Native grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. Get up close and personal with them by running the Valley of 1000 Devils – 10.3 KM out and back in the East Block of Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan. The trail is not marked, but there’s a well-worn footpath that is fairly easy to follow. Temperatures on the trail tend to be 10° Celsius hotter than in the Rock Creek campground, making it essential to take water. On top of that, temperatures on the trail can soar to above 40° Celsius in the summer, while winds can whip to more than 60 KM/hr. There are a lot of discrepancies about how long the trail actually is, but starting at the bridge by the visitor’s centre in the Rock Creek campground and running to the edge of the escarpment and back is just over 10 KM, making it an accessible run. After crossing the Rock Creek bridge, hang a left and follow the trail into the amazing badlands and you’ll be in store for incredibly stunning views. The landscape is otherworldly. Called the Rock Creek Badlands, or the Killdeer Badlands, it's one of the few places in Saskatchewan not covered by glaciers in the last ice age, which continue to be shaped by extensive erosion from wind and water. With sedimentary rock and clay soil underfoot, the terrain is great to run on when dry, but when wet it can be extremely slick, and running to the edge of the escarpment can be extremely dangerous. The first half of the run is a long, gradual climb with a few bigger climbs, and about 230 metres of elevation gain. The second half of the run has a few climbs, but is a sweet descent. Valley of a 1000 Devils adds a site to what is currently a barren wasteland of FKT options in Saskatchewan.
Comments
Great track Krista.Â