Black Hills Expeditions – Page 42 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 220 – Storm Hill & Northeast Cicero Peak (12-18-17)

Start: 9:20 AM, 36°F at the Boulder Hill trailhead of Flume Trail No. 50 on USFS Road No. 358 (Boulder Hill Road)

Going to Boulder Hill with Mark and Hillary on Expedition No. 219 had reminded SPHP that while Lupe had been to Boulder Hill half a dozen times, she had never been to nearby Storm Hill. Wasn’t it about time she went?

Of course, Lupe was in favor of any idea that would get her out of the house for another Black Hills adventure! Soon she was setting out for Storm Hill (5,192 ft.) from the same Boulder Hill trailhead of Flume Trail No. 50 where she had so recently been with Mark and Hillary.

Lupe sets out for Storm Hill on Flume Trail No. 50. A spur of the trail goes up to Boulder Hill, but that wasn’t Lupe’s destination today. Photo looks SE.

For the first 0.33 mile, Lupe followed Flume Trail No. 50. The trail went SE up to a saddle between Boulder Hill and Storm Hill. With only an inch of snow on the ground, Lupe could have run around exploring easily enough. Instead, she nervously stuck close to SPHP. Distant gunfire could be heard coming from somewhere off to the W. Someone was doing target practice.

On the way up to the saddle between Boulder Hill and Storm Hill. Photo looks SE.

At the saddle, Lupe was between Boulder Hill to the SW, and Storm Hill to the NE. A spur of Flume Trail No. 50 goes all the way up to the top of Boulder Hill, but there isn’t any trail going up Storm Hill. Lupe would have to bushwhack through the forest.

Carolina Dogs love bushwhacking! Despite the distant gunfire, Lupe grew bolder after leaving the Flume Trail. She followed the saddle NE over to Storm Hill. She was going away from the gunfire, which helped her confidence.

On the saddle leading to Storm Hill. Photo looks NE.

Upon reaching the SW slope of Storm Hill, Lupe traveled right on up a rocky spine of the mountain. The climb would have been easier if she had simply avoided the rocks. However, she did get glimpses of Boulder Hill from the rocks she wouldn’t have otherwise had.

Partway up the rocky SW spine of Storm Hill. Photo looks E.

Although climbing the rocky SW spine of Storm Hill was harder and slower than avoiding the rocks would have been, Lupe did get some views of nearby Boulder Hill (L) she wouldn’t have otherwise had. Photo looks WSW.

The top of **Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.)** with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.

Boulder Hill (Center) is only 0.5 mile SW of Storm Hill. Lupe had been there half a dozen times, but she’d never been to Storm Hill before. Photo looks SW.

The SW spine of the mountain topped out near the S end of a broader ridge. This broader ridge was also quite rocky, but wasn’t as steep. Lupe gained elevation more slowly as she followed it N. To the E, Loop could see little but forest. However, she did come across places where she had views off to the SW or W.

The SW spine of the mountain led to this broader ridge, which was still quite rocky. Lupe gained elevation more slowly than before as she followed this ridge N. Photo looks N.

Another look at Boulder Hill (R) from the broader ridge. The top of **Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.)** (L) can be seen sticking up between the trees. Photo looks SW.

Getting closer to the summit! Loop along the W edge of the broad ridge. Photo looks N.

The summit of Storm Hill was close to the N end of the broad ridge. A fairly large summit area, perhaps 30 or 40 feet in circumference, was the highest part of the mountain. Pine trees obscured the views in some directions. However, Lupe enjoyed a panoramic view to the N and NE from the top of small cliffs.

At the summit of Storm Hill. Photo looks NNE.

From the top of small cliffs along the edge of the summit area, Lupe had a panoramic view to the N and NE. Photo looks NE.

By moving around the summit area, Lupe found at least partial views in other directions.

**Custer Peak (6,804 ft)** (R of Center) with a lot of help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.

Storm Hill has a double summit. Two widely separated areas contained within 5,160 foot contours are on the topo map. Lupe was at the W high point where a site elevation of 5,192 feet was shown. SPHP presumed this was the true summit of Storm Hill. It was hard to get much of a look at the E high point, but there was a spot from which it could be seen.

The E high point was a long, skinny ridge. It was steeper and more rugged-looking territory. The highest parts of the E ridge appeared to be about as high as where Lupe was, but SPHP was pretty certain they weren’t any higher. Satisfied that Lupe had actually reached the true summit of Storm Hill, SPHP didn’t make her spend the extra hour it might have taken to visit the E ridge, too.

This rough skinny ridge E of Storm Hill’s true summit looked almost as high. Much of it was also within a 5,160 foot contour on the topo map. Photo looks E.

Lupe returned to the true summit of Storm Hill, before taking a little break. Meanwhile, SPHP took a few more photos of the views.

After an initial look around, Lupe returns to the true summit of Storm Hill. Photo looks N.

Looking NE with help from the telephoto lens. The opening in the far ridgeline seen on the R is the area known as “The Gap” in Rapid City.

Baker Park (Center & L) is the grassy open area down below. Photo looks NW.

Boulder Hill (L), **Mount Warner (5,889 ft.)** (R), and **Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.)** (Center in the distance) from Storm Hill. Photo looks SW.

Lupe spent 20 minutes enjoying the summit of Storm Hill before moving on. The Carolina Dog started back retracing her route S along the broad ridge. She soon left the ridge, however, veering SW to explore easier terrain in the forest below. She reached Flume Trail No. 50 again well N of the saddle where she’d originally left it.

By 11:06 AM (42°F), Loop was back at the G6. Storm Hill had been fun, but had taken her less than 2 hours. Plenty of time left in the day for more adventures! SPHP drove S. Lupe had fun barking at cows, horses, and eventually even some buffalo.At 1:52 PM (41°F), SPHP parked the G6 at the mouth of a grassy valley N of USFS Road No. 336 (Flynn Creek Road) less than a mile S of Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.). Lupe had been to Northeast Cicero Peak twice before, but her most recent ascent was now more than 2.75 years ago. For fun, she would try a new route up.

Lupe started out climbing NW up a thickly forested ridge on the W side of the grassy valley. She eventually emerged from the trees. An open hilltop was only a short distance away. Loop went to the top for a look around. She was a little S of High Point 5821. Cicero Peak (6,166 ft.) was in view not quite a mile to the SW.

Lupe reaches the hilltop S of HP 5821. Cicero Peak (Center) is in view. Photo looks SW.

On her journey up NE Cicero Peak, Lupe would head for the high grassy area seen on the L before turning toward the summit on the R. Photo looks NNE.

Continuing onward, Lupe skirted High Point 5821 to the NE. The partially forested slope was so steep, she might just as easily have gone to the top of High Point 5821, but she didn’t. Upon reaching the saddle N of High Point 5821, the American Dingo turned N. She climbed a mostly open slope up to a high grassy area with a commanding view.

Lupe reaches a high grassy area SW of NE Cicero Peak’s summit. From here she had a commanding view of Cicero Peak (Center). Photo looks SW.

From the high grassy area, Lupe headed NE gaining elevation at a slower pace. Most of this part of her climb was in a forest containing scattered lumpy rock outcroppings. In the shade of the pines, snow was several inches deep.

The final approach to the summit from the WSW was a gentle climb up a grassy slope. A N/S running rock ledge only 2 or 3 feet high was at the top of the mountain. A lone boulder sat a short distance beyond the ledge. That boulder, which appeared to be slightly higher than the ledge, was the true summit of Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.).

Lupe reaches a rock ledge only a couple of feet high at the top of NE Cicero Peak. The true summit appeared to be the lone boulder seen on the L. Photo looks E.

Lupe on NE Cicero Peak. Photo looks E towards the plains of western South Dakota with help from the telephoto lens.

Up on the lone boulder, the true summit of NE Cicero Peak. Photo looks N.

The summit area was large and grassy. A few pines along the N edge blocked views to the NW, while a dense forest hid views to the S and SE. In other directions, Lupe could see big swaths of the Black Hills. The most interesting views were of higher country to the N.

**Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** is the highest peak on the L. Closer, but also on the L, is heavily forested **Custer Mountain (6,089 ft.)**. **Peak 6735** is the middle of the 3 high points seen just R of Center. Photo looks NNE.

Same scene, but with more help from the telephoto lens. Custer Mountain is in the foreground. Black Elk Peak on the L in the distance. Peak 6735 is the middle high point on the R. Photo looks NNE.

Looking NE now. **Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.)** is in the distance on the R.

Mt. Coolidge (L) with help from the telephoto lens. Lupe had recently visited Mt. Coolidge for the first time in over 5.5 years on Expedition No. 218.

A cool W breeze blew. A low, weary sun, partially obscured by a bank of clouds, dangled listlessly above the horizon. Northeast Cicero Peak felt forlorn, sad. Mid-afternoon, but it felt late. Late in the day. Late in the year. Winter solstice was only 3 days away. Christmas soon after that. A week later, 2017 would be over. Another year gone forever. A depressing thought.

Neither Lupe nor SPHP knew it yet, but Northeast Cicero Peak was the last mountain Lupe would climb in 2017.

At the summit of Northeast Cicero Peak, the last mountain Lupe would climb in 2017. Photo looks E.

Back on the small ledge. Cicero Peak is visible on the L. Photo looks WSW.

Cicero Peak (Center) from the higher summit of NE Cicero Peak. Photo looks SW.

Northeast Cicero Peak was the highest mountain this far S in the Black Hills. The views were impressive. Yet the somber mood of the mountain made SPHP restless after only 10 minutes on top. Maybe action would add some cheer? Lupe set off into the forest, intent on exploring the mountain’s S ridge on the way down.

The S ridge wasn’t a very good route. It was full of obstacles. Dense stands of young pines, slick snowy spots, rough rock outcroppings, deadfall timber, all the usual rigamarole except fences to deal with. Not much in the way of views as compensation, either. For what seemed like a long way, the Carolina Dog didn’t lose much elevation.

The summit of Cicero Peak with help from the telephoto lens on the way down NE Cicero Peak’s S ridge. Photo looks SW.

Lupe finally came to a rare open spot in the forest where the going was easier. Beyond it, the descent began in earnest.

After a slow trek along NE Cicero Peak’s upper S ridge, Lupe reached this rare open spot in the forest. Her descent became much steeper beyond this point. Photo looks S.

Once the descent really got going, it was one steep slope after another. Lupe avoided rocky areas as much as possible, which became progressively easier the lower she went. She eventually turned SW, ultimately reaching the floor of the valley W of the S ridge. Here, the American Dingo found a faint road leading back to the G6 (4:08 PM, 36°F).

The last of 33 Black Hills, SD Expeditions in 2017 was over.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 219 – Twin Sisters Range High Point & Elk Knob (12-10-17)

Start: 12:24 PM, 58°F at the intersection of Song Dog Road & USFS Road No. 373

Lupe hopped out of the G6. 20 expeditions and almost 8 months ago, she had come here to climb the Twin Sisters Range High Point (4,980 ft.). She’d made it to the top easily enough, but when she’d gone farther E to explore more of the area, the buzz of an unseen rattlesnake had put a quick end to that notion.

Even though it was an incredibly warm day for December, rattlesnakes weren’t likely to be stirring now. Lupe should be able to do all the exploring she wanted to today. The Carolina Dog started out heading E on USFS Road No. 373.

Lupe on USFS Road No. 373 approaching the W end of the Twin Sisters Range. Photo looks E.

A mile from the G6, Lupe left the road and started the short, but steep climb up a SW slope to the W end of the Twin Sisters Range. Despite a few brief stops for SPHP to catch breath, Looper was soon at the top.

Lupe begins her trek up the short, but steep SW slope. Photo looks NE.

Lupe arrives up on top at the far W end of the Twin Sisters Range. Photo looks WNW.

A dangerous, rusty barbed wire fence was laying on the ground. SPHP made certain Lupe didn’t get into it. A 20 mph wind blew out of the NW. Normally, it would have been frigid here in December with a wind like that. Today, though, it was so warm out the wind was only a nuisance.

Much of this area had burned in a forest fire years ago. As a result, Lupe had sweeping views of barren, forlorn vistas. Dull, dry, dead grass covering the land did little to add any cheer.

The sweeping views Lupe had looked barren and forlorn. **High Point 5017** is seen on the L. Photo looks WSW.

The actual high point of the Twin Sisters Range was still another 0.25 mile E. After enjoying the views from the W end of the ridge, Lupe and SPHP set off for the cairn at the summit.

The **summit of the Twin Sisters Range** (R) was still another 0.25 mile to the E. Photo looks ENE.

Looper starts for the summit (L). Photo looks E.

The stroll to the summit was easy. Lupe had great views the whole time from the open ridge. It wasn’t long before Loop was at the summit cairn. Of course, the NW wind was blowing here, too. Not enjoying the wind, Lupe stayed only long enough at the summit for photos by the cairn, and a fairly quick look at the sights.

Looper by the cairn at the top of the **Twin Sisters Range High Point (4,980 ft.)**. It hadn’t taken her long to get here, but the NW wind was as bad as ever. Photo looks E.

Looking SE from the summit cairn. **Buffalo Gap** is seen in the distance on the L. **Elk Knob** is the partially forested low hill seen straight up from Lupe’s head (R).

Looking W back along the ridge Lupe had just traveled across.

Looking SE farther along the the **Twin Sisters Range**. **Buffalo Gap** (Center) is near the horizon. **Elk Knob** is the low mostly forested hill on the far R.

The pine-dotted hill on the R is at the lower E end of the **Twin Sisters Range**. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.

Loop and SPHP left the Twin Sisters Range High Point continuing E down to a lower part of the ridge. Loop regained some lost elevation climbing up to High Point 4872. High Point 4872 was windy, too, but Lupe paused briefly for a few photos.

Looking back at the **Twin Sisters Range High Point** (seen straight up from Loop) from **High Point 4872**. Photo looks NW.

**Elk Knob (4,752 ft.)** (R) from **High Point 4872**. Lupe would be going to **Elk Knob** next. Photo looks SE.

**High Point 4820** is on the L. **Buffalo Gap** is R of Center. Looking SE from **HP 4872**.

At High Point 4872, Lupe was already well beyond where she’d been back in April on Expedition No. 199. The topo map showed another lower hill a mile off to the SE known as Elk Knob (4,752 ft.).

Elk Knob became Lupe’s next objective. She started down High Point 4872’s S slope, and was quite happy when she finally reached a valley where the wind was barely stirring.

On the way down **High Point 4872’s S slope**. The **Twin Sisters Range High Point** is in view on the R. Photo looks NW.

The trip up Elk Knob was easy. Lupe first went to a saddle N of the hill, then followed the N slope up. The hill was heavily forested, until she got near the top. Lupe liked being in the forest on Elk Knob a lot better than on the bare, windy Twin Sisters Range ridge. She had a good time racing around sniffing and exploring.

The summit of Elk Knob proved to be a big, flat grassy area rimmed with pines. The pines were dense toward the N, but more sparse elsewhere. For a fairly low hill in this area, Elk Knob had some pretty good views. The wind wasn’t too bad, either, except near the more exposed W end.

Lupe on the big, flat grassy summit of **Elk Knob**. Photo looks S.

The view to the S was surprisingly open and nice. Lupe could see quite a long way from here. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.

Here Lupe is down a little off the summit on **Elk Knob’s upper W slope**. It was windier here than elsewhere, but she could see the **Twin Sisters Range High Point** (on the R straight above her head), and much of the territory she’d just traveled through. Photo looks NW.

Lupe took a break on Elk Knob. The usual water and Taste of the Wild, with an apple for SPHP. Then it was time for more exploring. Loop went NE down off Elk Knob, before turning E and SE. She wandered along several dirt roads. Only one had a sign, which said she was on USFS Road No. 373.1D.

The Carolina Dog ventured down into a fairly deep canyon. She followed a faint remnant of a road at the bottom, but it eventually ended. Loop climbed up the NE side of the canyon, and reached a ridge she took SE. The sun was getting low by the time she reached a big fence. This had to be the fence along the W side of Wind Cave National Park.

Lupe explored territory E of **Elk Knob** until she got to this big fence somewhere along the W boundary of **Wind Cave National Park**. Photo looks SE.

The fence was as far E as Lupe could go. It was getting late enough so she needed to start back anyway. On her return trip she avoided the canyon by staying farther N. She eventually passed back over the saddle N of Elk Knob heading NW.

The sun wasn’t quite down yet as Lupe neared the Twin Sisters Range again. Why not return to the summit? Well, there was the wind, for one thing. It wasn’t bad at all down here, but was still blowing up there. However, seeing the sunset from a mountaintop seemed more important. Up Lupe went.

Climbing the **Twin Sisters Range** again, this time from the S. Photo looks NW.

Nearing the **Twin Sisters Range High Point** (L) for a second time today. Photo looks N.

The last bit of the sun was disappearing behind High Point 5017 when Lupe reached the Twin Sisters Range High Point (4,980 ft.) again. The sky was almost completely clear, with only a few small clouds to the W. With so few clouds, the sunset never really got a chance to develop into anything special.

Lupe reaches the **Twin Sisters Range High Point** for the 2nd time today, just as the last bit of the sun slips below **HP 5017**. Photo looks W.

For a little while, Lupe and SPHP sat together in the wind on the barren, forlorn mountaintop, watching the light fade until hopes for a colorful sky died old and gray. Time to go.

Being on the move again felt good. It was fun picking a way down the steep rocky slope, and marching across a field back to the road. Next came a mile of shared silence and solitude beneath a darkening sky. At the G6, a few stars glittered above. Water, a little more Taste of the Wild, and Lupe was homeward bound. (5:03 PM, 46°F)

On the **Twin Sisters Range High Point** right after sunset, 12-10-17

Links:

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

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 218 – Mt. Coolidge (12-3-17)

A mile N of Hazelrodt picnic ground, SPHP parked the G6 off USFS Road No. 341 at a pullout by French Creek (10:28 AM, 50°F). Lupe leapt out. She ran down to the creek for a look. Even though the last 3 weeks of November had been very warm and dry, the edge of the stream was rimmed with ice.

Early December and yet another unseasonably warm day. Not a single snowflake on the ground, but Lupe did find ice along the edges of **French Creek**.

Mt. Coolidge (6,023 ft.) was Lupe’s peakbagging goal for Expedition No. 218. She’d been there once before, but it had been a very long time ago. Lupe had only been 15 months old when she’d climbed Mt. Coolidge for the first time way back on Expedition No. 13.

Today Lupe was trying a new route. She would explore the mountain’s SW ridge. The Carolina Dog started out traveling ENE on the S side of French Creek. At first, she was in a forest of large pines that had been thinned out. This was easy ground, but didn’t last long. Soon Loop was leaving French Creek and the large pines behind.

Looking down on French Creek. Photo looks N.

The climb up the SW ridge began in earnest on a steep slope crowded with young pines. After gaining close to 150 feet of elevation, Lupe reached a small rocky ridge. Off to the SW, she could see the NE face of Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.).

After gaining nearly 150 feet of elevation, Lupe reached this small rocky ridge where she had her first distant views. **Northeast Cicero Peak** is the big hill on the L. Photo looks SW.

Beyond this first small ridge, Lupe passed through a forest of larger pines again. She emerged from the forest at the edge of a big meadow. Ahead was a sparsely forested hill.

Beyond the first small ridge, Lupe passed through a forest before reaching this grassy meadow. The sparsely forested hill ahead was Lupe’s next destination. The fence at Center is the W border of **Custer State Park**. Photo looks NE.

Looper headed for the hill. When she reached the top, she got her first look at Mount Coolidge ahead. Behind her, the view of Northeast Cicero Peak was better than before.

Loop gets her first look at **Mt. Coolidge** (R of Center) ahead. Photo looks NE.

From the sparsely treed hill, the view of **Northeast Cicero Peak** (L) was better than before. Photo looks SW.

Lupe turned E following a ridgeline. Much of the area had burned at some point, which opened up views in various directions.

Looking S from an opening on the ridgeline.

The irregular ridge wound E and N. Lupe came to a succession of high points, each one higher than the last. The high points were separated by shallow saddles where Looper lost a bit of elevation, but she always regained it quickly.

It was too bad this was such an overcast day. A little blue sky and sunlight would have made some of the views far more striking.

At the next high point. **Custer Mountain (6,089 ft.)** is the biggest forested hill L of Center. Photo looks NW.

Getting closer! **Mt. Coolidge** is seen beyond Lupe. She would be heading for the almost barren hill on the L next. Photo looks NE.

Much of the ridge Lupe was following had burned at some point. There were still live trees, but most were young. Photo looks NE.

Looper in a saddle on the way to the next high point. **Mt. Coolidge** is on the far R. Photo looks N.

Lupe had a good time sniffing and exploring. She was making progress, too. Each time Mt. Coolidge came into view, she was closer than before.

Each time **Mt. Coolidge** (Center) came into view, Lupe could see she was making progress. Photo looks NE.

Looking back to the SW again. **Northeast Cicero Peak** (L), **Daisy Peak (5,948 ft.)** (R of Center), and **Kruger Peak (5,838 ft.)** (far R) are all in view.

Looking S back down the ridge Lupe came up.

After more than a mile on the winding, partially burnt ridge, Lupe finally reached the end of the burn area. The last couple of high points she came to were far more heavily forested. On one slope, spindly dog hair pines grew so thickly, it was slow going trying to force a way through.

Loop reaches a high point near the end of the burn area. Hwy 87 is in view on the L. Photo looks ENE.

SPHP designated this rock outcropping “Big Pine” due to a scattering of far larger pine trees here than any Loop had come to for a while. **Mt. Coolidge** in the background. Photo looks NE.

NE of “Big Pine” Lupe passes through a thick dog hair forest leading down into the deepest saddle of the whole journey to **Mt. Coolidge**. With the trees so close together, this area was slow going for SPHP. Photo looks NE.

After passing through the dog hair pine forest, Lupe arrived at the bottom of the deepest saddle of her whole trek to Mt. Coolidge. She came across a dirt road here, but followed it only a little way. She left the road to start the longest, steepest part of the climb up Mount Coolidge. The forest had been thinned here, and the slope was full of leftover slash.

Lupe reaches the longest, steepest part of the climb up **Mount Coolidge**. The forest had been thinned here, and the whole slope was covered with leftover slash. Photo looks NE.

Near the top of the long slope, the slash gave way to jumbled rocks. The rocks were easier to deal.

Near the top of the long slope, the slash gave way to jumbled rocks. Photo looks NNE.

The rocky part led to a larger rock outcropping at the SW end of a nearly level ridge. Loop was now so close to Mt. Coolidge that she could see the road that leads to the lookout tower on top.

At the top of the long slope, Lupe reaches a rock outcropping. **Mt. Coolidge** is now so close that the access road to the lookout tower is in view. Photo looks NE.

Looking back at **Northeast Cicero Peak** (Center) from the rock outcropping at the end of the long slope. Photo looks SW.

Loop headed for the access road. Once she reached it, she stayed on it the rest of the way. It circled around to the N clear over to the opposite side of Mt. Coolidge. Lupe ended up approaching the summit from the NE, even though she had spent nearly all her time coming up the SW ridge.

Approaching the lookout tower at the top of **Mt. Coolidge**. Photo looks SW.

The access road is closed this time of year. There wasn’t a soul around when Lupe and SPHP reached the top of Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.). The first thing Loop did was check out the lookout tower.

Looper at the lookout tower. Photo looks SW.

View to the SSW from the tower’s observation deck. **Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.)** is on the R.

View to the NNE from the observation deck.

Lupe went up to the observation deck. A sign said no Dingoes allowed. Hmmph! Loop didn’t stay long before retreating, since that’s the way they wanted to be about it.

Lupe and SPHP went over to the NW side of the summit area. Some of the highest territory in the Black Hills was in sight. After a few photos, it was time for a break.

**Little Devil’s Tower (6,960 ft.)** (L) and **Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** (Center) are on the horizon. The **Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.)** are between them. Photo looks NNW.

Lupe drank some water, then curled up on the ground next to her silver bowl. She ate a little Taste of the Wild, but not too much. There hadn’t been much of a breeze at all on the way up, but now a chilly wind blew out of the SW, moaning in the trees and antenna wires. In solitude, Lupe and SPHP gazed out across the hills.

Lupe was last here 205 Expeditions ago. More than 5.5 years had gone by. The first time she’d come, Loop was still basically a puppy. SPHP sat petting Lupe, stroking her soft fur. Her birthday was coming soon. Not long afterwards, 2017 would draw to a close. Time marches on. Best not to think about it too much.

C’mon, Looper! Guess we’ve seen what there is to see up here today. Too bad the sun didn’t come out. Mt. Coolidge is a sweet viewpoint, but the light just isn’t what it might have been. All our photos are kind of faded and washed out. I feel kind of the same way for some reason.

Loop was ready. One more photo before going, then the Carolina Dog took off down the mountain. She went SW, skipping most of the winding route the access road takes, and headed directly for the SW ridge.

Last photo from **Mt. Coolidge** before departing for the SW ridge again. Photo looks E.

It felt good to be on the move again. Going back down Mt. Coolidge’s long SW ridge with all its ups and downs, twists and turns, was fun. Lupe had a blast sniffing and investigating whatever caught her attention.

The G6 was only 2 miles away. SPHP was surprised at how late it was when Lupe got back (3:37 PM). Less than 1.5 hours of daylight remained. Still time enough to do a little something, but not what SPHP had originally intended.

Half an hour’s ride in the G6 brought Lupe to a trailhead (4:11 PM, 52°F). The sky had finally started clearing off, but sunset was imminent. As light faded, Lupe enjoyed a mile long trek. At first she followed a creek, but most of the way was over a rolling prairie with views. Clouds brightened, then darkened again as the sun abandoned the Black Hills.

Loop reached a minor high point, only a small hill, but a peakbagging goal nonetheless. By now it was so dark, the flash had to be used. No dawdling! This was it for Expedition No. 218. Lupe turned and started back. SPHP hurried, trying to keep up, as the Carolina Dog headed for home (5:23 PM).

Note: Most visitors to Mt. Coolidge drive to the summit on a wide, gravel access road which originates along Hwy 87 in Custer State Park. The access road is closed during the off-season.

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