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.
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| One of the drainage crossings. Quite mucky still. |
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| Heading into the Stronghold, east of Cedar Butte. |
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| Cedar Butte |
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| Badlands "lake" - temporary due to snow and rain. |
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| Road in towards Cedar Butte. |
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| Cedar Butte |
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| Road into the park lands on Cuny Table, north east side. |
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| Coffin Butte and calcedony dykes |
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| Coffin Butte |
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| Coffin Butte |
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| South Unit Ranger and rig at the rim of Cuny Table. |
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| Looking down into the Stronghold. |
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| Coffin Butte from another angle. |
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| Closeup of erosion patterns and temporary stream. |
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| The tip of Cuny Table at Coffin Butte. |
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| Continuing the drive along the rim of Cuny Table/Coffin Butte. |
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| This remote area of the Stronghold is only accessible by foot. I was told that no one ever goes there. |
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| Sheep Mountain Table visible in the far distance. |
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| Stronghold Table and Galigo Table visible in far distance. |
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| Harney Peak in the distance. |
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| Harney, and some cattle. Badlands is the only National Park that has tribal grazing rights. |
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| Fenceline between grazing zones. |
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| 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. |