{"id":40934,"date":"2022-07-02T08:10:43","date_gmt":"2022-07-02T14:10:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=40934"},"modified":"2022-07-17T21:39:08","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T03:39:08","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-302-gimlet-pond-4-18-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=40934","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 302 – Gimlet Pond (4-18-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

11:30 AM, start of USFS Road No. 203 off Rochford Road<\/em> – What?\u00a0 Totally unexpected!\u00a0 A crew was doing some kind of maintenance work on USFS Road No. 203, the very road SPHP had chosen for today’s expedition in light of Cousin Dusty’s need for a relatively easy experience.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the start of USFS Road No. 203 with unexpected road work ahead. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fortunately, the maintenance work wasn’t a big deal.\u00a0 Merely a culvert being replaced.\u00a0 After waiting just a couple of minutes, the friendly two man crew waved Lupe and the pack by without further delay.\u00a0 No. 203 soon curved around a hillside, blotting out the sound of the machinery busily digging a trench for the new culvert.<\/p>\n

Only two days ago, it had felt like winter up at frozen Sylvan Lake, all cold and gray with snow on the ground.\u00a0 Springtime today, though!\u00a0 Sunny and comfortably warm with a clear blue sky overhead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Around the bend beyond the road work. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The plan was to escort Uncle Joe, and Cousins Dusty and Laddie up the scenic, gentle Gimlet Creek valley.\u00a0 It was a perfect choice, since Dusty was now nearly 16 years old.\u00a0 The objective, to the extent there was one, and provided Dusty could manage it, was to visit Gimlet Pond 2.5 miles up the valley.<\/p>\n

Cousin Dusty has always enjoyed water, and soon availed herself of an opportunity to cool off in Gimlet Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dusty in Gimlet Creek<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 203 proceeded NNW up the valley with little variation in course.\u00a0 Elevation gain was slow, but steady.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up the Gimlet Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe with Cousins Laddie (Center) and Dusty (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back down the valley. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The valley eventually widened out.\u00a0 When a single track trail closer to the creek appeared, everyone abandoned the road for a while to march through a field.<\/p>\n

The day was getting warmer.\u00a0 Dusty and Lupe started taking frequent dips in Gimlet Creek.\u00a0 Laddie drank a little water, but preferred not to get his fancy, long thick coat wet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Abandoning the road to take the trail through the field. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dusty helps herself to a drink. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Laddie, Lupe and Joe on the trail. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe takes a turn in the creek while landlubber Laddie strolls by. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the N end of the field, Gimlet Creek flowed right over USFS Road No. 203.\u00a0 The road climbed more steeply from here, soon passing a small rise on the L (W).\u00a0 Briefly leaving the road, everyone went up onto the rise, which provided a great view back down the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to where Gimlet Creek<\/strong> flows over USFS Road No. 203. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Laddie and Dusty at the shallow ford. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back down the valley from the rise. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although Dusty still seemed to be doing fine, Joe was beginning to think that maybe this was far enough.\u00a0 However, Lupe had explored this valley on at least a couple of different occasions.\u00a0 It had been years since she’d last been here, but SPHP was almost certain Gimlet Pond wasn’t all that much farther now.<\/p>\n

In that case, Joe was fine with letting Dusty continue.\u00a0 Beyond the rise, now on the W side of the valley, the road flattened out entirely.\u00a0 Several deer had been seen in the big field, but many were now visible racing across the N end of the valley ahead, close to where Gimlet Pond should be.\u00a0 More and more deer kept appearing until nearly 100 of them must have dashed by.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Joe pointing toward deer in the distance. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As expected, it didn’t take much longer to reach Gimlet Pond, yet not a deer was in sight by the time Lupe got there.\u00a0 The lovely pond was just as she remembered it.\u00a0 Cousin Dusty went wading almost right away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Arriving at Gimlet Pond<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joe and Laddie on the bridge over the outlet. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dusty wading in Gimlet Pond<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Everyone except Dusty crossed the bridge over the outlet to get a look at Gimlet Pond from along the N shore.\u00a0 Dusty merely waded through the pond.\u00a0 Loopster soon decided she might as well go wading, too.\u00a0 As usual, Laddie showed no interest in getting wet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dusty emerges from Gimlet Pond<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe wading, too. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12:42 PM <\/em>– About time to let Dusty rest for a while, so a break was taken on a small hill overlooking Gimlet Pond from the S.\u00a0 Looking down the Gimlet Creek valley, Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was visible far to the SSE.<\/p>\n

Sitting in the shade of the pines, Joe and SPHP had Kind bars and apples while the dogs shared a couple of chocolate coconut bars.\u00a0 Lupe also had some Taste of the Wild, which Cousin Dusty shared in, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) on the far horizon. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dusty, Laddie, and Joe relaxing on the hill. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Gimlet Pond<\/strong> from the hill. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, it was great to be here at Gimlet Pond on a lovely spring day!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were happy that Cousin Dusty had made it in good shape.<\/p>\n

Toward the end of the rest break, Uncle Joe took an interest in the field W of the hill.\u00a0 Looked like it might be a good place to look for signs of old Native American encampments, so the whole pack went down there to have a sniff around.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Searching for artifacts. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Joe found nothing in the field.\u00a0 Further investigation down by the creek yielded the same result, but it was fun to look.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Joe and Dusty down by the creek. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Wandering upstream. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, soon time to head back.\u00a0 Happily, still another 2.5 miles of fun in the Black Hills along Gimlet Creek to go.\u00a0 Better savor every moment!\u00a0 Tomorrow, Joe, Andrea, Dusty and Laddie would return to Colorado.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About ready to head back. Photo looks E from just downstream of Gimlet Pond.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Leaving the Gimlet Pond region<\/strong> on USFS Road No. 203. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cousin Dusty was a veteran of many Black Hills expeditions with Lupe.\u00a0 On the way back, it was sad to think that at nearly 16, this might be her last one.\u00a0 Dusty had done great!\u00a0 Clearly, she was still enjoying herself.\u00a0 Cousin Dusty always did love the Black Hills where she was free to roam without a leash, a rare treat in crowded Colorado.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Faithful Dusty following Joe while Laddie and Lupe lag behind. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By the time it was all over and done with, Dusty had gone more than 5 miles.\u00a0 Sylvan Lake, the Custer State Park buffalo hunt, and now Gimlet Pond!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were so glad that Joe, Dusty, and Laddie had come to visit, and especially hoped that Cousin Dusty would make it back to the beautiful Black Hills again some day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Gimlet Creek valley<\/strong>, not too far from the end, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-18-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

11:30 AM, start of USFS Road No. 203 off Rochford Road – What?\u00a0 Totally unexpected!\u00a0 A crew was doing some kind of maintenance work on USFS Road No. 203, the very road SPHP had chosen for today’s expedition in light of Cousin Dusty’s need for a relatively easy experience. Fortunately, the maintenance work wasn’t a … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 302 – Gimlet Pond (4-18-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40880,"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":[105,9,106,146,826,1582,451,1464,104,304],"class_list":["post-40934","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-dusty","tag-gimlet-creek","tag-gimlet-pond","tag-joe","tag-laddie","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/IMG_4549-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\/40934","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=40934"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40934\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41205,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40934\/revisions\/41205"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/40880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=40934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=40934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=40934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}