Spring Creek Trail
DESCRIPTION
Begin pedaling up the dirt road. Keep in mind that this is a road that cars do travel on. Stay over to the right. The road will turn to a double track in about .5 miles. Follow this double track up above Spring Creek Park (featuring two reservoir ponds and gazebo.) The first bridge crossing will be in about ½ mile. Stay on this double track for another mile until the trailhead sign is reached. At the sign, climb up a short steep hill to the left and take the immediate right. This is the beginning of the singletrack and the official beginning of the Spring Creek Trail. There is a gate that closes the trail from November 15th until April 15th for elk habitat preservation.
From here on, there are no other trails off the wide singletrack. The trail will cross back and forth over the creek until reaching the summit at Dry Lake, approximately 5 miles later. The terrain is mostly hard packed dirt but does have sections of rocks, roots and ruts. It is a continuous climb with many short steep pitches. The trail is not very technical in nature, but the climbs require physical fitness. There is a total elevation gain of 1,200 ft.
Upon reaching the top, turn around and enjoy the beautiful ride back down. Be careful, this trail is one of the most popular in Steamboat, so encounters with other riders, hikers, dog walkers and equestrians are inevitable.
Know before you go:
This trail weaves back and forth over the Spring Creek and through aspen forests with about a dozen bridge crossings. It can be done as an up and back down, or a loop if Buffalo Pass Road (Routt County Road 38) is ridden. For 2011, there will be a lot of truck traffic on Buffalo Pass Road above Dry Lake, due to hazard tree removal and road maintenance.
Parking:
From downtown Steamboat Springs travel north on 3rd Street and turn right at stop sign onto Pine Street which will turn into East Maple Street. Pass the Steamboat Springs High School on the right and follow road to the end where it intersects with Amethyst Drive. At this stop sign the parking lot for the trail is directly across the street. This is RCR 34. If driving, park car here.
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