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Hiking in Steamboat
variety of hiking trails exists in Steamboat Springs for all skill and fitness levels, leading to beautiful views, meadows, wildflowers, lakes and more. Bring a map, sunscreen, water, food and appropriate clothing, and let someone know where you’re going. To avoid afternoon thunderstorms, hike early in the day.
Fish Creek Falls A must for any Steamboat visitor. Two easy walks are perfect for families, including an interpretive, paved trail leading to a falls overlook, and a downhill trail to a bridge at the base of the falls. The more adventurous can continue on Forest Service Trail #1102, 3 miles to the scenic upper falls, or farther to Long Lake (6 miles one-way). How to get there: From downtown, head north on Third Street and turn right onto Fish Creek Falls Road. Follow the road for about 3 miles until it dead-ends at the Fish Creek Falls parking lot. Day-use parking permit fee required.
Spring Creek This popular, multi-use trail near downtown is a haven for hikers, runners and bikers. From the trailhead, it’s an easy walk on a dirt road to a picnic shelter and a small reservoir that dogs love. From there, Spring Creek Trail offers an easy grade in shaded pine forest along the creek for about a mile, before increasing steepness onto singletrack trail for another 4 miles, into the Routt National Forest and up to Dry Lake Campground on Buffalo Pass Road (Routt County Road 38). How to get there: From downtown, turn north onto Third Street and right onto Pine Street, which turns into East Maple Street. Proceed across the intersection with Amethyst Drive and park on either side of the road, at the trailhead.
Mad Creek A scenic, 2-mile hike up to an original U.S. Forest Service cabin homestead preserved from the early 1900s. The trail features canyon landscapes, pine meadows and aspen groves as it follows Mad Creek along the Swamp Park Trail (1100) into the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area. A couple of loops — like the Red Dirt Trail (1171) — branch off the main trail. Maps are available at the trailhead. How to get there: From downtown, head west on U.S. Highway 40 and turn right at the old 7-Eleven on the city’s west side. Head north on Routt County 129 (Elk River Road) for about 5 miles to the Mad Creek parking area and trailhead on the right.
Sarvis Creek Wilderness area This heavily forested, low-elevation wilderness area is filled with wildlife and wildflowers, and perfect for day hikes. The Silver Creek (1106) and Service Creek (1105) trails can be hiked from trailheads accessed from Buffalo Park Road (Forest Development Road 100), which heads south off U.S. Highway 40 atop Rabbit Ears Pass. Moderate uphill climbs can be found from the bottom end, as well, beginning at the north side of Stagecoach Reservoir (for Service Creek) or off Lynx Pass Road (C.R. 16, for Silver Creek) on the reservoir’s south side. The Service Creek trailhead falls in the boundaries of the 311-acre Sarvis Creek State Wildlife Area. How to get there: From Steamboat, head east on U.S. 40, then take a right (south) on Colorado Highway 131 toward Oak Creek. Then head east on Routt County Road 14 to Stagecoach State Park. Take a left off C.R.14 onto C.R. 18 at the Stagecoach State Park entrance and drive 3 miles to access the Service Creek (1105) trailhead past the dam. Or, turn left at C.R. 16 on the far, west
HiKing rESOurCES
bE prEparEd
U.S. Forest Service office, 925 Weiss Drive, 970-870-2299 Ski Haus, Pine Grove Road and U.S. Highway 40, 970-879-0385 Orange Peel Bicycle Service, 1136 Yampa St., 970-879-2957 Steamboat Ski & Bike Kare, Fifth Street and Lincoln Avenue, 970-879-9144 Wheels Bicycle Shop, 841 Yampa St., 970870-1974 Straightline Outdoor Sports, Eighth Street and Lincoln Avenue, 970-879-7568 Backdoor Sports, 841 Yampa St., 970-8796249
High altitude and rugged terrain can quickly create problems for even seasoned hikers. Use sunscreen, wear sturdy shoes and take plenty of water and food. Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll return. Pick up a trail map before heading out into unfamiliar terrain.
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bring the following Waterproof/windproof matches and lighter Fire starters such as Vaseline-soaked cotton balls and gel hand sanitizer Small folding saw Map, compass and GPS device
end of the reservoir and proceed seven miles south to the Silver Creek (1106) trailhead.
Emerald Mountain A network of trails accessed from downtown at the base of Howelsen Hill offering miles of mixed-use hiking, biking and horseback recreation. The main road, Blackmer Drive, runs 2 miles from its gate at the top of Routt Street to the Emerald Mountain Quarry, providing a prime overlook of town. The popular Lupine Trail starts from Howelsen Hill at Sombrero Stables, for a more challenging, 3-mile route to the quarry. The Bluffs Loop starts at the stables entrance for a moderate, rolling route of just under 3 miles, much of it shaded in the late afternoon. New offerings Beall Trail and Ridge Trail also recently have been added to the backside of the mountain for those looking for longer loops. How to get there: Access is from several points at the base of Howelsen Hill (from downtown, head south on Fifth Street and west on Howelsen Parkway) as well as from Blackmer Drive (from downtown, head west on U.S. 40, turn left onto 13th Street, left onto Gilpin Street, left onto Saratoga Avenue and right onto Routt Street). Park at the top of Routt Street.
Mount Werner Steamboat Ski Area offers a variety of hiking trails, many with moderate to steep climbs. Hikers also can purchase a gondola ticket to the Thunderhead summit, where guided nature trails and other hikes await. Maps are available in the Information Center in Gondola Square (Info: www.steamboat.com). How to get there: From downtown, head east on U.S. 40 to the Mount Werner Road exit. Head north to the Knoll Parking Lot, and walk Basic first aid kit with antiseptic wipes, sterile pads, medical tape and Benadryl tablets Water bottle and water purification tablets or water filter system Two reflective emergency blankets or tarps Energy bars, trail mix and power gels Hat, gloves, wool socks, fleece vest, raincoat and pants Leatherman multi-tool, duct tape and lightweight rope Headlamp with additional batteries Sunscreen Cellphone with charged battery
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