Alex from Lincoln on 5/16/2024 8:40:43 AM:
On the trail, yes. There will be a "trail closed" sign where it is recommended you get off the trail and go towards HWY 20. I can't get signs on the highway to direct you back to the trail unfortunately, google maps is your friend.
Here's a list of current closures and detours:
- The trail is temporarily closed for repairs 3.5 miles west of Norfolk, NE. The repair should be complete sometime in late June. Use "Battle Creek Road" to detour around the closure, there are signs marking the route.
- A large bridge over the Elkhorn River between Oakdale and Neligh is still out so you will need to take the highway shoulder between Oakdale and Neligh for about 4 miles.
- Just west of Neligh there is a short stretch next to the river that has been eroded severely. You will be able to see some construction cones on the trail, you will need to walk adjacent highway shoulder for roughly 1/4mile and then can jump back on. Or if comfortable you can probably hike through the damaged section, stay away from the edge though. This location will hopefully be repaired by the end of the year.
- Between Neligh and Clearwater there is a section of trail that is permanently closed due the river reclaiming the trail in this section. You will need to take 519th ave back to the highway and ride around on the highway for about 3 miles. You can take 517th ave and head south to get back on to the cowboy trail. About a 2.5 mile detour for this one.
- The next closed spot is on the east edge of Long Pine. A large section of the trail embankment was washed out due to a culvert failure from the flood. To detour around, take 440th rd to the highway and then come back in to Long Pine and find the trail by the park on the main road, about 2.5 miles. This location should be repaired by the end of the year.
On NGPC's online trail map it will show a closure just east of the Niobrara River trail bridge, it is passable at the moment but exercise caution. These detours are likely to remain the same for the remainder of 2024.