South Dakota – Page 2 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 345 – Peak 6821, Peak 6823, Crooks Tower & Peak 7148 (5-30-25)

9:03 AM, 61ºF, Tillson Creek – SPHP backed the RAV4 into a roomy spot just off USFS Road No. 234. Perfect! Moments later, the American Dingo was out, excitedly surveying the scene.

**USFS Road No. 234** near Tillson Creek. Photo looks SE.

About time, SPHP! Finally a Black Hills expedition! What’s it been since our last adventure with Poppy, HV & LV? A month? That’s way too long!

I know it, Loop, but the news is even better than you think. June is right around the corner. Before long, you’ll be setting off on your Summer of 2025 Dingo Vacations.

Oh, that’s more like it, SPHP! Certainly hope we’ve got a good Black Hills romp on the agenda today as a prelude to a summer of non-stop action.

We’ll be visiting 4 peaks, Looper. Nothing too difficult, but I have a hunch that you’ll be satisfied with the workout. Onward! Puppy, ho!

After taking USFS Road No. 234 over Tillson Creek, Lupe trotted under a closed forest service gate. The road immediately began a slow curve S. A gradual 0.5 mile climb along a dandelion-strewn stretch brought the Carolina Dog to a flat, open area where USFS Road No. 234.1D headed off to the E. Didn’t look like it ever saw much traffic these days. Not at all surprising. A large blue plastic water trough SW of the junction was far more unexpected.

Starting up **USFS Road No. 234**. **Tillson Creek valley** (R). Photo looks WNW.

Heading for the junction with No. 234.1D. Photo looks S.

**Water trough** near the **junction of USFS Roads No. 234 & No. 234.1D**. Photo looks SE.

What’s this, SPHP? A giant kid’s swimming pool?

Sure looks like it, Loopster.

Got any water in it, SPHP?

Yeah, about a foot. Not all that wonderful, though. You’re not getting in there, I’m telling you that.

Not even for a drink, SPHP?

Yuck! No. I brought clean water, if you want some, Loop.

Already warm in the morning sunshine, the American Dingo did. After a quick water break, SPHP led Lupe toward a meadow W of the junction.

The **off-road adventure** begins. Photo looks SW.

Crossing the meadow, Lupe entered the forest. The ground ahead sloped up toward the WNW. Encountering a typical Black Hills mess of deadfall and large bushes mixed in among the live trees, Lupe explored narrow, relatively open lanes that made a reasonable rate of progress possible along a winding route. The slope steadily steepened, soon bringing the Carolina Dog to the base of a limestone bluff.

Circling around the S side, Lupe quickly discovered a spot where she could scramble to the top. Beneath a cloudless, suspiciously gray sky, Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) was visible far to the SE.

**Black Elk Peak** (L of Center) on the horizon. Photo looks SE.

Is that smoke in the air, SPHP?

Sure looks like it. I hear that Canada is already on fire, Looper.

Seriously? It isn’t even summer yet, SPHP! Is another Arctic Apocalypse going to happen this year?

Who knows? Hope not, Loopster, but the way things seem to be going, Arctic Apocalypses may become an annual event.

Continuing WNW along the high ground, it wasn’t far to a second bluff. Lupe again scrambled up from the S. Even though this bluff was higher, trees completely hid whatever views there might have been.

Following a broad ridge, Lupe kept wandering WNW through the forest, enjoying occasional, tree-broken glimpses of distant views. Happily, the American Dingo seldom ran out of open lanes that avoided most of the bushes and deadfall. Near HP6695, she reached a small clearing.

In the **clearing near HP6695**. Photo looks WNW.

Sure haven’t been many scenic highlights on this expedition so far, SPHP. Nothing to see here, either, except trees.

Not expecting much in the way of scenic highlights for a while, Loopster. We’re heading for Peak 6821. You’ve been there before, many moons ago. Even way back then, there was never much to see other than another clearing surrounded by more pines.

Peak 6821, SPHP? Doesn’t even ring a bell.

That’s because Peak 6821 is the new name based on Lidar data. It used to be Peak 6820.

So glad that we’ve got a one foot difference to add some confusion, SPHP! I think I do remember Peak 6820. Didn’t we hide from a storm in a cave somewhere on the NW slope once?

Yeah, I have a vague recollection of that, too, Loop, now that you mention it. You were the only one that fit in that little cave, though, I got soaked. So long ago now, that I’m not even sure that it happened at Peak 6820. Maybe it was somewhere else?

HP6695 seemed to be a spot just beyond the the small clearing, and a bit SW. Hard to tell for sure, because the surrounding terrain was so flat. In any case, it was buried in pines. A little farther W, though, Lupe broke out of the forest, reaching the start of a larger meadow.

Entering the **meadow W of HP6695**. Photo looks W.

Scattered pines were distributed throughout this bigger meadow. Lupe made excellent progress on the super easy, mostly open terrain. Losing minor elevation as she explored SW, the meadow didn’t end until the ground began to rise again.

Entering a denser forest, there was more deadfall here, much of it bigger diameter than what Lupe had run into earlier. SPHP’s progress slowed considerably.

Look off to the R, SPHP. Isn’t that an old road?

Sure enough, toward the W there was a strip of land that might have once been a road. Unfortunately, it, too, was clogged with deadfall.

Start of the **old road**. Photo looks SW.

Does sort of look like a road, Loopster. Fat lot of good it does us, though. It’s no better than roaming through the forest.

Not entirely true. Circling around the initial deadfall clog, a clear stretch was beyond it.

The old road enabled a brief spurt of progress, but more deadfall soon appeared across it. The Carolina Dog was back to roaming S though the forest. Hardly mattered. She didn’t have much farther to go.

11:00 AM, 65ºF, Peak 6821 – Lupe stood smiling and blinking in the sun, her front paws on the little cairn she hadn’t seen in more than 8 years. The first time the she’d been here, there hadn’t been a cairn at all.

At the **Peak 6821 summit cairn**. Photo looks W.

I do remember Peak 6821, SPHP. Not much up here, is there?

Nope. A flat summit with a long, narrow clearing running in a crescent along the S and W sides is about it, Loop. Sort of the middle of nowhere.

That’s why I always liked it. Peak 6821 seemed so mysterious and remote.

SPHP shook Lupe’s paw.

I always liked it here, too, Loopster. Congratulations on your successful return. You look hot. How about some water?

Sitting in the shade of the pines that completely surrounded the clearing, Lupe eagerly lapped up the water SPHP provided, gobbled down a bit of Taste of the Wild, and inhaled a couple of bacon and cheese flavored Canine Carryouts. SPHP peeled an orange.

One mountain down, three to go, Loopster!

Peak 6821 was easy, SPHP. What’s next?

Next one should be easy, too, Loop. Only 0.75 mile SW of here, the map shows a high point with an elevation of 6,801 feet. Lidar says it’s actually Peak 6823, which is high enough to give it 301 feet of prominence.

Barely exceeding our 300 foot cut-off, SPHP.

Precisely! We’ve been in that vicinity quite a few times before, way back when we used to come here, Looper. However, I don’t recall whether we ever visited the high point. Peak 6821 was on the list of Black Hills 6500-foot peaks as Peak 6820 back then, but Peak 6823, as Peak 6801 without much prominence, wasn’t.

A little confusing, SPHP, but whatever.

It’s all due to Lidar, Loop. Just keep climbing mountains, and don’t worry about it.

With 4 peaks on the agenda, staying for a full traditional summit hour on each one wasn’t going to work. Half an hour enjoying the tranquil solitude of Peak 6821 had to suffice. Following the clearing over to the W end of the summit region after leaving the cairn, SPHP encouraged Lupe to sniff down the NW slope a little way, hoping to spot the cave where she had once hidden from a storm.

No luck. The territory didn’t look the least bit familiar. Maybe that cave had been somewhere else? With the tremendous amount of deadfall in the forest after leaving Peak 6821’s summit region, SPHP quickly gave up on finding the cave. Turning SSW, Lupe soon rediscovered an old jeep trail that SPHP remembered. It had always had some deadfall across it, but was even worse now.

Another **deadfall-laden road**. Photo looks SW.

The American Dingo spent more time off-road than on it, as she tried to follow the jeep trail down to the saddle leading to Peak 6823. The road vanished completely before she got there. Although the saddle had lots of deadfall, too, the forest was much more open here.

Crossing the **saddle leading to Peak 6823**. Photo looks SW.

Beyond the saddle, the forest closed in again as Lupe started regaining elevation. Abundant long, big diameter deadfall frequently blocked the way. The slope Lupe was climbing wasn’t all that steep, except at two points where she came to 20 foot high rock outcroppings. Scrambles to the top of each, revealed only more thick forest and deadfall ahead.

On a rock at the **top of the first scramble**. Photo looks SW.

Progress remained slow until the forest finally began opening up a bit. Coming across a game trail, the situation changed completely. The trail was obstacle-free, and soon led to meadows.

Got it made now, Loopster! We’re almost there.

12:26 PM, 66ºF, Peak 6823 – Approaching from the ESE, Lupe simply marched up a gentle slope onto a limestone outcropping with 3 N-facing lobes along a line of 20 foot cliffs. Several tall, slender, Ponderosa pines grew right out of the rock.

SPHP dropped the pack on the W lobe, which seemed marginally higher than the others, and even offered a bit of a view toward the NW. Had the Carolina Dog ever been here before? SPHP didn’t think so.

Congratulations once again, Loopster. This is it, Peak 6823!

I like it, SPHP! At least we’ve got a nice breeze, and can see something.

Repeating the Peak 6821 routine, SPHP shook Lupe’s paw, then offered water, Taste of the Wild, and a couple more bacon and cheese Canine Carryouts. SPHP consumed a second orange, then it was time to wander about the summit region a bit, which took only a few minutes.

Lupe on the **middle lobe** along the **line of cliffs**. Photo looks ENE.

Most of the **summit region** from the **E lobe**. Photo looks WSW.

Somehow 45 minutes had slipped away by the time Lupe stood below the summit, enjoying a final look at Peak 6823 from the N.

**Peak 6823** from below. Photo looks SSE.

2 peaks down already, and only 2 more to go, SPHP. We’re doing great!

Yeah, but it’s a lot farther to the next one, Looper.

Which one is that, SPHP? Crooks Tower (7,133 ft.)?

Yup. Planning on hitting the viewpoint N of it first, though, Sweet Puppy.

Heading WNW through the forest, Lupe soon popped out on USFS Road No. 206.2D. The road made life easy as the American Dingo followed it N, since it was wide and virtually obstacle-free. However, after 0.5 mile, taking a shortcut NW to Besant Park Road (No. 206) seemed like a good idea, so it was right back into the forest again.

On **USFS Road No. 206.2D**. Photo looks NW.

Back to exploring **another forest**. Photo looks WNW.

The map showed a spring along in here, and SPHP kind of wanted to see it, but when Lupe got close, that area was so full of deadfall that trying to find the spring didn’t seem worth the effort. Continuing NW, Lupe broke out of the forest into an enormous green field. Visiting a fenced area a bit farther N, Lupe saw a pond, but couldn’t get to it.

Entering the **huge green field**. Photo looks NW.

Near the **off-limits pond**. Photo looks NNE.

Well, phooey! We never got to the spring, and now I can’t get a drink from the pond, either, SPHP.

No worries, Loop. Besant Park Road is right across this field. We’ll find a spot in the shade over there, and you can wet your barker.

Besant Park Road was a major gravel road, and a correspondingly dull, hot trudge as Lupe followed it SW to a spot where the promised water break took place. Continuing on, Lupe soon abandoned the road to sniff through an open forest with few obstacles. Before long, the junction with South Rapid Creek Road (No. 231) appeared ahead.

**Besant Park Road** (L), **South Rapid Creek Road** (Center & R). Photo looks SSW.

Lupe had often taken South Rapid Creek Road SSW from here on the way to Crooks Tower, but today SPHP was in the mood for something different.

Let’s go W, Loopster.

The trudge along South Rapid Creek Road wasn’t much better than Besant Park Road had been. Between the trees, another inviting green field was visible S of the road. Lupe eventually went down to it. Sadly, no cows to be seen, but following an old cow path was fun!

Following the **spiffy cow path**. Photo looks NW.

At the NW end of the field, Lupe reached USFS Road No. 231.5C. Starting out obstacle-free, this road took her gradually uphill as it wound SW. Naturally, No. 231.5C eventually faded away, lost beneath deadfall. By then, the Carolina Dog was already within sight of a grassy slope leading up to a ridge. A short, steepish climb, and Lupe was on it.

**USFS Road No. 231.5C**. Photo looks SW.

There’s another road up here, SPHP.

I’m not surprised, Loopster. It isn’t shown on the map, but I believe we’ve been on this road before, not right here, but farther W.

This assessment turned out to be correct. More than a mile WSW along the gently undulating, unmarked road brought Lupe to a familiar spot. Abandoning the road here, she wandered 600 feet NW through a region of open forest and scattered bushes to the edge of a small cliff.

At the **viewpoint N of Crooks Tower.** Photo looks NW.

3:29 PM, 70ºF – Exposed to a 10 mph NW breeze along the cliff edge, the air felt pleasantly cooler than back in the forest. Although slightly out of the way, the American Dingo had often stopped by this viewpoint. 1.33 miles due N of Crooks Tower, it was a favorite spot. Lupe was glad to be here again today.

Water, Loop? Taste of the Wild?

Yes, please, SPHP, with a bacon and cheese flavor Canine Carryout chaser.

SPHP produced the desired repast.

What, no orange? You aren’t having anything, SPHP?

Forgot that we’d be dropping by here, Looper, so I didn’t bring anything for it. I still have a couple of vanilla Equates, but I’m saving them for your last 2 peaks of the day.

Feel free to have some of my Taste of the Wild then, SPHP.

Thanks, Loopster. Very kind of you, but water should be sufficient.

Due to the trees, all distant views were either N or W. SPHP had always suspected that an elevated ridge visible on the far NW horizon might be Cement Ridge (6,669 ft.), but whether that was true, or not, remained an unsolved mystery.

Treating this viewpoint as if it were another peak, Lupe lingered for half an hour. Toward the end of her stay, she checked on the stone campfire ring someone had built near the W edge years ago. It was still here, along with a small stack of wood clearly intended for a future fire.

By the **campfire ring**. Photo looks WSW.

Looks like we’re all set, if we’re ever get stuck here in the winter, SPHP.

Not unless Carolina Dogs are great at rubbing 2 sticks together, Loop. I don’t carry any matches. No point in it. Campfires are illegal in a spot like this.

Oh, so we’re at a hotbed of illegal activity, SPHP?

Apparently, literally so, at least once upon a time, Looper. Anyway, we’ve still got a long way to go. We better get back in gear.

Returning to the unmarked road, Lupe now followed it S. When it began losing elevation and angling more to the W, she left the road to continue S through a series of meadows strung out along the high ground.

Approaching **Crooks Tower**. Photo looks S.

After reaching and crossing USFS Road No. 189.4F, the forested N slope of Crooks Tower was directly ahead. Staying a little more toward the W than Lupe usually did here proved beneficial. The slope wasn’t quite as steep, and there were more open lanes through the forest. As a bonus, once the terrain leveled out, the Carolina Dog ran into a jeep trail SPHP knew would get her to USFS Road No. 189.4A very close to the summit.

On the **jeep trail** leading to **USFS Road No. 189.4A**. Photo looks SE.

5:06 PM, 68ºF, Crooks Tower (7,133 ft.) – After circling around the S side of the summit block on No. 189.4A to climb it via a path coming up from the SW, Lupe stood on a 30 foot wide platform of limestone she’d now been to a dozen times.

SPHP shook Lupe’s paw.

Congratulations, Loopster! Back on Crooks Tower. Remember the last time we were here? It was on your 13th Birthday!

Always good to be here, SPHP, despite Crooks Tower’s deceptive name.

Yeah, for being some of the highest ground in the entire Black Hills, Crooks Tower lacks a certain pizzaz to it that the name conjures up. Not much in the way of views from here, is there, Loop?

At least we can see Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) way off to the SE, SPHP, and maybe even Cement Ridge (6,669 ft.) to the NW.

**Black Elk Peak** (R of Center) in the distance. Photo looks SE.

**Cement Ridge** (R) on the horizon? Photo looks NW.

Actually, White Tail Peak (6,971 ft.) and Green Mountain (7,167 ft.) are both in sight, too, Loop, although neither looks at all dramatic from this vantage point.

Crows Nest Peak (7,052 ft.) has to be the most deceptively named peak in the Black Hills, SPHP. Can’t see anything at all from there! Can’t even tell you’re on a mountain.

Hah! Yeah, so true. But we love Crooks Tower and Crows Nest anyway, don’t we, Looper? Despite appearances, they’re both high and remote.

We do, SPHP, and some of us would also love something more to eat after climbing 3 mountains. Got any more bacon and cheese Canine Carryouts in that pack?

I do! In fact, I’ve even got a chocolate coconut bar. Only one, though. I was going to save it for your last peak today, but want to split it here?

Never procrastinate when it comes to chocolate coconut bars, SPHP. Bring it on!

Snacks consumed, Lupe relaxed for a while. All too soon, another half hour had flown. Already time to move on.

Taking it easy on **Crooks Tower**. **Green Mountain** (L) between the trees. Photo looks S.

A final glimpse of **Cement Ridge** (Center) before departure. Photo looks NW.

Returning to USFS Road No. 189.4A, it was full of large mud puddles as Lupe followed it W. Naturally, the American Dingo waded through each puddle, sampling a few licks of the opaque, brown water.

**USFS Road No. 189.4A**. Photo looks WSW.

It’s a wonder you never get sick doing that, Loopster.

Mineral water is good for you, SPHP. You ought to try some.

I’ll pass, thank you. Maybe in a pinch someday.

Going downhill for 0.5 mile, it didn’t take long to reach a junction with USFS Road No. 189. Several other roads branched out from this area, too, including No. 189.5B and No. 631.2C.

At the **junction with USFS Road No. 189**. Photo looks WNW.

So, which way, SPHP? Where is this last peak we’re going to, anyway?

Head S on No. 189, Loopster. As a result of the new Lidar data, Peak 7148 has stolen nearly all of Crooks Tower’s former purported prominence, so it’s about time you tagged it.

For most of the 2 miles it took to get there, Lupe simply followed No. 189, then No. 189.3G when she came to it, both of which did seem to be going slightly uphill most of the way. No. 189.3G led to a region that was like a park. Leaving the road, Lupe began her search for the highest ground.

**Miss Mineral Water Paws** on **USFS Road No. 3G**. Photo looks S.

Roaming S through a vast, flat area of mixed forest and meadows, deer flitted off in various directions, exciting Lupe. Near the Carolina Dog’s ultimate destination, the terrain tilted slightly higher toward the SW.

Approaching the **Peak 7148 summit region**. Photo looks SSW.

7:01 PM, 62ºF, Peak 7148 – Impossible to ascertain the exact true summit location in such flat territory, but it didn’t feel like Lupe stopped going up until she reached the edge of a cliff that might have been a 30 or 40 foot drop. Looking around, a nearby stone appeared to be a bit higher than anything else.

Along the edge. The **cliff** is right behind **Lupe**. Photo looks SE.

**Peak 7148 true summit**, to the extent it could be determined. Photo looks SSE.

Congratulations once again, Loopster! Mission accomplished as far as I can tell. You’ve reached Peak 7148!

This would be another Crows Nest Peak, SPHP, if not for the sudden cliff, and lack of a deceptive name.

We could give it a name, Looper. What would you suggest?

How about something descriptive instead of deceptive, SPHP? Pancake Peak!

Makes sense, I guess, except for the cliff part. Apparently, this mountain is so flat that the original cartographers didn’t even realize how high it was, Loop, or this might have been Crooks “Tower” all along.

Whatever. In any case, it had taken all day to get to Pancake Peak. Lupe and SPHP were both ready for a break. Water, Taste of the Wild, bacon and cheese Canine Carryouts for the American Dingo, and the last vanilla Equate for SPHP.

Relaxing on **Pancake Peak**. Photo looks WNW.

Other than gazing down into the region below the cliff, there was really nothing worth mentioning in the way of views from Peak 7148, at least not from this part of it. Lupe sniffed a few tiny, deep pink flowers 10 feet from the edge.

Been quite a day, Loopster. Think I’ll make a cairn.

The Carolina Dog practically laughed out loud.

You haven’t built a cairn in years, SPHP! Do you even remember how?

*You’re going to build a cairn, SPHP? That’s hilarious! Tell me another one!* Photo looks ENE.

Oh, you’d be surprised. I believe I still retain the required technological and advanced engineering skills necessary to pull it off, Looper.

A Doubting Dingo gazed back at SPHP.

*Well, don’t just stand there then, SPHP. Let’s see you do it!* Photo looks WSW.

7:40 PM, Peak 7148 – The sun was near the horizon by the time the mighty feat was accomplished, and Lupe stood next to a very modest monument recognizable as a primitive cairn. The Taj Mahal of cairns, it was not, but SPHP pronounced it a success. Even the American Dingo admitted the cairn was convincing evidence of SPHP’s Stone Age skills.

By the **hand-crafted Peak 7148 cairn**. Photo looks N.

Can’t tell you how impressed I am, SPHP, but the sun is getting low, and it’s a long way back to the RAV4. Shouldn’t we be moseying along?

No denying it, Loopster. We’re done here. Onward! Puppy, ho!

As shadows lengthened, Lupe explored more of the Peak 7148 plateau, venturing clear over to the E edge where she enjoyed a bit of a view, and sniffed many pink wildflowers.

Along the **E edge** of the **Peak 7148 region**. Photo looks S.

On the way back to USFS Road No. 189.3G, a giant deer running through the forest provided a final episode of excitement. The rest of the return was simply a long march along a series of USFS roads, while the sun set, and dusk deepened into an ever weaker twilight. For a couple of hours, a yellow crescent moon cast a pale glow over all, before it, too, vanished into the W, and only silver stars remained in the black void above. (End 5-31-25, 12:58 AM, 45ºF)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 344 – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L with Poppy, HV & LV, Plus Peak 7100, Peak 7159 & Green Mountain (4-27-25)

9:00 AM, 56ºF – The Gold Run trailhead was completely empty when SPHP pulled in and parked the RAV4. Anticipating great things, the Carolina Dog leapt out.

Where’s Poppy, SPHP?

We’re early. She’ll be along in a bit, Loop. Let’s have a look at the lake.

Deerfield Lake was smooth as glass when Lupe leapt onto a weathered section of a big tree trunk near a mucky shore.

**Deerfield Reservoir**. Photo looks NNW.

What a beautiful morning, SPHP! It’s going to be a great day!

Yeah, I think it’s a good thing we delayed this outing with Poppy, Loopster. Yesterday would have been cold and gloomy.

While waiting for Poppy, SPHP walked from the trailhead back out to Deerfield Road. Lupe helped herself to a drink from Gold Run creek. The little stream actually had pretty decent flow this time of year.

Enjoying **Gold Run creek**. Photo looks NNE.

SPHP gathered Lupe treasures from the tall, dead grass on the way back to the trailhead. Before the American Dingo even managed to get there, sure enough, Poppy, HV & LV arrived. Minutes later, Lupe and Poppy were exchanging gifts of Golden Rewards treats. The day was certainly getting off to a good start!

The Gold Run trailhead was merely an easily recognized rendezvous point. Since the Deerfield Reservoir dam was the main objective for the outing with Poppy, SPHP recommended starting a bit closer, from along the road leading to the Dutchman campground. A few minutes spent repositioning the vehicles, and the adventure was ready to begin!

At the **starting point** near the road to the Dutchman campground. Photo looks S.

Intrepid adventurers **Lupe**, **Rollie (LV)**, **Dawnette (HV)**, and **Poppy** ready to set out! Photo looks N.

9:46 AM – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L was only a short distance from where the cars were parked. Picking it up, the trail began with an easy, gradual descent along the old abandoned roadbed of USFS Road No. 607.1B. Seldom getting an opportunity to be off-leash like this, Poppy was overjoyed! She zoomed ahead, exploring everything in her path. Fortunately, Poppy remembered to return every now and then in order to check on the progress of all the slowpokes.

Picking up **Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L**. Photo looks ENE.

On **USFS Road No. 607.1B**. Photo looks NE.

As the road wound down a long valley, LV spotted a huge nest situated at the very top of a dead tree way up on a steep hillside. A large bird with a white head was perched on it. When the bird flew off, it appeared to be an osprey, although it was too far away to be completely certain.

It had been a year since Lupe’s last adventure with Poppy, so SPHP had a lot to catch up on with LV and HV. Rollie mentioned with enthusiasm an e-bike he enjoyed riding on the Mickelson Trail. Dawnette was more into long walks with Poppy. She’d also renamed her Picnicking In The Black Hills Facebook page. It’s now Here & There in the Black Hills.

Time flew. Before long, Poppy had led everyone to the junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40, which heads E for 23 miles to another junction with the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89.

At the junction of **Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L** and **Deerfield Trail No. 40**. Photo looks NNW.

It wasn’t much farther to easily rock-hopped Dutchman Creek. Beyond it, the valley widened out. Crossing a field full of ancient cow pies, a gate was ahead. Castle Creek and USFS Road No. 370 were on the other side.

Rock-hopping **Dutchman Creek**. Photo looks NW.

**Rollie** and **Lupe** near the gate. Photo looks NW.

**Castle Creek** (L), **USFS Road No. 370** (R). Photo looks NW.

Following No. 370 upstream, the road soon made a big curve SW, and ended at the base of the Deerfield Reservoir dam. Under tremendous pressure, Castle Creek roared out of a couple of large pipes.

At the **base of the dam**. Photo looks WSW.

Backtracking a bit, a side road made a single big switchback up to the W end of the dam. Poppy, LV, and HV had never been here before, so this view of Deerfield Lake was an unfamiliar one for them. The best view was from the E end of the dam, where more of the lake was in sight.

**Poppy**, **Rollie**, **Lupe** & **Dawnette** at the **E end of the dam**. Photo looks W.

Since the dam was this hike’s primary objective, a short rest break was in order. Going partway down a grassy slope, a spot near the shade of a few of pines served the purpose. Dawnette offered peppered beef jerky, and strawberry and blueberry fig bars as snacks. While SPHP enjoyed the tasty fig bars, Lupe went crazy for the jerky.

**Deerfield Lake** and **dam** from the rest spot. Photo looks WNW.

Still a beautiful day, warm and sunny, with only a few scattered clouds around. While relaxing on the grassy slope, one cloud stood out. Off to the NNE, a lone cumulus cloud was starting to show some development. Not very big yet, the little wannabe thunderhead seemed out of place.

The **odd little cumulus cloud** (R). Photo looks NNE.

11:23 AM – After a pleasant break, it was time to move on. The question was, did LV and HV want to go any farther, or were they ready to head back? Poppy didn’t have to be polled, she was having a grand time, and would have gone clear around the lake with Lupe.

Discussing the next objective. **Flag Mountain** (R) in the distance. Photo looks NW.

Rollie and Dawnette were both willing to keep going. A small bay NW of the dam seemed like a reasonable objective. After recrossing the dam, HV suggested a shortcut back to Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L along a faint road that headed WNW up into the pines. This was a terrific idea, avoiding the elevation loss that would have otherwise been necessary going back down to pick up the trail again from below the dam.

**USFS Road No. 370** down in the **Castle Creek valley**. Photo looks ENE.

While among the pines, SPHP noticed a survey benchmark sitting right in the middle of the road. Curving N, the road faded away as it climbed at an easy pace to a meadow above the pines. Crocuses were springing up among the grass here. Other varieties of wildflowers were enjoying the spring sunshine, too.

One of the many **crocuses** or **pasque flowers** springing up from the prairie.

Dawnette knew what these **yellow wildflowers** were, but SPHP has since forgotten.

From the meadow, a barbed wire fence was visible with a gate in it off to the NE, where Trail No. 40L went through it. Beyond the gate, the trail divided into a couple of routes on the way down to Deerfield Reservoir’s N bay. South Castle Rock (6,848 ft.), Castle Rock (6,783 ft.), and Nipple Butte (6,820 ft.) were all in view off to the NW during the first part of this descent.

**South Castle Rock** (L of Center), **Castle Rock** (Center), and **Nipple Butte** (far R). Photo looks NW.

Once down to the bay, Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L ran N along the E shore. Several Canadian geese were swimming in the bay. They didn’t seem terribly concerned about the intrusion.

3 of the 6 **Canadian geese** in the area.

It wasn’t far to the N end of the bay where a small stream trickled into it. Of course, the 11 mile long loop trail continued all the way around the lake from here, but LV and HV were satisfied. This was far enough.

Heading for the **N end of the bay**. Photo looks NNW.

The whole gang at the **turnaround point**. Photo looks S.

Sticking with Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L during the entire return, there was one more scenic highlight along the part of the trail that had been skipped earlier. The edge of a steep slope reached just before the descent to USFS Road No. 370 provided an excellent view of the dam and Castle Creek gushing out of it.

**Deerfield Reservoir dam** from just off the trail. Photo looks SW.

1:12 PM, 71ºF – Well, the adventure with Poppy, LV, and HV was over, but they still wanted to visit a bit. LV and HV invited SPHP and Lupe to join them at the Gold Run cafe. SPHP instantly accepted the invitation, but it turned out that the cafe wasn’t open yet this early in the season.

No matter! How about a visit at Poppy’s house? That would work for sure. So Lupe and SPHP wound up hanging out at Poppy’s beautiful home for a while. Relaxing on Poppy’s big no maintenance deck would have been awesome, but it was so sunny and warm out, that the cool shade inside the house was everyone’s preferred option.

Rollie provided SPHP with a glass of lemonade. Dawnette offered more blueberry fig bars. Still hung up on peppered beef jerky, the American Dingo initially turned down homemade peanut butter dog treats, before eventually deciding that they were good, too.

The fun visit concluded with agreement on another joint adventure in the fall. Poppy eventually bid Lupe farewell from her deck.

Lupe’s friend **Poppy** out on the deck.

2:58 PM – The afternoon was still sunny and warm.

I had a blast seeing Poppy, HV, and LV again, SPHP! What now? Are we going home? If so, you turned the wrong way.

Nope. Stays light pretty late this time of year, Loop. There are a couple of peaks along the E edge of the limestone plateau country Dean Giuliano visited and added to Peakbagger.com quite a while ago. They shouldn’t be too hard to get to, so I’m thinking we still ought to have enough time to tag both of them today, if you like.

Oh, are they Lidar Peaks, SPHP?

Yes and no, Loopster. Practically everything has had an official elevation adjustment due to the new Lidar dataset recently, but although both of these peaks are actually higher than the old topo maps show, they still don’t have the minimum 300 feet of prominence of the other “Lidar Peaks” we’ve been shooting for.

So, we’re just going to tag them because Dean did, SPHP?

They’ll give you a couple more dots on your Master Peak Map, Looper, so yeah, why not?

3:53 PM, 64ºF – Well, the Carolina Dog was all for it, but by the time SPHP parked the RAV4 off Sixmile Road, the weather had changed. Suddenly the sky was full of cumulus clouds.

Parked near the entrance to the **Copper Mountain gravel pit**. Photo looks N.

Maybe that odd little cumulus cloud we saw back at Deerfield Lake was trying to tell us something, SPHP.

You mean like an omen, Loopster?

Yes, like an evil omen, SPHP, a warning.

Shoot! We aren’t going to let a few clouds stop us, are we, Loop? Follow the road past that gate. The Copper Mountain gravel pit is just N of here, and on our way.

Took only a few minutes to reach the gravel pit. Rather than going right on through it, Lupe climbed the bank on the E side of the pit.

The **Copper Mountain gravel pit**. Photo looks N.

We just head N from here Looper. Peak 7100 is our first objective. It’s only 0.5 mile away, and we’re already over 7,000 feet, so we won’t need to gain much elevation.

Is 7,100 the old elevation? How high is it according to Lidar, SPHP?

Lidar says it’s Peak 7123, Loopster. So, a bit higher. 23 feet.

Oh, so not enough to make much difference to us, SPHP. Looks like there’s already a view off to the E. Let’s go take a look.

Wandering through deadfall, bushes, and a few crocuses, Lupe reached the E edge of the plateau after losing 15 feet of elevation. A nice, distant view of Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) was off to the SE.

A particularly lovely group of **crocuses**.

**Sixmile Road** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (Center) from the edge of the **limestone plateau**. Photo looks SE.

Returning to the highest ground, the terrain was nearly flat, sloping only gradually higher as Lupe worked her way N. Would have been super easy, if not for a multitude of big juniper bushes, and a maze of deadfall remaining from a shattered forest.

Heading N in search of the **Peak 7100** summit. Photo looks N.

The deadfall wasn’t all that awful, but forced Lupe to take a winding route in order to avoid it as much as possible. Enjoying a fair amount of success, most of the time the American Dingo was well back from the edge of the limestone plateau. However, she did get close to it again a couple of times, yielding some great views of Gillette Prairie, Medicine Mountain (6,884 ft.), and the E edge of Odakota Mountain (7,199 ft.).

A grand view of **Gillette Prairie**. Photo looks NE.

**Medicine Mountain** (L) in the foreground, **Odakota Mountain** (R). Photo looks SE.

4:33 PM, 64ºF – The true summit of Peak 7100 also turned out to be very close to the E edge of the limestone plateau. Unfortunately, it was buried in such a dense collection of live trees, deadfall, and bushes, that they not only almost completely hid the views, but made it nearly impossible to move around. A large area close to what seemed to be the high point was at very nearly the exact same elevation.

**Peak 7100 true summit**, to the extent it could be determined. Photo looks NE.

Congratulations, Loop! One Dean Giuliano Peak down, one more to go!

Lovely, isn’t it, SPHP?

Yes, indeed! So lovely, that let’s keep going. Maybe we can find a better spot to celebrate your success.

200 feet farther N, and only somewhat lower, the Carolina Dog did come to a better spot to take a short break. A limestone platform with a big dead tree on it right along the edge of the plateau offered a great view of several stock ponds near the S end of Gillette Prairie. Much farther N, Reynolds Prairie, Terry Peak (7,069 ft.), and Custer Peak (6,809 ft.) were all in sight, too.

At the superior viewpoint **200 feet N of Peak 7100’s true summit**. Photo looks ESE.

**S end of Gillette Prairie**. Photo looks NE.

Thirsty, Loopster? Your tongue is about to fall out of your head.

Water, SPHP, water …

After a big drink, Lupe crunched some Taste of the Wild. SPHP peeled an orange.

How much farther to the next peak, SPHP?

Peak 7159? Even winding around some, only another 0.5 mile, Looper.

7159. Not much higher than where we are already then, either, SPHP. Sounds good! Are you ready?

Yeah, in a minute. Let me finish my orange first, Loop.

Roaming generally NW, the deadfall improved during a gradual descent to a broad, shallow valley. Crossing it, even though no road was shown on the map here, Lupe came across what must have been an extension of USFS Road No. 656.1A. Following this road N, it faded away almost immediately as the terrain began to rise again.

Descending into the **shallow valley**. Photo looks NW.

Hey, there’s something here, SPHP!

What? Oh, a spoon. How strange! In decent shape, too, Loopster.

Keep it, SPHP. You can dish me out more food at home with it.

Think I will, Looper. Kind of a nice souvenir from this trek. Not often we find anything we can actually use. I like the snazzy purple handle.

Continuing NW, Lupe gained 100 feet of elevation in a denser forest with quite a bit of large deadfall in it. Winding around to avoid the deadfall as much as possible again, the Carolina Dog turned NNE after catching a glimpse of even higher ground in that direction. The forest opened up as she approached the high point.

Approaching **Peak 7159’s summit** (R of Center). Photo looks NNE.

5:28 PM, 63ºF – No doubt at all about the location of the true summit of Peak 7159. Beyond Gillette Prairie, the sky was stormy where a rain shower hid the mountains when Lupe reached a roomy platform of limestone right along the brink of N-facing cliffs. Much closer, Green Mountain (7,176 ft.) was in view to the NNW on the opposite side of a deep valley. Beyond it, a little sliver of Deerfield Lake was in sight.

**Gillette Prairie** from **Peak 7159’s summit**. Photo looks NNE.

**Green Mountain** (L) with a tiny sliver of **Deerfield Reservoir** (L of Center) beyond it. Photo looks NNW.

Just think! We were way over there with Poppy, LV, and HV only a few hours ago, SPHP.

Yup. Fun times, Looper! By the way, congratulations on reaching Peak 7159. Your Dean Giuliano peak tour today is complete.

SPHP shook the Carolina Dog’s paw. Off to the S, a ridge was visible through a gap in the trees. Only moderately higher, gently sloping, and forested, that had to be Odakota Mountain (7,199 ft.). Second highest peak in South Dakota, but it didn’t look all that impressive from here.

Lupe was thirsty again. After sharing water, SPHP munched an apple while admiring the sweeping view to the N. When the apple was gone, SPHP stood up.

It’ll get dark on us on the way back, but want to visit Green Mountain again, Loopster?

Sure! We haven’t been there since Dennis Stewart went with us, SPHP.

Onward, then! Puppy, ho!

Although Green Mountain was less than 0.75 mile NW, Lupe would have to make a big arc circling around S end of the intervening valley to get there. Leaving Peak 7159, the American Dingo followed its SW ridge, staying on the high ground as much as possible, which wasn’t easy due to the amount of deadfall and thickets of large bushes. She hadn’t gotten very far before a small raised platform appeared at least 20 feet above the slope she was on.

Oh, I better climb up there, SPHP! That might be Peak 7159’s true summit!

Maybe, but I doubt it, Loop. Go for it, though. Won’t take but a minute.

On **Peak 7159’s SW high point**. Photo looks N.

Beyond this SW high point, the ridge soon broadened out. Less deadfall was encountered during a gradual descent. By the time Lupe reached the saddle at the S end of the valley she was circling, the terrain was flat and grassy. Reaching USFS Road No. 656, Lupe followed it N a little way, then re-entered the forest as she started up Green Mountain’s S ridge.

On **USFS Road No. 656**. Photo looks N.

A long, winding march N ensued. Plenty of deadfall and bushes were on the broad ridge, happily most of it avoidable without too much trouble. Gradually gaining elevation, distant thunder rumbled off to both the N and SW. The air felt cooler. SPHP felt a raindrop. Began to seem like the terrain ought to be leveling out any moment, when Lupe finally reached an unexpected road where a top was in sight.

On the **unexpected road**. Photo looks NNE.

This road’s going the right way, Loop. Just follow it!

After crossing the high spot, the road dipped and curved E. No road was shown on the map here, but SPHP suddenly knew where Lupe was.

This is the same road we used to take to Green Mountain the first few times we ever visited it long ago, Loopster.

You mean back when we used to come at it from the W, SPHP?

Exactly! This will lead us right to the summit region and the Dingo display column. We’ll be there in no time!

Sure enough, a fence SPHP remembered soon appeared ahead. Beyond it was the big clearing near the edge of the mountain.

Entering **Green Mountain’s summit region**. Photo looks ESE.

7:15 PM, 53ºF, Green Mountain (7,176 ft.) – The summit region was huge and pancake flat. As Lupe entered the clearing where the road ended beyond the fence, a sense of urgency was in the air. Lightning flashed among the clouds. The rumble of thunder was getting steadily louder, especially from the SW. A sporadic 10 mph wind blew from out of the W between periods of dead calm.

Let’s visit the cairn first, Looper!

The cairn was back in the forest, a little N of the clearing. Circling around a terrible mess of deadfall, the Carolina Dog quickly found it.

By the **Green Mountain summit cairn**. Photo looks NE.

Sweet, another peakbagging success, Loopster! Good job!

With nothing but trees to see at the cairn, which was situated at a spot that seemed almost completely arbitrary since the terrain was so flat, SPHP urged Lupe onward.

Let’s visit the Dingo display column now, Loop. That’s the highlight of any trip to Green Mountain!

Returning to the clearing where the road ended, the column was just a little way down the slope at the edge of the plateau.

**Black Elk Peak** (far L) on the horizon, **Dingo display column** (L) with **Copper Mountain** beyond it, **Medicine Mountain** (L of Center), **Peak 7159** (R). Photo looks SSE.

C’mon, Loopster! I’ll boost you up there.

Wait, SPHP. Are you sure? Whoa! Put me down!

Why the big fuss, Loop? It’s a tradition! I always lift you up here. Just stand on top, and hurry it up! I can’t hold you over my head much longer.

After clawing her way onto the column, Lupe looked concerned. She danced around surveying the situation from her cramped little perch, and seeing no safe way down, began to panic.

On the **Dingo display column**. **Five Points** (Center) beyond **Gillette Prairie**. Photo looks E.

Why the fuss? I’ll tell you why, SPHP! Two thunderstorms are bearing down on us. This is no place to be with so much lightning around! If you think this is such a terrific idea, fine. Come on up! It’s your turn, but get me down!

Fearing Lupe might actually make an ill-advised tragic leap off the Dingo display column, SPHP helped her down after a couple of quick photos.

Well done, Looper. Felt a little insecure up there this time, aye? Dramatic shot, though. Let’s get another one from the side.

No way! I’m not getting up there again, SPHP! Not now.

No, I mean from the little ridge where we usually take a break, Loop.

Oh, that’s fine. Don’t mind doing that, SPHP.

**Dingo display column** (L) from the **traditional rest break ridge**. Photo looks NE.

Once again, SPHP shook the Carolina Dog’s paw.

Thanks, Loop. That completes our Green Mountain traditions. Wish we could stay, but under the circumstances, we better get out of here.

Aren’t you forgetting a tradition, SPHP? I’ve climbed 3 mountains, and still no chocolate coconut bar? Surely earned one here, didn’t I?

Yes, but I forgot to bring any, Loopster. How about some water, then we really have to get going.

Fine, but you owe me, SPHP.

7:44 PM – The situation was deteriorating as Lupe went back up the slope to the clearing. Back to the E, the sky was still blue toward the horizon, but toward the W dark clouds hovered overhead. Thunder boomed, and lightning flashed among the clouds. It started to rain as Lupe began tracing her route along the road.

Leaving **Green Mountain**. Photo looks SE.

Gads! We’re going to get absolutely soaked, Loopster.

At least you’ve got a rain jacket, SPHP. Put it on!

No, I don’t. This wasn’t in the forecast, Loop. Nothing but sunshine, so I didn’t even bring it this morning.

Well then, welcome to experiencing the joys of nature as a Dingo, SPHP.

The rain quickly turned to hail. This was better actually, because the hail was tiny. Not even pea size. Half that, or maybe even less. The ground began to turn white.

15 or 20 minutes, and it was all over. No downpour ever materialized. In just a cool breeze, Lupe hurried along the road. Hidden by the clouds, the sun must have set. It was already getting dark. As the light rapidly continued to fade, thunder boomed. Non-stop lightning highlighted black silhouettes of the forest.

Wow! We’ve lucked out, Looper. They’re really getting it somewhere. It’s all moving off to the E.

Told you that cloud was an omen, SPHP! We would have been beaten to a pulp, if the hail had been bigger.

Upon reached USFS Road No. 301.1R, the American Dingo followed it S down through the broad, gently sloping grassy fields of Windmill Draw. It had been ages since Lupe had last been here. Would have been nice to see it again in daylight, but there was something incredibly awesome about being here on such a wild and dramatic evening.

A short rest break at the junction with Sixmile Road, and the rest of the journey became a less interesting trudge. Lightning continued to flash across the black sky, as the thunder grew fainter and fainter.

Wonder what Poppy would have thought of this adventure, SPHP?

Hah! That we’re a couple of lunatics? Guess you can tell Poppy all about it in the fall, and ask her! (End 9:08 PM, 50ºF)