day hike!
🌼 fort defiance state park!
great late-march weather allowed for some great hiking near estherville in emmet county, iowa — home to indigenous speakers of the Lakȟótiyapi (Lakota), Dakȟóta (Western Dakota), Dakhóta (Eastern Dakota), and Yankton languages.
fort defiance state park is a rare spot of hiking trail elevation change in our prairie-licious part of the world. while the elevations are trivial compared to what i’ll be facing upon my return to the pacific crest trail this summer, i’ll take what i can get!
witnessing the tiny wildflower blooms of trillium and sharp-lobed hepatica was the hike highlight for me — the promise of spring is so inspiring! southern minnesota guy’s highlight was the pickle-flavored almonds he brought for a snack. (???)
my trail name’s mythic and in 2026 i’m continuing my multi-year thru-hike (m.y.t.h.) of the pacific crest trail. as i prepare to return to the pct (and hopefully tackle other section- and thru-hikes in the future), i'm going on day hikes to help keep in trail shape!
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