Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area: Monument View Trail

Our original plan for today was to drive south into Northeastern Colorado to hike Pawnee Buttes and check out Parts and Labor Brewing in Sterling. However, Grandma wasn't feeling the best this morning, so we opted to stay closer to home. Since we finally registered our cars in Nebraska, we could pay the in-state rate for a state parks pass and so we headed to Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area to do some hiking.

Upon our arrival, we investigated the nature center for a bit, bought 2 park passes (one for each vehicle) and then set out to do some hiking. I saw a trail called "Turkey Run" on the map that I thought looked interesting, and so we drove to the trailhead, and hit the trail. The hike started with a descent along a north facing slope, into a canyon. There was a lot more snow (and ice) on the trail than I had anticipated.

Grandma was having a difficult time hiking on the slick trail and so she turned around to head back to the trailhead. Sierra, Noelle and I continued on. Soon enough we came to a trail junction and took a right onto the Pine Top Trail.

Soon the trail reached an unsigned junction. We opted to go right again on the south facing slope where there would be less snow. We quickly climbed to an old stone picnic shelter. The views from the shelter were stunning.

From the shelter we continued on an old road, past some restrooms and into a picnic area. There were patches of snow here and there which offered an opportunity to throw a few snowballs.

After following a few dead end, unofficial user trails, we made our way to the Monument View Trail.

This is where the views got really spectacular. We hiked along a ridge

with views out to Scotts Bluff National Monument and the surrounding hills.

The trail ended at a really nice overlook.

After enjoying the view there for a bit, we turned around and headed back to the start of the trail.

We rested at a picnic table at the trailhead,

then walked the road back towards the car, hoping to meet Grandma at some point. Soon enough we found her. She wanted to do more walking and so all four of us turned around to hike Monument View Trail again. The views were just as spectacular the second time around!

 Upon returning to the car we drove back towards Gering and Grandma noticed some bighorn sheep in a field east of the road. We turned around to have a closer look, then headed into town for a Nebraska lunch at Runza.

It was a great way to spend a beautiful western Nebraska morning!

Scotts Bluff National Monument: Hike to the Old Picnic Area

With Sierra in school, Noelle and I have started to make Fridays our date days. Today our date would include a hike in a seldom traveled section of Scotts Bluff National Monument, the old picnic area on the west side of Mitchell Pass. We parked the car along side the road, and hit the trail, actually the old road with a chain across its entrance.

We hiked the old road to the point where it seemed to peter out.

It was a wide flat spot that I assume was the old picnic area. There wasn't much left of it. It was very scenic though,

with lots of ponderosa pines

and some ravines.

After exploring the area for a little while, we retraced our steps on the old road,

headed back to the car.

Scotts Bluff National Monument: Saddle Rock Trail

I was so excited this morning to take Noelle and Sierra over to Scotts Bluff National Monument to hike the Saddle Rock Trail. After breakfast, we packed a day pack and made the short drive to the monument. We parked the car and hit the trail, excited to see some of the best scenery of Nebraska's Panhandle.

A sign near the trailhead warns of rattlesnakes,

but being January, we have little risk of seeing the venomous serpents. Sierra was excited to be out exploring and ran ahead on the trail.

It was a chilly morning, but at least it wasn't windy (at least not yet).

We passed Scott's Spring and rested at a bench

before the trail started to climb in earnest.

Soon we were approaching the tunnel through Saddle Rock.

We went through the tunnel

and enjoyed the view from the other side.

If we were quiet, we could even hear prairie dogs in the meadow far down below.

Soon we started switchbacking steeply up the bluff.Then we found ourselves at Saddle Rock.

Sierra rested on a rock there,

before we followed a section of trail that traversed a narrow ledge.

Sierra thought the "pipy concretions" of limestone were interesting.

As we approached the summit of the bluff, pondersosa pines became more numerous.

There were lots of views out across the prairie to Dome Rock

and other points of interest.

We enjoyed the views from the different overlooks and then stated to descend back towards the trailhead.

It was a fast hike as we made a our way down.

 By the time we were back at the car, the wind had picked up quite a bit. We were glad to have finished the hike when we did. Still, I would say this has to be one of the most interesting hikes in Nebraska!

Rocky Mountain National Park: Sledding Hidden Valley

Last night Noelle, Sierra and I drove to Loveland, Colorado where we spent the night in a hotel. This morning after breakfast, we hit the road headed west and up into the mountains. It was a beautiful drive along the Big Thompson River, but unfortunately, with all the curves on the road, Sierra got car sick as we approached Estes Park. After a break from the car for a bit, we headed into the national park. It was a bit windy, but still, we were determined to do a little sledding. I drove up to Hidden Valley, we got the sleds out of the car and we walked up to the top of the hill

(part of the former ski resort that once operated here) for our first runs.

After sledding for a bit,

we decided to go for a hike in the snow in a more sheltered area of the park. We ended up on the Deer Mountain Trail. Sierra wasn't feeling too great at this point, the aftereffects of her car sickness. Still, we managed to do a short hike through the snow

up to a lovely viewpoint.

From the overlook, it was a quick hike back to the car

and then a drive into Estes Park for lunch at Penelope's and a walk along the river.

Coyote Ridge Natural Area

I had business to take care of in Fort Collins today. I woke up early and hit the road. It was about 2 hours and 15 minutes to town where I immediately sought out the trailhead at the Coyote Ridge Natural Area. I parked in the half full parking lot there and hit the trail, an old, wide gravel road at this point.

There were lots of prairie dogs off the side of the trail. They didn't seem too worried about the presence of humans.

Soon enough the trail started to climb a bit. I took a short side trail to an overlook where a large herd of deer was grazing.

Then I started to climb to the trail's namesake: Coyote Ridge.

When I reached the top of the ridge, I was treated to wonderful views.

I stopped for a water break under an interesting tree,

then continued down the ridge into a valley and up a second ridge. I reached the junction with the Rimrock Trail,

completed a short loop, and then retraced my path back to the car to run my errands in town, with a great lunch at Comet Chicken.

Carhenge

After my hike at Toadstool Park this morning, I decided to take the long way home by making a detour into Alliance, Nebraska; the home of Carhenge. I'd visited before, but wanted to return to the iconic art environment.

An added bonus was a chance to check out Brewery 719. It ended up being a worthwhile stop. I can't wait to return with Noelle and Sierra!