2012 Map of Crows Nest Peak

About this map

Crows Nest Peak stands as the central landmark in this Pennington County landscape, where the high-altitude terrain is defined by a deep network of canyons and family-held ranchlands. The map reveals a clear pattern of land use centered on water and shelter, with numerous homesteads like the McCoy Ranch, Dolan Ranch, and Soholt Ranch positioned near vital water sources such as Castle Creek and Cold Creek. A legacy of pioneer ranching and forest management is evident in the dense nomenclature of draws and ridges, including Manganese Draw, Bjornland Draw, and Spruce Ridge. This 2012 survey illustrates how the rugged topography of the Black Hills has maintained its ranching character well into the twenty-first century, with many roads like West Deerfield Road and South Castle Creek Road following the natural contours of the drainages.