Columbian Mammoth – Hot Springs, South Dakota.

To us, there’s never a bad time to visit South Dakota, but when crisp autumn days and clear blue skies stretch endlessly overhead, it doesn’t get much better.

There are several routes to the summit of Black Elk Peak, and while each one offers its own incredible beauty, make no mistake – it’s a rugged hike. The route we chose on this trip covered 9.5 miles round-trip, with 1,450 feet of elevation gain. At 7,240 feet, Black Elk Peak is the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains, and the views from the summit are spectacular – With staggering vistas stretching up to 150 miles!

Beginning at Sylvan Lake, we then enjoyed equally breathtaking 360-degree views from the 6,971′ summit of Little Devil’s Tower.

Our third hike led us on a winding trek among the towering granite formations of Cathedral Spires, some rising nearly 500 feet into the air. The up-close perspective is incredible in its own right, and being surrounded by these magnificent formations makes you feel wonderfully small – Creating a truly special experience!

South Dakota’s late autumn weather will be changing soon, but hiking the Black Hills in November offers something truly wonderful: the chance to experience this remarkable wilderness in peaceful solitude.

Beyond the trails, the heart of our journey was our visit to the Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation before winter sets in. We had the privilege of spending time with several Lakota friends, making some new ones, and sharing non-perishable food items, winter boots, jackets, clothing, and personal hygiene kits. These visits are always the most meaningful part of our time in South Dakota, and we are forever grateful.

Our final stop was the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, where we explored an active paleontological excavation site featuring the skeletal remains of 62 Columbian and Woolly mammoths.

Add in two massive buffalo roadblocks, 7 huge bighorn rams, nearly 100 pronghorn, 200 elk, several flocks of Merriam turkeys, dozens of mule & whitetail deer, and hundreds of pipsqueaks (prairie dogs), and this was an incredible way to round out another memorable SODAK adventure!

Experiences like these are an incredible gift – memories of adventure, wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and time together that we will cherish forever.

We’re excited to share more of these adventures, how they have inspired us, strengthened our faith, and shown us the breathtaking beauty of the world around us!

Our hope is that these journeys will encourage and uplift you, and maybe even spark a few adventures of your own!

– Buffalo Hydraulic