Alkali Creek trailhead – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 286 – Peak 4780 & Peak 4760 (12-2-21)

8:06 AM, 50ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Alkali Creek trailhead – Kind of a gray day, but pleasantly warm for December.

Centennial Trail No. 89 again, SPHP?

Hah! Yeah. You don’t mind do you, Loop?

Oh, no! I love the Centennial Trail, it’s just that we’ve been here several times recently. I was sort of expecting something different.

Well, you can blame poor planning on my part, Loopster. I should have checked out the Meade County Lists of John peaks before we came down here from the Elk Creek trailhead on Expedition No. 274. Didn’t even think about that. We could have tagged a couple of 300+ foot prominence peaks along the way.

So we’re going back to tag them today, SPHP?

Yup! Shouldn’t be too hard, we’ll be on Centennial Trail No. 89 most of the time. The peaks we’re going to are way back up in the hills, but not too far from the trail.

At the **Alkali Creek trailhead**. Photo looks NW.

Crossing the access road, Lupe set out following Centennial Trail No. 89 WNW through grasslands overlooking scrub oaks down in the Alkali Creek valley. She soon reached I-90, passed through a tunnel beneath it, under a railroad trestle, then up into a big field. From here, the trail headed SW gradually climbing toward the hills.

Setting out on Centennial Trail No. 89 along the **N side of the Alkali Creek valley**. Photo looks WNW.

The railroad trestle just past the tunnel. Photo looks SW.

Looking back toward I-90. Photo looks E.

Right after Centennial Trail No. 89 reached the forest at the base of the hills, Lupe left it venturing a short distance NW to a viewpoint where Alkali Creek passed through a narrow gap between small limestone cliffs. The creekbed was just a dry wash here.

By the limestone gap where Alkali Creek leaves the Black Hills. Photo looks NW.

Once back on Centennial Trail No. 89 again, the trail made a quick loop S before returning to the Alkali Creek valley. Heading SW, Lupe passed a scenic cliff, then entered a two-toned forest – the dark green of all the Ponderosa pines above, and dry orange of dead leaves still clinging to bushes below.

The trail soon left the Alkali Creek valley, turning SE up a side ravine. A layer of limestone cliffs capped the ridge to the NE. Lupe wandered up beneath the cliffs to sniff around and check them out.

A little above the trail, exploring along the base of the cliffs. Photo looks S.

Near the upper end of the ravine, just past the last of the cliffs, Loopster came to Poett’s Corner. By a rickety wooden gate, a poster was attached to a tree. A bell hung below the poster.

Although Lupe had been past Poett’s corner on several other Black Hills expeditions, she had never seen Poett. Poett was nowhere in sight now, either.

Kind of makes you wonder if Poett is still around, doesn’t it, SPHP?

Yes, it does, Looper. No telling what’s happened to Poett. Maybe Poett moved away, or has become bored with this trail and doesn’t come here any more?

Well, whatever happened, I hope Poett’s OK, SPHP! Hate to think that Poett might have gotten lost or stolen, or anything terrible like that.

Me, too, Loop, but seems likely we’ll never know the truth.

Centennial Trail No. 89 curved away from Poett’s Corner. It wound through the forest for a couple more miles, climbing steadily most of the time. At one point there was a view of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) way out on the prairie to the NNE, but other than that, there was generally little to see except the forest itself.

**Bear Butte**. Photo looks NNE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Roughly 4 miles from the Alkali Creek trailhead, Centennial Trail No. 89 reached a ridge where Lupe came to a junction. While No. 89 continued over the ridge, another trail branched off to the R heading farther up it. A sign indicated that this was the way to the Sturgis City Dams.

Which way, SPHP?

Sturgis City Dams, Looper, but let’s have a look at Peak 4760 first.

From a small clearing near the trail junction, an unremarkable hill was visible a mile S. Heavily forested, it didn’t appear much different from countless others in the Black Hills region.

First glimpse of **Peak 4760**. Photo looks S.

Is that it, SPHP?

Yup. Guess we won’t be seeing much from up there by the looks of it. Way too many trees. Oh, well! Carry on, Loopster! Maybe Peak 4780 will be better?

Taking the trail that went past the Sturgis City Dams sign, Lupe headed up the ridge.

Near the trail junction, about to head for Peak 4780. Photo looks WNW.

The trail climbed at an easy pace along the broad ridge. Progress was rapid. Most of the ridge was forested, but sometimes there were views. Bear Butte came into sight again, followed by parts of Sturgis.

Heading W on the Sturgis City Dams trail.

**Bear Butte** (L of Center). Photo looks NNE.

Continuing W along the ridge. Photo looks W.

Parts of Sturgis came into view (beyond Lupe). Photo looks N.

How much farther to Peak 4780, SPHP? And why didn’t we go to Peak 4760 first, since we could already see it back at the junction?

Because we’re already on Peak 4780’s E ridge, Loop! The summit is close to the W end of the mountain, only 0.75 mile from the trail junction. Not much of a climb. We should get there pretty soon at this rate.

More than halfway along the ridge, the Sturgis City Dams trail angled over to the S edge, and began heading down. To the N, abandoned USFS Road No. 139.1E came up the N slope from the E, climbing more steeply than the trail had been as it continued W. The road provided another good look at Bear Butte as Lupe left the trail to follow it higher.

About to take abandoned USFS Road No. 139.1E higher. Photo looks W.

**Bear Butte** again. Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.

As No. 139.1E topped out, it faded away. Lupe had reached Peak 4780’s summit region, but the exact location of the true summit wasn’t entirely clear yet. A small hill just to the N appeared to be a likely candidate, so the American Dingo climbed it.

In the flat region where USFS Road No. 139.1E faded away.

Up on the first Peak 4780 summit candidate. Photo looks N.

Loopster kept exploring. The terrain rose slowly as she headed farther W. The Carolina Dog finally reached a region near the S edge where the terrain leveled out again. SPHP was pretty certain this had to be the true summit of Peak 4780.

At the **true summit of Peak 4780**. Photo looks NW.

Really nothing to see here except the forest. A fairly large area was very nearly the same elevation. A few tens of feet farther W, Lupe found a bit of a clearing where she had a view of rumpled green hills to to the SW from a little line of broken limestone. It was a sunny spot, and a good place to take a chocolate coconut bar break.

While SPHP dug one out of the pack, Lupe relaxed. Turned out the grass was full of hundreds of ladybugs! Swarming all over Looper’s fur, they must have tickled. She snapped up several ladybugs before turning her attention to the chocolate coconut bar when offered.

At the chocolate coconut bar break spot, which was very nearly as high as the nearby true summit. Photo looks E.

Loop awaiting her share of a chocolate coconut bar.

Lupe followed up the chocolate coconut bar with Taste of the Wild and water while SPHP munched an apple. Once that was gone, it was time to take a little more of a look around. A stump near the spot where Loop had taken her rest break offered a view of Veteran Peak (5,333 ft.).

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

Part of the slope below the break spot was open and grassy, so Looper ventured down there, too. She was rewarded with a more sweeping view than had been available from up on top, part of which included a really good look at Peak 4760 where she would be heading next.

In the open area below the break spot and true summit. Photo looks S.

**Peak 4760** (L of Center). Photo looks SE.

Unsurprisingly, the view from this new angle didn’t alter SPHP’s opinion that Lupe wouldn’t being seeing much other than trees from Peak 4760, either, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to make the journey. Never know what might be up there or along the way!

Returning to the top of the ridge, the American Dingo paid another brief visit to Peak 4780’s true summit before continuing on. Soon reaching the W end of the mountain, Lupe paused briefly to admire a better view of Veteran Peak before heading down.

On the way back up to the break spot. Photo looks N.

**Veteran Peak** (slightly L of Center) from the **W end of Peak 4780**. Photo looks SW.

Peak 4780’s upper W slope was surprisingly steep. Fortunately a band of cliffs was not continuous. Lupe found a way to get through it. The slope below the cliffs was still fairly steep, but posed no real problem on the way down to a saddle where the terrain leveled out.

Below a cliff at the **W end of Peak 4780**.

Heading down to the saddle. Photo looks W.

Once down at the saddle, Lupe turned SE. At first, she lost a little more elevation, but after running into a trail, she started regaining it again.

This was probably the same trail that went to the Sturgis City Dams, but Loop didn’t stay on it very far this time. Instead, she soon headed S through a field down to USFS Road No. 139.

Back on the trail to the Sturgis City Dams. **Peak 4760** (L of Center). Photo looks SE.

**S of Peak 4780** on USFS Road No. 139. Photo looks ENE.

After a short incline, Lupe followed No. 139 more than 0.75 mile E as it lost elevation, slowly at first, but much more quickly toward the end. In a secluded valley, the Carolina Dog came to a place she recognized.

Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed the road here. Lupe followed the trail S up a hill. It then leveled out and wound around to the W for a bit before turning SE the rest of the way to Bulldog Creek.

Heading E on USFS Road No. 139 as it starts losing elevation. Photo looks E.

At the junction with Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks S.

Centennial Trail No. 89 on the way to Bulldog Creek. Photo looks SE.

Bulldog Creek was very small, but at least had some water in it when Lupe was last here back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 274. Now the creekbed was bone dry. Abandoning Centennial Trail No. 89, Loopster followed the creekbed downstream.

Many branches hung over the creekbed. SPHP often had to duck. More problematic, some deadfall was across it, too. Following the creekbed E, Lupe soon came to a towering wall of rock that forced the stream S.

Approaching the wall of rock that forced Bulldog Creek S. Photo looks E.

Around this bend, Bulldog Creek was a total mess. Deadfall choked the creekbed, which actually had some standing water in it here. Loopster helped herself to a drink, while SPHP thrashed around trying to force a way through.

Loop standing in the pool of water where she managed to get a drink.

SPHP’s progress was dreadfully slow. Fortunately, Lupe didn’t need to follow Bulldog Creek much farther. It quickly turned E again. When it did, Lupe continued S, leaving the wretched stream behind.

Loop was now entering a valley in a very remote region. No sign that anyone ever comes this way! The plan was to follow the valley 0.33 mile S up to a saddle directly W of Peak 4760’s summit, then turn E making a direct assault. However, the floor of the valley was so thick with bushes, that SPHP found it easier staying toward the E.

The terrain forced Lupe higher and higher above the valley floor. SPHP finally realized that it would probably be easier to head SW straight up the mountain right here than try to traverse the increasingly steep slope leading to the saddle W of the summit.

The climb got steeper and steeper. SPHP was on the verge of clinging to trees, and paused repeatedly to gasp for breath. At one point there was a little open spot where Lupe could look back and see Peak 4780, but mostly it was just trees, trees, and more trees.

After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, the rate of climb diminished slightly. The American Dingo persevered, finally reaching Peak 4760’s N ridge. She was already very high on the mountain. Beginning a search for the true summit, Lupe turned S.

Up on **Peak 4760’s N ridge**. Photo looks SW.

It wasn’t much farther. A sunny lane led right to it.

Approaching **Peak 4760’s summit**. Photo looks SSW.

In a flash, Lupe was there!

At **Peak 4760’s true summit**. Photo looks SSW.

2:11 PM, 65ºF, Peak 4760 true summit – The summit was a surprising place. Despite its prior densely forested appearance, a clearing ran along a short ridge. Although only a partial glimpse of Peak 4780 was available, Veteran Peak (5,333 ft.) was in sight again.

Surprisingly, in sunshine instead of shade. Photo looks NW.

The steep climb had made a genuine rest break a high priority. Before checking out the views, SPHP dug another chocolate coconut bar out of the pack, while Lupe laid down. Ladybugs were holding a convention in the unbelievably warm early December sunshine here, too, but there weren’t as many of them as there had been at Peak 4780.

Although Peak 4760 felt very remote, Lupe clearly wasn’t the only one to ever be here. However, the last visitors might have left a mighty long time ago. Five exceedingly rusty cans and a broken plastic spoon were grouped together right at the true summit.

After devouring her remaining Taste of the Wild, Looper slurped some water. SPHP polished off the last apple. Not much exploring to be done up here, but the time had come for it.

Heading S, the summit ridge soon began to slope lower, broadening out somewhat as it did so. There were scattered trees, but open ground, too. In fact, the best views from Peak 4760 were over this way.

Exploring S along the **summit ridge**. Photo looks NNE.

Toward the S, the ridge widened out and had some open space. Photo looks N.

Best view from the summit region. **Veteran Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks SW.

December afternoons are short. It was a long way back to Alkali Creek. Lupe lingered only 20 minutes up on Peak 4760 before SPHP grabbed the 5 rusty cans and broken spoon, and tossed them in the pack. Loop then started down the N ridge.

Lupe hadn’t lost much elevation yet, when she came to a place where a limestone platform jutted out toward the NW. From the end, there was a nice view of Peak 4780.

Then it was down, down, down Peak 4760’s N ridge! Lupe scrambled around a few rock formations, and dodged deadfall. When the N ridge eventually broadened out, becoming less distinct, Loop stayed toward the W, which put her on steep terrain.

After a long descent, Lupe reached Bulldog Creek 0.33 mile downstream of where she’d left it earlier. It was completely dry here. After crossing the creekbed, she had to scramble 40 feet up a steep bank to reach USFS Road No. 139 again.

0.5 mile on No. 139 brought Lupe back up to where Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed it. This time she took the trail N, eventually reaching the same junction where the trail to the Sturgis City Dams split off toward Peak 4780’s summit. Downhill essentially all the way back to the Alkali Creek trailhead from here.

Getting late, though! Light was fading as SPHP was finally able to pick up the pace. Considerable progress had been made down the mountain when suddenly there was movement in the deepening gloom ahead.

A dog! Not just any dog, either. Tail slowly wagging, Poett stood alone on the trail, waiting to greet Lupe!

They sniffed. Then Poett joined the procession, preferring to fall in at the end of the line. Still some distance down to Poett’s Corner. SPHP was glad when Poett began to fall behind. Evidently, Poett was going to be content to return home, instead of following Lupe past his gate and bell.

What a way to end the day, Loopster! You finally got to meet Poett, canine celebrity of the N Centennial Trail!

We were lucky, SPHP! I’m so glad to see that Poett’s well and still actively patrolling his part of Centennial Trail No. 89!

And who knows? If you head up into the Black Hills from the Alkali Creek trailhead, Poett may be there still. (End 5:31 PM, 51ºF)

**Poett** at dusk, Centennial Trail No. 89, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-2-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Centennial Trail No. 89 Map & Brochure

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 274 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Elk Creek to Alkali Creek (4-10-21)

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 281 – Centennial Trail No. 89: The Ponderosa Hike (10-29-21)

10-28-21 – Lupe could hardly believe her big soft Dingo ears! Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty were coming from Colorado. Not only would they be here tonight, but Lupe had a brand new cousin that was coming with them, too!

When Cousin Laddie gets here, Loop, you’re going to have to be extra nice to him. Laddie’s had a tough life and might be scared. He’s a nice dog, a little Sheltie not even as big as you. So, no growling or rough-housing! Got that?

Why? What happened to Cousin Laddie, SPHP?

Oh, I don’t know the whole story, but Laddie’s been at the shelter. He got adopted, but a few months ago Laddie was grabbed by the neck and torn into by another dog in the same family that adopted him, and was just about done in. To survive, Laddie needed thousands of dollars worth of surgery. The fur on his chest is still growing back. Laddie’s also missing almost all his front teeth, which were rotten and had to be pulled back when he first got to the shelter.

No teeth? My poor cousin! His bark must be worse than his bite!

Probably right about that, Loop, but he still has his back teeth.

How come you’ve never mentioned Cousin Laddie before, SPHP?

Because he’s a brand new cousin. He just joined the family when Aunt Andrea and Uncle Joe agreed to adopt him, since he couldn’t stay with the same family any longer after being attacked. In fact, Laddie is his new name. He used to be called Danny Boy.

It was all true! Later that evening Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousins Dusty and Laddie did arrive. Loopster raced around barking for joy, wild with delight! Extremely curious about Cousin Laddie, she sniffed and sniffed. SPHP hadn’t said anything about sniffing. Lupe sniffed so much that Laddie maybe did get a little scared, but nothing bad happened.

The amazing thing about Cousin Laddie was that he was almost the same color as Lupe. Laddie’s fur was a lot longer, though, except on his chest where it had been cut. Laddie did have one front tooth, an upper canine on the L side. That lone tooth gave Laddie sort of a crooked smile. SPHP later said that Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea should have named him Snaggle Fang.

10-29-21, Centennial Trail No. 89, Alkali Creek trailhead – Everyone was excited! Cousin Laddie was about to get his first introduction to the Black Hills. Cousin Dusty was 15 now, so the hike had to be a relatively easy one. The stretch of Centennial Trail No. 89 N of the Alkali Creek trailhead to a ridge overlooking the old 7th cavalry post at Fort Meade was one of Uncle Joe’s favorites, and would do nicely. He always called it the Ponderosa hike.

The whole pack at the start of Uncle Joe’s “Ponderosa Hike” along Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks NE.

Off to a good start, looking back toward the Alkali Creek trailhead. Photo looks SSW.

The first part of the trail was an easy stroll through the grasslands. Soon Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) was coming into view. At the top of a rise, the trail diverged by a gate in a barbed wire fence. Centennial Trail No. 89 went L here, heading W for a forested ridge.

**Bear Butte**. Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.

About to head up the ridge. Photo looks W.

Upon entering the forest at the base of the ridge, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W, working steadily higher on a winding course. At nearly the end of October, autumn leaves still clinging to the scrub oaks were well past their scenic best, but did add splashes of color. Cousin Dusty, a veteran of many prior adventures in the Black Hills, was doing great! She often took turns leading the way with Lupe.

Still unaccustomed to the Black Hills and his new life, Cousin Laddie was happiest sticking close to Uncle Joe.

Loop and Dusty, together again in the Black Hills!

Getting close to the top of the ridge. Photo looks ESE.

Centennial Trail No. 89 reached the top of the ridge at its far S end. Here the trail leveled out. Peak 4027, true summit of the entire mile long ridge, was only a little farther N. The trail went practically right to it, but never did go quite all the way to the top, sweeping around the hillside E of the summit instead.

Naturally, being this close, Lupe had to tag the high point! The Carolina Dog left Centennial Trail No. 89, venturing up to the summit. Everyone else followed as a matter of course.

It took only a couple of minutes to reach the top, a big, flat, grassy field ringed by Ponderosa pines in most directions. Lupe, SPHP, Cousin Dusty, and Uncle Joe had all been here before, but this was Cousin Laddie’s first Black Hills peakbagging success. Peak 4027 was super easy, but Laddie seemed happy enough with it.

The whole pack up on **Peak 4027**. Photo looks NNW.

A short break was taken up on Peak 4027. Although trees blocked the views in most directions, Bear Butte and the prairies E of the Black Hills were on display. SPHP had brought apples and chocolate coconut bars. Uncle Joe shared Kirkland bars. All of the dogs enjoyed some chocolate coconut bar, and Cousin Dusty even wanted the apple cores. Water was available, too.

Cousin Dusty looking good at 15 on **Peak 4027**.

Dusty asking Uncle Joe if it’s alright to have some chocolate coconut bar?

In the sunshine back on good ole **Peak 4027**.

**Bear Butte** (Center) from **Peak 4027**. Photo looks NNE.

When all the goodies were gone, it was time to continue on. From Peak 4027, Centennial Trail No. 89 ran another 0.75 mile all the way to the far N end of the ridge. Most of this route was forested, but there was a big clearing approaching HP3983, and a little past HP3983 was a viewpoint off to the L (W) overlooking I-90.

Laddie **N of Peak 4027** hitting Centennial Trail No. 89 again.

Uncle Joe and the pack in the meadow approaching **HP3983**. Photo looks N.

At the **viewpoint N of HP3893** overlooking I-90 (R). Photo looks SSW.

At the N end of the ridge was another viewpoint overlooking the town of Sturgis. Oyster Mountain (4,040 ft.), Sly Hill (3,920 ft.), and Peak 3950 were all in sight, too.

At the N end of the ridge. **Oyster Mountain** (Center), **Sly Hill** (R) and **Peak 39050** (far R). Photo looks NW.

From the Sturgis viewpoint, the trail began descending NE. Halfway down the mountain it curved back into a valley to the S, then turned NE again upon reaching the valley floor. Scrub oaks were the most scenic feature of this trek, especially lower down where, protected from the wind, they still had quite a few leaves.

Cousin Dusty amid the scrub oaks as she enters the valley.

The valley of the scrub oaks eventually led clear down to Old Stone Road. Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed the road, entering a larger, flatter drainage which continued NE out toward the prairie. The trail soon curved E, but everyone abandoned it to take a shortcut up a grassy slope onto the ridge to the N.

Near the start of the wider drainage after crossing Old Stone Road. Photo looks NE.

Approaching the prairie. Centennial Trail No. 89 curves E (R) beyond the magnificent tree, but everyone left the trail here to go N (L) up onto the ridge. Photo looks NE.

Joe, Laddie and Dusty getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.

Overlooking both Fort Meade and Bear Butte (4,422 ft.), the top of this ridge was the traditional end of the “Ponderosa Hike”.

**Fort Meade** (L) and **Bear Butte** (R) from the end of Uncle Joe’s traditional “Ponderosa Hike”. Photo looks NNE.

Hardly a cloud in the sky, and incredibly warm for practically the end of October! A little farther W along the ridge, everyone hid out from the sun in the shade of a few large pine trees enjoying a second rest break. More bars, more apples, more water!

Relaxing in the shade at the end of the Ponderosa hike. Photo looks SW.

New cousin Laddie taking it easy on his first ever Black Hills expedition.

When the time came to start back, there was some discussion of possibly exploring farther W first. In the end, though, the whole pack headed right back down the grassy ridge’s S slope.

Ready to start back to the trailhead. Photo looks WSW.

Final moments on the grassy ridge. Photo looks S.

Rejoining Centennial Trail No. 89 down in the wide drainage, the pack followed it SW only a short distance. Before reaching Old Stone Road, it was decided not to return via the ridge leading to Peak 4027. Instead, a different trail was taken that went S down on the rolling prairie.

Briefly back on Centennial Trail No. 89 again S of the grassy ridge. Photo looks SW.

Lupe and Cousin Dusty out on the prairie. Photo looks SSW.

Still more than a mile from the Alkali Creek trailhead. Photo looks SSW.

Near the end, Centennial Trail No. 89 was eventually rejoined at the gate where it turned W going up to the forested ridge and Peak 4027. Getting just plain hot out! The sun was a beast with the temperature soaring into the mid 70’s ºF. In their fur coats, Lupe, Dusty and Laddie were all panting, tongues hanging out on the final stretch.

Arrival back at the Alkali Creek trailhead was promptly celebrated with a much anticipated cold drink out of Alkali Creek. Lupe and Laddie both eagerly waded in and drank their fill, but Dusty wasn’t satisfied with just getting her paws and insides wet. Instead, she plunked herself right down in the stream and stayed there.

Cousin Dusty cooling off in Alkali Creek.

No one was going anywhere, and Black Hills Expedition No. 281 wasn’t finished, until Cousin Dusty was ready to declare it over and done with. Taking her sweet time about it, Dusty finally got sufficiently cooled down to come dripping out of Alkali Creek.

A little under 4 hours round trip on a summery October afternoon, the Ponderosa hike had been a great choice! Easy enough for Dusty, and a gentle introduction to Black Hills peakbagging for Laddie, the day had been a success.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Centennial Trail No. 89 Brochure & Map

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 274 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Elk Creek to Alkali Creek (4-10-21)

7:19 AM, 26ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Elk Creek trailhead – SPHP opened the door, and Lupe hopped back into the G6.

What’s wrong, Looper? Did you hear gunfire?

No! It’s freezing out there! What happened, SPHP? Last time we were here, it was so nice out! I’m staying in where it’s warm until you’re ready.

Maybe you shouldn’t have rolled in the snow? Anyway, suit yourself. I’ll be ready in a few minutes. Supposed to warm up into the 60’s ºF later on. That’ll take the chill off!

Back at the Elk Creek trailhead for the 1st time since Expedition No. 273 – 5 days ago!

What was wrong with the Carolina Dog? A frolic in the snow wouldn’t ordinarily bother Lupe at all, but now she sat alone shivering in the G6. Was Looper getting sick? SPHP hoped not.

Only 5 days ago, Lupe had made it here from Dalton Lake on a lovely warm afternoon in advance of a spring snowstorm that hit the Black Hills the next day. Although a lot of snow had melted since then, this morning was admittedly off to a crispy start. The plan was to continue Loopster’s Centennial Trail No. 89 explorations all the way to the Alkali Creek trailhead – 11.5 long, winding miles away.

If she felt up to it, that is.

Relevant portion of the posted trail map.

Alrighty, Loop! I’m ready! Are you feeling OK? You up for this?

Without the slightest hesitation, the American Dingo left the warmth of the G6. No sign of shivering or shaking now.

Of course! Which way? N?

Yes, indeed! Onward! Puppy ho!

Crossing USFS Road No. 168, Lupe left the Elk Creek trailhead.

Setting out for Alkali Creek. Photo looks NNE.

Crusty snow supported Lupe’s weight, but crumbled under SPHP’s, as Centennial Trail No. 89 headed NNE up a cold ravine still in shadow. The trail soon climbed out of the ravine to a flatter region to the NW where the forest had been thinned recently. The fresh openness revealed only a general ugliness in the wake of recent destruction.

On the visually unappealing loop to the NW. Photo looks NE.

This jaunt to the NW was short-lived. Climbing again, the trail looped back to the E before resuming a NE course. Sunlight streamed through the trees, promising relief from the lingering chill.

A moderately steep rate of ascent soon diminished. Centennial Trail No. 89 flattened again, as Loop reached another region where the forest had been thinned. She was almost to the top of a rise when the trail curved N, avoiding it. Curious about what might be on the other side, Lupe left the trail continuing to the high ground.

In the upper thinned region. From here, Lupe ventured over to the high ground on the R. Photo looks NNE.

The rise provided a glimpse of distant prairies beyond the Black Hills, but nothing stood out as being of particular interest.

Turning NW, Lupe went down a snowy slope to rejoin Centennial Trail No. 89 where it crossed USFS Road No. 169 S of HP5141. From here, the trail went WNW maintaining elevation along a slope providing a more interesting view to the W.

About to head down to cross USFS Road No. 169 (R). Photo looks NW.

Looking WSW from the S slopes of **HP5141**.

Upon reaching a saddle between HP5141 and HP5212 (topo map), Loop passed a sign indicating she had left the Elk Creek trailhead a mile ago. Crossing the saddle, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W traversing the slope at the S end of the HP5212 ridge.

Skirting the **S end of the HP5212 ridge**. Photo looks WSW.

After rounding the S end, the trail wound along the W side of the ridge. Elevation changes were gradual, down slightly at first, then higher as Lupe continued on. Views were pleasant, but always tree-broken.

A pleasant, if unspectacular view. Photo looks S.

On a short snowy stretch. Photo looks ENE.

Close to the N end of the ridge, Lupe reached a wide spot at the bottom of a switchback. According to a sign, this was point S15 of the Sturgis area trails system. Another trail destined for the Sturgis City Dams veered off to the SW.

Any interest in the Sturgis City Dams, SPHP?

Not today, Loop. Got a different side trip in mind. We’re almost to it.

Sticking with Centennial Trail No. 89, Lupe headed up the switchback, which made a jog to the W before turning NE. Pass 5140 was just ahead.

Closing in on **Pass 5140**. Photo looks ESE.

Arriving at Pass 5140, Lupe found herself in a field. The S half of this field was snow-covered and sloped up the N end of the HP5212 ridge. Peak 5261, the actual high point of the ridge, was somewhere up among the pines, not too far away.

Peakbagging time! Leaving Centennial Trail No. 89, Lupe headed up the snowy slope. Didn’t take long to reach a first high spot where the terrain leveled out. A slightly higher point was only a few hundred feet away. Going over there, Lupe arrived at Peak 5261’s true summit.

Approaching **Peak 5261’s true summit** (Center). Photo looks S.

**Peak 5261 summit**. **Custer Peak** (Center) and **Terry Peak** (R) on the horizon. Photo looks SW.

9:16 AM, 47ºF, Peak 5261 –

That was easy, SPHP! Glad we came up here, too! These views are way better than what we’ve been seeing from the trail! Can we stay a while?

Sure thing, Loop! A little early for a break, but so what? Peak 5261 is the highest point anywhere close to this segment of Centennial Trail No. 89. Might as well enjoy it! Only peak we’ll be climbing today.

The highest ground consisted of a line of smallish loose rocks. SPHP found a spot to sit down. Lupe tried laying on the rocks, but SPHP’s lap was a comfier vantage point. Facing WSW, both Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) were easily recognizable on the horizon.

**Custer Peak** (Center) from Peak 5261. Photo looks SW.

**Custer Peak**. Photo looks SW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

At the summit rest spot. **Custer Peak** (L) and **Terry Peak** (R). Photo looks WSW.

Terry Peak (Center) and **Bald Mountain (6,617 ft.)** (R). Photo looks W with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

A pleasant time was spent gazing at the views, during which a chocolate coconut bar met its match. Lupe turned down part of a fried chicken breast, but SPHP wasn’t so picky. Water wasn’t in demand, either, since the Carolina Dog had been eating snow. Near the end of Looper’s stay, SPHP realized there was a fairly decent view of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) from here, too.

**Bear Butte** (R of Center). Photo looks NNE.

**Bear Butte** (L). Photo looks NNE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

40 minutes shot by. A final look around, and Lupe was on her way back down Peak 5261’s N slope. Upon reaching Centennial Trail No. 89 again, she headed down the SE side of Pass 5140.

Final moments on **Peak 5261**. Photo looks SSW.

Still more than 9 miles to the Alkali Creek trailhead! Looper would lose elevation most of the way, but that didn’t start in earnest quite yet. A short descent from Pass 5140 led to an easy uphill section heading NNE along the edge of the forest. Last chance for a glance back at Peak 5261.

Heading up the next hill NE of Peak 5261. Photo looks NE.

Although the topo map (switch to CalTopo USFS to see route) showed Centennial Trail No. 89 following USFS Road No. 139 in the region ahead, the trail actually remained a single track, staying E and somewhat lower than the road, as it wound N along the upper W end of Beaver Gulch.

USFS Road No. 139 is on the hillside ahead, but the trail never went all the way up to it. Photo looks N.

Easy going on a flat section overlooking **Beaver Gulch** (R). Photo looks NNE.

A good mile beyond Peak 5261, Centennial Trail No. 89 veered farther from USFS Road No. 139 and went over a little rise. Lupe hadn’t lost all that much elevation yet, a bit over 200 feet. Now, however, a somewhat steeper descent began as the trail turned NW down into Bulldog Gulch. A sense of remoteness grew as Loopster entered the shade of a denser forest. Snow was deep on a long switchback to the ESE, but turning soft as the day warmed up.

Starting down into **Bulldog Gulch**. Photo looks N.

On the snowy switchback. Photo looks SE.

The long switchback wasn’t steep at all, but once the Carolina Dog got past it, the trail steepened considerably. Lupe soon reached the bottom of Bulldog Gulch. The trail crossed the drainage several times. Except for the snow, it was dry this high up.

In **Bulldog Gulch** where Centennial Trail No. 89 first crosses the drainage.

Bulldog Gulch was just beginning to widen out when the trail flattened and veered away to the E. A short incline brought Lupe to a minor pass beyond which she entered a different part of the drainage. For 0.5 mile, Centennial Trail No. 89 wound NE through a sunnier, more open forest, steadily losing elevation.

Eventually, it all led right back to the main course of Bulldog Gulch. Down here, a little water trickled along in Bulldog Creek.

Returning to the main course of **Bulldog Gulch** (L). Photo looks NE.

Scenic **Bulldog Creek**! Photo looks SW.

Right after crossing Bulldog Creek, Lupe came to an unusual structure.

Look, SPHP! A ticket booth!

Seems we’re a bit late for the show, Loopster.

A slow day at the **Bulldog Gulch ticket booth**.

Maybe the strange structure was a toll booth and not a ticket booth? The attendant didn’t seem to be around, in any case. Odd, but nothing to be done about it, so Lupe continued on.

The trail crossed Bulldog Creek a couple more times before leaving it for good. Winding N up over a minor ridge, it then descended to a low point where USFS Road No. 139 suddenly reappeared. After crossing the road, Lupe began a more sustained climb out of Bulldog Gulch.

At the **second Bulldog Creek crossing**. Photo looks SSW.

Beginning to climb out of Bulldog Gulch. Photo looks W.

An amazing dense forest. Photo looks SE.

Lupe gained 200 feet of elevation before reaching a ridgeline. On the other side was a sunny meadow, and a view of the prairies beyond the Black Hills. The trail wound NW a bit higher up the ridge before coming to another junction with the Sturgis area trails system, where a side trail continuing up the ridge promised another route to the Sturgis City Dams.

Still a few miles to go, but Lupe had come a long way since Peak 5261. Break time! Loop laid down next to SPHP near a lone little group of Pasque flowers.

*Can see the prairie now!* On the ridgeline after exiting Bulldog Gulch. Photo looks E.

Another chocolate coconut bar bit the dust. Just an appetizer this time! Lupe was ready for some Taste of the Wild, too. For some reason, the finicky Carolina Dog still declined fried chicken. SPHP had some, then munched an apple while consulting the map.

So, how are we doing, SPHP?

Great, Loop! Near as I can tell, we’re right at the junction with USFS Road No. 139.1E. Pretty much all downhill the rest of the way.

Road! What road? Do you have that map upside down, SPHP?

Think it’s been abandoned long ago. This side trail to the Sturgis City Dams might be all that’s left of it.

The trek resumed. Centennial Trail No. 89 left the ridgeline continuing NW. Lupe lost elevation slowly at first, but the pace then quickened. Reaching the “Twisted Trunk”, a small opening provided a glimpse of Deadman Mountain (4,943 ft.) off to the W.

At the Twisted Trunk. **Deadman Mountain** (L) in the distance. Photo looks W.

The trail made a series of long switchbacks, gradually working its way N. For a long way there was nothing to see except forest. However, Loop made great progress, and the trail eventually reached a wooden fence. A sign posted on a tree next to the fence warned about a friendly dog named Poett that liked to go on long walks with strangers.

Apparently Poett’s days of wandering off with strangers were over.

No sign of Poett today, so Lupe kept going. The trail turned away from the fence without crossing it, once again heading NW. A thick band of limestone capped a minor ridge up the slope to the R. Centennial Trail No. 89 ran below this cap for 0.25 mile until it angled off to the N.

After a couple of short switchbacks, the trail curved NE, bringing Loop right back to the limestone.

Not far from Poett’s wanted poster, near the start of the limestone cap. Photo looks N.

N end of the limestone. Photo looks ENE.

The limestone ended at a gap created by Alkali Creek. As Centennial Trail No. 89 continued NE past a wall of rock, the whole formation sank below the surface. The trail promptly curved E. Now on top of the sunken limestone, Lupe entered a clearing amid a more open forest.

One more switchback, and the long, forested descent was over. Ahead, a vast field stretched toward the roar of traffic on I-90. Prairies beyond the Black Hills were visible through a break in a line of ridges to the E.

At the start of the big field. Photo looks E.

Looking back at the Black Hills, now being left behind. Photo looks W.

Not much farther to go! Lupe headed straight for I-90, passing under a railroad bridge just before reaching it. Two concrete tunnels provided a choice of safe passage below I-90. Once through, Centennial Trail No. 89 turned ESE straight for the still unseen Alkali Creek trailhead. Trotting by a line of scrub oaks down in the creek bottom, Lupe went over a rise, and there it was, dead ahead.

Approaching the railroad bridge. Photo looks N.

Choice of tunnels beneath I-90. Photo looks NE.

**Alkali Creek trailhead** dead ahead! Photo looks E.

2:31 PM, 64ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Alkali Creek trailhead – The S end of Peak 4027 rose beyond the trailhead display. Lupe had been up there before, but wouldn’t be making another ascent today. Her 11.5 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89 trek from the Elk Creek trailhead was over, but the Carolina Dog would soon have to turn right back around and repeat it. Going back was the hard way, too, uphill much of the way!

At the **Alkali Creek trailhead**. **Peak 4027** (Center). Photo looks NW.

Lupe sauntered down to Alkali Creek for a drink. The afternoon was sunny and warm down here, and snow didn’t exist. Then it was up the bank to rest by the vacant picnic tables amid the leafless oaks.

*We’ll rest here!* **Alkali Creek picnic ground**.

Lupe wasn’t hungry. While SPHP polished off what was left of the fried chicken, she laid in the shade beneath the picnic table. So nice out! Several vehicles were parked at the trailhead, but no one came around.

3:08 PM, Centennial Trail No. 89 – 30 peaceful minutes had flown. With the Alkali Creek trailhead behind her now, Lupe stood on a little rise looking W. Back to the Black Hills! The Elk Creek trailhead seemed unimaginably far away.

7:16 PM, 44ºF, Peak 5261 – Just in time! Lupe stood bathed in horizontal rays of sunlight, the sun hanging barely above the hills. With few clouds to speak of, sunset wasn’t going to amount to much. Even so, a respite way up here on Peak 5261 from the finally concluded endless uphill march was reward in itself.

Absolutely famished, the American Dingo devoured the remaining Taste of the Wild supply before curling up on SPHP’s lap to watch the show. 10 minutes of glory, and the golden orb fell as if mortally wounded. Sinking N of Terry Peak, it was gone.

In a chilly S breeze, Lupe and SPHP sat watching while a faint rosy blush in the clouds above rallied, then sickened, turning old and gray before its time. Dusk. Oh, well. Still more than 2.5 miles to go. Better make use of what light remained.

Onward! Puppy, ho!

Leaving rarely visited new friend Peak 5261 for the second time today, Lupe headed back to Centennial Trail No. 89. (End 9:00 PM, 36ºF)