South Dakota – Page 12 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 287 – Peak 5500, Peak 5460, the Meade County High Point & Peak 5420 (12-23-21)

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.

Which way, SPHP?

Peak 5500 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 Peak 5460 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.

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.

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 Peak 5500. However, the whole region was so flat that no readily identifiable true summit existed. A large dead tree stood at about the highest point.

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.

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.

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 Peak 5460 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.

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.

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. Peak 5420, 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 Peak 5420. 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?

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.

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)

On **HP5401**, Black Hills of South Dakota, 12-23-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 119 – Meade County High Point & Custer Peak (2-13-15)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 286 – Peak 4780 & Peak 4760 (12-2-21)

8:06 AM, 50ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Alkali Creek trailhead – Kind of a gray day, but pleasantly warm for December.

Centennial Trail No. 89 again, SPHP?

Hah! Yeah. You don’t mind do you, Loop?

Oh, no! I love the Centennial Trail, it’s just that we’ve been here several times recently. I was sort of expecting something different.

Well, you can blame poor planning on my part, Loopster. I should have checked out the Meade County Lists of John peaks before we came down here from the Elk Creek trailhead on Expedition No. 274. Didn’t even think about that. We could have tagged a couple of 300+ foot prominence peaks along the way.

So we’re going back to tag them today, SPHP?

Yup! Shouldn’t be too hard, we’ll be on Centennial Trail No. 89 most of the time. The peaks we’re going to are way back up in the hills, but not too far from the trail.

At the **Alkali Creek trailhead**. Photo looks NW.

Crossing the access road, Lupe set out following Centennial Trail No. 89 WNW through grasslands overlooking scrub oaks down in the Alkali Creek valley. She soon reached I-90, passed through a tunnel beneath it, under a railroad trestle, then up into a big field. From here, the trail headed SW gradually climbing toward the hills.

Setting out on Centennial Trail No. 89 along the **N side of the Alkali Creek valley**. Photo looks WNW.

The railroad trestle just past the tunnel. Photo looks SW.

Looking back toward I-90. Photo looks E.

Right after Centennial Trail No. 89 reached the forest at the base of the hills, Lupe left it venturing a short distance NW to a viewpoint where Alkali Creek passed through a narrow gap between small limestone cliffs. The creekbed was just a dry wash here.

By the limestone gap where Alkali Creek leaves the Black Hills. Photo looks NW.

Once back on Centennial Trail No. 89 again, the trail made a quick loop S before returning to the Alkali Creek valley. Heading SW, Lupe passed a scenic cliff, then entered a two-toned forest – the dark green of all the Ponderosa pines above, and dry orange of dead leaves still clinging to bushes below.

The trail soon left the Alkali Creek valley, turning SE up a side ravine. A layer of limestone cliffs capped the ridge to the NE. Lupe wandered up beneath the cliffs to sniff around and check them out.

A little above the trail, exploring along the base of the cliffs. Photo looks S.

Near the upper end of the ravine, just past the last of the cliffs, Loopster came to Poett’s Corner. By a rickety wooden gate, a poster was attached to a tree. A bell hung below the poster.

Although Lupe had been past Poett’s corner on several other Black Hills expeditions, she had never seen Poett. Poett was nowhere in sight now, either.

Kind of makes you wonder if Poett is still around, doesn’t it, SPHP?

Yes, it does, Looper. No telling what’s happened to Poett. Maybe Poett moved away, or has become bored with this trail and doesn’t come here any more?

Well, whatever happened, I hope Poett’s OK, SPHP! Hate to think that Poett might have gotten lost or stolen, or anything terrible like that.

Me, too, Loop, but seems likely we’ll never know the truth.

Centennial Trail No. 89 curved away from Poett’s Corner. It wound through the forest for a couple more miles, climbing steadily most of the time. At one point there was a view of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) way out on the prairie to the NNE, but other than that, there was generally little to see except the forest itself.

**Bear Butte**. Photo looks NNE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Roughly 4 miles from the Alkali Creek trailhead, Centennial Trail No. 89 reached a ridge where Lupe came to a junction. While No. 89 continued over the ridge, another trail branched off to the R heading farther up it. A sign indicated that this was the way to the Sturgis City Dams.

Which way, SPHP?

Sturgis City Dams, Looper, but let’s have a look at Peak 4760 first.

From a small clearing near the trail junction, an unremarkable hill was visible a mile S. Heavily forested, it didn’t appear much different from countless others in the Black Hills region.

First glimpse of **Peak 4760**. Photo looks S.

Is that it, SPHP?

Yup. Guess we won’t be seeing much from up there by the looks of it. Way too many trees. Oh, well! Carry on, Loopster! Maybe Peak 4780 will be better?

Taking the trail that went past the Sturgis City Dams sign, Lupe headed up the ridge.

Near the trail junction, about to head for Peak 4780. Photo looks WNW.

The trail climbed at an easy pace along the broad ridge. Progress was rapid. Most of the ridge was forested, but sometimes there were views. Bear Butte came into sight again, followed by parts of Sturgis.

Heading W on the Sturgis City Dams trail.

**Bear Butte** (L of Center). Photo looks NNE.

Continuing W along the ridge. Photo looks W.

Parts of Sturgis came into view (beyond Lupe). Photo looks N.

How much farther to Peak 4780, SPHP? And why didn’t we go to Peak 4760 first, since we could already see it back at the junction?

Because we’re already on Peak 4780’s E ridge, Loop! The summit is close to the W end of the mountain, only 0.75 mile from the trail junction. Not much of a climb. We should get there pretty soon at this rate.

More than halfway along the ridge, the Sturgis City Dams trail angled over to the S edge, and began heading down. To the N, abandoned USFS Road No. 139.1E came up the N slope from the E, climbing more steeply than the trail had been as it continued W. The road provided another good look at Bear Butte as Lupe left the trail to follow it higher.

About to take abandoned USFS Road No. 139.1E higher. Photo looks W.

**Bear Butte** again. Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.

As No. 139.1E topped out, it faded away. Lupe had reached Peak 4780’s summit region, but the exact location of the true summit wasn’t entirely clear yet. A small hill just to the N appeared to be a likely candidate, so the American Dingo climbed it.

In the flat region where USFS Road No. 139.1E faded away.

Up on the first Peak 4780 summit candidate. Photo looks N.

Loopster kept exploring. The terrain rose slowly as she headed farther W. The Carolina Dog finally reached a region near the S edge where the terrain leveled out again. SPHP was pretty certain this had to be the true summit of Peak 4780.

At the **true summit of Peak 4780**. Photo looks NW.

Really nothing to see here except the forest. A fairly large area was very nearly the same elevation. A few tens of feet farther W, Lupe found a bit of a clearing where she had a view of rumpled green hills to to the SW from a little line of broken limestone. It was a sunny spot, and a good place to take a chocolate coconut bar break.

While SPHP dug one out of the pack, Lupe relaxed. Turned out the grass was full of hundreds of ladybugs! Swarming all over Looper’s fur, they must have tickled. She snapped up several ladybugs before turning her attention to the chocolate coconut bar when offered.

At the chocolate coconut bar break spot, which was very nearly as high as the nearby true summit. Photo looks E.

Loop awaiting her share of a chocolate coconut bar.

Lupe followed up the chocolate coconut bar with Taste of the Wild and water while SPHP munched an apple. Once that was gone, it was time to take a little more of a look around. A stump near the spot where Loop had taken her rest break offered a view of Veteran Peak (5,333 ft.).

**Veteran Peak** (L of Center). Photo looks SW.

Part of the slope below the break spot was open and grassy, so Looper ventured down there, too. She was rewarded with a more sweeping view than had been available from up on top, part of which included a really good look at Peak 4760 where she would be heading next.

In the open area below the break spot and true summit. Photo looks S.

**Peak 4760** (L of Center). Photo looks SE.

Unsurprisingly, the view from this new angle didn’t alter SPHP’s opinion that Lupe wouldn’t being seeing much other than trees from Peak 4760, either, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to make the journey. Never know what might be up there or along the way!

Returning to the top of the ridge, the American Dingo paid another brief visit to Peak 4780’s true summit before continuing on. Soon reaching the W end of the mountain, Lupe paused briefly to admire a better view of Veteran Peak before heading down.

On the way back up to the break spot. Photo looks N.

**Veteran Peak** (slightly L of Center) from the **W end of Peak 4780**. Photo looks SW.

Peak 4780’s upper W slope was surprisingly steep. Fortunately a band of cliffs was not continuous. Lupe found a way to get through it. The slope below the cliffs was still fairly steep, but posed no real problem on the way down to a saddle where the terrain leveled out.

Below a cliff at the **W end of Peak 4780**.

Heading down to the saddle. Photo looks W.

Once down at the saddle, Lupe turned SE. At first, she lost a little more elevation, but after running into a trail, she started regaining it again.

This was probably the same trail that went to the Sturgis City Dams, but Loop didn’t stay on it very far this time. Instead, she soon headed S through a field down to USFS Road No. 139.

Back on the trail to the Sturgis City Dams. **Peak 4760** (L of Center). Photo looks SE.

**S of Peak 4780** on USFS Road No. 139. Photo looks ENE.

After a short incline, Lupe followed No. 139 more than 0.75 mile E as it lost elevation, slowly at first, but much more quickly toward the end. In a secluded valley, the Carolina Dog came to a place she recognized.

Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed the road here. Lupe followed the trail S up a hill. It then leveled out and wound around to the W for a bit before turning SE the rest of the way to Bulldog Creek.

Heading E on USFS Road No. 139 as it starts losing elevation. Photo looks E.

At the junction with Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks S.

Centennial Trail No. 89 on the way to Bulldog Creek. Photo looks SE.

Bulldog Creek was very small, but at least had some water in it when Lupe was last here back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 274. Now the creekbed was bone dry. Abandoning Centennial Trail No. 89, Loopster followed the creekbed downstream.

Many branches hung over the creekbed. SPHP often had to duck. More problematic, some deadfall was across it, too. Following the creekbed E, Lupe soon came to a towering wall of rock that forced the stream S.

Approaching the wall of rock that forced Bulldog Creek S. Photo looks E.

Around this bend, Bulldog Creek was a total mess. Deadfall choked the creekbed, which actually had some standing water in it here. Loopster helped herself to a drink, while SPHP thrashed around trying to force a way through.

Loop standing in the pool of water where she managed to get a drink.

SPHP’s progress was dreadfully slow. Fortunately, Lupe didn’t need to follow Bulldog Creek much farther. It quickly turned E again. When it did, Lupe continued S, leaving the wretched stream behind.

Loop was now entering a valley in a very remote region. No sign that anyone ever comes this way! The plan was to follow the valley 0.33 mile S up to a saddle directly W of Peak 4760’s summit, then turn E making a direct assault. However, the floor of the valley was so thick with bushes, that SPHP found it easier staying toward the E.

The terrain forced Lupe higher and higher above the valley floor. SPHP finally realized that it would probably be easier to head SW straight up the mountain right here than try to traverse the increasingly steep slope leading to the saddle W of the summit.

The climb got steeper and steeper. SPHP was on the verge of clinging to trees, and paused repeatedly to gasp for breath. At one point there was a little open spot where Lupe could look back and see Peak 4780, but mostly it was just trees, trees, and more trees.

After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, the rate of climb diminished slightly. The American Dingo persevered, finally reaching Peak 4760’s N ridge. She was already very high on the mountain. Beginning a search for the true summit, Lupe turned S.

Up on **Peak 4760’s N ridge**. Photo looks SW.

It wasn’t much farther. A sunny lane led right to it.

Approaching **Peak 4760’s summit**. Photo looks SSW.

In a flash, Lupe was there!

At **Peak 4760’s true summit**. Photo looks SSW.

2:11 PM, 65ºF, Peak 4760 true summit – The summit was a surprising place. Despite its prior densely forested appearance, a clearing ran along a short ridge. Although only a partial glimpse of Peak 4780 was available, Veteran Peak (5,333 ft.) was in sight again.

Surprisingly, in sunshine instead of shade. Photo looks NW.

The steep climb had made a genuine rest break a high priority. Before checking out the views, SPHP dug another chocolate coconut bar out of the pack, while Lupe laid down. Ladybugs were holding a convention in the unbelievably warm early December sunshine here, too, but there weren’t as many of them as there had been at Peak 4780.

Although Peak 4760 felt very remote, Lupe clearly wasn’t the only one to ever be here. However, the last visitors might have left a mighty long time ago. Five exceedingly rusty cans and a broken plastic spoon were grouped together right at the true summit.

After devouring her remaining Taste of the Wild, Looper slurped some water. SPHP polished off the last apple. Not much exploring to be done up here, but the time had come for it.

Heading S, the summit ridge soon began to slope lower, broadening out somewhat as it did so. There were scattered trees, but open ground, too. In fact, the best views from Peak 4760 were over this way.

Exploring S along the **summit ridge**. Photo looks NNE.

Toward the S, the ridge widened out and had some open space. Photo looks N.

Best view from the summit region. **Veteran Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks SW.

December afternoons are short. It was a long way back to Alkali Creek. Lupe lingered only 20 minutes up on Peak 4760 before SPHP grabbed the 5 rusty cans and broken spoon, and tossed them in the pack. Loop then started down the N ridge.

Lupe hadn’t lost much elevation yet, when she came to a place where a limestone platform jutted out toward the NW. From the end, there was a nice view of Peak 4780.

Then it was down, down, down Peak 4760’s N ridge! Lupe scrambled around a few rock formations, and dodged deadfall. When the N ridge eventually broadened out, becoming less distinct, Loop stayed toward the W, which put her on steep terrain.

After a long descent, Lupe reached Bulldog Creek 0.33 mile downstream of where she’d left it earlier. It was completely dry here. After crossing the creekbed, she had to scramble 40 feet up a steep bank to reach USFS Road No. 139 again.

0.5 mile on No. 139 brought Lupe back up to where Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed it. This time she took the trail N, eventually reaching the same junction where the trail to the Sturgis City Dams split off toward Peak 4780’s summit. Downhill essentially all the way back to the Alkali Creek trailhead from here.

Getting late, though! Light was fading as SPHP was finally able to pick up the pace. Considerable progress had been made down the mountain when suddenly there was movement in the deepening gloom ahead.

A dog! Not just any dog, either. Tail slowly wagging, Poett stood alone on the trail, waiting to greet Lupe!

They sniffed. Then Poett joined the procession, preferring to fall in at the end of the line. Still some distance down to Poett’s Corner. SPHP was glad when Poett began to fall behind. Evidently, Poett was going to be content to return home, instead of following Lupe past his gate and bell.

What a way to end the day, Loopster! You finally got to meet Poett, canine celebrity of the N Centennial Trail!

We were lucky, SPHP! I’m so glad to see that Poett’s well and still actively patrolling his part of Centennial Trail No. 89!

And who knows? If you head up into the Black Hills from the Alkali Creek trailhead, Poett may be there still. (End 5:31 PM, 51ºF)

**Poett** at dusk, Centennial Trail No. 89, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-2-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Centennial Trail No. 89 Map & Brochure

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 274 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Elk Creek to Alkali Creek (4-10-21)

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 285 – Calamity Peak & Peak 5874 (11-23-21)

9:27 AM – Two miles E of Custer, SPHP turned N off Hwy 16A onto America Center Road and promptly parked the RAV4, letting Lupe out for a look. 0.33 mile N of the highway, beyond a mowed acreage and a well-kept private home, stood a complex ridge of ancient granite.

**Calamity Peak** as seen from Hwy 16A. Photo looks N.

That’s Calamity Peak (5,760 ft.), SPHP?

Yup, or at least what we can see of it from here, Loop. There’s more to it on the other side, including the highest point.

And you really think that we can climb it, SPHP? Looks like technical rock climbing territory to me!

You might well be right, Looper, but we’re going to give it a shot. Who knows what we’ll find?

Without public access from the S, the Carolina Dog returned to the RAV4. SPHP drove a couple miles NE along America Center Road to a L turn onto Rocky Road (USFS Road No. 345.1E). Rocky Road went uphill a bit then flattened out. SPHP parked the RAV4 again in a field just W of the road.

9:44 AM, 46ºF – Not a bad starting point, and a lovely warm morning for late November to boot! Peak 5874, another peak the American Dingo might take a shot at today, was already in sight only a little more than a mile NW. Lupe scrambled up a 15 foot high granite outcropping close to the RAV4 for a better look.

Peak 5874 appeared fairly rugged, too, but not as daunting as Calamity Peak had from the highway.

Ready to get with it! **Peak 5874** (R of Center) beyond Lupe. Photo looks NW.

**Peak 5874** (L) from the granite outcropping. Photo looks NW.

In any case, Peak 5874 was for later on. After retreating off the granite, Lupe headed SW through gently rolling territory. The forest here had been substantially thinned by loggers, so it was already possible to see Calamity Peak ahead. It looked a lot different from the NE than it had from the highway. Still some massive granite formations visible, but most of the mountain looked forested.

Maybe climbing Calamity Peak wouldn’t be such a big deal after all?

Heading for **Calamity Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW.

Working her way W, Lupe crossed a couple of minor drainages following old logging roads. Before long she came to a wider drainage. Big rocks along the edge of the low ridge overlooking it provided nice viewpoints.

Approaching the wide drainage. **Calamity Peak** (Center) ahead. Photo looks SE.

Another glance at **Peak 5874** (R). Photo looks NW.

Crossing the wide drainage, Lupe came to a tiny stream. Fortunately, it was sufficiently frozen to support even SPHP’s weight.

About to cross the frozen stream. Photo looks NE.

Beyond the stream, Lupe headed W up a hillside, soon reaching USFS Road No. 345.1H. For a little way, the road went S toward Calamity Peak, but ultimately curved W up to the saddle between it and the next ridge to the N.

On USFS Road No. 345.1H. **N end of Calamity Peak** (Center) ahead. Photo looks SSW.

At the **saddle N of Calamity Peak**. Photo looks W.

Since the topo map showed that the terrain W of Calamity Peak wasn’t quite as steep as an approach from the E would be, Lupe continued W over the saddle. She stuck with No. 345.1H a little farther as it curved SW and began to head downhill, but soon left it.

Venturing S through the forest while gradually gaining elevation, it soon became apparent that sticking with the road a bit longer would have been better. Lupe came to a ravine that had to be crossed, then ended up traversing steep slopes full of deadfall, at least some of which could have been avoided.

The Carolina Dog pressed on, however, and finally reached the base of a cluster of massive granite formations.

Heading toward Calamity Peak’s summit region after leaving No. 345.1H. Photo looks S.

The deadfall wasn’t terrible, but definitely kinda icky. Photo looks SSE.

Approaching the summit region. Photo looks S.

The nearly vertical granite formed a continuous wall. Impossible to go straight up it. Lupe was forced to look for another approach. Searching toward the W, she discovered a passage between the rocks, and a couple of other short ramps higher, but they all quickly became too steep.

After a slow battle back through the deadfall, which was bad along the base of the granite, Lupe tried going around the E end.

Surprisingly, this worked! A lane higher appeared. Lupe scrambled up.

Scrambling up from the E. Photo looks NW.

The Carolina Dog discovered that there actually was a way up here from the W through a passage between the rocks. Steep and narrow, but a Dingo could have made it.

The secret Dingo passage. Photo looks W.

Loopster got high, but not high enough. She could only go so far before getting stymied by a massive chunk of granite a little to the SW. No way to get up there, but she could move around in a small area flanked by big rock formations.

So close and yet so far! About as close to the top as Lupe could get. Photo looks WSW.

From the edge of the granite, Lupe actually had a decent view to the N. Miles away, Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) and the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) were all in sight. From this unique perspective, the Black Hills looked incredibly rocky in that direction!

**Little Devils Tower** (Center), **Black Elk Peak** & **Cathedral Spires** (R). Photo looks N with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Lupe hadn’t been able to get to the top, but that didn’t necessarily mean that her attempt to climb Calamity Peak (5,760 ft.) was destined to fail. There was another possibility. A short distance S of this big cluster of granite formations was another one that looked just as high. Success was still possible if the American Dingo could get to the top over there!

Descending the way she’d come up, Lupe crossed the forested saddle leading to the S high point and began to climb.

Heading for the S high point. Photo looks S.

Hopes were high for a couple of minutes as Lupe made some progress, but it all ended as the same song, second verse. She could get to within a few tens of feet of the summit, but completing the ascent without her Dingo Wings was impossible.

**Calamity Peak’s S summit** (Center), which was also unattainable and appeared likely to be the true one. Photo looks W.

Oh, that’s right, SPHP! I haven’t thought about my Dingo Wings in years! Are they here? Did you bring them? I’ll just flap ’em and sail right on up to the top of Calamity Peak (5,760 ft.), if you did!

No, sorry, I didn’t bring them, Loop. Truth is, they still haven’t come in.

They’re still on backorder from Amazon, SPHP? Can’t you try another vendor? This peakbagging business would be a whole lot easier, if I had wings.

You can say that again! No offense, Loop, you’ve been awesome, you truly have, but my next peakbagging partner is going to be an eagle.

Hah! Good luck with that, SPHP! No eagle is going to put up with all your plodding along at a snail’s pace. You’re lucky you’ve got me!

Oh, and don’t I know it! Love you, Loopster! C’mon, let’s have a look around.

The views here consisted of some distant ridges to the SW, plus a look at the town of Custer.

Stymied again! As high as Lupe got near the S summit. Photo looks S.

Same view, but with help from the telephoto lens.

Are we done here, SPHP?

Seems that way, Loop. Our personal calamity is that we can’t get to the top of Calamity Peak, although any half-decent rock climber could.

That excludes you, doesn’t it, SPHP?

Without a doubt!

Defeated, there was nothing more to be done on Calamity Peak. SPHP got the bright idea that descending a wide valley to the SE might be the fastest, easiest way down rather than heading back through the deadfall.

Passing a knob of granite as Lupe starts down the valley to the SE. Photo looks NNE.

Worked at first, but even this soon turned into a fiasco. Although a scenic route, the valley steepened, then narrowed, then became even more choked with deadfall that the route up from the N had been. Time slipped away as SPHP thrashed and flailed through it all.

Approaching a big spire near the bottom of the valley. Photo looks NE.

The valley began to widen out again as SPHP finally got past the worst of the deadfall. Progress improved. The valley continued on, though, still bearing SE. When the ridge to the N finally diminished sufficiently, Lupe left the valley to climb up and over it.

Finally past all the deadfall. Photo looks SE.

About to head N over what’s left of the ridge. Photo looks N.

Well E of Calamity Peak now, the trek N wasn’t bad at all. Lupe crossed several minor ridges separated by drainages of mixed open and forested territory. In addition to passing a handsome granite formation, she was excited to see several deer.

Approaching a massive granite formation **E of Calamity Peak**. Photo looks NNW.

Reaching USFS Road No. 345.1H again, Loopster followed it N toward Peak 5874. As she got close, the road angled NE and began to climb. When it topped out, Loop left it following a small ridge NW. A short break was taken at the ridge’s high point amid sunlit young pines.

Back on USFS Road No. 345.1H, heading for **Peak 5874** (Center). Photo looks NW.

At the break spot facing **Peak 5874’s N ridge**. Photo looks WNW.

Peak 5874’s E slope looked very steep. It’s N ridge featured a gigantic granite formation, making it seem rather doubtful that an approach from the lower end of the long ridge would succeed in getting past it.

The sun was already sinking. Too late already to circle clear around to the W side of the mountain to see if the situation looked any better over there. Looper was going to have to try to climb that steep E slope.

Leaving the minor ridge, Lupe lost a little elevation as she headed for it. Upon reaching the base of the slope, SPHP saw right away that it wasn’t as steep as it had appeared. Might work, after all! Lupe started up just S of the enormous granite formation towering far above, aiming between it and more dramatic formations a little farther S.

Climbing **Peak 5874’s E slope**. Photo looks SW.

Deadfall slowed, but merely delayed progress. Without encountering any serious difficulty, Lupe reached the ridgeline between the huge granite formation to the N, and another one to the S.

Above the steepest part of the climb. Photo looks SSE.

The massive granite formation astride the ridgeline. Photo looks N.

Good thing Looper hadn’t tried coming up farther N. No way she would have gotten past that wall of rock! However, if she was going to have any success climbing Peak 5874, she still had to get past the formation immediately S of where she’d come up.

Fortunately, there was a way around the E side. A short, easy climb along a bit of a ledge, and Lupe was over a shoulder and through a little gap. Ahead was a forested slope full of deadfall laying perpendicular to the route the American Dingo needed to take.

The deadfall would slow SPHP down, but Lupe was definitely going to get up that slope! However, she still lacked a clear view of the summit. Before heading that way, Looper took a look back N. She was already higher than the fearsome granite formation she’d managed to avoid.

The deadfall-laden slope leading to Peak 5874’s summit. Photo looks S.

Looking back to the N. **Black Elk Peak** (Center) in the distance.

Leaping over deadfall, Lupe worked her way S toward the summit. As she got close, it became clear that she was going to come up between two distinct high points. When she got there she found a carpet of kinnikinic covering a roomy flat area. A forested ramp dotted with boulders went a short distance SE up to an especially large boulder partially hidden by a tree.

At first glance, it appeared that giant boulder might well be the true summit of Peak 5874. Lupe headed for it.

Approaching the summit, which had 2 distinct high points. One to the L and one to the R. Photo looks S.

The **SE high point** from the kinnikinic carpet. Photo looks SE.

The giant boulder was perched right along the S edge of the mountain. It was so big, Loopster needed a boost from SPHP, but suddenly, there she was! Way up on Peak 5874! If only Calamity Peak had gone this well!

On **Peak 5874’s SE summit**. Photo looks S.

Lupe had a fabulous view to the S, but the boulder was a mighty airy spot. No sense in risking a real calamity! A couple of quick photos and SPHP encouraged her to leap down. The Carolina Dog needed to check out the W high point as well to complete her tour of Peak 5874, anyway.

Safely off the SE summit boulder (L). Photo looks SSW.

Checking out the view to the S from the kinnikinic. Photo looks S.

Heading over to the W summit. Photo looks WNW.

Lupe needed a boost to get up onto the W summit, too. It was a roomier place, but lacked the grand view to the S the SE boulder had provided. Too many trees! However, it seemed clear that Lupe actually was at the true summit of Peak 5874 now. The American Dingo could finally claim a peakbagging success today!

On the **W high point**, **Peak 5874’s true summit**. Photo looks S.

You win some, you lose some, but Lupe was a winner at **Peak 5874**!

Loop lingered for a few minutes up at the true summit before leaping down to join SPHP in an exploration of the rest of the summit region, which extended somewhat farther to the S, W and NW.

A little ridge of rock provided a terrific view S. Beyond Calamity Peak were others that Lupe had been to before. Custer Mountain (6,089 ft.) and Peak 6040 bracketed Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.) on the far horizon. Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) was visible to the SE beyond a sliver of Stockade Lake.

Final moments on the **true summit**. Photo looks ENE.

**Calamity Peak** (Center) at mid range. **Custer Mountain** (L) and **Peak 6040** (R) beyond it, with **Northeast Cicero Peak** (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks S.

**Mount Coolidge** (Center). Photo looks SE.

The summit region sloped down quite a bit toward the NW. Deadfall made it hard to move around, and live trees blocked most of the views. However, Loop did get a narrow look at Crazy Horse seemingly glaring at her from Thunderhead Mountain (6,567 ft.).

**Crazy Horse** frowns at Peak 5874. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

4-21 PM, 47ºF, Peak 5874 – SW of Peak 5874’s true summit, Lupe and SPHP sat near the edge watching the weary sun hover barely above the horizon. Water and a chocolate coconut bar were eagerly accepted by the American Dingo. Peaceful, calm. A few lights twinkled amid the blackness below.

The last glimmering rays vanished. Time to go! Lupe headed back down Peak 5874’s N ridge and E slope, ultimately returning to USFS Road No. 345.1H. As dusk deepened, she followed the road as it looped NE, then SE, back to Rocky Road. Turning S at the junction, she was soon back at the RAV4. (5:21 PM, 47ºF)

You win some, you lose some, but at least there had been no greater calamity than simple failure to attain the summit at Calamity Peak.

And Expedition No. 285 had ended splendidly at Peak 5874.

**Peak 5874**, Black Hills of South Dakota 11-23-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!