Parks and Recreation

Parks & Recreation

(605) 394-5225
Fax: (605) 394-5226

Rapid City Department of Parks and Recreation
515 West Bouelvard
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 394-4175 FAX (605) 394-5307

Flume Trail Map

Rapid City Hiking Club
A club is a great way to get introduced to hiking. As a club member you will benefit from the experience of the group as well as learn the best local areas to hike. A club is also a terrific way to meet new hiking buddies (important when your significant other is more of a stay-at-home type or when you have just relocated).

If you love to hike, and would like to hike with others, lace up your boots and join us! We want to be a "friendly" hiking club with the goal of bringing hikers together to share the outdoor experience. We will offer a variety of hikes that will encourage everyone to enjoy the area. Most hikes will have less than 10 participants.

Contact Parks and Recreation to participate or schedule a hike.
email: kristy.lintz@rcgov.org
(605) 394-4175

About Us
This is a club for adults who would like to hike. Our goal is to enjoy the scenery, as well as the company, while hiking the area; we are not a social dating club. We would like to average 1 hike per month, usually on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Members choose which hikes they would like to participate in, from short local hikes to intense "heart thumping" hill climbs. We traverse a variety of trails in the region, utilizing State Parks and other recreational trails within the Black Hills or other areas within a half days drive. Most trails will include varying degrees of hills, bluffs and valleys. Wildlife is abundant. It is common to see deer, rattlesnakes, wild turkey, and other critters. We hike year round. We try to keep a moderate pace, but allow for breaks and opportunities to take in the beautiful views. The key factor is enjoyment!

We will publish a quarterly hiking Calendar that will be posted on the Parks and Recreation web site. It will be updated frequently to accommodate changes in weather and trail conditions. Each Calendar entry will list the name and location of the hike, date, a short description, beginning and ending elevation, and distance. It will also include the round trip auto mileage to and from the trailhead and the meeting place for the hike.

Signing up for hikes

To sign up for a hike, contact the leader and tell him/her you are coming. Sign up as early as you can. Call early in the week to reserve a space if the hiking group size is limited. Be sure to cancel prior to the day of the hike if you unexpectedly cannot make it. Be on time, as we leave promptly!

Where to meet for hikes

We meet at several sites across town depending on the destination. We will try and use a mapquest market to pin point the car pool location. Please be prompt. We usually leave at the posted meeting time.

What to expect on a hike

Meet at the designated parking lot listed on the schedule. Bring your boots, backpack, food, water and other necessary gear. For a guide on what to bring, see Member Responsibilities, Leader Rights and Responsibilities and Day Hiking Equipment. At the Park & Ride, let the leader know you’re there. He/she will ask for volunteer drivers, provide last-minute instructions and divide people into carpools. If you are not driving, be prepared to pay your driver $0.07 per mile to cover gas expenses. We will sometimes stop for a meal and/or drinks after a hike. The leader will ask if you plan to eat, drink and socialize a little or if you want to return directly to the Park-n-Ride. Those who want to return right away will be asked to carpool separately. Be sure to let the leader know your plans. At the trailhead, hikers will assemble prior to the hike and any necessary introductions will be made. The designated leader may also ask for a volunteer rear leader whose responsibility is to keep track of the “tail end” of the group. Please note that our leaders are ultimately in charge of our hikes. They plan the hikes and are responsible for getting everyone out and back safely. They are the sole decision-makers when it comes to proceeding, changing or turning back due to trail conditions, weather or other circumstances. If you have a question or problem during a hike, contact the leader.

Some hikes are limited
The number of participants on a hike may be limited due to Forest Service or Wilderness Area regulations or the discretion of the leader. Hiking group size limits are listed on the calendar. To ensure that you get to go on a hike you want, sign up early.

Member Responsibilities

Trip participants have the obligation to acquaint themselves with the nature of the trip and to verify that it is within their capability and experience. They are solely responsible for assuring that their physical conditioning, skills, and equipment are adequate to participate in hiking activities. They must be willing to accept the authority of the trip leaders, cooperate with them and other participants to make the trip safe and enjoyable.

Trip participants are solely responsible for their own safety and for taking every precaution to provide for their own safety and well-being while participating in hiking club activities. Remember at all times, trails and surrounding areas should be left in as good or better condition than they were found. Hikers should stay on established trails. Flowers, plants, shrubs and trees will be enjoyed and not destroyed. Litter and refuse will be carried out. We believe in the slogan “Pack it in, pack it out.” U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and any other state and federal land use regulations will be adhered to and private property will be respected at all times. All trips will be conducted in a “conservative spirit” so that reserves are available for emergencies. If circumstances suggest undue danger or the destination appears beyond the capability of the party, the trip will be abandoned. Every effort will be made to follow sound principles of safe hiking as presented in textbooks and schools of recognized merit. Members and guests cannot take dogs on hikes.

Leader Rights & Responsibilities

The trip leader has complete authority on the trip. He/she is responsible for planning a safe trip and expects that the participants take all necessary steps to provide for their own safety. Leaders are not responsible for the safety of the participants. Each hiker is expected to be responsible for themselves. See Member Responsibilities.

A minimum of four persons is required for each trip for safety reasons. In case of an accident, one person will stay with the injured person while the other two go for help; safeguarding one another. If four people have not registered by Thursday evening, the trip can be cancelled due to lack of interest.

The leader has the right to examine participant’s qualifications, clothing, equipment, and food and to refuse participation to those he/she judges are unqualified or improperly equipped for the trip. The leader has the right to set and maintain the pace, vary the route as needed, and to turn back short of the objective if conditions warrant so doing. Depending on the nature of the hike, the leader may also limit the size of the group; therefore, members are encouraged to sign up early (between Sunday and Thursday before the hike). At the Park-n-Ride meeting location, the leader will determine who wants to stop to eat/drink after the hike and who wants to come back to the Park-n-Ride so as to ensure that there are cars available for both. The leader may briefly review hiking gear, food and water requirements and key features of the hike before the start of the hike. During each hike, leaders will check with the hikers to ensure the pace is okay and if more or less rest breaks are needed. The pace will be adjusted accordingly. At rest breaks, the leader will ask all hikers if they are ready to move on before resuming the hike. Members should feel free to politely remind the leaders if they forget to do these things. Rear leaders will be identified for all hikes unless the leader determines the size and experience of the group does not warrant the use of a rear leader to keep track of all hikers

Equipment List

Prepare for the Worst…Plan for the Best!!!

Food and Drink:

Water - (minimum of two quarts recommended, in a leak proof, unbreakable container)
Lunch items and quick energy snacks; hot drink in thermos during cold weather is a good idea

Clothing and Gear:

Hiking Boots: Heavy construction, comfortably snug, broken in, weatherproofed. It’s a good idea to wear different shoes to and from the trailhead instead of those you hike in. This keeps the cars clean plus it’s great to have sandals or other shoes to wear after a hike. Bring a bag to put your hiking boots in to avoid getting mud or moisture in drivers’ cars.
Socks: One pair each of lightweight inner and heavy wool outer socks or equivalent
Pants: Constructed to be loose, comfortable, quick drying. Preferably no jeans!!
Gaiters: Provide good ankle and leg protection in snow, mud, heavy brush
Thermal Underwear (winter): Polypropylene or other synthetic material
Shirts: Preferably synthetic fabrics with good insulating and quick-drying capability
Sweaters: Wool or fleece is recommended
Jacket: Wind and water-proof, hooded; large enough for layering
Hat: Suitable for retaining body heat and providing shade
Mittens/Gloves: Wool, fleece or waterproof
Rain gear: Lightweight poncho, rain parka/pants (zipper at foot is a useful feature)
Backpack: Should be large enough to hold your necessary items
Sun Protection: Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses OPTIONAL ITEMS SUGGESTED FOR EXTRA SAFETY AND COMFORT:

Optional Items Suggested for Extra Safety and Comfort

Trekking poles
Ensolite or other foam pad to sit on
Space blanket
2 or 3 large plastic trash bags (can be used to reinforce your shelter, as additional raingear, etc.)
Nylon cord (to help set up temporary shelter)
Fire starting materials: wind and water-proof matches or lighter
Pocketknife, small scissors
Tick/mosquito repellant
Toilet paper/tissue (only if you take it out in a plastic bag; don’t leave behind; don’t bury)
First Aid kit: moleskin, Band-Aids, gauze, ace bandage, 2 triangular bandages, needles, tweezers, and antibiotic ointment
Extra clothing such as wool sweater or shirt, extra socks, gloves
Handkerchief/scarf; extra bootlaces
Flashlight/headlamp (extra bulb & batteries)
Drinking cup, tea bags/bouillon
Energy snacks/survival food (avoid needing to mix with water)
Whistle (plastic for winter use)
Map of hike area, compass, GPS unit
Equipment repair tape
Cell phone or coins for phone calls; name & phone number of person to contact in an emergency situation
Personal ID; medical insurance card, CORSAR card
Extra plastic bags for trash along the trail

Membership

There is no membership or “per-hike” fee. You are responsible for your own expenses, including park entrance/use fees and transportation (unless we take a City van which will require a nominal fee).

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