{"id":9524,"date":"2018-07-07T08:10:24","date_gmt":"2018-07-07T14:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=9524"},"modified":"2020-09-21T12:38:56","modified_gmt":"2020-09-21T18:38:56","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-74-willow-creek-to-sylvan-lake-1-19-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=9524","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 74 – Willow Creek to Sylvan Lake (1-19-14)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Willow Creek Horse Camp, Norbeck Wildlife Preserve (10:28 AM, 49\u00b0F)<\/em><\/p>\n

At last!\u00a0 Grandma was doing lots better, and it was an amazingly warm day for January.\u00a0 For the first time in a month and a day, Lupe was heading out on one of her Black Hills expeditions – her first of 2014.\u00a0 A few inches of snow only served to make the Carolina Dog\u00a0even more\u00a0joyous and revved up!\u00a0 Not a soul was around as she charged ahead\u00a0on Willow Creek Trail No. 8, sniffing madly.<\/p>\n

The trail went S through a forest of tall pines and spruce trees.\u00a0 It wound around going\u00a0up and down before crossing small, frozen Willow Creek.\u00a0 Across the creek, the trail divided.\u00a0 One branch went S up the creek valley, the other turned NW and quickly\u00a0brought Lupe to a cul-de-sac at the end of a gravel road.<\/p>\n

Lupe’s ultimate objective for the day was to reach Sylvan Lake, which she had never been to before.\u00a0 Somewhere around here, Loop was supposed to take Lost Cabin Trail No. 2, but there were no signs indicating which way to go.\u00a0\u00a0A rather primitive trail headed SW from the cul-de-sac.\u00a0 Since that was the right general direction, Lupe and SPHP tried it.<\/p>\n

The primitive trail gained elevation steadily.\u00a0 At first, a few footprints in the snow helped show\u00a0where the trail went, but they ended at a large clearing where the snow\u00a0became deeper.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP had to guess which way to go.\u00a0 Continuing SW\u00a0across the open ground toward the next part of the forest seemed to be the thing to do.<\/p>\n

Near the trees, Lupe found the trail again.\u00a0\u00a0As expected, it did head into the forest.\u00a0 There was less snow here, but quite a few dead trees had fallen across the trail.\u00a0 The situation only became worse as Lupe proceeded.\u00a0 The deadfall timber slowed SPHP down significantly.<\/p>\n

After a little while winding through the forest, Lupe reached another intersection where the trail divided.\u00a0 The trail heading S started climbing more steeply up the mountain.\u00a0 The trail going N was less steep.\u00a0 It went toward a less heavily forested hillside\u00a0where it curved W.\u00a0 SPHP wasn’t sure which way to go, but tried the trail to the N.<\/p>\n

As the trail turned W, it became apparent why this hillside wasn’t as heavily forested.\u00a0 Pine bark beetles had decimated the trees.\u00a0 Lots of tree trunks were still standing, but the upper portions of the\u00a0trees had snapped entirely off the trunks.\u00a0 The trail was covered with deadfall timber.\u00a0 The snow was deeper here, too.\u00a0 It was slow going fighting both the deadfall and the snow.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP spent far more time off the trail trying to get around all the obstacles than on it.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, this bad stretch of trail didn’t last long.\u00a0 After 0.25 mile, Lupe came to a footbridge crossing Palmer Creek.\u00a0 A long\u00a0field paralleled the creek on the other side of the bridge.\u00a0 Across the field, the trail ended at the Palmer Creek trailhead.\u00a0 A map posted at the trailhead showed that Lupe had been on Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 at least since leaving the cul-de-sac.\u00a0 However, the last 0.25 mile of difficult trail leading to this trailhead was only a spur.\u00a0 Lupe would have to retrace it to\u00a0continue S on up the mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking SW up the Palmer Creek valley from near the footbridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So Lupe followed the spur trail back across the field, over the bridge, and all the way back to the trail junction.\u00a0 This time she took Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 going S up the mountain.\u00a0 The trail entered a more heavily forested area again as it started climbing rapidly.\u00a0 The snow deepened.\u00a0 Deadfall timber continued to block the trail at regular intervals, but wasn’t as bad as on the spur trail.<\/p>\n

Lupe climbed for what seemed like a long time.\u00a0 On the way, she entered the Black Elk Wilderness.\u00a0 The views were steadily improving.\u00a0 Finally the trail leveled out.\u00a0 Lupe had reached a high, rocky area, part of a massive ridge of granite.\u00a0 Lupe left the trail temporarily to explore the rock formations\u00a0and take in some of the views from here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe left Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 to explore among the rocks on this big granite ridge. The\u00a0long ridge with high points at both ends seen in the distance a little R of Center is Zimmer Ridge<\/a><\/span> (6,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although Lupe had gained hundreds of feet of elevation, she could still see other peaks and ridges that were just as high or higher than where she was now.\u00a0 She returned to Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 to resume her climb.<\/p>\n

The trail continued steadily up for a while, but eventually crested at a broad saddle\u00a0near 6,350 ft. elevation.\u00a0 Due to pine bark beetles, the forest here was a mess.\u00a0 However, the devastation had opened up a view of a rocky high point just to the E.<\/p>\n

This seemed like a good place to take a break.\u00a0 SPHP sat on one of the many fallen tree trunks near the trail.\u00a0 Lupe\u00a0enjoyed Taste of the Wild, SPHP had the usual apple, and both had water.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe reached the crest of Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 at this saddle 0.33 mile NE of Gap Lode Peak<\/a><\/span> (6,560 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. The rocky hill seen here is E of the trail. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 15 minutes, SPHP’s feet started getting cold.\u00a0 Time to press on and get the circulation going again!\u00a0 Lupe continued S on the trail.\u00a0 It wound around through the forest, but was no longer gaining elevation.\u00a0 Farther along, the forest was in much better condition.\u00a0 The pine bark beetles hadn’t hit it nearly so hard here.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
As Lupe continued S on Lost Cabin Trail No. 2, the forest was in better condition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About\u00a01.5 miles from the break point at the saddle, Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 left the Black Elk Wilderness and ended at a junction\u00a0with Harney Peak Trail No. 9.\u00a0 At 6,405 feet, this was the highest\u00a0elevation Lupe\u00a0would reach\u00a0all day.<\/p>\n

Lupe wasn’t going all the way to Harney Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,242 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 Instead, she turned SW on Harney Peak Trail No. 9 in the direction of Sylvan Lake.\u00a0 The trail would take her 0.75 mile down a valley to the Sylvan Lake trailhead,\u00a0Custer State Park’s<\/strong><\/a> <\/span>most popular starting point for the 3+ mile hike (one way)\u00a0to Harney Peak.<\/p>\n

Trail No. 9 was snow-packed, icy and very slippery.\u00a0 Even though it’s a wide, heavily traveled trail and not particularly steep, the going was treacherous for SPHP.\u00a0 The day was warm enough to melt some snow, allowing water to run over the ice.\u00a0 The ice, however, had hardly softened up at all.\u00a0 The wet ice was\u00a0super slick.\u00a0 Even an American Dingo slipped and slid\u00a0in some places.<\/p>\n

Lupe had never been here before, but SPHP had.\u00a0 The\u00a0valley along the trail had been transformed since the last time SPHP had seen it.\u00a0 Apparently pine bark beetles had hit hard.\u00a0 Consequently, bulldozers had been all over the NW side of the valley completing the destruction.\u00a0 The forest had been severely thinned.\u00a0\u00a0A once shady hike beneath tall pines and spruce was now far\u00a0more open and exposed.<\/p>\n

The damaged hillsides looked bad.\u00a0 On the plus side, it was much easier than it used to be to see some of the large rock formations on the SE side of the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
With so many beetle killed trees removed, views of large rock formations across the valley from Harney Peak Trail No. 9 on the way to Sylvan Lake were much better than they used to be. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A surprising number of people were around when Lupe reached Sylvan Lake.\u00a0 A dozen cars were parked near the lake close to the picnic ground.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP went over to the\u00a0small sandy beach on the NE side of the lake.\u00a0 Nearly all the large beautiful pines that used to provide shade around the perimeter were gone.\u00a0 It was a sad sight.<\/p>\n

Close to\u00a0the beach, Lupe climbed up on a big granite formation that juts out into Sylvan Lake.\u00a0 The beautiful scenes looking across the lake from here were unchanged.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at Sylvan Lake for the first time. The rock formation seen beyond this part of the frozen lake is near the dam. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe had made it to Sylvan Lake, but winter days are short.\u00a0 The sun was already getting low.\u00a0 Going back the way Lupe had come was not a good idea.\u00a0 Too many parts of the trail had been hidden under deadfall timber.\u00a0 Losing the trail on a winter night was not an option.\u00a0 Although it was\u00a06 miles back to the G6 taking Hwy 87 and Palmer Creek Road, that was the only smart choice.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP left the rock formation and went down to the beach, intending to go around the S end of the lake to get to Hwy 87.\u00a0 However, the ice on Sylvan Lake looked thick.\u00a0 Lupe could just walk across to the W side of the lake!\u00a0 Why not?<\/p>\n

The ice was full of cracks and fissures as Lupe started out, but felt\u00a0solid.\u00a0 Lupe went W\u00a0staying close to the granite formation she had been up on moments ago.\u00a0 She could see people out on the ice\u00a0near the opposite shore.<\/p>\n

Coming around a corner near the rocks, SPHP was surprised to see open water at the edge of the rock formation 30 feet ahead!\u00a0 The sight of open water was unexpected and worrisome, but the ice was still very thick and firm where Lupe was.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog continued across the lake, but swung wide to the S around the small patch of open water.<\/p>\n

Lupe reached the W shore of Sylvan Lake without incident.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
After crossing frozen Sylvan Lake, Lupe reaches the W shore. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the sun sinking fast, people were heading for their cars to go home.\u00a0 Lupe went N on the trail along the W\u00a0shore of the lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe on the trail on the W shore of Sylvan Lake. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the NW end of Sylvan Lake near the dam, the trail passes through a narrow gap\u00a0between huge vertical rock formations.\u00a0 The gap is almost like a tunnel.\u00a0 Large boulders can be seen wedged into the top of the gap above.\u00a0 Lupe went through the gap.<\/p>\n

On the other side, Lupe could have gone down beneath the dam that forms Sylvan Lake, but she needed to get to the highway.\u00a0 She took a trail\u00a0W, passing below more large granite formations.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Walls of granite like this one are typical of the Sylvan Lake area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SPHP thought Lupe might take the Sunday Gulch trail part of the way back, but missed the turn for it.\u00a0 Lupe arrived at Hwy 87 close Sylvan Lake Lodge<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

The sun was still up as the American Dingo trotted N on Hwy 87, but she was in the shade of Sylvan Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> all the way.\u00a0 The\u00a0highway wound its way steadily down the mountain.\u00a0 Lupe passed through a short granite tunnel.\u00a0 Now and then cars or pickup\u00a0trucks went by.\u00a0 The temperature was dropping, but Lupe and SPHP\u00a0enjoyed the trek in the cool mountain air.<\/p>\n

While still high up, Lupe saw deer.\u00a0 A few miles later, down in the valley, she saw horses.\u00a0 They kept the journey interesting.\u00a0 When\u00a0the Carolina Dog\u00a0reached the turn onto gravel Palmer Creek Road, she took it.\u00a0 Now there was no traffic.\u00a0 The final glow of sunset faded.\u00a0 Lupe passed the\u00a0access road to the Palmer Creek trailhead.<\/p>\n

Stars glittered above in the black night sky by the time Lupe reached Hwy 244.\u00a0 The turn for the Willow Creek Horse Camp wasn’t far now.\u00a0 Before long, a tired, but happy Carolina Dog arrived at the G6 (5:57 PM, 34\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

Expedition No. 74 was\u00a0over.\u00a0 Lupe’d had a\u00a0wonderful time sniffing and exploring new places she’d never been to before.\u00a0 She’d made it all the way to Sylvan Lake, and even walked across the frozen lake.\u00a0 It felt great to be back in action, especially knowing that this was only a start to the many fantastic adventures she would have in 2014!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The final glow of sunset faded away as Lupe traveled Palmer Creek Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Willow Creek Horse Camp where Willow Creek Trail No. 8 originates is located off Hwy 224 about 5 miles W of Mount Rushmore<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, and 3 miles W of Horsethief Lake.\u00a0 The turn is on the S side of the highway a little E of the Palmer Gulch KOA<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Palmer Creek trailhead where the spur to\u00a0Lost Cabin Trail No. 2 originates is located off Palmer Creek Road, which\u00a0can be approached from Hwy 244 a little W of the Palmer Gulch KOA, or Hwy 87 about 3 or 4 miles N of Sylvan Lake.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

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

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

Willow Creek Horse Camp, Norbeck Wildlife Preserve (10:28 AM, 49\u00b0F) At last!\u00a0 Grandma was doing lots better, and it was an amazingly warm day for January.\u00a0 For the first time in a month and a day, Lupe was heading out on one of her Black Hills expeditions – her first of 2014.\u00a0 A few inches … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 74 – Willow Creek to Sylvan Lake (1-19-14)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9519,"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":[105,814,9,106,815,104,816,304,269,813],"class_list":["post-9524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-elk-wilderness","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-lost-cabin-trail","tag-lupe","tag-norbeck-wildlife-preserve","tag-south-dakota","tag-sylvan-lake","tag-willow-creek-trail"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/SDC11320.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\/9524","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=9524"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28222,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9524\/revisions\/28222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}