Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 273 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Dalton Lake to Elk Creek (4-5-21)

7:57 AM, 35ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Dalton Lake trailhead –  Not a cloud in the sky.  Supposed to warm up, too – highs in the upper 60’s ºF expected.  A perfect day for taking this monster on!

Oooooh!  Centennial Trail again today, SPHP?

You know it!  This is it!  King Kong of the Centennial Trail system – Dalton Lake to Elk Creek.  12.8 miles one way between trailheads, 25.6 miles round trip!  Think you’re up to it, Looper?

Just point me at the trail, SPHP, and try not to fall too far behind!

The Dalton Lake trailhead is only 500 feet from the campground.
Kiosk at the Dalton Lake trailhead.

The trailhead was just a short distance below the Dalton Lake dam.  Lupe set out on Centennial Trail No. 89 heading NW across a field of dry grass to a wooden footbridge over Little Elk Creek.  Beyond the bridge, the trail turned W and began to climb.  In nothing flat, Lupe was up on the dam with a view of Dalton Lake.  The little lake was still icy, but the ice didn’t look very thick.

On the footbridge over Little Elk Creek. Photo looks SW.
Near the Dalton Lake dam spillway. Photo looks SW.
Dalton Lake. Photo looks SW.

0.1 mile done, 25.5 miles to go!  As lovely as Dalton Lake was, Lupe didn’t have time to dilly-dally.  A brief look, and the Carolina Dog was on her way.  Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W gradually climbing into the forest.  Loop came to a bike access ramp, the 2nd one so far.

Leaving Dalton Lake. Photo looks ESE.
On the Dingo access ramp.

The trail went W beyond Dalton Lake before doubling back to the ENE.  Lupe was already too high to see Dalton Lake again through all the trees.

Doubling back to the ENE.

The Elk Creek trailhead was nowhere near 12.8 miles away as the crow flies, not even half of that.  However, Centennial Trail No. 89 was going to do an awful lot of winding around before getting there, and started out true to form.  Although bound for the ridge N of Dalton Lake, the trail didn’t switchback directly up to it.  Instead, climbing at a gradual to moderate pace, it went clear around the E end before curling up into a valley N of the ridge.

Glancing back as the trail climbs out of Little Elk Canyon where Dalton Lake is located. Photo looks SW.
Going around the E end. Photo looks NNW.
Entering the valley N of the ridge. Photo looks NW.

Climbing all the way, Centennial Trail No. 89 swooped around the upper W end of the valley N of the ridge, then straightened out as it turned SE.  Lupe reached the much flatter region on top of the ridge along the NE edge.  The trail turned sharply W here, following an abandoned road.

Up on top where the trail turns W. Photo looks NW.

The grassy road soon led into USFS Road No. 704.1B, which continued WNW, a very easy trek since Lupe was barely gaining any elevation at all now.  Before long, No. 704.1B made a big gentle curve around the W end of the valley Loop had just climbed out of.

Another higher ridge was to the N, and Centennial Trail No. 89 made the same basic maneuver as before.  No. 704.1B turned E, and started losing elevation.  Approaching the E end of the ridge, the trail left the road, veering off to the NE at a point where several big rocks were visible.

A nice single track again, Centennial Trail No. 89 proceeded around the E end of the second ridge past a number of huge rocks.  It then turned NW, climbing steadily through a fairly open region with views of lower forested hills and ridges off to the NE.

USFS Road No. 704.1B where it starts curving back around to the E. Photo looks N.
Going downhill on No. 704.1B. Photo looks ENE.
By the first big rocks where Centennial Trail No. 89 leaves USFS Road No. 704.1B. These rocks are visible from the road at the turn. Photo looks ENE.
Heading NW after rounding the E end of the second ridge. Photo looks NW.

What a difference a few days had made!  4 days ago, Lupe had been much farther S exploring a different section of the Centennial Trail.  Patches of snow and ice hadn’t been hard to come by then, but today was different.  Hardly any around.

April had started off unseasonably warm, and things were warming up rapidly today, too.  SPHP had already shed all extra layers.  Loopster was greatly cheered when she finally came to a spot to cool off.  Laying right down on the ice, she chomped away at a small patch of crusty snow.

Happy Dingo on Ice. Photo looks NW.

All these ridges Centennial Trail No. 89 wound about were connected.  Lupe was already close to a saddle leading to HP5173, the high point of the next ridge to the N.  The trail reached the saddle very efficiently, without having to downclimb at all.  At the saddle, the trail turned N, starting a steeper ascent.  Loop passed a first minor rock formation.

Below the first rock formation on the way to HP5713. Photo looks NNW.

The trail wound around in the forest a bit before arriving along the SW edge of the ridge.  For the first time, Lupe had tree-broken views to the W.  Staying near the edge on much flatter terrain, the trail turned NW.  SPHP soon called a halt.

Time for a break.  With so little snow around, Lupe needed water, and SPHP wanted to have a look at the topo map(Note: Switch to CalTopo USFS for a map showing Centennial Trail No. 89)

Getting close to the SW edge of the ridge. Photo looks NW.
At the first break spot, a little SE of HP5173. Photo looks SSW.

This is a nice spot, SPHP!  Where are we anyway?

We’re off to a good start, Loop, but that’s about it.  Looks like we’re 0.25 mile SE of HP5173.  Appears the trail will go just about right over HP5173, but the terrain might be so flat we may not even notice it.  Hardly matters.  The highest point along this segment of Centennial Trail No. 89, or close to it, is Peak 5181, which is another 1.5 miles past HP5173.

Does the trail go over Peak 5181, too?

No, not quite.  Appears to be a little E of the trail.

Are we going to visit Peak 5181, then?  Seems like we ought to, if it’s the highest point along the way.

Oh, yes!  We will.  The map even shows a survey benchmark there.  We’ll have a look around to see if we can find it.

With the Carolina Dog hydrated again, the trek resumed.  Loop headed NW along the SW rim of the ridge above a line of small limestone cliffs, an exceptionally easy march since the ground was nearly flat.

The trail probably didn’t go exactly over HP5173, but must have passed very close to it.  Neither Loop nor SPHP paid much attention.  Occasional views to the SW were more interesting.  Nothing too spectacular, mostly long forested ridges, but Peak 5300 and White Mansion (5,340 ft.) were identifiable.

Peak 5300 (Center) and White Mansion (R). Photo looks SW.

Beyond HP5173, the trail turned N, beginning to lose elevation.  Far to the NW, Lupe caught a narrow glimpse of distant Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) with its still snowy ski runs.  The trail then turned NE away from the cliffs and into the forest, start of a longer descent to Pass 5031, which was on the way to Peak 5181.

Terry Peak (Center). Photo looks NW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.
N of HP5173 starting down to Pass 5031. Photo looks NE.

By the time Lupe made it down to Pass 5031, she was heading NW again.  Instead of immediately climbing up onto the ridge leading to Peak 5181, Centennial Trail No. 89 stayed low continuing to the W side of the ridge.  It soon turned N, bouncing along maintaining elevation a good 80 to 100 feet below the top.

Notice anything different about the forest around here, SPHP?

Not especially.  What are you seeing, Loop?

It’s not what I’m seeing, but what I’m not seeing that’s different, SPHP.  Where is all the deadfall?  Hardly any at all!

Now that you mention it, you’re right, Loopster!  Kind of looks the way the Black Hills used to look.  Used to be that you hardly ever saw a dead tree.  That was a long time ago now, back before the pine bark beetle infestation started getting so bad 10 years ago.

Well, I like it a lot better this way, SPHP!  Can run around without having to worry about breaking my neck at every step!

Deadfall free! The way I like it! Photo looks SW.

The trail stayed low for a while.  In some places, the forest thinned out up on the slope below the ridgeline.  Lupe started seeing large limestone formations along the top of the ridge.  Several big platforms looked high enough to get an unobstructed view.

Can’t be too hard to get up there, SPHP!  Want to go check out the views?

Yes, but maybe we should wait on that, Loop.  We still have a very long way to go.  If we get back soon enough, maybe we can go up there for a sunset panorama?  What do you think?

Deal, but if we don’t get back in time, we’re going to miss out!

I know it’s taking a chance, but on the other paw, maybe we’ll come to other even more readily accessible viewpoints?

Gotta be some views up this way! Photo looks NE.

Sunset Heights got skipped for the time being, even though some of the lofty platforms seen only a little farther on looked very tempting, almost surefire winners.  The really big rocks were all way up high, but the trail passed some lesser samples.  Lupe was beyond the most impressive ones when the trail suddenly made a short switchback higher.

These rocks are midgets compared to the ones higher up! Photo looks NNE.

The switchback didn’t get the American Dingo up on top of the ridge right away, but was the start of a gradual climb higher again.  Lupe was soon above another line of limestone cliffs where there was some open ground.  Perhaps not quite as spectacular as Sunset Heights would have been, but the views had to be almost as good.

A lot of territory could be seen from here.  Peak 5300 was still visible to the SW.  Custer Peak (6,804) was way off to the W.

Past the little switchback, staring to climb again. Photo looks N.
Not quite Sunset Heights, but a great view nonetheless! Peak 5300 (L). Photo looks SW.
Custer Peak (Center). Photo looks W with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Don’t think we’re far from Peak 5181 now, Loop.  Shall we go look for it?  Should be just up the hill from here.

On it, SPHP!  Follow me!

Leaving the trail, Lupe headed NE up a gentle, forested slope.  She didn’t have to go far before the terrain leveled out.  Pretty flat up here, but the highest region didn’t seem too hard to pick out.  A few scattered rocks and some old wood that might have signified something were in a spot that looked like a true summit candidate.

Disappointingly, a quick check failed to reveal any survey benchmarks.

Hmm.  Well, I’m not finding anything, Loop.  This is probably Peak 5181, though.  Want to take a break?

Any chance water and a chocolate coconut bar would be involved, SPHP?

100% likely, sweet Dingo!

At the old wood high point. Photo looks NE.
I break for chocolate coconut bars, water, and Taste of the Wild! Photo looks SSE.

The chocolate coconut bar and water break was augmented with a little Taste of the Wild.  A comfortably warm and beautiful day, but there didn’t seem to be much point in lingering on Peak 5181.  Spotting a rock 150 feet farther E, SPHP led Loop over to it on the chance that the survey marker might be there.

No luck.  Oh, well!  Nothing higher here than where the American Dingo had taken her break, anyway.  That settled, Lupe took a shortcut NW back to Centennial Trail No. 89.  The trail went NE a little way before curving back to the NW.  To the R, the land sloped higher.

Hang on just a minute, Loop!  Let me check the map again.

It all made sense now!  Lupe hadn’t been to Peak 5181 yet.  It was just up this next slope.  Another short off-trail exploration was in order.

Too funny, SPHP!  The mighty mountain we’ve been trying to climb turns out to be nothing more than an anthill!

Yeah, well, as anthills go, this one’s humongous!

All those creepy-crawlies give me the heebie-jeebies!  Say what you will, I’m not going near it!

Towering more than a foot higher than the rest of flat-topped Peak 5181, an anthill composed of pine needles was the apparent true summit.  100,000 ants swarmed over the top of it, with probably 1,000,000 more hidden within.  For some reason, Loopster didn’t want to go anywhere near the anthill.  When SPHP’s powers of persuasion failed, the reluctant Carolina Dog got physically carried close to it.

You’ve got 2 seconds, SPHP!  Say “chocolate coconut bar!”, I’ll smile, and then I’m outta here!

OK, Loop! … “Squirrel!”

Close enough.  Lupe smiled, and ran 20 feet away.

You can have Peak 5181, SPHP!  I’m hitting the trail.

By the dreaded anthill, Peak 5181’s true summit. Photo looks NE.
Ants. More than one!

Heading down the W slope, a sort of lumpy rock platform was just 20 feet past Centennial Trail No. 89.  Looked like there might be some views, but as it turned out, there were too many trees to see all that much.

On the lumpy platform due W of Peak 5181’s ant-infested summit. Photo looks NW.

However, returning to the trail, Loop didn’t have to go too much farther N before discovering some really great viewpoints along the cliff edge.  Best of the day!

Rounded Peak 5300 (L), starting to look far away now. Photo looks SSW.
Now this is what I call a viewpoint! Custer Peak (L) and Terry Peak (Center) discernable on the horizon. Photo looks WNW.
Along the cliff line, just W of the trail. Photo looks NW.
Don’t you just love getting high?

By now, Lupe was close to the N end of the huge ridge encompassing both HP5173 and Peak 5181.  For 2 miles she had been traveling on or near the highest territory of this segment of Centennial Trail No. 89.  A drastic change was ahead.

Just beyond the super viewpoints, the trail slanted downward as it began curling E around the N end of the ridge.  A long descent NE ensued, as the trail switchbacked lower through shady forest.  It was all easy, never getting very steep, with occasional level stretches along the way.

The American Dingo must have lost 400 or 500 feet of elevation by the time she came to a sunny open spot on the NW rim of a big ravine.  From here she could see most of the heavily forested slope she had just come down.  Off to the E was a glimpse of the line of low ridges separating the Black Hills from the vast prairies of western South Dakota.

At the edge of the ravine. Peak 5181 (L). Photo looks SW.
Edge of the Black Hills. Photo looks E.

The descent still wasn’t over with.  Centennial Trail No. 89 continued to loop back and forth as it dropped another 250 feet.  The forest was more open down here.  Lupe passed occasional clearings.  Shortly before the trail finally leveled out, she crossed unmarked USFS Road No. 703.

In the open forest. Photo looks NW.

A new phase was about to begin.  Centennial Trail No. 89 began trending NW on a long winding route through denser forest.  Near the start of a short jog to the WSW, Lupe came to the Widow-Maker.

Right next to the trail, the Widow-Maker was a giant Ponderosa pine, dead like some others scattered about the forest, but was practically a miracle, a death trap waiting to happen!  The ancient tree had been dead so long that half of its lower trunk had already rotted away.  What was left looked like it could crumble at any moment.  Although only a slight breeze was heard in the treetops, huge gnarled branches way up at the top of the Widow-Maker swayed ominously.

Wow!  How is this even possible, Loop?  Watch yourself!  I’ve never seen a tree so rotten to the core that was still standing!

Don’t worry about me, SPHP!  I’ll scoot away fast enough if it begins to topple.  You’re the slow one!  Don’t let those ugly old branches reach out and grab you!  Might I suggest a speedy passage, instead of standing around gawking in the path of destruction?

Seemed like good advice.  Hot on Loopster’s heels, SPHP blew by, but the Widow-Maker would get another shot during the return.

Tempting fate next to the Widow-Maker. Photo looks WSW.

The jog WSW soon ended, as the trail crossed a ravine and turned back to the NE.  This phenomena was destined to be repeated 3 more times, but on a larger scale.  A double-decker boulder marked the start of the first of the larger forays SW.

At the turn across the far end of the first little ravine. Photo looks W.
On the double-decker boulder. Photo looks N.

The SW end of the first large ravine was a low point.  Looper was happy to see some snow and ice still lingering in this sheltered spot, and took advantage of it to cool off again and wet her barker.  After crossing the ravine, the trail turned NE as before.  By the time it turned NW again, the American Dingo was well up on the SW side of Elk Creek Canyon.

No stream here, but at least there’s still some snow! At the SW end of the first big ravine. Photo looks WSW.
Along the edge of Elk Creek Canyon. Photo looks N.
Elk Creek Canyon. Photo looks ENE.

The trail kept winding higher.  Lupe gained nearly 250 feet of elevation from the low point where the snow and ice had been.  From now on, she had tree-broken views of Elk Creek Canyon, except during the forays SW.  The second big ravine wasn’t as long as first one, and featured much less elevation change.

Starting into the second side ravine. Photo looks SW.

Dry Elk Gulch was the last, and biggest of the 3 side ravines, essentially a canyon.  As Centennial Trail No. 89 turned into it, Lupe came upon the Scoliosis Tree, a snaky, skinny pine in desperate need of a chiropractor.

At the Scoliosis Tree (L). Photo looks W.

The trail went a long way back into Dry Elk Gulch, eventually dropping clear down to the canyon floor.  The trail wasn’t even visible up on the other side, which looked dauntingly steep, but it was there.  As the trail headed back to the main canyon, Lupe regained 80 feet of elevation she had just lost.

In Dry Elk Gulch close to where the trail finally turned back toward Elk Creek Canyon. Photo looks NW.
Regaining elevation on the way out of Dry Elk Gulch. Photo looks ESE.

As Lupe put Dry Elk Gulch behind her, Centennial Trail No. 89 swung around to the NW again.  Looper was still well above the bottom of Elk Creek Canyon, and began getting glimpses of Bethlehem Cave up on the opposite side.

Entrance to Bethlehem Cave (L). Photo looks ENE.

Centennial Trail No. 89 continued NW beyond the view of Bethlehem Cave, but another change was imminent.  Switchbacks led down to the floor of Elk Creek Canyon.

Near the bottom of the last switchback. Photo looks ESE.

Upon reaching the bottom, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved NW again, now heading upstream next to Elk Creek.  The creek was completely dry, apparently the normal state of affairs, although clearly susceptible to flash flooding under the right circumstances.

Vegetation was thick, but hadn’t begun to leaf out yet.  Looper enjoyed relatively unobstructed views of the vertical limestone walls of the lower canyon, which would have scarcely been visible later in the season.

The trail followed an old roadbed, or perhaps the course of a railroad which once ran through the canyon.  Nearly level for a long way, it was an easy scenic trek.

Down in Elk Creek Canyon. Photo looks NNW.
About as easy as a trail gets, and so beautiful! Photo looks NW.

Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed Elk Creek 5 or 6 times over the course of more than a mile down on the canyon floor.  Nylon ropes were generally strung between the trees on the downstream side, presumably to lend support when the stream was actually flowing.

At the first stream crossing. No ropes required today! Photo looks NW.

Even without any water in Elk Creek, the stream crossings were some of the most scenic spots, often providing clearer, more dramatic views of the canyon walls.

Orange lichens add a splash of color. Photo looks NNW.
Elk Creek Canyon.
Glad you brought plenty of water, SPHP!

The end of the canyon trek couldn’t be much farther.  Lupe came to a long straightaway in a sort of a ditch away from the creek.  Beyond the ditch was one last stream crossing.  On the other side, Centennial Trail No. 89 wound up a steep embankment, then proceeded NNE, steadily gaining elevation as it headed up a side valley.

On the straightaway. Photo looks W.
At the last stream crossing.
Out of the canyon again. Photo looks W.

0.5 mile up the valley, Lupe reached USFS Road No. 168, and the sign she’d come so far to see.

Made it! At the Elk Creek trailhead!
Relevant portion of the posted Centennial Trail map.

3:07 PM, 58ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Elk Creek trailhead –  Not a soul around.  Lupe hadn’t seen anyone along the trail, either.  The Carolina Dog rested on the ground next to SPHP.

Quite the trek wasn’t it, SPHP?  A little bit of everything!  Uphill, downhill, flat stuff, curves, wiggles, straight stretches, views from on high, along canyon rims, steep slopes, and from down below.

A little bit of everything?  More like a lot!  Otherwise, yeah, you’re right.

One disappointing thing, though, SPHP!

What was that, Loop?  No water in the creek?

No water anywhere!  But I was thinking more of the insanely incredible distance between chocolate coconut bars.  How about doing something about that?

Of course!  Just give me a moment.  Need to kick these boots off for a while.  We even have a baked chicken breast, if you’d care for some.

40 minutes later, boots were back on.  Chocolate coconut bar, baked chicken, apple, water, and Taste of the Wild supplies had all taken a hit.

12.8 miles down, 12.8 miles to go!  Ready, Loop?

She was.

About to head back.

7:04 PM, 50ºF, viewpoint NNW of Peak 5181 – Not quite going to make it to Sunset Heights in time, but this was good enough.  Lupe had gotten to see most of this segment of Centennial Trail No. 89 again, and now stood enjoying a final distant view toward the golden W.

A last look near day’s end.

Only a quick stop, and the American Dingo continued S.  The sun broke through a distant cloudbank shortly before reaching the lumpy platform directly W of Peak 5181.  Kind of a sweet moment!

Sunset from the platform W of Peak 5181. Photo looks W.

Without any great enthusiasm for visiting a giant anthill, Lupe humored SPHP, returning briefly to Peak 5181’s summit.  Then it was back to the trail to hurry S.

Light faded.  Stars glittered.  A breeze whispered night tales.  Miles back, the Widow-Maker groaned restlessly under its own rotten weight.  Stars winked out.  Getting cloudy.  Darkness deepened.  So quiet!  So black!

Profound weariness setting in, but downhill practically all the way now.  The little flashlight came out, throwing the sinister prowling shadow of a Carolina Dog on the long winding path of Centennial Trail No. 89 ahead.  (End 9:42 PM, 42ºF, Dalton Lake)

Sunset on Peak 5181, Centennial Trail No. 89, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-5-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition                     Prior Black Hills Expedition

Next Trail Section North

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

Next Trail Section South

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 238 – Centennial Trail No. 89: South Boxelder Creek to Dalton Lake (10-28-18)

Centennial Trail No 89 Brochure & Map

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 238 – Centennial Trail No. 89: South Boxelder Creek to Dalton Lake (10-28-18)

Start – 8:53 AM, 28°F, South Boxelder Creek trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89 one mile W of Nemo, SD

Chilly.  Frost on the grass.  Lupe didn’t mind the brisk morning air at all.  She was eager to begin a big day of adventures exploring another section of Centennial Trail No. 89.  Dalton Lake, her objective, was 6.1 miles away.  If the Carolina Dog got off to a good start, she ought to have time enough to visit a few minor Black Hills peaks along the way, too.

As soon as SPHP was ready, Lupe set off on a level path heading NW by the main road.  The path quickly led to a ford of Boxelder Creek.  Since SPHP didn’t feel like fording Boxelder Creek on a cold morning, Lupe skipped the ford, too.  Two bridges along the road got Lupe and SPHP over the creek twice in rapid succession.

Beyond the second bridge was an ATV trail on the R.  A sign indicated the ATV trail also served as part of Centennial Trail No. 89.  Loop followed it into the forest.

Lupe at the 2nd bridge over Boxelder Creek. This bridge is a short distance upstream of the South Boxelder Creek trailhead. Photo looks SW.
Leaving the main road. Boxelder Creek is on the R. Photo looks NE.

Centennial Trail No. 89 headed N gaining elevation at an easy pace.  Lupe passed through a fairly dense pine forest featuring occasional stands of white-barked aspens.

Following the ATV trail through the first stretch of forest. Photo looks N.

Over less than 0.5 mile, Lupe gained 200 feet of elevation before arriving at a minor pass.  Looper simply ignored an intersection with a dirt road and went straight on over the pass.  The trail lost elevation before turning E toward more open country.

After going over a minor pass, Centennial Trail No. 89 heads for more open country. Photo looks E.

Lupe passed through a big meadow where several dirt roads intersected the trail.  Just E of this meadow a small rise led up to another section of forest.  The trail leveled off, curved SE, then began dropping again.

Temporarily on higher ground after crossing the big meadow. Photo looks SE.

Lupe wasn’t far from Nemo.  She started seeing buildings through the trees.  However, instead of going on into Nemo, Centennial Trail No. 89 turned sharply N.  The trail crossed over to the E side of Nemo Road, then went N 200 yards to a junction with Vanocker Canyon Road.

Just off Centennial Trail No. 89 near Nemo. Photo looks ENE.
Lupe reaches the junction of Nemo Road & Vanocker Canyon Road. Peak 5237, which she hoped to climb a little later in the day, is on the R. Photo looks N.

The trail now turned NE following Vanocker Canyon Road.  After going over a small tributary of Boxelder Creek, the road curved N.  Centennial Trail No. 89 continued to parallel the road for a little way, but then began angling E up a large forested draw.  Lupe gained elevation steadily again on her way up to a second, somewhat higher pass.

Looking S down a minor tributary of Boxelder Creek from Vanocker Canyon Road. This was the last water Lupe would come to before reaching Dalton Lake.
On the way up to the second pass after leaving Vanocker Canyon Road. Photo looks S.

At the second pass Centennial Trail No. 89 ran alongside USFS Road No. 144, which also headed E just S of the trail.

Going over the 2nd pass. USFS Road No. 144 is on the R. Photo looks E.

Once over the pass, the trail lost a bit of elevation before turning N away from USFS Road No. 144.  Centennial Trail No. 89 made a long sweeping curve up a large draw, eventually rounding a sharp bend leading up to much flatter ground.

Lupe was now on a long ridge she would be following for the next 1.5 miles.  This was the start some of the most remote country she would travel through today.  Along the way she could expect a couple of minor peakbagging opportunities and occasional distant views.

Lupe reaches the high ground of a long ridge she would be following NW & N for the next 1.5 miles. Photo looks NNW.

Centennial Trail No. 89 headed NW.  Loop was still gaining elevation, but very slowly.  The forest in this area had been thinned by loggers.  It was possible to see quite a bit of local territory between the remaining pines.  This first part of the ridge was very broad and flat.  The trail stayed far from the unseen edge.

After going 0.33 mile NW, it appeared that Lupe might be nearing the W end of the ridge.  Her first peakbagging objective, Peak 5237 couldn’t be far from here, yet there didn’t seem to be any higher ground around.  What could be seen of the terrain was almost perfectly level.  SPHP called a brief halt to check the topo map.

Thinking Lupe couldn’t be too far from Peak 5237, yet seeing nothing but flat terrain, SPHP called a brief halt here to check the map. Photo looks SW.

The map showed that Peak 5237 was likely still a good 0.25 mile away.  Before Lupe would get there, the trail ought to swing N a short distance then turn WNW crossing a much narrower and slightly lower section of the ridge.  When the ridge started widening out again, Peak 5237 should be close by off to the SW.

It all worked out just as the map foretold.  Within minutes of returning to the trail, Lupe did come to a decidedly narrower part of the ridge.  She crossed it quickly, and as the ridge began to widen out again, the roar of engines was heard.  ATV’s were approaching from the N.  A forested slope with considerable deadfall timber and slash rose toward the SW.

Crossing the narrower part of the ridge. Photo looks WNW.
Lupe reaches the point where the ridge widens out somewhat again. Peak 5237 is close by up the slope to the L.

Lupe and SPHP left Centennial Trail No. 89, disappearing up the slope before the ATV’s arrived.  It wasn’t far to the highest ground, maybe 200 yards.  Lupe found the top of Peak 5237 covered with slash.  Not pretty, but a minor peakbagging success nonetheless.

So this is it, SPHP? The towering summit of Peak 5237? Not too impressive, but I’ll take credit for another peakbagging success anyway! Photo looks W.

Peak 5237’s actual high point might not have been much to look at, but only a few 10’s of feet away to the S and W were small cliffs from which Lupe could get some fairly nice views.  The Carolina Dog could see SSW toward Nemo.  To the NW she had a good look at Green Top (5,360 ft.).

Hey, SPHP! I can see the intersection of Nemo & Vanocker Canyon roads from here! We were down there just a little while ago! Photo looks SSW toward the Nemo area.
Green Top (Center) from Peak 5237. The more distant high point a bit to the L of Green Top is Terry Peak (7,064 ft.). Photo looks NW.

After a short break by the cliffs, Lupe and SPHP returned to Centennial Trail No. 89.  The trail wound down a steepish slope to the N losing 100 feet of elevation before reaching a saddle.  This was the lowest point along the ridgeline.  Almost immediately, the trail began regaining all the elevation it had just lost.

Before topping out, Lupe came to a rock platform along the W edge of the ridge.  This platform was very close to the trail and provided another good look at a broad expanse of territory to the W.

Lupe discovers another viewpoint Just W of the trail. Photo looks WSW.

After a quick look, Lupe continued N.  She soon reached the next high ground along the ridge.  The Carolina Dog was virtually as high as she had been at Peak 5237.  This region was quite broad and flat again for 0.25 mile.  Near the N end, the ridge narrowed and began to drop slightly.  Across a wide valley, Lupe caught glimpses of cliffs near the S end of her next peakbagging objective.

Continuing N, Lupe caught glimpses of this line of small cliffs near the S end of her next peakbagging objective. Photo looks WNW.

This next objective, which SPHP planned on naming Mile High Plateau, sat more than 0.25 mile off to the W of Centennial Trail No. 89.  That was within reason.  Mile High Plateau might be a fun place to explore.  Lupe wouldn’t be able to head toward it, though, until she got to High Point 5217 where the ridge she was following more or less ended, and split off into branches going E and W.

High Point 5217 wasn’t much farther.  The American Dingo was soon there.  A power line went over the edge of the ridge here, producing an opening where Loop had a view to the N.

Lupe reaches the power line in the vicinity of High Point 5217. The ridge Lupe had been following N ended here, splitting into branches that went E or W. Photo looks NE.

Centennial Trail No. 89 turned E here, but Mile High Plateau was W.  Looper left the trail, and picked up a faint road going NW.  She gained a little elevation.  Pretty soon the road curved W and leveled out near the N end of a spacious, level, open forest interspersed with meadows.

SPHP was about to congratulate Lupe on reaching Mile High Plateau when a check of the topo map showed that the name didn’t fit.  The highest contour was actually only 5,260 feet, a smidgen short of being a mile high.  Well, phooey!  Welcome to Peak 5260 then, Looper!

Even “Peak” 5260 didn’t seem like such an apt name for this pancake flat region, but SPHP wasn’t going to call it Plateau 5260.  In any case, it was what it was.

Lupe arrives at “Peak” 5260 more than 0.25 mile WNW of High Point 5217 and Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks SW.

Lupe seemed perfectly happy with Peak 5260.  She roamed SSW looking for an obvious high point, a big boulder or anything recognizable as the true summit.  Nothing.  Eventually the ground began to slope away.

No discernible true summit.  Not even any views without dropping down to wherever the cliffs might be along the edge.  While Lupe headed back N across the plateau, SPHP hatched another plan.  A little farther NW of Peak 5260 was another slightly higher mountain.  Since Lupe was in the vicinity, why not climb it, too?

An initial look at Peak 5300 was encouraging.  Lupe could climb it easily enough.  Shouldn’t take too long.

An initial look at Peak 5300 from Peak 5260 was encouraging. Lupe could climb Peak 5300 easily enough. Photo looks NW.

Loop and SPHP headed down into the saddle leading to Peak 5300.  The easiest route up the mountain appeared to be a forested slope right in the middle of the SE face flanked by small cliffs on either side.

Lupe would have headed straight for this slope, but a huge long pile of logs stacked across the saddle forced her clear around the NE end.  The Carolina Dog consequently wound up taking on a steeper portion of the slope more toward the NE.

A steep, but relatively short climb brought Lupe up onto flat, forested ground near the true summit of Peak 5300.

Peak 5300 (Center) from Peak 5260. Green Top is on the L. Photo looks NW.
Loop makes it to the top of Peak 5300, the highest mountain she would climb today. Photo looks E.

The top of Peak 5300 wasn’t nearly as vast as the top of Peak 5260 had been, but this smaller summit was also quite flat.  Although Lupe had come up near the highest end of the mountain, once again no one point stood out as the exact location of the true summit.

Peak 5300 was as high as Loopster was going to get today, but she still couldn’t see much due to the forest.  The one fairly decent view was of Vanocker Canyon Road off to the NW.

Vanocker Canyon Road (R) from the N end of Peak 5300. The ridge toward the L is part of White Mansion (5,340 ft.). Photo looks NW.

The topo map showed more high ground only slightly lower than the summit near the S end of Peak 5300.  Lupe and SPHP headed that way in search of better viewpoints.  The Carolina Dog found some, too!  She came to a good spot to take another short break along the W edge.

Green Top (L) & White Mansion (R) from close to the S end of Peak 5300. Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) is much more distant between them. Photo looks W.
Lupe near the W edge of of Peak 5300 where she took a short break. This was a nice spot. Photo looks SSW.

It was the usual fare.  Lupe had Taste of the Wild.  SPHP consumed an apple.  Contemplating the views W of Peak 5300 was relaxing.  However, Lupe still had a long way to go to get to Dalton Lake.  Better get a move on.  Before leaving Peak 5300, Loop went to the far S end.  This was a somewhat lower area, but featured the most dramatic viewpoint.

Lupe on a limestone outcropping at the far S end of Peak 5300. Photo looks S.

Having explored the top of Peak 5300 from one end to the other, Lupe left the mountain by the easiest route down the middle of the SE slope.  She traversed the saddle leading back to the N end of Peak 5260, ultimately returning to Centennial Trail No. 89 near High Point 5217.

Loop on her way back to Peak 5260. Photo looks SE.

The time for peakbagging and any other dillydallying was over.  Lupe headed E on Centennial Trail No. 89.  To SPHP’s surprise, the trail did not stay on the high ground of the ridge to the E, but dropped into the forest a little down the N side.

Back on Centennial Trail No. 89 descending into the forest on the upper N slope of a long ridge going E. Photo looks E.

The trail quickly led to a cool gap between limestone formations.  Lupe emerged from the gap seemingly back on top of a ridge.  However, the trail almost immediately made a very sharp turn to the NW and started a long descent.  This jog NW proved to be a single long switchback.  At the lower end, Centennial Trail No. 89 veered sharply E again.

Passing through the limestone gap. Photo looks E.

Centennial Trail No. 89 maintained a course heading ENE for more than a mile.  Still well up on a vast forested slope, Lupe lost net elevation only gradually.  She could occasionally see the top of the ridge to the S as little as 100 feet higher than the trail.  Little Elk Canyon was off to the N, but the forest seldom permitted more than a glimpse.

Centennial Trail No. 89 stayed well up on the N side of a ridge for more than a mile, but Lupe couldn’t see much due to the forest. Photo looks ENE.
A glimpse of the upper end of Little Elk Canyon. Photo looks NW.
A partial view across Little Elk Canyon. Photo looks N.

Mid-afternoon was approaching, the busiest part of the day.  Several groups of ATV’s went by.  Eventually the trail split.  ATV’s were routed onto a lower track.  Lupe and SPHP continued ENE on the upper track.

The trail went on and on. Sometimes ATV’s went by. Photo looks E.
Centennial Trail No. 89 eventually divided. Motorized vehicles were directed onto the lower track on the L. Lupe & SPHP stuck with the upper track on the R. Photo looks E.

The trail went on and on without losing much elevation.  Dalton Lake was down in Little Elk Canyon, and couldn’t be much farther E.  Finally, just beyond a No Motorized Vehicles sign, Centennial Trail No. 89 left the roadbed it had been following and veered L (NE) down into the forest.

Centennial Trail No. 89 heads down into the trees on the L just beyond this sign. This is where the real descent to Dalton Lake begins. Photo looks NE.

For the first time today, Centennial Trail No. 89 was a single track trail instead of an ATV trail.  The descent into Little Elk Canyon now began in earnest.  The trail wasn’t really steep, but Lupe was losing elevation a lot faster than before.  She descended a series of tight switchbacks.  Lower down the switchbacks were longer and more gradual.

Loop begins the descent into Little Elk Canyon on the single track trail. Photo looks NE.
Getting close to the bottom. Photo looks NW.

The American Dingo passed through a gate as Centennial Trail No. 89 emerged from the forest.  This was it, Little Elk Canyon!  To Lupe’s R (E) was an outhouse.  Ahead was USFS Road No. 224.  On the other (N) side of the road was the Dalton Lake trailhead.

Of course, having come all this way, Lupe wanted to see more than just the trailhead.  She wanted to see Dalton Lake itself, which was 500 feet farther W.  Loop and SPHP trudged up USFS Road No. 224 to the Dalton Lake campground.

Loop arrives at the Dalton Lake campground along USFS Road No. 244. Photo looks W.

A walking path led to an arched bridge over the Dalton Lake spillway.  Emerald green Dalton Lake sparkled in the afternoon sunlight.

Dalton Lake. Photo looks W.
Lupe crosses the bridge over the Dalton Lake spillway. Photo looks SSE.
Lupe at emerald green Dalton Lake sparkling in afternoon sunlight. Photo looks WSW.

Dalton Lake is small, a glorified pond really.  Several docks exist along the shore.  Lupe and SPHP headed for the dock on the N side of the lake intending to take another short break.

Well, we made it! All the way to Dalton Lake! Photo looks E.
As low as the sun was getting, it was clear that Lupe couldn’t stay at Dalton Lake very long before beginning her journey back to the South Boxelder Creek trailhead. Photo looks WSW.

Lupe didn’t take much of a break at the dock.  A chipmunk among the cattails along the N shore caught her attention.  She spent the rest of her break time puzzling over how to get at that tricky, tiny squirrel.  Meanwhile, SPHP enjoyed the lake.

Looking toward the S shore from the N dock. Photo looks SE.

The sun was sinking.  SPHP encouraged the American Dingo to abandon her unsuccessful chipmunk quest.  Before leaving the area, Loop and SPHP took a stroll through the empty campground on the S shore.

Lupe at the Dalton Lake campground. The campground was closed and empty this time of year, but looked like a fun place to stay. Photo looks WSW.
Cattails near the W end of Dalton Lake. Photo looks NW.
The N shore. Photo looks ENE.

Late afternoon.  6.1 miles back to the South Boxelder Creek trailhead.  Lupe and SPHP headed back to Centennial Trail No. 89.

With the exception of the peakbagging side trips, Lupe had to retrace her entire route.  The Carolina Dog made great progress.  The sun was still up when she went through the limestone gap shortly before reaching High Point 5217.

Back at the limestone gap. Photo looks W.

The sun had just set as Loop reached Peak 5237 again.  Thinking there might be a great sunset, SPHP led Looper back to the summit, then on to the nearby W-facing cliffs.  However, the sun had disappeared behind a bank of clouds.  The whole sky was gray.

Lupe returns to Peak 5237 at sunset, but the sky is gray. Photo looks SW.

Rather than wait to see what would happen, Lupe and SPHP returned to Centennial Trail No. 89.  May as well use the fast diminishing twilight to get as far as possible before having to bring out the flashlight.

10 or 15 minutes later, the forest back to the W was on fire.  An orange glow highlighted the dark pines.  The sunset had developed after all.  Should have waited.  Oh, well.

Darkness descended upon the Black Hills.  By the time Lupe crossed Nemo Road to begin the final leg of the journey back to the South Boxelder Creek trailhead, a black, moonless, and nearly starless night had taken over.  An hour to go?  Something like that.  Tramp, tramp.  Sniff, sniff.  Puppy ho!  Onward!  (End – 7:36 PM, 35°F)

Dalton Lake, Centennial Trail No. 89, Black Hills of South Dakota, 10-28-18

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition                Prior Black Hills Expedition

Next Trail Section N

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 273 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Dalton Lake to Elk Creek (4-5-21)

Next Trail Section S

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 237 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Pilot Knob to South Boxelder Creek (10-18-18)

Centennial Trail No. 89 map & brochure

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