Posted by Bill Bean on August 30, 2010 at 10:55 PM
Hi Folks. Lurker here from the RMNP forum. Headed for my In-Laws' place up in the hills from Deadwood for the long weekend and trying to decide if I should make the 2 hour run to the Badlands or the 20 minute drive to Spearfish Canyon. How are the falls running this time of year in the Canyon? Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by drew resnik on August 31, 2010 at 1:19 PM
cant help you much, but i will be making my first trip there in october...i just asked about it in the midwestern states forum...got some good info...look for a thread called "hi guys"
Posted by Bill Bean on September 1, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Thanks Drew, I checked out your other thread. I've been shooting up there for over 35 years and was just looking for a quick report on what time I need to set the alarm for on Saturday morning. We'll be pulling in late Friday night and I won't have time to scout the waterfalls in Spearfish Canyon first. If the flows are down significantly like they sometimes are this time of year I'd head for the Badlands for sunrise. I was kind of hoping someone on the CS board could give me a heads up but I guess not. Good luck in October.
Posted by Lon Sharp on September 1, 2010 at 10:57 PM
I haven't been to Spearfish Creek this year, but the Black Hills has experienced an unusually wet season and most streams are flowing higher than normal. That said, the Badlands are always wonderful!
Posted by Bill Bean on September 2, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Thanks Lon. I've sort of dialed my mindset to hit the Badlands. Hate the idea of getting up at 4am to get there for sunrise but hey...you gotta bring some to get some.
Speaking of the Badlands, I've mostly shot around Sheep Mtn Table in the past. Any thoughts on sunrise locations in the main area of the park?
Posted by drew resnik on September 2, 2010 at 2:29 PM
and i'll jump in too...could i expect any flow at all in spearfish in october?
Posted by Bill Bean on September 7, 2010 at 1:12 PM
Just back from the Hills and here are the conditions:
Spearfish Canyon--Roughlock Falls is flowing at pretty close to full flow and since I think it's spring fed it will probably continue. Bridal Veil falls flow is low to normal and unless there's a lot of moisture will be pretty minimal by October. Some of the ground cover is starting to color up for fall but not much sign of any turning of the aspens yet. That could change virtually overnight with the chilly temps we experienced while we were there. Some of the aspens along Elk Creek and the Nemo road had a lot of leaves knocked off in a recent hail storm but by and large, the North Hills should be pretty good through the first week of October. I would try to get there earlier if I were you.
There is a hint of aspen color on Highway 85 heading towards the Wyoming state line at higher elevations.
Bottom line: If you're looking for water flow in Spearfish Canyon Roughlock Falls is your best bet. For Spearfish Creek itself, flows below the Homestake power plant are minimal right now. It appears they're not letting a lot of water through the power plant.
Discussion
6 repliesSpeaking of the Badlands, I've mostly shot around Sheep Mtn Table in the past. Any thoughts on sunrise locations in the main area of the park?
Spearfish Canyon--Roughlock Falls is flowing at pretty close to full flow and since I think it's spring fed it will probably continue. Bridal Veil falls flow is low to normal and unless there's a lot of moisture will be pretty minimal by October. Some of the ground cover is starting to color up for fall but not much sign of any turning of the aspens yet. That could change virtually overnight with the chilly temps we experienced while we were there. Some of the aspens along Elk Creek and the Nemo road had a lot of leaves knocked off in a recent hail storm but by and large, the North Hills should be pretty good through the first week of October. I would try to get there earlier if I were you.
There is a hint of aspen color on Highway 85 heading towards the Wyoming state line at higher elevations.
Bottom line: If you're looking for water flow in Spearfish Canyon Roughlock Falls is your best bet. For Spearfish Creek itself, flows below the Homestake power plant are minimal right now. It appears they're not letting a lot of water through the power plant.