Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Area

I've been to Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Area three times now. Each time looking for an elusive moose that supposedly lives there. 

Each time I've left without any luck of seeing the moose, but lots of fun adventure in a very interesting area.

Back in September, just before Sierra's birthday, Noelle, Sierra and Mom T had gone there to look for the moose. We arrived to find fire trucks in the parking area for the Western Nebraska Engine Academy wildland firefighting training. Surprisingly, they allowed us to hike and as we made our way along the old road, 

we saw lots of action in the sky!

A plane and multiple helicopters were flying around dumping water on a fire. 

We had actually seen them close to home before we left. Maybe they were filling up at the canal near Five Rocks Amphitheater? 

The scenery was beautiful, 

but when we arrived at the wetlands area, 

the most likely area to see a moose, no luck! 

We turned around and headed back to the car just in time to be rushed out of the area by some of the firefighters. 

On New Year's Day I returned with a coworker. There was a little bit of snow on the ground and so I figured if the moose was around, we would see evidence of it in the form of tracks. We walked back to the wetland area and around the south side of it. Then we decided to climb up on a ridge for a view of the surrounding lands.

The views were great, but there were no moose to be seen. We descended from the ridge and then headed into the densely wooded riparian area along the creek. 

Hiking along the creek was like hiking in a different world. It was shady and snowy with ice along the sides of the creek. In places the creek formed a surprisingly deep ravine. 

Today, Noelle, Sierra, Rosie and I returned. We hiked through a cold wind along the road to the wetland

to have a quick look for the moose. Without any moose in sight, we decided to climb the ridge of some bluffs to the south of the wetland.

The climb up to the ridge was fairly easy. The views were awesome!

Sierra posed for a photo 

and then we decided to try to climb higher up the ridge. Unfortunately, there was a lot of cactus and Rosie got some spines in her paw. We retreated down the east side of the bluff, out of the wind. 

The views to the north were pretty spectacular!

Once down in the flats the hiking went quickly.

Soon enough we were back to the road 

and shortly thereafter back to the car and out of the wind. It was a pleasant little hike. We will definitely have to return to Buffalo Creek to do some more exploring!