1:00 PM, start of USFS Road No. 257 just off Horse Creek Road (No. 243) – Been a while since Lupe had been here, more than 11 months, in fact. Way back on 1-29-12 on Expedition No. 3, the Carolina Dog had started from this same spot. She’d gone mountain climbing for the first time ever, intending to reach the top of Old Bald Peak(6,130 ft.), but had ended up on Peak6043, instead.
Back then, Lupe had seen a line of barren hills NE of here that looked like it might be fun to explore. For her final Black Hills, SD Expedition of 2012, the American Dingo was going to do just that! Exactly as she’d done on Expedition No. 3, Lupe headed N on USFS Road No. 257.
0.5 mile brought her to the junction where No. 257.1A split off to the W. That was the way she’d gone on Expedition No. 3, but Lupe continued N this time. The road curled around the E side of the first high point ahead, before turning W for a short distance. No. 257 then began a steady climb NNW up a long valley.
The road was gradually taking Lupe farther W than SPHP had intended. The Carolina Dog was skirting the W end of the barren hills region she was supposed to be exploring, but it seemed simpler to gain elevation following the road than to take off into much steeper terrain.
Nearly 2 miles from the start, No. 257 went over a forested pass between two hills. The peak to the E was now less than 250 feet higher. This was Lupe’s chance to get up there without much trouble. Leaving the road, she scrambled up a steep, slippery slope with ease, while SPHP clung from tree to tree trying to maintain traction on 0.5″ of snow covering loose pine needles.
Lupe came up near a 2 foot high wall of rock basking in the brilliant, weak warmth of 2012’s last afternoon. This line of rocks was along the W edge of a spacious summit region. Little could be seen to the N or E due to all the trees.
Part of the wall of rock along the W edge of the summit region. Photo looks N.
The high point was visible a little way off to the S. 2012 was still alive and well up here, the sun 2 hours from the horizon. An inch of pristine white snow hid a layer of pine needles, further brightening a mountaintop already illuminated by sunlight filtering through the pines.
Something in the slanting rays whispered of enchantment. Quiet, alone, undisturbed, this mountain had been waiting. Waiting countless days and starry nights, not long forgotten, but never even known, and those times having passed, were now as if they had never been. No one comes here – ever.
Yet on this final fading afternoon, magic had conjured an unanticipated wonder. A visitor! Lupe! The American Dingo had appeared as though foretold, or perhaps pre-destined, barely in time to beat some ancient deadline established in ages past for reasons beyond memory.
New Year’s Eve Peak. Photo looks S.
Turning S, Lupe prowled toward the high point.
Heading for the true summit. Photo looks N.
A big rock was the absolute high point. Nothing happened when Lupe got up on it. A breeze sighed amid the pines, otherwise stillness, silence. Although summoned, perhaps even the mountain had forgotten why?
Yet the spell remained unbroken. Gone was the desire to explore the barren hills. Maybe Lupe was supposed to stay here, simply watching, experiencing, appreciating the light and glory of 2012 before it vanished never to be seen again?
By the true summit, pondering the demise of 2012. Photo looks NW.
So Lupe and SPHP stayed, lingering while earth’s beautiful sun settled wearily in the SW. A whole year gone! 2012, the year Lupe had started her Black Hills expeditions, and climbed her first mountains. For some reason this lonely mountain, by now dubbed New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.), was destined to be the last of the bunch.
As 2012 slipped away, Lupe and SPHP shuffled back and forth between viewpoints. To the W was a narrow look at snowy hills similar to this one, to the S, a panoramic view of forested hills stretching away toward Harney Peak(7,242 ft.), South Dakota’s highest mountain.
Looking W.Harney Peak (L), Five Points(6,221 ft.) (R of Center), and False North Point (6,130 ft.) (R). Photo looks S.
A profound brooding serenity at last gave way. Enough! While 2012 still lived and breathed, the barren hills were calling. Insufficient time for a thorough exploration, but Lupe could still experience the essence of what lurked there.
The American Dingo bid farewell to the true summit of New Year’s Eve Peak heading ESE through the forest. A steep descent into a deep valley appeared. Lupe started down, but SPHP was soon thinking that maybe this wasn’t the best way to go? Turning sharply back toward the WSW, Lupe climbed just enough to get up to a ridge S of the true summit.
Following this ridge S, Lupe traipsed along an intermittently rocky spine through pine forest, gradually losing elevation. The forest thinned after 0.33 mile as the ridge turned SE and broadened out. Lupe roamed in sunshine among rock outcroppings and clearings.
Lichens on a big rock S of New Year’s Eve Peak’s summit.Roaming the S ridge. Harney Peak (R). Photo looks SSE.
The sky was clear as Lupe reached the barren hills. The Carolina Dog was high on the NW edge of the region, enjoying a commanding view to the S and E similar to the one from the top of New Year’s Eve Peak.
Frozen Sheridan Lake was in sight miles to the SE. Heading toward it, Lupe came to an open lower ridge with a series of big rock formations strung out along its crest.
Sheridan Lake (L of Center) with Calumet Ridge(5,601 ft.) beyond it. Photo looks SE.Frozen Sheridan Lake (Center). Photo looks SE.
Late afternoon. End of December. The barren hills glowed serenely, as if happy that Lupe had finally come to bask with them in the final silent sunlit moments of 2012.
Not much time left for exploring! Sunset imminent! Joyful in the fresh mountain air, Lupe sniffed all that she could as she wandered SE amid the rock formations.
Exploring the rocks. Photo looks SE.Peak5800 (Center). Photo looks ESE.
Lupe soon left the rocky ridgeline, entering a valley to the E. Here, she turned S on a grassy slope in the shadow of the ridge she’d just left.
Peak 5800 (L) from the spot where Lupe left the ridge. Photo looks ESE.E side of the rock formation. Photo looks S.Starting down the valley. Harney Peak (R). Photo looks S.
For a few fleeting minutes, Lupe made it back into the beautiful sunlight, but this was the end. By the time the Carolina Dog turned SW going over a low pass, 2012 glittered only from high points still able to glimpse the gleaming orb fleeing W.
In sunshine again. Photo looks SSE.
Down, down to the black pines ahead! This next valley would take Lupe back to No. 257. Five Points(6,221 ft.) and False North Point(6,130 ft.) were the culprits looming to the SW, casting an early shadow over all.
Five Points (L of Center) and False North Point (R of Center). Photo looks SW.
4:48 PM, 14ºF, at the start of USFS Road No. 257 off Horse Creek Road – Twilight. A few stars already. Snow crunching underpaw, the dim trek back along No. 257 had been a time to reflect on all that Lupe had done in 2012. 41 Black Hills expeditions! The Carolina Dog’s first ever Dingo Vacation with Lanis clear to the W coast! So many adventures!
Sadly, 2012 was gone, or nearly so, about to steal away in the night. At the start of 2012, none of these adventures had even been dreamed of, but Lupe had high hopes now.
Tomorrow the golden sun would return, bringing 2013 in all its blazing glory! Another year of new mountains, new adventures, near and far! And maybe at the end of it all, an American Dingo would stand again atop the silent, magical summit of New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.).
In the barren hills SE of New Year’s Eve Peak, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-31-12
12:47 PM, 37ºF, junction of Hwy 385 & USFS Road No. 710 – A little late in the day to be starting out on a Black Hills expedition, but that was by design. Lupe was excited, though, and SPHP was too! As soon as SPHP was ready, the American Dingo headed SW into the forest. A skiff of snow was on the ground, somewhat surprising since the weather had been extremely dry and unseasonably warm for 2 months.
Loopster heads into the forest. Photo looks SW.
The slope quickly increased into a steady, relatively steep climb. Lupe was already most of the way up Peak5800 when she began coming to minor rock outcroppings and shelves. Pausing briefly at a particularly open spot, she could see the rolling grasslands of the Bald Hills.
Glancing out over the Bald Hills. Photo looks NE.
The climb got easier near the end. Lupe reached Peak 5800’s big summit ridge near the SE high point. Heading SE, she lost a bit of elevation on the way to a few big rocks for a look at the views in this direction.
Part of Sheridan Lake, which looked frozen over, was in sight. Beyond the lake was Calumet Ridge(5,601 ft.). Boulder Hill(5,331 ft.) and Silver Mountain(5,405 ft.) were easily recognizable, too.
At the SE end of Peak 5800’s summit ridge. Sheridan Lake (R) with Calumet Ridge beyond it. Boulder Hill (L) and Silver Mountain (L of Center). Photo looks SE.
Five Points (L) and False North Point (L of Center). Photo looks SW.
Turning back, Lupe headed NW for Peak 5800’s true summit, stopping at both the SE high point, and for a look at Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) along the way.
On Peak 5800’s SE high point. True summit (Center). New Year’s Eve Peak (L). Photo looks NW.Black Elk Peak (L of Center). Photo looks S.
Traversing the summit ridge was easy. Lupe quickly reached the big gray rock formation near the NW end that constituted the true summit. Light green and charcoal gray lichens decorated the stone. Peak5800 wasn’t as high as New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.), Loopster’s ultimate destination today, but the views here were actually better, since they were much more open.
At the true summit of Peak 5800. Photo looks NW.Enjoying the open views from Peak 5800’s true summit. Bald Hills (L). Photo looks E.
Among other sights, New Year’s Eve Peak itself was visible nearly 2 miles NW as the crow flies. Today’s late start had been driven by the intention of letting Loopster say good-bye to the Year of Perfect Vision over there. A glorious sunset was hoped for, but the completely overcast sky was not encouraging.
New Year’s Eve Peak (Center) from Peak 5800. Photo looks NW.
However, all was not lost. The cloud cover appeared to be rather thin. Would take a while to get over to New Year’s Eve Peak, so maybe there was still a chance a decent sunset would materialize? 10 minutes at the true summit of Peak5800, and the American Dingo continued on.
The NW face of Peak 5800 was quite steep and very rocky. A little better more toward the W. This was Lupe’s 3rd time on Peak 5800. She’d come down this way each time, but the descent seemed trickier than SPHP remembered it. Might have gotten a little off course somewhere along the line this time around.
Descending the W face. Scruton Mountain(5,922ft.) (L). Photo looks NNW.
Fortunately, Lupe didn’t have to lose an awful lot of elevation here. Even so, the descent took longer than expected. By the time Looper reached much easier terrain, she had some good news! Patches of blue sky were appearing and seemed to be spreading. Weak sunlight illuminated golden fields ahead.
Looking back at Peak 5800 after getting past the steep, rocky part of the descent. Photo looks E.The golden trek ahead. Peak5917 (Center) with forested New Year’s Eve Peak behind it and slightly to the L. Photo looks NW.Blue skies over Peak 5800. Photo looks ESE.
The journey through the sunlit fields was as gorgeous and fun as it was easy. This region was a longtime favorite. Ever since Lupe first climbed New Year’s Eve Peak on the last day of 2012, she had been coming here near the end of every year. Poor weather often prevented Loop from returning right on December 31st, but she had usually been able to get here within a day or two.
The American Dingo roamed freely, having a blast as SPHP pondered this tradition and the sad imminent demise of the Year of Perfect Vision. Two years since Lupe had come this way! In 2019, SPHP had been far too sick to make the journey. Great to be back! Lupe hated fireworks, and this annual trek to New Year’s Eve Peak was her much preferred method of celebrating New Year’s Eve. Beauty, solitude, and freedom!
Along the way. Five Points (L) and False North Point (R of Center). Photo looks SW.
By the time Loop made it to Pistol Point, hopes for a glorious sunset were fading fast. Obliterating all blue sky in its path, a thicker bank of clouds was sweeping in from the NW. Still not darkly overcast, but the sun was already reduced to a mere bright spot in the clouds.
At Pistol Point. Photo looks ENE.Peak 5917 (L) and Peak 5800 (R) from Pistol Point. Photo looks E.New Year’s Eve Peak (Center) from Pistol Point. Photo looks NNW.
Only 0.5 mile to go! Leaving Pistol Point, Lupe headed W across open ground, but was soon turning N along New Year’s Eve Peak’s S ridge. The ridge was narrow, rocky, and thickly forested. Some up and down along the way, but nothing major. Before long, Loop was coming up the S slope.
3:56 PM – For the 8th time in her life, and 3rd time right on New Year’s Eve, Lupe stood atop the true summit boulder on New Year’s Eve Peak. Perfect timing!
All to no avail. Somewhere the sun was still up, but not for long. Clearly, no sunset, whether grand and glorious or otherwise, was in the cards. The sky was a uniform light gray, the mood merely a chilly, blah nothing. Not a ray of sunshine anywhere. Entirely out of character, New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.) felt neither like the end, nor the beginning, of anything.
A disappointing end to 2020, the Year of Perfect Vision.
A few years ago, loggers had come and thinned out some of the pines to the S, both creating a mess and opening up the views, which used to be very limited. Young pines were already growing all around the summit boulder. A few more years, and the views would be vanishing again.
On the true summit boulder of New Year’s Eve Peak. Photo looks SW.
Before doing anything else, Lupe and SPHP performed a ritual task in keeping with tradition. Sitting together, a short break was taken facing W. Taste of the Wild, a couple of shared chocolate coconut bars, and an apple disappeared. Quite a bit of territory was in sight, looking snowier and more wintery than seemed justified at the end of a December so warm and dry.
Taking a break. Photo looks SW.
In the past, Lupe had always arrived here earlier in the day. In fact, she’d always completed her New Year’s Eve Peak tour well before the sun went down. By sunset she was on her way back to the G6, out in open country where the final gleaming rays and dazzling colors of the dying year could be better appreciated.
Knowing that the sun was already on the horizon, but unable to glimpse it, simply felt wrong. No moment of anticipation. Nothing was going to happen. What was the point?
None really, except to maintain the tradition, to be here together as whatever remaining light of the old year faded, to remember the year that had been.
Grandma finally moved this year. Then months spent working on her house getting it ready to sell. The sale itself, which went so fast. The last of more than 1,000 trips to the cul-de-sac. Then summer. A late start to it, but Lupe had climbed some fabulous peaks, among them some of the highest she had ever been to. An early end to those happy times, as the smoke of countless wildfires blanketed and obscured the W. Through it all, the trials of Covid-19 which had prevented the Most High Exalted Dingo of the Arctic Sisterhood from returning to Canada and Alaska.
Each day is precious, unique, never to return. Lupe and SPHP stirred. A quick New Year’s Eve Peak summit tour was in order, even if other plans had been denied.
Black Elk Peak (L), Five Points (R) with Sylvan Hill(7,000 ft.) beyond it.Silver Mountain (L) and Calumet Ridge beyond Sheridan Lake (R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.Peak6070 (Center). Photo looks NW.
Done. Mission complete. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Ironic. By the time the flashlight had to come out, stars were twinkling above. So where did all those infernal clouds go? The Dingo didn’t care. No brilliant sunset before 2020 vanished forever? So what? Peak 5800 and New Year’s Eve Peak! She’d had a great time. (End, 6:00 PM, 32ºF)
At home, dinner then early to bed, very early. For hours, Lupe laid close to SPHP for protection while sporadic fireworks boomed in the night. With each thud, the Carolina Dog glanced up in fear and wonder. Near exhaustion and final collapse, the Year of Perfect Vision was still hanging on, still fending off the dread uncertainties of 2021.
Oh, don’t worry about it, Loopster! Gonna be OK! You’ll still be climbing mountains in 2021. You might as well enjoy that Busy Rib Hide!
Stroking her soft fur, SPHP gave Lupe another kiss. Reassured yet again, the American Dingo went back to chomping away.
On New Year’s Eve Peak, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-31-20
Start – 8:43 AM, 31°F at the junction of Horse Creek Road (USFS Road No. 243) & USFS Road No. 257
Not a cloud in the sky on this beautiful, crisp December morning! Lupe set out from Horse Creek Road heading N on USFS Road No. 257. Snow was on the road and in the fields, but not on the hills with a S exposure up ahead.
At the start of USFS Road No. 257 just off Horse Creek Road. Photo looks N.
Several central Black Hills peaks were on Lupe’s agenda today, each one for a different reason. No. 257 would bring the Carolina Dog practically right to the first one. A saddle W of Peak6046 was a little less than 2 miles away.
Lupe kept a sharp lookout for squirrels, as SPHP trudged along the road. Now and then she dashed off into the forest to check out particularly promising trees, but she wasn’t having much luck. No. 257 curved around High Point 5284.
Approaching High Point 5284. Photo looks N.
W of High Point 5284, the road forked. No. 257 was unmarked, but all Lupe had to do was stay to the R. The road went E of a minor hill, then straightened out heading NNW. Soon the Carolina Dog was approaching the saddle W of Peak 6046. The rate of climb increased as Loop got close to the pass.
On the way around High Point 5284 (out of sight to the R). Up ahead is a junction where Lupe stayed R. Photo looks NW.Heading toward High Point 5669 after taking the R fork. Photo looks N.The saddle W of Peak 6046 comes into view. Photo looks N.
The saddle was forested, but the valley leading to it was grassy. As Lupe neared the trees, she left the road to start climbing toward Peak 6046. From the upper end of the grasslands, she paused for a look back to the S. Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) and Five Points(6,221 ft.) were in view.
Looking back down the long valley Lupe had just come up on USFS Road No. 257. Black Elk Peak (Center) and Five Points (R) are in view. Photo looks SSE.
Lupe still had more than 250 feet of elevation to gain to reach the summit of Peak 6046. She headed E up a steep slope to Peak 6046’s S ridge. By the time Loop reached it, she wasn’t far from the top. She turned N, and soon came to a rock formation where she had a clear view of her next objective, Peak6070, off to the NW.
Hey, there’s Peak 6070 (Center)! We’ll be going over there next when we’re done here. Photo looks NW.
Lupe reached the summit of Peak6046 early – two whole weeks early! For Peak 6046 is none other than New Year’s Eve Peak!
This was Lupe’s 7th ascent of New Year’s Eve Peak. Her first was on the last day of 2012 on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 41, when she had come here by essentially the same route. That was the day when Peak 6046 became New Year’s Eve Peak. Loopster had been here in late December or early January on an annual basis almost every year since.
At the summit of New Year’s Eve Peak for the 7th time. Photo looks W.
It was the middle of December. Christmas was coming! Being here now didn’t feel the same as being here right on New Year’s Eve. After all, 2018 still had a couple of weeks to go! There wasn’t that same sense of finality or of a new beginning. Yet it was good to be here. New Year’s Eve Peak has become both a tradition and a favorite place.
Lupe and SPHP lingered a while. SPHP managed to pick out Peak6043 off to the W. Peak 6043 was going to be the American Dingo’s third and final peakbagging objective of the day. Peak6167 was right behind it. Old Bald Peak(6,130 ft.) was in the vicinity a bit to the N, too.
Peak 6043 (Center in the distance) with Peak 6167 (Center) right behind it. Old Bald Peak is off to the R. Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.
Satisfied with her traditional winter visit to New Year’s Eve Peak, Lupe moved on. Her next objective, Peak6070, has 2 summits separated by 0.33 mile. The SE summit was the closest, only a little more than 0.5 mile WNW of New Year’s Eve Peak.
Lupe headed straight on down New Year’s Eve Peak’s steep W slope to the saddle leading to Peak 6070. She arrived to find 6″ of snow.
At the snowy saddle W of New Year’s Eve Peak leading to Peak 6070. Photo looks SW.
Loop crossed the saddle, then continued W up a snowy, forested slope. She was looking for a ridge that would lead her to a power line. The SE summit of Peak 6070 would be only a short distance beyond it. As much as possible, the Carolina Dog tried to avoid the steeper slopes with the deepest snow.
On the way to Peak 6070. Photo looks S.
When Lupe reached the ridge, the power line was in sight. A short trek NW along the rocky spine of the ridge got her to the power line, where she crossed beneath it.
A bare spot on a hill just beyond the power line provided some nifty views to the NE and E. Lupe could see quite a few peaks she had been to before including Scruton Mountain(5,922 ft.), Norris Peak (4,982 ft.), and, of course, New Year’s Eve Peak(6046).
Upon reaching the first ridge W of New Year’s Eve Peak, Lupe could see the power line ahead. Photo looks W.Looking back at New Year’s Eve Peak (Center). Photo looks E.Scruton Mountain (L) is the site of the Seth Bullock lookout tower. Norris Peak (R) is the slanty ridge in the distance. Photo looks NE.
Lupe had been to the SE summit of Peak 6070 once before on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 81. That was nearly 5 years ago now. The topo map would lead one to believe that the SE summit is lower, but not by much. Even if it was lower, Lupe remembered some excellent views. Time to go find the high point, then have another look at those splendid views!
The SE summit was only a little SW of where the Carolina Dog was now. She followed a relatively narrow rocky ridge offering many viewpoints, and soon came to the highest rock. The NW summit was in view. If it was higher, it couldn’t have been by much.
Looking for the highest rock along the narrow rocky ridge at Peak 6070’s SE summit. Black Elk Peak (Center) in the distance. Photo looks S.Another look from the same spot. Black Elk Peak is beyond Lupe’s rump. Five Points is just R of her head. Sylvan Hill(7,000 ft.) is in the distance at far R. Photo looks SSE.New Year’s Eve Peak (Center) again. Photo looks ESE.Loop on the highest rock of Peak 6070’s SE summit. The NW summit is on the R. Photo looks NW.
The best views were from SW of the summit out on a point where there were reasonably level rocks to hang out on. Loopster had panoramic views here. Unfortunately, what had been a tolerable 10 mph SW breeze up on New Year’s Eve Peak, was now more like 15 to 20 mph. It was warm out for December, close to 50°F, but the Carolina Dog didn’t care for the wind.
Lupe on rocks SW of Peak 6070’s SE summit. Peak 6043, Peak 6167, and Old Bald Peak are all in the distance L to R on the R. Photo looks SW.Loop at one of the SW viewpoints. Five Points (Far L) and False North Point(6,130 ft.) (L) in sight. Photo looks SW.Out in the wind. NW summit of Peak 6070 on the R. Photo looks NW.Nugget Gulch Peak(6,000 ft.) is in the foreground on the L. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.Panorama from the SW viewpoint. Five Points and False North Point on the L. Photo looks SSW.Looking SW now from the same point. Peak 6043 and Peak 6167 on the R.
After a good look around, Lupe and SPHP retreated SE a bit below the ridgeline to escape the breeze. The day was quite comfortable out of the wind. SPHP ate an apple. Lupe was content to curl up in the sun. Part of Sheridan Lake could be seen off to the SE.
Part of Sheridan Lake was in view, along with Silver Mountain(5,405 ft.) (L in the distance), and Calumet Ridge(5,601 ft.) (beyond the lake). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.
After the demise of the apple, it was time to think about tagging Peak 6070’s NW summit. Lupe liked it right here, but was willing to move on.
Guess, it’s time to go, huh? …. Yes, Looper – it’s on to the NW summit of Peak 6070! Photo looks S.
Lupe left Peak 6070’s SE summit heading W down a steep slope. She lost 100 feet of elevation before the terrain flattened out. She found herself at a snowy open area rimmed with pines.
A road went through this area heading NW, the direction Loop needed to go. She followed it, but it soon curved away to the SW, so the road had to be abandoned. The American Dingo plunged on ahead through a snowy forest. Significant amounts of deadfall timber slowed progress down considerably. Fortunately, Peak 6070’s NW summit wasn’t far away.
After losing 100 feet of elevation, Lupe arrived at this snowy open area. A road went NW (R) from here, the direction she needed to go. Photo looks W.Looking over a shallow snow and deadfall filled valley on the way to Peak 6070’s NW summit (R). Photo looks NW.
Shortly before reaching the NW summit, Lupe came to a sunny open slope. Here she had a grand view of Peak6043, Peak6167, and Old Bald Peak(6,130 ft.) all nicely spread out off to the SW.
From L to R: Power line (white strip), Peak 6043, Peak 6167, and Old Bald Peak. Photo looks SW.
The NW summit featured a clearing which extended a little toward the SE. Minor rock outcroppings rimmed a small patch of snowy ground at the highest point. If the topo map was correct, this was the true summit of Peak 6070. Enough trees surrounded the area to block the views, but Lupe was happy! She had now visited both of Peak 6070’s summits.
Lupe poses dramatically atop the NW summit of Peak 6070. If what the topo map seemed to indicate was right, this was the true summit. Photo looks NW.This is my “gallant” pose!So now we’ve done it! Visited both summits of Peak 6070. Can definitely claim a peakbagging success now! Loopster on the Peak 6070 NW summit.Looking back to the SE from the highest ground.
Lupe had climbed New Year’s Eve Peak because it was tradition to visit it near the end of each year or early in the next one. She had come to Peak 6070 to visit both summits, but mainly to see those great views she hadn’t seen for 4.75 years now from the viewpoint SW of the SE summit.
Peak 6043 was next. Lupe had never been there before. She’d intended to get there on Expedition No. 239 nearly 1.5 months ago, but had only made it as far as Nugget Gulch Peak. Peak 6043’s claim to fame was that it had 343 feet of prominence. It was the only peak in this general vicinity with over 300 feet of prominence that Lupe had never visited.
Days are short in December! If Loop was going to visit Peak 6043 today, she had best get on with it. Lupe and SPHP headed down Peak 6070’s steep SW slope.
Looking SSW on the way down from Peak 6070.Nugget Gulch Peak (Center) is beyond the nearest ridge. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.Descending Peak 6070’s SW slope. Peak 6043, Lupe’s next objective, is on the L. Photo looks SW.
Peak 6043 is 1.5 miles SW of Peak 6070. To get over to it, Lupe had to lose 675 feet of elevation. She lost most of it just descending to the valley W of Peak 6070. The valley floor was littered with deadfall timber.
Lupe reaches the valley SW of Peak 6070 to find a lot of deadfall ahead. Photo looks SW.Another look at the deadfall with Peak 6043 (R) in the background. Photo looks SW.
Fortunately, Lupe did not have to fight her way through deadfall all the way down the valley. USFS Road No. 244 runs N/S along the W side of this valley. Lupe only had to make it over to the road.
Usually I like to roam the forest, but USFS Road No. 244 is way better than roaming a dead forest!
No. 244 brought Lupe down to a junction with No. 675.2 by a large meadow. This was familiar territory. (Point 5396 on the topo map) Lupe had been here on a number of prior expeditions, some long ago. The lower slopes of Peak 6043 were just beyond the meadow. Lupe crossed the meadow and No. 675.2 to get to them.
USFS Road No. 244 brought Lupe to this big meadow at Point 5396. Peak 6043 (Center) lies just ahead. Photo looks SW.
Beyond the road, forested terrain led the Carolina Dog up toward the W. She eventually reached a saddle N of Peak 6043. A big snowy field was on the other side of the pass. Lupe turned SSW here and began a steeper climb.
Once in the forest again, Lupe traveled W up this broad, gently sloping terrain. Photo looks W.Getting higher. Photo looks NW.Old Bald Peak (L) from a minor saddle N of Peak 6043. Photo looks W.
Nearly 400 feet of elevation gain from the saddle to the top! Peak 6043’s N slope was snowy. Lupe swung over toward the NW where the snow wasn’t quite as deep.
The true summit of Peak 6043 proved to a little ridge of angular rocks. To the SSE, a good-sized area of slightly lower open ground was buried beneath a foot of snow. Lupe hopped up on the highest rocks of the tiny ridge to claim her final peakbagging success of the day!
Loop at the top of Peak 6043. Peak 6167 (L) and Old Bald Peak (R) are in the background. Photo looks W.Peak 6043’s summit was actually quite roomy, though much of it was under a foot of snow at the moment. Photo looks N.
Plenty of daylight remained. Not enough to go chasing after more peaks, but enough to hang around up on Peak 6043 for a while. Lupe and SPHP took a break where there was a big view to the S and SE.
Mount Warner(5,889 ft.) (far L), Samelius Peak(5,856 ft.) (L). On the R from L to R are Five Points, False North Point & Black Elk Peak. Photo looks SSE.
Peak 6043 actually had a second high point S of the true summit. Lupe visited it, too.
Peak 6167 (L) and Old Bald Peak (R) from the short ridge between Peak 6043’s two high points. Photo looks W.Looper at Peak 6043’s S high point. She was definitely a bit lower here than at the N summit where she first came up. Photo looks S.
After more than half an hour on Peak 6043, Lupe returned briefly to the true summit where she’d originally come up. A final look around, and it was time to depart. The Carolina Dog went back to the S summit, then continued on down the S ridge. Before long, Looper reached the same power line she had passed under near Peak 6070.
Starting down Peak 6043’s S ridge. Photo looks SW.Looking NE from Peak 6043’s S ridge. The NW summit of Peak 6070 is on the L, and the SE summit is at Center. New Year’s Eve Peak is on the R.Peak 6167 (R) from the power line. Photo looks W.
After a brief pause at the power line, Loopster continued S. When the terrain became favorable for a turn to the E, a steep descent began.
Heading down. Photo looks S.
Lupe reached USFS Road No. 243 again SW of Point 5329. The rest was easy – a 2.5 mile march back to the G6 on Horse Creek Road. The road was snow-packed and slippery. The Carolina Dog barely noticed, trotting happily along ever watchful for squirrels and deer. (4:10 PM, 38°F)
About to reach USFS Road No. 243 again near the end of the day. Photo looks NE.
