This trailhead is located on the southeast side of Stockade Lake, across from a sandy swimming beach. This trail ascends through a Ponderosa Pine forest to a ridge line. The 1.5 mile hike is considered moderately difficult because of the 390 foot climb. The trail is well marked with blue diamonds nailed into trees. OnContinue reading “Stockade Lake Trail, Black Hills, SD.”
Tag Archives: Black Hills
Center Lake Lost Trail, Black Hills, SD.
This is a lightly trafficked loop trail that circles a dammed lake, and is located off of Playhouse Road between Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. I encountered only one lady on the trail, the day I hiked. The trail had been lost and forgotten for years. It has recently been re-discovered with the historyContinue reading “Center Lake Lost Trail, Black Hills, SD.”
Presidential Trail, Black Hills, SD.
I walked the 0.6 mile long interruptive Presidential Trail with 422 stairs on Monday, September 20, 2021 to get up close and personal with the sculptures. I can not over emphasise how the trail goes right under these giant sculptures and gets you a lot closer than just staying at the visitor’s center with severalContinue reading “Presidential Trail, Black Hills, SD.”
Black Hills, SD – Wanderings.
Pick apart areas of the Black Hills National Forest I’ve experienced by clicking an area of interest to you. Jack’s Black Hills Scenic & Historic Wanderings: Wyoming: Devils Tower Tower Trail South Dakota: Black Hills National Forest Crazy Horse Memorial Custer State Park Iron Mountain Road Needles Highway Sylvan Lake Shore Trail Center Lake LostContinue reading “Black Hills, SD – Wanderings.”
Needles Highway, Black Hills, SD.
The Needles Highway is more than a 14-mile road — it’s a spectacular drive through pine and spruce forests, plus meadows surrounded by birch and aspen, with rugged granite mountains, once thought of as the material to sculpture many of the US Presidents. The road’s name comes from the needlelike granite formations that seem toContinue reading “Needles Highway, Black Hills, SD.”
Crazy Horse Memorial, SD.
Emerging from granite in the Southern Black Hills is the Crazy Horse Memorial — in the process of being the largest Mountain Carving. The dream began in 1939 when Chief Henry Standing Bear invited sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to create a tribute to the North American Indians to show that “the red man has great heroes,Continue reading “Crazy Horse Memorial, SD.”
Black Hills National Forest, SD & WY.
Black Hills, in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, consisting of 1.2 million acres of forested hills and mountains. The Black Hills rise from the adjacent grasslands into a Ponderosa Pine forest. This area has been described as an “Island in the Plains,” the Forest has diverse wildlife and plants reaching from the eastern forestsContinue reading “Black Hills National Forest, SD & WY.”
Custer State Park, Black Hills, SD.
One of Uncle Jack’s Must-See places to see. Custer State Park’s granite peaks, canyons, boulders and crystal clear lakes with sandy beaches and open grasslands are impressive! Custer State park is located within the Black Hills National Forest. Of all my planned stops in September, 2021, I did not allocate enough time for the CusterContinue reading “Custer State Park, Black Hills, SD.”
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Black Hills, SD.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the massive sculptured with 60-ft high granite faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The Mount Rushmore Memorial Monument symbolizes America and her history which enriches all US citizens culturally. It was completed in 1941 under the direction of Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln. GutzonContinue reading “Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Black Hills, SD.”
Big Thunder Gold Mine – Keystone, SD.
The Big Thunder Gold Mine in Keystone, SD was on my “to do list” if………… Expecting it to be very touristy.It won’t be on my “Must See List” but I felt cost was well worth my time and I have no regrets. I enjoyed my time at the Big Thunder Gold Mine. It is niceContinue reading “Big Thunder Gold Mine – Keystone, SD.”
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