Hiking – Explore beautiful Phantom Canyon's roadless wilderness along the North Fork of the Poudre River.

Phantom Canyon is a beautiful roadless nature preserve that has abundant wildlife, interesting geology, and over 200 plant species.  This 1,120 acre nature preserve is located along 4 miles of the North Fork of the Cache la Poudre River.  With the assistance of a Nature Conservancy guide, we will enjoy this rarely-visited wilderness as we hike the 500' down from the rim into this amazing canyon.  There will be a few river crossings as we hike a few miles along the river, hoping to enjoy wildlife viewings, as well as the beauty of this nature preserve.  The river during fall should be much lower than during mid-summer, but be prepared for crossing the river with appropriate footwear.  We will take our lunch break by the river before retracing our steps back to the canyon rim.  This will be a special adventure very few have enjoyed in this protected nature preserve.  

Participants should bring their essentials, water, lunch, hiking boots, poles, rain gear, and separate shoes for river crossings.  Although there is no charge for this guided hike, The Nature Conservancy is a non-profit organization that would appreciate any donations.  Ride share from Ft. Collins is $10.  

The meeting place will be in the parking lot of the former Albertson's at 1636 N. College Ave, Ft. Collins,(SE corner of N. College Ave. & Willox Lane) at 7:45 a.m. to arrange for carpooling to the private road access for Phantom Canyon 30 miles NW of Ft. Collins.  We will meet the Nature Conservancy guide at 8:30 at the gate off of Hwy. 287.