Badger Hole again, SPHP? Hey, wait! You missed the turn!
SPHP drove only another 0.1 mile before turning R off CSP Road No. 8 at a big lot where a few small mounds of snow-covered gravel were stored. A bit nippy in the breeze, yet a lovely morning for mid-February. The sunny, clear blue sky held out hope for additional warmth soon enough.
At the gravel lot. Photo looks SSE.
No, we’re not returning to Centennial Trail No. 89 today, Loop, but do you remember that cool peak we saw from Pass 5180 last time out?
Yes, of course! Looked like fun! Are we climbing it today, SPHP?
Yup! I looked it up. It’s Peak5440, another Lists of John peak with 400 feet of prominence. We’ll climb it today along with Peak5360, which is only another mile or so NNW.
Loopster was fine with that. The American Dingo trotted over to CSP Road No. 8, and turned SE. After a few hundred feet, the road curved S. Abandoning it, Lupe headed straight into the forest. From the top of a small rise, part of Peak 5440’s long SW ridge was already in sight.
CSP Road No. 8. Photo looks ESE.Peak 5440’s SW ridge (Center) from the first rise. Photo looks ENE.
Might as well have stuck with the road a bit farther! A shallow valley was directly ahead. Angling E, Lupe passed S of a metal building, then followed the road that went to it S almost to the very end of Peak 5440’s SW ridge. A short climb got her up to the ridgeline.
The ridge was mostly forested, plenty wide, and only moderately steep.
Descending into the shallow valley. Photo looks ENE.In the valley. Start of Peak 5440’s SW ridge (Center & L). Photo looks SSE.About to head up. Photo looks SE.Start of Peak 5440’s SW ridge. Photo looks NE.
Going to be a snap, Looper! Just follow this ridge NE. 0.5 mile and 500 feet of elevation gain ought to about do it!
Lupe started climbing. The ridge she was on melded into another ridge farther E. As the American Dingo gained elevation, she paused now and then, allowing SPHP to gasp for air while she admired the views that were already beginning to appear. Mount Coolidge(6,023 ft.) was in sight a couple of miles back to the SW.
At a sunny spot while approaching the next ridge E (R). Photo looks NE.Mount Coolidge (L of Center). Photo looks SW.Snowy hills bordering the Galena Creek valley. Photo looks SE.Mount Coolidge (Center) again from a little higher up. Photo looks SW.
Soon HP5200 was visible out along Peak 5440’s SE ridge. Looked like a nice, mostly open, vantage point, but Lupe didn’t go over there. Instead, she continued climbing along the SW ridge, which was getting rockier and starting to narrow down.
HP5200 (Center). Photo looks E.Continuing up the SW ridge. Photo looks NE.
The ridge narrowed a great deal, developing a rocky spine. From an open spot, a high point appeared ahead. Perhaps the summit?
Approaching a high point (L of Center). Photo looks NNE.
Up here, the wind was gusting a brisk 20 mph out of the NW. Loop didn’t much care for that! Nevertheless, the Carolina Dog pressed on. She was now high enough to catch a glimpse of Little Devils Tower(6,960 ft.), the Cathedral Spires(6,840 ft.), and Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.).
Bracing against the wind. Photo looks NE.Looking back along the ridge. Photo looks SSW.Little Devils Tower (L), Cathedral Spires (L of Center) and Black Elk Peak (far R). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.
The spine of rock extended all the way up to the high point Looper had seen. She arrived at a snowy, scenic spot, nicely sheltered by the forest from the NW wind.
Following the rocky spine higher. Photo looks SSW.On the snowy high point. Photo looks N.What a beautiful spot! Photo looks SSW.
Turned out, Lupe still hadn’t reached Peak 5440’s true summit. Leaving the snowy high point, the ridge widened as Loop continued NE down to a saddle leading to the final ascent.
Leaving the snowy high point. Photo looks SW.On the way down to the saddle that leads to the summit. Photo looks NE.
10:43 AM, 42ºF, Peak5440– A broad, thinly-forested ramp made for an easy romp up to a surprisingly large summit region. The true summit proved to be a steeply tilted rock on a small rise along the SE edge. The big, unobstructed view was of snowy hills off to the SE. They were all lower than Peak 5440.
Almost there! Heading up the broad ramp. Photo looks NE.Entering the summit region. Photo looks NE.At Peak 5440’s true summit. Photo looks SSW.The big view. Photo looks SE.
Pines along the NW edge only partially blocked the wind. Actually felt like winter at the true summit! Retreating down the SE slope to escape the breeze helped a great deal. Springtime here!
On the more hospitable SE slope. Photo looks WSW.
Springtime, and time for a chocolate coconut bar, too, SPHP!
Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap, eagerly accepting her share of the much anticipated chocolate coconut bar. Really quite comfortable out of the wind. Snow on the lower hills to the SE contrasted pleasingly with the dark Ponderosa pines.
Off to the SSE was a view of some barren hills that SPHP suspected might include Peak5120, which Lupe had been to less than 2 weeks ago during Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 295. Couldn’t positively identify it, though.
Relaxing on Peak 5440. Photo looks SE.Same view with help from the telephoto lens.Peak 5120 (L)? SPHP wasn’t certain.
Inertia set in. The day finally seemed to be warming up. Cozy here, and the view was excellent. 45 minutes drifted by before Loopster decided she’d had enough. Returning briefly to Peak 5440’s true summit, she then continued NE, starting for the next saddle leading to Peak 5438.
Along the way, she once again caught sight of Little Devils Tower, the Cathedral Spires, and Black Elk Peak.
Back on Peak 5440’s true summit. Photo looks S.Little Devils Tower (far L), Cathedral Spires (L), and Black Elk Peak (far R). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.Peak 5438 (L of Center). Photo looks NE.
Almost as soon as Lupe left Peak 5440, the ridge going to the saddle over to Peak 5438 became rocky and narrow. Kind of rough ground! Before Loop even got close to the saddle, SPHP was ready to ditch this route.
Heading down the rocky ridge. Photo looks NNE.
Hey, Loop! We’re on our way to Peak5360 now, so forget Peak 5438. Let’s get off this goofy ridge.
The American Dingo began angling NNW. At first, the fairly steep slope she was descending was rocky, too. Looper lost quite a bit of elevation before getting below the rocks, but even that didn’t really help much. The forest had recently been thinned down here, and a lot of still green slash was on the ground.
Starting down off the ridge. Photo looks S.
The rate of descent gradually diminished, but progress remained slow as SPHP kept maneuvering to avoid as much slash as possible. After losing 300 feet of elevation, the situation changed with the discovery of a road.
The snowy road was level and ran NE at first, but soon started to curve NW and lose elevation. Lupe eventually made it down to a sunny field, where a different road ran N/S in the valley N of Peak 5440.
On the helpful snowy road. Photo looks NE.In the valley N of Peak 5440. Photo looks NNE.
Following this road N to the trees, it then began to climb and angle off to the NE.
Hmm. SPHP checked the topo map. Didn’t show any of these roads, but Lupe clearly didn’t need to go NE. Abandoning the road, Lupe continued N, deeper into the forest.
Should be a relatively short drainage going NW somewhere along in here, Loop. We can follow it down to Hwy 16A.
Sure enough, the Carolina Dog soon came to a ravine. A little rougher, and more V-shaped than SPHP expected, but it all went well. Before long, Lupe was crossing Hwy 16A.
About to enter the ravine. Photo looks NNW.Along Hwy 16A. Photo looks NE.
A moderately steep slope N of Hwy 16A presented no real obstacles, making it a relatively easy climb. Quickly gaining 200 feet of elevation, Lupe reached a minor saddle along a flat ridge that extended E. From here, she had quite a nice view of Peak5440, where she’d just been.
Climbing toward the saddle (Center). Photo looks NNW.Peak 5438 (far L) and Peak 5440 (R). Photo looks SSE.
The view to the NW wasn’t nearly as pleasing. Loopster was already partway up Peak 5360’s SE slope. However, the forest had also been thinned here, although not as recently as over by Peak 5440. Brown slash littered the entire slope. Yuck!
Peak 5360’s SE slope. Photo looks NW.
Consisting almost entirely of small diameter stuff, the slash wasn’t all that terrible, but it wasn’t much fun, either. Lupe patiently picked her way through it, as SPHP trudged along behind. Slash, slash, and more slash! Loop never got above it. The slash extended almost 400 feet higher, all the way to the top of the mountain.
Amid the slash, getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.
1:16 PM, 44ºF, Peak5360 – The wind was still out of the NW, but only at 15 mph now, as Lupe reached a flat, triangular summit region roughly 25 feet across. The true summit, only a foot or two higher, if that, was a rocky area toward the W partially covered with slash.
Despite the forest having been thinned, there were still way too many trees up here to have any real views. Glimpses of Peak5733 to the W, and the very top of Black Elk Peak to the NW were about it.
Peak 5360 summit. Photo looks W.Peak 5733 (beyond Lupe). Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.Top of Black Elk Peak (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks NW.
Lupe sat down in the snow next to a big tree.
This is it, SPHP? The top of Peak 5360?
Afraid so, Loopster.
Peak 5438 would have been better than this, and a lot easier to get to, too!
Yeah, but this is a Lists of John Peak with more prominence, Loop.
Your prominence is all fine and dandy, SPHP, but what good is it, if we can’t see anything? Especially, when the whole mountain is just a pile of slash! Kind of takes the fun out of getting here.
Most of it, maybe, but we can still enjoy the peace, solitude, and tranquility.
And maybe another chocolate coconut bar, SPHP?
Oh, sure! You can have some Taste of the Wild, too.
Thinking deep thoughts by the big tree. Photo looks E.
The chocolate coconut bar vanished in a flash. Loopster then crunched away at her Taste of the Wild. SPHP threw a sweater over her to protect against the wind.
Every mountain is unique – a unique place on the earth’s surface, and on any given day, a unique experience. Peak 5360 wasn’t the splendid sort of mountain the American Dingo was likely to return to someday, but it had taken a while to get here. Since Lupe wasn’t in any big rush, it seemed appropriate to linger for a while.
Slowly dying, the wind came in gusts. The camaraderie was great, even if the views weren’t. Nothing like being on another mountain with your best friend, ever! Half an hour of together aloneness ebbed away.
As Lupe stood on the true summit for the last time, for the first time, SPHP noticed another view due N.
Hey, how about that, Looper! George and Abe are here!
On Peak 5360’s true summit. Photo looks E.Mount Rushmore. Photo looks N with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Leaving Peak 5360, Lupe headed SW. Definitely the way to go! Soon she was out of the slash. Gently sloping terrain, and reasonably open forest made for a pleasant, easy descent.
About to leave Peak 5360’s true summit. Photo looks SW.Getting past most of the slash. Photo looks SW.In the sunlit forest. Photo looks SW.
It wasn’t far to a power line that ran N/S. Going S, the terrain dropped steeply. Lupe followed the power line only a short way before veering off to the SW again, where she soon picked up a road that wound down to a saddle where the road divided. Still descending, Loopster took the branch going S. Eventually a field appeared off to the W that led to Hwy 87 near its junction with Hwy 16A.
At the power line. Photo looks S.On the road discovered shortly after abandoning the power line. Photo looks WNW.Following the field to Hwy 87. Photo looks W.
The rest was easy. Lupe followed Hwy 16A to Legion Lake. Below the dam, a shortcut got her back to CSP Road No. 8 and the RAV4.
By Legion Lake. Photo looks SE.
3:04 PM, 46ºF – Well, that was a nice day, SPHP! Glad we did this!
See! Peak 5360 wasn’t so bad!
No, it wasn’t, SPHP. The descent was lovely, and a chocolate coconut bar had been waiting at the top, so I’m happy. Peak 5440 was better, though, you have to admit that.
Yeah, Peak 5440 was fun, Looper! Not that hard, yet an interesting route, plus that grand view SE from the top. Doubt Big Rock will be any better.
Big rock? What big rock are you talking about, SPHP?
Oh, Big Rock is where we’re going next, Loop.
What! We aren’t done, SPHP? Is Big Rock another Lists of John peak you’ve dredged up?
No, not a Lists of John peak, Loop. Big Rock(5,655 ft.) is just a hill along the S edge of Custer that Arthur Caverly added to Peakbagger.com a few years ago. Don’t really know anything about it. Shouldn’t take us long to tag it, though.
3:21 PM, 46ºF, Custer Chamber of Commerce – SPHP parked the RAV4 at the Custer Visitor Center on Washington Street. Out front, a snazzily painted buffalo depicted General Custer firing a pistol while wearing a freshly punctured arrow shirt.
By the painted buffalo at the Custer Visitor Center.
Harbach Centennial Park and the Mickelson Trail were right across the street. Taking the Mickelson Trail E to South 8th Street, Lupe turned S, starting up a hill. South 8th Street ended at a turn E onto Canal Street.
At this turn, the Big Rock trail continued S up the hill. However, Lupe had to check out an amazing sight before taking the trail. A whole herd of painted buffalo was grazing in a nearby vacant lot!
Part of the painted buffalo herd at the S end of S 8th Street. Photo looks E.
The painted buffalo were awesome! Each bison bore a different colorful design. Lupe and SPHP both favored the one with mountain goats on it.
The mountain goat buffalo.
The Carolina Dog would have been even more impressed, if the painted buffalo herd had been a little more lively. Since she’d apparently come across the bison during a period of inactivity, Lupe started up the Big Rock trail.
About to head up the Big Rock trail.
The snowy trail climbed at an easy pace. Lupe passed several benches. Heading S at first, the trail eventually curved W. Getting rather late for a February afternoon! Low angle sunlight filtered through the trees.
On the way to Big Rock. Photo looks WSW.
The trail nearly flattened out as Lupe headed W. Other trails took off in various directions. After crossing a road, the Big Rock trail led to a long stairway.
Starting up the stairs. Photo looks WSW.
The long stairway led to the base of Big Rock’s massive summit block. Solid rock, of course! A second stairway went up to a viewing platform.
At the base of the summit block. Photo looks W.
3:57 PM, 45ºF, Big Rock(5,655 ft.) – Still windy! Looper stood blinking in bright sunshine. Big Rock’s true summit was tantalizingly close, right behind her. However, no access to it without leaving the platform for a dicey scramble.
Big Rock summit. Photo looks E.
Guess we won’t be getting up there! At least, I’m not. Be my guest, if you want to go for it, SPHP!
Think I’ll pass, Loop. Apparently, Big Rock is one of those “good enough for Dingo work” peaks where we fall a bit short of the true summit, yet still claim a successful ascent.
And a chocolate coconut bar, SPHP!
Nope! Not this time, overly-sweetened Dingo of mine! None left, and we don’t really deserve one in this case, anyway.
No chocolate coconut bar? That, and the chilly wind, dampened the mood, but the views were sweet! Buckhorn Mountain(6,330 ft.) was just N of Custer. Sylvan Hill(7,000 ft.) and Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) were also in sight to the NNE, but much farther away.
Buckhorn Mountain (L of Center) beyond Custer. Sylvan Hill (R). Photo looks N.Buckhorn Mountain (L), Sylvan Hill (L of Center), and Black Elk Peak (R). Photo looks NNE.Northeast Cicero Peak (Center). Photo looks SSE.
The Big Rock viewing platform was small. Not much to do up here, other than the forbidden scramble. 5 or 10 minutes taking a good look around was sufficient.
On the way back, Lupe visited Sunrise Point, which offered a closer, but almost identical view of Custer. From here, she completed a loop via the Skywalk Trail back down to Harbach Centennial Park right across the street from the RAV4.
About to head down.Big Rock Park trail map posted at the Skywalk trailhead.
4:24 PM, 45ºF, Custer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center –
So are we done now, SPHP?
Yup. That’s it for Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 296, Loop! Any thoughts? What was your favorite part?
Well, Peak 5440 was the best mountain with that snowy high point, plus the great view to the SE, but you know what, SPHP? The mountain goat painted buffalo is hard to beat!
By the mountain goat buffalo, Custer, South Dakota 2-19-22
Dark, but not entirely. The yellow crescent moon hanging low in the E was not alone. One bright star nearby. A planet, actually. The morning star, Venus, its identity betrayed by the rosy glow spreading along the horizon As the RAV4 cruised S, Lupe was so happy!
Can’t believe it, SPHP! My Lists of John mini-blitz is really taking off, isn’t it? Black Hills Expeditions 2 days in a row! That hardly ever happens.
Hah! Grand finale! Your Lists of John mini-blitz ends today, Looper!
S of Custer, SPHP kept an eye on the RAV4’s temperature readout. Low 40’s °F when Lupe had left home, but plunging now. Incredible! Why? It was supposed to get into the mid-50’s °F today!
Off highway, after miles of dust and gravel, SPHP pulled over to the side of the road.
Hop on out, Loop. Let’s have a look!
A mile S, a forested ridge resembled a submarine surfaced on a sea of grass.
See that bump in the middle, Looper? Think that’s it!
7:59 AM, 14ºF, start of USFS Road No. 645 off Red Canyon Road(Fall River No. 15, USFS Road No. 322) –
14ºF! Yowser! Had no idea it would be this cold, Looper. Better start warming up fast, or I’m calling it.
Lupe had no intention of letting that happen! Nothing like a good march higher to get the blood circulating! Without hesitating, the American Dingo took off, heading N up USFS Road No. 645.
USFS Road No. 645 (R) where it leaves Red Canyon Road. Photo looks NW.Starting up. Photo looks N.
Five frosty minutes got Lupe up to where the grade decreased quite a bit. A grassy field was ahead, illuminated by a feeble morning sun. No detectable warmth to it, but just being in sunshine lifted spirits.
Glancing back at Red Canyon as No. 645 starts to level out. Photo looks S.The sunlit field. Photo looks NNW.
After crossing the field, No. 645 curved NE, climbing faster again. The road wound through a stretch of pine forest up to a larger field. Crusty snow crunched underpaw. Sometimes Lupe could see her breath.
Leaving the first field behind. Photo looks SSW.Crossing the next field. Photo looks ENE.
So, why is my Lists of John mini-blitz going to end today, SPHP? You never said.
Oh, because today you are officially going to complete your achievement, Looper!
Wow! Really? Will I have climbed all the Lists of John peaks?
Hah! No! That will never happen, Looper! Not even limited to all the ones in South Dakota, or just the ones in the Black Hills.
Why not, SPHP?
Well, because a few of them are simply beyond our capabilities. Others are on private property, or forbidden for other reasons, like Mount Rushmore.
The road kept going. Soon a line of low bluffs appeared ahead. No. 645 went right to them. Near the base of the bluffs, Lupe came to a round water trough. Cursory inspection revealed that it was empty.
Heading for the bluffs (R). Photo looks NE.By the water trough. Photo looks NNE.
From the water trough, No. 645 went SE, climbing more aggressively as it curled around the S end of the bluffs. The road then turned N, taking Lupe up to the territory above them. From here, No. 645 curved NE, still gaining elevation until it finally leveled out at yet another big field. Beyond this field was a long hill.
Above the bluffs now, which are unseen off to the L. Photo looks N.Approaching the next hill. Photo looks NE.
Looked like an easy climb. Lupe might easily have gone right up the W slope. However, the Carolina Dog stuck with the road, which ultimately swung clear around the S end of the hill. Along the way, No. 645 passed through a gap where a rock on the L had names carved into it.
No one Lupe knew had signed the rock, though, so after a brief pause, she continued on her way. The road dipped, then wound E up onto a large grassy plain.
Going through the gap. Names were carved into the rock wall on the L. Photo looks E.Approaching Peak 4480 from the SW.On the high prairie S of the summit hill. Photo looks NNE.
Lupe followed No. 645 all the way around to where it topped out SE of the summit hill. She then left the road, heading straight for the S end.
Cactus! Loop instantly became reluctant to continue, insisting that SPHP scout the route out first before she would follow. Got a little steep and rocky, but not until the Carolina Dog was already almost up on top.
Getting close to the top of the S end of the summit hill. Photo looks NW.
The S end of the summit hill was lower than the N end, but the views were great! A little different from typical Black Hills fare, Peak4480 was way off in the far SW part of the hills, a region that was lower and drier. Not as much forest here, so the views were more expansive.
Nearby, grasslands and low forested hills were in sight. To the SW, Lupe could see the plains of Wyoming. Matias Peak(4,780 ft.) was only a couple of miles SE.
S end of Peak 4480. Wyoming is in the distance off to the R. Photo looks S.Matias Peak (R of Center). Photo looks SE.View to the NE.Another look S from a nifty boulder.Looking NW.
Having seen the sights from the S end, Lupe headed N in search of the true summit. An easy trek higher among a mix of pines, junipers, and small clearings led to a big clearing surrounded by trees. Couldn’t hold a candle to the S end as far as views, because there weren’t any, but Peak 4480’s summit region had a quiet, almost secretive feel to it.
A lone rock not too far from the N edge proved to be the true summit.
Heading N along the summit plateau in search of the true summit. Photo looks N.The big clearing at the N end. Summit is dead ahead. Photo looks N.True summit of Peak 4480. Photo looks E.
9:13 AM, 25ºF, Peak4480 – Warmer, but no big heat wave yet. Still chilly. Fortunately, only a slight NW breeze. SPHP dumped the pack against the summit rock, then sat next to Lupe shaking her paw.
Congratulations, Loopster! Your first Lists of John peak of the day!
Thank you, SPHP! How many of them are we going to do?
3, with any luck. 2 might do it as far as your achievement is concerned, but maybe not. Need all 3 to be certain of success. Slam dunk, then.
And what is this grand achievement that we’ve been doing this Lists of John mini-blitz for this month?
Oh, you’ve been working on this achievement a lot longer than just this month, Loop! Lists of John really has nothing to do with it, just a fun way to pick out some new territory to explore while you finish up. In fact, you’ve been working on this achievement practically your whole life.
What does that mean, SPHP? Don’t keep me in suspenders any longer!
Climb all 3 of these Lists of John peaks today, Loopster, and you will have completed over 1,000,000 total vertical feet of elevation gain.
Is 1,000,000 a whole bunch, SPHP?
Sure felt that way on many occasions, Loop. More than 189 miles straight up! Includes all of the peaks that you’ve climbed, whether hard or easy. 1,000,000 isn’t any kind of a record, though, not even close. Sam Grant and Greg Gerlach have each logged nearly 6,000,000 total vertical feet.
Dingo feathers, SPHP! Nobody could have done that much!
Oh, yes! They have! It’s all documented on Peakbagger.com, same place where I’ve documented your climbs. Don’t feel too bad, Loop! Officially, you will be 77th to reach the 1,000,000 mark on Peakbagger.com, if we succeed today. Not too shabby. And your 1,000,000 isn’t even an accurate number. You actually hit 1,000,000 vertical feet long ago. There are a lot of early treks that I never added to Peakbagger.com for you, and even after I started to, for years I only entered net elevation gain, instead of total.
So, you mean I’ve been shortchanged, SPHP? How many total vertical feet have I really climbed?
Heh! Yes, you’ve been shortchanged. Never realized we would be doing all this when you started out, or I would have kept better track. How many vertical feet have you really done? Who knows? Hundreds of thousands more for sure that I could estimate, if I just took the time to do it, because I do have some old journals. Maybe another 1,000,000 or 2,000,000, if we’d had a way to track all the endless running around you did, that I didn’t, but we don’t. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Tracking statistics like this is just for fun. No big prize.
Well, that’s disappointing! 1,000,000 total vertical feet of elevation gain that you make such a fuss about, and then there’s no big prize, SPHP? Humans are crazy! Any chance of a small prize as an early installment? How about a chocolate coconut bar?
Eh, I’m saving those for later. You can have a couple of MarroBone treats, though.
The MarroBones didn’t survive any longer than a chocolate coconut bar would have. Hoping to find a viewpoint, SPHP wandered a little way down the NW slope, but didn’t go very far since it was all forested. Lupe returned to the big clearing near the summit rock. Even without any distant views, it was pretty up here.
Returning to the summit (R) after a quick foray down the NW slope. Photo looks E.In the lovely clearing. Summit rock (R). Photo looks SW.
25 minutes shot by. If Looper was going to get her 1,000,000 today, she should probably move on, especially if she wanted to explore the big loop she could take back to the RAV4.
What do you think, Loop? Want to explore the big loop, or head right back to the RAV4? Completing the loop would be about 2.5 times as far, but its mostly a downhill road hike. Ought to be easy.
We’re here now, SPHP! Let’s see what there is to see!
Leaving Peak 4480’s summit, Lupe headed NNE. A short, forested slope led down to a smaller clearing. Although also rimmed with trees, at the far N end, a few rocks offered a view of the red dirt prairie below, and Elk Benchmark(5,669 ft.) on the NW horizon.
In the smaller clearing NNE of the true summit. Photo looks NNE.Elk Benchmark (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks NW.
After enjoying the view, Lupe went back S a little way looking for a good spot to descend the fairly steep slope to the E. Finding one, she ventured down through the forest to a big snowfield below it. Several deer went racing away to the NE, providing some excitement.
Crossing part of a big tableland, Loop reached USFS Road No. 685 again, happily without experiencing the pain of any cacti mishaps.
Peak 4480 from USFS Road No. 645 again. Photo looks W.
The big loop was worth seeing! Initially heading NE away from Peak 4480, USFS Road No. 645 soon began curving SE, then S. At first, Lupe was out on the big open tableland. As she got farther S, the road ran along the edge of the canyon separating Peak 4480 from Matias Peak. Views from the rim of the canyon were lovely.
Heading S on No. 645. Photo looks S.Passing a weather station (R). Photo looks SSE.Matias Peak (R of Center) across the canyon. Photo looks SE.Matias Peak (Center) with a little help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks ESE.
Eventually the road began a long, winding descent SE along the edge of the canyon. Near the end, No. 645 led into USFS Road No. 379, which in turn soon got Lupe back to Red Canyon Road.
Descending into the canyon. Photo looks SE.Winding down to USFS Road No. 379 (L). Photo looks SE.
Shortly after starting the 0.75 mile trek N on Red Canyon Road back to the RAV4, a brown and white sign was down in the ditch to the W.
Near the sign along Red Canyon Road. Photo looks WNW.
What does this sign say, SPHP?
Well, let’s see, Looper. It says: Deadwood – Custer Cheyenne Stage Route, 1875-1877, Metz Family Massacred Here, April 24, 1875
Massacred! The whole family? Right here, SPHP?
Guess so, or hereabouts. Anyway, that’s what it says, Loop.
That’s terrible! And twice in a row now! I don’t like it.
Twice in a row? What are you talking about?
Don’t you remember, SPHP? Only yesterday, on Expedition No. 293 we came to James Fernando Shepard’s grave. Murdered for a mining claim!
Oh, yeah! That’s right!
I’ve got a bad feeling about this SPHP! Let’s go! It’s a warning!
A warning! The Metz family was massacred even longer ago than poor Mr. Shepard was murdered. Doesn’t have anything to do with us. You’re being ridiculous, Loop!
How can you be so sure, SPHP? What if we’re cursed?
Cursed? Why would we be cursed?
Have I reached 1,000,000 vertical feet of elevation gain yet, SPHP?
Officially? No, but you must be real close to it by now.
How close?
Oh, more than 999,000 feet for sure.
We’re never going to make it to 1,000,000 vertical feet, SPHP! Something terrible is going to happen! We’ve come to a murder, then a massacre. We’re next!
For pity sake, Looper! Get a grip! We’ll be just fine.
It’s been nice knowing you, SPHP. Maybe we should just go home instead of tempting fate?
Oh, no we’re not. We going to the RAV4, then on to the next mountain. Not going to get this close, then quit climbing mountains, curse or no curse! (End 11:25 AM)
The doomed Dingo on Red Canyon Road, almost back to the RAV4. Photo looks NW.
The next mountain wasn’t very far away. On the way to it, SPHP stopped for a look at a striking red rock butte capped by a layer of white. Around the next bend, SPHP stopped again to consider a big ridge to the SW.
The beautiful red rock butte, actually part of a long, continuous wall. Photo looks NNW.The big ridge around the bend. Photo looks SW.
Could have climbed Peak 4400 from the N easily enough, but not without crossing private ranch lands. The American Dingo would have to go for it from the W, where there was USFS access.
11:50 AM, 45ºF, USFS Road No. 316 – Day was half-shot already! Had warmed up nicely, though. Lupe trotted E down No. 316 to the turn by the entrance to the Hey Ranch. Leaving the road, she continued E along a fence to a first little hill on the L, which she then climbed.
Nice view of the RAV4 and forested ridges back to the W from here, but the ridge to the NE was of more interest. Big rocks were along the steep upper rim. Not a problem! Gaps were visible among them. Lupe could get up there easily enough. The American Dingo pressed on.
W side of the Peak 4400 ridge from USFS Road No. 316. Photo looks ENE.By the entrance to the Hey Ranch. Lupe didn’t go in. Photo looks SSW.Following the fence to the first hill (L). Photo looks E.Looking back from the first hill. Photo looks WSW.Next ridge from the first hill. Photo looks ENE.Climbing the ridge. Photo looks N.
Once up on top, the view from the ridge was a bit surprising. This was more of a second hill than part of the main Peak 4400 ridge, which was still farther E. Looked like Lupe had started climbing too soon. Might have been better to go around both of these hills before starting up.
Live and learn! A little late for that now!
Made it! Up on the second hill. Photo looks NW.The main ridge from the second hill. Photo looks SE.Closest part of the main ridge from the second hill. Photo looks NE.
Deadfall left over from a forest fire made maneuvering difficult. Just took a little time. Soon Lupe was through it, heading down to a saddle that connected with the closest part of the main ridge. After crossing the saddle, another steep climb got the Carolina Dog up onto the W rim.
Heading higher! Photo looks E.Robinson Ranch from near the top. Photo looks W.
Except that this wasn’t actually part of Peak 4400’s main ridge, either! Just a third hill. Rinse and repeat! Crossing this third hill, Lupe went down to another saddle leading to yet another climb.
At last, the steep part of the ascent was over. The American Dingo was now up on Peak 4400’s enormous summit plateau, but way out W on a lower part of it near the N end, still 0.5 mile WSW of the true summit. To the E, the terrain still rose, but at a much easier pace. Going over a little rise, a moderately higher part of the plateau was ahead.
Up on the Peak 4400 plateau. Photo looks ENE.
The vast plateau was interesting territory. No cactus at all! Lupe liked that. Mostly grassland, but at one time there had been a fair amount of forest up here, too. Nearly all of it had burned.
Looper trotted E, enjoying the sense of elevated spaciousness. Weird rock formations were concentrated near the edge, but also scattered across the plain.
Such strange and wonderful territory, SPHP!
Yeah! This is awesome, isn’t it, Loop? Not many places in the Black Hills like this. Be fun to camp up here on a starry night!
Passing a cool pillar. Photo looks W.On the upper plateau. Photo looks ESE.More rock formations. Photo looks ESE.
On the upper plateau, Lupe came to a particularly strange formation. It was so cool!
At the Dingo Throne! A 2-seater for king and queen. Photo looks SE.
Gently rolling terrain flattened further as Lupe finally drew near the E side of the summit plateau, and was nearly as flat as a pancake by the time she turned N.
The topo map showed the true summit way out near the NE end of the mountain. Did look like there might be slightly higher ground over that way as the Carolina Dog got closer. On the way there, Lupe came to a low region bordered by walls of rock.
On the flats. Photo looks NNE.Near the E edge. Photo looks E.Along the SW edge of the low region. True summit somewhere on the other side. Photo looks NE.
Fortunately, the small cliffs along the NW end of the low region were not continuous. Loopster was able to get across. Once on the other side, it wasn’t far to a collection of rocks that appeared to be the true summit of Peak 4400. Located right along the edge of an even larger low region to the NW, this was a very scenic spot!
At the apparent true summit of Peak 4400 (R). Photo looks NE.True summit. Another angle. What a unique view! Photo looks NNW.
Of course, on a mountain as flat as Peak 4400, there were other rocks nearby that appeared to be in contention for the title of true summit, as well. Before visiting them, it was time for a break.
Hey, Looper! Why don’t we go find a spot along the NE edge to relax? Should be some pretty sweet views!
Congratulations, once again, Loopster! Another Lists of John peak climbed!
Two down and one to go! Then my Lists of John mini-blitz will be over, right, SPHP?
Yeah, that’s right, Loop.
Do you think I’ve officially hit 1,000,000 feet of total vertical gain yet?
Not sure. Maybe. If you haven’t, you’re extremely close. No more than 100 or 200 feet away. Might have hit it already. Tell you what. How about we celebrate right now just in case? We’ll split a chocolate coconut bar, and you can have another couple of MarroBones. How’s that?
Not a hard sell. The enthusiastic Dingo made short work of it all, then curled up on SPHP’s lap, crunching Taste of the Wild from her silver bowl, while SPHP munched an apple. The views were splendid!
Along the NE edge on a rock by the rest spot. Photo looks NW.Loopster at 1,000,000 total vertical feet, or very close to it. Photo looks NW.Peak 4480 (L), where Lupe had just been, in front of Matias Peak. Photo looks SSE.Looking N.
A peaceful, happy, half hour drifted away.
You know, SPHP, since this is both such a scenic mountain and momentous occasion, we really ought to do some more exploring up here before we have to go!
You’re absolutely right, Loop! Looks like there is still some fun stuff a little farther NW of here. Let’s sniff around over that way for a little bit.
Exploring Peak 4400. Photo looks E.The red lowlands. Photo looks N.Fabulous rock formations along the NE edge. Photo looks NW.Overlooking the NW low region (L). Photo looks NW.About as far N as Loop got along the edge of the escarpment. Photo looks NW.
Lupe had a fun time scrambling around among the rocks. Could have spent many hours roaming around up here, but that was not to be. She was a Dingo on a mission. One more Lists of John peak to go!
Starting back, Loopster visited another rock in contention for title of true summit that wasn’t far from the one SPHP actually thought was it.
On the contender. SPHP’s anointed true summit (far L). Photo looks SW.The NW low region from the contender rock. Photo looks NW.
An hour after arriving, Lupe left the true summit rock for the last time. The angle of the sun warned against any more dilly-dallying. Peak 4400 had been a big, scenic success. Confidence and joy were in the air as the American Dingo worked her way around the NW end of the low region bordered by cliffs again.
And then she saw it.
SPHP, look! The curse! We’re doomed! 1,000,000 vertical feet will be the end of us!
How strange! Lupe had found another rock formation reminiscent of the Dingo Throne. This throne was only a one-seater though, and that seat was occupied. The ruler was right there – a twisted, entirely black tree. A vision of evil!
A death tree, SPHP!
The death tree – evil, enthroned ruler, and Dingo curser of Peak 4400. Photo looks SE.
Guess we better say our prayers, Looper! We’re a goner for sure now!
Well, what else could SPHP say? Anyone would know a death tree when they saw one. No denying it! And yet, the nervous Dingo’s return went well overall. Going down the W slope, a promising path led off to the N and got Loop stuck among a giant patch of obnoxious deadfall, but that was the only aggravation. She soon made it down to USFS Road No. 316 somewhat N of the Robinson Ranch.
From there, it was just a pleasant afternoon stroll along the road back to the RAV4. (3:21 PM, 53ºF)
Getting close to where Lupe would have to head down the W slope. Photo looks SW.
3:51 PM, Dewey Road (Custer County No. 769) – Cows! Despite having barked hysterically at every cow in sight from the G6, and now the RAV4, zillions of times over the years, cows were coming to see Lupe!
Although hesitant, at first, the cows seemed genuinely happy to see the pesky Carolina Dog. They were gathering from all across their huge field. Amazed, Lupe didn’t bark, but stood watching their approach.
Lupe, the cheering cows, and Peak 4440 (Center). Photo looks S.
Wow, Lupe! Look at this! All the abuse you’ve doled out to them, yet the cows are coming to cheer you on to 1,000,000 total vertical feet! Hear all that mooing? They love you!
Well, it was either that, or perhaps the cows were hoping SPHP still had plenty of chocolate coconut bars to distribute? Who knew? In any case, Lupe was as happy and excited to see all the lovely black cows, as they were to see her.
I’m shocked! You must be right, SPHP! That’s so kind of them. I don’t know what to say. I’m humbled!
Unfortunately, the cows were a bit of a problem. Peak4440, Lupe’s last Lists of John peak of the day, was in sight beyond their field. Clearly, wandering through a whole herd of cows eager to make the American Dingo’s acquaintance would never do. Furthermore, there was no sign of USFS Road No. 394.2A which was supposed to go due S through this field to USFS land providing the quickest access to Peak 4440.
There was another way, but it would take longer. Better get with it!
Come on, Loopster! Back to the RAV4! We’re going to have to drive a little farther W.
Lupe started to come, but suddenly began limping terribly, hopping about with her L rear paw in the air.
Ow! Ow! Ow! I can’t, SPHP! It’s the curse!
What on earth? What happened, Loop? What’s wrong with you?
I just told you, SPHP! I’m stricken by the murdered, massacred, death tree curse of 1,000,000 total vertical feet! We’re never going to get there! My paw is broken! Oh, it hurts! Ow, ow, ow!
Hold still! Lemme, see that paw, Loop. Uh-huh! How’s that?
Lupe was stunned. An instant cure! Her paw was fine again.
You can remove curses, SPHP? I never knew! All these years you’ve been a wizard incognito? Fantastic disguise, by the way.
Oh, yes! Remove curses all the time! Provided that the curse is that you’ve stepped on a burr.
4:02 PM, 52ºF, Dewey Road, SSW of Walsh Well – Gotta hurry! Getting late on a January afternoon, and Peak 4440 was 1.5 miles SE. And that was just to the base of the mountain. Lupe would still have to climb it!
Onward! Puppy, ho!
As Lupe followed a fence S, a little luck. A walk-in area! The American Dingo could save some time cutting across the big field to the E. No need to go clear around the SW corner to stay on USFS land.
Peak 4440 (R) from the walk-in area sign. Photo looks ESE.
The shortcut brought Lupe to a nearly level plain sloping gradually SE. Peak 4440 was directly ahead, but Lupe was already in shadow. A race against time was on, but some caution had to be used. Scattered patches of large-spined cactus thrived here. SPHP kept an eye out for danger, as Miss Bare Paws made for the mountain.
Hurrying across the plain. Peak 4440 (Center). Photo looks SE.
Discovery of a cactus-free, two-track road, perhaps some remnant of USFS Road No. 391.2A, helped speed things along. When the two-track got close to a wide drainage, Lupe abandoned the road, crossed the drainage, and headed straight for Peak 4440’s NW slopes.
On the cacti-free super highway. Peak 4440 (L). Photo looks SSE.About to cross the odd, almost artificial-looking drainage. Photo looks N.
Peak4440 has two summits, N and S, the N one being highest. The plan was to head up to the saddle between them, then turn N. However, Lupe had started up before going far enough S. This mistake wasn’t evident until she’d already gained considerable elevation. The terrain forced her toward the mountain’s N ridge.
Too late to do anything about it! Just hope it works! The Carolina Dog was already committed, barely keeping up with the last rays of the sun.
Climbing Peak 4440. N (true) summit (Center) dead ahead. Photo looks SE.In the alpenglow. Photo looks SE.Racing the sun. Photo looks WSW.
The sun was gone by the time Looper reached the N ridge. Twilight was coming on. Amid rocks and junipers, Lupe went up the steep narrow ridge, staying toward the E sometimes, because both the ridgeline and the W slope were just too difficult.
At an open spot where Lupe first reached the N ridge. Photo looks N.
By the time a top appeared, the light was so dim that the camera could barely compensate without producing fuzzy images. Lupe had made it, though! The summit was only seconds away!
Almost there! Photo looks S.
5:19 PM, 43ºF, Peak4440 – Curse or no curse, 1,000,000 total vertical feet, a once in a lifetime achievement, complete! In twilight, Lupe stood atop Peak 4440’s N and true summit. Hard to believe it was over. No doubt at all about it now, though. The American Dingo had done way more than enough.
Peak 4440 summit. Photo looks S.
From the E, a night sky was approaching. To the W, high thin clouds were still on fire, a brilliant orange glow.
Congratulations, Lupe! May I shake your paw? 1,000,000+ total vertical feet! It’s official now. Don’t think too many Dingoes have ever done that!
Offering her sweet little paw, Lupe looked expectantly up at SPHP.
Alright! Yes, I have another chocolate coconut bar for you, but it will have to wait a few minutes. We better get some pictures to commemorate the occasion while we still can.
Wyoming on the horizon. Photo looks W.Most of the N summit ridge. Photo looks S.Looking E.View to the N.
OK, that’s about it Loop. Thank you!
What a remote and odd little mountain Peak 4440 was! Such an unlikely spot to be celebrating 1,000,000 total vertical feet. Unlikely time of year, too. Almost the end of January? Hardly the heart of climbing season, yet here Lupe was.
In the dying light, two earnest, trusting eyes gazed up at SPHP.
Have I done well?
Have I done well, SPHP?
Oh, sweet puppy! Yes! Yes! Yes! You’ve been magnificent all these years! You’re the greatest ever! I love you so much!
Another chocolate coconut bar met its devourer. 2 MarroBones suffered a similar fate. Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap to watch the world go dark. Far below, cows were mooing, cheering Lupe’s success!
Day’s end. Peak 4440.
Cows weren’t the only ones cheering for Lupe. Before the first silver stars appeared, suddenly there was a forlorn yipping synonymous with the Old West.
The wild dogs, SPHP!
They must be happy for you, too, Looper!
The coyotes sang to Lupe, but only a few verses before they were done.
6:06 PM – Cows, coyotes, a slight rustling of the wind, but mostly silence, and a million memories. 45 minutes atop Peak 4440, and the universe glittered overhead. Below, a black void. Time to go.
Getting a little late in the day.The were-puppy of Peak 4440.
Maybe there really was a curse? Despite the aid of an experienced Dingo guide, and the tiny flashlight, SPHP had a terrible time trying to find the way back down in the dark. Everything was so steep! Nothing worked! Took a long, weary time to get back down to the two-track road well S of where Lupe had left it.
Still more than a mile to go! As crusty snow crunched underpaw, the Big Dipper and North Star showed the way. Cold now. Lupe was tired, SPHP was tired, but it would all be over soon. What a day! (8:17 PM, 22ºF)
2-4-22 – Six days later, SPHP did throw a 1,000,000+ Total Vertical Feet party for Lupe. It was held at Grandma’s apartment, and was she ever surprised! Steve, Xochitl, Felix, and Asher all came. Cake, candles, ice cream, a Busy Rib Hide, and Beggin’ Strips! The whole nine yards! What more could a peakbagging Dingo ever want?
The fabulous 1,000,799 vertical feet cake!The star of the show, and her guests. L to R: Felix, Steve, Asher, Xochitl & Grandma.The guest of honor’s moment of flaming trepidation.Felix and Lupe.
What more could I ever want, SPHP? So glad you asked! Better get some paper and a pencil so you can write it all down. For my 2,000,000 total vertical feet party, I’d suggest …
Peak 4400, Black Hills of South Dakota on 1,000,000+ Total Vertical Feet Day, 1-29-22
