Yellowstone County – Your Ancestral Past Trail Series

Out in the Boonies Index

By Dave Dodge

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

A little history about Dave Dodge: he is the sixth great grandson on Squire Boone, the younger brother of the frontiersman Daniel Boone. It was this gene pool that contributed to his urge to get out and explore. He has been exploring with Cleve Kimmel and he thought that Dave should share his adventures and misadventures. He usually goes someplace he had researched many time before, so he does have some strong knowledge of the region. He retired from the Postal Service and in researching that venue he found that Montana has had over two thousand Post Offices and only about three hundred fifty remain. Many of his trips include finding locations of these abandoned post offices, cemeteries, buildings and towns.

Please submit any feed back, extra info, and corrections. Dave’s address is [email protected]

Trip Report # 1 - Golden, Weatherman Draw, Bean and Wade

This trail starts from Bridger.

Trip Report #2 – Twin Monuments & Monument Trail

Trail starts from either Duck Creek or South Billings Boulevard in Billings.

Trip Report #3 – St. Olaf’s Church, 2^nd Crow Agency, Chance Cemetery, Chance & Tolman

Trail starts from Columbus, and returns to Laurel. However, you can return to the originating point if so desired. This trip doesn’t require a 4-wheeled vehicle; but if continuing on to part 3b, it is mandatory. The second leg of the journey should only be attempted when the roads are dry, and clear of wetness or snow. The route passes through Absarokee, and then veers off the highway (78) and onto gravel and dirt roads. There are virtually no road signs along the way to assist, nor are there local residents near by that might render aid, so the use of trail Rag Map #36 from the BLM will be needed. The entire route is expected to take about seven hours to complete. Separate map sketches are attached for each Trip Section.

The Billings Post, on March 10, 1883, presented an article from George Geer a resident of the Park Hotel, about a recommendation for building a much-needed road from Billings to Cooke City. He describes where several of the early trails, including the Nez Perce and miscellaneous wagon roads are located, and who constructed them. Portions of these trails crisscross the area noted in this trek, and form a basis for original location.

Trip Section 3a – St. Olaf’s Church and 2^nd Crow Agency

You depart from Sammy’s in Columbus (after having breakfast & obtaining sandwiches etal for the trek), and head for Absarokee. After heading south from Absarokee for 5.5 miles turn off onto gravel roads. The trek is 41.8 miles in length, plus another three miles into Red Lodge. Section 3b starts from Red Lodge. Travel time will be about 2-1/2 hours. You will pass by the J. E. Madson monument marker enroute.

Trip Section 3b – Mee-Tee-Tse Trail (Chance & Tolman)

You depart Red Lodge from 11^th & Broadway (Pollard Hotel), and head south. The trail starts immediately on the left after crossing Rock Creek, and meanders through the open land leading towards the Wyoming Border. You will pass by the Mee-Tee-Tse Spires, then into Tolman Flats. The Tolman Cemetery access is occasionally closed, and is closed during hunting season. Chance Cemetery and the location where Chance was located are open. The dirt road is not maintained and has grades of 12 degrees. Four-wheeled vehicles are recommended.

Trip Report #4 – Billings – As It Was in 1956 or Earlier

This is a tour of Billing’s local landmarks, as seen from the past. Tour is under construction, and will establish appropriate original references to the area attractions where available.

 Copyright © 2003, 2004 Yellowstone County-Montana . All Rights Reserved.

Trip Report #5 – Reverend Thomas Massacre

This is a trip to the Thomas Marker located alongside of I90 near Greycliff.

Trip Report #6 – Crockett Section House – Pryor Gap

This is a trip to an abandoned station house and its water tower. Used to service the CB&Q Railroad that used to run between Toluca and Cody.

Trip Report #7 – Pryor Valley Area -- Rock Cairns on the Monument & Bozeman/Bridger Trails

This tour starts at Twin Monuments as a staging area, and then has four segments that can be taken collectively, or individually. It requires pre-tour review of local maps, and reading of the trail locations as noted. It specifically locates the early trails. Prepared by Cleve Kimmel & Vernon Drake in 2002.

Trip Report #8 – Cowley Rock Cairn – South Entrance to Petroglyph Canyon

Tour starts on HWY 310, and goes south into Wyoming, then north towards Montana. The cairn marks the location for numerous mining claims, all unused.

Trip Report #9 – General Hazen Road from Fort CF Smith to Fort Benton

This road was established in 1866 when General Hazen was assigned as superintendent of the western plains Indians. He traveled to Fort Benton from CF Smith and back, attempting to initiate a survey of the conditions. This was at the time when hostilities with the Sioux were just starting. It crosses the Yellowstone River just above Worden.

Trip Report #10 – Gypsum Canyon Rock Cairns & Lime Kiln

This trek passes through the southern edge of Pryor Mountain, entering from Warren and going southeast into Wyoming. The trail has numerous branches, and needs to be studied well in advance, if you are unfamiliar with the terrain. Trip #11 can be taken at the same time.

Trip Report #11 – Rock Cairns in Sweet Grass & Stillwater, Stockade School, Reed Point, Merrill & Stillwater PO’s.

This trek is about a six-hour round trip drive from Billings. The roads are mainly graded dirt & gravel; and are suitable for rainy weather. A 4-wheel drive vehicle; however, is recommended.  The entire trek is on public access roads. There are three rock cairns to be seen, plus the old Reedpoint Siding, Old PO’s at Merrill & Springtime, and the Stockade School. [Note: the coordinates provided are from the Post Offices of Montana & GPS sightings. These may vary slightly from NGIS data.] Note also that the Spring Creek School[1] is about one mile south of the Stockade School; but isn’t covered in this trek.

Trip Report #12 – McGinnis Peak, Hole in the Wall & Ingomar

This trip, in its entirety requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle with at least 12” of clearance. Hole in the wall couldn’t be reached since the area was closed off (Oct-2007). The others can be viewed with an auto. Plan on a six hour trek if departing from Billings.