Tag: Pistol Point

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 243 – Peak 5917 & Pistol Point with Uncle Joe & Cousins Dusty & Mark (12-22-18)

Lupe was delirious with delight!  The shocking news SPHP had just given her was so incredibly wonderful!  Why, Christmas was coming!  Not only that, but Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe were in town all the way from Colorado.  Cousin Mark had even come with them.  They all wanted to go on a Black Hills Expedition with Loop.  Nothing too fancy or long, but enough to get a workout and see a few sights.

Was the American Dingo up for that?  Oh, boy!  Was she ever!  She barked and leapt at SPHP.  What’s the holdup?  Let’s go right now!

Loopster raced through the front door of Grandma’s house and greeted everyone with great joy and energy.  It was true!  They were all here!  Dusty was instantly excited, too, and responded in kind.  Greetings all around.  Dusty and Lupe both looked at SPHP expectantly.  Oh, yeah.  They both knew that Grandma had a big bag of Beggin’ Strips downstairs.  Of course, they each got one.  Sly dingo Loop grabbed two.

Start – 9:51 AM, 27°F at the junction of Highway 385 & USFS Road No. 710

Kind of cold and snowy, but this was a good spot for a quick romp in the hills.  Peak 5917 was only a little more than a mile away.  Several options from there depending how things were going.  With minimal delay the whole gang started up No. 710.  The road headed W up a shady valley N of Peak 5800.  Cousin Dusty led the way.

Setting out for Peak 5917 on USFS Road No. 710. Uncle Joe with Cousin Dusty. Cousin Mark with Lupe.
Cousin Dusty leads the way.

After 0.75 mile on No. 710, the road reached the upper end of the valley.  The terrain flattened out.  No snow here.  The road curved S passing through an open stand of tall Ponderosa pines.

Lupe’s entourage reaches the open stand of Ponderosa pines at the upper end of the valley. Photo looks SW.

Beyond the pines the road turned W again, and began to fade.  Ahead was a region of grasslands dotted with scattered pines.  Peak 5917 was already in sight.

Beyond the tall pines, heading for Peak 5917 (R). Photo looks W.

Soon everyone was on the way up Peak 5917’s SE slope.  Mark and Dusty were out in front.

Cousins Mark & Dusty led the way up.
Joe pauses to look back. The tall pines are at the far edge of the grasslands beyond him. Peak 5800 is on the R. Photo looks ESE.

Mark and Dusty reached the summit well before Joe, Lupe and SPHP caught up.

Cousin Mark atop Peak 5917. Mark is a Dance Dance Revolution champion who competes in tournaments. No wonder he was stepping so lively!
Joe and Dusty join Mark at the summit. Photo looks N.
Mark & Joe at the summit of Peak 5917. A triumph of sorts. They’re from Colorado. Maybe they’ve been on an even loftier peak once or twice before? Part of Pactola Reservoir (R) is in the background. Photo looks NNE.
Lupe’s turn on the highest rocks while getting a pat from Mark. New Year’s Eve Peak is in view beyond her. Photo looks W.

December.  Not especially cold, but definitely cool out.  A chilly breeze was blowing out of the W.  Prior to leaving Peak 5917, a group photo was hastily arranged.

L to R – Mark, Dusty, Lupe & Joe. Five Points (6,221 ft.) is a little L of Mark, and conical False North Point (6,130 ft.) is R of him. Pistol Point (5,880 ft.) is at the far end of the half grassy, half forested ridge on the R. Photo looks SW.

What now?  Was everyone done?  The closest options for extending the trek were New Year’s Eve Peak (6,046 ft.) a mile NW as the ridges went, go only halfway there to Pistol Point, or head SE back to Peak 5800.

Pistol Point sounded good to everyone.  Mark, Dusty and Joe started down Peak 5917’s SW slope.  Loop lingered briefly at the summit before following after them.

Looper lingers in the chilly W breeze atop Peak 5917. New Year’s Eve Peak (L) in the distance. Lupe had been there only 5 days ago on Expedition No. 242. Photo looks NW.
Mark, Dusty & Joe start down the SW slope. Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.) (L), Five Points (Center) and False North Point (R) are all in sight. Photo looks SSW.
Pistol Point is at the far end of the half grassy ridge on the L. Photo looks W.

Pistol Point is only 0.5 mile SW of Peak 5917.  Cousin Mark was soon poised atop the rocky ridge.

Heading up to Pistol Point. Photo looks W.
Mark poised atop the rock formations at Pistol Point while Joe takes a photo. Lupe is standing over near the rock resembling the handle of a pistol jammed into the ground that Pistol Point is named for. Photo looks ENE.
Cousin Mark staying hydrated.
Mark and Dusty relax for a moment taking in the views. Photo looks SE.
Joe and Lupe take a turn up on the rocks. Photo looks W.

Pistol Point offers the same sweeping 180° views to the S that Peak 5917 does from only a slightly different perspective.  The W wind was still chilly.  If it hadn’t been for the breeze, New Year’s Eve Peak, only 0.5 mile NW, probably would have happened.

As it was, though, Cousin Dusty was shivering.  At 12 years old, she was doing great to have come this far leading the way most of the time.  Best to head back, though, to get her out of the cold wind.

Group photo at Pistol Point shortly before departure. Mark and Lupe on the L. Joe and Dusty on the R. Photo looks SW.
Peak 5917 from Pistol Point. Photo looks NE.
Joe and Dusty start down. Peak 5917 (L) and Peak 5800 (R). Photo looks ENE.

Dusty felt better as soon as she was out of the wind.  The trek back to the G6 was scenic with great company to share the day with.  The route back was the same, minus an excursion up to Peak 5917 again.

Dusty leads as Mark and Joe follow her down. Peak 5800 (R). Photo looks ENE.
A momentary pause while Joe checks his phone. Part of Sheridan Lake is seen beyond Dusty.  Calumet Ridge (5,601 ft.) is beyond the lake. Silver Mountain (5,405 ft.) is L of Calumet Ridge. Photo looks SE.
Another pause on the return. Peak 5800 (Center). Photo looks ESE.
Lupe in familiar territory. Nearly every year she makes a pilgrimage to New Year’s Eve Peak coming this way. Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.) (R) is the prominent knob far beyond her. Peak 5800 (L). Photo looks SE.
Dusty having a good time in the Black Hills now that she’s out of the wind.
Back on the road in the tall pines area. Photo looks E.

Before long, everyone was heading down the valley on snowy USFS Road No. 710.  A ride back to Grandma’s house for goodies and more fun was waiting at the end of the road.  Best of all, the festivities would continue for the next several days, because, you know, Christmas was coming!  (12:52 PM, 29°F)

Mark, Joe, Dusty & Lupe on USFS Road No. 710, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-22-18

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