{"id":32769,"date":"2021-04-04T08:10:50","date_gmt":"2021-04-04T14:10:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=32769"},"modified":"2023-12-20T21:43:57","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T04:43:57","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-267-flume-trail-no-50-boulder-hill-to-sheridan-lake-3-3-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=32769","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 267 – Flume Trail No. 50: Boulder Hill to Sheridan Lake (3-3-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

8:26 AM, 32\u00baF, Boulder Hill trailhead along USFS Road No. 358<\/em> – A bit of a chill in the air when Lupe leapt out of the G6, but not a cloud in the sky.\u00a0 Supposed to warm up nicely.\u00a0 In fact, it had already been unseasonably warm the last couple of days.\u00a0 Not much snow left at all, although some lingered on N slopes and in shady spots.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Raring to go at the Boulder Hill trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Boulder Hill trailhead!\u00a0 Been a while since we’ve been here, SPHP.\u00a0 Are we going to climb Boulder Hill\u00a0again?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nope, not today, Loop!\u00a0 How about a romp along Flume Trail No. 50 all the way to Sheridan Lake?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds good, SPHP!\u00a0 The Flume Trail is a snap!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, we’re gonna toughen it up a bit, though.\u00a0 Climb 2 or 3 peaks with more than 300 feet of prominence that I dug up from Lists of John<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n

I knew there would be a catch!<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Wouldn’t want it to be too easy now, would we?\u00a0 One of those peaks is right here, just NW of the trailhead.\u00a0 Let’s tag it first, then hit the trail.<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak<\/span> 5048<\/span><\/a><\/strong> wasn’t going to be all that much of a climb.\u00a0 350 feet ought to about do it.\u00a0 The E slope looked easier than the S slope did, so Loopster worked her way around that way.\u00a0 Partway up, she caught a glimpse of Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> less than a mile away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Boulder Hill<\/strong> from Peak 5048’s SE slope. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the ascent was on pine needles with some deadfall in the mix.\u00a0 A short scrambly stretch appeared just before Lupe reached the top.\u00a0 Peak 5048’s summit proved to be kind of unusual, 120 to 150 feet across with 3 separate rock formations forming distinct high points.\u00a0 Lupe climbed the SE one first.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A little scrambly just before reaching the summit. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On Peak 5048’s SE high point<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rest of the summit region from the SE high point. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak 5048 was too heavily forested to permit much in the way of views, although it was possible to catch glimpses of Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> by moving around a bit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Five Points<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog visited all 3 of Peak 5048’s high points.\u00a0 The NW one proved to be the true summit.\u00a0 SPHP shared a chocolate coconut bar with her there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the NE high point<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On a rock near the NW high point. NE high point<\/strong> (L). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the NW high point, Peak 5048’s true summit<\/strong>! Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Loop completed her tour of Peak<\/span> 5048<\/span><\/a><\/strong> by checking out a crude shelter tucked in the low spot between the 3 high points.\u00a0 Roomy enough for an American Dingo, but it sure looked like the roof would leak.\u00a0 On such a beautiful day, Lupe had no need for a shelter, anyway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Not exactly a marvel of engineering, but I suppose it would be better than nothing!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was already starting back down the mountain when she stumbled onto the best view of all from just below the SE high point.\u00a0 An open spot provided a nice panorama of Boulder Hill, Silver Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and Black Elk Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Boulder Hill<\/strong> (L), Silver Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center) & Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With her exploration of Peak<\/span> 5048<\/span><\/a><\/strong> complete, Lupe returned to Flume Trail No. 50 at the Boulder Hill trailhead and headed W.<\/p>\n

After a short stretch in pine forest, the trail crossed USFS Road No. 358, entering more open territory.\u00a0 This was all part of Section 2 as shown on the Flume Trail map<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 Passing through a field of scrub oak, the trail went slowly downhill.\u00a0 Lupe got a nice look at Peak 5048 from below.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Entering the open region right after crossing USFS Road No. 358. Boulder Hill<\/strong> (L). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the scrub oaks. USFS Road No. 358 (R). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5048<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Gradually losing elevation. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the end of Section 2, the trail gained roughly 40 feet before starting gradually down again.\u00a0 0.6 mile from the trailhead, Looper reached an intersection.\u00a0 Loop B, which took the long way (3.8 miles!) back to the Boulder Hill trailhead, was to the R.\u00a0 Section 1 of the Flume Trail, which went to Sheridan Lake, was to the L.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The intersection, as seen from Loop B. Section 1 starts right behind Lupe, which is the way she needed to go. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Section 1 started out winding NW along mostly pine-forested hillsides.\u00a0 The trail was very flat along in here, apparently following the original route of the old Spring Creek to Rockerville flume bed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On a snowy stretch near the E end of Section 1. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Passing through some dog hair pines. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

15 minutes brought Lupe to a road.\u00a0 Where to?\u00a0 No sign of where the trail went from here.\u00a0 SPHP initially thought the trail must cross the road, but could see no indication of it on the other side.\u00a0 However, a more careful search revealed a couple of 1 inch tall stubs of a broken wand right along the edge of the opposite side of the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Arriving at the road. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aha!\u00a0 Must be the way!\u00a0 Continuing WNW, the direction the trail had been going where it reached the road, Lupe plunged ahead.\u00a0 While she sniffed through snowy open forest, SPHP kept an eye out for some clear indication of the trail, because there was no real sign of it yet.<\/p>\n

After 400 or 500 feet, the American Dingo came to a barbed wire fence.\u00a0 Still nothing.\u00a0 Suspicious.\u00a0 The trail had been really easy to follow until it reached the road.\u00a0 Following the fence line S, Lupe was soon at the road again.\u00a0 Maybe she ought to follow it?<\/p>\n

The road was muddy, full of slush and big puddles.\u00a0 0.2 mile S brought Lupe to a green gate.\u00a0 A “50” diamond on the L post confirmed that she was going the right way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the green gate. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the gate, the road kept winding S or SW.\u00a0 Lupe finally came to a cut where the road started turning W.\u00a0 Just past the cut was a junction with another road that went S.\u00a0 Fortunately, another “50” diamond was on a tree to the W.\u00a0 Helpful!\u00a0 Ignoring the road to the S, Lupe went W.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Coming to the “cut”. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
“50” diamond on the tree to the R. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon turning SW again, the road remained quite level as Lupe followed it along the SE side of a shallow valley.\u00a0 (Johnson Gulch about a mile NW of Boulder Hill on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the SE side of Johnson Gulch<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The valley narrowed, and Loop reached another junction.\u00a0 75 feet S of this intersection, a leaning brown wand showed where Flume Trail No. 50 finally left the road.\u00a0 After crossing a tiny frozen creek, the trail went N on the W side of Johnson Gulch, eventually turning NE as the valley widened out.\u00a0 Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> came back into sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the W side of Johnson Gulch<\/strong> (R) now, shortly after the Flume Trail left the road. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Boulder Hill<\/strong> (L of Center) beyond Johnson Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Flume Trail No. 50 kept coming to various intersections with old jeep trails or USFS Roads, but seldom followed them.\u00a0 Johnson Gulch fed into a huge open field to the N known as Baker Park.\u00a0 Before getting all the way to it, the trail curved W again, but for a while Lupe enjoyed mostly tree-broken views of Baker Park.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Flume Trail crosses another old jeep trail. Peak 5040<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5171<\/strong> (R) beyond Baker Park<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Somewhere along in here, it became clear that the Flume Trail was no longer following the old flume bed.\u00a0 The trail headed W up onto a grassy ridge.\u00a0 Peak 5006 and Peak 5040 were both in view only 0.5 mile WNW.<\/p>\n

Lupe had been going for quite a while now, and this seemed like a good spot to take a break.\u00a0 Stopping in the shade of a large, lone pine tree, SPHP had an apple, and split another chocolate coconut bar with Loop.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the break spot. Peak 5006<\/span><\/strong> (Center) and Peak 5040<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a nice rest, Lupe continued on her way.\u00a0 The trail headed NW along the ridge, which soon ended.\u00a0 Flume Trail No. 50 switchbacked down a NE slope, turned NW at the bottom close to Baker Park, then looped SW up the Bittersweet Creek valley.\u00a0 Bittersweet Creek was non-existent, no surface water at all.\u00a0 The grassy terrain was quite gentle, and before long the American Dingo was across the valley, heading N again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near Baker Park<\/strong> (L) after leaving the ridge. Peak 5048<\/strong> (L), Storm Hill<\/strong> (Center) and Boulder Hill<\/strong> (R). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bittersweet Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The single track trail came to yet another road, and this time followed it NW for a while, as evidenced by occasional “50” diamonds on the trees and other markers.\u00a0 Steadily gaining elevation, it soon became apparent that any views of Boulder Hill were about to be left behind for good.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Last glance back at Boulder Hill<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the road headed farther into the trees, Lupe came to a second green gate.\u00a0 No “50” diamonds or any other markers here.\u00a0 Didn’t seem right.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the second green gate. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Glancing around, SPHP could sort of make out what might be a diamond 150 feet away at the top of a slope to the SW.\u00a0 Looper went to investigate.\u00a0 Sure enough!\u00a0 The Flume Trail must have left the road a little way back.\u00a0 It was up here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back on track! Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The whole mood of Flume Trail No. 50 changed as Lupe continued over the rise.\u00a0 Losing some elevation on the other side, she entered a denser pine forest.\u00a0 Gone were all the relatively open views and gentle terrain, although the trail itself was super easy.\u00a0 Reaching the old flume bed, the trail leveled out again, but the mountain slopes on each side were much steeper than before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back on the old flume bed. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Flume Trail No. 50 again made another long foray SW along the SE side of a deeper valley.\u00a0 A tiny creek crossed at the far end was frozen solid.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the frozen creek where the valley floor finally rose enough to meet the trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now on the NW side of the valley, the trail narrowed as it headed NNE.\u00a0 After a bit, a wall of rock appeared ahead.\u00a0 The trail went straight for a wood-framed black opening.\u00a0 Lupe had reached the first of 2 tunnels.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the short tunnel. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This was the short tunnel.\u00a0 Hardly anything to it, except for a trail system map posted inside on the R as Lupe entered.\u00a0 SPHP paused briefly for a quick look, before the Carolina Dog went out the other end of the tunnel.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Map in the short tunnel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A closer look at the relevant portion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster waiting at the far end. Just about the entire tunnel is in view here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even though it was short, the tunnel was still pretty cool.\u00a0 Definitely an unmistakable landmark along the way.\u00a0 After going through the tunnel, the trail continued N, but it wasn’t long before it bent sharply W.<\/p>\n

The stretch ahead was flat, but icy and narrow, with exceptionally steep banks on both sides.\u00a0 Sheridan Lake Road was visible down in the Spring Creek valley on the R (N).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Icy and narrow as the trail heads W shortly after going through the short tunnel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The icy, narrow, steep situation persisted as Flume Trail No. 50 curved NW.\u00a0 However, it soon curved W again, then SW.\u00a0 As the Spring Creek valley got left behind, the surrounding terrain was no longer as steep.\u00a0 Just a pleasant stroll through sunlit forest again!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Beyond the narrow, icy stretch. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everything proceeded along smoothly enough for another 10 minutes.\u00a0 Then Lupe came to a cut.\u00a0 A few minutes beyond the cut, another dark opening appeared.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the cut. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The long tunnel entrance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peering into the long tunnel, Lupe saw a path of 3 planks laid side by side leading into the darkness.\u00a0 No light could be detected indicating any opening at the far end.\u00a0 Spooky!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Spooky! You sure about this SPHP?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog ventured in.\u00a0 She didn’t have to go very far before light could be seen quite some distance ahead.\u00a0 Reassuring!\u00a0 Confident now that there actually was another end to this tunnel, Lupe kept going.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
There’s light ahead, SPHP! I think this is going to be OK. Follow me!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some of the plank flooring was loose and sagged under SPHP’s weight.\u00a0 Lupe had no problem, but the ceiling was low enough in spots to make SPHP stoop.\u00a0 The light at the far end of the tunnel kept growing, though.\u00a0 Gonna be fine!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Keep coming! Not much farther now!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The short tunnel was only what, 20 or 30 feet long?\u00a0 The long tunnel was 10 times that.\u00a0 All went well until the end when SPHP’s head bashed into the very last timber overhead.<\/p>\n

Smooth move, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Thanks, Loop!\u00a0 Just call me Grace!<\/em><\/p>\n

You, OK?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, mostly.\u00a0 Only whacked my head.\u00a0 Can’t be too serious!<\/em><\/p>\n

Past the long tunnel, the world seemed incredibly bright.\u00a0 Spring Creek, many times larger than the little trickles Lupe had come to so far, could now be heard way down in the canyon ahead.\u00a0 Traversing another steep slope, Flume Trail No. 50 headed S past a big wall of rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Past the long tunnel now, in a much rockier region. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looper was soon past the wall, the trail remaining quite level the entire way.\u00a0 Rocky portions of the flume bed were still ahead as Flume Trail No. 50 curved WSW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The trail became quite rocky as it wound along the old flume bed. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A particularly impressive display of the work that must have gone into building the flume route way back in 1880. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rushing sound Spring Creek was making down in the canyon meant one thing.\u00a0 Looper was getting close to Sheridan Lake!\u00a0 Before long, the dam appeared ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sheridan Lake dam<\/strong> (Center). Peak 5200<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taking it’s sweet time getting there, the trail made one last foray to the S.\u00a0 Near the end, the trail was sort of messed up.\u00a0 Hard to tell exactly where it went.\u00a0 Lupe wound up overlooking the spillway from a spot that couldn’t have been part of the official trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing along the snowy path.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Almost there, but off the official trail. Sheridan Lake spillway<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A short steep scramble, tricky for SPHP with the slippery snow, got Lupe back on track.\u00a0 The frozen surface of Sheridan Lake came into sight.\u00a0 A few minutes later, Loopster reached Flume Trail No. 50’s junction with Centennial Trail No. 89.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back on Flume Trail No. 50 approaching frozen Sheridan Lake<\/strong>. Peak 5200<\/strong> (Center) on the opposite shore. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Even with the dam now. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looper where Flume Trail No. 50 meets Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heading down to the lake, SPHP spotted another trail system map like the one back at the short tunnel.<\/p>\n

Flume Trail No. 50 went on to a choice of 2 different trailheads from here.\u00a0 One route went SW paralleling the lakeshore for nearly a mile, all the way to the Calumet trailhead at Blue Wing.\u00a0 Another spur of similar length left the Sheridan Lake dam, winding NE down along Spring Creek to the Upper Spring Creek trailhead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Flume Trail system map posted near Sheridan Lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Once again, a closer look at the relevant portion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Which way, SPHP?\u00a0 Or are we heading back now?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, no!\u00a0 We’re not done yet, Loop.\u00a0 You’ve still got a mountain to climb!\u00a0 Remember I said we would climb 2 or 3 peaks today?\u00a0 That big hill right across the lake is Peak<\/span> 5200<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 We’re going over there next.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, cross the dam?\u00a0 Is that how we get there?<\/em><\/p>\n

Righto, Dingo!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to cross the spillway to get to the dam. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Up on the dam, which is part of Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sheridan Lake<\/strong> is 3 times as big as what we can see from here!<\/em> Loop near the N end of the dam. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Sheridan Lake dam was as far as Lupe was taking the Flume Trail today.\u00a0 Crossing the dam, she came to a stone stairway at the N end that wound up onto a small hill.\u00a0 On the other side of the hill, an excellent footbridge spanned a narrow, vertical-sided gorge where Spring Creek left Sheridan Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sheridan Lake<\/strong> and the dam from the stone stairway. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the footbridge over Spring Creek. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The intention was to follow a road going up the valley N of the bridge all the way to a pass before turning toward Peak 5200, but the road turned out to be muddy and soft.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t get far before SPHP was ready to abandon it.\u00a0 Turning W, the American Dingo started up a steep slope.<\/p>\n

The shattered remains of a forest created a deadfall mess.\u00a0 Lupe leapt over it all, as SPHP tried to pick the easiest winding route higher.\u00a0 The more elevation Loop gained, the worse the deadfall seemed to be, but at last she arrived at a high spot at the end of Peak 5200’s SE ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up to Peak 5200’s SE ridge. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit was still another 0.2 mile NW and 140 feet higher, but since this high spot was fairly open and closer to Sheridan Lake, the views might actually be better from here.\u00a0 Time for a break, in any case.\u00a0 The high point was small and rocky.\u00a0 Lupe found SPHP’s lap by far the most comfortable spot to enjoy the view.<\/p>\n

Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Silver Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were in sight more than 3 miles SE.\u00a0 Lupe had actually traveled a lot farther than that to get here.\u00a0 The Flume Trail had done an enormous amount of winding around.\u00a0 The N end of Calumet Ridge<\/span><\/a> (5,601 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was less than 1.5 miles S.\u00a0 Bluelead Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,170 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, where Lupe had seen a mountain lion in 2016, was even closer, but was so small by comparison that it didn’t appear significant at all.<\/p>\n

Most of the E third of Sheridan Lake was in view, including half of the dam.\u00a0 Mount Warner<\/span><\/a> (5,889 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> stood well beyond the lake, 3 miles SSW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Boulder Hill<\/strong> (L) and Silver Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center) in the distance. Calumet Ridge<\/strong> (far R). The mid-level hill below Calumet is Bluelead Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Calumet Ridge<\/strong> (far L) and Mount Warner<\/strong> (Center) beyond Sheridan Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An apple and some Taste of the Wild vanished.\u00a0 Loopster and SPHP split a chocolate coconut bar.\u00a0 This was a cool spot, but the sun’s angle was beginning to impart a certain degree of urgency.<\/p>\n

Time to get to the top!\u00a0 Heading NW, Lupe pushed for the summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The SE ridge high point<\/strong> with Peak 5200’s summit<\/strong> (Center) in the background. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to head for the top. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some deadfall to deal with, and that was about it.\u00a0 Lupe arrived at the top of Peak<\/span> 5200<\/span><\/a><\/strong> to find it more open than SPHP expected.\u00a0 Two small collections of stones separated by 15 or 20 feet vied for absolute high point.\u00a0 Much roomier up here than on the SE ridge, and not very rocky.<\/p>\n

Only a small piece of Sheridan Lake was visible to the S.\u00a0 More could be seen to the W, but just a tree-broken view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5200 summit<\/strong>. Calumet Ridge<\/strong> (L), Sheridan Lake<\/strong> (Center), and a glimpse of Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Tree-broken view to the WSW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Long ago a fire had wiped out the entire forest on Peak 5200’s N slope.\u00a0 In fact, smoke from a controlled burn was visible right now some miles away, drifting W toward Twin Sisters<\/span><\/a> (5,244 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and the grasslands of the Bald Hills.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Twin Sisters<\/strong> (L) and the Bald Hills<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak<\/span> 5171<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, also on today’s list of possible climbs, was in sight to the NE.\u00a0 SPHP dithered.\u00a0 Yes or no?\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was completely in favor of pondering the question over the last chocolate coconut bar.\u00a0 The Taste of the Wild supply took another hit, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
We going for it, or not, SPHP?<\/em> Peak 5171<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nope.\u00a0 Too late in the day.\u00a0 Might be dark before Lupe could even get there.\u00a0 Peak 5171 was out.\u00a0 Another time.<\/p>\n

45 minutes went by up on Peak 5200.\u00a0 Toward the end, Lupe ventured far enough down the S slope to get a better view of Sheridan Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sheridan Lake<\/strong> from Peak 5200. Calumet Ridge<\/strong> (L), Mount Warner<\/strong> (R) and Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her last act was to perch on Peak 5200’s N high point.\u00a0 Familiar territory was off to the NW.\u00a0 New Year’s Eve Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,046 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Peak<\/span> 5917<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, and Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong> were all in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
R to L: Peak 5800<\/strong> (L of Center), Peak 5917<\/strong>, New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

The trek back commenced.\u00a0 Heading E, SPHP contemplated going down the N slope.\u00a0 Rejecting that notion due to the amount of deadfall, a clear view of Peak 5200’s S slope all the way down to Sheridan Lake appeared steep, but not all that bad.<\/p>\n

Deceptive!\u00a0 Not the way to go!\u00a0 Not only steep, but choked with deadfall practically the entire way.\u00a0 A use trail ran near the lakeshore when Lupe finally got down there, but despite some decent stretches, it was up and down over rocks and deadfall trying to get past pinch points.<\/p>\n

Happily, it all worked in the end.\u00a0 Loop made it back to Centennial Trail No. 89 and the footbridge over Spring Creek.\u00a0 The sun hung low in the W as she headed S across the dam.\u00a0 An hour until sunset max.<\/p>\n

It was a long, winding march back on Flume Trail No. 50, but Lupe made good time.\u00a0 Even so, Orion was brilliant in the night sky long before all was said and done.\u00a0 (End 7:52 PM, 33\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Flume Trail No. 50<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota, 3-3-21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 268 – Flume Trail No. 50: Coon Hollow to Boulder Hill & Loop B (3-7-21)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Flume Trail No. 50 – Map & Brochure<\/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":"

8:26 AM, 32\u00baF, Boulder Hill trailhead along USFS Road No. 358 – A bit of a chill in the air when Lupe leapt out of the G6, but not a cloud in the sky.\u00a0 Supposed to warm up nicely.\u00a0 In fact, it had already been unseasonably warm the last couple of days.\u00a0 Not much snow … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 267 – Flume Trail No. 50: Boulder Hill to Sheridan Lake (3-3-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32735,"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":[105,9,633,106,1389,104,1391,1392,1390,304],"class_list":["post-32769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-boulder-hill","tag-carolina-dog","tag-flume-trail-no-50","tag-lupe","tag-peak-5048","tag-peak-5200","tag-sheridan-lake","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_9095.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\/32769","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=32769"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32769\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49529,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32769\/revisions\/49529"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/32735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}