Our second hike this year at Reservoir Ridge. Ali, Mauro, Colleen, Ryan, Hector, Katherine and Jason.

Hiking in Fort Collins

Felix Wong's avatar
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One of the many fantastic things about Fort Collins is the plethora of open space recreation areas just a stone’s throw away from almost anywhere in town. But I can’t say that I’ve been taking great advantage of this until Katherine—who just moved back to Fort Collins a few months ago—started organizing weekly Sunday hikes.

Initially, our hiking “parties” included just four people. But as our Spanish conversation group grew, so did the number of people we invited out to our hikes. We now have a tight-knit group of fun and witty young urban professionals, many of whom are recent transplants to the area.

Usually we start out with a local hike of about 3-4 miles, and then return to a private restaurant for a post-hike dinner and conversation. We have quickly bonded! These are some of the hikes we have done so far:

  • Reservoir Ridge: our local favorite, one that we have hiked many times with a few variations. Dogs are allowed.
  • Coyote Ridge: No dogs are allowed but has some nice overlooks when you get to the top.
  • A-Trail (I’ve missed out on this so far but know it well).
  • Grey Rock (ditto)
  • Gateway Park: A nice hike in the Poudre Canyon that’s close for North Fort Collinsers like Noelle and I.

Below are photos. I’ll be adding more pictures to this collection as we do more hikes.

Katherine at an overlook near the top of Coyote Ridge.
Katherine at an overlook near the top of Coyote Ridge.
Heading back down to the parking lot at Coyote Ridge.
Heading back down to the parking lot at Coyote Ridge.
Our second hike this year at Reservoir Ridge. Ali, Mauro, Colleen, Ryan, Hector, Katherine and Jason.
Our second hike this year at Reservoir Ridge. Ali, Mauro, Colleen, Ryan, Hector, Katherine and Jason.
Our third hike from Reservoir Ridge. Here's Jason, Noelle, and Katherine heading down to the Horsetooth Reservoir.
Our third hike from Reservoir Ridge. Here's Jason, Noelle, and Katherine heading down to the Horsetooth Reservoir.
Hector, Dani and Tracy coming up from the Horsetooth Reservoir.
Hector, Dani and Tracy coming up from the Horsetooth Reservoir.
"Let me in!" says Ramsey.
"Let me in!" says Ramsey.
Just a bunch of butts.
Just a bunch of butts.
Ali found a happy potato chip.
Ali found a happy potato chip.
Our post-hike spread.
Our post-hike spread.
Safety first! Ryan wears my motorcycle helmet.
Safety first! Ryan wears my motorcycle helmet.
Noelle and dog Ramsey at Gateway Park in the Poudre Canyon.
Noelle and dog Ramsey at Gateway Park in the Poudre Canyon.
Noelle and her cousin Chelsea in front of a "cave" at Gateway Park."
Noelle and her cousin Chelsea in front of a "cave" at Gateway Park."
I've never seen the sky so blue," remarked Chelsea. Neither had I.
I've never seen the sky so blue," remarked Chelsea. Neither had I.
Pretty clouds.
Pretty clouds.
Noelle sniffing a tree.
Noelle sniffing a tree.