Name: Hike - French Creek Natural Area (moderate)
Start: 2026-08-02T07:30:00-0600
End: 2026-08-02T12:00:00-0600

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The Summit Handbook and our pick-a-hike guide are helpful resources! Email [email protected] with additional questions or message us in Sched!

Session availability is subject to change due to weather, availability, and interest. Classes with fewer than 5 participants are subject to cancellation. You are only able to sign up for one class during a time period (including waitlists). We do our best to accommodate waitlists.

Add/Dropping Classes: All classes with an additional cost have a final add/drop date of July 13. After July 13th, you will be responsible for the cost of the class unless we can fill the spot. Classes with no additional cost can be added/dropped at any time.

Hike - French Creek Natural Area (moderate)

Sunday August 2, 2026 7:30am - 12:00pm MDT

Hike Van 1

Hike Guide

About 4.5 miles, 250 foot total climb "moderate" out & back hike; 37 min. drive each way.

This first hike of the week is a good intro to the region's granite-palisaded, wetland-bottom canyon ecology due to Chris Estes' expertise. Most of the hike is in one of Custer State Park's two designated natural areas (horses prohibited).

We'll want to take stream-side stops, & must, to allow us to change from hiking shoes to the required sports (Teva) sandals. When scouted in Sept., elk, bison, rattlesnakes, & maybe bighorn sheep were expected but not spotted. It was dry enough so that all six crossings (not likely we'll get that far) were done with dry shoes using good to excellent rock-hopping skills, none of which we can count on! Due to thigh-high poison ivy in (not just adjacent, but in) the trail, long pants are highly recommended. The hike will be worth the trouble!

Faculty

Dave L

HikeDirector,Orienteering,AdventureRace, Faculty

Dave has put his MA in geography to use in over 65 nations while glacier-trekking up to 20,000 ft. (Pakistan, Kazakh/Kyrgyz-stan, Nepal, Andes, Caucasus, Alps, Atlas, & in 2022 a 105-mile trek to Bhutan's northern-most tip)... all with Peggy Brosnan. They've done kayak camping in... Read More →

Chris Estes

Faculty

Chris is Lakota from the Lower Brulé Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. He is known for his work as a traditional dancer, singer, and performer with Brulé. The Brulé Music Group, based in South Dakota, has traveled the world showcasing contemporary Native American culture, and with millions... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 7:30am - 12:00pm MDT
Hike Van 1 Transportation Area

Hike, Difficulty- Moderate

Family Nature Summits: Black Hills Summit

Dave L

Chris Estes

Attendees (18)

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Family Nature Summits: Black Hills Summit

Dave L

Chris Estes

Attendees (18)

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