140 million years ago the Rabbit Mountain area marked the western shoreline of a massive inland sea that stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Hudson Bay. It was a tropical lowland covered by rivers, swamps, and lagoons. This sea retreated approximately 65 million years ago when tectonic forces pulled upon the earth's crust, resulting in a western uplift that gave rise to the Rocky Mountains. The uplift's ripples caused rocks to compress and bulge at its base, creating anticlines - or convex folds on the earth's surface. As the bulging anticline's softer sediments eroded, only hard ridges - known as Hogbacks - remained from the previously rounded hilltops.

Unique to Rabbit Mountain is its position three miles east of similar anticline formations along Colorado's northern Front Range communities. The complex movements of two faults in the area pushed these eroding anticlines east, and with a rare orientation: their steepest sides face east, and gentler slopes to the west. This unusual location and orientation make it a natural landmark visible from three counties.

The Little Thompson Overlook Trail traces the east face of one such hogback to an elevated outcrop with excellent views of the Eastern Plains and Little Thompson River below. This easy out-and-back is well suited for those with families or limited time. Hikers, runners, cyclists and winter recreationalists will enjoy mild grades, favorable trail conditions and good wildlife viewing opportunities throughout.

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The trail heads northeast from the parking area on a winding course to the Little Thompson Overlook Trail junction (.5 miles : 5,712'). Bear left. The trail curls northeast to the back side of a steep-faced hogback. The Little Thompson River flows below, framed by another row of hogbacks to the east; take a moment to examine these exaggerated anticline formations as you progress. The Little Thompson River's riparian corridor is densely lined by cottonwood and willow, which stand out in an otherwise expansive tract of open space and sparsely treed hilltops. The hillsides around you are dotted with sage, yarrow, cacti, yucca and a medley of summer wildflowers.

The trail rises nominally along the hogback's contours to its apex (1.15 miles : 5,888'), from which it drops gently to its terminus at the Little Thompson Overlook (1.45 miles : 5,802'). Here you may scramble about a cluster of boulders for prime vantages and viewpoints. Prairie Rattlesnakes are common to the Rabbit Mountain area, and favor terrain found along the Little Thompson Overlook Trail. While seldom seen and encounters are rare, be cognizant of their presence and never place your hands or feet where you cannot see them.