{"id":50448,"date":"2024-01-31T08:10:11","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T15:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=50448"},"modified":"2024-03-31T10:47:13","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T16:47:13","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-323-peak-6057-a-black-elk-wilderness-adventure-1-21-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=50448","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 323 – Peak 6057: A Black Elk Wilderness Adventure (1-21-24)"},"content":{"rendered":"

11:21 AM, 46\u00baF, Horse Thief Lake<\/em> – Cabin fever!\u00a0 That was what had been ailing Lupe all through a 10 day long cold snap of absolutely frigid weather, even for January.\u00a0 However, that was all history now.\u00a0 Going to be a nice day today, and the American Dingo was in high spirits as she leapt out of the RAV4.\u00a0 A Black Hills expedition is a always a sure-fire cure for cabin fever!<\/p>\n

Sheesh!\u00a0 Checked the snow depth maps before we left home, Loopster.\u00a0 Only supposed to be 2″ of snow up here.\u00a0 Actually more like 6″!<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, please!\u00a0 We’re still going, aren’t we, SPHP?\u00a0 It’s been so boring at home!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, don’t worry, Loop.\u00a0 We’re still going.\u00a0 All this snow isn’t going to make things any easier, but we’ll be OK.<\/em><\/p>\n

A short trek from the parking lot got the Carolina Dog to the start of Horse Thief Lake Trail No. 14.\u00a0 SPHP barely glanced at a posted map of the Black Elk Wilderness<\/strong><\/span><\/a> trail system.\u00a0 Lupe had been here plenty of times before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Start of Horse Thief Lake Trail No. 14<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Wilderness trail system.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, you ready, Looper?\u00a0 Days are mighty short in January, and we’re off to a rather late start.\u00a0 It’s Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho! time.<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP didn’t have to say it twice.\u00a0 The American Dingo set off heading S on Horse Thief Lake Trail No. 14.\u00a0 The first part of the trail climbed a bit.\u00a0 Didn’t amount to much except that in some places the small stream that ran along the trail had flown over it and frozen into a sheet of ice.\u00a0 Lupe did fine, but the ice was so slick that SPHP had to exercise caution.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By an ice-coved section of the trail. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After passing a frozen waterfall on the L, the trail leveled out and wasn’t so icy.\u00a0 Even SPHP was making great time.\u00a0 Soon Lupe was approaching some of the towering granite formations common throughout the Black Elk Wilderness.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Granite formations along the way. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near some of the vertical granite. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 0.7 mile, Lupe reached the first trail junction.\u00a0 To the L, Centennial Trail No. 89 headed S.\u00a0 To the R was a section of trail comprising part of both the Horse Thief Lake and Centennial trails.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction with Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Intersection signage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sunlit spires<\/strong> near the Horse Thief Lake\/Centennial trails junction<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Go R here, Loopster.\u00a0 We need to head W.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fine, SPHP, but what’s our destination, anyway?\u00a0 You haven’t said.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Setting off on the section of trail that’s part of both Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14<\/strong> and Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heh, not likely to reach our destination, Loop.\u00a0 More than likely we’re on a wild goose chase.\u00a0 Intend to solve a Black Elk Wilderness mystery today.<\/em><\/p>\n

Intriguing.\u00a0 Sort of.\u00a0 Care to quit beating around the bush and clue me in on what you’re thinking, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

I thought you were a mind reader, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sometimes I am, SPHP.\u00a0 You’re being mighty cryptic, though.<\/em><\/p>\n

Only 5 minutes on the shared section of trail, and Lupe made it to the point where Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 and Centennial Trail No. 89 parted ways again.\u00a0 No signage here.<\/p>\n

Go R again, Looper.\u00a0 We’re taking Centennial Trail No. 89 from here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Only a few tracks in the snow went that way, none of them recent, as the Centennial trail immediately climbed toward a big boulder.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong>, the path less taken. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once past the boulder, Centennial Trail No. 89 wove its way W, climbing along the S side of a fairly shallow valley.\u00a0 As Lupe got higher, granite spires she’d passed on Horse Thief Lake Trail No. 14 were visible back to the E.\u00a0 However, since she was now going the opposite direction, for the most part, the Carolina Dog saw only trees.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Gradually climbing through the forest. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On a beautiful filtered sunlight stretch. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After roughly 0.33 mile, Lupe reached Pass 5380<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Nothing to be seen here except snow and forest.\u00a0 Continuing W over the pass, glimpses of a high hill capped by a massive granite formation soon appeared ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deep in the forest at Pass 5380<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The soaring granite-capped hill<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Awesome, but I hope that’s not where we’re going, SPHP!\u00a0 We’d never make it to the top.\u00a0 That’s genuine rock climber territory to be sure, at least from this side.<\/em><\/p>\n

No, we’re not going there, Loop, but that’s sort of what I expect Peak<\/span> 6057<\/span><\/a><\/strong> will be like from the looks of the topo map.<\/em><\/p>\n

Really?\u00a0 Peak 6057 is a fail already then, SPHP.\u00a0 Why even bother?<\/em><\/p>\n

Because it was already in the Peakbagger.com database when we started your account<\/strong><\/span><\/a> in May, 2014, and we’ve never checked it out.\u00a0 In fact, no one else on Peakbagger has ever reported an ascent of Peak 6057, either.\u00a0 Zero ascents, zero attempts.<\/em><\/p>\n

OK!\u00a0 And what does that tell you, SPHP?\u00a0 Everyone takes one glance at the topo map, and very sensibly says it ain’t happening!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, and no doubt they’re most likely right, but that’s not 100% certain.\u00a0 Besides, Peak 6057 has been on your list of places to go, bugging me for nearly 10 years now.\u00a0 About time we solved the mystery of whether or not we can climb it, Loopster.\u00a0 Even if its not possible, we’ll still enjoy a great off-trail Black Elk Wilderness adventure!<\/em><\/p>\n

Doesn’t sound as mysterious as you’re letting on, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Be that as it may –\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Continuing W, Centennial Trail No. 89 descended into a valley.\u00a0 As soon as Lupe crossed the drainage at the valley floor, SPHP called a halt.<\/p>\n

OK, this is it.\u00a0 We leave the trail here, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Simply fabulous!\u00a0 In addition to being doomed to failure, we’re in for one heck of a bushwhack, aren’t we, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s the Black Elk Wilderness, Looper.\u00a0 Expect no less.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
About to leave Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Abandoning the trail, SPHP led Lupe SSE through a thicket of tall, thin bushes.\u00a0 Pushing through them was an annoyingly slow process, even on this level terrain.\u00a0 Once through the worst of the initial tangle, Lupe took the lead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Leading the way. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ah-ha!\u00a0 Not so bad now, is it, Loopster?\u00a0 Just keep going up this valley.\u00a0 Plan is to follow it all the way to its upper S end, turn W climbing up and out, then swing around to the N to approach Peak 6057 from the S.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was a terrific plan, extremely well thought out as readily confirmed by the topo map, except for one thing.\u00a0 At the first bend, the valley ahead was choked with deadfall and endless thickets of the tall, thin trees or bushes.\u00a0 Furthermore, the valley floor was no longer flat.<\/p>\n

Hemmed in by a near vertical granite wall on the R, and a steep, forested slope on the L, Lupe was forced to keep leaping over one obstacle after another amid belly deep snow and rough terrain, occasionally crossing a tiny tributary of Pine Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
One obstacle after another ahead. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even though Lupe never complained, it wasn’t long before SPHP devised a new most excellent plan.<\/p>\n

Dingo feathers!\u00a0 Enough of this, Loopster!\u00a0 Peak 6057 isn’t that far, but it’s going to take us forever and a day to get there this way.\u00a0 Let’s get up out of these dang bushes down by the stream, then I’ll check the map to see what our options are.<\/em><\/p>\n

Continuing only far enough to get to where some room opened up below the rock wall on the R, Lupe climbed just high enough into the forest to get above the jungle down by the stream.<\/p>\n

How’s this, SPHP?\u00a0 You can check your map here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Perfect, Loop.\u00a0 Give me just a moment.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Waiting for SPHP to check the map. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hmm.\u00a0 Well, looks like we ought to be able to head W from here, Looper.\u00a0 Actually a shortcut, if it works.\u00a0 On the other paw, if the terrain gets too steep, we might still be able to head S paralleling the valley floor, thereby sticking more or less to the original plan.<\/em><\/p>\n

The American Dingo’s ascent of Peak 6057 began in earnest as Lupe headed W, now climbing steadily.\u00a0 Early on, she passed a region of big boulders.\u00a0 A long stretch of uniformly steep open forest came next.\u00a0 Quite a bit of deadfall strewn about here, but it wasn’t too bad.<\/p>\n

After gaining 160 feet of elevation, a huge granite hill hundreds of feet higher appeared ahead.\u00a0 Approaching a much lower ledge that looked like it might provide initial views, the snow deepened.\u00a0 Bedrock under the snow was very slippery, but by staying toward the R, Lupe found an easy way up onto this first ledge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the ledge. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sky was clouding up, a bit of a chill in the air, as Lupe reached the top of the ledge.\u00a0 She could see a long way E, but the most striking view was of several enormous granite formations 0.5 mile SSE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Up on the ledge. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wow!\u00a0 Gorgeous up here, SPHP, but if any of those rugged formations is Peak<\/span> 6057<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, your mystery is solved.\u00a0 It’s a no go.<\/em><\/p>\n

Splendid, aren’t they, Loop?\u00a0 Typical Black Elk Wilderness.\u00a0 And no, none of them are Peak 6057.\u00a0 They’re all off in the wrong direction.<\/em><\/p>\n

Can we take a break here, SPHP?\u00a0 I’m getting hungry.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kind of snowy.\u00a0 Let’s get a little higher, Looper.\u00a0 Maybe we can find a dry spot that isn’t solid rock?<\/em><\/p>\n

Leaving the ledge, a deep valley to the S forced the Carolina Dog to angle WNW in order to keep climbing.\u00a0 Lupe sometimes had views of the much higher massive granite formation across the valley, but it wasn’t Peak 6057, either.\u00a0 SPHP was becoming concerned over whether or not Lupe was going to be able to get across the valley, because she was eventually going to need to, when a snow-free dry spot appeared by a big pillar.<\/p>\n

This looks good, Loopster.\u00a0 Let’s take a break here.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing on in search of Peak 6057 and a place to take a break. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The massive granite summit<\/strong> across the valley. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Loopster by the rest break pillar. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:58 PM, at the rest break pillar 1\/6 mile ENE of Peak 6057<\/em> –<\/p>\n

Chocolate coconut bar, Loopster?<\/em><\/p>\n

Don’t mind if I do, SPHP, but why so generous?\u00a0 We haven’t even made our attempt on Peak 6057 yet.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, well, I’ve already been catching glimpses of Peak 6057.\u00a0 What I’ve seen of the E side looks utterly impossible.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, sorry to hear that, SPHP.\u00a0 Disappointing, but even you were expecting it to be that way.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s the way the Black Elk Wilderness mystery crumbles, Loop.\u00a0 Haven’t completely given up hope yet.\u00a0 The highest ground I’m confident we can get to is over on the SW side of Peak 6057.\u00a0 Distance-wise, we’ll actually be close to the summit.\u00a0 Elevation-wise, not so much, unless the situation looks a lot different over there.<\/em><\/p>\n

The chocolate coconut bar had vanished in a flash.\u00a0 Lupe had a silver bowl full of Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP munched the usual apple.\u00a0 Apple consumed, it was time.<\/p>\n

Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

Still climbing, although not as steeply as before, Lupe steadily closed in on Peak 6057.\u00a0 None of the what could be seen of the E face looked the least bit encouraging – nothing but towering vertical walls.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog hadn’t reached them yet, when an opening appeared to the WSW.<\/p>\n

Think we’re past that valley to the S now!\u00a0 The terrain doesn’t look bad at all.\u00a0 Quite a bit of deadfall, but we’ll get through it.\u00a0 Head that way, Loop.\u00a0 We can start circling around to the SW side of Peak 6057 from here.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Start of the deadfall-strewn passage around the S side of Peak 6057. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The snow was belly deep on Lupe, the deadfall ghastly.\u00a0 SPHP’s progress was dreadfully slow, but Lupe didn’t complain.\u00a0 SPHP soon concluded that the fastest way around the S side of Peak<\/span> 6057<\/span><\/a><\/strong> would be to go right up next to its soaring granite walls.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading for Peak 6057<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As expected, the territory next to the granite walls proved to be a maze of deadfall and boulders, but this was the shortest route, likely no worse than circling more widely through the almost equally challenging region farther from the peak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near Peak 6057’s granite walls<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The mountain’s SE face<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Working along the S side of the mountain eventually revealed the high ground Lupe intended to explore SW of the summit.\u00a0 Although difficult territory due to all the deadfall, it was actually very scenic, featuring several separate enormous spires.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
First view of the SW spires<\/strong> (L & Center). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6057’s S face<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Scrambling amid all the boulders and deadfall along the S side of the mountain, it had already become clear that Lupe wasn’t going to find any magic route to the top.\u00a0 Already mentally prepared, it wasn’t such a terrible disappointment.\u00a0 No regrets.\u00a0 Seldom seen by Dingo or human, this Black Elk Wilderness scenery was fantastic!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
S of Peak 6057<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Close to the spires. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Funny how nature can be such a mess, SPHP, and yet the overall effect is absolutely gorgeous!<\/em><\/p>\n

True enough, Loopster.\u00a0 Wish it worked that way at home.\u00a0 Never does, though.\u00a0 Quite the opposite!<\/em><\/p>\n

As Lupe got around to the SW side of Peak 6057, the potential arose to explore a couple of narrow regions between the spires and the main mass of granite.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Next to a narrow opening. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Want to explore one of these cracks, SPHP?\u00a0 We’re here now!<\/em><\/p>\n

Might as well see how high we can get, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

A faint flicker of hope that maybe there really was a way to the top of Peak 6057 stirred as Lupe entered a narrow passage.\u00a0 That would be so awesome!<\/p>\n

A short climb, and Lupe reached a spot that was a dead end for her, but after giving the Carolina Dog a boost, SPHP scrambled up, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the crack. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is so cool!\u00a0 It keeps going, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

It does, but be careful, Loopster, and don’t get too far ahead.\u00a0 Might easily come to a sheer drop in here.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the upper end of the crack<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe quickly reached the top of the crack.\u00a0 No sheer drop.\u00a0 No route to Peak<\/span> 6057<\/span><\/a><\/strong>‘s summit, either.\u00a0 Beyond its high point, the crack widened out, revealing a view of Elkhorn Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,440 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, another giant knob of granite.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Elkhorn Mountain<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Elkhorn Mountain<\/strong> (L). Its N shoulder<\/strong> (Center & R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And that was it.\u00a0 Standing there at the upper end of the crack, Lupe was done.\u00a0 The American Dingo couldn’t go any higher.<\/p>\n

How far below the summit do you think we are, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hard to say, Loop.\u00a0 Your GPS track claims we’re at 5,927 feet, which agrees pretty well with the topo map, but neither one’s completely accurate.<\/em><\/p>\n

130 feet below Peak 6057’s summit then?\u00a0 Well, we can still get there, SPHP.\u00a0 All you have to do is rent us a helicopter!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, guess that should have been the plan all along.\u00a0 Not happening today, no helicopter rentals around here.\u00a0 Getting late, anyway.\u00a0 We better find our way back to Centennial Trail No. 89, Loopster.\u00a0 No sense in getting ourselves stranded way out here on a January night!<\/em><\/p>\n

A short scramble down to the SW from the wide end of the crack was an incredible jumble of boulders and deadfall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting the descent after going all the way through the crack. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Couple more things before we go, Loopster.\u00a0 Let’s head SW far enough to get a photo of Peak 6057 from that direction since this side was our best shot at finding a way to the top.\u00a0 From the end of the crack, I also caught a glimpse of Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> way off to the SW.\u00a0 Maybe we can find a spot with a clearer view of it, too?<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite all the snow and deadfall, Lupe soon completed both missions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6057’s SW face<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another look for all you ambitious rock climbers out there! Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) in the distance. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Peak 6057 mystery had been solved as far as Lupe was concerned, but her Black Elk Wilderness adventure wasn’t over yet.\u00a0 Exploring W, then N, through the snowy woods, the return to Centennial Trail No. 89 was a scenic and more challenging endeavor than expected.<\/p>\n

Eventually heading NE down a long, surprisingly rugged valley, progress was awfully slow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Still exploring during the return. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Descending into the valley NW of Peak 6057<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Down in the valley, on the way back to Centennial Trail No. 89. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Light was fading fast, when Lupe came to an unexpected ancient trail running through the forest.\u00a0 This clearly wasn’t Centennial Trail No. 89, but greatly helped speed SPHP’s progress.<\/p>\n

5:04 PM, dusk at Pine Creek<\/em> – Suddenly, it was over.\u00a0 Lupe was standing on Centennial Trail No. 89, a veritable super highway through the Black Elk Wilderness.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back on Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong> in the Pine Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Great job!\u00a0 We made it, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

We always do, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, in this business everyone bats 1,000, until one day you don’t.<\/em><\/p>\n

The rest was easy.\u00a0 Lupe followed Centennial Trail No. 89 back to where she’d left it, then retraced her earlier route back to Horse Thief Lake.<\/p>\n

6:09 PM, 37\u00baF<\/em> – Emerging at the Horse Thief Lake trailhead, crusty snow crunched beneath SPHP’s boots.\u00a0 Moonlight streamed over the access road as Lupe trotted back to the RAV4 while the silent stars glittered overhead.\u00a0 At long last, Peak<\/span> 6057<\/span><\/a><\/strong> was done.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
S of Peak 6057<\/strong>, Black Elk Wilderness, Black Hills of South Dakota 1-21-24<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s GPS track<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Lupe’s Scrollable Peak 6057 GPS Track<\/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":"

11:21 AM, 46\u00baF, Horse Thief Lake – Cabin fever!\u00a0 That was what had been ailing Lupe all through a 10 day long cold snap of absolutely frigid weather, even for January.\u00a0 However, that was all history now.\u00a0 Going to be a nice day today, and the American Dingo was in high spirits as she leapt … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 323 – Peak 6057: A Black Elk Wilderness Adventure (1-21-24)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50442,"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":[105,814,9,106,104,1667,304],"class_list":["post-50448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-elk-wilderness","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-lupe","tag-peak-6057","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/IMG_3568-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\/50448","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=50448"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50448\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52614,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50448\/revisions\/52614"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/50442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=50448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=50448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=50448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}