South Dakota to Wyoming rookie hikers
 

Hi. Trying to plan a trip for mid June. Flying into Denver from Baltimore, heading up to the Badlands,Wind Cave, Mt. Rushmore, Custer, Devils Tower and then back to Cheyenne. Want to do some short hikes daily, are there any other places you would recommend? We have about 8 days, not counting our days flying to and from Denver. Will we be bored with the areas I mentioned or do you recommend any other places in this loop? Is there anything near Denver area to hike? They elected me the cruise director for this trip....I'm pretty much clueless about the weather at this time much less places to go. Help!!

We've done a few little hikes in Badlands. Mt. Rushmore doesn't have a lot, but they have extended the path closer to the monument from the first time we visited. At Devils Tower plan on walking around the base. It's a nice level walk.

I don't know about Denver, but not far is Rocky Mountain National Park and tons of hiking. Don't know if you will have time for this park.

You might consider driving thought Nebraska on the way to Custer and see Scottsbluff National Monument. http://www.nps.gov/scbl/ This will only add about 25 more miles and an hour longer to your trip. You can walk out on the old Oregon Trail in the wagon ruts. Then come back thought Wyoming...this way you will do less double backing on the same road.

Utahtea

In Custer, you can pull off the road for many mini-hikes, including hiking up to climb a fire tower. Very interesting, plus a GREAT view!

There are plenty of short dayhikes in Rocky Mountain NP. If you decide you have time to stop I can give you some recommendations.

I think we're are going to try that Rocky Mntn NP. Any suggestions for hiking would be great!

If you plan on going to Colorado Springs could visit the Air Force Academy, Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods.

For information on hiking trails in Rocky Mts. Nat'l Park go to www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/hiking.htm. In Rocky Mts Nat'l Park, Trail Ridge Rd is usually open by late May-early June. The Old Fall River Rd opens usually by 4th July. For information on any of the national parks go to www.nps.gov.

For other hiking information try http://forums.backpacker.com/eve. Go to the destinations section and click on Rocky Mts.

For something a little different look into the Green River Lakes area near Pinedale Wy.

http://www.fs.fed.us/btnf/

http://www.mountainmancountry.com/at...tml#Activities

Has anyone been to Cheyenne? Is there anything to do or see there? How about Casper? We want to tour a gold mine....notice there are several in SD, Black Hills area...any reccomendations? Is Deadwood a good place to experience western town atmosphere and maybe a saloon?

Here's a detailed site for hikes near Denver:

http://www.go-colorado.com/Denver/Hiking/

This is a great little hike to the last fire lookout in Pike National Forest:

http://www.go-colorado.com/Devils-Head-Lookout-Trail/

Been to Cheyenne many times, but usually just passed through - not a whole lot to do unless you're there during Cheyenne Frontier Days (rodeo)

Lived in Casper for a few years - just head for Casper Mountain and you'll find an assortment of hikes.

Sylvan Lake in Custer State park is a good trailhead, from a flat hike around the lake that takes about 30 min, or to Harney Peak, about a 4 hour hike to the tallest mountain/best view in the Hills.

The trailhead for Cathedral Spires, the Needles or Little Devil's Tower (also a good view) is a short driving distance.

The last time my family did Lover's Leap trail by the State Game Lodge, we hiked uncomfortably close to several buffalo, the herd moves freely within the park. This trail is very steep.

Bear Butte just north of Sturgis is about a 2 hour hike. Bear Butte is holy ground for the Lakota and prayer bundles are tied to nearly every tree.

The Badlands are about an hour east from the Black Hills and have all kinds of hikes, from steep to flat boardwalk.

Spearfish Canyon (between Spearfish & Deadwood) is a beautiful drive and has hiking, Roughlock Falls is a nice stop.

Devil's Tower is worth the drive. Wyoming is a little bleak in the center between Devil's Tower & Cheyenne, ranch country, sage brush, treeless hills.

Deadwood is a gambling town. Nearly all the buildings, especially on the main street have been turned into casinos. Though, in the evening they do have the Wild Bill shootout in the street, and Saloon No. 10 still has sawdust on the floor, along with the slots and poker tables.

I believe the Homestake Mine in Lead, next to Deadwood still has tours, even though the mine itself is closed.

Weather can really vary in June, everything from snow in the higher elevations to 90 degrees, but generally mild with cool evenings.

And, if you go to Rocky Mountian NP, be prepared for altitude sickness, I live at 3500 feet and my daughter & I both barely made it down from one of the alpine hikes.

Garden of the Gods between Denver & Colorado Springs is really beautiful.

Anyone do any whitewater rafting in Casper? Is it adventurous or just enjoyable?

i'd hit rmnp on your way up, it's on the way to cheyenne...

the bear lake area has some really nice and gentle hikes

i took a little hike to cub lake. it was great. i would hit the nps web site and look up more hikes. i also did a hike to bierstadt lake. i have done longer hikes but these are shorter and don't take all day...