{"id":54524,"date":"2024-06-01T12:10:04","date_gmt":"2024-06-01T18:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=54524"},"modified":"2024-11-11T12:18:21","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T19:18:21","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-328-ruby-gulch-to-horse-creek-with-poppy-hv-lv-4-25-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=54524","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 328 – Ruby Gulch to Horse Creek with Poppy, HV & LV (4-25-24)"},"content":{"rendered":"

7:55 AM, 49\u00baF<\/em> – The sky looked like rain, but it wasn’t raining yet as SPHP made the turn off Hwy 385.\u00a0 A short gravel drive curved back into a lovely hidden enclave.<\/p>\n

Guess we can park over here, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wow!\u00a0 What a sweet spot!\u00a0 Is this Poppy’s house, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Must be, Looper.\u00a0 Let’s go see if HV (Dawnette) & LV (Rollie) are ready.<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, they were.\u00a0 Lupe hadn’t even made it over to the deck in front of the house when suddenly Poppy was up there barking furiously with excitement down at the Carolina Dog.<\/p>\n

I don’t think Poppy remembers me from Hat Mountain<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

I think she does – intruder!<\/em><\/p>\n

Hey!\u00a0 She must be barking at you, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

No matter.\u00a0 HV appeared almost instantly and quickly calmed Poppy down.\u00a0 A moment later LV joined the group.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At Poppy’s house<\/strong>. HV (high voice)<\/strong> (L), Poppy<\/strong> (Center), LV (low voice)<\/strong> (R).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After an exchange of greetings, the adventure began from right there at Poppy’s house.\u00a0 Poppy, HV, and LV led the way NNE up a little draw to a fence, then W over a minor pass and on down to USFS Road No. 738 in Ruby Gulch.\u00a0 Turning N on the road, Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> soon came into view back to the S.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up the draw behind Poppy’s house<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R of Center) from USFS Road No. 738 in Ruby Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had never been in Ruby Gulch before, but Poppy, HV, and LV knew all about it.\u00a0 Rollie pointed out quite a few deer carcasses along the way.\u00a0 Mountain lion kills!\u00a0 Poppy wasn’t allowed off-leash until well beyond them.<\/p>\n

The trek up Ruby Gulch wasn’t very long, less than 0.5 mile.\u00a0 No. 738 soon left it continuing N over Pass 4980<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Poppy was free to roam just like Lupe from here on, and had an absolute blast leading the way.\u00a0 HV and LV had to keep an eye on her, because she sometimes raced so far ahead.\u00a0 Even Lupe couldn’t begin to keep up with Poppy.\u00a0 Fortunately, Poppy returned often to check on how all the slowpokes were faring.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The view from Pass 4980<\/span><\/strong> after leaving Ruby Gulch. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A gradual descent beyond Pass 4980<\/span><\/strong> led to another minor pass, then on down to a junction with USFS Road No. 738.1B near a power line where Whaley Gulch split off from South Fork Gulch.\u00a0 Looking SE, Peak<\/span> 5741<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span> was in sight.\u00a0 Although the American Dingo had once been there, SPHP didn’t recognize it from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading into South Fork Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
South Fork Gulch<\/strong>. USFS Road No. 738.1B<\/strong> (L), Whaley Gulch<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5741<\/strong><\/a><\/span> (L of Center) from South Fork Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While either road would have worked as a route to Horse Creek, this expedition’s ultimate destination, Poppy and Lupe stuck with No. 738, which now angled NE up Whaley Gulch.\u00a0 However, the road soon curved E, climbing out of the gulch.\u00a0 When No. 738 flattened out at another pass, Rollie recommended abandoning the road to continue N, a shortcut that would save 0.75 mile.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In Whaley Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
About to abandon USFS Road No. 738. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The off-road exploration was fun!\u00a0 Poppy and LV led the way through a hilly region where most of the forest had burned, which opened up the views to some extent.\u00a0 Quite a bit of deadfall was around, but avoiding most of it was relatively easy.\u00a0 After 0.5 mile, this shortcut eventually led down to USFS Road No. 669 in Gordon Gulch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring with HV during the off-road shortcut. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near part of the forest that survived the fire. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Poppy investigating a deer skeleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Amid the deadfall shortly before the descent into Gordon Gulch. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On USFS Road No. 669<\/strong> in Gordon Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gordon Gulch was wider than the other valleys had been.\u00a0 Bordered by forest, the valley floor was mostly open meadow.\u00a0 Following No. 669 NW, a small pond soon appeared.\u00a0 Glad to see it, Lupe immediately helped herself to a drink.\u00a0 Poppy wasn’t so certain about this water source, but took a few licks, too.\u00a0 A small clear-running stream reached a bit farther on might have been a better choice.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sampling the little Gordon Gulch pond<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the tiny seasonal stream<\/strong> beyond the pond. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the stream, USFS Road No. 669 began climbing at a faster clip.\u00a0 Leaving Gordon Gulch, the road headed up to a low forested ridge extending SE from Peak 5549<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lupe soon came to familiar territory, a junction SPHP recognized with USFS Road No. 669.1A.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction with USFS Road No. 669.1A<\/strong> (unseen to the L). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rollie was also familiar with this territory.\u00a0 No. 669.1A connected with No. 738.1B, making it part of the alternate route leading back to Ruby Gulch.\u00a0 Rollie happened to mention a hornet’s nest he had once seen along No. 669.1A.\u00a0 Since Loopster and SPHP both like loops, a tour of this attraction during the return was an option well worth keeping in mind.<\/p>\n

However, for the time being, the trek N on No. 669 continued.\u00a0 The road curved E after another 0.25 mile, but only for a little way.\u00a0 Reaching a meadow where Peak<\/span> 5520<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span> was in sight dead ahead, it began sweeping back around to the NW again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing along USFS Road No. 669<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5520<\/strong> (Center) from the meadow. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3 years and a day ago, Lupe had been up on Peak 5520<\/strong><\/span><\/a> with Cousin Dusty and Uncle Joe.\u00a0 An easy one, it was one of the last Black Hills peaks Dusty had ever climbed.\u00a0 Poppy could have climbed it in a flash with all her energy and enthusiasm, but there were no summit goals today.\u00a0 After a brief contemplation of Peak 5520, everyone headed NW.<\/p>\n

USFS Road No. 669 now descended a forested valley where several black mudholes lurked among the trees.\u00a0 Rollie and Dawnette urged Poppy to avoid them.\u00a0 0.5 mile from Peak 5520, the largest pond of all appeared at a junction with USFS Road No. 243.2J.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing down the next valley. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the biggest pond<\/strong> near the junction with USFS Road No. 243.2J<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Abandoning USFS Road No. 669 for No. 243.2J, Poppy and Lupe’s ultimate destination was now less than another 0.5 mile away.\u00a0 After passing a gate, No. 243.2J quickly led to Horse Creek, crossing it twice on the way to a stone marker commemorating “ECW Camp F-2 Horse Creek”, the site of an old Civilian Conservation Corp camp established back in the 1930’s during the Great Depression.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the first ford of Horse Creek along USFS Road No. 243.2J<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Success! At the Horse Creek CCC marker<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10:24 AM, 63\u00baF<\/em> – The day had turned sunny and comfortably warm by the time Poppy and Lupe reached the CCC marker after a 4.6 mile romp.\u00a0 Dawnette has a Facebook page called “Picnicking in the Black Hill<\/strong>s<\/strong><\/span><\/a>” so she promptly produced a red and white checkered cloth, and placed it on the ground in front of the marker.\u00a0 Poppy and Lupe posed for a few photos of this unique, rarely visited spot.\u00a0 Dawnette would eventually post the best one.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Famished Carolina Dog eagerly anticipating a chocolate coconut bar picnic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Poppy & Lupe in the winning photo Dawnette took.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The actual half hour combined picnic and rest break took place in the shade of a few big pines close to nearby Horse Creek.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP split the usual chocolate coconut bar, and sampled the tasty sausage sticks Dawnette offered.\u00a0 Poppy enjoyed some of Lupe’s Taste of the Wild, then rolled over on the grass to let SPHP scratch her tummy.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The actual picnic site next to Horse Creek<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rollie<\/strong>, Poppy<\/strong>, and Dawnette<\/strong> taking it easy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The time flew.\u00a0 All too soon, it was time to head back.\u00a0 During the return, Poppy and Lupe did explore USFS Roads No. 669.1A and No. 738.1B.\u00a0 This route was a little longer, and involved more elevation gain and loss since it passed much closer to Five Points<\/span><\/a> (6,221 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back by the big pond<\/strong> at the intersection of USFS Roads No. 243.2J and No. 669<\/strong> again. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crossing another part of Gordon Gulch<\/strong> on USFS Road No. 669.1A<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A glimpse of Five Points<\/strong> (Center) from upper Whaley Gulch<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sky clouded up again.\u00a0 A few raindrops fell.\u00a0 Thunder rumbled to the SW, and an intermittent light rain began.\u00a0 Rollie spotted the old hornet’s nest he’d seen before, but it was now abandoned and badly deteriorated.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Still exploring USFS Road No. 669.1A<\/strong> as raindrops begin to fall. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:40 PM, 47\u00baF<\/em> – A reprieve from the intermittent rain ended as everyone arrived back at Poppy’s house.\u00a0 The sky was dark when Poppy returned to her roomy kennel with a nice bed of straw after what both Dawnette and Rollie agreed was one of her longest off-leash adventures ever and a happy time.\u00a0 Poppy demonstrated her joy and remarkable leaping ability with a series of vertical “boings” that would have made a kangaroo proud as a heavier, steady rain began.<\/p>\n

Dawnette and Rollie kindly invited Lupe into their immaculate home.\u00a0 SPHP accepted a Coke from Dawnette while Rollie lit the woodstove.\u00a0 During a fun, relaxing visit, the American Dingo spent more than an hour snoozing or watching chipmunks play in the rain on impressive rock terraces outside a sliding glass door.<\/p>\n

It was raining harder than ever when the time came to say good-bye.\u00a0 Dawnette produced 3 bags of Canine Carry Out dog snacks for Lupe, then ventured out into the rain, too, as SPHP fetched Lupe’s gift to Poppy, a bag of duck jerky, from the RAV4.\u00a0 Despite the rain, Dawnette noticed right away that they were Golden Rewards brand – entirely appropriate, since Poppy is a golden retriever.<\/p>\n

Well, that was a blast, SPHP!\u00a0 We ought to do this more often.\u00a0 Kind of nice to have some canine company for a change.\u00a0 Do you think Poppy would like to go on more Black Hills expeditions with us?<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, I bet she would, Loopster!\u00a0 However, summer is coming, and it will soon be time for your Dingo Vacations to start.\u00a0 We’ll have to check in with HV and LV again sometime after we get back in the fall.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
With HV, Poppy & LV at their home near Ruby Gulch, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-25-24<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 314 – Hat Mountain with Poppy, HV & LV plus Nipple Butte, Flag Mountain & Peak 6962 (5-1-23)<\/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":"

7:55 AM, 49\u00baF – The sky looked like rain, but it wasn’t raining yet as SPHP made the turn off Hwy 385.\u00a0 A short gravel drive curved back into a lovely hidden enclave. Guess we can park over here, Loopster. Wow!\u00a0 What a sweet spot!\u00a0 Is this Poppy’s house, SPHP? Must be, Looper.\u00a0 Let’s go … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 328 – Ruby Gulch to Horse Creek with Poppy, HV & LV (4-25-24)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54495,"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":[105,9,106,1650,1701,1702,1649,104,1648,1647,1651,1700,304],"class_list":["post-54524","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-dawnette","tag-gordon-gulch","tag-horse-creek","tag-hv","tag-lupe","tag-lv","tag-poppy","tag-rollie","tag-ruby-gulch","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_3882-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\/54524","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=54524"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56493,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54524\/revisions\/56493"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/54495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}