{"id":35412,"date":"2021-11-24T08:10:18","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T15:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=35412"},"modified":"2022-03-24T10:00:06","modified_gmt":"2022-03-24T16:00:06","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-281-centennial-trail-no-89-the-ponderosa-hike-10-29-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=35412","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 281 – Centennial Trail No. 89: The Ponderosa Hike (10-29-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

10-28-21<\/em> – Lupe could hardly believe her big soft Dingo ears!\u00a0 Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty were coming from Colorado.\u00a0 Not only would they be here tonight, but Lupe had a brand new cousin that was coming with them, too!<\/p>\n

When Cousin Laddie gets here, Loop, you’re going to have to be extra nice to him.\u00a0 Laddie’s had a tough life and might be scared.\u00a0 He’s a nice dog, a little Sheltie not even as big as you.\u00a0 So, no growling or rough-housing!\u00a0 Got that?<\/em><\/p>\n

Why?\u00a0 What happened to Cousin Laddie, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I don’t know the whole story, but Laddie’s been at the shelter.\u00a0 He got adopted, but a few months ago Laddie was grabbed by the neck and torn into by another dog in the same family that adopted him, and was just about done in.\u00a0 To survive, Laddie needed thousands of dollars worth of surgery.\u00a0 The fur on his chest is still growing back.\u00a0 Laddie’s also missing almost all his front teeth, which were rotten and had to be pulled back when he first got to the shelter.<\/em><\/p>\n

No teeth?\u00a0 My poor cousin!\u00a0 His bark must be worse than his bite!<\/em><\/p>\n

Probably right about that, Loop, but he still has his back teeth.<\/em><\/p>\n

How come you’ve never mentioned Cousin Laddie before, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Because he’s a brand new cousin.\u00a0 He just joined the family when Aunt Andrea and Uncle Joe agreed to adopt him, since he couldn’t stay with the same family any longer after being attacked.\u00a0 In fact, Laddie is his new name.\u00a0 He used to be called Danny Boy.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was all true!\u00a0 Later that evening Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousins Dusty and Laddie did arrive.\u00a0 Loopster raced around barking for joy, wild with delight!\u00a0 Extremely curious about Cousin Laddie, she sniffed and sniffed.\u00a0 SPHP hadn’t said anything about sniffing.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed so much that Laddie maybe did get a little scared, but nothing bad happened.<\/p>\n

The amazing thing about Cousin Laddie was that he was almost the same color as Lupe.\u00a0 Laddie’s fur was a lot longer, though, except on his chest where it had been cut.\u00a0 Laddie did have one front tooth, an upper canine on the L side.\u00a0 That lone tooth gave Laddie sort of a crooked smile.\u00a0 SPHP later said that Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea should have named him Snaggle Fang.<\/p>\n

10-29-21, Centennial Trail No. 89, Alkali Creek trailhead<\/em> – Everyone was excited!\u00a0 Cousin Laddie was about to get his first introduction to the Black Hills.\u00a0 Cousin Dusty was 15 now, so the hike had to be a relatively easy one.\u00a0 The stretch of Centennial Trail No. 89 N of the Alkali Creek trailhead to a ridge overlooking the old 7th cavalry post at F<\/strong><\/span>ort Meade<\/strong><\/span><\/a> was one of Uncle Joe’s favorites, and would do nicely.\u00a0 He always called it the Ponderosa hike.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The whole pack at the start of Uncle Joe’s “Ponderosa Hike” along Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Off to a good start, looking back toward the Alkali Creek trailhead. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first part of the trail was an easy stroll through the grasslands.\u00a0 Soon Bear Butte<\/span><\/a> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was coming into view.\u00a0 At the top of a rise, the trail diverged by a gate in a barbed wire fence.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 went L here, heading W for a forested ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the gate where Centennial Trail No. 89 turns W (L) to go up onto the forested ridge. Bear Butte<\/strong> (R) in the distance. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to head up the ridge. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon entering the forest at the base of the ridge, Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W, working steadily higher on a winding course.\u00a0 At nearly the end of October, autumn leaves still clinging to the scrub oaks were well past their scenic best, but did add splashes of color.\u00a0 Cousin Dusty, a veteran of many prior adventures in the Black Hills, was doing great!\u00a0 She often took turns leading the way with Lupe.<\/p>\n

Still unaccustomed to the Black Hills and his new life, Cousin Laddie was happiest sticking close to Uncle Joe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop and Dusty, together again in the Black Hills!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster in the lead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the top of the ridge. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Centennial Trail No. 89 reached the top of the ridge at its far S end.\u00a0 Here the trail leveled out.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 4027<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, true summit of the entire mile long ridge, was only a little farther N.\u00a0 The trail went practically right to it, but never did go quite all the way to the top, sweeping around the hillside E of the summit instead.<\/p>\n

Naturally, being this close, Lupe had to tag the high point!\u00a0 The Carolina Dog left Centennial Trail No. 89, venturing up to the summit.\u00a0 Everyone else followed as a matter of course.<\/p>\n

It took only a couple of minutes to reach the top, a big, flat, grassy field ringed by Ponderosa pines in most directions.\u00a0 Lupe, SPHP, Cousin Dusty, and Uncle Joe had all been here before, but this was Cousin Laddie’s first Black Hills peakbagging success.\u00a0 Peak 4027 was super easy, but Laddie seemed happy enough with it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The whole pack up on Peak 4027<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe and Uncle Joe.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A short break was taken up on Peak 4027.\u00a0 Although trees blocked the views in most directions, Bear Butte and the prairies E of the Black Hills were on display.\u00a0 SPHP had brought apples and chocolate coconut bars.\u00a0 Uncle Joe shared Kirkland bars.\u00a0 All of the dogs enjoyed some chocolate coconut bar, and Cousin Dusty even wanted the apple cores.\u00a0 Water was available, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cousin Dusty looking good at 15 on Peak 4027<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dusty asking Uncle Joe if it’s alright to have some chocolate coconut bar?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the sunshine back on good ole Peak 4027<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/strong> (Center) from Peak 4027<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When all the goodies were gone, it was time to continue on.\u00a0 From Peak 4027, Centennial Trail No. 89 ran another 0.75 mile all the way to the far N end of the ridge.\u00a0 Most of this route was forested, but there was a big clearing approaching HP3983<\/span><\/strong>, and a\u00a0little past HP3983<\/span><\/strong> was a viewpoint off to the L (W) overlooking I-90.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Laddie N of Peak 4027<\/strong> hitting Centennial Trail No. 89 again.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Uncle Joe and the pack in the meadow approaching HP3983<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the viewpoint N of HP3893<\/span><\/strong> overlooking I-90 (R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the N end of the ridge was another viewpoint overlooking the town of Sturgis.\u00a0 Oyster Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,040 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Sly Hill<\/span><\/a> (3,920 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and Peak<\/span> 3950<\/span><\/a><\/strong> were all in sight, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the N end of the ridge. Oyster Mountain<\/strong> (Center), Sly Hill<\/strong> (R) and Peak 39050<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the Sturgis viewpoint, the trail began descending NE.\u00a0 Halfway down the mountain it curved back into a valley to the S, then turned NE again upon reaching the valley floor.\u00a0 Scrub oaks were the most scenic feature of this trek, especially lower down where, protected from the wind, they still had quite a few leaves.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the N end of the ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cousin Dusty amid the scrub oaks as she enters the valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The valley of the scrub oaks eventually led clear down to Old Stone Road.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 crossed the road, entering a larger, flatter drainage which continued NE out toward the prairie.\u00a0 The trail soon curved E, but everyone abandoned it to take a shortcut up a grassy slope onto the ridge to the N.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the start of the wider drainage after crossing Old Stone Road. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the prairie. Centennial Trail No. 89 curves E (R) beyond the magnificent tree, but everyone left the trail here to go N (L) up onto the ridge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joe, Laddie and Dusty getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overlooking both Fort Meade<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and Bear Butte<\/span><\/a> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the top of this ridge was the traditional end of the “Ponderosa Hike”.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Fort Meade<\/strong> (L) and Bear Butte<\/strong> (R) from the end of Uncle Joe’s traditional “Ponderosa Hike”. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hardly a cloud in the sky, and incredibly warm for practically the end of October!\u00a0 A little farther W along the ridge, everyone hid out from the sun in the shade of a few large pine trees enjoying a second rest break.\u00a0 More bars, more apples, more water!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing in the shade at the end of the Ponderosa hike. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
New cousin Laddie taking it easy on his first ever Black Hills expedition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When the time came to start back, there was some discussion of possibly exploring farther W first.\u00a0 In the end, though, the whole pack headed right back down the grassy ridge’s S slope.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ready to start back to the trailhead. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Final moments on the grassy ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rejoining Centennial Trail No. 89 down in the wide drainage, the pack followed it SW only a short distance.\u00a0 Before reaching Old Stone Road, it was decided not to return via the ridge leading to Peak 4027.\u00a0 Instead, a different trail was taken that went S down on the rolling prairie.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Briefly back on Centennial Trail No. 89 again S of the grassy ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe and Cousin Dusty out on the prairie. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Still more than a mile from the Alkali Creek trailhead. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the end, Centennial Trail No. 89 was eventually rejoined at the gate where it turned W going up to the forested ridge and Peak 4027.\u00a0 Getting just plain hot out!\u00a0 The sun was a beast with the temperature soaring into the mid 70’s \u00baF.\u00a0 In their fur coats, Lupe, Dusty and Laddie were all panting, tongues hanging out on the final stretch.<\/p>\n

Arrival back at the Alkali Creek trailhead was promptly celebrated with a much anticipated cold drink out of Alkali Creek.\u00a0 Lupe and Laddie both eagerly waded in and drank their fill, but Dusty wasn’t satisfied with just getting her paws and insides wet.\u00a0 Instead, she plunked herself right down in the stream and stayed there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Relief from the heat at Alkali Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cousin Dusty cooling off in Alkali Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No one was going anywhere, and Black Hills Expedition No. 281 wasn’t finished, until Cousin Dusty was ready to declare it over and done with.\u00a0 Taking her sweet time about it, Dusty finally got sufficiently cooled down to come dripping out of Alkali Creek.<\/p>\n

A little under 4 hours round trip on a summery October afternoon, the Ponderosa hike had been a great choice!\u00a0 Easy enough for Dusty, and a gentle introduction to Black Hills peakbagging for Laddie, the day had been a success.<\/p>\n

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

Next Black Hills Expedition<\/a><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Centennial Trail No. 89 Brochure & Map<\/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":"

10-28-21 – Lupe could hardly believe her big soft Dingo ears!\u00a0 Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Dusty were coming from Colorado.\u00a0 Not only would they be here tonight, but Lupe had a brand new cousin that was coming with them, too! When Cousin Laddie gets here, Loop, you’re going to have to be extra … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 281 – Centennial Trail No. 89: The Ponderosa Hike (10-29-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35377,"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":[1406,105,9,106,527,146,837,451,1464,104,1032,304],"class_list":["post-35412","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-alkali-creek-trailhead","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-centennial-trail-no-89","tag-dusty","tag-jobe-wymore","tag-joe","tag-laddie","tag-lupe","tag-peak-4027","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/IMG_3056.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\/35412","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=35412"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35412\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38773,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35412\/revisions\/38773"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/35377"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=35412"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=35412"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=35412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}