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Horsetooth Rock Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.4 (43)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Fort Collins
  5. Horsetooth Mountain Park
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“A beautiful trail through ponderosa forest with views of Long's Peak and Fort Collins. ”

Nicholas Shannon
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Map Key

2.5

Miles

4.0

KM

Point to Point

7,129' 2,173 m

High

5,819' 1,773 m

Low

1,311' 400 m

Up

32' 10 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

There is an entrance fee of $9.00 per car. Fires prohibited. Camping in backcountry only.

Description

Start by follow the well signed trail through some scrubland and begin to steadily climb into the ponderosa forest. Continue through the beautiful rock outcrops and trees until you poke out onto a slope with a wonderful view of Horsetooth Reservoir and Fort Collins.

From this slope there is an option to scramble up the north or south end of Horsetooth Mountain to reach its peak. If you choose to scramble to the top, you'll discover an incredible view of Long's Peak to the west and Fort Collins to the east.

On a particularly clear day you can look down along the front range all the way to Denver.

Flora & Fauna

Mule deer are common along this trail and in the spring wildflowers found in ponderosa forests are prevalent.

Contacts

Land Manager: Larimer County, Colorado

Shared By:

Nicholas Shannon with improvements by A Smith
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 43 votes

#1

in Horsetooth Mountain Park

#69

Overall
  4.4 from 43 votes
5 Star
47%
4 Star
44%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Horsetooth Mountain Park

#18

in Colorado

#69

Overall
44 Views Last Month
10,722 Since Jan 30, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
2%
2%
67%
14%
14%
0%
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Photos

500 feet up the last pitch before the summit of the trail is a steep scramble and equally steep backwards all fours scramble on the descent.
Jul 27, 2019 near Bellvue, CO
View east towards Fort Collins, one mile from the summit.
Jul 27, 2019 near Bellvue, CO
Northern Colorado summer wildflowers. This is called "Old Man on the Mountain".
Jul 27, 2019 near Bellvue, CO
Once over the incline, traverse along this edge, right, to the summit of Horsetooth Mountain.
Jul 27, 2019 near Bellvue, CO
The last 200 feet up to Horsetooth Mountain.
Jul 27, 2019 near Bellvue, CO
North Side of Horsetooth Rock
Apr 16, 2018 near Bellvue, CO

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 7 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 22, 2024
Abby Settle
5.2mi — 2h 16m
Oct 15, 2023
Katie Osland
5.3mi — 2h 20m
Oct 22, 2022
Caitlin Heckman
Aug 7, 2022
Caitlin Heckman
Jul 30, 2022
Greg Stewart
5.3mi — 2h 32m
Jun 28, 2022
Nick Carter
2.5mi — 2h 00m
May 16, 2022
Jill Patton
Apr 30, 2022
Caitlin Heckman
2.5mi

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