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Crazy Horse celebrates ‘25 years of walking the dream’

Volksmarch hike to carved face June 5-6

How often have you thought, “I’d like to see that carved face”? Well, it’s time to take a hike like no other.

Your once-a-year chance to stand before the world’s largest stone portrait atop the Crazy Horse Memorial mountain sculpture in progress is coming up Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6.

This public walk, called the Crazy Horse Volksmarch, also allows hikers to see places on the Memorial’s 1,000-acre campus not otherwise open to the public.

That may explain the special event’s popularity.

There have been as many as 15,000 participants, people of all ages, taking the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) round-trip challenge sponsored by the American Volkssport Association.

A big crowd is anticipated for what will be the 25th annual volksmarch. In addition to the memories, a commemorative medal featuring an image of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and his wife, Ruth, posed with the mountain carving will be available.

Hikers will be admitted to the Memorial for donations of money or three cans of food per person for the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive. The 2009 event collected nearly 12,000 pounds of food and $6,884; the Feeding South Dakota-Rapid City food bank distributes the donations to the needy.

The Memorial will open its free parking areas and offer breakfast beginning at 6 a.m. Because of large volksmarch weekend crowds, hikers and other Memorial visitors can anticipate parking some distance from the visitor complex and hike registration area. Free shuttle buses will be available.

Mandatory hiking registration is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days. The Black Hills Chapter of the AVA charges a $3 hiking fee for all ages.

Sturdy footwear is recommended for the hilly, rough terrain. Families are encouraged to not bring baby strollers, and hikers are advised that no pets of any kind are allowed on the trail.

The woodlands route will gain 500 feet in elevation, to 6,700 feet above sea level. Hikers should pace themselves and anticipate an overall outing of two to four hours that must be completed by 4 p.m. Area Boy Scouts and other nonprofit, youth-oriented organizations will sell refreshments at the four checkpoints along the trail. Water and portable restroom stations also will be available.

Before or after their hike, volksmarchers are free to tour the Memorial’s visitor complex. The Laughing Water Restaurant and snack shop will serve until 8 p.m. The colorful “Legends in Light” laser and light presentation on the mountain carving starts at 9:30 p.m.

Located on Crazy Horse Memorial Highway, U.S. 16/385 between Hill City and Custer, Crazy Horse Memorial is open every day. For more information, visit www.crazyhorsememorial.org, call 673-4681 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .