{"id":18782,"date":"2019-01-31T08:10:02","date_gmt":"2019-01-31T15:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=18782"},"modified":"2020-09-24T15:52:10","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T21:52:10","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-243-peak-5917-pistol-point-with-uncle-joe-cousins-dusty-mark-12-22-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=18782","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 243 – Peak 5917 & Pistol Point with Uncle Joe & Cousins Dusty & Mark (12-22-18)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lupe was delirious with delight!\u00a0 The shocking news SPHP had just given her was so incredibly wonderful!\u00a0 Why, Christmas was coming!\u00a0 Not only that, but Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe were in town all the way from Colorado.\u00a0 Cousin Mark had even come with them.\u00a0 They all wanted to go on a Black Hills Expedition with Loop.\u00a0 Nothing too fancy or long, but enough to get a workout and see a few sights.<\/p>\n

Was the American Dingo up for that?\u00a0 Oh, boy!\u00a0 Was she ever!\u00a0 She barked and leapt at SPHP.\u00a0 What’s the holdup?\u00a0<\/em> Let’s go right now!<\/em><\/p>\n

Loopster raced through the front door of Grandma’s house and greeted everyone with great joy and energy.\u00a0 It was true!\u00a0 They were all here!\u00a0 Dusty was instantly excited, too, and responded in kind.\u00a0 Greetings all around.\u00a0 Dusty and Lupe both looked at SPHP expectantly.\u00a0 Oh, yeah.\u00a0 They both knew that Grandma had a big bag of Beggin’ Strips downstairs.\u00a0 Of course, they each got one.\u00a0 Sly dingo Loop grabbed two.<\/p>\n

Start – 9:51 AM, 27\u00b0F at the junction of Highway 385 & USFS Road No. 710<\/em><\/p>\n

Kind of cold and snowy, but this was a good spot for a quick romp in the hills.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 5917<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was only a little more than a mile away.\u00a0 Several options from there depending how things were going.\u00a0 With minimal delay the whole gang started up No. 710.\u00a0 The road headed W up a shady valley N of Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Cousin Dusty led the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Setting out for Peak 5917 on USFS Road No. 710. Uncle Joe with Cousin Dusty. Cousin Mark with Lupe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cousin Dusty leads the way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 0.75 mile on No. 710, the road reached the upper end of the valley.\u00a0 The terrain flattened out.\u00a0 No snow here.\u00a0 The road curved S passing through an open stand of tall Ponderosa pines.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s entourage reaches the open stand of Ponderosa pines at the upper end of the valley. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the pines the road turned W again, and began to fade.\u00a0 Ahead was a region of grasslands dotted with scattered pines.\u00a0 Peak<\/span><\/a> 5917<\/span><\/strong> was already in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Beyond the tall pines, heading for Peak 5917<\/strong> (R). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon everyone was on the way up Peak 5917’s SE slope.\u00a0 Mark and Dusty were out in front.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cousins Mark & Dusty led the way up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joe pauses to look back. The tall pines are at the far edge of the grasslands beyond him. Peak 5800<\/strong> is on the R. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mark and Dusty reached the summit well before Joe, Lupe and SPHP caught up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cousin Mark atop Peak 5917<\/strong>. Mark is a Dance Dance Revolution champion who competes in tournaments. No wonder he was stepping so lively!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joe and Dusty join Mark at the summit. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mark & Joe at the summit of Peak 5917<\/strong>. A triumph of sorts. They’re from Colorado. Maybe they’ve been on an even loftier peak once or twice before? Part of Pactola Reservoir<\/strong> (R) is in the background. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s turn on the highest rocks while getting a pat from Mark. New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong> is in view beyond her. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

December.\u00a0 Not especially cold, but definitely cool out.\u00a0 A chilly breeze was blowing out of the W.\u00a0 Prior to leaving Peak 5917, a group photo was hastily arranged.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
L to R – Mark, Dusty, Lupe & Joe. Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is a little L of Mark, and conical False North Point<\/span><\/a> (6,130 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is R of him. Pistol Point (5,880 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is at the far end of the half grassy, half forested ridge on the R. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What now?\u00a0 Was everyone done?\u00a0 The closest options for extending the trek were New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (6,046 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/span> a mile NW as the ridges went, go only halfway there to Pistol Point<\/strong>, or head SE back to Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Pistol Point<\/strong> sounded good to everyone.\u00a0 Mark, Dusty and Joe started down Peak 5917’s SW slope.\u00a0 Loop lingered briefly at the summit before following after them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looper lingers in the chilly W breeze atop Peak 5917<\/strong>. New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong> (L) in the distance. Lupe had been there only 5 days ago on Expedition No. 242. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mark, Dusty & Joe start down the SW slope. Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L), Five Points<\/strong> (Center) and False North Point<\/strong> (R) are all in sight. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pistol Point<\/strong> is at the far end of the half grassy ridge on the L. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pistol Point is only 0.5 mile SW of Peak 5917.\u00a0 Cousin Mark was soon poised atop the rocky ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up to Pistol Point. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mark poised atop the rock formations at Pistol Point<\/strong> while Joe takes a photo. Lupe is standing over near the rock resembling the handle of a pistol jammed into the ground that Pistol Point is named for. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cousin Mark staying hydrated.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mark and Dusty relax for a moment taking in the views. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joe and Lupe take a turn up on the rocks. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pistol Point offers the same sweeping 180\u00b0 views to the S that Peak 5917 does from only a slightly different perspective.\u00a0 The W wind was still chilly.\u00a0 If it hadn’t been for the breeze, New Year’s Eve Peak, only 0.5 mile NW, probably would have happened.<\/p>\n

As it was, though, Cousin Dusty was shivering.\u00a0 At 12 years old, she was doing great to have come this far leading the way most of the time.\u00a0 Best to head back, though, to get her out of the cold wind.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Group photo at Pistol Point<\/strong> shortly before departure. Mark and Lupe on the L. Joe and Dusty on the R. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5917<\/strong> from Pistol Point<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joe and Dusty start down. Peak 5917<\/strong> (L) and Peak 5800<\/strong> (R). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dusty felt better as soon as she was out of the wind.\u00a0 The trek back to the G6 was scenic with great company to share the day with.\u00a0 The route back was the same, minus an excursion up to Peak 5917 again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dusty leads as Mark and Joe follow her down. Peak 5800<\/strong> (R). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A momentary pause while Joe checks his phone. Part of Sheridan Lake<\/strong> is seen beyond Dusty.\u00a0 Calumet Ridge<\/span><\/a><\/span> (5,601 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is beyond the lake. Silver Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> (5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is L of Calumet Ridge. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another pause on the return. Peak 5800<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe in familiar territory. Nearly every year she makes a pilgrimage to New Year’s Eve Peak coming this way. Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) is the prominent knob far beyond her. Peak 5800<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dusty having a good time in the Black Hills now that she’s out of the wind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back on the road in the tall pines area. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before long, everyone was heading down the valley on snowy USFS Road No. 710.\u00a0 A ride back to Grandma’s house for goodies and more fun was waiting at the end of the road.\u00a0 Best of all, the festivities would continue for the next several days, because, you know, Christmas was coming!\u00a0 (12:52 PM, 29\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mark, Joe, Dusty & Lupe on USFS Road No. 710, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-22-18<\/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 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0 Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY\u00a0Expeditions\u00a0Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/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":"

Lupe was delirious with delight!\u00a0 The shocking news SPHP had just given her was so incredibly wonderful!\u00a0 Why, Christmas was coming!\u00a0 Not only that, but Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe were in town all the way from Colorado.\u00a0 Cousin Mark had even come with them.\u00a0 They all wanted to go on a Black Hills Expedition … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 243 – Peak 5917 & Pistol Point with Uncle Joe & Cousins Dusty & Mark (12-22-18)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18765,"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":[105,9,106,146,451,104,863,1040,1041,304],"class_list":["post-18782","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-dusty","tag-joe","tag-lupe","tag-mark","tag-peak-5917","tag-pistol-point","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IMG_3000.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\/18782","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=18782"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18782\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22488,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18782\/revisions\/22488"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/18765"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18782"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18782"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}