Less than a mile from my house, our first stop on Tuesday morning on the drive through the Big Thompson Canyon, toward Rocky Mountain National Park, was the trailhead leading to one of Loveland’s gorgeous open space areas. 

This area is called the Devil’s Backbone. The area gets it’s name from the unique rock formations called Flatirons. It is believed that the first settlers to this area arrived in 1858 creating farming settlements around the Devil’s Backbone and the Big Thompson River. Flatirons were given their name by these pioneer women, because the flat, jetted peaks reminded them of their metal irons. Not sure how these Flatirons were named The Devil’s Backbone.

The Devil’s Backbone Open Space area consists of 2,198 acres and lies in a beautiful valley just west of Loveland. As you hike, bike, bird, eat a picnic lunch or just sit taking in the view, you can’t help being overwhelmed by the areas serene beauty. I can’t wait to hike this area and to capture both a sunset and sunrise photo.