Take to the Black Hills this June

'We were driving along the Wildlife Loop, and we saw this massive herd of buffalo. Our car was like a rock in this river of wildlife. The buffalo were so close that we could just about reach out and touch them.'

Photo courtesy Mike Sappingfield Where the buffalo roam: Custer State Park

This image of being inundated by the majesty of wild animals is the one that immediately sprang to Mike Sappingfield's mind when I asked him to tell me his favorite memory of his visits to the Black Hills. His blue eyes sparkled as he recalled it.

It was their first morning in the Black Hills that they were caught up in the river of buffalo on their way back from coffee. It was so thrilling to them that they spent every day the same way, with a morning drive along the Wilderness Loop (an 18-mile road in Custer State Park) to catch glimpses of all the wildlife the region has to offer. In addition to buffalo, you can expect to see antelope, deer, prairie dogs, and wild burros.

This June, Mike invites all Club members to join him and co-leader Russ Hansen to experience the trip that both he and Patty can't wait to make again. Mike said, 'When I proposed this trip to Patty, the first words out of her mouth were 'I'm coming!''

If you decide to join Russ, Mike, and Patty, don't be surprised if you, too, find that this is a trip you'll be excited to make over and over again.

Enjoy Unparalleled Natural Surroundings in the Black Hills

Mike describes the Black Hills as 'an oasis of green, about 70 miles long by 40 miles wide filled with mountains, granite peaks, rolling plains, green grass, prairie lands, and running streams. You don't necessarily see running streams, cottonwood trees, and tall green grass in Southern California.'

Wildlife-Scheduled Drives on the Wildlife Loop and a Buffalo Jeep Tour

Photo courtesy Mike Sappingfield Ready for his close-up: on the Wilderness Loop, animals are used to having their pictures taken.

And of course, there's the wildlife. When I asked Mike if he was at all scared being so close to that buffalo herd, he said, 'If you stay in the car, they don't bother you. It's not a good idea to get out of the car because they are wild animals that weigh almost a ton. And they've got horns. If they charged you, it would not be pleasant.'

Mike was quick to point out that the animals in Custer State Park are used to people driving around. 'Animals that you're used to seeing run at the first sight of a human will actually stay and allow themselves to be photographed and examined at very close range as long as you stay in the car.' You will drive the Wildlife Loop in the early morning three different days, and during late afternoon on one day. As Mike says, 'Every day, it changes. It's 100,000 acres of open space and you never know what you're going to see.'

In addition to the Wildlife Loop drives, this trip features a jeep tour of the buffalo herds followed by a chuck wagon barbeque. This jeep tour is an off-roads excursion in the same area as the Wilderness Loop led by jeep operators who communicate with each other via walkie talkie so they can take you to see as many buffalo as you possibly can.

Photo courtesy Mike Sappingfield Prairie dogs pose on the Wilderness Loop.

Other Attractions and Entertainments

You'll visit Mt. Rushmore as well as the Crazy Horse Memorial, a large-scale carving on the side of a mountain the Lakota tribe is creating. You will also have the opportunity to explore a cave in one of the national parks.

Photo courtesy Mike Sappingfield Historic Mt. Rushmore

There will also be a day trip to the historical mining town of Deadwood, where you can participate in a variety of activities. You can actually mine for gold, visit all the historical sites, including the cemetery where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried and the saloon where Hickok was killed. Lastly, for those so inclined, there's gambling available at casinos in town.

Film buffs may get a sense of déjà vu since the Black Hills have been home to numerous productions. Among the movies made in the Black Hills are Hidalgo, Head of State, Armageddon, Wyatt Earp, and Dances With Wolves.

The trip will also offer happy hours at least three nights.

Travel Details and Accommodations:

The trip is one week long, from June 15 to June 21.

The first and last days, a Sunday and Saturday respectively, are travel days, where you'll fly to and from Rapid City. You will have five full days of activities plus parts of Sunday and Saturday.

The price is $995 with SC#/ $1050 non-member. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from Rapid City and all meals.

You will be staying in cabins at one of the lodges in Custer State Park. Cabins are double occupancy. Mike Sappingfield and Russ Hansen are leaders.