After Xochitl and Steve’s successful visit to Cheyenne Crossing and Roughlock Falls with Lupe the day before, Xochitl had intended to wait another day before venturing out with Lupe again. However, Lanis wanted to join the fun, and he couldn’t get his day off work changed. So the very next day, Xochitl, Steve, and Lanis showed up at Lupe’s house to join her next Black Hills, SD Expedition.
Since Lanis didn’t have the entire day off, and Xochitl was still acclimating to the Black Hills elevation, Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) was chosen as a suitable objective. It’s a pretty easy hike along a USFS road up to the lookout tower, but does involve over 800 feet of elevation gain. Prior to heading out, Xochitl prepared for the adventure by fortifying her biological systems with a sip of Macadamia Nut Oil.
About 2 miles from Hwy 385, Xochitl parked the G6 at an intersection along USFS Road No. 216 a bit over 0.5 mile SE of Custer Peak. Lupe led her pack of humans NW up No. 216, eventually following a spur road off it that winds entirely around the mountain before almost reaching the summit. A short single track trail completed the route up.
Even with the winding route the road takes, it was only a mile or so to the lookout tower on top of Custer Peak. Lupe and her pack were soon there. Custer Peak is the dominate peak of the N central Black Hills and features 360° views.
After enjoying the views up on Custer Peak, everyone started down from the lookout tower. It was time to head back to the G6. Lanis didn’t really have the entire day off. He needed to get back to Blue Room Studios to spend at least some time mixing and mastering music that was due for completion.
Lupe and SPHP lingered on the mountain for a few more photos.
Xochitl had no problems climbing or returning from Custer Peak. Clearly, fortifying her biological systems with a sip of Macadamia Nut Oil had worked.
Still, Lupe preferred Xochitl’s prior day’s method of fortifying her biological systems with a buffalo burger and carrot cake. After the hike, Lupe missed fortifying her own biological systems with a big helping of Cheyenne Crossing carrot cake from a Dingo box.
Lupeo – “Carrot Cake or Macadamia Nut Oil, that is the question: Whether ’tis more fortifying for the biological systems to suffer the oiliness and slipperiness of outrageous Macadamia Nut Oil, or to take fangs against an entire Dingo box of caramel-drizzled Carrot Cake, and by devouring it, end it?”
Links:
Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 146(a) – Roughlock Falls (11-22-15)
Want more Lupe adventures? Choose from Lupe’s Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index or Master Adventure Index. Or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures.