The Wildcat Hills stretch for at least 50 miles across western Nebraska; in their wake they give Scotts Bluff County its highpoint, as well as that of neighboring Morrill County. They are very attractive sandstone bluffs, having been eroded into nice rounded shapes over the centuries, and in some cases, sharp, dramatic spires. The famous "Chimney Rock", which is a tall, narrow spire similar to those found in Monument Valley, Arizona, is located very near the Morrill highpoints. Chimney Rock served as a well-known landmark for the various wagon trains and explorers that crossed this land in the 19th century.

I arrived in the general vicinity of the Morrill County highpoints around 2 p.m. and followed a previous visitor's report to gain access to these hills. In this area, the hills are surrounded by private ranches and farmland. However, the Flying Bee Beffmaster Ranch, which owns 4,000 acres that abut and include some of the hills, allows for public access, mostly hikers and often, horseriders. In the town of McGrew on NE-92, I went south on Scotts Bluff County Road 34 south about five miles, passing intoi the northeast corner of Banner County (where CR-34 became CR-67). Shortly, I turned left onto Banner CR-42 and turned into the Ranch. I parked and sought out anyone to ask for permission. It seemed everyone was in the barn area, so I went that way, where I saw that they were vaccinating their cattle and doing rectal checks (oh boy). I got the attention of a woman, who turned out to be the wife-half of the ownership team. Her name is Louise Kinnaman (her husband is named Conrad). I asked for permission to hike into the hills and she told me about their public access policies. They charge $10 for a day permit or $7.50 for a half-day for hiking. Horses and camping costs more but I didn't check for those costs. I mentioned I was interested in the Morrill County highpoints, which lie just east of the Morrill-Banner county line. She said they didn't own that land but gave me the name and number of the woman who does. I paid Louise my money, signed a waiver, got some brochures, called the other lady and got her okay, and got a move-on! From the ranch headquarters I went east a half-mile then south a half-mile to a cabin and campground area, the entryway, so to speak, into the backcountry.

At the end of the main road near the camp area, there is a cattle grate and a good two-track that leads further into the hills. I drove in about a mile and parked at a fence-line and gate. It was close to 3 p.m. when I actually started hiking. They provide a basic map of trails but it is difficult to read. My Morrill highpoint map did not have my starting point on it, so for the first bit, I was hiking totally by dead reckoning. All I knew was the highpoints were southeast of my position. I crossed the fence and walked another 3/4 mile to where the road dipped into a gully. Here, I turned right. The main road, called Road 1 on the map, goes right, then gains very steeply up out of the drainage and pretty much a straight-shot up the hills to the range crest. However, it leads away from the Morrill highpoints, so instead I went left on a minor road that quickly disappeared into knee-high grasses. I made some educated guesses and quickly found myself on a good cow-path that went southeasterly, although it meandered a bit. Hiking at a good pace, I finally got high enough in the range that I left the path and hiked up a few feet of steep hillside to attain the range crest, about 1.5 miles from my vehicle, I would guess. I GPS'd my position and I was still a good mile west of the closest highpoints (Morrill's highpoints are clumped in two areas: two western areas near the county line, and seven more a mile east). After a rest I centered myself on the ridge and followed a very old road that seemed to run the top of this hill complex fairly faithfully.

The scenery on top of these hills is utterly gorgeous. It is endless gently rolling hills that are mostly open, dotted with little stands of trees including some pine, and a carpet of low grass and occasional cactus. I walked east and in about 30 minutes, after going up and down all sorts of little hillocks, verified my position as being very near the western two highpoint areas. At the very least, I could place myself on my map. The larger area of the two western areas is clearly higher than its northern neighbor. After surmounting this hillock, I continued east to the other seven areas, all clumped close by one another. After another 20-30 minutes I was in the eastern areas, where I surmounted about four very promising hilltops, and sighted to the nearby ones to be sure. The second-most eastern area seemed to be the highest to me. In any case, I was satisfied with my visit and started my return. Two things were motivating me: some unsettled weather dropping rain and virga way to my west, and the discovery upon reading their brochure that I should not have parked my vehicle where I had.

I hiked quickly and covered the two miles back to my descent trail in about another 35 minutes, then descended via my nifty cowpath and down onto the ranchlands below, back to my vehicle. The total hike covered about 7 miles round trip with about 600 feet of net gain, but easily another 300-400 feet when all ups and downs were figured into it. I had not expected such a long hike and when I returned to my vehicle around 6 p.m., I was pretty bushed. I drove out without incident, feeling kind of bad for parking where I did, then drove on to Alliance where I took a hotel for the night. I was pretty tired! Today I had hit five highpoints but had hiked almost 16 miles in the process.

I name these hills as my favorite highpoint for this trip, and by far, the prettiest hike in my Nebraska run. These are some spectacular hills, with beautiful views of them and of the countryside. If I had to do it again, I would arrange to camp at their campground the previous night, then hike from there in the morning when shadows and lighting are at their best. Louise Kinnaman was very nice, and I highly recommend a visit to their ranch and to these hills. Their toll-free number is 1-888-534-2341.