South Dakota – Page 27 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 290 – Peak 5180, Peak 5960 & Peak 5760 (1-13-22)

8:29 AM, 33ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Brush Creek trailhead –

Been awhile since we’ve been here, SPHP!

Yes, it has, Looper. We’re back because there’s a Lists of John peak that we’ve never visited before real close by. About time we had a look at it!

Oh, are we still doing the Lists of John mini-blitz?

Absolutely! That’s why we’re out in the hills again so soon – to let you work on your upcoming accomplishment! Onward! Puppy, ho!

Fabulous! Which way, though, SPHP?

S on Centennial Trail No. 89, Loop.

At the **Brush Creek trailhead**. Photo looks SSW.

Setting out on Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks S.

The trail started out among some aspens by Brush Creek, which was a mere trickle near the trailhead, and totally underground by the time the Carolina Dog had gone 100 feet. A steepish climb along a couple of short switchbacks, and the aspens were left behind, too. Centennial Trail No. 89 then led gradually up a pine-forested valley.

Heading S from Brush Creek. Photo looks SSE.

0.33 mile from the trailhead, Loopster reached a saddle where the trail crossed Victoria Lake Road (USFS Road No. 159). Abandoning the trail, Lupe took the road NE. It soon curved SE, and reached a high point.

OK, Loop! We’re pretty close already. All we have to do is climb the ridge N of us. Once we’re up there, the high point should be toward the NW end.

Leaving the road, Lupe headed NE toward the lowest part of the ridge.

On **Victoria Lake Road**. Photo looks NNE.

Heading for the ridge after leaving the road. Photo looks NE.

Closing in on the SE end of the ridge. Photo looks NE.

Upon reaching the ridge, Lupe turned NW. A short climb past small rock formations led to a narrower part of the ridgeline where the terrain was almost level. The forest up here was thick enough to effectively hide the views, so there wasn’t much to do except start tagging all the minor highpoints along the way. No doubt one of them would prove to be the true summit.

Near the rocks at the SE end. Photo looks NNW.

Almost immediately after passing the first high point, Lupe came to a hollow cairn. Beyond it, a pile of slash covered most of the ridgeline. A second high point was just past the slash.

By the hollow cairn, with the slash pile in view. Photo looks NW.

A sunny moment at the second high point. Photo looks N.

The true summit was only a little farther. 250 feet from the cairn, Lupe came to a lichen-covered rock near the NW end of the ridge that was a little higher than the others around it.

At the third and final high point. Photo looks S.

9:21 AM, 40ºF –

Congratulations, Loopster! You have just climbed Peak 5180!

This is the top, already? Sure was easy, SPHP!

Not every peak has to be an ordeal, Loop.

Oh, I’m not complaining, SPHP! Just a little surprised. Guess it means we’re off to a good start on the Lists of John mini-blitz today, doesn’t it?

Yes, indeed! Of course, no guarantees on what the next peak might be like. We got off to a good start on Expedition No. 289, too, but then got bogged down on the second peak, remember?

I do! Seems like only yesterday! Or the day before.

That’s because it was the day before yesterday, Looper.

A break was taken at Peak 5180’s summit. No views due to the forest, and too soon to justify the demise of a chocolate coconut bar, so it was a short one. 10 minutes, and the American Dingo was ready to press on.

Final moments at **Peak 5180’s summit**. Photo looks SE.

Returning by the same route, the highlight of the entire Peak 5180 trek occurred as Lupe reached the SE end of the summit ridge on the way down. Spotting a bunny among the rock formations, the Carolina Dog was off like a shot! The bunny was no slouch, either. Hopping away at lightning speed through its home territory, it vanished within seconds.

Panting hard, Loopster returned with nothing to show for her efforts, but a big grin on her face.

10:38 AM, 43ºF, junction of Battle Ax Road (USFS Road No. 386) & Campaign Hill Road (USFS Road No. 727) – It had been a bit of a drive to Lupe’s next starting point. After turning W onto Reno Gulch Road a mile S of Hill City, Peak 5960 had come into view shortly before a turn N onto Battle Axe Road. The RAV4 was now parked at the pass where Campaign Hill Road took off to the NE.

About to set out for Peak 5960! Photo looks W.

Heading W across Battle Ax Road, Lupe stayed toward the S (L) side of the first hill. No need to climb it. The plan was to head SW straight to the saddle N of Peak 5960. Progress was rapid at first, but as Loop got closer to the saddle, she began to encounter a fair amount of deadfall.

Among a few rocks on the way to the saddle. Photo looks SW.

The usual deadfall typical of so much of the Black Hills these days. Photo looks SW.

Taking the easiest route through the deadfall, Lupe gained a little more elevation than she really needed to, but soon the saddle N of Peak 5960 was in sight. Going down to it, Loop crossed the saddle heading SSW.

Approaching the saddle (L). Photo looks SW.

Beginning to climb, it wasn’t far to an initial rocky high point. Once there, a small hill was visible ahead. Upon arrival, Lupe found a line of boulders choked with deadfall along its crest.

The next hill from the first high point S of the saddle. Photo looks SSW.

Amid the mess along the crest of the hill. Photo looks SE.

Branches snapped and cracked as SPHP forced a way to the top. Beyond the line of boulders was a small open region containing more deadfall. Crossing this area, Lupe continued SSW along a forested ridge.

In the open region, heading for the forested ridge (L). Photo looks SW.

Lupe was still gaining elevation, but the situation was deteriorating. The ridgeline kept getting rockier, and the deadfall became really icky.

Once past the worst of the deadfall, the rocks along the ridgeline got so big that they slowed progress, too. However, things were looking up as Loop approached what appeared to be the last big rock formation.

Bet that’s the top, Loop!

Looking good! Almost there! Photo looks S.

It wasn’t. Instead, as Lupe reached what SPHP expected to be Peak 5960’s summit, a long, deadfall-infested descent along a narrow rocky ridge came into view. Would have been alright, it if weren’t for another higher region beyond the saddle that the rocky ridge led down to.

This is a false summit, SPHP!

Yeah, kind of looks that way, doesn’t it? Only one solution, Looper.

What’s that, SPHP?

Onward! Puppy, ho!

Leaving the false summit. Photo looks SSW.

Once down to this next saddle, the situation improved again. Soon the American Dingo was getting close to what had to be Peak 5960’s summit. However, as the high point came into view, there was a new worry.

Sheesh! Don’t tell me we aren’t even going to be able to get up there!

Looking a little dicey, isn’t it, SPHP?

Peak 5960’s summit was comprised of two large knobs of rock practically right next to each other. As Lupe approached, it wasn’t clear if technical rock climbing skills would be required or not. The W side looked bad, so Loop swung around to the E.

Approaching **Peak 5960’s summit** (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Along the **E side of the summit**. Photo looks WSW.

Luck of the Dingo! The E side wasn’t bad at all. Loopster came up at a little gap between the N and S knobs. The N knob was clearly the true summit, but the S one had the best views, plus room enough to relax.

Ascending the little gap between the S (L) and N (R) knobs. Photo looks SW.

11:51 AM, 47ºF, Peak 5960 –

Must be chocolate coconut bar time by now, SPHP!

Yes, fair enough! Almost lunch time. You can have some Taste of the Wild, too, if you want it, Loop.

On the **S knob**, happily anticipating the soon to be delivered chocolate coconut bar. Photo looks SW.

Views weren’t spectacular, even by Black Hills standards, but they were pretty nice. The N end of Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.), only a couple miles S, was the most impressive. Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) was visible to the SSE, and Peak 6600 was in sight to the SW. Lupe rested on SPHP’s lap facing a long snowy ridge to the W.

**N end of Zimmer Ridge** (Center), **Sylvan Hill** (L). Photo looks S.

**Peak 6600** (L of Center). Photo looks SW.

Although only 0.75 mile from the RAV4, getting to Peak 5960 had been much more difficult than Peak 5180 had been. With views to the S and W, Lupe was inclined to relax here awhile. 30 minutes drifted pleasantly away on the S knob, before the Carolina Dog finally stirred.

If we’re going to keep our Lists of John mini-blitz going, we better check out the N knob, then be on our way, SPHP!

Sad, but true, Loopster! Let’s do it!

**N knob** (R), which is also the **true summit**, from the S knob. Photo looks NNE.

The N knob was an easy little scramble. In nothing flat, Looper was on the highest rock, the true summit of Peak 5960, enjoying a nice view of Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.). SPHP shook Lupe’s paw, congratulating her on another Lists of John peak climbed.

At the **true summit**. Photo looks NNE.

**Black Elk Peak** (R of Center) from **Peak 5960**. Photo looks SE.

Before departing, just for fun, Lupe went back down to the S knob while SPHP remained at the true summit.

Oh, that looks good, Loop! Kind of an interesting perspective!

The **S summit knob** from the N one. **Peak 6600** (L). Photo looks SW.

Then it was back to the RAV4 along roughly the same rocky, deadfall-laden route.

1:36 PM, 48ºF – Still time enough for one more peak! Wasn’t too far to the start of USFS Road No. 425, a little over 0.5 mile from the W end of Hwy 244. Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.) was in sight back to the SSW as Lupe set out for Peak 5760.

At the start of USFS Road No. 425 just off Hwy 244. Photo looks NW.

**Saint Elmo Peak** (R). Photo looks SSW.

Heading N on No. 425, Lupe went over a little rise. Beyond it, the road wound first E, then W, as it descended into a valley. Briefly turning NE again, the road started uphill. Loop quickly arrived at a junction with No. 425.1A.

At the first rise, about to head down into the valley. Photo looks NE.

Continuing down the valley. **N end of Zimmer Ridge** (Center). Photo looks W.

Start of USFS Road No. 425.1A. Photo looks NE.

Regaining all of the elevation lost on No. 425 and then some, No. 425.1A went NE up to a pass where there was a big green cattle guard. From here, the road turned E going downhill again, eventually curving N as the terrain started leveling out. A house was visible in the open forest off to the E (R).

Well beyond the house, the road curved NE again. Lupe did not make this turn, instead continuing N through the forest.

The cattle guard at USFS Road No. 425.1A’s high point. Photo looks ENE.

Wandering N through the forest, Lupe came to an ATV trail. After winding around a bit, it headed straight to where she needed to go, Pass 5420 between Peak 5760 and Peak 5709.

At the pass, the main ATV route continued NNW over a ramp. A rough use route split off here that started up Peak 5760’s S ridge. Following the use trail, Lupe climbed to a small level area. Beyond this point, the ATV trail curved SE, disappearing down a steep slope.

**Pass 5420** between Peak 5760 and Peak 5709. Photo looks NNW.

Start of the rough ATV use trail. Photo looks NE.

Abandoning the ATV trail, Lupe ducked under a rusty barbed wire fence, and kept going. A steady climb NE through the forest took her past some rock formations. Soon larger formations were visible at a high point a little way off to the E. Venturing over that way, Loop came to a couple of interesting viewpoints.

Heading up **Peak 5760’s S ridge**. Photo looks NE.

Near the S high point. Sylvan Hill (L), **Saint Elmo Peak** (R of Center) beyond Lupe. Photo looks SSW.

Another vantage point. **Black Elk Peak** (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Leaving this S high point, the Carolina Dog sniffed N. After losing a little elevation, the terrain rose again. Surprisingly imposing rock formations appeared ahead. Scrambling up a rocky ramp, Loopster reached a small, relatively open, flat region.

Leaving the S high point in search of the summit. Photo looks N.

Approaching surprisingly formidable rock formations. Photo looks N.

In the flat region above the ramp. Photo looks NNE.

This still wasn’t at the top yet, but it couldn’t be much farther. Staying toward the E, Lupe continued N. Gradually gaining elevation, she came to a series of small level areas.

Exploring the summit region. Photo looks NW.

**Black Elk Peak** (L), **Sylvan Hill** (R). Photo looks SSE.

Beyond a low wall of rock, the ridge narrowed. A little dip traveling N through the forest, and a rocky high point appeared ahead. Had to be it! Getting there wasn’t much of a climb.

At the **true summit of Peak 5760**. Photo looks NNW.

3:06 PM, 48ºF – Not a bad summit! Although trees hid whatever was off to the E, the rocky top of Peak 5760 permitted some views to the W and N. SPHP shook Lupe’s paw, congratulating her on attaining her 3rd and final Lists of John peak of the day. Then it was time to sit down, curl up, and polish off the last chocolate coconut bar while watching traffic creep along like insects way down on Hwy 16.

Cloudy, but calm and comfortable for January. Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.) was off to the SW. Union Hill (6,120 ft.), False North Point (6,130 ft.), and Five Points (6,221 ft.) were all visible to the N. The hills and ridges directly W were less distinctive and harder to identify, even though Lupe had been to many of them at one time or another.

**Zimmer Ridge** (far L). Photo looks WSW.

**Union Hill** (L), **False North Point** (Center), **Five Points** (R of Center). Photo looks N.

Three peaks, SPHP! Our Lists of John mini-blitz went better today!

Yeah, it did, Loop! That’s just because of the individual characteristics of the peaks we’ve climbed. Never know what we might run into! Although there may be many similarities, each mountain is unique, inhabiting its own special spot on the earth’s surface.

While Lupe relaxed, time marched on as relentlessly as ever. 40 minutes flew by, vanishing forever into the past. Once again, the American Dingo stood poised on the highest rock.

**Peak 5760 true summit**. Photo looks NNW.

SPHP started down first.

Final moments on **Peak 5760**. Photo looks NNW.

Plenty of fun sniffing to do yet during the return to the RAV4! Then it would be home again to await the next adventure. Shouldn’t be too long before the Lists of John mini-blitz would resume. Although getting close to success, Lupe still hadn’t completed her achievement. (4:41 PM, 46ºF)

**Peak 5760**, Black Hills of South Dakota 1-13-22

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

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 Expedition No. 289 – The Lists of John Mini-Blitz (1-11-22)

8:45 AM, 44ºF, S Rockerville Road – Although a sign insisted this was a privately maintained driveway, a brown wand also confirmed that this was USFS Road No. 641. SPHP parked the RAV4 at a wide spot.

Think we’re good here, Loopster. Private property nearby, but No. 641 is USFS land all the way to Peak 4760.

Start of USFS Road No. 641. Photo looks SE.

The sign that caused momentary consternation.

No. 641 started out heading SE, slowly gaining elevation. A little cool in the shade, but still a very warm morning for January.

Is this the start of the blitz you mentioned last time, SPHP?

Indeed it is, Loop. Actually, just a mini-blitz.

Mind explaining what you mean by that?

Oh, it’s quite simple actually. You’re closing in on an achievement, dear Dingo! If it hadn’t been so smoky last summer, you would have already finished it. Since you didn’t, we’re just going to plug away at it now at the start of 2022 every time the weather is decent until you get it over and done with. That’s the blitz part of it.

So we’re going to be climbing a bunch of mountains? Sounds good, but what is this mysterious achievement, and how long is it going to take, SPHP?

The achievement is a surprise. I’ll let you know when your done. Expect you to finish maybe in late, late January, more likely in February. Depends on the weather and how well it goes. The mountains we’ll be climbing are all Lists of John peaks we’ve never been to before right here in the Black Hills that all have at least 300 feet of prominence. Unless, of course, we wind up going somewhere else for a big finish!

That would be cool, SPHP! Especially in January, unless we go a long way S!

Yeah, we’ll have to see on that, Loopster. Not sure yet what we’ll wind up doing, but in the meantime you’re going to be busy right here in the good ol’ Black Hills.

Should be fun, but we’ve already been climbing quite a few Lists of John Peaks lately. How is this any different?

More peaks, more often, until you’re done. A blitz!

Whatever, SPHP! Sounds like the same thing we’ve been doing, but if it means I get to explore more mountains, I’m all for it. Lists of John mini-blitz it is!

0.25 mile and the road topped out as it began to curve S.

Thar she blows, Looper! Going to be a snap!

Is that our first Lists of John mini-blitz peak already, SPHP?

Yup. Peak 4760! No doubt about it. Numero uno dead ahead!

The hill SPHP was referring to was already in sight a little over 0.5 mile away. Forested, but not all that big. Really didn’t look hard at all.

No. 641 wound around toward the S a bit, then turned E, dipping down to cross a drainage before starting to climb again. Lupe passed a road to the N that must have gone to one of the private properties, and soon thereafter went right past a big house. All easy peasy.

Approaching from the NW, the Carolina Dog arrived at a fork in the road at the base of the mountain. No. 641.1B went L, while No. 641 veered R. Hardly mattered. Both routes would probably work out just fine.

Following USFS Road No. 641 as it winds S. Photo looks SW.

About to cross the drainage. **Peak 4760** (Center). Photo looks ESE.

At the fork. No. 641.1B goes L. No. 641 goes R. Photo looks SSW.

Sticking with No. 641, Lupe went R. The road climbed just a little before topping out. Off to the SW, there was already a terrific, if distant, view of Mount Rushmore (5,725 ft.) and Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.). A couple more scenic hills were ahead, but Lupe wouldn’t be visiting them.

**Black Elk Peak** (Center), **Mount Rushmore** (L of Center). Photo looks SW.

Leaving the road at about its high point, Lupe started climbing through open forest. Although Peak 4760 had appeared heavily forested from a distance, she didn’t have to go far before a clearing was visible ahead. Crumbling limestone littered a sunny hillside below a more intact cap. This last part of the climb was short, but steep.

On the sunny upper slope. Photo looks. NE.

Near the limestone cap. Photo looks ENE.

The top of the mountain was broad, and tilted gradually up toward the NW. Lupe had come up at a big clearing near the true summit, which was along the NW edge of the mountain. A limestone platform offered another big view of Black Elk Peak and Mount Rushmore.

The big clearing near the NW end of the mountain. Photo looks SE.

At the **true summit**. **Black Elk Peak** (beyond Lupe). Photo looks SW.

**Mount Rushmore** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (R). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

9:35 AM, 48ºF, Peak 4760 –

Our Lists of John mini-blitz is off to a great start, SPHP! This was easy!

Certainly had been. A break hardly seemed warranted yet, but Lupe took one at the true summit. Even if she was on the mini-blitz now, that didn’t mean she couldn’t spend a little while up on top experiencing the mountain. That would be just too big of a breach of tradition! Might as well share a chocolate coconut bar, whether truly earned yet, or not.

Instead of her usual summit hour, the American Dingo spent a mere 30 minutes up on Peak 4760. Plenty of time to wander about having a look at the views. Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.) and Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) were both in sight from the true summit. From the SW edge, a big ridge, part of which must have included Woodpecker Ridge (5,680 ft.), could be seen to the SSW.

**Silver Mountain** (L) and **Boulder Hill** (R). Photo looks NW.

Looking SSW in the general direction of **Woodpecker Ridge** (Center).

Half an hour zoomed by. On the way down, Lupe journeyed SE through most of the big clearing before starting down the SW slope. Not quite as steep this way. Once below the limestone cap, it was back down the rocky hillside to the forest, and ultimately USFS Road No. 641 again.

Heading down. **Black Elk Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW.

Passing below the region where Lupe went up during the ascent. Photo looks N.

Which way now, SPHP?

Back to the RAV4, Looper! These Lists of John peaks are scattered around enough so that we’ll have to drive between them. Our “blitz” would take a month of Sundays trudging from one to the next.

10:41 AM, 50ºF, Playhouse Road a mile S of Hwy 40 – Wasn’t all that far to the next starting point. A 10 minute drive, and Loop was leaping out of the RAV4 again at a minor pass along Playhouse Road. Beyond a green cattle guard, USFS Road No. 359.1C curved away into the forest.

That way, SPHP?

Absolutely! Onward! Puppy, ho!

No. 359.1C wound W, then NW. For an abandoned road according to the topo map, it sure seemed to be in good shape. Loopster soon found out why. After a steepish climb approaching HP4600, the road leveled out at a pass. No fence, but the road ahead was posted. The signs looked new.

Setting out on USFS Road No. 359.1C. **HP4600** (R). Photo looks W.

Starting the climb toward **HP4600**. Photo looks WNW.

At the posted pass along **HP4600‘s S ridge**. Photo looks W.

Well, shoot, Loop! This was supposed to be our easy route to Peak 5000. Guess we should have started out by the sewage ponds. Would have been shorter, anyway. And here, I thought this would be better.

Sewage ponds! Forget that, SPHP! Can’t we go around this private land?

Yeah, more effort than a road hike, though. Gonna slow down your blitz!

Looking 30 feet back down the road the way Lupe had come up, SPHP noticed a line of posts and survey ribbons. Must be the property line!

Guess we can go around the edge that way, Looper. C’mon!

Heading NE along the line of posts, it wasn’t far to a property corner. Able to turn NW again, Lupe was happy to see a snowy slope. Climbing past the snow, she then turned N passing E of HP4600‘s summit. A valley was just ahead. Peak 4894 now in sight due W. More toward the N, and farther away, part of Peak 5000 was visible, too.

On the snowy **upper E slopes of HP4600**. Photo looks NW.

**Peak 4894** (L of Center). Photo looks W.

A house was visible down in a saddle to the W. Clearly private property over that way. Staying well NE of the house, Lupe descended into the valley ahead. At the bottom, she passed a pile of slash leftover from a logging operation. It looked old, but the American Dingo came to more recently logged territory after starting up the other side of the valley.

Crossing the valley. **Peak 4894** (Center). Photo looks WSW.

On a recently logged slope. Photo looks NW.

Continuing N and NW, trying to avoid private property, but not always succeeding, judging from National Forest boundary signs sometimes met along the way, Looper finally reached another valley.

Down in the heavily forested valley, it wasn’t clear exactly what route would be best from here.

Must be somewhere SE of Peak 5000 now. Just start climbing, Loopster!

Picking a hillside that didn’t look too terribly steep, Lupe charged up. After gaining 60 or 70 feet of elevation, she reached a narrow ridgeline that rose steadily to the NW. Seemed like a reasonable route higher.

Rock formations, fallen trees, dense forest, and a couple more National Forest boundary signs. Progress was kind of slow, and it wasn’t at all clear what was USFS land and what wasn’t. Maybe it didn’t matter too much? The whole region seemed surprisingly remote and untouched.

After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, Lupe arrived at a clearing. The terrain was flatter now. Remnants of a long abandoned electric fence were up here. All three strands of wire were flat on the ground.

This is kind of strange, don’t you think, SPHP?

Yeah, I do. We’re less than a mile from Keystone. Wonder if we’re going to come to a housing subdivision? Let’s follow this fence. Must be some kind of a border. Probably can’t mess up too badly, if we stay close to it.

Loop followed what was left of the electric fence NW until it vanished. Continuing NW, she kept passing National Forest boundary signs. The ground kept rising, but at a slower and slower pace.

Eventually a rock formation could be seen only a short distance ahead. Looked like a high point.

Get up there, Looper!

Is this the summit, SPHP?

Hard to say. Might be.

No views here! Way too many trees. Nothing to see.

Oh, yes there is, SPHP! Look at this!

30 feet NW of the big rock Lupe had just been on, there was a bearing tree, survey marker, and a couple more National Forest boundary signs.

That wasn’t all. Within sight farther NW was Peak 5000 Stonehenge!

At **Peak 5000 Stonehenge**. Photo looks NW.

Oh, I bet this place is magical! Stand back, SPHP! I’ll get inside, and see what happens.

Be careful, Loopster! Remember the space port at South Baldy? That was weird enough!

Inside **Peak 5000 Stonehenge**. Photo looks ENE.

Surrounded by the odd vertical rocks of the Peak 5000 Stonehenge, Lupe stood there for a minute or two.

Anything happening, Loop? I can’t tell any difference.

Not even a tingle, SPHP. Maybe we need to come back at midnight during a full moon? The magic would be a lot more powerful then.

Heh. Don’t bet on that ever happening, Looper. Was hard enough to find this place in broad daylight.

The tops of the tallest Stonehenge rocks looked like they might actually be Peak 5000’s high point, but that illusion was quickly dispelled. The ground rose again as Loopster continued NW. She soon passed a minor ridge to the W that was definitely higher than Peak 5000 Stonehenge, or the first big rock back at the survey marker. However, an even higher spot was now visible a little off to the NE.

Approaching the **SE summit**. Photo looks NE.

It was sunny when Lupe first reached the flat top of a little ridge. A few small rocks with a scratchy, leafless bush growing among them formed an undramatic high point scarcely a foot above the rest of the terrain.

I think this is it, Looper!

The true summit of Peak 5000?

Yup.

Chocolate coconut bar time! Lupe and SPHP sat down together enjoying the warm sun. Nearly 60ºF! In January, no less. Taste of the Wild, an apple, and water rounded out the provisions that met the same fate as the chocolate coconut bar.

You were wrong, SPHP!

About what, this time?

The housing subdivision.

Oh, yeah. Well, I’m glad about that. Peak 5000 is better like this, anyway. Gets awkward real fast when the true summit of a mountain is someone’s front yard.

Peak 5000’s summit had two points of interest. One was a small pit 30 feet S of the high point. Lupe ventured over for a look at it, but wasn’t overly impressed. No pendulum. The other was a surprising view.

Although trees blocked the views in all directions save one, that lone view was unique. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota, was lined up behind Mount Rushmore (5,725 ft.), South Dakota’s most famous mountain.

The **pit** (the shadow at far R). Photo looks S.

By the not-so-fascinating pit. Photo looks S.

**Mount Rushmore** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (R). Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.

What now, SPHP? On to the next mountain?

Not going to be a next mountain, Loop. Took too long to get here after we got forced off USFS Road No. 359.1C.

Lupe couldn’t leave Peak 5000 yet, anyway. One more rise was visible 300 feet farther NW. Didn’t look quite as high as where the Carolina Dog was now, but she’d better check it out, just in case.

Looking toward the next high spot to the NW.

Good thing she did! The next rise went a little farther and higher than it first appeared. By the time Lupe got to the top, it was clear that this area was in contention for the title of Peak 5000’s true summit. Several large rocks along the E edge might well be it. Would almost bet money on it! Loopster scrambled up to the top.

Looking back toward the **SE summit** (R) from the **NW summit area**. Photo looks SE.

At the **NW summit high point** (and likely **true summit)**. Photo looks E.

Whether the shady rocks of the NW summit, or the sunny hill of the SE summit, was actually the true high point was never entirely clear, but Lupe had been to both. Might as well head back to the RAV4! Returning briefly to the SE high point, Loopster went over it, continuing S or SE through the same heavily forested region she’d been through earlier.

Returning to the **SE summit**. Photo looks SE.

After passing Peak 5000 Stonehenge, and following the remains of the electric fence back to the clearing where she’d first reached the S ridge, Lupe went just a little farther S to an opening where a bulldozer had cleared a level spot. Off to the WSW, was another, much more open view of Mount Rushmore and Black Elk Peak, lined up even more perfectly here than they had been at Peak 5000’s SE summit.

**Mount Rushmore** and **Black Elk Peak** (Center) from the bulldozer clearing. Photo looks WSW.

**Mount Rushmore** & **Black Elk Peak**. Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.

Then it was back down the same steep SE ridge that Lupe had explored on the way up. Once in the second valley she’d come to on the way to Peak 5000, going down it seemed the better choice, skipping the woodsy trek necessary to avoid all the private property and get back to USFS Road No. 359.1C.

Turned out that this valley really was a far better route. The American Dingo soon came to an old jeep trail, which became a super easy trek as the valley eventually began to widen out.

Heading down the old jeep trail. Photo looks NE.

In the snowy lower valley. Photo looks E.

The adventure was more or less over when Lupe reached the sewage ponds near Playhouse Road. They turned out to be bone dry. Perhaps they were defunct?

A 0.67 mile trudge back up paved Playhouse Road to the RAV4 waiting at the start of USFS Road No. 359.1C was all that remained. Some traffic to watch out for, but not all that much. Lupe trotted along, pausing when SPHP did to gather the inevitable Lupe treasures in the ditches.

Humanity is a mess, isn’t it, SPHP?

Yeah, much of it is, Looper. Some things never change.

We aren’t climbing any more peaks today?

Nope. Getting too late.

Not much of a Lists of John blitz, was it, SPHP? We only got to two peaks!

Peak 5000 took longer than I expected, Loop. Besides, blitzing isn’t our strong point. Kind of the opposite of our usual lackadaisical wanderings. Maybe we need a little practice at it?

Well, maybe practice would make a difference, and maybe not. Hard to break old habits. In any case, the Lists of John mini-blitz was at least off to some kind of a start. One thing for sure. Wouldn’t be long before the Black Hills Dingo would be back at it again! (End 3:00 PM, 48ºF)

**Black Elk Peak** & **Mount Rushmore** from **Peak 4760**, Black Hills, South Dakota 1-11-22

Lupe treasures gathered – 15 aluminum cans, 1 glass bottle.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

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!