Train Wreck

Known to produce large nodules with red agate, the Train-Wreck digs were named as such due to enormous “train car” sized boulders that lay above the agate pay-layer.

When to visit: Spring, Summer, Fall.

What you can find: Hells Canyon agate, jasper, fossil shells, calcite.

What to bring: Rock hammer, chisels, pick axe, buckets, backpack, water, snacks.

Where to stay:  The Hell Canyon area south of US-16 is open to dispersed camping. The town of Custer is 25 minutes West on US-16 and has many hotels and campgrounds.

Getting there: From Custer, South Dakota travel west on HWY. 16 / Mt. Rushmore Rd. approximately 15 miles. You will pass FS Rd. 277 on your left and shortly after come to 277.1B After approximately 1/2 miles you come to a V in the road. Stay to your right to stay on 277.1b. After another 3/10 of a mile you will see a dirt road on your left. Follow this road another 3/4 of a mile to reach the first dig (Site A) located just off the road on your right. A few hundred yards further on you will find another larger dig (Site B) on the left.  I have since been told the road leading directly to the digs is closed and you may have to walk from the top of the hill. Reference the Black Hills National Forest Hells Canyon ranger district map for updated information on road access.

(Site A: 43°42’34.1″N 103°51’01.0″W)
(Site B: 43°42’30.3″N 103°50’58.0″W)

Rockhounding

The Train-Wreck digs in Hells Canyon have produced some very nice large red agates. Site A is the first dig site you will come to. The agate pay layer comes out just below the enormous train-car slabs. As a result the slabs have been severely undercut, making following the layer difficult. Site B is a larger dig site with even more undercutting. For success here try moving off to the sides of the digs and see if you can find virgin pay layer that has not been undercut. Surface digging the dirt down below the pay payers may also prove successful. Nice smaller agate pieces have been found on the dig tailings. Surface hunting the hills and draws around this area has also produced very nice agate.

Gallery

(Sample gallery from tepee canyon – Trainwreck Gallery Coming Soon.)

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