Overview

Black Butte Dam was built decades ago by ranchers to hold rainwater that was then piped to watering troughs for use by cattle. Back in the old days when it rained regularly, the system probably worked well, but with the land drying out in the modern age, the dam holds back sand and the occasional pond after a summer thunderstorm. When the pond is full, be sure to look for fairy shrimp and other tiny creatures in the water.

The troughs are gone, and the pond usually is dry, but this remains an historic site worth visiting. The trail from the west is only 0.44 miles round trip, so it is more of a stroll than a hike, but it can be combined with a hike to the Twenty-one Goats petroglyph site (add 0.50 miles round trip), or it can be a destination when starting from Falling Man (about 3 miles round trip).

Presented here are photos of the return. For a detailed description of the route, including directions, maps, and GPS coordinates, see Black Butte Dam Direct Route.