This was the schedule for 2009 Moon Walks, posted right after our May 9th walk to Camp Bob Marshall for an introduction to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The final event was Saturday, September 5th, at Deerfield Reservoir west of Hill City.

We were fortunate enough to be able to attend all of the 2009 Moon Walks, and you'll find a collection of pictures from each of them in this gallery.

Well Done! to Amy Ballard and all the crew at the U.S. Forest Service for another great season. We're looking forward to the 2010 schedule!

SEPTEMBER 5, 2009 -- BALD EAGLES


As the number of hikers has grown, so has the challenge of parking for Moon Walk participants.

Nonetheless, parking arrangements for the final Black Hills National Forest Moon Walk of 2009 worked well.

This was the final approach to the Moon Walk staging area on the north shore of Deerfield Lake, located about 18 miles west of Hill City, South Dakota.

Okay.....in the spirit of full disclosure, we've got to fess up here. This is NOT one of our photographs. Rather, it's provided by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website that allows "non-profit" usage of such images.

The topic for the September 2009 Moon Walk was Bald Eagles.

It was apparently a hot topic at an ideal and alluring location, beautiful Deerfield Reservoir.

The site has been home to the only pair of bald eagles nesting in the West River region of the Dakotas -- and that's what makes it so special.

The Moon Walks were created to provide a "family-oriented activity that introduces visitors to the cultural and natural history of the Black Hills." The walks are held on the Saturday night close to the official full moon and begin at 7:00 p.m. Typically, the walks last one to two hours.

The gathering point this time was at the North Shore Trail Head at Deerfield Reservoir.

A reminder that you can click on any photograph in order to see a larger image. Perhaps you'll see someone you recognize!

These are but a few of the dozens of folks who appeared for the Moon Walk.

Well over 11,000 people have participated in Moon Walks since they began back in 1996, usually averaging between 90 and 100 persons per walk.

While weather conditions were ideal for this final walk of the 2009 series, participants are always encouraged to dress in layers, since weather is often different in the forest than in town -- and it can change rapidly. Flashlights come in handy, and many folks pack water and snacks for the return trip home.

Amy Ballard, a Recreation Forester with the Mystic District of Black Hills National Forest, has been coordinating the Moon Walks for some 14 years.

She said she's often approached by folks when she's out shopping. Unfortuantely, she can't remember all of the thousands of people who've participated in the walks over the years.

Every Moon Walk has an introductory talk, allowing participants to hear more about the subject of the Moon Walk for that month -- and an opportunity to ask questions!

Amy Ballard noted that "Shirley, Vicki, and others" have been attending Moon Walks all 14 years.

When Amy asked for a show of hands by people who've been participating in Moon Walks since they began in 1995, this gent was one of several who responded in the affirmative.

Not all of the September walkers were captured in this shot -- but most of them were!

It's been gratifying to see the enormous response that the Moon Walks have had. An estimated 160 persons were on this final hike for 2009.

As always, hikers of all ages were in the contingent trekking to Deerfield Reservoir.

It's good to see young and old alike participate in this fun family experience.