5280 Magazine – August 2019

92 |^5280 |^ AUGUST^2019

A mere 35 minutes from Old Town, this quiet riverside escape is the closest

Poudre Canyon tenting hot spot. All 19 sites are steps from the river, tucked at

the bottom of steep, Ponderosa pine–cloaked canyon walls. $21/night; peak-

season reservations (late May through early September) are available six months

in advance at recreation.gov

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UNSUNG ADVENTURES

FoCo has a wild river, a gorgeous

reservoir, trails galore, and a

national forest in its backyard—yet

somehow, its outdoor charms

remain underrated. With plentiful

options and fewer people, everyone

else’s loss is your (elevation) gain.

While the trailhead parking lots at Horsetooth Mountain Park fill by midmorn-

ing, nearby Lory State Park somehow stays under the radar despite its beauty.

This 3.4-mile (round trip) hike delivers sweeping views over the Front Range and

Horsetooth Reservoir from 6,780 feet—there’s a no-joke elevation gain of 980

feet—no parking lot idling required. $8 entrance fee; cpw.state.co.us

Problems at this rocky hangout range from newbie-friendly to challenging V12s. Most notable is Pinch

Overhang, a V5 problem famously put up by bouldering icon John Gill in the ’50s. To get there, take

CR 42C west from town, then go north on Centennial Drive and park at the first lot past the dam.

$9/day parking

The even-tempered waters of this scenic reservoir provide

an ideal backdrop for a relaxing SUP session surrounded by

reddish, rocky foothills. Put in at the north side’s Satanka

Cove to ply inlets shielded from boat traffic. Rentals start at

$20/hour; nocosup.com

Fat-tire options trend toward the steep, rocky, and technical in these parts. You’ll get all that, plus

huge mountain views, on this 9.4-mile loop that hauls 1,500 feet up Powerline then descends a fun

series of ladders and ramps on Ginny. For an extra challenge, link these two routes via the new expert-

level, 1.5-mile On the Rocks connector, which the Overland Mountain Bike Association opened in

June. fcgov.com/naturalareas

IF YOU LIKE TRY BECAUSE

Arthur’s Rock

Trail, Lory

State Park

HIKING

Ansel Watrous

Campground,

Arapaho-

Roosevelt

National Forest

CAMPING

Rotary Park,

Horsetooth

Reservoir

BOULDERING

Some sections of this jewel of a waterway careen over exhila-

rating Class III and IV rapids, while others deliver a mellower,

Class II float. Five outfitters run a variety of half- and full-day

trips for adrenaline junkies and lazy-river aficionados alike.

The Poudre

River

WHITE-WATER

RAF TING

This brand-new (at press time, it was scheduled to open in early September) paddling park will bring

some of the Poudre’s thrills to an otherwise placid section north of Old Town. Kayakers can show off

their surfing skills on the splashy water features; spectators can ooh and aah. fcgov.com

Poudre River

KAYAKING Whitewater Park

Horsetooth

Reservoir

STAND-UP

PADDLEBOARDING

Powerline Ginny

Loop, Bobcat

Ridge Natural

Area

MOUNTAIN

BIKING

OUTDOORS

INSIDER’S GUIDE TO

FORT COLLINS

Horsetooth Reservoir