The kiln at Prairie Fire Pottery is in need of repair, so rather than hosting us in her studio, potter Tama Smith will lead us on a hike to the Petrified Forest on Sunday October 3.

On Saturday, October 2, join the group at Buffalo Gap Campground (USFS campground just west of Medora, Exit 18, well signed) for an evening campfire (your meals will be on your own). On Sunday, we will caravan in cars to the the West River Road Exit 23 on I-94E to meet daytrippers and then caravan to the Petrified Forest for a 3-mile out and back hike.  Meet at the exit at 11AM Mountain time.

 Saturday night camping at Buffalo Gap (or other area campgrounds) is on your own as are meals. The USFS Buffalo Gap Campground is located at Exit 18 and is a first come/first serve campground. Individuals are responsible for campsites, gear and meals. Bring plenty of water, adequate snacks and meals, clothing layers for changing weather, binocs, cameras, nature guides, sun and insect protection, sturdy boots, and whatever else makes you happy!

RSVPs to Liz at bca@badlandsconservationalliance.org. It is vital that you RSVP so we can contact you if the outing plans change and to ensure we don’t leave you behind.

BCA celebrated its 10th anniversary at the group campsite of North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park (and the NU is the site of other memorial outings) and it is time to return to this sweet spot. The group site at the Juniper campground is right on the Little Mo Nature Trail and features giant cottonwoods. Herds of bison regularly roam through and the birding is dandy. 

The group site is reserved for Friday night to allow for early arrivals and Saturday morning hiking opportunities as per the group preference. Since most of the NU is wilderness, hikes get us into the heart of a landscape we all love. Depending on the Little Missouri River depth, we will cross the river and explore off-trail. Proximity to the Amphitheatre will also allow for participants to take in ranger-led evening talks before the BCA campfire time.

Though we will camp at the group site, individuals are responsible their own camping gear and meals. Bring plenty of water, adequate food for snacks and meals, clothing layers for changing weather, binocs, cameras, nature guides, sun and insect protection, sturdy boots, and whatever else makes you happy!

 RSVPs to Liz at bca@badlandsconservationalliance.org 

It is vital that you RSVP so we can contact you if the outing plans change and to ensure we don’t leave you behind.

A solstice expedition of the spectacular Bennett-Cottonwood roadless area of the Badlands, tributary canyons of the Little Missouri River, will be led by Lillian Crook, highlighting some of her favorite lesser-visited wild areas. The outing will begin on Friday night for first-come-first-serve camping at the USFS Bennett campground, northwest of Grassy Butte. Saturday and Sunday hikes will be determined by the weather conditions and will include an easy hike to the China Wall, a steep clay formation that runs several hundred feet along the Maah Daah Hey trail, between Miles posts 128 and 129. If temperatures are agreeable, the group might also visit the rugged and wild area of Collar Draw, which abuts Theodore Roosevelt National Park's North Unit wilderness area. The well-marked turn-off on Highway 85 to Bennett campground is located 7.5 miles north of Grassy Butte, then west 4 miles on a gravel road (FS road 823) to another marked turn south (FS road 824) 1/2 mile, then west 1 mile into the campground. Day-trippers should plan to meet us early Saturday morning, no later than 8 a.m. MT so we can hike in cool temperatures as per the group's consensus. The length and difficulty of the hikes will also be decided by the group but will for the most part remain in the moderate range.

Individuals are responsible for campsites, gear and meals. Bring plenty of water, adequate food for snacks & lunch, clothing layers for changing weather, binocs, cameras, nature guides, sun and insect protection, sturdy boots, and whatever else makes you happy!

RSVP to Liz at bca@badlandsconservationalliance.org. It is vital that you give us a RSVP so we can contact you if the outing plans change and to ensure we don’t leave you behind.

BCA members will camp Saturday night at Cottonwood Group Site and join the 56th Annual Bird Walk hosted by Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association Sunday morning at 6:30AM. The casual one-hour stroll will meander along the Little Missouri River in search of as many bird species as possible. Each year, 40-50 species are heard and seen during this popular event; over 80 different species have been observed over the last 20 years. Participants should bring binoculars, field guides, and keen eyes to help record the day's sightings, and should be prepared for any kind of weather.

We’ll regroup after the bird walk and decide together on other hikes for the day – perhaps Coal Vein Nature Trail or Boicourt Overlook Trail. 

BCA has reserved the group campsite, though individuals are responsible for their own gear and meals. Bring plenty of water, adequate food for snacks & meals, clothing layers for changing weather, binocs, cameras, nature guides, sun and insect protection, sturdy boots, and whatever else makes you happy!

 The Cottonwood Campground Group Site has a limit of 20 people, so save your spot by RSVPing to Liz early at bca@badlandsconservationalliance.org

The forecast for this weekend is HOT and WINDY, so we have decided to postpone our outing to the Ice Caves until next weekend, June 19-20. At this point, the forecast for next weekend is 73 and partly sunny - much more pleasant for a 6 mile round trip hike. I've spoken directly with everyone that RSVP'd, but wanted to let you know in the hopes that you could join us next weekend! 

 We will camp at the Magpie Campground (sites $6/night, available on first come, first served basis) Friday night, then hike 3 miles from the campground to the Ice Caves Saturday morning and back. If a 6 mile hike sounds like too much for you, but you really want to join us, there are two options. There is a trailhead approach from the east, which is a short 15-20 minute walk to the Ice Caves. You could take a leisurely and lovely drive there after the hikers depart, and meet us at the caves. There is also the possibility that we could coordinate to leave a vehicle at the eastern trailhead, to drive at least some folks back to the campground after the 3 mile hike & some exploring of the caves.

Are you tired of hanging around your house? This is the PERFECT time for an outing to explore The Ice Caves in the Little Missouri National Grasslands! We can keep a safe distance and enjoy time together outside, in one of the most beautiful places in North Dakota.

The Ice Caves are located on the northern edge of Billings County along the drainage of Magpie Creek. They can be found along the southern slope of a ridge capped by 30 feet of fluvial channel sandstone in the Sentinel Butte Formation. Large blocks of sandstone have become detached from the ridge cap and toppled or slid down the slope. Many of these blocks have come to rest at various angles against other large blocks, which has created void spaces or chambers. Percolating water from melting snow and early spring rains drips into these well-insulated chambers where it freezes and remains frozen into late spring or summer. The largest chamber is approximately 30 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 9 feet high. (Adapted from "Caves in North Dakota.") This is going to be a phenomenal outing! 

You will be on your own for food and personal gear, but we will share camaraderie and beautiful views. Bring plenty of water, adequate snacks/lunch for our hike, clothing layers for changing weather, binocs, cameras, nature guides, sun and insect protection, sturdy boots, and whatever else makes you happy! One item to be sure is on your list is a headlamp or flashlight for the Ice Caves. 

To get to Magpie Campground, travel 1.5 miles north of Fairfield on Highway 85. Turn west on Road 712  (Magpie Camp sign),  Travel 15.5 miles on gravel Road 712. The campground is located ¼ mile northeast off Road 712. 

If you are joining us for the day hike ONLY, meet at the trailhead at 10AM Mountain Time. The marked trail head (Magpie, Maah Daah Hey Trail) is on Road 712, just before the turn-off for Magpie Campground.  Do be sure to let me know that you are coming so that we don't depart without you!