Pawnee Buttes LbNA #40985
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jun 6, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Greeley |
| County: | Weld |
| State: | Colorado |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | Rats and Turtle  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | Front Range Hiker |
| Last found: | Nov 16, 2008 |
| Status: | FF |
| Last edited: | Jun 6, 2008 |
Pawnee Buttes National Grasslands is in northeastern Colorado. Our family enjoyed hiking and picnicking here in the 1960’s and 70’s. We returned in 2008 with lots of nieces, nephews, grandkids for a family reunion hike (25 of us!) the day before our brother’s wedding. What fun we had!
There is information on the Web if you Google Pawnee Buttes. The official Forest Service Website has directions to the trailhead. The trail is easy hiking for families but not stroller friendly. It is about 2 miles one-way. Bring plenty of water—binoculars can help you look for nesting birds of prey along the escarpments during May and June when these areas are closed to hiking to protect the nesting birds.
There is a hitchhiker for the first finder.
Follow the trail past West Butte. From West Butte the trail meanders in a generally 60-degree direction toward East Butte. At the base of East Butte, the main trail turns to the north (left as you face the Butte), while a smaller trail forks to the south. Turn on to the north fork and walk about 15 foot-falls. There is a rock on the right side of the trail. It is roundish, about 4 feet across and 3 feet high. Take a compass reading of 50 degrees. Walk 17 foot-falls at this 50 degree reading. You will arrive at a rectangular block rock that is 3-4 feet high with lots of orange lichen on it. It has a flat side facing the trail. Under the northeast edge of this rock is the Pawnee Buttes letterbox. It has a flat rock “door”. Use caution when moving the door and look into its home before reaching in to make sure it has not invited a rattlesnake to visit. Please re-hide the box carefully after stamping in.
There is information on the Web if you Google Pawnee Buttes. The official Forest Service Website has directions to the trailhead. The trail is easy hiking for families but not stroller friendly. It is about 2 miles one-way. Bring plenty of water—binoculars can help you look for nesting birds of prey along the escarpments during May and June when these areas are closed to hiking to protect the nesting birds.
There is a hitchhiker for the first finder.
Follow the trail past West Butte. From West Butte the trail meanders in a generally 60-degree direction toward East Butte. At the base of East Butte, the main trail turns to the north (left as you face the Butte), while a smaller trail forks to the south. Turn on to the north fork and walk about 15 foot-falls. There is a rock on the right side of the trail. It is roundish, about 4 feet across and 3 feet high. Take a compass reading of 50 degrees. Walk 17 foot-falls at this 50 degree reading. You will arrive at a rectangular block rock that is 3-4 feet high with lots of orange lichen on it. It has a flat side facing the trail. Under the northeast edge of this rock is the Pawnee Buttes letterbox. It has a flat rock “door”. Use caution when moving the door and look into its home before reaching in to make sure it has not invited a rattlesnake to visit. Please re-hide the box carefully after stamping in.