Little Fug

There are probably many names for this trail, but this is the name that was introduced to me back in college when I first hiked it. This is a very little known hike near Horse Thief Lake just down Highway 244 from Mt Rushmore NM and it offers amazing views of the Black Hills. This is a short but very difficult hike because it requires some class 4 climbing.

Looking SE towards Mt Rushmore

Coming from Horse Thief Lake take the first left onto a gated road. This is a good parking area for a car or two, just make sure not to block the road behind the gate. To find the beginning of the trail, walk back down the shoulder of the road and the trail begins in the ditch just past a rock wall to the left.

The first half mile is a short uphill walk through the woods twisting and turning until it dead ends at a granite wall. Here is where things get tricky, the last couple hundred feet of trail are mostly vertical. After weaving your way up the rocks and avoiding poison ivy, the peak is easily accessible and shows the amazing 360° views of the surrounding hills.

Buzzard’s Roost

Buzzard's Roost Trail Head

After years of work, the Buzzard's Roost trail system is open for use. Located only five miles west of Rapid City, these trails are easily accessible and aimed for the casual walker to extreme mountain biker. With ten miles of trails there is sure to be one for everybody. There are viewpoints scattered along the way and if you're lucky, you'll have a bench to sit on while taking in the view.

The trail head is located just a few minutes past Falling Rock on Highway 44 west of Rapid City with a gravel parking lot to the south side of the road and an informational kiosk. Several trails begin right at the gate and all eventually end up at the main lookout. All of the trails wind their way uphill through the pine forest on single track trails.

 The Buzzard's Roost trail system is for non-motorized use only and are all covered with loose rocks. Some tend to be more of a gentle grade while others are very steep with large drop offs. Make sure to take in the view but you may want to stop in order to do it. Once at the lookout, there are panoramic views of the Black Hills in almost every direction. A sign in log book is at the 4700' peak, so make sure to sign in and see what others have written about their experiences.

The Rapid City Journal did an article on Buzzard's Roost a week ago giving a history on the area. Another good site with write ups on each individual trail has been done by PahaSapaTrails.com. It's a good source and I would recommend checking it out before heading out to the trail. Watch out for poison ivy too. In many areas the trail is surrounded by the three leaved green plant. 

Harney Peak

Harney Peak is a must do hike for everyone, even if you don't consider yourself a hiker. The most popular trail head begins at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park (Trail 9) and slowly climbs up to the 7242 foot peak where you'll find an old, abandoned fire lookout tower with a view of multiple states, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. Harney Peak is also the tallest peak east of the Rocky Mountains.

Beginning at the east side of Sylvan Lake, trail 9 slowly climbs through the surrounding pine forest. About a mile in you'll enter the Black Elk Wilderness where there is a registration station (don't worry, it's free) to get a pass for the wilderness area. Although the hike is to the top of a peak, there are ups and downs, creek crossings, and multiple trail intersections along with amazing views of the Black Hills and surrounding areas. Once at the top, there is the old fire tower and a dam with pump station plus plenty of granite to wander around on taking in the views and chasing the chipmunks and mountain goats.

The trail is 3 miles, 6 miles round trip, and can take up to five hours depending on your physical condition. It is considered to be moderately strenuous because of the grade and all of the rock outcrops and tree roots. The only fee to do this hike is for Custer State Park. Either a seven day pass or a one year pass are available. Unfortunately, camping isn't allowed at the summit…