POTD

Makoshika #8 Makoshika State Park, Montana 2014

This combination of a hard rock layer sandwiched between two soft layers of sediment is the source material for the balanced rocks and similar features in Makoshika. That a balanced rock is formed when the softer material washes away except underneath a chunk of rock is easy to understand. What determines when that happens instead of just the less interesting breaking and crumbling seen here is a mystery to me.]]>

Makoshika #7 Makoshika State Park, Montana 2014

It’s a tough life amongst the eroding formations in Makoshika. They don’t call them badlands for nothing.]]>

Makoshika #6 Makoshika State Park, Montana 2014

On the left, one of the many balanced rocks in the area below my campsite.]]>

Makoshika #5 Makoshika State Park, Montana 2014

I was camped up in the trees on the edge of this ridge, making this area quite handy for exploring late in the day during the fabled magic hour before sunset.]]>

Makoshika #4 Makoshika State Park, Montana 2014

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Makoshika #3 Makoshika State Park, Montana 2014

There’s a lot of elevation change within the badlands at Makoshika State Park, but the most interesting features occur only in a rather narrow elevation range that is layered with the right combination of harder rock over softer, more erodible material.

I’ve been meaning to mention that the name Makoshika (Ma-ko’-shi-ka) is a variant spelling of a Lakota phrase meaning ‘bad land’ or ‘bad earth’. The above pronunciation is from the park’s web site, but everyone seems to pronounce it as “Muh-kōsh-ika”.

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Sky Bench #2 Makoshika State Park, Montana 2014

Although not quite as hard to get to as it looks, taking in the view from this bench required considerably more effort than the one I walk by almost daily. (See that one here.)]]>

Missouri Breaks Hell Creek State Park, Montana 2014

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Makoshika #2 Makoshika State Park, Montana 2014

Makoshika is as interesting up close as it is in the far views.]]>

Makoshika #1 Makhoshika State Park, Montana 2014

The terrain in Makoshika State Park is kind of a cross between the badlands of South Dakota and the slickrock canyons of southern Utah. I like it because it’s closer to my home than either of those places and considerably less traveled (especially in the case of southern Utah).]]>