2-10-23, mid-afternoon at home – Lupe was going berserk! Despite being delayed due to a super icy hill, Cousin Laddie, Aunt Andrea, and Uncle Joe were here from Colorado! Wild with joy, the Carolina Dog greeted them all to Hotel Lupe with enormous enthusiasm. Chocolate bars were on their pillows, and SPHP was cooking tonight!
In the evening, even Grandma came over for the feast. Cousin Laddie was hoping for SPHP’s “Sheltie delight” spaghetti, but got chili instead. Once it cooled off enough, Laddie decided the chili wasn’t bad, either, stuffing himself with 2 big bowls of it. Not to be outdone, Lupe had 3.
2-11-23, 10:27 AM, 44ºF, junction of USFS Roads No. 144 & No. 144.1A – As Lupe hoped and expected, Cousin Laddie’s arrival meant adventures in the Black Hills were in store! SPHP had selected Peak5321 near Nemo as a good objective to start with.
Seemed like a perfect choice! USFS Road No. 144.1A went nearly all the way to the top with less than 300 feet of elevation gain, passing scenic Ash Point just before getting there. Another great viewpoint was a short distance beyond the summit, too, if everyone felt a bit more ambitious.
However, there was a lot more snow than SPHP anticipated at the start of USFS Road No. 144.1A. So much snow that Uncle Joe was wishing he’d brought snowshoes!
At the start of USFS Road No. 144.1A. Photo looks S.
Well, this was a N slope. SPHP promoted the notion that once the road got up to where it enjoyed a more S-facing exposure, the snow wouldn’t be nearly so deep. There might not even be any snow at all. Uncle Joe was willing to play along with that idea, at least for a little way.
After passing a barricade near the start, No. 144.1A angled SE. The snow made what should have been an easy, gradual ascent quite a workout. Cousin Laddie with his short Sheltie legs had the hardest time of it, but didn’t complain at all, bounding through chest deep snow like a trooper, trying to keep up with Uncle Joe.
By the barricade near the start. Photo looks SSE.The snowy initial climb. Photo looks SE.
After gaining 100 feet of elevation, the road curved SW and started to level out in a sunnier region. As expected, there was less snow here.
Joe and Laddie lead the way on a still mostly snowy road. Photo looks WSW.
Before long, No. 144.1A curved SE again. With the snow just as deep as it was earlier, SPHP had to concede that maybe Peak 5321 wasn’t actually such a great idea today. A new plan was hatched. If it was too snowy in the hills, maybe Joe and Laddie would be interested in a prairie hike at much lower elevations?
Joe and Lupe as far as the snow trek went, a little over 0.4 mile in. Photo looks SE.
When SPHP suggested taking Centennial Trail No. 89 N from Fort Meade, Joe was all for it. He liked the Fort Meade area, in fact, Joe and Cousin Dusty had often been with Loopster on Centennial Trail No. 89 N of the Alkali Creek trailhead, just S of Fort Meade. Joe called that section of the trail the “Ponderosa hike”, and it had always been one of their favorites in the entire Black Hills region.
With this new plan in mind, everyone headed back to the RAV4.
Returning to the RAV4 on a still too wintery USFS Road No. 144.1A. Photo looks NW.
2-11-23, 11:54 AM, 52ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Fort Meade trailhead – Oh, yeah! Much better! Cousin Laddie was going to have an easier time of it here. Some snow around, but not much, and only in a few spots.
At the Fort Meade trailhead. Photo looks NW.
After crossing Hwy 34/79 just W of Fort Meade, everyone went through a gate N of the highway, then continued N through a field of tall, dry grass toward oaks and cottonwoods over by Bear Butte Creek.
About to head through the gate after crossing Hwy 34/79. Photo looks N.Reaching the trees near Bear Butte Creek. Photo looks NE.
A surprise was waiting at Bear Butte Creek. The bridge that used to be here was gone! No sign of it! Fortunately, the creek was running low. Joe wandered W along the near bank, looking for a place to cross. He found a suitable spot 200 feet upstream.
Meanwhile, Cousin Laddie had ventured into Bear Butte Creek. Finding it deeper than he expected, Laddie tried to get out, but each time he leapt up onto a shelf of ice along the edge of the stream, a big chunk would collapse beneath him, plunging the Sheltie right back into the water.
Laddie kept trying, though, finally managing to escape. Laddie, Lupe, and SPHP all headed for the area where Uncle Joe had made it across, and had success, too.
Joe already up on the N bank, waiting for Laddie. Photo looks NW.Bear Butte Creek. Photo looks WNW.
After crossing Bear Butte Creek and finding the trail again, it headed NE across a huge field. A long ridge more than 150 feet high was just to the N. The top of Bear Butte(4,422 ft.) was visible beyond it.
Entering the field. Bear Butte (R). Photo looks NE.
The trail went NE all the way to a fence line where it turned N. Warning whistles revealed the presence of a small prairie dog town near the base of the ridge. All excited, the American Dingo dashed off to stick her nose down some prairie dog holes and enjoy some serious sniffing.
Either Shelties don’t give a fig about prairie dogs, or Laddie didn’t hear them due to his partial deafness. In any case, he displayed absolutely no interest, preferring to follow Uncle Joe up the 2 track dirt road the trail now followed up the ridge. When SPHP went that way, too, Lupe quickly abandoned her prairie dog investigations.
Beyond the prairie dog village, starting up the ridge. Photo looks NE.
After getting up the first rise, the dirt road flattened out. The top of the ridge was still somewhat higher. A second minor push required to get to the upper plateau didn’t take long. Once on top, a lone boulder was seen resting 30 feet E of the road near the S rim.
The boulder looked like a good spot to take a break. A couple of ponds were in sight a mile E, and Bear Butte was in view again, too. Sitting on the grass, SPHP let Laddie and Lupe split a chocolate coconut bar, and gave them as much Taste of the Wild as they wanted. Joe and SPHP each had a Kirkland bar that Joe provided, plus an apple.
On the big grassy bench below the top of the ridge. Photo looks NW.Relaxing near the lone boulder. Bear Butte (R). Photo looks NNE.The ponds (Center) from the boulder near the S edge of the ridge. Photo looks E.The view back toward Fort Meade and Bear Butte Creek. Photo looks S.
After the pleasant rest break, following the dirt road just a little farther N led to an intersection. Centennial Trail No. 89 turned NE (R) here in the general direction of Bear Butte, remaining on top of the broad ridge.
This flat stroll was about as easy as it gets, and views of the surrounding prairie were terrific. Conditions were fabulous for February, mid 50’s ºF, with scarcely a breeze. Joe and SPHP chatted about what a great place to camp this ridge would be on a starry night.
The western South Dakota prairie. Photo looks NNW.
Laddie and Lupe didn’t find all that much to sniff up here other than an empty water trough in a wooden fence, but still seemed to be enjoying themselves.
By the dry water trough. Bear Butte (L). Photo looks NE.
After going NE for more than a mile, the road curved E toward a gap in the ridge. Before heading down into the gap, a few moments were taken to appreciate the view of Bear Butte from up here. Bear Butte Lake was just coming into sight at the base of the mountain.
A long, long time ago, Cousin Dusty had been up here with Lupe. It was sad to think that Cousin Dusty was gone now, but, of course, nice to have Cousin Laddie’s company.
Laddie and Lupe together before descending into the gap. Photo looks NE.Bear Butte Lake at the base of Bear Butte with help from the telephoto lens.
Descending into the gap, Uncle Joe scanned the ground for artifacts as he turned N, venturing farther down into the prairie.
Below the ridge after going through the gap. Photo looks NW.Joe and Laddie head farther out into the prairie. Photo looks NW.
Bear Butte’s summit is the N end of 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89, but Laddie and Lupe weren’t going that far today. Now 2.5 miles from the Fort Meade trailhead, Uncle Joe was ready to turn back.
About ready to head back up onto the ridge. Photo looks S.Cousin Laddie at trail’s end for the day.Bear Butte from the turnaround point. Photo looks NE.
The return was beautiful, half of it way up on the ridge with the big prairie views, this time heading toward the Black Hills.
Joe and Laddie returning to the ridge. Photo looks SSE.Heading for the Black Hills. Photo looks SW.
2-11-23, 3:00 PM, Fort Meade trailhead – Nearly the entire return route was identical, except near the very end. By going farther W through the huge field and a picnic ground, a lovely bridge over Bear Butte Creek had been discovered along a bike path. Happily, Laddie hadn’t had to brave the icy waters a second time.
Later on in the evening, Cousin Laddie had another reason to celebrate. Joe and Andrea brought Grandma over to Hotel Lupe again, and SPHP didn’t disappoint. Tonight’s chef’s special was “Sheltie delight” spaghetti, a Laddie favorite even American Dingoes were partial to.
Cousin Laddie on Centennial Trail No. 89 between Fort Meade & Bear Butte 2-11-23
9:02 AM, 33ºF, Camp 5 Road (USFS Road No. 172) trailhead off Hwy 14A – Record high temperatures for the date yesterday, but you sure wouldn’t have known it from conditions at the Camp 5 trailhead this morning. SPHP parked the RAV4 in more than a foot of snow.
Arriving at the snowy Camp 5 Road trailhead. Photo looks SW.
It’s still winter here, SPHP!
Going to be winter for a while yet, Loopster. Still January, about as wintry as it gets. Supposed to warm up some again today, though, although not as much as it did yesterday. You still want to go, don’t you?
Peak 5452? Sounds like another Lists of John 300+ foot prominence peak. In fact, I sort of vaguely remember that we were driving around looking for access to a Peak 5452 last fall. Am I right, SPHP?
Indeed, you are, Loop! We drove up Peedee Gulch one day thinking Peak 5452 would be a short easy romp from the W. However, turned out it was all private property over that way, a big housing subdivision. So this time we’re going to come at it from the NE, a much longer route, but hopefully we won’t have to be traipsing through anyone’s front yard.
Crossing Camp 5 Road, Lupe set out taking a shortcut down into the Boulder Creek drainage, which was full of snow, but otherwise dry. A 40 foot climb up the opposite bank, and the Carolina Dog popped out on USFS Road No. 172.1G, which was also quite snowy.
USFS Road No. 172.1G. Photo looks NW.
Wow, a lot more snow around than I expected, Loopster! We might be in for quite a time today.
I like the snow as long as it doesn’t get too deep, SPHP. Which way now?
We go W from here all the way to the end of No. 172.1G, Loop. 0.5 mile should get us to Two Bit Creek.
Following tire tracks where the snow had been compressed, Lupe trotted W with relative ease as the road wound through the woods paralleling the course of the Boulder Creek drainage. This was a beautiful trek, but not nearly as peaceful as it looked. Traffic roared along Hwy 14A on the opposite N side of the valley.
The last tire tracks ended 0.25 mile in. Traveling through the foot deep snow now required greater effort. No. 172.1G eventually curved SW and ended at a sign.
Beyond the last tire tracks. Photo looks SW.At the end of USFS Road No. 172.1G. Photo looks SW.
“Area restriction, unauthorized route, no motor vehicle use yearlong”. We’re golden, Looper. You aren’t motorized are you?
I’m 1 Dingo power, SPHP.
Don’t think that counts. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Beyond the sign, what was left of USFS Road No. 172.1G dipped into the Two Bit Creek drainage. No surface water, but even more snow here.
Start of the trek up Two Bit Creek. Photo looks SW.
OK, Looper, now we just follow Two Bit Creek upstream. 2 miles at most, depending on how much winding around there is. That should get us to a mile long climb up Peak 5452’s NE ridge, and we’ll be there!
As the American Dingo explored the Two Bit Creek valley, the snow was often deep enough down along the dry streambed to make travel much slower and more difficult than expected. Two feet deep in some places, three in a few spots!
Heading up the Two Bit Creek streambed. Photo looks W.
Attempting to avoid some of the deepest snow, while cutting off some distance as the stream looped around, at times Lupe roamed regions above one bank or the other. The snow usually wasn’t as deep when that was possible, but it often wasn’t. In some places, Two Bit Creek ran along the base of scenic limestone cliffs.
Near the end of USFS Road No. 172.1G, there’d been signs about mining claims in this area. They warned against anyone else, presumably even Carolina Dogs, attempting to extract any minerals. More mining claim notices appeared as Lupe’s journey continued. She ignored them all.
Passing a mining claim notice (L). Photo looks SSW.
Don’t know why, but I’ve never really been inclined to start mining, SPHP.
Nothing to worry about, Loop. I’d be surprised if you were.
In truth, there was little evidence the mining claim owners really had much interest in mining, either. Not entirely true, though. Looper did pass one upturned plastic cart next to a small exploration dig.
Heart of the Two Bit Creek mining industry.
Two Bit Creek went on for what seemed like a long way. Now far from the highway, Lupe explored a quiet, wonderfully secluded region.
Below a scenic cliff.Down along the streambed again. Photo looks SW.Exploring a flat region above the stream bank. Photo looks WSW.
Eventually, a snow-free spot was found well above the streambed. This was the first opportunity to sit down and take a break. Looper wasn’t hungry yet, but was happy to curl up on SPHP’s lap.
According to the Peakbagger app on our new iPhone, we’re still only about halfway to the start of the NE ridge, Loop.
Beyond the break spot, the Two Bit Creek trek continued in a similar manner for quite a way. Eventually, the valley began to broaden out. Climbing the S bank of the streambed, Lupe reached a large flat region that wasn’t as thickly forested. Somewhat surprisingly, vehicle tracks were visible in the snow only a little farther S.
In a flat region S of Two Bit Creek. Photo looks SSW.
Going over to the tracks, they wound E or W through the forest.
On what might have been a road again beneath the snow. Photo looks W.
Wonder where this goes, SPHP?
Not sure, Looper. Certainly easier than following Two Bit Creek, though. Head W. That will get us closer to the start of Peak 5452’s NE ridge.
The Carolina Dog made excellent time along the snowy tracks. Soon an intersection appeared. Partially hidden by trees, a house was now in view ahead.
Uh-oh! We’re either on, or coming to, private property, Loop. That house is right where we want to go, too. We need to get around it somehow.
Which way then, SPHP? The tracks go either N or SW from here.
Peak 5452 is SW, Loop. Go that way. N won’t do us any good.
The terrain rose gradually as Lupe followed the tracks SW. A snow-free stretch soon revealed that this really was some kind of a primitive road.
On the primitive road. Photo looks SW.
It wasn’t far to another junction along the edge of a ravine. Another house was now in sight on the hillside W of the ravine.
Well, shoot! We’re cut off from where we need to go, Loop. Apparently this whole valley is part of a subdivision.
So what now, SPHP? Is our goose cooked on Peak 5452?
Kind of looking that way, Loopster.
A road or track of some sort went SE up a steep slope from here.
Looking up the steep track. Photo looks SE.
Let’s go that way, Loop. There are still a couple of these big ravines W of us that we need to get past. Their sides are so steep that we aren’t going to be able to get over the ridges between them with so much snow around, but maybe this route will wind through it all somehow?
As Lupe climbed SE up the steep track, it seemed to be the only realistic hope of ever getting to Peak 5452 today. After gaining a fair amount of elevation, the track leveled out and turned SW again, an encouraging sign. Maybe this was actually going to work?
Approaching the curve SW. Photo looks S.
However, the track soon curved S again. A small sign was ahead.
No trespassing! We actually did stray onto private property, Looper.
Are we going to get into trouble, SPHP?
Doubt it. No harm done, and we’re off it now. Never meant to intrude, and we won’t be back, so this should be the end of it.
By the No Trespassing sign. Photo looks NNE.
The news still wasn’t good. Although the track continued on from here, it went S staying on the E side of the ravine. Any attempt to cross the ravine, and go W up and over the heavily forested steep slope beyond it looked like an unrewarding task.
We’ve struck out on Peak5452 today, haven’t we, SPHP?
Yeah, I think this is it for Peak 5452. Not a decent route in January. It will get dark on us during the return if we try to force our way over these hills and ravines to get there. Won’t be much fun without a trail to follow.
So now what? How do we get back to the trailhead, SPHP? Can’t go back the way we came without trespassing again.
Oh, don’t worry about that. We aren’t going back that way. Want to climb Pillar Peak(5,469 ft.), Loop? It’s only about a mile S. No access issues, and we already know a good route back to the trailhead from there.
Pillar Peak? I’m all for it, SPHP! At least we’d get to climb something.
According to the topo map, the best route to Pillar Peak from here was to climb SE entirely out of the ravine, then turn S along a broad ridge that would ultimately lead first to the mountain’s somewhat lower E summit. Although no road or trail went that way, this route began as a pretty easy climb. Not all that steep, and not much snow around, either.
Sniffing her way through the forest, Lupe hadn’t gone much farther when a Black Hills National Forest boundary sign appeared.
Officially re-entering the national forest.
Gosh, were we still on private property, SPHP?
Guess so, hard to tell without any fences, Loop. There’s a survey marker here, so we ought to be officially back in the national forest now.
Continuing SE, the terrain nearly leveled out. Time to turn S! Lupe led the way, roaming easily through an area thick with dog hair pines that slowed SPHP’s progress considerably.
Waiting on you, SPHP!
Beyond the dog hairs, SPHP was able to make much better progress. A gradual climb resumed, which led to a big clearing full of snow. Parts of the upper regions of Pillar Peak were now in sight ahead. From here, Pillar Peak looked like just a couple of forested hills.
Continuing S in a somewhat more open forest. Photo looks S.Pillar Peak (E summit L, true summit R) from the clearing. Photo looks SSW.
Avoiding the snow as much as possible, Lupe continued S along the edge of the clearing heading toward Pillar Peak’s E summit. The rate of climb began increasing again. After gaining a few hundred feet of elevation, the Carolina Dog reached a drop-off along the E side of the mountain. From a big snowbank, she now had a much better view of the E summit than the one she’d had from the clearing.
Beyond the snowy clearing, heading for Pillar Peak’s E summit. Photo looks S.Closing in on the E summit (Center). Photo looks SSW.
The E summit wasn’t much farther or higher now. Swinging around to the SW to avoid most of the snow along the edge of the mountain, there was quite a bit of deadfall to contend with. The discovery of a deer skull was of interest to the American Dingo. SPHP preferred the view of Peak5400 across the deep valley to the SE.
A bit closer to Pillar Peak’s E summit (Center). Photo looks SSW.The intriguing deer skull.Peak 5400 (R). Lupe had been there a year and 2 days ago. Photo looks SE.
A final short, steep climb got Lupe up to the E summit region. Where she first reached it, she enjoyed a nice, distant view of Bear Butte(4,422 ft.) off to the NE.
Bear Butte (R of Center) out on the prairie beyond the Black Hills. Photo looks NE.
The actual E summit was only a short uphill stroll from this viewpoint. Only took a minute or two to get there.
Almost there! Pillar Peak’s E summit (Center). Photo looks SW.On Pillar Peak’s E summit. Photo looks S.
1:24 PM, Pillar Peak E summit – Although Lupe had been to Pillar Peak on 3 prior occasions, this was the first time she had ever visited the E summit, which had remained a mystery. Now the Carolina Dog stood on the highest boulder among a collection of others along the edge beneath a sullen sky. Hidden by pines, Pillar Peak’s true summit wasn’t in view from here, but Loop enjoyed an open panorama from the S all the way around to Bear Butte to the NE.
Bear Butte (L) from the E summit. Photo looks NE.
Wow! This is sweet, SPHP. What a great view of Peak 5400 across the valley!
Glad we came here, Loopster! Pillar Peak’s E summit really is pretty cool. Always wondered what it was like. See that road down in the valley? We’ll be taking it on our way back to the trailhead later on.
Peak 5400 (Center). Photo looks ESE.
This is already better than a lot of hills we climb in the Black Hills, SPHP. We ought to celebrate!
Uh-huh! By which you mean, we ought to share chocolate coconut bar, I presume, conniving Dingo!
The thought did cross my mind, SPHP. You wouldn’t happen to have one in the pack, would you?
SPHP did. Sitting down together on a bed of pine needles next to the boulders, the Carolina Dog’s wish came true. SPHP stroked her soft ears.
I like this spot, Loop. Let’s just hang out here for 10 minutes, take a break.
It was a nice, relaxing time together, but 10 minutes shot by like nothing at all. Eh, maybe 15?
OK, time to finish this. To the true summit, Loop! Onward! Puppy, ho!
Leaving Pillar Peak’s E summit. Photo looks ENE.
The true summit wasn’t far away at all, no more than 0.2 mile. Lupe lost maybe 60 feet of elevation going down to the broad saddle leading to it, then began an easy climb.
In the saddle leading to the true summit (R). Photo looks W.
Having been here before, the American Dingo knew what to expect. Long ago, fire must have swept over Pillar Peak’s true summit region. Surprisingly little remained of any dead trees. This made Pillar Peak a more striking summit and an excellent viewpoint.
1:54 PM, 43ºF, Pillar Peak(5,469 ft.) – Pillar Peak’s true summit was an interesting place, and a bit unusual for the Black Hills. A maze of rock formations a few feet high were separated by lanes of grass resembling intentionally designed walkways. Lupe easily leapt up onto the highest rock, completing her 4th ascent.
The premier view was of Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) with its ski runs off to the SW. With snow on the hills, it stood out particularly well today.
At the true summit. Terry Peak (R) in the distance. Photo looks SW.
A lot to see in other directions, too, but all that could wait. Loopster had her whole traditional summit hour to spend up here. First it was time for a longer rest break. And lunch! Sitting down on the dry grass near the true summit, SPHP brought out another much anticipated chocolate coconut bar, Taste of the Wild, water, and an apple.
Lunch time on Pillar Peak. Dome Mountain (L), Terry Peak (R). Photo looks SW.
The second chocolate coconut bar of the day had already bit the dust, and the Taste of the Wild was still in the process of being gobbled up, when a sudden breeze arose from out of the SW. Hadn’t been any wind at all when Lupe first got here only 5 or 10 minutes ago.
We better finish eating pretty quick, Looper. Custer Peak(6,804 ft.) was in sight only moments ago. Now I don’t see it at all. Weather’s coming in!
Probably just a snow shower that wouldn’t amount to much of anything. Hadn’t been much precipitation expected in the forecast, but SPHP kept an eye on it while munching on that apple. Meanwhile, Lupe finished her Taste of the Wild.
Soon the breeze felt colder. Deer Mountain(6,652 ft.) was gone now, too, and it looked like snow was starting to envelop Terry Peak, as well.
If you want any pictures, SPHP, maybe we better start getting them now?
We think alike, Looper! Come on! Time for your Pillar Peak summit tour!
Since the snow shower was coming from out of the SW, concentrating on Terry Peak, Bald Mountain(6,617 ft.), Dome Mountain(5,512 ft.), and Bear Den Mountain(5,642 ft.) all to the S or W first made sense.
Terry Peak (Center), Bald Mountain (R of Center). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.Bear Den Mountain (R). Photo looks SSE.
Other directions wouldn’t be affected by the snow shower for a while yet. Flat-topped Mount Theodore Roosevelt(5,680 ft.) was visible to the NW, with both Spearfish Peak(5,800 ft.) and Crow Peak(5,787 ft.) barely in sight a little to the R of it.
Mount Theodore Roosevelt (L), Spearfish Peak and Crow Peak (L of Center), and Green Mountain (R) all on the horizon. Photo looks NW.Mount Theodore Roosevelt (L), Spearfish Peak (R) and Crow Peak (far R). Photo looks NW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
More directly N, Whitewood Peak(5,120 ft.) stood out among lower hills. A little more to the E, Crook Mountain(4930 ft.) looked like just a large, low, forested dome. Way out on the prairie far beyond it, two little blips were on the horizon. Probably Castle Rock Butte(3,768 ft.), but might have been Deers Ears Butte(3,438 ft.).
And of course, Bear Butte(4,422 ft.) was easily recognizable to the NE.
Bear Butte (Center) in the distance. Photo looks NE.Bear Butte (L of Center). Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.
The W end of the summit region was 20 feet lower, and featured a big grassy area. Loop and SPHP took turns going down there.
Lupe still up on top. Photo looks E.Down in the big grassy area. Terry Peak (L), Mount Theodore Roosevelt (far R). Photo looks WSW.
The wind blew harder, the temperature dropped. Wouldn’t be long now before the snow shower arrived.
When it hit, it was a nothingburger. Middle of January, and it wasn’t even snow! Rain fell for a few minutes, and that was it. Incredible! The “storm” passed, and Terry Peak came back into view. Lupe watched it all happen from the highest rock formation on Pillar Peak.
Back at the true summit. Terry Peak (R). Photo looks SW.Carolina Dog storm survivor. All 10 drops! Photo looks SW.
2:54 PM, 39ºF, Pillar Peak – An hour had gone by already! Time to say good-bye to Pillar Peak once again. SPHP started down first. Loop was supposed to wait up top for the signal, but when SPHP looked back, the American Dingo was already on her way!
Leaving the summit. Photo looks NW.
Couldn’t wait for a final summit shot, aye, Looper?
You’ve got plenty already, SPHP! I’m ready for more exploring!
The Carolina Dog was more cooperative at a few more scenic spots as she left the summit region.
Deer Mountain (far L), Terry Peak (L), Bald Mountain (L of Center). Photo looks WSW.Crook Mountain (R of Center). Photo looks NNE.Leaving Pillar Peak (Center). Photo looks NNE.
Then it was down the steep, rocky S slope to a saddle where Lupe turned SE on a very snowy romp down to USFS Road No. 172.1H. The road was flat as it went a short distance E to another saddle SE of Pillar Peak.
Lupe had been here before. Up a little rise to get over the pass, and with only relatively minor exceptions, it was downhill all the rest of the way.
Heading down the valley between Pillar Peak and Peak 5400. Photo looks NNE.
4:50 PM, 37ºF, Camp 5 Road trailhead – Just as Lupe reached the RAV4, it started to rain again. The Carolina Dog hopped in before she even got damp.
Pillar Peak was awesome, as always SPHP, but we never did get to Peak5452. Wonder if we ever will?
Oh, I suspect we will, Looper, but don’t think we’ll try it again until the snow melts. Maybe in 2 or 3 months? At least we saw it today.
We did? When? You never pointed it out!
It was there, Loop. You saw it from Pillar Peak. Big forested hill only 1.25 miles due W, but it didn’t really stand out. Don’t think we’ll see much more than trees even if we do get there eventually.
We’re still going to pick it off, SPHP! I’m going to get all these Black Hills Lists of John 300+ foot prominence peaks done, or at least all the ones we can actually climb.
That’s the spirit, Loopster! We’ll try a different Lists of John peak next time out. Maybe we’ll have better luck then?
On Pillar Peak, Black Hills of South Dakota 1-15-23. Peak 5452 beyond Lupe.
12:32 PM, 39ºF, junction of USFS Road No. 710 & Hwy 385 – Lupe stood next to the RAV4 with a big smile on her face. The American Dingo was all fired up for the last big adventure of 2022, her traditional year end visit to New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.)!
Ready to set out for New Year’s Eve Peak on the last day of 2022. Photo looks SW.
What luck, SPHP! This year we actually get to go right on December 31st! That’s not always the case.
True enough, Looper! This will be your 10th visit to New Year’s Eve Peak, but only the 4th time right on New Year’s Eve. Flexibility is required, since the weather is unreliable this time of year. I’m like you, though, always hoping December 31st will work out.
Yes, let’s do it! Should have time enough for that. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Beneath an overcast sky, Lupe headed SW into the forest. The cool air and patches of old snow on the ground did make the day feel a little on the wintry side, but conditions really weren’t bad at all.
Heading into the forest. Photo looks SW.
A gentle slope soon became a steeper climb. Nothing too difficult. After gaining 400 feet of elevation, Lupe reached a clearing where a platform of rock provided the first real view of the day. Rolling grasslands of the Bald Hills were in sight only a mile or two NE. Far beyond them, the sky was lighter on the horizon. Apparently, the gray cloud hanging over the Black Hills didn’t extend way out onto the western South Dakota prairie.
The Bald Hills from partway up Peak 5800. Photo looks NE.
As Lupe continued higher, she came to a series of rock outcroppings in the forest that were kind of fun.
Coming to some rocks. Photo looks SW.Queen of the outcropping! Photo looks SSW.
Peak 5800’s long NW/SE oriented summit ridge wasn’t much farther. The forest ended as Lupe approached it. A little snow and deadfall on this last slope presented no difficulty.
Lupe reached the summit ridge a bit NW of the SE high point. This was not the true summit, which was located at the NW end. Lupe turned SE going past the high point down to some rocks providing excellent views. Tiny snowflakes filled the air, a gloom descending on Peak 5800 as snow showers swept in.
Storm Hill (far L), Boulder Hill (L), Silver Mountain (Center), and Calumet Ridge (R) in the distance. Sheridan Lake (R). Photo looks SE.Five Points (L) and False North Point (Center). Photo looks SW.
Gosh, I wasn’t expecting snow, Loopster. Maybe the situation is going to get more interesting than the forecast indicated?
Well, we better not dilly-dally then, SPHP. We don’t want to miss out on New Year’s Eve Peak!
Heading NW to Peak 5800’s true summit, Lupe paused briefly on the SE high point before continuing on. New Year’s Eve Peak was already in sight 2 miles NW. Although the sky was completely overcast, it didn’t look as stormy over there.
Loop on Peak 5800’s SE high point with the true summit (R) beyond her. Forested New Year’s EvePeak (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks NW.
Strewn with rocks and scattered pines, Peak 5800’s broad summit ridge was a pleasant, easy trek. Soon the Carolina Dog was standing atop the 10 foot high rock formation at the true summit.
At Peak 5800’s true summit. Photo looks NW.
1:42 PM, 35ºF, Peak5800 – The view of New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.) was even better here. Lupe could see the Seth Bullock lookout tower on Scruton Mountain(5,922 ft.), too.
New Year’s Eve Peak (Center) from Peak 5800. Scruton Mountain (R). Photo looks NW.
Conditions don’t seem to be getting any worse, Loop. Think we can stay here a little while. How about a chocolate coconut bar?
Oh, SPHP! You know I’m never in such a rush that I’d be unwilling to hang around for a chocolate coconut bar!
Shortly after the chocolate coconut bar vanished, a snow shower swept over the mountain, reviving at least some sense of urgency about getting to New Year’s Eve Peak. After a brief stay on Peak 5800’s summit, Lupe was on her way again.
Peak 5800’s W face was by far the most rugged terrain the Carolina Dog would encounter today. Past experience had shown that by going SW, getting off the mountain wasn’t actually hard at all.
A scenic descent! Photo looks WNW.Toughest terrain of the day. Great fun! Photo looks NNW.Down safe and sound, looking SE back at Peak 5800.
Skies were clearing to the N. Patches of blue appeared! Continuing NW, beautiful, rolling territory was ahead. This region of rock outcroppings, scattered pines, and big views was one of the features that always made Lupe’s New Year’s Eve Peak tradition such an attractive proposition.
Without much snow to deal with this year, even SPHP made great progress as the American Dingo sniffed and explored her way toward Peak5917, which now hid most of New Year’s Eve Peak.
New Year’s Eve Peak (R) behind Peak 5917 (far R). Pistol Point (Center) beyond Lupe. Photo looks WNW.Among the rolling hills and grasslands. Peak 5917 (R). Photo looks WNW.Black Elk Peak (L), Five Points (Center), False North Point (R). Photo looks SW.
An unexpected transformation had taken place by the time Lupe was closing in on Peak 5917. With only an hour or two of daylight left in 2022, suddenly the Carolina Dog was in sunshine. To the N, skies were almost completely blue, although plenty of clouds remained elsewhere.
Approaching Peak 5917. Photo looks NW.
Keep your claws crossed, Looper! Maybe we’ll get to see a glorious sunset from New Year’s Eve Peak?
Oh, I hope so, SPHP! That would be a fabulous finish for 2022!
An hour earlier, and Lupe would have had time to climb Peak5917, too, but the position of the sun indicated that she’d better not delay in getting to New Year’s Eve Peak. Traversing the S slope, Loop went over a ridge then down to the saddle leading to Pistol Point.
Turning first W, then SW, 2 steep climbs on a snowy old road next to a fence got Lupe up to the Pistol Point region. Abandoning the road, she headed S looking for the pistol handle, which was super easy to find.
At Pistol Point. The big rock R of Lupe is the pistol handle. Photo looks ENE.
Pistol Point is the high point at the end of New Year’s Eve Peak’s S ridge where it curls to the E. With Peak5917 only 0.5 mile NE, and a great look at Peak5800 to the ESE, Lupe always stopped here to enjoy the sweeping views.
Peak 5917 (L), Peak 5800 (R) from Pistol Point. Photo looks E.
Pistol Point offered grand views to the S as well, but the scene to the SW was the important one at the moment. Quite a few clouds that way, but reasonable hope still remained for a marvelous winter sunset. With the sun already low, Lupe had to press on.
Near sunset at Pistol Point. Photo looks WSW.
Hard to believe a whole year had already slipped away since Lupe’s last journey along New Year’s Eve Peak’s familiar S ridge, but it was true. 2022 had been a spectacular year! Now it was about to fade into history forever. A brooding sadness came flooding over SPHP as the American Dingo finished her ascent.
4:02 PM, 29ºF, New Year’s Eve Peak(6,046 ft.) – The sun was still up, but not for much longer when Loopster leapt onto the 4 foot high rock formation that was the mountain’s true summit. A cairn was still on it, and a second cairn sat on some lower rocks a little farther S. The small pines surrounding the true summit were growing up, getting taller every year. Soon enough, there wouldn’t be a view.
At New Year’s Eve Peak’s true summit. Photo looks SSW.
The first time Lupe had ever come here, the trees had been tall and old. Hardly any views at all back then except from along the S edge. There hadn’t been any cairns, either. And then, a year or two later, Loop had arrived to find that loggers had come through, taking out quite a few of the old trees, which opened up at least some views to the S and SE.
That first time Lupe stood on these rocks had been the last day of 2012, exactly 10 years ago. Not only 2022 was dying, a whole decade was about to be lost to the annals of time with it. 10 years gone!
Amid SPHP’s morose thoughts, ever so gently requesting recognition, dear Lupe offered her sweet paw. Brightening, SPHP shook it.
Great job, Looper! So glad we’re together again on New Year’s Eve Peak!
In time for sunset, too, SPHP! And another chocolate coconut bar, I hope!
Oh, yes, I brought another one, Loop. Let’s go sit down and enjoy it.
Suddenly, from somewhere off to the N, gunshots rang out. Panicked, Lupe sprang off the summit.
Hide, SPHP! Enemies!
The gunshots were loud and kept coming, seldom pausing for more than a minute or two.
Blam, blam, blam!
Took a lot of convincing, but Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap on the upper W slope. Lupe and SPHP had always sat here together facing the snowy hills stretching away to the W, but this time Lupe was trembling as SPHP stroked her soft ears.
Nervous Lupe on the upper W slope. Photo looks N.The familiar snowy hills. Photo looks WSW.
Sitting there facing WSW, it was kind of cold. The chocolate coconut bar was frozen stiff as SPHP divided it up. Loopster enjoyed her share, but not the rest of the experience. That dang gunfire wouldn’t stop. More than anything else, the Carolina Dog wanted to flee.
The chocolate coconut bar was gone. SPHP chomped 2 small apples while the sun sank into a bank of clouds. Instead of a splendid show, 2022 was destined to die dull and drab. Too bad, but nothing to be done about it. SPHP tried to think of all of Lupe’s wonderful adventures in 2022, but it was impossible to celebrate the now fleeting year, brood over days gone by, or even ponder what 2023 might bring.
Blam, blam, blam!
200 rounds. For the first time ever, New Year’s Eve Peak wasn’t fun.
4:32 PM – Still light in the sky, but after sinking into the murk, the sun hadn’t been seen for a while. Clearly no point in staying in this war zone without even any hope of a colorful display. Exactly half an hour after arriving, a paranoid American Dingo stood once more on New Year’s Eve Peak’s summit.
Back at the true summit. Sheridan Lake (L), Black Elk Peak (R). Photo looks SSE.
SPHP smiled, and gave Lupe an apparently unreassuring pat.
10 years, Loopster! At least we made it back here again.
Yes, wonderful, truly amazing, SPHP! Now hurry up, take the shot, and let’s get out of here before this turns out to be not only 2022’s grand finale, but ours as well!
Lupe leapt down the instant the photo was taken, but did pause briefly a short distance from the summit on the rocks with the best views along the S edge. Beyond her, Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) was a dark blue, Five Points(6,221 ft.) a deep green and gray. Far to the SSW, a pale orange strip of sky was visible above the distant hills.
Soon the light would fade. 2022 would sneak away in the night never to return. For a moment, Lupe stood there looking wistful.
The Carolina Dog said nothing, though, before continuing down the slope leading to the S ridge. By the time she got to Pistol Point, dusk was on the verge of turning into night. Silence reigned among the shadows. A little later on, going over Peak 5917’s S ridge, the flashlight came out. Stars twinkled above, and a half moon brightened what snow remained.
In darkness, snow crunched beneath SPHP’s boots as Lupe trotted down USFS Road No. 710. 2022’s final quiet, happy time together. Tomorrow dawn would arrive with whatever adventures New Year 2023 would bring. (End 5:54 PM, 30ºF)
New Year’s Eve Peak, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-31-22
