Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their nonfiction books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Learn more.
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We had hoped to visit Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons on our trip west from New England. Unpredictable spring weather, however, caused us to pause in the Black Hills, hoping the weather farther west would warm up. It didn’t (at least not on our time schedule!).
We stopped in Hill City, S. Dakota, Staying at a campground next to a rail trail has so many benefits. Your parking arrangements are already taken care of. You can jump on your bike and get right to pedaling. And you can avoid road biking (which is our preference).
The packed crushed stone dust on the Mickelson trail is in great shape. Views of the surrounding hills, some tunnels, and multiple railroad bridges offer variety along the way. There is a charge to use the trail, with self-serve payment stations along the path at parking areas.
We rode only about ten miles out then back again, but were able to view the Crazy Horse monument directly from the trail.
Just down the road from our campsite was the Hill City downtown area, which hosts the Black Hills Institute .
The dinosaur and other fossil exhibits, many discovered in the surrounding area, are breathtaking. We wandered from one section to the next, marveling at the restoration work the organization has done that allowed us to imagine the lives of these creatures that eons ago walked, swam, and flew.
We are not eager shoppers but when we spotted the Beef Jerky Experience store in Hill City, we had to stop. After perusing and sampling mulitple varieties of jerky, we selected some packages to take with us as gifts for family. Who knew there could be so many types of Jerky (and not just beef)?
Custer State Park in S. Dakota’s Black Hills has so much to offer. We missed the Buffalo roundup which takes place in the fall. The Bison Center is near the roundup area and offers educational exhibits about these huge creatures that live in the park. Videos of the round up give you the feeling of being there (without the dust) if you can’t make the fall event.
Wildlife is easy to spot on the 18-mile Wildlife loop.
The Pinnacles, seen by driving through the Needles Highway, has some hiking trails (not Easy Walks!). My enjoyment was derived from the stunning overlooks, and the tunnels you can walk or drive through. Around each curve on the 14 mile drive were more unique rock formations.
I was thrilled to discover Sylvan Lake in the midst of Custer State Park. The lake is surrounded by immense boulders and cliffs that soar up from near the water’s edge. The Sunday Gulch Creek is dammed, creating this man-made lake.
Next to the water is a developed footpath that allows for easy access for about three quarters of the circumference of the pond. The crushed stone dust path is wide, easily able to accommodate two or more walking side by side. While not completely flat, there are only gentle elevation changes along the shoreline. The solid footing allowed me to stroll along, to look up and out and around, without having to watch every step.
To complete the circle around the lake, visitors must clamber up and over some impressive boulders. Descending from the high point requires additional dexterity. Hopping from one good-sized flat stone to the next across a small section of water will keep your feet dry, if you have good balance. Once the stepping stones connect back with the developed gravel path, it’s very easy walking back to the main picnic area and parking.
Mountain goats (and people inclined to enjoy rock scrambling) will have fun clambering over the boulders that populate the far end of the lake. I stood back and let the more adventurous go on their way past me.
We made two trips to Sylvan Lake. The second visit provided the unexpected treat of witnessing a mature bald eagle cruising above the lake. Over at least a half hour the eagle soared, waiting for his chance to grab a fish. We learned from some local fishermen that the lake had been recently stocked. The fishermen pulled one fish after the next from the water. Presumably the eagle had gotten the memo, and was determined to get his fair share of the bounty. Anglers and eagles make sure that the stocked fish supply does not last long.
Happy trails!
Marjorie
Marjorie Turner Hollman 