Hike Sunday Gulch Loop
Keystone, South Dakota
Details
Distance
2.8 miles
Elevation Gain
400 ft
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Isaac Parsons
Sunday Gulch was named that because it is said that miners wives used to take walks in the gulch on Sunday afternoons! It is a gorgeous area and great for seeing countless little waterfalls!
To get to Sunday Gulch Trail you will need to walk around Sylvan Lake to the Northwest End of the Lake, there is a loop all the way around the lake, so either way will take you there. You will see a sign for Sunday Gulch Trail, it is trail #6.
The trail itself can be quite steep in places but it does have hand railing for much of the steep downhill on boulders. There is a creek that flows along and even in the trail for about half of the hike. So in the summer be prepared to possibly get a little wet. There are countless waterfalls along the trail, most are small, but still beautiful!
The other half of the trail is away from the creek and but offers more open views as it traverses the hillside. The hike is a strenuous hike and a at least 2 hours should be planned to hike it at least.
If you hike the trail in winter, do be cautious since the creek flows over the trial in places it can freeze and cause ice to build up so there is no good firm footing, good thing the hand rails are there!!
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Hike Sunday Gulch Loop Reviews
Most of the 3-mile Sunday Gulch Loop is pretty easy, but the trail is usually rated as difficult because of one section where you scramble up (or down) boulders, hop across streams and small waterfalls, and pull yourself along on metal handrails. The strenuous section makes up about a quarter-mile of the whole trail. This is also a busy section because people will hike this part and then turn around. The rest of the loop is very quiet.
5.0
I love this area and this trail was one of my favorites, steep in spots but a cool hike and great views the entire way.
5.0
Leave No Trace
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Nearby
Black Elk Peak and Little Devil's Tower Loop
Sylvan Lake Shore Trail
Hiking to Harney Peak
Kayak Sylvan Lake
Camp at Sylvan Lake Campground
Hike to Little Devil's Tower in the Black Hills
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