The riders in the Historic Miles City to Deadwood Trail Ride have crossed the Powder River on their way to the Black Hills on the all-but-forgotten stage line across the high plains of Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota.

About 85 riders are retracing the old route, established 1878 and trekked by the likes of Calamity Jane during its use as a stage line to the bustling mining camp in the middle of the Black Hills.

The wagon train is expected to cross into South Dakota on Thursday, Sept. 2, and will camp west of Belle Fourche on a ranch near Redwater Road. The group heads to Spearfish on Friday, Sept. 3, with a program and entertainment at the Western High Plains Heritage Center that evening. And on Saturday, Sept. 4, the riders make their way to Deadwood.

In Deadwood, they will be welcomed in style. I’m  told the Days of ‘76 committee will hold a steer-roping event at the rodeo grounds. There will also be a chuckwagon dinner at the rodeo grounds beginning at 3:30 p.m., followed by entertainment with Kenny Putnam, Ricky Jacobson and Paul Larson, and a program at the First Gold Hotel’s Ballroom, beginning at 6 p.m.

(Photo courtesy Rhoda Mae McDonald.)