Carolina Dog – Page 123 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Little Bald Mountain & Bear Rocks, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (8-6-20)

Days 1 & 2 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming & Montana!

8-5-20, late afternoon, I-90 in eastern Wyoming –

So we’re not going to Canada or Alaska at all this year, SPHP?

Afraid not, Loop. We would have if Covid-19 had petered out this summer, but it hasn’t. Everything is in an uproar about it. Technically, we could still go, but all the new rules and regulations make it not worth it. Canada doesn’t want us to do any more than just drive through, which is pointless, and Alaska would force us to quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival. Maybe next year? Let’s hope.

Well, that’s disappointing! What’s the plan now then?

We’re off to Montana for a while, but the Bighorns are as far as we’ll get this evening.

Montana is beautiful, SPHP! We used to spend time there before we started just driving through it on the way to Canada, remember?

Oh, yeah! Montana is awesome! Jobe’s even going to be there! Guess we’ll save some money, too, ’cause it’s not that far.

Although Lupe kept a keen eye out, she didn’t see many cows to bark at along I-90. However, the situation improved dramatically when SPHP abandoned it at Gillette to take the longer scenic route to the N Bighorns through Spotted Horse on Hwy 14/16. Not only were there cows and horses, but deer, sheep and even wild turkeys, too.

Pandemonium reigned in the G6, a sure sign that this Dingo Vacation was off to a fabulous start!

**Missouri Buttes (5,374 ft.)** (L) and **Devils Tower (5,112 ft.)** (R) from I-90 E of Moorcroft. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

The traditional stop at **Spotted Horse**. Photo looks E.

Crossing the **Powder River** W of Spotted Horse. Photo looks N.

*Look at all those beautiful moo cows! This is gonna be a great Dingo Vacation!*

8-5-20, 10:14 PM, 52ºF, 4 miles ENE of the Garden of the Gods, Bighorn Mountains – The sun had already been on the horizon by the time the drive up into the Bighorns started, but at least Looper had made it up here. In darkness, she enjoyed a short romp along USFS Road No. 165. The were-puppy put in an appearance, attacking SPHP. Perhaps that was due to the huge, orange moon glowing above the E horizon?

8-6-20, 2:07 AM – Excited to be in the Bighorns again, the Carolina Dog lay resting and watching on the ground outside the G6. Much higher now, the moon had lost all it’s color and seemed to have shrunk. Even so, it was still so bright that the stars weren’t. A warm evening. SPHP let Loop be for a while before calling her in, not wanting ruin the wee hour magic, but afraid of falling asleep while she was still alone out there.

8-6-20, 6:30 AM – The next thing SPHP knew, bright-eyed and alert, Lupe was in sunshine! Sun up, but barely. Underway almost immediately, SPHP drove W from Burgess Junction on Hwy 14A. Even though Loop wasn’t seeing any cows, she was all excited, barking and singing the Dingo song, certain those cows were out there somewhere.

The cattle never did put in an appearance, but sheep did! A shepherd on horseback was driving a huge flock across Hwy 14A onto the lower W slopes of Little Bald Mountain (9,907 ft.), assisted by 4 large pure white Great Pyrenees. Sheep were every bit as good as cows! As the last of the flock got across the highway and SPHP drove slowly past the stragglers, Loopster gave ’em what for, attracting the attention of 2 of the Pyrenees, who rushed over to defend their flock.

The woofing, pursuing Pyrenees were even more fun! From the safety of the G6, the American Dingo responded to the white monsters with a savage, curly tail waving, leaping up and down, foaming-at-the-mouth barking barrage. Utterly exhausting, but exhilarating! SPHP didn’t dare stop until Lupe was at the huge pullout N of Bald Mountain (10,042 ft.). By then, the Pyrenees had long since given up the pursuit.

*That was a blast! Can we do it again, SPHP?* Loop N of **Bald Mountain**, the big one, not the little one. Photo looks S.

Well, now what? The plan had been to climb Little Bald Mountain, but obviously trying it while a huge flock of sheep guarded by a shepherd and 4 Great Pyrenees were on the premises might not work out for the best. Pondering the point, SPHP decided Bear Rocks (9,403 ft.) was the answer, even though it meant driving past Little Bald Mountain again.

Heading back E, a surprise! Sheep were once more streaming across Hwy 14A, now in the process of abandoning Little Bald Mountain for the exact same pastures they had just left W of the road. Intensely excited, Lupe was all for driving right through the middle of the flock, but SPHP stopped and waited instead. No sense in going all the way to Bear Rocks, if Little Bald Mountain was about to open up again.

Sheep stream across Hwy 14A W of **Little Bald Mountain** (L). Photo looks SE.

8-6-20, 7:41 AM, USFS Road No. 15 near the junction with Hwy 14A – The sheep had moved on, but at least Loopster could take consolation in the fact that she now had a clear shot at Little Bald Mountain (9,907 ft.). Nothing to it, really. Roughly 650 feet of elevation gain on a grassy slope less than a mile long. Lupe was free to sniff and roam as she pleased while SPHP trudged along bringing up the rear.

About to head up **Little Bald Mountain’s NW slope**. Photo looks SE.

*This really would have been a fun romp, if all those sheep were still here!*

Halfway up was a minor rocky lip, just above the steepest part of the climb. Didn’t amount to anything. Once past it, the slope began leveling out. At the top of Little Bald Mountain (9,907 ft.), Lupe discovered a wooden post. The ground 20 or 30 feet SSW of this post seemed to be slightly higher, but a huge region didn’t differ much in elevation.

Little Bald Mountain was about as featureless as a mountain could get, except for the views. Lupe could see quite a few other peaks she had been to at one time or another. None appeared rugged, but all had that wide open spaces feel typical of much of the Bighorn Range.

Getting close to the top. Photo looks SE.

By the summit post. **Peak 9953** (L) straight up from Loop. Photo looks E.

*This seems to be about the **true summit**!* **Hunt Mountain (10,162 ft.)** (L). Photo looks SE.

Strolling about the summit region, Lupe had a look at Peak 9953 to the E and Hunt Mountain (10,162 ft.) off to the SE. The sagebrush plains W of the Bighorns could be seen to the SW, although the view was rather hazy. Bald Mountain (10,042 ft.), which Loop had been to multiple times, was only a few miles NW.

**Bald Mountain** (Center) from Little Bald Mountain. Photo looks NW.

Most of the peaks Lupe had been to were off to the N or NNW. Not too far away were Rooster Hill (9,400 ft.) and Burnt Mountain (9,492 ft.). More distant were Duncum Mountain (9,831 ft.) and Sheep Mountain (9,813 ft.). The Big Horn County High Point (9,257 ft.) in Montana was even visible on the far horizon.

**Duncum Mountain** (far L), **Sheep Mountain** (L), and the **Big Horn County High Point** (Center) all in the distance. **Rooster Hill** (L) and **Burnt Mountain** (R) in the foreground. Photo looks NNW.

**Little Bighorn River drainage**. Photo looks N.

SPHP congratulated Lupe on climbing Little Bighorn Mountain, shaking her paw. The were-puppy decided to attack, since she’d seen and done about everything there was to see and do up here, and SPHP being the only target readily available. Once she got that out of her system, Loop and SPHP sat together near the wooden post in a light breeze enjoying a peaceful Bighorn Mountains moment.

Relaxing near the post. **Bald Mountain** (L). Photo looks NW.

Half an hour after arriving, Lupe started back down the mountain. By now SPHP had decided that she might as well visit Bear Rocks, too.

On the way back to the G6. Hwy 14A (L) and USFS Road No. 15 (R). Photo looks NW.

8-6-20, 9:47 AM, 68ºF, SW of Owen Creek campground – SPHP parked the G6 in a big field just off USFS Road No. 236.01. The topo map showed No. 236.01 turning to 4WD 0.33 mile back at the bridge over Owen Creek, but the road had actually been fine. In fact, the G6 could easily have gone farther, but this was good enough. Bear Rocks (9,403 ft.) was only 2 miles NW of here as the crow flies, although the route Lupe was going to take would probably add another mile or more to that.

Loop’s starting point for Bear Rocks. Photo looks S.

The sky was a bit iffy as Looper started SW along No. 236.01. The road was flat all the way to the trees, both Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.) and Dome Peak (10,828 ft.) in view off to the SE. Upon reaching the forest, No. 236.01 gradually gained elevation all the way to a junction with USFS Road No. 220.

Heading for the trees on **USFS Road No. 236.01**. Photo looks SW.

At the junction with **No. 220** (R). Photo looks SW.

Taking No. 220, Lupe followed it NW up a much steeper slope. The G6 would never have made it up this rocky, rutty affair. Light rain showers drifted by, missing to the E. A cool breeze felt good on the 0.5 mile trek up to HP9198, where the road finally flattened out. After a short break to take in the views, Lupe continued W over the far side of the hill.

Heading up **No. 220** to **HP9198** (R). Photo looks NW.

**No. 220** (L) from **HP9198**. **Lookout Mountain** (L) and **Dome Peak** (R) in the distance. Photo looks SE.

Heading down the **W side of HP9198**. **HP9650** (Center). Photo looks WSW.

Lupe crossed the saddle W of HP9198 and kept going. Leaving No. 220, which angled off to the L (SW), the Carolina Dog started up toward some dolomite formations SPHP assumed were on the way to Bear Rocks.

On the way up to dolomite formations W of **HP9198**. Photo looks WSW.

Something didn’t seem right, though. The hill Lupe was now climbing had been visible from HP9198, and the top was all rounded and grassy. Sort of strange for a place named Bear Rocks. Off to the N was a lower hill with a line of dolomite cliffs near the top that looked a lot more like what SPHP expected to see.

The more promising line of cliffs off to the N.

A check of the map confirmed that Lupe needed to go N past those cliffs. The slope she was currently climbing went to HP9650, not Bear Rocks. Retreating most of the way back down to the saddle, Loopster picked up a primitive road heading NW. Unmarked by anything other than a “No Motor Vehicles” wand, this was USFS Road No. 201216.

Near the start of abandoned **USFS Road No. 201216**. Photo looks NW.

**HP9198** (L) from **No. 201216**. Photo looks SE.

0.25 mile on No. 201216 brought Lupe to a junction with No. 201311, yet another abandoned unmarked road that veered off to the NE (R). Loop followed No. 201311 up sagebrush-covered slopes to the E end of the cliffs. By the time she got that far, the road had become a braided series of single track trails heading N.

At the **junction with No. 201311**, which leads to the E (R) side of the cliffs ahead. Photo looks N.

The most efficient course of action would have been to simply continue N past these cliffs, but Lupe and SPHP hung around for a closer look at some of the interesting formations.

*Quickest way to the Bear Rocks summit is to proceed directly up the hill on the R, but let’s have a look around here first!* Photo looks N.

Exploring the below the cliffs. Photo looks SW.

*Dolomite formations like these are actually quite common in the Bighorns.* Photo looks SW.

An American Dingo prepares to give a speech in a magnificent dolomite amphitheater. *Four score and seven mountains ago* …

Seeing the spiffy dolomite cliffs from below inspired a desire to see the views from above. SPHP also noticed that the topo map showed HP9399 somewhere up there not too far from the E edge. That was only 4 feet lower than the true summit of Bear Rocks, still 0.67 mile to the NNW. Maybe Loopster ought to visit this S summit, too?

Continuing N through an opening between gigantic fallen boulders, the Carolina Dog soon discovered a decent route up. A quick climb, and Lupe was in the forest on top. To get a look around from some of the clifftops she had just skirted, Loop explored SE until she came to a good viewpoint.

About to head N between the fallen boulders. Photo looks N.

Below an interesting formation. Photo looks SW.

*Hey, here’s a way up, SPHP!* Photo looks SW.

A little clearing Lupe arrived at on top. Photo looks NW.

At the viewpoint. **HP9198** is the first hill beyond Lupe. Photo looks SE.

The views were impressive, and the deeply-fissured dolomite provided a variety of nice Dingo display platforms. Nothing wrong with Little Bald Mountain, but the local terrain here was way more interesting!

Along the SE rim. **HP9650** (R). Photo looks SSW.

Same spot, but with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SSW.

**Black Mountain (9,489 ft.)** (Center) in the distance. Photo looks NE.

Once satisfied with her explorations along the upper rim, Lupe turned to the task of trying to find HP9399. Heading NNW, she scouted the region near the edge. A little beyond where she first came up, a small ridge of dolomite seemed a likely candidate.

**Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.)** (Center) from the HP9399 candidate. Photo looks SE.

This small rise with a view was not HP9399. Going a few hundred feet farther, Lupe came to an 8 or 10 foot high ridge of crumbling rock. 50 feet long with minor high points at each end, as far as SPHP could tell, this ridge was almost certainly HP9399. Buried in trees, no views were available here.

*This seems to be it! **HP9399**!* Photo looks NW.

The **HP9399 ridge** from the SE end. Photo looks NW.

Having visited HP9399, it was time to seek out the true summit of Bear Rocks. Still somewhat disoriented from paying insufficient attention to the topo map, SPHP wandered W. Branches snapped as Lupe sniffed along nearby. This old forest was a region of lumpy topography, but Loop was definitely losing elevation.

Mistakenly wandering the forest **W of HP9399**.

Checking the map again, SPHP finally realized W was the wrong way. Lupe ought to be heading NE, staying up on the high ground as much as possible. Course correction was made. A longer march than expected brought Loop to the edge of the forest again. Ahead was a gentle slope leading up to a flat hilltop that had been visible way back when she had still been below the E cliffs.

Upon reaching the top, Lupe found herself on a plain of disintegrating dolomite laced with shallow trench-like depressions. Conifers dotted this region, interfering with views to the NW where the true summit of Bear Rocks ought to be, but from certain points a higher rock formation could be glimpsed a good 0.33 mile away.

Up on the dolomite plain. Photo looks NNW.

The trenches were aligned NW/SE, parallel to the way Lupe needed to go. Heading NW, she traveled a broad ridge strewn with small bits of dolomite that crunched underpaw like broken bones of the mountain. Vertical cracks and fissures ran along the edges.

By one of the shallow trenches. Photo looks NW.

Following the flat, crunchy dolomite ridge. Photo looks WNW.

The ridge began to narrow, the trenches becoming deeper and harder to avoid. Loop tried going down into one trench that quickly turned into a deep crack that led to a dead end. Doubling back, she climbed out and resumed her trek NW, but soon came to drop-offs everywhere. No choice, but to scramble 20 feet down into another trench and hope that it would take her somewhere.

At the bottom of this second trench, Lupe reached an opening where she could continue down to the W. This brought her to a forested region SW of what remained of the failing upper ridge. Turning NW again, the Carolina Dog climbed through forest before breaking out into a sunny meadow. Atop the short slope ahead sat a 10 or 20 foot high wall of rock.

Reaching a dead end as the upper part of the dolomite ridge disintegrates. Loop had to scramble down into one of the cracks here to continue. Photo looks NW.

Approaching the **Bear Rocks summit**. Photo looks NW.

The true summit of Bear Rocks (9,403 ft.) was up on that wall of rock! Debris along the center of the wall sloped clear up to the top providing access. Once up there, Lupe found she had reached a roomy triangular region. The two highest points were at opposite ends of the wall of rock she had just come up. A superimposed raised platform of dolomite at the E end was clearly the true summit.

First things first! Without hesitation, the American Dingo went over and scrambled up.

At the **true summit of Bear Rocks**. Photo looks ENE.

Another view of the **true summit** platform. **Dome Peak** (far R). Photo looks SE.

*Bear Rocks is pretty cool, even without any bears!*

8-6-20, 1:07 PM, Bear Rocks – After visiting the true summit, Lupe and SPHP moved over to the SW high point at the opposite end of the wall of rock. Not quite as high here, but a comfier spot to take a short break, and the views were virtually the same. Lookout Mountain (10,147 ft.), Dome Peak (10,828 ft.) and the Sheridan County HP (11,020 ft.) could all be made out to the SE.

*We’re heading over to the **SW high point** (Center) now.* Photo looks SW.

The **true summit** (R) from close to the SW high point. Photo looks NE.

At the **SW high point** looking SE the way Lupe came to get here. **HP9399** is somewhere back buried in the trees on the R. **Lookout Mountain** (L) in the distance.

On the **SW high point**. Photo looks S.

The Bear Rocks summit region extended a good 250 feet NW from the two high points where Lupe had come up. Naturally, the Carolina Dog took the time to sniff over that way for another perspective.

Checking out the NW part of the summit region. Photo looks NW.

Near the NW end. **Dry Fork Ridge (8,480 ft.)** (L) and **Riley Point (8,536 ft.)** (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks N.

At the **NW end**. The **true summit** is hidden behind the trees. **SW high point** (R). Photo looks SE.

Cliffs over along the edge of the **Big Willow Creek canyon**. Photo looks WNW with help from the telephoto lens.

25 minutes after arriving, Lupe was back at the true summit. Although still early afternoon, it was already time to bid Bear Rocks (9,403 ft.) farewell. Today was supposed to be part travel day, so getting back to the G6 was now a priority. After a final look around from her “Dingo Rocks” platform, Loopster was on her way.

Back at the **true summit**. Photo looks ENE.

On the way back, the American Dingo made great time. Retracing the same basic route, she skipped HP9399 and SPHP’s earlier misguided wanderings. Approaching the E end of the first cliffs she had come to, Loopster did take time to check out a weird wood-framed black plastic shelter hidden next to a big dolomite formation.

*Nothing in it at the moment! Maybe a Dingo outlaw hideout?* Photo looks SE.

Lupe went over HP9198 again, but didn’t take USFS Road No. 220 all the way back down to No. 236.01. Instead, she left No. 220, cutting straight E through fields and forest, eventually emerging from the trees a mere 0.125 mile from the G6.

Nearly all the clouds had drifted off to the E. Kind of hot out. SPHP drove back down to Owen Creek, and let Loop out for a few minutes. She waded in belly deep, lapping up the cold, clear water with gusto. Then it was back in the G6 for a beautiful drive down Shell Canyon to the baking sagebrush plains W of the Bighorns.

By evening, Lupe was at Dead Indian Pass along spectacular Chief Joseph Scenic Hwy No. 296 in NW Wyoming.

At **Dead Indian Pass**. Photo looks SSW.

**Windy Mountain (10,262 ft.)** (L) from **Dead Indian Pass**. Photo looks NW.

8-6-02, 7:35 PM, Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River – 2 miles NW of the Crazy Creek campground, SPHP pulled the G6 into a small parking area N of Hwy 212. This was a favorite spot dating back to Lupe’s very first Dingo Vacation in 2012. The joint was getting popular. Four vehicles!

A trap had been set, but not sprung – not an FJ among them. Oh, well. It had been a long shot, anyway. Tomorrow Lupe would be seeing her buddy Jobe again! Something to look forward to for sure. As the sun sank behind the towering spire of Pilot Peak (11,699 ft.) and knife-edge humpback of Index Peak (11,240 ft.), for the first time in years, the Carolina Dog paid a visit to the little waterfall around the next bend of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River.

Once this was home away from home. Lanis had been here. Fun times! Felt good to be back.

By the little waterfall around the bend.

**Pilot** (L) and **Index** (R) peaks from the **Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River**, 8-6-20

Links:

Next Adventure Prior Adventure

Camped on the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River (7-11-13)

Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2020 Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Utah & Montana Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index. Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 259 – Zimmer Ridge & Peak 6600 (11-28-20)

7:59 AM, 18ºF, Whitehorse Road 0.2 mile from Hwy 16/385 – Dang chilly out! Supposed to warm up a bunch, though. Lupe was in high spirits as she set off up shady Whitehorse Gulch. Apparently, the Carolina Dog wasn’t cold, but SPHP’s frigid fingers were glad when the gulch widened out enough to become sunny.

Whitehorse Road wound NW for a little over a mile before Lupe left it. Crossing a small field of dry grass on the R, she entered the forest. The terrain immediately began to slope higher, and soon became rocky. Not bad at all, though. Getting up Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.) was going to be a snap, if it stayed like this.

Near the forest after leaving Whitehorse Road. Photo looks NE.

Starting up **Zimmer Ridge’s SW ridge**. Photo looks NE.

Heh! Not to be. The rock formations along Zimmer Ridge’s SW ridge grew in size, and the slope steepened as the American Dingo climbed. Looper eventually found herself high up on a bunch of boulders with no safe way forward, forcing a 50 foot retreat.

Determined Dingo, still on Zimmer Ridge’s lower slopes. Photo looks SSE.

On a short, easy, protected ramp higher. Photo looks ENE.

By a cool boulder along the SW ridge. Photo looks S.

A glimpse of **Peak 6600** (R) beyond **Whitehorse Gulch**. Photo looks NW.

A minor setback. Swinging around the W side of the big boulders, Lupe came to a steepish region of moderate-sized rock. Scrambling up that, she reached a longer stretch of doghair pine right back on the ridgeline. Loopster searched for squirrels, but she wasn’t going to be sneaking up on anything with SPHP snap, crackle, and popping twigs and branches every step of the way.

More big rock formations were ahead, but they weren’t gnarly enough to put an end to progress this time. The forest began to open up along the ridgeline. Unfortunately, that was due to all the deadfall. Extremely common these days in the Black Hills, but never a welcome sight.

Another rock formation along the ridgeline. Photo looks SSE.

*Oh, boy! Deadfall! Our favorite. Not!* Photo looks NNE.

Zimmer Ridge’s SW and S ridges merged together somewhere along in here. Lupe was getting quite high. The summit couldn’t be an awful lot farther N, could it?

Maybe yes. Loop had climbed Zimmer Ridge once before a little over 6 years ago. Back then she had come up the W slope instead of the SW ridge, but had reached the main ridgeline well S of the summit. Both routes ought to link up, but nothing looked familiar yet.

The Carolina Dog came to several larger rock formations along the top of the ridgeline separated by stretches of often deadfall-laden forest. Reaching the N side of one of these outcroppings, aha!

Loopster! Remember this? You were here before!

I was?

Yes, yes! Remember this log sticking out toward Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.)? Looks like it has weathered some more, but this has got to be the same one you visited before!

Lovely, I’m sure, but it seems to have made more of an impression on you, SPHP, than it did on me. I’ll take your word for it. Is this particular dead log some sort of big event?

Apparently, not! I just thought it was sort of cool to see a reminder of our first visit to Zimmer Ridge. I’m certain you were here before. Took a photo of you by or on this log, which may be why I remember it. Let’s get another!

Whatever! Fine and dandy, SPHP! Perfectly glorious! But let me know when you’re certain you see a squirrel!

Traveling the ridgeline from one big rock formation to the next. Photo looks N.

**Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** (R) in the distance. Photo looks ESE.

Once again on the oh, so incredibly memorable log pointing toward **Sylvan Hill** (L). Photo looks SE.

Having seen this fabulous reminder of the good old days, SPHP now felt that maybe it really wasn’t too much farther N to Zimmer Ridge’s true summit, although after thinking about it, it had seemed like a bit of a trek 6 years ago.

Another clearly higher point was off in that direction. Looked more like a pine-forested hill than a rock formation, though. SPHP recalled the true summit as being quite rocky, and surrounded by young aspens.

Whether that hill was or wasn’t the true summit, Lupe still had to go that way, though. She headed N across a semi-open region harboring more deadfall. Off to the SE were nice views of Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.), Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.) and others.

On to the next higher point along the ridge. Photo looks NNE.

**Black Elk Peak** (Center), **Little Devils Tower** (R), and **Saint Elmo Peak** (R foreground). Photo looks ESE.

The next high point didn’t turn out to be the true summit, but it could be seen from here. SPHP was sure that next more heavily forested hill had to be it. A few rocks and aspens were visible at the top. Lupe had to lose a bit of elevation to continue over there, but it wasn’t long before she was scrambling on rocks just SE of the top.

**True summit of Zimmer Ridge** ahead! Photo looks N.

Just below the **S (true) summit**. Photo looks NW.

Circling around to the N, Lupe climbed up to a gap between several large rocks at the very top of Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.). Three stones were in contention for title of true summit. Two were side by side just E of this gap, and one was immediately W of it. SPHP helped Lupe up onto the closest E rock first.

The W rock was clearly a few inches higher than the two E ones were. The crafty American Dingo managed to scramble around to the top of it all by herself.

At the **true summit of Zimmer Ridge**. Photo looks W.

Trees hid the views to the E, but Lupe could see a huge swath of the Black Hills in other directions. Peak 6600, her next objective, was in sight to the WNW along the ridge on the far side of Whitehorse Gulch. Big ridges of the limestone plateau country were visible miles farther W.

**Peak 6600** (immediately R of Lupe) with ridges of the limestone plateau beyond. Photo looks WNW.

Perhaps the most interesting sight of all was HP6583, the N high point of Zimmer Ridge off to the NNE. Connected by a 0.5 mile section of the huge ridge, HP6583 wasn’t much lower. Having been there before, Lupe knew it was a much better place to take a break. The true summit of Zimmer Ridge was a cool airy spot, but with little room to maneuver and nowhere to relax except well below the highest rocks.

**HP6583** (R), the **slightly lower N summit of Zimmer Ridge** from the true summit. Photo looks N.

Took nearly 50 minutes to get over there. Not really much of a surprise. SPHP remembered this trek as having been a terrible deadfall mess. Now it didn’t seem much worse than a lot of other places in the Black Hills, but Looper was still getting a workout leaping over one dead tree after another along whatever snaky route looked like the path of least resistance at the moment.

Most of the time the going was easiest E of the ridgeline. The deadfall didn’t get bad until Looper was halfway to HP6583. With so many trees down, Loop enjoyed a sweeping view of Elkhorn Mountain (6,381 ft.), Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), Peak 6920 and others off to the E and SE.

Leaving the true summit region. Photo looks SE.

**Elkhorn Mountain** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (Center), **Peak 6920** (next knob to the R). Photo looks SE.

A glance back at the **true summit** (L). Photo looks S.

Shortly before reaching HP6583, most of the deadfall ended. Lupe passed through a short section of young pine forest which led to a small boulder field next to a big rock formation at the top. Circling around the NW side, the Carolina Dog scrambled up from the NE. A lone pine tree’s inopportunely situated branches made following Loop a little tricky, but SPHP soon joined her on top.

Not much room up here, either, but definitely more comfortable than Zimmer Ridge’s true summit had been. A U-shaped rock formation open to the SE surrounded a small area where Lupe could relax on a bed of pine needles, if she wanted to. SPHP tossed some prickly pine cones out of it for her.

Loop on the rock formation at the top of **HP6583**. Photo looks SW.

The views from HP6583 were quite similar to what they’d been over at the true summit. Loopster and SPHP hung around for half an hour. A couple of little chocolate coconut bars were shared. Lupe also partook of some Taste of the Wild while SPHP munched the usual apple.

**True summit of Zimmer Ridge** (L) from **HP6583**. Photo looks SW.

**Peak 6600** is the high point on the next ridge past Loop’s head. Photo looks W.

Mighty nice day for late November! Time passed quickly. Before all was over and done with, Lupe had also visited a lower rock formation off to the NE which had a view of Five Points (6,221 ft.).

**Five Points** (L of Center) from the lower NE rock formation. Photo looks NE.

Peak 6600 on the W side of Whitehorse Gulch was the American Dingo’s final peakbagging objective for the day. Abandoning Zimmer Ridge, Lupe started down HP6583‘s NW slope. This was all densely forested, fairly steep territory. For a while boulder fields were off to the L (S) as Loop worked her way W. Some deadfall, but not bad. No views except trees, a mix of aspens and pines.

Descending Zimmer Ridge. Photo looks WSW.

Looking for a minor hill on the way to Pass 5935, Lupe finally saw it a little off to the NW. She headed over toward it, but turned W along the S slope instead of going all the way to the top. Upon reaching the Pass 5935 region, Loop came to a clearing. Nearby was a dirt road which she followed NW up to a junction with USFS Road No. 387.1B.

Looper reaches **USFS Road No. 387.1B** near **Pass 5935**. Photo looks WSW.

Taking No. 387.1B, Lupe followed it up a short rise. Once it topped out, the road then headed SW down a ravine leading into Whitehorse Gulch. At the bottom, No. 387.1B turned NW. Before making the turn, Loop left the road at the bend, heading down to a little pond only 200 feet away.

This pond had been a pretty spot the last time the Carolina Dog had been here more than 6 years ago. Today it was frozen over, and seemed sad. Everything looked motionless and dead. A moment of silent reflection, and Lupe returned to the road, now going NW farther up Whitehorse Gulch.

Nearing the bend in **Whitehorse Gulch**. Photo looks WSW.

For about a mile, No. 387.1B wound its way steadily higher. Lupe came to a new, unmarked dirt road that angled off to the L, but didn’t take it. After a while, the air became more strongly pine-scented than usual. The reason was soon clear. Logging! The forest that had been here ever since Lupe had last been this way was now mostly gone.

The loggers had been here just recently. Lupe passed numerous stacks of fresh cut logs, and huge piles of branches still loaded with green pine needles. The change opened up the valley view, but the freshly churned up ground wasn’t pretty, the damage too new.

Lupe was undeterred, still happily exploring ahead, but SPHP trudged after her in an increasingly melancholy mood.

Exploring **upper Whitehorse Gulch**. USFS Road No. 387.1B (R). Where the new dirt road on the L goes remains a mystery. Photo looks NNW.

Near the start of the recently logged region. Photo looks NNW.

At the extreme N end of Whitehorse Gulch, No. 387.1B came to an end at a circular turnaround loop. A more primitive road went W from here, and soon climbed a short steep slope. Up on top, now 0.75 mile due N of Peak 6600, Lupe found she had reached a minor pass. A fence crossed the road, but the gate was open. Beyond the fence was a meadow and views of nearby hills to the NW.

Leaving the road, the Carolina Dog headed S along a broad ridge leading to Peak 6600. Loggers had been up here, too. All large trees were gone, although small ones remained, the ground churned up with caterpillar tracks and littered with little broken branches still sporting bright green pine needles. Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.) could be seen off to the ESE, the top of Black Elk Peak poking up behind it.

**Zimmer Ridge** (Center). Photo looks ESE.

The loggers hadn’t made it all the way to Peak 6600 along this ridge, but they’d gotten fairly close. Lupe had to duck under the annoying ancient barbed-wire fence that also went this way a couple of times, but finally got past it, too.

Closing in on **Peak 6600** (R). **Sylvan Hill** (L) in the distance. Photo looks S.

Little patches of snow were still slowly melting on the N slopes, as Lupe made the final 200 foot ascent to the top of Peak 6600. Not particularly steep, just a forested, and in a few spots, snowy trek higher.

Peak 6600 has two summits, E and W, separated by 300 feet. Coming up the NNE slope of the mountain, Looper reached the E summit first. She scrambled up onto a narrow, vertical band of rock running N/S at the high point. This was the same spot she had reached 6 years ago, where SPHP had taken a photo of her silhouetted as the sun sank in the W.

Not that late in the day yet this time around. SPHP took a couple of new photos of Loop on the E summit, but from different angles than before.

**Peak 6600**, at the **E summit**. Photo looks S.

**E summit** from another angle. Photo looks NW.

Trees interfered with the views. The W summit was a bit higher in SPHP’s opinion, although it couldn’t be seen clearly from here for the same reason. Lots of deadfall between the two summits. Lupe stayed near the N edge, trying to avoid the mess as much as possible, as she headed over to the true summit.

3:17 PM – Lupe stood poised at the true summit of Peak 6600 enjoying a sunlit reception. 45 minutes before sunset. She would spend 25 of them right here. This was a beautiful spot, with some room to move around. The best and only open views were off to the N and W where a series of forested hills led to the high ridges of the limestone plateau country.

In brilliant sunshine at the **true (W) summit of Peak 6600**. Photo looks N.

Limestone plateau ridges on the horizon (L). Photo looks WNW.

**Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.)** beyond Lupe. Photo looks WSW.

At the **S end of Peak 6600’s W summit region**. Photo looks S.

The last apple vanished. Lupe had more Taste of the Wild. Water for all. Conditions were awesome for late November, and the slanting rays of early evening sunlight made everything so beautiful! Wouldn’t last. Looper cooperated fully in getting a few more dazzling Dingo shots.

**Green Mountain (7,164)** (L) in the distance. Photo looks NW.

Evening on **Peak 6600**. Photo looks W.

Back on the **highest rocks of the true summit**. Photo looks N.

Would have been fun to stay and watch the sunset, but it was a long way back. The most direct route would be steep and full of deadfall. Better to leave early enough to not get stuck out among the worst of it in the dark.

Prudence was going to win out. The sun wasn’t quite low enough yet to get a true silhouette shot this time, but SPHP tried anyway, hoping to get a couple that might be close before Lupe left Peak 6600 again. This time she stood proudly atop the true (W) summit, instead of the E one.

**Peak 6600**, true summit. Photo looks W.

And the race was on! The American Dingo started down Peak 6600’s steep SE slope, dodging all the deadfall as best she could. She’d barely gotten going, when the views of Zimmer Ridge and the rugged territory surrounding Black Elk Peak were worth a pause.

**Zimmer Ridge** (Center). Photo looks E.

**Black Elk Peak** (L), **Peak 6920** (Center), and **Little Devils Tower** (R). The **SW ridge of Zimmer Ridge**, which Lupe had climbed this morning, is the foreground. Photo looks ESE with help from the telephoto lens.

Dusk in Whitehorse Gulch. The night sky never did get all that dark. The white ghost of a nearly full moon rose over the shoulder of Zimmer Ridge. Skirting fences along the edge of private property, an American Dingo slunk undetected through shadowy forest.

Chilly out again, but homeward bound. (5:50 PM, 24ºF)

**Peak 6600**, Black Hills of South Dakota, 11-28-20

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 101 – Zimmer Ridge & Peak 6600 (10-23-14)

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