South Dakota – Page 121 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 139 – Crows Nest Peak (9-27-15)

With a forecast high near a ridiculously hot 90°F on Saturday, 9-26-15, SPHP postponed Lupe’s Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 139 to Sunday, when it was supposed to be about 10°F cooler. Even 80°F is warmer than either Lupe or SPHP like for long days outdoors, but by going far enough W to some of the highest ground in the Black Hills, the heat would at least be tolerable.

Lupe and SPHP got off to a pretty early start. In a bit of an unusual twist, there was time for a Lupe photo op at the cool Tyrannosaurus Rex outside the Dinosaur Museum on Hwy 16 S of Rapid City, SD.

Lupe drops by the T Rex at the Dinosaur Museum on Hwy 16 S of Rapid City, SD. SPHP notes that American Dingoes make much better companions than Tyrannosaurs.

NW of Deerfield Reservoir in the west central Black Hills, SPHP parked the G6 at the last pullout overlooking Castle Creek before reaching USFS Road No. 157. It was 8:10 AM, and a very pleasant 53° F under totally clear blue skies. Lupe and SPHP headed NW to reach USFS Road No. 157.

After crossing Castle Creek, No. 157 turned and went SE for 0.5 mile at the edge of the forest in Castle Creek valley. The road then turned W and went up a side canyon for several miles. Lupe ran around following game trails and exploring the forest. She ran down to Silver Creek to cool off and get a drink.

Eight days earlier, on Lupe’s Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 138 to White Tail Peak, there weren’t many fall colors yet. Now nearly all the aspens had turned to yellow blazes of glory. Although Ponderosa Pines are by far the most dominant tree species in the Black Hills, aspens are probably the next most numerous. They are pretty widespread in scattered groups in the central and northern hills. Lupe saw many beautiful golden aspen trees, a treat that doesn’t last very long.

Lupe saw lots of aspens with beautiful yellow leaves this day. These were along USFS Road No. 157.

USFS Road No. 157 came to an intersection with USFS Road No. 655. No. 655 went left. No. 157 went right. Lupe and SPHP went straight ahead towards the WNW on the faint track of an old logging trail. There were more pretty aspens and tall grass. Lupe eventually reached No. 157 again near an intersection with No. 157.1F.

Aspens along the shortcut to USFS Road No. 157.1F.

SPHP checked the maps. No. 157.1F would eventually dead end in Fulton Draw, but the first 0.5 mile or so went N, which would help Lupe get closer to Crows Nest Peak (7,048 ft.), her peakbagging goal for the day. A quick scouting of No. 157.1F proved disappointing, however. The road started losing elevation, and looked like it would continue to do so. SPHP thought it would be better to go back and stay on higher ground.

Backtracking nearly to No. 157, Lupe and SPHP headed W into the forest. A wicked looking 6-strand barbed wire fence blocked any advance to the NW. SPHP kept Lupe away from that fence. The terrain looked like it dropped in that direction anyway. Between the fence and the terrain, Lupe and SPHP were slowly forced to keep turning more and more toward the SW. Lupe was essentially just paralleling USFS Road No. 157, which wasn’t far to the S.

Lupe had been to this same area before on prior expeditions long ago. On at least a couple of those occasions, she had been trying to reach Crows Nest Peak from the S. Too much snow and lack of time had prevented her from reaching it. SPHP found a deflated helium party balloon that had flown all this way from somewhere just to welcome Lupe back to the region.

Lupe is welcomed back to the region N of USFS Road No. 157 by an errant balloon. — Lupe is welcomed back to the region near USFS Road No. 157 by an errant balloon.

Lupe and SPHP hadn’t gone too far SW, when Lupe came to a road heading W. It had no marker, but since Lupe needed to go NW to reach Crows Nest Peak, it was a better choice than No. 157 at this point. Lupe followed the unnumbered road W. Pretty soon she came to a small pond with some cattails growing in part of it.

Aspens seen from the unmarked road to the little pond with cattails.

Lupe reaches the small pond with cattails in it. — Lupe reaches the cattail pond.

There was a game trail heading N into the forest from the cattail pond. Since Lupe seemed to be far enough W so that the land no longer lost much elevation heading N, Lupe left the unmarked road. Lupe and SPHP followed the game trail N for quite a long way through the forest. Just E of the trail was a barbed wire fence. A little way off to the W there was a small ridge of higher ground.

The forest went on and on. Eventually an eastern spur of the ridge to the W forced Lupe and SPHP to climb up on the ridge. Once up on the ridge, Lupe turned away from the fence to head NW, allowing her to stay up on the highest ground.

Lupe was excited to see some of her giant deers (elk) up on the ridge. The giant deers saw Lupe, too. They weren’t any happier with the companionship of a Carolina Dog than they would have been with a Tyrannosaurus. The giant deers disappeared farther into the forest. Lupe saw more elk and white tail deer now and then as she continued onward.

Lupe was up in the high limestone plateau country of the western Black Hills. It is rolling territory, mostly forested, characterized by a maze of ridges usually no more than a few hundred feet higher than the intervening valleys. In this kind of terrain, there aren’t typically many places where there are clear long distance views. Although it was possible to catch glimpses of more high ridges a little farther off through the trees, Lupe and SPHP were more or less lost wandering in the forest.

Of course, SPHP knew roughly where Lupe was, but the area was unfamiliar. Just navigating by the sun, it wasn’t easy to know for certain which way to go. Fortunately, the Black Hills are full of various USFS Roads, ATV trails, and logging roads. Sooner or later Lupe would reach one. In the meantime, she just needed to keep heading NW.

The ridge ended. Lupe still had not come to any road. Finally she found a logging road heading NW, the direction she needed to go. It soon ended at an intersection with another logging road. There were more golden aspens nearby, some quite nice specimens, but none of the roads continued N or NW. Lupe took the logging trail heading W, but didn’t stay on it long. SPHP thought she should continue NW through the forest. A 10 minute trek NW brought Lupe to a long, broad open field.

Lupe near the aspens close to the intersection of logging trails.

Fall colors, yellow aspens in particular, seem to be a theme of Expedition No. 139 to Crows Nest Peak. Lupe is seen near this magnificent stand close to where she left the logging road to head NW again. — Fall colors, yellow aspens in particular, seem to be a theme of Lupe’s Expedition No. 139 to Crows Nest Peak. Lupe is seen near this magnificent stand close to where she left the logging road to head NW again.

Lupe reaches the long, broad open field. Photo looks SW. Lupe had been to the far end of the field seen here on a previous expedition long ago.

While Lupe had never been to this exact place before, SPHP was pretty certain she had been to the far SW end of this same field on a previous expedition while trying to find Crows Nest Peak from the S. Back then SPHP had wanted to explore up this way, but there hadn’t been time. Lupe had plenty of time left to explore today, though.

Lupe continued NW across the field and went into the forest on the other side. Before too long, she came to a road heading N. She followed it until SPHP noticed some unusual fall colors to the NE. Lupe was happy to go take a look. What had caught SPHP’s eye were some aspens that were not the usual yellow – their leaves had turned a light orange. Some of their leaves were even rather reddish.

Wow! Orange aspens. Not your typical aspen fall color. What made these trees turn a different color?

Lupe poses near the biggest stand of orange aspens.

Although Lupe saw many groves of beautiful yellow aspens on Expedition No. 139, the orange ones were only in this one area SE of Crows Nest Peak. — Although Lupe saw many groves of beautiful yellow aspens on Expedition No. 139, the only orange ones were in this one area near Crows Nest Peak.

From the orange aspens, Lupe and SPHP went NNW and reached the road again. The road continued N. It arrived at an intersection that seemed familiar. The road heading W from the intersection was marked No. 377.1B. Lupe had been here back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 86 on 5-3-14. Expedition No. 86 was the only time Lupe had ever actually succeeded in getting to Crows Nest Peak before. That time she had approached from the N. Crows Nest Peak wasn’t far to the W from here.

SPHP remembered that back on Expedition No. 86, Lupe had come to a pond E of Crows Nest Peak. SPHP thought it was close by just a little to the NE. Lupe took the road NE from the intersection. She didn’t find any pond, but she did come to another intersection with No. 377.1A, which SPHP definitely recognized. Just N of that intersection was a white water tank that SPHP remembered, too.

Lupe near the white water tank along USFS Road No. 377 just N of its intersection with No. 377.1A.

From the white water tank, Lupe and SPHP cut through the forest heading SW back to No. 377.1B. SPHP thought maybe the pond was hidden in the forest, but it wasn’t. There were more lovely aspens, though.

Aspens SE of the white water tank, but where was the pond SPHP remembered? — Aspens in the forest SW of the white water tank, but where was the pond SPHP remembered?

SPHP decided the pond had to be farther W along No. 377.1B, closer to Crows Nest Peak. So Lupe followed No. 377.1B heading W. Both Lupe and SPHP abandoned the road to walk near it in the forest. The road was covered with a couple of inches or more of very fine powdery dust. The area really needed rain to settle that awful dust down. SPHP didn’t want Lupe breathing it.

The pond came into view. A flock of small birds flew off as Lupe approached. Crows Nest Peak wasn’t far away now.

Lupe at the pond near Crows Nest Peak. This one is ESE of the peak. There is a smaller pond even closer to the peak, just 200 feet W of the US Geological Survey Benchmark.

Lupe and SPHP returned to follow No. 377.1B farther W. When higher ground appeared off to the NW, Lupe left No. 377.1B behind and went through the forest to climb as high as possible. She reached the top of the low hill and came to a big flat area that had been logged recently. There was slash on the ground everywhere. There was a small pond. Lupe had reached Crows Nest Peak for the 2nd time.

With the trees cut down and all the slash around, Crows Nest Peak wasn’t very pretty, certainly not as pretty as the last time Lupe was here on Expedition No. 86. It couldn’t have been very long since the loggers had been through here. The pine needles on the slash were still green. SPHP hoped the loggers hadn’t gone as far E as the U. S. Geological Survey Benchmark for Crows Nest Peak. Lupe had found it under 6″ of snow on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 86, its position revealed by a survey post.

Lupe and SPHP went to look for the Crows Nest Peak benchmark. SPHP remembered it as being a couple hundred feet E of the little pond. Lupe found it again. The loggers hadn’t come quite that far E. It was still there. The benchmark said “Crow” and “1912”.

The Crows Nest Peak U.S. Geological Survey benchmark was still there. Loggers hadn't disturbed it. — The Crows Nest Peak U.S. Geological Survey benchmark was still there. Loggers hadn’t disturbed it.

Lupe on Crows Nest Peak 9-27-15. This photo looks W.

Right there near the U. S. Geological Survey marker post and benchmark, Lupe enjoyed water and Taste of the Wild to celebrate her 2nd ascent of Crows Nest Peak. SPHP had an apple and applesauce. It was quite the celebration. Lupe, of course, was the life of the party. Soon she lay panting and resting in the shade of a small tree to recover. It sure was warm out. It felt like the mid 70’s °F. Pretty hot for way up here at almost the end of September.

Ordinarily, this is where photos of the towering summit and fabulous distant views from the highest prominences of Crows Nest Peak would appear. Lupe has none to offer. Despite its name and the fact that Peakbagger.com lists Crows Nest Peak at 7,048 feet as the 7th highest point on the list of Black Hills 6,500+ foot peaks, it is hardly what one thinks of as a “peak” at all.

Crows Nest Peak is the high point on a hill not an awful lot higher than much of the surrounding country. The summit area is big and flat. Even after the loggers thinned the forest, there just aren’t any unobstructed mountain views. From the W edge of the hill, it is possible to see some more high ridges off to the W or NW, but nothing too impressive.

Nevertheless, Lupe and SPHP both love Crows Nest Peak. It is up in the remote and beautiful limestone plateau country of the western Black Hills. Not far from Crows Nest Peak, in the broad open fields between the forested ridges, seasonal streams appear in the spring when the snow is melting. By late May and June, the green fields are filled with wildflowers. Few people come here. It is far from the famed tourist attractions (think Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Spearfish Canyon) of the Black Hills.

Lupe did return to the little pond a couple of hundred feet W of the U.S. Geological Survey Benchmark.

Lupe at the small pond on Crows Nest Peak. Photo looks W.

By the time it was time to leave Crows Nest Peak, the sky was starting to cloud up. Lupe and SPHP headed NE through the forest, taking a shortcut to USFS Road No. 377. SPHP was planning on taking Lupe along No. 377.1C toward Knutson Spring. Unfortunately, No. 377.1C was unmarked, and hardly exists any longer where it branches off from No. 377. SPHP didn’t even recognize it when Lupe found the right spot.

In the end, Lupe went down No. 377.1A from near the white water tank, which she passed again on the way. No. 377.1A took her down into Bjornland Draw and E several miles back to Castle Creek. No. 377.1A went a couple of miles, but faded out completely a mile before Lupe was back at the main road along Castle Creek. Several times it threatened to rain while Lupe was in Bjornland Draw, but the clouds could only muster a few drops.

You did want to see more fall colors, right? These aspens were near USFS Road No. 377.1A at the upper end of Bjournland Draw. — You did want to see more fall colors, right? These aspens were near USFS Road No. 377.1A at the upper end of Bjornland Draw.

After leaving Bjornland Draw, it was about 3 miles SE along Castle Creek back to the G6. Part of the way Lupe and SPHP were on the main gravel road, but wherever possible stayed down closer to the creek. The creek was prettier, and vehicles on the main road raised a lot of dust.

Lupe on a rock near the main road on the way back to the G6.

At 5:48 PM (69°F), Lupe got back to the G6. At first, Lupe wasn’t sure she wanted Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 139 to be over yet. She liked the soothing sound of the water flowing by in Castle Creek. She only jumped in the G6 when SPHP promised her Alpo when she got home. (American Dingoes don’t live by Taste of the Wild alone!) On the way, she barked at lots of cows, deer and horses. There were even a few wild turkeys along the way! Rest assured they got the same enthusiastic treatment.

Lupe hopes you will stay tuned to The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe. More dingo adventures are coming soon! — Lupe hopes you will return again to The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe. More dingo adventures are coming soon!

Crows Nest Peak is most easily reached from USFS Road No. 117 which passes by about a mile to the W. There is a road off No. 117 which goes to the summit. High clearance vehicles will have no problem reaching Crows Nest Peak. While Lupe and SPHP enjoy peakbagging, Lupe often purposely starts far from her peakbagging goals to explore the surrounding area and enjoy the day.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 138 – White Tail Peak (9-19-15)

It was already 11:13 AM on 9-19-15 by the time SPHP parked the G6 at the junction of County Road No. 231 and USFS Road No. 191. Hot weather the previous weekend had prevented SPHP from taking Lupe on one of her Black Hills expeditions, so Lupe had been pretty bored for days. She was most anxious to get going. The cloudless blue sky promised another warm day, but it wasn’t supposed to get as hot as a week ago.

Lupe’s peakbagging goal for the day was to be her 3rd ascent of White Tail Peak (6,962 ft.), one of a long line of peaks along the E edge of the high limestone plateau country of the western Black Hills. Like most of the other “peaks” along this line, White Tail Peak is a long, high forested ridge characterized by limestone cliffs near the top.

It’s easy enough to simply drive to a point just a 10-15 minute walk from the summit on USFS Road No. 190, which passes just to the N of White Tail Peak. Even the G6 can get that far with no problem. With an ATV or high-clearance vehicle, USFS Road No. 190.1Q, a somewhat rough and narrow road, goes right to the summit itself and beyond.

Lupe and SPHP, however, were starting down at the South Fork of Rapid Creek, more than 3 miles away to the ENE as the crow flies. Like most of Lupe’s expeditions in the Black Hills, the idea is to explore the area and see new places, not just check off a peakbagging goal.

Looking W up the valley of the South Fork of Rapid Creek. County Road No. 231 is seen heading towards Black Fox Campground about 4 miles away.

It was calm and 63°F out as Lupe and SPHP set out on USFS Road No. 191 heading S across the South Fork of Rapid Creek. Lupe passed some cows munching on the grass and some old dilapidated outbuildings. The road was shady and pleasant as it headed into the forest at the edge of the main valley. It gradually gained elevation as it went up a smaller side valley. A tiny stream trickled down the valley on its way to join the South Fork of Rapid Creek.

Less than 0.5 mile from County Road No. 231, Lupe came to a road that turned W to continue up the valley. This was USFS Road No. 191.1A leading up Long Draw. SPHP liked the looks of this road. It went in the right direction, so Lupe followed it.

Road No. 191.1A turned W to head up Long Draw.

It was a week or two early for the height of fall colors. In the Black Hills, fall colors mainly consist of groves of aspens with yellow leaves, although some types of bushes or ground cover can turn red or orange to add variety. SPHP hoped to find some aspens that were starting to turn. USFS Road No. 191.1A went around a corner heading SW. Ahead was the prettiest grove of aspens Lupe encountered all day long.

Aspens near USFS Road No. 191.1A. Not really a spectacular example, but these were the best fall colors Lupe found all day.

Not too long after passing the aspens, there was a series of old defunct ponds. The tiny creek that ran through them had silted them in and broken through the low earthen dams. Luxuriant grasses, and sometimes cattails, grew in the soft mud filling the old ponds.

The tiny creek in Long Draw sparkles in the sunlight as it flows through a breach in the old earthen dam. — The tiny creek in Long Draw flows through a breach in the old earthen dam. The small pond that used to be here is silted in. Lush grass grows in the damp mud where the pond used to be. There were several old pond sites like this in succession.

A bit farther up the valley, the creek disappeared. The road grew faint, but could still be followed easily enough. Up ahead was a high ridge with limestone cliffs up at the top. It was in the general direction of White Tail Peak, but SPHP wasn’t certain if this was it or not. Down in the valley, Lupe saw cows ahead.

Ahead to the W is a high ridge that is N of White Tail Peak. Lupe was more interested in the cows at the far end of the valley.

The cows were not used to having company in this remote valley. They really didn’t care for it much. At first, they headed S into the trees. Lupe and SPHP stayed on the road and got past most of them. Suddenly a few of the cows in the trees decided to head W farther up the valley. The others all got the same idea within just a minute or two. (Cows are known for their herd mentality.) They all started running and wound up passing Lupe and SPHP again. They didn’t stop until they were on the road.

Without meaning to be, Lupe and SPHP were now on a cattle drive. Every time the American Dingo drew near, the cows took off trotting farther ahead up the road. Lupe thought it was all very interesting. She liked being a cow Dingo. Since the cows persisted in staying on the road, SPHP finally took Lupe off the road and into the trees. Efforts to pass the cows by going around them through the forest failed. The cows kept pace heading up the road. By now the road had turned S. It seemed to be reaching some kind of minor pass.

Before reaching the pass, Lupe came to a side road that headed NW. It was marked as No. 125.1D. There was a 4 foot tall boulder near the junction. Lupe and SPHP climbed up on it and took a little break.

Lupe had water and Taste of the Wild. SPHP gave her two pieces of chocolate chip cookie. Lupe buried them for future use. Lupe often does this when she isn’t really hungry yet. She has cookies, dog treats, pieces of meat, sandwiches and similar supplies stashed at lots of different places in the Black Hills. She is getting ready for a famine, but SPHP can only think of one time she ever returned to reclaim one of her treasures. It wasn’t in the best of shape, but Lupe gobbled it down anyway.

During the break, one cow stood on the road staring at Lupe and SPHP through the trees. It finally got bored and moved on. SPHP wanted to follow No. 191.1A up to the little pass to see what was on the other side, but there were still lots of cows up there. Lupe headed NW on the side road, No. 125.1D. It was a nice little road through the forest. The cows got left behind. Things were going fine, when suddenly No. 125.1D ended.

The high ridge Lupe and SPHP had seen was still to the SW. Lupe and SPHP continued through the forest heading W. Lupe followed various game trails. SPHP did too, still gradually gaining elevation. SPHP was hoping to find USFS Road No. 190 coming down from a high pass just to the N of White Tail Peak, but Lupe didn’t come across any roads at all. SPHP caught a glimpse of an elk crashing through the forest ahead.

Eventually, Lupe and SPHP came to a wall of rock blocking the way towards the NW. The wall wasn’t terribly high, perhaps 30 or 40 feet. The terrain forced Lupe and SPHP to turn more to the WSW. The rock wall gradually diminished until Lupe and SPHP reached a pass. There was no road. To the NW was the big canyon where Black Fox Campground is located.

Lupe was clearly too far N. She had to climb the steep slope to the S to get up on the high ridge. She could then continue S towards White Tail Peak. Lupe and SPHP climbed 200 or 300 feet up the forested slope. It started out steep and got steeper. SPHP hoped Lupe wouldn’t find cliffs near the top, but of course that was exactly what Lupe ran into.

At the top of the steep slope, Lupe’s advance was blocked by this cliff. SPHP had forgotten to bring her Super Dingo Cape in the pack, so she wasn’t able to just fly up to the top.

The cliff wasn’t terribly high. SPHP hoped to find a break in the cliff wall that would let Lupe get up on top. First Lupe tried going right (W). Almost immediately, she found a way up. In a flash, Lupe was at the top of the cliff staring back down at SPHP. It was steep, but there were trees and rocks to hang onto. Soon SPHP was up above with the intrepid Dingo.

Up on top of the cliff there were a number of viewpoints. Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) could be seen to the N. To the NE was Custer Peak (6,804 ft.). To the NW was the canyon where Black Fox Campground is located. Lupe was at the very N end of the high ridges to the N of White Tail Peak. Lupe now had to head S to reach her peakbagging goal. SPHP wasn’t sure how far Lupe S would have to go. It was certain she would come to USFS Road No. 190 somewhere along the way. Then SPHP would be sure exactly where she was.

At the far N end of the high ground N of White Tail Peak. Photo looks NW.

The trek to the S was longer than SPHP expected. Lupe stayed near the cliffs at the E side of the long ridge. In some places there were clear 180° views to the E. Lupe kept going up and down small hills along the way, but overall she continued to gain elevation.

Near the cliffs well N of White Tail Peak’s summit. Photo looks S.

SPHP was beginning to wonder if Lupe was ever going to find USFS Road No. 190. The line of cliffs went on and on. It was the same line of cliffs Lupe and SPHP had seen from down in the valley where the cows were. Finally, Lupe reached an especially high hill. It was all forested, so there wasn’t much to be seen. Shortly after starting down the SW slope of this hill, USFS Road No. 190 came into view. Lupe and SPHP crossed it and climbed up the next hill. Lupe was all excited when a helicopter flew low right overhead.It wasn’t far now to the true summit of White Tail Peak. The summit is actually at a small clearing surrounded by trees. USFS Road No. 190.1Q goes right through it. Lupe and SPHP followed the narrow road to the summit. Since there really wasn’t much to be seen there, Lupe and SPHP and continued on the road heading SE. The road led through the forest to a limestone cliff where there are some views.

Nearing the viewpoint, SPHP heard voices ahead. A couple of guys with ATV’s were already there. Lupe and SPHP stayed hidden in the forest a little way off to let them enjoy White Tail Peak in peace. In the meantime, Lupe had more Taste of the Wild. SPHP ate chocolate chip cookies, an apple and some pudding. The feast lasted long enough for the ATV guys to leave. Soon they roared off to the NW along the road.

Lupe and SPHP went to the viewpoint. It was a bit disappointing, because there weren’t many places with unobstructed views. The limestone was surrounded by dead trees killed by pine bark beetles. Where there weren’t dead trees, there were live ones. When the dead trees eventually fall over, there will be great views.

Looking N at the line of cliffs that Lupe had traveled along to reach White Tail Peak.

Looking NE towards Custer Peak from White Tail Peak. — Looking NE towards Custer Peak (highest point on horizon towards the left) from White Tail Peak.

Lupe lost interest in the views as soon as she noticed a squirrel. She dashed off to give it a good barking at. The tree the squirrel was taking refuge in wasn’t terribly tall, so Lupe was very enthusiastic about her prospects for barking the squirrel right out of the tree. The squirrel refused to cooperate, however.

Dingo and Squirrel tree on White Tail Peak. If you were looking for Moose and Squirrel, that must be a different blog.

The ever-hopeful American Dingo. — Lupe, the ever-hopeful American Dingo.

After a while, SPHP persuaded Lupe to give the beleaguered squirrel a break. It was time for a last photo to commemorate Lupe’s 3rd summit of White Tail Peak.

With the views enjoyed, the squirrel sufficiently annoyed, and Lupe’s peakbagging goal accomplished, it was time to head back to the G6. Lupe and SPHP returned to USFS Road No. 190. After a brief exploration to the NW, Lupe and SPHP headed E along No. 190 over the pass and then down into the shadow of White Tail Peak.

On the return trip, Lupe made a loop by taking USFS Roads No. 190, 190.1B, and 191. Along No. 190, SPHP hoped to get a clear view back W towards White Tail Peak, but only glimpses came into view through the forest. However, there was a place with a nice view to the SW toward Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.).

Looking SW from USFS Road No. 190 toward Flag Mountain (L).

The sun had just set when Lupe saw a giant deer (elk) ahead. It saw Lupe and SPHP too, and quickly disappeared into the forest. A little later on, Lupe started barking at a big tree right next to the road. SPHP figured she was taking another squirrel to task. Instead, a huge owl flew out of the tree. Near the G6, cows were still grazing near the dilapidated old outbuildings.

Lupe reached the G6. It was 7:14 PM and 44°F. The day was done. Twilight was coming on. For a few minutes, Lupe stayed relishing the moment. She sniffed the cool air, decoding the secret messages borne by the slightest of breezes.