Lory State Park: Arthur's Rock via Arthur's Rock/Overlook/Fire Line/Howard/Mill Creek Loop

This morning Noelle and I made the drive down to Fort Collins, specifically to Lory State Park. We bought our entrance sticker and made our way to the Arthur's Rock parking lot where we hit the trail amongst the throngs of people. There were a few icy sections of trail in the shady areas, but since the ice was covered with a layer of dirt, it wasn't too slippery. As we ascended, views opened up out over Horsetooth Reservoir. 

At the first trail junction we reached, we turned onto the Overlook Trail and left most of the other people behind. The Overlook Trail climbed pretty steadily, 

offering more views to east.

After a short distance we found ourselves at the junction with the Fire Line Trail.

Here we started a steeper climb up to the point where we rejoined the Arthur's Rock Trail.

We took the short spur trail to the summit of Arthur's Rock and relaxed and enjoyed the view for a bit.

Then we made our way over to the Howard Trail, which we would follow back down to the car. From the Howard Trail there were lots of great views out to Horsetooth Reservoir and also some nice views back to Arthur's Rock.

It was a great hike to the iconic Arthur's Rock and a great, less crowded alternative to the Arthur's Rock Trail. We especially enjoyed the views from the Howard Trail on the descent. 

After our hike we stopped at Elevated Sandwiches for lunch, and then Funkwerks for beers. 

Scotts Bluff National Monument: Birding Owl Road (Yet Again)

 Noelle and I went out to Owl Road to look for birds again. Amongst the species we saw were:

common mergansers,

and bald eagles.

After our outing, we went and got some beers at Scott Free Brewing.

Scotts Bluff National Monument: Cross Country Skiing Prairie View Trail

We've got some good snow on the ground for the first time this winter and Noelle and I decided we would take advantage of it by getting the old skinny skis out and skiing at the monument. We were out just as the sun emerged from the clouds and began to set, making for some spectacular scenery.

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area: Turkey Run Trail to Northlook Nature Trail

Today I convinced Sierra to get out and go for a hike with me, so we made the short drive to Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area to hike the Turkey Run Trail and Northlook Nature Trail. There was some snow on the ground, which made for some nice scenery. It was warm though, and the wet snow would stick to our shoes.

It was an uneventful hike, really just an excuse to get outside, stretch our legs, and spend some time together.

Distance hiked: 4.7 miles

Cumulative distance hiked in 2025: 42.6 miles

Scotts Bluff National Monument: Owl Road

Noelle and I got out to Owl Road to do some birding. 

It wasn't the most amazing day of spotting birds, but I did photograph a robin, 

and some Canada geese. 

We spotted a dead goose floating down the North Platte River as well. 

Perhaps it was the victim of the bald eagle we spotted. 

Distance hiked: 2.7 miles

Cumulative distance hiked in 2025: 37.9 miles

Scotts Bluff National Monument: Saddle Rock Trail

I got out for a hike in the monument as the sun rose this morning. I opted to hike up Saddle Rock Trail 

and then down the Summit Road. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but it was nice to see the sun rise at Saddle Rock.

Distance hiked: 3.2 miles

Cumulative distance hiked in 2025: 35.2 miles

Scotts Bluff National Monument: East Boundary from Old Oregon Trail South to the Base of South Bluff

We drove back home from Laramie today, after a great ski trip and an enjoyable time in town. I opted to get out for a hike and so headed out from home to hike a portion of the monument boundary from Old Oregon Trail Road as far as I could get until I got cliffed out. 

It was a quick walk from home, past Five Rocks Amphitheater and into the monument. Once inside the monument I headed north first, past the big water tanks just outside the boundary.

The area inside the fenceline was pretty weedy with lots of tire tracks from the trucks that had replaced some of the power poles that had snapped in a bad wind/snowstorm last April. I did find a partial pronghorn skull in the weeds!

I made my way to the site of the old emigrant trail, 

crossed over it and headed to Old Oregon Trail Road before turning around to head back south. This time, I opted to follow the faint powerline road up over the ridge that emanates from Dome Rock and back to the point where I had entered the monument. From here I would head west on the south monument boundary.

I found the spot where the old monument boundary cut through Dome Rock. A USGS marker marked the spot of a significant old metal fencepost. 

I traveled past Dome Rock 

and squeezed through a constriction where the boundary passes very close to the base of South Bluff. Here I spotted a small herd of mule deer off in the distance.

From here it was pretty easy walking. Then I turned north and started a steep climb to get as high up South Bluff as I could. There was a really nice view from here.

I rested a bit and then started back down. Just past the constriction I stopped to admire the view of Dome Rock in the late afternoon sun.

Then, started my way back home.

Distance hiked: 4.0 miles

Cumulative distance hiked in 2025: 32.0 miles