10:33 AM, 42ºF, Gilt Edge Road (USFS Road No. 170) – After driving past quite a few homes and “no outlet” signs in a woodsy subdivision, SPHP parked at a muddy pullout on the R.
I don’t know, Loop. Guess this will do.
Uh-oh! Don’t know what, SPHP?
Well, we’re in the right general area, Loopster, but it’s been 9 years and a day since we first visited what’s left of Anchor Hill (5,720 ft.), and then went on to Dome Mountain (5,510 ft.). Evidently I no longer remember exactly how we got to them. Nothing looks the least bit familiar to me. I thought it would.
You should have reviewed my old posts before we came then, SPHP.
Wish I had now, Looper. Wasn’t expecting to see so much private property on the way in.
C’mon now, SPHP! You told me that this was going to work. 3rd time’s a charm for Peak 5452, and all that sort of thing.
Oh, I’m just confused. This should still work, Looper. Bit of a trek from here, but the map shows this road leading to a couple of routes going right past Anchor Hill, then continuing NE to the general vicinity of the ridge S of Dome Mountain. If we get that far without anyone objecting, we’ve got it made. That ridge is how we reached Dome Mountain 9 years ago, and we can continue on to Peak 5452 from there.
So what are we waiting for, SPHP? An engraved invitation?
Oh, nothing, I guess. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Trotting N along Gilt Edge Road on a gentle incline, Lupe passed under a power line. The road quickly topped out, and a short gradual descent led to a junction with a couple of other roads at a curve. A red and white sign was posted along the route SPHP had intended to take.
What does it say, SPHP?
Veteran’s driveway, Loop. No UTV’s or ATV’s.
Oh, we’re fine then, aren’t we, SPHP? We don’t have any unidentified TV’s.
Probably. The sign seems pretty friendly, Looper. Actually has a smiley face and says “Thank you!”
Even better, SPHP. Let’s keep going!
Eh, I don’t know, Loopster. Seems odd to have a driveway sign here. The map shows this road continuing on for a couple of miles with quite a few off-shoots. Where is this Veteran’s place? The next house we come to? End of the road?
How should I know, SPHP? What else can we do?
Why don’t we just stick with Gilt Edge Road, Loop? It’ll lead to another route that will get us close to Anchor Hill where it will join up with this same Veteran’s driveway side road. Maybe the situation will be clearer over there?
Fine with me, SPHP.
Gilt Edge Road went E from this junction, continuing downhill. SPHP soon had a change of heart, reinforced by a more careful examination of the topo map.
Gilt Edge Road is going to keep going downhill for a bit before turning up again, Loop. Let’s not lose all that elevation.
Sheesh! Make up your mind, if you still have one, SPHP! Back up to the Veteran’s driveway then?
Yes, but not along Gilt Edge Road. Let’s just take a shortcut through the forest to where we can rejoin it near Anchor Hill.
Leaving Gilt Edge Road, Lupe climbed a steepish forested slope that soon led to the top of a hill a short distance NE. This summit was open, and had a great view of a large region to the E where the mountains had been torn apart and rearranged. Various roads ran through it all.
Wow! What happened here, SPHP?
I believe you’re looking at the former Gilt Edge gold and silver mine, Loop. It’s a contaminated EPA superfund site now.
Contaminated? That’s sad, SPHP.
Tragic, Loop! If I understand correctly, contaminating might be a better word for it. Of course, the rock is all natural, but exposing so much of it at once during mining operations allows toxic quantities of heavy metals and other chemicals to leach out into streams and aquifers.
Destroys the mountains that used to be here, too, SPHP.
Absolutely! See that mountain that essentially had half of it sliced off over to the NE, Loopster? If I’m reading the map correctly, that’s what’s left of Anchor Hill.
Didn’t you say that we’d been to Anchor Hill 9 years ago, SPHP? I don’t have any recollection of ever seeing a cliff like that.
Me, either, Loop, and the mine’s been closed for decades. I can’t explain it.
A total mystery, but one that had nothing at all to do with the American Dingo’s main objective today, which was to finally get to Peak 5452 after tagging Dome Mountain along the way.
Abandoning the hill with the view of the Gilt Edge Mine, Lupe roamed generally N for a good 0.5 mile before turning E and almost immediately running into the same road that had the Veteran’s driveway sign back at the first junction. This road skirted Anchor Hill to the N, then wound around a bit as it took a generally NE course.
More red and white signs about the Veteran’s driveway appeared, and at least one mentioned U.S. Veterans, as if whatever property the driveway led to was owned by a group or organization rather than an individual. In any case, the Carolina Dog kept going, encountering no traffic at all.
Nearly a mile beyond Anchor Hill, the road finally forked, leading to 2 separate properties. The N fork led almost immediately to a fancy black gate for the Shooting Star Ranch. The fork going SE appeared to end at a house that wasn’t too far away.
Which way, SPHP?
Still don’t remember any of this. Avoid them both, Loopster. The ridge to Dome Mountain that we’re trying to get to is 0.5 mile NNE.
The American Dingo plunged into the forest. Gradually losing elevation, she eventually came to a wide saddle leading to a shorter uphill stretch. When she reached the top, sure enough, Dome Mountain’s rocky summit block was in sight only another 0.5 mile N. Peak 5452 was in view, too, a perfectly ordinary forested hill 1.5 miles NNW.
Alrighty, Loop! We’re finally getting somewhere! I have no recollection of how on earth we ever got here 9 years ago, but this looks familiar. We just follow this ridge NE over to the S end of Dome Mountain, then circle NW to reach the summit. Much of this region burned way back when, so there will be a ton of miserable deadfall in our way until we get to the opposite end of the ridge, but it’s all cake after that!
Miserable deadfall. Yes, that does sound familiar, SPHP. It’s the cake I’m interested in!
Lupe had reached the ridge at a fairly high spot that was both wide and relatively level. Following it ENE, the ridge began to narrow. Soon the Carolina Dog was out of the taller, more mature forest and into an area where new growth dominated. Young pines, aspens, and bushes slowed progress. The deadfall SPHP remembered was still here, and remained somewhat of a problem, but it was mostly small diameter stuff already significantly weathered and weakened by the passage of time.
Off to the ESE, Bear Den Mountain (5,641 ft.) was in view across Lost Gulch.
We were over there a long time ago, too, weren’t we, SPHP?
Yes, we were, Loop. I remember you standing on a log near the summit, then going down it’s W slope to some kind of a road.
Well, then maybe Bear Den Mountain is where we went to Anchor Hill from, and then wound up over here somehow, SPHP?
Hmm. You might be right, Looper. Makes me curious what your old Bear Den Mountain post says. I’ll have to check it out when we get home.
The ridge continued to narrow and went gradually downhill. Some cool yellow, orange, and tan rock formations ran along the narrowest part of the spine. The outcroppings weren’t very big, but made excellent Dingo perches from which to enjoy the views.
Approaching the S end of Dome Mountain, the ridge widened out again. A gradual climb through an open region full of the decaying deadfall led toward the live forest. Getting through the deadfall was really no longer all that difficult. Soon Lupe was trotting along easily as she explored the relatively flat, open, live forest SPHP remembered from long ago.
Hah! We made it to the cake part, Loopster!
I’m loving it, SPHP!
Heading N through the open forest, progress was rapid. However, when the time came to turn W toward Dome Mountain’s summit, Lupe quickly ran into thickets of dense bushes and more deadfall. A rocky high point provided a glimpse of Dome Mountain’s summit block, which wasn’t that far away now. The vegetation covering most of the rest of the terrain leading to it looked easier, too, which was encouraging.
From this high point, an intense, but short bushwhack got the Carolina Dog to a minor dip leading to a region of lower bushes and less deadfall that was much easier to deal with. Soon Lupe was standing on a little snowbank on Dome Mountain’s N ridge. Minutes ago, 7 or 8 deer had been up here. The summit block was now only a short, easy stroll away.
Both Terry Peak (7,069 ft.), and a glimpse of Deer Mountain (6,651 ft.) were in sight off to the WSW.
On the Ides of March, for the first time in 9 years and a day, Lupe made the short, rocky scramble to the top of Dome Mountain (5,510 ft.).
1:54 PM, 54ºF – The top of the summit block was a region of rocks and low scratchy bushes 60 feet long and 20 feet wide. Lupe had come up near the true summit at the E end. A couple of dead trees bleached by the sun stood nearby. The rest of the terrain, bordered by cliffs on all sides, sloped gradually down toward a cairn near the W end.
Many peaks the American Dingo had been to before were in sight. The equally rocky summit of Pillar Peak (5,465 ft.), and much lower, heavily forested top of Crook Mountain (4,938 ft.) were NNE. A vast expanse of the brown plains of western South Dakota were visible beyond them.
Bear Den Mountain (5,641 ft.) was visible again to the SE. The territory Lupe had come from was due S. WSW, the extra bit of elevation up here provided a noticeably better look at Deer Mountain (6,651 ft.). Even Terry Peak (7,069 ft.) looked a bit grander.
Due N, Whitewood Peak (5,141 ft.) looked small and insignificant. The flat summit of Mount Theodore Roosevelt (5,682 ft.) was visible NW. Polo Peak (5,423 ft.) and Green Mountain (5,334 ft.) more to the NNW were so far away that they were harder to positively identify.
Eh, didn’t matter. What really did matter today was much closer. Only 1.25 miles NNW stood the Carolina Dog’s true objective, Peak 5452.
SPHP found a spot to sit down near the cairn. The ground was so rocky that Lupe couldn’t get comfortable, so she curled up on SPHP’s lap.
Peak 5452 doesn’t look that far away now, SPHP.
Yeah. Going to be nice to finally get there, Loop. It’s about the last of the Lists of John peaks with 300 feet of prominence in the Black Hills you haven’t been to yet that, despite our 2 prior failures, is at least somewhat accessible. Once we’ve been there, we can concentrate on other things.
Like what, SPHP?
Oh, I don’t know, Looper. Maybe we’ll revisit some of the coolest peaks we first went to long ago, like this one? Or, we can go back to wandering like we used to before we got so into peakbagging. There are still lots of places we’ve never been to that might be every bit as beautiful and interesting as many of the mountaintops.
As long as we don’t quit exploring the Black Hills, I’m fine with whatever, SPHP, on one condition.
Condition? What condition, Loop?
You’ll still bring chocolate coconut bars, even if we don’t climb a mountain.
Deal! Let’s shake on it. By the way, congratulations on reaching the top of Dome Mountain again. I suppose you’re ready for a chocolate coconut bar right now. Just happen to have one in the pack.
After the paw shake and sharing of the ever-popular chocolate coconut bar, Lupe inhaled the last 2 Canine Carry-outs that Dave Covill had sent her for Christmas, munched on Taste of the Wild, and lapped a big drink of water from her silver bowl. Meanwhile, SPHP peeled an orange and drank a strawberry Equate.
Dome Mountain was a cool place with it’s sweet views, remote feel, and unusual summit block for the Black Hills. Unfortunately, it was already mid-afternoon. Staying for Lupe’s full traditional summit hour didn’t make sense with Peak 5452 still on the agenda, despite how long it had been since the last time she’d been here.
Nevertheless, 40 minutes zoomed by before the American Dingo sprang into action at SPHP’s insistence.
We better get moving, Loop! Not that far to Peak 5452, but the Two Bit Creek valley is pretty deep, and we’ve got to cross it to get over there.
After a brief return to Dome Mountain’s true summit, Lupe scrambled back down to the N ridge. Two minor high points were strung out along it, neither one much more than a blip. She paused at the last one for a look back, before starting the descent to Two Bit Creek in earnest.
Continuing N, Lupe headed down a steepish slope densely covered with bushes hiding considerable deadfall within. Although this first descent wasn’t all that long, it was a bit of an unexpected struggle to get down to a bush-and-deadfall-free saddle at the start of the live forest.
Exactly where to go from here wasn’t entirely clear. In truth, SPHP hadn’t given it much thought. Looked like most any route might work. Lupe could leave the N ridge here, dropping down into valleys on either side, or keep going N through the forest on fairly level terrain before searching for a way down.
Probably doesn’t matter which way we go, Loopster, but it might be best to start losing some elevation right away.
So descend into one of these valleys, SPHP? Which one?
They’ll meet before they reach Two Bit Creek, Loop, so either one, I guess. Why don’t we go E? Topo map seems to indicate the initial descent won’t be quite as steep.
Angling ENE, the initial descent was indeed easy enough, however, it went on longer than SPHP expected. By the time Lupe reached a narrow V-shaped bottom with deadfall in it, there was snow on the ground.
Ick! Not what I was hoping for, Looper. It better not keep on like this very far.
Continuing NE down the ravine, Lupe kept coming to more deadfall. Although the Carolina Dog generally managed quite nicely, the slippery snow made getting past the annoying deadfall problematic for SPHP.
Progress was made, but the slow descent chewed up precious daylight. Eventually, the valley began curving NW and broadening out. Little or no snow was present here, and scenic cliffs were visible way up on the next ridge to the NE. Unfortunately, dense stands of young aspens kept SPHP from picking up the pace too much, although this broader region was definitely better than the narrow ravine.
Once beyond most of the aspens, the descent got easier for a while, but the valley soon narrowed to a V-shaped bottom again. This time, minor vertical drops required a bit of caution. As the Carolina Dog kept going, she began coming to pools of water, then a tiny stream.
Fortunately, Lupe always found ways past the vertical drops and pools. At last, a narrow gap between rock walls led to another drop requiring caution. Once below it, the valley opened up.
The American Dingo had made it to where the E and W valleys met.
4:14 PM – Looking N, farther down the now combined drainage of the two valleys, a small stream ran through a lumpy region full of snow, ice, and thickets of small trees and bushes. Certainly not impassable, but not much of an improvement, either. This disappointing view, and the low angle of the sun said it all.
I can’t believe it, Loop! Another Peak 5452 fail!
Can’t we just cross Two Bit Creek and start climbing, SPHP? We’re almost there!
Peak 5452 isn’t as close as you think, Loopster. We haven’t even made it down to Two Bit Creek yet. This stream is just a tributary. Getting too late in the day to continue this ridiculous bushwhack. We aren’t going to get back to the RAV4 until after dark, even if we turn back now, but we might be able to reach the road while there’s still some light. If we keep going, we’ll have to fight our way back through this jungle at night. Not worth it!
So, we’re just giving up on Peak 5452? How far away can it be, SPHP?
0.67 mile as the crow flies, but we aren’t crows, Looper. We’re just being sensible and giving up for today. We’ll get to Peak 5452! We’ll return for another attempt someday soon. Promise!
And have to do this all over again, SPHP?
No, not this. We’ll find another approach, a better one. Think of it as merely another adventure, Loop!
I’m thinking of it as merely another chocolate coconut bar, SPHP. One that I’d hoped to devour within the hour, not on some unknown future date.
Less than 0.2 mile from Two Bit Creek, reluctantly resigning herself to yet another Peak 5452 fail, the American Dingo started back. Not the same way she’d gotten here, though. This time she explored the valley that had come down from the W side of Dome Mountain. This valley was wider and turned out to be generally easier going.
At first, the icy stream flowed along the base of vertical rock walls. It might have been entirely possible to simply march up this valley all the way to the ridge S of Dome Mountain, then on to the Veteran’s driveway, but SPHP was tired of being confined in deep valleys.
As soon as we get past these rock walls to a manageable slope, let’s climb back up Dome Mountain, Loop.
Lupe was all for it. She agreed, rather enthusiastically, too, especially when SPHP admitted to having another chocolate coconut bar in the pack that had been intended for Peak 5452, and promised to share it.
Beyond the rock walls, the slope was mighty steep where Lupe started up from the shady valley. SPHP barely made it to a more doable incline. When Lupe reached sunshine, she graciously allowed SPHP a rest break to gasp for air. Taunting and tantalizing, Peak 5452 was back in sight less than 0.75 mile NNW.
The slope remained steep all the way up to a rocky high point visible above. When Lupe got to it, a 10 or 15 foot scramble got her to the top. Crook Mountain, Pillar Peak, and some of the cliffs she’d seen on her way down the E valley were among the views.
Once past this minor rock formation, most of the rest of the way was an easy stroll through the forest. Only the slope covered with bushes and hidden deadfall on the way up to the high point at the N end of Dome Mountain’s upper N ridge was difficult. Ascending this slope was even more miserable than going down it had been, but Lupe made it.
6:12 PM, 48ºF – The sun was still up when the Carolina Dog reached the true summit of Dome Mountain (5,510 ft.) for the second time today. A somewhat chilly 10 mph breeze was blowing out of the WNW, but the gleam of the sharply slanting evening sunlight beautifully illuminated everything it touched.
As promised, SPHP split another chocolate coconut bar with Lupe after shaking her paw again. She then dined on Taste of the Wild, duck jerky, and water, while SPHP munched an apple.
With miles to go and the sun sinking fast, 15 minutes was about all that could be spared before scrambling back down off the summit. During the trek S through the open, level forest, Lupe had a grand time roaming at will. Then it was back across the ridge full of decaying deadfall and minor rock formations.
Dusk was turning to night, the air crisp and calm, when Lupe reached the Veteran’s driveway again. Silver stars twinkling above, this time she stuck with it all the way back to Gilt Edge Road. At one point, red lights on the towers atop Terry Peak were seen blinking in the black distance.
No traffic. Only silence. What a day it had been! For the first time in 9 years and a day, the Carolina Dog been on Dome Mountain, not once, but twice. Yet the moment she’d stand on Peak 5452 had eluded Lupe once again, remaining in the always uncertain future. (End, 8:16 PM, 42ºF)
Links:
Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 127 – Hat Mountain, Anchor Hill & Custer Peak (4-19-15)
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