tallgrass prairie national preserve {hiking trails}

The state of Kansas has a reputation for having flat, uninteresting terrain. If you're in the business of comparing, well, okay, Kansas doesn't have the majesty of a mountainous ranges or coastal views. However, if you're not in the business of comparing, you might find the Flint Hill of Kansas to be beautifully majestic in their own right as we did this past weekend. The prairie is a unique terrain in America and one I'm glad we have to experience close to home. The area reminded us of our car ride across South Dakota to the Badlands and Custer State Park ~ wide open views of prairie and sky. 

{scenic overlook trail}

{scenic overlook trail-cowbirds}

We experienced this praire at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. We were surpised to find the nature center and trails close to it busy with visitors and hikers. Our own hiking took us to the back country, where we were, of course, the only hikers. 

(scenic overlook trail-buffalo sighting)

From the nature center we began hiking the Scenic Overlook Trail, which takes you through the Windmill Pasture containing the preserves herd of buffalo. The trail can also be ridden by bus, which takes you through and past the pasture to the backcountry trails which are separated from the buffalo pasture. There were about ten people ahead of us on this trail and they came upon a group of about five buffalo first. It is recommended to stay a good football length away from the buffalo, which is what we did even though the above photo with the kids looks less than that. The people ahead of us turned back, but we waited to see what the buffalo would do as they appeared to be moving along. However, we could see far in the distance that there were other buffalo on the path, and decided to hop on the bus that came along shortly later. 

{scenic overlook trail}

{scenic overlook trail}

{scenic overlook trail}

The two pictures above of buffalo were taken from the bus. The ranger driving the bus gave interesting information about the herd ~ it was introduced in the late 2000's from a group of buffalo from Wind Cave National Park and this herd, along with four others in the U.S., are specifically kept separate from cattle to maintain purity (although they do have some cattle genes, only about 1% are pure).

{scenic overlook}

The bus then stopped at the scenic overlook to take in the views and turn around. This is where we separated from the bus and continued on the Prarie Fire Loop for backcountry hiking. We were just down the hill from the scenic overlook when we came upon a herd of steer {young, male cattle)}. They seemed calm, but then we got closer and they decided to stare us down and run back and forth on the hiking trail. I was not pleased with the thought of getting caught in a cattle stampede. Jesse, of course, seemed unfazed and kept moving foward, so the kids and I did as well. I may be have held Ella's hand for comfort.

{prairie fire loop}

{prairie fire loop}

Jesse led us far to the right of their feeding trough and they finally moved on to the left pasture. Later he said that they probably wondered if we had food for them and were curious about us. Also that they were young and indecisive running back and forth on the trail, in actuality nervous, scared of us. Too bad we didn't have a consult about "what to do if we come across a herd of cattle in the back country." In these moments I am very much Rachel from the City. We always seems to reference authors/books on our hikes and this provided Ella with the opportunity mention Far Side, which she loves and collects, and the many{strange} cows from Gary Larson's imagination.

{prairie fire loop}

{prairie fire loop}

Once past the massive beasts of buffalo and cattle I could relax and enjoy the amazing, vast views of the prairie and hike in leisure. The only comparison we have to this prairie hike was our time in Custer State Park, but even it had more elevation changes. This was a unique place as opposed to our typical forest hiking and we really enjoyed it. 

{prairie fire loop ~ where we had our picnic}

{prairie fire loop}

{davis trail ~ collared lizard}

{davis trail}

{southwind nature trail}

The day consisted of hiking seven miles on four {mostly flat} trails in about three hours. It was sunny and reached 90 degrees, but it was not humid {thankfully} and there was a slight breeze with scattered cloud coverage. By the end of the hike the kids were hot and really ready to be done. We drove to another trailhead thinking it might be forested and shady for another short hike, but it was in the direct sun and since we'd already expeienced that for most of the day knew it was time to head home with a pit stop for ice cream cones along the way.