On Sunday afternoon, 11-8-15, Joe and Dusty were free to join Lupe and SPHP for a little adventure in the mountains W of Arvada, Colorado. Joe suggested hiking some of the trails in upper White Ranch Park, which wasn’t too far away. Unlike the trails in the lower part of the park, the trails in upper White Ranch Park don’t lose or gain an awful lot of elevation. It would be a pleasant, relaxing afternoon outing.
Naturally, Lupe and cousin Dusty were both eager to go. Everyone piled into the G6. Even though the Broncos were playing, it was such a nice afternoon for November that lots of people were already at the park when Lupe and Dusty arrived. The parking lot closest to the old ranch headquarters was completely full. Luckily, Joe did find an empty spot for the G6 in the parking lot near the Belcher Hill trail.
The first, and longest, trail that Lupe, Dusty, Joe and SPHP took was a clockwise circuit of the entire Rawhide trail, which makes a loop. At the far N end of the trail is a bench with a little roof over it. There was a view toward a high snow-capped peak far to the N from the bench.
Upper White Ranch Park from the Rawhide trail. Photo looks SE.A high, snow-capped peak is seen far away barely poking up over the ridge line. This photo was taken from in front of the bench at the N end of the Rawhide trail in upper White Ranch Park. The bench is about 2.5 miles from the parking lots. Photo looks N.
Joe and SPHP sat on the bench contemplating the view and munching apples, while water from a bit of melting snow on the roof dripped in front of them. Lupe and Dusty shared some Taste of the Wild, which Dusty devoured with special relish since she doesn’t ordinarily get it. Dusty polished off the apple cores, too, when they became available. As far as Lupe was concerned, Dusty could have the apple cores.
The E section of the Rawhide trail stayed more in the forest than the W part of the trail had. Along the NE section of the trail, there were occasional views across the deep Ralston Creek valley toward the high rocky ridge to the E. Lupe passed by another bench commemorating a visit by Princess Anne. Trees had grown up to mostly obscure the view from there.
Looking ENE across the deep Ralston Creek valley.The rocky ridge beyond Ralston Creek from the E portion of the Rawhide Trail in upper White Ranch Park. Photo looks ENE.
A little way S of the Princess Anne bench was a nice view to the SE toward North Table Mountain(6,566 ft.).
North Table Mountain from the Rawhide trail in upper White Ranch Park, Colorado. Photo looks SE.Lupe, Joe & Dusty on the Rawhide trail. Photo looks WNW.
Except near the N end, the Rawhide trail was pretty busy. There were hikers, runners, dogs, and especially mountain bikers. By the time Lupe was getting close to the parking lots again, though, the crowds were beginning to thin out.
Upper White Ranch Park from the Rawhide trail.Lupe near the Rawhide Trail not far from the parking lots.
When Lupe reached the parking lot again, the sun was starting to get low in the W. Since it would still be up for at least another hour, SPHP suggested taking the trail to Belcher Hill(7,949 ft.). Joe, Dusty and Lupe were all up for it. From the parking lot near the old ranch headquarters, Lupe took the Sawmill trail to the Belcher Hill trail. There were views of the ranch headquarters and North Table Mountain along the way.
Looking N at the White Ranch headquarters from the Sawmill trail.North Table Mountain from the Sawmill trail. Downtown Denver, CO is seen on the L.
From the Sawmill trail, the Belcher Hill trail headed WNW up a forested ridge. The trail eventually leveled out near the high point on the ridge. Lupe climbed up on the highest rocks on the ridge to claim another peakbagging success.
These highest rocks were in the forest, so there wasn’t much of a view from the top. However, back closer to the trail, there were some lower rocks along more open ground. From these lower rocks were pretty views from the S around to the W.
Lupe on the highest rocks on the Belcher Hill ridge.Looking WNW from rocks near the Belcher Hill trail.Looking SSW from Belcher Hill, Colorado.
From the high point on the ridge, it was a short pleasant stroll through the forest to the junction with the Mustang trail.
Lupe and Dusty at the trail junction.
From the junction with the Mustang trail, the Belcher Hill trail headed N down the ridge to the parking lot. There was just enough packed snow on the trail on the N side of the ridge to make things a bit slippery. It didn’t take long to reach the parking lot, but the sun was down behind the mountains by the time Lupe and Dusty got there.
Back at Dusty’s house in Arvada, it turned out that Lupe, Dusty, Joe & SPHP had a better afternoon at upper White Ranch Park than the Denver Broncos had in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the previously unbeaten Broncos 27-24.
Harney Peak at 7,242 feet is the highest mountain in the Black Hills and the entire state of South Dakota. Located in the Black Elk Wilderness, it is a very popular hiking destination and can be approached from half a dozen different trailheads. One of the shortest (about 3.5 miles one way) and most popular routes is on Trail No. 9 from Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park. Lots of people don’t realize how easy it is to add variety to the trip without significantly increasing the distance by making a loop back to Sylvan Lake via trails No. 3 & No. 4 and including an ascent of Little Devil’s Tower along the way like Lupe did on this day.
After 27 days spent on Lupe’s great summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation, Lupe and SPHP finally returned home on the afternoon of 9-4-15. However, the fun wasn’t set to end quite yet. It was the Friday before Labor Day weekend, which in 2015 came as late as it possibly can with Labor Day falling on September 7th. Lupe’s uncle Joe, aunt Andrea and cousin Dusty had already arrived at her Grandma’s house the previous evening. Aunt Mush and uncle David were due to arrive on Sunday the 6th. So Lupe got to go with SPHP over to Grandma’s house every evening from the 4th through the 7th to hang out with Dusty and all the gang, which she really enjoyed.
The high point of Labor Day weekend, though, was Labor Day itself. On Labor Day, uncle Joe and cousin Dusty wanted to go with Lupe and SPHP to climb Harney Peak(7,242 ft.), the always popular high point of South Dakota. Of course, Lupe and SPHP were both more than willing to oblige. So a little before 10:00 AM on Labor Day, SPHP parked the G6 near Sylvan Lake Lodge, and everyone piled out.
A short trek led down to the cool shady woods below Sylvan Lake dam. From there Lupe and the gang followed the lakeside trail up around the N and then E sides of scenic Sylvan Lake. Shortly before reaching the swimming beach (where dogs aren’t allowed), Dusty was ready for a swim. Joe tossed a stick into the lake to give her swim a purpose. Dusty was very pleased to have the opportunity to retrieve the stick.
Dusty takes a dip in Sylvan Lake while retrieving a stick for Joe.
Once Dusty was sufficiently cooled off, Lupe’s whole troop continued on past the swimming beach to Trail No. 9. The trail soon proved to be very busy with Labor Day hikers, the most crowded SPHP has ever seen it. There were quite a few dogs of various descriptions enjoying the trail, too, so Lupe and Dusty had ample opportunities to stop and sniff with interesting new acquaintances.
Maybe 0.5 mile from Sylvan Lake, there are some rock ledges where Harney first comes into view. Lupe’s little pack paused here for a short photo op.
Lupe, Joe & Dusty at the rock ledges. Photo looks N.Lupe on the rock ledges with Harney Peak in the background. Photo looks E.Joe & Dusty with Harney Peak in the background.
Trail No. 9 goes all the way to the summit, or at least to the short spur trail that leads to the summit. Lots of people and dogs were coming and going. With all the activity, it didn’t seem like very long before Lupe, Dusty, Joe & SPHP were at the spiral stairway just before reaching the lookout tower at the top.
The first few times Lupe had been to Harney Peak, she was scared of the metal stairs, because she could look right through the grate down to the rocks below. Back then, SPHP had to carry the nervous dingo over the stairs. Lupe still doesn’t entirely trust these stairs, but with a little encouragement, she navigated them on her own. If they bothered Dusty, she didn’t show it.
Upon reaching the lookout tower, everyone first went out to the viewing platform next to the tower. SPHP held Lupe up above the rock wall so she could see the views. A little later on, after SPHP put her down, she suddenly leaped up onto the rock wall so she could see all by herself. SPHP made her get down so she couldn’t fall off. Meanwhile, Joe went and climbed the short steep stairs (virtually a ladder) up to the top of the lookout tower.
Joe and Dusty on the viewing platform next to the Harney Peak lookout tower.This huge granite outcropping extends out to the W of Harney Peak just a little below the summit.
Lupe doesn’t like the way the metal grating that forms the floor of the viewing platform feels on her paws, so she was soon done at the lookout tower. Lupe, Dusty, Joe & SPHP headed down to the tower’s basement and out to a path leading over to the big granite outcropping to the W of the summit. It was less busy and more peaceful over there, although a bit breezy. It was a good place to pause for a snack while admiring the views.
Joe & Dusty up on the granite W of Harney’s summit.
Lupe and Dusty were quite enthusiastic about sharing the Cliff bar SPHP brought out of the pack, and the Kind bars Joe took out of his pack. Dusty ate some of Lupe’s Taste of the Wild too, with evident relish. She even polished off SPHP’s apple core, although that was a step too far for Lupe. American Dingoes can be picky at times. Both dogs helped lighten SPHP’s pack by slurping up plenty of water to wash it all down with.
Lupe on the granite W of the Harney Peak lookout tower.Lupe on the granite looking N from Harney Peak. This photo looks W.Lupe & JoeThis helicopter buzzed by pretty close while giving tours. Lupe got excited. She loves barking at helicopters and airplanes.
A trip up to Harney Peak on or near Labor Day is becoming a tradition. On September 2, 2014 (the day after Labor Day), Joe, Dusty, Lupe & SPHP were up here, too. In 2014, Joe had called his son Matthew from Harney Peak, since it was Matt’s birthday. This time he called his mother, Audrey, in Wisconsin.
Yes, there is cell phone reception! Joe calls his mother, Audrey, in Wisconsin from the top of South Dakota with Labor Day greetings.Joe chats with mom in Wisconsin while Dusty listens in to hear if he says anything about dog treats on Harney Peak becoming a Labor Day tradition.The Cathedral Spires (L) and Little Devil’s Tower (R) from Harney Peak. Photo looks S.
With snacking, sight-seeing and social obligations completed, it was time to head back down from Harney Peak over the spiral stairway, which Lupe again navigated successfully, back to Trail No. 9. Quite near the bottom of the stairs were some horses that had brought people up the trail. Lupe was a good Carolina Dog and did not bark at them, although it was tempting. Dusty paid no attention to the horses.
The undisturbed horses Lupe didn’t bark at.
Maybe 10 minutes or so down from Harney’s summit, there is a rock ledge with a great view to the S of Peak 6735. Lupe graciously posed for a couple of photos from here.
A rather cheerful looking American Dingo with Peak 6735 in the background. Peak 6735 lies SSE of Harney Peak.
Rather than head straight back down Trail No. 9 all the way to Sylvan Lake, Joe and Dusty were willing to explore the trails over to the Cathedral Spires(6,840 ft.) and possibly climb Little Devils Tower(6,960 ft.), which neither of them had done before. This had the advantage of showing them some new territory while making a loop back to Sylvan Lake. So Lupe and her troop took Trail No. 3 where it met up with Trail No. 9.
Joe and Dusty on the way to the Cathedral Spires and Little Devils Tower.Getting closer. Now along Trail No. 4. Little Devils Tower is at the far right.
A relatively short trek on Trail No. 3 led to Trail No. 4, which passes to the N of the Cathedral Spires over to a little saddle between the Cathedral Spires and Little Devils Tower. Trail No. 4 goes over this pass heading S where there are some close up views of the Cathedral Spires.
The Cathedral Spires from Trail No. 4 after crossing to the S of the saddle between them and Little Devils Tower. Photo looks S.Cathedral Spires. This photo looks SE from Trail No. 4.
It isn’t far from the saddle to a spur trail that goes perhaps 0.25 mile to Little Devils Tower. Most of the spur trail is an easy hike along a scenic ridge. There is one relatively short section of annoyingly steep trail with a lot of loose rock on it, but it soon ends at a little saddle between big granite rocks.
A left turn at the saddle reveals a narrow crevasse in the granite. This crevasse is marked by a painted blue diamond. Blue and white diamonds mark the rest of the way up to the summit of Little Devils Tower. This involves some scrambling up the granite, but even relatively small children can do it with a bit of help. The rough granite provides good footing and there isn’t much exposure most of the way. Naturally Lupe, Joe, Dusty and SPHP all made it to the top of Little Devils Tower.
Lupe looks SE from Little Devils Tower toward the Cathedral Spires.Looking NNE back at Harney Peak from Little Devils Tower.Looking NW from Little Devils Tower toward Gap Lode Peak(6,560 ft.) (most distant large rock outcropping at center of photo) and St. Elmo Peak(6,458 ft.) (smallish looking peak at left center beyond the dark rock hump).
From Little Devils Tower, it was just a matter of following the spur trail back to Trail No. 4 and then continuing SW on down the valley. Trail No. 4 led to the Little Devils Tower trailhead on Hwy 89 (Needles Highway – the Cathedral Spires are also called the Needles). The trail continues though, another 0.5 mile or so, and leads back to the picnic ground on Sylvan Lake. Once back at Sylvan Lake, Dusty was ready for another swim with just a little encouragement from Joe and another stick.
Dusty’s 2nd swim of the day and another stick rescued.
While Joe and Dusty were engaged with sticks and water, Lupe and SPHP were up on the rocks taking a few pics of the lake.
Sylvan Lake. Photo looks NNW. That pretty Carolina Dog looks mighty familiar!The swimming beach at Sylvan Lake. Photo looks SE. There used to be a lot more trees and shade near the beach, but sadly pine bark beetles have killed them. Looks like there is another dead one now.Looking S at a large rock off shore from the swimming beach. Sylvan Lake is a popular place to swim in late summer.
By about 4:30 PM, Lupe, Dusty, Joe & SPHP were all back at the G6. It had been a great day spent together, but was now time to head back to Grandma’s house for a lasagna dinner. Of course, Lupe had some! Carolina Dogs like Italian food!
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 137 was Lupe’s 6th time up Harney Peak and 4th time up Little Devils Tower. It was Joe’s 3rd time and Dusty’s 2nd time up Harney, and their 1st time up Little Devils Tower. For SPHP, we just don’t know anymore.
Lupe’s uncle Joe and cousin Dusty were in town for Memorial Day weekend. Joe had hoped to climb Harney Peak(7,242 ft.), but the weather was not cooperating. With gloomily overcast skies this morning, it wasn’t at all sure there was going to be any kind of a successful outing this day. An 80% chance of rain was in the forecast, but it wasn’t raining yet as Lupe and SPHP drove out to Lupe’s grandma’s house to pick up Joe & Dusty. The plan was to head out not too far into the hills and hope the rain would hold off for at least a few hours.
Joe parked the G6 at the Samelius trailhead of the Centennial Trail just off Hwy 16. Surprisingly, the almost foggy conditions had broken up on the way. There were even sizeable patches of blue sky around. Perhaps there was an inversion going on, which sometimes happens in the hills. Typically the inversions happen in the winter though – May would be quite an unusual time for one. In any case, things were looking up.
Since Joe and Dusty had already hiked N on the Centennial Trail No. 89 with Lupe as far as Mount Warner(5,889 ft.) on a previous trip to the Black Hills, today SPHP suggested heading S towards the Big Pine trailhead. Horsethief Lake was just a short distance off the trail beyond Big Pine and might be a good goal for the day, provided the weather continued to be cooperative. Fog still swirled around the summits of nearby Samelius(5,856 ft.) and Hardesty Peaks(5,562 ft.) as Lupe, Dusty, Joe & SPHP headed S on the Centennial Trail from the Samelius trailhead.
Lupe and Dusty ran ahead resuming their role as scouts, just as they had the day before on Expedition No. 129. The first part of the trail paralleled Hwy 16 heading W for a little way before turning S to go through a narrow little tunnel for foot traffic under Hwy 16. Lupe hadn’t been here since Expedition No. 9 way back on 3-4-12. Back then Lupe had only been 14 months old and the long, dark, narrow tunnel had been just too scary for her. SPHP had carried her through it in both directions.
Lupe S of Hwy 16 on the Centennial Trail No. 89.
Lupe had forgotten all about those long ago fears now. She and Dusty both trotted through the tunnel with complete confidence. Beyond the tunnel, the Centennial Trail headed up a partially wooded hillside and joined a gravel road for a short distance. Soon the Centennial Trail left the gravel road again and went through an area of small hills covered with a woods sparse enough so a fair amount of grass was growing between the trees. Both Lupe and Dusty had a great time running around exploring the area.
Dusty having a romp along Centennial Trail No. 89. New leaves are sprouting on the trees this time of year.
At first, the Centennial Trail was close enough to Hwy 16 to hear the traffic on it. Sometimes the highway was even in view. After about 0.5 mile though, the trail reached a creek which is a small tributary of Battle Creek and headed away from the highway down into a wooded narrow valley with steep rocky walls. The trail didn’t follow the creek for too long before leaving it to head more to the W while heading up a small side valley.
Lupe & Dusty scout ahead on Centennial Trail No. 89.
The trail came to a wide gentle little pass where there were some rock outcroppings on both sides of the trail. While still in the area of the pass, the 1880 train could be heard in the distance ahead. The trail headed into a grassy field. Small trees were growing in the field and will eventually turn this field into forest again. Just ahead, some of the big granite outcroppings near the start of the Black Elk Wilderness came into view.
Lupe in the field beyond the little pass. Granite outcroppings in the Black Elk Wilderness visible in the distance.
Nearing a home along the old Keystone to Hill City road, Lupe and Dusty heard some marmots whistle an alarm over by the rocks to the N. They ran over to investigate, but were soon back, the marmots having taken cover. The Centennial Trail skirted to the SE of the private property with its heard, but not seen, ferocious little defending doggie. The trail crossed Battle Creek, the 1880 train tracks, and the old Keystone to Hill City road (paved) in rapid succession. Unfortunately, the 1880 train had already gone by, so Lupe missed seeing it, although it could still be heard now far away towards Keystone.
Once S of the old Keystone to Hill City road, the trail began the only relatively steep part of this day’s traverse. It was just around 0.33 mile to the Big Pine trailhead along Hwy 244, and the trail started leveling out even before reaching it. A few people were around at the Big Pine trailhead. Hwy 244 had a fair amount of traffic on it. Big Pine is only a few miles NW of Mount Rushmore(5,725 ft.), and Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the tourist season in the Black Hills.
From Big Pine, it wasn’t far to Horsethief Lake. No more than 0.25 mile. SPHP wasn’t even sure Horsethief Lake had any water in it, since the last time Lupe had been by it on the highway, SPHP had been surprised to see it had been completely drained. (Perhaps to be dredged out?) After crossing Hwy 244, Joe & SPHP stayed on the Centennial Trail a short distance before leaving it and heading down a little gulch towards the lake.
There is quite a nice campground at Horsethief Lake. Soon Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP emerged from the forest on the paved campground road. There were a few people camping, but the big majority of the sites were open. The wet, cool weather had discouraged camping, which is not unusual for Memorial Day weekend in the Black Hills. Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP headed towards the lake.
This footbridge at the W end of the campground at Horse Thief Lake leads to the trailhead for Horsethief Trail No. 14 into the Black Elk Wilderness.
Horsethief Lake did have water in it, but wasn’t as pretty as it normally is. Normally the lake is nice and blue, but it was all brown this day – probably partially from dirt and silt in runoff from recent rains, but mostly from not having had a chance to settle out from having been completely drained and refilled not long ago. Close to the lake, Joe & SPHP selected a picnic table to use for 10 minutes for a little energy bar break. Lupe wasn’t hungry yet, but Dusty was very happy to partake of as much Taste of the Wild as SPHP allowed her.
Cousin Dusty and Lupe at Horsethief Lake.
Horsethief Lake isn’t very big, perhaps in the 5 – 10 acre range. However, it is in a scenic little spot near Hwy 244 just a few miles from Mt. Rushmore. The campground is really nice and has some campsites quite close to the water. There are big granite outcroppings around and two good trails nearby leading into the Black Elk Wilderness. Centennial Trail No. 89 doesn’t come down to the lake or the campground, but is just up a hill to the N of the campground. Lupe recommends Horsethief Trail No. 14 which heads into the Black Elk Wilderness from a trailhead near the SW corner of Horsethief Lake.
After the snack, Joe, Dusty, Lupe and SPHP headed across the curved footbridge to the road on the W side of Horsethief Lake. The road led to the Horsethief Trail No. 14 trailhead. About 0.75 mile in from the trailhead, Horsethief Trail No. 14 would link up with Centennial Trail No. 89. It was possible to make an almost complete loop around well to the W of Horsethief Lake and come back just N of it on the Centennial Trail. However, clouds had kept coming and going the entire time so far. With possible heavy rain in the forecast, it was decided to return to the G6 at the Samelius trailhead on the Centennial Trail without making the loop.
Lupe on the way back went wading in the water of a tributary of Battle Creek. Cousin Dusty wasn’t as convinced it was a good idea.
At a little under 4 hours round trip, Expedition No. 130 was one of Lupe’s shorter Black Hills expeditions. Like Expedition No. 129 the day before though, it was shared with her uncle Joe & cousin Dusty, which added to the fun.
This proved to be Lupe’s last outing in the Black Hills this Memorial Day weekend. The next day was a combination of rain and fog all day. Lupe never saw the sun. Joe and Dusty didn’t get to climb Harney Peak this trip before heading home for Arvada, CO on Memorial Day.
