Sylvan Lake Custer

... a rough-legged hawk.  It was too gusty and cold to hike to Harney Peak (7400'), so we hiked around the Sylvan Lake Area instead, rough terrain and great views of rock formations.  Lunch and breakfast at the Bluebell Lodge were excellent, with ...

... my breakfast in the company of the two most beautiful ladies I can imagine. Based on our earlier experience climbing in the back of Sylvan Lake, we decided that we would need some more equipment and a better guidebook, even if it would mean that we might ...

... talked to some folks in the KOA at Red Lodge who were from the Black Hills area. They suggested camping in the Custer State Park, up at Sylvan Lake. So we headed for the lake. But not before witnessing one thing that the Black Hills area is known for: ...

Entry containing 5 photos titled: Overlook, At the summit of Harney Peak, Sylvan lake in Custer state park, Mike receiving his Black Elk vision

... horse's head.  Also, it's on a much grander scale than Rushmore - something like 10x larger overall.  More info here. On the way back to the campsite I dallied briefly at the extremely picturesque Sylvan Lake, and then almost hit a ...

... blankets the steep hills an valleys.    I climbed a 100 ft spire which forms part of the striking natural dam of Sylvan Lake (it's like building a dam out of huge granite garden gnomes).  Don't tell mom it only had three ...

... Needles Highway to Mt. Rushmore. I hate to admit it, but I think we all enjoyed the scenic drive more than MT. Rushmore. Sylvan lake was breathtaking. I hope to get back up there later today and do some fly fishing with the boys. MT.Rushmore was just ...

... out of nowhere.  They are the remains of a riverbed - and freakishly awesome. After 600 miles, we finally arrive at Custer State Park - quite the going concern.  A thirty-mile winding climb  to 6500 feet landed us at our ...

... , row boats & kayaks. On dusk we did the nature loop drive & saw bison, burros, deer & prarie dogs. We walked around Lake Sylvan & the boy swam to this massive rock in the middle & then jumped off it        I ...

... and I stopped along the way several times to do short hikes for grand views of the rock formations. When we finally arrived at Sylvan Lake lodge, we decided to make a reservation for Sunday night. The lady who checked us in said they do not have ...