Family Nature Summits: Black Hills Summit

7.5 mile, 1500 foot total climb "strenuous minus" loop hike; 38 min. drive each way.

The Summit's toughest hike, you'll reach the historic lookout tower on top of the highest peak from here to the Canary Islands off Africa, at 7,242 feet. The four-state view includes "awe-inspiring rock spires". This popular but rocky hike is half-forested, helpful if a thunderstorm pops up. Our early start will beat the crowds & most likely the thunderstorms.

Your leaders will provide historical context, from the name change from Harney Peak to the attempt by Custer to summit this peak on horseback (unsuccessful, which, from West Point to Little Bighorn, was one of his specialties!)

This hike duplicates  much of the "Cathedral Spires-Sunday Gulch" hike; doing both is not recommended.

6.3 mile, 1300 foot total climb "strenuous minus"; 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 much of the same scenery, the half-day (morning only) Cathedral Spires Moderate Hike, or one of the shorter, easier Summit rambles at the iconic, dramatic Sylvan Lake.  This hike duplicates much of the Black Elk Peak hikes; doing both is not recommended.