{"id":13073,"date":"2018-03-01T08:10:56","date_gmt":"2018-03-01T15:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=13073"},"modified":"2020-09-24T12:29:19","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T18:29:19","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-223-peak-4340-peak-4433-peak-4000-1-30-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=13073","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 223 – Peak 4340, Peak 4433 & Peak 4000 (1-30-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The dull, gray cloud cover wasn’t much of an inspiration, but the forecast called for near record highs close to 60\u00b0F.\u00a0 In late January that was superb, as good as Lupe was going to get.\u00a0 Despite the boring clouds, this would be fine a day for visiting the remaining Brian Kalet<\/strong><\/span><\/a> peaks on the NE periphery of the Black Hills which Loop hadn’t been to yet.<\/p>\n

Since late 2016, Lupe had been gradually chipping away at a long list of hills in the region which Brian Kalet had added to the Peakbagger.com<\/strong><\/span><\/a> database since May of that year.\u00a0 SPHP hoped Loop would finally be able to complete the list today.\u00a0 The American Dingo would only need to reach the summits of 3 minor peaks to be successful.<\/p>\n

First up was Peak 4340<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span>, located NW of the junction of I-90 and Hwy 85 between Whitewood and Spearfish.\u00a0 Peak 4340 has two summits within 4,340 foot contours.\u00a0 Lupe would visit both to make certain she actually made it to the true summit.\u00a0 A 15 mph NW breeze blew gustily as the Carolina Dog set off on her first mission of the day.\u00a0 (9:16 AM, 54\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak 4340’s SE summit was closest, only half a mile away.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t even bother bringing the backpack or any water.\u00a0 There was a little bit of snow around.\u00a0 Lupe could eat snow if she got thirsty.\u00a0 With such a short distance to go, and only 430 feet of elevation gain required, Loop made rapid progress.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on her way up the first Brian Kalet peak of the day, Peak 4340<\/strong>, near I-90 between Whitewood and Spearfish. Photo looks S toward the main body of the Black Hills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loop on Peak 4340’s S ridge. The summit is not in view yet, still beyond the ridge seen here. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It didn’t take Looper long to reach the SE summit, which proved to be a rocky, rounded high point at the SW end of a much larger area contained within the 4,340 foot contour.\u00a0 An electrical pole sat right on top of this knoll.\u00a0 Lupe had a clear view to the W of both Crow Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,787 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Lookout Peak<\/span><\/a> (4,478 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> near Spearfish.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From Peak 4340’s SE summit, Lupe had this good clear view of Crow Peak<\/strong> (Center) and Lookout Peak<\/strong> (R) near Spearfish. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From Peak 4340’s SE summit, Lupe could also see her next destination.\u00a0 The NW summit was on a forested ridge less than 0.2 mile away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 4340’s NW summit is on the forested ridge in the background. Lupe was headed there next. Photo looks NW from the SE summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had barely left the SE summit when she caught a glimpse between the trees of Bear Butte<\/a><\/span> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> off to the E.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe had barely left the SE summit when she discovered this view of Bear Butte (R in the distance). I-90 is seen below. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog saw some deer on the way to Peak 4340’s NW summit, which made her happy.\u00a0 She lost about 70 feet of elevation which she had to regain, but that was easy enough.\u00a0 The NW summit proved to be a large area without any real definite high point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches Peak 4,340’s NW summit, a much larger area than the SE summit with no clear definite high point. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the NW summit was partly open and grassy, pines rimmed the small meadow blocking any views from what appeared to be the highest spot.\u00a0 However, Lupe could see Crow Peak and Lookout Peak again from rocks along the slightly lower S end of the summit area.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe had views of Crow Peak<\/strong> (L) and Lookout Peak<\/strong> (R) again from big rocks at the S end of the NW summit area. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crow Peak (L) and Lookout Peak (R) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Of course the question arose of which was higher, Peak 4,340’s SE or NW summit?\u00a0 Brian Kalet had selected the NW summit as the true summit in his estimation.\u00a0 SPHP more or less agreed with that assessment, although it was definitely a close call.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back at Peak 4,340’s SE summit from the ridge the NW summit is on. SPHP agreed with Brian Kalet’s assessment that the NW high point is likely the true summit of Peak 4340<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe returned briefly to the NW high point, now that it seemed fairly certain it actually was the true summit of Peak<\/span> 4340<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe back at the true summit of Peak 4340<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One down, two more to go!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP started back, stopping briefly at the SE summit again on the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the SE summit again on the way back to the G6. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Lupe got back to the G6 (10:29 AM, 54\u00b0F)<\/em>, it was off to the next Brian Kalet peak!\u00a0 Peak 4433 is less than 4 miles NW of Peak 4340 as the crow flies.\u00a0 However, Lupe was going to start out for Peak 4433 from a point 1.5 miles WNW of the mountain.\u00a0 SPHP had to drive the American Dingo over to her intended starting point (11:00 AM, 54\u00b0F)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Getting to the summit of Peak<\/span> 4433<\/span><\/a><\/strong> proved to be a trickier task than reaching the top of Peak 4340.\u00a0 For an ascent of a minor peak, Lupe faced a lot of up and down, some of it on rather steep slopes or in areas of dense scrub oak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking S from a narrow ridge near the start of Lupe’s journey to Peak 4433.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe was happy to find a this fairly large patch of snow. Although it was January, snow was scarce today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster on an animal trail she found in the woods.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A busy Dingo in the scrub oak woods.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Not too far from the summit, Lupe came to several large rock formations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe climbed a steep NW slope to arrive at the summit of Peak 4433.\u00a0 A house was up here!\u00a0 This was private property.\u00a0 No one seemed to be around.\u00a0 Better skedaddle, though.\u00a0 SPHP snapped a few quick photos, and Lupe was on her way back to the G6 again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe arrives at the top of Peak<\/span> 4433<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking N from Peak 4433<\/strong>. This was the only view quickly available from the summit. Lupe needed to move on pronto since it turned out Peak 4433 is private property and there was a home nearby.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Two Brian Kalet peaks down, one to go! Lupe on the highest rock at the tippy top of Peak 4433<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe made it back to the G6 at 1:20 PM (56\u00b0F)<\/em>.\u00a0 Two Brian Kalet peaks down, and only one to go!\u00a0 Loop enjoyed another ride to the next starting point only 0.5 mile SW of the summit of Peak 4000 (1:57 PM, 57\u00b0F)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Finally, after more than a year of working on them, the list of Brian Kalet peaks was completed.\u00a0 Lupe stood at the summit of Peak<\/span> 4000<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Loopster was free at last!\u00a0 Free to concentrate on other ideas and goals.\u00a0 SPHP was happy the Brian Kalet list was done.\u00a0 To Lupe, it had been just another fun day of exploring.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the summit of Peak<\/span> 4000<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Summit of Peak 4000. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Whitewood Creek valley from Peak 4000. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
So this is it, aye? The last of the Brian Kalet peaks I hadn’t been to in the Black Hills region? So do I get like, a prize or a medal or something?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Oh, yeah! I did it! 3 down, none to go!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way back, Lupe did a little more exploring along Peak 4000’s W ridge, hitting another high point more than 0.25 mile W of the summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe explores another high point on Peak 4400 about 0.25 W of the true summit. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At 3:09 PM (57\u00b0F)<\/em>, Lupe was back at the G6.\u00a0 The American Dingo’s Black Hills adventures following Brian Kalet’s lead were over.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Brian Kalet peaks might be done, but that doesn’t mean my mountain adventures are over! Hope you return soon to share in the fun!<\/em><\/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\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><\/a><\/span>!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The dull, gray cloud cover wasn’t much of an inspiration, but the forecast called for near record highs close to 60\u00b0F.\u00a0 In late January that was superb, as good as Lupe was going to get.\u00a0 Despite the boring clouds, this would be fine a day for visiting the remaining Brian Kalet peaks on the NE … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 223 – Peak 4340, Peak 4433 & Peak 4000 (1-30-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13071,"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":[105,9,106,104,901,809,900,304],"class_list":["post-13073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-lupe","tag-peak-4000","tag-peak-4340","tag-peak-4433","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_8689.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\/13073","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=13073"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13073\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28415,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13073\/revisions\/28415"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/13071"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}