Badlands Residency Day 44

Today was a treat.  I cleaned, organized, and did some packing.  Then this afternoon my friends Pei and Chris arrived.  They are currently moving from NYC to San Francisco, and decided to drive through the park.  As things turned out, I had the day free.  We met at the visitor's center in the afternoon, then drove up to door/window area, hiked the notch trail, walked out on some of the door trail, then proceeded to drive the loop road and out to Sage Creek.  Made just a couple stops along the way, spending most of our time down in sage creek, wandering around the creek near the campground.  The bison were not around, and I was finally able to head a different direction along the creek, which I have long wanted to do.  Pei and Chris are photographers and it was a pleasure to be out shooting with them.  As the sun went down we packed up and drove back through the park and down to the Wagon Wheel for a very late dinner.  Many of my park friends were there, and it was a large and fun group: Katie, Ryan, Ed, Tricia, John, Mat, Aaron, Megan, Julie (archaeologist), Pei, Chris, and I.  Jerry, too, of course, and he had some new menu items.  With a partially new electric system for the expansion, he can now run a deep fryer, so has french fries, onion rings, deep fried cheese, and more on the list.  Pei and Chris decorated a dollar for the Wagon Wheel collection.  The wind picked up while we relaxed, and by the time we were ready to leave the force of the wind was opening and closing the door, triggering the chime in the back of the office.  Having two beds and a couch paid off today since it allowed me to offer reasonable accommodations to friends for the night.  They're off to Yellowstone in the morning.

Pei and Chris above the log ladder at Notch Trail.

The end of Notch Trail.

Looking down on the housing area from the notch.

Pei, contemplating the buttes.

Chris, photographing Pei.

Sage Creek Rim Road.

Looking off into the wilderness area.

Ready to hop across the creek.

Pouty face.

Reflections in Sage Creek.

Sage creek and Cottonwoods.

The bison were here...

Here's a lovely lady enjoying an evening snack.

Badlands Residency Day 43

Got up early and drove down to the White River visitor's center to meet the south ranger for a day out in Stronghold.  We chatted a while first, and he gave me a bunch of history and information.  We marked some things down on my map that are new to me, such as some of the old wagon trails and access points.  Then we got in his rig and headed out to a two track road that heads north along Cedar Butte north of BIA2.  Back in past the butte when you look back you can spot a cross that was carved through the upper level of rock - it creates a cross shaped window.  This was done back in the 1920s, so by now it is quite eroded and less cross shaped, but it's still neat.  After getting back onto 2, we went up Cuny Table to drive out to the northeast end where the tip meets up with Coffin Butte.  As are all the roads in the south unit, it was rough and slow and terribly scenic.  He drove me all around the rim with a stop out by Coffin Butte so I could walk out to the tip.  It was a great day.  Towards the end, clouds began to stack on the horizon, with the potential promise of rain and storms.  

One of the drainage crossings.  Quite mucky still.

Heading into the Stronghold, east of Cedar Butte.

Cedar Butte

Badlands "lake" - temporary due to snow and rain.

Road in towards Cedar Butte.

Cedar Butte

Road into the park lands on Cuny Table, north east side.

Coffin Butte and calcedony dykes

Coffin Butte

Coffin Butte

South Unit Ranger and rig at the rim of Cuny Table.

Looking down into the Stronghold.

Coffin Butte from another angle.

Closeup of erosion patterns and temporary stream.

The tip of Cuny Table at Coffin Butte.

Continuing the drive along the rim of Cuny Table/Coffin Butte.

This remote area of the Stronghold is only accessible by foot.  I was told that no one ever goes there.

Sheep Mountain Table visible in the far distance.

Stronghold Table and Galigo Table visible in far distance.

Harney Peak in the distance.

Harney, and some cattle.  Badlands is the only National Park that has tribal grazing rights.

Fenceline between grazing zones.

The spot where we got stuck for a bit, the sand pulled the wheels and we went right up the side.  Ranger Little White Man  has some good driving skills and got us out.