After a long hiatus we returned to the trail to continue our
hike from the spillway going east.
Leaving early from Bismarck (6:00 a.m.), we arrived about an hour later
parking in Riverdale near the Garrison Dam headquarters. It was predicted to get hot today, so the
early start allowed us to enjoy the mild temperatures under clear blue skies with
a light northwest wind.
The hike was mostly an out-and-back on a gravel road (40th
Ave.). Fortunately, traffic was light
and the edge of the road was in good condition.
(Looking south)
As we neared the turnoff to the spillway we recorded our
soil for the hike. It was a Mandan silt
loam, a highly productive soil found in south central North Dakota.
(Coarse-silty, mixed, superactive, frigid Pachic Haplustoll)
(Mandan silt loam recorded on a footslope landscape position)
As we neared the spillway a doe and two fawns crossed our
path.
(Moving fast)
On a much smaller scale, we caught a glimpse of a bee
pollinating a wild rose along the road.
(Buzzzzzz…)
Once we reached the spillway, we retraced our steps to
Riverdale, making the return hike in less than an hour. Upon arriving, we enjoyed a nice overlook of
the Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea. The cool wind off of the lake was
welcome after the (mostly) uphill hike.
(The spillway, looking from the southeast)
(Probably our last photo of the dam as we continue our
journey east)
