Solitude. An act of intentional recharge, something I need daily.
Trekking in solitude is so refreshing. The opportunity to listen intently to wind whispered pines, birds flitting across your path with cheerful chirps, a babbling creek. And the the quiet after a snow, the soft drips of melting water from limbs and pines. Sigh…
October
Day 5: Deer Creek – Rapid Creek, 5.7 miles.
Marty and the kids dropped me off at Deer Creek after a long morning of MRI’s for my two year scans.
It was wonderful to spend the afternoon on a quite trail, enjoying the peacefulness of freshly fallen snow, for I would not know what the scan’s results were until late that night. All clear!
When the light isn’t dramatic, I turn to textures and details within the landscape. It saddens me when photographers write off a day because the light isn’t what they’d envisioned. There is beauty in all moments, we just have to be more intentional about looking for it.
As I neared the top of a hill, I knew I must be close to Pactola Reservoir. I was greeted by very moody skies and soft light. This was one of my favorite sections of the trail.
November
Day 6: Pilot Knob – Deer Creek, 3.8 miles.
My niece, Kate, joined me for a this trek. We encountered flurries, while the sun peaked through the clouds. It was fun to hike with her among the snow as it sparkled on the travel to the ground.
Day 7: Brush Creek – Dakota Point, 6.8 miles.
This section of the trail humbled me, as I didn’t notice a sign flat on the ground indicating a sharp turn in the trail. I ended up following a different trail for a few hours, always wondering why I wasn’t seeing any “89” markers. My phone died, but thankfully I was equipped with a map (never rely on your phone) and found a road that led me to the remainder of the trail. I missed about 3-4 miles. Another day I went back and finished what I missed.
December
Day 8: Box Elder – Pilot Knob, 7.6 miles.
This section, near Nemo, also shares the trail with ATV’s. It was off-season for motorized vehicles and I was so glad to have the trail to myself. It was also the most rocky section with lots of melon size boulders to trip over.
Day 9: Dalton Lake – Box Elder Creek; 7.1.
Another section shared with ATV’s. I can see why a lot of people want quick access to this section, for the terrain is really unique and there are some beautiful spots to view the Black Hills.
I really enjoyed this location and would love to return. It was so quiet and peaceful. I would have loved to sit for a while and just look. However, the day was fast ending and I still had a few miles to go. This was December 17 and light was disappearing fast.
