American Gam

“A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

At the northern terminus of the Needles Highway is Sylvan Lake. This mile-high lake is also included within the boundary of Custer State Park. Nestled in a shallow valley, surrounded by granite spires and outcroppings, pines and spruce, various flowers, reeds, and cat-o-nine tails, this divergent landscape draws thousands of visitors to its pristine shores and tree-lined sylvan trails.

We parked along the road just to get a few pictures from the shoreline but the beauty of the place kept drawing us in further and further until, an hour later, we had circumnavigated the entire one-mile lake.

At the front of the lake is a visitor center, store, snack bar, bathrooms, kayak rentals, and a beach that was bustling on this warm afternoon. And with the Sturgis Bike Rally happening in the nearby foothills there were motorcycles…everywhere!

As with any hike you take, the deeper you travel, the further you get from societal noise and the maddening crowd until you’re enjoying the peace and serenity with only a few other intrepid souls. We found that solitude at the back of the lake…

We enjoyed our hike…

We also found the man-made dam that was built in 1891 by Theodore Reder when he blocked the Sunday Gulch Creek that aided in the creation of this mountain lake…

And a cool chasm to cross…

Just amazing rock formations…

This is my favorite picture of the day, though I’m not sure why…? Something about the emptiness…? Like the edge of the earth is on the other side of those boulders; boulders that look like the inside bottom row of teeth in a giant’s mouth…? What do you think?

I hope you find some peace and serenity at a lake near you.

The gam continues…