One of northern Colorado's most distinctive landmarks is Rabbit Ears Peaks, two volcanic plugs that have eroded away into twin 100-foot high pinnacles. With high mountain meadows and forested stands of aspen and spruce, the Rabbit Ears Pass area is particularly beautiful in the summer when wildflowers are blooming. To the north of Rabbit Ears Pass lies Buffalo Pass with a series of lakes in between. There are many opportunities for fishing, hiking and admiring the high mountain scenery.
The Rabbit Ears Pass and Buffalo Pass areas feature six different campgrounds.
The mountain biking routes in this area can be accessed either from Rabbit Ears Pass or Buffalo Pass. The descriptions are written from the Rabbit Ears Pass access. A popular ride is to begin at Rabbit Ears Pass, ride along trail #11 (Road #310) to Buffalo Pass, then take the Buffalo Pass Road into Steamboat Springs. This trip requires a shuttle and takes most of the day.
If accessing the trails from the Buffalo Pass side, Buffalo Pass can be accessed north of Steamboat Springs out of Strawberry Pass is signed as FDR 60 and can be taken cast across the Continental Divide into North Park. Vehicles with high clearance are suggested for the road on the east side of Buffalo Pass.
WALTON PEAK (11 MILES ROUND TRIP)
TOPO MAPS USED: Mount Werner, Walton Peak
TO GET THERE: Take Hwy 40, 22 miles southeast from Steamboat Springs to Harrison Creek (Rd #251) directly across the highway from the Dumont Lake turnoff. Park here.
OPTION 1: Follow Forest Road #251, an improved 4WD road. After 2 miles there will be an intersection to the left for roe. Stay on this main route (right fork) and follow #251 to the top of Walton Peak. From the top of peak there are excellent views of Muddy Pass, Baker Mountain, Bear Mountain and Whitley Peak, (left to right). This is not a loop trail: Return the way you came.
DUMONT LAKE TO ROUND LAKE (9 MILES ONE WAY)
TOPO MAPS USED: Mount Werner
TO GET THERE: Take U.S. Highway 40, 22 miles southeast to FDR #315 (Dumont Lake). Turn left onto Road #315 and northeast for 1.5 miles to the Rabbit Ears Pass Rock monument and park.
OPTION 1: Begin the trail by heading north on FDR #311 (at mile 0.2, Road #291 takes off to the north heading toward Rabbit Peaks). Take #311, a 4WD road 4.5 miles and connect with trail #1102 on the right. Road #311 dead-ends at Fishhook Follow trail #1102 past Fishhook Lake. Continue north past Lost Lake and Lake Elmo before getting to Round Lake at mile 8.7.
ROUND LAKE TO BUFFALO PASS (6.2 MILES ONE WAY)
TOPO MAPS USED: Mount Werner, Buffalo Pass
OPTION 1: Follow description for Dumont Lake to Round Lake. From Round Lake, take trail #1102 west for about a mile to Long Lake. At the east end of Long Lake, FDR #310 connects with the trail. Turn right at this intersection and head north. In approximately 1.5 miles you will pass Fish Creek Reservoir and Granite Campground. Continue north for approximately 4.5 miles to the top of Buffalo Pass, passing Summit Lake Guard Station and Campground.
ROUND LAKE/PERCY LAKE/TO BUFFALO PASS (16.2 MILES ONE WAY)
TOPO MAPS USED: Mount Werner, Rabbit Ears Peak, Buffalo Pass
Follow trail description for Option 1: Dumont Lake to Round Lake. From Round Lake continue east on trail #1134 3.5 miles to 20. Turn left and head north for approximately 1 mile. At the intersection of roads #620 and #20, stay left and follow Sawmill Creek Road north for approximately 4.5 miles to connect with FDR 60. There are many logging roads in this area that are dead-end roads and gated. Turn left and head west on FDR 60 to Buffalo Pass; approximately 5.8 miles. From Buffalo Pass to Round Lake is 6.2 miles. Complete loop by connecting trail #1102 and RD #311 back to Dumont Lake.
BUFFALO PASS LOOP (10.5 MILES)
TOPO MAPS USED: Buffalo Pass, Mount Werner
TO GET THERE: Take Buffalo Pass Road north of Steamboat out of Strawberry Park. It is signed as FDR 60. Follow to the top of the Buffalo Pass. Turn south on FDR 310 and follow for about 1.5 miles to trailhead #1101. Park here.
OPTION 1: Take trail #1101 south for approximately 5.5 miles to Round Lake. From Round Lake take trail #1102 west for about 1 mile to Long Lake. At the east end of Long Lake, FDR #310 connects with the trail. Turn right at this intersection and head back to trailhead #1101 to complete the loop.
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