South Dakota – Page 33 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 269 – Peak 5581 & Scruton Mountain (3-12-21)

9:14 AM, 41ºF, Pactola Reservoir S boat launch – Several people were out on frozen Pactola Lake when the Carolina Dog sprang from the G6.

Ice fishing! Are we going ice fishing, SPHP?

**S boat launch at Pactola Lake**. **Perrin Mountain (5,212 ft.)** (Center). Photo looks NE.

That would be a new one, wouldn’t it? But no ice fishing for us, Loopster! Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to find and climb Peak 5581. Maybe a couple of other peaks, too, if that goes well.

Mission impossible, unless you brought a map, SPHP. Never heard of Peak 5581 before.

I just so happen to have a topo map of the relevant territory, lucky Dingo! Peak 5581 is only about a mile SW of here. Shall we?

A mile SW? Follow me, SPHP!

Taking the boat launch access road, Lupe headed SW back up through the Pactola campground, then plunged into the forest.

Leaving the S boat launch area. Photo looks ENE.

Loopster headed straight into the forest from here. Photo looks SW.

The search for Peak 5581 begins! Photo looks SW.

Shortly after leaving the pavement, Lupe came across a faded remnant of a road on the SE side of a sloping, grassy valley. Following it farther up into the forest, she soon had a decision to make. Directly ahead was a very steep hill. L or R to try to get around it? SPHP consulted the map.

On the barely detectable road. Photo looks SW.

Go R, Looper!

This is going to be easy with the map, isn’t it, SPHP?

Should be! That’s why I almost always bring one.

*We’ll head W from here.* Photo looks WSW.

The terrain steepened as Lupe turned W. More hills boxed in the upper valley. A ravine toward the S looked like the best route higher. The first part of the ravine was full of small pines. Before long they gave way to rock outcroppings and more open terrain toward the N.

Glancing back down the slope before entering the ravine. Photo looks ENE.

Starting up the ravine. Photo looks WSW.

Near some of the rock formations. Photo looks N.

A minor saddle soon appeared on the N side of the ravine. Lupe went up to it. Some flat ground, and a small rocky hill to the E. Very little in the way of views due to the trees, but this spot was identifiable on the map.

Trending WSW from the saddle, Lupe sniffed her way higher staying N of the ravine. No big rock formations along in here, but plenty of rocks were strewn about the forest.

Past the minor saddle following the N side of the ravine (L). Photo looks SW.

The trek became easier and easier. Making good progress, Loop came to Kinnikinnick Park, a gently sloping region where the forest must have been thinned years ago.

**Kinnikinnick Park**, named after the abundant low ground cover. Photo looks SW.

After crossing Kinnikinnick Park, the terrain steepened again. By now the ravine had disappeared. Entering denser forest, Looper climbed nearly to the top of a ridge. Reaching some rock formations at the SE end, Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) and Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.) were on the SE horizon.

**Boulder Hill** (L) and **Silver Mountain** (R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

A point of more immediate interest was visible 0.5 mile SSW.

Peak 5581! That has to be it, doesn’t it, SPHP?

Yup! I think so, Looper. You’ve found it, all we need to do now is climb it!

*There it is! **Peak 5581**!* Photo looks SSW.

200+ feet of elevation had to be lost to get over to the base of Peak 5581. The map showed a steady march down to a saddle along the mountain’s N flank, but reality was more complicated than that. A descent of only 100 feet led to an initial low point. Surprisingly, this was followed by an ascent of a modest intervening hill not shown on the map.

On the way down to the first low point. Photo looks S.

**Peak 5581** (Center) from the intervening hill. Photo looks SSW.

A second descent of at least 100 feet ensued. This region seemed to be very remote, but loggers must have been scoping out the area recently. Many of the larger trees were marked with fresh orange or pink paint. Following a line of pink trees, Loop reached the saddle immediately N of Peak 5581, where hundreds of tiny pines were growing in a clearing.

*Getting closer! Keep following the pink trees!* Photo looks S.

At the saddle **N of Peak 5581**. Photo looks S.

Glimpses of Peak 5581’s upper N face on the way over here had looked pretty steep. SPHP thought the NW ridge might be somewhat easier, so the American Dingo angled toward it as she began her ascent.

Heading for the NW ridge. Photo looks SW.

A fairly steep rocky spine ran straight up the NW ridge. With her 4 on the floor, Lupe had no problem, but 0.5″ of snow was enough to make the ascent slippery for SPHP.

On the rocky spine of the NW ridge. Photo looks SSE.

The rocky spine went all the way to the top. The Carolina Dog reached a 100 foot long summit ridge that sloped up to the SE. Loopster was on her way to the high point when she came to a nice opening with a great view of Scruton Mountain (5,922 ft.) and New Year’s Eve Peak (6,046 ft.).

Getting close to the top. Photo looks SSE.

**Peak 5581’s summit ridge**. Photo looks SE.

**New Year’s Eve Peak** (Center) and **Scruton Mountain** (R). Photo looks SSW.

Going all the way to the SE end of the ridge, the true summit turned out to be a skinny rock standing on end that stuck up several inches higher than any of the others. Lupe tapped the top of it with her paw, but it was much too small to stand on. Bigger rocks nearly as high had to serve for her summit photos.

At the true summit. Well, actually the skinny rock at center is it, but close enough! Photo looks SE.

The best spot to sit near the true summit was just past the highest rocks. Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap. The big view from here was of Boulder Hill and Silver Mountain miles beyond the barren Bald Hills.

**Storm Hill (5,192 ft.)** (Center), **Boulder Hill** (R of Center), and **Silver Mountain** (R). **True summit** (far R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

So is Peak 5581 one of your Lists of John peaks, SPHP?

Yes, it is, Loop. Not bad, is it? Bet hardly anyone ever comes here!

How much prominence?

321 feet. So, not much above our 300 foot minimum cutoff. Want to split a chocolate coconut bar to celebrate your successful ascent, Looper?

Thought you’d never ask!

Break time on **Peak 5581**. Photo looks SE.

Supposed to be sort of a warm day, but it sure wasn’t up here. Not much above freezing. The sky was now completely overcast, and every time the SW breeze stirred it felt rather chilly. 45 minutes went by. Plenty of time yet. Loop might as well have a go at Scruton Mountain (5,922 ft.).

**Scruton Mountain** from Peak 5581. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

SPHP wasn’t really looking forward to going back down Peak 5581’s slick NW ridge, but the rest of the mountain was even steeper. Staring down the S slope, though, SPHP got the idea that maybe it wasn’t all that bad? No snow with the S exposure, which would make a huge difference, and a more direct route to Scruton Mountain, too.

Lupe started down.

**Scruton Mountain** (L) and the territory Lupe would have to cross to get to get there. Photo looks SW.

Starting down **Peak 5581’s S slope**. Photo looks NE.

Loose, flat stones and steep for a long way, but the S slope went fine. Lupe angled toward the saddle W of Peak 5581. Once SPHP got there, the Carolina Dog crossed the saddle and began climbing SW up the next ridge. Upon reaching the ridgeline, she turned SE. Still climbing, Loop made it to a high point where there was a sizable rock formation.

At a **high point 0.3 mile SW of Peak 5581**. Photo looks NNW.

The ridge headed SSW from here. At first, Loopster lost elevation as she followed the ridge through the forest, but soon found herself climbing to another even higher spot. A line of rocks at this second high point wasn’t as impressive.

At the second high point. Photo looks NNE.

A deeper dip in the ridge lay beyond this second high point, but Lupe soon regained part of this elevation loss, too. The ridge turned SE again, and became a narrow line of layered boulders inclined at a sharp angle.

The American Dingo leapt among the boulders toward a higher, wider part of the ridge. However, SPHP tired of the scramble, and dropped down to easier terrain SW of the ridgeline.

Just below the big rocks. Photo looks SE.

The situation was much better below. Heading SSE, Loop reached a flat region between the ridge she’d been on and Scruton Mountain. SPHP paused beneath a pine tree, taking another break. Lupe was content to rest for a while, but was ready to go when SPHP began to stir again.

Ready to leave the saddle for **Scruton Mountain**! Photo looks SW.

By now Scruton Mountain (5,922 ft.) was only 0.4 mile SW as the crow flies. If Lupe went just a little SE, she would run into an access road that wound more than twice that far up to the Seth Bullock fire lookout tower on top. However, it seemed more fun to explore the territory N of the mountain than to trudge along a road. Loop headed SW into the forest.

At first it was pretty easy, but large quantities of deadfall were an issue as Lupe got closer to the mountain. Scruton’s NW slope wasn’t quite as steep as the N face, so the Carolina Dog worked her way over to it. Still a fairly steep climb with plenty of deadfall, but Loop made it to the top.

Deadfall **N of Scruton Mountain**. Photo looks S.

Approaching the **Seth Bullock fire lookout tower**. Photo looks E.

A tall, chain-link fence denied access to the lookout tower. Lupe had come up W of it, but it looked like there was higher ground on the other side. Circling around the S side of the fence, Loop scrambled up to the highest rocks just E of the tower. Here she had a great view to the S of New Year’s Eve Peak (6,046 ft.) and False North Point (6,130 ft.).

**New Year’s Eve Peak** (Center) and **False North Point** (R) in the gap. Photo looks SSE.

The rocky ridge Lupe was on extended another 200 feet SE. Looked like the highest rocks were somewhere over close to the far end. Scrambling all the way back down and heading in that direction, Looper discovered a trail to the true summit.

Near the **trail to the top** (R). Photo looks E.

Tucked back in among a few trees, the true summit was a rock barely any higher than some of the others. Judging from some old stone steps and various concrete supports and pads, there must have been a cabin and some other USFS installations up here at one time.

Far more interesting were the views of Peak 5581 and the Seth Bullock lookout tower. Surprisingly little of Pactola Reservoir was in sight from Scruton Mountain (5,922 ft.), only the part near the dam.

The **Seth Bullock fire lookout tower** from the **true summit region**. Photo looks NW.

**Pactola Lake** from the stone steps. Photo looks NE.

**Peak 5581** (L) and **Pactola Lake** (R). Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.

Chocolate coconut bar time, SPHP!

Sounds like a plan, Loop!

The chocolate coconut bar wasn’t the only victim as Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap. Most of the Taste of the Wild and the last apple disappeared, too. Plenty of water leftover, though. Lupe had been eating snow, and it was still chilly enough so that SPHP didn’t need much water, either.

After being overcast for hours, the sun was trying to break through the clouds. Scattered patches of blue sky were slowly spreading. Whenever the sun shone on Scruton Mountain, Lupe and SPHP hopped up hoping to get some better photos.

Opportunities were fleeting. More often than not, the favorable light vanished almost immediately. Loopster had some success, including a particularly nice look at Peak 5800 and Peak 5917.

**Peak 5800** (L of Center) and **Peak 5917** (R). Photo looks SE.

Blue skies beyond the lookout tower. Photo looks NW.

Peak 6070 might have been in the cards, if it had been a little warmer out. Late enough now, though, so that would have inevitably meant a long march back in darkness. Still would have been feasible, since roads went all the way back to Pactola Lake. SPHP dithered before deciding against it.

So Lupe lingered on Scruton Mountain in a chilly SW breeze enjoying the peace, views, and solitude. An hour and 20 minutes after arriving, the Carolina Dog again stood W of the lookout tower. Starting down the access road, she stopped at a beautiful view of green pine-scented hills stretching away to the NW.

Look at that, SPHP! We’ll always have more to explore in the Black Hills, won’t we!

Forever and ever, sweet Dingo! Happy days! (End 5:59 PM, 38ºF)

**Scruton Mountain**, Black Hills of South Dakota, 3-12-21

Lupe treasures collected along the roads on the way back to Pactola Lake: 1 glass bottle, 8 aluminum cans, 1 tin can, 2 metal filter housings.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Scruton Mountain on SummitPost.org

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. 268 – Flume Trail No. 50: Coon Hollow to Boulder Hill & Loop B (3-7-21)

7:14 AM, 42ºF, Coon Hollow trailhead off Silver Mountain Road –

Flume Trail No. 50 again, SPHP?

Yes, indeedy, Looper! We’ll finish it up today!

With a little peakbagging on the side, I suppose?

You know it! After all, you’ve got your reputation to think of.

At the **Coon Hollow trailhead** near Rockerville.

This plan met with instant approval. And why not? Carolina Dogs aren’t picky about outdoor adventures, as long as there are some. Flume Trail No. 50 would be easy, and climbing a mountain or two along the way would provide a Dingo’s-eye view of the scenery.

Flume Trail No. 50 set out heading NW along the side of a pine-forested slope, but soon curved NE down into Rockerville Gulch. A little stream at the bottom was covered with ice so thick it even supported SPHP. Crossing the stream, the trail went N to a steep, rocky slope.

Entering **Rockerville Gulch**. Photo looks NNE.

Already, a rare steep spot along Flume Trail No. 50! Photo looks NNW.

Not much of a climb at all! Steep, but short. The trail didn’t even go to the top of the ridge. Instead, halfway up, it turned E and leveled out.

Lupe could have save a bunch of distance by simply continuing N up and over the ridge, which wouldn’t have been hard at all. Flume Trail No. 50 was going to wind around the entire E end of the ridge before turning W, but the American Dingo was here to enjoy the trail, so she stuck with it. Didn’t take too long to get about as far E as the trail was going to go.

At the E end where the trail starts winding N. Photo looks NW.

The E end of the ridge was broad and gently sloping. The trail curved N, and wound along it in that general direction. Before long, Lupe reached a cut where the trail made a sharp turn W. The cut was a sure sign she had reached part of the original 1880 Spring Creek to Rockerville flume bed that the trail was named after.

After going through the cut, Flume Trail No. 50 wound a little farther N, before finally making a decisive turn W. For the first time, Lupe had a distant view only partially blocked by the pines. Mostly just forested hills no higher than where she was now, but it was something.

Storm Hill’s E ridge, a more impressive sight, came into view only a few minutes later.

**Storm Hill’s E ridge**. Photo looks WNW.

Heading W, Flume Trail No. 50 led to a dirt road, which apparently also served as a mountain bike trail. On the far side of the road, some of the rock work of the old flume bed was on display. After crossing the road, Lupe came to a particularly rocky stretch that was pretty much intact.

On the edge of the flume bed after crossing the dirt road.

An impressive rocky stretch of the 1880 flume bed. Photo looks NW.

Before long, the Flume Trail turned SW traversing fairly steep SE slopes of the Coon Hollow valley. Still following the 1880 flume route, the trail itself remained almost perfectly level the entire time. Soon another road could be seen down in the valley. Just before the trail met up with it, the pine forest gave way to a grove of aspens.

Heading into **Coon Hollow**. Photo looks SW.

*Doesn’t get much easier than this, does it?* Photo looks SSW.

*We’ve reached the aspens in **Coon Hollow**!* Photo looks SW.

USFS Road No. 676 was a much better road than the first one Flume Trail No. 50 had crossed. 40 feet downhill, a brown wand and a “50” diamond on an aspen tree showed where the trail continued on the other side.

After crossing USFS Road No. 676 (R), the trail goes off to the L here. Photo looks N.

Now on the NW side of Coon Hollow, Flume Trail No. 50 headed NE. The trail remained flat, but the hillside it was traversing was much rockier and even steeper than on the other side of the valley, almost a cliff. In some places, parts of the old flume bed had collapsed.

On the **NW side of Coon Hollow**. Photo looks N.

The flume bed suddenly ended at a knob of rock. The trail climbed 20 feet up to Air Force Vista. An old trail system map, yellow with age, but still legible, was posted here.

Closer look at the relevant part of the map.

Air Force Vista wasn’t much of a viewpoint. No doubt the trees had grown up over the years. However, a narrow opening between the pines still provided a distant view to the NE.

*So, this is it! The big view from **Air Force Vista**!* Photo looks NE.

From Air Force Vista, the trail bent sharply SW along the side of a small, rocky ridge, and soon turned NW going over it. Dropping back down to the old flume bed, which reappeared on the other side, the trail headed W into a side canyon off Coon Hollow. An enormous, nearly vertical rock formation on the N side of this canyon was hard to miss.

Back to the flume bed in the canyon W of Air Force Vista. Photo looks WNW.

Impressive rock formation on the N side of the canyon.

Before long, the flume bed once again came to an abrupt end at a point overlooking a 15 foot dip into a little drainage. The flume bed actually continued over on the N side of the canyon, but wasn’t in sight from here, and wasn’t where Flume Trail No. 50 was headed anyway.

In the drainage where the Flume Trail left the flume bed.

After crossing the dip, the Flume Trail continued W up the canyon. Lupe passed through a woods still sporting autumn’s dead brown leaves, and came to a tiny stream where she got a cold drink.

Crossing the stream, Lupe followed the trail higher. The canyon became a gentler valley, gradually widening out as the American Dingo gained elevation. Loop came to a sign of the style found at Air Force Vista that spoke of an old log bridge, but virtually nothing was left of it.

Approaching the “Log Bridge” sign (L of Center) in the upper valley. Photo looks SW.

In the broad upper end of the valley, the Flume Trail reached a dirt road which led almost immediately to an intersection. The main trail headed NW from here, still climbing as a single track. The other choice was to follow the dirt road SW up to a gently sloping saddle.

At the intersection, looking up the dirt road. Photo looks WSW.

I presume we’re climbing Boulder Hill this time, aren’t we, SPHP?

Spot on, Looper! Take the road.

Heading for Boulder Hill! Photo looks SW.

This intersection was only 0.25 mile E of Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.), but the Flume Trail spur to the summit wrapped 0.9 mile clear around the S side of the mountain to approach it from the SW. The first part of the spur followed the dirt road over the saddle that was already in sight. 150 yards down the other side, Lupe reached a wand and a 50 diamond marking the point where the spur left the road as a single track.

The spur trail was easy going until Lupe got clear around to the SW side of the mountain. It then turned NE directly up a grassy slope passing through open forest. Moderately steep, but no worse than that.

Shortly before reaching another dirt road, Loop discovered an enormous squirrel tree. An absolute giant for a ponderosa pine! The squirrel was so high that the Carolina Dog quickly gave up barking at it as an exercise in futility.

Upon reaching the road, Lupe followed it around a bend. It promptly ended at the base of Boulder Hill’s rocky summit. The spur trail angled off toward the S end of the summit ridge, turning N almost as soon as Loop started climbing.

At the base of Boulder Hill’s rocky summit. Photo looks NNE.

The ascent was fun! A nice route wound among big rocks with views at every turn.

The Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) summit region consists of 2 separate rock platforms almost equally high separated by a minor dip 30 or 40 feet wide. Lupe checked out the sunny S platform first, where the views were unobstructed except to the N.

Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.) and more distant Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) were the big attractions, but Storm Hill’s E ridge with the prairies of western South Dakota miles beyond it was interesting, too.

**Silver Mountain** (L) and **Black Elk Peak** (R). Photo looks SW.

**Silver Mountain**. Photo looks SSW with help from the telephoto lens.

**Black Elk Peak**. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

**Storm Hill’s E Ridge** (L of Center). Photo looks ENE.

Break time! Before checking out the N platform, SPHP decided an apple had to go bye-bye. Lupe wasn’t interested in that, but made certain she got her fair share when SPHP brought out a chocolate coconut bar.

Once the chocolate coconut bar was gone, Loopster was ready to move on, too. She posed briefly atop the otherwise unremarkable rock that SPHP considered Boulder Hill’s true summit and another one at the N end of the S platform, then ventured over to the N platform.

At Boulder Hill’s scintillating **true summit**. Photo looks NNW.

On the N rock of the S platform. Photo looks NW.

The N platform had more trees, but fewer distant views. With lots more of the Flume Trail to explore, Lupe didn’t stay long. She did have a look around, though, before saying sayonara to Boulder Hill.

On **Boulder Hill’s N platform**. Photo looks NW.

The survey benchmark is visible toward the R. Photo looks SE.

A glimpse of the S platform (Center) from the N one. Photo looks SE.

Retracing her entire route along the Boulder Hill spur, Lupe returned to the intersection with the main Flume Trail. A relatively short uphill trek got Loop to the crest of a pass to the NW. Downhill all the way from then on for nearly 0.5 mile to the Boulder Hill trailhead.

*Gotta admit that’s a mighty nice view of **Black Elk Peak**!* Descending **Boulder Hill**. Photo looks SW.

Heading down to the Boulder Hill trailhead. Photo looks NNW.

Arriving at the **Boulder Hill trailhead**.

Lupe had been here only 4 days ago. On Expedition No. 267, she’d started her exploration of the W half of Flume Trail No. 50 from this trailhead. First, though, she’d climbed Peak 5048 just 0.2 mile NW.

So, do I get another chocolate coconut bar, if I climb Peak 5048 again, SPHP?

I’ll split one with you, Looper! That enticing enough?

It was. Lupe was soon back up at Peak 5048’s best viewpoint, just a bit below the summit region’s SE high point. After a good look at Boulder Hill, Silver Mountain, and Black Elk Peak, she continued on to the true summit to collect her share of the promised chocolate coconut bar.

**Boulder Hill** (far L), **Silver Mountain** (L of Center) and **Black Elk Peak** (far R) from **Peak 5048**. Photo looks SSW.

*Alright, I’m here! Now about that chocolate coconut bar!* **True summit of Peak 5048**. Photo looks N.

*Oh, yes! It was delicious!* **Peak 5048 summit region**. Photo looks SE.

After a brief stay on Peak 5048, Lupe went back down. Picking up Loop B of Flume Trail No. 50 a short distance NE of the Boulder Hill trailhead, she began following it N.

On Flume Trail No. 50 again, this time on Loop B. Photo looks NNE.

Loop B (aka the Spring Creek Loop), along with Section 2 of the Flume Trail, together comprise a 4.4 mile long loop circumnavigating Peak 5048 and a hilly region to the N. Going counter-clockwise, the first part of this loop was all super easy, mostly a stroll through ponderosa pine forests. (Flume Trail map)

A sunny clearing **NE of Peak 5048**. Photo looks NNE.

Passing a rock formation. Photo looks NNW.

Typical stretch among the tall pines. Photo looks W.

For a while, the scenery didn’t change much. 20 minutes went by before the first partial semi-distant view appeared, a cliff along a hill to the E.

On a relatively sunny stretch. Photo looks NE.

At last, a bit of a view! Photo looks NE.

The trail turned NW, and Storm Hill (5,192 ft.) briefly came into sight back to the SE. Tree-broken views of other hills were soon seen ahead. At the N end of Loop B, Lupe came to a lingering patch of snow and ice.

**Storm Hill** (Center). Photo looks SE.

More hills appear ahead. Photo looks NW.

About the only icy spot Lupe encountered all day. Photo looks W.

Most of Loop B followed the old Spring Creek to Rockerville flume route. Nearly perfectly flat, the trail wound along the mountainsides for miles. Lupe was already clear around to the NW side of the loop when a break in the trail’s continuity appeared at a rocky spot.

*Looks like the flume bed might have partially collapsed here!* Photo looks S.

Beyond the rocky section, Loop B made a foray SE, skirting the edges of a shallow valley W of Peak 4972.

*Oh, isn’t this nice!* In the **valley W of Peak 4972**. Photo looks WSW.

Leaving the lovely valley behind, the trail curved S. Baker Park could be glimpsed to the W between the trees. Lupe soon reached a fence where Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) was in sight again.

**N end of Baker Park**. Photo looks WNW.

**Boulder Hill** reappears. Photo looks SSE.

**S end of Baker Park**. **Peak 5040** (R). Photo looks W.

Seeing Boulder Hill again meant Lupe was close to completing Loop B. 10 more minutes, and the trail suddenly went down an embankment.

An abrupt end to the level part of Loop B. Photo looks N.

USFS Road No. 358 was at the bottom of the slope. Loop B continued across the road, descending slightly as it headed into a small valley. A short level stretch led to a little creek issuing from an algae-filled pond behind an earthen dam. The tiny pond was only slightly above Loop B’s low point. Despite the slimy algae, it was sort of a scenic spot.

Crossing USFS Road No. 358. Photo looks SSE.

Loopster arrives at the tiny pond. Photo looks S.

*Actually quite pretty here, isn’t it?* Photo looks SW.

After crossing the dam, Loop B made a short climb up a forested hill. Lupe reached a junction. This was the end of Loop B. The Carolina Dog could now take either Section 1 of the Flume Trail W to Sheridan Lake, or Section 2 back to the Boulder Hill trailhead.

Intersection of Loop B, and Section 1 (R) or Section 2 (L). Photo looks SW.

To complete her circumnavigation of Peak 5048, Loop took Section 2. She’d been through this area 4 days ago. The trail went gently uphill nearly all the way. Both Boulder Hill and Peak 5048 were in sight.

**Boulder Hill** (Center) from Section 2 of the Flume Trail. Photo looks SE.

A clearer view. **Boulder Hill** (L). Photo looks SE.

Upon reaching the Boulder Hill trailhead again, Looper had completed her explorations of Flume Trail No. 50 for the day, but still had to go all the way back to Coon Hollow.

The Carolina Dog’s return route retraced all she’d done earlier, except that this time she didn’t take the side trip to Boulder Hill. Instead, when she reached the pass between Boulder Hill and Storm Hill, she left the trail heading NE into the forest.

After climbing the S end of Storm Hill’s long N/S ridge, Lupe headed N for the summit.

Chocolate coconut bar time again! Fortunately, SPHP had one left. The views from Storm Hill (5,192 ft.) were somewhat limited due to all the trees, but a nice level platform provided a good view to the NW. SPHP sat facing this view with Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap. Expectations were high! SPHP didn’t disappoint.

The last chocolate coconut bar appeared, only to vanish. Taste of the Wild for Lupe, and an apple for SPHP. Plenty of water for all, too.

For a while, Lupe and SPHP gazed down on Peak 5048 and Baker Park. Toward the horizon, plenty of other recognizable peaks out there, too.

**Baker Park** (far L), **Peak 5048** (L) above Lupe’s rump, **Peak 5171** (Center) above her shoulder. Photo looks NW.

The increasing slant of the sunlight eventually broke the mutual trance. A quick tour of the other views available, and the American Dingo was on her way back to the pass.

Looking NE toward Rapid City with help from the telephoto lens.

**Storm Hill’s E ridge** (R). Photo looks E.

**Storm Hill’s summit region**. Lupe at the **true summit**. Photo looks NNW.

Traveling **Storm Hill’s S ridge**. Photo looks S.

Rejoining Flume Trail No. 50 at the pass leading to Boulder Hill, it was down to Air Force Vista and back to Coon Hollow.

A perfect evening! End of a perfect day.

Well, I guess this is about it for Flume Trail No. 50, Loop! 2 consecutive Black Hills expeditions, and you’ve got it done.

Fun times, SPHP! Nice to do something easy, for once. Got any more trails like this for us in the future?

The Flume Trail is sort of special, Loop. Plenty of nice long flat stretches because so much of it follows the old flume route. The Mickelson Trail is flat, too, since it follows an old railroad grade, but perhaps we should try to finish up the parts of Deerfield Trail No. 40 and Centennial Trail No. 89 that you don’t have posts on yet?

Sounds good to me, SPHP! You know I’m up for just about anything, as long as you don’t forget the chocolate coconut bars! (End 5:10 PM, 52ºF)

**Flume Trail No. 50**, Black Hills of South Dakota, 3-7-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills Expedition No. 267 – Flume Trail No. 50: Boulder Hill to Sheridan Lake (3-3-21)

Flume Trail No. 50 – Map & Brochure

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!