Dakota Delights

Now that I have a toddler these highpoint trips need to be fast and furious and pack as much adventure in minimal amount of time as possible so as to continue to be granted permission to go on them.  I've been excited about this particular trip for awhile since it's an area of country I've never been to. 

My flight was out of Newark, NJ at 5:00am so I had a car pick me up at my apartment at 2:30 so for sure an alpine start, than after a layover in Dallas on to Rapid City, unfortunately there was plane difficulties making my timeline stretched even more thin.  My cousin, highpointing partner, and personal photographer would be joining me in Rapid City.  Little did we realize this weekend is start of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally making everything far more expensive and difficult to come by, after shelling out way too much for rental car we grabbed sandwiches and supplies and headed to Sylvan Lake approx. 1 hour of driving.  Crowded summer day on the lake even though its a Thursday, hit up Trail #9.

Nice View along the way

It was hot out on trails and it was fairly crowded.  Literally everychild (more than a few) decided to tell us in mileage how much further we had to go.  We also had to dodge horses/mules a few times on trail up. Still it was scenic and a new landscape for me, near the top it was more boulderous but luckily the Sherpa's have already set ladders for the season.

View from the top

The famous tower. 

Prior to going caving we hit up Rankin Ridge to Highpoint the National Park.   This is a list I only just started and one I'm sure I won't finish but if I'm able I might as well grab as many as I can.  Obviously the underworld is the highlight of this National Park but there is plenty to see above ground as well.  This is one mile loop hike with both sides of the ridge having much different landscapes to overlook.  Many Prairie Dogs greeted our arrival for this short hike

You go up on a sloping hillside overlooking the rolling hills of the National Park.

View from the top, this is only my 3rd National Park Highpoint and 1st that isn't also a State Highpoint (lot of regrets about similar park points I've been nearby but didn't think to summit at time).  In the distance on clear day, which this was, you can see Badlands National Park which unfortunately due to ridiculous timeline I've set will have to wait for another day. 

Probably a touch too enthusiastic for effort involved

Then you walk down the dirt access road to the car

Ran into a few pronghorns on way to Wind Cave Visitor Center

After a long day of travel and hot hiking and driving many people would look for a pool to dip into, however going underground into 50 degree caves is just as refreshing an option

Its a nice tour with some interesting facts about both its history and geological features. 

After this cave tour we grabbed dinner and a brew at Biter & Ester's Brewpub for local sausage and beer.  Than we drove all the way Spearfish, SD which is 2 hours.  We hit up Crow Peak brewing right at 10pm when they are supposed to be closing but due to the Bike Rally still had a big crowd, grabbed a few drafts and some to go and went to local hotel for night.