Peak 5240 – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 308 – Peak 5240 & Tetro Rock (12-4-22)

9:12 AM, 37ºF, junction of Maitland Road & USFS Road No. 195.2A – Snow! Lupe was ecstatic, rolling enthusiastically in it as soon as SPHP let her out of the RAV4. Even though it was early December, it had been so dry for weeks that most of the Black Hills had scarcely any snow at all. The morning actually had a bit of a wintery feel to it here as the Carolina Dog set out.

SPHP was surprised by how snow-packed and slick No. 195.2A was. Must get more traffic than expected. Following the road N up a gradual incline, the reason became clear once the road flattened out and curved SE. Lupe hadn’t reached the Black Hills National Forest yet. There were homes up here.

Coming to a private home (R). Photo looks SE.

Winding E for 0.25 mile beyond the first home, No. 195.2A gained a bit more elevation. A high forested ridge was now visible to the SE. Lupe left the road to get a better look at it.

Off-road for a better look at the high ridge on the R. Photo looks SE.

Pretty sure that must be Peak 5240, Looper.

I take it that’s where we’re going then, SPHP?

Yes. It’s another Lists of John peak with at least 300 feet of prominence in the Black Hills that we haven’t been to yet.

I thought we were running out of these Lists of John peaks, SPHP?

We are, Loop, but there are still a few left, and that’s one of them.

Flat on top and heavily forested, Peak 5240 didn’t look all that exciting, but Loopster was going to check it out, anyway. Returning to the road, the American Dingo followed No. 195.2A as it wound SE, an easy trek with minimal elevation change.

More than 0.5 mile from the viewpoint, the road curved sharply N after crossing a ravine. Another 0.25 mile brought Lupe to a junction where an old road split off heading E. A home was visible up in the pines on a small hill overlooking this road, but there didn’t seem to be any reason why Loop couldn’t follow it.

Approaching the sharp curve where No. 195.2A turned N. Photo looks SE.

Climbing gradually, the old road went E only a little way before turning SE up a snowy slope. Part of Peak 5240 was visible across a valley just ahead. The road curved SW here, which was the wrong way to go.

We’ll to have to abandon the road, Loop. Head E!

Down into the valley, SPHP?

Yes, we’ve got to cross it before we can climb Peak 5240.

About to descend into the Tetro Creek valley. **Peak 5240** (R). Photo looks SE.

Lupe led the way down a snowy slope full of bushes that orange leaves still clung to. Crisp snow crunched, and twigs and branches snapped, as SPHP zig-zagged after her through the maze. The burning question was how big Tetro Creek would be when Loopster got down to it?

Heading down to Tetro Creek. Photo looks ESE.

SPHP needn’t have worried. Losing 200 feet of elevation, Lupe came to only a foot of snow where Tetro Creek was supposed to be, no running water at all. Crossing the snowy creekbed, Loop found herself at the S end of a spur off USFS Road No. 195.2A.

In the snow where **Tetro Creek** should have been. Photo looks E.

At the S end of a spur off USFS Road No. 195.2A. Photo looks NW.

We took a shortcut, SPHP?

Yeah, we did! Wasn’t too bad, was it? There’s another one ahead. Keep going E up this side valley.

Before she could do that, Looper had to wait while SPHP gathered up pieces of an abandoned, disintegrating TracFone. Once she started up the valley, it quickly proved to be more V-shaped than anticipated.

Staying toward the N where there was less snow, Lupe traversed a slope steep enough to cause minor traction issues for SPHP.

Heading up the side valley. Photo looks ENE.

The valley eventually broadened out. Approaching a flat region at the upper end, Lupe encountered logs cut into sections left over from an old logging operation.

Easier terrain as the valley widens out. Photo looks E.

Near the upper end of the valley. Photo looks E.

Upon reaching the flat region, Lupe came across USFS Road No. 195.2A again. The road was much more primitive here than where she’d left it. Following No. 195.2A only far enough NE to get a look at the views in that direction, the top of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) could be seen off to the E, but trees prevented her from seeing much more than that.

Back on USFS Road No. 195.2A again. Photo looks SW.

SPHP’s shortcuts had saved some distance, but whether any time had been saved versus simply following No. 195.2A was debatable. In any case, Lupe was now in position to start climbing Peak 5240’s N slope. Turning back, the American Dingo left the road and headed S.

Starting up **Peak 5240’s N slope**. Photo looks S.

Close to a foot of snow was on this N slope, which was otherwise a fairly easy climb without many obstacles. Lupe’s first objective was a narrow, 5160 foot ridge shown on the topo map. The terrain steepened as she drew near it, but getting onto the ridge wasn’t difficult.

At the **NE end of the 5160 foot ridge**. Photo looks WSW.

The ridge remained nearly level as Lupe followed it SW. Having seen Peak 5240’s heavily-forested summit from a distance early on, chances were the Carolina Dog wouldn’t get to enjoy much in the way of views up there, so SPHP kept an eye out for any that might be had from this narrow ridge.

Lupe came to a glimpse of a fairly high peak to the SE. SPHP suspected it might be Mount Theodore Roosevelt (5,680 ft.).

**Mount Theodore Roosevelt** (Center). Photo looks SE.

There were no more clear views until Loop reached a dip at the W end of the ridge. Spearfish Peak (5,800 ft.) and Crow Peak (5,787 ft.) were in sight from a couple of narrow gaps between the trees.

Continuing along the ridge. Photo looks SW.

**Spearfish Peak** (Center). Photo looks W.

**Spearfish Peak** (L) and **Crow Peak** (R of Center). Photo looks WNW.

At least, Lupe had seen something! Continuing SSW, a surprise was only a short distance ahead. Several limestone knobs provided perches along the edge of small cliffs. Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) was in sight.

These knobs were right along the W edge of the mountain. Going SSE from here, Lupe ventured down a bigger dip, followed by a climb up to another rocky high point that wasn’t cliffy. Taking a short break, Loop enjoyed a more sweeping view of Spearfish Peak and Crow Peak than she’d had earlier.

Heading into the dip beyond the limestone knobs. Photo looks SSE.

**Spearfish Peak** (Center) and **Crow Peak** (R of Center) from the next rocky high point. Photo looks W.

By now, Peak 5240’s true summit was only 125 feet higher, somewhere up the forested slope to the E. Lupe took off in search of it.

Approaching the final ascent. Photo looks E.

The slope was an easy climb. The terrain soon leveled out. Loopster had reached a broad, forested summit region, from which it appeared quite certain she’d have no views as earlier surmised. The ground was clearly a little higher toward the N, so the Carolina Dog headed that way.

12:18 PM, 43ºF, Peak 5240 – Beyond a big snowdrift, a fallen tree in a sunny clearing leaned over what appeared to be the true summit. A hop up onto the tree trunk, and Lupe claimed her peakbagging success!

At the **true summit**, or more accurately, a couple of feet above it. Photo looks NNE.

**Peak 5240 summit region**. Photo looks S.

The dynamic Dingo scores another Lists of John Black Hills 300+ foot prominence peak! Photo looks SSE.

Congratulations were in order! After all, Peak 6170, the last new Lists of John peak the American Dingo had attempted, had been a complete flop. By comparison, Peak 5240 was a glorious success! After retreating S to a snow-free spot beneath a tree, SPHP shook Loopster’s paw, then split a chocolate coconut bar with her.

A W breeze sighed in the trees as Lupe had a little Taste of the Wild, too.

Well, what now, SPHP? Peak 5240 was easy! Such a nice day, only lunch time, and I’m loving the snow. Anything else we can do around here?

Been years since we’ve been to Tetro Rock (5,562 ft.), Loop. Wanna go there? Might be fun! We could make a big loop back to the RAV4.

Fine with me, SPHP. What’s at Tetro Rock? I don’t really remember it. Sounds like there ought to be some big views!

Scarcely remember Tetro Rock myself, Looper. Just another flat, forested summit, I think, but there was a view of Terry Peak. I seem to remember something big and red, too, but couldn’t tell you now what it was.

Oh, a mystery! We ought to investigate. See if whatever it is, is still there!

It was as good a plan as any. Half an hour after arriving at Peak 5240’s true summit, Lupe headed S, exploring the rest of the summit region as she began the journey to Tetro Rock.

This led to an amazing discovery! Peak 5240’s summit region sloped down a fair amount, but was much more open toward the S end. The Carolina Dog had stumbled onto Peak 5240’s best viewpoint!

**Tetro Rock** (Center). Photo looks SW.

**Mount Theodore Roosevelt** (L). Photo looks SSE.

**Terry Peak** (L) on the horizon, **Tetro Rock** (R). Photo looks SW.

**Spearfish Peak** (L), **Crow Peak** (Center). Photo looks WNW.

Good thing we’re going to Tetro Rock, SPHP! If we’d just gone back to the RAV4, we would have missed the best part of Peak 5240!

Leaving the S end of Peak 5240’s summit region, Lupe ventured down a rocky escarpment. Below it, a long forested slope finally bottomed out at a wide, flat saddle.

Descending the escarpment at the **S end of Peak 5240**. Photo looks WNW.

At the **saddle S of Peak 5240**. Photo looks SE.

This quiet saddle seemed like a very remote place. A 200 foot high ridge now blocked further progress S. Decision time! Climb over, head W to Tetro Creek, or E into the Miller Creek drainage?

Let’s go E, Loop. Probably easiest.

The gradual descent into the Miller Creek drainage while searching for a way around the E end of the ridge was reminiscent of the earlier descent to cross Tetro Creek. In the shadow of the ridge, a foot of snow covered the ground. Lupe wandered a wilderness of bushes with orange leaves again, while twigs and branches snapped as SPHP brought up the rear.

Exploring the Miller Creek drainage. Photo looks SE.

This wandering was longer, though, the sense of seclusion stronger. Took a while before Lupe was able to turn the corner on the ridge to head S. By then she was slowly gaining elevation on a fairly steep slope. Pausing to check the map, SPHP looked down and saw a small clearing.

Is that a road? Let’s go down there, Looper!

The map didn’t show anything at all here, but there was an old road, a long forgotten lane through the snowy woods. Going the right way, too! Soon Lupe was around the E end of the 200 foot high ridge, apparently climbing toward a pass.

On the snowy road E of the blocking ridge. Photo looks SSW.

1:45 PM, Pass 4980 – At the pass was another surprise, a junction with a better road, also not shown on the map. This pass was the dividing point between the Miller Creek and Tetro Creek drainages. Taking the better road W, Lupe went down to a curve in a shallow valley where the road crossed Tetro Creek.

At **Pass 4980**, about to descend to **Tetro Creek**. Photo looks W.

Tetro Creek had no flow up here, either, but a Bush of Gold grew along its bank right at the curve. Lupe and SPHP paused to admire it.

The **Bush of Gold** by **Tetro Creek**. Photo looks ENE.

Beyond Tetro Creek, the road climbed SSW. Lupe soon went by another road on the R. This road went counter-clockwise 3/4 of the way around Peak 5270, and actually was shown on the map, but that was the long way. Ignoring it, Loop stuck with the road she was on a while longer. However, it soon seemed destined to continue S, and Tetro Rock was W.

Leaving the **Tetro Creek valley**. Photo looks S.

Abandoning all roads, the American Dingo climbed up onto a long, snowy ridge, following it SW. The ridge led to the same road around Peak 5270 that Loop had by-passed.

Third shortcut of the day. Clever, SPHP!

Every now and then, something works, Looper. Even for me!

Taking the road SW, Lupe trotted almost directly into the blazing sun, which was starting to get quite low. 0.25 mile got her to a junction with Paradise Gulch Road, which was snow-packed and had been plowed.

On **Paradise Gulch Road**. Photo looks WSW.

Paradise Gulch Road was the way to go! It swept N around the upper E end of Peak 5420, then turned WSW. Tetro Rock was now just to the NW across a deep valley.

**Tetro Rock** (R) from **Paradise Gulch Road**. Photo looks WNW.

The saddle leading to Tetro Rock was farther W, so Lupe stuck with the road. As she got close to where she would have to cross the valley, a gated driveway with a big “P” appeared, evidently access to some fancy private home. The good news was that Paradise Gulch Road curved N.

**Gated driveway** (L), **Paradise Gulch Road** (R), and **Tetro Rock** (far R). Photo looks W.

Paradise Gulch Road went clear to the saddle leading to Tetro Rock. So much for any difficulty crossing the valley! Lupe passed equipment that looked like it had been here a while. It was sort of sad to see that the saddle was so torn up.

Approaching the **saddle leading to Tetro Rock**. Photo looks N.

From the saddle, more primitive roads continued N into the forest. Lupe climbed along one of them a little way, then left it, veering NW through the trees. Passing through some deadfall, she reached a fairly flat area. Turning WNW, Loop soon discovered a road lined with pines leading W.

Following the pine-lined lane. Photo looks W.

Late day sunlight filtered through the trees as Lupe entered a clearing covered with snow. A sense of deja vu immediately swept over SPHP.

3:05 PM – How long had it been? SPHP couldn’t remember, but Lupe had been here before.

This is it, Loop! Tetro Rock (5,562 ft.). I haven’t recognized a single spot from our journey here years ago until now, but this place seems familiar.

Seriously, SPHP? This shady clearing is “Tetro Rock”? How can that be?

Nevertheless, we’ve arrived, Looper.

Whoever named this place had a real sense of humor, SPHP! Or maybe they’d never been here? Not even a rock in sight! Or a tetro, either! By the way, what is a tetro, anyway?

I suspect the mountain looks more impressive from the SW, Loop. A big cliff may give Tetro Rock its name. If not, I have no clue. Tetro is Italian, I believe, for gloomy, dark, dreary, dismal, that sort of thing.

Sounds depressing! Speaking of things, let’s see if we can find the big red thing you were talking about earlier, SPHP. And there’s supposed to be a view of Terry Peak, too, right?

Heading S from the clearing, 2 mounds less than 3 feet high appeared to be the only contenders for the title of true summit of Tetro Rock. Lupe got up on the first one she came to, just to make things official.

On the **N “true summit”** with the S one (L) in sight beyond. Photo looks S.

Continuing S to the edge of the mountain, by golly, there it was! The big red thing was still here! Even looking right at it, SPHP still didn’t know what it was. The paint job had held up remarkably well, though.

The **big red thingamajig of Tetro Rock**. Photo looks S.

A little lower, back to the NNW, was the viewpoint SPHP remembered. A limestone outcropping covered with low bushes and pine needles jutted 10 feet out toward the SW. That was enough to provide a great view of the deep False Bottom Creek valley that Maitland Road runs through, and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.).

**False Bottom Creek valley** (L). Spearfish Peak (R) with **Crow Peak** in the distance. Photo looks WNW.

**Terry Peak** (Center). Photo looks SSW.

With the sun sinking into a bank of clouds to the SW, a colorful sunset clearly wasn’t in the cards. Lupe sat next to SPHP. She wasn’t going to have much time to enjoy this view she hadn’t seen in years. A paw shake to congratulate Loop on her return to Tetro Rock, and it was chocolate coconut bar and Taste of the Wild time.

15 minutes, maybe 20. The sun wasn’t quite gone yet when the Carolina Dog left the viewpoint. Going past the big red thing one more time, Lupe went up to sit on the S mound of the true summit for a moment before returning to the snowy clearing.

Heading N from the clearing, the American Dingo quickly came to a place SPHP had long forgotten. A collection of 4 foot high gray boulders covered with lichens and snow sat amid young aspens and deadfall.

Oh, I remember these rocks, Loop! Hard to say for certain, but this might even be the true summit of Tetro Rock!

Well, at least there are some rocks up here, after all, SPHP!

Naturally, Loopster had to get up on the highest rock.

On the rocks N of the clearing. Photo looks NNW.

Light was already fading as Lupe left the rocks and vanished N into the woods. For a long way, there was a foot of snow in the trackless forest. The Carolina Dog found an old road, but it ended soon after she reached it. A little W of the road’s end, a long, tetro valley went N, forested until almost the very end.

Stars were shining, and a nearly full moon cast the Dingo’s shadow on the hard-packed snow when Lupe finally reached USFS Road No. 195.2A again. Still a mile to go. Lupe led the way. It had been an interesting day. (End 5:20 PM, 28ºF)

**Peak 5240**, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-4-22

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 170 – Kirk Hill, Tetro Rock & Custer Peak (5-1-16)

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Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 191 – Peak 5360, Peak 5240 & Buckhorn Mountain (2-13-17)

Even standing right next to the marker, the numbers on it were so faded SPHP could barely make them out. 313.1G. Excellent! No doubt about it now, this icy dirt road leading into the trees was a USFS Road. Come on out, Loop, this is it! Lupe was out of the G6 in a flash (8:58 AM, 39°F). She thrashed around rolling on the ice in her excitement and desire to cool off.

Most of the land right along Carroll Creek Road (County Road No. 313) was privately owned in this area, but SPHP’s old USFS map did show national forest land coming right down to Carroll Creek Road in a few places. Finding USFS Road No. 313.1G meant Lupe had national forest access around the private property nearby. She could get to Peak 5360.

Much of the snow that had been in this vicinity a week ago had melted. What was left had turned to ice on No. 313.1G, making it quite slippery. Off road, patches of crusty, crunchy snow lingered in shady spots.

The snow that had been in this vicinity a week ago had turned to ice now on USFS Road No. 313.1G. Photo looks N.

Peak 5360 was another of the series of peaks in the southern Black Hills that Brian Kalet had added to the Peakbagger.com data base last spring. On recent expeditions, Lupe’s adventures had been focused on climbing these Brian Kalet peaks. She now had a good start on visiting all of them. A successful summit of Peak 5360 would “X” another one off the list.

Peak 5360 was only 0.67 miles N as the crow flies. Lupe would have to go more like a mile to actually reach the summit. No. 313.1G started out curving across the lower end of a draw to the NE. It then went around the SW end of a forested ridge before turning NE. Here, Lupe already had a view of Peak 5360 to the N beyond a field of private property.

After following No. 313.1G around the SW end of a forested ridge, Lupe could see Peak 5360 ahead beyond a privately-owned field. Photo looks N.

Displaying limestone cliffs at the SW end, Peak 5360 looked like it was probably easiest to climb from the NE. Lupe followed No. 313.1G up the valley. After the road got beyond the end of the private field, Lupe came to two intersections in rapid succession. At the second one, she left No. 313.1G to continue NE on No. 313.1H. She hadn’t gone far at all before reaching a fence with a “No Trespassing” sign.

SPHP checked the USFS map again. Yes, a very narrow strip of private property within the national forest extended farther up the valley from here. Lupe ought to be able to go around it easily enough. SPHP led Lupe NW directly toward Peak 5360. Sure enough, the fence ended shortly after reaching the trees. Lupe turned NE again.

As she got closer to the NE end of the mountain, Lupe started climbing. She had already gained a fair amount of elevation by the time she was able to turn SW to tackle the steepest part of the slope leading to the summit. The remaining snow was getting soft and starting to melt, making things slick for SPHP. The Carolina Dog had no problem, though. She was rapidly approaching the small limestone outcroppings near the top of the mountain.

The snow was starting to melt and make things slippery as Lupe reached the steepest part of the climb up the NE slope. The snow was no problem for her. Soon she could see the limestone rock outcroppings just below the top of the mountain ahead.

Lupe at the base of the limestone cap of Peak 5360. Fortunately, the line of rock was discontinuous here at the NE end of the mountain. Lupe had no problem finding an easy route to the top. Photo looks SSW.

The exposed limestone cap at the NE end of Peak 5360 was not thick or continuous enough to create a solid line of cliffs. Lupe had no problem reaching the top of the mountain. The mountaintop was heavily forested, but she had good views from an opening looking NE.

**Cicero Peak (6,166 ft.)** (L) from the NE end of Peak 5360. Photo looks NE.

**Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)** (L). Photo looks NNE using the telephoto lens.

Now that she had made it up here, it was time for Lupe to explore the top of Peak 5360 to find the true summit. The summit ridge extended another 0.125 mile to the SW, so the high point might be some distance away.

From here near the NE end of the mountaintop, Lupe set out to find the true summit of Peak 5360. Photo looks WSW.

As it turned out, Lupe didn’t have far to go. The true summit was only 100 feet from where she’d reached the top of the mountain’s limestone cap. Brian Kalet had marked the true summit on Peakbagger.com as being close to the NE end of the mountain. Brian was absolutely correct.

A dead tree had fallen over right at the actual summit, and made a great prop from which Lupe could claim her 1st peakbagging success of the day.

Lupe stands on the fallen dead tree at the true summit of **Peak 5360**. Photo looks NE.

Amid a dense forest, the gnarly roots of the fallen dead tree were the most scenic thing in view from the true summit.

Simply because she had reached the true summit of Peak 5360 so quickly didn’t mean Lupe was done here. Loop was ready to explore the entire summit area to see what else she might discover. Two ridges converged at the true summit. The shorter one went W, while the longer one went SW. Lupe went SW first.

The SW ridge varied from 50 – 200 feet wide. Although the ridge was fairly level, Lupe lost elevation steadily as she conducted her exploration. From cliffs along the SE edge, Lupe often had nice views in that direction, but the forest hid everything to the NW.

Explorer Lupe midway along the SW ridge. Photo looks back to the NE in the direction she was coming from.

Lupe had lost significant elevation by the time she reached the cliffs at the end of the SW ridge. Unsurprisingly, the best views were to the SSW. Lupe could see both Parker Peak (4,848 ft.) and Matias Peak (4,780 ft.). Both were far away on the horizon and looked like mere bumps from here.

The best view from the end of the SW ridge was to the SSW. Lupe could see both Parker Peak (on the horizon straight up from the end of her nose) and Matias Peak (also on the horizon, but a little to the R of her tail), but they were so far away they looked like mere bumps from here.

Looking down on the Carroll Creek valley. Despite the melting snow, the creek was bone dry when Lupe came by today. Photo looks WNW.

Since the views were better here at the end of the SW ridge than back at the true summit, SPHP suggested taking a short break. Lupe was fine with that for 10 minutes. Then she disappeared. SPHP had to call her. She came running back from the NE. Apparently she had seen enough of this end of the mountain!

At the end of the SW ridge during break time. Photo looks S.

Lupe and SPHP started back up to the NE. When the Carolina Dog was getting close to the true summit again, she turned W to explore the shorter W ridge. This was the only part of the mountain with decent views toward the N or NW. Lupe saw both Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.) and Thunderhead Mountain (6,567 ft.), but they were quite a long way off.

Lupe’s explorations of Peak 5360 were now complete. She returned briefly to the true summit before heading back down the NE slope. She retraced her entire route back to the G6 (11:12 AM, 46°F).

On USFS Road No. 313.1G again on her way back to the G6. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe wasn’t done with Brian Kalet peaks yet today. Another one, Peak 5240, was her next destination. Peak 5240 is nearly 4 miles SE of Peak 5360 on the opposite side of the little town of Pringle. Ordinarily that would have been close enough for Lupe to consider simply exploring a route to it through the hills, but the USFS map showed a lot of private property in the Pringle area. Lucky Lupe was going to get a ride over to Peak 5240 in the G6.

That was fine with the American Dingo! She kept a keen eye out for cows and horses to bark at along the way. She saw several on the way to Pringle, and hit the jackpot when she got there. A whole herd of black cattle was grazing SE of the intersection of Hwy 385 and Hwy 89. Peak 5240 was close by, in full view beyond the herd.

Peak 5240 is only 0.67 miles SE of the small town of Pringle. It is clearly visible from the junction of Hwy 385 & Hwy 89. Photo looks ESE at the mountain from Hwy 89 less than 0.5 mile S of Pringle.

The old USFS map made it look like there was national forest access to Peak 5240 starting less than 1 mile E of Pringle on the S side of Hwy 385. A possible USFS road shown on the Peakbagger.com topo map was nowhere in evidence, though, when SPHP drove by. Quite a bit of private property was in the area.

In fact, an apparently long-established commercial business, the Pringle Bed & Breakfast resort, sat on fenced land S of Hwy 385 where SPHP had expected to find the national forest. The Pringle Bed & Breakfast looked affordable to begin with, and they were advertising winter rates. SPHP was in a generous mood. Did Lupe want to go in for a luxurious, comfy snooze and hearty, nutritious breakfast?

*Oh, you’re a riot, SPHP! No, I’m not this tired or hungry!*

*I’ll get you for this! Yeah, some day my fans will be reading “SPHP went missing mysteriously on Expedition No. Blah, Blah”.*

SPHP still thought the land the Pringle Bed & Breakfast sat on was national forest ground, but the expected access road didn’t seem to exist and there was nowhere to park. Maybe there was access from the W? SPHP drove back W to Shirttail Canyon Road and turned S. After passing by several private properties, a USFS marker appeared near the start of a dirt side road. Lupe was in luck! SPHP parked the G6, and Lupe was back in business (11:41 AM, 47°F).

The USFS road led up the W slope of Peak 5240 through an open forest of Ponderosa pines. It soon ended at the old Townsite Mine, where a couple of signs indicated someone from Oklahoma had recently staked a new mining claim. Lupe found nothing else here other than the big scar in the hillside left by the original mining operation. She did have quite a good view back toward Pringle to the NW.

Lupe arrives at the historic Townsite Mine on the upper W slope of Peak 5240. It is historic simply because all defunct old mines are historic, in case you hadn’t ever noticed before.

From the Townsite Mine, Lupe had an unobstructed view of Pringle, SD. Photo looks NW.

Other than this big gash in the W side of Peak 5240, Lupe found nothing else at the old Townsite Mine. Photo looks N.

It doesn’t take a Carolina Dog long to look at a hole in the ground, even if it’s a fairly big one. Lupe left the Townsite Mine going a little S before turning E. She had to make her way up a short, fairly steep slope, but quickly reached the top of a limestone outcropping. Lupe stopped briefly here for a look at the already great view to the SSW.

The view from here was similar to the one Lupe had from the SW ridge on Peak 5360, but was more open and panoramic. Loopster could see Parker Peak (4,848 ft.) and Matias Peak (4,780 ft.) again. They were still far away, but a little closer than before.

Coming up Peak 5240 from the SW, Lupe reached the top of this limestone outcropping where she had a great panoramic view to the S. Still appearing as little bumps on the horizon, Lupe saw Matias Peak (straight up from her tail end) and Parker Peak (L of Center). Photo looks SSW.

Another look SSW. Parker Peak is now near (Center) on the horizon.

Parker Peak (R) through the telephoto lens.

The rest of the climb up Peak 5240 was only moderately steep. At the top of the mountain, one medium-sized rock stood out as being the true summit of Peak 5240. Lupe stood on it to claim her 2nd peakbagging success of the day, striking a somewhat dramatic pose. There was little doubt she was merely following a tradition already established by Brian Kalet.

Lupe poses dramatically at the true summit of Peak 5240! Hwy 385/89 N of Pringle can be seen in the distance. **Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.)** is on the far horizon. Photo looks NNW.

Near a cairn E of the true summit, Lupe found a survey marker, but it seemed to have more to do with a section line than anything having to do with Peak 5240. The top of the mountain formed a ridge running E/W. The ground was close to level for about 200 feet in this direction. Lupe had surprisingly good views in most directions except to the W and NW, where pines blocked the view toward Pringle.

Looking down the S ridge from a point E of the true summit. Photo looks S.

Looking SE. A lot of forest had burned in this direction.

After looking at the views from the E end of the summit, Lupe and SPHP took a break over toward the W end. The trees here provided welcome shade. Lupe wasn’t really hungry yet, but she stayed close by while SPHP munched an apple.

The view down the S slope was lovely. On the horizon was a distant blue ridge that might be part of the Seven Sisters Range (4,420 ft.), where Lupe hopes to visit some more Brian Kalet peaks in the relatively near future. SPHP must have been daydreaming and munching away for a while. Suddenly an American Dingo was right there, demanding an explanation.

*Just how long does it take you to eat one crummy apple, anyway? Can we go yet?*

Lupe was ready for action! OK, OK! SPHP finished the apple. Lupe cooperated with SPHP for one last photo looking down the S slope. She returned briefly to stand atop the summit rock one more time. Then she headed down the S slope to continue her exploration of Peak 5240.

Looking at the lovely view down the S slope from the break area a little W of the true summit. Photo looks SSE.

The high points along the distant blue ridge at Center and to the L may be part of the Seven Sisters Range S of Hot Springs, SD. Photo looks SSE using the telephoto lens.

Lupe went all the way down to the drop-off at the bottom of the S slope. Although she had lost a fair amount of elevation, she still had a great panoramic view.

Lupe near the drop-off at the lower end of Peak 5240’s S slope. Shirttail Canyon Road is the dirt road below on the R. Beyond it, Hwy 89 curves away to the W. Matias Peak is the highest dark hill seen L of Center near the horizon. Photo looks SW.

Lupe’s investigations on Peak 5240 were now complete. She left the mountain, stopping by the Townsite Mine one more time along the way. Soon she was back at the G6 (1:04 PM, 47°F).

More than 4 hours remained before sunset. Lupe had run out of Brian Kalet peaks to explore near Pringle. However, while Loopster had been climbing all the Brian Kalet peaks farther N in recent weeks, SPHP had noticed a mountain not in the Peakbagger.com data base that Brian had somehow missed. Buckhorn Mountain (6,330 ft.) was just N of Custer, SD.

Lupe had seen Buckhorn Mountain from Peak 6181 only a few weeks ago. It looked like a fairly impressive peak which might have some pretty sweet views from the top. The Custer area, especially to the N, is rugged territory for the Black Hills featuring lots of huge granite rock formations. SPHP wasn’t even certain if Lupe could get to the top of Buckhorn Mountain, but she was about to find out!

After driving to Custer, SPHP parked the G6 again at the intersection of Hwy 89 and USFS Road No. 362, about a mile N of Hwy Alt 16 (1:33 PM, 45°F). Buckhorn Mountain was only 1.5 miles to the NW.

On the first half of the trek to Buckhorn Mountain, Lupe followed USFS Road No. 362. The road wound NW through a forest which had been thinned by loggers fairly recently. Lupe liked the open forest, and trotted along on or near the road sniffing happily. She gained elevation steadily, but only gradually, on the way. She passed by a private drive on the N side of the road, but No. 362 continued on beyond it.

At the high point on No. 362, Lupe found an intersection. From here, No. 362 went W starting downhill. USFS Road No. 362.1C went N. By now, Lupe was very close to the end of the part of the forest the loggers had thinned. Buckhorn Mountain’s thickly forested SE ridge came right down to No. 362.1C nearby. Lupe took No. 362.1C going N, but arrived almost immediately at a gate barring the road. A sign said she had reached private property.

Lupe didn’t need to go any farther N anyway. Time for the American Dingo to begin her ascent of Buckhorn Mountain! Lupe and SPHP plunged into the forest, starting up the SE ridge.

The climb was really fun! It was steep, but not too steep. At first the forest was the only obstacle to navigate, but very quickly Lupe began coming to granite rock formations along the top of the ridge. The higher up Lupe went, the more the rock outcroppings grew in size. At any moment Lupe might come to a wall of solid rock preventing further advance along the ridge, but she didn’t. Each time that kind of situation seemed to be developing, Lupe found an easy way over, around, or through.

Climbing Buckhorn Mountain’s SE ridge, Lupe came to many interesting rock formations along the way. This one has a hole in it near the top. Photo looks SSE.

SPHP knew that Lupe would eventually come to an intermediate high point, sort of an ESE shoulder of the mountain. The shoulder area had some towering granite at the top. It was the first area of real concern. Would Lupe be able to get past this area without having to lose a bunch of elevation going around it?

A wall of rock 40 feet high appeared ahead. Lupe’s prospects weren’t looking too good, but she kept climbing right up to it. The luck of the Dingo held. Looper found an easy route around the NE side of the rock formation. She was past the ESE shoulder. Nothing to it!

Lupe alongside the rock formations of the ESE shoulder of Buckhorn Mountain. She has already made her way around the NE (L) side of them. Photo looks SE.

Lupe below the rocks of the ESE shoulder. Photo looks SE.

Now that she was beyond the ESE shoulder, Lupe could see the top of Buckhorn Mountain ahead. It was still a bit of a climb, but wasn’t that far away!

Now that she was past the ESE shoulder, Lupe could see the top of Buckhorn Mountain ahead. It wasn’t that far away!

Lupe lost only a little elevation traversing the saddle from the ESE shoulder to start the remaining climb up the E slope of the mountain. The forest in the saddle had been thinned by loggers. SPHP staggered through all the annoying slash the loggers had left behind. Before reaching the end of the slash, Lupe was already climbing again.

It still wasn’t clear if Lupe would be able to reach the top of Buckhorn Mountain or not. The final climb had stretches near the top which were even steeper than before. SPHP had to grab onto rocks and trees in some places to get up. None of this was difficult or scary – just a little light scrambling, but with snow and some deadfall timber around, it was slow going.

Near the top, suddenly the ridge was much flatter and easier than before. Lupe and SPHP went W making rapid progress. High rocks appeared ahead. SPHP’s heart sank. There was no way Lupe could reach the top, at least not from what SPHP was seeing from this direction. The rocks were nearly vertical and way too high.

Nothing to do, but check it out. Lupe worked her way around the N side of the rock formation, and found herself in a saddle between it and another rock formation to the N. It still didn’t look like Lupe would be able to climb up the first rock formation. So disappointing! The rocks to the N looked easier, so Lupe went that way first.

The rocks extended farther N than SPHP had seen at first. Lupe kept climbing along a surprisingly easy route. As she reached the N end, SPHP looked back and saw that she appeared to be every bit as high as the highest rocks to the S! In fact, the very highest rocks at the N end looked like they might even be slightly higher. Lupe had reached the true summit of Buckhorn Mountain (6,330 ft.)! Easy as pie in the end!

Lupe reaches the summit of Buckhorn Mountain. Easy as pie in the end! Photo looks E.

Lupe at the top of Buckhorn Mountain. These rocks at the N end are the true summit in SPHP’s opinion, although it is a very close contest with the first high point Lupe had seen roughly 200 – 300 feet farther S. Photo looks N.

The views were fabulous! Poor Brian Kalet had really missed out by not getting to this peak. Lupe had a sweeping 180°+ panoramic view everywhere to the N. The Carolina Dog could see lots of the highest, most rugged territory and peaks of the Black Hills from here.

**Thunderhead Mountain (6,567 ft.)** is almost always referred to locally as **Crazy Horse** due to the memorial being carved into the mountain. Photo looks N using the telephoto lens.

**Sylvan Hill (7,000 ft.)**(L) and **Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.)**(R). Photo looks NNE.

**Bear Mountain (7,166 ft.)** (L of Center) is the highest point along the far ridge. Photo looks NW.

Lupe decided to celebrate her successful ascent of Buckhorn Mountain by taking a break. She feasted on Taste of the Wild, then curled up for a rest at a comfy spot in the warm sunlight.

Lupe decided it was time to put a little Taste of the Wild in her tank.

While Lupe relaxed, SPHP took a couple of close-ups using the telephoto lens.

Sylvan Hill with some help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNE.

A closer look at Bear Mountain. Photo looks NW.

After her short rest, Lupe got back up on the true summit at the N end of Buckhorn Mountain again.

Lupe returned to the N summit after her rest break. Black Elk Peak is seen on the R. Photo looks NNE.

The time had arrived to explore the rest of the summit area. Maybe it was possible for Lupe to reach the top of the first rock formation she had come to farther S? If she could, there wouldn’t be any question whether she had reached the true summit of Buckhorn Mountain. The Carolina Dog headed S to check it out.

The top of the rock formation to the S is seen on the R. Photo looks S from a point not too far from the N summit.

It turned out that the S rock formation was really the middle high point on Buckhorn Mountain. Between the trees, another high point could be seen even farther off to the SSW. However, it was clear that the actual S high point wasn’t as high as either the central or N ones were.

From the NW, the middle rock formation didn’t look nearly as daunting as it had from the E. Lupe could probably climb it from the SW!

Lupe near the middle high point. Seen from the NW, it wasn’t nearly as imposing as it had seemed when Lupe originally approached from the E. In fact, it looked like Lupe might be able to get to the top from the SW. Photo looks SE.

A couple of minutes later, Lupe and SPHP were at the top of the middle summit. Getting there was an easy little scramble. The area at the top was all lumpy granite, but Lupe had a little room to move around. From here, she had terrific views to the E. She could see part of the town of Custer to the SSE, and beyond all the way to Northeast Cicero Peak (6,240 ft.).

Loop reaches the top of the central high point on Buckhorn Mountain, the rock formation that had looked too imposing to climb as Lupe first approached it from the E. Photo looks NE.

Lupe on the Central high point. Looking back toward the N summit, which was almost in view from here, SPHP really wasn’t certain which was the true summit. Either way, Lupe had now been on top of both. SPHP’s final conclusion was that the N high point is the true summit, but it’s an extremely close contest. It’s entirely possible this is actually it. The difference might be only inches, a foot or two at most.

Having climbed both the N and Central high points now, no matter which one was actually the true summit of Buckhorn Mountain, Lupe had been there. All that was left to do was check out the views from the lower S high point. As Lupe approached it from the N, there seemed to be little prospect of reaching the top. The rocks were vertical.

As Lupe approached from the N, there seemed to be little chance she could get to the top of the S high point. Photo looks S.

Sadly, SPHP didn’t think Lupe could even reach the S end of this rock formation, where there ought to be a sweeping panoramic view. Wrong! Lupe discovered an easy way around the W side that led directly up to a fantastic viewpoint.

From the far S end of the S high point, Lupe had this beautiful view to the WNW. Huge granite formations were close by. Farther off was **Atlantic Hill (6,393 ft.)** (R), and beyond it were the distant high ridges of the western Black Hills.

Part of the town of Custer, SD with Northeast Cicero Peak in the distance. Photo looks SSE using the telephoto lens.

Lupe couldn’t get to the top of the highest rocks at the S high point, but reached a point that wasn’t too much lower. It didn’t matter anyway, since the S high point was definitely not the true summit. After enjoying the grand view, Lupe returned to the N end of the mountain. SPHP needed to retrieve the pack, which had been left there.

Thunderhead Mountain (Crazy Horse) (R of Center) again from the N summit. Photo looks N.

Black Elk Peak with a little help from the telephoto lens.

After SPHP retrieved the pack, Lupe left Buckhorn Mountain. What a splendid fun climb and summit it had been! Lupe went back to the G6 following the same scenic route she had taken up. Near the wild-looking rock with a hole in it, SPHP found the topo maps on the ground. SPHP had dropped them on the way up.

Fortunately, when the route is obvious, a map isn’t required. Just keep following that curly Dingo tail onward and upward! (5:27 PM, 36°F)

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