Little Spearfish Loop Loop
7.6 mi
Distance
4 hrs 13 min
Time
terrain
774 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate loop trail in Black Hills National Forest.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Public Tracks
LITTLE SPEARFISH
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<td>80</td>
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<td>NAME</td>
<td>LITTLE SPEARFISH</td>
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<td>TRAIL_TYPE</td>
<td>STANDARD/TERRA TRAIL</td>
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<td>BMP</td>
<td>0</td>
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<td>EMP</td>
<td>5.9</td>
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<td>SEG_LENGTH</td>
<td>5.9</td>
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<td>BEGIN_TERM</td>
<td>Trailhead @ Timon Campground</td>
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<td>END_TERMIN</td>
<td>Trailhead @ Timon Campground</td>
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<td>COMMENTS</td>
<td>NH - Loop Trail</td>
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<td>ACCESSIBIL</td>
<td>NOT ACCESSIBLE</td>
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<td>ADMIN_ORG</td>
<td>020308</td>
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<td>COUNTY</td>
<td>SD - LAWRENCE COUNTY</td>
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<td>DESIGNED_U</td>
<td>PACK - PACK AND SADDLE</td>
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<td>FS - FOREST SERVICE</td>
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<td>020308</td>
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<td>EX - EXISTING</td>
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<td>NFST - NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM TRAIL</td>
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<td>SS02 - 20-40%</td>
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<td>TG05 - +12-20%</td>
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<td>TW04 - 24-36 INCHES</td>
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<td>BR04 - MEDIUM</td>
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<td>TT04 - MEDIUM</td>
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<td>WILDERNESS</td>
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<td>TRAIL_SURF</td>
<td>NATIVE MATERIAL</td>
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<td>LEGAL</td>
<td>T4N R1E S10</td>
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<td>PRIMARY_TR</td>
<td>FS - FOREST SERVICE</td>
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<td>QUAD</td>
<td>05 - SAVOY</td>
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Little Spearfish Trail Loop - 2 Jun 2021
Yesterday 2 Jun 2021, I backpacked the Little Spearfish trail. The total distance on this loop was 7 miles and took me around 4 hours to hike. The map only said 6 miles and the trailhead sign said 5 miles. Kelly and I have backpacked this before and I knew that 6 miles was short by at least ½ mile, but a lot of trees were down (from 2 previous tornados the last couple of years) , and the trail looked like it had been rerouted. The weather was perfect starting out in the upper 50’s and warming to the mid 70’s by the end of my trip. I did not stop for lunch, just a couple of times to replenish my water bottle. After an easy 1.5 miles the mountains called and said time to start uphill for the next 2miles and I went. I was getting hot and tired and at times not sure whether to follow the moonlight or the sunlight, then at the top of the mountain a beautiful breeze just cooled me down and walking along the ridge line felt great. I then descended into Ranger draw finally the road was in sight. Following the road crossing a couple of bridges took me to a swampy area (last time we got stuck in knee deep water and had to turn back and follow the road to end our trip). Since then, crews have removed a couple of beaver dams and opened the path back up to be able to get through. Overall, this was a very enjoyable trip and relaxing time in the Black Hills. I did not see anyone on the trail but scared up an Osprey and a female Elk, and a couple of deer. Thanks for reading and enjoy the pics.
