Welcome to the SOLO Learning Hub for Fort Collins!

This is where you can see all SOLO Field Trip route information for Fort Collins, access the lesson plan, and download the route map. It is also where participants will submit their answers to the route questions and activities once they have completed their self-guided field trip. After taking a deeper look at our current route offerings, sign up!

Click to See the Process Step by Step

Step 1: Browse through the routes. Buttons under each route tab provide the lesson plan, route map, and additional materials for your SOLO Field Trip.

Step 2: Sign up your students, children, or participants if you haven’t done so already! This way you are eligible to receive a sticker upon completion.

Step 3: Download the route map and read the lesson plan for the suggested activity procedure and materials.

Step 4: Head out on your desired route, be safe, and have fun!

Step 5: Learners can log and submit answers online when they get home or turn in their handwritten answers to their teacher, parent, or guardian.

Past, Present, and Future Fort Collins Walking Route

Access the Lesson Plan

Download the Route Map

**This route contains some unpaved trails, during the Spring season be mindful of muddy and potentially slippery trail conditions**

Details

Route questions and activities suitable for 7th and 8th-grade aged participants

Route map link:https://goo.gl/maps/8vsf6JxsMjT2

Start: Aztlan Community Center

End: McMurry Natural Area River Gage

Total Miles: 1.2 miles (One way)

Walking Time: Approx 30 minutes

After You’re Done

Input your answers below to the field trip questions-this is your Route Report, upload your Seasonal Selfies, and give us some feedback about your experience.

Your Full Name*
Grade Level:*
Your Teachers Name

If you were assigned this route as a class or by your teacher, please write their name above.
Date Completed*
Use the check box below to submit your Pre-Route Reflection
- Submit Pre-Route Reflection
Pre-Route Reflection:
1) Using the following two prompts, write one paragraph (5-8 sentences): a) Describe how you have interacted with the Cache la Poudre River in the pas: b) Describe the ecological role of the river and the services it provides to the natural environment of the area including a list of all plants and animals that you believe are dependent on the river:
Pre-Route Reflection:
1) Using the following two prompts, write one paragraph (5-8 sentences): a) Describe how you have interacted with the Cache la Poudre River in the pas: b) Describe the ecological role of the river and the services it provides to the natural environment of the area including a list of all plants and animals that you believe are dependent on the river:
Upload your Pre-Route Reflection Here
Max. file size: 512 MB.
Or Copy and Paste your Pre-Route Reflection Here
Pre-Route Reflection End
Use the check box below to make your POI #1 section entries
- POI #1 Questions
POI #1: Heritage Park Kiosk
During this learning adventure, you will have the opportunity to think about the role the Cache la Poudre River plays in many different parts of the natural and human communities of our area. The water in the river is what makes it a river! Because water is so important to human lives and human endeavors like agriculture and recreation and is essential for wildlife, native plants, and the ecology of the region, there are many different views on water and its use. Water laws work to balance these views and demands on water. These laws, along with technology, continue to change how water is stored, delivered, used, and reused in this river where many of these challenges were first experienced over 150 years ago.
1.There is a wealth of information on this kiosk about the history of the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area. Write down something new that you learned from this Kiosk!
2.Did you know there are laws about water? Did you know that water is actually owned?
3. Record how you ranked the water uses shared in your Walking Route Map under this POI.
Rank 1-5: (One being most important) _Recreation _Drinking Water for People _Water for Wildlife (fish, animals, plants) _Agriculture (farming and ranching) _Landscaping (lawns, parks, and trees around town and in your neighborhood)
POI #1 Section End
Use the check box below to make your POI #2 section entries
- POI #2 Questions
POI #2: New Whitewater Park and Old Coy Ditch Diversion Structure
This is the site of a former agricultural diversion ditch that was no longer used. The diversion structure was removed and a whitewater park was created for river play, tubing and kayaking. The Poudre Heritage Alliance's Play It Safe on the Poudre program raises awareness about approaches to recreating on the river in safe and sustainable ways. The program also calls attention to the history of in-river structures that represent hazards to recreation.
In what ways can locally grown food be better for you and for the environment?
2. Both recreation like kayaking and tubing, and eating healthy are important for your health and well-being. List several of your favorite physical activities you like to pursue as well as your favorite fruit and vegetables that are grown in Colorado
Upload your Seasonal Selfie selfie with the Whitewater Park here:
Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
POI #2 Section End
Use the check box below to make your POI #3 section entries
- POI #3 Questions
POI 3: Lake Canal Wayside Interpretive Sign
This site identifies one of the earliest conflicts over water in Northern Colorado. In Colorado the right to use water is given to individuals, cities, or groups. Every bit of water we drink or use is appropriated (meaning given ownership and purpose).
Where did the communities of Fort Collins and Greeley meet to settle the 1874 conflict over the Lake Canal?
2. Do you know who owns the right to the water you and your family use?
Proceed a little farther east along the trail and you will see a chart house and Parshall Flume, used for measuring surface waters and irrigation flow. Continue on until you reach a bridge that crosses the Greeley #3 Ditch—1.0 miles. Seasonal Selfie: Standing on the bridge, take a selfie with the Greeley #3 chart house in the background. Be sure to upload the photos below:
POI #3 Section End
Use the check box below to make your POI #4 section entries
- POI #4 Questions
POI #4: Interpretive Kiosk Near Lee Martinez Park
Lee Martinez is noted for helping to build community in Fort Collins. The Cache la Poudre River has a long history of diverse human cultures who have made and called it their home. Sites around the Cache la Poudre have evidence of some of the oldest human uses in North America! Over the past one hundred years, diverse people from many different cultures have come to the Cache la Poudre to make a home.
1.What does the word “heritage” mean to you? When and why did you and your family come to Fort Collins?
2.Lee Martinez was celebrated for his work in integrating the communities of Fort Collins. How do you work to build and benefit the community cultivated by the Cache la Poudre River?
3. Look at the ride side kiosk sign- In between which two Fort Collins’ Natural Areas are you standing between right now?
POI #4 Section End
Use the check box below to make your POI #5 section entries
- POI #5 Questions
POI #5: River Up or River Down Interpretive Sign -McMurry Natural Area River Gage
This site shows a river gauge on the far side of the river on the concrete pillar. It also features an artistic bridge and connection to the McMurry Natural Area which features riparian vegetative zones adjacent to rivers and several reclaimed gravel pits that are now functioning as wetlands.
Regardless of water flow on the day you went, how many gallons of water are flowing by this bridge every second? Show your equation.
2. Note the artwork on the bridge. What does it represent? Do you know what species of fish live in this area of the Cache la Poudre River? Are any of these species native fish?
Upload your Seasonal Selfie selfie with the Whitewater Park here:
Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 512 MB.
POI #5 Section End
Use the check box below to submit your END/ Waking Back question
- END/Walking Back Question
The End! Now it's time to turn around!
As you walk back think about what human uses can you observe alongside the river corridor and in the river from the route you take? Examples might include Recreation (fishing, walking, parks, biking, more!), Housing, Agriculture (farms, ranches), Mining, and Natural Resources Extraction (mining, water diversion).
As you walk back think about what human uses can you observe alongside the river corridor and in the river from the route you take?
The end!
Use the check box below to submit your Summative Reflection
- Submit Summative Reflection
Summative Reflection
Write two paragraphs (5-7 sentences each) based on the following prompts: i. What are two takeaways (things you felt you learned and will remember) from your learning adventure? ii. Describe your feelings about the Cache la Poudre River
Upload your Summative Reflection Here
Max. file size: 512 MB.
Or Copy and Paste your Summative Reflection Here
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Access All Fort Collins Route Information and Materials Here!

Take a look at our current offerings then sign up for a route! Here you will find everything you need for a successful SOLO Field Trip. Participants are eligible to receive a sticker from the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area after they fill out their Route Report online.

Back to SOLO Homepage

Sign Up and Participation Waiver Reminder

Please be sure to complete/sign the required participant/photo waiver form, if you have not already done so.

Your feedback helps us improve!

Please consider taking our short survey about your SOLO Field Trip experience.

Complete the short survey here

Back to Learning in Our Watershed

We want to hear from you!

Tell us about your experience by contacting us directly. Your feedback is especially helpful for growing new programs like this one.

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Ditch Greeley #3 - Photo by Gabriele Woolever

SOLO Field Trips: Fort Collins

Welcome to the SOLO Learning Hub for Fort Collins!

Click to See the Process Step by Step

Past, Present, and Future Fort Collins Walking Route

This route contains some unpaved trails, during the Spring season be mindful of muddy and potentially slippery trail conditions

Details

After You’re Done

Pre-Route Reflection:

Pre-Route Reflection:

Pre-Route Reflection End

POI #1: Heritage Park Kiosk

POI #1 Section End

POI #2: New Whitewater Park and Old Coy Ditch Diversion Structure

POI #2 Section End

POI 3: Lake Canal Wayside Interpretive Sign

POI #3 Section End

POI #4: Interpretive Kiosk Near Lee Martinez Park

POI #4 Section End

POI #5: River Up or River Down Interpretive Sign -McMurry Natural Area River Gage

POI #5 Section End

The End! Now it's time to turn around!

The end!

Summative Reflection

Past, Present, and Future Fort Collins Biking Route

Details

After You’re Done

Pre-Route Reflection

POI #1: Trail Crosses Ditch

POI #1 Section End

POI #2: NHA Interpretive Sign

POI #2 Section End

POI #3: River Up or River Down Interpretive Sign - McMurry Natural Area River Gage

POI #3 Section End

POI #4: Interpretive Kiosk near Lee Martinez Park

POI #4 Section End

POI 5: Lake Canal Wayside Interpretive Sign

POI #5 Section End

POI 6: Whitewater Park-Old Coy Ditch Diversion Structure

POI #6 Section End

POI 7: Informational Kiosk in Heritage Park

POI #7 Section End

End/Walking back question

The End! You did it!

Summative Reflection

Access All Fort Collins Route Information and Materials Here!

Sign Up and Participation Waiver Reminder

Your feedback helps us improve!

We want to hear from you!

Tell us about your experience by contacting us directly. Your feedback is especially helpful for growing new programs like this one.

**This route contains some unpaved trails, during the Spring season be mindful of muddy and potentially slippery trail conditions**