Scotts Bluff National Monument: Saddle Rock and Overlook Trails in the snow

I had a few quick things to do at work this morning. Once I finished, I figured I might as well go for a hike. We got about 3 to 4 inches of snow and so today's hike would be in a winter wonderland. 

I started my way up and just past Scotts Spring I saw a large herd of about 25 deer.

I made the steady climb higher and higher up the bluff. Starting about 1/3 of the way up the trees and other vegetation was coated with rime and snow.

The summit itself was very beautifully decorated, like a Christmas card.

I explored both the north and south overlooks and then headed back down, past the deer herd, to the visitor center.

Distance hiked: 4.4 miles

Cumulative distance hiked in 2025: 10.7 miles

Scotts Bluff National Monument: Owl Road

 It's supposed to snow today and I wanted to get outside for some fresh air and exercise before it starts. I headed down to Owl Road with my camera to walk and look for animals. It was cold, windy and there was a hint of moisture in the air. I didn't end up seeing many birds (other than Canada geese), but I did see about 6 bald eagles, a few flickers, and some mourning doves. 

Besides the few birds I saw, I caught a quick glimpse of what I thought was a feral dog we had seen on a previous outing to Owl Road. It quickly saw me and ran off. When I made it to the area the dog had been, I found a dead opossum. It was definitely NOT playing 'possum. 

It appeared that the animal I had seen earlier had been feeding on the opossum. I was skeptical it was the dog. Sure enough, a little later into the hike I saw a coyote.

When I reached the end of the canal road, I crossed to the other side and walked game trails between the canal and railroad tracks. I didn't see much more wildlife on this cold day. However, on past hikes in the area, here's what Noelle and I have seen:

Broken arrowhead found in gravel along the river.

Old, weathered bone (not fossilized) eroding out of badlands formations. Probably bison bones.

Distance hiked: 3.1 miles

Cumulative distance hiked in 2025: 6.3 miles

First Day Hike 2025

Happy New Year! Today we started off the new year with our traditional First Day Hike. We hiked up the closed Scotts Bluff Summit Road and down the Saddle Rock Trail for a 3.2-mile round-trip hike. Here's some photos of the excursion:

Distance hiked: 3.2

Cumulative distance hiked in 2025: 3.2