The “Ponderosa Hike” along Centennial Trail No. 89 had worked out so well for new Cousin Laddie and Cousin Dusty yesterday, that SPHP had proposed another jaunt along the Centennial Trail this morning.
What a difference a day made, though! Yesterday had been sunny and warm, almost summer. On the way to the Elk Creek trailhead, Uncle Joe drove under a dark cloud hanging over the hills. Late fall, maybe even early winter, greeted Lupe as she leapt out of the RAV4. Definitely on the chilly side!
In fact, it was so chilly that the American Dingo soon leapt right back into the warm comfort of the RAV4, staying there until Uncle Joe and SPHP were ready to hit the trail.
A chilly start at Centennial Trail No. 89’s Elk Creek trailhead.
Despite the temperature plunge, everyone was in good spirits! Soon Loop and Cousin Dusty were leading the way as Centennial Trail No. 89 started NNE up a wooded ravine. Before long the trail left the ravine, climbing to a flatter region of open pine forest toward the NW. This flat stretch didn’t last long, either. The trail began climbing again as it curved up a hillside.
In the open forest, starting to climb again.
Rounding a sharp bend, the trail resumed a NE course, climbing more steeply. This turn had scarcely been left behind when Uncle Joe spotted a curious rock formation 200 feet off toward the SE. Looked like there was a cave over there! The whole gang ventured over to investigate.
The rock formation proved to be a high point at the end of a small flat region overlooking a forested ravine. Sure enough, there was a dark opening into the rocks! While caves aren’t all that unusual in the Black Hills, nearly all of them are found in limestone formations. These rocks clearly weren’t limestone, so Uncle Joe’s discovery was a rare find.
By the mysterious cave.
Cousins Dusty and Laddie weren’t inclined to investigate any further. What if a mountain lion lived there? Lupe, however, wasn’t worried at all. Without hesitating in the least, the Carolina Dog went up to peer into the black opening.
Cousins Dusty and Laddie look on, ready to run for it, if Lupe gets eaten by a lion.
No need to worry about any mountain lions! If there was one, it’s already escaped out the back. This isn’t a cave, it’s a tunnel!
Loopster was right!
At the tunnel’s entrance.
A tunnel! That was really strange. Uncle Joe and SPHP both took a look. The tunnel was about 20 feet long, perfectly straight, uniform diameter, and slanted somewhat down toward the S. Other than a few loose rocks, the bottom was fairly smooth.
The rock formation the tunnel went through looked completely natural, but neither Joe nor SPHP could decide if this tunnel was natural, or not. If human-made, what purpose had it served? Dingo-sized, Lupe could have trotted through it with ease, but the tunnel seemed too small for most human projects. No signs of any other construction were round about. Odd, very odd.
Uncle Joe scrambled around to the back side of the tunnel, which exited the rock formation next to a drop-off. He then tried to entice Lupe to go through the tunnel to join him.
Maybe even Lupe was starting to get the willies? The American Dingo entered the tunnel, but even though she could see Joe at the far end, she refused to go all the way through.
Uncle Joe by the tunnel’s exit above the drop-off.Loop partway in, getting spooked despite Joe’s encouragement to come on through!Joe framed by the tunnel’s exit.
Whether human-made or natural, the tunnel was so unusual that there seemed to be no explanation for its existence. Finding no clues, and in case a mountain lion might be on its way back home, everyone returned to Centennial Trail No. 89 leaving the mystery unsolved.
Continuing on, the trail climbed a bit steeply, but soon the slope became much more gradual. Eventually the trail began curving N. Abandoning it, everyone headed for a minor ridge to the E for a look around. Not much to be seen up here, so a shortcut was taken down a slope to the N to rejoin Centennial Trail No. 89 at a saddle where it crossed unmarked USFS Road No. 169.
Up on the minor ridge. HP5141 (R). Photo looks N.
After crossing the road, the trail began angling WNW along the SW slopes of HP5141. Before Centennial Trail No. 89 headed back into the forest, there was a bit of a view of hills to the NW, their tops softened and blurred by the low hanging clouds.
N of USFS Road No. 169. Photo looks WNW.
0.25 mile beyond USFS Road No. 169, a small clearing was reached at a second pass between HP5141 and HP5212. A sign indicated that it was a mile back to the Elk Creek trailhead. The trail continued W from here traversing a steep slope, but remained fairly level.
Once past the S end of HP5212, Centennial Trail No. 89 gradually began to curve N. The trail first lost, then regained some elevation, eventually going over another minor pass. Meanwhile, the sky was darkening as the gray clouds blanketing the region slowly crept down the hillsides.
Dusty, Joe, and Laddie leading the way SW of HP5212. Photo looks NW.
Getting colder out! A barely detectable mist began. The trail widened as it reached an old roadbed. Patches of snow left over from a prior storm added to an increasingly wintery feel.
Patches of snow added to a wintery atmosphere as the sky darkened and a light mist began.
Winding along the mountainside, the trail continued N. Uncle Joe began to wonder if maybe it wasn’t getting to be time to turn back? However, Lupe had been here before. SPHP was convinced that it wasn’t much farther to a junction with a trail that went to the Sturgis Reservoirs, and that junction was very close to Peak5261, today’s peakbagging objective.
The chilly march went on and on. The trail junction was farther than SPHP remembered, but it finally appeared. From here, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved E, climbing 60 feet up to a broad grassy pass.
At the junction with the trail to the Sturgis Reservoirs. Centennial Trail No. 89 continued up to the R (E) from here. Photo looks NE.Up at the pass N of Peak 5261. Photo looks SE.
Peak 5261 was only 0.2 mile S of this pass. The trail didn’t go up there, but the N slope was only moderately steep. Cousins Dusty and Laddie couldn’t get this close and not go to the top to claim their Peak5261 peakbagging success, could they? That would be a shame!
Peak 5261 from the pass. Nothing to it! Photo looks S.
Following a long snowbank, Lupe started up first, leading the way.
Heading up Peak 5261. Photo looks S.
Peak 5261’s summit was only 120 feet higher than the pass. Soon the N slope was leveling out. The top of the mountain could be seen a short distance ahead.
Peak 5261’s summit region. Joe heading for the true summit. Photo looks S.
Of course, everyone got there. Cousins Dusty and Laddie secured their second Black Hills peakbagging success in two days. Unfortunately, this ascent wasn’t as successful in other respects. Cold and foggy with a chill, damp breeze, conditions were none too pleasant.
Back at home this morning, the day had been sunny and bright. SPHP had chosen this destination partly because getting here wouldn’t be too hard for Cousin Dusty, who was now 15, but also in part for the views of Custer Peak(6,804 ft.) and Bear Butte(4,422 ft.). Cousin Dusty had made it, but the views were a disappointing no show.
We made it, but the views didn’t! Sorry about that! Joe and Lupe at Peak 5261’s summit.Joe strikes a dramatic pose pointing out the fabulous display of nothing but fog while Lupe and Laddie gather round.
Too miserable out to linger! Plans for a summit celebration involving chocolate coconut bars, Kinkaid bars, and apples were cancelled. A few minutes at the top, and the whole pack headed back down Peak 5261’s N slope to pick up Centennial Trail No. 89 again.
Merely a postponement! The Peak 5261 ascent celebration actually did come off due to popular demand a mile later at a more sheltered spot. Not to be denied, Lupe, Dusty and Laddie all got their chocolate coconut bar rewards.
Then it was back through the wintery fog, all the way past the Tunnel of Mystery to the Elk Creek trailhead.
Tomorrow was Halloween! Sadly, Uncle Joe, Dusty and Laddie would all be heading back home to Colorado. Meeting cousin Laddie and getting to introduce him to the Black Hills had been fun, and it had been terrific to hit the trail with Joe and Dusty again.
Joe, Dusty, and new cousin Laddie on Peak 5261, Black Hills of South Dakota 10-30-21
10-28-21 – Lupe could hardly believe her big soft Dingo ears! Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty were coming from Colorado. Not only would they be here tonight, but Lupe had a brand new cousin that was coming with them, too!
When Cousin Laddie gets here, Loop, you’re going to have to be extra nice to him. Laddie’s had a tough life and might be scared. He’s a nice dog, a little Sheltie not even as big as you. So, no growling or rough-housing! Got that?
Why? What happened to Cousin Laddie, SPHP?
Oh, I don’t know the whole story, but Laddie’s been at the shelter. He got adopted, but a few months ago Laddie was grabbed by the neck and torn into by another dog in the same family that adopted him, and was just about done in. To survive, Laddie needed thousands of dollars worth of surgery. The fur on his chest is still growing back. Laddie’s also missing almost all his front teeth, which were rotten and had to be pulled back when he first got to the shelter.
No teeth? My poor cousin! His bark must be worse than his bite!
Probably right about that, Loop, but he still has his back teeth.
How come you’ve never mentioned Cousin Laddie before, SPHP?
Because he’s a brand new cousin. He just joined the family when Aunt Andrea and Uncle Joe agreed to adopt him, since he couldn’t stay with the same family any longer after being attacked. In fact, Laddie is his new name. He used to be called Danny Boy.
It was all true! Later that evening Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousins Dusty and Laddie did arrive. Loopster raced around barking for joy, wild with delight! Extremely curious about Cousin Laddie, she sniffed and sniffed. SPHP hadn’t said anything about sniffing. Lupe sniffed so much that Laddie maybe did get a little scared, but nothing bad happened.
The amazing thing about Cousin Laddie was that he was almost the same color as Lupe. Laddie’s fur was a lot longer, though, except on his chest where it had been cut. Laddie did have one front tooth, an upper canine on the L side. That lone tooth gave Laddie sort of a crooked smile. SPHP later said that Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea should have named him Snaggle Fang.
10-29-21, Centennial Trail No. 89, Alkali Creek trailhead – Everyone was excited! Cousin Laddie was about to get his first introduction to the Black Hills. Cousin Dusty was 15 now, so the hike had to be a relatively easy one. The stretch of Centennial Trail No. 89 N of the Alkali Creek trailhead to a ridge overlooking the old 7th cavalry post at Fort Meade was one of Uncle Joe’s favorites, and would do nicely. He always called it the Ponderosa hike.
The whole pack at the start of Uncle Joe’s “Ponderosa Hike” along Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks NE.Off to a good start, looking back toward the Alkali Creek trailhead. Photo looks SSW.
The first part of the trail was an easy stroll through the grasslands. Soon Bear Butte(4,422 ft.) was coming into view. At the top of a rise, the trail diverged by a gate in a barbed wire fence. Centennial Trail No. 89 went L here, heading W for a forested ridge.
At the gate where Centennial Trail No. 89 turns W (L) to go up onto the forested ridge. Bear Butte (R) in the distance. Photo looks NNE.Bear Butte. Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.About to head up the ridge. Photo looks W.
Upon entering the forest at the base of the ridge, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W, working steadily higher on a winding course. At nearly the end of October, autumn leaves still clinging to the scrub oaks were well past their scenic best, but did add splashes of color. Cousin Dusty, a veteran of many prior adventures in the Black Hills, was doing great! She often took turns leading the way with Lupe.
Still unaccustomed to the Black Hills and his new life, Cousin Laddie was happiest sticking close to Uncle Joe.
Loop and Dusty, together again in the Black Hills!Loopster in the lead.Getting close to the top of the ridge. Photo looks ESE.
Centennial Trail No. 89 reached the top of the ridge at its far S end. Here the trail leveled out. Peak4027, true summit of the entire mile long ridge, was only a little farther N. The trail went practically right to it, but never did go quite all the way to the top, sweeping around the hillside E of the summit instead.
Naturally, being this close, Lupe had to tag the high point! The Carolina Dog left Centennial Trail No. 89, venturing up to the summit. Everyone else followed as a matter of course.
It took only a couple of minutes to reach the top, a big, flat, grassy field ringed by Ponderosa pines in most directions. Lupe, SPHP, Cousin Dusty, and Uncle Joe had all been here before, but this was Cousin Laddie’s first Black Hills peakbagging success. Peak 4027 was super easy, but Laddie seemed happy enough with it.
The whole pack up on Peak 4027. Photo looks NNW.Lupe and Uncle Joe.
A short break was taken up on Peak 4027. Although trees blocked the views in most directions, Bear Butte and the prairies E of the Black Hills were on display. SPHP had brought apples and chocolate coconut bars. Uncle Joe shared Kirkland bars. All of the dogs enjoyed some chocolate coconut bar, and Cousin Dusty even wanted the apple cores. Water was available, too.
Cousin Dusty looking good at 15 on Peak 4027.Dusty asking Uncle Joe if it’s alright to have some chocolate coconut bar?In the sunshine back on good ole Peak 4027.Bear Butte (Center) from Peak 4027. Photo looks NNE.
When all the goodies were gone, it was time to continue on. From Peak 4027, Centennial Trail No. 89 ran another 0.75 mile all the way to the far N end of the ridge. Most of this route was forested, but there was a big clearing approaching HP3983, and a little past HP3983 was a viewpoint off to the L (W) overlooking I-90.
Laddie N of Peak 4027 hitting Centennial Trail No. 89 again.Uncle Joe and the pack in the meadow approaching HP3983. Photo looks N.At the viewpoint N of HP3893 overlooking I-90 (R). Photo looks SSW.
At the N end of the ridge was another viewpoint overlooking the town of Sturgis. Oyster Mountain(4,040 ft.), Sly Hill(3,920 ft.), and Peak 3950 were all in sight, too.
At the N end of the ridge. Oyster Mountain (Center), Sly Hill (R) and Peak 39050 (far R). Photo looks NW.
From the Sturgis viewpoint, the trail began descending NE. Halfway down the mountain it curved back into a valley to the S, then turned NE again upon reaching the valley floor. Scrub oaks were the most scenic feature of this trek, especially lower down where, protected from the wind, they still had quite a few leaves.
Heading down the N end of the ridge.Cousin Dusty amid the scrub oaks as she enters the valley.
The valley of the scrub oaks eventually led clear down to Old Stone Road. Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed the road, entering a larger, flatter drainage which continued NE out toward the prairie. The trail soon curved E, but everyone abandoned it to take a shortcut up a grassy slope onto the ridge to the N.
Near the start of the wider drainage after crossing Old Stone Road. Photo looks NE.Approaching the prairie. Centennial Trail No. 89 curves E (R) beyond the magnificent tree, but everyone left the trail here to go N (L) up onto the ridge. Photo looks NE.Joe, Laddie and Dusty getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.
Overlooking both Fort Meade and Bear Butte(4,422 ft.), the top of this ridge was the traditional end of the “Ponderosa Hike”.
Fort Meade (L) and Bear Butte (R) from the end of Uncle Joe’s traditional “Ponderosa Hike”. Photo looks NNE.
Hardly a cloud in the sky, and incredibly warm for practically the end of October! A little farther W along the ridge, everyone hid out from the sun in the shade of a few large pine trees enjoying a second rest break. More bars, more apples, more water!
Relaxing in the shade at the end of the Ponderosa hike. Photo looks SW.New cousin Laddie taking it easy on his first ever Black Hills expedition.
When the time came to start back, there was some discussion of possibly exploring farther W first. In the end, though, the whole pack headed right back down the grassy ridge’s S slope.
Ready to start back to the trailhead. Photo looks WSW.Final moments on the grassy ridge. Photo looks S.
Rejoining Centennial Trail No. 89 down in the wide drainage, the pack followed it SW only a short distance. Before reaching Old Stone Road, it was decided not to return via the ridge leading to Peak 4027. Instead, a different trail was taken that went S down on the rolling prairie.
Briefly back on Centennial Trail No. 89 again S of the grassy ridge. Photo looks SW.Lupe and Cousin Dusty out on the prairie. Photo looks SSW.Still more than a mile from the Alkali Creek trailhead. Photo looks SSW.
Near the end, Centennial Trail No. 89 was eventually rejoined at the gate where it turned W going up to the forested ridge and Peak 4027. Getting just plain hot out! The sun was a beast with the temperature soaring into the mid 70’s ºF. In their fur coats, Lupe, Dusty and Laddie were all panting, tongues hanging out on the final stretch.
Arrival back at the Alkali Creek trailhead was promptly celebrated with a much anticipated cold drink out of Alkali Creek. Lupe and Laddie both eagerly waded in and drank their fill, but Dusty wasn’t satisfied with just getting her paws and insides wet. Instead, she plunked herself right down in the stream and stayed there.
Relief from the heat at Alkali Creek.Cousin Dusty cooling off in Alkali Creek.
No one was going anywhere, and Black Hills Expedition No. 281 wasn’t finished, until Cousin Dusty was ready to declare it over and done with. Taking her sweet time about it, Dusty finally got sufficiently cooled down to come dripping out of Alkali Creek.
A little under 4 hours round trip on a summery October afternoon, the Ponderosa hike had been a great choice! Easy enough for Dusty, and a gentle introduction to Black Hills peakbagging for Laddie, the day had been a success.
11:20 AM, 58ºF – W of Custer SPHP turned off Hwy 16, parking the RAV4 along Lightning Creek Road (USFS Road No. 288). Lupe bounded out. Blue skies, warm and sunny! A superb day for a Black Hills expedition!
Snow left over from last week’s storm was melting away in the forest as Loopster trotted NW along Lightning Creek Road. The Carolina Dog had barely gotten started, when she suddenly noticed movement down the steep bank to the E.
SPHP, look! A buffalo!
Setting out on Lightning Creek Road. (USFS Road No. 288). Photo looks NW.
Yup! There’s a bison ranch down there, Loop.
You mean to say that’s a tame buffalo, not a wild one?
Tame? Hmm. Don’t know I’d go that far. Used to seeing people and traffic maybe, but bison have minds of their own.
I bet it’s delicious!
Delicious? I’ll say! Don’t go getting any ideas, though, Loop. That buffalo is even bigger than it looks from up here. Easily more than a match for any pipsqueak American Dingo, no matter how feisty.
Pipsqueak!
Yeah, pipsqueak, so leave that buffalo alone! Come on, let’s go! We’ve got mountains to climb!
Lupe hesitated. The buffalo was fascinating! When it just stood around for several minutes, though, the Carolina Dog finally decided she might as well move on, and went running off after SPHP.
Where the pines shaded it, Lightning Creek Road was sloppy with mud and slush from melting ice. Loop soon came to a partial view of a long forested ridge. Near the top, a seemingly unbroken line of limestone cliffs ran along its entire length.
Oh! Another one of your numbered Lists of John peaks with more than 300 feet of prominence, SPHP?
Yup. Figure we might as well do some of them, since you’ve already been to all the named peaks we can climb in the Black Hills, most more than once. These Lists of John peaks are something new and different. Never know what we might see!
Or not see, like a way up!
Eh, don’t worry about that yet, Looper. Topo map looks like Peak 6361 might be easier from over on the other side of the mountain, so let’s head over that way to check it out.
Peak 6361 from Lightning Creek Road. Photo looks N.
As Lupe continued NW along Lightning Creek Road, SPHP kept an eye on Peak 6361. There really didn’t seem to be any way up from the S. Not too worrisome yet. Loop probably really could climb it from the N.
Peak 6361’s true summit was near the E end of the mountain, but the biggest, most impressive cliffs were clearly way over at the SW end. After summiting, Lupe ought to visit those cliffs! The best views Peak 6361 had to offer might well be from up there.
Enjoying the trek along Lightning Creek Road. Photo looks NW.Peak 6361’s SW cliffs (L). Photo looks N.
A mile from Hwy 16, Lupe came to some corrals shortly before reaching a junction with USFS Road No. 288.1A. Taking a shortcut through a big parking area for horse trailers W of the corrals, she reached No. 288.1A NE of the junction.
Approaching the corrals near the junction with USFS Road No. 288.1A. Photo looks NNW.
More than 0.25 mile N on No. 288.1A brought Lupe to another junction, this time with No. 288.1B. The Carolina Dog was now due W of Peak 6361. A short section of No. 288.1B headed right for the base of the mountain, where the road forked again.
From here, No. 288.1B veered R (S), destined to curl around to the S side of Peak 6361, an approach that wasn’t going to work. Loopster went L instead, taking No. 288.1C N. To access this route, she had to go under an odd single strand bungie rope gate in a barbed wire fence. Suspecting the rope might be electrified, SPHP was a little leery, but passed through without incident.
W end of Peak 6361 from the junction with USFS Road No. 288.1B. Photo looks ENE.Heading for the N side of Peak 6361 on USFS Road No. 288.1C. Photo looks N.
As No. 288.1C swung around to the ENE, the N slopes of Peak 6361 began coming into view. This side of the mountain was a lot snowier, but the terrain was otherwise much more favorable for an ascent. No line of cliffs visible near the top!
Lupe stuck with the road, slowly gaining elevation, until she reached what appeared to be a favorable spot. The Carolina Dog then left the road, plunging into the forest climbing SSE through 4″ to 6″ of snow.
Ridges across the valley from Peak 6361. Photo looks WSW.N of the mountain. Lupe left No. 288.1C near this point. Photo looks E.Heading up Peak 6361’s N slope. Photo looks SE.
The snowy ascent through the forest never got very steep. Near the top, Lupe saw a yellow cliff off to the E, but never came to one herself. A steady romp higher, and that was about it.
As the American Dingo gained Peak 6361’s main E/W ridge, she made an unexpected discovery. A road was up here! Apparently it originated somewhere farther E along No. 288.1C than Lupe had been.
On the unexpected road near the top of Peak 6361’s main ridge. Photo looks E.
Lupe had come up near the low point of the main ridge about a third of the way E along the mountain from the cliffs at the SW end. Saving the views from those cliffs for last, Loop headed E looking for Peak 6361’s true summit.
The main ridge was plenty wide and almost flat. Travel was easiest S of the crest where there wasn’t much snow. Forest effectively hid the views, although there were tree-broken glimpses. The terrain rose slowly as Lupe roamed E. The ridge eventually narrowed somewhat. Loop came to a path which began climbing a little more aggressively. It soon brought her to the base of a small hill at Peak 6361’s far E end.
An easy stroll higher, and Lupe was at true summit of Peak6361.
Up on the main ridge close to where Lupe first reached it. Photo looks E.Exploring the forest on the way to the true summit. Photo looks ENE.On the use trail where the ridge narrowed somewhat. Photo looks E.Approaching the summit. Photo looks E.
12:57 PM, 64ºF, Peak6361 summit – Peak 6361’s summit had 3 lobes. From a central high point, which was grassy and partly covered with old deadfall, an uninteresting NW lobe extended only a short distance into the forest. Another short lobe went E, also into the forest. As the top of a limestone outcropping, this lobe was more scenic.
The most interesting lobe was the SW one, which was somewhat larger than the others. The SW lobe featured two cairns sitting next to each other near the best viewpoint, which was where Lupe first came up. After venturing briefly over to the true summit, Loopster returned to this viewpoint to bask in the warm sunshine, and help SPHP polish off a chocolate coconut bar, a task effortlessly completed in nanoseconds.
Lupe followed up the chocolate coconut bar with some Taste of the Wild, while SPHP munched an apple. Northeast Cicero Peak(6,240 ft.) off to the SE was the big view on display.
By the twin cairns where Lupe first reached the true summit region.At Peak 6361’s true summit. Photo looks NNE.The summit regions’ SW lobe from the true summit. Photo looks WSW.Northeast Cicero Peak (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks SE.
By getting up and moving around the summit region a bit, other decent views were on offer from various gaps between the pines. Lupe saw the plains of Wyoming far to the SW, and both Twin Sisters(5,920 ft.) and Peak5802 to the SSE. Loop had been to Twin Sisters before. The plan was to climb Peak 5802 later on today. It didn’t look very big from here.
Looking SW.Twin Sisters (L of Center) and Peak 5802 (R of Center) are visible beyond the snowiest field. Photo looks SSE.Peak 5802 (Center), which Lupe would be climbing later on today. Photo looks SSE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Since Lupe still intended to visit the viewpoint from the cliffs 0.5 mile away way over at Peak 6361’s far SW end before heading down the mountain, she spent only 35 minutes at the summit. Before departing, she toured all 3 summit lobes, and briefly returned to the true summit.
SW summit lobe from the E lobe. Photo looks W.Back at Peak 6361’s true summit. Photo looks NW.Final moments up on the SW lobe before departure. Photo looks E.
As she headed back W, Lupe explored more of the main E/W ridge. NE of where she’d first reached it earlier in the day she came to a fairly open area featuring just about the only view to the N from Peak 6361. Nothing too dramatic, just some even higher forested ridges beyond the next valley.
View to the NW from the open area N of Peak 6361’s main ridge.
The far SW viewpoint was considerably lower than Peak 6361’s true summit, but did turn out to be a great vantage point. Approaching it, Lupe discovered another trail heading that way. As anticipated, this trail ended at a big flat spot, but instead of the expected exposed limestone, the ground was covered with pine needles.
Approaching the SW viewpoint. Photo looks S.Surprise! Pine needles instead of exposed limestone. Photo looks SW.
Turned out that the limestone platform was actually a bit lower beyond the initially visible edge. A short easy slope led down to it. Venturing out onto the platform for a look around, the views were certainly worth the effort expended to get here!
Out on the limestone platform of Peak 6361’s far SW viewpoint. Photo looks SW.USFS Road No. 288.1A is visible down in the valley. Photo looks W.Looking SW with help from the telephoto lens.Intersection of USFS Roads No. 288 and No. 288.1A (L). Photo looks W.Looking SE.
Satisfied with her SW viewpoint experience, Lupe returned to the road she’d found earlier, following it all the way back down the mountain. Sure enough, it linked up with USFS Road No. 288.1C well E of where she’d left it. Enjoying a pleasant, easy return, Loop retraced her former route back to the RAV4. (3:12 PM, 71ºF)
Back on USFS Road No. 288.1C during the return. Photo looks W.
Mid-afternoon on a short October day, Peak 5802 was too far away to simply hoof it on over there from where the RAV4 was parked, so SPHP had to drive a bit to get closer. On the way, 3.5 miles S of Hwy 16 along Pleasant Valley Road (USFS Road No. 715), there was a curious site – a pullout by a big rock with a plaque on it.
Eh, why not? SPHP stopped so Lupe could take a look. The plaque and a wooden sign nearby both bore a distressing message.
It’s a lie! A complete and total lie, SPHP! We both saw the proof just a few hours ago! Why is this here? Who would ever do such a terrible thing?
At Buffalo Rock.The evil plaque.Collaborated by this fading sign.
Says right here on the plaque, Loop – Joe Heumphreus, Bob Patterson and Charley Sager.
Well. that’s awful! It’s not true, either, SPHP! We saw that buffalo on the way to Peak 6361 today! Remember? It was alive! We’ve seen plenty of other buffalos in the Black Hills, too! Custer State Park has hundreds of them, maybe thousands!
About 1,300 to 1,500, I think. The sign is probably right, though, Loop. The last native buffalo in the Black Hills probably was killed here in 1884, but there were still some buffalo left in Yellowstone and a few other spots. Wind Cave National Park eventually acquired 14 buffalo in 1913, and Custer State Park brought in another 36 buffalo the following year.
Oh! Really? That’s why we still see buffalo?
As far as I know, yes. The parks aren’t the only places with buffalo these days. There are private herds owned by ranchers, too. The bison we saw this morning was part of a private herd.
Well, however they got here, I’m glad there are still buffalos in South Dakota, SPHP! Hope no one ever kills the last one again!
Me, too, Looper!
3:37 PM, 68ºF – Roughly 0.6 mile S of Buffalo Rock, SPHP turned off Pleasant Valley Road onto USFS Road No. 715.3L, parking the RAV4 on a grassy slope. Getting a little late in the day, but Peak 5802 was only about a mile NW as the crow flies. Lupe could start for it from here.
About to set off for Peak 5802! Photo looks W.
In the shadow of a mountain to the W, USFS Road No. 715.3L was sloppy with mud and slush as Lupe followed it NW. 0.5 mile brought her to a fork where No. 715.3M split off heading WNW. Peak5802 was already in sight, but looked quite steep from here.
A check of the topo map showed that the easiest route up was likely from the E on a slope N of the mountain. Since No. 715.3L would go right past the base of that slope, Lupe stuck with it, staying to the R.
Peak 5802 dead ahead! USFS Road No. 715.3M (L). Lupe went R sticking with No. 715.3L. Photo looks NW.
No. 715.3L now went N avoiding a ranch to the E. The road gradually lost elevation, reaching a low point less than 0.25 mile NW of Buffalo Rock, which wasn’t visible from here. No. 715.3L then turned NW going up a narrow valley. A small herd of cattle, concerned by the unexpected appearance of an American Dingo, led the way.
Near the low point of USFS Road No. 715.3L as it heads around a ranch. Buffalo Rock is out of sight just beyond the hillside L of the buildings. Photo looks SE.Starting up the narrow valley. Photo looks N.Following cows, much to Lupe’s delight! Photo looks NW.
About a mile from the fork where No. 715.3M had split off, No. 715.3L flattened out. Lupe left the road here heading W up a forested slope, gradually curving SW as she climbed higher. The slope steepened and became snowier as she approached a saddle on the ridge to the W, but getting up there was no problem. A short break was taken up on the ridgeline, which was sunny and snow-free.
Heading higher shortly after leaving USFS Road No. 715.3L. Photo looks WNW.Up on the sunny ridgeline. Photo looks SE.
Loop was now 0.25 mile N of Peak 5802, already at 5,700 feet. Heading SE after her break, she climbed a rock outcropping where the ridge was very narrow. These rocks provided a view of Twin Sisters(5,920 ft.) to the NNE. Sylvan Hill(7,000 ft.) and Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) were also visible in the distance.
Twin Sisters (L), Sylvan Hill (R of Center), and Black Elk Peak (R). Photo looks NE.
Beyond the rocky viewpoint, the ridge broadened out. Lupe started up a gently-sloping forested hill. Angling S to avoid having to go all the way to the top, she was soon past the hill on a shallow descent toward the saddle leading to Peak 5802.
At the saddle N of Peak 5802 (Center). Photo looks S.
Crossing the saddle, a moderately steep trek 100 feet up Peak 5802’s N slope, and the American Dingo was there.
5:11 PM, 66ºF, Peak5802 – The true summit, which was right where Lupe came up, was a small knoll a few feet higher than than anywhere else on a 500 foot long summit ridge that curved away to the SE. To the W, the ridge extended only another 25 feet. Ponderosa pines blocked the views to such an extent that there really wasn’t much to see. A narrow view of Parker Peak(4,848 ft.) far to the S was about it.
Arriving at the true summit of Peak 5802. Photo looks SSE.Parker Peak, the high point of Fall River County, is the distant barren hill at Center. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.
The sun was already getting quite low. After tagging the high point, Lupe explored the SE ridge. A single large boulder sat at the far end next to where the ridge began dropping off steeply. Loop got up on it briefly before returning to the true summit.
Exploring the SE portion of the summit ridge. Photo looks N.On the boulder at the S end. Photo looks SE.
Shall we take a break here, Loopster? Just to absorb a little Peak 5802 ambiance?
Sure, SPHP! Kind of quiet up here, though, and not much to see, either.
Sometimes that’s just the way it goes, Loop. Not every mountain is going to turn out to be a scenic wonder. They are all unique, though, and simply being up here together sharing the experience makes it a special place. How many other Dingos have ever been to Peak 5802? Hardly any, I bet!
You’re right, of course, SPHP! We like the peace and solitude, don’t we? Still, the ambiance could be improved.
How so, Loop?
Got another chocolate coconut bar in the pack?
As a matter of fact, I do! Hang on, I’ll get it!
The sun was about to set when Lupe started down. At the saddle just N of the true summit, SPHP peered down the steep slope to the W. Looked doable, and would be a bit of a shortcut back to the RAV4. The Carolina Dog gave it a go.
Turned out that a jeep trail must have come up this way once upon a time. As Lupe lost elevation, the faint old road became more and more apparent. Hundreds of feet lower, the road faded away again, the slope of the hillside diminishing as Loopster entered a big valley. Gradually turning SW, the Carolina Dog eventually reached a much better road.
USFS Road No. 715.3M? Probably. Following the road SE for nearly a mile confirmed SPHP’s suspicions. Lupe arrived back at the fork where No. 715.3M left No. 715.3L. Still 0.5 mile to go to get back to the RAV4.
Splish-splash! At the end of a perfect day, her belly dirty and wet, Lupe trotted along the muddy, slushy road in the gathering gloom happy as could be. (End 6:41 PM, 42ºF)
