{"id":12221,"date":"2018-01-28T08:10:16","date_gmt":"2018-01-28T15:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=12221"},"modified":"2020-09-24T12:13:50","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T18:13:50","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-220-storm-hill-northeast-cicero-peak-12-18-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=12221","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 220 – Storm Hill & Northeast Cicero Peak (12-18-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start: 9:20 AM, 36\u00b0F at the Boulder Hill trailhead of Flume Trail No. 50 on USFS Road No. 358 (Boulder Hill Road)<\/em><\/p>\n

Going to Boulder Hill with Mark and Hillary on Expedition No. 219 had reminded SPHP that while Lupe had been to Boulder Hill half a dozen times, she had never been to nearby Storm Hill.\u00a0 Wasn’t it about time she went?<\/p>\n

Of course, Lupe was in favor of any idea that would get her out of the house for another Black Hills adventure!\u00a0 Soon she was setting out for Storm Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,192 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from the same Boulder Hill trailhead of Flume Trail No. 50 where she had so recently been with Mark and Hillary.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe sets out for Storm Hill on Flume Trail No. 50. A spur of the trail goes up to Boulder Hill, but that wasn’t Lupe’s destination today. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the first 0.33 mile, Lupe followed Flume Trail No. 50.\u00a0 The trail went SE up to a saddle between Boulder Hill and Storm Hill.\u00a0 With only an inch of snow on the ground, Lupe could have run around exploring easily enough.\u00a0 Instead, she nervously stuck close to SPHP.\u00a0 Distant gunfire could be heard coming from somewhere off to the W.\u00a0 Someone was doing target practice.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way up to the saddle between Boulder Hill and Storm Hill. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the saddle, Lupe was between Boulder Hill to the SW, and Storm Hill to the NE.\u00a0 A spur of Flume Trail No. 50 goes all the way up to the top of Boulder Hill, but there isn’t any trail going up Storm Hill.\u00a0 Lupe would have to bushwhack through the forest.<\/p>\n

Carolina Dogs love bushwhacking!\u00a0 Despite the distant gunfire, Lupe grew bolder after leaving the Flume Trail.\u00a0 She followed the saddle NE over to Storm Hill.\u00a0 She was going away from the gunfire, which helped her confidence.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the saddle leading to Storm Hill. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the SW slope of Storm Hill, Lupe traveled right on up a rocky spine of the mountain.\u00a0 The climb would have been easier if she had simply avoided the rocks.\u00a0 However, she did get glimpses of Boulder Hill from the rocks she wouldn’t have otherwise had.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Partway up the rocky SW spine of Storm Hill. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Although climbing the rocky SW spine of Storm Hill was harder and slower than avoiding the rocks would have been, Lupe did get some views of nearby Boulder Hill (L) she wouldn’t have otherwise had. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The top of Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Boulder Hill (Center) is only 0.5 mile SW of Storm Hill. Lupe had been there half a dozen times, but she’d never been to Storm Hill before. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The SW spine of the mountain topped out near the S end of a broader ridge.\u00a0 This broader ridge was also quite rocky, but wasn’t as steep.\u00a0 Lupe gained elevation more slowly as she followed it N.\u00a0 To the E, Loop could see little but forest.\u00a0 However, she did come across places where she had views off to the SW or W.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The SW spine of the mountain led to this broader ridge, which was still quite rocky. Lupe gained elevation more slowly than before as she followed this ridge N. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look at Boulder Hill (R) from the broader ridge. The top of Silver Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) can be seen sticking up between the trees. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting closer to the summit! Loop along the W edge of the broad ridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The summit of Storm Hill was close to the N end of the broad ridge.\u00a0 A fairly large summit area, perhaps 30 or 40 feet in circumference, was the highest part of the mountain.\u00a0 Pine trees obscured the views in some directions.\u00a0 However, Lupe enjoyed a panoramic view to the N and NE from the top of small cliffs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the summit of Storm Hill. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
From the top of small cliffs along the edge of the summit area, Lupe had a panoramic view to the N and NE. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By moving around the summit area, Lupe found at least partial views in other directions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft)<\/span><\/strong> (R of Center) with a lot of help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Storm Hill has a double summit.\u00a0 Two widely separated areas contained within 5,160 foot contours are on the topo map.\u00a0 Lupe was at the W high point where a site elevation of 5,192 feet was shown.\u00a0 SPHP presumed this was the true summit of Storm Hill.\u00a0 It was hard to get much of a look at the E high point, but there was a spot from which it could be seen.<\/p>\n

The E high point was a long, skinny ridge.\u00a0 It was steeper and more rugged-looking territory.\u00a0 The highest parts of the E ridge appeared to be about as high as where Lupe was, but SPHP was pretty certain they weren’t any higher.\u00a0 Satisfied that Lupe had actually reached the true summit of Storm Hill, SPHP didn’t make her spend the extra hour it might have taken to visit the E ridge, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This rough skinny ridge E of Storm Hill’s true summit looked almost as high. Much of it was also within a 5,160 foot contour on the topo map. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe returned to the true summit of Storm Hill, before taking a little break.\u00a0 Meanwhile, SPHP took a few more photos of the views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After an initial look around, Lupe returns to the true summit of Storm Hill. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking NE with help from the telephoto lens. The opening in the far ridgeline seen on the R is the area known as “The Gap” in Rapid City.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Baker Park (Center & L) is the grassy open area down below. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Boulder Hill (L), Mount Warner<\/span><\/a> (5,889 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R), and Saint Elmo Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,458 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center in the distance) from Storm Hill. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe spent 20 minutes enjoying the summit of Storm Hill before moving on.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog started back retracing her route S along the broad ridge.\u00a0 She soon left the ridge, however, veering SW to explore easier terrain in the forest below.\u00a0 She reached Flume Trail No. 50 again well N of the saddle where she’d originally left it.<\/p>\n

By 11:06 AM (42\u00b0F), Loop was back at the G6.\u00a0 Storm Hill had been fun, but had taken her less than 2 hours.\u00a0 Plenty of time left in the day for more adventures!\u00a0 SPHP drove S.\u00a0 Lupe had fun barking at cows, horses, and eventually even some buffalo.\"\"<\/a>At 1:52 PM (41\u00b0F), SPHP parked the G6 at the mouth of a grassy valley N of USFS Road No. 336 (Flynn Creek Road) less than a mile S of Northeast Cicero Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lupe had been to Northeast Cicero Peak twice before, but her most recent ascent was now more than 2.75 years ago.\u00a0 For fun, she would try a new route up.<\/p>\n

Lupe started out climbing NW up a thickly forested ridge on the W side of the grassy valley.\u00a0 She eventually emerged from the trees.\u00a0 An open hilltop was only a short distance away.\u00a0 Loop went to the top for a look around.\u00a0 She was a little S of High Point 5821.\u00a0 Cicero Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,166 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in view not quite a mile to the SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the hilltop S of HP 5821. Cicero Peak (Center) is in view. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On her journey up NE Cicero Peak, Lupe would head for the high grassy area seen on the L before turning toward the summit on the R. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing onward, Lupe skirted High Point 5821 to the NE.\u00a0 The partially forested slope was so steep, she might just as easily have gone to the top of High Point 5821, but she didn’t.\u00a0 Upon reaching the saddle N of High Point 5821, the American Dingo turned N.\u00a0 She climbed a mostly open slope up to a high grassy area with a commanding view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches a high grassy area SW of NE Cicero Peak’s summit. From here she had a commanding view of Cicero Peak (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the high grassy area, Lupe headed NE gaining elevation at a slower pace.\u00a0 Most of this part of her climb was in a forest containing scattered lumpy rock outcroppings.\u00a0 In the shade of the pines, snow was several inches deep.<\/p>\n

The final approach to the summit from the WSW was a gentle climb up a grassy slope.\u00a0 A N\/S running rock ledge only 2 or 3 feet high was at the top of the mountain.\u00a0 A lone boulder sat a short distance beyond the ledge.\u00a0 That boulder, which appeared to be slightly higher than the ledge, was the true summit of Northeast Cicero Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches a rock ledge only a couple of feet high at the top of NE Cicero Peak. The true summit appeared to be the lone boulder seen on the L. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on NE Cicero Peak. Photo looks E towards the plains of western South Dakota with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Up on the lone boulder, the true summit of NE Cicero Peak. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The summit area was large and grassy.\u00a0 A few pines along the N edge blocked views to the NW, while a dense forest hid views to the S and SE.\u00a0 In other directions, Lupe could see big swaths of the Black Hills.\u00a0 The most interesting views were of higher country to the N.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/span> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the highest peak on the L. Closer, but also on the L, is heavily forested Custer Mountain<\/span> (6,089 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Peak<\/span> 6735<\/span><\/strong> is the middle of the 3 high points seen just R of Center. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Same scene, but with more help from the telephoto lens. Custer Mountain is in the foreground. Black Elk Peak on the L in the distance. Peak 6735 is the middle high point on the R. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking NE now. Mount Coolidge<\/span><\/a> (6,023 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is in the distance on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mt. Coolidge (L) with help from the telephoto lens. Lupe had recently visited Mt. Coolidge for the first time in over 5.5 years on Expedition No. 218.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A cool W breeze blew.\u00a0 A low, weary sun, partially obscured by a bank of clouds, dangled listlessly above the horizon.\u00a0 Northeast Cicero Peak felt forlorn, sad.\u00a0 Mid-afternoon, but it felt late.\u00a0 Late in the day.\u00a0 Late in the year.\u00a0 Winter solstice was only 3 days away.\u00a0 Christmas soon after that.\u00a0 A week later, 2017 would be over.\u00a0 Another year gone forever.\u00a0 A depressing thought.<\/p>\n

Neither Lupe nor SPHP knew it yet, but Northeast Cicero Peak was the last mountain Lupe would climb in 2017.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the summit of Northeast Cicero Peak, the last mountain Lupe would climb in 2017. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back on the small ledge. Cicero Peak is visible on the L. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cicero Peak (Center) from the higher summit of NE Cicero Peak. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Northeast Cicero Peak was the highest mountain this far S in the Black Hills.\u00a0 The views were impressive.\u00a0 Yet the somber mood of the mountain made SPHP restless after only 10 minutes on top.\u00a0 Maybe action would add some cheer?\u00a0 Lupe set off into the forest, intent on exploring the mountain’s S ridge on the way down.<\/p>\n

The S ridge wasn’t a very good route.\u00a0 It was full of obstacles.\u00a0 Dense stands of young pines, slick snowy spots, rough rock outcroppings, deadfall timber, all the usual rigamarole except fences to deal with.\u00a0 Not much in the way of views as compensation, either.\u00a0 For what seemed like a long way, the Carolina Dog didn’t lose much elevation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The summit of Cicero Peak with help from the telephoto lens on the way down NE Cicero Peak’s S ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe finally came to a rare open spot in the forest where the going was easier.\u00a0 Beyond it, the descent began in earnest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After a slow trek along NE Cicero Peak’s upper S ridge, Lupe reached this rare open spot in the forest. Her descent became much steeper beyond this point. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once the descent really got going, it was one steep slope after another.\u00a0 Lupe avoided rocky areas as much as possible, which became progressively easier the lower she went.\u00a0 She eventually turned SW, ultimately reaching the floor of the valley W of the S ridge.\u00a0 Here, the American Dingo found a faint road leading back to the G6 (4:08 PM, 36\u00b0F)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The last of 33 Black Hills, SD Expeditions in 2017 was over.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop on Northeast Cicero Peak at the end of her Black Hills, SD adventures in 2017.<\/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\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 adventures<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Start: 9:20 AM, 36\u00b0F at the Boulder Hill trailhead of Flume Trail No. 50 on USFS Road No. 358 (Boulder Hill Road) Going to Boulder Hill with Mark and Hillary on Expedition No. 219 had reminded SPHP that while Lupe had been to Boulder Hill half a dozen times, she had never been to nearby … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 220 – Storm Hill & Northeast Cicero Peak (12-18-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12216,"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":[105,9,106,104,55,304,881],"class_list":["post-12221","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-northeast-cicero-peak","tag-south-dakota","tag-storm-hill"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/IMG_8496.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\/12221","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=12221"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28411,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12221\/revisions\/28411"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}