We were so excited! It wasn't long before a car pulled alongside us coming from the other direction and told us there was a whole herd up ahead. He wasn't kidding.
When we returned on another day the bison bonanza went on and on. We even saw a little action.
But mostly we found the bison to be wary but calm. We didn't take their calm demeanor for granted and respected the fact that they are wild animals. One thing we learned on this trip is there is always a fool getting out of their car with a little point and shoot getting way too close. Completely ridiculous while in Custer State Park since the animals come right out to the road and at times I even leaned backward in my seat when we passed them because they were inches from the window. Plenty of good shots to be had from the safety of your car, folks, including the nursing mother who wouldn't leave the road!
Custer State Park has more than bison, they also have a network of hiking trails. One of the trails we took advantage of is the one mile long Badger Clark Historic Trail. The trail is located behind the historic Badger Hole, home of Charles Badger Clark, South Dakota's first Poet Laureate. The country behind his cabin was very special to Badger and became the inspiration for some of his poetry.
The trail winds through a mixed pine and hardwood forest and along rocky hillsides - a portion of the rock-lined trail was built by the poet himself. Interpretive signs along the trail further explain the trail system. Just after we got off the trail we glimpsed a bison moving onto it at the exit point. Just a few minutes delay at any point and we would have had a very large surprise!
I've been thinking about all those unexplored trails that we just didn't have time for all winter long. I'm sure I've mentioned this already, but if I have time for a longer solo trip this summer, the Custer area is where I'll be heading! We also hiked the Little Devil's Tower trail, which I covered in another post, and the Sylvan Lake trail which I'll discuss in my next South Dakota post.
Custer proved to be a bison bonanza for us too. We were thinking we'd not see any then finally some far off. A mile or two further on they were crossing the road and it was a matter of "Could you guys step back some so we can get some decent pictures?" It almost came to be bison overload..."oh hum, another buffalo".
ReplyDeleteWe kind of felt the same way after our second trip out there. By the end it was like seeing deer in Wisconsin, just a little more dangerous!
DeleteWhat a great place to see bison. We've seen the "get too close" mentality with bears, too ... go figure!
ReplyDeleteBrings back many memories! Yep, while growing up Saturday drives through Custer State Park were a common pastime. Of course, I loved the "begging burros" the best! Have you ever hiked up Harney Peak? If you haven't this is a trail you must do. I did a blog post last September about hiking Harney Peak. Check it out if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely on my wish list, Linda!
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