Horsetooth Rock

I seem stuck in a rut lately but I was on limited time. Normally I hike early in the morning but this time we went late in the afternoon. We got to see that beautiful sun glow as the sun was going down. The pics are pretty but they still don't actually reflect how nice the light was. We were even able to see a couple of mule deer that weren't concerned about us at all. The front range was lit up magnificently! It's hard to believe how far you can see!

We had pretty views of Long's Peak too:

The flowers were beautiful but I was on an exercising mission and not a flower mission this outing.

Hike: Horsetooth Rock
Trails Used: Horsetooth Falls, Spring Creek Trail, Wathan Trail, Horsetooth Rock, Audra Culver, Service Road
Distance: ~5
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Notes: I didn't take the GPS this time since I was on a schedule!

Round Mountain

I went for a great hike on Mother's Day. The sun was out, the temperature was perfect, and I was alone. At least until the way down the hike. The hoards started showing up then! I forgot how busy this hike can be especially on a weekend. I'm glad I did it now and didn't wait until the peak summer season. If you want to avoid the people go early. I started at 7:30 a.m. and was done by 11:30. One downside to this hike (besides all the people) is the sound of traffic for the first 1.5 miles. It's all the traffic going up the canyon to Estes Park so it's not obnoxious but it's definitely there!
This hike is up Hwy 34 through Loveland. It's maybe 15 minutes past the town. I had great view of the front range, Big Thompson Canyon/River, Long's Peak, and the Continental Divide.

However, you don't have these views the entire time. Long's Peak and the Continental Divide are saved for the top of the Summit Adventure Trail after you've done a major butt burner of a climb. The map says it's 4.75 miles one way but my GPS only had it at 8.58 total.

Now that my poor dog (Quincy) is unable to hike w/ me (old age, lack of interest, deaf, the list goes on) I get to see more wildlife than I've ever seen. This is neat but still saddens me...I miss my dogs! I saw a grouse (I need to check w/ some official birder's before confirming that) this time out.
Kinnikinnick was out and looking pretty w/ the bright red berries.

This flower was starting to open as I climbed up the mountain and...

totally open by the time I came down.

Hike: Round Mountain
Trails Used: Summit Adventure Trail
Distance: 8.58
Difficulty: Difficult (Butt Burner)
Moving average: 2.7 mph
Overall average: 2.4 mph
Moving Time: 3 hrs, 12 min
Stopped Time: 19 min, 51 sec
Total Ascent: 2676 ft.
Maximum elevation: 8473 ft.

Horsetooth Mountain Park/Arthurs Rock

I went to Horsetooth Mountain Park today and hiked all the way to Lory State Park, up to Arthurs Rock and back to Horsetooth. It was loooonnnnngggg (16.75 miles) but it felt good especially after being cooped up in the house for 4 days w/ no exercise. There was a great view from the top of Arthurs Rock of Ft. Collins, Wyoming, and the plains.
There was an abundance of wildlife and wildflowers.
I even had a reminder of the big scary animals that live out here. It was spooky seeing what was left of this mule deer. But, hey, if you're hungry you're hungry! That white stuff in the photo is actually hair from the deer!
I ran across lots of seasonal streams and pools of water.
Hike: Horsetooth Mountain Park to Lory State Park
Trails Used: See Map Below, Horsetooth Falls Trail, Stout Trail, Sawmill Trail, South Valley Loop (Lory), Howard Trail (Lory), Mill Creek Link (Lory), Mill Creek Trail, Westridge Trail, Horsetooth Rock Trail, Service Road
Distance: 16.75 Miles (the GPS cut out on me a couple of times)
Difficulty: Difficult due to length
Moving average: 3.1 mph
Overall average: 2.7 mph
Moving Time: 5 hrs, 16 min
Stopped Time: 55 min, 19 sec
Total Ascent: 3932 ft.
Maximum elevation: 7066 ft.

Horsetooth Mountain Park

I did a different route this time. I will have to map it when I have a free minute. Ha! Do I have free minutes? No....

It was a chilly, foggy day that made for some interesting pictures.
I stopped to see Horsetooth Falls. There was some water flowing. I saw I couple of other small falls along the way... This was after the fog lifted.
Around some of the pools the water formed I was able to see these cool creatures skimming the surface....
Speaking of wildlife...I saw this woodpecker (?) and beautiful blue jay (?) w/ iridescent colors. I wish I could have gotten a better picture of the blue jay but it was not meant to be. He kept flying away from me just as I went to take the picture!
Lastly, even though it was cold and foggy I did get to see some brilliant wildflowers! I knew spring/summer was coming....

Hike: Horsetooth Mountain Park
Trails Used: See Map Below, Horsetooth Rock Trail, Westridge Trail, Sprink Creek Trail, Horsetooth Falls Trail
Distance: 8.06 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Moving average: 3.0 mph
Overall average: 2.2 mph
Moving Time: 2 hrs, 42min
Stopped Time: 56 min, 01 sec
Total Ascent: 2330 ft.
Maximum elevation: 7085 ft.