9:18 AM, 48ºF, Deerfield Trail No. 40, Silver City trailhead – Most of the first 3 weeks of February had been bitter cold in the Black Hills, with many subzero nights. Then, suddenly, it all changed for the better! The last 4 or 5 days had been unseasonably warm, and today was going to be gorgeous, too. Lupe was thrilled to be back in the Black Hills, setting out on another adventure for the first time since mid-January!
The Carolina Dog had a quick look at Rapid Creek before heading for Silver City. Although the last few days had melted most of whatever snow had been around, the stream still had a lot of ice.
See that mountain in the distance, Loopster? That’s Peak 5458. It’s not your primary objective, but it’s on the way to it. We’ll be going there first.
Any mountain is fine with me, SPHP. I’m just glad to be out in the hills!
The stroll to Silver City was as simple as it could be. A flat stretch of gravel road led to another bridge over Rapid Creek. Without going any farther into Silver City, Lupe took Edelweiss Mountain Road (USFS Road No. 251), the first turn to the L after crossing the bridge.
After a few curves, Edelweiss Mountain Road turned S up Nugget Gulch. Lupe had barely gotten started that way when SPHP paused.
OK, I think I see the little ravine we want to start up, Loop.
That was quick! We leave the road here, SPHP?
Yup!
Crossing a dry streambed, Lupe started up the narrow ravine.
There’s a trail here, SPHP!
So there was! Faint, but continuous. The American Dingo followed the trail along the N side of the ravine a little way. The trail then crossed over to the S side, and proceeded almost straight up a very steep slope. Without warning, Lupe suddenly began acting weird during this ascent.
What’s wrong with you, Loopster? Are you alright?
I’ve got the hic .. the hic … hiccups, SPHP.
Why would you have the hiccups, Loop? You’ve never had them before in your whole life.
I … hic, don’t … hic, know, SPHP. Hic!
Whatever the cause, the hiccups thankfully didn’t last long. About the time Lupe managed to scramble out of the ravine, they quit. A small mining exploration pit, common in the Black Hills, was nearby.
Where to from here, SPHP?
Just roam SE through the forest seeking the highest ground, Looper. We’re already in the vicinity of Peak 5458‘s NW ridge, so once it’s better defined, we can simply follow it.
Sounds easy enough, SPHP.
It was, too! Down here, the highest ground was toward the S as Lupe sniffed and explored her way higher. A little deadfall here and there, but the open forest was mostly pretty easy terrain.
Making excellent progress, the Carolina Dog soon arrived at a relatively large flat region a bit higher than the surrounding terrain. Peak 5458 was only a little over 0.5 mile SE now, barely visible through the trees.
A minor descent brought Lupe to unexpected assistance on her Peak 5458 quest. What initially appeared to be a small clearing, turned out to be part of old USFS Road No. 251.1K.
It’s like a super highway to Peak 5458, SPHP!
Reaching the road’s high point on Peak 5458’s NW slope, Lupe left it and started climbing. SPHP was soon feeling the effects of a winter of too much inactivity. The NW slope was steep! Even Lupe was panting hard.
The top of Peak 5458 was 400 feet higher than where Lupe left the road. At first, she was ascending a pine needle-blanketed slope. Partway up, she began coming to rock formations that were both more challenging and interesting.
SPHP kept pausing to gasp for air. Above the rock formations, the slope remained steep, but was more uniform again. Lots of pines needles with smaller rocks mixed in. Eventually a few humps were ahead. Lupe was getting close to the top.
11:00 AM, 53ºF, Peak 5458 – Reaching what initially appeared to be the true summit, Lupe put her paws on the highest rocks of a tightly-packed collection surrounded by trees. Hard to see much from here, but there was at least a glimpse of the American Dingo’s primary objective for the day, and an even better view of the next mountain on the way to it.
So that’s where we’re going today, Loopster. Peak 5705 next, then on to Peak 5727.
Doesn’t look like we’ll be able to see much from either one of them, SPHP.
Maybe not, Loop. A lot of trees, but according to the Lidar Data Set, Peak 5727 has 319 feet of prominence.
Oh, we’re doing Lidar peaks again, SPHP? We haven’t had much success with any of them so far.
I know, Looper, but Peak 5727 doesn’t look bad at all, and we aren’t in a part of the hills that typically has the type of giant rock formations that have stymied us elsewhere.
It will be nice to come up a winner today for a change then, SPHP.
Indeed! Want to take a 30 minute break here, Loop? Looks like there might be a higher spot farther E.
Sure! Let’s check it out, SPHP.
Staying toward the S along a dip on the way E, Lupe found Peak 5458’s true summit roughly 125 feet from the rocks she’d visited at the W high point. The best views Peak 5458 had to offer were slightly down the S slope from here. Both Scruton Mountain (5,923 ft.) and New Year’s Eve Peak (6,048 ft.) were in sight.
The sunny, open spot with the views just down the S slope from the true summit was also a nice place to take a break. SPHP shook Lupe’s paw, congratulating her on a successful ascent of Peak 5458, then took a seat. Sadly, no chocolate coconut bar was forthcoming. Lupe had to settle for Taste of the Wild and water.
A sheet of aluminum nailed to an ancient post was lying on the ground close to the true summit. Upon examination, “Wangen Mountain” was scratched into it.
Who or what were the Wangens, SPHP?
I have no clue, Loopster. Whoever or whatever they were, it doesn’t look like any Wangen has been here in a very long time.
After a pleasant half hour on Wangen Mountain, the Carolina Dog was her way again. Peak 5705 was next on the agenda. Zigzagging first SE, then SW, Lupe went down to Peak 5458’s S ridge. After reaching and crossing a saddle, she started up Peak 5705.
The entire route was forested, but as Lupe climbed Peak 5705 from the NE, she did come to a few notable points along the way. After reaching HP5300, she caught a decent glimpse of Silver Peak (5,812 ft.) while on the way down to a minor saddle.
The most interesting spot along this route featured a collection of sharp rocks standing on end.
Kind of unusual. We ought to give this place a name, Loop.
How about Porcupine Rocks, SPHP?
I like it! Excellent suggestion, Looper.
The last part of the American Dingo’s ascent involved a tedious trek up a long slope full of deadfall. This grind finally ended at a sunny clearing where the summit was in sight only a short distance away.
12:53 PM, 53ºF, Peak 5705 – Lupe once again stood with her paws up on what were apparently the highest rocks. This time she really was at the true summit. No mistaking the top of Peak 5705! It was a well-defined rocky spot in the pines.
Due to the forest, views from Peak 5705 were limited to those toward the E and S. Scruton Mountain and New Year’s Eve Peak were once again in sight, along with a glimpse of Peak 5917 between them, a good look at Peak 5581, and a distant one of Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.).
Immediately S of Peak 5705’s summit, a flat spot next to a gnarled dead tree served as a comfortable location for another 20 minute break.
Lupe had more Taste of the Wild and water, while SPHP made short work of a tangelo. A 10 mph W breeze sighed among the pines.
How much farther to Peak 5727 now, SPHP?
Not far at all, Looper. 0.33 mile S, and we should come right to it.
1:18 PM – 25 minutes after arriving at Peak 5705, Lupe stood once again at the true summit. A final look around, and she was on her way.
Setting out for Peak 5727, an initial descent along Peak 5705’s S ridge quickly led to another old mining exploration pit right where the ridge leveled out. Continuing S, the forested ridge was easy to follow. Peak 5727 soon came into view ahead.
1:48 PM, 53ºF, Peak 5727 – Lupe had reached the NW end of a forested ridge that ran NW/SE for 300 feet with little change in elevation along its entire length. Where she was right now was supposed to be the true summit, but whether it really was, or not, was hard to say.
In any case, since the Carolina Dog intended to explore the entire length of the flat ridge, it hardly mattered. No doubt Lupe would tag the true summit somewhere along the way.
Congratulations, Loopster! May I shake your paw?
Of course, SPHP! First Lidar Data Set peak we’ve actually made it to the top of, isn’t it? This one was so much easier to get to! I was starting to think that they were all going to be impossible.
Yeah. This one’s been cake, Loop.
Can’t say much for the views, though, SPHP. There aren’t any. Even so, this occasion still merits a chocolate coconut bar, right?
Absolutely! Looks like there might be a view from an edge a little down the W slope here, Loopster. Let’s share a chocolate coconut bar there.
The proposed break spot did have a view, although a very narrow one, to the SSW. Old Bald Peak (6,133 ft.) and Peak 6167 were visible at the upper end of a long valley.
As usual, the American Dingo practically inhaled the chocolate coconut bar. For a little while, she then sat beside SPHP enjoying the admittedly limited views. Off to the W, a few much higher ridges were visible along the E edge of the limestone plateau country. They were quite snowy, but very far away. Lupe had water. SPHP drank a vanilla Equate. More than half an hour shot by.
What now, SPHP? Explore the rest of Peak 5727’s summit ridge?
Yes, that’s definitely on the agenda. Shouldn’t take long, though. Guess we’re free to do whatever you like afterwards, Loopster.
Do you think we’ll find any better views from Peak 5727, if we keep going S, SPHP?
Maybe. Don’t really know, Loop. We can try.
Exploring the rest of Peak 5727’s summit ridge, Lupe reached its SE end without coming to any firm opinion on where the true summit was, even though she must have been there somewhere along the way. Continuing S, she did come to a couple of particularly scenic spots.
The first was an excellent, unobstructed view of Silver Peak (5,812 ft.). The second was another rock formation resembling Porcupine Rocks right along the spine of the S ridgeline.
The Carolina Dog eventually reached Edelweiss Mountain Road again near a sharp bend.
Decision time, Loop. Any more thoughts on what you’d like to do the rest of the day? Peak 5727 was it as far as our original agenda was concerned.
We could climb Silver Peak again, SPHP. Been ages since we’ve been there. What about you? Do you have any other suggestions?
In this region? We could try for Nugget Gulch Peak (5,991 ft.). It’s a bit higher than Silver Peak, and has more open views, but whatever strikes your fancy is fine with me Loopster.
Nugget Gulch Peak? That’s another one we haven’t visited in a long time, SPHP. I’d do that.
OK, great! In that case, we can follow USFS Road No. 675.1A for a while. Should get us closer to the Nugget Gulch Peak region pretty fast.
A short stint on Edelweiss Mountain Road, and Lupe made a L turn onto the NE end of No. 675.1A. The road climbed slowly as it wound SW, its newly-graded condition and piles of green trees revealing the presence of recent logging operations.
After curving NW, the road reached a high point. Peak 5727 was in sight from here, looking a little more impressive from this angle.
From this high point, No. 675.1A curved SW again. Now losing elevation, the sound of machinery was soon heard off to the W.
Dang! They’re logging out here right now, Loopster. No. 675.1A is going to take us right to their operation. I’d rather not run into it.
Is there another reasonably quick way to Nugget Gulch Peak, SPHP?
SPHP checked the topo map.
Yeah, there is, Loop. No. 675.1A is going to curve back to the NW again. If we leave it at the curve, we can head S over a minor pass. Once over the pass, we can turn W almost straight for Nugget Gulch Peak. It’s actually a more direct route than following No. 675.1A any farther.
Let’s do that then, SPHP.
By the sound of it, the logging operation wasn’t all that much farther along USFS Road No. 675.1A when Lupe left it. The near side of Pass 5580 was full of stacks of recently logged trees. As Lupe headed for the pass, she spotted some white tail deer, which was pretty exciting!
Once over the pass, the region to the W was very densely forested. A shallow drainage continuing S was much more open, so that seemed to be the best bet until the forest opened up more.
A mile due E of Nugget Gulch Peak, Lupe came to a fence. Following this fence W brought her to the edge of upper Middle Nugget Gulch. A nice view of Peak 6043 was beyond it.
Continuing W, Nugget Gulch Peak came into view shortly before the fence turned N, starting uphill.
Criminitly! We don’t want to go N, Loopster. We need to get across Middle Nugget Gulch.
Can’t we duck under the fence, SPHP?
No. It’s private property, and I’ve been seeing plenty of No Trespassing signs along the fence, Looper. They look new, too. Whoever owns this land is serious about not wanting uninvited guests.
Not much choice. Regaining some of the elevation she’d lost since going over Pass 5580, Lupe followed the fence N. Reaching a high point as it crossed a ridge, the fence continued N down the other side until it was lost among the trees. It was already looking a little dark in the forest.
Hate to say it, Loop, but with this detour, it might be getting a little late to visit Nugget Gulch Peak. Sun’s starting to get low. Maybe we should just head back to the RAV4 while we still have plenty of light?
Really, SPHP? I was looking forward to visiting Nugget Gulch Peak.
I know, me too! I’m sorry, Loopster. Guess I should have just gone along with your Silver Peak suggestion from the very start. That probably would have worked. Unfortunately, between the unexpected logging operation and fenced off property, we haven’t made as much progress toward Nugget Gulch Peak as I’d hoped.
So that was it. Sadly, Lupe didn’t make it to Nugget Gulch Peak or Silver Peak again. Even so, the American Dingo still did get to do plenty of fun exploring on the way back. Angling NE, Lupe first climbed to a couple of 5640 foot contour high points before rejoining USFS Road No. 675.1A.
The forest was quiet when Lupe reached No. 675.1A again.
The loggers must have quit for the day, too, SPHP.
You must be right, Looper. We can’t be far from where they were working, and I don’t hear a thing now.
Following No. 675.1A as it wound NW, the sun was still up for a little while. It was an easy trek, and the late afternoon light was beautiful.
Nugget Gulch Peak came back into view across Middle Nugget Gulch. No fence here, but it was just too late in the day to go for it. Lupe continued N on No. 675.1A.
The topo map showed No. 675.1A connecting with No. 675 down in Middle Nugget Gulch. Instead, it suddenly dead-ended 200 feet above the valley floor. Lupe had a great view of Silver Peak from here, still basking in sunlight.
Maybe we wouldn’t have made it to Silver Peak, either, SPHP. It’s still a long way!
True, but we could have taken a more direct route, Looper, so we might have made it. It’s a big world, though, no denying that. In any case, we need to get down to USFS Road No. 675. Wonder why the map shows No. 675.1A connecting to it? Seems clear from the terrain that it never did.
Even more surprising was the discovery that once Lupe descended a steep slope into Middle Nugget Gulch, she saw no sign of No. 675 at all!
However, following a small creek downstream, Lupe soon did come to a remnant of No. 675.
Deadfall often forced Lupe off the ancient road, which for long stretches now existed as only a narrow, single track trail. As Lupe hurried down the canyon with dusk coming on, Middle Nugget Gulch felt like a long forgotten world, a forbidden wilderness where no one comes anymore.
The light was so far gone by the time Lupe reached USFS Road No. 249, that SPHP had to bring out the little flashlight. No. 249 was icy. Crusty snow along the edges that crunched under SPHP’s boots provided much better traction. No traffic at all. In darkness, Lupe trotted on for miles.
At last, a few lights ahead. Silver City! In the night sky, a silver galaxy sparkled overhead. Lupe and SPHP paused. Orion, the Big Dipper, the North Star, and so much more! All ablaze, brilliant here in the literally Black Hills.
All the mysteries of the universe up there, SPHP! Just think of it!
Unfathomable, Loopster. Did you have a good day?
Awesome, SPHP! I love the Black Hills.
I know you do, me too. Onward! Puppy, ho! It’s not much farther now. (7:20 PM, 49ºF)
Links:
Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition
Lupe’s Scrollable GPS Track & Ascent Statistics
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 239 – Silver Peak & Nugget Gulch Peak (11-4-18)
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