It was a tough climb up the Crow Mountain trail this mmorningas I have wanted to hike this trail since we arrived last month.
Crow Peak is one of the three mountains that form a "crown" around Spearfish and that is why it's also called the Queen City.
The trail is single-track the entire way and frequent rocks and roots mean you have to pay attention to the footing, especially since the vegetation is very thick along the sides of the trail lower on the mountainside and quite rocky as you get higher up (not too mention plenty of poison ivy along the way).
As the trail climbed around the side of the mountain the landscape opened up more as the trees thinned out a bit and the route became more rocky (and frankly more scenic although watching my footing didn't help).
The last mile was a grueling series of switchbacks that had me straining as I pushed up along the now rocky trail towards the crest - 1600 feet of climb from the trailhead some 5 km back.
It was a much quicker, easier but definitely just as tricky descent back down the trail to the trailhead where I enjoyed a cool drink and a bit of rest before heading home.
Add on the 5 km hilly run this morning and it was a really great workout day but I imagine my legs will be tired tomorrow.
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