1.1 miles into the hike, you reach the Scenic Overlook which provides a view of the Horsetooth Reservoir. There is less forest canopy the farther you hike so sun protection should be considered.

However, the last 100 feet of the hike is more difficult because it requires using your hands to pull yourself up. It was doable with a kid on my back in a Kelty child carrier but you do need to be careful. We saw two other babies less than a year and half old on the summit.
Arthur’s Rock was arrived at after an 80 minutes of hiking and a gain in elevation of 1,100 feet to 6,780 feet. The view offers a 180 degree panoramic view of Fort Collins. There are plenty of places on the summit to setup a picnic. In addition, I had cell phone service for most of the hike and on the summit, so you can call for help if need be. In sum, this is a great hike because even though it is relatively short, it is comprised of an eclectic mix of scenery and varied landscapes that include open fields, forests, and exposed rock faces.

After eating lunch, we hiked several hundred feet west along the Timber Trail (#3) to do some reconnaissance for future backcountry camping expeditions. A worker at the Visitor Center said that backcountry camping sites cost $8/night and are rarely used and, thus, reservations are not necessary. It is important to note that these campsites do not provide water, fire pits (so no fires, must use gas stove), electricity, or other car camping amenities. The following picture shows backcountry camping site #1. It lies right on the Timber Trail and, thus, is not very private. However, it does provide plenty of level ground for setting up tents.

Backcountry camping site #2 is off the Timber Trail a good 200 feet, is very secluded, and provides a mildly obstructed view to the east. However, there is a limited amount of level ground. We have yet to see the remaining four backcountry camping sites.

Heading back towards to Arthur’s Rock and the parking lot from the Timber Trail produces a view of the western/backside of Arthur’s Rock.