Scotts Bluff National Monument & Wildcat Hills, the Scotts Bluff County Highpoint, Nebraska (4-3-16)

A squirrel!  Lupe bounded after it.  The squirrel scrambled to safety up a big tree in Gardner Park.  Lupe stood below, her front paws propped up against the tree trunk as she tried to leap up after that elusive rodent, while barking furiously the entire time.

It was early, too early.  The sun wasn’t even up yet, although it was light out.  Lupe had to stop making such a ruckus.  People live right across the street from the park.  SPHP persuaded Lupe to give up on the squirrel and return to the G6.

At least it was encouraging to see that Lupe’s paws weren’t too terribly sore.  In her excitement over the squirrel, even Lupe had momentarily forgotten about all the horrible cactus she had braved yesterday on Wildcat Mountain (5,025 ft.) while peakbagging with her new friend Jobe Wymore.

It had been windy nearly all night, but the air was still now.  The wind was a good thing!  SPHP’s boots were dry again.  SPHP retrieved them from the roof of the G6 and put them on.  Jobe was gone.  He was on his way back to Denver today for the flight back home to the Portland, Oregon area.  Well, what now Loopster?

Lupe was in Gering, Nebraska, so it was pretty easy to decide what was next.  Just W of Gering is Scotts Bluff National Monument.  Scotts Bluff was a famous landmark S of the North Platte River back in the days of the Oregon and Mormon Trails.  The monument features several easy trails, and even a road to the top of Scotts Bluff.

Lupe arrives bright and early at Scotts Bluff National Monument in Nebraska.
Lupe arrives bright and early at Scotts Bluff National Monument in Nebraska.

Lupe arrived at the entrance to Scotts Bluff National Monument well before it opens for visitors at 8 AM.  Lupe and SPHP wandered around for a while outside the visitor center.  High light-colored bluffs stood brilliantly illuminated in the morning sunlight.

Eagle Rock (4,510 ft.) as seen from near the Scotts Bluff National Monument visitor center. Photo looks NW.

Yes, Lupe remembered yesterday evening’s cactus ordeal.  Her paws were still quite sore, even if the squirrel had made her forget the pain for a few minutes.  Lupe refused to go wandering in the grassy fields.  She just knew there was more cactus laying in wait for her!  The Carolina Dog was too smart to fall for that again!

Just W of the entrance road was a path up to a display of a wagon being pulled by oxen.  SPHP carried Lupe up to it.  Lupe sniffed around the oxen.  They must have had a bath, because they didn’t sniff like anything.  They sure looked clean, too!  SPHP told Lupe about how pioneers used to travel W through this area with wagons and oxen like these for hundreds of miles along the Oregon and Mormon Trails.

Lupe was very interested.  Why, Oregon, wasn’t that where her new friend Jobe Wymore lived?  Lupe could travel W on the Oregon Trail and go see Jobe!  Wouldn’t Jobe be surprised to see her again!  Lupe was all for it, on a couple of conditions.  First, the oxen had to agree to let her ride in the wagon until her paws healed up.  Second, she had to be allowed back in the wagon while traveling through any cactus country.

Lupe ready to hit the Oregon trail to go see Jobe!
Lupe ready to hit the Oregon trail to go see Jobe!

When the visitor center opened at 8:00 AM, SPHP went in and paid the $5.00 admission fee.  Ordinarily, Lupe and SPHP would have taken the 1.6 mile Saddle Rock trail on paw and foot up to the top of Scotts Bluff.  However, with Lupe’s sore paws, and much of the Saddle Rock trail exposed to direct morning sun, SPHP decided to just drive to the top.

Lupe near the parking lot on top of Scotts Bluff. Photo looks E.
Lupe near the parking lot on top of Scotts Bluff. Photo looks E.

Two short trails go to overlooks from the parking lot up on Scotts Bluff.  Lupe took the North Overlook Trail first.

Lupe and SPHP had hardly started on the trail when Wildcat Mountain and Hogback Mountain came into view on the far S horizon.  Lupe had made it to Wildcat Mountain with Jobe Wymore just yesterday evening!  She would have gone on to Hogback Mountain, too, if it hadn’t been for all the painful cactus.

Dome Rock (4,547 ft.) (L), Wildcat Mountain (5,025 ft.) (Center on far horizon), and Hogback Mountain (5,062 ft.) (distant ridge on the R) could be seen from near the start of the North Overlook trail. Photo looks S.
Dome Rock (4,547 ft.) (L), Wildcat Mountain (5,025 ft.) (Center on far horizon), and Hogback Mountain (5,062 ft.) (distant ridge on the R) could be seen from near the start of the North Overlook trail. Photo looks S.

There were impressive views in every direction as Lupe explored the North Overlook Trail.  She visited the Scotts Bluff high point, and a number of overlooks along the way.  If Lupe had been here 160 years ago, she could have seen wagons and oxen down below traveling slowly W up the very wide, flat North Platt River valley.

From near the N end of the North Overlook Trail, Lupe could see Laramie Peak (10,272 ft.).  It was 90 miles away in Wyoming, and very faint on the WNW horizon.  Laramie Peak was the first mountain Lupe had climbed on her summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation to Wyoming, Colorado and Utah.

Gering, Nebraska from Scotts Bluff. Photo looks ENE.
Gering, Nebraska from Scotts Bluff. Photo looks ENE.
Looking SW from near the N end of the North Overlook Trail.
Looking SW from near the N end of the North Overlook Trail.
Lupe on the North Overlook Trail. Photo looks SSE toward Scotts Bluff's high point.
Lupe on the North Overlook Trail. Photo looks SSE toward Scotts Bluff’s high point.

The South Overlook Trail was shorter than the North Overlook Trail.  The panoramic views at the S overlook were even better!  Chimney Rock, another famous landmark along the Oregon and Mormon Trails, was in sight more than 20 miles to the ESE.  The views of Dome Rock, Crown Rock and South Bluff to the S were fabulous.  A long, high ridge extended far away to the W.

Lupe could see the Scotts Bluff National Monument visitor center, and the start of the Saddle Rock Trail far below.

Dome Rock (L), Wildcat Mountain (Center L on far horizon), and Hogback Mountain (Center on far horizon) from the South Overlook. Photo looks S.
Dome Rock (L), Wildcat Mountain (Center L on far horizon), and Hogback Mountain (Center on far horizon) from the South Overlook. Photo looks S.
Looking SW from the South Overlook. The first of 3 tunnels on the road coming up to the top of Scotts Bluff is seen below as it passes through Eagle Rock.
Looking SW from the South Overlook. The first of 3 tunnels on the road coming up to the top of Scotts Bluff is seen below as it passes through Eagle Rock.
Chimney Rock, another famous landmark along the Oregon and Mormon Trails, could be seen 20+ miles away to the ESE. Photo taken with telephoto lens.
Chimney Rock, another famous landmark along the Oregon and Mormon Trails, could be seen 20+ miles away to the ESE. Photo taken with telephoto lens.
South Bluff (4,700 ft.) (Center) as seen from the South Overlook on Scotts Bluff. Crown Rock (4,610 ft.) is the lower narrow rock ridge on the L. The Scotts Bluff visitor center is seen below on the R. Photo looks SSW.

Lupe had come through 3 tunnels on the way up to the parking lot on top of Scotts Bluff.  Since Lupe and SPHP seemed to have the entire national monument to themselves this early in the morning, on the way back down SPHP parked the G6 right on the narrow road.  Lupe hopped out for a couple photos of the tunnels.

Looking N back up at the 3rd and highest tunnel. None of the tunnels were very long, but who doesn't like a tunnel? Very cool!
Looking N back up at the 3rd and highest tunnel. None of the tunnels were very long, but who doesn’t like a tunnel? Very cool!
The 2nd (middle) tunnel.

With such an easy drive to the top, and just a couple of short trails to explore, Lupe’s visit to Scotts Bluff National Monument didn’t take very long.  It wasn’t even mid-morning yet when Lupe and SPHP exited the national monument.

Of course, there had been lots of displays to look at in the visitor center, but American Dingoes are about as interested in hanging out in visitor centers, as visitor centers are interested in letting American Dingoes inside.

Lupe and SPHP returned to Gering, NE and turned S.  About 0.5 mile after hitting the 4-lane on Hwy 71, SPHP turned W on Carter Canyon Road.  South Bluff, Dome Rock and Scotts Bluff could be seen to the NW beyond a huge, dusty tilled field.  It was a beautiful, though barren, scene.

South Bluff (L), Dome Rock (Center) and Scotts Bluff (R) from Carter Canyon Road near the junction with Hwy 71 S of Gering, Nebraska. Photo looks NW.
South Bluff (L), Dome Rock (Center) and Scotts Bluff (R) from Carter Canyon Road near the junction with Hwy 71 S of Gering, Nebraska. Photo looks NW.

Lupe and SPHP were now on the way to Wildcat Hills (4,940 ft.), the Scotts Bluff county high point.  The first 6 miles of Carter Canyon Road were paved and went due W.  Carter Canyon Road turned S at the end of the pavement.  The dirt road gradually turned W again as it went several miles up scenic Carter Canyon to arrive at a “Y” near the top of the ridge.

To the right was Summit Ranch Road.  A sign indicated Robidoux Pioneer Graves were in that direction.  To the left, Carter Canyon Road continued S.  Wildcat Hills was only a couple miles farther to the SSW, so Lupe and SPHP stayed on Carter Canyon Road.  It swung up around a little hillside revealing a huge home on the right, which is apparently the Summit Ranch headquarters.  Off to the SE was a tall tower on a hill.

SPHP expected to be able to drive very close to the summit of Wildcat Hills, but about a mile short of the destination reached a snowbank covering the road.  It didn’t look like anything the G6 could get through.  A short test drive into it instantly revealed that the G6 would certainly get high-centered.

Hmm, definitely a showstopper for the G6. Where was Jobe's BEAST when Lupe really needed it? At least the cold snow felt good on Lupe's pincushion paws! The power line SW of Wildcat Hills can already be seen in the distance. Photo looks SW.
Hmm, definitely a showstopper for the G6. Where was Jobe’s BEAST when Lupe really needed it? At least the cold snow felt good on Lupe’s pincushion paws! The power line SW of Wildcat Hills can already be seen in the distance. Photo looks SW.

SPHP backed the G6 out of the snowbank, turned it around and parked (9:40 AM, 56°F).  The Wildcat Hills summit couldn’t be more than another 1.25 miles away.  SPHP had already spotted a power line ahead to the SW which was just beyond Wildcat Hills.  Lupe and SPHP would have to proceed on paw and foot from here.

Lupe and SPHP abandoned the G6 and headed SW on the road.  As it turned out, even if the G6 had been able to make it past that first big snow drift, there were plenty more, even bigger ahead.  Most of the road was wet, but not too muddy.  Lupe liked going over the big snow drifts best.  The cold snow felt good!

The road went up and down small hills and ridges.  Several places there were pretty nice views back toward Hogback Mountain to the SE.  For some strange reason, Lupe showed not the slightest interest in going over there.

Hogback Mountain from Carter Canyon Road. Lupe showed no interest in going back to make another attempt on the cactus capital of Nebraska! Photo looks SE.
Hogback Mountain from Carter Canyon Road. Lupe showed no interest in going back to make another attempt on the cactus capital of Nebraska! Photo looks SE.
Using the telephoto lens.
Using the telephoto lens.

As Lupe and SPHP got closer to the power line, it became clear that a small barren hill a short distance NW of Carter Canyon Road was Wildcat Hills, the Scotts Bluff county high point.  Lupe was almost there!

SPHP left Carter Canyon Road heading W along a fence line.  A short stroll down a hill to cross a faint road skirting Wildcat Hills to the NE, and then a short walk up to the summit was all that was left to do.

Nope, Lupe wasn’t doing it.  She didn’t want to leave the road.  SPHP looked around.  Yeah, Lupe was right.  There was quite a bit of cactus on the hillside.  Still, this was a shortcut.  Lupe was fine with being carried.  SPHP had to stop a number of times on the way, but managed to tote the Tenderpaw Carolina Dog all the way up to the top of Wildcat Hills.

Nope, Lupe isn't going anywhere. She is just standing there waiting for her next ride. The summit of Wildcat Hills is seen up ahead on the L. The little used dirt road that skirts Wildcat Hills to the NE and N can be seen. Photo looks SW.
Nope, Lupe isn’t going anywhere. She is just standing there waiting for her next ride. The summit of Wildcat Hills is seen up ahead on the L. The little used dirt road that skirts Wildcat Hills to the NE and N can be seen. Photo looks SW.

Up on top of Wildcat Hills, barbed-wire fences met at a “T”.  There was plenty of cactus up here.  SPHP told Lupe to just “stay” and not move around.  She was more than happy to oblige.  There were too many cacti to move a muscle!  SPHP picked her up and repositioned her as needed for a couple of summit photos.  Lupe was very patient with the whole ordeal.

Hogback Mountain from Wildcat Hills, the Scotts Bluff County High Point. Photo looks SE.
Hogback Mountain from Wildcat Hills, the Scotts Bluff County High Point. Photo looks SE.
Looking SW from Wildcat Hills.
Looking SW from Wildcat Hills.

Well, it didn’t take Lupe very long to inspect the high point of a cactus-infested barren hill, even though there were 360° views.  Soon she was ready to go back to the G6.  SPHP carried her down to the E off the high point as far as the faint road.

Once she was on the road, Lupe was good to go.  She still wasn’t completely certain about things, and stopped briefly a few times along the way, but for the most part she trotted along just fine.  Lupe and SPHP followed the faint road to Carter Canyon Road.  Lupe stayed on Carter Canyon Road all the rest of the way back to the G6.  The snowy parts of the journey were her clear favorites.

Lupe had already jumped back up into the G6 (11:06 AM), when a blue pickup truck appeared.  It was pulling a horse trailer, heading S for the same snow bank that had stopped the G6.  SPHP waited to see what would happen.  The truck stopped in front of the snow drift.  A man got out to take a look.  His opinion was the same as SPHP’s – no way was this going to happen.

The owners of the truck were Gordon and Judy Hoffmaier.  They hadn’t expected so much snow up here, either.  They had their horses, Willow and Sage, with them, intending to do some riding.  Gordon unloaded the horses before trying to turn the pickup truck and horse trailer around in the field next to the road.  SPHP chatted with Judy, and held Willow’s rope.  Lupe was busy chillin’ in the G6.

Gordon & Judy Hoffmaier with their horses Willow and Sage. Fortunately, Gordon had no problem turning their pickup truck and horse trailer around in the field next to the road.
Gordon & Judy Hoffmaier with their horses Willow and Sage. Fortunately, Gordon had no problem turning their pickup truck and horse trailer around in the field next to the road.
Well, if I'm not allowed to bark at the horses, that takes all the fun out of it! I'll just chill here in the G6 for a while.
Well, if I’m not allowed to bark at the horses, that takes all the fun out of it! I’ll just chill here in the G6 for a while.

With their truck and trailer turned around and back on the road, Gordon and Judy went back to loading up their horses into the trailer again before moving on to find a less snowy area to go riding.  Lupe and SPHP returned in the G6 to the “Y” in the road at the upper end of Carter Canyon.

This time, Lupe and SPHP took the Summit Ranch Road branch of the “Y” hoping to find the Robidoux Pioneer Graves.  After a mile with no indication of where the graves might be, and with a view of the road continuing on to the N for many miles, SPHP gave up.  SPHP turned the G6 around and drove back to Carter Canyon Road.

Looking ENE at Carter Canyon from near the "Y" in the road close to the Summit Ranch.
Looking ENE at Carter Canyon from near the “Y” in the road close to the Summit Ranch.
Carter Canyon. Photo looks ENE.
Carter Canyon. Photo looks ENE.
Bluffs E of Carter Canyon from Carter Canyon Road. Photo looks ESE.
Bluffs E of Carter Canyon from Carter Canyon Road. Photo looks ESE.

Lupe and SPHP went back down through Carter Canyon and headed N through Gering.  In Scottsbluff, SPHP stopped at Wal-Mart for a few supplies – fried chicken, 2 bananas, and a 6 pack of Coke.  The morning had been a success!  Lupe had seen the world from Scotts Bluff and Wildcat Hills.

Before the noon hour was over, the G6 was gassed up again and ready to go.  Lupe and SPHP left Scottsbluff heading W on Hwy 26.  Lupe was starting the journey home, but her western Nebraska adventures weren’t over yet!

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