My journey to the North Dakota high point had plenty of challenges, but I made it!

After doing some research and communicating with other highpointers, there appears to be some confusion about White Butte, the loftiest point in North Dakota. Much of this stems from the high point and its surrounding area being private property. The brief summary (as I understand it) is this: At one time, the land owners required a $10 fee to hike White Butte, and it was requested that people give a courtesy phone call to inform the land owners. Today, according to the latest and most reliable sources I could find, phone calling or obtaining permission is not necessary. There were no people anywhere near the vicinity nor was there signage indicating a fee. (I carried $10 just in case.)

How To Get There: From Amidon, travel two miles east on Highway 85 and make a right (south) on an unmarked gravel road. Proceed five miles (mark your odometer) and make a right on another unmarked dirt road. Continue 1.2 miles to what appears to be a residence. A large metal mailbox is on the left. A tractor road begins at this mailbox and heads directly toward White Butte. I parked my car at the mailbox and walked two miles round trip.

On the day of my visit, the conditions were extremely windy and muddy. A significant snowstorm came in days earlier and some snow remained. The chalky white texture known as bentonite clay was very loose and muddy, as you will see in the photo gallery.

Lastly, be advised this region is rattlesnake country! Many others directly warned me to be on the lookout for snakes. Snakes generally like tall grassy plains like the terrain in this area, and they are especially active during the warmer months. I included a video clip of another hiker who spotted a rattlesnake close to the summit. Be alert!

-Steve

	A large sign outside of Amidon, North Dakota.
	Thick gray clouds hover over White Butte.
	The mailbox is situated at the entrance of a green house, a trailer home, various vehicles and farm structures. It appeared abandoned as though no one had lived there for a few years. The bottom photo shows the view of the tractor road from the mailbox. My hike started here. I simply walk along the road toward White Butte.
	On the right is an old farmhouse. The road was extremely muddy and I did not want to drive on it, but a 4-wheel drive vehicle could easy make it to the old farmhouse. I do not know if this is permitted, but one could easy shed about 0.2 to 0.5 miles off the walk by parking near this farm structure.
	Continuing toward White Butte.
	One comment: After wandering, I realized the best way to climb up is to stay near the barbed wire fence on the left. There is initially a steep hill up front, but beyond that there is a trail that gently ascends to a saddle near the summit ...
	... Before I realized this, I wandered among the small "gulches" and realized how terribly muddy the chalky texture was. Although I was alone, it was kind of hilarious to observe myself slowly sliding down a muddy slope with no way of stopping myself. The left photo shows my sliding footprints. Yikes! :p)
	Approaching the summit.
	White Butte - Altitude 3,506 Feet The marker and cairn at the summit. A tribute is paid to Lawrence Buzalsky who passed away in 1990. (I am fairly certain he and his wife were the previous land owners.)
	Five photos of the views at the top. Because of the strong and chilly winds, it was hard to enjoy the summit. I have a lot of respect for the power of the winds on the North Dakota plains! This was my twelveth state high point visited. 38 more to go! :) Below are previous my other state high points: New Jersey Highest Point Florida Highest Point Colorado Highest Point Connecticut Highest Point Pennsylvania Highest Point Maryland Highest Point West Virginia Highest Point Delaware Highest Point Iowa Highest Point Minnesota Highest Point Wisconsin Highest Point This is not a state high point, but it is interesting: Manhattan, NY Highest Point
	Two photos of myself on White Butte. The strong winds made it difficult to keep the camera still while using the timer.
	I signed the guestbook and realized I was the first person to visit North Dakota's high point in six days. Kudos to Pete Ford (left photo), the last person before me for bagging his 46th state high point. Way to go! :)