Explore Steamboat, Wyoming Trail [CDT] Trail #1101

Trail access

#1: Travel on US HWY 40 for 19 miles southeast of Steamboat Springs, up Rabbit Ears Pass, to the Dumont Lake sign. Turn left (north) at this sign (FDR 315) and continue about 1.5 miles to the old Rabbit Ears stone monument. Turn left here (FDR 311-Base Camp Road) and drive 4.5 miles on this bumpy dirt road to the Base Camp TH. *There is no defined route to the east or west--only travel to the north along CDNST is possible from this access point.

#2: Travel west of Steamboat for about 2 miles to the airport turnoff; turn right on this road (County Road 129) and travel approximately 30 miles to the junction of CR 129 and FDR 550. Take the right fork (#550) through Crane and Whiskey Parks into Wyoming for about 1 mile to the Continental Divide. The trail goes to the east (right) and is marked by black and yellow signs identifying the center of the stock driveway.

Trail attractions

Most of this trail follows the Continental Divide and thus offers views both east and west into North Park and major drainages flowing west. It also extends for 20 miles inside the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness area much of which is above timberline. This trail offers day hikes, overnight trips or extended overnight trips. The trail crosses many boggy areas, some which are over 1 mile in length. Users should be prepared for weather extremes at all times of the year. Snow covers portions of the trail until late July during some years. The trail between the Divide and Gold Creek is difficult to follow. On The USGS quads, the trail is called by the names of "Wyoming Trail, Jeep Trail Stock Driveway and Fireline Trail".
SPECIAL NOTE ON TRAVEL REGULATIONS

From BASE CAMP TH to 1102/1134 intersection is open to mechanized-use.

From 1102/1134 intersection to Buffalo Pass is open to mechanized and
motorized - use (ATV's and motorcycle).

Upon entering the Mount Zirkel Wilderness, equestrian & foot travel only.

From FDR 400 or FDR 433, the 1101 is open to mechanized and LIMITED motorized- use (Motorcycle only on 1101 until the junction with FDR 431!).

From the junction of 1101 and FDR 431, mechanized and motorized-use is open to the state border (ATV's and Motorcycle allowed).

Narrative

The Wyoming Trail begins down an old jeep road that steers steeply down for about half a mile, thru a grassy valley meadow and then up to Fishhook Lake after another mile. Continuing on the trail, a bit later you come to a fork at which you may take a short walk right, to Lost Lake. The next lake the trail will encounter is Lake Elmo. At milepost 3.3, the Wyoming Trail will shortly intersect 1102, Fish Creek Trail to the left, and 1134 Percy Lake Trail to the right and will pass close by Round Lake. It follows the Divide north past Grizzly Lake til it joins the Fish Creek Reservoir Road, FDR 311, 1 mile south of Buffalo Pass. Follow the road north to Buffalo Pass Road (milepost 9.6 mi) and rejoin the trail 100 yards west of the summit. Follow the old jeep trail north (limited ONLY to foot and horseback upon entering the Mount Zirkel Wilderness) crisscrossing the Divide, going just left of Mt. Ethel's summit and right over Lost Ranger Peak. At this point, there are two directions you must choose: As the trail drops off the Divide, the official CDNST turns west onto 1164, North Lake trail. Continuing 5.4 miles to the end of 1164, FDR 443 is encountered. Continue to walk the road. About 1/4 mile past the bridge turn left onto FDR 400 Seedhouse Road and then turn right onto the 1101 trail again. At this point, the 1101 trail becomes open for motorcycle use also (not ATV use). The second choice of directions drops off Lost Ranger Peak and continues north joining the 1151 Gold Creek Lake trail. Turn left into Gold Creek and follow it to Slavonia. It will parallel the Seedhouse Road on the north side for about three miles (now at milepost 29.9 mi) before turning north (onto FDR 433) across English and Lost Dog Creeks. Go north on FDR 433 to a left fork signing the 1101 trail once again. Again, at this point the 1101 trail is open to motorcycle use. Follow the trail four miles and it will cross FDR 431. At this point, the trail is open to both motorcycle and ATV use. The 1101 is an old jeep trail and will continue north up the Trail Creek Drainage. This is also a stock driveway. You will climb out of Trail Creek, passing the Trail Creek trail 1154 and rejoin the Continental Divide. From here the Wyoming Trail follows the Fireline Stock Driveway and the Divide, crossing the Manzanares trail and later crossing the Forest Road #550 in the Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming. At this point the trail is at milepost 49.3.

:NOTE: THIS IS A VERY BRIEF GUIDELINE TO THIS TRAIL AND IS NOT INTENDED TO TAKE THE PLACE OF MOUNTAINEERING SKILLS, COMPASS, AND TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS OF THE AREA. BE FAMILIAR WITH BACKPACKING AND MOUNTAIN WEATHER BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY BACKPACK TRIP.