F
Trails
Sdsnocop knows more about this than I do but there is an old trail close to Breakneck that used to be groomed years ago. I know where it is at but would have to be there to tell for sure. It was groomed for a few years and I talked to a couple people who had to groom it. It is too steep to get up with much snow on it and a dangerous ride coming down. It was also very narrow and it was ultimately abandoned.
In my last year working on the trails the idea of a trail from Rec Springs to Spearfish Canyon Lodge was resurrected. It has been thrown around for many years. It was scrapped again because it is just too big of a headache. Probably would have gone to Cheyenne Crossing from somewhere along trail 5. The trail would have to follow the Hanna Creek road and it will likely never happen because most of the land in that area is privately owned and getting everyone on board with easements etc would be difficult. Then the trail from Cheyenne Crossing to the Lodge is some rough country. I have been up top there on 4 wheelers but snowmobiles could be a challenge. I think that is mostly footpath in what I believe is the "Devils Bathtub" area. Because of all the private land, the closer to Deadwood you get, developing any more trails in that area is very difficult. This would also include at least two highway 85 crossings. One where it came off trail 5 and another one at Cheyenne Crossing and Hanna road. Highway crossings are always a big liability. As soon as you would get it done then a critical piece of land would get sold and the new owner would not want sleds there. Like it or not many of the private land owners in the Hills are not ATV and sled friendly. Shannon has a tough job keeping the current trails open.
Sdsnocop knows more about this than I do but there is an old trail close to Breakneck that used to be groomed years ago. I know where it is at but would have to be there to tell for sure. It was groomed for a few years and I talked to a couple people who had to groom it. It is too steep to get up with much snow on it and a dangerous ride coming down. It was also very narrow and it was ultimately abandoned.
In my last year working on the trails the idea of a trail from Rec Springs to Spearfish Canyon Lodge was resurrected. It has been thrown around for many years. It was scrapped again because it is just too big of a headache. Probably would have gone to Cheyenne Crossing from somewhere along trail 5. The trail would have to follow the Hanna Creek road and it will likely never happen because most of the land in that area is privately owned and getting everyone on board with easements etc would be difficult. Then the trail from Cheyenne Crossing to the Lodge is some rough country. I have been up top there on 4 wheelers but snowmobiles could be a challenge. I think that is mostly footpath in what I believe is the "Devils Bathtub" area. Because of all the private land, the closer to Deadwood you get, developing any more trails in that area is very difficult. This would also include at least two highway 85 crossings. One where it came off trail 5 and another one at Cheyenne Crossing and Hanna road. Highway crossings are always a big liability. As soon as you would get it done then a critical piece of land would get sold and the new owner would not want sleds there. Like it or not many of the private land owners in the Hills are not ATV and sled friendly. Shannon has a tough job keeping the current trails open.
Last edited: