{"id":15781,"date":"2018-07-15T08:10:07","date_gmt":"2018-07-15T14:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=15781"},"modified":"2020-09-24T12:41:17","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T18:41:17","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-226-gap-lode-peak-black-elk-peak-4-22-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=15781","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 226 – Gap Lode Peak & Black Elk Peak (4-22-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start – Palmer Creek trailhead W of Mount Rushmore, 7:38 AM, 41\u00b0F<\/em><\/p>\n

Spring had sprung yet again!\u00a0 Maybe this time it would stick?\u00a0 A certain Carolina Dog, sick and tired of winter’s repeated attempts to reassert control, was more than ready.\u00a0 She arrived bright and early at the Palmer Creek trailhead with an ambitious day of peakbagging planned in the Black Elk Wilderness.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,131 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from the Palmer Creek trailhead. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first mountain Lupe was going for was Gap Lode Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,560 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 As soon as SPHP was ready, the eager American Dingo was underway.\u00a0 Following the spur trail from the trailhead, she crossed the Palmer Creek valley.\u00a0 A bridge got her across tiny Palmer Creek.\u00a0 0.25 mile later, Lupe arrived at the junction with Lost Cabin Trail No. 2.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the Palmer Creek valley<\/strong> setting out on the spur trail. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loop reaches the junction with Lost Cabin Trail No. 2. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the trail junction Lupe went R.\u00a0 She soon passed a registration station for entry into the Black Elk Wilderness.\u00a0 SPHP registered, and Loopster went on.<\/p>\n

Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 wound SW up a forested slope.\u00a0 After Lupe had gone a mile or so, she reached a level area.\u00a0 A massive granite formation extended a few hundred feet N from the trail.\u00a0 The exposed granite would provide views in several directions.\u00a0 Ready for a break, Lupe and SPHP went out onto the granite to look around.<\/p>\n

Quite a number of peaks Lupe had been to before were in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop out on the granite with a view of St. Elmo Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,458 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The double peaked ridge in the background is Zimmer Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. The high point at Center is the true summit. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Many smaller peaks Lupe has been to are seen here. The highest, on the horizon a little to the L of Loop, is Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looking SW, a big knob of rock capped the upper end of a sloping ridge.\u00a0 That knob of rock was the E high point of Gap Lode Peak.\u00a0 Loop still had a long way to go to get up there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The knob of rock (L of Center) at the upper end of the ridge beyond Lupe is the E high point of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe returned to Lost Cabin Trail No. 2.\u00a0 She hadn’t encountered much snow lower down, but as the Carolina Dog continued gaining elevation, more and more snow appeared.\u00a0 Soon the trail had a couple of feet of snow on it, slowing SPHP down considerably.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe liked the snow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The snowy trail switchbacked up a long slope.\u00a0 Pine bark beetles killed a great many trees in this region years ago.\u00a0 Enough dead trees have fallen over to open up the views to some extent.\u00a0 Lupe had tree broken views to the N most of the way.<\/p>\n

After a tedious climb, Lupe and SPHP reached a sunny, snow-free pass W of High Point 6482.\u00a0 This pass was the start of the Black Elk Wilderness.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After a long climb, Lupe reaches a snow-free pass W of High Point 6482<\/strong> on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. This was the start of the Black Elk Wilderness<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The pass was as close to Gap Lode Peak as Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 was going to get.\u00a0 Lupe had been to the mountain once before.\u00a0 Even though Gap Lode Peak is only a little over 0.25 mile WSW of the pass, she knew that getting there wasn’t going to be easy.<\/p>\n

The terrain between Gap Lode Peak and Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 is rough, but that wasn’t the big problem.\u00a0 Large amounts of deadfall timber were the real issue.\u00a0 The deadfall had been a significant problem the last time Lupe had been here.\u00a0 The situation hadn’t improved at all over the last few years.\u00a0 If anything, the deadfall was even worse than before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
As soon as Lupe left the trail, she faced large quantities of deadfall timber. She could travel fairly quickly through it, but the deadfall slowed SPHP down tremendously. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Several large granite formations were W of the trail.\u00a0 Lupe went to them, climbing partway up to get a view.\u00a0 The E high point of Gap Lode Peak<\/span> <\/a>(6,560 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>was much closer now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From rocks W of Lost Cabin Trail No. 2, Lupe gets her first close up view of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Gap Lode Peak<\/strong> may not be very far away, but getting there is a pain. All the deadfall makes it an ordeal. It’s an impressive peak, though, for the Black Hills. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On her way to Gap Lode Peak<\/strong>, Lupe would travel down past Skinny Rock<\/strong> seen at lower R. She then continued to the far ridge coming up near the R edge. This was a mistake. It would have been better to go L up the snowy slope to reach the ridgeline higher up like Lupe did the first time she came here. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To get any closer, Lupe had to descend into a valley chock full of deadfall timber.\u00a0 This valley had a N exposure, so 2 or 3 feet of snow was present as well.\u00a0 Progress became dreadfully slow.<\/p>\n

Deadfall drove all route decisions.\u00a0 Lupe was constantly faced with choices.\u00a0 She had lots of options – bad routes, worse routes, terrible routes, and ghastly routes.\u00a0 SPHP tried to encourage her toward a nice selection of bad routes.\u00a0 The goal was to reach the lower end of a wall of rock ahead.<\/p>\n

Crossing the obstacle laden valley involved no great distance, but chewed up plenty of time.\u00a0 Lupe did work her way through, though, and arrived at a tall, thin rock.\u00a0 She had passed by this same rock the first time she’d gone to Gap Lode Peak, too.\u00a0 It stood at the far N end of the wall of rock, and marked the point where Lupe could get past it.\u00a0 SPHP decided this landmark deserved a special name.<\/p>\n

Being an endlessly creative and imaginative person, SPHP easily came up with the splendid name “Skinny Rock”.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
“Skinny Rock”, SPHP? Oh, yeah, that’s sheer genius. Hope you didn’t strain your brain.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the immediate vicinity of Skinny Rock, the deadfall wasn’t bad at all.\u00a0 As, Lupe continued on, however, she was soon back in the thick of it.\u00a0 Ahead to the W was Gap Lode Peak’s NE ridge.\u00a0 She pushed on toward it.<\/p>\n

The first time Lupe had come to Gap Lode Peak, she had climbed this NE ridge reaching the ridgeline high on the mountain.\u00a0 This had worked well.\u00a0 SPHP wondered, though, if the ascent might not be even easier if Lupe could get up on the ridgeline at a lower point?\u00a0 The American Dingo set out to find out.<\/p>\n

Struggling through deadfall and snow, Lupe managed to get close to the ridgeline.\u00a0 A continuous vertical wall of rock 15 to 30 feet high offered no obvious way to the top.\u00a0 A search along the base of the wall, revealed a place where it might be possible to scramble up.<\/p>\n

Lupe had no problem doing just that without the slightest assistance from SPHP.\u00a0 From the ridgeline, she had a great view of the territory she’d just come through.\u00a0 She could also see that this wasn’t going to work.\u00a0 She was on a narrow, uneven wall of granite with drop offs on both sides.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster reaches the top of a narrow spine of granite along Gap Lode Peak’s NE ridge. Unfortunately, this was a bad place to come up. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe did have a good view of the territory she had just come through. High Point 6482<\/strong> is on the L. The closer, lower rock formation on the L is where Lupe had the good view of Gap Lode Peak. Skinny Rock<\/strong> is visible lower down L of Center. Black Elk Peak<\/strong> is in the distance at Center. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a brief, failed attempt to make progress along this granite spine, SPHP gave up.\u00a0 Loopster retreated off the wall, and began heading SSW near its base.\u00a0 After going only a few hundred feet the wall ended.\u00a0 Loop returned to the ridgeline.<\/p>\n

The deadfall on the other side of the ridge was bad, but the slope wasn’t quite as steep.\u00a0 This area had a N exposure, so there was plenty of snow.\u00a0 Lupe stayed on the W side of the ridge, leaping over or going under the deadfall as appropriate.\u00a0 SPHP struggled onward as well.\u00a0 Both headed SSW steadily climbing higher.<\/p>\n

The terrain began to level out.\u00a0 Gap Lode Peak has two main high points, an E one and a W one, at nearly the same elevation.\u00a0 Lupe had made it to the deadfall strewn saddle between them.\u00a0 The topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> shows a tiny area within a 6,560 ft. contour at the W high point, which according to the map makes the W high point the true summit, since the E high point doesn’t have a 6,560 ft. contour at all.<\/p>\n

SPHP had a different opinion.\u00a0 During Loop’s first ascent of Gap Lode Peak she had visited both high points. \u00a0 SPHP came away believing that the E high point was actually the true summit, though it was admittedly hard to tell for sure.\u00a0 Nevertheless, the Carolina Dog once again headed toward the W high point first.\u00a0 When she got close, it was time to take a break.\u00a0 Loop had an excellent view of Sylvan Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from a rock near her resting place.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near the W high point. Sylvan Peak<\/strong> is the high ridge at Center. Closer by on the L is a SW granite arm of Gap Lode Peak that Lupe would visit after the W high point. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe curled up in the shade.\u00a0 She had water and Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP munched an apple.\u00a0 All the snow, deadfall, and rugged terrain on the way here took a few minutes to recover from.<\/p>\n

When the American Dingo was ready, she went with SPHP to Gap Lode Peak’s W summit.\u00a0 She got up on one of the highest rocks.\u00a0 According to the map, she had reached the true summit of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (6,560 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the W high point of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong>. This is the true summit according to the topo map. The E high point is seen nearby on the L. Black Elk Peak<\/strong> is beyond Loop on the R. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The best views were toward the E and SE into the heart of the Black Elk Wilderness.\u00a0 This region contains some of the most rugged territory in the Black Hills.\u00a0 Huge granite formations of Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,131 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Peak<\/span> 6920<\/span><\/a><\/strong> and Little Devil’s Tower<\/span><\/a> (6,960 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> dominated the landscape.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong>, the highest mountain in South Dakota is beyond Lupe. Large granite formations on the R are part of Peak 6920<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6920<\/strong>. SPHP isn’t certain if the summit is in view here or not. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe would soon be going to the E summit of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong> (Center). The route up is from the L. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After visiting the W summit, Lupe did not go directly to the E high point.\u00a0 Instead she went SW out onto a massive granite arm of the mountain.\u00a0 Deadfall made even this short jaunt time consuming.\u00a0 Once Loop made it to the exposed granite, though, it was easy to move around and enjoy some pretty spectacular Black Hills views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the end of the massive SW arm of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong>. The E high point is in view on the L. Elkhorn Mountain<\/strong> is the nearest of the two distant peaks on the R. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> is beyond Lupe. Peak 6920<\/strong> is on the R. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> from the SW arm of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,166 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is part of the high ridge in the distance L of Center. Saint Elmo Peak<\/strong> is much closer on the R. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe finished her tour of Gap Lode Peak with a visit to the E high point.\u00a0 Deadfall once again made the trek difficult despite the relatively short distance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe nearing the E high point. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Actually getting up on top of the E high point involved a short scramble.\u00a0 Lupe climbed up unassisted, although the scramble was right on the edge of what she could manage on her own.\u00a0 Looper did make it to the top, though.\u00a0 She could now claim her second successful Gap Lode Peak ascent, having once again visited both the E and W summits.<\/p>\n

The views from here, of course, were for the most part quite similar to what Looper had already seen from the W high point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe up on one of the highest rocks at Gap Lode Peak’s E summit<\/strong>. Sylvan Peak<\/strong> is in the distance on the R. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L), Peak 6920<\/strong> (Center) and Little Devil’s Tower<\/strong> (Lupe’s ear on the R points to it) are all in view. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looper atop the E high point of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong>. SPHP believes this is the true summit despite what the topo map shows. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
So I’ve done it, right, SPHP? Made it to both the E & W high points, so now I can claim another successful Gap Lode Peak ascent. …. That’s right, Looper! Great work, puppy!<\/em> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Neither the E nor W summits of Gap Lode Peak are roomy, but there was a small level area up here where Loop could hide in the shade next to the highest rocks.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog decided she wanted to do that while SPHP admired the views.<\/p>\n

Although the topo map shows that the W high point is the true summit, SPHP once again came to the conclusion that the E high point is actually higher.\u00a0 Admittedly, it’s a close call, but that’s how it appeared.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sylvan Peak<\/strong> (Center) and the W summit of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Mountain<\/strong> (distant ridge at Center) and Saint Elmo Peak<\/strong> (R). The saddle between Gap Lode Peak’s E & W high points is in the foreground. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks E with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After being an eager participant earlier on, Lupe was reluctant to hop up onto any more rocks.\u00a0 After all, her peakbagging goal was accomplished.\u00a0 She now preferred relaxing in the shade.\u00a0 Not until it was getting close to time to leave could she be persuaded to resume her usual cooperation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
I’ve already done this mountain, SPHP. You admitted so yourself only a little while ago. What more do you want? Sheesh! Photo looks N.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
OK, OK, how does this look? …. Beautiful, Loop! Always better with a Carolina Dog, you know.<\/em> Sylvan Peak<\/strong> (L) and the W Summit of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a leisurely time spent touring the highlights of Gap Lode Peak, Lupe was ready to move on.\u00a0 She now needed to get back to Lost Cabin Trail No. 2.\u00a0 SPHP had seen from the E summit that she might be able to take a shortcut, and avoid losing so much elevation.<\/p>\n

So after Loop made it back down to the saddle, she gave the potential shortcut a whirl.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP plunged down a steep NNE slope in search of a better route E.<\/p>\n

Looper still lost a bunch of elevation.\u00a0 This maneuver looked like it was going to prove to be a complete waste of time.\u00a0 However, as she neared a wall of rock, a possible saddle could be seen where Lupe might be able to get through.\u00a0 The saddle was a little higher than where she was at the moment.\u00a0 The effort of going back up to it was rewarded.\u00a0 Surprisingly, a narrow passage actually did exist.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rock formations seen from the saddle between the E and W summits of Gap Lode Peak<\/strong>. These formations are closer to the E summit. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe finds a narrow passage to the E. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Hey, what do you know, SPHP? Looks like this is going to work after all. Kind of a cool secret passage!<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whether Lupe’s newly discovered secret passage E from Gap Lode Peak really saved any time is debatable.\u00a0 She certainly avoided losing as much elevation as she would have going all the way back down to Skinny Rock, but she wound up facing a longer than expected trek back to the trail.\u00a0 The deadfall wasn’t any better on the this route than on the Skinny Rock route, either.\u00a0 At least there was less snow this way.<\/p>\n

At any rate, Loopster eventually did get back to Lost Cabin Trail No. 2.\u00a0 Although she hadn’t traveled any great distance getting to Gap Lode Peak, hours and hours had gone by.\u00a0 SPHP had originally foreseen Lupe also visiting Peak 6920 and Black Elk Peak on Expedition No. 226.\u00a0 The sun would still be up for hours, but Peak 6920 would be another super time-consuming off trail march through deadfall and snow.\u00a0 Trails go all the way up Black Elk Peak, but the summit was still miles away.<\/p>\n

Calling it a day would have been the smart thing to do.\u00a0 SPHP realized that Peak 6920 had to be dropped from consideration, but maybe Black Elk Peak wasn’t a lost cause yet?\u00a0 The Carolina Dog seemed energetic and perfectly happy.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP continued on Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 intent upon Black Elk Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Pushing on to Black Elk Peak. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On and on along the snowy trail.\u00a0 A short break was taken in a sunny glade.\u00a0 Lupe enjoyed a shared chocolate granola bar.\u00a0 Hitting the trail once again, she came to the Lost Cabin No. 2 spur trail, a shortcut to Trail No. 9 leading to Black Elk Peak.\u00a0 The spur trail gained elevation slowly following a creek.\u00a0 There was a lot of minor up and down along the way.<\/p>\n

Lupe was nearing Little Devil’s Tower, but she was still far below it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the start of the Log Cabin Trail No. 2 spur trail. This was a short cut to Trail No. 9 on the way to Black Elk Peak, so Lupe took it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Little Devil’s Tower<\/strong> from the Lost Cabin No. 2 spur trail. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Lupe finally reached Trail No. 9, she started meeting groups of people on their way down to Sylvan Lake from Black Elk Peak.\u00a0 These were first people she had encountered all day.\u00a0 It was getting toward evening, so no one else was on the way up.<\/p>\n

Before long, Trail No. 9 was practically deserted, too.\u00a0 Loop stayed busily engaged watching chipmunks.\u00a0 SPHP kept trudging higher.\u00a0 At last, the American Dingo was above Little Devil’s Tower<\/span><\/a> (6,960 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and the Cathedral Spires<\/span><\/a> (6,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Black Elk Peak wasn’t much farther now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After enjoying chipmunk watching along Trail No. 9, Loopster reaches a view of the Cathedral Spires<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two people were still out on the observation deck of the old Harney Peak lookout tower when Lupe arrived at the summit of recently (2016) renamed Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Brandon and Nate were rock climbers from Sioux Falls.\u00a0 The only reason they hadn’t started down yet was that they intended to camp somewhere not too far away.\u00a0 After a pleasant chat with SPHP, they departed as well.<\/p>\n

Lupe left the observation tower, taking a trail from the basement out onto the granite W of the tower.\u00a0 A cool E breeze was blowing.\u00a0 SPHP shared the last chocolate granola bar with her.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Out on the granite W of the old Harney Peak lookout tower on Black Elk Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cathedral Spires<\/strong> (R) from Black Elk Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This was Loop’s 8th ascent of the highest mountain in South Dakota. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had made it all the way to Black Elk Peak, but shadows were lengthening.\u00a0 She couldn’t stay.\u00a0 In fact, it would be dark long before she could get back to the Palmer Creek trailhead.\u00a0 Better get a move on.<\/p>\n

On the way back, the American Dingo made a loop, taking Trail No. 9 down to Willow Creek Trail No. 8.\u00a0 SPHP was thinking this might be a shorter route, but it had been a long time since Lupe had last been this way.\u00a0 Trail No. 9 stayed high much farther than SPHP remembered.<\/p>\n

The scenery was beautiful, but Loop didn’t have time to dilly dally.\u00a0 It was a race against time and fading light.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On snowy Trail No. 9 on the way down to the Willow Creek trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back at the lookout tower on Black Elk Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Nearing Elkhorn Mountain<\/strong> prior to sunset. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Night won.\u00a0 Two miles before Lupe reached the Willow Creek trailhead, SPHP had to bring out the flashlight.\u00a0 After a short rest, Lupe trotted on, alert and uncomplaining, beneath silvery stars and a bright half moon.\u00a0 (End – 10:25 PM, 38\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Gap Lode Peak, 4-22-18<\/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 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<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Start – Palmer Creek trailhead W of Mount Rushmore, 7:38 AM, 41\u00b0F Spring had sprung yet again!\u00a0 Maybe this time it would stick?\u00a0 A certain Carolina Dog, sick and tired of winter’s repeated attempts to reassert control, was more than ready.\u00a0 She arrived bright and early at the Palmer Creek trailhead with an ambitious day … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 226 – Gap Lode Peak & Black Elk Peak (4-22-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15751,"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":[105,838,9,106,89,104,304],"class_list":["post-15781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-elk-peak","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-gap-lode-peak","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/IMG_8902.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\/15781","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=15781"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15781\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28419,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15781\/revisions\/28419"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}