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Buffalo Pass To Mountain View Trail Mountain Bike Trail
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
4 trail reviews |
| Status: |
Difficulty:  Intermediate |
| Length: 28 miles | Global Rank: #358 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 24 | Wishlist: 33 |
 1 trail check-ins |
Directions:
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Description: This trail is a delight for those who desire fast, generally smooth and rolling single-track with a smattering of climbing and technical sections. I started my day at the Buffalo Pass trailhead (about 15 miles out of town). After a short climb the trail levels out and trends downward over the next 7 or 8 miles. The trail is a mixture of smooth, cool forest sections, short uphills, and overall very fast riding. The atmosphere is surprisingly lush through here, and at times it feels like you are in a rain forest because the trees are so full and tight.
When you get to the 4-way intersection, you can take a short rest, then head west on the Fish Creek Falls trail. You will pass a large lake and soon you will find a split in the trail. You want to take the left fork to do the Mountain View Trail. This section begins with a long, gradual climb (you will be near or at 10,000í for much of this trail) but it is fairly easy and the trail is smooth (coming back down makes it worth it!). Once this portion of trail levels off, you have another nice mixture of fast single-track, with some small climbs thrown in to keep you honest. There is very little technical riding necessary, although there are a few tricky spots. After one series of switchbacks uphill and one series down, you will begin the final ascent to the ski area. Once you reach the top, you owe it to yourself to ride a few hundred feet west to the big chair lift and take in the view from the top! You will be looking down on the town of Steamboat. You are now about 15 miles into the trail! Time to head back.
You will return the same way, taking the Mountain View Trail back down (mostly downhill) to the Fish Creek Falls trail and head back uphill to the lake. To save time I opted to ride about half way up the lake and take a left turn on the forest service road and follow that for several miles to another split, at which time I took a right. You will soon find a gate, and another lake. Continue to follow this road for 5 or 6 miles in an uphill climb that will probably have you wondering just how far uphill this road can take you? After one last hill near the radio tower you will crest and descend back to the parking lot. Optionally, you could return the exact same way you rode out (on the single-track). I chose the rode because I was in a hurry to get back to town. It was MUCH quicker. I consider this loop one of the best rides Iíve been on, and if you like cross country riding Iím willing to bet you will too. I did see a fair number of hunters in the area, so you might want to wear some orange.
Description: This trail is a delight for those who desire fast, generally smooth and rolling single-track with a smattering of climbing and technical sections. I started my day at the Buffalo Pass trailhead (about 15 miles out of town). After a short climb the trail levels out and trends downward over the next 7 or 8 miles. The trail is a mixture of smooth, cool forest sections, short uphills, and overall very fast riding. The atmosphere is surprisingly lush through here, and at times it feels like you are in a rain forest because the trees are so full and tight.
When you get to the 4-way intersection, you can take a short rest, then head west on the Fish Creek Falls trail. You will pass a large lake and soon you will find a split in the trail. You want to take the left fork to do the Mountain View Trail. This section begins with a long, gradual climb (you will be near or at 10,000í for much of this trail) but it is fairly easy and the trail is smooth (coming back down makes it worth it!). Once this portion of trail levels off, you have another nice mixture of fast single-track, with some small climbs thrown in to keep you honest. There is very little technical riding necessary, although there are a few tricky spots. After one series of switchbacks uphill and one series down, you will begin the final ascent to the ski area. Once you reach the top, you owe it to yourself to ride a few hundred feet west to the big chair lift and take in the view from the top! You will be looking down on the town of Steamboat. You are now about 15 miles into the trail! Time to head back.
You will return the same way, taking the Mountain View Trail back down (mostly downhill) to the Fish Creek Falls trail and head back uphill to the lake. To save time I opted to ride about half way up the lake and take a left turn on the forest service road and follow that for several miles to another split, at which time I took a right. You will soon find a gate, and another lake. Continue to follow this road for 5 or 6 miles in an uphill climb that will probably have you wondering just how far uphill this road can take you? After one last hill near the radio tower you will crest and descend back to the parking lot. Optionally, you could return the exact same way you rode out (on the single-track). I chose the rode because I was in a hurry to get back to town. It was MUCH quicker. I consider this loop one of the best rides Iíve been on, and if you like cross country riding Iím willing to bet you will too. I did see a fair number of hunters in the area, so you might want to wear some orange.
added on September 17, 2004 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Indian Creek Loop in Denver
Bergen Peak in Evergreen
Chutes and Ladders in Fruita
Chimney Gulch in Golden
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by Grizzattack on October 19, 2010
Lots of fun here and long miles, I had the wife drop me off near Buffalo Pass and I rode all they back to Steamboat. I cannot imagine this trail being free and clear of mud and snow untill at least mid-summer, unless it was a poor snow year.
Similar Trail: Monarch Pass
reviewed by skibum on July 20, 2008
I actually hit this route after coming from Rabbit Ears Pass via the Base Camp Trail. After hitting the Buffalo Creek trailhead, I headed back--over 38 miles, most of it over 10,000 feet--exhausting, but totally sweet. The woods here are so lush--I hit this on an unusually cold, misty day in August. I don't think the temp ever topped 55 degrees. There was a very cool fog/mist rolling through the hills for most of the ride, giving it a very Lord of the Rings feel. There are a few trails crisscrossing and my map was out of date, which made route finding a little sporty, especially since the fog obscured any landmarks. In any event, this is a true epic through truly special country.
* Review edited 7/20/2008
reviewed by jcasson on August 21, 2006
This is a great ride! If you really want to make an epic day out of it, start from town and climb the 11 mile buff pass road, then hit the trail as described, but descend Pete's Wicked Trail to Cathy's Cutoff to Sunshine to Valley View on the Steamboat Ski Mountain. Mileage is around 50 miles with 5000'+ of total elevation gain. We call it The BFR, which could mean Buff Road or Big F-ing Ride-Truly an epic!
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