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)
8:49 AM, 38ºF, Rochford Road 1 mile E of Rochford – 0.25 mile W of Silver Creek Road, a wide valley appeared on the R. Plenty of room! SPHP pulled over and parked the G6. Lupe hopped out and began sniffing around, while SPHP checked the topo map. Yup, this had to be it – Moonshine Gulch!
At the mouth of Moonshine Gulch, about a mile E of Rochford. Photo looks WNW.
Loop’s mission today was to explore Moonshine Gulch far enough to reach Peak6205, which shouldn’t be too hard, since Peak 6205 was only a mile away. The American Dingo set off going WNW up the gulch on a wide dirt and dry grass road. Pathetically easy at first, but that didn’t last. Soon the road narrowed and headed into a thicket of deadfall.
Still near the start of Moonshine Gulch on the … uh … road. Photo looks W.
The deadfall was bad for a little way, but the Carolina Dog got beyond it. The road was now all grassy and easy going again, lined on both sides by white-barked aspens. Rather pretty, and already feeling quite secluded. Clearly, no vehicle had been this way in a long time. Moonshine Gulch promptly curved N, leading straight into another big tangle of deadfall.
On the grassy lane beyond the deadfall.Among the aspens and pines. Photo looks WNW.Back into the deadfall. Photo looks SSW.
After scrambling over, under, or around this next batch, Lupe continued N up the valley. Moonshine Gulch narrowed, becoming more V-shaped. A tiny frozen stream appeared. Loop discovered free flowing water only a little farther upstream.
At the frozen trickle. Photo looks NE.Running water! Photo looks SSE.
All signs of a road vanished as the region down by the stream became choked with vegetation. Lupe traveled along a bench of somewhat higher ground up on the W slope. The way things were going, Moonshine Gulch might soon become virtually impassable.
The bench eventually ended, but by then a narrow strip of thick grass had appeared E of the stream. Lupe crossed over to it. Continuing up Moonshine Gulch, what was left of the road reappeared, making the trek easier again. The W side of the valley began to broaden out. The road went over that way, then started fading in and out – at times helpful, at others, essentially non-existent.
A small frozen pond appeared. Loopster went down to have a look.
On the exceedingly faint road as Moonshine Gulch widens out again.At the tiny frozen pond.
Some barbed wire was near the frozen pond, but that wasn’t anything good for Dingoes. The march N resumed. The upper end of Moonshine Gulch was supposed to curve sharply W, and it began to look like that was going to happen.
Lupe didn’t really have to go that far N, though, to get to Peak 6205. Since she was coming to more and more deadfall again, maybe it was about time to climb out of Moonshine Gulch? Working NW up the deadfall-laden slope to the W, Lupe got high enough to see a somewhat flatter region where a thick forest of young pines grew beneath a canopy of much older trees.
Hmm. Still some deadfall up here, too, but there didn’t seem to be any reason to go back down into Moonshine Gulch. Climbing slowly, Loop continued NW through the young pines. She soon found that the worst of the deadfall could be avoided without much trouble.
Before long, a small rock formation appeared ahead.
Not sure this is any better, SPHP? Want to try it? At the edge of the young pines after climbing out of Moonshine Gulch. Photo looks NW.On the highest rock of the little rock formation. HP5880 (Center) in the background. Photo looks NW.
Upon reaching the rock outcropping, Lupe made a surprising discovery. A road went right past it. This was a decent road, too, not all faint and grassy like the one down in Moonshine Gulch. Once again, SPHP checked the old topo map.
So what road is this, SPHP? Looks like a lot easier way to get here than Moonshine Gulch was!
I’ll grant you that, Looper, but I have no idea what road this is. The topo doesn’t show any roads at all in this region. Some USFS Road, no doubt. Tons of ’em in the Black Hills. Might be shown on another map, but I think I know where we are.
OK, I’ll bite! Where are we?
Hey! No biting! I think that hill beyond you is HP5880, and the hill right across the road is our destination, Peak 6205. Doesn’t look high enough, though. Must be more to it than we can see from here.
So, cross the road and head on up the slope?
Might as well, Loopster! Go for it!
The mysterious USFS Road not shown on the topo map. Photo looks S.E slope of Peak 6205. Photo looks WSW.
Lupe climbed and climbed. Really was a lot more to this slope than had been visible down by the mysterious USFS road. Good thing, because the top hadn’t looked any higher than HP5880 from below. Wouldn’t have been any point in climbing the wrong mountain.
Plenty of deadfall to avoid, but nothing out of the ordinary these days. The higher Lupe got, the more the glimpses of views between the trees confirmed that this really was Peak6205. She was clearly way above HP5880 by the time the slope began to level out. Coming up from the NE, the Carolina Dog arrived near the S end of Peak 6205’s summit region.
An old board was nailed to a tree, and nearly a dozen rusty cans were strewn about. Remnants of a blue stove with a metal grill sat next to an ancient stone fire ring covered with deadfall. Several large tree trunks had collapsed next to this fire ring. 10 feet N of the ring was a little bench with stone supports and a log seat. Didn’t look like anyone had been here in a long, long time.
Looking NE back the way Lupe came up.
Sort of a mess, isn’t it, SPHP?
Someone must have camped out up here once upon a time, Loop.
Nice spot with room enough for a tiny house, although not much in the way of views. Too many trees!
Probably no views at all when all these dead ones were still standing. Wonder who would have come to a lonely peak like this?
Adventurers of old, SPHP! We’re not the only ones, you know!
Heh. No, I guess not. Well, what do you say we clean this place up a bit? Get it a little more ready for adventurers of the future?
No big rush on that from the look of things, SPHP, but fine with me.
Really not that much to do. SPHP dragged all the deadfall off the fire ring and away from the area around it, pitching it all onto the downed tree trunks nearby. At least it was now out of the way. Then all the rusty cans got gathered up and stuffed into a sack. Once home, they could all go to recycling or the garbage. SPHP took the metal grill for the blue stove, too, but didn’t have room for the stove itself.
Just going to leave this blue stove on the fire ring, Loopster, even though it’s no good anymore. Kind of my exterior decorator touch.
Exterior decorator? Don’t quit the day job, SPHP!
Oh, I won’t! This is it! Climbing no name mountains with a nutty Dingo.
Some humans have all the luck, SPHP!
Looper by the remodeled fire ring. Photo looks N.Does look a little better, SPHP! Lupe on the little bench. Photo looks SSE.
Well, it was time for a break, and then a tour! The usual Taste of the Wild, water, an apple, and a couple of small shared chocolate coconut bars. Lupe then went to see the only clear view from the S end of Peak 6205. From a patch of pine needles and grass, Lupe could look out over Moonshine Gulch toward the rumpled hills to the SE.
Looking SE from Peak 6205.
The true summit of Peak 6205 was NW of the fire ring. Beyond another heaping helping of wretched deadfall was a 40 foot long narrow, stony ridge. The highest rocks were at the NW end.
Not much in the way of views here, either. The best were toward the W. White Tail Peak(6,962 ft.) and Nipple Butte(6,800 ft.) were the most easily distinguished peaks on the horizon.
At the true summit of Peak 6205. Photo looks SSW.White Tail Peak (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks W.Nipple Butte (Center) is the sharpest little blip on the horizon. Photo looks SW.
And that was about it. Nearly an hour after arriving, Lupe returned briefly to the fire ring toward the S end of the summit region before starting back down the mountain the same way she’d come up.
At the more hospitable S end again. Photo looks SSE.Pretty snazzy, SPHP! At least compared to how we found it. Think how happy those future adventurers will be!Starting down the E slope. Photo looks SW.
12:05 PM – Loopster had barely gotten started down the E slope, when SPHP had a change of heart. The American Dingo had made it to Peak 6205 alright, but now what? Just go back? Seemed sort of early for that.
3+ miles as the crow flies. Somewhat longer in practice.
It’ll be dark then before we get back won’t it, SPHP?
No doubt. Don’t think we’ll have much of a problem, though. Mighty nice out for December. Supposed to be a record high for this date, in fact!
Lupe was fine with it. Carolina Dogs love exploring, especially at dusk. Instead of continuing down the E slope, SPHP went back to the NW end of Peak 6205’s summit ridge. Following the ridgeline NW, Lupe began working her way down the mountain that way. She soon saw White Tail Peak again, and even caught a glimpse of Custer Peak(6,804 ft.).
White Tail Peak (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks W.A glimpse of Custer Peak from the NW ridge. Photo looks N.Custer Peak (Center). Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.
A little farther down the ridge, Peak 6205’s N slope opened up a bit. This whole region was full of deadfall. A large grove of aspens was visible W of HP5880 at the bottom of the slope. Leaving the ridgeline, Lupe picked her way down, eventually managing to reach the aspens.
Two grassy lanes through the aspens appeared to be remnants of old roads. One went ESE, passing S of HP5880, apparently destined to link up with the mysterious USFS Road Lupe had run across E of Peak 6205. However, Loop took the other lane, which went ENE.
Near the aspens W of HP5880 (R). From here, Lupe took the lane at far L. Photo looks E.
A short trek on the grassy lane led to a better road beyond the aspens. Lupe followed this new mystery road as it curved N. After 0.25 mile, she came to a “T” intersection. A brown wand identified the road Loop had just taken as USFS Road No. 513.1B, no doubt a spur off No. 513.1, which she had apparently just reached.
On the better road beyond the aspens. HP5880 (L) up in the pines. Photo looks ESE.Glancing back at Peak 6205. Photo looks S.Wand near the junction of USFS Roads No. 513.1B & No. 513.1. Photo looks SSW.
No. 513.1 was a better road yet. SPHP figured it was probably the same one Lupe had come to E of Peak 6205. In that case, it ought to connect by swinging around the N and E sides of HP5880. To test this theory, Lupe turned R at the junction, heading ENE.
Sure enough, No. 513.1 began to curve E, then SE. Most of this territory was flat, but when No. 513.1 started losing elevation, Looper left the road to climb nearby HP5900, the next hill 0.5 mile NNE of HP5880. HP5900 wasn’t much of a climb at all coming from the W, but the Carolina Dog did get a halfway decent look back at Peak 6205 from it.
Peak 6205 (L) from HP5900. Photo looks SSW.
On the way over here, Lupe had passed USFS Road No. 513.1C, another spur off No. 513.1 which went N, the general direction she needed to go. Since No. 513.1C wasn’t too far back and would be a lot easier than a trek through the forest, Loop returned to it.
At the start of USFS Road No. 513.1C where it leaves No. 513.1. Photo looks N.
No. 513.1C was clearly marked as a dead end, but Lupe followed it for nearly 0.5 mile. A long, gradual descent led to a slow rise. Near the end, No. 513.1C split, with one branch curving off to the E. Lupe left the road near this intersection, continuing to wander N through the forest.
Following No. 513.1C. Photo looks N.
Passing over a broad, gentle saddle, the American Dingo reached the start of a forested slope lower. The terrain steepened and forced her to turn NE, staying SE of a deepening ravine. After losing a fair amount of elevation in the trackless forest, Lupe came to a spot where she could easily cross over to the N side of the ravine. Here she came to an animal trail going NE down the slope.
On the animal trail. Photo looks NE.
Near the bottom of the valley Lupe was entering, the animal trail crossed another mysterious old road. The trail then turned NNE passing through a short section of forest. Having lost a good 200 feet of elevation, Looper finally emerged on the W side of a broad, grassy valley.
Moonshine Gulch, Peak 6205, and all of today’s explorations since then had all been territory Lupe had never been to before, but she had been here years ago. Loopster had made it to the Silver Creek valley. Greens Gulch, the way to Minnesota Ridge(6,240 ft.), split off to the NE only 0.33 mile farther upstream.
We’ve been here before! This is the Silver Creek valley. Photo looks N.
Silver Creek was a small stream, small enough to leap over. Lupe did so on her way to USFS Road No. 203.1F on the E side of the valley. Upon reaching the road, Loop followed it N, then NE into Greens Gulch. 0.33 mile trek up Greens Gulch brought the Carolina Dog to an intersection she recognized from Black Hills expeditions long ago.
By Silver Creek after leaping over it. Photo looks NW.In Greens Gulch, approaching a familiar intersection. Photo looks NE.
SPHP remembered at least one wand, maybe two, marking the roads at this junction, but none were to be seen now. Checking the maps, it was clear Lupe needed to keep going E up Greens Gulch on USFS Road No. 203.1D, the only road she’d never taken before from this intersection. No. 203.1D would get her up to a saddle SE of Minnesota Ridge.
Starting up No. 203.1D, Lupe came to a brilliantly lit field of dry grass. At the far end, the road entered the forest and climbed more steeply. After gaining more than 200 feet of elevation, Looper still hadn’t come to the saddle yet, but she’d reached another smaller field and the terrain was beginning to level out. The road continued SE from here, but Lupe left No. 203.1D taking a shortcut straight E.
5 minutes led to a 15 foot high embankment. Climbing it, Lupe reached the SW rim of Minnesota Ridge. Turning NW, she quickly came upon a minor rock outcropping.
In the brilliantly lit field along USFS Road No. 203.1D. Photo looks ESE.At the upper field, still on No. 203.1D. Photo looks NW.First minor rock outcropping along the SW edge of Minnesota Ridge. Photo looks NE.
Minnesota Ridge encompasses a large, elevated region of pine forest. Nearly all of it is gently sloping, except along the SW edge where the rim of a long escarpment features rock formations ranging from only a few feet to as much as 30 feet high.
Although Lupe had explored portions of Minnesota Ridge on a number of different occasions, the only other time she had come looking for the summit she had discovered a series of slightly higher rocks as she’d headed NW along the edge of the escarpment. This time it wouldn’t be necessary to visit all those false “summits”, since the true summit was now known to be nearly 0.5 mile from here.
Gunfire! Hunters to the NE! Still unseen, they couldn’t be too far away. Instantly transformed into a Chicken Dingo, Looper slunk quietly NW, sticking to SPHP like glue. More shots were heard at intervals of several minutes before the incident ended. By then, Lupe had come to a more open region along the escarpment. Peak6205 was visible 3 miles SSW.
Successfully eluded death and destruction! There’s Peak 6205 (Center). Photo looks SSW.
The last time Lupe had been here, the area close to the true summit had been a deadfall jungle. The Carolina Dog reached a couple of rocks that looked familiar near the SE end of this region, getting up on both for a look around. The deadfall was still here, and matters were now further complicated by dense young pines springing up amidst it all.
Pretty sure I’ve been on this rock before.This one, too!
The true summit wasn’t much farther, only a few hundred feet of little pines and deadfall left to weave through. When Lupe reached another line of rocks, she knew she was about there.
Farther NW, among the young pines.Real close to the true summit now!
The true summit was off to the NE, 30 or 40 feet from the escarpment in a part of the forest that was still happily largely deadfall-free. Loop and SPHP tromped about this slightly elevated flat region, but as before, nothing stood out as the clear high point. Face it – the true summit of Minnesota Ridge was a roomy, but not terribly interesting place.
Weren’t there bigger rock formations where we saw huge birds flying around here last time, SPHP?
Yes! There were, Loop. Turkey vultures, if I remember right. That’s a little lower ground, but not too far from here, just a bit farther NW.
Well, that was a lot more scenic, SPHP! Why don’t we go over there?
Good idea! We can hang out for a little while, and see if the big birds are still circling by.
NW of the true summit where the largest rock formations of the entire escarpment are. Photo looks NW.This is more like it!
The big rock formations were easily found. No turkey vultures this time, though. The sun was already quite close to the horizon. A short break was all Lupe had time for. Taste of the Wild, the last apple and chocolate coconut bars all disappeared.
Trees had grown up enough to pretty much hide whatever limited views had been here years ago. Looper did what she could, though. Exploring the rim of the escarpment, she gazed out toward the setting sun, or peered into the forest below.
No more turkey vultures, SPHP!Sort of makes you wonder what ever happened to them?Exploring the escarpment.
The sun was down well before Lupe got back to USFS Road No. 203.1D near the SE end of Minnesota Ridge. As dusk deepened, she followed the road W. Stars twinkled above by the time she’d retraced her journey on No. 203.1F through Greens Gulch back down to the Silver Creek valley.
SPHP had a bright idea. Instead of following No. 203.1F S down Silver Creek, why not go W? The topo map showed a road going all the way to USFS Road No. 17, the highway N of Rochford. No. 17 was only a little over a mile away. Although a longer route back to the G6 overall, the rest of the march would be easy.
So from Greens Gulch, Lupe took a dirt road that went NW. It curved W, as the map showed, crossed a muddy low spot containing the remnant of Silver Creek, then proceeded W on a long abandoned route.
It all went as planned until lights appeared ahead. Avoiding private property, Lupe took a single track trail up a grassy draw that went S or SW. After gaining a fair amount of elevation, she topped out. In the weak beam of the little flashlight, no further route W could be seen. However, the single lane track continued S, or maybe SE. Hard to tell what to do in the dark, but sticking with the trail seemed the best option.
Exactly where Lupe went on this black December night is now a matter of conjecture. Somehow she wound up following a road, probably USFS Road No. 217.1A, back down into the Silver Creek valley. She eventually reached a private road leading to Silver Creek Road (No. 204), passing a number of homes decorated with cheery Christmas lights along the way.
A half moon was up by the time the American Dingo reached Rochford Road. Not far now. Only 0.25 mile W to the G6 still silently waiting at the start of Moonshine Gulch. (7:14 PM, 51ºF)
Sunset from USFS Road No. 203.1D near Minnesota Ridge, Black Hills of South Dakota, 12-8-20
After 3 weeks of very cold weather, suddenly the forecast was for 70°F! Lupe couldn’t have been happier. An expedition was in the works! Lupe ran over to Dog Heaven and got permission for her buddy, Sidney, to come along, too. Big Sid was equally thrilled with this turn of events. It had been nearly 3 months since the last time he’d joined Lupe on Expedition No. 72 back on her 3rd birthday in December. This would be his 7th Black Hills expedition with her.
Before long, SPHP was parking the G6 along USFS Road No. 616 (9:36 AM, 48°F), a little N of its junction with Rochford Road. This was in the SE part of a roughly 5 square mile area shown on the old USFS map as the “Black Hills Experimental Forest”. What was experimental about it was never clear. The whole area was ponderosa pine forest with a few aspens mixed in, indistinguishable from the rest of the Black Hills.
Snow was melting in the forest, as Lupe and Sidney set out on No. 616 going N. The road was still hard snow-packed and icy. Loop and Big Sid spent most of the time roaming the forest nearby having a blast, while SPHP trudged along the slick surface. After 0.25 mile, a junction with USFS Road No. 660 was reached. No 660 was clearly less traveled and looked more interesting, so Lupe and company took it.
At first, No. 660 lost elevation gradually. It wound around near the S and then the W border of the Experimental Forest. By the time it turned N, the road was gaining elevation steadily. After a little while, Lupe was starting to get glimpses of views off to the SW. However, along a fairly level section of road, she and Sidney saw something of much greater interest. Off to the NE, something was moving in the trees!
Giant deer! Lupe and Sidney were enthralled. SPHP counted 17 elk for certain, and there were probably more. It was the biggest herd of giant deers Lupe had ever seen. The elk ran off as soon as they realized they had company, quickly disappearing from view. So cool!
Continuing N, the road started gaining elevation again. Lupe came to an opening in the forest with an unobstructed view to the SW. The views were getting better. Beyond the viewpoint, No. 660 angled NE re-entering the forest. Lupe passed by a couple of big puddles on the NW side of the road. The first one was an interesting yellow-orange color.
This first big meltwater puddle on the NW side of USFS Road No. 660 was an unusual yellow-orange color. Photo looks NW.
By the time Lupe passed the second puddle, she was approaching a ridge to the N. No. 660 would soon turn E to rejoin No. 616 again, but the plan was to go NW toward Minnesota Ridge. Shortly after passing the second puddle, Lupe, Big Sid and SPHP all left the road heading NW. The dogs discovered a small meadow with the best view yet.
This small meadow was a little NW of where Lupe and Sidney left USFS Road No. 660. It had the best distant view yet. Photo looks WSW.
After enjoying the view from the meadow, Lupe and Big Sid continued NW, leaving the Experimental Forest. The top of the ridge to the N was now only a little higher than where they were, so they climbed up on it. The ridgeline was rather rocky and narrower than SPHP expected. Lupe and Sidney followed it WSW a short distance before SPHP called a halt to check the map.
During the break, both dogs were extraordinarily helpful at reducing SPHP’s chocolate chip and oatmeal cookie burden.
Lupe and Sidney at the break point on the ridge. Here they proved most helpful at reducing SPHP’s chocolate chip and oatmeal cookie burden. Photo looks WSW.So, SPHP, that pack looks kind of heavy. Are you quite certain there aren’t any more cookies in there I could help you with? Looking back ENE along the ridgeline. Although this ridge was fairly high, the views were nothing to write home about.
The map had shown that the S end of Minnesota Ridge was still more than a mile W. When the cookie break was over, Lupe and Big Sid continued WSW along the rocky ridgeline. The high rocky part soon ended, and everyone started down a slope going SW. Lupe emerged from the forest at a big sunny open area where the forest appeared to have been clear cut. From here, a logging trail led down to USFS Road No. 204.
Lupe and Sidney reached No. 204 at its high point at a minor pass. They didn’t follow the road. Instead, they crossed it heading W into forest and started climbing Minnesota Ridge. As they gained elevation, the amount of snow and deadfall timber around increased rapidly. Lupe expended a tremendous amount of energy leaping over deadfall and 2 foot high snowdrifts.
Eventually, a tall rock ledge appeared ahead. Lupe, Big Sid and SPHP climbed up on it for a look around. The former views to the S and SW were blocked by trees, but now snowy Custer Peak(6804 ft.) could be seen off to the NNW. After admiring the view, SPHP led Lupe and Sidney NW picking a way along the ledge.
SPHP expected the ledge to slowly sink back into the easier surrounding terrain. Instead, the ledge became even higher. 20 foot cliffs were on both sides. Deep fissures in the rocks, combined with snow and small trees growing up in the cracks made traversing the ledge slow and tricky. At a particularly wide crack in the rocks, Lupe and Sidney finally found a way down through a 40 foot long passage.
Looking back up the deep crack in the rocks that Lupe and Sidney used to get off the rock ledge.
Once off the rock ledge, Lupe and Sidney resumed a steady climb going NW through the forest. Snow was everywhere now, perhaps 1.5 to 2 feet deep on average, with drifts up to 3 feet deep. Lupe didn’t complain, but SPHP began to worry she was going to wear herself out and get cold. Big Sid was well insulated, and being considerably larger, had far less trouble.
SPHP wondered why Lupe hadn’t reached USFS Road No. 203 yet? If she went too far N, she would miss the road entirely. Even though it meant losing elevation, it was time to change course and head SW to find the road. It proved to be farther away than SPHP expected, but Lupe did come to it. She turned N on No. 203, resuming her climb of Minnesota Ridge.
A side road heading W with a sign saying Green Gulch Loop appeared. SPHP remembered this place. Lupe had passed by here on a prior expedition. At the time, Green Gulch Loop had looked like an interesting place to explore. SPHP expected it would take Lupe up and over the ridge to the W then down into Green Gulch.
Not true, as it turned out. The road began promisingly enough going W while gaining elevation, but before long Green Gulch Loop made a big curve back to the S. Lupe and Sid started coming to a number of hillbilly cabins and old campers up on a relatively narrow ridge. Signs at each property said “Private Property”, “Beware of Dog” or “No Trespassing”. The fanciest home featured a big tattered Confederate flag flying on a tall flagpole at an exposed part of the ridge.
Lupe reached a place where it looked like the road ended. A house and garage were practically right on Green Gulch Loop. A sign said “Smile You’re On Camera”. Another sign mentioned a dog. SPHP hesitated, unsure if this was the end or not. Although there were plenty of tire tracks in the snow, none of them were fresh. No people or dogs were evident anywhere. Deep valleys were to the E and W.
After a couple minutes, SPHP decided to see if Lupe and Big Sid could go around this property. Everyone left the road skirting around to the W, away from the house and garage. The maneuver succeeded. Surprisingly, Green Gulch Loop did continue S beyond the home. Lupe and Sid passed by a couple more decaying shacks along the way before they were completely beyond the strange hillbilly camp.
Green Gulch Loop stayed up high until the narrow ridge petered out. Near the end, Lupe and Big Sid lost considerable elevation before arriving at an intersection where several USFS roads headed off in different directions. Lupe had been here before on Expedition No. 51 nearly a year ago on 3-14-13. Since it was time to start thinking about working back toward the G6, Lupe and Sidney took USFS Road No. 204 going E. In about 0.75 mile, it would link up with No. 203.
By now the ice on the road was getting soft and slushy. Wherever there wasn’t ice and slush, there was mud. Fortunately, ice still prevailed. Lupe and Sid were losing elevation, so it was a pleasant stroll. The road turned NE and the intersection with No. 203 came into view ahead. Surprisingly, another intersection was closer. A road led S into a shallow valley with nice open ground. A sign said this was Killoern Springs Road. This road wasn’t shown on the USFS map, but the shallow valley looked appealing. Lupe and Big Sid made the turn S.
After only a short distance, Killoern Springs Road turned W and climbed up out of the shallow valley. However, SPHP recognized this place from Expedition No. 51, too. A pole fence running E/W partially blocked the way farther S down the shallow valley, but an ATV trail could be seen continuing beyond the fence. That was the way to go! Lupe, Sidney and SPHP left Killoern Springs Road, went around the pole fence, and followed the ATV trail.
Lupe and Sidney had a great time in the shallow valley. The ground was nearly level and open. Snow was still present, but far less than had been up on Minnesota Ridge. Both dogs ran around as they pleased. Lupe was excited by several large birds which flew down the valley not very far above her. A small stream appeared, a western tributary of Gimlet Creek. Several times the ATV trail forded the stream, but the creek was so small even SPHP could leap across it.
The ATV trail forded this western tributary of Gimlet Creek several times, but the stream was so small even SPHP could simply leap over it. Photo looks SSW.Due to the melting snow, the tiny stream had good flow.Loopster and Sidney had a great time in the shallow valley leading to Gimlet Creek.
The shallow valley had been slowly turning SE. After nearly a mile, it broadened out and turned directly E. Another 0.25 mile brought Lupe to a small pond she had seen before on Expedition No. 51. A nice bridge crossed the stream again at the dam. Everyone went over the bridge. Gimlet Creek could now be seen off to the E. It flowed down another valley from the N on its way to its confluence with the tributary Lupe and Sid had been following.
Lupe, Sidney and SPHP headed E to Gimlet Creek, then turned N to explore part of this new valley, too. Several more creek crossings were required, but it was still fairly easy to find ways across. At the last crossing, a few boards helped SPHP get over the creek. After going 100 yards farther, SPHP suddenly realized Lupe and Sidney weren’t here! Where were they? Turning around, SPHP saw them back near the last creek crossing. Big Sid was watching Lupe.
Lupe came running toward SPHP. She was carrying something in her mouth – a piece of deer leg! Lupe had occasionally found pieces of deer legs and carcasses in the forest on prior expeditions, but none like this one. This deer leg was red with blood! Fur, a little meat, and sinewy membranes still clung to the bone.
Lupe considered this deer leg the find of a century! She couldn’t have been happier if she had come across an ancient Egyptian tomb full of golden treasures. To her the deer leg was a treasure! She growled menacing warnings at Sidney whenever he got close. Sidney had the good sense to stay away and show no interest.
Lupe was crazy for the deer leg. She tore at it, cutting pieces of fur and sinew off using her molars like scissors. She devoured what little meat and sinew there was, even though she wound up swallowing a lot of fur in the process. Lupe didn’t care. She acted like a ravenous wolf. It all came very naturally to her. She knew exactly what to do!
It was the find of a century! Lupe was crazy for this deer leg she found in the Gimlet Creek valley. She growled warnings at Sidney whenever he got close.
Lupe wasn’t about to abandon her deer leg, so SPHP watched while Loop did her best to consume every last morsel of meat or gristle she could tear off it.
A savage American Dingo devours a deer in the Gimlet Creek valley!
Finally, after 20 or 30 minutes, hardly anything was left of the deer leg other than fur and bone. SPHP persuaded Lupe that it was time to press on. She agreed with great reluctance. Several times she ran back for her precious deer leg, picking it up and carrying it a bit farther. At last, she finally dropped the deer leg for good.
The valley split into two valleys just ahead to the N. Gimlet Creek flowed down from the valley that went straight N. The other valley was dry and came down from the NE. It was time to try to find USFS Road No. 660 in the Experimental Forest again, which couldn’t be much farther away to the E. Lupe, Sidney and SPHP left Gimlet Creek going up the dry NE valley.
Lupe hadn’t gone very far when suddenly there was gunfire! One shot, then another. It was coming from the direction Lupe was headed. The ferocious, deer-devouring Dingo vanished in an instant. Lupe begged for SPHP’s help. Hide me! Hide me! Hold me! Protect me! Sidney was completely unfazed. He paid no more attention to the gunfire than he had to the rotten deer leg.
Several more gunshots rang out. Lupe was desperate to get away. Sadly, the Carolina Dog wasn’t far from where she and Sidney had earlier seen the herd of 17 elk. SPHP was afraid the beautiful elk were being slaughtered. It was a most depressing thought.
Sidney and SPHP turned SE to flee up and out of the valley, while Lupe kept begging SPHP to stop and protect her. The valley wasn’t all that deep, but an anxious Dingo constantly leaping in the way didn’t make for a quick escape. SPHP gave in and carried the concerned Carolina Dog partway up the hillside.
Shortly after the terrain started leveling out, Big Sid found USFS road No. 660 again. By now a total of 5 or 6 gunshots had been heard. SPHP put Lupe down again. Everyone took off down No. 660 racing away to the S. To Lupe’s enormous relief, no more gunfire was heard. The rest of the way back to USFS Road No. 616 and the G6 was uneventful (5:06 PM, 50°F).
Lupe’s day with Big Sid in the Experimental Forest and on Minnesota Ridge was over, but her Expedition No. 78 adventures were not! A little after midnight, SPHP woke to the sound of a Carolina Dog puking up her spaghetti dinner. Oh, joy! SPHP got up, cleaned up the mess, and snuggled in again with the queasy companion.
Ten minutes later, Lupe gave a repeat performance. This time she threw up fur and grimy deer leg sinews. Another cleanup ensued. Lupe felt much better and slept soundly after that. Expedition No. 78 officially ended in the morning when clean sheets and bedding were restored to the bed after a thorough cleaning in the washer and dryer.
Could there be any doubt, though, that given the chance to do it all over again Lupe would relish devouring the next deer leg she finds in the forest? Of all the treasures Lupe has found on her many adventures, that spoiled rotten deer leg was the most wonderful, glittering prize of all!
