For a virtual hike, road walking miles are actually walked. They are tracked on a map of an interesting route. In this case, the road walking route will touch the 48 continental states.
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Virtual Hike
Today's Weather
There is lots of flat and straight in these legs. I'm looking forward to Nebraska. The road is good and it should be fast traveling.
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Virtual Hike
Today's Weather
Rapid City is in the middle of these two segments. Route 44 has a good shoulder. Good time to travel fast and far.
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Virtual Hike
Today's Weather
The route continues through the Black Hills National Forest. There is a gas station about a third of the way through the route and a campground where the route turns east.
If doing a real hike, call ahead to be certain the gas station is open. |
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Virtual Hike
Today's Weather
This part of the route goes through the Black Hills National Forest. Much of the land adjacent to the road appears privately owned, but there should be enough places to camp.
It's about 55 miles from Deadwood to the next water source near Rapid City. . |
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Virtual Hike
Today's Weather
There are a few short stretches south of Deadwood where there is no shoulder in the direction of travel. There are many motorcycles on this road and some of them hug the fogline. It may be safer in places to cross the road and travel with traffic.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the first or second week in August. If you want to visit Sturgis, you can plan a slightly different route.
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Virtual Hike
Today's Weather
The route quickly enters the Black Hills National Forest with plenty of places to camp. The road is four lane with a wide shoulder.
This segment ends in Deadwood. Deadwood is a small casino town with about 20 hotels and motels.
Deadwood was wild in the late 1800's and is the final resting place for Wild Bill Hickok and Calamaity Jane.
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Virtual Hike
Today's Weather
The road south to Spear Fish is four lane. There is a bicycle trail for a few miles where the route turns east. There is a couple miles of frontage road with a narrow shoulder. When the route turns south, the road turns to four lanes with good shoulders.
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Virtual Hike
Today's Weather
This is a good time to try for a long day. The shoulders are great for at least 40 miles. A 30-mile day will end up in the Black Hills National Forest. By this time, a 50-mile day shouldn't be out of reach although I'd avoid walking at night. There should be enough daylight hours to attempt a 50-mile day.
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