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Bierce was eventually able to convince the company to buy out West's contract, eliminating a major distraction for Bierce in trying to complete the flume. Alas, short of capital and under much criticism himself, Bierce saw the August deadline come and go. The flume was still not done. There were also many trestles that elevated the flume as high as 80 feet. The flume itself was 42 inches by 48 inches and was made of wooden planks tied together about every four feet. Photograph courtesy of the Minnilusa Historical Association.
Although Bierce was the new construction superintendent on the project, it seems the company forgot to tell Ichabod West. He reportedly remained in the vicinity for several weeks and worked to undermine Bierce at every opportunity. Salisbury told of Bierce's fierce determination to pay company debts, including the many laborers who hadn't been paid. After receiving funds from the home office, Bierce spent a full day paying men in the construction camps -- paying off the final group in a barroom at 3 o'clock in the morning. Many of the men were drunk and "nearly all were sullen and menacing." This photo of the Rockerville Flume was provided by the Minnilusa Historical Association based in Rapid City. Our thanks to Reid Riner for his assistance in retrieving and sharing the image.
A native of Colorado, Michael served in the U.S. Air Force, and now works as an archaelologist for the U.S. Forest Service. He said he considers himself basically a historian, and his research into the Rockerville Flume was a delightful trip into the rich history of the Black Hills.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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." href="javascript:openLB(558519213,'',XLarge,'',559,768);">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.
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.
See photo in original gallery.
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