MDH Day 1
Beautiful blue skies, warm sun with a cool breeze. 10.5 miles and all on beautiful trail. This is definitely the way to get back into shape.
We started the day early, and noticed there was a leak in the tire of the car, but we got some flat fix and pumped it up and it held. So thankfully when we returned the car, there was no issue.
Since we refused to allow anything get in the way of getting on trail today, rather than the tricky hitch to get to the start, we decided to just get a cab. Which will be the most expensive single cost on either trail, and more than the car rental! $220.
Excited to finally be out in the wild, the cab driver left us with nothing but the sound of the birds and breeze. We did final packing, rigging, and off we went.
I must say, this trail is groomed to the t. Someone actually comes out to mow and ensure the trail is in tip top shape. It’s the width of two normal trails, which allows you to worry less about tripping on the path ahead, and focus more on the beautiful scenery of the badlands.
The trail wound around mounds and hills, comfortably up to the tops of pastures where the wind would howl and push us around, but kept our brows free of sweat (mostly, that is).
There isn’t much in terms of natural water sources in the southern section of the trail, so after 6.7 miles we reached our first box we stocked with water. Unfortunately, we had to lug two gallons (in addition to what we were already drinking) about 4 miles.
We wanted to make it at least 10 miles (146 miles of trail, two weeks of time) so once we passed the 10-mile mark, we searched for camp, which unfortunately didn’t come right away.
About another 15-20 minutes passed, and we reached the top of flat land where the wind was howling. Our bodies already beginning to ache as we shake off the quarantine slump, we decided to stop for a moment and look around. We went off the side of a trail a bit and found a little cliff side that would protect us (a bit) from the wind, and would shade us as we relaxed in camp.
Sun sets after 8:30, and we reached camp around 4. Enjoying the cool air, the sounds of nature (and cows mooing not too far off), and the start of our adventure. Saw not just one or two mountain lion prints too, which is exciting.
P.s. the photos won’t be the best for now, I need to get a cable for my camera, but I’ll update the posts with better photos when I can!