Originally Posted by
lonehiker
As far as shuttles go, Roam'n Around 605-653-2992 has been my go-to shuttle service over the past couple of years. Rabbit Bicycles will also shuttle and I've had good results with them as well. I haven't heard really recent reports but there is a chance that you could have a long water carry north of Dalton Lake. Go to "Hiking Centennial Trail" facebook page and see if anyone has posted a recent water report for Elk Creek. If that and Bulldog Gulch are dry, you would have a 24 mile water carry. If the 5th crossing, going north, is reported to be dry ask if anyone has checked upstream as often there are a couple of pools that linger a bit. One other possibility for water in that section is to go ~0.5 miles off-trail to Wonderland Cave where you could buy a few bottles of water (they have no running water). PM me and I will send you a .gpx file for that alt if you are interested. I've done this hike in late May 10-11 times and think it is probably the best time (I know this post is a bit late) to hike this trail. As you start to get into June you will get into tick season. Poison Ivy can start to become thick as well. The next best time to hike this is in the fall. But almost for sure Elk Creek will be dry so a long water carry north of Dalton lake.