The 2010 riders, in wagons and on horseback, had to cross the Powder River at Powderville, Mont., travel amidst a herd of longhorns, deal with extreme temperatures and elements, and maintain their pace through fairly desolate country.

The group will arrive in Deadwood on Saturday, Sept. 4, with an escort down the historic town’s Main Street at 3 p.m.

The Historic Miles City to Deadwood Trail Ride benefits the Days of '76 Museum. Events are planned for the riders each evening during the ride, including in South Dakota. This weekend’s overnight stops are near U.S. Highway 212 near Alzada, Mont.

The wagons and riders will cross into South Dakota on Thursday, Sept. 2, and will camp west of Belle Fourche on a ranch near Redwater Road. The group heads to Spearfish on Friday, Sept. 3, with a program and entertainment at the Western High Plains Heritage Center that evening. And on Saturday, Sept. 4, the riders make their way to Deadwood.

In conjunction with the Trail Ride's arrival, the Days of '76 committee will hold a Steer Roping event at the rodeo grounds. There will also be a chuckwagon dinner at the rodeo grounds beginning at 3:30 p.m., followed by entertainment with Kenny Putnam, Ricky Jacobson and Paul Larson, and a program at the First Gold Hotel's Ballroom, beginning at 6 p.m.

The public is encouraged to attend these events. Call the Deadwood Chamber at 578-1876 for more information.

(EDITORS: Click for hi-res PHOTO or ROUTE MAP. Cutlines are below.)

PHOTO CUTINE: Riders on the Historic Miles City to Deadwood Trail Ride head out of Miles City, Montana, en route to Deadwood. The trek began on Aug. 20 and will finish in Deadwood on Sept. 4 with a parade on Deadwood’s Main Street and events at the city’s rodeo grounds and the First Gold Hotel. (Photo courtesy Rhoda Mae McDonald.)

MAP CUTLINE: This map traces the route the crew is taking from from Miles City to Deadwood, approximately the same route taken by Calamity Jane and other early Black Hills fortune-seekers.

-30-