Lupe – Page 86 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Robinson Mountain, Purcell Mountains, Montana (8-9-21)

Part 2 of Day 4 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast!

12:31 PM, 52ºF – Alrighty, Looper! I’m ready. Onward! Puppy, ho!

Lupe was ready, too. In fact, she’d been waiting on SPHP for half an hour. After crossing the bridge to adventure over Lake Koocanusa, it had taken a while to get here. On the way, the sky had become overcast and rather gloomy, but the situation seemed to be improving now.

Leaving the nice grassy strip along USFS Road No. 7205 that served as trailhead parking for Robinson Mountain (7,539 ft.), Loop started up a steep little bank past the only trailhead amenity, a few signs attached to a tree. SPHP barely glanced at them.

At the trailhead along USFS Road No. 7205. Photo looks NE.

Setting out for Robinson Mountain! Photo looks NW.

Immediately beyond the signs, the trail leveled out some, first veering L before making a 180 back to the R. In short order, it then curved back around to the SW (L) again, before heading NW up a valley. This whole region was forested with dense undergrowth wherever sunlight could penetrate. Although the trail was soft due to recent rain, only one little stretch was muddy.

Kind of a jungle, isn’t it, SPHP?

Yeah, glad this trail is here, or we’d already be having quite the time of it!

Are these pink flowers fireweed, SPHP? Looks just like the fireweed we used to see up in Canada and Alaska to me!

I’ve been thinking the same thing, Looper! Had no idea that fireweed grew this far S, though. Happy to see it!

Well, we’re almost to Canada, right, SPHP?

Yup, only 4 miles S of the border. With any luck, a few hours and you’ll be looking into Canada from the top of Robinson Mountain!

Lupe had gone only 0.2 mile when the forest began to open up enough to see a ridge ahead. Looked only 200 to 300 feet higher. Climbing toward it, the trail curved S, tackling the slope at an easy angle.

First glimpse of the first ridge (R). Photo looks W.

Before getting all the way to the top of the ridge, Lupe popped out of the forest onto a grassy road. Much sunnier here. Dead trees could be seen higher up. Apparently, there had been a fire. The region near the crest of the ridge was pink with fireweed.

Hang on, Looper! Let me check the topo map. Ahh, good! This must be USFS Road No. 999. We ought to be able follow it to Trail No. 159. Should be on the L in about 0.3 mile.

0.3 mile, SPHP? It’s right here!

Turning NW, the American Dingo had barely gone 40 feet from where she’d reached the road. Yet, sure enough, an unmarked trail curved SW up the fireweed infested slope.

Hmm. Well, fine! Take it Loop, if you want to. The topo map does show Trail No. 159 running along the crest of this ridge. Either this is No. 159, or it ought to lead us to it.

Heading for the ridge crest. Photo looks W.

A short, easy climb got Lupe up to a flat region on top of the ridge.

Look at this, SPHP! Pink Paradise! Most beautiful burnt forest ever!

Once on top, the trail headed across the broad ridge as if it was going to go right on down the other side into the Lime Creek valley, but at the last moment turned NW before losing significant elevation. Apparently this actually was Trail No. 159. Lupe followed it along the upper SW side of the ridge through dead forest and thriving fireweed. A tree-broken view of HP7158 was visible ahead.

On the upper SW side of the ridge. **HP7158** (Center). Photo looks NW.

Before long, No. 159 angled back up and over to the NE side of the ridge, and began a slow descent. Lupe was soon back at USFS Road No. 999.

OK, this must be where I expected we’d reach the trail before you found it so quickly the first time, Loop. The topo map shows it veering off to the L again somewhere right along in here. Keep a nose out for it!

On the ridgeline, about to start down. **HP7158** (L of Center). Photo looks NNW.

Back on USFS Road No. 999 again. Photo looks NNE.

Here it is, SPHP!

This time, Lupe had gone a whole 100 feet N along No. 999 before finding the trail again. Signs were visible on a tree just past where the trail left the road. Upon reaching the tree, a new sign said this was Trail No. 59, not No. 159 as shown on the topo map.

The trail and USFS Road No. 999 part ways again. Photo looks N.

Hmm. Well, who knows which number is right? In any case, it’s gotta be the same trail. Just keep going, Loopster!

The trail climbed only a little before leveling out. Instead of continuing NW toward HP7158 as shown on the map, No. 159 curved NE. Still in the dead forest so nicely decorated with fireweed, Lupe entered a region of small hills, ridges, and valleys. After losing 40 feet of elevation crossing a ravine, there were more ups and downs. None were significant.

Finally approaching some higher ground, Lupe came to a climb that led to more up and down past some 20 foot high rock outcroppings. Beyond the rocks was another rise that didn’t amount to much. Still going NE, the trail leveled out, and gradually turned N.

Patches of blue sky and breezy. SPHP kept turning around to look back. The Carolina Dog seemed perfectly relaxed.

Starting to climb a bit. Photo looks NE.

What’s wrong with you, SPHP? Why so skittish?

Equipped with those big soft Dingo ears, and you don’t hear it, Loop?

Hear what?

Branches or twigs cracking, like we’re being followed!

Just the wind, SPHP. You haven’t seen anything out there, have you?

No, I haven’t. Never anything there when I turn around, but it sure sounds like there is, and we’ve been in windy, dead forests before.

Forget it, SPHP! Nothing to worry about! Except, maybe your sanity.

If you say so, Loop, but this place suddenly seems kind of creepy, even in broad daylight. Want to know another thing that’s strange? We’ve come all this way through a dead forest, but not a single bit of deadfall across the trail. Nothing, nada!

You aren’t complaining, are you?

No, of course not, Loop. Just saying. In most dead forests there would be a ton of it.

The trail finally turned NW, beginning to climb much more steeply. The dead forest, SPHP’s delusions, and the beautiful pink fireweed were left behind. After gaining a good 400 feet of elevation, No. 159 turned N and flattened out at a 3-way junction. There was a sign here.

*Aha! So it is Trail No. 159, not just No. 59! Or, at least, it used to be.*

So which way, SPHP?

Stay to the L, Looper. Think the trail going to the R heads N to a little lake E of Robinson Mountain (7,539 ft.).

Beyond the junction, the trail to the L climbed a bit, leveled out again, then descended 20 feet into a ravine where Lupe came to another 3-way junction. Right at this junction, there was a big rock that sloped at a 30 degree angle.

Which way now, SPHP?

L again, Looper, but how about a chocolate coconut bar and water break? We can sit on that big rock.

The American Dingo was all in favor of that!

A trail marker just past the first 3-way junction. Only one of its kind along the whole route that SPHP noticed.

Past the first junction, climbing toward the next one. Photo looks NNW.

At chocolate coconut bar rock! Photo looks ENE.

Chocolate coconut bars have an extremely short half-life when a Carolina Dog has anything to say about it. Lupe was soon back at it. Taking the trail to the L (W), she passed a sign that was visible from the junction confirming that this was the right way to go. Beyond the sign, Trail No. 159 sloped gradually down into a dense, gloomy forest.

Leaving the second 3-way junction. Photo looks W.

Loop wasn’t far into the gloomy forest when the trail bottomed out and began a steep climb. Soon running water could be heard in a thicket L of the trail. No stream could be seen from the trail, even though it proved to be merely 6 or 7 feet away when the American Dingo conducted an investigation.

Trail No. 159 climbed only a little more before leveling out at the lower end of a big bowl. A high ridge was visible at the upper end.

On the flat stretch leading into the bowl. Photo looks W.

As Lupe ventured farther and farther into the bowl, she broke out of the live forest into another region that had burned. The trail began to climb faster and faster, straight up the slope leading to the ridge ahead. Lupe raced away to bark at squirrels, while SPHP trudged higher.

A couple of long, gentle switchbacks made the last part of this ascent much easier than the direct attack. The Carolina Dog was nearly up to the ridgeline when Robinson Mountain came into sight for the first time.

Among the burnt trees of the bowl with a considerable climb yet to reach the ridgeline. Photo looks NW.

Almost to the ridgeline. **Robinson Mountain** (L of Center), **HP7158** (R). Photo looks NW.

Trail No. 159 brought Lupe to the top of the ridge at the saddle between HP7069 and HP7158. This region had burned fiercely. After crossing the saddle, the trail remained level as Looper traversed HP7158‘s SW slope, making a beeline for Robinson Mountain, now only 0.75 mile NW.

The American Dingo was soon at the base of the final ascent. Only 600 feet of elevation gain left to go!

**Robinson Mountain** (Center) from the saddle region. Photo looks NW.

Traversing **HP7158‘s SW slope**. **Robinson Mountain** (Center). Photo looks NW.

Approaching the final ascent. Photo looks NW.

Upon reaching the saddle between Robinson Mountain and Peak 7158, the trail curved R and went through a little gap. Robinson Mountain’s steep, rocky E face was now in view, along with an enormous amount of territory off to the NE. Here the trail turned NW again, starting up Robinson Mountain’s SE ridge.

**Robinson Mountain’s E face** from the SE ridge. Photo looks N.

Another look from a little higher up. Photo looks NNE.

A few hundred feet below the summit, Trail No. 159 veered off to the W, leaving the SE ridge. Braving a chilly SW breeze beneath a leaden sky, Lupe followed switchbacks up Robinson Mountain’s S slope. Looked like it might rain at any moment, but didn’t.

A small building could be seen up on the summit. Each switchback got Loop closer to it. Final approach was from the W. Lupe came to a large cairn shortly before reaching the old lookout.

The trail veers off to the L (W) here, leaving the SE ridge. Photo looks NW.

A brief inspection of the cairn revealed nothing of particular interest, so Lupe proceeded on to the old lookout. A rock W of the building proved to be the true summit of Robinson Mountain (7,539 ft.). This rock bore a survey benchmark, which disappointingly did not have “Robinson” or the elevation stamped into it.

The sky remained quite cloudy, and the air was hazy. Whether the haze was due to smoke, humidity, or some combination thereof, was hard to say. Mount Henry (7,243 ft.) was in sight to the SW, but whatever lay beyond it was indistinct.

At the **true summit**. **Mount Henry** (Center). Photo looks SW.

After a quick look at the views from the true summit, Looper retreated to the N side of the lookout seeking shelter from the cold wind. Curling up on SPHP’s lap, she faced N. Down a slope to the NE, an outhouse was visible among stunted trees. Mountains stretched away toward a murky horizon. The tallest was almost as high as Robinson Mountain.

What mountain is that, SPHP?

Probably Mount Fitzpatrick (7,328 ft.), Loop, 1.25 miles into Canada!

Canada!

Told you that you would get to see Canada today!

Wow, we’re that close! We really could walk into Canada, couldn’t we?

Yeah, but we wouldn’t get very far. Might as well enjoy it from here.

Speaking of enjoy, do you happen to have another chocolate coconut bar in the pack, SPHP?

For 20 minutes, Lupe and SPHP sat there gazing into Canada. Taste of the Wild and water followed the last chocolate coconut bar into oblivion, while SPHP had a fruit cup and Mott’s blueberry applesauce.

**Mount Fitzpatrick** (L). Photo looks N.

Well, SPHP, since we’re not going to Canada, you about ready for a tour of Robinson Mountain’s summit?

Might as well, Loop!

The E end of the summit region dropped away 50 feet from the lookout. HP7158 and HP7069, which Lupe had gone between on the way up, were both in sight to the SE. All the terrain directly E or NE was much lower. Pretty hazy that way, but Lake Koocanusa was discernable.

**HP7158** (L) and **HP7069** (R) in the foreground. Photo looks SE.

**Lake Koocanusa**, faintly near the horizon. Photo looks E.

Turning back W, a door was visible on the E side of the lookout.

Try it, SPHP!

Unlocked! The Carolina Dog ventured in.

A spartan interior greeted Lupe. Small, as had been apparent from the outside. A broom, a metal ladder, plus a wooden one going up to the loft. Other than that, some firewood, and a little woodstove. Near the woodstove, a white plastic jug suspended by a rope contained a registry.

The woodstove and suspended summit registry jug.

Apparently, Robinson Mountain is a popular destination. The registry was full of names.

Whoa! We aren’t even the first ones up here today, Looper!

We aren’t?

Not even close! We’re 11th and 12th! The Troyers, Planks, and a Miller have already come and gone. All from Nappanee, Indiana.

Really? They must have started a lot earlier, because we haven’t seen anyone.

Guess so, Loop. We’ve lucked out compared to them, though! Listen to this entry by the Troyers – “First time to Rexford, beautiful! Great hike – wish we could have seen more. Very foggy – windy – cold & damp!”

Hah! Good thing we stopped at the Ross Creek Giant Cedars this morning, SPHP. Sometimes being the early Dingo isn’t the best!

SPHP entered Lupe’s name into the registry. Not much else to do in here except shelter from the wind, so it was back to the summit tour. After leaving the lookout, Loop returned to the cairn for another look W. In addition to Mount Henry off to the SW, Caribou Mountain (6,844 ft.) stood out to the NW.

**Caribou Mountain** (R). Photo looks W.

Finishing her tour, Loopster explored the region down by the outhouse. Highlights, if you could call them that, included a blue wheelbarrow, and a hitching post and railing.

The summit from down by the outhouse. Photo looks SW.

Then it was back up to the lookout, and a last visit to the true summit, before it was time to go.

Final moments at the **true summit**. Photo looks SW.

5:00 PM, 45ºF, Robinson Mountain – 65 minutes after arriving, Loopster was back at the big cairn. Her time here was about up, but SPHP let the American Dingo relax for a few moments. Canada! Glorious Canada was in sight only a couple of miles away. Tantalizingly real, yet only a dream as far as this Dingo Vacation was going to go.

Gazing N, spellbound, into a dreamlike haze toward Mount Fitzpatrick. Canada, right there! And almost forever beyond the horizon, Alaska!

Reality.

Plenty of time to get back before dark. Easy, fun return. It was time.

Onward! Puppy, ho!

To Pink Paradise and beyond, SPHP!

Another adventure tomorrow. (End 7:24 PM, 66ºF)

**Mount Fitzpatrick** from **Robinson Mountain**, Purcell Mountains, Montana 8-9-21

Links:

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GPS track by Mark Akers (8-31-21)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 290 – Peak 5180, Peak 5960 & Peak 5760 (1-13-22)

8:29 AM, 33ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Brush Creek trailhead –

Been awhile since we’ve been here, SPHP!

Yes, it has, Looper. We’re back because there’s a Lists of John peak that we’ve never visited before real close by. About time we had a look at it!

Oh, are we still doing the Lists of John mini-blitz?

Absolutely! That’s why we’re out in the hills again so soon – to let you work on your upcoming accomplishment! Onward! Puppy, ho!

Fabulous! Which way, though, SPHP?

S on Centennial Trail No. 89, Loop.

At the **Brush Creek trailhead**. Photo looks SSW.

Setting out on Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks S.

The trail started out among some aspens by Brush Creek, which was a mere trickle near the trailhead, and totally underground by the time the Carolina Dog had gone 100 feet. A steepish climb along a couple of short switchbacks, and the aspens were left behind, too. Centennial Trail No. 89 then led gradually up a pine-forested valley.

Heading S from Brush Creek. Photo looks SSE.

0.33 mile from the trailhead, Loopster reached a saddle where the trail crossed Victoria Lake Road (USFS Road No. 159). Abandoning the trail, Lupe took the road NE. It soon curved SE, and reached a high point.

OK, Loop! We’re pretty close already. All we have to do is climb the ridge N of us. Once we’re up there, the high point should be toward the NW end.

Leaving the road, Lupe headed NE toward the lowest part of the ridge.

On **Victoria Lake Road**. Photo looks NNE.

Heading for the ridge after leaving the road. Photo looks NE.

Closing in on the SE end of the ridge. Photo looks NE.

Upon reaching the ridge, Lupe turned NW. A short climb past small rock formations led to a narrower part of the ridgeline where the terrain was almost level. The forest up here was thick enough to effectively hide the views, so there wasn’t much to do except start tagging all the minor highpoints along the way. No doubt one of them would prove to be the true summit.

Near the rocks at the SE end. Photo looks NNW.

Almost immediately after passing the first high point, Lupe came to a hollow cairn. Beyond it, a pile of slash covered most of the ridgeline. A second high point was just past the slash.

By the hollow cairn, with the slash pile in view. Photo looks NW.

A sunny moment at the second high point. Photo looks N.

The true summit was only a little farther. 250 feet from the cairn, Lupe came to a lichen-covered rock near the NW end of the ridge that was a little higher than the others around it.

At the third and final high point. Photo looks S.

9:21 AM, 40ºF –

Congratulations, Loopster! You have just climbed Peak 5180!

This is the top, already? Sure was easy, SPHP!

Not every peak has to be an ordeal, Loop.

Oh, I’m not complaining, SPHP! Just a little surprised. Guess it means we’re off to a good start on the Lists of John mini-blitz today, doesn’t it?

Yes, indeed! Of course, no guarantees on what the next peak might be like. We got off to a good start on Expedition No. 289, too, but then got bogged down on the second peak, remember?

I do! Seems like only yesterday! Or the day before.

That’s because it was the day before yesterday, Looper.

A break was taken at Peak 5180’s summit. No views due to the forest, and too soon to justify the demise of a chocolate coconut bar, so it was a short one. 10 minutes, and the American Dingo was ready to press on.

Final moments at **Peak 5180’s summit**. Photo looks SE.

Returning by the same route, the highlight of the entire Peak 5180 trek occurred as Lupe reached the SE end of the summit ridge on the way down. Spotting a bunny among the rock formations, the Carolina Dog was off like a shot! The bunny was no slouch, either. Hopping away at lightning speed through its home territory, it vanished within seconds.

Panting hard, Loopster returned with nothing to show for her efforts, but a big grin on her face.

10:38 AM, 43ºF, junction of Battle Ax Road (USFS Road No. 386) & Campaign Hill Road (USFS Road No. 727) – It had been a bit of a drive to Lupe’s next starting point. After turning W onto Reno Gulch Road a mile S of Hill City, Peak 5960 had come into view shortly before a turn N onto Battle Axe Road. The RAV4 was now parked at the pass where Campaign Hill Road took off to the NE.

About to set out for Peak 5960! Photo looks W.

Heading W across Battle Ax Road, Lupe stayed toward the S (L) side of the first hill. No need to climb it. The plan was to head SW straight to the saddle N of Peak 5960. Progress was rapid at first, but as Loop got closer to the saddle, she began to encounter a fair amount of deadfall.

Among a few rocks on the way to the saddle. Photo looks SW.

The usual deadfall typical of so much of the Black Hills these days. Photo looks SW.

Taking the easiest route through the deadfall, Lupe gained a little more elevation than she really needed to, but soon the saddle N of Peak 5960 was in sight. Going down to it, Loop crossed the saddle heading SSW.

Approaching the saddle (L). Photo looks SW.

Beginning to climb, it wasn’t far to an initial rocky high point. Once there, a small hill was visible ahead. Upon arrival, Lupe found a line of boulders choked with deadfall along its crest.

The next hill from the first high point S of the saddle. Photo looks SSW.

Amid the mess along the crest of the hill. Photo looks SE.

Branches snapped and cracked as SPHP forced a way to the top. Beyond the line of boulders was a small open region containing more deadfall. Crossing this area, Lupe continued SSW along a forested ridge.

In the open region, heading for the forested ridge (L). Photo looks SW.

Lupe was still gaining elevation, but the situation was deteriorating. The ridgeline kept getting rockier, and the deadfall became really icky.

Once past the worst of the deadfall, the rocks along the ridgeline got so big that they slowed progress, too. However, things were looking up as Loop approached what appeared to be the last big rock formation.

Bet that’s the top, Loop!

Looking good! Almost there! Photo looks S.

It wasn’t. Instead, as Lupe reached what SPHP expected to be Peak 5960’s summit, a long, deadfall-infested descent along a narrow rocky ridge came into view. Would have been alright, it if weren’t for another higher region beyond the saddle that the rocky ridge led down to.

This is a false summit, SPHP!

Yeah, kind of looks that way, doesn’t it? Only one solution, Looper.

What’s that, SPHP?

Onward! Puppy, ho!

Leaving the false summit. Photo looks SSW.

Once down to this next saddle, the situation improved again. Soon the American Dingo was getting close to what had to be Peak 5960’s summit. However, as the high point came into view, there was a new worry.

Sheesh! Don’t tell me we aren’t even going to be able to get up there!

Looking a little dicey, isn’t it, SPHP?

Peak 5960’s summit was comprised of two large knobs of rock practically right next to each other. As Lupe approached, it wasn’t clear if technical rock climbing skills would be required or not. The W side looked bad, so Loop swung around to the E.

Approaching **Peak 5960’s summit** (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Along the **E side of the summit**. Photo looks WSW.

Luck of the Dingo! The E side wasn’t bad at all. Loopster came up at a little gap between the N and S knobs. The N knob was clearly the true summit, but the S one had the best views, plus room enough to relax.

Ascending the little gap between the S (L) and N (R) knobs. Photo looks SW.

11:51 AM, 47ºF, Peak 5960 –

Must be chocolate coconut bar time by now, SPHP!

Yes, fair enough! Almost lunch time. You can have some Taste of the Wild, too, if you want it, Loop.

On the **S knob**, happily anticipating the soon to be delivered chocolate coconut bar. Photo looks SW.

Views weren’t spectacular, even by Black Hills standards, but they were pretty nice. The N end of Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.), only a couple miles S, was the most impressive. Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) was visible to the SSE, and Peak 6600 was in sight to the SW. Lupe rested on SPHP’s lap facing a long snowy ridge to the W.

**N end of Zimmer Ridge** (Center), **Sylvan Hill** (L). Photo looks S.

**Peak 6600** (L of Center). Photo looks SW.

Although only 0.75 mile from the RAV4, getting to Peak 5960 had been much more difficult than Peak 5180 had been. With views to the S and W, Lupe was inclined to relax here awhile. 30 minutes drifted pleasantly away on the S knob, before the Carolina Dog finally stirred.

If we’re going to keep our Lists of John mini-blitz going, we better check out the N knob, then be on our way, SPHP!

Sad, but true, Loopster! Let’s do it!

**N knob** (R), which is also the **true summit**, from the S knob. Photo looks NNE.

The N knob was an easy little scramble. In nothing flat, Looper was on the highest rock, the true summit of Peak 5960, enjoying a nice view of Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.). SPHP shook Lupe’s paw, congratulating her on another Lists of John peak climbed.

At the **true summit**. Photo looks NNE.

**Black Elk Peak** (R of Center) from **Peak 5960**. Photo looks SE.

Before departing, just for fun, Lupe went back down to the S knob while SPHP remained at the true summit.

Oh, that looks good, Loop! Kind of an interesting perspective!

The **S summit knob** from the N one. **Peak 6600** (L). Photo looks SW.

Then it was back to the RAV4 along roughly the same rocky, deadfall-laden route.

1:36 PM, 48ºF – Still time enough for one more peak! Wasn’t too far to the start of USFS Road No. 425, a little over 0.5 mile from the W end of Hwy 244. Saint Elmo Peak (6,458 ft.) was in sight back to the SSW as Lupe set out for Peak 5760.

At the start of USFS Road No. 425 just off Hwy 244. Photo looks NW.

**Saint Elmo Peak** (R). Photo looks SSW.

Heading N on No. 425, Lupe went over a little rise. Beyond it, the road wound first E, then W, as it descended into a valley. Briefly turning NE again, the road started uphill. Loop quickly arrived at a junction with No. 425.1A.

At the first rise, about to head down into the valley. Photo looks NE.

Continuing down the valley. **N end of Zimmer Ridge** (Center). Photo looks W.

Start of USFS Road No. 425.1A. Photo looks NE.

Regaining all of the elevation lost on No. 425 and then some, No. 425.1A went NE up to a pass where there was a big green cattle guard. From here, the road turned E going downhill again, eventually curving N as the terrain started leveling out. A house was visible in the open forest off to the E (R).

Well beyond the house, the road curved NE again. Lupe did not make this turn, instead continuing N through the forest.

The cattle guard at USFS Road No. 425.1A’s high point. Photo looks ENE.

Wandering N through the forest, Lupe came to an ATV trail. After winding around a bit, it headed straight to where she needed to go, Pass 5420 between Peak 5760 and Peak 5709.

At the pass, the main ATV route continued NNW over a ramp. A rough use route split off here that started up Peak 5760’s S ridge. Following the use trail, Lupe climbed to a small level area. Beyond this point, the ATV trail curved SE, disappearing down a steep slope.

**Pass 5420** between Peak 5760 and Peak 5709. Photo looks NNW.

Start of the rough ATV use trail. Photo looks NE.

Abandoning the ATV trail, Lupe ducked under a rusty barbed wire fence, and kept going. A steady climb NE through the forest took her past some rock formations. Soon larger formations were visible at a high point a little way off to the E. Venturing over that way, Loop came to a couple of interesting viewpoints.

Heading up **Peak 5760’s S ridge**. Photo looks NE.

Near the S high point. Sylvan Hill (L), **Saint Elmo Peak** (R of Center) beyond Lupe. Photo looks SSW.

Another vantage point. **Black Elk Peak** (Center). Photo looks SSE.

Leaving this S high point, the Carolina Dog sniffed N. After losing a little elevation, the terrain rose again. Surprisingly imposing rock formations appeared ahead. Scrambling up a rocky ramp, Loopster reached a small, relatively open, flat region.

Leaving the S high point in search of the summit. Photo looks N.

Approaching surprisingly formidable rock formations. Photo looks N.

In the flat region above the ramp. Photo looks NNE.

This still wasn’t at the top yet, but it couldn’t be much farther. Staying toward the E, Lupe continued N. Gradually gaining elevation, she came to a series of small level areas.

Exploring the summit region. Photo looks NW.

**Black Elk Peak** (L), **Sylvan Hill** (R). Photo looks SSE.

Beyond a low wall of rock, the ridge narrowed. A little dip traveling N through the forest, and a rocky high point appeared ahead. Had to be it! Getting there wasn’t much of a climb.

At the **true summit of Peak 5760**. Photo looks NNW.

3:06 PM, 48ºF – Not a bad summit! Although trees hid whatever was off to the E, the rocky top of Peak 5760 permitted some views to the W and N. SPHP shook Lupe’s paw, congratulating her on attaining her 3rd and final Lists of John peak of the day. Then it was time to sit down, curl up, and polish off the last chocolate coconut bar while watching traffic creep along like insects way down on Hwy 16.

Cloudy, but calm and comfortable for January. Zimmer Ridge (6,600 ft.) was off to the SW. Union Hill (6,120 ft.), False North Point (6,130 ft.), and Five Points (6,221 ft.) were all visible to the N. The hills and ridges directly W were less distinctive and harder to identify, even though Lupe had been to many of them at one time or another.

**Zimmer Ridge** (far L). Photo looks WSW.

**Union Hill** (L), **False North Point** (Center), **Five Points** (R of Center). Photo looks N.

Three peaks, SPHP! Our Lists of John mini-blitz went better today!

Yeah, it did, Loop! That’s just because of the individual characteristics of the peaks we’ve climbed. Never know what we might run into! Although there may be many similarities, each mountain is unique, inhabiting its own special spot on the earth’s surface.

While Lupe relaxed, time marched on as relentlessly as ever. 40 minutes flew by, vanishing forever into the past. Once again, the American Dingo stood poised on the highest rock.

**Peak 5760 true summit**. Photo looks NNW.

SPHP started down first.

Final moments on **Peak 5760**. Photo looks NNW.

Plenty of fun sniffing to do yet during the return to the RAV4! Then it would be home again to await the next adventure. Shouldn’t be too long before the Lists of John mini-blitz would resume. Although getting close to success, Lupe still hadn’t completed her achievement. (4:41 PM, 46ºF)

**Peak 5760**, Black Hills of South Dakota 1-13-22

Links:

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