Day 5 – the day of mist, rain and dense fog before the expected 6″ of snow fall and subsequent 27 degree morning temp. We wisely decided to move to a camper cabin before the unseasonably cold and snowy weather moved in. It was a bit damp and breaking down the tent was not on my to do list at this point. The cabin was a short distance from our tent site; relocating camp was easily accomplished. We left the tent up in hopes that mist/rain would subside and breeze would dry things out and headed for Wind Cave National Monument.
Hidden beneath the rolling prairie of the southern Black Hills is one of the world’s longest caves. Swaying prairie grasses, forested hillsides, and an array of wildlife such as bison, elk, and prairie dogs welcome visitors to one of our country’s oldest national parks and one of its few remaining intact prairies. Secreted beneath is one of the world’s longest caves, Wind Cave. Named for barometric winds at its entrance, this complex labyrinth of passages contains a unique formation – boxwork.
There are a few different cave tours to choose from, we went on the Natural Entrance tour. It was a lot of stairs, but they are mostly all down. The elevator that takes you back to the surface is lower in the shaft than the level you entered the cave on. Here are some iPhone shots on the monument grounds and inside the cave. Great tour.
one of the rare uphill stairs
flowstone
Ribbon formation – a.k.a. bacon
It was still very foggy and misting some when we left Wind Cave. Once back at the campground it was time to take advantage of the break in the mist/rain. Packing away a wet tent is never any good. The rain fly was a bit damp, but that is all; it would dry quickly in the cabin.
The day was still young and there was much of the Custer State Park to explore. We drove up to Mt. Coolidge Fire Tower in a blanket of fog. There were breaks at times that offered somewhat of a view. At 6023 ft. I am sure the view is dandy on a clear day. From there we explored North Lame Johnny Road (CSP4) as we made our way toward the donkeys down by the Buffalo Corrals. We were a bit disappointed to find no donkeys around especially since we were toting two large bags of carrots. Perhaps they were driven away by yesterdays stampede. We headed South on Red Valley Road (CSP6) into Wind Cave National Park where we spotted some Elk at a great distance. We would have liked to get a bit closer, but that opportunity never arose. We made a big loop South in Wind Cave Nation Park and came back around North and headed for Custer. The light was getting low and our stomachs where empty. [[Custer State Park Map for reference]]
Here are a few shots from Lame Johnny and Red Valley roads. Beautiful country and a bit of wildlife as well. Another great day in the hills.
It was a beautiful morning. We did not feel like waking at 4 a.m. to search out a sunrise spot. The puppy-kid was very much at home in the tent. We slept in some, gathered our gear and prepared for a day of traveling. Coffee and a bagel from a shop in downtown Custer was just the time-saver needed to get us moving along with ease and wide eyes.
The plan for today was the Needles Highway (87) – an incredibly beautiful stretch of road between Legion Lake and Sylvan Lake (see map below).
The Needles Highway is a spectacular drive through pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen and rugged granite mountains.
The road’s name comes from the needle-like granite formations which seem to pierce the horizon along the highway.
The roadway was carefully planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the entire course on foot and by horseback. Construction was completed in 1922.
Visitors traveling the highway pass Sylvan Lake and a unique rock formation called the Needle’s Eye, so named for the opening created by wind, rain, freezing and thawing.
I do not recall how many times we stopped along Needles Highway, but it was frequent. There is so much gorgeous scenery to take in. To really take a look around you will want to dedicate more than the suggested 45-60 minutes. The road is curvaceous and steep in spots. Take you time and enjoy. Here are some shots from the Needles Highway. We went from Sylvan Lake to Hill City to Key Stone; from there we experienced the 17 miles of 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pigtails, 3 tunnels, 4 presidents and 2 splits along the Iron Mountain Road.
The first four photos are from an area between the town of Custer and Custer State Park and the last few are from Mount Rushmore area and the Iron Mountain Road.
If all that wasn’t enough, we were pretty entertained by the donkey’s in Custer State Park along the Wildlife Loop Road. Remember to bring a big bag of carrots and you will receive all the attention you want – perhaps more. They are characters.
It was quite a day and we saw a lot, but it wasn’t over. We continued on our way along the Wildlife Loop Road; just down the road from where the donkey’s where we ran into a bit of a stampede. The Buffalo were right out of the car window raging past the car – on the road, in the ditch and further out in the grass. We were at the park a few weeks before the roundup and parts of the herd were being moved closer to the Buffalo Corrals in the Southern part of the park. It was quite a spectacle. What a day!
It didn’t even occur to me to roll video until well after the masses of buffalo had come through, but here is short snippet of video of a few stragglers toward the end..
Day 3 we opted to sleep in a bit, pick up camp and ready ourselves for the next leg of our vacation, The Black Hills & Custer State Park. From Interior, SD we head West on 44 to Rapid City. We really didn’t need to go to Rapid City, but Caribou was calling our name. After obtaining two vessels of turbo-charged caffeinated awesomeness we continued on South on 79 towards Hot Springs; heading West again at the Flying J truck stop. We opted to stay at Custer KOA campground as we were unable to find a tent camping option within Custer State Park that allow pets. The KOA is just West of Custer; it was plenty close to town. This became our home base for the next few days. The campground was sparsely populated with motor-homes. There were no other tent campers in sight. Clean bathrooms and showers just like our previous experience at the White River KOA.
After setting up camp we headed South to see what Hot Springs, SD was all about. We didn’t really find much there in town other than the Dew Drop Inn. I was in the mood for some ice cream, but no luck here as it was closed and for sale. A few minutes East of Hot Springs we located a cold spring. It was a nice little pit stop in the middle of the warm day; a refreshing place to dip your wiener in the cold water to cool her off.
We headed back to Custer State Park in search of wildlife . It didn’t take long to find some. We had a great day 3. Here are a few shots from our first day in the Black Hills.
