{"id":29424,"date":"2020-11-20T08:10:38","date_gmt":"2020-11-20T15:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=29424"},"modified":"2020-12-05T11:24:29","modified_gmt":"2020-12-05T18:24:29","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-256-deerfield-trail-no-40-daugherty-trailhead-to-signal-knob-deerfield-lake-10-30-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=29424","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 256 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Daugherty Trailhead to Signal Knob & Deerfield Lake (10-30-20)"},"content":{"rendered":"

8:36 AM, 26\u00baF, Mystic Road, Daugherty trailhead, Deerfield Trail No. 40<\/em> –<\/p>\n

After that big storm last week, I never dreamed there would be so little snow up here, Loopster!\u00a0 We could have gone up to the high country, if I’d realized it was going to be practically snow-free.<\/em><\/p>\n

Still can if you want to, SPHP, but this is fine with me.<\/em><\/p>\n

Eh, I didn’t plan anything out for up there thinking the G6 wouldn’t even be able to get close.\u00a0 Maybe we should just go with the flow?\u00a0 You can knock out a section of the Deerfield trail today.\u00a0 We might even have time for a side excursion to Signal Knob<\/span><\/a> (6,200 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> for some peakbagging fun!<\/em><\/p>\n

You know I’m not picky, SPHP.\u00a0 Happy just to be here!\u00a0 If you are, too, let’s go!\u00a0 Don’t want to keep the early squirrels waiting!<\/em><\/p>\n

Somehow I doubt an American Dingo is what the squirrels are hoping for, but onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe was on it, anxious to make tracks and get in some long overdue sniffing action.\u00a0 Sprinting ahead, she left the Daugherty trailhead of Deerfield Trail No. 40 following USFS Road No. 182 W up Whitetail Gulch.\u00a0 Daugherty Gulch was 0.75 mile S of here, and why this wasn’t called the Whitetail trailhead instead of Daugherty had always been a mystery to SPHP.<\/p>\n

However, it was more of a curiosity than a real mystery.\u00a0 Whatever the answer was, it made no difference at all to Lupe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Waiting impatiently at the Daugherty trailhead<\/strong> for the photo to get snapped so the day’s adventures can begin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Starting up Whitetail Gulch<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not a cloud in the sky!\u00a0 Tiny sunlight diamonds sparkled on thin layers of frost and snow.\u00a0 The air was crisp and clean, summer’s smoky skies at long last a thing of the past.\u00a0 Deerfield Trail No. 40<\/strong><\/span><\/a> wound gradually up Whitetail Gulch past ponderosa pine covered slopes and naked aspens.\u00a0 A tiny creek trickled in the ditch next to the roadbed.\u00a0 The road crossed it 10 minutes from the trailhead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On USFS Road No. 182, which doubles as Deerfield Trail No. 40 in Whitetail Gulch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loop returning from one of her romps ahead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the tiny stream crossing 10 minutes from the trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A long straight stretch bordered by white-barked aspens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All of the terrain Deerfield Trail No. 40 would take Lupe through today was pretty easy stuff.\u00a0 Some variation, of course, but mostly a series of long gentle inclines and descents.\u00a0 A good 0.5+ mile from the trailhead, Whitetail Gulch curved S.\u00a0 The trail, however, continued W a little way before making a short steeper jog up to the N.\u00a0 Turning W again, the road leveled out, reaching a high point shortly after passing No. 182.1D, a side road on the R (N).<\/p>\n

Just beyond this high point, the Deerfield Trail curved SSW as it began a gradual descent.\u00a0 Some open ground provided Lupe with her first views of nearby hills.\u00a0 Nothing too spectacular, but pleasant enough.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the curve beyond the junction with USFS Road No. 182.1D. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was soon past the open grassy region.\u00a0 The trail now dipped more steeply down into a shady canyon, entering a different drainage.\u00a0 At the bottom, the road crossed Crooked Creek, which was considerably larger than the tiny creek in Whitetail Gulch, but still a small stream.\u00a0 Paving blocks in Crooked Creek made for a trivial stream crossing.<\/p>\n

Immediately beyond Crooked Creek, the road forked.\u00a0 A brown Deerfield Trail fiberglass wand was in sight ahead along the L branch.\u00a0 Going that way, Loop quickly came to a second Crooked Creek crossing, also blessed with paving stones.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the first Crooked Creek<\/strong> crossing. Stay L at the road fork ahead!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The second Crooked Creek<\/strong> crossing was only a few hundred feet farther.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Crooked Creek was a major low point.\u00a0 From here, Deerfield Trail No. 40 climbed steadily following the creek valley higher.\u00a0 Within 10 minutes, Lupe arrived at another place where the road forked.\u00a0 She stayed to the R entering a shaded, narrower portion of the valley.\u00a0 A snowy trek on a straight stretch led to a curve to the L where the road crossed Crooked Creek yet again, which this time flowed beneath it in a culvert.<\/p>\n

Immediately beyond the culvert crossing, the road curved sharply R (NW), starting up a hill at a steeper pace.\u00a0 However, Deerfield Trail No. 40 parted from the road at this curve.\u00a0 SPHP nearly missed the trail as it headed off to the L.\u00a0 The only sign was 25 feet from the road where a big ponderosa pine had a metal “40” diamond nailed to its trunk, and a pink ribbon could be seen behind it flapping in the breeze.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading W up the S side of the Crooked Creek valley<\/strong> after the 2nd stream crossing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looper at the fork 10 minutes W of the 2nd Crooked Creek crossing. Stay to the R here!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the big ponderosa pine with the 40 diamond and pink ribbon. The trail has just left the road 25 feet back and is now a single track. Don’t miss this turn! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Deerfield Trail No. 40 now continued SW up Crooked Creek as a single track.\u00a0 At first, the single track looked a little like an abandoned ATV trail, but soon lost that characteristic as it promptly entered a narrow, V-shaped valley.\u00a0 The shady forest seemed dank and dark, but the trail was easy to follow.<\/p>\n

Before long, Lupe came to another creek crossing.\u00a0 This one was a bit of a mess.\u00a0 A mostly frozen-over pool of water was surrounded by deadfall and tree trunks that had been cut to clear the trail, but which were still crowding the crossing.\u00a0 The ice wasn’t thick enough to be trusted, and getting past this little spot was more trouble than it ought to have been.\u00a0 On the far side, SPHP had to crawl under a downed spruce, but the Carolina Dog enjoyed plenty of clearance.<\/p>\n

As it turned out, Loopster came to 3 of these stream crossings in quick succession.\u00a0 None were significant obstacles, but they did slow SPHP down, which admittedly doesn’t take much.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
First of the 3 Crooked Creek<\/strong> crossings that came in rapid succession.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Second crossing. The log next to Lupe would have made this one a cinch, if it hadn’t been icy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shortly after Lupe passed the third stream crossing, the valley turned S and began to open up.\u00a0 The single track reached an old forest service road again, which continued up the valley at an easy pace, crossing Crooked Creek one last time at a point where the stream was a simple rock hop, almost a step-across.<\/p>\n

The old road eventually began curving R (W), and soon arrived at a 3-way junction at a sunny clearing.\u00a0 Another 3-way junction was just 150 feet away up a hill to the S.\u00a0 A check of SPHP’s maps showed that all Lupe had to do was continue straight W on a road clearly marked as USFS Road No. 443.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The valley opens up after the 3 rapid succession stream crossings. Loop is approaching a final easy Crooked Creek ford just ahead. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Still following Crooked Creek higher, but we won’t have to cross it again!<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
2 different 3-way junctions in this area. Stay straight W on No. 443!<\/em> Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 443 headed W from the junction, then gradually curved NW.\u00a0 What was left of Crooked Creek was still on the L (S) side of the road, but was now largely reduced to a strip of mucky terrain with only a little free flowing water among tufted grasses.\u00a0 A little after No. 443 turned NW, Lupe reached an unmarked fork.<\/p>\n

Directly ahead, a grassy slope lay between the two choices, either a road to the R (N) which went uphill into an area where several trees had pink plastic ribbons tied around them, or a road to the L (W).<\/p>\n

The road to the L looked more heavily trafficked, as though it might be a continuation of No. 443.\u00a0 After some debate, Lupe went that way.\u00a0 She soon came to a place where the hillside N of the road had been carved away by a bulldozer.\u00a0 In fact, the guilty bulldozer was still rusting away up in the scar.\u00a0 Orange signs in the trees nearby said this was an “active” mine site, but it sure didn’t look like it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Part of the carved up hillside N of the trail. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking ahead. No. 443, if that’s what it still was, continues W. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing W past the inactive active mine site, the road soon curved NW again, leaving the last remaining trickle of Crooked Creek behind for good.\u00a0 Lupe came to a 3-way junction in a large clearing.\u00a0 A tree on the E side of this junction had a 40 diamond nailed to it.\u00a0 The positioning made it look like this meant the road heading NE up a little hill was actually the Deerfield Trail, not the way Loop had just come.<\/p>\n

Wondering if the road from the NE was a continuation of the branch to the R that Loopster had not taken at the last fork before the mine, SPHP led her up to the top of the little hill.\u00a0 Off to the L (N) was a somewhat higher ridge that looked like it might provide some distant views.\u00a0 The road kept going NE, instead of bending around to the R (S) like it should have if it was going to head back to that last fork.<\/p>\n

Inconclusive.\u00a0 Didn’t really matter.\u00a0 SPHP was certain Lupe needed to go back down and take the road going SW.\u00a0 She sure didn’t need to be going NE.\u00a0 Might as well forget this for now.\u00a0 Maybe the Carolina Dog had taken a little shortcut by going past the mine, and maybe she hadn’t, but it was true that she hadn’t seen any 40’s along the road that went by the mine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reached this junction from the R (SE). However, the 40 diamond on the pine at R seemed to indicate that this road to the NE (Center) had been the correct route. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On a brief foray to the NE to see if this was the route Lupe should have been on. Result: inconclusive. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe turned around, went back down the little hill, and continued SW past the 3-way junction.\u00a0 The road climbed gradually for a while, then leveled out.\u00a0 Was this the place?\u00a0 Nothing stood out, but then again, that was to be expected.\u00a0 There wouldn’t be anything to make it stand out.\u00a0 A brown fiberglass “40” wand confirmed Loopster was definitely on the Deerfield Trail again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the flat high ground. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A long time ago, the Carolina Dog had been this way.\u00a0 In fact, back in the early days of her Black Hills expeditions she had traveled both the entire Deerfield and Centennial trails, among the longest in the Black Hills.\u00a0 That was years before she had her very own adventure Dingo blog.\u00a0 In the last few years, Loop had revisited some sections of both trails, which was more or less what this expedition was all about, too.<\/p>\n

Today’s re-exploration had all seemed like a completely new voyage of discovery.\u00a0 Nothing had triggered memories of having been here before until now.\u00a0 Yet a growing eerie feeling of long lost familiarity still wasn’t conclusive.<\/p>\n

Keep an eye out, Loop.\u00a0 I think somewhere up here the trail veers off to the R, going downhill as a single track again.\u00a0 If I remember right, the turn is marked, but still easy to miss.<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ll try, SPHP, but I’m sort of busy watching for squirrels and deer, too.\u00a0 Are we close to the turn you’re expecting, now?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not sure.\u00a0 Suddenly feel like I’m in an ancient dream walking in a real, but long forgotten land.\u00a0 All I really remember is being up on a stretch of flat high country like this that didn’t offer any views, and subsequently missing the turn.\u00a0 That scarred hill and rusting bulldozer we passed now seem vaguely familiar, too, but I could be confusing all this with some other completely different place.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, that’s really helpful, SPHP!\u00a0 Let me know if your dream walk is due to turn into a nightmare somewhere up here.\u00a0 Think I’ll stick to the squirrels and deer in the meantime.<\/em><\/p>\n

The march SW went on and on, just like SPHP “remembered” it would, but Lupe still didn’t come to anything definitely recognizable, and no single track trail appeared veering off to the R.\u00a0 Instead, Loop eventually came to a 3-way junction SPHP had no recollection of at all with USFS Road No. 429, which was marked with a brown wand and continued SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
So here we are up in dreamland! Flat high ground, pine trees, no views, but an easy trek.<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
So far, so good, but still no single track off to the R (NW)!<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Junction with USFS Road No. 429. (Near HP6006<\/span><\/strong> on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.) Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 429 soon started dropping.\u00a0 Slowly at first, but Looper hadn’t gone far before she was losing elevation at a good clip.\u00a0 She came to a place where the road curved R (N) into a valley.\u00a0 SPHP called a brief halt to check maps, and take a little break.\u00a0 A building was off to the SW on a partially open hillside of mixed grasslands and pines.<\/p>\n

Well, we’ve done it again, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Done what, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Missed the turn onto the single track.\u00a0 No harm done, though.\u00a0 I suspect we’ll find it right around this bend.\u00a0 That grassy hillside with the building makes me think we’re getting close to Slate Prairie.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Off the official Deerfield Trail a bit, but getting close to Slate Prairie. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop wasn’t hungry, but SPHP ate an apple.\u00a0 Once it was gone, onward!<\/em><\/p>\n

Apparently, the few brain cells that hadn’t suffered a memory dump were right.\u00a0 Continuing around the curve down into the valley to the NNW, Deerfield Trail No. 40 crossed the road only a few minutes from the rest spot.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the section of single track trail Lupe’d missed. It provides a little shortcut compared to following USFS Road No. 429 around a bend to the S. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
From USFS Road No. 429 (which Lupe is standing on), Deerfield Trail No. 40 continues as a single track up the ravine seen beyond her. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leaving No. 429, Lupe turned WSW following a single track up a ravine.\u00a0 This ravine was the upper end of the Bittersweet Creek drainage, a very small stream at this point.\u00a0 The creek was a mucky mess where the trail first met it.\u00a0 Loop avoided crossing it, staying along the S bank for a little way, waiting until SPHP found an easy spot to leap over.<\/p>\n

A use path on the N bank led up to a boulder where it merged with the official Deerfield Trail.\u00a0 The use path contained a hazard the official trail did not.\u00a0 Several strands of rusty barbed wire from a downed fence were hidden in the grass just before the boulder.\u00a0 Fortunately, Lupe did not get tangled in it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
An American Dingo forges ahead after successfully avoiding a barbed wire trap only a few feet from this rock. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following the official trail up the ravine, Loop came to a flat region on the edge of Slate Prairie.\u00a0 Signal Knob<\/span><\/a> (6,200 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> could now be seen 0.6 mile to the SSE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up the ravine. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Slate Prairie<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Signal Knob<\/strong> from Deerfield Trail No. 40. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Signal Knob wasn’t impressive, merely a small pine-forested hill isolated out in the Slate Prairie grasslands.\u00a0 Lupe had been there before, more than 5.5 years ago.\u00a0 SPHP remembered a deadfall timber laden summit due to a severe pine bark beetle infestation.<\/p>\n

Noon already, but Looper had been making fairly decent time.\u00a0 She was only a little over a mile from the Kinney Canyon trailhead, her minimum goal along the Deerfield Trail today.\u00a0 No more significant peaks were close to this section of the trail, so SPHP figured the Carolina Dog might as well pay Signal Knob another visit.\u00a0 The side trip would cost her an hour or so, but no more than that.<\/p>\n

Leaving Deerfield Trail No. 40, Loopster struck out heading S across the rolling grasslands of Slate Prairie.\u00a0 After crossing a ravine containing what remained of tiny Bittersweet Creek, she passed through a big field leading to County Road No. 307.\u00a0 Ducking under a fence to cross the road, she was soon approaching Signal Knob from the NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Signal Knob<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The N end of Signal Knob was private property, but the S half was USFS land.\u00a0 Lupe circled S partway along the W slope before turning toward the summit.\u00a0 The entire W slope was a mess of deadfall and stickers, making what should have been a trivial romp higher a slow process.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Signal Knob<\/strong> is sort of a mess, but we knew that!<\/em> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As expected, Signal Knob’s flat summit was still littered with deadfall, but patches of open ground existed, too.\u00a0 Despite the pine bark beetles’ work, enough trees were still standing to interfere with the views.\u00a0 The only really clear view was a nice one of Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> far to the SE.\u00a0 The last time Lupe had been here, it had still been Harney Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) from Signal Knob<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12:29 PM, 55\u00baF, Signal Knob<\/em> – A 10-15 mph breeze blew out of the W, but it was still nice up here for almost the end of October.\u00a0 SPHP was glad Lupe had returned to Signal Knob.\u00a0 However, if she was going to get as far along Deerfield Trail No. 40 as SPHP hoped, Loop couldn’t stay long.<\/p>\n

Time enough for a relaxing light lunch, and that was about it.\u00a0 Taste of the Wild for Lupe, who was somewhat hungry now.\u00a0 Another apple for SPHP.\u00a0 A small chocolate coconut bar served as desert.\u00a0 Naturally, it got shared with the insistent sweet tooth Dingo.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back on Signal Knob<\/strong> for the first time in more than 5.5 years. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing a bit before pressing on. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A pleasant 20 minutes, and it was time to go.\u00a0 At least the Carolina Dog had one minor peakbagging success to show for the day!\u00a0 Bidding Signal Knob farewell, Lupe started down the W slope again.\u00a0 The lower part wasn’t forested, and actually provided quite nice views of the E edge of the limestone plateau region off to the W.<\/p>\n

A number of peaks Loopster had been to before were in sight, including South Castle Rock<\/span><\/a> (6,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Castle Rock<\/span><\/a> (6,783 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Nipple Butte<\/span><\/a> (6,800 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
South Castle Rock<\/strong> (Center) and Castle Rock<\/strong> (R of Center), both part of the same ridge. Nipple Butte<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NW over Slate Prairie<\/strong> and more distant Reynolds Prairie<\/strong> with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the SW from the lower W slope of Signal Knob<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once down off Signal Knob, Lupe went NW intent upon getting back to Deerfield Trail No. 40 again.\u00a0 She didn’t return to it at the exact same spot she’d left it, but picked the trail up somewhat farther W where it crossed USFS Road No. 187.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In Slate Prairie<\/strong>, almost back to Deerfield Trail No. 40. Flag Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,937 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (far L), Peak<\/span> 6962<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (L), and White Tail Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,962 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) in the distance. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back at the Deerfield Trail where it crosses USFS Road No. 187. South Castle Rock<\/strong> (straight up from wand). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From USFS Road No. 187, the trail left Slate Prairie heading W into the trees.\u00a0 Lupe soon came to a metal gate.\u00a0 At roughly 6,220 feet elevation, this gate was the highest point along the entire Deerfield Trail.\u00a0 From here the trail continued WNW on a long gradual descent.\u00a0 At the bottom, Lupe popped out onto County Road No. 307 again, the same road she’d crossed near Signal Knob.<\/p>\n

On the other side of No. 307 was a big grassy clearing, site of the Kinney Canyon trailhead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the metal gate W of USFS Road No. 187. This is the high point of the entire Deerfield Trail. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Losing elevation after passing the gate. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back from County Road No. 307. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the Kinney Canyon trailhead<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not yet 2:00 PM, but close to it.\u00a0 Looper had met her minimum goals for this Black Hills expedition.\u00a0 Sure would be nice to continue far enough to link up with the Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L, though.\u00a0 Another mile would almost do it.\u00a0 SPHP actually hoped the American Dingo could get even farther than that.<\/p>\n

Wha’dya think, Loop?\u00a0 How are you feeling?<\/em><\/p>\n

Great!\u00a0 What’s up?<\/em><\/p>\n

We can turn around here and call it a day, but want to keep going?\u00a0 Be kind of fun to go all the way to the Deerfield Reservoir dam and see the lake.\u00a0 On the other paw, the sun goes down mighty early these days.\u00a0 We won’t get back to the G6 until well after dark, if we do all that.<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m having a blast!\u00a0 Let’s keep going!\u00a0 You brought the flashlight?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 Extra batteries, too, if we need ’em.<\/em><\/p>\n

So onward it was!\u00a0 From Kinney Canyon, the Deerfield Trail continued SW up a little valley, now as a road again.\u00a0 Shortly after the trailhead was out of sight, however, the trail veered off to the R as a single track.\u00a0 A steady climb eventually leveled out in a young pine forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
SW of the Kinney Canyon trailhead, the Deerfield Trail again becomes a single track as it splits off here from a short stretch of road it had been following. “40” trail wand beyond Lupe. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the young forest at the top of the next rise. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A long descent was about to begin.\u00a0 Beyond the young pines, Lupe went through a second metal gate.\u00a0 Past the gate, she came to a big field.\u00a0 On the far side was a road.\u00a0 The last of the single track trail led over to it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Last of the single track trail. The road leading to the junction with trail No. 40L is just ahead. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the road, Lupe followed it R.\u00a0 It immediately entered the shade of a forested valley.\u00a0 The snowy road lost elevation more quickly than the single track had, but wasn’t steep.\u00a0 Winding W down this valley, Loopster came to a sign for the Deerfield Recreation Area.\u00a0 The junction with Lake Loop Trail No. 40L couldn’t be much farther.<\/p>\n

A few more bends in the road, and there was the intersection at a small sunny clearing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the snowy road. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Entering the Deerfield Recreation Area. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
We’re getting close to the junction with Lake Loop Trail No. 40L now!<\/em> Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This is it! W end of the official Deerfield Trail No. 40. Of course, it links up with No. 40L here, which goes clear around Deerfield Lake.<\/em> Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A couple of signs were at the junction of No. 40 & No. 40L.\u00a0 One said Loop was now 7 miles from the Mystic Road trailhead, which is just another name for the Daugherty trailhead.\u00a0 The other sign said the Custer Trails trailhead, accessible from No. 40L, was 2 miles away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
W end of Deerfield Trail No. 40. The E end links up with Centennial Trail No. 89.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Still at the junction, but on Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L now. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The second sign.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Only one more objective left!\u00a0 Lupe headed NW on Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L.\u00a0 Castle Creek wasn’t as far as SPHP remembered, only 0.33 mile.\u00a0 Another 0.33 mile past Castle Creek, and the Carolina Dog reached the top of the Deerfield Reservoir dam near its NW end.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Castle Creek below the Deerfield Reservoir dam. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Deerfield Reservoir<\/strong> from the NW end of the dam. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A cool W breeze swept across the lake.\u00a0 Trotting along the length of the dam, Lupe headed for a grassy region at its opposite SE end.\u00a0 Leaving the dam, SPHP walked along a steep slope below a fence, stopping to rest where as much of the lake was in view as possible.\u00a0 Loopster thought this slope was a little too steep, but SPHP helped her get comfortable.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deerfield Lake<\/strong> from farther along the dam. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back along the dam. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The grassy slope. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tall strands of yellow grass danced in the wind.\u00a0 Sunlight glittered on Deerfield Reservoir as an unceasing parade of shimmering blue waves rippled into the dam’s rocky shore.\u00a0 Beyond the lake were ponderosa pine forested hills and ridges of the western Black Hills, dark green nearby, bluer in the distance.\u00a0 Other than the wind sighing in the pines, silence.\u00a0 Solitude.<\/p>\n

Most of the rest of the Taste of the Wild disappeared.\u00a0 The last chocolate coconut bar vanished.\u00a0 Partially resting on SPHP’s lap, Lupe stayed a while, watching the waves.<\/p>\n

3:11 PM, Deerfield Reservoir<\/em> –\u00a0 Two hours until sunset.\u00a0 Nearly 8 miles to go.\u00a0 Better get with it!\u00a0 The American Dingo paused at the SE end of the dam for a final look, and was on her way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deerfield Lake.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The return was fun!\u00a0 Such a beautiful evening!\u00a0 Returning to Deerfield Trail No. 40, Lupe headed E.\u00a0 Long uphill and downhill stretches, but never very steep, and more downhill going this way than uphill.\u00a0 No rest breaks, no photo stops, no side trips, except a brief one that proved the road past the bulldozer and the inactive “active” mine site really was part of the official Deerfield trail.<\/p>\n

Looper sniffed and explored to her heart’s content.\u00a0 In Slate Prairie, she saw cattle grazing in the fields N of Signal Knob.\u00a0 Later, she came upon several small groups of whitetail deer in the Crooked Creek valley.<\/p>\n

Minus the stops, it all went by much faster than before, yet the last rays of sunlight vanished and dusk came on.\u00a0 A bright star appeared, most likely a planet, and as the darkness grew, a circular glow highlighted the black outlines of pines in the E.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow was Halloween, and October’s second full moon – a blue moon.\u00a0 It was nearly full tonight.\u00a0 As the moon rose above the treetops, Deerfield Trail No. 40 became a mix of shadows and moonlight, where a homeward bound Carolina Dog roamed at will.\u00a0 (End 6:54 PM, 50\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Signal Knob<\/strong> (R) from Deerfield Trail No. 40<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 10-30-20<\/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 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 240 – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L & Hat Mountain (11-14-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Deerfield Trail No. 40 – Map & Brochure<\/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<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a>, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8:36 AM, 26\u00baF, Mystic Road, Daugherty trailhead, Deerfield Trail No. 40 – After that big storm last week, I never dreamed there would be so little snow up here, Loopster!\u00a0 We could have gone up to the high country, if I’d realized it was going to be practically snow-free. Still can if you want to, … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 256 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Daugherty Trailhead to Signal Knob & Deerfield Lake (10-30-20)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29393,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[105,9,106,1316,986,593,26,1317,104,16,304],"class_list":["post-29424","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-daugherty-trailhead","tag-deerfield-reservoir","tag-deerfield-trail-no-40","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-kinney-canyon-trailhead","tag-lupe","tag-signal-knob","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_8331.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\/29424","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=29424"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29424\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30218,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29424\/revisions\/30218"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29424"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29424"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29424"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}