N O T C H   T R A I L

Badlands National Park
Southwestern South Dakota

One part of the trail is so steep the Park Service provides a ladder to help traverse upward and over.

Wormhole sandstone up-close-and-personal. Some scientists theorize the holes were formed by ancient wormlike creatures whose decayed bodies left pockets in the rock. A more popular theory is the holes were formed by trapped gas when the rock was formed eons ago.

As I hike onward I notice I'm surrounded by higher and higher spires. Near the top of these peaks you can see a couple layers of wormhole sandstone.

More magnificent spires.

I reach the end of the trail. Trail's end provides this nice view of the low prairie as it reaches westward.