{"id":5535,"date":"2016-05-06T08:10:51","date_gmt":"2016-05-06T14:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5535"},"modified":"2021-03-05T13:54:03","modified_gmt":"2021-03-05T20:54:03","slug":"black-hills-sd-wy-expedition-no-168-wildcat-peak-fanny-peak-summit-ridge-4-21-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5535","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD &#038; WY Expedition No. 168 &#8211; Wildcat Peak, Fanny Peak &#038; Summit Ridge (4-21-16)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Every time SPHP woke up, there they were.\u00a0 Big soft Dingo ears bathed in moonlight\u00a0stood\u00a0erect, listening.\u00a0 Lupe\u00a0was too excited to\u00a0sleep, instead she was watching &#8211; fascinated by whatever was going on in the darkness\u00a0outside on Elk Mountain.\u00a0 Now and then, SPHP let her out of the G6.\u00a0 The excited American Dingo wandered back and forth between moonlight and shadows, sniffing the night air.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the nearly full moon hung low in the W.\u00a0 Dawn was coming soon.\u00a0 SPHP dozed a while longer.\u00a0 The sun was up when SPHP came to again.\u00a0 Lupe, of course, was wide awake, still watching events on Elk Mountain\u00a0from her pile of gear, blankets and pillows.\u00a0 She was glad when she realized her long watch was over.\u00a0 It was time for action!<\/p>\n<p>SPHP repositioned the G6 a\u00a0mile farther SW, at the junction of USFS Roads No. 118\u00a0&amp; No. 123\u00a0(6:21 AM, 41\u00b0F).\u00a0 Lupe was\u00a00.25 mile\u00a0across the border into Wyoming.\u00a0 She would start her journey to <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=70649\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Wildcat Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,500 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>from here.\u00a0 Although Wildcat Peak was\u00a0less than\u00a02 miles away back in South Dakota, to\u00a0get there Lupe had to cross an equally high un-named ridge first.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP set off following a faint old jeep trail SE.<\/p>\n<p>The morning was cool, clear and bright.\u00a0 It was great getting off to an early start!\u00a0 The old jeep trail wound around, but stayed very close to the E edge of the ridgeline,\u00a0gaining elevation steadily.\u00a0 Lupe got pretty high up on the ridge.\u00a0 Elk Mountain was in view just to the N.\u00a0 Lupe\u00a0could see\u00a0the Elk Mountain Lookout Tower (5,662 ft.) at the far NE end of the mountain, but the true summit at the <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=27442\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elk Benchmark<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,669 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> remained out of sight to the NW.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5507\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5507\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0823.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5507\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0823-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on a big rock outcropping partway up the N end of the un-named ridge. Photo looks N at Elk Mountain. Lupe had just been to the Elk Benchmark (5,669 ft.) at the far NW end of Elk Mountain on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 167 the day before.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0823.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0823.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0823.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0823.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0823.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5507\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on a big rock outcropping partway up the N end of the un-named ridge. Photo looks N at Elk Mountain. Lupe had just been to the <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=27442\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elk Benchmark<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,669 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> at the far NW end of Elk Mountain on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 167 the\u00a0evening before.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The jeep trail didn&#8217;t go all the way up to the top of the un-named ridge.\u00a0 It got quite high, but then took a more level route through\u00a0a thin\u00a0forest on the W side of the ridge.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP stayed on the jeep trail until it virtually disappeared.\u00a0 Then Lupe abandoned it to resume a slow, steady\u00a0climb while continuing S.\u00a0 She eventually reached the top of the ridge well S of its highest point.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP followed the\u00a0un-named ridge\u00a0to its S end, where Lupe&#8217;s first peakbagging objective, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=70649\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Wildcat Peak<\/span> <\/a><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,500 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, was now in view.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5508\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5508\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0824-e1554179968587.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5508\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0824-e1554179968587-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0824-e1554179968587.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0824-e1554179968587.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0824-e1554179968587.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0824-e1554179968587.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5508\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wildcat Peak from the S end of the un-named ridge. Lupe had already lost some elevation by the time she reached this point. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Wildcat Peak was\u00a0less than 0.75 mile away now, but to get to it, Lupe had to go down into a big intervening\u00a0saddle area.\u00a0\u00a0On the way, she had to lose virtually all of the elevation she had just gained coming up the un-named ridge. \u00a0There was no choice, though,\u00a0but to just go ahead and do it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5509\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5509\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0825.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5509\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0825-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe in the saddle area NW of Wildcat Peak. Photo looks SE.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0825.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0825.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0825.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0825.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0825.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5509\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe in the saddle area NW of Wildcat Peak. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After crossing the saddle area, Lupe and SPHP started the climb up the NW slope of Wildcat Peak.\u00a0 There weren&#8217;t any old roads or jeep trails here, but the climb wasn&#8217;t particularly steep or difficult.\u00a0 Lupe found the true summit of Wildcat Peak up at the very NW end of a rocky summit ridge.\u00a0 A big boulder, clearly higher than any of the others, was the very top of the mountain.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5510\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5510\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0826.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5510\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0826-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe reaches the top of Wildcat Peak! The big boulder next to her was the very highest rock on the mountain. Photo looks NNW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0826.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0826.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0826.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0826.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0826.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5510\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe reaches the top of Wildcat Peak! The big boulder next to her was the very highest rock on the mountain. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5511\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5511\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0828.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5511\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0828-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe and the Wildcat Peak summit boulder.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0828.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0828.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0828.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0828.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0828.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5511\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe and the Wildcat Peak summit boulder.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5512\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5512\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0829.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5512\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0829-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe proclaims this mountain American Dingo Peak! Bring it on wildcats!\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0829.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0829.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0829.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0829.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0829.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5512\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe proclaims this mountain American Dingo Peak! Bring it on wildcats!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>From the highest boulder on Wildcat Peak, the rocky summit ridge extended off to the SE for at least several hundred feet.\u00a0 Most of it wasn&#8217;t much lower than the big boulder crowning the NW end of the ridge.\u00a0 A lot of deadfall timber strewn among the rocks made the terrain considerably more difficult to navigate than it should have been.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went to the SE end of the summit ridge to check out the view.<\/p>\n<p>The view was awesome!\u00a0 Lupe could see <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=70771\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Sullivan Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(4,967 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=70770\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Red Point<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(4,680 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=70769\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Twin Buttes<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(4,949 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0where she had been on <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5424\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Black Hills SD, Expedition No. 166<\/strong><\/a><\/span> just 11 days before.\u00a0 It was fun to see them all again from Wildcat Peak!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5513\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5513\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0830.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5513\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0830-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking SSE from Wildcat Peak. Sullivan Peak is the highest of the most distant of the barren ridges located just R of Center. Red Point is the small forested hill at Center seen right below a barren ridge coming down to the L from Sullivan Peak. Twin Buttes are the two most distant barren ridges visible near the R side of the photo. Lupe had visited all 3 of these mountains only 11 days ago on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 166.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0830.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0830.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0830.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0830.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0830.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5513\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking SSE from Wildcat Peak. Sullivan Peak is the highest of the most distant of the barren ridges located just R of Center. Red Point is the small forested hill at Center seen right below a barren ridge coming down to the L from Sullivan Peak. Twin Buttes are the two most distant barren ridges visible near the R side of the photo. Lupe had visited all 3 of these mountains only 11 days ago on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 166.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After taking a little break while admiring the views to the S, Lupe and SPHP returned to the\u00a0big boulder\u00a0at the NW end of the summit ridge.\u00a0 Lupe went out on a rock ledge sticking out just below it to the NE for a final look around.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5514\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5514\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0831.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5514\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0831-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on a rock ledge near the summit boulder. Photo looks N. The part of Elk Mountain where the lookout towers sits is the barren ridge on the L.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0831.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0831.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0831.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0831.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0831.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5514\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on a rock ledge near the summit boulder. Photo looks N. The part of Elk Mountain where the lookout towers sits is the barren ridge on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Climbing Wildcat Peak had been fun, but SPHP had several more peakbagging goals in mind for Lupe before the day was over.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP left the summit of Wildcat Peak heading back down the NW spine of the mountain.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5515\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5515\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0832.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5515\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0832-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe starts back down the NW spine of Wildcat Peak. The big summit boulder looms above her. Photo looks SE.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0832.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0832.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0832.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0832.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0832.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5515\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe starts back down the NW spine of Wildcat Peak. The big summit boulder looms above her. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5516\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5516\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0833.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5516\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0833-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The un-named ridge (L) and part of Elk Mountain (R) from Wildcat Peak. Photo looks NNW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0833.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0833.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0833.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0833.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0833.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5516\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The un-named ridge (L) and part of Elk Mountain (R) from Wildcat Peak. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe&#8217;s route back to the G6 was essentially the same one she took to Wildcat Peak.\u00a0 The only significant variation was that on the way back, she went all the way up to the very top of the un-named ridge NW of Wildcat Peak.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5517\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5517\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0834.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5517\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0834-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe stands next to the summit boulder on top of the un-named ridge NW of Wildcat Peak. This summit boulder sure didn't measure up to Wildcat Peak standards, but the view of Wildcat Peak was very nice. Photo looks SE.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0834.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0834.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0834.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0834.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0834.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5517\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe stands next to the summit boulder on top of the un-named ridge NW of Wildcat Peak. This summit boulder sure didn&#8217;t measure up to Wildcat Peak standards, but the view of Wildcat Peak was very nice. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The day had warmed up considerably by the time Lupe reached the G6 again (10:12 AM, 59\u00b0F), but it was still very pleasant out.\u00a0 Before departing, Lupe and SPHP sat in the shade of a big tree and ate brownies, a pure nutritious health food\u00a0snack Carolina Dogs love.\u00a0 Re-energized, Lupe and SPHP headed out in the G6 toward Lupe&#8217;s next peakbagging goals.<\/p>\n<p>Near the junction of Boles Canyon Road and Roby Canyon Road\u00a0(USFS Roads No. 117 &amp; No. 264 respectively), SPHP parked the G6 again (10:49 AM, 61\u00b0F).\u00a0 Lupe&#8217;s next objective was <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=70632\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Fanny Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,884 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> more than 2 miles to the NNW.\u00a0 SPHP&#8217;s old USFS map showed USFS No. 264.1A leaving Boles Canyon Road somewhere nearby.\u00a0 If Lupe and SPHP could find it, No. 264.1A would lead Lupe NNW to a point a short distance E of Fanny Peak.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP backtracked a little S along Boles Canyon Road looking for No. 264.1A.\u00a0 Just N of a short bridge over a ravine, Lupe found a rough track heading N.\u00a0 It was blocked to vehicles by boulders and unmarked, but this was almost certainly No. 264.1A.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP\u00a0followed the road\u00a0N beginning\u00a0a long, gradual climb.<\/p>\n<p>Almost right away, there was trouble.\u00a0 No. 264.1A\u00a0went up\u00a0a long sunny dry hillside.\u00a0 Scraggly bushes and a few juniper trees dominated the parched landscape.\u00a0 And cactus.\u00a0 There was very little cactus\u00a0right\u00a0on the rocky road, but all around on both sides cacti grew in great spiny profusion.<\/p>\n<p>Whether Lupe stepped on a small cactus somewhere along the way, or whether she could smell the cacti, SPHP didn&#8217;t know.\u00a0 Her paws looked fine.\u00a0 What was certain was that Lupe didn&#8217;t want to go this way.\u00a0 She stood on the road and wouldn&#8217;t move.\u00a0 SPHP put her leash on her to encourage her, and help make certain she didn&#8217;t get into the cactus.\u00a0 This time, the leash barely made any difference to Lupe.\u00a0\u00a0Her ears drooped.\u00a0 She hated this place!<\/p>\n<p>What to do?\u00a0 Part of the problem was that Lupe had started from less than 4,800 feet of elevation down on Boles Canyon Road.\u00a0 If Lupe could gain enough elevation, she would probably get above &#8220;cactus line&#8221; at some point.\u00a0 SPHP decided to keep encouraging and helping Lupe, believing she could make it to Fanny Peak.<\/p>\n<p>It was a long, slow process.\u00a0 Lupe stopped again and again on the road.\u00a0 Sometimes her ears drooped, and she resisted the tug of the leash.\u00a0 Sometimes she just stood there in the bright sunshine smiling at SPHP, but not budging.\u00a0 Now and then she was willing to go onward for a little way.\u00a0 SPHP carried her for short stretches again and again.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5518\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5518\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0836-e1554180059481.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5518\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0836-e1554180059481-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0836-e1554180059481.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0836-e1554180059481.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0836-e1554180059481.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0836-e1554180059481.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5518\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe stands smiling in the hot sun on No. 264.1A. Due to all the cactus growing in this parched landscape, she didn&#8217;t want to be here at all. Photo looks S at Elk Mountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It was sunny.\u00a0\u00a0SPHP felt hot totally exposed to the sun.\u00a0 Wearing a fur coat, Lupe must have felt that much hotter.\u00a0 Repeatedly, Lupe and SPHP took temporary shelter in the shade of occasional large juniper trees next to the road.\u00a0 Lupe drank a lot of water.\u00a0 This really wasn&#8217;t much fun, but it wasn&#8217;t terrible either.\u00a0 Despite the long, slow grind, Lupe was making progress and gaining elevation.<\/p>\n<p>Somewhere around 5,600 feet, it turned out that a &#8220;cactus line&#8221; really did exist!\u00a0 SPHP didn&#8217;t notice exactly where it happened, but suddenly the cactus was gone.\u00a0 Ponderosa pines were growing among more prosperous looking juniper trees.\u00a0\u00a0There was more shade.\u00a0 Lupe started to perk up.\u00a0 For a little while, SPHP kept Lupe on the leash, but it wasn&#8217;t too long before it was apparent the leash was pointless.\u00a0 There wasn&#8217;t any cactus anywhere.\u00a0 Hallelujah!<\/p>\n<p>Lupe\u00a0raced happily through the woods.\u00a0 She\u00a0was making great progress.\u00a0 The road started leveling out as it entered a more purely pine forest.\u00a0 Fanny Peak couldn&#8217;t be much farther away now!\u00a0\u00a0SPHP stopped again to carefully study the topo map.\u00a0 Without the topo map, it would have been very\u00a0hard to find Fanny Peak.<\/p>\n<p>The topo map showed that the road was supposed to pass along the E side of a 5,840 foot high un-named hill.\u00a0 Less than 0.5 mile N of High Point 5840, there should be a couple more slightly higher hills to the W of the road.\u00a0 The high ground formed an arc curving around to the S.\u00a0 Fanny Peak was the high point at the S end, less than 0.33 mile from the road.<\/p>\n<p>Soon the road did pass along the E side of a forested hill.\u00a0 SPHP figured this must be the 5,840 foot high un-named hill.\u00a0 Lupe continued on.\u00a0 The road again\u00a0passed along the E side of another hill.\u00a0 SPHP was thinking Lupe must be getting very close to where she would need to turn W, when suddenly there was a hissing and thrashing noise coming from the hillside right next to the road.\u00a0 A snake!<\/p>\n<p>Snakes aren&#8217;t terribly common in the Black Hills, at least not in the upper elevations Lupe usually frequents.\u00a0 Despite all her many adventures in the hills, Lupe has only\u00a0encountered snakes on a very few occasions.\u00a0 Lupe didn&#8217;t quite know what to make of this one.\u00a0 She stood motionless a few feet away,\u00a0simply staring at the strange\u00a0unpleasant creature.<\/p>\n<p>The snake was at least a few feet long, making it the biggest one Lupe had ever seen.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t the least bit happy to see Lupe and SPHP.\u00a0\u00a0The snake\u00a0was hissing, coiling and thrashing around trying to look as scary as possible.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5519\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5519\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0837.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5519\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0837-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"This unhappy bull snake along USFS Road No. 264.1A E of Fanny Peak was the largest snake Lupe had ever seen!\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0837.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0837.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0837.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0837.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0837.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5519\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This unhappy bull snake along USFS Road No. 264.1A E of Fanny Peak was the largest snake Lupe had ever seen!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A glance at the snake&#8217;s head told SPHP there was nothing to fear.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t poisonous.\u00a0 The only poisonous snakes in the Black Hills region are prairie rattlers, and this wasn&#8217;t a rattlesnake.\u00a0 It was almost certainly some sort of bull snake.\u00a0 The snake was an exciting find, but it was harmless.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, where there&#8217;s one snake, there may be more!\u00a0 Lupe wasn&#8217;t as high up in the Black Hills as she normally is, and snakes are much more common at lower elevations in this territory.\u00a0 Just the fact that the bull snake was out and about indicated that Spring had progressed far enough along to encourage the reptiles to\u00a0slither out of their holes.<\/p>\n<p>The bull snake was still having a hissing fit when Lupe and SPHP left it behind.\u00a0 Somewhere pretty soon, Lupe needed to turn W.\u00a0 When she came to an intersection not shown on the maps, SPHP decided this was the place.\u00a0 Three slender pale blue posts stood near the intersection.\u00a0 There were no other markers, and no road numbers.\u00a0 One of the roads went W.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP followed it.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe hadn&#8217;t gone very far on this new road when it started to lose elevation.\u00a0 Rather than lose elevation, Lupe and SPHP climbed up a forested hill close by to the S.\u00a0 There were so many trees, it wasn&#8217;t possible to see much, but SPHP did see that there was another forested hill about the same height a short distance to the W.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP headed over to it.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe was soon up at the top of the 2nd hill.\u00a0 The summit featured a collection of red rocks.\u00a0 SPHP looked warily around for snakes, but saw none.\u00a0 Trees again blocked the views, but it was possible to\u00a0determine that\u00a0there was an even\u00a0higher hill\u00a0somewhat farther off to the\u00a0SSW.\u00a0 Looking at the maps one more time,\u00a0SPHP was almost certain that hill had to be Fanny Peak!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5520\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5520\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0838.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5520\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0838-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe at the top of the closest little hill NE of Fanny Peak. Photo looks N.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0838.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0838.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0838.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0838.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0838.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5520\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe at the top of the closest little hill NE of Fanny Peak. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP pressed on from the 2nd hill toward Fanny Peak, losing only minor elevation.\u00a0 As Lupe got closer, she reached a barbed wire fence.\u00a0 SPHP&#8217;s old USFS map showed Fanny Peak right on the South Dakota\/Wyoming border, but the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=70632\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Peakbagger.com topo map<\/strong><\/span><\/a> showed\u00a0the summit a short distance into Wyoming.\u00a0 The fence was probably right on the border, which made sense.<\/p>\n<p>Since the Black Hills National Forest ends at the border, Fanny Peak might well be on private property.\u00a0 In any case, there weren&#8217;t any &#8220;No Trespassing&#8221; signs, and Lupe wasn&#8217;t going to harm anything.\u00a0 Fanny Peak was only a short stroll to the SW from where Lupe went under the fence.\u00a0 Lupe passed through a little meadow,\u00a0before climbing\u00a0a small forested hill to two large rocks at the summit.\u00a0 The views left no doubt that Lupe really was on <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=70632\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Fanny Peak<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,884 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5522\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5522\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0840.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5522\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0840-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Despite all her travails getting here, Lupe attains the summit of Fanny Peak, Wyoming! Photo looks E.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0840.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0840.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0840.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0840.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0840.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5522\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Despite all her travails getting here, Lupe attains the summit of Fanny Peak, Wyoming! Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5523\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5523\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0841.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5523\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0841-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Loopster stands on the money rock on Fanny Peak!\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0841.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0841.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0841.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0841.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0841.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5523\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Loopster stands on the money rock on Fanny Peak!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>SPHP soon noticed that one of the two big pink rocks at the top of Fanny Peak contained a treasure!\u00a0 It was a money rock!\u00a0 In a small depression on top of the rock was a 1999 dime.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5524\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5524\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0842.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5524\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0842-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The 1999 dime in a depression on top of the money rock at the summit of Fanny Peak.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0842.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0842.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0842.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0842.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0842.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5524\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The 1999 dime in a depression on top of the money rock at the summit of Fanny Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe didn&#8217;t really need a dime.\u00a0 As treasures go, she would have preferred a rawhide chew, ice cream, T-bone steak or a lot of other things instead.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP decided to leave the dime where it was.\u00a0 No doubt some other bold\u00a0peakbagger will be willing to brave cacti and snakes to claim it someday!<\/p>\n<p>Forest pretty much hid any views toward the N from Fanny Peak.\u00a0 The best view was to the S back at Elk Mountain where Lupe had visited the <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=27442\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elk Benchmark<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,669 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0yesterday evening and spent a long restless moonlit night.\u00a0 Lupe could also see the 5,840 foot hill 0.33 mile to the SE where SPHP first realized Lupe was getting close to Fanny Peak.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5525\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5525\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0843.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5525\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0843-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The best view from Fanny Peak was to the S toward Elk Mountain. Lupe had been at the Elk Benchmark (5,669 ft.) there yesterday evening.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0843.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0843.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0843.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0843.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0843.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5525\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The best view from Fanny Peak was to the S toward Elk Mountain. Lupe had been\u00a0to the <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=27442\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elk Benchmark<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,669 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> there yesterday evening.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5526\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5526\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0844.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5526\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0844-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Looking SE at the forested 5,840 ft. hill where SPHP first realized Lupe was getting close to Fanny Peak.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0844.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0844.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0844.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0844.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0844.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5526\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking SE at the forested 5,840 ft. hill where SPHP first realized Lupe was getting close to Fanny Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5527\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5527\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0845.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5527\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0845-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"This photo shows most of the summit area on Fanny Peak, which wasn't very big. Photo looks W.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0845.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0845.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0845.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0845.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0845.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5527\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This photo shows most of the summit area on Fanny Peak, which wasn&#8217;t very big. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>By reaching Fanny Peak, Lupe had accomplished her 2nd peakbagging goal of the day!\u00a0 Having braved cacti and snakes to get here, naturally she was quite proud of her accomplishment.\u00a0 However, the view from the top was not at all encouraging as far as her chances of successfully completing her\u00a0next goal went.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe&#8217;s 3rd peakbagging goal was <strong>Frannie Peak <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,340 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, more than a mile to the W.\u00a0 Between the trees, SPHP could catch a glimpse of it.\u00a0 The view was discouraging.\u00a0 Frannie Peak appeared to be a jagged ridge of red rock.\u00a0 From this far away it was hard to know for certain, but the rock formations along the jagged spine of Frannie Peak looked too steep for Lupe and SPHP to climb.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5521\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5521\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0839.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5521\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0839-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"SPHP believes this jagged red rock ridge is Frannie Peak, WY. At least from this perspective, it looked too steep for Lupe to climb. Photo looks W from Fanny Peak using the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0839.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0839.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0839.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0839.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0839.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5521\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SPHP believes this jagged red rock ridge is Frannie Peak, WY. At least from this perspective, it looked too steep for Lupe to climb. Photo looks W from Fanny Peak using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Even if the rock formations on Frannie Peak weren&#8217;t insurmountable, there were other problems, too.\u00a0 There was no road SPHP knew of\u00a0to Frannie Peak, which at 5,340 ft. was well below cactus line.\u00a0 Although it wasn&#8217;t that far away, even a mile over rough ground through cactus country didn&#8217;t sound like any fun.\u00a0 Getting back would double the distance, too.<\/p>\n<p>A lot of time had already been lost due to cactus just getting to Fanny Peak.\u00a0\u00a0A million cacti\u00a0would seriously slow down any attempt to get to Frannie Peak, too.\u00a0 Furthermore, there might be rattlesnakes!\u00a0 SPHP pondered all these negative factors.\u00a0 It would have been fun to find out if Lupe could climb Frannie Peak, but all SPHP truly expected was failure to reach the top, even if Lupe did manage to get over there.<\/p>\n<p>Fanny Peak would have to suffice.\u00a0 Frannie Peak was out!\u00a0 As a consolation 3rd peakbagging goal, Lupe could continue N 2 more miles to the lookout tower on <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=-33047\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Summit Ridge<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,096 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0Roads would take\u00a0Lupe all the way\u00a0there.\u00a0\u00a0She wouldn&#8217;t be\u00a0hindered by cacti or unclimbable rock formations.\u00a0 Lupe hadn&#8217;t been to Summit Ridge for\u00a0over 3.5\u00a0years.\u00a0 It would be fun to go see it again.<\/p>\n<p>Right or wrong, the decision was made.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP left Fanny Peak going back the way they had come.\u00a0 Lupe returned to the intersection along USFS Road No. 264.1A where the\u00a0three slender pale blue posts were.\u00a0 Instead of turning S back to the G6, Lupe\u00a0went N toward Summit Ridge.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5528\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5528\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0846-e1554180155796.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5528\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0846-e1554180155796-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0846-e1554180155796.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0846-e1554180155796.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0846-e1554180155796.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0846-e1554180155796.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5528\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe about to begin her descent from Fanny Peak. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5529\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5529\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0847.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5529\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0847-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe in the little meadow just NE of Fanny Peak. The summit is in the trees. Photo looks SW from near the fence on the South Dakota\/Wyoming border.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0847.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0847.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0847.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0847.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0847.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5529\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe in the little meadow just NE of Fanny Peak. The summit is in the trees. Photo looks SW from near the fence on the South Dakota\/Wyoming border.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5530\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5530\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0848.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5530\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0848-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The 3 slender blue post intersection 0.33 mile NE of Fanny Peak along USFS Road No. 264.1A. Straight ahead No. 264.1A goes to Summit Ridge. To the right, back S through snake and cactus country to the G6 at Boles Canyon Road. Coming toward the camera is the route W to Fanny Peak. Photo looks NE.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0848.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0848.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0848.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0848.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0848.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5530\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The 3 slender blue post intersection 0.33 mile NE of Fanny Peak along USFS Road No. 264.1A. Straight ahead No. 264.1A goes to Summit Ridge. To the right, back S through snake and cactus country to the G6 at Boles Canyon Road. Coming toward the camera is the route W closer to Fanny Peak. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Except for one short off-road shortcut, Lupe followed No. 264.1A all the way N\u00a0to the intersection with No. 264 in the upper reaches of Roby Canyon.\u00a0\u00a0No. 264 took her\u00a0the rest of the way up to the Summit Ridge lookout tower.\u00a0 No snakes, cactus, rock formations or anything else bothered Lupe along the way.<\/p>\n<p>However, as Lupe got close to the old cabin near the Summit Ridge lookout tower, 2 big dogs came running over to bark at her and sniff.\u00a0 They seemed a bit aggressive, and Lupe didn&#8217;t like them.\u00a0 She growled, and became snappy.\u00a0 SPHP picked her up.\u00a0 The owners of the 2 big dogs came over to retrieve them.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP was surprised to see anyone around, but the dog owners\u00a0said they\u00a0were renting the old USFS cabin here\u00a0for\u00a0a few days.\u00a0 Relatives were staying in a 5th wheel trailer nearby, too.\u00a0 After a pleasant brief chat, Lupe and SPHP left the dogs and their owners to go check out the lookout tower.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe arrived at the base of the lookout tower to find the stairway padlocked shut.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5531\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5531\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0849-e1554180243174.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5531\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0849-e1554180243174-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0849-e1554180243174.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0849-e1554180243174.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0849-e1554180243174.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0849-e1554180243174.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5531\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe arrives at the Summit Ridge lookout tower. The last time she was here was over 3.5 years ago way back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 30 on 10-14-12. Lupe wasn&#8217;t even 2 years old yet back then!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5532\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5532\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0850.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5532\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0850-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"It really wasn't too surprising to find the stairway to the tower padlocked shut. It had been locked back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 30, too. Back then a sign had said the tower hasn't been manned on a consistent basis since 1972.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0850.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0850.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0850.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0850.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0850.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5532\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It really wasn&#8217;t too surprising to find the stairway to the tower padlocked shut. It had been locked back on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 30, too. Back then a sign had said the tower hasn&#8217;t been manned on a consistent basis since 1972.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Although the tower provides a great vantage point, from down below there weren&#8217;t any views.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP wandered off to the NW a little way, but there were too many trees to see much.\u00a0 Lupe returned to pose in front of the cool old cabin, but that was about all there was to do.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5533\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5533\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0851.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-5533\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0851-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The USFS cabin at Summit Ridge. There is only one cabin here. A sign said it was available for rent at $35 per night. No running water or electricity! Except for the occasional wandering American Dingo, though, you will enjoy complete solitude in this remote location practically on the Wyoming border.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0851.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0851.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0851.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0851.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0851.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5533\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The USFS cabin at Summit Ridge. There is only one cabin here. A sign said it was available for rent at $35 per night. No running water or electricity! Except for the occasional wandering American Dingo, though, you will enjoy complete solitude in this remote location practically on the Wyoming border.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of the big dogs (Stevie)\u00a0kept barking at Lupe, and wanting to come over\u00a0to confront her.\u00a0 The owner prevented that from happening, but it was time\u00a0to go and let the people enjoy the peace and solitude they bargained for.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP returned to USFS Road No. 264\u00a0and went\u00a0S.<\/p>\n<p>When Lupe came to the intersection with No. 264.1A again, this time she stayed on No. 264.\u00a0 She followed it all the way through the entire length of\u00a0Roby Canyon.\u00a0 It was easily 4 miles, probably closer to 5, before Lupe reached Boles Canyon Road.\u00a0 The Roby Canyon trek was secluded, pleasantly scenic, and downhill or level all the way.\u00a0 Best of all, there weren&#8217;t any cactus down in the canyon.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe\u00a0had a good time running around in Roby Canyon.\u00a0 She found a few squirrels to bark at.\u00a0 SPHP collected Lupe treasures.\u00a0 When Lupe finally got back to the G6, it was 5:54 PM (68\u00b0F).\u00a0 Earlier, before Lupe left to go to Fanny Peak, SPHP had noticed Lupe\u00a0Treasures\u00a0down in the ravine under the bridge near the start of USFS Road No. 264.1A.\u00a0 Now Lupe and SPHP went back there to collect them.<\/p>\n<p>On the way home, Lupe continued having a good time.\u00a0 She barked at lots of deer, as she sped by in the\u00a0G6.\u00a0 She stopped briefly at Ditch Creek campground where she got to lay down in beautiful, clear, cold Ditch Creek to cool off.\u00a0 She drank deeply.\u00a0 Ditch Creek was the only stream she\u00a0had seen\u00a0in two whole\u00a0days of Black Hills Expeditions.\u00a0 She rolled and frolicked\u00a0in big patches of snow still melting at the campground.<\/p>\n<p>At home, after milk and\u00a0a\u00a0big bowl of Alpo, Lupe drifted off to more adventures in Dingo Dreamland.\u00a0 What she does there, even SPHP can&#8217;t relate.\u00a0 However, it was clear SPHP wouldn&#8217;t be seeing those big soft Dingo ears standing at attention in the moonlight all night tonight!<a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0854.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-5534\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0854-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Intersection of USFS Roads No. 264 &amp; 264.1A S of Summit Ridge in Roby Canyon.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0854.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0854.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0854.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0854.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0854.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><em>Lupe Treasures collected: 9 glass bottles, 3 plastic bottles, 39 aluminum cans, plus miscellaneous non-recyclables.<\/em><\/p>\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=5561\" 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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5500\" 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\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=3964\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0<span style=\"color: #000080;\"><a style=\"color: #000080;\" href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\"><strong>new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every time SPHP woke up, there they were.\u00a0 Big soft Dingo ears bathed in moonlight\u00a0stood\u00a0erect, listening.\u00a0 Lupe\u00a0was too excited to\u00a0sleep, instead she was watching &#8211; fascinated by whatever was going on in the darkness\u00a0outside on Elk Mountain.\u00a0 Now and then, SPHP let her out of the G6.\u00a0 The excited American Dingo wandered back and forth &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5535\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Black Hills, SD &#038; WY Expedition No. 168 &#8211; Wildcat Peak, Fanny Peak &#038; Summit Ridge (4-21-16)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5525,"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":[105,9,106,632,104,304,630,631,275],"class_list":["post-5535","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-fanny-peak","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota","tag-summit-ridge","tag-wildcat-peak","tag-wyoming"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0843.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\/5535","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=5535"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5535\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32655,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5535\/revisions\/32655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}