The US Forest Service will hold a celebration for the newly reconstructed Pawnee Buttes Trailhead in the Pawnee National Grassland. Staff will be there to hold a small ceremony and to cut the ribbon to officially open the newly redone Pawnee Buttes Trailhead.
The US Forest Service completed these improvements to the Pawnee Buttes Trailhead with the support of many partners including Federal Highway Administration’s National Scenic Byway Program, Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic and Historic Byway Commitee, and Cedar Creek Wind Energy, LLC. Around $250k dollars was received to use to reroute the trail, add picnic tables, add shelters, add restrooms, and to build a new parking area. A portion of the new trail is also ADA accessible. This is great news!
Located in the northeast corner of Weld County, Colorado, approximately 13 miles south of the Wyoming border, stand the Pawnee Buttes. A predominate geologic feature within the Pawnee National Grassland, these buttes appear to rise 300 feet above the prairie.
The trailhead is located 56 miles from Ault and 73 miles from Greeley. Directions from Highway 14, travel north on Forest Service Road (FSR) 129. Next, travel east on FSR 110. Then follow signs to the trailhead area. The trailhead is northwest of New Raymer.
A one and a half mile trail leads hikers to the first Butte. The second Butte is on private land but may be accessed unless otherwise posted. If there is a gate, leave it in the same way you found it. As the rock is crumbling sandstone, climbing on the Buttes is not recommended.
Take a hat, sunscreen lotion and plenty of water, as temperatures may top one hundred degrees in July and August.
Please do not disturb any hawks and falcons nesting in the rocky cliffs. The Pawnee Buttes trail is open year round; however, there is a nearby closure from March 1 – June 30 to protect any nesting raptors. Please stay on the main trail during this time as adults may desert their eggs or young birds if disturbed.
For more information visit the USDA website.
