{"id":16570,"date":"2018-10-27T08:10:44","date_gmt":"2018-10-27T14:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=16570"},"modified":"2020-09-24T15:04:21","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T21:04:21","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-235-centennial-trail-no-89-deer-creek-to-pilot-knob-9-29-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=16570","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 235 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Deer Creek to Pilot Knob (9-29-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start – 10:40 AM, 46 \u00b0F, Deer Creek trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89<\/em><\/p>\n

A week had shot by since Expedition No. 234 when Lupe had arrived at the Deer Creek trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89<\/span><\/strong><\/a> on a warm, sunny afternoon.\u00a0 Now she was back.\u00a0 A cool, light S breeze rustled the newly yellow leaves of the aspen trees.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was in high spirits!\u00a0 She was eager to continue her explorations along the Centennial Trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe returns to the Deer Creek trailhead. The aspen trees were much yellower than they had been only a week ago. Even so, the fall colors didn’t appear to be quite at the season’s height yet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe lost no time setting off from the trailhead on the spur trail that winds W up a slope to the main trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up the spur trail to the main trail. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Five minutes on the spur trail brought Looper up to the junction with the main trail.\u00a0 She took the branch to the R (N) having already explored to this point from the S a week ago.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 started out crossing a relatively open area.\u00a0 Loop was still gaining elevation, though more gradually than on the spur trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches Centennial Trail No. 89 at the upper end of the spur trail. Here the main trail gains elevation more gradually as it crosses this open area. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Centennial Trail No. 89 entered the forest beyond the open area, Lupe passed by a small rock outcropping on the R.\u00a0 The trail leveled out here and turned NW roughly paralleling Highway 385.\u00a0 The highway was a good 0.25 mile away down in a broad valley to the E.\u00a0 Lupe could easily hear the traffic, and could sometimes see the busy highway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After Looper passed by a small rock outcropping on the R (E), Centennial Trail No. 89 leveled out and headed NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not much of a sense of solitude here!\u00a0 Even so, Lupe had a great time.\u00a0 She was having good luck finding squirrels!\u00a0 The American Dingo raced happily through the open forest, stopping frequently to check out trees hoping to spot more squirrels.\u00a0 Running was fun, too!\u00a0 Lupe encountered very little of the usual annoying slash or deadfall timber so common in much of the Black Hills.<\/p>\n

Centennial Trail No. 89 bounced along a slope with little net elevation change as Lupe followed it NW.\u00a0\u00a0 Often the trail was almost perfectly level.\u00a0 Even where it wasn’t, the route was never steep.\u00a0 To the SW, the terrain rose toward an unseen ridge 200 or 300 feet higher than where the trail ran.\u00a0 The forest always kept the ridgeline hidden from view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Open forest and gently undulating terrain make this one of the easiest areas to explore along the entire Centennial Trail system. Loopster had a fabulous time charging around looking for squirrels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 3.8 miles between the Deer Creek and Pilot Knob trailheads is one of the shortest and easiest sections of the 111 mile long Centennial Trail.\u00a0 Lupe made rapid progress.\u00a0 The gently undulating terrain provided little in the way of distant views.\u00a0 Most of the way Lupe was traveling through pine forest.\u00a0 Occasional stands of yellow aspens provided at least some scenic variation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Although this part of Centennial Trail No. 89 provided little in the way of views, Lupe didn’t care. She was having lots of fun racing around in the forest. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Stands of yellow aspens provided at least some scenic variety.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Happy Lupe at one of the prettiest spots.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loggers had thinned the forest at some point years ago. They had done an unusually nice job of cleaning up any slash and deadfall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail seemed to be slowly drifting farther away from Highway 385, which was sort of nice.\u00a0 After Loopster had gone more than 1.5 miles, though, it curved E.\u00a0 The noisy highway was soon in view again.\u00a0 Nearing the highway, Centennial Trail No. 89 turned N shortly before crossing it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Highway 385. The trail crosses the highway here, then heads N near the power line. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing Highway 385, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued N in a strip of forested land 50 to 150 feet wide between a power line to the E and USFS Road No. 202 to the W.\u00a0 Here, Lupe came to a splendid thistle.\u00a0 It was big and prickly and extraordinarily healthy.\u00a0 The splendid thistle sported a huge, beautiful, purplish pink blossom.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe discovers a splendid thistle after crossing Highway 385.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ordinarily Lupe and SPHP aren’t all that terribly keen on thistles, but this one was truly a splendid specimen!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was slowly gaining elevation.\u00a0 Before long the trail and power line both crossed USFS Road No. 202.\u00a0 The road subsequently turned E and disappeared into the forest.\u00a0 The trail took Lupe up an open strip of ground beneath the power line toward a minor pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following the power line to a minor pass. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cresting the pass revealed steeper terrain ahead.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 went down an otherwise abandoned dirt road for much of the descent into the Jim Creek valley.\u00a0 Lupe was fast closing in on the Pilot Knob trailhead, now only 0.25 mile away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing N after cresting a minor pass, Centennial Trail No. 89 follows this dirt road as it begins losing elevation heading down into the Jim Creek valley. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the valley, Centennial Trail No. 89 skirted the E edge of a cattle ranch.\u00a0 Pilot Knob<\/span><\/a> (5,440 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span> was in view off to the WNW.\u00a0 Loopster was more interested in a big black bull standing out in the field beyond the fence.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Down in the Jim Creek valley, Centennial Trail No. 89 skirts the E side of this cattle ranch. Pilot Knob<\/strong> (Center) is in view off to the WNW. Lupe was more interested in the big black bull beyond the fence. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the most part, the trail stayed in the pines a little up the slope E of the fence line as Lupe passed by the ranch.\u00a0 It then led down to a bridge over Jim Creek.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 208 (Merritt Road) could be seen only a short distance beyond the creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing Jim Creek. USFS Road No. 208 (Merritt Road) is in sight. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing Jim Creek, it took only a few minutes to reach the Pilot Knob trailhead on the other (N) side of Merritt Road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop arrives at the Pilot Knob trailhead<\/strong> along USFS Road No. 208 (Merritt Road). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That was about it.\u00a0 Success!\u00a0 Lupe had completed the entire 3.8 mile long trek from the Deer Creek trailhead to the Pilot Knob trailhead.\u00a0 This easy segment of Centennial Trail No. 89 really hadn’t taken her very long.\u00a0 It was still early afternoon.\u00a0 Instead of simply heading back by the same route, the American Dingo was up for more of a challenge.<\/p>\n

Time to get a little peakbagging in while making a loop back to the G6!\u00a0 Pilot Knob<\/span><\/a> (5,440 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>, was 0.75 mile due W.\u00a0 It would serve nicely as a first objective.\u00a0 Rather than start back S on Centennial Trail No. 89, Lupe continued N, as if she intended to head for the South Boxelder Creek trailhead.<\/p>\n

Right away, Centennial Trail No. 89 swung sharply W heading up a slope.\u00a0 It soon curved N again, and Lupe found herself E of another cattle ranch.\u00a0 Pilot Knob was in view beyond a grassy field.\u00a0 At the far end of the field a small cabin nestled at the edge of the pines.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Pilot Knob<\/strong> (L) from Centennial Trail No. 89 N of the Pilot Knob trailhead. Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe continued N.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 turned E before too long at Boodleman Spring.\u00a0 Just E of the spring, Lupe left the trail turning N yet again.\u00a0 She followed a dirt road up a small valley until she was N of the cattle ranch fence line.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog then scrambled up out of the valley heading W.<\/p>\n

Once out of the valley, Lupe was confronted with open forest on rolling terrain.\u00a0 Trying to stay on high ground instead of crossing ravines meant heading more NW than due W.\u00a0 For a while Pilot Knob wasn’t even in view due to all the trees, but Loop eventually caught sight of it again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the forest N of the cattle ranch. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At a small clearing, Lupe catches sight of Pilot Knob<\/strong> again. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Pilot Knob<\/strong> summit with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP eventually lost patience with trying to stay on the high ground.\u00a0 Lupe was having to go too far NW to get to Pilot Knob’s N ridge.\u00a0 Simply crossing the last intervening valley was easier and faster.\u00a0 Looper was soon closing in on Pilot Knob’s rocky summit from the N.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop reaches the N end of Pilot Knob’s rocky summit ridge. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The summit ridge was a good 40 feet high or more.\u00a0 The N end was very steep and not a good place to attempt an ascent.\u00a0 Way back in January, 2016, Lupe had climbed Pilot Knob once before.\u00a0 SPHP remembered that about the only relatively easy way up started at the SW end of the ridge.\u00a0 Lupe headed that way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop on her way S beside Pilot Knob’s vertical W face. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Pilot Knob summit ridge is several hundred feet long.\u00a0 On the W side of the ridge near the far S end, Lupe found the way up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Come on, SPHP! This is the way up!<\/em> About the only easy way to the top of Pilot Knob starts here at the SW corner of the very rocky summit ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once up on the lower S end of the ridgeline, a bit of scrambling was required almost immediately to begin heading N toward the still unseen true summit.\u00a0 SPHP thought Lupe might need help at a couple of points, but she always managed to get up all by herself.<\/p>\n

The W edge of the ridgeline became a sheer vertical drop.\u00a0 To keep going N, Lupe had to stay toward the E.\u00a0 This route was fine, except for small pines that made it unnecessarily difficult for SPHP to pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe up on the summit ridge after the first bit of scrambling. She is just E of the highest rocks where it was possible to continue N. Loop had no trouble at all getting by these small pines, but they slowed SPHP down. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once beyond the pines, thorny bushes among lots of jumbled rock kept progress slow.\u00a0 A vertical drop existed to the E, too, but at least there was some room up here to maneuver a little W of the edge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the summit, still E of the highest rocks. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After fighting through the bushes, another short scramble and Lupe was up!\u00a0 For the first time in more than 2.5 years, the American Dingo stood at the top of Pilot Knob<\/span><\/a> (5,440 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
For the first time in more than 2.5 years, Lupe stands once again on the highest rocks up on Pilot Knob<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Oh, I made it up here again, SPHP. And without any help from you, I might add!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Say, these views are surprisingly impressive aren’t they?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pilot Knob’s summit was so rocky there were hardly any trees around.\u00a0 Even though Pilot Knob<\/a><\/span> (5,440 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span> hadn’t seemed like much of a climb, the views were rather impressive.<\/p>\n

Time for a break.\u00a0 A snack while enjoying the scenery was in order.\u00a0 Lupe had water and Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP munched an apple.\u00a0 Lupe could see and hear the traffic on nearby Highway 385, but it was all far enough below so the mood was still largely one of tranquility up here on Pilot Knob.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the highest rock. The cattle ranch Lupe had gone past on Centennial Trail No. 89 down in the Jim Creek valley is seen on the L. Hwy 385 is on the R. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The rounded forested high point toward the L at the far end of the near ridge (close to Hwy 385) is Merritt Peak<\/a><\/span> (5,556 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>. Lupe would be heading there next. Rochford Road is on the R. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This big patch of orange and purple rock gives the summit of Pilot Knob<\/strong> a distinctive look. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down the ragged rocky N end of the summit ridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the NW with help from the telephoto lens and a peakbagging Carolina Dog.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rochford Road from Pilot Knob. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loopster wasn’t going to get better views than this from anywhere else today, so the American Dingo wasn’t in any hurry to leave Pilot Knob.\u00a0 She lingered with SPHP up at the summit for more than 40 minutes.\u00a0 By then it seemed like time move on if Lupe still wanted to get to Merritt Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,556 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span>, her second and final peakbagging objective.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Hate to leave Pilot Knob, SPHP, but maybe we better get going, if we still want to have time to reach Merritt Peak<\/strong> (Center)<\/em>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a slow, careful descent off of Pilot Knob’s summit ridge, Loopster headed S through the forest.\u00a0 Down, down!\u00a0 The SW side was the steepest part of the main mountain, but Lupe wanted to get down to Highway 385 as fast as possible.\u00a0 It wasn’t far, only about an eighth of a mile.\u00a0 Near the bottom, a ravine to the W that wasn’t too steep got her there.<\/p>\n

The busy highway wasn’t a fun place to be.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP headed S in the ditch as cars and trucks roared by.\u00a0 Near Merritt Road, Lupe crossed over to the W side of Highway 385.\u00a0 She passed through the parking lots of the Sugar Shack and other businesses.\u00a0 If they would have welcomed Dingoes, Looper would surely have begged SPHP to take her into the Sugar Shack for a burger.\u00a0 Sadly, that wasn’t in the cards.<\/p>\n

Loop and SPHP hurried along.\u00a0 After 0.50 mile, it was a relief to reach USFS Road No. 672 and escape all the highway traffic.\u00a0 Peaceful No. 672 wound its way SW steadily gaining elevation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe was glad to get to USFS Road No. 672, safely away from all the Highway 385 traffic. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 0.5 mile on USFS Road No. 672, Lupe reached an intersection at the top of a pass.\u00a0 From here No. 672 continued S down into Broad Gulch.\u00a0 Loop didn’t need to go that way.\u00a0 Instead, she turned E on Trail No. 6237.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop left USFS Road No. 672 here at the top of a minor pass. Trail No. 6237 would take her SE along the ridge leading to Merritt Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trail No. 6237 quickly brought Lupe up onto a ridgeline leading SE to Merritt Peak.\u00a0 The forest had been thinned in recent years, but the pines were still dense enough to mar any distant views.\u00a0 Even so, traveling along the ridge was fun.\u00a0 Lupe enjoyed looking down the forested slopes on both sides for deer or squirrels.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the ridge leading to Merritt Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After following the ridge for 0.25 mile, SPHP figured Lupe had to be getting close to Merritt Peak.\u00a0 However, Trail No. 6237 suddenly made a big curve down to the W leaving the ridgeline.\u00a0 That didn’t seem right at all!\u00a0 Back in January, 2016 when Lupe had climbed Pilot Knob for the first time, she had also come this way and climbed Merritt Peak, too.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t remember the trail leaving the ridge back then.\u00a0 Loop certainly hadn’t.<\/p>\n

Instead of following Trail No. 6237 down off the ridge, Lupe continued SE looking for another trail.\u00a0 Almost right away, she found the trail SPHP remembered.<\/p>\n

In 2016, the trail had not gone clear up to the top of Merritt Peak, but had passed only 30 or 40 feet below the summit ridge on the E side of the mountain.\u00a0 Sure enough, this trail gained elevation before leveling out E of higher ground.\u00a0 SPHP was certain this had to be it.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog left the trail and climbed the slope to the top.\u00a0 Yes, this was Merritt Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,556 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> alright!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the S end of Merritt Peak’s 200 foot long summit ridge. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had come up near the S end of Merritt Peak’s 200 foot long summit ridge.\u00a0 The whole ridge was pretty close to level.\u00a0 A small rock outcropping seemed to be the high point at this end.\u00a0 The N end of the summit ridge was rockier and had seemed perhaps slightly higher back in 2016.\u00a0 May as well go check it out again.<\/p>\n

Eh.\u00a0 Maybe the N end was a little higher.\u00a0 Still seemed that way, but not super convincingly so.\u00a0 Really not much difference one way or another.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP sat down together just below the highest rocks to take another break.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The N end of Merritt Peak’s summit ridge might have been a bit higher than the S end. Still seemed that way, but not by much. It was certainly rockier. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
If not the true summit, this is mighty close to it. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
So this is it, isn’t it, SPHP? I’ve bagged myself a 2nd ascent of Merritt Peak, haven’t I? …. Yeah, congratulations Looper, we’re calling this good.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had also taken a break at this very same spot in 2016.\u00a0 Even though the forest had been thinned since then, there still weren’t any decent views from Merritt Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,556 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 Seemed like there had been at least a fairly good look at Minnesota Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> off to the NW from here before.\u00a0 Even that view was now marred by a couple of trees that had grown up in the meantime.<\/p>\n

Still, SPHP was glad Lupe had returned.\u00a0 More than 2.5 years gone by.\u00a0 Made you think.\u00a0 SPHP hugged Lupe close.\u00a0 For a while Lupe huddled there with SPHP content just sitting and watching.<\/p>\n

Time is relentless.\u00a0 That precious commodity was slipping away even as it was being pondered.\u00a0 The sky had been totally overcast all afternoon.\u00a0 It wasn’t possible to tell how close the sun was to setting.\u00a0 No more than an hour from now, maybe less?\u00a0 Lupe still had close to 2 miles to go to get back to the Deer Creek trailhead.\u00a0 SPHP stood up.<\/p>\n

Come on, Looper, let’s finish exploring this ridge!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe was on it.\u00a0 She was ready.<\/p>\n

The ridge SPHP was referring to wasn’t Merritt Peak’s summit ridge.\u00a0 Lupe had already seen that.\u00a0 However, she had never been any farther on the long ridge extending SE from Merritt Peak.\u00a0 This was the same ridge that had been unseen and higher up to the W during much of the early part of today’s journey along Centennial Trail No. 89.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo returned to the nearby trail.\u00a0 The easiest thing to do would have been to head directly down to Centennial Trail No. 89, which couldn’t have been more than 0.5 mile away.\u00a0 Instead, Lupe stuck with the high ground traveling SE along the ridgeline.<\/p>\n

A network of seldom traveled trails crisscrossed the ridge.\u00a0 None were marked.\u00a0 Up and down!\u00a0 From one high point to the next the Carolina Dog continued her explorations.\u00a0 For more than a mile whatever trail she was on was in good shape.\u00a0 After that it began to fade.\u00a0 Eventually there didn’t seem to be a trail at all.<\/p>\n

Finally, Lupe saw Silver City Road just ahead down at Pass 5307.\u00a0 Time to begin her descent.\u00a0 Loop headed E off the ridge.\u00a0 It wasn’t dark yet, but certainly dim when she reached Centennial Trail No. 89 at the edge of the pines by the rock outcropping where the trail had first leveled out this morning.<\/p>\n

Lupe’s big loop on and off Centennial Trail No. 89 today was complete.\u00a0 Ten more minutes of sniffing would bring her back to the Deer Creek trailhead and the G6.\u00a0 Another day, a fun one, gone forever.\u00a0 At least her precious time had been well spent.\u00a0 End – 6:21 PM, 42\u00b0F<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On some of the highest rocks near the N end of Merritt Peak. 9-29-18<\/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\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Next Trail Section South<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 234 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Rapid Creek to Deer Creek (9-22-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Next Trail Section North<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 237 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Pilot Knob to South Boxelder Creek (10-18-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Centennial Trail No. 89 brochure & map<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0 Check out Lupe’s 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 – 10:40 AM, 46 \u00b0F, Deer Creek trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89 A week had shot by since Expedition No. 234 when Lupe had arrived at the Deer Creek trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89 on a warm, sunny afternoon.\u00a0 Now she was back.\u00a0 A cool, light S breeze rustled the newly yellow … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 235 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Deer Creek to Pilot Knob (9-29-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16538,"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":[105,9,106,527,990,104,544,545,991,304],"class_list":["post-16570","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-centennial-trail-no-89","tag-deer-creek-trailhead","tag-lupe","tag-merritt-peak","tag-pilot-knob","tag-pilot-knob-trailhead","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/IMG_2296.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\/16570","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=16570"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16570\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22511,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16570\/revisions\/22511"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}