Sylvan Lake

The Black Hills area has two highways that are impassable to RVs and large vehicles. They are Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, both part of Custer State Park.

I had decided before this trip began that we would not risk driving either of them. Greg decided he had different ideas.

So Wednesday we headed for Needles Highway. Needles Highway has numerous sharp switchbacks and three narrow tunnels, the narrowest of which is 8 ft wide. Our truck is a little over 7 ft wide.

Possibly thanks to the lorazepam and Propranolol I took before we headed out, I had a blast. It was a great day.

And the pictures!

Waiting to go through our first tunnel on Needles Highway, Iron Creek Tunnel

The first thing we did was stop at the Cathedral Spires Trail. This trail is a little over two miles round trip, but before you get to the cathedral spires, you have to climb over quite a few boulders.

Greg got as far as the boulders and decided not to risk going any further. I ventured on, mostly because the trail was strenuous, and I was damned if I was going to give up before we got to the good stuff!

Next up was the Needles Eye Tunnel. Greg had nerves of steel, and we emerged unscathed. Phew!

The rock formation that gave Needles Highway its name

There’s nothing more exciting than making a sharp curve between two narrow rock formations, hoping no other trucks are heading toward you.

Needles Highway took us to Sylvan Lake, the most popular lake in Custer State Park.

This is not surprising. Sylvan Lake is really beautiful.

Greg and I started down the Sylvan Lake Trail, but again, Greg decided not to climb over the rocks. He waited for me at a shaded picnic table while I continued on.

Once I got as far as I could go on the trail (it was closed halfway around), I headed back to Greg. Then we enjoyed some drinks at the Sylvan Lake Lodge before walking the trail along the other side of the lake.