When you start this hike from the parking lot know that you're starting at the Roosevelt side where…read moreyou can bring your four legged buddy. Watch for the sign that tells you you are entering RMNP the first sign is a No Travel Zone. This is where your four legged buddy can't go any further. No dogs allowed anywhere in RMNP. Starting June 1 or 4th? Day Hikers are required to get a permit. As far as I know this is temporary just to ease the amount of visitors for obvious reasons. Length: 18.4 miles RT Elevation Gain: 3,330 ft Route: Out & Back Lost Lake is rated as moderate in AllTrails. I don't think so. For day hikers without a heavy backpack maybe. But the length of the hike and add downed trees and snow covered trail and off trail adventure it really turns out a difficult trail. I've been here about four times and I'm making this my last time. This is a 9.2 miles fairly isolated lake. This past weekend we were the only souls that was determined to reach the lake. Runners and say hikers turned around because of the reasons mentioned above. Rain was a constant this weekend. Heavy downpours. At this point sometimes I wonder why don't I just stop doing this? It's very hard on your body and even harder when the backpacking food that we chosen to bring with us failed miserably! But we love backpacking. Can't stop. Won't stop. We've seen incredible sunrise, awe inspiring sunsets and jaw dropping frozen lakes and so much more! No frozen lake this trip but still pretty. Lots of grey clouds.

The Poudre River Trail's trail head starts in west Windsor and goes all the way into Greeley. The…read more21 mile paved trail goes through a combination of urban most rural areas such as along river banks, bluffs, fields and farmland. The trail head as I said starts in West Windsor, just east of the Ptarmigan country Club's Golf Course. The trail is not far from a Fort Collins bike trail also called the Poudre Trail which ends at the Habitat Learning Center. It is planned that the two trails were to connect yet this has not happened either through inept planning on a cities part, uncooperative private land owners, easement issues or a combination of these or other factors. I highly recommend this trail! I have said it is paved all the way to Greeley from west Windsor. It goes through some nice neighborhoods and parks in the southeast part of Windsor then goes to open space, farmland, and river banks. I suggest going here in the spring, summer or fall! Since it is 21 miles one way you may want to spend the night in Greeley or Windsor, depending which way you are going. If you are an avid biker then you could probably go both ways without any problem at all but if you are like me I just had to get a room! When you go to Greeley from Windsor you are mostly going downhill which means it is more of a workout if you have to bike back to Windsor because it is uphill. I was being overzealous and thought I could go back that night but after going one way I was too exhausted to go back and decided against it. That was not the only reason why. I have said this is mostly a rural trail therefore there are considerable factors to consider if you going back on this trail at night. Here are a few things that could be potential "hazards" but really are just things you should be aware of when going on this trail. I'm not trying to dissuade you from biking on this trail by any means at all!! Here are a few things to think about if you do choose to bike at night on this trail. There is a construction zone between Windsor and Greeley where the paved trail ends and there are concrete dividers that you walk in between to get to the other side of the trail. You don't want to hit those at night! Much of this trail goes through private property so that means no trespassing and keep your dog on a leash at all times because as some signs indicate, some property owners may shoot your dogs if they get on their land. There are hunters that hunt through the rural parts of the trail in the Fall so expect to hear gun shots. In fact I would advise wearing bright colored clothing in the Fall so you are not confused with wild game. Most hunters probably know where the bike trail is but don't make that assumption too much! Some areas of the trail, closer to Greeley go through a pasture. I came across some mother cows with their calves. They seemed tame for the most part but one mother got a little snorty and protective but did not charge. Most times they won't. Just stay away from the calves and let them see you and be on your way and you should be free of incident but do you really want to run into them in the dark. Someone might get a little ringy and someone might get ringed! There are also cattle guards that you have to cross. They have screens set up so you can have your bike go over it safely. It is very important if you don't go on the screen to hold onto your handlebars tight! You are in for a real wreck if one of your tires goes through the cattle guard. I have seen this for myself! A friend of mine got her head split open at a birthday party for not hanging onto the handlebars tight enough and so the party had to get canceled so she could get stitches. Also on the path there is an abrupt end and kind of a drop off of the paved trail for a railroad crossing. The trail resumes right after but if you are not paying attention you could be in for a real jolt, especially at night. Something else to be aware of when biking and especially at night. There is a narrowing of the trail in west Greeley for a small section where you go past some small river bluffs. there is also Poison Ivy that grows here as well. There are signs indicating this and they have it cut back so you won't touch it but you could very easily miss the signs at night. Finally the trail is not maintained in the winter so that is something to consider as well. These things are not to be deterrents to going on this trail, just things to be aware of. It is a gorgeous trail and worthy to go on for anyone who wants to take a leisurely bike ride through city and open space! Enjoy!!

This is a nice, scenic area with walking trails. There are also some ruins and a bit of history.read more

This trail is found off the road that would take you up to red feather lakes. Just past the Forks…read moregas station on the left hand side. After you turn left you will drive down a winding dirt road for a bit to get there. Thankfully the times i have visited it has not been overly busy. Which is nice. You dont find that on a lot of the trails in northern colorado. Everything around here always seems to have a lot of people, dogs, mountain bikes. sometimes you just want some solitude. Dogs and horses are allowed here. Bikes are not. There are bathrooms and trash cans at the parking lot and dog poop bags at teh trail head. For half the year, this trail is 5.3 miles long. It makes a figure 8. For the other half of the year, they close about half the trail for nesting eagles so the trail will only be around 2.5 miles long. So be sure to check the season if you are wanting a long hike. Of course any time of year, nothing says you can not just do the first loop of 2.5 miles and call it a day. There is 1 tree along this entire trail. It is very open. With gorgeous views. But this is not a trail you want to do in 100 degree weather. As with any trail it is a good idea to bring water with you. Even more so if you have dogs. This trail is home to rattle snakes so be sure to be snake aware if you go during snake season. I would personally call this trail moderate skill level. I believe i have clocked around 900 feet of elevation gain when i have done this one the last couple of times. At one point you do cross a river. You actually go over it on a bridge, but if your dogs need to get down there to cool off that is a good place to do it. it is right before you start the 2nd loop. On the 2nd loop depending on the time of year you may find yourself around a lot of cows who are out grazing. This is a lovely local hike in our area. If you have not checked it out it is worth trying at least once.

This is one of those reviews I am torn about...I love to share travel tips but I also love the…read moresolitude this space provides and don't want it to get too popular! But it really is too beautiful not to share. I would disagree with the previous reviewer about its difficulty. I should disclose, I have only ever hiked the loop but would rate it as moderate if you are a fairly active person. If you start down the right side, you will be hiking on a cow path for half the distance. However, there is zero shade on that side. In the heat of the summer, you should remember to bring plenty of water and perhaps avoid midday. The scenery here is just gorgeous though and you are unlikely to encounter crowds like at Grey Rock or Horsetooth. On a weekday, you may have the place all to yourself! Dogs and horses are allowed on this trail but mountain bikes are not. Parking is free and there are vault toilets at the trailhead. Enjoy!!

This is a 10.1 mile out and back trail near Glen Haven. It is considered a moderate route with…read more1889 feet of elevation gain. Dogs are able to use the trail but must be on leash. This trail goes near a river for at least the first 4 miles of the trail. I have not finished the trail. Though this one is absolutely lovely. There is a mix of trees and a burn area and the river. Moose and mountain lions are in the area so you will need to be on the lookout if you are choosing to hike here. This tends to be a quieter trail at least on the weekdays. There is a fairly good sized parking lot. There is a bathroom at the trail head. There are not however poop bags or trash cans. You will need to be prepared to pack out what you pack in. If you are bringing your pups be sure to pack along poop bags and also be ready to take them out with you. Along with any trash you may have brought with you.

8.8.2021 Sunday…read more arrived at 8 am. Not many people there at time. Left around 11 am and lot was full. There are no poop bags at the trail head. There is also no trash can. So plan on bringing your own poop bags if you have a dog/s. And plan on packing out any trash that you pack in. :) There is a bathroom at the trailhead. Follow the signs and you will get there. The disappointment falls were quite lovely. there are also a lot of wildflowers still blooming which is awesome.

I spent some time here today walking the pathways. There is a primary pathway that runs parallel…read moreto the river. This is an okay nature trail. I feel that it's too close to an urban area. There is a storage unit facility that sits on the other side of the trail which is strange to look at as you wander down the path. They have a small parking lot which has about eleven spaces, handicapped spot included. New Belgium Brewery is very close by. You may also cross the street and walk more of the trail on the opposite side of the roadway. It was okay here. Not a preferred spot I would want to return to. If the parking happens to be full there is parking on the street. I also noticed that there are no park benches to sit at on the side of the trail I primarily walked on. Average spot. Nothing special.

Best scenic view. Wandering canyons. Streams. Wildlife. Unbelievable views. Going back in time.read more

Another fantastic hike. Come prepared to work as you will be climbing some of the most gorgeous…read morepeaks Colorado's mountains have to offer. Please keep in mind this is a vast piece of land and you should pack your survival items in the event you should need them. A whisper sounds like a yell that echoes for minutes in this deep canyon with the Poudre River running through it. Great hiking, stunning scenery and you will encounter all kinds of wildlife so be prepared for that as well. There are bears in this area, real bears. Be sure you have done the appropriate amount of research before attempting to hike this area. This is NOT for beginners but is an awesome piece of land! There are random areas with lone trees or scattered brush, there are areas where you can easily become injured so do not attempt to do anything you are not sure you can do. Always play it safe and be prepared. You can hear the river long before you see it and that is one of the most special things about this place. Once you do lay your eyes on it, it is glorious and magnificent and well worth all of the efforts and aches and pains you have made to get there.

We stopped here yesterday for a lunch while passing through Fort Collins. You definitely get the…read moreidea that this park used to be maintained but that it's not really anymore. They have one picnic structure and a porta potty that was locked and then several trash cans. It seems more like this is more of a place where you stop to start your float down the river. Maybe you end your float down the river there at the parking lot I don't think I would stop there again for a picnic, but if I was planning to float on the river, it would be a good starting or stopping point.