Backpacking in NW Nebraska or SW S. Dako ta in June

“For the Passport in Time program in northwestern Nebraska the first week in June. I plan to backpack in that area, probably an overnighter or something, maybe June 4-5-6??

Am thinking of getting more details on Soldier Creek Wilderness, which is adjacent to Fort Robinson State Park, near Crawford... Or could go into the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area near Chadron... Or even in the Oglala National Grasslands... Or go into South Dakota.

Anyone interested in The Plains for a short trip?

Will be staying at the Hudson-Meng bone dig site during the week. Should be EXCELLENTE! Am excited about it!”

“I've been thinking of the Black Hills for the past few days. Within the next year I wanna thru hike the Centennial Trail.”

“Anyone backpacked in Soldier Creek?

I know there's a geocache there. Wrote some cachers a year or so ago and they told me it had lots of young trees growing back from a fire maybe around 7 years ago. Not much shade....”

“YOH!”

“Sounds fun, but I can't make it. I'll drive a long way for a weekend hike, but two weeks before that I'm Colorado bound, and I don't think I could face a drive of that length 3 consecutive weekends. :)

If you're near the Agate Fossil Beds, take some pic's for me.”

“so... the big Z trip isn't looking too promising.

I might think about this trip (lets see if i can phrase this without getting made fun up) if i could catch a ride for the weekend.

like dogs? are dogs allowed? where is this trip, that's a long drive isn't it. lol”

“Not sure yet exactly where it is.

Here is something I sent to a gal on "the other side," who was looking for backpackers in Nebraska. Also, the lorax has expressed interest "over there," saying he has that weekend off -- and for him "weekend" usually means Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The bad thing is, I can't share a ride, cuz I'll be staying out there. But -- if the lorax went -- you would probably be on the way, IF you're in A.L.

OK, here is what I sent the gal (easier to copy and paste than retype)>>>>>>>>

I posted a thread on www.backpacker.com 's Midwestern forum. Looks like I'll be heading to Nebraska either Thursday or Friday, June 3 or 4 and will try to backpack through some time Sunday. (At which time I'll head to the Hudson-Meng bone dig in NW Nebraska, where I'll be camped for the week, part of a Passport in Time -- PIT -- crew, a National Forest Service volunteer program that deals with historical or archaeological projects. We'll be searching for artifacts from the Warbonnet battle, darn close to the South Dakota border.)

I will contact the forest ranger in charge of that specific project to get more information regarding backpacking at any of these places:

1. Soldier Creek Wilderness near Fort Robinson State Park (west of Crawford)

2. The grasslands in that area (Ogalala, I think)

3. Pine Ridge Recreation Area

Another idea is the French Creek Natural Area in Custer State Park in South Dakota. It's a canyon that narrows up and is 12 miles long totally. You can camp coming in from either end. I checked out the western entrance to it last fall.

Yet another idea is hiring a Native American guide to take a person hiking on either Rosebud or Pine Ridge Reservation. There is beautiful land there! As a female, I would never hike there overnight by myself... or even go with a guide by myself. A guy I've backpacked with -- the lorax, who is from eastern Wisconsin -- just noted on the thread he has that weekend off. If a guy went with, I'd feel better about the whole deal. Also, I think numbers would be good. Those reservations are just amazing land -- it would be great to backpack it! I know in other areas of the west Native American guides do this, like at the Ute reservation south of Mesa Verde... and maybe Chaco Canyon or somewhere like that. (Also, I'm a writer, so I might smell a freelance feature in doing this. :-)

OK, there you have it at THIS point.

Also, Simer, now that I've realized where the Northcountry Trail hike is over Memorial Day weekend -- right near Prosecutor's cabin and this past weekend's canoe trip -- I am considering the "Wolves" hike, if'n you're interested and home. Although I'd probably have to come home on Sunday (need to be around for Memorial Day programs Monday morning probably)

Let me know if you're interested in that.”

“hmmm, let me know of any progression on that trip.

i had considered the "wolves" trip, but I've already made plans for that weekend with my friends. Riverfest at floatrite, maybe i should post a trip for that... lol think anybody would be interested.”