well, this spring as things dry out and as the Forest Service opens gates, I'm going to pre-run this route in my pickup. From what I can tell it covers some very diverse country. Anyone have any input? Who is in for this 100 mile southern hills exploration?
<iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=204019464610329084693.00049fdd1b07f8f1326e9&t=p&ll=43.570442,-103.73291&spn=0.477594,0.878906&z=10&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=204019464610329084693.00049fdd1b07f8f1326e9&t=p&ll=43.570442,-103.73291&spn=0.477594,0.878906&z=10&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Southern Hills loop</a> in a larger map</small> (//http://://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=204019464610329084693.00049fdd1b07f8f1326e9&t=p&ll=43.570442,-103.73291&spn=0.477594,0.878906&z=10&output=embed"></iframe><br%20/><small>View%20<a%20href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=204019464610329084693.00049fdd1b07f8f1326e9&t=p&ll=43.570442,-103.73291&spn=0.477594,0.878906&z=10&source=embed"%20style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Southern%20Hills%20loop</a>%20in%20a%20larger%20map</small>)
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WTF.... how do you embed a map from google maps?
looks like fun to me. i love the heavily wooded northern hills but i also love the more open southern hills too. haven't spent much time down there though. if that loop pans out i may run it at the june rally. nice work!
i am alway sup for a ride. It would be great to see you again. Hopefully it works out we can ride to Moab together. I also hope to get to ride with Loingrader at the rally. Didnt really get a chance to meeet him at the fall rally. This looks like fun route.
oh yea, i would like this. hunted in that area for elk and really liked how the hills 'opened up'
when, where?
That looks like a great ride. I'd be up to doing something like that within the 2 weeks after the FNF rally
Yup, we need a date and time. I would be all over this. Looks like fun.
its incredibly muddy down that way right now, and the gates dont open till May, so after that..... Its on!
I will be in the Hills for the Spring Rally. The next week I think I will be doing a PIT project in the Bearlodge District till the 25th. From then on I am free till 4th of July weekend to what ever I can find.
Some of thoughts have been:
- Find someone who really knows there way around the Hills to put me on some interesting sites such as ghost towns, mines, interesting feature and places of all kinds, etc.
- Head to the Bighorns and do some riding out there. At the same time would like to visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield
- Day hikes.
- At least one day riding in Custer SP, there is quite a bit of dirt/gravel.
- Taking lots of Pictures
- Want to find Bear Cave.
- Any other suggestions?????
I will be camping most all of this trip, the offer of a shower a couple times would be nice, I pack a SunShower but the real deal is nice sometimes. ;D
- Always looking for an "IN" into some places or areas that are restricted or rarely visited. This includes "backdoor tours", Cool people doing cool jobs, Mostly for unique photo ops. ;)
Anybody got any ideas or time to spend in that time frame let me know. I'm up for anything. remember, I ride a big Adv Tourer, not a KLR, though I wish I did sometimes. (its on my list)
Anything would be cool.
Thanks All
GB
Look at this Ride Report. I think it will be just what you're looking for!
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=465632
Sleddog
I have read that report and would like to do something similar. He pack alot riding in a very short period of time. Would like to take the pace a little easier. He does go to a couple places I'd like to explore.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Has anybody done the custer expedition trip thru the hills?
Number41, You sir, have read my mind. I've been scanning the books and maps, I even have the original work that was done in 1974 and published by the SDSU. This book I believe is the major resource that Grafe and Horsted used in determining his route but never make mention of it as a source. Its titled "Following Custer". Its a great resource as all the route is shown using aerial photos.
I would be inclined to do this route the weekend after the Spring Rally or that next week. I'm open From 6/26 - 7-4. I have other plans for the 19th thru the 25th.
A hot shower and a garage full of tools for you a few miles south of Lead....if that helps....and someone to help you get lost :D
Cool, Thanks Plumber Mike.
Sportfaller, sorry, it feels like this thread was highjacked. Still interested in your ride as well.
Josh, hows the healing going? Heard any good jokes? Every time I broke ribs, it hurt the most when I would laugh.
My buddy ND Dave and I are coming to the hills next Monday before the DDSR spring rally. On Tuesday or Wednesday we would like to ride your 100 mile southern route. Do you think the route will be passable and the trails open? Were planning on bringing the KLR so we should have plenty of fuel for getting lost. What da think? thanks
Looking forward to giving you some crashing crap at the spring rally.
gerry
I gave this route a go last Sunday. It's dry enough; there were a few mud holes but you can ride around them if you'd rather. However I ran into private/posted land a couple times. The first time I re-routed, but the second time about half way down Hell Canyon, there wasn't an easy way around. Landowner lives right at the gate and might give permission to ride through, but didn't seem to be home when I was there.
It was tame compared to the typical rocky Galena/Nemo trails but definitely nice scenery and worth riding. I am thinking about taking vacation next week, let me know if you want some company riding on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Jim
I could probably swing a tues/wed ride if you'd like company.
my bike STILL isnt even started! Still waiting on the insurance company to get their feces in formation. the bike is ride-able, but unbearably loud with no muffler (it was crushed in the wreck) I rode about an hour offroad last weekend, but until the ribs heal riding may be limited to the road once the bike is fixed.
Glad to hear the route was open, may have to give it a shot in the pickup one of these days
I can empathize with you on the ribs. I have had many breaks but these damned ribs are the worst! >:(
I also separated my shoulder in the off so thats far from perfect as well. So like you, I will be sticking to the tame stuff.
Jim and Mike
The more the merry, we welcome the company as long as you don't mined getting lost.
Leaning towards riding the loop on Wednesday as the weather forecast looks drier than Tuesday.
What would be a good start time and start location?
Gerry
Gerry if you're staying in the Northern Hills, maybe we could meet at the Sugar Shack 9-10am and ride down to Custer together. There is a zig-zag route to Custer I ride sometimes that hits Whitetail Peak, Flag Mountain, and Bear Mountain. Then gas up and ride the Southern Hills loop. I'm flexible on the start time/place though, if something else is better for you.
sounds like a fun ride. if the route still looks good after scouting you may have some followers if you wanted to lead a ride next weekend gerry,jim or mike. i'd sure be interested.
Quote from: loingrader on June 10, 2011, 11:41:11 AM
sounds like a fun ride. if the route still looks good after scouting you may have some followers if you wanted to lead a ride next weekend gerry,jim or mike. i'd sure be interested.
+1
Jim and all interested,
Early week, we planning to camp at Sheridan Lake, so Custer would work better for a meeting spot for Dave and I. How long will it take for you to get from the sugar shack to Custer? Set a time and gas station in Custer and we will meet up with you and who else shows up at the Sugar Shack - Mike?
A zigzag whitetail peak route is something that we would be interested in doing Saturday with the wife on the back, if its not to technical.
So much looking forward to riding the hills.
Gerry
OK, Custer it is. Let's meet at the Exxon/Common Cents near the intersection of highway 16 and 385/89 south. 24 West Mt. Rushmore Rd. is the street address. 10:30-10:45am Wednesday.
I'll be at the Sugar Shack about 9:30am and leave 10-15 minutes later, if anyone else up north wants to join. I think I'll take a shorter route to Custer instead of the zig-zag; I'm sure we'll get plenty of miles riding the southern loop and getting lost a few times.
Here's a few teaser pics for the southern loop... or the part I have ridden.
Really red soil in places...
(http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx177/photoquark/Miscellaneous/P1000026.jpg)
When there's a skull on the post, it's got to be a good trail, right?
(http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx177/photoquark/Miscellaneous/P1000033.jpg)
Here's a nice shady spot to stop and have lunch. Right underneath a 50-ton rock.
(http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx177/photoquark/Miscellaneous/P1000035.jpg)
Turning onto the Hell Canyon trail.
(http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx177/photoquark/Miscellaneous/P1000037.jpg)
Looks good guys! cant wait to take a look myself!
Great pics Jim,
See you Wednesday morning
Gerry
I'm out guys :( I need to work tommorrow so I'm sure I can make this weekends riding.Damn work gets in the way of everything. Ride safe and we'll see you in a few days.
I'd be really interested in riding this on Saturday if others are interested.
I definitely want to ride this loop also. I wish I could do it tomorrow!
I'd be interested this weekend.
Well if anybody rides the Southern Loop again, things will probably look a little different down there this time. Coal Canyon fire is 3,000 acres now. I think they're planning to let it burn out to the dozer lines, maybe 6,000 acres total.
This is the same fire that took the life of a Hot Springs firefighter last week. 23 years old, really a shame. Dangerous job...
(http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx177/photoquark/Miscellaneous/CoalCanyon.png)
That is a bummer about the fire fighter. Always a shame to hear about one of these guys losing their life. I was out in Yellowstone back in 88 when members of a Smoke Jumper crew was killed.
It is a very dangerous, and very tiring job. We need to remember to thank these guys when ever we run into them.
I will be out in that area starting on the 22nd to do a archaeology survey on the old Lady C Ranch site For Wind Cave Nat Park. I may have to get over that way on one of my free evenings.