Onward north, we stopped next at Pawnee Buttes, a trailhead and overlook in the midst of vast open range grassland. We couldn’t get too far, as the Buttes are prime nesting places for endangered birds (hawks, eagles), and the trails are closed to hikers from March through June. We did find more cattle and lots of cow pies (I don’t think the cows were heeding the “no hikers” signs), as well as lovely flowers and a welcome port-a-potty.