As this was our last day in Custer State Park, we really packed it in!
First off, if you are here and wanting a beautiful leisurely drive through rolling hills, buffalo, and vast expanses of scenery, I highly recommend taking the Wildlife Loop south to CSP 6, then 5... basically a line of dirt through pastures that was smashed down to create a road. My favorite. :) We took these roads to get to the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD. Along the way we encountered buffalo that apparently knew our truck would be salty... or sweet? Car wash in South Dakota! The park uses beet juice to spray on the icy roads instead of salt.... interesting, huh? The buffalo know they'll get a salty or sweet treat, so came right up to lick the truck. Pretty funny!
It had snowed, so the park sprayed beet juice... more environmentally friendly than salt. Interesting concept.
Joe was sitting still, but SHAKING!
We love the wildlife understanding here, like in Yellowstone, that a stopped car means something is around... no problem hanging out to observe for a while either.
Not a very even car wash...
CSP 6 to 5... beautiful.
At the Mammoth Site we experienced a FABULOUS tour! Highly recommend, especially if your tour guide is Mandy.
Fully enclosed dig site.
Here's the story: Once upon a time there was a warm water sinkhole on the western edge of present day Hot Springs, SD. In the cold of the ice age, it attracted many different animals, which would slip down the steep sides and become trapped, including Columbian and woolly mammoths. Discovered during a building project in 1974, archaeologists have dug down 22 feet in the last 44 years, uncovering full skeletons, skulls, tusks, and various bones from 61 mammoths. And get this... based on pelvic measurements, they're ALL male.... interesting. Just sayin'! ;) Also found were your typical suspects, like rabbits, coyotes, and mice, but also two short-faced bears, and camels. Yes, camels. Here's the kicker... a group came out to measure the depth of the bones with a core sample, but due to time constraints had a short window to get the job done. They managed to drill down 67 feet, and STILL found bones at that level!
Soooo many animals found...
This guys tusk likely got stuck in the mud and silt... each layer would get covered over with silt, building higher and higher with each new unsuspecting mammoth.
Pelvic measurements were taken... all signs point to male mammoths.
Scale reference for elephants and mammoths...
Scale reference for the short-faced bear...he's the biggest one.
If these bears stood on hind legs and reached up to claw a tree... short-face bear is at the very top, 15' 4".
We took the scenic route back into Custer State Park, sent Renegade (our truck) through the buffalo car wash again, met some friendly burros, and prayed that the last 9 miles of the Needles Highway would be open... it was!!
CSP 5 to 6... did we mention it's beautiful?
Lily says she's never felt anything fuzzier. The burros in the park are descendants of the herd that once hauled visitors to the top of Black Elk (Harney) Peak. The rides were discontinued years ago, and the burros released in the park. Current herd size is 10.
What a view on a crisp, cool evening drive.
We stopped at the top for pictures, climbing, and a video conversation with Eric as the sun set over the Black Hills. This sure is a great park.
We fit!
The Needle
Can you spot two climbers? ;)
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