A cold snap was on the way. The 5th of January was going to be the last day with highs approaching 40°F for a while. If Lupe was going to get in another Black Hills, SD Expedition any time soon, it had to be now or never. Given a choice like that, Lupe and SPHP chose now!
At 9:52 AM, SPHP parked the G6 near the start of USFS Road No. 448 just off Bogus Jim Road. The day was crisp, clear, and calm. The G6 said it was 32°F. It probably was in the sunny spot where the G6 was parked, but as Lupe headed W on No. 448 into the shady valley of the South Fork of Bogus Jim Creek, it felt colder than that. The forested valley felt like an icebox.
To get to Buck Mountain (5,553 ft.), Lupe would have to leave the chilly valley, and climb over a ridge to the N to another valley where the Middle Fork of Bogus Jim Creek flows. After following USFS Road No. 448 for a little over a mile, Lupe and SPHP left the road heading NW. Lupe climbed through a forest of small trees to arrive at a saddle area.
SPHP had hoped to be able to see Buck Mountain ahead to the N from the saddle, but the area was so heavily forested, it was hard to see much of anything. An unnamed 5,360 ft. mountain was just NE of the saddle. It would only require gaining another 200 ft. to get up there. Maybe Lupe could see Buck Mountain from up there?
When Lupe arrived at the top of the 5,360 ft. mountain, it was very heavily forested, too. A couple of small openings offered some views toward the S and SW. Toward the N or NW, though, it was hard to see much of anything. SPHP could just glimpse a mountain that looked like it was probably about where Buck Mountain should be, but that was about it.
Lupe and SPHP retreated back down to the saddle area. Lupe went NNW descending into the valley of the Middle Fork of Bogus Jim Creek. On the way, Lupe found a steep, snowy little road. In some spots along the road, Buck Mountain was in view. It was dead ahead to the N.
The little road took Lupe all the way down to the valley floor. The Middle Fork of Bogus Jim Creek was very small, but there was some water in it. Lupe jumped across it, and even SPHP could just step across. Just beyond the creek was USFS Road No. 202. Although Buck Mountain was straight ahead just N of the road, the mountain was clearly too steep to climb easily from the S. Lupe headed W on No. 202.
Before long, Lupe came to a little side valley with an unmarked road in it heading NW. This was probably USFS Road No. 202.2C. Lupe and SPHP followed this side road, but not very far. As soon as it looked like there was another side valley to the NE, Lupe and SPHP headed that way into the forest. Lupe was circling around to the N side of Buck Mountain. SPHP hoped and expected Buck Mountain would be relatively easy to climb from the N.
Lupe eventually reached a saddle area N of Buck Mountain. There was a surprisingly large rock outcropping in the middle of this area between Buck Mountain to the S, and an unnamed mountain to the N. Lupe and SPHP climbed up on the rocks to see what the route up the N slope of Buck Mountain looked like.
The view of Buck Mountain to the S was rather surprising, and a bit concerning to SPHP. The summit of Buck Mountain looked very rocky and steep. The approach from the E actually looked easier than from the N. However, it also looked like there might be two ridges of rock up at the summit separated by a sizable notch, with the ridge W of the notch being higher and the true summit. Getting past the notch from the E might be difficult.
It was hard to tell with all the trees, but maybe Lupe wouldn’t even be able to climb Buck Mountain? That would be disappointing!
There was only one way to find out. Lupe and SPHP headed straight for Buck Mountain. SPHP intended to head directly up to the notch, if it was possible. Lupe didn’t get very far up the N slope before she came to a big rock formation. A long line of large blocky rocks extended up the mountain forming a N/S ridge. SPHP wanted to stay to the W of it, but a quick check showed that the ground over there was pretty steep and littered with boulders.
The terrain pretty much forced Lupe and SPHP to go around the NE and then E side of Buck Mountain. Lupe was able to gain elevation steadily along the way. To the W was a fairly steep boulder field, but it wasn’t all that high. Above the boulder field was the wall of rock forming the N/S ridge. It looked like it might be possible for Lupe to get up there if she climbed toward the SW.
Lupe had no trouble navigating the snowy boulder field. Taking a slow, cautious approach, SPHP didn’t have much problem with it either. It took a little while to get up there, but Lupe reached the top of the high rock ridge. SPHP was a bit apprehensive about what she might see. SPHP expected Lupe would see a dip of some sort down to a notch, and then another higher rocky spire to the W. Would Lupe even be able to get over there?
Looks had been deceiving! There was no notch. There was no higher ridge to the W. Lupe was on top of Buck Mountain! The actual very highest point appeared to be off to the N some distance. Since Lupe had climbed up closer to the S end of the summit ridge, Lupe and SPHP went to explore the S end of Buck Mountain first.
Even though there were quite a few trees along the rocky summit ridge of Buck Mountain, there were also lots of rather cool rock platforms featuring commanding views in one direction or another. By moving around to the proper viewpoint, it was possible to get a wide open view in almost any direction. The S and middle portions of the summit ridge were easy to get around on, too. The ridge was level enough and wide enough to maneuver easily.
After exploring and enjoying the views toward the S end of the mountain, it was time for Lupe to go N and achieve her Buck Mountain peakbagging goal by reaching the very highest point on the mountain. The N end of the summit ridge was more rugged than the S end. Lupe and SPHP had to be a little careful along in here.
Not far from the cairn at the summit, Lupe and SPHP ran into a 6′ wall of rock blocking the way forward. There was no way Lupe could see over it. SPHP climbed up partway to look over the rock wall. Lupe waited below in a cleft in the rocks for a report. Which way next?
The blocking rock was only a couple of feet thick, but it didn’t look like a good idea to attempt to go over it. To the W was a sheer drop off onto a steep boulder field below. The only way around seemed to be to climb down to the E off the main ridge. The boulder field on that side of the mountain could be navigated easily enough with some care.
No sooner had Lupe and SPHP started toward the E than SPHP realized there was a convenient platform of rock 1.0 – 1.5 feet wide going all the way around the E side of the rock wall. Lupe and SPHP took the platform, and got past the rock wall. Lupe still had to go down off the summit ridge onto the boulder field, but only for a short distance.
Lupe and SPHP soon found a short steep little route up to the summit. SPHP had to climb carefully, but Lupe was up in a flash. She perched up next to the summit cairn to claim her peakbagging success on Buck Mountain.
The N end of the summit ridge was smaller than the S end, and very rocky. The views were absolutely great, though. With Lupe’s peakbagging goal accomplished, Lupe and SPHP took a break on the rocks just N of the cairn.
Lupe wasn’t in the mood for her usual Taste of the Wild for some reason. She seemed concerned that the cheese sandwich SPHP had brought along might be too big for just one measly human. She was pretty insistent that SPHP needed help. With the Carolina Dog’s kind assistance, what remained of the cheese sandwich was quite manageable for SPHP.
Some Black Hills mountains turn out to be just high spots in a thick forest with no views. That’s pretty common, actually. Buck Mountain turned out to be a very fun peak for Lupe and SPHP. It was just a little bit challenging, but rewarded the effort with lots of splendid views from a variety of lookout points.
Lupe and SPHP lingered up on Buck Mountain for quite a while enjoying the moment. Before heading down, SPHP scouted a little way to the N to see if there was a better way off the mountain. In the end, Lupe and SPHP returned the way they came. Lupe took one more trip to the S end of the summit ridge for a final look. Then it was time to scramble down the little boulder field on the E side of the mountain.
Once down below the boulder field, Lupe and SPHP headed N back to the saddle area close to the large rock outcropping. Lupe seemed rather glad to be down off Buck Mountain. Evidently, she preferred running around in the forest. When she saw a squirrel dash into a hollow log, she spent a good 10 minutes trying to figure out how to get at it. With enormous enthusiasm, the Carolina Dog kept running around the log sniffing, then suddenly stopping to dig frantically here and there.
The squirrel was totally safe. Lupe could not get it. She had fun trying, although she yipped in frustration now and then, too. When she was ready to give it up, Lupe and SPHP started the trek back to the G6. Instead of retracing Lupe’s earlier route, Lupe and SPHP headed down the E side of the saddle.
Although not as dramatic as climbing a mountain, Lupe enjoyed exploring the forest on the way back. She reached the G6 again at 3:55 PM (35°F). On the way home, Lupe barked at the usual cows and horses. She also branched out into barking at something a bit more exotic.
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