(upbeat music) - I am Eric Hanson, and this week on "Epic Trails", we're exploring the incredible landscapes and trails of South Dakota.

(upbeat music continuing) Oh, it's getting breezy up here.

Feeling the pump a little bit.

This is a unique way to explore the Badlands.

This is all part of the fun.

Oh, my gosh!

Beautiful.

That was absolutely awesome.

That was amazing.

Just felt like you're just floating.

I've never gone backpacking with you.

- No.

You've never gone backpacking with me.

No.

Do you have any tips for me?

You know, try to keep up, is probably, is probably about it.

(Eric chuckling) (mellow music) - I'm Eric Hanson.

When I see a trail, I see more than a path from point A to point B.

A good trail is the ultimate opportunity to explore, to discover new landscapes, and to challenge myself.

When I don't have a pack on my back, I'm thinking about my next big adventure, because my mission is simple.

My mission is to discover the world's most epic trails.

Funding for Epic Trails is provided by Discover the World.

Collette offers small group explorations tours, destinations and local experiences designed especially for small groups.

Explorations by Collette guided travels since 1918.

The Alinker three wheeled walking bike.

Assisting people with an active mindset to regain mobility and access the outdoors.

Keeping users active and engaged in life.

More information at Alinker.com In4Adventure.com Inspiring, educating and encouraging outdoor adventure and by these additional sponsors.

(upbeat music) (gentle guitar music) Ah, South Dakota, a land of sprawling prairies, grazing bison and rugged wilderness.

While images of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse might spring to mind for many, the allures of hiking, rock climbing and outdoor adventure are drawing more and more people to one of the least populated states in the country.

So as I'm driving in and I start that there's actually quite a bit going on in South Dakota, especially as I approach Rapid City, one of the adventure hubs of South Dakota, I start noticing these hills popping up, start going over these mountain passes with big, blocky, granite spires popping up out of everything, and just was really amazed by what could be here in South Dakota.

- [Katlyn] Alright, let's get some coffee.

We can't start a Rapid City day without something good to drink.

- That's right.

So this is Pure Bean, best coffee in South Dakota?

- One of the best, I hear.

- One of the best.

Top two at least.

- [Barista] What do you guys got planned for today so far?

- So we're going out to the Badlands, a hike out there, hike the Notch, and then- - Don't get stuck in the rain.

- Don't get stuck in the rain?

- It is supposed to start raining.

- [Eric] That sounds like a lot of fun now.

- [Katlyn] Prairie Edge here is a icon downtown Rapid City.

Beautiful, authentic Native American art.

- [Eric] That's really cool.

- It's from local South Dakotan artists, but also from outside of our borders.

Native American trading posts still on site too.

- It feels like there's a lot of integration from the native community here.

- Absolutely.

- [Katlyn] Of course, Crazy Horse Memorial is not too far from Rapid City as well.

So this is the Bead Library.

- [Eric] So this is where a lot of artists will come in and source their beads?

- Colors, shapes, sizes.

South Dakota is home to three different sets of tribes, the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota.

It's a special history that we have here in South Dakota with those tribes.

Huge part of our state.

(lively music) This is Art Alley, inside alley of downtown Rapid City.

It's turned into something that's been a, a real nice fixture of downtown.

Centerpiece of downtown Rapid City.

Right now, we've got water fountains going.

In the winter time, you'll find ice skating.

Middle of the week, they might have a theater up and kids all sprawled out on the lawn.

Rapid City is the place where awesome cultures emerge.

There's that sense of patriotism, with all those city of Presidents on all the street corners here.

Ultimately, Rapid City is really known as the Gateway City, an hour drive to the Badlands, half-hour down to Custer State Park in Mount Rushmore.

You're looking to go to Deadwood and get your inner outlaw out.

Really, Rapid City is the center of it all and there's so much to see and do.

So the adventure is yours, make of it what you want.

- As I left Rapid City, I'm going out to the Badlands, there's this little quirky town called Wall, South Dakota.

It's been a place that has been part of Americana for the last 70, 80, 90 years, especially as the American road trip has become popularized.

A pharmacist's wife started enticing people off the road with iced water.

People started coming in droves, and this town of Wall kinda popped up and became almost like an amusement park attraction.

I had to stop.

I had to get a maple donut, I had to get a buffalo burger.

I had to go see the Tyrannosaurus Rex, of course.

(Tyrannosaurus Rex roaring) Scared the daylights out of me.

Wall Drug!

This place is crazy.

(upbeat music) Wall Drug!

(mellow guitar music) No trip to South Dakota would be complete without exploring Badlands National Park, one of the iconic places of South Dakota.

And I am really genuinely excited to go explore the Badlands and see just how good they are.

Now, it's normally just dry and sunshiny, which is why I was especially grateful for cloud cover.

However, that cloud cover did turn into a torrential downpour.

(mellow guitar music continuing) (shoes crunching on gravel) We've got some rivers starting our way down through the hiking trails.

I'm a little concerned about the peanut buttery conditions, but, hey, this is a unique way to explore the Badlands.

This is all part of the fun.

I love seeing these places in wild weather.

As a photographer, I say, like, "Bad weather makes great photos."

So exciting.

And actually seeing like how this weird place erodes, how it forms, and just seeing that happen in real time was super cool.

(mellow guitar music continuing) Badlands.

Pretty rad.

(mellow guitar music fading) (upbeat music) What drew me here to the Black Hills is definitely the hiking and the backpacking, but I heard from so many people that the climbing out here is spectacular, so I took the opportunity to meet up with Sylvan Rocks Climbing, which is just outside of Custer State Park, to get a chance to go rock climbing.

What is it about climbing here in the Needles and Black Hills that makes this place unique?

- There's not very many climbers here.

You know, it's kinda under the radar of the climbing scene.

Not really any guidebooks.

We have everything from mild to wild out here.

- And what are we actually gonna be doing today?

What do you think is good for me?

- [Sean] Well, Classic Crack is a pretty classic climb.

- [Eric] Oh, that's the name, I suppose.

- Pretty plumb line.

And from the top, we get a sweet view of Sylvan Lake, and then a five star rappel down So I think that's a good place to start.

- Sounds good.

Well, should we get out there?

- Let's go.

- Cool.

(lively music) - Classic Crack.

- This is it?

- Also known as Camp's Crack.

So this is a a five eight minus 160 feet of glory to the top.

- Sweet.

So Doug here of Sylvan Rocks is about to set our route.

I'm gonna hopefully follow behind him.

- Sweet.

- You're looking good.

- Hey, you're looking good too.

Fist pump for safety.

There we go.

- Boom.

- You got it.

(upbeat music) Climbing good!

- [Doug] Nice, Eric.

Getting into the good stuff.

- [Eric] This crack, legit.

- [Doug] Nice, dude.

Cruise that first crux.

- Feeling the pump a little bit.

Still got another 60 feet to go.

(clicking tongue) Let's keep rolling.

(mellow music) Oh, it's getting breezy up here.

This is incredible rock up here.

Oh.

Oh, it's good to see you, Doug.

Dude, what's going on?

- That looked easy, Eric.

- Oh, ho, ho!

Ho, Doug!

- Top five world's strongest man, or something.

- Well, you know, top 10, I would say.

Let's be modest.

- Oh, with a beard like that, you know.

- That was incredible.

- Yeah.

- That was such a good line.

I loved it.

Oh, and holy cow.

Didn't even know where I was.

- Yeah, take it in.

Black Elk up there, tallest point in South Dakota.

- Black Elk Peak?

- Yeah.

- Hope to get there someday.

Check out that view.

That is the magnificent Sylvan Lake, and I had no idea that it was fully on the back side of this amazing climb.

I think I'm gonna hang out and watch the sunset from here, because, look at that.

The vantage point from up here is insane.

Getting to watch the light go down over Custer State Park here was mind-blowing.

I'll never forget it.

I loved it, but I still gotta get down.

So time to gear up, wrap down.

(mellow music) (birds chirping) (mellow guitar music) While most of South Dakota is still fast asleep, I meet up with YouTube celebrity Dan Becker, who I'll be backpacking the Centennial Trail with.

But before we hike together, we're gonna fly together.

Dan, have you ever flown in a balloon before?

- That's a very personal question.

- I know.

- No, I have not.

- It's actually a custom that I do with everybody I backpack with.

I take 'em up in a balloon.

That's amazing.

- To to know if I can trust them on the trail.

- Alright, buddy.

- We're gonna do it, Dan.

(both laughing) (mellow music) - You know, wander round, take all the pictures you want, but when you see me putting heat in the balloon and it comes up, I'm gonna ask that you be kinda close by, - Okay.

- because we're gonna need you to get in the basket as quick as you can.

My name is Don Edwards.

I've got a little over 3100 hours.

Flown in about 40 states.

Flown in Ireland, France, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Thailand.

(motor whirring) (fire whooshing) - Dude!

There we go!

That's is gonna be, it's gonna be a little tight.

- Yeah.

- We're gonna, we're gonna get to know each other real well.

- Oh, my gosh.

I feel like the walls should be a little higher.

But that's just me.

- I literally get right here and I lean over and I try to make myself fall out.

- That's a good idea.

- And I realized I couldn't.

(Dan and Eric laughing) Goodbye!

This is so awesome.

- Oh, my gosh.

- [Eric] Beautiful.

- [Dan] Wow.

How high do we get, typically?

- [Don] We mix it up.

Right now, we're already over a thousand feet.

One of the descriptions I gave, when I was a little kid, I laid down on the grass and looking at the clouds floating, I envisioned myself being one of those clouds.

It's kinda like floating on a cloud.

- This is such a cool view of the South Dakota landscape.

- It's my mom.

FaceTiming my mom.

She's always wanted to be on TV.

- [Eric] So I'm finally getting that drone experience I've always wanted, but without that annoying hum.

- Yeah!

- That was, that was profound.

- Thank you.

(laughing) I am nothing if not a deep thinker.

- [On-The-Ground Guide] It'll hook back to the left a little bit too, once you get down there.

- [Don] Bend your knees.

end your knees!

- [Eric] Hey, you guys came on too.

- Yeah, we're (indistinct) (all laughing) - That was absolutely awesome.

That was amazing, for sure.

- That was, that was a trip.

Just felt like you were just floating.

- [Don] The winds have welcomed you with softness.

The sun has blessed you with his warm hand.

You have flown so high and so well that God has joined you in your laughter and set you gently back into the loving arms of Mother Earth.

Cheers.

- Cheers.

- Cheers.

(bright piano music) I'm standing at the very beginning of the Centennial Trail here in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and this requires a little bit of route-finding.

There's not a ton of maps out there.

We've got a new friend, his name is Dan.

What could be better than to form a new bond of friendship over a trail?

So Dan and I have 130 miles to go ahead of us on the Centennial Trail, and in mile one starts now.

(lively music) I've never gone backpacking with you.

- No.

You've never gone backpacking with me.

- No.

Do you have any tips for me?

- Er, yeah, try to keep up.

That's probably, that's probably about it.

- Alright, Dan.

- Let's do it.

- Let's get after it.

- Let's do it.

- Centennial Trail.

- I've been backpacking since 2015.

Started out one night.

Just decided with a couple friends of mine to see what we could accomplish in the woods with nothing but a backpack on our back.

And after that day, I was completely addicted, so I've been backpacking ever since.

As much as I can get out, that's what I do.

Backpacking for me is getting to go places where nobody else will go.

- Yeah.

- And the only way to get there is by strapping some gear on your back and heading out.

- [Eric] Carrying everything, you feel self-sufficient, you feel strong.

It's pretty rewarding.

We're like a hundred yards into our trail.

The conditions have already changed wildly on us out here.

Summertime in the Black Hills, we've got some monsoon action, thunderstorms.

It's gonna be coming and going all day.

But that's, that's part of the fun.

- [Dan] That's how it goes.

- [Eric] Have you ever gotten poison ivy super bad?

- [Dan] Never.

Never gotten poison ivy.

- If you look down right now, that is poison ivy, my friends.

We're literally walking through a knee-high tunnel of poison ivy - I was maybe thinking I could jump on, like piggyback.

- I will sacrifice myself for you, Dan.

(both grunting and laughing) It's got me breathing pretty good.

Do not be deceived, the Black Hills, they pack a punch.

They are like mountains, just in hill form.

- [Dan] We got this.

- [Eric] I think we've gone a solid 32 miles today.

- [Dan] Yeah, probably.

- [Eric] There are wild things out here.

We just did spot a buffalo come and emerge out of the forest and run around and scratch his back and roll in the dirt, and then scamper off again.

We got all these prairie dogs that are just super, super cute out here.

And this is just a really beautiful experience.

South Dakota, for those who don't know, is fantastically gorgeous.

Yeah, Dan and I have had a great day on the trail here.

It's been an amazing introduction to the Centennial Trail.

It's time to start thinking about making camp, so we're gonna make our way down the hill and find a place to call home for the night.

♪ On the trail again ♪ ♪ You know I just can't wait to get on that trail again ♪ ♪ Oh yeah ♪ - Oh, bring that baritone!

So Dan and I are getting an opportunity to hike through Custer State Park in amazing landscape, full of these fantastic granite spires.

Everything's vibrant and green.

We're heading up to Little Devil's Tower, and then beyond to find camp.

- So epic is an understatement.

The fact that we can even be walking in a place like this, where you're not gonna see rock formations like this anywhere else, is an absolute dream.

- [Eric] So, as Dan and I are approaching the top of Little Devil's Tower, you got all these cool features within the rock.

We're kinda almost climbing at that point.

It's barely even backpacking.

We have all this wild weather just circling us, these dramatic clouds.

You've got rain showers that are dumping down in different places, and it is a wild vantage point to watch it all.

Yeah, buddy.

Mr Dan.

- Oh, wow!

- Good job, dude.

So we got all of Custer State Park over there.

Black Elk wilderness.

- [Dan] This is unreal.

- Oh, I'd love to camp underneath one of these towers tonight.

- Hey, you think we can make it happen?

- It looks so rad.

- Absolutely.

Think I've got a spot that'll work right here.

- What's the best campsite you think you've ever had?

- Idaho, Lake Alice.

- Oh.

- [Dan] Sawtooth Mountains was pretty epic.

- The Sawtooths.

Alright, it's now on my list.

- [Dan] We should go.

I guess our budding backpacking friendship is blossoming.

- [Dan] (Laughing) I don't Know.

I wouldn't go that far.

- Whoa!

You just invited me backpacking with you again.

- That's 'cause you need- - guidance?

- You need some help, trust me.

Although I can't find my ground cloth, so (laughing) I may need some help.

- Oh, I don't, I don't ever bring ground cloths.

- Really?

Oh.

Oh!

(clearing throat) I mean, I was, I don't bring 'em either.

- You were testing me.

- Good job.

(Eric laughing) So.

Absolutely.

(lively music) - Alright, Dan, ready to hit the trail?

- [Dan] Let's do this.

Onward, my friend.

- So Dan and I are all rested up.

Time to hit the trail again, continuing north on the Centennial Trail.

It's been an incredible couple of days so far.

Really amazing landscapes across the Black Hills.

Can't wait to see what today has in store.

(lively music continuing) One of the true nuggets of gold on the Centennial Trail is the stretch from the Samelius Trailhead out to Brush Creek.

You've got Sheridan Lake in the middle.

You got this kinda dry zone where you're hiking through.

There's not a ton of water, and you're going up and over all these hills and mountain, working up, you know, a bit of that appetite to just cool off.

And lo and behold, off in the distance you see Sheridan Lake, this blue jewel in the mountains.

Looks like we got plenty of switchbacks going down to the lake.

I think it would be great if we can skirt the side of the lake, and it looks like it follows the lake for maybe a half mile, maybe a mile.

If we get as far as Dakota Point, then that leaves seven miles for the next day.

- [Dan] Oh, good.

- Black Hills.

- South Dakota.

What do you think?

You wanna jump in?

- Oh, I'm down for a swim.

Sheridan Lake is a popular place for boaters and jet skiers and all sorts of people just out there for nice Sunday recreation.

I needed to spice it up a little bit for me, 'cause I, I was craving that extra dose of adventure.

(body splashing into water) Whoo!

(lively music) Just finishing up the last few feet of the Centennial Trail, and, oh my goodness, what an amazing experience it's been.

It's been super fun to backpack with Dan, getting the opportunity to hike and backpack with somebody new, cement the bond of friendship that happens on the trail, and just explore a new place.

South Dakota, the Black Hills, the Centennial Trail has been truly incredible, and you can be sure it's one that I have got to come back to and explore once again.

Hooey, Dan.

- Oh!

- [Eric] You gotta give that a high five.

A lot of people think they're trail markers.

- Okay.

- No, no.

They are catapults, - Oh!

- to see who can launch the rock the farthest.

- Do we really need even need to try?

I know who's gonna win, obviously.

- Ooh.

I have low confidence.

Whoa, oh!

Pretty good, I think.

- Ooh!

- I think you got about 30 feet.

You're right in front of that log down there.

Alright.

Alright, let's see here, ladies and gentlemen.

Check the wind speed.

Here we go.

Ho!

- [Dan] Oh.

Oh, oh, oh.

Oo, aiee, that was- - You know, that was... See that gust of wind that came in?

- [Doug] There was, there was a gust.

There was a gust.

- There was a gust.

We need to- - There was a gust.

- That's the end of Centennial Trail for us.

- It was bittersweet, because it was a very difficult hike, but I was sad to leave this beautiful park, all of the memories that have been left here, and also spending time with Eric.

- Oh, buddy!

Love you, man.

That was so beautiful!

Oh, what a good send off.

- But we'll do this again, I'm sure, right?

- We will.

You know, you name a time and a place.

Let's go backpacking again.

- Alright.

Next week, Thursday sound good to you?

- Thursday at 3.30?

- Yeah.

- Okay.

- Alright.

Take care.

- You did great, man.

That was so fun.

(mellow music) (mellow music continuing) (mellow music continuing) Funding for Epic Trails is provided by Discover the World.

Collette offers small group explorations tours, destinations and local experiences designed especially for small groups.

Explorations by Collette guided travels since 1918.

The Alinker three wheeled walking bike.

Assisting people with an active mindset to regain mobility and access the outdoors.

Keeping users active and engaged in life.

More information at Alinker.com In4Adventure.com Inspiring, educating and encouraging outdoor adventure and by these additional sponsors.