Custer State Park – Page 2 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 298 – Peak 5212 & Peak 5213 (3-15-21)

9:05 AM, 47ºF, Custer State Park, Center Lake –

Center Lake is still frozen, SPHP!

Yeah, but don’t trust it, Loop. We’re going around the lake, not over it.

A path went S from the beach along the W shore. Easy as pie at first, but soon the shoreline started getting sort of steep and rocky. The Carolina Dog got by an initial tight spot, but more obstacles quickly decided SPHP that she’d be better off climbing W a bit. The maneuver worked, but the 40 feet of elevation gained all had to be lost again by the time Lupe made it around to the S end of the lake.

On the beach at **Center Lake**. The dam (L) is at the far end. Photo looks SSE.

Heading S along the W shore. Photo looks S.

Going past the first pinch point. Photo looks SSE.

**Center Lake** from the SW end. Photo looks NNE.

Center Lake is created by a dam over Coolidge Creek. Loop was going to have to cross the spillway. Not a big deal. Coolidge Creek is a relatively small stream. Spread out over the spillway, it was only inches deep.

Wading across the spillway. Photo looks N.

After crossing the spillway, a trail was visible in a field below the dam. Descending to the trail, the American Dingo was soon climbing at a good clip as she followed it ENE. After gaining 100 feet of elevation, the trail began to level out, briefly turning SE.

Following the trail after picking it up below the dam. Photo looks ENE.

We’ll need to climb this slope on the R, Loop.

Leave the trail, SPHP?

Yup. It’s just going to go back N along the E side of the lake.

About to leave the trail to climb the slope on the R. Photo looks SE.

And where are we going, SPHP?

HP5005 initially, Loop. Hoping we’ll see our real objective from there.

Continuing SE after leaving the trail, Looper gained another 100 feet of elevation. This got her to a flat spot next to a small rock formation. There was a bit of a view from here.

At the initial viewpoint. Photo looks SW.

This wasn’t HP5005 quite yet, which was only a little farther E. After a short break, Lupe headed up there. A big hill was in sight 0.6 mile ESE.

That’s where we’re going, Loop! Peak 5212.

Arriving at **HP5005**. Photo looks ENE.

**Peak 5212** (R of Center) from **HP5005**. Photo looks ESE.

SW portions of the South Fork of Bear Gulch were between HP5005 and Peak 5212. Rather than cross this fairly deep valley, Lupe could avoid at least some of the elevation loss she would otherwise incur by following a connecting ridge around the upper end of the gulch.

Starting down HP5005‘s S slope, Lupe quickly came to a clearing where Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) and Peak 5440 were in sight.

**Peak 5440** (L) and **Mount Coolidge** (R) from **HP5005‘s S slope**. Photo looks SW.

Same view with help from the telephoto lens. **Peak 5440** (L) and **Mount Coolidge** (R).

The ridge route was nice and wide without obstacles other than quite a bit of slash on the ground, but wasn’t without some elevation loss itself. The biggest drop of roughly 140 feet came early on S of HP5005. Most of this loss had to be regained almost immediately. Upon reaching HP4960, a flat-topped hill, Loop crossed it.

Beyond HP4960, the ridge went E. Not as much up and down now, but the ridge was narrower and presented more obstacles. A minor high point was capped with good-sized rock formations. Once around it, Lupe came to an area with a fair amount of deadfall.

Approaching a rocky high point. Photo looks ESE.

None of these obstacles presented any real difficulties, they just slowed things down a bit. Lupe was soon on her way up Peak 5212’s SW ridge.

Past most of the obstacles. **Peak 5440** (far L), **Mount Coolidge** (L). Photo looks WSW.

**HP5160** (R), **Peak 5212’s SE subpeak**. Photo looks ESE.

The **SW ridge**, not far from the summit. Photo looks NE.

11:12 AM, 53ºF – Peak 5212‘s summit region was large and much more open than expected. The true summit was easily identified, a boulder along the S edge with a great view of Peak 5440 and Mount Coolidge off to the SW, with more distant Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.) visible between them.

**Peak 5212**. **True summit** (L). Photo looks NW.

On **Peak 5212’s true summit**. **Peak 5440** (L), **Mount Coolidge** (Center) with **Northeast Cicero Peak** between them. Photo looks SW.

Congratulations, Loopster! You’ve just bagged another Lists of John peak. Only one left in Custer State Park that you haven’t been to yet.

Really? Can we see it from here, SPHP?

Nope, but you’ll be seeing it later on today. We’ll drive closer to it once we’re done here.

This calls for a chocolate coconut bar, SPHP!

Indeed it did! SPHP split one with Loop, then sat munching an apple. Lovely day! Always nice when the American Dingo arrived on a new peak that actually had some views like this, instead of being buried in trees. Nearly half an hour shot by before anyone stirred.

About time we had a look around, Loop. Let’s check out what else we can see from up here.

Hoping to catch a good view of HP5160, SPHP led Lupe partway down the SE ridge, but quickly gave up on that idea to avoid undue elevation loss. Heading NW back past the true summit was more successful. A line of hills featuring massive rock formations was visible off to the NE. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) and the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) were in sight beyond Peak 5688 to the NW.

**SE end of the summit region**. Photo looks SE.

**Peak 5688** (Center) in the foreground. **Cathedral Spires** (R of Center) and **Black Elk Peak** (R) beyond. Photo looks NW.

Circling back to the true summit along Peak 5212’s upper S slope, Lupe finally did get a great view of HP5160.

Final moments on **Peak 5212’s true summit**. Photo looks NE.

Having seen what there was to see, Looper headed back down the SW ridge. Retracing her entire ridge route, the Carolina Dog was soon back at HP5005.

Descending **Peak 5212’s SW ridge**. Photo looks SW.

**Peak 5212** as seen on the way back to **HP5005**. Photo looks E.

From HP5005, instead of continuing back the same way, Lupe explored farther NE along the ridge. She soon came to another high point where a flat, open area was strewn with rocks, tufts of tall grass, and scattered pines. SPHP was under the impression that this area might even be a bit higher than HP5005. In any case, it offered a final view of Peak 5212.

Entering the elevated region **NE of HP5005**. Photo looks NE.

On one of the highest rocks. Photo looks SW.

Farewell, **Peak 5212**! Photo looks ESE.

The ridge played out beyond this last high point. Descending a N slope, Looper kept exploring. Coming down a little E of, and below, a broad, flat region, she turned NW, going up and over it. This led to a descent into a forested valley, and eventually back to the same trail Lupe had first reached down by Center Lake’s dam.

Following the trail NW, it first went up to a bit of a high spot with a view of the spillway, before descending to a road that went past a picnic area on the NE side of Center Lake. The rest of the return was mostly just a road hike around the N end of the lake. (End 1:18 PM, 58ºF)

Back at **Center Lake** with a view of the dam and spillway (Center). Photo looks SW.

Reaching the road that goes past the picnic area. Photo looks NW.

1:49 PM, 58ºF, French Creek Horse Camp – SPHP parked the RAV4 over at the trailhead for Centennial Trail No. 89.

The French Creek Horse Camp! We were here not that long ago, SPHP!

That’s right, Loop! Explored Centennial Trail No. 89 from Badger Hole, and went on to Peak 5120 from here.

Ugh! Hope we’re not doing that again, SPHP! Remember all the deadfall on the way there? Ghastly!

Yes, but we survived. Anyway, we’re not going to Peak 5120 again. Going to visit that last Lists of John peak here in Custer State Park that you haven’t been to yet, Peak 5213!

Peak 5213, SPHP? A mere one foot higher than Peak 5212 where we just were? Hope they’re like twins! Peak 5212 wasn’t that hard, and had some nice views.

Before leaving the French Creek Horse Camp, Lupe ran down to French Creek and helped herself to a drink. Last time she’d been here, the creek had been frozen over, but ice remained only along the banks now.

The route to Peak 5213 started out the same way as going to Peak 5120 had. After crossing a bridge over French Creek, Loop followed CSP Road No. 4 nearly 0.5 mile SE up to Pass 4780. A couple of bighorn sheep the American Dingo saw disappearing over the ridge to the W created some excitement along the way.

CSP Road No. 4 on the way to up **Pass 4780**. Photo looks SSE.

This time, instead of heading NE from Pass 4780 like she’d done on the way to Peak 5120, Lupe turned W on a dirt side road. A short climb through the forest led to a flat, open region.

A line of hills was now in sight to the SW.

Oh, joy! We’re in for it again, aren’t we Loop?

Most of the hills had burned. Going to be deadfall city, just like Peak 5120 had been! Maybe not, though, if this road went the right way.

*Let’s hope this road goes clear to the top!* Photo looks SW.

Yeah, good luck with that! Instead of continuing SW toward Peak 5213, after going over a little rise, the road dipped, then curved NW, vanishing down a valley. No choice. Abandoning the road, Lupe started climbing the deadfall infested ridge leading to the highest hill in sight.

Slow going, but the Carolina Dog remained cheerful.

*Don’t worry, we’ll get there!* Photo looks SW.

What a mess! Loopster leapt over, or snuck under, countless dead trees. Fortunately, most were relatively small diameter. Bit by bit, Lupe was closing in on her objective.

*Not too much farther now!* Photo looks SW.

It wasn’t until the Carolina Dog got to a rocky, deadfall-choked top that SPHP realized where she was.

Congratulations, Loop! Kind of an ordeal, wasn’t it?

Here we are, though, SPHP. We made it!

Umm, yeah, about that. There’s good news and bad news, Looper. Which do you want first?

I’ll take the good news, SPHP.

The good news is that we made it this far.

This far? What do you mean by that, SPHP? Isn’t this Peak 5213?

Uh, yes and no. Mostly no. That’s the bad news. Peak 5213 is sort of a big ridge with 3 high points all nearly the same elevation strung out N/S along it. We’re at the N summit now. See those two flat-topped hills to the S? Those are the other summits. The topo map only shows only one specific elevation other than contours – 5,213 feet way over at the S summit. Lists of John just calls this mountain Peak 5220 based on contour levels and shows the central high point as the presumed true summit.

So, what you’re telling me, SPHP, is that we still have to go to both of those other hills?

I knew you’d be thrilled, Looper!

On the **N summit**. **Center one** (Center) and **S one** (R). Photo looks S.

A somewhat clearer view. **Peak 5213 center summit** (L), **S summit** (Center). Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.

Well, with 3 high points to visit, Lupe clearly wasn’t going to have time for any traditional summit hour up on each one. In fact, there was no sense in dilly-dallying. Loop was going to be spending plenty of time slogging through the deadfall, and would not feel at all cheated out of a genuine Peak 5213 experience.

Loop did stay on the N summit long enough to check out a nice view to the NW, where Daisy Peak (5,948 ft.), Custer Mountain (6,089 ft.) and Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) were all in sight.

**Daisy Peak** (far L), **Custer Mountain** (L), **Mount Coolidge** (R). Photo looks NW.

Not bad, but … Onward! Puppy, ho!

The American Dingo started down the N high point’s SW slope destined for the ridge connecting all 3 high points. Once there, Lupe turned S. Fighting deadfall all the way, she made it to the middle high point’s NW slope. Less deadfall here meant the required 100 feet of elevation gain didn’t take her long.

Starting down the **N summit’s SW slope**. Photo looks SW.

Approaching the **middle high point’s NW slope**. Photo looks SE.

The central high point’s summit encompassed a much larger region than the N summit, which had been small and cramped. Loopster reached a plateau of rocks, wisps of tall yellow grass, and tree trunks. A couple of rocks along the NE edge appeared to be the absolute high point.

**Summit plateau** of **Peak 5213’s central high point**. Photo looks ESE.

**True summit** of the **middle high point**. This is where Lists of John shows the summit. Photo looks NE.

From the N summit, the other two high points appeared to be roughly the same elevation, but the perspective from the middle summit gave quite a different impression. The N summit looked definitely lower. Even the S summit looked a bit lower, but not convincingly enough to make a trip over there unnecessary.

**Peak 5213’s N summit** (Center) from the **middle summit**. Photo looks N.

**S summit** (L of Center) from the **middle high point**. Photo looks WSW.

Lupe continued on. The saddle leading to the S summit was broad and relatively deadfall free. Felt good to be able to move freely again! Loop was approaching the saddle’s low point, when she suddenly stopped and started whining, staring all the while toward the S high point’s E slope.

Giant deers, SPHP! A whole herd of them going up onto the S summit! Hurry up, I want to see them!

Approaching the **S summit**. Photo looks S.

Giant deers along the ridgeline. Photo looks S.

Must have been 20 giant deer, or more, but Lupe was whining so loudly that they could hear her and quickly vanished from view. They’d still been going up, though, as if they still intended to finish their climb of Peak 5213’s S summit.

SPHP tried, but although the saddle was relatively deadfall free, the S summit’s N slope was full of deadfall. Branches snapped and cracked as SPHP trudged higher. Noisy and slow! Not a good combination.

4:07 PM, 54ºF, Peak 5213 S summit – Unsurprisingly, too late! By the time SPHP reached the top, there was no sign of the giant deers. Loop was disappointed. Ahead stretched the largest summit plateau of all. It was another scene of desolation, but not quite as rocky as either of the other two summits. The marginally highest rocks were toward the SW, gripped in the clutches of the roots of a fallen tree.

Highest rocks of the **S summit**, where the map shows 5,213 feet of elevation. Photo looks NNE.

Views all around from here. Perhaps the best one was off to the WNW where Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.), Daisy Peak (5,948 ft.) and Custer Mountain (6,096 feet.) were on display about 5 miles away.

**Northeast Cicero Peak** (L), **Daisy Peak** (R of Center), **Custer Mountain** (far R). Photo looks WNW.

Well, that’s a wrap, Loop! Think it’s safe to say that you’ve been to the top of Peak 5213 now, no matter which high point is actually the true summit.

Any opinion on which one is really the true summit, SPHP?

Hard to say. Not the N high point, but either here or the middle high point might be it. And how about an opinion from you, Loop? Which mountain did you enjoy more, Peak 5212 or Peak 5213?

Peak 5212 was easier, prettier, and had some nice views, SPHP, but with big horn sheep and giant deers, Peak 5213 is my favorite!

Really? Despite all the wretched deadfall, and 3 summits to visit, Loop?

Yes! It was worth it to see the bighorns and giant deers.

Well, good! Glad the deadfall didn’t bother you that much, cause you’ll be seeing a lot more of it on the way back.

And she did! Heading N down off Peak 5213’s S summit, Lupe went past both the middle and N summits again, but didn’t climb them a second time. Instead, she continued N, then NW, along the ridge before finally descending into a valley to the W. The Carolina Dog didn’t fully escape the deadfall until she reached Centennial Trail No. 89 down in the valley.

This stretch of the trail was actually a road. A road that was still soft and mucky due to snow melt. Avoiding the mud, Lupe spent more time off road than on it, but the situation improved by the time she reached CSP Road No. 4 again SW of the French Creek Horse Camp.

**Centennial Trail No. 89**, which was actually a road here, on the way back to CSP Road No. 4 and the French Creek Horse Camp. Photo looks N.

The rest was super easy. CSP Road No. 4 was flat and firm. A beautiful evening stroll ended back at the French Creek Horse Camp with Lupe enjoying another cold, clear drink from French Creek before leaping back into the RAV4. Expedition over, time to go home! (5:41 PM, 55ºF)

**Peak 5212**, Black Hills of South Dakota 3-15-22

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 272 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Iron Creek Horse Camp to Badger Hole (4-1-21)

8:29 AM, 32ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead –

SPHP! Quiet! Don’t move! A mountain lion!

A lion! Here at the trailhead? Where?

SPHP glanced around. Nothing.

Hah! Made you look! April Fools!

Oh, you’re a riot, silly Dingo! C’mon, it’s a bit of a trek. If we want to have time to climb a couple of side peaks along the way, we better get moving.

A mountain Dingo, but no mountain lions, at the Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead. Photo looks N.

Destined for Badger Hole, Lupe left the Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead heading S on Centennial Trail No. 89. At least temporarily, spring had sprung! Chilly this morning, but supposed to get as warm as a day in mid-May later on. The trail still had a few icy stretches as Lupe followed it up a gentle valley. Soon she was passing scenic granite formations while approaching a minor pass.

*Exciting stuff! We’re hunting badgers today! This trail leads to their hole!* Photo looks S.

An icy stretch as the trail winds into the forest. Photo looks SW.

Passing granite formations. Photo looks SSE.

Beyond the pass was another gentle valley. A side trail soon appeared on the L. This was the spur to Centennial Trail No. 89’s official Iron Creek trailhead, which was different from the unofficial trailhead near the horse camp. Lupe went on by the spur, sticking with the main trail. Within a couple of minutes, the main trail turned R. A sign said it was 7 miles to Legion Lake.

Junction with the official Iron Creek trailhead spur. (Sign on L.) Lupe kept going straight (R). Photo looks SE.

At the Legion Lake sign. Photo looks SW.

Heading SW through the forest over a little rise, the trail quickly brought Looper to Needles Hwy No. 87. Across the highway, a closed gate over a side road could be seen a few hundred feet away. When Lupe got to the gate, Centennial Trail No. 89 took off to the L.

Crossing Needles Hwy No. 87. Photo looks SW.

L of the gate where the trail leaves the side road. Photo looks SE.

From the gate, Centennial Trail No. 89 went up a to minor ridge offering the first somewhat distant view of the day, several forested hills. Lupe crossed a dirt road that ran along the ridgeline, and started down into the next valley. Passing big granite formations on the L, she arrived at “Badger Gate”, a couple of granite nodes the trail went between.

First distant views from the minor ridge. Photo looks SSE.

From Badger Gate, the trail continued down to a tiny creek, a tributary of Grace Coolidge Creek. Off to the L (SE), a big field occupied the valley floor, but the trail didn’t enter it. Crossing a few boards that bridged the tiny creek, Lupe had a view of the field as Centennial Trail No. 89 wound along a hillside staying in or near the trees.

Crossing the tiny **tributary of Grace Coolidge Creek**. Photo looks W.

The trail went up a slight rise before descending into a narrower part of the valley right on down to Coolidge Creek itself. The stream was frozen over. Centennial Trail No. 89 headed up the shady valley, never straying far from Coolidge Creek and crossing it twice.

Heading down into the **upper Coolidge Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

In the shady **Coolidge Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

After the second Coolidge Creek crossing, Centennial Trail No. 89 began climbing out of the valley. Lupe came to a region of exposed granite on the way to a broad, forested ridge. Climbing more gradually, an old road led to a sunny open area which appeared to have been logged off some years ago.

Approaching the exposed granite. Photo looks NW.

On the broad forested ridge. Photo looks SW.

Entering the open region. Photo looks WSW.

The open region was huge! Despite a few dips, the road went on and on, still gaining elevation. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) was in view off to the NW. Smaller hills could be seen in almost every direction.

*Didn’t expect to see so much open territory!* Photo looks SSW.

**Black Elk Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

After a sunny mile or so, Centennial Trail No. 89 re-entered the forest. The trees had been thinned here, too. Big granite outcroppings were visible nearby. The trail dipped going around the W side of an especially tall formation. 12 minutes later, Lupe made a discovery.

SPHP! Look! A monster!

Oh, yeah right, Miss April Fools!

Turned out she was right! This time the American Dingo wasn’t fooling! The Claw was lurking just ahead. Peak 5880 was visible beyond it. Lupe would have to go right past The Claw, if she wanted to get there.

**Peak 5880** (Center). **The Claw** (R). Photo looks S.

Fortunately, The Claw was acting none too lively. It appeared to have been lurking here for so long that it had forgotten why. Slipping past it was no great feat at all. Soon the Carolina Dog was closing in on Peak 5880. Centennial Trail No. 89 was heading right for it.

*Peakbagging time coming up!* **Peak 5880** (Center). Photo looks S.

When the trail got to the N side of Peak 5880, it curved SE along its base. Peak 5880 was a chance to do a little peakbagging. In fact, Lupe had climbed it once before only a couple of years ago. The American Dingo left the trail where it got closest to a saddle 0.2 mile SE of the summit.

Snow, slash, and various chunks of wood left by loggers to contend with, but overall, getting up to the saddle wasn’t all that hard. From here, Lupe enjoyed a distant view of Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.).

Off-trail, approaching the saddle. Photo looks S.

At the saddle. **Northeast Cicero Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW.

The climb along the SE ridge to the summit was much harder, partly since it was steeper, but mainly due to copious quantities of deadfall. The ridge finally leveled out, though, and Lupe came to a platform of rock overlooking a last slash-filled gap leading to the summit.

Almost there! **Peak 5880 summit** (L). **Black Elk Peak** (far R). Photo looks NW.

11:58 AM, 58ºF, Peak 5880 – Lupe stood on one of the highest rocks, then it was time for a break. Peak 5880’s cramped summit region had enough room to allow the Carolina Dog to relax practically right next to the true summit rock, but not to move around much.

Is it lunch time yet, SPHP?

Practically on the dot, Loopster! You hungry, thirsty?

Thirsty? Not really. Been eating snow. Not that hungry yet, either, but if you happen to have a chocolate coconut bar in that pack, it would go down pretty easy right about now!

You don’t say! As always, I presume. Well, I’ll see what I can do.

The chocolate coconut bar supply took a hit, and minor shrinkage of the Taste of the Wild supply occurred, too. SPHP slowly munched an apple. Off to the E were a couple of ridges Lupe had climbed once upon a time, Peak 5647 and Peak 5733, but that was about it for views due to the big pines that were providing all the shade.

**Peak 5647** (L) and **Peak 5733** (Center). Photo looks E.

Loop and SPHP lollygagged up by the true summit well after the apple no longer existed, but there was a limit to how long that could go on.

Not a bad spot, but never really thought we would ever be back here, did you, Looper?

Oh, it doesn’t bother me coming back to the same places again, SPHP! A new experience every time! You never know what might be different.

True enough, but that’s not what I meant. This just seems like an out of the way place. If it weren’t for Centennial Trail No. 89 bringing us right past Peak 5880, we probably would have kept busy with other stuff, and never been back.

I’m glad we’ve returned, SPHP, but maybe we ought to have a look around, since this might be it for Peak 5880 the way you talk!

Good idea! We’re still miles from Badger Hole, so let’s do that, then head back to the trail.

*Don’t listen to SPHP! If you enjoy climbing mountains, **Peak 5880** is worth the side trip!* Photo looks S.

Out on the short, rocky N ridge. Photo looks NE.

Summit from the start of the N ridge. Photo looks S.

After venturing out onto the steep, rocky N ridge, Lupe had to go back over the summit and downclimb a bit to explore a larger, flatter area to the S. Not much to be seen since this region was densely forested, but Loop did get a glimpse of Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) to the S. Off to the SW, Custer Mountain (6,089 ft.) and Peak 6040 were visible beyond Stockade Lake.

**Mount Coolidge** (Center). Photo looks S.

**Stockade Lake** is still frozen! Photo looks SW.

**Custer Mountain** (L) and **Peak 6040** (Center) beyond **Stockade Lake**. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Peak 5880 had been a fun break. Having seen what there was to see, Loopster returned to Centennial Trail No. 89 by essentially the same route she had come up. Leaving Peak 5880 behind, the trail curved NE beginning to lose elevation. A turn to the R (E) following a different dirt road led down to a low spot in a wide valley.

Loop was now in the upper reaches of the Little Squaw Creek valley, but so far up it that there was no sign of a creek. Centennial Trail No. 89 went around the N side of a fenced area, turned S, and began to climb. Lupe soon came to a pass with massive granite walls on the L (E).

Going around the fence down in the **Little Squaw Creek valley**. Photo looks E.

Approaching the next pass. Photo looks SSE.

The next valley, also dry, was part of the Galena Creek drainage system. Huge granite formations E of the trail eventually disappeared as Lupe kept going. The valley widened, and became quite grassy and flat.

**Upper reaches of the Galena Creek drainage**. Dry as a bone here! Photo looks S.

10 minutes from the pass, the trail divided at a well-signed junction. The Carolina Dog had a choice. Take the trail veering off to the L (SE), which was the shortest route to Badger Hole, or stay farther W continuing S down the valley?

Sign for the short route. Only 1.5 miles to Badger Hole this way! Photo looks SE.

The long way. 2.5 miles to Badger Hole. Photo looks S.

Any preference, SPHP? I’d sort of like to catch a badger as soon as possible!

Oh, doesn’t that sound like fun? A badger – Dingo fight! However, the short route goes partway up Peak 5733, and I’d like to save that for later on the way back. Take the long route, please.

Siding with the badger, are you, SPHP? Giving it a reprieve? Fine! Just dandy! Only temporary, I assure you. As you wish, the long route it is!

Lupe continued straight. The valley went on and on, soon narrowing and winding. The Carolina Dog journeyed through both grasslands and open forest. A micro-tributary of Galena Creek eventually materialized. In shady regions, sometimes there was still some slushy ice or snow.

Continuing down the valley. Photo looks SE.

The American Dingo must have been nearly 1.5 miles from the last pass she’d gone over when traffic could be heard ahead. Centennial Trail No. 89 went by a house as it reached Hwy 16A.

Near the S end of the valley. Hwy 16A just ahead. Photo looks SE.

At the house next to Hwy 16A. Centennial Trail No. 89 on the L. Photo looks NW.

Unlike the Needles Hwy much earlier in the day, Hwy 16A was busy. Loop had to wait for a chance to cross safely. Galena Creek was down in the ditch on the other side. A couple of boards provided a bridge, but the creek was so small even SPHP could have just stepped across if they hadn’t been there.

Safely over on the S side of Hwy 16A. Photo looks WSW.

Crossing **Galena Creek**. Photo looks SE.

Once over Galena Creek, Centennial Trail No. 89 began a steady climb through a forested area. Lupe gained 200+ feet of elevation before the trail leveled out again at a field. Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) was directly ahead, not looking all that much higher.

Regaining elevation S of Hwy 16A. Photo looks SW.

**Mount Coolidge** (Center) from the field. Photo looks SSW.

Mount Coolidge looked so close, that SPHP considered taking it on. Only a passing thought. Appearances were deceiving. The actual summit was higher than what could be seen from here. Furthermore, it turned out that there was a deep ravine between this field and the mountain. Upon reaching the edge of the ravine, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved SE, then E, following the upper rim of the ravine lower.

Losing all the elevation she had just regained and more, Lupe ended up down in Sheep Draw where a square stand of aspens stood enclosed within a fence. An off-trail shortcut could have been taken directly to Badger Hole from here, but Loopster stuck with the trail as it turned SE again heading up to yet another pass.

The last pass was a minor one. Lupe was soon over it and down in a low spot in the next valley. Centennial Trail No. 89 turned SW starting to climb again, but Lupe didn’t need to that way. She had reached the spur trail to the Badger Hole trailhead, now only 0.5 mile away.

Start of the spur trail to the Badger Hole trailhead. Photo looks NE.

Closing in on Badger Hole. Photo looks ENE.

3:05 PM, 62ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Badger Hole trailhead –

Lupe sniffed in vain.

Unbelievable, SPHP! Take the long way you said! You deliberately gave the badger time to escape! What I don’t understand is how the badger managed to take even its hole with it! Not a whiff of badger or hole left!

Sorry, Loopster! Don’t ask me! How am I supposed to know where the badger or its hole went? You see the sign! No doubt about it, this is the right place!

*Well, looks like that cowardly badger is forfeiting! This is **Dingo Hole** trailhead from now on!* Photo looks S.

Wait a minute, SPHP! What does that other sign over by the hill say?

Badger Clark Memorial, Open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Oh, so that’s the badger’s game, is it? Holed up in a castle on the hill until Memorial Day, aye?

Apparently so! See, it didn’t make any difference which route we took as far as the badger is concerned. Busy hibernating or something until summer.

Well, phooey! Tricky, scaredy-cat badger! Doesn’t dare come out until I’m safely away on my summer Dingo Vacations!

Must be one brainy badger, Loopster! Nothing we can do about it. C’mon, Legion Lake isn’t far from here. Let’s go have a chocolate coconut bar break there.

Nothing to take one’s mind off a slippery badger like a chocolate coconut bar! Lupe headed NW on the road to Legion Lake, and was soon there. The bar was devoured along the shore near the spillway. This time the chocolate coconut bar functioned as a mere appetizer. A healthy helping of Taste of the Wild got crunched up, too.

*The chocolate coconut bar met the same fate here meant for the badger! Delicious!* **Legion Lake**. Photo looks NW.

Strolling along the NE shore of the lake, Mount Coolidge was once again in sight. Lupe came to a sandy beach. Amazingly, even though most of Legion Lake was still covered with ice, a couple of crazy Canadians were out there swimming!

**Mount Coolidge** (Center) from **Legion Lake**. Photo looks SW.

In no big rush, Loop and SPHP ambled on past the Legion Lake Lodge. Closed now, but that would change. Tourist season was due to kick off with Custer State Park’s free weekend the week before Memorial Day.

Near the **Legion Lake Lodge**. Photo looks SE.

3:32 PM, 60ºF, Legion Lake in Custer State Park – Getting sort of late in the day with such a long way back to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. Better head out! Crossing Hwy 16A, Lupe and SPHP startled a herd of deer grazing in the Legion Lake campground.

The campground was closed, but Loopster trotted through it. No sign, but way at the far NW end was the start of the E side of the loop that went back to the trail junction where SPHP had advised the American Dingo to take the long route to Badger Hole.

Leaving the campground. Photo looks NNW.

SPHP wasn’t sure if this was even officially part of Centennial Trail No. 89. No brown “89” wands here. Unnumbered blue diamonds on the trees marked the route. The trail started up a little valley, but was soon climbing toward a ridgeline on the R (NE).

Easily the steepest route of the day, except for Lupe’s side jaunt up Peak 5880. SPHP stopped frequently to gasp for air. Reaching the ridgeline did nothing to slow the rate of ascent as the trail began curving W. Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) looked a lot higher from here.

After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, the trail began to level out as it headed SW traversing a steep slope. The trail was just beginning to turn NW when Lupe reached its high point by a number of big rocks with tree-broken views.

Traversing the steep slope. Photo looks SW.

At the trail’s high point. Photo looks SW.

Lupe had been here had been nearly 9 years ago, sometime back in 2012. Directly ahead, the trail started down again at a good clip. SPHP couldn’t remember exactly where it went, maybe even up to a higher spot farther on, but one way or another it would get the Carolina Dog back to the same Centennial Trail junction she had been at earlier.

Decision time, Looper! Want to stick with the trail, or climb Peak 5733?

If we have time, let’s climb!

Heading up a steep, rocky S ridge, SPHP was a little afraid that it might become impassable. It didn’t. Lupe reached a level spot where a short break was taken. Consulting the topo map, it appeared the summit was still nearly 0.33 mile due N and 200 feet higher.

At the level spot where a short break was taken. Photo looks SE.

Actually farther than that the way the ridge went. Lupe followed the ridge as it now turned NW. She was soon approaching a significant high point that she really didn’t need to climb. Traversing a steep, thickly forested slope, the Carolina Dog managed to skirt E of the high point to reach a saddle SW of the summit.

This saddle featured a couple of dramatic knobs of granite. Lupe got up on one of them just for fun.

At the **saddle SW of Peak 5733’s summit**. Photo looks N.

Deadfall and slash! Wasn’t that far from the saddle to the summit, but it was a typical slow trek through the wreckage. Lupe paused for views once or twice on the way. When she finally got to the top of Peak 5733, she leapt onto the true summit rock to claim her peakbagging success, then it was time for a break.

**Black Elk Peak** (L of Center), as seen on the way up Peak 5733. Photo looks NNW.

Success! At the **true summit of Peak 5733**. Photo looks WNW.

5:14 PM, 55ºF, Peak 5733 – Breezy up here, for the first time today. The last chocolate coconut bar and apple met their fates. Quiet, serene. This was another minor unnamed peak that SPHP had never expected Lupe to return to, yet here she was.

Looper and SPHP sat together for a while, taking in the big view off to the NW. Omnipresent Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), plus Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.), Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.), Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) and Peak 6735, too.

To the W, Peak 5880, where the American Dingo had been only hours ago, and somewhere between here and there, Centennial Trail No. 89.

**Sylvan Hill** (L) and **Black Elk Peak** (R). Photo looks NW.

**Little Devils Tower** (far L), **Cathedral Spires** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (R of Center) and **Peak 6735** (R). Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.

**Peak 5880** (L) and **Sylvan Hill** (R). Photo looks NW.

Definitely going to get dark before the Carolina Dog could make it back to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. No worries! Reach Centennial Trail No. 89 again, and Loop would speed along having a blast on this beautiful early April evening. Something to look forward to!

20 minutes after arriving, it was good-bye to Peak 5733. Lupe headed down the slash-ridden NW slope. As soon as she was below the worst of it, SPHP picked up the pace.

Ahead, sunlight streamed through open forest illuminating a broad, steady ramp lower. Lovely! Getting to the Little Squaw Creek valley where the American Dingo could pick up Centennial Trail No. 89 again was going to be a snap! (End 8:17 PM, 39ºF)