> Distance: 5.4 miles one way > Difficulty: Moderate with an elevation gain of 1,500 feet. > Trailhead: Take Harmony Road west from Taft Hill Road. It turns into Larimer County Road 38E. Follow County Road 38E to Masonville. Go left at the Masonville Mercantile on County Road 27. Follow County Road 27 about 1 mile to County Road 32C. Head west on this gravel road about 1 mile to the Bobcat Ridge parking lot. > Fees: Free > Facilities: Restrooms, kiosk, picnic shelters, wheel chair-accessible trail > Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily > Pets: No > Maps: None needed > Information: www.fcgov.com/ naturalareas/finder/bobcat or (970) 461-2700 > Why go: This trail is the longest of the six trails totaling more than 17 miles that wind through this 2,600-acre city of Fort Collins Natural Area. It is open to hiking and biking but is closed to horseback riding. This trail makes for a relaxing hike but one that will get your heart pounding a bit with its length and elevation gain. You'll hike through grasslands and foothills dotted with ponderosa pines and views to red rock cliffs. Hike to the end and you'll see beautiful Mahoney Park. Keep an eye out for the bobcat that has been seen here this fall as well as wild turkey, deer, elk and mountain lion. You can either return via this trail or return via the Power Line and Valley trails. > More trails: To see details of 30 area trails, check out the Coloradoan Trail Guide at www. coloradoan.com/xplore

Check out Bobcat Ridge Stars on Thursday at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area near Masonville.

Leaders with Loveland's Meals on Wheels and Community Kitchen think they have found a recipe for success by joining forces to provide meals to people in need in the city.

Community members can see a red, orange and yellow rainbow of fall foliage right here in Northern Colorado when the area's aspen and cottonwood trees, as well as various shrubs, change colors.

Loveland has firefighters working on two small fires that sparked near Masonville and Glen Haven.

City of Fort Collins Master Naturalist Kimberly Tamkun shows a bear skull to kindergarten students visiting Bobcat Ridge Natural Area.

Lyndsie Colonno holds still before a three-way mirror at Wed Wi$ely as Dianne Carpenter pins what are called pick-ups into the skirt of her strapless ball gown.

Hundreds of cyclists are expected to participate in this weekend's Fort Collins Cycling Festival, a two-day event that features recreational and competitive rides.

All Press Releases for August 26, 2009>> Fort Collins Cycling Festival 8/28-29 Hosts Friday Old Town Cruise/Concert and Saturday ACA Rist Canyon Ride/Race The Fort Collins Cycling Festival hosts the free Oskar Blues Cruise Ride/Concert Friday night, August 28 in Old Town Fort Collins; and a race and citizens road ride from Masonville up Rist Canyon ...

Loveland residents will keep their two post offices, but they could see changes in U.S. Postal Service delivery as the company begins a nationwide push to stave off a $7 billion net loss this year.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southeastern Larimer and northern Boulder counties, including Loveland, Masonville, Glen Haven, Drake, Berthoud, northern Longmont and southwestern Fort Collins.

After almost a decade of drought and encroaching bark beetles, the Girl Scouts hope three years of forest thinning on their Magic Sky Ranch near Red Feather Lakes will help keep wildfires and the beetles at a safe distance.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for south central Larimer County and North Central Colorado with a fast-moving storm headed toward Fort Collins.

Cyclists hit the streets to pedal to work Wednesday. This weekend, some serious cycling will go through the area.

Bathed in soft Front Range morning sunlight, Mark Miller looks out like a proud father over a pile of timber loosely assembled on a slab of cold concrete.