Elk Meadow Trail, a new multiuse hiking trail in Fort Collins’ Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, winds through a scenic mix of grass and shrubs Oct. 3. Photos by Chloe Waskey
By Chloe Waskey
The Ramspondents
A new hiking trail in Bobcat Ridge Natural Area opened Oct. 11, providing visitors yet another scenic route through one of Fort Collins’ many coveted natural areas. Named for its abundant elk population, Elk Meadow Trail is the latest addition to the city’s recently acquired 675 acres of protected land.
The 1.7 mile trail begins at the historic cabin on the Valley Loop Trail, about 1.5 miles from the Bobcat Ridge parking lot. Hikers, bikers and horseback riders are encouraged to enjoy views of unique rock formations, distant redrock cliffs and diverse grassland wildlife as they stroll through the easy to moderate open-valley trail.
“We’re hoping for a huge variety of people and a lot of folks to get up here to have a different experience of this property and see the newly conserved property,” said Zoë Shark, community connection and protection manager for the Fort Collins Natural Areas Department. “It’s a spectacular sight.”
Bobcat Ridge Natural Area is one of 52 conserved natural areas in Fort Collins funded by a 1992 voter-supported sales tax. Most recently renewed in 2002 and set to expire in 2030, the quarter-cent tax is up for renewal again in this year's Nov. 4 regular election. Ballot Issue 302 would extend the tax indefinitely to support further land conservation efforts, education programs and around 114 miles of trail.
“The tax renewal passed the last couple of times, so the community is pretty united on this,” said Holger Kley, a member of the Natural Resources Advisory Board. “Fort Collins is pretty unique in its dedicated appreciation for natural areas.”
Fort Collins foothills overlook gentle grassland slopes on Elk Meadow Trail Oct. 3.
Elk Meadow trail is part of the Buckhorn Addition to Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, land that was acquired by the city in 2022 and 2023. Since then, the Natural Areas Department has recruited a fleet of experts and community volunteers to thoroughly assess and prepare the land for public use. Archeologists, wildlife biologists and a wide array of other researchers advised the trail’s construction process to ensure the long-term ecological prosperity of the land.
“We have utilized both the dedicated city sales tax and county sales tax to fund the purchasing and conservation of this property, also the restoration and trail work,” said Director of Natural Areas Katie Donahue. “For 30 years, Fort Collins and Larimer County have raised their hands to commit as community members and as voters to pay for this work. And I just can't say enough how much we appreciate that this is such a cool opportunity to be able to bring new recreational amenities to the community and also exposure to other conservation work that folks might normally not see every day.”
The trail was constructed in collaboration with Colorado Association of Trail Stewards, a non-profit that provides trail-building services to the Northern Colorado area. Community members also contributed over 175 additional hours of volunteer work to help expedite the trail’s grand opening ahead of hiking season.
Interior of historic cabin on northwestern side of Valley Loop Trail marks start of 1.7 mile Elk Meadow Trail, Fort Collins Oct. 3
Donahue pointed to several vital yet oftentimes “invisible” architectural feats along the trail, including alt lines across rock features, a low-profile bridge crossing of the historic Buckhorn Highline canal and hand-built rock retaining walls and ramps.
“There's actually a bunch of crushed rock underneath the trail surface, and then they built this cribbing to hold it all in,” she said. “There's a lot of stuff when you're using a trail that can be kind of invisible, but I mean, they were out here for a couple weeks straight.”
Much of the area surrounding Elk Meadow is designated for ecological preservation and is not open to the public. To ensure wellbeing of grassland species, Fort Collins Natural Areas asks that users not bring dogs to the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area.
Over the next several years, the Natural Areas Department said it hopes to continue its land preservation and take on long-term projects like biodiversity restoration.
“This winter, Natural Areas will overseed with a mix of native grasses, flowers and shrubs,” Fort Collins Natural Areas wrote in a media release. “Throughout the decades-long process, monitoring tools—including bird surveys and plant assessments—will guide the restoration work.”
A young mule deer passes through grassy fields surrounding Bobcat Ridge parking lot, around 1.5 miles from the trailhead to the new Elk Meadow Trail Oct. 3.
As the city’s regular election approaches and funding for such projects are put on the ballot, Donahue said she hopes the new trail will serve as a reminder to the community that voter support is vital to the conservation of Fort Collins’ abundant natural beauty.
“This acquisition is a real conservation and visitor success story,” she said. “We are conserving wildlife habitat and the iconic viewshed of Bobcat Ridge, while planning for the future of visitor use in our community.”
Chloe Waskey is a CSU student majoring in Journalism and Media Communication with a minor in political science.
What’s Happening in Fort Collins This Week | Oct. 20-26
Compiled by Isabella Hemness and Scott Reif
Photo by City of Fort Collins
Featured event
Thursday, Oct. 23
Pumpkins on Parade Halloween Celebration Begins
Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave, Fort Collins
Oct. 23-26 5-9 p.m.
Join the city of Fort Collins and sponsor Ace Hardware for a Halloween celebration including pumpkin sculptures, tasty local food vendors, nightly live entertainment and even a carved-pumpkin contest (registration for the contest ends Monday, Oct. 20). Tickets will be $12 for those 12 years of age or older, and $8 for children aged 5-11. Children under the age of 4 enter free.
Graphic by Colorado State University Center for the Arts
Monday, Oct. 20
Virtuoso Series Concert: Tim Burns – “Music For My Son: An Exploration of Life Lessons Through Song”
Colorado State University Center for the Arts, Organ Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.
1400 Remington St, Fort Collins
CSU music faculty and pianist Dr. Tim Burns imagines the life lessons he hopes to provide as a father in a piano exhibition.
Graphic By CooperSmith’s Old Town Brewpub
Tuesday, Oct. 21
Trivia Tuesday
6:30 - 8 p.m. at CooperSmith’s Old Town Brewpub
5 Old Town Square, Fort Collins
Trivia hosted by Not Rocket Science Trivia. Gift Card Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place.
Graphic by Colorado State University Ram Talks
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Ram Talks: In Healthcare, Every Nanometer Counts
5-6:30 pm at Fort Collins Welcome Center
7 Old Town Square, Suite 100 Fort Collins
Assistant Professor Dr. Ronnie Banerjee and CSU student and researcher Alex Barnosky speak on “nanomaterials” and new developments within the healthcare system and medicine as a whole.
Graphic by Mountain Glow Candle Bar Experience
Friday, Oct. 24
Mountain Glow Candle Bar Experience
1-4 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Olive Oil
123 N. College Ave., STE 170, Fort Collins
For more information, pricing, and to book this experience visit the Mountain Glow Candle Bar website
Graphic provided by Fort Collins Museum of Art
Saturday, October 25
Art After Dark: A Classic Horror Costume Party
Fort Collins Museum of Art, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
201 S. College Ave., Fort Collins
Join the Art Museum for drinks, a fall art exhibition, a ghost tour of the building, a costume contest and more. Tickets are $60 for members and $75 for nonmembers.
Graphic by Maxline Brewing
Sunday, Oct. 26
Maxline Brewing Fall Market
Noon-5 p.m. at Maxline Brewing
2724 McClelland Drive, Fort Collins
Local artists and vendors will be showcasing festive handmade products at the Maxline Brewing Fall Market.
For more information and a list of vendors go to the Maxline Brewing website