Front end creeking sound

This last weekend, my road trip included several off-road encounters with significant rock crossing and heavy dust on the trails.

By the third day, I began noticing a creeking/groaning sound from the left front of the truck.

I was thinking it was the left front shock or suspension bushing, but after cleaning and lubing the hood rubber supports and latch mechanism, I was no longer able to duplicate the sound by manually rocking the truck back and forth.

I've had a similar experience before after driving on very dusty trails.

I have not yet had a chance to drive the truck since I lubed the hood latch. The original noise was happening when I turned a corner especially left turns into parking lots/driveways.

I think the hood must shift/flex some under different load conditions.

Not related but similar issues when in dusty conditions is the forward inner fender rubber flaps and windshield corner plastic close out pieces which I have addressed already.