The Notch Trail is a short mile-long path that leads into some striking formations typical of the eastern portion of Badlands National Park. The trailhead is located only a mile or two north of the Ben Reifel Visitors Center. It goes without saying that this is a unique environment and the Notch Trail offered a shock to my visual senses unlike anything I'd experienced since my trip west in 2008. This was an amazing hike, one that words have difficulty explaining so I'll let the pictures do the talking for me...

Trailhead GPS Coordinates:  43.760250, -101.928193

Route Type:  Out-and-back     Difficulty:  EASY(Petzoldt Rating:  2.30)

Hike Length:  2.0 miles              Hike Duration:  1:15

Trailhead Temp:  68'F               Trail Traffic:  10-25 people

Min. Elevation:  2,600'                Max. Elevation:  2,750'

Total Vertical Gain:  150'            Avg. Elevation Gain / Mile:  75'

Trails Used (blaze color):  Notch Trail (unblazed)

5-3-2011