9:02 AM, 43ºF, USFS Road No. 231 just past the turn to Buck Spring – Not gonna make it! Getting high-centered in this crusty, rutted snow wouldn’t be good. The G6 had been scraping bottom at intervals for the last 0.25 mile. Didn’t look like the situation was getting any better up ahead. SPHP gladly pulled off No. 231 at a snowy opening on the R.
Close enough! Black Fox couldn’t be too much farther. Lupe could start from here! Encouraged by conditions on Expedition No. 253, SPHP had been convinced the American Dingo could still get up into the western Black Hills high country, despite the late November date. Might be the last chance Loop would have in 2019. The G6 just wasn’t built to handle much in the way of ice and snow.
What an incredible morning! Bounding out of the G6, Looper thrashed about on the snow in ecstasy, biting off mouthfuls of the crunchy upper crust. Oh, it was going to be a great day for a romp in the hills! As soon as SPHP was ready, she set off heading SW on USFS Road No. 231.
Waiting for SPHP to get with the program! Photo looks SW.
No. 231 was snow-packed and slippery, but level and an easy trek. The cool fresh air and pine scent were exhilarating! Morning sunlight cast long blue shadows on the glittering white snow. Looked and felt like winter up here already, a winter still young and mild.
Oh, what a fabulous morning! We’re on our way to Black Fox.
0.5 mile brought Lupe to an intersection. Here she turned L (S) on USFS Road No. 233, almost immediately thereafter crossing a bridge over the S Fork of Rapid Creek. Somewhat surprisingly, she passed several vehicles S of the bridge. Hunters? Probably. No one was around at the moment. Black Fox campground was just around the next bend.
At Black Fox campground, a quiet spot in late November!
Black Fox was closed this time of year. Snow was everywhere. Lupe stopped for a look at the Rhoads Fork of Rapid Creek. The frigid, dark water plunged over a tiny waterfall before flowing deeper into the shady, green forest.
By the Rhoads Fork of Rapid Creek.
No. 233 went SW up the Rhoads Fork valley, if up is the correct word. For 0.5 mile, the road was flat, or nearly so, all the way to a junction with side road No. 233.2D. A nice, rustic cabin with a sign saying “Minnelusa Tepee” was tucked off in the pines to the L. A deer on the road ahead caught Lupe’s attention, but as soon as it disappeared into the forest, she headed NW (R) on No. 233.2D.
At the intersection of No. 233 (L) and No. 233.2D (R). Photo looks SW.
Going up Beaver Draw, No. 233.2D climbed steadily. The road was even snowier here. Thankfully, several vehicles had compressed a couple of tracks. Loopster kept a careful watch for squirrels and deer, but had no luck. The trudge up the secluded valley was pleasant and quiet.
The road eventually curved W. A mile from the junction with No. 233, Beaver Draw began to widen out. Lupe came to a snowy clearing. This wasn’t the top, but it felt like she was starting to get close.
Checking for squirrels in Beaver Draw. Photo looks SE.On No. 233.2D in Beaver Draw. Photo looks NW.At the snowy clearing a mile from No. 233. Photo looks WNW.
The road kept climbing longer than expected, although at a diminishing pace. Beaver Draw widened out into a broad amphitheater. To the N, low limestone cliffs came into view. No. 233.2D turned SW, becoming muddy and icy. To facilitate logging operations, the road had recently been graded here. Lupe passed piles of dead trees.
No. 233.2D became icy as Beaver Draw opened up. Photo looks SW.Passing a pile of dead trees in upper Beaver Draw. Photo looks NE.
No. 233.2D skirted the S side of the amphitheater, climbing faster again. Lupe finally reached some high ground where the terrain leveled out. From here she had her first glimpse of a distant view.
Finally starting to get high enough to see something! The distant hills are part of the N end of White Tail Peak(6,962 ft.). Photo looks E.
As near as SPHP could tell, Lupe was now on a plateau about a mile S of Trebor Draw. There was an unmarked intersection near the viewpoint. One road went N along the W rim of the Beaver Draw amphitheater. However, Lupe took the road going SW. For a while she gained a little more elevation, but after that the terrain was pretty flat, undulating only slightly up or down.
This territory was all above 6,700 feet, quite high for the Black Hills. Even so, Lupe came to no more viewpoints. The snow was generally deep enough to make exploring the forest too laborious to be worth the effort. For the most part, the American Dingo stuck to the road, trotting along happily in the fresh air and sunshine. As the day warmed up, the road became increasingly soft and muddy. SPHP marched along the snowy edges whenever possible.
By one of several snowy clearings on the plateau. Photo looks SW.
The road system didn’t match up with SPHP’s old maps. An expected mile long detour to the S and back again, never happened. Thinking Loop was still on No. 233.2D, SPHP was surprised when she came to a sign saying this was actually USFS Road No. 419.
Hey, SPHP! Look! We’re already on No. 419! Where that had happened was a mystery. Photo looks SW.
No. 419 continued SW. After a while, Lupe began to lose elevation. A ridge came into view beyond a snowy side road. Along in here, No. 419 curved W. The Carolina Dog quickly came to two intersections very close to each other at a low pass.
The largest clearing along No. 419. The snow was deep here! Photo looks S.Still on the high ground along No. 419. Photo looks SSW.The ridge seen ahead came into view as No. 419 began to curve W. Photo looks SW.
These intersections were a mess with lots of ground recently torn up by bulldozers. The only marker still evident was for the road coming up from the S, which said No. 189.2. Made sense. SPHP knew where Lupe was now. This minor pass was 0.75 mile N of Bombard Draw.
Crooks Tower(7,137 ft.), Lupe’s peakbagging objective for the day, was now 1.5 miles NW as the crow flies. The road going N from this pass had to be USFS Road No. 631. Ordinarily No. 631 would be both the quickest and most direct route, however, it was a minor road. Not too likely any traffic would have gone very far that way with so much snow around! SPHP suspected the valley immediately S of Crooks Tower would be full of deep, pristine snow.
So Lupe took the road leading W, a continuation of No. 189. Leaving the pass, the road curved SW and began climbing along the side of a fairly steep slope. Soon Lupe was getting close to the ridge she had seen from No. 419. However, the road didn’t cross the little valley leading to the ridge. Instead it turned NW proceeding up the near side of the valley.
A closer look at the ridge Lupe had seen from No. 419. Photo looks SW.Another view of the same ridge from farther up the valley next to it. Photo looks S.
Lupe stuck with No. 189 as it wound higher. Way up here, conditions were even snowier. Small rock outcroppings began to appear. For a while, Loop climbed steadily, but the pace eventually slackened. The road finally turned N and leveled out.
Following No. 189 higher. There was even more snow up here. Photo looks NNW.Approaching small limestone formations on the R. Photo looks NW.No. 189 leveled out at 7,100+ feet. Photo looks N.
The Carolina Dog was already at 7,100+ feet, nearly as high as Crooks Tower itself, but still a mile from it. Continuing N, she now lost a bit of elevation. 0.33 mile WSW of Crooks Tower, Lupe reached a junction with USFS Roads No. 631.2C and No. 189.4A. As SPHP had suspected, No. 631.2C was buried beneath a thick blanket of pristine snow. Good thing Loopster hadn’t tried to come up that way!
Continuing N on No. 189. Photo looks NNE.At the upper end of USFS Road No. 631.2C. Never would have made it coming up this way! Photo looks S.
No. 189.4A goes almost to the top of Crooks Tower(7,137 ft.). Clearly no one had been this way since the last big snow. Lupe began the trudge E.
At the start of No. 189.4A. Photo looks E.So what is this, training for the Iditarod? Don’t get any big ideas, SPHP! I’m not pulling you on any Dingo sled! Photo looks E.
At last, the final 15 foot climb to Crooks Tower’s summit appeared. As hoped, winds had swept part of the summit free of snow. Sweet! Lupe could relax in relative comfort.
Approaching Crooks Tower’s summit (L). Photo looks NE.Luckily, part of the summit was snow-free. Photo looks E.
Only mid-afternoon, but November days are so short that it still seemed late. The cheerful sunshine had vanished. Most of the sky was overcast, not darkly, but gray enough to produce a subdued mood. Lupe hadn’t seen a soul all day. Despite the relatively easy road hike, Crooks Tower felt isolated and remote.
Crooks Tower is one of the highest peaks in the Black Hills, yet this area wasn’t rugged. Consequently the views weren’t all that impressive. The best was a distant look at Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) far to the SE. Miles to the NW was a high ridge that might have been Laird Peak(6,906 ft.). Forest blocked the views in other directions.
Lupe went to the highest spot, a flat area toward the N. After claiming her peakbagging success, she took a quick look at the best views before curling up on SPHP’s lap facing Black Elk Peak.
At the true summit of Crooks Tower. Photo looks NNE.SPHP thought the high ridge in the distance (L) might be Laird Peak. Photo looks NW.Hmm. Didn’t really look like Laird Peak with help from the telephoto lens. Might actually be Cement Ridge(6,674 ft.).At the slightly lower S end of the summit area. Black Elk Peak (L of Center) is in view on the horizon. Photo looks SE.Black Elk Peak (L) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks S.
Pines sighed in a 10 mph NW breeze. Far to the E, a big patch of blue sky lingered out over the unseen plains beyond the hills. Everywhere else the mood was subdued beneath the gray smudge of wintery clouds. Cool out, but not cold. 40ºF?
The view was familiar. Crooks Tower is a favorite place. In fact, Lupe had been to Crooks Tower more times than to any other mountain. This was her 10th ascent. Yet Loop hadn’t been here in more than 2.5 years.
Snow, silence, solitude. It felt good to be back, if only for a little while.
Lupe near the spot where she took a break on SPHP’s lap. Photo looks SE.The N end of the summit region. Photo looks N.The S end. Photo looks S.Looking E toward a ridge nearly as high as the top of Crooks Tower.
For nearly 40 minutes, Lupe remained up on Crooks Tower. It would be dark before the American Dingo reached the G6 again. Before departing she returned briefly to the true summit. A final glance at the familiar views to the NW and SE, and that was it.
Back at the true summit. Photo looks E.Last moments at the S end. Photo looks SSE.
Leaving the summit, Lupe had scarcely reached USFS Road No. 189.4A, when gunfire erupted somewhere to the N. Hunters! The courageous Carolina Dog begged SPHP for protection. Not to worry. She was fine. A few shots, and that was it. Silence returned, and the snowy trek back to the main road began. It didn’t seem as far going downhill.
Starting back on USFS Road No. 189.4A. Photo looks SW.
The return trip was otherwise uneventful. Lupe went back the same way she had come. Such a beautiful, quiet time following these remote USFS roads! Up here it already felt and looked like Christmas. Of course, the light eventually began to fail. Going down Beaver Draw, twilight faded. In darkness, Lupe passed Black Fox. Expedition No. 254 was over. (5:31 PM, 41ºF)
A visit to Crooks Tower had been long overdue! SPHP was glad Lupe had done it. Six days later, on the last day of November, a blizzard struck the Black Hills dumping 2 additional feet of snow. Expedition No. 254 really had been her last chance to visit the western high country of the Black Hills in 2019. Fortunately, Lupe had made the most of it!
Returning from her 10th ascent of Crooks Tower, Black Hills of South Dakota, 11-24-19
No, really Loop. It’ll be fine. You’ll see. You don’t object, do you?
Object? Why should I object? Every Carolina Dog dreams of a chance to revel in the splendors of Poverty Gulch! My, you sure know how to show a Dingo a good time, don’t you?
Oh, come on! It’s just a name. Keeps the riff-raff out.
With a name like that, it probably draws riff-raff like flies! Why on earth would we want to go to Poverty Gulch, anyway?
It’s just an alternate route up to Castle Peak(6,358 ft.), Looper. Since we didn’t get there last time out, I thought we might try another approach?
And Poverty Gulch was the best you could come up with? What’s wrong with Middle-Class Meadows or Luxury Lane?
Well, there’s Brown Jug Draw, which is actually closer, but I don’t think the G6 can get back in there this time of year.
Brown Jug Draw? That sure sounds highfalutin! I suppose we’re doomed then. At least the castle part sounds good!
Upon reaching Rochford in the central Black Hills, how to get across Rapid Creek to the lower end of Poverty Gulch was itself a question. Lupe wound up having a chance to visit parts of the greater Rochford metropolitan area. The stores were closed this early in the day, but Rochford seemed to be making a good impression on the American Dingo.
Loop was a few days early for the Rochford Mall’s big Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale.And hours early for Happy Hour at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon.
Maybe we should just skip Poverty Gulch, SPHP? We could hang out here in Rochford and wait for the saloon to open!
Why, Loopster what’s this change of attitude? You weren’t impressed with Brown Jug Draw. Moonshine Gulch doesn’t sound any more highfalutin than that.
It does when you put “saloon” behind it! Sounds downtownish, in an Old West sort of way. If we stay, we can check out the Rochford mall while we wait for Happy Hour. Ought to open pretty soon. No harm in looking, even if the Christmas Bazaar hasn’t started yet, is there?
Disappointingly, SPHP persisted in wanting to go up Poverty Gulch. It turned out that Lupe could get across Rapid Creek by taking a short stretch of the Mickelson Trail. The Rochford trailhead was just E of town. (9:07 AM, 30ºF)
Near the Rochford trailhead of the Mickelson Trail.Short history of Rochford on display at the trailhead.The Mickelson Trail bridge over Rapid Creek is just beyond the gate.
The Mickelson Trail went past a number of private homes and cabins. After 0.25 mile or so following Rapid Creek upstream, Lupe came to a frozen pond. The ravine coming down out of the hills next to it had to be Poverty Gulch!
By the pond near the start of fabled Poverty Gulch! Photo looks SW.
An old cabin sat up on a little rise at the mouth of Poverty Gulch. A small, snowy side road passed just below it heading up the valley. The topo map showed a trail going up Poverty Gulch, but there weren’t any signs for it, or fences around the old cabin. Hmm. Who knew? Maybe not completely kosher, but Lupe left the Mickelson Trail trotting past the old cabin and up the valley.
In the lower reaches of Poverty Gulch.
Poverty Gulch wasn’t wide or particularly deep. A tiny stream could be heard gurgling away next to the road, which soon narrowed to no more than an ATV trail. A power line went up the valley, but there was no sign that anyone had come this way since at least the last snow.
A good foot of snow, crunchy hard from days of thawing and freezing, was on the road. Lupe could usually stand on it, but the snow didn’t hold SPHP’s weight. Although the trail was never steep, the all-uphill post-holing trudge was wearying and slow. The Moonshine Gulch Saloon was sounding better with every step.
For what seemed like a long way, but probably wasn’t much more than 0.5 mile, there were no tracks in the snow other than occasional animal tracks. Eventually, Lupe came to a more open spot where the trail widened out. This was the dead end of USFS Road No. 238.1B. Some vehicle with big knobby tires had come this far from the S. The tires had compressed the snow, but so much so that it had become ice.
Didn’t really help speed things up much.
Continuing up Poverty Gulch shortly after the ATV-sized trail widened to a road.Farther up, looking N back down Poverty Gulch.
The snowy scenery was pretty, the solitude unbroken. After deepening to 1.5 feet, the snow pack began to diminish. As Poverty Gulch gradually broadened out, the road gained elevation at a relaxed pace. The broken trunks of Ponderosa pines killed years ago by pine bark beetles dotted surrounding hills only moderately higher than the road.
The valley widens out. Photo looks SSW.
On and on it went, the road winding its way S. Lupe came to no more cabins. The power line must have ended or veered off somewhere along the way. At one point Lupe and SPHP sat on a log together, taking a 10 minute breather. A gorgeous day for a workout in the hills!
Like genuine poverty, Poverty Gulch went on and on! Photo looks WSW.
Couldn’t be much farther! At last it was clear that the road was about to reach the top of a rise. When Lupe got there, sure enough, she had been here before. SPHP recognized the sign. Loop had reached USFS Road No. 238 (Divide Road). Her long trek up Poverty Gulch was over!
At the junction with USFS Road No. 238 (Divide Road). No. 238.1B, which goes most of the way down Poverty Gulch, is on the R. Photo looks NNW.
Castle Peak(6,358 ft.) was still 0.75 mile S of this junction. Lupe took No. 238 heading SW. The road quickly curved W, where a tree-broken view of Castle Peak was on offer from a hillside S of the road.
Castle Peak (Center) from just S of USFS Road No. 238. Photo looks S.
Returning to the road, it curved NW and started going downhill. A side road, USFS Road No. 238.1A, soon appeared on the L (SW). This was the same road Lupe had taken twice before when she’d gone to Castle Peak. It would get her nearly all the way to the summit.
At the start of USFS Road No. 238.1A.
Taking No. 238.1A, Lupe soon went past No. 238.1E on the R (W), which looked like it would curve down into Brown Jug Draw. Ignoring it, she stuck with No. 238.1A. Another snowy trek, steeper toward the end than anything back in Poverty Gulch, finally brought the American Dingo to the top of Castle Peak.
Just below the summit where USFS Road No. 238.1A ended. Photo looks SW.
Castle Peak used to be the site of an old fire lookout tower, long gone years ago. Now the summit is an open area rimmed by pines. The views are disappearing as the trees keep growing. Lupe couldn’t see Peak6216 a mile to the E, which she had visited 10 days ago, but there were still some views in other directions.
Time for a break! After taking a look at both Custer Peak(6,801 ft.) and Terry Peak(7,064 ft.), the most prominent mountains to the N, Lupe and SPHP sat down on a snow-free patch of ground. The best views from the summit of Castle Peak were on display off to the S.
Castle Peak summit. Photo looks SW.Looking NNE. Custer Peak (L) is visible in the distance.Custer Peak(6,801 ft.) (Center) still has an active fire lookout tower. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) (Center). Photo looks NNW.Black Elk Peak (L). Photo looks SSE.Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) (Center) and Sylvan Peak(7,000 ft.) (R) both on the horizon. Photo looks SE.The big ridges on the horizon are part of the Limestone Plateau and some of the highest ground in South Dakota! Photo looks S.
Lupe had some Taste of the Wild. Since she’d been eating snow, she wasn’t interested in water. SPHP munched an apple. A light S breeze blew. The late November sun was bright, but felt feeble. Not cold out, but not all that warm either. Comfortably cool.
More than 4 years gone by since the last time the Carolina Dog had been here, nearly 7 since her first time on Castle Peak. Hard to believe. The thought was faintly disturbing.
So, we just going to sit here all day, SPHP?
Nah! Beautiful spot, though, isn’t it Looper? If you’re ready, we can go check out the views to the W.
From the top of Castle Peak, pines hide the views to the W. However, past experience had shown that a few small rock formations several hundred feet SW of the summit provide great views in that direction. Miles of the E edge of the limestone plateau country can be seen, including South Castle Rock(6,840 ft.), Castle Rock(6,783 ft.), Nipple Butte(6,800 ft.), Flag Mountain(6,937 ft.), Peak6962, and White Tail Peak(6,962 ft.).
When Loopster got there, the bright white snow enhanced the already terrific panorama, making the hills seem higher and more splendid.
The big snowy field is Reynold’s Prairie. Beyond it, Castle Rock & South Castle Rock are part of the same ridge straight up from Lupe’s head. Nipple Butte is straight up from her rump. Photo looks SW.Along the horizon: South Castle Rock & Castle Rock (L), Nipple Butte (L of Lupe’s ears), Flag Mountain (R of Lupe’s ears), and part of Peak 6962 (far R). Photo looks SW.Oh, this is fabulous, isn’t it? Classic Black Hills!
The view of White Tail Peak was of particular interest. Between here and White Tail Peak was a smaller mountain, Peak6244. The Carolina Dog might be going there next, so SPHP wanted to get a look at it and the surrounding territory.
Flag Mountain (L by the stump), Peak 6962 (L of Lupe’s head), and White Tail Peak (R). Peak 6244 is the small hill on the R. Photo looks W.
Peak 6244 didn’t look like much, just a small forested hill slightly over 1.5 miles away. It took SPHP several minutes of studying the topo map and comparing it to the terrain to pick Peak 6244 out for certain from similar hills nearby.
White Tail Peak is the distant high ridge on the L. Peak 6244 is the much closer and smaller hill also on the L. Photo looks NW.White Tail Peak (Center) and Peak 6244 (R). Photo looks WNW.
I don’t know, Loop. Might not see much of anything except trees from over there. Want to do it?
Oh, there’s more?
Yes. I was thinking we could visit that little mountain, Peak 6244.
Sure! Why not? We’ve been on Castle Peak an hour already. I wouldn’t mind doing some more exploring.
Well, one reason not to is that there isn’t any road that I know of most of the way. Between the snow and the deadfall we’d likely encounter, getting there might prove a lot tougher than it looks.
So do you want to, or not, SPHP? We’d better get going, if you do. The sun is already sinking!
Eh, the Carolina Dog had a point. Better quit dithering and get with it!
Loop and SPHP returned briefly to the summit of Castle Peak before heading back down USFS Road No. 238.1A.
On the way back to the summit of Castle Peak. Five Points(6,221 ft.) is visible in the gap between trees on the L. Photo looks SE.At the summit of Castle Peak prior to departing for Peak 6244.
Going down was definitely easier than going up. Didn’t take long to get back past the turn for USFS Road No. 238.1E. Shortly before reaching Divide Road again, Lupe came to the top of a small rise. Time to leave the road! To the W, dead trees stood spaced out on a gentle slope thickly covered with young pines.
On USFS Road No. 238.1A after leaving Castle Peak.Lupe left No. 238.1A here, crossing the slope seen behind her. Photo looks W.
The idea was to travel almost due W through the forest staying as much as possible up on the high ground of a hilly, poorly defined ridge. By staying toward the S, Lupe ought to be able to avoid the deepest snow. Like most of the Black Hills these days, though, the forest looked heavily damaged by a pine bark beetle infestation. The going might get really tough, if the Carolina Dog came to a lot of deadfall.
Things started off pretty well. Right away, Lupe found an animal trail going W through the young pines. Beyond them she wound up on the N side of a small hill, but the snow wasn’t that deep. She did come to some deadfall timber, but not enough to be much more than a nuisance.
A look back at Castle Peak from the young pines. Photo looks SSE.Exploring the hilly ridge. Not much snow where the sun could get at it. Photo looks W.
All seemed well when Loop reached the broad flat top of an expected hill. No snow or deadfall here. The only problem was telling exactly which way to go as the ground sloped down to the W. The forest was featureless, and the tree-broken views of surrounding hills all looked about the same.
In the open forest on the broad, flat top of a 6,100 foot hill. Photo looks WNW.
Well W of the hill, Lupe came to a faint, unmarked road.
On the faint road. Which way? This road wasn’t shown on the map. Photo looks SW.
Ignoring the road, Lupe crossed it and went over a small rise. On the other side, the terrain resumed a steady descent. Several big rocks were here, the only ones she’d seen since leaving USFS Road No. 238.1A.
On the big rocks. Photo looks S.
Peak 6244 was only 1.33 miles due W of where Lupe had left No. 238.1A. The American Dingo must have traveled most of that distance by now. Ahead was a valley, and beyond it were higher hills. Very difficult to tell with all these trees, but it looked like maybe there was higher ground connected to those hills off to the SW. Had Lupe wandered too far N?
Seemed like that might be the case. From the big rocks, a snowy clearing to the S could be seen down in another part of the same valley Lupe was coming to. She headed down to it. On the way, she came to another road that went by the clearing. Nearby was a junction with what must have been the lower end of the faint road Lupe had just crossed. A marker said the faint one had been USFS Road No. 238.1C.
By the road next to the snowy clearing. Photo looks SSW.
Lupe needed to get up on the ridge beyond (SW) the clearing. Following the road S up to the ridgeline seemed like a reasonable course of action. Probably was, but SPHP became anxious to turn W again, and had Lupe leave the road before getting all the way to the top.
The snow quickly deepened on the upper N side of the ridge. Loop came to another area thick with young pines. No animal trails here! Instead, deadfall timber was everywhere. The trek became a terrible struggle trying to force a way through the young pines, deep snow, and unending tangle of deadfall.
Progress virtually ground to a halt. In deep snow, stuck down among the little pines, Lupe valiantly leapt over or snuck under hundreds of dead trees. Exhausting! The sun was sinking. This was taking forever! At last, Lupe made it over to the SW side of the ridge where there was less snow and deadfall timber. What had to be Peak 6244 was now in sight.
Peak 6244 ahead! Photo looks W.
The easiest way to get there appeared to be to head NW to a subpeak NE of Peak 6244. The ridge Lupe was on led to minor dip at the base of the subpeak. Beyond the dip, she came to yet another unmarked road.
Unfortunately, the road didn’t go up the mountain. After crossing it, the Carolina Dog continued NW up the slope leading to the subpeak. At first, this was easy terrain. No snow, little deadfall.
Starting up the slope leading to the subpeak. Photo looks NW.
The situation soon deteriorated. Loop didn’t have to go all the way to the top of the subpeak, but all the territory between it and Peak 6244 was another region of young pines, snow, and a tangled mess of deadfall. Trying to turn toward Peak 6244 before reaching the saddle leading to it from the subpeak proved futile.
Up at the saddle, things were somewhat better. Not much snow. Still plenty of deadfall, but most of it was neatly arranged perpendicular to the route Lupe had to take. She still had to go over it all, then climb Peak 6244’s snowy NE slope, but the top of the mountain wasn’t much higher than where Lupe was now. Shouldn’t take too long.
Up on the saddle. Still lots of deadfall to cross, but this wasn’t too bad. Peak 6244 dead ahead! Photo looks SW.On the snowy NE slope, approaching the summit.
Approaching from the NE, Peak 6244 seemed to be coming to a pointy top. Rocks were up there! Maybe Lupe actually would have some views from the summit? That would be really nice after all this effort!
The summit region was surprisingly roomy. Ground covered with pine needles connected two slightly higher rocky areas, one to the E and the other to the W. The true summit was a big rock at the NE end. Looper went first to some other rocks almost as high that offered a nice view to the S. Not bad at all!
Reynolds Prairie from Peak 6244. Photo looks SW.
The rock at the true summit provided a view of less interesting territory off to the NE, plus a tree-broken glimpse of Castle Peak.
At the true summit of Peak 6244. Photo looks NE.Castle Peak (R). Photo looks ESE.True summit of Peak 6244. Photo looks NE.
The rocky area to the W was worth exploring, too. Lupe went there next, stopping briefly for another look at Reynolds Prairie on the way.
That nice view toward Reynolds Prairie (R) again. Photo looks SSW.On the rocks at Peak 6244’s W edge. Photo looks W.Flag Mountain(6,937 ft.) (L). The ridge beyond Lupe is Peak6962. Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.
Lupe’s journey to Peak 6244 had been a success! Really shouldn’t stay, though. The day was almost shot, the sun a mere glow in clouds near the horizon. Getting stuck out here in the dark surrounded by snow and deadfall would not be good! Yet the Carolina Dog did stay for a little while, hanging out by the W rocks.
Along the W edge. Photo looks NNW.
More Taste of the Wild disappeared. SPHP’s last apple vanished. Such a nice spot! Peak 6244 was way better than anticipated after that first look at it from Castle Peak.
Peak 6244’s summit region. The true summit is hidden by trees just L of Center. Photo looks E from the W rocks.
25 minutes flew by. Alright. Better get going. Lupe leapt up on the W rocks one more time.
Final moments on Peak 6244. Photo looks NNW.
She then started down the mountain heading S along the W edge. Oh, there was that view of Reynolds Prairie again! Worth pausing for.
Photo looks SW.South Castle Rock & Castle Rock (L), Nipple Butte (Center), and Flag Mountain (R). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
Enough already. Time to skedaddle.
Onward! Puppy, ho!
Heading S, Lupe quickly circled WNW as soon as the terrain permitted. Going back E the way she had come up was out of the question. Way too late for a return to Poverty Gulch. Had to get to a road before it got pitch dark! Finding a quick route to S Rochford Road less than 0.5 mile W of Peak 6244 was the only hope.
Starting down from the W rocks. Photo looks N.
Turned out it was easy. The W slopes of Peak 6244 weren’t that difficult. Not much snow or deadfall. Loopster lost elevation rapidly. Before long she reached another USFS Road by a tree marked “BT” in purple paint, whatever that meant.
At the purple BT tree and yet another unmarked USFS road. Photo looks W.
Lupe followed the road N. SPHP hoped it would lead to S Rochford Road. Nope. Instead the road wound along the W slopes of Peak 6244, neither gaining nor losing elevation. Fortunately, S Rochford Road soon appeared off to the L (NW) down a fairly steep slope.
Easily manageable! 5 minutes and Lupe was standing in a snowy field next to S Rochford Road. A rosy glow to the SW! Sunset, such as it was. The glow strengthened momentarily, then faded even faster.
Down by S Rochford Road (No. 306). Photo looks SW.
The sky was clearing. Stars appeared. The temperature plunged. Quiet, dark. Maybe 3 miles back to Rochford? Not any more than that. Long stretches of the road were icy and slick. Where it wasn’t smooth, the ice crunched loudly underpaw.
Lights were on at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon! Through the window, the joint looked packed. Good for the saloon, but too bad for Lupe. If it hadn’t been so busy, maybe she really could have snuck in? At least, SPHP would have let her try.
Oh, well. Only a little farther to the G6. (6:09 PM, 32ºF)
