Black Hills Expeditions – Page 3 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

9:54 AM, 39ºF, Dalton Lake trailhead – As soon as Joe parked the RAV4 in the enormous otherwise empty parking lot, SPHP gave the order.

OK, get off of me, you two!

Eager to comply, Lupe and Cousin Dixie bounded out, relieving SPHP of a lap full of dogs. A bit cooler today, but still a lovely, unseasonably warm morning. Clearly destined to be a great day for a jaunt along a stretch of scenic Centennial Trail No. 89!

**Joe** and **Lupe** at the **Dalton Lake trailhead**. Photo looks W.

Neither Uncle Joe nor Dixie had ever been to Dalton Lake before. A short walk NW along Centennial Trail No. 89 through the tall grass led to a sturdy pawbridge over Little Elk Creek. Once across it, the trail turned W, leading up to a larger, slightly arched bridge over the spillway where Dalton Lake was in view.

The little lake, scarcely more than a glorified pond, had a thin sheet of ice on it this morning. Despite its small size, both Dalton Lake and the shady campground along its S shore made a favorable impression.

**Joe** and **Dixie** crossing the **bridge over Little Elk Creek**. **Dalton Lake spillway** (L). Photo looks WNW.

**Dalton Lake**. Photo looks SW toward the campground along the S shore.

**Dixie**, **Lupe**, and **Joe** on the **bridge over the spillway**. Photo looks NNW.

**Dalton Lake**, a hidden Black Hills gem. Photo looks W.

**Little Elk Creek** downstream view from the bridge over the spillway. Photo looks ENE.

The N bound stretch of Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W from the spillway, climbing gradually into the forest above the N shore of Dalton Lake. Beyond the lake’s W end, the trail doubled back to the E again, eventually leveling out. By then, Dalton Lake was no longer in view.

Starting up **Centennial Trail No. 89 N of Dalton Lake**. Photo looks WNW.

The relatively flat stretch lasted until the trail made it around the E end of the mountain, where it started climbing NW before circling clear back around to the SE. After yesterday’s Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.) excursion, Joe’s toes were already feeling a little sore, so it wasn’t clear how far he was going to be able to go today.

The crazy way the trail was winding around, it was almost certain that he wouldn’t get very far as the crow flies. Peak 5173 might be about it.

**Joe** in the lead on the **E side of the mountain N of Dalton Lake**. Photo looks N.

Near the end of the winding climb. Photo looks SE.

The climb SE ended abruptly at the E end of a plateau. Centennial Trail No. 89 turned sharply back to the W here, and soon led to USFS Road No. 704.1B. This level hike was at least somewhat easier on Joe’s paws, so the adventure continued.

On **USFS Road No. 174.1B**. Photo looks NE.

No. 174.1B curved N, then swung back around to the E again, where it began going downhill. However, before long, Centennial Trail No. 89 abandoned the road as a single track again near some huge boulders. It then proceeded to swing around the E end of the next big ridge to the N.

From this region there was kind of a nice, if tree-broken, view looking E down Little Elk Canyon way out onto the western South Dakota prairies beyond the Black Hills.

**Centennial Trail No. 89** close to where it left USFS Road No. 174.1B. Photo looks NE.

A glimpse of the **prairies** (R) beyond **Little Elk Canyon**. Photo looks E.

Beyond this viewpoint, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved WNW, and began climbing at a steady, relatively easy pace for the next 0.5 mile, now on the N side of a forested ridge. Upon reaching a saddle, the trail turned N climbing more steeply for a short distance up onto the next big ridge.

This next ridge was part of Peak 5173. Centennial Trail No. 89 ran NW here above a line of cliffs. After a slower climb, the terrain flattened out near the summit, an unremarkable level region in the forest.

The high point, to the extent that there was one, was somewhat N of the trail. Joe’s toes were saying that this was about far enough today, but it appeared there might be a more scintillating viewpoint a bit farther W.

11:47 AM, 50ºF – Sure enough, a limestone outcropping at the W end of Peak 5173 provided a halfway decent glimpse of the territory off to the W. Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) were both easily recognizable in the distance. Not a bad spot to take a break, and Joe’s toes weren’t inclined to look around for a better one.

**Custer Peak** (L of Center) from the break spot. Photo looks WNW.

The best view, of course, was from out at the far end of the point. As young as Dixie was, Joe wouldn’t let her go out there, but Lupe went.

**Joe** and **Dixie** sensibly playing it safe back among the trees. Photo looks E.

**Lupe** near the end of the point. Photo looks WNW.

**Custer Peak** (L) and **Terry Peak** (R) with help from the telephoto lens.

**Lupe** up on the limestone outcropping. Photo looks S.

Uncle Joe hadn’t brought his portable ham radio along today, so after a look at the views, everyone just sat down and relaxed. Dixie, Lupe, and SPHP shared a single measly chocolate coconut bar to celebrate Joe’s toes holding up long enough to make it to Peak 5173. Clearly inadequate, the chocolate coconut bar required supplementation with Taste of the Wild for both dogs. Joe and SPHP each had an apple and an energy bar. Water for all, of course.

Somewhere SE, a coyote howled, unusual in the middle of the day. After an otherwise peaceful half hour drifted by, Joe was ready to head back. The day’s Peak 5173 festivities weren’t entirely over yet, though. Making today’s lone claim to a peakbagging success legitimate, while passing the summit region again, Joe and Lupe both selected and stood on what they felt was the highest point.

Final moments at the **viewpoint at the W end of Peak 5173**. Photo looks W.

Joe and Lupe both on **Peak 5173’s true summit** in their own opinions. Photo looks ESE.

All official now, but that still wasn’t it for Peak 5173. Starting back from the true summit in no big rush, there were still some views to be enjoyed from the line of cliffs along the S edge.

On **Centennial Trail No. 89 near the edge of the cliffs**. Photo looks E.

On a limestone platform along the edge. Photo looks WSW.

1:55 PM, Dalton Lake – Half a dozen deer provided a little excitement during the return, but Lupe and Dixie’s adventures in the Black Hills were once again over and done with now. Tomorrow, Joe, Andrea, and Dixie would all be going back home to Colorado again.

The main purpose of the trip had been so that Aunt Andrea could spend some time with Grandma, and this evening Uncle Joe joined her, visiting Grandma at her new assisted living apartment.

It was a good thing that Andrea, Joe, and Dixie had come. 4 days after going to Peak 5173 with Joe and Cousin Dixie, Lupe and SPHP enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with Grandma, who was in good spirits and doing very well. Grandma petted Lupe many times, and let the Carolina Dog eat way more than her fair share of turkey and gravy. Delicious!

Sadly, although no one knew it at the time, Grandma didn’t have much longer to live.

Along the edge of **Peak 5173**, Black Hills of South Dakota, 11-19-23

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Lupe & Dixie’s Scrollable GPS Track

Centennial Trail No. 89 Brochure & Map

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!

Well, they were back! Yesterday afternoon Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dixie arrived at Hotel Lupe from Colorado after having visited only a little over a month ago in October. While it was great to see them again, this time their reason for coming wasn’t entirely a good one.

On October 15th, Grandma had fallen. Fortunately, she hadn’t broken any bones and was alright, but not too many days later she got pretty sick. Grandma had to come and live with Lupe and SPHP for a while. Happily, she was finally better again now, and had just recently moved into assisted living. Aunt Andrea was going to spend a couple of days visiting Grandma, and help her get used to her new situation.

10:00 AM, 52ºF, junction of Horse Creek Road & USFS Road No. 243 – Of course, with Grandma in good paws, that left Uncle Joe and Cousin Dixie free to spend some time in the Black Hills today. What a beautiful day it was for November, too! Surprisingly warm, and not a cloud in the sky as the trek up USFS Road No. 243 began.

Parked along **USFS Road No. 243**. Photo looks SW.

**Joe** and **Dixie** lead the way. Photo looks SW.

Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.) was today’s chosen destination. Most of the route to it was merely a road hike. The section along USFS Road No. 243 was uphill all the way. Joe and Dixie made one off-road foray to have a look at a big round water trough, but other than that, and a few short breathers, everyone made steady progress on the long trudge higher.

**Joe** and **Dixie** over by the water trough. Photo looks W.

Taking a breather after a bit of a march. Photo looks WSW.

**Dixie** and **Lupe** out in front. Photo looks W.

Lupe was thrilled that Cousin Dixie seemed to have largely forgotten her former penchant for herding her. The American Dingo was usually able to proceed in peace, seldom issuing a warning growl in Dixie’s direction.

This welcome development seemed due to Dixie being old enough now at 7 months to start showing genuine interest in what was happening in the forest. Every now and then, Dixie pounced as if she heard something stirring among the dry leaves near the road.

After more than a mile, USFS Road No. 243 leveled off at a cattle guard. A junction with USFS Road No. 249 was just a short distance beyond it. From a small rise 100 feet S, both Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) and Sylvan Peak (7,000 ft.) were in sight.

The **cattle guard** at the **W end of USFS Road No. 243** near the **junction with No. 249**. Photo looks WNW.

**Black Elk Peak** (L of Center), **Sylvan Peak** (far R). Photo looks S.

After a look at the view, it was time to head N on No. 249. The road was flat at first, but soon began a gradual descent. After 0.75 mile, Old Bald Peak was in sight only another 0.5 mile NW.

Heading N on **USFS Road No. 249**. Photo looks NNE.

A path leaving the road headed straight for Old Bald Peak seemed like an obvious and convenient choice, but quickly faded away. A bushwhack ensued among scattered pines amid extensive stands of aspens. Deadfall littered the forest floor.

A promising start on the path to **Old Bald Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

Off-trail amid the aspens. **Old Bald Peak** (R). Photo looks NW.

After crossing a couple of drainages, a steeper trek began up Old Bald Peak’s SE slope, which was mostly covered with pines. Higher up, open regions began providing views of Peak 6043 and others beyond it. The steepest part of the entire climb came on a grassy slope just below the summit ridge.

Getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.

11:45 AM, 62ºF – No doubt Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.) was very old, but it was far from being bald. The reasonably flat summit ridge, the highest part of which was something like 150 feet long N/S and 30 feet wide E/W, was covered with enough pines to block the views in most directions.

Uncle Joe had brought his portable ham radio along. Upon arriving at the likely true summit near the center of the summit ridge, he began looking for the best spot to set up his telescoping antenna. Meanwhile, Lupe went back S a little way to stand on a small rock outcropping at least in contention for the title of true summit.

**Joe** and **Dixie** at the **true summit**. Photo looks NE.

On one of the highest rocks toward the S end of the summit ridge. Photo looks SE.

It was then, only a few minutes after reaching the top of Old Bald Peak, that a remarkable thing happened. Dixie had tagged along with Lupe and SPHP, and suddenly started barking as she stared farther S.

Someone was coming! SPHP expected to see hunters. Instead, moments later, Lupe met Curt and Jodi Massie of Rapid City. Amazingly, Curt and Jodi not only turned out to be fellow peakbaggers, but they even knew of Lupe from The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe! It was the first time the American Dingo had ever met anyone in the Black Hills purely by chance that already knew of her exploits.

With **Curt** **& Jodi Massie** on **Old Bald Peak**.

Curt is a businessman and South Dakota State Representative for House District 33, while Jodi teaches at Meadowbrook Elementary school. On this fine November day, they were working on a personal goal Lupe and SPHP certainly approved of – to climb the highest 100 Black Hills peaks!

Curt and Jodi had just come from Peak 6167, roughly 0.5 mile S. Old Bald Peak was their 19th summit, and they were thinking about maybe heading over to Peak 6043 nearly a mile ESE next. After a pleasant 15 minute conversation with SPHP, and giving Lupe a pat, Curt and Jodie were on their way.

Wow! Curt and Jodi had already heard of me, SPHP! Maybe I’m getting famous?

Undeniably true, Loopster! It’s taken only 12 years and 11 months to run into someone in our Black Hills home territory aware of your existence.

Don’t forget about Peter and Meghan Cielenski, SPHP! They recognized me when we got back to camp after climbing Atlantic Peak in the Wind River Range, remember?

That’s right, Loop! And meeting them took only 9 years and 9 months, so the pace you’re being recognized at has tripled, since it isn’t even quite 3 years and 3 months later yet.

Do you suppose I’ll become rich and famous, SPHP? And when will the rich part start?

Oh, no doubt about it, Looper! Taylor Swift better watch out! And as far as the rich part goes – the sooner, the better.

By now, Joe had decided where to put up his antenna, and required a bit of SPHP’s assistance to get the 4 lateral wires spread out. Once that was done, all SPHP had to do was prevent Lupe and Dixie from running into the laterals since they weren’t very securely fastened.

Joe all set up atop **Old Bald Peak**. Photo looks W.

Working the portable ham radio while **Dixie** looks on.

**Cousin Dixie** guarding the very important radio operation. Photo looks W.

Hanging around Joe while he was on the radio wasn’t working out. Both Lupe and Dixie kept running into the laterals despite SPHP’s best efforts. Seemed like a good time for a little tour of the greater summit region to have a look at whatever views might be available.

From another rock well S of the true summit, Mount Warner (5,889 ft.) and Samelius Peak (5,856 ft.) were visible through an opening in the trees. Repositioning a bit, Calumet Ridge (5,601 ft.) and a little slice of Sheridan Lake were, too.

**Mount Warner** and **Samelius Peak** (far R) in the distance. Photo looks SE.

**Calumet Ridge** (L), **Mount Warner** (R of Center) and **Samelius Peak** (R) all near the horizon. Photo looks SE.

Everywhere to the W, a long line of high ridges was visible strung out along the E edge of the limestone plateau country of the western Black Hills beyond a vast region of lower, forested hills. The view to the SW was particularly attractive.

After the Old Bald Peak scenic tour, it was time to check in on how Joe’s ham radio operations were going.

**Lupe** checking in with **Uncle Joe**. Photo looks NW.

So, how’s it going, Uncle Joe?

Oh, nothing like the response we got back in the Summits on the Air days with your Cousin Dusty, but not too bad, Lupe. My antenna isn’t the best, so people had a hard time hearing me. Wound up spending a lot of time talking to a friend named Terry back in Colorado, who is a new ham radio enthusiast, so that was fun. Also worked a guy in Missouri, and even someone in Russia who could hear me quite clearly.

In Russia! You didn’t collude with anyone in Russia, did you Uncle Joe?

Collude? Of course not, Loopster! We just exchanged call signs and a few short messages via Morse code.

What! You were sending coded messages to a Russian, Uncle Joe? Seems sort of suspicious to me.

Suspicious! We were just using Morse code, Lupe. Completely harmless. Morse Code has been around for nearly 2 centuries. Everyone knows Morse code, if they have any interest in amateur radio at all.

Oh, really? So you admit that you’ve been knowingly sending messages to a Russian in a code that they’ve already broken? What was his or her name, Joe? Wasn’t “Vlad” by any chance, was it?

NO! What’s gotten into you, Lupe? I’m your Uncle Joe!

Well, I happen to notice you didn’t send any messages to this Russian while a representative of the South Dakota government was around.

SPHP, I think it’s about time we muzzle your Dingo and head back.

1:49 PM – It was all just crazy talk. SPHP wasn’t about to muzzle Lupe. Best to forget the whole thing, and that’s exactly what happened. More than 2 hours after arriving on Old Bald Peak, everyone headed down the S slope with Peak 6167, where Curt and Jodie had been only a little while ago, in view nearby, and Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) on the horizon.

And as far as the all-American Dingo knows, Uncle Joe has never again ever even thought about colluding with anyone in Russa.

That may be, SPHP, but do you think maybe we ought to check on whether or not that radio Uncle Joe uses was made in China?

Uh, no. I’d let it go, Loopster! (End 3:00 PM)