{"id":29679,"date":"2020-12-05T08:10:39","date_gmt":"2020-12-05T15:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=29679"},"modified":"2020-12-15T10:30:17","modified_gmt":"2020-12-15T17:30:17","slug":"black-hills-wy-expedition-no-257-inyan-kara-11-7-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=29679","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, WY Expedition No. 257 – Inyan Kara (11-7-20)"},"content":{"rendered":"

8:57 AM, 61\u00baF, Hunter Ranch at the end of Crook County Road No. 198<\/em> –<\/em><\/p>\n

Wish you hadn’t brought the dog!<\/em><\/p>\n

Doug Hunter, owner of the ranch that Lupe needed permission to cross to get to Inyan Kara Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,360 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, was soft-spoken.\u00a0 A tall, older man, he didn’t look entirely well.\u00a0 His face had a reddish-purple cast to it.\u00a0 SPHP felt a little bad about showing up unannounced to ask this favor of him.\u00a0 The softly smiling reply was a bit sheepish.<\/p>\n

Well, I did.<\/em><\/p>\n

Doug sighed.<\/p>\n

I’ll tie up my dog then.\u00a0 If I don’t, he’ll follow you.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you, so much!\u00a0 By the way, we brought you a present.<\/em><\/p>\n

You didn’t have to do that.<\/em><\/p>\n

It is your land.\u00a0 Realize that we’re asking you a favor, so thought we better come prepared to do a little something for you, too.\u00a0 It’s nothing much.\u00a0 Hang on a moment.<\/em><\/p>\n

Opening the trunk of the G6, SPHP produced a 6 pack carton of Corona Extra.\u00a0 Doug seemed surprised, maybe even faintly pleased, but said nothing.\u00a0 He didn’t turn it down, though, when SPHP handed it to him.\u00a0 A truck pulled up, as Doug accepted the gift.<\/p>\n

They’re here for Inyan Kara, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hunters?<\/em><\/p>\n

No, hikers like you.<\/em><\/p>\n

Doug went to tie up his black and white salt and pepper-coated dog, which was about the same size as Lupe and showing a lot of interest in her.\u00a0 SPHP parked the G6 near the fence close to the house, let Lupe out, and grabbed the backpack.\u00a0 As the Carolina Dog passed by, Mr. Hunter was chatting with the new arrivals.<\/p>\n

We’ve established a no pet policy.\u00a0 One dog got bit by a rattler, and another was attacked by a badger.\u00a0 The owners wanted to blame us.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yikes!\u00a0 Awkward!\u00a0 Maybe that young couple had a dog, too, had called ahead, and been told not to bring it?\u00a0 Clearly, Doug had been expecting them.\u00a0 Waving cheerily, but briefly, SPHP stepped up the pace.<\/p>\n

Thanks again!\u00a0 We’ll be out of your hair in just a few minutes.<\/em><\/p>\n

Making it to the end of the fence around the ranch house yard, Lupe turned W following a dirt road down into a little dry creek bottom, then up the other side.\u00a0 In bright sunshine, Inyan Kara loomed ahead.\u00a0 Not all that far to the fence line marking the boundary of the Hunter ranch, and start of the isolated 2 square miles of Black Hills National Forest on which the mountain sat.<\/p>\n

Even after ducking under the fence, Lupe and SPHP hurried on, angling NW now toward the trees.\u00a0 Out of sight, out of mind!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Inyan Kara<\/strong> on the way to the Hunter ranch. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Glancing back at the Hunter Ranch headquarters after ducking under the fence onto Black Hills National Forest land. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the lower E slope heading for the trees. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Edge of the forest. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reaching the forest, Lupe continued NW for a little way, still climbing gradually.\u00a0 When SPHP figured she’d gone far enough, it was time to turn W straight up the steep slope leading to the top of the E ridge.\u00a0 Loop was soon there, popping up onto the ridgeline near a minor rock formation.\u00a0 Inyan Kara’s summit was already in sight only 0.5 mile away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the top of the E ridge. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Inyan Kara summit<\/strong> (Center) from the E ridge. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looper was going to have to go a lot farther than 0.5 mile, though, to get to the top of Inyan Kara.\u00a0 The igneous mountain, an ancient wanna-be volcano that never erupted, is shaped like an elongated horseshoe, or an enormous, partially coiled serpent.\u00a0 A V-shaped valley hundreds of feet deep was between the American Dingo and the summit.<\/p>\n

This E ridge was part of the serpent’s tail.\u00a0 Loop would have to travel the length of the serpent’s coiled spine clear around to the S and SW before heading NE to the summit.\u00a0 Before doing all that, Lupe wandered a little farther N to where the serpent’s tail began to drop more steeply.\u00a0 Her clockwise journey around to the summit would start from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe as far N along the E ridge as she went. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe started the journey S, the forested ridge was narrow, but nicely rounded.\u00a0 Minor rock outcroppings protruded at various points like petrified serpent vertebrae.\u00a0 Slowly, but steadily, Loop gained elevation as she went, occasionally coming to minor dips and high points along the way.\u00a0 An even higher spot was always reached a little farther on.<\/p>\n

Tree effectively blocked the views, but every now and then, Loop came to small openings where she could see off into the distance.\u00a0 At first, all of these openings looked E or SE out over the plains surrounding Inyan Kara.\u00a0 From the first of these openings, the main body of the Black Hills looked like little more than a long blue ridge.\u00a0 Farther on, the piney tablelands of the Sweetwater Mountains High Point<\/span><\/a> (6,440 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were discernable on the SE horizon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting the clockwise journey around the long outer ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Black Hills of South Dakota<\/strong> from Inyan Kara. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sweetwater Mountains High Point<\/strong> (Center – the most distant ridge). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Continuing higher. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look at the Sweetwater Mountains High Point<\/strong> (Center – most distant ridge). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was SE of the summit by the time she got her next look at it.\u00a0 From this angle she had the best view of the columnar jointing on the S face of the summit region she would have all day.\u00a0 Although not as spectacular, Inyan Kara bore a certain resemblance to Devils Tower<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (5,112 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, NE Wyoming’s most famous and dramatic mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
S face of the summit region. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Columnar jointing is a relatively rare geologic feature. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inyan Kara had not escaped a pine beetle infestation that hit the Black Hills region more than 10 years ago.\u00a0 Considerable quantities of deadfall timber were strewn along the ridge.\u00a0 As Lupe turned W along the S part of the ridgeline, she had to dodge more and more deadfall.\u00a0 Many broken tree trunks amidst this shattered mess were laying perpendicular to her direction of travel, greatly slowing SPHP’s progress.<\/p>\n

The weather was deteriorating, too.\u00a0 What had started out as a sunny morning had clouded over to a considerable degree, especially toward the S.\u00a0 An early gentle breeze was now a 15 to 20 mph wind sweeping in out of the SW.\u00a0 SPHP kept an eye on some of the more threatening trees still standing in the swaying, creaking forest.<\/p>\n

At the S end, Lupe came to broader grassy region.\u00a0 For the first time, she could now see the plains SW of Inyan Kara.\u00a0 Turning NW to explore the SW part of the ridge, the deadfall was really icky, and the Carolina Dog had to put up with the full force of the SW breeze roaring up the slope.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The wide grassy region at the S end of the ridgeline. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Traveling the SW ridge. What a mess! Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Summit<\/strong> (L) view from the SW part of the ridge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the SSW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A last look back to the SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the worst of the deadfall, Lupe came to a dip in the ridgeline and another, smaller grassy spot.\u00a0 This led to a short climb, culminating at forested HP6262<\/span><\/strong>, the highest point along the Inyan Kara serpent’s body.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the second grassy region, on the way to HP6262<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At HP6262<\/span><\/strong>. Summit<\/strong> (Center) in the background. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The serpent’s neck had been crushed.\u00a0 To get to the head (summit!)<\/em>, which was now off to the NE, but not easily seen due to all the trees, Lupe had to descend 130 feet into a wide saddle leading to Inyan Kara’s N ridge.\u00a0 She was happy to do so.\u00a0 This descent immediately got her into the leeward protection of the ridge and out of the wind.<\/p>\n

The downslope was full of deadfall, slowing progress again, but even so, Lupe was soon approaching the bottom.\u00a0 The highest part of the saddle was also littered with deadfall.\u00a0 However, by staying toward the SE, Loop was able to cross the saddle in nearly obstacle-free open forest.\u00a0 A few minute’s tramp, and the American Dingo stood confronted by the first rock formations of the N ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the highest part of the saddle leading to the N ridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A bit farther SE in an almost deadfall-free zone. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the SW end of the N ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inyan Kara’s N ridge was much rockier than the long outer spine of the serpent Lupe had just come from.\u00a0 Exactly where to start up wasn’t clear, and maybe didn’t make much difference, although it seemed to SPHP it might be best not to start too close to the S end.\u00a0 Picking a spot just N of some thin-layered rock formations, Lupe began her ascent.<\/p>\n

Open lanes strewn with pine needles existed among the rocks, making for a fairly easy, though somewhat steep, trek higher.\u00a0 Upon regaining the elevation she’d lost on the way down to the saddle from HP6262<\/span><\/strong>, Looper reached an initial top at HP6285<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 To the S, she already had a good view of the ridge she’d traveled to get here.\u00a0 Off to the NNE, she could once again see Inyan Kara’s summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Among the first rock formations encountered along the N ridge. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At HP6285<\/span><\/strong>. The long ridge Loop had traveled to get here (from L all the way to the R), is the closest one beyond her. Sweetwater Mountains High Point<\/strong> (R of Center) on the far horizon. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Summit<\/strong> (L) from HP6285<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe and SPHP were taking a look around from HP6285<\/span><\/strong>, the young couple that had arrived shortly before Loop left the Hunter ranch caught up.\u00a0 A quick exchange of greetings, and they pressed on ahead.<\/p>\n

Lupe was soon hot on their trail.\u00a0 The summit was only 0.25 mile away now, and not even 100 feet higher.\u00a0 However, the route N following breaks among knobby rock formations was up and down with several steep or narrow spots along the way.\u00a0 The top of the ridge was rough enough so it was often best to stay somewhat below it, usually toward the E overlooking the deep central valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Among the rock formations. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Making progress. Up on top of the ridge at the moment. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting there!<\/em> Summit<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At one point, a large rock formation provided a break in the trees.\u00a0 Both Devils Tower<\/span><\/a> (5,112 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and the Missouri Buttes<\/span><\/a> (5,374 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were faintly visible on the far NW horizon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Missouri Buttes<\/strong> and Devils Tower<\/strong> (visible if expanded) both L of Center. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just before the final rocky spurt to the summit, Lupe came to a big dip requiring a bit of a down climb.\u00a0 The young couple were already beyond the dip, paused not far below the top, as Loopster approached.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Closing in on the summit. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In a rocky gully just shy of the top. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The young man pushed on as Lupe passed the woman, who remained where she was.\u00a0 Up a little rocky ramp, and the Carolina Dog was there!\u00a0 On top of Inyan Kara<\/span><\/a> (6,360 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe and SPHP met Marcus Neiman.\u00a0 He’d already removed the rocks of a cairn located a little W of the true summit.<\/p>\n

Roughly carved into the bedrock where the cairn had been was an item of historical significance.\u00a0 “74 Custer”.\u00a0 The inscription had been here for more than 146 years, since July 23, 1874, when an expedition led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer had been in the Black Hills searching for gold.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looper by the “74 Custer”<\/strong> inscription. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
“74 Custer”<\/strong>. A closer look.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP asked Marcus about the young woman with him.<\/p>\n

She’s just nervous about this last part?\u00a0 She’s practically here already!\u00a0 A shame to come so far, get so close, and not make it to the summit.\u00a0 Really nothing to it now.\u00a0 Mind if Lupe and I talk to her?\u00a0 We’d just like to give her a little encouragement.\u00a0 No question she can do this!<\/em><\/p>\n

Marcus had no objection.<\/p>\n

What’s her name?<\/em><\/p>\n

Martina.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP returned to where Martina sat in a partially sheltered spot below a juniper bush.\u00a0 She couldn’t have been any more than 15 or 20 feet lower than the true summit, or 100 feet from it, but the top wasn’t visible from where she waited.<\/p>\n

What could be seen of the rocky ramp higher might seem a bit exposed to someone not used to the mountains.\u00a0 In fairness, Inyan Kara’s N ridge, which Martina had already come across, was more intimidating than the vast majority of mostly gentle peaks in the Black Hills region.\u00a0 The gusty SW wind was blowing up here, too, which couldn’t have been helping matters.<\/p>\n

Despite Lupe’s calming presence, and SPHP’s attempts to reassure her, Martina repeatedly said she was fine with staying right where she was.\u00a0 Her choice, of course.\u00a0 SPHP was about to give up when an idea struck.\u00a0 The problem was that short, but psychologically intimidating, rocky ramp higher into the wind and the unknown.\u00a0 Was there another route?<\/p>\n

Climbing only a few steps N past the juniper bush, there was!\u00a0 Piece of cake!\u00a0 Martina could even see the critical part from right where she was.\u00a0 Not expecting any miracles, SPHP pointed out that, if she could get to where SPHP stood only a dozen feet from her, Martina had Inyan Kara made.\u00a0 The rest was even easier.<\/p>\n

A moment’s hesitation, then without saying a word, Martina stood up.\u00a0 Something inside had clicked!\u00a0 Literally 2 minutes later, though perhaps still a bit nervous, Martina was standing, smiling and hugging with her husband, at the true summit of Inyan Kara.<\/p>\n

Congratulations, were in order, of course!\u00a0 Then a few photos.\u00a0 SPHP had the temerity to ask Martina if she liked coconut?<\/p>\n

Yes …<\/em><\/p>\n

How about chocolate?<\/em><\/p>\n

Martina shot SPHP an incredulous look.<\/p>\n

Yeeessss …<\/em><\/p>\n

3 small chocolate coconut bars were in the backpack.\u00a0 SPHP offered one each to Martina and Marcus, then split the remaining one with an eager Dingo.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit with Martina<\/strong> and Marcus<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A registry was in a round plastic bin tucked under a juniper bush along the N edge 10 feet from the true summit.\u00a0 Somehow, the upper edge of the registry notebook had been gnawed away.\u00a0 Marcus and SPHP both created new entries.<\/p>\n

A couple of survey markers were up here, too.\u00a0 One was 10 feet W of the true summit.\u00a0 The other, stamped with an arrow, was 15 feet NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the W survey benchmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
W marker.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
NE marker.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Half a dozen miles W of the main body of the Black Hills, Inyan Kara stood in grand isolation out in the high prairies of E Wyoming, part of a line of mostly smaller hills.\u00a0 Sweeping views in all directions, although a bit murky on this unsettled day.<\/p>\n

Marcus said he had climbed Missouri Buttes<\/span><\/a> (5,374 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Surprising!\u00a0 The buttes were on private property, so SPHP was under the impression that only a limited number of people had ever been there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Zoomed in on Missouri Buttes<\/strong> (L) and Devils Tower<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Marcus and Martina were soon ready to go.\u00a0 After Marcus rebuilt the cairn over “74 Custer”, they bid Lupe farewell and were on their way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The rebuilt cairn hiding “74 Custer”<\/strong> is in front of Lupe. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alone again.\u00a0 Lupe had been here once before on a November day, nearly 6 years ago.\u00a0 SPHP had seen her old entry in the registry, still there and legible on a page now smudged and dirty.\u00a0 That had also been a gray, windy day, but colder, darker, and even windier than this one.\u00a0 SPHP encouraged Looper to pose as she had stood back then, buffeted by the breeze with clouds approaching out of the SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the November breeze again on Inyan Kara<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6 years gone, a sobering thought.\u00a0 Who knew if the Carolina Dog would ever return to Inyan Kara again?\u00a0 What once was, is no more.<\/p>\n

146 years ago when someone inscribed “74 Custer” up here, this had still been Sioux territory.\u00a0 Lupe might have seen bison on the prairies below.\u00a0 Despite the coming huge Native American victory at Little Bighorn in June, 1876, that had all been about to change forever.\u00a0 By the end of 1877, with the surrender of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, no numerous native tribe still roamed freely in the United States.<\/p>\n

As the afternoon wore on, the winds died down.\u00a0 Clouds sailed away.\u00a0 The day became sunnier and warmer.\u00a0 On a remote sacred mountain, Lupe lingered.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Upper NE end of the summit region. Hooker Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,862 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On a clear day, it might be possible to see the Bighorn Mountains far to the W, but Loop saw no sign of them today.\u00a0 A second somewhat lower region of the summit area was hidden in forest off to the E.\u00a0 Together, Lupe and SPHP went over to explore it.\u00a0 Cactus!\u00a0 Had seen only a little of it back near the true summit, and none on the way up, but there was a fair amount of it way out at the E end.<\/p>\n

Loopster got a couple of small, but painful cactus spines in one of her paws.\u00a0 SPHP pulled them out, but she had had it!\u00a0 The American Dingo demanded SCOP (Standard Cactus Operating Procedure) from then on as long as she was in this region.\u00a0 She wouldn’t budge unless SPHP either carried her, or explored ahead before giving her the signal indicating that the route was cacti-free!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lower E end of the Inyan Kara summit region. Hooker Peak<\/strong> (far L). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Let’s head back to the true summit. Less painful up there!<\/em> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1.5 hours after arriving, and, well, you know the drill.\u00a0 A final look around, and Lupe stood perched in a light breeze at the true summit of Inyan Kara<\/span><\/a> (6,360 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> for the last time.\u00a0 Solitude, beauty, isolation, joy!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back near the true summit. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Last look NNW. Missouri Buttes<\/strong> (L) and Warren Peaks<\/span><\/a> (6,650 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) on the horizon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Inyan Kara<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Actually, SPHP led the way for the first little bit.\u00a0 Lupe hung out up on Inyan Kara’s summit, waiting until SPHP had already gotten a good start.\u00a0 She then came bounding along the rocks, catching up in a jiffy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Go on ahead, SPHP! I’ll be with you shortly.<\/em> HP6262<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the SW end of the summit region. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to begin the descent. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first part of the return was a retracement of the same route Looper had taken up Inyan Kara’s N ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way down. HP6262<\/span><\/strong> (Center) on the far ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Last look back. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Still time!\u00a0 Looper’s explorations of Inyan Kara weren’t over.\u00a0 Once the American Dingo made her way back to the saddle leading to HP6262<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe instead turned N, venturing into a valley she’d never seen before.<\/p>\n

Usual sort of thing.\u00a0 The remote valley steepened, becoming V-shaped with plenty of deadfall to contend with.\u00a0 0.75 mile later and 850 feet lower, Loop emerged from the pines as the valley widened and flattened out.\u00a0 She was way over on the NW side of the mountain now.<\/p>\n

Traveling a grassy road that soon turned to dirt, the Carolina Dog circled the base of Inyan Kara clockwise, usually out on open prairie, but at times in darkening forest.\u00a0 Not all that late, but evening comes stealing out of the E early while stalking the weary November sun.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Down off the mountain. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the N, Peak<\/span> 5475<\/span><\/a><\/strong> and O’Haver Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,530 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> across the rumpled prairie, both looking much more significant now than they had from above.\u00a0 To the NE, Hooker Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,862 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Iron Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,887 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Duling Hill<\/span><\/a> (6,005 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, old friends Lupe had once visited before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5475<\/strong> (L) and O’Haver Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Hooker Peak<\/strong> (L), Iron Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center), and Duling Hill<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the end, shortly before the dying day passed away, the sun cast a brief gleaming glance back as it fled into the W.\u00a0 The American Dingo paused.\u00a0 A moment of tranquil beauty.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Day’s end. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then it was gone.\u00a0 Lupe was too, trotting S in the shadow of Inyan Kara.\u00a0 (End, Hunter ranch HQ, 4:47 PM, 59\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
With Marcus<\/strong> and Martina<\/strong>, Inyan Kara<\/strong>, Wyoming 11-7-20<\/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 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Black Hills, WY Expedition No. 104 – Inyan Kara Mountain (11-9-14)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The American Surveyor: Sacred Mountain – Climbing Inyan Kara<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to Douglas Hunter for granting Lupe permission to cross his ranch!<\/em><\/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":"

8:57 AM, 61\u00baF, Hunter Ranch at the end of Crook County Road No. 198 – Wish you hadn’t brought the dog! Doug Hunter, owner of the ranch that Lupe needed permission to cross to get to Inyan Kara Mountain (6,360 ft.), was soft-spoken.\u00a0 A tall, older man, he didn’t look entirely well.\u00a0 His face had … Continue reading Black Hills, WY Expedition No. 257 – Inyan Kara (11-7-20)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29670,"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":[105,9,106,571,104,1321,1322,275],"class_list":["post-29679","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-inyan-kara-mountain","tag-lupe","tag-marcus","tag-martina","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_8445.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\/29679","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=29679"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29679\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30473,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29679\/revisions\/30473"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29670"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29679"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}