{"id":23505,"date":"2019-07-26T08:10:08","date_gmt":"2019-07-26T14:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=23505"},"modified":"2021-05-24T09:57:35","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T15:57:35","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-249-centennial-trail-no-89-big-pine-to-iron-creek-horse-camp-4-20-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=23505","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 249 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Big Pine to Iron Creek Horse Camp (4-20-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start – 7:47 AM, 61\u00b0F, Big Pine trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89 near Horsethief Lake, Hwy 244<\/em><\/p>\n

Hard to believe more than 4 months had already flown by since Lupe had last been on Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!\u00a0 Even harder to believe that the last time she’d done this particular section of it was more than 7 years ago.\u00a0 Lupe hadn’t even been 15 months old back on Expedition No. 10.\u00a0 Not likely she remembered any of it now.\u00a0 Going from the Big Pine trailhead to the Iron Creek Horse Camp was going to seem like a whole brand new experience.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Today we’ll be heading S from Big Pine through the Black Elk Wilderness to the Iron Creek Horse Camp. Almost 9 miles one way!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In any event, Loopster was all fired up!\u00a0 As soon as SPHP was ready, she crossed Hwy 244 and hit the trail.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 wound WSW through typical pine forest.\u00a0 Most of the time Lupe was gaining elevation gradually.\u00a0 She passed by some rock formations fairly early on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rock formations not far from the Big Pine trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 0.75 mile, Lupe came to a junction with Willow Creek Rushmore Trail No. 5.\u00a0 A map of the local trail system was here, plus a registration station for the Black Elk Wilderness<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 SPHP registered for Lupe, and she continued on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction with Trail No. 5. Centennial Trail No. 89 continues on past the map.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Map at the junction with Trail No. 5.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leaving the junction, Centennial Trail No. 89 climbed steadily.\u00a0 0.25 mile brought Lupe to a sign at the edge of the Black Elk Wilderness.\u00a0 Beyond this sign, the trail made a couple of switchbacks up to a minor pass.\u00a0 On both sides of a wide path, the forest was tightly packed with dog hair pines, so SPHP brilliantly named this pass Dog Hair Pass.<\/p>\n

Dog Hair Pass was the first significant high point of the day.\u00a0 Lupe had gained 261 feet of elevation since leaving the Big Pine trailhead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the start of the Black Elk Wilderness<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Here we are at Dog Hair Pass<\/strong>!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From Dog Hair Pass, Centennial Trail No. 89 gradually descended S into a remote valley.\u00a0 Dead trees had fallen across the trail in some places.\u00a0 At one point, a tiny stream trickled right on the trail.\u00a0 Lupe began getting glimpses of big rock formations, especially toward the E.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog eventually came to a larger stream.\u00a0 This was Pine Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Some deadfall here due to an old pine bark beetle infestation, but it’s not too bad.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A tiny stream is flowing right over this stretch of trail.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lots of big rock formations around, but most are fairly well hidden by the forest.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This must be Pine Creek<\/strong>!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pine Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing Pine Creek, Centennial Trail No. 89 followed the stream E.\u00a0 Lupe saw more rock formations.\u00a0 She crossed a little tributary stream.\u00a0 The trail then curved N.\u00a0 A wall of rock appeared on the other side of Pine Creek shortly before Lupe came to a larger tributary.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A rock formation with a hollow spot underneath.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crossing a small tributary of Pine Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This wall of rock appeared shortly before Loop reached a larger tributary.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This larger tributary was as far downstream as Centennial Trail No. 89 was going to follow Pine Creek, and the first significant low point.\u00a0 Lupe had lost nearly 240 feet of elevation since leaving Dog Hair Pass.\u00a0 Her net elevation gain to this point was only about 21 feet.\u00a0 As the crow flies, she hadn’t actually gotten very far from the trailhead yet, either, less than a mile, due to the circuitous route the trail had taken.<\/p>\n

Lupe crossed the larger tributary of Pine Creek.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 started climbing again following the tributary upstream.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the first significant low point in the Pine Creek valley. Centennial Trail No. 89 follows this tributary upstream from here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Staying N of the creek, the trail climbed E at a fairly good clip for a little way.\u00a0 The creek then turned S, and Centennial Trail No. 89 did, too.\u00a0 The valley leveled out for 0.25 mile or more.\u00a0 Lupe crossed the tributary of Pine Creek twice along in here.\u00a0 After the second crossing, the trail immediately left the stream behind and climbed E up a long slope to the next minor pass.<\/p>\n

This second pass was also a significant high point along the trail, and was also heavily forested with a bunch of dog hair pines.\u00a0 However, SPHP didn’t think naming every pass Dog Hair Pass No. 1, No. 2, etc. was such a good idea.\u00a0 Quite cleverly, with hardly any mental effort at all, SPHP came up with Short Pine Pass as a suitable designation.\u00a0 No doubt Lupe was impressed, but she didn’t actually say so.<\/p>\n

Lupe had gained 280 feet of elevation on the way from the low point at Pine Creek up to Short Pine Pass, bringing her net elevation gain to 301 feet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the first of two crossings of the tributary after leaving Pine Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back after leaving the tributary behind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Short Pine Pass<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From Short Pine Pass, Centennial Trail No. 89 wound down into a ravine where the tops of trees killed by pine bark beetles had been snapped off in high winds.\u00a0 This did open up the views a bit.\u00a0 Lupe could see larger rock formations off to the SE now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bigger rock formations SE of Short Pines Pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Dingo was coming to an area she had been to many times before, a short section of Centennial Trail No. 89 that is shared with Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction with Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Turn L at this junction with Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 to stay on Centennial Trail No. 89.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14, Lupe turned L (NE).\u00a0 Two minutes on the shared trail brought her to where the trails divided again.\u00a0 To the L, Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 went straight to Horsethief Lake and Hwy 244, a major shortcut back to the Big Pine trailhead.<\/p>\n

Going to Horsethief Lake would have completed a nice loop, but that wasn’t the plan.\u00a0 Loopster went R, sticking with Centennial Trail No. 89.\u00a0 Almost immediately after making the turn, she came to a small stream.\u00a0 This little stream was the 2nd significant low point.\u00a0 Lupe was about 190 feet lower here than at Short Pines Pass, reducing her net elevation gain to 111 feet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the next trail junction, only a couple of minutes from the first one. Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 goes off to the L. Centennial Trail No. 89 bends around to the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Go around this bend to the R to stick with Centennial Trail No. 89!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Centennial Trail No. 89 crosses this tiny creek right after leaving Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail now began climbing steadily again.\u00a0 Not too long after crossing the tiny creek, Lupe passed by a very tall granite spire.\u00a0 Beyond the spire, the trail led SE up a long valley.\u00a0 Near the upper end, Lupe came to a few mild switchbacks before reaching a 3rd significant high point.\u00a0 Since the trees were bigger here, but not enormous, SPHP designated this spot Medium Pines Pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the tall granite spire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Welcome to Medium Pines Pass<\/strong>, at 5,500 feet the highest point on Centennial Trail No. 89 between Big Pine and the Iron Creek Horse Camp!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Medium Pines Pass is the highest point along Centennial Trail No. 89 between Big Pine and the Iron Creek Horse Camp.\u00a0 Lupe was now at 5,500 feet, a gain of 310 feet from the little creek near the last junction with Horsethief Lake Tail No. 14, and 421 feet higher than the Big Pine trailhead where she’d started out.<\/p>\n

Beyond Medium Pines Pass, the trail continued SE on a steady descent into the next valley.\u00a0 Large rock formations capped hills to the E.\u00a0 Lupe came to a big granite boulder right next to the trail.\u00a0 She got up onto it for a better look.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
SE of Medium Pines Pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the granite boulder.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Granite formations capping hills E of the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Past the boulder, a long set of stairs wound deeper into the valley.\u00a0 Below the stairs, the trail continued lower, but not as steeply.\u00a0 Looper came to another tiny stream, which she promptly plopped herself into to cool off.\u00a0 After crossing this stream, the trail followed it lower for a while before unexpectedly curving away to the W, climbing perhaps 150 feet to yet another pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rock formations visible E of the trail before it curved away to Deadfall Pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Deadfall Pass was the 4th high point Lupe had come to, but didn’t seem as significant as the others.\u00a0 The trail was soon descending again, but at an easy pace interspersed with flat stretches.\u00a0 Lupe had been going SW on the way over Deadfall Pass, but beyond it the trail gradually curved around to the SE again while winding along forested slopes.\u00a0 More tiny streams appeared, so small they were almost certainly seasonal.<\/p>\n

Eventually the trail turned NE, and dropped down to a larger stream, which was often heard, but seldom seen.\u00a0 Impressive granite formations were in this area, especially to the N.\u00a0 Lupe came to a small pond.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing Deadfall Pass<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another tiny stream. The trail crossed several along in here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A nice flat section.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the little pond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This pond might be seasonal, but seemed deep enough to be around most of the time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A short distance past the pond, the trail bent around to the S.\u00a0 It wasn’t much farther to another intersection.\u00a0 A sign indicated Lupe had reached a spur trail leading to Mount Rushmore.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The trail on the L is a spur coming in from Mount Rushmore. Lupe kept going straight on the R past the mossy log.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ignoring the spur to Mount Rushmore, Lupe kept heading S.\u00a0 She was still going down the same valley Centennial Trail No. 89 had been in for a while now.\u00a0 The stream in this valley had grown in size, but was still small enough to easily step or leap over as the trail crossed it twice.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the stream S of the spur to Mount Rushmore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second crossing came just before Lupe reached a confluence with another even bigger creek.\u00a0 Since this confluence wasn’t too far off the trail, Lupe went over to have a look at it.\u00a0 She was now at 4,860 feet, the lowest point she would come to today, having lost 640 feet since leaving Medium Pines Pass.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had made it to Grizzly Bear Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the confluence of the stream Lupe had been following with Grizzly Bear Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Returning to Centennial Trail No. 89, Lupe continued S.\u00a0 100 feet brought her to a ford.\u00a0 This ford was no more than a couple of feet deep, but far too wide to leap over.\u00a0 Not anxious to get wet feet, SPHP looked for a drier way across.\u00a0 A few boulders 40 feet upstream did the trick.<\/p>\n

More than 4 hours had shot by since Lupe left the Big Pine trailhead.\u00a0 Grizzly Bear Creek was a beautiful spot to take a little break.\u00a0 Once over the stream, Lupe and SPHP relaxed for a bit on a big rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Grizzly Bear Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Don’t want to get your paws wet crossing Grizzly Bear Creek<\/strong>? Cross it here! This is a nice rock to rest on, too, once you’re over.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rest break next to Grizzly Bear Creek was pleasant, but couldn’t be allowed to drag on too long.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was soon on her way S again.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 climbed gradually at first, but before long Grizzly Bear Creek veered off to the W.\u00a0 Lupe found herself going up a side canyon on one of the most aggressive climbs of the day.<\/p>\n

By the time Lupe reached Rushmore Pass, she was 320 feet higher than the low point she had just left at Grizzly Bear Creek.\u00a0 Up at the pass, the trail briefly curved E and entered a 40 foot wide clearing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The clearing at Rushmore Pass<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not much could be seen from the clearing, but a hill NE of it provided a view.\u00a0 Temporarily leaving the trail, Lupe scrambled up to some rocks from which Mount Rushmore<\/span><\/a> (5,725 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Rushmore<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Only Washington and Lincoln are visible from this angle. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From Rushmore Pass, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued S, once again steadily losing elevation.\u00a0 After a while, Loopster came to a big granite formation on the L (E) partly surrounded by a swamp.\u00a0 SPHP had little recollection of what Lupe had seen so far today from back when she had been here 7 years ago, but this rock did seem vaguely familiar.\u00a0 The area seemed more overgrown than what SPHP recalled, but was probably the same spot.<\/p>\n

This rock deserved a name!\u00a0 How about Forgotten Rock?\u00a0 Sounded better than Dimly Remembered Rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Forgotten Rock<\/strong>! Don’t worry, there isn’t going to be a test. You can forget it, too!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail went on and on.\u00a0 From Forgotten Rock, Lupe followed a small stream uphill, crossing the stream twice before it disappeared.\u00a0 A spindly forest grew at another minor pass where there was a small sunny spot.\u00a0 SPHP dubbed this one Nowhere Pass.\u00a0 Nowhere Pass turned out to be hardly a pass at all.\u00a0 A little farther on, Lupe reached South Deadfall Pass, which was slightly higher.<\/p>\n

Another descent, but a minor one.\u00a0 The trail curved to the R and crossed “Muck Creek”.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 climbed again.\u00a0 At last Lupe came to a place she had been to less than 2.5 years ago, an intersection with Centennial Bypass Trail No. 89B.\u00a0 Lupe had accidentally come this way from Iron Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,446 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> on Expedition No. 184<\/span><\/a><\/strong> while looking for Peak<\/span> 5688<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nowhere Pass<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
South Deadfall Pass<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ever feel like you’ve been in a rut?<\/em> Lupe S of South Deadfall Pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Here we are at lovely “Muck Creek”<\/strong>!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Oh, I remember this spot! SPHP missed a turn and I wound up here on Expedition No. 184. Not going this way today!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bypassing Centennial Bypass Trail No. 89B, a short trek brought Loop to yet another pass.\u00a0 Bypass Pass seemed like a silly, but appropriate name.\u00a0 How many of these goofy passes were there going to be anyway?\u00a0 Even SPHP was starting to lose track of them all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A splendid fungus on a dead tree.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bypass Pass<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Centennial Trail No. 89 continued S from Bypass Pass on a long gentle decline.\u00a0 Having been here so recently, SPHP knew exactly where Lupe was going to come out – Confusion Point!<\/p>\n

Confusion Point was another trail intersection, but an unmarked one.\u00a0 Way back on Expedition No. 10, SPHP hadn’t known which way to go.\u00a0 Now it was understood that Confusion Point was one end of another short section of shared trail, this time with Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.\u00a0 When Lupe got to Confusion Point, SPHP had her turn L (E) toward a huge granite spire.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop at Confusion Point<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The shared section of trail began heading E toward the spire.\u00a0 It quickly curved SE revealing a wide passage between massive walls of granite.\u00a0 Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 went through that passage, but Centennial Trail No. 89 split off to the R, resuming its course S.\u00a0 A sign was present, but not terribly conspicuous.\u00a0 It would have been easy to miss this turn, if Lupe hadn’t been here before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 goes straight on through the wide passage ahead. Centennial Trail No. 89 splits off to the R just beyond Lupe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Centennial Trail No. 89 right after it leaves Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The not so conspicuous sign.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had made tremendous progress!\u00a0 Only 1.25 miles left to the Iron Creek Horse Camp!<\/p>\n

Leaving Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 behind, Lupe climbed 50 or 60 feet in a fairly short distance.\u00a0 At the high point, newly nicknamed Confusion Pass, there was a rock formation immediately to the R of Centennial Trail No. 89.\u00a0 Loop got up onto it.\u00a0 She had a good view of some of the big granite formations she had just gone by, and could see Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the highest mountain in South Dakota, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rock formations in the Confusion Pass<\/strong> region.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
There’s Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center)!<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another descent began from Confusion Pass.\u00a0 Lupe came to a low area where a stream wound through a grassy field.\u00a0 Out in the middle sat a big rock formation.\u00a0 This was it!\u00a0 This was the rock formation that SPHP had been thinking of earlier at Forgotten Rock.\u00a0 No wonder Forgotten Rock hadn’t looked quite the same!\u00a0 It wasn’t.<\/p>\n

Forgotten Rock could keep its name.\u00a0 SPHP truly hadn’t remembered it at all.\u00a0 The rock Lupe was at now could be Memory Rock, since there had at least been some recollection of it.\u00a0 Yeah, that made sense!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
There’s Memory Rock<\/strong>! Guess a few brain cells are still functioning.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At Memory Rock<\/strong> less than a mile from the Iron Creek Horse Camp. Forgotten Rock is considerably farther N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Centennial Trail No. 89 climbed again.\u00a0 Off to the NW were glimpses of higher mountains, but no clear views.\u00a0 Making short forays off-trail, Lupe had better luck seeing some lesser, but still interesting formations much closer by.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rugged territory by Black Hills standards to the NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Closer pinnacles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Same view with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail dropped again, but Lupe didn’t have an awful lot farther to go.\u00a0 She came to another good-sized stream.\u00a0 Iron Creek!\u00a0 Possible to rock hop it today, but just barely.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
We’ve finally made it to Iron Creek<\/strong>!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back after crossing Iron Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail made one more 75 foot climb before descending to a road.\u00a0 Lupe had made it all the way through the Black Elk Wilderness!\u00a0 She passed a brand new Black Elk Wilderness sign on the way down.\u00a0 More maps were posted at the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Good job! We’ve made it all the way through the Black Elk Wilderness! Spiffy new sign, aye?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Map display by the side of the road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Wilderness map.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a quick look at the maps, Lupe and SPHP followed the road down to a bridge over Iron Creek.\u00a0 On the other side of the bridge, Lupe came to the Iron Creek Horse Camp.\u00a0 This early in the season, the horse camp was closed.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP took a stroll around the loop anyway.\u00a0 No people, and sadly for Lupe, no horses.<\/p>\n

At the far end of the loop, Lupe passed the start of Norbeck Trail No. 3, most of which goes through the SW part of the Black Elk Wilderness.\u00a0 The highlight of the whole horse camp tour was a bright orange bird which flitted by, came to rest in a tree for 20 seconds, then flitted away.\u00a0 SPHP had never seen a bird like it before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Success! Lupe reaches the Iron Creek Horse Camp<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Iron Creek Horse Camp<\/strong> would be even better with horses!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This bright orange bird was striking, but Lupe would have been more impressed with a bright orange squirrel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And that was it.\u00a0 8 hours after leaving the Big Pine trailhead, Lupe set out from Iron Creek Horse Camp, this time heading N on Centennial Trail No. 89.\u00a0 Already 4:00 PM!\u00a0 SPHP was certain the American Dingo wouldn’t get back until well after dark.<\/p>\n

However, Lupe had an option.\u00a0 Instead of repeating the entire trudge over all those countless passes on Centennial Trail No. 89, at Confusion Point she could take Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 instead.\u00a0 This maneuver worked out perfectly!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog saw territory she had never seen before.\u00a0 Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 was easy, too!\u00a0 Much straighter, with far less up and down than Centennial Trail No. 89.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The first of many tiny cattail ponds along Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Evening draws nigh.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe made rapid progress.\u00a0 When she reached the S end of Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14, she took it all the way to Horsethief Lake.\u00a0 Arriving at the lake before dark, a short stroll through the campground to Hwy 244 was all that remained to return to the Big Pine trailhead.\u00a0 (7:28 PM, 59\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

Even though Lupe had climbed to 5,660 feet on Horsethief Trail No. 14, she’d made it all the way back to Big Pine in only 3.5 hours!\u00a0 No stars, no moon, no long march in the dark.<\/p>\n

That was OK!\u00a0 Lupe had explored all of Centennial Trail No. 89 between Big Pine and the Iron Mountain Horse Camp.\u00a0 In 11.5 hours, she’d made a big figure 8 through the heart of the Black Elk Wilderness.\u00a0 It had all been fun!\u00a0 What sounded like fun now, though, was a ride home to her Alpo and a long snooze.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Evening at Horsethief Lake<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-20-18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Notes:<\/strong>\u00a0 Big Pine trailhead and the Iron Creek Horse Camp are at roughly the same elevation.\u00a0 Estimated total elevation gain (and loss) going from Big Pine to Iron Creek Horse Camp on Centennial Trail No. 89 is 1,781 feet.\u00a0 Elevation gain (and loss) via Lupe’s return route on the Grizzly Creek and Horsethief Lake trails was only 964 feet.\u00a0 Total gain (loss) of 2,745 feet round trip.<\/em><\/p>\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 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 130 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Samelius to Big Pine & Horsethief Lake (5-23-15)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 272 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Iron Creek Horse Camp to Badger Hole (4-1-21)<\/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>, <\/em>Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/a>, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Start – 7:47 AM, 61\u00b0F, Big Pine trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89 near Horsethief Lake, Hwy 244 Hard to believe more than 4 months had already flown by since Lupe had last been on Centennial Trail No. 89!\u00a0 Even harder to believe that the last time she’d done this particular section of it was … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 249 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Big Pine to Iron Creek Horse Camp (4-20-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23547,"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":[105,1116,814,9,106,527,1171,104,304],"class_list":["post-23505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-big-pine","tag-black-elk-wilderness","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-centennial-trail-no-89","tag-iron-creek","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_3343.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\/23505","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=23505"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34174,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23505\/revisions\/34174"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}