Black Hills – Page 54 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 253 – Poverty Gulch, Castle Peak & Peak 6244 (11-19-19)

You can’t be serious! You’re joking, right SPHP?

No, really Loop. It’ll be fine. You’ll see. You don’t object, do you?

Object? Why should I object? Every Carolina Dog dreams of a chance to revel in the splendors of Poverty Gulch! My, you sure know how to show a Dingo a good time, don’t you?

Oh, come on! It’s just a name. Keeps the riff-raff out.

With a name like that, it probably draws riff-raff like flies! Why on earth would we want to go to Poverty Gulch, anyway?

It’s just an alternate route up to Castle Peak (6,358 ft.), Looper. Since we didn’t get there last time out, I thought we might try another approach?

And Poverty Gulch was the best you could come up with? What’s wrong with Middle-Class Meadows or Luxury Lane?

Well, there’s Brown Jug Draw, which is actually closer, but I don’t think the G6 can get back in there this time of year.

Brown Jug Draw? That sure sounds highfalutin! I suppose we’re doomed then. At least the castle part sounds good!

Upon reaching Rochford in the central Black Hills, how to get across Rapid Creek to the lower end of Poverty Gulch was itself a question. Lupe wound up having a chance to visit parts of the greater Rochford metropolitan area. The stores were closed this early in the day, but Rochford seemed to be making a good impression on the American Dingo.

Loop was a few days early for the Rochford Mall’s big Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale.

And hours early for Happy Hour at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon.

Maybe we should just skip Poverty Gulch, SPHP? We could hang out here in Rochford and wait for the saloon to open!

Why, Loopster what’s this change of attitude? You weren’t impressed with Brown Jug Draw. Moonshine Gulch doesn’t sound any more highfalutin than that.

It does when you put “saloon” behind it! Sounds downtownish, in an Old West sort of way. If we stay, we can check out the Rochford mall while we wait for Happy Hour. Ought to open pretty soon. No harm in looking, even if the Christmas Bazaar hasn’t started yet, is there?

Disappointingly, SPHP persisted in wanting to go up Poverty Gulch. It turned out that Lupe could get across Rapid Creek by taking a short stretch of the Mickelson Trail. The Rochford trailhead was just E of town. (9:07 AM, 30ºF)

Near the Rochford trailhead of the Mickelson Trail.

Short history of Rochford on display at the trailhead.

The Mickelson Trail bridge over Rapid Creek is just beyond the gate.

The Mickelson Trail went past a number of private homes and cabins. After 0.25 mile or so following Rapid Creek upstream, Lupe came to a frozen pond. The ravine coming down out of the hills next to it had to be Poverty Gulch!

By the pond near the start of fabled Poverty Gulch! Photo looks SW.

An old cabin sat up on a little rise at the mouth of Poverty Gulch. A small, snowy side road passed just below it heading up the valley. The topo map showed a trail going up Poverty Gulch, but there weren’t any signs for it, or fences around the old cabin. Hmm. Who knew? Maybe not completely kosher, but Lupe left the Mickelson Trail trotting past the old cabin and up the valley.

In the lower reaches of **Poverty Gulch**.

Poverty Gulch wasn’t wide or particularly deep. A tiny stream could be heard gurgling away next to the road, which soon narrowed to no more than an ATV trail. A power line went up the valley, but there was no sign that anyone had come this way since at least the last snow.

A good foot of snow, crunchy hard from days of thawing and freezing, was on the road. Lupe could usually stand on it, but the snow didn’t hold SPHP’s weight. Although the trail was never steep, the all-uphill post-holing trudge was wearying and slow. The Moonshine Gulch Saloon was sounding better with every step.

For what seemed like a long way, but probably wasn’t much more than 0.5 mile, there were no tracks in the snow other than occasional animal tracks. Eventually, Lupe came to a more open spot where the trail widened out. This was the dead end of USFS Road No. 238.1B. Some vehicle with big knobby tires had come this far from the S. The tires had compressed the snow, but so much so that it had become ice.

Didn’t really help speed things up much.

Continuing up **Poverty Gulch** shortly after the ATV-sized trail widened to a road.

Farther up, looking N back down **Poverty Gulch**.

The snowy scenery was pretty, the solitude unbroken. After deepening to 1.5 feet, the snow pack began to diminish. As Poverty Gulch gradually broadened out, the road gained elevation at a relaxed pace. The broken trunks of Ponderosa pines killed years ago by pine bark beetles dotted surrounding hills only moderately higher than the road.

On and on it went, the road winding its way S. Lupe came to no more cabins. The power line must have ended or veered off somewhere along the way. At one point Lupe and SPHP sat on a log together, taking a 10 minute breather. A gorgeous day for a workout in the hills!

Like genuine poverty, **Poverty Gulch** went on and on! Photo looks WSW.

Couldn’t be much farther! At last it was clear that the road was about to reach the top of a rise. When Lupe got there, sure enough, she had been here before. SPHP recognized the sign. Loop had reached USFS Road No. 238 (Divide Road). Her long trek up Poverty Gulch was over!

At the junction with USFS Road No. 238 (Divide Road). No. 238.1B, which goes most of the way down Poverty Gulch, is on the R. Photo looks NNW.

Castle Peak (6,358 ft.) was still 0.75 mile S of this junction. Lupe took No. 238 heading SW. The road quickly curved W, where a tree-broken view of Castle Peak was on offer from a hillside S of the road.

**Castle Peak** (Center) from just S of USFS Road No. 238. Photo looks S.

Returning to the road, it curved NW and started going downhill. A side road, USFS Road No. 238.1A, soon appeared on the L (SW). This was the same road Lupe had taken twice before when she’d gone to Castle Peak. It would get her nearly all the way to the summit.

Taking No. 238.1A, Lupe soon went past No. 238.1E on the R (W), which looked like it would curve down into Brown Jug Draw. Ignoring it, she stuck with No. 238.1A. Another snowy trek, steeper toward the end than anything back in Poverty Gulch, finally brought the American Dingo to the top of Castle Peak.

Just below the summit where USFS Road No. 238.1A ended. Photo looks SW.

Castle Peak used to be the site of an old fire lookout tower, long gone years ago. Now the summit is an open area rimmed by pines. The views are disappearing as the trees keep growing. Lupe couldn’t see Peak 6216 a mile to the E, which she had visited 10 days ago, but there were still some views in other directions.

Time for a break! After taking a look at both Custer Peak (6,801 ft.) and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.), the most prominent mountains to the N, Lupe and SPHP sat down on a snow-free patch of ground. The best views from the summit of Castle Peak were on display off to the S.

Looking NNE. **Custer Peak** (L) is visible in the distance.

**Custer Peak (6,801 ft.)** (Center) still has an active fire lookout tower. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

**Terry Peak (7,064 ft.)** (Center). Photo looks NNW.

**Black Elk Peak** (L). Photo looks SSE.

**Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** (Center) and **Sylvan Peak (7,000 ft.)** (R) both on the horizon. Photo looks SE.

*The big ridges on the horizon are part of the Limestone Plateau and some of the highest ground in South Dakota!* Photo looks S.

Lupe had some Taste of the Wild. Since she’d been eating snow, she wasn’t interested in water. SPHP munched an apple. A light S breeze blew. The late November sun was bright, but felt feeble. Not cold out, but not all that warm either. Comfortably cool.

More than 4 years gone by since the last time the Carolina Dog had been here, nearly 7 since her first time on Castle Peak. Hard to believe. The thought was faintly disturbing.

So, we just going to sit here all day, SPHP?

Nah! Beautiful spot, though, isn’t it Looper? If you’re ready, we can go check out the views to the W.

From the top of Castle Peak, pines hide the views to the W. However, past experience had shown that a few small rock formations several hundred feet SW of the summit provide great views in that direction. Miles of the E edge of the limestone plateau country can be seen, including South Castle Rock (6,840 ft.), Castle Rock (6,783 ft.), Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.), Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.), Peak 6962, and White Tail Peak (6,962 ft.).

When Loopster got there, the bright white snow enhanced the already terrific panorama, making the hills seem higher and more splendid.

The big snowy field is **Reynold’s Prairie**. Beyond it, **Castle Rock** & **South Castle Rock** are part of the same ridge straight up from Lupe’s head. **Nipple Butte** is straight up from her rump. Photo looks SW.

Along the horizon: **South Castle Rock** & **Castle Rock** (L), **Nipple Butte** (L of Lupe’s ears), **Flag Mountain** (R of Lupe’s ears), and **part of Peak 6962** (far R). Photo looks SW.

*Oh, this is fabulous, isn’t it? Classic Black Hills!*

The view of White Tail Peak was of particular interest. Between here and White Tail Peak was a smaller mountain, Peak 6244. The Carolina Dog might be going there next, so SPHP wanted to get a look at it and the surrounding territory.

**Flag Mountain** (L by the stump), **Peak 6962** (L of Lupe’s head), and **White Tail Peak** (R). **Peak 6244** is the small hill on the R. Photo looks W.

Peak 6244 didn’t look like much, just a small forested hill slightly over 1.5 miles away. It took SPHP several minutes of studying the topo map and comparing it to the terrain to pick Peak 6244 out for certain from similar hills nearby.

**White Tail Peak** is the distant high ridge on the L. **Peak 6244** is the much closer and smaller hill also on the L. Photo looks NW.

**White Tail Peak** (Center) and **Peak 6244** (R). Photo looks WNW.

I don’t know, Loop. Might not see much of anything except trees from over there. Want to do it?

Oh, there’s more?

Yes. I was thinking we could visit that little mountain, Peak 6244.

Sure! Why not? We’ve been on Castle Peak an hour already. I wouldn’t mind doing some more exploring.

Well, one reason not to is that there isn’t any road that I know of most of the way. Between the snow and the deadfall we’d likely encounter, getting there might prove a lot tougher than it looks.

So do you want to, or not, SPHP? We’d better get going, if you do. The sun is already sinking!

Eh, the Carolina Dog had a point. Better quit dithering and get with it!

Loop and SPHP returned briefly to the summit of Castle Peak before heading back down USFS Road No. 238.1A.

On the way back to the summit of Castle Peak. **Five Points (6,221 ft.)** is visible in the gap between trees on the L. Photo looks SE.

At the **summit of Castle Peak** prior to departing for Peak 6244.

Going down was definitely easier than going up. Didn’t take long to get back past the turn for USFS Road No. 238.1E. Shortly before reaching Divide Road again, Lupe came to the top of a small rise. Time to leave the road! To the W, dead trees stood spaced out on a gentle slope thickly covered with young pines.

On USFS Road No. 238.1A after leaving Castle Peak.

Lupe left No. 238.1A here, crossing the slope seen behind her. Photo looks W.

The idea was to travel almost due W through the forest staying as much as possible up on the high ground of a hilly, poorly defined ridge. By staying toward the S, Lupe ought to be able to avoid the deepest snow. Like most of the Black Hills these days, though, the forest looked heavily damaged by a pine bark beetle infestation. The going might get really tough, if the Carolina Dog came to a lot of deadfall.

Things started off pretty well. Right away, Lupe found an animal trail going W through the young pines. Beyond them she wound up on the N side of a small hill, but the snow wasn’t that deep. She did come to some deadfall timber, but not enough to be much more than a nuisance.

A look back at **Castle Peak** from the young pines. Photo looks SSE.

Exploring the hilly ridge. Not much snow where the sun could get at it. Photo looks W.

All seemed well when Loop reached the broad flat top of an expected hill. No snow or deadfall here. The only problem was telling exactly which way to go as the ground sloped down to the W. The forest was featureless, and the tree-broken views of surrounding hills all looked about the same.

In the open forest on the broad, flat top of a 6,100 foot hill. Photo looks WNW.

Well W of the hill, Lupe came to a faint, unmarked road.

On the faint road. Which way? This road wasn’t shown on the map. Photo looks SW.

Ignoring the road, Lupe crossed it and went over a small rise. On the other side, the terrain resumed a steady descent. Several big rocks were here, the only ones she’d seen since leaving USFS Road No. 238.1A.

Peak 6244 was only 1.33 miles due W of where Lupe had left No. 238.1A. The American Dingo must have traveled most of that distance by now. Ahead was a valley, and beyond it were higher hills. Very difficult to tell with all these trees, but it looked like maybe there was higher ground connected to those hills off to the SW. Had Lupe wandered too far N?

Seemed like that might be the case. From the big rocks, a snowy clearing to the S could be seen down in another part of the same valley Lupe was coming to. She headed down to it. On the way, she came to another road that went by the clearing. Nearby was a junction with what must have been the lower end of the faint road Lupe had just crossed. A marker said the faint one had been USFS Road No. 238.1C.

By the road next to the snowy clearing. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe needed to get up on the ridge beyond (SW) the clearing. Following the road S up to the ridgeline seemed like a reasonable course of action. Probably was, but SPHP became anxious to turn W again, and had Lupe leave the road before getting all the way to the top.

The snow quickly deepened on the upper N side of the ridge. Loop came to another area thick with young pines. No animal trails here! Instead, deadfall timber was everywhere. The trek became a terrible struggle trying to force a way through the young pines, deep snow, and unending tangle of deadfall.

Progress virtually ground to a halt. In deep snow, stuck down among the little pines, Lupe valiantly leapt over or snuck under hundreds of dead trees. Exhausting! The sun was sinking. This was taking forever! At last, Lupe made it over to the SW side of the ridge where there was less snow and deadfall timber. What had to be Peak 6244 was now in sight.

The easiest way to get there appeared to be to head NW to a subpeak NE of Peak 6244. The ridge Lupe was on led to minor dip at the base of the subpeak. Beyond the dip, she came to yet another unmarked road.

Unfortunately, the road didn’t go up the mountain. After crossing it, the Carolina Dog continued NW up the slope leading to the subpeak. At first, this was easy terrain. No snow, little deadfall.

Starting up the slope leading to the subpeak. Photo looks NW.

The situation soon deteriorated. Loop didn’t have to go all the way to the top of the subpeak, but all the territory between it and Peak 6244 was another region of young pines, snow, and a tangled mess of deadfall. Trying to turn toward Peak 6244 before reaching the saddle leading to it from the subpeak proved futile.

Up at the saddle, things were somewhat better. Not much snow. Still plenty of deadfall, but most of it was neatly arranged perpendicular to the route Lupe had to take. She still had to go over it all, then climb Peak 6244’s snowy NE slope, but the top of the mountain wasn’t much higher than where Lupe was now. Shouldn’t take too long.

Up on the saddle. Still lots of deadfall to cross, but this wasn’t too bad. **Peak 6244** dead ahead! Photo looks SW.

On the snowy NE slope, approaching the summit.

Approaching from the NE, Peak 6244 seemed to be coming to a pointy top. Rocks were up there! Maybe Lupe actually would have some views from the summit? That would be really nice after all this effort!

The summit region was surprisingly roomy. Ground covered with pine needles connected two slightly higher rocky areas, one to the E and the other to the W. The true summit was a big rock at the NE end. Looper went first to some other rocks almost as high that offered a nice view to the S. Not bad at all!

**Reynolds Prairie** from Peak 6244. Photo looks SW.

The rock at the true summit provided a view of less interesting territory off to the NE, plus a tree-broken glimpse of Castle Peak.

At the **true summit of Peak 6244**. Photo looks NE.

**True summit of Peak 6244**. Photo looks NE.

The rocky area to the W was worth exploring, too. Lupe went there next, stopping briefly for another look at Reynolds Prairie on the way.

That nice view toward **Reynolds Prairie** (R) again. Photo looks SSW.

On the rocks at **Peak 6244’s W edge**. Photo looks W.

**Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.)** (L). The ridge beyond Lupe is **Peak 6962**. Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.

Lupe’s journey to Peak 6244 had been a success! Really shouldn’t stay, though. The day was almost shot, the sun a mere glow in clouds near the horizon. Getting stuck out here in the dark surrounded by snow and deadfall would not be good! Yet the Carolina Dog did stay for a little while, hanging out by the W rocks.

More Taste of the Wild disappeared. SPHP’s last apple vanished. Such a nice spot! Peak 6244 was way better than anticipated after that first look at it from Castle Peak.

Peak 6244’s summit region. The true summit is hidden by trees just L of Center. Photo looks E from the W rocks.

25 minutes flew by. Alright. Better get going. Lupe leapt up on the W rocks one more time.

Final moments on **Peak 6244**. Photo looks NNW.

She then started down the mountain heading S along the W edge. Oh, there was that view of Reynolds Prairie again! Worth pausing for.

**South Castle Rock** & **Castle Rock** (L), **Nipple Butte** (Center), and **Flag Mountain** (R). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Enough already. Time to skedaddle.

Onward! Puppy, ho!

Heading S, Lupe quickly circled WNW as soon as the terrain permitted. Going back E the way she had come up was out of the question. Way too late for a return to Poverty Gulch. Had to get to a road before it got pitch dark! Finding a quick route to S Rochford Road less than 0.5 mile W of Peak 6244 was the only hope.

Starting down from the W rocks. Photo looks N.

Turned out it was easy. The W slopes of Peak 6244 weren’t that difficult. Not much snow or deadfall. Loopster lost elevation rapidly. Before long she reached another USFS Road by a tree marked “BT” in purple paint, whatever that meant.

At the purple BT tree and yet another unmarked USFS road. Photo looks W.

Lupe followed the road N. SPHP hoped it would lead to S Rochford Road. Nope. Instead the road wound along the W slopes of Peak 6244, neither gaining nor losing elevation. Fortunately, S Rochford Road soon appeared off to the L (NW) down a fairly steep slope.

Easily manageable! 5 minutes and Lupe was standing in a snowy field next to S Rochford Road. A rosy glow to the SW! Sunset, such as it was. The glow strengthened momentarily, then faded even faster.

Down by S Rochford Road (No. 306). Photo looks SW.

The sky was clearing. Stars appeared. The temperature plunged. Quiet, dark. Maybe 3 miles back to Rochford? Not any more than that. Long stretches of the road were icy and slick. Where it wasn’t smooth, the ice crunched loudly underpaw.

Lights were on at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon! Through the window, the joint looked packed. Good for the saloon, but too bad for Lupe. If it hadn’t been so busy, maybe she really could have snuck in? At least, SPHP would have let her try.

Oh, well. Only a little farther to the G6. (6:09 PM, 32ºF)

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 253, 11-19-19

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 142 – Castle Peak (10-17-15)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 252 – Peak 5865, Peak 6216 & Peak 6135 (11-9-19)

Start 10:14 AM, 44ºF at the intersection of Rochford Road & Mystic Road

Totally unacceptable – that’s what it was! More than 6 months had shot by since Lupe had climbed any mountain in the Black Hills. Even the last peak of her most recent Dingo Vacation had been nearly 2 months ago. Supposed to be a gorgeous day for November, but tomorrow snow was in the forecast again. So it was now or, well, not never, but another undesirable delay. Time for action!

The American Dingo was thrilled! Raring to go, Lupe sprang out of the G6 near the junction of Rochford Road and Mystic Road. She was ready to get back to climbing mountains and wasn’t fussy, any mountain would do! (10:14 AM, 44ºF)

*About time for some Black Hills peakbagging action, don’t you think?*

Before she could climb Peak 5865, the first mountain on today’s agenda, Lupe had to cross the Mystic Road bridge over Rapid Creek. The bridge was just S of where the G6 was parked, so she was there in no time. The Carolina Dog stopped long enough for quick looks both both up and down the scenic stream.

*What a gorgeous day! **Rapid Creek** is looking great!* Photo looks upstream (W).

Downstream view. Quite a bit of snow in the shaded areas, but little or none where the sun could get at it. Photo looks E.

After crossing the bridge, Lupe followed Mystic Road as it started up Cluder Gulch. 0.33 mile later, Mystic Road made a hairpin bend to the L. USFS Road No. 231.2B continued straight ahead at this turn, so Lupe took it the rest of the way up Cluder Gulch.

Mystic Road curves L away from Cluder Gulch, but USFS Road No. 231.2B continues up it. Photo looks S.

*No. 231.2B is rather snowy today, but I like snow!*

*Cluder Gulch is pretty! Could use more squirrels, though!*

Near the upper end of Cluder Gulch. Photo looks SW.

At the upper end of Cluder Gulch the terrain flattened out. Lupe entered a big park-like area. SPHP checked the topo map. Peak 5865 had to be off to the L (SE). The heavily forested W end of the mountain’s NW ridge was already in sight quite close by.

The park-like region beyond Cluder Gulch. Photo looks SW.

The W end of Peak 5865’s NW ridge is on the L. The summit can be glimpsed between the trees on the R. Photo looks E.

Advancing a little way into the park, a faint road not shown on the map led off to the W (R). Lupe stuck with No. 231.2B, which gradually curved SE (L). She soon came to a gate across the road, which she went around. No. 231.2B ended at an unmarked “T” intersection up on a minor pass.

The road to the L curved ESE toward Peak 5865, which was now in view and looked like an easy climb. Lupe took this road, following it partway through a sunny stretch with a nice view of the Pony Gulch area to the SSE. However, she soon left the road to climb NE up to the top of Peak 5865’s NW ridge. From there she headed SE toward the summit.

At the “T” intersection at the end of USFS Road No. 231.2B. Lupe took the road to the L toward **Peak 5865** (seen on the R). Photo looks E.

Looking SSE toward the Pony Gulch region.

The trek up Peak 5865’s NW slope was easy. Nothing to it! At least, not until Lupe reached the N/S oriented summit ridge. Arriving toward the N end, she made an unexpected discovery. The true summit was a rocky knob unlike anything else on the mountain. Although the knob wasn’t terribly high, it’s sides were nearly vertical. For a brief moment SPHP wondered if Lupe could even get up there?

Loop N of the rocky knob that is Peak 5865’s summit. Photo looks S.

Yes! A quick scramble to the top was possible from the NE side of the knob. And that was all there was to it! Lupe and SPHP both went up. There wasn’t much room to maneuver, but the Carolina Dog stood on the highest rock enjoying her first peakbagging success in months.

*Oh, you knew I’d make it, didn’t you?* At the **true summit of Peak 5865**. Photo looks S.

Peak 5865 was nearly all forested. The only reasonably clear view was to the SE. The Carolina Dog hung around the cramped summit no more than 10 minutes before she was ready to get down. 100 feet to the S was a gently rounded high point. It was somewhat lower, but a much better spot to take a short break.

The only reasonably clear view from Peak 5865’s summit was this one to the SE.

Loopster next to the S face of the rocky summit knob. Photo looks NNE.

The rest break didn’t take long. Looper wasn’t actually hungry or tired yet. While SPHP consumed an apple and looked at maps, she laid on the ground or checked trees for squirrels. A gusty 15 mph W breeze blew between intervals of calm. A higher snowy mountain could be glimpsed off to the SW. That was Peak 6135. Maybe Lupe would climb it later on, but that wasn’t really the plan.

At the rounded high point where Lupe took a short break. The true summit is seen on the R. The significance of the red post wasn’t clear. Photo looks NNW.

Snowy **Peak 6135** could be glimpsed between the trees. Photo looks SW.

Lupe was ready to move on as soon as SPHP’s apple was gone. Before going back the way she had come up, she checked out the larger of two old mining pits. Whoever had dug or blasted them must not have found anything of interest. Even the largest hole wasn’t that big.

S of Peak 5865’s summit by the larger of two old prospecting pits. Photo looks NE.

The Carolina Dog concurred. She didn’t see any reason to stick around this hole in the ground, either. On the way back to the T intersection at the end of USFS Road No. 231.2B, Lupe explored a little farther along Peak 5865’s NW ridge. She was rewarded with a fairly decent view of Peak 6135, and discovered a canvas deer hunting blind.

*Hey, here’s a better view of **Peak 6135** (Center)! Maybe we should climb it, too?* Deer blind on the R. Photo looks SW.

**Peak 6135** (Center). Lupe was headed for this region next. Photo looks SW.

No one was at the deer blind, so Lupe continued on. Upon reaching the T intersection at the end of USFS Road No. 231.2B once again, she took the unmarked road going SW. According to SPHP’s map, this was USFS Road No 238.

No. 238 climbed steadily at an easy pace. For a long way it wound along the upper S slopes of hillsides overlooking Pony Gulch. Looper trotted along happily looking for deer, squirrels, or anything else of interest. Much of the time she enjoyed nice views of Peak 6135.

*We’re on USFS Road No. 238 now! That’s Pony Gulch and Peak 6135 on the L.* Photo looks SW.

Along a sunny stretch of USFS Road No. 238.

*Still gradually climbing! That’s Peak 6135 again on the R.* Photo looks SSW.

After 1.5 miles, Lupe went over a minor pass as No. 238 swung over to the N side of the ridge it had been skirting. Bearcat Gulch was to the N. The road dipped and headed back SW again as Lupe crossed a broad saddle. She wasn’t far from Peak 6135 now.

*We’re getting close to **Peak 6135**! That’s part of it on the L. Doesn’t look much higher, does it?* Photo looks SSW.

The long slope at the upper W end of Pony Gulch. Photo looks ESE.

Lupe was almost to a part of USFS Road No. 238 she had been to before. On two prior Black Hills Expeditions she had come up Pony Gulch from Mystic Road on USFS Road No. 428. The junction was just ahead. On those prior occasions Lupe’s ultimate destination had been Castle Peak (6,358 ft.). That was today’s plan, too.

Approaching the junction with No. 428, SPHP considered the notion that maybe Lupe ought to go climb Peak 6135 instead of bypassing it? The summit was only 0.5 mile SE from here. In fact, the first time Lupe had gone to Castle Peak on Expedition No. 36, she had climbed Peak 6135 on the way back. That was nearly 7 years ago now. SPHP remembered a high rocky knob with some great views at sunset.

No, not going to happen. SPHP dismissed the thought. Already too late in the day to climb Castle Peak and another mountain along the way that actually was on the agenda, plus Peak 6135. A nice idea, but unrealistic. Days are simply too short this time of year. Lupe continued W on USFS Road No. 238.

There were occasional distant views to the SE or SW as the road wound along hillsides, once again climbing slowly, but steadily. Lupe got almost as high as Peak 6135 before No. 238 started a gradual descent to a saddle where junctions with two other roads appeared in quick succession. The first road came up from Castle Creek to the S, and the second (USFS Road No. 184) went down Bloody Gulch to the N.

Only 0.25 mile ahead, Lupe’s next peakbagging objective was now in sight. Peak 6216 was a heavily forested ridge. Quite frankly, it didn’t look too impressive. No matter, despite low expectations the American Dingo was going to explore it. You never know what she might find!

0.25 mile E of **Peak 6216** (Center) on USFS Road No. 238. Another road goes S (L) from here down to Castle Creek. Photo looks WSW.

Trees and snow mostly. From the saddle, Lupe followed No. 238 going NW. Before long the road reached a high point. Looper left the road climbing SW through the snowy forest.

At the high point on USFS Road No. 238 where Lupe left it. Photo looks NW.

The snowy climb to the ridgeline. Photo looks SW.

The top of the ridge was forested, too, but not nearly as snowy. Crossing over to the W side, Lupe found a small opening where the ground was snow-free. Castle Peak was in view only a mile to the W. Much farther to the SW, Loop could also see the snow-filled fields of Reynolds Prairie.

Along the W edge of Peak 6216’s N ridge. **Castle Peak** is on the R. **Reynolds Prairie** is in the distance on the L. Photo looks WSW.

After a look at the view, Lupe headed S along the ridgeline in search of the true summit of Peak 6216. The terrain sloped up for a short distance to the top of a modest rise. Was this the true summit already? Not much to see here other than the forest. Loopster stood briefly on highest rock before continuing S.

On the highest rock of the first high point. Photo looks SSW.

At first she lost a little elevation, but Lupe was soon climbing again. She quickly regained all the elevation she’d lost and then some. She reached another high point. This time the ground sloped away more sharply in all directions. This had to be it! Clearly nothing higher any farther S.

In truth, the true summit of Peak 6216 didn’t look much different from the first high point. A few rocks scattered in the forest with a little snow on the ground. No views to speak of here, either. Oh, well. Lupe’s first glimpse of Peak 6216 from the road hadn’t raised any big expectations, that was certain. The Carolina Dog could still claim a 2nd peakbagging success for the day.

*Guess this is it. The **true summit of Peak 6216**. Super exciting, huh?* Photo looks SSE.

*Uh, yeah. This is it. What more can I say?*

Lupe on the **true summit of Peak 6216**, a feat not likely to be repeated.

Actually there was a view from the summit of Peak 6216, a rather nice one too. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), the highest peak in South Dakota, was narrowly visible with the help of the telephoto lens from a slightly less forested spot only 10 or 15 feet SE of the true summit.

**Black Elk Peak** from Peak 6216. Photo looks SE.

Time for another break. Not too long, though. The sun was sinking. If Lupe still intended to get to Castle Peak where the views would be better before sunset, she couldn’t linger too long on Peak 6216. Castle Peak (6,358 ft.) was only a mile away as the crow flies, but easily twice that the way the roads went.

Chowing down on some Taste of the Wild on Peak 6216.

On the way back to USFS Road No. 238, Lupe explored the entire length of Peak 6216’s N ridge, which was close to 0.33 mile long. The whole ridge was forested, but she did find another spot along the W edge where she could see Castle Peak and Reynolds Prairie.

Starting back along the N ridge. Photo looks NNE.

**Castle Peak** (R) and much more distant **Reynolds Prairie** (L). Photo looks WSW.

Zoomed in on **Reynolds Prairie**. **Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.)** (Center) and **Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.)** (R) are beyond it. Photo looks SW.

At the end of the N ridge, another snowy romp got Loop back down to USFS Road No. 238. Following it NW, she didn’t get far before coming to a padlocked gate. A big orange sign said the road was closed.

Private property was ahead. No. 238 went through several old mining claims in this area. Lupe had gone this way to Castle Peak on both of her previous expeditions to it back in 2012 and 2015. Those mining claims had been for sale back then, but this road had never been closed before. The gate was new, too.

This padlocked gate and road closed sign were new since the last time Lupe had come this way in 2015. Photo looks WNW.

Well, shucks Loopster.

What’s wrong SPHP?

Looks like whoever bought this mining claim doesn’t want anyone going across it without permission. They’ve closed the road.

Can they do that? This is a USFS road, shouldn’t there be public access?

I would think so, but I don’t really know. Our maps are old. Maybe the road and its easement have been vacated or abandoned?

So what now?

Think this is it, Loop. No easy way around this private property. Too bad. I was looking forward to seeing the sunset from Castle Peak. We would have had a long walk back in the dark, though.

So we’re going back to the G6?

Yeah, think we have to. We can take USFS Road No. 184 to Rochford Road, if you like. We’ve never gone down Bloody Gulch before.

Lupe was fine with exploring Bloody Gulch, but before she got to the turn, SPHP had a different idea.

Hey, Looper! Why don’t we just go back the way we came? If we hurry, we might get to Peak 6135 in time to see the sunset from there?

Oh, that sounds like fun! We haven’t been on Peak 6135 in nearly 7 years, right? Let’s do it! Come on, I’ll race you, SPHP!

Heh, you can award yourself the blue ribbon right now, Loop.

American Dingoes are flexible. That’s one of the great things about them. As long as they get to come along, they rarely fuss over exactly which adventures they go on. There is no point in racing them, though. None at all. Lupe led the way back on No. 238, sniffing and exploring while SPHP plodded on behind.

The evening sun was still shining brightly on Peak 6135, but wouldn’t be for much longer by the time Lupe drew near again.

Approaching the **NW end of Peak 6135** shortly before sunset. Photo looks E.

Lupe and SPHP lost no time. Abandoning the road, Lupe headed SE up Peak 6135. Half a foot of snow or more hid lots of slash from old logging operations, making progress a bit slow. 0.5 mile to the summit!

A prominent rock formation stood bathed in the last rays of sunlight as the Carolina Dog approached. This wasn’t the summit yet, but Lupe paused here for a quick look. The sun was already on the horizon.

Approaching the first big rock formation on the way up **Peak 6135**. Photo looks SE.

Partway up the first formation as the sun sets near Reynolds Prairie. Photo looks W.

Same spot, but looking NW at the rock formation.

Hurrying onward, Lupe came to a second outcropping, a vertical wall of rock that was set back in the trees.

Near the second rock formation. Photo looks NE.

Two more rocky high points were only a few hundred feet farther S. The closest appeared to be the true summit. An easy little scramble and Lupe was there, poised once again at the top of Peak 6135 for the first time in nearly 7 years.

Approaching the summit (R). Photo looks S.

The sun was already gone, but just barely. Lupe stood bathed in the glow of an increasingly beautiful sunset. The views were tremendous, especially from more exposed rocks a little S of the true summit. Both Peak 5865 and Peak 6216 were technically more prominent, but they couldn’t hold a candle to this!

On slightly lower rocks a bit S of the true summit. The 4th and final rocky high point is on the L. Photo looks SSE.

Colors spread rapidly across the sky. Lupe and SPHP lingered admiring the glorious display. It didn’t last. The brilliant glow was soon fading, in full retreat before the onslaught of the dark powers of night.

Back at the true summit. Photo looks WNW.

Zoomed in on the dying embers of sunset over **Nipple Butte** (Center).

It was over. As twilight deepened, Lupe made her way NW back past now gloomy rock formations. The snow hiding the treacherous slash helped to reflect and prolong what light remained long enough for the Carolina Dog to reach USFS Road No. 238 again. When she got there, though, SPHP had to pause long enough to bring out the flashlight.

Nearly 3 miles to go to get back to Cluder Gulch and down to the G6. Thin clouds blotted out the stars, an almost full moon a mere silver smudge. Lupe trotted happily along the road, venturing frequently out into the inky blackness to explore whatever secrets were hidden out there. A coyote howled, the rhythmic crunch of snow underpaw the only other sound. (End 6:49 PM, 33ºF)

On **Peak 6135**, Black Hills of South Dakota, 11-9-19

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 142 – Castle Peak (10-17-15)

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