Nebraskaland

46 Nebraskaland • June 2021 attentive. For most navigation, we used the lesser-detailed imagery of a GPS unit, resorting to apps such as Avenza and OnX only when we got in a jam. For most of the trip, we left our smartphones on airplane mode, using them only minimally to preserve battery. Day One: Spotted Tail to Coff ee Mill Butte Primarily because we live in Chadron and it would be most convenient for my wife, Cricket, to leave work and drop us off at the trailhead Friday morning, we decided to hike from east to west. With excitement for the journey ahead, we left the Spotted Tail Trailhead at about 8:30 a.m. under a mix of cotton candy clouds and surrounded by green grass accented by shell- leaf penstemon and other wildfl owers. Light winds and temperatures near 70 made for a beautiful beginning. Many of the Pine Ridge's forested areas were ravaged by wildfi res in 2006 and 2012. From the get-go, this journey served as a study in how wildfi re transformed the landscape. Where towering pines once stood, blackened snags, deadfall and protruding sandstone landforms accent the sweeping grasslands. The remaining stands of pines and hardwoods, still considerably present, are always welcome on the journey when they appear. Regardless, every mile is beautiful in its Prepping for the Pine Ridge Trail Necessities for backpacking the Pine Ridge Trail changes with the seasons, and one of the biggest considerations is when to do it. Nebraska's weather is prone to swings, and each season brings its own challenges and rewards. One friend backpacked it a few weeks earlier in the spring, and others late in the fall last year. While they may not have had as many ticks with which to contend, they did have some chilly nights. When preparing, backpackers should refer to a comprehensive checklist. Our backpacks came with one and outfitters such as the REI Coop have valuable resources online. YouTube is rich with backpackers sharing tips. Water, of course, is essential. The Sawyer Squeeze system, which comes with pouches and is compatible with bottles found in the convenience store cooler, was among our best investments. Also, don't go hungry, but don't carry too much food. Other items I would not go without: GPS unit and smartphone navigation apps, tent, sleeping bag with pad, comfortable shoes, stove and mess kit, first-aid kit and, of course, a trowel and biodegradable paper for abiding by Leave-No- Trace principles when "nature calls." While a smartphone camera will be sufficient to record imagery of the journey for most hikers, my attempt to meet the pho tographic standards of the magazine prompted a separate unit. Carrying my usual heavy Nikon DSLRs and tripod was not feasible, so I used the much lighter hybrid point-and-shoot Panasonic FZ-2500 with a compact tripod. There were times I was wishing I had my beefier, more familiar, gear, but was always grateful not to be carrying it. For those worried about encountering a mountain lion or other agitated critter: bears are not the only living beings that do not like to be shot in the face with bear spray. More resources are available by contacting the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands at fs.usda.gov/nebraska or the Northwest Nebraska Trails Association at nwnebraskatrails. com.

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