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Home › Colorado › 3 Bar Loop & OT Loop
About the Trail
This popular open space showcases excellent views of Eagles Nest Peak and surrounding grasslands, especially with the fresh greenery in the spring. There are two trails loops in this open space. The 3 Bar Trail is the shorter loop and ends just past a bridge. The OT Loop begins just past the bridge and provides additional vistas of the area.
Map
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Directions
From Livermore, CO drive 0.25 miles from Hwy 287. Take a left and drive 1 mile on the gravel road to the trailhead.
Description
From the trailhead, hike through the gate and turn left on the 3 Bar Loop. The trail contours around and over hills with sweeping views of the area before descending slightly into a gulch and ascending to a high area where you can see Eagle Nest Rock. After the top, the trail makes a long descent to a wash with a road. This part of the trail has a steep grades and passes through another gate before turning left and descending some more into a wash. At the wash, the trail crosses a dirt road and ascends up a hill before reaching a junction. Right goes back to the trailhead and straight goes to a scenic spot where a bridge crosses the North Fork Cache La Poudre River. After the bridge the 3 Bar Trail ends and the OT Loop begins. The OT Loop adds an extra 1.8 miles and is scenic no matter what way you do the loop. It provides more excellent vistas of Eagles Nest. On the way back you may decide to take a left at the first junction on the Triple Bar Trail, which was mentioned earlier, and hike back to the trailhead on the old ranch road. There is less ascent going this way. Be sure to follow the signs as other ranch roads lead to private property.
| Hike Facts | Trailhead Facts | Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥾 Trail Features: | Views, Grasslands, river | 🥾 Parking: | Large dirt parking lot | 🥾Nearest Services | Livermore, Colorado |
| 🥾 Milage: | 5.2 mi/8.3 km for both loops combined or 3.4 mi/5.47 km for the 3 Bar Loop and the extension to the bridge. | 🥾 Acccess Road: | Well graded dirt road | 🥾 Nearest Lodging: | There is lodging in Fort Collins. |
| 🥾 Elevation Gain: | 300 ft plus | 🥾 Trailhead Features: | Signs, parking, vault toilets, trash receptacle | 🥾 Nearest Camping: | There are camping options in the Red Feather Lakes area and in Poudre Canyon. |
| 🥾 Trail Use/Surface: | 🥾 Trailhead Elevation: | 6000 ft/1828.8 m | |||
| 🥾 Pets: | Yes, but on a leash. | 🥾 Park Hours: | Day use only. Park closes at sunset. | ||
| 🥾 Crowds: | Yes | 🥾 Fee: | None | ||
| 🥾 Bugs: | Yes | 🥾 Best Season: | All year |
Handicap Acccessibility
No
Tips for a Great Hike
🥾 Carry water and wear proper footwear.
🥾 The bridge is a nice place to have a picnic .
🥾 Watch for rattlesnakes.
🥾 Don't enter the closed area that protects nesting Golden Eagles.
🥾 This trail is very popular in the summer and on weekends so try to avoid these times if you can.
Recommended Resources
https://www.larimer.gov/naturalresources/parks/eagles-nest
Hikes Around Fort Collins A Trail Guide to Urban Hikes, Powder Canyon, North Park, and Loveland By Melodie S. Edwards.