Location: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

Type: Epic Long Off Trail Hike

Date: Sunday, May 28, 2023

Contact: Sara Kay Carrell

Phone No: 620-872-2061 sarakay.carrell@ks.gov

Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Other Information:

**Little Jerusalem Epic Off Trail Adventure**

***NOTICE***

Please be observant of weather conditions!! This years “shoulder season” and spring is being even more unpredictable than usual!!! I cannot have tours if there has been recent rains, snow or melting/melted snow. Hiking off trail in wet conditions damages the environment of Little Jerusalem. Monitor the National Weather Service locations for Scott City and Oakley to be familiar with weather conditions prior to your trip!

**The month of May, My days off are Wednesday and Thursdays. Please note that emails will NOT be returned until Friday afternoon. Please plan ahead when making your reservations to know for sure there is space available in a tour!!!

***This hike is designed for the intermediate to advanced walkers and hikers. We will cover alot of ground in this tour and a general fitness base is required. This will be Approximately a 4 hour hike covering Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park from West to East***

***I must have a minimum number of experienced hikers signed up to host this tour***

Detailed Epic Off Trail Info:

Plans will be to meet at the Ramada Overlook, in the parking lot. We will hike the length of the Life On the Rocks Trail (1.2 miles) to the far west trail overlook. From there, we will exit off the designated trail and begin the adventure to the west fence line boundary. After reaching the west park boundary, we will begin our eastward exploration, going thru canyons and ravines and washes. There is lots of exploring to do!!! Bring plenty of water for the timeframe of the hike and whatever the weather forecasts for temperatures! 

We will also plan a mini picnic somewhere along the way! I know that after a regular 2 hour public hike, I am hungry! 

Hiking pole is recommended. Camera and/or binoculars are optional! Its prime season for the birding and wildflower season at LJ!

More detailed Epic off trail hike info will be added as I think of more things that are important!! Read the basic info below (copied from the normal public tour info)!

General Tour Info:

Space is limited on tours. Spaces must be reserved. I try for the tours to not be too much larger than 15-20 people. Please make your plans and email sarakay.carrell@ks.gov to reserve a spot!  Email is the BEST way to reach Sara Kay!!!

Come to Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park and enjoy an off trail guided hike lead by the naturalist! Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, and scrambling thru grass and brush. Wear boots or other appropriate footwear that covers the feet. Bring water, a snack, binoculars, and a hiking stick! Please do not underestimate the terrain.

During the summer, it is HOT down in the canyons. The rock formations do a great job of blocking the wind, so BE PREPARED for temperatures to be 10+ degrees warmer during the hike in the rocks!

During the winter, it can be pretty chilly in the rock formations! The winds are predominantly North or Northwest winds, which means the wind whips right thru the canyon bottoms and can chill us down! Plan for a windchill factor in the winter!

We will start at the main overlook at the west end of the parking lot (The Ramada Overlook) and venture off in a direction that will take us off into the bottoms of the rock formations. Once at the base of the rocks, we will explore the various nooks, crannies, and spires of Little Jerusalem's Niobrara chalk formations. Along the way, we learn about the grasses, forbs, mammals, reptiles, insects, geology, and other great things that nature presents to us.  Be prepared for rough hiking, uneven terrain, ups and downs, and scrambling thru grass and brush. No set path is followed! So be ready for an adventure! It is an intermediate level hike/terrain. We hike at a moderate pace with stop and go to learn, talk, ask questions, and take photos.

**Hikes will be cancelled by inclement weather!** If it is snowing, blizzarding, freezing rain, raining, lightning, or any other unsafe weather brought on by Mother Nature, all activities will be canceled at Little Jerusalem. Scott City and Oakley are the closest towns to search for weather on National Weather Service. Cancellations notices will be posted here on this info page.