Oh, it’s long ago! So very long, long ago now since Lupe started her life of adventure! It all began more or less by chance on January 15, 2012 when SPHP took the Carolina Dog to Silver City for a stroll along Rapid Creek on Deerfield Trail No. 40. Lupe had never been roaming up in the Black Hills before. The American Dingo was clearly so amazed by it all, so joyful and enthusiastic, that SPHP not only took her back to the very same spot a week later, but took notes on both adventures afterward. The True Adventures of Lupe were born, and those first trips became Black Hills, SD Expeditions No. 1 & No. 2.
And Lupe went on from there, having a blast exploring the Black Hills whenever she could. For more than 3 years, SPHP kept notes, writing about The True Adventures of Lupe, but all those notes were only files on a computer. One thing led to another, however, and on February 22, 2015, The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe launched as a blog on the internet.
By that time, Lupe had already completed 120 Black Hills Expeditions! She’d also been on 3 Dingo Vacations – the first one in 2012 to the West Coast, and the other two in 2013 and 2014, both to the Canadian Rockies. So, The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe featured not only all of Lupe’s new adventures, but occasionally older ones, too.
Creating posts on old adventures was only possible, though, when both written records and photos existed. SPHP’s detailed notes contained in The True Adventures of Lupe were available in every case, but a lack of sufficient photos to help bring the story to life was often an issue.
The Dingo Vacations weren’t much of a problem. SPHP had naturally taken pictures to remember those exotic journeys far from home. Lupe’s Black Hills Expeditions were another matter entirely. SPHP had never dreamed of starting a blog for Lupe until late in 2014. Consequently, no systematic attempt had been made to visually document her early Black Hills Expeditions.
SPHP didn’t even think to bring a camera until Expedition No. 3, and for several years failed to do so consistently. The camera was often simply forgotten at home, or the battery turned out to be dead. As a result, not a single photo exists in quite a few cases, only the written record.
Even when SPHP remembered to bring a camera, it was often sparingly used. In some instances, only a pawful of pictures were taken during an entire expedition. Many didn’t turn out that great, and sometimes they were all taken from the same 1 or 2 spots, rendering them insufficient to illustrate the overall experience. Once in a while (gasp!) Lupe wasn’t even in any of them.
SPHP eventually got better. Yet in the end, only 2 of 41 expeditions in 2012 had enough photos to support a post, and only 5 of 32 expeditions in 2013 did. Fortunately, by 2014, the situation was much improved, with 26 of 37 expeditions supported.
In 2021, 6 years after The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe launched, SPHP finally completed the last posts possible dedicated to single, older Black Hills Expeditions. All have now been published and added to Lupe’s Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index.
Sadly, that still leaves many fabulous early Lupe adventures for which there will never be individual posts. Perhaps an opportunity remains, though, to share bits and pieces of those glory days of long ago.
We’ll start with 2012, when young Lupe first wandered the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming – those halcyon days when world was brand new, full of wonders and mysteries to explore!
Expedition No. 1 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Canyon City & past the confluence of Rapid Creek & Slate Creek (1-15-12) No photos. An easy winter trek, and the one that started it all! Lupe was 13 months and a day old.
Expedition No. 2 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Canyon City & the confluence of Rapid Creek & Slate Creek (1-22-12) No photos.
Expedition No. 3 – Lupe’s Search for Old Bald Peak (1-29-12) Full post!
Expedition No. 4 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Samelius to Sheridan Lake (2-5-12)
In 2012, Lupe concentrated her efforts on exploring both the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89 and Deerfield Trails No. 40 & 40L in their entirety. On Expedition No. 4, she completed her first full segment of Centennial Trail No. 89, starting from the Samelius trailhead and going over Mount Warner (5,889 ft.) on the way to Sheridan Lake.
Expedition No. 5 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Sheridan Lake Road to Brush Creek (2-12-12)
An easy romp with forested stretches at the start and end, and decent views from the open terrain of the Bald Hills in between. Much of this route was along old USFS or logging roads. In the Bald Hills, the trail went right by the Twin Sisters (5,244 ft.). Lupe left the trail briefly to climb the highest one.
Expedition No. 6 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Brush Creek to Rapid Creek (2-19-12)
On Expedition No. 6, Lupe found a friend near Centennial Trail No. 89’s Tamarack trailhead. He joined Lupe on her way to Rapid Creek and the Pactola Lake dam and back. Lupe wasn’t entirely pleased when SPHP gave her new friend a share of her Taste of the Wild.
Expedition No. 7 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Sheridan Lake Road to Sheridan Lake dam (2-25-12) No photos.
Expedition No. 8 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Rapid Creek to Silver City Road (2-26-12)
Starting from Centennial Trail No. 89’s Rapid Creek trailhead just below the Pactola Lake dam, Lupe reached Silver City Road. Shortly before she got there, she passed the Centennial Trail’s junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40 for the first time.
The photo is a look at Pactola Lake taken on the way to the Rapid Creek trailhead. Although the lake could be seen from a couple of places along the trail, such a large expanse was never in sight.
Expedition No. 9 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Samelius to Big Pine & Horsethief Lake (3-4-12)
An easy section of Centennial Trail No. 89. So easy, that once Lupe got to the Big Pine trailhead, she continued on to nearby Horsethief Lake and another 0.75 mile up Horsethief Trail No. 14 to where it intersects the Centennial Trail again in the Black Elk Wilderness. This extension of the outing resulted in a late return.
Perhaps the most memorable part of the experience for Lupe was the long spooky tunnel under Hwy 16 that the Centennial Trail went through not far from the Samelius trailhead. The American Dingo was terrified of it! SPHP had to carry her through both ways.
Expedition No. 10 – Black Elk Wilderness (3-11-12)
Miss Big Pink Tongue made a giant loop in the Black Elk Wilderness taking Trail No. 14 from Horsethief Lake to Centennial Trail No. 89 all the way to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. From there she explored all of Norbeck Trail No. 3 getting to within 100 feet of the summit of Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) before retreating due to deep snow and approaching darkness.
During the return, Lupe took Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7, and finished her exploration of Trail No. 14. It was 10:30 PM by the time Lupe reached Horsethief Lake again after more than 12 hours. The Carolina Dog’s most exhausting Black Hills Expedition so far!
Expedition No. 11 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Deer Creek to Silver City (3-16-12)
Up a big forested hill, then SPHP missed a turn, taking Lupe way down a jeep trail on the other side. Mistake realized, Lupe returned to look for the actual trail, which turned out to be a lovely single track that wound even farther down to a valley. An easy trek across a field and through some woods led to a view of Rapid Creek and meadows near Silver City.
Seeing a few ducks in a marsh near Rapid Creek, Lupe dashed in after them. The ducks flew off, and the Carolina Dog emerged with a smile on her face, her lower half a stinking, filthy mess.
Expedition No. 12 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Deer Creek to Pilot Knob (3-18-12)
One of the shortest and easiest segments of Centennial Trail No. 89. Other than deer and squirrels, the big highlight was a dip in Jim Creek near the Pilot Knob trailhead.
Expedition No. 13 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Iron Creek Horse Camp to Mount Coolidge (3-22-12)
A long, confusing day! SPHP lost Centennial Trail No. 89 several times. Lupe ended up taking a side trek to climb Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.), and did get to the top. During the return, the American Dingo somehow wound up visiting Legion Lake and mistakenly exploring the Legion Lake Trail. Fortunately, it all worked out in the end.
Expedition No. 14 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Daugherty Gulch (4-1-12)
Most beautiful segment of Deerfield Trail No. 40! One significant ford.
Expedition No. 15 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Pilot Knob to Box Elder Creek (4-8-12)
Box Elder Creek was a lovely destination, and Lupe was in her usual fine form!
Expedition No. 16 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Box Elder Creek to Dalton Lake (4-16-12)
A mucky day due to melting snow.
Expedition No. 17 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Daugherty Gulch to Deerfield Lake (4-22-12)
Adventuring isn’t all fun and games. An element of danger exists, too! Of all the places Lupe has been during her many adventures, the most dangerous by far has been right here close to home in the Black Hills. Her first serious injury was a gash on her R front leg sustained during Expedition No. 17. SPHP never saw what happened, but believes Lupe got slashed by hidden barbed wire while wading in Slate Creek near Deerfield Reservoir.
With no way for SPHP to bandage her, Lupe ran and explored with a bleeding open wound for 7 miles all the way back to the Daugherty Gulch trailhead, stopping frequently to lick her poor, painful leg. She never whined or whimpered. First thing the next morning, SPHP took her to a vet for stitches.
Lupe has been injured severely enough to require stitches several times in the Black Hills. The culprit has always been downed barbed wire or deadfall timber with sharp broken branches.
Expedition No. 17 brought a painful conclusion to the American Dingo’s explorations of the entire 23 mile long Deerfield Trail No. 40.
Expedition No. 18 – Deerfield Reservoir Loop Trail No. 40L (5-6-12)
With her wounded leg healed up, and stitches out the previous day, Lupe returned to the Deerfield Lake area on Expedition No. 18 to explore the 11 mile Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L, which circumnavigates the reservoir. By doing so, Lupe completed the entire Deerfield Trail No. 40 & 40L trail system. Fortunately, no mishaps today!
Expedition No. 19 – Flume Trail No. 50: Spring Creek to Boulder Hill (5-13-12)
Expedition No. 19 was a pleasant romp along the W half of Flume Trail No. 50. Starting at the Spring Creek trailhead, Lupe traveled up scenic Spring Creek to the Sheridan Lake dam, where she picked up the Flume Trail. The mostly flat trail wound E along steep hillsides passing through 2 short tunnels. Lupe climbed Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) for the first time before turning back.
Expedition No. 20 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Badger Hole to Highland Creek (5-20-12)
A late morning start proved to be trouble as Lupe took on 2 sections of Centennial Trail No. 89 at once totaling 14.5 miles one way, all of which had to be repeated during the return. Naturally, SPHP’s usual slow pace prevented the Carolina Dog from getting back before dark.
Nightfall was when the fun and games began. SPHP lost the trail where it divided N of French Creek. Lupe wound up bushwhacking around a fenced state correctional facility for girls, cutting a pad on her paw while climbing some unknown peak near Mount Coolidge, and got chased by a buffalo that SPHP initially thought was just a rock!
Expedition No. 20 turned into Lupe’s longest Black Hills, SD Expedition ever. 17 hours! Dawn had arrived by the time the Carolina Dog reached Hwy 36. SPHP managed to catch a ride for her the last mile or two back to the G6. The cut paw pad eventually healed on its own.
Expedition No. 21 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Highland Creek to Norbeck (5-27-12)
On a late spring day, Lupe reached the S end of Centennial Trail No. 89 in Wind Cave National Park. She saw more wildlife along this segment than anywhere else, including bison, pronghorn antelope, coyote, deer, elk, and prairie dogs.
Expedition No. 22 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Dalton Lake to Elk Creek (6-3-12)
Snakes alive! Lupe saw 2 of them. Fortunately no rattlers, just a little green grass snake and a bull snake. After leaving Dalton Lake, Lupe came to no water anywhere along this 10.9 mile section of Centennial Trail No. 89. The day turned warm, and it soon became clear that SPHP hadn’t brought enough, forcing rationing on the long, parched return.
This segment of Centennial Trail No. 89 close to the E edge of the Black Hills featured views both E toward the prairie and W toward higher peaks in the N central hills. Near the N end, the trail descended into the Elk Creek canyon where SPHP expected Lupe would find water, but Elk Creek turned out to be a jumble of bone-dry boulders.
Expedition No. 23 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Elk Creek to Alkali Creek (6-10-12)
At 9.2 miles one way, this segment of Centennial Trail No. 89 wasn’t quite as long. Lupe found a little water at Bulldog Creek, and plenty at Alkali Creek. SPHP had come better prepared, too. Bear Butte (4,422 ft.), the N end of Centennial Trail No. 89, came into sight for the first time on the way down to the Alkali Creek trailhead at the edge of the prairie.
Expedition No. 24 – Western Black Hills Exploration (6-17-12)
Above is one of SPHP’s favorite photos of young Lupe. She was near the Rhoads Fork of Rapid Creek upstream from the Black Fox campground at the time this was taken. Expedition No. 24 was an unusual one, in that it involved plenty of driving to various stops in the western Black Hills.
On one of these stops, Lupe had just entered Wyoming for the first time in the Beaver Creek area. Leaping about trying to get a better view of a squirrel in a tree, the Carolina Dog impaled herself on a sharp broken branch sticking up from a fallen dead tree, sustaining a chest wound.
SPHP didn’t even realize Lupe was hurt until the next day. She’d been laying around licking her paws and front legs and behaving strangely, prompting SPHP to examine her, when the wound was discovered. An immediate trip to the vet was required for stitches.
Expedition No. 25 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to the confluence of Rapid Creek & Slate Creek (9-9-12) No photos.
Expedition No. 26 – Castle Creek Road (9-16-12) No photos. Lupe met an old man with few teeth who was trying to eek out a living panning gold from Castle Creek. He claimed to have found some, but was looking none too prosperous.
Expedition No. 27 – Boy Scout Scenic Overlook & the Dragon Caves (9-23-12)
Fall colors on the way to see the view from the Boy Scout Overlook along the E edge of the limestone plateau country were among the highlights of Lupe’s first officially autumn Black Hills expedition.
Lupe also got to visit the Dragon Caves for the first time ever, and did a little exploring along the South Fork of Castle Creek, an area intriguing enough to return to on the Carolina Dog’s next outing!
Expedition No. 28 – South Fork of Castle Creek (9-30-12)
Returning to start from the Dragon Caves, Lupe explored up the South Fork of Castle Creek to its source. Continuing beyond it, she roamed big meadows and forested hills of the limestone plateau country until it got dark. An owl hooted on the way back under starry skies.
Expedition No. 29 – Pole Creek (10-7-12)
Enjoying the first snow of the season, Lupe traveled up Pole Creek, then made a long loop W through the limestone plateau country, ultimately returning via the South Fork of Castle Creek again.
Expedition No. 30 – Redbank Spring to Moon (10-14-12) No photos.
Expedition No. 31 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Alkali Creek to Bear Butte (10-21-12)
Lupe completed her exploration of the entire 111 mile long Centennial Trail on this expedition!
Expedition No. 32 – Horsethief Lake to Harney Peak (10-28-12) No photos. Finally done with both Centennial Trail No. 89 and Deerfield Trails No. 40 & 40 L, Lupe turning to peakbagging some of the Black Hills most notable peaks. On Expedition No. 32 she made her first ascent of Harney Peak (7,242 ft.), South Dakota’s highest mountain, coming from Horsethief Lake on Horsethief Trail No. 14 and Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.
Expedition No. 33 – The Search for Old Bald Peak – Part 2 (11-4-12) No photos. Lupe finally made it to Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.), which she had first tried to find way back on Expedition No. 3.
Expedition No. 34 – Custer Crossing to Custer Peak (11-13-12)
Lupe’s first ascent of Custer Peak (6,804 ft.)!
Expedition No. 35 – Crooks Tower (11-18-12) No decent photos. Lupe’s first ascent of Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.).
Expedition No. 36 – Pony Gulch to Castle Peak (11-24-12)
The American Dingo’s first ascent of Castle Peak (6,358 ft.)!
Expedition No. 37 – The Roaring Forest & Return to Crooks Tower (12-2-12)
This was mostly a wandering expedition among the high country SW of Crooks Tower. An exceptionally windy day. Every now and then, dead trees killed by pine bark beetles could be heard collapsing in the gale. A bow hunter who had shot a buck came along. He had been following a trail of blood for 3 hours, but still hadn’t tracked the poor wounded buck down. SPHP hadn’t seen it.
Lupe climbed Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.) again, and SPHP turned poet:
The Roaring Forest
High in the roaring forest,
among the swaying trees,
a Dingo dog lifts her nose to the air
and calmly sniffs the breeze.
It seemed like a grand start, but writer’s block set in. Feel free to finish this epic poetic ballad!
Expedition No. 38 – Thrall Mountain (12-8-12)
A cold, solemn ascent of Thrall Mountain (5,091 ft.).
Expedition No. 39 – Norris Peak & Prehistoric Ridge (12-14-12)
A special outing on Lupe’s 2nd birthday. The birthday girl visited Turkey Ridge, Prehistoric Ridge and Norris Peak (4,982 ft.).
Expedition No. 40 – Iron Mountain & Lakota Lake (12-21-12)
A winter solstice expedition originally meant to start at Lakota Lake with Iron Mountain (5,446 ft.) as a destination, but done in reverse since the road to Lakota Lake turned out to be closed.
Expedition No. 41 – New Year’s Eve Peak (12-31-12) Full post!
And so 2012, the year Lupe started her Black Hills Expeditions, came and went. She’d completed both Centennial Trail No. 89, and Deerfield Trails No. 40 & 40L, then turned to climbing some of the higher Black Hills peaks, but had also sometimes simply wandered remote areas.
Lupe’s 41 Black Hills Expeditions in 2012 remain a record for the most she’s ever done a single year, but the American Dingo was just getting started.
Links:
Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2013
Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2014 & 2015
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!