{"id":33223,"date":"2021-05-04T08:10:02","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T14:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=33223"},"modified":"2021-05-24T09:41:52","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T15:41:52","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-270-peak-5520-five-points-3-20-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=33223","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 270 – Peak 5520 & Five Points (3-20-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

8:52 AM, 46\u00baF, junction of Horse Creek Road & USFS Road No. 243.2J – <\/em>The snow was crunchy underpaw as Lupe set out.\u00a0 Gonna warm up, though!\u00a0 Supposed to be quite a nice day.\u00a0 Soon enough the snow would start turning to slush.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the start of USFS Road No. 243.2J. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was in fine spirits!\u00a0 Deer around the first bend only brightened the mood further.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 243.2J wound SE down a valley, crossing Horse Creek 3 times.\u00a0 Only the second crossing had any flow.\u00a0 After 0.5 mile, the road curved SW and started uphill.\u00a0 Ahead was a cattle guard, and beyond it, a green gate.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the Horse Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Will wonders never cease?\u00a0 Look at that, Looper!\u00a0 The gate is open!<\/em><\/p>\n

What do you suppose it means, SPHP?\u00a0 It’s never been open before.<\/em><\/p>\n

Who knows?\u00a0 Except that we don’t to have to crawl under or over the fence for once.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the cattle guard with the marvelous open green gate beyond it. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Immediately beyond the gate was a tiny pond Lupe had seen many times before, and beyond it, a junction with USFS Road No. 669.\u00a0 After checking out the frozen pond, Lupe headed for No. 669.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the frozen pond. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

W as usual, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not this time, Loop.\u00a0 Go S!<\/em><\/p>\n

S!\u00a0 Really?\u00a0 We never go S here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, yes we do.\u00a0 You went all the way down Gordon Gulch once.<\/em><\/p>\n

Gordon Gulch?\u00a0 That was forever ago!\u00a0 We’re going back there?<\/em><\/p>\n

Only to a little part of it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to head S on USFS Road No. 669. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Climbing gradually, USFS Road No. 669 got snowier and snowier as it wound SE up a little valley.\u00a0 Before long, a hill could be seen on the L.<\/p>\n

That must be it, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

We’re going to climb that hill, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Most definitely!\u00a0 That’s Peak<\/span> 5520<\/span><\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Another Lists of John<\/span><\/strong><\/a> peak?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes.\u00a0 Gives us something new to shoot for.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up USFS Road No. 669. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A first glimpse of Peak 5520<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sticking with the road, Lupe reached a spacious clearing at a pass 0.5+ mile from the frozen pond.\u00a0 The clearing provided an unobstructed view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5520<\/strong> (Center) from the pass. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looks pretty easy, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Duck soup, Looper!\u00a0 Nothing wrong with that!<\/em><\/p>\n

A short climb through the forest led to surprisingly open ground only partway up.\u00a0 Lupe was excited to see several deer bound away.\u00a0 A mighty nice view of Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231)<\/span><\/strong> appeared before she even got close to the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Even easier than it looked!<\/em> Partway up Peak 5520<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The climb wasn’t a big one.\u00a0 Approaching the summit, Loopster entered a region of scattered pines and rock formations.\u00a0 The summit, at the N end of a sloping ridge, proved to be the rockiest part of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the top. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5520’s summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The top of the mountain was a jumble of rocks and bushes.\u00a0 One of the very highest rocks had a nice flat top.\u00a0 Lupe got up onto it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Summit of Peak 5520<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations, Loopster!\u00a0 Another peak climbed!<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you, SPHP!\u00a0 Nothing to it!\u00a0 Quite the views up here!<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ll say!\u00a0 Rather surprising.\u00a0 Guess it’s because there are hardly any trees.\u00a0 Hey, this rock is a few inches higher than the one you’re on.\u00a0 Mind moving over to it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe for a minute or two.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit<\/strong>, a somewhat more precarious perch. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This platform rock is better!<\/em> Mount Warner<\/strong> (R), Peak 5741<\/span><\/strong> (far R), with Samelias Peak<\/strong> between them. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Success was celebrated with a chocolate coconut bar, but not right up at the true summit.\u00a0 Retreating a little to the S, Lupe and SPHP found a more comfortable spot to hang out.\u00a0 Even though Peak<\/span> 5520<\/span><\/a><\/strong> wasn’t all that high, the views really were quite impressive.\u00a0 The American Dingo enjoyed a panorama of higher peaks in virtually every direction.<\/p>\n

Highlights to the N included 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>.\u00a0 Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> dominated the S horizon.\u00a0 Mount Warner<\/span> <\/a>(5,889 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Samelias Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,856 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were visible to the SE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong> (L), Peak 5917<\/strong> (Center) and Peak 5800<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong> (R) and Peak 5917<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The 3 peaks L of Center are Mount Warner<\/strong> (L), Samelias Peak<\/strong> (Center), and Peak 5741<\/strong> (R). Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (far R) on the horizon. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The chocolate coconut bar was gone in a flash.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP lounged about for a while.\u00a0 To the SW was a view of special interest.<\/p>\n

Peak 5520 is a fabulous spot, SPHP, but what’s next?<\/em><\/p>\n

Look over there, Loopster!\u00a0 See the big lumpy ridge?\u00a0 That’s gotta be the best view we’ve ever had of Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Somewhat to the N of it you see False North Point<\/span><\/a> (6,130 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 There is another Lists of John peak, Peak<\/span> 6040<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, off to the W that we can’t see from here.\u00a0 False North Point is sort of on the way to it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I get it!\u00a0 So you’re thinking we’ll just tag False North Point on the way to Peak 6040.<\/em><\/p>\n

Exactly!<\/em><\/p>\n

Are we going to hit Five Points, too?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nope!\u00a0 Won’t have time for that.\u00a0 Peak 6040 is far enough away so that we’ll be doing good if we can get False North Point, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ready? Let’s go!<\/em> Five Points<\/strong> (L) and False North Point<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Five Points<\/strong> (L) and False North Point<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lots more adventure ahead!\u00a0 Departing Peak 5520, Lupe returned to USFS Road No. 669.\u00a0 The road divided at the pass into 2 unmarked branches, one continuing SSE straight down into Gordon Gulch.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog took the other branch heading SW instead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A final look at Peak 5520<\/strong> from back at the pass. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SW, the direction Lupe was about to go.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Descending into a shallow valley, one of several comprising the upper reaches of Gordon Gulch, the road going SW quickly turned S.\u00a0 After 0.33 mile, it again angled SW and climbed a little.\u00a0 Loop arrived at a high spot where the road divided again, one branch going L, the other continuing SW.<\/p>\n

This time there was a marker.\u00a0 A wand next to the road continuing SW indicated that this was USFS Road No. 669.1A.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the shallow valley. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the high spot next to the No. 669.1A wand. Five Points<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Go straight, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, I think so, but hang on a minute, Loop!\u00a0 Let me check the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!\u00a0 Somewhere along in here we need to turn W or NW, and I haven’t noticed a road or valley going that way yet.\u00a0 Want to make sure we haven’t missed it already.<\/em><\/p>\n

Checking the map, it seemed pretty clear that this junction was at the crest of a little ridge extending SE from Peak 5549<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

So, what does the map say, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Says to keep going straight like you thought, Looper.\u00a0 Shouldn’t be too far to the next valley.\u00a0 We’ll turn NW there.<\/em><\/p>\n

Which is how it all turned out.\u00a0 No. 669.1A did lead down into another valley, which it immediately crossed before continuing SW up the far side.\u00a0 Abandoning No. 669.1A, Lupe instead turned NW following a fainter unmarked road up the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the next valley. USFS Road No. 669.1A continues up the other side. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On USFS Road No. 669.1A, which Lupe abandoned to head NW staying to the R of the peak seen L of Center. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Starting up the valley on the fainter road. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The valley Lupe was going up now wasn’t as shallow as the others she’d passed through on the way here.\u00a0 The sides were steeper and higher, but the road was decent and headed in the right direction.\u00a0 For a while, Loop made good progress, gaining elevation at an easy pace.<\/p>\n

However, the situation was deteriorating by the time the road began to curve W.\u00a0 The faint road was getting fainter, and Lupe was coming to more and more deadfall.\u00a0 No sign that anyone had been here in ages!<\/p>\n

Forcing a way through the steadily worsening deadfall rapidly turned into tedious work.\u00a0 The road became intermittent, then vanished.\u00a0 The N half of the valley, where the road had been, was largely snow-free, but choked with dead pines.\u00a0 The S side still had a foot of snow blanketing the ground amid a dense stand of aspens, but far less deadfall.<\/p>\n

Giving up on the non-existent road, Lupe switched to traveling through the aspens.\u00a0 Not a great route, but definitely easier than contending with all the deadfall!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Among the aspens. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The snowy trudge among the aspens went on and on.<\/p>\n

How much farther to False North Point<\/span><\/a> (6,130 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not entirely sure Loop.\u00a0 It’s off the edge of the map that I printed out.\u00a0 Don’t think it’s too much farther, though.<\/em><\/p>\n

Off the edge of the map?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes.\u00a0 Think we need to turn S pretty soon.\u00a0 Watch for a valley we can take to the L.<\/em><\/p>\n

A valley did eventually appear on the L.\u00a0 Lupe turned up it, still traveling amid the dense aspens.\u00a0 This valley climbed at a somewhat faster rate.\u00a0 SPHP kept expecting the American Dingo to come to a pass, but stopped her before she did.<\/p>\n

What’s up, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not sure, Loop.\u00a0 We can’t be too far from False North Point, but this valley doesn’t seem quite right.\u00a0 Maybe we ought to start climbing out of it?\u00a0 I was going to wait until we got to a pass, but it’s taking longer than I thought it would.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, head up the hill here?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, let’s try that.\u00a0 I think this is actually all part of False North Point.\u00a0 We’ll recognize it once we get to the top.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe started up the pine-covered slope on the R side of the valley.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was soon leaping over deadfall again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back in the pines and deadfall. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looper kept climbing, but nothing seemed familiar.\u00a0 She hadn’t been to False North Point in 2 years.\u00a0 SPHP remembered even more deadfall and a steeper route than this, but maybe she wasn’t on quite the same part of the mountain?<\/p>\n

Oh, here we are, SPHP!\u00a0 Made it to the top!<\/em><\/p>\n

A tall wooden pole stuck up out of a cairn, the true summit rock sitting off to the L 10 feet beyond it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the wooden pole. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations again, Loopster!\u00a0 Mighty fine job!<\/em><\/p>\n

So, where are we, SPHP?\u00a0 This isn’t False North Point<\/span><\/a> (6,130 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/em><\/p>\n

No, it’s not!\u00a0 It’s around here somewhere, though.\u00a0 Want to take a break?<\/em><\/p>\n

Got any more chocolate coconut bars?<\/em><\/p>\n

The chocolate coconut bar supply hadn’t run out yet, so Loop did get to split another one with SPHP.\u00a0 She also had some Taste of the Wild and water, while SPHP munched an apple.\u00a0 Moving around a bit, a higher peak could be glimpsed to the W between the trees.<\/p>\n

That looks suspiciously like False North Point, doesn’t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Indeed it does.\u00a0 Seems we’ve climbed the wrong mountain.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
False North Point<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, are we going to go over there, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I suppose.\u00a0 Climb up on the top rock here for a moment, then we’ll keep following this ridge.\u00a0 It’ll probably take us down to an easier route over to False North Point.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit of wherever this was. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As expected, Lupe lost a little elevation as she continued along the ridge past the high point, but the terrain then flattened for a while.<\/p>\n

Look, SPHP!\u00a0 There’s higher ground ahead!<\/em><\/p>\n

Huh!\u00a0 So there is.\u00a0 Keep going, Loop!\u00a0 Maybe this really is False North Point, and we just haven’t gone far enough yet?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Higher ground ahead. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe kept going.\u00a0 The terrain kept rising.\u00a0 She reached a second high point.\u00a0 Although Loop had netted a fair amount of elevation gain since leaving the cairn with the post, a glance back to the WNW showed she still wasn’t quite as high as the peak she’d seen before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the second high point. False North Point<\/strong> (L). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Directly ahead, still some distance away, there was an even higher peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Another mountain ahead, SPHP!<\/em> Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next time I better print out more of the topo map.\u00a0 Somehow we’re way off course, Looper!\u00a0 That’s got to be Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0ahead!<\/em><\/p>\n

So, False North Point actually is behind us now?\u00a0 We’re between them?<\/em><\/p>\n

Afraid so, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Are we turning around then, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

No.\u00a0 Since we’re this close, let’s skip False North Point and continue on to Five Points.\u00a0 Been a long time since we’ve been there.<\/em><\/p>\n

On the easy, scenic trek down to the saddle leading to the next peak, Lupe lost more than 100 feet of elevation.\u00a0 Not much deadfall to contend with, and a variety of interesting rocks were scattered among the trees.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading for the next peak. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting closer. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the base of the next mountain, Loop faced a very steep climb.\u00a0 At first, she had to leap over deadfall.\u00a0 Higher up, she came to a boulder field.\u00a0 The overall scale of the mountain wasn’t nearly as large, but rocks were so big, it almost felt like she was in the Bighorns.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Quite the scramble for the Black Hills! Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At one point, it almost looked like Lupe was stuck.\u00a0 Fortunately, swinging around to the E a bit revealed an acceptable route higher.\u00a0 The American Dingo was soon approaching the summit.\u00a0 A bleached branch sporting several vertical limbs was perched along the W edge.<\/p>\n

Oh, I remember that branch!\u00a0 Don’t you, SPHP?\u00a0 To think that it has still been sitting up here all this time!<\/em><\/p>\n

I do remember it, Loop!\u00a0 Quite distinctive!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the distinctive branch. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe went on to the highest rock, which was just beyond the distinctive branch.\u00a0 The views were terrific!\u00a0 \u00a0It was easy to see that she was well above False North Point now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the top. False North Point<\/strong> (L). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations on climbing Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Loopster!\u00a0 That was some scramble, wasn’t it?\u00a0 Well worth it, though!\u00a0 This is fabulous!<\/em><\/p>\n

Why, thank you, SPHP!\u00a0 Mind if I ask a question?<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, not!\u00a0 Fire away!<\/em><\/p>\n

If this is Five Points, what’s that over there?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, good grief!<\/em><\/p>\n

Due S, 0.25 mile away, was a higher peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Five Points summit<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We climbed the wrong mountain again, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes and no!\u00a0 I’m a dope.\u00a0 It all makes perfect sense.\u00a0 That’s the true summit of Five Points over there.\u00a0 We’re actually on North Point here, or what you might call True North Point.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, this is part of the Five Points region, but not the highest point?<\/em><\/p>\n

Correctamundo, as we can plainly see.<\/em><\/p>\n

True North Point was a great spot, and it had been quite the little jaunt getting here.\u00a0 Loop might as well take another break and enjoy the views for a while.\u00a0 No chocolate coconut bar this time around, though.\u00a0 Only one left.\u00a0 Going to save it for either Five Points or Peak<\/span> 6040<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lupe had to settle for more Taste of the Wild.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Union Hill<\/span><\/a> (6,120 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A pleasant half hour shot by.\u00a0 Decision time!\u00a0 Five Points or Peak<\/span> 6040<\/span><\/a><\/strong>?\u00a0 Not enough daylight remaining for both.<\/p>\n

Wasn’t the plan, Loop, but we’re not getting this close to Five Points and not doing it.\u00a0 That OK with you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak 6040 isn’t going anywhere, SPHP.\u00a0 We can climb it another time.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/a>
Next stop, Five Points summit<\/strong> (Center)! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The S slope of True North Point was steep, but the descent was easier than expected.\u00a0 The S exposure meant little or no snow.\u00a0 Lots of deadfall, but not until Lupe was already almost down to the saddle leading to Five Points.\u00a0 Crossing the saddle in nothing flat, the Carolina Dog started up Five Points’ N slope.<\/p>\n

Snowy, steep, and badly infested with deadfall about sums it up.\u00a0 The climb was a slow trudge higher, but True North Point had actually been tougher.\u00a0 Five Points became a rocky scramble, too, but not until Lupe was already fairly close to the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Above the deadfall, high on Five Points’ N slope<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the top. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3:56 PM, 58\u00baF<\/em> – Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> had 2 rocky high spots separated by 100 feet.\u00a0 The American Dingo reached the one at the N end first.\u00a0 Whether it was any higher or lower than the one at the S end was hard to say.\u00a0 Trees prevented any direct visual comparison, partially blocking the views in other directions as well.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Five Points<\/strong>, at the N end. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the S high spot. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finally made it, Looper!\u00a0 Congratulations, again!\u00a0 More to Five Points than this, but I’m pretty sure you’ve hit the true summit at one of these spots.<\/em><\/p>\n

Glad to hear it, SPHP!\u00a0 Now, about that last chocolate coconut bar!<\/em><\/p>\n

In a sunny spot between the two high points, Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap.\u00a0 Provisions disappeared, and a while was spent contemplating the big view of snowy hills and ridges to the W.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SW from Five Points<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At last, a breeze began to blow out of the SW.\u00a0 Lupe stirred, too.\u00a0 Getting to be that time.\u00a0 Sniffing back and forth along the summit ridge, Loop took in the sights and scents of Five Points.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
False North Point<\/strong> (L of Center) in the foreground. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A more open view. False North Point<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before it was over, Loop returned to both high points several times.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong> (L), Peak 5917<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center) and Peak 5800<\/strong> (R) from the N high spot. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center) from the S high spot. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exactly an hour after arriving, Looper left Five Points picking her way down the very steep NW slope through heavy deadfall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
True North Point<\/strong> (R) during the descent. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A time-consuming descent!\u00a0 Even after the slope began to diminish, the deadfall remained thick for a long way before it finally came to an end.\u00a0 In filtered evening sunlight, Lupe explored animal trails NW through the snowy forest.<\/p>\n

Upon reaching USFS Road No. 249, Lupe followed it NE.\u00a0 The road soon bent sharply W.\u00a0 Loop left it, heading NNE across a field toward the pass between False North Point and the ridge she’d traveled earlier that led to the true one.\u00a0 Up at the pass, Loop and SPHP ducked under a fence.<\/p>\n

A need for speed now!\u00a0 The sun was sinking.\u00a0 Ahead was a long valley filled with aspens, another part of the same aspen-filled valley Lupe had been in earlier.\u00a0 Following a snowy path, the American Dingo plunged into the thick of it.<\/p>\n

The path disappeared.\u00a0 Lots of deadfall, but most of it wasn’t big.\u00a0 Lupe leapt over countless downed trees.\u00a0 More than 0.33 mile from the pass, she turned NW and went over another one.\u00a0 Oh, of course!\u00a0 This was it!\u00a0 This was the pass where Loop had begun her last ascent of False North Point more than 2 years ago.<\/p>\n

Beyond the pass, Loopster entered another valley, one she was familiar with.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 669 went through here.\u00a0 This was the upper end of the route W of the frozen pond.<\/p>\n

1.5 miles back to the frozen pond!\u00a0 Another 0.5 mile back to the G6.\u00a0 No worries now, on a known route.\u00a0 Light fading, curly tail held high, Lupe trotted down the quiet valley leaving deep impressions in the slushy-soft snow.\u00a0 (End 7:38 PM, 41\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading into the aspens on the way back, Black Hills of South Dakota 3-20-21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 144 – Five Points (10-31-15)<\/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><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8:52 AM, 46\u00baF, junction of Horse Creek Road & USFS Road No. 243.2J – The snow was crunchy underpaw as Lupe set out.\u00a0 Gonna warm up, though!\u00a0 Supposed to be quite a nice day.\u00a0 Soon enough the snow would start turning to slush. Lupe was in fine spirits!\u00a0 Deer around the first bend only brightened … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 270 – Peak 5520 & Five Points (3-20-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33161,"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":[105,9,106,435,104,1399,304],"class_list":["post-33223","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-five-points","tag-lupe","tag-peak-5520","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/IMG_9311.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\/33223","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=33223"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34167,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33223\/revisions\/34167"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/33161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33223"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}