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Hike the D.R. Trail in the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area

Loveland, Colorado

3.7/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

6.2 miles

Elevation Gain

1050 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Josiah Roe

Awesome views of the Front Range and the Bobcat Ridge Valley, including the Devil's Backbone, Horsetooth rock, Storm Mountain and the desolation caused by the Bobcat Gulch Fire with some killer elevation gain.

D.R. Trail, named for David Rice Pulliam who donated the land to create the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, is a 3.1 mile spur off the Valley Loop Trail that climbs roughly 1,000' into Mahoney Park before it intersects with the Powerline and Ginny Trails.

To get to the start of the trail, take the Valley Loop Trail either direction (4.8 miles clockwise, 4.4 counter clockwise) in the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area from the main entrance of the Natural Area, just off W County Road 32 C near Masonville, west of Fort Collins and the Horsetooth Reservoir.

To get to the entrance of the Natural Area, take West County Road 38 E west from Fort Collins over and around Horsetooth Reservoir until you get to the Masonville and the main intersection. Then go left onto Buckhorn Road and follow the signs for Bobcat Ridge.

At the top of the trail at the intersection in Mahoney Park, you can take either Powerline or Ginny Trail back down the mountain till they intersect with Valley Loop and then back to the Area entrance. 

The D.R. Trail is notable for its excellent views of the Mahoney Park Nature Bowl, its glacial erratics, and for the utter devastation the Bobcat Gulch Fire caused in 2000. 

It is also an excellent trail for trail running and mountain biking. 

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Features

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Hike the D.R. Trail in the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Reviews

I'm not sure what's going on but I went to hike here with some friends because this app says it's dog friendly but immediately when driving in there's about three signs with large letters saying no dogs allowed. I was very irritated and we ended up having to drive around try and find another hike. this might be something you want to think about before going to this park if you have dogs. have a wonderful day

Running the spur is so invigorating, I love this but beware of lightning storms!

I recently moved out to Colorado to help a family friend and he took me running on the D.R. Trail and I don't think I have ever seen anything more amazing

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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