{"id":36797,"date":"2022-02-02T08:10:07","date_gmt":"2022-02-02T15:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=36797"},"modified":"2022-02-12T08:34:52","modified_gmt":"2022-02-12T15:34:52","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-287-peak-5500-peak-5460-the-meade-county-high-point-peak-5420-12-23-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=36797","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 287 – Peak 5500, Peak 5460, the Meade County High Point & Peak 5420 (12-23-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

7:42 AM, 32\u00baF, Erickson Road (USFS Road No. 180) at the saddle E of Peak 5500 –<\/em> A gray day.\u00a0 Cool, with a bit of snow on the ground as Lupe leapt out of the RAV4, but not bad at all for December, and supposed to warm up nicely as morning wore on.\u00a0 Colder by Christmas, and bitter cold – subzero stuff – expected at year’s end.\u00a0 This was almost certainly Lupe’s last chance to get out in the hills in 2021.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to set out on 2021’s last hurrah!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Which way, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak<\/span> 5500<\/span><\/a><\/strong> first, Loopster!\u00a0 Head for that ridge behind you.<\/em><\/p>\n

Going around a pile of debris left by loggers, Lupe trotted NNW toward the lower end of the ridge before turning W for a direct assault on a steepish, but easily climbable, slope.\u00a0 A few big chunks of limestone were scattered among the trees, with a more intact formation near the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading for the lower NE end of the ridge. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By a chunk of limestone on the way up. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the ridgeline. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the ridgeline, it appeared that a bulldozer had been up here.\u00a0 A swath of destruction ran SW right up the ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the recently traumatized ridgeline. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The bulldozer had gone only so far.\u00a0 By the time Lupe got to the S end of the mountain, she was beyond its path of destruction.\u00a0 From a small ledge, she had a nice view of Peak<\/span> 5460<\/span><\/a><\/strong> beyond the Elk Creek valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking over the Elk Creek valley<\/strong>. Peak 5460<\/strong> (L of Center) is the big ridge seen beyond Lupe. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak 5460 would be Lupe’s next objective, but she had to finish climbing Peak 5500 first.\u00a0 From here, the ridge Loop was on turned NW.\u00a0 As the Carolina Dog followed it higher, she journeyed along the edge of the steepest part of Peak 5500, a line of limestone cliffs along the upper SW face.\u00a0 Some of the rock formations were pretty cool.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the edge of the cliffs. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At one of the more dramatic spots. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rocky terrain. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On a limestone ledge. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a minor dip, the ridge broadened out, becoming a forested slope leading higher again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the base of the slope. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The terrain soon leveled out.\u00a0 Lupe came to a small clearing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the first clearing. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is this the top of the mountain already, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not sure, Loop.\u00a0 We’ve got to be getting close, though.\u00a0 The topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> shows a big region up here enclosed within a 5,500 foot contour.\u00a0 Carry on.\u00a0 Maybe we’ll come to an obvious high point?<\/em><\/p>\n

As the American Dingo continued NW, the ground still seemed to rise slightly.\u00a0 A larger clearing littered with deadfall was beyond the first one.\u00a0 After working her way through it, Looper quickly arrived at what appeared to be the top of Peak<\/span> 5500<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 However, the whole region was so flat that no readily identifiable true summit existed.\u00a0 A large dead tree stood at about the highest point.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the larger clearing. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the dead tree that seemed to be about the true summit. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The dead tree was close to the SW edge of the mountain, but little could be seen from here due to the forest.\u00a0 Lupe kept going.\u00a0 The W end of the summit region wasn’t much father, and she did find a viewpoint there.\u00a0 Both Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the W end of Peak 5500<\/strong>. Terry Peak<\/strong> (Center) on the horizon. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Custer Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Think we’ve seen Peak 5500’s highlights, Loopster.\u00a0 Wha’dya say we go on to Peak 5460?<\/em><\/p>\n

Fine with me, SPHP!\u00a0 This was an easy one!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe paused briefly again at Peak 5500’s summit before heading back down the mountain.\u00a0 When she got to the last viewpoint at the S end, SPHP took a closer look at Peak 5460.\u00a0 The Meade County High Point<\/span><\/a> (5,460 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was also visible beyond it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back at Peak 5500’s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Meade County High Point<\/strong> (L) with Peak 5460<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe then headed back down the ridge where the bulldozer had been.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Descending bulldozer ridge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the RAV4 again, Lupe was surprised when SPHP went right on by.\u00a0 Following a logging route that paralleled Erickson Road, SPHP led her S down to the junction with County Road No. 534.\u00a0 Loop then proceeded SE near No. 534 down to the junction with Old Ridge Road (USFS Road No. 151)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Elk Creek valley from near the junction of Old Ridge Road (R) and USFS Road No. 531. Peak 5460<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog could go either way from here to get to Peak 5460.\u00a0 Old Ridge Road would get her the closest, and was the easiest route, but Lupe had been that way once before years ago.\u00a0 She’d never explored No. 534 any farther E, and this was an opportunity to do so.<\/p>\n

Sticking with No. 534, Lupe soon came to a cattle guard at the entrance to private property.\u00a0 Abandoning the road, she remained on USFS land following a barbed wire fence.\u00a0 Near a barn, No. 534 re-emerged from the private property heading NE.\u00a0 Crossing the road, Lupe continued ENE along the fence to a corner post at the end of a field.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Start of the private property. Lupe stayed to the L, outside the fence. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Briefly on USFS Road No. 534 again while crossing it near the barn. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the end of the field. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now past the E end of the private property, Lupe turned SE.\u00a0 However, in order to get to Peak 5460, she would have to cross Elk Creek.\u00a0 The stream was frozen over where she reached it, but there were holes in the ice, which appeared to be dangerously thin.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By Elk Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just downstream, Elk Creek entered a canyon.\u00a0 Exploring that direction, Lupe soon came to a spot where the ice was thicker.\u00a0 SPHP went across first.\u00a0 When that worked out, Loop followed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing Elk Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing Elk Creek, Lupe found herself facing an embankment in a dense forest.\u00a0 A level corridor that might have been the remains of an abandoned road ran parallel to the stream.\u00a0 Although the embankment was no more than 20 feet high, it was steep enough to discourage SPHP from attempting to climb it.<\/p>\n

Exploring the shady corridor SE, Loop went only 200 or 300 feet before reaching an opening where Elk Creek could be seen flowing farther on down the canyon.\u00a0 Fortunately, the embankment wasn’t as high or steep here.\u00a0 Loop and SPHP both scrambled up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Next to Elk Creek<\/strong> before leaving it. Photo looks downstream (SE).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was now N of Peak<\/span> 5460<\/span><\/a><\/strong> on a broad ramp.\u00a0 This ramp ran below a much higher, steep-sided ridge to the SE.\u00a0 Since a direct assault on the ridge appeared difficult, Loopster explored the ramp, sniffing her way through a mixed forest of aspen and Black Hills spruce.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Above the embankment, on the broad forested ramp. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Steadily gaining elevation as she went SW, Lupe came to a barbed wire fence.\u00a0 Staying SE of it, she continued higher.\u00a0 Deadfall became an issue whenever Loop ventured too close to the ridge, but it wasn’t that bad.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Amid some deadfall. It slowed progress, but wasn’t terrible. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ramp narrowed and gradually steepened.\u00a0 Near the SW end of the mountain, a scramble SE up to the top of the ridge looked increasingly feasible.\u00a0 Going for it, Loopster quickly reached a forested plateau.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on Peak 5460’s summit plateau<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A large region was quite flat.\u00a0 Nothing to see except trees.\u00a0 Wandering E searching for Peak 5460’s true summit, Lupe never came to an obvious high point.\u00a0 The marginally highest ground seemed to be in the forest, a little way back from the S edge of the plateau.\u00a0 The only view was from a rock formation slightly below the S edge that overlooked Virkula Gulch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along Peak 5460’s S edge<\/strong> near, but not at, the region that appeared to be the true summit. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Partial view of Virkula Gulch<\/strong> from Peak 5460<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About time for a break, or more to the point, a chocolate coconut bar break.\u00a0 As usual, the American Dingo eagerly inhaled her share.<\/p>\n

The view overlooking Virkula Gulch is pleasant enough, SPHP, but Peak 5460 really isn’t all that scintillating, is it?\u00a0 Peak 5500 was better.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, we knew that ahead of time, didn’t we, Loop?\u00a0 But Elk Creek and the trek up the ramp were pretty interesting weren’t they?\u00a0 Felt pretty remote!<\/em><\/p>\n

We knew it would be like this ahead of time, SPHP?\u00a0 How so?\u00a0 I didn’t.<\/em><\/p>\n

Should have!\u00a0 You’ve been here once before, Looper, a long time ago back on Expedition No. 119<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 We came up from the SW that time, a different route, which might be why you don’t remember it.\u00a0 You were on your way to the Meade County High Point<\/span><\/a> (5,460 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which is just E of here.\u00a0 That was back before I’d ever even heard of Lists of John<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, and didn’t realize this mountain qualified as a 300+ foot prominence peak.\u00a0 Never even logged the ascent into Peakbagger.com for you.<\/em><\/p>\n

Really?\u00a0 How much prominence does this mountain have, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

According to Lists of John, 360 feet, although that’s based on counting the Meade County High Point as part of this same mountain, and this region as the true summit.\u00a0 The Meade County High Point has a 5460 foot contour as well.\u00a0 Who knows which summit is actually highest?\u00a0 Can’t see a thing from either one except trees.<\/em><\/p>\n

In that case, maybe this is the true Meade County High Point, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, could be, except for one thing.<\/em><\/p>\n

And what’s that, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

We’re in Lawrence County here, Loop.\u00a0 We’ll cross the Meade County line just E of HP5401<\/span><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

HP5401<\/span><\/strong>?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 It’s on the way.\u00a0 Some spiffy views from there, Loop!\u00a0 In fact, HP5401<\/span><\/strong> might be the highlight of the entire day!<\/em><\/p>\n

If there’s a squirrel there, it will be!<\/em><\/p>\n

Continuing E, then SE, the mountain began dropping.\u00a0 Coming to an old road, Lupe followed it down to a flat area where there was a gray metal water tank.\u00a0 Beyond the water tank, the road resumed its descent.\u00a0 A knob of limestone was in sight not very far ahead, but was soon lost from view, hidden by the forest again.<\/p>\n

Upon reaching the saddle leading to HP5401<\/span><\/strong>, the Carolina Dog left the road, which kept going downhill.\u00a0 A short stroll through the forest, and the terrain began sloping sharply higher.\u00a0 Didn’t take long for Lupe to reach the first limestone formations near the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the water tank. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to the top of HP5401<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

HP5401<\/span><\/strong> did indeed furnish the grandest views thus far today.\u00a0 Practically the entire length of Virkula Gulch was in sight.\u00a0 Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was visible 8.5 miles WSW.\u00a0 Even so, due to a 15 mph breeze out of the SW, the American Dingo wasn’t all that thrilled to be here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On HP5401<\/span><\/strong>. Virkula Gulch<\/strong> below and Custer Peak<\/strong> (R of Center) on the horizon. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Custer Peak<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Overlooking the E end of Virkula Gulch<\/strong>. Flagstaff Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,421 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (far L). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With not a squirrel in sight, and eager to get out of the wind, Loopster was on her way again.\u00a0 Heading down HP5041<\/span><\/strong>‘s steep E slope, she soon reached and crossed the saddle leading to the Meade County High Point.\u00a0 Starting her ascent, the forest was fairly open and sunny as she passed minor rock outcroppings, but as Looper got higher, she entered a region of dog-hair pines.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Amid the dog-hair pines.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No wind here!\u00a0 Protected by the dog-hair pines that were no obstacle to her, Lupe was happy.\u00a0 However, SPHP had to force a way through.\u00a0 Not too bad, though, and before long the forest opened up a bit again.\u00a0 As the terrain began leveling out, Loop turned N.\u00a0 Searching for a small cairn near a big tree, she quickly found it.<\/p>\n

More than 6 years and 10 months after her only previous visit, Lupe was once again at the Meade County High Point<\/span><\/a> (5,460 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the Meade County High Point<\/strong>. Big tree and small cairn (L). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The cairn looked even smaller than SPHP remembered, but appeared completely undisturbed.\u00a0 The wind roared in the treetops, but it was scarcely even breezy at ground level.<\/p>\n

You were right!\u00a0 Nothing to see here, is there, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nope.\u00a0 HP5401<\/span><\/strong> is about it for views, although now that you mention it, I do seem to recall that last time around we descended an open slope at the SE end of this summit plateau.\u00a0 Think we did see the E end of Virkula Gulch from there.<\/em><\/p>\n

Might be another 7 years before we get back here again, SPHP!\u00a0 Don’t you think we ought to commemorate this occasion, views or no views?<\/em><\/p>\n

Most certainly!\u00a0 Congratulations, Loop, on your second visit to the seldom seen Meade County High Point!\u00a0 May I shake your paw?<\/em><\/p>\n

Why, of course you can, SPHP!\u00a0 And as soon as you’re done with that, you can check that pack of yours for another chocolate coconut bar.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the cairn and big tree. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A second chocolate coconut bar met its devourers.\u00a0 The first one at Peak 5460 had been followed up with Taste of the Wild for Lupe and an apple for SPHP, which was repeated here, too.\u00a0 Once that was over and done with, there didn’t seem to be much point in staying any longer.<\/p>\n

One more Lists of John peak not too far away, Loopster.\u00a0 Want to?<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course!<\/em><\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/a>
Final moments at the Meade County High Point<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leaving the Meade County High Point, Lupe went N, then NE, exploring a broad, poorly-defined ridge.\u00a0 SPHP soon decided to leave it, turning E down a steep slope.\u00a0 The grade finally diminished after hundreds of feet of elevation loss.\u00a0 Continuing down a big drainage, Vanocker Canyon Road eventually came into sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the drainage. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Vanocker Canyon Road. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just before reaching Vanocker Canyon Road, the drainage emptied into Meadow Creek.\u00a0 Lupe would have to cross it before scrambling up to the highway.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 5420<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, her next objective, was now in sight only 0.5 mile S.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Down by Meadow Creek<\/strong>. Peak 5420<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meadow Creek was tiny, only a foot or two wide.\u00a0 Lupe easily leapt over it.\u00a0 Ducking under a fence, she reached Vanocker Canyon Road, a paved highway.\u00a0 A sunny road hike S began, but not for long.\u00a0 After only 0.125 mile, SPHP left the highway, turning SE.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog wasn’t too keen on this idea, following reluctantly due to the sound of gunfire.<\/p>\n

At first, Lupe was in bright sunshine as she entered a valley.\u00a0 Getting late in the day now, though.\u00a0 Soon she was in Peak 5420’s shadow, wandering increasingly snowy terrain amid aspens and a tangle of undergrowth.\u00a0 The gunfire was getting louder, coming from somewhere up ahead.\u00a0 Target practice.\u00a0 Every few minutes another volley.\u00a0 Lupe persevered.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting for Peak 5420 after leaving Vanocker Canyon Road. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to enter the aspen thicket. Peak 5420<\/strong> (R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP’s progress slowed considerably while trying to push through the thicket as the snowy slope steepened.\u00a0 The worst part involved only a couple hundred feet of elevation gain.\u00a0 After that, the aspen thicket gave way to an open pine forest.\u00a0 Hardly any snow up top.\u00a0 Soon the summit region could be seen ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the summit. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3:59 PM<\/em> – Last mountain of the day!\u00a0 The sun was low, and the wind still swaying the pines as Lupe reached the top of Peak<\/strong><\/span> 5420<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Kind of breezy even at ground level, but at least target practice had ended a little bit ago.\u00a0 The summit region was big, with 3 lobes radiating out from a very gently rounded central high point where they all met.<\/p>\n

Although the central high point was fairly open, there was nothing to see up here.\u00a0 Once again, forest blocked the views in all directions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
W lobe<\/strong> of the Peak 5420 summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Sorry, Looper.\u00a0 All gone.\u00a0 Have a little Taste of the Wild left, want that?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5420 summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She did.\u00a0 Curling up on SPHP’s lap, facing SW toward the near horizontal sunlight filtering through the trees, Loop munched away until the last of the Taste of the Wild was gone, too.\u00a0 Nothing to do now, except listen to the wind roaring in the pines.\u00a0 SPHP threw a sweater over her.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

20 minutes, and that was enough.\u00a0 Lupe left Peak 5420 heading SE, losing only minor elevation before reaching a dip.\u00a0 Turning S here, Loop took an old jeep trail most of the way down to USFS Road No. 135.2M, which she reached near its junction with Vanocker Canyon Road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Departing along Peak 5420’s SE lobe<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the start of USFS Road No. 135.2M. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turning N on Vanocker Canyon Road, Loopster had to follow it for more than 0.75 mile to get past private property taking up most of the E end of Virkula Gulch.\u00a0 It was an easy trek, downhill nearly all the way.\u00a0 Once N of the private property, she left the highway, turning W to cross Meadow Creek again.<\/p>\n

A path on open ground between the private property to the S and Meade County High Point to the N made the journey W up Virkula Gulch even easier than expected.\u00a0 Back to the E was a good look at Peak 5420, where Lupe had just been.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5420<\/strong> from Virkula Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Continuing W up Virkula Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More than 0.5 mile from where she’d left Vanocker Canyon Road, Lupe finally reached the W end of the private property.\u00a0 Taking USFS Road No. 151.2K now, she continued W past Peak 5460 as dusk came on.\u00a0 By the time she reached Old Ridge Road, it was almost completely dark.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading W on USFS Road No. 151.2K.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shortly after turning N on Old Ridge Road, SPHP’s flashlight had to come out.\u00a0 Still nearly 2 miles to where the RAV4 was parked along Erickson Road.\u00a0 When Lupe got there, the American Dingo’s final adventure of 2021 would be over.\u00a0 (End 6:30 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On HP5401<\/span><\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota, 12-23-21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 119 – Meade County High Point & Custer Peak (2-13-15)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0 Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY\u00a0Expeditions\u00a0Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, <\/em>Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a>, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

7:42 AM, 32\u00baF, Erickson Road (USFS Road No. 180) at the saddle E of Peak 5500 – A gray day.\u00a0 Cool, with a bit of snow on the ground as Lupe leapt out of the RAV4, but not bad at all for December, and supposed to warm up nicely as morning wore on.\u00a0 Colder by … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 287 – Peak 5500, Peak 5460, the Meade County High Point & Peak 5420 (12-23-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36742,"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":[105,9,106,104,14,1491,1490,1388,304],"class_list":["post-36797","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-meade-county-high-point","tag-peak-5420","tag-peak-5460","tag-peak-5500","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/IMG_3481-scaled.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\/36797","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=36797"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36797\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37442,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36797\/revisions\/37442"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}