{"id":11464,"date":"2017-12-11T08:10:10","date_gmt":"2017-12-11T15:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=11464"},"modified":"2020-09-24T11:50:00","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T17:50:00","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-215-peak-3950-oyster-mountain-sly-hill-11-12-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=11464","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 215 – Peak 3950, Oyster Mountain & Sly Hill (11-12-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start – Fort Meade National Cemetery near Sturgis, 8:46 AM, 35\u00b0F<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe arrived at Fort Meade National Cemetery the day after Veteran’s Day.\u00a0 The cemetery was officially closed this time of year.\u00a0 Loop wouldn’t have gone in even if it wasn’t.\u00a0 Some might consider an American Dingo prancing around a cemetery disrespectful, even though she wouldn’t have done any harm.<\/p>\n

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Lupe arrived at the Fort Meade National Cemetery the day after Veteran’s day on a bright, crisp morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was actually here to visit a few peaks near Sturgis she’d never been to before.\u00a0 Once SPHP was ready, she crossed the road W of the cemetery, and started climbing along a ridgeline through a pine forest.\u00a0 She didn’t have far to go before reaching a broad meadow of tall grass.<\/p>\n

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W of Fort Meade Cemetery, Lupe reaches a meadow of tall grass near the start of her way up Peak 3950<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the meadow, Loop happened upon a dirt road that curved SW.\u00a0 She followed it higher back up into the forest.\u00a0 A huge dead tree had fallen over the road, blocking it completely.\u00a0 From the trunk of the dead tree, Lupe could see Bear Butte<\/span><\/a> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> off to the NE rising dramatically from the surrounding prairie.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From the trunk of the dead tree, Lupe saw Bear Butte<\/strong> rising dramatically from the surrounding prairie. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte’s summit<\/strong> is the N end of Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong><\/span><\/a> which winds 111 miles through eastern portions of the Black Hills all the way to Wind Cave National Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road climbed steadily through the forest.\u00a0 Before long, though, the terrain began to level out.\u00a0 The forest became more open and park-like, and the road curved NW.<\/p>\n

Off to the SW, it looked like there might be views from the edge of the mountain.\u00a0 Lupe left the road to explore in that direction.\u00a0 Several deer fled as she approached the edge.\u00a0 Loop had a nice view of the valley S of Sturgis.<\/p>\n

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Lupe came to this nice view of the valley S of Sturgis. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak<\/span> 3950<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was Lupe’s destination.\u00a0 The summit was only 0.5 mile NW from here.\u00a0 Lupe traveled NW near the sharp SW edge of the mountain.\u00a0 At first, the terrain was level or rolling.\u00a0 The American Dingo had her choice of staying in the pine forest or out on another tall grass meadow, and did some of both.\u00a0 Bear Butte was still in view from the meadow.<\/p>\n

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On the way to the summit of Peak 3950<\/strong>, Lupe spent part of her time in this big tall grass meadow, from which she could still see Bear Butte<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the meadow, Loop came upon the road again.\u00a0 She followed it NW back into the forest, gaining elevation at a moderate pace.\u00a0 Lupe stayed on the road until she was close to Peak 3950’s summit.\u00a0 The final part of the climb was an easy romp through the woods.<\/p>\n

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On the road again getting close to the top of Peak 3950<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak 3950’s summit area was large and relatively level.\u00a0 The highest part was near the N end.\u00a0 No single point stood out as the exact location of the true summit, but Lupe was satisfied.\u00a0 Climbing Peak<\/span> 3950<\/span><\/a><\/strong> had been easy and fun.<\/p>\n

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Lupe at the top of Peak 3950<\/strong>. Climbing the mountain had been quick and easy. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On Peak 3950’s flat summit. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the top of Peak 3950, trees hid the views in most directions.\u00a0 However, along the edge of the steep W slope, Lupe found rock outcroppings from which she could see the town of Sturgis.<\/p>\n

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From rocks along the W rim, Lupe could see the town of Sturgis. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sturgis, SD from Peak 3950<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A look at the downtown area with a little help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe could also see her next two peakbagging objectives.\u00a0 Oyster Mountain and Sly Hill were both in sight to the NW.<\/p>\n

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Lupe’s next peakbagging objectives were in view.\u00a0 Oyster Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,040 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the forested ridge on the L. Sl<\/span>y<\/span> Hill<\/span><\/a> (3,920 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is straight up from the blue water tank on the R. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Names, dates, and initials had been carved into the rocks Lupe was standing on.\u00a0 One rock S of the summit area even had a whole phrase carved into it.<\/p>\n

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Many names, dates, and initials were carved into rocks along the W edge of the mountain. Someone had gone to the trouble of carving the phrase “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.” into this rock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe lingered on Peak 3950 for a little while, but didn’t stay terribly long.\u00a0 She still had more peakbagging to do.\u00a0 After sniffing around some and enjoying the views, it was time to head back to the G6.<\/p>\n

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On her way back down, Lupe returns to the upper tall grass meadow SE of Peak 3950’s summit. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once Loop made it back to the G6 (10:41 AM)<\/em>, SPHP drove into Sturgis looking for a way to Oyster Mountain or Sly Hill. \u00a0 A mile NW of town, a road went N over a saddle on the ridge connecting the two mountains.\u00a0 A mile beyond the saddle, SPHP parked the G6 again (11:10 AM, 49\u00b0F).<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe got out ready to climb Oyster Mountain’s NE ridge.\u00a0 At first, she was in a mixed oak and pine forest, but she didn’t have far to go before reaching a meadow.\u00a0 Bear Butte was once again in view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the first meadow she came to on the way up Oyster Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/span><\/a> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from the lower slopes of Oyster Mountain’s NE ridge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just like on Peak 3950, Lupe found a dirt road in the meadow which took her higher and back into the forest.\u00a0 Loop followed this road SW most of the way up Oyster Mountain’s NE ridge.\u00a0 Sometimes she had glimpses of views along the way, but usually there were too many trees to see much of anything.<\/p>\n

The road eventually reached a saddle.\u00a0 Loop would start losing elevation if she stayed on the road, so she left it.\u00a0 She headed W, still climbing steadily.<\/p>\n

Before long, the Carolina Dog arrived at the top of a small hill.\u00a0 Maybe this was Oyster Mountain’s summit?\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t certain.\u00a0 The topo map had been forgotten in the G6.<\/p>\n

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Not long after leaving the dirt road, Lupe reached the top of this small hill. At the time, SPHP thought this might possibly be Oyster Mountain’s summit. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe continued W from the small hill, and soon reached a slightly higher hill.\u00a0 A ridge nearly the same height was in view to the SW across a small valley.\u00a0 The valley drained toward a depression to the W.<\/p>\n

SPHP remembered the topo map had shown a depression close to Oyster Mountain’s true summit.\u00a0 Loop ought to be able to find the summit by crossing the valley, then following the ridge on the other side.<\/p>\n

So that’s what she did.\u00a0 When Lupe made it up onto the ridge, she could see I-90 in the valley below on the other side.<\/p>\n

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After crossing the small valley, Lupe climbed up onto this ridge where she could see I-90 below. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe followed the ridge WNW.\u00a0 The terrain was nearly level for a little way, but soon Loop saw slightly higher ground ahead.\u00a0 The summit had to be over there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oyster Mountain’s S slope from the ridgeline. The summit isn’t much farther ahead in the trees on the R. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shortly before reaching the top of Oyster Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,040 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Loop came to a sparsely forested sunny hillside.\u00a0 Snow was visible on Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> on the far horizon.\u00a0 Closer by, Lupe had a nice view of heavily forested Crook Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,930 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Snow is visible on Terry Peak’s ski runs<\/strong> on the far horizon (L). Heavily forested Crook Mountain<\/strong> is in view on the R. I-90 is seen in the valley below. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oyster Mountain’s summit proved to be a relatively narrow, 150 foot long, flat ridge.\u00a0 Forest blocked any views.\u00a0 Minor rock outcroppings that didn’t amount to much were on the S side near the far W end.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on top of Oyster Mountain<\/a> <\/span>(4,040 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Carolina Dogs are rarely seen on Oyster Mountain<\/strong>. However, the mountain’s odd and mysterious name was part of the allure that brought Lupe here. Oyster Mountain<\/strong> seems an unlikely name for a mountain in the Black Hills. Lupe was about as far from an ocean here as you can get in North America.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe goofing around trying to be silly and dramatic from the little rock outcroppings near the W end of the summit ridge. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loopster took her only Taste of the Wild break of the day up on Oyster Mountain.\u00a0 The shady summit ridge was a pleasant place.\u00a0 Traffic noise from I-90 only partially marred the sense of isolation.<\/p>\n

On the way back to the G6, Lupe stopped by the sunny slope E of the summit again for a final look.\u00a0 She then left the ridgeline, cutting down to the depression in the small valley.\u00a0 The depression was bone dry now, but looked like a seasonal pond forms here during wet periods.<\/p>\n

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As she left Oyster Mountain<\/strong>, Loop swung back by this sunny slope E of the summit for a final look. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near the depression on Oyster Mountain<\/strong>. The depression was bone dry now, but looked like a seasonal pond must form here during wet periods. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After leaving the depression, the American Dingo retraced her route up all the rest of the way down.\u00a0 Lupe had fun running and sniffing around, but it was only 1.25 miles back to the G6.\u00a0 It didn’t take her all that long to get there.\u00a0 (1:09 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

Loop still had one more peak to climb near Sturgis.\u00a0 SPHP drove to the saddle between Oyster Mountain and Sly Hill, parking near a fence surrounding a “rubble site” (1:16 PM, 52\u00b0F).<\/em>\u00a0 A sign nearby indicated Dingoes might not be entirely welcome on Sly Hill, the top of which was only 0.5 mile to the SE.\u00a0 Hmmm.<\/p>\n

American Dingoes can be quite foxy, and the name of her objective was Sly Hill, after all.\u00a0 Lupe wouldn’t hurt a thing.\u00a0 Off she went, slinking through the forest.\u00a0 It didn’t take her long to reach a wide flat meadow rimmed with pines.\u00a0 The topo map showed this area as the true summit of Sly Hill<\/span><\/a> (3,920 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Lupe at the official top of Sly Hill<\/strong> according to the topo map. SPHP was skeptical that this was actually the true summit. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Sly Dingo on Sly Hill<\/strong> feeling pretty foxy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Near the S rim of Sly Hill<\/strong>, a bit SW of the official summit according to the topo map. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The topo map showed another high point on Sly Hill only 0.25 mile to the SE.\u00a0 High Point 3917<\/span><\/strong> was supposed to be almost as high as the official summit.\u00a0 Maybe Lupe should go on over there to check it out while she was still in the area?\u00a0 It seemed like the thing to do.<\/p>\n

Off Lupe went.\u00a0 She lost a bit of elevation exploring a narrower part of the ridge that forms Sly Hill.\u00a0 Soon Loop was approaching High Point 3917, a far smaller area that came to much more of a definite peak than the official summit.\u00a0 She caught a glimpse of Bear Butte as she began the short climb.<\/p>\n

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Looking back along the ridge linking Sly Hill’s official summit<\/strong> and High Point 3917<\/strong>. Photo looks NW toward the official summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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As Lupe started the short climb up to High Point 3917<\/strong>, she caught this glimpse of Bear Butte<\/strong>. Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On the way up to High Point 3917<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Climbing High Point 3917 was easy.\u00a0 Lupe got up on the top rocks at the foot of a big pine tree.\u00a0 Up until now, SPHP hadn’t been totally certain where Lupe was on Sly Hill, but the views from here confirmed her position.\u00a0 Parts of Sturgis could be seen, though trees obscured some of the town.<\/p>\n

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Loopster on the highest rocks at High Point 3917<\/strong> on Sly Hill<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Western parts of Sturgis are in view here from High Point 3917<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking SE from High Point 3917<\/strong>. A small portion of eastern Sturgis is in view on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe’s exploration of Sly Hill was now complete, except for one thing.\u00a0 On the way to the official summit shown on the topo map, Lupe had passed N of some high ground that seemed like it might actually have been higher than the official summit.<\/p>\n

So Lupe returned to Sly Hill’s official summit, then proceeded W looking for the high ground she’d bypassed earlier.\u00a0 She climbed a heavily forested narrow ridge.\u00a0 The official summit could not be seen from here, but SPHP would have bet money that this high point to the W was actually the true summit of Sly Hill.<\/p>\n

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Lupe on top of the high point W of the official summit. SPHP would have bet money that this was actually the true summit of Sly Hill<\/span><\/a> (3,920 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had done about all there was to do up on Sly Hill.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog left the W high point (and likely true summit) traveling NW along the ridgeline.\u00a0 This proved to be the most rugged terrain she’d come to on Sly Hill.\u00a0 She went by several interesting rock formations on the way down.<\/p>\n

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Loop on one of the rock formations she came to on the way down. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On the most impressive rock. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Sly Dingo of Sly Hill made it back to the G6 without incident (2:34 PM).<\/em>\u00a0 At least a couple of hours of daylight remained.\u00a0 With visions of Lupe making one more peakbagging attempt at yet another modest, seldom-visited hill, SPHP drove Lupe to the Whitewood area.\u00a0 She even got close to Spearfish.\u00a0 However, she had no luck at any other hills or mountains.<\/p>\n

So Sly Hill was Lupe’s final peakbagging success of Expedition No. 215.\u00a0 That didn’t bother the Carolina Dog at all.\u00a0 She didn’t mind riding around barking at deer, cattle and horses at all!\u00a0 She had a blast the whole time, yipping and yapping until it was way too dark to see.<\/p>\n

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Looking across the saddle separating Sly Hill from Oyster Mountain (Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\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 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Start – Fort Meade National Cemetery near Sturgis, 8:46 AM, 35\u00b0F Lupe arrived at Fort Meade National Cemetery the day after Veteran’s Day.\u00a0 The cemetery was officially closed this time of year.\u00a0 Loop wouldn’t have gone in even if it wasn’t.\u00a0 Some might consider an American Dingo prancing around a cemetery disrespectful, even though she … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 215 – Peak 3950, Oyster Mountain & Sly Hill (11-12-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11446,"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":[105,9,106,104,858,857,859,304],"class_list":["post-11464","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-oyster-mountain","tag-peak-3950","tag-sly-hill","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/IMG_8197.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\/11464","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=11464"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28407,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11464\/revisions\/28407"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}