42ND DAY
42ND DAY (AUGUST 12TH) OF CUSTER'S EXPEDITION TO BLACK HILLS IN 1874. TRAIL IS 5.7 MILES STARTING AT JUNCTION OF ESTES CREEK AND BOX ELDER CREEK. STARTING POINT IS APPROXIMATELY 12.4 MILES FROM RAPID CITY. MAP COVERING THE ROUTE OF AUGUST 12TH IS THE PIEDMONT QUADRANGLE. PICTURE BY ILLINGSWORTH IS SD #73, "EXPEDITION GROUP."
Aug. 12
#1 Latitude N44 10 24
Longitude W103 29 27
Assumed campsite of August 10th and 11th.
#2 Latitude N44 09 31
Longitude W103 28 45
On the west side of this road is a narrow gauge railroad bed going up the hill and leading into the Jim Creek drainage and ending at Meredith.
Drive south on Nemo Road 2335 to the first entrance to Steamboat Rock Picnic Grounds. Then park in the first parking lot and walk north to the following reading:
#3 Latitude N44 09 32
Longitude W103 28 15
The tracks are visible from the north end of the campground at the Box Elder Creek Ford and exit on the south end at this reading:
#4 Latitude N44 09 25
Longitude W103 28 03
The Box Elder Creek drainage from Nemo to Steamboat Rock contains the abandoned narrow gauge railroad bed of the Black Hills and Fort Pierre Railroad which was discontinued in 1930. Return to car and drive south on Hwy 2335 one half mile and park car on left-side (east-side) of the sharp curve. Cross the highway and the tracks will be visible on the crown of a small hill at the following reading:
#5 Latitude N44 09 18
Longitude W103 27 39
Return to the car and proceed south on 2335 and park in the pull-off just prior to the Box Elder Bridge. Walk across the bridge to:
#6 Latitude N44 09 11
Longitude W103 27 53
Tracks will be seen approaching the road from where the expedition forded the Box Elder Creek.
According to Custer," We camped twice on this stream, and as far as we proceeded down its course and we had a most excellent road."
Forsyth also reported, "We have finally concluded that the stream which we have been camped for the last three days is the Box Elder, although it runs in a more southerly direction, and beads (sic) higher than it is shown on the map. Moving down the bank of the stream, crossing it now and then as it cuts into the bank on either side, we finally encamp six miles below our mornings resting place."
Return to car and drive south on Hwy 2335 for about one mile to:
#7 Latitude N44 08 32
Longitude W103 26 51
At this reading on the South side of the road a row of ponderosa pine will be evident in the expedition's tracks. Proceed to the following reading:
#8 Latitude N44 08 29
Longitude W103 26 35
Tracks are visible from the south side of the Hwy heading up a small rise. Continue down Hwy 2335 approximately one quarter of a mile to Pine Dr. Turn right (west) and park. The trail is evident coming from the north at:
#9 Latitude N44 08 24
Longitude W103 26 27
This is a private housing development where the tracks can be seen running from north to south at:
#10 Latitude N44 08 14
Longitude W103 26 30
Here the tracks also indicate there was a stream crossing at:
#11 Latitude N44 08 08
Longitude W103 26 07
It is very likely that this trail from Nemo to the intersection of Hwy 2335 and Hwy 2327 (Norris Peak Rd) was used by other pioneers after 1874. In addition, part of the Custer Trail up through the Custer Gap leading to the Piedmont area was Id after 1874.
Just after crossing a bridge over the Box Elder on the South side of the road is a slight impression in the red sandstone at the following reading:
#12 Latitude N44 07 54
Longitude W103 25 33
Continue driving on Hwy 2335 around the bend and Custer's trail is seen from a small knoll on the left (North).
#13 Latitude N44 07 51
Longitude W103 25 25
Continue on Hwy 2335 a short distance to reading:
#14 Latitude N44 07 52
Longitude W103 24 48
At this point, the trail is visible heading southwest up a steep incline across the Box Elder Creek. Once again, Ludlow's recorded location was a night reading taken from a high point near their campground:
#15 Latitude N44 07 35
Longitude W103 26 04
From the various descriptions of the campground, it is likely near the following reading:
#16 Latitude N44 07 42
Longitude W103 24 53
According to Ludlow," Camp was moved down the creek a few miles into a very pretty and luxuriant valley at a point where another large creek joined it from the westward. Judging from its size and direction this must be the Castle Valley Creek upon which we twice encamped (July 26th and July 28th) and the Hills portion of what is called Box Elder on Warren's map." This creek is presently known as Bogus Jim Creek.
The following quote from Grant's report dated August 12, 1874 stated, "Where we camped today was the most beautiful spot."
Forsyth said, " We find an agreeable change in the foliage along the creek, elm taking the place of pine, and any quantity of hop-vines, in full bearing, running all over them. Just as we were unsaddling, a fine buck ran through camp, and no one dare shoot him for fear of hitting some of the men or horses. His (?) proved his safety, and after our chagrin subsided, we really enjoyed his feat. All along the route, since we have been in the Black Hills, we have found and killed deer in abundance; also a few elk, and one grizzly bear."
Winchell, the geologist on Custer's expedition, stated," In returning to camp we followed down the valley towards the east," (Bogus Jim Creek). " In the midst of low limestone hills and ridges about eight miles from the camp left this morning, the sandstone and all lower, having passed to the west of the line of march. "
Illingsworth had the time and the opportunity to take a group
picture on the morning of August 13, 1874. The picture is identified
as S.D. #73.