Custer State Park, South Dakota
June 10, 2022
As we continued to explore the Black Hills, we moved north on Saturday to Oreville Campground, a National Forest campground near Custer State Park. We passed Crazy Horse Monument along the way, but didn't actually go there. We got a glimpse of the 70-years-and-counting sculpture project from the road.
The scenery became more dramatic the further north we went. The weather also became more dramatic, as we encountered a hailstorm less than 10 minutes from our destination.
Hmm...those clouds look a bit ominous.
The hail was deafening. We could not hear each other without shouting.
Souvenirs of the storm
At least the front of the camper was starting to get cleaned of the cement sludge incurred from the muddy Nebraska Sandhills gravel roads a while back.
Before and after:
The campground was pleasantly adequate. No frills or amazing views, but it was conveniently located to Custer State Park, which was where we wanted to spend most of our time.
The weather forecast showed our stay was going to be a rainy one - so we were not expecting to be outside at our campsite much during this stay. But, we were determined to go on some hikes--come rain or shine!
Sunday, we took the Cathedral Spires hike with spur to Little Devil's Tower. The afternoon started out cool but mostly sunny. The drive along the Needles Highway to get there was just spectacular. We had been in this area 10 years ago, but Julie still had to take lots of pictures (most of which have been mercifully edited out from this post 😉).
There are several tunnels along the Needles Highway. No way we could get our camper through them!
As we started on the hike, it started clouding up a bit.
And then it got more cloudy...
...Until we pretty much walked into a rain cloud.
More hail--but we were prepared!
Look around - As they say, if you don't like the weather, stick around a bit. The way up to Little Devil's Tower had great views everywhere.
Look around - It was quite busy at the top of Little Devil's Tower, despite the recent weather sketchiness.
The views just keep on going on the way down as well.
Look around
On Monday, we stopped by Sylvan lake for a repeat walk around it. (We did this walk the last time we took a trip to Custer about 10 years ago.)
Look around - Just had to get a view at the spot where the kids went swimming out to the island ten years ago!
We also stopped by Legion Lake for an easy stroll around it. The sun went back into hiding, so the pictures were not so stunning.
Our final full day (Tuesday) was looking to be reasonable weather in the morning, so we got ambitious and decided to climb to the highest point in South Dakota--Black Elk Peak. The park brochure claimed a six-mile out and back, but our GPS logged in at just over 8 miles. We were a bit tired after this one!
Beautiful spot on the way up
At the top was a really old observation tower (formerly a fire watch tower). It was cold and windy, then it started raining . . .
and then. . .
. . .more hail! Apparently, hail is a thing here.
No bother--once again, we were prepared!
The tower is finally in sight - but soooo many stairs left to climb to the top!
Quite a large building for up there. Apparently, it was constructed with living quarters for a full-time forest-fire-watcher. Imagine living at the top of South Dakota!
Almost there!
A small reservoir had been built to provide water for the living quarters.
Rick had gone down to a large rock face below. And then...you guessed it...more hail!
Look around - Views were spectacular even in a hail storm!
The play of sunlight and storm clouds was quite dramatic.
Taking shelter from the weather.
Fortunately, the really menacing storm clouds were not moving in our direction, and we managed to get back to the car without further weather events.
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