Hikers Face Challenges on Day 8 of Their Journey

A hiker's account of their 14-mile journey from Elk Creek Trailhead to Alkali Creek, facing challenges with foot injuries and navigating through hazy conditions.

After a restful night, the hikers woke up to a dry world, ready to tackle another shorter day of hiking. Their planned route was 12 miles to Alkali Creek Trailhead and another 2 or so to a Katmandu Campground, where they had reserved a camping spot with electricity.

However, things took a turn when the hikers assessed Mike's foot condition. His heels were bloody and his pinky toe was oozing, making it clear that he shouldn't have been hiking the day before, let alone the planned 14 miles. Despite this, Mike is a stubborn and tough individual, and the hikers used all their first aid resources to bandage him up for the day ahead.

The hikers also took care of their own foot issues, including toe blisters and a "water balloon" on the bottom of one of the hiker's feet. They started out slowly going uphill, taking their time to get their feet moving. As they settled into a rhythm, they encountered some cattle on the trail, which moved out of their way with a little coaxing.

The terrain and weather proved to be a blessing, allowing the hikers to steadily make their way without added pain or injury to their feet. The section of the trail was soft single-track, and the heavy breeze provided welcome relief from the heat. However, the hazy conditions made it difficult to see the views of Bear Butte, their end point.

As they made their way into civilization, the hikers noticed houses off in the distance and the trail running alongside some back yards. They eventually started to descend and popped out of the trees above the Black Hills National Cemetery, taking in a breathtaking view.

The hikers made their way across I-90 to Alkali Creek Trailhead, then down the road and back across the interstate to follow the frontage road over to Katmandu. The area was bustling with activity, as the Motorcycle Rally was set to start in a few short days.

After checking in at the campground, the hikers were offered a ride to their site, which they quickly set up as the wind was gusting stronger. They went in search of dinner, making use of the campground's bar and food truck. They enjoyed bar nachos and a Philly cheesesteak, and the hiker even bought a Katmandu 2026 Sturgis Rally t-shirt to wear to bed.

After dinner, the hikers went in search of water, where a nice couple offered up the spigot in their RV site. They let it run for a bit to clear up the cloudy water and filled up for the night. They freshened up in the restrooms and turned their phones on for check-ins with family, also taking the opportunity to learn more about why wasps attacked them and the correct way to pronounce "potable."

As night descended, the wind picked up and the temperatures dropped. The hikers settled into their cozy tent for a movie and a good night's sleep.

Terrain and Weather Conditions

The Hikers' Experience

The hikers' experience on day 8 of their journey was marked by challenges with foot injuries and navigating through hazy conditions. Despite these obstacles, they were able to steadily make their way through the terrain, taking in breathtaking views along the way. As they made their way into civilization, they encountered a bustling area, with the Motorcycle Rally set to start in a few short days.

Source: The Trek