{"id":5360,"date":"2016-04-20T08:10:21","date_gmt":"2016-04-20T14:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5360"},"modified":"2021-03-24T13:14:29","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T19:14:29","slug":"toadstool-geologic-park-nebraska-4-4-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5360","title":{"rendered":"Toadstool Geologic Park, Nebraska (4-4-16)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The thin yellow-orange crescent of the dying moon hung low\u00a0in the eastern sky.\u00a0 Overhead, the Milky Way stretched across the dark heavens.\u00a0 Birds were already singing, though.\u00a0 Dawn was coming.\u00a0 A faint light was\u00a0already discernable\u00a0on the horizon.\u00a0 In the darkness, Lupe sniffed around the huge vacant parking lot of the scenic overlook on the S side of Hwy 20 E of Harrison, Nebraska.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP weren’t sleepy, but there wasn’t any sense in leaving before it was light out.\u00a0 Lupe had come to see what was here.\u00a0 It would be light out soon enough.\u00a0 Back in the G6 for another restless hour.\u00a0 SPHP finally dozed a bit and woke up to find Lupe wide awake, and the sun about to rise.<\/p>\n

\"Sunrise<\/a>
Sunrise from the scenic overlook on the S side of Hwy 20 in western Nebraska.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sunrise<\/a>
Sunrise a few minutes later from Hwy 20 approaching Fort Robson State Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Within a few minutes, Lupe and SPHP were heading E on Hwy 20 toward Crawford, Nebraska.\u00a0 It was a gorgeous morning for a drive.\u00a0 Fort Robson State Park<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0was still closed when Lupe passed through.\u00a0 Nearing Crawford, Lupe stopped\u00a0briefly at a golf course with a great view of Saddle Rock,\u00a0one of the Red Cloud Buttes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lupe likes chasing balls, but she isn’t much into golf. She still stopped at this golf course W of Crawford due to the great view of Saddle Rock, part of the Red Cloud Buttes. Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Four or five miles N of Crawford, SPHP left Hwy 2\/71 turning left on Toadstool Road.\u00a0 The gravel road was in fairly decent shape.\u00a0 It went W a\u00a0couple miles before following the Burlington Northern railroad NW.\u00a0 Lupe had a blast riding with her head out the window in the wind.\u00a0 She barked with great vigor and enthusiasm\u00a0at mostly unimpressed cows and horses along the way.<\/p>\n

SPHP spotted an interesting mountain a few miles to the W.\u00a0 It looked like a great peakbagging goal for Lupe on a future trip.\u00a0 SPHP had no idea what mountain it was.\u00a0 A check of the\u00a0maps later on revealed it is called Roundtop<\/span><\/a> (4,540 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"SPHP<\/a>
SPHP thought the mountain L of Center looked like an interesting possible future peakbagging goal for Lupe. A check of the maps later on revealed it is most likely Roundtop<\/a><\/span> (4,540 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After following the railroad for 10 or 11 miles, Lupe reached a turn to the W for Toadstool Geologic Park<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 It was a little over a mile to the campground.\u00a0 Lupe was soon there.\u00a0 Not another soul was in sight, which was\u00a0just perfect!\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP got out to take a look around.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe at the entrance to Toadstool Geological Park in western Nebraska’s badlands. A sod home is seen on the L.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Toadstool Geologic Park has 6 campsites with covered picnic tables, fire rings, grills, and plenty of flat grassy land to pitch a tent on.\u00a0 There was a restroom, too, but that was it for amenities.\u00a0\u00a0There were no trees to provide shade, and no\u00a0water or electricity.\u00a0 On the bright side, this time of year there weren’t any fees, either.\u00a0 The flat, exposed campground was next to stark, but\u00a0beautiful badlands territory just to the W.<\/p>\n

Before checking out the badlands on the Fossil Loop Trail, Lupe went to take a look at the campground’s sod house.\u00a0 A sign said the sod house had been constructed in 1984 as an example of the homes pioneers lived in on the prairie.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe went inside, but it\u00a0didn’t take\u00a0her long to check out the only amenities, which consisted of four walls and a roof.\u00a0 Life used to be extremely hard on the prairie!<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe on a little mound near the sod house. Photo looks SSW at some of the fossil-rich badlands at Toadstool Geological Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Next, Lupe and SPHP went to check out the Fossil Loop Trail.\u00a0 The mile long trail\u00a0starts on the W\u00a0side of the campground.\u00a0 There was a box full of pamphlets providing a self-guided tour.\u00a0 Numbered posts along the trail correspond to numbered sections in the pamphlet, so it was a\u00a0good idea\u00a0to take one along.\u00a0 According to the pamphlet:<\/p>\n

Toadstool Geologic Park is a key link in understanding the earth’s history from 38 to 24 million years ago.\u00a0 Geologists consider it the “type section for the White River Group,” meaning that all other similar-aged deposits in North America are compared to the geologic standard designated at Toadstool.\u00a0 It is also the standard for animal fossils of that age – the Eocene and Oligocene epochs about 30 million years ago.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
One of several informational displays at Toadstool Geologic Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While SPHP took the Fossil Loop Trail self-guided tour, Lupe raced around sniffing and exploring the badlands.\u00a0 There wasn’t much vegetation and\u00a0she didn’t encounter any\u00a0cactus, which made Lupe very happy.\u00a0 She did agree to take a little time out from her explorations of the strange rock formations to\u00a0add some Carolina Dog\u00a0charm to a number of\u00a0photos.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe among the toadstools. The toadstools are slabs of sandstone perched precariously on clay supports. Many of the sandstone caps were leaning sharply in one direction or another. Some of the toadstools were surprisingly large.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A tiny trickling stream wound through part of the area the Fossil Loop Trail went through.\u00a0\u00a0During periods of\u00a0significant rain or\u00a0melting snow, it was clear the stream would flash flood, making the\u00a0trail at first impassable and later a complete muddy mess, but it was fine while Lupe was here.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A tiny stream trickled through this valley. In wet weather, parts of the trail would be a mucky mess.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About halfway around the loop, there was an intersection with a Bison Trail.\u00a0 A sign said the Bison Trail was 3 miles long.\u00a0 There was no mention of the Bison Trail in the pamphlet, or at any of the informational displays back at the campground.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe near the intersection with the Bison Trail. Lupe and SPHP didn’t take the Bison trail, which was 3 miles long according to the sign, since there was no indication where it was really going.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shortly after passing the Bison Trail, the Fossil Loop Trail climbed out of the shallow valley up onto some of the badlands formations.\u00a0 The trail stayed up\u00a0here the rest of the way.\u00a0\u00a0A little bit of easy scrambling was\u00a0required, and the trail went close to the edge of some cliffs, but this section of the Fossil Loop Trail had some of the most interesting rock formations.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe up on the badlands formations on the Fossil Loop Trail. Post No. 5 for the self-guided tour is on the lower left. Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"When<\/a>
When it rains, this dry wash must fill with water and create quite a waterfall! The trail passed very close to the cliff partly in view on the lower left. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"An<\/a>
An American Dingo adds a dash of color to this otherwise pale tan and blue scene. 30 million years ago miniature horses, humpless camels, gigantic tortoises, pigs and rhinoceroses roamed here. Now Dingoes do!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Fossil\u00a0Loop Trail was fun, but didn’t take very long to complete.\u00a0 Upon returning to the campground, Lupe and SPHP had a bit to eat.\u00a0 The solitude was broken when another vehicle entered the park.\u00a0 It turned out that a couple from northern Italy, Lorenzo and Gabriella, had come to hike the Bison Trail!\u00a0 When they couldn’t find any information about it, they came over to meet Lupe and talk to SPHP.<\/p>\n

Lorenzo and Gabriella\u00a0said the Bison Trail leads to a boneyard where 700 hundred bison had died!\u00a0 They wondered where the trail was.\u00a0 SPHP told them to just take the Fossil Loop Trail.\u00a0 Halfway along it they would find the intersection with the Bison Trail.\u00a0 After chatting pleasantly for a few more minutes, off they went.<\/p>\n

SPHP was impressed\u00a0that Lorenzo and Gabriella had travelled so far to\u00a0see Toadstool Geological Park, but it was time for\u00a0Lupe to move on.\u00a0 Except for a joy ride N barking at cows and horses, Lupe’s\u00a0mini-Dingo Vacation\u00a0in\u00a0scenic western Nebraska was coming to an end.\u00a0\u00a0Minus the cactus on the hike with new friend Jobe Wymore<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, it\u00a0had all been great fun!<\/p>\n

Maybe Lupe will return some day\u00a0to camp out at Toadstool Geological Park.\u00a0 Then she can explore the Bison Trail, climb Roundtop, and visit Fort Robson State Park.\u00a0\u00a0A stretch of\u00a0pleasant dry weather during spring or fall\u00a0would be the best\u00a0time to be here.\u00a0\u00a0 In badlands like these, winters are too cold and the summers baking hot!<\/p>\n

\"There's<\/a>
There’s a little scrambling around on stuff like this on the Fossil Loop Trail, but it’s not hard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Note:\u00a0 After Lupe returned home, a little online research revealed that the Bison Trail at Toadstool Geological Park\u00a0probably goes to the Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Approximately 120-125 (not 700) bison died at this site around 10,000 years ago.<\/em><\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Next Dingo Vacation<\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Prior Dingo Vacation<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

On & Off the Hudson Meng Bison Trail – Toadstool Geologic Park to Roundtop Peak & Beyond, Nebraska (3-14-18)<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/strong> <\/span><\/a>or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The thin yellow-orange crescent of the dying moon hung low\u00a0in the eastern sky.\u00a0 Overhead, the Milky Way stretched across the dark heavens.\u00a0 Birds were already singing, though.\u00a0 Dawn was coming.\u00a0 A faint light was\u00a0already discernable\u00a0on the horizon.\u00a0 In the darkness, Lupe sniffed around the huge vacant parking lot of the scenic overlook on the S … Continue reading Toadstool Geologic Park, Nebraska (4-4-16)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5355,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[636],"tags":[105,106,26,1117,104,606,947],"class_list":["post-5360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2016-western-nebraska","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-fossil-loop-trail","tag-lupe","tag-nebraska","tag-toadstool-geologic-park"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/IMG_0723.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5360"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5360\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33211,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5360\/revisions\/33211"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}