Erskine Gulch

Erskine Gulch, located off of Nemo Road in the Black Hills of South Dakota near Steamboat Rock, is a short moderate trail through the gulch. The trail is rocky in several places, but nothing a 4x4 with high ground clearance can't handle.

The trail can be accessed straight off Nemo Road using FR145 or off the Piedmont Trailhead system using trail 8279. If entering through FR145, be respectful as this road passes several private properties.

Just before the entrance to the trail, a wide portion of the road leaves room to park and unload any trailers. As you progress into Erskine Gulch, the path comes to a Y intersection. Left or right is up to you since the trail can be run in either direction.

Take a right, and the trail continues with a slight grade up the hill with numerous puddles to splash through. After this, the route becomes rockier, and tire placement is important as you climb up to the loop's apex. You will come across a branch for trail 8276. This leads toward the Nemo Flag, which overlooks Nemo and the surrounding valley. However, 8276 is restricted to vehicles 62 inches wide or smaller. If you want to see the flag, it is about a half-mile walk up the hill.

After passing 8276, it's time to go back down the hill to where we started. This side of the gulch is full of smaller rocks but nothing too challenging. Once you reach the bottom, the trail meets back up, and you are home free.