{"id":19265,"date":"2019-02-24T08:10:33","date_gmt":"2019-02-24T15:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=19265"},"modified":"2020-09-25T08:40:50","modified_gmt":"2020-09-25T14:40:50","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-246-peak-5136-1-27-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=19265","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 246 – Peak 5136 (1-27-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start – 8:41 AM, 43\u00b0F along Norris Peak Road 0.75 mile from Nemo Road<\/em><\/p>\n

So was this someone’s driveway or USFS access?\u00a0 Hard to say.\u00a0 No signs, no mailbox.\u00a0 A single set of days old tire tracks was evident on a snowy road that went up a short hillside before curving L out of sight.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP got out of the G6.\u00a0 Wouldn’t hurt to go see what was around that bend, would it?<\/p>\n

No worries!\u00a0 A USFS gate was beyond the curve.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was good to go!\u00a0 Looper trotted on up past the gate.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe was good to go! A USFS gate (L) was around the bend. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the gate, the road curved NNW and entered a flat, grassy field.\u00a0 Lupe came to a faint 4 way intersection.\u00a0 Only the road to the R was marked.\u00a0 An old brown wand said this was USFS Road No. 166.1I.\u00a0 Lupe went straight ahead.\u00a0 She was on No. 166.1B, though the designation wasn’t known at the time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the faint 4 way intersection. Lupe followed unmarked USFS Road No. 166.1B straight ahead. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 166.1B led up a shallow valley.\u00a0 After gaining some elevation, the road wasn’t quite as steep as it curved first NW, then W.\u00a0 The road faded away as Lupe approached what appeared to be the top of a ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Halfway along No. 166.1B. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the top. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the high ground, Lupe found herself on a broad, gently sloping grassy area thinly forested with tall pines.\u00a0 The American Dingo was up on a big ridge alright, but this wasn’t the top.\u00a0 A forested hill was 150 yards or more off to the NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on the ridge, but not at the top. A small hill (R) is still ahead. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe did not climb the hill yet.\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t entirely certain where she was on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Loop stayed on easier, flatter terrain S of the hill traveling NW among the tall pines.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring the tall pines area. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After less than 0.2 mile, Lupe reached the end of the ridge.\u00a0 She could see Nemo Road down in the Boxelder Creek valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the NW end of the ridge. Nemo Road is in sight. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP now understood exactly where Lupe was.\u00a0 The forested hill she had just skirted was High Point 4700<\/span><\/strong>, summit of the big ridge she was on.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 5136<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, her peakbagging objective, was 1.5 miles due W.<\/p>\n

Since Lupe was only a little W of High Point 4700, she might just as well go back and pay it a visit before heading on.\u00a0 She only needed to gain 50 or 60 feet of elevation to reach the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop heads back to tag High Point 4700, which is up on top of the rock wall beyond her. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At High Point 4700<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the NW end of High Point 4700, a rock ledge provided views to the N.\u00a0 Pines hid the views in all other directions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
View to the N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Nemo Road again from a little higher up. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Satisfied she had seen what there was to see, Lupe headed back down to the tall pines.\u00a0 Staying close to the NW end of the ridge, she traveled SW through the sunny tall pines area.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The quickest route to Peak 5136<\/strong> from here is to go straight ahead through these tall pines. Piece of cake!<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the tall pines, Loopster came to a more densely forested steep embankment.\u00a0 Only a little snow was on the ground here, which made it slick going for SPHP.\u00a0 However, Lupe easily made it down to a saddle leading to another forested ridge ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the saddle leading to the next ridge. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once across the saddle, the climb up onto the next ridge was the steepest of the day.\u00a0 Lupe regained all of the elevation she had lost since leaving High Point 4700 and more.\u00a0 She only had to gain 200 feet, though, before the ridge leveled out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting up the next ridge after crossing the saddle. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
After gaining 200 feet of elevation, the terrain levels out. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe continued W along the ridgeline.\u00a0 The ridge narrowed, becoming rocky and rough.\u00a0 A couple of times Loop had to down climb a bit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop had to down climb a little here so she could continue W. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back along the skinny ridgeline. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 0.2 mile, Lupe came to a very minor saddle.\u00a0 Beyond this saddle, the ridge widened again and rose steadily.\u00a0\u00a0 Another 200 feet of elevation gain brought the Carolina Dog to a roomy hilltop.\u00a0 Lupe had reached High Point 4990<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 She was now only a mile E of Peak<\/span> 5136<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way up to High Point 4990<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Here we are at High Point 4990<\/span><\/strong>. Only a mile to go to Peak 5136<\/strong>!<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The last mile was easy.\u00a0 This was Lupe’s favorite part of the entire trek.\u00a0 From High Point 4990 on, the ridge was broad and reasonably level to moderately sloping the whole way.\u00a0 The American Dingo had plenty of room to run around exploring the forest.\u00a0 She had no views, but was happy roaming anyway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sniffing around on the way to High Point 5040<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From High Point 4990, the ridge went 0.5 mile NW to High Point 5040.\u00a0 Lupe discovered a snow-covered trail.\u00a0 SPHP followed it much of the way.\u00a0 High Point 5040<\/span><\/strong> proved to be a 10 foot high wall of rock.\u00a0 Kind of odd.\u00a0 Lupe hadn’t passed any similar rock formations since leaving High Point 4990.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At High Point 5040<\/span><\/strong> now! Strange how this one solitary rock wall is right at the top.<\/em> Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the final 0.5 mile from High Point 5040 to Peak 5136 the broad ridge went WSW.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed wherever she wanted to.\u00a0 SPHP stayed mostly on the trail.\u00a0 When glimpses of blue sky appeared between the trees ahead, it was clear Lupe was nearing her destination.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the summit of Peak 5136. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe arrived at the SW edge of the mountain a little SE of the summit.\u00a0 A great view of the Bogus Jim Creek valley was spread out before her.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This is the SW edge of Peak 5136<\/strong>. That’s the Bogus Jim Creek valley<\/strong> below.<\/em> Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A clearing near the W end of the mountain proved to be the true summit of Peak<\/span> 5136<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lupe had that same terrific view of the Bogus Jim Creek valley from here, but that was about it.\u00a0 Forest hid everything else.\u00a0 SPHP was disappointed that Green Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> couldn’t be seen.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the clearing at true summit of Peak 5136<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A narrow, slightly lower rocky ridge continued W.\u00a0 Lupe went partway along it.\u00a0 She found a spot where there was less snow to take a break.\u00a0 She relaxed here, devouring the entire Taste of the Wild supply SPHP had brought along.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Partway out on the narrow W ridge. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Bogus Jim Creek valley<\/strong> from the break point. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Lupe was relaxing, SPHP noticed Green Mountain actually could be seen between the trees.\u00a0 Only a little piece was visible, but that had to be it! \u00a0 The ridge looked a bit treacherous farther W, but maybe it wasn’t that bad?\u00a0 Maybe there actually was a clearer view of Green Mountain, if Loop could follow the ridge far enough?<\/p>\n

So when the American Dingo was ready to move on, the first thing she did was to explore the narrow ridge as far W as she could.\u00a0 She lost more elevation, but the ridge didn’t become impassable.\u00a0 However, no views of Green Mountain materialized until, after going perhaps another 200 feet, Lupe arrived way out at the point at the absolute end.\u00a0 Then sure enough there it was!\u00a0 Green Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Green Mountain<\/strong> (Center) from the far W end of Peak 5136<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once upon a time, Lupe had been to Green Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 That was 4 years ago now.\u00a0 The summit had been a single rock so high that she needed a boost from SPHP to get up on top.\u00a0 The day had been windy.\u00a0 Loop really hadn’t enjoyed being up there.\u00a0 However, it had been a memorable day.\u00a0 Lupe had seen a rainbow off to the N!\u00a0 In January, no less!<\/p>\n

It was fun seeing Green Mountain again from Peak 5136.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Green Mountain<\/strong> (L). The white peak in the distance is Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe sat out at the end of the point in a strong breeze.\u00a0 Sheltered by the forest on the way to Peak 5136, a gusty 20 mph N wind had barely been noticeable.\u00a0 Loop quickly tired of being exposed to its full force.\u00a0 She’d seen Green Mountain.\u00a0 Enough already!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog headed E back along the narrow ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near her break spot on the way back to the summit. Norris Peak<\/span><\/a> (4,982 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the distant ridge on the R. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back at the summit. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the summit, Lupe explored farther SE along the edge of Peak 5136.\u00a0 She came to a spot where she could see Norris Peak<\/span><\/a> (4,982 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Thrall Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,091 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and other high points she recognized far to the S & SE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bogus Jim Creek valley<\/strong> from SE of Peak 5136’s summit. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then it was time to depart.\u00a0 Lupe returned to the trail through the snowy woods.\u00a0 She went by High Points 5040 and 4990 again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Returning to High Point 5040. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the way to High Point 4990. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond High Point 4990, Lupe altered her return route.\u00a0 From the minor saddle W of the skinny ridge, she descended into a big valley to the SE.\u00a0 Near the floor of this valley she picked up a faint road, which improved as Loop gradually lost elevation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Down in the tall grass valley. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As SPHP suspected, this road eventually brought Lupe back to the first 4 way intersection she had come to early in the day.\u00a0 She had been on USFS Road No. 166.1H.<\/p>\n

Lupe headed back to the USFS gate and the G6.\u00a0 Her adventure to Peak 5136 was over.\u00a0 Peak 5136 hadn’t been a particularly long, difficult, or exciting expedition, but the American Dingo had explored new territory, and seen some places she hadn’t been to in a while.<\/p>\n

In the dead of winter, a warm day like this one was a day to cherish.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had made good use of it.\u00a0 (1:21 PM, 50\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Hey, SPHP! Remember that rainbow we saw from Green Mountain<\/strong> (Center) 4 years ago? …. Sure do, Looper! Awesome, wasn’t it?<\/em> On Peak 5136<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota, 1-27-19<\/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 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 116 – Green Mountain, Northern Rainbows & High Point 5219 (1-24-15)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0 Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY\u00a0Expeditions\u00a0Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, <\/em>Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a>, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Start – 8:41 AM, 43\u00b0F along Norris Peak Road 0.75 mile from Nemo Road So was this someone’s driveway or USFS access?\u00a0 Hard to say.\u00a0 No signs, no mailbox.\u00a0 A single set of days old tire tracks was evident on a snowy road that went up a short hillside before curving L out of sight.\u00a0 … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 246 – Peak 5136 (1-27-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19259,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[105,9,106,104,1049,304],"class_list":["post-19265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-lupe","tag-peak-5136","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_3140.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\/19265","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=19265"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19265\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28441,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19265\/revisions\/28441"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19259"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}