Soapstone is a brand new trail network owned and managed by the City of Fort Collins. Currently there are 30+ miles of trails when you include the adjacent Red Mountain Open Space (Larimer County), and Big Hole Open Space (Cheyenne) all of which are connected.
A storm chased me out but I was able to do the Mahogany Trail and Mahogany Loop (access from upper lot) -- these are fun and flowy, with less rock than we are used to here in FC. None of the climbs are extended, and each climb seems to top out on a ridge with awesome views to the south and west. Switchbacks are manageable and I did not need to dismount at all during the ride. The loop is about 3.3 miles and the "trail" which takes you to the loop is about 1.8 miles.
I also rode the Canyon trail from Mahogany East -- got about a mile and a half before I had to cruise out to beat a storm, but what I saw of Canyon it is beginner doubletrack (an old service road?) -- a bit sandy in spots, but not rocky. Canyon will connect to Cheyenne Rim, which a Ranger had told me has amazing views.
A route the ranger recommended is (from the lower lot) Cheyenne Rim N to Canyon E to Mahogany S to Pronghorn S. Sounds like a great loop -- that's next for me. You can find a map on the city's natural areas website.
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