{"id":43330,"date":"2023-01-23T08:10:45","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T15:10:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=43330"},"modified":"2025-01-05T22:30:22","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T05:30:22","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-310-peak-5800-new-years-eve-peak-12-31-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=43330","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 310 – Peak 5800 & New Year’s Eve Peak (12-31-22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

12:32 PM, 39\u00baF, junction of USFS Road No. 710 & Hwy 385<\/em> – Lupe stood next to the RAV4 with a big smile on her face.\u00a0 The American Dingo was all fired up for the last big adventure of 2022, her traditional year end visit to New Year’s Eve Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,046 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ready to set out for New Year’s Eve Peak on the last day of 2022. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What luck, SPHP!\u00a0 This year we actually get to go right on December 31st!\u00a0 That’s not always the case.<\/em><\/p>\n

True enough, Looper!\u00a0 This will be your 10th visit to New Year’s Eve Peak, but only the 4th time right on New Year’s Eve.\u00a0 Flexibility is required, since the weather is unreliable this time of year.\u00a0 I’m like you, though, always hoping December 31st will work out.<\/em><\/p>\n

Are we going to visit Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong> first, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, let’s do it!\u00a0 Should have time enough for that.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Beneath an overcast sky, Lupe headed SW into the forest.\u00a0 The cool air and patches of old snow on the ground did make the day feel a little on the wintry side, but conditions really weren’t bad at all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading into the forest. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A gentle slope soon became a steeper climb.\u00a0 Nothing too difficult.\u00a0 After gaining 400 feet of elevation, Lupe reached a clearing where a platform of rock provided the first real view of the day.\u00a0 Rolling grasslands of the Bald Hills were in sight only a mile or two NE.\u00a0 Far beyond them, the sky was lighter on the horizon.\u00a0 Apparently, the gray cloud hanging over the Black Hills didn’t extend way out onto the western South Dakota prairie.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Bald Hills<\/strong> from partway up Peak 5800<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Lupe continued higher, she came to a series of rock outcroppings in the forest that were kind of fun.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Coming to some rocks. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Queen of the outcropping! Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak 5800’s long NW\/SE oriented summit ridge wasn’t much farther.\u00a0 The forest ended as Lupe approached it.\u00a0 A little snow and deadfall on this last slope presented no difficulty.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Peak 5800’s summit ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe reached the summit ridge a bit NW of the SE high point.\u00a0 This was not the true summit, which was located at the NW end.\u00a0 Lupe turned SE going past the high point down to some rocks providing excellent views.\u00a0 Tiny snowflakes filled the air, a gloom descending on Peak 5800 as snow showers swept in.<\/p>\n

Storm Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,192 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Boulder Hill<\/span><\/a> (5,331 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Silver Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and Calumet Ridge<\/span><\/a> (5,601 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were all still in sight to the SE, along with Sheridan Lake.\u00a0 Meanwhile, off to the SW, Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and False North Point<\/span><\/a> (6,130 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were threatening to disappear among the gray clouds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Storm Hill<\/strong> (far L), Boulder Hill<\/strong> (L), Silver Mountain<\/strong> (Center), and Calumet Ridge<\/strong> (R) in the distance. Sheridan Lake<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Five Points<\/strong> (L) and False North Point<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gosh, I wasn’t expecting snow, Loopster.\u00a0 Maybe the situation is going to get more interesting than the forecast indicated?<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, we better not dilly-dally then, SPHP.\u00a0 We don’t want to miss out on New Year’s Eve Peak!<\/em><\/p>\n

Heading NW to Peak 5800’s true summit, Lupe paused briefly on the SE high point before continuing on.\u00a0 New Year’s Eve Peak was already in sight 2 miles NW.\u00a0 Although the sky was completely overcast, it didn’t look as stormy over there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop on Peak 5800’s SE high point<\/strong> with the true summit<\/strong> (R) beyond her. Forested New Year’s Eve<\/strong> Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Strewn with rocks and scattered pines, Peak 5800’s broad summit ridge was a pleasant, easy trek.\u00a0 Soon the Carolina Dog was standing atop the 10 foot high rock formation at the true summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Peak 5800’s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:42 PM, 35\u00baF, Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/em> – The view of New Year’s Eve Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,046 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was even better here.\u00a0 Lupe could see the Seth Bullock lookout tower on Scruton Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,922 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong> (Center) from Peak 5800. Scruton Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Conditions don’t seem to be getting any worse, Loop.\u00a0 Think we can stay here a little while.\u00a0 How about a chocolate coconut bar?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, SPHP!\u00a0 You know I’m never in such a rush that I’d be unwilling to hang around for a chocolate coconut bar!<\/em><\/p>\n

Shortly after the chocolate coconut bar vanished, a snow shower swept over the mountain, reviving at least some sense of urgency about getting to New Year’s Eve Peak.\u00a0 After a brief stay on Peak 5800’s summit, Lupe was on her way again.<\/p>\n

Peak 5800’s W face was by far the most rugged terrain the Carolina Dog would encounter today.\u00a0 Past experience had shown that by going SW, getting off the mountain wasn’t actually hard at all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A scenic descent! Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Toughest terrain of the day. Great fun! Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Down safe and sound, looking SE back at Peak 5800<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Skies were clearing to the N.\u00a0 Patches of blue appeared!\u00a0 Continuing NW, beautiful, rolling territory was ahead.\u00a0 This region of rock outcroppings, scattered pines, and big views was one of the features that always made Lupe’s New Year’s Eve Peak tradition such an attractive proposition.<\/p>\n

Without much snow to deal with this year, even SPHP made great progress as the American Dingo sniffed and explored her way toward Peak<\/span> 5917<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, which now hid most of New Year’s Eve Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong> (R) behind Peak 5917<\/strong> (far R). Pistol Point<\/strong> (Center) beyond Lupe. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Among the rolling hills and grasslands. Peak 5917<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L), Five Points<\/strong> (Center), False North Point<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An unexpected transformation had taken place by the time Lupe was closing in on Peak 5917.\u00a0 With only an hour or two of daylight left in 2022, suddenly the Carolina Dog was in sunshine.\u00a0 To the N, skies were almost completely blue, although plenty of clouds remained elsewhere.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Peak 5917<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Keep your claws crossed, Looper!\u00a0 Maybe we’ll get to see a glorious sunset from New Year’s Eve Peak?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I hope so, SPHP!\u00a0 That would be a fabulous finish for 2022!<\/em><\/p>\n

An hour earlier, and Lupe would have had time to climb Peak<\/span> 5917<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, too, but the position of the sun indicated that she’d better not delay in getting to New Year’s Eve Peak.\u00a0 Traversing the S slope, Loop went over a ridge then down to the saddle leading to Pistol Point.<\/p>\n

Turning first W, then SW, 2 steep climbs on a snowy old road next to a fence got Lupe up to the Pistol Point region.\u00a0 Abandoning the road, she headed S looking for the pistol handle, which was super easy to find.<\/p>\n

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At Pistol Point<\/strong>. The big rock R of Lupe is the pistol handle. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pistol Point is the high point at the end of New Year’s Eve Peak’s S ridge where it curls to the E.\u00a0 With Peak<\/span> 5917<\/span><\/a><\/strong> only 0.5 mile NE, and a great look at Peak<\/span> 5800<\/span><\/a><\/strong> to the ESE, Lupe always stopped here to enjoy the sweeping views.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5917<\/strong> (L), Peak 5800<\/strong> (R) from Pistol Point<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pistol Point offered grand views to the S as well, but the scene to the SW was the important one at the moment.\u00a0 Quite a few clouds that way, but reasonable hope still remained for a marvelous winter sunset.\u00a0 With the sun already low, Lupe had to press on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near sunset at Pistol Point<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hard to believe a whole year had already slipped away since Lupe’s last journey along New Year’s Eve Peak’s familiar S ridge, but it was true.\u00a0 2022 had been a spectacular year!\u00a0 Now it was about to fade into history forever.\u00a0 A brooding sadness came flooding over SPHP as the American Dingo finished her ascent.<\/p>\n

4:02 PM, 29\u00baF, New Year’s Eve Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,046 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/em> – The sun was still up, but not for much longer when Loopster leapt onto the 4 foot high rock formation that was the mountain’s true summit.\u00a0 A cairn was still on it, and a second cairn sat on some lower rocks a little farther S.\u00a0 The small pines surrounding the true summit were growing up, getting taller every year.\u00a0 Soon enough, there wouldn’t be a view.<\/p>\n

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At New Year’s Eve Peak’s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first time Lupe had ever come here, the trees had been tall and old.\u00a0 Hardly any views at all back then except from along the S edge.\u00a0 There hadn’t been any cairns, either.\u00a0 And then, a year or two later, Loop had arrived to find that loggers had come through, taking out quite a few of the old trees, which opened up at least some views to the S and SE.<\/p>\n

That first time Lupe stood on these rocks had been the last day of 2012, exactly 10 years ago.\u00a0 Not only 2022 was dying, a whole decade was about to be lost to the annals of time with it.\u00a0 10 years gone!<\/p>\n

Amid SPHP’s morose thoughts, ever so gently requesting recognition, dear Lupe offered her sweet paw.\u00a0 Brightening, SPHP shook it.<\/p>\n

Great job, Looper!\u00a0 So glad we’re together again on New Year’s Eve Peak!<\/em><\/p>\n

In time for sunset, too, SPHP!\u00a0 And another chocolate coconut bar, I hope!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, yes, I brought another one, Loop.\u00a0 Let’s go sit down and enjoy it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Suddenly, from somewhere off to the N, gunshots rang out.\u00a0 Panicked, Lupe sprang off the summit.<\/p>\n

Hide, SPHP!\u00a0 Enemies!<\/em><\/p>\n

The gunshots were loud and kept coming, seldom pausing for more than a minute or two.<\/p>\n

Blam, blam, blam!<\/em><\/p>\n

Took a lot of convincing, but Lupe curled up on SPHP’s lap on the upper W slope.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP had always sat here together facing the snowy hills stretching away to the W, but this time Lupe was trembling as SPHP stroked her soft ears.<\/p>\n

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Nervous Lupe on the upper W slope. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The familiar snowy hills. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sitting there facing WSW, it was kind of cold.\u00a0 The chocolate coconut bar was frozen stiff as SPHP divided it up.\u00a0 Loopster enjoyed her share, but not the rest of the experience.\u00a0 That dang gunfire wouldn’t stop.\u00a0 More than anything else, the Carolina Dog wanted to flee.<\/p>\n

The chocolate coconut bar was gone.\u00a0 SPHP chomped 2 small apples while the sun sank into a bank of clouds.\u00a0 Instead of a splendid show, 2022 was destined to die dull and drab.\u00a0 Too bad, but nothing to be done about it.\u00a0 SPHP tried to think of all of Lupe’s wonderful adventures in 2022, but it was impossible to celebrate the now fleeting year, brood over days gone by, or even ponder what 2023 might bring.<\/p>\n

Blam, blam, blam!<\/em><\/p>\n

200 rounds.\u00a0 For the first time ever, New Year’s Eve Peak wasn’t fun.<\/p>\n

4:32 PM –<\/em> Still light in the sky, but after sinking into the murk, the sun hadn’t been seen for a while.\u00a0 Clearly no point in staying in this war zone without even any hope of a colorful display.\u00a0 Exactly half an hour after arriving, a paranoid American Dingo stood once more on New Year’s Eve Peak’s summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back at the true summit<\/strong>. Sheridan Lake<\/strong> (L), Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP smiled, and gave Lupe an apparently unreassuring\u00a0 pat.<\/p>\n

10 years, Loopster!\u00a0 At least we made it back here again.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, wonderful, truly amazing, SPHP!\u00a0 Now hurry up, take the shot, and let’s get out of here before this turns out to be not only 2022’s grand finale, but ours as well!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lupe leapt down the instant the photo was taken, but did pause briefly a short distance from the summit on the rocks with the best views along the S edge.\u00a0 Beyond her, Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0was a dark blue, Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> a deep green and gray.\u00a0 Far to the SSW, a pale orange strip of sky was visible above the distant hills.<\/p>\n

Soon the light would fade.\u00a0 2022 would sneak away in the night never to return.\u00a0 For a moment, Lupe stood there looking wistful.<\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog said nothing, though, before continuing down the slope leading to the S ridge.\u00a0 By the time she got to Pistol Point, dusk was on the verge of turning into night.\u00a0 Silence reigned among the shadows.\u00a0 A little later on, going over Peak 5917’s S ridge, the flashlight came out.\u00a0 Stars twinkled above, and a half moon brightened what snow remained.<\/p>\n

In darkness, snow crunched beneath SPHP’s boots as Lupe trotted down USFS Road No. 710.\u00a0 2022’s final quiet, happy time together.\u00a0 Tomorrow dawn would arrive with whatever adventures New Year 2023 would bring.\u00a0 (End 5:54 PM, 30\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

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New Year’s Eve Peak<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 12-31-22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Lupe’s GPS Track 12-31-22<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 288 – New Year’s Eve Peak (1-3-22)<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 322 – Peak 6070 & New Year’s Eve Peak (1-1-24)<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/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":"

12:32 PM, 39\u00baF, junction of USFS Road No. 710 & Hwy 385 – Lupe stood next to the RAV4 with a big smile on her face.\u00a0 The American Dingo was all fired up for the last big adventure of 2022, her traditional year end visit to New Year’s Eve Peak (6,046 ft.)! What luck, SPHP!\u00a0 … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 310 – Peak 5800 & New Year’s Eve Peak (12-31-22)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43324,"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":[105,9,106,104,539,556,304],"class_list":["post-43330","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-new-years-eve-peak","tag-peak-5800","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_0480-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\/43330","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=43330"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58338,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43330\/revisions\/58338"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/43324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=43330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=43330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=43330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}