I just can’t get enough of the fall colors this year. Maybe the summer went to fast but they are just fascinating to me. One of the secret outdoor local favorites, yet still visited very little in comparison to Spearfish Canyon, is Rochford Road.
Rochford Rd. is about 30 minutes outside of Rapid City on Hwy 385, just past Trout Haven. Trout Haven claims to have fished over 1 million fish from its pond, now THAT’s some serious spawning. Anyways, just past there, traveling north towards Deadwood, you find Rochford, Rd. Starting as paved asphalt but turning to gravel within 1/2 mile, it’s a fantastic spin into the intimate nature of the central Black Hills. The road meanders easily over hills and around the bends highlighting great access points for the 4 wheeler fans (pick me!), hikers and bikers.
Waterfall near Rochford, SD
The reason I ventured onto Rochford Road was to show my family a sweet surprise I had accidentally discovered while 4 wheeling last summer. While zipping on and off roads, my brothers and I were of course looking for a few splashes and BAM, opportunity knocked near Rapid Creek, just off Rochford Rd. near the Mickelson trail. We gunned it and 2 out of 3 of us made it through. My brother Danny stalled his 4 wheeler mid flow so we figured out how to pull him out and push him into the flat creek side nearby. “It’s about time for a break anyway” we said in consolation. As we rested we heard a pretty strong gush of water coming from behind the trees so we gathered our lunch and walked up the creek towards the big pine tree. WOW! There was a 3 tier waterfall right there! You can’t even see it from the road, and just barely from the Mickelson Trail. It was a cool, inviting sight for that June afternoon celebrating our (I’m a twin) 33rd birthday.
So this fall I had to show my wife this awesome discovery. You should check it out too! Bring a picnic and maybe even a gold pan to play in the creek with. There isn’t a bridge so bring some sandals to wade in the water. You should be able to find a shallow crossing point. If you really want to make a day of it, bring your bikes and travel from Rochford down the Mickelson Trail to this waterfall, it’s absolutely breathtaking in the fall of the year. Try late September or early October, around the Custer State Park Buffalo Round-up dates.
Have some fun and remember… never miss an opportunity to glance around the corner, you never know.
Photo Credit: Ken Jones
Posted under Off the Beaten Path, Outdoors
This post was written by admin on October 6, 2008
What a fun Birthday…and we busted out our mechanical genius and fixed the flooded 4 wheeler to! GENIUS and his little brother LUCK! I need to get back up there…it’s so PRETTY!