Hell Canyon Overlook on the West Side of the Historic Ranger Cabin

View from western lookout of Jewel Cave’s Historic Ranger Cabin. This view is facing southwest.

NPS Photo / Connor Joyce

Quick Facts

Location:

Custer, SD

Significance:

A part of Jewel Cave National Monument

Designation:

National Monument

Amenities

3 listed

Audio Description, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information

Stone Staircase

The stone staircase to the southwest is a great example of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) ingenuity at Jewel Cave National Monument. This original staircase is vital to the pathway that leads to Bush’s Shelter Cave and the Historic Entrance.

U.S. Highway 16

U.S. Highway 16, commonly referred to as U.S. 16, stretches from Rapid City, South Dakota, in the east, to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, in the west. Originally, U.S. 16 linked Detroit, Michigan, to Yellowstone National Park. The original route of U.S. 16 crossed the South Dakota-Wyoming state borders west of Spearfish; the route ahead of us was commissioned as U.S. Highway 216, a U.S. 16 offshoot that linked Rapid City, South Dakota, to Moorcroft, Wyoming. However, in 1934, one year before the arrival of CCC workers, U.S. 16 was officially redesignated to encompass U.S. Highway 216. 

Birds

A variety of birds can be seen year-round on the Canyons Trail route, including, but not limited to, the Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Great Horned Owl. In addition to a wide variety of yearly birds, the spring and summer seasons also bring in fascinating residents, including but not limited to the Tree Swallow, Western Tanager, and the Mountain Bluebird. Furthermore, in the winter season, the Townsend’s Solitaire can be seen as well.

Bats

There are 10 known species of bats at Jewel Cave National Monument, often utilizing the cave for shelter. These bats include big brown bats, little brown bats, long-legged bats, western small-footed bats, northern myotis, Black Hills fringed-tail bats, Townsend’s big-eared bats, silver-haired bats, hoary bats, and eastern red bats. Black Hills bats are insectivores. Along with insect control, bats are also critical for chocolate production. This is due to their instrumental role in the dispersal of cacao bean seeds. Without bats, global chocolate supplies would be volatile and would likely be reduced on an international scale. 

Jasper Fire of 2000

On August 24, 2000, mere weeks after the refurbishment of the historic cabin, an enormous arson fire was ignited just west of Jewel Cave National Monument. Named the Jasper Fire of 2000, it burned a total of 83,508 acres in the southern Black Hills and approximately 90% of the land area of Jewel Cave National Monument. Jewel Cave National Monument was evacuated and remained closed until September 2, when the danger had passed and the fire was nearly contained. As the fire swept through the area, important U.S. government documents, maps, historic items, and computers were brought into the cave for safekeeping. Due to the dry conditions and an abundance of fuel on the forest floor, the fire spread quickly and with severe intensity. In just the first day, the fire consumed an average of about seven football fields of forest per minute. However, even with this monumental disaster, firefighting efforts saved all the structures on the monument. This makes all surviving ponderosa pines witness trees.

• Historic Ranger Cabin Western Side, Hell Canyon Outlook

  
  

  From the western outlook of the historic ranger cabin, a lot can be seen, including the CCC-built stone stairs to the south, U.S. Highway 16, the Canyons Trail, and the effects of the Jasper Fire of 2000.
  Audio Transcript

  From the western outlook of the historic ranger cabin, a lot can be seen, including the CCC-built stone stairs to the south, U.S. Highway 16, the Canyons Trail, and the effects of the Jasper Fire of 2000. 

  The stone staircase to the southwest is another great example of CCC ingenuity at Jewel Cave National Monument. This original staircase is vital to the pathway that leads to Bush’s Shelter Cave and the Historic Entrance. 

  U.S. Highway 16, commonly referred to as U.S. 16, stretches from Rapid City, South Dakota, in the east, to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, in the west. Originally, U.S. 16 linked Detroit, Michigan, to Yellowstone National Park and was in use before the popularization of automobiles, such as Henry Ford’s revolutionary Model T. 

  The original route of U.S. 16 crossed the South Dakota-Wyoming state borders west of Spearfish; the route ahead of us was commissioned as U.S. Highway 216, a U.S. 16 offshoot that linked Rapid City, South Dakota, to Moorcroft, Wyoming. However, in 1934, one year before the arrival of CCC workers, U.S. 16 was officially redesignated to encompass U.S. Highway 216. This means that all supplies needed for the construction of Jewel Cave’s Historic Area, from 1935-1939, traveled on this version of U.S. 16, which crosses the Wyoming-South Dakota state borders west of Custer, South Dakota. Today, U.S. 16 is locally known as Mount Rushmore Road in the western portion of South Dakota. 

  Continuing, the Canyons Trail, located at the bottom of the canyon below, passes limestone cliffs and the historic entrance. The trail is on the property of Jewel Cave National Monument and borders the Black Hills National Forest’s Hells Canyon Trail, which stretches 5.5 miles in length. 

  A variety of birds can be seen year-round on the Canyons Trail route, including, but not limited to, the Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Great Horned Owl. In addition to a wide variety of yearly birds, the spring and summer seasons also bring in fascinating residents, including but not limited to the Tree Swallow, Western Tanager, and the Mountain Bluebird. Furthermore, in the winter season, the Townsend’s Solitaire can be seen as well. 

  In addition to Jewel Cave National Monument’s vibrant bird population, a diverse bat population resides on Monument grounds. There are 10 known species of bats at Jewel Cave National Monument, often utilizing the cave for shelter. These bats include big brown bats, little brown bats, long-legged bats, western small-footed bats, northern myotis, Black Hills fringed-tail bats, Townsend’s big-eared bats, silver-haired bats, hoary bats, and eastern red bats. 

  Of note, Jewel Cave National Monument does not have any vampire bats. Black Hills bats are insectivores, meaning they feed on beetles, moths, flies, and mosquitoes. Along with insect control, bats are also critical for chocolate production. This is due to their instrumental role in the dispersal of cacao bean seeds. Without bats, global chocolate supplies would be volatile and would likely be reduced on an international scale. Interestingly, bats are one of the most common mammals at Jewel Cave National Monument and often hibernate in the cave system during the winter months. 

  No matter the season, the surrounding area demonstrates the dangerous effect of forest fires. On August 24, 2000, mere weeks after the refurbishment of the Historic Cabin, an enormous arson fire was ignited just west of Jewel Cave National Monument. Named the Jasper Fire of 2000, it burned a total of 83,508 acres in the southern Black Hills and approximately 90% of the land area of Jewel Cave National Monument. 

  Jewel Cave National Monument was evacuated and remained closed until September 2, when the danger had passed and the fire was nearly contained. As the fire swept through the area, important U.S. government documents, maps, historic items, and computers were brought into the cave for safekeeping. 

  Due to the dry conditions and an abundance of fuel on the forest floor, the fire spread quickly and with severe intensity. In just the first day, the fire consumed an average of about seven football fields of forest per minute. However, even with this monumental disaster, firefighting efforts saved all the structures on the monument. 

  For its part, the Historic Cabin was foamed several times to save it from the raging fire. Due to the firefighters’ selfless efforts, all the ponderosa pines standing are witness trees. This means that these remaining ponderosa pines were present during an important historical event, making them witnesses to historical moments. The most documented witness trees at Jewel Cave National Monument can best be seen at spot #4, looking southeast from the cabin’s front porch. Witness trees can be found at nearly every National Park Service property across the nation, from coast to coast. 

  In all, the Jasper Fire of 2000 is a good reminder to remember the words of Smokey the Bear: “Only you can prevent forest fires.”