South Dakota – Page 19 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 308 – Peak 5240 & Tetro Rock (12-4-22)

9:12 AM, 37ºF, junction of Maitland Road & USFS Road No. 195.2A – Snow! Lupe was ecstatic, rolling enthusiastically in it as soon as SPHP let her out of the RAV4. Even though it was early December, it had been so dry for weeks that most of the Black Hills had scarcely any snow at all. The morning actually had a bit of a wintery feel to it here as the Carolina Dog set out.

SPHP was surprised by how snow-packed and slick No. 195.2A was. Must get more traffic than expected. Following the road N up a gradual incline, the reason became clear once the road flattened out and curved SE. Lupe hadn’t reached the Black Hills National Forest yet. There were homes up here.

Coming to a private home (R). Photo looks SE.

Winding E for 0.25 mile beyond the first home, No. 195.2A gained a bit more elevation. A high forested ridge was now visible to the SE. Lupe left the road to get a better look at it.

Off-road for a better look at the high ridge on the R. Photo looks SE.

Pretty sure that must be Peak 5240, Looper.

I take it that’s where we’re going then, SPHP?

Yes. It’s another Lists of John peak with at least 300 feet of prominence in the Black Hills that we haven’t been to yet.

I thought we were running out of these Lists of John peaks, SPHP?

We are, Loop, but there are still a few left, and that’s one of them.

Flat on top and heavily forested, Peak 5240 didn’t look all that exciting, but Loopster was going to check it out, anyway. Returning to the road, the American Dingo followed No. 195.2A as it wound SE, an easy trek with minimal elevation change.

More than 0.5 mile from the viewpoint, the road curved sharply N after crossing a ravine. Another 0.25 mile brought Lupe to a junction where an old road split off heading E. A home was visible up in the pines on a small hill overlooking this road, but there didn’t seem to be any reason why Loop couldn’t follow it.

Approaching the sharp curve where No. 195.2A turned N. Photo looks SE.

Climbing gradually, the old road went E only a little way before turning SE up a snowy slope. Part of Peak 5240 was visible across a valley just ahead. The road curved SW here, which was the wrong way to go.

We’ll to have to abandon the road, Loop. Head E!

Down into the valley, SPHP?

Yes, we’ve got to cross it before we can climb Peak 5240.

About to descend into the Tetro Creek valley. **Peak 5240** (R). Photo looks SE.

Lupe led the way down a snowy slope full of bushes that orange leaves still clung to. Crisp snow crunched, and twigs and branches snapped, as SPHP zig-zagged after her through the maze. The burning question was how big Tetro Creek would be when Loopster got down to it?

Heading down to Tetro Creek. Photo looks ESE.

SPHP needn’t have worried. Losing 200 feet of elevation, Lupe came to only a foot of snow where Tetro Creek was supposed to be, no running water at all. Crossing the snowy creekbed, Loop found herself at the S end of a spur off USFS Road No. 195.2A.

In the snow where **Tetro Creek** should have been. Photo looks E.

At the S end of a spur off USFS Road No. 195.2A. Photo looks NW.

We took a shortcut, SPHP?

Yeah, we did! Wasn’t too bad, was it? There’s another one ahead. Keep going E up this side valley.

Before she could do that, Looper had to wait while SPHP gathered up pieces of an abandoned, disintegrating TracFone. Once she started up the valley, it quickly proved to be more V-shaped than anticipated.

Staying toward the N where there was less snow, Lupe traversed a slope steep enough to cause minor traction issues for SPHP.

Heading up the side valley. Photo looks ENE.

The valley eventually broadened out. Approaching a flat region at the upper end, Lupe encountered logs cut into sections left over from an old logging operation.

Easier terrain as the valley widens out. Photo looks E.

Near the upper end of the valley. Photo looks E.

Upon reaching the flat region, Lupe came across USFS Road No. 195.2A again. The road was much more primitive here than where she’d left it. Following No. 195.2A only far enough NE to get a look at the views in that direction, the top of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) could be seen off to the E, but trees prevented her from seeing much more than that.

Back on USFS Road No. 195.2A again. Photo looks SW.

SPHP’s shortcuts had saved some distance, but whether any time had been saved versus simply following No. 195.2A was debatable. In any case, Lupe was now in position to start climbing Peak 5240’s N slope. Turning back, the American Dingo left the road and headed S.

Starting up **Peak 5240’s N slope**. Photo looks S.

Close to a foot of snow was on this N slope, which was otherwise a fairly easy climb without many obstacles. Lupe’s first objective was a narrow, 5160 foot ridge shown on the topo map. The terrain steepened as she drew near it, but getting onto the ridge wasn’t difficult.

At the **NE end of the 5160 foot ridge**. Photo looks WSW.

The ridge remained nearly level as Lupe followed it SW. Having seen Peak 5240’s heavily-forested summit from a distance early on, chances were the Carolina Dog wouldn’t get to enjoy much in the way of views up there, so SPHP kept an eye out for any that might be had from this narrow ridge.

Lupe came to a glimpse of a fairly high peak to the SE. SPHP suspected it might be Mount Theodore Roosevelt (5,680 ft.).

**Mount Theodore Roosevelt** (Center). Photo looks SE.

There were no more clear views until Loop reached a dip at the W end of the ridge. Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.) and Crow Peak (5,787 ft.) were in sight from a couple of narrow gaps between the trees.

Continuing along the ridge. Photo looks SW.

**Spearfish Peak** (Center). Photo looks W.

**Spearfish Peak** (L) and **Crow Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks WNW.

At least, Lupe had seen something! Continuing SSW, a surprise was only a short distance ahead. Several limestone knobs provided perches along the edge of small cliffs. Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) was in sight.

These knobs were right along the W edge of the mountain. Going SSE from here, Lupe ventured down a bigger dip, followed by a climb up to another rocky high point that wasn’t cliffy. Taking a short break, Loop enjoyed a more sweeping view of Spearfish Peak and Crow Peak than she’d had earlier.

Heading into the dip beyond the limestone knobs. Photo looks SSE.

**Spearfish Peak** (Center) and **Crow Peak** (R of Center) from the next rocky high point. Photo looks W.

By now, Peak 5240’s true summit was only 125 feet higher, somewhere up the forested slope to the E. Lupe took off in search of it.

Approaching the final ascent. Photo looks E.

The slope was an easy climb. The terrain soon leveled out. Loopster had reached a broad, forested summit region, from which it appeared quite certain she’d have no views as earlier surmised. The ground was clearly a little higher toward the N, so the Carolina Dog headed that way.

12:18 PM, 43ºF, Peak 5240 – Beyond a big snowdrift, a fallen tree in a sunny clearing leaned over what appeared to be the true summit. A hop up onto the tree trunk, and Lupe claimed her peakbagging success!

At the **true summit**, or more accurately, a couple of feet above it. Photo looks NNE.

**Peak 5240 summit region**. Photo looks S.

The dynamic Dingo scores another Lists of John Black Hills 300+ foot prominence peak! Photo looks SSE.

Congratulations were in order! After all, Peak 6170, the last new Lists of John peak the American Dingo had attempted, had been a complete flop. By comparison, Peak 5240 was a glorious success! After retreating S to a snow-free spot beneath a tree, SPHP shook Loopster’s paw, then split a chocolate coconut bar with her.

A W breeze sighed in the trees as Lupe had a little Taste of the Wild, too.

Well, what now, SPHP? Peak 5240 was easy! Such a nice day, only lunch time, and I’m loving the snow. Anything else we can do around here?

Been years since we’ve been to Tetro Rock (5,562 ft.), Loop. Wanna go there? Might be fun! We could make a big loop back to the RAV4.

Fine with me, SPHP. What’s at Tetro Rock? I don’t really remember it. Sounds like there ought to be some big views!

Scarcely remember Tetro Rock myself, Looper. Just another flat, forested summit, I think, but there was a view of Terry Peak. I seem to remember something big and red, too, but couldn’t tell you now what it was.

Oh, a mystery! We ought to investigate. See if whatever it is, is still there!

It was as good a plan as any. Half an hour after arriving at Peak 5240’s true summit, Lupe headed S, exploring the rest of the summit region as she began the journey to Tetro Rock.

This led to an amazing discovery! Peak 5240’s summit region sloped down a fair amount, but was much more open toward the S end. The Carolina Dog had stumbled onto Peak 5240’s best viewpoint!

**Tetro Rock** (Center). Photo looks SW.

**Mount Theodore Roosevelt** (L). Photo looks SSE.

**Terry Peak** (L) on the horizon, **Tetro Rock** (R). Photo looks SW.

**Spearfish Peak** (L), **Crow Peak** (Center). Photo looks WNW.

Good thing we’re going to Tetro Rock, SPHP! If we’d just gone back to the RAV4, we would have missed the best part of Peak 5240!

Leaving the S end of Peak 5240’s summit region, Lupe ventured down a rocky escarpment. Below it, a long forested slope finally bottomed out at a wide, flat saddle.

Descending the escarpment at the **S end of Peak 5240**. Photo looks WNW.

At the **saddle S of Peak 5240**. Photo looks SE.

This quiet saddle seemed like a very remote place. A 200 foot high ridge now blocked further progress S. Decision time! Climb over, head W to Tetro Creek, or E into the Miller Creek drainage?

Let’s go E, Loop. Probably easiest.

The gradual descent into the Miller Creek drainage while searching for a way around the E end of the ridge was reminiscent of the earlier descent to cross Tetro Creek. In the shadow of the ridge, a foot of snow covered the ground. Lupe wandered a wilderness of bushes with orange leaves again, while twigs and branches snapped as SPHP brought up the rear.

Exploring the Miller Creek drainage. Photo looks SE.

This wandering was longer, though, the sense of seclusion stronger. Took a while before Lupe was able to turn the corner on the ridge to head S. By then she was slowly gaining elevation on a fairly steep slope. Pausing to check the map, SPHP looked down and saw a small clearing.

Is that a road? Let’s go down there, Looper!

The map didn’t show anything at all here, but there was an old road, a long forgotten lane through the snowy woods. Going the right way, too! Soon Lupe was around the E end of the 200 foot high ridge, apparently climbing toward a pass.

On the snowy road E of the blocking ridge. Photo looks SSW.

1:45 PM, Pass 4980 – At the pass was another surprise, a junction with a better road, also not shown on the map. This pass was the dividing point between the Miller Creek and Tetro Creek drainages. Taking the better road W, Lupe went down to a curve in a shallow valley where the road crossed Tetro Creek.

At **Pass 4980**, about to descend to **Tetro Creek**. Photo looks W.

Tetro Creek had no flow up here, either, but a Bush of Gold grew along its bank right at the curve. Lupe and SPHP paused to admire it.

The **Bush of Gold** by **Tetro Creek**. Photo looks ENE.

Beyond Tetro Creek, the road climbed SSW. Lupe soon went by another road on the R. This road went counter-clockwise 3/4 of the way around Peak 5270, and actually was shown on the map, but that was the long way. Ignoring it, Loop stuck with the road she was on a while longer. However, it soon seemed destined to continue S, and Tetro Rock was W.

Leaving the **Tetro Creek valley**. Photo looks S.

Abandoning all roads, the American Dingo climbed up onto a long, snowy ridge, following it SW. The ridge led to the same road around Peak 5270 that Loop had by-passed.

Third shortcut of the day. Clever, SPHP!

Every now and then, something works, Looper. Even for me!

Taking the road SW, Lupe trotted almost directly into the blazing sun, which was starting to get quite low. 0.25 mile got her to a junction with Paradise Gulch Road, which was snow-packed and had been plowed.

On **Paradise Gulch Road**. Photo looks WSW.

Paradise Gulch Road was the way to go! It swept N around the upper E end of Peak 5420, then turned WSW. Tetro Rock was now just to the NW across a deep valley.

**Tetro Rock** (R) from **Paradise Gulch Road**. Photo looks WNW.

The saddle leading to Tetro Rock was farther W, so Lupe stuck with the road. As she got close to where she would have to cross the valley, a gated driveway with a big “P” appeared, evidently access to some fancy private home. The good news was that Paradise Gulch Road curved N.

**Gated driveway** (L), **Paradise Gulch Road** (R), and **Tetro Rock** (far R). Photo looks W.

Paradise Gulch Road went clear to the saddle leading to Tetro Rock. So much for any difficulty crossing the valley! Lupe passed equipment that looked like it had been here a while. It was sort of sad to see that the saddle was so torn up.

Approaching the **saddle leading to Tetro Rock**. Photo looks N.

From the saddle, more primitive roads continued N into the forest. Lupe climbed along one of them a little way, then left it, veering NW through the trees. Passing through some deadfall, she reached a fairly flat area. Turning WNW, Loop soon discovered a road lined with pines leading W.

Following the pine-lined lane. Photo looks W.

Late day sunlight filtered through the trees as Lupe entered a clearing covered with snow. A sense of deja vu immediately swept over SPHP.

3:05 PM – How long had it been? SPHP couldn’t remember, but Lupe had been here before.

This is it, Loop! Tetro Rock (5,562 ft.). I haven’t recognized a single spot from our journey here years ago until now, but this place seems familiar.

Seriously, SPHP? This shady clearing is “Tetro Rock”? How can that be?

Nevertheless, we’ve arrived, Looper.

Whoever named this place had a real sense of humor, SPHP! Or maybe they’d never been here? Not even a rock in sight! Or a tetro, either! By the way, what is a tetro, anyway?

I suspect the mountain looks more impressive from the SW, Loop. A big cliff may give Tetro Rock its name. If not, I have no clue. Tetro is Italian, I believe, for gloomy, dark, dreary, dismal, that sort of thing.

Sounds depressing! Speaking of things, let’s see if we can find the big red thing you were talking about earlier, SPHP. And there’s supposed to be a view of Terry Peak, too, right?

Heading S from the clearing, 2 mounds less than 3 feet high appeared to be the only contenders for the title of true summit of Tetro Rock. Lupe got up on the first one she came to, just to make things official.

On the **N “true summit”** with the S one (L) in sight beyond. Photo looks S.

Continuing S to the edge of the mountain, by golly, there it was! The big red thing was still here! Even looking right at it, SPHP still didn’t know what it was. The paint job had held up remarkably well, though.

The **big red thingamajig of Tetro Rock**. Photo looks S.

A little lower, back to the NNW, was the viewpoint SPHP remembered. A limestone outcropping covered with low bushes and pine needles jutted 10 feet out toward the SW. That was enough to provide a great view of the deep False Bottom Creek valley that Maitland Road runs through, and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.).

**False Bottom Creek valley** (L). Spearfish Peak (R) with **Crow Peak** in the distance. Photo looks WNW.

**Terry Peak** (Center). Photo looks SSW.

With the sun sinking into a bank of clouds to the SW, a colorful sunset clearly wasn’t in the cards. Lupe sat next to SPHP. She wasn’t going to have much time to enjoy this view she hadn’t seen in years. A paw shake to congratulate Loop on her return to Tetro Rock, and it was chocolate coconut bar and Taste of the Wild time.

15 minutes, maybe 20. The sun wasn’t quite gone yet when the Carolina Dog left the viewpoint. Going past the big red thing one more time, Lupe went up to sit on the S mound of the true summit for a moment before returning to the snowy clearing.

Heading N from the clearing, the American Dingo quickly came to a place SPHP had long forgotten. A collection of 4 foot high gray boulders covered with lichens and snow sat amid young aspens and deadfall.

Oh, I remember these rocks, Loop! Hard to say for certain, but this might even be the true summit of Tetro Rock!

Well, at least there are some rocks up here, after all, SPHP!

Naturally, Loopster had to get up on the highest rock.

On the rocks N of the clearing. Photo looks NNW.

Light was already fading as Lupe left the rocks and vanished N into the woods. For a long way, there was a foot of snow in the trackless forest. The Carolina Dog found an old road, but it ended soon after she reached it. A little W of the road’s end, a long, tetro valley went N, forested until almost the very end.

Stars were shining, and a nearly full moon cast the Dingo’s shadow on the hard-packed snow when Lupe finally reached USFS Road No. 195.2A again. Still a mile to go. Lupe led the way. It had been an interesting day. (End 5:20 PM, 28ºF)

**Peak 5240**, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-4-22

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170 – Kirk Hill, Tetro Rock & Custer Peak (5-1-16)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 307 – Peak 6170 & Atlantic Hill (11-24-22)

9:08 AM, 37ºF, junction of USFS Roads No. 345.1E & No. 344.2A – Thanksgiving Day! And what the Carolina Dog was most thankful for was the opportunity to spend the day exploring the Black Hills with SPHP. That sentiment, of course, was absolutely mutual.

So, what’s on the agenda, SPHP? Another Lists of John peak?

That’s right, Loopster! You still have a few left to visit in the Black Hills national forest. Peak 6170 is our objective today, although I’m not at all certain how it will go.

Why is that, SPHP?

We were in this region exactly a year and a day ago, Loop. Remember when we tried to climb Calamity Peak, and couldn’t? Saw Peak 6170 from a distance that same day, and it also looked pretty iffy.

At the start of USFS Road No. 344.2A ready to set out for Peak 6170. Photo looks NE.

You never really know how it’s actually going to go until you get there. Loop was more than willing to give Peak 6170 a shot, and in truth, SPHP felt reasonably confident of success.

Lupe set off heading NE on USFS Road No. 344.2A. The road climbed a bit, then leveled out and curved NW. Off to the NNE, 1.35 miles away as the crow flies, a somewhat unusual pointy summit was already in sight. Half of it appeared to be solid rock, a bunch of sheer cliffs, but the other half was forested.

That’s it, Looper! Peak 6170! 390 feet of prominence.

The sight of it made SPHP a little less confident. There better be a way up through that forested part. That rocky side was clearly a no go.

No worries yet, though! No. 344.2A angled N, descending into a valley of scattered pines and aspens. Some very rocky peaks even higher than Peak 6170 were directly ahead, but Loop wasn’t going to have to visit that rugged territory today.

About to descend into the valley. Photo looks N.

The road soon went past a small, frozen pond. Kind of scenic, but it was fenced off. Lupe kept going.

Only a few minutes past the pond, the road curved W. A 344.2A wand appeared on the R (N) over in the tall grass near some trees. The valley beyond this wand was the way USFS Road No. 344.2B was supposed to go, but no such road seemed present. Since it was also the way to Peak 6170, Loop abandoned No. 344.2A here.

Exploring this shallow valley NE, the Carolina Dog quickly discovered what was left of USFS Road No. 344.2B. The old road was pretty far gone at this point, overgrown and returning to nature. The valley was easy terrain, though. Only a little deadfall to deal with. Lupe made rapid progress, soon reaching a place where the valley broadened out.

Exploring up valley on what remains of USFS Road No. 344.2B. Photo looks NE.

The valley broadens out. Photo looks NE.

Pass 5780, a forested saddle, soon appeared ahead. The terrain was a bit steeper on the way up to it, with a fair amount of deadfall once Lupe reached the trees. Pass 5780 itself featured some big boulders, and a tree-broken view of more rocky high points beyond it.

Lupe was now only 0.33 mile WSW of Peak 6170. Leaving Pass 5780, she went E, traversing a steep forested slope with scattered rocks and quite a bit of deadfall. Soon it seemed easier to simply climb S up to Peak 6170’s SW ridge.

Still at **Pass 5780**, about to head into the forest. Photo looks E.

Climbing toward **Peak 6170’s SW ridge**. Photo looks S.

However, when Lupe got close to the ridgeline, she found it dominated by big rock formations and significant deadfall, making movement slow and difficult. Trying to head ENE, a couple of times Loopster had to lose elevation to get past obstacles. With 250 feet yet to climb, the SW ridge was not encouraging.

On **Peak 6170’s SW ridge**. Photo looks ENE.

Skirting some rock formations. Photo looks NE.

Once past the largest rock formations, the situation began to improve. Lupe reached a minor saddle. Beyond it, the ridge widened out, turning into a broad, forested ramp. There wasn’t even that much deadfall.

Climbing at a good clip, the American Dingo made excellent progress. In a sunny spot near the upper end of the ramp, there was more deadfall. Lupe was now getting quite high on Peak 6170, but it still wasn’t possible to see what was ahead beyond the trees.

Among the deadfall near the top of the lovely ramp. Photo looks NE.

Continuing higher, Lupe quickly came to more big rock formations. At first, she could scramble up among them, but before long, she reached the base of an enormous vertical-sided summit block. Looper climbed as high as she could, but she wasn’t even close to the top yet.

Arriving at the base of the summit block. Photo looks WNW.

Higher, but still well below the **summit block**. Photo looks ENE.

*I need my Dingo wings!* Photo looks ENE.

Tremendous views from up here, including Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) and the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.), but room to move around was quite limited.

**Little Devils Tower** (Center), **Cathedral Spires** (R of Center), and **Black Elk Peak** (far R). Photo looks NNW.

The W end of the summit block was simply insurmountable. Cautiously peering around at the NW face, the cliffs were fearsome. It was quickly apparent that getting to the top from this side of Peak 6170 wasn’t going to be possible. This was technical rock climber territory!

The prohibitive **summit block**. Photo looks NE.

Not looking too good for Peak 6170, is it, SPHP?

Afraid not, Loop. No way were going to get up there from this direction. N face is horrendous, and the S side doesn’t look much better. If there’s any way up this beast, it’s going to be from the E.

Well, let’s go over there then, SPHP.

Circling around the N side was out of the question, so Loop ventured ESE along the S face. However, she was soon having to lose elevation, with nothing but higher and higher cliffs above.

A nice view as the trek E along the S face begins. Photo looks SW.

Along the upper S face. Photo looks ENE.

Looking back at Loop after another drop. Photo looks WNW.

Eh. This isn’t going to work, Looper. We’re going to have to lose a ton of elevation to get over to the E side of the mountain. Can’t imagine that our chances are going to be any better than slim and none, even if we do make the effort.

Want to bail on Peak 6170 then, SPHP?

Yeah, the more I see of it, the more convinced I am this is just a fail. Too bad, I really thought there would be a way.

No worries, SPHP. Can’t win ’em all!

Time to head back W. Lupe returned to the highest point she’d made it to earlier, but there really wasn’t a way to get any higher. What, 40 or 50 feet short of the top? Something like that. Wasn’t even a close call.

Calling it quits below the S face. Photo looks N.

Some pretty cool rocks, but sadly no summit view from **Peak 6170**. Photo looks NNE.

Retreating a little way down the SW ridge, a rest break was taken at a shady flat spot covered with kinnikinnick rimmed with small boulders.

Well, that was just sad, Loop. Struck out completely at Peak 6170. Didn’t even get close enough to the top to fudge a bit, and call it good enough for Dingo work.

Speaking of fudge, SPHP, you wouldn’t happen to have a chocolate coconut bar in the pack would you?

Why, as a matter of fact, I do, Loopster. I presume it might help allay your disappointment with this turn of events?

Certainly willing to test that theory, SPHP. Bring it on!

On the way back down the valley where USFS Road No. 344.2B used to be, Peak 5874 was in sight. Lupe had made it to the top of that peak a year and a day ago. Turned out to be a pretty sweet spot, too.

**Peak 5874** (Center) during the return. Photo looks SW.

1:05 PM, 44ºF, junction of USFS Roads No. 345.1E & No. 344.2A – Back at the RAV4! The return had been pleasant enough, but SPHP remained chagrined by the fail at Peak 6170. Thanksgiving Day! Loopster surely hadn’t given up turkey with all the trimmings just to get a raspberry from the mountain! Still time enough to climb something else, if it wasn’t too ambitious.

Hop in, Looper!

We’re done already, SPHP?

Oh, no! Got one more peak in mind.

Another Lists of John peak, SPHP?

Yes, but you’ve already been there once years ago. What would you say to Atlantic Hill?

Atlantic Hill? Not Atlantic Peak (12,490 ft.), I hope. Atlantic Peak was huge! Not even sure I remember an Atlantic Hill, SPHP. Hill does sound better, though, this time of year.

No, not Atlantic Peak, Loop. Atlantic Hill (6,393 ft.). Shouldn’t take long to climb it again. Success guaranteed!

Nothing wrong with that! The American Dingo was in favor.

1:29 PM, 42ºF – The start of the journey to Atlantic Hill was pure cake. Lupe simply followed USFS Road No. 297.1G from Medicine Mountain Road SW for a little over a mile. Most of this pleasant romp, which got her around to the W side of Atlantic Hill, was even slightly downhill.

About to set out on USFS Road No. 297.1G. Photo looks WSW.

A sunny lane between the pines. Photo looks SW.

The **N end of Atlantic Hill** comes into view. Photo looks S.

Even though Lupe had been to Atlantic Hill once before, this trek along USFS Road No. 297.1G was a new route.

Heading for the W side of the mountain. Photo looks SW.

A bit of snow lingering in the shade. Photo looks W.

Staying above a scenic valley on the R, No. 297.1G turned increasingly S as it brought Lupe around to the W side of the mountain.

Another long, grassy stretch. Photo looks SSW.

Near a bend overlooking the valley. Photo looks SSW.

Beginning to regain elevation, No. 297.1G eventually curved SSE before fading away. From the road’s apparent end, a fainter track continued NE up a partially forested valley. This track also vanished as Lupe reached a bunch of deadfall where the last of the more open ground gave way to denser forest.

Deadfall at the edge of the forest. Photo looks E.

Turning S to avoid the worst of the deadfall, the Carolina Dog soon found herself climbing a fairly steep slope. Approaching a ridgeline topped by big rock formations, avoiding deadfall became next to impossible. It was everywhere. Shades of Peak 6170!

Didn’t take too long, though, to find a way through, and get over to the S side of this line of massive rocks. The going was much easier here. Little deadfall, and a nice, wide ramp of open forest sloping up to the NE.

S of the big rocks on the easy ramp higher. Photo looks NNE.

Following the line of rocks, Loopster didn’t have to climb much farther before Atlantic Hill’s true summit, a rocky bump shaded by pines along the E edge of a much more spacious summit region, came into view.

**Atlantic Hill’s true summit** (R of Center) ahead. Photo looks NE.

3:07 PM, 38ºF – For the first time in more than 7.5 years, Lupe stood on the highest rock on Atlantic Hill (6,393 ft.). The whole rock formation leaned, creating a bit of an overhang to the E.

At **Atlantic Hill’s true summit**. Photo looks N.

**True summit** from a slightly different angle. Photo looks NNW.

Congratulations, Looper on your second successful ascent of Atlantic Hill! The “summit block” here is no comparison to the one at Peak 6170, is it?

Not at all, SPHP, although there were moments on the way up that rocky ridge, followed by the easy ramp, that seemed similar. Nothing to Atlantic Hill in the end, though.

Well, at least we made it to the top of something today, Loop. Can add this ascent to our list of things to be thankful for. Not to mention that I’ve got another chocolate coconut bar to split between us, too.

A cool breeze blew out of the NW as Lupe and SPHP took a break near the true summit. Did seem like a long time since the American Dingo was last here.

Atlantic Hill’s summit region was similar to SPHP’s vague recollections of it. Most of it slanted gently S, where several more rock formations were strung out along the E edge. A line of smaller outcroppings ran along the W edge, too. Between E and W was a 50 foot wide, mostly grassy area with scattered trees and deadfall. NW of the true summit was a smaller, flatter area with less deadfall and more trees.

Atlantic Hill was too heavily forested to permit more than tree-broken views in most directions. By moving around a bit, it was possible to get clearer glimpses in a few directions. After the chocolate coconut bar break, Loopster went on a short tour of the summit region. Highlights included views of Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.), Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.), Thunderhead Mountain (6,567 ft.) (aka Crazy Horse) toward the NE, and a considerably lower forested region to the S.

The best view, though, was of Peak 6380.

We’ve never been to Peak 6380, have we, SPHP?

Nope. There’s a reason for that. See how rocky its summit is, Loop? Looks a lot less feasible than Peak 6170 did.

We could still conduct an investigation, SPHP. There might be a way up!

Maybe someday, Looper. Has all the leading indicators of of another fail, though, so it’s not a priority.

**Crazy Horse** (far L), **Sylvan Hill** (L), and **Peak 6380** (R). Photo looks ENE.

**Saint Elmo Peak** (far L), **Crazy Horse** (R) with help from the telephoto lens.

Zoomed in on **Crazy Horse**. Photo looks NE.

Lowlands visible from the S end of the summit region. Photo looks S.

Exploring the rocks along the W edge. **True summit** (R). Photo looks N.

**N end of the summit region**. True summit a few feet off the R edge. Photo looks WNW.

3:40 PM – The sun goes down mighty early on Thanksgiving Day. Half an hour on Atlantic Hill was about it. The turkeys got stuffed this morning, and by now almost everyone else was stuffed, too. A couple of measly, shared chocolate coconut bars today hadn’t been enough to stuff Lupe, though, as she left Atlantic Hill’s true summit for the final time.

Varying her return route, the American Dingo headed down to a saddle leading to a subpeak to the N.

Heading down. **Subpeak N of Atlantic Hill** (Center). Photo looks NNW.

Skirting the E side of the subpeak, Lupe continued N, still exploring, still enjoying the day. This was a short cut, a more scenic and rugged route than USFS Road No. 297.1G had been. N of the subpeak, Lupe came to an open ridge with some views. Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) was a long, high ridge. Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.), South Dakota’s 2nd highest peak, beyond it was similar, while Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) sported a more classic, conical shape.

**Bear Mountain** (far L). **Odakota Mountain** (L) and **Medicine Mountain** (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks NNW.

Exploring was fun! Loop passed some dramatic rock formations before reaching USFS Road No. 297.1G again, this time much closer to the RAV4. No turkey today for the Carolina Dog, but it had been a Thanksgiving to remember in the beautiful Black Hills. (End 4:40 PM, 28ºF)