South Dakota – Page 51 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 252 – Peak 5865, Peak 6216 & Peak 6135 (11-9-19)

Start 10:14 AM, 44ºF at the intersection of Rochford Road & Mystic Road

Totally unacceptable – that’s what it was! More than 6 months had shot by since Lupe had climbed any mountain in the Black Hills. Even the last peak of her most recent Dingo Vacation had been nearly 2 months ago. Supposed to be a gorgeous day for November, but tomorrow snow was in the forecast again. So it was now or, well, not never, but another undesirable delay. Time for action!

The American Dingo was thrilled! Raring to go, Lupe sprang out of the G6 near the junction of Rochford Road and Mystic Road. She was ready to get back to climbing mountains and wasn’t fussy, any mountain would do! (10:14 AM, 44ºF)

*About time for some Black Hills peakbagging action, don’t you think?*

Before she could climb Peak 5865, the first mountain on today’s agenda, Lupe had to cross the Mystic Road bridge over Rapid Creek. The bridge was just S of where the G6 was parked, so she was there in no time. The Carolina Dog stopped long enough for quick looks both both up and down the scenic stream.

*What a gorgeous day! **Rapid Creek** is looking great!* Photo looks upstream (W).

Downstream view. Quite a bit of snow in the shaded areas, but little or none where the sun could get at it. Photo looks E.

After crossing the bridge, Lupe followed Mystic Road as it started up Cluder Gulch. 0.33 mile later, Mystic Road made a hairpin bend to the L. USFS Road No. 231.2B continued straight ahead at this turn, so Lupe took it the rest of the way up Cluder Gulch.

Mystic Road curves L away from Cluder Gulch, but USFS Road No. 231.2B continues up it. Photo looks S.

*No. 231.2B is rather snowy today, but I like snow!*

*Cluder Gulch is pretty! Could use more squirrels, though!*

Near the upper end of Cluder Gulch. Photo looks SW.

At the upper end of Cluder Gulch the terrain flattened out. Lupe entered a big park-like area. SPHP checked the topo map. Peak 5865 had to be off to the L (SE). The heavily forested W end of the mountain’s NW ridge was already in sight quite close by.

The park-like region beyond Cluder Gulch. Photo looks SW.

The W end of Peak 5865’s NW ridge is on the L. The summit can be glimpsed between the trees on the R. Photo looks E.

Advancing a little way into the park, a faint road not shown on the map led off to the W (R). Lupe stuck with No. 231.2B, which gradually curved SE (L). She soon came to a gate across the road, which she went around. No. 231.2B ended at an unmarked “T” intersection up on a minor pass.

The road to the L curved ESE toward Peak 5865, which was now in view and looked like an easy climb. Lupe took this road, following it partway through a sunny stretch with a nice view of the Pony Gulch area to the SSE. However, she soon left the road to climb NE up to the top of Peak 5865’s NW ridge. From there she headed SE toward the summit.

At the “T” intersection at the end of USFS Road No. 231.2B. Lupe took the road to the L toward **Peak 5865** (seen on the R). Photo looks E.

Looking SSE toward the Pony Gulch region.

The trek up Peak 5865’s NW slope was easy. Nothing to it! At least, not until Lupe reached the N/S oriented summit ridge. Arriving toward the N end, she made an unexpected discovery. The true summit was a rocky knob unlike anything else on the mountain. Although the knob wasn’t terribly high, it’s sides were nearly vertical. For a brief moment SPHP wondered if Lupe could even get up there?

Loop N of the rocky knob that is Peak 5865’s summit. Photo looks S.

Yes! A quick scramble to the top was possible from the NE side of the knob. And that was all there was to it! Lupe and SPHP both went up. There wasn’t much room to maneuver, but the Carolina Dog stood on the highest rock enjoying her first peakbagging success in months.

*Oh, you knew I’d make it, didn’t you?* At the **true summit of Peak 5865**. Photo looks S.

Peak 5865 was nearly all forested. The only reasonably clear view was to the SE. The Carolina Dog hung around the cramped summit no more than 10 minutes before she was ready to get down. 100 feet to the S was a gently rounded high point. It was somewhat lower, but a much better spot to take a short break.

The only reasonably clear view from Peak 5865’s summit was this one to the SE.

Loopster next to the S face of the rocky summit knob. Photo looks NNE.

The rest break didn’t take long. Looper wasn’t actually hungry or tired yet. While SPHP consumed an apple and looked at maps, she laid on the ground or checked trees for squirrels. A gusty 15 mph W breeze blew between intervals of calm. A higher snowy mountain could be glimpsed off to the SW. That was Peak 6135. Maybe Lupe would climb it later on, but that wasn’t really the plan.

At the rounded high point where Lupe took a short break. The true summit is seen on the R. The significance of the red post wasn’t clear. Photo looks NNW.

Snowy **Peak 6135** could be glimpsed between the trees. Photo looks SW.

Lupe was ready to move on as soon as SPHP’s apple was gone. Before going back the way she had come up, she checked out the larger of two old mining pits. Whoever had dug or blasted them must not have found anything of interest. Even the largest hole wasn’t that big.

S of Peak 5865’s summit by the larger of two old prospecting pits. Photo looks NE.

The Carolina Dog concurred. She didn’t see any reason to stick around this hole in the ground, either. On the way back to the T intersection at the end of USFS Road No. 231.2B, Lupe explored a little farther along Peak 5865’s NW ridge. She was rewarded with a fairly decent view of Peak 6135, and discovered a canvas deer hunting blind.

*Hey, here’s a better view of **Peak 6135** (Center)! Maybe we should climb it, too?* Deer blind on the R. Photo looks SW.

**Peak 6135** (Center). Lupe was headed for this region next. Photo looks SW.

No one was at the deer blind, so Lupe continued on. Upon reaching the T intersection at the end of USFS Road No. 231.2B once again, she took the unmarked road going SW. According to SPHP’s map, this was USFS Road No 238.

No. 238 climbed steadily at an easy pace. For a long way it wound along the upper S slopes of hillsides overlooking Pony Gulch. Looper trotted along happily looking for deer, squirrels, or anything else of interest. Much of the time she enjoyed nice views of Peak 6135.

*We’re on USFS Road No. 238 now! That’s Pony Gulch and Peak 6135 on the L.* Photo looks SW.

Along a sunny stretch of USFS Road No. 238.

*Still gradually climbing! That’s Peak 6135 again on the R.* Photo looks SSW.

After 1.5 miles, Lupe went over a minor pass as No. 238 swung over to the N side of the ridge it had been skirting. Bearcat Gulch was to the N. The road dipped and headed back SW again as Lupe crossed a broad saddle. She wasn’t far from Peak 6135 now.

*We’re getting close to **Peak 6135**! That’s part of it on the L. Doesn’t look much higher, does it?* Photo looks SSW.

The long slope at the upper W end of Pony Gulch. Photo looks ESE.

Lupe was almost to a part of USFS Road No. 238 she had been to before. On two prior Black Hills Expeditions she had come up Pony Gulch from Mystic Road on USFS Road No. 428. The junction was just ahead. On those prior occasions Lupe’s ultimate destination had been Castle Peak (6,358 ft.). That was today’s plan, too.

Approaching the junction with No. 428, SPHP considered the notion that maybe Lupe ought to go climb Peak 6135 instead of bypassing it? The summit was only 0.5 mile SE from here. In fact, the first time Lupe had gone to Castle Peak on Expedition No. 36, she had climbed Peak 6135 on the way back. That was nearly 7 years ago now. SPHP remembered a high rocky knob with some great views at sunset.

No, not going to happen. SPHP dismissed the thought. Already too late in the day to climb Castle Peak and another mountain along the way that actually was on the agenda, plus Peak 6135. A nice idea, but unrealistic. Days are simply too short this time of year. Lupe continued W on USFS Road No. 238.

There were occasional distant views to the SE or SW as the road wound along hillsides, once again climbing slowly, but steadily. Lupe got almost as high as Peak 6135 before No. 238 started a gradual descent to a saddle where junctions with two other roads appeared in quick succession. The first road came up from Castle Creek to the S, and the second (USFS Road No. 184) went down Bloody Gulch to the N.

Only 0.25 mile ahead, Lupe’s next peakbagging objective was now in sight. Peak 6216 was a heavily forested ridge. Quite frankly, it didn’t look too impressive. No matter, despite low expectations the American Dingo was going to explore it. You never know what she might find!

0.25 mile E of **Peak 6216** (Center) on USFS Road No. 238. Another road goes S (L) from here down to Castle Creek. Photo looks WSW.

Trees and snow mostly. From the saddle, Lupe followed No. 238 going NW. Before long the road reached a high point. Looper left the road climbing SW through the snowy forest.

At the high point on USFS Road No. 238 where Lupe left it. Photo looks NW.

The snowy climb to the ridgeline. Photo looks SW.

The top of the ridge was forested, too, but not nearly as snowy. Crossing over to the W side, Lupe found a small opening where the ground was snow-free. Castle Peak was in view only a mile to the W. Much farther to the SW, Loop could also see the snow-filled fields of Reynolds Prairie.

Along the W edge of Peak 6216’s N ridge. **Castle Peak** is on the R. **Reynolds Prairie** is in the distance on the L. Photo looks WSW.

After a look at the view, Lupe headed S along the ridgeline in search of the true summit of Peak 6216. The terrain sloped up for a short distance to the top of a modest rise. Was this the true summit already? Not much to see here other than the forest. Loopster stood briefly on highest rock before continuing S.

On the highest rock of the first high point. Photo looks SSW.

At first she lost a little elevation, but Lupe was soon climbing again. She quickly regained all the elevation she’d lost and then some. She reached another high point. This time the ground sloped away more sharply in all directions. This had to be it! Clearly nothing higher any farther S.

In truth, the true summit of Peak 6216 didn’t look much different from the first high point. A few rocks scattered in the forest with a little snow on the ground. No views to speak of here, either. Oh, well. Lupe’s first glimpse of Peak 6216 from the road hadn’t raised any big expectations, that was certain. The Carolina Dog could still claim a 2nd peakbagging success for the day.

*Guess this is it. The **true summit of Peak 6216**. Super exciting, huh?* Photo looks SSE.

*Uh, yeah. This is it. What more can I say?*

Lupe on the **true summit of Peak 6216**, a feat not likely to be repeated.

Actually there was a view from the summit of Peak 6216, a rather nice one too. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), the highest peak in South Dakota, was narrowly visible with the help of the telephoto lens from a slightly less forested spot only 10 or 15 feet SE of the true summit.

**Black Elk Peak** from Peak 6216. Photo looks SE.

Time for another break. Not too long, though. The sun was sinking. If Lupe still intended to get to Castle Peak where the views would be better before sunset, she couldn’t linger too long on Peak 6216. Castle Peak (6,358 ft.) was only a mile away as the crow flies, but easily twice that the way the roads went.

Chowing down on some Taste of the Wild on Peak 6216.

On the way back to USFS Road No. 238, Lupe explored the entire length of Peak 6216’s N ridge, which was close to 0.33 mile long. The whole ridge was forested, but she did find another spot along the W edge where she could see Castle Peak and Reynolds Prairie.

Starting back along the N ridge. Photo looks NNE.

**Castle Peak** (R) and much more distant **Reynolds Prairie** (L). Photo looks WSW.

Zoomed in on **Reynolds Prairie**. **Nipple Butte (6,800 ft.)** (Center) and **Flag Mountain (6,937 ft.)** (R) are beyond it. Photo looks SW.

At the end of the N ridge, another snowy romp got Loop back down to USFS Road No. 238. Following it NW, she didn’t get far before coming to a padlocked gate. A big orange sign said the road was closed.

Private property was ahead. No. 238 went through several old mining claims in this area. Lupe had gone this way to Castle Peak on both of her previous expeditions to it back in 2012 and 2015. Those mining claims had been for sale back then, but this road had never been closed before. The gate was new, too.

This padlocked gate and road closed sign were new since the last time Lupe had come this way in 2015. Photo looks WNW.

Well, shucks Loopster.

What’s wrong SPHP?

Looks like whoever bought this mining claim doesn’t want anyone going across it without permission. They’ve closed the road.

Can they do that? This is a USFS road, shouldn’t there be public access?

I would think so, but I don’t really know. Our maps are old. Maybe the road and its easement have been vacated or abandoned?

So what now?

Think this is it, Loop. No easy way around this private property. Too bad. I was looking forward to seeing the sunset from Castle Peak. We would have had a long walk back in the dark, though.

So we’re going back to the G6?

Yeah, think we have to. We can take USFS Road No. 184 to Rochford Road, if you like. We’ve never gone down Bloody Gulch before.

Lupe was fine with exploring Bloody Gulch, but before she got to the turn, SPHP had a different idea.

Hey, Looper! Why don’t we just go back the way we came? If we hurry, we might get to Peak 6135 in time to see the sunset from there?

Oh, that sounds like fun! We haven’t been on Peak 6135 in nearly 7 years, right? Let’s do it! Come on, I’ll race you, SPHP!

Heh, you can award yourself the blue ribbon right now, Loop.

American Dingoes are flexible. That’s one of the great things about them. As long as they get to come along, they rarely fuss over exactly which adventures they go on. There is no point in racing them, though. None at all. Lupe led the way back on No. 238, sniffing and exploring while SPHP plodded on behind.

The evening sun was still shining brightly on Peak 6135, but wouldn’t be for much longer by the time Lupe drew near again.

Approaching the **NW end of Peak 6135** shortly before sunset. Photo looks E.

Lupe and SPHP lost no time. Abandoning the road, Lupe headed SE up Peak 6135. Half a foot of snow or more hid lots of slash from old logging operations, making progress a bit slow. 0.5 mile to the summit!

A prominent rock formation stood bathed in the last rays of sunlight as the Carolina Dog approached. This wasn’t the summit yet, but Lupe paused here for a quick look. The sun was already on the horizon.

Approaching the first big rock formation on the way up **Peak 6135**. Photo looks SE.

Partway up the first formation as the sun sets near Reynolds Prairie. Photo looks W.

Same spot, but looking NW at the rock formation.

Hurrying onward, Lupe came to a second outcropping, a vertical wall of rock that was set back in the trees.

Near the second rock formation. Photo looks NE.

Two more rocky high points were only a few hundred feet farther S. The closest appeared to be the true summit. An easy little scramble and Lupe was there, poised once again at the top of Peak 6135 for the first time in nearly 7 years.

Approaching the summit (R). Photo looks S.

The sun was already gone, but just barely. Lupe stood bathed in the glow of an increasingly beautiful sunset. The views were tremendous, especially from more exposed rocks a little S of the true summit. Both Peak 5865 and Peak 6216 were technically more prominent, but they couldn’t hold a candle to this!

On slightly lower rocks a bit S of the true summit. The 4th and final rocky high point is on the L. Photo looks SSE.

Colors spread rapidly across the sky. Lupe and SPHP lingered admiring the glorious display. It didn’t last. The brilliant glow was soon fading, in full retreat before the onslaught of the dark powers of night.

Back at the true summit. Photo looks WNW.

Zoomed in on the dying embers of sunset over **Nipple Butte** (Center).

It was over. As twilight deepened, Lupe made her way NW back past now gloomy rock formations. The snow hiding the treacherous slash helped to reflect and prolong what light remained long enough for the Carolina Dog to reach USFS Road No. 238 again. When she got there, though, SPHP had to pause long enough to bring out the flashlight.

Nearly 3 miles to go to get back to Cluder Gulch and down to the G6. Thin clouds blotted out the stars, an almost full moon a mere silver smudge. Lupe trotted happily along the road, venturing frequently out into the inky blackness to explore whatever secrets were hidden out there. A coyote howled, the rhythmic crunch of snow underpaw the only other sound. (End 6:49 PM, 33ºF)

On **Peak 6135**, Black Hills of South Dakota, 11-9-19

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 142 – Castle Peak (10-17-15)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 251 – Bridal Veil Falls, the Devil’s Bathtub trail, Spearfish Falls & Roughlock Falls (10-17-19)

Should have had a plan B! Yesterday evening a landowner had refused Lupe permission to cross their property this morning to access a mountain that would have been a fun trek. SPHP was welcome, but no pesky Dingoes allowed! Heh. No dice! If the Dingo couldn’t, SPHP wouldn’t.

Hence the sudden need for a Plan B. Plenty of options to choose from in the Black Hills, perhaps too many. None seemed to stand out as the thing to do. Better decide soon, though. The morning was shooting by. Lupe wasn’t going to be happy if SPHP let indecisiveness waste away this beautiful day for her first Black Hills Expedition of the fall season.

Under the circumstances, maybe something quick and easy was called for? Lupe didn’t always have to climb a mountain, did she? How about a scenic drive up Spearfish Canyon? Loopster had never been to the Devil’s Bathtub, a lovely remote swimming hole beneath a waterfall hidden up a side canyon. SPHP had thought about taking her there many times, but it was best visited in the hot summer months when the cool, clear water would be refreshing, not frigid.

The Devil’s Bathtub would still be a beautiful short trek, though, and the Carolina Dog wasn’t much into swimming, anyway. Lupe would have plenty of time to visit the 3 best waterfalls in Spearfish Canyon today, too. Why not? SPHP felt kind of lazy. So be it! Lupe was in for an easy day touring the watery wonders of Spearfish Canyon. She was all for it, desperately eager to get going right this very minute!

Coming up Spearfish Canyon on Hwy 14A, Lupe’s first stop was at Bridal Veil Falls. (11:41 AM, 55ºF) Bridal Veil Falls was conveniently right next to the highway. Maybe a bit too conveniently? SPHP was surprised by the number of people milling about. Lupe had to wait for a turn on the viewing platform.

At **Bridal Veil Falls** just off Hwy 14A in Spearfish Canyon.

Bridal Veil Falls was lovely, but the American Dingo was soon ready for more action than simply hanging around a viewing platform next to the highway provided. Only a couple miles farther up Spearfish Canyon was a turn onto Cleopatra Place, which used to be where to park to get to the Devil’s Bathtub. However, Lupe arrived to find that parking along Cleopatra Place was now prohibited.

No problem! 0.25 mile farther up Spearfish Canyon a new parking area right along Hwy 14A now serves as the Devil’s Bathtub trailhead. The new parking lot was on the L (E) just before the old Homestake Mining Company Hydroelectric Plant No. 2. Since the historic old building was so close by, Lupe went to see it.

Loop by Spearfish Creek near Hydroelectric Plant No. 2.

Homestake Mining Company Hydroelectric Plant No. 2 is just upstream of the new parking lot serving as the Devil’s Bathtub trailhead.

It doesn’t take an American Dingo long to look at an old building, either! Not overly impressed, Lupe returned to the trailhead, then followed a muddy path near Spearfish Creek down to the Cleopatra Place bridge.

*There’s the Cleopatra Place bridge now! It’s not far from the new trailhead at all.*

*SPHP says you used to be able to park right here, but not any more!* Loop about to cross the Cleopatra Place bridge.

**Spearfish Creek**. Photo looks upstream from the Cleopatra Place bridge.

Once over the Cleopatra Place bridge, Lupe followed a broad trail near Squaw Creek, a small stream that joins Spearfish Creek just upstream of the bridge. This was the start of the unmaintained trail that goes to the Devil’s Bathtub. The trail quickly led to a ford of Squaw Creek.

Ordinarily Squaw Creek wouldn’t have much flow this late in the year, but 2019 has been unusually wet in the Black Hills. Squaw Creek was looking surprisingly healthy. With snow still lingering from a recent early snowstorm, SPHP wasn’t eager to get cold, wet feet fording the stream. That might easily have been the end of Looper’s Devil’s Bathtub aspirations right then and there, but glancing upstream from the ford, a footbridge was in sight.

The primitive trail to the Devil’s Bathtub quickly led to this ford of **Squaw Creek**. Fortunately, a footbridge is in sight a little farther upstream.

Beyond the footbridge, a braided trail led through the forest up Squaw Creek canyon. Lupe had a great time sniffing and exploring! However, the canyon wasn’t terribly wide. Squaw Creek meandered from side to side, forcing additional stream crossings at frequent intervals. No more footbridges, either – the first one was the only one.

For SPHP all the stream crossings were rock hops. With the water level as high as it was, they were trickier than expected. Many rocks were wet and slippery. Snow or ice clung to some. SPHP had forgotten the trekking poles back at the G6, and was soon wishing they had been brought along. In summer, fording the little stream would have been simply refreshing and not an issue. Now it was a bigger deal.

Of course, Lupe had no problems crossing Squaw Creek. She bounded over rocks, or splashed through shallow spots as she pleased.

Squaw Creek crossing No. 2. Plenty of big rocks in the stream made this one easy.

Even though it was a warm day for mid-October, in some places a fair amount of snow was on or near the trail.

Logs formed a crude bridge at crossing No. 3. The logs were slick, but still served the purpose.

The 6th crossing of Squaw Creek was more problematic than any of the prior ones. Initially it didn’t appear possible without resorting to simply fording the stream. Still hoping not to get wet feet, SPHP scrambled up a steep, snowy slope following footprints left by others in an attempt to avoid this ford completely.

The path dead-ended well above stream level. Well, phooey! SPHP was forced to retreat. However, during the slippery descent it turned out to be possible to get at least a little farther upstream.

It was enough. The creek was easier to cross here.

Loop close to where she managed to cross Squaw Creek for a 6th time.

Lupe had now reached the base of a dramatic horizontally-layered cliff. She stood on a ledge of bedrock next to Squaw Creek. The overall effect was very cool. What a scenic spot!

Between Squaw Creek and the towering horizontally-layered cliff.

Not much farther to the Devil’s Bathtub now, Looper!

How do you know that, SPHP?

I’ve been there, years before you were even born, sweet Dingo! All we have to do now is follow along the base of this cliff. Somewhere not too far past it we’ll come to the Devil’s Bathtub. Don’t remember exactly how much farther it is. Not too far, though. I’ll know it when I see it. We’ll take a break when we get there.

Sounds great! This place is awesome! Let’s keep going!

Lupe continued upstream following shelves of bedrock along the base of the cliff. Once or twice when Squaw Creek came right up against the cliff, she briefly leapt over to the other side in a single bound. This whole stretch was gorgeous and fun!

Temporarily forced over to the R side of Squaw Creek. Photo looks upstream.

Another look downstream from slightly farther on.

The trek along the base of the cliff wasn’t long. A couple hundred yards, maybe? After rounding a corner, Lupe could see a series of pools in Squaw Creek ahead. The largest pool with a small waterfall plunging into it was hidden beyond a big snow-covered boulder at the upper end. The Devil’s Bathtub!

The waterfall and large pool beyond the boulder.

Or was it?

Above the little waterfall, Squaw Creek spilled from a shallow pool down a channel worn smooth – a natural waterslide. SPHP joined Lupe above the waterfall for a look around. Beyond the waterslide and upper pool Squaw Creek came down a straight, narrow valley strewn with rocks. No more stunning cliffs in sight or big pools of water. No trail evident, and all the tracks in the snow seemed to stop here.

Huh.

Huh, what? Is this it, SPHP? Have we reached the Devil’s Bathtub?

I’m not sure Loop. Maybe.

I thought you said you’d been here before, and would recognize it?

Yeah, I thought I would.

So, what’s the problem?

Well, this Devil’s Bathtub doesn’t look quite right to me – at least not the way I remember it. Everything else seems fine, but the waterfall isn’t as high or steep as I recall. Not that it was all that high to begin with, it wasn’t. The bathtub below the falls seems to be shaped differently, too.

Maybe it has changed over the years?

I suppose, but isn’t that rather unlikely? It’s carved into bedrock! More likely my memory is faulty. Sometimes things get built up in one’s mind over time beyond what they ever really were. I’ve had that happen before. I don’t remember the Devil’s Bathtub being too far past the awesome cliffs. From what we can see, it doesn’t look like there is anything promising nearby upstream from here. Judging from the tracks in the snow, no one else has been venturing any farther than this in the past few days, either. Maybe this really is the Devil’s Bathtub?

So what now? Want to keep going farther, just to be sure? I’m game!

Hah! I knew you would be, Loopster! Makes sense, but I don’t know. If I’m wrong, we won’t find anything no matter how far we go. Then you might not have time to visit Spearfish Falls and Roughlock Falls today. This is a gorgeous spot! Let’s ponder the situation while we take a break.

Lupe was fine with that.

At the upper end of the chute above the waterfall.

Overlooking the Devil’s Bathtub candidate from the break area.

Closeup from the brink of the waterfall.

Voices! No sooner had the break begun than a family of five appeared downstream. Lupe and SPHP relaxed listening to the soothing sound of the water while watching them scramble by up past the falls. They went on past the waterslide, disappearing beyond the upper pool, but were soon back. After a few minutes, SPHP asked the wife if this was really the Devil’s Bathtub, or not? We were going to ask you, came the reply! They’d never been here before, but thought that it was.

A bit later, another group of 7 or 8 people came along. They didn’t go any farther than Lupe had, either. Everyone thought this beautiful spot was the Devil’s Bathtub, but no one was completely certain. A pleasant half hour shot by.

This has been fun, but it’s decision time, Loop. Keep going or return to the G6?

Lupe didn’t say. As usual, the Carolina Dog was ready for anything.

Alrighty then, Loopster. Tell ya what. I’m feeling a bit lazy. Mind if we just go back to the G6 to continue your Spearfish Canyon waterfall tour? This might well be the Devil’s Bathtub. If not, it’s been a very similar experience to the one I dimly remember. Promise I’ll try to research it online after we get home. Should have done that to begin with, but I thought I knew what I was doing. If it turns out this isn’t really it, we’ll come back someday. The old Cleopatra mine is on a steep hillside farther up this canyon. Maybe we can check it out, too, then?

Seems silly to leave without knowing for certain if we made it to the Devil’s Bathtub or not SPHP, but if you promise to bring me back again sometime if we didn’t, that’s fine.

It’s a deal! Onward! Puppy, ho!

The trek back to the G6 went faster than going up Squaw Creek had. SPHP was better at the rock hop crossings, and staying on the most direct route. Lupe explored and sniffed as she had earlier, still enjoying this most natural and remote trail of the day. However, she made it back to the G6 so fast (2:20 PM, 70ºF), that it again raised doubts in SPHP’s mind whether Looper had actually made it to the Devil’s Bathtub.

No time to worry about that now, though! The American Dingo was already on to the next great thing! Spearfish Falls was next up. Five miles farther up Spearfish Canyon, SPHP parked the G6 at the Latchstring Inn Restaurant. (2:30 PM, 69ºF) Spearfish Falls was down in the lower canyon the restaurant overlooked. In fact, Lupe could look down on the falls from an observation deck at the S end of the restaurant grounds.

Out in front of the Latchstring Inn Restaurant at Savoy in Spearfish Canyon.

Looking down from the brink of Spearfish Falls (R).

The view from above was nice, but the falls were better seen from down below. The Spearfish Falls trail used to make a loop down to the falls from either end of the restaurant grounds. That had changed. Now the trail is only accessible from the opposite N end of the Latchstring Inn Restaurant property.

This close up of the posted trail map was taken near the S falls overlook. The trail to the falls starts from N of the restaurant as shown, not at the red “You are Here” star.

At the start of the Spearfish Falls Trail just N of the Latchstring Inn Restaurant.

The Spearfish Falls trail started out as a broad path which switch-backed down to the lower canyon floor. Once it leveled out, the trail meandered a bit before quickly leading to a sturdy footbridge over Spearfish Creek.

A few minutes going down gentle switchbacks brought Lupe to the lower canyon floor.

The excellent footbridge over Spearfish Creek.

Looking up **Spearfish Creek** from the bridge.

Beyond the bridge was a short stroll through a park-like forest. A terrific view of Spearfish Falls was just ahead.

Spearfish Falls was impressive! The beautiful falls had excellent flow, and had to be one of the very tallest in the entire Black Hills. A large viewing deck provided a fantastic look at it.

*Wow, Spearfish Falls is really worth seeing isn’t it? So easy to get to, too!*

*Look up above and you can see the roof of the Latchstring Inn Restaurant. It’s just that close!*

After spending a little time appreciating Spearfish Falls, Lupe headed back along the trail. This time she saw several deer along the way. Soon, though, she was back at the start.

On the way back, Lupe was excited to see several deer just around this bend.

One more waterfall to go! Roughlock Falls was only a mile away up the side canyon of Little Spearfish Creek, the same creek that Spearfish Falls was on.

SPHP could have driven USFS Road No. 222 to the Roughlock Falls picnic ground which was practically right at the falls. However, a scenic trail also went to Roughlock Falls from the Spearfish Canyon Lodge located right across Hwy 14A from the Latchstring Inn Restaurant. More fun to do that!

The Spearfish Canyon Lodge is right across Hwy 14A from the Latchstring Inn Restaurant.

After crossing the highway, Lupe went past the Spearfish Canyon Lodge then through a large parking lot to a smaller one. She picked up the trail here at a short bridge over Little Spearfish Creek. Once over the creek, the Roughlock Falls trail followed it upstream. A trail map showed that Lupe could have accessed the trail from right in front of the Spearfish Canyon Lodge. Oh, well!

The popular trail was sort of icy, but otherwise easy. By now, the sun was getting low. Most of the trail was shady, but S facing canyon walls were still in brilliant sunshine.

The Roughlock Falls trail was a bit icy.

The trail went past this pond created by a small dam on Little Spearfish Creek.

Loop a bit off trail next to **Little Spearfish Creek**.

Little Spearfish Creek canyon. USFS Road No. 222 is on the R. The Roughlock Falls trail on the L.

One measly mile didn’t take long. Soon Lupe was on the boardwalk leading to the lower Roughlock Falls observation deck.

Looking back from the boardwalk leading to the lower falls observation point.

**Roughlock Falls** from the lower observation deck.

After seeing Roughlock Falls from down here, Lupe continued on up to the picnic area above the falls.

Little Spearfish Creek up at the Roughlock Falls picnic area.

*Hey, isn’t this where I gave my famous **Lupeo & Xochiet** performance some years back? … Yes, it is Loop!*

The Roughlock Falls picnic area is one of the prettiest in the Black Hills.

Upon completing her quick tour of the picnic area, Lupe checked out the views from the upper observation decks overlooking Roughlock Falls.

The upper observation decks next to the picnic ground are as close to Roughlock Falls as it’s possible to get these days. Wading up Little Spearfish Creek right into the falls is no longer permitted.

Looking down on the lower cascade. The lower observation deck is in sight, too.

*Hard to say which I like better, Roughlock Falls or Spearfish Falls. They are both wonderful!*

Lupe had about seen what there was to see at Roughlock Falls. Time to head back. The American Dingo returned to the lower observation deck for a final look before departing.

Final look at Roughlock Falls from the lower observation deck.

All that remained to complete the day was the pleasant, easy trek back to the G6. Lupe enjoyed every minute of it.

*Well, that’s about it for Expedition No. 251! No mountains climbed, but hope you enjoyed this watery tour of Spearfish Canyon. I sure did!*

10-17-19, 5:13 PM – A happy Carolina Dog arrived at the G6 ready to go home. Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 251 had been a complete success! Or had it?

10 days later, SPHP searched online for images of the Devil’s Bathtub. Plenty of photos of the spot Lupe had reached appeared. Then, Bingo! SPHP recognized it in an instant. The Devil’s Bathtub! There it was, just as SPHP remembered it. The American Dingo hadn’t gone far enough on Expedition No. 251 to reach the true Devil’s Bathtub after all.

How much farther was it? Only 10 minutes according to one account. So Lupe will be going back to the Devil’s Bathtub trail again someday. After all, SPHP promised. But that’s another expedition and adventure!

Devil’s Bathtub trail, Black Hills of South Dakota, 10-17-19

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