{"id":32413,"date":"2021-08-02T08:10:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T14:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=32413"},"modified":"2022-10-28T20:21:49","modified_gmt":"2022-10-29T02:21:49","slug":"black-hills-sd-wy-expeditions-the-early-years-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=32413","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

A brief review of Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions during 2013 for which insufficient photos were available to facilitate the development of full individual posts, as further explained in The Early Years: 2012.<\/em><\/p>\n

Expedition No. 42 –<\/strong><\/span> False North Point (1-1-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting New Year 2013 off right on False North Point<\/strong>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View to the NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2013 got off to a great start with a New Year’s Day expedition!\u00a0 Starting from Horse Creek Road, Lupe explored USFS Road No. 669 intent upon climbing Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 She didn’t get there, but the Carolina Dog did make it up False North Point<\/span><\/a> (6,130 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 The views from the rocky summit were terrific!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe may not have made it to Five Points<\/strong> (Center), but she did see it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Enjoying the view from False North Point<\/strong>. Harney Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,242 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading back down USFS Road No. 669 at the end of the day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 43 –<\/strong><\/span> Five Points (1-6-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Five Points<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Failing to reach Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> on New Year’s Day, Lupe returned to the same area on Expedition No. 43 only 5 days later.\u00a0 This time she did climb the 3 highest points of Five Points, but in a camera fiasco later on, SPHP accidentally deleted nearly all the photos.\u00a0 Sheesh!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way up Five Points.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Snowy woods on the way back.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 44 –<\/strong><\/span> Minnesota Ridge (1-27-13)\u00a0 No photos!\u00a0 <\/em>A pleasant, but unspectacular trek along USFS Road No. 204 to Minnesota Ridge, which encompasses a large region.\u00a0 Lupe did not even attempt to find the summit, instead enjoying a long romp through snow-filled forests and fields.<\/p>\n

Expedition No. 45 –<\/strong><\/span> Rolling Hills (2-3-13)\u00a0 No photos!<\/em>\u00a0 A quiet, snowy day wandering NE of the Rolling Hills subdivision off Nemo Road.<\/p>\n

Expedition No. 46 –<\/strong><\/span> Erskine Gulch & Steamboat Rock (2-9-13)\u00a0 No photos!<\/em>\u00a0 Lupe explored the Erskine Gulch area clear up to USFS Road No. 144 E of Nemo.\u00a0 Late in the day, the American Dingo nearly reached the top of Steamboat Rock<\/span><\/a> (5,081 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but was stymied by an unbroken line of limestone cliffs along the N, W & S sides.<\/p>\n

Expedition No. 47 –<\/strong> <\/span>Stagebarn Canyon (2-16-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Stagebarn Canyon<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Starting from a snowy road in Stagebarn Canyon, Lupe managed to find a way to climb out of the canyon.\u00a0 She then made a big loop exploring the ridges on both sides.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Limestone spires along the Stagebarn Canyon<\/strong> cliff wall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Above the cliff wall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Stagebarn Canyon<\/strong> from above.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 48 –<\/strong><\/span> Nugget Gulch, Silver Peak & Spaw Gulch (2-23-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Porcupine formation on the way up a ridge leading to Peak 5732<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Starting from the end of Horse Creek Road, Lupe went through Nugget Gulch, climbed both Peak 5732<\/span><\/strong> and Silver Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,810 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, wandered clear down to Rapid Creek and Slate Creek via Stewart Gulch, and finally returned by way of Spaw Gulch.\u00a0 Whew!\u00a0 A big day for sure!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The ridge connecting Peak 5732 & Silver Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Silver Peak<\/strong> summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 49 –<\/strong><\/span> Wonderland Cave region (3-3-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring USFS Road No. 703.1 near Wonderland Cave.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After driving to the NW end of USFS Road No. 203 in the central Black Hills, SPHP realized there was way too much snow for Lupe to continue her explorations of Minnesota Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

With no definite Plan B in mind, by chance Lupe eventually wound up exploring an entirely different region.\u00a0 Taking a spur of Centennial Trail No. 89 from Bethlehem Cave Road, the Carolina Dog climbed way up into the hills where she followed various USFS Roads and ATV trails to the Wonderland Cave area.\u00a0 Although a lot lower than Minnesota Ridge, plenty of snow even around here!<\/p>\n

Expedition No. 50 –<\/strong> <\/span>Coon Hollow (3-10-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Flume Trail No. 50<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the Coon Hollow trailhead near Rockerville, Lupe explored Flume Trail No. 50 from the E.\u00a0 (She’d already explored the W half way back on Expedition No. 19.)\u00a0 A howling coyote that Lupe actually saw was the big highlight of the day, and a minor, bloody paw injury, the lowlight.<\/p>\n

Expedition No. 51 –<\/strong><\/span> Minnesota Ridge & Gimlet Creek (3-14-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Minnesota Ridge<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe made a giant loop wandering various USFS Roads.\u00a0 Starting from the NW end of Minnesota Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> she took USFS Road No. 203 heading SE.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog eventually explored No. 203.1E and No. 204.1F.\u00a0 A huge white and gray rabbit led her on 2 merry chases through the forest on the way down to Rochford Road and the Mickelson Trail along Rapid Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 203.1E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Panting hard after an exhilarating, though unsuccessful, rabbit hunt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rapid Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The adventure ended with a scenic trek up the Gimlet Creek valley, and an unnecessarily long trudge back due to SPHP’s navigation errors.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Gimlet Creek valley<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 52 –<\/strong><\/span> South of Neck Yoke Road (3-22-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 686.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With snow predicted up in the Black Hills, Lupe explored territory along the lower E edge of the hills S of Neck Yoke Road.\u00a0 Expecting a forested trek along USFS Roads No. 686 and 641.1A, Lupe instead came to lots of open ground where the trees had burned years ago.\u00a0 Surprisingly nice views on a day when none were anticipated!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Clouds gathering over the Black Hills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A hillside of burn piles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views disappeared as snow squalls moved in, cutting this adventure short.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Scenic high point of the day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the end.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 53 –<\/strong><\/span> Friday Gulch & Slate Creek (3-29-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The wanderer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Starting from a junction with Horse Creek Road, Lupe took USFS Road No. 243 SW up a long valley.\u00a0 Going over a ridge at the upper end, she wandered W and N for hours along a maze of marked and unmarked USFS Roads.\u00a0 Along the way, Lupe visited Friday Gulch, the pond at the Slate Creek dam, and followed Slate Creek downstream for a while.\u00a0 The return was a tiring one over a series of ridges.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
One of many quiet USFS roads traveled on Expedition No. 53.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the alert!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Slate Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 54 –<\/strong><\/span> Lowden Mountain (4-6-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Lowden Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 54 began at Newton Lake along Deerfield Road.\u00a0 From here, Lupe climbed Lowden Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,055 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 She then roamed N all the way to Slate Creek.\u00a0 Following Slate Creek NE, Lupe turned S on USFS Road No. 530.1A, making a big loop in the region W of where she had been on Expedition No. 53.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Slate Creek valley<\/strong> (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turning W off Burnt Fork Road, Lupe came to a square pond.\u00a0 NW of the pond she discovered the site of the old Gold Mountain mine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The rectangular pond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Gold Mountain mine<\/strong> site.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lowden Mountain<\/strong> (Center) from the Gold Mountain mine<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lowden Mountain was only 0.7 mile SW of the Gold Mountain mine, so Lupe climbed it a second time.\u00a0 On the way, the Carolina Dog discovered a real treasure, a piece of some unfortunate deer’s leg.\u00a0 She carried it for quite a while before finally losing interest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
With the deer leg prize.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Harney Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) from Lowden Mountain<\/strong> late in the day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 55 –<\/strong><\/span> Return to Coon Hollow<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cousin Dusty on Flume Trail No. 50<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Such a short jaunt that it barely met minimum Dingo standards for a Black Hills expedition!\u00a0 But cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe were here from Colorado, and they greatly enjoyed the solitude and easy trek on Flume Trail No. 50 to Air Force Vista Point.\u00a0 Fun for Lupe and SPHP to have some company for a change, too!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe and Uncle Joe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 56 –<\/strong><\/span> 2K Mountain (4-27-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Field S of Custer Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 56 sure made up for any “lightness” on No. 55!\u00a0 Starting from SE of Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Lupe made a long circuitous journey all the way to 2K Mountain (Peak<\/span> 6701<\/span><\/a><\/strong>) many miles SW.\u00a0 On the way, the American Dingo explored USFS Roads No. 216 and No. 206.1A.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak<\/span> 6600<\/span><\/a><\/strong> from USFS Road No. 216.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Custer Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rock formations near the summit of 2K Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
View from 2K Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing near the summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A long way back. Custer Peak<\/strong> from 2K Mountain<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Both coming and going, Lupe passed a friendly brown and white horse that whinnied in dismay each time she left it behind.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The lonely horse.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although it was late April, there was snow.\u00a0 Oh, boy, was there ever snow!\u00a0 Lupe leapt through drifts 2, 3, and even 4 feet deep on several long off-road stretches.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
“Deep Snow” Forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During the return Lupe discovered the source of Buskala Creek, and went on to visit Gudak Gulch.\u00a0 Nearly 11 hours round trip, but Lupe came through it all looking good!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way back.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 57 –<\/strong><\/span> Clayton Pond (5-4-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to Clayton Pond, which is up the valley to the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

May!\u00a0 Plenty of daylight facilitating another very long expedition.\u00a0 Lupe roamed for 11+ hours on Expedition No. 57.\u00a0 Starting much farther W this time from the intersection of USFS Roads No. 206 and No. 206.1A, the Carolina Dog explored a huge region E, N and W of 2K Mountain.\u00a0 Her travels eventually brought her to Clayton Pond, where she saw ducks and relaxed while frogs sang, and to Yellowjacket Spring where she got chased by a possibly rabid skunk!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Clayton Pond<\/strong> from the little earthen dam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Half a dozen ducks had flown away as Lupe arrived at Clayton Pond<\/strong>, quacking their disapproval.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SE, the direction Lupe had come from.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe hung around listening to the frogs for 20 or 30 minutes before starting the long march back.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 58 –<\/strong><\/span> Swede Gulch, Tillson Creek & Crooks Tower (5-11-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Tillson Creek<\/strong> in lower Swede Gulch<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the days kept getting longer, so did Lupe’s expeditions!\u00a0 From Nahant, Lupe roamed up Swede Gulch following a use trail along Tillson Creek.\u00a0 Swede Gulch eventually broadened out, essentially vanishing at the edge of a huge field.\u00a0 Lupe explored part of the field before venturing W through untracked forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The use trail along Tillson Creek<\/strong> in Swede Gulch<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cooling off on a patch of snow near Tillson Creek<\/strong>. Later on, Lupe struggled through snow 3 feet deep in sheltered parts of the forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A spring near the start of the big field at the upper end of Swede Gulch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog made it all the way to Crooks Tower<\/span><\/a> (7,137 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> before having to turn back.\u00a0 Something like 25 miles round trip in all for SPHP.\u00a0 Lupe must have run 100!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NW from a viewpoint a mile N of Crooks Tower.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing on Crooks Tower<\/strong>. Lupe’s 3rd ascent!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 59 –<\/strong><\/span> Black Fox & Crooks Tower (5-18-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing in an unnamed stream while wandering NW of Black Fox.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A week after her 3rd ascent of Crooks Tower, Lupe climbed it again!\u00a0 This time the American Dingo started from USFS Road No. 234 near the upper end of Swede Gulch.\u00a0 Taking No. 234 across Tillson Creek, Lupe roamed S, eventually coming to the South Fork of Rapid Creek near the Black Fox campground.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
South Fork of Rapid Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heading up the Rhoades Fork valley, Lupe took USFS Road No. 233.2D up Beaver Draw.\u00a0 She eventually wound up on No. 189, which she followed to Crooks Tower.\u00a0 Upon departure, Lupe went N from Crooks Tower back to the same viewpoint she’d been to on Expedition No. 58.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Crooks Tower<\/strong> for the 2nd time in 2 weeks. 4th ascent!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With all the miscellaneous off-road wandering the American Dingo did, Expedition No. 59 was once again over 11 hours long.\u00a0 Would have been 12 hours, if SPHP hadn’t hitched a ride from Besant Park for the last mile or two back to the G6.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
N of Crooks Tower<\/strong> with miles to go to get back to the G6.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 60 –<\/strong><\/span> Bell Park Cemetery, White Tail Peak & the North Fork of Castle Creek<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A short distance below the upper lip of the limestone cliffs along White Tail Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Starting from the Bell Park Cemetery SW of Rochford, Lupe headed W for White Tail Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,962 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, passing S of the Merry-Go-Round Camp region on the way.\u00a0 Her first attempt to get above the limestone cliffs along the upper rim of White Tail Peak was nearly successful, but she was ultimately forced to retreat.<\/p>\n

No problem!\u00a0 USFS Road No. 190 got the Carolina Dog up to the summit plateau easily enough, and Lupe was then able to traipse S along an ATV trail to the true summit, which proved to be a small, nearly flat clearing in the woods.\u00a0 Continuing SE on the ATV trail soon got her to fabulous views near the end of White Tail Peak’s shortest SE ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing on White Tail Peak<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The big view from White Tail Peak’s short SE ridge<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe rested for a while at the viewpoint before returning to the summit.\u00a0 From there, she circled around first to the W, then S, down into the big valley that’s the source of the North Fork of Castle Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
White Tail Peak<\/strong> (R) from the North Fork of Castle Creek valley<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 61 –<\/span> Roughlock Falls & Old Baldy Mountain (6-2-13)<\/span><\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 Full post!<\/em><\/p>\n

Expedition No. 62 –<\/span> Cement Ridge (6-8-13)<\/span><\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 Full post!<\/em><\/p>\n

Expedition No. 63 –<\/strong><\/span> Upper West Hell Canyon & Wildcat Draw (6-15-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mid-June and wildflowers were everywhere!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 63 was a day of wildflowers and expansive views!\u00a0 Lupe left USFS Road No. 291 at a point roughly 2 miles SW of Bear Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,166 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>wandering W on long ridges.\u00a0 She explored part of upper West Hell Canyon, and got far enough W by day’s end to begin her return by going up Wildcat Draw.\u00a0 Although part of the huge loop Lupe made went through pine forests, most of this region was wide open territory, having burned in the 83,508 acre Jasper fire back in August, 2000.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deadfall on a ridge W of USFS Road No. 291.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe visited the high spot with the tall trees ahead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Wild irises.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Among wildflowers close to the tall pines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Jasper Fire region W of Lemming Draw<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Highlights of the journey included a big orange water storage tank Lupe discovered W of West Hell Canyon.\u00a0 Even farther W, she happened upon the Bejeweled Ridge Space Port, which might actually have been some sort of wild animal shelter.\u00a0 The name Bejeweled Ridge came from small geodes full of crystals found on a ridge close to the space port.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the orange water storage tank (Center).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The storage tank didn’t seem to be in use any more.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the Bejeweled Ridge Space Port<\/strong>, waiting to be beamed up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching Wildcat Draw, 7 miles due W of where she’d started from, Lupe headed back.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog stayed farther N during the return, allowing her to keep exploring new territory.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite all the miles she’d roamed, deer were the about only wildlife Lupe had seen all day until she finally ran into a coyote on the way back.\u00a0 Lupe thought about joining the wild dogs to live out here in this beautiful region, but SPHP talked her out of it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing in Wildcat Draw<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 64 –<\/strong><\/span> Gordon Gulch (9-11-13)\u00a0 No photos!<\/em>\u00a0 Starting from Horse Creek Road, Lupe explored S on USFS Roads No. 243.2J and No. 669 all the way down Gordon Gulch to Hwy 385.\u00a0 During the return, she got onto USFS Road No. 738.\u00a0 Somewhere E of Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, a helicopter flew low overhead, causing some excitement.<\/p>\n

Exactly where Lupe went is no longer completely certain.\u00a0 Heading N, she climbed a number of small hills and a rocky crag. Loop eventually reached a different part of USFS Road No. 669, descended from the W a valley she had been through several times earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Expedition No. 65 –<\/strong><\/span> Seth Bullock Lookout & Bear Gulch (9-24-13)\u00a0 No photos!<\/em><\/p>\n

Expedition No. 66 –<\/strong><\/span> The Ponderosa Hike with Dusty & Uncle Joe (9-28-13)\u00a0 No photos!<\/em><\/p>\n

Expedition No. 67 –<\/strong><\/span> Big Sid Joins the Pack!<\/strong><\/span> (10-26-13)<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0 Full post!<\/em><\/p>\n

Expedition No. 68 –<\/span><\/strong> Nichols Creek Quarry (11-2-13)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Off road on the way to Nichols Creek Quarry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Big Sid, Lupe’s friend and neighbor, joined her again for a second romp in the Black Hills on Expedition No. 68.\u00a0 Setting off along USFS Road No. 294 from about 2 miles W of Deerfield Reservoir, a big mostly off-road loop was made to the NW.<\/p>\n

Big Sid evidently felt a lot more confident this time that he wasn’t about to be abandoned, and really seemed to enjoy roaming at will.\u00a0 Purely by accident, Lupe and Big Sid came across Nichols Creek Quarry a couple of miles into the trek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nichols Creek Quarry<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing NW from the quarry, Coulsen Hughes Draw was as far as Lupe and Big Sid made it before having to start back.\u00a0 They returned by a long, winding route both on and off USFS Roads.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe and Big Sid in Coulsen Hughes Draw<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Big Sid loved the nearly 8 hour long trek with Lupe, but wasn’t used to so much exercise.\u00a0 His owner reported that Sidney could scarcely move for a week afterward, and pronounced SPHP a “dog-killer”!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Snowy forest N of Coulsen Hughes Draw<\/strong> where Lupe and Big Sid started back.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Expedition No. 69 –<\/strong><\/span> Hat Mountain, Ditch Creek & the Dragon Caves (11-16-13)\u00a0 No photos!\u00a0<\/em> Big Sid joined Lupe again, making his 3rd Black Hills Expedition appearance, a 9 hour loop to the S & W starting from the Gold Run trailhead at Deerfield Reservoir.<\/p>\n

Before reaching Hat Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,779 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Sidney found a huge, slimy green membrane-covered organ from some kind of large animal laying in the forest.\u00a0 It was absolutely vile looking, so naturally he began eating it.\u00a0 Lupe had enough sense to stay away.<\/p>\n

The disgusting organ (maybe a stomach or liver?) must not have been as poisonous as it appeared.\u00a0 Sidney managed to accompany Lupe up Hat Mountain, and explored some very high ridges to the S with her en route to the Ditch Creek campground.\u00a0 The adventure concluded with a visit to the long lost Dragon Caves.<\/p>\n

Expedition No. 70 – <\/span><\/strong>East of Gillette Prairie (11-24-13)<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 Full post!<\/em><\/p>\n

Expedition No. 71 – <\/span>Coulsen Hughes Draw (11-30-13)<\/span><\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 Full post!<\/em><\/p>\n

Expedition No. 72 –<\/strong><\/span> Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Slate Creek (12-14-13)\u00a0 No photos!\u00a0<\/em> Big Sid joined Lupe on her 3rd birthday for a repeat of her first two Black Hills expeditions ever, an easy trek up Rapid Creek to its confluence with Slate Creek.\u00a0 This was Big Sid’s 6th expedition in a row with Lupe, and they had a great time together.<\/p>\n

Many trees killed by pine bark beetles had fallen over the trail since the last time Lupe had been here.\u00a0 They might have come down in the big October 4, 2013 blizzard.<\/p>\n

Expedition No. 73 –<\/strong><\/span> Mount Warner (12-18-13)\u00a0 No photos!\u00a0<\/em> A relatively short expedition this time around on Centennial Trail No. 89.\u00a0 Heading N from the Samelias trailhead, Lupe climbed Mount Warner<\/span><\/a> (5,889 ft)<\/span><\/strong>, but that was as far as she went.\u00a0 Sadly, Big Sid missed out, bringing his string of 6 consecutive expeditions with her to an end.<\/p>\n

Final Note:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Expedition No. 73 turned out to be the last of 32 Black Hills Expeditions in 2013.\u00a0 Lupe had spent these halcyon days wandering seldom-visited USFS roads in remote areas.\u00a0 She’d frequently been completely off-road and off-trail for miles at a time, exploring countless unnamed valleys, hills, and ridges.<\/p>\n

2013 had been unique, a year unlike any other.\u00a0 Back in 2012, Lupe had concentrated on completing Centennial Trail No. 89 and Deerfield Trails No. 40 & 40L.\u00a0 By the middle of 2014, her focus would change to climbing one or more peaks on virtually every expedition, largely due to SPHP’s discovery of Peakbagger.com<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 But in 2013, the young Carolina Dog had been totally free to follow her nose and heart’s desire.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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

Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2012<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2014 & 2015<\/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":"

A brief review of Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions during 2013 for which insufficient photos were available to facilitate the development of full individual posts, as further explained in The Early Years: 2012. Expedition No. 42 – False North Point (1-1-13) 2013 got off to a great start with a New Year’s Day … Continue reading Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions – The Early Years: 2013<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32118,"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":[105,9,106,104,304,275],"class_list":["post-32413","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-south-dakota","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/P1010021.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\/32413","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=32413"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32413\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41410,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32413\/revisions\/41410"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/32118"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}