![]() ![]() You can keep going on the Centennial Trail towards Dakota Point or take a short trail to the Flume Trail or just turn around and head back. Once at the dam there are many options of where to go next. Starting almost at Sheridan Lake Road, this section of the Centennial Trail meanders slightly uphill following Spring Creek until the dam at Sheridan Lake just over a mile away. Although very short, this is a favorite place of mine to go for a hike or trail run, especially on a hot summer day. It is a section of the 111 mile long Centennial Trail and also leads to the Flume Trail. Upper Spring Creek is a trail head off of Sheridan Lake Road below the dam at Sheridan Lake. I assume the fence is to prevent vandalism, but it looses it's aesthetic appeal and turns into an eyesore… One thing I found odd is that the big stone monoliths with the history of the Stratobowl are encased in a chain link fence. At the overlook there are also a few choices for other short trails. Other than the views, there is a plaque and a memorial giving the history of the area and great information about what flew out of the Stratobowl back in the 1930's and 1950's. While hiking through the forest the views are of trees but you will be rewarded at the end of the mile long hike when you are on top of the east rim of the bowl. Here you will find a tiny parking area and a gate across the road. Take an immediate right after the gas station to turn into the trailhead parking lot. After Bear Country there is a gas station. The trailhead is located about two miles west of Bear Country on Highway 16 south of Rapid City. The majority of the trail is used as a maintenance road so it is wide and fairly well maintained. Beginning at the highway, this trail winds through dense pine forest and eventually ends at an overlook with plaques and monoliths. The Stratobowl Rim Trail is a very easy trail just east of Rockerville on Highway 16. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |