{"id":4796,"date":"2016-03-07T08:10:47","date_gmt":"2016-03-07T15:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=4796"},"modified":"2024-05-10T18:23:26","modified_gmt":"2024-05-11T00:23:26","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-159-bluelead-mountain-calumet-ridge-2-29-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=4796","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 159 &#8211; Bluelead Mountain &#038; Calumet Ridge (2-29-16)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>While Lupe had been on Expedition No. 158 to Echo Peak, Tepee Peak and Eagle Mountain, SPHP had been thinking about it.\u00a0 Tomorrow was Leap Day, February 29th, the rarest date on the calendar.<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, American Dingoes don&#8217;t live long enough to see more than a handful of Leap Days, 4 or 5 at the very most.\u00a0 One of\u00a0Lupe&#8217;s\u00a0few Leap Days (2012) was already behind her.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe should go on another expedition tomorrow, just to celebrate this rare date!\u00a0 She wouldn&#8217;t get many more chances.\u00a0 So, it was settled.\u00a0 Lupe was going on Expedition No. 159 in the morning.<\/p>\n<p>Alas, she did not!\u00a0 Leap Day morning brought gray skies and a cool breeze.\u00a0 It started snowing.\u00a0\u00a0A Leap Day expedition\u00a0had been a good idea, but there was no sense going out in this.<\/p>\n<p>Early in the afternoon, though, the snow stopped.\u00a0 The skies cleared for a little while.\u00a0 There was still time, not for a long expedition, but Lupe could still go!\u00a0 It had to be someplace not too far away, though.\u00a0 There were still a few named peaks\u00a0nearby that Lupe had never visited.\u00a0\u00a0Climbing one of them would make the day memorable.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP quickly settled on <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=66592\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bluelead Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,170 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0near Sheridan Lake.\u00a0 It really wasn&#8217;t a terribly exciting choice.\u00a0 Bluelead Mountain is only a sub peak of nearby <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=38377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Calumet Ridge<\/strong><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,601 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but Lupe had been to Calumet Ridge once before back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 108\u00a0on 12-11-14.\u00a0 At least Bluelead Mountain was something new, and the hike up Spring Creek from the trailhead to the lake would be scenic.<\/p>\n<p>No time to lose!\u00a0 SPHP threw everything together.\u00a0 Lupe seemed quite surprised that anything was going to happen this late in the day just one day after a prior expedition, but she was all for it.\u00a0 It was 2:00 PM (37\u00b0F) exactly when SPHP parked the G6 at the Spring Creek trailhead for Centennial Trail No. 89.\u00a0 The sky was overcast again, but it wasn&#8217;t snowing.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP took off following the trail up Spring Creek.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4760\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4760\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0383.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4760\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4760\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0383-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on Centennial Trail No. 89 heading up Spring Creek toward Sheridan Lake.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0383.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0383.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0383.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0383.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0383.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4760\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on Centennial Trail No. 89 heading up Spring Creek toward Sheridan Lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Everything was going well, until Lupe reached the first bridge over Spring Creek.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t there!\u00a0 Well, it was, but it no longer went across Spring Creek.\u00a0 Instead it was sitting uselessly up along the near shore.\u00a0 Whether the other end had been loosened and swept back by the creek during high water, or officials had decided to effectively close the trail was unclear.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4761\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4761\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0384.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4761\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4761\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0384-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe sits on the now useless bridge that used to go across Spring Creek.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0384.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0384.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0384.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0384.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0384.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4761\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe sits on the now useless bridge that used to go across Spring Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There were other bridges (or used to be) upstream.\u00a0 Maybe Lupe could go along the near shore far enough to reach one of them.\u00a0 A short reconnaissance revealed that the terrain upstream was just too rough to waste time even trying.\u00a0 The creek was too big and cold to cross.\u00a0 Lupe had to go back to the trailhead.<\/p>\n<p>Along the way, SPHP seemed to remember another bridge a bit farther downstream that went to a seldom used shortcut to the Flume Trail.\u00a0 Maybe that would work.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP followed Spring Creek downstream well beyond the trailhead.\u00a0 No bridge anywhere.<\/p>\n<p>Well, piddle!\u00a0 Now what?\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP returned to the G6.\u00a0 On to the Dakota Point trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89!\u00a0 It was only a few miles away.\u00a0 Dakota Point was well above the level of Sheridan Lake.\u00a0 There was a direct route to Sheridan Lake dam that didn&#8217;t involve multiple creek crossings.\u00a0\u00a0The only crossing was on a\u00a0really good bridge over the spillway.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, please!\u00a0 Really?\u00a0 100 yards from the Dakota Point trailhead, a power line was drooping down onto part of the road.\u00a0 How long had it been like that?\u00a0 This little snow earlier in the day couldn&#8217;t have done that.\u00a0 SPHP turned the G6 around and parked it (2:37 PM, 37\u00b0F).\u00a0 The G6 wasn&#8217;t on the highway.\u00a0 It would be fine.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went under the droopy power line, and hit the Centennial Trail.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4762\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4762\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0385.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4762\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4762\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0385-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Ever get the feeling something wasn't meant to be? Lupe by the droopy power line. The Dakota Point trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89 is just another 100 yards ahead.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0385.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0385.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0385.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0385.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0385.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4762\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ever get the feeling something wasn&#8217;t meant to be? Lupe by the droopy power line. The Dakota Point trailhead of Centennial Trail No. 89 is just another 100 yards ahead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe was off to a mighty late start.\u00a0 It was a good thing Bluelead Mountain is right next to Sheridan Lake.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t that high, and wasn&#8217;t that far away.\u00a0 Lupe was still going to climb it!<\/p>\n<p>Things started going better.\u00a0 Lupe was enjoying exploring the snowy woods.\u00a0 There was none of the target practice gunfire she had to endure on yesterday&#8217;s Expedition No. 158.\u00a0 SPHP made good time on the trail.<\/p>\n<p>The first part of the trail actually\u00a0coincided with\u00a0a dirt road buried beneath the new fallen snow.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When Lupe reached the place where\u00a0Centennial Trail No. 89 left the road, she stayed on the road instead.\u00a0 The official trail would have led her winding back down a very scenic route to Spring Creek, but there was no reason to go clear down there, especially not knowing if the rest of the bridges across the creek were still intact.<\/p>\n<p>The road swung around to the S, went over a little rise and then started to lose elevation steadily.\u00a0 It took Lupe all the way down to the spillway next to the dam.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4763\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4763\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4763\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0386-e1600803089379-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0386-e1600803089379.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0386-e1600803089379.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0386-e1600803089379.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0386-e1600803089379.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0386-e1600803089379.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0386-e1600803089379.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4763\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe reaches the bridge over the Sheridan Lake spillway. Good thing THIS bridge was still intact!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4764\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4764\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0387.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4764\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4764\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0387-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"A first look at Sheridan Lake from the spillway bridge. Photo looks SW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0387.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0387.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0387.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0387.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0387.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4764\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A first look at Sheridan Lake from the spillway bridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe went over the spillway bridge, hopped over a dead tree fallen across the trail, and followed the trail up a small forested hill.\u00a0 On the S side of the hill, Lupe got her first view of her Leap Day objective, Bluelead Mountain.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4765\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4765\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4765\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0388-e1600803526242-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0388-e1600803526242.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0388-e1600803526242.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0388-e1600803526242.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0388-e1600803526242.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0388-e1600803526242.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0388-e1600803526242.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4765\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">High Point 5516 (L), Calumet Ridge (Center), and Bluelead Mountain (R). Photo looks S across the Sheridan Lake dam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4766\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4766\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0389.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4766\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4766\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0389-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"High Point 5516 was higher and more interesting looking than Bluelead Mountain, but isn't a named peak.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0389.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0389.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0389.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0389.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0389.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4766\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">High Point 5516 was higher and more interesting looking than Bluelead Mountain, but isn&#8217;t a named peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe went down a stone stairway to reach the N end of Sheridan Lake dam.\u00a0 From the dam she had a better view of the lake than back at the spillway.\u00a0 Below the dam, Lupe could see Spring Creek.\u00a0 The level line of Flume Trail No. 50 could be seen on the side of the hill to the E.\u00a0 Flume Trail No. 50 goes from Sheridan Lake to Coon Hollow near Rockerville.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4767\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4767\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0390.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4767\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4767\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0390-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Sheridan Lake as seen from the N end of the dam. Less than half of the lake is in view here. Photo looks SW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0390.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0390.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0390.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0390.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0390.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4767\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sheridan Lake as seen from the N end of the dam. Less than half of the lake is in view here. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4768\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4768\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0391.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4768\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4768\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0391-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Spring Creek is barely visible down below the dam, but the line made on the hillside to the E by Flume Trail No. 50 is quite noticeable. Photo looks E.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0391.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0391.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0391.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0391.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0391.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4768\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spring Creek is barely visible down below the dam, but the line made on the hillside to the E by Flume Trail No. 50 is quite noticeable. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4769\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4769\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0392.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4769\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4769\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0392-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The spillway is just around the other side of the closest rocky point. Photo looks NW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0392.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0392.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0392.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0392.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0392.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4769\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The spillway is just around the other side of the closest rocky point. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP crossed Sheridan Lake dam heading SSW.\u00a0\u00a0Beyond the S end of the dam, Lupe followed short segments of Centennial Trail No. 89 and then Flume Trail No. 50.\u00a0 The base of Bluelead Mountain forms the SE shore of Sheridan Lake.\u00a0 The summit was only another 0.5 mile or so to the SSW.\u00a0 After gaining a little elevation on Flume Trail No. 50, Lupe left the trail to\u00a0continue climbing directly up toward the summit.<\/p>\n<p>Bluelead Mountain is very thickly forested with Ponderosa pines.\u00a0 Even though Bluelead Mountain is right next to Sheridan Lake,\u00a0the lake could hardly be seen.\u00a0 After a short steep stretch, Lupe came to parts of the dense forest that were nearly level.\u00a0 She had a great time prowling around being a ferocious Carolina Dog.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4770\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4770\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0393.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4770\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4770\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0393-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"A ferocious Carolina Dog prowls the dense forest on the N slope of Bluelead Mountain.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0393.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0393.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0393.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0393.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0393.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4770\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A ferocious Carolina Dog prowls the dense forest on the N slope of Bluelead Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Eventually the terrain began to steepen again.\u00a0 Lupe gained a fair amount of elevation and arrived at the first high point, which was still a\u00a0little way\u00a0N of the true summit.\u00a0 There was a bit of a view between the trees looking NW across Sheridan Lake.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4771\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4771\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0394.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4771\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4771\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0394-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe reaches the first high point a short distance N of the true summit of Bluelead Mountain. Photo looks N.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0394.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0394.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0394.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0394.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0394.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4771\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe reaches the first high point a short distance N of the true summit of Bluelead Mountain. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4772\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4772\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0395.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4772\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4772\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0395-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking NW across Sheridan Lake.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0395.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0395.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0395.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0395.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0395.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4772\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking NW across Sheridan Lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe continued S.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t very much farther to the true summit of Bluelead Mountain now at all.\u00a0 She lost a little elevation at first, but then the terrain rose steeply.\u00a0 The top of Bluelead Mountain turned out to be quite rocky, but was pretty much buried in the trees.\u00a0 There were only glimpses of views in a few select directions.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4773\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4773\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0396.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4773\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4773\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0396-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe nears the summit of Bluelead Mountain. Those straight up pointy rocks on the right are the very top! Photo looks S.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0396.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0396.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0396.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0396.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0396.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4773\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe nears the summit of Bluelead Mountain. Those straight up pointy rocks on the right are the very top! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4774\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4774\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0397.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4774\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4774\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0397-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe sits high up near the very tallest rocks on Bluelead Mountain. Photo looks W.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0397.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0397.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0397.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0397.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0397.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4774\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe sits high up near the very tallest rocks on Bluelead Mountain. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4775\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4775\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0398.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4775\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4775\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0398-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Those rocks at the top of Bluelead Mountain were big! Photo looks S.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0398.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0398.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0398.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0398.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0398.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4775\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Those rocks at the top of Bluelead Mountain were big! Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4776\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4776\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0399.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4776\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4776\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0399-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"A glimpse to the N from the top.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0399.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0399.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0399.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0399.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0399.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4776\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A glimpse to the N from the top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0400.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4777\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-4777\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0400-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on Bluelead Mountain, 2-29-16\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0400.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0400.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0400.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0400.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0400.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4778\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4778\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0401.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4778\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4778\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0401-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking S at Calumet Ridge from Bluelead Mountain.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0401.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0401.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0401.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0401.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0401.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4778\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking S at Calumet Ridge from Bluelead Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The rock formations at the summit of Bluelead Mountain were rather imposing coming from the N.\u00a0 It didn&#8217;t look at all possible to get near the top from the W.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went around to the E where SPHP was able to lift Lupe up onto a relatively level rock platform next to the very highest rocks.\u00a0 After a few photos, Lupe jumped down again.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP peered over the ridge expecting to see a straight drop down to the SW, but was surprised to see a very easy route to the top.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP scrambled over a few rocks to get over there, and then just strolled up to the summit.\u00a0 Lupe&#8217;s rare Leap Day peakbagging expedition was a success!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4779\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4779\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0402.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4779\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4779\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0402-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe's Leap Day expedition to Bluelead Mountain was a success! She had no way of knowing that her Leap Day expedition was about to get a whole lot more interesting!\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0402.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0402.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0402.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0402.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0402.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4779\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe&#8217;s Leap Day expedition to Bluelead Mountain was a success! She had no way of knowing that her Leap Day expedition was about to get a whole lot more interesting!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP had a chocolate coconut granola bar to celebrate.\u00a0 The skies had cleared quite a bit and it was sunny out.\u00a0 It no longer seemed so late.\u00a0 Of course, Lupe could just call it good and\u00a0go back to the G6.\u00a0 However, it seemed like she ought to take advantage of the rest of the day and do something more.\u00a0 The only other obvious possibility was to continue on S to climb Calumet Ridge again.\u00a0 Well, why not?<\/p>\n<p>Lupe lost a little elevation continuing S from the summit of Bluelead Mountain.\u00a0 As the ground leveled out,\u00a0she reached the edge of a small clearing in the forest.\u00a0 Lupe stopped.\u00a0 There was something right out in the open on the other side of the clearing, something Lupe had never ever seen before in 158 prior Black Hills expeditions, or on any of her Dingo Vacations either.<\/p>\n<p>A full grown mountain lion stood staring at Lupe and SPHP.\u00a0 It was frozen in mid-step, looking\u00a0like it had just entered the clearing, too.\u00a0 The lion seemed hesitant.\u00a0 A ferocious Carolina Dog here in its territory?\u00a0 The Bluelead Mountain mountain lion was shocked and confused.\u00a0 It paused, uncertain for a moment what to do about this unexpected intrusion.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe stood quiet and motionless.\u00a0 She likes cats, but this was one mighty big kitty!\u00a0 In fact, it looked like kittysaurus!\u00a0 For a moment, Lupe just stared.\u00a0 Who knew a kitty could get this big?<\/p>\n<p>The moment wouldn&#8217;t last.\u00a0 Instantly, SPHP knew what to do.\u00a0 Off\u00a0with the bulky gloves, grab the camera, off with the lens cap, hit the power button, wait a second or two for the lens to\u00a0adjust\u00a0&#8230;\u00a0Lupe took a few steps toward the mountain lion.\u00a0 It turned and fled into the forest.\u00a0 Click!\u00a0 Too late or not?\u00a0 SPHP hit the review button.<\/p>\n<p>Gah!\u00a0 Too late.\u00a0 A nice boring photo of an empty clearing where a moment before the only mountain lion Lupe had ever encountered in the wild had stood.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4780\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4780\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4780\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4780\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The clearing where Lupe saw the Bluelead Mountain mountain lion only a moment before.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4780\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The clearing where Lupe saw the Bluelead Mountain mountain lion only a moment before.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Almost!\u00a0 So close!\u00a0 But, no.\u00a0 Missed it by what, a second or two?\u00a0 If that.\u00a0 Lupe looked up at SPHP.\u00a0 &#8220;Did you see that humongous kitty?&#8221;\u00a0 &#8220;Yup, sure did!&#8221;\u00a0 &#8220;I was just thinking, maybe you should put the cats at home on a diet?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The moment wouldn&#8217;t return.\u00a0 The big cat was gone.\u00a0 Even so, suddenly Lupe&#8217;s afternoon expedition on February 29th really did seem special.\u00a0 Just seeing the lion was a big treat.\u00a0 Expedition No. 159 was a very memorable\u00a0success no matter what happened from here.\u00a0 Funny, if it hadn&#8217;t been Leap Day, if hadn&#8217;t snowed in the morning, if the bridge hadn&#8217;t been missing, Lupe would never have seen the Bluelead Mountain mountain lion.<\/p>\n<p>A rough road left the clearing continuing S from near where the lion had been.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP followed it.\u00a0 SPHP couldn&#8217;t help but glance now and then\u00a0off\u00a0into the forest to the E where the mountain lion had disappeared, just in case, but the shy cat made no reappearance.<\/p>\n<p>Quite a few rough roads were carved into the side of Calumet Ridge.\u00a0 At times Lupe and SPHP followed them.\u00a0 Other times Lupe just climbed along a rocky spine of the mountain up through the forest.\u00a0 She came to one place with a great open view back toward Sheridan Lake.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4781\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4781\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0405.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4781\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4781\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0405-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Sheridan Lake from the NW slopes of Calumet Ridge. Photo looks NW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0405.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0405.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0405.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0405.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0405.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4781\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sheridan Lake from the NW slopes of Calumet Ridge. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4782\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4782\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0406.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4782\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4782\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0406-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Mount Warner (5,889 ft.) (L of center) from the NW slopes of Calumet Ridge.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0406.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0406.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0406.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0406.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0406.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4782\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=38376\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mount Warner<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,889 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L of center) from the NW slopes of Calumet Ridge.\u00a0 Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4783\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4783\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0407.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4783\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4783\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0407-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Five Points (6,221 ft.) (just R of Center) from the NW slopes of Calumet Ridge.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0407.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0407.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0407.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0407.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0407.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4783\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=60383\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Five Points<\/a><\/strong><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>(6,221 ft.)<\/strong><\/span> (just R of Center) from the NW slopes of Calumet Ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A steep, rough snowy road led Lupe the last part of the way up to the top of Calumet Ridge.\u00a0\u00a0A\u00a0level spot\u00a0near the summit\u00a0featured wide open views to the E.\u00a0 <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=38379\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Silver Mountain<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,405 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which Lupe had seen just yesterday on Expedition No. 158, was once again in sight &#8211; this time off to the SE.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4784\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4784\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0408.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4784\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4784\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0408-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Silver Mountain. Photo looks SE.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0408.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0408.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0408.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0408.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0408.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4784\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Silver Mountain. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>From the E viewpoint, the road turned SW to reveal a beautiful look at <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6236\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Harney Peak<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(7,242 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4785\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4785\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0409.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4785\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4785\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0409-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Harney Peak (R) from near the N summit of Calumet Ridge. Photo looks SW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0409.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0409.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0409.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0409.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0409.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4785\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Harney Peak (R) from near the N summit of Calumet Ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe reached the N summit of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=38377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Calumet Ridge<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,601 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and posed on the highest boulder to claim her 2nd peakbagging success of the day.\u00a0 The N summit is in the trees, so there weren&#8217;t any views.\u00a0 Just a little to the NW there was a partial look at Sheridan Lake, but it wasn&#8217;t as good as the view Lupe had already seen from lower down on the mountain.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4786\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4786\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0410.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4786\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4786\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0410-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on the N summit of Calumet Ridge. Photo looks NE.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0410.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0410.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0410.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0410.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0410.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4786\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on the N summit of Calumet Ridge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The sun was starting to get pretty low, but Lupe still had a little unfinished business on Calumet Ridge.<\/p>\n<p>Although the true summit appears officially on the <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=38377\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Peakbagger.com<\/a><\/span><\/strong> topo map as 5,601 ft. at the N summit which Lupe had just visited, there is another possible true summit about 0.33 mile farther S along the ridge.\u00a0 The topo map shows a small area there enclosed by the 5,600 ft. contour.\u00a0 Lupe was going to go to this S summit, too, just to make certain she really had reached the highest point on the mountain.<\/p>\n<p>The S summit block is\u00a0considerably trickier to get up onto than the easy boulder at the N summit.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP had no problems scrambling up, though.\u00a0 Now Lupe could claim her Calumet Ridge peakbagging success with absolute certainty.\u00a0 There was room to move around up on top of the S summit block, but not a great deal.\u00a0 The best views were to the SW toward Harney Peak.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4787\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4787\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0411.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4787\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4787\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0411-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe approaches the S summit block on Calumet Ridge. Photo looks S.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0411.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0411.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0411.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0411.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0411.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4787\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe approaches the S summit block on Calumet Ridge. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4788\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4788\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0412.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4788\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4788\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0412-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Success! Lupe up on top of the S summit block. Photo looks N.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0412.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0412.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0412.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0412.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0412.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4788\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Success! Lupe up on top of the S summit block. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4789\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4789\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0413.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4789\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4789\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0413-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Harney Peak (Center) and Mount Warner (R) from the S summit of Calumet Ridge.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0413.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0413.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0413.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0413.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0413.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4789\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Harney Peak (Center) and Mount Warner (R) from the S summit of Calumet Ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-4790\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0414-e1600803748488-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0414-e1600803748488.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0414-e1600803748488.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0414-e1600803748488.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0414-e1600803748488.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0414-e1600803748488.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0414-e1600803748488.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4791\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4791\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0415.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4791\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4791\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0415-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Harney Peak using the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0415.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0415.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0415.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0415.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0415.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4791\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Harney Peak using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Now it really was\u00a0getting late in the day.\u00a0 While Lupe had been up on Calumet Ridge, the sun was sinking ever lower in the W.\u00a0 It was getting increasingly cloudy again, too.\u00a0 As Lupe left the S summit heading N back along the ridge, the sun disappeared behind the clouds.<\/p>\n<p>Not far from the N summit, Lupe reached a saddle where roads met.\u00a0 It was too late to think about going back to the G6 by way of\u00a0Bluelead Mountain.\u00a0\u00a0 Lupe had to stick to the roads now.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP took a road leading WNW down the mountain.\u00a0 It soon curved sharply and went SSE, losing elevation all along the way.<\/p>\n<p>As Lupe headed down the road, an ominously\u00a0dark cloud bank appeared off to the NW.\u00a0 It looked like snow was coming, or maybe fog.\u00a0 Gradually the low, thick cloud drew nearer obscuring the mountaintops and bringing a chilly gloom with it.\u00a0 Twilight faded.\u00a0 Just as Lupe reached a junction with another road clear down at the S end of Calumet Ridge, the snow came.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP turned white.\u00a0 Lupe was as far from the G6 as she had been all day.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe still had a lot of elevation to lose.\u00a0 She followed roads that went NW down toward the Blue Wing subdivision on a S\u00a0inlet of Sheridan Lake.\u00a0 It was\u00a0night, and still snowing\u00a0when\u00a0Lupe got to Blue Wing.\u00a0 No one was around.\u00a0 Nothing stirred.\u00a0 There were no tracks on the paved subdivision roads slick with snow-covered ice.<\/p>\n<p>There were security lights on, though.\u00a0 And a few of the homes\u00a0sported Christmas lights.\u00a0 In a year that had almost no winter, suddenly, late on the last day of February, on Leap Night, for a couple of hours, winter reigned briefly again.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP found Centennial Trail No. 89.\u00a0 Leaving the silent lights of Blue Wing behind, the flashlight had to come out as Lupe followed the\u00a0narrow\u00a0trail in the darkness.\u00a0 It wound through the forest\u00a0high up on a steep bank along the SE side of Sheridan Lake.\u00a0 The steep bank was part of the base of Bluelead Mountain.\u00a0 Somewhere up above in the inky black forest was the Bluelead Mountain mountain lion.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe reached Sheridan Lake dam, and crossed it heading N.\u00a0 By the time she reached the G6 (7:40 PM, 29\u00b0F),\u00a0winter was\u00a0over.\u00a0 The snow squall had moved on by.\u00a0\u00a0Amazingly brilliant stars were overhead.<\/p>\n<p>Bluelead Mountain hadn&#8217;t seemed like much of a peakbagging destination, but SPHP was glad Lupe had come here.\u00a0 It would be a long time before she forgot Leap Day 2016, Expedition No. 159, and the Bluelead Mountain mountain lion.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4780\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4780\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-4780\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0403.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4780\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The clearing where Lupe saw the Bluelead Mountain mountain lion.<\/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=4859\" 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 <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=4753\" 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 from Lupe&#8217;s <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=3964\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index<\/a><\/strong><\/span> or <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Master Adventure Index<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #000080;\">new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While Lupe had been on Expedition No. 158 to Echo Peak, Tepee Peak and Eagle Mountain, SPHP had been thinking about it.\u00a0 Tomorrow was Leap Day, February 29th, the rarest date on the calendar. Sadly, American Dingoes don&#8217;t live long enough to see more than a handful of Leap Days, 4 or 5 at the &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=4796\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 159 &#8211; Bluelead Mountain &#038; Calumet Ridge (2-29-16)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4770,"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":[105,9,577,554,106,104,304],"class_list":["post-4796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-bluelead-mountain","tag-calumet-ridge","tag-carolina-dog","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/IMG_0393.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\/4796","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=4796"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53970,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4796\/revisions\/53970"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}