South Dakota – Page 25 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2012

Oh, it’s long ago! So very long, long ago now since Lupe started her life of adventure! It all began more or less by chance on January 15, 2012 when SPHP took the Carolina Dog to Silver City for a stroll along Rapid Creek on Deerfield Trail No. 40. Lupe had never been roaming up in the Black Hills before. The American Dingo was clearly so amazed by it all, so joyful and enthusiastic, that SPHP not only took her back to the very same spot a week later, but took notes on both adventures afterward. The True Adventures of Lupe were born, and those first trips became Black Hills, SD Expeditions No. 1 & No. 2.

And Lupe went on from there, having a blast exploring the Black Hills whenever she could. For more than 3 years, SPHP kept notes, writing about The True Adventures of Lupe, but all those notes were only files on a computer. One thing led to another, however, and on February 22, 2015, The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe launched as a blog on the internet.

By that time, Lupe had already completed 120 Black Hills Expeditions! She’d also been on 3 Dingo Vacations – the first one in 2012 to the West Coast, and the other two in 2013 and 2014, both to the Canadian Rockies. So, The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe featured not only all of Lupe’s new adventures, but occasionally older ones, too.

Creating posts on old adventures was only possible, though, when both written records and photos existed. SPHP’s detailed notes contained in The True Adventures of Lupe were available in every case, but a lack of sufficient photos to help bring the story to life was often an issue.

The Dingo Vacations weren’t much of a problem. SPHP had naturally taken pictures to remember those exotic journeys far from home. Lupe’s Black Hills Expeditions were another matter entirely. SPHP had never dreamed of starting a blog for Lupe until late in 2014. Consequently, no systematic attempt had been made to visually document her early Black Hills Expeditions.

SPHP didn’t even think to bring a camera until Expedition No. 3, and for several years failed to do so consistently. The camera was often simply forgotten at home, or the battery turned out to be dead. As a result, not a single photo exists in quite a few cases, only the written record.

Even when SPHP remembered to bring a camera, it was often sparingly used. In some instances, only a pawful of pictures were taken during an entire expedition. Many didn’t turn out that great, and sometimes they were all taken from the same 1 or 2 spots, rendering them insufficient to illustrate the overall experience. Once in a while (gasp!) Lupe wasn’t even in any of them.

SPHP eventually got better. Yet in the end, only 2 of 41 expeditions in 2012 had enough photos to support a post, and only 5 of 32 expeditions in 2013 did. Fortunately, by 2014, the situation was much improved, with 26 of 37 expeditions supported.

In 2021, 6 years after The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe launched, SPHP finally completed the last posts possible dedicated to single, older Black Hills Expeditions. All have now been published and added to Lupe’s Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index.

Sadly, that still leaves many fabulous early Lupe adventures for which there will never be individual posts. Perhaps an opportunity remains, though, to share bits and pieces of those glory days of long ago.

We’ll start with 2012, when young Lupe first wandered the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming – those halcyon days when world was brand new, full of wonders and mysteries to explore!

Expedition No. 1 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Canyon City & past the confluence of Rapid Creek & Slate Creek (1-15-12) No photos. An easy winter trek, and the one that started it all! Lupe was 13 months and a day old.

Expedition No. 2 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Canyon City & the confluence of Rapid Creek & Slate Creek (1-22-12) No photos.

Expedition No. 3 – Lupe’s Search for Old Bald Peak (1-29-12) Full post!

Expedition No. 4 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Samelius to Sheridan Lake (2-5-12)

**Sheridan Lake Dam**. Expedition No. 4’s objective.

In 2012, Lupe concentrated her efforts on exploring both the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89 and Deerfield Trails No. 40 & 40L in their entirety. On Expedition No. 4, she completed her first full segment of Centennial Trail No. 89, starting from the Samelius trailhead and going over Mount Warner (5,889 ft.) on the way to Sheridan Lake.

Expedition No. 5 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Sheridan Lake Road to Brush Creek (2-12-12)

Bald Hills on the way back from Brush Creek.

An easy romp with forested stretches at the start and end, and decent views from the open terrain of the Bald Hills in between. Much of this route was along old USFS or logging roads. In the Bald Hills, the trail went right by the Twin Sisters (5,244 ft.). Lupe left the trail briefly to climb the highest one.

Expedition No. 6 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Brush Creek to Rapid Creek (2-19-12)

On Expedition No. 6, Lupe found a friend near Centennial Trail No. 89’s Tamarack trailhead. He joined Lupe on her way to Rapid Creek and the Pactola Lake dam and back. Lupe wasn’t entirely pleased when SPHP gave her new friend a share of her Taste of the Wild.

Expedition No. 7 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Sheridan Lake Road to Sheridan Lake dam (2-25-12) No photos.

Expedition No. 8 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Rapid Creek to Silver City Road (2-26-12)

Starting from Centennial Trail No. 89’s Rapid Creek trailhead just below the Pactola Lake dam, Lupe reached Silver City Road. Shortly before she got there, she passed the Centennial Trail’s junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40 for the first time.

The photo is a look at Pactola Lake taken on the way to the Rapid Creek trailhead. Although the lake could be seen from a couple of places along the trail, such a large expanse was never in sight.

Expedition No. 9 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Samelius to Big Pine & Horsethief Lake (3-4-12)

An easy section of Centennial Trail No. 89. So easy, that once Lupe got to the Big Pine trailhead, she continued on to nearby Horsethief Lake and another 0.75 mile up Horsethief Trail No. 14 to where it intersects the Centennial Trail again in the Black Elk Wilderness. This extension of the outing resulted in a late return.

Perhaps the most memorable part of the experience for Lupe was the long spooky tunnel under Hwy 16 that the Centennial Trail went through not far from the Samelius trailhead. The American Dingo was terrified of it! SPHP had to carry her through both ways.

Expedition No. 10 – Black Elk Wilderness (3-11-12)

Miss Big Pink Tongue early in the day, Expedition No. 10, 3-11-12

Miss Big Pink Tongue made a giant loop in the Black Elk Wilderness taking Trail No. 14 from Horsethief Lake to Centennial Trail No. 89 all the way to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. From there she explored all of Norbeck Trail No. 3 getting to within 100 feet of the summit of Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) before retreating due to deep snow and approaching darkness.

During the return, Lupe took Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7, and finished her exploration of Trail No. 14. It was 10:30 PM by the time Lupe reached Horsethief Lake again after more than 12 hours. The Carolina Dog’s most exhausting Black Hills Expedition so far!

Expedition No. 11 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Deer Creek to Silver City (3-16-12)

By a marshy area along Rapid Creek near Silver City.

Up a big forested hill, then SPHP missed a turn, taking Lupe way down a jeep trail on the other side. Mistake realized, Lupe returned to look for the actual trail, which turned out to be a lovely single track that wound even farther down to a valley. An easy trek across a field and through some woods led to a view of Rapid Creek and meadows near Silver City.

Seeing a few ducks in a marsh near Rapid Creek, Lupe dashed in after them. The ducks flew off, and the Carolina Dog emerged with a smile on her face, her lower half a stinking, filthy mess.

Expedition No. 12 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Deer Creek to Pilot Knob (3-18-12)

One of the shortest and easiest segments of Centennial Trail No. 89. Other than deer and squirrels, the big highlight was a dip in Jim Creek near the Pilot Knob trailhead.

Expedition No. 13 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Iron Creek Horse Camp to Mount Coolidge (3-22-12)

Fire lookout tower on **Mount Coolidge**.

A long, confusing day! SPHP lost Centennial Trail No. 89 several times. Lupe ended up taking a side trek to climb Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.), and did get to the top. During the return, the American Dingo somehow wound up visiting Legion Lake and mistakenly exploring the Legion Lake Trail. Fortunately, it all worked out in the end.

Expedition No. 14 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Daugherty Gulch (4-1-12)

**Slate Creek**, Expedition No. 14, 4-1-12

Most beautiful segment of Deerfield Trail No. 40! One significant ford.

An impressive rock wall overlooking **Slate Creek**.

Tunnel near the Daugherty Gulch trailhead.

Expedition No. 15 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Pilot Knob to Box Elder Creek (4-8-12)

**Box Elder Creek** near the Centennial Trail No. 89 trailhead.

Box Elder Creek was a lovely destination, and Lupe was in her usual fine form!

Expedition No. 16 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Box Elder Creek to Dalton Lake (4-16-12)

A mucky day due to melting snow.

Expedition No. 17 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Daugherty Gulch to Deerfield Lake (4-22-12)

Bandaged Lupe after her first injury, sustained during Expedition No. 17.

Adventuring isn’t all fun and games. An element of danger exists, too! Of all the places Lupe has been during her many adventures, the most dangerous by far has been right here close to home in the Black Hills. Her first serious injury was a gash on her R front leg sustained during Expedition No. 17. SPHP never saw what happened, but believes Lupe got slashed by hidden barbed wire while wading in Slate Creek near Deerfield Reservoir.

With no way for SPHP to bandage her, Lupe ran and explored with a bleeding open wound for 7 miles all the way back to the Daugherty Gulch trailhead, stopping frequently to lick her poor, painful leg. She never whined or whimpered. First thing the next morning, SPHP took her to a vet for stitches.

Lupe has been injured severely enough to require stitches several times in the Black Hills. The culprit has always been downed barbed wire or deadfall timber with sharp broken branches.

Expedition No. 17 brought a painful conclusion to the American Dingo’s explorations of the entire 23 mile long Deerfield Trail No. 40.

Expedition No. 18 – Deerfield Reservoir Loop Trail No. 40L (5-6-12)

With her wounded leg healed up, and stitches out the previous day, Lupe returned to the Deerfield Lake area on Expedition No. 18 to explore the 11 mile Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L, which circumnavigates the reservoir. By doing so, Lupe completed the entire Deerfield Trail No. 40 & 40L trail system. Fortunately, no mishaps today!

Expedition No. 19 – Flume Trail No. 50: Spring Creek to Boulder Hill (5-13-12)

Entering the first of 2 short tunnels along Flume Trail No. 50.

Expedition No. 19 was a pleasant romp along the W half of Flume Trail No. 50. Starting at the Spring Creek trailhead, Lupe traveled up scenic Spring Creek to the Sheridan Lake dam, where she picked up the Flume Trail. The mostly flat trail wound E along steep hillsides passing through 2 short tunnels. Lupe climbed Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) for the first time before turning back.

Expedition No. 20 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Badger Hole to Highland Creek (5-20-12)

**Mount Coolidge** (L) from Centennial Trail No. 89.

A late morning start proved to be trouble as Lupe took on 2 sections of Centennial Trail No. 89 at once totaling 14.5 miles one way, all of which had to be repeated during the return. Naturally, SPHP’s usual slow pace prevented the Carolina Dog from getting back before dark.

Nightfall was when the fun and games began. SPHP lost the trail where it divided N of French Creek. Lupe wound up bushwhacking around a fenced state correctional facility for girls, cutting a pad on her paw while climbing some unknown peak near Mount Coolidge, and got chased by a buffalo that SPHP initially thought was just a rock!

Expedition No. 20 turned into Lupe’s longest Black Hills, SD Expedition ever. 17 hours! Dawn had arrived by the time the Carolina Dog reached Hwy 36. SPHP managed to catch a ride for her the last mile or two back to the G6. The cut paw pad eventually healed on its own.

**Highland Creek**, the turnaround point on Expedition No. 20.

Expedition No. 21 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Highland Creek to Norbeck (5-27-12)

On a late spring day, Lupe reached the S end of Centennial Trail No. 89 in Wind Cave National Park. She saw more wildlife along this segment than anywhere else, including bison, pronghorn antelope, coyote, deer, elk, and prairie dogs.

Expedition No. 22 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Dalton Lake to Elk Creek (6-3-12)

Snakes alive! Lupe saw 2 of them. Fortunately no rattlers, just a little green grass snake and a bull snake. After leaving Dalton Lake, Lupe came to no water anywhere along this 10.9 mile section of Centennial Trail No. 89. The day turned warm, and it soon became clear that SPHP hadn’t brought enough, forcing rationing on the long, parched return.

This segment of Centennial Trail No. 89 close to the E edge of the Black Hills featured views both E toward the prairie and W toward higher peaks in the N central hills. Near the N end, the trail descended into the Elk Creek canyon where SPHP expected Lupe would find water, but Elk Creek turned out to be a jumble of bone-dry boulders.

Expedition No. 23 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Elk Creek to Alkali Creek (6-10-12)

First view of **Bear Butte** while heading N on Centennial Trail No. 89.

At 9.2 miles one way, this segment of Centennial Trail No. 89 wasn’t quite as long. Lupe found a little water at Bulldog Creek, and plenty at Alkali Creek. SPHP had come better prepared, too. Bear Butte (4,422 ft.), the N end of Centennial Trail No. 89, came into sight for the first time on the way down to the Alkali Creek trailhead at the edge of the prairie.

Expedition No. 24 – Western Black Hills Exploration (6-17-12)

Above is one of SPHP’s favorite photos of young Lupe. She was near the Rhoads Fork of Rapid Creek upstream from the Black Fox campground at the time this was taken. Expedition No. 24 was an unusual one, in that it involved plenty of driving to various stops in the western Black Hills.

On one of these stops, Lupe had just entered Wyoming for the first time in the Beaver Creek area. Leaping about trying to get a better view of a squirrel in a tree, the Carolina Dog impaled herself on a sharp broken branch sticking up from a fallen dead tree, sustaining a chest wound.

SPHP didn’t even realize Lupe was hurt until the next day. She’d been laying around licking her paws and front legs and behaving strangely, prompting SPHP to examine her, when the wound was discovered. An immediate trip to the vet was required for stitches.

Expedition No. 25 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to the confluence of Rapid Creek & Slate Creek (9-9-12) No photos.

Expedition No. 26 – Castle Creek Road (9-16-12) No photos. Lupe met an old man with few teeth who was trying to eek out a living panning gold from Castle Creek. He claimed to have found some, but was looking none too prosperous.

Expedition No. 27 – Boy Scout Scenic Overlook & the Dragon Caves (9-23-12)

Fall colors on the way to see the view from the Boy Scout Overlook along the E edge of the limestone plateau country were among the highlights of Lupe’s first officially autumn Black Hills expedition.

Lupe also got to visit the Dragon Caves for the first time ever, and did a little exploring along the South Fork of Castle Creek, an area intriguing enough to return to on the Carolina Dog’s next outing!

Expedition No. 28 – South Fork of Castle Creek (9-30-12)

High ground beyond the source of the South Fork of Castle Creek.

Returning to start from the Dragon Caves, Lupe explored up the South Fork of Castle Creek to its source. Continuing beyond it, she roamed big meadows and forested hills of the limestone plateau country until it got dark. An owl hooted on the way back under starry skies.

Expedition No. 29 – Pole Creek (10-7-12)

Enjoying the first snow of the season, Lupe traveled up Pole Creek, then made a long loop W through the limestone plateau country, ultimately returning via the South Fork of Castle Creek again.

A big meadow up on the limestone plateau.

Expedition No. 30 – Redbank Spring to Moon (10-14-12) No photos.

Expedition No. 31 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Alkali Creek to Bear Butte (10-21-12)

Bridge over **Butte Creek** N of Hwy 34/79 and Fort Meade.

Lupe completed her exploration of the entire 111 mile long Centennial Trail on this expedition!

On the way to **Bear Butte**, the N end of Centennial Trail No. 89.

Expedition No. 32 – Horsethief Lake to Harney Peak (10-28-12) No photos. Finally done with both Centennial Trail No. 89 and Deerfield Trails No. 40 & 40 L, Lupe turning to peakbagging some of the Black Hills most notable peaks. On Expedition No. 32 she made her first ascent of Harney Peak (7,242 ft.), South Dakota’s highest mountain, coming from Horsethief Lake on Horsethief Trail No. 14 and Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.

Expedition No. 33 – The Search for Old Bald Peak – Part 2 (11-4-12) No photos. Lupe finally made it to Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.), which she had first tried to find way back on Expedition No. 3.

Expedition No. 34 – Custer Crossing to Custer Peak (11-13-12)

On the trail to the Custer Peak fire lookout tower.

Lupe’s first ascent of Custer Peak (6,804 ft.)!

Expedition No. 35 – Crooks Tower (11-18-12) No decent photos. Lupe’s first ascent of Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.).

Expedition No. 36 – Pony Gulch to Castle Peak (11-24-12)

The American Dingo’s first ascent of Castle Peak (6,358 ft.)!

Expedition No. 37 – The Roaring Forest & Return to Crooks Tower (12-2-12)

This was mostly a wandering expedition among the high country SW of Crooks Tower. An exceptionally windy day. Every now and then, dead trees killed by pine bark beetles could be heard collapsing in the gale. A bow hunter who had shot a buck came along. He had been following a trail of blood for 3 hours, but still hadn’t tracked the poor wounded buck down. SPHP hadn’t seen it.

Lupe climbed Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.) again, and SPHP turned poet:

The Roaring Forest

High in the roaring forest,

among the swaying trees,

a Dingo dog lifts her nose to the air

and calmly sniffs the breeze.

It seemed like a grand start, but writer’s block set in. Feel free to finish this epic poetic ballad!

Expedition No. 38 – Thrall Mountain (12-8-12)

A cold, solemn ascent of Thrall Mountain (5,091 ft.).

A wintry view to the NW from close to the summit of **Thrall Mountain**.

On **Thrall Mountain** 8 days before Lupe’s 2nd birthday, Expedition No. 38, 12-8-12

Expedition No. 39 – Norris Peak & Prehistoric Ridge (12-14-12)

The birthday girl relaxing on **Turkey Ridge**.

A special outing on Lupe’s 2nd birthday. The birthday girl visited Turkey Ridge, Prehistoric Ridge and Norris Peak (4,982 ft.).

Expedition No. 40 – Iron Mountain & Lakota Lake (12-21-12)

A winter solstice expedition originally meant to start at Lakota Lake with Iron Mountain (5,446 ft.) as a destination, but done in reverse since the road to Lakota Lake turned out to be closed.

Expedition No. 41 – New Year’s Eve Peak (12-31-12) Full post!

And so 2012, the year Lupe started her Black Hills Expeditions, came and went. She’d completed both Centennial Trail No. 89, and Deerfield Trails No. 40 & 40L, then turned to climbing some of the higher Black Hills peaks, but had also sometimes simply wandered remote areas.

Lupe’s 41 Black Hills Expeditions in 2012 remain a record for the most she’s ever done a single year, but the American Dingo was just getting started.

Links:

Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2013

Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2014 & 2015

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2013

A brief review of Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions during 2013 for which insufficient photos were available to facilitate the development of full individual posts, as further explained in The Early Years: 2012.

Expedition No. 42 – False North Point (1-1-13)

Starting New Year 2013 off right on **False North Point**!

2013 got off to a great start with a New Year’s Day expedition! Starting from Horse Creek Road, Lupe explored USFS Road No. 669 intent upon climbing Five Points (6,221 ft.). She didn’t get there, but the Carolina Dog did make it up False North Point (6,130 ft.). The views from the rocky summit were terrific!

Lupe may not have made it to **Five Points** (Center), but she did see it!

Enjoying the view from **False North Point**. **Harney Peak (7,242 ft.)** (L).

Heading back down USFS Road No. 669 at the end of the day.

Expedition No. 43 – Five Points (1-6-13)

Failing to reach Five Points (6,221 ft.) on New Year’s Day, Lupe returned to the same area on Expedition No. 43 only 5 days later. This time she did climb the 3 highest points of Five Points, but in a camera fiasco later on, SPHP accidentally deleted nearly all the photos. Sheesh!

Expedition No. 44 – Minnesota Ridge (1-27-13) No photos! A pleasant, but unspectacular trek along USFS Road No. 204 to Minnesota Ridge, which encompasses a large region. Lupe did not even attempt to find the summit, instead enjoying a long romp through snow-filled forests and fields.

Expedition No. 45 – Rolling Hills (2-3-13) No photos! A quiet, snowy day wandering NE of the Rolling Hills subdivision off Nemo Road.

Expedition No. 46 – Erskine Gulch & Steamboat Rock (2-9-13) No photos! Lupe explored the Erskine Gulch area clear up to USFS Road No. 144 E of Nemo. Late in the day, the American Dingo nearly reached the top of Steamboat Rock (5,081 ft.), but was stymied by an unbroken line of limestone cliffs along the N, W & S sides.

Expedition No. 47 – Stagebarn Canyon (2-16-13)

Starting from a snowy road in Stagebarn Canyon, Lupe managed to find a way to climb out of the canyon. She then made a big loop exploring the ridges on both sides.

Limestone spires along the **Stagebarn Canyon** cliff wall.

Expedition No. 48 – Nugget Gulch, Silver Peak & Spaw Gulch (2-23-13)

Porcupine formation on the way up a ridge leading to **Peak 5732**.

Starting from the end of Horse Creek Road, Lupe went through Nugget Gulch, climbed both Peak 5732 and Silver Peak (5,810 ft.), wandered clear down to Rapid Creek and Slate Creek via Stewart Gulch, and finally returned by way of Spaw Gulch. Whew! A big day for sure!

The ridge connecting Peak 5732 & Silver Peak.

Expedition No. 49 – Wonderland Cave region (3-3-13)

Exploring USFS Road No. 703.1 near Wonderland Cave.

After driving to the NW end of USFS Road No. 203 in the central Black Hills, SPHP realized there was way too much snow for Lupe to continue her explorations of Minnesota Ridge (6,240 ft.).

With no definite Plan B in mind, by chance Lupe eventually wound up exploring an entirely different region. Taking a spur of Centennial Trail No. 89 from Bethlehem Cave Road, the Carolina Dog climbed way up into the hills where she followed various USFS Roads and ATV trails to the Wonderland Cave area. Although a lot lower than Minnesota Ridge, plenty of snow even around here!

Expedition No. 50 – Coon Hollow (3-10-13)

From the Coon Hollow trailhead near Rockerville, Lupe explored Flume Trail No. 50 from the E. (She’d already explored the W half way back on Expedition No. 19.) A howling coyote that Lupe actually saw was the big highlight of the day, and a minor, bloody paw injury, the lowlight.

Expedition No. 51 – Minnesota Ridge & Gimlet Creek (3-14-13)

Lupe made a giant loop wandering various USFS Roads. Starting from the NW end of Minnesota Ridge (6,240 ft.) she took USFS Road No. 203 heading SE. The Carolina Dog eventually explored No. 203.1E and No. 204.1F. A huge white and gray rabbit led her on 2 merry chases through the forest on the way down to Rochford Road and the Mickelson Trail along Rapid Creek.

Panting hard after an exhilarating, though unsuccessful, rabbit hunt.

The adventure ended with a scenic trek up the Gimlet Creek valley, and an unnecessarily long trudge back due to SPHP’s navigation errors.

Expedition No. 52 – South of Neck Yoke Road (3-22-13)

With snow predicted up in the Black Hills, Lupe explored territory along the lower E edge of the hills S of Neck Yoke Road. Expecting a forested trek along USFS Roads No. 686 and 641.1A, Lupe instead came to lots of open ground where the trees had burned years ago. Surprisingly nice views on a day when none were anticipated!

The views disappeared as snow squalls moved in, cutting this adventure short.

Expedition No. 53 – Friday Gulch & Slate Creek (3-29-13)

Starting from a junction with Horse Creek Road, Lupe took USFS Road No. 243 SW up a long valley. Going over a ridge at the upper end, she wandered W and N for hours along a maze of marked and unmarked USFS Roads. Along the way, Lupe visited Friday Gulch, the pond at the Slate Creek dam, and followed Slate Creek downstream for a while. The return was a tiring one over a series of ridges.

One of many quiet USFS roads traveled on Expedition No. 53.

Expedition No. 54 – Lowden Mountain (4-6-13)

Expedition No. 54 began at Newton Lake along Deerfield Road. From here, Lupe climbed Lowden Mountain (6,055 ft.). She then roamed N all the way to Slate Creek. Following Slate Creek NE, Lupe turned S on USFS Road No. 530.1A, making a big loop in the region W of where she had been on Expedition No. 53.

Turning W off Burnt Fork Road, Lupe came to a square pond. NW of the pond she discovered the site of the old Gold Mountain mine.

**Lowden Mountain** (Center) from the **Gold Mountain mine**.

Lowden Mountain was only 0.7 mile SW of the Gold Mountain mine, so Lupe climbed it a second time. On the way, the Carolina Dog discovered a real treasure, a piece of some unfortunate deer’s leg. She carried it for quite a while before finally losing interest.

**Harney Peak** (L of Center) from **Lowden Mountain** late in the day.

Expedition No. 55 – Return to Coon Hollow

Such a short jaunt that it barely met minimum Dingo standards for a Black Hills expedition! But cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe were here from Colorado, and they greatly enjoyed the solitude and easy trek on Flume Trail No. 50 to Air Force Vista Point. Fun for Lupe and SPHP to have some company for a change, too!

Expedition No. 56 – 2K Mountain (4-27-13)

Expedition No. 56 sure made up for any “lightness” on No. 55! Starting from SE of Custer Peak (6,804 ft.), Lupe made a long circuitous journey all the way to 2K Mountain (Peak 6701) many miles SW. On the way, the American Dingo explored USFS Roads No. 216 and No. 206.1A.

Rock formations near the summit of **2K Mountain**.

A long way back. **Custer Peak** from **2K Mountain**.

Both coming and going, Lupe passed a friendly brown and white horse that whinnied in dismay each time she left it behind.

Although it was late April, there was snow. Oh, boy, was there ever snow! Lupe leapt through drifts 2, 3, and even 4 feet deep on several long off-road stretches.

During the return Lupe discovered the source of Buskala Creek, and went on to visit Gudak Gulch. Nearly 11 hours round trip, but Lupe came through it all looking good!

Expedition No. 57 – Clayton Pond (5-4-13)

Getting close to Clayton Pond, which is up the valley to the L.

May! Plenty of daylight facilitating another very long expedition. Lupe roamed for 11+ hours on Expedition No. 57. Starting much farther W this time from the intersection of USFS Roads No. 206 and No. 206.1A, the Carolina Dog explored a huge region E, N and W of 2K Mountain. Her travels eventually brought her to Clayton Pond, where she saw ducks and relaxed while frogs sang, and to Yellowjacket Spring where she got chased by a possibly rabid skunk!

**Clayton Pond** from the little earthen dam.

Half a dozen ducks had flown away as Lupe arrived at **Clayton Pond**, quacking their disapproval.

Looking SE, the direction Lupe had come from.

Lupe hung around listening to the frogs for 20 or 30 minutes before starting the long march back.

Expedition No. 58 – Swede Gulch, Tillson Creek & Crooks Tower (5-11-13)

**Tillson Creek** in lower **Swede Gulch**.

As the days kept getting longer, so did Lupe’s expeditions! From Nahant, Lupe roamed up Swede Gulch following a use trail along Tillson Creek. Swede Gulch eventually broadened out, essentially vanishing at the edge of a huge field. Lupe explored part of the field before venturing W through untracked forest.

The use trail along **Tillson Creek** in **Swede Gulch**.

Cooling off on a patch of snow near **Tillson Creek**. Later on, Lupe struggled through snow 3 feet deep in sheltered parts of the forest.

A spring near the start of the big field at the upper end of Swede Gulch.

The Carolina Dog made it all the way to Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.) before having to turn back. Something like 25 miles round trip in all for SPHP. Lupe must have run 100!

Looking NW from a viewpoint a mile N of Crooks Tower.

Relaxing on **Crooks Tower**. Lupe’s 3rd ascent!

Expedition No. 59 – Black Fox & Crooks Tower (5-18-13)

Relaxing in an unnamed stream while wandering NW of Black Fox.

A week after her 3rd ascent of Crooks Tower, Lupe climbed it again! This time the American Dingo started from USFS Road No. 234 near the upper end of Swede Gulch. Taking No. 234 across Tillson Creek, Lupe roamed S, eventually coming to the South Fork of Rapid Creek near the Black Fox campground.

Heading up the Rhoades Fork valley, Lupe took USFS Road No. 233.2D up Beaver Draw. She eventually wound up on No. 189, which she followed to Crooks Tower. Upon departure, Lupe went N from Crooks Tower back to the same viewpoint she’d been to on Expedition No. 58.

On **Crooks Tower** for the 2nd time in 2 weeks. 4th ascent!

With all the miscellaneous off-road wandering the American Dingo did, Expedition No. 59 was once again over 11 hours long. Would have been 12 hours, if SPHP hadn’t hitched a ride from Besant Park for the last mile or two back to the G6.

**N of Crooks Tower** with miles to go to get back to the G6.

Expedition No. 60 – Bell Park Cemetery, White Tail Peak & the North Fork of Castle Creek

A short distance below the upper lip of the limestone cliffs along **White Tail Peak**.

Starting from the Bell Park Cemetery SW of Rochford, Lupe headed W for White Tail Peak (6,962 ft.), passing S of the Merry-Go-Round Camp region on the way. Her first attempt to get above the limestone cliffs along the upper rim of White Tail Peak was nearly successful, but she was ultimately forced to retreat.

No problem! USFS Road No. 190 got the Carolina Dog up to the summit plateau easily enough, and Lupe was then able to traipse S along an ATV trail to the true summit, which proved to be a small, nearly flat clearing in the woods. Continuing SE on the ATV trail soon got her to fabulous views near the end of White Tail Peak’s shortest SE ridge.

The big view from **White Tail Peak’s short SE ridge**.

Lupe rested for a while at the viewpoint before returning to the summit. From there, she circled around first to the W, then S, down into the big valley that’s the source of the North Fork of Castle Creek.

**White Tail Peak** (R) from the **North Fork of Castle Creek valley**.

Expedition No. 61 – Roughlock Falls & Old Baldy Mountain (6-2-13) Full post!

Expedition No. 62 – Cement Ridge (6-8-13) Full post!

Expedition No. 63 – Upper West Hell Canyon & Wildcat Draw (6-15-13)

Mid-June and wildflowers were everywhere!

Expedition No. 63 was a day of wildflowers and expansive views! Lupe left USFS Road No. 291 at a point roughly 2 miles SW of Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) wandering W on long ridges. She explored part of upper West Hell Canyon, and got far enough W by day’s end to begin her return by going up Wildcat Draw. Although part of the huge loop Lupe made went through pine forests, most of this region was wide open territory, having burned in the 83,508 acre Jasper fire back in August, 2000.

Deadfall on a ridge W of USFS Road No. 291.

Lupe visited the high spot with the tall trees ahead.

Among wildflowers close to the tall pines.

Jasper Fire region **W of Lemming Draw**.

Highlights of the journey included a big orange water storage tank Lupe discovered W of West Hell Canyon. Even farther W, she happened upon the Bejeweled Ridge Space Port, which might actually have been some sort of wild animal shelter. The name Bejeweled Ridge came from small geodes full of crystals found on a ridge close to the space port.

Approaching the orange water storage tank (Center).

The storage tank didn’t seem to be in use any more.

At the **Bejeweled Ridge Space Port**, waiting to be beamed up.

Upon reaching Wildcat Draw, 7 miles due W of where she’d started from, Lupe headed back. The Carolina Dog stayed farther N during the return, allowing her to keep exploring new territory.

Despite all the miles she’d roamed, deer were the about only wildlife Lupe had seen all day until she finally ran into a coyote on the way back. Lupe thought about joining the wild dogs to live out here in this beautiful region, but SPHP talked her out of it.

Expedition No. 64 – Gordon Gulch (9-11-13) No photos! Starting from Horse Creek Road, Lupe explored S on USFS Roads No. 243.2J and No. 669 all the way down Gordon Gulch to Hwy 385. During the return, she got onto USFS Road No. 738. Somewhere E of Five Points (6,221 ft.), a helicopter flew low overhead, causing some excitement.

Exactly where Lupe went is no longer completely certain. Heading N, she climbed a number of small hills and a rocky crag. Loop eventually reached a different part of USFS Road No. 669, descended from the W a valley she had been through several times earlier this year.

Expedition No. 65 – Seth Bullock Lookout & Bear Gulch (9-24-13) No photos!

Expedition No. 66 – The Ponderosa Hike with Dusty & Uncle Joe (9-28-13) No photos!

Expedition No. 67 – Big Sid Joins the Pack! (10-26-13) Full post!

Expedition No. 68 – Nichols Creek Quarry (11-2-13)

Off road on the way to Nichols Creek Quarry.

Big Sid, Lupe’s friend and neighbor, joined her again for a second romp in the Black Hills on Expedition No. 68. Setting off along USFS Road No. 294 from about 2 miles W of Deerfield Reservoir, a big mostly off-road loop was made to the NW.

Big Sid evidently felt a lot more confident this time that he wasn’t about to be abandoned, and really seemed to enjoy roaming at will. Purely by accident, Lupe and Big Sid came across Nichols Creek Quarry a couple of miles into the trek.

Continuing NW from the quarry, Coulsen Hughes Draw was as far as Lupe and Big Sid made it before having to start back. They returned by a long, winding route both on and off USFS Roads.

Lupe and Big Sid in **Coulsen Hughes Draw**.

Big Sid loved the nearly 8 hour long trek with Lupe, but wasn’t used to so much exercise. His owner reported that Sidney could scarcely move for a week afterward, and pronounced SPHP a “dog-killer”!

Snowy forest **N of Coulsen Hughes Draw** where Lupe and Big Sid started back.

Expedition No. 69 – Hat Mountain, Ditch Creek & the Dragon Caves (11-16-13) No photos! Big Sid joined Lupe again, making his 3rd Black Hills Expedition appearance, a 9 hour loop to the S & W starting from the Gold Run trailhead at Deerfield Reservoir.

Before reaching Hat Mountain (6,779 ft.), Sidney found a huge, slimy green membrane-covered organ from some kind of large animal laying in the forest. It was absolutely vile looking, so naturally he began eating it. Lupe had enough sense to stay away.

The disgusting organ (maybe a stomach or liver?) must not have been as poisonous as it appeared. Sidney managed to accompany Lupe up Hat Mountain, and explored some very high ridges to the S with her en route to the Ditch Creek campground. The adventure concluded with a visit to the long lost Dragon Caves.

Expedition No. 70 – East of Gillette Prairie (11-24-13) Full post!

Expedition No. 71 – Coulsen Hughes Draw (11-30-13) Full post!

Expedition No. 72 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Slate Creek (12-14-13) No photos! Big Sid joined Lupe on her 3rd birthday for a repeat of her first two Black Hills expeditions ever, an easy trek up Rapid Creek to its confluence with Slate Creek. This was Big Sid’s 6th expedition in a row with Lupe, and they had a great time together.

Many trees killed by pine bark beetles had fallen over the trail since the last time Lupe had been here. They might have come down in the big October 4, 2013 blizzard.

Expedition No. 73 – Mount Warner (12-18-13) No photos! A relatively short expedition this time around on Centennial Trail No. 89. Heading N from the Samelias trailhead, Lupe climbed Mount Warner (5,889 ft), but that was as far as she went. Sadly, Big Sid missed out, bringing his string of 6 consecutive expeditions with her to an end.

Final Note:

Expedition No. 73 turned out to be the last of 32 Black Hills Expeditions in 2013. Lupe had spent these halcyon days wandering seldom-visited USFS roads in remote areas. She’d frequently been completely off-road and off-trail for miles at a time, exploring countless unnamed valleys, hills, and ridges.

2013 had been unique, a year unlike any other. Back in 2012, Lupe had concentrated on completing Centennial Trail No. 89 and Deerfield Trails No. 40 & 40L. By the middle of 2014, her focus would change to climbing one or more peaks on virtually every expedition, largely due to SPHP’s discovery of Peakbagger.com. But in 2013, the young Carolina Dog had been totally free to follow her nose and heart’s desire.