Family Nature Summits: Black Hills Summit

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 our local naturalist's expertise. Most of the hike is in one of Custer State Park's two designated natural areas (horses prohibited).

We'll want to take streamside 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 (if we 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!