Hiking the Crazy Horse Volksmarch in the fog on June 7 of this year felt a little metaphorical. Throughout most of the hike, you couldn’t see your final destination. You had to just stick to the trail, knowing eventually, you’d be on the craving’s arm, staring into the Lakota hero’s stone face.
Although work on the memorial started on June 3, 1948, none of us know when it will be done – or exactly what the finished product will look like. But the Ziolkowski family sticks to their father, Korczak’s , original plan, understanding that it’s just as much about the process and the journey as it is the finish line.
The annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch is a 6.2 mile, round-trip hike and is the only time of year the public can hike to the arm of the mountain carving.
If you missed the June volksmarch, there will be another opportunity to hike the memorial on Sept. 28 and 29.
Here are the top three reasons you should consider doing it:
You’re watching history in progress
As of this writing the Crazy Horse Memorial is “world’s largest mountain sculpture.†Crazy Horse Volksmarch is also one of the most popular organized hikes in the United States.
The Volksmarch supports great causes
Crazy Horse Memorial waives admission for volksmarchers who donate three cans of food per person. Also, the memorial supports the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive with a donation from its admission fees. Also, the $3 registration for the hike goes to the Black Hills chapter of the American Volkssport Association.
You can reward yourself with great food afterward
If you do the hike on Saturday, consider stopping in for authentic German food at the Alpine Inn in Hill City. Or make your way into Custer from some of the best burgers in the Hills at the Black Hills Burger & Bun Co. On Sunday, you can swing by Prairie Berry Winery or slake your thirst at their new brewery, Black Hills Miner Brewing Co.
