South Dakota – Page 44 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

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

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

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

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

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

Ready, Looper?

Been waiting on you, as usual, SPHP!

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

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

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

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

Which way, SPHP?

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

Why? What’s wrong?

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

There’s a reason for that, SPHP!

Really, like what?

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

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

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

What for?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A lot of good that does us, SPHP!

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

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

Yes, I did bring water. Here ya go!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, lots of deadfall?

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

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

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

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

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

The deadfall trek begins. Photo looks N.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No relief here! Just more of the same ahead.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Still took a while to get there.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glancing S back across the skinny part of the ridge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agreed, Looper. What’cha got in mind?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not much farther now!

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

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

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

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

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

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

That sounds great, Loopster! Warble away!

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

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

How about the Chocolate Coconut Bar Blues?

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

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

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

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 263 – Erskine Cave, Ice Cave & Stagebarn Ridge (1-29-21)

8:54 AM, 45ºF, Rolling Hills Road 1.75 miles N of Nemo Road at the start of USFS Road No. 777 – Not a ray of sunshine anywhere, but pretty warm out for the end of January. With only a skiff of snow on the ground and a leaden sky, it felt more like late fall than the depths of winter. Good day for a mood march, and the locked gate over USFS Road No. 777 meant there ought to be plenty of solitude.

Loopster was fired up for it! Anxious to get going, she led the way on the first 0.125 mile down No. 777 to the junction with No. 771.1A (3 miles E of Steamboat Rock on the topo map). The intersection was marked with not one, but two brown wands. One saying No. 777.1A as expected, the other saying TR8282.

At the start of USFS Road No. 777 off Rolling Hills Road. Photo looks N.

At the S end of USFS Road No. 777.1A, also part of TR8282, Photo looks NW.

No. 777.1A headed NW up a shallow valley hemmed in by rolling hills. The hills were all forested with Ponderosa pines that had been thinned during logging operations at some point, so it was possible to see much of the terrain. Lupe kept an eye out for deer, but didn’t notice any yet.

After 0.2 mile, the American Dingo came to a fork in the road. Seemed that No. 777.1A was over and done with already. USFS Road No. 777.1B, marked with a wand, angled off to the R. Another wand indicated that USFS Road No. 527 went to the L. Taking No. 527, Lupe went on.

At the start of USFS Road No. 527. Photo looks WNW.

No. 527 continued NW up the shallow valley. A sad breeze sighed in the pines, but it wasn’t windy in the valley. Another 0.2 mile, and another road veered off to the R. This one only had a wand saying the road was closed. The trek went on. A grassy road, also to the R, looked interesting, but Lupe skipped it, too.

No. 527 continues up the valley. Photo looks NW.

The grassy road. Intriguing, but Lupe didn’t take it.

The valley narrowed, and No. 527 steepened a bit. A rougher, somewhat larger ridge featuring numerous minor rock outcroppings was on the R. Just beyond this ridge, the road leveled out. No. 527 was split in several places due to deep depressions worn into the original route. Yet another unmarked road veered off to the R, disappearing into the forest.

Beyond the flat region, No. 527 resumed its climb. Partway up this slope Lupe came to an open gate. After going through the gate, she continued higher, but the road soon leveled out again. SPHP could now see a rock formation off to the NE, a high point several hundred feet away. Leaving the road, SPHP led Looper toward it.

The rock formation wasn’t all that big. Upon arriving, the Carolina Dog easily climbed to the top. Way off to the NW, Lupe could see the summit of Custer Peak (6,804 ft.).

SPHP searched around the rock formation.

Naw, not what we’re looking for, Looper.

Doesn’t surprise me, SPHP. This isn’t much of a mountain!

Oh, we’re not climbing mountains today, Loopster! We’re in search of two caves. I thought Erskine Cave might be over here, but it’s been so long since I’ve been there, I don’t really remember what the area around it looks like.

Caves! Why are we looking for caves, SPHP?

We’re just doing one of our old style expeditions today, Loop. Remember the days way back before we got so wrapped up in peakbagging? We used to wander here and there up gulches and valleys, seeing whatever there was to see. Felt like doing that today. I’ve thought for a long time that we ought to go find Erskine Cave and Ice Cave just for fun! So here we are.

I’ve got news for you, SPHP! American Dingoes enjoy climbing mountains, and wandering hither and yon is fine, too, but we’re really not all that keen on subterranean adventures. Remember the Dragon Caves? Spooky! Enough to make your hackles stand on end! You took me dragon hunting! We must have been nuts! We were lucky the dragon didn’t return while we were in there. Took that huge risk, and we never did find the dragon’s treasure, or any damsels in distress!

No reason to worry about dragons at Erskine Cave or Ice Cave, Loop. They’re both way to small for a dragon to fit inside. Besides, I’ve read that the USFS has blocked off the entrances. Don’t think we can go inside either cave anymore, at least not very far.

We can’t go in? Seems kind of pointless to even go looking for these caves, if that’s the case. Can’t say I’m terribly disappointed, though.

Well, who knows if it’s true, or not? We’ll go take a look. Even if it turns out the entrances really are blocked, still fun just to try to find the caves. Something different, a break from peakbagging!

You’re off your rocker, SPHP! Maybe I’ll see some deers while you search for your goofy caves? Sounds like a deer will be the high point of the day.

I guess caves are apt to be low points, being underground and all, Looper, although I seem to remember the entrances to both caves being up on hillsides. Anyway, Erskine Cave doesn’t appear to be around here. Maybe we haven’t gone far enough yet? C’mon, let’s keep going!

Returning to No. 527, Lupe continued NW. Felt like she was getting pretty high as the road climbed out of what remained of the valley. Near the edge of a big clearing No. 527 reached a broad flat region. Shortly after Lupe entered this clearing, the first side road she’d seen to the L appeared. A wand said this was TR8281. This point was about 1.5 miles from where Lupe had first turned NW on USFS Road No. 777.1A.

Toward the far end of the clearing stood a forest of tall pines on the R (E). As No. 527 took Lupe past these pines, a wooden pole fence was visible 150 feet back in among the trees. No signs. However, a faint remnant of a road partially covered with slash led toward the fence.

Hmm. A little odd. This might be it! Lupe went to investigate.

*It does look like there’s some kind of a depression beyond this fence!*

The fence formed a semi-circle convex toward the W. A depression could be seen 50 feet on the other side. As Lupe got closer, no doubt remained.

Ah-ha! Found it, Loop! You’ve reached Erskine Cave!

By the **entrance to Erskine Cave**. Photo looks ENE.

Peering into the depression, a steep, snowy slope went 25 or 30 feet down to a fence closing off the cave entrance.

Peering into the maw of **Erskine Cave**.

So, this is it, huh? That’s great, SPHP! You go first! I’ll stay up here and guard the entrance.

Alrighty, I will!

The snowy slope was slick, but not so steep that SPHP couldn’t get down there in one piece.

Loop guards the entrance while SPHP conducts an initial investigation.

The fence turned out to be metal. Possible to peer in between the bars and see a little more of the cave, but that was about it. Even if the entrance hadn’t been blocked, SPHP hadn’t come prepared to do any spelunking. Still, it was kind of cool just being at the mysterious entrance.

So what’s it like down there, SPHP? Can you see anything interesting?

Just a metal fence, and beyond it a little of the cave entrance. Come on down, and see it yourself, Loop. Nothing to worry about!

*Are you sure this is smart, SPHP? This opening is big enough for a dragon!*

By the metal fence blocking the entrance.

*Hey, this is pretty cool! Sort of makes you wonder what’s down there doesn’t it?*

Looking between the metal bars a few feet deeper into **Erskine Cave**.

Did you say you’ve been into Erskine Cave before, SPHP?

Yes! Several times, Looper, but long before you were ever even around. It wasn’t blocked off back then. Anyone could go inside.

Really! What’s down there? What’s it like?

Hah! Been so long ago, I can barely remember, Loop. I do remember a tight spot close to the beginning that has to be crawled through. You even crawl up at one point. It then opens up after that for a while, but I don’t remember for sure if it gets large enough to stand up. I think it did.

How far in did you go?

Maybe a few hundred feet? Can’t really say any more. It was very cool, though. Toward the end, you crawl quite some distance, but it eventually gets too tight to go any farther. Not a place for claustrophobics, that’s for sure! I do remember it goes a lot farther in than Ice Cave does.

Were there any side passages, or just one long cave?

Yes, I believe there were side passages, but they played out pretty quickly. I only remember one sort of long route.

Was it full of bats?

Nope, never saw any bats at all.

Was it dark?

What kind of a question is that, silly Dingo? Black as Death, if your light went out! Always carried a flashlight with extra batteries, plus tied a strong string to a rock near the entrance and unraveled it while exploring, just in case something bad happened. Happily, never actually had to use it. Anyway, no more questions. We’re done here. So, if you will just stay another minute or two, I’ll get your picture from partway up, OK?

Posing at the **entrance of Erskine Cave** before moving on.

Returning to USFS Road No. 257, Lupe kept going. The road was flat at first, then climbed gently heading due N between a dense forest on the L (W), and a shattered one on the R (E). 0.33 mile from Erskine Cave, Lupe came to another open gate, a less elaborate one in a barbed wire fence. A few hundred feet farther and No. 527 reached its high point.

Back on USFS Road No. 527 (aka TR8282) after leaving Erskine Cave. Photo looks NW.

At the second open gate Lupe came to. High point of USFS Road No. 527 just ahead.

0.25 mile after starting downhill, Lupe came to a 4-way intersection at a big flat open saddle. TR8285 went SE, and a blocked road went NE. Lupe simply stuck with USFS Road No. 527 (TR8282) as it now went down a scenic valley. Another 0.50 mile brought Loop to a T intersection with USFS Road No. 144.2B, which was marked as TR8283.

At the 4-way junction saddle. Loop continued down to the L. Photo looks N.

Heading down the next valley on USFS Road No. 527 (TR8282). Photo looks WNW.

Approaching the T intersection with USFS Road No. 144.2B.

Which way to the Ice Cave, SPHP? That’s where we’re going next, isn’t it?

Yup! Go R, Loop!

No. 144.2B went downhill a bit then climbed 40 or 50 feet going around the N side of a hill. Once past the high point, the road wound ENE as Lupe descended into yet another valley.

Looper had already seen a number of deer in the forest, but now topped that with a coyote sighting. Seeing a coyote was very exciting! Lupe would have gone over to have a sniff with it, but the coyote was far away. Already aware of SPHP, the coyote quickly disappeared in tall grass. All the American Dingo could do was stand on the road whining about how deliberately unfriendly the wild dog had been.

You’re killing my social life, SPHP!

Yeah, join the club! One of my strong points.

Heading E on USFS Road No. 144.2B (TR8283).

After a mile or so, a yellow and gray cliff appeared ahead. A fork in the road came into sight below it. A tiny pond shown on the topo map near this junction (Point 4497) turned out not to exist.

Upon reaching the fork, Lupe took the road marked as TR8287. It curved off to the L, heading up onto Stagebarn Ridge. The other branch, which went R continuing down the valley, was marked TR8284.

Approaching the fork at Point 4497. TR8287 goes straight before curving L. TR8284 goes R. Photo looks ESE.

TR8287 curved up past the gray and yellow cliff. As Lupe got close to the top of Stagebarn Ridge, she came to another junction. TR8286 headed NW from here, but Loop stuck with TR8287, which now curved R (SE) heading up to a higher part of the ridge. The road soon topped out. Off to the E was the first big distant view of the day, a panorama looking over Stagebarn Canyon all the way to the prairies beyond the Black Hills.

At the junction with TR8286, which went off to the L, and TR8287, which Loop kept following to the R. Photo looks E.

Stagebarn Canyon from Stagebarn Ridge. Photo looks E.

Stagebarn Ridge was enormous and lower toward the SE where the road was heading. Lupe hadn’t gotten far beyond the road’s high point when SPHP paused to check the map.

What’s it say, SPHP?

Looks like we’re about 0.5 mile N of the Ice Cave now. We need to leave the road here to go search for it.

This road doesn’t go to the cave?

Nope. Just continues SE down a draw and dead ends.

About to leave TR8287 to head into the trees. Photo looks S.

Leaving TR8287, Lupe crossed a small field and entered the forest. This part of Stagebarn Ridge was a series of non-descript minor ups and downs. The forest had been thinned, so it was relatively open territory, but plenty of slash had been left on the ground by the loggers. SPHP stumbled along, as Lupe watched for squirrels or deer.

At a minor high point while searching for Ice Cave. Photo looks S.

After maybe 0.33 mile, Lupe reached a flat area at the top of a little hill. Possibly HP4600 on the topo map? If so, Lupe wasn’t far from the Ice Cave now. A clearing could be seen to the S, although with the sky so overcast, SPHP wasn’t certain if it was SE, due S, or SW. Heading over to it, the clearing extended off to the R, which was the right direction.

After passing through the clearing, another hill was directly ahead.

I’m thinking this is it, Loop! The Ice Cave ought to be somewhere up on that hill. Keep an eye out for any kind of an opening. If I remember right, it ought to be easy to spot.

According to the map, the cave entrance should have been on the near side of the hill, but Loopster went right on up to the top without seeing any sign of it. The cave didn’t seem to be anywhere up on top, either. Lupe reached the far side of the hill. A road was visible heading off toward more hills.

*No Ice Cave yet! Maybe it’s still a little farther?* Photo looks S.

Keep going, SPHP?

Not sure, Loop. Doesn’t seem right that it could be that much farther.

Well, there’s no cave here.

No, there isn’t. Hang on, let me check the map again.

Any exciting conclusions?

Maybe. If we really were at HP4600 earlier, that road we see from here, which doesn’t appear on the map at all, might be heading for the HP4581 region. That’s way too far S. Kind of think maybe we’re already too far S.

Go back then?

Yeah, I think so, let’s try shortcutting back N to the region W of HP4600.

Heading N, Lupe crossed a big field in the upper end of a drainage before reaching a heavily forested saddle SW of HP4600. Surprisingly, a road curved up to this point from the canyon to the W.

On the unexpected road in the **saddle SW of HP4600**. Photo looks WSW.

Lupe followed the road farther up the slope. She’d barely gotten started when there it was – the Ice Cave!

Good job, Looper! Yes, this is the Ice Cave, alright, but how do we get down there? It’s just a vertical drop on all sides!

You tell me, SPHP! You’re the one who has been here before. Did you use a rope?

Hmm. I don’t remember using any rope. But I don’t remember any issue getting into the cave, either.

*Well, we’ve found the **Ice Cave**, but SPHP doesn’t remember how to get down there!*

Circling around to the SE, Ah-ha! – another opening!

Here we go, Looper!

A path led down through an opening so large that even SPHP didn’t have to duck.

At the Ice Cave easy access entrance. Much better than leaping into the pit! Photo looks NW.

The short tunnel led down into the pit with vertical walls that Loop had discovered first.

Overhead opening (L) and the easy walk-in access (R). Photo looks SE.

Along the W side of the pit, a jumble of rocks, many coated with an odd, thin, light-green layer of moss or algae slanted down into a dimly lit region. The American Dingo, now turned spelunker from peakbagger, began a wary descent into the gloom.

It wasn’t far to the bottom. Still enough light to see, but the camera worked better using the flash.

At the bottom was a solid rock wall, containing a single dark recess. Other than that, there was just the slope of collapsed material Lupe had come down. No doubt that dark recess was the route deeper into the Ice Cave.

Look, Loop! It’s not blocked off!

Oh, joy! Are you sure about this, SPHP? We aren’t going in, are we?

Yeah. We won’t go far. Hold on a minute, I’m going to put new batteries into the flashlight. These are about shot.

An illusion! The dark recess wasn’t a passage at all. 2 or 3 feet back in was just another part of the solid wall of rock. SPHP searched along the lower edge of the entire rock wall, soon exhausting all possibilities. The whole thing was as solid and continuous as could be.

Huh! I don’t get it? Where is the opening into the rest of the cave?

You sure there’s more to it than this, SPHP?

Yah. Absolutely positive. Ice Cave isn’t as long as Erskine Cave, but it went at least 50 or 100 feet into absolute darkness, something like that. The passage wasn’t as tight as at Erskine Cave, either.

And what was in there?

At the very end there was a room, easily big enough to stand and move around in. From the ceiling, a huge icicle hung down.

That sounds awesome! Explains the Ice Cave name, too! Was the icicle dripping?

Oh, it was super cool! Don’t remember for sure if the icicle was dripping, but I suppose it must have been, at least part of the time.

Shining the flashlight around some more, a glint of metal revealed bars fastened into the slope of debris Lupe had come down.

Hey, Loopster! Here it is! The passage into the lower cavern.

Oh, it is blocked off! What a relie … I mean, what a crying shame!

Yeah, it’s a pity! Would be fun to go in there again.

Looks like a mighty tight opening, SPHP.

Yeah. I thought it was larger. Such a long time ago, though.

Hey, SPHP! There’s a bigger opening over here!

Is it blocked, too?

Yes, come and take a look.

Oh, that’s it! This must have been the way we went in before.

We?

Yes. The only other time I’ve been to this Ice Cave was with my friend, Mark. He lived not too far from here and knew about this place. I’d never heard of it before.

Mark? The Mark Anderson with his friend Hillary that we climbed Boulder Hill with a few years ago?

Yup, one and the same.

Looking between the bars deeper into the cavern.

Well, I guess that’s about all there is to see here now, Looper. Nothing more we can do with all the cave entrances blocked.

Yes, such a tragedy, isn’t it? Can we go?

Sure. But what did you think of Erskine Cave and Ice Cave?

Much more interesting than I thought they would be, SPHP! I’ve learned some dark secrets, past and present, and can see where spelunking might be fun! Think I’ll stick to peakbagging, if you don’t mind, though. Never going to see any deers or squirrels in a hole in the ground!

True dat! OK, c’mon, let’s get out of here.

So are we done for the day, SPHP?

Not quite, Loop. Want to explore a little more of Stagebarn Ridge? Maybe we can get a good view of Stagebarn Canyon? It’s really quite impressive from down in it. Kind of wonder what it looks like from above?

Fine with me! Let’s do it!

Heading NE, Lupe went back up and over HP4600. From there she worked her way N, crossed TR8287, then went SE up onto another portion of Stagebarn Ridge a mile away from the Ice Cave.

Exploring more of **Stagebarn Ridge**. Photo looks ESE.

The views were pleasant, but not as impressive as SPHP expected. Lupe got to see part of Stagebarn Canyon, but never went far enough SE to see South Stagebarn Canyon, since the portion of the ridge overlooking it appeared to be heavily forested. A chocolate coconut bar, apple, and Taste of the Wild break was taken at a point where Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) could be seen off in the distance.

About as far SE on **Stagebarn Ridge** as Lupe went. Photo looks ESE.

**Stagebarn Canyon** (Center) and **Bear Butte** (R of Center) from Stagebarn Ridge. Photo looks N.

**Stagebarn Canyon** and **Bear Butte** (Center) with help from the telephoto lens.

Break time over, Lupe headed NW. Blue sky! For the first time today, the sun was breaking through the clouds. The wide open spaces of Stagebarn Ridge were beautiful in the late afternoon sunlight!

Lupe sniffed and roamed on the way back to TR8287. Once there, she faced the same long road hike back. The Carolina Dog did not go past the Ice Cave again, but Erskine Cave was right along the way, and she did stop by to peer into it once more. Mostly, though, it was a fun, quiet trek watching for deer as the light began to fade. Loopster saw some, too!

Never did see that coyote again, though! (End 5:11 PM, 41ºF)