Thursday, October 24, 2024

Quest for #1 (and #2)

Those of you who know me probably think that I am talking about I am on a quest for #1 refers to my quest for the biggest buck in the forest. And I am, but that is not what this post is about. 

This post involves our quest to conquer the #1 peak in South Dakota.  As some of you may recall, we are hoping to hike the highest 100 peaks in the state. That has been put on the back burner since we left for Alaska in April, then the farm, but now that we are all home for a while, it is time to get back to business! 

Black Elk Peak, formerly known as Harney Peak, is the highest peak east of the Rocky's and west of the Pyrenees mountains of Europe. Barb and I have been up here once before in the early 90's when we rode our horses up to the top while on vacation in the area. 

First order of business was to convince Forrest and Somer to go with us. That was the easiest part. Next up was Lily, a little more difficult. Somer gave us a little insight into how to convince Lil's; never, ever use the word "hike", instead replace it with "walk". She was a little more skeptical than the other two asking questions like, "Where is it?" "How far is it?". Using vague answers, we were able to get her to agree to go on a "walk" with us. 

The morning of our hike/walk we had to decide which route to take. There are several to choose from. We decided on the Cathedral Spires trail, not necessarily the easiest, but it is the shortest in distance. After parking, donning our packs filled with snacks and waters and grabbing our hiking, I mean walking sticks, away we went! Now, if you ever come to the Custer area, the Cathedral Spires area is a must see, even if you only drive through, there is no drive like in the world!

Walking through the spires is incredible, over the next 4 hours (including rest time), we hiked and hiked and hiked. The terrain was a combination of up and down, mostly up. Lily was really a trooper, she asked a few times, "How much further it?" or "Is this it?" Our answer was always the same "It's just around the next corner". But she had fun feeding nuts to the chipmunks on the trail, fighting with her dad and basically being a kid on the trail. 

At one point, I could see our destination across a valley on the opposite mountain, so I grabbed Somer and said "Don't tell Lily, but that is our destination". Somer said something like "All the way over there? I wish you would not have told me that either!".


See the red circle in the each of these pictures? (Click on them to make them bigger) That is our destination! Both Lily and Somer made the comment that they thought this was going to be an easy hike since they were going with a couple of old people!

Carrying on, up we went, taking rest breaks every 1/4 mile or so. Little by little, step, by step, we were getting closer.

Even though it was a little over 2 miles to the peak, it was a rough 2 miles with over 1,100' in elevation gain. 

Forrest took this video just as we were reaching the top.

Finally, 2 hours later, we made it to our destination!

 The views up there were incredible. Looking Northwest we could see Bear Butte over 50 miles away.  The bonus of this hike is that you knock off two peaks in one hike as the 2nd highest peak (McGillicuddy Peak) is just 800' west of the Lookout Tower. 

We took a 30-minute breather up top to have lunch and enjoy the view. 

Then it was time to head back down on the same trail. 
What took us two hours on the way up, took us a little over an hour on the way down. Lily and I were battling to see who was in the lead on the way down. If I was leading, she would wait for an opportunity and bolt past me running down the trail. Then I would do the same. This ended up in an all-out race with both of us running down the trail. Probably not a smart move on my end. What I envisioned as graceful parkour type moves down the rocks, Barb described as an old man in an uncontrolled stumble down the mountain on the verge of catastrophe. 

We changed leads a half a dozen times on the way down until she got tired of toying with me and just kept running resulting in a 100-yard lead. Anytime I would get close she would just sprint out ahead again. 

Lily and I arrived back at the jeep huffing and puffing 15 minutes ahead of everyone else.
3 hours 30 minutes actual hiking 4.2 miles, averaging 1.3 mph. Great scenery, great exercise and memories that will last a lifetime. 

81 comments:

  1. Wow, Jim. That scenery is incredible. I never realized North Dakota had such beauty. Kudos to all of you on a great hike!

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    1. There are dozens of places in the state that offer views like that. Makes me want to get out again!

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  2. Good for the legs too. Well done and it looks a great view.

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  3. What a great way to spend a few hours! The memories will were definitely worth the effort!

    Deb

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    1. Just another week or so and you too will be hiking/walking, except yours will be in the desert.

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  4. Sounds like an awesome hike 4.2 miles of huffing and puffing. I like the tower at the top and the beautiful views. Visiting all the parks in South and North Dakota are on my wish list. Great photos! Take care, Happy Friday and have a great weekend.

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    1. Both states have a lot of offer on the west sides, you would not regret it.

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  5. Definitely beautiful scenery on your hike, but I could imagine my knees hurting on the way down. I find the down is often harder than the up.

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    1. Up is grueling, down is painful. At least it has been in the past. This time, nothing hurt in either direction, I will take that as a win!

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  6. How exciting this sounds! great things were accomplished..the big "Walk" filled with exercise, doing this with family, making it to the top and back down, and the gorgeous views! Yay for you all.

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    1. "If" they agree to go on another hike with us, I will give them the book and have them pick out the hike. I am sure there are some easier peaks out there that we could cross off our list!

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  7. I love how you got Lily to come by calling it a "walk" instead of a hike—smart move! Her racing you down the trail sounds hilarious, even if it was a bit risky.
    The views are amazing, and knocking off two peaks in one go is a nice bonus!

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. I think we were only able to get away with that once. From here on out, I think she will be more reluctant and skeptical!

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  8. That’s a great looking hike! At that elevation it must be harder to breathe. Coming from sea level we are sure noticing it at Canyonlands and Arches. Memories with family are the best. Cheers!

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    1. I think you guys would love it assuming Dianne's knees are not bothering her. We are coming up with activities for your upcoming visit. Hiking will be among them, but probably not this one.

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  9. That looks like a great walk. These days I feel lucky to be able to walk from the Walmart parking lot to where they keep the electric scooters. Love the blog.

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    1. Don't you just hate it when you finally get to the scooters and the only one left has a dead battery?!?!

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  10. Looks to me like a day well spent!

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    1. It was. Not one I want to do again in the next week or so, but we'll be ready to conquer another peak soon!

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  11. COLD WATER! As soon as you get back, get in water as cold as you can stand it. Stops the swelling in us old folks and you won't be sore the next day at all. Ask me how I know!! LOL. GREAT hike and Lily will remember how she beat you!! The view was worth it!

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    1. When I tell the story of the hike when she is around, I always tell how I beat her to the jeep. She gets all worked up about that!

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  12. Making memories--what beautiful scenery and a cool hike!

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  13. What an awesome, beautiful area you live in and can go for hikes without camping overnight. Those views were fantastic and it's amazing that you made the distance in such a short time. No need to travel to Arizona!

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    1. Plus, you can relax in the hot tub when you get back home!

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  14. My friends and I once climbed up Diamond Head Volcano on the outside surface, full of jagged rocks. It was a vertical climb, and I was wearing only sandals. We didn't use the steps inside the volcano, as they were closed for the day. The view at the top was spectacular. After the hike, we all had a Mai Tai at the restaurant, watching the waves and the sunset. That's Hawaii. Back then, I was only 19 years old. So healthy and spry.

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    1. Sounds like you had some great times in your life, none of us are as young as we used to be, but at least we can relive the memories!

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  15. That was incredible. The sites you got to see were amazing. You got everyone to go too. My son and grandson would just love this!

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    1. The spires in Custer State Park are like no place we have ever been in all our years of travel.

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  16. Totally awesome! You go Lily! What wonderful lifetime memories for all of you! Checking those challenges off the bucket list is so rewarding.

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    1. Lilly was a trooper! Hopefully she has great memories that she will recall long after we are gone.

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  17. That's one amazing hike/walk/run and lots of memories! The views from the Lookout Tower alone is worth the effort , but capturing the second peak is another notch on your hiking/walking stick

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    1. I hope the kids think it was worth the effort, I think they did as they said they are ready for another.

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  18. I climbed the highest peak in Arkansas...Mount Magazine. It was ROUGH...drive up the mountain, park the RV, walk about 1/4 mile (all up hill, of course) and then there is this little circle in the ground stating the altitude (2,753 feet). So in that 1/4 mile, I think I climbed 50 feet or so...now THAT is a HIKE that I like....

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    1. North Dakota's highest peak is a lot like that. To get there, I think we need to descend 3,000' from where we live right now!

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  19. In the sunglasses, Jim, you look like a Daniel Craig-era James Bond

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    1. I had to look him up, but I'll take that. I thought you would compare me more closely to a modern-day Val Killmer!

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  20. You two have a lot of fun! Thanks for taking us along. Great photos too!

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    1. I was a great hike, I see more in our future!

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    2. Excellent, I look forward to seeing it. Have a great week!

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  21. What an awesome hike (and such stunning views). Hopefully Lily enjoyed herself so much that you might have a willing future "hiking" companion :)

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    1. She did enjoy herself, next time I will let her pick the hike as long as it is out of my "100 Highest Peaks" book!

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  22. I have to side with Lily. I went on one of your so-called "walks". All I remember is that you guys were skipping down the trail not taking into consideration the physical handicaps of one particular "Walker", me. I was left behind to fend off wolves, bears and hippies. All while trying to navigate my way home without a map or compass. Luckily my military training kicked in and I was able to navigate using the stars and the trail of empty Bud Light cans you left behind. Never again. Love the Blog.

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    1. All I remember from that hike is you stopping at EVERY bench yelling to us. "They put these here for a reason you know!"

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  23. Just impressive! No others words. Well, ok, a few more- those views are amazing!

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    1. You can see why we fell in love with this area when we visited!

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  24. Replies
    1. There are so many cool hikes out here, when you come out again, we will do a few!

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  25. I am impressed with the scenery and thou and, especially, the youngun to keep up (and ahead) like that.

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    1. I used to consider myself pretty speedy, not so much anymore.....

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  26. Priceless adventure! What great photos! Amazing views!

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    1. The pictures were good, put the video Forrest took really brought it over the top!

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  27. What great photos, you look like you are having fun

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    1. We did have fun. Somewhat grueling, but definitely worth it!

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  28. What stunning scenery and what lovely company you had on your 'walk.'

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    1. We had been saving that one for when they were here, it was worth the wait!

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  29. Fun walk! Lily sounds like a fun kid!!

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    1. She is growing up fast and is a wonderful granddaughter!

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  30. Oh how wonderful.
    These towers look like those in Saxon Switzerland, here with me - which are made of sandstone -
    Will these towers be climbed?
    Your destination looks far away; people are often mistaken about the distances in the mountains.
    Fantastic view you had.
    Congratulations.
    Magnificent landscape.
    Thanks for the photos.
    Well done!
    Hug

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    1. Wow, I just looked up the Saxon Towers. The stone bridges out there are incredible, as are the towers! People do climb them. I do not know if they allow you to climb all of them, or just certain ones though.

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  31. Thanks for making that hike so you could share it with us!! Definitely a lot of effort, but the views are WOW.

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    1. We are now planning our next hike, but the weather is changing so it might be a week or two!

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  32. That is amazing.. looks like a rewarding hike!

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  33. Gosh, what a gorgeous place to hike! Very well worth it! There's no way I would have made it up, but it sure is a beautiful place!

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    1. There were a few times we felt like turning back, but we persevered and finally made it!

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  34. Replies
    1. Why, thank you, we were pretty impressed with ourselves!

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  35. Glad that you all made that hike and thanks for showing the process, Jim, but it would not have been one for me as I would have been huffing and puffing al lthe way up. Downhill sounded like a much easier process. The views from the top must certainly have been fantastic, but I will just enjoy the photos./

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  36. CONGRATS on any of the peaks you have hiked to so far and even congrats that you even have thoughts of doing more. Just going to the mailbox is the extend to my hiking! lol....I so understand about work, home, farm getting in the way of life! lol....I don't have a farm and I am retired but I do understand of things getting in the way! Sometimes we just have to do what we have to do. Enjoy your day.

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    1. For our next hike, I am going to give the book to the kids and have them pick it out. One thing they can be assured of is that it will not be as high as this one!

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  37. Makes me smile. As you said, memories that will last a lifetime! At my age, I might be able to do some (most?) of the South Dakota peaks. The highest CA peaks are beyond my reach now.

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    1. Yes, most of these peaks are quite achievable by all ages. As we were coming down from this hike there was an 80 something year old on his way up. I could only be so lucky.

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  38. sounds like a lot of fun!! many years ago, chuck tricked in into climbing mt. graylock in massachusetts and i was not impressed. when we got to the top i was looking for the shuttle bus to take me down, there was none. i hated the entire experience, it was really hard man. and i am glad that we did not talk about the buck, i can't help it but i love deer!! i was not able to watch the video, didn't work...it may just be my computer!!

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    1. We have a love/hate relationship with some of the hikes we take. Excited at the beginning, hating it in the middle and loving it again when we finally make it to the top. Instead of a shuttle bus, I think every peak should have a zipline for the ride down!

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  39. Great views! I can no longer walk that far due to ankle problems. Take care of your feet!

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    1. Great advice. Foot/ankle/knee problems will stop you in your tracks. We have been lucky and blessed so far.

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  40. Awesome hike...walk! Looks like a great variety on the trail. Glad you didn't actually tumble down the trail on your way back:) Lasting memories being made.

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