Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain has no hiking trails or roads all the way to the summit. But it is a relatively easy off-trail hike, thanks to an old road that goes part-way to the summit, plus terrain in the summit area that is not heavily-forested. While we do not like to promote off-trail hiking, this one is gentle enough that anyone who wants to try out off-trail hiking should find this a good way to determine if they would ever care to try it again. Avoiding tripping hazards will be one of your areas of focus.
The summit has a rocky face that offers views from southeast to southwest. Black Elk Peak, Sylvan Peak, Medicine Mountain and Odakota Mountain can be clearly seen here. Heavy forestation on the north side obscures the view of the Gillette Prairie below and Green Mountain to the northwest.
Forest service maps will show several ways to reach this area, but perhaps the most common approach is by way of Hill City. From Hill City, take the Deerfield Road northwest 8.7 miles west from Highway 385 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 and go 1.2 miles to Six Mile Road, then turn west and travel about 2 miles, where you will come to the intersection with Road 299 (Bobcat Road). Bobcat Road is on the south side of Six Mile Road, and there is an old road on the north side, across from Bobcat Road, that looks like it has been abandoned. Park wherever it is safe to do so, then begin your hike on that old road. It heads in a northeasterly direction (a very good place to have a compass!). About .3-mile down that old road, it will start turning to the north. This is the area where you will want to leave the old road and continue hiking in the northeasterly direction until you reach the summit. Line of sight should help you in this venture. It is not too difficult to figure out where the highpoint of Copper Mountain is. If this is your first off-trail hike, be sure to carefully scan your surroundings and landmarks – like Medicine Mountain to the south. You will note Six Mile Road on the south side of Copper Mountain too. That road will be one of your reference points on your return trip to your vehicle. A map is posted among the photos below.
The summit has a rocky face that offers views from southeast to southwest. Black Elk Peak, Sylvan Peak, Medicine Mountain and Odakota Mountain can be clearly seen here. Heavy forestation on the north side obscures the view of the Gillette Prairie below and Green Mountain to the northwest.
Forest service maps will show several ways to reach this area, but perhaps the most common approach is by way of Hill City. From Hill City, take the Deerfield Road northwest 8.7 miles west from Highway 385 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 and go 1.2 miles to Six Mile Road, then turn west and travel about 2 miles, where you will come to the intersection with Road 299 (Bobcat Road). Bobcat Road is on the south side of Six Mile Road, and there is an old road on the north side, across from Bobcat Road, that looks like it has been abandoned. Park wherever it is safe to do so, then begin your hike on that old road. It heads in a northeasterly direction (a very good place to have a compass!). About .3-mile down that old road, it will start turning to the north. This is the area where you will want to leave the old road and continue hiking in the northeasterly direction until you reach the summit. Line of sight should help you in this venture. It is not too difficult to figure out where the highpoint of Copper Mountain is. If this is your first off-trail hike, be sure to carefully scan your surroundings and landmarks – like Medicine Mountain to the south. You will note Six Mile Road on the south side of Copper Mountain too. That road will be one of your reference points on your return trip to your vehicle. A map is posted among the photos below.
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways! Psalm 128:1