Scotts Bluff National Monument

Scotts Bluff National Monument is located alongside the North Platte Riverin western Nebraska, just outside the towns of Scotts Bluff and Gering. and along the Old Oregon Trail  and later California Trail.  Its sandstone cliffs tower some 800 feet above the valley floor, giving the visitor amazing views in all directions.  It was also an important milestone for emigrants traveling west during the 1800s.  

John and I arrived early for a quick tour of the visitor center, including a nice, short video and a number of original watercolors by Artist William Henry Jackson (1843-1942) depicting wagon trains, Native Americans and other scenes from the 1860s.  

The visitor center is open from 8-5, and the road to the summit opens at 9.  The road passes through three short tunnels (large enough for a car to pass through, but RVs and trucks are prohibited)... 

...and winds around the bluff to view points and trails at the summit.  We were early enough to take a couple of short hikes to take in the views in all directions, and to enjoy the wildflowers that eked out an existence along the trail.  

In addition to the wildflowers, we were amazed at these striking lichens growing on the rocks.  

And, there was this very tough tree growing beside the path.  Its roots extended for several yards along the walkway on both sides.

And speaking of paths...the trail we were walking at the summit zig-zags down the slope and across the valley to the visitors center.  (You can see it in the image below.)  We didn't follow it all the way, because then we would have had to climb back up to our car!  Maybe next trip...or maybe not.

If you have a chance, don’t miss this gem of northwestern Nebraska.