10-3-24, 3:00 PM, at home – Aunt Andrea’s 50th High School reunion was being held in the next couple of days. However, she wasn’t as excited to be back in the Black Hills as Cousin Dixie was when she burst through the front door to greet Lupe with frantic, overwhelming enthusiasm.
It was immediately apparent that after being cooped up in their car for 7 hours during the drive up from Colorado, a stroll through the park to burn off some of Dixie’s boundless energy would be a great idea. SPHP proposed the Geyser Loop as a quick solution, which Aunt Andrea and Uncle Joe quickly agreed upon.
Dixie had a fabulous time at the park! Right away she dashed off into the thick mud of a small stream, emerging as a black-legged Aussie. A quick rinse in Rapid Creek, and she was socially acceptable again.
10-4-24, 10:39 AM, 65ºF – The park was only a temporary solution for an over-charged Aussie battery. Some longer jaunts up in the Black Hills were what Lupe and Dixie were really looking forward to. Both of the reunited cousins expected one every day, and Andrea, Joe, and SPHP were all happy to oblige. A parking spot near the Mickelson Trail 1.5 miles W of Rochford seemed a good place to start.
Parked near the junction of the Mickelson Trail and Rochford Road. Photo looks SW.
A historic railroad route had been converted by a Rails to Trails program to form the 109 mile long Mickelson Trail, which runs from Edgemont to Deadwood. Consequently, the resulting trail is nice and wide with easy grades the entire way, making it very popular with cyclists as it winds through much of the central Black Hills.
Andrea and Dixie lead the way as the adventure begins! Photo looks N.
The first pawbridge N of the parking spot was near the confluence of the N & S forks of Rapid Creek. After crossing the bridge, the Mickelson Trail followed the North Fork of Rapid Creek upstream.
North Fork of Rapid Creek (L). Photo looks NW.
A steady incline soon led to a couple of long curves, and a herd of black cows. Lupe and Dixie were keenly interested in this development.
Cattle (Center) near the North Fork of Rapid Creek (R). Photo looks SE.
Despite the cousins’ insistence that black cows mattered, the cattle were soon left behind. The trail went through a shady gap, which was a good thing, much appreciated on this cloudless, warm day. Beyond the gap, a bench appeared among the pines.
Entering the shady gap. Photo looks N.With Aunt Andrea at the bench. Photo looks SW.
The bench was located near the start of a tunnel, literally the coolest part of the entire journey.
Joe and Andrea head for the tunnel. Photo looks NE.
The giant tunnel was several hundred feet long. Immediately beyond it, another pawbridge went over the North Fork of Rapid Creek, as the Mickelson Trail headed back out into the sunshine.
Approaching the far end of the tunnel. Photo looks NE.The pawbridge beyond the tunnel. Photo looks N.
More black cows were ahead. Not fully trusting Dixie or Lupe, the cows seemed concerned whenever they were near. Despite the steaks both canines clearly had in mind for dinner, they were well-behaved.
An herbivore and carnivore standoff. Photo looks WNW.
The trail went on and on. Beneath the cloudless sky, Dixie was really feeling the heat in her long fur coat as the temperature soared. Frequent dashes into the creek to cool off and get a drink were called for, but the creek was often fenced off, restricting access.
Dixie feeling the heat. Photo looks N.
Beyond the tunnel, that was it for shade anywhere on the trail. 3.2 miles from the start, the Mickelson Trail reached the old Montana Mine area. By now, it was just plain hot. Even Lupe’s tongue was hanging out, and Uncle Joe was done. Water for all, then it was time to head back.
At the turnaround point near the Montana mine. Photo looks S.
The way back was a gradual downhill all the way. Although the trail hadn’t been all that busy before, many bikers came gliding past during the return. Upon reaching the shady bench again, another water break was taken. Uncle Joe provided Kind bars, and SPHP distributed apples. Then it was back through the shady gap to the rest of the sunny march back to the RAV4. (End 1:38 PM)
Heading back to the start. Photo looks S.
10-5-24, 10:33 AM, 52ºF – Cooler today, but smoky and very windy. To avoid the wind as much as possible, SPHP suggested another hike along Rapid Creek, but farther downstream in a deep canyon. Others may have had the same idea. Upon arriving at the Silver City trailhead of Deerfield Trail No. 40, quite a few vehicles were already there.
No matter, room enough for everyone! Since Rapid Creek was a much larger, blue ribbon trout stream down here, some people weren’t even interested in the trail, except as access to fishing holes. After crossing the first bridge, an easy, level, upstream hike was in store.
Setting out on Deerfield Trail No. 40 from the Silver City trailhead. Photo looks WNW.
There was more foliage and shade along Deerfield Trail No. 40, which began as an old roadbed, but eventually narrowed to a single track with a more remote feel to it. Rock formations along the canyon walls added scenic splendor, and occasional bridges provided views of Rapid Creek.
Scenic canyon walls not too far from the start.Joe, Dixie, and Andrea on one of the pawbridges over Rapid Creek. Photo looks SW.
Early October – prime time for fall colors! Yet, while the displays were nice enough, with splashes of color evident along some stretches, they generally weren’t as brilliant as usual this year.
A bit of color along the way. Photo looks W.
Although it wasn’t nearly as hot today, Cousin Dixie made the most of many opportunities to make a splash in Rapid Creek, which was more easily accessible along Deerfield Trail No. 40 than the N Fork of Rapid Creek had been from the Mickelson Trail.
Dixie on one of her many ventures in and out of Rapid Creek. Photo looks W.
After a while, Joe realized that Dixie was getting full of burrs doing this, and began discouraging the practice, although with limited success.
Even at a leisurely pace, it took only 25 minutes to reach Lupe’s Dingo cave. Presumably some sort of old exploratory mine tunnel, the Dingo cave went horizontally 15 or 20 feet back into solid rock. Not all that big, but a fantastic spot to take cover during a hail storm.
Joe, Andrea, and Dixie peering into the Dingo cave.
Well, it didn’t happen to be hailing. Deerfield Trail No. 40 went on, and so did everyone else. As the canyon snaked W, there were more bridges over Rapid Creek during a pleasant stroll through forested territory. The canyon eventually opened up at a clearing near a big bend in the creek. A deep hole here provided Dixie with another chance to make a huge splash. It was so much fun, she did it more than once!
In the clearing by the big bend in the creek. Photo looks E.
The point where Kelly Gulch comes down from the N to join the Rapid Creek canyon was only a few hundred feet farther W. From here, Rapid Creek’s confluence with Slate Creek was still another 0.75 mile.
After some discussion about whether to keep going, or turn around here, much to Lupe and Dixie’s delight, the decision was made to keep heading W. Ignoring Kelly Gulch and passing a vertical rock wall just beyond it, a sunny straight stretch appeared right along Rapid Creek.
By the rock wall beyond Kelly Gulch. Photo looks W.A beautiful open stretch along Rapid Creek. Photo looks WSW.
The two cousins were have a grand time exploring, and made it across the last bridge over Rapid Creek to the long, straight, and narrow section that leads to Slate Creek.
Upstream view from the last bridge over Rapid Creek. Photo looks W.Dixie and Lupe on the narrow straightaway leading to Slate Creek. Photo looks E.
However, less than 0.15 mile from Slate Creek, the notion that this was about far enough prevailed. Time to head back!
Looking N across Rapid Creek at the turnaround point.
On the way back, a brief stop was made at Canyon City, where the N side of the canyon widened out W of Kelly Gulch. SPHP passed out apples to the humans again, while Lupe and Dixie shared a chocolate coconut bar.
Continuing on after this short break, 5 minutes beyond the bend where Dixie made another big splash, 3 people were coming from the E. One of them immediately asked an unexpected and amazing question.
Is that Lupe?
SPHP could scarcely believe it. This was the first time anyone from her home territory in the Black Hills had ever recognized the Carolina Dog. Naturally, the answer was yes! This is Lupe!
So, Lupe met Rex, who said he’d often read her posts on T(M)TAOL. Rex was super nice to Lupe during this brief, chance encounter.
Intrepid outdoor explorers Rex and Lupe together on Deerfield Trail No. 40.
Meeting Rex had been fun! Lupe was happy, and SPHP had to smile. During the rest of the return, the scenery seemed a bit more splendid, the colors a bit more vibrant, the whole day a bit brighter because of him. (End 1:44 PM, 66ºF)
Lupe and Dixie heading back to the trailhead with Uncle Joe shortly after meeting Rex.
10-6-24, 12:40 PM, 63ºF – Andrea’s 50th High School reunion was over. Tomorrow she, Joe, and Dixie would all be returning home to Colorado. Uncle Joe came up with today’s route suggestion, a hike partly along Centennial Trail No. 89 to the Sheridan Lake dam.
With Aunt Andrea & Uncle Joe at the Dakota Point trailhead near Sheridan Lake. Photo looks SE.
This short hike started out heading E through a sunlit forest along a dirt road that was also part of Centennial Trail No. 89.
In the sunlit forest. Photo looks ENE.
As the dirt road began turning S, Centennial Trail No. 89 angled off to the SE. That was the long way to the dam, since the trail would drop clear down to Spring Creek before regaining lost elevation. Preferring the shorter route along the dirt road, Joe and Andrea posed in a field of tall grass 0.33 mile NE of Peak5200 as the road headed up to Pass 4860.
Joe and Andrea on a beautiful day in the Black Hills.
Once over Pass 4860, a long downhill stretch on the dirt road ensued. At the bottom, a single track trail that branched off to the R climbed a little slope to a bridge going over Spring Creek’s outlet from Sheridan Lake.
Heading down to Sheridan Lake. Photo looks S.On the bridge over the Spring Creek outlet. Photo looks SE.
While Sheridan Lake was still at full capacity, the Summer of 2024 had been so incredibly hot and dry that no flow at all was visible going over the concrete spillway along the edge of the lake. Lupe and SPHP had never seen the outlet completely dry before.
Sheridan Lake from the Spring Creek outlet bridge. Photo looks SW.
From the bridge, the trail quickly led to the top of a small forested knoll overlooking Sheridan Lake. Evidently, it was a day for posing! Everyone got in on the act.
Andrea & Joe atop the knoll. Photo looks W.Perennial poser Lupe, with Sheridan Lake in the background. Photo looks WSW.Cousin Dixie gets on the act, encouraged by Andrea to hold still for a moment. Photo looks NW.
The Sheridan Lake dam was as far as things were destined to go on this lovely early autumn day. Dixie led the way down a series of stone steps to the top of the dam.
The Sheridan Lake dam (Center) from the knoll. Photo looks S.Cousin Dixie leads the way down to the dam. Photo looks SSW.
After going halfway across the dam, that was it. With a long drive back to Colorado ahead of them bright and early tomorrow morning, Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea were ready to head back to Hotel Lupe for food, fun, and relaxation. Cousin Dixie and Lupe may have had other ideas, but went along with the decision without complaint. (End 2:05 PM)
End of the line. Andrea & Joe at Sheridan Lake. Photo looks W.
10-7-24, 6:50 AM, Hotel Lupe – Well, that was it. After a fond farewell, Aunt Andrea, Uncle Joe, and Cousin Dixie were bound for Colorado. Andrea’s reunion had been a success, and Dixie had enjoyed her Black Hills outings, getting to explore parts of 3 major trails with Lupe.
Always fun when Dixie, Aunt Andrea, and Uncle Joe come to visit, SPHP!
Certainly is, Loopster. Glad they made it up to Hotel Lupe for a few days.
I do have one question, though, SPHP. What’s next?
Well, let’s see. Since it hasn’t been that long since we got back from your Summer of 2024 Dingo Vacations, I’ve got about a jillion adventures to write up, Loop. In fact, I’m so far behind that there are a whole bunch of Summer of 2023 adventures I haven’t done anything with yet, either.
Terrific! But you can do that in your spare time, SPHP. I meant what new adventures are in store, now that Dixie, Andrea, and Joe are gone?
We’re going to be home for a while, Looper, so I can about guarantee you more adventures lie ahead in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota!
Hitting the trails with Cousin Dixie, Black Hills of South Dakota 10-4-24 to 10-6-24
I know it, and it was a fun time, too! Pure inspiration! Hope you’re ready for a big adventure today, Loopster.
Aren’t I always? What’cha got in mind?
Silver City to Daugherty Gulch. Roughly 11.25 miles one way, I figure. Then if we still have any moxie left, we’ll tack on another couple of miles to climb Peak5800 before circling back to Deerfield Trail No. 40 via USFS Road No. 530 and the Slate Creek Dam.
Oh, that is a big day! We better get crackin’!
Leaving the Silver City trailhead.
Five days ago it had been snowing when Lupe had been here with Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe. What a difference those 5 days had made! Suddenly it was springtime – blue skies, tweeting birds, the whole bit! Progress was rapid on the broad, flat trail. Silver Peak(5,810 ft.) was soon coming into view.
Off to an easy start.In scenic Rapid Creek canyon. Photo looks W.Silver Peak (L of Center). Photo looks SW.
Just beyond the Silver Peak view, Lupe crossed the 4th bridge already over Rapid Creek. The first 3 had been concrete and as wide as a road, but this one was an all wooden pawbridge complete with railings. All the rest of the bridges across Rapid Creek would be like this.
Downstream view of Rapid Creek from the first wooden bridge. Photo looks N.
Deerfield Trail No. 40 narrowed after crossing the wooden pawbridge, but was still well-beaten and super easy to follow, remaining flat and rock-free. The trail passed mostly through the forest, but was never far from Rapid Creek.
Rapid Creek from Deerfield Trail No. 40. Photo looks SW.
Five minutes from the first pawbridge, Lupe came to her Dingo Cave, a great spot to hang out during a hail storm.
Loopster from the Dingo Cave.
No hail expected today, so the American Dingo went right on by, enjoying the sunshine as the day warmed up. Rapid Creek is the largest stream in the Black Hills, and this beautiful stretch of Deerfield Trail No. 40 along it certainly had to rank among the most scenic hikes in the entire region.
Every now and then, another pawbridge appeared. After the 5th one, Loop reached a big bend in the river not far from where Spurgeon Gulch comes in from the N. W of Spurgeon Gulch, the trail passed through a region of tall, slender bushes. Beyond the bushes was another super scenic trail segment along Rapid Creek.
Ordinarily quite a clear-running stream, Rapid Creek’s color resembled the muddy Mississippi today with all the spring run-off.
Getting close to the Spurgeon Gulch area after crossing the 5th wooden pawbridge. Photo looks N.At the big bend a little E of Spurgeon Gulch and Canyon City. Photo looks E.Past the bushes W of Spurgeon Gulch. Photo looks SW.
Nearly 0.4 mile W of Spurgeon Gulch and Canyon City, Lupe came to a 6th and final pawbridge over Rapid Creek. Crossing it, she followed a long straight stretch of Deerfield Tail No. 40 going WSW on the S side of the creek. In the shade of a mountain, much of this part of the trail was still icy. After 0.33 mile, Lupe came to a big bank of ice at the confluence of Slate Creek and Rapid Creek.
Looper was now 3.33 miles from the Silver City trailhead. Slate Creek, a mere tributary of Rapid Creek, was running as high as SPHP could ever remember seeing it. Something was missing, wasn’t it?
Approaching the 6th and final pawbridge over Rapid Creek. Photo looks WSW.Looking upstream from the 6th pawbridge. Photo looks WSW.On the straightaway S of the creek. Photo looks WSW.Confluence of Slate Creek (L) and Rapid Creek (Center & R). Photo looks NW.
Seems we’ve reached the Slate Creek glacier, SPHP! Watch your step! Might be pretty slippery for you!
So we have, Looper. Say, didn’t there used to be a bridge over Slate Creek here? Not a big pawbridge with railings like the ones over Rapid Creek, just 4 or 5 planks on end bolted together.
Don’t really remember, SPHP. Been a while since we’ve been here, like years! Maybe there was, or maybe we always rock-hopped Slate Creek? Never had this much water in it before!
Well, hard to say. I don’t remember, either, but I was sort of expecting a plank bridge here, since I remember lots of them across Slate Creek farther upstream.
You aren’t saying we’re done already, are you, SPHP? Slate Creek still isn’t very deep! Can’t you wade across it?
Yup! In fact, I even brought water shoes, since I do remember at least one ford farther up Slate Creek. Guess they’re about to come in handy a lot sooner than I thought.
Lupe waited while SPHP switched from boots to water shoes prior to fording Slate Creek. The water shoes were actually SPHP’s old gray and blue Merrell running shoes bought in Haines, Alaska in 2017. When brand new, they were the prettiest shoes SPHP had ever had, almost like dancing slippers, but now they were dingy and falling apart. No matter! As long as they still held together, they were light-weight and perfect for fording streams.
Waiting for SPHP prior to fording Slate Creek. Photo looks SW.
Slate Creek was frigid, but the water shoes worked perfectly. Once across, there was another delay as SPHP sat in the sun swapping back over to boots. As soon as that was accomplished, Loopster hit the trail again. Deerfield Trail No. 40 abandoned Rapid Creek. For the next 4.25 miles, it would follow Slate Creek upstream instead.
Starting up the Slate Creek valley. Photo looks SW.
Deerfield Trail No. 40 had been flat and smooth all along Rapid Creek, but going up the smaller Slate Creek valley, it soon became rockier and started gaining elevation. Still an easy trek, but not quite the total cake walk it had been before.
Within 5 minutes, Loopster came to another stream crossing. Just like SPHP remembered, a sturdy plank bridge went over Slate Creek.
1st Slate Creek crossing beyond the confluence with Rapid Creek. Photo looks SW.
As the Carolina Dog continued up the valley, Deerfield Trail No. 40 kept crossing Slate Creek at short intervals in a narrow gorge. The 2nd and 3rd crossings also had plank bridges, but approaching the 4th crossing Lupe discovered that the bridge had washed out.
3rd Slate Creek crossing beyond the confluence with Rapid Creek.The bridge at the 4th crossing was washed out.
Water shoe time! SPHP donned them again prior to fording the stream. Then it was back to putting on the boots once more before Lupe could keep going.
Fording Slate Creek at the 4th crossing.
Didn’t take long to became apparent that the whole process of constantly switching footwear was a ridiculous waste of time. The bridges were out everywhere! Sick of it, and now used to the cold water, SPHP relegated the boots to the pack, marching along in water shoes as Lupe came to one ford after another.
SPHP kept count of the number of times Deerfield Trail No. 40 crossed Slate Creek after starting up the valley. After the 9th crossing, the trail climbed 50 feet above creek level. On the way up the steep hillside, Loop found another glacier slowly melting away in the shade of a bend. This second Slate Creek glacier was centered on the trail, and treacherously sloped and slippery, but SPHP managed to get over it without mishap.
Beyond the glacier, the trail flattened and stayed well above Slate Creek for a little way, but Lupe was soon fording it again. It wasn’t until Loop got to the 12th crossing that she found another bridge intact.
Fording Slate Creek for the 8th time in a row at the 11th crossing.On the plank pawbridge at the 12th crossing.
No bridge at the 13th crossing, but after that none were washed out for a while. In fact, there were 2 bridges at both the 15th and 17th crossings. By the time Lupe got past the 16th crossing, the Slate Creek valley was widening out to a considerable degree.
At the 13th crossing, the last ford for a while.The 14th crossing, where intact bridges finally began to consistently appear again.The Slate Creek valley opened up beyond the 16th crossing.At the 17th crossing, where there were 2 bridges.
The journey up the narrow gorge had been scenic with a very secluded feel to it. As the valley opened up, that sense of seclusion diminished, and the stream crossings were more spaced out. After the 17th crossing, Lupe reached the Flannigan cabin. Not much was left of it mouldering away beneath a stand of ancient spruce trees.
At the Flannigan Cabin.
Doesn’t take an American Dingo long to inspect a wreck like that! A brief examination, and Lupe pressed on. Deerfield Trail No. 40 crossed Slate Creek for the 18th time beyond the confluence with Rapid Creek just past the cabin. A green gate in a pole fence led to a circular drive where USFS Road No. 606 dead-ended at the lower end of Spaw Gulch.
N end of USFS Road No. 606 which comes down Spaw Gulch.
Lupe went through another green gate on far side of the circle. Beyond it was a sign about an old road that used to follow Slate Creek, crossing it 25 times in 3.5 miles!
Only 25, SPHP? At the rate we’re going, we’re going to beat that record!
At the 2nd green gate.
Sure enough, Lupe continued to come to more stream crossings. Since there had been perfectly good plank bridges over all of them for some time now, a short break was taken after No. 20 while SPHP abandoned the water shoes, exchanging them for boots again. A chocolate coconut bar got shared before following the trail up over a little ridge.
On the other side of the ridge, Loop came to a place that looked sort of like a campsite. 5 sections of big logs stood arranged in an “X” pattern out in the middle of this area. Lupe got up on the center log.
On the center log at the campsite.
She was still standing there, when SPHP noticed a hole resembling an old mining dig over in the hillside to the E. Further inspection revealed a short tunnel through the ridge.
Peering into the tunnel.
Venturing in, the tunnel opened up at the far end at a spot overlooking Slate Creek. Inside the tunnel, some filthy ancient plywood shelves were arranged like bunk beds along one side. Attached to the shelves was a clear plastic sleeve containing an astonishing bright new sheet of paper.
In this rat hole out in the middle of nowhere? You have got to be kidding me!
What’s it say, SPHP?
It’s says the world has completely lost it’s mind, Looper!
Nonsense! It does not! What does it really say?
It’s a warning notice about Covid-19, Loop. Talks like this is the Holiday Inn or something.
Here? Doesn’t look like anyone has been here in ages!
Exactly my point, except, of course, for whoever thought this joint needed a Covid-19 notice. If Covid-19’s here, they must have brought it with them!
Whether the notice was totally Looney Tunes, or not, Loopster didn’t have a reservation at this 0 star establishment, and it was still a long way to Daugherty Gulch. The American Dingo pressed on.
Deerfield Trail No. 40 continued to wind SW following Slate Creek. Lupe came to several more creek crossings with plank bridges. After No. 23, a brown wand marking the route pointed off toward the R, away from the obvious trail. Evidently a re-route up a less traveled path in order to avoid another couple of creek crossings ahead.
The official route climbed 60 feet before topping out near a rocky point overlooking the next part of the Slate Creek valley. Part of USFS Road No. 245.1A was in sight. The topo map showed a short section of the road paralleling Slate Creek before leaving the valley.
At the Slate Creek valley overlook. Photo looks SSW.
Continuing back down into the valley, the trail now led to a set of stairs with rock walls. However, the stairway was virtually unusable due to an enormous spruce tree which had collapsed along the length of it. Even so, Loop was soon through this obstacle, and approaching an impressive natural rock wall towering next to Slate Creek.
The huge rock wall was quite a scenic spot! Nearby was a 24th crossing of Slate Creek. No bridge, but paving stones made for a super easy ford as SPHP employed the water shoes again.
Approaching the scenic wall of rock. Photo looks S.Magnificent! Photo looks ESE.As seen from the 24th Slate Creek crossing. Photo looks E.Fording again!
Beyond the impressive rock wall, the Slate Creek valley was even more open. A 25th stream crossing, another ford with paving stones instead of a bridge, wasn’t far from the 24th one, but that was the last ford.
Wasn’t the last stream crossing, though! The crossings were farther apart now, but the count continued to rise as the Carolina Dog crossed one bridge over Slate Creek after another. Meanwhile, she was seeing lots of deer and having a fabulous time!
Approaching crossing No. 26, another one with 2 bridges. Photo looks S.Near crossing No. 29. Photo looks NNE.A curious dilapidated structure between crossings No. 30 and 31.Crossing No. 31.Wading just for fun at crossing No. 32.
The trail went on and on. Lupe finally arrived at a fork. A brown wand along a path going SW across a big field indicated that this was the way Deerfield Trail No. 40 went. At the far end of the field, Slate Creek ran along the base of a forested hill. The last bridge over the steam, crossing No. 35, if SPHP hadn’t lost count somewhere along the way, was visible from the divide.
About to leave the Slate Creek valley via the bridge seen at the base of the hill. Photo looks SW.
Crossing the field and the last bridge, Lupe left the Slate Creek valley. Deerfield Trail No. 40 started steeply up a slope, but quickly turned L and began to switchback less aggressively higher. Near the top of a ridge, the trail ran W along the N side before crossing over to the S.
For the first time today, the cheerful sound of flowing water was absent and missed, but Lupe had gained enough elevation to get a distant view of some forested hills, the higher ones still sporting a little snow. Not a spectacular scene, but a pleasant one.
On the N side of the ridge. Photo looks SW.First distant view of the day. Photo looks SW.
How much farther to Daugherty Gulch, SPHP?
Still a ways, Loop. About 3.67 miles from where we left Slate Creek.
Trending W or SW, the trail leveled out as it began winding along the top of the ridge. Lupe visited a couple of high points separated by 0.33 mile, the second one a bit higher than the first.
At the first high point. Photo looks W.Second high point. Photo looks WSW.
The high points had only a minor drop between them, but Loop came to a larger drop after passing the second one. During the descent, the trail went by an old horizontal mining shaft. Turned out it wasn’t very big, and the Carolina Dog didn’t find anything of interest in it.
Checking out the mining shaft.
Losing 160 feet of elevation heading S into a valley, the trail bottomed out at a junction with an abandoned road. Deerfield Trail No. 40 turned W again here, but not for long. The road kept going W, but within a few hundred feet, the trail veered SW up a steeper drainage. Before long it was curving NW. Upon regaining all the elevation she’d just lost, Lupe arrived at a minor pass.
Near the low point in the valley, starting up the abandoned road. Photo looks W.At the pass. Photo looks NW.
Going over the pass, a smaller drop of 50 feet ensued. Soon USFS Road No. 245 could be seen ahead. The trail turned W, paralleling the road for a little way before merging with it just before the road came to another pass. At about 5,500 feet, this pass was the high point of Deerfield Trail No. 40 between Silver City and Daugherty Gulch.
At the high point of USFS Road No. 245 and this segment of Deerfield Trail No. 40. Photo looks NW.
From the pass, No. 245 went NW down Lind Gulch for more than a mile. A bit muddy at first, the road hike was super easy, although not terribly interesting. After losing 400 feet of elevation, Lupe finally reached a gate where the Mickelson Trail crossed the road.
Heading down Lind Gulch. Photo looks NW.More than halfway down Lind Gulch it became a little more scenic.Junction of USFS Road No. 245 and the Mickelson Trail. Photo looks NW.
Deerfield Trail No. 40 abandoned USFS Road No. 245, turning SW along the Mickelson Trail. Site of a former railroad line, the Mickelson Trail curved W on a gradual incline that led to a tunnel that trains used to run through many years ago. The tunnel was pretty cool!
After reaching the Mickelson Trail, Deerfield Trail No. 40 follows it the rest of the way to the Daugherty Gulch trailhead. Photo looks SSW.Approaching the tunnel. Photo looks W.Inside the tunnel.
Beyond the tunnel, the trail continued W on a slight incline for nearly 0.33 mile before starting to curve S. A trailhead sign appeared ahead. Soon Lupe was going through a green gate, down a little slope to the W, over a tiny tributary of Castle Creek, and across Mystic Road.
Continuing W beyond the tunnel. Photo looks W.Getting close to the end. Photo looks SW.Leaving the Mickelson Trail. Photo looks ENE.Success! At the Daugherty Gulch trailhead. Photo looks NW.
3:38 PM, 58ºF, Daugherty Gulch trailhead –
Congratulations, Loopster! We made it!
Thank you, SPHP! Such a beautiful trek, especially the parts along Rapid Creek and Slate Creek. Really wonderful!
Yes, indeed! Best part of the entire Deerfield Trail, if you ask me, although the loop around Deerfield Reservoir is mighty nice, too.
7 hours, though, SPHP! We sure took our sweet time getting here! Are we still going to climb Peak5800, too? Do you have it in you?
Sure! We’ll share another chocolate coconut bar up there. Maybe that will spur me on? Wha’dya say?
Last one there is a human!
Not much doubt about that! Some things never change. 5 minutes after arriving at the Daugherty Creek trailhead, the Carolina Dog headed back to the Mickelson Trail. Turning S, the trail slowly, relentlessly, continued uphill.
Heading S on the Michelson Trail. Photo looks S.
Keeping an eye on Mystic Road to the W, SPHP watched for side roads. USFS Road No. 241 came first. It went SW up Daugherty Gulch. For some odd reason, the Daugherty Gulch trailhead was actually located at Whitetail Gulch. No logical explanation seemed possible other than that someone was confused when they named it.
The next road was the critical one. When USFS Road No. 231.1A came into sight, that was the signal to start looking SE. Looper would start her ascent of Peak5800 following the next ridge the Michelson Trail went by in that direction.
Worked great! Climbing from the WNW, the Carolina Dog was soon on top of the mountain.
Heading up Peak 5800’s WNW ridge. Photo looks ESE.
4:48 PM, 55ºF, Peak 5800 – Peak 5800’s summit proved to be a large flat area of open forest with no obvious absolute high point. SPHP dropped the pack beneath a big Ponderosa pine with many branches that seemed to be about where the highest ground was. Nearby stood a weathered tree stump. 4 feet tall, it was almost as if it were a post deliberately set to mark the summit location.
Peak 5800 summit. Photo looks SSE.By the weathered tree stump. Photo looks NW.
Congratulations were once again in order! Praising Lupe, SPHP shook her paw, but wasn’t going to get off that easy. The chocolate coconut bar had to be delivered as promised, along with a silver bowl full of Taste of the Wild. SPHP ate the last of two apples, the first one having met its fate hours ago.
For a while Lupe and SPHP just sat there, looking WSW across a barren spot. Never know what you might see when you climb a new peak in the Black Hills. As it turned out, there were enough trees on Peak 5800 to mar the views in all directions. Sometimes that’s the way it goes. Plenty of glimpses of hills and ridges, but no clear views.
The bare spot. Photo looks WSW.
After resting for 20 minutes, it was time to get up and move around. The summit region was big, and there weren’t that many trees! Surely Lupe could find some decent viewpoints, if she looked for them.
The viewpoints were all toward the S, somewhat below the summit’s perimeter. To the SW were high ridges difficult to identify from here. Peak6167 and Old Bald Peak(6,130 ft.) were in sight to the ESE. To the SSE, Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) made Lowden Mountain(6,055 ft.) look like a little hill.
Looking SW.Old Bald Peak (R) and Peak 6167 (far R). Photo looks E.Lowden Mountain in front of Black Elk Peak (Center). Photo looks SSE.
Shadows were lengthening. A long way back. 40 minutes after reaching Peak 5800, Lupe headed down the S slope. Here she came upon the best view yet, a lovely panorama due S. Black Elk Peak, Lowden Mountain, Sylvan Hill(7,000 ft.), and Redfern Mountain(6,075 ft.) on display!
Black Elk Peak and Lowden Mountain (far L), Sylvan Peak (R of Center), Redfern Mountain (far R). Photo looks S.
After losing some elevation, Lupe turned E down into a valley that led to USFS Road No. 530. Loop had never been on this part of it before. In the evening light, No. 530 was a scenic journey and downhill practically all the way. A good thing, since there was now a need for speed!
With only few hours of daylight left, the race was on. SPHP wasn’t keen on doing close to 40 Slate Creek crossings via narrow plank bridges or outright fords in the dark, even if the stream wasn’t all that big.
The American Dingo showed great energy, often racing ahead. Herds of deer kept her excited. Progress was limited only by SPHP’s pace. Still took nearly an hour to get to the little lake at the Slate Creek Dam.
USFS Road No. 530 close to where Lupe first reached it. Photo looks E.A beautiful evening! Photo looks N.Approaching the Slate Creek Dam. Photo looks NE.By the little lake at the Slate Creek Dam. Photo looks S.
After a look at the lake, Lupe turned WNW on USFS Road No. 530.1C, which followed Slate Creek.
A little over 0.25 mile, and No. 530.1C ended. No problem! A single track trail continued down the valley. Over the course of a mile, Lupe crossed 4 or 5 more plank bridges, one of which didn’t extend all the way across the stream, before getting back to Deerfield Trail No. 40.
The last rays of sunlight disappeared from the hilltops about the time Lupe reached the fords back at the 25th and 24th Slate Creek crossings. Dusk arrived and deepened as she hurried on.
Still some light in the sky, but everything was turning pitch black down in Slate Creek’s narrow gorge by the time she got there. The flashlight had to come out before attempting to cross the slippery glacier between crossings No. 10 and No. 9.
It all went well! Every bridge, every ford! Better than expected. Once Lupe got across Slate Creek at its confluence with Rapid Creek, success was assured. Flat trail and bridges with railings the rest of the way.
Yet still miles to go in the night! In the black as eternity canyon, Rapid Creek rushed noisily downstream as silver stars glittered in a narrow band of sky visible above. On the deep space edge of the weak beam ahead, a curly tail waved, confidently leading the way. (10:30 PM, 34ºF)
Deerfield Trail No. 40, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-28-21
