{"id":37304,"date":"2022-02-22T08:10:51","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T15:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=37304"},"modified":"2022-03-04T12:11:24","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T19:11:24","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-289-the-lists-of-john-mini-blitz-1-11-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=37304","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 289 – The Lists of John Mini-Blitz (1-11-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

8:45 AM, 44\u00baF, S Rockerville Road – <\/em>Although a sign insisted this was a privately maintained driveway, a brown wand also confirmed that this was USFS Road No. 641.\u00a0 SPHP parked the RAV4 at a wide spot.<\/p>\n

Think we’re good here, Loopster.\u00a0 Private property nearby, but No. 641 is USFS land all the way to Peak<\/span> 4760<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Start of USFS Road No. 641. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The sign that caused momentary consternation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 641 started out heading SE, slowly gaining elevation.\u00a0 A little cool in the shade, but still a very warm morning for January.<\/p>\n

Is this the start of the blitz you mentioned last time, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Indeed it is, Loop.\u00a0 Actually, just a mini-blitz.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mind explaining what you mean by that?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, it’s quite simple actually.\u00a0 You’re closing in on an achievement, dear Dingo!\u00a0 If it hadn’t been so smoky last summer, you would have already finished it.\u00a0 Since you didn’t, we’re just going to plug away at it now at the start of 2022 every time the weather is decent until you get it over and done with.\u00a0 That’s the blitz part of it.<\/em><\/p>\n

So we’re going to be climbing a bunch of mountains?\u00a0 Sounds good, but what is this mysterious achievement, and how long is it going to take, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

The achievement is a surprise.\u00a0 I’ll let you know when your done.\u00a0 Expect you to finish maybe in late, late January, more likely in February.\u00a0 Depends on the weather and how well it goes.\u00a0 The mountains we’ll be climbing are all Lists of John<\/strong><\/span><\/a> peaks we’ve never been to before right here in the Black Hills that all have at least 300 feet of prominence.\u00a0 Unless, of course, we wind up going somewhere else for a big finish!<\/em><\/p>\n

That would be cool, SPHP!\u00a0 Especially in January, unless we go a long way S!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, we’ll have to see on that, Loopster.\u00a0 Not sure yet what we’ll wind up doing, but in the meantime you’re going to be busy right here in the good ol’ Black Hills.<\/em><\/p>\n

Should be fun, but we’ve already been climbing quite a few Lists of John Peaks lately.\u00a0 How is this any different?<\/em><\/p>\n

More peaks, more often, until you’re done.\u00a0 A blitz!<\/em><\/p>\n

Whatever, SPHP!\u00a0 Sounds like the same thing we’ve been doing, but if it means I get to explore more mountains, I’m all for it.\u00a0 Lists of John mini-blitz it is!<\/em><\/p>\n

0.25 mile and the road topped out as it began to curve S.<\/p>\n

Thar she blows, Looper!\u00a0 Going to be a snap!<\/em><\/p>\n

Is that our first Lists of John mini-blitz peak already, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 4760<\/span><\/a><\/strong>!\u00a0 No doubt about it. Numero uno dead ahead!<\/em><\/p>\n

The hill SPHP was referring to was already in sight a little over 0.5 mile away.\u00a0 Forested, but not all that big.\u00a0 Really didn’t look hard at all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 4760<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 641 wound around toward the S a bit, then turned E, dipping down to cross a drainage before starting to climb again.\u00a0 Lupe passed a road to the N that must have gone to one of the private properties, and soon thereafter went right past a big house.\u00a0 All easy peasy.<\/p>\n

Approaching from the NW, the Carolina Dog arrived at a fork in the road at the base of the mountain.\u00a0 No. 641.1B went L, while No. 641 veered R.\u00a0 Hardly mattered.\u00a0 Both routes would probably work out just fine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following USFS Road No. 641 as it winds S. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to cross the drainage. Peak 4760<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the fork. No. 641.1B goes L. No. 641 goes R. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sticking with No. 641, Lupe went R.\u00a0 The road climbed just a little before topping out.\u00a0 Off to the SW, there was already a terrific, if distant, view of Mount Rushmore<\/span><\/a> (5,725 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 A couple more scenic hills were ahead, but Lupe wouldn’t be visiting them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center), Mount Rushmore<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
More hills ahead. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leaving the road at about its high point, Lupe started climbing through open forest.\u00a0 Although Peak 4760 had appeared heavily forested from a distance, she didn’t have to go far before a clearing was visible ahead.\u00a0 Crumbling limestone littered a sunny hillside below a more intact cap.\u00a0 This last part of the climb was short, but steep.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the sunny upper slope. Photo looks. NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the limestone cap. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The top of the mountain was broad, and tilted gradually up toward the NW.\u00a0 Lupe had come up at a big clearing near the true summit, which was along the NW edge of the mountain.\u00a0 A limestone platform offered another big view of Black Elk Peak and Mount Rushmore.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on Peak 4760<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The big clearing near the NW end of the mountain. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit<\/strong>. Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (beyond Lupe). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Rushmore<\/strong> (L), Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Zoomed in on Mount Rushmore<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9:35 AM, 48\u00baF, Peak 4760 – <\/em><\/p>\n

Our Lists of John mini-blitz is off to a great start, SPHP!\u00a0 This was easy!<\/em><\/p>\n

Certainly had been.\u00a0 A break hardly seemed warranted yet, but Lupe took one at the true summit.\u00a0 Even if she was on the mini-blitz now, that didn’t mean she couldn’t spend a little while up on top experiencing the mountain.\u00a0 That would be just too big of a breach of tradition!\u00a0 Might as well share a chocolate coconut bar, whether truly earned yet, or not.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Instead of her usual summit hour, the American Dingo spent a mere 30 minutes up on Peak 4760.\u00a0 Plenty of time to wander about having a look at the views.\u00a0 Silver Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were both in sight from the true summit.\u00a0 From the SW edge, a big ridge, part of which must have included Woodpecker Ridge<\/span><\/a> (5,680 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, could be seen to the SSW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Silver Mountain<\/strong> (L) and Boulder Hill<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SSW in the general direction of Woodpecker Ridge<\/strong> (Center).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Along the SW edge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Half an hour zoomed by.\u00a0 On the way down, Lupe journeyed SE through most of the big clearing before starting down the SW slope.\u00a0 Not quite as steep this way.\u00a0 Once below the limestone cap, it was back down the rocky hillside to the forest, and ultimately USFS Road No. 641 again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down. Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Passing below the region where Lupe went up during the ascent. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Back to the RAV4, Looper!\u00a0 These Lists of John peaks are scattered around enough so that we’ll have to drive between them.\u00a0 Our “blitz” would take a month of Sundays trudging from one to the next.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Returning to the RAV4. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10:41 AM, 50\u00baF, Playhouse Road a mile S of Hwy 40 –<\/em> Wasn’t all that far to the next starting point.\u00a0 A 10 minute drive, and Loop was leaping out of the RAV4 again at a minor pass along Playhouse Road.\u00a0 Beyond a green cattle guard, USFS Road No. 359.1C curved away into the forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the start of USFS Road No. 359.1C.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Absolutely!\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

No. 359.1C wound W, then NW.\u00a0 For an abandoned road according to the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, it sure seemed to be in good shape.\u00a0 Loopster soon found out why.\u00a0 After a steepish climb approaching HP4600<\/span><\/strong>, the road leveled out at a pass.\u00a0 No fence, but the road ahead was posted.\u00a0 The signs looked new.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Setting out on USFS Road No. 359.1C. HP4600<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Starting the climb toward HP4600<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the posted pass along HP4600<\/span>‘s S ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Well, shoot, Loop!\u00a0 This was supposed to be our easy route to Peak<\/span> 5000<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Guess we should have started out by the sewage ponds.\u00a0 Would have been shorter, anyway.\u00a0 And here, I thought this would be better.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sewage ponds!\u00a0 Forget that, SPHP!\u00a0 Can’t we go around this private land?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, more effort than a road hike, though.\u00a0 Gonna slow down your blitz!<\/em><\/p>\n

Looking 30 feet back down the road the way Lupe had come up, SPHP noticed a line of posts and survey ribbons.\u00a0 Must be the property line!<\/p>\n

Guess we can go around the edge that way, Looper.\u00a0 C’mon!<\/em><\/p>\n

Heading NE along the line of posts, it wasn’t far to a property corner.\u00a0 Able to turn NW again, Lupe was happy to see a snowy slope.\u00a0 Climbing past the snow, she then turned N passing E of HP4600<\/span><\/strong>‘s summit.\u00a0 A valley was just ahead.\u00a0 Peak 4894<\/span><\/strong> now in sight due W.\u00a0 More toward the N, and farther away, part of Peak<\/span> 5000<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was visible, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the snowy upper E slopes of HP4600<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 4894<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5000<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A house was visible down in a saddle to the W.\u00a0 Clearly private property over that way.\u00a0 Staying well NE of the house, Lupe descended into the valley ahead.\u00a0 At the bottom, she passed a pile of slash leftover from a logging operation.\u00a0 It looked old, but the American Dingo came to more recently logged territory after starting up the other side of the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the valley. Peak 4894<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On a recently logged slope. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing N and NW, trying to avoid private property, but not always succeeding, judging from National Forest boundary signs sometimes met along the way, Looper finally reached another valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the second valley. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Down in the heavily forested valley, it wasn’t clear exactly what route would be best from here.<\/p>\n

Must be somewhere SE of Peak 5000 now.\u00a0 Just start climbing, Loopster!<\/em><\/p>\n

Picking a hillside that didn’t look too terribly steep, Lupe charged up.\u00a0 After gaining 60 or 70 feet of elevation, she reached a narrow ridgeline that rose steadily to the NW.\u00a0 Seemed like a reasonable route higher.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the ridgeline. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rock formations, fallen trees, dense forest, and a couple more National Forest boundary signs.\u00a0 Progress was kind of slow, and it wasn’t at all clear what was USFS land and what wasn’t.\u00a0 Maybe it didn’t matter too much?\u00a0 The whole region seemed surprisingly remote and untouched.<\/p>\n

After gaining hundreds of feet of elevation, Lupe arrived at a clearing.\u00a0 The terrain was flatter now.\u00a0 Remnants of a long abandoned electric fence were up here.\u00a0 All three strands of wire were flat on the ground.<\/p>\n

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

This is kind of strange, don’t you think, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I do.\u00a0 We’re less than a mile from Keystone.\u00a0 Wonder if we’re going to come to a housing subdivision?\u00a0 Let’s follow this fence.\u00a0 Must be some kind of a border.\u00a0 Probably can’t mess up too badly, if we stay close to it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Loop followed what was left of the electric fence NW until it vanished.\u00a0 Continuing NW, she kept passing National Forest boundary signs.\u00a0 The ground kept rising, but at a slower and slower pace.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By a National Forest boundary post.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eventually a rock formation could be seen only a short distance ahead.\u00a0 Looked like a high point.<\/p>\n

Get up there, Looper!<\/em><\/p>\n

Is this the summit, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hard to say.\u00a0 Might be.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Success! Maybe. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No views here!\u00a0 Way too many trees.\u00a0 Nothing to see.<\/p>\n

Oh, yes there is, SPHP!\u00a0 Look at this!<\/em><\/p>\n

30 feet NW of the big rock Lupe had just been on, there was a bearing tree, survey marker, and a couple more National Forest boundary signs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the survey marker. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That wasn’t all.\u00a0 Within sight farther NW was Peak 5000 Stonehenge!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Peak 5000 Stonehenge<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, I bet this place is magical!\u00a0 Stand back, SPHP!\u00a0 I’ll get inside, and see what happens.<\/em><\/p>\n

Be careful, Loopster!\u00a0 Remember the space port at South Baldy<\/strong><\/span><\/a>?\u00a0 That was weird enough!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Inside Peak 5000 Stonehenge<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Surrounded by the odd vertical rocks of the Peak 5000 Stonehenge, Lupe stood there for a minute or two.<\/p>\n

Anything happening, Loop?\u00a0 I can’t tell any difference.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not even a tingle, SPHP.\u00a0 Maybe we need to come back at midnight during a full moon?\u00a0 The magic would be a lot more powerful then.<\/em><\/p>\n

Heh.\u00a0 Don’t bet on that ever happening, Looper.\u00a0 Was hard enough to find this place in broad daylight.<\/em><\/p>\n

The tops of the tallest Stonehenge rocks looked like they might actually be Peak 5000’s high point, but that illusion was quickly dispelled.\u00a0 The ground rose again as Loopster continued NW.\u00a0 She soon passed a minor ridge to the W that was definitely higher than Peak 5000 Stonehenge, or the first big rock back at the survey marker.\u00a0 However, an even higher spot was now visible a little off to the NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the SE summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was sunny when Lupe first reached the flat top of a little ridge.\u00a0 A few small rocks with a scratchy, leafless bush growing among them formed an undramatic high point scarcely a foot above the rest of the terrain.<\/p>\n

I think this is it, Looper!<\/em><\/p>\n

The true summit of Peak<\/span> 5000<\/span><\/a><\/strong>?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On top of Peak 5000<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chocolate coconut bar time!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP sat down together enjoying the warm sun.\u00a0 Nearly 60\u00baF!\u00a0 In January, no less.\u00a0 Taste of the Wild, an apple, and water rounded out the provisions that met the same fate as the chocolate coconut bar.<\/p>\n

You were wrong, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

About what, this time?<\/em><\/p>\n

The housing subdivision.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, yeah.\u00a0 Well, I’m glad about that.\u00a0 Peak 5000 is better like this, anyway.\u00a0 Gets awkward real fast when the true summit of a mountain is someone’s front yard.<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak 5000’s summit had two points of interest.\u00a0 One was a small pit 30 feet S of the high point.\u00a0 Lupe ventured over for a look at it, but wasn’t overly impressed.\u00a0 No pendulum.\u00a0 The other was a surprising view.<\/p>\n

Although trees blocked the views in all directions save one, that lone view was unique.\u00a0 Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the highest mountain in South Dakota, was lined up behind Mount Rushmore<\/span><\/a> (5,725 ft.<\/span><\/strong>)<\/span>, South Dakota’s most famous mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The pit<\/strong> (the shadow at far R). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the not-so-fascinating pit. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Rushmore<\/strong> (L), Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What now, SPHP?\u00a0 \u00a0On to the next mountain?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not going to be a next mountain, Loop.\u00a0 Took too long to get here after we got forced off USFS Road No. 359.1C.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe couldn’t leave Peak 5000 yet, anyway.\u00a0 One more rise was visible 300 feet farther NW.\u00a0 Didn’t look quite as high as where the Carolina Dog was now, but she’d better check it out, just in case.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking toward the next high spot to the NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Good thing she did!\u00a0 The next rise went a little farther and higher than it first appeared.\u00a0 By the time Lupe got to the top, it was clear that this area was in contention for the title of Peak 5000’s true summit.\u00a0 Several large rocks along the E edge might well be it.\u00a0 Would almost bet money on it!\u00a0 Loopster scrambled up to the top.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back toward the SE summit<\/strong> (R) from the NW summit area<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the NW summit high point<\/strong> (and likely true summit)<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whether the shady rocks of the NW summit, or the sunny hill of the SE summit, was actually the true high point was never entirely clear, but Lupe had been to both.\u00a0 Might as well head back to the RAV4!\u00a0 Returning briefly to the SE high point, Loopster went over it, continuing S or SE through the same heavily forested region she’d been through earlier.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Returning to the SE summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After passing Peak 5000 Stonehenge, and following the remains of the electric fence back to the clearing where she’d first reached the S ridge, Lupe went just a little farther S to an opening where a bulldozer had cleared a level spot.\u00a0 Off to the WSW, was another, much more open view of Mount Rushmore and Black Elk Peak, lined up even more perfectly here than they had been at Peak 5000’s SE summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Rushmore<\/strong> and Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center) from the bulldozer clearing. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Rushmore<\/strong> & Black Elk Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then it was back down the same steep SE ridge that Lupe had explored on the way up.\u00a0 Once in the second valley she’d come to on the way to Peak 5000, going down it seemed the better choice, skipping the woodsy trek necessary to avoid all the private property and get back to USFS Road No. 359.1C.<\/p>\n

Turned out that this valley really was a far better route.\u00a0 The American Dingo soon came to an old jeep trail, which became a super easy trek as the valley eventually began to widen out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the old jeep trail. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the snowy lower valley. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The adventure was more or less over when Lupe reached the sewage ponds near Playhouse Road.\u00a0 They turned out to be bone dry.\u00a0 Perhaps they were defunct?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the old sewage ponds. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A 0.67 mile trudge back up paved Playhouse Road to the RAV4 waiting at the start of USFS Road No. 359.1C was all that remained.\u00a0 Some traffic to watch out for, but not all that much.\u00a0 Lupe trotted along, pausing when SPHP did to gather the inevitable Lupe treasures in the ditches.<\/p>\n

Humanity is a mess, isn’t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, much of it is, Looper.\u00a0 Some things never change.<\/em><\/p>\n

We aren’t climbing any more peaks today?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nope.\u00a0 Getting too late.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not much of a Lists of John blitz, was it, SPHP?\u00a0 We only got to two peaks!<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak 5000 took longer than I expected, Loop.\u00a0 Besides, blitzing isn’t our strong point.\u00a0 Kind of the opposite of our usual lackadaisical wanderings.\u00a0 Maybe we need a little practice at it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, maybe practice would make a difference, and maybe not.\u00a0 Hard to break old habits.\u00a0 In any case, the Lists of John mini-blitz was at least off to some kind of a start.\u00a0 One thing for sure.\u00a0 Wouldn’t be long before the Black Hills Dingo would be back at it again!\u00a0 (End 3:00 PM, 48\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> & Mount Rushmore<\/strong> from Peak 4760<\/strong>, Black Hills, South Dakota 1-11-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe treasures gathered – 15 aluminum cans, 1 glass bottle<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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

Next Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/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":"

8:45 AM, 44\u00baF, S Rockerville Road – Although a sign insisted this was a privately maintained driveway, a brown wand also confirmed that this was USFS Road No. 641.\u00a0 SPHP parked the RAV4 at a wide spot. Think we’re good here, Loopster.\u00a0 Private property nearby, but No. 641 is USFS land all the way to … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 289 – The Lists of John Mini-Blitz (1-11-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37190,"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":[105,9,106,1495,104,1496,942,1494,304],"class_list":["post-37304","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-lists-of-john","tag-lupe","tag-mini-blitz","tag-peak-4760","tag-peak-5000","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/IMG_3594-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\/37304","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=37304"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38011,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37304\/revisions\/38011"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}