Badlands - Medicine Root Loop Trail

August 3, 2022

Rolling Stones - Wild Horses

Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. It is desolation at its truest, where you can look for miles and see no sign of civilization.
This land has been so ruthlessly ravaged by wind and water that it has become picturesque. The Badlands are a wonderland of bizarre, colorful spires and pinnacles, massive buttes and deep gorges. Erosion of the Badlands reveals sedimentary layers of different colors: purple and yellow (shale), tan and gray (sand and gravel), red and orange (iron oxides) and white (volcanic ash).
Badlands National Park also preserves the world’s greatest fossil beds of animals from the Oligocene Epoch of the Age of Mammals. The skeletons of ancient camels, three-toed horses, saber-toothed cats and giant rhinoceros-like creatures are among the many fossilized species found here. All fossils, rocks, plants and animals are protected and must remain where you find them. Prehistoric bones are still being uncovered today by park officials.
Come enjoy this park’s biological diversity. The Badlands are home to the largest mixed grass prairie in the National Park System and is surrounded by the Buffalo Gap National Grassland. Wildlife roams the park's boundaries as well. Bison, pronghorn, mule and whitetail deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, butterflies, turtles, snakes, bluebirds, vultures, eagles and hawks are just some of the wildlife that can often be seen by visitors. In 1994, the near-extinct Black-footed ferrets were reintroduced into the Badlands prairie. These nocturnal animals are rarely seen by the visiting public.

Mid-summer around the Black Hills is warm and dry with plenty of sunshine. Rapid City sees an average of 20 clear to partly cloudy days and 75 percent of its possible sunshine in June. Humidity levels are low, and there is usually a breeze during the day, so even the hottest days are still comfortable. Early mornings are cool, so a jacket or sweater may be needed for outdoor activities. At night temps drop quite a bit as can be seen in the greater difference between the avg. high and low.

Shorts
Hiking shirt Sleeveless
1 wool or polyester sweater
garbage bags
straps
extra stuff sacks
space blanket
Bowl
spoon
Cup & Plate
Jumper Cables
Elevation
Altitude
Valley
Forest
Knife
Moleskin
Tennis Ball
Rain Gear
Stuff sack
Rain Jacket
Rain Pants
Pack cover
tent sleep items
Pillow
Pair of socks
Hat
Gloves
Long Johns
Long sleeve shirt
extra underwear
camelback
Water Filter purifying tablets
Powder Gatorade
Vitamins
Towel
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Chap stick
Soap
Bugs
sunscreen
Headlamp
Whistle
Sunglasses
Lighter
Matches
Supplies
Pack
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pad
Boots or Hiking Tennis shoes
Sit Pad
Hiking stick
Map
Sandals
All The Food
Water bottle
Glaciers
Rivers
Mountains
Dust
Dirt
Trail
Track
Hike
Backpack
Overnight
Rope Food