Grizzly #7

Dogs Leashed

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

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

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."

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