Peak 4760 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 289 – The Lists of John Mini-Blitz (1-11-22)

8:45 AM, 44ºF, S Rockerville Road – Although a sign insisted this was a privately maintained driveway, a brown wand also confirmed that this was USFS Road No. 641. SPHP parked the RAV4 at a wide spot.

Think we’re good here, Loopster. Private property nearby, but No. 641 is USFS land all the way to Peak 4760.

Start of USFS Road No. 641. Photo looks SE.

The sign that caused momentary consternation.

No. 641 started out heading SE, slowly gaining elevation. A little cool in the shade, but still a very warm morning for January.

Is this the start of the blitz you mentioned last time, SPHP?

Indeed it is, Loop. Actually, just a mini-blitz.

Mind explaining what you mean by that?

Oh, it’s quite simple actually. You’re closing in on an achievement, dear Dingo! If it hadn’t been so smoky last summer, you would have already finished it. Since you didn’t, we’re just going to plug away at it now at the start of 2022 every time the weather is decent until you get it over and done with. That’s the blitz part of it.

So we’re going to be climbing a bunch of mountains? Sounds good, but what is this mysterious achievement, and how long is it going to take, SPHP?

The achievement is a surprise. I’ll let you know when your done. Expect you to finish maybe in late, late January, more likely in February. Depends on the weather and how well it goes. The mountains we’ll be climbing are all Lists of John peaks we’ve never been to before right here in the Black Hills that all have at least 300 feet of prominence. Unless, of course, we wind up going somewhere else for a big finish!

That would be cool, SPHP! Especially in January, unless we go a long way S!

Yeah, we’ll have to see on that, Loopster. Not sure yet what we’ll wind up doing, but in the meantime you’re going to be busy right here in the good ol’ Black Hills.

Should be fun, but we’ve already been climbing quite a few Lists of John Peaks lately. How is this any different?

More peaks, more often, until you’re done. A blitz!

Whatever, SPHP! Sounds like the same thing we’ve been doing, but if it means I get to explore more mountains, I’m all for it. Lists of John mini-blitz it is!

0.25 mile and the road topped out as it began to curve S.

Thar she blows, Looper! Going to be a snap!

Is that our first Lists of John mini-blitz peak already, SPHP?

Yup. Peak 4760! No doubt about it. Numero uno dead ahead!

The hill SPHP was referring to was already in sight a little over 0.5 mile away. Forested, but not all that big. Really didn’t look hard at all.

No. 641 wound around toward the S a bit, then turned E, dipping down to cross a drainage before starting to climb again. Lupe passed a road to the N that must have gone to one of the private properties, and soon thereafter went right past a big house. All easy peasy.

Approaching from the NW, the Carolina Dog arrived at a fork in the road at the base of the mountain. No. 641.1B went L, while No. 641 veered R. Hardly mattered. Both routes would probably work out just fine.

Following USFS Road No. 641 as it winds S. Photo looks SW.

About to cross the drainage. **Peak 4760** (Center). Photo looks ESE.

At the fork. No. 641.1B goes L. No. 641 goes R. Photo looks SSW.

Sticking with No. 641, Lupe went R. The road climbed just a little before topping out. Off to the SW, there was already a terrific, if distant, view of Mount Rushmore (5,725 ft.) and Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.). A couple more scenic hills were ahead, but Lupe wouldn’t be visiting them.

**Black Elk Peak** (Center), **Mount Rushmore** (L of Center). Photo looks SW.

Leaving the road at about its high point, Lupe started climbing through open forest. Although Peak 4760 had appeared heavily forested from a distance, she didn’t have to go far before a clearing was visible ahead. Crumbling limestone littered a sunny hillside below a more intact cap. This last part of the climb was short, but steep.

On the sunny upper slope. Photo looks. NE.

Near the limestone cap. Photo looks ENE.

The top of the mountain was broad, and tilted gradually up toward the NW. Lupe had come up at a big clearing near the true summit, which was along the NW edge of the mountain. A limestone platform offered another big view of Black Elk Peak and Mount Rushmore.

The big clearing near the NW end of the mountain. Photo looks SE.

At the **true summit**. **Black Elk Peak** (beyond Lupe). Photo looks SW.

**Mount Rushmore** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (R). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.

9:35 AM, 48ºF, Peak 4760 –

Our Lists of John mini-blitz is off to a great start, SPHP! This was easy!

Certainly had been. A break hardly seemed warranted yet, but Lupe took one at the true summit. Even if she was on the mini-blitz now, that didn’t mean she couldn’t spend a little while up on top experiencing the mountain. That would be just too big of a breach of tradition! Might as well share a chocolate coconut bar, whether truly earned yet, or not.

Instead of her usual summit hour, the American Dingo spent a mere 30 minutes up on Peak 4760. Plenty of time to wander about having a look at the views. Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.) and Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) were both in sight from the true summit. From the SW edge, a big ridge, part of which must have included Woodpecker Ridge (5,680 ft.), could be seen to the SSW.

**Silver Mountain** (L) and **Boulder Hill** (R). Photo looks NW.

Looking SSW in the general direction of **Woodpecker Ridge** (Center).

Half an hour zoomed by. On the way down, Lupe journeyed SE through most of the big clearing before starting down the SW slope. Not quite as steep this way. Once below the limestone cap, it was back down the rocky hillside to the forest, and ultimately USFS Road No. 641 again.

Heading down. **Black Elk Peak** (Center). Photo looks SW.

Passing below the region where Lupe went up during the ascent. Photo looks N.

Which way now, SPHP?

Back to the RAV4, Looper! These Lists of John peaks are scattered around enough so that we’ll have to drive between them. Our “blitz” would take a month of Sundays trudging from one to the next.

10:41 AM, 50ºF, Playhouse Road a mile S of Hwy 40 – Wasn’t all that far to the next starting point. A 10 minute drive, and Loop was leaping out of the RAV4 again at a minor pass along Playhouse Road. Beyond a green cattle guard, USFS Road No. 359.1C curved away into the forest.

That way, SPHP?

Absolutely! Onward! Puppy, ho!

No. 359.1C wound W, then NW. For an abandoned road according to the topo map, it sure seemed to be in good shape. Loopster soon found out why. After a steepish climb approaching HP4600, the road leveled out at a pass. No fence, but the road ahead was posted. The signs looked new.

Setting out on USFS Road No. 359.1C. **HP4600** (R). Photo looks W.

Starting the climb toward **HP4600**. Photo looks WNW.

At the posted pass along **HP4600‘s S ridge**. Photo looks W.

Well, shoot, Loop! This was supposed to be our easy route to Peak 5000. Guess we should have started out by the sewage ponds. Would have been shorter, anyway. And here, I thought this would be better.

Sewage ponds! Forget that, SPHP! Can’t we go around this private land?

Yeah, more effort than a road hike, though. Gonna slow down your blitz!

Looking 30 feet back down the road the way Lupe had come up, SPHP noticed a line of posts and survey ribbons. Must be the property line!

Guess we can go around the edge that way, Looper. C’mon!

Heading NE along the line of posts, it wasn’t far to a property corner. Able to turn NW again, Lupe was happy to see a snowy slope. Climbing past the snow, she then turned N passing E of HP4600‘s summit. A valley was just ahead. Peak 4894 now in sight due W. More toward the N, and farther away, part of Peak 5000 was visible, too.

On the snowy **upper E slopes of HP4600**. Photo looks NW.

**Peak 4894** (L of Center). Photo looks W.

A house was visible down in a saddle to the W. Clearly private property over that way. Staying well NE of the house, Lupe descended into the valley ahead. At the bottom, she passed a pile of slash leftover from a logging operation. It looked old, but the American Dingo came to more recently logged territory after starting up the other side of the valley.

Crossing the valley. **Peak 4894** (Center). Photo looks WSW.

On a recently logged slope. Photo looks NW.

Continuing N and NW, trying to avoid private property, but not always succeeding, judging from National Forest boundary signs sometimes met along the way, Looper finally reached another valley.

Down in the heavily forested valley, it wasn’t clear exactly what route would be best from here.

Must be somewhere SE of Peak 5000 now. Just start climbing, Loopster!

Picking a hillside that didn’t look too terribly steep, Lupe charged up. After gaining 60 or 70 feet of elevation, she reached a narrow ridgeline that rose steadily to the NW. Seemed like a reasonable route higher.

Rock formations, fallen trees, dense forest, and a couple more National Forest boundary signs. Progress was kind of slow, and it wasn’t at all clear what was USFS land and what wasn’t. Maybe it didn’t matter too much? The whole region seemed surprisingly remote and untouched.

After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, Lupe arrived at a clearing. The terrain was flatter now. Remnants of a long abandoned electric fence were up here. All three strands of wire were flat on the ground.

This is kind of strange, don’t you think, SPHP?

Yeah, I do. We’re less than a mile from Keystone. Wonder if we’re going to come to a housing subdivision? Let’s follow this fence. Must be some kind of a border. Probably can’t mess up too badly, if we stay close to it.

Loop followed what was left of the electric fence NW until it vanished. Continuing NW, she kept passing National Forest boundary signs. The ground kept rising, but at a slower and slower pace.

Eventually a rock formation could be seen only a short distance ahead. Looked like a high point.

Get up there, Looper!

Is this the summit, SPHP?

Hard to say. Might be.

No views here! Way too many trees. Nothing to see.

Oh, yes there is, SPHP! Look at this!

30 feet NW of the big rock Lupe had just been on, there was a bearing tree, survey marker, and a couple more National Forest boundary signs.

That wasn’t all. Within sight farther NW was Peak 5000 Stonehenge!

At **Peak 5000 Stonehenge**. Photo looks NW.

Oh, I bet this place is magical! Stand back, SPHP! I’ll get inside, and see what happens.

Be careful, Loopster! Remember the space port at South Baldy? That was weird enough!

Inside **Peak 5000 Stonehenge**. Photo looks ENE.

Surrounded by the odd vertical rocks of the Peak 5000 Stonehenge, Lupe stood there for a minute or two.

Anything happening, Loop? I can’t tell any difference.

Not even a tingle, SPHP. Maybe we need to come back at midnight during a full moon? The magic would be a lot more powerful then.

Heh. Don’t bet on that ever happening, Looper. Was hard enough to find this place in broad daylight.

The tops of the tallest Stonehenge rocks looked like they might actually be Peak 5000’s high point, but that illusion was quickly dispelled. The ground rose again as Loopster continued NW. She soon passed a minor ridge to the W that was definitely higher than Peak 5000 Stonehenge, or the first big rock back at the survey marker. However, an even higher spot was now visible a little off to the NE.

Approaching the **SE summit**. Photo looks NE.

It was sunny when Lupe first reached the flat top of a little ridge. A few small rocks with a scratchy, leafless bush growing among them formed an undramatic high point scarcely a foot above the rest of the terrain.

I think this is it, Looper!

The true summit of Peak 5000?

Yup.

Chocolate coconut bar time! Lupe and SPHP sat down together enjoying the warm sun. Nearly 60ºF! In January, no less. Taste of the Wild, an apple, and water rounded out the provisions that met the same fate as the chocolate coconut bar.

You were wrong, SPHP!

About what, this time?

The housing subdivision.

Oh, yeah. Well, I’m glad about that. Peak 5000 is better like this, anyway. Gets awkward real fast when the true summit of a mountain is someone’s front yard.

Peak 5000’s summit had two points of interest. One was a small pit 30 feet S of the high point. Lupe ventured over for a look at it, but wasn’t overly impressed. No pendulum. The other was a surprising view.

Although trees blocked the views in all directions save one, that lone view was unique. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.), the highest mountain in South Dakota, was lined up behind Mount Rushmore (5,725 ft.), South Dakota’s most famous mountain.

The **pit** (the shadow at far R). Photo looks S.

By the not-so-fascinating pit. Photo looks S.

**Mount Rushmore** (L), **Black Elk Peak** (R). Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.

What now, SPHP? On to the next mountain?

Not going to be a next mountain, Loop. Took too long to get here after we got forced off USFS Road No. 359.1C.

Lupe couldn’t leave Peak 5000 yet, anyway. One more rise was visible 300 feet farther NW. Didn’t look quite as high as where the Carolina Dog was now, but she’d better check it out, just in case.

Looking toward the next high spot to the NW.

Good thing she did! The next rise went a little farther and higher than it first appeared. By the time Lupe got to the top, it was clear that this area was in contention for the title of Peak 5000’s true summit. Several large rocks along the E edge might well be it. Would almost bet money on it! Loopster scrambled up to the top.

Looking back toward the **SE summit** (R) from the **NW summit area**. Photo looks SE.

At the **NW summit high point** (and likely **true summit)**. Photo looks E.

Whether the shady rocks of the NW summit, or the sunny hill of the SE summit, was actually the true high point was never entirely clear, but Lupe had been to both. Might as well head back to the RAV4! Returning briefly to the SE high point, Loopster went over it, continuing S or SE through the same heavily forested region she’d been through earlier.

Returning to the **SE summit**. Photo looks SE.

After passing Peak 5000 Stonehenge, and following the remains of the electric fence back to the clearing where she’d first reached the S ridge, Lupe went just a little farther S to an opening where a bulldozer had cleared a level spot. Off to the WSW, was another, much more open view of Mount Rushmore and Black Elk Peak, lined up even more perfectly here than they had been at Peak 5000’s SE summit.

**Mount Rushmore** and **Black Elk Peak** (Center) from the bulldozer clearing. Photo looks WSW.

**Mount Rushmore** & **Black Elk Peak**. Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.

Then it was back down the same steep SE ridge that Lupe had explored on the way up. Once in the second valley she’d come to on the way to Peak 5000, going down it seemed the better choice, skipping the woodsy trek necessary to avoid all the private property and get back to USFS Road No. 359.1C.

Turned out that this valley really was a far better route. The American Dingo soon came to an old jeep trail, which became a super easy trek as the valley eventually began to widen out.

Heading down the old jeep trail. Photo looks NE.

In the snowy lower valley. Photo looks E.

The adventure was more or less over when Lupe reached the sewage ponds near Playhouse Road. They turned out to be bone dry. Perhaps they were defunct?

A 0.67 mile trudge back up paved Playhouse Road to the RAV4 waiting at the start of USFS Road No. 359.1C was all that remained. Some traffic to watch out for, but not all that much. Lupe trotted along, pausing when SPHP did to gather the inevitable Lupe treasures in the ditches.

Humanity is a mess, isn’t it, SPHP?

Yeah, much of it is, Looper. Some things never change.

We aren’t climbing any more peaks today?

Nope. Getting too late.

Not much of a Lists of John blitz, was it, SPHP? We only got to two peaks!

Peak 5000 took longer than I expected, Loop. Besides, blitzing isn’t our strong point. Kind of the opposite of our usual lackadaisical wanderings. Maybe we need a little practice at it?

Well, maybe practice would make a difference, and maybe not. Hard to break old habits. In any case, the Lists of John mini-blitz was at least off to some kind of a start. One thing for sure. Wouldn’t be long before the Black Hills Dingo would be back at it again! (End 3:00 PM, 48ºF)

**Black Elk Peak** & **Mount Rushmore** from **Peak 4760**, Black Hills, South Dakota 1-11-22

Lupe treasures gathered – 15 aluminum cans, 1 glass bottle.

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 286 – Peak 4780 & Peak 4760 (12-2-21)

8:06 AM, 50ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Alkali Creek trailhead – Kind of a gray day, but pleasantly warm for December.

Centennial Trail No. 89 again, SPHP?

Hah! Yeah. You don’t mind do you, Loop?

Oh, no! I love the Centennial Trail, it’s just that we’ve been here several times recently. I was sort of expecting something different.

Well, you can blame poor planning on my part, Loopster. I should have checked out the Meade County Lists of John peaks before we came down here from the Elk Creek trailhead on Expedition No. 274. Didn’t even think about that. We could have tagged a couple of 300+ foot prominence peaks along the way.

So we’re going back to tag them today, SPHP?

Yup! Shouldn’t be too hard, we’ll be on Centennial Trail No. 89 most of the time. The peaks we’re going to are way back up in the hills, but not too far from the trail.

At the **Alkali Creek trailhead**. Photo looks NW.

Crossing the access road, Lupe set out following Centennial Trail No. 89 WNW through grasslands overlooking scrub oaks down in the Alkali Creek valley. She soon reached I-90, passed through a tunnel beneath it, under a railroad trestle, then up into a big field. From here, the trail headed SW gradually climbing toward the hills.

Setting out on Centennial Trail No. 89 along the **N side of the Alkali Creek valley**. Photo looks WNW.

The railroad trestle just past the tunnel. Photo looks SW.

Looking back toward I-90. Photo looks E.

Right after Centennial Trail No. 89 reached the forest at the base of the hills, Lupe left it venturing a short distance NW to a viewpoint where Alkali Creek passed through a narrow gap between small limestone cliffs. The creekbed was just a dry wash here.

By the limestone gap where Alkali Creek leaves the Black Hills. Photo looks NW.

Once back on Centennial Trail No. 89 again, the trail made a quick loop S before returning to the Alkali Creek valley. Heading SW, Lupe passed a scenic cliff, then entered a two-toned forest – the dark green of all the Ponderosa pines above, and dry orange of dead leaves still clinging to bushes below.

The trail soon left the Alkali Creek valley, turning SE up a side ravine. A layer of limestone cliffs capped the ridge to the NE. Lupe wandered up beneath the cliffs to sniff around and check them out.

A little above the trail, exploring along the base of the cliffs. Photo looks S.

Near the upper end of the ravine, just past the last of the cliffs, Loopster came to Poett’s Corner. By a rickety wooden gate, a poster was attached to a tree. A bell hung below the poster.

Although Lupe had been past Poett’s corner on several other Black Hills expeditions, she had never seen Poett. Poett was nowhere in sight now, either.

Kind of makes you wonder if Poett is still around, doesn’t it, SPHP?

Yes, it does, Looper. No telling what’s happened to Poett. Maybe Poett moved away, or has become bored with this trail and doesn’t come here any more?

Well, whatever happened, I hope Poett’s OK, SPHP! Hate to think that Poett might have gotten lost or stolen, or anything terrible like that.

Me, too, Loop, but seems likely we’ll never know the truth.

Centennial Trail No. 89 curved away from Poett’s Corner. It wound through the forest for a couple more miles, climbing steadily most of the time. At one point there was a view of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) way out on the prairie to the NNE, but other than that, there was generally little to see except the forest itself.

**Bear Butte**. Photo looks NNE with lots of help from the telephoto lens.

Roughly 4 miles from the Alkali Creek trailhead, Centennial Trail No. 89 reached a ridge where Lupe came to a junction. While No. 89 continued over the ridge, another trail branched off to the R heading farther up it. A sign indicated that this was the way to the Sturgis City Dams.

Which way, SPHP?

Sturgis City Dams, Looper, but let’s have a look at Peak 4760 first.

From a small clearing near the trail junction, an unremarkable hill was visible a mile S. Heavily forested, it didn’t appear much different from countless others in the Black Hills region.

First glimpse of **Peak 4760**. Photo looks S.

Is that it, SPHP?

Yup. Guess we won’t be seeing much from up there by the looks of it. Way too many trees. Oh, well! Carry on, Loopster! Maybe Peak 4780 will be better?

Taking the trail that went past the Sturgis City Dams sign, Lupe headed up the ridge.

Near the trail junction, about to head for Peak 4780. Photo looks WNW.

The trail climbed at an easy pace along the broad ridge. Progress was rapid. Most of the ridge was forested, but sometimes there were views. Bear Butte came into sight again, followed by parts of Sturgis.

Heading W on the Sturgis City Dams trail.

**Bear Butte** (L of Center). Photo looks NNE.

Continuing W along the ridge. Photo looks W.

Parts of Sturgis came into view (beyond Lupe). Photo looks N.

How much farther to Peak 4780, SPHP? And why didn’t we go to Peak 4760 first, since we could already see it back at the junction?

Because we’re already on Peak 4780’s E ridge, Loop! The summit is close to the W end of the mountain, only 0.75 mile from the trail junction. Not much of a climb. We should get there pretty soon at this rate.

More than halfway along the ridge, the Sturgis City Dams trail angled over to the S edge, and began heading down. To the N, abandoned USFS Road No. 139.1E came up the N slope from the E, climbing more steeply than the trail had been as it continued W. The road provided another good look at Bear Butte as Lupe left the trail to follow it higher.

About to take abandoned USFS Road No. 139.1E higher. Photo looks W.

**Bear Butte** again. Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.

As No. 139.1E topped out, it faded away. Lupe had reached Peak 4780’s summit region, but the exact location of the true summit wasn’t entirely clear yet. A small hill just to the N appeared to be a likely candidate, so the American Dingo climbed it.

In the flat region where USFS Road No. 139.1E faded away.

Up on the first Peak 4780 summit candidate. Photo looks N.

Loopster kept exploring. The terrain rose slowly as she headed farther W. The Carolina Dog finally reached a region near the S edge where the terrain leveled out again. SPHP was pretty certain this had to be the true summit of Peak 4780.

At the **true summit of Peak 4780**. Photo looks NW.

Really nothing to see here except the forest. A fairly large area was very nearly the same elevation. A few tens of feet farther W, Lupe found a bit of a clearing where she had a view of rumpled green hills to to the SW from a little line of broken limestone. It was a sunny spot, and a good place to take a chocolate coconut bar break.

While SPHP dug one out of the pack, Lupe relaxed. Turned out the grass was full of hundreds of ladybugs! Swarming all over Looper’s fur, they must have tickled. She snapped up several ladybugs before turning her attention to the chocolate coconut bar when offered.

At the chocolate coconut bar break spot, which was very nearly as high as the nearby true summit. Photo looks E.

Loop awaiting her share of a chocolate coconut bar.

Lupe followed up the chocolate coconut bar with Taste of the Wild and water while SPHP munched an apple. Once that was gone, it was time to take a little more of a look around. A stump near the spot where Loop had taken her rest break offered a view of Veteran Peak (5,333 ft.).

**Veteran Peak** (L of Center). Photo looks SW.

Part of the slope below the break spot was open and grassy, so Looper ventured down there, too. She was rewarded with a more sweeping view than had been available from up on top, part of which included a really good look at Peak 4760 where she would be heading next.

In the open area below the break spot and true summit. Photo looks S.

**Peak 4760** (L of Center). Photo looks SE.

Unsurprisingly, the view from this new angle didn’t alter SPHP’s opinion that Lupe wouldn’t being seeing much other than trees from Peak 4760, either, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to make the journey. Never know what might be up there or along the way!

Returning to the top of the ridge, the American Dingo paid another brief visit to Peak 4780’s true summit before continuing on. Soon reaching the W end of the mountain, Lupe paused briefly to admire a better view of Veteran Peak before heading down.

On the way back up to the break spot. Photo looks N.

**Veteran Peak** (slightly L of Center) from the **W end of Peak 4780**. Photo looks SW.

Peak 4780’s upper W slope was surprisingly steep. Fortunately a band of cliffs was not continuous. Lupe found a way to get through it. The slope below the cliffs was still fairly steep, but posed no real problem on the way down to a saddle where the terrain leveled out.

Below a cliff at the **W end of Peak 4780**.

Heading down to the saddle. Photo looks W.

Once down at the saddle, Lupe turned SE. At first, she lost a little more elevation, but after running into a trail, she started regaining it again.

This was probably the same trail that went to the Sturgis City Dams, but Loop didn’t stay on it very far this time. Instead, she soon headed S through a field down to USFS Road No. 139.

Back on the trail to the Sturgis City Dams. **Peak 4760** (L of Center). Photo looks SE.

**S of Peak 4780** on USFS Road No. 139. Photo looks ENE.

After a short incline, Lupe followed No. 139 more than 0.75 mile E as it lost elevation, slowly at first, but much more quickly toward the end. In a secluded valley, the Carolina Dog came to a place she recognized.

Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed the road here. Lupe followed the trail S up a hill. It then leveled out and wound around to the W for a bit before turning SE the rest of the way to Bulldog Creek.

Heading E on USFS Road No. 139 as it starts losing elevation. Photo looks E.

At the junction with Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks S.

Centennial Trail No. 89 on the way to Bulldog Creek. Photo looks SE.

Bulldog Creek was very small, but at least had some water in it when Lupe was last here back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 274. Now the creekbed was bone dry. Abandoning Centennial Trail No. 89, Loopster followed the creekbed downstream.

Many branches hung over the creekbed. SPHP often had to duck. More problematic, some deadfall was across it, too. Following the creekbed E, Lupe soon came to a towering wall of rock that forced the stream S.

Approaching the wall of rock that forced Bulldog Creek S. Photo looks E.

Around this bend, Bulldog Creek was a total mess. Deadfall choked the creekbed, which actually had some standing water in it here. Loopster helped herself to a drink, while SPHP thrashed around trying to force a way through.

Loop standing in the pool of water where she managed to get a drink.

SPHP’s progress was dreadfully slow. Fortunately, Lupe didn’t need to follow Bulldog Creek much farther. It quickly turned E again. When it did, Lupe continued S, leaving the wretched stream behind.

Loop was now entering a valley in a very remote region. No sign that anyone ever comes this way! The plan was to follow the valley 0.33 mile S up to a saddle directly W of Peak 4760’s summit, then turn E making a direct assault. However, the floor of the valley was so thick with bushes, that SPHP found it easier staying toward the E.

The terrain forced Lupe higher and higher above the valley floor. SPHP finally realized that it would probably be easier to head SW straight up the mountain right here than try to traverse the increasingly steep slope leading to the saddle W of the summit.

The climb got steeper and steeper. SPHP was on the verge of clinging to trees, and paused repeatedly to gasp for breath. At one point there was a little open spot where Lupe could look back and see Peak 4780, but mostly it was just trees, trees, and more trees.

After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, the rate of climb diminished slightly. The American Dingo persevered, finally reaching Peak 4760’s N ridge. She was already very high on the mountain. Beginning a search for the true summit, Lupe turned S.

Up on **Peak 4760’s N ridge**. Photo looks SW.

It wasn’t much farther. A sunny lane led right to it.

Approaching **Peak 4760’s summit**. Photo looks SSW.

In a flash, Lupe was there!

At **Peak 4760’s true summit**. Photo looks SSW.

2:11 PM, 65ºF, Peak 4760 true summit – The summit was a surprising place. Despite its prior densely forested appearance, a clearing ran along a short ridge. Although only a partial glimpse of Peak 4780 was available, Veteran Peak (5,333 ft.) was in sight again.

Surprisingly, in sunshine instead of shade. Photo looks NW.

The steep climb had made a genuine rest break a high priority. Before checking out the views, SPHP dug another chocolate coconut bar out of the pack, while Lupe laid down. Ladybugs were holding a convention in the unbelievably warm early December sunshine here, too, but there weren’t as many of them as there had been at Peak 4780.

Although Peak 4760 felt very remote, Lupe clearly wasn’t the only one to ever be here. However, the last visitors might have left a mighty long time ago. Five exceedingly rusty cans and a broken plastic spoon were grouped together right at the true summit.

After devouring her remaining Taste of the Wild, Looper slurped some water. SPHP polished off the last apple. Not much exploring to be done up here, but the time had come for it.

Heading S, the summit ridge soon began to slope lower, broadening out somewhat as it did so. There were scattered trees, but open ground, too. In fact, the best views from Peak 4760 were over this way.

Exploring S along the **summit ridge**. Photo looks NNE.

Toward the S, the ridge widened out and had some open space. Photo looks N.

Best view from the summit region. **Veteran Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks SW.

December afternoons are short. It was a long way back to Alkali Creek. Lupe lingered only 20 minutes up on Peak 4760 before SPHP grabbed the 5 rusty cans and broken spoon, and tossed them in the pack. Loop then started down the N ridge.

Lupe hadn’t lost much elevation yet, when she came to a place where a limestone platform jutted out toward the NW. From the end, there was a nice view of Peak 4780.

Then it was down, down, down Peak 4760’s N ridge! Lupe scrambled around a few rock formations, and dodged deadfall. When the N ridge eventually broadened out, becoming less distinct, Loop stayed toward the W, which put her on steep terrain.

After a long descent, Lupe reached Bulldog Creek 0.33 mile downstream of where she’d left it earlier. It was completely dry here. After crossing the creekbed, she had to scramble 40 feet up a steep bank to reach USFS Road No. 139 again.

0.5 mile on No. 139 brought Lupe back up to where Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed it. This time she took the trail N, eventually reaching the same junction where the trail to the Sturgis City Dams split off toward Peak 4780’s summit. Downhill essentially all the way back to the Alkali Creek trailhead from here.

Getting late, though! Light was fading as SPHP was finally able to pick up the pace. Considerable progress had been made down the mountain when suddenly there was movement in the deepening gloom ahead.

A dog! Not just any dog, either. Tail slowly wagging, Poett stood alone on the trail, waiting to greet Lupe!

They sniffed. Then Poett joined the procession, preferring to fall in at the end of the line. Still some distance down to Poett’s Corner. SPHP was glad when Poett began to fall behind. Evidently, Poett was going to be content to return home, instead of following Lupe past his gate and bell.

What a way to end the day, Loopster! You finally got to meet Poett, canine celebrity of the N Centennial Trail!

We were lucky, SPHP! I’m so glad to see that Poett’s well and still actively patrolling his part of Centennial Trail No. 89!

And who knows? If you head up into the Black Hills from the Alkali Creek trailhead, Poett may be there still. (End 5:31 PM, 51ºF)

**Poett** at dusk, Centennial Trail No. 89, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-2-21

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Centennial Trail No. 89 Map & Brochure

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 274 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Elk Creek to Alkali Creek (4-10-21)

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On & Off the Hudson Meng Bison Trail – Toadstool Geologic Park to Roundtop Peak & Beyond, Nebraska (3-14-18)

Stupid printer!

Have a look. What’cha think Loop?

Not much of an artist are you, SPHP? Can’t even draw a decent stick Dingo!

True, that! But it’s not a stick, Dingo. It’s a topographic map. With all of two contours on it. It’s going to have to do.

We’re going to rely on that?

Yeppers. Can’t waste any more time trying to print out a decent map. No telling where we might wind up with this wonderful homemade navigation tool, but we’ve got to get going.

Why can’t you print out a map? Is the printer broken?

No, I don’t think so. The computer and the printer are just having a spat. They’re refusing to talk to each other. Probably angry and upset by something one of these automatic Windows 10 updates said. I see that the printer got all huffy and “migrated” on 3-9-18. I never told it to do that, and it never asked for permission. It just took off on its own free artificial intelligence.

Migrated? Are you blind, SPHP? The printer is right there, still on your desk. It never goes anywhere.

Oh, you would be surprised, Looper. It migrates digitally. In this case, off to Noprintyland again, where it loves to wander off to every chance it gets.

So even though the printer is still right here, you’re saying it’s off having adventures of its own in Noprintyland?

Sounds strange, but yeah, that’s about the size of it.

Doesn’t make a lick of sense to me! Are you feeling, OK?

Yes, I’m fine. Anyway, come on! Time to hit the road!

Due to colder than normal wintry weather, Lupe hadn’t really been much of anywhere for a whole month. The snow had been melting the last couple of days, though, and today was supposed to be really nice. Loopster was ready for action – had been for weeks, but SPHP just kept driving. The American Dingo had a fun time barking at cows, but was still glad when SPHP finally parked the G6.

Lupe hopped out. She was at a familiar place, Cascade Falls along Hwy 71 at the S end of the Black Hills. Although Cascade Falls is a popular swimming and wading spot in the summer, no one was here now.

Let’s go take a look at the falls, Looper.

Lupe was happy to see **Cascade Falls** again. Photo looks WNW.

Loop by **Cascade Creek** with **Devil’s Slide Mountain (3,965 ft.)** in the background. Photo looks NE.

Lupe would have been perfectly happy staying at Cascade Falls, but that wasn’t her destination today. She was just here to stretch her legs for a few minutes, then it was back in the G. The drive S continued.

Nebraska! That sign said Nebraska! Are we going to cousin Dusty’s house in Colorado, SPHP? You sure packed light this time.

No, we aren’t going all the way to Colorado, Looper. We’re going back to Toadstool Geologic Park to explore part of the Hudson Meng Bison Trail. Remember when you took the Fossil Loop Trail a couple of years ago? That was in Toadstool Geologic Park.

Oh, yeah! That was awesome exploring the Nebraska badlands! Had to watch out for cactus, though. So we’re going back to take the Bison Trail now? Will we get to see the Hudson Meng Bison Kill? Oh, I hope so! Just think of it, SPHP, the bones of 600 bison, just laying there waiting to be gnawed on! Why, I will be the richest Dingo on earth with a treasure like that!

No, we’re not going all the way to Hudson Meng. Sorry. I don’t think it’s open this time of year. They wouldn’t let you chew on their bison bones, anyway. You wouldn’t like it if they did. Those bones are 10,000 year old fossils now. You’re a bit late getting to them.

Oh, too bad. So what are we gonna do then?

We’re going to take the Hudson Meng Bison Trail up the Big Cottonwood Creek drainage. When we’re out of the badlands, we’ll leave the trail and head S for Roundtop Peak. I’m hoping we’ll get to Pine Butte and Wright Peak, too. You will get to do a lot of exploring.

Oh, some peakbagging! Sounds like fun. Not as much fun as 600 bison bones, though.

Almost immediately after crossing the Nebraska state line, SPHP turned R on Toadstool Road. Toadstool Road was gravel. For a few miles there were spots where the road was mighty wet. The G6 went through huge mud puddles sending a slushy, muddy spray everywhere, but fortunately did not become stuck. The road then improved somewhat, up on higher, drier ground.

12 miles from the N end of Toadstool Road, Lupe saw another sign for Toadstool Geologic Park. SPHP turned R (SW) onto a side road that went up over railroad tracks. Toadstool Geologic Park was only 1.5 miles from here, but SPHP stopped a little before Lupe got there. Her peakbagging objectives for the day were in view.

Lupe arrives in NW Nebraska for some peakbagging fun. **Roundtop Peak** (far L), **Pine Butte** (L) and **Wright Peak** (far R) are all in view. Photo looks SW.

**Roundtop Peak (4,540 ft.)** (L) and **Pine Butte (4,500 ft.)** (R) with a little help from the telephoto lens.

The road dead ended at a campground. Toadstool Geologic Park was totally deserted when Lupe arrived. SPHP took a quick look at some of the displays, while Lupe sniffed around the campground.

Lupe arrives at **Toadstool Geologic Park** in remote NW Nebraska.

The **Toadstool Geologic Park** campground is on flat ground on the E edge of fossil bearing badlands. Photo looks SW.

One of half a dozen informational displays. Fossils in the park are from the Eocene and Oligocene epochs during the “Golden Age of Mammals”.

A display about the geological history of the area.

This display is about exploring Toadstool Geologic Park. A 1 mile long **Fossil Loop Trail** goes through the badlands of Toadstool Geologic Park. Lupe had done the whole loop back in April, 2016. Easy and worthwhile!

After brief preparations, Lupe and SPHP left the campground heading W on the Fossil Loop Trail. (10:29 AM, 53°F) Lupe was soon among the toadstool rock formations Toadstool Geologic Park is named for.

Lupe among the toadstool formations along the Fossil Loop Trail. Photo looks NW.

The Fossil Loop Trail wound among fascinating badlands scenery. Lupe quickly reached a junction with the Hudson Meng Bison Trail.

After an interesting short trek along the Fossil Loop Trail, the junction with the Hudson Meng Bison Trail comes into view beyond **Big Cottonwood Creek**. Photo looks SW.

The Fossil Loop Trail goes L, while the Hudson Meng Bison Trail goes R.

Loopster ready to head out on the Hudson Meng Bison Trail. Photo looks W.

The Hudson Meng Bison Trail follows Big Cottonwood Creek S for more than a mile. Big Cottonwood Creek didn’t have any cottonwoods along it, so there wasn’t much shade. Most of the year, the creek would have been dry, but there was a shallow stream of snow melt today.

The trail crossed the creek many times. If conditions had been much wetter, this would have meant numerous slogs through deep mud. Clearly this was no place to be when it was wet. Fortunately, it was just dry enough today so SPHP could avoid getting too terribly muddy. Lupe simply forged ahead oblivious to the creek crossings.

Loop hadn’t gone far when she came to a sign saying she was about to leave Toadstool Geologic Park.

The Hudson Meng Bison Trail promptly faded away. Apparently it sees little use. There was seldom any track to follow, but brown posts topped with beige marked the general route.

As Lupe followed Big Cottonwood Creek upstream, it became little more than a trickle. It wasn’t always possible to tell at a glance which way the Hudson Meng Bison Trail went. Other little creeks trickled out of large side canyons and ravines.

The marker posts weren’t numerous, but if Lupe went more than 5 or 10 minutes without seeing one, she had usually taken a wrong turn into a side canyon and had to backtrack. The correct route was almost always toward the W (R) in the canyon with the most vegetation.

Some of the side canyons proved to be interesting detours. Even if they were the wrong way, Lupe had fun on her brief excursions into them.

Loopster checks out the view from the top of a rock wall overlooking **Big Cottonwood Creek**. Photo looks WNW.

Oh, SPHP, I just had a thought. Do you think we will come to any live bison along the Hudson Meng Bison Trail? Maybe I can get a fresh bison bone yet! Don’t see any bison from up here, but keep an eye out, would ya?

Lupe in a scenic side canyon that proved to be the wrong way. Photo looks SE.

Back on the trail. A brown marker post topped with beige is seen beyond Loop. Staying toward the W (R) in the canyon with the most grass was usually the correct way to go. Photo looks SSW.

Only a few days ago, it had still been cold out. With some snow still melting, SPHP wasn’t too worried Lupe would run into rattlesnakes.

However, there was a fair amount of her other prairie nemesis around. Cactus wasn’t super abundant, but it wasn’t uncommon either. SPHP had to watch out for it for Looper. In a few places, SPHP carried Lupe beyond larger cactus patches. Every now and then she stepped on a cactus, and didn’t care for that at all. SPHP then had to pull a few small, but painful spines out of her paws.

For the most part, though, the Carolina Dog was doing fine. She was having a good time sniffing and exploring. The badlands scenery following Big Cottonwood Creek was so beautiful and western looking! It was fun to think about all the strange ancient mammals that used to roam this area millions of years ago. Some of their bones are still hidden as fossils back in these wild looking ravines.

Another little stream trickles out of a wild badlands side canyon. Photo looks ESE.

*That’s kind of an interesting rock up ahead, don’t you think, SPHP? …. Oh, yeah! Pretty cool, Looper, looks like its the right direction, too! Not a bad landmark.* Photo looks S.

After crossing muddy Big Cottonwood Creek a zillion times, and dodging cactus patches which were becoming more frequent and extensive, Lupe arrived at a fence. The fence had a big open gap in it where what little remained of Big Cottonwood Creek flowed through. Beyond this gap a trail marker could be seen. For the first time, the trail left the creek’s main channel here and entered a narrow side canyon.

At this fence line, Lupe reaches the end of her trek along Big Cottonwood Creek. A trail marker seen beyond the fence directed Loop into a narrow side canyon on the R.

The side canyon was V-shaped with steep, crumbly sides. The upper rim of this ravine wasn’t all that much higher than where Lupe was at the bottom. Clearly, the American Dingo would soon be reaching the end of the canyon.

Looper going up the narrow side canyon. The sides were steep and crumbly, but she would soon reach the end of this ravine. Photo looks S.

The end of the ravine was steep, but a short climb brought Lupe up onto a vast prairie. A faint, grassy road headed SSE. This was USFS Road No. 918, which would eventually go over a saddle between Roundtop Peak (4,540 ft.) and Pine Butte (4,500 ft.), both now back in view to the S.

Lupe emerged from the Big Cottonwood Creek drainage system up on a vast prairie. **Roundtop Peak** (L) and **Pine Butte** (R) were both back in view again. Photo looks S.

A line of Hudson Meng Bison Trail markers led across the prairie heading SW toward another big ravine. This ravine is part of the Whitehead Creek drainage. Following USFS Road No. 918 would have been a little shorter, but Lupe stuck with the Hudson Meng Bison Trail until she got close to the Whitehead Creek ravine instead.

Lupe nears the Whitehead Creek drainage. She left the Hudson Meng Bison Trail here. The trail continues down into the ravine and up the other side on its way to the Hudson Meng Bison Kill. **Wright Peak (4,654 ft.)** is in view at Center. Photo looks SW.

Instead of following the Bison Trail down into the Whitehead Creek drainage, Lupe left the trail heading SE. She stayed on the high ground overlooking the scenic ravine. The rim of the ravine had only a little grass and virtually no cactus. Lupe gained elevation steadily.

0.75 mile from where she’d left the trail, Lupe neared the top of a small hill. Here she had a good view off to the SW from a different angle than before. A higher ridge could now be seen beyond a sharp hill that SPHP had assumed was Wright Peak. Maybe that higher ridge was actually Wright Peak (4,654 ft.)? SPHP wasn’t certain. It seemed like that might make sense.

Consulting the hand-sketched topo map didn’t help. Knowing that Lupe would ultimately be approaching Wright Peak from the E, SPHP hadn’t extended the map any farther W than Wright Peak. Whether or not there was any higher ground beyond it wasn’t shown.

Nothing could be done to extend the map now. Lupe continued up to the top of the small hill. Roundtop Peak was less than 0.5 mile S.

Lupe on her way up the E edge of the Whitehead Creek drainage. This was a more scenic route than simply following USFS Road No. 918 would have been. **Roundtop Peak** is at Center. Photo looks SSE.

Nearing the top of a grassy hill, Lupe has a good view to the WSW. Up until this point, SPHP had assumed that the sharp hill on the R was **Wright Peak**. However, Lupe could now see a higher ridge beyond it on the L.

Looper reaches the top of the grassy hill. Her first peakbagging destination, **Roundtop Peak** is only 0.5 mile away. Photo looks S.

Lupe ended up following USFS Road No. 918 part of the way to the base of Roundtop Peak. She left the road to climb the hill’s surprisingly steep N slope.

A forest fire had occurred in this region in 2012. Most of the pine trees on Roundtop were dead. Quite a few had fallen over. The deadfall made getting to the summit of Roundtop Peak harder than it should have been, but it still didn’t take Loop long to reach the top of the hill.

First things first! Lupe was ready for a break. Water and Taste of the Wild. SPHP ate an apple. For a little while, Loop and SPHP rested with a grand view of the western Nebraska prairie off to the SE. Then it was time to tour Roundtop’s summit.

Loopster takes a break up on **Roundtop Peak**. Photo looks WNW.

Lupe enjoyed a grand view of western Nebraska prairies and ridges from **Roundtop Peak**. She could see Sand Creek Road, which is on the way to the Hudson Meng Buffalo Kill by vehicle. Photo looks SE.

Loop at the true summit of **Roundtop Peak**, which was very close to the E edge of the hill. Photo looks E.

A dead pine tree was at the true summit. A forest fire ravaged this region in 2012. Sadly, most of the trees on **Roundtop** were dead. Photo looks ENE.

*So which one is it, SPHP?* Lupe along the S edge of Roundtop Peak’s summit. **Wright Peak** had to be one of the two high points seen in the distance. The ridge on the L was clearly higher than the sharper peak on the R. Photo looks WSW.

The W half of Roundtop Peak’s summit area is in view here. The S side of the mountain hadn’t been hit as hard by the forest fire. Some of the pines at the W end were also still alive. Photo looks WNW.

Sand Creek Road and a long piney ridge are in sight looking SW from **Roundtop**.

From the W end of Roundtop Peak’s summit, Lupe had an excellent view of her remaining peakbagging objectives.

The high ridge on the L is **Peak 4760**. By now SPHP was mistakenly convinced it was **Wright Peak**, which is actually at Center. **Pine Butte** (R) was Lupe’s next stop. Photo looks W.

**Peak 4760** (L) and **Wright Peak** (R) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks WSW.

The summit of Pine Butte (4,500 ft.) is 0.75 mile WNW of Roundtop. It didn’t take Lupe long to get there. Pine Butte had really been hit hard by the 2012 forest fire. Deadfall littered the summit ridge. Not a single pine tree survived. Worse yet, no small trees had germinated since the fire. Pine Butte will not be worthy of its name again for a long, long time.

Looking back at **Roundtop** from **Pine Butte**. Photo looks ESE.

Pine Butte’s summit ridge had been devastated by the 2012 forest fire. Lupe didn’t find a single living tree, even a small one. Photo looks W.

Another look back at **Roundtop Peak**. Photo looks ESE.

The true summit of **Pine Butte** is near the W end of the hill. Lupe has a grand view of the vast prairie to the NW from here.

**Peak 4760** (L) and **Wright Peak** (R) from **Pine Butte**. Photo looks WSW.

From Pine Butte, Lupe could see the Hudson Meng Bison Kill site buildings. The whole place looked deserted.

Lupe could see buildings of the Hudson Meng Bison Kill site from Pine Butte. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.

Wright Peak was Lupe’s next objective. The Carolina Dog left Pine Butte going partway down a S ridge before turning WSW. She crossed two gravel roads and a fairly high ridge between them before reaching hills which should lead her to Wright Peak. Once she was high up in these hills, she skirted along the S side of them continuing SW.

Looking back at hills Lupe passed on her way to Wright Peak. Photo looks ENE.

Lupe was now very close to Wright Peak, but SPHP mistakenly believed the American Dingo needed to get all the way to the higher ridge to the SW. This error would never have occurred if the printer had operated correctly this morning. With only SPHP’s crude hand sketched topo map to go on, Lupe and SPHP went right on by the true summit.

All Lupe needed to do to reach **Wright Peak** was climb the steep slope on the R. However, SPHP now mistakenly believed that the higher ridge on the L was Wright Peak. Photo looks SW.

It was an interesting trek nonetheless. Lupe arrived up on the higher ridge to find several high points along a series of small rock formations spread out over a relatively large area. All of these high points were nearly equal in elevation, but the one farthest S seemed perhaps a little higher than the others. Lupe and SPHP repeatedly searched around all these high points looking for the Wright survey benchmark, but found nothing. Lupe was actually on Peak 4760.

Lupe reaches the first high point that SPHP thought might be the summit of Wright Peak. However, Lupe was actually on **Peak 4760** here. Photo looks SW.

Lupe at the SSW end of **Peak 4760**. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe helped SPHP search for the Wright survey benchmark, but found nothing. Photo looks S.

*Well, it’s quite a wonderful view whether this is Wright Peak or not, don’t you think, SPHP? The only bad thing is, I still don’t see any bison.* Photo looks SW.

Looper and SPHP stayed up on Peak 4760 a little while. Not too long, though. The sun was getting low, and it was a long way back to the G6. There was a need for some speed on the return trip, so Lupe wouldn’t get lost down in the Big Cottonwood Creek canyon after dark on the way back to Toadstool Geologic Park.

Since she was in a hurry, Lupe didn’t go back through the hills the way she had come. Instead, she took a grassy road (USFS Road No. 944) that led down a draw. The draw ultimately fed into the larger Sand Creek drainage. This was a faster route, but didn’t bring Lupe close to the real Wright Peak again. So the Carolina Dog never got to climb it, even though SPHP now suspected the truth.

Lupe on her way down off **Peak 4760**. Photo looks W.

**Pine Butte** (L) and **Roundtop Peak** (R) from the E slopes of **Peak 4760**. Photo looks ENE.

The NE end of Peak 4760’s summit area. Photo looks NW.

When Lupe reached Sand Creek Road, she headed ESE. She soon saw an intersection with USFS Road No. 918 ahead. Loop cut over to No. 918 and followed it over the little pass between Pine Butte and Roundtop.

Lupe by a couple of rusty looking water tanks NW of Roundtop Peak. USFS Road No. 918 goes right by these tanks. Photo looks NE.

Once N of Roundtop Peak, the rest of the journey back simply retraced Lupe’s earlier route to Roundtop. It was a beautiful evening. Both Loop and SPHP had a wonderful time. Enough light remained to navigate the muddy Big Cottonwood Creek crossings and avoid the cacti when Lupe reached the badlands again.

The sun was down by the time Loop was back at Toadstool Geologic Park. As twilight faded, Lupe completed the rest of the Fossil Loop Trail, which brought her back to the campground. (7:23 PM, 47°F) It was a long drive home from here, but the fun wasn’t entirely over yet. Until she reached Hwy 71 again, Lupe stood on SPHP’s lap, her head out the window, barking happily at unseen black cows sniffed on the night air.

Lupe N of Roundtop Peak on the way back to Toadstool Geological Park, Nebraska 3-14-18

Roundtop Peak on summitpost.org

Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center

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