New Bay to Bay Trail explores one of Colorado’s most popular reservoirs
Views from the new Bay to Bay Trail at Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins. Photo courtesy Larimer County Department of Natural Resources
There’s a new way to explore one of Colorado’s most popular water destinations.
Larimer County recently announced opening the Bay to Bay Trail, connecting two go-to areas along the shores of Horsetooth Reservoir.
A news release described the hiking and biking trail as “spectacular,” traveling 1.8 miles along the peninsula between South Bay and Inlet Bay. One could start from either side: from the South Bay parking area near the swim beach, or from the Blue Sky trailhead parking area, on the Inlet Bay side.
Inlet Bay Trail continues north along the shore. Or one could continue on Blue Sky Trail, heading south for a longer tour of the foothills beyond Horsetooth Reservoir. Hence Bay to Bay’s “important connection,” as Larimer County has explained.
Fort Collins-based Overland Mountain Bike Association, for one, has anticipated the trail, previously praising the concept as “a scenic shoreline loop around and over the peninsula,” featuring “unique rock formations, forested canopy, open grassland meadows and steep hillsides.”
The county has described the trail further as “moderate” with “outstanding views,” adding of the design: “The trail hugs the shoreline to avoid fragmenting wildlife habitat, particularly mountain mahogany shrublands.” Horses are not allowed, “due to (the trail’s) steep cross slope, exposed ridges, rocky terrain and limited horse trailer parking,” the county explained in a news release.
The Bay to Bay Trail was envisioned in the county’s 2017 parks system master plan. With funding from the reservoir-owning Bureau of Reclamation and Great Outdoors Colorado, construction started last summer.
“The project aligns nicely with our county’s objective to offer high-quality outdoor recreation experiences,” Larimer County Department of Natural Resources Director Daylan Figgs said at the time.
PHOTOS: The 78th Annual Leadville Skijoring Competition
Stephen Swofford
stephen.swofford@gazette.com
Updated 4 hours ago
Stephen Swofford
Reporter
The ancient, amazing lives of sandhill cranes, Colorado’s beloved visitors back for seasonal stop
Seth Boster
seth-boster@denvergazette.com
Updated 1 day ago
In Colorado’s San Luis Valley, Jenny Nehring longs for this time of year, when her eyes look to the big sky and the big birds flying en masse against the Sangre de Cristo peaks, snow-capped and glowing from the rising...
Seth Boster
Reporter
Foot of snow expected to hit heavily-trafficked part of I-70 over next few days
Spencer McKee
spencer@outtherecolorado.com
Updated 2 days ago
Widespread snow is expected to hit Colorado over the next few days, with Friday likely to be when much of that snow falls. While this will mean a Saturday powder day for skiers and snowboarders, it could also come with...
Spencer McKee
Reporter
Colorado Attorney General, environmental groups challenge EPA rejection of the state’s regional haze plan
Scott Weiser
scott.weiser@gazette.com
Updated 23 hours ago
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and several environmental organizations have filed separate petitions in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to reject Colorado’s regional haze plan. The plan included proposals...
Scott Weiser
Reporter
Colorado’s outdoor economy slowing down
Bernadette Berdychowski
bernadette.berdychowski@denvergazette.com
Updated 1 day ago
The post-pandemic boom in the outdoor recreation world appears to have slowed, according to new federal data. The industry is still growing nationwide, but it’s been slower than in past years. The trend is evident in Colorado, as well, though...
Bernadette Berdychowski
Reporter
It’s time to apply for big game hunting licenses in Colorado
Seth Boster
seth.boster@gazette.com
Updated 2 days ago
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s new big game brochure has been hitting hunters’ mailboxes ー the annual reminder to start planning for the seasons ahead. CPW also reminded in a recent social media post: “Whether you’re after a long-awaited lifetime tag...
Seth Boster
Reporter
New Dark Sky Community designated in Colorado, joining short list
Seth Boster
seth.boster@gazette.com
Updated 2 days ago
Another part of Colorado has been recognized for its rare celestial view. In announcing the state’s next Dark Sky Community, DarkSky International described Old Snowmass as a “spectacular corner of the Roaring Fork Valley” ー an unincorporated corner between Aspen...
Seth Boster
Reporter
Colorado hot springs celebrates ‘first-of-its-kind’ expansion
Seth Boster
seth.boster@gazette.com
Updated 1 day ago
A hot springs destination in Colorado has marked a “major” expansion. And it’s not exactly the expansion you’d expect at a soaking retreat. In Glenwood Springs, Iron Mountain Hot Springs is calling its newly opened Sauna Summit “the country’s most...
Seth Boster
Reporter
Double-digit snowfall totals likely on some Colorado peaks before weekend hits
Spencer McKee
spencer@outtherecolorado.com
Updated 4 days ago
Weekend warriors, rejoice! It’s looking like many Colorado ski areas could get a nice refresh by the time the weekend hits. Mapping from the National Weather Service shows that in the most likely scenario, a winter storm will bring about...
Spencer McKee
Reporter
U.S. Paralympic skier Patrick Halgren exemplifies happiness, gratitude into second Paralympic Games
Marissa Kraus
marissa.kraus@gazette.com
Updated 5 days ago
Patrick Halgren can’t get enough of the cheeseburgers at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Center. Free housing, a world-class training facility, and all the food at his disposal, Halgren’s life is “eerily good.” It’s a life the Paralympian never imagined...
Marissa Kraus
Reporter
PREV
PREVIOUS
Colorado state park gains 'Gold Standard' status
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A southern Colorado state park has gained exclusive recognition by a leader in outdoor education. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics recently named Cheyenne Mountain State Park a Gold Standard Site, what the Boulder-based nonprofit calls its “highest form of recognition.” The Gold […]
Rocky Mountain National Park to restrict travel on 11,817-foot road in Colorado
Do you have plans of driving up on the most scenic roads in northern Colorado, summiting out at 11,817-feet? If you answered ‘yes’ you might want to check what time you wish to venture up before heading out. Spring snowplowing operations and road maintenance are currently underway on Old Fall River Road, which is located […]