{"id":39326,"date":"2022-05-03T08:10:22","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T14:10:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=39326"},"modified":"2022-05-13T15:25:44","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T21:25:44","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-296-peak-5440-peak-5360-big-rock-2-19-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=39326","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 296 – Peak 5440, Peak 5360 & Big Rock (2-19-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

9:22 AM, 37\u00baF, Custer State Park Road No. 8<\/em> –<\/p>\n

Badger Hole again, SPHP?\u00a0 Hey, wait!\u00a0 You missed the turn!<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP drove only another 0.1 mile before turning R off CSP Road No. 8 at a big lot where a few small mounds of snow-covered gravel were stored.\u00a0 A bit nippy in the breeze, yet a lovely morning for mid-February.\u00a0 The sunny, clear blue sky held out hope for additional warmth soon enough.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the gravel lot. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No, we’re not returning to Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong><\/span><\/a> today, Loop, but do you remember that cool peak we saw from Pass 5180<\/span><\/strong> last time out?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, of course!\u00a0 Looked like fun!\u00a0 Are we climbing it today, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 I looked it up.\u00a0 It’s Peak<\/span> 5440<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, another Lists of John<\/span><\/a><\/strong> peak with 400 feet of prominence.\u00a0 We’ll climb it today along with Peak<\/span> 5360<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, which is only another mile or so NNW.<\/em><\/p>\n

Loopster was fine with that.\u00a0 The American Dingo trotted over to CSP Road No. 8, and turned SE.\u00a0 After a few hundred feet, the road curved S.\u00a0 Abandoning it, Lupe headed straight into the forest.\u00a0 From the top of a small rise, part of Peak 5440’s long SW ridge was already in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
CSP Road No. 8. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5440’s SW ridge<\/strong> (Center) from the first rise. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Might as well have stuck with the road a bit farther!\u00a0 A shallow valley was directly ahead.\u00a0 Angling E, Lupe passed S of a metal building, then followed the road that went to it S almost to the very end of Peak 5440’s SW ridge.\u00a0 A short climb got her up to the ridgeline.<\/p>\n

The ridge was mostly forested, plenty wide, and only moderately steep.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Descending into the shallow valley. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the valley. Start of Peak 5440’s SW ridge<\/strong> (Center & L). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to head up. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Start of Peak 5440’s SW ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going to be a snap, Looper!\u00a0 Just follow this ridge NE.\u00a0 0.5 mile and 500 feet of elevation gain ought to about do it!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe started climbing.\u00a0 The ridge she was on melded into another ridge farther E.\u00a0 As the American Dingo gained elevation, she paused now and then, allowing SPHP to gasp for air while she admired the views that were already beginning to appear.\u00a0 Mount Coolidge<\/span><\/a> (6,023 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in sight a couple of miles back to the SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At a sunny spot while approaching the next ridge E<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Coolidge<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Snowy hills bordering the Galena Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Coolidge<\/strong> (Center) again from a little higher up. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon HP5200<\/span><\/strong> was visible out along Peak 5440’s SE ridge.\u00a0 Looked like a nice, mostly open, vantage point, but Lupe didn’t go over there.\u00a0 Instead, she continued climbing along the SW ridge, which was getting rockier and starting to narrow down.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
HP5200<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Continuing up the SW ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ridge narrowed a great deal, developing a rocky spine.\u00a0 From an open spot, a high point appeared ahead.\u00a0 Perhaps the summit?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching a high point (L of Center). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Up here, the wind was gusting a brisk 20 mph out of the NW.\u00a0 Loop didn’t much care for that!\u00a0 Nevertheless, the Carolina Dog pressed on.\u00a0 She was now high enough to catch a glimpse of Little Devils Tower<\/a><\/span> (6,960 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the Cathedral Spires<\/span><\/a> (6,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bracing against the wind. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back along the ridge. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Little Devils Tower<\/strong> (L), Cathedral Spires<\/strong> (L of Center) and Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The spine of rock extended all the way up to the high point Looper had seen.\u00a0 She arrived at a snowy, scenic spot, nicely sheltered by the forest from the NW wind.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following the rocky spine higher. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the snowy high point. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
What a beautiful spot!<\/em> Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turned out, Lupe still hadn’t reached Peak 5440’s true summit.\u00a0 Leaving the snowy high point, the ridge widened as Loop continued NE down to a saddle leading to the final ascent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Leaving the snowy high point. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the way down to the saddle that leads to the summit. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10:43 AM, 42\u00baF, Peak<\/span> 5440<\/span><\/a><\/strong> <\/em>–\u00a0 A broad, thinly-forested ramp made for an easy romp up to a surprisingly large summit region.\u00a0 The true summit proved to be a steeply tilted rock on a small rise along the SE edge.\u00a0 The big, unobstructed view was of snowy hills off to the SE.\u00a0 They were all lower than Peak 5440.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Almost there! Heading up the broad ramp. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Entering the summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At Peak 5440’s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The big view. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pines along the NW edge only partially blocked the wind.\u00a0 Actually felt like winter at the true summit!\u00a0 Retreating down the SE slope to escape the breeze helped a great deal.\u00a0 Springtime here!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the more hospitable SE slope<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Springtime, and time for a chocolate coconut bar, too, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap, eagerly accepting her share of the much anticipated chocolate coconut bar.\u00a0 Really quite comfortable out of the wind.\u00a0 Snow on the lower hills to the SE contrasted pleasingly with the dark Ponderosa pines.<\/p>\n

Off to the SSE was a view of some barren hills that SPHP suspected might include Peak<\/span> 5120<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, which Lupe had been to less than 2 weeks ago during Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 295.\u00a0 Couldn’t positively identify it, though.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing on Peak 5440<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Same view with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5120<\/strong> (L)? SPHP wasn’t certain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inertia set in.\u00a0 The day finally seemed to be warming up.\u00a0 Cozy here, and the view was excellent.\u00a0 45 minutes drifted by before Loopster decided she’d had enough.\u00a0 Returning briefly to Peak 5440’s true summit, she then continued NE, starting for the next saddle leading to Peak 5438<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Along the way, she once again caught sight of Little Devils Tower, the Cathedral Spires, and Black Elk Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back on Peak 5440’s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Little Devils Tower<\/strong> (far L), Cathedral Spires<\/strong> (L), and Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5438<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Almost as soon as Lupe left Peak 5440, the ridge going to the saddle over to Peak 5438<\/span><\/strong> became rocky and narrow.\u00a0 Kind of rough ground!\u00a0 Before Loop even got close to the saddle, SPHP was ready to ditch this route.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the rocky ridge. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hey, Loop!\u00a0 We’re on our way to Peak<\/span> 5360<\/span><\/a><\/strong> now, so forget Peak 5438<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Let’s get off this goofy ridge.<\/em><\/p>\n

The American Dingo began angling NNW.\u00a0 At first, the fairly steep slope she was descending was rocky, too.\u00a0 Looper lost quite a bit of elevation before getting below the rocks, but even that didn’t really help much.\u00a0 The forest had recently been thinned down here, and a lot of still green slash was on the ground.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting down off the ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rate of descent gradually diminished, but progress remained slow as SPHP kept maneuvering to avoid as much slash as possible.\u00a0 After losing 300 feet of elevation, the situation changed with the discovery of a road.<\/p>\n

The snowy road was level and ran NE at first, but soon started to curve NW and lose elevation.\u00a0 Lupe eventually made it down to a sunny field, where a different road ran N\/S in the valley N of Peak 5440.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the helpful snowy road. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the valley N of Peak 5440<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following this road N to the trees, it then began to climb and angle off to the NE.<\/p>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 SPHP checked the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Didn’t show any of these roads, but Lupe clearly didn’t need to go NE.\u00a0 Abandoning the road, Lupe continued N, deeper into the forest.<\/p>\n

Should be a relatively short drainage going NW somewhere along in here, Loop.\u00a0 We can follow it down to Hwy 16A.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure enough, the Carolina Dog soon came to a ravine.\u00a0 A little rougher, and more V-shaped than SPHP expected, but it all went well.\u00a0 Before long, Lupe was crossing Hwy 16A.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to enter the ravine. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Along Hwy 16A. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A moderately steep slope N of Hwy 16A presented no real obstacles, making it a relatively easy climb.\u00a0 Quickly gaining 200 feet of elevation, Lupe reached a minor saddle along a flat ridge that extended E.\u00a0 From here, she had quite a nice view of Peak<\/span> 5440<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, where she’d just been.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Climbing toward the saddle (Center). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5438<\/span><\/strong> (far L) and Peak 5440<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The view to the NW wasn’t nearly as pleasing.\u00a0 Loopster was already partway up Peak 5360’s SE slope.\u00a0 However, the forest had also been thinned here, although not as recently as over by Peak 5440.\u00a0 Brown slash littered the entire slope.\u00a0 Yuck!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5360’s SE slope<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Consisting almost entirely of small diameter stuff, the slash wasn’t all that terrible, but it wasn’t much fun, either.\u00a0 Lupe patiently picked her way through it, as SPHP trudged along behind.\u00a0 Slash, slash, and more slash!\u00a0 Loop never got above it.\u00a0 The slash extended almost 400 feet higher, all the way to the top of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Amid the slash, getting close to the top. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:16 PM, 44\u00baF, Peak<\/span> 5360<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/em> – The wind was still out of the NW, but only at 15 mph now, as Lupe reached a flat, triangular summit region roughly 25 feet across.\u00a0 The true summit, only a foot or two higher, if that, was a rocky area toward the W partially covered with slash.<\/p>\n

Despite the forest having been thinned, there were still way too many trees up here to have any real views.\u00a0 Glimpses of Peak<\/span> 5733<\/span><\/a><\/strong> to the W, and the very top of Black Elk Peak to the NW were about it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5360 summit<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5733<\/strong> (beyond Lupe). Photo looks W with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Top of Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe sat down in the snow next to a big tree.<\/p>\n

This is it, SPHP?\u00a0 The top of Peak 5360?<\/em><\/p>\n

Afraid so, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak 5438 would have been better than this, and a lot easier to get to, too!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, but this is a Lists of John Peak with more prominence, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Your prominence is all fine and dandy, SPHP, but what good is it, if we can’t see anything?\u00a0 Especially, when the whole mountain is just a pile of slash!\u00a0 Kind of takes the fun out of getting here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Most of it, maybe, but we can still enjoy the peace, solitude, and tranquility.<\/em><\/p>\n

And maybe another chocolate coconut bar, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, sure!\u00a0 You can have some Taste of the Wild, too.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Thinking deep thoughts by the big tree. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The chocolate coconut bar vanished in a flash.\u00a0 Loopster then crunched away at her Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP threw a sweater over her to protect against the wind.<\/p>\n

Every mountain is unique – a unique place on the earth’s surface, and on any given day, a unique experience.\u00a0 Peak 5360 wasn’t the splendid sort of mountain the American Dingo was likely to return to someday, but it had taken a while to get here.\u00a0 Since Lupe wasn’t in any big rush, it seemed appropriate to linger for a while.<\/p>\n

Slowly dying, the wind came in gusts.\u00a0 The camaraderie was great, even if the views weren’t.\u00a0 Nothing like being on another mountain with your best friend, ever!\u00a0 Half an hour of together aloneness ebbed away.<\/p>\n

As Lupe stood on the true summit for the last time, for the first time, SPHP noticed another view due N.<\/p>\n

Hey, how about that, Looper!\u00a0 George and Abe are here!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Peak 5360’s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Rushmore<\/strong>. Photo looks N with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Leaving Peak 5360, Lupe headed SW.\u00a0 Definitely the way to go!\u00a0 Soon she was out of the slash.\u00a0 Gently sloping terrain, and reasonably open forest made for a pleasant, easy descent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to leave Peak 5360’s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting past most of the slash. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the sunlit forest. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It wasn’t far to a power line that ran N\/S.\u00a0 Going S, the terrain dropped steeply.\u00a0 Lupe followed the power line only a short way before veering off to the SW again, where she soon picked up a road that wound down to a saddle where the road divided.\u00a0 Still descending, Loopster took the branch going S.\u00a0 Eventually a field appeared off to the W that led to Hwy 87 near its junction with Hwy 16A.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the power line. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the road discovered shortly after abandoning the power line. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Following the field to Hwy 87. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rest was easy.\u00a0 Lupe followed Hwy 16A to Legion Lake.\u00a0 Below the dam, a shortcut got her back to CSP Road No. 8 and the RAV4.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By Legion Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3:04 PM, 46\u00baF – Well, that was a nice day, SPHP!\u00a0 Glad we did this!<\/em><\/p>\n

See!\u00a0 Peak 5360 wasn’t so bad!<\/em><\/p>\n

No, it wasn’t, SPHP.\u00a0 The descent was lovely, and a chocolate coconut bar had been waiting at the top, so I’m happy.\u00a0 Peak 5440 was better, though, you have to admit that.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, Peak 5440 was fun, Looper!\u00a0 Not that hard, yet an interesting route, plus that grand view SE from the top.\u00a0 Doubt Big Rock will be any better.<\/em><\/p>\n

Big rock?\u00a0 What big rock are you talking about, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, Big Rock is where we’re going next, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

What!\u00a0 We aren’t done, SPHP?\u00a0 Is Big Rock another Lists of John peak you’ve dredged up?<\/em><\/p>\n

No, not a Lists of John peak, Loop.\u00a0 Big Rock<\/span><\/a> (5,655 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is just a hill along the S edge of Custer that Arthur Caverly<\/strong><\/span><\/a> added to Peakbagger.com a few years ago.\u00a0 Don’t really know anything about it.\u00a0 Shouldn’t take us long to tag it, though.<\/em><\/p>\n

3:21 PM, 46\u00baF, Custer Chamber of Commerce – <\/em>SPHP parked the RAV4 at the Custer Visitor Center on Washington Street.\u00a0 Out front, a snazzily painted buffalo depicted General Custer firing a pistol while wearing a freshly punctured arrow shirt.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the painted buffalo at the Custer Visitor Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Harbach Centennial Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a> and the Mickelson Trail<\/span><\/strong><\/a> were right across the street.\u00a0 Taking the Mickelson Trail E to South 8th Street, Lupe turned S, starting up a hill.\u00a0 South 8th Street ended at a turn E onto Canal Street.<\/p>\n

At this turn, the Big Rock trail continued S up the hill.\u00a0 However, Lupe had to check out an amazing sight before taking the trail.\u00a0 A whole herd of painted buffalo was grazing in a nearby vacant lot!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Part of the painted buffalo herd at the S end of S 8th Street. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The painted buffalo were awesome!\u00a0 Each bison bore a different colorful design.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP both favored the one with mountain goats on it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The mountain goat buffalo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Carolina Dog would have been even more impressed, if the painted buffalo herd had been a little more lively.\u00a0 Since she’d apparently come across the bison during a period of inactivity, Lupe started up the Big Rock trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to head up the Big Rock trail.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The snowy trail climbed at an easy pace.\u00a0 Lupe passed several benches.\u00a0 Heading S at first, the trail eventually curved W.\u00a0 Getting rather late for a February afternoon!\u00a0 Low angle sunlight filtered through the trees.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way to Big Rock. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail nearly flattened out as Lupe headed W.\u00a0 Other trails took off in various directions.\u00a0 After crossing a road, the Big Rock trail led to a long stairway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting up the stairs. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The long stairway led to the base of Big Rock’s massive summit block.\u00a0 Solid rock, of course!\u00a0 A second stairway went up to a viewing platform.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the base of the summit block. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3:57 PM, 45\u00baF, Big Rock<\/span><\/a> (5,655 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/em> – Still windy!\u00a0 Looper stood blinking in bright sunshine.\u00a0 Big Rock’s true summit was tantalizingly close, right behind her.\u00a0 However, no access to it without leaving the platform for a dicey scramble.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Big Rock summit<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Guess we won’t be getting up there!\u00a0 At least, I’m not.\u00a0 Be my guest, if you want to go for it, SPHP!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Think I’ll pass, Loop.\u00a0 Apparently, Big Rock is one of those “good enough for Dingo work” peaks where we fall a bit short of the true summit, yet still claim a successful ascent.<\/em><\/p>\n

And a chocolate coconut bar, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Nope!\u00a0 Not this time, overly-sweetened Dingo of mine!\u00a0 None left, and we don’t really deserve one in this case, anyway.<\/em><\/p>\n

No chocolate coconut bar?\u00a0 That, and the chilly wind, dampened the mood, but the views were sweet!\u00a0 Buckhorn Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,330 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was just N of Custer.\u00a0 Sylvan Hill<\/span><\/a> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were also in sight to the NNE, but much farther away.<\/p>\n

Northeast Cicero Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was the eye-catcher off to the SSE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Buckhorn Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center) beyond Custer. Sylvan Hill<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Buckhorn Mountain<\/strong> (L), Sylvan Hill<\/strong> (L of Center), and Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Northeast Cicero Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Big Rock viewing platform was small.\u00a0 Not much to do up here, other than the forbidden scramble.\u00a0 5 or 10 minutes taking a good look around was sufficient.<\/p>\n

On the way back, Lupe visited Sunrise Point, which offered a closer, but almost identical view of Custer.\u00a0 From here, she completed a loop via the Skywalk Trail back down to Harbach Centennial Park right across the street from the RAV4.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to head down.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Big Rock Park trail map<\/strong> posted at the Skywalk trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4:24 PM, 45\u00baF, Custer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center –<\/em><\/p>\n

So are we done now, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 That’s it for Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 296, Loop!\u00a0 Any thoughts?\u00a0 What was your favorite part?<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, Peak 5440 was the best mountain with that snowy high point, plus the great view to the SE, but you know what, SPHP?\u00a0 The mountain goat painted buffalo is hard to beat!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the mountain goat buffalo<\/strong>, Custer, South Dakota 2-19-22<\/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

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":"

9:22 AM, 37\u00baF, Custer State Park Road No. 8 – Badger Hole again, SPHP?\u00a0 Hey, wait!\u00a0 You missed the turn! SPHP drove only another 0.1 mile before turning R off CSP Road No. 8 at a big lot where a few small mounds of snow-covered gravel were stored.\u00a0 A bit nippy in the breeze, yet … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 296 – Peak 5440, Peak 5360 & Big Rock (2-19-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39282,"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":[105,1544,9,106,1545,104,790,754,304],"class_list":["post-39326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-big-rock","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-custer","tag-lupe","tag-peak-5360","tag-peak-5440","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_4175-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\/39326","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=39326"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39326\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40262,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39326\/revisions\/40262"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/39282"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}