We woke to blue skies after a long night catching up at our camp along Sand Creek. Matt Farr and Chase joined the group the previous night. Afer breaking down camp and a light breakfast, we headed out to check out more of the Black Hills. I originally had it planned to get to Deadwood, SD via back roads, but as we traveled deeper into the mountains, we found the snow to get deeper and deeper. Finally off the mountain late into the evening, we detoured for a night in Spearfish, SD.
The snow fought us for most of the afternoon. With most of the group having to get unstuck at least once. Though a long day, it was a fun one, putting the knowledge we gained over the years to work. Along with the recovery equipment.
Woke to a beautiful morning in camp.
Around camp.
Sand Creek. We spotted a river otter swimming in the creek.
Making our way south, further into the Grand Canyon of Sand Creek.
The snow starting to get deeper. Also started to come upon a lot of fallen trees.
We turned east onto Surprise Gulch, taking further into the Black Hills. We were still following someones tracks by this point so travel wasn’t too bad. Originally we had it planned to get somewhere east of Tipton, SD for that nights camp… But as the afternoon continued, we found the snow to keep getting deeper.
Progress starting to slow a bit.
At the point where we were now the ones making fresh tracks on the road. Progress significantly slowed.
My first stuck for the day. At the start of a long uphill climb. Was slow going breaking trail here. Traction aids definitely proved there worth.
Shawn C.
Matt Ralston.
Matt Farr.
Daniel Linn.
Stuck again and not far from the last stuck. With the group focused on getting Shawn unstuck, I set out to get myself unstuck with the traction aids.
Shawn moving again and unstuck.
Finally near the top of the long hill climb.
Matt Ralston.
Matt Farr.
Chase.
Daniel Linn.
The group at the end of the long uphill climb. Not out of the woods yet.
We were getting closer to a bigger artery of a road, but would end up spending some time here while Matt Farr made the climb back up a side road he decided to check out.
Shawn C.
Matt Farr climbing back up a side road he decided to check out. Second time to winch himself out.
Finally back on a more traveled road.
Stopped again as Chase got unstuck.
The road getting better as we made out way north to Spearfish, SD. Had to stop and snap this pic as the sun set and the weather cleared.
End.