South Dakota – Page 31 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 273 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Dalton Lake to Elk Creek (4-5-21)

7:57 AM, 35ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Dalton Lake trailhead – Not a cloud in the sky. Supposed to warm up, too – highs in the upper 60’s ºF expected. A perfect day for taking this monster on!

Oooooh! Centennial Trail again today, SPHP?

You know it! This is it! King Kong of the Centennial Trail system – Dalton Lake to Elk Creek. 12.8 miles one way between trailheads, 25.6 miles round trip! Think you’re up to it, Looper?

Just point me at the trail, SPHP, and try not to fall too far behind!

The Dalton Lake trailhead is only 500 feet from the campground.

The trailhead was just a short distance below the Dalton Lake dam. Lupe set out on Centennial Trail No. 89 heading NW across a field of dry grass to a wooden footbridge over Little Elk Creek. Beyond the bridge, the trail turned W and began to climb. In nothing flat, Lupe was up on the dam with a view of Dalton Lake. The little lake was still icy, but the ice didn’t look very thick.

On the footbridge over **Little Elk Creek**. Photo looks SW.

Near the **Dalton Lake dam spillway**. Photo looks SW.

0.1 mile done, 25.5 miles to go! As lovely as Dalton Lake was, Lupe didn’t have time to dilly-dally. A brief look, and the Carolina Dog was on her way. Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W gradually climbing into the forest. Loop came to a bike access ramp, the 2nd one so far.

Leaving **Dalton Lake**. Photo looks ESE.

The trail went W beyond Dalton Lake before doubling back to the ENE. Lupe was already too high to see Dalton Lake again through all the trees.

The Elk Creek trailhead was nowhere near 12.8 miles away as the crow flies, not even half of that. However, Centennial Trail No. 89 was going to do an awful lot of winding around before getting there, and started out true to form. Although bound for the ridge N of Dalton Lake, the trail didn’t switchback directly up to it. Instead, climbing at a gradual to moderate pace, it went clear around the E end before curling up into a valley N of the ridge.

Glancing back as the trail climbs out of **Little Elk Canyon** where Dalton Lake is located. Photo looks SW.

Going around the E end. Photo looks NNW.

Entering the valley N of the ridge. Photo looks NW.

Climbing all the way, Centennial Trail No. 89 swooped around the upper W end of the valley N of the ridge, then straightened out as it turned SE. Lupe reached the much flatter region on top of the ridge along the NE edge. The trail turned sharply W here, following an abandoned road.

Up on top where the trail turns W. Photo looks NW.

The grassy road soon led into USFS Road No. 704.1B, which continued WNW, a very easy trek since Lupe was barely gaining any elevation at all now. Before long, No. 704.1B made a big gentle curve around the W end of the valley Loop had just climbed out of.

Another higher ridge was to the N, and Centennial Trail No. 89 made the same basic maneuver as before. No. 704.1B turned E, and started losing elevation. Approaching the E end of the ridge, the trail left the road, veering off to the NE at a point where several big rocks were visible.

A nice single track again, Centennial Trail No. 89 proceeded around the E end of the second ridge past a number of huge rocks. It then turned NW, climbing steadily through a fairly open region with views of lower forested hills and ridges off to the NE.

USFS Road No. 704.1B where it starts curving back around to the E. Photo looks N.

Going downhill on No. 704.1B. Photo looks ENE.

By the first big rocks where Centennial Trail No. 89 leaves USFS Road No. 704.1B. These rocks are visible from the road at the turn. Photo looks ENE.

Heading NW after rounding the E end of the second ridge. Photo looks NW.

What a difference a few days had made! 4 days ago, Lupe had been much farther S exploring a different section of the Centennial Trail. Patches of snow and ice hadn’t been hard to come by then, but today was different. Hardly any around.

April had started off unseasonably warm, and things were warming up rapidly today, too. SPHP had already shed all extra layers. Loopster was greatly cheered when she finally came to a spot to cool off. Laying right down on the ice, she chomped away at a small patch of crusty snow.

All these ridges Centennial Trail No. 89 wound about were connected. Lupe was already close to a saddle leading to HP5173, the high point of the next ridge to the N. The trail reached the saddle very efficiently, without having to downclimb at all. At the saddle, the trail turned N, starting a steeper ascent. Loop passed a first minor rock formation.

Below the first rock formation on the way to HP5713. Photo looks NNW.

The trail wound around in the forest a bit before arriving along the SW edge of the ridge. For the first time, Lupe had tree-broken views to the W. Staying near the edge on much flatter terrain, the trail turned NW. SPHP soon called a halt.

Time for a break. With so little snow around, Lupe needed water, and SPHP wanted to have a look at the topo map. (Note: Switch to CalTopo USFS for a map showing Centennial Trail No. 89)

Getting close to the SW edge of the ridge. Photo looks NW.

This is a nice spot, SPHP! Where are we anyway?

We’re off to a good start, Loop, but that’s about it. Looks like we’re 0.25 mile SE of HP5173. Appears the trail will go just about right over HP5173, but the terrain might be so flat we may not even notice it. Hardly matters. The highest point along this segment of Centennial Trail No. 89, or close to it, is Peak 5181, which is another 1.5 miles past HP5173.

Does the trail go over Peak 5181, too?

No, not quite. Appears to be a little E of the trail.

Are we going to visit Peak 5181, then? Seems like we ought to, if it’s the highest point along the way.

Oh, yes! We will. The map even shows a survey benchmark there. We’ll have a look around to see if we can find it.

With the Carolina Dog hydrated again, the trek resumed. Loop headed NW along the SW rim of the ridge above a line of small limestone cliffs, an exceptionally easy march since the ground was nearly flat.

The trail probably didn’t go exactly over HP5173, but must have passed very close to it. Neither Loop nor SPHP paid much attention. Occasional views to the SW were more interesting. Nothing too spectacular, mostly long forested ridges, but Peak 5300 and White Mansion (5,340 ft.) were identifiable.

**Peak 5300** (Center) and **White Mansion** (R). Photo looks SW.

Beyond HP5173, the trail turned N, beginning to lose elevation. Far to the NW, Lupe caught a narrow glimpse of distant Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) with its still snowy ski runs. The trail then turned NE away from the cliffs and into the forest, start of a longer descent to Pass 5031, which was on the way to Peak 5181.

**Terry Peak** (Center). Photo looks NW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

**N of HP5173** starting down to Pass 5031. Photo looks NE.

By the time Lupe made it down to Pass 5031, she was heading NW again. Instead of immediately climbing up onto the ridge leading to Peak 5181, Centennial Trail No. 89 stayed low continuing to the W side of the ridge. It soon turned N, bouncing along maintaining elevation a good 80 to 100 feet below the top.

Notice anything different about the forest around here, SPHP?

Not especially. What are you seeing, Loop?

It’s not what I’m seeing, but what I’m not seeing that’s different, SPHP. Where is all the deadfall? Hardly any at all!

Now that you mention it, you’re right, Loopster! Kind of looks the way the Black Hills used to look. Used to be that you hardly ever saw a dead tree. That was a long time ago now, back before the pine bark beetle infestation started getting so bad 10 years ago.

Well, I like it a lot better this way, SPHP! Can run around without having to worry about breaking my neck at every step!

*Deadfall free! The way I like it!* Photo looks SW.

The trail stayed low for a while. In some places, the forest thinned out up on the slope below the ridgeline. Lupe started seeing large limestone formations along the top of the ridge. Several big platforms looked high enough to get an unobstructed view.

Can’t be too hard to get up there, SPHP! Want to go check out the views?

Yes, but maybe we should wait on that, Loop. We still have a very long way to go. If we get back soon enough, maybe we can go up there for a sunset panorama? What do you think?

Deal, but if we don’t get back in time, we’re going to miss out!

I know it’s taking a chance, but on the other paw, maybe we’ll come to other even more readily accessible viewpoints?

*Gotta be some views up this way!* Photo looks NE.

Sunset Heights got skipped for the time being, even though some of the lofty platforms seen only a little farther on looked very tempting, almost surefire winners. The really big rocks were all way up high, but the trail passed some lesser samples. Lupe was beyond the most impressive ones when the trail suddenly made a short switchback higher.

*These rocks are midgets compared to the ones higher up!* Photo looks NNE.

The switchback didn’t get the American Dingo up on top of the ridge right away, but was the start of a gradual climb higher again. Lupe was soon above another line of limestone cliffs where there was some open ground. Perhaps not quite as spectacular as Sunset Heights would have been, but the views had to be almost as good.

A lot of territory could be seen from here. Peak 5300 was still visible to the SW. Custer Peak (6,804) was way off to the W.

Past the little switchback, staring to climb again. Photo looks N.

*Not quite Sunset Heights, but a great view nonetheless!* **Peak 5300** (L). Photo looks SW.

**Custer Peak** (Center). Photo looks W with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Don’t think we’re far from Peak 5181 now, Loop. Shall we go look for it? Should be just up the hill from here.

On it, SPHP! Follow me!

Leaving the trail, Lupe headed NE up a gentle, forested slope. She didn’t have to go far before the terrain leveled out. Pretty flat up here, but the highest region didn’t seem too hard to pick out. A few scattered rocks and some old wood that might have signified something were in a spot that looked like a true summit candidate.

Disappointingly, a quick check failed to reveal any survey benchmarks.

Hmm. Well, I’m not finding anything, Loop. This is probably Peak 5181, though. Want to take a break?

Any chance water and a chocolate coconut bar would be involved, SPHP?

100% likely, sweet Dingo!

At the old wood high point. Photo looks NE.

*I break for chocolate coconut bars, water, and Taste of the Wild!* Photo looks SSE.

The chocolate coconut bar and water break was augmented with a little Taste of the Wild. A comfortably warm and beautiful day, but there didn’t seem to be much point in lingering on Peak 5181. Spotting a rock 150 feet farther E, SPHP led Loop over to it on the chance that the survey marker might be there.

No luck. Oh, well! Nothing higher here than where the American Dingo had taken her break, anyway. That settled, Lupe took a shortcut NW back to Centennial Trail No. 89. The trail went NE a little way before curving back to the NW. To the R, the land sloped higher.

Hang on just a minute, Loop! Let me check the map again.

It all made sense now! Lupe hadn’t been to Peak 5181 yet. It was just up this next slope. Another short off-trail exploration was in order.

Too funny, SPHP! The mighty mountain we’ve been trying to climb turns out to be nothing more than an anthill!

Yeah, well, as anthills go, this one’s humongous!

All those creepy-crawlies give me the heebie-jeebies! Say what you will, I’m not going near it!

Towering more than a foot higher than the rest of flat-topped Peak 5181, an anthill composed of pine needles was the apparent true summit. 100,000 ants swarmed over the top of it, with probably 1,000,000 more hidden within. For some reason, Loopster didn’t want to go anywhere near the anthill. When SPHP’s powers of persuasion failed, the reluctant Carolina Dog got physically carried close to it.

You’ve got 2 seconds, SPHP! Say “chocolate coconut bar!”, I’ll smile, and then I’m outta here!

OK, Loop! … “Squirrel!”

Close enough. Lupe smiled, and ran 20 feet away.

You can have Peak 5181, SPHP! I’m hitting the trail.

By the dreaded anthill, **Peak 5181’s true summit**. Photo looks NE.

Heading down the W slope, a sort of lumpy rock platform was just 20 feet past Centennial Trail No. 89. Looked like there might be some views, but as it turned out, there were too many trees to see all that much.

On the lumpy platform due W of Peak 5181’s ant-infested summit. Photo looks NW.

However, returning to the trail, Loop didn’t have to go too much farther N before discovering some really great viewpoints along the cliff edge. Best of the day!

Rounded **Peak 5300** (L), starting to look far away now. Photo looks SSW.

*Now this is what I call a viewpoint!* **Custer Peak** (L) and **Terry Peak** (Center) discernable on the horizon. Photo looks WNW.

Along the cliff line, just W of the trail. Photo looks NW.

By now, Lupe was close to the N end of the huge ridge encompassing both HP5173 and Peak 5181. For 2 miles she had been traveling on or near the highest territory of this segment of Centennial Trail No. 89. A drastic change was ahead.

Just beyond the super viewpoints, the trail slanted downward as it began curling E around the N end of the ridge. A long descent NE ensued, as the trail switchbacked lower through shady forest. It was all easy, never getting very steep, with occasional level stretches along the way.

The American Dingo must have lost 400 or 500 feet of elevation by the time she came to a sunny open spot on the NW rim of a big ravine. From here she could see most of the heavily forested slope she had just come down. Off to the E was a glimpse of the line of low ridges separating the Black Hills from the vast prairies of western South Dakota.

At the edge of the ravine. **Peak 5181** (L). Photo looks SW.

**Edge of the Black Hills**. Photo looks E.

The descent still wasn’t over with. Centennial Trail No. 89 continued to loop back and forth as it dropped another 250 feet. The forest was more open down here. Lupe passed occasional clearings. Shortly before the trail finally leveled out, she crossed unmarked USFS Road No. 703.

A new phase was about to begin. Centennial Trail No. 89 began trending NW on a long winding route through denser forest. Near the start of a short jog to the WSW, Lupe came to the Widow-Maker.

Right next to the trail, the Widow-Maker was a giant Ponderosa pine, dead like some others scattered about the forest, but was practically a miracle, a death trap waiting to happen! The ancient tree had been dead so long that half of its lower trunk had already rotted away. What was left looked like it could crumble at any moment. Although only a slight breeze was heard in the treetops, huge gnarled branches way up at the top of the Widow-Maker swayed ominously.

Wow! How is this even possible, Loop? Watch yourself! I’ve never seen a tree so rotten to the core that was still standing!

Don’t worry about me, SPHP! I’ll scoot away fast enough if it begins to topple. You’re the slow one! Don’t let those ugly old branches reach out and grab you! Might I suggest a speedy passage, instead of standing around gawking in the path of destruction?

Seemed like good advice. Hot on Loopster’s heels, SPHP blew by, but the Widow-Maker would get another shot during the return.

Tempting fate next to the Widow-Maker. Photo looks WSW.

The jog WSW soon ended, as the trail crossed a ravine and turned back to the NE. This phenomena was destined to be repeated 3 more times, but on a larger scale. A double-decker boulder marked the start of the first of the larger forays SW.

At the turn across the far end of the first little ravine. Photo looks W.

On the double-decker boulder. Photo looks N.

The SW end of the first large ravine was a low point. Looper was happy to see some snow and ice still lingering in this sheltered spot, and took advantage of it to cool off again and wet her barker. After crossing the ravine, the trail turned NE as before. By the time it turned NW again, the American Dingo was well up on the SW side of Elk Creek Canyon.

*No stream here, but at least there’s still some snow!* At the SW end of the first big ravine. Photo looks WSW.

Along the edge of **Elk Creek Canyon**. Photo looks N.

The trail kept winding higher. Lupe gained nearly 250 feet of elevation from the low point where the snow and ice had been. From now on, she had tree-broken views of Elk Creek Canyon, except during the forays SW. The second big ravine wasn’t as long as first one, and featured much less elevation change.

Starting into the second side ravine. Photo looks SW.

Dry Elk Gulch was the last, and biggest of the 3 side ravines, essentially a canyon. As Centennial Trail No. 89 turned into it, Lupe came upon the Scoliosis Tree, a snaky, skinny pine in desperate need of a chiropractor.

At the Scoliosis Tree (L). Photo looks W.

The trail went a long way back into Dry Elk Gulch, eventually dropping clear down to the canyon floor. The trail wasn’t even visible up on the other side, which looked dauntingly steep, but it was there. As the trail headed back to the main canyon, Lupe regained 80 feet of elevation she had just lost.

In **Dry Elk Gulch** close to where the trail finally turned back toward Elk Creek Canyon. Photo looks NW.

Regaining elevation on the way out of **Dry Elk Gulch**. Photo looks ESE.

As Lupe put Dry Elk Gulch behind her, Centennial Trail No. 89 swung around to the NW again. Looper was still well above the bottom of Elk Creek Canyon, and began getting glimpses of Bethlehem Cave up on the opposite side.

Entrance to **Bethlehem Cave** (L). Photo looks ENE.

Centennial Trail No. 89 continued NW beyond the view of Bethlehem Cave, but another change was imminent. Switchbacks led down to the floor of Elk Creek Canyon.

Near the bottom of the last switchback. Photo looks ESE.

Upon reaching the bottom, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved NW again, now heading upstream next to Elk Creek. The creek was completely dry, apparently the normal state of affairs, although clearly susceptible to flash flooding under the right circumstances.

Vegetation was thick, but hadn’t begun to leaf out yet. Looper enjoyed relatively unobstructed views of the vertical limestone walls of the lower canyon, which would have scarcely been visible later in the season.

The trail followed an old roadbed, or perhaps the course of a railroad which once ran through the canyon. Nearly level for a long way, it was an easy scenic trek.

Down in **Elk Creek Canyon**. Photo looks NNW.

*About as easy as a trail gets, and so beautiful!* Photo looks NW.

Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed Elk Creek 5 or 6 times over the course of more than a mile down on the canyon floor. Nylon ropes were generally strung between the trees on the downstream side, presumably to lend support when the stream was actually flowing.

At the first stream crossing. No ropes required today! Photo looks NW.

Even without any water in Elk Creek, the stream crossings were some of the most scenic spots, often providing clearer, more dramatic views of the canyon walls.

Orange lichens add a splash of color. Photo looks NNW.

*Glad you brought plenty of water, SPHP!*

The end of the canyon trek couldn’t be much farther. Lupe came to a long straightaway in a sort of a ditch away from the creek. Beyond the ditch was one last stream crossing. On the other side, Centennial Trail No. 89 wound up a steep embankment, then proceeded NNE, steadily gaining elevation as it headed up a side valley.

0.5 mile up the valley, Lupe reached USFS Road No. 168, and the sign she’d come so far to see.

Relevant portion of the posted Centennial Trail map.

3:07 PM, 58ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Elk Creek trailhead – Not a soul around. Lupe hadn’t seen anyone along the trail, either. The Carolina Dog rested on the ground next to SPHP.

Quite the trek wasn’t it, SPHP? A little bit of everything! Uphill, downhill, flat stuff, curves, wiggles, straight stretches, views from on high, along canyon rims, steep slopes, and from down below.

A little bit of everything? More like a lot! Otherwise, yeah, you’re right.

One disappointing thing, though, SPHP!

What was that, Loop? No water in the creek?

No water anywhere! But I was thinking more of the insanely incredible distance between chocolate coconut bars. How about doing something about that?

Of course! Just give me a moment. Need to kick these boots off for a while. We even have a baked chicken breast, if you’d care for some.

40 minutes later, boots were back on. Chocolate coconut bar, baked chicken, apple, water, and Taste of the Wild supplies had all taken a hit.

12.8 miles down, 12.8 miles to go! Ready, Loop?

She was.

7:04 PM, 50ºF, viewpoint NNW of Peak 5181 – Not quite going to make it to Sunset Heights in time, but this was good enough. Lupe had gotten to see most of this segment of Centennial Trail No. 89 again, and now stood enjoying a final distant view toward the golden W.

Only a quick stop, and the American Dingo continued S. The sun broke through a distant cloudbank shortly before reaching the lumpy platform directly W of Peak 5181. Kind of a sweet moment!

Sunset from the platform W of Peak 5181. Photo looks W.

Without any great enthusiasm for visiting a giant anthill, Lupe humored SPHP, returning briefly to Peak 5181’s summit. Then it was back to the trail to hurry S.

Light faded. Stars glittered. A breeze whispered night tales. Miles back, the Widow-Maker groaned restlessly under its own rotten weight. Stars winked out. Getting cloudy. Darkness deepened. So quiet! So black!

Profound weariness setting in, but downhill practically all the way now. The little flashlight came out, throwing the sinister prowling shadow of a Carolina Dog on the long winding path of Centennial Trail No. 89 ahead. (End 9:42 PM, 42ºF, Dalton Lake)

Sunset on **Peak 5181**, Centennial Trail No. 89, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-5-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Next Trail Section North

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

Next Trail Section South

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 238 – Centennial Trail No. 89: South Boxelder Creek to Dalton Lake (10-28-18)

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!

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 272 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Iron Creek Horse Camp to Badger Hole (4-1-21)

8:29 AM, 32ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead –

SPHP! Quiet! Don’t move! A mountain lion!

A lion! Here at the trailhead? Where?

SPHP glanced around. Nothing.

Hah! Made you look! April Fools!

Oh, you’re a riot, silly Dingo! C’mon, it’s a bit of a trek. If we want to have time to climb a couple of side peaks along the way, we better get moving.

A mountain Dingo, but no mountain lions, at the Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead. Photo looks N.

Destined for Badger Hole, Lupe left the Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead heading S on Centennial Trail No. 89. At least temporarily, spring had sprung! Chilly this morning, but supposed to get as warm as a day in mid-May later on. The trail still had a few icy stretches as Lupe followed it up a gentle valley. Soon she was passing scenic granite formations while approaching a minor pass.

*Exciting stuff! We’re hunting badgers today! This trail leads to their hole!* Photo looks S.

An icy stretch as the trail winds into the forest. Photo looks SW.

Passing granite formations. Photo looks SSE.

Beyond the pass was another gentle valley. A side trail soon appeared on the L. This was the spur to Centennial Trail No. 89’s official Iron Creek trailhead, which was different from the unofficial trailhead near the horse camp. Lupe went on by the spur, sticking with the main trail. Within a couple of minutes, the main trail turned R. A sign said it was 7 miles to Legion Lake.

Junction with the official Iron Creek trailhead spur. (Sign on L.) Lupe kept going straight (R). Photo looks SE.

At the Legion Lake sign. Photo looks SW.

Heading SW through the forest over a little rise, the trail quickly brought Looper to Needles Hwy No. 87. Across the highway, a closed gate over a side road could be seen a few hundred feet away. When Lupe got to the gate, Centennial Trail No. 89 took off to the L.

Crossing Needles Hwy No. 87. Photo looks SW.

L of the gate where the trail leaves the side road. Photo looks SE.

From the gate, Centennial Trail No. 89 went up a to minor ridge offering the first somewhat distant view of the day, several forested hills. Lupe crossed a dirt road that ran along the ridgeline, and started down into the next valley. Passing big granite formations on the L, she arrived at “Badger Gate”, a couple of granite nodes the trail went between.

First distant views from the minor ridge. Photo looks SSE.

From Badger Gate, the trail continued down to a tiny creek, a tributary of Grace Coolidge Creek. Off to the L (SE), a big field occupied the valley floor, but the trail didn’t enter it. Crossing a few boards that bridged the tiny creek, Lupe had a view of the field as Centennial Trail No. 89 wound along a hillside staying in or near the trees.

Crossing the tiny **tributary of Grace Coolidge Creek**. Photo looks W.

The trail went up a slight rise before descending into a narrower part of the valley right on down to Coolidge Creek itself. The stream was frozen over. Centennial Trail No. 89 headed up the shady valley, never straying far from Coolidge Creek and crossing it twice.

Heading down into the **upper Coolidge Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

In the shady **Coolidge Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

After the second Coolidge Creek crossing, Centennial Trail No. 89 began climbing out of the valley. Lupe came to a region of exposed granite on the way to a broad, forested ridge. Climbing more gradually, an old road led to a sunny open area which appeared to have been logged off some years ago.

Approaching the exposed granite. Photo looks NW.

On the broad forested ridge. Photo looks SW.

Entering the open region. Photo looks WSW.

The open region was huge! Despite a few dips, the road went on and on, still gaining elevation. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) was in view off to the NW. Smaller hills could be seen in almost every direction.

*Didn’t expect to see so much open territory!* Photo looks SSW.

**Black Elk Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

After a sunny mile or so, Centennial Trail No. 89 re-entered the forest. The trees had been thinned here, too. Big granite outcroppings were visible nearby. The trail dipped going around the W side of an especially tall formation. 12 minutes later, Lupe made a discovery.

SPHP! Look! A monster!

Oh, yeah right, Miss April Fools!

Turned out she was right! This time the American Dingo wasn’t fooling! The Claw was lurking just ahead. Peak 5880 was visible beyond it. Lupe would have to go right past The Claw, if she wanted to get there.

**Peak 5880** (Center). **The Claw** (R). Photo looks S.

Fortunately, The Claw was acting none too lively. It appeared to have been lurking here for so long that it had forgotten why. Slipping past it was no great feat at all. Soon the Carolina Dog was closing in on Peak 5880. Centennial Trail No. 89 was heading right for it.

*Peakbagging time coming up!* **Peak 5880** (Center). Photo looks S.

When the trail got to the N side of Peak 5880, it curved SE along its base. Peak 5880 was a chance to do a little peakbagging. In fact, Lupe had climbed it once before only a couple of years ago. The American Dingo left the trail where it got closest to a saddle 0.2 mile SE of the summit.

Snow, slash, and various chunks of wood left by loggers to contend with, but overall, getting up to the saddle wasn’t all that hard. From here, Lupe enjoyed a distant view of Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.).

Off-trail, approaching the saddle. Photo looks S.

At the saddle. **Northeast Cicero Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW.

The climb along the SE ridge to the summit was much harder, partly since it was steeper, but mainly due to copious quantities of deadfall. The ridge finally leveled out, though, and Lupe came to a platform of rock overlooking a last slash-filled gap leading to the summit.

Almost there! **Peak 5880 summit** (L). **Black Elk Peak** (far R). Photo looks NW.

11:58 AM, 58ºF, Peak 5880 – Lupe stood on one of the highest rocks, then it was time for a break. Peak 5880’s cramped summit region had enough room to allow the Carolina Dog to relax practically right next to the true summit rock, but not to move around much.

Is it lunch time yet, SPHP?

Practically on the dot, Loopster! You hungry, thirsty?

Thirsty? Not really. Been eating snow. Not that hungry yet, either, but if you happen to have a chocolate coconut bar in that pack, it would go down pretty easy right about now!

You don’t say! As always, I presume. Well, I’ll see what I can do.

The chocolate coconut bar supply took a hit, and minor shrinkage of the Taste of the Wild supply occurred, too. SPHP slowly munched an apple. Off to the E were a couple of ridges Lupe had climbed once upon a time, Peak 5647 and Peak 5733, but that was about it for views due to the big pines that were providing all the shade.

**Peak 5647** (L) and **Peak 5733** (Center). Photo looks E.

Loop and SPHP lollygagged up by the true summit well after the apple no longer existed, but there was a limit to how long that could go on.

Not a bad spot, but never really thought we would ever be back here, did you, Looper?

Oh, it doesn’t bother me coming back to the same places again, SPHP! A new experience every time! You never know what might be different.

True enough, but that’s not what I meant. This just seems like an out of the way place. If it weren’t for Centennial Trail No. 89 bringing us right past Peak 5880, we probably would have kept busy with other stuff, and never been back.

I’m glad we’ve returned, SPHP, but maybe we ought to have a look around, since this might be it for Peak 5880 the way you talk!

Good idea! We’re still miles from Badger Hole, so let’s do that, then head back to the trail.

*Don’t listen to SPHP! If you enjoy climbing mountains, **Peak 5880** is worth the side trip!* Photo looks S.

Out on the short, rocky N ridge. Photo looks NE.

Summit from the start of the N ridge. Photo looks S.

After venturing out onto the steep, rocky N ridge, Lupe had to go back over the summit and downclimb a bit to explore a larger, flatter area to the S. Not much to be seen since this region was densely forested, but Loop did get a glimpse of Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) to the S. Off to the SW, Custer Mountain (6,089 ft.) and Peak 6040 were visible beyond Stockade Lake.

**Mount Coolidge** (Center). Photo looks S.

**Stockade Lake** is still frozen! Photo looks SW.

**Custer Mountain** (L) and **Peak 6040** (Center) beyond **Stockade Lake**. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Peak 5880 had been a fun break. Having seen what there was to see, Loopster returned to Centennial Trail No. 89 by essentially the same route she had come up. Leaving Peak 5880 behind, the trail curved NE beginning to lose elevation. A turn to the R (E) following a different dirt road led down to a low spot in a wide valley.

Loop was now in the upper reaches of the Little Squaw Creek valley, but so far up it that there was no sign of a creek. Centennial Trail No. 89 went around the N side of a fenced area, turned S, and began to climb. Lupe soon came to a pass with massive granite walls on the L (E).

Going around the fence down in the **Little Squaw Creek valley**. Photo looks E.

Approaching the next pass. Photo looks SSE.

The next valley, also dry, was part of the Galena Creek drainage system. Huge granite formations E of the trail eventually disappeared as Lupe kept going. The valley widened, and became quite grassy and flat.

**Upper reaches of the Galena Creek drainage**. Dry as a bone here! Photo looks S.

10 minutes from the pass, the trail divided at a well-signed junction. The Carolina Dog had a choice. Take the trail veering off to the L (SE), which was the shortest route to Badger Hole, or stay farther W continuing S down the valley?

Sign for the short route. Only 1.5 miles to Badger Hole this way! Photo looks SE.

The long way. 2.5 miles to Badger Hole. Photo looks S.

Any preference, SPHP? I’d sort of like to catch a badger as soon as possible!

Oh, doesn’t that sound like fun? A badger – Dingo fight! However, the short route goes partway up Peak 5733, and I’d like to save that for later on the way back. Take the long route, please.

Siding with the badger, are you, SPHP? Giving it a reprieve? Fine! Just dandy! Only temporary, I assure you. As you wish, the long route it is!

Lupe continued straight. The valley went on and on, soon narrowing and winding. The Carolina Dog journeyed through both grasslands and open forest. A micro-tributary of Galena Creek eventually materialized. In shady regions, sometimes there was still some slushy ice or snow.

Continuing down the valley. Photo looks SE.

The American Dingo must have been nearly 1.5 miles from the last pass she’d gone over when traffic could be heard ahead. Centennial Trail No. 89 went by a house as it reached Hwy 16A.

Near the S end of the valley. Hwy 16A just ahead. Photo looks SE.

At the house next to Hwy 16A. Centennial Trail No. 89 on the L. Photo looks NW.

Unlike the Needles Hwy much earlier in the day, Hwy 16A was busy. Loop had to wait for a chance to cross safely. Galena Creek was down in the ditch on the other side. A couple of boards provided a bridge, but the creek was so small even SPHP could have just stepped across if they hadn’t been there.

Safely over on the S side of Hwy 16A. Photo looks WSW.

Crossing **Galena Creek**. Photo looks SE.

Once over Galena Creek, Centennial Trail No. 89 began a steady climb through a forested area. Lupe gained 200+ feet of elevation before the trail leveled out again at a field. Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) was directly ahead, not looking all that much higher.

Regaining elevation S of Hwy 16A. Photo looks SW.

**Mount Coolidge** (Center) from the field. Photo looks SSW.

Mount Coolidge looked so close, that SPHP considered taking it on. Only a passing thought. Appearances were deceiving. The actual summit was higher than what could be seen from here. Furthermore, it turned out that there was a deep ravine between this field and the mountain. Upon reaching the edge of the ravine, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved SE, then E, following the upper rim of the ravine lower.

Losing all the elevation she had just regained and more, Lupe ended up down in Sheep Draw where a square stand of aspens stood enclosed within a fence. An off-trail shortcut could have been taken directly to Badger Hole from here, but Loopster stuck with the trail as it turned SE again heading up to yet another pass.

The last pass was a minor one. Lupe was soon over it and down in a low spot in the next valley. Centennial Trail No. 89 turned SW starting to climb again, but Lupe didn’t need to that way. She had reached the spur trail to the Badger Hole trailhead, now only 0.5 mile away.

Start of the spur trail to the Badger Hole trailhead. Photo looks NE.

Closing in on Badger Hole. Photo looks ENE.

3:05 PM, 62ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Badger Hole trailhead –

Lupe sniffed in vain.

Unbelievable, SPHP! Take the long way you said! You deliberately gave the badger time to escape! What I don’t understand is how the badger managed to take even its hole with it! Not a whiff of badger or hole left!

Sorry, Loopster! Don’t ask me! How am I supposed to know where the badger or its hole went? You see the sign! No doubt about it, this is the right place!

*Well, looks like that cowardly badger is forfeiting! This is **Dingo Hole** trailhead from now on!* Photo looks S.

Wait a minute, SPHP! What does that other sign over by the hill say?

Badger Clark Memorial, Open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Oh, so that’s the badger’s game, is it? Holed up in a castle on the hill until Memorial Day, aye?

Apparently so! See, it didn’t make any difference which route we took as far as the badger is concerned. Busy hibernating or something until summer.

Well, phooey! Tricky, scaredy-cat badger! Doesn’t dare come out until I’m safely away on my summer Dingo Vacations!

Must be one brainy badger, Loopster! Nothing we can do about it. C’mon, Legion Lake isn’t far from here. Let’s go have a chocolate coconut bar break there.

Nothing to take one’s mind off a slippery badger like a chocolate coconut bar! Lupe headed NW on the road to Legion Lake, and was soon there. The bar was devoured along the shore near the spillway. This time the chocolate coconut bar functioned as a mere appetizer. A healthy helping of Taste of the Wild got crunched up, too.

*The chocolate coconut bar met the same fate here meant for the badger! Delicious!* **Legion Lake**. Photo looks NW.

Strolling along the NE shore of the lake, Mount Coolidge was once again in sight. Lupe came to a sandy beach. Amazingly, even though most of Legion Lake was still covered with ice, a couple of crazy Canadians were out there swimming!

**Mount Coolidge** (Center) from **Legion Lake**. Photo looks SW.

In no big rush, Loop and SPHP ambled on past the Legion Lake Lodge. Closed now, but that would change. Tourist season was due to kick off with Custer State Park’s free weekend the week before Memorial Day.

Near the **Legion Lake Lodge**. Photo looks SE.

3:32 PM, 60ºF, Legion Lake in Custer State Park – Getting sort of late in the day with such a long way back to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. Better head out! Crossing Hwy 16A, Lupe and SPHP startled a herd of deer grazing in the Legion Lake campground.

The campground was closed, but Loopster trotted through it. No sign, but way at the far NW end was the start of the E side of the loop that went back to the trail junction where SPHP had advised the American Dingo to take the long route to Badger Hole.

Leaving the campground. Photo looks NNW.

SPHP wasn’t sure if this was even officially part of Centennial Trail No. 89. No brown “89” wands here. Unnumbered blue diamonds on the trees marked the route. The trail started up a little valley, but was soon climbing toward a ridgeline on the R (NE).

Easily the steepest route of the day, except for Lupe’s side jaunt up Peak 5880. SPHP stopped frequently to gasp for air. Reaching the ridgeline did nothing to slow the rate of ascent as the trail began curving W. Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) looked a lot higher from here.

After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, the trail began to level out as it headed SW traversing a steep slope. The trail was just beginning to turn NW when Lupe reached its high point by a number of big rocks with tree-broken views.

Traversing the steep slope. Photo looks SW.

At the trail’s high point. Photo looks SW.

Lupe had been here had been nearly 9 years ago, sometime back in 2012. Directly ahead, the trail started down again at a good clip. SPHP couldn’t remember exactly where it went, maybe even up to a higher spot farther on, but one way or another it would get the Carolina Dog back to the same Centennial Trail junction she had been at earlier.

Decision time, Looper! Want to stick with the trail, or climb Peak 5733?

If we have time, let’s climb!

Heading up a steep, rocky S ridge, SPHP was a little afraid that it might become impassable. It didn’t. Lupe reached a level spot where a short break was taken. Consulting the topo map, it appeared the summit was still nearly 0.33 mile due N and 200 feet higher.

At the level spot where a short break was taken. Photo looks SE.

Actually farther than that the way the ridge went. Lupe followed the ridge as it now turned NW. She was soon approaching a significant high point that she really didn’t need to climb. Traversing a steep, thickly forested slope, the Carolina Dog managed to skirt E of the high point to reach a saddle SW of the summit.

This saddle featured a couple of dramatic knobs of granite. Lupe got up on one of them just for fun.

At the **saddle SW of Peak 5733’s summit**. Photo looks N.

Deadfall and slash! Wasn’t that far from the saddle to the summit, but it was a typical slow trek through the wreckage. Lupe paused for views once or twice on the way. When she finally got to the top of Peak 5733, she leapt onto the true summit rock to claim her peakbagging success, then it was time for a break.

**Black Elk Peak** (L of Center), as seen on the way up Peak 5733. Photo looks NNW.

Success! At the **true summit of Peak 5733**. Photo looks WNW.

5:14 PM, 55ºF, Peak 5733 – Breezy up here, for the first time today. The last chocolate coconut bar and apple met their fates. Quiet, serene. This was another minor unnamed peak that SPHP had never expected Lupe to return to, yet here she was.

Looper and SPHP sat together for a while, taking in the big view off to the NW. Omnipresent Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), plus Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.), Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.), Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) and Peak 6735, too.

To the W, Peak 5880, where the American Dingo had been only hours ago, and somewhere between here and there, Centennial Trail No. 89.

**Sylvan Hill** (L) and **Black Elk Peak** (R). Photo looks NW.

**Little Devils Tower** (far L), **Cathedral Spires** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (R of Center) and **Peak 6735** (R). Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.

**Peak 5880** (L) and **Sylvan Hill** (R). Photo looks NW.

Definitely going to get dark before the Carolina Dog could make it back to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. No worries! Reach Centennial Trail No. 89 again, and Loop would speed along having a blast on this beautiful early April evening. Something to look forward to!

20 minutes after arriving, it was good-bye to Peak 5733. Lupe headed down the slash-ridden NW slope. As soon as she was below the worst of it, SPHP picked up the pace.

Ahead, sunlight streamed through open forest illuminating a broad, steady ramp lower. Lovely! Getting to the Little Squaw Creek valley where the American Dingo could pick up Centennial Trail No. 89 again was going to be a snap! (End 8:17 PM, 39ºF)