{"id":41774,"date":"2022-11-19T08:10:54","date_gmt":"2022-11-19T15:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=41774"},"modified":"2022-12-04T22:16:27","modified_gmt":"2022-12-05T05:16:27","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-306-peak-6200-peak-5960-the-needles-11-2-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=41774","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 306 – Peak 6200, Peak 5960 & The Needles (11-2-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

After passing Rochford Road on the L, SPHP started watching for Terry Summit Road on the R, as the descent on Hwy 85\/Alt 14 to Cheyenne Crossing began.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 549 was supposed to be on the L only 0.2 mile past Terry Summit Road, and sure enough, there it was.<\/p>\n

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Parked at the start of USFS Road No. 549. Hwy 85\/Alt 14 (R). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9:19 AM, 53\u00b0F, start of USFS Road No. 549 along Hwy 85\/Alt 14<\/em> –<\/p>\n

No sign, but this must be it, Loopster!\u00a0 You ready?<\/em><\/p>\n

Absolutely, SPHP!\u00a0 I can hardly wait!\u00a0 Seems like forever since it’s been just you and me on a Black Hills expedition.<\/em><\/p>\n

Way too much truth to that.\u00a0 The last alone together expedition in the hills had been way back on April 8th, nearly 7 months ago!\u00a0 About time for that to change.<\/p>\n

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

Lupe headed for a nearby gate across No. 549.\u00a0 There was a bit of snow on the ground as she followed the road W after going under the gate.\u00a0 The snow was a little surprising given how unseasonably warm virtually the entire month of October had been, but Lupe was happy to see it.<\/p>\n

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At the closed gate across USFS Road No. 549. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Beyond the gate, heading W on No. 549. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road soon climbed onto a ridge, where it flattened out and promptly curved SSE, entering a meadow of tall, dry, yellow grass.\u00a0 There was a glimpse of Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> back to the N from here.<\/p>\n

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Terry Peak<\/strong> (R of Center) from the grassy ridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP was more interested in the view toward the SW, where the ridge broadened out in a mix of pines, aspens, bushes, and meadow.<\/p>\n

Looks interesting!\u00a0 Are we going that way, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe, Loop.\u00a0 Thought the road was supposed to go this way, but it doesn’t seem to.\u00a0 Let me check the map.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The interesting territory SW of the road. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heh, we’re already a little off course, Looper.\u00a0 No. 549 should have gone right over this ridge.\u00a0 Think we took a wrong turn as soon as we got up here back at the sharp bend.\u00a0 Appears we’re on No. 549.1C now.<\/em><\/p>\n

Want to go back to No. 549, SPHP?\u00a0 Won’t take but a minute or two.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nah.\u00a0 This is OK.\u00a0 More fun wandering off-road, anyway.\u00a0 We can visit HP6280<\/span><\/strong> along the way, which is a actually bit higher than the mountain we’re trying to get to.\u00a0 Maybe we’ll see our objective from there?<\/em><\/p>\n

Exactly where are we trying to get to, SPHP?\u00a0 You haven’t said.<\/em><\/p>\n

We’re on our way to Peak<\/span> 6200<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, Loop.\u00a0 It’s a Lists of John<\/strong><\/a><\/span> peak with over 300 feet of prominence.\u00a0 Have several of them that you haven’t been to on our list today, if we have time.\u00a0 The first two should be pretty easy.\u00a0 Neither one is much of a climb, although there’s some up and down on the way to this first one.<\/em><\/p>\n

Leaving No. 549.1C, Lupe roamed SSW through the easy territory up on the ridge.\u00a0 She soon spotted a small rocky rise off to the NW.\u00a0 Going over to check it out, the view wasn’t all that dramatic, just some forested ridges that weren’t any higher.\u00a0 If Peak 6200 was in sight, it didn’t really stand out.<\/p>\n

Continuing SW to HP6280<\/span><\/strong>, there was scarcely any view at all from there.<\/p>\n

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Up on the little rocky rise. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At HP6280<\/span><\/strong>. Not much to see from here, either. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As yet unseen, or at least unnoticed, Peak<\/span> 6200<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was now only a mile plus W as the crow flies.\u00a0 Heading in that general direction, Lupe gradually lost elevation.\u00a0 Shortly before beginning a steeper descent, she came to another decent view of Terry Peak.<\/p>\n

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Exploring W of HP6280<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Terry Peak<\/strong> (Center) again. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond this viewpoint, the terrain dropped steadily as Lupe continued W, but it was all pretty easy.\u00a0 A pine-forested slope at first, by the time the Carolina Dog was getting close to the saddle leading to Peak 6200, there were sizeable clearings of tall, yellow grass again.<\/p>\n

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Starting a steeper descent. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Near the bottom, approaching the saddle leading to Peak 6200. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having lost over 350 feet of elevation, Loop finally arrived at the saddle leading to Peak 6200.\u00a0 Broad and quite flat, the saddle was half meadow surrounded by pines.\u00a0 A grassy lane wide enough to have once been a USFS Road left it heading WNW.\u00a0 A check of the map showed that this was likely USFS Road No. 549’s old route, although there was no sign of any recent use.<\/p>\n

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At the saddle leading to Peak 6200. The old USFS Road No. 549 route is beyond Lupe. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following the grassy lane, it started uphill again.\u00a0 Before long, it curved SSW, just like USFS Road No. 549 would have.\u00a0 Loop should have already passed No. 549.1A on the R, but SPHP hadn’t noticed it.\u00a0 Still, it was now clear that the Carolina Dog really was back on No. 549.<\/p>\n

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W of the saddle where No. 549 turned SSW. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Got any preference, Loop?\u00a0 The road is going to make a big detour around the S end of this next ridge before turning N for Peak 6200.\u00a0 Ought to be a super easy route. Alternatively, we can leave the road here and just climb NW directly to the summit.<\/em><\/p>\n

How much distance do we save leaving the road, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, about 0.75 mile, I’d say.<\/em><\/p>\n

Let’s just head straight for the mountain then, SPHP.\u00a0 If you like, we can take the road on the way back.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounds like a plan, Loopster!<\/em><\/p>\n

Abandoning No. 549, the American Dingo headed WNW into the woods.<\/p>\n

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Leaving USFS Road No. 549. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Got a little steep, but nothing out of the ordinary.\u00a0 Loopster sniffed her way through a pine forest containing quite a few white-barked aspens, already leafless and naked in early November.<\/p>\n

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Exploring the mixed pine and aspen forest. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The steepest section came just before reaching a clearing up on another saddle.\u00a0 Still unseen, Peak 6200’s summit was now only 100 feet higher, and 0.15 mile farther NW.\u00a0 Didn’t take long to get there.<\/p>\n

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At the little clearing on the saddle SE of Peak 6200’s summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10:47 AM, 57\u00baF, Peak<\/span> 6200<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/em> – The wind was 15-20 mph out of the SW when Lupe arrived at what seemed to be the highest point of a large nearly flat region.\u00a0 Not so breezy at ground level, but conditions in the swaying treetops were clearly different.<\/p>\n

A skinny, 2-foot high rotting tree stump appeared to be the true summit of Peak 6200.\u00a0 Not very exciting, but at least there was a decent glimpse of Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> again between the trees.\u00a0 No views in any other direction.<\/p>\n

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At Peak 6200’s true summit<\/strong>, to the extent it could be determined. Terry Peak<\/strong> (R of Center) in the background. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations on your successful ascent of Peak 6200, Loopster!\u00a0 May I shake your paw?<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course you can, SPHP.\u00a0 This was so easy!\u00a0 Hardly worthy of a chocolate coconut bar, but let’s have one anyway!<\/em><\/p>\n

Bad news on that front, Loopster.\u00a0 I forgot to bring any, but you can have some Taste of the Wild and water.\u00a0 Let’s go over closer to the view of Terry Peak, and find a spot to relax for a few minutes.<\/em><\/p>\n

No chocolate coconut bars, SPHP?\u00a0 You’re slipping!<\/em><\/p>\n

Sitting in the cool breeze on what would otherwise have been a pleasant day, a short rest break was taken on a log offering a slightly better view of Terry Peak.\u00a0 Lupe did have some Taste of the Wild, but she really wasn’t all that hungry yet.<\/p>\n

Not much to Peak 6200!\u00a0 Think I’m ready to move on, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, we’re not quite done with Peak 6200 yet, Loop.\u00a0 We’ve been to where Lists of John shows the true summit, but there a couple more small 6,200 foot contours a bit farther N on the topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> that we ought to check out before departing.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fine with me, SPHP, but let’s get at it then.<\/em><\/p>\n

The next high point farther N was only a few hundred feet away, and didn’t seem to be quite as high as where Lupe had just been.\u00a0 Several big trees were here, but not much in the way of views.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the next high point farther N. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The map actually seemed to indicate this middle high point ought to be a little farther W, but a quick reconnaissance was conclusive.\u00a0 Nothing any higher over that way, so it was on to the last summit candidate to the N.\u00a0 More of a dip led to it, followed by a bigger rise, too.\u00a0 A roomy elevated platform above some limestone outcroppings proved to be the top.<\/p>\n

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On the far N high point. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Peak 6200’s N summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With its bit of relief, this N high point was definitely the most interesting of the 3, but it was hard to say if it was any higher, since neither of the others were visible from here.\u00a0 At first, SPHP thought this might actually be Peak 6200’s true summit, but later revised that opinion.<\/p>\n

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From the N high point<\/strong>, the others weren’t visible due to the forest. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, shucks, Loop.\u00a0 Thought we might get a view of Spearfish Canyon near Cheyenne Crossing from here.\u00a0 No such luck!<\/em><\/p>\n

Onward then, SPHP!\u00a0 We’ve got more mountains to climb!<\/em><\/p>\n

Heading S again, there actually was a view of Deer Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,652 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from an opening near the N high point.\u00a0 Lupe paused for a look, before continuing back to Peak 6200’s S high point, which SPHP suspected really was the true summit.<\/p>\n

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About to leave Peak 6200’s N summit<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Deer Mountain<\/strong> (Center) from near Peak 6200’s N high point. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During the return, the American Dingo actually did take the long way around on USFS Road No. 549, exploring new territory.\u00a0 In fact, although hard to follow in a few sections rapidly reverting back to nature, Lupe stuck with the road all the way back to the RAV4.<\/p>\n

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Looking for USFS Road No. 549 a little W of the saddle SE of Peak 6200. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Found it! On No. 549 SSE of Peak 6200<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Approaching No. 549’s southernmost point<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12:20 PM, 62\u00baF, back at the RAV4<\/em> –<\/p>\n

Well, that was fun!\u00a0 What’s next, SPHP?\u00a0 Another Lists of John peak?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup!\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 5960<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Going to be a bit of a drive, though, it’s pretty remote.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s OK, SPHP.\u00a0 Hoping this next one will have a bit more in the way of views, though.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not sure that’s going to be the case, Looper, but we’ll know soon enough.\u00a0 Should actually be even easier than Peak 6200 was.<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ve got nothing against easy, SPHP.\u00a0 Drive on!<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP didn’t drive far.\u00a0 It was only 2 miles down to Cheyenne Crossing, where SPHP thought Loop might like a drink out of Spearfish Creek.\u00a0 Stopping at the general store, it turned out to be closed.\u00a0 Apparently there had been a fire, although most of the building appeared to be undamaged.<\/p>\n

Spearfish Creek was scenic, but Lupe wasn’t thirsty.<\/p>\n

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By the Cheyenne Crossing store at the junction of Hwys 85 & Alt 14 in Spearfish Canyon. Peak 6122<\/span><\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Spearfish Creek<\/strong> near the Hwy 85 bridge at Cheyenne Crossing. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:55 PM, 61\u00baF, junction of Higgins Gulch Road & USFS Road No. 214.1B<\/em> –<\/p>\n

Remembering that USFS Road No. 222 had been closed last spring, SPHP had taken the long way around to get here.\u00a0 Probably didn’t matter at all, since Peak<\/span> 5960<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was only about a mile away, and likely to be about it for the day.\u00a0 Although it was comfortably warm for an early November day, a 20 mph W wind could still be heard in the treetops as Lupe set out along No. 214.1B.<\/p>\n

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About to leave for Peak 5960 from the start of USFS Road No. 214.1B. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe’s ascent was only going to involve 200 feet of elevation gain over the course of the entire mile with scarcely a dip along the way, about as easy as it could possibly get.\u00a0 Starting out heading SW, the stroll along No. 214.1B was a pleasant one with open forest on both sides of the road.<\/p>\n

The steepest part of the entire ascent, which didn’t amount to much, led to a flat region where Lupe passed a bottle stuck upside down on a tree branch as No. 214.1B curved WNW.\u00a0 A little farther on, the road more or less ended at the edge of a big field.<\/p>\n

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The “big climb” along USFS Road No. 214.1B. Daunting! Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Near the upside down bottle (R) where the road curved WNW. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Approaching the field at the end of USFS Road No. 214.1B. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the field, Lupe continued roaming WNW through open forest, slowly gaining elevation again.<\/p>\n

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Exploring super easy terrain beyond the field. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before long, the American Dingo reached an enormous flat region.\u00a0 This was location of the SE 5960 foot contour.\u00a0 However, a partial view of the NW 5960 foot region confirmed that it was definitely a bit higher.\u00a0 Loop continued toward it.<\/p>\n

2:34 PM, 60\u00baF<\/em> –\u00a0 A stump toward the SW edge of another huge flat region seemed to be the true summit of Peak <\/span>5960<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Similarly high ground was visible to the SSW, the direction of Old Baldy Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,096 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but once again, nothing really stood out.\u00a0 A glimpse of more distant ridges to the NW completed the scenic wonders visible from Peak 5960.<\/p>\n

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Peak 5960 summit<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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View to the SSW. Old Baldy Mountain<\/strong> (Center) in the distance?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations, Loopster, on your second Lists of John<\/span><\/strong><\/a> peak of the day!<\/em><\/p>\n

Certainly easy enough to get here, but it’s not exactly Everest, is it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Uh, no.\u00a0 You do realize, Loop, that we visit these Lists of John peaks simply because they provide destinations we’ve never been to before.\u00a0 Mere 300+ foot prominence peaks aren’t all necessarily going to be the site of scenic splendors.\u00a0 We’ve got to take ’em as we find them.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I know, SPHP!\u00a0 Each one is unique, and we always have fun exploring, no matter how they turn out.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s the spirit, Looper!\u00a0 Besides, we ought to appreciate each one.\u00a0 One of these days before too long, we’re going to run out of Lists of John peaks in the Black Hills.\u00a0 You’ll have been to every one not on private property.<\/em><\/p>\n

What will we do then, SPHP?\u00a0 Our Black Hills expeditions won’t be over will they?\u00a0 Say it isn’t so!<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, not!\u00a0 We’ll always have something we can do in the Black Hills.\u00a0 There’s tons of places we’ve never been to before.\u00a0 We can explore ridges and valleys that aren’t necessarily peakbagging objectives like we used to in the old days, or revisit favorite places we haven’t been to in years.\u00a0 We could do 3,000 Black Hills expeditions instead of just 300, and still never see it all!<\/em><\/p>\n

3,000 expeditions, SPHP?\u00a0 Don’t go loony tunes on me!\u00a0 We would certainly have seen all the big Black Hills highlights long before then.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, but we’ll never get tired of the Black Hills, will we, Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

No, we won’t, SPHP.\u00a0 Good point!\u00a0 So, what’s left for today, anyway?\u00a0 Are we done, or do we still have another Lists of John peak to go?<\/em><\/p>\n

Had another one in mind, Loop, but it’s too far away and getting too late in the day.\u00a0 However, we still have time enough for a couple of other options.\u00a0 Iron Creek Lake is only a couple of miles SE of here.<\/em><\/p>\n

A stroll along the lake shore sounds nice, SPHP.\u00a0 What’s the other choice?<\/em><\/p>\n

The Needles<\/span><\/a> (5,880 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is NNW.\u00a0 We were there once long ago.\u00a0 It’s a more dramatic summit than our Lists of John peaks have been today.\u00a0 Last time we were there, ladybugs were holding a big convention on the summit.\u00a0 There are some cool rock formations close to the top, and we saw a terrific sunset, too!<\/em><\/p>\n

Want to do that, SPHP?\u00a0 Sounds pretty spiffy!<\/em><\/p>\n

We won’t get back before dark, though, Loop.\u00a0 You OK with that?\u00a0 Should be close to a full moon.<\/em><\/p>\n

A moonlit return?\u00a0 Even better, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

A spur of the moment decision, but The Needles was next.\u00a0 After a short break on Peak 5960, Lupe headed N.<\/p>\n

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Black Hills Expedition No. 306 isn’t over yet! C’mon! On to The Needles<\/strong>!<\/em> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going to The Needles meant crossing the Beaver Creek valley.\u00a0 The initial plan was to continue N from Peak 5960 far enough to reach USFS Road No. 222.1C, then follow it W down a side drainage into the main valley.\u00a0 However, Loopster soon discovered a grassy lane near Point5806 <\/span><\/strong>that took a more direct route lower.<\/p>\n

Eh, why not?<\/p>\n

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Starting down into the Beaver Creek valley. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The grassy lane went only partway down into the valley, but that was OK.\u00a0 Lupe enjoyed exploring NW through the forest the rest of the way.\u00a0 Soon enough, she reached USFS Road No. 222.1C, already way down on the E side of the valley.<\/p>\n

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Exploring the forest during the descent. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Along USFS Road No. 222.1C in the Beaver Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following No. 222.1C N, it wasn’t far to where the road curved E up the drainage Lupe was originally supposed to have come down.\u00a0 From here, a fainter road continued NNW.\u00a0 Taking it, this road soon faded away, but not until the American Dingo was getting close to Beaver Creek.<\/p>\n

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On the fainter, unmarked road continuing farther down the Beaver Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Crossing Beaver Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe waded Beaver Creek, while SPHP easily rock-hopped it.\u00a0 Once on the W bank, the journey N continued another 0.25 mile down the valley.\u00a0 A couple of ponds down along the creek came into sight off to the NE about the time a gentle side valley appeared to the NW.<\/p>\n

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W of Beaver Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heading up this side valley, Loop soon ran into USFS Road No. 222.1R, which went up over a saddle into Saffron Gulch.\u00a0 Curving E around the uppermost reaches of the gulch, the road turned N, went past a big rock formation, and climbed to a flat region where a forested hill 0.25 mile NNE was partially obscured by trees.<\/p>\n

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USFS Road No. 222.1R on the way to Saffron Gulch. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Passing a rock formation near the uppermost reaches of Saffron Gulch. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That’s it, Looper!\u00a0 The Needles!<\/em><\/p>\n

Leave the road, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup, head right for that hill.<\/em><\/p>\n

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About to leave USFS Road No. 222.1R for The Needles<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Didn’t take long to get there!\u00a0 The final push to the summit was a short, steep climb up a boulder-strewn slope.\u00a0 No wondering where the exact true summit was here!\u00a0 Lupe reached a lofty little perch above a rock bearing a “Needles” survey benchmark.<\/p>\n

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Approaching The Needles<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Scrambling up the S slope. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Needles summit<\/strong>. Survey BM seen below Lupe. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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“Needles” <\/strong>survey benchmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4:19 PM, 55\u00baF, The Needles<\/span><\/a> (5,880 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/em> – Some places stick in your mind.\u00a0 It had been over 6 years since Lupe had first been to The Needles in late September, 2016, but this summit still seemed so familiar.\u00a0 The highest rock, which had been crowded by the branches of a nearby tree, was even more encroached upon by them now.\u00a0 Loopster still got up on it, though, with a little help from SPHP.<\/p>\n

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On the true summit<\/strong>! Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I don’t know why, but I like this place.\u00a0 Remember the ladybugs, Loop?\u00a0 None here now, but there were thousands of them last time we were here.<\/em><\/p>\n

You’re an odd one, SPHP.\u00a0 Sentimental about an insect swarm?<\/em><\/p>\n

Ladybugs are cool!\u00a0 Colorful red shells with black spots, and they never hurt anything.<\/em><\/p>\n

Aphids aren’t so fond of them, SPHP.\u00a0 Ladybugs eat aphids.<\/em><\/p>\n

Their tough luck.\u00a0 Ladybugs have to eat something.<\/em><\/p>\n

After congratulating Lupe on her final ascent of the day, a break was taken below the summit, facing SSW where Cement Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,674 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was visible on the horizon just across the Wyoming border.\u00a0 Getting late enough so that the day was cooling off.\u00a0 The wind that had been blowing all day seemed slightly diminished.<\/p>\n

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The break area below the summit. Cement Ridge<\/strong> (L). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Cement Ridge<\/strong> on the horizon from The Needles<\/strong>. The lookout tower is beyond Lupe, the true summit toward the L. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Recalling the amazing sunset last time Lupe was here, some time was spent just enjoying the quiet solitude while waiting to see if another one would develop.\u00a0 In the meantime, Loop polished off the rest of the Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 To the SE was a distant view of Terry Peak, and NE a limited one of the prairie beyond the Black Hills, but pines blocked the line of sight in most directions.<\/p>\n

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Terry Peak<\/strong> (Center) with help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The cluster of unusual rock formations that The Needles is named after was WSW, a little lower than the break spot.\u00a0 Lupe went down there to sniff and play among these rocks, most scenic feature of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Down by the big rock formation The Needles<\/strong> is named after. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back toward the summit (R), which is hidden in the pines. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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View from the narrow end of the formation. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5:20 PM, The Needles –<\/em>\u00a0 An hour had slipped by up on The Needles.\u00a0 As the sun sank behind a bank of clouds, hopes for another dramatic sunset were dashed.\u00a0 For the last time, the American Dingo returned briefly to the summit before starting down the mountain.<\/p>\n

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Back on top! Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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About to start down from the break spot. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Leaving The Needles<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During the return, Lupe saw 4 whitetails near the upper end of Saffron Gulch, as light began to fade.\u00a0 After crossing Beaver Creek, she returned to USFS Road No. 222.1C, this time taking it E up the side canyon.\u00a0 By the time the road topped out near a junction with USFS Road No. 130, it was dark, a few stars twinkling in the eternal night of space.<\/p>\n

While Lupe trotted along USFS Road No. 130, a huge, pale, orange-tinted moon rose in the E.\u00a0 Snow early on, exploring 2 new Lists of John peaks, the wind in the trees, a spur of the moment return to the remote, lonely spires of The Needles by way of the quiet Beaver Creek valley, and now this dark moonlit journey on an improbably warm November evening.<\/p>\n

It had been a great day!\u00a0 (End 6:58 PM, 46\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

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At The Needles<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota, 11-2-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 175 – Citadel Rock, Beartown Hill, Iron Creek Lake & The Needles (9-28-16)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Lupe’s GPS track – Peak 6200 Ascent<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Lupe’s GPS track – Peak 5960 & The Needles<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/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":"

After passing Rochford Road on the L, SPHP started watching for Terry Summit Road on the R, as the descent on Hwy 85\/Alt 14 to Cheyenne Crossing began.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 549 was supposed to be on the L only 0.2 mile past Terry Summit Road, and sure enough, there it was. 9:19 AM, 53\u00b0F, … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 306 – Peak 6200, Peak 5960 & The Needles (11-2-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41763,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[105,9,106,104,1503,1592,304,684],"class_list":["post-41774","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-5960","tag-peak-6200","tag-south-dakota","tag-the-needles"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/IMG_0248-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\/41774","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=41774"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42427,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41774\/revisions\/42427"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}