This is our 1stGeocache and might be something with a little more adventure. Calumet Ridge is located about 1 mile south east of Sheridan lake and is 2 miles North of the Wooden Keystone "Y" bridge on Highway 16.
History: Calumet mine was a copper mine that began in 1879. It produced a small tonnage of low grade Copper ore during World War I. No commercial body of copper was ever found, so the mine was abandonded shortly after the war. The main shaft (fenced off) is about 350 feet east and down the hill from the cache. A hundred years ago the shaft went down 850 feet but has partially caved in since then. You can find the brick foundation of the smelter located about 250 feet west of the cache.
Forest Service Property surrounds the area. The cache is located on privately owned land (owned by the Great great grandson of the mine) and is "officially" posted as no trespassing- this is to protect the owner against any liability. So if you get hurt you cannot sue the owner. You are hiking through the forest at your own peril and risk. Isn't it terrible that people have to take an "official" stance like this just to keep from having to worry about being sued?
How to get there and find the cache:
- Our recommended starting point to hike or 4 wheel drive from (and the last part of the hike is not near as steep if you use this route) the forest service trail from the south at N 43 56.320' W 103 27.140'. It is a 1.1 mile drive and hike from this location.
- There are muliple horizontal shafts (mostly caved in) and hand dug "Glory Hole" old mine indentations in the ground to see along the hike up.
- Some notable things to look for as you reach the top, is Ellsworth Air Force Base off in the distance to the North East, The Badlands of South Dakota to the South East, Harney Peak to the South, Samalis Peak 2.1 miles away to the South East and Sheridan Lake 1.1 miles to the north.
- As an additional find in the immediate area: just a couple hunderd feet north is a knob. On top of this knob is another high spot with an even better view and a statue of Mary (at N 43 57.220, W 103 26.829). It is a bit of a climb the last few feet, but what a view! So bring your binoculars along on this hike.
The Cache: The cache is a Rubbermaid container painted dark green and is stenciled with Geocaching.com in gray letters.
We hope you enjoy this cache and the history of this area!
-Team Family Affair