South Dakota – Page 35 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 265 – Custer Peak & Peak 6600 (2-3-21)

8:28 AM, 41ºF, start of USFS Road No. 216.1, 0.5 mile SE of Custer Peak – Bright and breezy when Lupe hopped out of the G6. Such a long time since she’d been here! Snow! Only yesterday, deadfall had been her bane on the way to Peak 5316 in the southern Black Hills. Snow was much more to the American Dingo’s liking.

Cool, clear, and breezy at the start of USFS Road No. 216.1. Photo looks WSW.

To what do I owe this great honor, SPHP?

What honor is that, Loop?

2 Black Hills Expeditions in a row. Been forever since we’ve done that!

Ahh! Easily explained. This is the last warm day before a long cold snap moves in. We’ve been spoiled! Real winter is on the way. Subzero every night! A few more days until it gets that bad, but the deterioration is supposed to start this evening with a chilly wind out of the NW. Sort of surprised at how breezy it is already.

Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad we’re here! C’mon, SPHP, I’ll race you to the top!

Heh. Might as well chalk another one up for the Carolina Dog right now. SPHP started the trudge WNW, snow crunching underpaw.

*C’mon, slowpoke!* Loopster with her usual early lead. Photo looks WNW.

This was familiar territory. Looper’s 7th ascent of Custer Peak, in fact. Want the best views in the N central Black Hills? The under 2 mile road trek up to the fire lookout tower on Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) is where to go. Dominant views of the entire region! Judging by how breezy it was down here, though, might be a gale up there today.

For nearly a mile, USFS Road No. 216.1 gradually steepened as it curved NW on the way to the saddle between Peak 6600 and Custer Peak. The E face of Peak 6600 came into sight less than halfway there. It wasn’t until Lupe got to the saddle region that she had her first really good look at Custer Peak.

**Peak 6600** comes into view early on. Photo looks WNW.

**Custer Peak** from a knoll near the saddle leading to Peak 6600. Photo looks ENE.

USFS Road No. 216.1 curved sharply SSE shortly before Lupe got to the saddle. However, No. 216.2A continued right on up to the saddle, where SPHP was surprised to see a new outhouse. New in the 4.5 years since Lupe had last been here, that is. At the saddle, No. 216.2A turned toward Custer Peak. The road would go nearly all the way to the top.

At SPHP’s insistence, Lupe paused early on the No. 216.2A trek for a good look at the NE face of Peak 6600.

**Peak 6600** from USFS Road No. 216.2A. Photo looks SW.

Didn’t take Loopster long to get to where No. 216.2A approached the base of Custer Peak. From here, the road climbed steadily, ultimately completing a clockwise circuit of the entire mountain. The views were fabulous where unobstructed, as they were most of the way up.

Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) to the NW was the most impressive sight, but the Carolina Dog was happier on the E and S sides of the mountain, where she was protected from the gusty wind which continually strengthened as she gained elevation.

Approaching **Custer Peak** on USFS Road No. 216.2A. Photo looks NE.

On the much calmer E side of the mountain. Photo looks N.

Getting close to the end of the road. **Terry Peak** (L). Photo looks NW.

No. 216.2A dead-ended 100 feet below the summit. Exposed to the wind, Lupe did not enjoy the path that switchbacked the rest of the way to the top. SPHP paused to examine a new plaque near the fire lookout tower, but the Carolina Dog was anxious to get out of the breeze.

Start of the short path that switchbacks to the summit. Photo looks SSW.

The new information plaque near the lookout tower.

*Come on, SPHP! Let’s get out of the wind!*

The wind wasn’t all that terrible, but SPHP had to agree that life was more pleasant on the sunny E side of the lookout tower. To Loopster’s joy, this time SPHP hadn’t forgotten to bring the chocolate coconut bars. She curled up on SPHP’s lap, inhaling her share, then munched some Taste of the Wild.

After a pleasant 10 or 15 minutes peacefully enjoying the views, it was time to brave the wind and take a few photos between major gusts.

The sunny E side of the lookout tower, where Loop and SPHP hung out for a bit. Photo looks W.

**Peak 6380** (L) in the foreground, and **Bear Butte (4,422 ft.)** (far L) in the distance. Photo looks ENE.

Terry Peak (7,064 ft.), framed between Deer Mountain (6,652 ft.) and Bald Mountain (6,617 ft.), was the big view, but Lupe could also see all the way S to Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), and W to the limestone plateau country.

**Deer Mountain** (L), **Terry Peak** (Center), and **Bald Mountain** (R). Photo looks NW.

One or two laps around the lookout tower was about all the American Dingo was willing to put up with. She didn’t get any respite from the wind yet, though. After descending the tower steps, SPHP searched for the Custer survey benchmarks near the N side of the foundation.

Benchmark No. 2 near the NW corner of the lookout tower points E toward another marker 10 feet away.

Lupe’s Custer Peak tour concluded with a look at the views from a short ridge SW of the tower.

**Black Elk Peak** (far L) on the horizon. Photo looks S.

**Peak 6600** (Center) in the foreground. Photo looks SW.

40 minutes! After a 4.5+ year absence, hardly seemed enough to do justice to Custer Peak, but the wind wouldn’t let up, and the Carolina Dog was anxious to go. Plenty more to do today, anyway, down where the breeze wouldn’t be so stiff. Lupe started her descent leaving the summit as she’d found it, bathed in sunshine and battered by the wind.

Once back to the road, SPHP paused briefly for another look at Peak 6600, then it was on down around to the leeward side of the mountain.

You sure seem interested in Peak 6600 today, SPHP!

That’s because that’s where we’re going next!

We are? I thought we might be done with the wind and all.

The wind’s not that bad, Loop, especially down below. More adventures in store! We’re going to climb Peak 6600, since it’s got such a fabulous view of Custer Peak, then head NW a few miles to climb Peak 6480.

Peak 6480?

Yes, another 300+ foot prominence peak from Lists of John. Sort of been thinking maybe we ought to start working the 300+ foot prominence lists this year, since you’ve been to just about every named peak in the Black Hills that we can legally climb. Quite a few of them more than once. Gives us new places to explore!

I’m all for exploring, SPHP! Sounds good!

By the time Lupe got back around to the windy N side of Custer Peak, a line of gray clouds could be seen approaching from the NW.

Wonder if that’s the lead edge of the front coming in, Loop? Didn’t think it was supposed to get here until this evening. Hope the wind doesn’t get too much stronger.

Started out OK, but sure hasn’t warmed up any today, either, SPHP.

Reaching the saddle leading to Peak 6600, Lupe left the road, plunging right into the dense, snowy forest. A 260 foot climb almost due S would get her up to the 6600 foot contour at the NW end of the summit ridge.

In the snowy forest, beginning the trek up Peak 6600.

As expected, the route steadily steepened. Some rocks, some deadfall, but mostly just trees and snow. Lupe had done this once before, nearly 6 years ago, and been rewarded with a fantastic view of Custer Peak. Best one possible, in fact, since Peak 6600 was the easily the highest point anywhere close to Custer Peak, and the summit ridge had a nice rocky spot where an unobstructed view could be obtained.

*Any idea how much deeper this snow is going to get, SPHP?*

Lupe wasn’t far from the top when the forest darkened. Overhead, the sky was now a soft gray. What happened to all the sunshine? Loop was right! Felt colder out, too.

C’mon, Looper! The front must be here early! Let’s get up to where we can get a couple of nice shots of Custer Peak before the weather deteriorates any further.

Didn’t take long. A few more minutes, and Loopster was there, standing in the cold wind on the rocky viewpoint at the NW end of Peak 6600.

An hour had gone by since Lupe had left Custer Peak. What a change! Not only had all hint of sunshine utterly vanished, but a massive soft gray cloud hung low over everything. Only on the far horizon did a brighter line indicate the already distant edge of the monstrous cloud.

The rocky viewpoint at the **NW end of Peak 6600’s summit ridge**. Photo looks S.

Custer Peak was still in view, except for the top 50 or 100 feet, where fog was now streaming by. All in shadow now, instead of lovely sunshine, but nothing to be done about that.

Be ready, Loopster! As soon as the fog clears from the summit, we’ll grab a quick photo of Custer Peak before things get any worse.

Bad decision! Should have snapped one right away. The Carolina Dog was ready, but the summit didn’t clear even for an instant. Instead, the cloud suddenly swallowed the entire mountain. Moments later, even Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), far to the S, was gone.

**Black Elk Peak** (Center) dimly on the horizon, moments before it vanished, too. Photo looks SSE.

Oh, come on! Really? It’ll clear, if we have a bit of patience, Loop. Got to be a little break before too long.

Lupe seemed unconvinced, but was willing to curl up on SPHP’s lap for the warmth, if nothing else. Another chocolate coconut bar didn’t hurt a thing, either.

No break in the cloud. Peak 6600 became an island in a gray oblivion, the only place left standing in the whole world. 15 minutes ticked away. Tiny snowflakes filled the air.

OooooK! Even I can take a hint, if ya knock me over the head with a 2 x 4! Custer Peak photo isn’t happening, Loop. Wha’dya say we go in search of the true summit of Peak 6600? After that we can see about Peak 6480.

Best idea you’ve had in the last hour, SPHP! Let’s do it!

Final moments at the **NW high point of Peak 6600**. Photo looks N.

The summit ridge dipped a bit as Lupe traveled SE along it. Pines and fog hid whatever was ahead until she was almost upon it. After going several hundred feet or more, a sizable rock formation appeared. Possibly the true summit, although no telling in this fog.

Circling around to the SE, Loop found a spot where she could scramble to the top, which proved to be kind of a weird jagged area.

At the jagged-topped true summit candidate. Photo looks N.

Nope! Not the true summit. Continuing SE only a little farther, Lupe went up a slope to definitely higher terrain. The American Dingo was almost at the SE end of the summit ridge. Congratulations were in order! SPHP was almost certain the elevated line of rock Lupe had reached was the true summit of Peak 6600.

**True summit of Peak 6600**. Photo looks N.

There didn’t seem to be any reason to linger on Peak 6600, especially if Loop still hoped to get to Peak 6480 when the forecast was for steadily deteriorating conditions. A couple of minutes at the top, and Lupe was on her way down the S ridge.

Starting down **Peak 6600’s S ridge**. Photo looks S.

Not too far to USFS Road No. 216.1! The descent went well, and in less than 0.25 mile, Lupe picked the road up again a little SE of a high point. (Point 6427 on the topo map) Looper headed for it, reaching an open gate at the top in a thin fog and light snow.

At **Point 6427** on USFS Road No. 216.1. Photo looks NW.

Continuing NW on the snowy road, Lupe soon came to an intersection at a low spot. A map was posted here. SPHP took a look.

Snowmobile trail map posted along USFS Road No. 216.1.

What’s it say, SPHP?

Nothing helpful to us, Looper. It’s a large scale snowmobile trail map.

The way things are going, we’ll be needing a snowmobile before this is over.

That had a ring of truth to it. SPHP looked down at the American Dingo standing patiently on the snowy road, earnestly returning SPHP’s gaze. All around, the forest was a mystery of fog and tiny swirling flakes. Treetops swayed in the wind, releasing occasional cascades of fresh accumulations. Snowing harder. Even Loop was starting to turn white.

Not really that bad out. Barely cold enough for snow, but the temp was supposed to drop, the winds increase. Would it even be possible to find Peak 6480 in the fog? Suppose Lupe did, what then? Not going to see a thing.

What do you think, Loop?

About?

Call it, or go on? We can come back, and do Peak 6480 another time.

Awesome out here in the snowy woods, isn’t it, SPHP?

Absolutely! But possibly pointless, too. Not sure it’s worth trying to go all the way to Peak 6480. Might not recognize it, even if we find it.

Whatever you want to do, SPHP! You know I’ll be there!

Truer words never spoken. Not spoken now either, only conveyed by those completely trusting eyes. No sense in letting a friend like that catch pneumonia!

So, Expedition No. 265 came to an early end. Part success, part failure. 1.5 miles back to the G6. A beautiful time in fog and snow, enjoying winter’s silence and solitude together. (End 1:07 PM, 31ºF)

**USFS Road No. 216.1A** near Peak 6600, Black Hills of South Dakota 2-3-21

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 264 – Peak 5017 & Peak 5316 (2-2-21)

9:00 AM, 49ºF, Song Dog Road (USFS Road No. 682), 0.25 mile W of the Wind Cave National Park water supply area – Oh, what a fabulous day! Sunny and very warm for the beginning of February in the Black Hills. Lupe was here to make the most of it while she could! For the first time this winter, a long stretch of extremely cold weather was coming soon.

Loopster had been here a couple of times before back in 2017 to scale the Twin Sisters Range Highpoint (4,980 ft.), just a little over a mile ENE and already in sight. However, that wasn’t going to be the Carolina Dog’s destination today. On to something new! A couple of 300+ foot prominence peaks taken from Lists of John were her objectives.

The N face of the first one, Peak 5017, dominated the view from here.

**Twin Sisters Range** (L) and the **N face of Peak 5017** (R). Photo looks E.

Ready, Looper?

Been waiting on you, as usual, SPHP!

Ahh, yes, of course! This first peak should be a snap. Just follow the road!

The American Dingo hit Song Dog Road, which started out heading SW, sort of the wrong direction. However, after going up a long gentle slope, the road curved sharply to the E. Lupe quickly reached a saddle where a less traveled road on the L trended NE. Song Dog Road curved SE here, starting to head downhill.

About to set off on Song Dog Road. Photo looks SW.

At the saddle. Song Dog Road goes R, and a side road goes L here. **Peak 5017** (R). Photo looks ENE.

Which way, SPHP?

Take the side road to the L, Loopster. Must say, I’m rather disappointed!

Why? What’s wrong?

We’re already done with Song Dog Road, and you didn’t even hum a tune!

There’s a reason for that, SPHP!

Really, like what?

It’s broad daylight! We Dingoes like to sing at night. Should have brought me here when there’s a full moon! I’d warble you up some real tunes then!

I see. Didn’t think of that, but I suppose it makes sense. Bad timing on my part. If we don’t get back from Peak 5316 before dark, maybe we can come back here tonight for a Dingo concert?

In that case, keep an eye out for coyotes today, SPHP!

What for?

So I can invite them to chime in on the chorus!

*Big concert tonight, if there’s a full moon! Hope you can stick around for it!* On the side road leading to the **N end of Peak 5017** (R). Photo looks NE.

The side road didn’t go all the way to the top of Peak 5017, passing below the N rim instead. So Lupe left the road to climb up to the N high point, which wasn’t hard at all. Before heading S for the true summit, she spent a few minutes checking out the views.

**Peak 5208** (L of Center). Photo looks NNE over the **Cold Springs Creek valley**.

**Twin Sisters Range Highpoint** (L of Center). Photo looks ENE.

Peak 5017’s true summit was now a mere 250 yards away, an easy stroll across completely open prairie.

*There’s the true summit of Peak 5017 (L) already! How easy is this?* Photo looks S.

In nothing flat, Loopster was scoring her first peakbagging success of the day. Rocks in a small group toward the SW edge of Peak 5017’s summit region were the highest points around. A large portion of the southern Black Hills was on display, with distant glimpses of Wyoming to the SW, Nebraska to the S, and the prairies of western South Dakota to the E.

Although this wasn’t rugged territory, the panorama conveyed an overall sense of scenic spaciousness, the most pleasing views off to the SW toward Parker Peak (4,848 ft.) and Matias Peak (4,780 ft.).

**Parker Peak** (Center) and **Matias Peak** (far R), both on the horizon. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

The scene to the W was pleasant, but undramatic. In the foreground was the same grassy ridge bordered with bits of crumbling limestone that Lupe had traveled on the side road she’d taken to get here. Beyond the grassy region was a flat, forested plain, backed by slightly higher forested ridges in the distance.

The highest ground visible from Peak 5017 was to the N, yet a lack of any particularly sharp peaks served to create a feeling that something better was hidden beyond what could be seen from here. The big, partly bald summit of Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.) was higher than anything else, and hinted at mountainous, rather than merely hilly, terrain.

**Northeast Cicero Peak** (far L). Photo looks NNE.

Only took 30 minutes to get up to Peak 5017, so there really wasn’t much reason to take any long break. When SPHP looked into the backpack for the expectant American Dingo, that assessment was reinforced.

Criminy, Looper! I didn’t bring the chocolate coconut bars!

What? I saw you take some out of the box this morning!

Yeah, but I just threw them in a plastic sack. Must still be sitting on the kitchen counter back home, along with the apples.

A lot of good that does us, SPHP!

Sorry about that, Loop! Really am. Care for some Taste of the Wild?

Maybe a little bit. It’s not the same though. Got any water to go with it? Sort of dry.

Yes, I did bring water. Here ya go!

No chocolate coconut bars! I’ll be singing the blues at the concert tonight!

30 minutes on Peak 5017, and it was Onward, Puppy ho! The Carolina Dog was on her way again. Returning to the G6 by a much more direct route, she cut straight down Peak 5017’s N face from the side road.

Back on the side road after leaving Peak 5017. Photo looks SW.

*We’ll head straight for the G6 (L) from here!* Photo looks NW.

10:35 AM, Song Dog Road, back at the G6 –

We’re not driving closer to the next peak, SPHP?

Nope! Peak 5316 is only 2.5 miles N of here, so we can just keep going on paw.

2.5 miles? That’s it? There goes the entire Dingo concert you wanted! We’ll be back way before dark.

Dem’s da breaks, Loop. Hate to miss out, but maybe I won’t. Peak 5316 might take a lot longer than you think. The region we’re going to travel through burned years ago.

So, lots of deadfall?

Yup, gonna be a mess, but who knows for how far?

Soon enough, Lupe was crossing Cold Springs Creek, no great feat, since it was frozen stiff. Ahead were the shattered burnt remains of a forest which had once covered the region near the now barren ridge SPHP intended to climb.

Crossing **Cold Springs Creek**. Photo looks NNE.

Lupe quickly reached the first deadfall. A fair amount of big stuff, but it wasn’t as bad as SPHP had feared. Winding around as needed, it was possible to avoid the worst of it without too much trouble.

The only real difficulty was going to be in getting above a line of limestone cliffs strung out along the ridge Loopster was approaching. However, the cliffs weren’t very high, and it appeared there were breaks the American Dingo could take advantage of. If that didn’t work, all she would have to do was stay more to the E (R), where the cliffs melted almost completely away.

The deadfall trek begins. Photo looks N.

Sometimes necessary to just go over stuff. Photo looks N.

Near the base of the ridge, Lupe came to a grassy region which must have been meadow all along, since there wasn’t any deadfall. She found an old road going E/W, and followed it E a little way before turning N.

SPHP decided that the measly cliff line didn’t look so bad. Loop headed right for the SE end of the ridge’s W lobe. A steep climb among lots of small deadfall put Lupe at the base of a 10 foot cliff that was a deadfall mess itself.

At the cliffette. A 10 foot scramble up toward the R put Lupe on top. Photo looks WNW.

Lupe scrambled up with relative ease, while SPHP thrashed about trying to climb over or move dead branches. Would have been a breeze minus the deadfall. At any rate, SPHP soon joined Loopster on top. Nice view looking back at Peak 5017 from here, and the deadfall situation to the N looked a bit better, at least for a little way.

**Peak 5017** (straight up from Lupe). Photo looks S.

HP5100, the hill at the S end of the long ridge Lupe was about to follow N, was now in full view to the NE. No need to go all the way to the top of it. The topo map showed a trail W of HP5100 that would get Loop to the ridgeline farther N.

Staying toward the W, Lupe started N. She found what might have been a remnant of the trail, and had a little luck following it, but soon lost it as huge quantities of deadfall overwhelmed any remaining traces.

Fortunately, the forest that had burned up here must not have been terribly old. Most of the deadfall was only of moderate size instead of enormous tree trunks. Even so, it took a wretched, time-consuming slog to get to the ridgeline N of HP5100.

No relief here! Just more of the same ahead.

*Same old, same old, but we’ve made it to the ridgeline!* Photo looks NNE.

The ridge climbed steadily at a moderate to easy pace, as SPHP chugged N through the thicket. Looper stuck close by since doing anything else would only vastly increase the amount of effort required. Roaming any great distance was simply out.

Every now and then, Lupe reached a small patch of clear ground. Then it was time for a short break. Despite all the local ugliness, the largely unobstructed views were actually quite impressive.

**HP5100** (R) with **Peak 5017** beyond it. Twin Sisters Range (L). Photo looks SSE.

After a while, the ridge became less of a steady climb, and more of a succession of little hills. A series of these high points appeared to the NW, where the ridge Lupe was on was about to merge with the next ridge to the W. A number of green pines, somehow missed during the conflagration, beckoned from the high points farthest N.

Maybe Looper was about to get past the burn? Wouldn’t that be nice!

*Look! Live pines ahead!* Photo looks NW.

Still took a while to get there.

At another break spot. **Buffalo Gap** (Center, straight up from Lupe’s ear) and **Twin Sisters Range** (R). Photo looks SE.

*Could be worse! At least the rest of this stuff hasn’t fallen over yet!* Photo looks NW.

Lupe finally reached the high points where the green pines were. She was already at more than 5,200 feet elevation as she continued N over a couple of minor high spots. Unfortunately, the hoped for end of the burn area, while in sight now, wasn’t anywhere close.

Off to the NW, though, something else was in sight, too. A skinny, little ridge, oriented NW/SE and capped with limestone, stuck up above the immediately surrounding terrain.

It was in the right direction. Was that Peak 5316?

*Thar she blows!* **Peak 5316** is straight up from Loop. Photo looks NW.

Still a mile to go to get there, apparently a deadfall laden trek all the way. Ahead, the terrain sloped gently down to a skinnier part of the ridge Lupe was on that connected to another high spot. Instead of going straight across the skinny part, Loop roamed E a little way toward a somewhat grassier region to see what things looked like over there, getting a nice view of Peak 5208 in the process.

Heading NW back toward the skinny bridge to the N, Looper followed the brink of a line of limestone cliffs. Suddenly, intense excitement! Looking down, a herd of giant deers was racing away, having either heard or caught sight of SPHP snap, crackle, and popping through the deadfall. All the Carolina Dog could do was stand up here with a commanding view and whine.

Elk in the valley to the NE with help from the telephoto lens.

*Love the giant deers, but it’s on to Peak 5316! Skinny ridge just ahead!* Photo looks N.

After crossing the skinny section, Lupe reached the high point at the end of a 5,200 foot contour extending over 0.5 mile SE from Peak 5316. Poised on a chunk of white limestone, Loop took a final glance back at the territory to the SE. From here, she could see the whole ridge leading over to the N end of Peak 5208, and the Booker Ranch valley N of it.

**Booker Ranch valley** (L), **Peak 5208** (R). Photo looks SE.

Glancing S back across the skinny part of the ridge.

Still plenty of deadfall around as Lupe turned NW for Peak 5316, but it wasn’t as bad as earlier on. In fact, the American Dingo found a faint road that helped tremendously until it curved SW over to another ridge.

Closing in on Peak 5316, Loop came to a ridge topped by a ragged line of limestone. When it got too gnarly, she stayed SW of it.

*Getting there!* **Peak 5316** (Center) is the high point ahead. Photo looks NW.

The ragged limestone ridge played out. Beyond it was a minor dip full of deadfall, but Lupe was soon climbing again. Passing beneath a power line, she scrambled up onto the SE end of the broader limestone cap on Peak 5316. More deadfall, of course! Loop worked her way through it, and reached the marginally higher true summit near the NW end.

A cairn! Quite a nice one. Surprising, actually. Lupe hopped aboard, accepting congratulations from SPHP on her peakbagging success.

Made it! On the **Peak 5316 summit ridge**! Photo looks NW.

*Wonder how many dead trees I had to jump over to get here? Must have been thousands!*

Time for a break, the big one of the day. Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap after munching some Taste of the Wild. The higher forested hills to the N that she’d seen from Peak 5017 were much closer now, and hemmed in the views in that direction. Everything to the S was wide open.

To the W were 2 similar flat-topped hills. Loopster had been to the more distant one, Peak 5240, about a mile away, in 2017. Fun to see it again!

**Peak 5280** (L) and **Peak 5240** (R, beyond Lupe). Photo looks WSW.

Peak 5316 is mighty nice, SPHP, but it’s hard to get fully into the spirit of things without a chocolate coconut bar!

Yep, no apples, no bars. Life is tough, isn’t it?

Good chance we’ll live through these sufferings, though, SPHP! I see a couple of easier ways back. I can’t tell you how scintillating that long ridge trek to get here was, but it would sort of be nice not to have to leap over all those dead trees again.

Agreed, Looper. What’cha got in mind?

Two options! We could follow that power line S. Hardly any deadfall under it. Or we could go down that scenic valley, and cross over a single ridge into the next valley beyond. Looks a lot easier down there!

Think I like Option 2 the best, Loop. Thought we’d go explore the last little bit of Peak 5316’s NW ridge before we’re done. We can swoop down into the valley from there!

Easy Option 1: Follow the power line back. Photo looks SE.

Easy Option 2: Go down to the deadfall-free valley. Photo looks SSW.

Clouds drifted by in the bright blue sky, and Lupe’s hour on Peak 5316 sailed away, too. Almost over and done with, by the time the American Dingo returned to the summit cairn for a last look around. Then it was off to explore the little stretch of ridge remaining to the NW.

**Peak 5316’s NW ridge** from the summit cairn. Photo looks NW.

More deadfall there, too, of course! The whole trek had been chock full of it, so anything less would have been a disappointment. A brief look at the beautifully forested hills to the N, a vision of what Peak 5316 must have been like not so awfully long ago, and the return to the G6 began.

*Maybe we’ll be back? Gotta be some squirrels in all those trees!* Photo looks N.

The NW ridge curved W and sank into the pines. Lupe followed it down to a saddle where she picked up a dirt road heading S into the Option 2 valley she’d seen from above.

Oh, it was all so easy down in the grassy valley! Not a stick or stone to slow SPHP down one jot. Before long, the Carolina Dog was following the road higher as it climbed the ridge to the S.

**Peak 5316** (Center) from the valley. Photo looks N.

Once on top, Loop followed the road SW until she was close to the rim overlooking the next valley. Deadfall covered the steep slopes, but the valley floor was all meadow with a dirt road running down the middle.

*Oh, it’s beautiful! And so much faster than staying up on these ridges!* Photo looks S.

The valley was wonderful, once Lupe got down to it! An easy trek, and so many deer! This valley was the source of Cold Spring Creek, but it wasn’t until Lupe reached the lower end that a clear-running trickle appeared. Near the end, the valley curved SE and broadened out. And there was Peak 5017, glowing in the late afternoon sunshine!

Not much farther now!

**Peak 5017** (Center) near the end of the day. Photo looks SE.

4:11 PM, 50ºF, Song Dog Road – Well, that was it for Expedition No. 264. The American Dingo hopped in the G6, SPHP turned the key, and the 4 mile drive back to Hwy 89 began.

An awful lot of deadfall to deal with today, but we still had a good time, didn’t we, Looper?

Sure did, SPHP! That Option 2 route was fun and so easy with the roads and all the deer! Definitely the way to go.

Indeed! Went a little too well. Got back so soon that now I’m going to miss out on your Dingo concert this evening.

We’re still on Song Dog Road, aren’t we? Probably have time to warble you up a tune or two before we get back to the highway, if you want. I could probably do that much, even if the moon isn’t up yet.

That sounds great, Loopster! Warble away!

What would you like to hear, SPHP? Beethoven’s 9th? Led Zepplin’s Stairway to Heaven?

Oh, I had no idea it would be anything so elaborate! Whatever you have in mind would be fine.

How about the Chocolate Coconut Bar Blues?

**Peak 5316**, Black Hills of South Dakota 2-2-21

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 199 – Twin Sisters Twice & Castle Rock (4-12-17)

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