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Post by oc6088 on Jan 11, 2018 5:55:26 GMT -8
My husband has agreed, not sure why, to go on a backpacking trip me. (I usually go alone) We hike quite a bit together and he is in relative shape.
Our goal: 3 nights. Start at car, One night camping, one night motel/cabin with good food & beer (his requirement) one night camping (probably same as night one), back to car. Max per day 13 miles
I have come up with two alternatives but I am up for suggestions. It is kind of hard to find info on this trail although I have a decent National Geographic Map. Please let me know your thoughts/suggestions
This is what I am thinking: Option #1 Dalton Lake to Pilot- Dalton Lake to Boxelder Forks Campground (6.1 miles), BF Camp to Merritt (13 miles?)- (Is the Trout Haven still open? Their website is down. I see they have cabins) Eat at Sugar Shack. And reverse.. Merritt to BF CG to DL
Option #2 Brush Creek to Rockerville- Brush Creek to Sheridan Campground (6.8 miles), Sheridan to Rockerville (12 miles plus town walking). Stay somewhere in Rockerville eat at Gaslight.
Thanks in advance. I am up for ideas anywhere in the Black Hills/Custer area.
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RedDoug
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Trail active, stand back.....
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Post by RedDoug on Jan 11, 2018 10:45:56 GMT -8
How long is the entire trail? 120 miles?
Best way to do this trail is just take 8- 9 days and do the entire trail.
Watch for ticks.
Out of wind Cave, watch for Buffalo. Never trust a buffalo.
Around French Creek Campground (hope I have that name right) watch for rattlesnakes- though in early May I never say one.
This trail is worth doing and be sure to take the connecting trail into Mt Rushmore. Good café there to eat and if you do this trail in late April/early May you may have the restroom to yourself.
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Post by oc6088 on Jan 11, 2018 12:51:15 GMT -8
If I want to stay married I can't recommend a 8 day trip..
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null
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Post by null on Jan 24, 2018 4:17:13 GMT -8
I'd start by picking the cabin/motel and work backwards.
You might consider staying at Sylvan Lake Cabins. There's a store and laundromat there. I haven't been in the cabins so I can't say whether they're nice or if there's good food or beer (there is at Legion Lake).
So for a loop or an out-and-back you could start at Mt. Rushmore, hike through the Black Elk Wilderness and dispersed camp. There aren't many obvious places to do this, but they do exist such as a pond on the Grizzly Bear Creek Trail (#1) or a nondescript saddle near the North boundary of the wilderness.
2nd day: Hike around the Wilderness. You can hike most of the trails in the wilderness and end up at Sylvan Lake.
3rd day: Summit Harney Peak. Head to the aforementioned nondescript boundary saddle and camp there.
4th day: Back to Mt. Rushmore
This itinerary is much shorter than 13 miles per day and only some of it is on the Centennial Trail.
If you'd like more mileage and Centennial Trail, you might consider an itinerary that starts at the horse camp at the North End of Custer State Park just South of French Creek. Head North on the Centennial Trail towards Sylvan and then retrace your steps back (although you could use different trails in the Black Elk Wilderness). Much more distance doing it this way.
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Feb 5, 2018 10:10:19 GMT -8
I’ll second the Sylvan Lake recommendation. Beautiful lake with great hike to Black Elk summit (awesome summit fire tower). Sunday Gulch is very cool (if you do the loop, I suggest clockwise). The Black Elk loop past the pinnacles and Devils Tower is also spectacular.
There are some good eateries in Custer, about 8 miles down the valley.
As far as backpacking, I’m not qualified (I cycled and hiked the area last September). But I’d definitely go back.
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