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PROPOSED BLACK HILLS 

 WILDERNESS AREAS 



BREAKNECK. The proposed 6.90ii acre Breakneck Wilderness \iKJi is 

 marked bv rugged terrain covered with dense forest While its "from range 

 slopes have small watersheds, the power of rushing water is e\ideni m the 

 spectacular box canyons and waterslides that have formed 



The area's njggcdness is matched b> Ihe colomzing forest, where 

 blackbark and yellowbark pines tower above an underslof> of deciduous 

 trees and shrubs Spruce have taken root in the upper reaches of the 

 gulches, where b> midsummer the multi-sloried trees produce a cool dark 

 climate on the forest floor The few clearings are splendid, although limited 

 to small parks, rock outcrops and talus slopes 



The area's deep valleys and lush forest prmnde excellent winter habitat 

 for deer and elk Other mammals such as squirrels, porcupines and co\oles 

 find winter shelter, food and solitude here The dense forest co\er supports 

 a vanety of nesting birds such as warblers, nuthatches, \ireos. and thrushes 

 while rocks and cliffs provide aeries for golden eagles, prairie falcons and 

 turke\ \iilturcs 



SAND CREEK. Probabh the most pnsune area remaining in the Black Hills. 

 the proposed 9.7l)0 acre Sand Creek Wilderness Area is within one of the most 

 isolated, rugged and lightK logged pans of the Black Kills Containing large, intact 

 stands of consolidated old-growth forest unmatched anyi^here else in the Black 

 Hills, the area offers oiiistanding opponumiies for solitude and for pnmiine and 

 unconfined recreation Its vancly of ecos>slems in rugged and diverse terrain 

 provides excellent habitat for wildlife and rare plants. especia)l> old-growth species. 

 The area'*; topograph^ is characterized by a high limestone plateau dissected by 

 sieep-watlcd canyons While its towering limestone cliffs and majcsUc old-growth 

 Ponderosa pines are Ihe dominant feahires. panoramic mcws can be had from some 

 of it-: hills Frequeni st?nds of birch, aspen and other hardwoods compliment the 

 diverse types of forest understones Sand Creek Canyon n\als neartr* Spearfish 

 Canyon in splendor 



STAGEBARN CANYONS. The proposed 7.300 acre Stagcbam Canyons 

 Wilderness Area is one of the newest additions to the Black Hills National Forest 

 Much of the area has recently entered the public domain through the Homestake 

 land exchange Past private ownership has been largely custodial, rather than 

 extraction oriented, due to the rugged terrain dominated b\ limestone chffs, 

 outcrops, and canyons 



Although located less than 10 miles from Rapid Cit>. the solitude in its deep 

 canyons is nearly total Fed by perennial springs onginaling in deep limestone 

 fissures. South Stagebam Canyon (known locally as Botany Canvon) is a naluraiisi's 

 dream Its steep cliff waJIs hartwr a senes of protected microclimates that sustain 

 water-loving plants more usually encountered in moister southern climates These 

 seeps, spnngs and pools pro\ide habtiai for a wide \3net\ c( m-^e-.i'. :imphibians 



and reptiles These in turn provide food sonri,cOor hiiihcr ■. ' r ii> ; M i^ hais 



birds, and rodents 



PILGER MOUNTAIN. Set in a remote part of the Black Hills, the 

 proposed 12.600 acre Pilger Mountain Wilderness Area is highly 

 dissected by canyons draimng south into the Cheyenne River Pilger 

 Mountain is a prnmineni feature and offers speclarular \isl:is bolh 

 toward Custer and toward the Pine Ridge in western Nebraska 

 Vegetauon along the canyons is mainly pine and jumper, while praines, 

 such as Robinson Flats, dominate the ndgehne 



This area is in a region known for its archaeological rock art sites 

 Ecologicallv. the area would add a unique forest type to the National 

 Wilderness Preservation System, thanks to the Ponderosa pine and 

 juniper found in the steep canyons of this distinct "hogsback" range Its 

 relatively mild winter climate, remoteness, deep sheltering canyons and 

 good forage provide excellent winter habitat for deer and elk. The area 

 is also frequented in winter by golden eagles and several species of 

 hawk 



BLACK FOX. The proposed 12.400 acre Black Fox Wilderness Area is located in the upper reaches of the 

 Rap d Creek watershed The area is well-appointed with spnngs which keep nparian sites dependabl> watered, its 

 ttxp topograph\ and unkempt forest present challenges to wilderness travelers, while its location offers substantial 

 opportuniues for solitude Its si/e will permit unconfined pnmitive recreation Cliffs and steep ndges along 

 Swede Gulch and south Rapid Creek are features of topographic and geologic significance 



The forest is perhaps the area's finest feature, hartwring diverse species, ages and stand-densities of trees The 

 pnncipal species here are Ponderosa pine, white spruce and quaking aspen, much is in an old-growth stage 

 Despite widespread past logging. mvTiad logs, snags and yellowijark pines suggest the area's once-undisturbed 

 character. 



Topographically. Black Fox features high roUing plateau to the west, dropping abruptly through l.tXM) feet to 

 form the sleep Swede Gulch flowing eastward through the area's center This proposed wilderness, while no longer 

 pnstine. nevertheless retains its essentially wild character Given lime, traces of logging will disappear as nature 

 reclaims disturbed places. 



BLACK ELK ADDITION. Expanding the existing Black Elk Wilderness by approximaic!> : 

 8.2(K) acres, the proposed Black Elk additions contain some of (he most magnificent old-growth 

 Ponderosa pine forest lo be found ui the Black Hills These ancient pines, in pan, are what make the ~^'^ 

 Black Hills sacred to Native Americans, who con.sidcr the region integral lo their religion While 

 vast portions of the Black Hills have been altered by human intervention, this remains among the few 

 places where Naiive Amencans - among other lovers of wilderness -- can achieve the peace, quid. 

 and solitude they seek 



High precipitation in the region, caused by its elevation of nearly a mile above the surrounding 

 prairie, has resulted in a dense forest growth over much of the proposed additions, which are pnmc 

 habitat for mountain goals, elk. deer and other old-growth Ponderosa pine forest species 



The general topography of bolh Black Elk and the proposed additions consists of rugged 

 mountains with soanng granite spires, interlaced with pnstine valleys containing spnngs and 

 permanent creeks The additions also include spectacular rock formations where wild mountain goats 

 flourish, similar to the nationally famous Needles in adjacent Custer Slate Park, as well as 

 undeveloped sections of Mt Rushmorc National Memonal 



