{"id":9067,"date":"2017-02-22T08:10:19","date_gmt":"2017-02-22T15:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=9067"},"modified":"2021-12-15T20:42:22","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T03:42:22","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-191-peak-5360-peak-5240-buckhorn-mountain-2-13-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=9067","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 191 – Peak 5360, Peak 5240 & Buckhorn Mountain (2-13-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even standing right next to the marker, the numbers on it were so faded SPHP could barely make them out.\u00a0 313.1G.\u00a0 Excellent!\u00a0 No doubt about it now, this icy dirt road leading into the trees\u00a0was a USFS Road.\u00a0 Come on out, Loop, this is it!\u00a0 <\/em>Lupe was out of the G6 in a flash (8:58 AM, 39\u00b0F).\u00a0 She thrashed around rolling on the ice in her excitement and desire to cool off.<\/p>\n

Most of the land right along Carroll Creek Road (County Road No. 313) was privately owned in this area, but\u00a0SPHP’s old USFS map did show national forest land coming right down to Carroll Creek Road in a few places.\u00a0 Finding USFS Road No. 313.1G meant Lupe\u00a0had national forest access\u00a0around\u00a0the private property nearby.\u00a0 She could get to Peak<\/span> 5360<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Much of the snow that had been in this vicinity a week ago\u00a0had melted.\u00a0 What was left had turned to ice on No. 313.1G, making\u00a0it quite slippery.\u00a0 Off road,\u00a0patches of crusty, crunchy snow lingered in shady spots.<\/p>\n

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The snow that had been in this vicinity a week ago had turned to ice now on USFS Road No. 313.1G. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peak 5360 was another of the series of\u00a0peaks\u00a0in the southern Black Hills that Brian Kalet<\/strong><\/a><\/span> had added to the Peakbagger.com<\/strong><\/a><\/span> data base last spring.\u00a0 On recent expeditions, Lupe’s adventures\u00a0had been focused on climbing these Brian Kalet peaks.\u00a0 She now had a good start on visiting all of them.\u00a0 A successful summit of Peak 5360 would “X” another one off the list.<\/p>\n

Peak 5360 was only 0.67 miles N as the crow flies.\u00a0 Lupe would have to go more like a mile to actually reach the summit.\u00a0 No. 313.1G started out curving across the\u00a0lower end\u00a0of a draw to the NE.\u00a0 It then went around the SW end of a forested ridge before turning NE.\u00a0 Here, Lupe already had a view of Peak 5360 to the N beyond a field of private property.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After following No. 313.1G around the SW end of a forested ridge, Lupe could see Peak 5360 ahead beyond a privately-owned field. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5360 from the S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Displaying limestone cliffs at the SW end, Peak 5360 looked like it was probably easiest to climb from the NE.\u00a0 Lupe followed No. 313.1G up the valley.\u00a0 After the road\u00a0got beyond the end of the private field, Lupe came to two intersections in rapid succession.\u00a0 At the second one, she left No. 313.1G to continue NE on No. 313.1H.\u00a0 She hadn’t gone far at all before reaching a fence with a “No Trespassing” sign.<\/p>\n

SPHP checked the USFS map again.\u00a0 Yes, a very narrow strip of private property within the national forest\u00a0extended farther up the valley from here.\u00a0 Lupe ought to be able to go around it easily enough.\u00a0 SPHP led Lupe NW directly toward Peak 5360.\u00a0\u00a0Sure enough, the fence ended shortly after reaching the trees.\u00a0 Lupe turned NE again.<\/p>\n

As she got closer to the NE end of the mountain, Lupe started climbing.\u00a0 She had already gained a fair amount of elevation by the time\u00a0she was able to turn\u00a0SW to\u00a0tackle the steepest part of the slope leading to the summit.\u00a0 The remaining snow was getting soft and starting to melt, making things slick for SPHP.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog had no problem, though.\u00a0 She was rapidly approaching the small limestone outcroppings\u00a0near the top of the mountain.<\/p>\n

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The snow was starting to melt and make things slippery as Lupe reached the steepest part of the climb up the NE slope. The snow was no problem for her. Soon she could see the limestone rock outcroppings just below the top of the mountain ahead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the base of the limestone cap of Peak 5360. Fortunately, the line of rock was discontinuous here at the NE end of the mountain. Lupe had no problem finding an easy route to the top. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The exposed limestone cap at the NE end of Peak 5360\u00a0was not thick or continuous enough to create a solid\u00a0line of cliffs.\u00a0 Lupe had no problem reaching the top of the mountain.\u00a0 The mountaintop was heavily forested, but she had good views from an opening\u00a0looking NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cicero Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,166 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>(L) from the NE end of Peak 5360. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak<\/a> <\/span>(7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks NNE using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now that she had made it up here,\u00a0it was time for Lupe\u00a0to explore the top of Peak 5360 to find the true summit.\u00a0 The summit ridge extended another 0.125 mile to the SW, so the\u00a0high point\u00a0might be\u00a0some distance away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From here near the NE end of the mountaintop, Lupe set out to find the true summit of Peak 5360. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As it turned out, Lupe didn’t have far to go.\u00a0 The true summit was only 100 feet from where she’d reached the top of the mountain’s limestone cap.\u00a0 Brian Kalet had marked the true summit on Peakbagger.com\u00a0as being close to the NE end of the mountain.\u00a0\u00a0Brian was\u00a0absolutely correct.<\/p>\n

A dead tree had fallen over right at the actual summit, and made a great prop from which Lupe could claim her 1st peakbagging success of the day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe stands on the fallen dead tree at the true summit of Peak<\/span> 5360<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Amid a dense forest, the gnarly roots of the fallen dead tree were the most scenic thing in view from the true summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Simply because she had reached\u00a0the true summit of Peak 5360\u00a0so quickly didn’t mean\u00a0Lupe was done here.\u00a0 Loop was ready to explore the entire summit area to see what\u00a0else she might discover.\u00a0 Two ridges converged at the true summit.\u00a0 The\u00a0shorter one went W, while the longer one went SW.\u00a0 Lupe went SW first.<\/p>\n

The SW ridge\u00a0varied from\u00a050 – 200 feet wide.\u00a0 Although\u00a0the ridge\u00a0was fairly level, Lupe lost elevation steadily as she conducted her exploration.\u00a0\u00a0From cliffs along the SE edge, Lupe\u00a0often had\u00a0nice views in that direction, but the forest hid everything to the NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Explorer Lupe midway along the SW ridge. Photo looks back to the NE in the direction she was coming from.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Exploring the SW ridge. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had lost\u00a0significant elevation by the time she reached the cliffs at the end of the SW ridge.\u00a0 Unsurprisingly, the best views were to\u00a0the SSW.\u00a0 Lupe could see both Parker Peak<\/a><\/span> (4,848 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Matias Peak<\/a><\/span> (4,780 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Both were\u00a0far away\u00a0on the horizon\u00a0and looked like mere bumps from here.<\/p>\n

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The best view from the end of the SW ridge was to the SSW. Lupe could see both Parker Peak (on the horizon straight up from the end of her nose) and Matias Peak (also on the horizon, but a little to the R of her tail), but they were so far away they looked like mere bumps from here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on the Carroll Creek valley. Despite the melting snow, the creek was bone dry when Lupe came by today. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since the views were better here\u00a0at the end of the SW ridge\u00a0than back at the true summit, SPHP\u00a0suggested taking a short break.\u00a0 Lupe was fine with that for 10 minutes.\u00a0 Then she disappeared.\u00a0 SPHP had to call her.\u00a0 She\u00a0came running back from the NE.\u00a0 Apparently she had seen enough of this end of the mountain!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the end of the SW ridge during break time. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP started back up to the NE.\u00a0 When the Carolina Dog was getting close to the true summit again, she turned W to explore the shorter W ridge.\u00a0 This was the only part of the mountain with\u00a0decent views toward the N or NW.\u00a0 Lupe saw both Sylvan Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Thunderhead Mountain<\/a><\/span> (6,567 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, but they were quite a long way off.<\/p>\n

Lupe’s explorations of Peak 5360 were now complete.\u00a0 She returned briefly to the true summit before heading back down the NE slope.\u00a0 She retraced her entire route back to the G6 (11:12 AM, 46\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On USFS Road No. 313.1G again on her way back to the G6. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe wasn’t done with Brian Kalet peaks yet today.\u00a0 Another one, Peak 5240, was her next destination.\u00a0 Peak 5240 is nearly 4 miles SE of Peak 5360 on the opposite side of the little town of Pringle.\u00a0 Ordinarily that would have been close\u00a0enough for Lupe\u00a0to consider simply exploring a route to it\u00a0through the hills, but the USFS map showed a lot of private property in the Pringle area.\u00a0 Lucky Lupe was going to get a ride over to Peak 5240 in the G6.<\/p>\n

That was fine with the American Dingo!\u00a0 She kept a keen eye out for cows and horses to bark at along the way.\u00a0 She saw several on the way to Pringle, and hit the jackpot when she got there.\u00a0 A\u00a0whole herd of black cattle was grazing SE of the intersection of Hwy 385 and Hwy 89.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 5240<\/a><\/span><\/strong> was close by, in full view beyond the herd.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 5240 is only 0.67 miles SE of the small town of Pringle. It is clearly visible from the junction of Hwy 385 & Hwy 89. Photo looks ESE at the mountain from Hwy 89 less than 0.5 mile S of Pringle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The old USFS map made it look like there was national forest access to Peak 5240 starting less than 1 mile E of Pringle on the S side of Hwy 385.\u00a0 A possible USFS road shown on the Peakbagger.com topo map<\/strong><\/a><\/span> was nowhere in evidence, though, when\u00a0SPHP drove by.\u00a0 Quite a bit of private property was in the area.<\/p>\n

In fact, an apparently long-established commercial business, the Pringle Bed & Breakfast resort, sat on fenced land S of Hwy 385 where SPHP had expected to find the\u00a0national forest.\u00a0 The Pringle Bed & Breakfast looked affordable to begin with, and they were advertising winter rates.\u00a0 SPHP was in a generous mood.\u00a0 Did Lupe want to go in for a luxurious, comfy snooze and hearty, nutritious breakfast?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Oh, you’re a riot, SPHP! No, I’m not this tired or hungry!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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I’ll get you for this! Yeah, some day my fans will be reading “SPHP went missing mysteriously on Expedition No. Blah, Blah”.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP still thought the land the Pringle Bed & Breakfast sat on was national forest ground, but the expected access road didn’t seem to exist and there was nowhere to park.\u00a0 Maybe there was access from the W?\u00a0 SPHP drove back W to Shirttail Canyon Road and turned S.\u00a0 After passing by several private properties, a USFS marker appeared near the start of a dirt side road.\u00a0 Lupe was in luck!\u00a0 SPHP parked the G6, and Lupe was back in business (11:41 AM, 47\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

The USFS road led up the W slope of Peak 5240 through an open forest of Ponderosa pines.\u00a0 It soon ended at the old Townsite Mine, where a couple of signs indicated someone from Oklahoma had recently staked a new mining claim.\u00a0 Lupe found nothing else here other than the big scar in the hillside left by the original mining operation.\u00a0 She did have quite a good view back toward Pringle to the NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe arrives at the historic Townsite Mine on the upper W slope of Peak 5240. It is historic simply because all defunct old mines are historic, in case you hadn’t ever noticed before.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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From the Townsite Mine, Lupe had an unobstructed view of Pringle, SD. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Other than this big gash in the W side of Peak 5240, Lupe found nothing else at the old Townsite Mine. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It doesn’t take a Carolina Dog\u00a0long to look at a hole in the ground, even if it’s a fairly big one.\u00a0 Lupe left the Townsite Mine going a little S before turning E.\u00a0 She had to make her way up a short, fairly steep slope, but quickly reached the top of a limestone outcropping.\u00a0 Lupe stopped briefly here\u00a0for a look at the already great view to the SSW.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0view from\u00a0here was\u00a0similar to the one Lupe had\u00a0from\u00a0the SW ridge on Peak 5360, but was more open and panoramic.\u00a0\u00a0Loopster could see Parker Peak<\/a><\/span> (4,848 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and Matias Peak<\/a><\/span> (4,780 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0again.\u00a0 They were still far away, but a little closer than before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Coming up Peak 5240 from the SW, Lupe reached the top of this limestone outcropping where she had a great panoramic view to the S. Still appearing as little bumps on the horizon, Lupe saw Matias Peak (straight up from her tail end) and Parker Peak (L of Center). Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look SSW. Parker Peak is now near (Center) on the horizon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Parker Peak (R) through the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rest of the climb up Peak 5240 was only moderately steep.\u00a0 At the top of the mountain, one medium-sized rock stood out as being the true summit of Peak<\/span> 5240<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Lupe stood on it to claim her 2nd peakbagging success of the day, striking a somewhat dramatic pose.\u00a0 There was little doubt she was merely following a tradition already established by Brian Kalet.<\/p>\n

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Lupe poses dramatically at the true summit of Peak 5240! Hwy 385\/89 N of Pringle can be seen in the distance. Bear Mountain<\/a><\/span> (7,166 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is on the far horizon. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the true summit. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near a cairn E of the true summit, Lupe found a survey marker, but it seemed to have more to do with a section\u00a0line than anything having to do with Peak 5240.\u00a0 The top of the mountain formed a ridge running E\/W.\u00a0 The ground was close to level for about 200 feet in this direction.\u00a0 Lupe had surprisingly good views in most directions except to the W and NW, where pines blocked the view toward Pringle.<\/p>\n

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Looking down the S ridge from a point E of the true summit. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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View to the NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking SE. A lot of forest had burned in this direction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After looking at the views from the E end of the summit, Lupe and SPHP took a break over toward the W end.\u00a0 The trees here provided\u00a0welcome shade.\u00a0 Lupe wasn’t really hungry yet, but she stayed close\u00a0by while SPHP munched an apple.<\/p>\n

The view down the S slope was lovely.\u00a0\u00a0On the horizon was a\u00a0distant blue ridge that\u00a0might be part of the Seven Sisters Range<\/a><\/span> (4,420 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, where Lupe\u00a0hopes to\u00a0visit some more Brian Kalet peaks in the\u00a0relatively near future.\u00a0 SPHP must have been daydreaming and munching away for a while.\u00a0 Suddenly an American Dingo was right there, demanding an explanation.<\/p>\n

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Just how long does it take you to eat one crummy apple, anyway? Can we go yet?<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was ready for action!\u00a0 OK, OK!\u00a0\u00a0SPHP finished the apple.\u00a0 Lupe cooperated with SPHP for one last photo looking down the S slope.\u00a0 She returned briefly to stand atop the summit rock one more time.\u00a0 Then she headed down the S slope to continue her exploration of Peak 5240.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking at the lovely view down the S slope from the break area a little W of the true summit. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The high points along the distant blue ridge at Center and to the L may be part of the Seven Sisters Range S of Hot Springs, SD. Photo looks SSE using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe went all the way down to the drop-off at the\u00a0bottom of the S slope.\u00a0 Although she had lost a fair amount of elevation, she still had a great panoramic view.<\/p>\n

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Lupe near the drop-off at the lower end of Peak 5240’s S slope. Shirttail Canyon Road is the dirt road below on the R. Beyond it, Hwy 89 curves away to the W. Matias Peak is the highest dark hill seen L of Center near the horizon. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking N back up the S slope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe’s investigations on Peak 5240 were now complete.\u00a0 She left the mountain, stopping by the Townsite Mine one more time along the way.\u00a0 Soon she was back at the G6 (1:04 PM, 47\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

More than 4 hours remained before sunset.\u00a0 Lupe had run out of Brian Kalet peaks to explore near Pringle.\u00a0 However, while Loopster had been climbing all the Brian Kalet peaks farther N in recent weeks, SPHP had noticed a mountain not in the Peakbagger.com data base that Brian had somehow missed.\u00a0 Buckhorn Mountain<\/a><\/span> (6,330 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was just N of Custer, SD.<\/p>\n

Lupe had seen\u00a0Buckhorn Mountain\u00a0from Peak<\/span> 6181<\/a><\/span><\/strong> only a few weeks ago.\u00a0 It looked like a fairly impressive peak which might have some pretty sweet views from the top.\u00a0 The Custer area, especially to the N,\u00a0is rugged territory for the Black Hills\u00a0featuring lots of huge granite rock formations.\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t even certain if Lupe could get to the top of Buckhorn Mountain, but she was about to find out!<\/p>\n

After driving to Custer, SPHP parked the G6 again at the intersection of Hwy 89 and USFS Road No. 362, about a mile N of Hwy Alt 16 (1:33 PM, 45\u00b0F).\u00a0 Buckhorn Mountain was only 1.5 miles to the NW.<\/p>\n

On the first half of the trek to Buckhorn Mountain, Lupe followed USFS Road No. 362.\u00a0 The road wound NW through a forest which had been thinned by loggers fairly recently.\u00a0 Lupe liked the open forest, and trotted along on or near the road sniffing happily.\u00a0 She gained elevation steadily, but only gradually, on the way.\u00a0 She passed by a private drive on the N side of the road, but No. 362 continued on beyond it.<\/p>\n

At the high point on No. 362, Lupe\u00a0found an intersection.\u00a0 From here, No. 362 went W starting downhill.\u00a0 USFS Road No. 362.1C went N.\u00a0 By now, Lupe was very\u00a0close to\u00a0the end of the part of the forest the loggers had thinned.\u00a0\u00a0Buckhorn Mountain’s\u00a0thickly forested SE ridge came right down to No. 362.1C nearby.\u00a0 Lupe took No. 362.1C going N, but\u00a0arrived almost immediately\u00a0at a gate barring the road.\u00a0 A\u00a0sign said she had reached private property.<\/p>\n

Lupe didn’t need to go\u00a0any farther N anyway.\u00a0\u00a0Time for the American Dingo to begin her ascent of Buckhorn Mountain!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP plunged into the forest, starting up the SE ridge.<\/p>\n

The climb was really fun!\u00a0 It was steep, but not too steep.\u00a0 At first\u00a0the forest was the only obstacle\u00a0to navigate, but very quickly Lupe\u00a0began coming to granite rock formations along the top of the ridge.\u00a0 The higher up Lupe went, the more the rock outcroppings\u00a0grew in size.\u00a0 At any moment Lupe might come to a wall of solid rock preventing further advance along the ridge, but she didn’t.\u00a0 Each time that kind of situation seemed to be developing, Lupe found an easy way over, around,\u00a0or through.<\/p>\n

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Climbing Buckhorn Mountain’s SE ridge, Lupe came to many interesting rock formations along the way. This one has a hole in it near the top. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP knew that Lupe would eventually come to an intermediate\u00a0high point, sort of an ESE shoulder of the mountain.\u00a0 The shoulder area had some towering granite at the top.\u00a0 It was the first area of real concern.\u00a0 Would Lupe be able to get\u00a0past this area without having to\u00a0lose a\u00a0bunch of elevation\u00a0going around it?<\/p>\n

A wall of rock 40 feet high appeared ahead.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lupe’s prospects weren’t looking too good, but she kept climbing right up to it.\u00a0 The luck of the Dingo held.\u00a0 Looper found an easy route around the NE side of the rock formation.\u00a0 She was past the ESE shoulder.\u00a0 Nothing to it!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe alongside the rock formations of the ESE shoulder of Buckhorn Mountain. She has already made her way around the NE (L) side of them. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe below the rocks of the ESE shoulder. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now that she was beyond the ESE shoulder, Lupe could see the top of Buckhorn Mountain ahead.\u00a0\u00a0It was still a bit of a climb, but wasn’t that far away!<\/p>\n

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Now that she was past the ESE shoulder, Lupe could see the top of Buckhorn Mountain ahead. It wasn’t that far away!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe lost only a little elevation traversing the saddle from the ESE shoulder to start\u00a0the remaining climb up the E slope of the mountain.\u00a0 The forest in the saddle had been thinned by loggers.\u00a0 SPHP staggered through all the annoying slash the loggers had left behind.\u00a0 Before reaching the end of the slash, Lupe\u00a0was already climbing again.<\/p>\n

It still wasn’t clear if Lupe would be able to reach the top of Buckhorn Mountain or not.\u00a0 The final climb had stretches near the top which were even steeper than before.\u00a0 SPHP had to grab onto rocks and trees in some places to get up.\u00a0 None of this was difficult or scary – just a little light scrambling, but with snow and some deadfall timber around, it was slow going.<\/p>\n

Near the top, suddenly the ridge was much flatter and easier than before.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went W making rapid progress.\u00a0 High rocks appeared ahead.\u00a0 SPHP’s heart sank.\u00a0 There was no way Lupe could reach the top, at least not from what SPHP was seeing from this direction.\u00a0 The rocks were nearly vertical and way too high.<\/p>\n

Nothing to do, but check it out.\u00a0 Lupe worked her way around the N side of the rock formation, and found herself in a saddle between it and another rock formation to the N.\u00a0 It still didn’t look like Lupe would be able to climb up the first rock formation.\u00a0 So disappointing!\u00a0 The rocks to the N looked easier, so Lupe went that way first.<\/p>\n

The rocks\u00a0extended farther N than SPHP had seen at first.\u00a0 Lupe kept climbing along a surprisingly easy route.\u00a0 As she reached the N end, SPHP looked back and saw that she appeared to be every bit as high as the highest rocks to the S!\u00a0 In fact, the very highest rocks at the N end looked like they might even be slightly higher.\u00a0 Lupe had reached the true summit of Buckhorn Mountain<\/span><\/a> (6,330 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!\u00a0 Easy as pie in the end!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the summit of Buckhorn Mountain. Easy as pie in the end! Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the top of Buckhorn Mountain. These rocks at the N end are the true summit in SPHP’s opinion, although it is a very close contest with the first high point Lupe had seen roughly 200 – 300 feet farther S. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views were fabulous!\u00a0 Poor Brian Kalet had really missed out by not getting to this peak.\u00a0 Lupe had a sweeping 180\u00b0+ panoramic view everywhere to the N.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog\u00a0could see lots of the highest, most rugged territory and peaks of the Black Hills from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Thunderhead Mountain<\/a><\/span> (6,567 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is almost always referred to locally as Crazy Horse<\/strong><\/a> <\/span>due to the memorial being carved into the mountain. Photo looks N using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Sylvan Hill<\/a> <\/span>(7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>(L) and Black Elk Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>(R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bear Mountain<\/a><\/span> (7,166 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L of Center) is the highest point along the far ridge. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe decided to celebrate her successful ascent of Buckhorn Mountain by taking a break.\u00a0 She\u00a0feasted on\u00a0Taste of the Wild, then curled up for a rest\u00a0at a comfy spot in the warm sunlight.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe decided it was time to put a little Taste of the Wild in her tank.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Relaxing in the sun. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Lupe relaxed, SPHP took a couple of close-ups using the telephoto lens.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sylvan Hill with some help from the telephoto lens. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A closer look at Bear Mountain. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After her short rest, Lupe got back up on the true summit at the N end of Buckhorn Mountain again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe returned to the N summit after her rest break. Black Elk Peak is seen on the R. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The time had arrived to explore the rest of the summit area.\u00a0 Maybe it was possible for Lupe to reach the top of the first rock formation she had come to farther S?\u00a0 If she could, there wouldn’t be any question whether she had reached the true summit of Buckhorn Mountain.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog headed S to check it out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The top of the rock formation to the S is seen on the R. Photo looks S from a point not too far from the N summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It turned out that the S rock formation was really the middle high point on Buckhorn Mountain.\u00a0\u00a0Between the trees, another high point could be seen even farther off to the SSW.\u00a0 However, it was clear that the\u00a0actual S high point wasn’t as high as either the central or N ones were.<\/p>\n

From the NW, the middle rock formation didn’t look nearly as daunting as it had from the E.\u00a0 Lupe could probably climb it from the SW!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near the middle high point. Seen from the NW, it wasn’t nearly as imposing as it had seemed when Lupe originally approached from the E. In fact, it looked like Lupe might be able to get to the top from the SW. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A couple of minutes later, Lupe and SPHP were at the top of the middle summit.\u00a0 Getting there was an easy little scramble.\u00a0 The area at the\u00a0top was all lumpy granite, but Lupe had a little room to move around.\u00a0 From here, she had\u00a0terrific views to the E.\u00a0 She could see\u00a0part of the town of Custer to the SSE,\u00a0and beyond all the way to\u00a0Northeast Cicero Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,240 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop reaches the top of the central high point on Buckhorn Mountain, the rock formation that had looked too imposing to climb as Lupe first approached it from the E. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the Central high point. Looking back toward the N summit, which was almost in view from here, SPHP really wasn’t certain which was the true summit. Either way, Lupe had now been on top of both. SPHP’s final conclusion was that the N high point is the true summit, but it’s an extremely close contest. It’s entirely possible this is actually it. The difference might be only inches, a foot or two at most.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having climbed both the N and Central high points now, no matter which one was actually the true summit of Buckhorn Mountain, Lupe had been there.\u00a0 All that was left to do was check out the\u00a0views from the lower\u00a0S high point.\u00a0 As Lupe approached it from the N, there seemed to be little prospect of reaching the top.\u00a0 The rocks were vertical.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
As Lupe approached from the N, there seemed to be little chance she could get to the top of the S high point. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sadly, SPHP didn’t think Lupe could even\u00a0reach the S end of this rock formation, where there ought to be a sweeping panoramic view.\u00a0 Wrong!\u00a0 Lupe discovered an easy way around the W side that led directly up to a fantastic viewpoint.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From the far S end of the S high point, Lupe had this beautiful view to the WNW. Huge granite formations were close by. Farther off was Atlantic Hill<\/a><\/span> (6,393 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(R), and beyond it were the distant high ridges of the western Black Hills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the far S end of the S high point. The town of Custer is seen below. In the distance is Northeast Cicero Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,240 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>(Center). Apparently deer (or mountain goats?) like this view. There were lots of what looked like deer droppings near the edge of the precipice. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Part of the town of Custer, SD with Northeast Cicero Peak in the distance. Photo looks SSE using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe couldn’t get to the top of the highest rocks at the S high point, but reached a point that wasn’t too much lower.\u00a0 It didn’t matter anyway, since the S high point was definitely not the true summit.\u00a0 After enjoying the grand view, Lupe returned to the N end of the mountain.\u00a0 SPHP needed to retrieve the pack, which had been left there.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Thunderhead Mountain (Crazy Horse) (R of Center) again from the N summit. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak with a little help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After SPHP retrieved the pack, Lupe left Buckhorn Mountain.\u00a0 What a splendid fun climb and summit it had been!\u00a0 Lupe went back to the G6 following the same scenic route she had taken up.\u00a0 Near the\u00a0wild-looking rock with a hole in it, SPHP found the topo maps on the ground.\u00a0 SPHP had dropped them on the way up.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, when the\u00a0route is obvious, a map isn’t required.\u00a0\u00a0Just\u00a0keep following that curly Dingo tail onward and upward!\u00a0 (5:27 PM, 36\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

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

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

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe Adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Even standing right next to the marker, the numbers on it were so faded SPHP could barely make them out.\u00a0 313.1G.\u00a0 Excellent!\u00a0 No doubt about it now, this icy dirt road leading into the trees\u00a0was a USFS Road.\u00a0 Come on out, Loop, this is it!\u00a0 Lupe was out of the G6 in a flash (8:58 … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 191 – Peak 5360, Peak 5240 & Buckhorn Mountain (2-13-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9061,"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":[105,9,792,106,104,791,790,304],"class_list":["post-9067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-buckhorn-mountain","tag-carolina-dog","tag-lupe","tag-peak-5240","tag-peak-5360","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/IMG_3848.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\/9067","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=9067"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9067\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35923,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9067\/revisions\/35923"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9061"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}