Fort Collins - Red Mountain Open Space r2

Spring is a great time to go to Larimer County's Red Mountain Open Space. near Fort Collins.  I went last year about the same time and really enjoyed it.  My mission on this hike was to take some time and enjoy Red Mountain, no mileage goal, but the usual Tuesday time goal of be back home by 4p.  The drive up to Red Mountain is somewhat lengthy and includes about 8-10 miles of county maintained dirt road that bisects a number of cattle ranches.  Cows and Pronghorn antelope were out by the road in abundance.  You could sure see that calving season was pretty much over because there were calves everywhere.  Nothing better looking than black cows on green grass.  You can find out about the Red Mountain Open Space here

As usual, I was the only car in the parking lot when I arrived.  But several other cars were there when I returned.  I was alone on the trail till I was about a mile from calling it a day.  There I encounter a few hikers, even one in a wheelchair.

I started out on the Bent Rock Trail heading south then west.  This part of the trail was pretty easy going and eventually rounded the edge of the ridge and opened up into what I call the Sand Creek Valley (I don't know what it is really called).  There were magnificent views of Table Mountain (7044').

Red Mountain Trailhead

Bent Rock Trail - West Branch

Sand Creek Valley

Table Mountain

The West Branch of Bent Rock returns to the main Canyon Branch near the Boxelder Creek Flood Control Structure (i.e. Dam).  This area is prone to flash floods which has caused in years past quite a bit of damage to the surrounding ranches, landscape, and the town of Wellington.  As a result Larimer County and a number of area Soil Conservation Districts developed the Boxelder Watershed Authority.  You can learn more about the Authority here.

As you can see, even today there is a little water being held back by the flood control structure.  Bent Rock Trail soon intersects with the K-Lynn Cameron Trail which loops back to the intersection of the Ruby Wash Trail.  I decided to head up the K-Lynn Cameron Trail, which of course followed a fairly steep ridge line.   At some time, some one had built a barbed wire fence up here.  That would have been a lot of work.

K-Lynn Cameron Trail

Near the intersection of the K-Lynn Cameron Trail and Ruby Wash Trail you encounter the Goodwin Homestead.  There are two building still standing and a small sign to let you know the story of the Goodwin family.  These Homesteaders were a hardy bunch.

Goodwin Homestead

Main Cabin

Bunkhouse/School house (1)

Bunkhouse/School house (2)

I turned on the Ruby Wash Trail which meanders up a severely eroded section of the creekbed.  I believe this area was affected by the 2013 flood.  While the trail was not steep, it was tough slogging as the composition of the trail was more like a beach than a prairie trail.   As I neared the intersection with the Cheyenne Rim Trail it was time for lunch and a decision; should I go up Cheyenne Rim which would loop about 6.5 miles through Red Mountain and Soapstone Prairie before I re-entered the Big Hole Wash Trail or not?  I decided to proceed up Cheyenne Rim.  The trail was fairly steep, muddy and with periodic pockets of drifted snow.  Once on top of the rim, though, the view, Elk, and deer made for good pictures.

Deer!

Elk!

View

This section of the trail was long and straight along the edge of the Rim.  There were still snow drifts at the edge of the Rim.  After about an hour and a half, I found the trail that worked my way down the rim back to the Red Mountain area.  Once there I was only three moderate miles from the trailhead and the car.

I'm not sure why, but I very much enjoy the Red Mountain area and will be back here again next year.

Overall Track Statistics for track Ft Collins - Red Mountain Open Space r2

 Length 13.953 miles

 Start Elevation - 6303.22 feet

 Maximum Elevation - 7313.42 feet

 Minimum Elevation - 6270.93 feet

 Date of Hike - Apr 21, 2015

 Start Time - 09:33 AM

 End Time - 02:51 PM

 Total Duration -     5:18 hours:min

 Total Ascent - 2239.90 feet

 Total Descent - 2272.18 feet

 Net Ascent - -32.28 feet

 Maximum Grade - 18.61%

 Average Speed -  3.86 mph

 Maximum Ascent over Mile - 2239.90 feet

 Maximum Speed over Mile -  4.92 mph

 Maximum Gain over Mile (%) -  9.66%

Elevation

Track