Reservoir Ridge
The weather was pretty nice so we went on an afternoon hike up Reservoir Ridge in North Fort Collins. It was decently warm at 60° for a December afternoon, but we didn't question it. We knew that the further into the mountains we went the colder it would be, so we stayed in Fort Collins and just did the short 3.5 mile loop which had less than 500 feet of elevation gain.
![](assets/images/hikingstat_distance.png)
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![](assets/images/hikingstat_elevationmax.png)
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![Circular Grain](/photos/2020/december/album121516img_1842.jpg)
Circular Grain
I've always found it fascinating how posts weather like this. It's obvious that it would crack along the rings, but the other cracks form a chaotic pattern from the center to the edges.
![Claymore Lake](/photos/2020/december/album121516img_1855.jpg)
Claymore Lake
This is a private lake that came into view several times during our hike.
![In the Pasture](/photos/2020/december/album121516img_1867.jpg)
In the Pasture
Cookie, Katie's horse, is likely in this photo. Her horse definitely has a good view right up against the mountains.
![Watson Lake](/photos/2020/december/album121516img_1903.jpg)
Watson Lake
We were hiking during golden hours, and this was the only photo I got that had good golden hour lighting.
![North Side of Horsetooth](/photos/2020/december/album121516img_1920.jpg)
North Side of Horsetooth
We hiked around to the North end of Horsetooth Reservoir. I guess that's why it's called Reservoir Ridge since you hike up a ridge that makes for a natural dam for the reservoir.