wildernet

Bears Ears Ranger District

Quick Facts

Rabbit Ears Peak Trail

Beginning Elevation:	9,604 Feet (2993.8 Meters)
Difficulty:	Easy
Elevation Gain:	1,050 Feet (327.3 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	10,654 Feet (3321.1 Meters)
Length, One-way:	3 Miles (5.0 Kilometers)
Other Maps:	Routt National Forest Map
TI Topo Maps:	#118, Steamboat Springs, Rabbit Ears Pass
Usage:	Moderate to Heavy
USGS Maps:	Rabbit Ears

General Description

Aerial view of Dumont Lake and campground with Rabbit Ears Peak in the distance

ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS:
The rock formation, which resembles a rabbit's ears, is accessible from an old jeep road. Therefore, you may encounter cars driving some of the way down Forest Road 291. Most of the hike is open fields, so be sure to bring adequate sun block. Also, Do not be alarmed when you see herds of grazing sheep with shepherds on horseback along the way because the area is permitted. Extraordinary wildflowers are visible during late spring and early summer. Be sure and bring your camera and bug repellent!

NARRATIVE: Parking just past the stone monument on Forest Road 311, continue walking up Road 311 through a patch of forest to the clearing. On your right, you will notice another jeep trail, Road 291, with a small hiking symbol on a post; this is the old jeep road that will take you up to Rabbit Ears Peaks. The old dirt
road winds through breathtaking meadows of wildflowers. Upon entering the forested part of the trail, you encounter the first real incline of the hike. The last uphill grade is very steep and will bring you to the base of the Ears. Be careful not to slide coming down these steep grades on your return hike.

LEAVE NO TRACE

As humans, we must minimize our impacts to help preserve this resource for present and future generations.

Directions from Steamboat Springs: ACCESS: Drive about 19 miles southeast of Steamboat up Rabbit Ears Pass on HWY 40. Turn left (North) at the Dumont Lake Campground sign, and follow FDR 315 past the Dumont Lake Picnic Area and Campground Area turnoffs until you reach the old stone monument and historic marker. Turn left here onto FDR 311 -you can park here, or past the gate and through a group of trees turn right onto FDR 291. You can park here and begin your hike.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: Summer through Fall (NOTE: Accessibility depends on snow depth and weather.) .

		Current Conditions & Trip Reports
		Add your own trip Report! Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others. This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip report Filed By: Katie (Grand Rapids, MI) Number of People Encountered: 11-25 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Highly Report: The Rabbit Ears Pass trail is probabaly the best trail I have ever been . There are great lunch sopts on the way. The scenery is just gorgeous as you look out from the top, I still look back at all my pictures I took and think of how pretty the color of the rock was. I would definately recommend going in the spring or summer. The wildflowers are very pretty that time of year. I would definately recommend it because when you cme down you feel like you were just on top of the world. Conditions: There was no snow because we were there in the summer and I brought alot of water to drink on the way. There is a mild water spot where you have to cross over in the way of the path. There were alot of fallen trees off to the side of us where the meadows were. When you get closer to the top it gets a little steep and rocky.You are exposed to sun in the beginning of the hike but towards the end it gets shadier. Water Availability: I had just up to Steamboat Springs to visit family and friends. They also had a dog so we had to bring water for her and yes we did bring about 5 water bottles. So do bring tons of water!

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Hiking & Walking	Rabbit Ears Trail	Yes
	Wildflower Identification	open meadows along the trail	Yes
	Viewing Scenery	Rabbit Ears Peak	Yes

Related Activities

Dumont Lake Campground - Dumont Lake Campground is located 22 miles southeast of Steamboat Springs on Rabbit Ears Pass at an elevation of 9,500 feet.

Meadows Campground - Meadows Campground sits in a serene location 15 miles southeast of Steamboat Springs on Rabbit Ears Pass at an elevation of 9,300 feet.

Walton Creek Campground - Walton Creek is a small campground located 18 miles southeast of Steamboat Springs on Rabbit Ears Pass, at an elevation of 9,400 feet.