Green Mountain – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 344 – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L with Poppy, HV & LV, Plus Peak 7100, Peak 7159 & Green Mountain (4-27-25)

9:00 AM, 56ºF – The Gold Run trailhead was completely empty when SPHP pulled in and parked the RAV4. Anticipating great things, the Carolina Dog leapt out.

Where’s Poppy, SPHP?

We’re early. She’ll be along in a bit, Loop. Let’s have a look at the lake.

Deerfield Lake was smooth as glass when Lupe leapt onto a weathered section of a big tree trunk near a mucky shore.

**Deerfield Reservoir**. Photo looks NNW.

What a beautiful morning, SPHP! It’s going to be a great day!

Yeah, I think it’s a good thing we delayed this outing with Poppy, Loopster. Yesterday would have been cold and gloomy.

While waiting for Poppy, SPHP walked from the trailhead back out to Deerfield Road. Lupe helped herself to a drink from Gold Run creek. The little stream actually had pretty decent flow this time of year.

Enjoying **Gold Run creek**. Photo looks NNE.

SPHP gathered Lupe treasures from the tall, dead grass on the way back to the trailhead. Before the American Dingo even managed to get there, sure enough, Poppy, HV & LV arrived. Minutes later, Lupe and Poppy were exchanging gifts of Golden Rewards treats. The day was certainly getting off to a good start!

The Gold Run trailhead was merely an easily recognized rendezvous point. Since the Deerfield Reservoir dam was the main objective for the outing with Poppy, SPHP recommended starting a bit closer, from along the road leading to the Dutchman campground. A few minutes spent repositioning the vehicles, and the adventure was ready to begin!

At the **starting point** near the road to the Dutchman campground. Photo looks S.

Intrepid adventurers **Lupe**, **Rollie (LV)**, **Dawnette (HV)**, and **Poppy** ready to set out! Photo looks N.

9:46 AM – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L was only a short distance from where the cars were parked. Picking it up, the trail began with an easy, gradual descent along the old abandoned roadbed of USFS Road No. 607.1B. Seldom getting an opportunity to be off-leash like this, Poppy was overjoyed! She zoomed ahead, exploring everything in her path. Fortunately, Poppy remembered to return every now and then in order to check on the progress of all the slowpokes.

Picking up **Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L**. Photo looks ENE.

On **USFS Road No. 607.1B**. Photo looks NE.

As the road wound down a long valley, LV spotted a huge nest situated at the very top of a dead tree way up on a steep hillside. A large bird with a white head was perched on it. When the bird flew off, it appeared to be an osprey, although it was too far away to be completely certain.

It had been a year since Lupe’s last adventure with Poppy, so SPHP had a lot to catch up on with LV and HV. Rollie mentioned with enthusiasm an e-bike he enjoyed riding on the Mickelson Trail. Dawnette was more into long walks with Poppy. She’d also renamed her Picnicking In The Black Hills Facebook page. It’s now Here & There in the Black Hills.

Time flew. Before long, Poppy had led everyone to the junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40, which heads E for 23 miles to another junction with the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89.

At the junction of **Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L** and **Deerfield Trail No. 40**. Photo looks NNW.

It wasn’t much farther to easily rock-hopped Dutchman Creek. Beyond it, the valley widened out. Crossing a field full of ancient cow pies, a gate was ahead. Castle Creek and USFS Road No. 370 were on the other side.

Rock-hopping **Dutchman Creek**. Photo looks NW.

**Rollie** and **Lupe** near the gate. Photo looks NW.

**Castle Creek** (L), **USFS Road No. 370** (R). Photo looks NW.

Following No. 370 upstream, the road soon made a big curve SW, and ended at the base of the Deerfield Reservoir dam. Under tremendous pressure, Castle Creek roared out of a couple of large pipes.

At the **base of the dam**. Photo looks WSW.

Backtracking a bit, a side road made a single big switchback up to the W end of the dam. Poppy, LV, and HV had never been here before, so this view of Deerfield Lake was an unfamiliar one for them. The best view was from the E end of the dam, where more of the lake was in sight.

**Poppy**, **Rollie**, **Lupe** & **Dawnette** at the **E end of the dam**. Photo looks W.

Since the dam was this hike’s primary objective, a short rest break was in order. Going partway down a grassy slope, a spot near the shade of a few of pines served the purpose. Dawnette offered peppered beef jerky, and strawberry and blueberry fig bars as snacks. While SPHP enjoyed the tasty fig bars, Lupe went crazy for the jerky.

**Deerfield Lake** and **dam** from the rest spot. Photo looks WNW.

Still a beautiful day, warm and sunny, with only a few scattered clouds around. While relaxing on the grassy slope, one cloud stood out. Off to the NNE, a lone cumulus cloud was starting to show some development. Not very big yet, the little wannabe thunderhead seemed out of place.

The **odd little cumulus cloud** (R). Photo looks NNE.

11:23 AM – After a pleasant break, it was time to move on. The question was, did LV and HV want to go any farther, or were they ready to head back? Poppy didn’t have to be polled, she was having a grand time, and would have gone clear around the lake with Lupe.

Discussing the next objective. **Flag Mountain** (R) in the distance. Photo looks NW.

Rollie and Dawnette were both willing to keep going. A small bay NW of the dam seemed like a reasonable objective. After recrossing the dam, HV suggested a shortcut back to Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L along a faint road that headed WNW up into the pines. This was a terrific idea, avoiding the elevation loss that would have otherwise been necessary going back down to pick up the trail again from below the dam.

**USFS Road No. 370** down in the **Castle Creek valley**. Photo looks ENE.

While among the pines, SPHP noticed a survey benchmark sitting right in the middle of the road. Curving N, the road faded away as it climbed at an easy pace to a meadow above the pines. Crocuses were springing up among the grass here. Other varieties of wildflowers were enjoying the spring sunshine, too.

One of the many **crocuses** or **pasque flowers** springing up from the prairie.

Dawnette knew what these **yellow wildflowers** were, but SPHP has since forgotten.

From the meadow, a barbed wire fence was visible with a gate in it off to the NE, where Trail No. 40L went through it. Beyond the gate, the trail divided into a couple of routes on the way down to Deerfield Reservoir’s N bay. South Castle Rock (6,848 ft.), Castle Rock (6,783 ft.), and Nipple Butte (6,820 ft.) were all in view off to the NW during the first part of this descent.

**South Castle Rock** (L of Center), **Castle Rock** (Center), and **Nipple Butte** (far R). Photo looks NW.

Once down to the bay, Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L ran N along the E shore. Several Canadian geese were swimming in the bay. They didn’t seem terribly concerned about the intrusion.

3 of the 6 **Canadian geese** in the area.

It wasn’t far to the N end of the bay where a small stream trickled into it. Of course, the 11 mile long loop trail continued all the way around the lake from here, but LV and HV were satisfied. This was far enough.

Heading for the **N end of the bay**. Photo looks NNW.

The whole gang at the **turnaround point**. Photo looks S.

Sticking with Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L during the entire return, there was one more scenic highlight along the part of the trail that had been skipped earlier. The edge of a steep slope reached just before the descent to USFS Road No. 370 provided an excellent view of the dam and Castle Creek gushing out of it.

**Deerfield Reservoir dam** from just off the trail. Photo looks SW.

1:12 PM, 71ºF – Well, the adventure with Poppy, LV, and HV was over, but they still wanted to visit a bit. LV and HV invited SPHP and Lupe to join them at the Gold Run cafe. SPHP instantly accepted the invitation, but it turned out that the cafe wasn’t open yet this early in the season.

No matter! How about a visit at Poppy’s house? That would work for sure. So Lupe and SPHP wound up hanging out at Poppy’s beautiful home for a while. Relaxing on Poppy’s big no maintenance deck would have been awesome, but it was so sunny and warm out, that the cool shade inside the house was everyone’s preferred option.

Rollie provided SPHP with a glass of lemonade. Dawnette offered more blueberry fig bars. Still hung up on peppered beef jerky, the American Dingo initially turned down homemade peanut butter dog treats, before eventually deciding that they were good, too.

The fun visit concluded with agreement on another joint adventure in the fall. Poppy eventually bid Lupe farewell from her deck.

Lupe’s friend **Poppy** out on the deck.

2:58 PM – The afternoon was still sunny and warm.

I had a blast seeing Poppy, HV, and LV again, SPHP! What now? Are we going home? If so, you turned the wrong way.

Nope. Stays light pretty late this time of year, Loop. There are a couple of peaks along the E edge of the limestone plateau country Dean Giuliano visited and added to Peakbagger.com quite a while ago. They shouldn’t be too hard to get to, so I’m thinking we still ought to have enough time to tag both of them today, if you like.

Oh, are they Lidar Peaks, SPHP?

Yes and no, Loopster. Practically everything has had an official elevation adjustment due to the new Lidar dataset recently, but although both of these peaks are actually higher than the old topo maps show, they still don’t have the minimum 300 feet of prominence of the other “Lidar Peaks” we’ve been shooting for.

So, we’re just going to tag them because Dean did, SPHP?

They’ll give you a couple more dots on your Master Peak Map, Looper, so yeah, why not?

3:53 PM, 64ºF – Well, the Carolina Dog was all for it, but by the time SPHP parked the RAV4 off Sixmile Road, the weather had changed. Suddenly the sky was full of cumulus clouds.

Parked near the entrance to the **Copper Mountain gravel pit**. Photo looks N.

Maybe that odd little cumulus cloud we saw back at Deerfield Lake was trying to tell us something, SPHP.

You mean like an omen, Loopster?

Yes, like an evil omen, SPHP, a warning.

Shoot! We aren’t going to let a few clouds stop us, are we, Loop? Follow the road past that gate. The Copper Mountain gravel pit is just N of here, and on our way.

Took only a few minutes to reach the gravel pit. Rather than going right on through it, Lupe climbed the bank on the E side of the pit.

The **Copper Mountain gravel pit**. Photo looks N.

We just head N from here Looper. Peak 7100 is our first objective. It’s only 0.5 mile away, and we’re already over 7,000 feet, so we won’t need to gain much elevation.

Is 7,100 the old elevation? How high is it according to Lidar, SPHP?

Lidar says it’s Peak 7123, Loopster. So, a bit higher. 23 feet.

Oh, so not enough to make much difference to us, SPHP. Looks like there’s already a view off to the E. Let’s go take a look.

Wandering through deadfall, bushes, and a few crocuses, Lupe reached the E edge of the plateau after losing 15 feet of elevation. A nice, distant view of Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) was off to the SE.

A particularly lovely group of **crocuses**.

**Sixmile Road** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (Center) from the edge of the **limestone plateau**. Photo looks SE.

Returning to the highest ground, the terrain was nearly flat, sloping only gradually higher as Lupe worked her way N. Would have been super easy, if not for a multitude of big juniper bushes, and a maze of deadfall remaining from a shattered forest.

Heading N in search of the **Peak 7100** summit. Photo looks N.

The deadfall wasn’t all that awful, but forced Lupe to take a winding route in order to avoid it as much as possible. Enjoying a fair amount of success, most of the time the American Dingo was well back from the edge of the limestone plateau. However, she did get close to it again a couple of times, yielding some great views of Gillette Prairie, Medicine Mountain (6,884 ft.), and the E edge of Odakota Mountain (7,199 ft.).

A grand view of **Gillette Prairie**. Photo looks NE.

**Medicine Mountain** (L) in the foreground, **Odakota Mountain** (R). Photo looks SE.

4:33 PM, 64ºF – The true summit of Peak 7100 also turned out to be very close to the E edge of the limestone plateau. Unfortunately, it was buried in such a dense collection of live trees, deadfall, and bushes, that they not only almost completely hid the views, but made it nearly impossible to move around. A large area close to what seemed to be the high point was at very nearly the exact same elevation.

**Peak 7100 true summit**, to the extent it could be determined. Photo looks NE.

Congratulations, Loop! One Dean Giuliano Peak down, one more to go!

Lovely, isn’t it, SPHP?

Yes, indeed! So lovely, that let’s keep going. Maybe we can find a better spot to celebrate your success.

200 feet farther N, and only somewhat lower, the Carolina Dog did come to a better spot to take a short break. A limestone platform with a big dead tree on it right along the edge of the plateau offered a great view of several stock ponds near the S end of Gillette Prairie. Much farther N, Reynolds Prairie, Terry Peak (7,069 ft.), and Custer Peak (6,809 ft.) were all in sight, too.

At the superior viewpoint **200 feet N of Peak 7100’s true summit**. Photo looks ESE.

**S end of Gillette Prairie**. Photo looks NE.

Thirsty, Loopster? Your tongue is about to fall out of your head.

Water, SPHP, water …

After a big drink, Lupe crunched some Taste of the Wild. SPHP peeled an orange.

How much farther to the next peak, SPHP?

Peak 7159? Even winding around some, only another 0.5 mile, Looper.

7159. Not much higher than where we are already then, either, SPHP. Sounds good! Are you ready?

Yeah, in a minute. Let me finish my orange first, Loop.

Roaming generally NW, the deadfall improved during a gradual descent to a broad, shallow valley. Crossing it, even though no road was shown on the map here, Lupe came across what must have been an extension of USFS Road No. 656.1A. Following this road N, it faded away almost immediately as the terrain began to rise again.

Descending into the **shallow valley**. Photo looks NW.

Hey, there’s something here, SPHP!

What? Oh, a spoon. How strange! In decent shape, too, Loopster.

Keep it, SPHP. You can dish me out more food at home with it.

Think I will, Looper. Kind of a nice souvenir from this trek. Not often we find anything we can actually use. I like the snazzy purple handle.

Continuing NW, Lupe gained 100 feet of elevation in a denser forest with quite a bit of large deadfall in it. Winding around to avoid the deadfall as much as possible again, the Carolina Dog turned NNE after catching a glimpse of even higher ground in that direction. The forest opened up as she approached the high point.

Approaching **Peak 7159’s summit** (R of Center). Photo looks NNE.

5:28 PM, 63ºF – No doubt at all about the location of the true summit of Peak 7159. Beyond Gillette Prairie, the sky was stormy where a rain shower hid the mountains when Lupe reached a roomy platform of limestone right along the brink of N-facing cliffs. Much closer, Green Mountain (7,176 ft.) was in view to the NNW on the opposite side of a deep valley. Beyond it, a little sliver of Deerfield Lake was in sight.

**Gillette Prairie** from **Peak 7159’s summit**. Photo looks NNE.

**Green Mountain** (L) with a tiny sliver of **Deerfield Reservoir** (L of Center) beyond it. Photo looks NNW.

Just think! We were way over there with Poppy, LV, and HV only a few hours ago, SPHP.

Yup. Fun times, Looper! By the way, congratulations on reaching Peak 7159. Your Dean Giuliano peak tour today is complete.

SPHP shook the Carolina Dog’s paw. Off to the S, a ridge was visible through a gap in the trees. Only moderately higher, gently sloping, and forested, that had to be Odakota Mountain (7,199 ft.). Second highest peak in South Dakota, but it didn’t look all that impressive from here.

Lupe was thirsty again. After sharing water, SPHP munched an apple while admiring the sweeping view to the N. When the apple was gone, SPHP stood up.

It’ll get dark on us on the way back, but want to visit Green Mountain again, Loopster?

Sure! We haven’t been there since Dennis Stewart went with us, SPHP.

Onward, then! Puppy, ho!

Although Green Mountain was less than 0.75 mile NW, Lupe would have to make a big arc circling around S end of the intervening valley to get there. Leaving Peak 7159, the American Dingo followed its SW ridge, staying on the high ground as much as possible, which wasn’t easy due to the amount of deadfall and thickets of large bushes. She hadn’t gotten very far before a small raised platform appeared at least 20 feet above the slope she was on.

Oh, I better climb up there, SPHP! That might be Peak 7159’s true summit!

Maybe, but I doubt it, Loop. Go for it, though. Won’t take but a minute.

On **Peak 7159’s SW high point**. Photo looks N.

Beyond this SW high point, the ridge soon broadened out. Less deadfall was encountered during a gradual descent. By the time Lupe reached the saddle at the S end of the valley she was circling, the terrain was flat and grassy. Reaching USFS Road No. 656, Lupe followed it N a little way, then re-entered the forest as she started up Green Mountain’s S ridge.

On **USFS Road No. 656**. Photo looks N.

A long, winding march N ensued. Plenty of deadfall and bushes were on the broad ridge, happily most of it avoidable without too much trouble. Gradually gaining elevation, distant thunder rumbled off to both the N and SW. The air felt cooler. SPHP felt a raindrop. Began to seem like the terrain ought to be leveling out any moment, when Lupe finally reached an unexpected road where a top was in sight.

On the **unexpected road**. Photo looks NNE.

This road’s going the right way, Loop. Just follow it!

After crossing the high spot, the road dipped and curved E. No road was shown on the map here, but SPHP suddenly knew where Lupe was.

This is the same road we used to take to Green Mountain the first few times we ever visited it long ago, Loopster.

You mean back when we used to come at it from the W, SPHP?

Exactly! This will lead us right to the summit region and the Dingo display column. We’ll be there in no time!

Sure enough, a fence SPHP remembered soon appeared ahead. Beyond it was the big clearing near the edge of the mountain.

Entering **Green Mountain’s summit region**. Photo looks ESE.

7:15 PM, 53ºF, Green Mountain (7,176 ft.) – The summit region was huge and pancake flat. As Lupe entered the clearing where the road ended beyond the fence, a sense of urgency was in the air. Lightning flashed among the clouds. The rumble of thunder was getting steadily louder, especially from the SW. A sporadic 10 mph wind blew from out of the W between periods of dead calm.

Let’s visit the cairn first, Looper!

The cairn was back in the forest, a little N of the clearing. Circling around a terrible mess of deadfall, the Carolina Dog quickly found it.

By the **Green Mountain summit cairn**. Photo looks NE.

Sweet, another peakbagging success, Loopster! Good job!

With nothing but trees to see at the cairn, which was situated at a spot that seemed almost completely arbitrary since the terrain was so flat, SPHP urged Lupe onward.

Let’s visit the Dingo display column now, Loop. That’s the highlight of any trip to Green Mountain!

Returning to the clearing where the road ended, the column was just a little way down the slope at the edge of the plateau.

**Black Elk Peak** (far L) on the horizon, **Dingo display column** (L) with **Copper Mountain** beyond it, **Medicine Mountain** (L of Center), **Peak 7159** (R). Photo looks SSE.

C’mon, Loopster! I’ll boost you up there.

Wait, SPHP. Are you sure? Whoa! Put me down!

Why the big fuss, Loop? It’s a tradition! I always lift you up here. Just stand on top, and hurry it up! I can’t hold you over my head much longer.

After clawing her way onto the column, Lupe looked concerned. She danced around surveying the situation from her cramped little perch, and seeing no safe way down, began to panic.

On the **Dingo display column**. **Five Points** (Center) beyond **Gillette Prairie**. Photo looks E.

Why the fuss? I’ll tell you why, SPHP! Two thunderstorms are bearing down on us. This is no place to be with so much lightning around! If you think this is such a terrific idea, fine. Come on up! It’s your turn, but get me down!

Fearing Lupe might actually make an ill-advised tragic leap off the Dingo display column, SPHP helped her down after a couple of quick photos.

Well done, Looper. Felt a little insecure up there this time, aye? Dramatic shot, though. Let’s get another one from the side.

No way! I’m not getting up there again, SPHP! Not now.

No, I mean from the little ridge where we usually take a break, Loop.

Oh, that’s fine. Don’t mind doing that, SPHP.

**Dingo display column** (L) from the **traditional rest break ridge**. Photo looks NE.

Once again, SPHP shook the Carolina Dog’s paw.

Thanks, Loop. That completes our Green Mountain traditions. Wish we could stay, but under the circumstances, we better get out of here.

Aren’t you forgetting a tradition, SPHP? I’ve climbed 3 mountains, and still no chocolate coconut bar? Surely earned one here, didn’t I?

Yes, but I forgot to bring any, Loopster. How about some water, then we really have to get going.

Fine, but you owe me, SPHP.

7:44 PM – The situation was deteriorating as Lupe went back up the slope to the clearing. Back to the E, the sky was still blue toward the horizon, but toward the W dark clouds hovered overhead. Thunder boomed, and lightning flashed among the clouds. It started to rain as Lupe began tracing her route along the road.

Leaving **Green Mountain**. Photo looks SE.

Gads! We’re going to get absolutely soaked, Loopster.

At least you’ve got a rain jacket, SPHP. Put it on!

No, I don’t. This wasn’t in the forecast, Loop. Nothing but sunshine, so I didn’t even bring it this morning.

Well then, welcome to experiencing the joys of nature as a Dingo, SPHP.

The rain quickly turned to hail. This was better actually, because the hail was tiny. Not even pea size. Half that, or maybe even less. The ground began to turn white.

15 or 20 minutes, and it was all over. No downpour ever materialized. In just a cool breeze, Lupe hurried along the road. Hidden by the clouds, the sun must have set. It was already getting dark. As the light rapidly continued to fade, thunder boomed. Non-stop lightning highlighted black silhouettes of the forest.

Wow! We’ve lucked out, Looper. They’re really getting it somewhere. It’s all moving off to the E.

Told you that cloud was an omen, SPHP! We would have been beaten to a pulp, if the hail had been bigger.

Upon reached USFS Road No. 301.1R, the American Dingo followed it S down through the broad, gently sloping grassy fields of Windmill Draw. It had been ages since Lupe had last been here. Would have been nice to see it again in daylight, but there was something incredibly awesome about being here on such a wild and dramatic evening.

A short rest break at the junction with Sixmile Road, and the rest of the journey became a less interesting trudge. Lightning continued to flash across the black sky, as the thunder grew fainter and fainter.

Wonder what Poppy would have thought of this adventure, SPHP?

Hah! That we’re a couple of lunatics? Guess you can tell Poppy all about it in the fall, and ask her! (End 9:08 PM, 50ºF)

With **Poppy**, **Rollie**, and **Dawnette** on the **Deerfield Reservoir dam**.

**Green Mountain**, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-27-25

**Lupe’s Peak 7100, Peak 7159 & Green Mountain GPS Track**

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Poppy’s Scrollable Deerfield Lake GPS Track & Statistics

Lupe’s Scrollable Peak 7100, Peak 7159 & Green Mountain GPS Track

Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Peak Map, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 304 – Getting High in the Black Hills with Peakbagger Dennis Stewart (5-5-22)

8:40 AM, USFS Road No. 297 – Oh, it was on, and Lupe was excited! After a quick weather-shortened introductory jaunt with new friend Dennis Stewart out to a couple of peaks of the limestone plateau country yesterday, the weather was much improved. “Stewy” was ready to hit it hard today. Time permitting, 7 of the 14 highest named peaks in South Dakota were on his agenda, and the American Dingo had every intention of getting high with him at each one.

Starting the day in the **Negro Creek valley** along USFS Road No. 297. Photo looks NNE.

With that many peaks to visit, even though none of them were all that hard to get to, there wasn’t going to be a lot of time for dilly-dallying. Within minutes of when SPHP parked the RAV4 at a wide spot along USFS Road No. 297, everyone was ready.

Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) was first. Although actually the lowest peak Dennis would be climbing today, it was the steepest and involved the most elevation gain from the starting point, a little over 900 feet.

Dennis and Loop about to set out for **Medicine Mountain** (L of Center). Photo looks W.

An old jeep trail going W from No. 297 got things off to an easy start. Less than 100 feet of elevation gain led to USFS Road No. 297.3F, which wasn’t much help, since 3F ran almost horizontally N/S along the E slope instead of toward the summit. Crossing the road to head straight up the mountain, No. 297.3F was encountered a second time 200 feet higher, but the situation was no different here.

Coming up the jeep trail. Photo looks ENE.

Dennis checks his GPS after reaching USFS Road No. 297.3F. Photo looks SSW.

And checks it again after reaching No. 297.3F a second time. Photo looks N.

After crossing No. 297.3F the second time, that was it for roads. The rest of the way up was merely a fairly steep trudge higher. A little deadfall and a few scattered boulders to contend with, but otherwise a romp through open pine forest.

Loop squinting in weak sunshine for the first time in the last couple of days as she heads up **Medicine Mountain’s E slope**. Photo looks W.

Stewy coming up the **E slope**. Photo looks E.

Loop posing for Dennis on a rock. Photo looks NW.

Starting to get close to the top. Photo looks WNW.

The last 100+ feet of elevation gain was steepest. Dennis preferred to go directly up the E face. However, Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) has two summits, the S one being the true summit. Looper hadn’t been here in nearly 5 years, but SPHP was pretty certain that by angling NW toward the saddle between the two summits, the Carolina Dog could pick up a use trail that would get her to the top.

A little longer, but the Lazy Dingo route worked out perfectly. While Dennis proved his mettle against the mountain, Lupe came to a nicely rounded clearing up at the saddle, easily sniffed out the use trail, and was there in time to greet Dennis as he reached the summit.

On the grassy saddle between the N and S summits. Photo looks SSW.

Up on **Medicine Mountain’s S summit**. Photo looks S.

9:34 AM, Medicine Mountain (6,878 ft.) – The true summit was a rock tucked in at the base of a small birch tree that was slightly higher than others nearby. After the required summit shot, a short rest break was in order. Lupe shared a chocolate coconut bar with SPHP, and drank some water. Dennis opened a can of cashews, and enjoyed a few while sitting on a big rock, offering some cashews to SPHP, too.

Getting to be a beautiful day! Partly cloudy with blue sky and sunshine. As everyone relaxed, the big view was toward the SE, where several of the highest peaks in South Dakota were visible on the horizon.

Dennis had already been to Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), South Dakota’s high point, many years ago back when it was still officially Harney Peak, and wouldn’t be returning on this trip. SPHP pointed out two others, Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) and Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.), that were on his current itinerary.

Looper near **Medicine Mountain’s true summit**, the rock (R of Center) beneath the birch tree. Photo looks NW.

**Black Elk Peak** (far L), **Little Devils Tower** (L), and **Sylvan Hill** (L of Center) all on the horizon. Photo looks SE.

Two peakbagging nuts, plus a can of nuts, on **Medicine Mountain**.

The view NW was of more immediate interest. Dennis’ next 3 objectives, Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.), Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) and Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.) were in sight. In fact, all of the other peaks Dennis intended to climb today were visible from Medicine Mountain, since Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) was also in view off to the SSW.

**Green Mountain** (L of Center) and **Copper Mountain** (R of Center). Photo looks NW.

The views were sweet, and Medicine Mountain had been a decent climb, but with so much left to do today, less than half an hour went by before it was already Onward, puppy ho! time. One mountain down, six to go!

10:49 AM, junction of Sixmile Road and USFS Road No. 297.3O – Next up, Copper Mountain (6,920 ft.)! Crossing Sixmile Road, Lupe looked for a spot where an old road once headed N. A little deadfall to contend with, but this open lane made what would otherwise have been an annoying, and needlessly difficult task contending with a thick forest of young pines, a simple one.

Before long, the lane opened onto a big clearing. At the far end, another lane was visible. Following these lanes was the secret to getting to the summit of Copper Mountain without undue aggravation.

At the clearing with the next open lane (R) in sight on the ridge ahead. Photo looks N.

According to the topo map, Copper Mountain’s summit was 0.33 mile due N of where the RAV4 was parked. However, as everyone was getting close to that region, where it was impossible to see much of anything due to all the young pines, SPHP surprised Dennis by insisting that the true summit was actually well off to the E near a line of cliffs.

Trusting the map, Stewy was skeptical to say the least. However, since there was nothing to be seen here, and SPHP assured him that not only was the true summit E, but that the best views by far were available from the cliffs over that way, Dennis went along with the detour.

By now, the wide open lanes were gone, but it was still possible to follow narrower ones through the trees until the terrain began to rise. Soon the forest began opening up as the ground became rockier.

Upon reaching the limestone platform along the E edge of the mountain, Dennis set his GPS unit on what appeared to be the highest rock, and took a reading. After wavering around, it settled in at about 6,946 feet.

Lupe on the rock where Dennis took his GPS elevation reading. Photo looks SE.

After gathering this data point, everyone headed SE to the cliffs at end of the platform where the big views were. A cairn Looper hadn’t seen here before, now sat on the highest rocks along the S edge.

Dennis didn’t bother with another GPS reading, since it seemed unlikely to yield a significantly different result. Instead, several minutes were spent exploring the rocks along the cliff edge while taking in the views. Medicine Mountain stood out 2.25 miles SE, with some of Dennis’ higher objectives well beyond it in the distance.

**Sylvan Hill** (far L) on the horizon, **Medicine Mountain** (L of Center). Photo looks SE.

Loop and Dennis at the **far SE end of Copper Mountain**. Photo looks SE.

L to R beyond Dennis: **Black Elk Peak**, **Peak 6920,** **Little Devils Tower**. **Sylvan Hill** (R). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.

Loopster and Dennis over by the cairn. Photo looks WNW.

Time to head back! Not to the RAV4, but to the region shown on the topo map as Copper Mountain’s summit. Returning to the rock where Dennis had taken the elevation reading, everyone then went WNW, first down a slope, then gradually higher through deadfall and dense young pines tall enough to hide what was ahead.

The terrain flattened out. Dennis reported that, according to the map, this was Copper Mountain’s summit. Laying the GPS unit on a log about a foot above the ground, another elevation reading was taken. In just a moment it would be clear whether SPHP or the topo map was correct about the location of Copper Mountain’s true summit. After bouncing around a bit, the reading settled out at 6,947 ft.

One foot higher than the rock back E! Except that here the GPS unit was a foot above the ground, resting on the log instead of a rock. Within the limits of the GPS unit’s accuracy, it was a tie.

Hmm. Well, so be it. There were no views here at the W summit except of the thick stand of pines in all directions. SPHP didn’t even bother to take a photo, although Stewy did.

12:11 PM – Less than a mile W of where the RAV4 had been parked near Copper Mountain, SPHP turned S off Sixmile Road onto USFS Road No. 693. 0.125 mile, and No. 693 turned SW. After yesterday’s precipitation, the road was pretty soft here, with a couple of ruts in it.

SPHP parked the RAV4. The top of Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) was only 0.4 mile SE. Somewhat more than that following the road, but still within easy reach.

Striking out for Odakota Mountain along USFS Road No. 693. Photo looks SW.

After a jog to the W, the road turned SE, climbing gradually all the time. Halfway to the summit, No. 693 topped out and curved SW toward Long Draw. Abandoning the road, Lupe traveled ESE through a gently sloping field toward a small pillar of limestone near the trees. Coming to a fence a little beyond the pillar, she ducked under it, then followed it S.

Heading for Odakota Mountain’s summit after leaving No. 693. Photo looks ESE.

SPHP’s intention had originally been to go farther E in order to approach Odakota’s summit ridge near the NE end, which past experience had shown to be the easiest route up. The problem coming up from the SW had always been that the barbed wire fence, which ran right by the SW end of the ridge, was broken down and dangerous due to a huge jumble of deadfall that had collapsed upon it.

However, Dennis had left USFS Road No. 693 before SPHP, getting a head start following a jeep trail trail toward the SW end of the summit ridge. Hoping to intercept him, Lupe continued S along the fence all the way to the end of the ridge. Amazingly, since the last time the American Dingo was here more than 4.5 years ago, someone had removed the deadfall and repaired the fence.

Stewy had already made his way up to the summit. A 20 foot climb got Lupe up onto the flat ridge, which was still full of deadfall. Going 200 feet NE, Loop found Dennis where a tall, skinny white rock cairn had once stood. The white rocks were still here, but now all tumbled over. Dennis was busily setting up his tripod and resurrecting the cairn in preparation for his traditional summit selfie.

On the lovely summit of South Dakota’s 2nd highest mountain. Photo looks SW.

12:35 PM, Odakota Mountain (7,200 ft.) – Poor Odakota Mountain! South Dakota’s second highest peak was a mess. Surviving pines and a crop of new ones grew among what remained of a forest devastated by pine bark beetles 10 years ago. No views from the cairn, although both Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.) and a pond down by the old Boy Scout camp could be seen to the S from a little farther SW along the summit ridge.

Certainly not much up here to make Dennis want to hang around. After getting a group selfie shot, he packed up his camera and tripod, and took the easy way down off the NE end of the ridge. Meanwhile, Lupe and SPHP went to take a quick look at the view of Bear Mountain and the Boy Scout pond. It was actually a little better than the last time Loop had been here, since more trees had fallen over.

**Bear Mountain** (R) and the **Boy Scout pond** (L of Center). Photo looks SSE.

Turning around to leave and catch up with Dennis, SPHP saw something Lupe had never noticed on Odakota Mountain before. Back in the trees, only 25 feet from where Stewy had rebuilt the cairn, there was a sign.

Going over to check it out, the sign said “Odakota Mountain High Point 7,198 feet”. Below it, a round marker set in concrete was stamped “Odakota High Point”. There was also another white rock cairn.

Lupe at the now apparently **official Odakota Mountain high point**. Photo looks N.

The sign must have been here a while. Some of the paint was peeling. Odd that Lupe had never seen it before, but maybe a few years out in the weather was sufficient to get the peeling process underway? This spot really wasn’t discernably higher than where the first cairn was, or most of Odakota’s summit ridge, but the sign and marker were exactly the sort of thing Dennis would be interested in.

SPHP started yelling. Fortunately, Dennis hadn’t gotten too far away yet.

Glancing back at **Odakota Mountain’s summit ridge** from the barbed wire fence after starting back to the RAV4. Photo looks SE.

1:35 PM, junction of Sixmile Road and a faint road – Started out looking like the right spot, but the farther up the faint road Lupe went, the less familiar it all seemed. SPHP must not have driven far enough W to get to Windmill Draw. This was the wrong place. Instead of going a long way up a gentle grassy valley, the faint road merged into an unmarked USFS road near the trees.

It didn’t help when the USFS road played out shortly thereafter. SPHP hadn’t even brought a topo map.

Well, no matter. Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) had to be less than a couple of miles away. Lupe would find it! To SPHP’s recollection, all she had to do was find the E edge of the limestone plateau and follow it N.

On the faint road, setting out for Green Mountain. Photo looks N.

Going through open forest, the terrain kept rising. Eventually there was a lot of deadfall. The E edge of the limestone plateau didn’t materialize. Lupe had never come this way before. Consulting his GPS, Dennis led the way in a direction that seemed 90 degrees off kilter to SPHP.

Lupe finally reached a flat region up on a broad ridge. There was a ton of deadfall up here. A higher hill to the N didn’t look right. None of the terrain looked right. Was this the edge of the limestone plateau? SPHP was expecting a much sharper drop-off, something more cliff-like. No sign of the limestone pillar Lupe used to get up on over by the hill.

Frequently consulting his GPS, Dennis led the way along what appeared to be the only plausible route. Circling along the upper W slope of a big bowl, Lupe leapt over one fallen log after another. An unfamiliar road finally provided relief, leading to a gate near a large, flat clearing.

Still following his GPS, Dennis crossed the clearing. Continuing a little way into the forest, he arrived at a cairn.

Stewy setting up for another group summit selfie.

2:26 PM – Lupe had never seen a cairn on Green Mountain (7,164 ft.) before, but again, it had been more than 4.5 years since she’d been here. Furthermore, this boring spot in the forest did resemble the featureless region SPHP recalled as being all that could be found in the way of a high point where the summit was supposed to be.

As soon as Stewy had his summit selfies, it would be easy to figure out if this was the same place Lupe had been to several times before. If it was, the limestone pillar she used to get up on had to be along the edge of the mountain somewhere near the clearing.

Summit shots taken, everyone headed back there.

Oh, yeah! This was the right place, alright. Going over to the edge of the clearing, slightly down the slope beyond it, there was Lupe’s pillar.

In the **clearing 200 feet SE of the cairn**. **Top of the pillar** (Center) is visible next to Dennis, who is partly behind a tree. Photo looks SE.

Lupe’s Green Mountain limestone pillar (L). Photo looks SE.

After the long, tedious bushwhack through the trackless deadfall-laden forest, and disappointing cairn in the middle of nowhere buried in trees summit, Dennis brightened immediately at the sight of the big sweeping view to the E and SE, and that taunting limestone pillar. If a Carolina Dog could do it, Stewy could, too! The peakbagger in him took over.

Dennis stakes his claim to **Green Mountain’s limestone pillar**. **Black Elk Peak** (L), **Copper Mountain** (Center), **Sylvan Hill** (R of Center), **Medicine Mountain** (R), in front of Stewy. Photo looks SE.

SPHP wasn’t getting up there, but sent a personal representative. Since Lupe hadn’t brought her Dingo wings, SPHP had to give her a boost.

Carefully, carefully! Dennis getting off the pillar.

Lupe’s turn. **Gillette Prairie** (L). Photo looks E.

*Oh, it’s good to be back on the **Green Mountain pillar** again!*

Part of Copper Mountain (far L), **Sylvan Hill** (L), **Medicine Mountain** (Center) with help from the telephoto lens.

A short break was taken before starting back to the RAV4. Dennis was in the habit of texting a photo to family and friends from each summit, and sent out the one of him standing on the pillar. He often got quick, but brief responses. In this case, the most common response was “jump”!

SPHP had to laugh. Always nice to know you’re loved.

A final look at **Green Mountain’s limestone pillar** (L). Photo looks NNE.

4:26 PM – Four down, three to go! Unfortunately, Green Mountain had taken up more time than expected, in part due to SPHP’s error in not parking far enough W at the start of Windmill Draw. Would have been much more of a road hike from there, instead of a bushwhack through deadfall-laden forest.

Couldn’t be helped. Done is done. Happily, Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.), the next objective, was a mere drive-up to a lookout tower. Shortly after turning onto USFS Road No. 293, SPHP was astonished by the amount of logging that had gone on since Lupe had last been here.

In fact, it was still ongoing. 0.5 mile from the summit, a log truck being actively loaded completely blocked the road. Apparently, this was going to take a while. Pulling off the road, SPHP parked the RAV4. Everyone leapt out. After circling past the log truck, the road hike began.

The RAV4 parked a little way off USFS Road No. 293. Photo looks W.

Past the log truck on USFS Road No. 293. Photo looks W.

Approaching the **Bear Mountain fire lookout tower**. Photo looks E.

Lupe had once paid a visit to the ranger at the top of the tower. On a clear day, it was possible to see Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.) in Wyoming. Unfortunately, the tower wasn’t open for the season yet. A sign said it was closed to the public.

A survey benchmark and another sign showing the elevation were at the base of the tower, but there wasn’t a view from here without actually climbing the tower. However, Lupe knew there was a nice view from a small limestone outcropping a short distance SE.

At the base of the tower. Photo looks SW.

Loop and Dennis on the limestone outcropping SE of the tower. Photo looks ENE.

**Elkhorn Mountain (6,381 ft.)** (far L), **Black Elk Peak** (L), **Little Devils Tower** (Center), and **Sylvan Hill** (R) from the viewpoint.

5:58 PM, Needles Highway No. 87, Little Devils Tower trailhead – Upon reaching the RAV4 after Bear Mountain, Dennis faced a choice. 5 of 7 complete, but delays had chewed up enough time so that climbing both remaining peaks wasn’t going to be possible unless Dennis wanted to be out after dark, which he didn’t.

Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) or Little Devils Tower (6,920 ft.)? SPHP spoke of the differences in what would be involved, since the nature of the routes was so different. Either one had fabulous views.

Really wasn’t a monumental decision. Dennis could climb whichever peak he didn’t get to today tomorrow. In the end, Stewy chose Little Devils Tower as his last summit with Lupe.

Sweet! A great choice! (Both would have been.) 700 feet of elevation gain along a maintained trail that went past scenic granite formations, followed by a fun scramble to the top.

Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 was nearly level as it started up a valley. Lupe was soon passing the first granite formations. The views improved steadily as the trail gradually steepened.

Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4. Photo looks NE.

Big granite formations in a side valley.

Approaching some spires. Photo looks NNE.

After more than a mile, Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 topped out on a ridge near the Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.). From here, a spur trail split off to the L, heading N. Taking this spur, Little Devils Tower’s massive granite summit quickly came into view.

On the spur trail. Little Devils Tower (R). Photo looks N.

At first, the spur trail was level, or nearly so, but as Lupe got close to the granite, it turned NE and began to climb.

The spur trail starts getting interesting. Photo looks NE.

The spur trail soon topped out at a high spot tucked between huge rock walls. However, this wasn’t the end. Blue arrows painted on the rocks marked the route from here, which now turned NW through a narrow slot in the granite. The first part of the slot was so steep that Loopster needed a boost from SPHP to get up to where she could continue under her own power.

Climbing the slot after an initial boost. Photo looks NW.

Dennis emerging from the slot. Photo looks SE.

Above the slot, minor variations in the route were possible. All involved scrambling up the granite. A little exposure in spots, but not much. The route wound along the granite to a final brief push higher.

Dennis leading the way during the scramble up the granite. Photo looks N.

6:55 PM, Little Devils Tower (6,960 ft.) – Suddenly, Lupe was there! The summit region was a roomy collection of large granite outcroppings and boulders that didn’t vary an awful lot in elevation. There was even a flat area of packed dirt with a bit of vegetation.

The views were incredible! Little Devils Tower is right in the heart of the most rugged part of the Black Hills. While Dennis climbed up onto the highest boulder to tag the true summit, Loopster had a look around. Highlights included Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) a little more than a mile NNE, and the magnificent Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) only 0.25 mile SE.

**Black Elk Peak** (R) from **Little Devils Tower.** Photo looks N.

The **Cathedral Spires**, also known locally as the **Needles**. Photo looks SE.

Dennis made it up onto the true summit boulder. Lupe needed another boost from SPHP to join him.

Stewy over at the high point. Photo looks S.

Loop and Dennis together at the **true summit**. Photo looks S.

6 of 7 complete, but Little Devils Tower was definitely going to be it. The sun was already low. Sylvan Hill wasn’t happening today.

That was alright. Kind of took the pressure off. Lupe, Dennis, and SPHP could all linger for a while in the beautiful evening light.

**Black Elk Peak** from Little Devils Tower. Photo looks NNE.

**Cathedral Spires** (L and Center) in the evening light. Photo looks SE.

Dennis relaxing at the **true summit**. Photo looks SSW.

Over all too soon! Before long, Stewy was at the end of the scramble lower, about to descend from the slot to the spur trail.

So, Little Devils Tower was a happy ending to a fabulous day! Dennis pronounced it easily his favorite peak in the Black Hills. Sometime he was going to have to bring his wife, Geri, up here.

Lupe hopes to welcome her to the beautiful Black Hills on that great day.

With Stewy on **Little Devils Tower**, Black Hills of South Dakota 5-5-22

Note: Dennis did climb Sylvan Hill the next day before heading to Nebraska to continue his peakbagging adventures. Among his greatest goals are (1) climb the 10 highest named peaks in all of the 48 contiguous US states, (2) climb the 10 highest named county high points in each state, (3) visit every state park with his wife, Geri, (4) float the length of rivers in all states that have a river of the same name. At 73, he realizes these are tall orders.

Before departing, Dennis gave Lupe and SPHP an autographed copy of his book 23 Nights Working for the US Treasury Department, which tells of his experiences working for the US government’s most feared agency, the IRS.

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

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