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    • Published Articles>
      • Hiking With My Friends
      • Lost In The Wilderness
      • On The Rim of The World in Nebraska
      • Ride West
      • The 2011 National Trails Day
      • The Hows of Hiking
      • 9 Enjoy Trails Day Hike
      • Autumn Hikes Warm and Serene
      • Chadron State Park Letter
      • Fox Family Takes Up Residence
      • Hikers Climb Elkhorn Mountain
      • Inspiration Awaits Outdoors
      • National Trails Day 2011
      • Rain Doesn't Dampen Fall Colors hike
PANHANDLE  TRAILS
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Welcome to Panhandle Trails!

The Panhandle region of Nebraska is a beautiful and diverse area, with prairies, sand hills, river valleys, forests, canyons, buttes, small peaks, ridges, and rugged hills. Taking a little time to view our Photo Galleries will quickly dispel any idea about Nebraska being all flat! There are hundreds of miles of trails and old logging roads through these scenic areas, providing excellent hiking and some of the nation's very best mountain biking opportunities. In addition, the nation's longest "rails to trails" hiking and biking trail is nearing completion. When finished, the 321-mile Cowboy Trail will run from Norfolk, in eastern Nebraska, to Chadron. Visitors to the region will appreciate finding uncrowded conditions. Guests enjoy clean air, great western Nebraska hospitality and comfortable facilities. What Panhandle residents enjoy right in "their backyard", many people elsewhere in our nation have to travel long distances for. Panhandle Trails seeks to help the development of responsible hiking and mountain biking on all area trails, as well as safe climbing on western Nebraska summits.

Please take a few minutes to tour this site and look for information or resources that may help you plan your next trip on one of the area trails, or to climb one of the area summits. Those that are new to hiking or mountain biking will enjoy the Panhandle's beautiful scenery, fresh air, wildlife, and a chance to improve their fitness. The menu above will give you access to the rest of the content of Panhandle Trails.


Safety Note: Major forest fires in recent years have created some hazardous areas for hikers, climbers and mountain bikers. Pine beetle infestations only add to the problem. The Forest Service posts notices of "snags" in burn areas, where dead trees are prone to fall over in windy conditions, but can also fall even in non-windy conditions. If you venture into these areas, please be aware of the dangers and use extreme caution! These can be life-threatening situations. To find out the current condition of any area you wish to visit, please contact the agency in charge of managing it.  We have posted fire hazard warnings on the pages of summits and trails that have been affected by forest fires.

Perhaps you are a hiker that does not care to hike alone. This is a reasonable concern, given the increasing numbers of mountain lions in this region.  Other people like to walk, but have not tried hiking trails, due to lack of hiking companions. We maintain a list of area hikers to contact when group hiking events become available. And, we can circulate your request for hiking partners to those in this list, including any plans you have for an open group hike. But please understand that due to most people's busy schedules, we cannot guarantee that other area hikers may be able to coordinate with your plans. We welcome your input!


Panhandle Trails
URL: www.panhandletrails.weebly.com
Copyright: Tom & Hope Scheimo, 2007
Email:  panhandletrails@yahoo.com


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