South Dakota – Page 39 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 88 – Little Devil’s Tower & Harney Peak (5-17-14)

Every year on the weekend before Memorial Day weekend in May, South Dakota holds an open house at all state parks to kick off the summer tourist season. Admission to the parks is free, although normal campground fees still apply. SPHP decided Lupe should take advantage of this chance to do some peakbagging of some of the higher peaks in the Custer State Park region without having to pay an entrance fee.

Lupe’s peakbagging efforts started at the Little Devils Tower trailhead along Hwy 87 (Needles Highway) less than a mile SE of Sylvan Lake (10:44 AM, 45°F). Lupe had four peakbagging goals – Harney Peak (7,242 ft.), Peak 6920, Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.), and Peak 6735. Only Little Devils Tower was actually in Custer State Park, but the others were all relatively close by. SPHP thought they could all be easily approached from this location.

Lupe and SPHP left the trailhead taking Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4. The trail entered the forest, soon crossed a small creek, and then started a gentle climb NE up a valley. As the trail gained elevation, it entered more open terrain. The forest had been virtually clear cut along in here due to heavy damage from pine bark beetles. Big granite rock formations were scattered along the sides of the valley.

Slowly the trail became steeper, eventually reaching the crest of a ridge about 0.75 mile from the trailhead. From the ridge, Lupe could see the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) close by to the E. A well marked spur trail went NNW to the summit of Little Devils Tower. Lupe and SPHP took the spur trail, which climbed a little bit and then followed a fairly level ridgeline.

Lupe enjoys a great view of a portion of the Cathedral Spires from a high point on the ridge the spur trail follows to Little Devil's Tower. Photo looks E. — Lupe enjoys a great view of a portion of the Cathedral Spires from a high point on the ridge the spur trail follows to Little Devils Tower. Photo looks E.

Looking NE from a high point near the start of the spur trail to Little Devils Tower.

After less than 0.25 mile, the spur trail lost a little elevation as it descended into a ravine coming up from the SW. The bottom of the ravine rose steeply to meet the spur trail, which turned N to climb straight up a badly eroding stretch of loose rocks. Fortunately, the climb up the loose rocks wasn’t a long one. It ended at a little pass between big granite rock formations.

From here on, the rest of the way up to the summit of Little Devils Tower was a scramble on the granite. At the little pass, the trail turned sharply W (L) going up a narrow cleft in the rock. Beyond the cleft, things opened up a bit. Blue and white arrows painted on the granite marked the trail. The scramble wasn’t hard, and featured only minor exposure.

When Lupe and SPHP arrived up on top of Little Devils Tower, no one else was around. A steady stream of people and dogs could be heard on the way, though. Lupe’s solitude wasn’t going to last long.

Lupe arrives at the summit of Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.). Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) is seen in the background R of Center. One of the first things SPHP realized upon seeing the view, was that there was no way Lupe was going to be able to climb Peak 6920, the huge near vertical granite formation seen above Lupe's head. Peak 6920 was to have been one of Lupe's peakbagging goals, but unless she charters a helicopter, it ain't gonna happen! Photo looks N. — Lupe arrives at the summit of **Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.)**! **Harney Peak (7,242 ft.)** is seen in the background R of Center. One of the first things SPHP realized upon seeing the view, was that there was no way Lupe was going to be able to climb Peak 6920, the huge near vertical granite formation seen above Lupe’s head. **Peak 6920** was to have been one of Lupe’s peakbagging goals, but unless she charters a helicopter, it ain’t gonna happen! Photo looks N.

The views were great up on Little Devils Tower! The summit area was fairly large and divided into a couple of big sections of uneven granite that were fun to explore. It was no place for unwatched small children, however. The summit area was nearly surrounded by cliffs. SPHP kept a close eye on Lupe as she sniffed around exploring. By moving around the summit a bit, it was possible to get a tremendous open view in any direction one wanted.

One of the first things SPHP realized upon seeing the view to the N toward Harney Peak, was that Lupe was not going to be able to achieve one of her peakbagging objectives. Peak 6920 could be seen between Little Devils Tower and Harney Peak. It was a huge granite formation with near vertical sides in every direction. No way Lupe and SPHP could get up there without a helicopter.

The Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) from Little Devils Tower. Photo looks SE.

Looking S toward Mt. Coolidge (6,023 ft.). — Looking S toward **Mt. Coolidge (6,023 ft.)**.

Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) is the long high ridge in the background. Photo looks WSW. — **Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.)** is the long high ridge in the background. Photo looks WSW.

Lupe and SPHP lingered for a while up on top of Little Devils Tower. A steady parade of people and dogs came and went. Even small children were making the climb, with a little assistance from parents and siblings. Although the solitude was broken, the wonderful views made it fun to stick around up on top for a while. SPHP chatted pleasantly with some of the other hikers. Lupe sniffed with the dogs, although she sometimes forgot her manners and growled.

A steady stream of people and dogs came and went. The summit area on Little Devils Tower was large enough so they could be mostly avoided, if one wanted to. Photo looks N.

Another look at the Cathedral Spires. Photo looks SE.

Eventually, it was time to move on. Lupe returned to the main Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 via the spur trail. She followed it NE past a junction with Cathedral Spires Trail No. 4A, which she did not take. Trail No. 4 went around the W end of the Cathedral Spires, and then turned E on the N side of them.

Since SPHP had seen from Little Devils Tower that Lupe wasn’t going to be able to climb Peak 6920, her next peakbagging goal was Harney Peak (7,242 ft.). On the way to Harney, SPHP kept an eye out toward the SE searching for Peak 6735, to see what Lupe’s chances of climbing it might be like.

After skirting the N side of the Cathedral Spires for a little way, Trail No. 4 turned NE and then N. Trail No. 4 ended where it reached a junction with Norbeck Trail No. 3, which came up from the SE. Lupe continued N on Norbeck Trail No. 3. SPHP started seeing views of Peak 6735 off to the SE.

The views weren’t very encouraging. While Peak 6735 was only a little over a mile away, and looked like it should be climbable for Lupe, the intervening terrain looked very rugged with lots of elevation change and big rock formations. Even more daunting, the forest looked almost totally dead, ravaged by pine bark beetles. Getting to Peak 6735 would take a long time. Lupe was certain to encounter huge amounts of deadfall timber along the way.

Trail No. 4 led to Trail No. 9, a spur of which goes all the way up to the top of Harney Peak. Near the very end of the climb, a metal stairway spirals up a cleft in the granite. Lupe did not like the metal stairway, because she could see through it down to the ground below. SPHP had to carry the nervous Carolina Dog up the stairs.

At the top of Harney Peak, Lupe and SPHP stopped for only a few minutes at the lookout tower’s observation deck. As the highest point in the Black Hills and the state of South Dakota, Harney Peak is a popular destination. The lookout tower and observation deck were busy with people enjoying the fabulous 360° views, certainly among the best anywhere in the Black Hills.

To the W of Harney’s summit is a huge granite shoulder of the mountain. This shoulder is only slightly lower, offers essentially the same terrific views in most directions, and is less crowded. Lupe and SPHP retreated from the observation deck to the exit from the lookout tower’s basement, and headed over there. SPHP took in the views, while Lupe engaged in the fascinating sport of chipmunk watching.

Lupe's attention is focused on chipmunks scampering around the W granite shoulder of Harney Peak. Photo looks E back toward the lookout tower and observation deck at the summit. — Lupe’s attention is focused on chipmunks scampering around the W granite shoulder of Harney Peak. Photo looks E back toward the lookout tower and observation deck at the summit.

Lupe and SPHP stayed out on the W shoulder of Harney Peak for half an hour. Lupe never tired of the chipmunks, but did divert her attention from them for a little while when SPHP brought chocolate oatmeal cookies out of the backpack.

The cookie monster Dingo inquires of SPHP as to the state of the chocolate oatmeal cookie supply.

Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) from Harney Peak (7,241 ft.). Photo looks S. — **Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.)** from Harney Peak. Photo looks S.

Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) summit from the W shoulder of the mountain. Photo looks E. — **Harney Peak (7,242 ft.)** summit from the W shoulder of the mountain. Photo looks E.

When it was time to press on, Lupe and SPHP returned briefly to the lookout tower and observation deck. After a few photos from the top, Lupe started down the stone steps to the spiral metal stairway, where SPHP had to carry her again to the bottom of the metal stairs.

Looking SE from the lookout tower. Peak 6735 is in view just L of the narrow rock ridge protruding from Harney.

Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) (L) and unclimbable (for Lupe and SPHP) Peak 6920 (R) from the top of Harney. Photo looks S. — **Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.)** (L) and unclimbable (for Lupe and SPHP) **Peak 6920** (R) from the top of Harney. Photo looks SSW.

Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.). Phot looks S. — **Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.)**. Photo looks S.

On Trail No. 9 going down Harney, Lupe came to a big rock platform extending a little to the SE from the trail. The platform provided a great view of Peak 6735. Although Peak 6735 was supposed to have been one of Lupe’s peakbagging goals, a good look at all the rugged terrain and deadfall timber Lupe would have to cross to get there made SPHP decide that maybe today wasn’t the day to tackle Peak 6735.

Peak 6735 is seen directly above Lupe's head. Photo looks SE from near Trail No. 9 on the way down Harney Peak. — **Peak 6735** is seen directly above Lupe’s head. Photo looks SE from near Trail No. 9 on the way down Harney Peak.

Lupe returned to the Little Devils Tower trailhead via the same route she had taken to Harney Peak – Trails No. 9, No. 3, and then No. 4. She was back at the G6 at 4:37 PM (59°F). Although Lupe hadn’t climbed Peak 6920 or Peak 6735, there was still time in the day to climb another high peak in the area. Lupe went on to climb Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) for a glorious finish to her day in the hills – but that’s another post!

Less than a month later, Lupe did climb Peak 6735 on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 92 on 6-9-14. — Less than a month later, Lupe did climb Peak 6735 on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 92 (6-9-14).

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 224 – Peak 6167 & Old Bald Peak (3-24-18)

Start – 11:52 AM, 52°F, intersection of USFS Road No. 243 & Horse Creek Road

That last stretch of Horse Creek Road had been a muddy mess, but the G6 made it through. Lupe was at the start of USFS Road No. 243 again for the first time since … well, SPHP couldn’t remember since when. Whenever it was, it sure seemed like a long time ago now.

Lupe finally had a nice sunny, sort of warm day for late March. Right away, she was clearly happy with the situation. Due at least in part to more wintry weather than normal, the Carolina Dog hadn’t been on a proper Black Hills expedition in nearly 2 months. She was long overdue and looking forward to finally enjoying a romp in the hills.

Today’s peakbagging goal was Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.) in the E central hills. Lupe had been there twice before, most recently well over 2 years ago on SPHP’s birthday. That wasn’t the most important thing about Old Bald Peak, however.

Old Bald Peak has the distinction of being Lupe’s very first peakbagging goal ever. Way back on 1-29-12 (Expedition No. 3!) when the Carolina Dog was only 13.5 months old, Lupe and SPHP had set out to find Old Bald Peak. Loop had started from Horse Creek Road that day, too, but from considerably farther away than where she was now. SPHP hadn’t been able to find the mountain, so her first peakbagging attempt had been officially unsuccessful, although she’d made it to the top of several other hills that day.

Finding the mountain wouldn’t be a problem today. Getting to Old Bald Peak from here would be cake. As a new twist on things, Lupe would also visit nearby Peak 6167, a slightly higher hill S of Old Bald Peak on the way. Looper had never been to Peak 6167 before.

A cheerful American Dingo set out following USFS Road No. 243 going SSW up a long draw. The road was partially covered by melting snow and ice, and partly by muddy rivulets of snow melt making the road rather mucky.

A cheerful American Dingo sets off on USFS Road No. 243 on her way to Old Bald Peak. Photo looks SW.

SPHP was surprised at how little snow was actually up in the hills. The road was snowier than anywhere else. Of course, Lupe loved the snow! Photo looks SW.

After more than 0.5 mile, the draw Lupe was going up split. So did the road. An unmarked side road continued SSW. Loop stuck with No. 243, which turned WSW here. Nothing else changed much. The road was still snowy, and Lupe continued gaining elevation steadily.

After another 0.5 mile, Loop reached a saddle at the end of the draw. A fence and a cattle guard were here. On the other side of the saddle, Lupe came to a junction with USFS Road No. 249. A second junction was only 100 feet away to the SW. Loop and SPHP went over there. No signage of any help, but SPHP was already certain where Lupe was. USFS Road No. 249 continued S from here down Marshall Gulch. USFS Road No. 530 headed W, and would soon turn NW on the way down Spruce Gulch.

Loopster didn’t need to take any road from here. She was excited and pleased when SPHP encouraged her to leave the roads heading N into open forest. Roaming the Black Hills National Forest off any road or trail is usually Lupe’s favorite thing to do.

After going N only a short way, Lupe turned WNW to climb a mostly forested hill. Deadfall timber was on the slope, and attempts to avoid the deadfall as much as possible greatly influenced the choice of routes. This hill was only a little over 200 feet higher than where Lupe had left USFS Road No. 249. Loop soon arrived at the summit.

The top of this first hill was rather rocky. Bushes and trees made moving around the summit more of a chore than it should have been. Lupe did get quite a nice clear view from a large rock outcropping toward the SW. The higher hills Loop could see off to the SW looked like they still had quite a bit of snow.

Lupe reaches the top of the first hill she climbed today. She is 0.25 mile WNW of the area where USFS Roads No. 243, 249 & 530 meet, and more than a mile SSE of Old Bald Peak. Photo looks SSW.

Loopster stands on the best viewpoint from this first hill. She could see a lot of Black Hills territory off to the S and W from here. Photo looks SW.

From another vantage point, it was possible to catch this glimpse of territory to the E. **Peak 5800** is in the distance on the L. Photo looks E.

After taking a short break on this first hill, Lupe and SPHP continued on. Peak 6167 was only 0.75 mile to the NNW from here. Right away, Lupe had to lose 150 feet of elevation. Losing the elevation was the hardest part of the whole journey to Peak 6167. The ridge Loop was following was rocky, full of trees and bushes, and even some snow on this N slope.

Once she had lost the elevation, Lupe had an easier time continuing N. She was starting to gain elevation again following a much broadened ridge compared to where she’d come down. It wasn’t long before Looper saw something that really excited her. A herd of 7 or 8 giant deers (elk) had heard Lupe and SPHP coming, and were running off through the forest.

Lupe dashed off to see where the giant deers were going, but they had a big head start. She couldn’t begin to catch up with them. Nevertheless, she came back to SPHP panting hard, but with a big smile.

With all the excitement over, Lupe and SPHP continued on and were soon in position to begin an ascent of Peak 6167’s SSE ridge. Parts of the ridge had so much deadfall timber, Loop sometimes had to down climb a bit to get around it. She always stayed E of the ridgeline then. This went on until the American Dingo was practically at the top of the mountain.

The summit of Peak 6167 was unusual. Pine trees ringed most of a 100 foot long summit ridge, which was oriented NNW/SSE. Two rows of slate stuck up on either side of this ridge separated by a grassy lane 10 to 20 feet wide. The row of slate to the E was nearly vertical, and featured the highest rock on the mountain, which stood 5 feet above the grass. Most of the W row of slate jutted out of the ground at only a 30° angle.

The first chunk of slate Lupe came to was also unusual. It was standing nearly vertical despite being part of the much more sharply angled W row. Lupe had no trouble hopping up on top of it. She would have been at the absolute true summit of the mountain, if not for smaller rocks 20 feet away that stuck up a foot higher along the E spine of slate.

Lupe reaches the summit of **Peak 6167** for the first time ever. Photo looks NNW.

Loop balances on the highest rock big enough for her to stand on up on **Peak 6167**. She’s only a foot lower than the true summit here. The true summit is the highest rock seen on the R.

*Well, I made it. Satisfied, SPHP? …. Yeah, Looper, that was great! You can hop on down again, if you like.*

Lupe stands near the E spine of slate sticking up out of the summit of **Peak 6167**. The rock she had just been perched on is seen beyond her on the R. This is a good look at the grassy lane along the summit ridge. Photo looks SSE.

Looper near the highest rock (L) on **Peak 6167**. The top of this rock was way too small for her to stand on, but SPHP lifted the Carolina Dog up so she could put her paw on top to claim her latest peakbagging success. Photo looks SSE.

Not much could be seen from the summit. Trees blocked the views in nearly every direction. However, from some of the slanty pieces of slate along the W side of the grassy lane, Looper did have a fairly good view off toward the SW.

Looper stands on one of the slanty pieces of slate along the W spine of Peak 6167’s summit ridge. She has the best view from the summit area from here. Photo looks SW.

After photos from the summit area, Loop and SPHP headed a little back toward the S. Just before Lupe had reached the summit, she had come to a flat, grassy area with views in that direction. She had been able to see Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota. Black Elk Peak is always an attraction.

Lupe at the S end of Peak 6167’s summit ridge. The big rock she had first got up on here is seen on the R. Photo looks S.

*You coming to see Black Elk Peak, SPHP? ….. Be right there, Looper!*

*There it is folks, the highest mountain in South Dakota! **Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** is on the L. **Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.)** is on the R.* Photo looks S.

From this same flat, grassy area, the American Dingo could also see Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) and a sliver of Sheridan Lake.

**Boulder Hill** (L) and part of **Sheridan Lake** (R). Photo looks SE.

Lupe had now seen about what there was to see from Peak 6167. It was time to press on to Old Bald Peak, which was now less than 0.4 mile to the N. An abandoned road curls up Peak 6167 from the W clear around to the E side of the mountain. Lupe hadn’t come up this road, but she started her journey N to Old Bald Mountain along it.

The abandoned road was full of snow. Lupe followed the snow all the way down to where the road curled W around the N side of Peak 6167.

Lupe hadn’t come up this abandoned road leading to the top of **Peak 6167**, but she started her journey to Old Bald Peak going down it. Photo looks NNW.

Old Bald Peak hadn’t been visible from the summit of Peak 6167 due to the forest, but Lupe got a fairly good look at it on her way down the abandoned road.

Lupe gets a good look at **Old Bald Peak**, her next peakbagging objective, from the snowy abandoned road. Photo looks N.

Old Bald Peak (6,130 ft.) is only 37 feet lower than Peak 6167, but Lupe would have to lose nearly 200 feet of elevation on her way over there. Naturally, the vast majority of this elevation had to be regained.

Once Lupe left the road at the N end of Peak 6167, her route down to the saddle leading to Old Bald Peak was fairly steep. Looper was soon down, however, and beginning her climb back to the summit of Old Bald Peak for the first time in exactly 2 years, 4 months.

Lupe makes it back to the summit of **Old Bald Peak** for the first time in 2 years and 4 months. This was the first time she had ever climbed the mountain from the S. Photo looks S.

This was Lupe’s 3rd successful ascent of **Old Bald Peak**. She seemed pensive about it. Perhaps she was remembering that very first time way back on Expedition No. 3 when SPHP hadn’t been able to find the way here on a winter day?

The big views from the summits of the hills Lupe had climbed today all seemed to be off to the SW. Old Bald Peak was no exception. Once again forest blocked the views in virtually all other directions. The scene may have been a bit repetitious, but the snowy high country off to the SW was still beautiful!

*Just think, SPHP! A few more weeks and all that snow will melt. We will be able to go exploring way up in the western Black Hills high country again!* Photo looks SW.

Peak 6167 couldn’t be seen from the top of Old Bald Peak. Should have taken a photo of it on the way up. Lupe and SPHP went far enough back down Old Bald Peak’s S slope to find a spot with a halfway decent look at Peak 6167.

*Hey, SPHP, there’s **Black Elk Peak** (R of Center) off in the distance again!* Photo looks S.

Looking back at **Peak 6167** from the S slopes of **Old Bald Peak**. The abandoned road Lupe had come down on the way over here is clearly visible. Photo looks S.

After getting the photo of Peak 6167, Loopster and SPHP returned to the summit of Old Bald Peak. Lupe’s peakbagging for the day was complete. 5 minutes were spent in contemplation before continuing on.

The peakbagging might be over, but for Lupe the best part of the day was still ahead. From Old Bald Peak, Loopster and SPHP wandered N through the quiet forest for a long way. It was a fun time in parts of the forest Lupe had been to before, but not for more than 2 years. Lupe saw many deer. She ran sniffing and exploring in places hardly anyone ever comes to.

Lupe starts down the easy N slope of Old Bald Peak. She was anticipating a good time re-exploring parts of the forest she hadn’t been to in years. Photo looks NNW.

On the way down Old Bald Peak’s N ridge. **Custer Peak (6,804 ft.)** is the bump on the horizon on the R. Photo looks NNW.

The wandering was a good time. SPHP enjoyed it, too. Lupe eventually made it down to USFS Road No. 249 again, well N of Old Bald Peak. The rest of the way back to the G6 was a road trek, but a pleasant and still fondly remembered one. Lupe followed USFS Roads No. 249, No. 677, and No. 675 to No. 244, which became Horse Creek Road.

After a long absence, it had been great to get out in the hills again! Best of all, spring was finally here. Maybe it was still early yet, but Lupe’s 2018 adventures would soon be heating up right along with the weather. (4:47 PM, 46°F)

In an aspen forest N of Old Bald Peak at the onset of Spring.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 89 – Sylvan Hill, the Custer County High Point (5-17-14)

On the S side of Hwy 87/89 a little less than 0.5 mile from where the road reaches Sylvan Lake Lodge (if heading into Custer State Park toward Sylvan Lake), there is a little dirt parking area where a small power line crosses the road. SPHP parked the G6 here at 4:58 PM (51°F). It was already quite late in the day to start one of Lupe’s Black Hills, SD Expeditions, but her only peakbagging objective was just 0.5 mile to the W.

Lupe and SPHP took off heading W downhill through the forest, quickly arriving at a larger parking area only a few hundred feet away. Lupe’s ascent of Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) (shown as Sylvan Peak on SPHP’s old USFS map) would start from here. Very conveniently, a grassy road climbed off to the WNW from the lower parking area. Lupe and SPHP followed it, going around a locked gate near the bottom.

The grassy road switchbacked part way up the mountain to arrive at a low sod-covered structure mostly buried into the hillside. It would have been easy to simply step onto the sod roof from the uphill bank, but Lupe and SPHP did not get on it.

The grassy road had ultimately gone more S than W to get to this point, so although Lupe had gained some elevation, she really wasn’t much closer to Sylvan Hill, yet. However, there were already some pretty decent views off to the SE from the sod-covered structure. Lupe and SPHP took a few minutes to appreciate the scene. Then it was time for Lupe to begin the real work of finding and climbing Sylvan Hill.

Lupe and SPHP started climbing WNW up a steep forested slope. Lupe had no problems maneuvering, but as the terrain became progressively steeper, SPHP had to take some care (and a few breathers) along the way. A big rock formation came into view up above. Near its base, Lupe discovered a section of old roadbed laboriously made of rocks. From the roadbed, SPHP discovered there was no practical way over or around the rock formation.

Back down Lupe and SPHP went. Lupe really didn’t have to lose all that much elevation, but it took SPHP a while, simply because the terrain was so steep. As soon as it was possible to go SW around the rocks, Lupe and SPHP did so. Lupe resumed her climb heading WNW again. The climb became less steep, and Lupe arrived at a saddle W of the big rock formation.

SPHP had originally thought the first big rock formation might actually be the summit of Sylvan Peak, but by now it was very clear that it was not. Lupe and SPHP climbed W from the saddle toward another higher saddle. This wasn’t nearly as steep a climb as the first one was, but it did get steeper near the top. Lupe arrived up on the higher saddle between two smaller, but still substantial, rock formations. They were separated by only a few hundred feet.

At the second saddle, Lupe was already higher than any of the rocks of the first big rock formation, which could be seen below to the E. SPHP still wasn’t certain where the summit of Sylvan Hill was. Since the rock formation at the S end of the second saddle looked like it was probably highest, Lupe went there first.

Lupe and SPHP climbed up a cleft in the rocks, arriving up on a shelf of granite very near the top of the S rock formation. (This was likely high point 6849 on the Peakbagger.com topo map.) From the granite shelf, Lupe could see the summit of Sylvan Hill, still 0.25 mile off to the NW. Lupe could also see Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) to the NE.

From what may well have been High Point 6829, Lupe got her first look at the summit of Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) (Center) still 0.25 mile away to the NW. — From what may well have been High Point 6829, Lupe got her first look at the summit of **Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.)** (Center), still 0.25 mile away to the NW.

Lupe on a granite shelf on High Point 6829(?). Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) (L of Center) is in view on the horizon. The G6 was parked back down near the section of Hwy 87/89 seen just above Lupe's head. Photo looks ENE. — Lupe on a granite shelf on High Point 6829(?). **Harney Peak (7,242 ft.)** (L of Center) is in view on the horizon. The G6 was parked back down near the section of Hwy 87/89 seen just above Lupe’s ear. Photo looks ENE.

Lupe and SPHP scrambled back down off the granite shelf. Now that SPHP was certain of the direction to the summit of Sylvan Hill, there was no need for Lupe to climb the rock formation at the N end of the second saddle. Lupe and SPHP skirted it to the SW. From here on, the terrain was hilly, but not difficult. The main obstacle was the huge amount of deadfall timber. Pine bark beetles had killed much of the pine forest, which was in terrible condition.

Picking a way through the deadfall was very time consuming, but Lupe and SPHP made slow, steady progress toward Sylvan Hill. Lupe came to one more high point on the way, climbing most of the way up it before skirting around the SW side of the highest part. Lupe and SPHP tried to maintain elevation as much as possible, but Lupe had to lose a little before completing her ascent of Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.).

Fortunately, there was an easy way up the last little stretch to the top from the W. When Lupe arrived at the summit, SPHP was very impressed! Sylvan Hill offered 360° views, which had to be among the best anywhere in the Black Hills. A great deal of the central and southern Black Hills was on display, but the most spectacular view was undoubtedly the rugged terrain leading up to Harney Peak to the NE.

Lupe on Sylvan Hill. Photo is taken from the W, the direction Lupe came up the last short climb to the top.

Harney Peak from Sylvan Hill. Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) is seen just L of the summit cairn. Photo looks NE. — Harney Peak from Sylvan Hill. **Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.)** is also seen just L of the top rock of the summit cairn. Photo looks NE.

The summit area on Sylvan Hill wasn’t very large, but there was room to sit down comfortably enough on small grassy areas. Since the evening was so gorgeous, and the scene so magnificent in every direction, Lupe and SPHP took a very long break. Lupe loved the views! She spent a lot of time surveying the Black Hills from her lofty vantage point.

Lupe squints in the slanting rays of the evening sun. Photo looks NNE.

Harney Peak with a bit of help from the telephoto lens. The summit cairn of Sylvan Hill is seen on the L. Photo looks NE.

As it always does, the faintly sad moment when it is time to leave the mountain arrived. Although Lupe’s return trip to the G6 followed basically the same route she had taken getting to Sylvan Hill, it went faster. SPHP did a better job of avoiding some of the worst of the deadfall timber, and Lupe did not bother returning to the granite shelf at the S end of the second (higher) saddle.

SPHP did make one mistake that took a little extra time. SPHP failed to lead Lupe down close enough to the first big rock formation. Lupe and SPHP wound up going down a large drainage that headed S. SPHP soon realized Lupe was still too far W. The drainage was not going to take Lupe back to the sod-covered structure. Lupe had to climb back up to the NE, before she was able to go over a ridge and head more to the ESE.

The bushwhacking was done when Lupe reached the low sod-covered structure again. From there, it was an easy trek down the switchbacks of the grassy road. At 7:56 PM (46°F), Lupe was back at the G6. Despite all of SPHP’s navigation errors, the blasted deadfall timber, and the long, lingering stay on top of the mountain, the trek to Sylvan Hill had taken only 3 hours.

Lupe really wasn’t tired. For many miles on the way home, she stared eagerly out the windows of the G6, hoping to see deer to bark at. She wasn’t disappointed, either! Life in the Black Hills is just great, if you’re a Carolina Dog! SPHP thinks it’s pretty great, too.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 206 – Sylvan Hill & Peak 6733 (5-27-17)

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