Best Maah Daah Hey "Day" ride??

kirecoma · 07-11-2009

Going to be visiting some family in Bismarck this summer. We were planning to try to go ride the Maah Daah Hey trail for a day. I was just wondering what peoples opinions are on the best section or your favorite section to ride. We would probably do an out and back. Or since I'm a stronger rider then my family, they may do an out and back and I would continue on and they could pick me up.

From what I've read the trail around Magpie campground seems to get good reviews. I've read that if you ride south from Magpie you can make a good out and back ride. Or would it be better to ride north out of Magpie, is it worth riding north to see the Ice Caves? Or possibly ride to see the Ice Caves and then turnaround and ride to Devils pass?

Or would the Bennett Creek campground be a better option? I was thinking maybe ride the Bennett trail and then ride north to China Wall and then turnaround and ride south to the Cottonwood trail back to the campground. Is the Bennett and Cottonwood trails the same terrain/experience as the actual Maah Daah Hey trail? Or would you try to stick to riding on the Maah Daah Hey trail as much as possible?

Or is there another section of the trail that is a must ride if you only have 1 day? I'm interested in hearing advice from other people on what would be a good day ride!!

I feel like I've done quite a bit of research on these forums and some other sites about the Maah Daah Hey trail. I know to take lots of water, I know it could be very hot and possibly windy. I've read about the thorns and ticks. I also know not to attempt to ride ride after it has rained. I grew up in the ND & SD area so I'm pretty familiar with the environment.

I feel pretty confident that I could do 30 miles. I live in Charlotte, NC now and ride 3-4 times a week. I've been to Pisgah a few times and I've experienced some long climbs, so I feel like I'm not getting in over my head.

Please share your experiences and information with me!
Thanks!

Skavenger · 07-19-2009

The Maah Daah Hey is an epic adventure for sure. Water is key for sure but also a larger then normal tool kit would be reccommended. I Would start out at the summit campgrounds. It offers some wicked trails that could be done in a day. I would get the new map since this year they extended the trail. I would also reccommend going to the LBS and get more up to date trail information as well. Good luck

Fischman · 07-19-2009

I used to live in Minot, so I'm only familiar with those portions of the trail North of the Little Missouri, but that seems to be where you're looking, so here goes.

1. The CCC makes a good starting point because you can take the Maah Daah Hey out, ride it to the TRNP fence, turn around, and after about 3 miles, veer left onto the Long X Trail. That way, there's only three miles each way of out and back and the rest is a loop.

2. Magpie is also a great starting point. Head south to the river and back. You get to cross Devil's Pass each way (the closest thing to a "must see" in ND). When you get back to Magpie (about 23 miles round trip), if you've got the legs and the water, keep going North to the ice caves for another out and back (just over 30 miles total.

3. Bennett links you up to some key sections of the trail. Unfortunately the roughly three miles of connector to the MDH is less stellar. Once on the MDH however, ride North to the TRNP boundary for some great erosion scenery, including the China wall and one superb climb from the bottom to the top of the Badlands. This was actually my favorite section of the trail. This will give you about 18 miles round trip. If you need more, you can also add some southbound out and back from where the Bennett connector meets the MDH. However, my experience there was that most of the trail going south between the Bennett connector and the Ice Caves was less interesting and more affected by cattle (hoof damage, cowpies).

MObiker · 08-16-2009

A couple years ago I did the Bennett ride past China wall a few miles and took the Cottonwood trail back to the campground as you mentioned. This was a great ride and gives you exposure to some good sections of the trail along with some good distance.

The Cottonwood section was a little chewed up from horse traffic but not too bad. It was very hot and there was no water along the way so bring plenty.

dmonbike · 08-20-2009

The Cottonwood would be my suggestion too. My wife and I did the whole thing a couple of summers ago. It was really fun. Jennifer down in Medora at the bike shop is a big help for trip planning.