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Route |
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46.96626°N / 103.48703°W |
Route Type:
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Hiking |
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Spring, Summer, Fall |
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Difficulty:
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Hike |
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Overview
Jones Creek trailJones Creek Trail is a 3.5 mile long trail in the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It follows Jones Creek connecting the two sides of the park’s loop road. Talkington Trail and Roundup Trail branch off of Jones Creek Trail.
Roundup Trail
Roundup Trail is 3.3 miles long. It starts on East River Road, crosses park’s loop road and ends at a junction with Jones Creek Trail.
Getting There
The east and west end of Jones Creek Trail are well marked on the park’s main road. Parking is available at both ends (see map).There is no sign or parking area for Roundup Trail on the park’s main road or East River Road. To reach the northern trailhead turn north onto East River Road from the park’s main road and follow the well graded dirt road more than a mile. Shortly after where Roundup Horse Camp Road branches to the left, look to the right and find a wood post marking the start of Roundup Trail. There is no place to park here (see map).
Blue shows Jones Creek Trail, red Roundup Trail and black the correct path for where I went the wrong way.
Jones Creek trail
This is a description of Jones Creek trail from west to east.At the western trailhead, head east and follow the trail upstream on the north side of Jones Creek.
The trail soon goes down a steep embankment and crosses to the south side of Jones Creek.
Crossing the creekFollow the trail past the junctions with Roundup and Talkington Trails, crossing back to the north side.
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Near the eastern trailhead.
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Roundup Trail
This is a description of Roundup Trail from north to south.At the East River Road Trailhead, follow the trail southeast going past a steep eroded slope.
The trail goes up and down a number of hills.
It then crosses to the south side of the park’s main road.
Park's main roadGoes into a valley and climbs to the top of a “ridgeline”.
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After the top of the ridgeline, I did not see any more trail markers. Trails went to left and right. I turned left (correct way) and soon reached a watering hole.
Beaten paths seemed to go in every direction. I was able to find my own way to the junction with Jones Creek Trail. Later, by looking at satellite photos, I found the correct path and marked it by a black line on the map above.