Midwest Overland Society Badlands/Black Hills trip report

[Finlay]

I've been swamped at work since I returned from this trip, which I think will teach me an important lesson about returning from vacation : just don't do it.

I almost wasn't able to go - I had been suffering from a cam and pincer type Femoral Acetabular Impingement (http://www.hipfai.com/). It took a while to get in to see a surgeon, and then it was rescheduled twice. Anyway, I had arthroscopic hip surgery to fix a tear of the acetabular labrum (http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/acetabular-labral-tear-the-basics) and to grind down the impingement on the 1st. We left on the 10th. Not quite a miraculous recovery - but I'll take it. Range of motion and endurance were limited, but I could manage.


I know I can be wordy and chatty, so I'll just get to the road porn.

As my wife and I were coming from Madison, WI, we set out a day early.

I had about 800 lbs on the truck with me and the wife and the dogs and everything. The stock suspension of the truck isn't one of the strong points - favoring ride quality over load handling, but the truck performed well.

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We had some fantastic weather headed out.

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And we got in and set up camp at Blue Mounds SP in MN just before sunset.

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We were having a peaceful nights rest until this moron showed up and made 3 passes of the campground and then left the truck running while he set up camp. Straight Pipes FTL.
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Still, we work to a sunrise that couldn't be beat.
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We did some sightseeing along the cliffs of the Blue Mounds Park. It's a nice area with some great hiking trails. Too bad I couldn't walk more than a few hundred yards. I'll be back though.
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The dogs were somewhat less impressed with the scenery and caught a nap instead.
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[Finlay]

We met up with everyone in Sioux Falls and made our way on the interstate to Mitchell.

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Took the scenic route across the eastern half of the state.

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We got to the badlands....

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While the sun was setting on a passing storm. I've rarely seen rainbows as bright a these and the pictures really don't do them justice. And sunset in the badlands is pretty spectacular pretty much always.

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Here we see second gen tacomas in their natural habitat. This night was windy with some rain, but otherwise temperate.

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We ran into this Expo Vehicle (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/74594-99-Tahoe-Expedition-Build!) at the fossil trails.
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Then had lunch while the Bison wandered by. The dog was enthralled. His reality consists of only two objects : food and not food. I think he wasn't sure where to put these.
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[Finlay]

We made camp and I enjoyed a beer.

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It was a pleasant night. We watched the Perseids (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseids), and listened to the coyotes howl and cackle.

Sunrise was amazing..

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We hit some trails
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And I had some difficulty with a hill climb, although with some guidance and spotting made it up under my own power.
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We found a really nice valley to camp in. The rancher who leased the land from the NF for grazing was nice as could be and offered some great guidance. If you look closely, you can see Jeremy returning from a scouting mission in the background.

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The next morning I took the dogs for a walk up the road before we headed out.

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We had a camera malfunction that meant a lot of lost pictures, however, the devastation of the some of the area from recent fires was astounding.

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[Finlay]

We found a decent place to camp - and there weren't many. I chose my spot poorly and ended up plagued by yellowjackets and had to move.

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And my truck got graffiti-ed by some wandering vandals - I mean, one of the adorable little girls who came along with. :coffeedrink:

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We hit some trails

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And some ups and downs.

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Then a quick run into town for refuel and resupply. And a poser shot because Newcastle WY and Newcastle Upon Tyne have something in common.

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The next day, we hit some more trails.
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And I attempted a bit of hiking, but couldn't go too far. Which sucks. But then, I was only two weeks post-op. It was amazing I was even there.

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But we did find a creek to let the dogs go swimming in.

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We clambered back up to 7000 feet.
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And made camp and dinner.
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[Finlay]

It was a frosty one that night.

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The dog dish froze nearly solid.

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And the fog line was only a few hundred feet below us.

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It warmed up quickly once the sun broke over the hill tops.

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We did some sightseeing at Roughlock Falls.

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Then I hatched a tire after some trails. The stock tires are adequate, and performed pretty well - but they just don't hold up. Also, we didn't know it till I got home, but that tire had two nails in it - in addition to - the gash we were trying to plug there. It's toast.

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We made it to Cement Ridge Lookout and the conditions couldn't have been more ideal - you could see clearly to the horizon in all directions. The ranger working there was nice as could be and impressed that we came up the hard way.

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Another amazing sunrise.

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We stopped off in Sundance to get some lunch and see about repairing my tire. No Dice, unfortunately.

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[Finlay]

We found a nice pond to let the dogs play in for a bit.
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Then we hauled it for Devils Tower.
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We did stop for a group photo.

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At Devil's Tower the dogs are basically not allowed out of the truck - but a nice ranger told us we could take a picture with them along the road as long as they were leashed.

Finlay, the Vizsla is such a baby. He's perfectly happy to do a sit-stay at any pretty much any time. When you pull the camera out, its like his soul just wilts. He's such a baby sometimes.

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We said our goodbyes to the main group at this point, and sped off for home with one of the other trucks. We did stop at Rushmore and Wall Drug because the Mrs. hasn't been there yet. Good thing too, Wall Drug is like a heaven tchotchke shopping and she loves shopping for tchotchkes.

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I suggested finding somewhere along the road to camp - but the campground right there in Wall promised a hot shower and internet access my wife was S O L D. So we camped there for the night.

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Honestly, I don't know how he can sleep like that. But he does. Rocky roads, corduroy roads, bouncy roads, it doesn't matter. He hangs his head over the partition wall and goes to sleep.

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[Finlay]

We ran into some weather on the way home.

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But we made it home - 2418 miles and 10 days later.

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I'll write up some more coherent thoughts on the trip later, maybe. But, briefly - it was good to see the group again and to meet some new peeps. I had a blast and my wife has gained a new respect for both the capabilities of the truck and my abilities to pilot the thing. It was a successful trip for us and I am really looking forward to more getting out.

[corprin]

I am just going to copy over what I have on another forum...

Day 2.

Broke camp at the Circle View, and hit the Bad Lands National Monument. Some of the group needed to fill up on water, so we ended up plodding around the ranger station.... for an hour. After that, some of us decided to get the trek started, which put fire under the other's asses, and got them going as well. First stop was the fossil walk (for the kids) and some messing around on Klendathu (http://images.wikia.com/starshiptroopers/images/6/67/Klendathu-system.jpg), yes, this is where the epic movie was filmed!

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0422.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0423.jpg

We departed the tourist area, and hit the dirt. Fist stop was the edge of the escarpment on our way into the Buffalo Gap National Grassland.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0442.jpg

Took a quick break and had some Primo Grainbelt...

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0474.jpg

We stopped for a quick photo op in an area of nearly washed away "hills"

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0477.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0485.jpg

[corprin]

Day 2 (con't)

Rolled out of the photo op, and headed to the D-09 Minuteman II silo, that now has a glass lid covering the missile still in the hole. Didn't get any pics, but it was cool...

We then turned around and headed back to Klendathu!

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0509.jpg

We zipped out through the north unit and ended up on Sheep Table Mountain where we made camp on the first night.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0559.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0587.jpg

While I was getting camp set up, Jen and Jeremy decided to have a quick beer overlooking the valley below.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0588.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0589.jpg

After the camp was ready, Jen got a picture of the view from our tent.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_2/IMG_0590.jpg



There are more photos on www.freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12

We took over 1000 pictures on the trip, so it's going to be a while till they are all up and online for your enjoyment!

[corprin]

Day 3.

Woke up to a beautiful Klendathu landscape, and got packed up.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0613.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0617.jpg

Don't think the bugs thought we would be using their home as a backdrop for cheesy touristy pics.

So we rolled out of Sheep Mountain Table

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0637.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0645.jpg

Hit the hardball for about 13mi, then pointed the helm at the Black Hills and made tracks across miles upon miles of double-track dirt highways. Very interesting to say the least dragging the trailer weighing about 1/3 of the XJ's weight!

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0664.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0668.jpg

[corprin]

Day 3 con't.

Throughout the trip to the Black Hills there were old farmstead after old farmstead. These buildings were built in the 1800s, and somehow still stood today (albeit a bit worse for wear)

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0672.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0671.jpg

Then we dropped into Buffalo Gap, SD.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0677.jpg

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We then plodded into Hot Spring, SD so one of the group could grab some meds for his dog. We departed there, and head out further into the plains for some more high-speed dirt.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0655.jpg

Worked our way to Edgemont, to finally say good bye to civilization for a while, mail off a couple bills, and grab one last bag of chips for the road.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0691.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0696.jpg

Jumped back on the trail in a recent burn...

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0697.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0700.jpg

Where some found what I have known for years... electronics can fail when you need them most... when you need a proper compass! Oh, and learn how to read a bloody map! (Basic land nav/map reading will be the subject of an upcoming MOS member meeting)

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0701.jpg

Back on track we found our trail. I was bumped into the lead truck to navigate, so Jen was left to her devices in the XJ. Trial by fire for her, off-roading with the trailer, to which she did bloody amazing! Mind you, my wife has NEVER driven off-road in her life! The trail got a bit hairy but she was two trucks behind us, so no pictures :(

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0703.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0710.jpg

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Bounced our way to the night's camp site, where Jen, Jeremy, and I climbed the hill to get a bird's eye view of the are.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0741.jpg

Then back down to make camp.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0756.jpg

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http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0781.jpg

Then, it was bed time.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_3/IMG_0783.jpg

Again, there are a ton more in the parent file for Day 3, if you find an interesting/good/questionable pic, please post it up and ask questions! There are over 100 pics in the folder, so I can't post them all!

Stay tuned... 5 more days to go!

[BigSwede]

Then I hatched a tire after some trails. The stock tires are adequate, and performed pretty well - but they just don't hold up. Also, we didn't know it till I got home, but that tire had two nails in it - in addition to - the gash we were trying to plug there. It's toast.
OK, now I feel better about our plug job not holding air...

[BigSwede]

Where some found what I have known for years... electronics can fail when you need them most... when you need a proper compass! Oh, and learn how to read a bloody map! (Basic land nav/map reading will be the subject of an upcoming MOS member meeting)
Come on now Rich, we can't all be Geographers! :cool:

[corprin]

Come on now Rich, we can't all be Geographers! :cool:

It's only reserved for the cool kids. Fret not, this is all coming from the guy who entered the woods with no map and no useable compass (I hadone in a hermetically sealed survival kit) relying on others to lead the way.

I learned to read a map using MGRS which is closely related to the UTM on our NatGeo maps... long before my venture into the land of geography. It only took 5min to reprogram Jeremy's GPS to the proper datum and reference system and get us back on track! Once we hit camp that night, I went over how to work in UTM with a very thankful Jeremy. I figure if I could teach some serious rocks I have how to get unlost, doing so with MOS will be EASY! :friday:

Day 4.

Woke up, broke camp, and climbed our way out of the night's campsite.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0787.jpg

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Jen and I were last vehicle in the convoy, so we could stop and take a ton of pics when we wanted to without irritating others in the group.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0804.jpg

Being planted behind DJ's stock Taco, we had ample opportunities to take photos of his rear end.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0813.jpg

We pushed out of the mountains, and into a small valley where the bumpy trail opened to gleaming double-track for a short distance.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0815.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0818.jpg

We reentered the burn that plagued our navigation the day before. We were once again met with a slough of fire tracks and one prominent fire-brake...guess which one we took! This was a fantastic thing, as the trail on our map was marked with a chunk of green masking tape with a pretty little "?" drawn on it.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0827.jpg

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http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0843.jpg

Then we reached the hill!

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0846.jpg

[corprin]

Day 4 Con't.

The hill was a spot where the actual road had been washed away during the recent fire activity, leaving it traversable by "the ballsy and stupid". This left our convoy driving up a deeply rutted and rocky hill climb to rejoin the other side of the "?". Dan, excited to unleash his van mobbed straight up without issue

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0850.jpg

...while some frightened trucks looked on

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0852.jpg

Alex ran it next, with only limited intrruption

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0859.jpg

Steve, well, we'll just say he did okay.... :angry:
http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0868.jpg

Last in line were the two worries in the group... the stock Taco, and the nearly stock XJ dragging ~1,000lb of dead weight. A little help from the peanut gallery, and DJ made it up with a couple noble goes.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0876.jpg

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http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0891.jpg

And then... it was my turn.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0903.jpg

The bouncing deuced one of our solar showers out of the roof net, so Jeremy quite nervously (and understandably so) barked to put it in park, pull the e-brake, and stand on the brake pedal so he could retrieve it. I complied and the poor solar shower was tossed in the trailer.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0905.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0906.jpg

Then started attempt #2,3, and 4. Different lines and..

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0916.jpg

Fail.

This history of negative responses to my attempts allowed my lovely assistant to look at the beauty around.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0921.jpg

Attempt #5 was hatched, and all agreed it may be the best method to get the slug up the hill.... so we threw caution to the wind and went with it.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0933.jpg

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Alas I made it!

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0943.jpg

After a quick interlude of recovery and the triumphant peanut gallery discussion we were back on the road for parts unknown.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0944.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0946.jpg

[corprin]

Day 4 Con't.

Marking the phrase-of-the-day for the trailing vehicle, we snapped a pic of a now dreaded sign.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0948.jpg

We snapped a few pics of history's leftovers as we plodded by.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0957.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0958.jpg

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Out of the flats, and into another burn where the scenery was as surreal as it was unchanging. Though it was nice to see the underlying geology of the area (yes I am a nerd).

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0965.jpg

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0970.jpg

The bleak landscape was broken by stints of play time along the trail.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0978.jpg

...then back into the dissolved.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0987.jpg

Allowing a chance to admire some of the group crossing the slowly recovering region.

http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/Day_4/IMG_0988.jpg

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We found a hobbit hole to park in for the night. After a quick dinner of amazing pasta and chicken, courtesy of DJ, Karla, and all their yellow jacketed Sous-Chefs bed was calling...

Upon request, I have created a .zip file for each day and uploaded those to their own folder (http://freecandyvan.com/corprin/MOS/SoDak_12/ziped_files/) for your downloading enjoyment. Again, this is ALL the pics from the trip, so forgive the crap that may be included.

[Kenny Olson]

Thanks for posting the pics everyone. Hope I can join you someday.

[Finlay]

Being planted behind DJ's stock Taco, we had ample opportunities to take photos of his rear end.



It's not stock!

I have tinted the windows.

[BigSwede]

I wonder if this should be moved to the "Completed Adventures and Events" section...doesn't seem to be getting much attention here.

And yes I need to get my pics up, too.

[jim65wagon]

Looks like a fun trip! Thanks for the write-up and photos. I'm surprised the Brain Bugs let you live......

[corprin]

Through made contacts on the interwebz I can get NPH's cell number... the brain bugs won't eff wit me (him)!

I am working on my senior project, due next Tuesday, and one of my best friends is flying in from CA for the weekend. Once the dust settles, I will finish up the last 5 days of the trip with writeups and pics to bore you all with.

[BigSwede]

First night at the Circle View Ranch, just south of Badlands National Park.

Here is my Trooper set up for camping. I have a sleeping platform inside, and put Magnascreens on the windows for bug-free ventilation.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1052.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1065.jpg

DJ and Karla's setup
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1063.jpg

Alex's flippac
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1055.jpg

Jeremy and Rich & Jen's deluxe trailer rigs
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1060.jpg

A historic cabin at the campsite, complete with the luxury of an outhouse
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1061.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1062.jpg

Official dish pre-cleaner and camp mootch, my black lab Cinder
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1057.jpg

[BigSwede]

Sheep Mountain Table, Badlands National Park

We toured the Badlands National Park Loop a bit
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1068.jpg

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http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1088.jpg

Then hit the back country
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1071.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1082.jpg

Dan's Vanosaurus fords the White River
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1103.jpg

We stopped near a buffalo herd for lunch
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1091.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1094.jpg

Then made our way up to Sheep Mountain Table in search of a campsite...but first a few poser shots on the edge
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1111.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1107.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1115.jpg

Then on to camp. Here is my campsite. Nice, no?
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1116.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1121.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1122.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1123.jpg

[85CUCV]

Nice Trip!

[BigSwede]

The next morning we did a little sight seeing along Sheep Mountain Table
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1124.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1125.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1127.jpg

Rich couldn't resist taking the kids for a nature hike
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1120.jpg

From there we headed over to the Black Hills (I'm afraid from here on out my pics are going to be a bit mixed up, and some days I didn't even take pics for some reason)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1128.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1146.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1140.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1141.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1143.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1144.jpg

We camped in a lovely valley meadow high in the hills, more campsite pics
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1131.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1132.jpg

DJ and Karla's Tacoma & CVT
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1130.jpg

Alex & the girls
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1133.jpg

Jeremy
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1135.jpg

[BigSwede]

So on into the Black Hills. We started at the south end, and worked our way up the west side, in part because we wanted to stay away from Sturgis, which is on the north side. Here are some misc. trail pics

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1160.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1156.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1161.jpg

We stayed in a valley at about 7000 feet, had a hard freeze. Cinder's water dish had a quarter inch of ice the next morning. I was snug in the Trooper, didn't bother with the window screens and ventilation that night!
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1165.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1164.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1163.jpg

[BigSwede]

Asking for directions from a cowboy. There are tons of cattle in the Black Hills, we were told the park service is trying to make up for budget cuts by selling more grazing rights. I got tired of watching my step for cow pies, actually. But the ranchers we ran into in the back country were very nice, and great sources of information.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1147.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1155.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1166.jpg

Went for a hike with Cinder, nice to get out and walk for a while
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1149.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1152.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1150.jpg

Went to Roughlock Falls, near Spearfish
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1172.jpg

Rich, Jen, and Jeremy
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1171.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1173.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1177.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1174.jpg

[BigSwede]

Our last night on the trail, we stayed at on a beautiful hill with the inglorious name of Cement Ridge, in the northwest area of the Black Hills. You can see a mining area on the far ridge.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1188.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1184.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1181.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1182.jpg

My sleeping platform in the Trooper
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1187.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1186.jpg

As the sun got low, it was time for margeritas and reggae, courtesy of Jeremy
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1199.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1194.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1193.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1192.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1200.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1201.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1191.jpg

Last day we ran over to Devil's Tower, Wyoming
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1205.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1208.jpg

Proof I was there
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/BigSwede/MOS%20Black%20Hills%20trip%20Aug%202012/IMGP1212.jpg

[Monkeyboy]

That looks like a great trip, love the photos.

I've never had any luck finding detailed maps of that area...any suggestions?

Keith - Des Moines

[Finlay]

That looks like a great trip, love the photos.

I've never had any luck finding detailed maps of that area...any suggestions?

Keith - Des Moines

The forest service has the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) (http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPyhQ oY6BdkOyoCAGixyPg!?ss=110203&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=STELPRDB5203036&navid=360000000000000&position=Feature*&ttype=detail&pname=Black%2520Hills%2520National%2520Forest-%2520Maps%2520&%2520Publications) that are pretty high quality and well detailed. They aren't perfect, but as they do show what trails you're allowed to be on, and where you can camp - they are necessary to have.

They are also free - just write to them, or stop into the local office.

We also used the Delorme Gazeteer, and some other maps as well as electronic maps in Back Country Navigator (http://www.backcountrynavigator.com/).

[Monkeyboy]

Excellent!

Thanks,

KAA

[BigSwede]

Only problem with the MVUM is they don't have contours...you will need to supplement them with a topo map of some kind to know where the hills are.

[fisher205]

National Geographics "Black Hills North" and "Black Hills South" are really good. I have just started using them. I also have Terrain Navigator and All Topo but use the Nat Geo map the most. I also leave the Delorme's in the truck.

[Chevrolado]

What an awesome trip! Bet the kids had a blast too. Very nice. Thanks for sharing all the pics and the stories. :D

[BigSwede]

You are welcome! I think we will be heading to that area again sometime, it is beautiful.

[Torqrise]

I'm new to this forum and this is the reason I joined the portal.
I'm planning on visiting the Black Hills/Badlands area this summer. What I'd like to do is set up camp (23 ft travel trailer) at one of the RV parks/campsites and day-trip to the various locations you have highlighted. Would it be possible to stay on the easier trails and see the main attractions? From your posts, most of the terrain doesn't look that difficult. I have a '07 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a moderate lift and slightly bigger tires.
Thanks,

[BigSwede]

A JGC wouldn't have any trouble with anything we did. Off-roading in the Black Hills can be as easy or as difficult as you want to make it. While we tried to avoid pavement, for the most part we were on designated roads from the National Forest MVUM.

Of course, the truly big attractions such as Mount Rushmore are accessed by paved roads.

[93burban]

I am planning a trip to meet my brother and his family this summer there in the Black Hills and this is exactly the info I was looking for. Thank you

[93burban]

Hey guys, I have a few questions. Is there any chance you folks still have route you took on this trip? We are heading out in June and would love to see some of these beautiful areas that you have visited.

Thanks again for the report and for the help

[Adamanitum]

Damn I'm jealous. I'm going to Glacier in June and we are planning on stopping at the Badlands for some backpacking. Not sure if my Disco would make the 3200+ mile trip so got to go with plan B, girlfriends car.

[daddyusmaximus]

One more place I now want to see.