{"id":65097,"date":"2025-07-03T08:10:16","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T14:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=65097"},"modified":"2025-11-30T19:08:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T02:08:46","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-345-peak-6821-peak-6823-crooks-tower-peak-7148-5-30-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=65097","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 345 – Peak 6821, Peak 6823, Crooks Tower & Peak 7148 (5-30-25)"},"content":{"rendered":"

9:03 AM, 61\u00baF, Tillson Creek<\/em> – SPHP backed the RAV4 into a roomy spot just off USFS Road No. 234.\u00a0 Perfect!\u00a0 Moments later, the American Dingo was out, excitedly surveying the scene.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 234<\/strong> near Tillson Creek<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About time, SPHP!\u00a0 Finally a Black Hills expedition!\u00a0 What’s it been since our last adventure with Poppy, HV & LV?\u00a0 A month?\u00a0 That’s way too long!<\/em><\/p>\n

I know it, Loop, but the news is even better than you think.\u00a0 June is right around the corner.\u00a0 Before long, you’ll be setting off on your Summer of 2025 Dingo Vacations.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, that’s more like it, SPHP!\u00a0 Certainly hope we’ve got a good Black Hills romp on the agenda today as a prelude to a summer of non-stop action.<\/em><\/p>\n

We’ll be visiting 4 peaks, Looper.\u00a0 Nothing too difficult, but I have a hunch that you’ll be satisfied with the workout.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

After taking USFS Road No. 234 over Tillson Creek, Lupe trotted under a closed forest service gate.\u00a0 The road immediately began a slow curve S.\u00a0 A gradual 0.5 mile climb along a dandelion-strewn stretch brought the Carolina Dog to a flat, open area where USFS Road No. 234.1D headed off to the E.\u00a0 Didn’t look like it ever saw much traffic these days.\u00a0 Not at all surprising.\u00a0 A large blue plastic water trough SW of the junction was far more unexpected.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Starting up USFS Road No. 234<\/strong>. Tillson Creek valley<\/strong> (R). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Heading for the junction with No. 234.1D. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Water trough<\/strong> near the junction of USFS Roads No. 234 & No. 234.1D<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What’s this, SPHP?\u00a0 A giant kid’s swimming pool?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure looks like it, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

Got any water in it, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, about a foot.\u00a0 Not all that wonderful, though.\u00a0 You’re not getting in there, I’m telling you that.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not even for a drink, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yuck!\u00a0 No.\u00a0 I brought clean water, if you want some, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Already warm in the morning sunshine, the American Dingo did.\u00a0 After a quick water break, SPHP led Lupe toward a meadow W of the junction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The off-road adventure<\/strong> begins. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Crossing the meadow, Lupe entered the forest.\u00a0 The ground ahead sloped up toward the WNW.\u00a0 Encountering a typical Black Hills mess of deadfall and large bushes mixed in among the live trees, Lupe explored narrow, relatively open lanes that made a reasonable rate of progress possible along a winding route.\u00a0 The slope steadily steepened, soon bringing the Carolina Dog to the base of a limestone bluff.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Below the bluff<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Circling around the S side, Lupe quickly discovered a spot where she could scramble to the top.\u00a0 Beneath a cloudless, suspiciously gray sky, Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was visible far to the SE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (L of Center) on the horizon. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is that smoke in the air, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure looks like it.\u00a0 I hear that Canada is already on fire, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Seriously?\u00a0 It isn’t even summer yet, SPHP!\u00a0 Is another Arctic Apocalypse<\/span><\/strong><\/a> going to happen this year?<\/em><\/p>\n

Who knows?\u00a0 Hope not, Loopster, but the way things seem to be going, Arctic Apocalypses may become an annual event.<\/em><\/p>\n

Continuing WNW along the high ground, it wasn’t far to a second bluff.\u00a0 Lupe again scrambled up from the S.\u00a0 Even though this bluff was higher, trees completely hid whatever views there might have been.<\/p>\n

Following a broad ridge, Lupe kept wandering WNW through the forest, enjoying occasional, tree-broken glimpses of distant views.\u00a0 Happily, the American Dingo seldom ran out of open lanes that avoided most of the bushes and deadfall.\u00a0 Near HP6695<\/span><\/strong>, she reached a small clearing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the clearing near HP6695<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sure haven’t been many scenic highlights on this expedition so far, SPHP.\u00a0 Nothing to see here, either, except trees.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not expecting much in the way of scenic highlights for a while, Loopster.\u00a0 We’re heading for Peak<\/span> 6821<\/span><\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 You’ve been there before, many moons ago.\u00a0 Even way back then, there was never much to see other than another clearing surrounded by more pines.<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak 6821, SPHP?\u00a0 Doesn’t even ring a bell.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s because Peak 6821 is the new name based on Lidar data<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 It used to be Peak 6820.<\/em><\/p>\n

So glad that we’ve got a one foot difference to add some confusion, SPHP!\u00a0 I think I do remember Peak 6820.\u00a0 Didn’t we hide from a storm in a cave somewhere on the NW slope once?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I have a vague recollection of that, too, Loop, now that you mention it.\u00a0 You were the only one that fit in that little cave, though, I got soaked.\u00a0 So long ago now, that I’m not even sure that it happened at Peak 6820.\u00a0 Maybe it was somewhere else?<\/em><\/p>\n

HP6695<\/span><\/strong> seemed to be a spot just beyond the the small clearing, and a bit SW.\u00a0 Hard to tell for sure, because the surrounding terrain was so flat.\u00a0 In any case, it was buried in pines.\u00a0 A little farther W, though, Lupe broke out of the forest, reaching the start of a larger meadow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Entering the meadow W of HP6695<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Scattered pines were distributed throughout this bigger meadow.\u00a0 Lupe made excellent progress on the super easy, mostly open terrain.\u00a0 Losing minor elevation as she explored SW, the meadow didn’t end until the ground began to rise again.<\/p>\n

Entering a denser forest, there was more deadfall here, much of it bigger diameter than what Lupe had run into earlier.\u00a0 SPHP’s progress slowed considerably.<\/p>\n

Look off to the R, SPHP.\u00a0 Isn’t that an old road?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure enough, toward the W there was a strip of land that might have once been a road.\u00a0 Unfortunately, it, too, was clogged with deadfall.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Start of the old road<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Does sort of look like a road, Loopster.\u00a0 Fat lot of good it does us, though.\u00a0 It’s no better than roaming through the forest.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not entirely true.\u00a0 Circling around the initial deadfall clog, a clear stretch was beyond it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A clear route ahead! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The old road enabled a brief spurt of progress, but more deadfall soon appeared across it.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog was back to roaming S though the forest.\u00a0 Hardly mattered.\u00a0 She didn’t have much farther to go.<\/p>\n

11:00 AM, 65\u00baF, Peak<\/span> 6821<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/em> – Lupe stood smiling and blinking in the sun, her front paws on the little cairn she hadn’t seen in more than 8 years.\u00a0 The first time the she’d been here, there hadn’t been a cairn at all.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the Peak 6821 summit cairn<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I do remember Peak 6821, SPHP.\u00a0 Not much up here, is there?<\/em><\/p>\n

Nope.\u00a0 A flat summit with a long, narrow clearing running in a crescent along the S and W sides is about it, Loop.\u00a0 Sort of the middle of nowhere.<\/em><\/p>\n

That’s why I always liked it.\u00a0 Peak 6821 seemed so mysterious and remote.<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP shook Lupe’s paw.<\/p>\n

I always liked it here, too, Loopster.\u00a0 Congratulations on your successful return.\u00a0 You look hot.\u00a0 How about some water?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sitting in the shade of the pines that completely surrounded the clearing, Lupe eagerly lapped up the water SPHP provided, gobbled down a bit of Taste of the Wild, and inhaled a couple of bacon and cheese flavored Canine Carryouts.\u00a0 SPHP peeled an orange.<\/p>\n

One mountain down, three to go, Loopster!<\/em><\/p>\n

Peak 6821 was easy, SPHP.\u00a0 What’s next?<\/em><\/p>\n

Next one should be easy, too, Loop.\u00a0 Only 0.75 mile SW of here, the map shows a high point with an elevation of 6,801 feet.\u00a0 Lidar says it’s actually Peak 6823, which is high enough to give it 301 feet of prominence.<\/em><\/p>\n

Barely exceeding our 300 foot cut-off, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Precisely!\u00a0 We’ve been in that vicinity quite a few times before, way back when we used to come here, Looper.\u00a0 However, I don’t recall whether we ever visited the high point.\u00a0 Peak 6821 was on the list of Black Hills 6500-foot peaks<\/span><\/strong><\/a> as Peak 6820 back then, but Peak 6823, as Peak 6801 without much prominence, wasn’t.<\/em><\/p>\n

A little confusing, SPHP, but whatever.<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s all due to Lidar, Loop.\u00a0 Just keep climbing mountains, and don’t worry about it.<\/em><\/p>\n

With 4 peaks on the agenda, staying for a full traditional summit hour on each one wasn’t going to work.\u00a0 Half an hour enjoying the tranquil solitude of Peak 6821 had to suffice.\u00a0 Following the clearing over to the W end of the summit region after leaving the cairn, SPHP encouraged Lupe to sniff down the NW slope a little way, hoping to spot the cave where she had once hidden from a storm.<\/p>\n

No luck.\u00a0 The territory didn’t look the least bit familiar.\u00a0 Maybe that cave had been somewhere else?\u00a0 With the tremendous amount of deadfall in the forest after leaving Peak 6821’s summit region, SPHP quickly gave up on finding the cave.\u00a0 Turning SSW, Lupe soon rediscovered an old jeep trail that SPHP remembered.\u00a0 It had always had some deadfall across it, but was even worse now.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Another deadfall-laden road<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Dingo spent more time off-road than on it, as she tried to follow the jeep trail down to the saddle leading to Peak 6823.\u00a0 The road vanished completely before she got there.\u00a0 Although the saddle had lots of deadfall, too, the forest was much more open here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Crossing the saddle leading to Peak 6823<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the saddle, the forest closed in again as Lupe started regaining elevation.\u00a0 Abundant long, big diameter deadfall frequently blocked the way.\u00a0 The slope Lupe was climbing wasn’t all that steep, except at two points where she came to 20 foot high rock outcroppings.\u00a0 Scrambles to the top of each, revealed only more thick forest and deadfall ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On a rock at the top of the first scramble<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Progress remained slow until the forest finally began opening up a bit.\u00a0 Coming across a game trail, the situation changed completely.\u00a0 The trail was obstacle-free, and soon led to meadows.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Beyond the deadfall! Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Got it made now, Loopster!\u00a0 We’re almost there.<\/em><\/p>\n

12:26 PM, 66\u00baF, Peak<\/span> 6823<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/em> – Approaching from the ESE, Lupe simply marched up a gentle slope onto a limestone outcropping with 3 N-facing lobes along a line of 20 foot cliffs.\u00a0 Several tall, slender, Ponderosa pines grew right out of the rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6823 summit<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP dropped the pack on the W lobe, which seemed marginally higher than the others, and even offered a bit of a view toward the NW.\u00a0 Had the Carolina Dog ever been here before?\u00a0 SPHP didn’t think so.<\/p>\n

Congratulations once again, Loopster.\u00a0 This is it, Peak 6823!<\/em><\/p>\n

I like it, SPHP!\u00a0 At least we’ve got a nice breeze, and can see something.<\/em><\/p>\n

Repeating the Peak 6821 routine, SPHP shook Lupe’s paw, then offered water, Taste of the Wild, and a couple more bacon and cheese Canine Carryouts.\u00a0 SPHP consumed a second orange, then it was time to wander about the summit region a bit, which took only a few minutes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the middle lobe<\/strong> along the line of cliffs<\/strong>. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Most of the summit region<\/strong> from the E lobe<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Somehow 45 minutes had slipped away by the time Lupe stood below the summit, enjoying a final look at Peak 6823 from the N.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6823<\/strong> from below. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2 peaks down already, and only 2 more to go, SPHP.\u00a0 We’re doing great!<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, but it’s a lot farther to the next one, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

Which one is that, SPHP?\u00a0 Crooks Tower<\/span><\/a> (7,133 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 Planning on hitting the viewpoint N of it first, though, Sweet Puppy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Heading WNW through the forest, Lupe soon popped out on USFS Road No. 206.2D.\u00a0 The road made life easy as the American Dingo followed it N, since it was wide and virtually obstacle-free.\u00a0 However, after 0.5 mile, taking a shortcut NW to Besant Park Road (No. 206)<\/em> seemed like a good idea, so it was right back into the forest again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On USFS Road No. 206.2D<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back to exploring another forest<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The map showed a spring along in here, and SPHP kind of wanted to see it, but when Lupe got close, that area was so full of deadfall that trying to find the spring didn’t seem worth the effort.\u00a0 Continuing NW, Lupe broke out of the forest into an enormous green field.\u00a0 Visiting a fenced area a bit farther N, Lupe saw a pond, but couldn’t get to it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Entering the huge green field<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the off-limits pond<\/strong>. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, phooey!\u00a0 We never got to the spring, and now I can’t get a drink from the pond, either, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

No worries, Loop.\u00a0 Besant Park Road is right across this field.\u00a0 We’ll find a spot in the shade over there, and you can wet your barker.<\/em><\/p>\n

Besant Park Road was a major gravel road, and a correspondingly dull, hot trudge as Lupe followed it SW to a spot where the promised water break took place.\u00a0 Continuing on, Lupe soon abandoned the road to sniff through an open forest with few obstacles.\u00a0 Before long, the junction with South Rapid Creek Road (No. 231)<\/em>\u00a0appeared ahead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Besant Park Road<\/strong> (L), South Rapid Creek Road<\/strong> (Center & R). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had often taken South Rapid Creek Road SSW from here on the way to Crooks Tower, but today SPHP was in the mood for something different.<\/p>\n

Let’s go W, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

The trudge along South Rapid Creek Road wasn’t much better than Besant Park Road had been.\u00a0 Between the trees, another inviting green field was visible S of the road.\u00a0 Lupe eventually went down to it.\u00a0 Sadly, no cows to be seen, but following an old cow path was fun!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Following the spiffy cow path<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the NW end of the field, Lupe reached USFS Road No. 231.5C.\u00a0 Starting out obstacle-free, this road took her gradually uphill as it wound SW.\u00a0 Naturally, No. 231.5C eventually faded away, lost beneath deadfall.\u00a0 By then, the Carolina Dog was already within sight of a grassy slope leading up to a ridge.\u00a0 A short, steepish climb, and Lupe was on it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 231.5C<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Up on the ridge. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There’s another road up here, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

I’m not surprised, Loopster.\u00a0 It isn’t shown on the map, but I believe we’ve been on this road before, not right here, but farther W.<\/em><\/p>\n

This assessment turned out to be correct.\u00a0 More than a mile WSW along the gently undulating, unmarked road brought Lupe to a familiar spot.\u00a0 Abandoning the road here, she wandered 600 feet NW through a region of open forest and scattered bushes to the edge of a small cliff.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the viewpoint N of Crooks Tower.<\/strong> Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3:29 PM, 70\u00baF<\/em> – Exposed to a 10 mph NW breeze along the cliff edge, the air felt pleasantly cooler than back in the forest.\u00a0 Although slightly out of the way, the American Dingo had often stopped by this viewpoint.\u00a0 1.33 miles due N of Crooks Tower, it was a favorite spot.\u00a0 Lupe was glad to be here again today.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Enjoying the breeze. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Water, Loop?\u00a0 Taste of the Wild?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, please, SPHP, with a bacon and cheese flavor Canine Carryout chaser.<\/em><\/p>\n

SPHP produced the desired repast.<\/p>\n

What, no orange?\u00a0 You aren’t having anything, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Forgot that we’d be dropping by here, Looper, so I didn’t bring anything for it.\u00a0 I still have a couple of vanilla Equates, but I’m saving them for your last 2 peaks of the day.<\/em><\/p>\n

Feel free to have some of my Taste of the Wild then, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thanks, Loopster.\u00a0 Very kind of you, but water should be sufficient.<\/em><\/p>\n

Due to the trees, all distant views were either N or W.\u00a0 SPHP had always suspected that an elevated ridge visible on the far NW horizon might be Cement Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,669 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but whether that was true, or not, remained an unsolved mystery.<\/p>\n

Treating this viewpoint as if it were another peak, Lupe lingered for half an hour.\u00a0 Toward the end of her stay, she checked on the stone campfire ring someone had built near the W edge years ago.\u00a0 It was still here, along with a small stack of wood clearly intended for a future fire.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the campfire ring<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Looks like we’re all set, if we’re ever get stuck here in the winter, SPHP.<\/em><\/p>\n

Not unless Carolina Dogs are great at rubbing 2 sticks together, Loop.\u00a0 I don’t carry any matches.\u00a0 No point in it.\u00a0 Campfires are illegal<\/strong><\/span><\/a> in a spot like this.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, so we’re at a hotbed of illegal activity, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Apparently, literally so, at least once upon a time, Looper.\u00a0 Anyway, we’ve still got a long way to go.\u00a0 We better get back in gear.<\/em><\/p>\n

Returning to the unmarked road, Lupe now followed it S.\u00a0 When it began losing elevation and angling more to the W, she left the road to continue S through a series of meadows strung out along the high ground.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching Crooks Tower<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After reaching and crossing USFS Road No. 189.4F, the forested N slope of Crooks Tower was directly ahead.\u00a0 Staying a little more toward the W than Lupe usually did here proved beneficial.\u00a0 The slope wasn’t quite as steep, and there were more open lanes through the forest.\u00a0 As a bonus, once the terrain leveled out, the Carolina Dog ran into a jeep trail SPHP knew would get her to USFS Road No. 189.4A very close to the summit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the jeep trail<\/strong> leading to USFS Road No. 189.4A<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5:06 PM, 68\u00baF, Crooks Tower<\/span><\/a> (7,133 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> <\/em>– After circling around the S side of the summit block on No. 189.4A to climb it via a path coming up from the SW, Lupe stood on a 30 foot wide platform of limestone she’d now been to a dozen times.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Crooks Tower<\/strong>. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP shook Lupe’s paw.<\/p>\n

Congratulations, Loopster!\u00a0 Back on Crooks Tower.\u00a0 Remember the last time we were here?\u00a0 It was on your 13th Birthday<\/strong><\/span><\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n

Always good to be here, SPHP, despite Crooks Tower’s deceptive name.<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, for being some of the highest ground in the entire Black Hills, Crooks Tower lacks a certain pizzaz to it that the name conjures up.\u00a0 Not much in the way of views from here, is there, Loop?<\/em><\/p>\n

At least we can see Black Elk Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> way off to the SE, SPHP, and maybe even Cement Ridge<\/span><\/a> (6,669 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> to the NW.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/strong> (R of Center) in the distance. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cement Ridge<\/strong> (R) on the horizon? Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Actually, White Tail Peak<\/span><\/a> (6,971 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Green Mountain<\/span><\/a> (7,167 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> are both in sight, too, Loop, although neither looks at all dramatic from this vantage point.<\/em><\/p>\n

Crows Nest Peak<\/span><\/a> (7,052 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> has to be the most deceptively named peak in the Black Hills, SPHP.\u00a0 Can’t see anything at all from there!\u00a0 Can’t even tell you’re on a mountain.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Yeah, so true.\u00a0 But we love Crooks Tower and Crows Nest anyway, don’t we, Looper?\u00a0 Despite appearances, they’re both high and remote.<\/em><\/p>\n

We do, SPHP, and some of us would also love something more to eat after climbing 3 mountains.\u00a0 Got any more bacon and cheese Canine Carryouts in that pack?<\/em><\/p>\n

I do!\u00a0 In fact, I’ve even got a chocolate coconut bar.\u00a0 Only one, though.\u00a0 I was going to save it for your last peak today, but want to split it here?<\/em><\/p>\n

Never procrastinate when it comes to chocolate coconut bars, SPHP.\u00a0 Bring it on!<\/em><\/p>\n

Snacks consumed, Lupe relaxed for a while.\u00a0 All too soon, another half hour had flown.\u00a0 Already time to move on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Taking it easy on Crooks Tower<\/strong>. Green Mountain<\/strong> (L) between the trees. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A final glimpse of Cement Ridge<\/strong> (Center) before departure. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Returning to USFS Road No. 189.4A, it was full of large mud puddles as Lupe followed it W.\u00a0 Naturally, the American Dingo waded through each puddle, sampling a few licks of the opaque, brown water.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
USFS Road No. 189.4A<\/strong>. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It’s a wonder you never get sick doing that, Loopster.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mineral water is good for you, SPHP.\u00a0 You ought to try some.<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ll pass, thank you.\u00a0 Maybe in a pinch someday.<\/em><\/p>\n

Going downhill for 0.5 mile, it didn’t take long to reach a junction with USFS Road No. 189.\u00a0 Several other roads branched out from this area, too, including No. 189.5B and No. 631.2C.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction with USFS Road No. 189<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, which way, SPHP?\u00a0 Where is this last peak we’re going to, anyway?<\/em><\/p>\n

Head S on No. 189, Loopster.\u00a0 As a result of the new Lidar data, Peak<\/span> 7148<\/span><\/a><\/strong> has stolen nearly all of Crooks Tower’s former purported prominence, so it’s about time you tagged it.<\/em><\/p>\n

For most of the 2 miles it took to get there, Lupe simply followed No. 189, then No. 189.3G when she came to it, both of which did seem to be going slightly uphill most of the way.\u00a0 No. 189.3G led to a region that was like a park.\u00a0 Leaving the road, Lupe began her search for the highest ground.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Miss Mineral Water Paws<\/strong> on USFS Road No. 3G<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Roaming S through a vast, flat area of mixed forest and meadows, deer flitted off in various directions, exciting Lupe.\u00a0 Near the Carolina Dog’s ultimate destination, the terrain tilted slightly higher toward the SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the Peak 7148 summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7:01 PM, 62\u00baF, <\/em>Peak<\/span> <\/em>7148<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/strong> – Impossible to ascertain the exact true summit location in such flat territory, but it didn’t feel like Lupe stopped going up until she reached the edge of a cliff that might have been a 30 or 40 foot drop.\u00a0 Looking around, a nearby stone appeared to be a bit higher than anything else.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the edge. The cliff<\/strong> is right behind Lupe<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 7148 true summit<\/strong>, to the extent it could be determined. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations once again, Loopster!\u00a0 Mission accomplished as far as I can tell.\u00a0 You’ve reached Peak 7148!<\/em><\/p>\n

This would be another Crows Nest Peak, SPHP, if not for the sudden cliff, and lack of a deceptive name.<\/em><\/p>\n

We could give it a name, Looper.\u00a0 What would you suggest?<\/em><\/p>\n

How about something descriptive instead of deceptive, SPHP?\u00a0 Pancake Peak!<\/em><\/p>\n

Makes sense, I guess, except for the cliff part.\u00a0 Apparently, this mountain is so flat that the original cartographers didn’t even realize how high it was, Loop, or this might have been Crooks “Tower” all along.<\/em><\/p>\n

Whatever.\u00a0 In any case, it had taken all day to get to Pancake Peak.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP were both ready for a break.\u00a0 Water, Taste of the Wild, bacon and cheese Canine Carryouts for the American Dingo, and the last vanilla Equate for SPHP.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing on Pancake Peak<\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other than gazing down into the region below the cliff, there was really nothing worth mentioning in the way of views from Peak 7148, at least not from this part of it.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed a few tiny, deep pink flowers 10 feet from the edge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A bit of color<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Been quite a day, Loopster.\u00a0 Think I’ll make a cairn.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Carolina Dog practically laughed out loud.<\/p>\n

You haven’t built a cairn in years, SPHP!\u00a0 Do you even remember how?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
You’re going to build a cairn, SPHP? That’s hilarious! Tell me another one!<\/em> Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, you’d be surprised.\u00a0 I <\/em>believe I still retain the required technological and advanced engineering skills necessary to pull it off, Looper.<\/em><\/p>\n

A Doubting Dingo gazed back at SPHP.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Well, don’t just stand there then, SPHP. Let’s see you do it!<\/em> Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7:40 PM, Peak<\/span> 7148<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/em> – The sun was near the horizon by the time the mighty feat was accomplished, and Lupe stood next to a very modest monument recognizable as a primitive cairn.\u00a0 The Taj Mahal of cairns, it was not, but SPHP pronounced it a success.\u00a0 Even the American Dingo admitted the cairn was convincing evidence of SPHP’s Stone Age skills.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the hand-crafted Peak 7148 cairn<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Can’t tell you how impressed I am, SPHP, but the sun is getting low, and it’s a long way back to the RAV4.\u00a0 Shouldn’t we be moseying along?<\/em><\/p>\n

No denying it, Loopster.\u00a0 We’re done here.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

As shadows lengthened, Lupe explored more of the Peak 7148 plateau, venturing clear over to the E edge where she enjoyed a bit of a view, and sniffed many pink wildflowers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the E edge<\/strong> of the Peak 7148 region<\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
One of many bouquets<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the way back to USFS Road No. 189.3G, a giant deer running through the forest provided a final episode of excitement.\u00a0 The rest of the return was simply a long march along a series of USFS roads, while the sun set, and dusk deepened into an ever weaker twilight.\u00a0 For a couple of hours, a yellow crescent moon cast a pale glow over all, before it, too, vanished into the W, and only silver stars remained in the black void above.\u00a0 (End 5-31-25, 12:58 AM, 45\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe’s GPS Track (Partial)<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

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

Lupe’s Scrollable GPS Track (Partial)<\/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":"

9:03 AM, 61\u00baF, Tillson Creek – SPHP backed the RAV4 into a roomy spot just off USFS Road No. 234.\u00a0 Perfect!\u00a0 Moments later, the American Dingo was out, excitedly surveying the scene. About time, SPHP!\u00a0 Finally a Black Hills expedition!\u00a0 What’s it been since our last adventure with Poppy, HV & LV?\u00a0 A month?\u00a0 That’s … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 345 – Peak 6821, Peak 6823, Crooks Tower & Peak 7148 (5-30-25)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":65072,"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":[105,9,106,206,104,1797,1798,1799,304],"class_list":["post-65097","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-crooks-tower","tag-lupe","tag-peak-6821","tag-peak-6823","tag-peak-7148","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/IMG_7567-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\/65097","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=65097"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65097\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65954,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65097\/revisions\/65954"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/65072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=65097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=65097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=65097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}