A Spring Exploration of Devil's Bathtub

With the end of a long weekend upon us, we felt the urge to get outside one more time. We cruised over to Spearfish Canyon and hiked into Devils Bathtub. It's a favorite hike of ours and that we've only done in the summer (directions on how to get there can be found here).

All winter long I've been worried about the condition of the trail and especially the stream crossing but apparently that was all for naught. The snow was packed and the crossings were solid (mostly). It seems that winter had spring just begun their yearly battle for the area.

Wu led the way most of the journey. For about 5 steps, Josh was actually ahead of him. I think that's a record. He would run into the stream, then out to roll in the snow and race on. I can't count how many times he actually did that. He was happy to be out on an adventure, especially one that let him swim.

Josh carried Eli on his back. They were both pleased to be out on the trail. Eli gets really calm in his carry pack. A few times he started smacking his lips and he was very interested in touching the rocks and tree bark. He would reach his arm out and we'd stop, pull of his mitten and let him explore. It's the most amazing feeling watching him learn while enjoying nature. We hope that these moments build the foundation for a lifelong love of nature. They certainly bring us together as a family.

When we reached Devils Bathtub we didn't dare to traverse further. The trail was steeper, slicker, and narrower. A bad combination. We took a few moments to take it all in and decided it was the perfect day for our little escape. The sky was blue and the sun warm. We were out enjoying the Black Hills as a family. It doesn't get better than that.

On the way back, the trail was a little more treacherous. The creek crossings were melting and breaking up in a few places. Where the trail was ice was quickly becoming slushy ice. By the time we reached the car, Eli was asleep, Wu was soaked, and we were a couple of happy parents.

Devil's Bathtub, Spearfish Canyon

It's been awhile since we've had a chance to really get out and explore. We've been here and there but no where that really stuck out. We had plans to get back out to Jenney Gulch but when the time came to head out it was voted down for a more private area. We headed to Devil's Bathtub.

Now, when we first moved here the locals were always encouraging us to get out and see it. We drove south Cheyenne Crossing and came into Spearfish Canyon that way. About 18 miles or so in there's a road named Cleopatra. Who can forget that? We parked here and started down the trail.

It was pretty easy going for awhile. The trail winds back and forth across the stream several times. It was awesome to get my feet wet. At times it was easier just to walk up the creek instead of fighting through the trail. There was a lot of silliness. I must have lost my flip flops half a dozen times. The trail meandered through a series of small pools. Some I would have been content on sitting at all day but the allure of Devil's Bathtub was ahead.

It took up the better park of an hour to get up to the spot. Some places were a little tricky and required some concentration. We had brought Wu with us and were a little worried but he was all about it. He treated it like an agility course and was a total show-off.

We spent most of our day at the pool just beyond the actual Devil's Bathtub. To get up to it was a little tricky and Wu (this is me blaming it all on the dog) was a little freaked out about it. Josh and Nate cruised up past a water luge and explored beyond it. Some people were gold panning up past where the boys had been and told us that the creek lead to the old Cleopatra Mine. I spent most of the time in a little waterfall getting my back massaged.

I found myself a walking stick to navigate the rocks with. It was a little to tall for me but perfect for Josh. He quickly snatched it up and I was lucky enough to find another stick for myself. We spent a little time playing in the rapids. It was such a great spot, very private and pristine. Even though Nate was there it was still romantic.

After finding ourselves water logged and exhausted we hiked back towards the car. Wu was excited to be on the move again and whoever was in the water had a companion. It didn't take us long at all. The walking sticks had proved incredibly useful. It had been another amazing day in the hills.

We are so lucky. A beautiful hike and warm water to swim in. We can't wait to go back!