Maah Daah Hey
Posted by: 
Big Dadoo
N 46° 53.652 W 103° 32.365
13T E 611259 N 5194442
Almost 100 miles of awesome single track through the badlands of North Dakota
Waymark Code: WM2Y8
Location: North Dakota, United States
Date Posted: 10/21/2005
Views: 37
The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 96 mile hiking, horseback and mountain bicycle trail that traverses through the scenic and rugged North Dakota badlands. The trail passes through the Little Missouri National Grasslands, as well as State and private land, as it connects the North and South Units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The trail begins at Sully Creek State Park, located south of Medora (Interstate 94, exit 24) in Billings County. The trail winds its way to its northern terminus at the U.S. Forest Service CCC Campground in McKenzie County, located 20 miles south of Watford City off Highway 85.
There are four fenced overnight camp sites with hitching posts, vault toilets, and campfire rings along the trail. The 20-mile long Buffalo Gap Trail that will bypass the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, as well as connect to the U.S. Forest Service Buffalo Gap Campground (located off Interstate 94, exit 18).
The trail name, "Maah Daah Hey", comes from the Mandan Indians and means "an area that has been or will be around for a long time."
The turtle is used as the trail marker. The turtle was chosen because of its firm determination, steadfastness, patience, long life and fortitude.
The Maah Daah Hey trail traverses an area of highly dissected badlands surrounded by large expanses of gently rolling prairie. This area of North Dakota provides prime habitat for a variety of mammals and birds. Mule deer and coyotes are often sighted, while an occasional golden eagle or prairie falcon may be spotted soaring above. Bighorn sheep and elk have been reintroduced into the area and can be spotted by keen observers. In addition, bison and feral horses roam the range in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The trail is open for use all year, but at various times of the year, the trail may be impassable due to mud, snow, ice, and high water.
Users of the Maah Daah Hey Trail will share the same space with horseback riders, hikers and bicyclists. Users will be expected to respect the rights of others. Shared-use trails are successful when users cooperate and abide by the rules.
Trail Name: Maah Daah Hey
Short description of trail:
The Maah Daah Hey Trail is a 96 mile hiking, horseback and mountain bicycle trail that traverses through the scenic and rugged North Dakota badlands. The trail passes through the Little Missouri National Grasslands, as well as State and private land, as it connects the North and South Units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Trail Average Difficulty: 
Web Link to trail map (if available): [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:
One log per waymark per person per physical visit to the trailhead. You are welcome to log your own waymark locations.