Into the bull’s eye.Though I’m not a geologist, I take pleasure in studying as a lot as I can in regards to the geologic setting of north-central Montana the place I educate. I prefer to discover the panorama to get a first-hand look, then use pictures, maps, and different photos to assist college students perceive why the land seems the way in which it does. Google Earth has been an awesome software, giving my college students and I a chicken’s eye view of landforms round us. Just a few years in the past, whereas trying round on Google Earth, I seen an odd round characteristic on BLM land 10 miles south of Hays. The satellite tv for pc view confirmed a definite collection of concentric circles, resembling an enormous goal a number of miles throughout. Curiously, the goal form of the landform is just not noticeable from the bottom – solely from above. A little analysis helped me perceive the way it was fashioned, nevertheless it wasn’t till lately that I ventured down there a pair instances to discover it.
Bought domes?The unusual characteristic is an “igneous dome”, brought on by magma forcing layers of sedimentary rock upward tens of hundreds of thousands of years in the past. The magma by no means made it to the floor, as an alternative hardening under the layers. Within the hundreds of thousands of years that adopted the dome has eroded, leaving the concentric round ridges of rock. Don’t get it? – The diagrams and maps within the photograph tour ought to assist. Because it seems, there are a number of domes within the space, all created by plumes of historical magma that pushed layers of rock upward – every one is exclusive. In actual fact the Little Rocky Mountains north of the remoted domes have been fashioned by magma that intruded there about 50-55 million years in the past. For extra about that, see my weblog put up titled “Wall Stroll within the Little Rockies”.
First attempt.My buddy Rick accompanied me on the primary hike into the dome on August twenty fifth. I didn’t plan an excellent route and we didn’t carry sufficient water, so we didn’t get to discover a lot of the dome. I additionally underestimated how troublesome it will be to hike up and down these concentric ridges. Thankfully, our stroll again took us under the spectacular sandstone cliffs on the southern fringe of the dome. We took a pleasant break there whereas I took some drone pictures and thought of a greater route for my subsequent journey.
Take Two.Though Rick wasn’t obtainable for a second journey on September fifteenth, I used to be higher ready – I deliberate a extra wise route, ate my Wheaties, acquired an earlier begin, and carried loads of water. This time I walked alongside Bull Creek a lot of the way in which, veering off to do a clockwise loop close to the north finish of BLM land after which once more to discover the cliffs on the south finish earlier than exiting the dome. Bull Creek meanders north to south proper by way of the middle of the dome. Mountaineering alongside the dry creek mattress was simple however I felt like I used to be lacking out on views, plus there was some mud and some cows. On the way in which again I scrambled up a ridge to a pleasant grassy bench, after which walked over to discover the sandstone cliffs, by far one of the best a part of my day. The hike, which ended up being 12.3 miles, took 8 hours, primarily as a result of I spent a lot time exploring these attractive cliffs.
FYI – I lately began an Instagram account. I’ll attempt to put up one thing fascinating not less than as soon as every week. Test it out: rodbenson406
Under: This map marks hikes which have been featured on bigskywalker.com to this point, together with a number of in Glacier Park – Choose full display to broaden, zoom in for extra element, or click on on a marker for a hyperlink to the put up.
.
