Fastest Known Times (FKT's) for Blue Sky Trail

    The Blue Sky Trail is a new trail (finished in 2006) which runs between Horsetooth Mountain Park, west of Fort Collins, and Devil's Backbone, west of Loveland. The rolling single track trail passes between and eventually over the low ridges which rise to the higher mountains to the west. Going from north to south, the first mile of trail parallels Shoreline Drive, passing campsites and the marina. In the next mile, the trail winds around the outlet to an underground canal which feeds Horsetooth Reservoir, crosses under CR-38E, and heads up and southward through a beautiful valley hemmed by the hogback to the east, and a higher ridgeline to the west. The trail rolls gradually higher, nearly reaching the hogback's ridgeline - a 200 yard connector trail joins Blue Sky with the very back of the Coyote Ridge/Rimrock Open Space trail loop. Blue Sky drops down back to the valley. Largely devoid of trees, this area feels a bit like African savannah. The trail runs along a road bed for a short distance, then wends to avoid a golden eagle nesting site. To the west, the 1.8 mile Indian Summer loop offers a chance for extra mileage and elevation gain. The trail ascends again and joins the far back part of Devil's Backbone (the rocky part). Devil's Backbone consists of three loops with interconnections. This makes it possible to run on one side of the loops going one way, and return using the other half of the loops, so this run is not a pure out and back. Eventually, the rockiness of the trail subsides to more mundane trail, but not before a steep descent, where you will often see mountain bikers attempting to ride up. Once to the bottom, the trail is rolling to the south end, which ends at the trailhead parking lot. 

To time trial this route, start at either end at the interpretive sign in the parking lot - run to the other trailhead's interpretive sign along the main Blue Sky Trail (i.e. don't take the Indian Summer loop). In Devil's Backbone, to be sporting, take all the small loops going one way, and return on the opposite sides of the loops coming back (if in doubt, always take the left loops). On the furthest south loop, skip the actual Keyhole - take the Keyhole Bypass, as the Keyhole is often closed for nesting season.

    Total one-way distance: 10.4 miles                                                                                    Round-trip distance: 20.8 miles

    Total vertical gain running from north to south:             from south to north:          Round-trip vertical gain: 2700 feet

The overall FKT's for Blue Sky Trail is highlighted in green. The fastest times reported by other runners are highlighted in yellow, ranked by time. Please send me your time if you'd like to be listed.