Pirogue Island, Medicine Rocks, Makoshika state parks on quick tour

 

Typical Makoshika view

Makoshika's Kinney Coulee started with a 300 foot dropoff

Numerous "Medicine Rocks" at this state park near Ekalaka

This Medicine Rock reminded me of a grump cartoon character

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Katie crossing a dry channel at Pirogue Island State Park

On the banks of the Yellowstone at Pirogue Island State Park

Looking ahead to the end of stunning Fall weather, we took a quick trip to Eastern Montana as part of Katie's quest to visit all 56 state parks.

The weather cooperated with temperatures in the 70s and scant winds.  Two days later Great Falls had snow.

We started with Pirogue just outside Miles City.  It an island park in the Yellowstone River, easily reachable when the water recedes as it does in the Fall.  We had dry feet as we walked across a grassy area that had been a channel of the river.  

The park reminded me of much of the low lying undeveloped areas on the Missouri River near Great Falls.  It had been homesteaded for a time, and there are interpretive signs explaining the parks history and wildlife.  There are spots for picniking and great access to the river.  It is a nice green space for eastern Montanans, but nothing exceptional.  Unfortunately it is also close to the Miles City industry which mars the environment with noise and visual pollution.

We next drove to the Ekalaka area and the Medicine Rocks State Park, which is exceptional.  It sits in the rolling hills not far from where Montana meets South Dakota and Wyoming.  The numerous, tall rocks seem to "appear" on the surrounding treeless plain. There are several loop trails to see these behemoths. These sandstone rocks are shot through with holes created by weathering.  Unfortunately, over the past 100 years tourists have carved their names and messages into the rocks.  They are somewhat historically interesting. 

We found Ekalaka to be a charming small ranching community with a couple of motels and places to eat.

Finally, the grand finale of our trip was Makoshika State Park, Montana's largest state park, spectacular for its striking badlands and a nice interpretive center.  We spent the day hiking four loop trails that I found surprisingly challenging for their steepness.   I've always liked the badlands, particularly nearby Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, ND, but for hiking this park was much better. 

I'd recommend Kinney Coulee and Cap Rock trails if you're looking for a challenge.

Katie has done 54 of the 56 parks, with only the Smith River and Thompson Falls Chain Lakes left.