A few days late, but ready to set out for New Year’s Eve Peak! Photo looks NNE.
Naturally, Lupe’s annual pilgrimage to New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.) was supposed to happen on December 31st, but the Carolina Dog had to be flexible. Often the weather simply wasn’t cooperative, which had once again been the case at the end of 2021. A high of 5ºF, and that was at home, not up in the mountains. No thank you!
The trek always seemed cheerier once the new year arrived, anyway, sort of like the difference between attending a funeral or baby shower. With a warm, bright day in early 2022, Lupe was in high spirits as she set out. Passing through a short stretch of open forest, she soon reached the dry grass of a sunny field. Already some rock formations! Loopster checked a few out.
On the first Dingo-approved boulder of 2022! Photo looks NNE.Objective Peak 5800 (Center) already in sight! Photo looks NE.
After going over an initial rise, Loop lost a little elevation as she entered a more forested region again. After a trek through the woods, another rise provided a view of HP5360.
Approaching the next stretch of forest. Photo looks NE.No deadfall and nearly flat – an easy stroll! Photo looks N.HP5360 (Center) from the second rise. Photo looks NE.
Continuing NE, Lupe came to a road in a shallow valley. Must be USFS Road No. 243.2F. Taking the road N, it quickly curved NW into a barren upper valley. This was the direction to New Year’s Eve Peak, but not the way to Peak 5800.
On USFS Road No. 243.2F. Photo looks N.Heading into the barren upper valley. Photo looks NW.
Evidently, Lupe had run into No. 243.2F N of where No. 243.2I branched off. She was still one valley too far W. Turning NE again, the Carolina Dog headed up to a saddle on the intervening ridge. There was a nice view of HP5360 along the way, and once Loop got to the ridgeline, Peak 5800 was back in sight, too.
Heading for the ridgeline NE of USFS Road No. 243.2F. Photo looks NE.HP5360 (R). Photo looks SSE.Peak 5800 (L) comes back into view. Photo looks ENE.
Down to USFS Road No. 243.2I, SPHP?
Oh, I don’t know, Loop. You know me. Hate losing elevation we’ve just gained, and it’s farther down there than I thought it would be. Maybe we should just follow this ridge N?
Fine with me, SPHP.
Only problem with that was the ridge was sort of a steep climb. Lupe led the way, while SPHP huffed and puffed after her. Kind of a long way up to the top, too, but the American Dingo got there.
Heading up the ridge. Photo looks N.Peak 5800 (R) from where the ridge topped out. Photo looks E.
Hmm. Maybe should have bitten the bullet and just gone down to USFS Road No. 243.2I as the Carolina Dog had suggested? It would have come up the valley to the E much closer to Peak 5800.
You know what, Loopster? We climbed Peak5800 last year. I’ve sort of messed up our route now, and if we have to go this far out of our way, maybe we ought to visit Peak6070 after New Year’s Peak instead? Haven’t been there in quite a while.
So, forget about Peak 5800 this year, SPHP?
Yeah, I think so, Loop.
As long as we keep up our tradition and visit New Year’s Peak, it’s all good, SPHP!
With Peak 5800 out, and Peak 6070 now Plan B, Lupe headed NW for the S slopes of Peak5917. Lost a bit of elevation along the way, which then had to be promptly regained, but this was a favorite region – grasslands, but with interesting rocks, scattered pines, and sweeping views to the S. Not much snow this year, which would have made for an even prettier scene, but still a fun trek.
Heading NW from the ridge. Pistol Point (Center), New Year’s Eve Peak (R of Center), and Peak 5917 (R). Photo looks NW.Black Elk Peak (L), Five Points (beyond Lupe), and False North Point (far R). Photo looks SSW.Crossing a patch of snow on the way to Peak 5917 (R). Photo looks NW.Pistol Point (R of Center). Lupe would be there soon. Photo looks W.
Upon reaching the short ridgeline S of Peak 5917, Loop paused for a look back at Peak 5800. Beyond it, and farther S, both Boulder Hill(5,331 ft.) and Silver Mountain(5,405 ft.) were easily picked out. More directly S, there was also a great view of Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.), Sylvan Hill(7,000 ft.), Five Points(6,221 ft.), and False North Point(6,130 ft.).
Peak 5800 (L), Boulder Hill (R), and Silver Mountain (far R). Photo looks SE.Black Elk Peak (L), Sylvan Hill (L of Center), Five Points (R of Center), and False North Point (far R). Photo looks S.
New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.) was only 0.6 mile NW now as the crow flies. It was possible to go almost directly to it. Lupe had been that way once or twice before. However, although a slightly longer route, it was more fun to head up to Pistol Point at the SE end of the mountain’s S ridge, then follow the ridge to the summit.
New Year’s Eve Peak (R). Getting close now! Photo looks NW.
The route to Pistol Peak from the saddle SW of Peak 5917 followed a barbed wire fence and involved a couple of short, steep climbs. No big deal. Looper was soon there. As always, she scrambled up on the rock formations that Pistol Handle Rock was part of.
Following the fence to Pistol Point (L). Photo looks SW.Arriving at Pistol Point. Pistol Handle Rock (R). Photo looks SSE.New Year’s Eve Peak (L) from Pistol Point. Photo looks NNW.By Pistol Handle Rock (L). Photo looks W.
As Lupe left Pistol Point there was a sudden chill in the air. The sky had been gradually clouding over, and a cool breeze had sprung up out of the W. Gone was the warm, sunny day the Carolina Dog had enjoyed as she’d set out from the RAV4.
As Loopster worked her way N along New Year’s Eve Peak’s S ridge, the temperature dropped and the breeze strengthened. Although it didn’t take all that long to get to the summit, by the time the American Dingo arrived, the mood was subdued.
Good to be back, though! Despite deteriorating conditions, Lupe stood smiling on the 4 foot high rock platform that was the true summit.
Back at the true summit of New Year’s Eve Peak. Photo looks SSE.SW end of the summit region. The true summit is only a few feet off to the R. Photo looks NW.
3:23 PM, 36°F, New Year’s Eve Peak – Facing into the wind, Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap. Virtually no snow here, but the familiar hills to the W looked snowy. SPHP brought a couple of chocolate coconut bars out of the pack to celebrate the occasion. A very short party. The Carolina Dog saw to that. Then there was nothing to do but contemplate the cold, silent hills.
The snowy hills. Photo looks W.
How many times have we been here, SPHP?
Nine, Loop.
Third day of brand spanking new 2022, but something about the cold wind and gray sky revived a sense of brooding over the old year gone by. 2021! So recently the future, now come and gone, lost forever except to memory, part of the endlessly receding and expanding past.
Guess we should have gotten here earlier in the day, Looper. Already kind of late. Not sure we even have enough daylight to press on to Peak 6070. To tell the truth, not too inclined to now anyway, given the conditions.
That’s OK, SPHP! Don’t worry about it. Our tradition is intact, since we made it this far. We can just stay here together at New Year’s Eve Peak a little longer then. How does that sound?
Sounded good. A quiet half hour went by. The wind just seemed to keep getting colder.
Well, we’ve done our duty, Looper! Let’s wrap this up, and get out of this melancholy breeze, I’ve had enough.
Loop was fine with that. Before departing, though, she had a final look at the big views, which were all toward the S, followed by a brief return to the true summit.
Boulder Hill (L), Silver Mountain (L of Center), Calumet Ridge(5,601 ft.) (R of Center) beyond frozen Sheridan Lake. Photo looks SE.Black Elk Peak (Center), Five Points (R). Photo looks S.Back at the true summit in the cold wind. Photo looks NNE.
Then it was down New Year’s Eve Peak’s W slope to the saddle leading to Peak6070. Kind of steep, but not too bad. Optimism returned as soon as the windy summit was left behind.
Heading down the W slope. Photo looks NW.
Down at the saddle, Lupe ducked under a barbed wire fence.
Are we going to head for Peak 6070 after all, SPHP?
Nope. I’m done. Back to the RAV4, Looper.
The American Dingo turned S, quickly reaching the edge of the forest. The scenic valley S of New Year’s Eve Peak was just ahead.
The upper valley view. Photo looks SSE.
Taking USFS Road No. 257 down the valley, the easy, late afternoon trek back to the RAV4 was very pleasant. Deer up on the hillsides kept Lupe animated. Even SPHP cheered up as snow crunched underpaw.
Whitetails on the hillside. Lupe saw quite a few!USFS Road No. 257 on the way back to the RAV4. Photo looks SE.
Sort of just did the minimum today, didn’t we, Loop? Don’t worry, though! 2022 is going to be a great year! Next time out, we start the blitz!
The blitz, SPHP? What do you mean?
Oh, a mini-blitz actually, but it will be fun. You’ll see! I’ll explain later.
4:15 PM, 37ºF, Horse Creek Road, back at the RAV4 – Tradition honored! New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.) visited! Lupe’s initial launch into New Year 2022 was officially complete. Better yet, what with the upcoming mini-blitz and all, this was destined to be one of the Carolina Dog’s best and most action-packed Januarys ever!
New Year’s Eve Peak, Black Hills of South Dakota 1-3-22
7:42 AM, 32ºF, Erickson Road (USFS Road No. 180) at the saddle E of Peak 5500 – A gray day. Cool, with a bit of snow on the ground as Lupe leapt out of the RAV4, but not bad at all for December, and supposed to warm up nicely as morning wore on. Colder by Christmas, and bitter cold – subzero stuff – expected at year’s end. This was almost certainly Lupe’s last chance to get out in the hills in 2021.
About to set out on 2021’s last hurrah!
Which way, SPHP?
Peak5500 first, Loopster! Head for that ridge behind you.
Going around a pile of debris left by loggers, Lupe trotted NNW toward the lower end of the ridge before turning W for a direct assault on a steepish, but easily climbable, slope. A few big chunks of limestone were scattered among the trees, with a more intact formation near the top.
Heading for the lower NE end of the ridge. Photo looks NNW.By a chunk of limestone on the way up. Photo looks W.Getting close to the ridgeline. Photo looks WSW.
Upon reaching the ridgeline, it appeared that a bulldozer had been up here. A swath of destruction ran SW right up the ridge.
On the recently traumatized ridgeline. Photo looks SW.
The bulldozer had gone only so far. By the time Lupe got to the S end of the mountain, she was beyond its path of destruction. From a small ledge, she had a nice view of Peak5460 beyond the Elk Creek valley.
Looking over the Elk Creek valley. Peak 5460 (L of Center) is the big ridge seen beyond Lupe. Photo looks SE.
Peak 5460 would be Lupe’s next objective, but she had to finish climbing Peak 5500 first. From here, the ridge Loop was on turned NW. As the Carolina Dog followed it higher, she journeyed along the edge of the steepest part of Peak 5500, a line of limestone cliffs along the upper SW face. Some of the rock formations were pretty cool.
Along the edge of the cliffs. Photo looks W.At one of the more dramatic spots. Photo looks SSE.Rocky terrain. Photo looks WNW.On a limestone ledge. Photo looks SE.
After a minor dip, the ridge broadened out, becoming a forested slope leading higher again.
At the base of the slope. Photo looks NW.
The terrain soon leveled out. Lupe came to a small clearing.
At the first clearing. Photo looks WNW.
Is this the top of the mountain already, SPHP?
Not sure, Loop. We’ve got to be getting close, though. The topo map shows a big region up here enclosed within a 5,500 foot contour. Carry on. Maybe we’ll come to an obvious high point?
As the American Dingo continued NW, the ground still seemed to rise slightly. A larger clearing littered with deadfall was beyond the first one. After working her way through it, Looper quickly arrived at what appeared to be the top of Peak5500. However, the whole region was so flat that no readily identifiable true summit existed. A large dead tree stood at about the highest point.
In the larger clearing. Photo looks NW.At the dead tree that seemed to be about the true summit. Photo looks WNW.
The dead tree was close to the SW edge of the mountain, but little could be seen from here due to the forest. Lupe kept going. The W end of the summit region wasn’t much father, and she did find a viewpoint there. Both Custer Peak(6,804 ft.) and Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) were in sight.
At the W end of Peak 5500. Terry Peak (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks WNW.Custer Peak (Center). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
Think we’ve seen Peak 5500’s highlights, Loopster. Wha’dya say we go on to Peak 5460?
Fine with me, SPHP! This was an easy one!
Lupe paused briefly again at Peak 5500’s summit before heading back down the mountain. When she got to the last viewpoint at the S end, SPHP took a closer look at Peak 5460. The Meade County High Point(5,460 ft.) was also visible beyond it.
Back at Peak 5500’s true summit. Photo looks SE.Meade County High Point (L) with Peak 5460 (Center). Photo looks SE.
Lupe then headed back down the ridge where the bulldozer had been.
Descending bulldozer ridge. Photo looks NE.
Upon reaching the RAV4 again, Lupe was surprised when SPHP went right on by. Following a logging route that paralleled Erickson Road, SPHP led her S down to the junction with County Road No. 534. Loop then proceeded SE near No. 534 down to the junction with Old Ridge Road (USFS Road No. 151).
Elk Creek valley from near the junction of Old Ridge Road (R) and USFS Road No. 531. Peak 5460 (L). Photo looks SE.
The Carolina Dog could go either way from here to get to Peak 5460. Old Ridge Road would get her the closest, and was the easiest route, but Lupe had been that way once before years ago. She’d never explored No. 534 any farther E, and this was an opportunity to do so.
Sticking with No. 534, Lupe soon came to a cattle guard at the entrance to private property. Abandoning the road, she remained on USFS land following a barbed wire fence. Near a barn, No. 534 re-emerged from the private property heading NE. Crossing the road, Lupe continued ENE along the fence to a corner post at the end of a field.
Start of the private property. Lupe stayed to the L, outside the fence. Photo looks ENE.Briefly on USFS Road No. 534 again while crossing it near the barn. Photo looks E.At the end of the field. Photo looks WSW.
Now past the E end of the private property, Lupe turned SE. However, in order to get to Peak 5460, she would have to cross Elk Creek. The stream was frozen over where she reached it, but there were holes in the ice, which appeared to be dangerously thin.
By Elk Creek. Photo looks SE.
Just downstream, Elk Creek entered a canyon. Exploring that direction, Lupe soon came to a spot where the ice was thicker. SPHP went across first. When that worked out, Loop followed.
Crossing Elk Creek.
After crossing Elk Creek, Lupe found herself facing an embankment in a dense forest. A level corridor that might have been the remains of an abandoned road ran parallel to the stream. Although the embankment was no more than 20 feet high, it was steep enough to discourage SPHP from attempting to climb it.
Exploring the shady corridor SE, Loop went only 200 or 300 feet before reaching an opening where Elk Creek could be seen flowing farther on down the canyon. Fortunately, the embankment wasn’t as high or steep here. Loop and SPHP both scrambled up.
Next to Elk Creek before leaving it. Photo looks downstream (SE).
Lupe was now N of Peak5460 on a broad ramp. This ramp ran below a much higher, steep-sided ridge to the SE. Since a direct assault on the ridge appeared difficult, Loopster explored the ramp, sniffing her way through a mixed forest of aspen and Black Hills spruce.
Above the embankment, on the broad forested ramp. Photo looks SW.
Steadily gaining elevation as she went SW, Lupe came to a barbed wire fence. Staying SE of it, she continued higher. Deadfall became an issue whenever Loop ventured too close to the ridge, but it wasn’t that bad.
Amid some deadfall. It slowed progress, but wasn’t terrible. Photo looks SSW.
The ramp narrowed and gradually steepened. Near the SW end of the mountain, a scramble SE up to the top of the ridge looked increasingly feasible. Going for it, Loopster quickly reached a forested plateau.
Up on Peak 5460’s summit plateau. Photo looks ESE.
A large region was quite flat. Nothing to see except trees. Wandering E searching for Peak 5460’s true summit, Lupe never came to an obvious high point. The marginally highest ground seemed to be in the forest, a little way back from the S edge of the plateau. The only view was from a rock formation slightly below the S edge that overlooked Virkula Gulch.
Along Peak 5460’s S edge near, but not at, the region that appeared to be the true summit. Photo looks SE.Partial view of Virkula Gulch from Peak 5460. Photo looks SW.
About time for a break, or more to the point, a chocolate coconut bar break. As usual, the American Dingo eagerly inhaled her share.
The view overlooking Virkula Gulch is pleasant enough, SPHP, but Peak 5460 really isn’t all that scintillating, is it? Peak 5500 was better.
Well, we knew that ahead of time, didn’t we, Loop? But Elk Creek and the trek up the ramp were pretty interesting weren’t they? Felt pretty remote!
We knew it would be like this ahead of time, SPHP? How so? I didn’t.
Should have! You’ve been here once before, Looper, a long time ago back on Expedition No. 119. We came up from the SW that time, a different route, which might be why you don’t remember it. You were on your way to the Meade County High Point(5,460 ft.), which is just E of here. That was back before I’d ever even heard of Lists of John, and didn’t realize this mountain qualified as a 300+ foot prominence peak. Never even logged the ascent into Peakbagger.com for you.
Really? How much prominence does this mountain have, SPHP?
According to Lists of John, 360 feet, although that’s based on counting the Meade County High Point as part of this same mountain, and this region as the true summit. The Meade County High Point has a 5460 foot contour as well. Who knows which summit is actually highest? Can’t see a thing from either one except trees.
In that case, maybe this is the true Meade County High Point, SPHP!
Well, could be, except for one thing.
And what’s that, SPHP?
We’re in Lawrence County here, Loop. We’ll cross the Meade County line just E of HP5401.
HP5401?
Yup. It’s on the way. Some spiffy views from there, Loop! In fact, HP5401 might be the highlight of the entire day!
If there’s a squirrel there, it will be!
Continuing E, then SE, the mountain began dropping. Coming to an old road, Lupe followed it down to a flat area where there was a gray metal water tank. Beyond the water tank, the road resumed its descent. A knob of limestone was in sight not very far ahead, but was soon lost from view, hidden by the forest again.
Upon reaching the saddle leading to HP5401, the Carolina Dog left the road, which kept going downhill. A short stroll through the forest, and the terrain began sloping sharply higher. Didn’t take long for Lupe to reach the first limestone formations near the top.
By the water tank. Photo looks SE.Getting close to the top of HP5401. Photo looks ESE.
HP5401 did indeed furnish the grandest views thus far today. Practically the entire length of Virkula Gulch was in sight. Custer Peak(6,804 ft.) was visible 8.5 miles WSW. Even so, due to a 15 mph breeze out of the SW, the American Dingo wasn’t all that thrilled to be here.
On HP5401. Virkula Gulch below and Custer Peak (R of Center) on the horizon. Photo looks WSW.Custer Peak (R of Center). Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.Overlooking the E end of Virkula Gulch. Flagstaff Mountain(5,421 ft.) (far L). Photo looks SE.
With not a squirrel in sight, and eager to get out of the wind, Loopster was on her way again. Heading down HP5041‘s steep E slope, she soon reached and crossed the saddle leading to the Meade County High Point. Starting her ascent, the forest was fairly open and sunny as she passed minor rock outcroppings, but as Looper got higher, she entered a region of dog-hair pines.
Amid the dog-hair pines.
No wind here! Protected by the dog-hair pines that were no obstacle to her, Lupe was happy. However, SPHP had to force a way through. Not too bad, though, and before long the forest opened up a bit again. As the terrain began leveling out, Loop turned N. Searching for a small cairn near a big tree, she quickly found it.
More than 6 years and 10 months after her only previous visit, Lupe was once again at the Meade County High Point(5,460 ft.).
At the Meade County High Point. Big tree and small cairn (L). Photo looks SSW.
The cairn looked even smaller than SPHP remembered, but appeared completely undisturbed. The wind roared in the treetops, but it was scarcely even breezy at ground level.
You were right! Nothing to see here, is there, SPHP?
Nope. HP5401 is about it for views, although now that you mention it, I do seem to recall that last time around we descended an open slope at the SE end of this summit plateau. Think we did see the E end of Virkula Gulch from there.
Might be another 7 years before we get back here again, SPHP! Don’t you think we ought to commemorate this occasion, views or no views?
Most certainly! Congratulations, Loop, on your second visit to the seldom seen Meade County High Point! May I shake your paw?
Why, of course you can, SPHP! And as soon as you’re done with that, you can check that pack of yours for another chocolate coconut bar.
By the cairn and big tree. Photo looks SSE.
A second chocolate coconut bar met its devourers. The first one at Peak 5460 had been followed up with Taste of the Wild for Lupe and an apple for SPHP, which was repeated here, too. Once that was over and done with, there didn’t seem to be much point in staying any longer.
One more Lists of John peak not too far away, Loopster. Want to?
Of course!
Well, then. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Final moments at the Meade County High Point. Photo looks N.
Leaving the Meade County High Point, Lupe went N, then NE, exploring a broad, poorly-defined ridge. SPHP soon decided to leave it, turning E down a steep slope. The grade finally diminished after hundreds of feet of elevation loss. Continuing down a big drainage, Vanocker Canyon Road eventually came into sight.
Heading down the drainage. Photo looks E.Approaching Vanocker Canyon Road. Photo looks ESE.
Just before reaching Vanocker Canyon Road, the drainage emptied into Meadow Creek. Lupe would have to cross it before scrambling up to the highway. Peak5420, her next objective, was now in sight only 0.5 mile S.
Down by Meadow Creek. Peak 5420 (Center). Photo looks SSE.
Meadow Creek was tiny, only a foot or two wide. Lupe easily leapt over it. Ducking under a fence, she reached Vanocker Canyon Road, a paved highway. A sunny road hike S began, but not for long. After only 0.125 mile, SPHP left the highway, turning SE. The Carolina Dog wasn’t too keen on this idea, following reluctantly due to the sound of gunfire.
At first, Lupe was in bright sunshine as she entered a valley. Getting late in the day now, though. Soon she was in Peak 5420’s shadow, wandering increasingly snowy terrain amid aspens and a tangle of undergrowth. The gunfire was getting louder, coming from somewhere up ahead. Target practice. Every few minutes another volley. Lupe persevered.
Starting for Peak 5420 after leaving Vanocker Canyon Road. Photo looks SE.About to enter the aspen thicket. Peak 5420 (R). Photo looks S.
SPHP’s progress slowed considerably while trying to push through the thicket as the snowy slope steepened. The worst part involved only a couple hundred feet of elevation gain. After that, the aspen thicket gave way to an open pine forest. Hardly any snow up top. Soon the summit region could be seen ahead.
Approaching the summit. Photo looks SSW.
3:59 PM – Last mountain of the day! The sun was low, and the wind still swaying the pines as Lupe reached the top of Peak5420. Kind of breezy even at ground level, but at least target practice had ended a little bit ago. The summit region was big, with 3 lobes radiating out from a very gently rounded central high point where they all met.
Although the central high point was fairly open, there was nothing to see up here. Once again, forest blocked the views in all directions.
W lobe of the Peak 5420 summit region. Photo looks W.
Got any more chocolate coconut bars, SPHP?
Sorry, Looper. All gone. Have a little Taste of the Wild left, want that?
Peak 5420 summit. Photo looks SE.
She did. Curling up on SPHP’s lap, facing SW toward the near horizontal sunlight filtering through the trees, Loop munched away until the last of the Taste of the Wild was gone, too. Nothing to do now, except listen to the wind roaring in the pines. SPHP threw a sweater over her.
20 minutes, and that was enough. Lupe left Peak 5420 heading SE, losing only minor elevation before reaching a dip. Turning S here, Loop took an old jeep trail most of the way down to USFS Road No. 135.2M, which she reached near its junction with Vanocker Canyon Road.
Departing along Peak 5420’s SE lobe. Photo looks SSE.At the start of USFS Road No. 135.2M. Photo looks NNE.
Turning N on Vanocker Canyon Road, Loopster had to follow it for more than 0.75 mile to get past private property taking up most of the E end of Virkula Gulch. It was an easy trek, downhill nearly all the way. Once N of the private property, she left the highway, turning W to cross Meadow Creek again.
A path on open ground between the private property to the S and Meade County High Point to the N made the journey W up Virkula Gulch even easier than expected. Back to the E was a good look at Peak 5420, where Lupe had just been.
Peak 5420 from Virkula Gulch. Photo looks E.Continuing W up Virkula Gulch. Photo looks SE.
More than 0.5 mile from where she’d left Vanocker Canyon Road, Lupe finally reached the W end of the private property. Taking USFS Road No. 151.2K now, she continued W past Peak 5460 as dusk came on. By the time she reached Old Ridge Road, it was almost completely dark.
Heading W on USFS Road No. 151.2K.
Shortly after turning N on Old Ridge Road, SPHP’s flashlight had to come out. Still nearly 2 miles to where the RAV4 was parked along Erickson Road. When Lupe got there, the American Dingo’s final adventure of 2021 would be over. (End 6:30 PM)
