{"id":32096,"date":"2021-07-08T08:10:35","date_gmt":"2021-07-08T14:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=32096"},"modified":"2021-07-13T16:37:34","modified_gmt":"2021-07-13T22:37:34","slug":"black-hills-sd-wy-expedition-no-62-cement-ridge-6-8-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=32096","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 62 – Cement Ridge (6-8-13)"},"content":{"rendered":"

8:15 AM, 58\u00baF, Old Baldy Mountain trailhead off USFS Road No. 134<\/em> – The skies were clouding up.\u00a0 Looking like rain again, although any rain was supposed to end later this morning, chased away by 20 to 30 mph winds expected to kick up this afternoon.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo was here for the 2nd time in 6 days.\u00a0 Since Lupe had already visited Old Baldy Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,096 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> last time around, that wasn’t her destination today.\u00a0 Cement Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,674 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, 4 miles WNW, was the goal, and perhaps some wandering after that.<\/p>\n

The air was humid and still at the moment, but it would be good to get to Cement Ridge before the wind.\u00a0 Lupe left the vacant trailhead heading W on Trail No. 66, this time ignoring the turn for the E route of the No. 66 loop she had taken to Old Baldy Mountain 6 days ago.<\/p>\n

The weather had been super wet for weeks.\u00a0 Must have had yet another substantial rain here again last night.\u00a0 Verging on mucky, the level trail wound W through a mixed forest of dark pines and white-barked aspens sporting newly sprouted light green leaves.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A cool, humid start on Trail No. 66.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe soon reached the place where the W half of the Trail No. 66 loop turns N toward Beaver Creek.\u00a0 Instead of making this turn, Lupe took an old abandoned side road that went SW down into Schoolhouse Gulch.\u00a0 Picking up USFS Road No. 222 here, the Carolina Dog headed N.<\/p>\n

Where Lupe reached No. 222, a lush green meadow was visible beyond a thin line of trees W of the road.\u00a0 A large stock pond brimming with water was seen only a little farther N.\u00a0 As Lupe drew even with the pond, a man driving an ATV stopped to chat.<\/p>\n

Introducing himself as “Hank”, the man said he was on his way to mend fences on property he owned nearby.\u00a0 Noting SPHP’s interest in the stock pond, Hank said he knew the owner, and had even requested permission to fish there.\u00a0 The owner readily granted that permission, but told Hank there weren’t any fish to catch.\u00a0 Although he had once stocked the pond with 2,000 trout, the pond froze solid, winter-killing all of them.<\/p>\n

Hank commented that he didn’t see many hikers in this area, and was curious about where Lupe was going and where she’d started from.\u00a0 When SPHP relayed that information, Hank said he needed to be more active in the hills himself.\u00a0 Wishing Lupe success, he drove off.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The stock pond in Schoolhouse Gulch<\/strong> W of USFS Road No. 222. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon another vehicle came along.\u00a0 This time it was the driver of a pickup truck that stopped to chat.\u00a0 He said he was on his way to fix fences with a friend, and was surprised when SPHP told him that Hank was already there waiting for him.<\/p>\n

The pickup truck driver also owned property in this region, 270 acres in all, in 2 separate parcels.\u00a0 160 acres were back in the forest W of USFS Road No. 222, land that had been in his family since the early 1900’s.\u00a0 He had grown up there, although the old cabin was now in such a state of disrepair that it was unusable.<\/p>\n

This driver also commented on how seldom they saw hikers here, and wondered where Lupe was going?\u00a0 When SPHP said Cement Ridge, he replied that she had a long walk ahead of her.\u00a0 A neighbor had told him they’d gotten 17 inches of rain in the last 2 storms up that way, the most water received in such a short period of time since the floods of 1965.<\/p>\n

Before he drove off, SPHP assured the pickup driver that Lupe had all day, and would have no problem at all getting to Cement Ridge.<\/p>\n

For 0.5 mile, No. 222 proceeded NNW, sloping gradually downhill to the confluence of 2 major tributaries of Beaver Creek.\u00a0 Joining forces at a low point just W of the road, the combined stream turned E flowing through a culvert.<\/p>\n

Once past Beaver Creek, Lupe started gaining elevation.\u00a0 Hank was soon spotted doing something near a spring in a field W of the road.\u00a0 The pickup driver, who had supposedly been on the way to help him mend fences, was nowhere in sight, but Hank waved and shouted a friendly greeting to Lupe and SPHP.<\/p>\n

Climbing steadily, USFS Road No. 222 curved W.\u00a0 Scattered patches of blue sky appeared amid lots of puffy white, and sometimes gray, clouds.\u00a0 A light and airy breeze sprang up.\u00a0 SPHP collected Lupe treasures from the ditches, while Lupe ran sniffing through the woods investigating whatever seemed interesting.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A moment of relaxation on the way to Cement Ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After winding W for more than a mile, USFS Road No. 222 turned N again upon reaching its high point.\u00a0 No. 103, little more than a jeep trail, took off to the L here.\u00a0 Leaving No. 222, Lupe took No. 103, which quickly turned S.\u00a0 For 0.5 mile, the road was fairly straight and level.<\/p>\n

Although this region was forested, the trees were young.\u00a0 Lupe was high enough to get some decent glimpses of views to the E.\u00a0 She trotted along, drinking from little streams and mud puddles, while SPHP continued to gather Lupe treasures.\u00a0 No. 103 started to wind SW.\u00a0 Lupe passed a sign saying a permit was required for off-road vehicles in Wyoming.\u00a0 She had left South Dakota.<\/p>\n

After a mile or so on No. 103, a long switchback turned first SE, then sharply NW, going more steeply uphill.\u00a0 At the upper end, Lupe reached a saddle where No. 103 linked up with USFS Road No. 850, which had come up past Guidinger Spring from Rattlesnake Canyon.<\/p>\n

No. 850 was a much better road, and went NW a little over a mile to the fire lookout tower on Cement Ridge.\u00a0 Rather than follow the road, Lupe stayed up on higher ground NE of it, traveling the crest of the ridgeline through open forest and fields of wildflowers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Wildflowers on the way to the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
So beautiful! The wildflowers were nice, too!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A healthy specimen of the “yellow wildflower” category.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wildflowers were beautiful and abundant!\u00a0 The air – breezy, light, and fresh.\u00a0 Big clouds sailed overhead, and the views improved with each passing moment.\u00a0 A bicyclist soon appeared on No. 850, pedaling for the summit.\u00a0 Before long, another one was spotted, and more kept appearing after that.\u00a0 At first, the bicyclists were all on their way up to the lookout, but soon some were seen coasting down No. 850, too.\u00a0 Something must be going on!<\/p>\n

The Cement Ridge lookout tower came into view.\u00a0 People were gathered near a canopy set up along the road SW of the tower, but Lupe headed straight to the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the SE corner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The canopy (L) along access road No. 850 from close to the tower. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After giving Lupe some Taste of the Wild, SPHP relaxed at a picnic table near the NW corner of the lookout tower and began eating an orange.\u00a0 Tremendous views by Black Hills standards in nearly all directions!<\/p>\n

Sundance Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,824 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Warren Peaks<\/span><\/a> (6,650 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were in sight to the WNW.\u00a0 Inyan Kara<\/span><\/a> (6,360 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was off to the SW.\u00a0 Looking back into South Dakota, both Crow Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,787 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> to the NNE, and Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> to the E, were easy to spot.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Inyan Kara Mountain<\/strong> (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Terry Peak<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Low overhead, an endless procession of big clouds raced by from out of the W.\u00a0 Although Lupe was sometimes in sunshine, most of the time she was in shadow.\u00a0 The darker clouds spit a little rain as they passed.\u00a0 SPHP had only been at the picnic table for 10 minutes when suddenly a NW wind kicked up, coming in 20 to 30 mph gusts, as forecast.<\/p>\n

Moving to the more sheltered SE side of the lookout tower, SPHP worked on an apple.\u00a0 Accepting pieces of a Pop Tart, Lupe promptly decided to bury them for future use, but found it tough to do so in the hard-packed gravel surrounding the tower.<\/p>\n

Although the wind was a bit annoying, once the snack break was over, Lupe and SPHP headed down to the canopy to find out what was going on.\u00a0 A young man and woman, both smartly dressed in genuine western outfits, were busy grilling burgers and hot dogs to go along with water or beer for 140 contestants in a 110 mile long bicycle race that started and ended in Spearfish.\u00a0 Cement Ridge, 40 miles along the course, was one of the main support stops along the way.\u00a0 A photographer with a fancy camera was taking pictures of contestants that made it this far.<\/p>\n

Curiosity satisfied, Lupe head over to another picnic table for a final look around before returning briefly to the lookout tower.\u00a0 She would have stayed longer, but Carolina Dogs aren’t fond of wind.\u00a0 Lupe was soon heading SE back down the ridgeline overlooking USFS Road No. 850, where bicyclists continued to stream by.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A windy and impressively cloudy day at Cement Ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Despite the wind, Lupe would have gone up to the top of the tower, if it had been open.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was nearly back to the saddle where USFS Road No. 103 joined No. 850, when she suddenly became very interested in something hidden in deep grass amid a tight group of young trees.\u00a0 Taking a look, SPHP saw a dead chipmunk.<\/p>\n

Picking the chipmunk up to prevent Lupe from eating it, SPHP was in the process of examining the chipmunk, when it suddenly sprang up, leapt back into the grass, and began scurrying away.\u00a0 The American Dingo was on it in a flash!\u00a0 SPHP made Lupe release the chipmunk more than once in a span of only seconds, but the episode ended in tragedy with the poor, innocent chipmunk laying motionless in the grass.<\/p>\n

Terrible!\u00a0 Fearing Lupe had killed the harmless chipmunk, SPHP again picked it up, checking for injuries.\u00a0 Promptly awakening and biting SPHP, the chipmunk made another mad dash for freedom.\u00a0 This time SPHP managed to prevent Lupe from going after it.\u00a0 So much for handling “dead” wild animals!<\/p>\n

USFS Road No. 103 was just ahead.\u00a0 Not even noon yet.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had the rest of the day to wander now, if she wanted to.\u00a0 6 days ago on Expedition No. 61, a line of almost equally high ridges had been visible S of the Cement Ridge fire lookout tower.\u00a0 This was a great opportunity to explore them!<\/p>\n

Instead of heading back on No. 103, Lupe left the saddle climbing S up a forested slope.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the saddle where USFS Roads No. 850 (R) and No. 103 meet. The true summit of Cement Ridge<\/strong> is visible (R of Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching level terrain on top of the first ridge S of the roads, Lupe went WNW a little way exploring toward the highest point, ultimately reaching a spot where she had a view of the fire lookout tower more than a mile NW.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t realize it until nearly a year later, but Lupe was now at the true summit of Cement Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,674 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Without any real plan other than to explore whatever high ground she might come to, Lupe headed S through the forest.\u00a0 Didn’t seem to be any pine bark beetle infestation up here, so there wasn’t much deadfall to contend with.\u00a0 Juniper bushes growing on the forest floor were about the only impediment, and these were usually easily avoided.<\/p>\n

The terrain sloped gradually lower.\u00a0 SPHP eventually encouraged Lupe to turn SE, losing a bit more elevation as she went down to a meadow in a small valley.\u00a0 Lupe found a logging road and followed it S.\u00a0 Before long, she came to a spring bubbling up from a 4″ hole in the road.\u00a0 The day was getting sunnier and warmer, so she helped herself to a big drink.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the old logging road. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going over a series of hills, Lupe worked her way S, generally heading SE while up on top, then turning SW when the hill or ridge played out to head over to the next one.\u00a0 She crossed a road, which might have been USFS Road No. 804, where 2 bicyclists from the race appeared, but they were the last ones Lupe saw.\u00a0 SPHP kept hoping for some distant views, but the hills were all forested, and little could be glimpsed except the next rise ahead.<\/p>\n

Exactly where Lupe went, is now impossible to say.\u00a0 The American Dingo followed various old logging roads up on the ridges, and occasionally crossed USFS roads in the valleys.\u00a0 None of these roads were marked.\u00a0 Lupe saw many deer, and once, when the sky darkened for a little while, she saw 2 giant deers (elk)<\/em> near a dense pine forest.<\/p>\n

The sky brightened again.\u00a0 After crossing a road that went E\/W, Lupe came to a small vigorous stream that flowed W.\u00a0 She laid right down in it to cool off, emerging greatly refreshed.\u00a0 Pausing to check the old Black Hills NF map, SPHP figured this might be the stream S of USFS Road No. 805 that drains into Wagon Canyon.\u00a0 A beautiful cloud appeared over the next hill.\u00a0 It never developed into anything threatening.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The stream that Lupe cooled off in. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The beautiful cloud.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The magnificent cloud sailed off to the E.\u00a0 Lupe continued S.\u00a0 A logging road took her up to a high point where the forest had been thinned enough to permit a view of the top of Inyan Kara Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,360 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, still many miles to the SW.<\/p>\n

Going S along a ridge from the high point, the sky darkened again.\u00a0 Tiny hailstones fell for several minutes before morphing into a 10 minute rain shower. A shallow green valley appeared ahead with a faint road going through it.\u00a0 Upon reaching the road, a minor pass could be seen 200 yards to the NW.<\/p>\n

Lupe ventured up to the pass, where SPHP was surprised to see a brown wand identifying this road as USFS Road No. 393.1.\u00a0 Nearby to the S was a little hill with lots of pine trees.\u00a0 Climbing up to see what could be seen from here, the answer was, not much.\u00a0 SPHP sat down next to a pine tree for another look at the map, while Lupe rested on a bed of pine needles looking like she was truly enjoying this aimlessly wandering adventure.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Happy Lupe in the middle of nowhere.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 393 was shown on the map, but No. 393.1 wasn’t.\u00a0 Lupe must have drifted far enough E to be back in South Dakota, but how far S she was wasn’t clear.\u00a0 Taking a short break, Lupe and SPHP stayed on the little hill for a while.\u00a0 Couldn’t stay long.\u00a0 A few hours of daylight remained, but the sun was starting to sink toward the horizon.<\/p>\n

Returning to No. 393.1, Lupe followed it SE.\u00a0 The shallow green valley led to a larger valley with a better road that turned NE, the direction Lupe needed to go to get to the G6.\u00a0 At this turn, another marker showed that Lupe had just come down USFS Road No. 106.1A.\u00a0 Confusing!\u00a0 SPHP still wasn’t certain where the American Dingo was.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The shallow green valley Lupe had just come down from the No. 106.1A wand. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The evening stroll down the larger valley was gorgeous!\u00a0 Fabulous clouds drifted by on a cool, light breeze.\u00a0 Birds sang the happy songs of late spring.\u00a0 Lupe trotted along, pausing for drinks from each puddle she came to, while SPHP began finding and gathering Lupe treasures again.\u00a0 Another wand appeared saying that this was USFS Road No. 134.3B, which was on the map.\u00a0 For the first time in hours, SPHP knew exactly where Lupe was.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On USFS Road No. 134.3B. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a mile or two, the valley came to an abrupt end.\u00a0 For the next 0.25 mile, No. 134.3B passed through a narrow gap flanked by limestone walls.\u00a0 The road was badly eroded in here.\u00a0 Rocks, silt, and gravel had been washed away and deposited farther down the mini-gorge.<\/p>\n

When Lupe emerged from the gap, the junction with USFS Road No. 134 was just ahead.\u00a0 Another check of the map.\u00a0 Still 5 splendid miles to go!<\/p>\n

8:26 PM, 52\u00baF, Old Baldy Mountain trailhead<\/em> – Lupe’s journey to Cement Ridge, and her long wanderings S along both sides of the seldom visited South Dakota – Wyoming border had been a success, a fabulous 12 hour excursion!\u00a0 76 Lupe treasures gathered, too!\u00a0 A new record.<\/p>\n

A terrific day, but the sort of one that works up an appetite.\u00a0 About time for some cheeseburgers!\u00a0 SPHP stopped at McDonald’s in Spearfish and bought 4.\u00a0 The famished American Dingo made sure she got 2 of them before curling up to snooze the rest of the way home.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Miles S of Cement Ridge<\/strong>, Black Hills National Forest 6-8-13<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Next Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 141 – Old Baldy Mountain & Cement Ridge (10-11-15)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 205 – Balm of Gilead Gulch & Cement Ridge (5-20-17)<\/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":"

8:15 AM, 58\u00baF, Old Baldy Mountain trailhead off USFS Road No. 134 – The skies were clouding up.\u00a0 Looking like rain again, although any rain was supposed to end later this morning, chased away by 20 to 30 mph winds expected to kick up this afternoon. The American Dingo was here for the 2nd time … Continue reading Black Hills, SD & WY Expedition No. 62 – Cement Ridge (6-8-13)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32105,"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":[105,9,106,367,104,304,275],"class_list":["post-32096","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-cement-ridge","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/P1010008.jpg?fit=1280%2C960&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32096","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=32096"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32096\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34580,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32096\/revisions\/34580"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/32105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}