Family Nature Summits: Black Hills Summit

4.0 mile, 600 foot total climb "vigorous pace" loop hike; no drive. 

A usually verdant (drought-dependent) stream-side stroll over a dozen footbridges and nice views across the Black Hills, both in the same hike! With no vans to boot! This is "the" hike at our Summit lodging site. This version with Matt will be at a more brisk pace.

The trail is particularly known for bison, big horn sheep, and wildflowers.  An otherwise nice ridge walk on top provides stark evidence of the furthest reach, almost to the buildings near here, of the huge 2017 Legion Lake Fire, and "bomb-like" devastation from the Dec. 2025 wind storm.

Less affected by the 90 mph Dec. 2025 winds here is the lovely "babbling brook" (June 2026, even with the drought), the Galena Creek valley, that much of the latter part of the trail follows, crossing six times (small bridges.)

Easily avoiding the thigh-high poison ivy along the trail is possible 90% of the way; only those with more susceptibility may want long pants. Avoiding late afternoon thunderstorms requires a clockwise direction (which provides cover and actual shelter on the last 1/3 of the hike).