White Butte Ascent

Badlands National Park -- White Butte (5-4-11)

Hiking up White Butte was a response to my desire to climb some sort of summit while in the Badlands backcountry.  Though well under 3000' in height, White Butte none-the-less stands tall in relation to the surrounding topography giving it sweeping views that encompass most of the northern unit of Badlands National Park.  White Butte rises from the Sage Creek valley about two miles east of Sage Creek Primitive Campground.  A few of my friends and I decided that it would make for a nice complementary hike to our overnight trip through the Badlands Wilderness (see other album).  From our backcountry camp along Sage Creek we ascended the short but steep 200 or so feet to the summit where we were treated to one of the most knock-you-on-your-butt-views-for-the-effort that I have ever experienced on a hike.  Come along and see what I discovered...


Route Type:  Out-and-back     Difficulty:  MODERATE  (Petzoldt Rating:  2.46)

Hike Length:  2.0 miles              Hike Duration:  1:15

Trailhead Temp:  55'F               Trail Traffic:  NONE!!

Min. Elevation:  2,550'                Max. Elevation:  2,782'

Total Vertical Gain:  232'           Avg. Elevation Gain/Mile:  116'


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