In the early planning stages for these trips, there are numerous websites I visit. One is a hiking site where they list their favorite trail in each state. Some require multiple days while others are even wheelchair accessible. Their favorite for South Dakota is the reason I came to Spearfish.
The Crows Peak trail is listed as seven miles round trip and strenuous. Based on the trail description, it certainly seemed doable. It’s well maintained and simple to follow. The view from the peak is said to be far and wide. The Sioux named it Paha Karitukateyapy, which translated out to “the hill where the Crows were killed.” The two tribes fought near the peak with the Sioux being victorious.
The weather guessers all said the same thing. The chance of rain(possibly heavy at times) would start going up by mid-morning with a good chance of a thundershower. I decided to go anyway. The big camera would stay in the room, and the pocket sized Canon Powershot would go with me. If it got wet, it would be less of a loss.
Sunrise from the drive out of downtown…
Just a quarter mile further is the turnoff for Higgins Gulch Road. It’s a surprisingly well maintained dirt road with one dry stream crossing, complete with a sign warning of flash floods. With a potential storm on the way, this was indeed a concern.
The trailhead was easy to find, with plenty of parking available. It was quickly approaching 6A when I left the car, passed through the gate and started upward. As described, the first two miles were mostly compacted earth with the occasional rock to step over. Easy enough, and a good workout.
A mountain biker was coming down the trail with his dog running along behind him. He paused to give his dog a quick rest. From the peak, he had seen thick clouds and some lightning in the distance. He said it looked like it might skirt past the area though. I could only hope.
At the two mile point, the trail gets a little more interesting. Dirt gives way to long stretches of rocky ground. It’s still fairly easy going, as long as you watch your step. This was about the time thunder could be heard off in the distance.
Finally, the view from Crows Peak…
The storm did indeed look like it was going to pass Spearfish by. There’s a half mile spur trail to Beaver Ridge about a mile from the peak. With no real threat of imminent rain, I decided to take it. A few downed trees blocked the path. On the other side it was overgrown and not very clear. That was far enough.
Unlike the trail up, coming down I met quite a few people, most of them were there with dogs, including one very excited and friendly Husky.
I was back at the trailhead at 9:30A under a blue sky with a full day ahead and nothing scheduled. I sipped a cappuccino at a place called Blackbirds and pondered my day.
There’s a picnic table by the parking lot of the motel. It was so nice to take my book and coffee outside and just chill. I was on vacation and needed this.
Around 1P, it was time for lunch. Just a few minutes walk from the motel is the Spearfish Brewing Company. Their food selection is limited, but their beer list quite varied. The best name on the list, Cofhefe. It’s a German Hefenvicen with a “distinctive banana and bubblegum flavor.” I passed. Instead, I tried their “The Hills Have Ryes.” It’s a brown lager with a hint of rye. It was also quite good.
As you might suspect, Two Wheeler Dealer sells bicycles. They had bike racks scattered around downtown. I found is humorous to see a unicycle chained to one.
As the day eventually waned, I went back out into Spearfish for sunset...
Coming Up, Colorful Buffalo
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