{"id":35767,"date":"2021-12-14T08:10:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-14T15:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=35767"},"modified":"2022-01-03T10:54:40","modified_gmt":"2022-01-03T17:54:40","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-283-white-tail-peak-11-6-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=35767","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 283 – White Tail Peak (11-6-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

9:49 AM, 54\u00baF – <\/em>At the end of USFS Road No. 599, SPHP parked the RAV4 at a big circular turnaround.\u00a0 Lupe hopped out.\u00a0 Nice and warm for early November, but she was here a little later than she ought to have been if she wanted to climb both White Tail Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,962 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Peak<\/span> 6962<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Parked at the end of USFS Road No. 599. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No need to decide which peak to shoot for yet, though.\u00a0 The first mile would be the same for either one.\u00a0 Eager to get going, Lupe headed NW into a dense forest, following an old barbed wire fence up the valley of the North Fork of Castle Creek.<\/p>\n

The forest was sort of a mess, full of deadfall.\u00a0 SPHP’s progress was slow.\u00a0 Fortunately, Lupe didn’t have far to go, before the forest opened up a bit.\u00a0 Ducking through the barbed wire fence, she quickly came to the North Fork of Castle Creek.\u00a0 Although small, the stream had decent flow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following the barbed wire fence.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the first little clearing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the North Fork of Castle Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the creek was a larger clearing with a big stand of aspens at the far end.\u00a0 Turned out there was an open lane through the aspens.\u00a0 A faint trail ran through it.\u00a0 Following the trail, Lupe came to another meadow.\u00a0 To the N were some limestone cliffs, part of the S end of White Tail Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The first big clearing after crossing the North Fork of Castle Creek. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the lane leading to the next meadow. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the second big meadow. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cliffs at the S end of White Tail Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP was surprised when the trail persisted instead of fading away.\u00a0 Certainly made life easy!\u00a0 A mile from the start, Lupe came to a place where the valley divided.\u00a0 The North Fork of Castle Creek forked here, too.\u00a0 At a muddy spot, the trail crossed one of the tributaries.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing up the valley. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to cross a tributary of the North Fork of Castle Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Decision time, Loopster!\u00a0 White Tail Peak or Peak 6962?<\/em><\/p>\n

Seems like an awfully long time since we’ve been to either one, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, it has been for sure!\u00a0 4 years since we were last at White Tail Peak, and 6 since Peak 6962.<\/em><\/p>\n

Either one is fine with me, SPHP.\u00a0 Do you have a preference?\u00a0 Maybe we can still get to both today?<\/em><\/p>\n

We’ll give it a shot.\u00a0 If I had to choose, I’d say White Tail Peak.\u00a0 Best views, although we really ought to explore Peak 6962 more thoroughly.<\/em><\/p>\n

Best views won out.\u00a0 White Tail Peak it was!\u00a0 The American Dingo left the divide bearing R as she continued up the branch of the valley to the NW.\u00a0 This decision soon paid off with the discovery of the still considerable remnants of a melting snow bank to frolic on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, joy! Nothing like finding a snowbank on a warm day! Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

0.25 mile from the first divide, the valley split again.\u00a0 What was left of the North Fork of Castle Creek came from the L.\u00a0 The valley to the R (NE) was completely dry.\u00a0 Loop was now 1.5 miles SW of White Tail Peak as the crow flies, so that was the way to go.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nearing the second major divide of the valley. Lupe again went R. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon after entering the NE branch, the valley deteriorated into more of a big, steep-sided ravine.\u00a0 A dense forest grew here, partially choked with deadfall.\u00a0 If it wasn’t for another unexpected path that wound through it all, passage would have been difficult.\u00a0 Lupe came to a sign for a defunct research area.\u00a0 A little farther on, she passed another.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the first “research natural area” sign.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The path in the ravine was steeper than the nearly level trek back by the North Fork of Castle Creek.\u00a0 Before long, the path climbed partway up the L side of the ravine, well above a V-shaped bottom.\u00a0 As Looper kept going, she got past the densely forested section into more open territory.\u00a0 Here the ravine curved N and broadened out.<\/p>\n

The path ultimately led to the S end of an old abandoned road. This was USFS Road No. 190.1O.\u00a0 Lupe followed the road N to a large clearing, part of which held the charred remnants of a giant burn pile left over from a logging operation.<\/p>\n

By now the ravine had virtually melted away.\u00a0 This was a more gently sloping region.\u00a0 Heading NE past the charred area, Lupe came to another old road that went E.\u00a0 No sign, but this had to be USFS Road No. 190.1P.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Beyond the densely forested part of the ravine where it started to broaden out. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the burn pile area after leaving USFS Road No. 190.1O. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 190.1P where Loop reached it. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taking No. 190.1P, the road climbed E for a little way, then flattened out as it turned S.\u00a0 Half a mile on No. 190.1P brought Lupe to a small, flat clearing where the road ended.\u00a0 This was high territory near the end of White Tail Peak’s long SW ridge overlooking the valley of the North Fork of Castle Creek, but other than a partial view to the SE, trees effectively hid the views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the S end of USFS Road No. 190.1P. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A higher part of White Tail Peak’s SW ridge was only a little farther NE.\u00a0 Abandoning USFS Road No. 190.1P, Lupe crossed an open slope littered with deadfall.\u00a0 This led to a somewhat steeper, but still easy climb in a live forest.\u00a0 Near the top, Lupe began encountering small limestone outcroppings.<\/p>\n

Lupe reached the S end of the upper portion of White Tail Peak’s long SW ridge.\u00a0 Lots of trees up here, too, but also some nice views from rocks along the edge.<\/p>\n

Beyond the valley of the North Fork of Castle Creek, peaks along the E edge of the limestone plateau were in sight.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 6962<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was closest.\u00a0 Flag Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,937 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was next, then Green Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,164 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and Copper Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,920 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Even Medicine Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,878 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> could be made out.<\/p>\n

Far to the SE, Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 feet)<\/span><\/strong> was visible way beyond Reynolds Prairie.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to leave USFS Road No. 190.1P to cross the deadfall-laden slope behind Lupe. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Among the limestone outcroppings. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
S end of White Tail Peak’s SW ridge<\/strong> looking over the valley of the North Fork of Castle Creek<\/strong>. Flag Mountain<\/strong> (R of the tree) and Peak 6962<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L) on the horizon beyond Reynolds Prairie<\/strong>. Medicine Mountain<\/strong> in the distance behind the tree at (Center), then proceeding R: Copper Mountain<\/strong>, Green Mountain<\/strong>, Flag Mountain<\/strong> & Peak 6962<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

White Tail Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,962 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is located along the E edge of the limestone plateau country, a large elevated region of the western Black Hills, much of which lies close to the Wyoming border.\u00a0 It’s a complex peak involving multiple ridges extending out from an unremarkable summit.\u00a0 Some of the best views are from two ridges, a long one and a short one, that both extend out to the SE.<\/p>\n

The end of the long SE ridge was a favorite spot on White Tail Peak.\u00a0 Lupe had a good view of it from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
S end of White Tail Peak’s long SE ridge<\/strong> (Center) from the SW ridge. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The plan was to visit both of the SE ridges.\u00a0 On the way there, Lupe could tag White Tail Peak’s summit, which was still more than 0.67 mile away.\u00a0 After lingering a few minutes at the S end of the SW ridge, the American Dingo headed\u00a0 N.<\/p>\n

For a little way, Lupe continued to gradually gain elevation.\u00a0 Eventually the ridge leveled out.\u00a0 Forest hid most of the views, although Loop did come to one spot with a view to the W.\u00a0 Nothing too scintillating, just more forested ridges not quite as high as White Tail Peak.<\/p>\n

Toward the N end, as the SW ridge merged into the rest of the mountain, the terrain began to rise again curving toward the NE.\u00a0 Lupe came to a little high point, but this wasn’t the top yet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following the nice, wide SW ridge<\/strong> N. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking W farther into the limestone plateau country.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At a little high point where the SW ridge joins the rest of the mountain. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond this high point the terrain was fairly flat.\u00a0 The territory to the N contained the shattered remnants of a forest killed by pine bark beetles.\u00a0 Staying in a live forest, Lupe went ENE along the edge of the dead zone.\u00a0 Even the live forest contained plenty of deadfall, but she didn’t have far to go before reaching a road.<\/p>\n

This road was USFS Road No. 190.1Q.\u00a0 Following it E, the Carolina Dog quickly arrived at the true summit of White Tail Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,962 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, a small, flat clearing full of broken limestone slightly elevated above the level of the surrounding terrain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 190.1Q. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
True summit of White Tail Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 190.1Q went right through the clearing.\u00a0 Not much to see here, so Lupe paused only long enough for a photo before continuing on.\u00a0 The good stuff was a little farther.\u00a0 Gradually losing elevation, the road wound SE through the forest, finally coming to the end of White Tail Peak’s short SE ridge.<\/p>\n

Lupe arrived to find an American flag wrapped around a tree.\u00a0 Plenty of room to move around a level limestone platform here, and great views to the S and E.\u00a0 In addition to all the major peaks Loop had seen from the SW ridge, both Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were in sight, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the end of White Tail Peak’s short SE ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Terry Peak<\/strong> (Center) in the distance. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Reynolds Prairie<\/strong> beyond Lupe. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Very end of the short SE ridge<\/strong>. Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R) on the horizon. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A 30 minute break was taken for water, a shared chocolate coconut bar, Taste of the Wild, and an apple, all consumed while enjoying the views.\u00a0 Pressed for time on a November day, Lupe then left the short SE ridge following No. 190.1Q almost all the way back to the summit.<\/p>\n

100 feet before reaching the summit again, Lupe turned L (SW) onto a much fainter jeep trail leading down into the forest.\u00a0 Heading S, the jeep trail soon leveled out just E of, and 40 feet below, a narrow limestone spine along the start of the long SE ridge.\u00a0 The road continued another 0.25 mile, coming to an end at a viewpoint where Loop could see the short SE ridge which she had just been to.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the jeep trail leading onto the long SE ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
White Tail Peak’s short SE ridge<\/strong> as seen from the end of the jeep trail. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This was not the end of the long SE ridge.\u00a0 However, the jeep trail went no farther due to a minor, but sudden drop ahead.\u00a0 Easily negotiating the drop on paw, Lupe continued on.\u00a0 A short climb followed by a gradual descent and the forest gave way to a big clearing.\u00a0 The end of the ridge was now just ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Medicine Mountain<\/strong> (L), Copper Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center), Green Mountain<\/strong> (Center), and Flag Mountain<\/strong> (R) with Reynolds Prairie<\/strong> in the foreground. Photo looks S with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unobstructed, the views to the S from the end of White Tail Peak’s long SE ridge were wonderful!\u00a0 Stretching from E to W, they encompassed a vast expanse of the central Black Hills.\u00a0 Lupe enjoyed the marvelous scene from lofty perches along the edge of limestone cliffs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SSE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
White Tail Peak’s SW ridge<\/strong> from the long SE one. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Along the edge. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Green Mountain<\/strong> (far L), Flag Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Peak 6962<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) and Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:03 PM, end of White Tail Peak’s long SE ridge<\/em> – This was the premier viewpoint of the entire mountain, but whether Lupe could stay a while depended on what else was actually going to be on the agenda.<\/p>\n

Gotta love White Tail Peak!\u00a0 Magnificent view, isn’t it, Loop?\u00a0 What do you want to do, though?\u00a0 Still interested in Peak<\/span> 6962<\/span><\/a><\/strong>?<\/em><\/p>\n

Will we have enough time for it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Probably, but the sun will be down before 4:30 PM.\u00a0 Sort of depends on how hard it is to get up there.\u00a0 Coming from the W like we did the only other times we’ve been there, the deadfall was terrible.\u00a0 If it’s like that coming from the N, we might not have enough daylight.\u00a0 In any case, we’d have to get going right away, if we don’t want to be stumbling around in the dark on the way back.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, if we don’t try for Peak 6962, what are our other options?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, we’ve never really fully explored White Tail Peak’s N ridge.\u00a0 That might be pretty interesting.\u00a0 Could hang out here for a while then head that way.\u00a0 Plenty of time to do that.<\/em><\/p>\n

Right or wrong, ambition won out.\u00a0 Peak 6962 had been more or less part of the plan all along.\u00a0 Lupe was soon heading back N again.\u00a0 Along the way she stopped briefly to admire a great view of the valley of the North Fork of Castle Creek, the same valley she’d explored earlier in the day that would serve as her return route, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6962<\/strong> (L), valley of the North Fork of Castle Creek<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After going over White Tail Peak’s true summit again, Lupe followed USFS Road No. 190.1Q farther N than where she’d reached it on the way up.\u00a0 She then abandoned the road to turn SW down a broad valley.\u00a0 This was a shortcut back to the burn area close to No. 190.1O, allowing Loop to avoid having to retrace her earlier exploration of the SW ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Taking a shortcut back to USFS Road No. 190.1O. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The shortcut worked great!\u00a0 Loopster made it back to the North Fork of Castle Creek where the valley first divided NW of Peak 6962 with time enough for a quick ascent.\u00a0 Crossing the creek, she took the branch of the divide she hadn’t explored this morning.\u00a0 A mile S, then a mile E, and the American Dingo would be back at Peak 6962’s summit for the first time in over 6 years!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to cross the North Fork of Castle Creek<\/strong> to set out for Peak 6962.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Didn’t happen.\u00a0 Should have stayed up on White Tail Peak enjoying the views and exploring the N ridge!\u00a0 Lupe didn’t get far heading S through the valley before coming to serious deadfall.\u00a0 No fortuitous, unexpected paths through it all here!\u00a0 When a slow, miserable trek demonstrated no sign that the deadfall was going to end anytime soon, that was it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Eh, not happening!<\/em> Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sorry, Loop.\u00a0 It’ll be dark by the time we can force our way through 2 miles of this nonsense.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Yes, afraid so.<\/em><\/p>\n

A pleasant mile back E through the valley of the North Fork of Castle Creek was all that remained of Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 283.\u00a0 Along the way, Lupe discovered the scattered bones of some big animal, which made for some interesting sniffing.\u00a0 She still made it back to the RAV4 before the sun was down.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the interesting boneyard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Guess, the good news is that we still have reasons to come back to visit both Peak 6962 and White Tail Peak another day, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Come to think of it, that was good news!\u00a0 (End 3:30 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6962<\/strong> from White Tail Peak<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 11-6-21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 209 – White Tail Peak (10-1-17)<\/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":"

9:49 AM, 54\u00baF – At the end of USFS Road No. 599, SPHP parked the RAV4 at a big circular turnaround.\u00a0 Lupe hopped out.\u00a0 Nice and warm for early November, but she was here a little later than she ought to have been if she wanted to climb both White Tail Peak (6,962 ft.) and … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 283 – White Tail Peak (11-6-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35754,"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":[105,9,106,104,304,281],"class_list":["post-35767","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-south-dakota","tag-white-tail-peak"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG_3163.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\/35767","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=35767"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35767\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36245,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35767\/revisions\/36245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/35754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=35767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=35767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=35767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}