{"id":44686,"date":"2023-03-04T08:10:57","date_gmt":"2023-03-04T15:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=44686"},"modified":"2023-05-18T18:37:57","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T00:37:57","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-313-centennial-trail-no-89-south-from-bear-butte-lake-with-cousin-laddie-2-12-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=44686","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 313 – Centennial Trail No. 89: South from Bear Butte Lake with Cousin Laddie (2-12-23)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Where to?\u00a0 This was only the second full day of Cousin Laddie’s stay at Hotel Lupe, but also the last one, too.\u00a0 Tomorrow Laddie would already be on his way back home to Colorado.\u00a0 Gotta come up with something worthy of the occasion, but with a fair amount of snow in some parts of the Black Hills, what would be a good choice?<\/p>\n

SPHP didn’t have to ponder the question long.\u00a0 But, of course!\u00a0 Why not?\u00a0 Both Uncle Joe and Laddie had enjoyed yesterday’s trek N from Fort Meade along Centennial Trail No. 89.\u00a0 They might enjoy completing that whole segment of the trail leading to Bear Butte Lake by starting at the lake, and working back toward Fort Meade.\u00a0 Ought to be easy to link up with the point where everyone turned back yesterday.<\/p>\n

When Uncle Joe expressed enthusiasm for this plan, the die was cast.<\/p>\n

10:45 AM, 49\u00baF, Bear Butte Lake trailhead, Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/em> – Just as sunny and warm today as yesterday, but a 20 mph NW wind sweeping across the frozen lake sure made it feel colder.\u00a0 Joe and SPHP bundled up a bit and were fine.\u00a0 Lupe apparently was, too.\u00a0 No need to worry about Cousin Laddie under all that luxuriant Sheltie fur!<\/p>\n

Everyone was soon ready to hit the trail, which started out heading SW along a mowed path a little way from the lake’s SE shore.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/strong> from the trailhead. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joe and Lupe about to head out. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the mighty Bear Butte Lake glacier<\/strong> near the very start. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte Lak<\/strong>e with the Black Hills<\/strong> beyond. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Halfway along the SE shore, Centennial Trail No. 89 went quite close to the lake.\u00a0 Might as well go have a look!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte Lake<\/strong> from the SE shore. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/strong> from Bear Butte Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joe and Laddie get in on the act. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After passing a small bay at the S end of the lake, the trail headed W out onto the prairie.\u00a0 Going gradually up a long rise, the trail flattened out near Hill 3204<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Venturing a short distance off-trail, the hill provided a sweet view of Bear Butte Lake with Bear Butte<\/span><\/a> (4,422 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> beyond.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading out onto the prairie. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte Lake<\/strong> and Bear Butte<\/strong> from Hill 3204<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Returning to Centennial Trail No. 89, it continued W across a featureless plain, eventually angling SW toward a ridge.\u00a0 From the top this ridge there was a last view of Bear Butte and Bear Butte Lake back to the NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading for the ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/strong> and Bear Butte Lake<\/strong> from the top of the ridge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A vast expanse of prairie was now in sight to the W with the Black Hills beyond it.\u00a0 Crook Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,930 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was readily identifiable to the WSW past Oyster Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,040 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, although neither looked all that big from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oyster Mountain<\/strong> (the darkly forested hill way beyond Lupe) with Crook Mountain<\/strong> (slightly L) beyond it. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The most interesting view, though, was to the S.\u00a0 The long ridge everyone had reached yesterday from Fort Meade was 1.5 miles away.\u00a0 Since there was plenty of time to get over to it, a short break was taken here before continuing on.\u00a0 Conditions were more pleasant now, the N wind having died down somewhat.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SSW toward the long, flat, grassy ridge that was today’s objective.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon everyone was ready to press on.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 went S as it now descended toward the lowlands.\u00a0 Near a pond, the trail reached a fence line, which it followed SW to a gate.\u00a0 Going through the gate, the trail became more of a faint 2 track road as it headed S again.\u00a0 By the time it eventually curved SW, the majority of the distance to the next ridge had already been covered.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the destination ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the end of this stretch through the lowlands, the trail curved SE, starting up toward the same gap in the ridge to the S everyone had made it to yesterday.\u00a0 In this region, Cousin Laddie and Uncle Joe successfully completed their explorations of Centennial Trail No. 89 between Fort Meade and Bear Butte Lake.\u00a0 Nearly to the ridge now, going all the way to the top again seemed like the thing to do.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Joe and Laddie heading up to the gap<\/strong> (R). Bear Butte<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking ESE down on the gap<\/strong> as Joe and Laddie complete the trek up onto the ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once up on the ridge, the plan was to take a break somewhere along the N edge.\u00a0 Going W along the rim, a second point jutting out toward the N seemed like a good spot.\u00a0 The upper E side provided some shelter from the wind, which was still blowing.\u00a0 This area overlooked a ravine full of snow that extended clear back down to the prairie.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe and Laddie on a snowbank near the break spot. Bear Butte<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just like yesterday, SPHP let Laddie and Lupe split a chocolate coconut bar, followed up by as much Taste of the Wild as they wanted.\u00a0 Joe and SPHP had apples and Kirkland bars again.\u00a0 Water, of course, for anyone who wanted it.<\/p>\n

Sweeping views of the low prairie looked like one might go on exploring forever.\u00a0 Only 2 miles W, the Black Hills beckoned clad in dark pines.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Black Hills<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A small pond was in sight about 0.5 mile N out on the prairie.\u00a0 Although Centennial Trail No. 89 didn’t go to it, getting there would be easy.\u00a0 The plan for the return became to follow the long snowfield extending down the ravine, then continue across the prairie to visit this little pond.<\/p>\n

However, what looked like a carcass was visible down along the W side of the ravine.\u00a0 Before everyone got underway again, Joe leashed Laddie up to prevent him from getting anywhere near it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Laddie with the anti-carcass leash on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joe and Laddie out on the breezy point. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The snow in the ravine was strong, supporting even SPHP’s weight.\u00a0 Joe and Laddie completely by-passed the carcass, but Lupe and SPHP went over for a look.\u00a0 The cow had been dead so long that even the Carolina Dog didn’t want a thing to do with it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading down the snow-filled ravine. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The poor icky cow! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After sticking with the snow in the ravine until it ran out, the trek across the prairie to the little pond was next.\u00a0 A bit of cactus caused Loopster to insist upon implementing her anti-cactus strategy, which basically meant SPHP had to go first, certifying the route directly ahead was cacti-free.\u00a0 Only then would Lupe follow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SW back up toward the ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loop on her way down. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Exploring the prairie. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The little pond was frozen, of course.\u00a0 Uncle Joe ventured onto the ice.\u00a0 Cousin Laddie eventually did, too.\u00a0 The American Dingo and SPHP did not.\u00a0 The only other thing of interest here was a gnarled tree on a small barren rise just NE of the pond.\u00a0 Even the tree wasn’t all that fascinating, but at least Lupe and Laddie could say they’d been here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Uncle Joe out on the ice. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the gnarled tree. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heading E from the pond and its lone gnarled tree, Centennial Trail No. 89 was soon reached again.\u00a0 Rather than go back entirely along the same route, the day’s journey concluded with a detour around the N side of Bear Butte Lake on the way back to the trailhead.<\/p>\n

This involved a trek through a campground, following a primitive road through some trees where there were big mounds of snow, and ended with a short-cut through an extensive, currently dry region of cattails.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Bear Butte<\/strong> and Bear Butte Lake<\/strong> back in sight again. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting close to Bear Butte Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On a snowbank near the W end of the lake. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Setting out around the N side of Bear Butte Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By 2:40 PM, the day’s outdoor adventures were over.\u00a0 It had been a fun time with Cousin Laddie and Uncle Joe.\u00a0 Although Hotel Lupe wasn’t serving dinner tonight, Grandma was throwing a Super Bowl party at her apartment.<\/p>\n

There were lots of good things to eat!\u00a0 Lupe got a Busy Rib Hide.\u00a0 Laddie didn’t, because he had only one front tooth to chew with, his L canine that earned him his Cousin Snaggle Fang nickname, but he could have Beggin’ Strips.\u00a0 Both cousins also enjoyed plenty of baked chicken that SPHP doled out.<\/p>\n

Lupe was disappointed the Dingoes weren’t even in it, but the Super Bowl was actually exciting this year!\u00a0 The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38 to 35 in a high-scoring duel undecided until the final seconds.<\/p>\n

Cousin Laddie’s brief visit to Hotel Lupe and the Black Hills with Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea had been a marvelous time!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were so glad they had come, even though 2.5 happy days together had flown by all too quickly.\u00a0 The next morning it was sad to see them go.<\/p>\n

No one at the time, though, realized just how extremely sad it was.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
With Cousin Laddie<\/strong> & Uncle Joe<\/strong> near Bear Butte Lake<\/strong>, South Dakota 2-12-23<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Next Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Centennial Trail No. 89 Brochure & Map<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Lupe & Laddie’s GPS Track to the Break Spot<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Remembering Cousin Laddie<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 312 – Centennial Trail No. 312 North from Fort Meade with Cousin Laddie (2-11-22)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 149 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Fort Meade to Bear Butte Lake (12-19-15)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0 Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY\u00a0Expeditions\u00a0Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, <\/em>Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a>, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where to?\u00a0 This was only the second full day of Cousin Laddie’s stay at Hotel Lupe, but also the last one, too.\u00a0 Tomorrow Laddie would already be on his way back home to Colorado.\u00a0 Gotta come up with something worthy of the occasion, but with a fair amount of snow in some parts of the … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 313 – Centennial Trail No. 89: South from Bear Butte Lake with Cousin Laddie (2-12-23)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44604,"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":[105,1618,9,106,527,451,1464,104,304],"class_list":["post-44686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-bear-butte-lake","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-centennial-trail-no-89","tag-joe","tag-laddie","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/IMG_0601-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\/44686","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=44686"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48718,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44686\/revisions\/48718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/44604"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}