Favorite photographs taken during the month of April under the cut
backpacking
Fisherman Flats to French Creek
Today I thought I’d share a little section of trail we discovered recently just off the beaten path of Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park. Typically used as an alternative route for a horseback riding trail to Mount Coolidge, this short jaunt begins on Fisherman Flats Road and brings you down to the shore of French Creek. While only 1.25 miles roundtrip, a rocky outcrop along the trail gives aerial views of the creek.
Wind Cave Canyon Trail
The Wind Cave Canyon Trail is an easy hike with minimal elevation gain. It follows along an old two track road east all the way to the park boundary fence. This out & back style trail is approximately 1.6 miles one way, making for a hike of about 2 hours.
Centennial Trail: Legion Lake Bypass Loop
The Centennial Trail #89 got its number from the year of South Dakota’s statehood, 1889. Construction of the 111 mile long trail began in 1989 in celebration of the state’s 100 year anniversary. The trail begins in the prairie grasslands near Bear Butte State Park and travels southward into the Black Hills forest until it reaches Wind Cave National Park near Hot Springs.
Grizzly Creek Trailhead to Iron Creek Horse Camp
Yesterday we decided to make our first foray into the Black Elk Wilderness area. The Black Elk Wilderness and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve trail system has eighteen trails ranging in length from 0.6 miles to 8.9 miles. Many are situated so that one can form loops or use them to access peaks.
Lover’s Leap Trail
Lover’s Leap is a massive granite outcropping above the Galena Creek canyon, nearly 500 feet above the stream below. Because the rock juts out from the canyon ridge, it offers fantastic views of this area of the Black Hills.
The Cathedral Spires Trail
The Cathedral Spires Trail (Trail #4A) features a unique area of the Black Hills, the Cathedral Spires and Limber Pine Natural Area, which was officially designated as a Registered National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in 1976.
Graffiti Sky Photography 