{"id":1255,"date":"2015-06-24T09:52:16","date_gmt":"2015-06-24T15:52:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=1255"},"modified":"2020-09-21T20:43:03","modified_gmt":"2020-09-22T02:43:03","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-134-copper-odakota-green-hat-mountains-plus-the-dragon-caves-6-20-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=1255","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 134 &#8211; Copper, Odakota, Green &#038; Hat Mountains Plus the Dragon Caves (6-20-15)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s getting to that time of year when Lupe&#8217;s expeditions into the Black Hills usually stop for the summer.\u00a0 The weather just gets too warm for a long day&#8217;s march in the hills to be much fun.\u00a0 Usually the mud puddles have dried up by now, and the little seasonal creeks and streams are starting to dry up too.\u00a0 SPHP\u00a0has a hard time carrying\u00a0enough water to satisfy a hot, thirsty American dingo.<\/p>\n<p>So far this June though, temperatures have been pretty mild.\u00a0 Rainfall has been way above normal, so there are still lots of mud puddles.\u00a0 All the creeks and streams are looking good.\u00a0 With a still reasonably tolerable high temperature forecast in the lower hills just in the low 80&#8217;s, this day was still going to be pretty nice in the higher hills.\u00a0 Lupe could continue her peakbagging along the E edge of the limestone plateau country of the western hills.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP parked the G6 at 7:49 AM along USFS Road No. 301.1A just off No. 301 at the exact same spot as on <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=1013\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Expedition No. 132<\/a><\/strong><\/span> two weeks earlier.\u00a0 It was a beautiful 59\u00b0F, with completely clear blue skies and a light N breeze.\u00a0 Since they were so close, Expedition No. 134 was going to start the same way as Expedition No. 132, with ascents of Copper and then Odakota Mountains.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1222\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1222\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060392.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1222\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060392-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on the SE cliffs of Copper Mountain. Harney Peak is the highest point in the distance. Medicine Mountain is at the right edge. Photo looks ESE.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060392.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060392.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060392.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060392.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1222\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on the SE cliffs of Copper Mountain. Harney Peak is the highest point in the distance. Medicine Mountain is at the right edge. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1223\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1223\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060394.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1223\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060394-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on the flat top of Copper Mountain.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060394.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060394.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060394.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060394.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1223\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on the flat top of Copper Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1224\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1224\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060395.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1224\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060395-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The first of many water holes, mud puddles and streams made use of by Lupe. This one is on the W side of Copper Mountain.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060395.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060395.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060395.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060395.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1224\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The first of many water holes, mud puddles and streams made use of by Lupe. This one is on the W side of Copper Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1225\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1225\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060396-e1554182531268.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1225\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060396-e1554182531268-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060396-e1554182531268.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060396-e1554182531268.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060396-e1554182531268.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060396-e1554182531268.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1225\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Green Mountain is the high point on the right. Photo looks NNW from USFS Road No. 301.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The views were great from the SE end of <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=19814\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Copper Mountain<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,920 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP stopped here for a little while for SPHP to goop up with sunscreen (the first of 3 goopings on this sunny day) while appreciating the bright morning views.\u00a0 The stop at the summit of <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6233\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Odakota Mountain<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(7,200 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0was shorter, just long enough for a photo of Lupe at the summit cairn.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP weren&#8217;t going to trek all the way to the SE edge of the mountain through all that deadfall timber again like Lupe did on Expedition No. 132.\u00a0 Instead, Lupe left Odakota Mountain to head for <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=19825\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Green Mountain<\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(7,164 ft.)<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1226\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1226\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060397.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1226\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060397-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Odakota Mountain summit cairn.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060397.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060397.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060397.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060397.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1226\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Odakota Mountain summit cairn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe headed W from Odakota Mountain crossing USFS Road No. 693 at its high point and continuing on following the ridge line, which had a series of small rock escarpments along it.\u00a0 There was a fair amount of deadfall timber around, but not so much as to seriously impede progress.\u00a0 More annoying was the barbed wire fence which followed along fairly close to the ridge line, too.\u00a0 No matter which side of the fence Lupe and SPHP got on, it seemed like the terrain soon changed to make the other side of the fence more desirable again.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP reached USFS Road No. 301 again just E of No. 301.1R, which goes N up Windmill Draw.\u00a0 Windmill Draw is a pretty shallow broad valley with open meadows in the middle.\u00a0 Pines and a few aspens line the sides of the draw.\u00a0 No. 301.1R stuck to the W side of the draw near the pines.\u00a0 Beetle-killed deadfall blocked the way fairly frequently, but it was easy\u00a0to just drop down a bit into the valley to get around it where it was bad.\u00a0\u00a0Pines still standing\u00a0provided some shade, which was welcome with the sun so high in the sky.<\/p>\n<p>At the upper end of Windmill Draw, No. 301.1R meets up with No. 691.1B (both unmarked here).\u00a0\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP took No. 691.1B\u00a0NE to Green Mountain.\u00a0 The best views here were from the cliffs at the SE end of the mountain.\u00a0 There were splendid views of everything from the NE around to the SE and S.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP took a break on the cliffs.\u00a0 Lupe was ready for some Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP had the usual apple and split a little granola bar with Lupe.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1227\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1227\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060398.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1227\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060398-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking SE towards Copper Mountain (near center) from Green Mountain.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060398.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060398.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060398.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060398.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1227\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking SE towards Copper Mountain (lower rounded hill near center) from Green Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060399.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1228\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060399-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on Green Mountain 6-20-15\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060399.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060399.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060399.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060399.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1229\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1229\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060400.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1229\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060400-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Gillette Prairie from Green Mountain. Photo looks E.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060400.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060400.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060400.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060400.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1229\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gillette Prairie from Green Mountain. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1230\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1230\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060401-e1554182653557.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1230\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060401-e1554182653557-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060401-e1554182653557.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060401-e1554182653557.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060401-e1554182653557.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060401-e1554182653557.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1230\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on Green Mountain 6-20-15. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe&#8217;s next peakbagging goal of the day was <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=19828\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hat Mountain<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,779 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> over 3 miles to the NW.\u00a0 Although Hat Mountain is near the limestone plateau country, it is a little different from Copper, Odakota and Green Mountains in that it sits out a little distance from\u00a0the limestone plateau\u00a0instead of being along the E edge of the long escarpment.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP left Green Mountain exploring to the N of No. 691.1B until the terrain forced a turn to the W to stay on the high ground.\u00a0 Although SPHP was hoping for views of Hat Mountain, there were none from here that were any good.\u00a0 There were too many trees.<\/p>\n<p>There was also a substantial amount of deadfall timber to contend with.\u00a0 Somewhere not too far W of the junction of USFS Roads No. 301.1R and No. 691.1B at the upper N end of Windmill Draw, Lupe and SPHP retreated S to get back on No. 691.1B heading W.\u00a0 The road was open and the deadfall timber in the forest was just too much to deal with.\u00a0 Lupe had a long way to go yet on this expedition, and it just took too much time.\u00a0 When No. 691.1B reached No. 691, Lupe turned N on No. 691.<\/p>\n<p>No. 691 isn&#8217;t a major gravel road, but it was in good condition and wide enough so that it didn&#8217;t get much shade.\u00a0 Even though\u00a0No. 691\u00a0lost elevation as Lupe headed N on it, the trek was so sunny and warm that SPHP was soon sweating.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP took occasional shade breaks (and a goop break)\u00a0along the way in the forest just off the road.\u00a0 SPHP was glad to leave No. 691 to turn W on No. 691.1E (marked as ATV trail No. 6004) just before reaching Heely Creek S of Hat Mountain.\u00a0 No. 691.1E was a lesser road and much shadier.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1231\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1231\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060402.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1231\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060402-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe takes a rest break on her way to Hat Mountain.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060402.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060402.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060402.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060402.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1231\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pretty girl Lupe takes a rest break on her way to Hat Mountain.\u00a0 What a lovely dingo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>From No. 691.1E, Hat Mountain, now\u00a0just a mile to the N,\u00a0was soon visible through the trees.\u00a0 SPHP hoped for an easy way down the short, but steep bank through the trees into the meadow near Heely Creek, but finally gave up and just plunged N into the forest full of deadfall to get down to the valley.\u00a0 Shortly after getting there, it was apparent that no more than a couple hundred yards farther W on No. 691.1E would have brought Lupe and SPHP to an easy side road right on down to a little ford across Heely Creek.\u00a0 Exploring is like that.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1232\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1232\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060403-e1554182760292.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1232\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060403-e1554182760292-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060403-e1554182760292.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060403-e1554182760292.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060403-e1554182760292.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060403-e1554182760292.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1232\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hat Mountain dead ahead! Lupe in the Heely Creek valley. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There was a lot of marshy ground along Heely Creek and the easiest crossing point was at the little ford on the side road, so Lupe and SPHP crossed the creek there.\u00a0 Once across the creek, it was an easy matter to make the trek up Hat Mountain from the S.\u00a0 Unlike the other mountains Lupe had already climbed earlier in the day, Hat Mountain is not thickly forested and there was no deadfall timber to contend with.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1233\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1233\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060404.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1233\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060404-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking W at the Heely Creek valley S of Hat Mountain.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060404.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060404.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060404.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060404.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1233\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking W at the Heely Creek valley S of Hat Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The top of Hat Mountain is a flat limestone escarpment.\u00a0 Without any trees up there, the views were excellent in every direction.\u00a0 Consequently, Lupe and SPHP dallied up on Hat Mountain quite a while.\u00a0 Lupe took a generous helping of Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 The last little granola bar was shared and the last apple disappeared.\u00a0 There were some beautiful clouds around and some big birds came swooping by for a little while.\u00a0 The only thing Lupe didn&#8217;t like was that the top was so rocky.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn&#8217;t terribly comfortable laying down to rest while viewing the scenic display.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1234\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1234\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060405.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1234\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060405-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Getting there! Lupe nears the summit of Hat Mountain from the S.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060405.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060405.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060405.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060405.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1234\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Getting there! Lupe nears the summit of Hat Mountain from the S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1235\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1235\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060406.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1235\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060406-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The view N from Hat Mountain towards South Castle Rock, Nipple Butte and Flag Mountain where Lupe had been on Expedition No. 133.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060406.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060406.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060406.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060406.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1235\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The view N from Hat Mountain towards South Castle Rock, Nipple Butte and Flag Mountain (all near the center on the horizon) where Lupe had been on Expedition No. 133.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1236\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1236\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060407-e1554182836149.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1236\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060407-e1554182836149-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060407-e1554182836149.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060407-e1554182836149.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060407-e1554182836149.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060407-e1554182836149.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1236\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Deerfield Lake from Hat Mountain. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1237\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1237\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060408.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1237\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060408-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The flat summit of Hat Mountain.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060408.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060408.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060408.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060408.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1237\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The flat summit of Hat Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1238\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1238\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060409.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1238\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060409-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"A big bird soars over Hat Mountain.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060409.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060409.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060409.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060409.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1238\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A big bird soars over Hat Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1239\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1239\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060410.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1239\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060410-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking S from Hat Mountain towards Green Mountain (large ridge at right) and Copper Mountain (lower ridge just left of Green Mountain).\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060410.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060410.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060410.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060410.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1239\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking S from Hat Mountain towards Green Mountain (large ridge at right) and Copper Mountain (lower shaded ridge just left of and beyond\u00a0Green Mountain).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1240\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1240\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060411.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1240\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060411-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Another look S from Hat Mountain. Green Mountain at very right edge. Copper Mountain beyond it and now in sunlight. Harney Peak toward left side of photo.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060411.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060411.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060411.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060411.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1240\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Another look S from Hat Mountain. Green Mountain at very right edge. Copper Mountain beyond it and now in sunlight. Harney Peak toward left side of photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1241\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1241\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060412.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1241\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060412-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking SW from Hat Mountain towards the limestone plateau country where the Dragon Caves are hidden.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060412.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060412.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060412.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060412.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1241\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking SW from Hat Mountain towards the limestone plateau country where the Dragon Caves are hidden.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1242\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1242\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060413.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1242\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060413-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Deerfield Lake from Hat Mountain. Photo looks N.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060413.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060413.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060413.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060413.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1242\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Deerfield Lake from Hat Mountain. Photo looks N.\u00a0 <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6226\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Custer Peak<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0is the highest point toward the left on the horizon.\u00a0 Reynolds Prairie is the open ground beyond and to the left of Deerfield Lake.\u00a0 Only a small portion of the lake is visible from Hat Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A 50% chance of scattered thunderstorms had been in the forecast for between 1-4 PM.\u00a0 There were enough clouds around by now so that rain did look like it might develop.\u00a0 SPHP thought maybe it was time for Lupe to head for the Dragon Caves.\u00a0 There was probably time to get there before any serious rain developed.\u00a0 So Lupe left Hat Mountain heading SW.\u00a0 She rounded the S end of a low ridge down near Heely Creek and then followed the creek to USFS Road No. 291 (Ditch Creek Road).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1243\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1243\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060414-e1554182974254.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1243\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060414-e1554182974254-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060414-e1554182974254.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060414-e1554182974254.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060414-e1554182974254.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060414-e1554182974254.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1243\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A look back at Hat Mountain from the SW before Lupe rounded the low ridge near Heely Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe turned S on No. 291, which is a pretty major gravel road.\u00a0 It is a beautiful drive, but was way busier than SPHP likes for hiking.\u00a0 Groups of ATV&#8217;s roared up and down the road, along with cars and\u00a0pickup trucks.\u00a0 Nothing really all that major, but Lupe and SPHP usually go many hours and often the entire day without seeing anyone on Lupe&#8217;s expeditions.\u00a0 Now it was minutes, and not all that many, between traffic events.\u00a0 Fortunately, it was only 2\/3 mile from Heely Creek to the bridge across Ditch Creek that leads to the Dragon Caves.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1244\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1244\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060415-e1554183023801.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1244\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060415-e1554183023801-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060415-e1554183023801.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060415-e1554183023801.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060415-e1554183023801.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060415-e1554183023801.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1244\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe refreshed after a dip in Heely Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe crossed the bridge over Ditch Creek\u00a0and instead of following USFS Road No. 385 to the right, continued straight ahead\u00a0on an ATV trail up a small hill.\u00a0 A right turn at an open area leads\u00a0directly to the Dragon Caves.\u00a0 The Dragon Caves have three large openings (they have to be large to accommodate dragons) facing S.\u00a0 Farther back into the caves all three entrances connect.\u00a0 Imagine a capital letter &#8220;E&#8221; with the long connecting\u00a0side running E\/W and the three shorter lines pointing S, and you have a good idea of the floor plan and orientation of the Dragon Caves entrances.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1245\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1245\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060416.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1245\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060416-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe reaches the Dragon Caves. Two of the entrances are seen here. The third is around a little corner to the right.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060416.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060416.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060416.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060416.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1245\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe reaches the Dragon Caves. Two of the entrances are seen here. The third is around a corner to the right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1246\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1246\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060418-e1554183093305.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1246\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060418-e1554183093305-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060418-e1554183093305.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060418-e1554183093305.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060418-e1554183093305.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060418-e1554183093305.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1246\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Uh, SPHP, you did bring the flashlight didn&#8217;t you? Ever consider using it? Maybe you should now.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It was cool inside the Dragon Caves.\u00a0 And dark.\u00a0 SPHP got the flashlight with weak batteries out.\u00a0 The dim light showed the dusty floor well enough to continue in to the area where the entrances are connected.\u00a0 There is more to the Dragon Caves than just the &#8220;E&#8221;.\u00a0 Big side passages and some smaller ones go back into the dark recesses.\u00a0 Lupe went dragon hunting.\u00a0 Fortunately for Smaug and any other dragons, they must have\u00a0had some warning that\u00a0a Carolina Dog was coming for them.\u00a0 They had already departed.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1247\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1247\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060422-e1554183165612.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1247\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060422-e1554183165612-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060422-e1554183165612.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060422-e1554183165612.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060422-e1554183165612.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060422-e1554183165612.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1247\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>I&#8217;ve got this exit covered SPHP, see if you can find any dragons over there.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1248\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1248\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060423-e1554183226100.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1248\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060423-e1554183226100-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060423-e1554183226100.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060423-e1554183226100.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060423-e1554183226100.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060423-e1554183226100.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1248\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe dragon hunting in the Dragon Caves.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1249\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1249\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060424-e1554183270143.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1249\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060424-e1554183270143-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060424-e1554183270143.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060424-e1554183270143.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060424-e1554183270143.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060424-e1554183270143.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1249\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Possessed dingo prepares to face dragons in the Dragon Caves.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1250\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1250\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1250\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1250\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">American Dingo heroine Lupe arrives at the Dragon Caves too late! The dragons have already fled with all their treasure hoards and damsels in distress.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Unfortunately for Lupe and SPHP, the dragons had evidently\u00a0had time to pack\u00a0up their treasure hoards and damsels in distress\u00a0and depart with the entire bounty.\u00a0 The only thing left other than dust was a beer can, dropped no doubt by some poor tourist during a dragon encounter with an unhappy ending.\u00a0 Tourists just don&#8217;t know enough to bring a Carolina Dog with them for protection.\u00a0 It&#8217;s not their fault really, they are from somewhere else and unfamiliar with the situation.\u00a0 SPHP picked up the beer can as the only souvenir of Lupe&#8217;s dragon hunting this time around.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe emerged from the Dragon Caves to find that it was sprinkling outside.\u00a0 Now and then weak pathetic\u00a0thunder could be heard.\u00a0 If this was the scattered thunderstorm in the forecast, there was nothing to worry about.\u00a0 Lupe went back to USFS Road No. 291 and turned S again.\u00a0 About 1.5 miles farther on Lupe passed Ditch Creek campground, which seemed to be a source of the traffic in the area.\u00a0 Despite its dreadful name, Ditch Creek campground is one of the nicest and most scenic campgrounds in the Black Hills.\u00a0 Many of the campsites are right on Ditch Creek, a small clear cold stream that always has decent flow.\u00a0 Plenty of people were around, but the campground wasn&#8217;t yet full.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1251\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1251\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060427.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1251\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060427-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Approaching Ditch Creek campground from the N.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060427.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060427.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060427.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060427.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1251\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Approaching Ditch Creek campground from the N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe wasn&#8217;t going to camp.\u00a0 She pressed on to the S on No. 291.\u00a0 An ATV trail map back at Ditch Creek campground had shown SPHP that Lupe should watch for ATV trail No. 6008\u00a0less than\u00a00.75 mile S of the campground.\u00a0 It supposedly wound its way E back to USFS Road No. 691.<\/p>\n<p>Pretty soon Lupe reached No. 6008 and made the turn to the E.\u00a0 No. 6008 was\u00a0a lovely little road that climbed steadily, but not too steeply.\u00a0 By the time Lupe turned on to No. 6008, the sun was low on the horizon.\u00a0 As she climbed on No. 6008, though, the sun just didn&#8217;t set.\u00a0 It always seemed like it was going to, but Lupe kept getting high enough up to keep it in view.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1252\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1252\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060428.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1252\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060428-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"A look back N along USFS Road No. 291 (Ditch Creek Road) shortly before Lupe left it to head E on ATV trail No. 6008.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060428.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060428.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060428.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060428.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1252\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A look back N along USFS Road No. 291 (Ditch Creek Road) shortly before Lupe left it to head E on ATV trail No. 6008.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>No. 6008 went on and on, climbing higher and higher.\u00a0 Lupe saw a nice herd of 10 elk (the &#8220;giant deers&#8221;, as Lupe knows them!) disappear into the forest.\u00a0 There started to be various intersecting ATV trails, all with different numbers.\u00a0 Where No. 6008 went to, SPHP couldn&#8217;t say.\u00a0 After a while Lupe seemed to be on No. 6010 and still later on No. 6011.\u00a0 Lupe was on No. 6011 when the road finally reached the high point of the ridge between No. 291 to the W and No. 691 to the E.\u00a0 Unfortunately, No. 6011 turned S and didn&#8217;t look like it was going to complete the trip to No. 691, which couldn&#8217;t have been much farther E at this point.<\/p>\n<p>By now the sun was down, but it was still plenty light out to leave No. 6011 in search of No. 691.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP headed E and then SE through the forest.\u00a0 Sure enough, before long Lupe reached No. 691.\u00a0 SPHP recognized the spot, too.\u00a0 Lupe was just 100 yards N of where No. 691.1B leaves No. 691 to head for Green Mountain.\u00a0 SPHP decided it would be fun for Lupe to go tag the summit of Green Mountain again.\u00a0 It would be nearly dark by the time Lupe got there, but so what?\u00a0 It was a beautiful evening.<\/p>\n<p>The 2nd ascent of Green Mountain was Lupe&#8217;s final peakbagging accomplishment of the day.\u00a0 The light was fading fast, but Lupe and SPHP were both ready for a rest.\u00a0 Copper Mountain was visible a couple miles to the SE.\u00a0 The G6 was a short distance beyond Copper Mountain.\u00a0 However, with darkness coming on, Lupe and SPHP would have to stick to the roads.\u00a0 That meant the G6 was still 6 miles away.\u00a0 After a 10 or 15 minute rest break at the cliffs on Green Mountain, it was time to move on ready or not.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1253\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1253\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060429.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1253\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060429-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe ascended Green Mountain for a 2nd time this date, reaching it as dusk was coming on.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060429.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060429.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060429.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060429.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1253\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe ascended Green Mountain for a 2nd time this date, reaching it as dusk was coming on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1254\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1254\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060430.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1254\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060430-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on Green Mountain at nightfall. Still 6 miles by road back to the G6!\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060430.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060430.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060430.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060430.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1254\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on Green Mountain at nightfall. Still 6 miles by road back to the G6!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The flashlight had to come out as the crescent moon wasn&#8217;t going to provide much light.\u00a0 It was going to set within 2 or 3 hours and was obscured by clouds part of the time anyway.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP retraced No. 691.1B going SW\u00a0to No. 301.1R at the N end of Windmill Draw.\u00a0 SPHP started S through Windmill Draw on No. 301.1R and somehow got on a dirt track heading down through the meadow in the middle of Windmill Draw.\u00a0 This was actually better than being on No. 301.1R, since there wasn&#8217;t any deadfall timber to contend with.<\/p>\n<p>By the time Lupe reached the main gravel road, No. 301, there was lightning.\u00a0 There was a little cloud-to-cloud lightning in the thin clouds nearby, but in the distance there was intense lightning in several different directions.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP took a rest break, but it didn&#8217;t last long.\u00a0 SPHP heard thunder, still faint, but coming from off to the NW, the likely source of approaching weather.\u00a0 It was time for Lupe to hurry on.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP took several more short rest breaks.\u00a0 It had been a very long day.\u00a0 The lightning display grew brighter and more dazzling, though it was still far enough away so only distant thunder could be heard and even that only now and then.\u00a0 The situation changed after Lupe passed the turnoff for No.\u00a0693 to Odakota Mountain and Long Draw, which Lupe did not take.\u00a0 There started to be clear bolts of cloud-to-ground lightning.\u00a0 Thunder rumbled ominously.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe wanted SPHP to stop and hide.\u00a0 She was scared of the lightning.\u00a0 SPHP wouldn&#8217;t let her stop and urged her to find the G6.\u00a0 Lupe was almost to Copper Mountain and the G6 wasn&#8217;t far beyond it.\u00a0 On the final stretch of road beyond Copper Mountain, the lightning bolts directly to the ground started striking alarmingly close.\u00a0 The lightning was nearly continuous.\u00a0 Thunder exploded, echoing in the forest.\u00a0 When Lupe finally saw the G6,\u00a0the terrified dingo\u00a0bolted away from SPHP and ran for it.\u00a0 When SPHP caught up, she leaped into the G6 as soon as the door was open.<\/p>\n<p>Through all of this, not a drop of rain had fallen.\u00a0 Within a minute of reaching the G6 though, it began.\u00a0 First one large drop, then another, then a few more, then a hailstone.\u00a0 Oddly enough, the terrified dingo regained enormous courage, bolstered by the comforting familiarity and armor of the G6.\u00a0 Lupe now wanted to stick her head out the window to sniff the air and see what was going on as SPHP drove the gravel roads towards the pavement at Deerfield Road.<\/p>\n<p>The whole head out the window and sniffing bit didn&#8217;t last more than a few minutes.\u00a0 Rain and hail grew stronger.\u00a0 The wind blew.\u00a0 Lightning and thunder raged.\u00a0 The dingo decided to take full advantage of the G6 armor, brought her head back inside the vehicle and curled up on the seat.\u00a0 On the way home there were two significant weather events.<\/p>\n<p>The first was something Lupe and\u00a0SPHP had never been in before.\u00a0 About 5 miles NW of Hill City, SD was a &#8220;hailburst&#8221; &#8211; like a cloudburst, except with hail instead of just rain.\u00a0 In seconds the road went from having a few hailstones on it to being completely white.\u00a0 In fact, everything was white.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP had to completely stop the G6 several times right on the highway.\u00a0 Even with high beams on and windshield wipers on the fastest setting, nothing but a wall of white hailstones streaking down\u00a0could be seen beyond the hood of the G6.\u00a0 SPHP could not see any portion of the road or anything else\u00a0around the G6.\u00a0 Fortunately, there was no traffic and the\u00a0hail was not large enough to cause major damage.<\/p>\n<p>The 2nd event occurred later on after a lull in the storm, a cloudburst with just rain and no hail.\u00a0\u00a0Although intense, it\u00a0seemed like a piece of cake next to the hailburst.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe had reached the G6 at 11:40 PM (53\u00b0F), 15 hours and 51 minutes after setting out on Expedition No. 134.\u00a0 At nearly 16 hours, Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 134 had been the 2nd longest\u00a0expedition Lupe has ever been on.\u00a0 It was certainly a memorable one.\u00a0 Lupe didn&#8217;t reach home until after 1 AM.\u00a0 A very tired and dirty dingo gobbled up some Alpo and then went straight to bed.\u00a0 Outside the open window, the rain, wind, lightning\u00a0and thunder continued in the night.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-1250\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060426-e1554183329813.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=1305\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Next Black Hills Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=1061\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Prior Black Hills Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=3964\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=138\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Dingo Vacations Master Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, or <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\">Master Adventure Index<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s getting to that time of year when Lupe&#8217;s expeditions into the Black Hills usually stop for the summer.\u00a0 The weather just gets too warm for a long day&#8217;s march in the hills to be much fun.\u00a0 Usually the mud puddles have dried up by now, and the little seasonal creeks and streams are starting &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=1255\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 134 &#8211; Copper, Odakota, Green &#038; Hat Mountains Plus the Dragon Caves (6-20-15)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1234,"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":[105,9,106,170,192,191,118,104,171,304],"class_list":["post-1255","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-copper-mountain","tag-dragon-caves","tag-green-mountain","tag-hat-mountain","tag-lupe","tag-odakota-mountain","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/P1060405.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\/1255","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=1255"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21392,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1255\/revisions\/21392"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}