Morning – Laying next to the heat register, Lupe calmly stared out the window. The world was newly white. Several inches of snow had fallen overnight, but it wasn’t snowing now. The American Dingo watched as a gusty N wind piled the frigid new snow into drifts. Nothing else moved.
Although SPHP had cheerily wished Lupe a very happy birthday several times already, it seemed clear that this was actually destined to be a dull day. When your birthday is in mid-December, and your heart’s desire is to explore, sometimes it just works out that way.
Knowing this dreary weather was coming, SPHP had at least taken Loop on a pre-birthday Black Hills expedition to Thrall Mountain(5,091 ft.). Fun, but that had been days ago now, and wasn’t the same as getting to go on your real birthday! Minutes dragged on. Hours crept by. Nothing changed. A sad boredom set in. By mid-afternoon, the Carolina Dog was snoozing peacefully at her usual spot in the hall.
Evening – It wasn’t until the sun had already been down more than 2.5 hours and the night was pitch black that there was finally some action. A cold, dark ride in the RAV4, and suddenly the party animal, all decked out in party hat and birthday girl ribbon, was bursting into Grandma’s apartment all excited to see her!
With Grandma and SPHP the only attendees at Lupe’s birthday festivities this year, the party quickly got underway. The American Dingo enjoyed a Busy Rib Hide to start off with, while Grandma and SPHP feasted on TV dinners. For dessert, there was chocolate ice cream for everyone. Lupe had 3 bowls!
12th birthday festivities kicked off with a Busy Rib Hide. Very tasty!
A temporary lull occurred while SPHP helped Grandma unscramble a check book mystery, but that didn’t take too long. Soon Lupe was asked to occupy the seat of honor up on Grandma’s white couch. SPHP then brought out presents and stacked them all around her. The situation was certainly looking promising!
The birthday girl on the comfy white couch of honor.
Birthday presents are a joy! As usual, though, they came with a catch. Lupe was clearly worried when SPHP brought out a birthday cake, and placed it next to her.
Lupe’s 12th Birthday cake.The dreaded birthday cake makes its appearance.
The trial by fire was about to begin. With 12 candles this year, the blaze atop the cake was more fearsome than ever!
The trial by fire begins!
Having been through this ordeal before, the Carolina Dog didn’t flinch or flee, stoically enduring while Grandma and SPHP sang “Happy Birthday” all the way through, with special emphasis on “and many more”!
Lupe didn’t want to blow out the candles herself, so SPHP did it for her. What the American Dingo wished for, she refused to say. Evidently she didn’t want to hurt the chances of her birthday wish really coming true.
Although the American Dingo had successfully passed the trial by fire, Lupe still didn’t get her presents. Instead, cake was served. Everyone had some, even the sweet-toothed Dingo had a few bites.
At last the time for presents had arrived! Loopster hopped back up onto the white couch. Grandma was assigned the task of opening presents for her. The very first present was one Lupe was sure to like, a big 12 pack bag of Purina Busy Rib Hides.
Grandma opens the first present.Loop with her Purina Busy Rib Hides, a perennial favorite!
As Grandma kept opening presents, SPHP continued stacking them one by one around Lupe on the white couch. Authority Hip & Joint Support Chicken Formula Jerky Sticks were next, followed by 4 colorful, knobby plastic squeaker balls.
Authority Hip & Joint Support Chicken Formula Jerky Sticks were the 2nd present Grandma opened.4 colorful knobby plastic squeaker balls came next.
Grandma wasn’t done yet! Lupe got a pack of 6″ Ol’ Roy rawhide chews, followed by a huge bag of Full Moon Natural Essentials Savory Sticks – free range beef recipe, and glycerin free.
A 16 pack of Ol’ Roy rawhide chews gets added to the mix.
Hey, look at this, Loopster! Says here that these Full Moon savory sticks are “human grade”. I can have some, too!
A sparkle came to Lupe’s eyes. The American Dingo started to grin.
Maybe if you’re very good, SPHP, I might let you have one now and then. Read a little farther, though. It actually says “human grade dog treats”.
Starting to grin as Full Moon Natural Essentials Savory Sticks (free range beef recipe) joins the pile of birthday loot.
Only one more present left. Although it had become a tradition in recent years, it was still a doozy. Grandma unwrapped a T-bone steak!
Lupe’s now traditional birthday T-bone steak.
Last year, when Lupe turned 11, SPHP had filled Grandma’s apartment with smoke while broiling her T-bone, setting off alarms and a general panic in the senior living center. A repeat performance was definitely not on the agenda.
Sorry, Looper, but you’re going to have to wait until we get home. I’ll broil your T-bone for you there. Tonight, I promise.
Oh, I wouldn’t mind tearing into it raw right here and now, SPHP!
Heh, I don’t doubt that, but let’s just wait. A bloody carpet might not be a good thing here, either. It’ll be better broiled, anyway. You’ll see.
Lupe sat up among all her presents, smiling happily. Her 12th birthday may have started out mighty slowly, but look at all this loot! Suddenly, turning 12 did feel like a grand, memorable event.
Happy Lupe with all her fabulous 12th birthday loot.Party on! Lupe at 12.
Presents all unwrapped, Lupe and SPHP played together on the carpet, enjoying some brand new knobby squeaker ball fun.
Brand new squeaker ball time!
It had been a small party, but another great one! Before leaving, Lupe sat with Grandma on the white couch. Grandma got a kiss for kindly hosting Lupe’s birthday party again this year.
Together with Grandma on the white couch.Grandma gets a kiss.
8:49 PM – Snowflakes swirled on the breeze when Lupe left Grandma’s to head home. Along the way, SPHP spotted a magnificent Christmas tree, pulling over to let Lupe out of the RAV4 to see it.
Leaving Grandma’s.By the spectacular Christmas tree.
Oh, SPHP! Do you remember the Most Beautiful Christmas tree we always used to visit on the way to the cul-de-sac back when Grandma used to live in the country? Seems like such a long time since we’ve seen it now. This incredible tree reminds me of it.
Yes, of course, I do, Loop. This tree is even much bigger and brighter, but nothing will ever surpass the Most Beautiful Christmas tree for us, will it? Wonder if it still gets decorated every year?
Do you suppose we’ll ever see the Most Beautiful Christmas tree again, SPHP? I miss going to the cul-de-sac.
Yeah, me too, Looper, but I don’t know. We could go there sometime, it’s not all that far away, but times change, the years roll by. What once was, is no more. The important thing is that we stay together no matter what.
9:34 PM, at home – Smoke poured out of the oven. Grease in the broiler pan was on fire!
Eh, not such a big deal. Nowhere near as bad as last year’s fire drill episode. Lupe’s T-bone was actually looking pretty good. Maybe SPHP was getting a little better at broiling?
The tasty T-bone.
Lupe was waiting at her favorite spot in the hall when SPHP delivered her T-bone on a plate. The Carolina Dog eagerly devoured bite-sized pieces as SPHP sliced them off with a steak knife.
The late evening T-bone feast gets presented in the hallway.
This is so delicious, SPHP! We ought to have T-bone steak every night!
Hah! If only, Looper! Anyway, glad you’re enjoying this one. Happy 12th birthday! Love you so much!
Lupe’s late night meal got even better. SPHP sliced most of the meat into bite-sized pieces for her, but plenty of juicy steak was still clinging to the T-bone when SPHP let Loopster just have the rest. For a quite while on this cold December night, satisfying munching and crunching sounds came from the hallway corridor.
As usual, the crunching didn’t end until Lupe had finished processing very nearly 100% of her T-bone.
The T-bone remnant.
Hard to believe it. Lupe was 12 years old! Another birthday to cherish and remember had come and gone for SPHP’s best friend ever in the whole wide world.
8:37 AM, 47ºF, USFS Road No. 216 about 0.7 mile SE of Custer Peak – Better take the warm jacket! Sort of a surprise. With a high 20ºF above normal expected, SPHP had thought a light jacket would suffice. A 25 mph wind out of the W changed everything. Not exactly cold, but it did feel pretty cool out.
The birthday girl was unfazed! For a mid-December birthday, conditions weren’t bad at all. Could be a lot worse. Thrilled at the chance to spend the day roaming the Black Hills, Lupe headed W on USFS Road No. 216.
Setting off for an 11th birthday romp in the hills. Photo looks W.
The road went past a beautiful snowy field flanked by pine and aspen covered mountains. Beneath an overcast sky, the contrast between the white field and the dark pines made it easy to see how well the Black Hills live up to their name.
Pausing to admire the snowy field and Black Hills. Photo looks S.
This stretch of USFS Road No. 216 was familiar territory. As the road gradually turned NW, Peak6600 came into view.
Approaching Peak 6600 (R of Center). Photo looks WNW.
Sort of intended to, Loop, but with it so windy right now, maybe it would be better to wait until later in the day? Hoped it would be sunnier than this, too. How about we hit it on the way back, if there’s still time?
Fine with me, SPHP, but on the way back from where?
Oh, remember back in February when we climbed both Custer Peak and Peak 6600, then went on to try to climb Peak6480, but never got very far because it got so foggy and started to snow?
Of course, I do! Is Peak 6480 where we’re going now?
Yup, if we can find it.
No. 216 began climbing more steeply. A little shy of the saddle between Custer Peak and Peak 6600, Lupe reached the junction with No. 216.1A, the spur to Custer Peak. No. 216 leveled out as it made a big sweeping curve around to the SSE. Since conditions hadn’t improved, Lupe stuck with No. 216, foregoing any attempt on Custer Peak.
At the junction with USFS Road No. 216.1A where No. 216 makes the big curve. Lupe came up from the L, and kept going to the R. Photo looks SE.
Beyond the big curve, No. 216 soon began angling S along the lower E slopes of Peak 6600. The road provided a nice view of Custer Peak from along in here. A bit farther on, No. 216 started gaining elevation again as it curved W around the S end of Peak 6600. A decent view to the SE began to appear as Lupe got higher.
Custer Peak (R of Center) from USFS Road No. 216. Photo looks NNE.Looking SE.
The road went past the end of Peak 6600’s S ridge. Still windy, but the sky had brightened. Weak sunshine cast shadows on the snow.
Loopster! Want to go up Peak 6600 while we’re so close? Won’t take long. At least it’s kind of sunny now. Might not be on the way back.
The American Dingo was all for it! Leaving No. 216, she headed N.
Starting up Peak 6600. Photo looks NNE.
At first there was quite a bit of deadfall to contend with, but Lupe had no trouble getting past it. By the time the S ridge started getting rocky, she was already close to the top. Peak 6600’s true summit was along a line of rocks next to a small clearing at the SE end of a long summit ridge. The clearing provided excellent views toward the S.
Shaking the birthday girl’s paw while she stood on the highest rocks, SPHP congratulated Lupe on her first mountain ascent as an 11 year old.
Getting a little rocky near the summit. Photo looks N.View from the clearing by the true summit. Photo looks SE.On the true summit of Peak 6600! Photo looks N.
Custer Peak(6,804 ft.) was visible from the true summit region, but the best, most open viewpoint was 700 or 800 feet away over at the opposite NW end of Peak 6600’s long summit ridge. The still powerful SW wind shook the pines, as Lupe wound her way through the forest to get there.
At the NW viewpoint. Photo looks NNE.Looking back toward the true summit (L). Photo looks SSE.Custer Peak (L) from the NW viewpoint. Photo looks ENE.
Since the NW viewpoint was a favorite spot on Peak6600, a short break was taken to share a chocolate coconut bar while enjoying the views.
The cool, gusty SW wind prevented a prolonged stay. Before departing, SPHP surveyed the territory off to the NW. A snowy ridge seen several miles away had to be Peak6480, Lupe’s next objective.
Contemplating Custer Peak during the chocolate coconut bar break. Photo looks NE.Peak 6480 (Center) is the long snowy ridge in the foreground. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.
Soon the American Dingo was on her way back to the true summit. She briefly got up on the highest rocks again before heading back down Peak 6600’s S ridge. Reaching USFS Road No. 216 where she’d left it, Loopster followed it SW to a cattle guard where the road topped out near HP6427.
Back at Peak 6600’s true summit. Photo looks SE.Heading down the S ridge. Photo looks SSE.Back on USFS Road No. 216 at the cattle guard near HP6427. Photo looks SW.
Ahead the road dipped a little. Lupe soon reached an intersection where a snowmobile trail system sign was posted. This sign was as far as she’d gotten on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 265 before being forced to turn back due to snow and fog.
At the snowmobile trail system sign. Photo looks SW.The sign was interesting, but on such a large scale that it wasn’t much help.
Continuing on past the intersection, the terrain rose a bit then flattened out. A long march ensued along the snowy road as it gradually turned W, then NW, while staying up on fairly high ground. Despite the balmy temperature, the SW wind still made it feel quite cool.
Beyond the intersection, continuing W along USFS Road No. 216. Photo looks W.The snowy road went on and on. Photo looks WNW.
Do you remember any of this, Looper? I’m sure we’ve been in this region before, but I must have it confused with somewhere else. It’s not like what I thought I remembered.
Pleasant enough here, SPHP, but kind of non-descript. Looks like a lot of places in the Black Hills. Nothing stands out as familiar to me, either. What does your topo map say?
Doesn’t even show a road here, just a trail, but I’m almost certain we’re still going the right way.
A brief glimpse of Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) came into sight just before the road reached the end of the high ground and began to drop. After losing more than 100 feet of elevation, music could be heard. At an unmarked intersection, the music seemed to be coming from off in the forest to the NE. Peering over in that direction, Lupe saw what appeared to be a set of large, rusty wind chimes. They were just hanging there in the forest, not close to any visible structure.
That’s kind of weird, SPHP! But the chimes do sound good!
I like them, too, Loop! Never have known they were there without this wind.
At the intersection near the wind chimes. Photo looks N.
The road curved WSW here, still heading gradually downhill. A quick check of the map revealed that this was likely USFS Road No. 561.1C. Lupe followed it for more than 0.33 mile to where it curved SW.
SW was the wrong way. Peak 6480 still had to be NW. Leaving the road, Lupe plunged N into the forest. A short descent quickly leveled out at sort of a magical place full of Christmassy little spruce trees among tall white-barked aspens.
Just beyond the little spruce trees, Lupe came to an open lane that went a short distance E to a clearing. Turning N again here, the terrain led up to the corner of a huge snowy field surrounded by a wooden pole fence. Crossing a small corner of this field, Lupe returned to the forest. A brief climb led to a big gravel road, clearly USFS Road No. 561 on the map.
Heading down USFS Road No. 561.1C. Photo looks W.Among the little Christmassy spruce trees. Photo looks N.At the clearing. Photo looks E.The huge snowy field. Photo looks ENE.On USFS Road No. 561. Photo looks NE.
Crossing No. 561, Lupe headed NW right back into the forest. At first, the terrain sloped gently, but soon she was climbing much more steeply. Another pole fence was encountered. A small power line ran along it. Ducking under the fence, Loop kept climbing. Before long she reached flatter terrain.
Continuing NW after crossing USFS Road No. 561. Photo looks NW.By the wooden pole fence. Photo looks S.
Lupe was now up on the SE end of the 6,400 foot ridge SE of Peak 6480. Glancing back, both Custer Peak and Peak 6600 were visible 2 miles E. This broad ridge ran NW/SE, so Loop followed it 0.2 mile to its high point at the far NW end. From here, a big power line could be seen 0.5 mile farther NW atop a small cliff. That was the S end of Peak 6480!
At the SE end of the 6,400 foot ridge. Custer Peak (L) and Peak 6600 (beyond Lupe) in the distance. Photo looks ESE.Approaching the high point at the NW end of the 6,400 foot ridge. Photo looks NW.Looking back from the high point of the 6,400 foot ridge. Photo looks SE.
A gradual, mostly open slope led down to the broad saddle connecting to Peak 6480. This region looked like it had been logged at some point. Once across the saddle, Loopster began climbing as she continued NW, eventually reaching a region of young pines and large bushes where the terrain began to level out. Lupe was already quite close to the big power line above the small cliff by the time she saw it again.
Crossing the saddle leading to Peak 6480. Photo looks NW.View back to the S on the way up. Photo looks S.Approaching the power lines on Peak 6480. Photo looks N.
Turned out there were 2 big power lines running parallel to each other. The cliff the higher one stood on wasn’t very tall. Finding a route up was a cinch, but Lupe scrambled to the top rather reluctantly.
The wind had been blowing all day long. Back in the forest and down in the valleys, it hadn’t been bad at all, often more heard in the treetops than felt. This exposed limestone platform was another matter entirely. The wind was stronger than ever here, a 35 to 40 mph gale out of the W. Not much fun to a Carolina Dog’s way of thinking!
Although this was a good viewpoint, Lupe stayed only long enough for a quick look around.
By the power lines. Photo looks NNE.On the limestone platform above the small cliffs. Photo looks SSW.Custer Peak (far L) and Peak 6600 (L). Photo looks SE.The upper power line. Photo looks N.
The power lines weren’t at the true summit. Lupe was happy to leave the exposed platform to look for it. Continuing NNW partially protected by the forest again, a rock outcropping appeared ahead. Clearly higher than anything else around, that had to be it!
Approaching the true summit of Peak 6480 (R of Center). Photo looks NNW.
2:04 PM – As Lupe approached the true summit of Peak6480, tall pines swayed wildly with each new violent blast out of the W. Getting worse! 40 to 50 mph! A short climb led to two boulders perched on a small flat platform. Despite the crazy wind, the American Dingo leapt up onto the highest one.
Custer Peak (far L) and Peak 6600 (L) from the true summit of Peak 6480. Photo looks ESE.
A couple of quick photos, and that was it.
That’s good, Loop! Get off that rock before you get blown off!
Only a few feet below the top, the Carolina Dog tried to find a place to get comfortable. SPHP sat so awkwardly on a rock, that SPHP’s lap was soon rejected. Laying on a little patch of snow, Lupe stared up at SPHP somewhat accusingly.
Attempting to relax on Peak 6480.
You sure know how to show a birthday Dingo a good time, don’t you, SPHP? What a hurricane!
Heh! Yeah, this is going to be a birthday peak to remember isn’t it, Loop?
Or forgotten! What do you have against palm trees, SPHP? I’ve never even seen one! Couldn’t we go somewhere with palm trees on my birthday for a change?
Oh, well, I didn’t know you were even interested in palm trees, Looper!
I am now!
Attempting to relax and simply enjoy being on Peak 6480 while watching the trees sway alarmingly was only partially successful. At any moment one might snap off entirely, a sobering thought considering the millions of beetle-killed trees that were now deadfall in the Black Hills.
After 20 minutes, an exceptionally powerful gust put an end to Lupe’s stay. Ripping SPHP’s stocking cap off, the wind flung it off into space. Peering over the edge, there it was, caught on a short dead tree branch only a few feet away, but unfortunately 20 feet above the ground.
OK, that’s it! A few more photos, Loop, then let’s get out of here!
Despite the disappointing lack of palm trees, the birthday girl complied, returning to the summit rock for the last time.
By the highest rock again. Photo looks ESE.A precarious perch in the gale.Final moments atop Peak 6480.
Circling around to the E side of the summit block before departing, Lupe took shelter from the wind, while SPHP saw to retrieving the stocking cap. Turned out that it had already blown off the tree branch, and was now caught in a bush only a couple of feet above ground level. Grabbing it before the cap could launch off on new adventures, SPHP restored it to its rightful place.
At least that was easy! C’mon, Looper! Let’s go!
Well protected from the wild W wind on the E side of the summit block. Photo looks W.A last look back at Peak 6480’s summit. Photo looks N.About to depart. Photo look SSW.
On the way back to the power lines Lupe stayed a little to the W, below the line of small cliffs.
Heading back to the power lines. Photo looks SSE.Below the cliffs. Photo looks SE.A scenic spot near the power lines. Photo looks SE.
The rest of the return was virtually identical to the route taken to Peak 6480. The journey seemed to go faster on the way back. Lupe arrived at the lower end of Peak 6600’s S ridge again while it was still light out.
Sure! The wind isn’t so bad now! We can even go on to climb Custer Peak, can’t we? You said we could this morning, remember?
Sounds like a plan, Looper! Let’s do it!
Lupe returned to Peak 6600’s summit. However, by the time she got to the NW viewpoint, it was too late to go on to Custer Peak. The sky had been overcast or nearly so all day, but was now clear to the NW. Far to the SW, the sun suddenly dipped below the remaining cloud cover. For the first time, the American Dingo stood in brilliant sunshine.
Wouldn’t last! The sun was already hovering barely above the horizon.
Custer Peak (R) from Peak 6600’s NW ridge for the 2nd time today. Photo looks NE.In the alpenglow. Photo looks NW.End of a long day.
10 minutes, and the sun vanished. Looper headed down the N ridge. Although short, this route was snowy and very steep at first, and full of deadfall lower down. Light was fading fast when Lupe finally reached USFS Road No. 216.1A. Didn’t matter. A pleasant, downhill road trek the rest of the way.
5:09 PM, 47ºF – Dark and still breezy. SPHP turned the key and the RAV4 sprang to life.Time to head home, but not for long!
7:00 PM – Let the festivities begin! Barking excitedly, decked out in her hat and birthday girl ribbon, the party animal rushed into Grandma’s apartment. Oh, there were guests! The more, the merrier! Xochitl, Steve, Felix and Asher were all here, too.
SPHP wasted no time getting things underway, giving Lupe a Busy Rib Hide as an initial treat. Felix petted Lupe while she chomped away, then helped SPHP stick 11 candles into the fabulous 11th birthday cake. Soon Lupe was on Grandma’s white couch, surrounded by presents and an 11 alarm fire!
Felix and Lupe. The party began with a Busy Rib Hide treat and gentle pats.The 11th birthday cake appears!With Felix and the fire hazard.
Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Lupe, then cake and ice cream was served. Felix declared the cake “delicious” and almost as good as the shark cake he had on his birthday. Lupe didn’t touch the cake or ice cream she was offered, evidently hoping and holding out for something even better.
Once everyone had their fill, it was time to open presents. Felix and Asher helped Lupe out. The lucky Dingo got plenty of birthday loot!
Zuke’s Hip ActionOl’ Roy Rawhide RollsKong Squeaker BallPurina Busy Rib HidesGolden Rewards Chicken Jerky
All that and more! The Carolina Dog wasn’t disappointed. The grand prize she’d been waiting for was included, too. A T-bone steak!
Lupe’s traditional birthday T-bone!
While the steak was broiling in the oven, SPHP got everyone together for a group photo.
Lupe’s 11th birthday guests L to R: Xochitl, Asher, Steve, Felix & Grandma.
Organizing the group photo took so long that when SPHP opened the oven afterwards to check on Lupe’s T-bone, a thick cloud of smoke came billowing out! Soon Grandma’s apartment was a smoky haze. Windows had to be opened to air the joint out.
Grandma’s fire alarm didn’t go off, but every other one in the complex did. Suddenly there were knocks on the door! Out in the hallway, a crowd of anxious people wondered what was going on?
Apparently, when you turn 11, it’s a really big deal! Lupe tried to look innocent.
Who, me? Oh, no! Everything’s fine!
Fortunately, the T-bone steak was perfect. Nice and pink in the middle, and not burned a bit. How it had produced such a vast cloud of smoke was a mystery. A full investigation would have been conducted, but a certain American Dingo promptly devoured the evidence!
9:14 AM, 16ºF, Hwy 244 at the Rushmore profile parking lot – The newly minted Double Digit Dingo leapt out of the G6. Mighty chilly! Worse yet, the monotonous gray sky held out little hope for improvement. Would have to be the coldest day in the entire month of December. Maybe this wasn’t going to work?
Lupe, however, was unfazed. Apparently, she intended to tough it out at least long enough to see the most famous mountain in South Dakota. After all, this was the Carolina Dog’s big chance to do something special in the Black Hills on her 10th birthday!
George Washington from Hwy 244.Zoomed in.At the Mount Rushmore profile parking lot.
Not a soul around on a Monday morning in December. After a look at George Washington, the only president visible from here, Lupe started trotting up Hwy 244. The main entrance to Mount Rushmore was 0.25 mile back.
Quiet morning along Hwy 244.
Hardly any traffic along the highway, but there was more activity than SPHP expected up at the main visitor parking lot. Orange plastic fences blocked off various construction zones. Groups of people were coming and going.
SPHP let Lupe go only so far before saying this was good enough. Loop got a nice look at Mount Rushmore(5,725 ft.), but since Dingoes aren’t really welcome here, she wasn’t permitted to linger. A souvenir 10th birthday photo, and she was on her way.
At Mount Rushmore!Mount Rushmore, South Dakota’s most famous mountain. L to R: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Since Loopster didn’t seem to mind the cold, perhaps she was up for a more substantial 10th birthday adventure? SPHP had just the thing in mind. Having already seen the most famous mountain in South Dakota, maybe she would enjoy climbing South Dakota’s highest mountain, too? A great trailhead providing access to the Black Elk Wilderness was only 4 or 5 miles farther W along Hwy 244.
10:05 AM, 18ºF, Willow Creek trailhead – 2 degrees warmer! Every little bit helped. Lupe stood by the Willow Creek trail No. 8 sign waiting for SPHP to decide which part of the loop to take. SPHP chose the W half, which began by heading S straight for Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.).
At the Willow Creek trailhead. Lupe would take the trail seen on the R. Black Elk Peak (R) visible in the distance. Photo looks S.
Only a skiff of snow was on the ground as Looper set out. Although cold today, the last 1.5 months had been uncommonly warm. The Black Hills had gotten almost no precipitation. Ordinarily, climbing Black Elk Peak on Lupe’s birthday would have been out of the question. Cold and snowy enough to make the journey more ordeal than fun.
Today was different! The awesome thing was that if Lupe made it up Black Elk Peak, this ascent on her 10th birthday would also be her 10th ascent of South Dakota’s highest peak.
In the forest, early on.
The first part of Trail No. 8 was super easy, a nice level trek through the forest. Before long, the trail crossed Willow Creek and quickly came to a junction. Lost Cabin trail No. 2 went R. Lupe went L instead, staying on Willow Creek trail No. 8. Although she’d been on most of the trails in the Black Elk Wilderness at one time or another, the American Dingo had never been on this next section of No. 8 before.
Turned out it wasn’t far to a frozen waterfall on Willow Creek.
Near the frozen waterfall.Cool waterfall! Frozen stiff, in fact.
A little past the waterfall, Lupe came to two wooden bridges. After the second bridge, Trail No. 8 began a slow, steady climb. A field of dry grass bordered by large dark gray rock formations appeared on the L.
Crossing the 2nd wooden bridge.In the field.
A smaller field appeared a little farther on. Smoke could be seen rising from the trees in the distance. A forest fire in December? No. Took a moment, but SPHP soon realized it was coming from the sawmill a few miles NE of Hill City. Completely normal.
Five Points(6,221 ft.) (L). Smoke (Center). Photo looks N.
After a mile on Trail No. 8, Lupe came to another junction, this time with Trail No. 9, which would take her to Black Elk Peak. This intersection was only 0.5 mile from the Willow Creek trailhead as the crow flies, since Trail No. 8 had taken a semi-circular route to the S, E, then NE.
At the junction with Trail No. 9.
Trail No. 9 went E a little way, then zigzagged S through the forest. At one point, Hwy 244 could be seen not too far away down a steep slope. However, No. 9 soon turned away from the road. From the last big field the trail came to, Black Elk Peak was in sight again. The Carolina Dog was getting closer, but she still hadn’t gained all that much elevation.
Black Elk Peak (L of Center) from the last field Trail No. 9 goes by. Photo looks SSW.
Re-entering the forest, Trail No. 9 turned sharply, starting to climb again. The next junction was with Willow Creek Rushmore trail No. 5. This intersection was only a little N of the massive granite formations of Elkhorn Mountain(6,381 ft.).
Elkhorn Mountain from the intersection of Trails No. 5 & 9. Photo looks S.Trail No. 5 sign. Lupe stuck with No. 9 instead.
After passing Trail No. 5, the terrain become more rugged. Trail No. 9 went S to Elkhorn Mountain, then SW along its base. A high point was reached, then the trail descended 100 feet to cross a tiny tributary of Willow Creek. After crossing the creek, No. 9 switchbacked steadily higher working its way SE past the W end of Elkhorn Mountain.
The forest was a wreck! Thousands of large pines had been killed by pine bark beetles years ago. Most had fallen over by now, opening up the views to some extent.
Approaching Elkhorn Mountain on Trail No. 9. Photo looks S.Another glimpse of Black Elk Peak (Center). Photo looks SSW.Elkhorn Mountain from quite a bit higher now. Photo looks E.The dramatic granite ridge of Elkhorn Mountain rises beyond the shattered forest. Photo looks NNE.
After getting nearly as high Elkhorn Mountain, Trail No. 9’s rate of climb decreased. Switchbacks lengthened, then disappeared. No. 9 continued to climb, but more slowly as it worked its way SW.
Lupe was getting close to the most scenic part of the entire journey, other than the summit of Black Elk Peak itself. Granite Flats wasn’t much farther. The first sign she was getting close was an impressive view of a 3-pronged granite knob atop other massive rock formations. This knob might have been Peak6057, but SPHP wasn’t at all certain about that.
Peak 6057 beyond Lupe? SPHP didn’t know. Still impressive, whatever it was.
The weather was changing as Lupe approached Granite Flats. Clouds closed in. The air cooled, becoming a little foggy, and it began to snow. Lightly, nothing to be concerned about, but views were disappearing. Suddenly it felt like winter! The cold gray world gradually turning white. So quiet, hidden, and remote!
Starting to snow on the way to Granite Flats. Photo looks SW.Black Elk Peak from Granite Flats. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.On one of the Granite Flats rock formations. Black Elk Peak (Center). Photo looks SW.So, it’s not all flat, is it?Turning white.
After spending a little time exploring Granite Flats, Lupe hurried on her way. Even so, she paused now and then at certain viewpoints.
Lupe on the day she turned 10. Peak6735 in the distance. Photo looks SSE.Getting closer! Old fire lookout tower atop Black Elk Peak (Center). Photo looks SW.
Not much farther now! Loopster passed the last viewpoint, and the trail was soon switchbacking steeply up a forested slope. Loop gained most of the last few hundred feet of elevation remaining here. The trail then leveled out, proceeding SSE to a junction with the spur trail that goes to the old fire lookout tower on Black Elk Peak.
The spur trail promptly swung around the S end of the summit region to more open ground on the W side of the mountain. Still snowing. Normally sweeping views of some of the most rugged terrain in the Black Hills were reduced to the silent, ghostly presence of nearby peaks. Trotting N now, Lupe reached the entrance to the spiral staircase that winds up to the to the old lookout tower.
The see-through metal grid stairway that used to freak Loop out so much had long since lost its terror. Up the American Dingo went without the least hesitation. She’d made it! The Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) lookout tower was only 50 feet away.
By the entrance to the metal stairway.Come on, SPHP! Nothing to it! We’ve done this a bunch of times, remember?Lookout tower dead ahead!
After entering the lookout tower, Lupe ventured out onto the viewing platform. No one around. SPHP helped her up onto the wall. Even the views had deserted Black Elk Peak. December’s frigid, snowy solitude was awesome, though!
On the viewing platform wall.
2:02 PM, 17ºF, Black Elk Peak – Leaving the viewing platform, Lupe had gone down to the basement of the lookout tower and out the back door. Now she was curled up on SPHP’s lap out on the huge granite formations W of the tower with SPHP’s jacket thrown over her for warmth. She was warm, too, despite winter’s grip.
Below the lookout tower.Watching the granite turn white.
Half an hour enjoying the gray-white solitude. Two chocolate coconut bars shared. A little water. SPHP munched an apple. The Carolina Dog was still toasty warm, but SPHP was getting cold and stiff sitting on the granite. A couple of people waved from up on the viewing platform. The signal to move on.
Up on the platform, Lupe and SPHP met a young couple from Boston. A friendly 15 minute chat, and it was time to leave them to the solitude, something they said was near impossible to come by in the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont where they normally went.
A few more photos, and Looper was on her way.
About ready to go.Leaving Black Elk Peak.
Lupe trotted down the metal stairs. Nearly an hour had shot by up top! That bright spot in the clouds would set in 30 minutes.
The long trek back was utterly deserted. Much whiter than the journey up had been. So beautiful! What an experience being a Double Digit Dingo was turning out to be! The most famous mountain in South Dakota, and the highest one, too, on the very first day.
Near Elkhorn Mountain again during the return.
5:41 PM, 17ºF, Willow Creek trailhead – Dark and still snowing! SPHP hadn’t had to bring out the little flashlight until Lupe had gotten all the way back to the wooden bridges over Willow Creek. Now the adventure was over. SPHP turned the key, and the G6 sprang to life.
Lupe curled up for the ride home. To her great surprise that wasn’t the end of things. At home, SPHP made a couple of trips loading stuff into the G6. Then it was off to see Grandma!
Visiting Grandma was a Dingo birthday tradition. However, Grandma had moved to a senior living facility early this year, even before Lupe and SPHP had helped her get her big, old house sold. At the time she’d moved in, Grandma thought that Lupe wouldn’t be allowed in the senior living center, but that had turned out not to be true. Loopster had been there lots of times.
7:15 PM, Grandma’s apartment – The party animal had arrived! Lupe dashed in all excited to see Grandma! She barked and wagged her tail like mad, then raced over to hop up on the comfy white couch. Grandma was so happy to see Lupe, too!
No dilly-dallying! SPHP was famished. A chocolate coconut bar and an apple all day were no longer cutting it. Birthday presents were piled up around Lupe right there on the couch. One of the presents wasn’t even wrapped. Lupe’s buddy Dave Covill had sent her a package of Smart Cookie Rabbit & Pumpkin regional bites all the way from Colorado. They weren’t wrapped because Loopster hadn’t been able to wait. She’d been gobbling them up all week long.
On the comfy couch surrounded by presents.With Grandma on Double Digit Dingo day.
Without delay, SPHP produced a birthday cake.
Double Digit Dingo cake.
A Double Digit Dingo cake with candles! So incredibly many candles that Grandma could heat her apartment with it. The Carolina Dog was leery of the fearsome fiery spectacle.
The spooky cake.Another trial by fire! Why do I have to go through this every year?
There was singing! Happy Birthday! It was happy, too!
Grandma’s girl on Double Digit Dingo day.
SPHP helped Lupe choose the first present to open. It sniffed good!
This is going to be great!A T-bone steak!
While the T-bone steak was broiling, Lupe opened the rest of her presents. She got 3 new Kong squeaker balls, and lots of good things to eat! Speaking of eating, she devoured the rest of the Smart Cookie Rabbit & Pumpkin regional bites that Dave Covill had sent. They served as T-bone steak appetizers. Although there was nothing wrong with Loopster’s appetite, she loved the whole concept.
10th birthday loot!Purina Busy Rib Hides.Zuke’s Superfood Blend.Zuke’s Hip Action.Smart Cookie Rabbit & Pumpkin regional bites from Dave Covill. Bon appetit!
At last the T-bone was ready! While Lupe had steak, Grandma and SPHP had cake and ice cream.
Loop with her 10th birthday T-bone.
While there was still some meat on it, SPHP saved the T-bone itself. The big bash ended with Lupe giving Grandma a live demonstration of what to do with a Purina Busy Rib Hide.
It’s easy! Like this, Grandma!
Nearly 10:00 PM by the time Lupe got home again. Double Digit Dingo day had been a blast, but a long one. Loopster hopped up on the bed. While SPHP read, the Carolina Dog got to munch away on that still meaty T-bone SPHP had saved for her.
Crunching away was so satisfying! By the time the light went out, only a stubby, little white T remained.
Double Digit Dingo day, Black Elk Peak, Black Hills of South Dakota, 12-14-20
