Start – Fort Meade National Cemetery near Sturgis, 8:46 AM, 35°F
Lupe arrived at Fort Meade National Cemetery the day after Veteran’s Day. The cemetery was officially closed this time of year. Loop wouldn’t have gone in even if it wasn’t. Some might consider an American Dingo prancing around a cemetery disrespectful, even though she wouldn’t have done any harm.
Lupe arrived at the Fort Meade National Cemetery the day after Veteran’s day on a bright, crisp morning.
Lupe was actually here to visit a few peaks near Sturgis she’d never been to before. Once SPHP was ready, she crossed the road W of the cemetery, and started climbing along a ridgeline through a pine forest. She didn’t have far to go before reaching a broad meadow of tall grass.
W of Fort Meade Cemetery, Lupe reaches a meadow of tall grass near the start of her way up Peak 3950. Photo looks W.
In the meadow, Loop happened upon a dirt road that curved SW. She followed it higher back up into the forest. A huge dead tree had fallen over the road, blocking it completely. From the trunk of the dead tree, Lupe could see Bear Butte(4,422 ft.) off to the NE rising dramatically from the surrounding prairie.
From the trunk of the dead tree, Lupe saw Bear Butte rising dramatically from the surrounding prairie. Photo looks NE.Bear Butte’s summit is the N end of Centennial Trail No. 89 which winds 111 miles through eastern portions of the Black Hills all the way to Wind Cave National Park.
The road climbed steadily through the forest. Before long, though, the terrain began to level out. The forest became more open and park-like, and the road curved NW.
Off to the SW, it looked like there might be views from the edge of the mountain. Lupe left the road to explore in that direction. Several deer fled as she approached the edge. Loop had a nice view of the valley S of Sturgis.
Lupe came to this nice view of the valley S of Sturgis. Photo looks SSW.
Peak3950 was Lupe’s destination. The summit was only 0.5 mile NW from here. Lupe traveled NW near the sharp SW edge of the mountain. At first, the terrain was level or rolling. The American Dingo had her choice of staying in the pine forest or out on another tall grass meadow, and did some of both. Bear Butte was still in view from the meadow.
On the way to the summit of Peak 3950, Lupe spent part of her time in this big tall grass meadow, from which she could still see Bear Butte. Photo looks NE.
In the meadow, Loop came upon the road again. She followed it NW back into the forest, gaining elevation at a moderate pace. Lupe stayed on the road until she was close to Peak 3950’s summit. The final part of the climb was an easy romp through the woods.
On the road again getting close to the top of Peak 3950. Photo looks NW.
Peak 3950’s summit area was large and relatively level. The highest part was near the N end. No single point stood out as the exact location of the true summit, but Lupe was satisfied. Climbing Peak3950 had been easy and fun.
Lupe at the top of Peak 3950. Climbing the mountain had been quick and easy. Photo looks SSE.On Peak 3950’s flat summit. Photo looks E.
At the top of Peak 3950, trees hid the views in most directions. However, along the edge of the steep W slope, Lupe found rock outcroppings from which she could see the town of Sturgis.
From rocks along the W rim, Lupe could see the town of Sturgis. Photo looks WNW.Sturgis, SD from Peak 3950. Photo looks NW.A look at the downtown area with a little help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.Looking W.
Lupe could also see her next two peakbagging objectives. Oyster Mountain and Sly Hill were both in sight to the NW.
Lupe’s next peakbagging objectives were in view.Oyster Mountain(4,040 ft.) is the forested ridge on the L. SlyHill(3,920 ft.) is straight up from the blue water tank on the R. Photo looks NW.
Names, dates, and initials had been carved into the rocks Lupe was standing on. One rock S of the summit area even had a whole phrase carved into it.
Many names, dates, and initials were carved into rocks along the W edge of the mountain. Someone had gone to the trouble of carving the phrase “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.” into this rock.
Lupe lingered on Peak 3950 for a little while, but didn’t stay terribly long. She still had more peakbagging to do. After sniffing around some and enjoying the views, it was time to head back to the G6.
On her way back down, Lupe returns to the upper tall grass meadow SE of Peak 3950’s summit. Photo looks SE.
Once Loop made it back to the G6 (10:41 AM), SPHP drove into Sturgis looking for a way to Oyster Mountain or Sly Hill. A mile NW of town, a road went N over a saddle on the ridge connecting the two mountains. A mile beyond the saddle, SPHP parked the G6 again (11:10 AM, 49°F).
Lupe got out ready to climb Oyster Mountain’s NE ridge. At first, she was in a mixed oak and pine forest, but she didn’t have far to go before reaching a meadow. Bear Butte was once again in view.
Lupe at the first meadow she came to on the way up Oyster Mountain. Photo looks SW.Bear Butte(4,422 ft.) from the lower slopes of Oyster Mountain’s NE ridge. Photo looks NE.
Just like on Peak 3950, Lupe found a dirt road in the meadow which took her higher and back into the forest. Loop followed this road SW most of the way up Oyster Mountain’s NE ridge. Sometimes she had glimpses of views along the way, but usually there were too many trees to see much of anything.
The road eventually reached a saddle. Loop would start losing elevation if she stayed on the road, so she left it. She headed W, still climbing steadily.
Before long, the Carolina Dog arrived at the top of a small hill. Maybe this was Oyster Mountain’s summit? SPHP wasn’t certain. The topo map had been forgotten in the G6.
Not long after leaving the dirt road, Lupe reached the top of this small hill. At the time, SPHP thought this might possibly be Oyster Mountain’s summit. Photo looks WSW.
Lupe continued W from the small hill, and soon reached a slightly higher hill. A ridge nearly the same height was in view to the SW across a small valley. The valley drained toward a depression to the W.
SPHP remembered the topo map had shown a depression close to Oyster Mountain’s true summit. Loop ought to be able to find the summit by crossing the valley, then following the ridge on the other side.
So that’s what she did. When Lupe made it up onto the ridge, she could see I-90 in the valley below on the other side.
After crossing the small valley, Lupe climbed up onto this ridge where she could see I-90 below. Photo looks SW.
Lupe followed the ridge WNW. The terrain was nearly level for a little way, but soon Loop saw slightly higher ground ahead. The summit had to be over there.
Oyster Mountain’s S slope from the ridgeline. The summit isn’t much farther ahead in the trees on the R. Photo looks WNW.
Shortly before reaching the top of Oyster Mountain(4,040 ft.), Loop came to a sparsely forested sunny hillside. Snow was visible on Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) on the far horizon. Closer by, Lupe had a nice view of heavily forested Crook Mountain(4,930 ft.).
Snow is visible on Terry Peak’s ski runs on the far horizon (L). Heavily forested Crook Mountain is in view on the R. I-90 is seen in the valley below. Photo looks SW.
Oyster Mountain’s summit proved to be a relatively narrow, 150 foot long, flat ridge. Forest blocked any views. Minor rock outcroppings that didn’t amount to much were on the S side near the far W end.
Lupe on top of Oyster Mountain(4,040 ft.). Photo looks ESE.Carolina Dogs are rarely seen on Oyster Mountain. However, the mountain’s odd and mysterious name was part of the allure that brought Lupe here. Oyster Mountain seems an unlikely name for a mountain in the Black Hills. Lupe was about as far from an ocean here as you can get in North America.Lupe goofing around trying to be silly and dramatic from the little rock outcroppings near the W end of the summit ridge. Photo looks E.
Loopster took her only Taste of the Wild break of the day up on Oyster Mountain. The shady summit ridge was a pleasant place. Traffic noise from I-90 only partially marred the sense of isolation.
On the way back to the G6, Lupe stopped by the sunny slope E of the summit again for a final look. She then left the ridgeline, cutting down to the depression in the small valley. The depression was bone dry now, but looked like a seasonal pond forms here during wet periods.
As she left Oyster Mountain, Loop swung back by this sunny slope E of the summit for a final look. Photo looks S.Lupe near the depression on Oyster Mountain. The depression was bone dry now, but looked like a seasonal pond must form here during wet periods. Photo looks W.
After leaving the depression, the American Dingo retraced her route up all the rest of the way down. Lupe had fun running and sniffing around, but it was only 1.25 miles back to the G6. It didn’t take her all that long to get there. (1:09 PM)
Loop still had one more peak to climb near Sturgis. SPHP drove to the saddle between Oyster Mountain and Sly Hill, parking near a fence surrounding a “rubble site” (1:16 PM, 52°F). A sign nearby indicated Dingoes might not be entirely welcome on Sly Hill, the top of which was only 0.5 mile to the SE. Hmmm.
American Dingoes can be quite foxy, and the name of her objective was Sly Hill, after all. Lupe wouldn’t hurt a thing. Off she went, slinking through the forest. It didn’t take her long to reach a wide flat meadow rimmed with pines. The topo map showed this area as the true summit of Sly Hill(3,920 ft.).
Lupe at the official top of Sly Hill according to the topo map. SPHP was skeptical that this was actually the true summit. Photo looks NW.The Sly Dingo on Sly Hill feeling pretty foxy.Near the S rim of Sly Hill, a bit SW of the official summit according to the topo map. Photo looks WSW.
The topo map showed another high point on Sly Hill only 0.25 mile to the SE. High Point 3917 was supposed to be almost as high as the official summit. Maybe Lupe should go on over there to check it out while she was still in the area? It seemed like the thing to do.
Off Lupe went. She lost a bit of elevation exploring a narrower part of the ridge that forms Sly Hill. Soon Loop was approaching High Point 3917, a far smaller area that came to much more of a definite peak than the official summit. She caught a glimpse of Bear Butte as she began the short climb.
Looking back along the ridge linking Sly Hill’s official summit and High Point 3917. Photo looks NW toward the official summit.As Lupe started the short climb up to High Point 3917, she caught this glimpse of Bear Butte. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.On the way up to High Point 3917. Photo looks SE.
Climbing High Point 3917 was easy. Lupe got up on the top rocks at the foot of a big pine tree. Up until now, SPHP hadn’t been totally certain where Lupe was on Sly Hill, but the views from here confirmed her position. Parts of Sturgis could be seen, though trees obscured some of the town.
Loopster on the highest rocks at High Point 3917 on Sly Hill.Western parts of Sturgis are in view here from High Point 3917. Photo looks S.Looking SE from High Point 3917. A small portion of eastern Sturgis is in view on the R.
Lupe’s exploration of Sly Hill was now complete, except for one thing. On the way to the official summit shown on the topo map, Lupe had passed N of some high ground that seemed like it might actually have been higher than the official summit.
So Lupe returned to Sly Hill’s official summit, then proceeded W looking for the high ground she’d bypassed earlier. She climbed a heavily forested narrow ridge. The official summit could not be seen from here, but SPHP would have bet money that this high point to the W was actually the true summit of Sly Hill.
Lupe on top of the high point W of the official summit. SPHP would have bet money that this was actually the true summit of Sly Hill(3,920 ft.). Photo looks WNW.
Lupe had done about all there was to do up on Sly Hill. The Carolina Dog left the W high point (and likely true summit) traveling NW along the ridgeline. This proved to be the most rugged terrain she’d come to on Sly Hill. She went by several interesting rock formations on the way down.
Loop on one of the rock formations she came to on the way down. Photo looks S.On the most impressive rock. Photo looks NW.
The Sly Dingo of Sly Hill made it back to the G6 without incident (2:34 PM). At least a couple of hours of daylight remained. With visions of Lupe making one more peakbagging attempt at yet another modest, seldom-visited hill, SPHP drove Lupe to the Whitewood area. She even got close to Spearfish. However, she had no luck at any other hills or mountains.
So Sly Hill was Lupe’s final peakbagging success of Expedition No. 215. That didn’t bother the Carolina Dog at all. She didn’t mind riding around barking at deer, cattle and horses at all! She had a blast the whole time, yipping and yapping until it was way too dark to see.
Looking across the saddle separating Sly Hill from Oyster Mountain (Center). Photo looks NW.
October 21st dawned bright and breezy, the air exceptionally crisp and clear. Puffy white clouds sailed the blue sky. SPHP knew instantly that cancelling had been a mistake, but nothing could be done about it. Yes, this was a breezy day, but nothing approaching the forecast 40+ mph wind gusts would ever materialize.
Lupe’s opportunity to meet new friends had been rescheduled. November 4th arrived, and she was finally on her way! What a day this was, though! Heavily overcast, dark and cold. Only a couple of days ago, the forecast had looked fine. Now this! Again too late to do anything about it. Expedition No. 214 was on, come what may!
At 7:59 AM, with exactly one minute to spare, Lupe arrived at the Latchstring Inn at Savoy in Spearfish Canyon. No sign of Rizzo, Buddy & Josh, yet. No worries, they’d be here soon enough. In the meantime, Lupe went over to take a look at the Spearfish Canyon Lodge.
The Spearfish Canyon Lodge at Savoy normally has wonderful views of some of Spearfish Canyon’s most impressive limestone cliffs. Today it was socked in with fog.
Looper also had time to check out Little Spearfish Creek.
At Little Spearfish Creek. Two of the best waterfalls in the Black Hills are on Little Spearfish Creek. Spearfish Falls is only 20 or 30 feet downstream of where Lupe stands here. Roughlock Falls is less than a mile upstream. Lupe wouldn’t get to see them today.
Rizzo, Buddy & Josh soon arrived. Rizzo and Buddy were so excited about going on an expedition, they weren’t about to hold still for a group photo. Lupe and her new friend, Josh, posed together, though.
Lupe and new friend Josh Hilpert at Savoy in Spearfish Canyon.
The date wasn’t the only thing that had changed for this first outing together. Only a couple of days ago, Plan A’s chosen destination had fallen through. A major disappointment at the time, but now clearly a good thing given the weather.
Josh had expressed interest in any routes Lupe knew of up into the country E of Spearfish Canyon. On prior expeditions Lupe had explored two such routes. Plan B was that Loop would take Rizzo, Buddy and Josh on one of them. Two specific destinations became Expedition No. 214’s objectives – Elk Mountain(6,422 ft.) and the cliffs overlooking Savoy.
Lupe’s route to Elk Mountain started at Annie Creek Road near Elmore, 4 miles up Spearfish Canyon from Savoy. The weather remained cold and heavily overcast, even a bit foggy, but everyone was in good spirits as the trek began. (8:36 AM, 32°F)
Lupe and her new friend Buddy near the start of Annie Creek Road. Photo looks N.
Annie Creek Road went N for 0.75 mile. Upon reaching the side canyon Annie Creek flows down, it turned NE for another 0.75 mile. The snowy road was an easy romp, being nearly level this whole way. It was a good place for everyone to become acquainted.
Lupe wasn’t used to having so much company, but the dogs all got along just fine. Buddy and Rizzo were adventure dogs, too! In fact, Rizzo and Josh have been enjoying their own weekly adventures in the Black Hills even longer than Lupe and SPHP. Buddy wasn’t as experienced in the adventuring business, having only recently joined the Hilpert family. However, it was clear he was relishing his good fortune.
The first big decision came at an intersection 1.5 miles from the start. The only time Lupe had been to Elk Mountain before was nearly 1.5 years ago. Back then, she had taken the road to the L, which went W back to Spearfish Canyon before turning NW. The road stayed level, but ultimately came to two places where old bridges had collapsed. Lupe had made it past the first resulting gap, but not the second. In the end, she’d had to climb a very steep slope, though once on top, this had ultimately proven to be a good direct route to Elk Mountain.
The other option was take the road to the R, which went NE up the Annie Creek valley. Last time, looking for a shortcut back to the G6 late in the day, Lupe had gone down a different steep slope that had brought her into this valley. SPHP remembered it had looked like Lupe could have followed roads all the way down, if she had been willing to take a somewhat longer route.
Nearing the first intersection. A decision would have to be made soon – go L or R? Josh crouches to stay in the photo (which he didn’t have to do). Buddy on the L while Rizzo circles around behind Josh. A familiar furry face out front and center. Photo looks N.Same spot, but showing better how foggy it was. Josh pats Buddy while Rizzo helps himself to some snow.
It was cold and damp. Ice and snow might make hillsides treacherous. It seemed best to avoid the steep climb up from the road to the L. The decision was made to turn R, following the road up Annie Creek valley.
Another intersection was reached only 0.25 mile farther on. Rizzo and Buddy crossed Annie Creek for a brief exploratory foray on a side road going SE up Lost Camp Gulch. That wasn’t the way to Elk Mountain, though, so they quickly returned.
Buddy (L) & Rizzo (R) return from a brief foray up Lost Camp Gulch. The small stream is Annie Creek. Photo looks SE.
Lupe and SPHP had never been this far up Annie Creek before, but it seemed reasonable to continue on the road following the creek a little farther before looking for a way up onto higher ground to the N. Rizzo, Buddy and Josh had never been here before either, so they simply tagged along.
The road following Annie Creek headed NE, beginning to gain significant elevation above the stream on the way. Eventually a minor side road appeared on the L. It went N up a steep, forested slope. N was the right direction, so the side road seemed like a good way to reach higher ground quickly.
After a steep climb, the side road leveled out as expected. The forest was pretty foggy up here.
Buddy and Lupe on the minor side road once it leveled out. The forest was cold and quite foggy up here. Photo looks NNW?
Elk Mountain couldn’t have been much more than 1.5 miles to the NW as the crow flies from here. Due to the fog, though, the mountain wasn’t in sight. No other landmarks more than a couple hundred feet away could be seen, either. As long as Lupe kept heading N or NW, though, SPHP was confident she would eventually find the mountain.
The minor road eventually faded and curved off in the wrong direction. Lupe and SPHP led everyone N or NW, traversing snowy slopes. The terrain was more convoluted here than where Lupe had been on her first visit to Elk Mountain. Lupe tried to keep gaining elevation, but often she had to lose some. She finally came to a big fence.
Reaching the fence was encouraging! Beyond it were extensive gold mining operations. Lupe had seen them before. She had followed this fence N on her first trip to Elk Mountain. She hadn’t had to follow it more than 0.25 mile before she’d seen a big pond inside the fence. If the American Dingo could find that pond again today, SPHP was certain of the rest of the route to Elk Mountain.
Everyone trudged NW along the fence. The terrain went up and down, but eventually seemed to be going more down than up. On and on, much farther than Lupe had followed the fence the first time. SPHP had expected it to be farther coming this way, but quite a bit of time went by. The pond didn’t materialize. By now it was so foggy Lupe might not even be able to see it.
Why hadn’t the pond appeared? Had the Carolina Dog passed it in the fog? Could it really be this far? Josh and SPHP stopped to consult the topo map and discuss things. The problem was, the topo map SPHP had was old. The mining operations, which had altered a great deal of terrain, were newer and not shown on the map. SPHP knew the mine was SE of Elk Mountain, but only had a general idea of how far SE.
Consulting the map without being able to see some landmark shown on it, was no help. Even more disturbing, it turned out that Josh and SPHP had completely different ideas on what direction Lupe had been going! Knowing the truth about that was sort of important. Critical, one might say.
15 or 20 feet beyond the fence, a mine worker was standing on a knoll. He was busy watching or directing someone else operating a truck or other equipment that could be heard, but wasn’t in sight from outside the fence. Josh suggested asking him where this spot was on the map. Sure, why not?
The miner was friendly, and glad to be of service. He said this was the Wharf Mine. No doubt that was true. Other than that, he was a wealth of misinformation. Before even looking at the topo map, he volunteered that Lupe and company were somewhere between Foley Mountain(6,640 ft.) and Terry Peak(7,064 ft.).
What!? Impossible! If true, Lupe had been going in completely the wrong direction for a long time. Another glance at the map convinced SPHP that couldn’t possibly be right. Lupe would have had to take the road up Lost Camp Gulch to be anywhere close to the area between Foley Mountain and Terry Peak. Rizzo and Buddy had started up that road, but that hadn’t been where everyone had ultimately headed.
Josh and SPHP showed the miner the topo map. He ultimately pointed out a different area ESE of Elk Mountain, and said that was where this place was. That didn’t seem right either, but it wasn’t outlandish. Lupe might not be too far S of there. If so, that was good news.
Nearby, a road headed away from the fence. The miner said to follow it to get to Elk Mountain. Worth a shot, maybe. After thanking the miner for his assistance, everyone took the unmarked road.
The snowy road was fairly level. The forest was foggier than ever. Away from the fence, all sense of direction, accurate or not, was lost. Rizzo, Buddy, Lupe, Josh & SPHP arrived at a fork in the road. Which way? The road to the L led to a hill. The road to the R was level or losing elevation gradually as it disappeared into the fog.
Rizzo in the fog that was threatening to confound Expedition No. 214.After leaving the fence at the edge of the gold mine behind, Rizzo, Buddy, Lupe and Josh arrive at a fork in the road suggested by the miner. Which way now?Buddy on the L, Rizzo again behind Josh. In the fog, Lupe was having a hard time even finding Elk Mountain. Photo looks ?
On the vast majority of mountains, the summit is kept at the top. SPHP suggested taking the L fork going up the hill. If Lupe was anywhere on the slopes of Elk Mountain, going up would eventually get everyone to the summit.
The hill proved to be a small one. The road soon leveled out. It began curving to the L, then disappeared beneath a pile of deadfall. In every direction, the terrain sloped down. Gah! SPHP thought higher ground was visible in a small opening between trees off to the R, then became convinced it might only have been fog.
Josh had a compass! He’d mentioned it before. SPHP was completely turned around, so when Josh mentioned the compass again, suddenly it seemed to be the crucial missing link. Was the compass accurate? Josh was convinced it was. According to the compass, this road up the hill had been going W before turning SW.
No one was going to get to Elk Mountain going SW! SPHP still believed the mountain was NW from here, but NW was down a slope. Lupe and SPHP led everyone N off the road, into the forest. The terrain to the N lost elevation, too, but more slowly than going NW would have. It wasn’t long before Lupe was gaining elevation again. SPHP found a road! Yes!
No! Josh had the temerity to point out this was the very same road that had just been left behind. Really? Yeah, really. There were the fresh foot and paw prints. Proof positive. Good grief! Better go back to the fork and try the road to the R. Josh headed off in the wrong direction. Everyone arrived again at the place where the road turned SW and disappeared under the deadfall. Company halt! About face, and march!
Back once again at the fork, the road to the R was the next subject of exploration. After 5 or 10 minutes, a long straight section was reached that stretched ahead as far as could be seen into the foggy forest. What direction was that? Josh checked the compass. The road went W.
This wasn’t going to work either. SPHP was convinced Lupe was still too far S. Going a long way W would only bring everyone to cliffs at Spearfish Canyon. A lot of time was being chewed up wandering all these roads. Best to go back to the fence at the mine, and keep following it as before. If that didn’t work, Expedition No. 214 was doomed to failure. Sad, but true.
The terrain went down at first, as Lupe followed the fence. This didn’t seem right, but she hadn’t gone far when suddenly, there was the pond! It was faintly visible in the fog beyond the fence. Confusion vanished. Lupe was going to get Rizzo, Buddy and Josh to the top of Elk Mountain after all! Puppies, ho! Onward!
After crossing shallow McKinley Gulch, a rough road was reached. This road went NE to an intersection near the upper end of the gulch. A much better road ran E/W here. W was now the way to go! Still unseen, Elk Mountain was only 0.5 mile away.
On the road to success! Looking W on the road near the upper end of McKinley Gulch. Rizzo at Josh’s feet.
The road W soon arrived at another fork. Lupe took the L branch going SW. She followed it looking for one more turn, a driveway on the R. Found it! Gaining elevation all the way, the driveway headed W to the S side of Elk Mountain, then curled all the way around to the mountain’s E and then N slopes.
Rizzo and Buddy charge on ahead. The summit of Elk Mountain wasn’t much farther now! Photo looks NW.
It was only early November, but the top of Elk Mountain was a winter wonderland! Snow, frost, cold and fog. It could have been January, the way things looked and felt.
Lupe, Buddy & Rizzo on the final stretch to the summit. It was only early November, but Elk Mountain was a winter wonderland! Photo looks S.A better look at Rizzo at lower L.Buddy’s turn up front.
Due to the fog, the success of the whole expedition had been in doubt for hours, but everyone made it to the top of Elk Mountain(6,422 ft.).
Buddy and Josh Hilpert with Looper up on Elk Mountain. Rizzo’s here too, a little way off in the background.Rizzo next to the playhouse at the summit of Elk Mountain. Rizzo once fell out of a truck at 60 mph, and is lucky to still be able to go exploring the Black Hills. Rizzo is a very experienced Black Hills explorer, and has been many places Lupe’s gone to, plus more besides!Buddy at the summit. Buddy is a recent addition to the Hilpert clan. Lucky guy! He loves his weekly outings in the Black Hills with Josh and Rizzo. Buddy had one oddity about him. When he stood, one of his back legs would often start quivering and shaking as though he was very cold. Josh says this is normal for Buddy. It happens even when it’s warm out.
Of course, all views from Elk Mountain on this glorious day were hidden in the fog. Right on the summit, though, was a sight that brought cheer to the whole group. Lupe and SPHP had known it was here, but it was a complete and welcome surprise to Rizzo, Buddy & Josh.
At the top of the mountain is a small octagonal structure with 7 windows and a little door. It appears to be a child’s playhouse. Nothing of significance was inside. Hundreds, maybe thousands of dead flies covered the carpeted floor. On this cold, snowy day, that didn’t matter.
The playhouse was unlocked, a little warmer, and much drier than being outdoors. It was just large enough so Rizzo, Buddy, Lupe, Josh & SPHP could all get inside. Everyone got in to rest and warm up a bit. Lupe had water and her usual Taste of the Wild. Rizzo and Buddy tried some Taste of the Wild, too, and found it to their liking.
Josh and Buddy near the octagonal child’s playhouse on Elk Mountain. This structure came as a complete surprise to Rizzo, Buddy & Josh, but they were glad to see it on this cold day.Of course, Lupe and SPHP had seen the playhouse before. In good weather, it has a fantastic view of the Wharf gold mine. Today, it was just large enough to serve as a shelter for the entire expedition.
Josh and SPHP discussed options for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, it had taken so long to find Elk Mountain, there wasn’t going to be much time for extras. The other original objective for the day, going to the cliffs overlooking Savoy, was out. It would take too long to get there, and nothing would be gained from going to a fabulous viewpoint in the fog, anyway.
Ragged Top Mountain(6,200 ft.) was only 1.25 miles NW, but other than peakbagging for peakbagging’s sake, again there didn’t seem to be any point in the fog. The old townsite of Preston was closer, but consists mainly of a single decaying old building. Not too scintillating. It wasn’t enough of an enticement on such a wintery day.
In the end, no other easily attainable objectives nearby came to mind. Days are short in November, and it was already early afternoon. In this weather it would get dark even earlier than normal. Just getting back to the vehicles was going to take hours.
So once everyone had taken a break and warmed up a little in the charming, dead-fly decorated playhouse, it was time for another look around Elk Mountain’s summit before beginning the journey back.
Josh and Rizzo on Elk Mountain. The weather hadn’t improved any during break time in the playhouse. Photo looks SW.Rizzo awaits departure time.Josh grasps a post to which a small metal crucifix (not pictured) is attached while Buddy looks on. A certain Black Hills dingo is still in the vicinity, too. Photo looks NNE from near the playhouse.Rizzo near the crucifix post. Photo looks NNW.Looking W.A self-flocking frosty tree.Despite the weather, Lupe’s Elk Mountain guide service had ultimately been fruitful.
With no views to linger for, final inspection of Elk Mountain’s relatively small summit ridge didn’t take much time. Soon the descent through the mountain’s winter wonderland began.
Rizzo & Buddy start the descent.Josh and either Rizzo or Buddy on the upper N slope of Elk Mountain. Photo looks N.Loopster blends in with the winter wonderland, not too far below the summit yet. Photo looks SSW.
The first part of the journey back was a simple retracement of the ascent. By the time everyone was S of McKinley Gulch, back at the fence on the W side of the Wharf gold mine again, the fog had lifted to a degree. The pond Lupe had been looking for on the way to Elk Mountain was now in clear sight.
On the journey back, the fog lifted to a degree. The pond at the Wharf gold mine was now in view from the fence around the mine. This pond is less than a mile SE of Elk Mountain. Photo looks N.
While heading S from the pond not far from the fence, SPHP saw terrain to the SW that looked familiar. Hadn’t Lupe been over there the first time she went to Elk Mountain? Yes! A quick foray in that direction brought the expedition to a road Lupe had been on before.
From here, it was possible to follow a series of unmarked roads S or SE that ultimately led back down to Annie Creek. The clouds had lifted enough to reveal partial views from a few points along the way.
Looking SW toward Spearfish Canyon.Josh, Buddy & Lupe on the way down to Annie Creek. The W end of Foley Mountain(6,640 ft.) is in view. Photo looks SE.Fellow Black Hills explorer and adventurer Josh Hilpert with Lupe.
Light was beginning to fade by the time the last intersection 1.5 miles from the vehicles was reached. The rest of the way back was a snap from here. Maybe enough time remained for a little more exploring? SPHP talked Josh into checking out the road Lupe had taken to Elk Mountain the first time.
It was farther along this road to where the first bridge had collapsed than SPHP remembered. After 0.5 mile or more, it was time to forget it and turn around.
In increasing darkness, the march back along Annie Creek Road seemed longer than it had early in the day. The adventure dogs all had a fine time, though, while Josh and SPHP chatted.
There had been plenty of opportunities to visit during the day. It had been fun to compare notes and have wide ranging discussions on peaks, places, and a variety of other topics. Rizzo, Buddy and Lupe had gotten along well together. The weather hadn’t been conducive to enjoying scenery, but had made Expedition No. 214 seem far more mysterious and challenging than it otherwise would have been.
It had been a good day, a fun time for all. Rizzo, Buddy & Josh Hilpert live in Sturgis, SD, so perhaps more adventures are in store with Lupe’s new friends from time to time. It’s something to look forward to!
With new adventuring friends Buddy & Josh on Elk Mountain. Camera-shy Rizzo was around here somewhere, too!
Start: 8:35 AM, 42°F, at the first pullout SE of USFS Road No. 157 along West Deerfield Road near Castle Creek
A week shot by. The American Dingo was back! The G6 was parked no more than a mile NW of where it had been at the start of Expedition No. 212 only 7 days ago. Back then Lupe had gone N visiting 4 peaks along the E edge of the limestone plateau. Today she would be going mostly W farther into the high country.
A short walk NW along West Deerfield Road brought Loop to the start of USFS Road No. 157. Close to the intersection, a bridge went over Castle Creek. Lupe had started off Expedition No. 212 by checking out Castle Creek. May as well make it a tradition! Before crossing the bridge, Lupe went down near the stream. As always, Castle Creek was looking good!
Just like on Expedition No. 212 a week ago, Lupe started off Expedition No. 213 with a quick visit to Castle Creek. The creek was looking good, and a cheery American Dingo was expecting another great day exploring the Black Hills.
Returning to No. 157, Lupe crossed the bridge. The road went past a house over to the SW side of the Castle Creek valley, before turning SE for 0.5 mile. Lupe could still see the G6. Beyond it was a forested ridge featuring an impressive limestone cap. This late October morning was cool and bright. Everything was bathed in sunlight. What a beautiful day!
Lupe on USFS Road No. 157. The red G6 is in view parked near West Deerfield Road on the other side of the Castle Creek valley. Photo looks NNE.
The first part of the plan for the day was to take No. 157 from the Castle Creek valley up into the limestone plateau country. Lupe didn’t start gaining elevation until she was getting close to a big bend where No. 157 makes a nearly 180° turn going around the SE end of a forested ridge. After making the turn, the road climbed steadily heading WNW high on the SW side of the ridge. Private property down in the Silver Creek valley could be seen below.
About 0.33 mile from the big bend, Lupe reached an intersection with USFS Road No. 157.1A. Loop had followed No. 157 up the Silver Creek valley at least a couple of times on previous Black Hills expeditions, but she’d never been on No. 157.1A before. The topo map showed that No. 157.1A stayed higher up near the spine of the ridge, and would eventually feed back into No. 157 again in a couple of miles.
Why not? Exploring a new route is usually fun. Lupe took No. 157.1A.
No. 157.1A went NW for a while. Low juniper bushes provided scattered ground cover beneath a pine forest. The terrain sloped moderately up to the NE. The road stayed within a few hundred feet of the top of the ridge.
Lupe gained a fair amount of elevation. However, the day’s early sunshine seemed to have vanished. It actually seemed colder now than when Lupe had started out. The mood of the day had really changed. Gone was the bright cheerfulness. Suddenly the forest felt quiet, remote, sullen – like late fall of a dying year, with more than a hint of winter.
Lupe might get a decent look at the Castle Creek valley from the top of the ridge, if a place could be found where trees didn’t block the view. As she went on, a few rocks appeared near the ridgeline. Close to one of these rocks a narrow, gray opening could be seen between the pines. Might as well take a look! Lupe sniffed her way through the forest to the top of the ridge.
No wonder the mood had turned grim and chill! Lupe could see Castle Creek valley alright, but the sky was completely overcast. Not a speck of blue anywhere. Mountaintops across the valley were shrouded in fog.
At this little opening along the ridge near USFS Road No. 157.1A, Lupe could see Castle Creek valley below. However, the mountaintops were now cloaked in fog, and the day’s earlier cheerful, sunny mood had vanished. Photo looks N.
Lupe went NW through the forest a little way, then returned to the road. She reached it near a “Y” intersection. USFS Road No. 157.1C branched off to the N here, going over a small saddle. The maps showed it would eventually dead end.
The American Dingo stuck with No. 157.1A, which headed more W than before. The road climbed more steeply for a little way before leveling out. Lupe had left the edge of Castle Creek valley behind now.
Continuing W on USFS Road No. 157.1A.
As Loop traveled onward, it appeared as though there were high points off to the SW which might provide a view of Silver Creek valley. She didn’t bother going over there, though. Probably not worth the effort with low clouds and fog around. The Carolina Dog stayed on the road, which wound around still heading W.
Lupe continues W on USFS Road No. 157.1A. The scene varied somewhat along the way. Lupe saw high points off to the SW that she didn’t bother visiting that might have provided a view of the Silver Creek valley. Sometimes there were rock formations to the N or NE. This area had quite a bit of deadfall timber.
Suddenly, Lupe noticed a pickup truck ahead parked on the road. Two men dressed in camouflage were standing near it. Hunters! Lupe and SPHP had to go right by them. Neither looked or acted friendly. The younger one asked SPHP only where Lupe was going, and seemed suspicious of the answer – Crows Nest Peak. Meanwhile, the older man fiddled with a bow and ammunition.
No doubt Crows Nest Peak(7,048 ft.) was an unlikely response. Crows Nest Peak was still miles away. Furthermore, though one of the highest points in the Black Hills, Crows Nest Peak wasn’t much of a peak at all, just a spot in the woods nominally higher than the surrounding terrain. Why would anyone be going there? Wandering alone way out here on a gloomy day like this was probably suspicious enough itself. Crows Nest Peak must have seemed a doubly suspicious and evasive answer.
Lupe went right on by the hunters. SPHP had no intention of stopping to explain. If the hunters were surprised to see Lupe, seeing them had been a surprise, too. Best to avoid any possibility of getting into a quarrel with armed strangers with unfriendly dispositions, especially in such a remote place. These guys were weird – in an unbalanced, slightly threatening way.
That was it, though. Nothing happened. Lupe reached the end of USFS Road No. 157.1A where it met up with No. 157 again. This was familiar territory, although it had been 2 years since Looper had last been here. For more than a mile, she continued WNW on No. 157. She reached a junction with No. 157.1F, which headed N to Fulton Draw.
Lupe didn’t need to go to Fulton Draw. It only led back down to Castle Creek. She stayed on No. 157, which gradually began curving SW. The terrain was flat along in here. Lupe had already gained most of the elevation she would need to on the way to Crows Nest Peak.
More than 0.67 mile beyond No. 157.1F, Lupe reached another junction. An unmarked road branched off to the R. Just beyond this intersection, a barbed wire fence crossed No. 157. Lupe made a short foray along the unmarked road. She came to a place where ice rested in large, muddy ruts at a curve in the road.
A short exploratory foray along the unmarked road brought Lupe to these ice-filled muddy ruts at a curve.
Hmm. If Lupe managed to make it to Crows Nest Peak today, it would be her 4th successful ascent. However, she had only reached it once before coming from this general direction. On that occasion, traveling through the forest, Lupe had come to a small pond with cattails.
Was the cattail pond where this road was heading? It seemed likely. SPHP remembered a road near the pond, but Lupe hadn’t taken it. Instead, from the cattail pond she’d followed a barbed wire fence a long way N or NW through the woods. Although Lupe had ultimately made it to Crows Nest Peak, she’d gone a long way through a trackless stretch of forest with no real landmarks. Trying that again in this weather seemed unwise.
Lupe returned to No. 157 and continued past the barbed wire fence. SPHP expected her to reach a road going to Procunter Spring pretty soon, but she didn’t. Odd. After more than 0.5 mile, Lupe reached a “Y”. Only the branch to the R could possibly be the way to Procunter Spring, but even it didn’t seem quite right.
Lupe reaches another road intersection. Did the road to the R lead to Procunter Spring? SPHP knew Lupe was near the N end of Coulsen Hughes Draw, but being here in the fog was disorienting, as though Lupe was in a dream.
The Carolina Dog had been here before. Loop wasn’t far from Coulsen Hughes Draw. SPHP was certain of that. Yet it had been years since she had been at this exact spot. Being here now in the fog felt like a dream where things look familiar, yet are all jumbled up. Which way?
SPHP checked the map. Somewhere around here, Loop was supposed to leave No. 157 and travel NW staying on high ground. The actual terrain didn’t seem to match up very well with what the map showed, though. Slightly higher ground was back the way Lupe had come to reach this intersection. Maybe it made sense to retrace her route a little before plunging into the forest?
So that’s what Lupe did. She went back to a place where there was a bit of a hill off to the L. Despite misgivings, SPHP then followed her into the trees. In the fog, the forest seemed mysterious, abandoning the road faintly dangerous. The only real landmark Lupe would come to was a huge field 1.5 to 2 miles off to the NW. It might be terribly easy to get turned around and lost before ever getting there.
Lupe hadn’t gone far before there was reason for concern. She’d climbed the small forested hill, but the high ground she was supposed to follow NW from here didn’t seem to exist. Instead, the forest sloped gradually down in every direction. Not far ahead, a meadow could be glimpsed through the trees, which didn’t seem right either. May as well check it out, though.
Lupe reached the edge of the meadow. What she saw was surprising, almost shocking. The meadow was wide and very long, so long the end couldn’t be seen in either direction. It made no sense. How could Lupe have missed this huge meadow on her prior attempts to reach Crows Nest Peak from this direction? It seemed impossible, yet here it was.
Which way? Lupe looked expectantly at SPHP. What was the holdup? SPHP stood staring at the meadow, pondering the view first in one direction, then the other. Not a clue. Everything looked wrong. Nothing made sense. There had to be an explanation, though. What was it?
Confusion vanished. Certainty came flooding back. Oh, yeah, it all made sense now! This long meadow was the NW branch of Coulsen Hughes Draw. Had to be! SPHP had become disoriented in the fog, apparently even before Lupe had left the road. This meadow didn’t run E/W like SPHP initially believed. Lupe had been traveling W, not N, going over the hill. This meadow went N/S.
Lupe turned N, gradually gaining elevation. As expected, the American Dingo soon came to an old wooden sign where the road to Procunter Spring crossed Coulsen Hughes Draw. Whew! Back on track. Simply amazing how easy it had been to get turned around in the fog!
When Lupe found this sign along USFS Road No. 157 in Coulsen Hughes Draw, SPHP was finally certain where she was again. It was amazing how easily disoriented SPHP had become in the fog! Photo looks NE.
Puppy, ho! Lupe still had a long way to go to get to Crows Nest Peak. At least she knew which way to go now. From the sign, Loop followed No. 157 going NE. When the road curved E, she took a side road heading N through a gap in a fence.
The side road had a lot of deadfall timber on it. Lupe soon left it heading WNW across the upper end of Coulsen Hughes Draw. Moderately higher ground was ahead. Lupe reached the top of a broad forested ridge. This was part of the high ground she had been supposed to take NW, though she was farther W on it than SPHP had intended. No matter, Lupe could get to Crows Nest Peak this way. Onward!
On the broad ridge NNW of Coulsen Hughes Draw. Photo looks N.
For 0.75 mile, Lupe traveled N or NW on top of the broad ridge. It was still overcast, but not as foggy up here as it had been back at Coulsen Hughes Draw. Lupe ran and sniffed. There was no road or trail to follow. Lupe loved exploring, and things seemed to be going well.
Farther N on the ridge, Lupe came to this nice stand of white-barked aspens. Photo looks NW.
At the N end of the ridge, the terrain began sloping down. Lupe came to another road, which seemed vaguely familiar. Lupe had been here on one of her previous expeditions, hadn’t she? The American Dingo followed the road downhill to the W a short distance, before leaving it to continue N.
More pretty white aspens seen on the way down off the ridge. Photo looks WNW.
Lupe went over a small forested hill, and quickly arrived at the edge of a big field. Yes! Reaching this field meant Loop was less than a mile from Crows Nest Peak.
Finally at the big field. Reaching this point meant Loopster was less than a mile SE of Crows Nest Peak. Photo looks SW.
At the far side of the field, Lupe could see a road heading N into the forest. This might well be USFS Road No. 266. Lupe crossed the field. The road wasn’t marked, but it was going the right way. Loop and SPHP took the road.
After passing through a stretch of forest, what looked like the level top of an earthen dam for a stock pond could be seen off in the woods. Lupe went over to check it out. Sure enough, a small iced-over shallow pond was on the other side. Not 15 feet away, down next to the pond, was the carcass of a deer.
Something alive was feeding on the carcass! An instant after Lupe arrived on the scene, a head turned and fixed a beady yellow eye on her. Unhappy at being disturbed, a huge feathery eagle launched into the sky and flew off. It wasn’t a bald eagle, but the giant bird was still a sight to see. You would have had to been there, though. SPHP was way too slow to get a photo.
Lupe (L) at “Eagle Pond”. Photo looks SW.Another look at Eagle Pond. Lupe on the L again. Photo looks W.This deer carcass the eagle had been feeding on was only a couple feet from the frozen pond.
From Eagle Pond, the road Lupe was following turned W or WNW. Loopster hadn’t gone too far on it when another road came in from the ENE. A marker showed this was USFS Road No. 377.1B.
At the junction with USFS Road No. 377.1B. Finding No. 377.1B confirmed that Lupe had been following No. 266 since crossing the big field. Photo looks NE.
Finding No. 377.1B confirmed that Lupe had been following USFS Road No. 266 since crossing the big field. Lupe took the road leading W from the junction. Crows Nest Peak was no more than 0.25 mile away now. In fact, Loop could soon see a hill N of the road. The summit had to be up there.
Even though it was a slightly longer route, the Carolina Dog stuck with the road. When she reached a familiar meadow SW of the summit, she turned N on a spur road that would take her there. The spur is so seldom traveled that it didn’t even seem much like a road anymore. It was more like a single track trail.
Nearly there! This spur road, which is so infrequently traveled it now seems more like a single track trail, curls up to the top of Crows Nest Peak from the SW. Photo looks SSW.
The spur road went N climbing a hill before leveling out. A little farther on it curved E. Lupe immediately arrived at the frozen remnant of a tiny pond. She climbed up on a mound of red dirt at the W end. She’d made it to Crows Nest Peak! This wasn’t the official summit, which was still a football field E, but had to be about as high, and was the landmark Lupe always went by.
On the mound of red dirt at the W end of the tiny frozen pond. This pond is only a few hundred feet W of Crows Nest Peak’s summit. Photo looks SW.The browns, pale blue, and white of the frozen pond were kind of pretty.Looking E from the red mound on the W side of the frozen pond. The official summit of Crows Nest Peak is straight ahead a short distant into the trees slightly R of Center.
Lupe had come a long way. Time to claim her peakbagging success! The Carolina Dog left the frozen pond heading E. She crossed a small grassy area. There used to be a road here, but no trace of it remained. At a small opening in the forest maybe 60 or 70 feet back into the trees, Lupe came to a survey stake and benchmark.
This was it! This flat place in the forest entirely lacking views in any direction, a total and complete mockery of its name, was one of the highest spots in the whole Black Hills. Lupe was at the official summit of Crows Nest Peak(7,048 ft.).
Intrepid explorer and adventurer, Lupe the Carolina Dog, reaches the summit of Crows Nest Peak for the 4th time. Photo looks NE.105 years have passed since this survey benchmark was placed on Crows Nest Peak in 1912. While much of the rest of the world has been transformed since then, Crows Nest Peak can’t have changed too much, at least not yet. Lupe and SPHP like it that way.Crows Nest Peak summit. Some crow’s nest! This joint is flat as a pancake and devoid of views. Yet this remote high ground is still one of Lupe and SPHP’s favorite spots in the entire Black Hills. Photo looks E.Yes, I made it! You didn’t really think a little fog was going to stop an American Dingo, did you?
It had been a long, and occasionally confusing trek. Lupe and SPHP took a half hour break near the survey marker. Taste of the Wild, water, and an apple. Tiny snowflakes drifted down on a light swirling breeze. The temperature must have been at or below freezing, but the tiny flakes all melted as they hit.
Cold, humid, quiet. SPHP sat on the ground petting Lupe’s soft fur. She liked that. Snowflakes filled the air. It felt again like winter was coming. Hidden in the remote high country, despite the absence of views, Crows Nest Peak was still a magical place.
This foggy, overcast day had been the perfect day to come here. It didn’t matter that there weren’t any views. Lupe wouldn’t have been able to see them anyway, even if there had been some. Her journey here had felt more mysterious and adventurous beneath the close gray sky.
It seemed like Lupe still had plenty of time; she’d gotten off to a fairly early start this morning. Hard to tell for certain, though, without being able to see the sun. It was one thing to wander around in the fog, entirely another to get caught in darkness away from any road on a cold, snowy night. Lupe at least better get back to No. 157 before it got dark.
On the way back, Lupe had many more adventures. Although she was following the same basic route, she varied it enough to explore a fair amount of previously unseen territory along the way. The temperature slowly dropped. It didn’t snow all the time, but it did more and more often. Never too hard, and the snowflakes were never too big.
Starting back. Lupe near the tiny frozen pond toward the W end of Crows Nest Peak. Photo looks WSW.At the junction of USFS Roads No. 266 & 377.1B, this unmarked road went S. Lupe explored it all the way back to the big field. Photo looks S.Upon reaching the big field somewhere SW of where Lupe had crossed it before, the unmarked road went past this larger pond. Photo looks ENE.Back at the big field. Photo looks SSE.On another road after crossing the big field. Loop is now heading for the start of the big trackless ridge leading back to Coulsen Hughes Draw and USFS Road No. 157. The N end of that ridge begins only a little SE of here. Photo looks NW.
This seemed to be a big day for discovering frozen ponds. A little E of the ridge Lupe had followed N from Coulsen Hughes Draw earlier, Loop found yet another one in a shallow valley.
On the way back, Lupe discovered this pond E of the big ridge she had followed N from Coulsen Hughes Draw earlier in the day. Photo looks S.
A faint road leading S from this pond ultimately proved to be the same one where she’d left USFS Road No. 157 hours ago. This proved that the pond was situated at the far, far N end of Coulsen Hughes Draw.
Upon reaching No. 157 again, Lupe followed it E. She hadn’t gone too far, when she came to a barbed wire fence. Beyond it was the old cattail pond!
Lupe reaches the cattail pond along USFS Road No. 157. Photo looks NE.
The cattail pond was the last pond of the day. No. 157 turned S here, and quickly led Lupe past the muddy ruts with ice in them she had seen before. Another mystery solved!
The Carolina Dog’s explorations were nearly over now. Lupe stuck to No. 157 going E. She passed by No. 157.1F again. She returned to No. 157.1A. The weird hunters were gone. Good!
It snowed harder. In a few places, a little began to stick. A 15 minute off-road foray to a potential viewpoint revealed only snow and fog. OK, that was it. The rest of the way back was all business. Lupe watched, but didn’t even bark at a herd of cows grazing near the junction of USFS Roads No. 157.1A and No. 157.
Near the junction of USFS Roads No. 157.1A and No. 157. Lupe watched, but didn’t even bark at these cows. Photo looks S.Heading down USFS Road No. 157. The Silver Creek Valley is below on the R. Photo looks SE.
Lupe hopped into the G6 without hesitation (5:57 PM, 29°F). Moments later, a frigid wind came out of the NW blowing snow much harder than before down Castle Creek valley.
During October, 2017, Lupe had visited many of the highest peaks in the Black Hills along the E edge of the limestone plateau. In most cases she hadn’t been to these peaks in more than 2 years. Expedition No. 213 had been a fun day out, but suddenly it was looking like Crows Nest Peak would be the last the Carolina Dog would see of the high country this year.
On USFS Road No. 157 back in the Castle Creek valley at the end of the day. Photo looks NW.
