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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The bench was located near the start of a tunnel, literally the coolest part of the entire journey.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
However, less than 0.15 mile from Slate Creek, the notion that this was about far enough prevailed. Time to head back!
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.
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)
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.
This short hike started out heading E through a sunlit forest along a dirt road that was also part of Centennial Trail No. 89.
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 Peak 5200 as the road headed up to Pass 4860.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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!
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