So many routes, so little time. There is a lifetime of great climbing routes here. Perched high above the Needles Highway in Custer State Park, the Cathedral Spires are perhaps one of most photographed formations in the Black Hills. Jan and Herb Conn established first ascents up many of the beautiful granite spires found there. They mapped the entire area, and Herb even made a clay scale model. It's not quite as beautiful as the real thing, but its pretty darn cool!

The 2-3 gully is where most climbers go for their first visit to get a taste of the place. Its a maze, so please don't try to get up there with only this description. Take a Sylvan Rocks Climbing Guide with you so you actually spend time climbing instead of getting lost all day (trust me, it can happen).

You can hike there by tromping up the Cathedral Spires Trail toward Harney Peak (it no longer connects though) for about 20 minutes. The trail is steep and winds around. After the trail begins climbing more steeply and passes beside some granite spires, keep an eye out for a climbers trail on the right. Scramble up this trail past spire one to the top of the 2-3 gully. From there you can find all the routes listed below.