{"id":23676,"date":"2019-07-30T08:10:33","date_gmt":"2019-07-30T14:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=23676"},"modified":"2021-04-04T10:09:54","modified_gmt":"2021-04-04T16:09:54","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-250-peak-5647-peak-5743-peak-5880-5-4-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=23676","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 250 – Peak 5647, Peak 5733 & Peak 5880 (5-4-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Start – 8:39 AM, 50\u00b0F, Needles Hwy No. 87 in Custer State Park a little N of Little Squaw Creek<\/em><\/p>\n

The NE end of Peak<\/span> 5733<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was already in view as Lupe started out on a dirt side road off Needles Hwy No. 87 heading W up the Little Squaw Creek valley.\u00a0 The morning was cool, calm, and comfortable with mostly blue skies.\u00a0 Looked the Carolina Dog had like a great day for peakbagging a few seldom climbed peaks in Custer State Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5733<\/strong> (Center) from the Little Squaw Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop would be getting to Peak 5733 soon enough.\u00a0 However, she stayed on the dirt road only a short distance before abandoning it to turn NW up a side valley.\u00a0 The lower end of this valley was forested and shady.\u00a0 Lupe was delighted to find some melting snow.\u00a0 Not much, but enough to cool off on, or get a mouthful of to wet her tongue now and then.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A little snow is always a good thing!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going NW up the valley, Lupe climbed steadily.\u00a0 She quickly reached a minor ridge where a young forest was full of slash.\u00a0 The slash was left over from efforts to thin the trees, but what a mess!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the first little ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Kind of a mess, isn’t it?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Slow going for sure!\u00a0 Gradually picking a way through the slash, Lupe and SPHP finally got above it.\u00a0 The slope steepened, but this was still a lot easier than dealing with all the slash.\u00a0 Lupe kept going and eventually came to a top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Thick forest and steeper terrain, but this is easier than all that slash!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loopster had made it up to Peak 5647’s summit ridge.\u00a0 The topo map<\/span><\/strong><\/a> showed two summits on Peak<\/span> 5647<\/span><\/a><\/strong> within 5640 foot contours.\u00a0 The true summit was presumably the 5,647 foot elevation point marked at the S end of the S contour.\u00a0 However, visual confirmation wasn’t going to be possible due to all the trees.<\/p>\n

Before heading S to look for the true summit, Lupe explored N along the ridge.\u00a0 She quickly came to a high point, although it wasn’t initially clear if this was Peak 5647’s N summit or not.\u00a0 Continuing N another 70 feet, Lupe found a small opening with a view of Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and the Cathedral Spires<\/span><\/a> (6,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Do dead logs count as summits? This one’s higher than any of the ground around here.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Oh, probably not. I’d better stand on this highest rock, too.<\/em> Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cathedral Spires<\/strong> (L) and Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a short break at the viewpoint, Lupe started back S along the main ridge.\u00a0 The whole thing was so densely forested that she didn’t come to any other decent views.\u00a0 As it turned out, the first high point she’d been to was not the N summit.\u00a0 Farther S, Loop came to another clearly higher spot that was probably it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Peak 5647’s N summit<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even the S summit, presumably the true summit of Peak<\/span> 5647<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, lacked views.\u00a0 Tree-broken glimpses of Peak<\/span> 5733<\/span><\/a><\/strong> and Peak<\/span> 5880<\/span><\/a><\/strong> were about it.\u00a0 A pink plastic ribbon was tied around a tree close to the highest rocks, but Lupe was far more interested in something hiding beneath a log down the slope to the E.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This seems to be the true summit of Peak 5647<\/strong>! Several other rocks around here are about this high, too.<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A pink ribbon. Now there’s excitement for you!<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Summit, schmummit! All the action is down here!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once the American Dingo had exhausted the entertainment value of whatever had been hiding beneath the fallen log, it was time to press on to Peak 5733.\u00a0 To get there, Lupe had to drop nearly 600 feet back down to the Little Squaw Creek valley.\u00a0 Taking a direct route down Peak 5647’s S slope, she came to a rock outcropping with a decent view to the SE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Best view from anywhere near the S end of Peak 5647!<\/em> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All the rest of the way down, Lupe roamed a steep forest.\u00a0 However, the bottom of the Little Squaw Creek valley was mostly meadow.\u00a0 Loopster hadn’t actually seen Little Squaw Creek earlier, but she now had to cross it.\u00a0 No problem at all, thanks to the “Little” part of Little Squaw Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Down in the Little Squaw Creek valley again, but 0.33 mile upstream of where we left the dirt road early on.<\/em> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Little Squaw Creek<\/strong>. One little leap is all it takes!<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing Little Squaw Creek, Lupe started up Peak 5733’s N slope between a short N ridge and a longer NE one.\u00a0 Big patches of snow were still melting away on densely forested ground that started off steep, and got steeper.\u00a0 Lupe climbed SW or WSW.\u00a0 The terrain became very steep as she drew near rock outcroppings up on the N ridge.\u00a0 Fortunately, by this time Loop was above the slippery snow, otherwise SPHP never would have made it.<\/p>\n

Once up on the N ridge, Lupe still faced a good climb heading S up to Peak 5733’s summit ridge.\u00a0 Not quite so steep, no snow, and the forest was more open, though, so this was easier than what she had just done.\u00a0 The last part was an easy scramble up a boulder field.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the boulder field leading to the N end of Peak 5733’s summit ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the top of the boulder field, the Carolina Dog had a good view of Peak<\/span> 5647<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, where she’d just come from.\u00a0 Farther away, Mount Rushmore<\/span><\/a> (5,725 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Little Devil’s Tower<\/span><\/a> (6,960 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Cathedral Spires<\/span><\/a> (6,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Peak<\/span> 6735<\/span><\/a><\/strong> were all in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5647<\/strong> where we’ve just been is on the R. The big knob of rock way out beyond my head is Mount Rushmore<\/strong>!<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Rushmore<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Little Devil’s Tower<\/strong> (far L), Cathedral Spires<\/strong> (L), Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center), and Peak 6735<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe followed the main ridge SW looking for the summit of Peak<\/span> 5733<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 The ridgeline was fairly rough.\u00a0 The American Dingo came to several rocky high points before finally reaching a clearly higher region.\u00a0 The true summit proved to be a tall, curved rock.\u00a0 Rock outcroppings nearly as high were 50 feet away both to the NE and SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring Peak 5733’s fairly rough summit ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At one of the false summits Lupe came to. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5733 summit<\/strong>. Sort of an unusually shaped rock! Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This is it! Top of the mountain!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Those rocks on the L are the SW high point.<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Here’s a glimpse of Little Devil’s Tower<\/strong> and the Cathedral Spires<\/strong>.<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Traveling along the ridgeline, Lupe had caught glimpses of Legion Lake, but the lake couldn’t be seen from here.\u00a0 Trees blocked the views in most directions, but by moving around the summit area a bit, Looper did see Mount Coolidge<\/span><\/a> (6,023 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and N<\/span>ortheast Cicero Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,240 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>off to the SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Coolidge<\/strong> (L) and Northeast Cicero Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Here’s a little better look at Mount Coolidge<\/strong> (L) from the SW high point.<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Northeast Cicero Peak<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having already completed 2 of her 3 peakbagging objectives for the day, Lupe was ready to take a break.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog curled up on SPHP’s lap, facing into a 10-15 mph NW breeze.\u00a0 The best views from Peak 5733 were in this direction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After a rest, we’ll be climbing Peak<\/span> 5880<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (L) next! Sylvan Hill<\/span><\/a> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is on the R.<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Little Devil’s Tower<\/strong> (far L), Cathedral Spires<\/strong> (L), and Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R) from close to Peak 5733’s summit. Photo looks NNW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The day was clouding up.\u00a0 Perhaps a bit of weather was going to come out of the NW?\u00a0 Didn’t seem threatening, though.\u00a0 Lupe was content.\u00a0 She stayed on SPHP’s lap, watching and waiting.<\/p>\n

45 minutes near Peak 5733’s summit was enough.\u00a0 The American Dingo was ready to move on!\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 5880<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, the final hill on today’s agenda was in view more than a mile off to the WNW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5880<\/strong>, Lupe’s next objective. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak 5733’s W slope was thickly covered with slash.\u00a0 Instead of heading directly down into such misery, Lupe followed the main ridge farther SW.\u00a0 Easier to move around up here, but the situation to the W wasn’t improving.\u00a0 Looper did lose at least some elevation before the slash had to be taken on.\u00a0 The W slope wasn’t steep, but SPHP was very slow at picking a way through all the debris.<\/p>\n

SPHP finally made it down to where the amount of slash present was greatly diminished.\u00a0 Lupe heard a squirrel and dashed off at top speed, thrilled to be able to run again!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Racing down the slope! Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing a gently sloping region, Loopster came to a line of scenic granite formations.\u00a0 She followed them a little way before heading W down into a shallow valley.\u00a0 This valley was part of the Little Squaw Creek drainage, but no surface water was present here.\u00a0 However, going NW the valley soon widened out, and Loop did come to some marshy ground.\u00a0 This marshy area was both the source of Little Squaw Creek, and the low point of Lupe’s trek to Peak 5880.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting closer! There’s Peak 5880<\/strong>!<\/em> Loop on one of the granite formations. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the marsh, a rutty dirt road went W.\u00a0 Lupe followed it.\u00a0 A sign said she was on Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!\u00a0 Only a couple of weeks ago, Lupe had been exploring the Centennial Trail on Expedition No. 249, but a few miles farther N in the Black Elk Wilderness<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The rutty road led up out of the Little Squaw Creek drainage.\u00a0 Lupe came to an intersection with a better dirt road.\u00a0 Another sign for Centennial Trail No. 89 was SW along this better road toward Peak 5880.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the Centennial Trail No. 89 sign on the better dirt road. Peak 5880<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following the good road SW, Lupe gradually gained elevation.\u00a0 Near Peak 5880, the road leveled out and curved W.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog left the road here, going first SW through a meadow, then S up a forested slope.\u00a0 After gaining nearly 300 feet of elevation, Loop reached a saddle on Peak 5880’s SE ridge.<\/p>\n

The summit was still 0.25 mile away.\u00a0 Lupe turned NW climbing along the ridge.\u00a0 In some areas, quite a bit of slash was present, but the worst of it could usually be avoided.\u00a0 After gaining another 140 feet, the ridge leveled out.\u00a0 Lupe came to the W end of a rock ledge.\u00a0 The pointy summit of Peak 5880 was in sight beyond a slash-filled minor saddle.\u00a0 Loopster was almost there!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Pointy summit of Peak 5880<\/strong> dead ahead!<\/em> Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Not even to the top yet, but this is kind of a scenic spot.<\/em> Peak 5880<\/strong> (L). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
There’s Little Devil’s Tower<\/strong> and the Cathedral Spires<\/strong> (Center) again!<\/em> Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the slash in the saddle, and a steep little climb, Lupe was soon at the top of Peak<\/span> 5880<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 A U-shaped ring of boulders surrounded a small patch of pine needle-covered ground.\u00a0 The American Dingo got up on several of the boulders.\u00a0 The highest one was a bit of a precarious perch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the mostly rocky top of Peak 5880<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Quite a lofty perch, but too many trees to see much from up here!<\/em> Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
How does this look? This is a slightly higher rock.<\/em> Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster clinging to the very highest rock on Peak 5880<\/strong> for you peakbagging purists out there! Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the little sheltered spot nearly surrounded by boulders. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With 3 out of 3 peakbagging objectives successfully completed, it was time for another break.\u00a0 SPHP sat on a narrow ledge overlooking a nearly vertical drop.\u00a0 Lupe once again curled up on SPHP’s lap.\u00a0 Despite the airy setting, there were too many trees to see much. The only clear views were off to the E.\u00a0 Both Peak<\/span> 5647<\/span><\/a><\/strong> and Peak<\/span> 5733<\/span><\/a><\/strong> were in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5647<\/strong> (L) and Peak 5733<\/strong> (R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop rested calmly.\u00a0 SPHP ate an apple.\u00a0 4:00 PM, plenty of time to get back before dark.\u00a0 20 minutes of the same view was plenty, though.\u00a0 Nice, but not that dramatic.\u00a0 Lupe was ready to go down Peak 5880’s S ridge a little way to see if anything interesting was over there.\u00a0 Yes!\u00a0 Quite a nice view of Custer Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,089 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Stockade Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Custer Mountain<\/strong> (L) beyond Stockade Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That was about all, though.\u00a0 Before leaving Peak 5880, Lupe returned briefly to the summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On top of Peak 5880<\/strong> for the final time. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the return to Needles Hwy No. 87, Lupe retraced her route only as far as the marshy area down in the Little Squaw Creek valley.\u00a0 She did not climb Peak 5733 or Peak 5647 again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A glimpse of Mount Coolidge<\/strong> on the way down Peak 5880’s SE ridge. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog displayed great energy, running and sniffing her way down the Little Squaw Creek valley.\u00a0 Deer fleeing SPHP’s approach got her all excited!\u00a0 Most of the time Lupe stuck to dirt roads, but not always.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the beginnings of Little Squaw Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Between Peak 5647 and Peak 5733, Lupe came to a small pond.\u00a0 A couple of ducks flew off, unhappy about having company.\u00a0 From here, it was a pleasant road hike all the rest of the way back to the G6.\u00a0 (5:56 PM, 57\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the duck pond N of Peak 5733. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had enjoyed a successful day of peakbagging in Custer State Park.\u00a0 She now had another reason to celebrate!\u00a0 Yesterday evening, Lupe’s Grandma had given SPHP some leftover roast beef.<\/p>\n

That’s right!\u00a0 As soon as Lupe got home, roast beef was on the menu again!\u00a0 And did a thoughtful, famished American Dingo that had spent a whole day climbing mountains share any roast beef with SPHP?<\/p>\n

She did not!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, come on now!\u00a0 That’s just silly!\u00a0 I would have shared if I’d gotten full!<\/em><\/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 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<\/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 – 8:39 AM, 50\u00b0F, Needles Hwy No. 87 in Custer State Park a little N of Little Squaw Creek The NE end of Peak 5733 was already in view as Lupe started out on a dirt side road off Needles Hwy No. 87 heading W up the Little Squaw Creek valley.\u00a0 The morning was … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 250 – Peak 5647, Peak 5733 & Peak 5880 (5-4-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23652,"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":[105,9,106,1172,104,1173,1174,788,304],"class_list":["post-23676","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-custer-state-park","tag-lupe","tag-peak-5647","tag-peak-5743","tag-peak-5880","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/IMG_3427.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\/23676","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=23676"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33464,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23676\/revisions\/33464"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}