Middle Earth  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  43.8478, -103.5717 Map Page Views:  27,202. Good page?    Administrators:  Andrew Gram, Peter Gram, Greg Parker, Andy Busse, Mike Housiaux, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Peter Gram on Jun 25, 2002 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue 72° | 46° 72° | 52° 73° | 50° 68° | 46° 64° | 50°

BETA PHOTO: Middle Earth as seen from top of Outer Outlet.

Description 

Middle Earth can be a very confusing area to visit. It is climbed in much less often than the Outlets, so expect solitude on most routes. Many routes require the better part of a rope length, requiring two ropes to rappel. Some good climbs are Hrum Hroom and Three Rings for the Elven Kings (very popular though).

This area's theme is inspired by J.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (long before the movie came out). The names come right from places and characters in these books. How appopriate too, as this area has a very magical feel to it...

Getting There 

Follow the signs from Hill City to Sylvan Lake (same as the Outlets). Hike around the lake heading north from the car. Walk through the Outlets until reaching the field north of Outer Outlet. From here, walk up the hill on the trail using switchbacks. At this hill crest is where Middle Earth begins. A left up another hill brings one to Hrum Hroom and Quickbeam. Most routes are located by heading down the hill from this crest and heading up gullies between rock formations.

The Classics

Featured Route For Middle Earth

Goldberry Lane 5.11  SD : Custer State Park : ... : Ered Lithui

This route is right across the way from Hrum Hroom (on Fanghorn Hills). Look for a steep, crystalline, bolted face with 5 bolts in it. This line of bolts is just to the right of a detached block and to the left of a fist size crack. Climb through the face to a fixed anchor. Also, if I remember right, it might be possible to get to the top by scrambling up a back way. I am not sure on this, however....[more]   Browse More Classics in SD