Badger Hole – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 295 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Badger Hole to French Creek & Beyond to Peak 5120 (2-7-22)

2-7-22, 9:42 AM, Custer State Park, Badger Hole trailhead –

Badger Hole! SPHP, we aren’t going to …

Oh, yes we are, Loopster! Centennial Trail No. 89 S from Badger Hole! But don’t worry, not going to let it become a fiasco like last time.

Badger Hole near Legion Lake is locally famous as the former home of Charles Badger Clark (1883 – 1957), Poet Laureate, author, and one of early South Dakota’s best known citizens.

Yes, but that’s not what I remember Badger Hole for, SPHP!

No! Indeed not! For Lupe, Badger Hole was infamous as her starting point nearly 10 years ago way back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 20, when she’d taken Centennial Trail No. 89 all the way to the Highland Creek trailhead near Wind Cave National Park and back, a distance of 29 miles round trip. A decent day hike by most any standards, and that was if one didn’t get lost like SPHP had, tacking on who knows how much more mileage stumbling around off-trail for hours in the dark.

No. 20 had been an expedition of many wonderful adventures, but had turned into a grueling, 19+ hour ordeal that hadn’t ended until dawn the next day. By then, young Lupe had been injured, somehow slicing one of the pads on a paw wide open during the night.

So, today, a more modest goal.

We’ll just go as far as the French Creek Horse Camp, this time, Looper. Only 4.2 miles one way.

That sounds much better, SPHP.

Might tack on a jaunt to Peak 5120, too, if we’re still feeling up to it once we reach French Creek.

Knew there’d be a catch! I’m CinderDingo, though! We better be back to Badger Hole before midnight!

A much earlier return that that was the plan as the American Dingo set out on Centennial Trail No. 89, heading S from Badger Hole.

A little up and down, and the trail turned SW up a shallow valley. This was actually just a spur leading from the Badger Creek trailhead to the main Centennial Trail No. 89 N/S route. Upon reaching the main trail, Lupe turned L, which was the way to French Creek.

Following the Badger Hole spur up the shallow valley. Photo looks SW.

Climbing more steeply now, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued SW up the same valley. Lupe soon reached the more open upper end. Curving S, the trail left the valley, bringing her up to Pass 5180.

Entering the upper valley. Photo looks SW.

At **Pass 5180**, **0.67 mile SW of Badger Hole**. Photo looks S.

Beyond the pass, the trail dipped only slightly at first. There was a nice view of a big wall of granite and a mountain off to the NE.

That’s a sweet mountain! We ought to climb it someday, SPHP!

Think we will before too long, Looper. That’s Peak 5440 , a Lists of John peak with 400 feet of prominence!

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

No, not really, since you’ve already completed your achievement. At least, not on a mini-blitz basis. But we’ll still be visiting Lists of John peaks as we get the chance, just to see what’s out there. Might as well! Something new and different. If we get to Peak 5120 today, that’s another Lists of John peak.

A fork in the trail was just ahead. The branch to the L was marked with a Centennial Trail No. 89 wand.

Hmm. Seems like we went to the R here back on Expedition No. 20, Loop, but I just don’t remember for sure.

Better stay L, SPHP! It’s clearly marked.

I know, but part of our problem last time was that my Black Hills National Forest map showed Centennial Trail No. 89 dividing somewhere along in here with both E and W routes for a little way. I remember we took the W route going S, which went fine, but then we somehow got off on the E route on the way back and got lost.

That’s because we went clear to Highland Creek, and it got dark. So you missed the turn onto the W route without realizing it, SPHP.

Yeah, and then we lost the E route entirely.

Don’t overthink this, SPHP! That was long ago. Let’s stick with the clearly marked trail.

Probably good advice. Taking the marked trail L, Lupe went SE a little way along a flat region featuring a few rock formations before the trail turned S, descending into the next valley.

Near the minor rock formations. Photo looks SE.

Starting down into the next valley. Photo looks SSW.

Upon reaching the floor of the valley, Lupe came upon more signage. All the arrows pointed N, back where she’d just been, which wasn’t terribly helpful. Marked with not one, but two wands, Centennial Trail No. 89 turned E here, heading down the valley.

Gosh, I’m really confused now, Loopster. Remember this spot, but just about 100% certain that we did not go E here. We crossed this valley still going S, eventually winding up at Pass 5437. Would bet money on it!

Well, fine. Want to do that again, SPHP? Just point out the trail that goes that way, ’cause I’m not sniffing it!

Alright, I will!

SPHP spent several minutes looking for a trail going S across the valley, but finding none, conceded the point. Lupe headed E.

The trek E was super easy. Nearly flat, the trail soon became a two track road. Lupe eventually crossed a tiny frozen creek. After crossing it, the trail made a big jog to the SW, but soon looped back E again. None of this seemed even faintly familiar to SPHP, but every now and then a Centennial Trail No. 89 wand confirmed that Lupe was still on track.

About to cross the tiny frozen creek (R). Photo looks ESE.

After turning E again, the valley widened out. Another wand appeared, marking a R turn off the two track road.

Centennial Trail No. 89 leaves the road here, heading off to the R. Photo looks E.

As a single track, the trail once again doubled back to the SW, starting up a forested slope. After gaining some elevation, it then suddenly turned E. Still climbing at an easy pace, Lupe had to dodge some deadfall before the trail broke out of the forest, angling SE up a grassy slope.

Heading up the grassy slope after leaving the valley. Photo looks SE.

The trail leveled out as Lupe crossed a field, then slowly lost elevation curving E again. Down in the valley ahead, a road came into view that led to a metal building.

The road (Center) to the metal building comes into view. Photo looks ENE.

Loop! I think we went past that building when we were lost on Expedition No. 20!

Good to know, SPHP! Fortunately, we don’t have to go that way today. Stick with the program!

Centennial Trail No. 89 did not go down to the road. Instead it now swung SW, apparently destined for another valley. A trail map was posted near the start.

Heading for the next valley. Photo looks SW.

What does it say, SPHP?

Shows a lot more trails in this area than I would have thought, Looper.

Does it show your E and W routes of Centennial Trail No. 89?

No. At least, not both of them. Pretty sure we’re on what used to be the E route. No sign of the W route on this map.

And where do we go from here, SPHP?

Just keep heading SW up this next valley, Loop.

The valley was broad. The trail nearly level. That gradually changed. Centennial Trail No. 89 eventually linked up with a road. Lupe came to a spot where it looked like the trail was about to top out, but it didn’t.

Climbing faster now as the valley narrows. Photo looks W.

Getting close to a top? Photo looks WSW.

Nope. Still heading higher. Photo looks WSW.

Roughly 0.75 mile SW of the posted map, Centennial Trail No. 89 finally did top out.

Recognize this place, SPHP?

No, but I know where we are. We’re at Pass 5140, just W of Peak 5396.

Were we here on Expedition No. 20?

Yes, we must have been, Loop, but it was dark as pitch by then.

How much farther to French Creek from here, SPHP?

About another mile, Looper. Downhill all the way!

*This way to French Creek!* Leaving **Pass 5140**. Photo looks S.

Heading S from Pass 5140, Centennial Trail No. 89 quickly became steep and rocky as it dropped into the final valley leading to French Creek. After losing 300 feet of elevation, the rate of descent diminished.

Beginning the steep, rocky part of the descent. Photo looks SSW.

SPHP soon spotted a side valley to the R (W).

Hang on, Looper! Let’s check this out. Think this is where the W route came down from Pass 5437.

Hard to say with complete certainty, but it did look like some kind of an old trail went up the side valley. However, this region had burned since Loopster had been here nearly 10 years ago. Whatever remained of Centennial Trail No. 89’s W route was choked with uncleared deadfall.

Lupe continued on. The trail wound down the narrow valley. Loopster came to a tiny creek with a teeny weeny cattail pond. At the lower end of the valley, a boardwalk went past a wall of rock. An intersection near French Creek was just around the next bend.

Approaching the boardwalk. Photo looks SE.

At the trail junction near French Creek.

Still another mile to the French Creek Horse Camp trailhead, but it was an easy, scenic, upstream trek. Two fords, but they were frozen stiff in early February. The Carolina Dog sauntered across both without a care in the world.

Following Centennial Trail No. 89 upstream to the French Creek Horse Camp. Photo looks SSW.

Standing on **French Creek**. Photo looks ESE.

Beyond the second ford, Centennial Trail No. 89 followed French Creek SE to the next bend before leaving it to head W across an open field. The trail soon turned SW. By then it wasn’t much farther to the French Creek Horse Camp.

Beyond the second ford. Photo looks ESE.

Crossing the field after leaving French Creek. Photo looks W.

Near the French Creek Horse Camp. Photo looks SW.

*Made it!* At the **French Creek Horse Camp**. Photo looks SW.

12:49 PM, French Creek Horse Camp –

Well, here we are Loop! The French Creek Horse Camp! Haven’t been here in nearly 10 years. Was a nice hike, wasn’t it?

Just think, SPHP! Last time we were here on Expedition No. 20, we were just getting started. 4 miles down, with 25+ to go!

Yes and no, Looper. Actually the very last time we were here, we were on our way back from Highland Creek that same day. It was getting mighty dark, and we were already famished and about worn out. Which brings up another subject. What do you think? Do you feel up to going on to Peak 5120? It will likely get dark on us on the way back.

As long as you aren’t going to make it a tradition to get us lost in the dark so that we have to stay out all night, I’m all in, SPHP!

SPHP wasn’t about to let that happen, especially not in February! So, rather than return to Badger Hole, Lupe headed S on CSP Road No. 4.

Leaving the **French Creek Horse Camp**. Photo looks ESE.

After crossing a bridge over French Creek, CSP Road No. 4 wound SE for 0.33 mile up to Pass 4780. A faint trail beyond a red sign that said “No Vehicles” went ENE from here toward grassy hills where the old forest had burned.

ENE was the way to Peak 5120. However, the original plan had been to stick with CSP No. 4, going over this pass down to the next valley before turning NE. Yet staying up on the open ground held some appeal, too.

Doesn’t say “No Dingoes”, SPHP! Want to try it?

Sure, Loop! Why not?

Should have known better. That burnt forest was why not. At first, it all went fine. Loopster trotted through the tall grass, taking aim generally toward HP5080, the highest hill visible from the pass. The terrain soon forced her NNE along the ridgeline, which was where the trouble began.

In the tall grass, heading for **HP5080** (R). Photo looks NE.

Lots of deadfall along the ridge!

Ignoring this early warning, SPHP led Lupe up to a rock formation with a nice view to the NW.

On the rock with a view. Photo looks NW.

From this viewpoint, Lupe continued on over the S shoulder of the next hill to the E, dodging deadfall to the extent possible. However, getting past the shoulder provided no relief at all. A winding, deadfall-laden mess the rest of the way to HP5080!

Criminitly, Loop! I never learn, do I?

No comment, SPHP. C’mon, let’s get there!

Approaching the S shoulder (R) of the next hill. Photo looks NE.

Closing (slowly!) in on **HP5080** (L). Photo looks ESE.

A wretched trek through the deadfall finally got Looper up to HP5080, which was just as big a mess as the rest of this icky ridge route. Once again, no relief in sight. More burnt forest between here and a second HP5080, a mere 0.25 mile to the ENE. 140 feet of elevation loss would be required before heading up its steep W slope, thrashing amid deadfall every step of the way.

And after the second HP5080, presumably a rinse and repeat yet again before Lupe would arrive at Peak 5120.

On the **W HP5080** looking ENE toward the E one. **Peak 5120** is partially visible beyond it.

Think I need a pick-me-upper, SPHP! Must be chocolate coconut bar time by now!

You’ve got that right, sweet puppy!

Unfortunately, chocolate coconut bars have such a short half-life that the ordeal soon had to be resumed. For a while now, a road had been visible in the valleys to the S. By the time Lupe managed to get down close to the saddle leading to the second HP5080, SPHP was done.

Forget this ghastly ridge route, Loopster! Head for the road!

And lose all this elevation we’ve been struggling to maintain, SPHP?

Yes, absolutely! This is taking forever and a day!

About to escape the deadfall and head down to the road. Photo looks SSE.

What a relief to be able to move again! The valley route was the way to go! Following the road around the S end of the second HP5080, the SW slopes of Peak 5120 came into view. The road wound right on up to them. A short grassy climb ended with another brief deadfall battle.

Going around the **S end of the E HP5080** (L). Photo looks NE.

**SW slopes of Peak 5120** dead ahead! Photo looks NE.

Success! On **Peak 5120**. **HP4971** (far L). Photo looks S.

2:55 PM, 53ºF, Peak 5120 – Wow! This could have been so much easier! A valley road hike all the way back to CSP Road No. 4 was clearly in the Carolina Dog’s future, but that could wait. Time for a break! As usual, today’s menu included the last chocolate coconut bar, Taste of the Wild, water, and for SPHP, an apple.

Peak 5120’s summit ridge looked like every other hill on the way here, a complete mess. Further exploration hardly seemed worth the effort. Curling up on SPHP’s lap, facing into a cool 10-15 mph NW breeze, Lupe relaxed while trying to enjoy the burnt tree-broken views.

Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) was the closest real high point. Much farther away, and more to the NNW, Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.), Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.), Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), and Peak 6735 could all be glimpsed from well chosen spots.

**Mount Coolidge** (R of Center, beyond Lupe). Photo looks NW.

**Little Devils Tower** (far L), **Cathedral Spires** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (R), and **Peak 6735** (far R). Photo looks NNW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Although the views were interesting, nothing to the E or S was as high as Peak 5120, and higher hills to the W were harder to positively identify through all the dead trees.

Lower terrain all the way to the South Dakota prairies on the horizon. Photo looks SE.

Despite the sunny openness of the burnt forest, as the late afternoon sun sank in the SW, Peak 5120 felt isolated, remote.

Probably doesn’t get many visitors, Loop, but Jerry Brekhus was here once, a few years back. Betty, too.

Oh, do you suppose they built a cairn somewhere up here, SPHP?

Hmm. Maybe. Want to look around for one?

Exploring a little way along the summit ridge. Photo looks NNE.

A check of the highest portion of the summit ridge revealed no obvious cairns. 40 minutes after arriving, Lupe left Peak 5120, sniffing her way first to a slightly lower SW shoulder, before ultimately taking the S ridge down to the road’s high point.

A little open knob W of the road offered a great view of Peak 5120 back to the N. As the American Dingo started down the road, a clear view of Mount Coolidge was dead ahead, too. Lupe would pass E of it again on the way back to Badger Hole.

**Mount Coolidge** (L of Center). Photo looks NW.

The valley road route back to CSP Road No. 4 was a brilliant success! So much easier! Then it was N up to Pass 4780 again before heading down to the French Creek Horse Camp.

Got dark well before Loopster made it back to Badger Hole. Silver stars twinkled above when SPHP stopped to put new batteries into the little flashlight. But, as promised, the Carolina Dog suffered no repeat of the ever so long ago Expedition No. 20 fiasco.

No losing Centennial Trail No. 89 this time around! (7:09 PM, 44ºF)

**S of Peak 5120**, Black Hills of South Dakota, 2-7-22

Links:

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 272 – Centennial Trail No. 89 – Iron Creek Horse Camp to Badger Hole (4-1-21)

Centennial Trail No. 89 Brochure & Map

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 272 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Iron Creek Horse Camp to Badger Hole (4-1-21)

8:29 AM, 32ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead –

SPHP! Quiet! Don’t move! A mountain lion!

A lion! Here at the trailhead? Where?

SPHP glanced around. Nothing.

Hah! Made you look! April Fools!

Oh, you’re a riot, silly Dingo! C’mon, it’s a bit of a trek. If we want to have time to climb a couple of side peaks along the way, we better get moving.

A mountain Dingo, but no mountain lions, at the Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead. Photo looks N.

Destined for Badger Hole, Lupe left the Iron Creek Horse Camp trailhead heading S on Centennial Trail No. 89. At least temporarily, spring had sprung! Chilly this morning, but supposed to get as warm as a day in mid-May later on. The trail still had a few icy stretches as Lupe followed it up a gentle valley. Soon she was passing scenic granite formations while approaching a minor pass.

*Exciting stuff! We’re hunting badgers today! This trail leads to their hole!* Photo looks S.

An icy stretch as the trail winds into the forest. Photo looks SW.

Passing granite formations. Photo looks SSE.

Beyond the pass was another gentle valley. A side trail soon appeared on the L. This was the spur to Centennial Trail No. 89’s official Iron Creek trailhead, which was different from the unofficial trailhead near the horse camp. Lupe went on by the spur, sticking with the main trail. Within a couple of minutes, the main trail turned R. A sign said it was 7 miles to Legion Lake.

Junction with the official Iron Creek trailhead spur. (Sign on L.) Lupe kept going straight (R). Photo looks SE.

At the Legion Lake sign. Photo looks SW.

Heading SW through the forest over a little rise, the trail quickly brought Looper to Needles Hwy No. 87. Across the highway, a closed gate over a side road could be seen a few hundred feet away. When Lupe got to the gate, Centennial Trail No. 89 took off to the L.

Crossing Needles Hwy No. 87. Photo looks SW.

L of the gate where the trail leaves the side road. Photo looks SE.

From the gate, Centennial Trail No. 89 went up a to minor ridge offering the first somewhat distant view of the day, several forested hills. Lupe crossed a dirt road that ran along the ridgeline, and started down into the next valley. Passing big granite formations on the L, she arrived at “Badger Gate”, a couple of granite nodes the trail went between.

First distant views from the minor ridge. Photo looks SSE.

From Badger Gate, the trail continued down to a tiny creek, a tributary of Grace Coolidge Creek. Off to the L (SE), a big field occupied the valley floor, but the trail didn’t enter it. Crossing a few boards that bridged the tiny creek, Lupe had a view of the field as Centennial Trail No. 89 wound along a hillside staying in or near the trees.

Crossing the tiny **tributary of Grace Coolidge Creek**. Photo looks W.

The trail went up a slight rise before descending into a narrower part of the valley right on down to Coolidge Creek itself. The stream was frozen over. Centennial Trail No. 89 headed up the shady valley, never straying far from Coolidge Creek and crossing it twice.

Heading down into the **upper Coolidge Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

In the shady **Coolidge Creek valley**. Photo looks SW.

After the second Coolidge Creek crossing, Centennial Trail No. 89 began climbing out of the valley. Lupe came to a region of exposed granite on the way to a broad, forested ridge. Climbing more gradually, an old road led to a sunny open area which appeared to have been logged off some years ago.

Approaching the exposed granite. Photo looks NW.

On the broad forested ridge. Photo looks SW.

Entering the open region. Photo looks WSW.

The open region was huge! Despite a few dips, the road went on and on, still gaining elevation. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) was in view off to the NW. Smaller hills could be seen in almost every direction.

*Didn’t expect to see so much open territory!* Photo looks SSW.

**Black Elk Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

After a sunny mile or so, Centennial Trail No. 89 re-entered the forest. The trees had been thinned here, too. Big granite outcroppings were visible nearby. The trail dipped going around the W side of an especially tall formation. 12 minutes later, Lupe made a discovery.

SPHP! Look! A monster!

Oh, yeah right, Miss April Fools!

Turned out she was right! This time the American Dingo wasn’t fooling! The Claw was lurking just ahead. Peak 5880 was visible beyond it. Lupe would have to go right past The Claw, if she wanted to get there.

**Peak 5880** (Center). **The Claw** (R). Photo looks S.

Fortunately, The Claw was acting none too lively. It appeared to have been lurking here for so long that it had forgotten why. Slipping past it was no great feat at all. Soon the Carolina Dog was closing in on Peak 5880. Centennial Trail No. 89 was heading right for it.

*Peakbagging time coming up!* **Peak 5880** (Center). Photo looks S.

When the trail got to the N side of Peak 5880, it curved SE along its base. Peak 5880 was a chance to do a little peakbagging. In fact, Lupe had climbed it once before only a couple of years ago. The American Dingo left the trail where it got closest to a saddle 0.2 mile SE of the summit.

Snow, slash, and various chunks of wood left by loggers to contend with, but overall, getting up to the saddle wasn’t all that hard. From here, Lupe enjoyed a distant view of Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.).

Off-trail, approaching the saddle. Photo looks S.

At the saddle. **Northeast Cicero Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW.

The climb along the SE ridge to the summit was much harder, partly since it was steeper, but mainly due to copious quantities of deadfall. The ridge finally leveled out, though, and Lupe came to a platform of rock overlooking a last slash-filled gap leading to the summit.

Almost there! **Peak 5880 summit** (L). **Black Elk Peak** (far R). Photo looks NW.

11:58 AM, 58ºF, Peak 5880 – Lupe stood on one of the highest rocks, then it was time for a break. Peak 5880’s cramped summit region had enough room to allow the Carolina Dog to relax practically right next to the true summit rock, but not to move around much.

Is it lunch time yet, SPHP?

Practically on the dot, Loopster! You hungry, thirsty?

Thirsty? Not really. Been eating snow. Not that hungry yet, either, but if you happen to have a chocolate coconut bar in that pack, it would go down pretty easy right about now!

You don’t say! As always, I presume. Well, I’ll see what I can do.

The chocolate coconut bar supply took a hit, and minor shrinkage of the Taste of the Wild supply occurred, too. SPHP slowly munched an apple. Off to the E were a couple of ridges Lupe had climbed once upon a time, Peak 5647 and Peak 5733, but that was about it for views due to the big pines that were providing all the shade.

**Peak 5647** (L) and **Peak 5733** (Center). Photo looks E.

Loop and SPHP lollygagged up by the true summit well after the apple no longer existed, but there was a limit to how long that could go on.

Not a bad spot, but never really thought we would ever be back here, did you, Looper?

Oh, it doesn’t bother me coming back to the same places again, SPHP! A new experience every time! You never know what might be different.

True enough, but that’s not what I meant. This just seems like an out of the way place. If it weren’t for Centennial Trail No. 89 bringing us right past Peak 5880, we probably would have kept busy with other stuff, and never been back.

I’m glad we’ve returned, SPHP, but maybe we ought to have a look around, since this might be it for Peak 5880 the way you talk!

Good idea! We’re still miles from Badger Hole, so let’s do that, then head back to the trail.

*Don’t listen to SPHP! If you enjoy climbing mountains, **Peak 5880** is worth the side trip!* Photo looks S.

Out on the short, rocky N ridge. Photo looks NE.

Summit from the start of the N ridge. Photo looks S.

After venturing out onto the steep, rocky N ridge, Lupe had to go back over the summit and downclimb a bit to explore a larger, flatter area to the S. Not much to be seen since this region was densely forested, but Loop did get a glimpse of Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) to the S. Off to the SW, Custer Mountain (6,089 ft.) and Peak 6040 were visible beyond Stockade Lake.

**Mount Coolidge** (Center). Photo looks S.

**Stockade Lake** is still frozen! Photo looks SW.

**Custer Mountain** (L) and **Peak 6040** (Center) beyond **Stockade Lake**. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Peak 5880 had been a fun break. Having seen what there was to see, Loopster returned to Centennial Trail No. 89 by essentially the same route she had come up. Leaving Peak 5880 behind, the trail curved NE beginning to lose elevation. A turn to the R (E) following a different dirt road led down to a low spot in a wide valley.

Loop was now in the upper reaches of the Little Squaw Creek valley, but so far up it that there was no sign of a creek. Centennial Trail No. 89 went around the N side of a fenced area, turned S, and began to climb. Lupe soon came to a pass with massive granite walls on the L (E).

Going around the fence down in the **Little Squaw Creek valley**. Photo looks E.

Approaching the next pass. Photo looks SSE.

The next valley, also dry, was part of the Galena Creek drainage system. Huge granite formations E of the trail eventually disappeared as Lupe kept going. The valley widened, and became quite grassy and flat.

**Upper reaches of the Galena Creek drainage**. Dry as a bone here! Photo looks S.

10 minutes from the pass, the trail divided at a well-signed junction. The Carolina Dog had a choice. Take the trail veering off to the L (SE), which was the shortest route to Badger Hole, or stay farther W continuing S down the valley?

Sign for the short route. Only 1.5 miles to Badger Hole this way! Photo looks SE.

The long way. 2.5 miles to Badger Hole. Photo looks S.

Any preference, SPHP? I’d sort of like to catch a badger as soon as possible!

Oh, doesn’t that sound like fun? A badger – Dingo fight! However, the short route goes partway up Peak 5733, and I’d like to save that for later on the way back. Take the long route, please.

Siding with the badger, are you, SPHP? Giving it a reprieve? Fine! Just dandy! Only temporary, I assure you. As you wish, the long route it is!

Lupe continued straight. The valley went on and on, soon narrowing and winding. The Carolina Dog journeyed through both grasslands and open forest. A micro-tributary of Galena Creek eventually materialized. In shady regions, sometimes there was still some slushy ice or snow.

Continuing down the valley. Photo looks SE.

The American Dingo must have been nearly 1.5 miles from the last pass she’d gone over when traffic could be heard ahead. Centennial Trail No. 89 went by a house as it reached Hwy 16A.

Near the S end of the valley. Hwy 16A just ahead. Photo looks SE.

At the house next to Hwy 16A. Centennial Trail No. 89 on the L. Photo looks NW.

Unlike the Needles Hwy much earlier in the day, Hwy 16A was busy. Loop had to wait for a chance to cross safely. Galena Creek was down in the ditch on the other side. A couple of boards provided a bridge, but the creek was so small even SPHP could have just stepped across if they hadn’t been there.

Safely over on the S side of Hwy 16A. Photo looks WSW.

Crossing **Galena Creek**. Photo looks SE.

Once over Galena Creek, Centennial Trail No. 89 began a steady climb through a forested area. Lupe gained 200+ feet of elevation before the trail leveled out again at a field. Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) was directly ahead, not looking all that much higher.

Regaining elevation S of Hwy 16A. Photo looks SW.

**Mount Coolidge** (Center) from the field. Photo looks SSW.

Mount Coolidge looked so close, that SPHP considered taking it on. Only a passing thought. Appearances were deceiving. The actual summit was higher than what could be seen from here. Furthermore, it turned out that there was a deep ravine between this field and the mountain. Upon reaching the edge of the ravine, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved SE, then E, following the upper rim of the ravine lower.

Losing all the elevation she had just regained and more, Lupe ended up down in Sheep Draw where a square stand of aspens stood enclosed within a fence. An off-trail shortcut could have been taken directly to Badger Hole from here, but Loopster stuck with the trail as it turned SE again heading up to yet another pass.

The last pass was a minor one. Lupe was soon over it and down in a low spot in the next valley. Centennial Trail No. 89 turned SW starting to climb again, but Lupe didn’t need to that way. She had reached the spur trail to the Badger Hole trailhead, now only 0.5 mile away.

Start of the spur trail to the Badger Hole trailhead. Photo looks NE.

Closing in on Badger Hole. Photo looks ENE.

3:05 PM, 62ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Badger Hole trailhead –

Lupe sniffed in vain.

Unbelievable, SPHP! Take the long way you said! You deliberately gave the badger time to escape! What I don’t understand is how the badger managed to take even its hole with it! Not a whiff of badger or hole left!

Sorry, Loopster! Don’t ask me! How am I supposed to know where the badger or its hole went? You see the sign! No doubt about it, this is the right place!

*Well, looks like that cowardly badger is forfeiting! This is **Dingo Hole** trailhead from now on!* Photo looks S.

Wait a minute, SPHP! What does that other sign over by the hill say?

Badger Clark Memorial, Open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Oh, so that’s the badger’s game, is it? Holed up in a castle on the hill until Memorial Day, aye?

Apparently so! See, it didn’t make any difference which route we took as far as the badger is concerned. Busy hibernating or something until summer.

Well, phooey! Tricky, scaredy-cat badger! Doesn’t dare come out until I’m safely away on my summer Dingo Vacations!

Must be one brainy badger, Loopster! Nothing we can do about it. C’mon, Legion Lake isn’t far from here. Let’s go have a chocolate coconut bar break there.

Nothing to take one’s mind off a slippery badger like a chocolate coconut bar! Lupe headed NW on the road to Legion Lake, and was soon there. The bar was devoured along the shore near the spillway. This time the chocolate coconut bar functioned as a mere appetizer. A healthy helping of Taste of the Wild got crunched up, too.

*The chocolate coconut bar met the same fate here meant for the badger! Delicious!* **Legion Lake**. Photo looks NW.

Strolling along the NE shore of the lake, Mount Coolidge was once again in sight. Lupe came to a sandy beach. Amazingly, even though most of Legion Lake was still covered with ice, a couple of crazy Canadians were out there swimming!

**Mount Coolidge** (Center) from **Legion Lake**. Photo looks SW.

In no big rush, Loop and SPHP ambled on past the Legion Lake Lodge. Closed now, but that would change. Tourist season was due to kick off with Custer State Park’s free weekend the week before Memorial Day.

Near the **Legion Lake Lodge**. Photo looks SE.

3:32 PM, 60ºF, Legion Lake in Custer State Park – Getting sort of late in the day with such a long way back to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. Better head out! Crossing Hwy 16A, Lupe and SPHP startled a herd of deer grazing in the Legion Lake campground.

The campground was closed, but Loopster trotted through it. No sign, but way at the far NW end was the start of the E side of the loop that went back to the trail junction where SPHP had advised the American Dingo to take the long route to Badger Hole.

Leaving the campground. Photo looks NNW.

SPHP wasn’t sure if this was even officially part of Centennial Trail No. 89. No brown “89” wands here. Unnumbered blue diamonds on the trees marked the route. The trail started up a little valley, but was soon climbing toward a ridgeline on the R (NE).

Easily the steepest route of the day, except for Lupe’s side jaunt up Peak 5880. SPHP stopped frequently to gasp for air. Reaching the ridgeline did nothing to slow the rate of ascent as the trail began curving W. Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.) looked a lot higher from here.

After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, the trail began to level out as it headed SW traversing a steep slope. The trail was just beginning to turn NW when Lupe reached its high point by a number of big rocks with tree-broken views.

Traversing the steep slope. Photo looks SW.

At the trail’s high point. Photo looks SW.

Lupe had been here had been nearly 9 years ago, sometime back in 2012. Directly ahead, the trail started down again at a good clip. SPHP couldn’t remember exactly where it went, maybe even up to a higher spot farther on, but one way or another it would get the Carolina Dog back to the same Centennial Trail junction she had been at earlier.

Decision time, Looper! Want to stick with the trail, or climb Peak 5733?

If we have time, let’s climb!

Heading up a steep, rocky S ridge, SPHP was a little afraid that it might become impassable. It didn’t. Lupe reached a level spot where a short break was taken. Consulting the topo map, it appeared the summit was still nearly 0.33 mile due N and 200 feet higher.

At the level spot where a short break was taken. Photo looks SE.

Actually farther than that the way the ridge went. Lupe followed the ridge as it now turned NW. She was soon approaching a significant high point that she really didn’t need to climb. Traversing a steep, thickly forested slope, the Carolina Dog managed to skirt E of the high point to reach a saddle SW of the summit.

This saddle featured a couple of dramatic knobs of granite. Lupe got up on one of them just for fun.

At the **saddle SW of Peak 5733’s summit**. Photo looks N.

Deadfall and slash! Wasn’t that far from the saddle to the summit, but it was a typical slow trek through the wreckage. Lupe paused for views once or twice on the way. When she finally got to the top of Peak 5733, she leapt onto the true summit rock to claim her peakbagging success, then it was time for a break.

**Black Elk Peak** (L of Center), as seen on the way up Peak 5733. Photo looks NNW.

Success! At the **true summit of Peak 5733**. Photo looks WNW.

5:14 PM, 55ºF, Peak 5733 – Breezy up here, for the first time today. The last chocolate coconut bar and apple met their fates. Quiet, serene. This was another minor unnamed peak that SPHP had never expected Lupe to return to, yet here she was.

Looper and SPHP sat together for a while, taking in the big view off to the NW. Omnipresent Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), plus Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.), Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.), Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) and Peak 6735, too.

To the W, Peak 5880, where the American Dingo had been only hours ago, and somewhere between here and there, Centennial Trail No. 89.

**Sylvan Hill** (L) and **Black Elk Peak** (R). Photo looks NW.

**Little Devils Tower** (far L), **Cathedral Spires** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (R of Center) and **Peak 6735** (R). Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.

**Peak 5880** (L) and **Sylvan Hill** (R). Photo looks NW.

Definitely going to get dark before the Carolina Dog could make it back to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. No worries! Reach Centennial Trail No. 89 again, and Loop would speed along having a blast on this beautiful early April evening. Something to look forward to!

20 minutes after arriving, it was good-bye to Peak 5733. Lupe headed down the slash-ridden NW slope. As soon as she was below the worst of it, SPHP picked up the pace.

Ahead, sunlight streamed through open forest illuminating a broad, steady ramp lower. Lovely! Getting to the Little Squaw Creek valley where the American Dingo could pick up Centennial Trail No. 89 again was going to be a snap! (End 8:17 PM, 39ºF)