Family Nature Summits: Black Hills Summit

4.2 mile, 800-foot total climb "vigorous plus" out & back hike; 47 min. drive each way.

About ¾ of this hike overlaps with the Black Elk and Cathedral Spires/Sunday Gulch hikes. What's unique is a steep granite slab scramble to the top for the Black Hill's 2 nd best view, at 6,870 feet above sea level. It's as close to the "incredible rock spires" as possible, hiking through quaking aspen country on the way to and from. If you conclude that the rock formations & "look like huge pancakes turned on edge and stuck in the ground, " you'll get no argument.

At the top, after this Summit's steepest (but short) rock scramble, we'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Cathedral Spires, Black Elk Peak, and much of the Black Hills.