{"id":53347,"date":"2024-06-19T08:10:40","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T14:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=53347"},"modified":"2024-10-11T21:04:07","modified_gmt":"2024-10-12T03:04:07","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-320-dalton-lake-to-peak-5173-11-19-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=53347","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 320 – Dalton Lake to Peak 5173 (11-19-23)"},"content":{"rendered":"

9:54 AM, 39\u00baF, Dalton Lake trailhead<\/em> – As soon as Joe parked the RAV4 in the enormous otherwise empty parking lot, SPHP gave the order.<\/p>\n

OK, get off of me, you two!<\/em><\/p>\n

Eager to comply, Lupe and Cousin Dixie bounded out, relieving SPHP of a lap full of dogs.\u00a0 A bit cooler today, but still a lovely, unseasonably warm morning.\u00a0 Clearly destined to be a great day for a jaunt along a stretch of scenic Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Joe<\/strong> and Lupe<\/strong> at the Dalton Lake trailhead<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Neither Uncle Joe nor Dixie had ever been to Dalton Lake before.\u00a0 A short walk NW along Centennial Trail No. 89 through the tall grass led to a sturdy pawbridge over Little Elk Creek.\u00a0 Once across it, the trail turned W, leading up to a larger, slightly arched bridge over the spillway where Dalton Lake was in view.<\/p>\n

The little lake, scarcely more than a glorified pond, had a thin sheet of ice on it this morning.\u00a0 Despite its small size, both Dalton Lake and the shady campground along its S shore made a favorable impression.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Joe<\/strong> and Dixie<\/strong> crossing the bridge over Little Elk Creek<\/strong>. Dalton Lake spillway<\/strong> (L). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dalton Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SW toward the campground along the S shore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dixie<\/strong>, Lupe<\/strong>, and Joe<\/strong> on the bridge over the spillway<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dalton Lake<\/strong>, a hidden Black Hills gem. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Little Elk Creek<\/strong> downstream view from the bridge over the spillway. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The N bound stretch of Centennial Trail No. 89 continued W from the spillway, climbing gradually into the forest above the N shore of Dalton Lake.\u00a0 Beyond the lake’s W end, the trail doubled back to the E again, eventually leveling out.\u00a0 By then, Dalton Lake was no longer in view.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting up Centennial Trail No. 89 N of Dalton Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The relatively flat stretch lasted until the trail made it around the E end of the mountain, where it started climbing NW before circling clear back around to the SE.\u00a0 After yesterday’s Old Bald Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,130 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> excursion, Joe’s toes were already feeling a little sore, so it wasn’t clear how far he was going to be able to go today.<\/p>\n

The crazy way the trail was winding around, it was almost certain that he wouldn’t get very far as the crow flies.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 5173<\/span><\/a><\/strong> might be about it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Joe<\/strong> in the lead on the E side of the mountain N of Dalton Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the end of the winding climb. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The climb SE ended abruptly at the E end of a plateau.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 turned sharply back to the W here, and soon led to USFS Road No. 704.1B.\u00a0 This level hike was at least somewhat easier on Joe’s paws, so the adventure continued.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On USFS Road No. 174.1B<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No. 174.1B curved N, then swung back around to the E again, where it began going downhill.\u00a0 However, before long, Centennial Trail No. 89 abandoned the road as a single track again near some huge boulders.\u00a0 It then proceeded to swing around the E end of the next big ridge to the N.<\/p>\n

From this region there was kind of a nice, if tree-broken, view looking E down Little Elk Canyon way out onto the western South Dakota prairies beyond the Black Hills.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong> close to where it left USFS Road No. 174.1B. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A glimpse of the prairies<\/strong> (R) beyond Little Elk Canyon<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond this viewpoint, Centennial Trail No. 89 curved WNW, and began climbing at a steady, relatively easy pace for the next 0.5 mile, now on the N side of a forested ridge.\u00a0 Upon reaching a saddle, the trail turned N climbing more steeply for a short distance up onto the next big ridge.<\/p>\n

This next ridge was part of Peak 5173.\u00a0 Centennial Trail No. 89 ran NW here above a line of cliffs.\u00a0 After a slower climb, the terrain flattened out near the summit, an unremarkable level region in the forest.<\/p>\n

The high point, to the extent that there was one, was somewhat N of the trail.\u00a0 Joe’s toes were saying that this was about far enough today, but it appeared there might be a more scintillating viewpoint a bit farther W.<\/p>\n

11:47 AM, 50\u00baF<\/em> – Sure enough, a limestone outcropping at the W end of Peak<\/span> 5173<\/span><\/a><\/strong> provided a halfway decent glimpse of the territory off to the W.\u00a0 Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,804 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,064 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were both easily recognizable in the distance.\u00a0 Not a bad spot to take a break, and Joe’s toes weren’t inclined to look around for a better one.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Custer Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) from the break spot. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The best view, of course, was from out at the far end of the point.\u00a0 As young as Dixie was, Joe wouldn’t let her go out there, but Lupe went.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Joe<\/strong> and Dixie<\/strong> sensibly playing it safe back among the trees. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe<\/strong> near the end of the point. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Custer Peak<\/strong> (L) and Terry Peak<\/strong> (R) with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe<\/strong> up on the limestone outcropping. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Uncle Joe hadn’t brought his portable ham radio along today, so after a look at the views, everyone just sat down and relaxed.\u00a0 Dixie, Lupe, and SPHP shared a single measly chocolate coconut bar to celebrate Joe’s toes holding up long enough to make it to Peak 5173.\u00a0 Clearly inadequate, the chocolate coconut bar required supplementation with Taste of the Wild for both dogs.\u00a0 Joe and SPHP each had an apple and an energy bar.\u00a0 Water for all, of course.<\/p>\n

Somewhere SE, a coyote howled, unusual in the middle of the day.\u00a0 After an otherwise peaceful half hour drifted by, Joe was ready to head back.\u00a0 The day’s Peak 5173 festivities weren’t entirely over yet, though.\u00a0 Making today’s lone claim to a peakbagging success legitimate, while passing the summit region again, Joe and Lupe both selected and stood on what they felt was the highest point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Final moments at the viewpoint at the W end of Peak 5173<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Joe and Lupe both on Peak 5173’s true summit<\/strong> in their own opinions. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

All official now, but that still wasn’t it for Peak 5173.\u00a0 Starting back from the true summit in no big rush, there were still some views to be enjoyed from the line of cliffs along the S edge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Centennial Trail No. 89 near the edge of the cliffs<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The view SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On a limestone platform along the edge. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:55 PM, Dalton Lake<\/em> – Half a dozen deer provided a little excitement during the return, but Lupe and Dixie’s adventures in the Black Hills were once again over and done with now.\u00a0 Tomorrow, Joe, Andrea, and Dixie would all be going back home to Colorado again.<\/p>\n

The main purpose of the trip had been so that Aunt Andrea could spend some time with Grandma, and this evening Uncle Joe joined her, visiting Grandma at her new assisted living apartment.<\/p>\n

It was a good thing that Andrea, Joe, and Dixie had come.\u00a0 4 days after going to Peak 5173 with Joe and Cousin Dixie, Lupe and SPHP enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with Grandma, who was in good spirits and doing very well.\u00a0 Grandma petted Lupe many times, and let the Carolina Dog eat way more than her fair share of turkey and gravy.\u00a0 Delicious!<\/p>\n

Sadly, although no one knew it at the time, Grandma didn’t have much longer to live.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cousin Dixie<\/strong> on Peak 5173<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Along the edge of Peak 5173<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota, 11-19-23<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe & Dixie’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 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lupe & Dixie’s Scrollable GPS Track<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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

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

9:54 AM, 39\u00baF, Dalton Lake trailhead – As soon as Joe parked the RAV4 in the enormous otherwise empty parking lot, SPHP gave the order. OK, get off of me, you two! Eager to comply, Lupe and Cousin Dixie bounded out, relieving SPHP of a lap full of dogs.\u00a0 A bit cooler today, but still … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 320 – Dalton Lake to Peak 5173 (11-19-23)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[105,9,106,527,1675,1694,104,1695,304,1285],"class_list":["post-53347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-centennial-trail-no-89","tag-cousin-dixie","tag-dalton-lake","tag-lupe","tag-peak-5173","tag-south-dakota","tag-uncle-joe"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/IMG_3350-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\/53347","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=53347"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53347\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55218,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53347\/revisions\/55218"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/53323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=53347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=53347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=53347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}