Tetro Rock – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 308 – Peak 5240 & Tetro Rock (12-4-22)

9:12 AM, 37ºF, junction of Maitland Road & USFS Road No. 195.2A – Snow! Lupe was ecstatic, rolling enthusiastically in it as soon as SPHP let her out of the RAV4. Even though it was early December, it had been so dry for weeks that most of the Black Hills had scarcely any snow at all. The morning actually had a bit of a wintery feel to it here as the Carolina Dog set out.

SPHP was surprised by how snow-packed and slick No. 195.2A was. Must get more traffic than expected. Following the road N up a gradual incline, the reason became clear once the road flattened out and curved SE. Lupe hadn’t reached the Black Hills National Forest yet. There were homes up here.

Coming to a private home (R). Photo looks SE.

Winding E for 0.25 mile beyond the first home, No. 195.2A gained a bit more elevation. A high forested ridge was now visible to the SE. Lupe left the road to get a better look at it.

Off-road for a better look at the high ridge on the R. Photo looks SE.

Pretty sure that must be Peak 5240, Looper.

I take it that’s where we’re going then, SPHP?

Yes. It’s another Lists of John peak with at least 300 feet of prominence in the Black Hills that we haven’t been to yet.

I thought we were running out of these Lists of John peaks, SPHP?

We are, Loop, but there are still a few left, and that’s one of them.

Flat on top and heavily forested, Peak 5240 didn’t look all that exciting, but Loopster was going to check it out, anyway. Returning to the road, the American Dingo followed No. 195.2A as it wound SE, an easy trek with minimal elevation change.

More than 0.5 mile from the viewpoint, the road curved sharply N after crossing a ravine. Another 0.25 mile brought Lupe to a junction where an old road split off heading E. A home was visible up in the pines on a small hill overlooking this road, but there didn’t seem to be any reason why Loop couldn’t follow it.

Approaching the sharp curve where No. 195.2A turned N. Photo looks SE.

Climbing gradually, the old road went E only a little way before turning SE up a snowy slope. Part of Peak 5240 was visible across a valley just ahead. The road curved SW here, which was the wrong way to go.

We’ll to have to abandon the road, Loop. Head E!

Down into the valley, SPHP?

Yes, we’ve got to cross it before we can climb Peak 5240.

About to descend into the Tetro Creek valley. **Peak 5240** (R). Photo looks SE.

Lupe led the way down a snowy slope full of bushes that orange leaves still clung to. Crisp snow crunched, and twigs and branches snapped, as SPHP zig-zagged after her through the maze. The burning question was how big Tetro Creek would be when Loopster got down to it?

Heading down to Tetro Creek. Photo looks ESE.

SPHP needn’t have worried. Losing 200 feet of elevation, Lupe came to only a foot of snow where Tetro Creek was supposed to be, no running water at all. Crossing the snowy creekbed, Loop found herself at the S end of a spur off USFS Road No. 195.2A.

In the snow where **Tetro Creek** should have been. Photo looks E.

At the S end of a spur off USFS Road No. 195.2A. Photo looks NW.

We took a shortcut, SPHP?

Yeah, we did! Wasn’t too bad, was it? There’s another one ahead. Keep going E up this side valley.

Before she could do that, Looper had to wait while SPHP gathered up pieces of an abandoned, disintegrating TracFone. Once she started up the valley, it quickly proved to be more V-shaped than anticipated.

Staying toward the N where there was less snow, Lupe traversed a slope steep enough to cause minor traction issues for SPHP.

Heading up the side valley. Photo looks ENE.

The valley eventually broadened out. Approaching a flat region at the upper end, Lupe encountered logs cut into sections left over from an old logging operation.

Easier terrain as the valley widens out. Photo looks E.

Near the upper end of the valley. Photo looks E.

Upon reaching the flat region, Lupe came across USFS Road No. 195.2A again. The road was much more primitive here than where she’d left it. Following No. 195.2A only far enough NE to get a look at the views in that direction, the top of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) could be seen off to the E, but trees prevented her from seeing much more than that.

Back on USFS Road No. 195.2A again. Photo looks SW.

SPHP’s shortcuts had saved some distance, but whether any time had been saved versus simply following No. 195.2A was debatable. In any case, Lupe was now in position to start climbing Peak 5240’s N slope. Turning back, the American Dingo left the road and headed S.

Starting up **Peak 5240’s N slope**. Photo looks S.

Close to a foot of snow was on this N slope, which was otherwise a fairly easy climb without many obstacles. Lupe’s first objective was a narrow, 5160 foot ridge shown on the topo map. The terrain steepened as she drew near it, but getting onto the ridge wasn’t difficult.

At the **NE end of the 5160 foot ridge**. Photo looks WSW.

The ridge remained nearly level as Lupe followed it SW. Having seen Peak 5240’s heavily-forested summit from a distance early on, chances were the Carolina Dog wouldn’t get to enjoy much in the way of views up there, so SPHP kept an eye out for any that might be had from this narrow ridge.

Lupe came to a glimpse of a fairly high peak to the SE. SPHP suspected it might be Mount Theodore Roosevelt (5,680 ft.).

**Mount Theodore Roosevelt** (Center). Photo looks SE.

There were no more clear views until Loop reached a dip at the W end of the ridge. Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.) and Crow Peak (5,787 ft.) were in sight from a couple of narrow gaps between the trees.

Continuing along the ridge. Photo looks SW.

**Spearfish Peak** (Center). Photo looks W.

**Spearfish Peak** (L) and **Crow Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks WNW.

At least, Lupe had seen something! Continuing SSW, a surprise was only a short distance ahead. Several limestone knobs provided perches along the edge of small cliffs. Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) was in sight.

These knobs were right along the W edge of the mountain. Going SSE from here, Lupe ventured down a bigger dip, followed by a climb up to another rocky high point that wasn’t cliffy. Taking a short break, Loop enjoyed a more sweeping view of Spearfish Peak and Crow Peak than she’d had earlier.

Heading into the dip beyond the limestone knobs. Photo looks SSE.

**Spearfish Peak** (Center) and **Crow Peak** (R of Center) from the next rocky high point. Photo looks W.

By now, Peak 5240’s true summit was only 125 feet higher, somewhere up the forested slope to the E. Lupe took off in search of it.

Approaching the final ascent. Photo looks E.

The slope was an easy climb. The terrain soon leveled out. Loopster had reached a broad, forested summit region, from which it appeared quite certain she’d have no views as earlier surmised. The ground was clearly a little higher toward the N, so the Carolina Dog headed that way.

12:18 PM, 43ºF, Peak 5240 – Beyond a big snowdrift, a fallen tree in a sunny clearing leaned over what appeared to be the true summit. A hop up onto the tree trunk, and Lupe claimed her peakbagging success!

At the **true summit**, or more accurately, a couple of feet above it. Photo looks NNE.

**Peak 5240 summit region**. Photo looks S.

The dynamic Dingo scores another Lists of John Black Hills 300+ foot prominence peak! Photo looks SSE.

Congratulations were in order! After all, Peak 6170, the last new Lists of John peak the American Dingo had attempted, had been a complete flop. By comparison, Peak 5240 was a glorious success! After retreating S to a snow-free spot beneath a tree, SPHP shook Loopster’s paw, then split a chocolate coconut bar with her.

A W breeze sighed in the trees as Lupe had a little Taste of the Wild, too.

Well, what now, SPHP? Peak 5240 was easy! Such a nice day, only lunch time, and I’m loving the snow. Anything else we can do around here?

Been years since we’ve been to Tetro Rock (5,562 ft.), Loop. Wanna go there? Might be fun! We could make a big loop back to the RAV4.

Fine with me, SPHP. What’s at Tetro Rock? I don’t really remember it. Sounds like there ought to be some big views!

Scarcely remember Tetro Rock myself, Looper. Just another flat, forested summit, I think, but there was a view of Terry Peak. I seem to remember something big and red, too, but couldn’t tell you now what it was.

Oh, a mystery! We ought to investigate. See if whatever it is, is still there!

It was as good a plan as any. Half an hour after arriving at Peak 5240’s true summit, Lupe headed S, exploring the rest of the summit region as she began the journey to Tetro Rock.

This led to an amazing discovery! Peak 5240’s summit region sloped down a fair amount, but was much more open toward the S end. The Carolina Dog had stumbled onto Peak 5240’s best viewpoint!

**Tetro Rock** (Center). Photo looks SW.

**Mount Theodore Roosevelt** (L). Photo looks SSE.

**Terry Peak** (L) on the horizon, **Tetro Rock** (R). Photo looks SW.

**Spearfish Peak** (L), **Crow Peak** (Center). Photo looks WNW.

Good thing we’re going to Tetro Rock, SPHP! If we’d just gone back to the RAV4, we would have missed the best part of Peak 5240!

Leaving the S end of Peak 5240’s summit region, Lupe ventured down a rocky escarpment. Below it, a long forested slope finally bottomed out at a wide, flat saddle.

Descending the escarpment at the **S end of Peak 5240**. Photo looks WNW.

At the **saddle S of Peak 5240**. Photo looks SE.

This quiet saddle seemed like a very remote place. A 200 foot high ridge now blocked further progress S. Decision time! Climb over, head W to Tetro Creek, or E into the Miller Creek drainage?

Let’s go E, Loop. Probably easiest.

The gradual descent into the Miller Creek drainage while searching for a way around the E end of the ridge was reminiscent of the earlier descent to cross Tetro Creek. In the shadow of the ridge, a foot of snow covered the ground. Lupe wandered a wilderness of bushes with orange leaves again, while twigs and branches snapped as SPHP brought up the rear.

Exploring the Miller Creek drainage. Photo looks SE.

This wandering was longer, though, the sense of seclusion stronger. Took a while before Lupe was able to turn the corner on the ridge to head S. By then she was slowly gaining elevation on a fairly steep slope. Pausing to check the map, SPHP looked down and saw a small clearing.

Is that a road? Let’s go down there, Looper!

The map didn’t show anything at all here, but there was an old road, a long forgotten lane through the snowy woods. Going the right way, too! Soon Lupe was around the E end of the 200 foot high ridge, apparently climbing toward a pass.

On the snowy road E of the blocking ridge. Photo looks SSW.

1:45 PM, Pass 4980 – At the pass was another surprise, a junction with a better road, also not shown on the map. This pass was the dividing point between the Miller Creek and Tetro Creek drainages. Taking the better road W, Lupe went down to a curve in a shallow valley where the road crossed Tetro Creek.

At **Pass 4980**, about to descend to **Tetro Creek**. Photo looks W.

Tetro Creek had no flow up here, either, but a Bush of Gold grew along its bank right at the curve. Lupe and SPHP paused to admire it.

The **Bush of Gold** by **Tetro Creek**. Photo looks ENE.

Beyond Tetro Creek, the road climbed SSW. Lupe soon went by another road on the R. This road went counter-clockwise 3/4 of the way around Peak 5270, and actually was shown on the map, but that was the long way. Ignoring it, Loop stuck with the road she was on a while longer. However, it soon seemed destined to continue S, and Tetro Rock was W.

Leaving the **Tetro Creek valley**. Photo looks S.

Abandoning all roads, the American Dingo climbed up onto a long, snowy ridge, following it SW. The ridge led to the same road around Peak 5270 that Loop had by-passed.

Third shortcut of the day. Clever, SPHP!

Every now and then, something works, Looper. Even for me!

Taking the road SW, Lupe trotted almost directly into the blazing sun, which was starting to get quite low. 0.25 mile got her to a junction with Paradise Gulch Road, which was snow-packed and had been plowed.

On **Paradise Gulch Road**. Photo looks WSW.

Paradise Gulch Road was the way to go! It swept N around the upper E end of Peak 5420, then turned WSW. Tetro Rock was now just to the NW across a deep valley.

**Tetro Rock** (R) from **Paradise Gulch Road**. Photo looks WNW.

The saddle leading to Tetro Rock was farther W, so Lupe stuck with the road. As she got close to where she would have to cross the valley, a gated driveway with a big “P” appeared, evidently access to some fancy private home. The good news was that Paradise Gulch Road curved N.

**Gated driveway** (L), **Paradise Gulch Road** (R), and **Tetro Rock** (far R). Photo looks W.

Paradise Gulch Road went clear to the saddle leading to Tetro Rock. So much for any difficulty crossing the valley! Lupe passed equipment that looked like it had been here a while. It was sort of sad to see that the saddle was so torn up.

Approaching the **saddle leading to Tetro Rock**. Photo looks N.

From the saddle, more primitive roads continued N into the forest. Lupe climbed along one of them a little way, then left it, veering NW through the trees. Passing through some deadfall, she reached a fairly flat area. Turning WNW, Loop soon discovered a road lined with pines leading W.

Following the pine-lined lane. Photo looks W.

Late day sunlight filtered through the trees as Lupe entered a clearing covered with snow. A sense of deja vu immediately swept over SPHP.

3:05 PM – How long had it been? SPHP couldn’t remember, but Lupe had been here before.

This is it, Loop! Tetro Rock (5,562 ft.). I haven’t recognized a single spot from our journey here years ago until now, but this place seems familiar.

Seriously, SPHP? This shady clearing is “Tetro Rock”? How can that be?

Nevertheless, we’ve arrived, Looper.

Whoever named this place had a real sense of humor, SPHP! Or maybe they’d never been here? Not even a rock in sight! Or a tetro, either! By the way, what is a tetro, anyway?

I suspect the mountain looks more impressive from the SW, Loop. A big cliff may give Tetro Rock its name. If not, I have no clue. Tetro is Italian, I believe, for gloomy, dark, dreary, dismal, that sort of thing.

Sounds depressing! Speaking of things, let’s see if we can find the big red thing you were talking about earlier, SPHP. And there’s supposed to be a view of Terry Peak, too, right?

Heading S from the clearing, 2 mounds less than 3 feet high appeared to be the only contenders for the title of true summit of Tetro Rock. Lupe got up on the first one she came to, just to make things official.

On the **N “true summit”** with the S one (L) in sight beyond. Photo looks S.

Continuing S to the edge of the mountain, by golly, there it was! The big red thing was still here! Even looking right at it, SPHP still didn’t know what it was. The paint job had held up remarkably well, though.

The **big red thingamajig of Tetro Rock**. Photo looks S.

A little lower, back to the NNW, was the viewpoint SPHP remembered. A limestone outcropping covered with low bushes and pine needles jutted 10 feet out toward the SW. That was enough to provide a great view of the deep False Bottom Creek valley that Maitland Road runs through, and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.).

**False Bottom Creek valley** (L). Spearfish Peak (R) with **Crow Peak** in the distance. Photo looks WNW.

**Terry Peak** (Center). Photo looks SSW.

With the sun sinking into a bank of clouds to the SW, a colorful sunset clearly wasn’t in the cards. Lupe sat next to SPHP. She wasn’t going to have much time to enjoy this view she hadn’t seen in years. A paw shake to congratulate Loop on her return to Tetro Rock, and it was chocolate coconut bar and Taste of the Wild time.

15 minutes, maybe 20. The sun wasn’t quite gone yet when the Carolina Dog left the viewpoint. Going past the big red thing one more time, Lupe went up to sit on the S mound of the true summit for a moment before returning to the snowy clearing.

Heading N from the clearing, the American Dingo quickly came to a place SPHP had long forgotten. A collection of 4 foot high gray boulders covered with lichens and snow sat amid young aspens and deadfall.

Oh, I remember these rocks, Loop! Hard to say for certain, but this might even be the true summit of Tetro Rock!

Well, at least there are some rocks up here, after all, SPHP!

Naturally, Loopster had to get up on the highest rock.

On the rocks N of the clearing. Photo looks NNW.

Light was already fading as Lupe left the rocks and vanished N into the woods. For a long way, there was a foot of snow in the trackless forest. The Carolina Dog found an old road, but it ended soon after she reached it. A little W of the road’s end, a long, tetro valley went N, forested until almost the very end.

Stars were shining, and a nearly full moon cast the Dingo’s shadow on the hard-packed snow when Lupe finally reached USFS Road No. 195.2A again. Still a mile to go. Lupe led the way. It had been an interesting day. (End 5:20 PM, 28ºF)

**Peak 5240**, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-4-22

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170 – Kirk Hill, Tetro Rock & Custer Peak (5-1-16)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170 – Kirk Hill, Tetro Rock & Custer Peak (5-1-16)

April in the Black Hills ended with 5 straight days when Lupe never saw the sun. Sometimes it rained, sometimes it snowed, sometimes it didn’t do anything except blow. The one thing that didn’t change was the unrelenting gloom. Lupe stared out the window for hours. She dozed when the boredom got to be too much to bear.

The clouds were breaking up and the sun was shining, though, on the first morning of May. Was Lupe ready for a Black Hills expedition? Was she ever! Impatiently she urged SPHP to action. Let’s go this very second! That didn’t happen, but as soon as the usual preparations were complete, the Carolina Dog got her wish.

Within moments of when SPHP parked the G6 near the intersection of USFS Roads No. 180 and No. 541.1, Lupe was even happier! After spending all of her April expeditions in cactus country in the southern or SW Black Hills, she was now much farther N. Lupe instantly seemed to realize there was no danger of encountering any of the hated cactus here. She ran with abandon through the fields and pine forests. This was more like it, as far as the American Dingo was concerned!

Lupe near the start of USFS Road No. 541.1. She was very happy to be up in the hills again, and even happier to be out of cactus country! Photo looks S.

Lupe’s first peakbagging goal, Kirk Hill (5,345 ft.), was only a little more than a mile SSE of the G6. Lupe and SPHP started out following USFS Road No. 541.1, which gained elevation steadily as it headed SE up a small valley. A tiny stream soon appeared just W of the road, but Lupe was more interested in the delightful patches of cool, wet snow in the forest.

After following No. 541.1 uphill for a mile, Lupe arrived at a flat stretch of road at a pass just E of Kirk Hill. Lupe had already gained hundreds of feet of elevation. Here the forest had several inches of heavy wet snow, not just scattered patches. That didn’t bother Lupe in the slightest. She left the road heading W up the mountain.

Lupe left USFS Road No. 541.1 here to climb Kirk Hill from the E. Photo looks W at her way up.

Lupe didn’t have to go very far through the snowy forest before she found another road. That made things real easy. Lupe and SPHP followed this new road N. As SPHP hoped, it soon curved W and took Lupe all the way to the summit near the SW end of Kirk Hill.

Lupe arrives at the summit of Kirk Hill. The summit area was broad, flat and mostly forested. Photo looks W.

The very highest rocks were in a sunny little meadow, but the much larger summit area was broad, nearly flat and mostly forested. Some of the forest had been thinned, but although Lupe and SPHP wandered around the mountaintop quite a bit, it was hard to find any really good viewpoints. The very best view was of Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) to the SW, which looked quite snowy and rather dramatic.

The best view Lupe could find from Kirk Hill was this look at Custer Peak (6,804 ft.). Photo looks SW. Taken with the telephoto lens. — The best view Lupe could find from Kirk Hill was this look at **Custer Peak (6,804 ft.)**. Photo looks SW. Taken with the telephoto lens.

Lupe sniffing around on Kirk Hill. Photo looks NW.

After exploring much of the W end of Kirk Hill, Lupe returned briefly to the highest rocks at the summit one more time. Then she and SPHP started back E on the road.

After exploring the W end of the mountain, Lupe returns to the summit for the last time. Photo looks NE.

Toward the middle of the mountain, Lupe and SPHP left the road to scout out the S rim. It was thinly forested, snowy, and sunny. The forest still interfered with the views to a significant degree, but it didn’t matter. The area to the S was pretty, but not dramatic. Lupe and SPHP returned to the road.

Just to find out if this road was marked in any way, Lupe and SPHP stayed on it all the way until it reached No. 541.1 again. There was a marker at the intersection. The road to the top of Kirk Hill was No. 541.1G. If Lupe and SPHP had stayed on No. 541.1 just a little longer on the way up, Lupe would have reached this junction within a few minutes.

Lupe and SPHP returned to the G6 on No. 541.1, this time following it downhill to the NW (12:04 PM, 50°F). Before leaving the area, Lupe went to get a drink out of the tiny stream nearby. The little stream has no name on the maps, but is a seasonal tributary of Park Creek.

Looking down USFS Road No. 541.1 on the way back to the G6. Photo looks N.

Lupe got a drink out of this little seasonal tributary of Park Creek before leaving the Kirk Hill area. It was nice to be in a place where there was a stream of any size after spending all her April expeditions in parched cactus country!

Lupe’s journey to Kirk Hill had been a success, but her next peakbagging mission was quite some distance away. She was going to climb Tetro Rock (5,562 ft.) located 6 miles SSE of Spearfish, SD. Lupe took a rest break while SPHP drove.

Tetro Rock was only 1.5 miles SSE as the crow flies from where SPHP parked the G6 at the intersection of Maitland Road and USFS Road No. 195.2A (12:53 PM, 52°F). Before heading out to Tetro Rock, however, Lupe and SPHP went to take a quick look at False Bottom Creek.

False Bottom Creek was flowing along quite nicely due to runoff from melting snow. False Bottom Creek tends to dry up to a large extent in late summer.

With snow melting up in the nearby hills, False Bottom Creek was looking good. What wasn’t looking so good were some Lupe Treasures scattered around both banks. SPHP collected some of them before Lupe left for Tetro Rock following USFS Road No. 195.2A.

No. 195.2A started off heading NNE away from Tetro Rock. It gained a little elevation heading out of the Black Hills National Forest and then leveled out as it turned E, passing by a couple of large homes up in the forest S of the road. The road soon jogged to the S a bit, turned E again, and then went SE back into the National Forest.

The original plan had been to follow No. 195.2A as it wound around crazily for well over a mile. At a point about 2 miles NNE of Tetro Rock, the Peakbagger.com topo map showed some kind of faint road leaving No. 195.2A a little to the W of Tetro Creek. This road snaked S up a ridge about halfway to Tetro Rock. Lupe would then have to bushwhack the rest of the way trying to follow the high ground to the summit.

The original plan might have worked just fine, but shortly after No. 195.2A entered Section 6, an unmarked side road appeared on the SE side of 195.2A. It was just the sort of private, secluded little road that Lupe and SPHP love. A hump of dirt near its start looked likely to discourage any low-clearance vehicles. Lupe and SPHP went up onto the hump to get a better look at where this side road was going.

Lupe up on the hump of dirt near the start of the side road off USFS Road No. 195.2A. Photo looks SSW.

Past the hump of dirt, the little side road turned W gaining elevation gradually. The grassy road looked inviting. SPHP checked the topo map again. This road wasn’t shown, but if it were to turn S, it might actually be a shortcut to Tetro Rock. The terrain seemed to favor the notion that it would at least turn and head SW for a little while.

Well, so much for the original plan! Lupe and SPHP abandoned No. 195.2A to follow the side road. It went W for a little way, but as anticipated, gradually bent around to the S. SPHP became quite enthused with the way things were working out. The side road was staying on the E side of a drainage near the E side of Section 1. Although it wasn’t in view yet, Lupe and SPHP were heading almost directly toward Tetro Rock.

Lupe and SPHP made great progress for a little while on the grassy road. That is, until it ended. Suddenly, that was it. No more road. It really wasn’t surprising, but still a little disappointing that it hadn’t gone further. Lupe was still at least a mile N of Tetro Rock. The snow covered slopes of the mountain ahead looked fairly steep.

The choice was either to bushwhack on up the mountain and try to follow the high ground to Tetro Rock, or double back to No. 195.2A and go back to the original plan. SPHP checked the topo map again. It looked like Lupe ought to be able to continue following the high ground easily enough, if the way didn’t get too steep. Yeah, Lupe could do this!

The first part of the climb up the snowy slope was filled with a tangle of the branches of small trees and large, slender bushes. It didn’t take very long to get up above the worst of it. The rest of the climb was steep, but not steep enough to prevent Lupe from continuing onward. Lupe had fun exploring, while SPHP plodded slowly upward. Lupe reached a rock outcropping at the top of this first big climb.

Lupe on the rocks at the top of the first steep climb up from where the grassy road dead-ended.

SPHP paused for a breather and another map check. The worst was over. It looked like the way S from here had to be less steep. Lupe should be able to stay toward the W side of a ridgeline and just keep climbing. There would be a couple of minor high points along the way, but it ought to be possible to find and climb Tetro Rock.

So Lupe and SPHP continued on S through the trackless forest. As Lupe gained elevation, there was even more snow in the woods. Happily, as the topo map showed, the way forward wasn’t as steep as what Lupe had just come through. After climbing for a while longer, Lupe and SPHP took a break near another rock outcropping. SPHP ate an apple. Lupe had some Taste of the Wild.

Off to the WNW, the top of Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.) could be seen between the trees. Across the valley to the W was a ridge at least as high as where Lupe was. SPHP checked the topo map again. Yes, it looked like Lupe was on the right track, but Tetro Rock was still 0.75 mile farther S.

Lupe at the break area near more rocks. Another high ridge can be seen between the trees. It helped confirm Lupe's position on the topo map, but Lupe didn't have to go over there. Photo looks W. — Lupe at the break area near more rocks. Another high ridge can be seen between the trees. It helped confirm Lupe’s position on the topo map, but Lupe didn’t have to go over there. Photo looks W.

Suddenly, Lupe growled. Her hackles raised up. She stood at attention looking W at the nearby rocks. Lupe growled several low threatening growls over the span of a few minutes. She detected something out there. SPHP stared W wondering what was approaching. SPHP detected nothing unusual.

Whatever it was never appeared. Lupe relaxed. So did SPHP. SPHP wondered what Lupe had sensed. Maybe it was better not knowing.

It was time to get going again. A little farther S, Lupe should come to the first, and highest, of a couple of minor high points near the SW corner of Section 6. Maybe Lupe would be able to see Tetro Rock from there?

Lupe and SPHP continued a gradual climb to the SE through the snowy woods. Sure enough, Lupe came to a high point. There were a number of nice rock formations here, but the biggest one with the best view was toward the SW end of the high ground.

Lupe on the rock formation at the SW end of the high point N of Tetro Rock. Photo looks SW.

Ahead to the S was a higher forested hill where Tetro Rock was supposed to be. SPHP shouldn’t have been disappointed, but this first view of Tetro Rock was a bit of a letdown. Of course, the topo map showed that Tetro Rock was not steep when viewed from the N. The SW slope is much steeper and probably far craggier and more impressive, but the SW slope wasn’t in view from this angle.

Tetro Rock, the high forested hill on the L, as seen from the minor high point. SPHP wasn't too impressed from this angle. Photo looks SW. — Tetro Rock, the high forested hill on the L, as seen from the minor high point. SPHP wasn’t too impressed from this angle. Photo looks SW.

Lupe among the interesting rock formations at the SW end of the highest minor high point N of Tetro Rock. Photo looks NW.

This chipmunk was curious about Lupe and SPHP. Lupe was interested in it, too! The chipmunk wisely hung out at the very edge of the rock formations where Lupe couldn't get close, as much as she would have liked to. — This chipmunk was curious about Lupe and SPHP. Lupe was interested in it, too! The chipmunk wisely hung out at the very edge of the rock formations where Lupe couldn’t get close, as much as she would have liked to.

Tetro Rock was still 0.5 mile away. Lupe and SPHP left the minor highpoint continuing S. Now Lupe was losing elevation. She soon came to another lower high point. It featured less impressive rock formations and no views. The forest was too dense.

S of the second high point, Lupe entered a small meadow created by heavy logging. Slash was on the ground everywhere, along with numerous big long tree trunks that had been cut into 2.5 foot long pieces left to rot on the ground. Lupe and SPHP had come to lots of similar areas where loggers had been busy along the way, but none as big as this one. It was slow going picking a route through all the debris.

At the bottom of the saddle between the last minor high point and the start of the climb to Tetro Rock, Lupe found a logging road. It was pretty snowy, but it helped speed things up considerably. The road took Lupe S to a point 0.25 mile E of the summit of Tetro Rock. At the high ground there, another logging road branched off to the W. SPHP suspected it would take Lupe right to the top of Tetro Rock.

The logging road going W was blocked in quite a few places by dead trees, but it did go to the summit area on Tetro Rock. The road ended in a snowy clearing surrounded by forest. Gah! No views at all. With a name like Tetro Rock, SPHP had been expecting, or at least hoping for something more exotic. Well, viewed from the SW it probably was, as the topo map indicated. Coming from the N or E, it was just another high spot in the forest.

Lupe at the edge of the snowy clearing on Tetro Rock where the logging road ended. Photo looks WSW.

The snowy clearing was nearly level. There was no obvious high point or summit. It looked like there might be higher ground off to the N, and maybe some places scattered in the nearby forest that were a little higher than the snowy clearing. Nothing looked like it was more than a few feet higher, though. Lupe was basically at the top of the mountain.

Before going to check out the possible rise to the N, Lupe and SPHP headed SW to see what the steep SW face of Tetro Rock looked like from above. From the edge of the level ground, the mountain sloped off increasingly steeply. There were too many trees to see the views from the high ground, although it looked like it might be possible to see something from some of the rock formations below.

Someone had dumped this red pickup truck bed over the SW edge of the flat summit area on Tetro Rock. The pickup bed wasn't very far down the slope. It would have made a stupendous Lupe Treasure, but SPHP wasn't up to the task. — Someone had dumped this red pickup truck bed over the SW edge of the flat summit area on Tetro Rock. The pickup bed wasn’t very far down the slope. It would have made a stupendous Lupe Treasure, but SPHP wasn’t up to the task.

A little cautiously, Lupe and SPHP went over the SW edge of Tetro Rock. The slope wasn’t bad, but looked like it was going to get steeper. In fact, this looked like the kind of place that might easily end in some dramatic cliffs. Not too far below, there were rock formations that looked like the tops of cliffs.

Lupe and SPHP went down to check out the view from the most promising one nearby. Lupe was treated to a beautiful view of Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) to the SSW.

Lupe and SPHP were satisfied. At least Tetro Rock had yielded a lovely view of Terry Peak. Lupe and SPHP climbed back up to the rim of the flat ground. It was time to go check out the possible higher ground N of the snowy clearing. Lupe passed through the snowy clearing again on the way.

It wasn’t too far to the high ground to the N. It took longer than it should have to get there. The loggers had been busy here, too. There were lots of big tree trunks cut into sections on the ground. Slash was everywhere. As Lupe drew near the highest rocks, it was possible to see a long way off to the NE. Unfortunately, there were still enough standing trees to mar the view for the camera.

A collection of fairly big rocks among all the debris of the logged trees seemed to be the highest point on Tetro Rock. This was probably the true summit. It did seem a little higher than the snowy clearing had been, though SPHP wouldn’t swear to it. Several rocks looked about equally high. SPHP encouraged Lupe to get up on the most impressive looking of these rocks for her Tetro Rock summit photo.

Lupe on the rock SPHP designated the true summit of Tetro Rock. Photo looks NE.

It didn’t look like there was any higher ground farther N, but it did look like there were some bigger rock formations not too far away in that direction. Lupe and SPHP went over to check them out. The true summit definitely wasn’t over here, but the rock formations were certainly more impressive than those at the actual summit.

Up on rock formations near the NW end of Tetro Rock. Photo looks N.

By now Lupe and SPHP were near the NW end of Tetro Rock. Lupe’s explorations of the summit area were complete. The sensible thing to have done would have been to just go back S to the snowy clearing and take the logging roads back to the saddle S of the minor high points N of Tetro Rock.

However, it seemed more enticing to explore a shortcut by simply heading NE down the mountain. This route might not be any faster than taking the logging roads, but it went through still unexplored territory. The topo map indicated it should work. So off Lupe and SPHP went, heading NE down off Tetro Rock. At first it was kind of steep, and Lupe passed by more big rocks.

Lupe on rocks encountering coming down the N slope of Tetro Rock. The area E of Spearfish, SD can be seen in the distance. Photo looks N.

The shortcut worked! It was slow going over the snowy rough ground, and Lupe eventually had to turn more to the E to maintain elevation, but Lupe found the same logging road again a little S of the two minor high points.

From here, the trek back was easy. Lupe and SPHP just followed their tracks in the snow. SPHP was happy that Lupe had made it to Tetro Rock. Lupe enjoyed exploring the woods. Once Lupe reached the dead-end of the grassy side road again, the rest of the way back to the G6 was just a pleasant late afternoon road hike. Lupe and SPHP spent a little time collecting more Lupe Treasures at False Bottom Creek before leaving the area (5:56 PM, 55°F).

What now? Lupe already had a successful peakbagging day behind her. She could have gone straight home. The American Dingo didn’t seem at all tired, though. SPHP still had some energy reserves left, too. There were still a couple of hours of daylight left.

Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) had looked snowy and impressive from Kirk Hill earlier in the day. Why not go there? It was an easy road hike. Lupe could reach the top before sunset. The dominant peak of the N central Black Hills would provide impressive views in every direction. Lupe had been there before, but it sounded like a good way to end the day.

About 0.5 mile SE of Custer Peak, SPHP parked the G6 at an intersection along USFS Road No. 216 (6:41 PM, 42°F). It was chillier up here. There was a N breeze blowing. Lupe and SPHP started the familiar road hike to the top.

Custer Peak from the road to the top. Photo looks ENE using the telephoto lens.

A lot of snow must have melted during the day. There wasn’t nearly as much around as SPHP expected. It was an easy trek, but the N breeze felt quite cool as Lupe and SPHP neared the summit. The road up the mountain ends a little short of the summit. From there, a trail goes up to the lookout tower. Lupe was already beyond the end of the road and on the trail’s switchbacks, when SPHP was very surprised to see a vehicle driving up the road.

Lupe on the trail just below the top of Custer Peak. The sun was getting close to the horizon.

Lupe on the rock wall around the lookout tower. This was Lupe's 5th ascent of Custer Peak! Photo looks E. — Lupe on the rock wall around the lookout tower. This was Lupe’s 5th ascent of Custer Peak! Photo looks E.

Lupe reached the lookout tower to complete her 5th ascent of Custer Peak. The sun wouldn’t set for another 15 minutes or so. SPHP expected people from the vehicle that had driven up the mountain would be coming up to see the sunset, but no one came. Lupe and SPHP wandered around the lookout tower and the surrounding area while waiting for sunset.

The E side of Custer Peak was still snowy, but the afternoon sun had melted nearly all the snow on the W side. These trees near the lookout tower still had snow and ice clinging to their NE branches.

Lupe waits for the sun to set on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170 at the top of Custer Peak.

The sky was almost completely clear. There were no clouds in the W to make the sunset glorious. Lupe and SPHP watched a golden-orange fireball sink below the horizon. Except for the trek back to the G6, Lupe’s Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170 was over.

On the way down the switchbacks, suddenly there were two dogs! Two people appeared right behind them. Lupe sniffed with Ansel and Fern. SPHP chatted briefly in the cool breeze with Aaron Ploog and his girlfriend, Kelsey. It was already near freezing out, but Aaron, Kelsey and 3 dogs (there was a husky still in the car) were going to car camp on Custer Peak! They were on their way up to the top, so Aaron could decide what to shoot.

Aaron said he was with Awake At Night and lived in Spearfish. Later on at home, SPHP looked up Awake At Night Photography on the internet. Aaron is a Noctographer, taking photos after dark and selling them. Pretty cool stuff!

Lupe seldom meets anyone on most of her adventures. Every now and then, though, Lupe meets some very interesting people (and dogs) out on adventures of their own! (8:54 PM, 33°F)

The sun sets on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170.

Lupe Treasures collected: 6 glass bottles, 3 plastic bottles, 8 aluminum cans.

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