2002 Roadtrip: Badlands National Park

Trip Start Jun 19, 2002
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Trip End Jul 26, 2002


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Flag of United States  , South Dakota,
Wednesday, June 19, 2002

Drove 453 miles and over 8 hours from the Rocky Mountains to get here.  Set up camp 3 miles from the entrance of the Badlands in Interior (population 63!). On 6/19 I took a hike through the prairie and climbed some red banned buttes.
Badlands 1
Badlands 1
Badlands 5
Badlands 5
Took a midnight hike into the prairie with the sky illuminated by the moon.  Even this late the hills were illuminated. On 6/20 took drive on the Badlands Loop to view the park and stopped for some hikes.  On one hike off the path I learned that it is easier to climb up than to climb (or fall) down. Badlands 3
Badlands 3
 I later visited Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. Did a late night hike and the ranger taught me that "it's not wilderness unless something can eat you."  On 6/21 I followed up and all I could eat pancake breakfast with a half mile hike on Cliff Shelf Nature Trail which is considered a Badlands "oasis". Hiked over 2 miles to the Door, Window and Notch trails.  The Notch was extreme and even had a ladder to navigate a 45 degree incline. Drove a total of 125 miles in and around the Badlands.
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