9 switchbacked steadily higher working its way SE past the W end of Elkhorn Mountain. A high point was reached, then the trail descended 100 feet to cross a tiny tributary of Willow Creek. 9 went S to Elkhorn Mountain, then SW along its base. Elkhorn Mountain from the intersection of Trails No. This intersection was only a little N of the massive granite formations of Elkhorn Mountain (6,381 ft.). The next junction was with Willow Creek Rushmore trail No. 9 turned sharply, starting to climb again. Black Elk Peak (L of Center) from the last field Trail No. The Carolina Dog was getting closer, but she still hadn’t gained all that much elevation. From the last big field the trail came to, Black Elk Peak was in sight again. At one point, Hwy 244 could be seen not too far away down a steep slope. 9 went E a little way, then zigzagged S through the forest. 8 had taken a semi-circular route to the S, E, then NE. This intersection was only 0.5 mile from the Willow Creek trailhead as the crow flies, since Trail No. 9, which would take her to Black Elk Peak. 8, Lupe came to another junction, this time with Trail No. Took a moment, but SPHP soon realized it was coming from the sawmill a few miles NE of Hill City. Smoke could be seen rising from the trees in the distance. In the field.Ī smaller field appeared a little farther on. A field of dry grass bordered by large dark gray rock formations appeared on the L. Cool waterfall! Frozen stiff, in fact.Ī little past the waterfall, Lupe came to two wooden bridges. Turned out it wasn’t far to a frozen waterfall on Willow Creek. Although she’d been on most of the trails in the Black Elk Wilderness at one time or another, the American Dingo had never been on this next section of No. Lupe went L instead, staying on Willow Creek trail No. Before long, the trail crossed Willow Creek and quickly came to a junction. 8 was super easy, a nice level trek through the forest. Today was different! The awesome thing was that if Lupe made it up Black Elk Peak, this ascent on her 10th birthday would also be her 10th ascent of South Dakota’s highest peak. Cold and snowy enough to make the journey more ordeal than fun. Ordinarily, climbing Black Elk Peak on Lupe’s birthday would have been out of the question. The Black Hills had gotten almost no precipitation. Although cold today, the last 1.5 months had been uncommonly warm. Only a skiff of snow was on the ground as Looper set out. Black Elk Peak (R) visible in the distance. SPHP chose the W half, which began by heading S straight for Black Elk Peak (7,231 ft.). 8 sign waiting for SPHP to decide which part of the loop to take. Having already seen the most famous mountain in South Dakota, maybe she would enjoy climbing South Dakota’s highest mountain, too? A great trailhead providing access to the Black Elk Wilderness was only 4 or 5 miles farther W along Hwy 244.ġ0:05 AM, 18✯, Willow Creek trailhead – 2 degrees warmer! Every little bit helped. Since Loopster didn’t seem to mind the cold, perhaps she was up for a more substantial 10th birthday adventure? SPHP had just the thing in mind. L to R: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. At Mount Rushmore! Mount Rushmore, South Dakota’s most famous mountain. A souvenir 10th birthday photo, and she was on her way. Loop got a nice look at Mount Rushmore (5,725 ft.), but since Dingoes aren’t really welcome here, she wasn’t permitted to linger. SPHP let Lupe go only so far before saying this was good enough. Orange plastic fences blocked off various construction zones.
Hardly any traffic along the highway, but there was more activity than SPHP expected up at the main visitor parking lot. The main entrance to Mount Rushmore was 0.25 mile back. After a look at George Washington, the only president visible from here, Lupe started trotting up Hwy 244. Not a soul around on a Monday morning in December.
At the Mount Rushmore profile parking lot. After all, this was the Carolina Dog’s big chance to do something special in the Black Hills on her 10th birthday! George Washington from Hwy 244. Apparently, she intended to tough it out at least long enough to see the most famous mountain in South Dakota. Would have to be the coldest day in the entire month of December. Mighty chilly! Worse yet, the monotonous gray sky held out little hope for improvement. 9:14 AM, 16✯, Hwy 244 at the Rushmore profile parking lot – The newly minted Double Digit Dingo leapt out of the G6.
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