Family Nature Summits: Black Hills Summit

2.5 mile, 700 foot total climb "vigorous" lollipop (mostly out & back) hike; 47 min. drive.

Same hike as the afternoon Mystery Hike. We'll almost certainly not see anyone else. It's the first Summit Mystery Hike since Dave Egan's one in the Redwoods in 2022, and the first with Dave L. since 2016 in New Mexico (like this one, historical sites are involved). Avoiding the thigh-high poison ivy along 20% of the trail is possible, but those with more susceptibility may want long pants. It's pleasantly shady 4/5 of the way.... Any more details, and it wouldn't be a mystery!

6.3 mile, 1300 foot total climb "strenuous"; one-way hike; 42 min. drive each way.

This gem of a route is simply the most lake and rock spire scenery one can pack into a hike. Not to be missed.** To make it more accessible & enjoyable, we will self-select into two groups. The group feeling a bit less fit will start from Cathedral Spires Trailhead, nicely providing an afternoon option for doing as little or as much of the Sylvan Lake & Sunday Gulch loops as desired. The other half will start on those loops and will have no options to skip anything in the afternoon. Your group may (or may not) switch leaders when you pass each other a bit before lunch.

**If not up for 1300 feet of climb(!), please choose, for some of the same scenery, the Cathedral Spires Hike, or one of the Summit rambles at the iconic, dramatic Sylvan Lake.

2.5 mile, 700 foot total climb "vigorous" lollipop (mostly out & back) hike; 47 min. drive.

Both time slots above are the same hike, on which we'll almost certainly not see anyone else. It's th first Summit Mystery Hike since Dave Egan's one in the Redwoods in 2022, and the first with Dave L. since 2016 in New Mexico (like this one, historical sites are involved). Avoiding the thigh-high poison ivy along 20% of the trail is possible, but those with more susceptibility may want long pants. It's pleasantly shady 4/5 of the way.... Any more details, and it wouldn't be a mystery!