Mariana Butte and Oxbow Natural Area in Loveland, Colorado

This morning, Noelle, Sierra, Rosie and I made the drive south into Loveland, Colorado to look at some Christmas lights and cut down our Christmas tree. Our first stop upon arriving in town, a short hike on the Hidden Hogback Trail and up Mariana Butte. We drove through town and parked at the trailhead for the Hidden Hogback Trail and the Oxbow Natural Area. The trail started by bypassing a section of the Mariana Butte golf course and then headed up a ridge.

The trail continued through sections of the golf course 

with a few overlooks of Loveland and the mountains to the west. When we reached the Mariana Butte loop, we decided to hike it clockwise. It started by descending close to a neighborhood, before ascending 

up to the summit of the butte. Along the way was a humorous sign, encouraging hikers to stay on the trail.

Once we reached the summit, we relaxed for a bit and took some photos.

Once we had our fill of the views and rested for a bit, we returned to the trailhead by completing the loop and heading back on the Hidden Hogback Trail.

After lunch, and a beer at nearby Berthoud Brewing,

we felt like another short hike before we headed to Chapungu Sculpture Park for Winter Wonderlights. We decided to hike the Oxbow Nature Trai. Upon parking at the trailhead, we immediately noticed some elk grazing in a field there.

We watched one of the elk make his way over towards the Big Thompson River.

Then, we noticed another elk in the river.

Listening, we could hear elk making their weird elk whines all around us. A short walk over towards the golf course and we saw what appeared to be close to 100 elk on one of the fairways. They were just everywhere!

After observing them for a bit, it was starting to get dark. It was time to head east to check out some Christmas lights!