Old Faithful: Little Spearfish Creek and Spearfish Falls

🚙 Located 13.2 miles up the canyon from the intersection of Colorado Bvd. and US 14A at Spearfish GPS Coordinates N 44.21.180 W 103.55.772 4,965 ft.

Site Access

This adventure will take you on a ~0.75 mile hike to Spearfish Falls and, if you choose, up Little Spearfish Canyon for a short distance in your vehicle. The path leading to the falls starts directly behind the Latchstring Restaurant with the trailhead being on the far left (northwest) side of the building. The elevation change along the trail is roughly 65 feet so expect to get some exercise. The trail is well-maintained but is not paved so we suggest wearing actual hiking shoes. In our minds, the steeper incline and switchbacks in certain sections qualifies this trail for a difficulty rating of moderate. Just take your time and all will be well. Trekking poles definitely are helpful. Once at the bottom you’ll be treated to a spectacular view of Spearfish Falls and can stay as long as you like. You’ll find a viewing area at the falls as well as a resting bench.

Old Faithful Update 3.pdf

In–Depth Geology Lesson pdf

A great document to print for those who want to dig deeper into the geologic story.

Its flow doth seem to barely change

From wet times into dry.

So what, pray tell, is going on

The limestone tells us why.

Field Exploration

Little Spearfish Creek is indeed little but it feeds the premier waterfall in Spearfish Canyon. This realization permits us to say with great certainty that the little creek's accomplishments belie its scrawny name. Come with us and solve the mystery behind the creek we have come to know as "Old Faithful." It may be small but its persistence will impress you.

This pdf Lesson Guide contains the specific directions for reaching our featured site as well as a detailed explanation of its geologic story for those desiring more depth. Mileage and coordinates are provided in each document and roadmaps and other learning aids can be found at the Geologic Resources link in the sidebar menu. The document is most useful if you have it in hand at the geologic site. Exercise extreme caution at the lesson site and along roadways.

Are you ready. . . . Let's Go! S. V. Fogarty & W. R. Stevens

Spearfish Falls

Parking for this lesson site is at the Latchstring Restaurant. Spearfish Falls is noted as the premier waterfall in Spearfish Canyon due to its persistent flow. The trailhead for the Spearfish Falls viewing area starts at the northwest end of the Latchstring Restaurant. See map below.

Map of the Savoy Area

Little Spearfish USGS Hydrologic Station

The Little Spearfish USGS Hydrologic Station is just a short drive up Little Spearfish Canyon on the way to Roughlock Falls. The station will be on your right side but is well camouflaged by foliage so watch carefully. Time for a new coat of paint! See map above.

Little Spearfish Creek Streamgage

Here we see the streamgage for Little Spearfish Creek which is used to measure the height or stage of the creek at any point in time. This gage is positioned directly in the Little Spearfish Creek bed and sits directly across the road from the USGS gaging station. The gage height of the creek relates directly to the creek's discharge or streamflow. See map above.

Just a short drive up Little Spearfish Canyon is the Little Spearfish water control structure (dam). This structure temporarily impounds Little Spearfish Creek before it completes its journey to Spearfish Falls. The structure was originally built to collect and divert Little Spearfish waters into a flume (large pipe) which then carried it down Spearfish Canyon to the now abandoned Homestake Hydro Plant #2 during the early years of gold mining. A short walk across the structure reveals it to be a great place for fly fishing.

There's more to this story than meets the eye. Download our In-Depth Lesson pdf above if you desire a more thorough coverage.

Send comments to: partial.melting@gmail.com

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse