| Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great sport for anyone and everyone. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. There are so many snowshoeing options it may be hard to choose. Prepare yourself for some of the best snowshoeing you have ever experienced, anywhere. For an amazing, fun and scenic trip, just walk right out the door and follow the path right along side the flowing, picturesque river. This is a great trail for the beginner and still really fun and beautiful for the seasoned snowshoer. Nestled in between two mountain ranges, the views are gorgeous and breathtaking without the trail being too strenuous. For those looking for a more rigorous experience, there are countless snowshoeing trails just minutes away at Horsetooth Mountain. Here, you can snowshoe one of the many trails through the majestic mountain views along the cache La Poudre river and to several alpine lakes, taking in all the beauty and serenity the amazing Rocky Mountains have to offer.
One of the locals favorite trails for both snowshoeing in the winter and biking in the summer, is the Cirque Meadows and Emmaline Lake as it has fabulous views of Pingree Park, Stormy Peaks, and the dramatic backdrop of Fall Mountain. The first mile or so is just right for the beginner and children, while the remaining trail to Emmaline Lake is somewhat challenging even for a seasoned snowshoer. It pays to take a break at Cirque Meadows along the way, at any rate, you cannot go wrong, snowshoeing on this trail.
Another fabulous trail is the Allenspark Trail and Finch Lake. This is great for both snowshoeing in teh winter and hiking in the warmer months. This trek has two starting points and both will take you high above Wild Basin. You can start at the Wild Basin raod closure at Copeland Lake, which takes you on a gradual incline to Finch Lake, or you can go higher up and start at Allenspark Trailhead. This trail is about 640 feet higher than the Wild Basin road and is about 2 miles shorter. But either way, you end up snowshoeing to an overlook where the two trails meet, and then you can continue up to Finch Lake if you like. Keep in mind, you do not have to snowshoe all the way to the lake to enjoy spectacular views of Wild Basin. If you feel energetic, it's well worthwhile to climb to the ridge above Wild Basin. Here you will find the reward for your efforts when you witness the granduer of the glacier-carved valley and the peaks that surround it. Mount Meeker and Chiefs Head Peak are just a couple of isible gems.
Little Beaver Creek Trail is at less than 8,000 ft so you can hike it if there isn't enough snow on the lower reaches of the Poudre Canyon to snowshoe. As you travel along this trail you will come to the Fish Creek Trail, but both go to the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area. You will find as you go up Little Beaver Creek Trail there is a virtually nonstop view of the peaks in the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area. It starts out fairly steep, but then it makes a gradual ascent. There are no markings for the snowshoeing or cross country skiing, but it isn't hard to find the natural ridge-line route that follows the creek to Beaver Park, where it ends up meeting up with the Flowers Trail.
Mineral Spring Guich is a very short, but beautiful trek that goes up a Forest Service road. It goes to a fabulous meadow accented by a forest of aspen and pines. Once you have climbed to the top of Prospect Mountain, you have wonderful views of Poudre Canyon and you can even see the Meicine Bow Mountains and Rawahs in the far distance.
A you are adventuring, don't forget this not to be missed Signal Mountain trail. This is a remote, rarely used trail, which gives both protection from any winter winds and a magical journey of the river. The trail starts at stream level, along Pennock Creek, and it does start relatively level for the first couple of miles, and has beautiful views of the stream and surroundings. As you proceed, the trail gradually climbs before it really starts to incline and when it really starts to be challenging, you know you are almost to arrive at Signal Mountain. It then graces you with a lovely riparian area that is filled with a mixture of fir, spruce, aspen, and pine. Perfectly placed, are several breathtaking rock outcrops to finish off the hike. You can make this trip as long or short as you have time for by turning around any time you like, but if you decide to venture to Signal Mountain get an early start for the day long rendevous.
Stormy Peaks Trail is an amazing and worthwhile trekting, starting at the end of Pingree Park Road, with it's continuously heart-stopping views of the mountain backdrop you are treated to as you are lifted out of the valley and continue along the natual incline. If you don't need your snowshoes at the beginning of the trail, don't leave them behind, you will glad you have them as you hit the north facing side of the mountain. The trail is very diverse, with great variety, traveling from an austere and alluring burn stretch and comes to inclining until coming into a virtual lodgepole pine forest, mixed with some spruce and fir. As the trail goes into Commache Peak Wilderness and eventually into Rocky Mountain National Park. Be sure to leave your dog, as the Park does not allow them in the Park.
Whitewater Rafting
The cache La Poudre river is truly what whitewater rafting is all about. It is Colorados only truly wild and scenic river. It has some of the best rapids as they flow continuously. are a nearly continuous . The cache La Poudre starts in the snow capped peaks of the Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park just outside of Fort Collins, just minutes away from Freedoms Adventure. It twists and turns, tumbles through the cliffs and the rock spires. is truly the epitimy of fun, togetherness and breathtaking scenery. Ws Phitewater rafting can really bring everyone together and is great for teambuilding and developing relationships, while enjoying the great outdoors. There are places along the continual rapids with dog pens to keep your pets safe and happy while you are having the time of your life.
Hiking
Many feel that Glacier Gorge is the most beautiful spot in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is filled with breathtaking scenery, beautiful wildflowers, cascading waterfalls, and spectacular alpine lakes. Make it an event and don't forget your camera and your fishing rod.
Crown Point Road is ann unplowed, wide road with a gradual incline making for an easy hike or showshoeing experience. As you make your way, you will enjoy beautiful views of Poudre Canyon country and the plains from the higher places. Since Crown Point Road isn't plowed, it will depend on the snow at the time as to how far you will be able to drive and of course on your 4 wheel drive. If you are in a car, you will still be able to go up about 1 mile from Pingree Park Road. If you can go up another 5 miles, you will have a better time and that is where the truly beautiful scenery starts. The beauty of this trail is you can turn around anytime you want and make the trip as short or long as you like.
Breweries
The city of
Fort Collins
has evoloved into a beer-making mecca, and is home to 5 new age breweries, specializing in unique and interesting pallet of ingredients and flavors. Of course, it is also the home of Anheuser-Bush with one of twelve of their breweries in
Fort Collins
. They have brew brewery tour with their Clydesdale Hamlet still remains one of the most enjoyable local attractions. The Brew Hall overlooks the brewing control room, the packaging lines in action, and through a lagre cellar, where the beer actually goes through thenatural fermentation process. At the end of the tour, anyone over the age of 21 in invited to enjoy complimentary tastes of the beers. they have tours June - Aug from 9:30am to 5:00 pm, Sept 10:00am - 4:00pm, Oct - May, Thurs - Mon 10:00am - 4:00pm.
Other Attractions in
Fort Collins
City
Park
Railway
1599 City Park Drive
Fort Collins
Phone: (970) 416-2990
You can hop on this miniature train with riding cars for all ages; drop-in rides, and rentals.
Open May-September.
The Farm at Lee
Martinez
Park
600 N. Sherwood Street
(near
Old
Town
)
Fort Collins
Phone: (970) 221-6665
A trip to The Farm provides a unique outing for people of all ages! You will have an opportunity to interact with farm animals, go to the Farm museum and store, schedule a hayride in advance, and take a pony ride. Call for hours.
Fort Collins
Museum
200
Mathews Street
Fort Collins
Phone: (970) 221-6738
The museum, which opened its doors in 1941, features regional cultural and natural history displays in three galleries. Heritage Courtyard has expanded to include three historic cabins, a wonderful plaza area and a one-room schoolhouse from 1905. The Museum cares for over 35,000 objects that represent our
Fort Collins
and regional history. Gift shop is open during museum hours.
The Gardens on Spring Creek
2145
S Centre Ave
Fort Collins
Phone: (970) 416-2486
The Gardens on Spring Creek is the new community-oriented botanic gardens, set on 18 beautiful acres. It features a greenhouse filled with diverse plants, meeting room (available for rental), community gardens, Children's Garden, fruit and vegetable gardens, and a stunning ornamental garden with more than 1,000 perennials and 9,000 bulbs.
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