Buffalo Pass Trail

Buffalo Pass is the 10,180-foot Continental Divide crossing north of Rabbit Ears Pass, at the end of a gravel county road from Steamboat Springs, and the hike here follows the Wyoming Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, north from the pass along the crest through forest and small lakes. It is 6 miles round trip with about 1,000 feet of rolling gain, high and cool, and shared with mountain bikers who ride the same trail.

From the Buffalo Pass trailhead at Summit Lake, the Wyoming Trail heads north along the Divide through dense spruce and fir, with the ridge broad enough that the walking is more rolling than climbing. Small ponds and lakes appear in the trees, and the trail crosses open meadow with views west over the Yampa Valley to Steamboat and east into North Park.

The trail continues along the Divide for many miles into the Mount Zirkel Wilderness and beyond, so the turnaround is wherever it suits; the 3-mile point, where the trail climbs a last rise on the ridge at about 10,300 feet with the Zirkels ahead, is the usual one. Return the same way. The Shoestring Lake trail, about 1.5 miles from the same area, is the shorter option.

From Steamboat Springs, take 7th Street to Strawberry Park Road (County Road 36) about 2 miles north, then Buffalo Pass Road (County Road 38) about 13 miles of gravel to the pass and the Summit Lake campground. The Forest Service rebuilt the stretch from Dry Lake to just past the Summit Lake trailhead in 2025, so the road is better than its old washboard reputation and passenger cars manage it in dry conditions; the upper road usually opens around July 1 once the snow melts, and it closes to wheeled vehicles December 1. The Dry Lake trails lower on the road stay closed until June 15 for elk calving. The trailhead lot is at the campground. No fee or permit for day use. Toilets and drinking water at the Summit Lake campground, which charges a fee to camp.

Dogs are allowed; keep them leashed or under immediate voice control, which is the Routt National Forest's rule in its wilderness areas. The rolling grade suits kids who are used to a few miles, and the lakes give them stops. Mountain bikers ride this section of the Wyoming Trail in numbers on summer weekends; listen and step aside. Carry water; the ponds are shallow and warm. Summit Lake campground has first-come sites. Steamboat is 45 minutes away, and the Park Range page covers Rabbit Ears Pass and the town trails.