There is a summit log at N 43° 52.345 W 103° 35.690, but that is not the cache! The cache is about 60 feet away, please sign the cache log. The cache is close to the Dancing Tree and there is no need to descend into the jumble of large rocks just navigate the small trees to the right (west) of the dancing tree and take one step down. The hint will help.
There are two routes to the top. Option 1 is about a 1,100 foot elevation change on a well-worn trail. Option 2 is about 800 feet elevation change that includes bushwacking.
- The preferred route starts at parking area N 43° 53.027 W 103° 35.867 on US 385. Follow the well-established trail up and up and up and . . . you get the idea. There are other caches along the trail for rest stops. When you cross the first road, turn to the right for 100 feet to the continuation of the well-worn trail and find the “900 Feet to Go” cache (GCBD7B2).
- The bushwack route parking is at N 43° 52.054 W 103° 35.608 on FSR 352 off Hwy 87 south of Hill City. Park near where the road to private property intersects with 352. To avoid private property, follow the power line up the hill (not the power line to the private property). Once at the ridge make your way to the peak. As you start out you will pass the Tin Queen Mine and cabin. Be sure to read the signs about not disturbing anything in this area. There are other caches in that area. Wayfinding is on your own here. The west side of the mountain is vertical.
Either way to the top is quite steep and can be very slippery if there is snow or pine needles. Geocachers should use good judgement as to their abilities and weather conditions You assume your own liability for geocaching. There is cell phone coverage most of the way.
Acid Rain hid a geocache here in 2010 called “Saint Elmo Peak”(GC258FK), but has since archived all his caches. As a tribute to his knowledge and ability to find great places for caches, rcsearcher placed the next cache here in 2015 titling it “Return to St Elmo” (GC67PTJ) which is recently archived. This cache is placed in tribute to those two historic individuals and their caches. Although it is an arduous climb, the views from the top are outstanding. St. Elmo is not the highest peak in the Black Hills at 6,411 feet, but Acid Rain listed 15 summits for you to identify that are visible from the top of the mountain looking to the north, east, and south. That list is:
Terry Peak
Humbolt Mountain
Silver Peak
Elkhorn Mountain
Sylvan Peak
Harney Peak
Bishop Mountain
Ford Mountain
Storm Hill
Little Devils Tower
Clark Mountain
Boulder Hill
Samelius Peak
Hardesty Peak
Mt. Coolidge
There is a plethora of goodies in the cache to take or trade. If you are looking for a unique cache container, make your choice. Please take only one container so that others have opportunities. I will not replenish them so trading is a good option.
Dancing Tree as seen near the cache location.
