Crows Nest Peak – Page 3 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 143 – Bald Hills, Peak 6888 & Crows Nest Peak (10-24-15)

Thursday evening, 10-22-15, the Black Hills got some much needed rain. While checking the weather online, SPHP noticed that there was a band of snow shown up in the higher western Black Hills near the border with Wyoming. Lupe loves the snow, so on Saturday morning, 10-24-15, Lupe and SPHP set out for the high country.

It turned out there wasn’t any snow. Or, at least, if there had been, it was all melted by Saturday. Lupe and SPHP did see some areas of frost in the shade of the pines in some areas, but that was it. Lupe wasn’t going to get to play in the snow, but she still had a couple of peakbagging goals in the area.

NW of Redbank Spring, SPHP parked the G6 about 0.25 mile W of USFS Road No. 117 along No. 113. No. 113 would take Lupe to her first destination, which was Bald Hills (6,690 ft.).

Lupe on USFS Road No. 113 shortly after starting out for peakbagging goal Bald Hills.

At first, No. 113 headed WNW through a tall grass field, but it soon turned N to enter the forest. In the forest, the road was muddy. SPHP had to leave the road due to the amount of mud clinging to SPHP’s boots.

Most of the rest of the way to Bald Hills, SPHP walked through the forest. It was pretty easy. This part of the hills is all high ground, but very gently rolling. Lupe was feeling great in the cooler weather. She raced through the forest sniffing everything.

Along USFS Road No. 113 was this area of frozen mud. The thin ice was hollow underneath. The water had already soaked into the ground. When Lupe came by again later in the day, the ice had all melted.

Bald Hills is a high point near the SW end of a long ridge that extends out to the W. Despite the name “Bald Hills”, the area is nearly all forested. When Lupe reached the high point shown on Peakbagger.com, there was a big level field there. The top was all bald, but it was also surrounded by forest. Presumably the trees have grown up since the name was given to the area.

The surrounding band of trees was thinnest to the W. It was possible to see between them to catch glimpses of Mount Pisgah (6,380 ft.) 5 miles away in Wyoming. Bald Hills is in South Dakota, but only 0.5 mile from the Wyoming border. Some of the surrounding trees had been killed by pine bark beetles. Whenever those trees finally fall over, the view will be better.

Lupe and SPHP took a break. Both had cake and water on Bald Hills. Lupe also had Taste of the Wild. SPHP had carrots from the garden. Afterwards, Lupe posed for a few photos.

Lupe at the summit of Bald Hills. It not clear which other hills might be considered part of Bald Hills. There were other fingers of the same general ridge off to the N, but Lupe was where all SPHP’s maps showed the location of Bald Hills to be.

The hill might be bald on top, but there isn't much of a view due to surrounding forests. — The hill might be bald on top, but there isn’t much of a view due to surrounding forests. Photo looks ENE.

OK, there was kind of a view to the W toward **Mount Pisgah (6,380 ft.)** in Wyoming. Only peakbaggers like Lupe would come way out here for such a mediocre look at the world, though. From Lupe’s point of view the sniffing, squirrels and solitude were great.

Lupe’s next peakbagging goal was Peak 6888 off to the NE. Lupe and SPHP set off on No. 113 again, retracing Lupe’s route to Bald Hills, but only for a short distance. There were two other fingers of the same ridge that Bald Hills was part of that SPHP thought Lupe should explore along the way. Side roads off USFS Road No. 113 went along both ridges. The first one Lupe came to was No. 113.1E.

No. 113.1E headed WNW. SPHP had hoped it might lead to a clearer viewpoint off to the W. Instead it lost elevation at a steady, moderate pace and stayed in the forest. The road went on and on. SPHP gave up on finding a better view here. When a side road appeared that headed back E, Lupe and SPHP took it. SPHP hoped to find a shortcut to road No. 113.1D on the next ridge to the NE.

The side road lost elevation gradually, and came to a sharp bend at a draw. SPHP didn’t want to lose any more elevation. Just above the road was a little earthen dam. Lupe and SPHP left the side road to investigate. There turned out to be a little stock pond behind the dam. There was another even smaller dam and pond above this one. SPHP named the larger pond Hidden Slew, since the water seemed a bit slimy.

Only readers of The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe get to see and learn the secret locations of great things like puny little slimy stock ponds. What a benefit! This photo shows the very remote little side road Lupe followed to reach this hidden treasure. — Only readers of The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe get to see and learn the secret locations of great things like puny little slimy stock ponds in the Black Hills. What a benefit! This photo shows the very remote side road off No. 113.1E that Lupe followed to reach Hidden Slew. What a treasured find! Photo looks W.

From Hidden Slew, Lupe and SPHP started climbing up the NE slope of the draw. Pretty soon, SPHP noticed that along the N side of the draw, it looked like there might be a viewpoint. Going over in that direction, Lupe found a slope heading up to the ridge where No. 113.1D was.

This slope had been pretty heavily logged. Climbing higher, Lupe discovered the only spot where there was an opening in the forest big enough for a clear distance shot with the camera. Off to the NW was a nice look at Inyan Kara (6,360 ft.).

Inyan Kara (R of Center) is seen here to the NW. This was the only clear distance shot anywhere in the Bald Hills area. — Inyan Kara (R of Center) is seen here to the NW. This was the only clear distant view Lupe found anywhere in the vicinity of Bald Hills. Inyan Kara is in Wyoming. The mountain is on a single square mile of isolated Black Hills National Forest land totally surrounded by private ranches.

Lupe and SPHP easily reached the top of the logged slope to find USFS Road No. 113.1D, as expected. Lupe followed No. 113.1D NW for a while, but it too began to drop into a denser forest. There weren’t going to be any better views continuing in that direction. So Lupe and SPHP turned around, and headed SE back to the junction with No. 113.

It was possible to get a pretty good look at Sweetwater Mountain while moving along, but there weren't any unobstructed views of it for the camera. Sweetwater Mountain is also in Wyoming. — It was possible to get a pretty good look at **Sweetwater Mountain** **(6,440 ft.)** (the long forested ridge in the distance) while moving along, but there weren’t any unobstructed views of it for the camera. Sweetwater Mountain is also in Wyoming.

Lupe racing around on USFS Road No. 113.1D. Even though the area had already been heavily logged, it looks like they might just as well have taken down even more trees. Many of the trees still standing are dead, killed by pine bark beetles.

Back at No. 113, Lupe and SPHP turned E on it again. This time Lupe followed it to the formerly frozen mud so elegantly portrayed earlier in this post. By now, the ice had melted.

Near by was a side road, No. 113.1G, which headed N down into Bear Canyon. It looked like it was going to turn NE, and head up into the upper end of Bear Canyon, which was where Lupe needed to go to reach Peak 6888. So Lupe and SPHP left No. 113 again to check out No. 113.1G.

This high up in the Black Hills, the fall colors are now completely done. All the leaves have fallen off the aspen trees. The leaves on the ground have all turned a dull brown. — This high up in the Black Hills, the fall colors are now completely done. All the leaves have fallen off these aspen trees along No. 113.1G. The leaves on the ground have all turned a dull brown. Everywhere Lupe went this day, it was the same.

No. 113.1G did turn NE, and did lead Lupe to the upper reaches of Bear Canyon, where there were three stock ponds in a row. Beyond the upper stock pond was a big open field. Lupe posed for a photo near the middle stock pond, which SPHP judged to be most beautiful of all. Then Lupe continued following the road, which now headed NNE toward Peak 6888.

Lupe amidst the scenic splendor of the middle stock pond in upper Bear Canyon.

SPHP isn’t sure where the transition from USFS Road No. 113.1G occurred, perhaps it was at the stock ponds, but Lupe was now on Bear Canyon Road. When Lupe reached the high point on Bear Canyon Road, she was essentially at the summit of Peak 6888.

The topo map from Peakbagger.com showed the official summit location of Peak 6888 a little way off to the W of the road. The whole area was so flat, it hardly made any difference, but Lupe and SPHP wandered off the road to the W to see what might be a little higher than everything else. This area had also been pretty heavily logged. SPHP thought a particular stump looked like it was at the highest point. Lupe posed for her obligatory summit of Peak 6888 photos.

Lupe on the stump at the tip top of Peak 6888.

Another goal of interest only to peakbaggers. Peak 6888 was so flat that even with nearly all the trees cut down there weren’t any views. This photo looks E toward Bear Canyon Road, near the big pile of dead trees. The logging must have occurred fairly recently. Many of the trees that had been cut down still had green needles on them.

Lupe had now completed both of her peakbagging goals for the day. She headed N on Bear Canyon Road to reach USFS Road No. 109. She followed No. 109 0.5 mile E to No. 117. Lupe was now a little over 3 miles N of where No. 113 left No. 117. The G6 was parked back along No. 113.

The sun was still fairly high in the sky, though. Lupe had time to revisit Crows Nest Peak (7,048 ft.), which she had just been to on Expedition No. 139 on 9-27-15. Crows Nest Peak (7,048 ft.) was only about 2 miles to the NE. Lupe could reach it from a new direction this time, which meant more exploring, more squirrels, and more fun!

So off she went. Lupe followed No. 117 a little farther N to get past a fence line. She then turned NE, crossed a field near another stock pond of immense interest (sadly not pictured), and plunged up into the forest.

Lupe at the intersection of Bear Canyon Road and USFS Road No. 109. Photo looks S. — Lupe at the intersection of Bear Canyon Road and USFS Road No. 109. The forested ridge in the background is part of Peak 6888. Photo looks S.

Lupe along No. 117. She would soon cross the big field at the right close to another stock pond, mercifully not pictured here. Photo looks N.

It had been SPHP’s intention that Lupe would just climb up the ridge to the NE, and then try to stay on high ground while heading directly for Crows Nest Peak. However, partway up the ridge, there was a really nice level road. It wound its way N and E along the side of the ridge. It looked so easy and inviting, Lupe followed it instead of climbing to the top of the ridge. Eventually, this road reached another. A marker showed that Lupe had been on No. 695.1A.

Lupe on No. 695.1A just before it ended at No. 695. Since No. 695 went the wrong direction, Lupe left the roads to cross the field shown in sunlight and head into the forest again.

No. 695.1A ended at No. 695, which went SE, not the direction Lupe needed to go. Lupe left the roads, and crossed a sunlit field covered with dark brown bushes. She then entered the forest again. SPHP had the same plan as before, just climb to the top and stay on high ground heading NE to Crows Nest Peak.

The same thing happened again. Lupe came to another nice level road which wound around to the N, but mostly to the E. This road proved to be No. 266.1A, which linked up to No. 266. No. 266 had been recently graded and was a muddy mess, but it took Lupe right on up to Crows Nest Peak.

Lupe on No. 266.1A on her way to Crows Nest Peak. This was a pleasant level stroll in the low angle sunlight. — Lupe on No. 266.1A on her way to Crows Nest Peak. This was a pleasant, level, sunlit stroll.

Aspen trees S of No. 266 on the approach to Crows Nest Peak.

Thought you would get away without seeing any more ponds, aye? Well, here is Lupe now at the pond just 200 feet W of the USGS Benchmark at the summit of Crows Nest Peak. — Thought you would get away without seeing any more ponds or mud puddles, aye? Well, here is Lupe now at the pond on Crows Nest Peak just 200 feet W of the USGS Benchmark at the summit. Photo looks N.

Lupe reaches the survey marker post next to the USFS Benchmark on Crows Nest Peak. This was Lupe's 3rd time on Crows Nest Peak. — Lupe reaches the survey marker post next to the USGS Benchmark on Crows Nest Peak. This was Lupe’s 3rd time on Crows Nest Peak.

Lupe didn’t stay long on top of Crows Nest Peak. The sun would only be up for another 30 or 40 minutes, at most. The G6 was now 5 miles away. Lupe left Crows Nest Peak heading S on No. 266. Instead of turning W along with the road, she continued S through the forest. She found a trail that took her SSW, and then SW. It was an interesting area. In the rapidly fading light, it seemed very remote and wild.

It was dark by the time Lupe and SPHP reached USFS Road No. 117 again, still at least a couple of miles from the G6. The moon, more than 3/4 full, was shining brilliantly in the clear sky. Only the brightest stars could be seen. Suddenly Lupe heard them – the wild dogs who live in the forests and fields – the coyotes.

Lupe sat next to SPHP listening very intently. The coyotes yipped and howled and sang. This was the biggest coyote choir Lupe had ever heard. A whole pack was out there.

SPHP told Lupe about how the coyotes live wild and free all the time, doing whatever they please, while roaming the Black Hills at will. SPHP also mentioned that they were often cold and tired and hungry. Lupe thought things over. Living free sounded wonderful, but so did a steady diet of Taste of the Wild, Alpo, treats, and a comfy soft, warm bed.

The coyotes sang for just a few minutes. They stopped as abruptly as they had started. Lupe decided to continue on with SPHP to the G6 beneath the silent, silver moon.

Hey, another pond shot! Trees are reflected in the tiny pond on Crows Nest Peak half an hour before sunset.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 139 – Crows Nest Peak (9-27-15)

With a forecast high near a ridiculously hot 90°F on Saturday, 9-26-15, SPHP postponed Lupe’s Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 139 to Sunday, when it was supposed to be about 10°F cooler. Even 80°F is warmer than either Lupe or SPHP like for long days outdoors, but by going far enough W to some of the highest ground in the Black Hills, the heat would at least be tolerable.

Lupe and SPHP got off to a pretty early start. In a bit of an unusual twist, there was time for a Lupe photo op at the cool Tyrannosaurus Rex outside the Dinosaur Museum on Hwy 16 S of Rapid City, SD.

Lupe drops by the T Rex at the Dinosaur Museum on Hwy 16 S of Rapid City, SD. SPHP notes that American Dingoes make much better companions than Tyrannosaurs.

NW of Deerfield Reservoir in the west central Black Hills, SPHP parked the G6 at the last pullout overlooking Castle Creek before reaching USFS Road No. 157. It was 8:10 AM, and a very pleasant 53° F under totally clear blue skies. Lupe and SPHP headed NW to reach USFS Road No. 157.

After crossing Castle Creek, No. 157 turned and went SE for 0.5 mile at the edge of the forest in Castle Creek valley. The road then turned W and went up a side canyon for several miles. Lupe ran around following game trails and exploring the forest. She ran down to Silver Creek to cool off and get a drink.

Eight days earlier, on Lupe’s Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 138 to White Tail Peak, there weren’t many fall colors yet. Now nearly all the aspens had turned to yellow blazes of glory. Although Ponderosa Pines are by far the most dominant tree species in the Black Hills, aspens are probably the next most numerous. They are pretty widespread in scattered groups in the central and northern hills. Lupe saw many beautiful golden aspen trees, a treat that doesn’t last very long.

Lupe saw lots of aspens with beautiful yellow leaves this day. These were along USFS Road No. 157.

USFS Road No. 157 came to an intersection with USFS Road No. 655. No. 655 went left. No. 157 went right. Lupe and SPHP went straight ahead towards the WNW on the faint track of an old logging trail. There were more pretty aspens and tall grass. Lupe eventually reached No. 157 again near an intersection with No. 157.1F.

Aspens along the shortcut to USFS Road No. 157.1F.

SPHP checked the maps. No. 157.1F would eventually dead end in Fulton Draw, but the first 0.5 mile or so went N, which would help Lupe get closer to Crows Nest Peak (7,048 ft.), her peakbagging goal for the day. A quick scouting of No. 157.1F proved disappointing, however. The road started losing elevation, and looked like it would continue to do so. SPHP thought it would be better to go back and stay on higher ground.

Backtracking nearly to No. 157, Lupe and SPHP headed W into the forest. A wicked looking 6-strand barbed wire fence blocked any advance to the NW. SPHP kept Lupe away from that fence. The terrain looked like it dropped in that direction anyway. Between the fence and the terrain, Lupe and SPHP were slowly forced to keep turning more and more toward the SW. Lupe was essentially just paralleling USFS Road No. 157, which wasn’t far to the S.

Lupe had been to this same area before on prior expeditions long ago. On at least a couple of those occasions, she had been trying to reach Crows Nest Peak from the S. Too much snow and lack of time had prevented her from reaching it. SPHP found a deflated helium party balloon that had flown all this way from somewhere just to welcome Lupe back to the region.

Lupe is welcomed back to the region N of USFS Road No. 157 by an errant balloon. — Lupe is welcomed back to the region near USFS Road No. 157 by an errant balloon.

Lupe and SPHP hadn’t gone too far SW, when Lupe came to a road heading W. It had no marker, but since Lupe needed to go NW to reach Crows Nest Peak, it was a better choice than No. 157 at this point. Lupe followed the unnumbered road W. Pretty soon she came to a small pond with some cattails growing in part of it.

Aspens seen from the unmarked road to the little pond with cattails.

Lupe reaches the small pond with cattails in it. — Lupe reaches the cattail pond.

There was a game trail heading N into the forest from the cattail pond. Since Lupe seemed to be far enough W so that the land no longer lost much elevation heading N, Lupe left the unmarked road. Lupe and SPHP followed the game trail N for quite a long way through the forest. Just E of the trail was a barbed wire fence. A little way off to the W there was a small ridge of higher ground.

The forest went on and on. Eventually an eastern spur of the ridge to the W forced Lupe and SPHP to climb up on the ridge. Once up on the ridge, Lupe turned away from the fence to head NW, allowing her to stay up on the highest ground.

Lupe was excited to see some of her giant deers (elk) up on the ridge. The giant deers saw Lupe, too. They weren’t any happier with the companionship of a Carolina Dog than they would have been with a Tyrannosaurus. The giant deers disappeared farther into the forest. Lupe saw more elk and white tail deer now and then as she continued onward.

Lupe was up in the high limestone plateau country of the western Black Hills. It is rolling territory, mostly forested, characterized by a maze of ridges usually no more than a few hundred feet higher than the intervening valleys. In this kind of terrain, there aren’t typically many places where there are clear long distance views. Although it was possible to catch glimpses of more high ridges a little farther off through the trees, Lupe and SPHP were more or less lost wandering in the forest.

Of course, SPHP knew roughly where Lupe was, but the area was unfamiliar. Just navigating by the sun, it wasn’t easy to know for certain which way to go. Fortunately, the Black Hills are full of various USFS Roads, ATV trails, and logging roads. Sooner or later Lupe would reach one. In the meantime, she just needed to keep heading NW.

The ridge ended. Lupe still had not come to any road. Finally she found a logging road heading NW, the direction she needed to go. It soon ended at an intersection with another logging road. There were more golden aspens nearby, some quite nice specimens, but none of the roads continued N or NW. Lupe took the logging trail heading W, but didn’t stay on it long. SPHP thought she should continue NW through the forest. A 10 minute trek NW brought Lupe to a long, broad open field.

Lupe near the aspens close to the intersection of logging trails.

Fall colors, yellow aspens in particular, seem to be a theme of Expedition No. 139 to Crows Nest Peak. Lupe is seen near this magnificent stand close to where she left the logging road to head NW again. — Fall colors, yellow aspens in particular, seem to be a theme of Lupe’s Expedition No. 139 to Crows Nest Peak. Lupe is seen near this magnificent stand close to where she left the logging road to head NW again.

Lupe reaches the long, broad open field. Photo looks SW. Lupe had been to the far end of the field seen here on a previous expedition long ago.

While Lupe had never been to this exact place before, SPHP was pretty certain she had been to the far SW end of this same field on a previous expedition while trying to find Crows Nest Peak from the S. Back then SPHP had wanted to explore up this way, but there hadn’t been time. Lupe had plenty of time left to explore today, though.

Lupe continued NW across the field and went into the forest on the other side. Before too long, she came to a road heading N. She followed it until SPHP noticed some unusual fall colors to the NE. Lupe was happy to go take a look. What had caught SPHP’s eye were some aspens that were not the usual yellow – their leaves had turned a light orange. Some of their leaves were even rather reddish.

Wow! Orange aspens. Not your typical aspen fall color. What made these trees turn a different color?

Lupe poses near the biggest stand of orange aspens.

Although Lupe saw many groves of beautiful yellow aspens on Expedition No. 139, the orange ones were only in this one area SE of Crows Nest Peak. — Although Lupe saw many groves of beautiful yellow aspens on Expedition No. 139, the only orange ones were in this one area near Crows Nest Peak.

From the orange aspens, Lupe and SPHP went NNW and reached the road again. The road continued N. It arrived at an intersection that seemed familiar. The road heading W from the intersection was marked No. 377.1B. Lupe had been here back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 86 on 5-3-14. Expedition No. 86 was the only time Lupe had ever actually succeeded in getting to Crows Nest Peak before. That time she had approached from the N. Crows Nest Peak wasn’t far to the W from here.

SPHP remembered that back on Expedition No. 86, Lupe had come to a pond E of Crows Nest Peak. SPHP thought it was close by just a little to the NE. Lupe took the road NE from the intersection. She didn’t find any pond, but she did come to another intersection with No. 377.1A, which SPHP definitely recognized. Just N of that intersection was a white water tank that SPHP remembered, too.

Lupe near the white water tank along USFS Road No. 377 just N of its intersection with No. 377.1A.

From the white water tank, Lupe and SPHP cut through the forest heading SW back to No. 377.1B. SPHP thought maybe the pond was hidden in the forest, but it wasn’t. There were more lovely aspens, though.

Aspens SE of the white water tank, but where was the pond SPHP remembered? — Aspens in the forest SW of the white water tank, but where was the pond SPHP remembered?

SPHP decided the pond had to be farther W along No. 377.1B, closer to Crows Nest Peak. So Lupe followed No. 377.1B heading W. Both Lupe and SPHP abandoned the road to walk near it in the forest. The road was covered with a couple of inches or more of very fine powdery dust. The area really needed rain to settle that awful dust down. SPHP didn’t want Lupe breathing it.

The pond came into view. A flock of small birds flew off as Lupe approached. Crows Nest Peak wasn’t far away now.

Lupe at the pond near Crows Nest Peak. This one is ESE of the peak. There is a smaller pond even closer to the peak, just 200 feet W of the US Geological Survey Benchmark.

Lupe and SPHP returned to follow No. 377.1B farther W. When higher ground appeared off to the NW, Lupe left No. 377.1B behind and went through the forest to climb as high as possible. She reached the top of the low hill and came to a big flat area that had been logged recently. There was slash on the ground everywhere. There was a small pond. Lupe had reached Crows Nest Peak for the 2nd time.

With the trees cut down and all the slash around, Crows Nest Peak wasn’t very pretty, certainly not as pretty as the last time Lupe was here on Expedition No. 86. It couldn’t have been very long since the loggers had been through here. The pine needles on the slash were still green. SPHP hoped the loggers hadn’t gone as far E as the U. S. Geological Survey Benchmark for Crows Nest Peak. Lupe had found it under 6″ of snow on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 86, its position revealed by a survey post.

Lupe and SPHP went to look for the Crows Nest Peak benchmark. SPHP remembered it as being a couple hundred feet E of the little pond. Lupe found it again. The loggers hadn’t come quite that far E. It was still there. The benchmark said “Crow” and “1912”.

The Crows Nest Peak U.S. Geological Survey benchmark was still there. Loggers hadn't disturbed it. — The Crows Nest Peak U.S. Geological Survey benchmark was still there. Loggers hadn’t disturbed it.

Lupe on Crows Nest Peak 9-27-15. This photo looks W.

Right there near the U. S. Geological Survey marker post and benchmark, Lupe enjoyed water and Taste of the Wild to celebrate her 2nd ascent of Crows Nest Peak. SPHP had an apple and applesauce. It was quite the celebration. Lupe, of course, was the life of the party. Soon she lay panting and resting in the shade of a small tree to recover. It sure was warm out. It felt like the mid 70’s °F. Pretty hot for way up here at almost the end of September.

Ordinarily, this is where photos of the towering summit and fabulous distant views from the highest prominences of Crows Nest Peak would appear. Lupe has none to offer. Despite its name and the fact that Peakbagger.com lists Crows Nest Peak at 7,048 feet as the 7th highest point on the list of Black Hills 6,500+ foot peaks, it is hardly what one thinks of as a “peak” at all.

Crows Nest Peak is the high point on a hill not an awful lot higher than much of the surrounding country. The summit area is big and flat. Even after the loggers thinned the forest, there just aren’t any unobstructed mountain views. From the W edge of the hill, it is possible to see some more high ridges off to the W or NW, but nothing too impressive.

Nevertheless, Lupe and SPHP both love Crows Nest Peak. It is up in the remote and beautiful limestone plateau country of the western Black Hills. Not far from Crows Nest Peak, in the broad open fields between the forested ridges, seasonal streams appear in the spring when the snow is melting. By late May and June, the green fields are filled with wildflowers. Few people come here. It is far from the famed tourist attractions (think Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Spearfish Canyon) of the Black Hills.

Lupe did return to the little pond a couple of hundred feet W of the U.S. Geological Survey Benchmark.

Lupe at the small pond on Crows Nest Peak. Photo looks W.

By the time it was time to leave Crows Nest Peak, the sky was starting to cloud up. Lupe and SPHP headed NE through the forest, taking a shortcut to USFS Road No. 377. SPHP was planning on taking Lupe along No. 377.1C toward Knutson Spring. Unfortunately, No. 377.1C was unmarked, and hardly exists any longer where it branches off from No. 377. SPHP didn’t even recognize it when Lupe found the right spot.

In the end, Lupe went down No. 377.1A from near the white water tank, which she passed again on the way. No. 377.1A took her down into Bjornland Draw and E several miles back to Castle Creek. No. 377.1A went a couple of miles, but faded out completely a mile before Lupe was back at the main road along Castle Creek. Several times it threatened to rain while Lupe was in Bjornland Draw, but the clouds could only muster a few drops.

You did want to see more fall colors, right? These aspens were near USFS Road No. 377.1A at the upper end of Bjournland Draw. — You did want to see more fall colors, right? These aspens were near USFS Road No. 377.1A at the upper end of Bjornland Draw.

After leaving Bjornland Draw, it was about 3 miles SE along Castle Creek back to the G6. Part of the way Lupe and SPHP were on the main gravel road, but wherever possible stayed down closer to the creek. The creek was prettier, and vehicles on the main road raised a lot of dust.

Lupe on a rock near the main road on the way back to the G6.

At 5:48 PM (69°F), Lupe got back to the G6. At first, Lupe wasn’t sure she wanted Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 139 to be over yet. She liked the soothing sound of the water flowing by in Castle Creek. She only jumped in the G6 when SPHP promised her Alpo when she got home. (American Dingoes don’t live by Taste of the Wild alone!) On the way, she barked at lots of cows, deer and horses. There were even a few wild turkeys along the way! Rest assured they got the same enthusiastic treatment.

Lupe hopes you will stay tuned to The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe. More dingo adventures are coming soon! — Lupe hopes you will return again to The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe. More dingo adventures are coming soon!

Crows Nest Peak is most easily reached from USFS Road No. 117 which passes by about a mile to the W. There is a road off No. 117 which goes to the summit. High clearance vehicles will have no problem reaching Crows Nest Peak. While Lupe and SPHP enjoy peakbagging, Lupe often purposely starts far from her peakbagging goals to explore the surrounding area and enjoy the day.

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