10-5-23, 3:30 PM – Oh, happy day! Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and new Cousin Dixie were here, newly arrived from Colorado, and destined to spend the next few days at Hotel Lupe! The American Dingo greeted them all with great enthusiasm, then sort of played with Dixie, mostly watching as her Aussie Shepherd cousin tore around the living room.
Lupe was astounded by new Cousin Dixie’s appearance! Only 3 months ago, Dixie had been a mere puppy – cute and fuzzy, and with an already over-developed and rather annoying herding instinct. Since then, Dixie had been completely transformed! Now she was nearly as big as Lupe, and a whirlwind of energy.
All that new Cousin Dixie energy had to go somewhere! Fortunately, this evening it suddenly dawned on Dixie how her Carolina Dog cousin was able to pass through walls like magic. A doggie door! Once Dixie caught on to how it worked, she was as bad as a cat, letting herself in and out at will to race around the back yard whenever she pleased. Best idea ever!
10-6-23, 10:06 AM, USFS Road No. 144.1A – The Hotel Lupe doggie door to the back yard served as a release for some of Dixie’s hyper-activity, but wasn’t a complete solution by any means. However, a Black Hills, SD expedition might do the trick!
The morning air was clean, clear, and on the crisp side when everyone, minus Aunt Andrea, who had gone to spend the day with Grandma, piled out of the RAV4 at the start of USFS Road No. 144.1A. Lupe and Dixie were both excited, and couldn’t wait to get started.
Start of USFS Road No. 144.1A, about a mile NE of Nemo. Photo looks SSW.
During Dixie’s first ever visit to the Black Hills at the end of June, she’d had fun on 3 mini-expeditions with Lupe. Now that Dixie was 5 months old, Lupe figured she ought to give her energetic cousin an introduction to peakbagging.
SPHP had suggested Peak5321 as an easy objective. With less than 300 feet of elevation gain required during a mere 1.4 mile, mostly road hike, approach, Dixie’s first ascent attempt would be a guaranteed success! The journey began with a 0.5 mile romp along USFS Road No. 144.1A.
Off to a good start on USFS Road No. 144.1A. Photo looks W.
This easy jaunt got Dixie to a broad minor pass. USFS Road No. 144.1A veered off to the SE here. An unmarked road not shown on the maps that branched off to the R was actually the way to go.
At the broad, flat pass where USFS Road No. 144.1A heads off to the L. The road angling R was the way to go. Photo looks S.Joe and Dixie continuing along the unmarked road. Photo looks SSW.
Traversing the W slopes of HP5243, the road gradually gained elevation before turning SW and flattening out. Much to Lupe’s dismay, by now it was clear that Dixie hadn’t gotten over her annoying herding instincts at all. The American Dingo did her best to try not to let it get to her. Most of the time, everyone was in fine spirits on this beautiful early autumn day, but with some regularity, Lupe couldn’t help growling or snapping at her bossy new cousin.
Dixie, of course, was completely unfazed. The herding went on.
At the curve where the road turned SW. Photo looks SW.
From the turn SW, Ash Point, established by the “Yogi Clan” in memory of Shirley and Sonya at the edge of a cliff, was only another 0.33 mile.
10-6-23, 10:34 AM – In addition to a terrific view of Nemo hundreds of feet below, Ash Point featured views of both Green Top(5,360 ft.) and White Mansion(5,340 ft.) 3 miles NW, with Custer Peak(6,804 ft.) and Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) on the horizon.
Not trusting Dixie’s puppy exuberance near a cliff, Joe prudently kept her leashed up.
Dingo’s eye view of Nemo from Ash Point. Custer Peak (far R). Photo looks W.Terry Peak (L), Green Top (R), White Mansion (far R). Photo looks NW.White Mansion (L) from Ash Point. Photo looks N.
The Yogi Clan had thoughtfully provided a bench so visitors can relax while enjoying the lovely Ash Point views. However, the Carolina Dog merely stood on it for a minute or two before leaping off. Joe and Dixie then demonstrated how to make better use of a bench.
Lupe on the Ash Point bench.Joe and Dixie show Lupe how it’s done.
Peak 5321’s summit was only 0.25 mile SSE of Ash Point. However, the road soon curved way E of it on its way S, so Lupe led everyone off into the forest, taking a direct route up a gentle slope.
Heading straight through the forest in search of the summit. Photo looks SE.
10-6-23, 10:50 AM, 47ºF, Peak5321 – A large flat region buried in trees and full of deadfall, Peak 5321 admittedly wasn’t all that scintillating as summits go. At least there was a sunny semi-clearing, the deadfall made reasonably good seats, and there was no edge nearby that Dixie might inadvertently hurtle herself over.
Dixie was bummed that she didn’t get to share in the chocolate coconut bars that Joe, Lupe, and SPHP all enjoyed in honor of her first official Black Hills peak ascent, but she readily accepted Taste of the Wild and water as a consolation prize.
Blinking in the sun on Peak 5321’s flat, deadfall-strewn summit. Photo looks NNE.Taking a break on Peak 5321. Photo looks SE.
With no summit views, there wasn’t much reason to linger after a short break. However, Ash Point wasn’t the only viewpoint in this general vicinity. On a prior expedition, Lupe had discovered that American Point was less than another 0.25 mile SW along the same line of cliffs.
Dixie and Joe were both willing to check it out. Heading S to pick up the unmarked road again, it led right to American Point.
On the way to American Point. Photo looks SW.
10-6-23, 11:27 AM, American Point – Oh, yeah! The cheerful American Flag was still here, waving all red, white and blue in the breeze. From a larger limestone platform above the cliffs than the one at Ash Point, the views were similar here, although oriented more toward the SW. It was now possible to see Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) far to the S.
At American Point. Black Elk Peak (L) on the horizon. Photo looks SSW.Nemo from American Point. Custer Peak (L) and Terry Peak (R) of the flag. Photo looks NW.Joe, Dixie, and Lupe at American Point. White Mansion (Center). Photo look NNW.Together by the flag. Custer Peak (R of Center), Photo looks WNW.
After hanging out near the American flag admiring the views, that was about it for Cousin Dixie’s first ever Black Hills peakbagging experience. The return involved only a pleasant march back along the unmarked road to USFS Road No. 144.1A, and thence on to the RAV4.
Peak 5321 with its nearby Ash Point and American Peak viewpoints had been a nice outing. Even better, with Uncle Joe and Cousin Dixie still checked in at Hotel Lupe, another Black Hills adventure was sure to be on the agenda tomorrow! (End 10-6-23, 12:23 PM)
Final moments at American Point. Photo looks S.Back at the start, enjoying the fall colors with Uncle Joe.Dixie & Lupe’s Peak 5321 GPS track.
Thrilled that the Lists of John mini-blitz had her back in action again so soon, Lupe didn’t mind the cold at all. Going to warm up a little later on anyway. A skiff of snow that had fallen last night was barely enough to turn USFS Road No. 149 white as she set out heading SE.
Parked at the start of USFS Road No. 149. Photo looks SE.Setting out on No. 149. Photo looks SE.
Gaining a little elevation, Loop soon made it to a high spot where the road curved E. Sunlight streaming through the pines strengthened the notion that it really would begin to warm up soon. Beyond the curve, No. 149 dipped entering a small valley.
At the sunny curve. Photo looks SE.Heading into the valley. Photo looks ESE.
Before long, the road bottomed out and began climbing toward a pass. Some stretches of No. 149 had recently been improved along in here by the addition of coarse new gravel.
Pass 4762 ahead. Photo looks NE.
Upon arriving at Pass 4762, Lupe found herself back in the sunshine at a 4-way intersection.
Which way, SPHP? Where are we going?
We’re on our way to Peak 4980, Loop! Go S on No. 149.2A here. Not too far, though. Should see No. 149.2B on the R before we get up to the top of this next rise. We’ll want to take 2B over to the saddle NE of HP4950.
2B, or not 2B, that is the question!
Hah! Clever, Loop, but no question about it. Most definitely, 2B! But not until after 2A.
A short stint S on 2A, and 2B appeared on the R, as anticipated. 2B went W, then SW, to the saddle NE of HP4950. From here, the road continued down into the valley SW of the pass. Instead of going that way, Lupe abandoned the road, traveling WSW through gently rolling territory straight to HP4950 itself, which turned out to be nothing more than a large flat region in the pines with no distinct high point.
At the turn onto No. 149.2B. Photo looks SW.No. 149.2B. The saddle NE of HP4950 is in the trees just ahead. Photo looks SW.At the saddle. Loop headed off to the WSW (R) from here.Bound for HP4950. Photo looks SW.At HP4950. Photo looks S.
HP4950 wasn’t as dull a spot as an initial impression might lead a Dingo to believe. Cliffs were only a few tens of feet W of what appeared to be the marginally highest ground, but so many trees grew right up to the edge that it wasn’t possible to see much.
Venturing S not too far from the brink, the Carolina Dog went in search of a viewpoint. She soon came to one where SPHP was surprised to see two cairns. The smaller cairn had a narrow view of a mountain less than a mile NW that Lupe had been to before.
We haven’t been there in years! Wonder if Pugg’s Keep is still up there?
Hah! I wonder if Pugg ever came back to clean up his unkept keep?
Steamboat Rock (Center) from the small cairn. Photo looks NW.
From the larger cairn, Loop caught a first glimpse of her destination. Peak4980, a rounded hill with a cliff to the W just like HP4950, was only 0.5 mile S. Green Mountain(5,240 ft.) was also in sight a little farther away. Peering over the edge near the cairn, Box Elder Creek could be seen way down by Nemo Road.
Peak 4980 (Center). Photo looks SSW.Peak 4980 (L), Green Mountain (Center), and Box Elder Creek (R). Photo looks SSW.
Heading S from HP4950, Looper traveled down a gradually narrowing ridge. Another surprise was in store when she came to a flat open area right along the edge of the cliffs. In addition to a more sweeping view, a flagpole jutted up from a third cairn. No flag, though.
Steamboat Rock (Center), Nemo Road and Box Elder Creek (L) from the flagpole. Photo looks NW.
As Lupe closed in on the saddle leading to Peak 4980, the limestone ridge she was on began to break up. Soon it was too rough to remain up on top, but that didn’t present any serious obstacle. Staying somewhat E of, and below the ridgeline, the American Dingo managed to get past the saddle to where she could start climbing Peak 4980’s NE slope.
The climb was steep, but relatively short, and not difficult. At one point, Lupe could see an interesting little summit off to the SE. Near the top of the steep part, she went by a big limestone outcropping. Above it, the terrain leveled out to a large degree. An easy stroll to another forested, flat, featureless summit region was all that remained.
By a limestone wall as the ridge S of Peak 4950 begins to break up. Peak 4980 (L). Photo looks SW.Starting up Peak 4980. Photo looks SW.A distinctive HP (Center) off to the SE.Entering the summit region. Photo looks SSW.
9:58 AM, 45ºF, Peak4980 – What passed for the summit, as near as SPHP could determine it, was none too scintillating. However, only marginally lower, less than 100 feet away, were some sweet views from cliffs along the S and W edges of the mountain. A brief stop at the high point, and Lupe proceeded right to the cliffs to enjoy a rest break featuring a shared chocolate coconut bar along with the lovely panoramas.
Peak 4980 true summit. Photo looks SW.Along the edge. Green Mountain (Center). Photo looks SW.Looking NNE back at HP4950 (Center).Steamboat Rock (L). Photo looks NW.
In addition to Steamboat Rock and Green Mountain, a few other peaks could be identified among the many rolling hills. Peak5701 stood out off to the NW. To the S, Peak5136‘s long E ridge was in sight.
Peak 5701 (R of Center). Photo looks WNW.Peak 5136 (beyond Lupe). Photo looks S.
The day was already warming up nicely. In relative comfort, Lupe and SPHP sat together admiring the views, but not for long. The Lists of John mini-blitz must go on, ya know! Soon the Carolina Dog was heading back down Peak 4980’s NE slope.
The return was fun and easy! Loopster had seen lots of deer on the way to Peak 4980, and they continued to amuse on the way back. Skipping HP4950 this time, Lupe explored the valley to the E, eventually picking up USFS Road No. 149.2B again. Once back at the saddle NE of HP4950, the rest of her route back was identical. (11:21 AM)
On USFS Road No. 149.2B, approaching the saddle NE of HP4950 (L of Center). Photo looks NE.
11:31 AM, 49ºF, junction of Merritt Estes Road (County Road No. 208) and USFS Road No. 208.1I –
One peak climbed! So, what’s next, SPHP?
Peak5163, Looper. In fact, that ridge to the E is where Lists of John shows the summit.
Oh, snap! This is going to be easy then, SPHP!
Eh, not quite as easy as you’re thinking, Loopster. The topo map also shows a cluster of 4 small 5,160 foot contours a little over 0.5 mile SSE of the Lists of John summit location. To really be certain you’ve actually hit the mountain’s high point, we’re going to have to check them out, too.
At the start of USFS Road No. 208.1I. Photo looks SE.
Striking out for Peak 5163, Lupe followed USFS Road No. 208.1I SE up a broad, shallow valley. Although the map didn’t show the road going very far, it actually went all the way up to a saddle 0.25 mile SSW of the summit, and beyond. Leaving the road at the saddle, Loop headed up the slope to the NE.
On the way up to the saddle. Photo looks SE.At the saddle, about to venture up the slope on the L. Photo looks E.
An easy climb, and not a very long one! Near the top, Lupe passed some rock formations. Above them, the terrain remained somewhat rocky for a little way as it began leveling out. It wasn’t far to a lone 2 foot high boulder out in the middle of a large flat region.
Among the rock formations near the top of the slope. Photo looks NNE.Starting to level out. Photo looks NE.
Hop up on that rock, Loop!
Is this the true summit already, SPHP?
Might be. We’ve got to be close to where Lists of John shows the high point, and I don’t see anything higher.
Atop the fearsome summit block. Photo looks W.
Whoooeeee, SPHP! Peak5163! What a climb! How about a hard-earned chocolate coconut bar to celebrate?
Seems a little premature, doesn’t it, Looper?
Oh, cruel one of mine! You aren’t going to make me go to all the contours way down S running on empty, are you?
Hmm. I suppose not, Miss Drama Dingo. But don’t expect another one down there, even if we come to a clearly higher point. This is it for the chocolate coconut bar supply today.
Sitting together next to the towering apparent summit, the last chocolate coconut bar had just performed it’s vanishing act when suddenly there was gunfire to the S. Not good! The Carolina Dog wasn’t going to want to go that way now.
Hunters! Let’s hide, SPHP!
Why? You’ll be fine, Loop. Just stay close to me.
Now, SPHP! Something’s coming!
Something was coming! 200 yards SE, a red pickup truck cautiously crept into view, then stopped partially hidden by trees. A few minutes later, several deer came racing by, greatly exciting the Carolina Dog, but she didn’t bark. Maybe hanging around where hunters were really wasn’t such a hot idea?
Can we just go, SPHP?
Yeah. We can sneak S now that they’ve come up this way, Loop, but first we ought to have a look around farther N. Still a fair amount of territory over that way we haven’t ruled out as the summit yet.
Good thing Lupe went N! She hadn’t gone far when a big rock formation near the WNW edge of the mountain came into sight 300 feet ahead. Seemed to be the only one of its kind, and definitely Peak 5163’s N high point. Quite likely the mountain’s true summit, too!
Peak 5163 true summit. Photo looks N.Yes! This does seem more like the top of a mountain! Photo looks W.Another view. Photo looks NW.Definitely higher than anything over this way. Photo looks NE.
Satisfied yet, SPHP?
Yes, I think so! This is at least the mountain’s N summit.
On the way S, the Carolina Dog stayed close to the mountain’s W edge, giving the hunters a wide berth, and passing a few views along the way.
Looking SW.View to the NW.
Once S of the red pickup’s position, Lupe headed SE through open forest down a gradual slope. Upon reaching an area where the terrain leveled out, she discovered a road not shown on the map. Must be how that truck got up here!
Sneaking off to the S end of the mountain. Photo looks SSE.At the unexpected road. Photo looks S.
Hurrying S, in case the hunters decided to try their luck back this way again, Lupe soon came to where the road curved W before starting down the mountain. Abandoning it, she kept going S, starting an easy climb. It wasn’t too far to the top of a high region that was fairly flat. Those 5,160 foot contour areas had to be somewhere around here!
Heading for the high ground at the S end of the mountain. Photo looks SSW.
Starting toward the SE, then working her way back NW, the Carolina Dog did find 4 marginally higher points than the surrounding territory. The forest was so dense that it was impossible to say for certain which one might have been highest, but SPHP got the impression that the farther NW she went, the higher the terrain.
Who knew for sure, though? Any slope was minimal, and with so many trees, none of the high points were clearly visible from any of the others.
But, SPHP! We found a cairn at the 3rd high point! Remember?
Yeah, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything, Loop. People every bit as lost and confused as I am build plenty of cairns.
At the far SE high point. Photo looks NE.On the not quite as far SE high point. Photo looks NW.By the cairn at the sort of NW high point. Photo looks NW.The far NW high point. Photo looks E.
Lupe had done as much as she possibly could on Peak 5163. Somewhere along the way, she must have visited the true summit. Seemed like the big rock formation way back at the N end of the mountain was probably it, but whether it was or not hardly mattered.
After congratulating Loopster on yet another Lists of John peak climbed, it was time to return to the RAV4. Heading NNE back to the road she’d discovered, Lupe took it W. She lost a fair amount of elevation on the way down to a valley where she eventually reached USFS Road No. 201.
The valley SW of Peak 5163. Photo looks SW.
No. 201 led back to Merritt Estes Road at a point 0.6 mile SSW of the RAV4. The remaining road hike went quickly. Two peaks complete! (1:51 PM)
2:03 PM, 50ºF, junction of Piedmont Road (USFS Road No. 144) and USFS Road No. 144.1A – Still early afternoon, but mid-January shadows were already lengthening. Time enough for one more mountain, though! Lupe’s List of John mini-blitz continued, as the American Dingo set out heading SE on No. 144.1A.
There was snow underpaw until Lupe reached a sunny turn where the road curved SW. Sunlight streamed through the pines. The road soon curved again, this time heading S. Loop quickly arrived at a fork not shown on the topo map.
About to set out on USFS Road No. 144.1A (R). Photo looks SE.Signage at the start. Photo looks SSE.In shadow on snowy No. 144.1A. Photo looks SE.At the sunny turn. Photo looks WSW.
The fork in the road was actually good news. As expected, No. 144.1A curved away to the E here, but that wasn’t the way Lupe needed to go. Happily, ATV Trail No. 8276, the road not shown on the map, went SSW, which was great! Apparently, the Carolina Dog wasn’t going to have to do much bushwhacking to get to Peak5321.
Taking No. 8276, the road climbed slowly on the way over to the W side of HP5243, where it leveled out and turned SW. At first, it looked like No. 8276 might head straight to Peak 5321’s summit, but well before Lupe got that far, it turned WNW.
Eh, that was OK. Lupe was gaining at least a little elevation again. Sticking with the road was the easiest thing to do. Maybe No. 8276 would end up approaching Peak 5321 from the N?
At the unexpected fork where ATV Trail No. 8276 (R) leaves USFS Road No. 144.1A (L). Photo looks SSW.On No. 8276 heading around to the W side of HP5243 (L). Peak 5321 is the forested hill on the R. Photo looks S.
Soon the amount of sunlight filtering through the pines indicated that Lupe must be approaching the NW end of the mountain. She was almost there when Trail No. 8276 turned SSE toward the summit. However, off to the W, there was a platform of limestone with a terrific view. There was even a bench nearby. Gotta check this out!
Lupe had reached Ash Point.
Getting close to the NW end of the mountain. Photo looks WNW.Ash Point was established by the “Yogi Clan” according to the plaque.Ash Point. Custer Peak (R of Center) and Terry Peak (R) faintly on the horizon. Photo looks WNW.
Ash Point was cool! To the W, the limestone platform had a grand view overlooking Nemo. Custer Peak(6,804 ft.) and Terry Peak(7,064 ft.) were on the WNW horizon. A great look at Green Top(5,360 ft.) and White Mansion(5,340 ft.) was off to the NNW.
Nemo from Ash Point. Custer Peak (R) and Terry Peak (far R) on the horizon. Photo looks W.Greentop (L of Center) and White Mansion (R of Center). Photo looks NNW.
Impressive! Glad we stopped by Ash Point, Loop!
Scenic highlight of the day, so far, SPHP!
Agree, but you still have a mountain to climb. Shall we?
Returning to ATV Trail No. 8276, Lupe followed it SSE climbing steadily up the gentle slope leading to Peak 5321’s forested summit. However, the road soon veered more to the ESE. Not really the right direction. When deadfall started appearing across it, that was the last straw.
Abandoning the road, the Carolina Dog explored SW in search of the summit. Couldn’t be too much farther. A short romp higher through a deadfall-infested mess, and the terrain leveled out. Continuing WSW, a marginally higher region with no clear high point seemed to be about it.
Up top, searching for the true summit. Photo looks S.Peak 5321 summit. Photo looks SW.
So this is it, aye, SPHP? The true summit of Peak5321?
Near as I can tell, Looper. Congratulations on attaining your third Lists of John peak of the day!
Thanks, SPHP! Ash Point was way better, though.
Well, Ash Point is part of this same mountain, kind of a package deal. In any case, want to relax here for a bit? Out of chocolate coconut bars, but you can still have some Taste of the Wild, if you want it.
A W breeze sighed in the pines, as Lupe enjoyed her Taste of the Wild. SPHP sat munching an apple.
At the rest spot. Photo looks NE.
After finishing the apple, SPHP stood up.
Ready to call it a day, Loopster? Too late for any more mountains. We can visit Ash Point on the way back again. One other option, though, if you’d rather keep going.
What do you have in mind? Keep going where, SPHP?
Oh, just a hunch that might be fun to check out. Been looking at the map. Those cliffs at Ash Point run N/S all along the W side of this mountain. Can’t see them from here, because we’re back in the trees. On the map, it looks like there is a big level platform S of here, about 100 feet lower than where we are now. Want to check it out? Might be another viewpoint down there.
How far away is this platform, SPHP?
Not even 0.25 mile. Won’t take long. Might not be anything there, though.
Now or never, SPHP! Why not?
Leaving Peak 5321’s summit and heading S, Lupe soon came to a road. Probably Trail No. 8276 again, but that wasn’t entirely clear. In any case, the road wound SSW right on down to the level region the Carolina Dog intended to explore. Things were looking pretty promising as the road headed for an edge just ahead.
Exploring the platform. Photo looks SSW.
American Point, SPHP! You were right! Glad we came! This is awesome!
On a limestone platform, slightly below the road level along the edge of the mountain, an American Flag waved in the breeze.
Boxelder Creek from American Point. Photo looks SSW.
The views from American Point were similar to those from Ash Point. Nemo and most of the same peaks were visible from a slightly different angle. Far to the S, Black Elk Peak(7,231 ft.) was in sight, too.
Black Elk Peak (L) on the far horizon. Photo looks SSW.Nemo (L), Custer Peak (far L) and Terry Peak (L) on the horizon. Photo looks NW.Greentop (L edge), White Mansion (L) and Peak5300 (Center). Photo looks N.
American Point was along the W edge of Peak 5321, but not at the far S end of the big platform. Completing her explorations, the Carolina Dog went the rest of the way S, where she found another viewpoint which was also sweet, but not quite as dramatic.
Black Elk Peak (Center) from the S end of the big platform. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.
Three Lists of John peaks visited! The American Dingo’s mini-blitz was going well! On the way back, Lupe revisited all of Peak 5321’s highlights, including American Point, the summit, and Ash Point, and still made it back to the RAV4 before dark.
It had been a great day! (4:13 PM, 45ºF)
Peak 5321 near American Point, Black Hills of South Dakota 1-17-22
