South Dakota – Page 79 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 123: White Rocks, Mt. Roosevelt & Crow Peak (3-21-15)

Lupe was destined to have a bit of a different excursion this beautiful, sunny and unseasonably warm Saturday in March. SPHP had decided she should go do a bit of peakbagging in the northern Black Hills and hit 3 different peaks she’d never climbed before. The 3 peaks were scattered far enough apart so Lupe would have to get a ride in the G6 to get from peak to peak. That alone was unusual enough, since Lupe doesn’t normally return to the G6 until the end of the day. However, all three peaks were also in areas where Lupe would likely see people and other dogs, too. Usually Lupe and SPHP are in remote enough areas so they rarely see anyone else once they leave the G6.

The first peak Lupe went to was White Rocks (5,250 ft.). Lupe was pretty surprised to jump out of the G6 at 10:11 AM and find herself at a little park in the town of Deadwood, SD. Lupe started off trotting past several blocks of houses following Cemetery Road steeply up to the Mt. Moriah Cemetery. There were several tourists around since a number of local celebrities are buried at the Mt. Moriah Cemetery, including “Wild Bill” Hickok, Preacher Smith, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and Potato Creek Johnny.

SPHP checked, but, of course, dogs aren’t allowed in the cemetery. This saved the $1.00 admission fee, but also meant Lupe had to go back down Cemetery Road just a little bit and then turn and climb straight up a long steep forested slope to get up to White Rocks. Shortly before reaching the summit, she did reach a dirt road, which she followed to get to the summit area. The summit area consisted of a number of limestone outcroppings. The highest one had a solar panel on it.

At first, SPHP was a bit concerned that it wasn’t even possible to get safely up to the actual summit. Fortunately, there was one reasonably safe route up, provided one made good careful use of the available handholds and didn’t rush things. Lupe had no problem leaping up the rocks to the top, and then peering over to see what was keeping SPHP. Soon SPHP joined Lupe at the summit.

Lupe on the summit of White Rocks. Bear Butte visible out E on the horizon.

Looking down on Deadwood from White Rocks. Snowy Deer Mountain (center left) and Terry Peak (center right) in the distance.

There was a nice view of the W end of Deadwood. A little farther off in the general direction of Deer Mountain, some of the buildings of the old Homestake gold mine could be seen. Still snowy Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) and Deer Mountain (6,652 ft.), both downhill ski resorts, were farther W. The nearby hills to the E and S were all barren, having burned in the 10,771 acre intense Grizzly Gulch fire back in June, 2002. Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) was visible to the E out on the plains.

Grizzly Gulch burn area looking S from White Rocks. — Looking S from White Rocks towards Grizzly Gulch fire burn area.

A view to the E of the Grizzly Gulch burn area from White Rocks.

Once done at the summit, Lupe sniffed and explored around the other rock outcroppings for a little bit before heading S along a ridge that soon led her to the burn area. There Lupe and SPHP followed some jeep trails to lose elevation hoping to get back down to street level in town without having to go down a steep slope. This was partially successful, but the jeep trail eventually ended at a big power line. From there the rest of the way down was a steep open slope. Lupe wound up at the dead end of a short street where there was a little creek flowing out of a big pipe.

Exploring more of the White Rocks area near the summit.

Lupe had to walk a few blocks in town to get back to the G6 at the little park. The temperature hadn’t changed, it was still 60 degrees out, but by now it was 12:07 PM. Her first peakbagging task of the day, to climb White Rocks, was now out of the way. The next goal was to climb Mt. Roosevelt. Lupe got to enjoy the luxury of a ride in the G6 with the windows partially rolled down so she could sniff the air while heading for Mt. Roosevelt (5,680 ft.).

The little red car was high-centered in the snow and abandoned on the road to Mt. Roosevelt. Lupe & SPHP proceeded on paw and foot from here. — This little red car was high-centered in the snow and abandoned on the road to Mt. Roosevelt. Lupe & SPHP proceeded on paw and foot from here.

Mt. Roosevelt is just a couple miles NNW of Deadwood and 2.5 miles W of Hwy 85 via Mt. Roosevelt Road. About 2 miles from Hwy 85 a little red car was high-centered and abandoned on the road. It was stuck in the only big patch of snow along the whole road. SPHP just parked the G6 at a small turn off just before the red car instead of attempting to drive through the snow. Later on it was clear that at least high clearance vehicles weren’t having any trouble getting through.

Lupe checks out the view to the S over the embankment near Mt. Roosevelt Road. Pillar Peak (center) and Bear Den Mountain (right) just visible on the horizon.

Lupe left the G6 at 12:27 PM (59 °F) to start the trek to Mt. Roosevelt. Before starting up the road past the little red car, though, Lupe went up a short barren embankment to the S which gave her a view back in the general direction of Deadwood. While not much of Deadwood was seen, Lupe did catch a glimpse of Pillar Peak (5,469 ft.) and Bear Den Mountain (5,642 ft.) where she had been a week ago on Expedition No. 122. She then went back to the road and trotted on past the little red car on her way to Mt. Roosevelt.

Lupe on the trail to the summit of Mt. Roosevelt. Terry Peak in the distance. — Lupe on the trail to the summit of Mt. Roosevelt. Snowy Terry Peak (center) and Deer Mountain (left) in the distance.

Near the summit of Mt. Roosevelt is a picnic ground. From there the rest of the way to the top is via a maintained foot trail. At the top of Mt. Roosevelt is a 31 foot tall stone tower, known as The Friendship Tower. It was built in 1919 through the efforts of Seth Bullock to commemorate the life and death of his personal friend Theodore Roosevelt. Lupe climbed the narrow steep winding stairway to get up to the top of The Friendship Tower.

Lupe up at the top of The Friendship Tower on Mt. Roosevelt.

The view N from the top of The Friendship Tower on Mt. Roosevelt.

Lupe at the top of the stairs to The Friendship Tower on Mt. Roosevelt.

By 1:39 PM (still 59 °F), Lupe was back at the G6. Only one of her 3 peakbagging goals for the day remained – Crow Peak (5,787 ft.), located about 5 miles WSW of Spearfish, SD. Lupe was in for a longer ride to get to Crow Peak. SPHP even stopped briefly in Spearfish to pick up a Subway sandwich to bring along.

Crow Peak as seen from I-90 near Spearfish, SD.

There is a good maintained trail up to the summit of Crow Peak from a trailhead located along Higgins Gulch Road (USFS Road No. 214). (To find Higgins Gulch Road turn W on Hillsview Road at the Burger King on N. Main Street in Spearfish. Follow it all the way W to the hills. Higgins Gulch Road is on the left where Hillsview starts to turn N.) At the trailhead, there isn’t any sign visible from the road. There is just a big flat open parking area. The trailhead sign is 50 feet in along the trail hidden in the trees.

SPHP was surprised to find the Crow Peak trailhead parking lot virtually full. Lupe was destined to meet quite a few people and dogs on the Crow Peak trail. The 3.5 mile trail was pretty much a steady moderately paced climb all the way with only a few short downhill stretches. The last 1.5 miles past the spur trail to Beaver Ridge were the steepest with lots of long switchbacks. There were some very nice views to the WNW towards Warren Peaks (6,650 ft.) in the Bear Lodge Mountains N of Sundance, WY on the higher switchbacks.

Lupe reaches the summit of Crow Peak. Terry Peak (center) in the distance.

At the summit of Crow Peak was a wooden sign showing the elevation of 5,760 feet. There were great views of the city of Spearfish and far out onto the prairie to the N and E. Bear Butte could be seen, but looked far away. To the S, Terry Peak dominated. Forest blocked the view to the W. Lupe and SPHP spent quite a long time up at the summit. People came and went. Even a few little kids made it. Lupe shared the Subway sandwich with SPHP. The sandwich was a sloppy, tasty mess. (Note to Self: Don’t have them put any dressings or sauces on a sandwich you intend to pack up a mountain.) Lupe even got in a little nap while SPHP wasted some time contemplating the world below.

Lupe on Crow Peak 3-21-15. Bear Butte far away on the horizon (center right). — Lupe on Crow Peak 3-21-15. Bear Butte far away on the horizon (center). Spearfish, SD is at the base of the forested hills on the left.

On the way down, SPHP decided to take a look at Beaver Ridge, but did not wait until coming to the spur trail to go looking for it. Lupe wound up on a high narrow ridge with some tall thin limestone walls along the spine of it. This was not Beaver Ridge, which SPHP later realized was farther SW. The high ridge ended and Lupe had to head steeply back down into a valley. There Lupe and SPHP headed S and soon came to the main trail right where the intersection with the 0.5 mile Beaver Ridge spur trail was.

However, by now SPHP had lost so much time wandering around on the high ridge that wasn’t Beaver Ridge, it was probably best not to wander too far away from the main trail. It was going to get dark. SPHP decided not to go to Beaver Ridge. The trail heading in that direction looked pretty faint. Instead SPHP picked up some trash around the trail junction, while Lupe sniffed around in the forest. Even without going to Beaver Ridge, it was getting pretty dark by the time Lupe arrived back at the G6 at 7:49 PM (47 °F).

It had been an odd, but successful, Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 123. Lupe achieved all 3 peakbagging goals, had several rides and rests in the G6, and had seen lots of people and sniffed with lots of other dogs. Barely visible in the growing darkness, she went wading down in the little creek across Higgins Gulch Road from the trailhead parking lot. There she got a big drink of cold water. A couple minutes later she hopped into the G6 for the ride home.

Lupe wishes you happy adventuring from Crow Peak!

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 122: Bear Den Mountain, Anchor Hill, Dome Mountain & Pillar Peak (3-14-15)

After a week of above average temperatures and with a near record high in the 70’s forecast for this Saturday, it was definitely time for Lupe to head out for another Black Hills expedition. SPHP decided Lupe would go back to the Pillar Peak area (see Expedition No. 120) where there were three more mountains listed on Peakbagger.com that Lupe could climb: Bear Den Mountain, Anchor Hill and Dome Mountain.

SPHP parked the G6 at the big Camp 5 Trailhead parking lot located just S of Hwy 14A between Sturgis and Deadwood, SD at 9:19 AM. It was already 47 degrees F out under sunny skies. Lupe started out heading S along USFS Road No. 306.1. Within a few minutes she reached the dry creek bed of Boulder Creek and just beyond it came to an intersection with USFS Road No. 172.1. Lupe took No. 172.1 which headed WSW for about half a mile before turning S.

No. 172.1 gained elevation steadily, but at an easy pace. The road was damp from recently melted snow. Only at a few shaded curves in the road was there any snow or ice still on it. The road wound along the lower E slopes of a high hill for over a mile before entering Lost Gulch. Lupe could have followed No. 172.1 up Lost Gulch, which would have brought her to the general vicinity of all three of her peakbagging goals.

However, up to this point, No. 172.1 had not been too interesting. It was not a major gravel road, but was in good enough shape so that SPHP could have driven the G6 up it without much of a problem. Lupe and SPHP both prefer a more remote and secluded feel than No. 172.1 was exuding. Stopping briefly to check the maps, SPHP found that an intersection with USFS Road No. 567.1F wasn’t too far ahead. It might be more of a challenge.

Lupe at the start of USFS Road No. 567.1. Before long this road faded away to the point where it was essentially non-existent.

Lupe passed an intersection with No. 172.1F, which did look interesting, but another look at the maps showed it ultimately curved around to the NE – the wrong direction. Lupe stayed on No. 172.1 and about 0.25 mile later reached No. 567.1F. No. 567.1F was covered with snow and long branches of bushes were reaching out over the road. There were no tracks in the snow. It looked like No. 567.1F was likely impassable to vehicles, which made it a great choice for Lupe and SPHP.

Lupe clearly enjoyed No. 567.1F. While on No. 172.1, she had just trotted along at SPHP’s heels most of the time. On No. 567.1F, however, she started branching out and exploring the forest in every direction, while SPHP struggled along through the increasingly numerous obstacles on the long abandoned road. No. 567.1 headed generally SW up a fairly big side gulch off to the S of Lost Gulch. The road gradually deteriorated as it went up the gulch. Parts of it were completely wiped out at the bottom of the gulch due to erosion.

Deadfall timber, growing trees and bushes, rocks and snow eventually made it impractical to try to stay on the faint remains of No. 567.1F any longer. So Lupe and SPHP started climbing up the steep slopes of the NW side of the gulch. After a while the terrain leveled out quite a bit and became more open. There was a high point visible off to the SE, but SPHP checked the maps and it looked like the summit of Bear Den Mountain (5,642 ft.), Lupe’s first peakbagging goal of the day, should be off to the SW.

Lupe resumed climbing and looking for the summit of Bear Den Mountain. From Pillar Peak on Expedition No. 120 on 2-20-14, SPHP had seen that there were a number of roads on the upper slopes of Bear Den Mountain. Lupe started running into and crossing them. SPHP’s old USFS map showed that the summit of Bear Den Mountain was surrounded by private property, but Lupe came to no development other than the roads, not even any fences or signs.

Past the first high point, Lupe is now on the ridge leading to the summit of Bear Den Mountain. Custer Peak is visible in the distance.

Lupe did come to a high spot, also reached by a jeep trail, which at first SPHP thought might be the summit of Bear Den Mountain. A look around soon convinced SPHP that there was likely still higher terrain some distance to the W. Exploring in that direction, Lupe did clearly gain some elevation and arrived at the summit of Bear Den Mountain.

Lupe nearing the summit of Bear Den Mountain from the E. A forest fire burned the area some years ago.

Lupe at or near the summit of Bear Den Mountain. Photo looks SE. — On top of Bear Den Mountain. Photo looks SE.

Lupe on Bear Den Mountain. Pillar Peak at far left is less than 2 miles to the N. — Lupe on Bear Den Mountain. **Pillar Peak** **(5,469 ft.)** at far left is less than 2 miles to the N.

Lupe on Bear Den Mountain. Photo looks W at hill SPHP mistook for Anchor Hill. Terry Peak visible as distant snowy highest point (left of center). It was this photo and topo maps available on Peakbagger.com that convinced SPHP two days later that the forested hill in the background, which Lupe did climb next, was actually about 0.5 mile NNE of and higher than Anchor Hill.

Having reached the summit of Bear Den Mountain, after a short Taste of the Wild and water break, it was time for Lupe to head for her next peakbagging goal – Anchor Hill (5,720 ft.). Lupe headed SSW down a long ridge extending out from Bear Den Mountain. She then turned WNW and followed a mile long saddle between Lost Gulch to the N and Butcher Gulch to the S.

Lupe heading down the SSW ridge from Bear Den Mountain. Photo looks W. Custer Peak and what SPHP believes to be the old Gilt Edge Gold Mine in view. — Lupe heading down the SSW ridge from Bear Den Mountain. Photo looks SW. **Custer Peak (6,804 ft.)** and what SPHP believes to be the old Gilt Edge Gold Mine are in view.

Bear Den Mountain from the WSW along the ridge between Lost & Butcher Gulches. Bear Butte visible out on the prairie. — Bear Den Mountain from the WSW along the ridge between Lost & Butcher Gulches. **Bear Butte (4,422 ft.)** visible out on the prairie.

Lupe cools off in the snow on the way to Anchor Hill.

Lupe did climb the high forested hill that SPHP had seen from Bear Den Mountain and had assumed was Anchor Hill. Only two days later did SPHP realize that the hill Lupe climbed was not really Anchor Hill, but a slightly higher hill about 0.5 mile to the NNE of the real Anchor Hill. On three expeditions, No. 119, No. 120 and now No. 122, silly little Anchor Hill has eluded Lupe and SPHP.

Lupe reached this pile of loose rocks at the summit of the fake Anchor Hill.

Break time for Lupe on the fake Anchor Hill. Notice the brown pipe sticking up near a tree toward the right side of the photo.

After a rest break on the fake Anchor Hill, Lupe headed NE for Dome Mountain. Coming down the NE slopes of the ridge connected to fake Anchor Hill, the snow was 2 to 3 feet deep. Lupe crossed the saddle ridge between fake Anchor Hill and the ridge Dome Mountain is on. It was a real mess for a long stretch due to deadfall timber as a result of a fire years ago.

Lupe looks NNE towards Dome Mountain. Pillar Peak pokes up above the trees in the distance.

P1060006 — Oh, delightful! The last stretch of the saddle ridge leading NE towards the E end of the Dome Mountain ridge. Actually the hike across it wasn’t too bad as the dead trees were fairly small.

Once Lupe was across the saddle ridge and into the living forest, it was much easier going as she headed W towards the rocky point that is the summit of Dome Mountain.

P1060007 — Looking W at Dome Mountain while still on the saddle ridge. This ridge separates Lost Gulch to the E from the big gulch that sweeps around the S and W sides of Dome Mountain.

P1060009 — Looking SW at the rocky summit of Dome Mountain. Fake Anchor Hill in the background.

Up on Dome Mountain (5,512 ft.), there was a fairly stiff breeze out of the NW. The blue skies of the early morning had long ago clouded up with an indefinite overcast haziness. The highest rock outcropping which is the summit of Dome Mountain was easily climbed. Lupe finished the rest of her Taste of the Wild up on the summit, although she didn’t care much for the wind.

P1060012 — Looking W towards **Terry Peak (7,064 ft.)** from Dome Mountain summit.

P1060014 — Looking NE towards Pillar Peak from summit of Dome Mountain. Lupe is ready to get off the windy summit and hoping SPHP hurries up with the photo session.

Having climbed Dome Mountain, SPHP was under the delusion that Lupe had achieved all three of her peakbagging goals for Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 122. (Not realizing that Lupe had climbed a false Anchor Hill.) It was time to start heading back to the G6, but SPHP also thought Lupe might have time to climb Pillar Peak (5,469 ft.) once again, which was not too out of the way. The key to being able to do so was to follow along the saddle ridge between Dome Mountain and Pillar Peak.

Lupe left the Dome Mountain summit area heading E through the living forest. When she got near the edge with Lost Gulch, she turned N trying to stay on the high ground. This was successful for a while, but the high ground she was following eventually dropped off. She had to go a considerable distance down into a ravine and climb back up to the N again to get back up on the saddle. SPHP was starting to get weary and almost decided against climbing up again in favor of just heading down into Lost Gulch. This would have meant giving up on Pillar Peak.

Fortunately, SPHP managed to summon the energy to climb back up on the ridge. Lupe continued on to Pillar Peak. The wind out of the NW was even stronger and gustier than it had been on Dome Mountain as Lupe climbed up the final stretch. The gusting wind and late hour made the stay up on Pillar Peak a short one. SPHP took a few photos and Lupe was on her way again.

P1060019 — Getting very close to Pillar Peak while approaching from the SW.

P1060020 — Lupe reaches the summit of Pillar Peak not long before sunset. The snowy ski runs on Terry Peak to the W visible in the distance (left).

Lupe left the summit of Pillar Peak and headed toward a slightly lower forested high point on Pillar Peak a short hike to the E. Just before reaching it, she headed SE down a steep slope. Like much of the day’s journey, it was slow going for SPHP picking a way down through all the deadfall timber, rocks and bushes. After losing 500 feet of elevation, Lupe found a road. It headed up in both directions. Lupe followed it S. It eventually went over a saddle. On the other side of the saddle was another road, which may have been No. 172.1H.

Lupe followed this road for a while hoping to lose elevation, but it stayed high up on the slopes of the mountain it was going around. It eventually just ended. About 150 feet lower another road could be seen. Lupe headed down to it. This road did the same thing, heading around the mountain while maintaining elevation. It also dead ended. Again another road could be seen farther below, this time near the valley floor. SPHP by now had to pick a way down the slope very carefully, for the sun had set a while ago and with the cloud cover, even twilight was fading fast.

The lowest road continued on down Lost Gulch. Even here it was a bit tricky going in the dark. The road was covered with snow and ice for a long way. Finally Lupe reached the intersection with USFS Road No. 567.1 again. SPHP recognized it and was now certain Lupe was on USFS Road No. 172.1, which she could follow essentially the rest of the way back to the G6.

It was quite dark by now. SPHP was feeling pretty played out. Even though it was downhill almost all the rest of the way, SPHP had to stop on one of the short uphill stretches for a rest. Lupe was still bright and alert. However, once back at the G6, she hopped right in as soon as SPHP was ready for her. It was 8:59 PM and still an amazing 61 degrees out. Lupe curled up and went to sleep almost instantly.

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 122 was a success, but it wasn’t a complete success. SPHP didn’t realize it yet, but Anchor Hill had once again eluded Lupe.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 121 – Custer Mountain, Kruger Peak, Daisy Peak & Northeast Cicero Peak (3-7-15)

After nearly two weeks of weather too cold for a pleasant outdoor experience, Lupe was really, really ready for another Black Hills Expedition. She had been thoroughly bored for days on end. Saturday, March 7th arrived with a forecast high in the low 50’s after a couple of pretty nice days which helped to melt some of the snow around. SPHP was ready to get back into action, too.

Lupe’s main peakbagging goal for the day was to climb Custer Mountain (6,089 ft.), located roughly 3 miles ESE of the town of Custer in the southern Black Hills. (The Black Hills also feature a Custer Peak, which is considerably higher and better known. Custer Peak is in the north central Black Hills.) At 9:01 AM, SPHP parked the G6 near the intersection of USFS Roads No. 342 & 341, just 0.75 mile N of Custer Mountain. Conditions were sunny, calm and 41 degrees F.

Lupe started out heading W on No. 341. She hadn’t gone too far before it was time to leave the road and start climbing the mountain to the S. The climb was moderately steep heading through a Ponderosa pine forest typical of the Black Hills. Due to the northern exposure there was a small amount of snow, not even half an inch, still on the ground.

SPHP could see through the forest that there were two high points above that might be the summit of Custer Mountain. Lupe climbed up to the W high point first, but once there, it didn’t take much exploration to establish that the true summit of Custer Mountain was to the E. After a brief break, Lupe headed past some nice rock outcroppings down into a little saddle that led to the final climb up the rather steep NW slope of Custer Mountain.

Pine bark beetles had killed large numbers of trees. Although there was still a standing forest of living trees, there was a lot of deadfall timber to contend with on the ground too. The climb up to the summit of Custer Mountain was consequently quite slow. The summit itself was a bit surprising. Having seen Custer Mountain from the S back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 109 on 12-13-14, SPHP had expected a fairly large flat summit area, but instead there was a narrow rocky spine running N/S at the highest point.

Lupe on the highest rock on Custer Mountain.

The rocky spine was easily climbed and Lupe posed for a couple of photos up there. There weren’t any distant views from the actual summit due to the surrounding forest. After a brief time at the top, Lupe climbed down off the rocky spine and headed SE down into a small saddle which led to another close-by high spot. This second high spot was much more level and had some open ground affording some fairly decent views to the SE.

Lupe reaches a high spot SE of the summit of Custer Mountain.

Lupe had already accomplished her main peakbagging goal for the day, which was to climb Custer Mountain. It was still very early in the day, so SPHP paused to consider what the plan might be from here. Originally SPHP had supposed Lupe would next head over to Mt. Coolidge (6,023 ft.), about 2 miles to the ESE. However, the view to the S was more interesting. In that direction were three of the peaks Lupe had climbed back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 109. Kruger and Daisy Peaks were 1.5 to 2 miles away. Northeast Cicero Peak was 4 miles away.

Between the trees are Kruger Peak (on left) and Daisy Peak (on right), as seen from Custer Mountain.

SPHP decided Lupe would skip Mt. Coolidge in favor of Kruger, Daisy and NE Cicero Peaks. It would be a considerably longer day, but a more challenging and interesting day too. The decision made, Lupe headed SW down off Custer Mountain. After losing nearly all the elevation gained climbing Custer Mountain, she emerged into a valley, where loggers had greatly thinned the forest. She followed a logging road down the valley to USFS Road No. 343.

A 0.25 mile hike along No. 343 brought Lupe to an intersection with USFS Road No. 337. Lupe turned S on USFS Road No. 337. Eventually Lupe left No. 337 to hike through the forest, and then through a field to the base of Kruger Peak (5,838 ft.). She climbed Kruger Peak from the NW. (The photo featured at the start of this post is of Lupe on the upper slopes of Kruger Peak with a view back to the NW towards Custer Mountain.)

There is a fairly flat area up on the top of Kruger Peak with a couple of rocky high points at the E and W ends. Lupe visited both high points since neither was noticeably higher than the other. SPHP and Lupe paused for a little while to enjoy the Kruger Peak views, and take a water and Taste of the Wild break.

After Kruger Peak, Lupe headed for Daisy Peak (5,948 ft.). She lost about 100 feet of elevation heading down the saddle at the SW end of Kruger Peak. From there she climbed up the N slope of Daisy Peak to arrive on top of the ridge extending NW from the summit. SPHP had Lupe go to the end of the ridge for a few photos back towards Custer Mountain. A five minute stroll SE along the narrow ridge then brought Lupe to the broader, grassy, rounded summit of Daisy Peak.

Custer Mountain (on left) and Harney Peak (center) from end of NW ridge on Daisy Peak.

At the summit of Daisy Peak there was a bit of a breeze out of the SW. The sky was also starting to cloud up a bit more, although it was still mostly clear. Lupe and SPHP spent some time enjoying the views, which were unobstructed in most directions except the NW. Lupe obliged SPHP by posing for an assortment of photos. Then it was time to move on towards NE Cicero Peak, still 2 miles to the S.

Lupe and the dead tree at the summit of Daisy Peak.

Kruger Peak is the nearby low ridge. From Daisy Peak it doesn't look too impressive. — Kruger Peak is the nearby lower ridge. From Daisy Peak it doesn’t look too impressive.

Northeast Cicero Peak is the highest point towards the left of this photo taken from Daisy Peak. — Northeast Cicero Peak is the highest point towards the left center of this photo taken from Daisy Peak.

Lupe headed S down off Daisy Peak following along or just W of the ridge line. At the saddle between Daisy Peak and a smaller hill to the S, Lupe turned SW and proceeded to work her way S around the smaller hill. She reached a faint road which she followed up to the SE. The road faded into just a single track trail which reached a broad level saddle area in the forest. The trail then linked up with USFS Road No. 337.1A (unmarked) just S of the smaller hill.

Lupe followed No. 337.1A heading E and gradually losing elevation as the saddle area was left behind. Before long Lupe reached the intersection with No. 337.1B (marked). No. 337.1B headed S up a long valley towards a high ridge about 0.5 mile N of NE Cicero Peak. SPHP was impressed with the scenery in this valley back on Black Hills Expedition No. 109 when Lupe had come down the valley from the S, and enjoyed the trip up the valley from the N as well.

Looking S up USFS Road No. 337.1B from near the intersection with 337.1A.

Part way up the valley, No. 337.1B is overgrown with young pine trees. It soon dissolves into a single track trail. Lupe and SPHP headed up the trail towards the closest prominent rocky point along the high ridge to the S. Lupe left the trail to turn a bit to the E and climbed up to the top of the high ridge just E of the prominent rocky point. At the rocky point, SPHP took another photo or two looking back towards Daisy and Kruger Peaks.

Lupe on the high rocky point N of NE Cicero Peak. Photo looks N towards Daisy Peak (bare hill on the right) and Custer Mountain (forested hill near center In front of distant Harney Peak). — Lupe on the high rocky point N of NE Cicero Peak. Photo looks N towards Daisy Peak (bare hill on the right) and Custer Mountain (forested hill near center in front of distant Harney Peak).

From the high ridge, Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.) was back in view again. This ridge sweeps around to the SE and then turns SW to head up to the summit of NE Cicero Peak. The whole ridge has only a few living trees on it, so the views are great. There are rock outcroppings scattered along the ridge, some deadfall timber, and plenty of rocks hidden in the grass. Lupe followed this ridge all the way around to gain the summit of Northeast Cicero Peak.

Looking SE along the high ridge from near the rocky point. NE Cicero Peak is on the right.

Northeast Cicero Peak. Lupe climbed it via the ridge sweeping up from the NE (at the left of this photo).

A look at the view to the SE at territory to the E of NE Cicero Peak. — A look towards the SE (still along the high ridge) at territory to the E of NE Cicero Peak.

The summit of Northeast Cicero Peak is broad, flat and grassy. There is a single big rock at the NE end which is the highest point and true summit. Perhaps 30 feet to the W is a low flat row of exposed rocks running N/S which is nearly as high. At this row of rocks, Lupe was ready for a rest. She had water and ate the rest of her Taste of the Wild. It was getting cloudier. A cool breeze out of the SW was getting stronger. Perhaps 1.5 hours or a bit more remained before sunset.

Lupe sitting on the highest rock on Northeast Cicero Peak. — Lupe sitting and squinting on the highest rock on Northeast Cicero Peak.

Lupe stands on the low row of rocks on NE Cicero Peak. The prairie E of the Black Hills is in sunlight.

Lupe posed for more photos on NE Cicero Peak. She then left the summit area heading SW. At the end of the ridge to the SW was an exposed grassy area with the best views to the S of Cicero Peak. SPHP took a couple more photos here, before heading NW down into the forest. The going was a bit slippery since there was still some snow in this part of the forest. Lupe headed down towards a ridge forming a saddle between NE Cicero Peak and the next hill to the W.

Cicero Peak (at right) from Northeast Cicero Peak. — **Cicero Peak (6,166 ft.)** (the highest point at center right) from Northeast Cicero Peak.

Lupe headed N down over the ridge and entered a big valley heading W. She lost lots of elevation as she went NW towards the valley floor. Eventually she picked up a jeep trail or USFS road which was much more level. The road headed N for a while and then turned NW starting to lose elevation again. It came to an open field where there was another road that ended in a big flat turn-around area at its E extremity.

Lupe left the road she was on to head N past the turn-around circle. A single track path disappeared into a forested valley. Lupe followed that path which continued gradually losing elevation. After 0.25 mile at most, the path reached a larger valley. USFS Road No. 337 was along the W side of this valley. Lupe followed No. 337 or paths paralleling it in the nearby fields and forests all the way back to USFS Road No. 343.

By the time Lupe reached USFS Road No.343, it was dark out. Lupe turned E on No. 343. She followed it and then USFS Road No. 342 the rest of the way back to the G6. The stars were blazing in the night sky by the time Lupe reached the G6 at 7:32 PM. It was now 35 degrees out.

After a mere 10.5 hours, Lupe still wasn’t ready to get in the G6. SPHP backed it out and turned the G6 around while Lupe sniffed the air for a few more minutes. As mysterious and exciting as the night air and sounds were, Lupe finally decided she was ready. She hopped into the G6 and curled up for a fitful snooze during the ride home.

Daisy Peak in the last weak rays of sunlight before sunset.

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