{"id":10181,"date":"2017-06-14T08:10:58","date_gmt":"2017-06-14T14:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=10181"},"modified":"2020-09-24T10:31:51","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T16:31:51","slug":"black-hills-sd-wy-expedition-no-205-balm-of-gilead-gulch-cement-ridge-5-20-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=10181","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 205 – Balm of Gilead Gulch & Cement Ridge (5-20-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start, 11:04 AM, 33\u00b0F, intersection of USFS Roads No. 189, 189.4A & 631.2C about 0.33 mile WSW of Crooks Tower<\/em><\/p>\n

This was supposed to\u00a0be an expedition to celebrate the rapid approach of a glorious new summer!\u00a0\u00a0Lupe would explore mysteriously named Balm of\u00a0Gilead Gulch before\u00a0continuing on to\u00a0Cement Ridge.\u00a0 There, beneath cotton ball clouds sailing a crystal blue sea,\u00a0the\u00a0Carolina Dog would sniff colorful wildflowers swaying in warm breezes.\u00a0 She would gaze upon\u00a0panoramic views\u00a0of Inyan Kara, the Bear Lodge Mountains, and\u00a0far into\u00a0eastern\u00a0Wyoming.<\/p>\n

The scene\u00a0would both excite the imagination and serve as a call to action!\u00a0 Nearly 8.5 months\u00a0after\u00a0Lupe’s return from her grand\u00a0Summer of\u00a02016 Dingo Vacation to the Canadian Rockies, Yukon & Alaska<\/strong><\/a><\/span>,\u00a0the time for new Dingo adventures beyond the\u00a0Black Hills was almost here!<\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Dream on.\u00a0 Even before leaving home, SPHP knew the forecast didn’t include much in the way of warm breezes.<\/p>\n

A week ago on Expedition No. 204, Lupe had visited Crooks Tower<\/a><\/span> (7,137 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, one of the highest points in the Black Hills.\u00a0 She’d made a day of it coming up from Merow\u00a0Spring and Clayton Pond, and subsequently continuing on to Peak<\/span> 6820<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Now, driving W on\u00a0South Rapid Creek\u00a0Road (USFS Road No. 231), it occurred to SPHP that\u00a0Loop was very\u00a0close to Crooks Tower again.\u00a0 Why not go back\u00a0for a good look at\u00a0how much conditions had changed?<\/p>\n

It wasn’t necessary to spend a whole day on foot and paw to get to Crooks Tower.\u00a0 In fact, a 2 mile detour S on USFS Road No. 189 would bring Lupe to a point only 0.33 mile WSW of the summit.\u00a0 Let’s do it!<\/em>\u00a0 SPHP made the turn.\u00a0 Five minutes later, Lupe sprang out of the G6 into a world where the mood was better\u00a0suited to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer than 4th of July fireworks.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sooooo, let me get this straight. We’re here to celebrate the imminent approach of summer, right? Did you get a really big discount for booking early SPHP, or what?<\/em> At the W end of USFS Road No. 189.4A. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the forecast called for 0% chance of precipitation, the sky was heavily overcast.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Any more overcast, and\u00a0Lupe\u00a0would have been in a fog.\u00a0 Humidity filled the air.\u00a0 It felt like it could rain buckets at any time.\u00a0 Or snow.\u00a0 At a chilly 33\u00b0F,\u00a0snow seemed equally plausible.\u00a0 The ground was already white with the stuff.<\/p>\n

Lupe concealed her disappointment with summer’s non-arrival well.\u00a0 In fact, she seemed thrilled and energized by the snow.\u00a0 She charged through fields and forests as SPHP began a mucky march E along USFS Road No. 189.4A.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 189.4A leads ENE from the junction with No. 189 & No. 631.2C. About 0.33 mile later, it passes just S of the summit of Crooks Tower. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About 0.33 mile from the G6, the road passed just S of the summit of Crooks Tower.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP left the road to take the short path leading to the top from the SW.\u00a0\u00a0Only a\u00a0week after her 8th ascent, Lupe was here for the 9th time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back on Crooks Tower for the 9th time! Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the summit, looking WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Each pine needle was beautifully flocked, but that wouldn’t last long this time of year. The snow already looked like it was starting to melt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking NW from the summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Loopster at the highest point. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having been here only a week ago, Lupe and SPHP dawdled\u00a0only a little\u00a0while on Crooks Tower.\u00a0 It was fun to be there again, but the plan was still to explore Balm of Gilead Gulch and reach Cement Ridge today.\u00a0 Lupe returned to the G6 (11:35 AM, 33\u00b0F), and SPHP drove onward.<\/p>\n

N of Highway 85, a little W of O’Neill Pass, SPHP parked the G6 again (11:53 AM, 39\u00b0F) near corrals S of the junction of USFS Roads No. 175 (Willow Springs Road) and No. 106 (Riflepit Canyon Road).\u00a0 Here Lupe was only 0.67 mile\u00a0W of Laird Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,906 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, another mountain along the way.\u00a0 SPHP figured she might as well climb it, too, since it was an easy peak and wouldn’t take long.<\/p>\n

An unmarked grassy road led E from the parking area up a little valley past Tom Spring.\u00a0 This area was hundreds of feet lower than Crooks Tower, so there wasn’t nearly as much snow around.\u00a0\u00a0What\u00a0snow there was\u00a0in the pines was melting fast.\u00a0 Snowmelt dripped to the ground in such abundance, Lupe was getting rained on beneath the trees.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the valley leading E to Tom Spring on the way to Laird Peak. There wasn’t nearly as much snow here as there had been at Crooks Tower. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loop had a good time exploring on the way to Laird Peak. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tom Spring was a muddy area.\u00a0 Water poured from a pipe into a circular water trough.\u00a0 Not too exciting.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t seem interested.\u00a0 She pressed on up the valley.\u00a0 The road faded somewhat beyond Tom Spring, but could still be followed.<\/p>\n

Upon reaching a ridgeline where several better\u00a0dirt roads intersected, Lupe took a road going N.\u00a0 She stayed on it for\u00a0only\u00a0100 feet or so to get past a fence running E\/W.\u00a0 She then turned E following the N side of the\u00a0fence line.\u00a0 Laird Peak’s summit was only a couple hundred yards ahead.\u00a0 The summit appeared only as a small hill in the forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the summit of Laird Peak from the W. The summit appears to be just another small hill in the forest. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe quickly reached the top.\u00a0 The summit area was easily the size of a modest yard in town and quite flat.\u00a0 Deadfall timber\u00a0lay scattered about the perimeter of a small clearing.\u00a0 A sign marking the location of the survey benchmark\u00a0was in sight\u00a0near the N edge of the clearing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the survey benchmark on Laird Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,906 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. A little less than half of the flat summit area is in view. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This was Lupe’s 3rd ascent of Laird Peak. Other than having to deal with a little deadfall timber, it’s a quick easy climb from the W via Tom Spring. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Laird Peak survey benchmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pine bark beetles had damaged the surrounding forest enough to provide tree-broken\u00a0glimpses of distant views in various directions, but only enough to tantalize.\u00a0 Lupe couldn’t really see much from here other than the immediate area.\u00a0 With no clear views to contemplate, the American Dingo was soon ready to go.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe ready to head back down the W slope. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sky was still overcast, but not as darkly as before.\u00a0 Now and then a small patch of blue sky appeared.\u00a0 SPHP kept expecting the clouds to burn off, but\u00a0they didn’t.\u00a0 Instead the clouds kept closing up the gaps, and the sunshine would disappear.\u00a0 Nothing had really changed by the time Lupe reached the G6 again (12:45 PM).<\/p>\n

A winding drive NW down Grand Canyon ensued.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 175 turned to No. 875 at the Wyoming border.\u00a0 By the time SPHP parked the G6 at the intersection of No. 875 & No. 804, it was already 1:23 PM (47\u00b0F).\u00a0 If Lupe was going to explore Balm of Gilead Gulch and still have time to reach Cement Ridge, she had best get on with it.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog and SPHP took off heading E up Rattlesnake Canyon on No. 804.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dandelions prospered along No. 804 on the way up Rattlesnake Canyon. Nuisances in yards, dandelions are amazingly resilient plants.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The stroll\u00a0up Rattlesnake Canyon\u00a0was easy.\u00a0 A couple of miles E of the G6, SPHP started looking for a R (S) turn on USFS Road No. 804.1A which would take Lupe up into Balm of Gilead Gulch.\u00a0\u00a0A\u00a0road going S up a hill did appear.\u00a0 There weren’t any signs at the turn, but a forest service gate was in view a little way up the hill.<\/p>\n

Was this No. 804.1A?\u00a0 It didn’t seem quite right.\u00a0 The topo map showed a 4WD trail heading S\u00a0up a smaller valley about 0.5 mile before (W of) the turn to Balm of Gilead Gulch, and this was the first side road Lupe had come to.\u00a0 SPHP almost led Lupe past this road, but decided she might as well check out the forest service gate for any clues first.<\/p>\n

Good thing!\u00a0 Nearing the gate, Lupe found a marker showing this was USFS Road No. 804.1A.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nearing the forest service gate, Lupe found a marker showing this was USFS Road No. 804.1A after all. She was bound for Balm of Gilead Gulch! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So this was it!\u00a0 Lupe was bound for Balm of Gilead Gulch!\u00a0 Except for one thing that raised doubts again.\u00a0 As\u00a0the Carolina Dog\u00a0trotted past the gate, SPHP noticed large white letters on\u00a0the round metal swivel housing on the L.\u00a0 The letters\u00a0read OLDB 05.\u00a0 What did that mean?\u00a0 SPHP was suspicious.<\/p>\n

It might mean that this road had been renumbered.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 805 went up Wagon Canyon 1.5 miles to the S.\u00a0 Was this possibly a connecting spur, formerly known as\u00a0No. 805.B?\u00a0 Seemed like a possibility, but who knew?\u00a0 May as well try it.\u00a0\u00a0After all, the official sign did say this was No. 804.1A, which was supposed to be the road into Balm of Gilead Gulch.<\/p>\n

Lupe continued up No. 804.1A.\u00a0 The road\u00a0turned SE and led up a small forested valley.\u00a0 The day had warmed up some, and Lupe was still considerably lower here than she had been at either Crooks Tower or Laird Peak, so\u00a0she didn’t find any\u00a0snow in this area.\u00a0 There had been some, though.\u00a0 The road was damp, nearly muddy.<\/p>\n

Although no tire tracks were to be seen, an amazing number of animal tracks crisscrossed the soft road.\u00a0 It wasn’t long before Lupe started seeing\u00a0wildlife – whitetail deer and Lupe’s giant deers – the elk.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe saw many whitetail deer and a number of her giant deers (elk), too, as she traveled up USFS Road No. 804.1A.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was fun being where there were so many animals in the forest, and sort of easy to see why they were here.\u00a0 No tire tracks on the road at all meant people seldom come here.\u00a0 The forest was full of hidden grassy glens.\u00a0 This was a good place to hide and hang out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at a grassy glen along USFS Road No. 804.1A. There seemed to be plenty more such glens hidden back in the forest, making this area popular with deer and elk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe gained elevation steadily for perhaps a mile before the road leveled out.\u00a0 Here, the main road turned SW and started going downhill.\u00a0 A fainter road curved ESE.\u00a0 Lupe needed to go E, so she took the fainter road.\u00a0 When she wanted to stop for a water break 5 or 10 minutes later, SPHP took a look at the maps.<\/p>\n

Hmmm.\u00a0 SPHP was soon convinced that Lupe hadn’t been traveling through Balm of Gilead Gulch at all.\u00a0\u00a0Where the main road had turned SW, it almost had to be headed for Kirley Gulch on its way down to Wagon Canyon.\u00a0 Apparently the road numbers really had been changed.\u00a0 The old No. 804.1A leading into Balm of Gilead Gulch that Lupe had been looking for was no more.\u00a0 The new No. 804.1A actually was a road connecting No. 804 in Rattlesnake Canyon and No. 805 in Wagon Canyon.<\/p>\n

The inescapable conclusion was that Balm of Gilead Gulch was 0.5 mile N or NE of where\u00a0Lupe was now.\u00a0 She could have gone through the forest looking for it, but\u00a0that would have meant losing elevation she’d already gained.\u00a0 Furthermore, she would only get to travel through part of the gulch.\u00a0 Instead of doing that, SPHP decided Lupe might just as well continue on to Cement Ridge.\u00a0 She could\u00a0hit Balm of Gilead Gulch on the way back.<\/p>\n

Break done, Lupe roamed happily in the forest along a series of remote USFS roads.\u00a0 She traveled E or SE, and once in a while NE.\u00a0 She was generally still gaining elevation, but at a slow rate.\u00a0 Sometimes there were markers at the road junctions, but even when there were, usually only one road was marked.\u00a0 It wasn’t always clear which road the marker was meant for.<\/p>\n

This was pretty high country, but due to the forest, Lupe seldom had any distant views.\u00a0 Some ridges did eventually appear off to the S and SW.\u00a0 Loop was already nearly as high as they were.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Roaming the back roads on the way to Cement Ridge. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The light green of the newly emerging aspen leaves contrasted nicely with the dark green of the Ponderosa Pines. Lupe loves wandering back roads like this one. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This was a 3 way intersection (roads also went to the L & R) where Lupe found a marker for USFS Road No. 805.3J, but which road it was meant for was impossible to tell. She had reached this point coming up the road seen on the R. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On her explorations, Lupe either traveled along or passed by USFS Roads No. 805.3J, 805.3G,\u00a0and 805.3A.\u00a0 About two miles\u00a0E of\u00a0where she’d left No. 804.1A, she came\u00a0down a side\u00a0road marked No.\u00a0105.1B to arrive at\u00a0the first\u00a0major gravel road she’d seen since leaving No. 804 down in Rattlesnake Canyon.<\/p>\n

A check of the maps revealed that Loop was now only 0.25 mile S of No. 105’s junction with No. 804.\u00a0 Cement Ridge<\/a><\/span> (6,674 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0was only 1.5 miles NNW beyond the intersection.\u00a0 Before setting out again, Lupe was ready for more\u00a0water and Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP ate the only apple, which was supposed to have been saved for Cement Ridge, but, oh well.<\/p>\n

All tanked up again, Lupe set off along No. 105 for Cement Ridge.\u00a0\u00a0Upon reaching\u00a0the junction with No. 804, she followed No. 804 NNW a good 0.5 mile to its high point, then plunged into the forest.\u00a0 The American Dingo loves being off road most of all, so she had a grand time.\u00a0 Gradually things got steeper, but it was never more than a straightforward trudge up a hill.<\/p>\n

When Lupe reached the ridgeline along the N face, she turned W and followed the ridge a short distance to a\u00a0pathetic\u00a0little limestone cairn at the high point.\u00a0 This was it, the true summit of Cement Ridge!<\/p>\n

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Lupe next to the pathetic little limestone cairn at the true summit of Cement Ridge. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Crow Peak is seen faintly on the horizon beyond Lupe. The sky was still cloudy and rather hazy. Loop found a small amount of snow remaining here on Cement Ridge, but only close to the true summit. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Virtually no\u00a0one from the Black Hills region would recognize this place where Lupe was now\u00a0as the summit of\u00a0Cement Ridge.\u00a0 This might be the true summit according to the topo maps, but only a handful of peakbagging Dingoes would even be aware of its existence.\u00a0 Cement Ridge is well known locally as one of the Black Hills’ premier viewpoints, but what everyone around here is referring to\u00a0are the views from the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower.<\/p>\n

The fire lookout tower is located on a\u00a0barren highpoint\u00a0near the NW\u00a0end of Cement Ridge over a mile from the true summit.\u00a0 According to the topo map, the lookout tower is 27 feet lower than the true summit.\u00a0 Nevertheless, the views from\u00a0the tower\u00a0are far superior to those available from the heavily forested true summit.<\/p>\n

Lupe could\u00a0see the lookout tower from the true summit.\u00a0 Perhaps it was only an illusion, but it actually looked higher to SPHP.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Cement Ridge fire lookout tower (L) was visible from the cairn where the true summit is supposed to be. SPHP thought the lookout tower actually appeared higher, but perhaps its an illusion. Lupe offered no opinion. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had no comment on which point she thought might be highest, the lookout tower or this pathetic little cairn.\u00a0 She was content to let surveyors battle that one out.\u00a0 However, when SPHP asked if she wanted to go see the fabulous views at the tower, she was all for that!<\/p>\n

A 10 minute trek N down through an aspen forest brought Lupe to a saddle where\u00a0USFS Road No. 850 coming up from the W turns N.\u00a0 Loop followed the road all the way to the lookout tower.\u00a0 Not a soul was around.<\/p>\n

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Lupe reaches the Cement Ridge Lookout Tower. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This survey benchmark is located at the base of the flag pole NW of the lookout tower.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Cement Ridge fire lookout tower in eastern Wyoming is only 1 mile W of the South Dakota border. The true summit is even closer to South Dakota, only 0.5 mile away.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Instead of\u00a0cotton ball clouds sailing a crystal blue sky, Lupe\u00a0saw scattered\u00a0tiny patches of blue lost in a gray-white ocean.\u00a0 She felt no warm breezes.\u00a0 There were wildflowers to sniff, but they\u00a0tossed about\u00a0tormented by\u00a0a chilly\u00a0N breeze.\u00a0\u00a0The views were wonderful, but felt remote and forlorn,\u00a0not\u00a0bright and inspiring.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SE along the length of Cement Ridge. The access road is seen below. The true summit (R) is the high point in the distance appearing almost straight up from Lupe’s head.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Inyan Kara<\/a><\/span> (6,360 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) from Cement Ridge. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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George Armstrong Custer reached the summit of Inyan Kara on July 23, 1874, less than 2 years before his death in the Battle of the Little Bighorn (Custer’s Last Stand) on June 25-26, 1876 in Montana. Lupe reached the summit on November 9, 2014, more than 140 years after Custer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Crow Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,787 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) is the most prominent peak W of Spearfish, SD. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking NW toward the Bear Lodge Mountains. Warren Peaks<\/a><\/span> (6,650 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the high point where another fire tower exists.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With sweeping views in nearly all directions, Lupe\u00a0saw a great many Black Hills peaks she had been to before.\u00a0 The wind was coldest and strongest, though, up near the fire tower.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP retreated a\u00a0bit down the W slope to an old picnic table.\u00a0 Conditions were only slightly better here, and only the views to the W could still be seen, but they were grand.<\/p>\n

Looper and SPHP stayed at the lower picnic table soaking it all in.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster up on the old picnic table. Inyan Kara is on the horizon to her R. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Warren Peaks again. Lupe made a number of expeditions to peaks in the Bear Lodge Mountains in the fall of 2016. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking E back toward the lookout tower from the lower picnic table. Two newer picnic tables were located up close to the tower.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cement Ridge would be a great place to see the sunset, but Lupe was here too early for that.\u00a0 The sun wouldn’t set for another couple of hours.\u00a0 Even if she waited, the sky was so overcast, it wasn’t likely she would see much.\u00a0 Besides, if she was ever going to see Balm of Gilead Gulch, she needed to get going.<\/p>\n

Puppy ho!\u00a0 After a little rest curled up beneath the old picnic table, Lupe set out for Balm of Gilead Gulch again.\u00a0 The first part of the journey took her\u00a0SE back along the length of\u00a0Cement Ridge.\u00a0 This time, instead of following the access road, she stayed up on the highest parts of the ridge where she could see the terrific views to the E.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A glance back at the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Tiny wildflowers grew in profusion. These pretty little purple\/pink flowers were SPHP’s favorites.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A final look back. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On her way, since she had to pass so close to it again, Lupe returned to Cement Ridge’s true summit.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the true summit again, this time from the N. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looper returns to the true summit. She was now in a hurry to get to Balm of Gilead Gulch, so this time she didn’t dilly dally here more than a few minutes. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since Looper was now in a hurry to get to Balm of Gilead Gulch before the sun set, she\u00a0stayed only a couple of minutes at the summit before pressing on to the S.\u00a0 She came across a dirt road going SSE, which was faster for SPHP than traveling through the forest.<\/p>\n

Going down this road, suddenly sunshine was\u00a0filtering through the trees.\u00a0 The sky, which had been 90%+ overcast all day long,\u00a0was almost completely clear!\u00a0 SPHP was astonished at how fast this transformation had taken place.\u00a0\u00a0Only a\u00a0few clouds remained.\u00a0 The rest hadn’t floated on by, they had simply dissipated into thin air.<\/p>\n

The sun was noticeably lower now, but would still be up for a while.\u00a0 The evening light brought out even more wildlife.\u00a0 Lupe saw more whitetails and giant deers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Elk S of Cement Ridge. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road eventually reached USFS Road No. 105, this time a little\u00a0E of its junction with No. 804.\u00a0 A marker showed Lupe had been coming down USFS Road No. 105.1A.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the marker for USFS Road No. 105.1a where it reaches No. 105. Lupe had just followed No. 105.1A SSE nearly all the way down from Cement Ridge’s true summit. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>A short trek to the W on No. 105 brought Lupe to the junction with No. 804 again.\u00a0 This time she turned S on No. 105, following it back to the turn W onto No. 105.1B.<\/p>\n

Earlier in the day, before ever reaching No. 105 on her way to Cement Ridge,\u00a0Lupe had reached a broad gentle saddle where there was\u00a0a\u00a04-way intersection.\u00a0 This was probably where she’d gotten on No. 105.1B as she continued E at the time.\u00a0 However,\u00a0SPHP had seen that the road going NW from there\u00a0sloped\u00a0gradually into\u00a0a\u00a0wide valley.\u00a0 That\u00a0wide valley was likely the upper\u00a0end of Balm of Gilead Gulch.<\/p>\n

With the sun\u00a0getting ever lower, Lupe\u00a0and SPHP hurried back along No. 105.1B, hoping to reach\u00a0the broad saddle before the sun\u00a0was down.\u00a0 Even hurrying along, it was hard not to appreciate the beauty of the sunlight filtered by the trees.\u00a0 What a wonderful evening trek!\u00a0 Lupe was enthusiastic.\u00a0 She raced through the forest exploring everything.<\/p>\n

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Sunlight filters through the forest nearing Balm of Gilead Gulch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe did make it to the broad saddle before the sun was down.\u00a0 She turned NW on the road leading\u00a0through the wide\u00a0valley.\u00a0 She followed the road a little way, but left it to follow a single track trail W down into Balm of Gilead Gulch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the beautiful broad valley at the upper end of Balm of Gilead Gulch. The sun wouldn’t be up much longer. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the single track trail after leaving the road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe traveled the entire length of Balm of Gilead Gulch, as sunlight\u00a0left the valley floor to\u00a0linger on the forested hillsides.\u00a0\u00a0The pale golden light of day retreated to the uppermost treetops, and was lost.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe saw deer.\u00a0 She saw elk.\u00a0 A hawk screeched and flew away.\u00a0 Lower down where the valley narrowed, the Carolina Dog came to a tiny stream.<\/p>\n

It was all beautiful, but though\u00a0she sniffed and looked everywhere she could,\u00a0the Carolina Dog\u00a0never found it.\u00a0\u00a0If a different road to a different place hadn’t been relabeled as USFS Road No. 804.1A, she would have been here much earlier and\u00a0had more time.\u00a0 Maybe, maybe then, she would have found it.\u00a0 As it was, twilight faded, darkness descended, stars glittered in the night sky.<\/p>\n

But Lupe never did find\u00a0the fabled Balm of Gilead.\u00a0 (End 9:32 PM, 32\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Prophet! said I, “thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil! –<\/em><\/p>\n

Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,<\/em><\/p>\n

Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted – <\/em><\/p>\n

On this home by Horror haunted – tell me truly, I implore – <\/em><\/p>\n

Is there – is<\/strong> there balm in Gilead? – tell me, tell me, I implore!”<\/em><\/p>\n

Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”<\/em><\/p>\n

from The Raven, Edgar Allen Poe<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In Balm of Gilead Gulch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Note: The Cement Ridge fire lookout tower is accessible by road from the W or SE by following USFS Road No. 804 to No. 850.\u00a0 The true summit is the hill immediately S of where No. 850 reaches a saddle on the ridgeline, and turns N to continue on to the lookout.\u00a0 Another route exists from the E on USFS Road No. 103 to this same point, but requires a high clearance vehicle.<\/em><\/p>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0 Check out her Black Hills, SD & WY\u00a0Expeditions\u00a0Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, or subscribe free to new Lupe <\/strong><\/span>adventures<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Start, 11:04 AM, 33\u00b0F, intersection of USFS Roads No. 189, 189.4A & 631.2C about 0.33 mile WSW of Crooks Tower This was supposed to\u00a0be an expedition to celebrate the rapid approach of a glorious new summer!\u00a0\u00a0Lupe would explore mysteriously named Balm of\u00a0Gilead Gulch before\u00a0continuing on to\u00a0Cement Ridge.\u00a0 There, beneath cotton ball clouds sailing a crystal … Continue reading Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 205 – Balm of Gilead Gulch & Cement Ridge (5-20-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[105,829,9,106,367,206,626,104,304,275],"class_list":["post-10181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-balm-of-gilead-gulch","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-cement-ridge","tag-crooks-tower","tag-laird-peak","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_4654.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10181"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10181\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28392,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10181\/revisions\/28392"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}