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Trail leading from Horsethief Lake and Campground into the Black Elk Wilderness.


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Map Key

2.7

Miles

4.4

KM

85%

Runnable

5,673' 1,729 m

High

4,975' 1,516 m

Low

723' 220 m

Up

368' 112 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This is a singletrack trail leading from the Horsethief Lake camping area into the Black Elk Wilderness. This trail meets up with several other trails including the Centennial Trail #89 and the Grizzly #7. From these trails, you can access an even greater area of the Black Elk Wilderness, including Mount Rushmore via the Mount Rushmore Spur Trail, Black Elk Peak, Sylvan Lake via the Norbeck #3 trail, and the Harney Peak #9 (South) trails.

I did this trail in June 2019, and because of the heavy rain and severe winter this year, there was a lot of blow-down, blocking many parts of the trail. Be prepared to 'scramble' a few places. Also, with increased rains this year, the creeks were a little wider and deeper than normal.

Flora & Fauna

Deer and other common wildlife are abundant in the area, as are ticks -- be careful.

Contacts

Shared By:

Greg Sage

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 2 votes

#9172

Overall
  4.5 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#33

in South Dakota

#9,172

Overall
2 Views Last Month
515 Since Jun 24, 2019
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Looking north into the Black Elk Wilderness.
Jun 24, 2019 near Custer, SD
South on Horse Thief Lake Trail.
Jun 24, 2019 near Custer, SD
Looking south into the Black Elk Wilderness - panorama.
Jun 24, 2019 near Custer, SD
Trail marker.
Jun 24, 2019 near Custer, SD

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Check-Ins

Aug 20, 2022
Kevin W
Lots of walking- out of shape. Getting back into it. In & out. 5.4mi — 1h 52m
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