Explore Steamboat, Ellis Trail #1155

Trail access

#1: Drive west out of Steamboat Springs on Hwy. 40 approximately 2 miles and turn right on Elk River Road (County Road 129). Follow 129 about 32 miles until it forks with Forest Development Road 550, just past Columbine, turn right. Go 2.5 miles to FDR 500 and turn right. After 1/2 mile turn right onto FDR 500.1d. The Ellis north trailhead is just up the road.

#2: The south end of the Ellis trail can be reached by going west of Steamboat on U.S. 40 approximately 2 miles. Turn right, north on county road #129, Elk River road. Follow 129 about 24 miles to Hahns Peak Village.

Trail attractions

This trail is a National Historic Trail. Built in 1888 by John Ellis, a local cattleman, to supply beef to lumbermen in the Hog Park area and bring back ties to the Hahns Peak area. Please read posted travel regulations...part of this trail is non-motorized.

Narrative

From the north side the trail is fairly flat and winds through meadows for the first mile until it crosses FDR 509 an old logging road. At this point the heavily wooded single track trail climbs steeply up the north side of Hahn's peak, this mile section is very rough and rocky. Once you reach FDR 413 & 414 the trail is a gradual down hill through open meadows and aspens.