Maah-Daah-Hey Trail - Area 9
Trail descriptions and maps are not to be copied with intention to republish without prior permission. WestDakota is not responsible for errors or omissions. These trails are sometimes difficult to follow and can be dangerous, and riders must be aware that they alone are responsible for their own safety.
Click here to see a topographic version of this map with GPS waypoints (47 KB).
Click here to see a profile of area 9 (37 KB).
Click here to see a bird's eye view of area 9 (114 KB - Vertical Scale Exaggerated 8X).
| A9-1-- |
46 deg 53 min 39 sec N |
103 deg 32 min 22 sec W |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| A9-2-- |
46 deg 53 min 47 sec N |
103 deg 32 min 27 sec W |
333.4 |
840 |
840 |
| A9-3-- |
46 deg 53 min 55 sec N |
103 deg 32 min 44 sec W |
306.8 |
1411 |
2252 |
| A9-4-- |
46 deg 53 min 57 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 11 sec W |
275.7 |
1893 |
4145 |
| A9-5-- |
46 deg 54 min 0 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 23 sec W |
293.9 |
927 |
5072 |
| A9-6-- |
46 deg 54 min 10 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 28 sec W |
339.5 |
1077 |
6149 |
| A9-7-- |
46 deg 54 min 14 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 30 sec W |
346 |
387 |
6536 |
| A9-8-- |
46 deg 54 min 18 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 36 sec W |
308.5 |
569 |
7105 |
| A9-9-- |
46 deg 54 min 20 sec N |
103 deg 34 min 3 sec W |
278.2 |
1868 |
8972 |
| A9-10- |
46 deg 54 min 22 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 53 sec W |
77.4 |
691 |
9663 |
| A9-11- |
46 deg 54 min 25 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 54 sec W |
354.1 |
336 |
10000 |
| A9-12- |
46 deg 54 min 22 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 37 sec W |
105.5 |
1223 |
11223 |
| A9-13- |
46 deg 54 min 36 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 15 sec W |
46.5 |
2026 |
13248 |
| A9-14- |
46 deg 54 min 44 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 9 sec W |
28.6 |
974 |
14222 |
| A9-15- |
46 deg 54 min 46 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 28 sec W |
278.2 |
1372 |
15594 |
| A9-16- |
46 deg 54 min 55 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 33 sec W |
341.2 |
994 |
16588 |
| A9-17- |
46 deg 55 min 5 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 18 sec W |
46.9 |
1448 |
18036 |
| A9-18- |
46 deg 55 min 21 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 31 sec W |
330.5 |
1873 |
19909 |
| A9-19- |
46 deg 55 min 26 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 20 sec W |
55.9 |
942 |
20851 |
| A9-20- |
46 deg 55 min 31 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 28 sec W |
307.5 |
713 |
21564 |
| A9-21- |
46 deg 55 min 37 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 21 sec W |
38.1 |
810 |
22374 |
| A9-22- |
46 deg 55 min 41 sec N |
103 deg 33 min 4 sec W |
71.2 |
1237 |
23611 |
| A9-23- |
46 deg 55 min 49 sec N |
103 deg 32 min 58 sec W |
25.5 |
862 |
24474 |
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Easy GPS is a freeware GPS file transfer program offered by TopoGrafix. Get your copy here!
Right-click and select "Save Target As" to download the following EasyGPS route files for areas 1 through 9 => mdh.gpx (approx. 50K).
Total Distance of this section is approximately 4-1/2 miles with 1-1/2 to 2 hours of actual riding time. Allow 2-4 hours for the complete ride.
To get to the starting point - From Medora, drive about 2-1/2 miles south to the Sullys Creek State Primitive Park. The trail begins at the campground. Alternatively, most people ride this trail in a loop by starting and ending in Medora. This trail description is written assuming the rider is starting at Sullys Creek.
Riding north at the trailhead -
Sections 34 & 33
Start with the river crossing, then ride west through the river valley. Leave the valley, and start the long agressive climb north to a high plateau. Once on the plateau, consider taking the short easy side trail east to a narrow overlook. From this scenic overlook you can look down on the Little Missouri River and northeast to Medora. Back at the main trail, follow it west up a short semi-technical climb to a rocky overlook . Stop here for pictures and a rest, then continue west and north down a gradual slope to a self-closing gate. Go north through this gate.
Section 28
At the self-closing gate, continue north over the relatively flat trail a short distance until you see an unmarked trail splitting off to the right. This is the Canyon Trail, and is technical over the first 1/2 mile. It leads east downhill into a canyon, then north through the canyon to a prairie dog town before turning back west and connecting with the MDH again. If you elect to continue on the MDH, it continues north a short distance, then drops easily into the valley where it connects with the Canyon trail. From the valley, the MDH makes a fairly long winding climb north. At the end of the climb is a scenic, fun, fast ride to another self closing gate. Go through this gate, or alternately turn east and ride 1/2 mile and cross a fence into the Medora Musical Amphitheatre parking lot.
Section 21
From the self-closing gate, continue north along a ridge, then enjoy the easy, fast, long downhill east and north into the Little Missouri River valley. At the end of this downhill as you approach the flat, be alert for some deep ruts, as you may be carrying too much speed to safely stop after you notice them. Once in the valley, you will cross a hard-bottomed creek three times riding generally northeast, then ride out onto the highway leading into Medora from the west.
To get to Medora - Ride the 2 mile bike path east into Medora.
[ Area 1 | Area 2 | Area 3 | Area 4 | Area 5 | Area 6 ]
[ Area 7 | Area 8 | Maah-Daah-Hey ]
Click here for fine art photography of the North Dakota badlands and the Maah-Daah-Hey area.