The Black Hills: Where the Buffalo Roam

Buffalo Custer State Park Photo By: Mike Sappingfield

On day one of their first trip to the Black Hills, Mike and Patty Sappingfield set out for coffee. From this mundane errand, they got a lot more than they bargained for: We were driving along the Wildlife Loop, Mike recalls, his blue eyes sparkling, 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.

They found the buffalo so captivating 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.

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 be not 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, you'll take 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.

Historic Mt. Rushmore Photo By: Mike Sappingfield

And while you're capturing wildlife on camera, you'll probably want to bring back a digital snap or two of the Black Hills landscape. 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.

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.

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 deja 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.

Join Mike and Assistant Leader Mary Morales June 26-July 3, 2010. Email mikesapp@cox.net for details.