{"id":9426,"date":"2017-03-26T08:10:14","date_gmt":"2017-03-26T14:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=9426"},"modified":"2020-09-24T08:55:44","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T14:55:44","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-195-peak-4340-flagpole-mountain-3-12-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=9426","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 195 – Peak 4340 & Flagpole Mountain (3-12-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Start, 9:11 AM, 37\u00b0F, West Cascade Mountain Road a few miles S of Hot Springs, SD off Hwy 71.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Well, that was easy!\u00a0 Except for the cactus, of course.\u00a0 Lupe hated the cactus!\u00a0 SPHP had had to carry her to the summit of Peak<\/span> 4340<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0for short stretches where the cactus was worst.\u00a0 Fortunately, the summit had only been a couple hundred yards W of West Cascade Mountain Road.\u00a0 Even carting a Dingo around, it had only taken minutes to get here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the summit of Peak 4340. This was actually the first of two high points she found that were true summit candidates. The other one was a couple hundred yards SW of here. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The topo map<\/strong><\/a><\/span> on Peakbagger.com showed only one contour where the true summit of the mountain could be, but things seemed a little different when actually here.\u00a0 SPHP thought another place a couple hundred yards farther SW looked possibly even a little higher.\u00a0 Naturally, Lupe had to visit that high point, too.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop at the 2nd possible location of the true summit. Due to the cactus threat, Lupe demanded that SPHP tote her part of the way over here, too. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The top of Peak 4340 was a large area of\u00a0gently rolling terrain\u00a0and open forest, but offered only teaser glimpses of\u00a0distant views.\u00a0 Close to a rural housing subdivision, it really wasn’t a terribly interesting place.\u00a0 With cactus around, Lupe didn’t think much of it either, but at least\u00a0she could now cross another Brian Kalet<\/strong><\/a><\/span> peak off her list.\u00a0 She only had\u00a0a couple of them left to visit in the southern Black Hills.<\/p>\n

Lupe was happy to\u00a0put a quick end to her visit of Peak 4340, and\u00a0return to the G6 (9:41 AM, 38\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

The trivial trek to both possible summits of Peak 4340 was\u00a0only a warm-up exercise.\u00a0 Lupe had a much more interesting peakbagging goal in store.\u00a0 Flagpole Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,320 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> sits at the far SE end of the Black Hills, N of the Cheyenne River and W of Angostura Reservoir.\u00a0 Lupe might have some fantastic views far out across the prairies beyond the hills from there.<\/p>\n

SPHP’s old USFS map showed that Flagpole Mountain was on USFS land, but surrounded by private property.\u00a0 Before Lupe could begin her climb, SPHP needed to find legal access.\u00a0 The shortest route up Flagpole Mountain would be from the SW.\u00a0 SPHP drove S on Hwy 71 intending to scout out the approach.<\/p>\n

On the way, Lupe stopped briefly by Cascade Falls.\u00a0 She had been here before<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, but it’s always fun to see the falls!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Devil’s Slide Mountain<\/a><\/span> (3,965 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from the Cascade Falls picnic ground. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cascade Falls is more of a rapids. Wading in Cascade Creek which plunges into a deep swimming hole is a locally popular summer activity. Cascade Falls is only a mile N of the Cheyenne River at the far S end of the Black Hills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Devil’s Slide Mountain from Cascade Creek a little upstream of the falls. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For some reason, Cascade Creek always seems to have good flow, no matter what the season.\u00a0 Cascade Falls was looking good today, too, but it was too chilly out to stay and enjoy it.\u00a0 The middle of July is better for that!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP continued S on Hwy 71.<\/p>\n

Just\u00a0N of\u00a0the Cheyenne River, a gravel road headed ESE from Hwy 71.\u00a0 The road wound around to the SE for more than a mile.\u00a0 It deteriorated at the end of a short stretch that went E.\u00a0 A log-sided home was on the N side of the road.\u00a0 Before SPHP even got out of the G6, a man opened the door of the house.<\/p>\n

His name was Mike.\u00a0 When SPHP told Mike that Lupe would like permission to cross his land to climb Flagpole Mountain, the answer was flatly “no”.\u00a0 Mike didn’t exactly come right out and say it, but his attitude was clearly “Get Off My Property”.\u00a0 Mike didn’t want to talk about it.\u00a0 The matter was not up for discussion.<\/p>\n

Mike was still helpful, however.\u00a0 He told SPHP that 5 or 6 years ago, the state of South Dakota had purchased land leading to the national forest on the other side of the mountain.\u00a0 Lupe would have legal access from Sheps Canyon.<\/p>\n

That was good news!\u00a0 Well, at least pretty good news.\u00a0 Sheps Canyon was an alternate route that SPHP had intended to check on if things didn’t work out here.\u00a0 The route to Flagpole Mountain from Sheps Canyon would be a lot longer than if Lupe had been able to start from Mike’s ranch.<\/p>\n

No is no.\u00a0 SPHP thanked Mike for the tip. \u00a0Lupe left his property.<\/p>\n

Driving down Sheps Canyon was not initially encouraging.\u00a0 Lupe passed by housing developments and more ranches.\u00a0 “No Trespassing” signs were all along the S side of the road at frequent intervals.\u00a0 Lupe was all the way down to\u00a0the lower end of the canyon not too far from Angostura Reservoir before\u00a0SPHP spotted the Hill Ranch Game Production Area.\u00a0 This had to be the legal public access Mike had mentioned!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the entrance to the Hill Ranch Game Production Area. This entrance is easy to spot on the S side of Sheps Canyon Road in the lower part of the canyon. Photo looks SSE and was taken late in the day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Hill Ranch Game Production Area is mostly used by hunters, but is open to public access for other uses like hiking, too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A good dirt and gravel road led into the Hill Ranch GPA.\u00a0 SPHP parked the G6 at a curve at the far E end of the road only a short distance from Sheps Canyon Road (10:48 AM, 43\u00b0F).\u00a0 Lupe could regain her confidence trotting along the cactus-free road for a while.<\/p>\n

The road went steadily uphill at a moderate pace, heading W for the most part.\u00a0 Lupe passed by a parking pullout and then a small lodge.\u00a0 The lodge appeared to be closed.\u00a0 A couple of parking pullouts farther, Lupe had quite a good view of Angostura Reservoir.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Angostura Reservoir from the Hill Ranch GPA. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road went 2 miles before ending near a couple of gates at the edge of the national forest.\u00a0 (Even the G6 would have made it this far easily enough, if SPHP had chosen to drive to this point.)\u00a0 A map of the Hill Ranch GPA was posted here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
This map of the Hills Ranch GPA was posted at the end of the road. The national forest was just W of here beyond a couple of gates.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe went through the smaller gate, continuing W into the Black Hills National Forest.\u00a0 The good road was behind her.\u00a0 She followed faint traces of an old jeep trail, still gaining elevation steadily.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Angostura Reservoir is still in view as Lupe continues W now on Black Hills National Forest ground. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A ridge coming in from the ENE soon merged with the ground Lupe was traveling.\u00a0 Shortly after that, she came to a place where she had a great view to the N.\u00a0 She could see Peak<\/span> 4310<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, which she had visited only a couple of expeditions ago.\u00a0 Today the scene wasn’t all snowy like it had been then.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the first viewpoint to the N. Peak 4310 is the barren distant high point extending farthest toward the center of the photo from the R. Lupe had been there only 2 expeditions ago. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From this first viewpoint looking far to the N, the faint trail turned SW.\u00a0 It soon came to a saddle between two hills. \u00a0Flagpole Mountain was in view!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Flagpole Mountain (Center) came into view at a saddle between two hills. It was only 1.5 miles away, but Lupe would have to go a lot farther than that to get there. Green Canyon was in the way! Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Flagpole Mountain was only 1.5 miles off to the SW when Lupe first saw it.\u00a0 However, she would have to go a lot farther than that to get there.\u00a0 Green Canyon was in the way.<\/p>\n

To get to Flagpole Mountain, the\u00a0plan was to go around the W end of\u00a0Green Canyon.\u00a0 Lupe would follow a couple of long ridges shown on the topo map.\u00a0 The first ridge went first W then NW for nearly 1.5 miles.\u00a0 The map showed a substantial part of this ridge as being very skinny.\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t certain what Lupe might encounter along the way.<\/p>\n

Lupe turned W and started around the S side of the highest little hill in this area.\u00a0 The hill was the first part of the ridge leading W.\u00a0 The ridge wasn’t narrow here, but going around the S side of\u00a0the hill\u00a0quickly proved to be a mistake.\u00a0 The grassy open ground below the forested summit was full of cactus!\u00a0 Lupe was immediately seized with fear.<\/p>\n

Although the hill wasn’t all that big, it took a\u00a0while to get\u00a0past it.\u00a0 Lupe was scared to move.\u00a0 The cactus had her mentally paralyzed.\u00a0 SPHP had to carry her repeatedly.<\/p>\n

Once beyond the hill, the ridge narrowed considerably, but was still plenty wide.\u00a0 Cactus continued to be a near constant problem, but Lupe gradually made progress.\u00a0 SPHP had to carry her less and less.<\/p>\n

Nearly a year ago, Lupe had developed a system on her way up Matias Peak<\/a><\/span> (4,780 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>for dealing with cactus.\u00a0 She would wait in one spot while SPHP scouted the area ahead.\u00a0 When SPHP sat down, she considered it a signal that all\u00a0the ground to that point was cactus-free.\u00a0 She then came running.<\/p>\n

Now Lupe wanted SPHP to do the same thing.\u00a0\u00a0Doing a good job of scouting was important,\u00a0so Loop would continue to have confidence in the system.\u00a0\u00a0This process\u00a0was sort of slow, but much easier than carrying the Carolina Dog any significant distance.\u00a0 Stop, scout, go.\u00a0 Stop, scout, go.\u00a0 Lupe progressed along the ridge.<\/p>\n

Lupe wasn’t any closer to Flagpole Mountain yet, but the route was beautiful.\u00a0 Loop could see Flagpole Mountain almost the entire time.\u00a0 She often had grand views to the N, or down into Green Canyon.\u00a0 She came to a place with huge boulders, and many more places with interesting rock formations.\u00a0 The route was up and down, but none of the elevation changes were too drastic.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Another look to the N from the ridge Lupe was following W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking across Green Gulch. The high point seen straight up from Lupe is not Flagpole Mountain, but Lupe would go by it on her way there. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The part of the ridge that\u00a0angled NW was the skinniest.\u00a0 Up and down one narrow little hill or rock formation after another.\u00a0 At one point, Lupe had to do a teensy bit of scrambling, but only once and it hardly amounted to anything.\u00a0 Eventually, the much, bigger, wider hill at the NW end of the ridge came into view.\u00a0 Lupe was almost there!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The much bigger, wider hill at the NW end of the ridge came into view. Lupe was getting there! Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon she was there.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t go quite all the way to the top.\u00a0 She stayed in the trees a little S of the summit.\u00a0\u00a0Loop went over to the W edge of\u00a0another ridgeline heading S from here.\u00a0\u00a0She had her first look at a vast new territory to the W and SW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe could see a vast territory off to the W and SW after reaching the big hill at the NW end of the long ridge she had been following. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Going 1.5 miles along the skinny W and NW ridge hadn’t brought Lupe any closer to Flagpole Mountain as the crow flies, but she was now past the W end of Green Gulch and\u00a0could turn S.\u00a0\u00a0A much broader ridge went SSW from here.\u00a0 The W edge of this ridge dropped steeply, but sloped much more moderately toward Green Canyon to\u00a0the E.<\/p>\n

Going S meant\u00a0traversing several more drops and hills along the way.\u00a0 These were larger than the bumps Lupe\u00a0had gone\u00a0over along the skinny ridge, but she didn’t have climb to the top of each one.\u00a0 At the bottom of the first drop was good news.\u00a0 A dirt road climbed up to this point from the W.\u00a0 It turned S here, just the direction Lupe needed to go.\u00a0 Lupe could follow the road!<\/p>\n

Reaching the road\u00a0quickly restored Lupe’s confidence.\u00a0 She wasn’t afraid of cactus on the road.\u00a0 Suddenly she was making great progress.\u00a0 SPHP didn’t have to carry her,\u00a0or play the scouting ahead game at all.\u00a0 Lupe trotted right along.\u00a0 It wouldn’t take her long to get to Flagpole Mountain at this pace!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe was able to follow this road on the big ridge heading SSW. Unafraid of cactus on the road, she was making great progress! Her destination, Flagpole Mountain is in view on the L. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The road stayed E of the top of the ridgeline most of the time, but was occasionally near it.\u00a0 At once place, Lupe went over to the W edge for another look at the big\u00a0views.<\/p>\n

The weather had been\u00a0changing in the short time she’d been traveling S.\u00a0 The light NW breeze present\u00a0earlier, had turned into\u00a0a gale!\u00a0 Lupe did not like the fierce wind at the W edge of the ridge, but the views were still excellent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe did not like the fierce NW wind now gusting up the W side the of ridge, but the views were still excellent! The near slope is part of Horseshoe Bend. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The helpful road Lupe had been following ended a little before reaching the S end of the ridge, but had\u00a0brought\u00a0the Carolina Dog\u00a0a long way.\u00a0\u00a0She was getting close to Flagpole Mountain, but now\u00a0nervous about cactus again.\u00a0 She was right to be.\u00a0 More patches of\u00a0dreaded cactus were scattered here and there.\u00a0 SPHP had to\u00a0resume cactus scouting operations.\u00a0 Once again, Lupe got carried over the worst of it.<\/p>\n

For the last 0.25 mile to the summit,\u00a0the ridgeline\u00a0turned SE.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe was high on broad open\u00a0terrain where she\u00a0had\u00a0expansive views to the S.\u00a0 To the N was forest. \u00a0The sight of several deer running on another minor ridge excited her so much she forgot all about the cactus and dashed about unsure how to get over there.\u00a0 Fortunately, she didn’t run into any cacti.<\/p>\n

The top of Flagpole Mountain<\/span><\/a> (4,320 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0appeared ahead.\u00a0 A short, grassy slope led to a summit crowned\u00a0by big rocks,\u00a0bare bushes\u00a0and a\u00a0few pine trees.\u00a0 In a flash, Lupe was there.\u00a0 She stood on the highest boulders at the very SE end of the Black Hills with a grand sweeping view of miles and miles of desolate territory stretching to the horizon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reaches the summit of Flagpole Mountain! Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Despite a long, winding route, countless cacti, and a wild NW wind, a bold American Dingo stood atop Flagpole Mountain for the very first time. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The grand view to the SW. Lupe had hoped to come up the mountain from this direction, which would have been a much shorter trek, but she was refused permission to cross Mike’s ranch. Part of Coffee Flat near the Cheyenne River is seen far below. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Neither wind, nor miles, nor cacti can keep an American Dingo from its appointed peakbagging! Looper atop Flagpole Mountain. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A series of snow squalls swept over Flagpole Mountain while Lupe was here. Another one is on its way. Each time a squall hit, Lupe took refuge at the base of these rocks, where she was sheltered from the raging NW wind. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although partially protected by pines trees to the N, the top of Flagpole Mountain was windy.\u00a0\u00a0A powerful NW wind was blowing a series of snow squalls over the mountain. \u00a0Each time\u00a0a line of\u00a0clouds passed over, a brief, but exciting snowstorm developed.\u00a0 The wind raged at the height of its\u00a0fury beneath an ominous sky.<\/p>\n

When the squalls hit, Lupe took shelter at the base of the big rocks at the S end of the summit.\u00a0 She nestled on SPHP’s lap, wrapped in a fuzzy blue pullover sweater, enjoying the incredible views and\u00a0dramatic weather.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe relaxes sheltered from the wind as she awaits the start of the next exciting snow squall. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The next snow squall begins. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Though each squall was exciting and began impressively, the snow flakes were tiny and melted as soon as they hit the ground.\u00a0 The squalls never lasted more than a few minutes.\u00a0 Gorgeous blue skies reappeared as soon as they were over, and the winds calmed down somewhat.<\/p>\n

Between squalls, Lupe explored the summit area, while SPHP enjoyed the views from various vantage points.\u00a0 By going only a little down the S or SE side of the mountain, it was possible to almost entirely\u00a0escape the wind.\u00a0 The day felt pleasant, warm and sunny.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking ESE toward the SW end of Angostura Reservoir. The Cheyenne River can be seen flowing into it from the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe back on the summit of Flagpole Mountain between squalls, though another one is in the works. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Your Carolina Dog guide to the Black Hills on another mountaintop! Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking down on Coffee Flats (R) next to the Cheyenne River. The more distant flat, grassy highland on the L is Stage Hill. Photo looks SSW with a little help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Between snow squalls, the skies cleared to a gorgeous, fresh blue. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP stayed for an hour or\u00a0more at the summit of Flagpole Mountain.\u00a0 Although the trek here had been amazing and beautiful, the presence of so much cactus meant it might be a long time, if ever, before Lupe would return.\u00a0 These distant views beyond the Cheyenne River across the vast, lonely prairies were a rare treat.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Taken from the summit of Flagpole Mountain, this photo looks SE down toward Tepee Mountain<\/a><\/span> (3,790 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, the low forested ridge on the R beyond the Cheyenne River.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking W from the summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe a little SE of the summit (R). Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The SW end of Angostura Reservoir is in the distance on the L. The Cheyenne River flows into it from the R. Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A closer look at where the Cheyenne River flows into Angostura Reservoir. Photo looks ESE using the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Distant snow squalls sweep the plains of western South Dakota beyond Angostura Reservoir. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at the far SE end of the greater Flagpole Mountain summit area. The low, darkly forested ridge is Tepee Mountain<\/a><\/span> (3,790 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, which lies just on the other side of the Cheyenne River. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Flagpole Mountain had a few cacti down the SE slope. Here Lupe waits for the all clear signal from SPHP before feeling safe to come this way. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Forest hid the views to the N from Flagpole Mountain’s summit, but by going down the SE slope a little way, Lupe came to this great viewpoint. (It was very windy here!) The long W and NW ridge she had taken on her way to Flagpole Mountain is seen extending nearly all the way across the photo. On the way back, Lupe would have to traverse it again going from L to R. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An hour went by.\u00a0 It had been a while since the last snow squall had blown through.\u00a0 Apparently they were all over and done with.\u00a0 Sadly, it was time for Lupe to leave Flagpole Mountain.\u00a0 She had to take the same long route all the way back to the G6.<\/p>\n

On the way back, SPHP took a few minor shortcuts, but they saved only a little time.\u00a0 More time was saved by staying\u00a0on the N side of slopes where there were fewer cacti.\u00a0 Lupe’s increased confidence in SPHP’s cacti scouting skills saved the most time of all.\u00a0 She still\u00a0appreciated being\u00a0carried for short distances wherever the cacti was worst.<\/p>\n

The trek back along the ridges was beautiful, and went\u00a0faster the second time around.\u00a0 Lupe had time\u00a0to stop and sniff the air at various places along the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way back, Lupe took the road going N along the first wider ridge. One of the bigger hills along this route is in view ahead. Lupe didn’t have to go all the way to the top of the hill. The road went around the E (R) side of it. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking down on Horseshoe Bend (the near slope) NW of Flagpole Mountain. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking over Horseshoe bend. The Cheyenne River is seen in the distance. The Cheyenne flows into South Dakota from Wyoming and winds around the S end of the Black Hills on its way to Angostura Reservoir. From Angostura it flows NE all the way to the Missouri River. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Making progress around Green Canyon. The S (R) side of the little high point L of Center is where Lupe encountered the worst of the cactus on the whole trek to Flagpole Mountain. On the way back, Lupe stayed in the forest going around the N (L) side of the hill. She came to a few snowbanks there, but almost no cacti. Definitely the way to go! Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A final look back at Flagpole Mountain (seen above Lupe) from the area of big boulders on the first ridge Lupe had taken W, then NW. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
In the area of big boulders. Lupe had originally reached this area fairly early on her way to Flagpole Mountain, but here she’s on her way back to the G6. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking N on the way back. Peak 4310 is the high bare ridge extending farthest toward Center from the R.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe’s cactus worries were all behind her before\u00a0she even reached the good dirt road at the Hill Ranch Game Production Area.\u00a0 The rest of the trek was a long, relaxing downhill stroll all the way.\u00a0 Lupe stopped by the same boulder with a view of Angostura Reservoir again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Back in the Hill Ranch GPA, Lupe stopped by the same boulder with the view of Angostura Reservoir again. It was still windy out. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was content to trot along the good road all the way through the Hill Ranch GPA to the G6 (5:38 PM, 37\u00b0F).\u00a0 Her Flagpole Mountain adventure was over, but it was the first day of Daylight Savings Time in 2017.\u00a0 The sun would still be up for another 1.5 hours.<\/p>\n

SPHP used the extra hour of evening daylight to drive Lupe down to Angostura Reservoir.\u00a0 She had seen it from afar from several different mountains on recent expeditions.\u00a0 Now she would get to see it up close.<\/p>\n

The drive was beautiful.\u00a0 SPHP was surprised to find a good gravel road winding S for miles\u00a0along the W shore of the lake.\u00a0 Lupe stopped at a boat ramp.\u00a0 The wind was out of the NE here and still strong.\u00a0 The temperature was\u00a0in the 30’s and dropping.\u00a0 It felt cold out.\u00a0 Waves crashed into the shore.\u00a0 Lupe drank a little water out of the lake, then got up on the swaying dock.\u00a0 Tepee Mountain, which she had seen earlier from Flagpole Mountain, was in view in the distance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at Angostura Lake for the first time ever after having seen it in the distance from several mountains on recent expeditions. Tepee Mountain is in view in the distance. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP was curious.\u00a0 How far did this road go?\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP drove farther SW.\u00a0 The road went by many great campsites up on the bank above the shore of the lake.\u00a0 Lupe stopped at another place offering lake access.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking NE across Angostura.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The view to the SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP drove all the way to the end of the road.\u00a0 Surprisingly, at the end was a horse camp.\u00a0 Maps and information at the horse camp said a riding trail went 5.1 miles farther along the lake and up the Cheyenne River.\u00a0 Horses were restricted to the trail while in the Sheps Canyon Outdoor Recreation Complex, but the trail went all the way to the Black Hills National Forest, where horses could be ridden anywhere.<\/p>\n

It was a beautiful area.\u00a0 The trail along the lake and up the river would be an awesome place to ride horses.\u00a0 Once to the national forest, maybe horses could even climb Flagpole Mountain?\u00a0 One thing was for certain, an American Dingo could!<\/p>\n

With a new route to explore, maybe someday a Carolina Dog will stand in the breeze\u00a0far above the Cheyenne River on Flagpole Mountain again.\"\"<\/a><\/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 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0 Check out her Black Hills, SD & WY\u00a0Expeditions\u00a0Adventure Index<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Master Adventure Index<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span>!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Start, 9:11 AM, 37\u00b0F, West Cascade Mountain Road a few miles S of Hot Springs, SD off Hwy 71.) Well, that was easy!\u00a0 Except for the cactus, of course.\u00a0 Lupe hated the cactus!\u00a0 SPHP had had to carry her to the summit of Peak 4340\u00a0for short stretches where the cactus was worst.\u00a0 Fortunately, the summit … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 195 – Peak 4340 & Flagpole Mountain (3-12-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9388,"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":[105,9,106,810,104,809,304],"class_list":["post-9426","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-flagpole-mountain","tag-lupe","tag-peak-4340","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/IMG_4045.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\/9426","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=9426"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9426\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28381,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9426\/revisions\/28381"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}