{"id":9867,"date":"2017-05-05T08:10:56","date_gmt":"2017-05-05T14:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=9867"},"modified":"2020-09-24T09:17:59","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T15:17:59","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-200-horsethief-lake-trail-no-14-beyond-to-peak-6735-in-the-black-elk-wilderness-4-15-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=9867","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 200 – Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 & Beyond to Peak 6735 in the Black Elk Wilderness (4-15-17)"},"content":{"rendered":"

SPHP parked the G6 at the Big Pine trailhead for Centennial Trail No. 89<\/a><\/strong><\/span> (9:50 AM, 49\u00b0F).\u00a0 The road to the Horsethief Lake trailhead had been closed, but this was close enough.\u00a0 Lupe crossed Hwy 244, followed Centennial Trail No. 89 a short distance, then left it to cut down through the forest to the Horsethief Lake campground.<\/p>\n

The stroll through the campground was easy – a paved road wound\u00a0between tall pines past campsites all the way to some sites right\u00a0on Horsethief Lake.\u00a0\u00a0 No one was around.\u00a0 The campground was closed.\u00a0 Tourist season wouldn’t start for another month.\u00a0 Only 2 or 3 miles\u00a0from Mount Rushmore National Memorial<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Horsethief Lake campground is a really nice place to stay when it’s open.<\/p>\n

Lupe wasn’t staying, of course.\u00a0 She was here for her 200th Black Hills Expedition!\u00a0 She did go down to the lakeshore at a couple of spots on her way to the Horsethief Lake trailhead.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe arrives at Horsethief Lake ready for her 200th Black Hills Expedition! She’s still in the campground here. The trailhead for Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 into the Black Elk Wilderness is in the forest on the far side of the lake. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Horsethief Lake isn’t very big. About half of it is seen here. Hwy 244 crosses the dam in view at the far side of the lake. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An extensive trail system leads into the Black Elk Wilderness<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, some of which sees heavy traffic while the majority of it sees\u00a0relatively little use.\u00a0 Trail No. 9 from Sylvan Lake to Black Elk Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (formerly Harney Peak) and Trail No. 4\u00a0to Little Devil’s Tower<\/a><\/span> (6,960 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> are the most popular, but\u00a0Lupe wasn’t headed to either of those places today.<\/p>\n

A short walk S from the lake up a gravel road brought Lupe to the trailhead for the 2.8 mile long Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14.\u00a0 SPHP stopped briefly to register, and Lupe was on her way!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe awaits the start of her day’s adventure at the Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 trailhead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe entered the Black Elk Wilderness.\u00a0 Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 went S\u00a0in a narrow valley featuring a small stream.\u00a0 All around were massive granite formations, many with nearly vertical sides towering far above the creek.\u00a0 Lupe drank from the stream and watched for squirrels in the trees, while SPHP paid more attention to the impressive rocks.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Wow! How many expeditions have we been on since there’s been an actual stream, SPHP? Seems like forever! This is nice!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Many massive granite formations tower above Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14. These formations are typical features of the Black Elk Wilderness.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This first part of Trail No. 14 gained elevation most of the time as it went S. It was a bit steep only along a few short sections. The trail crossed the stream a number of times, but Lupe easily leapt across.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first\u00a00.75 mile\u00a0of Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 followed the stream and led\u00a0to a junction with the 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89.\u00a0 Near the end of this first stretch, Lupe saw a couple of women.\u00a0 They were watching children scrambling around on nearby rocks.\u00a0 Lupe would see no one else the rest of the day.<\/p>\n

Getting to the junction with Centennial Trail No. 89\u00a0was easy and hadn’t taken long.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Well, this was easy! Piece of cake! … You’ve barely started sweet puppy, just wait!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
At the junction of Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 & Centennial Trail No. 89. Lupe had just come up the trail on the L and would be taking the trail toward the camera.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the 3-way\u00a0junction with Centennial Trail No. 89, Lupe took the trail to the R.\u00a0 For several hundred feet or more, Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 and Centennial Trail No. 89 share the same path.\u00a0 It only\u00a0took Lupe a few minutes to reach another intersection where the trails divided again.\u00a0 Lupe went L, staying on Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14.<\/p>\n

She was now headed into the heart of the Black Elk Wilderness.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Entering the heart of the Black Elk Wilderness, Lupe found these big mossy boulders near a stream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two miles of Horsethief Trail No. 14 remained after it separated from Centennial Trail No. 89.\u00a0 For\u00a0the first\u00a0mile, the trail continued winding S, gaining elevation at a slowly increasing rate.\u00a0 The small creek was sometimes nearby, and the trail crossed it again.\u00a0 Lupe still wandered among huge granite formations.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe was still among massive granite formations as Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 continued S after separating from Centennial Trail No. 89.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The trail crossed the small stream again. Eventually the stream disappeared entirely as Lupe gained elevation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sky had clouded up by now.\u00a0 Rain threatened, but only a few drops fell.\u00a0 Small patches of blue sky here and there showed that nothing serious was in the works.<\/p>\n

The small stream eventually disappeared.\u00a0 Lupe was approaching a pass.\u00a0 When she got there, a fallen tree was wedged in place over the trail.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe came upon this fallen tree suspended over Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 at the top of the pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The forest in the Black Elk Wilderness has been devastated by pine bark beetles in recent years.\u00a0 Dead trees have broken and fallen in tremendous numbers over much of the landscape.\u00a0 However, the trail had been clear so far.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe had only begun encountering limited quantities of deadfall timber\u00a0actually on the trail as she\u00a0drew near\u00a0the pass.<\/p>\n

On the S side of the pass, the situation deteriorated steadily.\u00a0 The farther Lupe went, the more deadfall she had to navigate over, under, or around.\u00a0 Most of the trail was still clear, though.\u00a0\u00a0She was still making good progress.<\/p>\n

The trail\u00a0lost elevation heading\u00a0SW into the Grizzly Bear\u00a0Creek drainage.\u00a0 After a brief climb to a lower pass, Lupe’s peakbagging objective came into view for the first time.\u00a0 Peak<\/span> 6735<\/a><\/span><\/strong> was almost dead ahead, but still more than 2 miles away as the crow flies.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 descends through a shattered forest after going over a couple of passes. Lupe’s peakbagging objective, Peak<\/span> 6735<\/span><\/a><\/strong>, is seen for the first time as the high point between the trees on the L. Dead ahead at center is Peak 6710<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the lower pass,\u00a0Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 lost elevation the rest of the way to where it ended at a\u00a0junction with Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.\u00a0 Grizzly Bear Creek was flowing across\u00a0No. 7\u00a0just S of the intersection.<\/p>\n

Lupe was now 2.8 miles from the trailhead at Horsethief Lake.\u00a0\u00a0She had lost 300 feet of elevation\u00a0coming down to Grizzly Bear Creek from the pass.\u00a0 She\u00a0still had\u00a0to gain nearly 1,400 feet from here to reach the summit of Peak 6735.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Loop reaches the junction with Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 at the end of Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So far, Lupe’d had an easy time of it.\u00a0 Now she needed to follow Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 upstream.\u00a0 Right next to the intersection, two trees had fallen over the trail the way Lupe needed to go.\u00a0 A couple of signs were taped to the trees.\u00a0 What did they say?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The signs on the deadfall blocking Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 weren’t encouraging.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Turn around?\u00a0 Hah!\u00a0 Not a chance.\u00a0 The truth was, Lupe had climbed Peak 6735 once before, almost 3 years ago in June, 2014 on Expedition No. 92.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe had come this same route back then. \u00a0So what, if\u00a0the trail hadn’t been maintained in a while?\u00a0 Lupe was going to leave Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 pretty soon anyway.\u00a0 Whatever deadfall was on the trail ahead was only a hint of what was in store off-trail.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP went right over the signs and started up Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.\u00a0 The trail went NW following Grizzly Bear Creek upstream.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe at Grizzly Bear Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 had a lot of deadfall on it.\u00a0 Lupe’s progress was slowed considerably, since SPHP couldn’t keep up with the agile American Dingo.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe didn’t need to follow Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 very far.\u00a0 SPHP watched for a field to appear on the opposite (SW) side of the creek.\u00a0 When it came into view after 0.25 mile or so, Lupe left the trail and crossed Grizzly Bear Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe crosses Grizzly Bear Creek after leaving the trail. From here on, she had no trail to follow the rest of the way to Peak 6735.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From here on, there was no trail.\u00a0 Lupe traveled W through the tall grass field.\u00a0 This was as easy as it was going to get, but wouldn’t last long.\u00a0 She stayed in the field, gaining elevation gradually as long as possible.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the big field SE of Grizzly Bear Creek. Lupe traveled W, staying in the field as long as possible. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The field ended.\u00a0 Lupe entered the forest.\u00a0 The hard part of Expedition No. 200 was about to begin.\u00a0 Peak 6735 was an unseen fortress in the sky defended by huge rock formations, a long steep climb, but most of all by a never-ending jungle of deadfall timber.\u00a0 Lupe’s\u00a0ordeal began in earnest.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the way to Peak 6735 shortly after leaving Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 and the big field behind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At first,\u00a0the terrain Lupe was on\u00a0seemed unfamiliar.\u00a0 This was actually a good thing.\u00a0 The plan of attack was to stay NW of a rugged ridge leading SW up\u00a0to High Point 6411.\u00a0 It would be best if Lupe could\u00a0avoid High Point 6411 entirely, and not reach the ridgeline until she was beyond\u00a0it at a\u00a0saddle\u00a0leading to\u00a0Peak 6710.<\/p>\n

On Expedition No. 92, the plan had been the same, but Lupe had wound up following the ridgeline quite closely, which meant she had climbed clear up to the top of High Point 6411.\u00a0 That feat was unnecessary, since she then had to find a way down, losing\u00a0130+ feet of elevation in the process.<\/p>\n

The deadfall had been bad on Expedition No. 92.\u00a0 It hadn’t improved one bit since then.\u00a0 If anything, it was worse.\u00a0 Lupe climbed and climbed.\u00a0 She went over and under countless dead trees.\u00a0 Progress was excruciatingly slow.\u00a0 The higher Lupe went, the tougher things became.\u00a0 Lupe started coming to large rock formations separated by steep stretches of devastated forest.<\/p>\n

Gah!\u00a0 Gradually it became apparent that, once again, Lupe was on the NE ridge.<\/p>\n

Eh, Looper, looks like all reasonable routes\u00a0from this direction\u00a0lead naturally to High Point 6411.\u00a0 Guess we’re going to get stuck going all the way up there again.<\/em><\/p>\n

No worries, SPHP.\u00a0 I’m doing fine, if we can just stop for a few water breaks now and then.\u00a0 Jumping over all this mess is hard work!\u00a0 When does the fun begin?<\/em><\/p>\n

Heh, this is the fun!\u00a0 At least, in a way it is.\u00a0 The ultimate reward will be the views from the top of Peak 6735.<\/em><\/p>\n

You know SPHP, there’s something sort of wrong with you.\u00a0 Yeah, this is better than all the cactus on recent expeditions, but not that much.\u00a0 Could we please go on some expeditions to easy terrain where the trees are alive and full of squirrels?\u00a0\u00a0Do you ever\u00a0even think\u00a0about that?<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ll try to remember to prioritize squirrels more in the future, Loop.<\/em><\/p>\n

Promises, promises, but that would be nice!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The going got tougher as Lupe kept climbing. Another big rock formation is just ahead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Slowly, slowly, up and up.\u00a0 The rock formations on the ridgeline became larger and larger.\u00a0 They were too big to go over.\u00a0 Lupe had to go around them.\u00a0 Sometimes it was easiest on the NW side of the ridge, sometimes on the SE side.\u00a0 SPHP kept expecting Lupe to arrive at High Point 6411, but she didn’t.\u00a0 How many of these rock formations would she have to work her way around?\u00a0 SPHP couldn’t remember.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the views were improving as Lupe gained elevation.\u00a0 Everything in the distance now looked familiar.\u00a0 Lupe was in one of the most rugged parts of the Black Hills here.\u00a0 Beautiful large granite formations were all around.\u00a0 Peak 6735 to the SW remained hidden from view most of the time, but Black Elk Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,131 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was often visible to the NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Yet another rocky high point on the ridge ahead. How many of these big rock formations would Lupe have to find a way past? SPHP couldn’t remember. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Black Elk Peak (Center), the highest mountain in South Dakota, was often in view as Lupe climbed ever higher up the ridge. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe was in some of the most rugged country in the Black Hills. Photo looks NE back down the ridgeline she was coming up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As expected, it finally happened.\u00a0 Lupe reached the top of High Point 6411.\u00a0\u00a0She’d had several water breaks on the way up, but now it was time for a longer break.\u00a0 Lupe had Taste of the Wild.\u00a0 SPHP ate an apple.<\/p>\n

SPHP consulted the topo map.\u00a0 It seemed like it had taken a long time to get here, but Lupe had covered a depressingly short distance from Grizzly Bear\u00a0Creek.\u00a0 On the bright side, she had gained a lot of the elevation required to reach Peak 6735. Unfortunately, she would have to give some of it back getting down off High Point 6411.<\/p>\n

Since Lupe had come all the way to the top of High Point 6411, she might as well have a look around.\u00a0 Peak 6735 was in view, but still nearly a mile away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6735 was in view from High Point 6411, but still nearly a mile of deadfall infested territory away. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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At the summit of High Point 6411. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On Expedition No. 92, Lupe had come within 10 feet or so of reaching the summit of Peak 6710 seen here on the L. Parts of the Cathedral Spires and Little Devil’s Tower are in view farther off on the R. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Loopster at the very top of High Point 6411. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views were great from High Point 6411, but would be even better on Peak 6735.\u00a0 Onward!\u00a0 A first attempt to get down off High Point 6411 going WSW proved a little too steep for comfort.\u00a0 Ugh!\u00a0 Lupe climbed back up.\u00a0 SPHP couldn’t remember how Lupe had gotten down on Expedition No. 92.<\/p>\n

A foray to the WNW didn’t look\u00a0promising at first, but worked out just fine.\u00a0 Lupe made it down to the saddle leading to Peak 6710.\u00a0\u00a0Once across the saddle,\u00a0she started climbing again.\u00a0\u00a0For a while, the\u00a0terrain forced her to head directly toward Peak 6710, but this time she wasn’t going to go virtually all the way to the summit like she had on Expedition No. 92.<\/p>\n

Once Looper made it past some\u00a0more big rock formations, and was about as high as the\u00a0saddle leading from Peak 6710 over to Peak 6735, she turned S and headed for the saddle.\u00a0 She wound up higher on Peak 6710 than she needed to be, but skirted the summit a little way\u00a0off to the SE.\u00a0 Struggling through a thick forest of young pines choked with the endless deadfall, she finally got past Peak 6710.\u00a0 The saddle to Peak 6735 was now close by.<\/p>\n

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Once Lupe skirted around the SE slope of Peak 6710, the saddle leading to Peak 6735 was directly ahead. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Across the saddle and straight up the N ridge.\u00a0 Lupe was getting close!\u00a0 Near the end, the\u00a0terrain wasn’t as steep, the deadfall a little less troublesome.\u00a0 Suddenly Lupe was there!\u00a0\u00a0Despite\u00a0the mountain’s\u00a0deadfall defenses, the plucky Carolina Dog stood at the top of Peak<\/span> 6735<\/a><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Well, almost.\u00a0\u00a0A dead tree with many annoying branches was leaning against the very highest rock at the summit, preventing Lupe\u00a0from getting\u00a0up on it.<\/p>\n

Oh, no!\u00a0 No way!\u00a0 Lupe had\u00a0gone over, under, or around\u00a0hundreds, maybe thousands, of dead trees to get here.\u00a0 The whole mountain\u00a0was\u00a0covered with and surrounded by wretched deadfall.\u00a0 All those jillions of dead trees\u00a0could stay exactly where nature placed them, except this one.\u00a0 This one had to go!<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the offending dead pine tree was smallish.\u00a0 SPHP managed to drag it away from the summit rock and push it over the edge.\u00a0 It fell only 10 feet, but at least it was out of the way.\u00a0 The summit rock was clear.\u00a0 \u00a0Lupe stood on top!<\/p>\n

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After a long struggle through the deadfall, Lupe stands at the very top of Peak<\/span> 6735<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the top of Peak 6735, a short uneven ridge of rock ran for 30 feet in a line oriented roughly E\/W.\u00a0 The ridge sloped a little up toward a rock at the true summit near the E end.\u00a0 The greater summit area was\u00a0much larger and sloped down toward the SW, where a massive, but lower, granite platform\u00a0ran along\u00a0the SE edge.<\/p>\n

When Lupe had been here nearly 3 years ago\u00a0on Expedition No. 92,\u00a0Peak 6735’s summit had many large dead pines still standing.\u00a0 Some of them still were, but many had fallen over by now.\u00a0 The fallen trees\u00a0made it harder to move around, but the views were more sweeping and open now than they had been back then.\u00a0 From seldom visited Peak 6735, Lupe had fantastic views of more than half of the entire Black Elk Wilderness!<\/p>\n

After a suitably long rest break at the true summit, it was picture time.\u00a0 Naturally, Lupe toured the entire summit area.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak<\/span> 6920<\/a><\/span><\/strong> (L) and Black Elk Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,231 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R) from the true summit rock. Peak 6710<\/strong> is the big rock formation to the R of Lupe’s head. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking NNW. Black Elk Peak on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking E along the rocky summit ridge toward Loopster positioned at the very top.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look at Loop at the top. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lupe found the cairn to her R sitting N of, and 8 or 10 feet below, the true summit of Peak 6735. SPHP hadn’t noticed any cairns when Lupe was here on Expedition No. 92, but maybe it was new since then? The large block of granite in the distance on the L is the back side of Mount Rushmore<\/a><\/span> (5,725 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe now at the W end of the summit ridge. The highest point seen on the distant ridge at the far R is the top of Sylvan Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks WSW from the true summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
This photo shows a good deal of the greater summit area. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe now along the SE edge of the greater summit area. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A glance back up toward the true summit. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking SW from the larger, but lower granite ridge along the SE edge of the summit area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looper strikes a dramatic American Dingo pose. Photo looks NE back toward the true summit from the far SW end of the greater summit area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking S from the far SW end of the greater summit area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Much of the greater summit area. Photo looks NE from the SW end.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Lupe near the true summit again after completing her tour. A lovely green carpet of kinnikinnick clings to a thin layer of soil. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Back up on the little true summit ridge. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Conditions were beautiful on Peak 6735.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP lingered up here for quite\u00a0a while, and would have loved to stay longer.\u00a0 However, even though the sun wouldn’t set for at least a couple of hours yet, it was time to go.<\/p>\n

Already it was way too late to try to go back the way Lupe had come up.\u00a0 Traveling all that way through the deadfall took many hours.\u00a0 Getting stuck out here away from the trail when night fell would have made it nearly impossible to\u00a0do anything other than wait for dawn.\u00a0\u00a0Even a deadfall-covered trail would be extremely difficult to follow at night.<\/p>\n

On Expedition No. 92, Lupe had taken a shortcut back to Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 by going around the E side of Peak 6710 and continuing N.\u00a0 This shorter route back down to the trail\u00a0had been very steep, but had worked.<\/p>\n

SPHP wondered if Lupe shouldn’t try to avoid such a steep descent this time?\u00a0 By heading beyond Peak 6710 towards Peak 6920, she wouldn’t have to lose much elevation before reaching Norbeck Trail No. 3 not too far from its junction with Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.<\/p>\n

The advantage was, this\u00a0might be the easiest route out of here.\u00a0 The disadvantage was, Lupe had never tried it before.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe needed to get to a trail before dark, if she didn’t want to wind up stuck in all the deadfall all night long. SPHP pondered the possibility of heading W (L) of Peak 6710 (the lower rock formation on the R) and heading for Peak 6920 seen on the L. Lupe should reach Norbeck Trail No. 3 this way without having to lose a lot of elevation. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe enjoyed a little more time up on Peak 6735 while SPHP pondered the best course of action.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peak 6710 (L) with Black Elk Peak beyond it. Should Lupe try going around the W (L) side of Peak 6710? Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The rugged terrain to the NNE. Lupe had come up from this direction, but there wasn’t enough daylight left to go back this way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The panorama to the NW. From L to R: Cathedral Spires, Little Devil’s Tower, Peak 6920, Black Elk Peak, Peak 6710.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Last moments atop Peak 6735.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
High Point 6411 (lower R) is illuminated by sunlight. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The final decision was made on the way down Peak 6735’s N ridge.\u00a0 Lupe would try going W of Peak 6710 and heading for Peak 6920.\u00a0 Hopefully, she would reach Norbeck Trail No. 3 well before sunset.<\/p>\n

It was hurry up time, if possible, but the deadfall made the going dreadfully slow.\u00a0 By the time Lupe got over the ridge SW of Peak 6710, close to an hour had gone by.\u00a0 After crossing the ridge, the terrain and deadfall did not improve, but then they weren’t expected to.\u00a0 The only solution was to get to a trail.\u00a0 Any trail would do.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking up at the rock formations Lupe traveled beneath W of Peak 6710. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back at the big rock formation at the far end of the ridge extending SW from Peak 6710. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A closer look with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Once she was\u00a0over the SW ridge, Lupe lost some elevation\u00a0before having to regain it to get up on the next ridge to the NW.\u00a0 This ridge went W from Peak 6710.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP followed it a short distance, but within 5 or 10 minutes it was apparent a deep valley was ahead.\u00a0 This wasn’t going to work.\u00a0 Where to now?<\/p>\n

Loop started back E toward Peak 6710.\u00a0 SPHP noticed a saddle off to the NE.\u00a0 It led to the NW, the way Lupe needed to go, and was every bit as high as where she was now.\u00a0 That was the route!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!\u00a0 Lupe maintained elevation and headed for the saddle.<\/p>\n

It took a good 10 minutes to get there.\u00a0 The saddle wasn’t terribly wide or long.\u00a0 It led to a large rock formation immediately to the WNW.\u00a0 Climbing up there looked possible, but time consuming.\u00a0 Instead, Lupe crossed the saddle and turned NW to go around the high point.<\/p>\n

Lupe was now\u00a0way up\u00a0in the upper Grizzly Bear Creek drainage.\u00a0 Somewhere down below was Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.\u00a0 For a while, Lupe tried simply maintaining elevation and going NW.\u00a0 The plan was still to look for Norbeck Trail No. 3.\u00a0 A high ridge\u00a0came into\u00a0view to the NW.\u00a0 That had to be where Norbeck Trail No. 3 was, but it was still\u00a0a considerable\u00a0distance away and a bit of a climb.<\/p>\n

SPHP debated whether Lupe should try simply cutting down through the forest directly\u00a0to Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7, or getting on top of the ridge she was following?\u00a0 She tried a little of both, but didn’t lose all that much elevation going down, and never made it all the way to the top going up, either.\u00a0 The varied terrain kept changing SPHP’s mind on which way she ought to go.<\/p>\n

A 50 foot deep ravine appeared ahead.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe had to\u00a0kept going NW, so there\u00a0was no choice, but to go down into it.\u00a0 Loop led the way down the slope.\u00a0 Suddenly SPHP realized she was standing on a trail!\u00a0 Odd, surprising.\u00a0 SPHP hadn’t thought she\u00a0was anywhere\u00a0close to a trail yet.\u00a0 Whatever works, though!\u00a0 The trail\u00a0was good news!<\/p>\n

The trail Lupe had found had to be Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7.\u00a0 SPHP wondered how far Loop was from the intersection with Norbeck Trail No. 3?\u00a0 Didn’t matter.\u00a0 The sun would still be up for a while.\u00a0 Best to make tracks, and use the available daylight to get past as much deadfall on the trail as possible.\u00a0 Without\u00a0the slightest\u00a0hesitation, Lupe and SPHP followed Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7 going E.<\/p>\n

The sun was still shining on the high peaks and would be for a while, but Lupe had a lot of elevation to lose.\u00a0 The trail went on and on.\u00a0 Fortunately, this upper section of Grizzly Creek Trail No. 7\u00a0trail was not choked with deadfall.\u00a0 In fact, there was very little of it.\u00a0 Lupe made great progress, but the sun had set by the time she\u00a0made it all the way down to Grizzly Bear Creek.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe makes it back to Grizzly Bear Creek.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail crossed Grizzly Bear Creek a number of times, but the creek was low enough so the crossings weren’t a problem.\u00a0 Deadfall on the trail became a problem again and slowed things down, but was no big deal compared to what Lupe had been through already.<\/p>\n

The forest was dim and the\u00a0sky pale, by the time Lupe reached the intersection with Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 again.\u00a0 The race to make as much use of the fading light as possible\u00a0continued.\u00a0 Lupe didn’t stop for a break until she was beyond the upper pass.\u00a0 SPHP could hardly see the trail now.\u00a0 The flashlight came out.<\/p>\n

Stars had been shining above for a while.\u00a0 No worries, though.\u00a0 Lupe knew the rest of the\u00a0trail ahead had little deadfall.\u00a0 It would be easy enough to follow.<\/p>\n

A short break, then onward, but now at a relaxed pace through\u00a0an inky black forest with\u00a0incredibly bright stars above.\u00a0 What a gorgeous evening!<\/p>\n

Well, Looper,\u00a0Expedition No. 200 wasn’t a bad day’s\u00a0adventure, was it?<\/em><\/p>\n

No, not at all, but I still say it needed more squirrels!<\/em><\/p>\n

End (9:42 PM, 38\u00b0F)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On Peak 6735.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\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 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

SPHP parked the G6 at the Big Pine trailhead for Centennial Trail No. 89 (9:50 AM, 49\u00b0F).\u00a0 The road to the Horsethief Lake trailhead had been closed, but this was close enough.\u00a0 Lupe crossed Hwy 244, followed Centennial Trail No. 89 a short distance, then left it to cut down through the forest to the … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 200 – Horsethief Lake Trail No. 14 & Beyond to Peak 6735 in the Black Elk Wilderness (4-15-17)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9838,"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":[105,814,9,106,825,104,161,304],"class_list":["post-9867","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-horsethief-lake-trail-no-14","tag-lupe","tag-peak-6735","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/IMG_4370.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\/9867","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=9867"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28387,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9867\/revisions\/28387"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9838"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}