We decided that since Christmas wasn't going to be white in Wisconsin, maybe it would be worthwhile to be in Spearfish South Dakota for Christmas. Since I booked in September, they told me that it would be a 100% chance of waking up to a white Christmas on Christmas day. I immediately booked it!
We departed Christmas Eve, since there was a blizzard warning for Eastern South Dakota and Western Minnesota for the evening of the 23rd. We left around 3am with a Subaru fully packed with a hitch and a loaded back rack. The weather was windy with 40 MPH winds and the roads were icy. We white knuckled it most of the ride until Chamberlain SD when the roads were finally clear.
The rest of the ride went well. We arrived in Spearfish Canyon around 5 pm CDT.
We woke up on Christmas Day. After we got dressed, we went for a hike on the Roughlock Falls trail which is approximately a 2 miles round trip round trip.
This is just after the start of the hike. I had a walking stick with a 1/4 x 20 screw on top of it acting as a monopod. I decided not to bring my trusted tripod for this hike.
This is a bald eagle that we saw on the side of the trail. Ironically, our Grandfather passed away on the 24th, and we took this as a sign that he would always be watching over us.
Roughlock Falls at the end of the trail.
Coming back, we saw this sky over the South of the Canyon
Later on, we traveled to Bridal Veil Falls. We had only seen these falls in the summer. Now, they were entirely frozen over. Evelyn is in this shot to show how tall the falls actually are.
We hiked the Community Caves trail, which was our first time hiking up to here. It was a bit confusing to get the the trailhead and the up to the trail, bus when we made it to the beaten down footpath, we took it. It was quite the climb up a lightly flowing waterfall, but when we finally got to the top, we were greeted by a series of caves in an overpass that was quite tall. O\ne of the caves was large enough to comfortably sleep in.
This is the view down the hill. There's a house just right of center of this picture that's just got to be one of the best views around this area!
After our hike to the Community Caves, and just before Christmas dinner, we decided to head on down tho Spearfish Falls. One of 3 trips ntat we took down here. This shot is upstream from the falls. The bridge in privately owned and decorated in white lights.
This is just under that bridge. I love photographing falls of any size!
The next day, on the 26th, we decided to go out Hwy 85 into Wyoming, so the girls could put their feet in another state. The views were very rewarding!
Afterwards, we drove into Custer State Park to hike up to Poet's Table, our 4th trip up there. It's a very secret and secluded spot that's very quiet and hidden from the rest of the world.
This is on the way up.
This is a view looking at the Needles Tunnel from Poet's Table
Afterwards, we hiked around Sylvan Lake. At the end of these rocks, there's a dam that Amanda and I got married on in June 30th of 2001
This shot was taken on the 26th after a snowfall.
This is Spearfish Creek after the snowfall.
My shot of Spearfish Falls. I love this shot, it's probably my best shot of the trip!
Spearfish Canyon in the snow
A hidden spot along Hwy 85
Another Shot of those multiple falls!!!
I loved having my Subaru in this weather and driving on these roads!
Along Hwy 85
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The towering pines in the snow along the creek.
A ski trail that we will get out on next winter!
Hanna Road, a detour of ours that did not disappoint!
When we finally left on the morning of the 28th, this was one of the views that we left to.
We definitely plan on going back in the winter sometime soon. There is snowmobiling across the street from the Lodge that we stayed at, skiing around every corner, hiking everywhere you step, an inside fireplace to cozy up to everytime you come back, and a nice hot hot tub to crawl into to to ease your weary limbs after you come back every night!
This may just be a Christmas tradition that will continue every year...
