{"id":33812,"date":"2021-06-13T08:10:31","date_gmt":"2021-06-13T14:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=33812"},"modified":"2021-07-12T16:55:11","modified_gmt":"2021-07-12T22:55:11","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-275-mount-wheaton-peak-4516-peak-5171-peak-5741-4-14-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=33812","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 275 – Mount Wheaton, Peak 4516, Peak 5171 & Peak 5741 (4-14-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pleading eyes.<\/p>\n

You promised, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

I know it, Loop, but it’s really not all that nice out for the middle of April.\u00a0 Can’t you wait another day or two?<\/em><\/p>\n

You P-R-O-M-I-S-E-D we would go today, SPHP!\u00a0 Not even raining or snowy or windy!\u00a0 Why can’t we go?<\/em><\/p>\n

Tell ya what, Looper.\u00a0 I’ll check the forecast, see what it says.<\/em><\/p>\n

9:22 AM, 30\u00baF, Hisega Road<\/em> – Past the last green house on the R, a little yellow and black National Forest boundary sign sat along a fence line.\u00a0 SPHP pulled just off a side road beyond it, parking in the tall grass.\u00a0 Not very warm out, below freezing, in fact, but even if the day was cold and blah beneath a gray sky, the luck of the Dingo was running hot!\u00a0 Snow in the forecast the next 2 days had finally stirred SPHP to action, and as it now turned out, there actually was access to Mount Wheaton<\/span><\/a> (4,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to strike out for mighty Mount Wheaton! Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mount Wheaton was going to be cake.\u00a0 Over 300 feet of prominence, 340 feet to be precise, according to Lists of John<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, was the mountain’s claim to fame.\u00a0 An easy trek, the summit wasn’t even a mile away.<\/p>\n

In any case, Lupe was happy as she set out, following the road W.\u00a0 Past a row of pines, the road curved S heading for a gate at the E end of a low ridge.\u00a0 Simply bypassing the gate, since no fence was on either side, Loop soon reached a meadow on top of the rise beyond it.\u00a0 The terrain rose to the W, but Mount Wheaton didn’t look like much from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rounding the first curve. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the gate. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the meadow. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Abandoning the road, Loopster crossed the meadow.\u00a0 Upon entering the forest she came across a path going W, and was excited to see several deer fleeing through the trees.<\/p>\n

A hill soon appeared ahead.\u00a0 An easy climb got Lupe to a rounded ridge running E\/W.\u00a0 An old log at the E end was oriented the same direction.\u00a0 Only marginally higher, the highest ground proved to be between the log and a line of rocks 200 feet farther W.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the hill. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the old log at the E end of the ridgeline. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the line of rocks toward the W end. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looking ahead, the terrain sloped away.<\/p>\n

Is this all there is to Mount Wheaton, SPHP?\u00a0 I was hoping for more!<\/em><\/p>\n

Seems rather skimpy to me, too, Loop, and I wasn’t expecting all that much to begin with.\u00a0 Let me check the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

The map insisted that there actually was more to Mount Wheaton.\u00a0 Lupe had only reached the E high point.\u00a0 The summit was a little farther and 100 feet higher at the W end of the next ridge.\u00a0 SPHP encouraged the American Dingo to keep going.<\/p>\n

A minor dip quickly led to the next rise.\u00a0 Climbing from the E, Lupe saw red “W’s” on several trees.\u00a0 “W” for Wheaton?\u00a0 Seemed entirely possible.<\/p>\n

100 feet isn’t much.\u00a0 The terrain soon began to level out.\u00a0 Beyond a few rocks, Loop made an interesting discovery.\u00a0 Part of a deer leg was laying on a bed of pine needles.\u00a0 No sign of the rest of the deer.<\/p>\n

Stay alert, SPHP!\u00a0 Maybe it’s “W” for were-wolves?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Climbing the W ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to where the terrain levels out. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The disembodied deer leg.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mount Wheaton’s true summit wasn’t much farther, some high ground at the W end of the ridge.\u00a0 A big cairn sat near the SW edge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Wheaton’s summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Nothing says success like standing on the summit cairn! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mount Wheaton<\/span><\/a> (4,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> wasn’t all that heavily forested, but enough trees were present to obscure the views in almost every direction.\u00a0 By moving around a bit, it was possible to at least catch a few glimpses of what was out there.\u00a0 Nearby Tomaha Point<\/span><\/a> (4,700 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and more distant Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Silver Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were visible to the S.\u00a0 A better look at Commissary Point<\/span><\/a> (4,598 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was to the SE.<\/p>\n

Disappointingly, there was no view of Thrall Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,091 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> at all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Tomaha Point<\/strong> (L), Boulder Hill<\/strong> (Center) and Silver Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Commissary Point<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And that seemed to be about it for Mount Wheaton.\u00a0 Loopster left the summit retracing her route along the ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Leaving Mount Wheaton<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Dingo was already back down to the E high point when a man and a dog appeared, approaching from the E.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP met Duane and Rusty, a 6 year old Irish Setter who liked to carry big sticks and didn’t speak at all.\u00a0 Duane did, though, and he had some interesting things to say.<\/p>\n

Duane and Rusty live near Mount Wheaton, and enjoy a circular romp along some of the faint trails twice a day.\u00a0 Rattlesnakes were in the area, and cougars, too!\u00a0 That deer leg up on Mount Wheaton?\u00a0 Yup, part of one of several recent cougar kills.\u00a0 A year ago, Duane had seen a 4 foot rattler on this very same E high point.\u00a0 Happily, too cold to have to worry about rattlers today.<\/p>\n

The red “W’s on the trees did stand for Wheaton, and marked the course of the Mount Wheaton trail from the Wheaton College Summer Camp just N of the mountain.\u00a0 If Lupe was interested in views, the best one was from the RazorBack Ridge trail, which led to a viewpoint overlooking Rapid Creek and ended at a sharp ridge SW of Mount Wheaton.<\/p>\n

Well, why not?\u00a0 Might as well take a look!\u00a0 When Duane and Rusty went on their way, Lupe headed WNW down the Wheaton trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the Wheaton trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near a fence marking the Wheaton College Summer Camp’s S property line stood a tree with an “R” for RazorBack.\u00a0 A sign with arrows pointed toward both Mount Wheaton and RazorBack Ridge.\u00a0 The RazorBack Ridge trail followed a faint road SW.\u00a0 “R’s” led over to cliffs overlooking Rapid Creek, just as Duane had said.\u00a0 Thrall Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,091 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was visible, too!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the intersection where the Mount Wheaton and RazorBack Ridge trails part ways.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rapid Creek<\/strong> (R) and Thrall Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
HP4815<\/span><\/strong> (Center) beyond Rapid Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Duane was right!\u00a0 The view was worth the side trip.\u00a0 However, what could be seen of RazorBack Ridge farther SW looked heavily forested.\u00a0 Probably not much point in going all the way over there.<\/p>\n

Lupe headed back up the RazorBack trail and part of the Wheaton trail.\u00a0 Staying low, she explored another route Duane and Rusty had taken E.\u00a0 It eventually led back to the meadow above the gate.\u00a0 From there, it was a simple matter to follow the road back to the G6.\u00a0 (11:10 AM, 32\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the Duane & Rusty route! Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Buzzards Roost<\/span><\/a> (4,695 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) from the meadow. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back at the gate. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mount Wheaton turned out to be fun, SPHP!\u00a0 Except for one thing.<\/em><\/p>\n

And what might that be Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not even 2 hours, and we’re back already!\u00a0 Is that it?\u00a0 Are we done?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Not by a long shot!\u00a0 Got 3 more Lists of John peaks for you today, but they are strung out so far from each other that we’ve got to drive to each one.\u00a0 Almost like a mini Dingo Vacation!\u00a0 A little early yet, but we’ve got to go through Rapid City on the way to the next one, so we’ll stop for lunch, then continue on to Peak<\/span> 4516<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

12:26 PM, 35\u00baF, Victoria Lake Road<\/em> – A circular pullout on the R provided ample space to park the G6 shortly after leaving Sheridan Lake Road.\u00a0 Still cloudy and cool, but a few little patches of blue sky were beginning to appear.\u00a0 A trail the Carolina Dog had explored more than once what now seemed like ages ago, went NW up a short, gentle rise to a meadow.<\/p>\n

Another super easy one, Looper!\u00a0 Peak 4516 is only 0.5 mile away as the crow flies, a bit longer the way we’ll go.\u00a0 Head for that slope!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The trailhead just off Victoria Lake Road. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Top of the rise. Loop left the trail here to climb the slope beyond her. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Much to SPHP’s surprise, Lupe almost immediately discovered a trail that wound up the slope to the NE.\u00a0 This trail took her around the W end of a little ridge, passing a limestone formation on the way, then headed NE up the ravine S of Peak 4516.\u00a0 The bottom of the ravine was kind of a mess, but the trail was clear.\u00a0 A squirrel provided a few shrill moments of entertainment.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the newly discovered trail. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Up on the limestone. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the ravine. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the bottom of the ravine, the trail merged with another one.\u00a0 Lupe continued NE only a little way before turning N up a shallow, forested drainage.\u00a0 A steeper climb led to yet another trail on the S side of a rounded hill.<\/p>\n

That must be Peak<\/span> 4516<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, SPHP!\u00a0 We’re almost there!<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure enough!\u00a0 Looper was soon posing on the small chunk of limestone constituting the true summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the valley S of Peak 4516<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the summit from the SE. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 4516 true summit<\/strong>! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another view. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way back, Lupe took an even shorter route, exploring Peak 4516’s SW ridge before heading S right on back down to the trail in the ravine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring Peak 4516’s SW ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fun, but not even an hour for that one.\u00a0 You’re going soft on me, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Not entirely, Looper.\u00a0 The next peak is going to be tougher.<\/em><\/p>\n

1:32 PM, 38\u00baF, Spring Creek Picnic Area along Sheridan Lake Road<\/em> – Sunny skies now!\u00a0 The morning’s dreariness had departed, but still cool for the middle of April.\u00a0 Before setting off for Peak<\/span> 5171<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, Lupe helped herself to a drink, then sniffed along the edge of Spring Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Spring Creek Picnic Area<\/strong> is 0.5 mile due S of Peak 5171.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By Spring Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What’cha think, Loop?\u00a0 Long, scenic way up, or the short route?<\/em><\/p>\n

Can we take the short route up, and the long way back, SPHP?\u00a0 That way we’ll get to see it all.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds like a plan.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe headed W on Sheridan Lake Road.\u00a0 No traffic, since it was closed not far from here due to construction.\u00a0 Upon reaching the mouth of the valley SW of Peak 5171, Loop left the pavement.\u00a0 A brown wand for Trail No. 6710 stood next to a dirt road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the Trail No. 6710 wand. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A road!\u00a0 Guess this is going to be easier than I thought, Looper!<\/em><\/p>\n

Luck of the Dingo, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

The road soon vanished, but a single track trail did go up the valley.\u00a0 Eh, just as good!\u00a0 No. 6710 quickly became quite steep, but eventually got easier.\u00a0 Not much to see except trees.\u00a0 After a 0.67 mile climb NW, the trail entered a more open region and curved NE.\u00a0 Having already gained 500 feet of elevation, Lupe reached a broad saddle on Peak 5171’s NW ridge.\u00a0 SPHP paused, taking a breather near a rock formation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the single track wand, only a little beyond the Trail No. 6710 one. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Waiting on SPHP at the saddle NW of Peak 5171<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A little more to Peak 5171 than Mount Wheaton or Peak 4516, isn’t there, Looper?<\/em><\/p>\n

Most definitely!\u00a0 I like it!\u00a0 How much farther, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, not that much, maybe 0.4 mile and another 270 feet higher?<\/em><\/p>\n

As soon as SPHP was ready, the Carolina Dog kept going.\u00a0 A gentle slope led up into a dense forest.\u00a0 Fortunately, the trees didn’t have many low branches to interfere with SPHP’s progress.\u00a0 As the slope steepened, Lupe passed several rock formations.\u00a0 No difficulties with them, either.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading into the dense forest. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2:31 PM, 40\u00baF, Peak 5171<\/em> – Peak 5171’s summit wasn’t as thickly forested as the NW ridge, but enough trees, including several gigantic Ponderosa pines, were up here to block the views in most directions.\u00a0 High ground consisting of a rounded region covered with pine needles connected short S and E lobes.\u00a0 The true summit proved to be a little rock next to a broken tree near the end of the S lobe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5171’s summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks W from the E lobe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the broken tree at the true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the highest rock. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Time for a break!\u00a0 The best views were toward the E or S, so Lupe and SPHP hung out on the SE slope between the S and E lobes.\u00a0 Would have had a panoramic view if not for a single monstrous Ponderosa pine that towered up right smack in the center of the field of vision.<\/p>\n

Any good news in that pack, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

As a matter of fact, there is, Loopster!\u00a0 Care for a chocolate coconut bar?\u00a0 Think we’ve earned one this time.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ask a silly question, and a chocolate coconut bar blinks out of existence.\u00a0 A little warmer would have been even better, but it was pretty nice up on Peak<\/span> 5171<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap, and for a while nothing happened.\u00a0 Some kind of a huge bird circled lazily on the breeze before gliding away.\u00a0 A turkey vulture?\u00a0 Hard to say, it never got that close.<\/p>\n

Lupe ventured over to a rock formation just to the E that looked like a decent vantage point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
HP4972<\/span><\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How’s the view from there, Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

Good, but that colossal\u00a0tree still messes it up.<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak 5171 is one of those summits where you have to move around some if you want to get a semi-clear look at the best the mountain has to offer.\u00a0 Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Silver Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> had both been visible from Mount Wheaton, but Peak 5171 was much closer to them.\u00a0 The telephoto lens revealed more detail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Silver Mountain<\/strong> (Center) beyond Baker Park<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Boulder Hill<\/strong> (L) and Silver Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Part of the E end of Sheridan Lake was in sight.\u00a0 The top of Peak<\/span> 5200<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, which Lupe had visited not terribly long ago during her explorations of Flume Trail No. 50<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, could be seen as well.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sheridan Lake<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sheridan Lake<\/strong> (L) and Peak 5200<\/strong> (R, in the foreground). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before her Peak 5171 tour was over, Lupe returned to the true summit and took in the views from a platform of rock nearby.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the platform near the true summit. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3:06 PM, 39\u00baF, Peak 5171<\/em> – 35 minutes gone!\u00a0 Probably about as long as Lupe could stay up on Peak 5171, if she really intended to take the long way back and still hope to climb another mountain today.\u00a0 SPHP grabbed the pack, and Loopster was on her way back down the NW ridge.<\/p>\n

Loop abandoned her route up at the saddle where SPHP had taken the breather.\u00a0 Here, she took a trail down the slope to the NE, but it soon shot off to the NW.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t make the turn.\u00a0 Instead she kept sniffing NE until she had wandered clear down to USFS Road No. 405.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
N of Peak 5171<\/strong> on USFS Road No. 405. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 405 was scenic and gently downhill all the way, but also easily twice as long as the route Lupe had taken up Peak 5171.\u00a0 The road wound clear around the E side of the mountain where the Carolina Dog went by the Balser Summer Home Group, a collection of nice older cabins.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Passing a Balser Summer Home Group cabin. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was already close to Sheridan Lake Road by the time she reached USFS Road No. 405.1A, a more secluded route back to the Spring Creek Picnic Area.\u00a0 No. 405.1A ended at a rocky slope, but by then the journey was nearly over.\u00a0 (4:28 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 405.1A. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4:53 PM, 35\u00baF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Samelius Peak trailhead<\/em> –<\/p>\n

Here?\u00a0 We’ve been here lots of times, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 But we’ve never climbed Peak<\/span> 5741<\/span><\/a><\/strong> before.\u00a0 Today is the big day!<\/em><\/p>\n

Fine with me!\u00a0 Where is it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not too far, Looper.\u00a0 It’s the peak NW of Samelius Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,856 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Samelius Peak!\u00a0 That’s where we had our interview<\/strong><\/span><\/a> with Michael Zimny of South Dakota Public Broadcasting last year!<\/em><\/p>\n

Exactly!\u00a0 So head N, if you’d like to do this.<\/em><\/p>\n

This was a favorite area.\u00a0 Didn’t have to tell the American Dingo twice.\u00a0 Lupe went around the gate and headed up USFS Road No. 531.\u00a0 Wasn’t long before the S end of Peak 5741 came into sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the Samelius Peak trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to set out on USFS Road No. 531. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5741<\/strong> (L). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Instead of heading straight for the mountain, Looper stuck with No. 531 until she got to the saddle NNW of Samelias Peak.\u00a0 Here she left the road, gradually climbing NW through the forest along the S side of a ridge.\u00a0 It wasn’t far at all to a bit of a view down Joe Dollar Gulch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NNW over Joe Dollar Gulch<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From this viewpoint, Lupe turned SW, crossing a minor saddle that led to a fairly steep climb among deadfall and patches of snow.\u00a0 Every now and then there were glimpses of Samelius Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,856 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> off to the SE.<\/p>\n

After gaining close to 300 feet of elevation, the Carolina Dog reached the SE end of Peak 5741’s summit ridge.\u00a0 A fair amount of deadfall up here, too, but it wasn’t too bad.\u00a0 The true summit was somewhere over near the opposite NW end of the ridge.\u00a0 Still climbing, but much more slowly now, Loop headed NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Samelias Peak summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the SE end of Peak 5741’s summit ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Within minutes, the ridge began to narrow, the deadfall worsened, and an unsettling sight appeared.\u00a0 Just ahead, a boulder jutted 8 or 10 feet skyward above a mess.<\/p>\n

Criminitly, Loop!\u00a0 Don’t tell me that we can’t even get to the top!\u00a0 Thought this was going to be a slam dunk.<\/em><\/p>\n

Is that the true summit, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

I don’t know, but sure looks like it!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The problematic boulder (R of Center). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Scrambling among the deadfall and rocks, closer inspection revealed that getting Lupe to the top of the problematic boulder might be nearly impossible without taking undue risk.\u00a0 Just to get a few feet higher?\u00a0 Not worth it!\u00a0 Fortunately, it turned out that this wasn’t the end of the ridge.\u00a0 Maybe there was still higher terrain ahead?<\/p>\n

Lupe kept going, and sure enough, there was!\u00a0 However, the situation at the next high point was practically a duplicate of the first one.\u00a0 Another skinny, vertical boulder with no reasonable way to the top.<\/p>\n

The ridge continued.\u00a0 SPHP soon became convinced that the second high point wasn’t the top, either.\u00a0 Lupe kept coming to marginally higher spots.\u00a0 Occasionally, openings permitted views, including a nice one of Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 The terrain rose more and more slowly, and the rock formations diminished in height.\u00a0 Even the deadfall began to fade away.<\/p>\n

Confidence grew.\u00a0 Maybe this was going to work after all?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A minor high point with a bit of a view. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A flat rock scarcely any higher than others nearby appeared ahead, close what appeared to be the NW end of the summit ridge.\u00a0 Lupe got up on it, but it soon turned out that a collection of bigger rocks that might be a bit higher existed 40 feet farther NNW.\u00a0 No problem!\u00a0 The American Dingo easily leapt onto the highest rock there, too.<\/p>\n

Congratulations, Loopster!\u00a0 I think you’ve done it!<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP shook Lupe’s extended paw.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the highest point, or close to it, at the NW end of Peak 5741’s summit ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the likely true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Summit region from the true summit. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6:29 PM, 30\u00baF, Peak 5741<\/em> – In the area between the flat rock and likely true summit, a glowing green carpet of kinnikinnick<\/strong><\/span><\/a> covered a NW slope illuminated by the evening sun.\u00a0 Lupe sat looking at a tree-broken view of Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> while SPHP dug a celebratory chocolate coconut bar out of the pack.\u00a0 Smoke, or maybe steam, drifted S from the sawmill near Three Forks.<\/p>\n

Felt cold in a light breeze way up here on Peak<\/span> 5741<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, but long after the chocolate coconut bar vanished, Lupe and SPHP sat contemplating the beautiful scene near the end of a 4 peak day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the kinnikinnick. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Five Points<\/strong> (Center) in the distance. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looper had a look at Mount Warner<\/span><\/a> (5,889 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but forest hid the views in other directions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Warner<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks ENE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The kinnikinnick faded, then glowed again.\u00a0 Evening magic!\u00a0 But time grew short, sunlit cheer returning more feebly after each passing cloud.<\/p>\n

On the way back, Loop varied her route.\u00a0 Near the SE end of Peak 5741’s summit ridge, the American Dingo went down a S slope steeper than the one she’d come up.\u00a0 Reaching USFS Road No. 531 near it’s junction with Centennial Trail No. 89, Lupe prolonged the day by taking the longer Centennial Trail route back to the Samelius Peak trailhead.<\/p>\n

See!\u00a0 I was right, wasn’t I, SPHP?\u00a0 We had a good time!\u00a0 Aren’t you glad we went on Expedition No. 275, instead of frittering the day away at home?<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP couldn’t help but agree.\u00a0 (7:40 PM, 31\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5741<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-14-21<\/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

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":"

Pleading eyes. You promised, SPHP! I know it, Loop, but it’s really not all that nice out for the middle of April.\u00a0 Can’t you wait another day or two? You P-R-O-M-I-S-E-D we would go today, SPHP!\u00a0 Not even raining or snowy or windy!\u00a0 Why can’t we go? Tell ya what, Looper.\u00a0 I’ll check the forecast, … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 275 – Mount Wheaton, Peak 4516, Peak 5171 & Peak 5741 (4-14-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33810,"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":[105,9,106,104,1408,1409,1410,1411,304],"class_list":["post-33812","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-mount-wheaton","tag-peak-4516","tag-peak-5171","tag-peak-5741","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/IMG_0054.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\/33812","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=33812"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33812\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34572,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33812\/revisions\/34572"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/33810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33812"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33812"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}