After Xochitl and Steve’s successful visit to Cheyenne Crossing and Roughlock Falls with Lupe the day before, Xochitl had intended to wait another day before venturing out with Lupe again. However, Lanis wanted to join the fun, and he couldn’t get his day off work changed. So the very next day, Xochitl, Steve, and Lanis showed up at Lupe’s house to join her next Black Hills, SD Expedition.
Since Lanis didn’t have the entire day off, and Xochitl was still acclimating to the Black Hills elevation, Custer Peak(6,804 ft.) was chosen as a suitable objective. It’s a pretty easy hike along a USFS road up to the lookout tower, but does involve over 800 feet of elevation gain. Prior to heading out, Xochitl prepared for the adventure by fortifying her biological systems with a sip of Macadamia Nut Oil.
Xochitl sips a bit of Macadamia Nut Oil in preparation for another adventure with Lupe.
About 2 miles from Hwy 385, Xochitl parked the G6 at an intersection along USFS Road No. 216 a bit over 0.5 mile SE of Custer Peak. Lupe led her pack of humans NW up No. 216, eventually following a spur road off it that winds entirely around the mountain before almost reaching the summit. A short single track trail completed the route up.
Near the start of the trek up Custer Peak, USFS Road No. 216 passes by this scenic field which is a favorite with both Lupe and SPHP.
Even with the winding route the road takes, it was only a mile or so to the lookout tower on top of Custer Peak. Lupe and her pack were soon there. Custer Peak is the dominate peak of the N central Black Hills and features 360° views.
Lupe is joined by Steve (L), Xochitl, and Lanis (R) at the lookout tower on the summit of Custer Peak.
There are expansive views of the north central Black Hills in every direction from Custer Peak. Here, Lupe poses with Lanis (L), Xochitl, and Steve (R) in a photo looking NE. Bear Butte(4,422 ft.) near Sturgis, SD can be seen faintly on the horizon above Lanis.Lupe squints looking into the sun in this photo looking NW toward Terry Peak.Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) from Custer Peak.
After enjoying the views up on Custer Peak, everyone started down from the lookout tower. It was time to head back to the G6. Lanis didn’t really have the entire day off. He needed to get back to Blue Room Studios to spend at least some time mixing and mastering music that was due for completion.
Lanis, Xochitl & Steve depart the Custer Peak lookout tower.
Lupe and SPHP lingered on the mountain for a few more photos.
Looking SW. USFS Road No. 216 is seen below.Looking S. Harney Peak(7,242 ft.) is on the horizon L of center.Lupe and SPHP get left behind. Lupe will have no problem catching up.Maybe you want to think about getting a move on SPHP!Nah, what’s the rush? Oh, yeah, Lanis needs to get back.Terry Peak from rock outcroppings on Custer Peak.Heading down Custer Peak.
Xochitl had no problems climbing or returning from Custer Peak. Clearly, fortifying her biological systems with a sip of Macadamia Nut Oilhad worked.
Still, Lupe preferred Xochitl’s prior day’s method of fortifying her biological systems with a buffalo burger and carrot cake. After the hike, Lupe missed fortifying her own biological systems with a big helping of Cheyenne Crossing carrot cake from a Dingo box.
Lupeo – “Carrot Cake or Macadamia Nut Oil, that is the question: Whether ’tis more fortifying for the biological systems to suffer the oiliness and slipperiness of outrageous Macadamia Nut Oil, or to take fangs against an entire Dingo box of caramel-drizzled Carrot Cake, and by devouring it, end it?”
On 8-23-15, Lupe climbed Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado, second highest peak in the 48 contiguous United States, and quite possibly the highest mountain she will ever climb. What could she possibly do for an encore the next day? Why, climb the second highest peak in Colorado, of course!
Mount Massive(14,421 ft.) is conveniently located just 5 miles NNW of Mount Elbert(14,433 ft.). Only 12 feet lower than Mount Elbert, Mount Massive is the third highest peak in the 48 contiguous United States. So on 8-24-15, Day 16 of her Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation, Lupe set out from the Mount Massive trailhead near Halfmoon Creek at 9:32 AM (57°F).
It was another beautiful day. It was also Monday. The weekend crowds had disappeared. SPHP had been able to park the G6 in the TH parking lot. Only a few other vehicles were there. Although the elevation gain would be very similar, only slightly less than she had gained climbing Mount Elbert the day before, climbing Mount Massive was going to be a more peaceful experience.
The trailhead was actually a TH on the Colorado Trail. The Colorado Trail climbed fairly steeply at first, and then leveled out with both up and down sections. Lupe followed the Colorado Trail for about 3 miles. It wound its way around some, but generally towards the N. After 3 miles on the Colorado Trail, Lupe reached the Mount Massive Trail No. 1487. Mount Massive Trail No. 1487 heads W for about 2.5 miles to reach a ridgeline S of the summit.
Going up Mount Massive, there were similarities with Lupe’s climb up Mount Elbert the previous day. The Colorado Trail and the first part of the Mount Massive Trail were all in the forest. There weren’t any views until Lupe reached tree line along the Mount Massive Trail. Once on the Mount Massive Trail, it was a steady climb all the way up the mountain. The steepest, hardest parts of the climb were near the top.
Lupe didn’t meet many people on the trail at first, but this time it wasn’t due to a late start. There just weren’t that many people on the mountain. After a while, Lupe did meet some people and a few dogs who were coming down the mountain, as she climbed up, but far fewer than the day before.
Once again, the views started at tree line. There were far more bushes above tree line than on Mount Elbert. Lupe likes bushes. She sought their shade whenever SPHP had to stop to rest.
Lupe near tree line along Mount Massive Trail No. 1487.
Most of Trail No. 1487 seemed less steep than Trail No. 1184 up Mount Elbert. It did get steep as it approached the ridgeline leading to the summit. As Lupe approached the ridgeline, there were a couple of mountain goats up ahead. People and a dog were on their way down, so the goats had to make a decision on which way to go. They disappeared around the W side of the ridge.
Mount Massive was, well, massive! There was huge amount of open ground above tree line.The high point seen here is a false summit. Lupe would soon be scrambling around up on that ridge, though.The two mountain goats shortly before they realized they had visitors.
Trail No. 1487 reaches the top of the ridgeline between Mount Massive – Southeast Peak and the true summit. When Lupe reached the ridgeline, she followed the trail NW toward the true summit.
Looking SE towards Mount Massive – Southeast Peak. This photo shows the saddle where Trail No. 1487 gains the ridgeline from the E (left).Looking NNW along the ridgeline leading to the true summit. The true summit isn’t in view yet in this photo.
The trail to the top stayed mostly along the NE side of the mountain a bit below the ridgeline until quite close to the summit. There were some pretty huge drops to the SW on the other side of the ridge. Some scrambling was required along the way. Nothing serious, but this last leg up Mount Massive was certainly more challenging than the easy stroll along a ridge Mount Elbert had been. It was pretty fun! Lupe was happy climbing among the rocks.
Lupe having fun along the trail to the summit. A few people were on their way down as Lupe was heading up.Lupe up on the ridgeline. The summit of Mount Massive is now in view. Photo looks N.Success! Lupe atop the true summit of Mount Massive.
A few people had been coming down as Lupe worked her way up, but by the time Lupe reached the ridgeline and final approach to the true summit, Lupe and SPHP were alone. Once again the weather was wonderful. There wasn’t even a breeze. The views all around were gorgeous.
Looking S back along the ridgeline from the summit. Mount Elbert is in the shadow of a cloud at L Center. La Plata Peak(14,336 ft.) is seen just R of Center.What a view! Mt. Oklahoma(13,845 ft.) rises above the North Halfmoon Lakes. Photo looks WSW.Looking N now from the true summit at the ridge that heads NW towards Mount Massive – Green Peak. A trail is visible along the ridgeline, but Lupe didn’t go that far.Mount Elbert from Mount Massive. Photo looks SSE.Deer Mountain(13,761 ft.) (Center) and Mt. Oklahoma(13,845 ft.) (R). This photo shows a little better view of the steep drop down to the WSW. Both of the upper basins of North Halfmoon Creek are in view.Mount Elbert (L) and La Plata Peak (Center). Photo looks S.Looking NW now towards Mount Massive – Green Peak, Northwest Peak and Far Northwest Peak. All three are lined up on the R side of this photo.Looking NE towards Turquoise Lake and Leadville, CO.
It is possible to make a trek known as the “Tour de Massive” by visiting all five of the high points along the huge Mount Massive ridge. SPHP had been thinking Lupe could do the Tour de Massive. She could have, too, but the reality up on the summit of Mount Massive was that SPHP could not. Not after climbing up Mount Elbert the previous day. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.
A look at the high points (Green, Northwest and Far Northwest) off to the NW revealed that it might well involve considerably more than an easy stroll up and down along a ridgeline to get over to those peaks. Climbing the Southeast Peak, on the other hand, was clearly pretty easy, but in the end, SPHP was content to just call it a day – another wonderful day spent with Lupe.
Lupe and SPHP lingered quite some time up on Mount Massive. No one else appeared. Lupe and SPHP had Mount Massive entirely to themselves. It was a grand time. SPHP and Lupe both enjoyed the tremendous views. Lupe also found a snowbank to frolic on.
Delightful snow on Mt. Massive made a great American Dingo playground.
Going up to the summit along the ridgeline had been really fun. Going back down was a good time, too. Lupe scrambled quickly among the rocks. SPHP scrambled slowly. The route was rough enough to be interesting and engaging, without being difficult. The views, of course, remained simply splendid.
La Plata Peak (Center). Photo looks S.Mount Elbert (L of Center) and La Plata Peak (R of Center).Mt. Elbert.Looking SSW.Mount Massive – Southeast Peak (L) and Mount Elbert (R). The saddle between Mount Massive – Southeast Peak and Mount Massive is the low point on the ridgeline below. Trail No. 1487 can be seen heading down the mountain to the E (L).
Once below the ridgeline, and heading E on Mount Massive Trail No. 1487, the long trek back to the G6 began in earnest. Lupe had lots of wide open territory to explore. She had a wonderful time. A little later on, the light faded in the forest while Lupe followed the Colorado Trail. Between the trees, the light of a huge bonfire could be seen to the E of the trail.
Lupe met a couple of guys intending on camping on Mount Massive up above tree line. They were from Florida. One of them had seen Lupe on the trail, and thought she was a wolf! (Quite a few people have said she resembles a fox before, but never a wolf!) They were carrying sleeping bags, but seemed to have no backpacks or other gear. SPHP wondered if they weren’t heading for a bit of a shock. It was conceivable that a night above tree line (around 12,000 feet) on Mount Massive, even in August, might not be much like camping out on a Florida beach.
Lupe met no one else the entire way back. At 8:45 PM (52°F), Lupe reached the G6. For Lupe and SPHP, it had been a fabulous day together on Mount Massive. Fortunately for the Floridians, it looked like it was going to be a fabulous night, too.
Lupe and SPHP lingered on the mountain for a few more photos.
