Black Hills – Page 2 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 253 – Poverty Gulch, Castle Peak & Peak 6244 (11-19-19)

You can’t be serious! You’re joking, right SPHP?

No, really Loop. It’ll be fine. You’ll see. You don’t object, do you?

Object? Why should I object? Every Carolina Dog dreams of a chance to revel in the splendors of Poverty Gulch! My, you sure know how to show a Dingo a good time, don’t you?

Oh, come on! It’s just a name. Keeps the riff-raff out.

With a name like that, it probably draws riff-raff like flies! Why on earth would we want to go to Poverty Gulch, anyway?

It’s just an alternate route up to Castle Peak (6,358 ft.), Looper. Since we didn’t get there last time out, I thought we might try another approach?

And Poverty Gulch was the best you could come up with? What’s wrong with Middle-Class Meadows or Luxury Lane?

Well, there’s Brown Jug Draw, which is actually closer, but I don’t think the G6 can get back in there this time of year.

Brown Jug Draw? That sure sounds highfalutin! I suppose we’re doomed then. At least the castle part sounds good!

Upon reaching Rochford in the central Black Hills, how to get across Rapid Creek to the lower end of Poverty Gulch was itself a question. Lupe wound up having a chance to visit parts of the greater Rochford metropolitan area. The stores were closed this early in the day, but Rochford seemed to be making a good impression on the American Dingo.

Loop was a few days early for the Rochford Mall’s big Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale.

And hours early for Happy Hour at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon.

Maybe we should just skip Poverty Gulch, SPHP? We could hang out here in Rochford and wait for the saloon to open!

Why, Loopster what’s this change of attitude? You weren’t impressed with Brown Jug Draw. Moonshine Gulch doesn’t sound any more highfalutin than that.

It does when you put “saloon” behind it! Sounds downtownish, in an Old West sort of way. If we stay, we can check out the Rochford mall while we wait for Happy Hour. Ought to open pretty soon. No harm in looking, even if the Christmas Bazaar hasn’t started yet, is there?

Disappointingly, SPHP persisted in wanting to go up Poverty Gulch. It turned out that Lupe could get across Rapid Creek by taking a short stretch of the Mickelson Trail. The Rochford trailhead was just E of town. (9:07 AM, 30ºF)

Near the Rochford trailhead of the Mickelson Trail.

Short history of Rochford on display at the trailhead.

The Mickelson Trail bridge over Rapid Creek is just beyond the gate.

The Mickelson Trail went past a number of private homes and cabins. After 0.25 mile or so following Rapid Creek upstream, Lupe came to a frozen pond. The ravine coming down out of the hills next to it had to be Poverty Gulch!

By the pond near the start of fabled Poverty Gulch! Photo looks SW.

An old cabin sat up on a little rise at the mouth of Poverty Gulch. A small, snowy side road passed just below it heading up the valley. The topo map showed a trail going up Poverty Gulch, but there weren’t any signs for it, or fences around the old cabin. Hmm. Who knew? Maybe not completely kosher, but Lupe left the Mickelson Trail trotting past the old cabin and up the valley.

In the lower reaches of **Poverty Gulch**.

Poverty Gulch wasn’t wide or particularly deep. A tiny stream could be heard gurgling away next to the road, which soon narrowed to no more than an ATV trail. A power line went up the valley, but there was no sign that anyone had come this way since at least the last snow.

A good foot of snow, crunchy hard from days of thawing and freezing, was on the road. Lupe could usually stand on it, but the snow didn’t hold SPHP’s weight. Although the trail was never steep, the all-uphill post-holing trudge was wearying and slow. The Moonshine Gulch Saloon was sounding better with every step.

For what seemed like a long way, but probably wasn’t much more than 0.5 mile, there were no tracks in the snow other than occasional animal tracks. Eventually, Lupe came to a more open spot where the trail widened out. This was the dead end of USFS Road No. 238.1B. Some vehicle with big knobby tires had come this far from the S. The tires had compressed the snow, but so much so that it had become ice.

Didn’t really help speed things up much.

Continuing up **Poverty Gulch** shortly after the ATV-sized trail widened to a road.

Farther up, looking N back down **Poverty Gulch**.

The snowy scenery was pretty, the solitude unbroken. After deepening to 1.5 feet, the snow pack began to diminish. As Poverty Gulch gradually broadened out, the road gained elevation at a relaxed pace. The broken trunks of Ponderosa pines killed years ago by pine bark beetles dotted surrounding hills only moderately higher than the road.

On and on it went, the road winding its way S. Lupe came to no more cabins. The power line must have ended or veered off somewhere along the way. At one point Lupe and SPHP sat on a log together, taking a 10 minute breather. A gorgeous day for a workout in the hills!

Like genuine poverty, **Poverty Gulch** went on and on! Photo looks WSW.

Couldn’t be much farther! At last it was clear that the road was about to reach the top of a rise. When Lupe got there, sure enough, she had been here before. SPHP recognized the sign. Loop had reached USFS Road No. 238 (Divide Road). Her long trek up Poverty Gulch was over!

At the junction with USFS Road No. 238 (Divide Road). No. 238.1B, which goes most of the way down Poverty Gulch, is on the R. Photo looks NNW.

Castle Peak (6,358 ft.) was still 0.75 mile S of this junction. Lupe took No. 238 heading SW. The road quickly curved W, where a tree-broken view of Castle Peak was on offer from a hillside S of the road.

**Castle Peak** (Center) from just S of USFS Road No. 238. Photo looks S.

Returning to the road, it curved NW and started going downhill. A side road, USFS Road No. 238.1A, soon appeared on the L (SW). This was the same road Lupe had taken twice before when she’d gone to Castle Peak. It would get her nearly all the way to the summit.

Taking No. 238.1A, Lupe soon went past No. 238.1E on the R (W), which looked like it would curve down into Brown Jug Draw. Ignoring it, she stuck with No. 238.1A. Another snowy trek, steeper toward the end than anything back in Poverty Gulch, finally brought the American Dingo to the top of Castle Peak.

Just below the summit where USFS Road No. 238.1A ended. Photo looks SW.

Castle Peak used to be the site of an old fire lookout tower, long gone years ago. Now the summit is an open area rimmed by pines. The views are disappearing as the trees keep growing. Lupe couldn’t see Peak 6216 a mile to the E, which she had visited 10 days ago, but there were still some views in other directions.

Time for a break! After taking a look at both Custer Peak (6,801 ft.) and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.), the most prominent mountains to the N, Lupe and SPHP sat down on a snow-free patch of ground. The best views from the summit of Castle Peak were on display off to the S.

Looking NNE. **Custer Peak** (L) is visible in the distance.

**Custer Peak (6,801 ft.)** (Center) still has an active fire lookout tower. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.

**Terry Peak (7,064 ft.)** (Center). Photo looks NNW.

**Black Elk Peak** (L). Photo looks SSE.

**Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** (Center) and **Sylvan Peak (7,000 ft.)** (R) both on the horizon. Photo looks SE.

*The big ridges on the horizon are part of the Limestone Plateau and some of the highest ground in South Dakota!* Photo looks S.

Lupe had some Taste of the Wild. Since she’d been eating snow, she wasn’t interested in water. SPHP munched an apple. A light S breeze blew. The late November sun was bright, but felt feeble. Not cold out, but not all that warm either. Comfortably cool.

More than 4 years gone by since the last time the Carolina Dog had been here, nearly 7 since her first time on Castle Peak. Hard to believe. The thought was faintly disturbing.

So, we just going to sit here all day, SPHP?

Nah! Beautiful spot, though, isn’t it Looper? If you’re ready, we can go check out the views to the W.

From the top of Castle Peak, pines hide the views to the W. However, past experience had shown that a few small rock formations several hundred feet SW of the summit provide great views in that direction. Miles of the E edge of the limestone plateau country can be seen, including South Castle Rock (6,840 ft.), Castle Rock (6,783 ft.), Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.), Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.), Peak 6962, and White Tail Peak (6,962 ft.).

When Loopster got there, the bright white snow enhanced the already terrific panorama, making the hills seem higher and more splendid.

The big snowy field is **Reynold’s Prairie**. Beyond it, **Castle Rock** & **South Castle Rock** are part of the same ridge straight up from Lupe’s head. **Nipple Butte** is straight up from her rump. Photo looks SW.

Along the horizon: **South Castle Rock** & **Castle Rock** (L), **Nipple Butte** (L of Lupe’s ears), **Flag Mountain** (R of Lupe’s ears), and **part of Peak 6962** (far R). Photo looks SW.

*Oh, this is fabulous, isn’t it? Classic Black Hills!*

The view of White Tail Peak was of particular interest. Between here and White Tail Peak was a smaller mountain, Peak 6244. The Carolina Dog might be going there next, so SPHP wanted to get a look at it and the surrounding territory.

**Flag Mountain** (L by the stump), **Peak 6962** (L of Lupe’s head), and **White Tail Peak** (R). **Peak 6244** is the small hill on the R. Photo looks W.

Peak 6244 didn’t look like much, just a small forested hill slightly over 1.5 miles away. It took SPHP several minutes of studying the topo map and comparing it to the terrain to pick Peak 6244 out for certain from similar hills nearby.

**White Tail Peak** is the distant high ridge on the L. **Peak 6244** is the much closer and smaller hill also on the L. Photo looks NW.

**White Tail Peak** (Center) and **Peak 6244** (R). Photo looks WNW.

I don’t know, Loop. Might not see much of anything except trees from over there. Want to do it?

Oh, there’s more?

Yes. I was thinking we could visit that little mountain, Peak 6244.

Sure! Why not? We’ve been on Castle Peak an hour already. I wouldn’t mind doing some more exploring.

Well, one reason not to is that there isn’t any road that I know of most of the way. Between the snow and the deadfall we’d likely encounter, getting there might prove a lot tougher than it looks.

So do you want to, or not, SPHP? We’d better get going, if you do. The sun is already sinking!

Eh, the Carolina Dog had a point. Better quit dithering and get with it!

Loop and SPHP returned briefly to the summit of Castle Peak before heading back down USFS Road No. 238.1A.

On the way back to the summit of Castle Peak. **Five Points (6,221 ft.)** is visible in the gap between trees on the L. Photo looks SE.

At the **summit of Castle Peak** prior to departing for Peak 6244.

Going down was definitely easier than going up. Didn’t take long to get back past the turn for USFS Road No. 238.1E. Shortly before reaching Divide Road again, Lupe came to the top of a small rise. Time to leave the road! To the W, dead trees stood spaced out on a gentle slope thickly covered with young pines.

On USFS Road No. 238.1A after leaving Castle Peak.

Lupe left No. 238.1A here, crossing the slope seen behind her. Photo looks W.

The idea was to travel almost due W through the forest staying as much as possible up on the high ground of a hilly, poorly defined ridge. By staying toward the S, Lupe ought to be able to avoid the deepest snow. Like most of the Black Hills these days, though, the forest looked heavily damaged by a pine bark beetle infestation. The going might get really tough, if the Carolina Dog came to a lot of deadfall.

Things started off pretty well. Right away, Lupe found an animal trail going W through the young pines. Beyond them she wound up on the N side of a small hill, but the snow wasn’t that deep. She did come to some deadfall timber, but not enough to be much more than a nuisance.

A look back at **Castle Peak** from the young pines. Photo looks SSE.

Exploring the hilly ridge. Not much snow where the sun could get at it. Photo looks W.

All seemed well when Loop reached the broad flat top of an expected hill. No snow or deadfall here. The only problem was telling exactly which way to go as the ground sloped down to the W. The forest was featureless, and the tree-broken views of surrounding hills all looked about the same.

In the open forest on the broad, flat top of a 6,100 foot hill. Photo looks WNW.

Well W of the hill, Lupe came to a faint, unmarked road.

On the faint road. Which way? This road wasn’t shown on the map. Photo looks SW.

Ignoring the road, Lupe crossed it and went over a small rise. On the other side, the terrain resumed a steady descent. Several big rocks were here, the only ones she’d seen since leaving USFS Road No. 238.1A.

Peak 6244 was only 1.33 miles due W of where Lupe had left No. 238.1A. The American Dingo must have traveled most of that distance by now. Ahead was a valley, and beyond it were higher hills. Very difficult to tell with all these trees, but it looked like maybe there was higher ground connected to those hills off to the SW. Had Lupe wandered too far N?

Seemed like that might be the case. From the big rocks, a snowy clearing to the S could be seen down in another part of the same valley Lupe was coming to. She headed down to it. On the way, she came to another road that went by the clearing. Nearby was a junction with what must have been the lower end of the faint road Lupe had just crossed. A marker said the faint one had been USFS Road No. 238.1C.

By the road next to the snowy clearing. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe needed to get up on the ridge beyond (SW) the clearing. Following the road S up to the ridgeline seemed like a reasonable course of action. Probably was, but SPHP became anxious to turn W again, and had Lupe leave the road before getting all the way to the top.

The snow quickly deepened on the upper N side of the ridge. Loop came to another area thick with young pines. No animal trails here! Instead, deadfall timber was everywhere. The trek became a terrible struggle trying to force a way through the young pines, deep snow, and unending tangle of deadfall.

Progress virtually ground to a halt. In deep snow, stuck down among the little pines, Lupe valiantly leapt over or snuck under hundreds of dead trees. Exhausting! The sun was sinking. This was taking forever! At last, Lupe made it over to the SW side of the ridge where there was less snow and deadfall timber. What had to be Peak 6244 was now in sight.

The easiest way to get there appeared to be to head NW to a subpeak NE of Peak 6244. The ridge Lupe was on led to minor dip at the base of the subpeak. Beyond the dip, she came to yet another unmarked road.

Unfortunately, the road didn’t go up the mountain. After crossing it, the Carolina Dog continued NW up the slope leading to the subpeak. At first, this was easy terrain. No snow, little deadfall.

Starting up the slope leading to the subpeak. Photo looks NW.

The situation soon deteriorated. Loop didn’t have to go all the way to the top of the subpeak, but all the territory between it and Peak 6244 was another region of young pines, snow, and a tangled mess of deadfall. Trying to turn toward Peak 6244 before reaching the saddle leading to it from the subpeak proved futile.

Up at the saddle, things were somewhat better. Not much snow. Still plenty of deadfall, but most of it was neatly arranged perpendicular to the route Lupe had to take. She still had to go over it all, then climb Peak 6244’s snowy NE slope, but the top of the mountain wasn’t much higher than where Lupe was now. Shouldn’t take too long.

Up on the saddle. Still lots of deadfall to cross, but this wasn’t too bad. **Peak 6244** dead ahead! Photo looks SW.

On the snowy NE slope, approaching the summit.

Approaching from the NE, Peak 6244 seemed to be coming to a pointy top. Rocks were up there! Maybe Lupe actually would have some views from the summit? That would be really nice after all this effort!

The summit region was surprisingly roomy. Ground covered with pine needles connected two slightly higher rocky areas, one to the E and the other to the W. The true summit was a big rock at the NE end. Looper went first to some other rocks almost as high that offered a nice view to the S. Not bad at all!

**Reynolds Prairie** from Peak 6244. Photo looks SW.

The rock at the true summit provided a view of less interesting territory off to the NE, plus a tree-broken glimpse of Castle Peak.

At the **true summit of Peak 6244**. Photo looks NE.

**True summit of Peak 6244**. Photo looks NE.

The rocky area to the W was worth exploring, too. Lupe went there next, stopping briefly for another look at Reynolds Prairie on the way.

That nice view toward **Reynolds Prairie** (R) again. Photo looks SSW.

On the rocks at **Peak 6244’s W edge**. Photo looks W.

**Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.)** (L). The ridge beyond Lupe is **Peak 6962**. Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.

Lupe’s journey to Peak 6244 had been a success! Really shouldn’t stay, though. The day was almost shot, the sun a mere glow in clouds near the horizon. Getting stuck out here in the dark surrounded by snow and deadfall would not be good! Yet the Carolina Dog did stay for a little while, hanging out by the W rocks.

More Taste of the Wild disappeared. SPHP’s last apple vanished. Such a nice spot! Peak 6244 was way better than anticipated after that first look at it from Castle Peak.

Peak 6244’s summit region. The true summit is hidden by trees just L of Center. Photo looks E from the W rocks.

25 minutes flew by. Alright. Better get going. Lupe leapt up on the W rocks one more time.

Final moments on **Peak 6244**. Photo looks NNW.

She then started down the mountain heading S along the W edge. Oh, there was that view of Reynolds Prairie again! Worth pausing for.

**South Castle Rock** & **Castle Rock** (L), **Nipple Butte** (Center), and **Flag Mountain** (R). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Enough already. Time to skedaddle.

Onward! Puppy, ho!

Heading S, Lupe quickly circled WNW as soon as the terrain permitted. Going back E the way she had come up was out of the question. Way too late for a return to Poverty Gulch. Had to get to a road before it got pitch dark! Finding a quick route to S Rochford Road less than 0.5 mile W of Peak 6244 was the only hope.

Starting down from the W rocks. Photo looks N.

Turned out it was easy. The W slopes of Peak 6244 weren’t that difficult. Not much snow or deadfall. Loopster lost elevation rapidly. Before long she reached another USFS Road by a tree marked “BT” in purple paint, whatever that meant.

At the purple BT tree and yet another unmarked USFS road. Photo looks W.

Lupe followed the road N. SPHP hoped it would lead to S Rochford Road. Nope. Instead the road wound along the W slopes of Peak 6244, neither gaining nor losing elevation. Fortunately, S Rochford Road soon appeared off to the L (NW) down a fairly steep slope.

Easily manageable! 5 minutes and Lupe was standing in a snowy field next to S Rochford Road. A rosy glow to the SW! Sunset, such as it was. The glow strengthened momentarily, then faded even faster.

Down by S Rochford Road (No. 306). Photo looks SW.

The sky was clearing. Stars appeared. The temperature plunged. Quiet, dark. Maybe 3 miles back to Rochford? Not any more than that. Long stretches of the road were icy and slick. Where it wasn’t smooth, the ice crunched loudly underpaw.

Lights were on at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon! Through the window, the joint looked packed. Good for the saloon, but too bad for Lupe. If it hadn’t been so busy, maybe she really could have snuck in? At least, SPHP would have let her try.

Oh, well. Only a little farther to the G6. (6:09 PM, 32ºF)

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 253, 11-19-19

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 142 – Castle Peak (10-17-15)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 239 – Silver Peak & Nugget Gulch Peak (11-4-18)

Start – 8:59 AM, 31°F, 0.5 mile S of Silver City along USFS Road No. 251

The more SPHP thought about it, the more it seemed like driving a little farther S would have been better. November now, and the first day back on Standard Time. Even though the clock said Lupe had gotten off to a reasonably early start, she actually had one less hour of daylight to look forward to than she would have had only yesterday at this hour.

Consequently, maybe Loop wasn’t going to be able to get to all of her planned peakbagging objectives? Yeah, driving farther would have been more efficient. Besides, the road hike on USFS Road No. 251 was a bit dull. Luckily the valley widened out. Lupe was perfectly happy roaming some off-road flat ground next to a dry creekbed.

Lupe was happy roaming this flat ground next to a dry creekbed. Photo looks S.

Before long the American Dingo reached a junction with a side road marked No. 251.1K. This far up Nugget Gulch the creek had a little water in it. Lupe crossed No. 251.1K and continued upstream.

Upstream of USFS Road No. 251.1K. The creek had a little water here.

More than 0.5 mile from the G6 was a more important intersection. USFS Road No. 251 continued S up East Nugget Gulch. Lupe made a R turn onto USFS Road No. 249 instead. As a more primitive road, No. 249 had a pleasant remote feel.

Starting up USFS Road No. 249. Photo looks SW.

No. 249 winds its way W, then SW up the main part of Nugget Gulch. Lupe had hardly gotten started when she came to a ford. By the side of the road, right next to the creek, Lupe discovered a terribly interesting something or other.

Looks like deer guts to me, Looper! Just leave ’em alone!

*What do you think of this, SPHP? Most intriguing, wouldn’t you say? Quite a find!*

*Oh, yes Loop! Simply lovely! Let’s, uh, keep going.*

On the way up Nugget Gulch, No. 249 crossed the stream bed half a dozen times. The first two fords had enough water to persuade SPHP to utilize a few stepping stones. The rest of the crossings were bone dry.

Nugget Gulch became narrower and deeper. The road hugged a hillside above the stream course. SPHP stuck with the road, since it was easier than trying to stay down close to the intermittent stream. For the most part, Loop did, too.

At one point the creek’s maximum flow was revealed where it went over exposed bedrock. Lupe left the road briefly for a closer look.

*Why, this has got to be the prettiest spot in all of **Nugget Gulch**!*

After nearly a mile on USFS Road No. 249, Lupe came to an intersection with No. 249.3B. Silver Peak (5,810 ft.) was now 0.67 mile due N. The Carolina Dog left the main road, slipped around a closed metal barrier, and began following No. 249.3B up a valley.

The road appeared to be permanently closed to vehicle traffic. Looper trotted along through tall, dry grass. No. 249.3B was the quickest, easiest way up Silver Peak. The road wound around a bit at first, but eventually straightened as it headed NNW. As Lupe got higher, small trees grew on the old roadbed.

In the tall, dry grass on abandoned USFS Road No. 249.3B.

Higher up small trees were growing on the old roadbed.

Near the upper end of the valley Lupe reached an area where the forest had sustained tremendous damage. Years ago, pine bark beetles had killed hundreds, perhaps thousands of trees. Deadfall timber littered the whole region. Many dead trees had fallen across No. 249.3B. The pace of advance slowed as negotiating the deadfall became an issue.

The road faded, then disappeared. Lupe climbed N up a steep slope. SPHP followed, simply choosing whatever route avoided the deadfall as much as possible. So many trees had fallen that the remaining forest was comparatively open. The general layout of the terrain was easy to see. Silver Peak’s W ridge was only a little higher.

Loop made it up onto the W ridge. She turned E toward Silver Peak. The going wasn’t any easier up here. The narrow ridgeline was clogged with deadfall, too. Fortunately, the summit wasn’t much farther.

Oh, yeah? The top of the mountain wasn’t as close as SPHP thought. The first high point Lupe came to was a false summit. The true summit was now in sight, but so was another stretch of deadfall infested ridge. No matter. Puppy ho!

Took longer than it should have, but the Carolina Dog made it to the top of Silver Peak (5,810 ft.). The difficulties she had encountered really hadn’t been a surprise – this was Loop’s 3rd ascent. Deadfall had been an issue each time. The passing years hadn’t improved the situation.

Success! Lupe stands perched upon **Silver Peak**‘s summit cairn. Photo looks W.

After getting up on the summit cairn to claim another successful ascent of Silver Peak, Lupe laid down next to it. The cairn appeared little changed since the last time she had been here nearly 3 years ago.

Taking it easy on **Silver Peak**. This was Lupe’s 3rd ascent.

In a way, it didn’t seem fair. With all the damage sustained by the forest, Loopster ought to have enjoyed some nice clear views from Silver Peak. However, the summit area hadn’t been hit quite as hard by the pine bark beetles as some of the rest of the territory she had come through. Plenty of partial views and glimpses, but in every direction at least one or two trees still stood to mar the scenes.

To the extent that there was one, the best view was toward Silver City and Peak 5707.

**Silver City** (down by the red roofs) and **Peak 5707** (L) from Silver Peak. Lupe had been to **Peak 5707** for the first time nearly a month ago. Photo looks NE.

It had been sunny earlier, but the sky had turned gray. The temperature was still in the low 40’s °F. A 10 mph SW breeze made it seem cooler than that. Lupe still had two peaks to go. 15 minutes spent relaxing on Silver Peak was about the extent of it. Lupe and SPHP left to start picking a way back down the W ridge.

The views were actually better from the W ridge. Before leaving it, Loop paused at a rocky high point. Far to the NNW Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) sported a dusting of new snow. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) was on the horizon to the S. Lupe’s next peakbagging objective was much closer in the same direction. She could see a long ridge that would take her to Nugget Gulch Peak (6,000 ft.).

At a more scenic spot along **Silver Peak**‘s W ridge. Photo looks SW.

**Custer Peak** was sporting a dusting of new snow. Photo looks NNW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

**Black Elk Peak** in the distance (Center L). **Nugget Gulch Peak** is in the vicinity of the first much closer high point immediately to the R. Photo looks S.

Lupe retraced her whole route back down USFS Road No. 249.3B. Upon reaching No. 249 again, she took it S, but only for 200 yards. Off to the L was a side road that led to a small clearing where a sign indicated this was USFS Road No. 675.1. At the far side of the clearing several stones blocked the road.

Stones couldn’t stop Lupe. She went right on by, following No. 675.1 as it climbed a short distance E up onto a level spot where the road divided. Neither branch was marked, but going straight would have taken Looper into Middle Nugget Gulch. Instead, she took the fork to the R (S) that curved higher. After another short climb, this road leveled out and faded away in a forest that looked groomed.

After a couple of quick climbs, Lupe reaches a groomed forest. Photo looks SW.

Ahead small pines grew where the road used to be. Lupe took this route SW until she got close to the next hill. A longer and considerably steeper climb up this hill ended as Loop emerged from the forest at the N end of a level field. From here the Carolina Dog had a good view back N toward Silver Peak.

**Silver Peak** from the field. Photo looks N.

Stones had been arranged to form a fire ring here. SPHP picked Lupe treasures out of a long extinguished campfire. The field continued 100 yards S past a few young pines to another unidentified road.

The grassy level field extended 100 yards S to another road. Lupe would follow this road R along the side of the forested high ground seen ahead. Photo looks SSW.

By now it was clear that Lupe had succeeded in getting up onto the N end of the ridge leading S to Nugget Gulch Peak. However, the summit was still out of sight more than a mile away. Since the unidentified road was going in roughly the right direction, Lupe followed it SW. The road gained elevation slowly staying 50 to 75 feet below the ridgeline.

After 0.2 mile, Loop arrived at a junction. A marker indicated she had been following ATV Trail No. 6803. She had just reached No. 6800.

Loop on ATV Trail No. 6803. The junction with No. 6800 is dead ahead. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe could go E or W on ATV Trail No. 6800. Without a clue as to which choice was better, SPHP led her E. No. 6800 climbed up to a minor pass, then turned S. The road now began to lose elevation. Lupe followed it a little farther. Up ahead she could see a line on a hillside indicating the presence of a higher road.

On ATV Trail No. 6800. A higher road is on the hillside ahead. Lupe left No. 6800 near here to climb up to a saddle off to the R. Photo looks S.

Losing elevation was the wrong thing to do. Lupe left No. 6800. She climbed toward a saddle she could see ahead on the R. Upon arrival, Lupe found the saddle was mostly grassland. Another road was right over the crest on the other (W) side.

Lupe arrives up on the grassy saddle to discover another road on the other side. Photo looks SE.

An 80 foot high hill sat immediately NW of the saddle. This hill was in the wrong direction, but from below it looked like the top might be open enough to be able to get some views. Since it wouldn’t take long to check out, Lupe and SPHP climbed the hill. There were views, but none that were particularly helpful.

Looking S from the top of the 80 foot hill. The views from here weren’t really helpful. Lupe needed to get over to the hill on the R, but she already knew that.

The American Dingo returned to the saddle. She went down to the road W of the crest, and followed it 150 feet to a junction with the road she had detected the presence of earlier.

The road W of the crest went downhill from here. So Lupe tried the side road going E. The side road soon curved S. Looked like it wasn’t going to gain any elevation either. Hmm.

No choice. Lupe abandoned all roads and started climbing. She worked her way S up a steep hillside. The hill was rocky near the top. Once she was up, Loop found herself on a fairly narrow ridge. This ridge would inevitably bring her to Nugget Gulch Peak, if followed far enough S. Still no sign of the summit yet, though.

Lupe and SPHP struck out along the ridge. Most of it was forested. Some parts were a slow-going jumble of rock and deadfall. Loop pressed on climbing from one slightly higher point to the next. Rinse and repeat.

Time was slipping away. Occasionally Looper caught glimpses of what was ahead. After a while, SPHP became convinced the next high point she was coming to was either the summit of Nugget Gulch Peak, or High Point 5953, if she hadn’t gone over it already.

When Lupe got there, she discovered a patch of open ground offering views to the S and SW. A higher point was to the S. Surely that must be Nugget Gulch Peak? SPHP would have bet money that Lupe was now at High Point 5953. Woulda won, too!

*So here we are at **High Point 5953**! Not a bad view, but looks like weather might be on the way.* Photo looks SW.

**Nugget Gulch Peak** (Center) from High Point 5953. **Peak 6043** is straight up from Lupe. **Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.)** and **Peak 6167** are clustered together on the R. Photo looks S.

15 minute break. SPHP wanted to check the map. Lupe didn’t mind, she was ready for water and Taste of the Wild.

Still 0.25 mile to Nugget Gulch Peak. The sky had been cloudy for hours. Colder now. Looked like rain or snow showers to the SW, but a long way off. Looper and SPHP sat huddled together watching. Seemed like the showers were coming this way.

Looking down into **Middle Nugget Gulch** from High Point 5953. Photo looks ESE.

Approaching snow showers. Photo looks SW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

A shot rang out, spooking the American Dingo. A hunter! Not far away either. After waiting a few minutes to see if anyone would appear, Loop and SPHP stole away from High Point 5953.

Looking back from halfway to Nugget Gulch Peak, someone in a bright orange cap was standing on High Point 5953. SPHP waved. Whoever it was waved back. Lupe pressed on. Hunters and their guns scare her.

Getting there! **Nugget Gulch Peak** dead ahead. Photo looks S.

Some slow going, but within minutes of the summit. Photo looks S.

Lupe reached Nugget Gulch Peak (6,000 ft.) as tiny snowflakes began sailing by. They never amounted to much, but along with the brooding sky and cold breeze contributed to a sense of isolation. It felt late in the day, late in the season. Winter was coming. Not quite yet, but soon.

Lupe reaches the summit of **Nugget Gulch Peak**.

The absolute summit was treeless, featuring a few medium-sized rocks among thorny bushes. Lupe had been here once before, years ago, but SPHP couldn’t remember exactly when. Although trees grew N of the summit, the S slope was grass and stones.

From the summit rocks, Lupe could see a long way in most directions.

Loop on the highest rocks. Photo looks NE.

**Middle Nugget Gulch** from Nugget Gulch Peak. **Scruton Mountain (5,922 ft.)** (L) is in the clouds. Photo looks ESE.

Looking back at **High Point 5953** (R). Photo looks NNW.

Lupe had one more peakbagging objective. Peak 6043 was in view 1.5+ miles to the SSE.

**Peak 6043** (L) was Lupe’s next objective. **Old Bald Peak** is on the R. **Black Elk Peak** (Center) on the far horizon. Photo looks S.

It really wasn’t all that late in the day, but with this weather it would get dark mighty early. On a clear, bright day the Carolina Dog might have continued on. SPHP thought about it, but decided Silver Peak had chewed up too much time. Best to head back to the G6.

*What’s the verdict, SPHP?* Lupe next to the summit rocks on **Nugget Gulch Peak** with more snow showers on the way. Photo looks SW.

15 or 20 minutes on Nugget Gulch Peak, then it was time to call it a day. Lupe lingered another couple of minutes at the summit before joining SPHP heading down the S slope. At the first minor high point, Loopster paused briefly for a final look around before ducking under a fence and heading W down a long grassy slope.

Final moments poised atop **Nugget Gulch Peak**. Photo looks NNE.

A last look back toward the summit. Photo looks NNE.

On the way down the W slope. Photo looks N.

Lupe reached USFS Road No. 249 again near Pass 5606. She was 2 miles farther S than where she had left it hours ago. It was several degrees warmer down here than Nugget Gulch Peak had been. A light rain fell.

Lupe reaches **Pass 5606** along USFS Road No. 249. Photo looks NNW.

Close to 4 miles back to the G6 from here. The plan was to follow No. 249 all the way back to No. 251, but when Lupe came to a side road on the R and saw that it was ATV Trail No. 6800 again, she took it instead.

Exploring another section of ATV Trail No. 6800 late in the day. Photo looks NNE.

No. 6800 stayed higher than USFS Road No. 249. In fact, Lupe was gaining elevation. As SPHP suspected, she eventually arrived at the grassy saddle SE of the 80 foot hill. So that mystery was solved. Clearly the road was going to loop all the way around the W side of the 80 foot hill back to the junction with ATV Trail No. 6803.

Taking No. 6803 became the new plan, but shortly before Loop got that far another ATV trail split off heading N. Hmm. Lupe took this side road, but it dead-ended. In fading light Loop and SPHP descended a steep, mostly open slope to the W. At the bottom was No. 249 again.

No more adventures! Still 3 miles to go. Stick with the known road!

The light rain never quit. A black night fell. Cold and soaking wet, Lupe trudged at SPHP’s heels. Every step homeward bound. (6:09 PM, 37°F)

Nugget Gulch Peak, Black Hills of South Dakota, 11-4-18

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