ProRanger Program at Temple University: Badlands: Program Visit and Scenic Naps

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Badlands: Program Visit and Scenic Naps

Over the course of the summer I have done my best to learn the resources to increase my own knowledge, and now was the ultimate test of what I have learned so far. Keeping Vicki entertained, and she just came from Denali in Alaska so John has definitely set the expectations very high. For this I made sure to bring out all the scenic overlooks possible paired with my own knowledge interspersed as we progressed through the park. The first day we did a magnificent tour of the north unit seeing wildlife and capturing awesome photos.

After a long day of travelling and seeing the first half of the park, we decided to call it a day and made sure to get well rested and get ready for the next day. On day two we spent the first half of the day touring the less visited, but especially beautiful south unit of the park. Though the furthest overlook is a full two hours away it is totally worth the drive. Make sure to stop by sheep mountain table, the school of mines canyon, and red shirt overlook.

View of School of Mines Canyon

Presenting the ProRanger Plaque

Sunset: Awesome intern benefit

After visiting the south unit we made a tactical lunch stop to help refuel and continue our tour. At this point we went for a hike on the castle trail where we ran into some big horn sheep and adventured through seeing the park from a different angle. Afterwards we took a drive to the famous town of Wall and got dinner before heading to the night program held by Ranger Brad who gave a talk going over all the Badlands Bats.

The next day we headed over to Mount Rushmore to continue the tour and see one of the most famous monuments in the country. Through the day we toured the monument, the visitor center, and areas of the Black Hills surrounding the monument. A different type of landscape than the Badlands the views are still breathtaking.