Home»All Photographs»2021 Hikes»High Noon Hills - Arctic Hill 04-10-21

I headed out to the gunslingin', cattle ranchin' High Noon Hills today for a good ol' western ramble in them thar hills.
When driving down Highway 546, I've often noticed a bunch of vehicles parked at an odd twist in the road and wondered what was attracting people there. Now I know - this hike certainly rewards little effort with great views. Right from the get-go, the trail follows the edge of the aspen/spruce forest as it ascends to overlook billowing grassy hills that stretch on for quite a distance.
I started on the western terminus of the hills, and traversed across to the east. From there, I followed a fenceline down into a deep coulee. From there, I turned westward and randomly meandered my way through forest until I came to a dramatic drop-off. Here, a river gorge lay before me with a dramatic fine shale slope descending straight down to the water. I've never seen such a smooth, consistent slope like that before.
Back on the trail, I re-ascended the western hills before randomly picking my way across open pasture to Arctic Hill.
One or two barbed wire fences later, I crossed the highway and ascended Arctic Hill. Here, the weather changed and it began snowing right on queue as if to honor the "Arctic" name. A little woodpecker kept me company as I sat for lunch. The views from the top were muted from the snow-squall. Having the best of the weather behind me, I was happy to return to the trailhead and a warm vehicle.