Last April, I started a celebratory journey: hiking Centennial Trail. This has been a way to enjoy the Black Hills while pushing myself physically and commemorate two years cancer free.
In 2022, I was diagnosed with Myxoid Liposarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer that had invaded my leg. That summer and fall I spent a lot of time at Mayo Clinic for radiation and surgery.
Hiking has long been a joy of mine, especially ascending a mountain peak to view the range, the sky, the miles beyond that fixed point upon this vast earth.
Centennial Trail is approximately 111-120 something miles (depending on what map you look at) and I hadn’t ever sought to accomplish such a through hike before. At the moment of writing this blog post (end of March), I’ve hiked 106.9 miles and have 14 yet to go. The trail starts at Bear Butte, near Sturgis, and ends in Wind Cave National Park. The terrain varies and the trail is beautiful, every step of the way!
My goal has been to finish this trail in a year. It’s taken many trips and lots of planning to coordinate with some pretty wonderful people who hiked with me and others who gave me a shuttle, prayed for me, and encouraged me on this journey.
I did not trek in order from Bear Butte south, but rather what worked for those who hiked with me and what I had time for. I have saved the last miles for the end. Surprisingly, I only hiked 18.6 miles in the summer which this post is dedicated to. My schedule was just too busy to get out there, and it was a hot summer.
May
Day 3: Rapid Creek – Brush Creek, 4.9 miles.
After completing this gentle section along Rapid Creek full of lush meadows, canopy covered trail and a few hills with friends, I added 2.2 miles from Dakota Point to Sheridan Lake.
July
Day 4: Alkali Creek – Elk Creek, 11.5 miles.
Starting not far from Black Hills National Cemetery, Centennial Trail sneaks under I-90. According to a trail map, this railroad is the old pioneer Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri River Valley Railroad. “‘The Elkhorn” was the first railroad to reach Rapid City from outside the Black Hills in July 1886. Rails were laid on this route to Belle Fourche during the years 1887-1889. An Elkhorn banchline from this route carried the first train into Deadwood, December 29,1890. “The Elkhorn” was a prime range cattle hauling line in early years.”
The July weekday I hiked Alkali to Elk Creek, I encountered several endurance riders preparing for a race the following weekend. It was so fun to meet them and share the road with horses. I haven’t seen one on the trail since, but sure signs they have been there!
This was my last sighting of Bear Butte. Once I went over the ridge I was about to cross I haven’t seen the butte since (while on the trail).
The sites and smells of the delicate wildflowers were a joy to be hold, encouraging me to press on in the heat and miles.
As the trail pressed on through hill top fields of asters, I was delighted and renewed. The Lord’s creation of flowers is one of His most sweetest of gifts.
Pro tip: it is not necessary to bring all of one’s photography equipment. It’s ok to pack light and enjoy the day. On my hike from Bear Butte to Alkali Creek (11 miles), I had my 15 lb. pack full of three lenses and my camera. There was no need for all three of them. During the summer hikes, I used my smaller biking backpack and only brought one lens.
