There will be an informal get together at North Park Thursday night for early arrivals. This informal event is set for 7-9 pm. I will have field trip information available there. See Map for directions to North Park
We expect that it will be hot, dry, and rocky. There will be steep hillsides, loose rocks and shale, and some climbing up and over ledges. Climbs up slopes will be moderately strenuous. There are stickers and thorns, and rattlesnakes are expected almost everywhere. If the sun is out, there will no escaping the heat. If it rains, there are no shelters, and participants will be drenched. If it looks like it will hail, we won't go. The country is steep and somewhat unforgiving, and participants should be prepared with the normal array of water, sun screen, hats, appropriate clothing, good footwear, walking/hiking sticks, more water, and energy.
You are responsible for your own lunch for the field trips with the exception of Bear Gulch.
We will leave from the Albertsons parking lot, See map. We will park in the lot near the street to minimize any impact. A map will also be provided at the Conference. Carpooling is encouraged, and for those staying at the hotel and not driving but riding with someone, please try to carpool from the hotel to Albertsons.
7:00 AM at the Albertson's parking lot
7:15 AM leave, travel time is 2.25 to 2.5 hours. There are no
planned stops.
9:45 Meet Trip Leaders at Ranch.
10:00 Travel from the Ranch to the site.
Tour (3 hours). The group will be split into three smaller groups
of 10 people each and rotate through the three areas of the
site.
1:30 Barbecue
3:00 Depart for Billings
Vehicle: None.
Hike: Easy to moderate.
We will leave from the Albertsons parking lot, See map. We will park in the lot near the street to minimize any impact. A map will also be provided at the Conference. Carpooling is encouraged, and for those staying at the hotel and not driving but riding with someone, please try to carpool from the hotel to Albertsons.
8:15 AM leave from Albertsons
10:30 AM arrive at the Bailey Ranch
11:00 AM Tour of rock art site.
12:30 PM Leave Bailey Ranch
Optional side-trip on the way back: The Little Bighorn
Battlefield site is located at the junction of I-90 and 212.
There are a couple of places to eat at this junction.
Mr. Bailey warns that the rattlesnakes are out doing their
thing, so beware and proceed with caution. He also cautions
against getting too close to the sandstone outcrop, due to the
excessive rain seeping into the sandstone, all should be aware
that there is danger in the possibility that pieces of the cliff
face could fall off.
Bring plenty of water.
Vehicle: Due to excessive rain this spring, normal road
conditions to the ranch have deteriorated, and now require access
with high clearance vehicles.
Hike: Easy
Website link:
http://www.mt.blm.gov/mcfo/cbm/eis/NCheyenneNarrativeReport/Chap7.pdf
BLM Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT. See map
8:10 AM Group meets at the BLM Montana State Office
8:30 AM Depart (1.5hrs to 2hrs drive, south of Billings near
Wyoming/Montana Border)
10:30 AM Arrive at area to park vehicles, hike in (1 mile each
way)
11:30 AM Arrive at rock art site, eat lunch, visit site
1:30PM Hike back to cars.
3:30PM Leave for Billings
There are no restrooms or picnic facilities. Pack out all
garbage.
Vehicle: 4-wheel drive vehicles are required, high clearance
preferred, as well as carpooling in the least number of cars
possible. Route to Petroglyph Canyon is on a two-track dirt
road.
Hike: Through rough countryside with climbing some steep
slopes.
We will leave from the Albertsons parking lot, See map. We will park in the lot near the street to minimize any impact. A map will also be provided at the Conference. Carpooling is encouraged, and for those staying at the hotel and not driving but riding with someone, please try to carpool from the hotel to Albertsons.
8:15 AM at the Albertsons parking lot
8:30 AM leave from Albertsons
10:00 AM arrive at site area
There are no formal restroom or picnic areas, but this is an area
of scattered pine and juniper trees as well as sandstone rock
outcroppings.
We will visit Steamboat Butte, have lunch under the trees, and
then continue looking at sites in the afternoon. Depending on the
group, we will either walk between sites or drive the short
distances (although there still will be some walking to each
site).
3-4:00 PM (depending on the feeling of the group): Leave for
Billings Everyone will be back to Billings no later than
5:30.
Since we will be passing through Pompeys Pillar coming and going.
You may want to stay at the Pillar until the reception on Friday
rather than return to Billings, bring along anything you need. Be
sure and let the leader know you are not returned to
Billings.
Vehicle: 4-wheel drive is required.
Hike: Climbing some steep slopes but distances are less than
one-quarter mile.
BLM Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT. See map
8:10 AM Group meets at the BLM Montana State Office
8:30 AM Depart and drive 40 miles east-northeast of
Billings.
9:30 AM Arrive at area to park vehicles.
Strenuous one-mile hike cross-country through rugged terrain with
sage-covered slopes, then up a steep rocky slope to reach the
site.
10:30 AM Arrive at rock art site, visit site, eat lunch.
1:00 PM Hike back to cars.
2:00 PM Depart for Billings
3:00 PM Arrive in Billings
There are no restrooms or picnic facilities. Pack out all
garbage.
Vehicle: 4-wheel drive vehicles are required, high clearance
preferred, as well as carpooling in the least number of cars
possible. Route is on gravel road.
Hike: Cross-country through sage-covered slopes. Distances up to
one-half mile. Access easy to difficult.
We will leave from the Albertsons parking lot, See map. We will park in the lot near the street to minimize any impact. A map will also be provided at the Conference. Carpooling is encouraged, and for those staying at the hotel and not driving but riding with someone, please try to carpool from the hotel to Albertsons.
8:00 AM Depart for the field trip. Drive is 1.5 hours.
10:30/11:00 Early lunch at the city park in Ryegate. Bring a bag
lunch.
Restroom Break: gas station in Ryegate
12:30: Arrive at the site
2:30/3:00 Leave site and return to Billings or where ever your
next destination point may be.
Vehicle: None.
Hike: Easy walk.
We will leave from the Albertsons parking lot, See map. We will park in the lot near the street to minimize any impact. A map will also be provided at the Conference. Carpooling is encouraged, and for those staying at the hotel and not driving but riding with someone, please try to carpool from the hotel to Albertsons.
8:15 AM leave from Albertsons
10:30 AM arrive at the Bailey Ranch
11:00 AM Tour of rock art site.
12:30 PM Leave Bailey Ranch
Optional side-trip on the way back: The Little Bighorn
Battlefield site is located at the junction of I-90 and 212.
There are a couple of places to eat at this junction.
Mr. Bailey warns that the rattlesnakes are out doing their
thing, so beware and proceed with caution. He also cautions
against getting too close to the sandstone outcrop, due to the
excessive rain seeping into the sandstone, all should be aware
that there is danger in the possibility that pieces of the cliff
face could fall off.
Bring plenty of water.
Vehicle: Due to excessive rain this spring, normal road
conditions to the ranch have deteriorated, and now require access
with high clearance vehicles.
Hike: Easy
Website link:
http://www.mt.blm.gov/mcfo/cbm/eis/NCheyenneNarrativeReport/Chap7.pdf
BLM Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT. See map
8:10 AM Group meets at the BLM Montana State Office
8:30 AM Depart (1.5hrs to 2hrs drive, south of Billings near
Wyoming/Montana Border)
10:30 AM Arrive at area to park vehicles, hike in (1 mile each
way)
11:30 AM Arrive at rock art site, eat lunch, visit site
1:30PM Hike back to cars.
3:30PM Leave for Billings
There are no restrooms or picnic facilities. Pack out all
garbage.
Vehicle: 4-wheel drive vehicles are required, high clearance
preferred, as well as carpooling in the least number of cars
possible. Route to Petroglyph Canyon is on a two-track dirt
road.
Hike: Through rough countryside with climbing some steep
slopes.
We will leave from the Albertsons parking lot, See map. We will park in the lot near the street to minimize any impact. A map will also be provided at the Conference. Carpooling is encouraged, and for those staying at the hotel and not driving but riding with someone, please try to carpool from the hotel to Albertsons.
8:15 AM at the Albertsons parking lot
8:30 AM leave from Albertsons
10:00 AM arrive at site area
There are no formal restroom or picnic areas, but this is an area
of scattered pine and juniper trees as well as sandstone rock
outcroppings.
We will visit Steamboat Butte, have lunch under the trees, and
then continue looking at sites in the afternoon. Depending on the
group, we will either walk between sites or drive the short
distances (although there still will be some walking to each
site).
3-4:00 PM (depending on the feeling of the group): Leave for
Billings Everyone will be back to Billings no later than
5:30.
Vehicle: 4-wheel drive is required.
Hike: Climbing some steep slopes. Distances are less than
one-quarter mile.
BLM Montana State Office, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, MT. See map
8:10 AM Group meets at the BLM Montana State Office
8:30 AM Depart and drive 40 miles east-northeast of
Billings.
9:30 AM Arrive at area to park vehicles.
Strenuous one-mile hike cross-country through rugged terrain with
sage-covered slopes, then up a steep rocky slope to reach the
site.
10:30 AM Arrive at rock art site, visit site, eat lunch.
1:00 PM Hike back to cars.
2:00 PM Depart for Billings
3:00 PM Arrive in Billings
There are no restrooms or picnic facilities. Pack out all
garbage.
Vehicle: 4-wheel drive vehicles are required, high clearance
preferred, as well as carpooling in the least number of cars
possible. Route is on gravel road.
Hike: Cross-country through sage-covered slopes. Distances up to
one-half mile. Access easy to difficult.
We will leave from the Albertsons parking lot, See map. We will park in the lot near the street to minimize any impact. A map will also be provided at the Conference. Carpooling is encouraged, and for those staying at the hotel and not driving but riding with someone, please try to carpool from the hotel to Albertsons.
7:00 AM Meet at Albertsons
7:15 AM Leave for Bridger, MT (47 miles)
8:00 AM Meet Larry Loendorf at Jim Bridger Lion's Club Park
(statue of Jim Bridger), on main highway south of town.
Sites: Main Weatherman Draw, Bear, Two-Shield, Red Buffalo, and
the Valley of the Shields sites.
3:00 to 4:00 PM Field trip over, folks head out to destinations
of their choice.
If it rains, parts of the trip will be cancelled due to
inability to access sites and safety concerns.
Bring lunches, and plenty of water. Expect hot weather (wear
sunscreen) and possible showers (bring rain poncho).
Vehicle: Groups will have to carpool into four or five high
clearance vehicles to get into Valley of the Shields. The fewer
the vehicles the better.
Hike: Be prepared for a strenuous hike over somewhat rough
terrain (Weatherman Draw: 3 miles round trip and Valley of the
Shields: 2 miles round trip).
We will leave from the Albertsons parking lot, See map. We will park in the lot near the street to minimize any impact. A map will also be provided at the Conference. Carpooling is encouraged, and for those staying at the hotel and not driving but riding with someone, please try to carpool from the hotel to Albertsons.
7:00 AM Meet at Albertsons parking lot
7:15 AM Leave for Bridger, MT (47 miles)
8:00 AM Meet Elizabeth Lynch at Jim Bridger Lion's Club Park
(statue of Jim Bridger), on main highway south of town.
Sites: Main Weatherman Draw, Bear, Two-Shield, Red Buffalo, and
the Valley of the Shields sites.
3:00 to 4:00 PM Field trip over, folks head out to destinations
of their choice.
If it rains, parts of the trip will be cancelled due to
inability to access sites and safety concerns.
Bring lunches, and plenty of water. Expect hot weather (wear
sunscreen) and possible showers (bring rain poncho).
Vehicle: Groups will have to carpool into four or five high
clearance vehicles to get into Valley of the Shields. The fewer
the vehicles the better.
Hike: Be prepared for a strenuous hike over somewhat rough
terrain (Weatherman Draw: 3 miles round trip and Valley of the
Shields: 2 miles round trip).
We will leave from the Albertsons parking lot, See map. We will park in the lot near the street to minimize any impact. A map will also be provided at the Conference. Carpooling is encouraged, and for those staying at the hotel and not driving but riding with someone, please try to carpool from the hotel to Albertsons.
8:15 AM: Meet at the Albertsons parking lot
8:30 AM: Leave Billings
11:00 am: Arrive at the Middle Fork Judith River Trailhead and
park in the grassy parking area north of main road.
Tailgate picnic in shade south of main road. There will be a
table and at least 6-8 camp chairs set up, some stumps, and a
tailgate.
Noon to 5:00 PM Field Trip to three to four sites
5:00 PM: Return to Billings.
Vehicle: None.
Hike: Easy with shallow creek crossings in several places. Expect
wet feet.
We will leave from the Albertsons parking lot, See map. We will park in the lot near the street to minimize any impact. A map will also be provided at the Conference. Carpooling is encouraged, and for those staying at the hotel and not driving but riding with someone, please try to carpool from the hotel to Albertsons.
8:15 AM at the Albertson's parking lot
8:30 AM leave from Albertsons
We will stop at a gas station/convenience store in Bridger to use
the restrooms.
10:00 AM arrive at site
There are scattered trees and sandstone outcroppings throughout
the site area, and we will have lunch at a shady area within the
scattered site area.
3-4:00 PM (depending on the feeling of the group): Leave for
Billings.
5:30 PM Back in Billings.
People who are traveling south or west will probably not want to
return to Billings. The site is just southwest of the town of
Bridger, and it will be easy for them to make plans to continue
in other directions if that is more suited to their
schedules.
Vehicle: None.
Hike: Moderate to difficult involving much climbing.
