{"id":43723,"date":"2023-02-07T08:10:29","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T15:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=43723"},"modified":"2023-02-27T17:29:52","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T00:29:52","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-311-the-peak-5452-fail-pillar-peak-1-15-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=43723","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 311 – The Peak 5452 Fail & Pillar Peak (1-15-23)"},"content":{"rendered":"

9:02 AM, 33\u00baF, Camp 5 Road (USFS Road No. 172) trailhead off Hwy 14A<\/em> – Record high temperatures for the date yesterday, but you sure wouldn’t have known it from conditions at the Camp 5 trailhead this morning.\u00a0 SPHP parked the RAV4 in more than a foot of snow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Arriving at the snowy Camp 5 Road trailhead. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s still winter here, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

Going to be winter for a while yet, Loopster.\u00a0 Still January, about as wintry as it gets.\u00a0 Supposed to warm up some again today, though, although not as much as it did yesterday.\u00a0 You still want to go, don’t you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, of course I do, SPHP.\u00a0 Where are we off to?<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak<\/span> 5452<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, Looper!<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak 5452?\u00a0 Sounds like another Lists of John<\/strong><\/span><\/a> 300+ foot prominence peak.\u00a0 In fact, I sort of vaguely remember that we were driving around looking for access to a Peak 5452 last fall.\u00a0 Am I right, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Indeed, you are, Loop!\u00a0 We drove up Peedee Gulch one day thinking Peak 5452 would be a short easy romp from the W.\u00a0 However, turned out it was all private property over that way, a big housing subdivision.\u00a0 So this time we’re going to come at it from the NE, a much longer route, but hopefully we won’t have to be traipsing through anyone’s front yard.<\/em><\/p>\n

Crossing Camp 5 Road, Lupe set out taking a shortcut down into the Boulder Creek drainage, which was full of snow, but otherwise dry.\u00a0 A 40 foot climb up the opposite bank, and the Carolina Dog popped out on USFS Road No. 172.1G, which was also quite snowy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 172.1G. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wow, a lot more snow around than I expected, Loopster!\u00a0 We might be in for quite a time today.<\/em><\/p>\n

I like the snow as long as it doesn’t get too deep, SPHP.\u00a0 Which way now?<\/em><\/p>\n

We go W from here all the way to the end of No. 172.1G, Loop.\u00a0 0.5 mile should get us to Two Bit Creek.<\/em><\/p>\n

Following tire tracks where the snow had been compressed, Lupe trotted W with relative ease as the road wound through the woods paralleling the course of the Boulder Creek drainage.\u00a0 This was a beautiful trek, but not nearly as peaceful as it looked.\u00a0 Traffic roared along Hwy 14A on the opposite N side of the valley.<\/p>\n

The last tire tracks ended 0.25 mile in.\u00a0 Traveling through the foot deep snow now required greater effort.\u00a0 No. 172.1G eventually curved SW and ended at a sign.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Beyond the last tire tracks. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the end of USFS Road No. 172.1G. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Area restriction, unauthorized route, no motor vehicle use yearlong”.\u00a0 We’re golden, Looper.\u00a0 You aren’t motorized are you?<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m 1 Dingo power, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Don’t think that counts.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Beyond the sign, what was left of USFS Road No. 172.1G dipped into the Two Bit Creek drainage.\u00a0 No surface water, but even more snow here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Start of the trek up Two Bit Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OK, Looper, now we just follow Two Bit Creek upstream.\u00a0 2 miles at most, depending on how much winding around there is.\u00a0 That should get us to a mile long climb up Peak 5452’s NE ridge, and we’ll be there!<\/em><\/p>\n

As the American Dingo explored the Two Bit Creek valley, the snow was often deep enough down along the dry streambed to make travel much slower and more difficult than expected.\u00a0 Two feet deep in some places, three in a few spots!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up the Two Bit Creek streambed<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Attempting to avoid some of the deepest snow, while cutting off some distance as the stream looped around, at times Lupe roamed regions above one bank or the other.\u00a0 The snow usually wasn’t as deep when that was possible, but it often wasn’t.\u00a0 In some places, Two Bit Creek ran along the base of scenic limestone cliffs.<\/p>\n

Near the end of USFS Road No. 172.1G, there’d been signs about mining claims in this area.\u00a0 They warned against anyone else, presumably even Carolina Dogs, attempting to extract any minerals.\u00a0 More mining claim notices appeared as Lupe’s journey continued.\u00a0 She ignored them all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Passing a mining claim notice (L). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Don’t know why, but I’ve never really been inclined to start mining, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nothing to worry about, Loop.\u00a0 I’d be surprised if you were.<\/em><\/p>\n

In truth, there was little evidence the mining claim owners really had much interest in mining, either.\u00a0 Not entirely true, though.\u00a0 Looper did pass one upturned plastic cart next to a small exploration dig.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heart of the Two Bit Creek mining industry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two Bit Creek went on for what seemed like a long way.\u00a0 Now far from the highway, Lupe explored a quiet, wonderfully secluded region.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Below a scenic cliff.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Down along the streambed again. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring a flat region above the stream bank. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eventually, a snow-free spot was found well above the streambed.\u00a0 This was the first opportunity to sit down and take a break.\u00a0 Looper wasn’t hungry yet, but was happy to curl up on SPHP’s lap.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the break spot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How much farther to Peak<\/span> 5452<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

According to the Peakbagger app on our new iPhone, we’re still only about halfway to the start of the NE ridge, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Beyond the break spot, the Two Bit Creek trek continued in a similar manner for quite a way.\u00a0 Eventually, the valley began to broaden out.\u00a0 Climbing the S bank of the streambed, Lupe reached a large flat region that wasn’t as thickly forested.\u00a0 Somewhat surprisingly, vehicle tracks were visible in the snow only a little farther S.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In a flat region S of Two Bit Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going over to the tracks, they wound E or W through the forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On what might have been a road again beneath the snow. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wonder where this goes, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not sure, Looper.\u00a0 Certainly easier than following Two Bit Creek, though.\u00a0 Head W.\u00a0 That will get us closer to the start of Peak 5452’s NE ridge.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog made excellent time along the snowy tracks.\u00a0 Soon an intersection appeared.\u00a0 Partially hidden by trees, a house was now in view ahead.<\/p>\n

Uh-oh!\u00a0 We’re either on, or coming to, private property, Loop.\u00a0 That house is right where we want to go, too.\u00a0 We need to get around it somehow.<\/em><\/p>\n

Which way then, SPHP?\u00a0 The tracks go either N or SW from here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak 5452 is SW, Loop.\u00a0 Go that way.\u00a0 N won’t do us any good.<\/em><\/p>\n

The terrain rose gradually as Lupe followed the tracks SW.\u00a0 A snow-free stretch soon revealed that this really was some kind of a primitive road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the primitive road. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It wasn’t far to another junction along the edge of a ravine.\u00a0 Another house was now in sight on the hillside W of the ravine.<\/p>\n

Well, shoot!\u00a0 We’re cut off from where we need to go, Loop.\u00a0 Apparently this whole valley is part of a subdivision.<\/em><\/p>\n

So what now, SPHP?\u00a0 Is our goose cooked on Peak 5452?<\/em><\/p>\n

Kind of looking that way, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

A road or track of some sort went SE up a steep slope from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking up the steep track. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let’s go that way, Loop.\u00a0 There are still a couple of these big ravines W of us that we need to get past.\u00a0 Their sides are so steep that we aren’t going to be able to get over the ridges between them with so much snow around, but maybe this route will wind through it all somehow?<\/em><\/p>\n

As Lupe climbed SE up the steep track, it seemed to be the only realistic hope of ever getting to Peak 5452 today.\u00a0 After gaining a fair amount of elevation, the track leveled out and turned SW again, an encouraging sign.\u00a0 Maybe this was actually going to work?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the curve SW. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, the track soon curved S again.\u00a0 A small sign was ahead.<\/p>\n

No trespassing!\u00a0 We actually did stray onto private property, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Are we going to get into trouble, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Doubt it.\u00a0 No harm done, and we’re off it now.\u00a0 Never meant to intrude, and we won’t be back, so this should be the end of it.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the No Trespassing sign. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The news still wasn’t good.\u00a0 Although the track continued on from here, it went S staying on the E side of the ravine.\u00a0 Any attempt to cross the ravine, and go W up and over the heavily forested steep slope beyond it looked like an unrewarding task.<\/p>\n

We’ve struck out on Peak<\/span> 5452<\/span><\/a><\/strong> today, haven’t we, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I think this is it for Peak 5452.\u00a0 Not a decent route in January.\u00a0 It will get dark on us during the return if we try to force our way over these hills and ravines to get there.\u00a0 Won’t be much fun without a trail to follow.<\/em><\/p>\n

So now what?\u00a0 How do we get back to the trailhead, SPHP?\u00a0 Can’t go back the way we came without trespassing again.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, don’t worry about that.\u00a0 We aren’t going back that way.\u00a0 Want to climb Pillar Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,469 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Loop?\u00a0 It’s only about a mile S.\u00a0 No access issues, and we already know a good route back to the trailhead from there.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pillar Peak?\u00a0 I’m all for it, SPHP!\u00a0 At least we’d get to climb something.<\/em><\/p>\n

According to the topo map, the best route to Pillar Peak from here was to climb SE entirely out of the ravine, then turn S along a broad ridge that would ultimately lead first to the mountain’s somewhat lower E summit.\u00a0 Although no road or trail went that way, this route began as a pretty easy climb.\u00a0 Not all that steep, and not much snow around, either.<\/p>\n

Sniffing her way through the forest, Lupe hadn’t gone much farther when a Black Hills National Forest boundary sign appeared.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Officially re-entering the national forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gosh, were we still on private property, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Guess so, hard to tell without any fences, Loop.\u00a0 There’s a survey marker here, so we ought to be officially back in the national forest now.<\/em><\/p>\n

Continuing SE, the terrain nearly leveled out.\u00a0 Time to turn S!\u00a0 Lupe led the way, roaming easily through an area thick with dog hair pines that slowed SPHP’s progress considerably.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Waiting on you, SPHP!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the dog hairs, SPHP was able to make much better progress.\u00a0 \u00a0A gradual climb resumed, which led to a big clearing full of snow.\u00a0 Parts of the upper regions of Pillar Peak were now in sight ahead.\u00a0 From here, Pillar Peak looked like just a couple of forested hills.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing S in a somewhat more open forest. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pillar Peak<\/strong> (E summit L, true summit R) from the clearing. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Avoiding the snow as much as possible, Lupe continued S along the edge of the clearing heading toward Pillar Peak’s E summit.\u00a0 The rate of climb began increasing again.\u00a0 After gaining a few hundred feet of elevation, the Carolina Dog reached a drop-off along the E side of the mountain.\u00a0 From a big snowbank, she now had a much better view of the E summit than the one she’d had from the clearing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Beyond the snowy clearing, heading for Pillar Peak’s E summit. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Closing in on the E summit<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The E summit wasn’t much farther or higher now.\u00a0 Swinging around to the SW to avoid most of the snow along the edge of the mountain, there was quite a bit of deadfall to contend with.\u00a0 The discovery of a deer skull was of interest to the American Dingo.\u00a0 SPHP preferred the view of Peak<\/span> 5400<\/span><\/a><\/strong> across the deep valley to the SE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A bit closer to Pillar Peak’s E summit<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The intriguing deer skull.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5400<\/strong> (R). Lupe had been there a year and 2 days ago. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A final short, steep climb got Lupe up to the E summit region.\u00a0 Where she first reached it, she enjoyed a nice, distant view of Bear Butte<\/span><\/a> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> off to the NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/strong> (R of Center) out on the prairie beyond the Black Hills. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The actual E summit was only a short uphill stroll from this viewpoint.\u00a0 Only took a minute or two to get there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Almost there! Pillar Peak’s E summit<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On Pillar Peak’s E summit<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:24 PM, Pillar Peak E summit<\/em> – Although Lupe had been to Pillar Peak on 3 prior occasions, this was the first time she had ever visited the E summit, which had remained a mystery.\u00a0 Now the Carolina Dog stood on the highest boulder among a collection of others along the edge beneath a sullen sky.\u00a0 Hidden by pines, Pillar Peak’s true summit wasn’t in view from here, but Loop enjoyed an open panorama from the S all the way around to Bear Butte to the NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/strong> (L) from the E summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wow!\u00a0 This is sweet, SPHP.\u00a0 What a great view of Peak 5400 across the valley!<\/em><\/p>\n

Glad we came here, Loopster!\u00a0 Pillar Peak’s E summit really is pretty cool.\u00a0 Always wondered what it was like.\u00a0 See that road down in the valley?\u00a0 We’ll be taking it on our way back to the trailhead later on.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5400<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is already better than a lot of hills we climb in the Black Hills, SPHP.\u00a0 We ought to celebrate!<\/em><\/p>\n

Uh-huh!\u00a0 By which you mean, we ought to share chocolate coconut bar, I presume, conniving Dingo!<\/em><\/p>\n

The thought did cross my mind, SPHP.\u00a0 You wouldn’t happen to have one in the pack, would you?<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP did.\u00a0 Sitting down together on a bed of pine needles next to the boulders, the Carolina Dog’s wish came true.\u00a0 SPHP stroked her soft ears.<\/p>\n

I like this spot, Loop.\u00a0 Let’s just hang out here for 10 minutes, take a break.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was a nice, relaxing time together, but 10 minutes shot by like nothing at all.\u00a0 Eh, maybe 15?<\/p>\n

OK, time to finish this.\u00a0 To the true summit, Loop!\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Leaving Pillar Peak’s E summit<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit wasn’t far away at all, no more than 0.2 mile.\u00a0 Lupe lost maybe 60 feet of elevation going down to the broad saddle leading to it, then began an easy climb.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the saddle leading to the true summit<\/strong> (R). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having been here before, the American Dingo knew what to expect.\u00a0 Long ago, fire must have swept over Pillar Peak’s true summit region.\u00a0 Surprisingly little remained of any dead trees.\u00a0 This made Pillar Peak a more striking summit and an excellent viewpoint.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Pillar Peak’s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:54 PM, 43\u00baF, Pillar Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,469 ft.) <\/span><\/strong><\/em>–\u00a0 Pillar Peak’s true summit was an interesting place, and a bit unusual for the Black Hills.\u00a0 A maze of rock formations a few feet high were separated by lanes of grass resembling intentionally designed walkways.\u00a0 Lupe easily leapt up onto the highest rock, completing her 4th ascent.<\/p>\n

The premier view was of Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> with its ski runs off to the SW.\u00a0 With snow on the hills, it stood out particularly well today.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the true summit<\/strong>. Terry Peak<\/strong> (R) in the distance. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A lot to see in other directions, too, but all that could wait.\u00a0 Loopster had her whole traditional summit hour to spend up here.\u00a0 First it was time for a longer rest break.\u00a0 And lunch!\u00a0 Sitting down on the dry grass near the true summit, SPHP brought out another much anticipated chocolate coconut bar, Taste of the Wild, water, and an apple.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lunch time on Pillar Peak<\/strong>. Dome Mountain<\/strong> (L), Terry Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second chocolate coconut bar of the day had already bit the dust, and the Taste of the Wild was still in the process of being gobbled up, when a sudden breeze arose from out of the SW.\u00a0 Hadn’t been any wind at all when Lupe first got here only 5 or 10 minutes ago.<\/p>\n

We better finish eating pretty quick, Looper.\u00a0 Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in sight only moments ago.\u00a0 Now I don’t see it at all.\u00a0 Weather’s coming in!<\/em><\/p>\n

Probably just a snow shower that wouldn’t amount to much of anything.\u00a0 Hadn’t been much precipitation expected in the forecast, but SPHP kept an eye on it while munching on that apple.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Lupe finished her Taste of the Wild.<\/p>\n

Soon the breeze felt colder.\u00a0 Deer Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,652 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was gone now, too, and it looked like snow was starting to envelop Terry Peak, as well.<\/p>\n

If you want any pictures, SPHP, maybe we better start getting them now?<\/em><\/p>\n

We think alike, Looper!\u00a0 Come on!\u00a0 Time for your Pillar Peak summit tour!<\/em><\/p>\n

Since the snow shower was coming from out of the SW, concentrating on Terry Peak, Bald Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,617 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Dome Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,512 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and Bear Den Mountain<\/span><\/a> (5,642 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> all to the S or W first made sense.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Terry Peak<\/strong> (Center), Bald Mountain<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks SW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Den Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other directions wouldn’t be affected by the snow shower for a while yet.\u00a0 Flat-topped Mount Theodore Roosevelt<\/span><\/a> (5,680 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was visible to the NW, with both Spearfish Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,800 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Crow Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,787 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> barely in sight a little to the R of it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Theodore Roosevelt<\/strong> (L), Spearfish Peak<\/strong> and Crow Peak<\/strong> (L of Center), and Green Mountain<\/strong> (R) all on the horizon. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Mount Theodore Roosevelt<\/strong> (L), Spearfish Peak<\/strong> (R) and Crow Peak<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NW with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More directly N, Whitewood Peak<\/span><\/a> (5,120 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> stood out among lower hills.\u00a0 A little more to the E, Crook Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4930 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> looked like just a large, low, forested dome.\u00a0 Way out on the prairie far beyond it, two little blips were on the horizon.\u00a0 Probably Castle Rock Butte<\/span><\/a> (3,768 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but might have been Deers Ears Butte<\/span><\/a> (3,438 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Whitewood Peak<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crook Mountain<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And of course, Bear Butte<\/span><\/a> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was easily recognizable to the NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/strong> (Center) in the distance. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks NE with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The W end of the summit region was 20 feet lower, and featured a big grassy area.\u00a0 Loop and SPHP took turns going down there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe still up on top. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Down in the big grassy area. Terry Peak<\/strong> (L), Mount Theodore Roosevelt<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The wind blew harder, the temperature dropped.\u00a0 Wouldn’t be long now before the snow shower arrived.<\/p>\n

When it hit, it was a nothingburger.\u00a0 Middle of January, and it wasn’t even snow!\u00a0 Rain fell for a few minutes, and that was it.\u00a0 Incredible!\u00a0 The “storm” passed, and Terry Peak came back into view.\u00a0 Lupe watched it all happen from the highest rock formation on Pillar Peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back at the true summit<\/strong>. Terry Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Carolina Dog storm survivor. All 10 drops! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2:54 PM, 39\u00baF, Pillar Peak<\/em> – An hour had gone by already!\u00a0 Time to say good-bye to Pillar Peak once again.\u00a0 SPHP started down first.\u00a0 Loop was supposed to wait up top for the signal, but when SPHP looked back, the American Dingo was already on her way!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Leaving the summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Couldn’t wait for a final summit shot, aye, Looper?<\/em><\/p>\n

You’ve got plenty already, SPHP!\u00a0 I’m ready for more exploring!<\/em><\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog was more cooperative at a few more scenic spots as she left the summit region.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deer Mountain<\/strong> (far L), Terry Peak<\/strong> (L), Bald Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crook Mountain<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Leaving Pillar Peak<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then it was down the steep, rocky S slope to a saddle where Lupe turned SE on a very snowy romp down to USFS Road No. 172.1H.\u00a0 The road was flat as it went a short distance E to another saddle SE of Pillar Peak.<\/p>\n

Lupe had been here before.\u00a0 Up a little rise to get over the pass, and with only relatively minor exceptions, it was downhill all the rest of the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the valley between Pillar Peak and Peak 5400. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4:50 PM, 37\u00baF, Camp 5 Road trailhead<\/em> – Just as Lupe reached the RAV4, it started to rain again.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog hopped in before she even got damp.<\/p>\n

Pillar Peak was awesome, as always SPHP, but we never did get to Peak<\/span> 5452<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Wonder if we ever will?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I suspect we will, Looper, but don’t think we’ll try it again until the snow melts.\u00a0 Maybe in 2 or 3 months?\u00a0 At least we saw it today.<\/em><\/p>\n

We did?\u00a0 When?\u00a0 You never pointed it out!<\/em><\/p>\n

It was there, Loop.\u00a0 You saw it from Pillar Peak.\u00a0 Big forested hill only 1.25 miles due W, but it didn’t really stand out.\u00a0 Don’t think we’ll see much more than trees even if we do get there eventually.<\/em><\/p>\n

We’re still going to pick it off, SPHP!\u00a0 I’m going to get all these Black Hills Lists of John 300+ foot prominence peaks done, or at least all the ones we can actually climb.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s the spirit, Loopster!\u00a0 We’ll try a different Lists of John peak next time out.\u00a0 Maybe we’ll have better luck then?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Pillar Peak<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 1-15-23. Peak 5452<\/strong> beyond Lupe.<\/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":"

9:02 AM, 33\u00baF, Camp 5 Road (USFS Road No. 172) trailhead off Hwy 14A – Record high temperatures for the date yesterday, but you sure wouldn’t have known it from conditions at the Camp 5 trailhead this morning.\u00a0 SPHP parked the RAV4 in more than a foot of snow. It’s still winter here, SPHP! Going … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 311 – The Peak 5452 Fail & Pillar Peak (1-15-23)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43691,"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":[105,9,106,104,1611,10,304],"class_list":["post-43723","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-5452","tag-pillar-peak","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_0523-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\/43723","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=43723"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43723\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44906,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43723\/revisions\/44906"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/43691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=43723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=43723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=43723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}