{"id":7383,"date":"2016-12-12T08:10:59","date_gmt":"2016-12-12T15:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=7383"},"modified":"2020-09-23T12:42:27","modified_gmt":"2020-09-23T18:42:27","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-183-iron-mountain-woodpecker-ridge-11-20-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=7383","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 183 &#8211; Iron Mountain &#038; Woodpecker Ridge (11-20-16)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Time for a change of focus.\u00a0 Lupe had spent most of her Black Hills Expeditions of the last couple of months peakbagging in the NW Black Hills, often going as far as the Bear Lodge Mountains in NE Wyoming.\u00a0 Only one named peak remained in that general direction\u00a0that was a current peakbagging priority for her,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=27435\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Sweetwater Mountain<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(6,440 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but she didn&#8217;t have permission from the land owner to climb it until hunting season was over in December.<\/p>\n<p>So, what to do?\u00a0 Looking over the topo\u00a0maps on <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/climber\/climber.aspx?cid=8720\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Peakbagger.com<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, SPHP\u00a0noticed a couple of peaks a few miles SSW of Iron Mountain that Lupe had never been to.\u00a0 They weren&#8217;t far away, which was kind of important on a short November day, since Lupe was getting off to a late start.\u00a0 Woodpecker Ridge and Peak 5688 should be fun!\u00a0 Lupe could start from Lakota Lake.<\/p>\n<p>To get\u00a0to Lakota Lake, Lupe and SPHP\u00a0took Iron Mountain Road (Hwy 16A) going S\u00a0from <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/moru\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mount Rushmore National Memorial<\/strong><\/a><\/span> near Keystone.\u00a0 Iron Mountain Road is a fun drive.\u00a0\u00a0It ultimately\u00a0winds all the way up\u00a0to the top of <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=58603\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Iron Mountain<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,446 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Along the way, Iron Mountain Road spirals up several pigtail bridges, features a couple stretches of &#8220;divided highway&#8221; consisting of one-way single lanes, and passes through short tunnels deliberately\u00a0constructed to frame Mount Rushmore.<\/p>\n<p>Naturally, Lupe and SPHP stopped to enjoy a few of the sights along the way up Iron Mountain.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7380\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7380\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3399.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7380\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3399-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe by one of the pigtail bridges along Iron Mountain Road.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3399.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3399.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3399.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3399.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3399.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7380\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe by one of the pigtail bridges along Iron Mountain Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3439.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-7382\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3439-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Pigtail Bridge sign along Iron Mountain Road, 11-28-16\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3439.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3439.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3439.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3439.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3439.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7350\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7350\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3400.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7350\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3400-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe at the start of the longest tunnel on Iron Mountain Road. Three tunnels were purposely constructed to frame Mount Rushmore. The camera couldn't handle the light contrast well enough for Mt. Rushmore to show up in this shot. Photo looks NW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3400.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3400.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3400.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3400.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3400.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7350\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe at the start of the longest tunnel on Iron Mountain Road. Three tunnels were purposely constructed to frame Mount Rushmore. The camera couldn&#8217;t handle the light contrast well enough for Mt. Rushmore to show up in this shot. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7352\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7352\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3403.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7352\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3403-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe now at the other end of the tunnel closer to Mt. Rushmore. Photo looks NW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3403.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3403.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3403.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3403.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3403.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7352\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe now at the other end of the tunnel closer to Mt. Rushmore. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7353\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7353\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3405.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7353\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3405-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Here's how it looks driving through the tunnel on the way to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Photo taken with help from the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3405.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3405.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3405.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3405.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3405.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7353\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Here&#8217;s how it looks driving through the tunnel on the way to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Photo taken with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7351\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7351\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3402.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7351\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3402-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Mount Rushmore, Black Hills, South Dakota, Photo looks NW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3402.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3402.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3402.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3402.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3402.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7351\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mount Rushmore, Black Hills, South Dakota, Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>At the top of Iron Mountain is a paved parking lot, and a short walking path to a viewpoint.\u00a0 Right next to the viewpoint is a ridge of rock roughly 20 feet high, where the absolute summit of the mountain is located.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP stopped briefly\u00a0to make the\u00a0tiny climb to the absolute summit for a look around.<\/p>\n<p>Since the true summit is on the W edge of the large summit area, the best views were toward <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6236\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Harney Peak<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(7,242 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> to the W, and <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=6234\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mount Rushmore<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,725 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0to the NW.\u00a0 From Iron Mountain, Lupe had a great view of some of the most rugged\u00a0terrain in the Black Hills!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7354\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7354\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3406.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7354\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3406-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on Iron Mountain. Harney Peak, the highest mountain in South Dakota, is in the background. Photo looks W.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3406.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3406.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3406.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3406.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3406.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7354\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on Iron Mountain. Harney Peak, the highest mountain in South Dakota, is in the background. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7356\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7356\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3408.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7356\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3408-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Harney Peak, the highest mountain in South Dakota, from Iron Mountain. Photo looks W using the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3408.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3408.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3408.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3408.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3408.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7356\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Harney Peak, the highest mountain in South Dakota, from Iron Mountain. Photo looks W using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7355\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7355\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3407.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7355\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3407-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Mount Rushmore from Iron Mountain. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3407.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3407.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3407.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3407.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3407.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7355\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mount Rushmore from Iron Mountain. Photo looks NW with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After all the sight-seeing stops coming up and over Iron Mountain, it was 10:01 AM (46\u00b0F)\u00a0by the time Lupe arrived at Lakota Lake.\u00a0 SPHP left the G6 parked at the empty picnic ground.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7357\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7357\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3409.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7357\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3409-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe arrives at the Lakota Lake picnic ground. Photo looks E toward the dam.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3409.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3409.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3409.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3409.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3409.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7357\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe arrives at the Lakota Lake picnic ground. Photo looks E toward the dam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7358\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7358\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3410.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7358\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3410-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe near Lakota Lake. Lakota Lake is E of Iron Mountain Road about 3 miles ESE of Iron Mountain. A short gravel road leads to the picnic ground on the W shore near the N end of the lake. Photo looks NE. \" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3410.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3410.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3410.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3410.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3410.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7358\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe near Lakota Lake. Lakota Lake is E of Iron Mountain Road about 3 miles ESE of Iron Mountain. A short gravel road leads to the picnic ground on the W shore near the N end of the lake. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe&#8217;s first peakbagging goal was <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=70084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Woodpecker Ridge<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">(5,680 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Woodpecker Ridge is about 2 miles long, running SW\/NE.\u00a0 The ridge is W of Iron\u00a0Mountain Road, and\u00a0S of Iron Creek.\u00a0 The topo map showed that the summit was near the far SW end of the ridge, about 3 miles from where Lupe was starting at Lakota Lake.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP followed the gravel road SW from the Lakota Lake picnic ground back to Iron Mountain Road.<\/p>\n<p>Iron Creek Trail No. 15, starts on the W side of Iron Mountain Road, right\u00a0across from the road to Lakota Lake.\u00a0 The plan was for Lupe to follow Iron Creek Trail No. 15 up the valley for a mile, or so, to where the topo map showed the easiest approach to the Woodpecker Ridge summit from the NNE.\u00a0 After a relatively gentle mile-long climb, Lupe would reach the ridgeline about 0.25 mile E of the summit.<\/p>\n<p>At first, everything went according to plan.\u00a0 Lupe enjoyed trotting along the single track Iron Creek trail looking for squirrels.\u00a0 Less than an inch of new snow on the ground made things look fresh and bright.\u00a0 The trail crossed Iron Creek several times, but there were plank bridges or good stepping stones to help SPHP\u00a0get across.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7359\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7359\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3411.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7359\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3411-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on the plank bridge at the first Iron Creek crossing on Iron Creek Trail No. 15.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3411.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3411.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3411.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3411.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3411.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7359\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on the plank bridge at the first Iron Creek crossing on Iron Creek Trail No. 15.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7360\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7360\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3412-e1556278313795.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3412-e1556278313795-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3412-e1556278313795.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3412-e1556278313795.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3412-e1556278313795.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3412-e1556278313795.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7360\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">On Iron Creek Trail No. 15. Less than an inch of new snow made the trail look clean and bright.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>At the fourth creek crossing, there was no bridge.\u00a0 SPHP didn&#8217;t see any convenient stepping stones around either.\u00a0 No way was SPHP going to wade across chilly Iron Creek this time of year!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went a little back downstream looking for a way to cross the creek.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe hadn&#8217;t gone far, when a rather questionable way across the creek presented itself.\u00a0 SPHP had to\u00a0reach out\u00a0over the creek to lean against a boulder on the other side.\u00a0 SPHP was barely able to grip the top of the boulder and shinny up, but it did work.\u00a0 Lupe, of course, had no problem simply leaping over the creek.\u00a0 Carolina Dogs don&#8217;t let little things like minor creek crossings interfere with their plans!<\/p>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP were now on the S side of Iron Creek, but\u00a0not yet anywhere near where SPHP had planned for Lupe to start up Woodpecker Ridge.\u00a0 Lupe was only a little past the NE end of the ridge.\u00a0 Cliffs could be seen high above.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t at all clear if there would be a way up that would\u00a0avoid the cliffs and allow Lupe to reach the ridgeline from here, but SPHP decided to try it anyway.<\/p>\n<p>The start of the climb didn&#8217;t go very well.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP climbed onto a small ridge to the E,\u00a0before turning\u00a0S.\u00a0 Right away, Lupe had to climb up onto a big rock outcropping.\u00a0 Ten paces later, a drop-off forced her right back down to the W.\u00a0 However, once around the rock formation, she was able to climb steadily through the forest, heading SSW.<\/p>\n<p>There were\u00a0plenty of rocks scattered around the whole way.\u00a0 Lupe eventually came to an area of fairly large boulders.\u00a0 The boulders slowed SPHP down quite a bit, although Lupe had fun exploring them.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7361\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7361\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3414.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7361\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3414-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe among the boulders on the way up Woodpecker Ridge. Photo looks SSW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3414.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3414.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3414.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3414.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3414.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7361\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe among the boulders on the way up Woodpecker Ridge. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As Lupe got closer to the cliffs above, the boulders got larger.\u00a0 At the base of the cliffs were boulder fields that would have taken a long time to traverse.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP worked around to the W of them.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7381\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7381\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3415.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7381\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3415-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe below the base of the cliffs. She is on the N side of Woodpecker Ridge, not too far from its NE end. Photo looks SE.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3415.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3415.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3415.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3415.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3415.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7381\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe below the base of the cliffs. She is on the N side of Woodpecker Ridge, not too far from its NE end. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Fortunately, the line of cliffs was not continuous.\u00a0 Lupe bypassed them to the W, too.\u00a0 She was able to keep climbing steadily SSW\u00a0through the forest.\u00a0 On the way up, Lupe even saw a woodpecker, but it wasn&#8217;t close enough for SPHP\u00a0to get a decent photo.<\/p>\n<p>As it turned out, Lupe wound up climbing well above the first\u00a0cliffs.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP\u00a0reached\u00a0the ridgeline near High Point 5537.\u00a0 Lakota Lake, and the top of the cliffs\u00a0Lupe had bypassed, could be seen far below.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7362\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7362\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3417-e1556278412194.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7362\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3417-e1556278412194-768x1024.jpg?resize=660%2C880\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3417-e1556278412194.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3417-e1556278412194.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3417-e1556278412194.jpg?w=1650&amp;ssl=1 1650w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3417-e1556278412194.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7362\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Part of Lakota Lake, where Lupe had started her journey to Woodpecker Ridge, is seen far below. The tops of the cliffs Lupe bypassed on the way to High Point 5537 are in view in the foreground. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7363\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7363\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3418.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7363\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3418-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Mount Rushmore from High Point 5537, near the NE end of Woodpecker Ridge. Photo looks NW using the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3418.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3418.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3418.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3418.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3418.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7363\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mount Rushmore from High Point 5537, near the NE end of Woodpecker Ridge. Photo looks NW using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7364\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7364\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3419.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7364\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3419-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Harney Peak from High Point 5537. Photo looks NW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3419.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3419.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3419.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3419.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3419.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7364\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Harney Peak from High Point 5537. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7375\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7375\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3420.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7375\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3420-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe on High Point 5537 near the NE end of Woodpecker Ridge. Photo looks NE.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3420.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3420.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3420.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3420.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3420.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7375\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe on High Point 5537 near the NE end of Woodpecker Ridge. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>SPHP was glad Lupe had reached the ridgeline at High Point 5537.\u00a0 It meant Lupe would get to explore\u00a0most of the length of\u00a0Woodpecker Ridge.\u00a0 She now faced only about 150 feet of net elevation gain on the way to the summit.\u00a0 SPHP expected a relatively easy hike SW along the ridge.<\/p>\n<p>Exploring Woodpecker Ridge was fun, but soon proved to be a lot of work, too.\u00a0 The ridgeline was rough,\u00a0not level.\u00a0 Lupe had to climb over or around many rock formations.\u00a0 The rocks weren&#8217;t the worst of it, either.\u00a0 The farther SW Lupe went, the more deadfall timber she encountered.\u00a0 The rocks and deadfall weren&#8217;t terrible, but SPHP&#8217;s progress became very slow.<\/p>\n<p>Another problem began to worry SPHP.\u00a0 Since there was so little net elevation change along the way, it might be hard to tell where the true summit of Woodpecker Ridge was.\u00a0 SPHP started taking photos of Lupe at\u00a0notable high points, just on the chance that she was already at the summit.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7365\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7365\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7365\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe at one of the notable high points along Woodpecker Ridge. This turned out not to be the true summit, or even close to it. Photo looks N.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7365\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe at one of the notable high points along Woodpecker Ridge. This turned out not to be the true summit, or even close to it. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe finally reached a place where there were significant elevation changes ahead.\u00a0 Two distinct hills weren&#8217;t too far away.\u00a0 SPHP\u00a0hoped the closest one was the summit of Woodpecker Ridge, and the more distant one was <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=69418\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Peak 5688<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Lupe&#8217;s other peakbagging goal for the day.\u00a0 A brief halt to check the topo maps was in order.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7366\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7366\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3422.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7366\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3422-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe finally arrived at this high point from which two distinct hills could be seen ahead. SPHP initially hoped that the one on the L was the summit of Woodpecker Ridge, and the one on the R was Peak 5688. In truth, both hills were summits of Woodpecker Ridge enclosed by the 5680 foot contour, with the one on the R likely being the true summit. Photo looks SW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3422.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3422.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3422.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3422.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3422.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7366\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe finally arrived at this high point from which two distinct hills could be seen ahead. SPHP initially hoped that the one on the L was the summit of Woodpecker Ridge, and the one on the R was Peak 5688. In truth, both hills were summits of Woodpecker Ridge enclosed by the 5680 foot contour, with the one on the R likely being the true summit. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The topo maps said differently.\u00a0 What they showed was disappointing.\u00a0 Lupe hadn&#8217;t made nearly as much progress along Woodpecker Ridge as SPHP had believed.\u00a0 Both of the hills in view were high points of Woodpecker Ridge, the summits of which were both enclosed by the 5680 foot contour.<\/p>\n<p>On Peakbagger.com, the more distant hill farther to the W\u00a0with a much larger area enclosed by the 5680 foot contour was shown as the location of the true summit.\u00a0 Still, there was a chance that the closer hill was actually the true summit.\u00a0 Lupe would have to visit\u00a0both to make certain she\u00a0reached the top of Woodpecker Ridge.<\/p>\n<p>One more thing was evident, too.\u00a0\u00a0At the pace Lupe and SPHP were going, there was absolutely no chance Lupe was going to reach Peak 5688 today.\u00a0\u00a0By the time Lupe\u00a0reached the W summit of Woodpecker Ridge, the sun was going to be too low in the sky to do anything but start looking for an easier way back to the G6.\u00a0 Oh, well.\u00a0\u00a0That&#8217;s often how things go in the mountains.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7376\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3423.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7376\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3423-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe still near the point where SPHP realized the two hills ahead were both summits of Woodpecker Ridge enclosed by the 5680 foot contour. Harney Peak is seen in the distance. Photo looks NW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3423.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3423.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3423.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3423.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3423.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe still near the point where SPHP realized the two hills ahead were both summits of Woodpecker Ridge enclosed by the 5680 foot contour. Harney Peak is seen in the distance. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7377\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7377\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3424.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7377\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3424-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Harney Peak from Woodpecker Ridge about halfway between High Point 5537 and the E summit enclosed by the 5680 foot contour. Photo looks NW using the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3424.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3424.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3424.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3424.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3424.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7377\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Harney Peak from Woodpecker Ridge about halfway between High Point 5537 and the E summit enclosed by the 5680 foot contour. Photo looks NW using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7367\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7367\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3425.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7367\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3425-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Most of the time, trees blocked the views from Woodpecker Ridge. However, Lupe did come to points with views in various directions. This photo looks E or SE out onto the prairies beyond the Black Hills.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3425.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3425.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3425.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3425.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3425.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7367\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Most of the time, trees blocked the views from Woodpecker Ridge. However, Lupe did come to points with views in various directions. This photo looks E or SE out onto the prairies beyond the Black Hills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP pressed on toward the two hills.\u00a0 If anything, the rock formations Lupe had to find a way around were bigger than before, and the deadfall still worse.\u00a0 There was more elevation loss and gain to deal with, too.\u00a0 It took more than half an hour just to reach the E summit, even though it hadn&#8217;t been very far away.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7368\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7368\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3426.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7368\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3426-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe reaches the E summit of Woodpecker Ridge. Although the W summit is probably the true summit, the views were more open and better from this E summit. Harney Peak is seen in the distance. Photo looks NW.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3426.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3426.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3426.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3426.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3426.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7368\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe reaches the E summit of Woodpecker Ridge. Although the W summit is probably the true summit, the views were more open and better from this E summit. Harney Peak is seen in the distance. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7369\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7369\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3427.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7369\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3427-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Mount Rushmore from the E summit of Woodpecker Ridge. Photo looks NNW using the telephoto lens.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3427.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3427.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3427.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3427.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3427.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mount Rushmore from the E summit of Woodpecker Ridge. Photo looks NNW using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP took a break up on the E summit of Woodpecker Ridge, but only stayed 15 or 20 minutes.\u00a0 It was nice up there, but it was too late in the day to lounge about given the continual difficulties Lupe faced negotiating all the obstacles nature placed in her path along Woodpecker Ridge.<\/p>\n<p>The time arrived\u00a0to begin the\u00a0final push to the\u00a0likely true\u00a0summit of Woodpecker Ridge.\u00a0 Lupe headed W down into a broad saddle.\u00a0 The more level terrain should have made the going much easier, but the deadfall timber here was the worst Lupe had faced all day.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7370\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7370\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3428.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7370\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3428-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"The W summit can be seen ahead, but it was hard to make any decent time getting there through this mess! Photo looks W.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3428.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3428.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3428.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3428.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3428.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7370\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The W summit can be seen ahead, but it was hard to make any decent time getting there through this mess! Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7371\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7371\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3429.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7371\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3429-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Although Lupe is generally very good at making her way through deadfall, SPHP encourages her to take her time. At least a couple of times in the past, Lupe has been impaled on broken branches, resulting in a lot of pain and hundreds of dollars worth of vet bills. Photo looks W.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3429.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3429.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3429.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3429.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3429.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7371\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Although Lupe is generally very good at making her way through deadfall, SPHP encourages her to take her time. At least a couple of times in the past, Lupe has been impaled on broken branches, resulting in a lot of pain and hundreds of dollars worth of vet bills. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It took close to another 45 minutes to make it over to the W summit of Woodpecker Ridge.\u00a0 Sadly, the W summit was ugly.\u00a0 There was a lot of deadfall.\u00a0 Even so, enough trees were still standing to block the views.\u00a0 Although Lupe could now claim a successful ascent of Woodpecker Ridge, the achievement seemed anti-climactic.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7372\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7372\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3431.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7372\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3431-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe reaches the W summit of Woodpecker Ridge. She could finally claim a successful ascent. Photo looks NE.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3431.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3431.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3431.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3431.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3431.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7372\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe reaches the W summit of Woodpecker Ridge. She could finally claim a successful ascent. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7373\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7373\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3432.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7373\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3432-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe questions SPHP's judgment in selecting this ugly spot for her peakbagging objective of the day.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3432.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3432.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3432.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3432.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3432.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7373\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe questions SPHP&#8217;s judgment in selecting this ugly spot for her peakbagging objective of the day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7378\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7378\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3433.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7378\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3433-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"A better view from the W summit of Woodpecker Ridge. Photo looks N.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3433.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3433.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3433.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3433.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3433.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7378\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A better view from the W summit of Woodpecker Ridge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP took another break.\u00a0 Lupe relaxed.\u00a0 SPHP took a look at the topo maps again.\u00a0 The sun was low enough so Lupe really needed to start making tracks toward a decent route out of here.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7379\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7379\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3434.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7379\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3434-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe relaxes on Woodpecker Ridge while SPHP checks the topo maps.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3434.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3434.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3434.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3434.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3434.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7379\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe relaxes on Woodpecker Ridge while SPHP checks the topo maps.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The topo maps showed some kind of a trail off to the W that\u00a0would lead N before curving\u00a0NE down a ravine\u00a0into the Iron Creek valley again.\u00a0 There was a road down there that would take Lupe back to Iron Creek Trail No. 15 again.\u00a0 Somehow, SPHP would just have to deal with the creek crossings, even if it meant fording the stream.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP polished off the last apple.\u00a0 Time to pack up and go.\u00a0 The sun would be down in minutes.\u00a0 Lupe was ready.\u00a0 Puppy, ho!\u00a0 Onward!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7374\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7374\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3435.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7374\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3435-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe's last moment on top of Woodpecker Ridge, just before heading down. Photo looks S.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3435.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3435.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3435.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3435.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3435.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe&#8217;s last moment on top of Woodpecker Ridge, just before heading down. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP left the summit heading N.\u00a0 Before long, Lupe reached a cliff edge.\u00a0 The terrain forced her down to the W.\u00a0 She saw two more woodpeckers\u00a0as she progressed down the slope.\u00a0 As soon as it was possible,\u00a0Lupe turned N again.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP wandered through a forest with less deadfall than before, but it was still slow going.\u00a0 The area was full of thistles.\u00a0\u00a0Time passed.\u00a0 The light was fading.\u00a0 Lupe still hadn&#8217;t found a trail or road.<\/p>\n<p>SPHP decided to check the topo maps again.\u00a0 The maps could not be found.\u00a0 It became clear they had somehow been left\u00a0up on\u00a0Woodpecker Ridge.\u00a0 Not good.\u00a0 Still, they probably wouldn&#8217;t be needed.\u00a0 The distance Lupe needed to cover to reach Iron Creek wasn&#8217;t that far.\u00a0 One way or another, she would make it.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s hard to say exactly where Lupe and SPHP went, but probably somewhere in the area where the topo maps on <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/peak.aspx?pid=70084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Peakbagger.com<\/strong><\/a><\/span> show a point marked 5190 feet of elevation, 0.5 mile NNW of the Woodpecker Ridge summit.\u00a0 As Lupe and SPHP wandered N, Lupe finally came to a faint remnant of a road.\u00a0 It did curve NE down into a ravine.\u00a0 Lower down, the ravine had huge solid rock walls.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe reached the road leading to the W end of Iron Creek Trail No. 15 before it was dark.\u00a0 Old cabins were strung out along the road, but there was no sign of activity anywhere.\u00a0 By the time Lupe reached the start of the trail, stars were coming out.\u00a0 At the trailhead, a sign said\u00a0Iron Creek Trail No. 15 had 11\u00a0water crossings.\u00a0 Oh, boy!<\/p>\n<p>It wasn&#8217;t a problem, though.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP made great time along the single track trail.\u00a0 Luckily, there was a decent way across Iron Creek at every crossing &#8211; a bridge, stepping stones, a fallen log &#8211; always something.\u00a0 The stars became bright against a black sky.\u00a0 The flashlight came out.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP enjoyed\u00a0a last hour of quiet travel in the darkness.<\/p>\n<p>Somehow, even in the dark, a way across Iron Creek appeared near crossing No. 4 (No. 8 counting in reverse).\u00a0 Funny that it could be found in the night, when SPHP hadn&#8217;t seen it during daylight, but there it was.\u00a0 Yay!\u00a0 No fording of the freezing stream was required!\u00a0 And that, was that.\u00a0 No suspense remained over the outcome of Expedition No. 183.<\/p>\n<p>Lupe and SPHP made it back to the G6 (5:57 PM, 33\u00b0F).\u00a0 All the way back over Iron Mountain, the Carolina Dog rode with her head out the window,\u00a0hoping to see a deer in the headlights, but she saw none.\u00a0 By the time she reached Keystone, Lupe had given up.\u00a0 It was kind of an anti-climactic end, like reaching the summit of Woodpecker Ridge had been.<\/p>\n<p>Yet for Lupe and SPHP,\u00a0it had been another great day adventuring together in the Black Hills.\u00a0 It&#8217;s often the journey, and not the final goal, that make the day and the memories.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7365\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7365\" style=\"width: 660px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7365\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421-1024x768.jpg?resize=660%2C495\" alt=\"Lupe at one of the notable high points along Woodpecker Ridge. This turned out not to be the true summit, or even close to it. Photo looks N.\" width=\"660\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg?w=1651&amp;ssl=1 1651w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3421.jpg?w=1320&amp;ssl=1 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7365\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lupe at one of the notable high points along Woodpecker Ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\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=7512\" 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 <a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=7204\" 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<a href=\"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?page_id=18\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Time for a change of focus.\u00a0 Lupe had spent most of her Black Hills Expeditions of the last couple of months peakbagging in the NW Black Hills, often going as far as the Bear Lodge Mountains in NE Wyoming.\u00a0 Only one named peak remained in that general direction\u00a0that was a current peakbagging priority for her,\u00a0Sweetwater &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=7383\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 183 &#8211; Iron Mountain &#038; Woodpecker Ridge (11-20-16)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7378,"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":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[105,9,106,691,104,304,727],"class_list":["post-7383","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-iron-mountain","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota","tag-woodpecker-ridge"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/IMG_3433.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\/7383","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=7383"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22538,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7383\/revisions\/22538"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}