Steamboat Springs Hiking Trails
If you're planning a trip to Steamboat, then I recommend you try out some of these Steamboat Springs hiking trails. The first best place to go is Fish Creek Falls which I consider one of the top waterfalls in Colorado. The next best place to hike is the trail to Rabbit Ears Peak; the wildflower displays are outstanding if you can catch them at the right time. So, are you interested in visiting Fish Creek Falls? If so, then head on over to my Colorado waterfalls page. Once there, scroll part way down the page until you see the description for Fish Creek Falls. You'll see the picture of the falls plus directions on how to get there. O.K., so as I already mentioned, the next best Steamboat Springs hiking trail is the one to Rabbit Ears Peak. Here you go, and have fun:
Directions to Rabbit Ears Peak trail: from Denver, follow I-70 west to the Silverthorne exit 205. (Sign also says Steamboat Springs.) Turn right, (north), on Colorado Highway 9 to Kremmling. In Kremmling, turn left on U.S. 40 west and follow it to Rabbit Ears Pass. Once you start climbing Rabbit Ears Pass, be looking on your right for the Muddy Creek and Buffalo Park turn-off signs. When you pass these signs, you'll be almost there, (within about 1 mile), so you need to watch carefully on your right for the small sign that says Dumont Lake. Turn right at the Dumont Lake sign and proceed on National Forest Road 315. Follow this road for about 1.5 miles until you come to the old stone monument on your left. Turn left at the monument and into the small parking area. The trailhead for Rabbit Ears Peak is not well marked so here's what you need to do: when you're ready to do this Steamboat Springs hiking trail, go straight through the gate that you will see, and continue down the dirt road. In a few short minutes, you'll see a small marker on your right with the number 291. This is where you start your hike to Rabbit Ears Peak. So, as I already mentioned, this is a really good wildflower hike if you can catch the flowers at the right time. That's usually sometime around late July. The very best wildflower displays are actually around Dumont Lake and the picnic area. But the wildflowers in the meadows along parts of the trail are pretty nice too. This particular Steamboat Springs hiking trail is actually an old jeep road. And you might even see a jeep or other similar vehicle, like we did. But it's not common. The dirt road starts out pretty gently before developing a moderate incline. Along the way, you'll see the wildflowers in various places and of course, you'll have nice views of the Rabbit Ears, before they disappear from sight. Most of the trail is open, (as opposed to forested), so it's a good idea to use your sunscreen. Another good idea is to have lots of water. Eventually, you'll reach a spot that's approximately the 3/4 mark of the hike, and this is where the trail gets very steep. Take your time and follow the trail to the top. Once there, enjoy the panoramic views all around you!
Directions to Upper Fish Creek Falls trailhead: from Denver, follow I-70 west to the Silverthorne exit 205. (Sign also says Steamboat Springs.) Turn right, (north), on Colorado Highway 9 to Kremmling. In Kremmling, turn left on U.S. 40 west and follow it over Rabbit Ears Pass and down into Steamboat Springs. In Steamboat Springs, keep following U.S. 40 west, (Lincoln Ave.), until you see 3rd Street. Turn right on 3rd Street, then turn right again on Fish Creek Falls Road. Follow Fish Creek Falls Road for about 3 miles to the pay station. There is both an upper and a lower parking lot, so after paying the fee, go to the upper lot and see if there's a spot. If not, then drive back down to the lower lot. From there, you can walk back up to the upper lot on the path next to the road. So, when you're ready, just follow the main trail that goes down, (yes, it goes down), the short distance to Fish Creek Falls. Admire the falls as you cross the scenic bridge over Fish Creek, then prepare to start going uphill. This is a Steamboat Springs hiking trail that requires some work on your part, but I think it's definitely worth the effort. Even though this trail is fairly steep, the nice thing about it is that much of the trail is forested. So you're usually in, or near the shade. In about 30 minutes, (from the bridge over Fish Creek), you'll reach a good-sized aspen forest which would be great for fall color hiking. Take a break if you want to, then keep heading up this steep Steamboat Springs hiking trail. After maybe an hour into your hike, you'll reach a smaller bridge that crosses the creek. From that point, it's only about a half hour to Upper Fish Creek Falls. The trail becomes more open, and you'll soon come to a rocky section that can be a little tricky. Just be careful, and before long, you'll hear the roar of the upper falls. Once there, you can cool off in the spray that comes off this wonderful waterfall, and my guess is that you'll think this was one Steamboat Springs hiking trail that was worth doing. We were here in mid June, and that's probably the best time to see it in terms of volume of water. I hope to do more Steamboat Springs hiking trails this summer, (2008), and if I do, I'll take more pictures and bring back some new trail descriptions.
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Rabbit Ears Peak
Upper Fish Creek Falls
