{"id":37885,"date":"2022-03-24T08:10:36","date_gmt":"2022-03-24T14:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=37885"},"modified":"2022-04-03T12:25:13","modified_gmt":"2022-04-03T18:25:13","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-292-peak-5100-twice-peak-5177-1-23-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=37885","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 292 – Peak 5100 Twice & Peak 5177 (1-23-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

9:45 AM, 45\u00baF, junction of Vanocker Canyon Road & Runkle Road (USFS Road No. 168) –<\/em> Another balmy day in January.\u00a0 Lupe was back in action!<\/p>\n

Gonna get your Lists of John<\/span><\/strong><\/a> mini-blitz off to a good start this morning, Loopster!\u00a0 This first peak should be easy!<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ve noticed that the first one almost always is, SPHP!\u00a0 It’s the ones that come after the first one that always seem to be the challenge.<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak<\/span> 5100<\/span><\/a><\/strong> certainly started out easy enough, just a stroll down Runkle Road into a minor drainage.\u00a0 After crossing it, the road began to climb.\u00a0 Lupe was barely 0.25 mile from where she’d left Vanocker Canyon Road when SPHP ventured off into the woods.\u00a0 Quickly taking the lead, the American Dingo sniffed her way S through a forest of aspens and pines up to a saddle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to set out for Peak 5100!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Following Runkle Road<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring the forest. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the saddle, young pines encroached on a grassy clearing.<\/p>\n

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

Peak 5100 is that hill to the E, Loop.\u00a0 200 foot climb, and you’re there!<\/em><\/p>\n

Looked easy.\u00a0 Above the young pines, the forest was all nice and open.\u00a0 Must have been thinned.\u00a0 \u00a0Lupe trotted up the slope, checking out the scents, while SPHP trudged behind her.\u00a0 No obstacles, not even a rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the grassy saddle. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5100’s W slope<\/strong> from the saddle. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading up! Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Might not have been any rocks along the way, SPHP, but there’s one up here!<\/em><\/p>\n

No joke!\u00a0 It was a huge one, too, right at the top!\u00a0 Could Lupe even get up there?\u00a0 First impressions were not good.\u00a0 So much for a trivial ascent, and a quick, easy Lists of John peakbagging success.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The problematic summit rock. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Same rock as seen from the N. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe reached Peak 5100’s summit ridge near the N end.\u00a0 Clearly, no way up onto that enormous rock from this direction.\u00a0 The N, E, and W sides were all vertical.\u00a0 Staying toward the W, Lupe explored S.<\/p>\n

Turned out that the big rock was really the N end of a 20 to 30 foot high limestone ridge.\u00a0 Loop didn’t have to follow the ridge S very far before coming to a bit of a break where she managed to scramble up onto it.\u00a0 The ridge was narrow with small cliffs on both sides, yet wide enough to make it relatively easy to get to the high point at the far N end.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on the summit ridge. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the N end, not far from the top. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the second highest rock. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Success! Peak 5100 true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations, Loopster!\u00a0 Wasn’t so bad after all, was it?\u00a0 When I first saw this big rock, I thought we were doomed to failure.<\/em><\/p>\n

So your super simple Peak<\/span> 5100<\/span><\/a><\/strong> threw a scare into you, aye, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, it did!\u00a0 You just never know what might lurk at the top.\u00a0 Thought this was going to be a romp.<\/em><\/p>\n

Buried in trees, there wasn’t a thing to see up here.\u00a0 Lupe stayed on the summit rock only a couple of minutes.\u00a0 Although it seemed obvious that the Carolina Dog had just been on the true summit, the limestone ridge extended farther S.\u00a0 Better check things out that direction, just in case.<\/p>\n

Lupe only got so far before the ridge became discontinuous.\u00a0 More large rock formations were still in sight farther S.\u00a0 Going back N to where she could scramble down again, the American Dingo then followed the base of the ridge S.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
As far S up on the ridge as Lupe made it before having to retreat. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Down below now, following the ridge S. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although she didn’t make it up onto the high point near the S end, Lupe was able to scramble partway back up again.\u00a0 By now, it seemed pretty clear that the rock she had been to at the far N end really was the true summit.\u00a0 Beyond the S end of the ridge, a limestone platform offered a nice view overlooking the Elk Creek valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
S end of Peak 5100’s summit ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Elk Creek valley<\/strong> from the S end of the mountain. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, Looper, think you’ve done about all we need to here.\u00a0 Certainly been way more interesting than I expected.<\/em><\/p>\n

Back to the RAV4, then, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 (End, 11:12 AM)<\/em><\/p>\n

11:24 AM, 46\u00baF, junction of USFS Roads No. 170 and No. 170.3A<\/em> –<\/p>\n

You’ll never guess where we’re going now, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

Probably not.\u00a0 Do tell, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak<\/span> <\/strong>5100<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n

You’re confused, SPHP.\u00a0 Check that map again!\u00a0 We were just at Peak 5100.<\/em><\/p>\n

I know!\u00a0 That was kind of a trick question, Loop.\u00a0 This is another, different Peak 5100 that we’re going to now.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, we’re doing Peak 5100 twice, except they’re different mountains?<\/em><\/p>\n

Exactly, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

We ought to be giving all these peaks names, SPHP.\u00a0 How about Confusion Hill for this one?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Start of USFS Road No. 170.3A. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon after setting out on USFS Road No. 170.3A, Lupe came to a barbed wire fence across the road.\u00a0 Opening a gate, SPHP let her through.<\/p>\n

The road was soft with melting snow, and almost level as it continued N.\u00a0 After 0.3 mile, No. 170.3A curved NE.\u00a0 Lupe left it here, heading NW up onto a little ridge.\u00a0 HP4929<\/span><\/strong> was visible ahead.\u00a0 Aiming for a pass W of HP4929<\/span><\/strong>, the Carolina Dog climbed slowly through a pine forest full of thickets of tall bushes with orange leaves.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading N on USFS Road No. 170.3A. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to leave the road to start up the slope ahead. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
HP4929<\/span><\/strong> (R). Lupe headed for the pass (L) from here. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A valley was ahead.\u00a0 Rather than continue across it toward the pass, Looper turned W and kept climbing.\u00a0 Soon the traverse got so steep that going SSW directly up the slope appeared to be the best option.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Close to HP4929<\/span><\/strong> (Center), but with a valley ahead. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Turning W to avoid the valley. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Going straight up the slope. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was a long way up, but the terrain finally leveled out.\u00a0 Lupe reached a sunlit forest on a gently rounded hilltop.\u00a0 Ready for a breather, SPHP sat down for a look at the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

One of ’em, Loop.\u00a0 Three 5100 foot contours on this mountain.\u00a0 This is Peak 5100’s E summit, site of the smallest contour.\u00a0 There is a SW summit 0.25 mile W of here, and another one N of that one.\u00a0 Both of those contours are significantly larger, so the true summit is likely at one of those locations.\u00a0 We’re going to have to visit all three high points to be certain you’ve been to the true summit.<\/em><\/p>\n

No harm in having a chocolate coconut bar right here, is there, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I don’t suppose so.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5100’s E summit<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Not much to be seen up here with all the trees.\u00a0 SPHP’s pack was soon one chocolate coconut bar lighter as the American Dingo continued on, heading W in search of the true summit.\u00a0 A rounded ridge led down to a shallow saddle where a forested hillside was ahead.<\/p>\n

Did seem like Lupe had maybe gained a little more elevation than she’d lost on the way over here by the time she reached a single modest-sized rock near the W end of a small, flat ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting down the rounded ridge. Photo looks, WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the saddle between the E and SW summits<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5100’s SW summit<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:52 PM, 46\u00baF, SW summit of Peak<\/span> 5100<\/span><\/a><\/strong> –<\/em> Lupe stood on the SW summit.\u00a0 Again, not much to see.\u00a0 Narrow glimpses of Veteran Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,333 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804)<\/span><\/strong> were about it for views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Veteran Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Custer Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soooo, SPHP!\u00a0 How about a chocolate …<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, no you don’t, gluttonous Dingo!\u00a0 You’re not getting 3 chocolate coconut bars out of this mountain.\u00a0 Didn’t even bring that many.\u00a0 Have some Taste of the Wild, instead.\u00a0 Better for you.<\/em><\/p>\n

Taste of the Wild was graciously accepted.\u00a0 SPHP munched an apple.\u00a0 A pleasant enough spot, but not much reason to linger here, either.\u00a0 As soon as the apple disappeared, Lupe headed N.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5100 SW summit<\/strong>. Another angle. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to leave the SW summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another forested slope led gradually down to a broad saddle where the terrain began to rise again.\u00a0 Peak 5100’s N summit region proved to be rockier than the other two high points.\u00a0 A little ridge of gray stone rose several feet above the rest of the region.\u00a0 The high point was toward the N end, beyond a big bush.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
First rock formation encountered on the way to the N summit. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On Peak 5100’s N summit ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the N summit<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations, Looper!\u00a0 You’ve done it!\u00a0 Climbed your second Peak<\/span> 5100<\/span><\/a><\/strong> of the day.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank you, SPHP!\u00a0 Is this the true summit?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 No idea, Loop.\u00a0 Might be.\u00a0 These high points all have too many trees, are too far apart, and too close to the same elevation to tell.\u00a0 You’ve been to all three, though, so mission accomplished somewhere along the way.<\/em><\/p>\n

Exploring farther N along the N ridge, Lupe eventually came to a saddle.\u00a0 Turning W here, she wandered down to USFS Road No. 171.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring N of the N summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the way down to USFS Road No. 171. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once on No. 171, Looper went S.\u00a0 The road curved around the end of a short W ridge, then down to an area SW of Peak 5100 where 2 men were setting up for target practice.\u00a0 Knowing that gunfire would make Lupe super nervous, SPHP didn’t stop to chat, instead taking a shortcut SE down to USFS Road No. 170.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
W of Peak 5100<\/strong> on USFS Road No. 171. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Shortcutting down to USFS Road No. 170. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heading E along No. 170, SPHP collected Lupe treasures during the 0.7 mile return to the RAV4.\u00a0 (End 2:36 PM)<\/em><\/p>\n

3:13 PM, 48\u00baF, Whitewood Peak Road off 76 Ranch Road –\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I don’t know about this, Loopster.\u00a0 Thought we would find better access.\u00a0 Maybe this isn’t such a hot idea?\u00a0 Dark before we get back for sure.\u00a0 Might be dark before we even get to Peak<\/span> 5177<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Still want to try it?<\/em><\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog was game.\u00a0 Alright then.\u00a0 Advisable or not –<\/p>\n

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

Lupe set out on a short flat stretch of road that the map showed going through private property to USFS land.\u00a0 Not posted, not even fenced, and no tracks in the snow.\u00a0 Probably no big deal.\u00a0 No harm done in any case.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the USFS access road. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Took Loop only a few minutes to get to a USFS sign.\u00a0 The road continued NW toward a green gate.\u00a0 More private property beyond it.\u00a0 Lupe was far more interested in several deer staring at her from beyond the gate.<\/p>\n

Nope, not going that way!\u00a0 Going to stick with USFS land the rest of the way.\u00a0 At this point, that meant heading N.\u00a0 Surprisingly, a faint dirt road covered with pine needles\u00a0started up in the right direction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the fortuitous faint road. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road climbed fairly aggressively for almost 200 feet, when off to the L, a strange structure came into view.\u00a0 Having never seen one quite like it before, Lupe went over to check it out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following the road higher. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the mysterious wooden wigwam. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A wooden wigwam!\u00a0 Although in good condition, the wigwam was poorly furnished.\u00a0 Two short sections of a log served as seats, but that was it.\u00a0 How long it had been here, who had built it, and whether or not they might return was an archeological mystery.\u00a0 The wigwam would be a good landmark, though, on the way back from Peak 5177.<\/p>\n

Heading NW from the wigwam, Lupe discovered a single track path.\u00a0 The path persisted all the way to a fence at the NE corner of private property.\u00a0 Just N of the fence on USFS land was another road, a better one than the faint road Lupe had abandoned near the wigwam.<\/p>\n

Following this new road W, it went over a little rise, then led to a small, sunny clearing.\u00a0 A short distance beyond the clearing, the Carolina Dog arrived at a fork.\u00a0 The better road remained quite level as it headed off to the NW.\u00a0 A fainter road angled W up a slope.<\/p>\n

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

Keep going W, Loop.\u00a0 Stay to the L.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The big tree (R) is the NE corner post of the fence NW of the wigwam. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the sunny clearing. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the fork. Loop took the fainter road to the L. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A short trek on the faint road got Lupe up onto a ridge.\u00a0 The road turned S here, heading downhill.\u00a0 Before long, the American Dingo came to a pile of branches laid across the road in line with a fence.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on the ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the pile of branches that the fence lined up with. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alrighty, I think I know where we are again, Loop.\u00a0 Still private property S of us here, so we need to follow this fence W to wherever it ends.<\/em><\/p>\n

Following the fence W, Lupe continued losing elevation while traversing a fairly steep slope covered with slick pine needles.\u00a0 No problem for the Carolina Dog, but inconvenient for SPHP.\u00a0 Entirely manageable, but not much fun.<\/p>\n

The fence went on for quite a long way before Lupe finally came to what seemed to be a corner.\u00a0 Whether it really was one or not, wasn’t entirely clear.\u00a0 The fence didn’t go any farther W, but more USFS boundary posts could still be seen at intervals that way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Traversing the slope. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Passing below a big rock outcropping. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The apparent corner at the W end of the fence. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maybe Loop ought to go a little farther W?\u00a0 She needed to cross a valley to the S, though, to get to Peak<\/span>\u00a05177<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, and the farther W she went, the more elevation she would have to lose.\u00a0 Passing another USFS boundary marker, Lupe continued W down to a saddle leading to a small hill.\u00a0 Here she turned S, descending into the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Beyond the fence, heading down to the saddle (Center). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Down in the valley. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the time Lupe reached the valley floor, she had already lost hundreds of feet of elevation.\u00a0 About time to start regaining it, and then some!\u00a0 First, though, Loop went a little farther W, looking for an opening in the trees and bushes on the S side of the valley.<\/p>\n

Before long, she found one.\u00a0 Scrambling only a little higher, Lupe came to yet another road.\u00a0 It went gradually downhill as it went farther W, but at least it was a fast route.\u00a0 Loop followed this new road, hoping it would turn SW and lead up to the saddle just E of Peak 5177.<\/p>\n

No such luck!\u00a0 The road soon dead-ended at a turn-around loop.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the road discovered just S of the valley floor. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the turn-around loop. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, shucks.\u00a0 A big steep climb was unavoidable now.\u00a0 Turning S, Lupe started up a slope thick with bushes and white-barked aspens.\u00a0 Since this was a N slope, in some places snow made the going slick.\u00a0 At the top of this long climb was yet another road.<\/p>\n

By now, the sun was close to the horizon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the next road at the top of the big climb. None of these roads, other than the short one at the start, were shown on the topo map. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turning W again, this latest road soon brought Lupe to a small clearing.\u00a0 Just to the S was a better road.\u00a0 Taking it W, it immediately went down to the saddle leading to Peak 5177.\u00a0 On the way, Lupe passed another USFS boundary sign.\u00a0 Apparently, the American Dingo hadn’t gone far enough W before turning S, but nothing to be done about that now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down to the saddle immediately E of Peak 5177. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Oops! Should have been farther W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the saddle, the road continued W, winding higher through an increasingly gloomy forest.\u00a0 Lupe hurried on, finally reaching Peak 5177’s N ridge.<\/p>\n

A chilly 10-15 mph NW wind was blowing.\u00a0 Still some light in the sky, but the world looked dark.\u00a0 Rock formations along the W edge of the ridge provided a big view of both Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and more distant Deer Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,652 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> beyond the lights of Deadwood.<\/p>\n

Wow, quite a view, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

It is!\u00a0 Kind of a unique vantage point.\u00a0 Too bad, it’s so dark already.\u00a0 The camera overcompensates in these low light conditions, making things much brighter than they really are, but fuzzy, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

Use the flash then, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Heh.\u00a0 That only works close up, Looper.\u00a0 Can’t light up the entire Black Hills!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Terry Peak<\/strong> (Center) and Deadwood<\/strong> (L). Blurry Dingo (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A fuzzy look NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Still rising, the road Lupe had been following curved N.\u00a0 The topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, however, marked Peak 5177’s presumed true summit 0.2 mile farther S at the SW end of the mountain.<\/p>\n

Pines swayed in the breeze as Loop roamed S through the woods looking for it.\u00a0 Coming to a small ridge a bit higher than the rest of the mountain, SPHP encouraged her to leap up onto the highest rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At what might have been Peak 5177’s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5:18 PM, 40\u00baF, Peak<\/span> 5177<\/span><\/a><\/strong> –<\/em> It wasn’t much farther to another minor high point about where the true summit was supposed to be.\u00a0 Maybe this was it?\u00a0 Hard to say for sure in the dark forest.\u00a0 Probably was, if that last little high point hadn’t been it.\u00a0 20 feet away, surrounded by cliffs on 3 sides, a tall pole stood on a level platform of limestone that jutted out to the W.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5177’s SW high point<\/strong> and likely true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, look at that view, SPHP!\u00a0 Highlight of the day!\u00a0 A shame we didn’t get here while the sun was still up.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s the way it goes, Loopster.\u00a0 Guess we knew it might get dark on us.\u00a0 Just such a long, winding, up and down route to get here trying to avoid all that private property, that it chewed up all of our daylight.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not entirely dark yet, though.\u00a0 As Lupe ventured out onto the platform, the last fiery glow of sunset was still fading on the horizon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Out on the platform near the true summit. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Terry Peak<\/strong> and the lights of Deadwood<\/strong> (L). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About the same spot using the flash. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the view from the platform was awesome, the cold NW wind made it an uncomfortable spot to relax.\u00a0 Heading a little farther S, Lupe came to a grassy slope sheltered from the wind.\u00a0 Looking S, residential lights twinkled in an otherwise black abyss, while off to the SW, it was still possible to see the lights of Deadwood, and silhouettes of Terry Peak and Deer Mountain against the sky.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the grassy S slope. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, quite a day, Loopster!\u00a0 3 Lists of John peaks climbed!\u00a0 Peak 5177 has been a rather memorable one, too.\u00a0 Ready for that last chocolate coconut bar now?<\/em><\/p>\n

Silly question, SPHP.\u00a0 I’ve been ready, and you know it!<\/em><\/p>\n

The last chocolate coconut bar vanished.\u00a0 So did most of the remaining Taste of the Wild supply, and the last apple.<\/p>\n

Oh, it was a long dark trek back!\u00a0 In the faint beam of the little flashlight, the American Dingo explored a somewhat different route.\u00a0 Although she must have passed close to the wooden wigwam again at some point, SPHP never could find it again, getting lost in the inky black forest while wandering a maze of unfamiliar, unmarked roads to who knew where?<\/p>\n

At last, the lights of a big house appeared to the S.\u00a0 Lupe crossed a huge field, and there, near the end, was the RAV4.<\/p>\n

All’s well that ends well, Loop!\u00a0 Couple more outings and your Lists of John mini-blitz will be complete!<\/em><\/p>\n

Is that all, SPHP?\u00a0 I’m that close to my achievement?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, yeah!\u00a0 Not much more to do now!\u00a0 You go, Dingo!\u00a0 (7:16 PM, 44\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deer Mountain<\/strong> & Terry Peak<\/strong> from Peak 5177<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 1-23-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\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

Lupe treasures gathered – 3 plastic bottles, 16 aluminum cans.<\/em><\/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":"

9:45 AM, 45\u00baF, junction of Vanocker Canyon Road & Runkle Road (USFS Road No. 168) – Another balmy day in January.\u00a0 Lupe was back in action! Gonna get your Lists of John mini-blitz off to a good start this morning, Loopster!\u00a0 This first peak should be easy! I’ve noticed that the first one almost always … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 292 – Peak 5100 Twice & Peak 5177 (1-23-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37872,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[105,9,106,104,1512,1513,304],"class_list":["post-37885","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-peak-5100","tag-peak-5177","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/IMG_3866-scaled.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37885","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=37885"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37885\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39232,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37885\/revisions\/39232"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}