Rock Formations

When visiting Makoshika, you won't find lakes, rivers or streams, however, during the spring run off or after a rain storm, the sand trails fill with water and collect in low areas creating some muddy watering holes for the wildlife of the park. This little waterhole is usually here year round, and as the summer heat dries it up, it looks a lot more like a mud pit. This was the first time I remember hearing bullfrogs at it, and I could hear them from the top of the Diane Gabriel Trail which from the stairs looks out over it.

 

I love the way this rock formation that is near the same water hole looks like the backbone of a dinosaur. You can see the sand trail is still wet after a recent rainstorm. The trails here become quite slippery and dangerous when wet. Sometimes what might look like dry crumbling dirt can actually be very slippery mud underneath.

Winter in the Park

The park is open year round, as is the visitors center,  however, the switchbacks are closed during the winter. The lower portion of the park is available for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Bluebird Trail located next to the visitors center is an easy hike year round. Watch out for ice and bring some good winter hiking boots.

 

Bluebird Trail 2015

 

Bridge is a little icy in the winter but still accessible.

 

A woodpecker just chilling on the bird feeder located at the

 visitors center near the Bluebird Trail.

 

Highlight Pictures From 2014

Spring and summer of 2014 brought an unusual amount of rainfall to this area of the state resulting in beautiful green landscapes. I wanted to post some of my pictures from last year to show how beautiful it was, and also to get some pictures of some of the many sights or formations you will see when coming to the park.

If you look closely you will see a Hadrosaur fossil in this picture.

This is located on the Diane Gabriel Trail

Some of my favorite rock formations in the park. This one

 is on the Kinney Coulee Trail and looks like it's smoking.

 

A bone I found up one of the Kinney Coulee drainages. It was stuck in the side of the hill. I stopped at the visitors center and showed them the picture to see what kind of animal it was from, and they think it looks old enough to be a buffalo from back when they use to roam the park. It's not fossilized so it's not dinosaur.

 

A view of the lower campground as seen from the top of the
Diane Gabriel Trail which trailheads from the parking lot.

 

 The Diane Gabriel Trail offers a perfect view of the picnic shelter area,
 entrance to the park and distant view of the city of Glendive, Montana.

 

 Pretty little bridge in fall colors located on the Bluebird Trail which trailheads from the Visitors Center's Parking lot.

 

 Diane Gabriel trail not too far from the trail head. It can get pretty muddy and slick through here after a rainstorm. This trail also has a surprise near the top, a Hadrosaurus fossilized vertebrae. If you can make it up all the stairs (not these ones, they get worse), it's well worth the climb to see the fossil. There are park benches along the way if you need to take a break.

 Some of my favorite formations. These are found on the Kinney Coulee
trail up above the switchbacks.

 

 This natural bridge is located on the Cap Rock Trail. One of my favorite trails with some pretty awesome formations. 

 

Some of the man-made stairs on the Cap Rock Trail. I thought

these were pretty cool the first time I saw them.

 

This little watering hole is off the side of the Diane Gabriel Trail.

I like the little archway in the front. 

Makoshika is home to some pretty awe inspiring rock formations.

This one is located off the Kinney Coulee Trail.

Rock formations on the Kinney Coulee Trail

Bluebird eggs. There are over 75 bluebird houses throughout

 the park. These are monitored & documented by my friend the

bluebird man Lew. Wrens and swallows also nest in the houses. 

 

A beautiful view from the top of the switchbacks in the spring of 2014.

 



Exploring the Caves

I spotted this cave while walking the Diane Gabriel Trail, or rather doing a little hiking off the Diane Gabriel trail. Although I really wanted to go exploring inside this one as it was tall enough for a person to stand in and move around, the walls were not very stable and there is a whole lot of hill on top of it. It looked like it curved around in the inside almost like a spiral staircase.

 

 

Meadowlark ~ Montana's State Bird

The meadowlark is Montana's State bird and is recognizable by its yellow breast and distinguishable black V. They nest in the grass and can usually be seen sitting on fence post in grassy meadow areas singing it's short little melody. I spotted this one on the "Bluebird Trail".  You'll be sure to hear or see them when visiting the park.

 

 

Pasqueflower or Wild Crocus in Bloom!

The wild crocus are blooming in Makoshika! I love spring time in the park when all the flowers start to bloom. I found these along the Diane Gabriel Trail.

Pasqueflower (wild crocus) are perennial which grow to about 4-12 inches tall and bloom in April or May. They can vary in color from nearly white to pinkish-violet.