Hiking – Mount Ethel (Bellvue)

We will enjoy a steep 4-mile RT hike to the summit of Mt. Ethel in the foothills west of Fort Collins, where we will experience a breathtaking panoramic view while exploring an area where old bellirium mines existed.  We will learn about the history behind the name, "Mt. Ethel", as described in the book, "Her Place on the Map" by Sarah Hahn Campbell.  The access to Mt. Ethel is all on private land, so permission to hike here is required.  Once at the summit, we will take a snack break before hiking back to our TH.  From here, we will carpool 12 minutes north to Hwy. 14 and stop at Mishawaka restaurant for a casual 12:30 pm lunch on the deck overlooking the Poudre River.  After a fun lunch, we will carpool back to Pringles where we met.  

We will meet at 7:45 a.m. in the Pringles parking lot (2100 W. Drake Rd., Ft. Collins) to carpool to Stove Prairie (20 miles west).  Following our hike up Mt. Ethel, we will drive 12 minutes to the Mishawaka restaurant on the Poudre River (Hwy. 14) for lunch.  There are no restrooms at the TH, so we will make a pit stop before heading into the foothills.