Rabbit Mountain stands along a divisive uplift between the Saint Vrain drainage basin and Big Thompson drainage basin. Here the Great Plains meets the Rocky Mountain upslope, a rich ecological juxtaposition that brings plant and animal communities together from each. The grasslands and distinct hogbacks of Rabbit Mountain have been occupied for over 5000 years.

The Little Thompson watershed covers approximately 203 square miles in Larimer, Boulder and Weld Counties

Penstemon belongs to a large genus that contains 275+ species

Fault movements in the Rabbit Mountain area have cracked underlying rock layers, creating several natural springs

Blanket Flowers are native perennials that can grow in a variety of soil types, but require full sun to thrive

Grasslands are a finely balanced ecosystem; if exposed to slightly more rainfall they'd become forested, and desert with any less

Colorado has lost approximately 35% of its central shortgrass prairie to agriculture, grazing and development

Looking southeast from the Little Thompson Overlook Trail across Rabbit Mountain

Dalmatian toadflax are noxious weeds that can produce 500,000 seeds per plant and crowd out native vegetation

Outcrops are good places to find rattlesnakes on Rabbit Mountain

Wild geranium have a high tannin content and astringent roots

Mountain views from high points along the Eagle Wind and Little Thompson Overlook trails

Salsify is a member of the sunflower family, with edible roots often compared to asparagus

The Fleabane Daisy (or Sprawling Daisy) is a member of the aster family

Rock layers are progressively younger as you travel from west to east across Rabbit Mountain

Colorado grasslands are open areas dominated by perennial grasses and small, isolated pockets of trees

Lark Sparrows are unusual in that they walk on the ground instead of hopping