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Scottsbluff, NE: Saddle Rock Trail
The crumbling caprock and sheer sandstone faces of Scotts Bluff frightened Oregon Trail-era emigrants, but they're the draw on this challenging, 3.8-mile out-and-back that climbs 500 feet up the towering massif.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Nebraska (NE) |
| Distance: | 3.8 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Scottsbluff South |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
A challenging hike in some of western Nebraska's most interesting terrain, this 3.8-mile out-and back begins at the Scotts Bluff National Monument visitor center. The paved path winds uphill almost immediately after leaving the trailhead, crossing an open prairie and climbing sweeping switchbacks on the side of the bluff. Below the spires of Saddle Rock, the trail passes through a 100-foot tunnel and then rounds the saddle itself as it continues to climb. Near mile 1.5, the trail levels and winds around the top of the bluff toward two overlooks. If lightning isn't a danger, spend some time resting and wandering the trails at the top before descending the same trail toward the visitor center and museum.
Note: Although this mapped 4-mile route is recommended, it's possible to drive to a parking area near the summit and still hit the overlook highlights without strenuous walking.
-Mapped by Kristy Holland
TO TRAILHEAD: From US 26 north of Scottsbluff, turn south onto NE 71 (Avenue I) and drive 4.1 miles to NE 92 (Old Oregon Trail). Turn right on NE 92 and drive 1.8 miles to the visitor center on the right.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Saddle Rock Trail
| Distance: 3.82 mi | Points: 336 |
Saddle Rock Trail
Points of Interest
SRT001
Location: 41.828442, -103.707311Follow the Saddle Rock Trail from the east end of the visitor center. Restrooms and a water fountain on this side of the building are the only ones on the trail.
SRT002
Location: 41.831896, -103.700080About half a mile from the trailhead, the pavement dips into a wash known as Scotts Spring. There are several legends about how this spring and massif came to be named for fur company clerk Hiram Scott in the late 1820s.
SRT003
Location: 41.835339, -103.698205A sheer rock face abuts the trail near mile 0.8. Up ahead, a huge switchback leads uphill toward the entrance to a tunnel.
SRT004
Location: 41.835415, -103.696231The tunnel through this sandstone fin beneath Saddle Rock is about 100 feet long. Watch for snakes in the tunnel's shady passage, a cool retreat from the scorching sun.
SRT005
Location: 41.835821, -103.696389Several steep switchbacks top out at the craggy edge of Saddle Rock. Don't venture off the main trail, the crumbling stone can be dangerous to hikers on top of the crumbling rock, and on the trail just below.
SRT006
Location: 41.836708, -103.698208You'll encounter a short set of steps before the final few switchbacks to the summit. Up ahead, signs point downhill hikers toward the museum.
SRT007
Location: 41.837743, -103.698476At mile 1.5, near the top of the bluff, the trail splits. Bear right toward the North Overlook, a narrow rock peninsula overlooking the nearby town of Scottsbluff.
SRT008
Location: 41.839114, -103.699093Prevailing winds whip up the canyon on the left and make this spot a windy one. Turn around at the bluff's northernmost point and backtrack past here, bearing right toward the parking lot and the South Overlook Trail.
SRT009
Location: 41.836636, -103.700193Follow this short trail from the parking lot to the South Overlook. Views from the end of the 200-yard add-on are worth the few extra minutes of easy walking.
Trail Views
Location: 41.836029, -103.697516Looking south, you'll see the path you just climbed snaking up the opposite side of the bluff. © Kristy Holland
Visitor Center
Location: 41.828666, -103.707569Stop by the museum and visitor center before heading out on this hike. Or better yet, complete the hike before it gets too hot and check out the museum before heading home. © Kristy Holland
Trail Sign
Location: 41.828434, -103.707161One of the only signs along the route, but the path is paved and easy to follow for its entire length. © Kristy Holland
Five Rocks
Location: 41.830108, -103.704982Looking south from the trail, you'll notice Dome Rock (left) and Crown Rock (right), two of the area's five prominent landmarks. © Kristy Holland
Trail
Location: 41.832735, -103.698245Just below the bluff's South Overlook on your left, you'll catch this distant view of Saddle Rock and an up-close of the bluff's eastern face. © Kristy Holland
Steep
Location: 41.835341, -103.698162The trail cuts into the steep slope of Scotts Bluff as it climbs. © Kristy Holland
Gering
Location: 41.835407, -103.696191Looking east before the tunnel is the small community of Gering. © Kristy Holland
Tunnel
Location: 41.835385, -103.696126The trail passes through a 100-foot tunnel under Saddle Rock. © Kristy Holland
Tunnel
Location: 41.835469, -103.696006Looking south from inside the tunnel. © Kristy Holland
Handprints
Location: 41.835463, -103.695982When the sandstone is saturated it is extremely soft and many hikers have literally pulled handfuls of stone from the walls of the tunnel. Don't do further damage to the rock. © Kristy Holland
Saddle Rock
Location: 41.835825, -103.696357© Kristy Holland
Steep Drops
Location: 41.836316, -103.697500The sheer cliffs of the bluff drop sharply between the upper and lower sections of trail. Watch your step, there's no handrail out here. © Kristy Holland
Concretions
Location: 41.836550, -103.698074Pale lime deposits called concretions jut out of the hillside below the summit. These harder rocks add stability and structure to the soft sandstone. © Kristy Holland
Erosion
Location: 41.838019, -103.698723This display on the bluff-top illustrates the visible erosion occurring atop the capstone. The USGS survey marker on the summit was set flush with the stone surface in 1933. © Kristy Holland
Bench
Location: 41.838798, -103.699100This bench faces north toward the town of Scottsbluff. © Kristy Holland
Laramie Peak
Location: 41.839871, -103.699023This arrow points northeast toward Laramie Peak: more than 100 miles away, but visible on a clear day. © Kristy Holland
Canyon
Location: 41.839843, -103.699015Looking west into a windy canyon near the North Overlook. © Kristy Holland
South Overlook
Location: 41.836632, -103.700144A sign in the parking lot points the way down the short path to the South Overlook. © Kristy Holland
Overlook
Location: 41.834849, -103.699640The park road, five rocks, and the trail through Mitchell Pass are all visible from the South Overlook. © Kristy Holland
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