The Smokey
Hills
run north to south through central Kansas. Dakoda sandstone rock
heaves and sinks into rolling hills and draws. Buttes and plateaus
rise from the surface and undulate along the horizon. Few trees
grow in the shallow soil, but the formation of these rocks is
impressive. Enjoy the view while traveling Interstate 70 through
north central Kansas.

 
One rest stop along the
highway (milepost 224/225), for those headed east between Russell
and Salina, has examples of concretions found in greater numbers
to the north and south of this major highway. These rocks can
be closely inspected for leichen growth and fossil remains.
 
(See
also Mushroom Rock
State Park and Rock
City in my Archives.)
The
Flint Hills
run north to south across in the eastern third of the state from
Manhattan to Topeka and deeply south. The native grasses make
excellent cattle feed and cattle are shipped to large Kansas Flint
Hills ranches from other states to feed during the summer months.
Again, few trees grow in the shallow earth, where stone rock presses
close to the surface of the land, but the undulating hills are
visually memorizing, especially at sunrise and sunset.
To truly appreciate the
Flint Hills motorists should leave Interstate 70 highway and travel
State Highway 177, US Highway 4, US Highway 77, US Highway 56
or US Highwy 50. A short distance of the Flint Hills can be enjoyed
on the Turnpike between Topeka and Wichita, south of Emporia.
For an exceptional view of the hills, Skyline Scenic Drive is
recommended. (When headed west of Interstate 70, turn south at
exit 335. Paved highway stops at a well-graded gravel road. Turn
right and travel west through the heart of the Flint Hills. Turn
right at Kansas Highway 99. Interstate 70 is north just a few
miles.
See an excellent photographic
site featuring the Flint Hills by Topekan, Don Palmer.
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