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Rough Rider LbNA #59641

Owner:Wisconsin Hiker
Plant date:Sep 3, 2011
Location:
City:Medora
County:Billings
State:North Dakota
Boxes:1
Found by: lionsmane
Last found:Jun 15, 2018
Status:FFFFFFF
Last edited:May 15, 2016
Last checked/found: 3-SEP-11

Distance/Time: 1 mile loop, 30-60 minutes
Terrain: Hilly gravel/dirt trail

Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States. As a young man, he spent several years in the North Dakota Badlands. Roosevelt said if it had not been for his experiences in North Dakota, he never would have been President of the United States.

Roosevelt vigorously championed the conservation of America's scenic, natural and historical resources. In recognition of his valuable contributions toward conservation, a park was established in 1947 in the North Dakota Badlands that Roosevelt loved.

Additional background info, courtesy of Wikipedia:

Born into a wealthy family, Theodore Roosevelt was a sickly child who suffered from asthma and stayed at home studying natural history. To compensate for his physical weakness, he embraced a strenuous life. Home-schooled, he became an eager student of nature. He attended Harvard University, where he boxed and developed an interest in naval affairs. In 1881, one year out of Harvard, he was elected to the New York State Assembly as its youngest member. Roosevelt's first historical book, “The Naval War of 1812”, established his professional reputation as a serious historian. After a few years of operating a cattle ranch in the Dakotas, Roosevelt returned to New York City and gained fame fighting police corruption. The Spanish–American War broke out while Roosevelt was, effectively, running the Department of the Navy. He promptly resigned and led a small regiment in Cuba known as the Rough Riders, earning a nomination for the Medal of Honor, which was received posthumously on his behalf on January 16, 2001. After the war, he returned to New York and was elected Governor in a close-fought election. Within two years, he was elected Vice President of the United States.

In 1901, President William McKinley was assassinated and Roosevelt became President at the age of 42, taking office at the youngest age of any U.S. President in history.


More information about Roosevelt and his Rough Riders can be found here: http://www.bartleby.com/51/

To find this heroic figure, take a break at the rest area at Exit 32 off I-94 in North Dakota. From the west end of the parking area, find the P.C. trailhead and head down. Take your choice at the fork – steps or bridge.
Either way, you will eventually reach an intersection with a spur trail to an overlook.

Mount your imaginary horse and ride up to the bench, then continue south, skirting a hill. Stop at the end of the hill and sight 80°. Head in on this bearing and you’ll find the Rough Rider resting at the base of the largest juniper.

Return back to the main loop and continue circling back to return to your starting point.

If you have time, continue ~8 miles west to Medora to the South Unit park entrance that is accessible from Interstate 94 via Exits 24 and 27. You’ll be able to tour Roosevelt’s cabin and drive through the park to see the badlands, buffalo and prairie dogs.

Please let us know how the Rough Rider is doing if you search for him. We live a long way from him and therefore appreciate all updates regarding his condition.


Hike length: 1 mile