heartless
04-17-2008, 02:36 PM
A friend of mine and myself headed west last weekend to check out the MDH, despite rain and snow in the forecast, and we ended up with a nearly perfect weekend of riding and camping.
I try to get to the badlands every April to go hiking, but this was my first time going out there with my bike. We didn't make a run at the whole trail, but rather we camped at Elkhorn and Wanagan Camps, and made day-trips out from there.
The first day was cold and rainy, and we didn't ride much, though we did manage to explore a bit. The next few days were clear and sunny, and the riding was awesome. If it weren't for the spring turkey hunting season, we would have been the only people out there, and I'm sure we were the first riders on the trail this season.
The turkey hunters worked with us though, and we were able to avoid each other just fine. I think we saw more turkeys than they did, its too bad ND won't give non-residents turkey tags or we would have eaten a lot better than we did!
I am looking forward to going back and making a run at the whole trail, though I don't think it's going to happen this year. I was impressed with how well-marked this trail was, and how technical it was at times. Some of the switchback climbs were out of this world.
I have pictures up on my Website:
http://www.losthighwayphoto.com/triplogs/maahdaahhey
Good luck to all who will be venturing West this year!
I try to get to the badlands every April to go hiking, but this was my first time going out there with my bike. We didn't make a run at the whole trail, but rather we camped at Elkhorn and Wanagan Camps, and made day-trips out from there.
The first day was cold and rainy, and we didn't ride much, though we did manage to explore a bit. The next few days were clear and sunny, and the riding was awesome. If it weren't for the spring turkey hunting season, we would have been the only people out there, and I'm sure we were the first riders on the trail this season.
The turkey hunters worked with us though, and we were able to avoid each other just fine. I think we saw more turkeys than they did, its too bad ND won't give non-residents turkey tags or we would have eaten a lot better than we did!
I am looking forward to going back and making a run at the whole trail, though I don't think it's going to happen this year. I was impressed with how well-marked this trail was, and how technical it was at times. Some of the switchback climbs were out of this world.
I have pictures up on my Website:
http://www.losthighwayphoto.com/triplogs/maahdaahhey
Good luck to all who will be venturing West this year!