Prairie Dog Town Trail

 

White Butte

North Dakota

October 2006

Highpoint Elevation: 3,506 feet

Elevation Gain on Hike: 406 feet

Round Trip Hiking Distance: 2 miles

   

12 years ago...I had the opportunity to get away on a solo hiking trip for a few days. Back in 2006, I only hiked a few short trails with Kellisa and had no idea what the future would hold for us. Kellisa spent from her birth (May 23, 1999) through early 2006 as a very medically fragile child with only a few outdoor adventures. I had been afraid to leave Kellisa for such a selfish trip, but finally felt comfortable enough to recharge my batteries on a quick trip to reach the highpoints of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

I had the entire trail to myself on White Butte except for one prairie rattlesnake that was blocking the path. The snake was not afraid of me or at all intimidated by my presence. I even tried unsuccessfully to use my trekking poles to convince the snake to move. I really didn't want to go off trail in the high grasses where I was convinced even more snakes lurked, but I had no choice if I wanted to continue.

HIGHPOINTS

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North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

North Dakota

July 2015

Kellisa and Laurel states hiked together: 31/50.