Sun, Aug 28
|Johnson's Corner
Buckhorn Canyon - Cancelled!!
Buckhorn Canyon remains closed due to flooding in burn areas. If it opens while the weather is nice, we'll try to reschedule.
Time & Location
Aug 28, 2022, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Johnson's Corner, I-25 North, Exit 254, Johnstown, CO
About the Event
Join us for my favorite Northern Colorado drive - up Buckhorn Canyon to Mishawaka, then down to Fort Collins via Horsetooth Reservoir. Subject to some slight changes, but basically:
Drive is ~75 miles from Johnson’s Corner, up Buckhorn Canyon to Mishawaka, down Poudre Canyon to Horsetooth Reservoir, then back to I-25 at Timnath, CO. About 3-4 hours including lunch. Here's a detailed map with directions.
Take I-25 N to exit 254 (CO-52). If your interested, JC is known for their (overrated) cinnamon rolls and breakfasts. Be sure to use restrooms here, it will be about 1 hour before the next facilities. We’ll meet at 9:00 AM, leave at 9:30 AM.
From I-25 we'll follow CO-402 south of Loveland then up to US-34 and on to Masonville on CR 27. We’ll stop briefly to gather up, but there are no facilities in Masonville.
Now for the good stuff, Buckhorn Canyon! I know every dip & curve of this road, so follow me if you'd like to push it just a tiny bit. We'll have a volunteer lead a more leisurely group also. Hopefully we’ll be too early for many bicyclists, but please be considerate.
About 11:00 we stop for brunch/lunch at Mishawaka Inn on CO-14, in Poudre Canyon. It's a beautiful site with a patio right on the Poudre River. Typical pub grub, about $10-$20. I'll try to come up with a nearby picnic area on the Poudre if reservations are a problem, or if some folks would prefer another option. RSVP is not required, but if you have a strong preference for Mishawaka or picnic, email me at glhalcomb@gmail.com so I can plan accordingly.
After our meal, we’ll continue down CO-14 to US-287, and on to Horsetooth Reservoir via Bellevue. Check the map cuz there are a few jogs here and we'll probably get separated. If there is enough parking, we’ll stop at the free Skyline picnic area for a view and rest break. Other stopping points require payment, and just the drive along Horsetooth has plenty of lovely views.
From Horsetooth, you continue through south Fort Collins to I-25. We will definitely get separated here, so just keep going east (on Harmony is best) till you hit I-25. Mary & I will probably stop at the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant if anyone wants to stroll Old Town Fort Collins.