Pine Ridge Trails Bro out 2006.Qxd 5/31/2006 8:36 AM Page 1
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Pine Ridge Trails bro out 2006.qxd 5/31/2006 8:36 AM Page 1 Historic Road Historic back to the corrals and parking lot. parking and corrals the to back covers about 8 miles. 8 about covers T east and drops to the South Fork of Soldier Creek. One can follow the South Fork South the follow can One Creek. Soldier of Fork South the to drops and east ridge to the south. The loop combining both trails trails both combining loop The south. the to ridge Trailhead parks and past old fire-killed pines. Near two windmills, the trail turns south and south turns trail the windmills, two Near pines. fire-killed old past and parks drops to the Middle Fork. It joins Trooper Trail on the on Trail Trooper joins It Fork. Middle the to drops All-Purpose Trail All-Purpose ridge and follows the gentle crest of the ridge for about 3 miles through grassy through miles 3 about for ridge the of crest gentle the follows and ridge there. About a mile to the west/southwest, the trail the west/southwest, the to mile a About there. where brown trout lurk among lush beds of watercress. It switchbacks up a steep a up switchbacks It watercress. of beds lush among lurk trout brown where to remind visitors of the gala military parties once held once parties military gala the of visitors remind to Commission Area Commission Nebraska Game and Parks and Game Nebraska extends along the ridge above the Middle Fork of Soldier Creek, Soldier of Fork Middle the above ridge the along extends Trail Trooper site of the old Officers Club. Only foundations remain foundations Only Club. Officers old the of site west and again crosses the North Fork drainage at the at drainage Fork North the crosses again and west Hiking and Equestrian Trails Equestrian and Hiking from Memorial weekend through late November. late through weekend Memorial from to the northeast corner of the unit. From there, it turns it there, From unit. the of corner northeast the to firepits, and vault toilets. There is a fee for overnight camping here camping overnight for fee a is There toilets. vault and firepits, U.S. Forest Service Forest U.S. North Fork of Soldier Creek, then slowly climbs higher climbs slowly then Creek, Soldier of Fork North is located at the parking lot. Other facilities include picnic tables, picnic include facilities Other lot. parking the at located is Nebraska National Forest National Nebraska winds north along the along north winds Trail Saddle and Boots several historic roads attract hikers and riders. A horse corral horse A riders. and hikers attract roads historic several Trooper Trail and the Boots and Saddle Trail. In addition, In Trail. Saddle and Boots the and Trail Trooper devastating fire. Two established trails explore the area — area the explore trails established Two fire. devastating ways to view the rebirth of natural vegetation after a after vegetation natural of rebirth the view to ways entire area. Hiking and riding horseback are excellent are horseback riding and Hiking area. entire The 1989 Fort Robinson fire burned over this over burned fire Robinson Fort 1989 The vehicles, bicycles or game carts are allowed. are carts game or bicycles vehicles, of Fort Robinson State Park. No unauthorized unauthorized No Park. State Robinson Fort of encompasses 9,600 acres at the west edge west the at acres 9,600 encompasses which includes the Soldier Creek Wilderness, Creek Soldier the includes which The Soldier Creek Management Unit, Management Creek Soldier The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Parks and Game Nebraska Nebraska National Forest/U.S. Forest Service Forest Forest/U.S. National Nebraska Fort Robinson State Park State Robinson Fort Soldier Creek Management Unit Unit Management Creek Soldier Fort Robinson State Park The Pine Ridge With over 22,000 acres of rugged pine-covered hills, Nebraska’s Pine Ridge scribes a ragged arc across about buttes and open prairie, Fort Robinson State Park is an 100 miles of the northwest Panhandle. Ranging up to 20 Pine Ridge Trails outdoor dream. Activities and services include trail rides, miles wide, administration of these lands lies in many hands. fishing, natural and human history, cabins, camping, Some 51,000 acres of the central Ridge is managed by the restaurant and a broad expanse of country waiting to Pine Ridge Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest. be explored by horseback or on foot. A smaller area of pine and grassland is part of the Oglala National Grassland, also under Forest Service management. Some 20 miles of waterways course through the park. State lands, managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Some trails are marked with white diamonds. Inquire Commission, include Chadron and Fort Robinson state about difficulty at the Park Office. parks and numerous wildlife management areas. Hike or horseback across country and explore the The easy-to-follow trails accommodate both hikers and beautiful Pine Ridge. Hike to the top of the buttes. The horseback riders. No motorized vehicles are allowed on bighorn sheep keep to the high country near the buttes. or within 30 feet of Pine Ridge trail. Two blazes cut in pine Explore the rugged hills above the James Ranch and look trunks and unpainted posts mark the path through the to the north for a glimpse of the vast Oglala National trees, while cream-topped posts point the way across the Grassland. The Fort Robinson Fire of 1989 burned many meadows. Signs identify individual trails at intersections. acres of pine forest in the park. Be cautious of falling trees Camping is allowed on Nebraska National Forest lands. when hiking in the burn areas. Enjoy the sounds of gurgling Backpackers and horse campers should pack out their trash. Soldier Creek and the breeze rustling the cottonwoods or whistling among the pines. Fort Robinson offers something Open fires are permitted on the national forest lands, for everyone. Strike out on your own and experience this unless prohibited by special order. Build them on mineral vast natural area for yourself. soil, away from grass and trees. Make sure they are dead out when you leave. Warm, windy weather can produce explosive fire hazards, so use a compact stove during extreme danger periods. During high winds, be on the watch for possible falling snag trees in the burned over areas. Water is available at some springs and windmills, but these are not reliable sources and cannot be recommended for human consumption. Creek water should be boiled and purified before drinking. CHADRON Please keep all gates closed. Although the Pine Ridge has an arid climate, summer rainstorms can be violent. Flash floods are common, so avoid camping or parking Fort Robinson 20 State Park vehicles on creek floodplains. Chadron State Park I CRAWFORD Soldier Creek Management Unit 2 385 20 U.S. Forest Service -- Nebraska National Forest Supervisor’s Office Nebraska 125 North Main National Chadron, NE 69337 Forest Phone: 308-432-0300 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Fort Robinson State Park Chadron State Park P.O. Box 392 15951 Hwy. 385 Crawford, NE 69339-0392 Chadron, NE 69337-9312 Phone: 308-665-2900 Phone: 308-432-6167 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Printed on recycled paper with soy ink 5/2006D Pine Ridge Trails bro in 2006.qxd 5/31/2006 8:40 AM Page 1 NEBRASKA NATIONAL FOREST TRAILS CHADRON STATE PARK Nebraska National Forest OTHER FACILITIES Chadron State Park encompassed 973 acres of Pine Ridge Trail U.S. Forest Service ● Accessible Rider Ramp picturesque pine-covered hills, 8 miles south of ● The Great Plains’ ocean of rolling, grassy swales Trails Corrals Chadron on U.S. 385. Established in 1931, it is ● Tables and Fire Rings Nebraska’s first state park. With its peaceful, and farmland erupt abruptly into the rugged country Nebraska Game and Parks ● called the Pine Ridge. This unexpected region owns Commission Area Drinking Water idyllic setting, Chadron offers a wide range of ● Toilet recreational opportunities. Visitors will find modern an uncommon diversity of plant and animal life. Pine Ridge NRA Boundary The timbered canyons and open parks mix western housekeeping cabins, a modern campground, and eastern plants, grazed pastures and sprawling T Trailhead swimming pool, horseback trail rides and the Chartran Trading Post. There’s a large group camp, timberlands. While the Ridge is not wilderness, it is Historic Road still wild. The Pine Ridge Trail gives hikers and ELESONROAD and for winter sports buffs, there are cross-country horseback riders panoramic views of the varied ski trails. No private horses are allowed in the park. However, hiking trails bisect the park, terrain, flora and fauna. No motorized vehicles are NORMAN Spotted Tail Trailhead ROAD angling southwest near the park headquarters allowed on Pine Ridge Trail. SNUS ROAD through meadows and dense ponderosa pines. The Roberts and East Ash trailheads are access A mountain bike trail begins near the park points to the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area, campground. Inquire about difficulty at the which is managed for non-motorized recreation. park office. The trails are well marked with INDIAN CREEK Outsiders tree blazes or posts. Restrooms and water ROAD GRANTHAM Trailhead Roberts Trailhead ROAD are available in the park. HA ACTIVITIES This trailhead is located on an old homestead CHADRON Pine Ridge Trail YNES ROAD DRY CREEK ROAD site on land once owned by the Roberts family. The STATE ● Camping area has picnic tables, stock water, horse corrals, PARK ● Swimming accessible rider ramp and toilet. The trail heads ● Horseback straight south from the corrals for half a mile, then FLAG BUTTE Trail Rides ROAD intersects the Rock Butte Trail.