Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23, 2018

“Boicourt into the Bowl” in SU-TRNP and Long X Divide Suitable for Wilderness

Invigorating! Cooler temps, bright blue skies, ever-changing color, pungent sage in bloom, friends on the move!

Boicourt into the Bowl

Saturday, September 22, 2018

12 noon CT / 11 am MT

On Saturday, September 22, at 12 noon CT / 11 am MT meet-up with BCA friends at the Cottonwood Picnic Area parking lot in the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We will head to the Boicourt Overlook before going off trail into the “bowl” at the heart of the Scenic Loop Road. Expect a range of terrains, brief portions of which may be strenuous. Walking sticks are encouraged for those who would benefit from a little help. As always, sturdy foot gear is a MUST.

Exact route and speed will be determined by participants, but expect 3.5 to 4 hours of blissful exertion with generous time for poking and water/snack breaks.

Due to road construction along the first 3 miles inside the SU, including the Visitor Center parking lot, plan for a little extra time. Work crews take the weekends off but some delay should be expected.

Long X Divide Adventure  

Sunday, September 23, 2018

10 am CT / 9 am MT

Sunday, September 23, we will meet at 10 am CT / 9 am MT at the Summit Campground on the west side of HWY 85, approximately 4.5 miles south of the entrance to the North Unit of TRNP. Watch carefully for brown signs and take care with oil traffic. We will then caravan/carpool to the southern access to Long X Divide roadless area on the Little Missouri National Grassland, which is managed by the US Forest Service as one of only four Suitable for Wilderness areas.

LXD is the landscape seen south across the river from much of the first 5 miles of the NU’s Scenic Road and to the southeast from Riverbend Overlook. It is often mistaken as part of the Park. Grassland ranchers graze cattle, but mineral leasing is “unavailable.” The State of North Dakota and the four Grasslands counties remain enmeshed in a Quiet Title lawsuit with the United States of America that could potentially open LXD to roads and development. Pro bono legal counsel represents BCA and others in fending off threats to LXD.

Long X Divide boasts an extensive upland, but is cut dramatically by Badlands drainages and creeks. Again, participants will help determine our route, but plan for a 7 mile loop, a portion of it through rough country. We’ll adjust as needed or desired. Tentatively, we’ll hug the bluff line to a gate with the North Unit before descending(!) into the Corral Creek bottoms to follow the Maah Daah Hey Trail back to our starting point. It’ll be late afternoon if we do the entire loop, so plan your needs!

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

We will leave the South Unit on Saturday in time to make the drive and set up camp in the North Unit before enjoying the evening. (If you come early and camp in the SU, you may want to stay there. That’s fine, too, but remember time zones when getting up early to arrive on time at Summit Camp on Sunday morning!) Reservations are available at the SU, but first-come at the NU. It’s rarely an issue this time of year, but... https://www.nps.gov/thro/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm

Be prepared for a wonderful time!!!