Crook County Highpoint Trip Report

Date: June 2, 2005
Author: Adam Helman

western approach

Note: All NAD27 UTM coordinates are in zone 13T.

This effort was part of a larger journey in late May through early June 2005.

Previous reports describe an eastern approach across the South Dakota line. Using these reports I encountered a road block the previous week, just one mile along FR222 - "Closed for the public safety."

Thirty miles later enroute to Badlands National Park I stopped at a Forest Service Visitor Center and learned that recent rains had destroyed some of the road - and that repairs would not be effected during the length of my journey. I purchased a Black Hills National Forest map in the hope that an approach from the west side of Cement Ridge, one week later, would be successful. It was.

From Interstate 90 just east of Sundance, Wyoming take Exit 191, signed as Moskee Road, and drive south nine miles on pavement. Locate FR875, good gravel, and take it roughly four or five miles to a junction with FR804. Take FR804, again good gravel but not as broad, uphill and generally east four miles to a junction with FR850 immediately south of the highpoint - so meeting the eastern approach route described in other reports.

FR850 is negotiable with difficulty in a low clearance vehicle under dry conditions. The "4WD" note on the USGS topographic chart is a mislabeling for my sake.

I parked at the saddle, coordinates (574941 E, 4910403 N). The highpoint is just a thousand feet horizontal and 300 vertical feet to the south southwest. Find a cairn, benchmark, and enjoy the day.