{"id":24699,"date":"2019-11-25T08:10:15","date_gmt":"2019-11-25T15:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=24699"},"modified":"2020-09-25T09:13:05","modified_gmt":"2020-09-25T15:13:05","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-253-poverty-gulch-castle-peak-peak-6244-11-19-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=24699","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 253 – Poverty Gulch, Castle Peak & Peak 6244 (11-19-19)"},"content":{"rendered":"

You can’t be serious!\u00a0 You’re joking, right SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

No, really Loop.\u00a0 It’ll be fine.\u00a0 You’ll see.\u00a0 You don’t object, do you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Object?\u00a0 Why should I object?\u00a0 Every Carolina Dog dreams of a chance to revel in the splendors of Poverty Gulch!\u00a0 My, you sure know how to show a Dingo a good time, don’t you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, come on!\u00a0 It’s just a name.\u00a0 Keeps the riff-raff out.<\/em><\/p>\n

With a name like that, it probably draws riff-raff like flies!\u00a0 Why on earth would we want to go to Poverty Gulch, anyway?<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s just an alternate route up to Castle Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,358 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Looper.\u00a0 Since we didn’t get there last time out, I thought we might try another approach?<\/em><\/p>\n

And Poverty Gulch was the best you could come up with?\u00a0 What’s wrong with Middle-Class Meadows or Luxury Lane?<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, there’s Brown Jug Draw, which is actually closer, but I don’t think the G6 can get back in there this time of year.<\/em><\/p>\n

Brown Jug Draw?\u00a0 That sure sounds highfalutin!\u00a0 I suppose we’re doomed then.\u00a0 At least the castle part sounds good!<\/em><\/p>\n

Upon reaching Rochford in the central Black Hills, how to get across Rapid Creek to the lower end of Poverty Gulch was itself a question.\u00a0 Lupe wound up having a chance to visit parts of the greater Rochford metropolitan area.\u00a0 The stores were closed this early in the day, but Rochford seemed to be making a good impression on the American Dingo.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Loop was a few days early for the Rochford Mall’s big Christmas Bazaar & Bake Sale.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
And hours early for Happy Hour at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maybe we should just skip Poverty Gulch, SPHP?\u00a0 We could hang out here in Rochford and wait for the saloon to open!<\/em><\/p>\n

Why, Loopster what’s this change of attitude?\u00a0 You weren’t impressed with Brown Jug Draw.\u00a0 Moonshine Gulch doesn’t sound any more highfalutin than that.<\/em><\/p>\n

It does when you put “saloon” behind it!\u00a0 Sounds downtownish, in an Old West sort of way.\u00a0 If we stay, we can check out the Rochford mall while we wait for Happy Hour.\u00a0 Ought to open pretty soon.\u00a0 No harm in looking, even if the Christmas Bazaar hasn’t started yet, is there?<\/em><\/p>\n

Disappointingly, SPHP persisted in wanting to go up Poverty Gulch.\u00a0 It turned out that Lupe could get across Rapid Creek by taking a short stretch of the Mickelson Trail.\u00a0 The Rochford trailhead was just E of town.\u00a0 (9:07 AM, 30\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Near the Rochford trailhead of the Mickelson Trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Short history of Rochford on display at the trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Mickelson Trail bridge over Rapid Creek is just beyond the gate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Mickelson Trail went past a number of private homes and cabins.\u00a0 After 0.25 mile or so following Rapid Creek upstream, Lupe came to a frozen pond.\u00a0 The ravine coming down out of the hills next to it had to be Poverty Gulch!<\/p>\n

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By the pond near the start of fabled Poverty Gulch! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An old cabin sat up on a little rise at the mouth of Poverty Gulch.\u00a0 A small, snowy side road passed just below it heading up the valley.\u00a0 The topo map showed a trail going up Poverty Gulch, but there weren’t any signs for it, or fences around the old cabin.\u00a0 Hmm.\u00a0 Who knew?\u00a0 Maybe not completely kosher, but Lupe left the Mickelson Trail trotting past the old cabin and up the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"
In the lower reaches of Poverty Gulch<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Poverty Gulch wasn’t wide or particularly deep.\u00a0 A tiny stream could be heard gurgling away next to the road, which soon narrowed to no more than an ATV trail.\u00a0 A power line went up the valley, but there was no sign that anyone had come this way since at least the last snow.<\/p>\n

A good foot of snow, crunchy hard from days of thawing and freezing, was on the road.\u00a0 Lupe could usually stand on it, but the snow didn’t hold SPHP’s weight.\u00a0 Although the trail was never steep, the all-uphill post-holing trudge was wearying and slow.\u00a0 The Moonshine Gulch Saloon was sounding better with every step.<\/p>\n

For what seemed like a long way, but probably wasn’t much more than 0.5 mile, there were no tracks in the snow other than occasional animal tracks.\u00a0 Eventually, Lupe came to a more open spot where the trail widened out.\u00a0 This was the dead end of USFS Road No. 238.1B.\u00a0 Some vehicle with big knobby tires had come this far from the S.\u00a0 The tires had compressed the snow, but so much so that it had become ice.<\/p>\n

Didn’t really help speed things up much.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Continuing up Poverty Gulch<\/strong> shortly after the ATV-sized trail widened to a road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Farther up, looking N back down Poverty Gulch<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The snowy scenery was pretty, the solitude unbroken.\u00a0 After deepening to 1.5 feet, the snow pack began to diminish.\u00a0 As Poverty Gulch gradually broadened out, the road gained elevation at a relaxed pace.\u00a0 The broken trunks of Ponderosa pines killed years ago by pine bark beetles dotted surrounding hills only moderately higher than the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The valley widens out. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On and on it went, the road winding its way S.\u00a0 Lupe came to no more cabins.\u00a0 The power line must have ended or veered off somewhere along the way.\u00a0 At one point Lupe and SPHP sat on a log together, taking a 10 minute breather.\u00a0 A gorgeous day for a workout in the hills!<\/p>\n

\"\"
Like genuine poverty, Poverty Gulch<\/strong> went on and on! Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Couldn’t be much farther!\u00a0 At last it was clear that the road was about to reach the top of a rise.\u00a0 When Lupe got there, sure enough, she had been here before.\u00a0 SPHP recognized the sign.\u00a0 Loop had reached USFS Road No. 238 (Divide Road)<\/em>.\u00a0 Her long trek up Poverty Gulch was over!<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the junction with USFS Road No. 238 (Divide Road). No. 238.1B, which goes most of the way down Poverty Gulch, is on the R. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Castle Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,358 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was still 0.75 mile S of this junction.\u00a0 Lupe took No. 238 heading SW.\u00a0 The road quickly curved W, where a tree-broken view of Castle Peak was on offer from a hillside S of the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Castle Peak<\/strong> (Center) from just S of USFS Road No. 238. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Returning to the road, it curved NW and started going downhill.\u00a0 A side road, USFS Road No. 238.1A, soon appeared on the L (SW).\u00a0 This was the same road Lupe had taken twice before when she’d gone to Castle Peak.\u00a0 It would get her nearly all the way to the summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the start of USFS Road No. 238.1A.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taking No. 238.1A, Lupe soon went past No. 238.1E on the R (W), which looked like it would curve down into Brown Jug Draw.\u00a0 Ignoring it, she stuck with No. 238.1A.\u00a0 Another snowy trek, steeper toward the end than anything back in Poverty Gulch, finally brought the American Dingo to the top of Castle Peak.<\/p>\n

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Just below the summit where USFS Road No. 238.1A ended. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Castle Peak used to be the site of an old fire lookout tower, long gone years ago.\u00a0 Now the summit is an open area rimmed by pines.\u00a0 The views are disappearing as the trees keep growing.\u00a0 Lupe couldn’t see Peak<\/span> 6216<\/span><\/a><\/strong> a mile to the E, which she had visited 10 days ago, but there were still some views in other directions.<\/p>\n

Time for a break!\u00a0 After taking a look at both Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,801 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the most prominent mountains to the N, Lupe and SPHP sat down on a snow-free patch of ground.\u00a0 The best views from the summit of Castle Peak were on display off to the S.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Castle Peak summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Looking NNE. Custer Peak<\/strong> (L) is visible in the distance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,801 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) still has an active fire lookout tower. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center).\u00a0 Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) and Sylvan Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) both on the horizon. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The big ridges on the horizon are part of the Limestone Plateau and some of the highest ground in South Dakota!<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had some Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 Since she’d been eating snow, she wasn’t interested in water.\u00a0 SPHP munched an apple.\u00a0 A light S breeze blew.\u00a0 The late November sun was bright, but felt feeble.\u00a0 Not cold out, but not all that warm either.\u00a0 Comfortably cool.<\/p>\n

More than 4 years gone by since the last time the Carolina Dog had been here, nearly 7 since her first time on Castle Peak.\u00a0 Hard to believe.\u00a0 The thought was faintly disturbing.<\/p>\n

So, we just going to sit here all day, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nah!\u00a0 Beautiful spot, though, isn’t it Looper?\u00a0 If you’re ready, we can go check out the views to the W.<\/em><\/p>\n

From the top of Castle Peak, pines hide the views to the W.\u00a0 However, past experience had shown that a few small rock formations several hundred feet SW of the summit provide great views in that direction.\u00a0 Miles of the E edge of the limestone plateau country can be seen, including South Castle Rock<\/a> (6,840 ft.<\/span><\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>, Castle Rock<\/a><\/span> (6,783 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Nipple Butte<\/span><\/a> (6,800 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Flag Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,937 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Peak<\/span> 6962<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, and White Tail Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,962 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

When Loopster got there, the bright white snow enhanced the already terrific panorama, making the hills seem higher and more splendid.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The big snowy field is Reynold’s Prairie<\/strong>. Beyond it, Castle Rock<\/strong> & South Castle Rock<\/strong> are part of the same ridge straight up from Lupe’s head. Nipple Butte<\/strong> is straight up from her rump. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Along the horizon: South Castle Rock<\/strong> & Castle Rock<\/strong> (L), Nipple Butte<\/strong> (L of Lupe’s ears), Flag Mountain<\/strong> (R of Lupe’s ears), and part of Peak 6962<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Oh, this is fabulous, isn’t it? Classic Black Hills!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The view of White Tail Peak was of particular interest.\u00a0 Between here and White Tail Peak was a smaller mountain, Peak<\/span> 6244<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog might be going there next, so SPHP wanted to get a look at it and the surrounding territory.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Flag Mountain<\/strong> (L by the stump), Peak 6962<\/strong> (L of Lupe’s head), and White Tail Peak<\/strong> (R). Peak 6244<\/strong> is the small hill on the R. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak 6244 didn’t look like much, just a small forested hill slightly over 1.5 miles away.\u00a0 It took SPHP several minutes of studying the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and comparing it to the terrain to pick Peak 6244 out for certain from similar hills nearby.<\/p>\n

\"\"
White Tail Peak<\/strong> is the distant high ridge on the L. Peak 6244<\/strong> is the much closer and smaller hill also on the L. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
White Tail Peak<\/strong> (Center) and Peak 6244<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I don’t know, Loop.\u00a0 Might not see much of anything except trees from over there.\u00a0 Want to do it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, there’s more?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes.\u00a0 I was thinking we could visit that little mountain, Peak 6244.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure!\u00a0 Why not?\u00a0 We’ve been on Castle Peak an hour already.\u00a0 I wouldn’t mind doing some more exploring.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, one reason not to is that there isn’t any road that I know of most of the way.\u00a0 Between the snow and the deadfall we’d likely encounter, getting there might prove a lot tougher than it looks.<\/em><\/p>\n

So do you want to, or not, SPHP?\u00a0 We’d better get going, if you do.\u00a0 The sun is already sinking!<\/em><\/p>\n

Eh, the Carolina Dog had a point.\u00a0 Better quit dithering and get with it!<\/p>\n

Loop and SPHP returned briefly to the summit of Castle Peak before heading back down USFS Road No. 238.1A.<\/p>\n

\"\"
On the way back to the summit of Castle Peak. Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is visible in the gap between trees on the L. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the summit of Castle Peak<\/strong> prior to departing for Peak 6244.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going down was definitely easier than going up.\u00a0 Didn’t take long to get back past the turn for USFS Road No. 238.1E.\u00a0 Shortly before reaching Divide Road again, Lupe came to the top of a small rise.\u00a0 Time to leave the road!\u00a0 To the W, dead trees stood spaced out on a gentle slope thickly covered with young pines.<\/p>\n

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On USFS Road No. 238.1A after leaving Castle Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe left No. 238.1A here, crossing the slope seen behind her. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The idea was to travel almost due W through the forest staying as much as possible up on the high ground of a hilly, poorly defined ridge.\u00a0 By staying toward the S, Lupe ought to be able to avoid the deepest snow.\u00a0 Like most of the Black Hills these days, though, the forest looked heavily damaged by a pine bark beetle infestation.\u00a0 The going might get really tough, if the Carolina Dog came to a lot of deadfall.<\/p>\n

Things started off pretty well.\u00a0 Right away, Lupe found an animal trail going W through the young pines.\u00a0 Beyond them she wound up on the N side of a small hill, but the snow wasn’t that deep.\u00a0 She did come to some deadfall timber, but not enough to be much more than a nuisance.<\/p>\n

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A look back at Castle Peak<\/strong> from the young pines. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Exploring the hilly ridge. Not much snow where the sun could get at it. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All seemed well when Loop reached the broad flat top of an expected hill.\u00a0 No snow or deadfall here.\u00a0 The only problem was telling exactly which way to go as the ground sloped down to the W.\u00a0 The forest was featureless, and the tree-broken views of surrounding hills all looked about the same.<\/p>\n

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In the open forest on the broad, flat top of a 6,100 foot hill. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well W of the hill, Lupe came to a faint, unmarked road.<\/p>\n

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On the faint road. Which way? This road wasn’t shown on the map. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ignoring the road, Lupe crossed it and went over a small rise.\u00a0 On the other side, the terrain resumed a steady descent.\u00a0 Several big rocks were here, the only ones she’d seen since leaving USFS Road No. 238.1A.<\/p>\n

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On the big rocks. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak 6244 was only 1.33 miles due W of where Lupe had left No. 238.1A.\u00a0 The American Dingo must have traveled most of that distance by now.\u00a0 Ahead was a valley, and beyond it were higher hills.\u00a0 Very difficult to tell with all these trees, but it looked like maybe there was higher ground connected to those hills off to the SW.\u00a0 Had Lupe wandered too far N?<\/p>\n

Seemed like that might be the case.\u00a0 From the big rocks, a snowy clearing to the S could be seen down in another part of the same valley Lupe was coming to.\u00a0 She headed down to it.\u00a0 On the way, she came to another road that went by the clearing.\u00a0 Nearby was a junction with what must have been the lower end of the faint road Lupe had just crossed.\u00a0 A marker said the faint one had been USFS Road No. 238.1C.<\/p>\n

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By the road next to the snowy clearing. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe needed to get up on the ridge beyond (SW) the clearing.\u00a0 Following the road S up to the ridgeline seemed like a reasonable course of action.\u00a0 Probably was, but SPHP became anxious to turn W again, and had Lupe leave the road before getting all the way to the top.<\/p>\n

The snow quickly deepened on the upper N side of the ridge.\u00a0 Loop came to another area thick with young pines.\u00a0 No animal trails here!\u00a0 Instead, deadfall timber was everywhere.\u00a0 The trek became a terrible struggle trying to force a way through the young pines, deep snow, and unending tangle of deadfall.<\/p>\n

Progress virtually ground to a halt.\u00a0 In deep snow, stuck down among the little pines, Lupe valiantly leapt over or snuck under hundreds of dead trees.\u00a0 Exhausting!\u00a0 The sun was sinking.\u00a0 This was taking forever!\u00a0 At last, Lupe made it over to the SW side of the ridge where there was less snow and deadfall timber.\u00a0 What had to be Peak 6244 was now in sight.<\/p>\n

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Peak 6244<\/strong> ahead! Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The easiest way to get there appeared to be to head NW to a subpeak NE of Peak 6244.\u00a0 The ridge Lupe was on led to minor dip at the base of the subpeak.\u00a0 Beyond the dip, she came to yet another unmarked road.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the road didn’t go up the mountain.\u00a0 After crossing it, the Carolina Dog continued NW up the slope leading to the subpeak.\u00a0 At first, this was easy terrain.\u00a0 No snow, little deadfall.<\/p>\n

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Starting up the slope leading to the subpeak. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The situation soon deteriorated.\u00a0 Loop didn’t have to go all the way to the top of the subpeak, but all the territory between it and Peak 6244 was another region of young pines, snow, and a tangled mess of deadfall.\u00a0 Trying to turn toward Peak 6244 before reaching the saddle leading to it from the subpeak proved futile.<\/p>\n

Up at the saddle, things were somewhat better.\u00a0 Not much snow.\u00a0 Still plenty of deadfall, but most of it was neatly arranged perpendicular to the route Lupe had to take.\u00a0 She still had to go over it all, then climb Peak 6244’s snowy NE slope, but the top of the mountain wasn’t much higher than where Lupe was now.\u00a0 Shouldn’t take too long.<\/p>\n

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Up on the saddle. Still lots of deadfall to cross, but this wasn’t too bad. Peak 6244<\/strong> dead ahead! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On the snowy NE slope, approaching the summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Approaching from the NE, Peak 6244 seemed to be coming to a pointy top.\u00a0 Rocks were up there!\u00a0 Maybe Lupe actually would have some views from the summit?\u00a0 That would be really nice after all this effort!<\/p>\n

The summit region was surprisingly roomy.\u00a0 Ground covered with pine needles connected two slightly higher rocky areas, one to the E and the other to the W.\u00a0 The true summit was a big rock at the NE end.\u00a0 Looper went first to some other rocks almost as high that offered a nice view to the S.\u00a0 Not bad at all!<\/p>\n

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Reynolds Prairie<\/strong> from Peak 6244. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rock at the true summit provided a view of less interesting territory off to the NE, plus a tree-broken glimpse of Castle Peak.<\/p>\n

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At the true summit of Peak 6244<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Castle Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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True summit of Peak 6244<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rocky area to the W was worth exploring, too.\u00a0 Lupe went there next, stopping briefly for another look at Reynolds Prairie on the way.<\/p>\n

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That nice view toward Reynolds Prairie<\/strong> (R) again. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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On the rocks at Peak 6244’s W edge<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Flag Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,937 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). The ridge beyond Lupe is Peak<\/span> 6962<\/span><\/a><\/strong>. Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe’s journey to Peak 6244 had been a success!\u00a0 Really shouldn’t stay, though.\u00a0 The day was almost shot, the sun a mere glow in clouds near the horizon.\u00a0 Getting stuck out here in the dark surrounded by snow and deadfall would not be good!\u00a0 Yet the Carolina Dog did stay for a little while, hanging out by the W rocks.<\/p>\n

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Along the W edge. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More Taste of the Wild disappeared.\u00a0 SPHP’s last apple vanished.\u00a0 Such a nice spot!\u00a0 Peak 6244 was way better than anticipated after that first look at it from Castle Peak.<\/p>\n

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Peak 6244’s summit region. The true summit is hidden by trees just L of Center. Photo looks E from the W rocks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

25 minutes flew by.\u00a0 Alright.\u00a0 Better get going.\u00a0 Lupe leapt up on the W rocks one more time.<\/p>\n

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Final moments on Peak 6244<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She then started down the mountain heading S along the W edge.\u00a0 Oh, there was that view of Reynolds Prairie again!\u00a0 Worth pausing for.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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South Castle Rock<\/strong> & Castle Rock<\/strong> (L), Nipple Butte<\/strong> (Center), and Flag Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Enough already.\u00a0 Time to skedaddle.<\/p>\n

Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Heading S, Lupe quickly circled WNW as soon as the terrain permitted.\u00a0 Going back E the way she had come up was out of the question.\u00a0 Way too late for a return to Poverty Gulch.\u00a0 Had to get to a road before it got pitch dark!\u00a0 Finding a quick route to S Rochford Road less than 0.5 mile W of Peak 6244 was the only hope.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Starting down from the W rocks. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turned out it was easy.\u00a0 The W slopes of Peak 6244 weren’t that difficult.\u00a0 Not much snow or deadfall.\u00a0 Loopster lost elevation rapidly.\u00a0 Before long she reached another USFS Road by a tree marked “BT” in purple paint, whatever that meant.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the purple BT tree and yet another unmarked USFS road. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe followed the road N.\u00a0 SPHP hoped it would lead to S Rochford Road.\u00a0 Nope.\u00a0 Instead the road wound along the W slopes of Peak 6244, neither gaining nor losing elevation.\u00a0 Fortunately, S Rochford Road soon appeared off to the L (NW) down a fairly steep slope.<\/p>\n

Easily manageable!\u00a0 5 minutes and Lupe was standing in a snowy field next to S Rochford Road.\u00a0 A rosy glow to the SW!\u00a0 Sunset, such as it was.\u00a0 The glow strengthened momentarily, then faded even faster.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Down by S Rochford Road (No. 306). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sky was clearing.\u00a0 Stars appeared.\u00a0 The temperature plunged.\u00a0 Quiet, dark.\u00a0 Maybe 3 miles back to Rochford?\u00a0 Not any more than that.\u00a0 Long stretches of the road were icy and slick.\u00a0 Where it wasn’t smooth, the ice crunched loudly underpaw.<\/p>\n

Lights were on at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon!\u00a0 Through the window, the joint looked packed.\u00a0 Good for the saloon, but too bad for Lupe.\u00a0 If it hadn’t been so busy, maybe she really could have snuck in?\u00a0 At least, SPHP would have let her try.<\/p>\n

Oh, well.\u00a0 Only a little farther to the G6.\u00a0 (6:09 PM, 32\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 253, 11-19-19<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 142 – Castle Peak (10-17-15)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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

You can’t be serious!\u00a0 You’re joking, right SPHP? No, really Loop.\u00a0 It’ll be fine.\u00a0 You’ll see.\u00a0 You don’t object, do you? Object?\u00a0 Why should I object?\u00a0 Every Carolina Dog dreams of a chance to revel in the splendors of Poverty Gulch!\u00a0 My, you sure know how to show a Dingo a good time, don’t you? … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 253 – Poverty Gulch, Castle Peak & Peak 6244 (11-19-19)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24664,"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":[105,699,106,386,104,1193,1191,1192,304],"class_list":["post-24699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills","tag-carolina-dog","tag-castle-peak","tag-lupe","tag-peak-6244","tag-poverty-gulch","tag-rochford","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/IMG_6083-scaled.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\/24699","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=24699"}],"version-history":[{"count":38,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24699\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28449,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24699\/revisions\/28449"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}