9:15 AM, junction of USFS Roads No. 201 & No. 201.2D – Late November had been cold and dry in the Black Hills, and December started out the same way. Not today, though! Still very dry, not a cloud in the sky, but the temperature was already an amazing 52ºF!
What an awesome day, SPHP! I’ve been waiting for this!
Oh, I know it, Loop. Me, too! 4 peaks on the agenda, if we can get to them all, so let’s get underway!
Following USFS Road No. 201.2D first SW, then W once she reached the North Bogus Jim Creek drainage, Lupe led the way. After passing USFS Road No. 201.2E on the R, the road began to steepen at a curve SE. A skiff of snow remained here in the shade of the pines.
Turning SW again, a shady, straight section climbed even more steeply among the pines before making a quick loop toward the N, then leveling out as it turned SE again toward a lovely, sunlit part of the forest.
A sunny, minor pass was just ahead. After going over it, No. 201.2D curved SW. A relatively short stretch led to another curve S, and almost immediately, to an unexpected, unmarked fork in the road. The branch toward the R was higher than the one on the L.
So, do we stay to the R, SPHP?
Good guess, Looper.
Just playing the odds, SPHP. Since we’re climbing a mountain, the higher route is most likely correct.
The upper road climbed gradually SSW. 5 minutes got the American Dingo to yet another unmarked fork. By now, the road was quite rocky. This time the branch on the R was much steeper than the one on the L, which was virtually flat by comparison.
Right again, I presume, SPHP?
You’re 2 for 2, Loopster.
Following the eroded R branch of the second fork along the NW side of a ravine, Lupe gained 200 feet of elevation during a steep, rocky ascent. Although the rate of climb then decreased somewhat, the Carolina Dog had to gain another 100 feet of elevation before reaching a spot where the terrain ahead leveled out in a sunlit forest. Still climbing gradually, the road, which was no longer all that rocky up here, turned NW.
Right where we want to be, Looper. Let’s leave the road here. Actually lucked out that there was a road that got us this far. Didn’t know these last 2 unmarked branches even existed. They aren’t on the maps.
Nice! And exactly where are we, SPHP?
About 0.15 mile NW of Buck Mountain (5,555 ft.), Loopster.
Buck Mountain! We were there once before, a long time ago, SPHP. Had some big views.
Yup. That’s right, Loop. We did visit Buck Mountain, although I’m kind of hazy now on how we got there. Seems like we came up from the W or NW on the other side of the mountain beyond this flat region. I do remember that we had to go around to the E side to find a way up.
So, I suppose that’s the plan again today, SPHP? S to the mountain, then around to the E?
You’re on a roll, Loopster, 3 for 3 now!
The flat, sunlit region wasn’t all that big. Heading SE, Lupe very quickly entered a shaded region thick with doghair pines. Gray rock formations soon appeared. Staying E of them, Lupe climbed to a forested bench where a more formidable wall of rock was ahead.
We’re not going to try climbing that, are we, SPHP? This must be where we head around to the E.
4 for 4, Looper! It’s like you’ve been here before!
Below the wall of rock, a wide bench of mature pines swept around to the E and SE. A few rocks and some deadfall along the way, but really a very easy trek. The bench soon broadened out even more below a slope that was mostly rocky, but still just a mere walk-up. Reaching an upper bench above this slope, Buck Mountain’s summit ridge was now in view, clearly a much more daunting prospect.
Yeah, this all seems familiar, Loopster. No sense in trying to go up here. There’s an easier way up a little farther S.
Following the upper bench S, the American Dingo soon got to where she could start angling up a slope that was steep, but nothing like that first view of the summit ridge with a boulder field below it back to the N. A few minutes on this slope was all it took to reach the top of the ridge.
10:36 AM, 53ºF, Buck Mountain (5,555 ft.) – Lupe had come up not too far from the SE end of a NW/SE running summit ridge that was several hundred feet long. This end was somewhat lower, but even here, the ridge featured many big, flat rocks that made excellent viewpoints. This part of the ridge was also somewhat wider, with pine needle-covered passages between the rocks and trees, which made it relatively easy to move around.
From the first big rock that Lupe leapt up onto, she had a clear, if distant, view of both Boulder Hill (5,336 ft.) and Silver Mountain (5,418 ft.) far to the SSE.
Although the wind had been heard among the treetops during the trek to Buck Mountain, at ground level it hadn’t been any more than just a light breeze. Up here, though, the situation was entirely different. A strong, gusty W wind was blowing, making it feel colder in unprotected spots than it really was.
Since we’re close to the SE end of the summit ridge, why don’t we explore out that way first, SPHP?
Makes sense to me, Loop. Onward!
Exploring SE, SPHP recognized Green Mountain (5,244 ft.), Peak 5136, and Peak 4980 among the many hills visible to the E. Lupe could see clear out to the prairie beyond the Black Hills all along that horizon.
After getting close enough to the SE end of the summit ridge to see what was out that way, it was time to head back to the NW in search of the true summit. Along the way, from the top of a cool rock formation, Lupe enjoyed a nice, distant look at Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.). Unfortunately, even at mid-day in December, the sun was so low that it interfered with the iPhone’s camera when looking S.
The NW half of the summit ridge was different. As Lupe worked her way higher, the ridge soon narrowed. Huge rocks dominated the crest. Fully exposed to the W wind here, it was gusting anywhere from 10 to 30 mph. Lupe came to a point where she couldn’t see over the next rocks.
Stay there, Loop! This ridge get pretty gnarly. Let me take a look.
Yeah. Nothing beyond those next rocks except a vertical drop into a gap along the ridgeline. However, somewhat lower, an easily accessed 2.5 foot wide platform of solid rock existed on the NE side of these rocks. This ledge allowed Lupe to get around them at a level that brought her to the upper end of a sloping rock surface that got her down to the bottom of the gap.
From the gap, the Carolina Dog continued NW below the crest of the ridge, losing additional elevation in rocky terrain full of stickers.
Starting to regain elevation as Lupe followed the base of the wall, SPHP began looking for a route to the top. There was one, SPHP was certain of that, since the American Dingo had been to the true summit before.
It wasn’t long before the spot appeared. A near vertical scramble of 10 feet, or so, but with enough grips, pawholds, indentation, and even a small tree to hang onto near the top to make it possible.
You’re going to need a boost, Loopster. I’ll get you up to that little ledge, then you just keep going up to the first safe spot. Once you’re there, I’ll come up behind you.
Got it, SPHP. Regular, old Boost-A-Dingo Plan A!
11:03 AM, Buck Mountain (5,555 ft.) – Plan A worked, of course, which was fortunate, because there was no Plan B. Lupe had come up almost right next to the true summit, where she now stood rather reluctantly in the wild W wind.
Hurry up, SPHP! Take the shot!
Stay there, Looper! Dang sun is interfering again. Let me get to a better spot.
There really wasn’t a much better spot.
If you wait much longer, you’ll be getting a picture of me flying off the mountain, SPHP. Better make it a good one, because I won’t do it twice!
The Carolina Dog wasn’t kidding. A moment later as another gust began sweeping in, Lupe didn’t stick around to see how it was going to turn out, instead leaping preemptively off the rock.
So, did you at least take a shot while I was still up there, SPHP?
Yeah, I did. Should have gotten that leap, though, instead.
The things you gotta do to get a chocolate coconut bar around here!
Hang on, Loopster. Let’s sit down, and I’ll dig one out of the pack.
Sitting together below the summit boulder, it was still plenty windy. SPHP shared a chocolate coconut bar with Lupe, then gave her a duck jerky and water, too. After a nice rest break, it was time to get up, face the full force of the W wind, and have a look around. There weren’t as many tall trees toward this end of the summit ridge, so the views were even better.
Custer Peak (6,809 ft.) and Terry Peak (7,069 ft.) were easy to spot far to the NW. Much closer, Peak 5701 was in that general direction, too. However, at the moment, the view of a different mountain only 0.5 mile N interested SPHP the most.
See that hill at about the same elevation as we are here on Buck Mountain, Loop?
Of course. What about it, SPHP?
That’s Peak 5566, you’re next objective, Looper.
Oh, that’s a new one, isn’t it, SPHP? Shouldn’t take us long to get there. About time to get off this windy mountain, anyway! Shall we start down?
Sure! Right after we get a few more shots up here of Buck Mountain’s true summit, Loop. This really is a terrific peak! A cool summit ridge with lots of viewpoints, and a bit of a scramble required at the very end to claim success.
Oh, great! I suppose that means you’re expecting me to get back up on that windy boulder again?
Just for a few minutes, please, Sweet Puppy. I’ll try to be quick.
With a chocolate coconut bar, a duck jerky, and water so recently added as ballast, Lupe managed to stay up on the true summit longer this time, despite the W wind’s ongoing gusty assaults.
Exactly an hour after first reaching Buck Mountain’s summit ridge, Lupe leapt down off the true summit boulder for the last time. Descending the 10 foot scramble without any assist from SPHP, she then headed SE along the ridge using the same route as before.
The rest was easy. Once back to the same spot where she had come up, the Carolina Dog left the summit ridge and made her way back to the flat, sunlit forest.
OK, I guess we can return to the same road we were on before, Loop, and follow it however close it gets to Peak 5566 before starting our ascent.
The road climbed slowly as it wound NW. Lupe didn’t get far before the road turned W, which wasn’t the way the American Dingo needed to go. Abandoning the road, Lupe began climbing N on a moderately steep slope of open forest. After gaining another 100 feet of elevation, a turn NE on slightly steeper terrain looked like it might get her to the highest ground. Entering a denser forest, a wall of rock was just ahead.
It’s higher toward the N, SPHP.
Yeah. Let’s follow it, Looper, and look for a place to get up on top.
A wide forested ramp made for an easy march N along the base of the wall. Soon enough, an easy route to the top appeared. Getting up there revealed that Peak 5566’s summit was still farther N. Heavily forested, and sort of a pointy peak, it was hard to tell if Lupe was going to have any trouble getting to the top, or not.
Hope weren’t not in for a fail here, Loopster. Certainly looks possible.
Won’t know until we get there, SPHP.
Retreating back down into the forest, a short jaunt N got Lupe to another spot where it looked easy enough to begin an ascent. The forest leveled out right along in here, too.
We can’t be that far from the summit now, Loop. Let’s start up!
Reaching the crest of the wall again, a jumble of rock was ahead. This part of the wall was wider than where Lupe had first climbed it. The summit appeared to be close at paw, but pines mostly hid the highest rocks. Still hard to say for certain what was in store.
It’s a Stairway to Heaven, Looper! Looks best toward the L (W).
Awesome song, SPHP! Not so sure about the mountain yet.
The top was farther than it first appeared. After passing a pinnacle on the R (E), the stairway went on. Staying toward the W was the right thing to do. There were cliffs toward the E.
The true summit wasn’t much farther. After passing a big rock situated above and beyond the pinnacle, the end was in sight. A rocky region sloped up toward a high point of stones and brown bushes.
Our stairway is going to work, SPHP!
12:48 PM, 55ºF, Peak 5566 – Might not be heaven, but fairly close to it! Lupe arrived at a summit that was a bit cramped, and kind of hard to move around on, due to a jumble of medium-sized stones and bushes. The W wind was still an issue, but seemed to have weakened somewhat, with periods of near calm between sudden gusts of 25 mph.
Cliffs were on all sides, the stairway Lupe came up from the S the only route possible without serious rock-climbing skills. Slightly lower, a flat platform of solid rock with a vertical edge jutted out to the NW. A vast amount of territory was in view in all directions except back to the S, where pines along the stairway hid Buck Mountain (5,555 ft.). From the right vantage point, it was sort of in view, and did look a bit lower.
SPHP shed the backpack. While Lupe stood proudly perched atop the true summit, SPHP shook her paw.
Congratulations, Loopster! A new summit, and quite a nice one.
There’s a Dingo that’s sure all that glitters is chocolate and coconut, and she’s climbing the stairway to Peak 5566 …
Hah! Great try, Loop, but sorry. Only had one chocolate coconut bar, and it’s gone. How about a duck jerky?
An acceptable substitute, SPHP, but next time come better prepared. 4 peaks, and you only brought one chocolate coconut bar? Sheesh!
Facing E during a rest break, Peak 4980, Green Mountain (5,244 ft.), and Peak 5136 were all in sight again. Steamboat Rock (5,084 ft.) was off to the NE, but a little hard to pick out since it blended in more with the forested hills nearby.
Been a long time since we’ve been to Green Mountain or Steamboat Rock, SPHP. Wonder if Pugg’s Keep is still up there? We ought to check it out again sometime.
Some fine day, Loopster. So many mountains, so little time! Speaking of which, if we really intend to visit 2 more peaks, we can’t afford to spend another entire hour up here. The days are way too short this time of year.
How long have we been here, SPHP?
40 minutes, Loop.
I thought visits to heaven were supposed to last longer than that, SPHP, but if you think we should go, I guess I’m ready.
If this really was heaven, we’d stay longer, Looper. Get back up on the true summit for a minute or two, again, please, and we’ll be on our way.
Once back down to the forest, the Carolina Dog had a logically pertinent question.
Where to next, SPHP?
Peak 5170, Loopster, then Peak 5163, if we have time. You’ve been to both before, but only Peak 5163 was in the Peakbagger.com database back then.
So, we’re tagging Peak 5170 just for fun now that it’s in the database?
Yup. It’s a little more complicated than that though. Peak 5170 is at the S end of the same big highland that Peak 5163 is part of, and has 4 different 5,160 foot contours. We visited them all last time around, and we’ll do it again today, too, just to make sure we hit the true high point.
How long will all that take us, SPHP?
Oh, not that long. Don’t worry, Loop. They’re all super easy.
And that brings us back to my original question, SPHP. Which way do we go from here to get there?
Let’s start out following Peak 5566’s NW ridge, Loop. Once we get past HP5496, there’s another ridge we can follow E.
Sounded easy enough, and started out that way, but it wasn’t long before rock formations began appearing along the crest of the ridge. Soon they were large enough to repeatedly force Lupe off the ridgeline, eventually threatening to become so continuous that a decision had to be made.
Wow! I had no idea that anything so rugged was in this region, Looper. Looks like crossing back and forth over the ridge, choosing the side with the easiest terrain, is going to be an issue as we keep heading NW. We’re going to have to pick one side or another, and stick with it for a while.
If we’re going to turn E when we get to the next ridge, we better stay on the NE side of this one, SPHP, or these rock formations will prevent us from getting over to that next ridge.
Makes sense, Loop, but looks easier on the SW side. So, why don’t we try it? These rock formations can’t go on forever.
Whatever, SPHP. Why do you even ask, if you’re just going to ignore my advice? My Dingo intuition is 4 for 4 so far today, remember?
Nevertheless, SPHP more or less insisted. Venturing NW along the SW side of the rock formations, they became a continuous, insurmountable wall. This was all beautiful territory, an easy, gradual downhill stroll through the forest, but as the American Dingo had already pointed out would be the case, Lupe was stuck on the wrong side of the wall.
Expecting some kind of a break before too long, SPHP was disappointed. The rock wall went on and on. What’s more, instead of shrinking, the wall was getting taller and taller, more and more formidable.
Oh, good grief! Can you believe this, Loop? It’s got to end somewhere!
I’m 5 for 5, SPHP!
The wall extended all the way to HP5496. Still no relief in sight!
Lupe was right, but so was SPHP. There had to be an end, and there was. A little after passing HP5496, the wall abruptly ended. Climbing a moderately steep forested slope, the Carolina Dog reached the crest of the ridge again, and went over it. Nothing but pine needles to deal with! However, beyond this gap, the massive wall did continue NW. SPHP was amazed by the rock formation Lupe went by.
Beautiful, but of no consequence to the plan of action. Lupe was back on the right side of Peak 5566’s NW ridge again, and very close to the lower ridge she was supposed to follow E. Beginning to lose elevation as she headed NE, a region full of deadfall and even a little snow soon gave way to a forest with far fewer obstacles.
And a trail, SPHP!
So there is, Looper! Follow it. It’s going the right way.
The faint trail was an unexpected boon. So continuous that it couldn’t possibly have been a game trail, the path appeared old, an abandoned route seldom, if ever, used anymore. With the sun now clearly starting to sink, an American Dingo flew along it today, SPHP hot on her paws. Steadily losing elevation most of the time, the trail ran right along the top of the same ridge SPHP had intended to descend.
Finally approaching a saddle, the trail curved S.
It’s going down to USFS Road No. 201.2E, close to where we were this morning, Loop.
A shortcut back to the RAV4, SPHP!
Yup, but that’s not where we’re headed. We need to turn N.
Leaving the trail she was on, the Carolina Dog continued E toward the saddle. Before she even got there, Lupe picked up another trail that promptly curved N. Perfect!
Losing elevation much more slowly now, the second trail headed N into a more open, grassy area. Not exactly a field, since there were still quite a few trees around, but very easy terrain where progress continued to be excellent. Peak 5170 came into view ahead as the trail angled NNE.
Peak 5170 looks like a blah mountain, SPHP.
They can’t all be the Matterhorn, Looper.
The second trail played out as it reached the forest again near Jim Creek. Lupe got a drink from the stream, which was running quite low this time of year, making it easy to find a place where SPHP could cross.
USFS Road No. 201 was just beyond Jim Creek. The base of Peak 5170 was surprisingly steep on the other side of the road, but by following No. 201 only a little way N, the Carolina Dog was able to start up an easier slope. Still steep enough to make SPHP pause frequently to gasp for air, but after regaining 250 feet of elevation, the rate of climb diminished.
Another 170 feet yet to go, but SPHP was now able to pick up the pace. As Lupe got close to the top, SPHP encouraged her to turn NE.
Let’s head for the SE high point first, Loopster. Right or wrong, that’s the 5,160 foot contour where Peakbagger.com shows the true summit.
3:29 PM, 52ºF, Peak 5170 – Felt odd being here again. Nearly 3 years had flown, and no thought had been given to this place in all that time since. Yet, instantly recognizable, memories came flooding back, the cobwebs hiding them suddenly torn away. The SE high point actually had quite a few big rocks strewn about the forest. Two of them, roughly 100 feet apart, seemed the most heavily-favored candidates for true summit.
Tag ’em both, Loop, and we’ll call it good.
Seems like deja vu all over again, doesn’t it, Looper? Funny how familiar it all strikes me nearly 3 years later. Nothing that spectacular here, just some rocks in the forest, yet it’s almost like we never left.
Seek professional help, SPHP. We’re still going to hit the other 3 contours, aren’t we?
Absolutely! Would like to hang around here a little while, but it’s too late for that. Onward! Puppy, ho!
Two of the four 5,160 foot contours were close together midway between the others. The S one was a rock so dull, that even to SPHP, it seemed only vaguely familiar.
The N middle contour high point was another matter entirely.
I knew it! I knew one of these middle contours had a tall, skinny cairn, Looper, and there it is!
Your mind is a steel trap when it comes to useless information, SPHP.
The W 5,160 foot contour high point was also clear as a bell, fresh as a daisy, in SPHP’s trivia-endowed mind. Lupe stood with her front paws on a little ridge of rock with deadfall resting on it. Although the entire journey from the SE high points hadn’t taken long at all, the setting sun was already near the horizon.
I don’t know why, but this was really fun! I’m glad we returned to Peak 5170, Loopster.
Yes, yes, I’ve enjoyed it, too, SPHP, but where’s Peak 5163? It’s a long way N, isn’t it? If we want to tag it before dark, we better keep going.
Peak 5163? Yeah, it’s about 0.5 mile NNW, Loop. Not so far. Easy terrain on the way to it from here without all that much elevation gain or loss, and a road we can follow about half of the way.
Bidding farewell to Peak 5170’s W high point, the American Dingo headed NNE through the forest. It was a bit of a trek to USFS Road No. 201.2A, which took her NNW.
The sun had just set, and the light was already beginning to fade, when Lupe left No. 201.2A, heading W across a huge flat region to the area where she’d first come up Peak 5163 nearly 3 years ago. Nearing the W edge of the mountain, the W wind was still heard in the pines, but at less than half its former strength.
Almost there, Loopster! The true summit is another 300 feet N.
4:12 PM, 49ºF, Peak 5163 – Lupe arrived an isolated 10 foot high rock formation unlike anything else on the vast, nearly level summit plain, as a few clouds were beginning to show some color. Starting to get tired, the Carolina Dog actually wanted an initial boost onto the bottom of the formation from SPHP before finishing the little scramble to the top.
SPHP shook Lupe’s paw.
That does it, Sweet Puppy! 4 summits in one day, not bad for December!
Good thing we didn’t dilly-dally any longer at Buck Mountain or Peak 5566, SPHP.
Yeah, it’s going to be dark before we can get back to USFS Road No. 201, Loop. We’ll find it, though. Come on down, and let’s take a short break. I’ve got another duck jerky and more Taste of the Wild for you. Water, too, if you want it.
20 minutes after arriving, Lupe was back on the summit rock formation again. This time, the American Dingo had scrambled up there entirely under her own power. Beyond her, the NW horizon was on fire.
Pretty, but too many trees here to get a clear view, SPHP.
I know. C’mon! We can get a better view farther S along the W edge, if we hurry, Loopster. It’s on the way back, anyway. Onward! Puppy, ho!
The display faded fast during the few minutes it took to grab the pack and head S, but a touch of glory still lingered on the horizon when Lupe got to the best spot.
Love it, SPHP! A perfect end to a really fun day!
Oh, the fun isn’t over quite yet, Looper. Still have some twilight exploring to do on the way back to USFS Road No. 201.
She stayed on Peak 5163 a little longer, but when the last dying embers of this wonderful day were gone, Lupe was, too. (End 6:01 PM, 40ºF)
Links:
Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 291 – Peak 4980, Peak 5163 & Peak 5321 (1-17-21)
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 246 – Peak 5136 (1-27-19)
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 153 – Steamboat Rock, Pugg’s Keep & Green Top (1-23-16)
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 151 – Buck Mountain (1-5-16)
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 116 – Green Mountain, Northern Rainbows & High Point 5219 (1-24-15)
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