--- title: "Northern Rockies EV Trip Pack — EV Backroads" description: "Start with four Black Hills routes. Then add long Montana ridges, a canyon overlook, and an expert Wyoming shelf road." canonical_url: "https://www.evbackroads.com/adventures/spearfish-mountain-short-ridge-day" last_updated: "2026-08-09" --- ![Spearfish Mountain in South Dakota](/media/photos-ai/47-spearfish-mountain.webp?v=20260808) ![Northern Rockies route collection](/media/map/adventure-regions/northern-rockies.svg) ADVENTURE ROUTE COLLECTION · SOUTH DAKOTA + MONTANA + WYOMING # Northern Rockies: Ridge-to-Shelf Progression Start with four Black Hills routes. Then add long Montana ridges, a canyon overlook, and an expert Wyoming shelf road. QUICK READ Route stages 8 Plan length 8–12 days High point 10,176 ft Typical season Check each route Base area 44.4325, -103.8417 Save trip pack offline Print trip plan Mark plan ready N ROCKIES COLLECTION 8 stages, in order - [01 Spearfish Mountain moderate](#stage-1) - [02 Polo Peak moderate](#stage-2) - [03 Custer Peak moderate](#stage-3) - [04 Veteran's Peak moderate](#stage-4) - [05 Camp 5 difficult](#stage-5) - [06 Gravelly Range moderate](#stage-6) - [07 Bighorn Canyon Overlook difficult](#stage-7) - [08 Morrison Jeep Trail expert](#stage-8) WHY IT FITS ## Why this progression can fit your trip. The Black Hills stages form a local skills ladder. The later routes turn those skills into longer and more remote mountain days. WHAT CAN CHANGE THE ANSWER The routes are far apart. Seasonal gates, snow, mud, fire, and a temporary closure can remove a stage. Plan transfer days and alternate routes. ROUTE PROGRESSION ## Add one skill at a time. Drive only the stages that fit your vehicle, experience, weather, and current access. A later stage is not a required finish. ![Spearfish Mountain in South Dakota](/media/photos-ai/47-spearfish-mountain.webp?v=20260808) ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 01 moderate ### Spearfish Mountain Route distance 5.3 mi Allow Half day Use this compact ridge route to practice speed, tire placement, and a return check near regional services. SKILL ADDED Build a controlled baseline on a short route. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=44.43248&lng=-103.84174&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/south-dakota/scout-routes/2436-spearfish-mountain) ![Topographic route map for Spearfish Mountain](/media/maps/47-spearfish-mountain.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Spearfish Mountain, from start to finish Climb +1,648 ft Descent −201 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 02 moderate ### Polo Peak Route distance 3.6 mi Allow 2–3 hours Add a second Black Hills summit route. Check seasonal access and turn back when snow or mud hides the firm surface. SKILL ADDED Add elevation and a more exact weather decision. Access note: Source snapshot: Seasonal Closure. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=44.41690&lng=-103.73482&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/south-dakota/trails/8691-polo-peak) ![Topographic route map for Polo Peak](/media/adventures/regions/maps/polo-peak.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Polo Peak, from start to finish Climb +1,313 ft Descent −52 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 03 moderate ### Custer Peak Route distance 9.4 mi Allow 2–3 hours Use the lookout road to practice narrow-road courtesy and slow climbing without a full expedition day. SKILL ADDED Add a longer summit approach and changing sightlines. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=44.24352&lng=-103.73462&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/south-dakota/scout-routes/2580-custer-peak) ![Topographic route map for Custer Peak](/media/adventures/regions/maps/custer-peak.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Custer Peak, from start to finish Climb +1,144 ft Descent −1,139 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 04 moderate ### Veteran's Peak Route distance 0.7 mi Allow 2–3 hours Add another compact ridge drive. Compare energy use and tire behavior before the difficult local stage. SKILL ADDED Confirm that the vehicle setup works on repeated mountain routes. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=44.33014&lng=-103.54182&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/south-dakota/scout-routes/4824-veterans-peak) ![Topographic route map for Veteran's Peak](/media/adventures/regions/maps/veterans-peak.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Veteran's Peak, from start to finish Climb +301 ft Descent −0 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 05 difficult ### Camp 5 Route distance 4 mi Allow Half day Keep Camp 5 as the technical Black Hills stage. Walk obstacles and use a complete recovery plan. SKILL ADDED Add larger obstacles before the remote regional routes. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=44.37491&lng=-103.59533&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/south-dakota/trails/8692-camp-5) ![Topographic route map for Camp 5](/media/adventures/regions/maps/camp-5.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Camp 5, from start to finish Climb +434 ft Descent −263 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. ![Gravelly Range in Montana](/media/photos-ai/29-gravelly-range.webp?v=20260808) ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 06 moderate ### Gravelly Range Route distance 47.2 mi Allow Full day Add distance, open ridge travel, wildlife, and long exposure to changing weather. SKILL ADDED Add a long day and fewer services without a required rock crawl. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=44.94208&lng=-111.88015&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/montana/trails/3812-gravelly-range)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/montana/gravelly-range-south-fs290) ![Topographic route map for Gravelly Range](/media/maps/29-gravelly-range.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Gravelly Range, from start to finish Climb +5,486 ft Descent −3,961 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. ![Bighorn Canyon Overlook in Montana](/media/photos-ai/35-bighorn-canyon-overlook.webp?v=20260808) ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 07 difficult ### Bighorn Canyon Overlook Route distance 11.1 mi Allow Half day Add rougher two-track and a remote canyon destination. Stop before terrain needs more clearance than the vehicle has. SKILL ADDED Add rock, remoteness, and a more exact line. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=44.99655&lng=-108.20109&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us/montana/bighorn-canyon-overlook) ![Topographic route map for Bighorn Canyon Overlook](/media/maps/35-bighorn-canyon-overlook.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM ONX OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Bighorn Canyon Overlook, from start to finish Climb +830 ft Descent −830 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. ![Morrison Jeep Trail in Wyoming](/media/photos-ai/11-morrison-jeep-trail.webp?v=20260808) ROUTE VIEW · AI-ASSISTED EV PLACEHOLDER WHERE NOTED 08 expert ### Morrison Jeep Trail Route distance 22.3 mi Allow Full day Use this shelf-road stage only when it is open and the vehicle, driver, and recovery plan fit its tight switchbacks and exposure. SKILL ADDED Combine steep climbing, repeated multi-point turns, exposure, and high consequence. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=44.86688&lng=-109.41038&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/wyoming/trails/2661-morrison-jeep-trail) ![Topographic route map for Morrison Jeep Trail](/media/maps/11-morrison-jeep-trail.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Morrison Jeep Trail, from start to finish Climb +6,088 ft Descent −984 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. ROUTE READINESS ## Do seven checks before you leave pavement. 01 ### surface Forest road, long ridge road, rough two-track, and expert shelf road 02 ### clearance Extra clearance for early stages; technical clearance for later stages 03 ### remoteness Long transfers and slow recovery are part of this regional pack 04 ### charging Verify chargers before every transfer and trail day 05 ### cell Coverage Download route and charger data for each state 06 ### weather Snow, mud, fire, and wind can change exposed routes 07 ### turnaround Skip any stage that is closed or adds more consequence than the last controlled drive BEFORE YOU GO ## Make these decisions while you have a signal. - Confirm every seasonal gate and closure - Plan highway transfer charging separately - Choose an alternate easy day for each area TURN AROUND WHEN ## Follow the limits that you set. - Snow or mud hides the firm route - A closure or boundary is unclear - Exposure, fatigue, or tire condition exceeds the plan CARRY ## Prepare for common problems. - Complete tire and inflation system - Recovery gear for the selected stage - Offline maps, water, and satellite communication ![Topographic route plate for Northern Rockies: Ridge-to-Shelf Progression](/media/maps/47-spearfish-mountain.webp) FEATURED ROUTE MAP Use the full trail path for orientation. Confirm current access with the land manager. OPEN THE LIVE MAP ## Check the drive home. See the route with open chargers and road-distance charging gaps. Planned stations do not change current coverage. [Build this trip plan](/plan?pack=spearfish-mountain-short-ridge-day)[Open near this trail](/map?lat=44.43248&lng=-103.84174&z=9&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/south-dakota/scout-routes/2436-spearfish-mountain)[Browse all adventure collections and trip packs](/adventures)[Share what changed after your trip](/guides/trail-commons?kind=trail&sourceAdventure=spearfish-mountain-short-ridge-day) ## Sitemap See the full [EV Backroads sitemap](/sitemap.md) for every published page.