Black Hills Expeditions – Page 82 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 124 – Mt. Rushmore & Gap Lode Peak (3-28-15)

Lupe has been on Peakbagger.com since May, 2014 when SPHP first discovered that site. Peakbagger.com has maps and many great features for tracking ascents of mountains, hills, state and county high points, etc. One of the first things Lupe and SPHP started doing once Lupe had her free Peakbagger.com account set up, was to start climbing all of the peaks shown on Peakbagger’s list of Black Hills 6500-foot peaks. Although Lupe and SPHP had already climbed a number of the peaks on this list, it was fun to work towards completing it.

Peakbagger’s list of Black Hills 6500-foot peaks has 24 ranked peaks with at least 280 feet of prominence, plus another 20 unranked peaks lacking the minimum prominence required to be ranked. On November 6, 2014, Lupe and SPHP climbed Peak 6733, which completed all of the peaks on the list that SPHP thought Lupe would be able to climb. A few Black Hills peaks are beyond Lupe’s ability, since they would require rock climbing equipment (or wings), or climbing them is prohibited for one reason or another.

After November 6, 2014 there were only 4 peaks remaining of the 44 peaks total on the Peakbagger.com Black Hills 6500-foot peak list that Lupe had never climbed. Only 1 of them was a ranked peak, which was Peak 6920, a huge granite outcropping between Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) and Little Devil’s Tower (6,960 ft.) which looks from afar like it has sheer cliffs for sides.

The other 3 unranked peaks were the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) (rock-climbing equipment clearly required), Thunderhead Mountain (6,567 ft.) (the privately owned mountain where the Crazy Horse Memorial carving has been underway for decades – climbing it is prohibited without special permission from the owners), and Gap Lode Peak (SPHP was never certain from afar which granite outcropping might be the summit of Gap Lode Peak (6,560 ft.) , but judged it likely that rock climbing equipment would be necessary).

SPHP had been thinking recently that Lupe really ought to go get her picture taken at the most famous mountain in South Dakota and the Black Hills, which she has been past many times. That mountain is also well known both nationally and internationally – Mt. Rushmore. SPHP knew that dogs would likely be prohibited in most of the areas near Mt. Rushmore, so there wouldn’t be much for Lupe to do there once a couple of photos were obtained.

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 124 would need another objective in addition to Mt. Rushmore. Since Gap Lode Peak is a relatively short drive from Mt. Rushmore, SPHP decided that Lupe may as well go and take a close look at Gap Lode Peak to see if there was any way she could climb it. If she could, Lupe could claim an ascent of one more peak on Peakbagger’s list of Black Hills 6500-foot peaks!

The first stop on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 124 was at the little parking lot along Hwy 244 just 0.25 mile past the entrance to Mt. Rushmore (5,725 ft.). There was only one other vehicle at this parking lot when Lupe and SPHP arrived. This parking lot has the great advantage of being free, unlike the parking garage in front of Mt. Rushmore. Another advantage is a very nice view of George Washington’s profile between a gap in the steep granite rock outcroppings near Mt. Rushmore.

Lupe as far as they would let her in at Mount Rushmore.

Lupe and SPHP walked along Hwy 244 back up to the entrance to Mt. Rushmore. Just past the grand entrance was a no dogs sign. A park ranger promptly came over to make certain SPHP had seen the sign. Lupe could go no further, but the ranger at least allowed SPHP to take a few photos of Lupe with Mt. Rushmore in the distance. That pretty much concluded Lupe’s limited exploration of Mt. Rushmore, although she did get quite a bit of attention from some of the tourists who wanted to pet her. She was a bit nervous about it at first, but sat obligingly still while making some new friends.

On the way back to the G6, Lupe and SPHP climbed up on some rocks across Hwy 244 where there was another view of Mt. Rushmore from another angle. A couple of pictures here and Lupe’s little photo op trip to Mt. Rushmore was complete. Once back at the G6, Lupe and SPHP headed out on the 10-15 minute drive to the Palmer Creek trailhead. The sky was totally clear and it was an incredibly warm (for March) 70 °F out at 11:10 AM when Lupe and SPHP started the trek to Gap Lode Peak.

Palmer Creek is so small you don't see it in the grass from this angle. St. Elmo Peak visible in the distance up the valley. — Palmer Creek is so small you don’t see it in the grass from this angle. St. Elmo Peak visible in the distance up the valley.

A short spur trail from the Palmer Creek trailhead took Lupe to Lost Cabin Trail No. 2, part of the fairly extensive trail system in the Black Elk Wilderness area. Harney Peak, the highest mountain in the Black Hills and South Dakota is in the Black Elk Wilderness area, which lies between Mount Rushmore National Monument to the NE and a small section of Custer State Park to the SW. Lupe took Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 climbing all the way up to a high saddle area. There were increasingly nice views as Lupe gained elevation.

Lupe at the first good viewpoint near Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 on the way up. St. Elmo Peak in the distance (center left). — Lupe at the first good viewpoint near Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 on the way up. **St. Elmo Peak** **(6,458 ft.)**to the W in the distance (center left).

Lupe still in the area of the first good viewpoint along Lost Cabin Trail No. 2. This photo looks ENE towards Elkhorn Mountain.

At the saddle, SPHP stopped to consult the topo maps printed out from Peakbagger.com. They showed that Gap Lode Peak was less than 0.5 mile to the SW from this saddle area. Even though it was only 0.5 mile away at most, SPHP knew it was going to take quite a while for Lupe to get to Gap Lode Peak. Pine bark beetles have caused extremely heavy damage in this portion of the Black Hills. Lupe would need a lot of patience while SPHP slowly worked through a jungle of deadfall timber as soon as the trail was left behind.

Lupe's and Gap Lode Peak. This photo shows the E high point and very likely the true summit of Gap Lode Peak. — Lupe and Gap Lode Peak. This photo shows the E high point and very likely the true summit of Gap Lode Peak, but could Lupe really get to the top? Photo looks SW.

The first task was to find Gap Lode Peak. SPHP left the trail and began working through all the deadfall up a reasonably gentle slope to the W. Reaching some granite outcroppings, SPHP was encouraged to see a higher hill of granite in the right direction and about the right distance away to be Gap Lode Peak. Clearly it was not anything Lupe could climb from the E or the S. However, a long slope led up toward the big granite rocks at the top from the N or NW. Perhaps Lupe could climb Gap Lode Peak from that direction?

A rather steep ravine was between Lupe and the N or NW slope leading up to Gap Lode Peak. Lupe would have to lose a fair amount of elevation to get over there. It was abundantly apparent there was going to be nothing but endless deadfall timber the whole way too. SPHP dithered. Was it worth struggling through this mess only to very likely be confronted just short of the goal by a summit too rugged for Lupe to reach it? There were other nice peak objectives reachable by trail in the area.

Lupe passed just below this unlikely looking rock down at the bottom of the ravine on the way to Gap Lode Peak.

For 5 or 10 minutes SPHP headed slowly towards Gap Lode Peak half convinced it was really smarter to just turn around. What could be seen of Gap Lode Peak looked like Lupe could eventually get close to the top of it from the N or NW, but she probably couldn’t get to the summit. Once SPHP started losing elevation down into the ravine, however, the decision was made. Lupe was going to climb Gap Lode Peak or at least know for sure why she couldn’t.

Typical of the deadfall timber Lupe and SPHP had to work through all the way from Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 to Gap Lode Peak.

It took a very long time for the amount of distance covered for SPHP to get through all the deadfall timber down to the bottom of the ravine, and then back up on the N or NW slope that headed up to Gap Lode Peak. Even Lupe was having to work to get through the maze of dead trees, although she was much better and faster at it than SPHP. Still she was having to go over, under or around a lot of stuff. The going got a little bit easier though, since the ground was more level, as Lupe approached the summit.

Lupe getting close to the E summit of Gap Lode Peak. Is that rock wall climbable? — Lupe getting close to the E summit of Gap Lode Peak. Can Lupe climb that rock wall?

It turned out that the N or NW slope led Lupe to a place where there were two possible candidates for the true summit of Gap Lode Peak. The first one SPHP had seen was now to the ESE, and the other newly discovered possibility was to the SW. The first one still seemed likely to be the highest, so Lupe headed in that direction first. It looked from a distance like a granite wall with no way for Lupe to climb it. However, as Lupe got closer, SPHP started seeing that there were some clefts in the rock that might make it possible to get up there safely.

Lupe shortly before climbing the E summit of Gap Lode Peak. The W high point is visible beyond her.

Upon reaching the two clefts just a couple of feet apart, SPHP abandoned the backpack. It turned out that the climb up wasn’t bad at all. Before long Lupe was up on top of Gap Lode Peak! SPHP was very pleased and Lupe looked pretty happy about it too. There were some really nice views towards Harney Peak and Little Devils Tower. Far to the S, even Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.) was in view. There was a huge amount of Black Hills territory in view off to the N towards Custer (6,804 ft.) and Terry (7,064 ft.) Peaks.

Lupe on the E summit of Gap Lode Peak. Photo shows the view to the N.

Harney Peak from the E and likely true summit of Gap Lode Peak. Photo looks E.

Lupe still at the top of the E summit of Gap Lode Peak. Photo looks SE. Lupe is looking W and probably thinking: “There’s that W high point on Gap Lode Peak. I bet that crazy SPHP is going to make me go over there next. When’s lunch anyway?”

Lupe just a few feet away from the E summit of Gap Lode Peak. Sylvan Hill in the background. W high point of Gap Lode Peak not too far away on the right. — Lupe just a few feet away from the E summit of Gap Lode Peak. **Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.)** is the ridge in the background. W high point of Gap Lode Peak not too far away on the right edge of the photo.

Looking to the W, the other high point which might be the true summit of Gap Lode Peak could be seen. It looked just about even with where Lupe was already. SPHP still thought the high stuff to the W didn’t look quite as high, but the difference couldn’t be much. Perhaps it was even a bit higher? It was hard to tell for certain. Naturally, SPHP decided it had taken so long to work through the deadfall timber to get to Gap Lode Peak, Lupe might just as well go and explore the W high point too. After all, Lupe was already very close to it. So after climbing down from the E high point, Lupe headed W.

Lupe reaches the W high point on Gap Lode Peak. The E high point and likely true summit is in the background. Photo looks E. — Lupe reaches the W high point on Gap Lode Peak. The E high point which SPHP believes is the true summit (though not by much) is in the background.

Lupe perched way up on some of the very highest rocks of the W high point of Gap Lode Peak. Photo looks SSE. — Lupe perched way up on some of the very highest rocks of the W high point of Gap Lode Peak. Photo looks SE.

Lupe climbed up on some of the highest rocks at the W high point. After seeing both high points from one another, SPHP concluded they were so very near the same elevation, it was impossible to say for certain which was the absolute highest, but it still seemed that the E high point Lupe had visited first was the true summit of Gap Lode Peak. Regardless, Lupe had succeeded in reaching both! She could claim a successful summit.

Lupe explores Gap Lode Peak. St. Elmo Peak is the pointy hill in the center of the photo just left of Lupe's ear. — Lupe explores Gap Lode Peak. St. Elmo Peak is the pointy hill in the center of the photo just left of Lupe’s ear.

There was more to do near the W high point. The area had nice granite outcroppings with pretty green kinnikinnick growing in many places between the rocks. The granite also extended some distance off to the W and SW without losing much elevation. Lupe went and explored some of this area, which was fun to climb around in. There was still deadfall timber to deal with, but not as much of it as in other areas. There were even better views to the W from some of the rock outcroppings than Lupe had seen from either of the two high points of Gap Lode Peak.

Lupe and another view to the W from Gap Lode Peak.

As the afternoon started wearing on, what had been a breezy day up until now started to get pretty windy. SPHP knew that high winds were in the forecast for this evening. It was time to get going. There were still plenty of dead trees standing which might fall over in a high wind situation. So after a good time exploring Gap Lode Peak, Lupe started the return trip to the G6. She retraced the same short, but time consuming trek back to the saddle area to get back to Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 that she had made to reach Gap Lode Peak. Once on the trail again, it became an easy hike back down to the Palmer Creek trailhead.

Harney Peak from the Palmer Creek trailhead.

Lupe arrived back at the G6 at 5:48 PM. It was 71 °F – just amazing for late March. The skies were still totally clear, but way down here there really wasn’t even much of a breeze. It seemed premature to be heading home before dark, but Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 124 had been a success. Lupe made a few new friends and had her picture taken at Mt. Rushmore. She had even found and climbed Gap Lode Peak. SPHP now wonders if she shouldn’t go take a closer look at Peak 6920…

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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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