{"id":10249,"date":"2017-06-22T08:10:03","date_gmt":"2017-06-22T14:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=10249"},"modified":"2020-09-24T10:56:53","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T16:56:53","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-206-sylvan-hill-peak-6733-5-27-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=10249","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 206 – Sylvan Hill & Peak 6733 (5-27-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start 7:35 AM, 46\u00b0F, USFS Road No. 352 just NW of the end of Sylvan Hill’s N ridge.<\/em><\/p>\n

Expedition day!\u00a0 Lupe was excited!\u00a0 She frolicked and rolled in tall green grass, wet from overnight rain showers.\u00a0 Before SPHP was even\u00a0ready to set out,\u00a0Loop was already a soggy doggie, but happy as a clam.\u00a0 She\u00a0led the way, trotting\u00a0S on perfectly good USFS Road No. 352, expecting SPHP to follow.<\/p>\n

Instead, SPHP left the road right at the G6, climbing\u00a0a slope to the\u00a0SE to begin the 1.75 mile\u00a0trek up Sylvan Hill’s N ridge.\u00a0\u00a0The Carolina Dog\u00a0doubled back.\u00a0 This was more good news!\u00a0 Loop loves off-road, off-trail exploring most of all.<\/p>\n

Sylvan Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the high point of Custer County, SD.\u00a0 Situated only 3 miles SW of Black Elk Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,131 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the highest mountain in South Dakota, and a mile\u00a0W of Sylvan Lake,\u00a0it\u00a0lies near the heart of the most rugged territory in the Black Hills, an area characterized by large ancient granite formations.<\/p>\n

As the Custer County high point, Sylvan Hill gets climbed more frequently than many Black Hills peaks.\u00a0\u00a0The vast majority of ascents are made by the shortest route possible starting from a dirt parking lot off Hwy 87\/89 located 0.5 mile W of Sylvan Lake Lodge<\/strong><\/a><\/span>\u00a0in Custer State Park<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

From the dirt parking lot, a\u00a0short trek up a switchback on a gated side road ends at a sod-covered water storage facility.\u00a0\u00a0A subsequent steep climb WSW through the forest\u00a0skirts around the S end of a big granite formation, and leads to a saddle on a ridgeline with more granite to the S (High Point 6849).\u00a0 The summit of Sylvan Hill lies\u00a0less than 0.25 mile NW of\u00a0this saddle\u00a0along\u00a0a deadfall infested ridge.<\/p>\n

This popular route from the E is no more than 0.75 mile one way, and involves less than 800 feet of net elevation gain.\u00a0 The first time Lupe climbed Sylvan Hill slightly more than 3 years ago on Expedition No. 89 (5-17-14), she had also used this route.\u00a0\u00a0Not today, though!\u00a0 Now\u00a0she was intent upon exploring the longer N ridge.<\/p>\n

Lupe gained a little under 200 feet of elevation going up the slope to the first high point\u00a0on the N ridge.\u00a0 Scattered boulders were at the top, but no large rock formations.\u00a0 Lupe angled S, losing a little elevation.\u00a0 Off to the W, a short stretch of USFS Road No. 352 was in sight again a little lower down.\u00a0 Lupe had been right, it would have been easier to follow the road this far.\u00a0 Ahh, well.\u00a0 Que sera.<\/p>\n

Continuing on, Lupe’s climb resumed.\u00a0 This next section was shorter, and led to more boulders strung out along a higher part of the ridge.\u00a0 Lupe got up on one of the biggest boulders offering\u00a0a partial view of what lay ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on her way up the N ridge of Sylvan Hill. Her route eventually took her up to the high ground seen on the R. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a while, the ridge narrowed considerably.\u00a0 The edge was steeper than before.\u00a0 Sometimes Lupe could go over the top of rock formations she came to.\u00a0 Other times, it was easier to go around.\u00a0\u00a0SPHP often\u00a0expected Lupe was\u00a0about to have to lose some elevation, but she seldom lost much.\u00a0\u00a0A way through to higher ground always seemed to appear.<\/p>\n

The ridge widened out again, and Lupe came to an abandoned road.\u00a0\u00a0The road was\u00a0switchbacking its way up, so Loop followed it.\u00a0 Why not?\u00a0 It was the easiest way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the faded, abandoned road. Yellow flowers like these grew scattered in the forest, but were more abundant along the road’s edge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road didn’t\u00a0take Lupe\u00a0very far.\u00a0 It ended at what appeared to be an old prospecting site where a hole had been blasted\u00a0in the side of the ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The abandoned road ended at this old prospecting site where part of the ridge had been blasted away. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the forest also blown away in this area, Lupe would have her first real shot at some distant views from rocks\u00a0she could see above the blast site.\u00a0 Loop scrambled up for a look around.\u00a0 She had a nice look back to the N\u00a0at Saint Elmo Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,458 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Zimmer Ridge<\/a><\/span> (6,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Above the blast site, Lupe had a nice view to the N. Zimmer Ridge<\/a><\/span> (6,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is seen on the L. The G6 was parked back near the base of closer Saint Elmo Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,458 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dingo, ho!\u00a0 Lupe\u00a0was climbing steadily now.\u00a0 The ridge was getting steeper.\u00a0 The longest, steepest part of her journey\u00a0up the N ridge was underway.\u00a0\u00a0Loop was approaching the high forested area she had seen from the first big boulder early on.\u00a0 Before the final big push, she reached another high point with a view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Shortly before starting the longest, steepest push up Sylvan Hill’s N ridge, Lupe arrived at this high point with a view. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Onward!\u00a0 Up and up.\u00a0 After several hundred feet of sharp elevation gains, the terrain began to level out.\u00a0 Lupe was still going up, but at a more moderate pace.\u00a0 The forest started thinning out.\u00a0 Lupe came to meadows with minor high points a short distance off to the SSW.\u00a0 She went over near the top of the first one.<\/p>\n

Lupe had her first view of Sylvan Hill’s true summit ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After the last big steep push up Sylvan Hill’s N ridge, the true summit (L) came into view from the first minor high point Lupe came to. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rest of the way was easy.\u00a0 The slope of the terrain was gradual.\u00a0 Lupe romped through open fields.\u00a0 To the E, she had views of impressive rock formations and many peaks she had been to before.\u00a0 The true summit wasn’t far off now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting closer! Lupe reaches another minor high point along the way. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sylvan Hill summit from the NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The NW slope of the knobby summit would have been an easy climb, but was full of deadfall timber amid a thick stand of young aspens.\u00a0 Lupe found it easier to circle around to the SW, where she faced a momentary scramble between a few big rocks.\u00a0 A couple of bounds up, and she was there!\u00a0 Lupe sat comfortably on a small grassy spot on top of Sylvan Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> for the first time in over 3 years.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A short bounding scramble between a few boulders brought Lupe to the top of Sylvan Peak for the first time in over 3 years. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views from Sylvan Hill were magnificent!\u00a0 Lupe could see far off in every direction.\u00a0 The summit area was small, but not the least bit scary.\u00a0 The American Dingo had plenty of room to relax and take life easy.\u00a0 First, though, it was time to enjoy those views!<\/p>\n

The cairn at the top of the mountain had been considerably improved upon since the last time Lupe had been here on Expedition No. 89.\u00a0 She got up near it for a good look around.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,131 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) is seen straight up from Lupe’s head. Straight up from the tip of her tail is Little Devils Tower<\/a><\/span> (6,960 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. The Cathedral Spires<\/a><\/span> (6,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> are on the horizon a little L of the cairn in the same area. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s ear on the L points to Black Elk Peak. Little Devils Tower is up and to the R of the tip of her tail. Photo looks ENE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking E. Little Devils Tower (L) and Cathedral Spires (a little to the R of LDT) are in view on the horizon. Hwy 89\/87 is seen below. The dirt parking lot for the shortest and most used route to the top of Sylvan Hill from the E is on the R side of the closest part of the Hwy seen here. A sliver of Sylvan Lake is even in view on the L. (Click photo to expand.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Coolidge<\/a><\/span> (6,023 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is on the horizon between Lupe and the cairn. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking S across the small, but perfectly adequate summit area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look SSE. Mount Coolidge<\/a><\/span> (6,023 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is on the L. Farther away, Northeast Cicero Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> peers around the R side of the cairn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

N of the true summit was another rock ledge Lupe could comfortably pose on.\u00a0 She happily agreed to get up on it for a few photos in this direction, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the N ledge. Zimmer Ridge<\/a><\/span> (6,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) is the closest big ridge beyond Lupe. Saint Elmo Peak<\/a> <\/span>(6,458 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is on the R. The big hill on the far horizon straight up from Lupe’s tail is Terry Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Also on the far horizon, the largest of the smallest bumps above the W (L) flank of Saint Elmo Peak is Custer Peak<\/a><\/span> (6806 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks N. (Click photo to expand.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Some of the territory Lupe traversed along Sylvan Hill’s N ridge to get here is seen below on the L. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe could see Thunderhead Mountain<\/a><\/span> (6,567 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, site of the Crazy Horse Memorial<\/a><\/strong><\/span> carving from Sylvan Hill. Crazy Horse is a major tourist attraction in the Black Hills. Photo looks W using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
When Lupe first caught sight of Sylvan Hill’s summit on the way up, the big granite formation on the L was also in view. At first it appeared to be as high as Sylvan Hill. By the time Lupe reached the summit, the big rock formation was clearly significantly lower. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before taking her break, Lupe returned to the summit cairn for another look.\u00a0 Of all the grand views available from Sylvan Hill, the best was toward Black Elk Peak, South Dakota’s loftiest mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The best of all the views from Sylvan Hill was the rugged scene culminating at Black Elk Peak (R), South Dakota’s loftiest mountain. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak (L), Little Devils Tower (Center) and the Cathedral Spires (a little to the R) are all on display. Sweet! Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That was a bunch of pictures.\u00a0 Lupe was ready for her break.\u00a0 She curled up to enjoy\u00a0her usual Taste of the wild.\u00a0 SPHP had nectarines instead of the usual apple.\u00a0 After devouring both nectarines, SPHP wandered around the summit a bit more while Lupe continued chilling out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looper curls up to enjoy her Taste of the Wild.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The summit of Sylvan Hill sported two varieties of yellow wildflowers. Lupe had seen quite a few of these on the way up the N ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
SPHP hadn’t noticed any of these on the way up, but this nice specimen was at the top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SE from the summit. This is the direction most climbers ultimately approach Sylvan Hill from when starting at Hwy 87\/89 to the E. The rugged, rocky stuff seen here is easily avoided, but bountiful deadfall timber still makes this last part of the approach a real pain. Fortunately the distance traversed along this upper SE ridge is less than 0.25 mile.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The weather had been becoming increasingly unsettled while Lupe came up the N ridge.\u00a0 After 20 minutes at the summit, the first of a series of squalls blew in.\u00a0 Suddenly, Lupe really was chilling out.\u00a0 SPHP feared a cold, drenching shower was imminent,\u00a0but\u00a0none materialized.<\/p>\n

What did materialize was a snow storm!\u00a0\u00a0The micro-blizzard\u00a0was dramatic, and came on\u00a0driven by\u00a0a frigid, stiff N breeze.\u00a0 The snow wasn’t flakes, but arrived as tiny pellets.\u00a0 Neither the Carolina Dog nor SPHP was particularly pleased with this turn of events, but snow was better than a bone-chilling rain.<\/p>\n

The Sylvan Peak micro-blizzard lasted all of 3 or 4 minutes before it began to taper off again.\u00a0 Typical in this country.\u00a0 More squalls would come, but in the meantime, Lupe would have 20 minutes or\u00a0more when the skies would clear somewhat and the sun might shine.<\/p>\n

Loop was ready to move on.\u00a0 A few more minutes at the summit, and SPHP was ready, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The snow pellets of the micro-blizzard melted the instant they hit the ground. When it was all over, Lupe was ready to move on. The plan was for her to traverse the near ridge seen beyond her from L to R. It was part of the route to her next objective, Peak 6733. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Last moments at the summit of Sylvan Hill. Black Elk Peak on the R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loop awaits the signal from SPHP that it’s OK to come on down. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe’s next peakbagging goal for Expedition No. 206 was Peak<\/span> 6733<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, located nearly 1.5 miles SW of Sylvan Hill across the upper end of Bear Gulch.\u00a0 The plan wasn’t to head directly for it, but to explore the entire length of the long, undulating\u00a0ridge going all around the S\u00a0end of Bear Gulch.<\/p>\n

The first part of\u00a0Looper’s route\u00a0to Peak 6733 would follow\u00a0the same SE ridge which is the last\u00a0segment of the popular route to\u00a0Sylvan Hill\u00a0from Hwy 87\/89.\u00a0 SPHP remembered this trek from\u00a0Lupe’s Expedition No. 89 as being dreadfully slow due to all the deadfall timber killed by pine bark beetles.<\/p>\n

The deadfall situation hadn’t\u00a0improved at all\u00a0over the last 3 years.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Yuck! The deadfall was just as thick as ever on the ridge SE of Sylvan Hill. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe would face at least a couple of massive granite formations that might pose difficulties on her way along the ridge leading to Peak 6733. High Point 6855, the knob of rock in the sunlight on the R, was one of them. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fortunately, it wasn’t nearly as far to the first big granite formation SE of\u00a0Sylvan Hill as SPHP remembered.\u00a0 Despite the deadfall, Lupe made her way over there fairly quickly.\u00a0 She climbed most of the way up the granite into a narrow crack between nearly vertical walls.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the crack in the first big granite formation SE of Sylvan Hill. Somehow she needed to get over or around the rock wall seen on the R. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was\u00a0near High Point 6849 on the Peakbagger.com topo map<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 She needed to get past the highest\u00a0vertical wall of granite blocking her way S.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t see an easy way over it, and was fearful of the potential drop that might be waiting for Lupe\u00a0on the other side.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NW back at Sylvan Hill from the vicinity of High Point 6849.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a half-hearted search for a way over, Lupe and SPHP gave up.\u00a0 Lupe went W looking for a way around High Point 6849.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SW at High Point 6855, the next big obstacle on the ridge as Lupe starts down to the W (R) to go around High Point 6849, which had her blocked.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop had to lose more elevation than SPHP expected, but she did get around the W end of High Point 6849.\u00a0 Good thing Lupe went around it, and hadn’t tried too hard to go over the top!\u00a0 Looking back after regaining the ridgeline on the other side, it was clear that going around had been the only feasible option.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Going around the W end of High Point 6849. Lupe was on her way to the ridgeline seen ahead. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe regains the ridgeline S of High Point 6849, the wall of rock seen on the R. Clearly going around it had been Lupe’s only real option. Sylvan Hill is in view on the L. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now that she was past High Point 6849, Lupe followed the ridge SW.\u00a0 The ridge was broad, and the terrain wasn’t bad at all, with no big climbs or drops.\u00a0 Lupe still had excellent views to the S.<\/p>\n

Despite these advantages, the ridge walk wasn’t fun.\u00a0 Deadfall timber was strewn so thickly about, Lupe’s progress was excruciatingly slow.\u00a0 She did reach one area that was kind of cool.\u00a0 A lumpy platform of solid granite had a few big puddles on it, and was free of the aggravating deadfall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This cool granite platform offered some great views, but the rest of Lupe’s trek along the ridge was infested by annoying amounts of deadfall timber. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views were great, but beyond the platform, Lupe was forced right back into the\u00a0deadfall infested forest.\u00a0 Up ahead,\u00a0High Point 6855 loomed as the next obstacle.\u00a0 It really didn’t look like Lupe\u00a0could get\u00a0all the way to the top, but she could clearly get quite high.\u00a0 She shouldn’t have a\u00a0hard\u00a0time\u00a0finding a way past the\u00a0summit.<\/p>\n

Another squall came and went.\u00a0 Cold N breeze, same deal as before, except this time it was a mix of snow\u00a0then rain.\u00a0 As before, it didn’t last long.\u00a0 These squalls might\u00a0come and go\u00a0for hours.\u00a0 If they turned completely to rain and got\u00a0worse, Lupe’s\u00a0long trek around the deadfall infested ridge was going to be unpleasant.\u00a0 She still had a long way to go to Peak 6733.<\/p>\n

Upon reaching a saddle leading to the now\u00a0imminent climb up High Point 6855, the American Dingo discovered a faint road.\u00a0 Lupe was doing fine, but SPHP was fed up with all the deadfall on the ridge.\u00a0 Come on, Looper, let’s just take this road down into Bear Gulch.\u00a0 Even though you’ll have to regain a lot more lost elevation, we’ll get to Peak 6733\u00a0way faster.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe didn’t mind.\u00a0 In fact, she\u00a0preferred the\u00a0road, too.\u00a0 The road\u00a0went by meadows where she could run around, instead of wasting her\u00a0energy hopping over dead trees.\u00a0 The faint\u00a0road led to a better one, which ultimately brought Lupe\u00a0down into the upper end of Bear Gulch from the E.<\/p>\n

Peak<\/span> 6733<\/a><\/span><\/strong> was now in view ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From down in the upper end of Bear Gulch, Lupe could see Peak 6733 ahead. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe came to USFS Road No. 352 again 2.5 miles S of where the G6 was parked along it.\u00a0 Nearby, a little stream crossed the road.\u00a0 Lupe crossed the road, too, staying S of the creek.\u00a0 Boggy forested terrain interlaced with small rivulets trickling through it all forced her SW.<\/p>\n

Loop drank from the rivulets.\u00a0 She loved the feel of the soft, damp, boggy ground on her paws.\u00a0 SPHP was less enthused\u00a0by the mud, but managed to avoid the worst of it.\u00a0 Before long, the Carolina Dog was beyond the bog and climbing a hillside.\u00a0\u00a0She had skipped past a big part of the long ridge to Peak 6733, but now she needed to\u00a0get back up there again.\u00a0 SPHP had her aim\u00a0for the saddle between High Point 6627 and Peak 6733.<\/p>\n

About the time Loop regained the ridgeline,\u00a0a third squall hit.\u00a0 This squall\u00a0was mostly dark clouds and wind, accompanied by\u00a0only a little rain.\u00a0 Apparently the squalls were weakening instead of strengthening.\u00a0 Good!\u00a0 Lupe turned NW following the ridge.\u00a0 She still needed to regain another 300 feet of elevation to reach Peak 6733’s summit.<\/p>\n

In keeping with its annoying tradition, the upper part of the ridge was strewn with\u00a0deadfall.\u00a0 At least it wasn’t quite as bad here as before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting close! The upper part of the ridge leading to Peak 6733 was also strewn with deadfall timber, but wasn’t quite as bad as the deadfall Lupe had faced earlier. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The summit\u00a0of Peak<\/span> 6733<\/span><\/strong> is a block of granite with small cliffs\u00a0facing NE.\u00a0 Lupe had an easy time scrambling\u00a0up from the SE.\u00a0 The views were\u00a0superb in most directions, except\u00a0to the W\u00a0toward Thunderhead Mountain<\/a><\/span> (6,567 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and the Crazy\u00a0Horse Memorial<\/strong><\/a><\/span>\u00a0where trees interfered.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on her way up Peak 6733’s summit block. Crazy Horse on Thunderhead Mountain is seen on the L. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Success! Lupe stands atop Peak 6733. Sylvan Hill (Center) is seen beyond her. High Point 6855, which she skipped going to, is on the R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look. Sylvan Hill is now on the L. High Point 6855 is at Center. The upper portion of Bear Gulch, which Lupe had come through to get here, is down below on the L. The summit cairn was new since the last time Lupe had been here on Expedition No. 103 on 11-6-14. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Northeast Cicero Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the highest point on the R. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a look around, Lupe and SPHP took a break.\u00a0 Lupe had water and more Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP had foolishly devoured both nectarines back on Sylvan Hill.<\/p>\n

By the time Lupe’s break was over, another squall could be seen coming in from the N.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the N end of Peak 6733’s summit area, which was adequate, but\u00a0not terribly big. High Point 6634 (Center) is beyond Lupe in the sunlight. Meanwhile, the next squall is approaching Zimmer Ridge<\/a><\/span> (6,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the dark ridge on the R. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe at the N end of the summit area as the next squall approaches. Most of Peak 6733’s summit is in view here. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The view to the NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This\u00a0fourth\u00a0squall was the weakest and final one of any note.\u00a0 The sun soon came out again.\u00a0 Lupe made another tour of Peak 6733’s summit before beginning her descent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Saint Elmo Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,458 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is in sunlight on the L. Five Points<\/a><\/span> (6,621 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> lies in shadow at Center. Peak<\/span> 5800<\/a><\/span><\/strong> is in sunlight far away on the far R. Photo looks NNE using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looper poses dramatically atop the N end of the summit once again. Sunshine was on the way now that the last squall had blown on by, but hadn’t arrived quite yet. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In sunshine again back at the summit cairn. Part of the long ridge Lupe had climbed on her way up Sylvan Hill is seen on the L. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The easiest way down seemed to be to the SE\u00a0back the way Lupe had come up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster ready to begin her descent. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crazy Horse with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once Lupe was down off the summit, she stopped briefly by another high point a little to the SE.\u00a0 It was somewhat lower, of course, but offered a final, unobstructed view of Sylvan Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,000\u00a0ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and Bear Gulch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sylvan Hill with the upper end of Bear Gulch below. High Point 6855 on the R. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look showing more of Bear Gulch and a great deal of the long N ridge Lupe had climbed earlier on her way up Sylvan Hill. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From here, Lupe headed N, passing below\u00a0Peak 6733’s summit along\u00a0the base of the NE facing cliffs.<\/p>\n

Once beyond the cliffs, Lupe and SPHP stayed on the N ridge making a long trek through a\u00a0battle zone\u00a0of deadfall timber.\u00a0 The terrain was easy enough, but the deadfall\u00a0was horrid the entire way.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe finally reached a road at\u00a0a gated\u00a0pass immediately S of High Point 6634.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6733 from the horrid deadfall infested N ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once again, Lupe was glad to reach the road!\u00a0\u00a0She made\u00a0another descent into Bear Gulch.\u00a0 The road took her\u00a0a long way back to the SE, before eventually curving N again.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t care.\u00a0 She was\u00a0free of the deadfall.\u00a0 Now she could have fun sniffing around.\u00a0 She was\u00a0entertained by numerous\u00a0deer she saw along the way.<\/p>\n

The road finally reached USFS Road No. 352 down\u00a0by the creek\u00a0at the bottom of\u00a0Bear Gulch.\u00a0 Here, the side road Lupe had been following was marked as No. 352.2B.\u00a0 The G6 was still a good 2 miles N along No. 352.<\/p>\n

It was\u00a0only mid-afternoon.\u00a0 The sun would be up for hours.\u00a0 However, Lupe had gotten off to an early start this morning, and the long stretches of deadfall had been wearying.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog turned N on No. 352, and headed for her ride home.\u00a0 (5:01 PM, 59\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In Bear Gulch on USFS Road No. 352.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Note:\u00a0 USFS Road No. 352 (marked by a brown fiberglass wand) leaves the W side of Hwy 87\/89\u00a0in Sunday Gulch (S of Hill City) less than 0.25 mile\u00a0S of privately owned\u00a0Horse Thief Campground & RV Resort<\/strong><\/a><\/span> just as the highway begins a\u00a03 mile\u00a0climb up\u00a0to Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park.<\/em><\/p>\n

Stay to the L at a “Y” where\u00a0No. 352\u00a0levels out.\u00a0 Park\u00a0along the road\u00a0here (like Lupe did), or go a little farther to a\u00a0small parking area at a locked gate in Bear Gulch\u00a0less than a mile from the highway.\u00a0 High clearance vehicle\u00a0not required.<\/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 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 7:35 AM, 46\u00b0F, USFS Road No. 352 just NW of the end of Sylvan Hill’s N ridge. Expedition day!\u00a0 Lupe was excited!\u00a0 She frolicked and rolled in tall green grass, wet from overnight rain showers.\u00a0 Before SPHP was even\u00a0ready to set out,\u00a0Loop was already a soggy doggie, but happy as a clam.\u00a0 She\u00a0led the … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 206 – Sylvan Hill & Peak 6733 (5-27-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10214,"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":[105,9,106,104,578,304,643],"class_list":["post-10249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-lupe","tag-peak-6733","tag-south-dakota","tag-sylvan-hill"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_4697.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\/10249","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=10249"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10249\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28394,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10249\/revisions\/28394"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}