached a saddle at the end of the draw. A fence and a cattle guard were here. On the other side of the saddle, Lupe came to a junction with USFS Road No. 249. A second junction was only 100 feet away to the SW. Loop and SPHP went over there. No signage of any help, but SPHP was already certain where Lupe was. USFS Road No. 249 continued S from here down Marshall Gulch. USFS Road No. 530 headed W, and would soon turn NW on the way down Spruce Gulch.

Loopster didn’t need to take any road from here. She was excited and pleased when SPHP encouraged her to leave the roads heading N into open forest. Roaming the Black Hills National Forest off any road or trail is usually Lupe’s favorite thing to do.

After going N only a short way, Lupe turned WNW to climb a mostly forested hill. Deadfall timber was on the slope, and attempts to avoid the deadfall as much as possible greatly influenced the choice of routes. This hill was only a little over 200 feet higher than where Lupe had left USFS Road No. 249. Loop soon arrived at the summit.

The top of this first hill was rather rocky. Bushes and trees made moving around the summit more of a chore than it should have been. Lupe did get quite a nice clear view from a large rock outcropping toward the SW. The higher hills Loop could see off to the SW looked like they still had quite a bit of snow.

Lupe reaches the top of the first hill she climbed today. She is 0.25 mile WNW of the area where USFS Roads No. 243, 249 & 530 meet, and more than a mile SSE of Old Bald Peak. Photo looks SSW.

Loopster stands on the best viewpoint from this first hill. She could see a lot of Black Hills territory off to the S and W from here. Photo looks SW.

From another vantage point, it was possible to catch this glimpse of territory to the E. **Peak 5800** is in the distance on the L. Photo looks E.

After taking a short break on this first hill, Lupe and SPHP continued on. Peak 6167 was only 0.75 mile to the NNW from here. Right away, Lupe had to lose 150 feet of elevation. Losing the elevation was the hardest part of the whole journey to Peak 6167. The ridge Loop was following was rocky, full of trees and bushes, and even some snow on this N slope.

Once she had lost the elevation, Lupe had an easier time continuing N. She was starting to gain elevation again following a much broadened ridge compared to where she’d come down. It wasn’t long before Looper saw something that really excited her. A herd of 7 or 8 giant deers (elk) had heard Lupe and SPHP coming, and were running off through the forest.

Lupe dashed off to see where the giant deers were going, but they had a big head start. She couldn’t begin to catch up with them. Nevertheless, she came back to SPHP panting hard, but with a big smile.

With all the excitement over, Lupe and SPHP continued on and were soon in position to begin an ascent of Peak 6167’s SSE ridge. Parts of the ridge had so much deadfall timber, Loop sometimes had to down climb a bit to get around it. She always stayed E of the ridgeline then. This went on until the American Dingo was practically at the top of the mountain.

The summit of Peak 6167 was unusual. Pine trees ringed most of a 100 foot long summit ridge, which was oriented NNW/SSE. Two rows of slate stuck up on either side of this ridge separated by a grassy lane 10 to 20 feet wide. The row of slate to the E was nearly vertical, and featured the highest rock on the mountain, which stood 5 feet above the grass. Most of the W row of slate jutted out of the ground at only a 30° angle.

The first chunk of slate Lupe came to was also unusual. It was standing nearly vertical despite being part of the much more sharply angled W row. Lupe had no trouble hopping up on top of it. She would have been at the absolute true summit of the mountain, if not for smaller rocks 20 feet away that stuck up a foot higher along the E spine of slate.

Lupe reaches the summit of **Peak 6167** for the first time ever. Photo looks NNW.

Loop balances on the highest rock big enough for her to stand on up on **Peak 6167**. She’s only a foot lower than the true summit here. The true summit is the highest rock seen on the R.

*Well, I made it. Satisfied, SPHP? …. Yeah, Looper, that was great! You can hop on down again, if you like.*

Lupe stands near the E spine of slate sticking up out of the summit of **Peak 6167**. The rock she had just been perched on is seen beyond her on the R. This is a good look at the grassy lane along the summit ridge. Photo looks SSE.

Looper near the highest rock (L) on **Peak 6167**. The top of this rock was way too small for her to stand on, but SPHP lifted the Carolina Dog up so she could put her paw on top to claim her latest peakbagging success. Photo looks SSE.

Not much could be seen from the summit. Trees blocked the views in nearly every direction. However, from some of the slanty pieces of slate along the W side of the grassy lane, Looper did have a fairly good view off toward the SW.

Looper stands on one of the slanty pieces of slate along the W spine of Peak 6167’s summit ridge. She has the best view from the summit area from here. Photo looks SW.

After photos from the summit area, Loop and SPHP headed a little back toward the S. Just before Lupe had reached the summit, she had come to a flat, grassy area with views in that direction. She had been able to see Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota. Black Elk Peak is always an attraction.

Lupe at the S end of Peak 6167’s summit ridge. The big rock she had first got up on here is seen on the R. Photo looks S.

*You coming to see Black Elk Peak, SPHP? ….. Be right there, Looper!*

*There it is folks, the highest mountain in South Dakota! **Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** is on the L. **Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.)** is on the R.* Photo looks S.

From this same flat, grassy area, the American Dingo could also see Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) and a sliver of Sheridan Lake.

**Boulder Hill** (L) and part of **Sheridan Lake** (R). Photo looks SE.

Lupe had now seen about what there was to see from Peak 6167. It was time to press on to Old Bald Peak, which was now less than 0.4 mile to the N. An abandoned road curls up Peak 6167 from the W clear around to the E side of the mountain. Lupe hadn’t come up this road, but she started her journey N to Old Bald Mountain along it.

The abandoned road was full of snow. Lupe followed the snow all the way down to where the road curled W around the N side of Peak 6167.

Lupe hadn’t come up this abandoned road leading to the top of **Peak 6167**, but she started her journey to Old Bald Peak going down it. Photo looks NNW.

Old Bald Peak hadn’t been visible from the summit of Peak 6167 due to the forest, but Lupe got a fairly good look at it on her way down the abandoned road.

Lupe gets a good look at **Old Bald Peak**, her next peakbagging objective, from the snowy abandoned road. Photo looks N.

Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.) is only 37 feet lower than Peak 6167, but Lupe would have to lose nearly 200 feet of elevation on her way over there. Naturally, the vast majority of this elevation had to be regained.

Once Lupe left the road at the N end of Peak 6167, her route down to the saddle leading to Old Bald Peak was fairly steep. Looper was soon down, however, and beginning her climb back to the summit of Old Bald Peak for the first time in exactly 2 years, 4 months.

Lupe makes it back to the summit of **Old Bald Peak** for the first time in 2 years and 4 months. This was the first time she had ever climbed the mountain from the S. Photo looks S.

This was Lupe’s 3rd successful ascent of **Old Bald Peak**. She seemed pensive about it. Perhaps she was remembering that very first time way back on Expedition No. 3 when SPHP hadn’t been able to find the way here on a winter day?

The big views from the summits of the hills Lupe had climbed today all seemed to be off to the SW. Old Bald Peak was no exception. Once again forest blocked the views in virtually all other directions. The scene may have been a bit repetitious, but the snowy high country off to the SW was still beautiful!

*Just think, SPHP! A few more weeks and all that snow will melt. We will be able to go exploring way up in the western Black Hills high country again!* Photo looks SW.

Peak 6167 couldn’t be seen from the top of Old Bald Peak. Should have taken a photo of it on the way up. Lupe and SPHP went far enough back down Old Bald Peak’s S slope to find a spot with a halfway decent look at Peak 6167.

*Hey, SPHP, there’s **Black Elk Peak** (R of Center) off in the distance again!* Photo looks S.

Looking back at **Peak 6167** from the S slopes of **Old Bald Peak**. The abandoned road Lupe had come down on the way over here is clearly visible. Photo looks S.

After getting the photo of Peak 6167, Loopster and SPHP returned to the summit of Old Bald Peak. Lupe’s peakbagging for the day was complete. 5 minutes were spent in contemplation before continuing on.

The peakbagging might be over, but for Lupe the best part of the day was still ahead. From Old Bald Peak, Loopster and SPHP wandered N through the quiet forest for a long way. It was a fun time in parts of the forest Lupe had been to before, but not for more than 2 years. Lupe saw many deer. She ran sniffing and exploring in places hardly anyone ever comes to.

Lupe starts down the easy N slope of Old Bald Peak. She was anticipating a good time re-exploring parts of the forest she hadn’t been to in years. Photo looks NNW.

On the way down Old Bald Peak’s N ridge. **Custer Peak (6,804 ft.)** is the bump on the horizon on the R. Photo looks NNW.

The wandering was a good time. SPHP enjoyed it, too. Lupe eventually made it down to USFS Road No. 249 again, well N of Old Bald Peak. The rest of the way back to the G6 was a road trek, but a pleasant and still fondly remembered one. Lupe followed USFS Roads No. 249, No. 677, and No. 675 to No. 244, which became Horse Creek Road.

After a long absence, it had been great to get out in the hills again! Best of all, spring was finally here. Maybe it was still early yet, but Lupe’s 2018 adventures would soon be heating up right along with the weather. (4:47 PM, 46°F)

In an aspen forest N of Old Bald Peak at the onset of Spring.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 147 – Silver Peak & Old Bald Peak (11-24-15)

Lupe was on a roll! After 2 days in the Black Hills with Moose and Squirrel, (and joined on the 2nd day by Lanis, too), Lupe and SPHP were heading out for yet another adventure, this time on their own again. The weather forecast was for a high in the upper 40’s, followed by days of much colder temperatures. This time of year, it’s important to plan flexibly and just go when the opportunity arises.

Lupe had two peakbagging goals in the central Black Hills. The first was Silver Peak (5,810 ft.), and the second was Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.). Lupe had been to both mountains before, but it had been more than 3 years since Lupe last stood on Old Bald Peak, and nearly that long since she had been up on Silver Peak.

Lupe on her way to Silver Peak, seen in the background to the SW.

SPHP parked the G6 at a wide spot along County Road No. 251 about a mile S of Silver City. Silver City is a cabin community located a bit upstream along Rapid Creek to the W of Pactola Reservoir. Lupe left the G6 near No. 251’s intersection with USFS Road No. 249. It was 10:11 AM, and 40°F under overcast skies when Lupe set out for Silver Peak.

Instead of following the road, Lupe and SPHP went right through the forest. Almost immediately, Lupe came to a small creek which was running low. She crossed the creek, and climbed over a little ridge to the S. The same creek, with better flow was on the other side of the ridge. Lupe had to cross the creek again to reach USFS Road No. 249 on the other side.

Lupe reached this small creek just a minute or two after leaving the G6. SPHP’s maps don’t show any name for this creek. Since it flows through Nugget Gulch, Lupe and SPHP consider it Nugget Creek.

Lupe and SPHP followed USFS Road No. 249 upstream as it wound around generally toward the W. There were a number of creek crossings. Even though the water flow was significantly better at most places upstream than it had been near the G6, Lupe always found a way across.

Under the cloudy skies, down in the narrow canyon of Nugget Gulch the mood was dark and quiet. Most places there was some snow on the road, which lent a wintery feel to the situation. It was really quite pretty. Nugget Creek bubbled along, breaking the otherwise almost total silence.

It wasn’t total silence, because at intervals Lupe was having a little success at finding squirrels in the trees. Then the canyon echoed with excitement and enthusiasm.

After Lupe had gone nearly a mile upstream along the road, Nugget Creek reached its point of greatest flow. The creek was down below the road in an area of large rocks. A short distance farther upstream, Lupe came to a place where the creek was up close to road level again. Here there was a little stretch of the creek with some still green moss growing in it. SPHP cleverly named this area Mossy Spot.

"Mossy Spot" in Nugget Creek is just a bit N of the junction of USFS Roads No. 249 & 249.3B. — “Mossy Spot” in Nugget Creek is just a bit N of the junction of USFS Roads No. 249 & 249.3B.

Almost immediately after passing by Mossy Spot, Lupe came to a junction with USFS Road No. 249.3B. Lupe left the main road to follow No. 249.3B up a side canyon to the NW. No. 249.3B is essentially an abandoned road. There were small trees growing undisturbed on it in places. It still provided a very good path for Lupe and SPHP, however.

No. 249.3B climbed steadily at a fairly good clip. After more than 0.5 mile, it finally just dead-ended. By that time, Lupe had already gained quite a bit of elevation. The crest of a ridge to the W of Silver Peak was visible just a little bit higher up ahead. Lupe and SPHP finished the climb up onto the ridge.

The ridgeline was fairly narrow, and the other side of the ridge was pretty steep. Lupe could see quite a distance to the W and NW from the ridge. In some places, there were rocks jutting up along the ridgeline. Lupe climbed up onto one of these outcroppings for a look around.

Lupe had actually come up from much farther S & W along this same ridge the first time she climbed Silver Peak way back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 48 on 2-23-13. From here, all Lupe had to do to reach the summit of Silver Peak was continue E following the ridge.

It was a lot harder now than it had been back in early 2013. Pine bark beetles had killed many trees. There were now lots of fallen trees blown over by the wind along the ridge. Most of them were laying perpendicular to the direction Lupe needed to go.

Of course, Lupe wasn’t the one with a problem – SPHP was. All the deadfall timber repeatedly forced SPHP down below the ridgeline to get around the worst of it. The summit of Silver Peak really wasn’t all that far from where Lupe had reached the ridgeline, but it took SPHP considerably longer than it had on Expedition No. 48 to get there.

By the time Lupe and SPHP reached the top of Silver Peak, it was time for a break. Lupe had water and Taste of the Wild. SPHP just had water and a rest. The rock cairn with a post sticking out of it that SPHP remembered from Lupe’s first ascent in 2013 was still there. Lupe was soon posing for a couple of photos at the cairn.

Lupe at the cairn on top of Silver Peak. Photo looks SW, the direction Lupe had come from to get here.

On top of Silver Peak. This photo looks E.

Even though there were quite a few dead trees that had fallen over, the summit of Silver Peak was still forested enough to effectively block the views. There were glimpses between the remaining trees of what was out there, but that was about it. The best of what views there were was provided by a small opening back to the NE toward Silver City.

Looks like there are still a few trees left! Looking NE from Silver Peak toward Silver City.

Lupe’s first peakbagging goal for the day was accomplished. Since Silver Peak offered little in the way of inspiring viewpoints, there wasn’t much reason for Lupe to dilly-dally up here. Soon Lupe and SPHP were heading back down the mountain, again following the W ridge.

Even though USFS Road No. 249.3B would have provided an easy route back down to No. 249 again, Lupe didn’t go that way. Instead, Lupe and SPHP retraced the 2013 route. Lupe continued following the W ridge. The ridge turned S, and eventually brought Lupe to Peak 5732 about 0.5 mile to the SW of Silver Peak.

The ridge continued S from Peak 5732, but started losing elevation rapidly. Lupe and SPHP eventually wound up in a deep ravine. The ravine was rather inconveniently choked up with lots of dead trees that had fallen down the steep slopes. There was evidence of a side road off USFS Road No. 249 that had once led through the ravine to Stewart Gulch, but the road was utterly impassible by any vehicle now.

Lupe explored up and down both sides of the deep ravine, while SPHP slowly worked through the tangle at the bottom. Finally, SPHP reached USFS Road No. 249 again. Lupe and SPHP took No. 249 heading S up a valley, the first part of which was a portion of West Nugget Gulch. This far up the valley there was no sign of Nugget Creek.

Old Bald Peak, Lupe’s next peakbagging goal, is about 3.5 miles as the crow flies due S of Silver Peak. Lupe’s route was somewhat longer than a crow’s. No. 249 eventually leveled out at a saddle, and then started heading down. There was a mountain ahead that SPHP thought was Old Bald Peak.

It wasn’t long though, before SPHP realized this mountain wasn’t Old Bald Peak. It was Peak 6043, about 0.75 mile to the ESE. Long ago, Lupe had been up on Peak 6043. Way back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 3, Lupe and SPHP had tried to find and climb Old Bald Peak, but SPHP didn’t know the area back then. Instead of climbing Old Bald Peak, Lupe had climbed Peak 6043.

At first, SPHP thought this was Old Bald Peak. It soon turned out to be Peak 6043, about 0.75 mile to the ESE. Lupe has been on this mountain once before. She climbed it way back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 3 on 1-29-12. She was only 13 1/2 months old back then!

There wasn’t going to be any such mistake today. When Lupe reached the tiny stream at the intersection of USFS Roads No. 249 and No. 677, SPHP led Lupe off the road and W up into the forest. There wasn’t much deadfall in the forest here, and the slope of the terrain was pretty gentle. Lupe had a blast racing around this way and that.

When Lupe had gone almost 0.5 mile W, she reached the White Forest. Soon the terrain became considerably steeper. It was time to turn S, and follow the ridge up to the summit of Old Bald Peak.

The White Forest on the N slope of Old Bald Peak.

There was a little bit of snow in the forest on the N side of the mountain, but it was still a pretty easy climb. Before long, Lupe was back on top of Old Bald Mountain for the first time since Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 33 on 11-4-12.

Lupe at the summit of Old Bald Peak. This was her 2nd time here. She also climbed Old Bald Peak way back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 33.

Old Bald Peak may have been bald back when it got its name, but it isn’t bald now. There were quite a few trees around. Even so, there were still some open spots here and there along the summit ridge. By moving around a bit, it was possible to see quite a nice variety of views.

Looking S toward Harney Peak. — Looking S toward **Harney Peak (7,242 ft.)**.

Boulder Hill is seen in the distance on the L. A portion of Sheridan Lake is toward the R. The bare summit of Silver Peak pokes above Calumet Ridge beyond Sheridan Lake. Photo looks SE. — **Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.)** is seen in the distance on the L. A portion of Sheridan Lake is toward the R. The bare summit of **Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.)** (not to be confused with Silver Peak, which Lupe climbed this day) pokes above **Calumet Ridge** **(5,601 ft.)** beyond Sheridan Lake. Photo looks SE.

Looking S toward Peak 6167, which is actually a bit higher than Old Bald Peak. Lupe and SPHP have never been over there. Looks like there is a road to the top. Perhaps there is a future expedition in store for Lupe over there. — Looking S toward Peak 6167, which is actually a bit higher than Old Bald Peak. Lupe and SPHP have never been over there. Looks like there is a road to the top. Perhaps there is a future expedition in store for Lupe over there?

**Custer Peak (6804 ft.)**, where Lupe had been just the day before with Xochitl, Steve, & Lanis, is the pointy peak between the trees on the horizon.

Lupe’s Black Hills Expeditions just aren’t as long this time of year, since the sun goes down so early. Even though it really wasn’t all that late yet, the sun was already getting low in the W. It was time to think about heading back to the G6. SPHP thought the slanting rays of the sun were doing a rather nice job of lighting up Lupe’s fur, though. She was looking especially beautiful!

Looking good in the slanting sunlight of a late November afternoon on Old Bald Peak.

Lupe and SPHP headed down the N slopes of Old Bald Mountain. Surprisingly, there were some views that opened up here and there along the way.

Peak 5953, the high point seen here, is part of a ridge between West Nugget Gulch and Middle Nugget Gulch. Lupe has been up on Peak 5953 once before. There wasn't enough daylight left for her to climb it this day, though. — Peak 5953, the high point seen here, is part of a ridge between West Nugget Gulch and Middle Nugget Gulch. Lupe has been up on Peak 5953 once before. There wasn’t enough daylight left for her to climb it this day, though. Photo looks N.

Lupe and SPHP wandered through the forest heading N. Lupe found a small road for SPHP to follow. It eventually curved E and connected with USFS Road No. 249 again.

Lupe and SPHP could now follow No. 249 N, and then E all the way back to No. 251. A short stroll N along No. 251 would bring Lupe back to the G6. SPHP trudged along the road, while Lupe alternately followed along, or checked things out in the forest near the road. The light was fading fast.

The light fades as Lupe and SPHP headed N on USFS Road No. 249. — The light fades as Lupe and SPHP head N on USFS Road No. 249.

At one point, Lupe wanted to stop for a little break. She had some more water and Taste of the Wild. She rested on the ground for a few minutes. Then she was ready to go again.

It grew dark as Lupe and SPHP entered the lower reaches of Nugget Gulch. The sky must have been clouding up. SPHP saw only a couple of stars. Lupe and SPHP navigated the creek crossings by flashlight. Lupe reached County Road No. 251. A couple minutes later, she was at the G6. It looked like it could have been midnight, but it was only 5:44 PM. It was 35°F. The air was calm and still.

Somewhere off to the S, a bird was calling, but it didn’t sound like an owl. Lupe wanted to stay and listen. Lupe and SPHP sat on the ground, and listened to the night. After 5 minutes, the bird was heard no more. The only sound was a faint trickling coming from Nugget Creek, which wasn’t far off. A plane with blinking lights flew by.

After 15 minutes, Lupe was ready to go. She hopped into the G6, no doubt hoping for a nice bowl of Alpo back home. She wasn’t disappointed.

An exquisitely beautiful Carolina Dog on Old Bald Peak 11-24-15.

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