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Centennial Trail (SD) Day 1. Miles 1-6
In de Benninning
The day begins where Friday left off, a long drive. 9 hours total from Minneapolis to Bear Butte education center (plus an hour getting to Whispering pines campground for resupply drop off, and an hour getting to Dakota Point for water resupply drop) split up by a short night of camping near Sioux Falls in the Big Sioux Recreation Area. Our shuttle guy gave us the rundown on the trail status over the phone, that the seasonal water sources gonna be dry, hence our detour to Dakota Point. Once we actually met up at the ed center, he gave us a tour of a bunch of the trailheads and let us grill him with questions. Once at the southern trailhead, we realized I somehow lost the buckle to my waist-strap, what a great way to start! Abby and I were unintentionally matching so that made it even better!
Southern Terminus, Wind Cave National Park My starting weight was 46lbs and hers was 35.
First Steps
The 6 mile hike through Wind Cave NP offered awesome views! I expected mostly just the plains. It was great to see a beautiful stream with dragonflies, and some cool rock faces! We were pretty slow going through it, as we started at 3:30 and got to Custer SP at 6:30. This hike put us through around 900ft of total elevation gain.
Cool cave by the stream! (No, not the wind one)
Obligatory bison herd
Stream-side cliffs
Obligatory bison herd. I was trying not to make eye contact so it was kind of hard to tell, but one of them may have been stomping or pawing at the ground at us. Dust was definitely getting kicked up though. Aside from that there was only one large bull right on the trail and he bolted when we got a little closer.
Top of the hill!
Post bison herd and prairie dog town
Bison hip
After getting up out of the steam-valley it definitely became more plains-like. I did lose the end to one of my huking poles on the way up the hill, but I’m sure it will be fine. There was still gorgeous weather for the evening, but rain was projected for tomorrow. Overall it was a very good first day! Excited for the next!
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Comments 1
Hi Gabe, my husband and I started the Centennial Trail back in ’98 as a training hike for the AT. Rain, rain, rain, blisters, blisters, blisters. We started at Bear Butte. We did about half and called it quits. Now we hope to do it in sections/day hikes. Since completing the AT in 2000, we haven’t done any backpacking.
Sounds like you’re off to a great start. Watch out for ticks!
Good luck!