{"id":37022,"date":"2022-02-12T08:10:16","date_gmt":"2022-02-12T15:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=37022"},"modified":"2025-01-05T22:26:53","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T05:26:53","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-288-new-years-eve-peak-1-3-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=37022","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 288 – New Year’s Eve Peak (1-3-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

11:41 AM, 46\u00baF, Horse Creek Road across from USFS Road No. 243.2B<\/em> –<\/p>\n

New starting point, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 Going to mix things up a bit, try a little different route this year.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

NE, Looper!\u00a0 We’ll hit Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong> first!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A few days late, but ready to set out for New Year’s Eve Peak! Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Naturally, Lupe’s annual pilgrimage to New Year’s Eve Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,046 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was supposed to happen on December 31st, but the Carolina Dog had to be flexible.\u00a0 Often the weather simply wasn’t cooperative, which had once again been the case at the end of 2021.\u00a0 A high of 5\u00baF, and that was at home, not up in the mountains.\u00a0 No thank you!<\/p>\n

The trek always seemed cheerier once the new year arrived, anyway, sort of like the difference between attending a funeral or baby shower.\u00a0 With a warm, bright day in early 2022, Lupe was in high spirits as she set out.\u00a0 Passing through a short stretch of open forest, she soon reached the dry grass of a sunny field.\u00a0 Already some rock formations!\u00a0 Loopster checked a few out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the first Dingo-approved boulder of 2022! Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Objective Peak 5800<\/strong> (Center) already in sight! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After going over an initial rise, Loop lost a little elevation as she entered a more forested region again.\u00a0 After a trek through the woods, another rise provided a view of HP5360<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the next stretch of forest. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
No deadfall and nearly flat – an easy stroll! Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
HP5360<\/span><\/strong> (Center) from the second rise. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing NE, Lupe came to a road in a shallow valley.\u00a0 Must be USFS Road No. 243.2F.\u00a0 Taking the road N, it quickly curved NW into a barren upper valley.\u00a0 This was the direction to New Year’s Eve Peak, but not the way to Peak 5800.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On USFS Road No. 243.2F. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading into the barren upper valley. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Evidently, Lupe had run into No. 243.2F N of where No. 243.2I branched off.\u00a0 She was still one valley too far W.\u00a0 Turning NE again, the Carolina Dog headed up to a saddle on the intervening ridge.\u00a0 There was a nice view of HP5360<\/span><\/strong> along the way, and once Loop got to the ridgeline, Peak 5800 was back in sight, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading for the ridgeline NE of USFS Road No. 243.2F. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
HP5360<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5800<\/strong> (L) comes back into view. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Down to USFS Road No. 243.2I, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I don’t know, Loop.\u00a0 You know me.\u00a0 Hate losing elevation we’ve just gained, and it’s farther down there than I thought it would be.\u00a0 Maybe we should just follow this ridge N?<\/em><\/p>\n

Fine with me, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Only problem with that was the ridge was sort of a steep climb.\u00a0 Lupe led the way, while SPHP huffed and puffed after her.\u00a0 Kind of a long way up to the top, too, but the American Dingo got there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up the ridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5800<\/strong> (R) from where the ridge topped out. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Maybe should have bitten the bullet and just gone down to USFS Road No. 243.2I as the Carolina Dog had suggested?\u00a0 It would have come up the valley to the E much closer to Peak 5800.<\/p>\n

You know what, Loopster?\u00a0 We climbed Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong> last year.\u00a0 I’ve sort of messed up our route now, and if we have to go this far out of our way, maybe we ought to visit Peak<\/span> 6070<\/span><\/a><\/strong> after New Year’s Peak instead?\u00a0 Haven’t been there in quite a while.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, forget about Peak 5800 this year, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I think so, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

As long as we keep up our tradition and visit New Year’s Peak, it’s all good, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

With Peak 5800 out, and Peak 6070 now Plan B, Lupe headed NW for the S slopes of Peak<\/span> 5917<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lost a bit of elevation along the way, which then had to be promptly regained, but this was a favorite region – grasslands, but with interesting rocks, scattered pines, and sweeping views to the S.\u00a0 Not much snow this year, which would have made for an even prettier scene, but still a fun trek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading NW from the ridge. Pistol Point<\/strong> (Center), New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong> (R of Center), and Peak 5917<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L), Five Points<\/strong> (beyond Lupe), and False North Point<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crossing a patch of snow on the way to Peak 5917<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pistol Point<\/strong> (R of Center). Lupe would be there soon. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Upon reaching the short ridgeline S of Peak 5917, Loop paused for a look back at Peak 5800.\u00a0 Beyond it, and farther S, both Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Silver Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were easily picked out.\u00a0 More directly S, there was also a great view of Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Sylvan Hill<\/span><\/a> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and False North Point<\/span><\/a> (6,130 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5800<\/strong> (L), Boulder Hill<\/strong> (R), and Silver Mountain<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L), Sylvan Hill<\/strong> (L of Center), Five Points<\/strong> (R of Center), and False North Point<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New Year’s Eve Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,046 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was only 0.6 mile NW now as the crow flies.\u00a0 It was possible to go almost directly to it.\u00a0 Lupe had been that way once or twice before.\u00a0 However, although a slightly longer route, it was more fun to head up to Pistol Point at the SE end of the mountain’s S ridge, then follow the ridge to the summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong> (R). Getting close now! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The route to Pistol Peak from the saddle SW of Peak 5917 followed a barbed wire fence and involved a couple of short, steep climbs.\u00a0 No big deal.\u00a0 Looper was soon there.\u00a0 As always, she scrambled up on the rock formations that Pistol Handle Rock was part of.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following the fence to Pistol Point<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Arriving at Pistol Point<\/strong>. Pistol Handle Rock<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong> (L) from Pistol Point<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By Pistol Handle Rock<\/strong> (L). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe left Pistol Point there was a sudden chill in the air.\u00a0 The sky had been gradually clouding over, and a cool breeze had sprung up out of the W.\u00a0 Gone was the warm, sunny day the Carolina Dog had enjoyed as she’d set out from the RAV4.<\/p>\n

As Loopster worked her way N along New Year’s Eve Peak’s S ridge, the temperature dropped and the breeze strengthened.\u00a0 Although it didn’t take all that long to get to the summit, by the time the American Dingo arrived, the mood was subdued.<\/p>\n

Good to be back, though!\u00a0 Despite deteriorating conditions, Lupe stood smiling on the 4 foot high rock platform that was the true summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back at the true summit of New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
SW end of the summit region<\/strong>. The true summit is only a few feet off to the R. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3:23 PM, 36\u00b0F, New Year’s Eve Peak<\/em> – Facing into the wind, Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap.\u00a0 Virtually no snow here, but the familiar hills to the W looked snowy.\u00a0 SPHP brought a couple of chocolate coconut bars out of the pack to celebrate the occasion.\u00a0 A very short party.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog saw to that.\u00a0 Then there was nothing to do but contemplate the cold, silent hills.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The snowy hills. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How many times have we been here, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nine, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Third day of brand spanking new 2022, but something about the cold wind and gray sky revived a sense of brooding over the old year gone by.\u00a0 2021!\u00a0 So recently the future, now come and gone, lost forever except to memory, part of the endlessly receding and expanding past.<\/p>\n

Guess we should have gotten here earlier in the day, Looper.\u00a0 Already kind of late.\u00a0 Not sure we even have enough daylight to press on to Peak 6070.\u00a0 To tell the truth, not too inclined to now anyway, given the conditions.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s OK, SPHP!\u00a0 Don’t worry about it.\u00a0 Our tradition is intact, since we made it this far.\u00a0 We can just stay here together at New Year’s Eve Peak a little longer then.\u00a0 How does that sound?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounded good.\u00a0 A quiet half hour went by.\u00a0 The wind just seemed to keep getting colder.<\/p>\n

Well, we’ve done our duty, Looper!\u00a0 Let’s wrap this up, and get out of this melancholy\u00a0breeze, I’ve had enough.<\/em><\/p>\n

Loop was fine with that.\u00a0 Before departing, though, she had a final look at the big views, which were all toward the S, followed by a brief return to the true summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Boulder Hill<\/strong> (L), Silver Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center), Calumet Ridge<\/span><\/a> (5,601 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R of Center) beyond frozen Sheridan Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center), Five Points<\/strong> (R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back at the true summit<\/strong> in the cold wind. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then it was down New Year’s Eve Peak’s W slope to the saddle leading to Peak<\/span> 6070<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Kind of steep, but not too bad.\u00a0 Optimism returned as soon as the windy summit was left behind.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the W slope. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Down at the saddle, Lupe ducked under a barbed wire fence.<\/p>\n

Are we going to head for Peak 6070 after all, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nope.\u00a0 I’m done.\u00a0 Back to the RAV4, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

The American Dingo turned S, quickly reaching the edge of the forest.\u00a0 The scenic valley S of New Year’s Eve Peak was just ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The upper valley view. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taking USFS Road No. 257 down the valley, the easy, late afternoon trek back to the RAV4 was very pleasant.\u00a0 Deer up on the hillsides kept Lupe animated.\u00a0 Even SPHP cheered up as snow crunched underpaw.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Whitetails on the hillside. Lupe saw quite a few!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 257 on the way back to the RAV4. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sort of just did the minimum today, didn’t we, Loop?\u00a0 Don’t worry, though!\u00a0 2022 is going to be a great year!\u00a0 Next time out, we start the blitz!<\/em><\/p>\n

The blitz, SPHP?\u00a0 What do you mean?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, a mini-blitz actually, but it will be fun.\u00a0 You’ll see!\u00a0 I’ll explain later.<\/em><\/p>\n

4:15 PM, 37\u00baF, Horse Creek Road, back at the RAV4<\/em> – Tradition honored!\u00a0 New Year’s Eve Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,046 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> visited!\u00a0 Lupe’s initial launch into New Year 2022 was officially complete.\u00a0 Better yet, what with the upcoming mini-blitz and all, this was destined to be one of the Carolina Dog’s best and most action-packed Januarys ever!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 1-3-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 261 – Peak 5800 & New Year’s Eve Peak (12-31-20)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 310 – Peak 5800 & New Year’s Eve Peak (12-31-22)<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/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":"

11:41 AM, 46\u00baF, Horse Creek Road across from USFS Road No. 243.2B – New starting point, SPHP? Yup!\u00a0 Going to mix things up a bit, try a little different route this year. Which way then, SPHP? NE, Looper!\u00a0 We’ll hit Peak 5800 first! Naturally, Lupe’s annual pilgrimage to New Year’s Eve Peak (6,046 ft.) was … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 288 – New Year’s Eve Peak (1-3-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37041,"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":[105,9,106,104,539,801,304],"class_list":["post-37022","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-new-years-eve-peak","tag-peak-6046","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/IMG_3571-5-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\/37022","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=37022"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37022\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58337,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37022\/revisions\/58337"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37022"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37022"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37022"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}