After an enjoyable evening camping along Sand Creek, we made out way further into the Black Hills. Original thoughts had us heading to Deadwood, SD via dirt roads, but the 15″ of snow that Deadwood just received put a damper on things. Once off the mountain and on a more main artery, we headed for Spearfish, stopping at the local brewery for some beer and food.

We woke to blue skies at our camp along Sand Creek, south of Beulah, WY, a mile or so into what’s known as the “Grand Canyon of Sand Creek”.

Sand Creek. Spotted a river Otter swimming through the river.

The day started out so perfect:).

Making our way further south into the Grand Canyon of Sand Creek.

As we made our way south, the snow continued to get deeper. We also came onto a lot of fallen trees. Stopped to clear this one of the road, as people were already going around it.

Still making progress.

We turned onto Surprise Gulch with the thought of getting around Tinton, SD for camp. But the snow just kept getting deeper..

About the point where we started making fresh tracks.

Progress started to slow at this point.

Shawn C.

Matt Ralston.

Matt Farr.

Daniel Linn.

Stuck again. My friend Shawn was stuck just below me. With the group focused on getting him out, I set to get myself out. Tracks definitely came in handy!

Back to making slow progress.

Started to get some views as we climbed in elevation.

Finally made it to the top of the long hill climb.

Land Cruisers in there natural habitat:). From this point, we were only a mile or sow from a major artery, but it seemed to take us forever to get out of this spot.

The snow starting to set in, along with the evening.

Matt Farr winching himself out again.

Finally back on a more traveled road and making progress towards Spearfish, SD.

It seemed like everything cleared up once we were off that Surprise Gulch road. The skies, roads and weather turned as we headed towards Spearfish, SD. I couldn’t pass up this view.

End.

Knowing the history of the Outlaw Days, as well as the mining days in the Black Hills, i’ve been wanting to get back for some time. I’ve had a loose route figured out for when we did get that way, but the 5-8″ of snow in Sundance, WY and 15″of snow in Deadwood, SD, put a damper on things. We made the most of the trip and camped when we could, with other nights in a hotel. Feel this trip just gave us a glimpse in what the Black Hills has to offer:)

Way back when, my friend James got me a MVUM map of the Black Hills. Been wanting to get out this way for some time:).

Making our way north through Wyoming. Was a windy drive!

First night to camp for the trip. At Devils Tower. Got a new Pixel 3XL phone. Trying out the new night time feature.

Woke up to our first view of Devils Tower.

Devils Tower camp.

Devils Tower.

Part of the gang.

We took a walk to see the tower up close. Pretty dang awesome. Even with the weather setting in.

Shawn all excited since he never takes a selfie of himself.

The snow starting to set in.

We ended up walking around the tower on one of the trail. Was nice to get out of the vehicles for a bit.

Loved the forests around the tower.

We left Devils Tower and headed for Sundance, WY via back roads through the Bear Lodge Mountains.

The snow setting in as we climb higher in elevation.

Wasnt expecting this weather for the trip. They were calling for 5-8″ in Sundance WY.

The group.

We stopped at Warrens Peak Lookout, though didn’t explore much due to the weather.

Sundance, Wyoming. Located next to the city and county building for the town, you’ll find this statue of the Sundance Kid. Harry Longbabaugh, would spend his first night in jail in Sundance after steeling a gun, horse and saddle from one of the nearby ranches, being sentenced in 1867.

A cool old bank in Sundance. With the snow blowing sideways, we went to a local bar for lunch to figure out the next plan.

An image of the Sundance kid in the men’s bathroom at the Longhorn Saloon.

At the Turf bar, across the street from the hotel. We ended up closing the bar down. A pool table, jukebox and local feel seem to be our favorite:)

The morning after the storm around the hotel.

Sundance dresses up the town for Halloween.

Matt R getting frisky with the locals.

Before leaving Sundance, we stopped at the Crook County Museum. Lots of great stuff to see regarding the early days. This display they had setup was when Harry Longbabaugh was tried at the local court house. The furnishings are original.

Before leaving Sundance, we stopped at the Crook County Museum. Lots of great stuff to see regarding the early days. This display they had setup was when Harry Longbabaugh was tried at the local court house. The furnishings are original.

Making our way north to Colony, WY via back roads.

Unfortunately got turned around due to private land. So it was back into SD, then back to WY.

Some great country though:)!

Colony, WY. This was once the bunkhouse of the 3B ranch. The Sundance Kid spent some time while working for the outfit. It’s now the community center of Colony, WY.

Bella Fourche, SD. This was a planned stop knowing the foiled bank robbery by Kid Curry, Walt Putney, Tom O’Day and possibly the Sundance Kid. There is a plaque talking about the robbery in Bella Fourche, but we couldn’t seem to find it, though felt we were close here Bella Fourche is also the Geographical center of the US.

View from out camp in the Grand Canyon of Sand Creek, WY.

Campfire goodness. Early in the evening.

You tell your friends to sit still for a pic and this is what you get…

Doesn’t get much better than grilled Fig Newtons:).

End.

During this years Outlaws Run to the Black Hills, our first stop was to Devils Tower in Wyoming. A place i’ve been wanting to go for some time. Of course the winter weather set in the morning we set out to explore the park. Definitely need to get back:)

A snowy Devils Tower

Enjoying a walk thorough the forests around Devils Tower

For what little wheeling we did in the Black Hills, seemed we worked really hard for those two days.

Outlaws Run 2019.

This years Outlaws Run was quite a wild ride. My original plan through the Black Hills of Wyoming and South Dakota didn’t really pan out thanks to all the snow that the Black Hills got ( 5-8″ in Sundance, WY and 15″ in Deadwood, SD). We still had a blast making the most of the conditions. I always seem to check off a lot of bucket list items on these runs, but add a lot more at the same time. We plan to be back to the Black Hills, just maybe not so late in the year…..

Just started working on pics, will post more when I can.

For now, one from our really long day of wheeling. About half way through, we started breaking trails. Most of the group getting stuck at least once.

Every year I lead a trip with the Rising Sun 4×4 club chasing Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch. This year were heading to the Black Hills for a week. Always a fun trip with good friends.

Hopefully the weather holds out while were out there…

Pic: Outlaws Run 2017 in the San Rafael Swell of Utah. Making our way over Fixit Pass.

Every year we head down to Antonito, CO and Chama, NM to ride and chase the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.

The aspens were just about to peak this year but the leaves froze with last weeks storm. Had an enjoyable time riding the train on Saturday. We chased the train on the Antonito side from Whiplash Curve to Sublette, NM. Lots of fun!

Just got pics downloaded, will post more when I get them edited.

#488 at Sublette, NM.

Every fall I head down to Chama, NM with the 4×4 club to ride and chase the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. A most enjoyable steam train that goes from Chama, NM to Antonito, CO.

Excited for a fall ride on the Cumbres and Toltec.

And camping, excited for some fall camping!

I’ve always enjoyed working on vehicles ( was a mechanic at Kuni Lexus of Denver for six years), but feel as i’m getting older, would rather pay someone to do some of that work. This weekend I set out to do a simple oil change on the 4runner to get ready for some up coming trips with the 4×4 club, only to find it turning into a longer project….

After picking up a oil filter from the Toyota dealership, I headed to AutoZone to pick up oil, only to have the battery go bad on me ( it took three tries to get the right battery from AutoZone for the 4runner). While there, I found the negative terminal connector broken. After replacing both, I headed to my parents house to change the oil. Frustrated from earlier, I wasn’t paying attention and drained the transmission fluid ( rolls eyes). Realized what I did a half block after leaving, I parked the truck and went home. I made better progress on everything Sunday…

Definitely ready for some fall camping with the 4×4 club.

Finding a broken negative terminal connector after realizing the battery is shot (only a year old).

A more productive day Sunday working on the 4runner.

Toyota Trails is a bi monthly magazine published by the Toyota Land Cruiser Association. I’ve had the good fortune of getting some photographs and articles published in the past, but that seemed to take a hiatus. So was pleasantly surprised when I got the latest issue to see one of my pics on the cover. Definitely made my week when I got it.

On the cover: My good friend Sean making his way up to Bull Creek Pass. Deep in the Henry Mountains of south eastern Utah. Pic was from the summer 4th of July trip with Sean driving and I riding along. Guess I need to get back into submitting my work:).