{"id":34112,"date":"2021-07-03T08:10:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-03T14:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34112"},"modified":"2021-11-28T19:01:38","modified_gmt":"2021-11-29T02:01:38","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-278-deerfield-trail-no-40-silver-city-to-daugherty-gulch-peak-5800-4-28-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=34112","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 278 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Daugherty Gulch & Peak 5800 (4-28-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

8:34 AM, 41\u00baF, Silver City trailhead –<\/em><\/p>\n

Deerfield Trail No. 40<\/strong><\/span><\/a> again, SPHP?\u00a0 We were just here with Cousin Dusty!<\/em><\/p>\n

I know it, and it was a fun time, too!\u00a0 Pure inspiration!\u00a0 Hope you’re ready for a big adventure today, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

Aren’t I always?\u00a0 What’cha got in mind?<\/em><\/p>\n

Silver City to Daugherty Gulch.\u00a0 Roughly 11.25 miles one way, I figure.\u00a0 Then if we still have any moxie left, we’ll tack on another couple of miles to climb Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong> before circling back to Deerfield Trail No. 40 via USFS Road No. 530 and the Slate Creek Dam.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, that is a big day!\u00a0 We better get crackin’!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Leaving the Silver City trailhead<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Five days ago it had been snowing when Lupe had been here with Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe.\u00a0 What a difference those 5 days had made!\u00a0 Suddenly it was springtime – blue skies, tweeting birds, the whole bit!\u00a0 Progress was rapid on the broad, flat trail.\u00a0 Silver Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,810 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was soon coming into view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Off to an easy start.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In scenic Rapid Creek canyon<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Silver Peak<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just beyond the Silver Peak view, Lupe crossed the 4th bridge already over Rapid Creek.\u00a0 The first 3 had been concrete and as wide as a road, but this one was an all wooden pawbridge complete with railings.\u00a0 All the rest of the bridges across Rapid Creek would be like this.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Downstream view of Rapid Creek<\/strong> from the first wooden bridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Deerfield Trail No. 40 narrowed after crossing the wooden pawbridge, but was still well-beaten and super easy to follow, remaining flat and rock-free.\u00a0 The trail passed mostly through the forest, but was never far from Rapid Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rapid Creek<\/strong> from Deerfield Trail No. 40. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Five minutes from the first pawbridge, Lupe came to her Dingo Cave, a great spot to hang out during a hail storm.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loopster from the Dingo Cave<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No hail expected today, so the American Dingo went right on by, enjoying the sunshine as the day warmed up.\u00a0 Rapid Creek is the largest stream in the Black Hills, and this beautiful stretch of Deerfield Trail No. 40 along it certainly had to rank among the most scenic hikes in the entire region.<\/p>\n

Every now and then, another pawbridge appeared.\u00a0 After the 5th one, Loop reached a big bend in the river not far from where Spurgeon Gulch comes in from the N.\u00a0 W of Spurgeon Gulch, the trail passed through a region of tall, slender bushes.\u00a0 Beyond the bushes was another super scenic trail segment along Rapid Creek.<\/p>\n

Ordinarily quite a clear-running stream, Rapid Creek’s color resembled the muddy Mississippi today with all the spring run-off.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the Spurgeon Gulch area after crossing the 5th wooden pawbridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the big bend a little E of Spurgeon Gulch<\/strong> and Canyon City. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Past the bushes W of Spurgeon Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Nearly 0.4 mile W of Spurgeon Gulch and Canyon City, Lupe came to a 6th and final pawbridge over Rapid Creek.\u00a0 Crossing it, she followed a long straight stretch of Deerfield Tail No. 40 going WSW on the S side of the creek.\u00a0 In the shade of a mountain, much of this part of the trail was still icy.\u00a0 After 0.33 mile, Lupe came to a big bank of ice at the confluence of Slate Creek and Rapid Creek.<\/p>\n

Looper was now 3.33 miles from the Silver City trailhead.\u00a0 Slate Creek, a mere tributary of Rapid Creek, was running as high as SPHP could ever remember seeing it.\u00a0 Something was missing, wasn’t it?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the 6th and final pawbridge over Rapid Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking upstream from the 6th pawbridge. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the straightaway S of the creek. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Confluence of Slate Creek<\/strong> (L) and Rapid Creek<\/strong> (Center & R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Seems we’ve reached the Slate Creek glacier, SPHP!\u00a0 Watch your step!\u00a0 Might be pretty slippery for you!<\/em><\/p>\n

So we have, Looper.\u00a0 Say, didn’t there used to be a bridge over Slate Creek here?\u00a0 Not a big pawbridge with railings like the ones over Rapid Creek, just 4 or 5 planks on end bolted together.<\/em><\/p>\n

Don’t really remember, SPHP.\u00a0 Been a while since we’ve been here, like years!\u00a0 Maybe there was, or maybe we always rock-hopped Slate Creek?\u00a0 Never had this much water in it before!<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, hard to say.\u00a0 I don’t remember, either, but I was sort of expecting a plank bridge here, since I remember lots of them across Slate Creek farther upstream.<\/em><\/p>\n

You aren’t saying we’re done already, are you, SPHP?\u00a0 Slate Creek still isn’t very deep!\u00a0 Can’t you wade across it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 In fact, I even brought water shoes, since I do remember at least one ford farther up Slate Creek.\u00a0 Guess they’re about to come in handy a lot sooner than I thought.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe waited while SPHP switched from boots to water shoes prior to fording Slate Creek.\u00a0 The water shoes were actually SPHP’s old gray and blue Merrell running shoes bought in Haines, Alaska in 2017.\u00a0 When brand new, they were the prettiest shoes SPHP had ever had, almost like dancing slippers, but now they were dingy and falling apart.\u00a0 No matter!\u00a0 As long as they still held together, they were light-weight and perfect for fording streams.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Waiting for SPHP prior to fording Slate Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Slate Creek was frigid, but the water shoes worked perfectly.\u00a0 Once across, there was another delay as SPHP sat in the sun swapping back over to boots.\u00a0 As soon as that was accomplished, Loopster hit the trail again.\u00a0 Deerfield Trail No. 40 abandoned Rapid Creek.\u00a0 For the next 4.25 miles, it would follow Slate Creek upstream instead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting up the Slate Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Deerfield Trail No. 40 had been flat and smooth all along Rapid Creek, but going up the smaller Slate Creek valley, it soon became rockier and started gaining elevation.\u00a0 Still an easy trek, but not quite the total cake walk it had been before.<\/p>\n

Within 5 minutes, Loopster came to another stream crossing.\u00a0 Just like SPHP remembered, a sturdy plank bridge went over Slate Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
1st Slate Creek crossing<\/strong> beyond the confluence with Rapid Creek. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the Carolina Dog continued up the valley, Deerfield Trail No. 40 kept crossing Slate Creek at short intervals in a narrow gorge.\u00a0 The 2nd and 3rd crossings also had plank bridges, but approaching the 4th crossing Lupe discovered that the bridge had washed out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
3rd Slate Creek crossing<\/strong> beyond the confluence with Rapid Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The bridge at the 4th crossing<\/strong> was washed out.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Water shoe time!\u00a0 SPHP donned them again prior to fording the stream.\u00a0 Then it was back to putting on the boots once more before Lupe could keep going.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Fording Slate Creek<\/strong> at the 4th crossing<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Didn’t take long to became apparent that the whole process of constantly switching footwear was a ridiculous waste of time.\u00a0 The bridges were out everywhere!\u00a0 Sick of it, and now used to the cold water, SPHP relegated the boots to the pack, marching along in water shoes as Lupe came to one ford after another.<\/p>\n

SPHP kept count of the number of times Deerfield Trail No. 40 crossed Slate Creek after starting up the valley.\u00a0 After the 9th crossing, the trail climbed 50 feet above creek level.\u00a0 On the way up the steep hillside, Loop found another glacier slowly melting away in the shade of a bend.\u00a0 This second Slate Creek glacier was centered on the trail, and treacherously sloped and slippery, but SPHP managed to get over it without mishap.<\/p>\n

Beyond the glacier, the trail flattened and stayed well above Slate Creek for a little way, but Lupe was soon fording it again.\u00a0 It wasn’t until Loop got to the 12th crossing that she found another bridge intact.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Fording Slate Creek<\/strong> for the 8th time in a row at the 11th crossing<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the plank pawbridge at the 12th crossing<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No bridge at the 13th crossing, but after that none were washed out for a while.\u00a0 In fact, there were 2 bridges at both the 15th and 17th crossings.\u00a0 By the time Lupe got past the 16th crossing, the Slate Creek valley was widening out to a considerable degree.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the 13th crossing<\/strong>, the last ford for a while.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The 14th crossing<\/strong>, where intact bridges finally began to consistently appear again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Slate Creek valley<\/strong> opened up beyond the 16th crossing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the 17th crossing<\/strong>, where there were 2 bridges.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The journey up the narrow gorge had been scenic with a very secluded feel to it.\u00a0 As the valley opened up, that sense of seclusion diminished, and the stream crossings were more spaced out.\u00a0 After the 17th crossing, Lupe reached the Flannigan cabin.\u00a0 Not much was left of it mouldering away beneath a stand of ancient spruce trees.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the Flannigan Cabin<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Doesn’t take an American Dingo long to inspect a wreck like that!\u00a0 A brief examination, and Lupe pressed on.\u00a0 Deerfield Trail No. 40 crossed Slate Creek for the 18th time beyond the confluence with Rapid Creek just past the cabin.\u00a0 A green gate in a pole fence led to a circular drive where USFS Road No. 606 dead-ended at the lower end of Spaw Gulch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
N end of USFS Road No. 606 which comes down Spaw Gulch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe went through another green gate on far side of the circle.\u00a0 Beyond it was a sign about an old road that used to follow Slate Creek, crossing it 25 times in 3.5 miles!<\/p>\n

Only 25, SPHP?\u00a0 At the rate we’re going, we’re going to beat that record!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the 2nd green gate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Sure enough, Lupe continued to come to more stream crossings.\u00a0 Since there had been perfectly good plank bridges over all of them for some time now, a short break was taken after No. 20 while SPHP abandoned the water shoes, exchanging them for boots again.\u00a0 A chocolate coconut bar got shared before following the trail up over a little ridge.<\/p>\n

On the other side of the ridge, Loop came to a place that looked sort of like a campsite.\u00a0 5 sections of big logs stood arranged in an “X” pattern out in the middle of this area.\u00a0 Lupe got up on the center log.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the center log at the campsite.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She was still standing there, when SPHP noticed a hole resembling an old mining dig over in the hillside to the E.\u00a0 Further inspection revealed a short tunnel through the ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peering into the tunnel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Venturing in, the tunnel opened up at the far end at a spot overlooking Slate Creek.\u00a0 Inside the tunnel, some filthy ancient plywood shelves were arranged like bunk beds along one side.\u00a0 Attached to the shelves was a clear plastic sleeve containing an astonishing bright new sheet of paper.<\/p>\n

In this rat hole out in the middle of nowhere?\u00a0 You have got to be kidding me!<\/em><\/p>\n

What’s it say, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s says the world has completely lost it’s mind, Looper!<\/em><\/p>\n

Nonsense!\u00a0 It does not!\u00a0 What does it really say?<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s a warning notice about Covid-19, Loop.\u00a0 Talks like this is the Holiday Inn or something.<\/em><\/p>\n

Here?\u00a0 Doesn’t look like anyone has been here in ages!<\/em><\/p>\n

Exactly my point, except, of course, for whoever thought this joint needed a Covid-19 notice.\u00a0 If Covid-19’s here, they must have brought it with them!<\/em><\/p>\n

Whether the notice was totally Looney Tunes, or not, Loopster didn’t have a reservation at this 0 star establishment, and it was still a long way to Daugherty Gulch.\u00a0 The American Dingo pressed on.<\/p>\n

Deerfield Trail No. 40 continued to wind SW following Slate Creek.\u00a0 Lupe came to several more creek crossings with plank bridges.\u00a0 After No. 23, a brown wand marking the route pointed off toward the R, away from the obvious trail.\u00a0 Evidently a re-route up a less traveled path in order to avoid another couple of creek crossings ahead.<\/p>\n

The official route climbed 60 feet before topping out near a rocky point overlooking the next part of the Slate Creek valley.\u00a0 Part of USFS Road No. 245.1A was in sight.\u00a0 The topo map showed a short section of the road paralleling Slate Creek before leaving the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the Slate Creek valley<\/strong> overlook. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing back down into the valley, the trail now led to a set of stairs with rock walls.\u00a0 However, the stairway was virtually unusable due to an enormous spruce tree which had collapsed along the length of it.\u00a0 Even so, Loop was soon through this obstacle, and approaching an impressive natural rock wall towering next to Slate Creek.<\/p>\n

The huge rock wall was quite a scenic spot!\u00a0 Nearby was a 24th crossing of Slate Creek.\u00a0 No bridge, but paving stones made for a super easy ford as SPHP employed the water shoes again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the scenic wall of rock. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Magnificent!<\/em> Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
As seen from the 24th Slate Creek crossing<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Fording again!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the impressive rock wall, the Slate Creek valley was even more open.\u00a0 A 25th stream crossing, another ford with paving stones instead of a bridge, wasn’t far from the 24th one, but that was the last ford.<\/p>\n

Wasn’t the last stream crossing, though!\u00a0 The crossings were farther apart now, but the count continued to rise as the Carolina Dog crossed one bridge over Slate Creek after another.\u00a0 Meanwhile, she was seeing lots of deer and having a fabulous time!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching crossing No. 26<\/strong>, another one with 2 bridges. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near crossing No. 29<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A curious dilapidated structure between crossings No. 30 and 31.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crossing No. 31<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Wading just for fun at crossing No. 32<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail went on and on.\u00a0 Lupe finally arrived at a fork.\u00a0 A brown wand along a path going SW across a big field indicated that this was the way Deerfield Trail No. 40 went.\u00a0 At the far end of the field, Slate Creek ran along the base of a forested hill.\u00a0 The last bridge over the steam, crossing No. 35, if SPHP hadn’t lost count somewhere along the way, was visible from the divide.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to leave the Slate Creek valley<\/strong> via the bridge seen at the base of the hill. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Crossing the field and the last bridge, Lupe left the Slate Creek valley.\u00a0 Deerfield Trail No. 40 started steeply up a slope, but quickly turned L and began to switchback less aggressively higher.\u00a0 Near the top of a ridge, the trail ran W along the N side before crossing over to the S.<\/p>\n

For the first time today, the cheerful sound of flowing water was absent and missed, but Lupe had gained enough elevation to get a distant view of some forested hills, the higher ones still sporting a little snow.\u00a0 Not a spectacular scene, but a pleasant one.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the N side of the ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
First distant view of the day. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How much farther to Daugherty Gulch, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Still a ways, Loop.\u00a0 About 3.67 miles from where we left Slate Creek.<\/em><\/p>\n

Trending W or SW, the trail leveled out as it began winding along the top of the ridge.\u00a0 Lupe visited a couple of high points separated by 0.33 mile, the second one a bit higher than the first.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the first high point. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Second high point. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The high points had only a minor drop between them, but Loop came to a larger drop after passing the second one.\u00a0 During the descent, the trail went by an old horizontal mining shaft.\u00a0 Turned out it wasn’t very big, and the Carolina Dog didn’t find anything of interest in it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Checking out the mining shaft.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Losing 160 feet of elevation heading S into a valley, the trail bottomed out at a junction with an abandoned road.\u00a0 Deerfield Trail No. 40 turned W again here, but not for long.\u00a0 The road kept going W, but within a few hundred feet, the trail veered SW up a steeper drainage.\u00a0 Before long it was curving NW.\u00a0 Upon regaining all the elevation she’d just lost, Lupe arrived at a minor pass.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the low point in the valley, starting up the abandoned road. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the pass. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going over the pass, a smaller drop of 50 feet ensued.\u00a0 Soon USFS Road No. 245 could be seen ahead.\u00a0 The trail turned W, paralleling the road for a little way before merging with it just before the road came to another pass.\u00a0 At about 5,500 feet, this pass was the high point of Deerfield Trail No. 40 between Silver City and Daugherty Gulch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the high point of USFS Road No. 245 and this segment of Deerfield Trail No. 40. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the pass, No. 245 went NW down Lind Gulch for more than a mile.\u00a0 A bit muddy at first, the road hike was super easy, although not terribly interesting.\u00a0 After losing 400 feet of elevation, Lupe finally reached a gate where the Mickelson Trail<\/strong><\/span><\/a> crossed the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down Lind Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
More than halfway down Lind Gulch<\/strong> it became a little more scenic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Junction of USFS Road No. 245 and the Mickelson Trail. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Deerfield Trail No. 40 abandoned USFS Road No. 245, turning SW along the Mickelson Trail.\u00a0 Site of a former railroad line, the Mickelson Trail curved W on a gradual incline that led to a tunnel that trains used to run through many years ago.\u00a0 The tunnel was pretty cool!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After reaching the Mickelson Trail, Deerfield Trail No. 40 follows it the rest of the way to the Daugherty Gulch trailhead. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the tunnel. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Inside the tunnel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the tunnel, the trail continued W on a slight incline for nearly 0.33 mile before starting to curve S.\u00a0 A trailhead sign appeared ahead.\u00a0 Soon Lupe was going through a green gate, down a little slope to the W, over a tiny tributary of Castle Creek, and across Mystic Road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing W beyond the tunnel. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the end. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Leaving the Mickelson Trail. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Success! At the Daugherty Gulch trailhead<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3:38 PM, 58\u00baF, Daugherty Gulch trailhead<\/em> –<\/p>\n

Congratulations, Loopster!\u00a0 We made it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you, SPHP!\u00a0 Such a beautiful trek, especially the parts along Rapid Creek and Slate Creek.\u00a0 Really wonderful!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, indeed!\u00a0 Best part of the entire Deerfield Trail, if you ask me, although the loop around Deerfield Reservoir is mighty nice, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

7 hours, though, SPHP!\u00a0 We sure took our sweet time getting here!\u00a0 Are we still going to climb Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, too?\u00a0 Do you have it in you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure!\u00a0 We’ll share another chocolate coconut bar up there.\u00a0 Maybe that will spur me on?\u00a0 Wha’dya say?<\/em><\/p>\n

Last one there is a human!<\/em><\/p>\n

Not much doubt about that!\u00a0 Some things never change.\u00a0 5 minutes after arriving at the Daugherty Creek trailhead, the Carolina Dog headed back to the Mickelson Trail.\u00a0 Turning S, the trail slowly, relentlessly, continued uphill.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading S on the Michelson Trail. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Keeping an eye on Mystic Road to the W, SPHP watched for side roads.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 241 came first.\u00a0 It went SW up Daugherty Gulch.\u00a0 For some odd reason, the Daugherty Gulch trailhead was actually located at Whitetail Gulch.\u00a0 No logical explanation seemed possible other than that someone was confused when they named it.<\/p>\n

The next road was the critical one.\u00a0 When USFS Road No. 231.1A came into sight, that was the signal to start looking SE.\u00a0 Looper would start her ascent of Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong> following the next ridge the Michelson Trail went by in that direction.<\/p>\n

Worked great!\u00a0 Climbing from the WNW, the Carolina Dog was soon on top of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up Peak 5800’s WNW ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4:48 PM, 55\u00baF, Peak 5800 –<\/em> Peak 5800’s summit proved to be a large flat area of open forest with no obvious absolute high point.\u00a0 SPHP dropped the pack beneath a big Ponderosa pine with many branches that seemed to be about where the highest ground was.\u00a0 Nearby stood a weathered tree stump.\u00a0 4 feet tall, it was almost as if it were a post deliberately set to mark the summit location.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5800 summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the weathered tree stump. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations were once again in order!\u00a0 Praising Lupe, SPHP shook her paw, but wasn’t going to get off that easy.\u00a0 The chocolate coconut bar had to be delivered as promised, along with a silver bowl full of Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP ate the last of two apples, the first one having met its fate hours ago.<\/p>\n

For a while Lupe and SPHP just sat there, looking WSW across a barren spot.\u00a0 Never know what you might see when you climb a new peak in the Black Hills.\u00a0 As it turned out, there were enough trees on Peak 5800 to mar the views in all directions.\u00a0 Sometimes that’s the way it goes.\u00a0 Plenty of glimpses of hills and ridges, but no clear views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The bare spot. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After resting for 20 minutes, it was time to get up and move around.\u00a0 The summit region was big, and there weren’t that many trees!\u00a0 Surely Lupe could find some decent viewpoints, if she looked for them.<\/p>\n

The viewpoints were all toward the S, somewhat below the summit’s perimeter.\u00a0 To the SW were high ridges difficult to identify from here.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 6167<\/span><\/a><\/strong> and Old Bald Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,130 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were in sight to the ESE.\u00a0 To the SSE, Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> made Lowden Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,055 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> look like a little hill.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Old Bald Peak<\/strong> (R) and Peak 6167<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lowden Mountain<\/strong> in front of Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shadows were lengthening.\u00a0 A long way back.\u00a0 40 minutes after reaching Peak 5800, Lupe headed down the S slope.\u00a0 Here she came upon the best view yet, a lovely panorama due S.\u00a0 Black Elk Peak, Lowden Mountain, Sylvan Hill<\/span><\/a> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and Redfern Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,075 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0on display!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> and Lowden Mountain<\/strong> (far L), Sylvan Peak<\/strong> (R of Center), Redfern Mountain<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After losing some elevation, Lupe turned E down into a valley that led to USFS Road No. 530.\u00a0 Loop had never been on this part of it before.\u00a0 In the evening light, No. 530 was a scenic journey and downhill practically all the way.\u00a0 A good thing, since there was now a need for speed!<\/p>\n

With only few hours of daylight left, the race was on.\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t keen on doing close to 40 Slate Creek crossings via narrow plank bridges or outright fords in the dark, even if the stream wasn’t all that big.<\/p>\n

The American Dingo showed great energy, often racing ahead.\u00a0 Herds of deer kept her excited.\u00a0 Progress was limited only by SPHP’s pace.\u00a0 Still took nearly an hour to get to the little lake at the Slate Creek Dam.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 530<\/strong> close to where Lupe first reached it. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A beautiful evening! Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the Slate Creek Dam. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the little lake at the Slate Creek Dam. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a look at the lake, Lupe turned WNW on USFS Road No. 530.1C, which followed Slate Creek.<\/p>\n

A little over 0.25 mile, and No. 530.1C ended.\u00a0 No problem!\u00a0 A single track trail continued down the valley.\u00a0 Over the course of a mile, Lupe crossed 4 or 5 more plank bridges, one of which didn’t extend all the way across the stream, before getting back to Deerfield Trail No. 40.<\/p>\n

The last rays of sunlight disappeared from the hilltops about the time Lupe reached the fords back at the 25th and 24th Slate Creek crossings.\u00a0 Dusk arrived and deepened as she hurried on.<\/p>\n

Still some light in the sky, but everything was turning pitch black down in Slate Creek’s narrow gorge by the time she got there.\u00a0 The flashlight had to come out before attempting to cross the slippery glacier between crossings No. 10 and No. 9.<\/p>\n

It all went well!\u00a0 Every bridge, every ford!\u00a0 Better than expected.\u00a0 Once Lupe got across Slate Creek at its confluence with Rapid Creek, success was assured.\u00a0 Flat trail and bridges with railings the rest of the way.<\/p>\n

Yet still miles to go in the night!\u00a0 In the black as eternity canyon, Rapid Creek rushed noisily downstream as silver stars glittered in a narrow band of sky visible above.\u00a0 On the deep space edge of the weak beam ahead, a curly tail waved, confidently leading the way.\u00a0 (10:30 PM, 34\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deerfield Trail No. 40<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-28-21<\/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

Next Trail Section W:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 256 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Daugherty Trailhead to Signal Knob & Deerfield Lake (10-30-20)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Next Trail Section E:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Black Hills SD Expedition No. 236 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Deer Creek to Silver City & Peak 5707 (10-6-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Deerfield Trail No. 40 – 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><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8:34 AM, 41\u00baF, Silver City trailhead – Deerfield Trail No. 40 again, SPHP?\u00a0 We were just here with Cousin Dusty! I know it, and it was a fun time, too!\u00a0 Pure inspiration!\u00a0 Hope you’re ready for a big adventure today, Loopster. Aren’t I always?\u00a0 What’cha got in mind? Silver City to Daugherty Gulch.\u00a0 Roughly 11.25 … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 278 – Deerfield Trail No. 40: Silver City to Daugherty Gulch & Peak 5800 (4-28-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34054,"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":[105,9,106,1414,593,104,556,992,304],"class_list":["post-34112","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-daugherty-gulch-trailhead","tag-deerfield-trail-no-40","tag-lupe","tag-peak-5800","tag-silver-city-trailhead","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/IMG_0188.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\/34112","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=34112"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34112\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53157,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34112\/revisions\/53157"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}