Prairie Ridge
Monday, March 1, 2021
Phase 1: Prairie Ridge Natural Area
I thought I’d try a trail up north a bit. Originally I was planning on the Riverbend Ponds Natural Area, just off I-25 on the east side of Ft. Collins, but I drove right past the nondescript entrance to the place; and anyway, it looked a bit bleak and surrounded by industrial stuff, so perhaps another time.
I drove west across the town, ostensibly heading toward Lory State Park, but thought that might be a bit too much of a commitment, too much out of the way. Not that I was much in the way, but you know.
So at some point it seemed reasonable to turn south, and I spotted the Coyote Ridge Natural Area. No facilities, however, so I continued about 10 minutes more to the south, and arrived at Prairie Ridge Natural Area. This seemed reasonably mild, not particularly crowded (maybe four cars in the parking lot), and something I could do with a quick one hour jaunt across the fields.
Well the path was pretty muddy at first, except for a well-trodden area in the middle. So I walked up 30 minutes, and back again, 2.5 miles total.
Well what the heck is a “natural area” anyway. From what I can see, it is something more than “open space” (such as we have in Boulder County) and less than a “park,” per se. According to the Ft Collins city website, “Natural Areas are special places that people care about such as foothills and plains, ranches and farmlands, wetlands, rivers and ponds- all are conserved and stewarded. These places are in your neighborhoods, around your city and in your region.” And there you have it.
Phase 2: M2’s
M2’s house was only a few minutes away, so I popped by for a visit. Quite a palatial spread, I must say, an incredible find and quite cozy and homey, with lovely views of Meeker and Longs to the west. I had a nice tour and chat, and was on my way.
I headed down 287, back to Longmont, then past Boulder and home. A much more pleasant drive than I-25, which is a bit of a mess with various traffic snarls, construction, trucks, and commuters.
