At the base of Mount Margaret, just off Highway 74E to the north of Fort Collins, you will find a wide-open mountain meadow filled with grasses and wildflowers and bisected by a well-used dirt trail. Usually my dogs and I enjoy the openess of this trail together where they can run under voice-control and not be distracted by too many wild critters. If your pets don’t respond to oral commands, you’ll need to leash them as this trail also serves as a popular horse path. Riders are rightfully annoyed when dogs chase and nip at their horses. Recently on a particularly sunny day, I decided to venture deeper on the trail and took my bike with a tag-along for my four year-old son. The relatively flat terrain from meadow to rocks and finally into the cool shade of the forest served as a perfect route for us as I did most of the peddling. The Mount Margaret Trail meanders allowing a choice of directions to Doudy lake, ar the top of Mt Margret. This varied landscape and can be enjoyed by the novice and experienced hiker or rider alike. Check out the photos and let me know how you enjoyed your adventure. Just a reminder – during this unusually warm and dry season, be sure to take plenty of water and please, no fires.