Green Mountain
While many summits in the high western Black Hills are difficult off-trail hikes with limited views, Green Mountain is anything but that. At 7,164 feet in altitude, Green Mountain is # 4 in the Black Hills for elevation. Even though the peak is rather remote, it is a very pleasant and relatively easy hike. The summit is accessed by hiking an old road that serves in the winter as a snowmobile trail. The summit area is labeled “Clinton Overlook” on snowmobile maps, and gives great views of the western and central Black Hills. Other summits easy to identify include Odakota Mountain, Medicine Mountain, Hat Mountain, Black Elk Peak, Custer Peak, Terry Peak and Bear Mountain. The summit area of Green Mountain is gently sloped and lightly forested with aspens, pines and a few spruce trees. There is a summit cairn there, but I do not know if it accurately marks the exact true highpoint. Hunting seasons also bring some risks, so if you must hike then, please make yourself visible by wearing plenty of bright orange.
The best route to Green Mountain is by way of Hill City. Perhaps the quickest way that traverses the shortest distances on gravel roads, would be to travel 8.7 miles west from Highway 385 on the Deerfield Road (paved) to East Slate Creek Road (Road 300, and unpaved). On Slate Creek Road, travel southwest 4.2 miles to the junction with Medicine Mountain Road. On Medicine Mountain Road, travel south 1.2 miles to Six Mile Road, then turn west and travel 3.6 miles to Forest Service Road 301.1R (which is also Snowmobile Road 2 South). Hike or drive north 1.3 miles to the junction with Snowmobile Road 2B East. The snowmobile roads all have orange markers (often, but not always diamonds). There will be a gate .3 mile north of Six Mile Road. That gate must be shut after you pass through. If you drive to the junction with Snowmobile Road 2B East, you will have to find an off-road place to park that allows other traffic to pass by safely. It is .9 mile to the summit overlook on the snowmobile road. The map among the photos below will show you the route.
The best route to Green Mountain is by way of Hill City. Perhaps the quickest way that traverses the shortest distances on gravel roads, would be to travel 8.7 miles west from Highway 385 on the Deerfield Road (paved) to East Slate Creek Road (Road 300, and unpaved). On Slate Creek Road, travel southwest 4.2 miles to the junction with Medicine Mountain Road. On Medicine Mountain Road, travel south 1.2 miles to Six Mile Road, then turn west and travel 3.6 miles to Forest Service Road 301.1R (which is also Snowmobile Road 2 South). Hike or drive north 1.3 miles to the junction with Snowmobile Road 2B East. The snowmobile roads all have orange markers (often, but not always diamonds). There will be a gate .3 mile north of Six Mile Road. That gate must be shut after you pass through. If you drive to the junction with Snowmobile Road 2B East, you will have to find an off-road place to park that allows other traffic to pass by safely. It is .9 mile to the summit overlook on the snowmobile road. The map among the photos below will show you the route.
I will give thanks to
you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great above the
heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted,
O God, above the heavens! Let your glory
be over all the earth! Psalm 108:3-5