11:48 AM, 32ºF, Sylvan Lake Picnic Area – Oh, the news was wonderful! Yesterday evening Cousins Dusty, Laddie, and Uncle Joe had arrived for a visit. Lupe was thrilled! The enthusiastic American Dingo knew what that meant – good times on joint expeditions in the Black Hills! The real question had been where to go? Cousin Dusty would be turning sweet 16 in less than 2 months, and wasn’t up to anything long or strenuous.
This morning, SPHP had suggested the loop trail around Sylvan Lake, a choice agreeable to all, but hadn’t taken the lake’s 6,145 foot elevation fully into account. Mid-April, but there was ice on the lake, snow on the ground, and a chill in the air as Lupe and her cousins set out from the picnic area for a counter-clockwise tour around the lake. It was so cold out that only a couple of Canadians were hardy enough to be hanging out down by the beach.
Setting out from the picnic area. Photo looks NW.Sylvan Lake from near the beach along the N shore. Photo looks SW.Canadian geese.
Beyond the beach, the trail wound NW past massive granite formations and improbable spires. Going over a bit of a rise, another part of Sylvan Lake came into view. Cousin Dusty was doing great! She even led the way, happy to be back in the Black Hills again.
Among the granite formations. Photo looks N.Approaching the N end of Sylvan Lake. Cousin Dusty (R) in the lead. Photo looks NW.
Going around a bay, the trail climbed onto rock formations overlooking Sylvan Lake. On this cold, overcast morning, the scene was mostly gray and white. Pines added a green too subdued to break a wintery mood.
The N bay from up on the rocks. Photo looks SE.
Joe, Dusty, and Laddie got a head start as the trail turned SW descending into Sunday Gulch. Protected from the sun by towering rock formations, there was even more snow down here. Water seeped from a big crack in the granite.
Joe and Laddie start down into Sunday Gulch. Photo looks SW.A snowy descent. Photo looks SW.Laddie, Joe, and Dusty in Sunday Gulch.
Once down in Sunday Gulch, it was only a short distance to a junction with Sunday Gulch Trail No. 6 near the Sylvan Lake dam. The cloud cover thinned, and the sky brightened. Suddenly, winter seemed to be losing its grip. A hint of spring was in the air.
Joe, Laddie, and Lupe below the dam. Photo looks SE.
Sunday Gulch Trail No. 6 is scenic, but steep. Cousin Dusty wasn’t going to be able to take on a side excursion like that. In fact, she had a bit of a problem with the next section of the Sylvan Lake trail. Beyond the dam, the trail turned S going up a series of snowy steps that led into a narrow passage between vertical rock walls.
The passage was a sheet of ice! A minor rise near the end was so slick that Dusty could scarcely get up it. Repeatedly losing traction, she kept sliding back. Joe had to brace himself between the rock walls to try to give her a helping paw.
Joe, Dusty, and Laddie head up the steps. Photo looks S.Joe trying to help Dusty up the super slick ice.
After a couple of comical attempts, Dusty got the extra help she needed. Emerging from the narrow passage at lake level near the dam, the rest of the path around the lake was a cinch. Flat as a pancake, the trail ran right along the SW shore nearly all the way to the S end of the lake.
Near the dam (unseen off to the L) after successfully negotiating the icy passage. Photo looks NE.Along the SW shore. Photo looks SE.Looking NW back toward the dam (L beyond Joe).
Didn’t take long at all to get there.
Laddie, Joe, and Dusty at the S end of Sylvan Lake. Photo looks NNW.Loopster basking in weak sunshine.The massive granite formation near the dam. Photo looks NW.
The scenic jaunt around Sylvan Lake was almost complete. Not much farther back to the picnic area now. Cousin Dusty seemed perplexed. Other than the one icy spot that everyone had had a little trouble with, she was doing fine. The adventure couldn’t be over already, could it?
At 15 years, 10 months, Cousin Dusty ready for more Black Hills action!
Joe proposed extending the trek with a stroll along Needles Highway No. 87, which remained closed to vehicles for the season. After 0.33 mile, a shortcut was taken up to the high point of Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 between the trailhead and the picnic area back at Sylvan Lake.
Heading up to Trail No. 4 after leaving the Needles Highway. Photo looks SW.
A log served as a bench during a rest break. The dogs shared a chocolate coconut bar, while Joe and SPHP munched on apples and Kind bars. The party broke up after Laddie barked at hikers on the trail.
The return to the Sylvan Lake picnic area on Little Devils Trail No. 4 was quick and easy. Downhill all the way!
On Little Devils Trail No. 4, about to head back to the Sylvan Lake picnic area.
1:45 PM – When everyone got back to the RAV4, there was still plenty of time to do something more today, but that was up to Uncle Joe and his assessment of how Cousin Dusty was faring.
Dusty appeared to be fine. SPHP suggested Custer State Park’s wildlife loop. Dusty might enjoy exploring the rolling grasslands. Would take a while to drive there, with a good chance of seeing buffalo somewhere along the way.
A buffalo hunt, whether from the RAV4 or out on the prairie, sounded like a great idea! Lupe was clearly in favor, and no one else seemed to have any objections.
2:36 PM – Buffalo had already been seen by the time Uncle Joe parked at a curve along CSP Road No. 2 about 0.33 mile N of Racetrack Butte. Lupe had given her cousins live demonstrations of how to bark ferociously at bison from the safety of the RAV4. Laddie was interested, but hadn’t quite picked up on it yet.
Dusty was ready for another outing, if it wasn’t a long one. The plan was to climb a nearby flat-topped ridge hoping to spot more buffalo from a safe distance.
Setting off on the Custer State Park buffalo hunt! Photo looks SW.
Upon reaching the top of the ridge, the buffalo hunt became an instant success. Two buffalo were relaxing on the prairie up here. Not exactly a thundering herd, but they were impressive. Upon seeing an American Dingo, both got up to keep an eye on Lupe, but didn’t really do anything except stand there.
I’m thinking buffalo burgers! How about you, SPHP? …. I’m thinking you’re close enough, Loop. Stay here!
Both buffalo soon decided they might as well eat grass. Sensible enough, but not terribly exciting. A lone pine stood near the SE end of the ridge. Ought to be a great view of Racetrack Butte (4,320 ft.) and quite a bit of surrounding territory from over there. Might as well check it out.
Dusty, Laddie, and Joe up on the ridge. Racetrack Butte (L). Photo looks SSE.
The hunch paid off! From the end of the ridge there was a terrific view of a whole herd of buffalo in the valley next to Racetrack Butte.
Gazing down on the buffalo herd. Racetrack Butte (L). Photo looks SE.
This was a fabulous vantage point! Many brand new calves were among the herd. Joe, Dusty, Laddie, and SPHP all watched in fascination.
Buffalo and their calves with help from the telephoto lens.
Lupe was fascinated, too, but the excitement of seeing so many buffalo all at once quickly became almost unbearable. The Carolina Dog began whining so loudly that the bison must have heard her. All of a sudden, several began ambling off to the E. Before long, they were running.
None of the buffalo wanted to be left behind. Evidently convinced utter disaster threatened, the whole herd began stampeding away. This did nothing to calm Lupe down. Whining more than ever, the frustrated American Dingo watched the bison vanish across the prairie.
The buffalo race away past Racetrack Butte (R). Photo looks ESE.
Within minutes, the show was over. The buffalo had provided quite a spectacle!
Joe, Laddie, and Dusty heading back.to the RAV4.
That wasn’t the end of all the excitement, though! Once back in the RAV4, part of the same buffalo herd that had fled the Carolina Dog’s mere whining when she was way up on the ridge far from them, had stopped right on CSP Road No. 2, blocking the road. Now that Lupe was barking hysterically right next to them from the RAV4, most barely glanced up.
Shut it, pesky Dingo! Can’t you see we’re grazing here?Yeah, really not all that concerned.
Joe eventually had to ease the RAV4 slowly through the herd to get them to move enough to get by. It was a good thing he got through, or Lupe would have busted a gut. The whole experience left her foaming at the mouth, chest heaving. Laddie had been so impressed that even he’d joined in for a moment.
That still wasn’t the end, though. Lupe had plenty more chances to bark like a nutcase. Wildlife was everywhere! On the way out of Custer State Park, Loop saw more buffalo, a huge herd of elk, lots of mountain sheep, marmots, wild turkeys, and turkey vultures. Uncle Joe was amazed at the quantity and variety of wildlife around, not to mention just about deaf, by the time the Custer State Park adventure was over.
Mountain sheep.Being ignored by mountain sheep.
The reprieve of silence didn’t last long. Outside the park, this was cattle country. Cows and horses! Lupe had to give them all what for.
So glad Uncle Joe, and cousins Dusty and Laddie were here! What a great day!
Near Racetrack Butte, Custer State Park, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-16-22
Yup, but I didn’t realize there was so much development going on around here, Loop. Apparently this is all private property. Peak5452 is out. So is Lexington Hill. No access, at least from this direction.
So, what are we going to do, SPHP?
No worries! We’ve got other Lists of John peaks to try not too far away.
Peak5266 was next on Lupe’s list of possibilities. Driving back down Peedee Gulch, SPHP turned W on Hwy 14A. At the lowest point near Whitewood Creek E of Deadwood and the junction with Hwy 85, a L (S) turn led immediately to a large dirt parking area. A “for sale” sign was advertising a lot including quite a few acres. Exactly what was for sale wasn’t clear, but a road with a single set of tracks in the snow went through an open white gate.
Hah! Maybe we can buy Peak 5266, Loop? Let’s have a look!
At the big parking lot.Setting off for Peak 5266. Photo looks S.
9:56 AM, 41ºF – Mountain shopping was an entirely new idea! Owning a piece of the Black Hills – Lupe liked the sound of that! Going through the white gate, she set off to inspect the property.
The snowy road immediately began curving SW, and quickly led to a junction with a muddy road. Following it S, Peak5266 was already in sight only 0.75 mile ahead.
Peak 5266 (R) from the muddy road. Photo looks SSE.
Avoiding the muck as much as possible, it wasn’t far to another curve SW where snow still covered the road. A steepish, but otherwise easy march led to a flat area. Lupe now had a clearer view of Peak 5266, and was already high enough to see Mount Theodore Roosevelt(5,680 ft.) and Peak5360 off to the NW.
Past the mud, approaching the snowy turn to the SW.On the steepish road march higher. Photo looks SW.Peak 5266 from the flat region. Photo looks S.Mount Theodore Roosevelt (Center) and Peak 5360 (R). Photo looks NW.
A couple more roads left the flat spot. The American Dingo took the one going SE. The initial stretch was nearly level, but the map showed that this road would eventually work its way up to a point less than 200 feet below Peak 5266’s summit. After passing under a power line, the road bent E.
About to take the road going SE.Passing under the power line. Photo looks SW.
Although Lupe saw no one, and didn’t come to any more for sale signs, indications of change were everywhere. Primitive side roads had been bulldozed off in various directions. Recently logged trees were stacked here and there. Electric junction boxes sat awaiting use.
Looks like this whole mountain really is for sale, SPHP!
Apparently this N slope is going to be, if it isn’t already, Loop. Destined to be turned into a housing development by the looks of things. Going to be some beautiful building sites with views up here pretty soon. Kind of sad, though. Peak 5266 will never be the same.
Humans and their progress, SPHP.
I know. What can I say? We all have to live somewhere.
Passing signs of impending development. Photo looks ESE.
Before Lupe got far enough E to reach the point where the road would turn S beginning a winding journey back W again, heavy machinery could be heard not too far ahead. Abandoning the road, Looper began climbing through the snowy forest directly up Peak 5266’s N slope.
Didn’t take long to get above the pines to a rather steep region full of young aspens. By the time Loop intercepted the road again, she was above most of the aspens, too. The road was buried under such deep snow drifts up here that there was no advantage in trying to follow it. Crossing the road as soon as she came to a spot where it was possible to do so, the Carolina Dog reached a barren slope.
Leaving the road to head through the forest. Photo looks SSW.Among the young aspens. Photo looks S.200 feet higher now, back on the road again. Photo looks W.About to tackle Peak 5266’s upper N slope. Photo looks S.
The summit couldn’t be much farther! Passing minor outcroppings, Lupe headed for a limestone escarpment visible along the upper end of the slope, obvious source of several huge chunks that had broken away ages ago. Bear Butte(4,422 ft.) was already in sight far to the NE.
Bear Butte (L) from Peak 5266’s N slope. Photo looks ENE.Approaching the limestone escarpment. Photo looks S.
Once above the escarpment, open terrain that wasn’t as steep led to the summit. Several deer enjoying the day here weren’t anxious to strike up an acquaintance with a Carolina Dog. As soon as they spotted Lupe, they all dashed away, much to her disappointment.
Above the escarpment, on final approach. Photo looks SW.One of Peak 5266’s current residents before the humans move in.
11:09 AM, 45ºF, Peak 5266 – Lupe arrived at a summit region so big and flat that it was hard to say which little rock might be the absolute high point. Short dry grass covered the entire hilltop. No trees, only a few bushes toward the N where the terrain began gradually dropping away.
Wow! What beautiful views from up here, SPHP!
This is a sweet viewpoint, Loop! Sort of surprising for a minor peak like this, but the openness is key. The snow still lingering on the hills doesn’t hurt a thing, either.
The views really were nice. Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) off to the SW, flanked by both Deer Mountain(6,652 ft.) and Bald Mountain(6,617 ft.), was the big standout.
Deer Mountain (L), Terry Peak (R), and Bald Mountain (far R). Photo looks SW.Terry Peak (L), Bald Mountain (Center). Looking SW with help from the telephoto lens.
In the completely opposite direction, Bear Butte(4,422 ft.), looking quite small from here, lurked beyond the main body of the Black Hills.
Crook Mountain(4,930 ft.) (L), Bear Butte (L of Center). Photo looks NE.Bear Butte with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
Much more to see, too! Something of interest in almost every direction. Peak5177, another Lists of John peak Lupe had recently visited rather late one day in January, from which she’d had a great view of the lights of Deadwood, was to the NNE overlooking the Whitewood Creek valley.
Junction of Hwy 14A & Hwy 85 E of Deadwood (L), Whitewood Creek valley (R), Peak 5177 (far R). Photo looks NNE.Whitewood Creek valley (L of Center), Peak 5177 (R). Photo looks NNE.
Terry Peak and Bald Mountain (L), White Rocks (Center). Photo looks W.White Rocks (R of Center). Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.Mount Theodore Roosevelt (L), Peak 5360 (R). Photo looks NW.
Looking S, mostly barren slopes white with snow rose along both sides of Spruce Gulch toward unfamiliar hilltops capped by dark green pines. More to the E, Lexington Hill (5,485 ft.) and Peak5452, which had both proven inaccessible from Peedee Gulch, were in sight.
Spruce Gulch (L of Center). Photo looks S.Peak 5452 (Center). Photo looks SE.Lexington Hill (Center). Photo looks SSE.
Peak 5452 was even farther away now than it had been at Peedee Gulch. Still the wrong direction to approach it from, anyway, but Lexington Hill was a different situation.
Gosh, Loop! Lexington Hill can’t be any more than 1.5 miles from here. All open country, so we shouldn’t have any trouble getting over there. It isn’t a Lists of John peak with a minimum of 300 feet of prominence, but it’s a named peak we’ve never been to in the Black Hills. Want to try it?
No time like the present, SPHP! Let’s do it!
Peak 5452 (L) and the next hill leading to Lexington Hill (R). Photo looks SE.
Loop would have to lose 300 feet of elevation before she could start up Lexington Hill. Heading down Peak 5266’s gentle SE slope, she made it to a sudden drop. Peering over the edge, the Carolina Dog found herself gazing down on someone’s house.
Someone else already bought part of Peak 5266, SPHP!
So I see. Well, we can’t go traipsing uninvited right through someone’s yard, Looper. That’s just asking for trouble. Would love to climb it, but maybe we better forget about Lexington Hill?
Forced to abandon the Lexington Hill idea, Lupe briefly returned to Peak 5266’s summit before heading down the N slope, this time aiming more directly for the flat spot where the road going back down to the muddy stretch left the mountain.
About as far down Peak 5266’s SE slope as Lupe got before having to head back up. Photo looks NW.
12:49 PM, 46ºF, back at the RAV4 –
Peak 5266 was pretty cool, SPHP! Fabulous views! Are we going to buy it?
Wish we could, Loopster, but I really can’t afford to buy a whole mountain.
Aww! Please, please, please! It’s not such a big mountain, but if it’s too much, then how about buying just the top? That’s where we’d want to be, anyway, you know. Imagine living way up there! We’d leave the yard all natural, so the deers could still live up there with us!
Sounds terrific, Lupe, but I didn’t see any for sale signs up top, did you? The only for sale sign is way down here near the bottom. Not nearly enough acreage involved to go clear to the top of the mountain. Don’t think it’s for sale, at least, not yet.
Maybe someday then, SPHP?
Maybe, Loop, but I think we’re dreaming.
12:56 PM, 46ºF, a pullout near the junction of Mount Roosevelt Road & Stage Run Road, 0.25 mile NW of Peak5360 –
This should be an easy one, Looper! All Black Hills National Forest, so no access issues at all, and it’s not that far away.
About to set out for Peak 5360. Photo looks SE.
Ignoring an obvious snowy lane heading directly up the hill to the SE, SPHP led Lupe past a pile of snow the plow had left at the end of the pullout. Another lane beyond the snow pile curved along the hillside, then seemed to switchback up it. However, this lane soon seemed less and less like a road, or even a path.
Buried in many places beneath a couple of feet of snow, it was hard to tell exactly what sort of route this was that Loop was trying to follow. The slope was pretty steep, but the top of the ridge didn’t look all that much higher, so a decision was soon made to simply go straight up the slope. As soon as Loopster got above the trees, which only took a few minutes, Peak 5360 was already in sight.
Peak 5360. Photo looks SE.
A little steep near the end, SPHP, but Peak 5360 is going to be cake!
2 minutes later, Lupe made it to dry ground up on the ridgeline. Slash piles left over from old logging operations dotted the ridge, and even Peak 5360’s upper slopes. An easy stroll along the open ridge, and the American Dingo was at the base of the final rocky pitch higher.
Up on the ridge. Peak 5360 (R). Photo looks SE.Nothing to it, really!About as steep as it got closing in on the summit. Photo looks SE.
1:24 PM, 46ºF, Peak5360 – Tilting skyward SW, the true summit of Peak 5360 was a platform of solid rock that provided an even better view of Terry Peak, Deer Mountain, and Bald Mountain than the one Lupe had enjoyed from Peak 5266. Foley Mountain(6,640 ft.) was in sight from this angle, too.
Peak 5360 true summit. Deer Mountain (L), Terry Peak & Bald Mountain (L of Center), Foley Mountain (Center). Photo looks SW.Terry Peak & Bald Mountain (L), Foley Mountain (L of Center). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.
Let’s hang out right here, Loop. This is a cool summit, too. We’re really lucking out with these last 2 Lists of John peaks!
This isn’t as good a spot to build a house, SPHP. Not enough room, but what a dramatic viewpoint!
No homes allowed in the National Forest, anyway, Looper. Care for a chocolate coconut bar?
Thought you’d never ask, SPHP! Way past lunch time, you know.
Yup. There’s Taste of the Wild for you, too.
Looking down the SE ridge, Peak 5266 was in sight. Peak 5360 was only 100 feet higher, but that was enough to make quite a difference. From here, SPHP could identify some peaks Lupe hadn’t been to in a long time. Pillar Peak(5,469 ft.), Bear Den Mountain(5,642 ft.), Dome Mountain(5,512 ft.), and Anchor Hill(5,720 ft.) were all on display.
Pillar Peak (far L), Dome Mountain (L) and Bear Den Mountain (L of Center) all on the horizon. Peak 5266 (Center) in the foreground with Anchor Hill (Center) beyond it. White Rocks (far R). Photo looks SE.Peak 5266 (L) with Anchor Hill beyond. Spruce Gulch (R), White Rocks (far R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.
Looking W, considerably more of Theodore Roosevelt Mountain was in sight. Spearfish Peak(5,800 ft.) was now visible on the horizon, too.
Mount Theodore Roosevelt (R of Center), Spearfish Peak (R). Photo looks W.
The SW edge of the summit platform Lupe was relaxing on was the brink of a cliff. Peering over it, homes along both sides of Stage Run Road were visible in the valley below. None of the homeowners would have had any inkling of the dramatic setting their homes were part of from down there.
Stage Run Road (below). Deer Mountain (Center). Terry Peak, Bald Mountain and Foley Mountain all (R). Photo looks SW.
Two more high points only moderately lower than the true summit were visible out along Peak 5360’s NE ridge.
Didn’t take us long to get up here, SPHP. Want to explore those other high points? They aren’t very far away.
Sure, Loop. Why not? Looks easy.
Peak 5360’s NE ridge from the true summit.
It was a fun little trek! From the rocks at the first high point, Lupe could see Polo Peak(5,410 ft.) and Green Mountain(5,325 ft.), and enjoyed a different perspective on Peak 5360’s true summit.
Mount Theodore Roosevelt (L), Polo Peak (R), and Green Mountain (far R) from the first high point. Photo looks WNW.Peak 5360’s true summit (L), Terry Peak (Center), Bald Mountain (R of Center), and Foley Mountain (R). Photo looks SW.
The part of the ridge leading to the second high point had been clear cut, and was full of brown-needled slash piles. The ridge continued E to a third, somewhat lower, high point where it looked like there was either a monument, or giant cairn.
However, hoping to climb yet another Lists of John peak today, Lupe didn’t go that far, content with a view of Pillar Peak beyond a stretch of Hwy 14A from the second high point, instead.
Approaching the second high point. Photo looks ESE.Pillar Peak (R) beyond Hwy 14A. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.
Well, about time to head back. Retracing her journey along the NE ridge, Lupe returned briefly to Peak 5360’s true summit.
Terry Peak and Peak 5360’s true summit (far L), Mount Theodore Roosevelt and the first high point (far R) from the second high point. Photo looks WSW.Returning to the true summit (L). Terry Peak (Center), Bald Mountain (R of Center), Foley Mountain (R). Photo looks SW.Back on Peak 5360’s true summit. Peak 5266 (R). Photo looks SE.
Loop made it to the RAV4 (2:38 PM) with plenty of time to climb another Lists of John peak, but SPHP chose poorly. Driving to Central City and taking Maitland Road N, shortly after making a R (E) turn onto USFS Road No. 195.2A, it proved too soft and mucky with melting snow to get the Carolina Dog into position to climb Peak5260.
Well, shucks, Loopster! We aren’t close enough now to anything else you still need to climb to get there today. Guess we’re going to have to call it kind of early. Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 300! Sort of a milestone. Hope you had a good time.
Oh, I did, SPHP! Both Peak 5266 and Peak 5360 were great viewpoints, and you did make Expedition No. 300 quite memorable for me today, too!
I did? What makes you say that, Looper?
First time you’ve ever talked about buying me a whole mountain, SPHP!
Maybe someday, but probably not. Never hurts to dream.
That must be it, Loop! I’ll find a place to turn around.
A mile up Spearfish Canyon from the old brick power plant on Spearfish Creek near the new Devil’s Bathtub trailhead, driving slowly, SPHP had seen a narrow crack in the limestone cliff off to the R. That crack was the entrance to locally famous Eleven Hour Gulch, which neither Lupe nor SPHP had ever been to before.
Turning around, SPHP parked at a small paved pullout on the creek side of Hwy 14A less than 200 feet down the canyon from the crack. Leaping out of the RAV4, Lupe discovered a cute memorial to Les Benth attached to an old tree stump next to the pullout.
By the Les Benth memorial at the pullout near Eleven Hour Gulch.
Venturing down the steep bank next to the pullout, Lupe had a quick drink from lovely Spearfish Creek, which had excellent flow this fine morning, prior to returning to Hwy 14A.
Spearfish Creek.
So, we’re not climbing any Lists of John peaks today, SPHP?
Nope. Well, maybe one, if we have time, Loop. Instead, we’re going to check out Eleven Hour Gulch, although this might not be the best time of year for it. Most of the pictures I’ve seen online have been taken during the winter when it looks like there are some awesome frozen waterfalls.
Might not be much left of them by now, SPHP. Already almost April!
Yeah, I know it, but no time like the present. Let’s have a look, shall we?
Crossing Hwy 14A, Lupe followed the road up to a trail that went past a few trees hiding a narrow gap between vertical limestone walls. The Carolina Dog had barely entered Eleven Hour Gulch when a remnant of a frozen waterfall came into sight ahead.
The entrance to Eleven Hour Gulch (Center) is on the other side of Hwy 14A. Photo looks up canyon from the pullout where the RAV4 was parked.By the entrance. Photo looks NW.Entering Eleven Hour Gulch. Photo looks NW.
A small stream running down the gulch presented no big problems, but in the recesses of this narrow slot canyon where the sun rarely shines, quite a bit of ice was mixed in among the jumble of rocks that led up to the frozen waterfall.
The sheets of ice were hard, wet, and super slick, making what should have been an easy little scramble much trickier than it otherwise would have been. Even Lupe with her 4 on the floor could scarcely maintain traction, but exercising a bit of caution, the American Dingo made it up to the base of the frozen waterfall.
Even this late in the season after a dry winter, it was pretty impressive!
Scrambling up to the frozen waterfall.Almost there! Photo looks NW.Hwy 14A from Eleven Hour Gulch. Photo looks SE.The frozen waterfall.
Wow! This is awesome, SPHP! We’ve never seen anything quite like this anywhere else in the Black Hills.
I have to agree, Loop. Really different! And so close to the highway, too!
The narrow canyon extended a little beyond the frozen waterfall to a pool of water at the base of a 10 foot drop where a crude wooden ladder led to an as yet unseen upper region. SPHP boosted Lupe nearly to the top of the ladder, where she was able to scramble the rest of the way up to the hidden territory above.
Approaching the ladder beyond the frozen waterfall. Photo looks NW.Boosted to the top of the ladder.The frozen waterfall from above the ladder. Photo looks ESE.
The upper canyon angled slightly toward the R, revealing a massive ice plug beneath a huge boulder lodged between the canyon walls only a short distance ahead. Exploring all the way to the ice plug, daylight could be seen above it from beneath the boulder.
Approaching the ice plug.At the base of the ice plug.
Guess this is it, Loopster. We aren’t going to be able to get past this.
Wonder how far up Eleven Hour Gulch we could go once the ice melts? Don’t you, SPHP?
I do! We’re going to find out, too, Loop!
We are? How, SPHP? You just said yourself that we can’t go any farther.
You’ll see soon enough, Looper. C’mon, let’s head back.
Mystified by SPHP’s cryptic answer, Lupe turned and started back down to the scenic frozen waterfall.
Starting back. Photo looks S.Still above the ladder. Photo looks SE.Approaching the frozen waterfall again. Photo looks ESE.Above the ladder (unseen) about to descend to the base of the frozen waterfall.Exiting Eleven Hour Gulch. Photo looks SSE.
10:04 AM, 54ºF, Hwy 14A, back at the RAV4 – Leaving the pullout, SPHP turned the RAV4 around, driving farther up Spearfish Canyon.
Eleven Hour Gulch was very cool, SPHP, but isn’t very well named. Only took us an hour to explore it! Maybe we can come back sometime in the winter? Really would be a wonderland then, and maybe a little safer with some snow over the ice to provide better traction.
Think you’re right about that, Loop. Explains why I’ve seen only winter photos online. We got just a taste of what Eleven Hour Gulch would be like then this morning, but you’re wrong about Eleven Hour Gulch only taking us an hour to explore. We’ve only seen the short lower gulch so far, no doubt the heart of its scenic splendor, but we’re just getting started.
We are, SPHP?
Yup. We’re going to explore the upper gulch next! All the way back down to the ice plug, if possible. You’re going to be an Eleven Hour Gulch expert, Looper, by the time we’re done today!
11:20 AM, 64ºF, junction of Tinton Road and USFS Road No. 134.2L – Odd. For some reason, USFS Road No. 222 going W past Roughlock Falls from Savoy was closed, forcing a huge detour. A lovely scenic drive, but it had taken an entire hour to get into position to explore the upper reaches of Eleven Hour Gulch. After parking the RAV4, SPHP checked the map.
At the start of USFS Road No. 134.2L. Tinton Road (No. 134) (L). Photo looks SW.
Hmm. Guess I could have driven a little farther, Looper, we actually want USFS Road No. 222.2F. Ought to be just up the hill.
Taking a primitive road paralleling Tinton Road NNE for 0.1 mile, Lupe quickly reached the top of a rise where they merged. On the other side of Tinton Road, several inches of slushy snow were melting away in a big open flat region. USFS Road No. 222.2F left Tinton Road here, angling sharply back to the S.
Instead of taking No. 222.2F, which was mucky, Lupe followed a drier open corridor that went SSW through the forest. This corridor was quite scenic. Lupe stuck with it a little way, but soon returned to No. 222.2F near an open gate.
Taking the primitive road NNE from the RAV4 to the top of the rise. Photo looks NNE.Start of USFS Road No. 222.2F where it leaves Tinton Road. Photo looks S.On the beautiful path through the forest. Photo looks SSW.By the open gate back at USFS Road No. 222.2F. Photo looks S.
Following No. 222.2F S from the gate, the road wasn’t as soft as it had been back at the start. Going gradually downhill, Lupe soon came to a fork. No. 222.2F climbed slightly as it veered off toward the SE, but Loop stuck with the other branch of the fork, which continued SSW, still going downhill. Before long, this more primitive road bottomed out. SPHP had another look at the map.
At the clearing where the primitive road bottoms out. Photo looks S.
Loopster needed to turn SE here to get back to No. 222.2F. Leaving the primitive road, she gained just a little elevation following a faint trail through a forest of young aspens. By the time she reached a field at the end of the aspens, the terrain was sloping gently downhill. Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) was visible on the horizon.
Exploring the aspen forest. Photo looks SE.Entering the field. Terry Peak (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks SE.
OK, Loop! We’re now in the uppermost reaches of the Eleven Hour Gulch drainage.
Wow! This could hardly be any more different from the low end, SPHP.
That was for sure! USFS Road No. 222.2F was off toward the L side of the field along the base of a pine-covered hill. Angling toward it, Lupe was soon trotting easily down No. 222.2F again.
Glancing back at the aspen forest after reaching USFS Road No. 222.2F again. Photo looks NW.Following No. 222.2F down the valley. Photo looks SE.
Continuing down the valley, more and more large patches of snow were seen melting away among the trees on the N slopes. Lupe finally came to a big patch right on the road. The snow was only a few inches deep, but that was plenty to frolic on while cooling off.
Snow on the N slopes. Photo looks SE.Enjoying the snow. Photo looks WNW.
Following No. 222.2F for another 0.67 mile, Lupe came to a fork. Signage indicated that both branches were part of Loop D of the Big Hill cross country ski trail system.
At the fork. Photo looks SE.By the “D Loop” sign.
Going uphill, USFS Road No. 222.2I curved off to the S (R) here. Lupe stuck with No. 222.2F, which went NE (L), continuing down the valley. A tiny creek soon appeared next to the road.
Continuing down the valley, still on USFS Road No. 222.2F. Photo looks NE.Wading in the tiny stream.
The downhill trek was super easy. Didn’t take long to go another 0.6 mile from the fork where Lupe had reached Loop D. At a slight bend in the road, the Carolina Dog came to a clearing where there was another junction. A map posted here showed that the trailhead for the Big Hill trail system was off to the NW.
The Big Hill trailhead might actually have been a closer starting point. Loop A came down to this junction through another part of the upper Eleven Hour Gulch drainage, but SPHP hadn’t known how easy these cross country ski trails were to follow.
Maybe Lupe could do some exploring that way during the return trip? For the time being, though, she just needed to keep following USFS Road No. 222.2F down the valley.
At the junction of Loops A, C & D of the Big Hill trail system. Photo looks ENE.By the Big Hill Trails map.
No. 222.2F headed ESE from this junction. According to the Big Hill Trail map, this stretch of the road was considered part of both Loops C and D. They parted ways only 0.33 mile ahead. There was a second map at this next junction, basically the same as the first one, except for the location of the “You Are Here” star.
This time, it was USFS Road No. 222.2F that veered off to the R (SE), now only part of Loop D again beyond this point. Looper finally left it here, taking No. 222.2L instead, which went straight ahead as part of Loop C.
Snow-covered USFS Road No. 222.2F (Loop D) goes off to the R here. Lupe continued straight on No. 222.2L (Loop C). Photo looks ESE.
No. 222.2L continued ESE for a little way before curving NE. The valley was narrower here, and no longer quite as shallow as before. Lupe soon came to a sign that wasn’t at any junction.
Always nice to know you’re on the right track!
After snaking SE for a bit, a good 0.75 mile from where Lupe had left Loop D, No. 222.2L bottomed out at a clearing. Turning N, the road started uphill.
Continuing down USFS Road No. 222.2L (Loop C). Photo looks E.At the clearing where the USFS Road No. 222.2L bottoms out. Photo looks SE.
Alrighty, Loopster! This is where things get interesting. No roads or trails the rest of the way! Let’s hope we can do this.
Abandoning the road, Lupe entered the Eleven Hour Gulch wilderness.
Entering the wild, seldom seen part of Eleven Hour Gulch. Photo looks SSE.
Lupe had already gone a good 3 miles since leaving the RAV4. According to the topo map, the wild upper reaches of Eleven Hour Gulch went on for another 0.67 of a mile. Whether the American Dingo would come to impassable drops or other obstacles was a complete unknown.
Started out alright, but Eleven Hour Gulch soon narrowed after a turn to the W. Lupe came to a couple of feet of snow in this region. There were sudden drops, but only minor ones. Plenty of trees, rocks, and bushes to wind through. Progress was now very slow, but there was always a way through it all.
Exploring part of the snowy stretch. Photo looks WSW.
The snowy stretch wasn’t very long. Most of the snow vanished once Eleven Hour Gulch turned SW. A fair amount of deadfall was the main obstacle here. Sort of a mess, but it was still possible to make progress.
Plenty of obstacles, but nothing too terrible so far.
Loopster was more than halfway down the wild, upper section of Eleven Hour Gulch when the canyon curved SE. At this point, the valley became absolutely choked with large deadfall full of branches. No way through! Practically impossible.
The sides of the canyon were quite steep here, but staying toward the L, even SPHP was able to climb above the horrendous deadfall. Traversing the slope above the worst of it for several hundred feet, Lupe managed to get by. Returning to the valley floor, there was still some deadfall to contend with, along with some ice, but it was nothing compared to what she’d just circumvented.
Past the worst of the deadfall. Photo looks SSE.
Near the end, in an area full of brush, an odd sight appeared ahead. In the middle of seemingly nowhere, Lupe discovered a lamp post.
Why is this here, SPHP?
Beats me, Looper! Incredibly strange!
The lamp post was straight and tall. Looked to be in good condition, but did it work? Who knew? Seemed unlikely, to say the least. What would be the point, anyway?
Even before reaching the lamp post, a faint use trail had been detectable in some spots. It now became more distinct, winding among big rock formations. And then, suddenly, there it was!
A frozen waterfall was directly ahead. Not the tall, skinny waterfall Lupe had seen before down in the lower part of Eleven Hour Gulch. This frozen waterfall was wider, but shorter. It dropped down to the boulder Lupe had seen the ice plug beneath at the upper end of the lower gulch.
How about that! Made it all the way to the lower gulch! Photo looks SE.
2:44 PM, overlooking the lower, more famous end of Eleven Hour Gulch –
This is it, SPHP! We’ve made it to the lower end of Eleven Hour Gulch! I can see the top of the tall frozen waterfall from here. That makes it about time for a chocolate coconut bar, doesn’t it?
Yup! Let’s go take a look at the tall frozen waterfall first, Loop, see what the lower gulch looks like from above. Then we’ll split a chocolate coconut bar, and you can have some Taste of the Wild, too.
Crossing the upper frozen waterfall, which extends down to the ice plug beneath the boulder seen at lower L.Lupe over on the other side, standing where she was about to enjoy a rest break.Looking down on the same frozen waterfall Lupe had seen earlier. Photo looks SE.The tall frozen waterfall from the break spot. Photo looks SE.Relaxing after successfully exploring Eleven Hour Gulch.
Lupe’s Eleven Hour Gulch break spot was certainly unique. Where else can you see a frozen waterfall in the Black Hills? Maybe a few places along some creeks in the winter, but none as impressive at this one.
Wonder how many Dingoes have even been here, SPHP?
You mean up here looking down on the lower part of the gulch, Looper? Hard to say. Might not be all that difficult to get here from below once all the ice melts. Or maybe it isn’t that easy? Who knows? One thing for sure, there can’t be too many Dingoes that have ever explored the entire length of Eleven Hour Gulch!
After a leisurely rest break, the American Dingo had a little more to do here before starting back up the gulch. Loopster posed for a photo on the upper frozen waterfall prior to having another good look at the tall one. Sniffing around in the forest, she went far enough to look down on Hwy 14A and Spearfish Creek in Spearfish Canyon.
Not every day that you get to stand on a frozen waterfall! Photo looks NW.Eleven Hour Gulch. Wonder how big this frozen waterfall gets in the winter?Spearfish Canyon from Eleven Hour Gulch. Photo looks E.Looking down on Hwy 14A and Spearfish Creek. Photo looks E.The upstream view. Photo looks S.
45 minutes after reaching the lower gulch overlook, Lupe started back up Eleven Hour Gulch. Her return route was exactly the same all the way back to the clearing at the bend in the road where all the Big Hill Loop trails met. At that point she left USFS Road No. 222.2F to explore parts of Loop A and Loop B.
By a little ice-filled cave and trench as Lupe starts back up upper Eleven Hour Gulch.Enjoying the tiny stream near USFS Road No. 222.2F again. Photo looks NW.Setting off to explore parts of Big Hill Trails Loop A and Loop B. Photo looks NW
The sun was sinking, but it was a beautiful evening. After leaving Loop A, Loop B eventually topped out at a flat region 0.33 mile SE of where the RAV4 was parked. Lupe stuck with it only until the trail curved NE and started downhill.
Exploring Loop A. Photo looks NW.Crossing a minor ice floe. Photo looks WNW.Signage along Loop B. Photo looks N.A beautiful evening on Loop B. Photo looks W.
6:24 PM, 63ºF, junction of Tinton Road and USFS Road No. 134.2L – Rather than taking USFS Road No. 222.2F when she finally came across it again, Lupe continued off-trail straight for the RAV4. The gently rolling, thinly forested terrain was fun and easy to explore, but the American Dingo’s wonderful Eleven Hour Gulch adventure was now just about over. Nothing left but the beautiful drive home.
Well, wha’dya think, Loop? Made a day of it, didn’t we?
I had a great time, SPHP! Kind of a different Black Hills Expedition since we didn’t climb any peaks today, but we sure saw some unusual sights in the narrow slot canyon of the lower gulch. Eleven Hour Gulch is a Black Hills treasure hidden right off the highway!
Satisfied then, Loopster? Not feeling cheated, are you? Even counting driving time between the lower and upper gulches, Eleven Hour Gulch only took us a little shy of 9.5 hours. You didn’t get your full 11 hours in.
Oh, but I will, SPHP! Didn’t you say we could come back to the lower gulch sometime in the winter when it’s all snowy and the frozen waterfall is at its most glorious? We’ll finish our 11 hours then!
Sounds like a plan, sweet puppy!
Good! Let’s go home then, SPHP! I’m famished and ready for dinner.
Eleven Hour Gulch, Black Hills of South Dakota, 3-28-21
