Hike the 3 Bar and Oh Tee Loops at Eagle's Nest Open Space

To get to Eagle's Nest Open Space drive on Highway 287 between Laramie, Wyo. and Fort Collins, Colo. As you continue down 287, look for the Forks restaurant and rest stop  in Livermore, Colo. Turn here onto Red Feather Lakes Road. After a few hundred feet on Red Feather Lakes Road, look for the Eagle's Nest Open Space sign on the left. Turn left there, and continue on the gravel road to the parking lot. 

Park your car in one of the designated spots, hit the bathroom and double check your gear. Take a quick look at the trail information post, grab a trail map and hit the trail. You will have to enter through a gate as the land is still used to herd cattle. Make sure you latch the gate behind you.

The park has two loop trails connected like a figure eight. You will begin on the 3 Bar loop trail. You can begin either to your left on a single-track trail, or to your right on an old two-track road. I took the left route. 

You will begin to ascend slightly along the eastern ridge of the park. I ran into a dozen cattle here, they didn't seem to mind my presence. They just kept staring at me.

The trail will continue to wind along the ridge and eventually drop down into a valley with a creek bed. There will be another gate on your way down into the valley, make sure to latch behind you. 

After about a mile or so, the trail will meet up with the other half of the 3 Bar loop and form one trail. Follow this merged trail, it will take you down to the North Fork of the Cache la Poudre River. Here you will be able to sit in the shade and have some food if you desire.

There will be a bridge across the river, if you wish to continue on to the Oh Tee loop, cross the bridge, enter the gates, and latch behind you. To your left will be Eagle's Nest Rock, a jagged rock-formation within the foothills. The Oh Tee loop is only about a mile and a half around. Continue either direction at the fork, as it will loop you back to the bridge. 

Once you return to the bridge, continue back to the 3 Bar loop. Once the trail splits back into the loop, you can either go back the way you came, or follow the two-track road.

Regardless of which way you return, you will too approach the gate you entered in at the beginning of the hike. As always, latch the gate behind you and proceed to your vehicle. 

Be aware of rattlesnakes and other wildlife on your hike.