Although only 0.75 mile, the Notch Trail is a "must do" in Badlands National Park. First, go into the shallow canyon, guarded on all sides by dramatic fortress-like buttes. About midway, escape higher via a 70-foot log ladder-a favorite distraction for most visitors. Next is to follow the ledge, which can release a few butterflies in one's stomach where the path slims to just 4-5 feet across. Finally, reach the trail's namesake "Notch," with sweeping views of before current time.
Because in those buttes, hikers are seeing approximately 50 million years of geologic processes. Rocks-including sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, claystones, limestones, volcanic ash, and shale-were deposited over five successive periods. Then, rivers eroded the land, etched deep canyons and sharp spires, and unveiled nature's layered personality. But erosion is an ongoing show, at about one inch/year. In about 500,000 more years, all that is left will be a truly bad pile of dust.
Photos: photos.app.goo...
Route: Notch Trail
Type: Out-And-Back
Distance: 1.5 mi.
Elevation Gain: 98 ft.
Location: Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA
Date/Time: 2022-04-08 0900
My Thoughts:
For my first ever-but brief-venture into the badlands, I woke up rather early. I would blame that ladder. After studying the hike reviews, I figured it would attract lines as epic as the kids nowadays catching news of some underground brand's merch drop. Me, I just wanted to film quickly/efficiently (as always).
It worked out. The April morning air was frigid, too dry for trail crowds. I was mostly alone, with plenty of time and space for majestic buttes, more than one notch, shaky ladder. What was so bad about all this, anyway?
#Hiking #LeaveNoTrace
Негізгі бет Full Hike [CC]: A Short but Good Trail in Badlands National Park (South Dakota)
Пікірлер: 2