Lost Cabin #2 Trail
Lost Cabin #2 Trail is a hard, steep trail that goes between Willow Creek and Trail #9 South. It is 5 miles one way and coming from Willow Creek it goes about 4 miles uphill and 1 mile downhill. It can be done as a long day hike or combined with the Black Elk Trail - Trail #9 South and North for a long 15 mile loop hike or backpack trip. We did this trail in the summer of 2023 as a backpacking trip and stayed on the other side of Black Elk. It is not an easy hike, very rocky in places, and the temperatures can go either way very quickly - It started out very hot - 96 degrees, and within hours it was very cold - in the 50s. Be prepared for all sorts of weather.
To get to Willow Creek it is off Highway 244 just west of Mount Rushmore and across from the Palmer Gulch KOA.
Our hike starts here.
The sign for trail #2 is only marked on the one side - we missed our trail and had to turn around. The trail starts just past the bridge.
Interesting flower.
This trail does not look as inviting.
Better place to start the trail - at the end of the campground.
Can see Black Elk in the far distance.
Pretty views.
Sign for Palmer Creek Trailhead.
You stay to the left.
At this sign you reach around 4 miles uphill. Now to go back down.
Trying to decide if we want to take the spur or go the main trail.
We decide to take the main route and up we go again.
Hit trail #9 south and this is the first view we see - gorgeous and pending storm.
At this point in the trail you hit the Black Elk Trail - #9 South. - Your options - you can turn around and hike back, continue to Black Elk on #9 Trail South, pass Black Elk going on Black Elk #9 North and do a loop back to the beginning, or go to Sylvan Lake for the day and then return back on Lost Cabin Trail #2.