{"id":16159,"date":"2018-05-28T08:10:29","date_gmt":"2018-05-28T14:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=16159"},"modified":"2020-09-24T14:06:14","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T20:06:14","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-230-ward-draw-2k-peak-with-rizzo-buddy-josh-hilpert-5-19-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=16159","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 230 – Ward Draw & 2K Peak with Rizzo, Buddy & Josh Hilpert (5-19-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start – 7:00 AM, 35\u00b0F, at a pond along Long Draw Road (USFS Road No. 209) 0.25 mile SW of the junction with USFS Road No. 196 S of Hanna<\/em><\/p>\n

Heh, so much for a bright, cheerful morning in May!\u00a0 Yesterday evening thunderstorms severe enough to prompt temporary flash flood warnings had swept through the Black Hills region.\u00a0 A chilly fog now hung in the mountain air at the appointed meeting place.<\/p>\n

Lupe’s spirits weren’t dampened at all.\u00a0 She was looking forward to a romp in the hills with Rizzo, Buddy and Josh Hilpert again.\u00a0 Perhaps this weather was only par for the course?\u00a0 The only other time Lupe had gone on an expedition with the Hilperts was on an unseasonably cold early November morning more than six months ago.\u00a0 Not only had there been snow on the ground, but a confusing dense fog to contend with then, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the pond near the start of USFS Road No. 209 (Long Draw Road). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Fog hung in the mountain air on this chilly May morning. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP had arrived first, but scarcely a minute went by before the roar of an engine could be heard.\u00a0 Rizzo, Buddy & Josh pulled up in their red Nissan pickup.\u00a0 Lupe barked an excited greeting.\u00a0 Rizzo and Buddy piled out and ran around sniffing eagerly.\u00a0 They were excited, too!<\/p>\n

Josh said it had been raining hard earlier in Sturgis.\u00a0 He had almost called SPHP to confer about the situation.\u00a0 Wasn’t raining here, though.\u00a0 Everyone agreed this should be a good day.\u00a0 The fog would just lend an air of mystery to today’s explorations.\u00a0 Chilly as it was, this was nothing compared to how cold it had been back in November.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Josh and his two dogs Rizzo and Buddy arrived within only a minute or two.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After brief preparations, Expedition No. 230 was underway!\u00a0 Everyone headed SSW on Long Draw Road.\u00a0 Buddy and Rizzo led the way, running and sniffing as they pleased.\u00a0 Lupe stuck closer to Josh and SPHP, apparently listening in on the conversation.<\/p>\n

The plan was to explore SW up Ward Draw.\u00a0 A branch of the canyon would eventually turn SE, ultimately leading to a line of ridges and hills that could be followed to the day’s ultimate goal, Peak 6701, or as Lupe knew it, 2K<\/span><\/strong><\/a> Peak<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Lupe had been to 2K Peak once before, more than 5 years ago.\u00a0 That time she had approached it from the Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> area, an entirely different direction.\u00a0 Orange “2K” markers along a nearby USFS road had caused SPHP to nickname the mountain 2K Peak.\u00a0 Hearing this story, Josh thought the orange markers likely designate a snowmobile route, which might well be the case.\u00a0 Didn’t matter, though.\u00a0 As far as Lupe and SPHP were concerned, Peak 6701 was still 2K Peak.<\/p>\n

Long Draw Road is a good gravel road.\u00a0 A mile went by quickly, and led to a fork.\u00a0 The expedition left Long Draw Road here, taking much more primitive USFS Road No. 209.1A instead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the start of USFS Road No. 209.1A leading farther into Ward Draw<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A short trek on USFS Road No. 209.1A led to a couple of ponds.\u00a0 Perhaps they were old beaver ponds?\u00a0 No beavers seemed to be around now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Old beaver ponds near the start of USFS Road No. 209.1A. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Farther on, a large gash appeared on a mountainside to the E.\u00a0 A huge, ugly jumble of deadfall timber covered the area below this gash.\u00a0 Josh speculated that the gash may have been the result of old mining or quarry work?<\/p>\n

A tributary of East Spearfish Creek flowing down Ward Draw was more scenic.\u00a0 No. 209.1A was sometimes quite close to it.\u00a0 Lupe stopped briefly at some of the nicer spots along the stream.\u00a0 An 8 foot waterfall was found at one spot, but was rather inaccessible due to the forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe and Rizzo in Ward Draw<\/strong> along a tributary of East Spearfish Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
An 8 foot waterfall immediately downstream of this spot wasn’t easily accessible.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Buddy strolls past Lupe while Josh contemplates something near the stream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Josh told several interesting tales.\u00a0 One was about seeing a rare snowy owl near Green Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,164 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Another was about a girl he knew who had recently been snake bit after stepping on a rattlesnake while descending Bear Butte<\/span><\/a> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Only a week before, Rizzo and Buddy had each had their own close encounters with a different rattler.<\/p>\n

Going up Ward Draw the expedition was gradually gaining elevation.\u00a0 Lingering in dark recesses of the forest, patches of hail from last night’s storm were becoming increasingly common.\u00a0 The hailstones were all marble-sized or less.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe by patches of hail remaining from last night’s storm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a little while, a dilapidated shack appeared L (SE) of the road.\u00a0 A mostly downed barbed wire fence surrounded the general area.\u00a0 Josh, Rizzo and Buddy went over to check out the shack, but Lupe and SPHP were leery of the barbed wire.\u00a0 Josh reported back that the shack’s floor was rotted out.\u00a0 The stream could be seen flowing right beneath it.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile Lupe and SPHP had spotted a horizontal red wheel about 50 feet downstream.\u00a0 The red wheel appeared to control flow from a culvert below it.\u00a0 Water gushed from the culvert, but no surface stream was seen between the shack and the culvert.\u00a0 The stream was being diverted from beneath the shack to the culvert.\u00a0 The reason for such an arrangement was a mystery.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Buddy (L) and Rizzo (R) explore the mystery of the dilapidated shack.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Buddy (L) and Rizzo (R) didn’t volunteer any conclusions from their investigation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the expedition continued up Ward Draw, the canyon floor gradually narrowed.\u00a0 A barbed wire fence in poor condition appeared between the road and the creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The canyon narrows on the way up Ward Draw<\/strong>. USFS Road No. 209.1A is still present on the R. Fence posts for a barbed wire fence in poor condition are seen beyond Josh. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The barbed wire fence went on and on.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 209.1A began to deteriorate rapidly.\u00a0 Eventually there were two barbed wire fences, one on each side of the stream.\u00a0 By then the road had vanished.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Eventually the road vanished. Here there were two barbed wire fences, one on each side of the stream. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The double fenced area didn’t extend any great distance.\u00a0 The fences met and ended near a pile of debris.\u00a0 Springs immediately beyond the fences were the source of the stream.\u00a0 Past this area Ward Draw was dry.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rizzo (R) and Buddy (Center) where the stream begins. Farther up the rest of the canyon was dry. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ward Draw remained quite narrow for some distance.\u00a0 Fortunately, the canyon did not end abruptly, nor was it choked with deadfall.\u00a0 A game trail provided a convenient path forward.\u00a0 Less fortunately, forest hid details of the canyon’s structure.\u00a0 An expected “T” where Ward Draw splits did not materialize.\u00a0 Had it been missed?\u00a0 Between the forest and the fog, it was hard to tell.<\/p>\n

Josh consulted a couple of compasses without learning much.\u00a0 The NW side of the canyon wasn’t nearly as high as before.\u00a0 It would have been easy enough to climb up and out of Ward Draw, but it seemed best to stay in the canyon as long as a route through was open.<\/p>\n

The expected “T” in the canyon finally did appear.\u00a0 A second one was reached shortly thereafter.\u00a0 Lupe chose the L branch both times.\u00a0 Ward Draw was taking the expedition SE now, and beginning to widen out again.\u00a0 However, the very bottom of the canyon had become a narrow notch full of deadfall timber.\u00a0 Another path discovered on the L side of the valley stayed higher and avoided most obstacles.<\/p>\n

Ward Draw faded away as a canyon, becoming more of a shallow, broad valley.\u00a0 Meadows appeared.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At a meadow in the upper reaches of Ward Draw<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The maps showed a big power line ahead.\u00a0 It couldn’t be much farther.\u00a0 Sure enough, Lupe did come to it.\u00a0 Just before reaching the power line, a dirt road cut across the upper end of Ward Draw.\u00a0 A map check revealed that this had to be USFS Road No. 206.1A.<\/p>\n

Some discussion ensued over whether it would be better to follow No. 206.1A and the power line L (NE) to the top of a nearby ridge now, or to keep going straight SE up the rest of Ward Draw before making the turn.\u00a0 It was decided to keep going SE.\u00a0 After making some progress, a barbed wire fence blocked further advance.\u00a0 Instead of going through the fence, the expedition turned NE.<\/p>\n

Another game trail was discovered.\u00a0 0.25 mile on the faint trail brought everyone up to the top of a broad flat ridge at 6,600 feet elevation.\u00a0 While it seemed like Lupe was on the right track to get to 2K Peak, the fog was denser than ever up here.\u00a0 Visual confirmation was impossible.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Josh and Lupe up on the foggy 6,600 foot elevation ridge. Lupe is right on the faint game trail. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The game trail turned SE, which was the right direction.\u00a0 Few obstacles were encountered in the open forest, so progress was rapid.\u00a0 Before long, though, the trail disappeared.\u00a0 So did the ridge.\u00a0 The expedition arrived an edge.\u00a0 The edge wasn’t particularly sharp, but the terrain dropped away steeply enough.<\/p>\n

Which way?\u00a0 Hard to tell.\u00a0 There should have been a view here, but nope – nada.\u00a0 The fog was pea soup.\u00a0 This gloomy, confusing spot was quickly dubbed Perplextion Point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Expedition No. 230 arrives at Perplextion Point<\/strong>. Photo looks S?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The air seemed colder than ever.\u00a0 Lupe, Rizzo and Buddy were all wet from roaming in the tall grass.\u00a0 Happily none of them seemed to mind.\u00a0 Both of Buddy’s rear legs were quaking as though he was shivering, but Josh said that was a normal peculiarity for him.\u00a0 Buddy’s rear legs quake even in July.<\/p>\n

The faint ghostly outline of a few trees appeared a little to the R (SSW).\u00a0 Those trees appeared to be on slightly higher ground.\u00a0 If Lupe was on the correct ridge, that must be the way to go.<\/p>\n

Deadfall timber was abundant as the party progressed along the rim of the high ground.\u00a0 Juniper bushes covered the forest floor.\u00a0 A woven wire fence in poor condition was encountered and crossed.\u00a0 Progress was slow, but there wasn’t much reason to hurry.\u00a0 What good would it do to reach 2K Peak in this fog anyway?<\/p>\n

After a 10 or 15 minute march, a halt was called at a large log.\u00a0 May as well stop for lunch!\u00a0 Lupe had been to Grandma’s house yesterday, and Grandma had provided her with a supply of fried chicken and chocolate chip cookies from Safeway.\u00a0 Loop had enough to share with Rizzo, Buddy and Josh.\u00a0 Everyone agreed that fried chicken and chocolate chip cookies hit the spot.\u00a0 The large log was dubbed “the cafeteria”.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Josh, Rizzo and Loop at “the cafeteria” log. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trek SE through the forest resumed.\u00a0 Maybe stopping for lunch had been a good idea.\u00a0 After going down one slope and up another, suddenly the day seemed brighter.\u00a0 The fog wasn’t as dense as a little while ago.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, don’t worry! We’ll find 2K Peak. Doesn’t seem as foggy out now. Maybe we’ll be able to see something soon?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Suddenly it became clear the fog really was dissipating.\u00a0 It all happened very quickly.\u00a0 Although the sky remained overcast, a ridge could be seen back to the N.\u00a0 Within minutes, Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in sight!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A little after lunch, the fog suddenly dissipated. Within minutes, Custer Peak (L) was in sight! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two hills could now be seen ahead.\u00a0 One of them was probably 2K Peak.\u00a0 The whole expedition hurried on toward the closest hill.\u00a0 When rock outcroppings began appearing in the forest, SPHP took it as an encouraging sign.\u00a0 However, the rocks soon played out.\u00a0 The hill flattened.\u00a0 No, this wasn’t 2K Peak.<\/p>\n

Toward the SE end of the first hill, Lupe started losing elevation.\u00a0 The shattered remains of a forest were seen on even lower ground ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the SE end of the first hill. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two nearby hills could be seen from here.\u00a0 One was to the ENE, the other to the ESE.\u00a0 The ESE hill was highest and a bit farther away.\u00a0 This was the same more distant hill everyone had seen not too long ago.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were virtually certain it had to be 2K Peak.<\/p>\n

A valley had to be crossed to get there.\u00a0 Heading straight toward the mountain proved to be a mistake.\u00a0 The deadfall was terrible!\u00a0 Josh had purchased new hiking poles recently, and found them to be extremely useful.\u00a0 SPHP was glad to have the hiking poles gifted by Jobe Wymore last summer.\u00a0 Lupe and Buddy navigated the deadfall fairly easily, but an old leg injury made getting over all the dead trees difficult for Rizzo.<\/p>\n

Once past the deadfall, only an easy climb to the summit remained.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Beyond the deadfall, Josh and Buddy pause on the way up the next hill to examine a rock for fossils. Lupe had followed the forested ridge seen on the L on the way here. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yes!\u00a0 This was it!\u00a0 2K<\/span><\/a> Peak<\/span><\/strong>!\u00a0 Even though Lupe hadn’t been here in more than 5 years, there was no doubt about it.<\/p>\n

The whole party arrived at the top of 2K Peak at the brightest part of the afternoon.\u00a0 While many Black Hills peaks, even some of the highest ones, have little to offer in the way of views due to dense forests, Lupe knew all along that 2K Peak wouldn’t disappoint.\u00a0 Josh was impressed with the sweeping panoramas in most directions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Josh, Rizzo, Buddy and Lupe arrive at the summit of mighty 2K peak<\/strong>! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rizzo take a break while Josh & Lupe pose at the summit. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2K Peak’s gently rounded summit ridge was about 150 feet long.\u00a0 The top was mostly open ground covered with small rocks interspersed with short vegetation. A depression in the limestone existed near the NE end.\u00a0 The NW side of the ridge was forested, but the views were great in every other direction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Buddy explores the depression in the limestone at the NE end of the summit ridge while Loop looks on. Josh and Rizzo are in the background close to the true summit. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Custer Peak<\/strong> (L) from the NE end of 2K Peak<\/strong>‘s summit ridge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) from 2K Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Josh joins Lupe for a look at Custer Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rizzo relaxing on 2K Peak<\/strong>. Getting through all that deadfall timber had been tough!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Five years ago Lupe had climbed 2K Peak from the S.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had come upon some interesting limestone formations at the upper SW end of the mountain.\u00a0 These formations were somewhat lower than the summit ridge, but Rizzo, Buddy and Josh ought to get to see them.\u00a0 Loop led the way over there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe and Rizzo at the highest of the limestone outcroppings SW of 2K Peak’s summit. White Tail Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,962 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the distant ridge R of Center. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Josh, Buddy and Rizzo at the SW high point. White Tail Peak<\/strong> is now on the L. Photo looks SW with a little help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Josh and White Tail Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looper and Josh strike dramatic poses. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Buddy (Center) and Rizzo (L) were feeling more sleepy than dramatic. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Carolina Dog was actually ready for a break, too. The forested ridge on the horizon beyond her is Peak<\/span><\/a> 6820<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A separate limestone platform stood alone below the highest limestone formations.\u00a0 It was only 8 or 10 feet high, but was another great vantage point.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went down to the lower platform.\u00a0 Josh looked even more dramatic now up at the crest of the upper formations.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Josh still at the crest of the upper formation. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Josh might make quite a mountaineering name for himself among those who confuse 2K<\/span><\/a> (6,701 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> with K2<\/span><\/a> (28,261 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the world’s 2nd highest mountain!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster on the lower limestone platform. Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) is on the horizon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look with help from the telephoto lens. Black Elk Peak<\/strong> is now on the R. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Josh, Buddy and Rizzo decided to try out the lower limestone platform, too.\u00a0 Buddy got partway up, and Josh made it to the top.\u00a0 Rizzo couldn’t climb it at all.\u00a0 Poor dejected Rizzo stood at the base of the formation whimpering for Josh to come back down.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Josh, Buddy & Rizzo try climbing the lower limestone platform with varying degrees of success. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Buddy might have been able to get to the top, but maybe didn’t feel as comfortable as Josh way up there? Rizzo wasn’t thrilled with the experience at all, though Josh seemed to enjoy it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two hours had gone by since leaving the cafeteria log.\u00a0 A second rest break was in order.\u00a0 This time Josh doled out genuine beef jerky and Cliff Bars.\u00a0 Everyone enjoyed relaxing on the hillside.<\/p>\n

Eventually the time arrived to bid farewell to 2K Peak.\u00a0 The entire party returned to the summit for a final appreciative look around.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Yes, we all made it to the top of 2K Peak! Good thing the fog vanished permitting us to enjoy these splendid views!<\/em> Lupe by what passed for a summit cairn. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Rizzo, Buddy & Josh back at the summit. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The return trip was one of discoveries!\u00a0 First, Josh promptly discovered an ant metropolis high up on 2K Peak’s N slope.<\/p>\n

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A tiny portion of the vast ant metropolis Josh discovered on 2K Peak’s upper N slope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next, a much easier route was discovered back to the ridge leading to the power line and Ward Draw.\u00a0 The terrible deadfall timber could be avoided by staying higher up and farther E on the way N, before finally turning W and crossing a saddle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rizzo and Josh on the easier deadfall free route. Photo looks SE back at 2K Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Josh made the third discovery, too – a Morel mushroom<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!\u00a0 SPHP doesn’t know a thing about mushrooms, but Josh said Morel mushrooms were a delicacy.\u00a0 He only found the one, though, and its stem had been broken before he found it, so this one was no longer fresh.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Josh discovered this Morel mushroom on the return trip. He recognized it as a delicacy, though unfortunately this one wasn’t fresh.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The fourth and most significant discovery was made a little later while traveling the ridge NW.\u00a0 Rizzo was tired and lagging behind.\u00a0 Buddy and Lupe were out front leading the way through the junipers on the forest floor.\u00a0 They made the discovery.\u00a0 SPHP started yelling at them to come back as soon as SPHP saw what it was.\u00a0 Josh began yelling, too.<\/p>\n

Lupe returned, but Buddy didn’t at first.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Rizzo charged forward to see what the commotion was all about.\u00a0 What Buddy and Loop had discovered was a skunk.\u00a0 All 3 dogs got sprayed, but Buddy’s situation was by far the worst.\u00a0 For a few minutes, a thick drool dripped from both Buddy’s and Lupe’s mouths.\u00a0 Lupe felt sick.\u00a0 She hid beneath a juniper bush looking perplexed and miserable.\u00a0 Buddy couldn’t have felt any better.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe hides in a juniper bush feeling sick after being sprayed by a skunk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The fragrant dogs all recovered from the initial shock amazingly fast.\u00a0 Soon everyone was underway again, but the skunk episode had put a real damper on the mood.\u00a0 Josh, especially, was depressed by the notion that he was going to have to spend Saturday night dealing with 2 stinky dogs.\u00a0 No way around it, though.\u00a0 Buddy was just too bad.<\/p>\n

All former thoughts of possibly making a loop back exploring the ridge SE of Ward Draw were now rejected.\u00a0 Best to just return to the vehicles as soon as possible along the known route down Ward Draw.<\/p>\n

Rizzo again stuck close to Josh, but Buddy and Lupe resumed their joint explorations leading the way.\u00a0 The whole world must have stunk for them now, but surprisingly these partners in putrid both seemed to be having fun again.\u00a0 Maybe they figured the best time to go skunk hunting was when the worst that could happen already had?\u00a0 Thankfully, they didn’t find another one.<\/p>\n

6:52 PM, 40\u00b0F<\/em> – Well, it was over.\u00a0 The Expedition No. 230 adventures up Ward Draw to 2K Peak and back would be remembered for some time to come.\u00a0 Certainly wouldn’t be possible to forget them before that odor subsides.\u00a0 After exchanging good-byes with Rizzo, Buddy and Josh, Loop and SPHP headed for home.<\/p>\n

At home, SPHP was busy unloading the G6 and turned around to see a sly, innocent-looking Carolina Dog begging for a treat from the neighbors at Dog Heaven.\u00a0 SPHP yelled not to let her in, but it was too late.\u00a0 The stinky Dingo had already dashed inside to claim a prize.\u00a0 She was promptly ejected, but got to keep the treat.<\/p>\n

Loop really hadn’t gotten skunked too badly.\u00a0 Buddy had shielded her from the worst of it.\u00a0 SPHP did nothing about it.\u00a0 Loop didn’t even get a bath.\u00a0 For a day, the Carolina Dog slunk around, ears drooping, looking guilty and depressed.\u00a0 She knew her new perfume wasn’t fashionable.\u00a0 By the second day, though, the odor had greatly diminished.\u00a0 By the third day, it was virtually undetectable.<\/p>\n

As for how things turned out at the Hilpert household, SPHP hasn’t yet had the courage to inquire.\u00a0 There had been talk of a joint expedition to the Cave Hills in NW South Dakota sometime in the fall.\u00a0 Maybe by then the whole ordeal will all be hilarious?\u00a0 Or maybe not.\u00a0 Interested in how Buddy, Rizzo and Josh fared?\u00a0 A certain American Dingo invites you to tune in again in 6 months!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
As a result of my fabulous adventures in Ward Draw to 2K Peak and back, SPHP says I get to join Skunk Hunters Anonymous now!<\/em> We Dingoes get to do all the fun stuff!<\/em> Lupe and Rizzo in Ward Draw on the return.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe treasures collected – 6 aluminum cans, 1 plastic bottle, and several miscellaneous items.<\/em><\/p>\n

Related 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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 214 – The Search for Elk Mountain with Rizzo, Buddy & Josh Hilpert (11-4-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/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 – 7:00 AM, 35\u00b0F, at a pond along Long Draw Road (USFS Road No. 209) 0.25 mile SW of the junction with USFS Road No. 196 S of Hanna Heh, so much for a bright, cheerful morning in May!\u00a0 Yesterday evening thunderstorms severe enough to prompt temporary flash flood warnings had swept through the … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 230 – Ward Draw & 2K Peak with Rizzo, Buddy & Josh Hilpert (5-19-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16123,"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":[983,105,9,853,106,854,104,984,852,304,985],"class_list":["post-16159","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-2k-peak","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-buddy","tag-carolina-dog","tag-josh-hilpert","tag-lupe","tag-peak-6701","tag-rizzo","tag-south-dakota","tag-ward-draw"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IMG_9127.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\/16159","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=16159"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16159\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28424,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16159\/revisions\/28424"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16123"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}