Outline of the Devils Tower day on the Black Hills Adventure Rally.
This is the start of recording the course layout process. All of the roads for the Wyoming leg were driven on the recycle and now it's time to organize them in the funnest way.
Forest roads are all unpaved. The Rodas we have selected are all been tested with a MINI for suitability.
We are purposely trying to schedule this day so you can see wildlife (mountain goats) in Spearfish canyon.
Maitland road to Spearfish - Calibration
Higgens Stage
Beulah to Huett - forest roads through Bear Lodge Mountains. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_Lodge_Mountains
Lunch at Country Club - Talked to people at club. Needs more investigation but they can handle his. Gorgeous place.
Devils Tower - We don't go in park, just near entrance.
Warren Peak - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Peak_(Wyoming)
Sundance break
Mosque Rd then Grand Canyon Rd to Ranch A
Ranch A https://rancha.com/
Spearfish Canyon - Mountain goats?
Lewies - Classic burgers
Deadwood
Situated entirely within Crook County, Wyoming, the Bear Lodge Mountains are managed as a distinct district of the Black Hills National Forest. The range is bounded to the north by the sweeping bends of the Belle Fourche River, with the charming town of Sundance, Wyoming, sitting just to the south.
- Highest Peak: Warren Peak (Bear Lodge Mountain) stands as the highest point in the range, reaching an elevation of 6,640 feet (2,024 meters). At the summit, you will find the historic Warren Peak Lookout Tower, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding tri-state area.
- Easy Access: Wyoming Highway 24, also known as the Bear Lodge Highway, cuts right through the heart of the range, making it highly accessible for travelers and road-trippers.
The Bear Lodge Mountains were formed millions of years ago by tectonic forces and igneous intrusions—pockets of molten rock that pushed upward but cooled beneath the surface, later exposed by erosion. This unique geology created some of the most recognizable landmarks in Western lore.
- Devils Tower National Monument: Located on the western edge of the range, this jaw-dropping laccolith was established as America’s very first National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.
- Sacred Peaks: Long before modern mapmakers arrived, Indigenous Plains tribes—including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho—held these mountains in deep reverence. Landmarks like Sundance Mountain and Inyan Kara Mountain remain deeply sacred sites for ceremony, prayer, and historical heritage.
- Hidden Wealth: Beyond its beauty, the southern dome of the range is geologically famous for hosting some of the largest rare-earth element and thorium deposits in North America.
Because it sees fewer crowds than the core areas of the Black Hills, the Bear Lodge District is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful escape.
- Hiking and Mountain Biking: An extensive network of multi-use trails winds through the ponderosa pines, offering route options for casual walkers and rugged backcountry hikers alike.
- Winter Sports: When the snow falls, the mountains transform into a premier destination for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
- Wildlife Viewing: The diverse habitat supports thriving populations of white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, wild turkeys, and a variety of birds of prey.
If you are traveling along Interstate 90 through Wyoming, the Bear Lodge Mountains make the perfect detour. Start your journey in Sundance to pick up maps and local advice, then head north on Highway 24 to immerse yourself in a landscape rich with history, geology, and quiet mountain magic.
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