Climbing Bear Butte -Sturgis South Dakota

This ancient mountain was formed by magma rising to the earth's crust and cooling forming the Bear shaped dome. It was covered with pine trees until 1996 when a fire broke out and burned over 800 acres of the park. The local Natives believe this a sacred place, they place prayer cloths on the trees and build small piles of rocks on the summit of the mountain. It is a 1000 feet elevation gain from the trailhead. I thought the most difficult part was about 1/3 of the way up, where we decided to take the stairs instead of the longer switchbacks. There are a few places to hide in the shade as you go up they get fewer and fewer. It was 93 degrees when we started, with little to no cloud cover so, it was a scorcher. I started with a liter of water and drank the entire thing. I did it in flip flops which I don't recommend but if you watch your steps you should be fine. It took us about 3 hours round trip, we stopped and took short breaks along the way up, but not on the way down. There is an Observation deck at the top of the mountain with an amazing 360 degree view of the surrounding lands. If you're in the Sturgis or Deadwood area and looking for a little adventure, exercise and some amazing views check out Bear Butte.

[@hangman1128]

I have to believe you that it’s no joke getting up there, especially hiking to the top in flip flops. 😂😂😂

[@MANNYREFRESH]

@kaboose gaming, you are absolutely correct! That is a very sacred place for my tribe and what culture we have left comes from Bear Butte. Although I appreciate that anyone can enjoy scenery of beautiful America, there are some places that should be left alone and the offering site this guy walked through is definitely one of them. Thank you for sharing your comment and maintaining respect to my tribe’s holy site.

[@mikeday6908]

What a view!

[@kaboosegaming7535]

Your not supposed to leave that path at the top, walking where you did was trespassing on native HOLY land at the top. That's why there wasn't a developed path. Please actually read the signs next time. Only the natives are allowed to go off path and have sweat huts for their meditation scattered throughout. If you read the signs you would also know what the ribbons were for and that bear Butte is sacred land. I don't mean to be THAT GUY, but in all my years in going since I was 6 it was engrained into my mind that you don't go off path. Sorry but also not really

[@scottscriber4234]

agree 100%

[@raelandis1304]

I can't believe he wonder off the platform. I have been out there a few times and my dad use to say trust gut instinct. I felt leaving that platform would be wrong and I was right. Leave it alone.

[@raelandis1304]

At 44 seconds, it says to not photograph any sacred items but yet he shows towards the end of the video the tobacco and pray ties.

[@jonifletcher1]

And the music played sucked. Disrespectful

[@danyalmemish6309]

Powwow highway brought me here

[@user-yg6dk9eh8g]

Yum,yum,yum,yum,yum,yum,yum,yum,yum,yum,yum

[@mohammedmariy4168]

😍😍😍😍😘😘😘

[@88N-TransportSoldier]

your choice of music for your video is really annoying .