Lupe – Page 183 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 240 – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L & Hat Mountain (11-14-18)

Start – 8:33 AM, 39°F at the Gold Run trailhead, Deerfield Reservoir

Nearly mid-November, but such a beautiful morning that an expedition way out in the W central Black Hills seemed like a great idea. Loopster might not have many more chances to get out in the high country before winter set in. She arrived at the Gold Run trailhead by Deerfield Reservoir to find a skiff of snow already on the ground.

Lupe arrives at the **Gold Run trailhead** near Deerfield Reservoir in the W central Black Hills. Photo looks NE.

Lupe’s primary objective was an easy one. She was here for a romp around Deerfield Reservoir exploring Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. The 11.65 mile long trail would be perfect for a leisurely all day expedition this time of year. The American Dingo would encounter a fair amount of elevation gain and loss along the way, but in easily managed chunks without any truly steep parts.

Looper ready to set out on Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. Photo looks NNW.

The Gold Run trailhead is located at the S end of an arm of Deerfield Reservoir. The plan was to follow Lake Loop Trail No. 40L clockwise around the lake. Lupe set off heading N along the W side of the bay. A thin shelf of ice covered by snow extended out from the near shore.

**Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.)** (Center L) is in view beyond the S arm of Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks NNW.

Gold Run trailhead (R) is at the end of this S arm of Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks SE.

Lake Loop Trail No. 40L followed the S arm of Deerfield Reservoir N, but not all the way to the main body of the lake. Before getting that far, the trail turned W climbing a modest slope. At the top, Lupe found a road leading to a nearby picnic ground.

Nearing the main part of **Deerfield Reservoir**, Lake Loop Trail No. 40L turned W (L) here and climbed a modest slope. Photo looks NNE.

The trail followed the road a very short distance SW to a junction. Here Lupe turned R (NW) onto a road going downhill. 100 feet brought her to a marker where the trail left the road again. Lake Loop Trail No. 40L went W before heading S up a draw taking Lupe away from the lake.

Going S up a draw heading away from the lake.

After gaining some elevation, Lake Loop Trail No. 40L left the draw, crossed Whitetail Loop Road, and began gradually working its way W. The trail wound through ravines and along hillsides. Lupe was well S of the lake, glimpses of which were only occasionally in sight.

This part of the forest was full of deadfall timber. Fortunately, the trail was mostly free of it. Even so, Looper came to places where the trail would have been easy to lose. The trail was not marked at a couple of critical points. Paying a little extra attention went a long way toward staying on the right path.

S of the lake on hillsides strewn with deadfall timber. Photo looks SW.

Lupe got as much as 150 to 200 feet above lake level before Lake Loop Trail No. 40L started a steady descent. The trail eventually brought her down to Whitetail Loop Road again along the S shore near the W end of the lake.

Loop near the high point of the trail approaching the W end of **Deerfield Reservoir**. Photo looks W.

On Whitetail Loop Road near the W end of **Deerfield Reservoir**. Photo looks W.

The trail followed Whitetail Loop Road only a short distance W before cutting NW across a small field. A sign commemorating Deerfield Dam & Reservoir stood 50 feet SW of the trail.

Starting around the W end of **Deerfield Reservoir** after leaving Whitetail Loop Road. Photo looks W.

Near the commemorative sign at the SW end of **Deerfield Reservoir**. Photo looks NE.

After visiting the sign, Lupe returned to the trail. It took her around the W end of Deerfield Reservoir staying right beside paved Deerfield Road much of the way.

Back on the trail going around the W end of **Deerfield Reservoir**. Photo looks ENE.

Following **Deerfield Road**. Photo looks NW.

Beyond the W end of the lake, a footbridge over Castle Creek came into view. Castle Creek is Deerfield Reservoir’s main water source.

The footbridge over Castle Creek comes into view. Photo looks NW.

At the footbridge over **Castle Creek**. Photo looks N.

Lupe crossed the footbridge. Lake Loop Trail No. 40L followed Castle Creek SE. Nearing the W end of Deerfield Reservoir again, Loop came upon a forested high point.

Nearby rocks offered a unique vantage point. The American Dingo left the trail for a look around.

Near the W end of Deerfield Reservoir again. Deerfield Road is now on the other side of the lake. Whitetail Loop Road (far L) is also in sight. Photo looks S.

W end of **Deerfield Reservoir**. Photo looks SE.

Lupe’s travels along the most accessible portions of Deerfield Reservoir were now over. From here on she would be in more remote territory. Beyond the rocky viewpoint Lake Loop Trail No. 40L headed NE into the forest. Lupe followed abandoned roads with a bit of snow on them. For quite a while Deerfield Reservoir was no longer in view.

For a while, Lupe didn’t see the lake at all. Photo looks E.

After more than a mile, Lupe reached a junction with a spur trail from the unseen North Shore trailhead.

Just past the junction with a spur trail from the North Shore trailhead. Photo looks SSE.

Shortly after passing this junction, Loopster reached a flat grassy area overlooking Deerfield Reservoir. A substantial portion of the main body of the lake was in view from here. Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) could be seen off to the S beyond the lake.

Lupe reaches a large grassy area overlooking **Deerfield Reservoir**. Photo looks SE.

**Hat Mountain** (Center) was in sight. Photo looks S.

N slope of **Hat Mountain** with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks S.

Lake Loop Trail No. 40L now turned ENE paralleling the N shore of the lake. Lupe crossed hilly open terrain providing continuous lake views. Approaching High Point 6087 from the W, the trail re-entered the forest. Lupe gained elevation going around the S side of High Point 6087. (Scroll N from Hat Mountain on the topo map.)

Loop back in the forest with a tree-broken lake view on the way around High Point 6087. Photo looks S.

Most of the way around High Point 6087 trees effectively blocked the views. Lupe and SPHP took a short break near a lone spot where it was possible to get a decent look around. Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) and even the top of more distant Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.) could be seen.

**Hat Mountain** from close to High Point 6087. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.

**Green Mountain** (Center) and more distant **Copper Mountain** (L). Photo looks SSE.

A glimpse back toward the W end of the lake. Photo looks SW.

Continuing on after the break, Lake Loop Trail No. 40L wrapped around the E side of High Point 6087, too. The forest permitted occasional glimpses of peaks in various directions. Lupe saw Hat Mountain again, and got a pretty good look at Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.).

Continuing around High Point 6087. Photo looks E.

Another look at **Hat Mountain** (L of Center). Photo looks S.

At one point, shortly before reaching a shattered forest, SPHP thought Castle Peak (6,358 ft.) could be seen off to the NE. Thinking Lupe would get an even better look at it, SPHP failed to take a photo. Unfortunately, Castle Peak never came into view again.

Shortly before reaching this shattered forest, Lupe had a distant view of Castle Peak. Unfortunately, SPHP did not take a photo, and Castle Peak never came into view again. Photo looks NE.

Lake Loop Trail No. 40L continued winding around NE of High Point 6087. Lupe came to a view of another part of Deerfield Reservoir more to the E which hadn’t been in sight before. The Carolina Dog could see the start of the first of two NW arms of the lake. She would have to go around both arms.

Somewhere NE of High Point 6087. Photo looks WNW.

A previously unseen portion of Deerfield Reservoir comes into view. The closest part is the start of one of 2 NW arms that Lupe would have to go around. Photo looks E.

The trail turned NW then began to lose elevation. The first NW arm of the lake wasn’t in view again until Lupe was nearly down to lake level. Looper crossed a wooden bridge over a tiny stream in a scenic draw. Around the next bend to the E was the W tip of the first NW arm.

Crossing the wooden bridge in the scenic draw. Photo looks NW.

By the W tip of the first NW arm. Lupe still had to get past a N tip, too. Photo looks E.

This first NW arm of the lake also had a slightly larger N tip. Lupe was soon heading N again on the way around the N tip.

Beyond the N tip of the first NW arm. Photo looks NNW.

The trail continued N past the end of the N tip reaching a fence line at the S end of Reynold’s Prairie, an extensive area of grasslands. Lupe had a great view of South Castle Rock (6,840 ft.), Castle Rock (6,783 ft.), Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.), and Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.) from here.

**South Castle Rock** (L), **Castle Rock** (part of same ridge straight up from Lupe), **Nipple Butte** (R of Center) & **Flag Mountain** (far R) from the S end of Reynold’s Prairie. Photo looks NW.

The trail turned E. Deerfield Reservoir was left behind. Lupe crossed a road leading to the Custer Trails campground. Eventually Deerfield Reservoir came back into view.

Soon the trail curved back around to the N again. Although it wasn’t in view yet, Lupe was getting close to the second and last NW arm of the lake. Lake Loop Trail No. 40L led across grasslands on the way N.

Looking back as Lake Loop Trail No. 40L curves N again. Hat Mountain is in the distance on the R. Photo looks SSW.

Heading N once more through the grasslands of Reynolds Prairie. **Castle Rock** (L), **Nipple Butte** (Center) and **Flag Mountain** (R) are all in sight. Photo looks NW.

The second NW arm of the lake was longer than the first one, perhaps 0.25 mile in total length. Coming over the top of a grassy hill, Lupe saw the end of it ahead. She followed Lake Loop Trail No. 40 along treeless hillsides clear around the N end, crossing a tiny stream in the process.

Coming over a grassy hill, the N end of the second NW arm of Deerfield Reservoir comes into view. Photo looks N.

Getting closer to the N end. Photo looks N.

Looking back along the length of the second NW arm. Photo looks SE.

Once across, the trail followed the tiny stream SE back to the second NW arm. Lupe was only slightly above the level of the lake.

Heading back toward the second NW arm of the lake after crossing the tiny stream. Photo looks SSE.

*So far, so good! We’re easily over halfway around Deerfield Reservoir now!* Looper down by the 2nd NW arm. Photo looks SSE.

After passing some pine trees on the way over a small rise, Looper came to a large grassy draw that led off to the E. She went through a gate in a barbed wire fence and found she had a couple of choices. She could go E on a trail heading up the draw, or follow a different trail back to the edge of the lake, hoping it would continue SE along the shore.

A sign did not clearly indicate which way the official trail went. Lupe and SPHP made a foray down to the lake. Nope. The trial faded away. The shoreline farther SE looked too heavily forested and steep to follow. Lupe headed E back up the draw, and soon came to markers for Lake Loop Trail No. 40L again.

The E draw (L) where there was confusion over which way the trail went is seen across the 2nd NW arm of the lake. Going R (SE) along the far shore was the wrong way and proved impractical. Lake Loop Trail No. 40L actually goes partway up the draw before turning R (SE) toward higher ground. Photo looks E.

Beyond the E draw, the trail headed SE or E across more open territory. Looking back to the NW, Lupe had her final views of South Castle Rock, Nipple Butte and Flag Mountain.

Looking back after going through one of more than half a dozen gates Lupe came to along Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. **South Castle Rock** (L), **Castle Rock** (Center), and **Nipple Butte** (R) are in view for the last time. Photo looks NW.

Lupe had now traveled the entire length of Deerfield Reservoir N of the lake. Lake Loop Trail No. 40L turned decisively SE. Lupe entered the forest again and started losing elevation. Before she had lost much, an opening on a hillside provided a first view of Deerfield Dam.

**Deerfield Dam** comes into view. Photo looks SSW.

Continuing a bit farther down the trail, Lupe discovered an even better viewpoint where she could see both the dam and Castle Creek. A nice spot for a rest break while enjoying the scene! Castle Creek roared as it shot out of two large culverts at the base of the dam.

Deerfield Dam & Castle Creek. Photo looks SW.

**Castle Creek** gushes out of two large culverts at the base of **Deerfield Dam**. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

When break time was over, Lupe returned to the trail, which now headed S down into the Castle Creek valley. Upon reaching the valley floor, Lake Loop Trail No. 40L continued S on a road over Castle Creek, but Lupe didn’t cross the creek yet.

Lake Loop Trail No. 40L didn’t go to Castle Creek’s outlet below Deerfield Dam, but a dirt road did. Lupe had even seen a side road that went right up onto the dam itself. Seemed like the American Dingo ought to explore these highlights while she was in the area.

Loopster began her off trail investigations trotting NNW up the dirt road to Castle Creek’s outlet at the base of the dam.

*Come on! Let’s go take a look at Castle Creek roaring out from the base of Deerfield Dam!* Photo looks W.

*This is it! Castle Creek comes gushing out of these two big pipes.* Photo looks W.

*Here’s more of a side view.* Photo looks NW.

*Wonder how much ice forms in the dead of winter?*

After visiting Castle Creek’s exit from the base of Deerfield Dam, Lupe next went up the side road to the top of the dam itself. Deerfield Dam is oriented roughly NW/SE. Loopster reached the top of the dam near the NW end.

**Deerfield Reservoir** from the NW end of the dam. Photo looks S.

Looking along the length of the dam. Photo looks SE.

The lake was beautiful from the NW end of the dam, but SPHP figured Loop might as well go see it from the SE end, too. She was glad she did. If anything, the views were even prettier from here!

*Sweet! This might be the best view of **Deerfield Reservoir** yet!* Photo looks WSW.

Lupe at the SE end of **Deerfield Dam**. Photo looks W.

The side trip to the Deerfield Dam hadn’t taken all that much time, but it was definitely getting later in the day. Lupe and SPHP left the dam and returned to Lake Loop Trail No. 40 down by Castle Creek.

Looking upstream along **Castle Creek** below the dam. Lake Loop Trail No. 40L crosses the creek on a road over it near this point. This is the lowest elevation point along the entire trek around Deerfield Reservoir. Photo looks NW.

Lupe now took the road S over Castle Creek. This Castle Creek crossing was the lowest elevation point of the entire trek around Deerfield Reservoir. Lake Loop Trail No. 40L now began a long, steady, gentle ascent of a narrow, winding valley. This was the valley of Dutchman Creek. The creek was small, especially at first, but did have some flow.

Lupe starts up into the Dutchman Creek valley. Photo looks S.

0.25 mile up Dutchman Creek valley, Lupe came to a trail junction. She had been here once before a very long time ago on a day when she had been badly injured by barbed wire. Poor Looper had had to run many miles back to the G6 from here with a big bloody gash in one of her legs.

This junction was with Deerfield Trail No. 40, which goes 23 miles E to another junction with the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89 before ending at the Deer Creek trailhead. SPHP had forgotten exactly where Deerfield Trail No. 40 meets Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L, but this was it. Lupe had found the junction again.

Lupe rediscovers the junction with **Deerfield Trail No. 40** down in the Dutchman Creek valley about 0.25 mile SE of where **Lake Loop Trail No. 40L** crosses Castle Creek E of Deerfield Dam. Photo looks NE.

Without ever leaving the Lake Loop/Deerfield/Centennial trail system it’s possible to go all the way to Wind Cave National Park in the S or Bear Butte State Park in the N. Be that as it may, Loop just needed to head back to the G6 now. Another sign at the junction said she was a mere 2.5 miles from the Gold Run trailhead.

Another sign at the junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40 said Lupe was only 2.5 miles from the Gold Run trailhead where she had started out this morning. Photo looks S.

Lupe and SPHP continued S on Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. Dutchman Creek exhibited greater flow, not less, as Lupe progressed up the valley.

Continuing up the Dutchman Creek valley. Photo looks S.

By **Dutchman Creek** near its point of greatest flow. Photo looks S.

Lake Loop Trail No. 40 eventually veered W. Dutchman Creek vanished. The trail continued on following dirt roads most of the time.

Heading WSW after the trail abandoned Dutchman Creek. Photo looks W.

Other unmarked roads began to intersect the road the trail followed. Which way? Trail markers weren’t reliably present at important points. The trail had been following a road S again for quite a way when Lupe came to a place where the road divided. S or W? A broken marker lay on the ground, but which direction it was supposed to point was no longer clear.

200 yards on the road going S revealed no more markers. Worse, the road seemed to be turning SE, definitely the wrong direction. Loopster returned to the junction with the broken marker. Taking the road W, another road quickly came into view at the far end of a field. Better yet, a single track trail angled S off the road Lupe was on into the trees. A pink ribbon tied around a tree highlighted a small marker nailed to the trunk.

No question now. Lupe headed S on the single track.

A little W of a confusing junction where the road divided, Lupe finds Lake Loop Trail No. 40L again (L) as it leaves a dirt road angling S into the trees.

For farther than SPHP expected, the single track went S paralleling the road Lupe had seen at the far end of the field. This was Deerfield Cove Road, which goes N to Dutchman Campground then on to a boat ramp on the S shore of Deerfield Reservoir. Lake Loop Road No. 40L finally turned W and crossed this road.

About to cross Deerfield Cove Road. Photo looks W.

The sun was low. Only a mile back to the Gold Run trailhead! Slanting sunbeams highlighted the forest as Lupe crossed the highest ground reached anywhere along Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. Looper was now in the vicinity of High Point 6248 and couldn’t have passed far from it.

Somewhere in the vicinity of **High Point 6248**, the highest ground encountered anywhere along Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. Photo looks W.

**Hat Mountain** (Center) again as seen through the late afternoon sunlit forest. Photo looks SW.

The long gradual uphill stretch that had started way back at Castle Creek was over. The terrain near High Point 6248 was fairly flat for quite a distance. Finally the trail started down. Lupe was on the descent to the E side of the S arm of Deerfield Reservoir. When she got there, the Gold Run trailhead was in sight.

Lupe reaches the E shore of Deerfield Reservoir’s S arm. Gold Run trailhead where she had started out from this morning is in sight at the far S end. Photo looks SSE.

A shortcut across a field at the S end of the lake directly to the Gold Run trailhead would have saved a bunch of distance. However, the field was fenced off, and Lupe would have had to cross Gold Run Creek. So she stuck with Lake Loop Trail No. 40L, which went the long way around all the way S to Deerfield Road before turning back N to the trailhead.

Looking back at Gold Run trailhead (L) from Lake Loop Trail No. 40L near Deerfield Road. The trail sure took the long way around to get there! Photo looks NNW.

The sun was still up, but not for much longer, when Lupe reached the Gold Run trailhead again. (End – 4:12 PM, 41°F) The American Dingo had successfully explored all of Lake Loop Trail No. 40L. She’d gone clear around Deerfield Reservoir. Even so, Loop wasn’t quite done yet.

Barely enough daylight left for a quick peakbagging effort! The sun was so low, SPHP drove Lupe W to USFS Road No. 691 (Williams Draw Road), then S to a side road only 0.5 mile N of Hat Mountain.

Lupe had seen Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.) from so many places on Lake Loop Trail No. 40L, that climbing it seemed like a great way to end the day. Up and back wouldn’t take long. No sense in lugging the backpack along was there? SPHP left it in the G6. (Start – 4:19 PM, 41°F)

Lupe followed USFS Road No. 691 a little farther S before plunging into the forest. Halfway up the NE slope, SPHP realized leaving the backpack behind meant no flashlight. Doh! Too late to go back for one now. Just another reason to hurry. No flashlight meant Loop wasn’t going to get to tarry more than a few minutes up on Hat Mountain.

The sun was already down by the time Lupe reached the summit, but the sunset was still developing. The Carolina Dog could linger enjoying the colorful display a bit longer than expected.

Lupe (R) reaches the flat summit of Hat Mountain just after sunset.

**Reynolds Prairie** (Center) and part of **Deerfield Reservoir** (R) from Hat Mountain. Photo looks N.

**Green Mountain** (L) from Hat Mountain. Photo looks S.

The glory of sunset faded as quickly as it arrived. The rush back down to USFS Road No. 691 began. Sensing the urgency SPHP felt, Lupe charged ahead.

Made it with photons to spare! A short easy road hike back to the G6, and Expedition No. 240 was done. Another adventure come and gone. No complaints. None at all. Lake Loop Trail No. 40L had been a perfect day. (End – 5:16 PM, 39°F)

Sunset from Hat Mountain, Black Hills of South Dakota, 11-14-18

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 256 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Daugherty Trailhead to Signal Knob & Deerfield Lake (10-30-20)

Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L – Map & Brochure

Gold Run trailhead directions: From Hill City take Deerfield Road (Highway 17) 14.6 miles NW to a signed R turn onto a dirt road. The trailhead is visible from this turn 0.2 mile to the N.

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

Beyond the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness to the Garden of the Gods & the Crack of Doom! (6-11-18)

Day 3 of Lupe’s 2018 Dingo Vacation to the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming & Beyond!

The night’s dense fog vanished during the wee hours, and the stars had been out. A chilly morning now, but sunlight filtering through the pines held hope that it would be warming up. Lupe sniffed her way along the bank of the North Tongue River at the Burgess Picnic Ground. The river was running high, full from bank to bank.

Oh, it was going to be a truly epic day! As soon as breakfast was done, SPHP had promised Loop was going to return to the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness! She had been there once before, nearly 5 years ago. Visions of bright, sunny meadows fragrant with the scent of a million blossoms, warm breezes, puffy white clouds, and a cool, clear running stream filled Lupe’s head. From a rocky hilltop, she had seen enormous green fields full of beautiful black cows.

Paradise! If only SPHP would hurry up!

By the **North Tongue River** at the Burgess Picnic Ground.

At last SPHP was ready! After a quick drive W to a R turn onto USFS Road No. 15, the road curved E going up a slope. At the top of the slope was a big pullout on the R. SPHP parked the G6. The Carolina Dog hopped out. From a big rock she could see the Elysian Fields off to the W, not even 0.25 mile away. Oh, joy! (9:39 AM, 44°F)

*Oh, there they are! The **Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness** are just beyond USFS Road No. 15 down by that black car. Come along, if you like! It’s not far.* Photo looks W.

Lupe wasted no time. Down the slope, across the road, and she was back in the fabled Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness!

Lupe returns to the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness for the first time since July, 2013. Next stop is the forested hilltop on the L. Photo looks W.

Lupe was thrilled, of course! She raced through the green fields, full of joyous energy, stopping to sniff and explore wherever interesting scents beckoned. She eventually returned to SPHP, who was walking across the fields, with a few questions.

What happened here, SPHP?

Hmm? What do you mean Loop?

Well, it’s all beautiful, but not like I remember it. The sky is clouding up! Where are the puffy white clouds floating in the blue? The W wind is 15 mph and kinda cold. Where are the warm, gentle breezes? The flowers are still here, but there aren’t nearly as many, and they aren’t blooming in such grand profusion. Why aren’t the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness as glorious as they used to be?

Oh, I see! Easily explained, Looper. It’s June now, not July like when you were here before. Another month, and the Elysian Fields will return to their former glory. You can count on it! We’re just a bit early. Summer comes late and doesn’t last long up here in the mountains. Paradise isn’t fully in season just yet.

Paradise has seasons?

Yes, indeed! And summer, when it’s all at it’s height of splendor, is the shortest season of all. There’s a reason why most of your Dingo Vacations occur in July and August, you know.

Does that mean winter comes to the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness?

Oh, yes. Longer, colder, crueler, and with more snow and ice than you’ve ever experienced!

Well, who knew? They never put that in the brochures, do they?

Oh, come on! You’ve never even seen a brochure about this place. They don’t exist. Silly Dingo!

Lupe was right. It was kind of cool, cloudy and windy. Be that as it may, it wasn’t a bad day to be out in the mountains. The Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness were still a great place to be, even if not at their height of glory. After crossing the first big field, Lupe carried on, following a trail W along the N bank of the North Tongue River.

The American Dingo soon forgot any complaints. She kept dashing off to explore this and that.

Loop by the North Tongue River. Buildings at the PK Cow Camp (R) are in the distance. Photo looks WSW.

Lupe (Center) exploring below rock formations near the river. Photo looks NW.

A trail ran along the river below small bluffs. Photo looks WSW.

Looking back downstream from one of the bluffs Lupe explored. Photo looks E.

A small tributary of the North Tongue River flows down from the PK Cow Camp. Approaching this stream, SPHP glanced up toward one of the last bluffs to see Lupe frozen at attention. She was staring at the field beyond the creek. Something over there was staring back, too!

Lupe and this bull moose were staring each other down. Photo looks WSW.

The bull moose with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

A bull moose! Loop and the moose stared each other down. Neither flinched. American Dingoes are great starers! Finally, the moose had had enough. He turned slowly around, then trotted up into the trees S of the PK Cow Camp.

*Hah! I’m still here and the moose is gone! He was right over in that field behind me.* Photo looks SW.

Well, shucks. The plan had been to cross the creek, then head across the field where the moose was to get to the hill beyond it. The moose had disappeared into the same forest Lupe needed to go through.

A bull moose had to be given a wide berth. Instead of crossing the creek, Lupe and SPHP followed it NW up to the PK Cow Camp. Lupe crossed the creek at the road to the buildings. No one seemed to be around. The Carolina Dog trotted on past a couple of cabins to a fence that went SW.

Lupe entered the forest following the fence up to a saddle N of the hill she intended to climb. The moose was nowhere in sight. The rocky hill Loop was going to climb was somewhere close by to the SE. Traveling through dense forest, Lupe went looking for it. She soon came to the first big rocks.

In the dense forest on the way to the rocky hilltop.

Lupe finds the first big rocks. Photo looks S.

Traveling along the base of the rocks, the Carolina Dog found a spot where it was relatively easy to scramble to the top. Yes! This was the same hill she had climbed before back in 2013. The top of the formation was much larger than SPHP remembered. It was nearly all solid rock, so there were only a few trees.

Loopster went over to the edge where she could look down upon those enormous green fields full of beautiful black cows again. The green fields were still there, but apparently cows were like flowers. They weren’t in season yet, either. Lupe saw none. Zero. Zippo. An annoying 20 mph W wind added insult to injury.

Loopster reaches the rocky hilltop S of the PK Cow Camp. **Black Mountain (9,489 ft.)** (Center) is on the horizon. Photo looks SE.

*The moose was awesome, but I would rather have seen all those black cows again!* Photo looks S over the **North Tongue River**.

Lupe not enjoying the W wind. **Garden of the Gods** (L) is 3 miles away across the fields. Photo looks W.

This was as far as Lupe had gone in July, 2013. On that magical day these rocks had been a wonderful place to relax and watch the grazing herds down by the North Tongue River. Not now. Lupe despised the cold wind. She had no reason to stay, anyway, without a single cow to gaze down upon. SPHP concurred.

So this is it, SPHP? We’re going back? Disappointing compared to our first trip here, but I sure won’t mind escaping this blasted breeze!

We’re going, but not back, Looper. See those high hills to the W far across the open range? That’s where we’re headed.

Way over there?! Across that wind-swept plain? Why on earth would we do that?

That’s where the Garden of the Gods is.

Sounds lovely, but what is it? Won’t the Gods kick us out, anyway?

Don’t really know. I’d never heard of it before, either. It’s not shown on any of the maps we’ve ever had, but then one day I noticed it marked on the topo map on Peakbagger.com. Garden of the Gods sounds wonderful doesn’t it? Full of life and incredible beauty! We’re going to go find out what’s really there! As far as the Gods go, if they tell us to leave, we will.

Intriguing, but are you sure the garden isn’t out of season? Perhaps we’re too early?

Probably true, Looper. If nothing else, though, we’ll find out what the Gods have planted this year. It’s not too early in the season for that. The garden ought to have at least sprouted by now. Are you in?

Oh, I suppose. Aren’t I always?

Yes, you are! Well, nearly always. That’s part of what makes Carolina Dogs such excellent explorers and adventurers, I guess.

Seems I’ve got a reputation to uphold. If we must, we must. Come on! Let’s go!

Lupe and SPHP left the windy, rocky hill. Loop headed back through the dense forest to the fence she had followed before and went under it. A bit of open ground led to another forested area a short distance to the NW. Apparently a second rocky high point was hidden among the trees here, too.

Loop near the next section of forest to the NW. Photo looks NW.

There was no reason to climb this next hill. Lupe did want to travel through the woods as much as possible, though, to avoid the wind, which made a lot of sense. The forest didn’t extend very far, however. Loop was soon faced with a windy trek across the grasslands. At least the American Dingo was encouraged by the sight of more woodlands ahead. She went straight for the closest grove.

Striking out for the closest clump of pines on the L. After getting there, Loop would travel along the L (S) edge of the bigger forest seen on the R on her way over the hill. Photo looks WNW.

The first grove of pines Lupe came to was muddy. Lupe sniffed around excitedly. The mud was full of hoof prints and animal tracks! This was a popular spot, but Loop didn’t find any animals around at the moment. After a brief exploration, she head on toward a larger forest nearby.

Lupe wanted to explore the larger forest, too, but upon arriving at the edge, it was discovered that the land sloped down rather sharply where the forest was. Not wanting to lose elevation, SPHP insisted on staying out on the windy open grassland, but promised Loop she could explore this forest on the way back.

Climbing a big hill, Lupe passed by a fenced-in area. A sign said “Aspen Clearcut to Facilitate Regrowth 1991”. That was 27 years ago! Except for one rather pathetic, spindly stand of aspens, the ground inside the fence was covered with sagebrush.

Humans get such strange ideas, SPHP! Like cutting every single tree down makes them grow better.

No doubt it seemed to make sense at the time, Loop. Not everything turns out to be a brilliant success.

Well, I certainly hope the Gods have a greener thumb than whoever did this!

Passing through an opening in another fence nearby, Lupe continued up the hill. Huge coils of barbed wire and mesh fencing sat unused next to the opening. When the terrain leveled out to some degree, Loop traveled along open high ground S of the forest.

Nearing the W end of the forest, Lupe and SPHP went a little way down into it. Time for a respite from the wind! The remaining distance to the Garden of the Gods appeared to all be open ground. Wrapped in a jacket to warm up a bit, Lupe enjoyed peering deeper into the forest. However, it was soon time to press on.

Continuing on past the last forest. The **Garden of the Gods** is still nearly 2 miles away at Center. Lupe ended up following the high ground to the R. Photo looks W.

Less than 2 miles to the Garden of the Gods (9,163 ft.)! Looper climbed steadily, if not steeply, straight into the teeth of the wind. The sky to the S and SW was all cloudy, and had a somewhat threatening appearance. It wasn’t at all certain how far Lupe was going to get before the weather might force a retreat. Patches of blue sky kept appearing just N of the Garden of the Gods, encouraging her to keep going.

The sky to the SW was always cloudy and often looked somewhat threatening. Driven by the W wind, the weather kept coming out of this direction. Photo looks SW.

A huge bare ridge was just to the N, but Loop did not get up onto it. She traversed the slope S of the ridge heading W. She finally got past the last of a surprising number of barbed wire fences. At one point she passed a tan water trough. A trench held long, exposed lengths of black plastic pipe. The incessant wind held a steady 20 mph. Rain looked possible. Fog sailed by mountains not far to the S.

Heading for **High Point 8867**, the bare rounded hill at Center. **Garden of the Gods** is on the L. Photo looks W.

It did not rain. Blue sky kept reappearing over the Garden of the Gods. Lupe made steady progress. She reached the top of High Point 8867, a bare hill only 0.5 mile ENE of the Garden of the Gods. A shallow open saddle led to the final uphill stretch.

Looking back from **High Point 8867**. The **Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness** are way back down near the road beyond the closest bit of forest on the R. Photo looks ENE.

Looper basks in sunshine on **High Point 8867** while fog drifts past mountains not far to the S. Highway 14A is in view in the valley below. Photo looks S.

The last uphill stretch to the **Garden of the Gods**. Lupe followed the fence on the R most of the way. Photo looks WSW.

While crossing the saddle, the sun disappeared. Clouds surged up from the S. Lupe got pelted by snow pellets, but the shower didn’t last long. Weak sunlight returned. Loop made her way up to rock formations that had been visible from miles away.

Lupe reaches the first rock formations at the **Garden of the Gods**. Photo looks SSW.

This was it! Lupe had reached the Garden of the Gods (9,163 ft.) region shown on the map. Time to do some exploring. The rock formations in the area were the first thing Lupe noticed. They were quite striking and made a favorable first impression.

These weird rock formations made a favorable first impression. Photo looks S.

A gap in the rocks led to an amphitheater surrounded on 3 sides by 30 to 50 foot high cliffs. The cliffs were not continuous. Several gaps existed between individual vertical rock walls. The amphitheater was sort of a natural 3-sided Stonehenge, but on a huge scale.

Lupe at the entrance to the **Garden of the Gods** amphitheater. Photo looks WSW.

Scene along the E side of the **Garden of the Gods** amphitheater. Photo looks S.

The amphitheater was at the exact spot marked on the map as being the Garden of the Gods. Lupe and SPHP took a quick look. Disappointingly, the vegetation didn’t look like anything terribly different or amazing.

Well, Lupe could make a closer examination in a bit. First SPHP wanted to reach the highest ground in the general area, which wasn’t far away.

Just E of the amphitheater, Lupe climbed a short, steep, narrow, forested passage going N. She managed to get up on top of some of the rocks for a look around. She had a great view to the S from here.

Looking S from the lower tier of rocks near the **Garden of the Gods**.

Lupe hadn’t made it to the highest terrain yet. It turned out there were two tiers of rocks forming relatively level plateaus. Loop had only made it up onto the lower tier.

The upper tier was only 12 feet higher at most, but the rock wall was nearly vertical. Lupe searched the terrain SW & W of the upper tier looking for a way up. She discovered a hidden circle of stones, an old campfire ring.

At the hidden campfire ring. An easy ramp to the upper tier is at R. Photo looks NW.

On this side, the upper tier was only 3 or 4 feet higher. A ramp a few feet from the campfire ring led directly to the top. Lupe had reached High Point 9163, which SPHP later designated as Garden of the Gods (9,163 ft.) on Peakbagger.com. It’s not the same exact spot marked on the map as being the Garden of the Gods, but it’s close.

The upper tier was a spacious circular area 150 feet in diameter. It was strewn with small stones, and ringed by trees.

Loopster on the upper tier at **High Point 9163**. Photo looks S.

The trees blocked the views in most directions, but there was a great view from the S edge. Lupe could see Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.) many miles away.

**Black Tooth Mountain (13,005 ft.)** is slightly L of Center. **Cloud Peak (13,167 ft.)** is slightly R of Center. Photo looks SSE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

A couple of short breaks had been taken on the way here, but Lupe and SPHP were both ready for a longer one. Huddled together against the wind, Lupe and SPHP sat in weak sunlight and intermittent light snow showers at the S edge. The snow melted on contact, never amounting to much.

Nearly an hour passed. While it seemed almost certain this upper tier was the top of High Point 9163, the ground to the W was hidden by the trees. In case there actually was some higher spot, Lupe and SPHP left the upper tier to go take a look.

Exploring SW first, Lupe didn’t have to go far to reach the N edge of the Garden of the Gods amphitheater.

Looking down on the **Garden of the Gods** amphitheater from the N edge of the bluffs. Photo looks SSE.

Going W and NW brought Loop to the edge of a 20 foot high platform of stone. Although she could see higher territory off to the W, clearly none of the ground in the immediate vicinity was as high as the upper tier. No doubt about it now. The upper tier was the top of High Point 9163.

Lupe at the W end of the stone platform N of the Garden of the Gods. While higher ground is in sight off to the W, none of the territory in the immediate vicinity was any higher than the upper tier. Photo looks W.

Now that that was settled, it was time for a more thorough exploration of the Garden of the Gods amphitheater. Lupe went back to the campfire ring. After climbing around on some nearby rocks, she went back down the narrow passage. Safely off High Point 9163, she headed for the gap in the rock formations SPHP by now considered the official entrance to the Garden of the Gods. Looper trotted through the gap.

Up on some of the rocks NE of the Garden of the Gods amphitheater before heading down. Photo looks SE.

The Garden of the Gods! Not a soul here. No God appeared to prevent the American Dingo from wandering at will.

Lupe begins her explorations of the **Garden of the Gods** amphitheater. Photo looks S.

Out toward middle of the amphitheater. Photo looks W.

So this is it! The **Garden of the Gods**! Not quite what I expected. Photo looks WSW.

So what do you think, SPHP?

Of the Garden of the Gods?

Yes.

Appears to me that the Gods aren’t that much into horticulture. The rocks are interesting, and the views aren’t bad, but this “garden” doesn’t look much different than lots of other places we’ve been to. What do you think, Looper?

I think the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness are way better than this. I also think this never ending wind is cold and annoying. Can we find some place to hide? Maybe have something to eat?

A big wall of rock was close by and made a decent windbreak. SPHP wrapped a jacket around Loop to help her warm up. She gobbled up a bowl of Taste of the Wild in nothing flat, had a water chaser, then shot SPHP a glance that clearly said she couldn’t believe SPHP had made her come so far through the despicable wind for so little. The Gods didn’t know diddle about gardening.

Taking a break out of the wind. Photo looks SSE.

Oh, maybe we’re being too harsh on the Gods, Looper? I bet if we look around, we’ll see plenty of beautiful plants starting to flourish. It’s just early in the season, like we were talking about before. Even if we don’t, there’s another possibility.

What’s that?

We are right where the map says Garden of the Gods, but it’s possible it refers to a larger area, or even a different spot nearby. E of here the map shows many springs on the slope S of High Point 8867. We saw that slope from above and went right by it. It’s quite possible that the Garden of the Gods is actually over there.

That might make sense, SPHP. A slope that continually trickles water over a wide area would easily support a beautiful garden. That slope was all totally exposed to the wind, though, wasn’t it? This is bad enough! Maybe we could just finish sniffing around here, and call it good?

As you like, Loop. Ready?

On closer inspection, the Gods had indeed planted some beautiful things, many not yet at their height of glory.

Little green plants grew in garland-like lines along cracks in the rock walls.

Beautiful spruce trees looking Christmas tree perfect provided shade, shelter and contrast near the dramatic rock formations.

Healthy looking plants with big leaves hinted at flowers that might bloom later.

Some specimens were already farther along the growth curve than others.

By late June, lupines can turn huge slopes purple in the Bighorn range.

Delicate smaller flowers contributed a variety of bright colors.

There were tiny flowers the color of the sky.

There were strange plants that looked sort of like flowers, but it was hard to say if they actually were or not.

Oh, the Garden of the Gods is beautiful, SPHP! And it’s going to get even better as the days go by just like the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness! Maybe we should go see what the big slope with all the springs has to show us after all?

Depends. Like you said, that slope is totally exposed to the wind. Since you’ve been such a good sport, and we’ve seen at least some of the Garden of the Gods here at the amphitheater, would you like to do something else?

Like what?

Less than 0.5 mile W of here is High Point 9191, and about a mile away is a 9,200 foot contour enclosing another high point. Want to go see if we can peakbag those?

Umm, aren’t they even farther from the G6?

Yes, but I think it’s nearly all forested. We wouldn’t be in the wind.

Well, in that case …

Of course, you’d probably have to expend an awful lot of energy barking at squirrels.

Squirrels! You sure know how to beat around the bush, don’t you, SPHP? Why didn’t you say there would be squirrels to begin with?

And with that, the Carolina Dog was off like a shot. She raced W across the Garden of the Gods amphitheater. Before SPHP could get there, she had already found a huge squirrel tree right at the edge of the forest. Loop and the squirrel were both raising a ruckus.

Let the good times roll! The Garden of the Gods had a huge squirrel tree, too!

So it was off through the forest, SPHP looking for High Points 9191 and 9200, and Lupe keeping a lookout for squirrels. Lupe wound up scouting out rocks along the W edge of the Garden of the Gods amphitheater, but the forest was so thick there wasn’t much to see.

*Great idea, SPHP! This is more like it. No wind and a high probability of squirrels!*

The American Dingo wandered W or SW. She seemed to be gaining net elevation, but it couldn’t have been much. The forest had no landmarks other than occasional meadows and hidden glens. Lupe reached a small, flat clearing where 4 spruce trees stood surrounded by low junipers.

Lupe reaches a somewhat distinctive small clearing with 4 spruce trees surrounded by juniper bushes at the center. Photo looks E?

It was hard to tell how far Lupe had gone. The terrain was practically level now. 80 feet W of the distinctive clearing, Looper came to a group of white stones scattered at what appeared to be a slightly higher spot. Quite possibly this was the highest point in the whole region. Was Lupe at High Point 9200? SPHP didn’t think she had gone far enough. Might be High Point 9191, though.

Lupe reaches what might have been **High Point 9191**, but this was mere speculation on SPHP’s part. Photo looks NE?

Lupe continued W another 80 feet losing a bit of elevation. Here she came to another meadow of moderate size. The ground farther W was clearly lower, so Loop turned S. She went 200 feet, and appeared to be nearing the S edge of the mountain, when she suddenly found herself on the brink of an opening in the ground.

A narrow crack! So narrow that Lupe could have easily jumped across it, but the crack looked deep and dangerous. If by chance she fell in, she might be seriously injured or killed. Even if she survived, there might not be any way to get her out of there, either. SPHP begged Lupe to be careful, but she stood nonchalantly at the brink.

What’s wrong, SPHP?

Loopster! Don’t you see that deep crack?

Yes, what about it?

Be careful! It’s a sign that the whole mountain is going to fall apart some day. It’s dangerous right now, if you fall into it. Stay away from it. Don’t stand there! You’re on the brink of the CRACK OF DOOM!

On the brink of the **Crack of Doom**! Photo looks E.

Upon inspection, the Crack of Doom looked about 40 feet deep. Getting out of it might have been possible, if uninjured, but wouldn’t have been easy. Fortunately, an escape wasn’t necessary. The Carolina Dog had sense enough not to fall in. She thought SPHP was simply being overly melodramatic.

Maybe all the way to the Crack of Doom was far enough? SPHP could see it was going to be impossible to know for certain in this forest if Lupe ever reached High Points 9191 or 9200, anyway.

The long trek back began. Lupe went by the probable High Point 9191 site, and the clearing with the 4 spruces. She had a fabulous time in the forest on the way back to the Garden of the Gods.

Lupe returned to the Garden of the Gods (9,163 ft.) upper tier, and once again sat by the S rim. A chipmunk, bold as brass, came scrambling close by along the rocks and taunted her repeatedly. It was a dangerous game of Hide and Seek that the chipmunk won, but kept the Carolina Dog thoroughly entertained.

The weather had improved. Plenty of clouds still around, but sunshine, too. Rain and snow showers were no more. The wind was dying down. With a beautiful evening ahead of her, Lupe left the Garden of the Gods.

Leaving Garden of the Gods. **High Point 8867** is the closest bare hill straight up from Lupe’s head. Photo looks ENE.

So much fun! Lupe returned to High Point 8867. She never did go down to see the slope S of it with the springs that might actually be part of the Garden of the Gods, but she did enjoy a long, gentle, downhill romp on the big ridge to the E. SPHP did not forget the promise made earlier to let her explore the forest W of the PK Cow Camp. Lupe had a blast!

On **High Point 8867** again. It was still a bit windy here. **Garden of the Gods** is on the R. Photo looks SW.

What a day! And what a lovely evening! Looper was past the PK Cow Camp and approaching the North Tongue River again. Only a pleasant stroll along it, then back through the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness left to go. The day’s adventures were about concluded.

Evening along the **North Tongue River**. Photo looks SW.

Wrong! With an American Dingo, it’s never over until it’s actually over. Suddenly Lupe raced ahead! She turned sharply, and disappeared into the willows near the river. A moment later, SPHP heard a tremendous splash!

What on earth?! Had the crazy Dingo hurled herself into the frigid, rushing stream? And even going like a rocket, how could she have made such a giant splash? SPHP was instantly concerned. The current was powerful, and the river banks lined with thick willows that would make escape difficult.

Moments later it all became clear. Loopster came racing back, tongue hanging out with a huge grin on her face. She hadn’t flung herself into the icy North Tongue River at all. That had been someone else. Someone much bigger. Someone now safely on the other side of the river.

Shame on you, Loop! How long have you been plotting this?

Plotting what? Said little Miss Innocent.

You know what I mean. Moose hunting!

Mr. Moose safely on the S bank. He was fine, but his pride may have been hurt.

Humiliated by a pipsqueak Dingo right in front of his girlfriend.

Lupe never answered. She trotted briskly ahead sniffing her way along the river, curly tail waving proudly behind her. So in the end, the Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness lived up to their glorious reputation after all. Lupe was happy, happy, oh, so happy crossing them on the way back to the G6. (6:42 PM, 52°F)

Back from the **Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness** (L), the **Garden of the Gods** (R) & the **Crack of Doom** (out of sight), Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming 6-11-18

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The Elysian Fields of Puppy Happiness & A Night on Bald Mountain, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming (7-10-13)

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