Carolina Dog – Page 22 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Mount Fitzpatrick, Salt River Range, Wyoming – Part 1: Greys River Road to Upper Crow Creek Lake (6-29-22)

Days 12-14 of Lupe’s 1st Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming!

6-27-22, Dog Creek trailhead at the end of USFS Road No. 31030 – The sun was well up and shining brightly when SPHP came to.

About time, sleepyhead!

And I suppose you’ve been up for hours, aye, Looper?

A long time, SPHP.

Well, bully for you then, Miss Ambitious! You needn’t have woken up so early, though. After 4 days in the Snake River Range, we’re taking a break.

Good! I’m actually feeling lazy, too. I was just giving you a hard time, SPHP.

Perfect, we’re on the same page then, Loopster. You’re going to like the plan for the next couple of days.

Two rest days, SPHP?

Yeah, why not? The trip journal needs some serious catching up.

After a quick drive back to Hwy 26/89, SPHP spent an hour cleaning and reorganizing the RAV4 at the Pritchard boat ramp along the Snake River. Lupe didn’t even get out, preferring to laze around on her pink blanket. Then it was off to Alpine for a few groceries.

6-27-22, Greys River – Lupe was super enthusiastic when she hopped out of the RAV4 and saw that she was back at the same spot at the end of Road No. 10399. Nearly a week ago she’d spent the day after her ascent of Mount McDougal (10,780 ft.) here. The American Dingo dashed about sniffing excitedly, even briefly wading in the river before settling down to relax in the shade of old spruce trees along the riverbank.

This was rapidly becoming a favorite spot! Hiding from the sun with the help of blankets and clothing draped over the RAV4’s windows, Lupe spent a pleasant afternoon snoozing on her pink blanket while SPHP worked on the trip journal. In the evening, a stroll was taken both up and down Greys River Road

6-28-22, Greys River, end of Road No.10399 – During the night, Lupe had wanted out. SPHP obliged her, but the Carolina Dog didn’t actually go anywhere. Instead, she just laid on the ground near the RAV4 for a while all by herself beneath the stars, sniffing the cool night air and listening.

Morning had been sunny and bright again. Clouded up a little around noon. Another beautiful lazy day shot by next to the Greys River. Only a deer managed to entice Lupe out of the RAV4 during the heat of the day. Evening brought lightning and a rain shower, followed by a rainbow. After a drive along Greys River Road just for fun, Lupe had been up for another stroll as dusk came on. It was close to midnight by the time SPHP had the trip journal caught up.

6-29-22, 10:25 AM, Crow Creek trailhead along Greys River Road –

C’mon, Looper! Adventure time!

Barepawed, SPHP had already forded the first little side channel of Greys River, but Lupe was hanging back.

**Crow Creek trailhead** along Greys River Road. Photo looks NE.

Evidently the American Dingo was intent upon playing her stalking game again today. That was alright. She’d be along soon enough.

After putting socks and boots back on, SPHP almost immediately ran into a second side channel. Ugh, already the usual ford routine again! By the time SPHP was across this second stream, Lupe had caught up. A short, damp, almost marshy stretch of Crow Creek Lakes Trail No. 044 went S from here to a sturdy pawbridge over Greys River.

**Greys River** from the bridge. Photo looks S (upstream).

Once across the bridge, the trail headed W to a slope that gained 50 feet on its way up to a level stretch of forest. Many trees were dead, trunks scorched by fire. Beyond the forest, Trail No. 044 turned SW, passing through a large meadow leading to the mouth of the Crow Creek valley.

In the first level stretch of forest. Photo looks. E.

Glancing back at the forest while passing through the meadow. Photo looks NE.

Heading for the **Crow Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

The trail dipped slightly after crossing the meadow. Crow Creek, a lovely, medium-size stream was now in sight.

**Crow Creek** (L) as Trail No. 044 enters the valley. Photo looks SW.

0.5 mile plus from the Greys River pawbridge, Trail No. 44 crossed Crow Creek. No bridge at all here! Lupe was going to have to ford the stream. Although the bottom was rocky, this wasn’t a difficult ford. The water wasn’t even knee-deep on SPHP.

Since Loopster was still playing her stalking game, SPHP was already on the far bank by the time the Carolina Dog arrived. Instead of plunging in, Lupe laid down in the shade of some bushes.

At the **first Crow Creek ford**. Photo looks NE.

C’mon over, Loop! Nothing to it. You’ll like it!

Is that so? I notice you don’t plunge entirely into many frigid streams, SPHP. Why should I? Where are we going, anyway? You haven’t said, yet you’ve got the tiny house. How long are we going to be gone this time?

Oh, remember before we climbed Mount McDougal (10,780 ft.) how I first gave up on climbing Mount Fitzpatrick (10,907 ft.), because I was afraid of how much snow we might have to face on a steep N face? I’m hoping enough snow has melted since then to give us a decent shot at Fitzpatrick. Should only take us a couple of days.

So, just one day in, then all the way back tomorrow, SPHP?

Yep, that’s the plan! We’ll only go as far as the Crow Creek Lakes today, summit tomorrow, and out. How does that sound?

The American Dingo apparently liked the plan. Without further ado, Lupe easily forded Crow Creek and the trek resumed, but only for a few hundred feet before a second ford appeared.

SPHP was getting sick and tired of constantly taking boots and socks off, only to put them right back on again, but did it once more. Lupe waited until SPHP ventured across to take on Crow Creek a second time.

Braving the **second Crow Creek ford**. Photo looks E.

Happily, this second ford was the last one. Trail No. 44 now headed W up the valley, eventually curving NW. Most of the time, Lupe was out in the open, among wildflowers and lush vegetation. Although never far away, Crow Creek was generally hidden by bushes and seldom in view.

Obstacle-free and easy to follow, the trail both gained and lost elevation, but was usually flat, or a gradual incline. Progress was rapid. Overhead, a previously sunny sky was clouding up.

Along the N side of the **Crow Creek valley**. Photo looks ESE.

Heading deeper into the **Salt River Range**. Photo looks NW.

Roughly 2 miles from the trailhead, the Crow Creek valley split in two. The confluence of North and South Crow Creeks was in this area, but never visible from the trail. Sticking with the trail, SPHP followed it W up the North Crow Creek valley. Meanwhile, Lupe continued to hang back, playing her stalking game.

The rate of climb increased. No. 044 crossed several tributaries of Crow Creek. All were small, a few muddy stretches of trail being the worst of it. While there were still meadows, the trail now went through longer and more frequent stretches of forest. Deadfall sometimes slowed SPHP down, but most of it wasn’t that hard to get by.

A **tributary of North Crow Creek** flowing right along Trail No. 044. Photo looks WSW.

Loop cooling off in another minor stream. Photo looks E.

Passing through a rare stand of aspens. Photo looks W.

After a while, it began to sprinkle. SPHP took shelter beneath a large spruce tree when a harder downpour began, and Lupe soon caught up. 10 or 15 minutes, and the rain moved on. So did the Carolina Dog.

Eventually, glimpses of a huge mountain began appearing ahead. Upon seeing it, SPHP’s heart sank. If that was Mount Fitzpatrick (10.907 ft.), this whole endeavor was doomed. Lupe wouldn’t stand a chance! The whole N face was very rugged, rocky, and borderline cliff-like steep.

A **huge rugged mountain** appears ahead. Photo looks W.

A closer look with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks W.

Trail No. 044 headed almost straight for the monster. As Lupe closed in, a headwall extending N came into view. Both Crow Creek Lakes were somewhere above that headwall.

A bit of deadfall to contend with. Going around it did the trick. Photo looks W.

The trail sometimes faded while crossing meadows. Photo looks W.

Getting closer. Headwall on the R. Photo looks W.

4 miles from Greys River Road, Lupe entered a big meadow providing a great view of both the mountain and the headwall, which were now only 0.25 mile away. Just getting above the headwall looked like a challenge. A continuous line of cliffs ran along it.

Near the far W end of this meadow, a brown “No Motor Vehicles” wand marked the end of Trail No. 044 at a junction with Trail No. 079, which went either S or N from here. 100 feet W of the wand, a sign was nailed to a tree.

In the big meadow before reaching the junction with Trail No. 079. Photo looks W.

Loop down by the sign tree. Photo looks W.

The sign identified Trail No. 079 as Way Trail.

The sign merely confirmed what SPHP already knew. Lupe needed to take Trail No. 079 R (N) to Pass 9060.

Despite 2 rest days, and an easy trek thus far, SPHP was already getting worn out lugging a heavy pack. Heh, too bad! Things were just starting to get interesting. Continuing W a short distance into the forest, Trail No. 079 steepened considerably as it then curved N into a long meadow.

The American Dingo’s stalking game continued. Loop was getting plenty of rest breaks due to SPHP’s frequent pauses to gasp for breath. The sky was clearing again, and the sun felt mighty warm on the uphill trudge.

Trail No. 079 curves N toward **Pass 9060** (R). Photo looks NNW.

Looking back on the way up to **Pass 9060**. Photo looks S.

3:03 PM, Trail No. 079 at Pass 9060 – Shedding the pack, SPHP sat down on a log. Pass 9060 was forested, and sitting in the shade was a welcome relief. Time for a longer rest break! When Loop sauntered in, she had no objections to laying down and enjoying some Taste of the Wild.

Pass 9060 was a fairly narrow ridge running E/W. The N side was quite rocky, and Lupe was thrilled to find a snowbank still melting away. Off to the NW, Peak 10180 was in sight. Trail No. 079 continued N beyond the pass, starting a descent into the Rock Creek valley.

Arriving at **Pass 9060**. Photo looks NNW.

On the snowbank just N of the pass. Photo looks W.

**Peak 10180** (Center). Photo looks NW.

This was it, though, as far as Trail No. 079 was concerned for Lupe. As soon as SPHP felt sufficiently recovered, it was time to start looking for a way up the headwall. Apparently inspired by the steeper, rocky terrain, the American Dingo no longer held back, instead leading the way as she began climbing W along the Pass 9060 ridge.

A use trail appeared. Following it, the cliffs of the headwall soon came into view.

Approaching the headwall. Photo looks WSW.

Reaching the base of the cliffs, they appeared continuous toward the S. The use trail turned NW up a rocky ramp. From Pass 9060, cliffs had been visible to the N, too, but after gaining some elevation and getting up to where these cliffs were, the ramp and use trail both turned SW.

Heading NW up the lower part of the ramp. Photo looks NW.

The upper ramp turns SW. Photo looks SW.

Sort of steep, but the ramp wasn’t bad. No real scrambling involved at all. Suddenly, Lupe was above the headwall! Still climbing, the use trail turned W continuing up a big ridge. Steep meadows were to the S, with genuine cliffs just N of the ridgeline.

Above the headwall, continuing up a big ridge. Photo looks W.

After gaining nearly 200 feet of elevation from the top of the headwall, the rate of climb diminished. Another mountain was now in sight W of the one seen earlier from the North Crow Creek valley. Pausing to check the topo map, SPHP finally understood.

Oh, I get it now, Loopster! That first mountain is actually Peak 10525. Mount Fitzpatrick (10,907 ft.) is the one beyond it.

**Peak 10525** (Center), **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R). Photo looks SW.

Is that a good thing, SPHP?

Eh, hard to say. See quite a bit of snow on Fitzpatrick’s N face, and it looks mighty steep, too. Can’t be any worse than Peak 10525, though. No way we were ever going to make it up that one.

Well, it is a good thing then, SPHP! At least we stand a chance now!

Yeah, I guess you’re right, Looper. Surprised we haven’t seen any use trail peeling off to the SSW yet. Lower Crow Creek Lake is supposed to be over that way nestled at the base of Peak 10525. Sort of wanted to see it.

Nothing stopping us from going over there, SPHP. Want to do that?

Oh, I don’t know, Loop. Think we’ve already climbed too far. Kind of hate to give up any of our elevation gain, and I suspect we’re already well above the lower lake. If we see a trail going that way, maybe we’ll take it, but we could just head for Upper Crow Creek Lake instead. Hoping to put your tiny house up there, anyway, since it’s closer to Fitzpatrick.

Suit yourself, SPHP! Fine with me. Onward, then!

Staying high, Lupe continued WSW along the flattest part of the ridge.

Continuing along the high ground. **Peak 10525** (L) and **Mount Fitzpatrick** (Center). Photo looks WSW.

Before long, the flat ground came to an end. Ahead, the terrain sloped quite a bit. Lupe was going to have to lose at least some elevation just to get over to the next flat area, a forested region already in sight.

By now the use trail had faded away. Side-hilling wasn’t SPHP’s favorite, but didn’t bother the Carolina Dog at all. The only other choice would have been to angle WNW following the ridge clear to the top of Peak 10143. Eh, that wasn’t happening, so the downward traverse began.

On the traverse leading to the flatter stretch of forest ahead. **Peak 10525** (L of Center), **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R). Photo looks WSW.

When Loopster got to it, the forested area wasn’t entirely flat, either. Exploring, she came to a snow-filled clearing in a depression. Since there still wasn’t any sign of a trail going S to the Lower Crow Creek Lake, Lupe kept going W. At the base of Peak 10143, she discovered a scenic tarn so secret that it wasn’t even shown on the map.

In the snowy depression. Photo looks SW.

Near the secret tarn below **Peak 10143**. Photo looks NW.

Passing S of the tarn on rocky terrain, Lupe got almost down to the tarn’s level. A meadow went W from the tarn to another fairly steep slope. An 80 foot rocky climb led to a broad flat region.

Got it made now, Looper! This is Pass 9540. All downhill from here!

After crossing the super flat saddle, a gentle descent toward Peak 10525 ensued through a meadow bordered by forest and long snowbanks.

Starting the beautiful descent from **Pass 9540**. **Peak 10525** (L), **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R). Photo looks SW.

At the lower SW end of the meadow, a minor escarpment of flat rocks came just before a somewhat steeper, but still easy, descent into a band of trees. Emerging from the trees, a glorious scene was ahead.

Wow! So, this is Upper Crow Creek Lake, SPHP? It’s absolutely gorgeous!

Yeah, our home for an evening, Loop! I’m loving it, too!

Right at the base of the highest, most magnificent part of Peak 10525, Upper Crow Creek Lake was nearly surrounded by snowfields still filling most of the valley. The lake even sported a few icebergs A mile WSW, loomed the N face of Mount Fitzpatrick (10,907 ft.).

**Upper Crow Creek Lake**. **Peak 10525** (L), **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R). Photo looks SW.

5:22 PM – After circling around a little NE bay, SPHP pitched Lupe’s tiny house amid newly emergent buttercups on a snow-free patch of ground next to a stand of old spruce trees on a bank overlooking the N shore of Upper Crow Creek Lake. Only a few feet away, a couple of weathered logs, their ends set at a 90º angle to each other, partially protected a white stone fire ring.

Despite the glorious surroundings, a certain weariness had set in for both human and Dingo. Once the tiny house was up, both crept inside for a nap, enjoying the comfort of sleeping bags. A cool S breeze coming from across the lake made the tiny house flap, but a blissful sound sleep was not to be denied.

6:44 PM – Ahh, much better! The American Dingo and SPHP were both up and about again, feeling much refreshed. What remained of a long summer evening was now free to spend exploring the fabulous Upper Crow Creek Lake region.

By the tiny house amid the buttercups. Photo looks SW.

Naturally, a trip down to the N shore of Upper Crow Creek Lake was in order. It was a journey Lupe would make more than once this evening.

Along the **N shore**. **Mount Fitzpatrick** (R of Center). Photo looks WSW.

Near the **W end of the lake**. Photo looks SW.

Looking back at **Peak 10143** (Center & L) and the tiny house (R). Photo looks ENE.

Is that a bear I hear, or is it getting to be about dinner time, SPHP?

That’s my tummy, Loop. Yeah, something to eat wouldn’t be a bad idea. In fact, most anything would do at this point. I’m famished!

Lupe sniffed around the tiny house, while SPHP rustled up some grub.

After dinner, another trip was made down to Upper Crow Creek Lake’s N shore to see the icebergs and admire Peak 10525’s rugged splendor as the last rays of sunshine crept up the mountain.

**Peak 10525** (L) on a splendid evening from **Upper Crow Creek Lake**, Photo looks SSW.

No marmots, pikas, or gophers had been seen or heard, but somehow the crazy Carolina Dog became utterly convinced throngs of ’em were hiding near the tiny house. The evening ended with frantic sniffing and furious digging at various holes. Meanwhile SPHP stared off to the WSW toward Mount Fitzpatrick’s N slope.

A lot of snow up there, and mighty steep for a long way. Loopster was having a grand time digging, but her efforts were all coming to naught. Maybe this whole trip was going to end up the same way?

A marvelous time digging without result. Photo looks SW.

Hopefully not, but even if true, at least there was the consolation of this wonderful evening spent at spectacular Upper Crow Creek Lake!

**Upper Crow Creek Lake**, Salt River Range, Wyoming 6-29-22

Links:

Next Adventure Prior Adventure

Mount Fitzpatrick, Salt River Range, Wyoming – Part 2: Upper Crow Creek Lake to the Summit! (6-30-22)

Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2022 Dingo Vacations to Wyoming, Canada & Alaska Adventure Index, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index. Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.

Lupe’s 12th Birthday (12-14-22)

Morning – Laying next to the heat register, Lupe calmly stared out the window. The world was newly white. Several inches of snow had fallen overnight, but it wasn’t snowing now. The American Dingo watched as a gusty N wind piled the frigid new snow into drifts. Nothing else moved.

Although SPHP had cheerily wished Lupe a very happy birthday several times already, it seemed clear that this was actually destined to be a dull day. When your birthday is in mid-December, and your heart’s desire is to explore, sometimes it just works out that way.

Knowing this dreary weather was coming, SPHP had at least taken Loop on a pre-birthday Black Hills expedition to Thrall Mountain (5,091 ft.). Fun, but that had been days ago now, and wasn’t the same as getting to go on your real birthday! Minutes dragged on. Hours crept by. Nothing changed. A sad boredom set in. By mid-afternoon, the Carolina Dog was snoozing peacefully at her usual spot in the hall.

Evening – It wasn’t until the sun had already been down more than 2.5 hours and the night was pitch black that there was finally some action. A cold, dark ride in the RAV4, and suddenly the party animal, all decked out in party hat and birthday girl ribbon, was bursting into Grandma’s apartment all excited to see her!

With Grandma and SPHP the only attendees at Lupe’s birthday festivities this year, the party quickly got underway. The American Dingo enjoyed a Busy Rib Hide to start off with, while Grandma and SPHP feasted on TV dinners. For dessert, there was chocolate ice cream for everyone. Lupe had 3 bowls!

12th birthday festivities kicked off with a **Busy Rib Hide**. Very tasty!

A temporary lull occurred while SPHP helped Grandma unscramble a check book mystery, but that didn’t take too long. Soon Lupe was asked to occupy the seat of honor up on Grandma’s white couch. SPHP then brought out presents and stacked them all around her. The situation was certainly looking promising!

The birthday girl on the comfy white couch of honor.

Birthday presents are a joy! As usual, though, they came with a catch. Lupe was clearly worried when SPHP brought out a birthday cake, and placed it next to her.

The dreaded birthday cake makes its appearance.

The trial by fire was about to begin. With 12 candles this year, the blaze atop the cake was more fearsome than ever!

Having been through this ordeal before, the Carolina Dog didn’t flinch or flee, stoically enduring while Grandma and SPHP sang “Happy Birthday” all the way through, with special emphasis on “and many more”!

Lupe didn’t want to blow out the candles herself, so SPHP did it for her. What the American Dingo wished for, she refused to say. Evidently she didn’t want to hurt the chances of her birthday wish really coming true.

Although the American Dingo had successfully passed the trial by fire, Lupe still didn’t get her presents. Instead, cake was served. Everyone had some, even the sweet-toothed Dingo had a few bites.

At last the time for presents had arrived! Loopster hopped back up onto the white couch. Grandma was assigned the task of opening presents for her. The very first present was one Lupe was sure to like, a big 12 pack bag of Purina Busy Rib Hides.

Loop with her **Purina Busy Rib Hides**, a perennial favorite!

As Grandma kept opening presents, SPHP continued stacking them one by one around Lupe on the white couch. Authority Hip & Joint Support Chicken Formula Jerky Sticks were next, followed by 4 colorful, knobby plastic squeaker balls.

**Authority Hip & Joint Support Chicken Formula Jerky Sticks** were the 2nd present Grandma opened.

**4 colorful knobby plastic squeaker balls** came next.

Grandma wasn’t done yet! Lupe got a pack of 6″ Ol’ Roy rawhide chews, followed by a huge bag of Full Moon Natural Essentials Savory Sticks – free range beef recipe, and glycerin free.

A 16 pack of **Ol’ Roy rawhide chews** gets added to the mix.

Hey, look at this, Loopster! Says here that these Full Moon savory sticks are “human grade”. I can have some, too!

A sparkle came to Lupe’s eyes. The American Dingo started to grin.

Maybe if you’re very good, SPHP, I might let you have one now and then. Read a little farther, though. It actually says “human grade dog treats”.

Starting to grin as **Full Moon Natural Essentials Savory Sticks** (free range beef recipe) joins the pile of birthday loot.

Only one more present left. Although it had become a tradition in recent years, it was still a doozy. Grandma unwrapped a T-bone steak!

Lupe’s now traditional birthday T-bone steak.

Last year, when Lupe turned 11, SPHP had filled Grandma’s apartment with smoke while broiling her T-bone, setting off alarms and a general panic in the senior living center. A repeat performance was definitely not on the agenda.

Sorry, Looper, but you’re going to have to wait until we get home. I’ll broil your T-bone for you there. Tonight, I promise.

Oh, I wouldn’t mind tearing into it raw right here and now, SPHP!

Heh, I don’t doubt that, but let’s just wait. A bloody carpet might not be a good thing here, either. It’ll be better broiled, anyway. You’ll see.

Lupe sat up among all her presents, smiling happily. Her 12th birthday may have started out mighty slowly, but look at all this loot! Suddenly, turning 12 did feel like a grand, memorable event.

Happy Lupe with all her fabulous 12th birthday loot.

Presents all unwrapped, Lupe and SPHP played together on the carpet, enjoying some brand new knobby squeaker ball fun.

It had been a small party, but another great one! Before leaving, Lupe sat with Grandma on the white couch. Grandma got a kiss for kindly hosting Lupe’s birthday party again this year.

Together with Grandma on the white couch.

8:49 PM – Snowflakes swirled on the breeze when Lupe left Grandma’s to head home. Along the way, SPHP spotted a magnificent Christmas tree, pulling over to let Lupe out of the RAV4 to see it.

Oh, SPHP! Do you remember the Most Beautiful Christmas tree we always used to visit on the way to the cul-de-sac back when Grandma used to live in the country? Seems like such a long time since we’ve seen it now. This incredible tree reminds me of it.

Yes, of course, I do, Loop. This tree is even much bigger and brighter, but nothing will ever surpass the Most Beautiful Christmas tree for us, will it? Wonder if it still gets decorated every year?

Do you suppose we’ll ever see the Most Beautiful Christmas tree again, SPHP? I miss going to the cul-de-sac.

Yeah, me too, Looper, but I don’t know. We could go there sometime, it’s not all that far away, but times change, the years roll by. What once was, is no more. The important thing is that we stay together no matter what.

9:34 PM, at home – Smoke poured out of the oven. Grease in the broiler pan was on fire!

Eh, not such a big deal. Nowhere near as bad as last year’s fire drill episode. Lupe’s T-bone was actually looking pretty good. Maybe SPHP was getting a little better at broiling?

Lupe was waiting at her favorite spot in the hall when SPHP delivered her T-bone on a plate. The Carolina Dog eagerly devoured bite-sized pieces as SPHP sliced them off with a steak knife.

The late evening **T-bone feast** gets presented in the hallway.

This is so delicious, SPHP! We ought to have T-bone steak every night!

Hah! If only, Looper! Anyway, glad you’re enjoying this one. Happy 12th birthday! Love you so much!

Lupe’s late night meal got even better. SPHP sliced most of the meat into bite-sized pieces for her, but plenty of juicy steak was still clinging to the T-bone when SPHP let Loopster just have the rest. For a quite while on this cold December night, satisfying munching and crunching sounds came from the hallway corridor.

As usual, the crunching didn’t end until Lupe had finished processing very nearly 100% of her T-bone.

Hard to believe it. Lupe was 12 years old! Another birthday to cherish and remember had come and gone for SPHP’s best friend ever in the whole wide world.

Links:

Lupe’s 11th Birthday (12-14-21)

Lupe’s 13th Birthday & Crooks Tower (12-14-23)

Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Dingo Tales Index or Master Adventure Index. Or subscribe free to new Lupe Adventures.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pretty sure that must be Peak 5240, Looper.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Down into the valley, SPHP?

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

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

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

Heading down to Tetro Creek. Photo looks ESE.

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

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

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

We took a shortcut, SPHP?

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

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

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

Heading up the side valley. Photo looks ENE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Continuing along the ridge. Photo looks SW.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Approaching the final ascent. Photo looks E.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s go E, Loop. Probably easiest.

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

Exploring the Miller Creek drainage. Photo looks SE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Third shortcut of the day. Clever, SPHP!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Following the pine-lined lane. Photo looks W.

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

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

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

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

Nevertheless, we’ve arrived, Looper.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

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

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