These last several weeks I've had a chance to do some more hiking. Probably not as much I would have like to have done (stupid house work has to get done sometime), but none-the-less, I did get out and about when we had some nice weather.
My second hike of the season up Harney Peak was with my neighbor at the end of January. Rachel had never been up there; although she promises me the view was worth it, has also vowed to not follow me on every adventure I have planned for the summer.
 | |||
| A pano at the bottom of the old fire lookout, looking south toward Custer. This is one of my most favorite hikes in the hills. |
 |
| 'Twas a windy day up there! |
Prior to taking the time to take this pic of the historical marker, I did not realize that Harney Peak was built by CCC, nor did I realize just how high it is in relation to the rest of the high peaks in the world.
Easter weekend I was able to hike Bear Butte, just outside of Sturgis. I was hoping to find some pasque flowers, but I was a bit early. Made it back up there about a week ago, but still didn't find any. It's the only spot I've seen the state flower that I know I can find a 2nd time, so I may have missed my chance for seeing them this year.
 |
| Terry Peak as seen from a top Bear Butte. Sturgis is in the valley at the base of the trees, where you can see someone is burning. Ft. Meade is the foreground. |
The day before Easter, atmospheric conditions were just right for mirages off in the distance. I took these photo's from our back deck, looking north toward Newell.
 |
| Left and center are the 'Deer's Ears'. Two butts that come to a double peak. You can see the mirage is beginning to fade. The right is of 'Castle Rock' (left side of the photo). The "formations" on the right of the photo do not exists - total mirage. |
My friend, Vanessa, and I got together for an afternoon about a week ago for some exploring. She didn't have a lot of time, so we had to make it a short hike. I'd heard of Mt. Roosevelt/Friendship Tower, but had never been up there. After finding a Facebook hiking group, and asking some questions, found it wasn't far to the tower. Friendship Tower was constructed by local citizens of the Lead/Deadwood area as a monument to President Theodore Roosevelt.
 |
| Vanessa playing with Casey in the tower, Casey taking a break after climbing to the top, Casey and I posing, Vanessa and I on the steps of the tower. |
Not realizing just how short of a hike this was, we had time to hike down to Spearfish Falls, a place Vanessa had not yet been, then the three of us hiked up to Roughlock Falls. The green grass was just starting to show. It won't be long that it will have it's spring look.
 |
| Spearfish Falls, March 2015 |
 |
| Roughlock Falls, March 2015 |
