Little Crow Peak – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 258 – Spearfish Peak & Little Crow Peak (11-19-20)

8:52 AM, 43ºF, Devil’s Bathtub (Cleopatra) trailhead in Spearfish Canyon – Sort of a late start, especially for this time of year when the days are so short, but Lupe ought to have plenty of time to get to the Devil’s Bathtub, a popular Black Hills destination accessible from Spearfish Canyon. Last year she had been here and made it up Squaw Creek far enough to get to some beautiful pools past scenic cliffs, but it hadn’t seemed quite right. Sure enough, a little research later on had proven that the American Dingo hadn’t gone far enough to actually reach the Devil’s Bathtub. Now Loop was back to correct that mistake.

A 0.25 mile downstream jaunt along Spearfish Creek got Loopster to Cleopatra Place, a short road with a bridge over to some private homes and cabins on the E side of the river. Just past the bridge, the start of the Devil’s Bathtub trail was on the R. Certain of success this time around, Loop and SPHP started up Squaw Creek.

At the start of the **Devil’s Bathtub trail**.

In the narrow side canyon that Squaw Creek flows through on its way to join up with Spearfish Creek, the trail was soon criss-crossing Squaw Creek multiple times. Expected, but what SPHP hadn’t anticipated was that there was still some snow and ice way down here along the shaded creek. The frozen stuff had melted days ago almost everywhere else.

One of the early **Squaw Creek** crossings.

The first couple of crossings weren’t bad, but as Lupe continued up the valley, she kept coming to more snow and ice. Not enough to support her weight, but enough to make everything slippery. Even where it had all melted, the rocks were damp and slick. Rock hopping was risky, and SPHP really didn’t want to wade through it all getting freezing wet paws.

A spur trail NE of the stream led steeply up to higher ground. Hoping the spur might make it possible to skip some of the stream crossings, SPHP encouraged Loop to try it. Worked, but not a great solution. The short climb was tricky due to half-frozen mud. Once the trail leveled out, Lupe then had to cross a skinny, damp section on a treacherously steep slope, only to promptly get forced all the way back down to creek level again.

The next stream ford was easier, but the one after it was much worse. After successfully negotiating it only to immediately discover another one lying in wait that wasn’t any better, SPHP had had it.

*Keep coming, SPHP! This one isn’t bad at all.*

Hang on, Looper!

What’cha thinking, SPHP?

I’m thinking this isn’t going to work. We already know from your trek up here last year that we still have a bunch of stream crossings to go. Sooner or later, I’m going to wind up falling in the creek, or at least getting my paws soaking wet. Not a thrilling prospect in November, even though you might be fine with it.

So what are you saying? We’re done already? We’ve hardly started!

How about a change of plans? I say let’s skip the Devil’s Bathtub, and come back sometime when either the creek is solidly frozen over, or its just plain hot out. That’s when everyone else comes up here, so they can use the Devil’s Bathtub as a swimming hole.

Fine with me, SPHP, but what do you want to do instead?

Little Crow Peak (5,885 ft.) isn’t far away. Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.) might even be within range. We haven’t been to either one in more than 4.5 years. Want to do that?

Sure! Which way from here, then?

We’ll have to go back to the start if we can’t climb our way out of here. Let’s give that a shot first. Right on up that slope! Onward! Puppy, ho!

Loopster powered up, while SPHP thrashed around on the steep slope. Managed to get up it, though. Maybe 100 feet above Squaw Creek, Lupe came to an old road covered with pine needles.

We’re in luck, SPHP! This ought to make things easier. Which way now?

Not entirely certain, Loop. Probably L. The topo map doesn’t even show this road. Say, maybe we can get to the Devil’s Bathtub after all, if we just follow it up Squaw Creek valley? Wanna try that?

You’re a truly flexible planner, SPHP. Devil’s Bathtub it is, again! Head R then?

Yup. Do it, Dingo!

*Back on track for the Devil’s Bathtub! We’re going this way!*

Well, shucks. It didn’t work. After going around a corner, chunks of the road were missing, haven fallen into the valley at one time or another. The road became a mostly one track trail traversing some perilously steep slopes. SPHP called another halt.

What now, SPHP?

Beginning to think this route is going to totally play out somewhere up ahead, Loop. Probably just a big waste of time.

So, you want to go back the way we came?

Yes, but stick with this road. Good chance it will tie in with USFS Road No. 186 before too long. No. 186 will get us up to the Little Crow Peak region. Same route that got us up there years ago.

*Went fine for a little way, but we’re turning back again here.*

Going NW back past where Lupe had originally reached this old pine needle covered road, it eventually did tie into another more substantial road. SPHP didn’t recognize it as USFS Road No. 186, but maybe it was? Almost had to be according to the map, although nothing looked familiar as the Carolina Dog took it higher.

At the junction with a more substantial rocky road that Loop followed higher.

Before long, Loop came to a single short switchback after which the road headed E up a narrow side canyon, climbing steadily at a pretty good clip. This went on for perhaps 0.75 mile or more. The terrain looked like it was about to level out a bit when Lupe reached a broken down gate in a fence line where the valley broadened out somewhat.

This gate seemed faintly familiar. Immediately beyond it, the road branched. Looper stayed to the L (NE), continuing up the valley. She’d already gained a lot of elevation. For the first time, a distant view was beginning to open up behind her.

On the way up the long non-descript valley.

At the broken gate, which seemed vaguely familiar. Photo looks E.

Starting to get a bit of a view. Photo looks WSW.

The road finally did level off. The Carolina Dog had climbed completely out of Spearfish Canyon and its off-shoots. This area also seemed vaguely familiar. SPHP was fairly certain Loop had been here before. If so, Little Crow Peak was only 0.5 mile off to the WNW. Instead of going back to climb it, though, Lupe continued NE.

Late morning. Sunny and crisp. A thin layer of snow brightened the road ahead. Felt good to be out and on the move, listening to the pines sighing in a light breeze. Looper didn’t get much farther before coming to a landmark that SPHP recognized for sure. At a spot where the road divided, remnants of an ancient battered bus sat quietly rusting away, just as it had been the last time Lupe had been here.

The road finally flattened out, providing a beautiful, easy trek ahead. Photo looks ENE.

The road continuing NE looked destined to go downhill. Instead of going that way, Lupe turned due E on a rockier road that went uphill. It wasn’t a big climb. The road soon leveled out. A little downhill stretch, and at the top of the next hill the American Dingo reached Carbonate Camp.

On the way to Carbonate Camp at the top of the next rise. Photo looks E.

Next to nothing left of the old ghost town. A wooden sign nailed to a big Ponderosa pine tree said “Carbonate Camp Cemetery”. Wooden boards marked 5 gravesites. Although leaning, the decaying boards were still standing, but that was all that was still here. 2 of the graves were N of the road, the other 3 were S.

Noon hour. Lupe and SPHP paused to relax for a few minutes by the 3 graves S of the road, and share a chocolate coconut bar. With an eager Dingo in on the deal, the little bar vanished in seconds. Loop followed that up with a Taste of the Wild chaser while SPHP munched an apple.

The new Carbonate Camp Cemetery sign. The old one that had been here 4.5 years ago had been misspelled.

1 of 5 wooden grave markers is visible just to the R of the sign. Not really much left here to desecrate. Photo looks E.

3 grave markers S of the road. About all remains of **Carbonate Camp**! Photo looks W.

E of Carbonate Camp, the road forked again, both branches heading downhill. Lupe took the main road as it curled L around to the N, then NW. Hmm. Maybe this route actually went back to the ancient bus? In any case, it wasn’t the right way.

Marching back up to the fork, Loop took a very rocky road NE down a steep hill. Before she reached the bottom of a deep ravine, she came to such a badly eroded section that this road would have been impassable to virtually any vehicle, although it wasn’t a bad hiking trail.

From this first ravine, the road headed due E again, going up and down over several smaller hills. 0.5 mile E of Carbonate Camp, Lupe arrived at a frozen pond tucked away in the shadows of upper Rubicon Gulch.

Starting down into the **first ravine E of Carbonate Camp**. Photo looks E.

By the frozen pond in **upper Rubicon Gulch**. Photo looks WSW.

A number of roads intersected down here in Rubicon Gulch. One going S led over to a gated-off area owned by a mining operation. One went NW down Rubicon Gulch, and another continued straight E up a steep slope.

Without hesitation, the Carolina Dog took yet another road that climbed NE, then N up to the top of the next ridge. The terrain leveled out as Lupe reached a big overhead power line. After going under the power line, she passed a cute little cabin on the R (E).

Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.) was still 2 miles N of here. A little more than that the way the road went. After 1:30 PM. SPHP was now regretting the ridiculous decision not to climb Little Crow Peak first. With sunset only a bit after 4:00 PM, if Loopster went on to Spearfish Peak it was probably going to be dark by the time she could get back to Little Crow.

Should have been evident all along! Nothing to do about it now, though, except pick up the pace. Might still work out. Lupe continued N past some more private property. Soon she was passing under the power line again, with a glimpse of Spearfish Peak in the distance.

**Spearfish Peak** (R) from the power line. Lupe did not go down the road seen on the R. Photo looks NNW.

From the power line, the road swung W a little way going up over a small hill in the process, then down again before turning N once more to climb a larger hill. Meanwhile, the sky had clouded up, turning a sad gray. The air felt colder. Except for the dark green of the pines, and the snow white bark of leafless, shivering aspens, everything along the road was brown, tan, or beige, the somber colors of death.

Approaching **Spearfish Peak** (Center) on USFS Road No. 220. Photo looks N.

One of those afternoons with a late fall feel, as if the icy hand of winter was near, plotting to steal in without warning and seize the entire world in its eternal frozen grip. An afternoon for brooding and dark thoughts.

Yet Lupe was doing fine, trotting happily along, sometimes venturing into the brush for a quick sniff before returning to the road. She was making good progress. Crow Peak (5,787 ft.), the big one, not the little one, came into sight off to the NW. As Loop drew near Spearfish Peak, Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) could be seen looking small and insignificant out on the plains beyond the rest of the Black Hills. It was still bathed in sunlight. Clearly, winter was in no position to back up its idle threats. At least, not yet.

**Crow Peak** (L of Center). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

Getting close to **Spearfish Peak**. Photo looks NNW.

**Bear Butte** (Center). Photo looks ENE with help from the telephoto lens.

The road returned to the power line before getting to Spearfish Peak. USFS Road No. 220 soon veered off to the R (NE) heading downhill. Lupe stuck with the power line, and quickly came to another fork. This time she took the L (NW) branch, a short road that ended near the trees. An ATV trail continued up Spearfish Peak’s SE ridge, but soon gave out as well, reduced to a single track trail that wound the rest of the way up to the summit.

Lupe took the road to the L here, which leads to a trail to the summit. Photo looks NW.

On the single track trail, getting close to the top. Photo looks N.

Aspens, pines and deadfall! The top of Spearfish Peak was sort of a mess, and didn’t provide much in the way of views. The true summit was a big gray rock with a brass survey benchmark fastened to it a foot or two below the high point. Just W of this rock sat a large gray box sporting a solar panel and a small, thin antenna.

**True summit of Spearfish Peak**. Survey benchmark visible lower R. Photo looks NW.

**True summit** and **survey benchmark** (R). Photo looks N.

Kind of a mess due to the deadfall, but not too bad. Lupe still on the **true summit**. Photo looks ENE.

Despite the fairly dense forest, a few narrowly restricted distant views existed. Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) and Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) could both be seen off to the S, but not from any point where Lupe could get into the picture. A glimpse of Little Crow Peak (5,885 ft.) and part of Spearfish Canyon was available from a spot a little W of the true summit.

**Terry Peak** (Center). Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.

**Little Crow Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW.

There was a need for speed, if Lupe still hoped to climb Little Crow Peak today. Even so, SPHP allowed her to linger up on Spearfish Peak for nearly half an hour. No sense in coming all this way, and not getting to savor the moment, at least to some degree. The last chocolate coconut bar vanished along with the last apple. The Taste of the Wild supply took a major hit, too.

Minutes came and went at breakneck speed. Suddenly Lupe was poised again atop the true summit of Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.). A last photo, and Onward! Puppy, ho!

Final moments atop **Spearfish Peak**. Photo looks NE.

On the way back by the same route, Bear Butte was still in sunshine as Lupe started the trek S from Spearfish Peak. That didn’t stop winter from taking a shot. Overhead, the sky darkened. Several times snow granules massed for the attack, but they were tiny and didn’t have the numbers to accomplish anything. Plunging to earth like minuscule white meteors, they melted and were gone.

Bear Butte again. Photo looks ENE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

**Little Crow Peak** (R of Center) from 1.25 miles S of Spearfish Peak. Photo looks SW.

3:57 PM, 0.6 mile ESE of Little Crow Peak – Still light out, but the sun was close to the horizon when Lupe reached a grassy road that veered off to the R (NW) 250 yards after passing the ancient bus. This long forgotten road, which left USFS Road No. 186 before it started back down into Spearfish Canyon, wound its way WNW toward Little Crow Peak.

Without it, Loopster would never have gotten to the SE slope in time to race up as fast as SPHP could struggle through the thick underbrush of a mixed pine and aspen forest.

On the grassy road leading to **Little Crow Peak** (Center). Photo looks W.

The climb wasn’t a big one, maybe 200 feet of elevation gain, but when Lupe reached the first rocks at what had appeared to be the top, the view was confusing. 300 feet off to the N or NE was a clearly higher rock formation. It seemed like Lupe had come up the S or even the SW slope, when SPHP had been pretty sure she’d been climbing from the SE.

At the first rock formation reached near the apparent summit (Center) of Little Crow Peak. Photo looks NNE?

No time to worry about an explanation for that now. Light was fading, and the view was distressing for another reason. SPHP remembered that Little Crow Peak had been somewhat of a mess due to deadfall when Loop had been here before, but it was really bad now. As fast as possible, which wasn’t fast at all, Lupe and SPHP struggled through the maze toward the apparent summit.

The sun had just vanished when the Carolina Dog got there, the horizon still lit up with a lingering orange glow.

The sun is gone as Lupe reaches the second high point. Photo looks WSW.

Egads! This wasn’t the true summit either. Another rock formation a good 10 feet higher could now be seen 300 feet farther N. Worse yet, the deadfall between here and there was absolutely horrendous. The light was going fast as Loop and SPHP clambered carefully over or under the obstacle course. No going around anything, that just wasn’t possible.

This had better be the summit! The light was fading so fast that Lupe was going to have to retreat soon. Too many steep slopes that dropped hundreds of feet into oblivion in too many directions to risk not being able to find the way back to the grassy road.

4:36 PM, summit of Little Crow Peak – Yup! This was it! Still light enough to tell that the intrepid American Dingo actually had reached the true summit of Little Crow Peak (5,885 ft.). Lupe was now poised atop the highest rock. The camera was very light sensitive, but it was getting so dark that photos now looked fuzzy.

The true summit of Little Crow Peak, perhaps due to being reached in a frantic rush in the nick of time, seemed like a cool place. Destroyed by pine bark beetles, the forest was completely shattered to the S and W, opening up the views. Elsewhere, the surviving forest was still thick enough, and now dark enough, to hide whatever was out there.

Really was a shame that Lupe hadn’t climbed Little Crow Peak earlier. 5 minutes to enjoy her success, and that was it. Gotta get out of here!

**Cement Ridge (6,674 ft.)** on the horizon beyond Lupe’s head. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

Final moments atop **Little Crow Peak**. Photo looks SW.

Leaving the summit, Lupe found a short ramp to the S that enabled her to skip a lot of the worst of the deadfall. However, she needed to go E to get back down to the grassy road. Stars were appearing, the last of the light almost gone. The sky was still somewhat light, but the forest and ground were virtually invisible.

The descent became one of confusion and constant second-guessing. The flashlight had to come out. Everywhere the mountain dropped away. SPHP decided Loop was too far S, then too far N. Nerve-wracking for a while, but at last the slope wasn’t so steep. Must be on track. Sure enough, the grassy road appeared ahead.

Still a couple of miles to go, but the rest would be easy. Loopster could follow old USFS Road No. 186 all the way back down to Cleopatra Place at the start of the Devil’s Bathtub trail without having to return to Squaw Creek. Cross the bridge over Spearfish Creek, and she’d be 0.25 mile from the trailhead and the G6.

Success assured, stars glittering in the now clearing night sky, Looper sniffed ahead, sometimes revealed by the weak beam of the flashlight, sometimes cloaked in the black void. (End 7:00 PM, 31ºF)

**Little Crow Peak**, Black Hills of South Dakota 11-19-20

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Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 171 – Little Crow Peak & Spearfish Peak (5-7-16)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 171 – Little Crow Peak & Spearfish Peak (5-7-16)

The patio was damp, but that was all. It must have sprinkled overnight. Plenty of clouds were still around. Normally, even a little rain would help clear the air. Not this time. It was hazy. Very, very hazy. Otherwise it was a beautiful day in early May. SPHP hoped the haze would burn off before too long. Lupe didn’t care whether it did or not. She was charged up and ready to roll!

A couple miles before reaching the starting place for her peakbagging efforts, Lupe and SPHP made a quick stop to see Bridal Veil Falls in Spearfish Canyon. Later in the season Bridal Veil Falls often slows to a trickle, but the falls were beautiful this morning.

Bridal Veil Falls was looking great! The falls were probably near maximum springtime flow, barring a thunderstorm. Only 6 days ago on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170, Lupe had found several inches of snow up on Kirk Hill (5,345 ft.) and Tetro Rock (5,562 ft.). The weather had really warmed up since then, especially the last 3 days which were near 80°F. Lupe loves the snow, but she wasn’t likely to find any remaining today. Bridal Veil Falls wasn’t going to get any more of a boost from melting snow, either.

After admiring the falls, Lupe and SPHP continued S on Hwy 14A going up Spearfish Canyon. SPHP was looking for USFS Road No. 186.2A, but doubted it would be marked as such. A little less than 2 miles from Bridal Veil Falls, there was a road to the E with a street sign that said Cleopatra. Right away, SPHP knew this was it! The little parking area close to Spearfish Creek was full, but SPHP found another place to park nearby (10:50 AM, 61°F).

SPHP knew this place. Lupe was at the confluence of Spearfish and Squaw Creeks. (“Maurice” on the Peakbagger.com topo map.) A trail goes up Squaw Creek perhaps a mile from here to the Devil’s Bathtub, a pool of water fed by a small waterfall. A hiking trail to the Devil’s Bathtub is popular with local residents, but is not marked and not well known to tourists.

Lupe wasn’t going to the Devil’s Bathtub today, however. Instead she was heading for Little Crow Peak (5,885 ft.), a nearby peak along the E rim of Spearfish Canyon. At least, that was the plan. SPHP had to find USFS Road No. 186.2 first. The Peakbagger.com topo map showed No. 186.2 winding E up out of Spearfish Canyon from somewhere above Squaw Creek.

Lupe and SPHP crossed the bridge below the confluence of Spearfish and Squaw Creeks. Lupe then started out on the low road leading to the Devil’s Bathtub trail. After just a few hundred feet, the trail left the road to cross Squaw Creek for the first time. Lupe didn’t cross the creek. If USFS Road No. 186.2 was still in existence, it would be somewhere higher up on this side of the canyon.

SPHP scanned the forest above to the E. It did look like there might be some terrain a short distance higher up that could be level enough for a road. Lupe was just past the last private cabin near Squaw Creek. Time to find out if USFS Road No. 186.2 was actually still up there somewhere or not, and if so, what kind of condition it was in. Lupe and SPHP started climbing up the steep forested slope.

Lupe didn’t have to climb far at all! She popped out of the forest onto a very nice little road. The road was rocky and narrow. Heading SE, it climbed steadily up the side of the canyon. There was no marker, but that wasn’t surprising. This almost had to be USFS Road No. 186.2. Lupe and SPHP started following it up.

Lupe on USFS Road No. 186.2 on her way to Little Crow Peak.

No. 186.2 wound around some, but generally worked its way E for more than a mile. It was a rather steep climb the entire way. Lupe came to several grassy side roads, but she always stayed on the main road. The rocky road went relentlessly up and up. Lupe followed at SPHP’s heels much of the time. Lupe found the road a bit dull.

The map showed a power line crossing the road, but Lupe didn’t come to one. After Lupe had gone more than 0.75 mile, SPHP looked back down to the W. A swath of the forest had been cut in a straight line leading to the road. The old power line must have been here at one time. By now, Lupe was high enough to see a high forested hill off to the NW. That had to be Little Crow Peak (5,885 ft.)!

Lupe and SPHP stayed on No. 186.2 until it finally quit gaining elevation. As soon as the road leveled out, Lupe left it heading N into the forest. As Lupe reached the top of a broad forested ridge, she came to another road. The road was faint, but its existence was good news. It was going WNW toward Little Crow Peak.

The faint road didn’t go all the way up Little Crow Peak, but it did bring Lupe to a point just E of the final rise. The climb through the forest was pretty easy. As Lupe got higher up on the mountain, she encountered quite a bit of deadfall timber, but by then Lupe didn’t have much farther to go.

Fairly large rock outcroppings started appearing about the time the terrain began leveling out. Lupe was getting close to the summit of Little Crow Peak. Suddenly, SPHP spotted a cairn up on some high rocks a short distance ahead. Lupe was almost there!

Lupe up on a rock outcropping on Little Crow Peak featuring a cairn. The true summit was still another 150 feet farther W. Photo looks S.

Lupe scrambled up onto the rocks next to the cairn. Initially, SPHP thought this might well be the summit of Little Crow Peak. Peering to the W through the forest, though, it looked like there might well be a higher point not too much farther away.

The true summit proved to be roughly 150 feet W of the cairn. Lupe climbed up a larger rock formation there to claim her Little Crow Peak peakbagging success!

Lupe at the true summit of Little Crow Peak. Photo looks W.

Another look at Lupe on the summit. This photo looks N.

A Carolina Dog surveys the situation from her vantage point at the E end of the summit rock formation. Photo looks W.

Forest hid the views in almost every direction. It hardly mattered. The entire sky remained very hazy. If the air had been clear, there was quite a nice view toward Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) to the SSE. As it was, the camera could barely detect Terry Peak in the haze, although it was visible to the naked eye. Lupe and SPHP took a rest break up on Little Crow Peak before continuing on.

When it was time to leave, Lupe went back E down the mountain, a little S of the way she had come up. This route avoided some of the deadfall timber, and brought Lupe to more interesting rock formations. It proved to be a somewhat easier way back to the faint road.

These plants with little yellow flowers were common on Little Crow Peak.

Forest blocked the views in most directions from Little Crow Peak. Lupe did find this one hazy glimpse of Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.) on her way down the mountain. Spearfish Peak was Lupe's next peakbagging goal. Photo looks NE. — Forest blocked the views in most directions from Little Crow Peak. Lupe did find this one hazy glimpse of **Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.)** on her way down the mountain. Spearfish Peak was Lupe’s next peakbagging goal. Photo looks NE. Taken with the telephoto lens.

Near rock formations Lupe passed by on her way down the E side of Little Crow Peak. Photo looks S.

Lupe and SPHP followed the faint road ESE all the way until it reached USFS Road No. 186.2 some distance E of where Lupe had left it to climb Little Crow Peak. At least SPHP thought Lupe was back at No. 186.2, but she really wasn’t.

Lupe’s next peakbagging goal was Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.). The original plan was to follow No. 186.2 E and then SE from Little Crow Peak. The Peakbagger.com topo map showed that No. 186.2 would reach an intersection with another road that wound its way several miles N along the top of a long ridge. That road would bring Lupe to a point close to Spearfish Peak where she should be able to climb it easily enough from the SE.

As Lupe and SPHP headed ENE along No. 186.2, it didn’t take too long for SPHP to realize something was wrong. The road should have gone almost due E just S of a slightly higher ridge to the N, but it didn’t. Lupe passed several side roads, but they didn’t look as well traveled as the road Lupe was on. They didn’t seem right either, and SPHP was reluctant to take them.

Lupe reached an intersection with a grassy road that continued NE. An ancient small bus was rusting away next to this side road. The main road turned E and started climbing again. SPHP pondered for only a moment. Lupe took the main road E.

The ancient decaying bus about 0.67 mile ESE of Little Crow Peak. Lupe thought this was a stupendous Lupe Treasure, but SPHP was too weak to cart it back to the G6 to secure her prize. This photo was taken later in the day on Lupe's return from Spearfish Peak. Photo looks NW. — The ancient decaying bus about 0.67 mile ESE of Little Crow Peak. Lupe thought this was a stupendous Lupe Treasure, but SPHP was too weak to cart it back to the G6 to secure her prize. This photo was taken later in the day on Lupe’s return from Spearfish Peak. Photo looks NW.

The main road Lupe was following E led up onto some high ground. SPHP soon realized Lupe was on the ridge N of USFS Road No. 186.2. She was traveling the section line between Sections 10 & 15. There was supposed to be a power line here, according to the map, but none was present. The road was level at times, and at other times went up and down steep ravines.

As Lupe reached the E end of the high ground along the ridge, she came to a misspelled sign for the Carbonate Camp Cemetery. Lupe found 5 old gravesites here. Each grave was marked with a ring of small stones. There were no headstones, only a wooden board sticking up at the head of each grave. The boards were so old and weathered, any information that might have been on them about the deceased had long ago worn away.

This misspelled Carbonate Camp Cemetery sign was near 5 graves. Online research later revealed that these graves would all have dated back to the late 1800's. — This misspelled Carbonate Camp Cemetery sign was near 5 graves. Online research later revealed that these graves would all have dated back to the late 1800’s.

E of Carbonate Camp Cemetery, the road soon wound steeply down into the upper reaches of Rubicon Gulch. Continuing E, the road went up and down over several steep hills. Lupe was delighted and SPHP was amazed, when she found several patches of snow still melting on the road.

Lupe found several patches of snow on the road in the upper reaches of Rubicon Gulch. This one was the largest of all. Photo looks E.

At the final low point on the E side of Rubicon Gulch, a small stream flowed out to the NW from a culvert under the road. This stream eventually goes over Bridal Veil Falls, but it was much smaller up here. On the S side of the road was a slough, which SPHP naturally dubbed Rubicon Slough. The surface of Rubicon Slough was almost entirely thickly covered with gray-green duckweed. The water’s surface was scarcely visible.

A little SE of Rubicon Slough was a metal building, and a fence with a No Trespassing sign. The land to the S was likely part of the Richmond Hill mining operations. It was now clear that if Lupe had actually returned to No. 186.2 after leaving Little Crow Peak, it would have taken her into that private property. It was a good thing Lupe came the way she did. This route was a shortcut, too! Lupe had saved more than a mile coming via Carbonate Camp Cemetery and Rubicon Slough.

From Rubicon Slough, a very rocky road went NE up a ridge. Lupe and SPHP followed it. Near a power line at the top of the ridge, another road came in from the SSE. This was the road that would wind N following the long ridge to Spearfish Peak. It intersected the road from Rubicon Slough just S of a small private cabin.

Near the little cabin on the ridge NNE of Rubicon Slough. Photo looks E.

A couple of Private Property signs near the little cabin had been spray painted over with black paint for some reason. Lupe continued N on the road, which SPHP now believed was USFS Road No. 220, although Lupe and SPHP never saw any marker for it. The road went past some other private property. At a fork in the road, Lupe stayed to the NW. She passed by some land for sale.

From the land for sale, the road went downhill and passed beneath the power line again. Spearfish Peak was now visible to the N. Lupe had come clear around the upper end of Rubicon Gulch, and was finally getting closer.

Spearfish Peak is in view to the N. The power line really helped SPHP stay oriented so Lupe was able to remain on the correct road instead of wandering off on one of the possible side roads on the way to Spearfish Peak, which often was not in view until Lupe got close. — Spearfish Peak is in view to the N. The power line really helped SPHP stay oriented so Lupe was able to remain on the correct road instead of wandering off on one of the possible side roads on the way to Spearfish Peak, which often was not in view.

USFS Road No. 220 wound around to the W of the power line, but generally headed N toward Spearfish Peak. The road stayed up on the ridge. Sometimes Lupe could see Little Crow Peak to the SW. Eventually Spearfish Peak came into view. It wasn’t much farther N now!

Beautiful new light green aspen leaves were sprouting.

USFS Road No. 220 eventually crossed under to the E side of the power line again, but Lupe did not. Instead, she followed a road going N beneath the power line for a little way. When a side road turned NW toward Spearfish Peak, Lupe took that one. It soon ended at the edge of the forest. A faint single track trail went up the SE ridge of Spearfish Peak. Lupe was able to follow it all the way to the top.

Lupe on the highest rock on Spearfish Peak. Photo looks WNW.

Lupe's paw next to the survey benchmark on Spearfish Peak. — Lupe’s paw next to the survey benchmark on Spearfish Peak.

The rock formation at the top of Spearfish Peak was only a few feet high. Lupe immediately claimed her second peakbagging success of the day! Lupe found a survey benchmark right next to the highest rock.

Like Little Crow Peak, Spearfish Peak was heavily forested. Once again, the only open views were to the S. Unfortunately, the haze hadn’t dissipated at all yet.

A very hazy view of Bald Mountain (6,617 ft.) and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) from Spearfish Peak. Photo looks S. — A very hazy view of **Bald Mountain (6,617 ft.)** (L) and **Terry Peak (7,064 ft.)** (R) from Spearfish Peak. Photo looks S using the telephoto lens.

Little Crow Peak from Spearfish Peak. Photo looks SW. — Little Crow Peak from Spearfish Peak using the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.

It seemed like it had taken a long time to get to Spearfish Peak from Little Crow Peak. Lupe and SPHP were both ready for another break. SPHP ate the last apple. Lupe had Taste of the Wild. Water was the only other available provision. Lupe curled up to rest at SPHP’s feet.

Apparently, this haze was going to hang around all day. Strange, and a little frustrating. Approaching Spearfish Peak, there had been some big views evident off to the NE, but it had been impossible to actually see much. It was too bad, but there was nothing to be done about it.

When the rest break was over, Lupe posed for a few more summit photos. Then it was time to go.

On the way down again, the faint trail up the SE ridge was so faint that SPHP lost it entirely. It turned out Lupe was coming down well to the N of the trail. Lupe finally reached it again, not too far from the road.

The same type of flower common on Little Crow Peak was flourishing on Spearfish Peak, too.

Once Lupe was back on the road, all she had to do was retrace her earlier route back to Little Crow Peak. The return trip seemed to go considerably faster. SPHP didn’t have to keep stopping to check the maps anymore.

Lupe and SPHP were taking another break in the forest near the start of the faint road to Little Crow Peak when an ATV roared up the main road from the W. Surprisingly, the ATV stopped at the intersection. The driver spotted Lupe and SPHP right away and waved. SPHP waved back. Lupe growled. Within a minute, another ATV roared up and stopped. The two drivers got on their cell phones.

The first driver got off his ATV and came to talk to SPHP. Did SPHP know where the road to the Cleopatra Mine was? Not really, although the Cleopatra Mine was somewhere up Squaw Creek beyond the Devil’s Bathtub. The ATV’s weren’t that close to it here. The Cleopatra Mine was on a hillside, but a lot lower down than this.

SPHP mentioned how hazy it was. The ATV driver said the haze was smoke from the huge wildfire going on up near Ft. McMurray in Canada. SPHP was surprised, but it made some sense. That would explain why the haze hadn’t dissipated all day long. On the other hand, Ft. McMurray was an extremely long way N, way up in northern Alberta.

The ATV’s roared off. Lupe smiled. It was evening now. American Dingoes like this time of day. There was still time to go back up Little Crow Peak one more time. So, Lupe did. The cool evening air energized her. She raced through the forest sniffing. She found a few squirrels to bark at. She heard wild turkeys gobble in the woods. She climbed Little Crow Peak again.

Lupe returns to the summit of Little Crow Peak. Photo looks W.

Lupe and SPHP lingered on Little Crow Peak. It was cooler out now, and getting a little chilly. Finally, SPHP was ready. Lupe headed back down the mountain. SPHP had been collecting Lupe Treasures since leaving Spearfish Peak. SPHP resumed collecting along No. 186.2 on the way back to the G6. Lupe stayed on the alert for squirrels.

The way down seemed very long, steep, and rocky. No wonder it had been tough going up in the morning! Lupe stayed on No. 186.2 all the way down. At the bottom, SPHP wanted to see where No. 186.2 joined Cleopatra Road. It came out between private cabins just N (downstream) of the bridge over Spearfish Creek.

It had been a pretty long day. The light was fading. Someday Lupe would have to return to go see the Devil’s Bathtub. It was way too late to do that now. Time to go home (8:37 PM, 52°F).

For miles, Lupe rode in the G6 with her head out the window. She was hoping to see a deer, but there weren’t any down in Spearfish Canyon. Finally, Lupe gave up. She pulled her head back inside, curled up on the seat, and heaved a great sigh before falling asleep. At least there would be Alpo at home!