Ascending the Crow Peak Trail
Hiking to the top of Crow Peak in the northern Black Hills is an experience that should not be missed. At the summit you will find spectacular views of Bear Butte, Terry Peak, and the rest of the Black Hills. You will also get a birds-eye view of the town of Spearfish below. And on a clear day you can even see parts of Wyoming and Montana.
Crow Peak Trail is rated difficult, and after hiking it for the first time I can understand why. The path to the top is about 3.5 miles long and climbs over 1,500 feet from the trailhead. It is an uphill walk nearly the entire way. By the time you reach the summit at 5,760 feet, you will certainly feel like you just walked up the side of a mountain. The trail itself, though, is very well marked and easy to follow.
For the first 2 ½ miles or so, the trail is not too challenging as it winds through the surrounding forest. There is only one small water crossing that is easily crossed. I would consider this part of the hike only moderately difficult simply due to the steepness of the trail. However, the final mile is where the path becomes a bit more difficult with loose rocks, a few obstacles, and some much steeper sections. Once you reach the clearing on top of Crow Peak, though, you’ll realize it was all worth it!
The nice thing about the hike out being all uphill is that the return hike is all downhill. After the strenuous climb the peak, I know I enjoyed the walk back down requiring much less effort. I think I soaked in more of the surroundings on my way down, too. Just be cautious during that first mile on the return trip. If you’re like me, I found the loose rocks in this section are a lot trickier coming down the trail.
If the 7-mile roundtrip hike isn’t enough, you can also venture out onto the Beaver Ridge spur trail which will add about 1 mile to your total (0.5 mile each way). This spur is supposed to offer more stunning views of the Black Hills. I did not take Beaver Ridge trail since this was only my first time on this hike, but I do plan to check it out on my next visit.
This can be a pretty popular trail, so expect to see at least a few people during your hike. I passed about a dozen hikers and two or three mountain bikers when I was there on a weekday afternoon. But like most trails in the Black Hills, it definitely did not feel busy even though the parking lot was half full when I arrived.
Getting to the trailhead is not very difficult. From Exit 9 off I-90, take McGuigan Road south, turn right at Hillsview Road, and then turn left at Higgins Gulch Road. Follow this gravel road approximately seven miles to the Crow Peak trailhead parking area. There is plenty of parking here, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a spot even on a busy day. Once you’re parked look for the small gate at the edge of the parking area. The trail starts here.
Overall it took me just under 3 hours to reach the summit of Crow Peak. However, you may want to plan on spending closer to 4 hours on the hike. I thought Crow Peak Trail was one of the more challenging trails I have hiked in the Black Hills area considering the length, elevation gain, loose footing, and rocks on the path. But you will find it is also one of the most rewarding hikes in the area when you reach the top and see that amazing view.
