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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.).
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.).
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.
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)
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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