{"id":4409,"date":"2016-02-08T08:10:08","date_gmt":"2016-02-08T15:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=4409"},"modified":"2020-09-22T11:02:03","modified_gmt":"2020-09-22T17:02:03","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-155-white-mansion-flagstaff-mountain-veteran-peak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=4409","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 155 &#8211; White Mansion, Flagstaff Mountain &#038; Veteran Peak (2-6-16)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Lupe was off to a late start.\u00a0 It got later when SPHP realized the camera had been left behind.\u00a0 Doh!\u00a0 Going back to retrieve the camera cost another 40 minutes.\u00a0 It was already 10:27 AM (44\u00b0F) by the time SPHP parked the G6 along the start of USFS Road No. 414.6K.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe was eager to start exploring.\u00a0 She sniffed around excitedly, and rolled in delight in the 4&#8243; of new snow that had fallen a couple of days ago.\u00a0 Lupe was the first to mar the pristine appearance of the clean, white road.\u00a0 No other tracks were in the snow.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP started off intent on making some.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe had been here just 2 weeks ago on <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=4068\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Expedition No. 153<\/a><\/strong><\/span> when she&#8217;d climbed Green Top.\u00a0 Back then, there hadn&#8217;t been enough time left in the day to also climb <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=67113\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">White Mansion<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,340 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, just a mile to the NE.\u00a0 Now she was back to climb it, if she could.\u00a0 Seen from the W, the highest part of White Mansion presented a continuous line of limestone cliffs.\u00a0 If the other side of the mountain looked the same, there wouldn&#8217;t be any way Lupe could reach the summit plateau.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4410\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4410\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0171-e1554862308252.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4410\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0171-e1554862308252-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0171-e1554862308252.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0171-e1554862308252.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0171-e1554862308252.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0171-e1554862308252.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4410\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe enjoying the snow on USFS Road No. 414.6K. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=67182\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Green Top<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,360 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> can be seen ahead between the trees on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4411\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4411\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0172-e1554862420766.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4411\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0172-e1554862420766-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0172-e1554862420766.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0172-e1554862420766.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0172-e1554862420766.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0172-e1554862420766.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4411\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">White Mansion from the SSW near USFS Road No. 414.6G. Would there be a way for Lupe to reach the top?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe headed N on No. 414.6K until she reached an intersection S of Green Top.\u00a0 At the intersection,\u00a0Lupe turned E on No. 414.6G.\u00a0 She soon left the road entirely where No. 414.6G turned N.\u00a0 She headed E for the S end of White Mansion.\u00a0 After crossing a snowy little valley, she began to climb.<\/p>\n<p>White Mansion is over 0.5 mile long N\/S.\u00a0 Like many mountains in the Nemo area, the most prominent features\u00a0are two widely separated bands of rock where cliffs tend to form.\u00a0 Near the top is a light-colored limestone cap.\u00a0 Lower down is a band of reddish, purplish gray rocks.\u00a0 Lupe could expect the summit area up on top of the limestone cap to be a relatively flat, forested plateau surrounded, or nearly surrounded, by cliffs.<\/p>\n<p>White Mansion is a little bit unique.\u00a0 The limestone cap and intervening layers below it have been eroded away from the S end of the mountain.\u00a0 Only the reddish purplish gray rocks remain\u00a0to form the top of the S end.\u00a0 Of course, the N\u00a0half of the mountain\u00a0where the limestone cap still exists is considerably higher than the S end.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe began her climb up White Mansion at the very S end of the mountain, where it looked like it would be easiest to get up above the first reddish, purplish gray layer of rock.\u00a0 It really wasn&#8217;t a steep or difficult climb at all.\u00a0 Only the snow made things tricky at all for SPHP, since it made the slope much slicker than it would otherwise would have been.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4412\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4412\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0173.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4412\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4412\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0173-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe nears the low cliffs at the very S end of White Mansion.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0173.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0173.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0173.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0173.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0173.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4412\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe nears the low cliffs at the very S end of White Mansion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0174.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-4413\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0174-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0174.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0174.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0174.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0174.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0174.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a>Lupe\u00a0quickly found a pretty easy spot to get up above the first layer of reddish, purplish gray rocks.\u00a0\u00a0Next came a stroll through the\u00a0snowy forest heading N\u00a0looking for the\u00a0S end of the limestone cap.\u00a0 Lupe\u00a0and SPHP both really enjoyed the trek.\u00a0\u00a0SPHP stayed near the W rim, where Lupe was already high enough to start getting some views.\u00a0 Lupe\u00a0was more intent, however, on charging\u00a0around through the forest.\u00a0 She found a few squirrels to bark at, and had a great time.\u00a0 The day was off to a very satisfying start!<\/p>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP were gradually gaining elevation.\u00a0 The cliffs along the W rim grew taller.\u00a0 Before Lupe reached the S end of the limestone cap, she came to a little forested hill, which was the high point of the S part of the mountain.\u00a0 From the hill, the ground dipped slightly down into a very snowy clearing.\u00a0 Just beyond the clearing, Lupe could see the S end of the limestone cap up ahead.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4414\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4414\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0175-e1554862551152.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4414\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0175-e1554862551152-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0175-e1554862551152.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0175-e1554862551152.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0175-e1554862551152.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0175-e1554862551152.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4414\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe reaches the snowy clearing S of the limestone cap on White Mansion. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP crossed the snowy clearing, and started up the hill toward the limestone cap.\u00a0 Near it, SPHP spotted Lupe&#8217;s nemesis &#8211; a broken down barbed wire fence.\u00a0 SPHP lifted Lupe over it, so she wouldn&#8217;t get hurt.\u00a0\u00a0 Who puts a fence way up here, anyway?\u00a0 Were they trying to fence in mountain goats?\u00a0 No cow would come up here.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe was now right at the base of the S end of the limestone cap.\u00a0\u00a0The cap\u00a0was very narrow here.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t all that tall, but there wasn&#8217;t any remotely feasible way up for Lupe.\u00a0\u00a0 SPHP already knew there wouldn&#8217;t be any way up along the W side of the cap.\u00a0 Lupe would have to explore the E side of the mountain.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4415\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4415\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0177-e1554862640954.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4415\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0177-e1554862640954-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0177-e1554862640954.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0177-e1554862640954.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0177-e1554862640954.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0177-e1554862640954.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4415\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">At the S end of the limestone cap. Not that tall here, but still no way up!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The\u00a0ground just below the E side of the limestone cap was pretty steep.\u00a0 Not terribly steep, but steep enough with the snow around to make SPHP proceed with caution.\u00a0 Fortunately, Lupe\u00a0didn&#8217;t have to go\u00a0very far N along the E side of the mountain before she came to a couple of breaks in the limestone wall.\u00a0 The 2nd one, farthest N, was bigger and looked more promising.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4416\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4416\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0178-e1554862741924.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4416\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0178-e1554862741924-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0178-e1554862741924.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0178-e1554862741924.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0178-e1554862741924.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0178-e1554862741924.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4416\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe waits for SPHP to start the climb up this 2nd break in the limestone cap. If not for the snow, which made things treacherous, this would have been a steep, but relatively easy route up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If there hadn&#8217;t been any snow around, the route up the 2nd break in the limestone cap would have been no problem.\u00a0 The snow made it slick, though.\u00a0 SPHP was reduced to crawling up on all fours\u00a0clinging to trees, bushes, rocks, whatever there was for support.\u00a0 It was\u00a0rather like the climb up out of South Boxelder Creek canyon back on <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=-47014\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Expedition No. 154<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0on the way to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=67009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Crystal Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> <strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,680 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but this climb wasn&#8217;t nearly so long.<\/p>\n<p>Success!\u00a0 Well, maybe.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP made it up onto the limestone cap near the S end.\u00a0 However, the ridge was so narrow along in here, that SPHP feared the limestone cap might not be continuous.\u00a0 It was possible Lupe was on a little rock island in the sky, not connected to the rest of the mountaintop farther N.<\/p>\n<p>The views were good, though.\u00a0 Lupe could see to the S and W.\u00a0 The forest blocked the views to the E and N.\u00a0 It was certain Lupe wasn&#8217;t at the actual summit yet.\u00a0 There was clearly higher ground toward the N.\u00a0 Time for Lupe\u00a0to begin\u00a0her explorations of the limestone cap!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP headed N.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe came to\u00a0lots of places with great views to the W and NW along the way.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4417\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4417\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0179.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4417\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4417\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0179-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Green Top (Center) from White Mansion near the S end of the limestone cap. Photo looks SW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0179.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0179.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0179.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0179.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0179.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4417\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Green Top (Center) from White Mansion near the S end of the limestone cap. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4418\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4418\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0180.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4418\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4418\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0180-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Green Top with a little help from the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0180.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0180.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0180.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0180.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0180.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4418\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Green Top with a little help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4419\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4419\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0181.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4419\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4419\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0181-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Custer Peak (6,804 ft.) (L) and Terry Peak (7,064 ft.) (Center) are on the far horizon. Photo looks WNW. (Click on photo to expand.)\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0181.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0181.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0181.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0181.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0181.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4419\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6226\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Custer Peak<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) and <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6224\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Terry Peak<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (Center) are on the far horizon. Photo looks WNW. (Click on photo to expand.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4420\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4420\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0182.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4420\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4420\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0182-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Custer Peak with help from the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0182.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0182.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0182.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0182.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0182.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4420\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Custer Peak with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4421\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4421\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0183.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4421\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4421\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0183-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Terry Peak.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0183.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0183.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0183.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0183.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0183.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4421\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Terry Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The limestone cap was only 20&#8242; wide, less in some places, as Lupe started going N.\u00a0 However, Lupe was not on a little disconnected\u00a0island in the sky.\u00a0 The\u00a0ridge became wider, eventually becoming hundreds of feet wide.\u00a0 Lupe was slowly gaining elevation as she went along the W rim where the views were.\u00a0 Eventually, though, there was a dip ahead.<\/p>\n<p>It looked like there was even higher ground N of the dip, but it was hard to tell for certain due to the forest.\u00a0 Maybe Lupe was already at the summit?\u00a0 SPHP took a photo just in case.\u00a0 Lupe was very close to a rock platform jutting a bit out toward the NW.\u00a0 There were probably some nice views over there looking down on the valley below.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4422\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4422\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0184.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4422\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4422\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0184-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"SPHP thought this mighty boulder near a viewpoint to the NW might be the true summit of White Mansion.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0184.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0184.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0184.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0184.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0184.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4422\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SPHP thought this mighty boulder near a viewpoint to the NW might be the true summit of White Mansion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4423\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4423\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0185.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4423\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4423\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0185-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking down from the NW viewpoint on the secluded ranch WNW of White Mansion. Custer and Terry Peaks again on the horizon.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0185.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0185.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0185.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0185.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0185.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4423\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking down from the NW viewpoint on the secluded ranch WNW of White Mansion. Custer and Terry Peaks again on the horizon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4424\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4424\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0186.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4424\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4424\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0186-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Green Top. Photo looks SW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0186.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0186.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0186.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0186.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0186.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4424\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Green Top. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4425\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4425\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0187.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4425\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4425\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0187-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on the NW viewpoint. Photo looks WNW toward Custer Peak.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0187.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0187.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0187.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0187.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0187.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4425\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on the NW viewpoint. Photo looks WNW toward Custer Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4426\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4426\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0188.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4426\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4426\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0188-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Green Top (L) and more distant Crystal Mountain (R) where Lupe had been on Expeditions No. 153 &amp; 154 respectively. Taken with telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0188.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0188.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0188.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0188.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0188.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4426\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Green Top (L) and more distant <a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=67009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Crystal Mountain<\/strong><\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>(5,680 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0(R) where Lupe had been on Expeditions No. 153 &amp; 154 respectively. Taken with telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After a few photos from the rock ledge to the NW, which was a great viewpoint, Lupe and SPHP continued exploring.\u00a0 Lupe went down into the very snowy dip, and on up the other side.\u00a0 Lupe had to climb enough so that SPHP was convinced the true summit of\u00a0White Mansion\u00a0was still to the N.<\/p>\n<p>N of the dip, there really weren&#8217;t any views.\u00a0 The forest was too dense.\u00a0 Lupe found the true summit was near the very N end of the mountain.\u00a0 The\u00a0whole area was so flat it was impossible to say that any one particular spot was it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4427\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4427\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0189.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4427\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0189-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe near the very N end of White Mansion. She's standing at a spot that seemed to be as much the true summit as anything else around. Photo looks N.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0189.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0189.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0189.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0189.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0189.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4427\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe near the very N end of White Mansion. She&#8217;s standing at a spot that seemed to be as much the true summit as anything else around. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe had done it!\u00a0 She had reached the very top of White Mansion!\u00a0 It had been fun.\u00a0 There was still plenty of time left for Lupe to have more fun continuing on to some other peakbagging goals, but they were far enough away so Lupe needed to return to the G6 first.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP started heading back S.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP wasn&#8217;t looking forward to going back down the snowy chute\u00a0near the S end of White Mansion where Lupe first reached the top of the limestone cap.\u00a0 Going down there might be worse than coming up.\u00a0 Lupe found a squirrel to bark at down in the dip.\u00a0 While Lupe focused on the squirrel, SPHP looked down the slope to the E.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4428\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4428\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0190.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4428\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4428\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0190-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe intent on a squirrel.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0190.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0190.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0190.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0190.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0190.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4428\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe intent on a squirrel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>From the dip, a wide swath of ground to the E dropped off at a very manageable rate.\u00a0 Lupe could clearly lose a lot of elevation going that way without coming to any real obstacle.\u00a0 She would easily get well below the limestone cap.\u00a0 Whether there were cliffs farther down was impossible to say, but the route looked very promising.<\/p>\n<p>When Lupe was finally\u00a0satisfied that the squirrel wasn&#8217;t coming down out of the tree, Lupe and SPHP headed down to the E.\u00a0 There were no cliffs below.\u00a0 It soon became clear that this was by far the easiest way up and down the mountain.\u00a0 Pretty soon the highway from Nemo to Sturgis was in sight not that far below.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP turned S staying up on the mountainside.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe returned to the snowy field S of the limestone cap.\u00a0 She went back along the W rim of the S end of the mountain again.\u00a0 She again had a blast racing around in the snowy woods.\u00a0 At the very SE end of White Mansion, she found an even easier way down going through a little ravine\u00a0than the way she&#8217;d come up.\u00a0 Then Lupe and SPHP took a short cut SW through a valley back to USFS Road No. 414.6K.\u00a0 By 1:47 PM (50\u00b0F), Lupe was back at the G6.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe&#8217;s next peakbagging goal was Flagstaff Mountain, about 3 miles N of White Mansion.\u00a0 It was twice that far following the paved highways.\u00a0 The highway from Nemo to Sturgis went right around the E slopes of Flagstaff Mountain, but with all the snow plowed up along the shoulders, there wasn&#8217;t anywhere to park.\u00a0 SPHP finally found a place to park the G6 (2:09 PM, 48\u00b0F) next to the\u00a0highest spot on Flagstaff Mountain Lane just S of the mountain.<\/p>\n<p>Flagstaff Mountain was an easy climb.\u00a0 No steep stuff, no cliffs, just a stroll up a big hill.\u00a0 Lupe enjoyed herself sniffing around in the forest.\u00a0 Fairly high up on the S side of the mountain, there was a big treeless field.\u00a0 There were good views back to the S from the upper end of the field.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4429\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4429\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0191.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4429\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4429\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0191-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking S from the top of the field on the S side of Flagstaff Mountain. White Mansion (L) and the upper part of Green Top (Center) are in view. Harney Peak (7,242 ft.) can also be seen way in the distance on the R.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0191.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0191.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0191.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0191.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0191.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4429\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking S from the top of the field on the S side of Flagstaff Mountain. White Mansion (L) and the upper part of Green Top (Center) are in view. <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6236\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Harney Peak<\/a><\/strong><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>(7,242 ft.)<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0can also be seen way in the distance on the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>From the upper end of the field, Lupe had only another 100 feet of elevation to gain to reach the E end of the summit ridge.\u00a0 The summit ridge runs E\/W, and is shaped like a boomerang.\u00a0 The W end bends toward the SW, and the E end bends toward the SE.\u00a0 The W end is somewhat higher than the E end.\u00a0 Lupe reached the top of the ridge at the lower E end.<\/p>\n<p>The ridge was forested at both ends, but the middle was mostly open and grassy.\u00a0 Young trees dotted the broad, almost flat terrain.\u00a0 There was quite a bit of snow around, at least 6&#8243;,\u00a0blown into deeper drifts by the N wind.\u00a0 Tall trees along the S side of the ridge blocked the views in that direction.\u00a0 There were some tall trees to the N, too, but not as many.\u00a0 Terry Peak to the WNW was the most interesting point on the horizon.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4430\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4430\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0192.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4430\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4430\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0192-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The broad, snowy summit ridge of Flagstaff Mountain. It was breezy and cool up here. Photo looks WNW toward Terry Peak (R).\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0192.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0192.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0192.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0192.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0192.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4430\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The broad, snowy summit ridge of Flagstaff Mountain. It was breezy and cool up here. Photo looks WNW toward Terry Peak (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4431\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4431\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0193.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4431\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4431\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0193-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Veteran Peak (L), 4.5 miles due N of Flagstaff Mountain, with the help of the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0193.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0193.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0193.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0193.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0193.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4431\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Veteran Peak (L), 4.5 miles due N of Flagstaff Mountain, with the help of the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The very highest point on Flagstaff Mountain was all the way around at the far W end of the summit ridge.\u00a0 Here Lupe found the only significant rock formations on the mountain.\u00a0 They were only 10-15 feet tall, but provided a nice setting for a few summit shots.\u00a0 The summit area was pretty heavily forested.\u00a0 The only real view was a narrow one to the S toward White Mansion.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4432\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4432\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0194.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4432\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4432\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0194-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on the summit of Flagstaff Mountain at the W end of the ridge. Photo looks SW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0194.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0194.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0194.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0194.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0194.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4432\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on the summit of Flagstaff Mountain at the W end of the ridge. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4433\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4433\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0195.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4433\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4433\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0195-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking W at Lupe on the summit.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0195.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0195.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0195.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0195.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0195.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4433\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking W at Lupe on the summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4434\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4434\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0196.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4434\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4434\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0196-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe seemed happy to perch up on the very highest rock. Photo looks W.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0196.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0196.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0196.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0196.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0196.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4434\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe seemed happy to perch up on the very highest rock. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Instead of retracing her route along the summit ridge on the way back to the G6, Lupe left the summit heading W.\u00a0 After losing some elevation, she circled around to the SE to reach the grassy field again.\u00a0 There she headed E back to her original path up Flagstaff Mountain.\u00a0 All that remained was just a very easy trek back down into the woods, and on to the G6 (3:09 PM, 44\u00b0F).<\/p>\n<p>Exploring Flagstaff Mountain had taken only an hour.\u00a0 Lupe still had time left in the day for a 3rd peakbagging goal, as long as it was just a relatively short one, too.\u00a0 She had already\u00a0seen <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=-47530\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Veteran Peak<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,333 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, 4.5 miles due N, from Flagstaff Mountain.\u00a0 Veteran Peak was only 0.5 mile E of Vanocker Canyon Road, maybe 0.75 mile as the road to the top went.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe could do that!<\/p>\n<p>High winds were in the forecast for the next few days.\u00a0 In the 10 minutes it took to get from Flagstaff Mountain\u00a0Lane to the wide shoulder along Vanocker Canyon Road near the intersection with USFS Road No. 139.1, the weather had changed.\u00a0 Suddenly it wasn&#8217;t just breezy, it was windy out.\u00a0\u00a0The suddenly chill N wind wasn&#8217;t too bad down on the ground, but\u00a0it could sure be heard up in the treetops.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP hesitated.\u00a0 If the wind continued to strengthen rapidly, Veteran&#8217;s Peak in an early February\u00a0gale wasn&#8217;t going to be such a great experience.\u00a0 Perhaps it would be best to wait a few more minutes to see what happened.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe hadn&#8217;t eaten anything all day.\u00a0 Maybe she was hungry?\u00a0 SPHP offered her some Taste of the Wild in her silver bowl.\u00a0 She turned it down, at first.\u00a0 SPHP offered her a few pieces of it by hand.\u00a0 She took it and suddenly realized she really was hungry &#8211; famished actually!\u00a0 While Lupe devoured nearly the entire day&#8217;s supply of Taste of the Wild,\u00a0SPHP had a couple of tangerines.<\/p>\n<p>The wind hadn&#8217;t gotten any worse in another 10 minutes, so it was decision time.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP hopped out of the G6 (3:34 PM, 44\u00b0F).\u00a0 It would be fine.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP set out on USFS Road No. 139.1.\u00a0 Just 200 feet from the highway, there was a\u00a0side road\u00a0off No. 139.1 that turned NE up a hillside.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP stayed on the lower road, which wound around the SW side of the hill to the E, and then turned E.<\/p>\n<p>On the S side of the hill, Lupe was sheltered from the N wind.\u00a0 It was actually quite beautiful out.\u00a0 The now slanting sunlight was shining on the fresh, white snow.\u00a0 No. 139.1 gained elevation very gradually.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed along, happily.\u00a0 There were a few tracks in the snow.\u00a0 Someone had been cross country skiing here, and big paw prints showed they had a large dog with them.\u00a0 The paw prints went only one direction &#8211; the way Lupe was going, away from the highway.<\/p>\n<p>The towers up on Veteran Peak came into view.\u00a0 They couldn&#8217;t have been more than another couple hundred feet higher, probably less, and weren&#8217;t very far away.\u00a0 No. 139.1 didn&#8217;t go there, though.\u00a0 For a moment, at a very snowy spot, SPHP thought the road just ended, but then realized it just continued over a saddle going E downhill.\u00a0 Looking back, SPHP saw Lupe had just passed a faint road going up to the NW.\u00a0 There was a &#8220;No Motor Vehicles Allowed&#8221; marker there.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP took the faint side road.\u00a0 The snow was deep on it.\u00a0 There weren&#8217;t any tracks in the snow here.\u00a0 Lupe left quite a trail, though, bounding through the deep snow.\u00a0 The side road soon reached another road, which headed NE\u00a0on its way up\u00a0Veteran Peak.\u00a0 This road was covered with snow drifts 2-3 feet deep.\u00a0 It went up along the NW slope of Veteran Peak.\u00a0 With all the snow on the road, it was much easier for Lupe to just climb up onto the ridge above it.\u00a0 The wind had swept most of the snow off the ridge.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4435\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4435\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0197-e1554862848488.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4435\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0197-e1554862848488-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0197-e1554862848488.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0197-e1554862848488.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0197-e1554862848488.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0197-e1554862848488.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4435\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cimbing Veteran Peak. The top isn&#8217;t far off now!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Before long, Lupe was up on Veteran Peak.\u00a0 There were two big towers, each with a small building at its base.\u00a0 The top of the mountain was a nearly level ridge\u00a0of moderate length\u00a0running NNE\/SSW.\u00a0 There was plenty of room to move around, although there was quite a bit of snow drifted\u00a0up most places.\u00a0 The very highest point on the mountain seemed to be a rock between the two towers.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4436\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4436\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0198.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4436\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4436\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0198-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking N from Veteran Peak where Lupe first reached the top of the mountain.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0198.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0198.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0198.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0198.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0198.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4436\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking N from Veteran Peak where Lupe first reached the top of the mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The entire summit area was forested, not that thickly, but enough to prevent clear views\u00a0in most directions.\u00a0 There was a view off to the N where Lupe first reached the top of the mountain.\u00a0 From the highest rock, Lupe could see off to the S and SE, but that was about it.\u00a0 Disappointingly, <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6222\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bear Butte<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, out on the plains to the NE,\u00a0which should have been the most interesting feature in sight, could only be glimpsed between the pines.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4437\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4437\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0199-e1554862907496.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4437\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0199-e1554862907496-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0199-e1554862907496.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0199-e1554862907496.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0199-e1554862907496.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0199-e1554862907496.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4437\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking NNE along the Veteran Peak summit ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4439\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4439\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0203.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4439\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4439\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0203-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on the true summit rock. Photo looks S, the direction of the most wide open views.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0203.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0203.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0203.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0203.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0203.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4439\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on the true summit rock. Photo looks S, the direction of the most wide open views.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4441\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4441\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0205-e1554862974577.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4441\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0205-e1554862974577-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0205-e1554862974577.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0205-e1554862974577.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0205-e1554862974577.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0205-e1554862974577.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4441\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking SSW back along the summit ridge from near the NNE end.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Moments after Lupe\u00a0started back down the SSW ridge on her way back to the G6, the weather changed again.\u00a0 While she&#8217;d been up on top, the skies were clear and sunny.\u00a0 The wind had died down.\u00a0 Now an unpleasant breeze was suddenly picking up again.\u00a0 The air seemed colder than before.<\/p>\n<p>Dark\u00a0clouds spread rapidly\u00a0across the sky\u00a0from the NW.\u00a0 The sun disappeared from view.\u00a0 The mood changed. \u00a0Veteran Peak\u00a0transformed into\u00a0a lonely, forsaken outpost.\u00a0 The natural world was still beautiful, but also hinting that it could be cruel as well.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe stayed on the upper road.\u00a0 When she got around to the SW side of the hill between Veteran Peak and the G6, she could see USFS Road No. 139.1 below.\u00a0 A big dog was down there, and a cross country skier, too.\u00a0 Like Lupe, they were on their way back to their vehicle.\u00a0 It turned out two more dogs and several people were waiting for them down by the highway.\u00a0 The big dog&#8217;s name was Bear.<\/p>\n<p>A few minutes of sniffing and it was time to go.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were into the G6 and headed for home.\u00a0 (4:34 PM, 38\u00b0F)\u00a0 Alpo, a soft bed and her blankie awaited the lucky Carolina Dog.\u00a0 Meanwhile, a roaring ferocious night swept in on the creatures of the Black Hills.\u00a0 To live wild and free,\u00a0you have to be\u00a0incredibly tough!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4440\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4440\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0204-e1554863593279.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4440\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0204-e1554863593279-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0204-e1554863593279.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0204-e1554863593279.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0204-e1554863593279.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0204-e1554863593279.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4440\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Veteran Peak<\/strong>, Black Hills, South Dakota 2-6-16<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=4568\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Next Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=4185\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe&#8217;s <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=3964\">Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index<\/a><\/strong><\/span> or <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lupe was off to a late start.\u00a0 It got later when SPHP realized the camera had been left behind.\u00a0 Doh!\u00a0 Going back to retrieve the camera cost another 40 minutes.\u00a0 It was already 10:27 AM (44\u00b0F) by the time SPHP parked the G6 along the start of USFS Road No. 414.6K. Lupe was eager to &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=4409\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 155 &#8211; White Mansion, Flagstaff Mountain &#038; Veteran Peak (2-6-16)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[105,9,106,566,104,304,567,565],"class_list":["post-4409","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-flagstaff-mountain","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota","tag-veteran-peak","tag-white-mansion"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/IMG_0203.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\/4409","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=4409"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4409\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28275,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4409\/revisions\/28275"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4409"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4409"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4409"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}