The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 304 – Getting High in the Black Hills with Peakbagger Dennis Stewart (5-5-22)

8:40 AM, USFS Road No. 297 – Oh, it was on, and Lupe was excited! After a quick weather-shortened introductory jaunt with new friend Dennis Stewart out to a couple of peaks of the limestone plateau country yesterday, the weather was much improved. “Stewy” was ready to hit it hard today. Time permitting, 7 of the 14 highest named peaks in South Dakota were on his agenda, and the American Dingo had every intention of getting high with him at each one.

Starting the day in the **Negro Creek valley** along USFS Road No. 297. Photo looks NNE.

With that many peaks to visit, even though none of them were all that hard to get to, there wasn’t going to be a lot of time for dilly-dallying. Within minutes of when SPHP parked the RAV4 at a wide spot along USFS Road No. 297, everyone was ready.

Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) was first. Although actually the lowest peak Dennis would be climbing today, it was the steepest and involved the most elevation gain from the starting point, a little over 900 feet.

Dennis and Loop about to set out for **Medicine Mountain** (L of Center). Photo looks W.

An old jeep trail going W from No. 297 got things off to an easy start. Less than 100 feet of elevation gain led to USFS Road No. 297.3F, which wasn’t much help, since 3F ran almost horizontally N/S along the E slope instead of toward the summit. Crossing the road to head straight up the mountain, No. 297.3F was encountered a second time 200 feet higher, but the situation was no different here.

Coming up the jeep trail. Photo looks ENE.

Dennis checks his GPS after reaching USFS Road No. 297.3F. Photo looks SSW.

And checks it again after reaching No. 297.3F a second time. Photo looks N.

After crossing No. 297.3F the second time, that was it for roads. The rest of the way up was merely a fairly steep trudge higher. A little deadfall and a few scattered boulders to contend with, but otherwise a romp through open pine forest.

Loop squinting in weak sunshine for the first time in the last couple of days as she heads up **Medicine Mountain’s E slope**. Photo looks W.

Stewy coming up the **E slope**. Photo looks E.

Loop posing for Dennis on a rock. Photo looks NW.

Starting to get close to the top. Photo looks WNW.

The last 100+ feet of elevation gain was steepest. Dennis preferred to go directly up the E face. However, Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) has two summits, the S one being the true summit. Looper hadn’t been here in nearly 5 years, but SPHP was pretty certain that by angling NW toward the saddle between the two summits, the Carolina Dog could pick up a use trail that would get her to the top.

A little longer, but the Lazy Dingo route worked out perfectly. While Dennis proved his mettle against the mountain, Lupe came to a nicely rounded clearing up at the saddle, easily sniffed out the use trail, and was there in time to greet Dennis as he reached the summit.

On the grassy saddle between the N and S summits. Photo looks SSW.

Up on **Medicine Mountain’s S summit**. Photo looks S.

9:34 AM, Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) – The true summit was a rock tucked in at the base of a small birch tree that was slightly higher than others nearby. After the required summit shot, a short rest break was in order. Lupe shared a chocolate coconut bar with SPHP, and drank some water. Dennis opened a can of cashews, and enjoyed a few while sitting on a big rock, offering some cashews to SPHP, too.

Getting to be a beautiful day! Partly cloudy with blue sky and sunshine. As everyone relaxed, the big view was toward the SE, where several of the highest peaks in South Dakota were visible on the horizon.

Dennis had already been to Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), South Dakota’s high point, many years ago back when it was still officially Harney Peak, and wouldn’t be returning on this trip. SPHP pointed out two others, Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) and Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.), that were on his current itinerary.

Looper near **Medicine Mountain’s true summit**, the rock (R of Center) beneath the birch tree. Photo looks NW.

**Black Elk Peak** (far L), **Little Devils Tower** (L), and **Sylvan Hill** (L of Center) all on the horizon. Photo looks SE.

Two peakbagging nuts, plus a can of nuts, on **Medicine Mountain**.

The view NW was of more immediate interest. Dennis’ next 3 objectives, Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.), Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) and Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.) were in sight. In fact, all of the other peaks Dennis intended to climb today were visible from Medicine Mountain, since Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) was also in view off to the SSW.

**Green Mountain** (L of Center) and **Copper Mountain** (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

The views were sweet, and Medicine Mountain had been a decent climb, but with so much left to do today, less than half an hour went by before it was already Onward, puppy ho! time. One mountain down, six to go!

10:49 AM, junction of Sixmile Road and USFS Road No. 297.3O – Next up, Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.)! Crossing Sixmile Road, Lupe looked for a spot where an old road once headed N. A little deadfall to contend with, but this open lane made what would otherwise have been an annoying, and needlessly difficult task contending with a thick forest of young pines, a simple one.

Before long, the lane opened onto a big clearing. At the far end, another lane was visible. Following these lanes was the secret to getting to the summit of Copper Mountain without undue aggravation.

At the clearing with the next open lane (R) in sight on the ridge ahead. Photo looks N.

According to the topo map, Copper Mountain’s summit was 0.33 mile due N of where the RAV4 was parked. However, as everyone was getting close to that region, where it was impossible to see much of anything due to all the young pines, SPHP surprised Dennis by insisting that the true summit was actually well off to the E near a line of cliffs.

Trusting the map, Stewy was skeptical to say the least. However, since there was nothing to be seen here, and SPHP assured him that not only was the true summit E, but that the best views by far were available from the cliffs over that way, Dennis went along with the detour.

By now, the wide open lanes were gone, but it was still possible to follow narrower ones through the trees until the terrain began to rise. Soon the forest began opening up as the ground became rockier.

Upon reaching the limestone platform along the E edge of the mountain, Dennis set his GPS unit on what appeared to be the highest rock, and took a reading. After wavering around, it settled in at about 6,946 feet.

Lupe on the rock where Dennis took his GPS elevation reading. Photo looks SE.

After gathering this data point, everyone headed SE to the cliffs at end of the platform where the big views were. A cairn Looper hadn’t seen here before, now sat on the highest rocks along the S edge.

Dennis didn’t bother with another GPS reading, since it seemed unlikely to yield a significantly different result. Instead, several minutes were spent exploring the rocks along the cliff edge while taking in the views. Medicine Mountain stood out 2.25 miles SE, with some of Dennis’ higher objectives well beyond it in the distance.

**Sylvan Hill** (far L) on the horizon, **Medicine Mountain** (L of Center). Photo looks SE.

Loop and Dennis at the **far SE end of Copper Mountain**. Photo looks SE.

L to R beyond Dennis: **Black Elk Peak**, **Peak 6920,** **Little Devils Tower**. **Sylvan Hill** (R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

Loopster and Dennis over by the cairn. Photo looks WNW.

Time to head back! Not to the RAV4, but to the region shown on the topo map as Copper Mountain’s summit. Returning to the rock where Dennis had taken the elevation reading, everyone then went WNW, first down a slope, then gradually higher through deadfall and dense young pines tall enough to hide what was ahead.

The terrain flattened out. Dennis reported that, according to the map, this was Copper Mountain’s summit. Laying the GPS unit on a log about a foot above the ground, another elevation reading was taken. In just a moment it would be clear whether SPHP or the topo map was correct about the location of Copper Mountain’s true summit. After bouncing around a bit, the reading settled out at 6,947 ft.

One foot higher than the rock back E! Except that here the GPS unit was a foot above the ground, resting on the log instead of a rock. Within the limits of the GPS unit’s accuracy, it was a tie.

Hmm. Well, so be it. There were no views here at the W summit except of the thick stand of pines in all directions. SPHP didn’t even bother to take a photo, although Stewy did.

12:11 PM – Less than a mile W of where the RAV4 had been parked near Copper Mountain, SPHP turned S off Sixmile Road onto USFS Road No. 693. 0.125 mile, and No. 693 turned SW. After yesterday’s precipitation, the road was pretty soft here, with a couple of ruts in it.

SPHP parked the RAV4. The top of Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) was only 0.4 mile SE. Somewhat more than that following the road, but still within easy reach.

Striking out for Odakota Mountain along USFS Road No. 693. Photo looks SW.

After a jog to the W, the road turned SE, climbing gradually all the time. Halfway to the summit, No. 693 topped out and curved SW toward Long Draw. Abandoning the road, Lupe traveled ESE through a gently sloping field toward a small pillar of limestone near the trees. Coming to a fence a little beyond the pillar, she ducked under it, then followed it S.

Heading for Odakota Mountain’s summit after leaving No. 693. Photo looks ESE.

SPHP’s intention had originally been to go farther E in order to approach Odakota’s summit ridge near the NE end, which past experience had shown to be the easiest route up. The problem coming up from the SW had always been that the barbed wire fence, which ran right by the SW end of the ridge, was broken down and dangerous due to a huge jumble of deadfall that had collapsed upon it.

However, Dennis had left USFS Road No. 693 before SPHP, getting a head start following a jeep trail trail toward the SW end of the summit ridge. Hoping to intercept him, Lupe continued S along the fence all the way to the end of the ridge. Amazingly, since the last time the American Dingo was here more than 4.5 years ago, someone had removed the deadfall and repaired the fence.

Stewy had already made his way up to the summit. A 20 foot climb got Lupe up onto the flat ridge, which was still full of deadfall. Going 200 feet NE, Loop found Dennis where a tall, skinny white rock cairn had once stood. The white rocks were still here, but now all tumbled over. Dennis was busily setting up his tripod and resurrecting the cairn in preparation for his traditional summit selfie.

On the lovely summit of South Dakota’s 2nd highest mountain. Photo looks SW.

12:35 PM, Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) – Poor Odakota Mountain! South Dakota’s second highest peak was a mess. Surviving pines and a crop of new ones grew among what remained of a forest devastated by pine bark beetles 10 years ago. No views from the cairn, although both Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) and a pond down by the old Boy Scout camp could be seen to the S from a little farther SW along the summit ridge.

Certainly not much up here to make Dennis want to hang around. After getting a group selfie shot, he packed up his camera and tripod, and took the easy way down off the NE end of the ridge. Meanwhile, Lupe and SPHP went to take a quick look at the view of Bear Mountain and the Boy Scout pond. It was actually a little better than the last time Loop had been here, since more trees had fallen over.

**Bear Mountain** (R) and the **Boy Scout pond** (L of Center). Photo looks SSE.

Turning around to leave and catch up with Dennis, SPHP saw something Lupe had never noticed on Odakota Mountain before. Back in the trees, only 25 feet from where Stewy had rebuilt the cairn, there was a sign.

Going over to check it out, the sign said “Odakota Mountain High Point 7,198 feet”. Below it, a round marker set in concrete was stamped “Odakota High Point”. There was also another white rock cairn.

Lupe at the now apparently **official Odakota Mountain high point**. Photo looks N.

The sign must have been here a while. Some of the paint was peeling. Odd that Lupe had never seen it before, but maybe a few years out in the weather was sufficient to get the peeling process underway? This spot really wasn’t discernably higher than where the first cairn was, or most of Odakota’s summit ridge, but the sign and marker were exactly the sort of thing Dennis would be interested in.

SPHP started yelling. Fortunately, Dennis hadn’t gotten too far away yet.

Glancing back at **Odakota Mountain’s summit ridge** from the barbed wire fence after starting back to the RAV4. Photo looks SE.

1:35 PM, junction of Sixmile Road and a faint road – Started out looking like the right spot, but the farther up the faint road Lupe went, the less familiar it all seemed. SPHP must not have driven far enough W to get to Windmill Draw. This was the wrong place. Instead of going a long way up a gentle grassy valley, the faint road merged into an unmarked USFS road near the trees.

It didn’t help when the USFS road played out shortly thereafter. SPHP hadn’t even brought a topo map.

Well, no matter. Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) had to be less than a couple of miles away. Lupe would find it! To SPHP’s recollection, all she had to do was find the E edge of the limestone plateau and follow it N.

On the faint road, setting out for Green Mountain. Photo looks N.

Going through open forest, the terrain kept rising. Eventually there was a lot of deadfall. The E edge of the limestone plateau didn’t materialize. Lupe had never come this way before. Consulting his GPS, Dennis led the way in a direction that seemed 90 degrees off kilter to SPHP.

Lupe finally reached a flat region up on a broad ridge. There was a ton of deadfall up here. A higher hill to the N didn’t look right. None of the terrain looked right. Was this the edge of the limestone plateau? SPHP was expecting a much sharper drop-off, something more cliff-like. No sign of the limestone pillar Lupe used to get up on over by the hill.

Frequently consulting his GPS, Dennis led the way along what appeared to be the only plausible route. Circling along the upper W slope of a big bowl, Lupe leapt over one fallen log after another. An unfamiliar road finally provided relief, leading to a gate near a large, flat clearing.

Still following his GPS, Dennis crossed the clearing. Continuing a little way into the forest, he arrived at a cairn.

Stewy setting up for another group summit selfie.

2:26 PM – Lupe had never seen a cairn on Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) before, but again, it had been more than 4.5 years since she’d been here. Furthermore, this boring spot in the forest did resemble the featureless region SPHP recalled as being all that could be found in the way of a high point where the summit was supposed to be.

As soon as Stewy had his summit selfies, it would be easy to figure out if this was the same place Lupe had been to several times before. If it was, the limestone pillar she used to get up on had to be along the edge of the mountain somewhere near the clearing.

Summit shots taken, everyone headed back there.

Oh, yeah! This was the right place, alright. Going over to the edge of the clearing, slightly down the slope beyond it, there was Lupe’s pillar.

In the **clearing 200 feet SE of the cairn**. **Top of the pillar** (Center) is visible next to Dennis, who is partly behind a tree. Photo looks SE.

Lupe’s Green Mountain limestone pillar (L). Photo looks SE.

After the long, tedious bushwhack through the trackless deadfall-laden forest, and disappointing cairn in the middle of nowhere buried in trees summit, Dennis brightened immediately at the sight of the big sweeping view to the E and SE, and that taunting limestone pillar. If a Carolina Dog could do it, Stewy could, too! The peakbagger in him took over.

Dennis stakes his claim to **Green Mountain’s limestone pillar**. **Black Elk Peak** (L), **Copper Mountain** (Center), **Sylvan Hill** (R of Center), **Medicine Mountain** (R), in front of Stewy. Photo looks SE.

SPHP wasn’t getting up there, but sent a personal representative. Since Lupe hadn’t brought her Dingo wings, SPHP had to give her a boost.

Carefully, carefully! Dennis getting off the pillar.

Lupe’s turn. **Gillette Prairie** (L). Photo looks E.

*Oh, it’s good to be back on the **Green Mountain pillar** again!*

Part of Copper Mountain (far L), **Sylvan Hill** (L), **Medicine Mountain** (Center) with help from the telephoto lens.

A short break was taken before starting back to the RAV4. Dennis was in the habit of texting a photo to family and friends from each summit, and sent out the one of him standing on the pillar. He often got quick, but brief responses. In this case, the most common response was “jump”!

SPHP had to laugh. Always nice to know you’re loved.

A final look at **Green Mountain’s limestone pillar** (L). Photo looks NNE.

4:26 PM – Four down, three to go! Unfortunately, Green Mountain had taken up more time than expected, in part due to SPHP’s error in not parking far enough W at the start of Windmill Draw. Would have been much more of a road hike from there, instead of a bushwhack through deadfall-laden forest.

Couldn’t be helped. Done is done. Happily, Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.), the next objective, was a mere drive-up to a lookout tower. Shortly after turning onto USFS Road No. 293, SPHP was astonished by the amount of logging that had gone on since Lupe had last been here.

In fact, it was still ongoing. 0.5 mile from the summit, a log truck being actively loaded completely blocked the road. Apparently, this was going to take a while. Pulling off the road, SPHP parked the RAV4. Everyone leapt out. After circling past the log truck, the road hike began.

The RAV4 parked a little way off USFS Road No. 293. Photo looks W.

Past the log truck on USFS Road No. 293. Photo looks W.

Approaching the **Bear Mountain fire lookout tower**. Photo looks E.

Lupe had once paid a visit to the ranger at the top of the tower. On a clear day, it was possible to see Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.) in Wyoming. Unfortunately, the tower wasn’t open for the season yet. A sign said it was closed to the public.

A survey benchmark and another sign showing the elevation were at the base of the tower, but there wasn’t a view from here without actually climbing the tower. However, Lupe knew there was a nice view from a small limestone outcropping a short distance SE.

At the base of the tower. Photo looks SW.

Loop and Dennis on the limestone outcropping SE of the tower. Photo looks ENE.

**Elkhorn Mountain (6,381 ft.)** (far L), **Black Elk Peak** (L), **Little Devils Tower** (Center), and **Sylvan Hill** (R) from the viewpoint.

5:58 PM, Needles Highway No. 87, Little Devils Tower trailhead – Upon reaching the RAV4 after Bear Mountain, Dennis faced a choice. 5 of 7 complete, but delays had chewed up enough time so that climbing both remaining peaks wasn’t going to be possible unless Dennis wanted to be out after dark, which he didn’t.

Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) or Little Devils Tower (6,920 ft.)? SPHP spoke of the differences in what would be involved, since the nature of the routes was so different. Either one had fabulous views.

Really wasn’t a monumental decision. Dennis could climb whichever peak he didn’t get to today tomorrow. In the end, Stewy chose Little Devils Tower as his last summit with Lupe.

Sweet! A great choice! (Both would have been.) 700 feet of elevation gain along a maintained trail that went past scenic granite formations, followed by a fun scramble to the top.

Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 was nearly level as it started up a valley. Lupe was soon passing the first granite formations. The views improved steadily as the trail gradually steepened.

Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4. Photo looks NE.

Big granite formations in a side valley.

Approaching some spires. Photo looks NNE.

After more than a mile, Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 topped out on a ridge near the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.). From here, a spur trail split off to the L, heading N. Taking this spur, Little Devils Tower’s massive granite summit quickly came into view.

On the spur trail. Little Devils Tower (R). Photo looks N.

At first, the spur trail was level, or nearly so, but as Lupe got close to the granite, it turned NE and began to climb.

The spur trail starts getting interesting. Photo looks NE.

The spur trail soon topped out at a high spot tucked between huge rock walls. However, this wasn’t the end. Blue arrows painted on the rocks marked the route from here, which now turned NW through a narrow slot in the granite. The first part of the slot was so steep that Loopster needed a boost from SPHP to get up to where she could continue under her own power.

Climbing the slot after an initial boost. Photo looks NW.

Dennis emerging from the slot. Photo looks SE.

Above the slot, minor variations in the route were possible. All involved scrambling up the granite. A little exposure in spots, but not much. The route wound along the granite to a final brief push higher.

Dennis leading the way during the scramble up the granite. Photo looks N.

6:55 PM, Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) – Suddenly, Lupe was there! The summit region was a roomy collection of large granite outcroppings and boulders that didn’t vary an awful lot in elevation. There was even a flat area of packed dirt with a bit of vegetation.

The views were incredible! Little Devils Tower is right in the heart of the most rugged part of the Black Hills. While Dennis climbed up onto the highest boulder to tag the true summit, Loopster had a look around. Highlights included Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) a little more than a mile NNE, and the magnificent Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) only 0.25 mile SE.

**Black Elk Peak** (R) from **Little Devils Tower.** Photo looks N.

The **Cathedral Spires**, also known locally as the **Needles**. Photo looks SE.

Dennis made it up onto the true summit boulder. Lupe needed another boost from SPHP to join him.

Stewy over at the high point. Photo looks S.

Loop and Dennis together at the **true summit**. Photo looks S.

6 of 7 complete, but Little Devils Tower was definitely going to be it. The sun was already low. Sylvan Hill wasn’t happening today.

That was alright. Kind of took the pressure off. Lupe, Dennis, and SPHP could all linger for a while in the beautiful evening light.

**Black Elk Peak** from Little Devils Tower. Photo looks NNE.

**Cathedral Spires** (L and Center) in the evening light. Photo looks SE.

Dennis relaxing at the **true summit**. Photo looks SSW.

Over all too soon! Before long, Stewy was at the end of the scramble lower, about to descend from the slot to the spur trail.

So, Little Devils Tower was a happy ending to a fabulous day! Dennis pronounced it easily his favorite peak in the Black Hills. Sometime he was going to have to bring his wife, Geri, up here.

Lupe hopes to welcome her to the beautiful Black Hills on that great day.

With Stewy on **Little Devils Tower**, Black Hills of South Dakota 5-5-22

Note: Dennis did climb Sylvan Hill the next day before heading to Nebraska to continue his peakbagging adventures. Among his greatest goals are (1) climb the 10 highest named peaks in all of the 48 contiguous US states, (2) climb the 10 highest named county high points in each state, (3) visit every state park with his wife, Geri, (4) float the length of rivers in all states that have a river of the same name. At 73, he realizes these are tall orders.

Before departing, Dennis gave Lupe and SPHP an autographed copy of his book 23 Nights Working for the US Treasury Department, which tells of his experiences working for the US government’s most feared agency, the IRS.

Links:

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Diamond Peak, Cascade Range, Oregon (8-28-21)

Day 23 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast!

Another day, another decision. The question, of course, as always, was how best to avoid the wildfire smoke? Skies were surprisingly blue over Odell Lake as the RAV4 headed NW over Willamette Pass (5,128 ft.) on Hwy 58. Maybe staying up among the higher peaks of the Cascades made some sense?

Coming into Oakridge, the deciding factor was dead ahead. A partial view NW beyond the Cascades looked very smoky.

Kind of the opposite of what I expected, Loop! Good thing we’re flexible.

So, we’re not going to the Oregon coast, SPHP?

Oh, we will, but not today! I’m thinking Diamond Peak (8,744 ft.)!

Diamond Peak! Think we’ll find any diamonds, SPHP? You know what they say, diamonds are a Dingo’s best friend!

What? I thought I was your best friend, Looper!

You’re highly rated, SPHP, but don’t let it go to your head!

S of Oakridge, Diamond Road (paved USFS Road No. 21) wound along the Hills Creek Reservoir for miles, then continued up the Middle Fork of the Willamette River valley. A scenic drive to be sure, but a time consuming one, too. Indigo Springs campground was something like 30 miles from Oakridge, and the turn onto USFS Road No. 2154 came 3 miles later.

At the L turn onto USFS Road No. 2154 off Diamond Road.

After a few miles, No. 2154 turned to gravel. A couple more miles, and No. 2160 appeared on the L, followed by a R turn onto No. 380, which went to Emigrant Pass, but Lupe never got that far.

No. 380 was narrow, but good for only about a mile. Beyond a pond, the road became deeply rutted. SPHP had no intention of submitting Lupe’s new RAV4 to such abuse. This would have to do.

12:53 PM, 69ºF, USFS Road No. 380 – The RAV4 was safely stashed near the pond. A smoke-tinged sky, but not bad at all. Looked quite blue.

Let’s check out the pond, SPHP!

Parked near the pond a mile E of the turn onto USFS Road No. 380.

Kind of a mucky shoreline, but the remote little pond was nice.

What do you think, SPHP? I like it! This is a great spot!

I like it too, Loop. Hidden serenity! Have a question for you, though. We got here so late in the day, that we’re kind of forced to gamble one way or another. Diamond Peak is not a trivial undertaking. Over 6 miles one way from here, and close to 4,000 feet total elevation gain. Think we can get there before sunset. Still want to go for it?

Sunset on Diamond Peak would be awesome, SPHP, but that means we’d get back awfully late! Wouldn’t we be better off waiting until tomorrow? We could leave early in the morning, and be back before dark.

Yes, ordinarily that would be the thing to do, Looper. However, we also have to consider what tomorrow might bring. If the wind shifts tonight, and all the smoke we saw rolls in, then what? We might have missed our shot at Diamond Peak entirely. The smoke is minimal right now. Who knows how long that will last?

Extended debate was out. Decision time! The Carolina Dog was willing to give it a shot. Diamond Peak (8,744 ft.) was a go!

Could have walked the road another mile plus E over Emigrant Pass to the Pacific Crest Trail near Summit Lake, but a Diamond Peak trailhead had been passed on the way in only 1/8 mile back W along No. 380. The trailhead didn’t amount to much, scarcely a wide spot in the road, but it didn’t take long to get there.

On the N side of No. 380, a sign saying Diamond Peak Trail No. 3699 stood on a sandy bank. Next to it a trail headed up into the forest.

Above the little sandy bank, the trail leveled out. Almost immediately, Lupe came to a registration station. Registration and a free, self-issued permit were required. Paperwork complete, SPHP consulted the posted map. Lots of trails shown, but only the Pacific Crest Trail actually got close to Diamond Peak.

Beyond the registration station, Diamond Peak Trail No. 3699 was fairly level, an easy stroll N, then NW, through the forest. Less than 10 minutes got Lupe to a small pond. W of the pond, the trail gained elevation, then lost it again going past a large rock formation.

Diamond Peak Trail No. 3699 beyond the registration station. Photo looks N.

Once past the pond, Diamond Peak Trail No. 3699 continued N, most of the time gradually gaining elevation. Unlike other trails Lupe had been on in Oregon and Washington, No. 3699 looked seldom used, and had a fair amount of deadfall. Along a 50 foot stretch almost entirely hidden beneath deadfall, SPHP briefly lost the route.

However, other than that one point, the trail was easy to follow. Lupe leapt over, or snuck under, whatever deadfall she came to. Nothing to see but trees. The forest went on and on, but progress was good.

At a small clearing. Lupe came to no significant ones.

Diamond Peak Trail No. 3699 eventually steepened and turned NW. Nothing major, but Lupe gained 300 feet of elevation before it leveled out again. A short rest break was taken at a rotten log. Continuing on, the trail soon started downhill.

Seemed like the Carolina Dog had been on No. 3699 for nearly 2 miles now. SPHP was starting to worry that a junction with Rockpile Trail No. 3632 might have been missed, when Lupe came to it. No. 3632 was a broad well-traveled path with nice new signage. Actually would have been hard to miss!

At the junction with Rockpile Trail No. 3632.

After another short break at the intersection, Lupe headed E on Rockpile Trail No. 3632. Still in the forest, the trail climbed steadily at a moderate pace. No deadfall at all now. Even the forest had a groomed look to it.

The trail soon turned NE, and before too long began to level out.

Huh. Diamond Rockpile (6,323 ft.) sure isn’t what I had envisioned. Just another hill in the forest.

Diamond Rockpile? Where’s that, SPHP? Is that different from Diamond Peak?

Yes, entirely different. Think we just passed Diamond Rockpile, Looper. This must be the saddle between it and the next hill NE, HP6310. Trail went within 100 feet of the top. If we had more time, we would check it out, but we better keep going.

Wait! We’re close to a diamond rockpile, and we aren’t even going to spend a few minutes filling your pockets with diamonds? That’s crazy, SPHP!

Sad, but true, Loopster. Price of our late start. We’ll have to be content with whatever diamonds we scoop up off Diamond Peak. Shouldn’t need tons of ’em, anyway. Even a single small diamond is pretty valuable.

Beyond the saddle, Rockpile Trail No. 3632 climbed modestly, topping out while traversing HP6310‘s upper S slope. This high point provided the first distant view of the day, Cowhorn Mountain (7,664 ft.) and Sawtooth Mountain (7,301 ft.) beyond Summit Lake.

**SW of HP6310**, only minutes from the viewpoint. Photo looks ESE.

**Cowhorn Mountain** (L) and **Sawtooth Mountain** (R) beyond **Summit Lake**. Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.

Upon reaching the E end of HP6310, Trail No. 3632 started downhill. Lupe saw water in a clearing down in the valley the trail was heading for. Looked like what was left of a pond that was drying up.

Another nicely signed trail junction was at the bottom of the hill. Marie Lake Trail No. 3632.2 went NW (L) bound for Marie Lake, which was less than 0.25 mile away.

However, Lupe was destined to miss out on Marie Lake, too. Rockpile Trail No. 3632 went S (R) here, passing through the clearing Loop had seen earlier. The water was actually what remained of a stagnant stream, not a pond.

Initial glimpse of the clearing in the **valley E of HP6310**. Photo looks E.

In the valley, at the junction with spur Trail No. 3632.2 to Marie Lake.

Following the stagnant stream through the clearing. Photo looks SSE.

Lupe followed the stream through the clearing, but it soon veered off to the SE. Near the top of a sandy rise, the Carolina Dog came to another junction. Trail No. 3632.1 went SW (R) to Rockpile Lake.

On the sandy rise at the junction with Rockpile Lake Trail No. 3632.1. Photo looks SE.

Ignoring this spur as well, Loopster stuck with Rockpile Trail No. 3632, which wound SE through a gently rolling region of fine, dusty soil where virtually nothing grew. This region was thinly forested with numerous small clearings.

No. 3632 soon turned NE. By the time Lupe reached the next junction, the clearings and dusty soil were gone.

Made it to the Pacific Crest Trail, Looper!

Lupe saw no one, but voices could be heard off to the S. Kind of creepy! A clear plastic bag hung from the signpost.

What’s in the bag, SPHP?

Dunno, Loop, I’ll take a look. Hmm. Appears to be donated supplies for hikers on the PCT. A note says “Enjoy your day!”

Supplies? Like what? Any goodies for American Dingoes in there?

Not really, unless you like powdered soup. Oh, wait! Here’s something, a nice big blueberry fig bar.

Do I like blueberry figs, SPHP? Can’t remember what they taste like.

That’s because you’ve never had any, Loop. I don’t know. You might like them. Sounds intriguing to me!

Well, break a piece off for me then, SPHP. I’ll give blueberry figs a try.

Oh, maybe we shouldn’t do that, Loop. From the looks of this stuff, most of it is intended for through hikers on the PCT, not just day hikers like us.

Could have told me that at the start, SPHP! Now here I am salivating over blueberry figs, and I don’t even know what they are!

Tell you what, Loop. We’ll leave the blueberry fig bar here for now. If it’s still here when we come back this way after our adventure on Diamond Peak, we’ll nab it then under cover of darkness! How’s that?

Under cover of darkness? You make it sound like we’re leading a life of crime! It’s just one blueberry fig bar!

Sure about that, Loop? Might be the start of something big! Our career haunting the PCT as diamond and blueberry fig bar smugglers!

At the intersection with the Pacific Crest Trail.

Leaving the junction, Lupe took the heavily-traveled Pacific Crest Trail N. At first it was flat. Glimpses of Diamond Peak began to appear as the trail headed NNE. Before long, though, the trail began a gradual ascent, and forest hid the mountain again. 0.5 mile from Blueberry Fig Bar junction, the PCT curved WNW.

On the Pacific Crest Trail. Photo looks NW.

We’re not all that far from the S end of Diamond Peak now, Looper. We’ll be climbing it from the S, so we need to start looking for where we should leave the PCT.

The PCT doesn’t go up there, SPHP?

No. It by-passes Diamond Peak to the E, so we can’t just stay on the PCT. Let me know if you happen to sniff out any kind of use trail. Thought it would be easy to tell where to start up, but didn’t realize we wouldn’t be able to see the mountain.

After going 0.5 mile WNW, a clearing on a rocky hillside appeared. The Pacific Crest Trail began a steeper climb. 4 minutes farther, and Lupe reached a viewpoint. To the SSE, Summit Lake, Cowhorn Mountain, and Sawtooth Mountain were all in view again. Loopster could even see the dramatic summit spire of Mount Thielsen (9,182 ft.).

Approaching the rocky hillside. Photo looks WNW.

**Cowhorn Mountain** (L), **Sawtooth Mountain** (R), and **Mount Thielsen** (far R) beyond **Summit Lake** from the PCT viewpoint. Photo looks SSE.

That wasn’t all, though! This same viewpoint also had somewhat of a view to the N, where a high ridge was in sight not too far away.

**S end of Diamond Peak** from the Pacific Crest Trail. Photo looks N.

That’s where we need to be, Loop! That’s the S end of Diamond Peak.

Not as high as I thought it would be, SPHP.

That’s just the beginning, sweet puppy. Anyway, we aren’t going to be able to stick with the PCT much longer. Keep that sniffer to the ground! Would sure be nice if we can find a use trail instead of having to bushwhack our own route.

The PCT curved NE. Lupe didn’t have to sniff hard for long. 2 minutes past the viewpoint, the American Dingo did find a use trail! Even SPHP might have spotted it. A candy cane ribbon was wrapped around a rock that was part of a small cairn. More ribbons were tied to nearby trees.

Start of the Diamond Peak climbers trail where it leaves the PCT. Photo looks W.

*So easy, I could have found it with my eyes closed. Maybe I did!*

The long slog higher began. The Carolina Dog was soon heading up a steep, sandy slope that supported little vegetation other than trees. Above the sand, Lupe reached a curve where there actually was some ground cover, already sporting fall colors. A rock slide came next, yet for the most part, the trail remained relatively easy to follow.

The slope eventually opened up. Rocky and loose. Trees were scarcer. The trail was braided along in here with no clearly favored main route. Angling slightly toward the W, Lupe made it up to a minor ridgeline where the terrain wasn’t quite as steep.

Base of the rock slide. Photo looks NNE.

Starting to open up. Fewer trees. Photo looks N.

Just below the ridgeline. Photo looks NE.

Up on the nearly as steep ridge. More trees again. Photo looks NE.

Once on the ridge, the going was easier, but no major improvement. The ridge went N, angling slightly back toward the E again. Lupe finally got up to where she could see what lay ahead.

5:50 PM, Diamond Peak, S slope – Ugh! The view was distressing. A vast, barren, rocky slope, devoid of life except for small, scattered stands of stunted pines, stretched endlessly skyward toward an impossibly distant rocky high point at the far end.

Holy smokers, SPHP! It’s another 1,000 feet, easy!

On the long slope, heading higher. Photo looks N.

The situation was starting to look hopeless. Running out of time! Another couple of hours, and the sun would be down. Sure would be nice to get to the summit with enough daylight to spare in order to be able to enjoy it. No telling, though, what might still be ahead.

Lupe was high enough now to see a new threat, too. All day long, the sky had been blue. Not crystal clear, but decent. Unfortunately, thick smoke was now pouring in from the W. Views were rapidly disappearing.

No choice. The Carolina Dog had already come so far, she had to keep going. Maybe it would all work out?

Onward! Puppy ho!

Nothing technically difficult about it, just a long, steep trudge higher. Loose sand and scree generally meant slippage with each step, although some stretches were firmer. Still a braided trail situation, so choose your favorite route!

Looking somewhat more feasible after a considerable climb. Photo looks NNW.

Wildfire smoke pouring in from out of the W. **Cowhorn Mountain** (L) and part of **Summit Lake** still in sight. Photo looks, SSE.

Already tired, short breathers, and a few longer breaks had to be taken. During one of them a small bird landed on top of a nearby tree.

Hey, Loop! Look at that! These must be whitebark pines. That’s a Clark’s nutcracker! Saw a picture of one yesterday on one of the displays on the way up Paulina Peak (7,984 ft.).

A real, live Clark’s nutcracker! True friend of the whitebark pines!

Clark’s Nutcracker – Whitebark’s Best Friend

That’s cool, SPHP! Glad to see that there really are some still around. Gives me hope! By the way, have you seen any diamonds yet? I haven’t seen a one.

Diamonds? No, not yet, Loop, but I haven’t been paying close attention. Just trying to keep moving. Most diamonds are tiny. Think we’d have to look pretty closely to find them, study each little rock on the ground.

Shouldn’t diamonds sparkle, though, SPHP?

Maybe, but probably not all that much until they’ve been cut. To tell you the truth, Loopster, in my whole life, I’ve found shockingly few diamonds laying about. Not entirely sure what a diamond in the rough looks like.

Well, all I can say is Diamond Peak is an impressive mountain, SPHP, but it’s not nearly as much glitter, bling, and sparkle as I thought it would be.

The climb went on. Bit by bit, step by step, progress. Even so, gazing back down the mountain, what had been accomplished didn’t look like any great shakes. Took a while for the hill above to start looking like that, like maybe sometime soon Lupe would actually be there.

Diamond Peak was dry as a bone. A gentle breeze was enough to stir up the loose dust from every step. Breathing an unhealthy mix of dust and whatever smoke was already here, the trudge higher continued.

On a particularly rocky stretch. Still more to go. Photo looks NNW.

*We’ll get there, SPHP! Follow me!* Photo looks NE.

**Diamond Peak’s S slope** as smoke obliterates the views. Photo looks SSE.

At last, Lupe was close to the end of the long climb! The smoke situation wasn’t good, but at least the sun remained well above the horizon. Still some time left. What was ahead? Loopster would know in a moment.

Just below the top of the long slog. Photo looks NNW.

6:38 PM, HP8421 (Diamond Peak’s S summit) – Streaked with shades of gray and rust running down its flanks, Diamond Peak was beautiful! For the first time, the true summit, still 300+ feet higher, was now in sight 0.33 mile N. The more distant part of the ridge leading to it didn’t look bad at all. Cake!

However, the part of the ridge already close at paw was another matter. Rugged volcanic rock formations capped much of the ridgeline.

Hoo, girl! Let’s hope this doesn’t get technical, Looper.

At **HP8421**, **Diamond Peak’s false S summit**. **True summit** (L of Center). Photo looks N.

Most of it really wasn’t bad at all. One of the first formations was among the hardest to get past. Staying up top was impossible. The W side of the ridge was too steep. Braided use trails along the E side were only a little better.

Trying to stay too high, SPHP wound up crawling along a narrow pumice ridge with exposure, Lupe right behind. Once past that one, none of the other gendarmes were as bad, but getting by them was still chewing up a bunch of time. Occasionally, the W side of the ridge was best, but staying E was usually better.

View along the **E side of the ridge**. Photo looks NNE.

Same spot. **True summit** (L of Center). Photo looks N.

On the **E side ledges**. Photo looks N.

Successfully past the gnarliest gendarme. Photo looks S.

More fun ahead! **True summit** (L of Center), Photo looks N.

Right up on the ridgeline again. Photo looks N.

Another stretch along the **Dingo-recommended E side**. Photo looks N.

Difficulties behind her, evening sunlight streamed over the mountain as Lupe followed an easy, winding path toward the summit. Near the end, the path went through a gap filled with a jumble of rocks, but nothing to it, really. An eerie orange alpenglow influenced by smoke hung over the mountain as the Carolina Dog approached the true summit.

Suddenly looking like a win! Photo looks N.

Last Dingo of the day on **Diamond Peak**!

Going through the gap. Rocky, but short. No problemo.

Almost there! In the orange alpenglow. Photo looks N.

7:30 PM, 60ºF, Diamond Peak (8,744 ft.) – No diamonds sparkled in the alpenglow as Lupe reached the true summit, a flat, barren hilltop 20 feet in diameter covered with small, reddish-brown volcanic stones.

Three ridges radiated from the top – NE, NW, plus the S ridge Lupe had come up. The NE ridge was long, and led to impressive, wild-looking subpeaks. A small glacier lay hidden from the sun on the NE side of the much shorter NW ridge. Between these ridges were huge expanses of much lower territory.

The **NE ridge**. **HP8629** (beyond Lupe). Photo looks NNE.

**NW ridge**. **HP8306** (R). Photo looks NW.

A better look at the **NW ridge glacier**. Photo looks NW.

**S Ridge**. **HP8421** (Center). Photo looks S.

And that was about it as far as what Lupe could see from Diamond Peak. The mountain was surrounded by smoke that seemed to top out at about the same level. To the S, only the tips of Cowhorn Mountain, Sawtooth Mountain, and the spiky summit of Mount Thielsen were visible floating on a white sea. No other distant views except straight up, where the sky still looked blue.

**Cowhorn Mountain** (L), **Sawtooth Mountain** (R of Center), and **Mount Thielsen** (R). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.

On the summit itself, Diamond Peak offered little of interest. No registry, no survey benchmark, not even a cairn.

Not a single diamond, either, SPHP! Might want to mention that!

Or blueberry fig bar, which was starting to sound mighty good.

Lupe was tired, or perhaps disappointed. Reluctantly, she posed for a few photos, then laid down to rest. A good idea, actually, since the time remaining before sunset was short. Loopster willingly split a chocolate coconut bar with SPHP, then had some Taste of the Wild and water, but displayed little enthusiasm when SPHP shook her paw to congratulate her on the successful ascent.

Relaxing on **Diamond Peak**. **HP8629** (R). Photo looks N.

Good thing the American Dingo hadn’t started out any later, or taken any of the possible side trips to Diamond Rockpile or the lakes! Time was short enough as it was. Refusing to budge, Loop rested as long as she could, enjoying the fading alpenglow on the ridges while the sun sank toward the smoke.

**NE ridge** as the alpenglow fades. **HP8629** (L). Photo looks NNE.

Too tired to search for diamonds, Lupe refused to budge from her gritty resting place. 25 precious minutes on Diamond Peak ticked away. The sun was now on the smoke horizon.

Smokeset beyond the **NW ridge**. **HP8306** (R). Photo looks WNW.

Hate to say it, Loopster, but we better get back to HP8421. Not too keen on creeping along exposed ledges in the dark.

Can we at least stay until the sun is gone, SPHP?

Oh, sure, Loop! That’ll be fine.

Smokeset from **Diamond Peak**. Photo looks WNW.

A few minutes more, and sadly, already time to go. HP8421 appeared to be above most of the smoke, as Lupe started back.

About to leave the summit. **HP8421** (R of Center). Photo looks S.

Took a while, but the return to HP8421 went well. Cake all the way down to the saddle. Then staying lower on the E side of the ridge this time, SPHP managed to avoid the exposed ledge crawl. Still very steep, and rather slow, but a bit of caution was all that was required.

Returning to **HP8421** (L of Center). Photo looks S.

Lupe often wanted to rest during the rocky descent of Diamond Peak’s long S slope. SPHP often obliged her. No smoke above, a million stars glittered in the night sky. The little flashlight’s beam was very weak and acting weird, sometimes going into strobe mode. Changing the batteries helped tremendously.

The dark descent into the black void seemed endless, but at long last the cairn with the candy cane ribbon appeared.

Back at the Pacific Crest Trail, a longer rest in the shadows beneath the tall spruce trees worked wonders. Or maybe Lupe was just glad to be out of all the rock, and back on smooth trail again?

Taking the lead, but always careful to make sure SPHP was still coming, the Carolina Dog no longer wanted to rest. Every time SPHP shined the flashlight on her, Lupe stared back with a big smile, eyes sparkling like diamonds. Miles to go, but even toward the end, back on Diamond Peak Trail No. 3699, she leapt over all the deadfall without hesitation.

At long last, dinner, followed by soft blankets and Dingo Dreamland at the RAV4. However, a rare delicacy was not on the wee hour menu. When Lupe had reached the junction of the PCT and Rockpile Trail No. 3632, plenty of powdered soup remained, but the coveted blueberry fig bar was already gone. (End 1:13 AM, 58ºF)

**Diamond Peak**, Cascade Range, Oregon 8-28-21

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 303 – Flag Mountain & Crows Nest Peak with Peakbagger Dennis Stewart (5-4-22)

5-3-22, 1:00 PM, home –

Who was that on the phone, SPHP? The fanatic again?

Yup! He’s run into 3 feet of snow on the road to Crooks Tower (7,137 ft.), so he’s got a much longer hike ahead of him than expected. Going to be running late. Won’t arrive here until sometime this evening now.

The “fanatic” was Dennis Stewart, aka “Stewy”. Neither Lupe nor SPHP knew Dennis, but that was about to change. He was a man on a mission, many missions, actually. Dennis’ purpose on this particular trip was to climb the 10 highest named peaks, plus the 10 highest named county high points, of both South Dakota and Nebraska.

Fanatic wasn’t an unfair label. Dennis owned the tallest indoor climbing wall in the Midwest – 32 feet high, more than 500 square feet of surface area, with an 11 foot overhang – a feature incorporated into his private home! At the tender age of 73, Dennis was still working on so many peakbagging lists that he knew there was no way he would ever come close to completing many of them.

No doubt about it, Loop. Dennis is our kind of fanatic!

After reaching the Black Hills region earlier today, Dennis had already been to both Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) and White Tail Peak (6,962 ft.). Tomorrow, Lupe and SPHP were going to join him on his quest.

At least, that was the plan. Dennis was not only a prolific peakbagger, but a runner, too. At one point in his life, Dennis had helped set a world record in the 2 mile relay as a member of the University of Kansas track team. In 2019, Dennis had won the 800 meter in the Huntsman World Championship in his age category.

Worrisome, actually.

If Dennis takes off running up all the mountains tomorrow, feel free to run right along with him, Loopster. You know me. Not even going to try to keep up.

5-4-22, 9:24 AM, Flag Mountain – Dennis had reassuringly promised not to run up any mountains, although it would have been fine if he did. SPHP had no intention of slowing him down. Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.) wasn’t going to be a problem in any case. A simple drive up. After SPHP parked the RAV4 at the end of USFS Road No. 416, a set of stone steps was all that had to be managed to reach what was left of the old fire lookout tower up top.

The only real issue was the weather. Although Flag Mountain normally offered sweeping views of a huge swath of territory E of the edge of the limestone plateau country, Lupe wasn’t going to get to show off her Black Hills to Dennis here today. Foggy and snowing!

Loop and Dennis arriving at the end of USFS Road No. 416.

On the summit ridge near the remnant of the fire lookout station. Photo looks E.

While Dennis searched for the survey benchmark shown on the map out along the W end of the summit ridge, Lupe got up on what was left of the lookout tower foundation wall. Unfortunately, no hint of the usual grand view was to be seen.

Dennis searching for the survey benchmark. Photo looks W.

Dennis found no sign of the survey benchmark. Loopster had been to Flag Mountain on half a dozen prior occasions. SPHP kind of thought that she actually had seen the benchmark somewhere up here before, but couldn’t find it, either.

Stewy had a routine he went through at each mountain he visited. It was interesting to see how he operated. Verbal notes, some of which were based on his phone’s GPS, were taken by speaking into a portable recorder. Date, time, distance traveled, elevation gain, exact location and elevation, weather and route conditions, what views were present, and anything else Dennis felt might be of interest were all mentioned. This data would eventually serve as the basis of written records and a trip report which he would post online.

Since he usually traveled alone, Dennis also had a separate camera and tripod he could use to take a decent selfie at each summit.

Lupe and Stewy on **Flag Mountain**, their first Black Hills summit together.

Given the weather, there wasn’t much reason to linger. As snowflakes continued to fall, everyone headed back down to the RAV4.

Since tomorrow’s forecast was much better, and Dennis had already spent the last 4 days since leaving home peakbagging, he was inclined to call it a day. After all, why climb mountains in this soup, and not get to see much of anything? In the meantime, he could relax in comfort while catching up on some of his record-keeping.

Made perfect sense, except for two things. The next peak on Dennis’ list was Crows Nest Peak (7,048 ft.). Although not all that far from Flag Mountain, Crows Nest wasn’t anywhere near the other Black Hills peaks Dennis still needed to tag. A quick visit to Crows Nest while in the area made sense from the standpoint of efficiency alone.

Furthermore, Dennis wouldn’t miss out on a thing by making the jaunt up Crows Nest today. At over 7,000 feet, Crows Nest Peak was certainly among the highest points of the entire Black Hills range, but incredibly misleadingly named. The surrounding territory was gently rolling and mostly forested. No distant views of, or from, the summit even on the best of days.

Lupe’s local expert advice was to climb Crows Nest today. Stewy was willing to give it a shot.

5-4-22, 10:23 AM, Boles Canyon Road and USFS Road No. 117.5K – Lupe was happy! She sniffed around while Dennis finished getting ready. Although remote Crows Nest Peak was a favorite place, the Carolina Dog hadn’t been here since the day of her Mighty Dingo Missile Launch nearly 4 years ago. This time, Loop was looking forward to an easy, and less painful, mile long romp up to the red dirt pond near the summit.

USFS Road 117.5K from Boles Canyon Road. Photo looks N.

A faint road took off to the SE through open territory from here. Within just a few minutes, Dennis was ready to go. Lupe, Stewy, and SPHP set off along the faint road, heading for the trees.

The faint road (Center beyond Lupe) serving as the start of the route to Crows Nest Peak. Photo looks SE.

Stewy and Lupe about to set out. Photo looks SE.

Upon reaching the forest, the faint road merged into USFS Road No. 266. After passing through a gate in a barbed wire fence, the steepest part of the trek was ahead. Nothing too difficult, culminating in a snowy stretch near the top.

On USFS Road No. 266, looking back toward Boles Canyon Road. Photo looks NW.

The snowy stretch ended and the road flattened out, becoming a sloppy mess as Lupe entered a clearing that had been logged off years ago. No. 266 began angling E across the clearing. Before long, it would lead to a side spur that went N up to the red dirt pond near the Crows Nest Peak summit, but there was little benefit to traipsing through the mud.

Abandoning the road, everyone headed NE, cutting across the clearing. Lupe was soon in an aspen forest, hopping over deadfall and winding around bushes, as she worked her way up a slope.

In the clearing where No. 266 leveled out. Photo looks E.

As the terrain flattened out again, Lupe reached the spur that came up from No. 266. The red dirt pond was just around the next bend.

Dennis and Loop across the red dirt pond. Photo looks SW.

The Crows Nest Peak survey benchmark was only 300 feet E of the pond, tucked away deeper into the forest. Looper led Dennis right to it. The surrounding terrain was so flat that, as far as could be determined, this really was the mighty true summit of Crows Nest Peak (7,048 ft.).

Dennis and Lupe on the death-defying summit of **Crows Nest Peak**! Survey benchmark in front of Lupe. Photo looks ESE.

While Dennis set about documenting the ascent, SPHP noticed a wooden post roughly 50 feet E of the survey marker. Going over to check it out, Lupe discovered directional survey marker No. 2 only a few feet away.

The “Crow No. 2 1912” directional marker.

Having found the No. 2 directional marker, before departing an effort was made to locate the No. 1 marker. Lupe, Stewy, and SPHP fanned out through the forest. However, a 5 or 10 minute search yielded no results.

Well, Dennis was satisfied. He’d done what he needed to do here. Soon everyone was traipsing back past the red dirt pond again.

This was it for the day. Not much effort had been required, but it had been a pleasant introductory outing with Stewy. Lupe and SPHP had very much enjoyed being back in the limestone plateau country again.

About to head down USFS Road No. 266. Photo looks NW.

Near the end, with the RAV4 in sight. Photo looks NNW.

And the good news, of course, was that Expedition No. 303 was merely a warm-up for more ambitious adventures with Stewy tomorrow!

With Dennis “Stewy” Stewart on **Crows Nest Peak**, Black Hills of South Dakota 5-4-22

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