Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
Location10184 Co Rd 32C, Loveland, CO 80538
Go slow when you get close for the turn for 32C it is a pretty sharp turn and hard to make with a horse trailer if you are going fast. |
Website |
PDF Map
Trail Map
Park Fees
Free
Trailer Parking
On the Bobcat Ridge website there is a live stream of a webcam over the parking lot! This is amazing because you can check to see if the trailer parking is full before you visit! (https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/bobcat). There are 8 parking spots and you could probably fit more if you come with a friend and park behind each other!
In this picture you can see the bike trail of Valley Loop to the right and the horse entrance to the left.
BathroomsPermanent restrooms were available.
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WaterYes! There was a spigot for horses, it did say it was not suitable for human contact.
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Mounting
There are lots of big rocks to stand on.
Footing
The trail starts out as packed dirt and is pretty soft. As it climbs into the foothills it becomes moderately rocky. Sam had all 4 shoes on and was comfortable. Isis had front shoes and did ok.
Horse Hazards
The hikers in front of us saw a coiled up rattlesnake at the beginning of Valley Loop Trail. We did not see it and the trail looked pretty clear so it would be easy to spot a snake ahead of us. We did see some deer. There were very few bikers and hikers. Overall it was a pretty horse-friendly and obstacle-free trail. There were multiple small water crossings. We dismounted for the first one then our horses were fine for the rest.
Chosen Trail
I wanted a nice and easy trail that stayed flatter rather than going up into the mountains. The Valley Loop Trail was perfect! it was 3.7 miles with the west leg having more up and down gradual hills, nothing too steep or rocky. We did stop and rest our horses after climbing the longer hills. They are both pretty darn fit but appreciated stopping to eat grass. The east leg was a lot flatter. We rode for 2.5 hours but Maureen and I stop a lot for grass, pictures and chatting.
Trail Experience
Starting out on the Valley Loop trail there is a cement path from the parking lot for bikers and hikers and a separate dirt path for equestrians on the south-west part of the parking lot.
The Valley Loop Trail was soft packed dirt and sand as a single-track.
We walked past the picnic shelter on the horse trail up to the first fork. Both forks of the trail were the Valley Loop Trail. We went left first to do the loop in a clock-wise direction.
The trail was soft and the views were amazing.
We headed toward the foothills.
We came to a fork for the Eden Valley Spur and Valley Loop Trail. We continued right on Valley Loop Trail to head uphill.
The next fork was also nicely labeled as the Ginny Trail and Valley Loop Trail fork. Horses are not allowed on Ginny trail and we continued on Valley Loop Trail.
It was beautiful with the red cliffs in the background.
As we walked along the foothills ridge the trail got a little rockier.
There were multiple water crossings, this was the first of several throughout the trail. It was nice to let the horses drink.
We gradually headed uphill. The trail got rockier. Sam had 4 shoes and Isis had front shoes.
More pretty views.
We didn't see very many bikers or hikers. We did see some deer and kept our eyes peeled for rattlesnakes.
We came up on the fork of Power Line Trail and Valley Loop Trail and stayed left on Valley Loop Trail.
We kept right to continue on Valley Loop Trail and did not go on Power Line Trail.
This was a good gradual climb and we rested at the top.
There was a bench at the top and some amazing views for pictures.
This was the fork for DR Trail and Valley Loop. We stayed right to stay on Valley Loop which was flattening out.
We continued on the Valley Loop trail, there was a separate trail designated for horses at this fork. We followed a wide road for a while then there was a sign directing us back to a single-track horse trail. This trail is very well marked and labeled.
It feels like you are out in the wilderness and then the trail-head appears from around a corner. I was happy to see our trailers.
Rating
Moderately difficult. This rating is really due to the rocky footing and potential to see wildlife peppered with small water crossings. I would not bring beginners on this trail since it is a single-track and we did pass hikers and bikers. It is really an amazing trail, horse-friendly and so secluded. This is one of my favorite northern trails.