{"id":64797,"date":"2025-06-15T08:10:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-15T14:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=64797"},"modified":"2025-07-14T12:37:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T18:37:24","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-344-deerfield-lake-loop-trail-no-40l-with-poppy-hv-lv-plus-peak-7100-peak-7159-green-mountain-4-27-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=64797","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 344 – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L with Poppy, HV & LV, Plus Peak 7100, Peak 7159 & Green Mountain (4-27-25)"},"content":{"rendered":"

9:00 AM, 56\u00baF <\/em>– The Gold Run trailhead was completely empty when SPHP pulled in and parked the RAV4.\u00a0 Anticipating great things, the Carolina Dog leapt out.<\/p>\n

Where’s Poppy, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

We’re early.\u00a0 She’ll be along in a bit, Loop.\u00a0 Let’s have a look at the lake.<\/em><\/p>\n

Deerfield Lake was smooth as glass when Lupe leapt onto a weathered section of a big tree trunk near a mucky shore.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deerfield Reservoir<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What a beautiful morning, SPHP!\u00a0 It’s going to be a great day!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I think it’s a good thing we delayed this outing with Poppy, Loopster.\u00a0 Yesterday would have been cold and gloomy.<\/em><\/p>\n

While waiting for Poppy, SPHP walked from the trailhead back out to Deerfield Road.\u00a0 Lupe helped herself to a drink from Gold Run creek.\u00a0 The little stream actually had pretty decent flow this time of year.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Enjoying Gold Run creek<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP gathered Lupe treasures from the tall, dead grass on the way back to the trailhead.\u00a0 Before the American Dingo even managed to get there, sure enough, Poppy, HV & LV arrived.\u00a0 Minutes later, Lupe and Poppy were exchanging gifts of Golden Rewards treats.\u00a0 The day was certainly getting off to a good start!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s yummy loot<\/strong> from Poppy<\/strong>!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Gold Run trailhead was merely an easily recognized rendezvous point.\u00a0 Since the Deerfield Reservoir dam was the main objective for the outing with Poppy, SPHP recommended starting a bit closer, from along the road leading to the Dutchman campground.\u00a0 A few minutes spent repositioning the vehicles, and the adventure was ready to begin!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the starting point<\/strong> near the road to the Dutchman campground. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Intrepid adventurers Lupe<\/strong>, Rollie (LV)<\/strong>, Dawnette (HV)<\/strong>, and Poppy<\/strong> ready to set out! Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9:46 AM<\/em> – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L was only a short distance from where the cars were parked.\u00a0 Picking it up, the trail began with an easy, gradual descent along the old abandoned roadbed of USFS Road No. 607.1B.\u00a0 Seldom getting an opportunity to be off-leash like this, Poppy was overjoyed!\u00a0 She zoomed ahead, exploring everything in her path.\u00a0 Fortunately, Poppy remembered to return every now and then in order to check on the progress of all the slowpokes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Picking up Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On USFS Road No. 607.1B<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the road wound down a long valley, LV spotted a huge nest situated at the very top of a dead tree way up on a steep hillside.\u00a0 A large bird with a white head was perched on it.\u00a0 When the bird flew off, it appeared to be an osprey, although it was too far away to be completely certain.<\/p>\n

It had been a year since Lupe’s last adventure with Poppy, so SPHP had a lot to catch up on with LV and HV.\u00a0 Rollie mentioned with enthusiasm an e-bike he enjoyed riding on the Mickelson Trail<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 Dawnette was more into long walks with Poppy.\u00a0 She’d also renamed her Picnicking In The Black Hills Facebook page.\u00a0 It’s now Here & There in the Black Hills<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Time flew.\u00a0 Before long, Poppy had led everyone to the junction with Deerfield Trail No. 40, which heads E for 23 miles to another junction with the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction<\/strong> of Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L<\/strong> and Deerfield Trail No. 40<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It wasn’t much farther to easily rock-hopped Dutchman Creek.\u00a0 Beyond it, the valley widened out.\u00a0 Crossing a field full of ancient cow pies, a gate was ahead.\u00a0 Castle Creek and USFS Road No. 370 were on the other side.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rock-hopping Dutchman Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Rollie<\/strong> and Lupe<\/strong> near the gate. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Castle Creek<\/strong> (L), USFS Road No. 370<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following No. 370 upstream, the road soon made a big curve SW, and ended at the base of the Deerfield Reservoir dam.\u00a0 Under tremendous pressure, Castle Creek roared out of a couple of large pipes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the base of the dam<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Backtracking a bit, a side road made a single big switchback up to the W end of the dam.\u00a0 Poppy, LV, and HV had never been here before, so this view of Deerfield Lake was an unfamiliar one for them.\u00a0 The best view was from the E end of the dam, where more of the lake was in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deerfield Lake<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Poppy<\/strong>, Rollie<\/strong>, Lupe<\/strong> & Dawnette<\/strong> at the E end of the dam<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since the dam was this hike’s primary objective, a short rest break was in order.\u00a0 Going partway down a grassy slope, a spot near the shade of a few of pines served the purpose.\u00a0 Dawnette offered peppered beef jerky, and strawberry and blueberry fig bars as snacks.\u00a0 While SPHP enjoyed the tasty fig bars, Lupe went crazy for the jerky.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deerfield Lake<\/strong> and dam<\/strong> from the rest spot. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Still a beautiful day, warm and sunny, with only a few scattered clouds around.\u00a0 While relaxing on the grassy slope, one cloud stood out.\u00a0 Off to the NNE, a lone cumulus cloud was starting to show some development.\u00a0 Not very big yet, the little wannabe thunderhead seemed out of place.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The odd little cumulus cloud<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11:23 AM<\/em> – After a pleasant break, it was time to move on.\u00a0 The question was, did LV and HV want to go any farther, or were they ready to head back?\u00a0 Poppy didn’t have to be polled, she was having a grand time, and would have gone clear around the lake with Lupe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Discussing the next objective. Flag Mountain<\/strong> (R) in the distance. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rollie and Dawnette were both willing to keep going.\u00a0 A small bay NW of the dam seemed like a reasonable objective.\u00a0 After recrossing the dam, HV suggested a shortcut back to Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L along a faint road that headed WNW up into the pines.\u00a0 This was a terrific idea, avoiding the elevation loss that would have otherwise been necessary going back down to pick up the trail again from below the dam.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 370<\/strong> down in the Castle Creek valley<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While among the pines, SPHP noticed a survey benchmark sitting right in the middle of the road.\u00a0 Curving N, the road faded away as it climbed at an easy pace to a meadow above the pines.\u00a0 Crocuses were springing up among the grass here.\u00a0 Other varieties of wildflowers were enjoying the spring sunshine, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The survey benchmark<\/strong> NW of the dam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
One of the many crocuses<\/strong> or pasque flowers<\/strong> springing up from the prairie.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Dawnette knew what these yellow wildflowers<\/strong> were, but SPHP has since forgotten.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the meadow, a barbed wire fence was visible with a gate in it off to the NE, where Trail No. 40L went through it.\u00a0 Beyond the gate, the trail divided into a couple of routes on the way down to Deerfield Reservoir’s N bay. \u00a0South Castle Rock<\/span><\/a> (6,848 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Castle Rock<\/span><\/a> (6,783 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and Nipple Butte<\/span><\/a> (6,820 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were all in view off to the NW during the first part of this descent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
South Castle Rock<\/strong> (L of Center), Castle Rock<\/strong> (Center), and Nipple Butte<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once down to the bay, Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L ran N along the E shore.\u00a0 Several Canadian geese were swimming in the bay.\u00a0 They didn’t seem terribly concerned about the intrusion.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the N bay<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
3 of the 6 Canadian geese<\/strong> in the area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It wasn’t far to the N end of the bay where a small stream trickled into it.\u00a0 Of course, the 11 mile long loop trail continued all the way around the lake from here, but LV and HV were satisfied.\u00a0 This was far enough.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading for the N end of the bay<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The whole gang at the turnaround point<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sticking with Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L during the entire return, there was one more scenic highlight along the part of the trail that had been skipped earlier.\u00a0 The edge of a steep slope reached just before the descent to USFS Road No. 370 provided an excellent view of the dam and Castle Creek gushing out of it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Deerfield Reservoir dam<\/strong> from just off the trail. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1:12 PM, 71\u00baF<\/em> – Well, the adventure with Poppy, LV, and HV was over, but they still wanted to visit a bit.\u00a0 LV and HV invited SPHP and Lupe to join them at the Gold Run cafe.\u00a0 SPHP instantly accepted the invitation, but it turned out that the cafe wasn’t open yet this early in the season.<\/p>\n

No matter!\u00a0 How about a visit at Poppy’s house?\u00a0 That would work for sure.\u00a0 So Lupe and SPHP wound up hanging out at Poppy’s beautiful home for a while.\u00a0 Relaxing on Poppy’s big no maintenance deck would have been awesome, but it was so sunny and warm out, that the cool shade inside the house was everyone’s preferred option.<\/p>\n

Rollie provided SPHP with a glass of lemonade.\u00a0 Dawnette offered more blueberry fig bars.\u00a0 Still hung up on peppered beef jerky, the American Dingo initially turned down homemade peanut butter dog treats, before eventually deciding that they were good, too.<\/p>\n

The fun visit concluded with agreement on another joint adventure in the fall.\u00a0 Poppy eventually bid Lupe farewell from her deck.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s friend Poppy<\/strong> out on the deck.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2:58 PM<\/em> – The afternoon was still sunny and warm.<\/p>\n

I had a blast seeing Poppy, HV, and LV again, SPHP!\u00a0 What now?\u00a0 Are we going home?\u00a0 If so, you turned the wrong way.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nope.\u00a0 Stays light pretty late this time of year, Loop.\u00a0 There are a couple of peaks along the E edge of the limestone plateau country Dean Giuliano<\/strong><\/span><\/a> visited and added to Peakbagger.com quite a while ago.\u00a0 They shouldn’t be too hard to get to, so I’m thinking we still ought to have enough time to tag both of them today, if you like.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, are they Lidar Peaks<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes and no, Loopster.\u00a0 Practically everything has had an official elevation adjustment due to the new Lidar dataset recently, but although both of these peaks are actually higher than the old topo maps show, they still don’t have the minimum 300 feet of prominence of the other “Lidar Peaks” we’ve been shooting for.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, we’re just going to tag them because Dean did, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

They’ll give you a couple more dots on your Master Peak Ma<\/strong><\/span><\/a>p<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Looper, so yeah, why not?<\/em><\/p>\n

3:53 PM, 64\u00baF<\/em> – Well, the Carolina Dog was all for it, but by the time SPHP parked the RAV4 off Sixmile Road, the weather had changed.\u00a0 Suddenly the sky was full of cumulus clouds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Parked near the entrance to the Copper Mountain gravel pit<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maybe that odd little cumulus cloud we saw back at Deerfield Lake was trying to tell us something, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

You mean like an omen, Loopster?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, like an evil omen, SPHP, a warning.<\/em><\/p>\n

Shoot!\u00a0 We aren’t going to let a few clouds stop us, are we, Loop?\u00a0 Follow the road past that gate.\u00a0 The Copper Mountain gravel pit is just N of here, and on our way.<\/em><\/p>\n

Took only a few minutes to reach the gravel pit.\u00a0 Rather than going right on through it, Lupe climbed the bank on the E side of the pit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Copper Mountain gravel pit<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We just head N from here Looper.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 7100<\/span><\/a><\/strong> is our first objective.\u00a0 It’s only 0.5 mile away, and we’re already over 7,000 feet, so we won’t need to gain much elevation.<\/em><\/p>\n

Is 7,100 the old elevation?\u00a0 How high is it according to Lidar, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Lidar says it’s Peak<\/span> 7123<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, Loopster.\u00a0 So, a bit higher.\u00a0 23 feet.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, so not enough to make much difference to us, SPHP.\u00a0 Looks like there’s already a view off to the E.\u00a0 Let’s go take a look.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wandering through deadfall, bushes, and a few crocuses, Lupe reached the E edge of the plateau after losing 15 feet of elevation.\u00a0 A nice, distant view of Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was off to the SE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A particularly lovely group of crocuses<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sixmile Road<\/strong> (L), Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (Center) from the edge of the limestone plateau<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Returning to the highest ground, the terrain was nearly flat, sloping only gradually higher as Lupe worked her way N.\u00a0 Would have been super easy, if not for a multitude of big juniper bushes, and a maze of deadfall remaining from a shattered forest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading N in search of the Peak 7100<\/strong> summit. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The deadfall wasn’t all that awful, but forced Lupe to take a winding route in order to avoid it as much as possible.\u00a0 Enjoying a fair amount of success, most of the time the American Dingo was well back from the edge of the limestone plateau.\u00a0 However, she did get close to it again a couple of times, yielding some great views of Gillette Prairie, Medicine Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,884 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and the E edge of Odakota Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,199 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A grand view of Gillette Prairie<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Medicine Mountain<\/strong> (L) in the foreground, Odakota Mountain<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4:33 PM, 64\u00baF<\/em> – The true summit of Peak<\/span> 7100<\/span><\/a><\/strong> also turned out to be very close to the E edge of the limestone plateau.\u00a0 Unfortunately, it was buried in such a dense collection of live trees, deadfall, and bushes, that they not only almost completely hid the views, but made it nearly impossible to move around.\u00a0 A large area close to what seemed to be the high point was at very nearly the exact same elevation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 7100 true summit<\/strong>, to the extent it could be determined. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations, Loop!\u00a0 One Dean Giuliano Peak down, one more to go!<\/em><\/p>\n

Lovely, isn’t it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, indeed!\u00a0 So lovely, that let’s keep going.\u00a0 Maybe we can find a better spot to celebrate your success.<\/em><\/p>\n

200 feet farther N, and only somewhat lower, the Carolina Dog did come to a better spot to take a short break.\u00a0 A limestone platform with a big dead tree on it right along the edge of the plateau offered a great view of several stock ponds near the S end of Gillette Prairie.\u00a0 Much farther N, Reynolds Prairie, Terry Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,069 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, and Custer Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,809 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> were all in sight, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the superior viewpoint 200 feet N of Peak 7100’s true summit<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
S end of Gillette Prairie<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Thirsty, Loopster?\u00a0 Your tongue is about to fall out of your head.<\/em><\/p>\n

Water, SPHP, water …<\/em><\/p>\n

After a big drink, Lupe crunched some Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP peeled an orange.<\/p>\n

How much farther to the next peak, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak<\/span> 7159<\/span><\/a><\/strong>?\u00a0 Even winding around some, only another 0.5 mile, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

7159.\u00a0 Not much higher than where we are already then, either, SPHP.\u00a0 Sounds good!\u00a0 Are you ready?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, in a minute.\u00a0 Let me finish my orange first, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Roaming generally NW, the deadfall improved during a gradual descent to a broad, shallow valley.\u00a0 Crossing it, even though no road was shown on the map here, Lupe came across what must have been an extension of USFS Road No. 656.1A.\u00a0 Following this road N, it faded away almost immediately as the terrain began to rise again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Descending into the shallow valley<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hey, there’s something here, SPHP!<\/em><\/p>\n

What?\u00a0 Oh, a spoon.\u00a0 How strange!\u00a0 In decent shape, too, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

Keep it, SPHP.\u00a0 You can dish me out more food at home with it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Think I will, Looper.\u00a0 Kind of a nice souvenir from this trek.\u00a0 Not often we find anything we can actually use.\u00a0 I like the snazzy purple handle.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The souvenir spoon<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing NW, Lupe gained 100 feet of elevation in a denser forest with quite a bit of large deadfall in it.\u00a0 Winding around to avoid the deadfall as much as possible again, the Carolina Dog turned NNE after catching a glimpse of even higher ground in that direction.\u00a0 The forest opened up as she approached the high point.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Peak 7159’s summit<\/strong> (R of Center). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5:28 PM, 63\u00baF<\/em> – No doubt at all about the location of the true summit of Peak <\/span>7159<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Beyond Gillette Prairie, the sky was stormy where a rain shower hid the mountains when Lupe reached a roomy platform of limestone right along the brink of N-facing cliffs.\u00a0 Much closer, Green Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,176 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was in view to the NNW on the opposite side of a deep valley.\u00a0 Beyond it, a little sliver of Deerfield Lake was in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Gillette Prairie<\/strong> from Peak 7159’s summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Green Mountain<\/strong> (L) with a tiny sliver of Deerfield Reservoir<\/strong> (L of Center) beyond it. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just think!\u00a0 We were way over there with Poppy, LV, and HV only a few hours ago, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 Fun times, Looper!\u00a0 By the way, congratulations on reaching Peak 7159.\u00a0 Your Dean Giuliano peak tour today is complete.<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP shook the Carolina Dog’s paw.\u00a0 Off to the S, a ridge was visible through a gap in the trees.\u00a0 Only moderately higher, gently sloping, and forested, that had to be Odakota Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,199 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Second highest peak in South Dakota, but it didn’t look all that impressive from here.<\/p>\n

Lupe was thirsty again.\u00a0 After sharing water, SPHP munched an apple while admiring the sweeping view to the N.\u00a0 When the apple was gone, SPHP stood up.<\/p>\n

It’ll get dark on us on the way back, but want to visit Green Mountain again, Loopster?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure!\u00a0 We haven’t been there since Dennis Stewart<\/strong><\/a><\/span> went with us, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Although Green Mountain was less than 0.75 mile NW, Lupe would have to make a big arc circling around S end of the intervening valley to get there.\u00a0 Leaving Peak 7159, the American Dingo followed its SW ridge, staying on the high ground as much as possible, which wasn’t easy due to the amount of deadfall and thickets of large bushes.\u00a0 She hadn’t gotten very far before a small raised platform appeared at least 20 feet above the slope she was on.<\/p>\n

Oh, I better climb up there, SPHP!\u00a0 That might be Peak 7159’s true summit!<\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe, but I doubt it, Loop.\u00a0 Go for it, though.\u00a0 Won’t take but a minute.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Peak 7159’s SW high point<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond this SW high point, the ridge soon broadened out.\u00a0 Less deadfall was encountered during a gradual descent.\u00a0 By the time Lupe reached the saddle at the S end of the valley she was circling, the terrain was flat and grassy.\u00a0 Reaching USFS Road No. 656, Lupe followed it N a little way, then re-entered the forest as she started up Green Mountain’s S ridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Exploring the forest. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the saddle. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On USFS Road No. 656<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A long, winding march N ensued.\u00a0 Plenty of deadfall and bushes were on the broad ridge, happily most of it avoidable without too much trouble.\u00a0 Gradually gaining elevation, distant thunder rumbled off to both the N and SW.\u00a0 The air felt cooler.\u00a0 SPHP felt a raindrop.\u00a0 Began to seem like the terrain ought to be leveling out any moment, when Lupe finally reached an unexpected road where a top was in sight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the unexpected road<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This road’s going the right way, Loop.\u00a0 Just follow it!<\/em><\/p>\n

After crossing the high spot, the road dipped and curved E.\u00a0 No road was shown on the map here, but SPHP suddenly knew where Lupe was.<\/p>\n

This is the same road we used to take to Green Mountain the first few times we ever visited it long ago, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

You mean back when we used to come at it from the W, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Exactly!\u00a0 This will lead us right to the summit region and the Dingo display column.\u00a0 We’ll be there in no time!<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure enough, a fence SPHP remembered soon appeared ahead.\u00a0 Beyond it was the big clearing near the edge of the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Entering Green Mountain’s summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7:15 PM, 53\u00baF, Green Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,176 ft.)<\/span><\/strong><\/em> – The summit region was huge and pancake flat.\u00a0 As Lupe entered the clearing where the road ended beyond the fence, a sense of urgency was in the air.\u00a0 Lightning flashed among the clouds.\u00a0 The rumble of thunder was getting steadily louder, especially from the SW.\u00a0 A sporadic 10 mph wind blew from out of the W between periods of dead calm.<\/p>\n

Let’s visit the cairn first, Looper!<\/em><\/p>\n

The cairn was back in the forest, a little N of the clearing.\u00a0 Circling around a terrible mess of deadfall, the Carolina Dog quickly found it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the Green Mountain summit cairn<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sweet, another peakbagging success, Loopster!\u00a0 Good job!<\/em><\/p>\n

With nothing but trees to see at the cairn, which was situated at a spot that seemed almost completely arbitrary since the terrain was so flat, SPHP urged Lupe onward.<\/p>\n

Let’s visit the Dingo display column now, Loop.\u00a0 That’s the highlight of any trip to Green Mountain!<\/em><\/p>\n

Returning to the clearing where the road ended, the column was just a little way down the slope at the edge of the plateau.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (far L) on the horizon, Dingo display column<\/strong> (L) with Copper Mountain<\/strong> beyond it, Medicine Mountain<\/strong> (L of Center), Peak 7159<\/strong> (R). Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

C’mon, Loopster!\u00a0 I’ll boost you up there.<\/em><\/p>\n

Wait, SPHP.\u00a0 Are you sure?\u00a0 Whoa!\u00a0 Put me down!<\/em><\/p>\n

Why the big fuss, Loop?\u00a0 It’s a tradition!\u00a0 I always lift you up here.\u00a0 Just stand on top, and hurry it up!\u00a0 I can’t hold you over my head much longer.<\/em><\/p>\n

After clawing her way onto the column, Lupe looked concerned.\u00a0 She danced around surveying the situation from her cramped little perch, and seeing no safe way down, began to panic.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the Dingo display column<\/strong>. Five Points<\/strong> (Center) beyond Gillette Prairie<\/strong>. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why the fuss?\u00a0 I’ll tell you why, SPHP!\u00a0 Two thunderstorms are bearing down on us.\u00a0 This is no place to be with so much lightning around!\u00a0 If you think this is such a terrific idea, fine.\u00a0 Come on up!\u00a0 It’s your turn, but get me down!<\/em><\/p>\n

Fearing Lupe might actually make an ill-advised tragic leap off the Dingo display column, SPHP helped her down after a couple of quick photos.<\/p>\n

Well done, Looper.\u00a0 Felt a little insecure up there this time, aye?\u00a0 Dramatic shot, though.\u00a0 Let’s get another one from the side.<\/em><\/p>\n

No way!\u00a0 I’m not getting up there again, SPHP!\u00a0 Not now.<\/em><\/p>\n

No, I mean from the little ridge where we usually take a break, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, that’s fine.\u00a0 Don’t mind doing that, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Dingo display column<\/strong> (L) from the traditional rest break ridge<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once again, SPHP shook the Carolina Dog’s paw.<\/p>\n

Thanks, Loop.\u00a0 That completes our Green Mountain traditions.\u00a0 Wish we could stay, but under the circumstances, we better get out of here.<\/em><\/p>\n

Aren’t you forgetting a tradition, SPHP?\u00a0 I’ve climbed 3 mountains, and still no chocolate coconut bar?\u00a0 Surely earned one here, didn’t I?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, but I forgot to bring any, Loopster.\u00a0 How about some water, then we really have to get going.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fine, but you owe me, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

7:44 PM<\/em> – The situation was deteriorating as Lupe went back up the slope to the clearing.\u00a0 Back to the E, the sky was still blue toward the horizon, but toward the W dark clouds hovered overhead.\u00a0 Thunder boomed, and lightning flashed among the clouds.\u00a0 It started to rain as Lupe began tracing her route along the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Leaving Green Mountain<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gads!\u00a0 We’re going to get absolutely soaked, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

At least you’ve got a rain jacket, SPHP.\u00a0 Put it on!<\/em><\/p>\n

No, I don’t.\u00a0 This wasn’t in the forecast, Loop.\u00a0 Nothing but sunshine, so I didn’t even bring it this morning.<\/em><\/p>\n

Well then, welcome to experiencing the joys of nature as a Dingo, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

The rain quickly turned to hail.\u00a0 This was better actually, because the hail was tiny.\u00a0 Not even pea size.\u00a0 Half that, or maybe even less.\u00a0 The ground began to turn white.<\/p>\n

15 or 20 minutes, and it was all over.\u00a0 No downpour ever materialized.\u00a0 In just a cool breeze, Lupe hurried along the road.\u00a0 Hidden by the clouds, the sun must have set.\u00a0 It was already getting dark.\u00a0 As the light rapidly continued to fade, thunder boomed.\u00a0 Non-stop lightning highlighted black silhouettes of the forest.<\/p>\n

Wow!\u00a0 We’ve lucked out, Looper.\u00a0 They’re really getting it somewhere.\u00a0 It’s all moving off to the E.<\/em><\/p>\n

Told you that cloud was an omen, SPHP!\u00a0 We would have been beaten to a pulp, if the hail had been bigger.<\/em><\/p>\n

Upon reached USFS Road No. 301.1R, the American Dingo followed it S down through the broad, gently sloping grassy fields of Windmill Draw.\u00a0 It had been ages since Lupe had last been here.\u00a0 Would have been nice to see it again in daylight, but there was something incredibly awesome about being here on such a wild and dramatic evening.<\/p>\n

A short rest break at the junction with Sixmile Road, and the rest of the journey became a less interesting trudge.\u00a0 Lightning continued to flash across the black sky, as the thunder grew fainter and fainter.<\/p>\n

Wonder what Poppy would have thought of this adventure, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 That we’re a couple of lunatics?\u00a0 Guess you can tell Poppy all about it in the fall, and ask her!\u00a0 (End 9:08 PM, 50\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
With Poppy<\/strong>, Rollie<\/strong>, and Dawnette<\/strong> on the Deerfield Reservoir dam<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Green Mountain<\/strong>, Black Hills of South Dakota 4-27-25<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Poppy’s Deerfield Lake GPS Track<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s Peak 7100, Peak 7159 & Green Mountain GPS Track<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Poppy’s Scrollable Deerfield Lake GPS Track & Statistics<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Lupe’s Scrollable Peak 7100, Peak 7159 & Green Mountain GPS Track<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0 Choose from Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY\u00a0Expeditions\u00a0Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, Master Peak Map<\/strong><\/span><\/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":"

9:00 AM, 56\u00baF – The Gold Run trailhead was completely empty when SPHP pulled in and parked the RAV4.\u00a0 Anticipating great things, the Carolina Dog leapt out. Where’s Poppy, SPHP? We’re early.\u00a0 She’ll be along in a bit, Loop.\u00a0 Let’s have a look at the lake. Deerfield Lake was smooth as glass when Lupe leapt … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 344 – Deerfield Lake Loop Trail No. 40L with Poppy, HV & LV, Plus Peak 7100, Peak 7159 & Green Mountain (4-27-25)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":64743,"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":[105,9,106,1650,1794,191,1649,104,1648,1795,1796,1647,1651,304],"class_list":["post-64797","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-deerfield-lake-loop","tag-green-mountain","tag-hv","tag-lupe","tag-lv","tag-peak-7100","tag-peak-7159","tag-poppy","tag-rollie","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_7458-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\/64797","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=64797"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64797\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65461,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64797\/revisions\/65461"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/64743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=64797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=64797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=64797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}