The Fall Colors of North Dakota’s Maah Daah Hey Trail in September. Photo from Brian Kittelson
The Maah Daah Hey Trail, One of the Best!
The Maah Daah Hey Trail system in North Dakota is one of the most challenging and ruggedly beautiful single track tails in the world. As the Maah Daah Hey Trail Association states,
The Maah Daah Hey trail system showcases some of our country’s most unique and breathtaking terrain. Majestic plateaus, jagged peaks and valleys, large expanses of rolling prairie, and rivers intertwine to offer the adventurous outdoors enthusiast a taste of pure, unadulterated wilderness.
Maah Daah Hey Trial in the North Dakota Badlands in September, fall colors over creek Photo from Brian Kittelson
Brilliant Fall Colors on the Maah Daah Hey
There is no better time to enjoy the mystifying beauty of this badlands trail than fall. Experience it with Guest Blogger Brian Kittelson as he reflects on his recent adventure on the Maah Daah Hey as the fall colors began to peak.
Fall foliage colors pop in mid September along the rugged Maah Daah Hey Trai in the North Dakota Badlands Photo from Brian Kittelson
Maah Daah Hey Adventure 2021
Last September, I mountain biked for four days, over 103 miles, on the Maah Daah Hey Trail through the North Dalota Badlands. My friend, Ken, was supposed to join me on that adventure but he was unable to join me due to potential Covid exposure from an immediate family member. I promised Ken that we would ride the Maah Daah Hey Trail in September of 2021.
Maah Daah Hey Trail in the September colors of the North Dakota Badlands Photo from Brian Kittelson
Amidst a new surge of Covid this year, we tested ourselves for Covid the day before our planned departure in order to protect my dad who was again providing shuttle transportation and other critical support. Thankfully, we both tested negative, so we drove to Medora North Dakota the next day, relieved that our trip together would not be derailed for a second year in a row.
Adventure begins on the Maah Daah Hey Trail in the rugged North Dakota Badlands, mid September Photo from Brian Kittelson
Ken and had I decided just prior to leaving for the trip that our goal would be to ride the entire 151+ miles of Maah Daah Hey Trail over five consecutive days. We did not know whether or not we would be able to accomplish our goal, but we were determined to do everything we could to make it happen. Aside from our bodies and our bikes breaking down, our primary limiting factor would be the weather: rain, heat, or wind could create significant challenges on the trail.
The Maah Daah Hey Trail in the North Dakota Badlands mid September Photo by Brian Kittelson
Thankfully, everything went our way and we completed the entire trail (and more) for a total of over 160 miles and over 18,000 feet of total climbing!
Overlooking the Maah Daah Hey Trail in the North Dakota Badlands, September. Photo from Brian Kittelson
DAY 1: NEAR PETRIFIED FOREST TURNOFF TO COAL CREEK CAMPGROUND 34 miles of riding with 3, 300 feet of climbing. Rain in AM created uncertainty and delayed our start by about 2 hours. We started biking at 10:30 in the morning. Great temps, mild wind and fall colors!
Perfect trail conditions: smooth hard packed surface. Little Missouri River nearly dry due to the drought this year. Met on the trail: 2 female cyclists and a few horseback riders (2+5 riders). Pronghorn, snake, prairie dogs.
Badlands Rainbows in September in the North Dakota Badlands in September. Photo from Brian Kittelson
Met Bernard from NYC who had been dreaming of riding the MDH Trail for over 20 years.
Rain and rainbow after dinner.
Maah Daah Hey Trail crossing the rugged North Dakota Badlands as fall foliage begins to color Photo from Brian Kittelson
What’s it like to ride the Maah Daah Hey Trail? Check out this video from Ken and Brian….those switchbacks!
DAY 2: NEAR PETRIFIED FOREST TURNOFF TO ELKORN CAMPGROUND 33.71 miles of riding with 3,783 feet of climbing. Visited with Bernard during 7 AM breakfast at Cowboy Cafe. Used Roosevelt water caches: dad left a gallon of water for us.
Comfort Stations provide water, located on the Maah Daah Hey Trail, North Dakota Badlands September Photo from Brian Kittelson
Met on the trail: Couple hiking and three mountain bike riders. Dad saved my favorite site at Elkhorn campground. Elkhorn Campground filled up that evening. Played guitar at camp. Bernard arrived at Elkhorn late having run out of water and ridden more miles that he should.
Sunrise at camp on the Maah Daah Hey Trail in the North Dakota Badlands September Photo from Brian Kittelson
Sunrise over campsite near the Maah Daah Hey Trail, near Elkhorn Ranch, Badlands of North Dakota Photo from Brian Kittelson
DAY 3: ELKHORN CAMPGROUND TO MAGPIE CAMPGROUND 24 miles of riding with 2,489 feet of climbing.
Stopping off at Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch, not far from the Maah Daah Hey Trail in the North Dakota Badlands Signage about the ranch history. Photo from Brian Kittelson
Foundation rocks of Theodore Roosevelt’s home at the Elkhorn Ranch, North Dakota Badlands. Near the Maah Daah Hey Trail in September Photo from Brian Kittelson
Two bicyclists take a break near Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch in the North Dakota Badlands. On the Maah Daah Hey Trail. Photo from Brian Kittelson
Riding the Maah Daah Hey Trail near the Elkorn Ranch in September as fall colors appear. North Dakota Badlands Photo from Brian Kittelson
Met on the trail: MTB rider from Williston ND: has ridden MDH trail about 40x in 20 years. Used Magpie Road water cache: dad left one gallon of water for us. Wild turkeys at the Little Missouri River at the Elkhorn Ranch. Played guitar at camp.
DAY 4: MAGPIE CAMPGROUND TO CCC CAMPGROUND 41.5 miles with 4, 516 feet of climbing. Temps in 50s all day with sprinkles of rain. No grasshoppers but lots more cow pies. Used Beicegel Creek Road Water Cache and Long X Water Cache.
Challenges of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, September in the North Dakota Badlands Photo courtesy Brian Kittelson
Water caches provide locations for trail users to stash water.
Gaining elevation on the Maah Daah Hey Trail mid September in the North Dakota Badlands Photo from Brian Kittelson
Some route finding requred today with steep hike-a-bike segments as well. Met on the trail: 3 guys on MTBs. Crossed private property to bypass national park where bikes are not allowed. Paid access fee to the Rancher, Ben and Beth Lang. Nice, rustic hunting lodge, Paradise Ridge. They own 2,000 acres of land.
Rugged, stark formations in the Badlands of North Dakota. September on the Maah Daah Hey Trail Photo courtesy Brian Kittelson
The rugged Maah Daah Hey Trial near Wannigan Trailhead in North Dakota September Photo from Brian Kittelson
DAY 5: BURNING COAL VEIN CAMPGROUND TO COAL CREEK CAMPGROUND 30 miles of riding with 3,692 feet of climbing. Tailwinds=speed! 1 small snake and many grasshoppers in some parts. Used Tom’s Wash Water Cache. We did not meet anyone on the trail today!
Exploring gigantic concretions along the Maah Daah Hey Trail in the North Dakota Badlands. September Photo from Brian Kittelson
SUMMARY: *No wrecks. No injuries! *New views of landscape every second along the trail. *Up, down….repeat for hours every day. *Took time to stop and enjoy the views. *Dust, dust, dust… Oh, and dust. *Some campgrounds can have tons of flies during some years. Fly trap was very useful at Magpie.
Crossing through gate on the Maah Daah Hey Trail in the North Dakota Badlands September Photo from Brian Kittelson
*Drought year=fantastic trail conditions because there is less erosion and fewer ruts from cattle. *Cows= cow pies. Avoid the wet ones! *The weather plays a huge role in determining difficulty and enjoyment. *Significant rain means no riding. Trail turns to slimy clay that sticks to tires and shoes.
Rugged switchbacks on the Maah Daah Hey Trail in September in the North Dakota Badlands Photo from Brian Kittelson
*If it’s hot: more water is essential and it’s not as fun. Temps in the 50s & 60s are excellent, 70s good, 80s uncomfortable, 90s avoid. *We were very blessed with good weather conditions. *Late September is the best time to go in terms of fall colors, cooler temps, easier river/creek crossings, cheaper rate at Badlands Motel, and fewer people.
Maah Daah Hey Trail. Stark, dry prairie during severe drought in September in the Badlands of North Dakota . Photo courtesy Brian Kittelson
Fencerows near the Maah Daah Hey Trail in September in the North Dakota Badlands Photo from Brian Kittelson
*Proper nutrition, hydration, electrolytes, training, support, and gear preparation are critical to success! *Shuttle and water cache support make a huge difference so you can bike with less weight on bike. *Badlands motel is a great place to stay: convenient, less expensive, nice rooms.
Fall Colors Begin to Pop in September over Devils Pass on the Maah Daah Hey Trail in North Dakota Photo from Brian Kittelson
Devils Pass on the Maah Daah Hey Trail as Fall Colors Begin in September Photo from Brian Kittelson
Deep Sinkhole! Under the Maah Daah Hey Trail in the North Dakota Badlands September Photo courtesy Brian Kittelson
Experience Devils Pass on the Maah Day Hey Trail in this video from Brian and Ken:
*Ken camped at Sulley Creek State Park for four nights and had a good experience *Eat at Boots Bar and Grill, Little Missouri Saloon and Dining Room and Cowboy Cafe in Medora. *Cash only accepted at the Cowboy Cafe!
Fall colors, overlooking the Little Missouri River on the Maah Daah Hey Trail in the Badlands of North Dakota Photo from Brian Kittelson
View this video, recorded by Ken and Brian and produced by Lance Smith, about this astounding adventure in the Badlands of North Dakota, on the magnificent Maah Daah Hey Trail!
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