Pawnee National Grassland
\n<\/strong>The Pawnee National Grassland in northeast Weld County, Colorado is part of the Roosevelt National Forest and has the accessible Trail of the Mourning Dove and a Birdwalk in the Crow Valley Recreation Area.\u00a0 The grassland is a part of the short grass prairie and a fine location for spring wildflowers and for birding.\u00a0 Wildlife includes pronghorn, bison, prairie dogs and many others. The Buttes, which rise about 300 feet above the plains are erosional remnants of the High Plains.\u00a0\u00a0 They consist of the soft clay-rich Brule formation overlain by the sandstone and conglomerates of the Pawnee Creek and the Arikaree formations.
\nBe sure to call ahead to learn of trail conditions and of seasonal closures.\u00a0\u00a0Here is the website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 970-834-9270\u00a0 \u00a0Map<\/a>
\nCrow Valley Recreation Area
\n<\/a>Trail of the Mourning Dove Short trail from the Steward J. Adams Education Site along the usually dry Crow Creek”
\n<\/a>Birdwalk Trail\u00a0 Short walk across a dry creek bed and into a cottonwood stand.
\nPawnee Buttes Trail
\n<\/a>1.5 mile trail to the first butte and 2.1 mile to “slightly beyond the eastern base of the western Pawnee Butte.\u00a0 The trail is rated\u00a0 easy or “easy to intermediate” depending on which reference you find.\u00a0 \u00a0Here is a detailed description<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Call ahead to learn more.<\/p>\n