Camp Roundup

Almost done with the interior section of the south unit, a couch surfing friend and I did the southern portion of the camp roundup trail. It was a beautiful august day and the four mile hike lead us to several wonderful views and gradual climbs. Would be a great path for middle school students. The parking is a bit odd, with no designated pull off space you end up putting your car partway in the grass. And no mammal life was seen during our hike.

South Unit Visitor Center & Upper Talkington Trail

We had one of those perfect day early may and headed off to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit. Meeting a friend at the park we explored the visitor center while we waited.

The log cabin is open with the rooms decorated in the time era, giving you a chance to step back in time, with the exception of the divider glass and the few pieces that are clearly more recent =)

Visitor Center Education Space

Old Beef Processing Factory

Just west of the visitor center is a picnic area that was home to Medora's first beef processing plant, you can wander through remains of cold storage, loading areas and other such elements.

Baby Bison

After meeting up with a friend that drive to the trail head put us among a heard of bison who had several babes with them. Spring trips to the park are a must, with these cute little bison around.

Wild Horses

A highlight of our hike had to have been standing on a hill top looking at while horses looking across the field at a group of horseback riders(they were too spread out for the camera to capture).

Horseback Riders

Another TRNP Post

I rarely find others who have posted on the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but did come across this park summary from a 2007 road trip blog: http://www.davidjohnsen.com/travels/2007pnw/day3.html

I slept better and we got an earlier start than on Thursday. After another Country Kitchen breakfast, we drove west to Medora, home of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I made my first bad music choice of the vacation, Disc One from Guilty: 30 years of Randy Newman. Newman is an acquired taste, and my wife hadn't heard more than a song or two. Plus it's too quiet and nuanced to be good road music......

Slow, Subtle, Sweeping Color

Ian and I headed to the park again this weekend and did the eastern section of the Lower Paddock Creek

 This is the final section of the Paddock Creek Trail for me and it was blissfully beautiful

 Life is subtlety sweeping the badlands, frosty mint colored sage 

Deep purples & lively tans

 Deep greens & browns

 Hints of mustard

 warm air

 Light budding greens

 Fiery oranges with deep reds

and a few tumble weeds

Coal Vein Trail

Ian has just moved to Dickinson and I was determined to show him the very best we had to offer. Being a bit tiered after his journey here we opted to drive the loop in the park and walk the 1.2 mile coal vein trail.

Overly enthusiastic we parked our truck and took off on the first trail head we saw, less than 1/4 mile in we came across a large deer family. We both slowed down and spent a moment taking in the beauty and power of these wild animals, each taking our turn to talk to them!

As we progressed along we noticed several marking posts and begun to wonder if we had missed something along the way. The trail is windy has small bridges and heads up and down small valleys. As we dashed along we paused here and there to read tree and plan markers, familiarizing ourselves with our new home. Neither of us sure what a burnt out coal vein should look like we pause on outlooks and made our best educated guesses.

The trail ends much as it begins in a field, however upon reached the end we realized that we had completely   skipped the self guided informational pamphlet as well as the history placard for the area, both of which I would recommend for those who are on this trail.

This is a fairly easy trail and most doable for those with young children or those who do not hike very often.