South Dakota – Page 30 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 275 – Mount Wheaton, Peak 4516, Peak 5171 & Peak 5741 (4-14-21)

Pleading eyes.

You promised, SPHP!

I know it, Loop, but it’s really not all that nice out for the middle of April. Can’t you wait another day or two?

You P-R-O-M-I-S-E-D we would go today, SPHP! Not even raining or snowy or windy! Why can’t we go?

Tell ya what, Looper. I’ll check the forecast, see what it says.

9:22 AM, 30ºF, Hisega Road – Past the last green house on the R, a little yellow and black National Forest boundary sign sat along a fence line. SPHP pulled just off a side road beyond it, parking in the tall grass. Not very warm out, below freezing, in fact, but even if the day was cold and blah beneath a gray sky, the luck of the Dingo was running hot! Snow in the forecast the next 2 days had finally stirred SPHP to action, and as it now turned out, there actually was access to Mount Wheaton (4,600 ft.).

About to strike out for mighty Mount Wheaton! Photo looks W.

Mount Wheaton was going to be cake. Over 300 feet of prominence, 340 feet to be precise, according to Lists of John, was the mountain’s claim to fame. An easy trek, the summit wasn’t even a mile away.

In any case, Lupe was happy as she set out, following the road W. Past a row of pines, the road curved S heading for a gate at the E end of a low ridge. Simply bypassing the gate, since no fence was on either side, Loop soon reached a meadow on top of the rise beyond it. The terrain rose to the W, but Mount Wheaton didn’t look like much from here.

Rounding the first curve. Photo looks SW.

Abandoning the road, Loopster crossed the meadow. Upon entering the forest she came across a path going W, and was excited to see several deer fleeing through the trees.

A hill soon appeared ahead. An easy climb got Lupe to a rounded ridge running E/W. An old log at the E end was oriented the same direction. Only marginally higher, the highest ground proved to be between the log and a line of rocks 200 feet farther W.

On the old log at the E end of the ridgeline. Photo looks WNW.

At the line of rocks toward the W end. Photo looks WNW.

Looking ahead, the terrain sloped away.

Is this all there is to Mount Wheaton, SPHP? I was hoping for more!

Seems rather skimpy to me, too, Loop, and I wasn’t expecting all that much to begin with. Let me check the topo map.

The map insisted that there actually was more to Mount Wheaton. Lupe had only reached the E high point. The summit was a little farther and 100 feet higher at the W end of the next ridge. SPHP encouraged the American Dingo to keep going.

A minor dip quickly led to the next rise. Climbing from the E, Lupe saw red “W’s” on several trees. “W” for Wheaton? Seemed entirely possible.

100 feet isn’t much. The terrain soon began to level out. Beyond a few rocks, Loop made an interesting discovery. Part of a deer leg was laying on a bed of pine needles. No sign of the rest of the deer.

Stay alert, SPHP! Maybe it’s “W” for were-wolves?

Getting close to where the terrain levels out. Photo looks WNW.

Mount Wheaton’s true summit wasn’t much farther, some high ground at the W end of the ridge. A big cairn sat near the SW edge.

**Mount Wheaton’s summit**. Photo looks SW.

Nothing says success like standing on the summit cairn! Photo looks SW.

Mount Wheaton (4,600 ft.) wasn’t all that heavily forested, but enough trees were present to obscure the views in almost every direction. By moving around a bit, it was possible to at least catch a few glimpses of what was out there. Nearby Tomaha Point (4,700 ft.) and more distant Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) and Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.) were visible to the S. A better look at Commissary Point (4,598 ft.) was to the SE.

Disappointingly, there was no view of Thrall Mountain (5,091 ft.) at all.

**Tomaha Point** (L), **Boulder Hill** (Center) and **Silver Mountain** (R). Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.

**Commissary Point** (L). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

And that seemed to be about it for Mount Wheaton. Loopster left the summit retracing her route along the ridge.

Leaving **Mount Wheaton**. Photo looks E.

The American Dingo was already back down to the E high point when a man and a dog appeared, approaching from the E. Lupe and SPHP met Duane and Rusty, a 6 year old Irish Setter who liked to carry big sticks and didn’t speak at all. Duane did, though, and he had some interesting things to say.

Duane and Rusty live near Mount Wheaton, and enjoy a circular romp along some of the faint trails twice a day. Rattlesnakes were in the area, and cougars, too! That deer leg up on Mount Wheaton? Yup, part of one of several recent cougar kills. A year ago, Duane had seen a 4 foot rattler on this very same E high point. Happily, too cold to have to worry about rattlers today.

The red “W’s on the trees did stand for Wheaton, and marked the course of the Mount Wheaton trail from the Wheaton College Summer Camp just N of the mountain. If Lupe was interested in views, the best one was from the RazorBack Ridge trail, which led to a viewpoint overlooking Rapid Creek and ended at a sharp ridge SW of Mount Wheaton.

Well, why not? Might as well take a look! When Duane and Rusty went on their way, Lupe headed WNW down the Wheaton trail.

Near a fence marking the Wheaton College Summer Camp’s S property line stood a tree with an “R” for RazorBack. A sign with arrows pointed toward both Mount Wheaton and RazorBack Ridge. The RazorBack Ridge trail followed a faint road SW. “R’s” led over to cliffs overlooking Rapid Creek, just as Duane had said. Thrall Mountain (5,091 ft.) was visible, too!

At the intersection where the Mount Wheaton and RazorBack Ridge trails part ways.

**Rapid Creek** (R) and **Thrall Mountain** (L of Center). Photo looks NW.

**HP4815** (Center) beyond **Rapid Creek**. Photo looks SW.

Duane was right! The view was worth the side trip. However, what could be seen of RazorBack Ridge farther SW looked heavily forested. Probably not much point in going all the way over there.

Lupe headed back up the RazorBack trail and part of the Wheaton trail. Staying low, she explored another route Duane and Rusty had taken E. It eventually led back to the meadow above the gate. From there, it was a simple matter to follow the road back to the G6. (11:10 AM, 32ºF)

On the Duane & Rusty route! Photo looks E.

**Buzzards Roost (4,695 ft.)** (Center) from the meadow. Photo looks SE.

Mount Wheaton turned out to be fun, SPHP! Except for one thing.

And what might that be Loop?

Not even 2 hours, and we’re back already! Is that it? Are we done?

Hah! Not by a long shot! Got 3 more Lists of John peaks for you today, but they are strung out so far from each other that we’ve got to drive to each one. Almost like a mini Dingo Vacation! A little early yet, but we’ve got to go through Rapid City on the way to the next one, so we’ll stop for lunch, then continue on to Peak 4516.

12:26 PM, 35ºF, Victoria Lake Road – A circular pullout on the R provided ample space to park the G6 shortly after leaving Sheridan Lake Road. Still cloudy and cool, but a few little patches of blue sky were beginning to appear. A trail the Carolina Dog had explored more than once what now seemed like ages ago, went NW up a short, gentle rise to a meadow.

Another super easy one, Looper! Peak 4516 is only 0.5 mile away as the crow flies, a bit longer the way we’ll go. Head for that slope!

The trailhead just off Victoria Lake Road. Photo looks N.

Top of the rise. Loop left the trail here to climb the slope beyond her. Photo looks NE.

Much to SPHP’s surprise, Lupe almost immediately discovered a trail that wound up the slope to the NE. This trail took her around the W end of a little ridge, passing a limestone formation on the way, then headed NE up the ravine S of Peak 4516. The bottom of the ravine was kind of a mess, but the trail was clear. A squirrel provided a few shrill moments of entertainment.

On the newly discovered trail. Photo looks NW.

After crossing the bottom of the ravine, the trail merged with another one. Lupe continued NE only a little way before turning N up a shallow, forested drainage. A steeper climb led to yet another trail on the S side of a rounded hill.

That must be Peak 4516, SPHP! We’re almost there!

Sure enough! Looper was soon posing on the small chunk of limestone constituting the true summit.

In the **valley S of Peak 4516**. Photo looks NNE.

Approaching the summit from the SE. Photo looks NW.

**Peak 4516 true summit**! Photo looks NW.

On the way back, Lupe took an even shorter route, exploring Peak 4516’s SW ridge before heading S right on back down to the trail in the ravine.

Exploring **Peak 4516’s SW ridge**. Photo looks SW.

Fun, but not even an hour for that one. You’re going soft on me, SPHP!

Not entirely, Looper. The next peak is going to be tougher.

1:32 PM, 38ºF, Spring Creek Picnic Area along Sheridan Lake Road – Sunny skies now! The morning’s dreariness had departed, but still cool for the middle of April. Before setting off for Peak 5171, Lupe helped herself to a drink, then sniffed along the edge of Spring Creek.

The **Spring Creek Picnic Area** is 0.5 mile due S of Peak 5171.

What’cha think, Loop? Long, scenic way up, or the short route?

Can we take the short route up, and the long way back, SPHP? That way we’ll get to see it all.

Sounds like a plan. Onward! Puppy, ho!

Lupe headed W on Sheridan Lake Road. No traffic, since it was closed not far from here due to construction. Upon reaching the mouth of the valley SW of Peak 5171, Loop left the pavement. A brown wand for Trail No. 6710 stood next to a dirt road.

By the Trail No. 6710 wand. Photo looks NW.

A road! Guess this is going to be easier than I thought, Looper!

Luck of the Dingo, SPHP!

The road soon vanished, but a single track trail did go up the valley. Eh, just as good! No. 6710 quickly became quite steep, but eventually got easier. Not much to see except trees. After a 0.67 mile climb NW, the trail entered a more open region and curved NE. Having already gained 500 feet of elevation, Lupe reached a broad saddle on Peak 5171’s NW ridge. SPHP paused, taking a breather near a rock formation.

By the single track wand, only a little beyond the Trail No. 6710 one. Photo looks NNW.

Waiting on SPHP at the **saddle NW of Peak 5171**. Photo looks S.

A little more to Peak 5171 than Mount Wheaton or Peak 4516, isn’t there, Looper?

Most definitely! I like it! How much farther, SPHP?

Oh, not that much, maybe 0.4 mile and another 270 feet higher?

As soon as SPHP was ready, the Carolina Dog kept going. A gentle slope led up into a dense forest. Fortunately, the trees didn’t have many low branches to interfere with SPHP’s progress. As the slope steepened, Lupe passed several rock formations. No difficulties with them, either.

Heading into the dense forest. Photo looks ESE.

2:31 PM, 40ºF, Peak 5171 – Peak 5171’s summit wasn’t as thickly forested as the NW ridge, but enough trees, including several gigantic Ponderosa pines, were up here to block the views in most directions. High ground consisting of a rounded region covered with pine needles connected short S and E lobes. The true summit proved to be a little rock next to a broken tree near the end of the S lobe.

**Peak 5171’s summit region**. Photo looks W from the E lobe.

By the broken tree at the **true summit**. Photo looks SE.

Time for a break! The best views were toward the E or S, so Lupe and SPHP hung out on the SE slope between the S and E lobes. Would have had a panoramic view if not for a single monstrous Ponderosa pine that towered up right smack in the center of the field of vision.

Any good news in that pack, SPHP?

As a matter of fact, there is, Loopster! Care for a chocolate coconut bar? Think we’ve earned one this time.

Ask a silly question, and a chocolate coconut bar blinks out of existence. A little warmer would have been even better, but it was pretty nice up on Peak 5171. Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap, and for a while nothing happened. Some kind of a huge bird circled lazily on the breeze before gliding away. A turkey vulture? Hard to say, it never got that close.

Lupe ventured over to a rock formation just to the E that looked like a decent vantage point.

How’s the view from there, Loop?

Good, but that colossal tree still messes it up.

Peak 5171 is one of those summits where you have to move around some if you want to get a semi-clear look at the best the mountain has to offer. Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) and Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.) had both been visible from Mount Wheaton, but Peak 5171 was much closer to them. The telephoto lens revealed more detail.

**Silver Mountain** (Center) beyond **Baker Park**. Photo looks SSE.

Another look with help from the telephoto lens.

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

Part of the E end of Sheridan Lake was in sight. The top of Peak 5200, which Lupe had visited not terribly long ago during her explorations of Flume Trail No. 50, could be seen as well.

**Sheridan Lake** (Center). Photo looks SW.

**Sheridan Lake** (L) and **Peak 5200** (R, in the foreground). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Before her Peak 5171 tour was over, Lupe returned to the true summit and took in the views from a platform of rock nearby.

On the platform near the true summit. Photo looks SSW.

3:06 PM, 39ºF, Peak 5171 – 35 minutes gone! Probably about as long as Lupe could stay up on Peak 5171, if she really intended to take the long way back and still hope to climb another mountain today. SPHP grabbed the pack, and Loopster was on her way back down the NW ridge.

Loop abandoned her route up at the saddle where SPHP had taken the breather. Here, she took a trail down the slope to the NE, but it soon shot off to the NW. Lupe didn’t make the turn. Instead she kept sniffing NE until she had wandered clear down to USFS Road No. 405.

**N of Peak 5171** on USFS Road No. 405. Photo looks ENE.

No. 405 was scenic and gently downhill all the way, but also easily twice as long as the route Lupe had taken up Peak 5171. The road wound clear around the E side of the mountain where the Carolina Dog went by the Balser Summer Home Group, a collection of nice older cabins.

Passing a Balser Summer Home Group cabin. Photo looks N.

Lupe was already close to Sheridan Lake Road by the time she reached USFS Road No. 405.1A, a more secluded route back to the Spring Creek Picnic Area. No. 405.1A ended at a rocky slope, but by then the journey was nearly over. (4:28 PM)

4:53 PM, 35ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Samelius Peak trailhead –

Here? We’ve been here lots of times, SPHP!

Yup! But we’ve never climbed Peak 5741 before. Today is the big day!

Fine with me! Where is it?

Not too far, Looper. It’s the peak NW of Samelius Peak (5,856 ft.).

Samelius Peak! That’s where we had our interview with Michael Zimny of South Dakota Public Broadcasting last year!

Exactly! So head N, if you’d like to do this.

This was a favorite area. Didn’t have to tell the American Dingo twice. Lupe went around the gate and headed up USFS Road No. 531. Wasn’t long before the S end of Peak 5741 came into sight.

At the Samelius Peak trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89.

About to set out on USFS Road No. 531. Photo looks NW.

Instead of heading straight for the mountain, Looper stuck with No. 531 until she got to the saddle NNW of Samelias Peak. Here she left the road, gradually climbing NW through the forest along the S side of a ridge. It wasn’t far at all to a bit of a view down Joe Dollar Gulch.

From this viewpoint, Lupe turned SW, crossing a minor saddle that led to a fairly steep climb among deadfall and patches of snow. Every now and then there were glimpses of Samelius Peak (5,856 ft.) off to the SE.

After gaining close to 300 feet of elevation, the Carolina Dog reached the SE end of Peak 5741’s summit ridge. A fair amount of deadfall up here, too, but it wasn’t too bad. The true summit was somewhere over near the opposite NW end of the ridge. Still climbing, but much more slowly now, Loop headed NW.

**Samelias Peak summit**. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

At the **SE end of Peak 5741’s summit ridge**. Photo looks WNW.

Within minutes, the ridge began to narrow, the deadfall worsened, and an unsettling sight appeared. Just ahead, a boulder jutted 8 or 10 feet skyward above a mess.

Criminitly, Loop! Don’t tell me that we can’t even get to the top! Thought this was going to be a slam dunk.

Is that the true summit, SPHP?

I don’t know, but sure looks like it!

The problematic boulder (R of Center). Photo looks NNW.

Scrambling among the deadfall and rocks, closer inspection revealed that getting Lupe to the top of the problematic boulder might be nearly impossible without taking undue risk. Just to get a few feet higher? Not worth it! Fortunately, it turned out that this wasn’t the end of the ridge. Maybe there was still higher terrain ahead?

Lupe kept going, and sure enough, there was! However, the situation at the next high point was practically a duplicate of the first one. Another skinny, vertical boulder with no reasonable way to the top.

The ridge continued. SPHP soon became convinced that the second high point wasn’t the top, either. Lupe kept coming to marginally higher spots. Occasionally, openings permitted views, including a nice one of Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.). The terrain rose more and more slowly, and the rock formations diminished in height. Even the deadfall began to fade away.

Confidence grew. Maybe this was going to work after all?

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

A minor high point with a bit of a view. Photo looks S.

A flat rock scarcely any higher than others nearby appeared ahead, close what appeared to be the NW end of the summit ridge. Lupe got up on it, but it soon turned out that a collection of bigger rocks that might be a bit higher existed 40 feet farther NNW. No problem! The American Dingo easily leapt onto the highest rock there, too.

Congratulations, Loopster! I think you’ve done it!

SPHP shook Lupe’s extended paw.

At the highest point, or close to it, at the **NW end of Peak 5741’s summit ridge**. Photo looks NW.

At the **likely true summit**. Photo looks N.

Summit region from the true summit. Photo looks SE.

6:29 PM, 30ºF, Peak 5741 – In the area between the flat rock and likely true summit, a glowing green carpet of kinnikinnick covered a NW slope illuminated by the evening sun. Lupe sat looking at a tree-broken view of Five Points (6,221 ft.) while SPHP dug a celebratory chocolate coconut bar out of the pack. Smoke, or maybe steam, drifted S from the sawmill near Three Forks.

Felt cold in a light breeze way up here on Peak 5741, but long after the chocolate coconut bar vanished, Lupe and SPHP sat contemplating the beautiful scene near the end of a 4 peak day.

Looper had a look at Mount Warner (5,889 ft.), but forest hid the views in other directions.

**Mount Warner** (Center). Photo looks ENE with help from the telephoto lens.

The kinnikinnick faded, then glowed again. Evening magic! But time grew short, sunlit cheer returning more feebly after each passing cloud.

On the way back, Loop varied her route. Near the SE end of Peak 5741’s summit ridge, the American Dingo went down a S slope steeper than the one she’d come up. Reaching USFS Road No. 531 near it’s junction with Centennial Trail No. 89, Lupe prolonged the day by taking the longer Centennial Trail route back to the Samelius Peak trailhead.

See! I was right, wasn’t I, SPHP? We had a good time! Aren’t you glad we went on Expedition No. 275, instead of frittering the day away at home?

SPHP couldn’t help but agree. (7:40 PM, 31ºF)

**Peak 5741**, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-14-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 274 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Elk Creek to Alkali Creek (4-10-21)

7:19 AM, 26ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Elk Creek trailhead – SPHP opened the door, and Lupe hopped back into the G6.

What’s wrong, Looper? Did you hear gunfire?

No! It’s freezing out there! What happened, SPHP? Last time we were here, it was so nice out! I’m staying in where it’s warm until you’re ready.

Maybe you shouldn’t have rolled in the snow? Anyway, suit yourself. I’ll be ready in a few minutes. Supposed to warm up into the 60’s ºF later on. That’ll take the chill off!

Back at the Elk Creek trailhead for the 1st time since Expedition No. 273 – 5 days ago!

What was wrong with the Carolina Dog? A frolic in the snow wouldn’t ordinarily bother Lupe at all, but now she sat alone shivering in the G6. Was Looper getting sick? SPHP hoped not.

Only 5 days ago, Lupe had made it here from Dalton Lake on a lovely warm afternoon in advance of a spring snowstorm that hit the Black Hills the next day. Although a lot of snow had melted since then, this morning was admittedly off to a crispy start. The plan was to continue Loopster’s Centennial Trail No. 89 explorations all the way to the Alkali Creek trailhead – 11.5 long, winding miles away.

If she felt up to it, that is.

Relevant portion of the posted trail map.

Alrighty, Loop! I’m ready! Are you feeling OK? You up for this?

Without the slightest hesitation, the American Dingo left the warmth of the G6. No sign of shivering or shaking now.

Of course! Which way? N?

Yes, indeed! Onward! Puppy ho!

Crossing USFS Road No. 168, Lupe left the Elk Creek trailhead.

Setting out for Alkali Creek. Photo looks NNE.

Crusty snow supported Lupe’s weight, but crumbled under SPHP’s, as Centennial Trail No. 89 headed NNE up a cold ravine still in shadow. The trail soon climbed out of the ravine to a flatter region to the NW where the forest had been thinned recently. The fresh openness revealed only a general ugliness in the wake of recent destruction.

On the visually unappealing loop to the NW. Photo looks NE.

This jaunt to the NW was short-lived. Climbing again, the trail looped back to the E before resuming a NE course. Sunlight streamed through the trees, promising relief from the lingering chill.

A moderately steep rate of ascent soon diminished. Centennial Trail No. 89 flattened again, as Loop reached another region where the forest had been thinned. She was almost to the top of a rise when the trail curved N, avoiding it. Curious about what might be on the other side, Lupe left the trail continuing to the high ground.

In the upper thinned region. From here, Lupe ventured over to the high ground on the R. Photo looks NNE.

The rise provided a glimpse of distant prairies beyond the Black Hills, but nothing stood out as being of particular interest.

Turning NW, Lupe went down a snowy slope to rejoin Centennial Trail No. 89 where it crossed USFS Road No. 169 S of HP5141. From here, the trail went WNW maintaining elevation along a slope providing a more interesting view to the W.

About to head down to cross USFS Road No. 169 (R). Photo looks NW.

Looking WSW from the S slopes of **HP5141**.

Upon reaching a saddle between HP5141 and HP5212 (topo map), Loop passed a sign indicating she had left the Elk Creek trailhead a mile ago. Crossing the saddle, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W traversing the slope at the S end of the HP5212 ridge.

Skirting the **S end of the HP5212 ridge**. Photo looks WSW.

After rounding the S end, the trail wound along the W side of the ridge. Elevation changes were gradual, down slightly at first, then higher as Lupe continued on. Views were pleasant, but always tree-broken.

A pleasant, if unspectacular view. Photo looks S.

On a short snowy stretch. Photo looks ENE.

Close to the N end of the ridge, Lupe reached a wide spot at the bottom of a switchback. According to a sign, this was point S15 of the Sturgis area trails system. Another trail destined for the Sturgis City Dams veered off to the SW.

Any interest in the Sturgis City Dams, SPHP?

Not today, Loop. Got a different side trip in mind. We’re almost to it.

Sticking with Centennial Trail No. 89, Lupe headed up the switchback, which made a jog to the W before turning NE. Pass 5140 was just ahead.

Closing in on **Pass 5140**. Photo looks ESE.

Arriving at Pass 5140, Lupe found herself in a field. The S half of this field was snow-covered and sloped up the N end of the HP5212 ridge. Peak 5261, the actual high point of the ridge, was somewhere up among the pines, not too far away.

Peakbagging time! Leaving Centennial Trail No. 89, Lupe headed up the snowy slope. Didn’t take long to reach a first high spot where the terrain leveled out. A slightly higher point was only a few hundred feet away. Going over there, Lupe arrived at Peak 5261’s true summit.

Approaching **Peak 5261’s true summit** (Center). Photo looks S.

**Peak 5261 summit**. **Custer Peak** (Center) and **Terry Peak** (R) on the horizon. Photo looks SW.

9:16 AM, 47ºF, Peak 5261 –

That was easy, SPHP! Glad we came up here, too! These views are way better than what we’ve been seeing from the trail! Can we stay a while?

Sure thing, Loop! A little early for a break, but so what? Peak 5261 is the highest point anywhere close to this segment of Centennial Trail No. 89. Might as well enjoy it! Only peak we’ll be climbing today.

The highest ground consisted of a line of smallish loose rocks. SPHP found a spot to sit down. Lupe tried laying on the rocks, but SPHP’s lap was a comfier vantage point. Facing WSW, both Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) were easily recognizable on the horizon.

**Custer Peak** (Center) from Peak 5261. Photo looks SW.

**Custer Peak**. Photo looks SW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

At the summit rest spot. **Custer Peak** (L) and **Terry Peak** (R). Photo looks WSW.

Terry Peak (Center) and **Bald Mountain (6,617 ft.)** (R). Photo looks W with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

A pleasant time was spent gazing at the views, during which a chocolate coconut bar met its match. Lupe turned down part of a fried chicken breast, but SPHP wasn’t so picky. Water wasn’t in demand, either, since the Carolina Dog had been eating snow. Near the end of Looper’s stay, SPHP realized there was a fairly decent view of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) from here, too.

**Bear Butte** (R of Center). Photo looks NNE.

**Bear Butte** (L). Photo looks NNE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

40 minutes shot by. A final look around, and Lupe was on her way back down Peak 5261’s N slope. Upon reaching Centennial Trail No. 89 again, she headed down the SE side of Pass 5140.

Final moments on **Peak 5261**. Photo looks SSW.

Still more than 9 miles to the Alkali Creek trailhead! Looper would lose elevation most of the way, but that didn’t start in earnest quite yet. A short descent from Pass 5140 led to an easy uphill section heading NNE along the edge of the forest. Last chance for a glance back at Peak 5261.

Heading up the next hill NE of Peak 5261. Photo looks NE.

Although the topo map (switch to CalTopo USFS to see route) showed Centennial Trail No. 89 following USFS Road No. 139 in the region ahead, the trail actually remained a single track, staying E and somewhat lower than the road, as it wound N along the upper W end of Beaver Gulch.

USFS Road No. 139 is on the hillside ahead, but the trail never went all the way up to it. Photo looks N.

Easy going on a flat section overlooking **Beaver Gulch** (R). Photo looks NNE.

A good mile beyond Peak 5261, Centennial Trail No. 89 veered farther from USFS Road No. 139 and went over a little rise. Lupe hadn’t lost all that much elevation yet, a bit over 200 feet. Now, however, a somewhat steeper descent began as the trail turned NW down into Bulldog Gulch. A sense of remoteness grew as Loopster entered the shade of a denser forest. Snow was deep on a long switchback to the ESE, but turning soft as the day warmed up.

Starting down into **Bulldog Gulch**. Photo looks N.

On the snowy switchback. Photo looks SE.

The long switchback wasn’t steep at all, but once the Carolina Dog got past it, the trail steepened considerably. Lupe soon reached the bottom of Bulldog Gulch. The trail crossed the drainage several times. Except for the snow, it was dry this high up.

In **Bulldog Gulch** where Centennial Trail No. 89 first crosses the drainage.

Bulldog Gulch was just beginning to widen out when the trail flattened and veered away to the E. A short incline brought Lupe to a minor pass beyond which she entered a different part of the drainage. For 0.5 mile, Centennial Trail No. 89 wound NE through a sunnier, more open forest, steadily losing elevation.

Eventually, it all led right back to the main course of Bulldog Gulch. Down here, a little water trickled along in Bulldog Creek.

Returning to the main course of **Bulldog Gulch** (L). Photo looks NE.

Scenic **Bulldog Creek**! Photo looks SW.

Right after crossing Bulldog Creek, Lupe came to an unusual structure.

Look, SPHP! A ticket booth!

Seems we’re a bit late for the show, Loopster.

A slow day at the **Bulldog Gulch ticket booth**.

Maybe the strange structure was a toll booth and not a ticket booth? The attendant didn’t seem to be around, in any case. Odd, but nothing to be done about it, so Lupe continued on.

The trail crossed Bulldog Creek a couple more times before leaving it for good. Winding N up over a minor ridge, it then descended to a low point where USFS Road No. 139 suddenly reappeared. After crossing the road, Lupe began a more sustained climb out of Bulldog Gulch.

At the **second Bulldog Creek crossing**. Photo looks SSW.

Beginning to climb out of Bulldog Gulch. Photo looks W.

An amazing dense forest. Photo looks SE.

Lupe gained 200 feet of elevation before reaching a ridgeline. On the other side was a sunny meadow, and a view of the prairies beyond the Black Hills. The trail wound NW a bit higher up the ridge before coming to another junction with the Sturgis area trails system, where a side trail continuing up the ridge promised another route to the Sturgis City Dams.

Still a few miles to go, but Lupe had come a long way since Peak 5261. Break time! Loop laid down next to SPHP near a lone little group of Pasque flowers.

*Can see the prairie now!* On the ridgeline after exiting Bulldog Gulch. Photo looks E.

Another chocolate coconut bar bit the dust. Just an appetizer this time! Lupe was ready for some Taste of the Wild, too. For some reason, the finicky Carolina Dog still declined fried chicken. SPHP had some, then munched an apple while consulting the map.

So, how are we doing, SPHP?

Great, Loop! Near as I can tell, we’re right at the junction with USFS Road No. 139.1E. Pretty much all downhill the rest of the way.

Road! What road? Do you have that map upside down, SPHP?

Think it’s been abandoned long ago. This side trail to the Sturgis City Dams might be all that’s left of it.

The trek resumed. Centennial Trail No. 89 left the ridgeline continuing NW. Lupe lost elevation slowly at first, but the pace then quickened. Reaching the “Twisted Trunk”, a small opening provided a glimpse of Deadman Mountain (4,943 ft.) off to the W.

At the Twisted Trunk. **Deadman Mountain** (L) in the distance. Photo looks W.

The trail made a series of long switchbacks, gradually working its way N. For a long way there was nothing to see except forest. However, Loop made great progress, and the trail eventually reached a wooden fence. A sign posted on a tree next to the fence warned about a friendly dog named Poett that liked to go on long walks with strangers.

Apparently Poett’s days of wandering off with strangers were over.

No sign of Poett today, so Lupe kept going. The trail turned away from the fence without crossing it, once again heading NW. A thick band of limestone capped a minor ridge up the slope to the R. Centennial Trail No. 89 ran below this cap for 0.25 mile until it angled off to the N.

After a couple of short switchbacks, the trail curved NE, bringing Loop right back to the limestone.

Not far from Poett’s wanted poster, near the start of the limestone cap. Photo looks N.

N end of the limestone. Photo looks ENE.

The limestone ended at a gap created by Alkali Creek. As Centennial Trail No. 89 continued NE past a wall of rock, the whole formation sank below the surface. The trail promptly curved E. Now on top of the sunken limestone, Lupe entered a clearing amid a more open forest.

One more switchback, and the long, forested descent was over. Ahead, a vast field stretched toward the roar of traffic on I-90. Prairies beyond the Black Hills were visible through a break in a line of ridges to the E.

At the start of the big field. Photo looks E.

Looking back at the Black Hills, now being left behind. Photo looks W.

Not much farther to go! Lupe headed straight for I-90, passing under a railroad bridge just before reaching it. Two concrete tunnels provided a choice of safe passage below I-90. Once through, Centennial Trail No. 89 turned ESE straight for the still unseen Alkali Creek trailhead. Trotting by a line of scrub oaks down in the creek bottom, Lupe went over a rise, and there it was, dead ahead.

Approaching the railroad bridge. Photo looks N.

Choice of tunnels beneath I-90. Photo looks NE.

**Alkali Creek trailhead** dead ahead! Photo looks E.

2:31 PM, 64ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Alkali Creek trailhead – The S end of Peak 4027 rose beyond the trailhead display. Lupe had been up there before, but wouldn’t be making another ascent today. Her 11.5 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89 trek from the Elk Creek trailhead was over, but the Carolina Dog would soon have to turn right back around and repeat it. Going back was the hard way, too, uphill much of the way!

At the **Alkali Creek trailhead**. **Peak 4027** (Center). Photo looks NW.

Lupe sauntered down to Alkali Creek for a drink. The afternoon was sunny and warm down here, and snow didn’t exist. Then it was up the bank to rest by the vacant picnic tables amid the leafless oaks.

*We’ll rest here!* **Alkali Creek picnic ground**.

Lupe wasn’t hungry. While SPHP polished off what was left of the fried chicken, she laid in the shade beneath the picnic table. So nice out! Several vehicles were parked at the trailhead, but no one came around.

3:08 PM, Centennial Trail No. 89 – 30 peaceful minutes had flown. With the Alkali Creek trailhead behind her now, Lupe stood on a little rise looking W. Back to the Black Hills! The Elk Creek trailhead seemed unimaginably far away.

7:16 PM, 44ºF, Peak 5261 – Just in time! Lupe stood bathed in horizontal rays of sunlight, the sun hanging barely above the hills. With few clouds to speak of, sunset wasn’t going to amount to much. Even so, a respite way up here on Peak 5261 from the finally concluded endless uphill march was reward in itself.

Absolutely famished, the American Dingo devoured the remaining Taste of the Wild supply before curling up on SPHP’s lap to watch the show. 10 minutes of glory, and the golden orb fell as if mortally wounded. Sinking N of Terry Peak, it was gone.

In a chilly S breeze, Lupe and SPHP sat watching while a faint rosy blush in the clouds above rallied, then sickened, turning old and gray before its time. Dusk. Oh, well. Still more than 2.5 miles to go. Better make use of what light remained.

Onward! Puppy, ho!

Leaving rarely visited new friend Peak 5261 for the second time today, Lupe headed back to Centennial Trail No. 89. (End 9:00 PM, 36ºF)