Snowy Range, north of Steamboat Springs
Day Hiking and the Simple Life
a trail, a pace of leisure, a day well spent.
Ski Haus Home Page
Ski Haus
1457 Pine Grove Raod
Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80477
1-800-932-3019

info@skihaussteamboat.com
Fish Creek Falls Trails
Rabbit Ears Pass Hiking Trails
Mount Zirkel Wilderness
Flat Tops Wilderness
Sarvis Creek Wilderness

Maps
Guide Books
What to take day hiking
Sugggested day packs
Duck and Cover
Leave No Trace
Hiking in the Flat Tops Wilderness
Hiking in the Colorado Flat Tops Wilderness
Monument Valley
Colorado high country
Peak bagging Colorado style
Hiking in the Routt National Forest
Fish Creek Falls Trail -
This is one of the most popular trails in our area due to the easy access from town. But all you have to do is plan accordingly. Hike this trial early in the morning or later in the evening and you'll see why this trail is still a favorite even with the Steamboat old-timers.

To reach the trailhead from Ski Haus turn right on 3rd St. from Highway 40. One block up turn right on Fish Creek Falls Road and drive to the top. Be prepared for the parking fee.

Fish Creek Falls itself is a short hike but this trail continues up to a second falls or even further up to Long Lake. Depending on your time or the strength of your hiking party, the second falls and Long Lake are worthy destinations. Plan ahead, keep a weather eye open, and have fun.

• Trails Illustrated Map #118
• Sky Terrain Map Steamboat Springs/Zirkel

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Rabbit Ears Pass -
The Pass offers wonderful hiking and wildflower viewing opportunities. Rabbit Ears Peak, Walton Peak, The Continental Divide Trail (#1101,) and many alpine lakes are available to the day hiker. In the winter, Rabbit Ears, is a cross country skiers paradise and hiking the familiar ski trails offers a good time for the bushwhacking hiker, too.

From Ski Haus drive east on Highway 40 for twenty to 30 minutes to the West Summit, Walton Peak Parking Lot, or Dumont Lake. A wildflower mecca!

Maps:
Trails Illustrated #118
Rout National Forest Service Map
Sky Terrain Steamboat Springs/Zirkel

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Mount Zirkel Wilderness -
The Zirkel encompasses 160,650 acres of some of the most beautiful terrain in Colorado. To be sure, the Zirkel is in transition from the 1997 blowdown, pine and spruce beetle infestation, and the summer fires in 2002 and 2003... Sounds great doesn't it? Well, these are naturally occuring events that have happened numerous times before we got here and will occur again long after we are gone.

Right now we have the opportunity to explore the Mount Zirkel Wilderness as it recovers and regenerates itself. Within renewal there is great beauty...

The Buffalo Pass Trailhead and Slavonia Trailhead are popular and offer some spectacular hikes. Try the Continental Divide Trail, Gold Creek, Gilpin Lake, or for an extra long day hike, find your way to Mount Zirkel.

To find your ideal trail check out Trails Illustrated Maps #116, #117, and #118.Sky Terrain's Steamboat/Zirkel Map and Ray Ave's guidebook, Mount Zirkel Wilderness.

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Flat Tops Wilderness -
Located south and west of Steamboat Springs, the Flat Tops Wilderness is another easy access playground to reach. The name Flat Tops says it all. This area is a massive uplift of rock and planned flat. This doesn't neccessarily mean it's easy hiking. There are plenty of hills to climb and descend to make for challenging hikes.

The Flat Tops, second largest wilderness area in Colorado, is also known for the countless lakes and streams that dot and cut this area. The hiking, terrain, vistas, and wildlife are spectacular.

Directions:
From the town of Yampa, the trails from Stillwater Reservoir are the quickest to reach and worth the drive.

Try the Devils Causeway, Bailey Lakes, Mandall Lakes, or Mosquito Lake. The Causeway trail is a nice out and back or an incredible loop across the top of the Flat Tops. Plan for plenty of time to hike the loop and cross the top before thundershowers pop up.

Maps: Trails Illustrated #122, Routt National Forest Map, A Hiking and Camping Guide to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area.

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Flat Tops WildernessFlat Tops Wilderness
Cross Sarivs CreekSarvis Creek Wilderness
Mount Zirkel Wilderness
Drive 27 miles south from Ski Haus and Steamboat Springs to Yampa. Take County Road 7 (Forest Road 900) approx. 12 miles up to Stillwater Reservoir. Great campsites along the road and numerous trailheads along the way. Very scenic.
Sarvis Creek Wilderness -
Located east and south of Steamboat Springs, Sarvis Creek Wilderness is unique amoung Colorado wilderness areas in that it is entirely below timberline.

Two major drainages and trails make up the Sarvis Creek Wilderness.
The Silver Creek Trail (#1106) and the Sarvis Creek Trail (#1105) are wonderful hikes.

The two trails in the wilderness area offer great views and lots of rock formations. Both trails follow their namesake creeks which cascade through boulder strewn courses. On any given weekday, either of these trails will offer solitude and beauty.

Directions:
Sarvis Creek State Wildlife Area and the Sarvis Creek Trailhead.

Directions:
Silver Creek Trail

Both trails are also accessible from Buffalo Park Road (FR 100) up on Rabbit Ears Pass. A little further to drive but you start at the top of the trails rather than at the base.

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From Ski Haus drive east on Highway 40.Turn right on 131 to County Rd 14. Left on 14 to Stagecoach State Park. Left on County Rd 18. Take 18 past the Stagecoach damn and down to the Sarvis State Wildlife Area. Approx 20 to 22 miles.
From Ski Haus take Highway 40 to 131. Right on 131 to County Rd 14. Left on 14 to County Rd 16 just past Stagecoach Reservoir. Follow 16 past Stagecoach Townhomes up Lynx Pass approx 8 miles. Silver Creek Trailhead is on the left. Overall drive distance from town is about 24 miles.
From Ski Haus take Highway 40 to town. Right on 3rd. One block up, turn right on Fish Creek Falls Rd. Climb the hill and turn left on Amythest. Follow Amythest through the neighborhoods to Strawberry Park Road. Right on Strawberry Park Road. Look for sign to Buffalo Pass. Right on Forest Road 60. Pretty long but scenic drive to the top of Buffalo Pass. Suv's and trucks ok, careful if you're in a standard passenger car. Washboard, ruts and rocks along the way...
From Ski Haus take Highway 40 (Lincoln Ave) through town to the intersection of County Road 129. Right on 129 and drive north past the town of Clark (over 20 miles). Just past Clark a little ways turn right on Seedhouse Road (Forest Road 400) to Slavonia where the road stops at the parking lot/trailhead.
It's pretty funny, but all too often at
Ski Haus we hear, "I went on this great hike and got lost and now I need to buy a map to try to figure out where I was." There's some logic there somewhere...

Ski Haus has the best in-house, in-stock map selection this side of the Continental Divide.

Ski Haus stocks:
USGS
Forest Service Maps
Trails Illustrated
Bureau of Land Management
Delorme Gazetteers
Sky Terrain
Lattitude 40
Adventure Cycling

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United State Geological Survey MapsSki Haus stocks an extensive title list of USGS maps. To be sure we concentrate our maps on northwest Colorado but out inventory carries through the central and southwest mountains, as well. From Adams Lake to Zenobia Peak, chances are we have the quad you want.
Routt National Forest Map

Forest Service Maps are a wonderful reference. They show practically everything you need for your day hike except topography. These maps are a nice compliment to your topography map. Ski Haus stocks Routt, Medicine Bow, and White River National Forest Maps. Super easy to special order any forest map we don't normally stock. $9.00 (waterproof/tearproof paper).

The most popular Trails Illustrated maps for the Steamboat Springs area are #116 Hahns Peak-Steamboat Lake, #117 Clark-Buffalo Pass, #118 Steamboat Springs - Rabbit Ears Pass, and #122 Flat Tops NE - Trappers Lake.

Ski Haus stocks #101 thru #142 plus several of TI's National Park and Monument Maps including Dinosaur National Monument. Great maps and up to date. $9.95

Bureau of Land Management Maps

BLM are terrific large scale topographical maps.At a scale of 1:100,000 you loose some detail but you gain area. Ski Haus stocks Steamboat Springs, Canyon of Lodore, Rangely, Meeker, Glenwood Springs, Craig, Vail, Saratoga, and Walden. $7.00

This is a relatively new map and it has become very popular. On a scale of 1:50,000 it shows quite a bit of terrain with enough detail to get you around. Steamboat Springs - Mount Zirkel covers from Stagecoach Reservoir in the south to Mount Zirkel in the north. That is the bulk of the Steamboat Springs playground. Excellent map & up-to-date. $11.95
Ski Haus also stocks from Sky Terrain:
Boulder-Nederland, Sangre de Cristo-Great Sand Dunes, Aspen, Summit-Vail, and Rocky Mountain-Indian Peaks.

Planning a road trip? Want to explore some new country but aren't sure how to get there? The Delorme Gazetteers are the perfect tool to plan the perfect road trip, shuttle, get-away, and adventure. Gazetteers show backroads, trailheads, major trails, recreation sites, and more. Printed on a scale of 1;160,000 some topography is offered to give you the lay of the land. $19.95
Ski Haus stocks most of the states west of the Mississippi.

Latitude 40 Maps

If you love to explore, mountain bike, hike, or ride, Latitude 40 Maps are for you. Latitude 40 maps are current, up-to-date and offer tons of information beyond topography. Average temperatures, trail profiles, agency contact information, advocacy groups, and more. $9.95

Ski Haus stocks: Fruita-Grand Junction, Classic Moab Trails, Slickrock Bike Trail Map, Colorado Southwest Recreation Map, Moab East and Moab West, Aspen-Crested Butte-Gunnison, Durango, Crested Butte-Taylor Park, Boulder County Trails, Telluride-Silverton, and Summit County Trails.

Adventure Cycling Bike Maps

Ok, we know these aren't hiking maps but they are super cool. The maps include elevation profiles, riding tips, geographical data, backcountry travel advice and more... Pretty much everything you need to know about riding the Divide is include other than food and your legs! 6 maps make up the entire route. $10.50 each.

Guide Books for Steamboat Springs and Vicinity:

It's simply impossible for us to list all the guidebooks we stock but let it be known our title list is extensive. From hiking or riding Utah's desert country to skiing Colorado's 10th Mountain Hut System to discovering tropical Belize, or adventuring to the glaciers of the northwest, Ski Haus offers hundreds of guidebooks that will spark your interest and inspire travel.

Locally, there are several guidebooks that will let you hit the trail upright. These are our favorites:

Mount Zirkel Wilderness
Flat Tops Wilderness
Hiking the Boat II
Rawah Wilderness
Steamboat Single Tracks
Steamboat Springs Rock Guide
Dinosaur National Monument

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Mount Zirkel Wilderness Guidebook
The definitive guide to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. $19.95
Guide to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area
The Flat Tops Wilderness Area is huge. A guidebook is the only way to go...
$18.00
Hiking the Boat II Guideboook
A very comprehensive guide to hiking Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley including the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area, Northwest Flat Tops Area, Sarvis Creek Wilderness, and the
Routt National Forest. $21.95
Guide to the Rawah Wilderness Area
We know the Rawah may not be "local" to Steamboat Springs but heck, cross the pass, shoot across North Park, climb Cameron Pass, and you're there... Beside this book is also written by our friend Ray Ave, the author of the Zirkel Guidebook. $16.95
Steamboat Single Tracks Guidebook
From North Routt County to South, Steamboat Single Tracks will provide the trail knowledge to ride, and ride, and ride, and.... $10.95
Steamboat Springs Rock Guide
The vertical guide to our area. Don't leave the ground without it.The Domes, Blob Rock, Hole in the Wall, Butcherknife... These are the haunts of the local
rock hounds. $5.95
Guidebook to Dinosaur National Monument
When Steamboaters can't take another moment of mud season, Dinosaur is a wonderful early spring experience. And really, if you want to extend your summer it is a great place to go in the fall. And of course, the Yampa flows through Dinosaur and is a classic river trip.... Tons of reasons to visit Dinosaur.$14.95
There seems to be two schools of thought when it comes to what to take on a day hike. There are those who barely take anything leaving much to chance and then there are those who take everything leaving nothing to chance.

Ski Haus suggests the middle ground. Take enough gear and food to be smart, plan for the unexpected, and always take the 10 Essentials!

Extra clothing: Prepare for bad weather even on the nice days.
Extra food: Hiking builds an appetite. Bring lots of food, snacks, and water.
Sunglasses: Protect those eyes!
Knife or Leatherman: An especially important tool for repairs and emergencies.
Fire starter: We've heard of lots of day hikes that turn into overnights.
First Aid Kit: Fail to plan, plan to fail.
Matches: Fire starter isn't worth beans without a spark
Headlamp: Good for late night returns to the car.
Maps: Buy a map to see where you're going, not where you've been.
Compass: North, South, East, West, all look pretty the same in the dark.

This is not a comprehensive list but only a few of the necessary items that should be in every day hikers pack. Cameras, field guides, trekking poles, rain gear, hat, sunscreen etc. the list can be big. Pick and choose what is right for you and your hike.

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Day Packs -
The easiest way to pick a day pack is to have a good idea of what you want to carry. Are you a minimalist or do like hiking with kitchen sink? Having the idea of what you will carry will eliminate smaller or bigger packs from your list.

Also, what type of pack features do you like? Top loader, panel loader, built up harness system or simple. single compartment or lots of pockets?

Think about these options and it will help you choose the perfect pack. Here are a few Ski Haus favorites -

Osprey Atmos
Osprey Talon
North Face Skarab
Black Diamond Bbee

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Osprey Atmos Packs The Atmos 35 is light and simple. Easy panel loading and a spacious welded stretch woven front pocket allow easy access and organization. A water resistant zippered slash pocket allows quick access to an interior panel mesh pocket while zippered mesh pockets on the hipbelt keep energy gel close at hand. Stow hydration in an interior sleeve with easy exit ports
.
* Zippered full panel loader
* Front slash pocket with welded water-resistant zipper
* Airspeed suspension with 6005-T6 aluminum alloy frame and 7075 aluminum flex rods
* Hydration cavity behind mesh panel with hydration tubing port holes
* Removable shockcord clips
Atmos 35
$159

Ski Haus also carries the Atmos 50 and 65. Same features, larger volume for $199 and $239

Osprey Talon Carry the basics with this simple and light pack.This spacious panel loader will carry all you need for a day of fast paced fun or a serious adventure race. A large mesh lined slash pocket keeps valuables separate and organized.
Ski Haus also carries the Osprey Talon 11 ($79) and Talon 33 ($129.00). Same features. Different sizes.
If you need to do more faster, the Flight Series Skareb 40 is the ideal ultra light pack if you require quick movement and athlete-tested durability
TNF Skarab 40 ($149)
• X-2™ Suspension system
• Roll-top closure
• 7075 tubular aluminum X stays
• Molded E-VAP™ backpanel
• E-VAP™ split contoured shoulder harness
• Top accessory pocket with zip closure
• Large front mesh pocket

• Dual side compression
• Trekking-pole loops
• Front tool loop
• Right-side zip pocket with water bottle keeper
• Left-side zip pocket with rain cover divider
• Rain cover included
• Easy-grab zip pulls
Black Diamond Bbee Pack Black Diamond packs are lightweight and durable tools that can bring you closer to the environments that you dream about everyday—places like jagged peaks, desert spires, dense forests and secluded beaches. Designed for those who love the simplicity of being outdoors and on their own, our packs provide you with just what you need and nothing more.
BD Bbee ($45.95)

Ski Haus also carries the Black Diamond Instinct ($99.95), Demon ($119.95), Speed ($119.95), Magnum ($49.95), and the Dart ($89.95).

Black Diamond Revelation Daypack • Technical pack for ski mountaineering,
• Front panel compartment for avy essentials,
• Unique attachment points for skis, ice tools, crampons and helmet,
• Y-Rod aluminum stay and thermoform carry system for a stable pack,
BD Revealation 35 ($159)

Ski Haus also carries the Revalation 45 for $169

Dark and Stormy

Lightning -
Sometimes there is no avoiding dangerous weather situations. Bad weather blows in quick and seems to take its time leaving. Here are a few tips to help you survive crazy weather.

- The most important advice is to
avoid bad weather. If you've planned for weeks a hike to the top of Hahn's Peak and there are ominous clouds rolling in, it might be a good idea to postpone your hike or pick another place to go, such as a valley instead of a ridgetop. One adage is "the less sky you can see during a storm, the better."

- Try not to be the highest object around. If you're on a treeless slope, squat on your heels, feet close together, and hug your knees, keeping your buttocks off the ground. If this position is difficult to maintain, try to insulate your contact with the ground by sitting on something nonconductive, such as your pack or a sleeping pad. Better yet, look for a small ravine or gully or even a slight depression in the ground. If there are trees around, avoid standing near isolated trees, especially solitary, tall trees. A forest of even-height trees provide relative safety, but make sure it's not a clump of trees in an otherwise bare field.

- Stay out of shallow caves and avoid cliff bases which provide little protection from lightning. Judging how far away a storm is helps but it is not infallible. Counting the seconds between lightning flash and thunder clap (approximate five seconds lapse places the nearest part of the bolt about one mile away) doesn't always work. Lightning can stretch out for several miles and come, literally, out of the blue.

This is not meant to keep you inside if you see a single dark cloud in the sky, but rather to help you increase your safety margin in all kinds of weather. Hike and bike saf