{"id":30643,"date":"2021-01-14T08:10:54","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T15:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=30643"},"modified":"2021-02-03T18:36:21","modified_gmt":"2021-02-04T01:36:21","slug":"moonshine-gulch-peak-6205-minnesota-ridge-12-8-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=30643","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 260 – Moonshine Gulch, Peak 6205 & Minnesota Ridge (12-8-20)"},"content":{"rendered":"

8:49 AM, 38\u00baF, Rochford Road 1 mile E of Rochford<\/em> – 0.25 mile W of Silver Creek Road, a wide valley appeared on the R.\u00a0 Plenty of room!\u00a0 SPHP pulled over and parked the G6.\u00a0 Lupe hopped out and began sniffing around, while SPHP checked the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Yup, this had to be it – Moonshine Gulch!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the mouth of Moonshine Gulch<\/strong>, about a mile E of Rochford. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop’s mission today was to explore Moonshine Gulch far enough to reach Peak<\/span> 6205<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, which shouldn’t be too hard, since Peak 6205 was only a mile away.\u00a0 The American Dingo set off going WNW up the gulch on a wide dirt and dry grass road.\u00a0 Pathetically easy at first, but that didn’t last.\u00a0 Soon the road narrowed and headed into a thicket of deadfall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Still near the start of Moonshine Gulch<\/strong> on the … uh … road. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The deadfall was bad for a little way, but the Carolina Dog got beyond it.\u00a0 The road was now all grassy and easy going again, lined on both sides by white-barked aspens.\u00a0 Rather pretty, and already feeling quite secluded.\u00a0 Clearly, no vehicle had been this way in a long time.\u00a0 Moonshine Gulch promptly curved N, leading straight into another big tangle of deadfall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the grassy lane beyond the deadfall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Among the aspens and pines. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back into the deadfall. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After scrambling over, under, or around this next batch, Lupe continued N up the valley.\u00a0 Moonshine Gulch narrowed, becoming more V-shaped.\u00a0 A tiny frozen stream appeared.\u00a0 Loop discovered free flowing water only a little farther upstream.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the frozen trickle. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Running water! Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All signs of a road vanished as the region down by the stream became choked with vegetation.\u00a0 Lupe traveled along a bench of somewhat higher ground up on the W slope.\u00a0 The way things were going, Moonshine Gulch might soon become virtually impassable.<\/p>\n

The bench eventually ended, but by then a narrow strip of thick grass had appeared E of the stream.\u00a0 Lupe crossed over to it.\u00a0 Continuing up Moonshine Gulch, what was left of the road reappeared, making the trek easier again.\u00a0 The W side of the valley began to broaden out.\u00a0 The road went over that way, then started fading in and out – at times helpful, at others, essentially non-existent.<\/p>\n

A small frozen pond appeared.\u00a0 Loopster went down to have a look.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the exceedingly faint road as Moonshine Gulch<\/strong> widens out again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the tiny frozen pond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some barbed wire was near the frozen pond, but that wasn’t anything good for Dingoes.\u00a0 The march N resumed.\u00a0 The upper end of Moonshine Gulch was supposed to curve sharply W, and it began to look like that was going to happen.<\/p>\n

Lupe didn’t really have to go that far N, though, to get to Peak 6205.\u00a0 Since she was coming to more and more deadfall again, maybe it was about time to climb out of Moonshine Gulch?\u00a0 Working NW up the deadfall-laden slope to the W, Lupe got high enough to see a somewhat flatter region where a thick forest of young pines grew beneath a canopy of much older trees.<\/p>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Still some deadfall up here, too, but there didn’t seem to be any reason to go back down into Moonshine Gulch.\u00a0 Climbing slowly, Loop continued NW through the young pines.\u00a0 She soon found that the worst of the deadfall could be avoided without much trouble.<\/p>\n

Before long, a small rock formation appeared ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Not sure this is any better, SPHP? Want to try it?<\/em> At the edge of the young pines after climbing out of Moonshine Gulch. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the highest rock of the little rock formation. HP5880<\/span><\/strong> (Center) in the background. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the rock outcropping, Lupe made a surprising discovery.\u00a0 A road went right past it.\u00a0 This was a decent road, too, not all faint and grassy like the one down in Moonshine Gulch.\u00a0 Once again, SPHP checked the old topo map<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

So what road is this, SPHP?\u00a0 Looks like a lot easier way to get here than Moonshine Gulch was!<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ll grant you that, Looper, but I have no idea what road this is.\u00a0 The topo doesn’t show any roads at all in this region.\u00a0 Some USFS Road, no doubt.\u00a0 Tons of ’em in the Black Hills.\u00a0 Might be shown on another map, but I think I know where we are.<\/em><\/p>\n

OK, I’ll bite!\u00a0 Where are we?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hey!\u00a0 No biting!\u00a0 I think that hill beyond you is HP5880<\/span><\/strong>, and the hill right across the road is our destination, Peak 6205.\u00a0 Doesn’t look high enough, though.\u00a0 Must be more to it than we can see from here.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, cross the road and head on up the slope?<\/em><\/p>\n

Might as well, Loopster!\u00a0 Go for it!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The mysterious USFS Road not shown on the topo map. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
E slope of Peak 6205<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe climbed and climbed.\u00a0 Really was a lot more to this slope than had been visible down by the mysterious USFS road.\u00a0 Good thing, because the top hadn’t looked any higher than HP5880<\/span><\/strong> from below.\u00a0 Wouldn’t have been any point in climbing the wrong mountain.<\/p>\n

Plenty of deadfall to avoid, but nothing out of the ordinary these days.\u00a0 The higher Lupe got, the more the glimpses of views between the trees confirmed that this really was Peak<\/span> 6205<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 She was clearly way above HP5880<\/span><\/strong> by the time the slope began to level out.\u00a0 Coming up from the NE, the Carolina Dog arrived near the S end of Peak 6205’s summit region.<\/p>\n

An old board was nailed to a tree, and nearly a dozen rusty cans were strewn about.\u00a0 Remnants of a blue stove with a metal grill sat next to an ancient stone fire ring covered with deadfall.\u00a0 Several large tree trunks had collapsed next to this fire ring.\u00a0 10 feet N of the ring was a little bench with stone supports and a log seat.\u00a0 Didn’t look like anyone had been here in a long, long time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NE back the way Lupe came up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sort of a mess, isn’t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Someone must have camped out up here once upon a time, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nice spot with room enough for a tiny house, although not much in the way of views.\u00a0 Too many trees!<\/em><\/p>\n

Probably no views at all when all these dead ones were still standing.\u00a0 Wonder who would have come to a lonely peak like this?<\/em><\/p>\n

Adventurers of old, SPHP!\u00a0 We’re not the only ones, you know!<\/em><\/p>\n

Heh.\u00a0 No, I guess not.\u00a0 Well, what do you say we clean this place up a bit?\u00a0 Get it a little more ready for adventurers of the future?<\/em><\/p>\n

No big rush on that from the look of things, SPHP, but fine with me.<\/em><\/p>\n

Really not that much to do.\u00a0 SPHP dragged all the deadfall off the fire ring and away from the area around it, pitching it all onto the downed tree trunks nearby.\u00a0 At least it was now out of the way.\u00a0 Then all the rusty cans got gathered up and stuffed into a sack.\u00a0 Once home, they could all go to recycling or the garbage.\u00a0 SPHP took the metal grill for the blue stove, too, but didn’t have room for the stove itself.<\/p>\n

Just going to leave this blue stove on the fire ring, Loopster, even though it’s no good anymore.\u00a0 Kind of my exterior decorator touch.<\/em><\/p>\n

Exterior decorator?\u00a0 Don’t quit the day job, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I won’t!\u00a0 This is it!\u00a0 Climbing no name mountains with a nutty Dingo.<\/em><\/p>\n

Some humans have all the luck, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looper by the remodeled fire ring. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Does look a little better, SPHP!<\/em> Lupe on the little bench. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, it was time for a break, and then a tour!\u00a0 The usual Taste of the Wild, water, an apple, and a couple of small shared chocolate coconut bars.\u00a0 Lupe then went to see the only clear view from the S end of Peak 6205.\u00a0 From a patch of pine needles and grass, Lupe could look out over Moonshine Gulch toward the rumpled hills to the SE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SE from Peak 6205<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit of Peak 6205 was NW of the fire ring.\u00a0 Beyond another heaping helping of wretched deadfall was a 40 foot long narrow, stony ridge.\u00a0 The highest rocks were at the NW end.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6205’s summit ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
True summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not much in the way of views here, either.\u00a0 The best were toward the W.\u00a0 White Tail Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,962 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Nipple Butte<\/span><\/a> (6,800 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were the most easily distinguished peaks on the horizon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit of Peak 6205<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
White Tail Peak<\/strong> (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Nipple Butte<\/strong> (Center) is the sharpest little blip on the horizon. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And that was about it.\u00a0 Nearly an hour after arriving, Lupe returned briefly to the fire ring toward the S end of the summit region before starting back down the mountain the same way she’d come up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the more hospitable S end again. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pretty snazzy, SPHP! At least compared to how we found it. Think how happy those future adventurers will be!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Starting down the E slope. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12:05 PM<\/em> – Loopster had barely gotten started down the E slope, when SPHP had a change of heart.\u00a0 The American Dingo had made it to Peak 6205 alright, but now what?\u00a0 Just go back?\u00a0 Seemed sort of early for that.<\/p>\n

Hey, Loop!\u00a0 Want to try for Minnesota Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>?<\/em><\/p>\n

How far is it?<\/em><\/p>\n

3+ miles as the crow flies.\u00a0 Somewhat longer in practice.<\/em><\/p>\n

It’ll be dark then before we get back won’t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

No doubt.\u00a0 Don’t think we’ll have much of a problem, though.\u00a0 Mighty nice out for December.\u00a0 Supposed to be a record high for this date, in fact!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe was fine with it.\u00a0 Carolina Dogs love exploring, especially at dusk.\u00a0 Instead of continuing down the E slope, SPHP went back to the NW end of Peak 6205’s summit ridge.\u00a0 Following the ridgeline NW, Lupe began working her way down the mountain that way.\u00a0 She soon saw White Tail Peak again, and even caught a glimpse of Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
White Tail Peak<\/strong> (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A glimpse of Custer Peak<\/strong> from the NW ridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Custer Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A little farther down the ridge, Peak 6205’s N slope opened up a bit.\u00a0 This whole region was full of deadfall.\u00a0 A large grove of aspens was visible W of HP5880<\/span><\/strong> at the bottom of the slope.\u00a0 Leaving the ridgeline, Lupe picked her way down, eventually managing to reach the aspens.<\/p>\n

Two grassy lanes through the aspens appeared to be remnants of old roads.\u00a0 One went ESE, passing S of HP5880<\/span><\/strong>, apparently destined to link up with the mysterious USFS Road Lupe had run across E of Peak 6205.\u00a0 However, Loop took the other lane, which went ENE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the aspens W of HP5880<\/span><\/strong> (R). From here, Lupe took the lane at far L. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A short trek on the grassy lane led to a better road beyond the aspens.\u00a0 Lupe followed this new mystery road as it curved N.\u00a0 After 0.25 mile, she came to a “T” intersection.\u00a0 A brown wand identified the road Loop had just taken as USFS Road No. 513.1B, no doubt a spur off No. 513.1, which she had apparently just reached.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the better road beyond the aspens. HP5880<\/span><\/strong> (L) up in the pines. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Glancing back at Peak 6205<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Wand near the junction of USFS Roads No. 513.1B & No. 513.1. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 513.1 was a better road yet.\u00a0 SPHP figured it was probably the same one Lupe had come to E of Peak 6205.\u00a0 In that case, it ought to connect by swinging around the N and E sides of HP5880<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 To test this theory, Lupe turned R at the junction, heading ENE.<\/p>\n

Sure enough, No. 513.1 began to curve E, then SE.\u00a0 Most of this territory was flat, but when No. 513.1 started losing elevation, Looper left the road to climb nearby HP5900<\/span><\/strong>, the next hill 0.5 mile NNE of HP5880<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 HP5900<\/span><\/strong> wasn’t much of a climb at all coming from the W, but the Carolina Dog did get a halfway decent look back at Peak 6205 from it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6205<\/strong> (L) from HP5900<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way over here, Lupe had passed USFS Road No. 513.1C, another spur off No. 513.1 which went N, the general direction she needed to go.\u00a0 Since No. 513.1C wasn’t too far back and would be a lot easier than a trek through the forest, Loop returned to it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the start of USFS Road No. 513.1C where it leaves No. 513.1. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 513.1C was clearly marked as a dead end, but Lupe followed it for nearly 0.5 mile.\u00a0 A long, gradual descent led to a slow rise.\u00a0 Near the end, No. 513.1C split, with one branch curving off to the E.\u00a0 Lupe left the road near this intersection, continuing to wander N through the forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following No. 513.1C. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Passing over a broad, gentle saddle, the American Dingo reached the start of a forested slope lower.\u00a0 The terrain steepened and forced her to turn NE, staying SE of a deepening ravine.\u00a0 After losing a fair amount of elevation in the trackless forest, Lupe came to a spot where she could easily cross over to the N side of the ravine.\u00a0 Here she came to an animal trail going NE down the slope.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the animal trail. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the bottom of the valley Lupe was entering, the animal trail crossed another mysterious old road.\u00a0 The trail then turned NNE passing through a short section of forest.\u00a0 Having lost a good 200 feet of elevation, Looper finally emerged on the W side of a broad, grassy valley.<\/p>\n

Moonshine Gulch, Peak 6205, and all of today’s explorations since then had all been territory Lupe had never been to before, but she had been here years ago.\u00a0 Loopster had made it to the Silver Creek valley.\u00a0 Greens Gulch, the way to Minnesota Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, split off to the NE only 0.33 mile farther upstream.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
We’ve been here before! This is the Silver Creek valley<\/strong>.<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Silver Creek was a small stream, small enough to leap over.\u00a0 Lupe did so on her way to USFS Road No. 203.1F on the E side of the valley.\u00a0 Upon reaching the road, Loop followed it N, then NE into Greens Gulch.\u00a0 0.33 mile trek up Greens Gulch brought the Carolina Dog to an intersection she recognized from Black Hills expeditions long ago.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By Silver Creek<\/strong> after leaping over it. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In Greens Gulch<\/strong>, approaching a familiar intersection. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP remembered at least one wand, maybe two, marking the roads at this junction, but none were to be seen now.\u00a0 Checking the maps, it was clear Lupe needed to keep going E up Greens Gulch on USFS Road No. 203.1D, the only road she’d never taken before from this intersection.\u00a0 No. 203.1D would get her up to a saddle SE of Minnesota Ridge.<\/p>\n

Starting up No. 203.1D, Lupe came to a brilliantly lit field of dry grass.\u00a0 At the far end, the road entered the forest and climbed more steeply.\u00a0 After gaining more than 200 feet of elevation, Looper still hadn’t come to the saddle yet, but she’d reached another smaller field and the terrain was beginning to level out.\u00a0 The road continued SE from here, but Lupe left No. 203.1D taking a shortcut straight E.<\/p>\n

5 minutes led to a 15 foot high embankment.\u00a0 Climbing it, Lupe reached the SW rim of Minnesota Ridge.\u00a0 Turning NW, she quickly came upon a minor rock outcropping.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the brilliantly lit field along USFS Road No. 203.1D. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the upper field, still on No. 203.1D. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
First minor rock outcropping along the SW edge of Minnesota Ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Minnesota Ridge encompasses a large, elevated region of pine forest.\u00a0 Nearly all of it is gently sloping, except along the SW edge where the rim of a long escarpment features rock formations ranging from only a few feet to as much as 30 feet high.<\/p>\n

Although Lupe had explored portions of Minnesota Ridge on a number of different occasions, the only other time she had come looking for the summit she had discovered a series of slightly higher rocks as she’d headed NW along the edge of the escarpment.\u00a0 This time it wouldn’t be necessary to visit all those false “summits”, since the true summit was now known to be nearly 0.5 mile from here.<\/p>\n

Gunfire!\u00a0 Hunters to the NE!\u00a0 Still unseen, they couldn’t be too far away.\u00a0 Instantly transformed into a Chicken Dingo, Looper slunk quietly NW, sticking to SPHP like glue.\u00a0 More shots were heard at intervals of several minutes before the incident ended.\u00a0 By then, Lupe had come to a more open region along the escarpment.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 6205<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was visible 3 miles SSW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Successfully eluded death and destruction! There’s Peak 6205<\/strong> (Center)<\/em>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The last time Lupe had been here, the area close to the true summit had been a deadfall jungle.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog reached a couple of rocks that looked familiar near the SE end of this region, getting up on both for a look around.\u00a0 The deadfall was still here, and matters were now further complicated by dense young pines springing up amidst it all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Pretty sure I’ve been on this rock before.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This one, too!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit wasn’t much farther, only a few hundred feet of little pines and deadfall left to weave through.\u00a0 When Lupe reached another line of rocks, she knew she was about there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Farther NW, among the young pines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Real close to the true summit now!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit was off to the NE, 30 or 40 feet from the escarpment in a part of the forest that was still happily largely deadfall-free.\u00a0 Loop and SPHP tromped about this slightly elevated flat region, but as before, nothing stood out as the clear high point.\u00a0 Face it – the true summit of Minnesota Ridge was a roomy, but not terribly interesting place.<\/p>\n

Weren’t there bigger rock formations where we saw huge birds flying around here last time, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes!\u00a0 There were, Loop.\u00a0 Turkey vultures, if I remember right.\u00a0 That’s a little lower ground, but not too far from here, just a bit farther NW.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, that was a lot more scenic, SPHP!\u00a0 Why don’t we go over there?<\/em><\/p>\n

Good idea!\u00a0 We can hang out for a little while, and see if the big birds are still circling by.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
NW of the true summit where the largest rock formations of the entire escarpment are. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This is more like it!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The big rock formations were easily found.\u00a0 No turkey vultures this time, though.\u00a0 The sun was already quite close to the horizon.\u00a0 A short break was all Lupe had time for.\u00a0 Taste of the Wild, the last apple and chocolate coconut bars all disappeared.<\/p>\n

Trees had grown up enough to pretty much hide whatever limited views had been here years ago.\u00a0 Looper did what she could, though.\u00a0 Exploring the rim of the escarpment, she gazed out toward the setting sun, or peered into the forest below.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
No more turkey vultures, SPHP!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sort of makes you wonder what ever happened to them?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring the escarpment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun was down well before Lupe got back to USFS Road No. 203.1D near the SE end of Minnesota Ridge.\u00a0 As dusk deepened, she followed the road W.\u00a0 Stars twinkled above by the time she’d retraced her journey on No. 203.1F through Greens Gulch back down to the Silver Creek valley.<\/p>\n

SPHP had a bright idea.\u00a0 Instead of following No. 203.1F S down Silver Creek, why not go W?\u00a0 The topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> showed a road going all the way to USFS Road No. 17, the highway N of Rochford.\u00a0 No. 17 was only a little over a mile away.\u00a0 Although a longer route back to the G6 overall, the rest of the march would be easy.<\/p>\n

So from Greens Gulch, Lupe took a dirt road that went NW.\u00a0 It curved W, as the map showed, crossed a muddy low spot containing the remnant of Silver Creek, then proceeded W on a long abandoned route.<\/p>\n

It all went as planned until lights appeared ahead.\u00a0 Avoiding private property, Lupe took a single track trail up a grassy draw that went S or SW.\u00a0 After gaining a fair amount of elevation, she topped out.\u00a0 In the weak beam of the little flashlight, no further route W could be seen.\u00a0 However, the single lane track continued S, or maybe SE.\u00a0 Hard to tell what to do in the dark, but sticking with the trail seemed the best option.<\/p>\n

Exactly where Lupe went on this black December night is now a matter of conjecture.\u00a0 Somehow she wound up following a road, probably USFS Road No. 217.1A, back down into the Silver Creek valley.\u00a0 She eventually reached a private road leading to Silver Creek Road (No. 204), passing a number of homes decorated with cheery Christmas lights along the way.<\/p>\n

A half moon was up by the time the American Dingo reached Rochford Road.\u00a0 Not far now.\u00a0 Only 0.25 mile W to the G6 still silently waiting at the start of Moonshine Gulch.\u00a0 (7:14 PM, 51\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sunset from USFS Road No. 203.1D near Minnesota Ridge, Black Hills of South Dakota, 12-8-20<\/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, SD Expedition No. 203 – Gimlet Creek to Minnesota Ridge (5-6-17)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 78 – The Experimental Forest & Minnesota Ridge (3-9-14)<\/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":"

8:49 AM, 38\u00baF, Rochford Road 1 mile E of Rochford – 0.25 mile W of Silver Creek Road, a wide valley appeared on the R.\u00a0 Plenty of room!\u00a0 SPHP pulled over and parked the G6.\u00a0 Lupe hopped out and began sniffing around, while SPHP checked the topo map.\u00a0 Yup, this had to be it – … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 260 – Moonshine Gulch, Peak 6205 & Minnesota Ridge (12-8-20)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30606,"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":[105,9,106,104,808,1348,1349,1192,304],"class_list":["post-30643","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-lupe","tag-minnesota-ridge","tag-moonshine-gulch","tag-peak-6205","tag-rochford","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/IMG_8615.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\/30643","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=30643"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31796,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30643\/revisions\/31796"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}