Explore Steamboat, Prospector Trail #1156

Trail access

Drive west out of Steamboat Springs for 2 miles and turn right on to Elk River Road (CR 129). Drive past Hahn's Peak village 3 miles to FDR 488, turn left and go for 1 mile to the trail head parking on the left.

Trail attractions

Travel regulations and seasonal closures have recently changed for this trail system. The purpose of this order is to protect critical big game habitat, prevent trail damage and reduce erosion during wet weather, insure user safety, resolve user conflicts, and minimize maintenance costs and trail investment loss. The Prospector trail is open to two-wheeled trail motorcycles, and over-snow vehicles operating in a minimum of 6 inches of snow. In addition, the Prospector trail is closed to all wheel-to-ground motorized vehicles from October 1st to July 1st. All trails west of County Road 129 are closed to motorized uses from October 1 - July 1. Thank you.
The Prospector trail #1156 makes a good loop with the Nipple Peak trail #1147. Good views from the ridge looking out over Slater Park and the Bears Ears country.

Narrative

From the trail head on FDR 488, the trail winds through large parks with many beaver ponds for a couple miles. When the trail crosses FDR 487 it starts climbing through a more wooded area up to the divide between Hahn's Peak drainage and Slater Park drainage. At this point the trail gets steep going down hill for about 1.5 miles to the junction of the Nipple Peak trail.