Joe – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

10:31 AM, 57ºF – It was the 2nd day of Cousin Dixie, Uncle Joe, and Aunt Andrea’s stay at Hotel Lupe. As usual, once Andrea left to spend the day with Grandma; Joe, Dixie, Lupe, and SPHP had all piled into the RAV4. Now it was parked near the N end of USFS Road No. 203, a little S of the junction with No. 256.

Near the **N end of USFS Road No. 203**, aka **Minnesota Ridge Road**. Photo looks SSW.

Although signed as Minnesota Ridge Road, No. 203 wouldn’t actually get anywhere near the summit. Didn’t really matter, since today’s romp didn’t necessarily envision a peakbagging goal, anyway, although that was obviously an option. Greens Gulch was the chosen destination, an easy road hike all the way.

It was a beautiful, bright, warm early fall day, as everyone set off across a flat region heading SSE along No. 203. The road then began a gradual descent before bottoming out 0.5 mile from the RAV4 at a junction with No. 203.1B. Here, 5 month old Cousin Dixie was amazed to see large black animals roaming the forest.

Lupe knew what they were! Cows! For some reason these cows were wandering through the forest instead of hanging out in some grassy meadow. Dixie was keenly interested in this phenomenon, prompting Joe to leash her up lest any real excitement ensue. The cows themselves didn’t seem all that eager to make any non-bovine acquaintances, and hastily ventured off even deeper into the forest.

Dixie discovers **cows** (center). Photo looks S.

No. 203 wound E from here over a small rise, soon leading to a glimpse of the gently sloping N end of Minnesota Ridge (6,240 ft.). Beyond this view, the road dipped again heading SE into another stretch of forest.

A glimpse of the **N end of Minnesota Ridge** (Center). Photo looks SE.

Another nicely shaded stretch of **USFS Road No. 203**. Photo looks SE.

Before long, the road was regaining elevation again as it broke out of the forest into a giant meadow dotted with aspens sporting yellow leaves. A larger herd of black cows was sensibly busy grazing in this field. Most of these cows were far enough away to pay little attention to Lupe and her new Aussie Shepherd cousin side-kick.

Cows grazing on the **NW slopes of Minnesota Ridge**. Photo looks E.

The road turned S, and flattened out. A lone ghoul tree stood ominously in this area. Lupe went over to investigate. In broad daylight, the ghoul tree didn’t seem that scary, but Halloween was only a few weeks away. No telling what frightening events might take place here then!

Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) was now in sight nearly 5 miles back to the N.

By the **ghoul tree**. **Custer Peak** (far L). Photo looks N.

Somewhere in the vicinity of the ghoul tree, USFS Road No. 203 turned into No. 203.1C. It was all quite odd. Maps showed No. 203 continuing SSE, but from an unconnected point nearly a mile E. Perhaps there had once been a connecting road segment?

In any event, this minor mystery hardly mattered. After continuing SSE across another large, flat region on No. 203.1C, another gradual descent began. Nearly a mile from the ghoul tree, a junction with USFS Roads No. 203.1D and No. 203.1E was reached.

This intersection was in the upper regions of Greens Gulch. No. 203.1C turned SW here, heading farther down the valley. That was the way to Silver Creek in the prettiest part of Greens Gulch.

Approaching the intersection in **upper Greens Gulch**. **USFS Road No. 203.1E** (L) continues S going uphill. **No. 203.1C** turned R farther into **Greens Gulch**. Photo looks SSE.

As the valley broadened out during the stroll on No. 203.1C deeper into Greens Gulch, Lupe trotted along sniffing wherever she pleased. Dixie alternately explored, or tried to herd Lupe without much success. As a geologist, Uncle Joe often paused to stare at the ground.

Heading farther into **Greens Gulch** on **USFS Road No. 203.1C**. Photo looks SSW.

**Greens Gulch** starts widening out. Photo looks SW.

0.5 mile from the intersection, the start of the widest, most scenic part of Greens Gulch began coming into view. By now, a diminutive tributary of Silver Creek ran alongside No. 203.1C. There was more to see ahead, but unfortunately, it was already about time to take a break before heading back. Checking out a couple of hillside spots on the N side of the valley, the second one proved to be the better choice.

**N end of the most scenic part of Greens Gulch**. Photo looks W.

Near the **tiny tributary of Silver Creek**. Photo looks W.

With **Uncle Joe** and **Cousin Dixie** at the break spot on the **N side of Greens Gulch**.

12:32 PM, Greens Gulch – Not a cloud in the sky! Warm in the sun, Dixie and Lupe both appreciated the shade of a few pines along the edge of the forest. Downfall provided seats for Joe and SPHP. Although no peak had been climbed, for the 2nd day running, Lupe, Joe, and SPHP all enjoyed chocolate coconut bars while Dixie had to settle for Taste of the Wild. Joe generously also provided SPHP with a tasty fruit and nut bar from his selection. Water for all, of course!

Far, far away, another war had started in the Middle East this morning. No such strife here! Serene and lovely, Greens Gulch was indisputably a much better place to be.

The inevitable return was another pleasant trek, although mostly uphill this time. Retracing the same route, a little snake, somewhat rare in the Black Hills, was sunning itself on the road. A dangerous pleasure! Sadly, farther on, another young snake had been run over by one of the ATV’s that occasionally roared by.

Returning to **USFS Road No. 203.1C**. Photo looks SE.

The little snake, a completely harmless variety.

The herd of black cows N of the ghoul tree had gone elsewhere by the time Lupe got back to where they’d been. While Dixie, Lupe, and SPHP entered their pasture to get a better look at Custer Peak, Joe stood quietly contemplating the scene from a gate close to the road, unaware that he was solving a mystery in the process.

**Custer Peak** (L) from the field where the cows had been. Photo looks N.

Joe pondering the scene. Photo looks NE.

Why, of course! SPHP still didn’t realize it until much later, but that gate was obviously a USFS gate. Even though only the faintest signs of a road remained now, that gate must have been where the missing connecting portion of USFS Road No. 203 had once split off to join the rest of No. 203 E of Minnesota Ridge.

Not exactly an earthshaking discovery. The return trek resumed, and later that evening Aunt Andrea brought Grandma over to Hotel Lupe to partake of the spaghetti dinner SPHP whomped up for everyone, human or canine, that might be so inclined. (End 1:53 PM, 64ºF)

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Lupe & Dixie’s Scrollable GPS Track

Expedition No. 203 – Gimlet Creek to Minnesota Ridge (5-6-17)

Expedition No. 78 – The Experimental Forest & Minnesota Ridge (3-9-14)

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!

10-5-23, 3:30 PM – Oh, happy day! Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and new Cousin Dixie were here, newly arrived from Colorado, and destined to spend the next few days at Hotel Lupe! The American Dingo greeted them all with great enthusiasm, then sort of played with Dixie, mostly watching as her Aussie Shepherd cousin tore around the living room.

Lupe was astounded by new Cousin Dixie’s appearance! Only 3 months ago, Dixie had been a mere puppy – cute and fuzzy, and with an already over-developed and rather annoying herding instinct. Since then, Dixie had been completely transformed! Now she was nearly as big as Lupe, and a whirlwind of energy.

All that new Cousin Dixie energy had to go somewhere! Fortunately, this evening it suddenly dawned on Dixie how her Carolina Dog cousin was able to pass through walls like magic. A doggie door! Once Dixie caught on to how it worked, she was as bad as a cat, letting herself in and out at will to race around the back yard whenever she pleased. Best idea ever!

10-6-23, 10:06 AM, USFS Road No. 144.1A – The Hotel Lupe doggie door to the back yard served as a release for some of Dixie’s hyper-activity, but wasn’t a complete solution by any means. However, a Black Hills, SD expedition might do the trick!

The morning air was clean, clear, and on the crisp side when everyone, minus Aunt Andrea, who had gone to spend the day with Grandma, piled out of the RAV4 at the start of USFS Road No. 144.1A. Lupe and Dixie were both excited, and couldn’t wait to get started.

Start of **USFS Road No. 144.1A**, about a mile NE of Nemo. Photo looks SSW.

During Dixie’s first ever visit to the Black Hills at the end of June, she’d had fun on 3 mini-expeditions with Lupe. Now that Dixie was 5 months old, Lupe figured she ought to give her energetic cousin an introduction to peakbagging.

SPHP had suggested Peak 5321 as an easy objective. With less than 300 feet of elevation gain required during a mere 1.4 mile, mostly road hike, approach, Dixie’s first ascent attempt would be a guaranteed success! The journey began with a 0.5 mile romp along USFS Road No. 144.1A.

Off to a good start on **USFS Road No. 144.1A**. Photo looks W.

This easy jaunt got Dixie to a broad minor pass. USFS Road No. 144.1A veered off to the SE here. An unmarked road not shown on the maps that branched off to the R was actually the way to go.

At the broad, flat pass where USFS Road No. 144.1A heads off to the L. The road angling R was the way to go. Photo looks S.

Joe and Dixie continuing along the unmarked road. Photo looks SSW.

Traversing the W slopes of HP5243, the road gradually gained elevation before turning SW and flattening out. Much to Lupe’s dismay, by now it was clear that Dixie hadn’t gotten over her annoying herding instincts at all. The American Dingo did her best to try not to let it get to her. Most of the time, everyone was in fine spirits on this beautiful early autumn day, but with some regularity, Lupe couldn’t help growling or snapping at her bossy new cousin.

Dixie, of course, was completely unfazed. The herding went on.

At the curve where the road turned SW. Photo looks SW.

From the turn SW, Ash Point, established by the “Yogi Clan” in memory of Shirley and Sonya at the edge of a cliff, was only another 0.33 mile.

10-6-23, 10:34 AM – In addition to a terrific view of Nemo hundreds of feet below, Ash Point featured views of both Green Top (5,360 ft.) and White Mansion (5,340 ft.) 3 miles NW, with Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) on the horizon.

Not trusting Dixie’s puppy exuberance near a cliff, Joe prudently kept her leashed up.

Dingo’s eye view of **Nemo** from **Ash Point**. **Custer Peak** (far R). Photo looks W.

**Terry Peak** (L), **Green Top** (R), **White Mansion** (far R). Photo looks NW.

**White Mansion** (L) from **Ash Point**. Photo looks N.

The Yogi Clan had thoughtfully provided a bench so visitors can relax while enjoying the lovely Ash Point views. However, the Carolina Dog merely stood on it for a minute or two before leaping off. Joe and Dixie then demonstrated how to make better use of a bench.

Peak 5321’s summit was only 0.25 mile SSE of Ash Point. However, the road soon curved way E of it on its way S, so Lupe led everyone off into the forest, taking a direct route up a gentle slope.

Heading straight through the forest in search of the summit. Photo looks SE.

10-6-23, 10:50 AM, 47ºF, Peak 5321 – A large flat region buried in trees and full of deadfall, Peak 5321 admittedly wasn’t all that scintillating as summits go. At least there was a sunny semi-clearing, the deadfall made reasonably good seats, and there was no edge nearby that Dixie might inadvertently hurtle herself over.

Dixie was bummed that she didn’t get to share in the chocolate coconut bars that Joe, Lupe, and SPHP all enjoyed in honor of her first official Black Hills peak ascent, but she readily accepted Taste of the Wild and water as a consolation prize.

Blinking in the sun on **Peak 5321’s flat, deadfall-strewn summit**. Photo looks NNE.

Taking a break on **Peak 5321**. Photo looks SE.

With no summit views, there wasn’t much reason to linger after a short break. However, Ash Point wasn’t the only viewpoint in this general vicinity. On a prior expedition, Lupe had discovered that American Point was less than another 0.25 mile SW along the same line of cliffs.

Dixie and Joe were both willing to check it out. Heading S to pick up the unmarked road again, it led right to American Point.

On the way to American Point. Photo looks SW.

10-6-23, 11:27 AM, American Point – Oh, yeah! The cheerful American Flag was still here, waving all red, white and blue in the breeze. From a larger limestone platform above the cliffs than the one at Ash Point, the views were similar here, although oriented more toward the SW. It was now possible to see Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) far to the S.

At **American Point**. **Black Elk Peak** (L) on the horizon. Photo looks SSW.

**Nemo** from **American Point**. **Custer Peak** (L) and **Terry Peak** (R) of the flag. Photo looks NW.

**Joe**, **Dixie**, and **Lupe** at **American Point**. **White Mansion** (Center). Photo look NNW.

Together by the flag. **Custer Peak** (R of Center), Photo looks WNW.

After hanging out near the American flag admiring the views, that was about it for Cousin Dixie’s first ever Black Hills peakbagging experience. The return involved only a pleasant march back along the unmarked road to USFS Road No. 144.1A, and thence on to the RAV4.

Peak 5321 with its nearby Ash Point and American Peak viewpoints had been a nice outing. Even better, with Uncle Joe and Cousin Dixie still checked in at Hotel Lupe, another Black Hills adventure was sure to be on the agenda tomorrow! (End 10-6-23, 12:23 PM)