September 18, 2024
Spearfish Canyon is at 55% change toward its peak colors in fall foliage. We typically see the brightest, most vibrant vegetation in the Canyon sometime between September 23 through early October. When I drove through the Canyon on Wednesday, I noticed significantly more yellow than on my other Canyon visits. Specifically, I noticed elms turning golden around Rim Rock Lodge and red Viginia Creeper in the forest understory. The roadway south of Devil’s Bathtub parking lot continues to move more quickly toward peak color than the rest of the Canyon. Watch for evolving lime greens and yellows in those leaves.
Color Change: 55% (Moderate)
Spearfish Canyon is at 55% change toward its peak colors in fall foliage. We typically see the brightest, most vibrant vegetation in the Canyon sometime between September 23 through early October. When I drove through the Canyon on Wednesday, I noticed significantly more yellow than on my other Canyon visits. Specifically, I noticed elms turning golden around Rim Rock Lodge and red Viginia Creeper in the forest understory. The roadway south of Devil’s Bathtub parking lot continues to move more quickly toward peak color than the rest of the Canyon. Watch for evolving lime greens and yellows in those leaves. At the Bowl at Savoy we are still seeing mostly lightening greens in the deciduous trees, but there is definitely a sprinkling of golden hues in the forest. Download the Spearfish Canyon Leaf Map before your trek into the Canyon to locate these high-interest spots.
Today I enjoyed viewing Savoy’s cliffs and treescape from Buzzard’s Roost atop the ’76 Trail. The trail was built in 2000, but it’s history dates back to the Black Hills Gold Rush (1874-1879).
The ’76 Trail was born even before the town of Savoy officially had its own name! And does that trail have stories to tell! Miners like “Doc” Wing and Potato Creek Johnny Perrett would traverse the 16-mile mining trail coming from Deadwood. Walking along the ’76 Trail leads to Bear Gulch where the “Wing gold nugget was found, reported to be the largest of the Black Hills Gold Rush. The trail also finds its way to Potato Creek where Perrett aka the legendary “Potato Creek Johnny” found a rival gold nugget. You can see Perrett’s golden find in person if you visit the Adams Museum in Deadwood.
It is my understanding that an agreement between Spearfish Canyon Foundation, Homestake, and the U.S. Forest Service led to building the trail. The U.S. Forest Service provided engineering design and materials for the water bars used to divert water or prevent erosion. Spearfish Canyon Foundation provided labor and completed the construction of the trail.
The trailhead is located near Spearfish Canyon Lodge and the Roughlock Falls Trailhead in Savoy. Get ready for a very steep hike! The ¾ mile trail climbs 1,000 feet. There are several benches on the hike for a climbing break. It took me about an hour to hike up and back. You’ll see spruce, pine, birch, aspen, wild sarsaparilla, mountain holly and more during this nature walk. An aspen and birch grove helps brachen fern to grow close to the beginning of the trail. Be mindful of the poison ivy which closely lines the trail in parts. The poison ivy is vibrantly colored orange and red this time of year.
Learn more about the ‘76 Trail on the Visit Spearfish website.