Day 7 - A Trail Not Traveled

Happy Trails!

We had a good start today – on the trail by 8:30, 41 degrees and sun.  A slight one-mile rise, and then the downhill began!  This part of the trail is generally thought of as not so scenic as the rest, but we found beauty everywhere.  During the some 28 miles between Custer and the Minnekahta Trailhead, which was mostly downhill, the geology changed from the black hills conifer forest, to pretty grass lands.  There were mica-speckled rocks everywhere, glistening in the sun.  We still saw deer, but not so many.  New to us today was a hawk, yellowish birds that we think might be pine warblers, and wild turkeys.

The trail was in good condition and we were making good time.  And then we got to the Minnekahta Trailhead, where we had planned to have lunch from our packs, and then sail into Edgemont, just 16 miles south.  We were greeted with a sign “Trail Work Ahead.”  Luckily, a SD Parks employee was working on the Trailhead structure, and he dissuaded us from going further on the trail.  He explained there was 11 miles of trail work – pouring new gravel top, some of which was in a furrow down the middle of the trail, with a half-dozen semi-dump trucks going back and forth, creating dust clouds.  In other words, the trail was not really passable.  But the work had not been announced to the public, since the trail was not being shut down.

And so, we took to the highway – US 18.  The highway had a great shoulder - wide and smooth.  We had one big hill to conquer, but then it was downhill to Edgemont.

Tomorrow we will begin making our way back to Deadwood.  We will use a shuttle service to get us back to Custer and from there we will cycle to Hill City, were we will hook up with a friend from Iowa, who will ride with us back to Deadwood.  More fun times!

Rob & Diane

Diane gives herself over to the cool bright South Dakota morning! (Actually she is stretching her sore shoulder, but I like the "poetic" explanation better.)

Rolling along at 10 mph enjoying the glide south....

.... enjoying the periodic rock monoliths. 

As you may know on every ride Rob has to take one picture of Diane over his shoulder as they both cruise along,

And here is Rob's obligatory wildflower photo....these are some of last flowers of this season. 

Diane wanted to share with you a photo of the gates that easily allow cyclists to pass through fenced pastures while assuring cattle do not get out. (The gate swings away from the left post  and once you are through the weight on the chain pulls it back to close.)

Along the trail, on the top of a rise out in the middle of nowhere, someone had decided to mix business with kindness.  The ice chest contains cold water bottles with a request for one dollar a bottle. 

Somewhat benign sign simply saying Trail Work Ahead........

.....the semi dump trucks proved the sign should have read "Major Trail Work Ahead. Proceed at Your Own Risk."

Diane insisted I close this entry with a photo of her showing you the hill she had conquered on US 18.