PINE GROVE BATTLE CREEK DRIVE

*DO NOT USE THESE MAPS AS YOUR “OFFICIAL” TRAVEL MAP use AVENZA MAP

*with off-road tires

*with street tires

The Foster Gulch and Battle Creek area is truly a gem in the Black Hills. This trail has world class scenery and winds through technical, rocky terrain. The Hayward-Battle Creek Fire burned through this zone in August of 2002. The fire started from lightning on the Black Hills National Forest south of Rapid City, South Dakota, near Mount Rushmore. The fire eventually burned 11,000 acres and threatened hundreds of structures. Three homes and a garage did burn.

Iron Mountain Road, also known as 16A, is an incredible journey of 17 miles with pigtail bridges and majestic tunnels.

Trail 366 South provides some challenge and has numerous water crossings. Trail 674 is another hidden gem. On Trail 366 North is a Public Shooting Range. Trail 6501 is the only four digit trail in the area, but it is one of those four digit trails open to all vehicles.

Battle Creek is one of the major creeks flowing through the area. Another is Iron Creek. Battle Creek produces two water falls, the Big Falls and the Little Falls. Access these falls only after a long hike. If you are looking for waterfalls, a short hike will take you also to Spring Creek Flume Falls.

Numerous ghost town sites populate this area. Woodbine, Keystone, Bismuth, Spokane, and Glendale ghost towns each provide their own evidence of history.

If you like to explore old mining sites, there are many of these sites located off and on the trails in this area. White Cap King Mica mine, Rattlesnake mine, Holy Terror mine, Gilt Edge mine, Etta mine, Dike Lode mine, Soda Spar mine, Wealthy gold mine, Welcome gold mine and the Cuyahoga mine are some favorites.

The James Sheppard gravesite is one of the historical gravesite in the area. Harney cemetery and Mountain View cemetery are others.

Hiking to a destination like an old mine or a waterfall, is common in this area. Other hiking opportunities include the Iron Creek Trailhead, Stratobowl Rim Overlook trail, Battle Creek trail, and Toll Gate Creek Hiking trail.

Watch for evidence of old buildings like the Harney Ranger Station, the Spring Creek cabin, the blasting powder storage cave at Welcome, Rockervile buildings, the historic cabin at Glendale and a favorite, the buildings still standing at the Spokane Ghost Town site.

Everyone who drives in the area should visit Lakota Lake. Everyone visits the Mt Rushmore National Monument which is in this area.
You have to climb to see the only evidence of an old fire tower. The Boulder hill fire tower is no longer standing but the foundation is still there and so is the view.