Black Hills Beta

[iskibc]

I'm looking at a possible trip to the Black Hills area in SD sometime this fall and was wondering if any of you kooks have ever been there? Any good spots for climbing? Mtn. biking? preferred camping areas? Any other information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[DaveTV]

Ah, there is my "trick question" - what US ski area has the highest elevation east of the Rockies?
Terry Peak
Nevah been to SD however..
http://www.terrypeak.com/images/new/top_banner.jpg

[Big E]

There's a fairly famous ride out in the Dakotas, the Maah-Dah-Dey trail (spelling could be waaayyyy off). Never ridden there, but supposed to be some of the best trails in the country.

Try over in Sprocket Rockets...

[DaveTV]

MTB trails

[Pig Bodine]

Ahh yes, my old stomping grounds...

The Hills are actually a really fun place for all of the activities you mentioned but especially for climbing. There are probably almost 1,000 routes in the hills with the recent (at least publicly) development of Spearfish canyon (Limestone = steep, overhanging). Of course, the needles and Mt. Rushmore area are the best granite climbing around and devil's tower is only 1.5 hours away. PM me if you want some specific info.

Mtn. biking is good but not great, mostly on logging roads as singletrack is not that common, except for the excellent Centennial Trail which is over 100 miles of sweet, although rough at times, riding. There are other choice singletrack scattered about as well.

My favorite places to camp have always been in the Western Hills around Deerfield Lake and in the backcountry of Wind Cave National Park, with the occasional Custer Park trip. The Black Elk Wilderness is a great place to visit as well with the mandatory hike up Harney of course.

Unfortunately the hills are quickly becoming californicated/coloradicated but their are still some places to get away from it all. Have Fun!

P.S. Big E: the Maah Daah Hey trail is in the North Dakota badlands, and is indeed a very good trail

[Innominatus]

Gotta plug a friend's website -- good climbing and camping info can be found here .

[iskibc]

Thanks a bunch Inno and Pig! Great info and I like the website. Good stuff.


mmm, devil's tower...

http://images.climbingblackhills.com/beta/sized/7.jpg