{"id":30567,"date":"2020-12-20T08:10:10","date_gmt":"2020-12-20T15:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=30567"},"modified":"2021-12-24T09:21:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-24T16:21:36","slug":"double-digit-dingo-lupes-10th-birthday-12-14-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=30567","title":{"rendered":"Double Digit Dingo! – Lupe’s 10th Birthday (12-14-20)"},"content":{"rendered":"

9:14 AM, 16\u00baF, Hwy 244 at the Rushmore profile parking lot<\/em> – The newly minted Double Digit Dingo leapt out of the G6.\u00a0 Mighty chilly!\u00a0 Worse yet, the monotonous gray sky held out little hope for improvement.\u00a0 Would have to be the coldest day in the entire month of December.\u00a0 Maybe this wasn’t going to work?<\/p>\n

Lupe, however, was unfazed.\u00a0 Apparently, she intended to tough it out at least long enough to see the most famous mountain in South Dakota.\u00a0 After all, this was the Carolina Dog’s big chance to do something special in the Black Hills on her 10th birthday!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
George Washington from Hwy 244.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Zoomed in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the Mount Rushmore profile parking lot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not a soul around on a Monday morning in December.\u00a0 After a look at George Washington, the only president visible from here, Lupe started trotting up Hwy 244.\u00a0 The main entrance to Mount Rushmore was 0.25 mile back.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Quiet morning along Hwy 244.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hardly any traffic along the highway, but there was more activity than SPHP expected up at the main visitor parking lot.\u00a0 Orange plastic fences blocked off various construction zones.\u00a0 Groups of people were coming and going.<\/p>\n

SPHP let Lupe go only so far before saying this was good enough.\u00a0 Loop got a nice look at Mount Rushmore<\/span><\/a> (5,725 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but since Dingoes aren’t really welcome here, she wasn’t permitted to linger.\u00a0 A souvenir 10th birthday photo, and she was on her way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Mount Rushmore<\/strong>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Rushmore<\/strong>, South Dakota’s most famous mountain. L to R: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since Loopster didn’t seem to mind the cold, perhaps she was up for a more substantial 10th birthday adventure?\u00a0 SPHP had just the thing in mind.\u00a0 Having already seen the most famous mountain in South Dakota, maybe she would enjoy climbing South Dakota’s highest mountain, too?\u00a0 A great trailhead providing access to the Black Elk Wilderness<\/strong><\/span><\/a> was only 4 or 5 miles farther W along Hwy 244.<\/p>\n

10:05 AM, 18\u00baF, Willow Creek trailhead<\/em> – 2 degrees warmer!\u00a0 Every little bit helped.\u00a0 Lupe stood by the Willow Creek trail No. 8 sign waiting for SPHP to decide which part of the loop to take.\u00a0 SPHP chose the W half, which began by heading S straight for Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the Willow Creek trailhead. Lupe would take the trail seen on the R. Black Elk Peak (R) visible in the distance. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Only a skiff of snow was on the ground as Looper set out.\u00a0 Although cold today, the last 1.5 months had been uncommonly warm.\u00a0 The Black Hills had gotten almost no precipitation.\u00a0 Ordinarily, climbing Black Elk Peak on Lupe’s birthday would have been out of the question.\u00a0 Cold and snowy enough to make the journey more ordeal than fun.<\/p>\n

Today was different!\u00a0 The awesome thing was that if Lupe made it up Black Elk Peak, this ascent on her 10th birthday would also be her 10th ascent of South Dakota’s highest peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the forest, early on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first part of Trail No. 8 was super easy, a nice level trek through the forest.\u00a0 Before long, the trail crossed Willow Creek and quickly came to a junction.\u00a0 Lost Cabin trail No. 2 went R.\u00a0 Lupe went L instead, staying on Willow Creek trail No. 8.\u00a0 Although she’d been on most of the trails in the Black Elk Wilderness at one time or another, the American Dingo had never been on this next section of No. 8 before.<\/p>\n

Turned out it wasn’t far to a frozen waterfall on Willow Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the frozen waterfall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cool waterfall! Frozen stiff, in fact.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A little past the waterfall, Lupe came to two wooden bridges.\u00a0 After the second bridge, Trail No. 8 began a slow, steady climb.\u00a0 A field of dry grass bordered by large dark gray rock formations appeared on the L.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the 2nd wooden bridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the field.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A smaller field appeared a little farther on.\u00a0 Smoke could be seen rising from the trees in the distance.\u00a0 A forest fire in December?\u00a0 No.\u00a0 Took a moment, but SPHP soon realized it was coming from the sawmill a few miles NE of Hill City.\u00a0 Completely normal.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). Smoke (Center). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a mile on Trail No. 8, Lupe came to another junction, this time with Trail No. 9, which would take her to Black Elk Peak.\u00a0 This intersection was only 0.5 mile from the Willow Creek trailhead as the crow flies, since Trail No. 8 had taken a semi-circular route to the S, E, then NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction with Trail No. 9.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Trail No. 9 went E a little way, then zigzagged S through the forest.\u00a0 At one point, Hwy 244 could be seen not too far away down a steep slope.\u00a0\u00a0 However, No. 9 soon turned away from the road.\u00a0 From the last big field the trail came to, Black Elk Peak was in sight again.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was getting closer, but she still hadn’t gained all that much elevation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) from the last field Trail No. 9 goes by. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Re-entering the forest, Trail No. 9 turned sharply, starting to climb again.\u00a0 The next junction was with Willow Creek Rushmore trail No. 5.\u00a0 This intersection was only a little N of the massive granite formations of Elkhorn Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,381 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Elkhorn Mountain<\/strong> from the intersection of Trails No. 5 & 9. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Trail No. 5 sign. Lupe stuck with No. 9 instead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After passing Trail No. 5, the terrain become more rugged.\u00a0 Trail No. 9 went S to Elkhorn Mountain, then SW along its base.\u00a0 A high point was reached, then the trail descended 100 feet to cross a tiny tributary of Willow Creek.\u00a0 After crossing the creek, No. 9 switchbacked steadily higher working its way SE past the W end of Elkhorn Mountain.<\/p>\n

The forest was a wreck!\u00a0 Thousands of large pines had been killed by pine bark beetles years ago.\u00a0 Most had fallen over by now, opening up the views to some extent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Elkhorn Mountain<\/strong> on Trail No. 9. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another glimpse of Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Elkhorn Mountain<\/strong> from quite a bit higher now. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The dramatic granite ridge of Elkhorn Mountain<\/strong> rises beyond the shattered forest. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After getting nearly as high Elkhorn Mountain, Trail No. 9’s rate of climb decreased.\u00a0 Switchbacks lengthened, then disappeared.\u00a0 No. 9 continued to climb, but more slowly as it worked its way SW.<\/p>\n

Lupe was getting close to the most scenic part of the entire journey, other than the summit of Black Elk Peak itself.\u00a0 Granite Flats wasn’t much farther.\u00a0 The first sign she was getting close was an impressive view of a 3-pronged granite knob atop other massive rock formations.\u00a0 This knob might have been Peak<\/span> 6057<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, but SPHP wasn’t at all certain about that.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6057<\/strong> beyond Lupe? SPHP didn’t know. Still impressive, whatever it was.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The weather was changing as Lupe approached Granite Flats.\u00a0 Clouds closed in.\u00a0 The air cooled, becoming a little foggy, and it began to snow.\u00a0 Lightly, nothing to be concerned about, but views were disappearing.\u00a0 Suddenly it felt like winter!\u00a0 The cold gray world gradually turning white.\u00a0 So quiet, hidden, and remote!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting to snow on the way to Granite Flats. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> from Granite Flats<\/strong>. Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On one of the Granite Flats rock formations. Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
So, it’s not all flat, is it?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Turning white.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After spending a little time exploring Granite Flats, Lupe hurried on her way.\u00a0 Even so, she paused now and then at certain viewpoints.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the day she turned 10. Peak<\/span> 6735<\/span><\/a><\/strong> in the distance. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting closer! Old fire lookout tower atop Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not much farther now!\u00a0 Loopster passed the last viewpoint, and the trail was soon switchbacking steeply up a forested slope.\u00a0 Loop gained most of the last few hundred feet of elevation remaining here.\u00a0 The trail then leveled out, proceeding SSE to a junction with the spur trail that goes to the old fire lookout tower on Black Elk Peak.<\/p>\n

The spur trail promptly swung around the S end of the summit region to more open ground on the W side of the mountain.\u00a0 Still snowing.\u00a0 Normally sweeping views of some of the most rugged terrain in the Black Hills were reduced to the silent, ghostly presence of nearby peaks.\u00a0 Trotting N now, Lupe reached the entrance to the spiral staircase that winds up to the to the old lookout tower.<\/p>\n

The see-through metal grid stairway that used to freak Loop out so much had long since lost its terror.\u00a0 Up the American Dingo went without the least hesitation.\u00a0 She’d made it!\u00a0 The Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> lookout tower was only 50 feet away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the entrance to the metal stairway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Come on, SPHP! Nothing to it! We’ve done this a bunch of times, remember?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lookout tower dead ahead!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After entering the lookout tower, Lupe ventured out onto the viewing platform.\u00a0 No one around.\u00a0 SPHP helped her up onto the wall.\u00a0 Even the views had deserted Black Elk Peak.\u00a0 December’s frigid, snowy solitude was awesome, though!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the viewing platform wall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2:02 PM, 17\u00baF, Black Elk Peak<\/em> – Leaving the viewing platform, Lupe had gone down to the basement of the lookout tower and out the back door.\u00a0 Now she was curled up on SPHP’s lap out on the huge granite formations W of the tower with SPHP’s jacket thrown over her for warmth.\u00a0 She was<\/em> warm, too, despite winter’s grip.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Below the lookout tower.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Watching the granite turn white.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Half an hour enjoying the gray-white solitude.\u00a0 Two chocolate coconut bars shared.\u00a0 A little water.\u00a0 SPHP munched an apple.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was still toasty warm, but SPHP was getting cold and stiff sitting on the granite.\u00a0 A couple of people waved from up on the viewing platform.\u00a0 The signal to move on.<\/p>\n

Up on the platform, Lupe and SPHP met a young couple from Boston.\u00a0 A friendly 15 minute chat, and it was time to leave them to the solitude, something they said was near impossible to come by in the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont where they normally went.<\/p>\n

A few more photos, and Looper was on her way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About ready to go.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Leaving Black Elk Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe trotted down the metal stairs.\u00a0 Nearly an hour had shot by up top!\u00a0 That bright spot in the clouds would set in 30 minutes.<\/p>\n

The long trek back was utterly deserted.\u00a0 Much whiter than the journey up had been.\u00a0 So beautiful!\u00a0 What an experience being a Double Digit Dingo was turning out to be!\u00a0 The most famous mountain in South Dakota, and the highest one, too, on the very first day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near Elkhorn Mountain<\/strong> again during the return.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5:41 PM, 17\u00baF, Willow Creek trailhead<\/em> – Dark and still snowing!\u00a0 SPHP hadn’t had to bring out the little flashlight until Lupe had gotten all the way back to the wooden bridges over Willow Creek.\u00a0 Now the adventure was over.\u00a0 SPHP turned the key, and the G6 sprang to life.<\/p>\n

Lupe curled up for the ride home.\u00a0 To her great surprise that wasn’t the end of things.\u00a0 At home, SPHP made a couple of trips loading stuff into the G6.\u00a0 Then it was off to see Grandma!<\/p>\n

Visiting Grandma was a Dingo birthday tradition.\u00a0 However, Grandma had moved to a senior living facility early this year, even before Lupe and SPHP had helped her get her big, old house sold.\u00a0 At the time she’d moved in, Grandma thought that Lupe wouldn’t be allowed in the senior living center, but that had turned out not to be true.\u00a0 Loopster had been there lots of times.<\/p>\n

7:15 PM, Grandma’s apartment<\/em> – The party animal had arrived!\u00a0 Lupe dashed in all excited to see Grandma!\u00a0 She barked and wagged her tail like mad, then raced over to hop up on the comfy white couch.\u00a0 Grandma was so happy to see Lupe, too!<\/p>\n

No dilly-dallying!\u00a0 SPHP was famished.\u00a0 A chocolate coconut bar and an apple all day were no longer cutting it.\u00a0 Birthday presents were piled up around Lupe right there on the couch.\u00a0 One of the presents wasn’t even wrapped.\u00a0 Lupe’s buddy Dave Covill<\/span><\/a><\/strong> had sent her a package of Smart Cookie Rabbit & Pumpkin regional bites all the way from Colorado.\u00a0 They weren’t wrapped because Loopster hadn’t been able to wait.\u00a0 She’d been gobbling them up all week long.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the comfy couch surrounded by presents.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
With Grandma on Double Digit Dingo day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Without delay, SPHP produced a birthday cake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Double Digit Dingo cake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Double Digit Dingo cake with candles!\u00a0 So incredibly many candles that Grandma could heat her apartment with it.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was leery of the fearsome fiery spectacle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The spooky cake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another trial by fire! Why do I have to go through this every year?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There was singing!\u00a0 Happy Birthday!\u00a0 It was happy, too!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Grandma’s girl on Double Digit Dingo day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP helped Lupe choose the first present to open.\u00a0 It sniffed good!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This is going to be great!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A T-bone steak!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While the T-bone steak was broiling, Lupe opened the rest of her presents.\u00a0 She got 3 new Kong squeaker balls, and lots of good things to eat!\u00a0 Speaking of eating, she devoured the rest of the Smart Cookie Rabbit & Pumpkin regional bites that Dave Covill had sent.\u00a0 They served as T-bone steak appetizers.\u00a0 Although there was nothing wrong with Loopster’s appetite, she loved the whole concept.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
10th birthday loot!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Purina Busy Rib Hides.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Zuke’s Superfood Blend.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Zuke’s Hip Action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Smart Cookie Rabbit & Pumpkin regional bites from Dave Covill. Bon appetit!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At last the T-bone was ready!\u00a0 While Lupe had steak, Grandma and SPHP had cake and ice cream.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop with her 10th birthday T-bone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While there was still some meat on it, SPHP saved the T-bone itself.\u00a0 The big bash ended with Lupe giving Grandma a live demonstration of what to do with a Purina Busy Rib Hide.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
It’s easy! Like this, Grandma!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nearly 10:00 PM by the time Lupe got home again.\u00a0 Double Digit Dingo day had been a blast, but a long one.\u00a0 Loopster hopped up on the bed.\u00a0 While SPHP read, the Carolina Dog got to munch away on that still meaty T-bone SPHP had saved for her.<\/p>\n

Crunching away was so satisfying!\u00a0 By the time the light went out, only a stubby, little white T remained.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Double Digit Dingo day, Black Elk Peak<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota, 12-14-20<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Lupe’s 9th Birthday (12-14-19)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Lupe’s 11th Birthday (12-14-21)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s\u00a0<\/span>Dingo Tales\u00a0Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe Adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

9:14 AM, 16\u00baF, Hwy 244 at the Rushmore profile parking lot – The newly minted Double Digit Dingo leapt out of the G6.\u00a0 Mighty chilly!\u00a0 Worse yet, the monotonous gray sky held out little hope for improvement.\u00a0 Would have to be the coldest day in the entire month of December.\u00a0 Maybe this wasn’t going to … Continue reading Double Digit Dingo! – Lupe’s 10th Birthday (12-14-20)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30548,"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":[47],"tags":[1346,105,838,106,1347,1206,104,88,304],"class_list":["post-30567","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dingo-tales","tag-10th-birthday","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-elk-peak","tag-carolina-dog","tag-double-digit-dingo","tag-grandma","tag-lupe","tag-mount-rushmore","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_8710.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\/30567","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=30567"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30567\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36122,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30567\/revisions\/36122"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30567"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30567"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30567"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}