In late May 2026, we hiked the southern section pf Red Mountain Open Space, about 25 miles north of Fort Collins, and adjacent to Soapstone Prairie (a Fort Collins Natural Area). Red Mountain is the largest open space in Larimer County, with more than 15 miles of multi-use trails open to the public from March through November. Crimson rocks, rolling grasslands, and sandy washes offer an ecologically and culturally diverse landscape.