I don't have any pictures this time because I decided to use video. Here are some notes for any of you who plan on hiking this trail.
We were fortunate to have a mowed trail. It was mowed for a mountain bike race that happened the first weekend of August. If it had not been mowed I think our hike would have been a tangled mess! I say this because the parts of the trail that were in the North and South Units of Theodore Roosevelt National Parks were not mowed and were a mess! We actually got lost on the two miles of trail in the North Unit because the trail was so overgrown. There are sections of trail in the South Unit that are pretty overgrown too - wear long pants while going through them if you want to have skin left on your legs.
I had forgotten how hot it gets in the Badlands. In my opinion, it makes good sense to start hiking at 4:30 in the morning until Noon, rest all afternoon and resume hiking in the cooler hours 6:00 to 8:30 pm. It can be hard to sit around all afternoon but if you don't you can't possibly have enough water to beat the heat. Hiking in the heat I can easily drink 32 ounces (one Nalgen) in two miles of hiking.
Water. In heat it can be an issue. We started the hike up at the CCC Campground and planned on getting fresh water 38 miles south at Magpie Camp. Except that when we got there, the pump didn't work. Turns out, someone had stolen the copper from the pump. I don't know if it has been fixed yet. (As of Summer 2014 Magpie Campground pump doesn't work.) Elkhorn Camp and Wannagan Camp both have working water pumps. You can filter or boil water from cattle stock tanks or the creeks. Creek water is usually not the best quality. I've never drank water from the Little Missouri River as it is too silty. We stashed water on "The Deuce".
The top 96 miles of the Maah Daah Hey is much rougher country than the 46 miles of "The Deuce". Much rougher. I actually prefer the top 96 miles of trail over the lower 46 miles even though the top 96 is a harder hike. I like the scenery of the top 96 miles better. The lower 46 miles is mostly rolling grassland but there is a nice overlook of the Little Missouri on the lower section of trail.
Shuttle. Dakota Cyclery offers a shuttle service. We used it - great folks!
Solitude. If you like solitude you'll get it here. We didn't see any hikers until we got to the South Unit of Teddy Roosevelt Nat'l Park. We did see some oil workers and a rancher.
Cellphones. On higher ground you often get a signal. I was able to get a text out every day to let family know how I was doing.
Animals. There are buffalo in the north and south units of TRNP. So watch out for them. I know there are mountain lions in this area. We saw their tracks and we think we saw one of their kills (a mauled deer). Just be aware in the wooded draws, especially at dusk and dawn. I've heard the best defense against them (they rarely attack humans) is to stand up to them and look big. Rattlesnakes can be an issue but we didn't see one on this hike. There are lots of harmless cows and some bulls. Be on guard for the bulls - but they should leave you alone. They are out there scoping the ladies and that is pretty much all they have their mind on. I have also seen a ram out there and antelope and deer. There are coyotes out there. They are pretty harmless but they howl a lot and can keep you awake at night.
This is absolutely beautiful country. I wish I was out there now.
Map used for top 96 miles: National Geographic Theodore Roosevelt National Park Trails Illustrated Map / Did not have a map for the lower section of trail
Note: Video is best viewed small (not full screen).
