Running Deer Natural Area

I finally had a day off with a forecast of nice weather for a trip down to Fort Collins. I had dropped off a pair of boots to be re-soled. They've been ready for pickup for a few weeks, but every time I had the time to make the trip down there, we've gotten snow. Today would be my day.

I made the drive down to Fort Collins and arrived before the cobbler opened at 9 am. To kill some time, I opted to go for a short hike at Running Deer Natural Area. I didn't expect much but was pleasantly surprised by how interesting the site is. I parked at the Colorado Welcome Center off of Prospect Street, then hit the trail, an old road.

Almost immediately, I passed one of the many ponds on site. I believe its an old sand pit.

The site is appropriately named, I saw several running deer over the course of my visit.

My first stop was the old fire tower cab that was once located on West White Pine Mountain to the west of Fort Collins.

Interpretive signs in the lookout cab told the story of how the lookout was staffed and its location in Roosevelt National Forest. 

From the lookout, I headed back to the main portion of the natural area where there is a series of trail loops. I hiked all the loops and enjoyed seeing lots of birds, including red-winged blackbirds, belted kingfishers, killdeer, great blue herons, and Canada geese.

For being at the edge of a city, pretty close to an interstate highway, the scenery was pretty nice. Lots of ponds,

and even views of the distant mountains.

I probably spent about an hour and a half exploring, before heading into town to pick up my newly refurbished boots.