Flume Trail #50
Hill City to Rockerville, SD
Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/blackhills/recarea/?recid=62797
Know Before You Go: This trail traverses over scree (loose, flat rock). Sometimes the drop on the edge of the trail is quite intimidating. Watch your step.
Length: 16.5 miles one way from Sheridan Lake to Rockerville (mostly downhill) or Rockerville to Sheridan Lake (mostly uphill).
Time: 9-12 hours one way.
Difficulty level: Moderate, depending on the spurs you take and where you start..
Terrain: Grass, dirt and small rock. There is a little bit of scree (loose, flat rock) to climb over.
Dog-friendly: Yes, but only bite off what your dog can chew.
Kid-friendly: Yes, but make sure you only plan to hike as far as your smallest legs can go.
Hill City to Rockerville, SD
Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/blackhills/recarea/?recid=62797
Know Before You Go: This trail traverses over scree (loose, flat rock). Sometimes the drop on the edge of the trail is quite intimidating. Watch your step.
Length: 16.5 miles one way from Sheridan Lake to Rockerville (mostly downhill) or Rockerville to Sheridan Lake (mostly uphill).
Time: 9-12 hours one way.
Difficulty level: Moderate, depending on the spurs you take and where you start..
Terrain: Grass, dirt and small rock. There is a little bit of scree (loose, flat rock) to climb over.
Dog-friendly: Yes, but only bite off what your dog can chew.
Kid-friendly: Yes, but make sure you only plan to hike as far as your smallest legs can go.
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The Flume Trail has been designated as a National Recreation Trail because of the history you’ll find along the way. Placards along the trail tell the story of what brought many settlers to the Black Hills: gold. The Flume dates back to the mining boom of the 1880s. The Rockerville Flume diverted water from Spring Creek to miners who used it to separate gold from rock. The Flume spans almost 20 miles from Rockerville to Sheridan Lake. As you walk through historic tunnels past remnants of the Flume, it’s easy to imagine the excitement of the gold rush and hard not to appreciate the determination of the miners. The trail’s grade is moderate – it was, after all, a giant water slide – but the scenery is spectacular and holds extensive variety. Overlooks give awesome views of Spring Creek. Pines and hardwoods frame the trail in some places. The northern half offers a fantastic hike along Sheridan Lake. Multiple water crossings offer a fabulous view from the middle of the stream. (Note: our puppy was pretty nervous going over the logs that span the stream.) The creek itself is quite an attraction for fishermen, as is Sheridan Lake. Closer to Rockerville, we found a worthwhile but challenging spur ascending to Boulder Peak. It adds to the distance, but affords a beautiful panoramic view of this area of the Hills. If you like to scramble, you won’t want to miss it. This trail can be done as a point to point or an out and back. For a day hike, we advise dividing it into two or three chunks if you choose the out and back route. Starting at Sheridan Lake gives you a mostly downhill walk, while starting at Rockerville takes you up a mild grade. If you end at Sheridan Lake, bring your favorite water craft for some gorgeous paddling or rent one from the marina. You can also swim in the cold mountain water, and even do a little cliff jumping if you dare. 
SPRING CREEK CROSSING
VIEW FROM BOULDER PEAK
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SPRING CREEK
SCREE FIELD AND FLUME REMAINS
VIEW FROM BOULDER PEAK
SHERIDAN LAKE
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