(click photos to enlarge)
Welcome to Elk Mountain, overlooking Highway 16 between Jewel Cave National Monument, SD, and Newcastle, WY.
In 2001, lightning-induced fire ravaged this state-straddling mountain, an area that is no stranger to fire danger. A long winding road leads from the valley to the top of this broad, linear summit, which has an active fire tower at the northern terminus.
While there is obviously new life re-establishing itself, it's one of those places you might decide to pass on, given the lack of aesthetics from the charred vertical matchsticks...
...and yet, there is the occasional pocket where the fire 'jumped' and spared the vegetation, as well. No, this is not one of those classic picturesque destinations that is a "must see", but I'm a firm believer that wherever you are, there are treasures to be found...as long as you are open to finding them.
What large boulder formations were there are still full of interest beckoning to be explored, and home to various plants in the nooks and crannies as well as protective shelters for insects and small mammals.
Compared to the rest of this region, which lies in the extreme southwest corner of the Black Hills Complex, the surrounding landscape is subtle...by all appearances it looks gently rolling, although upon closer inspection there are myriad vegetated canyons and 'draws' worth exploring and driving ('nuther travelogue for another day).
And so I began to look closer at little parts of the picture...the flowers having a hay-day in all the sunshine they now enjoy...
...watching an unidentified butterly (Brush-footed species?) relax a moment...
...catching a grasshopper before it makes a leap many times it's body length...
One of the more relaxing aspects for me was that I had it all to myself while I was there. Did climb the fire tower and speak to the ranger on duty (where I captured some of the vistas like the one below); otherwise, it was another day of relaxation, exploration...and wonderment.
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NOTE: Come back tomorrow for a look at a strange centuries-old annual tradition from across The Pond that took place just a few days ago...a case study in how to jeopardize your body's health!
Welcome to Elk Mountain, overlooking Highway 16 between Jewel Cave National Monument, SD, and Newcastle, WY.
In 2001, lightning-induced fire ravaged this state-straddling mountain, an area that is no stranger to fire danger. A long winding road leads from the valley to the top of this broad, linear summit, which has an active fire tower at the northern terminus.
While there is obviously new life re-establishing itself, it's one of those places you might decide to pass on, given the lack of aesthetics from the charred vertical matchsticks...
...and yet, there is the occasional pocket where the fire 'jumped' and spared the vegetation, as well. No, this is not one of those classic picturesque destinations that is a "must see", but I'm a firm believer that wherever you are, there are treasures to be found...as long as you are open to finding them.
What large boulder formations were there are still full of interest beckoning to be explored, and home to various plants in the nooks and crannies as well as protective shelters for insects and small mammals.
Compared to the rest of this region, which lies in the extreme southwest corner of the Black Hills Complex, the surrounding landscape is subtle...by all appearances it looks gently rolling, although upon closer inspection there are myriad vegetated canyons and 'draws' worth exploring and driving ('nuther travelogue for another day).
And so I began to look closer at little parts of the picture...the flowers having a hay-day in all the sunshine they now enjoy...
...watching an unidentified butterly (Brush-footed species?) relax a moment...
...catching a grasshopper before it makes a leap many times it's body length...
One of the more relaxing aspects for me was that I had it all to myself while I was there. Did climb the fire tower and speak to the ranger on duty (where I captured some of the vistas like the one below); otherwise, it was another day of relaxation, exploration...and wonderment.
_________________________________NOTE: Come back tomorrow for a look at a strange centuries-old annual tradition from across The Pond that took place just a few days ago...a case study in how to jeopardize your body's health!
2 comments:
Thank you for the nice post.
You're welcome, Kim. Glad you liked it...so much beautiful country there...
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