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Part of the Grizzly trail cuts through the heart of Black Elk Wilderness.


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Map Key

6.2

Miles

10.0

KM

Point to Point

6,597' 2,011 m

High

4,960' 1,512 m

Low

138' 42 m

Up

1,775' 541 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

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

Need to Know

Lots of blow-down, so be prepared to go "off trail."

Description

I did this as part of an 11-mile loop starting at the Horse Thief Lake #14 trailhead, progressing to Grizzly #7, and then over to Centennial On Hell #89-HC, and back around. You have the option of the 0.5-mile Mount Rushmore connector trail (out-and-back).

You can see views of the Black Hills that most of the tourists don't see, and because you'll probably be out there alone, you can enjoy them in peace.

This trail connects the Norbeck #3 trail with the Horsethief Lake #14 and the Centennial On Hell trail and gives you access to large areas of the Black Elk Wilderness and Custer State Park, to include Black Elk Peak, and Sylvan Lake.

Depending on the maps used, this trail is also called "Grizzly Bear Creek Trail."

Flora & Fauna

Deer are plentiful. I did see a mountain lion tracks at one of the creek crossings, so be wary when hiking.

Contacts

Shared By:

Greg Sage

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 2 votes

#8972

Overall
  4.5 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#31

in South Dakota

#8,972

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691 Since Jun 24, 2019
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Photos

Trail marker.
Jun 24, 2019 near Custer, SD
Looking south into the Black Elk Wilderness.
Jun 24, 2019 near Custer, SD
Trail marker.
Jun 24, 2019 near Custer, SD

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