Where: Soapstone Prairie - Approximately a one-hour drive from Fort Collins. More complete directions can be found at https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/soapstone. When: Saturday, September 24, 9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.,meet at the north parking lot Accessibility: This program is a moderate - strenuous hike over uneven and occasionally steep terrain for up to 6 miles. There is limited cell phone reception at Soapstone Prairie. There is an accessible bathroom and parking spot at the north parking lot. If you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility of a program, please contact [email protected] or call 970-416-2815 for more information. People with disabilities are welcome to participate in all programs and we are happy to make any appropriate accommodations. Requests for disability-related services can be made during registration through the activity contact or by calling 970-416-2815 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the activity. What to Bring: Dress appropriately for the weather forecast. It is generally a little cooler and windy at this site. Bring closed-toe, sturdy shoes, and plenty of water. There is limited cell phone reception at Soapstone Prairie. Please bring a lunch to enjoy on the trail. Program Description: Soapstone contains the sediments shed off the relatively young Rocky Mountains that formed the High Plains. Although these were subsequently eroded to form the Platte River Valley, along the Cheyenne Divide at Soapstone they remained and formed the "Gangplank", a term used for the gentle slope up to the Laramie Mountains along which the Union Pacific Railroad was built west from Cheyenne. The rock formations at Soapstone extend eastward and are found at Pawnee Buttes and in western Nebraska, forming an important regional aquifer, the Ogallala. Because of its high elevation and connection to the mountains, Soapstone has a unique ecology, forming an important wildlife corridor.
Minimum Participants: 5Registration is required for this activity. Click "register" to reserve your spot.
Thank you Fort Collins and Larimer County voters! Your support of citizen-initiated sales taxes makes land conservation and educational activities like this possible.
AJ Chlebnik
Pronouns: she/her/hers
City of Fort Collins
Natural Areas Department
Public Engagement Specialist
970-224-6118
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I have been a Fort Collins Master Naturalist since 2007 and a Colorado Native Plant Master since 2011. I recently retired after 18 years as a biology professor at Colorado College and am now a volunteer Curator at the Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity at CSU. In addition to presenting programs as a volunteer naturalist, I continue to do field research on native plants and insects and enjoy participating in community-science projects.
Retired from Univ of Illinois, Illinois State Geological Survey, PhD Geology and Chemistry, MN Class of 2014. Annually, I lead geology trips to three foothills Natural Areas to examine the geologic history and deposits that are integral to the landscape of Larimer County. Interests: Local Geology and geological history, photography, hiking, fly fishing, birding, anything Soapstone, like Hike Through the Ages. Moved to Ft C in 2012 and loving it and the folks at Natural Areas.
I have 15 years experience as a classroom teacher, but my heart is in the outdoors! I have designed and taught environmental education classes at the Jeffco Outdoor Lab school and Thorne Ecological Institute, and am a facilitator for Projects WILD, WET, and Learning Tree. I am an avid hiker and love geology and all things creepy crawly!
(970) 224-6118