The Black Hills
Needles Highway
Arriving at our campsite late my mom and I were stuck pitching our tent in the dark. We had a cozy site in Custer State Park near Center Lake. Surprisingly they had amenities like restrooms, showers, and even beach access. On our first day, we decided to drive on the infamous Needles Highway. The Needles Highway is more than a 14-mile road—it’s 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 needlelike granite formations that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway. Part way through we decided to stop for a short hike of Little Devils Tower Trail. All along this trail were wild raspberries that were so tart, no wonder the other hikers weren’t eating them.
Sylvan Lake
While driving we passed the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center and out front was a herd of mountain goats. They lay on the side of the road without a care in the world as hundreds of tourists stop to take pictures. At the end of day one we found ourselves landing at Sylvan Lake for dinner. After finishing up our meal we went down to the lake and hiked the short trail. The sunset made this picturesque lake even more stunning.
The Lost Trails
Near our campsite was the trailhead for the Lost Trails. We decided to go early in the morning to beat the other hikers out so that Tic Tac could run on his own and investigate all the new smells. Hiking with your dog can be a rewarding experience, forging a unique bond as you explore new places. The rhythmic sound of paws padding beside you and the contagious enthusiasm add an extra layer of joy to the journey. Generally on trails dogs should be leashed but he never wandered far, he would check where I was every 30 seconds to make sure I didn’t leave him. It was so much fun getting to share this with my pup, I now know he is a great hiking partner.
Later in the day, we headed out to Lead and Deadwood for lunch. We ended up stopping at Pactola Reservoir and wandered the Veteran’s Point Trail. Next time I am out in the black hills again I will remember to pack a bathing suit and spend more time at this hidden gem. After multiple hikes, we decided to go out for a treat in Rapid City. The day was hot and there was only one thing that would be the perfect treat, ice cream at The Silver Lining Creamery. The line was long but well worth the wait, we even got Tic Tac his own single scoop of vanilla.
During this entire trip, Tic Tac missed the comforts of home. The first night he woke me anytime the tent would move in the wind. Night two he slept a little better but really wanted to share the cot with me. During the day he wanted to hide from the sweat bees but didn’t want us to close him in it. Two days of no naps and little sleep at night made for a tired puppy. By the end of the second day, he fell asleep in the pickup truck on our drive back to camp - I didn’t have the heart to force him into the scary tent. That night I rolled down the windows so he could have some fresh air and he slept like a baby in the back seat.
Animal Sightings:
Buffalo
Mountain Goats
Pronghorn Antelope