If you’ve ever wondered what the world’s largest mountain carving-in-progress looks like, up-close and personal, this weekend is your chance to find out. The 25th annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch takes place this Saturday and Sunday – June 5th and 6th, near Custer.

The Crazy Horse Volksmarch is an organized 6.2 mile (10K) walk to the top of the sculpture and is sponsored by the American Volkssport Association. A “volksmarch” is simply a term for a group walk or hike. The once-a-year event is the only time that the general public is allowed to hike up to the top of the sculpture and onto the giant outstretched arm. It is a unique opportunity for visitors to take unforgettable photos in front of the nine story-tall face of the historic Sioux leader.

The largest organized hike in the United States, the Crazy Horse Volksmarch draws more than 10,000 walkers and hikers every year. In 1998 – the year that the face of the sculpture was dedicated – just shy of 15,000 people made the trek!

“The volksmarch here at Crazy Horse is more than just another hike in the woods,” said Crazy Horse Memorial spokesman Pat Dobbs. “Every year, families plan big reunions specifically around the event. We have walkers come from all over the U.S and even several international countries. It’s an event that really brings people together to get a better understanding of what the memorial is all about.”

Something that many people don’t realize about the Crazy Horse Volksmarch is that it also serves as a goodwill event that helps feed tens-of-thousands of area residents through the KOTA-TV Care & Share Food Drive.

In 2009, Crazy Horse hikers provided nearly 6 tons of food and $6,884 for the food drive. Monica Leitheiser, site manager of Feeding South Dakota-Rapid City, said the food bank can buy 10 pounds of food for one dollar. She said an average meal weighs about 1.5 pounds. That means that hikers gave the equivalent of 53,890 meals!

Other Things to Know about the Crazy Horse Volksmarch:

• Gate Admission: Free, with a suggested donation of 3 cans of food per person. The American Volkssport Association does charge a $3 per person fee for every person that makes the hike.
• Trail: Dirt trails and gravel work roads. Not suitable for baby strollers
• Times: Gates to the memorial open at 6 a.m. All hikers must register between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and then need to have the hike completed by 4 p.m. All registration takes place on-site, the days of the event
• Parking: Free. Due to the popularity of the event, parking can be some distance from the starting point and not on paved or gravel surfaces.
• Restaurant: The Laughing Water Restaurant at the Crazy Horse Memorial visitor center opens at 6 a.m.
• Time on Trail: Average hike time of 2-4 hours.  Hikers should pace themselves due to the terrain and peak elevation (more than 6,000 feet above sea level). Sturdy footwear is recommended.
• NO PETS are allowed on the trail during the event.
• For more information, visit the Crazy Horse Memorial website or call the visitor center at 605-673-4681.