One of the joys of living in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming is the opportunity to get out and experience its beauty -- up close. One of the best ways to do that is by participating in monthly Moon Walks. To enlarge any of the photos in the gallery, simply click on the image.
Another favorite photo. Folks of all ages participate in the Moon Walks, and this youngster leads the way toward a Rockerville Flume tunnel.
Click on the photo to see a larger image.
Click on the photo to see a larger image.
This poster is displayed along the Rockerville Flume Trail very near to one of the tunnels.
While Ambrose Bierce managed to jump-start the flume construction, he would not be around to see its completion. He resigned from the Black Hills Placer Mine Company in October of 1880. He had been paid no salary, and flume construction had not quite made it all the way to Rockerville.
While Ambrose Bierce managed to jump-start the flume construction, he would not be around to see its completion. He resigned from the Black Hills Placer Mine Company in October of 1880. He had been paid no salary, and flume construction had not quite made it all the way to Rockerville.
Here's a photo of one of the two reconstructed tunnels that were originally blasted by workers in 1880.
Perhaps the most dangerous part of the hike along the Rockerville Flume trail is the low clearance in the tunnels.
At least one of our group took a good knock on the noggin!
A reminder again that you can see larger versions of these photographs by simply clicking on the images.
Perhaps the most dangerous part of the hike along the Rockerville Flume trail is the low clearance in the tunnels.
At least one of our group took a good knock on the noggin!
A reminder again that you can see larger versions of these photographs by simply clicking on the images.
A saw mill located near Sheridan is said to have produced as much as 40,000 board feet of timber every day.
The wood was used to construct the nearly 18-mile flume, the many trestles that dotted the landscape, and to shore up tunnels like the one shown here..
The wood was used to construct the nearly 18-mile flume, the many trestles that dotted the landscape, and to shore up tunnels like the one shown here..
Moon Walk hikers emerging from a tunnel.
According to Michael Salisbury, there is no definitive count of how many workers were involved in building the flume. We do know that there were many Civil War veterans among them.
Portable blacksmith shops were a part of the construction effort.
According to Michael Salisbury, there is no definitive count of how many workers were involved in building the flume. We do know that there were many Civil War veterans among them.
Portable blacksmith shops were a part of the construction effort.
A young girl awaits her companions.
The two ladies make good use of their flashlight.
Wooden planks made for easy footwork in the tunnel, but the low clearance was a continuing hazard!
The tunnel was clearly an impressive reminder of the hard work that went in to construction of the Rockerville Flume.
It was a highlight of the Moon Walk for many participants.
The two ladies make good use of their flashlight.
Wooden planks made for easy footwork in the tunnel, but the low clearance was a continuing hazard!
The tunnel was clearly an impressive reminder of the hard work that went in to construction of the Rockerville Flume.
It was a highlight of the Moon Walk for many participants.
Karen Miller pauses on her way back to the Upper Spring Creek trail head.
Declining sunlight and lingering fog posed a final hurdle for our hikers as they made their way back across the creek.
For some, the narrow bridge was no challenge at all.
It did underscore the importance of good footwear.
As always, the Forest Service suggests that participants "dress for unexpected weather and cooler nighttime temperatures."
Moon Walks are not cancelled due to rain, unless lightning is spotted.
It did underscore the importance of good footwear.
As always, the Forest Service suggests that participants "dress for unexpected weather and cooler nighttime temperatures."
Moon Walks are not cancelled due to rain, unless lightning is spotted.
This Centennial Trail sign is posted near the Upper Spring Creek Trail Head. We've not hiked the entire Centennial Trail, but we've enjoyed portions of it. (Click on the poster to see a larger version for reading.)
And now we look forward to exploring the rest of the Rockerville Flume Trail. Our appetite for the trail has been whetted by this Moon Walk.
Many thanks to Amy Ballard, Michael Salisbury, and the many other folks of the U.S. Forest Service who make these outings possible.
Return to Black Hills Journal and enjoy other historical essays and related information about our region. Or, if you prefer, continue to the next gallery page for more photographs and information about other Moon Walks.
And now we look forward to exploring the rest of the Rockerville Flume Trail. Our appetite for the trail has been whetted by this Moon Walk.
Many thanks to Amy Ballard, Michael Salisbury, and the many other folks of the U.S. Forest Service who make these outings possible.
Return to Black Hills Journal and enjoy other historical essays and related information about our region. Or, if you prefer, continue to the next gallery page for more photographs and information about other Moon Walks.
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