Hello friends and Hivians. You ever lived somewhere and never knew about a particular place? Well I'm on vacation now and I searched for things to do where I grew up at. I came across Devil's Gulch a place in Garrestson, South Dakota which is just over 50 miles where I lived the first 20 years of my life. It amazes me for me one, that I havent been here before and two I didnt know it existed! I have visited another place in this small town a few times in the past which was within a few miles from it. Anyways let me share my journey of this place.
The place was formed by erosion from Split Rock creek eating through Quartzite rock. This particular rock is hard and of a pinkish color and is very plentiful at many other sites in this part of the state. I tell you I like the Native American legend more on how the place was formed better. According to thier old legend, two warriors were having a tomahawk throwing contest. When they both tossed thier tomahawks,the earth started to tremble splitting the rock and the canyon appeared. From then they referred to it as Spirit Canyon.
Well first off I thought this would be a walk in the park. It's really an intermediate hiking experience with dirt paths, small hills and some bigger steps needed to get up and down rocks. I wore sandals and I wouldn't recommend doing that. I came out with no injuries but did feel I got a good work out.
The entrance point is walking bridge across the gulch. Its also the apparent place where legend has it that outlaw Jesse James jumped across it on horseback while having a posse of lawman hot on his trail in the fall of 1876 after robbing a Minnesota bank. The distance is about 20 feet across. Some think it happened while others think it would have been impossible. I have my thoughts what do you believe? Being on top of gulch it seems unlikely but being on the creek floor it looks not as far. I will say being at the bottom I couldn't help but imagining gun shots echoing through out.
The mystery is how deep was the creek. Many years ago the creek depths was measured by plumb line being over 600 feet deep. Well a lot of erosion and silt has shallowed out the creek now. Some say they ran out of plumb line and the depth at the time was left unknown. A mystery for sure but no date is given when this was done. I guess this only adds to mystery.
This place surprised me as there was so much to explore. I like to think I seen a majority of it but there was a point I turned around and back tracked but came out a long distance from where I entered. Numerous forks some leading to view points some to a dead ends some to different trails. Again if your ever in this area and want to visit wear shoes not sandals!
The place does showcase quite a bit of beautiful nature. Prior to the small water fall stones line the creek bed for a far as the eyes can see. Well further than I cared to skip and walk on. This area was called Devil's Ford. The sounds of birds, small game animals present, wind passing through the gulch and sounds I just could not figure out.
Beyond the outskirts of Devil's Gulch is a much wider healthier looking creak in Split Rock Creek Park. Some more beauitful nature along with a man-made waterfall. Overlooking the water fall is a mansion of a house!
This was a great adventure and the costs was free to wallet. This was my first travel adventure on a week long vacation I'm on. Well no plans tomorrow but I will figure out something to see. I really look foward to Saturday as I fly to Boston, Massachusetts. May here from me next about that trip if not maybe one from my Friday.
Take care, stay safe and enjoy the upcoming weekend.