Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Hike

I did my first hike here last week and loved it! We were lucky enough to see a herd of at least a couple hundred elk which was just icing on the cake. But still a really nice hike with varied terrain. So let’s try it again in the spring.

Difficulty: About 12 miles with about 1750 feet elevation gain.

This will be a group hike, where we will hike together and everyone will wait at all trail junctions and the group pace will only be as fast as our slowest hiker, so no one hikes on their own for safety reasons. Plan on a moderate moving pace of about 2.5 mph.

DOGS: 🚫 No dogs allowed at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: Let’s go to Bobcat Ridge Natural Area…where there are grassy valleys, foothills, ponderosa pines, stunning red rock cliffs and the ridge with views of the distant mountains. Bobcat Ridge is home to elk, wild turkey, mountain lions and other wildlife. We will pass one historic homesite and will take the side trail to see it. On October 17, 2020, the Cameron Peak Fire burned 80% of Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. The wildfire burned grassland, shrub, and forest habitat, while damaging infrastructure such as bridges, trails, and small portions of historic buildings. Volunteers have worked hard to restore and repair Bobcat Ridge. We will do the following hike on alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/ginny-and-dr-trail.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Bobcat Ridge Trailhead. The address is 10184 West County Road 32C, Loveland CO 80538. Alternatively you can click on either of the alltrails links above and click directions. Or If you use Google maps or Apple Maps, you can type in “Bobcat Ridge Natural Area” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential. PLEASE ALSO BRING MICROSPIKES IN CASE WE NEED THEM!

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.4820896&lon=-105.2271149

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.