September 12, 2024
As the second week of September comes to a close, the leaves in Spearfish Canyon are reaching 40% of their total color change. Birch, aspen, and boxelder trees throughout the Canyon are becoming more spotted with yellow leaves. This is especially noticeable in the first half of the Canyon drive from Spearfish. Besides the emerging yellows, many deciduous trees are noticeably lighter in their green color, which is a sign they are getting ready to turn to their autumn hues.
Click the photos above to view more photos!
Color Change: 40% (Moderate)
As the second week of September comes to a close, the leaves in Spearfish Canyon are reaching 40% of their total color change. Birch, aspen, and boxelder trees throughout the Canyon are becoming more spotted with yellow leaves. This is especially noticeable in the first half of the Canyon drive from Spearfish. Besides the emerging yellows, many deciduous trees are noticeably lighter in their green color, which is a sign they are getting ready to turn to their autumn hues. Take note of the lime green shades near Maurice Gulch, south of Devil’s Bathtub, and at the Bowl at Savoy. To locate these spots, download the Spearfish Canyon Leaf Watching Map!
Drive, bike, or hike through the Canyon this weekend and you’ll witness the beginning of fall! If you want to experience a shorter hike with a beautiful destination, try Spearfish Falls. Spearfish Falls is one of the Canyon Waterfall Triad (Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Roughlock Falls).
The Spearfish Falls hike begins in Savoy near the Latchstring Restaurant (once known as the Latchstring Inn). Public restrooms at the trailhead are a bonus! The hike is downhill to start, followed by a small bridge crossing Spearfish Creek, and then a shady, wooded area before you reach Spearfish Falls. Enjoy the lookout deck to view the Falls. You might get a refreshing spray from the 60-foot waterfall.
In the late 1800s/early 1900s, a train would stop right at the top of Spearfish Falls as a lookout point for its passengers. Can you imagine the shuddering overlook trestle from the force of the water? The Homestake Gold Mine diverted water from the powerful Spearfish Falls in 1917 in order to provide power for the mill. The diversion also created power and light for the cities of Lead and Spearfish. In 2003 Homestake stopped the water diversion in response to a 1999 lawsuit settlement.