Peak 5880 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 272 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Iron Creek Horse Camp to Badger Hole (4-1-21)

8:29 AM, 32ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead –

SPHP! Quiet! Don’t move! A mountain lion!

A lion! Here at the trailhead? Where?

SPHP glanced around. Nothing.

Hah! Made you look! April Fools!

Oh, you’re a riot, silly Dingo! C’mon, it’s a bit of a trek. If we want to have time to climb a couple of side peaks along the way, we better get moving.

A mountain Dingo, but no mountain lions, at the Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead. Photo looks N.

Destined for Badger Hole, Lupe left the Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead heading S on Centennial Trail No. 89. At least temporarily, spring had sprung! Chilly this morning, but supposed to get as warm as a day in mid-May later on. The trail still had a few icy stretches as Lupe followed it up a gentle valley. Soon she was passing scenic granite formations while approaching a minor pass.

*Exciting stuff! We’re hunting badgers today! This trail leads to their hole!* Photo looks S.

An icy stretch as the trail winds into the forest. Photo looks SW.

Passing granite formations. Photo looks SSE.

Beyond the pass was another gentle valley. A side trail soon appeared on the L. This was the spur to Centennial Trail No. 89’s official Iron Creek trailhead, which was different from the unofficial trailhead near the horse camp. Lupe went on by the spur, sticking with the main trail. Within a couple of minutes, the main trail turned R. A sign said it was 7 miles to Legion Lake.

Junction with the official Iron Creek trailhead spur. (Sign on L.) Lupe kept going straight (R). Photo looks SE.

At the Legion Lake sign. Photo looks SW.

Heading SW through the forest over a little rise, the trail quickly brought Looper to Needles Hwy No. 87. Across the highway, a closed gate over a side road could be seen a few hundred feet away. When Lupe got to the gate, Centennial Trail No. 89 took off to the L.

Crossing Needles Hwy No. 87. Photo looks SW.

L of the gate where the trail leaves the side road. Photo looks SE.

From the gate, Centennial Trail No. 89 went up a to minor ridge offering the first somewhat distant view of the day, several forested hills. Lupe crossed a dirt road that ran along the ridgeline, and started down into the next valley. Passing big granite formations on the L, she arrived at “Badger Gate”, a couple of granite nodes the trail went between.

First distant views from the minor ridge. Photo looks SSE.

From Badger Gate, the trail continued down to a tiny creek, a tributary of Grace Coolidge Creek. Off to the L (SE), a big field occupied the valley floor, but the trail didn’t enter it. Crossing a few boards that bridged the tiny creek, Lupe had a view of the field as Centennial Trail No. 89 wound along a hillside staying in or near the trees.

Crossing the tiny **tributary of Grace Coolidge Creek**. Photo looks W.

The trail went up a slight rise before descending into a narrower part of the valley right on down to Coolidge Creek itself. The stream was frozen over. Centennial Trail No. 89 headed up the shady valley, never straying far from Coolidge Creek and crossing it twice.

Heading down into the **upper Coolidge Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

In the shady **Coolidge Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

After the second Coolidge Creek crossing, Centennial Trail No. 89 began climbing out of the valley. Lupe came to a region of exposed granite on the way to a broad, forested ridge. Climbing more gradually, an old road led to a sunny open area which appeared to have been logged off some years ago.

Approaching the exposed granite. Photo looks NW.

On the broad forested ridge. Photo looks SW.

Entering the open region. Photo looks WSW.

The open region was huge! Despite a few dips, the road went on and on, still gaining elevation. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) was in view off to the NW. Smaller hills could be seen in almost every direction.

*Didn’t expect to see so much open territory!* Photo looks SSW.

**Black Elk Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

After a sunny mile or so, Centennial Trail No. 89 re-entered the forest. The trees had been thinned here, too. Big granite outcroppings were visible nearby. The trail dipped going around the W side of an especially tall formation. 12 minutes later, Lupe made a discovery.

SPHP! Look! A monster!

Oh, yeah right, Miss April Fools!

Turned out she was right! This time the American Dingo wasn’t fooling! The Claw was lurking just ahead. Peak 5880 was visible beyond it. Lupe would have to go right past The Claw, if she wanted to get there.

**Peak 5880** (Center). **The Claw** (R). Photo looks S.

Fortunately, The Claw was acting none too lively. It appeared to have been lurking here for so long that it had forgotten why. Slipping past it was no great feat at all. Soon the Carolina Dog was closing in on Peak 5880. Centennial Trail No. 89 was heading right for it.

*Peakbagging time coming up!* **Peak 5880** (Center). Photo looks S.

When the trail got to the N side of Peak 5880, it curved SE along its base. Peak 5880 was a chance to do a little peakbagging. In fact, Lupe had climbed it once before only a couple of years ago. The American Dingo left the trail where it got closest to a saddle 0.2 mile SE of the summit.

Snow, slash, and various chunks of wood left by loggers to contend with, but overall, getting up to the saddle wasn’t all that hard. From here, Lupe enjoyed a distant view of Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.).

Off-trail, approaching the saddle. Photo looks S.

At the saddle. **Northeast Cicero Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW.

The climb along the SE ridge to the summit was much harder, partly since it was steeper, but mainly due to copious quantities of deadfall. The ridge finally leveled out, though, and Lupe came to a platform of rock overlooking a last slash-filled gap leading to the summit.

Almost there! **Peak 5880 summit** (L). **Black Elk Peak** (far R). Photo looks NW.

11:58 AM, 58ºF, Peak 5880 – Lupe stood on one of the highest rocks, then it was time for a break. Peak 5880’s cramped summit region had enough room to allow the Carolina Dog to relax practically right next to the true summit rock, but not to move around much.

Is it lunch time yet, SPHP?

Practically on the dot, Loopster! You hungry, thirsty?

Thirsty? Not really. Been eating snow. Not that hungry yet, either, but if you happen to have a chocolate coconut bar in that pack, it would go down pretty easy right about now!

You don’t say! As always, I presume. Well, I’ll see what I can do.

The chocolate coconut bar supply took a hit, and minor shrinkage of the Taste of the Wild supply occurred, too. SPHP slowly munched an apple. Off to the E were a couple of ridges Lupe had climbed once upon a time, Peak 5647 and Peak 5733, but that was about it for views due to the big pines that were providing all the shade.

**Peak 5647** (L) and **Peak 5733** (Center). Photo looks E.

Loop and SPHP lollygagged up by the true summit well after the apple no longer existed, but there was a limit to how long that could go on.

Not a bad spot, but never really thought we would ever be back here, did you, Looper?

Oh, it doesn’t bother me coming back to the same places again, SPHP! A new experience every time! You never know what might be different.

True enough, but that’s not what I meant. This just seems like an out of the way place. If it weren’t for Centennial Trail No. 89 bringing us right past Peak 5880, we probably would have kept busy with other stuff, and never been back.

I’m glad we’ve returned, SPHP, but maybe we ought to have a look around, since this might be it for Peak 5880 the way you talk!

Good idea! We’re still miles from Badger Hole, so let’s do that, then head back to the trail.

*Don’t listen to SPHP! If you enjoy climbing mountains, **Peak 5880** is worth the side trip!* Photo looks S.

Out on the short, rocky N ridge. Photo looks NE.

Summit from the start of the N ridge. Photo looks S.

After venturing out onto the steep, rocky N ridge, Lupe had to go back over the summit and downclimb a bit to explore a larger, flatter area to the S. Not much to be seen since this region was densely forested, but Loop did get a glimpse of Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) to the S. Off to the SW, Custer Mountain (6,089 ft.) and Peak 6040 were visible beyond Stockade Lake.

**Mount Coolidge** (Center). Photo looks S.

**Stockade Lake** is still frozen! Photo looks SW.

**Custer Mountain** (L) and **Peak 6040** (Center) beyond **Stockade Lake**. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Peak 5880 had been a fun break. Having seen what there was to see, Loopster returned to Centennial Trail No. 89 by essentially the same route she had come up. Leaving Peak 5880 behind, the trail curved NE beginning to lose elevation. A turn to the R (E) following a different dirt road led down to a low spot in a wide valley.

Loop was now in the upper reaches of the Little Squaw Creek valley, but so far up it that there was no sign of a creek. Centennial Trail No. 89 went around the N side of a fenced area, turned S, and began to climb. Lupe soon came to a pass with massive granite walls on the L (E).

Going around the fence down in the **Little Squaw Creek valley**. Photo looks E.

Approaching the next pass. Photo looks SSE.

The next valley, also dry, was part of the Galena Creek drainage system. Huge granite formations E of the trail eventually disappeared as Lupe kept going. The valley widened, and became quite grassy and flat.

**Upper reaches of the Galena Creek drainage**. Dry as a bone here! Photo looks S.

10 minutes from the pass, the trail divided at a well-signed junction. The Carolina Dog had a choice. Take the trail veering off to the L (SE), which was the shortest route to Badger Hole, or stay farther W continuing S down the valley?

Sign for the short route. Only 1.5 miles to Badger Hole this way! Photo looks SE.

The long way. 2.5 miles to Badger Hole. Photo looks S.

Any preference, SPHP? I’d sort of like to catch a badger as soon as possible!

Oh, doesn’t that sound like fun? A badger – Dingo fight! However, the short route goes partway up Peak 5733, and I’d like to save that for later on the way back. Take the long route, please.

Siding with the badger, are you, SPHP? Giving it a reprieve? Fine! Just dandy! Only temporary, I assure you. As you wish, the long route it is!

Lupe continued straight. The valley went on and on, soon narrowing and winding. The Carolina Dog journeyed through both grasslands and open forest. A micro-tributary of Galena Creek eventually materialized. In shady regions, sometimes there was still some slushy ice or snow.

Continuing down the valley. Photo looks SE.

The American Dingo must have been nearly 1.5 miles from the last pass she’d gone over when traffic could be heard ahead. Centennial Trail No. 89 went by a house as it reached Hwy 16A.

Near the S end of the valley. Hwy 16A just ahead. Photo looks SE.

At the house next to Hwy 16A. Centennial Trail No. 89 on the L. Photo looks NW.

Unlike the Needles Hwy much earlier in the day, Hwy 16A was busy. Loop had to wait for a chance to cross safely. Galena Creek was down in the ditch on the other side. A couple of boards provided a bridge, but the creek was so small even SPHP could have just stepped across if they hadn’t been there.

Safely over on the S side of Hwy 16A. Photo looks WSW.

Crossing **Galena Creek**. Photo looks SE.

Once over Galena Creek, Centennial Trail No. 89 began a steady climb through a forested area. Lupe gained 200+ feet of elevation before the trail leveled out again at a field. Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) was directly ahead, not looking all that much higher.

Regaining elevation S of Hwy 16A. Photo looks SW.

**Mount Coolidge** (Center) from the field. Photo looks SSW.

Mount Coolidge looked so close, that SPHP considered taking it on. Only a passing thought. Appearances were deceiving. The actual summit was higher than what could be seen from here. Furthermore, it turned out that there was a deep ravine between this field and the mountain. Upon reaching the edge of the ravine, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved SE, then E, following the upper rim of the ravine lower.

Losing all the elevation she had just regained and more, Lupe ended up down in Sheep Draw where a square stand of aspens stood enclosed within a fence. An off-trail shortcut could have been taken directly to Badger Hole from here, but Loopster stuck with the trail as it turned SE again heading up to yet another pass.

The last pass was a minor one. Lupe was soon over it and down in a low spot in the next valley. Centennial Trail No. 89 turned SW starting to climb again, but Lupe didn’t need to that way. She had reached the spur trail to the Badger Hole trailhead, now only 0.5 mile away.

Start of the spur trail to the Badger Hole trailhead. Photo looks NE.

Closing in on Badger Hole. Photo looks ENE.

3:05 PM, 62ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Badger Hole trailhead –

Lupe sniffed in vain.

Unbelievable, SPHP! Take the long way you said! You deliberately gave the badger time to escape! What I don’t understand is how the badger managed to take even its hole with it! Not a whiff of badger or hole left!

Sorry, Loopster! Don’t ask me! How am I supposed to know where the badger or its hole went? You see the sign! No doubt about it, this is the right place!

*Well, looks like that cowardly badger is forfeiting! This is **Dingo Hole** trailhead from now on!* Photo looks S.

Wait a minute, SPHP! What does that other sign over by the hill say?

Badger Clark Memorial, Open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Oh, so that’s the badger’s game, is it? Holed up in a castle on the hill until Memorial Day, aye?

Apparently so! See, it didn’t make any difference which route we took as far as the badger is concerned. Busy hibernating or something until summer.

Well, phooey! Tricky, scaredy-cat badger! Doesn’t dare come out until I’m safely away on my summer Dingo Vacations!

Must be one brainy badger, Loopster! Nothing we can do about it. C’mon, Legion Lake isn’t far from here. Let’s go have a chocolate coconut bar break there.

Nothing to take one’s mind off a slippery badger like a chocolate coconut bar! Lupe headed NW on the road to Legion Lake, and was soon there. The bar was devoured along the shore near the spillway. This time the chocolate coconut bar functioned as a mere appetizer. A healthy helping of Taste of the Wild got crunched up, too.

*The chocolate coconut bar met the same fate here meant for the badger! Delicious!* **Legion Lake**. Photo looks NW.

Strolling along the NE shore of the lake, Mount Coolidge was once again in sight. Lupe came to a sandy beach. Amazingly, even though most of Legion Lake was still covered with ice, a couple of crazy Canadians were out there swimming!

**Mount Coolidge** (Center) from **Legion Lake**. Photo looks SW.

In no big rush, Loop and SPHP ambled on past the Legion Lake Lodge. Closed now, but that would change. Tourist season was due to kick off with Custer State Park’s free weekend the week before Memorial Day.

Near the **Legion Lake Lodge**. Photo looks SE.

3:32 PM, 60ºF, Legion Lake in Custer State Park – Getting sort of late in the day with such a long way back to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. Better head out! Crossing Hwy 16A, Lupe and SPHP startled a herd of deer grazing in the Legion Lake campground.

The campground was closed, but Loopster trotted through it. No sign, but way at the far NW end was the start of the E side of the loop that went back to the trail junction where SPHP had advised the American Dingo to take the long route to Badger Hole.

Leaving the campground. Photo looks NNW.

SPHP wasn’t sure if this was even officially part of Centennial Trail No. 89. No brown “89” wands here. Unnumbered blue diamonds on the trees marked the route. The trail started up a little valley, but was soon climbing toward a ridgeline on the R (NE).

Easily the steepest route of the day, except for Lupe’s side jaunt up Peak 5880. SPHP stopped frequently to gasp for air. Reaching the ridgeline did nothing to slow the rate of ascent as the trail began curving W. Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) looked a lot higher from here.

After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, the trail began to level out as it headed SW traversing a steep slope. The trail was just beginning to turn NW when Lupe reached its high point by a number of big rocks with tree-broken views.

Traversing the steep slope. Photo looks SW.

At the trail’s high point. Photo looks SW.

Lupe had been here had been nearly 9 years ago, sometime back in 2012. Directly ahead, the trail started down again at a good clip. SPHP couldn’t remember exactly where it went, maybe even up to a higher spot farther on, but one way or another it would get the Carolina Dog back to the same Centennial Trail junction she had been at earlier.

Decision time, Looper! Want to stick with the trail, or climb Peak 5733?

If we have time, let’s climb!

Heading up a steep, rocky S ridge, SPHP was a little afraid that it might become impassable. It didn’t. Lupe reached a level spot where a short break was taken. Consulting the topo map, it appeared the summit was still nearly 0.33 mile due N and 200 feet higher.

At the level spot where a short break was taken. Photo looks SE.

Actually farther than that the way the ridge went. Lupe followed the ridge as it now turned NW. She was soon approaching a significant high point that she really didn’t need to climb. Traversing a steep, thickly forested slope, the Carolina Dog managed to skirt E of the high point to reach a saddle SW of the summit.

This saddle featured a couple of dramatic knobs of granite. Lupe got up on one of them just for fun.

At the **saddle SW of Peak 5733’s summit**. Photo looks N.

Deadfall and slash! Wasn’t that far from the saddle to the summit, but it was a typical slow trek through the wreckage. Lupe paused for views once or twice on the way. When she finally got to the top of Peak 5733, she leapt onto the true summit rock to claim her peakbagging success, then it was time for a break.

**Black Elk Peak** (L of Center), as seen on the way up Peak 5733. Photo looks NNW.

Success! At the **true summit of Peak 5733**. Photo looks WNW.

5:14 PM, 55ºF, Peak 5733 – Breezy up here, for the first time today. The last chocolate coconut bar and apple met their fates. Quiet, serene. This was another minor unnamed peak that SPHP had never expected Lupe to return to, yet here she was.

Looper and SPHP sat together for a while, taking in the big view off to the NW. Omnipresent Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), plus Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.), Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.), Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) and Peak 6735, too.

To the W, Peak 5880, where the American Dingo had been only hours ago, and somewhere between here and there, Centennial Trail No. 89.

**Sylvan Hill** (L) and **Black Elk Peak** (R). Photo looks NW.

**Little Devils Tower** (far L), **Cathedral Spires** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (R of Center) and **Peak 6735** (R). Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.

**Peak 5880** (L) and **Sylvan Hill** (R). Photo looks NW.

Definitely going to get dark before the Carolina Dog could make it back to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. No worries! Reach Centennial Trail No. 89 again, and Loop would speed along having a blast on this beautiful early April evening. Something to look forward to!

20 minutes after arriving, it was good-bye to Peak 5733. Lupe headed down the slash-ridden NW slope. As soon as she was below the worst of it, SPHP picked up the pace.

Ahead, sunlight streamed through open forest illuminating a broad, steady ramp lower. Lovely! Getting to the Little Squaw Creek valley where the American Dingo could pick up Centennial Trail No. 89 again was going to be a snap! (End 8:17 PM, 39ºF)

Descending Peak 5733, Black Hills of South Dakota, 4-1-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Next Trail Section North

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 249 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Big Pine to Iron Creek Horse Camp (4-20-19)

Next Trail Section South

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 295 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Badger Hole to French Creek & Beyond to Peak 5120 (2-7-22)

Centennial Trail No. 89 Brochure & Map

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 250 – Peak 5647, Peak 5733 & Peak 5880 (5-4-19)

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. 250 – Peak 5647, Peak 5733 & Peak 5880 (5-4-19)

Start – 8:39 AM, 50°F, Needles Hwy No. 87 in Custer State Park a little N of Little Squaw Creek

The NE end of Peak 5733 was already in view as Lupe started out on a dirt side road off Needles Hwy No. 87 heading W up the Little Squaw Creek valley. The morning was cool, calm, and comfortable with mostly blue skies. Looked the Carolina Dog had like a great day for peakbagging a few seldom climbed peaks in Custer State Park!

**Peak 5733** (Center) from the **Little Squaw Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

Loop would be getting to Peak 5733 soon enough. However, she stayed on the dirt road only a short distance before abandoning it to turn NW up a side valley. The lower end of this valley was forested and shady. Lupe was delighted to find some melting snow. Not much, but enough to cool off on, or get a mouthful of to wet her tongue now and then.

Going NW up the valley, Lupe climbed steadily. She quickly reached a minor ridge where a young forest was full of slash. The slash was left over from efforts to thin the trees, but what a mess!

Slow going for sure! Gradually picking a way through the slash, Lupe and SPHP finally got above it. The slope steepened, but this was still a lot easier than dealing with all the slash. Lupe kept going and eventually came to a top.

*Thick forest and steeper terrain, but this is easier than all that slash!*

Loopster had made it up to Peak 5647’s summit ridge. The topo map showed two summits on Peak 5647 within 5640 foot contours. The true summit was presumably the 5,647 foot elevation point marked at the S end of the S contour. However, visual confirmation wasn’t going to be possible due to all the trees.

Before heading S to look for the true summit, Lupe explored N along the ridge. She quickly came to a high point, although it wasn’t initially clear if this was Peak 5647’s N summit or not. Continuing N another 70 feet, Lupe found a small opening with a view of Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) and the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.).

*Do dead logs count as summits? This one’s higher than any of the ground around here.*

*Oh, probably not. I’d better stand on this highest rock, too.* Photo looks SSW.

**Cathedral Spires** (L) and **Black Elk Peak** (Center). Photo looks NNW.

After a short break at the viewpoint, Lupe started back S along the main ridge. The whole thing was so densely forested that she didn’t come to any other decent views. As it turned out, the first high point she’d been to was not the N summit. Farther S, Loop came to another clearly higher spot that was probably it.

Even the S summit, presumably the true summit of Peak 5647, lacked views. Tree-broken glimpses of Peak 5733 and Peak 5880 were about it. A pink plastic ribbon was tied around a tree close to the highest rocks, but Lupe was far more interested in something hiding beneath a log down the slope to the E.

*This seems to be the **true summit of Peak 5647**! Several other rocks around here are about this high, too.* Photo looks SW.

*A pink ribbon. Now there’s excitement for you!* Photo looks S.

*Summit, schmummit! All the action is down here!*

Once the American Dingo had exhausted the entertainment value of whatever had been hiding beneath the fallen log, it was time to press on to Peak 5733. To get there, Lupe had to drop nearly 600 feet back down to the Little Squaw Creek valley. Taking a direct route down Peak 5647’s S slope, she came to a rock outcropping with a decent view to the SE.

*Best view from anywhere near the S end of Peak 5647!* Photo looks SE.

All the rest of the way down, Lupe roamed a steep forest. However, the bottom of the Little Squaw Creek valley was mostly meadow. Loopster hadn’t actually seen Little Squaw Creek earlier, but she now had to cross it. No problem at all, thanks to the “Little” part of Little Squaw Creek.

*Down in the Little Squaw Creek valley again, but 0.33 mile upstream of where we left the dirt road early on.* Photo looks SE.

**Little Squaw Creek**. One little leap is all it takes! Photo looks NW.

After crossing Little Squaw Creek, Lupe started up Peak 5733’s N slope between a short N ridge and a longer NE one. Big patches of snow were still melting away on densely forested ground that started off steep, and got steeper. Lupe climbed SW or WSW. The terrain became very steep as she drew near rock outcroppings up on the N ridge. Fortunately, by this time Loop was above the slippery snow, otherwise SPHP never would have made it.

Once up on the N ridge, Lupe still faced a good climb heading S up to Peak 5733’s summit ridge. Not quite so steep, no snow, and the forest was more open, though, so this was easier than what she had just done. The last part was an easy scramble up a boulder field.

On the boulder field leading to the N end of Peak 5733’s summit ridge. Photo looks S.

From the top of the boulder field, the Carolina Dog had a good view of Peak 5647, where she’d just come from. Farther away, Mount Rushmore (5,725 ft.), Little Devil’s Tower (6,960 ft.), Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.), Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) and Peak 6735 were all in sight.

**Peak 5647** where we’ve just been is on the R. The big knob of rock way out beyond my head is **Mount Rushmore**! Photo looks N.

**Mount Rushmore** with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks N.

**Little Devil’s Tower** (far L), **Cathedral Spires** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (Center), and **Peak 6735** (R). Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.

Lupe followed the main ridge SW looking for the summit of Peak 5733. The ridgeline was fairly rough. The American Dingo came to several rocky high points before finally reaching a clearly higher region. The true summit proved to be a tall, curved rock. Rock outcroppings nearly as high were 50 feet away both to the NE and SW.

Exploring Peak 5733’s fairly rough summit ridge. Photo looks SW.

At one of the false summits Lupe came to. Photo looks SW.

**Peak 5733 summit**. Sort of an unusually shaped rock! Photo looks W.

*Those rocks on the L are the SW high point.* Photo looks SW.

*Here’s a glimpse of **Little Devil’s Tower** and the **Cathedral Spires**.* Photo looks NW.

Traveling along the ridgeline, Lupe had caught glimpses of Legion Lake, but the lake couldn’t be seen from here. Trees blocked the views in most directions, but by moving around the summit area a bit, Looper did see Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) and Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.) off to the SW.

**Mount Coolidge** (L) and **Northeast Cicero Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW.

*Here’s a little better look at **Mount Coolidge** (L) from the SW high point.* Photo looks SW.

**Northeast Cicero Peak** with help from the telephoto lens.

Having already completed 2 of her 3 peakbagging objectives for the day, Lupe was ready to take a break. The Carolina Dog curled up on SPHP’s lap, facing into a 10-15 mph NW breeze. The best views from Peak 5733 were in this direction.

**Little Devil’s Tower** (far L), **Cathedral Spires** (L), and **Black Elk Peak** (R) from close to Peak 5733’s summit. Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.

The day was clouding up. Perhaps a bit of weather was going to come out of the NW? Didn’t seem threatening, though. Lupe was content. She stayed on SPHP’s lap, watching and waiting.

45 minutes near Peak 5733’s summit was enough. The American Dingo was ready to move on! Peak 5880, the final hill on today’s agenda was in view more than a mile off to the WNW.

**Peak 5880**, Lupe’s next objective. Photo looks WNW.

Peak 5733’s W slope was thickly covered with slash. Instead of heading directly down into such misery, Lupe followed the main ridge farther SW. Easier to move around up here, but the situation to the W wasn’t improving. Looper did lose at least some elevation before the slash had to be taken on. The W slope wasn’t steep, but SPHP was very slow at picking a way through all the debris.

SPHP finally made it down to where the amount of slash present was greatly diminished. Lupe heard a squirrel and dashed off at top speed, thrilled to be able to run again!

After crossing a gently sloping region, Loopster came to a line of scenic granite formations. She followed them a little way before heading W down into a shallow valley. This valley was part of the Little Squaw Creek drainage, but no surface water was present here. However, going NW the valley soon widened out, and Loop did come to some marshy ground. This marshy area was both the source of Little Squaw Creek, and the low point of Lupe’s trek to Peak 5880.

*Getting closer! There’s **Peak 5880**!* Loop on one of the granite formations. Photo looks W.

From the marsh, a rutty dirt road went W. Lupe followed it. A sign said she was on Centennial Trail No. 89! Only a couple of weeks ago, Lupe had been exploring the Centennial Trail on Expedition No. 249, but a few miles farther N in the Black Elk Wilderness.

The rutty road led up out of the Little Squaw Creek drainage. Lupe came to an intersection with a better dirt road. Another sign for Centennial Trail No. 89 was SW along this better road toward Peak 5880.

Near the Centennial Trail No. 89 sign on the better dirt road. **Peak 5880** (Center). Photo looks SW.

Following the good road SW, Lupe gradually gained elevation. Near Peak 5880, the road leveled out and curved W. The Carolina Dog left the road here, going first SW through a meadow, then S up a forested slope. After gaining nearly 300 feet of elevation, Loop reached a saddle on Peak 5880’s SE ridge.

The summit was still 0.25 mile away. Lupe turned NW climbing along the ridge. In some areas, quite a bit of slash was present, but the worst of it could usually be avoided. After gaining another 140 feet, the ridge leveled out. Lupe came to the W end of a rock ledge. The pointy summit of Peak 5880 was in sight beyond a slash-filled minor saddle. Loopster was almost there!

*Pointy summit of **Peak 5880** dead ahead!* Photo looks W.

*Not even to the top yet, but this is kind of a scenic spot.* **Peak 5880** (L). Photo looks WNW.

*There’s **Little Devil’s Tower** and the **Cathedral Spires** (Center) again!* Photo looks NNW.

Despite the slash in the saddle, and a steep little climb, Lupe was soon at the top of Peak 5880. A U-shaped ring of boulders surrounded a small patch of pine needle-covered ground. The American Dingo got up on several of the boulders. The highest one was a bit of a precarious perch.

At the mostly rocky top of **Peak 5880**. Photo looks W.

*Quite a lofty perch, but too many trees to see much from up here!* Photo looks W.

*How does this look? This is a slightly higher rock.* Photo looks WSW.

Loopster clinging to the very highest rock on **Peak 5880** for you peakbagging purists out there! Photo looks SSE.

In the little sheltered spot nearly surrounded by boulders. Photo looks SE.

With 3 out of 3 peakbagging objectives successfully completed, it was time for another break. SPHP sat on a narrow ledge overlooking a nearly vertical drop. Lupe once again curled up on SPHP’s lap. Despite the airy setting, there were too many trees to see much. The only clear views were off to the E. Both Peak 5647 and Peak 5733 were in sight.

**Peak 5647** (L) and **Peak 5733** (R). Photo looks E.

Loop rested calmly. SPHP ate an apple. 4:00 PM, plenty of time to get back before dark. 20 minutes of the same view was plenty, though. Nice, but not that dramatic. Lupe was ready to go down Peak 5880’s S ridge a little way to see if anything interesting was over there. Yes! Quite a nice view of Custer Mountain (6,089 ft.) and Stockade Lake.

**Custer Mountain** (L) beyond **Stockade Lake**. Photo looks SW.

That was about all, though. Before leaving Peak 5880, Lupe returned briefly to the summit.

On top of **Peak 5880** for the final time. Photo looks NE.

On the return to Needles Hwy No. 87, Lupe retraced her route only as far as the marshy area down in the Little Squaw Creek valley. She did not climb Peak 5733 or Peak 5647 again.

A glimpse of **Mount Coolidge** on the way down Peak 5880’s SE ridge. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.

The Carolina Dog displayed great energy, running and sniffing her way down the Little Squaw Creek valley. Deer fleeing SPHP’s approach got her all excited! Most of the time Lupe stuck to dirt roads, but not always.

Along the beginnings of **Little Squaw Creek**. Photo looks NE.

Between Peak 5647 and Peak 5733, Lupe came to a small pond. A couple of ducks flew off, unhappy about having company. From here, it was a pleasant road hike all the rest of the way back to the G6. (5:56 PM, 57ºF)

Near the duck pond N of Peak 5733. Photo looks SW.

Lupe had enjoyed a successful day of peakbagging in Custer State Park. She now had another reason to celebrate! Yesterday evening, Lupe’s Grandma had given SPHP some leftover roast beef.

That’s right! As soon as Lupe got home, roast beef was on the menu again! And did a thoughtful, famished American Dingo that had spent a whole day climbing mountains share any roast beef with SPHP?

She did not!

*Oh, come on now! That’s just silly! I would have shared if I’d gotten full!*

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 190 – Peak 5846, Peak 5880 & Peak 5840 (2-6-17)

Busy Carroll Creek Road (County Road No. 313) wasn’t a very good place to park, but would have to do. SPHP pulled as far over on the W shoulder of the wide county road as possible. With so much snow around, this was as good as it was going to get for the G6. Lupe bounded out, eager to begin her day of fun in the Black Hills (9:59 AM, 49°F).

Only 100 feet back to the N, Lupe reached the intersection with Fox Ridge Road. A short trek on Fox Ridge brought Lupe to her originally intended starting point at USFS Road No. 685. The road was unmarked and snowy. Fortunately, some vehicle with knobby tires had packed the snow down in a couple of tracks, making the hike along the road a lot easier than it otherwise would have been.

Lupe starts out on snowy USFS Road No. 685. Photo looks NW.

Lupe was about 5 miles SSW of Custer, SD. Her mission on Expedition No. 190 was to climb 3 more Brian Kalet peaks. Peaks 5846, 5880 & 5840 were all strung out along a line running roughly NW/SE. None of them were in view yet. Lupe would have to follow USFS Road No. 685 more than 2 miles, just to reach the pass between Peaks 5846 & 5880.

With so much snow around, Lupe couldn’t easily go running off exploring the forest like she usually does. She tried a few times, but bounding through snow almost up to her neck was hard work. Like SPHP, Lupe soon resigned herself to trudging along in the tire tracks on the road. She alternated between leading and following, often pausing right in front of SPHP to sniff the air, thereby forcing a temporary halt.

SPHP tried switching tire tracks frequently to avoid trampling the Carolina Dog, but each time SPHP switched, Lupe switched, too. She wanted to be in the exact same tire track as SPHP. Sigh. Good thing there wasn’t any big rush. Between the snow and Dingo delays, Expedition No. 190 was off to a leisurely start.

After the first big bend in the road, Lupe was out of sight of any sign of civilization other than the snowy road going forward. A S breeze was blowing. The sky was blue with a few thin clouds. Despite the snow, at close to 50°F, this was a warm day for early February. The road hike was a nice one, winding mostly SW through the forest.

No. 685 gained elevation gradually for a while before leveling out. Eventually it started a long, slow decline into a valley. By now, Lupe could see part of the middle mountain, Peak 5880, ahead through the trees.

Peak 5880 was the first of Lupe’s objectives to come into view between the trees as she followed USFS Road No. 685. Photo looks WSW.

A little farther on, Lupe left the road briefly to climb up on a rock formation to the N. SPHP thought she might have a good view of Peak 5846 from here. She could see it, but the vantage point wasn’t as good as SPHP had hoped.

Lupe on the rock formation N of the road. She could see Peak 5846 ahead, but the view from this vantage point wasn’t as good as SPHP had hoped. Photo looks W.

As the road descended, Lupe lost all of the elevation she had gained, and then some. At the lowest part of the valley, the road skirted the S side of a big field of private property. When the road curved S away from the field, Lupe started seeing deer in the forest. Deer aren’t quite as much fun as squirrels, but they do hold Lupe’s interest.

After leaving the big field behind, No. 685 gained elevation again. Lupe eventually reached the pass between Peaks 5846 & 5880. The pass wasn’t as snowy as the road had been. Perhaps that was why a large herd of deer was hanging out here. The deer promptly fled into the forest as Lupe approached.

Lupe reaches the pass between Peaks 5880 & 5846. Ahead USFS Road No. 685 descends into Ninemile Draw. Photo looks SW.

Only Peak 5846 was NW of the pass. SPHP decided Lupe should climb it first. Peak 5846 has two high areas. Lupe climbed the closest S one first, coming up near the NE end of this area from the SSE. The climb was steep, but only required Lupe to gain a few hundred feet of elevation. When Lupe got up to where the terrain started leveling out again, she had a halfway decent view of Peak 5880 back to the SE.

Lupe reaches the NE end of the S high area of Peak 5846. She had a halfway decent view of Peak 5880 from here. The pass between the two peaks, which she had just climbed up from, is seen below. Photo looks SSE.

The highest part of the S high area is at the far S end of Peak 5846. Lupe wasn’t anywhere near the S high point where she came up. However, the true summit of the mountain was in the opposite direction at the N end of the N high area, anyway.

Lupe’s first task was to reach the true summit. Off to the W, Lupe saw a thinly forested snowy hillside. To the R of the hillside appeared to be a saddle leading over to the N high area.

To her W, Lupe saw this thinly forested snowy hillside(L). A saddle to the NW(R) appeared to lead over to the N high area where the true summit of Peak 5846 is located. Photo looks WNW.

Lupe went to the top of the snowy hillside, before crossing the saddle to the NW. The NE side of the saddle was full of snow, but the ground to the SW was largely snow-free. Unfortunately, a hazardous downed barbed wire fence was in the saddle. SPHP lifted Lupe over it, but kept finding more barbed wire on the ground ahead. The barbed wire made this a dangerous place for Lupe! SPHP made her stay close.

The N high area of Peak 5846 is irregularly shaped. The highest ground is near the NE edge of the mountain along a ridge leading NW. Right away, Lupe came to a line of small cliffs along a narrow, rocky part of this ridge.

As soon as she had crossed the saddle, Lupe reached these small cliffs along a narrow part of the rocky ridgeline ahead. Photo looks N.

Although the ridgeline was quite narrow immediately N of the saddle, Lupe and SPHP had no problem following it NNW. Lupe still had to be careful, though. SPHP found one more section of downed barbed wire partially hidden in the snow.

After going a few hundred feet, the ridge broadened out greatly. Lupe was now gaining very little additional elevation as she continued NW. Right out in the open, she soon discovered a small cairn in the snow.

Lupe found this small cairn in the snow in an open area. At first, SPHP thought Lupe might have reached the true summit of Peak 5846 right here. Photo looks NE.

Was Lupe at the true summit of Peak 5846 already? SPHP wasn’t sure. The map showed the true summit at the far N end of the peak. It looked like Lupe might still have farther to go. Continuing onward, only 50 feet N of the little cairn, she came to a great open view to the NE.

50 feet N of the little cairn was this great open view to the NE toward **Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** (Center).

**Black Elk Peak**(Center) and **Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.)**(R). Photo looks NE using the telephoto lens.

Lupe entered the forest again, still going N. Yes, there was higher ground ahead! Lupe didn’t have much farther to go, though. Soon she was up on a big snowy level area at the highest point on the mountain. She had reached the true summit at the N end of Peak 5846!

Lupe reaches the true summit of Peak 5846! The summit area was very roomy. Here, Lupe is on the very highest ground was near the NE end. Photo looks W.

A broader view of Peak 5846’s summit. Photo looks W.

Lupe slightly NW of the highest point on Peak 5846. Photo shows the W end of the summit area. Lupe and SPHP took a break beyond the most distant snowy spot on the far right. Photo looks W.

The most dramatic view from Peak 5846 is toward Black Elk Peak off to the NE, but Lupe had already seen the best view of it from the viewpoint near the little cairn before she even reached the true summit. Lupe and SPHP wandered over to the W end of the summit area, to see what Lupe could see over that way.

She had quite a nice view of Twin Sisters 2 miles to the NW. Beyond Twin Sisters, Lupe could see higher hills in the distance.

From the W end of the summit area, Lupe had a good view of **Twin Sisters** (Center & R) about 2 miles to the NW.

**Twin Sisters** seen through the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.

A little down the NW slope was a patch of snow-free ground. Even though the wind had shifted to the W now, Lupe and SPHP took a break here. SPHP ate an apple while enjoying the view. Lupe wasn’t too hungry yet, but she had a little Taste of the Wild.

The W breeze wasn’t terribly strong, but still felt chilly. The day wasn’t getting any warmer, that was for sure. Lupe was happy when SPHP wrapped a spare purple Columbia pullover around her.

Lupe was happy to wear SPHP’s purple Columbia pullover in the cold W breeze during break time. Photo looks SE.

View to the W from Lupe’s break point at the NW end of Peak 5846’s summit.

Lupe still had two more mountains to climb. Break time was limited to 15 minutes. When it was over, the American Dingo returned briefly to the true summit of Peak 5846. She then started S, retracing her route past the great NE viewpoint, the little cairn, along the narrow rocky ridge, and across the saddle leading back to the S high area.

However, Lupe did not turn E here to go back down the SE face of the mountain. Instead, she continued S all the way to the S high point of Peak 5846, which she found at the top of a small forested knoll. Lupe paused only briefly here before beginning her descent. The S face of the mountain was steeper than where she’d come up, but had very little snow.

Peak 5880 from the S end of Peak 5846. Photo looks SE.

Lupe starts down the steep S face of Peak 5846. Photo looks E.

Lupe went all the way down to the pass where she’d left USFS Road No. 685 earlier. She crossed the road a little SW of the high point of the pass, and began climbing from the NW up to the N ridge of Peak 5880. The N face of the mountain was all forested, snowy, and fairly steep. As Lupe reached the N ridgeline, the terrain started leveling out, although Lupe continued to gain some elevation.

Shortly after the slope of the terrain decreased, Lupe made a most interesting discovery. Proceeding S along the ridgeline, the American Dingo found tracks – really big tracks – in the snow. These weren’t the normal deer, wild turkey or rabbit tracks that Lupe usually comes across. Not at all! Lupe sniffed very carefully – mountain lion!

No doubt about it. A very big kitty was around here somewhere! The lion tracks looked fairly fresh, perhaps only 2 or 3 hours old. The lion had been heading S along this same N ridge. Lupe started following the mountain lion’s trail.

Fortunately, the N ridge was short. To continue on to the summit of Peak 5880, Lupe soon needed to make a loop toward the E in order to stay on the high ground. The lion hadn’t gone this way. Lupe was disappointed when she had to quit following the lion, but SPHP thought perhaps it was best not to make a mountain lion’s acquaintance anyway.

Lupe was still gaining elevation as she followed the ridge ESE. On her way, she came to a snowy clearing where she had a good view off to the N. To the NW, she could see Twin Sisters again, poking up behind Peak 5846, where she had just been.

Mountain lion tracker Lupe on her way up **Peak 5880**. Off to the NW, she could see **Twin Sisters**(L)again poking up above **Peak 5846** where she’d just come from. Photo looks NNW.

**Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.)** is the high distant ridge on the L. The smaller distant hill straight up from Lupe may be **Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.)**. The darker, closer hill on the R may be **Atlantic Hill** **(6,393 ft.)**. Photo looks N.

The Peakbagger.com topo map showed 3 small areas on Peak 5880 enclosed by the 5,880 ft. contour. Lupe was now approaching 2 of them midway along the ESE trending portion of the ridgeline. Theoretically, any of these 3 areas might be the true summit of Peak 5880, although Brian Kalet had marked the 3rd, slightly larger area as the true summit.

Lupe came to only one high spot in the region where the topo map showed 2. It was clearly the highest point around this part of the mountain. This NE high point was located very close to a junction of ridges where Lupe needed to turn SW to reach Brian Kalet’s chosen summit.

This short, narrow stretch of the ridge was clearly the highest point Lupe came to NW of the contour Brian Kalet marked on Peakbagger.com as the true summit of Peak 5880. Photo looks S.

From the NE high point, Lupe followed a broad ridge going SW intending to find Brian Kalet’s true summit. She lost a little elevation at first, but the terrain soon leveled out and began a gradual rise again. Lupe came across another set of mountain lion tracks, but they were older than the tracks she had been following earlier.

After a 5 minute trek to the SW, a snowy hill became visible to the W through the forest ahead. Climbing it from the E, SPHP was quickly convinced that Lupe was indeed about to reach the true summit of Peak 5880. This hill was easily higher than where Lupe had been before. Brian Kalet was right!

Lupe found the true summit of Peak 5880 in a large, flat, thickly forested area at the top of the hill.

Lupe still at the true summit. There were no views here other than of the forest. Photo looks SE.

The snow was nearly a foot deep on the densely forested hill. Lupe had no views of anything except more forest from the true summit. She sniffed around the area for only 5 or 10 minutes. The day was wearing on. If Lupe was still going to try to climb Peak 5440, as well, she needed to get going.

Lupe retraced her route back to the NE high point, then turned ESE staying near the NE edge of the mountain. An annoying barbed wire fence went this direction, too. SPHP had to help Lupe across it several times.

Lupe was now gradually losing elevation. She came to small cliffs at the ESE end of the ridge. However, the way was open to turn S. Lupe lost more elevation crossing a wide expanse of forest. A fair amount of deadfall timber in this area forced lots of little detours.

By the time Lupe reached the last high point toward the S end of Peak 5880, she had seen 4 sets of mountain lion tracks, although only the first set had looked really fresh. At the S high point, Lupe was ready for another break. SPHP found a small snow-free spot among a stand of little pines. Lupe had more Taste of the Wild. SPHP wrapped her in the purple Columbia pullover again. After 10 or 15 minutes, she was ready to continue onward.

Following a ridge that curved around to the SW, Lupe lost elevation steadily. The topo map showed a minor road ahead, and Lupe reached it at a saddle. This whole area was full of snow. Lupe crossed the road going S. The road was heading ESE and about to lose elevation. Lupe plunged onward through the snowy forest, trying to maintain elevation up on the hillside. The terrain forced her SE.

The topo map showed another lower pass a short distance ahead. Lupe successfully maintained elevation until she reached the slope leading down to this second pass. She found another road down here, and an intersection just to the E. Lupe left the roads, and began her climb up the N ridge of Peak 5840.

At first, Lupe was climbing from the NW along a fairly steep snow-covered slope. She gained a couple hundred feet of elevation before the slope became more gradual and the ridgeline turned S. Higher up, Lupe came to a couple of halfway decent viewpoints along the way, but she didn’t linger long this late in the day.

Lupe reached the true summit of Peak 5840 at a junction of three ridges. The summit area was much smaller than on Peaks 5846 & 5880, but had plenty of room to move around. Once again, forest prevented Lupe from getting more than a glimpse of any distant views from the top of the mountain.

Lupe stands at the true summit of Peak 5840, completing her 3rd successful Brian Kalet peak ascent of the day! Photo looks E.

Another view of the summit area. The W ridge of Peak 5840 can be seen heading off into the trees beyond Lupe. Photo looks W.

Lupe didn’t find any mountain lion tracks on Peak 5840, but she was still following in Brian Kalet’s footsteps.

Upon reaching the summit of Peak 5840, Lupe had successfully concluded her mission to climb 3 more Brian Kalet peaks today. Even though the sun was getting quite low by now, she still had a little time to relax up on top of the mountain. SPHP put the purple Columbia pullover back around her to keep her warm while she rested.

Lupe had a couple of requests.

First, she wanted love. SPHP gave her a generous dose, and praised her for her 3 latest peakbagging successes earned despite having to spend so many hours in the cold, deep snow.

All the tender love made Lupe happy. Next, she thought more Taste of the Wild would hit the spot.

Full of love, Lupe thought she’d tank up on Taste of the Wild, too.

That Taste of the Wild was good! How about a love chaser?

The Taste of the Wild disappeared. Lupe begged for a little more loving, because, well, Carolina Dogs give away tons of love and enjoy receiving lots, too. SPHP was most happy to comply with Lupe’s request. Soon Lupe was feeling pretty good about the situation.

Soon Lupe was feeling good about the situation. She was toasty warm, full of nutritious Taste of the Wild, and dearly loved.

After a relaxing break on Peak 5840, it was time to get going again. The sun would still be up for a little while, but the G6 was miles away. Lupe posed for her final summit photo before heading down the mountain.

Lupe poses for a final photo at the top of Peak 5840. Photo looks S.

On the way down, Lupe and SPHP paused briefly at one of the viewpoints.

**Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.)** is the distant peak at the far L. **Atlantic Hill (6,393 ft.)** is the closer, darker hill L of Center. Photo looks N from the N ridge of Peak 5840.

**Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.)** (R) and the rock Lupe knows as “**Cracked Molar**” (Center). Cracked Molar’s real name is **Beecher Rock**. Photo looks NE using the telephoto lens.

There wasn’t time enough left in the day for Lupe to retrace her original route to Peak 5840 back over Peak 5880, and then back along USFS Road No. 685. When Lupe reached the pass N of Peak 5840, she turned NE following USFS Road No. 308.1F (Reservoir Road).

SPHP was surprised when No. 308.1F quickly led Lupe into a residential area. The road eventually took Lupe N of these homes before winding NE through the forest again.

The light of day was fading, and so was No. 308.1F, by the time Lupe reached Carroll Creek Road. SPHP was glad No. 308.1F hadn’t disappeared entirely in the dark forest. The short cut back to Carroll Creek Road had worked! Lupe had saved a lot of time and distance.

Lupe’s adventures on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 190 were almost over. Together, Lupe and SPHP started the 1.5 mile trek N along Carroll Creek Road back to the G6. As stars began to appear overhead, Lupe and SPHP wondered if somewhere up on Peak 5880, a giant cat was beginning its nightly prowl? (5:41 PM, 41°F)

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