The Divide Trail/Mountain View

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The Divide Trail/ Mountain View is a point to point route from Rabbit Ears Pass to the top of Steamboat Ski Area. It features miles of classic high country Colorado singletrack, magnificent views and an exciting finish down the fun, gravity-fed trails on Mt Werner.

The Divide Trail is long distance and at altitude. Be prepared by hydrating before and during the ride. The route is remote so bring plenty of snacks, supplies and extra layers.

It would be inaccurate to think of this ride as solely a DH bomber. jElevation gain is approximately 2,400-2,500 ft.

Start this epic ride by parking at the Rabbit Ears trailhead at Dumont Lake. The Wyoming Trail takes an immediate left, and rides along the campground as doubletrack on the north side of Dumont Lake-heading generally northwest. The trail transitions to singletrack and parallels Base Camp Rd. It crosses the creek, then after a short climb and a few miles of rolling terrain, intersects Base Camp Rd. Turn left and follow the road until the Base Camp parking area, then turn right where trail 1101 splits off again.

From here begin a fun, twisty descent that ends at a creek and then transitions to a climb to Fishhook Lake. This middle third of the trail from Base Camp trailhead to Long Lake is quite rocky and rooty-a full suspension takes the edge off! After riding along the east side of Fishhook Lake, turn left at the intersection for Lake Elmo trail, this is easy to miss. Continue pedaling through rolling, sometimes rocky terrain past Lake Elmo to a four-way intersection with Lake Percy Trail and Fish Creek Falls Trail.

Turn left and head downhill toward Long Lake, continuing straight on trail #1102. When you reach Long Lake, turn left, cross a brushy creek with an old pole by it, and climb west above the south side of Long Lake. At the next intersection, turn left and begin climbing Mountain View Trail #1032. After a few loose switchbacks, the trail rolls through the forest and then climbs again- this is probably the biggest single climb of the entire trek.

As the climb tops out, there are fantastic views across Rabbit Ears Pass. From here, it's just a few miles of contouring trail that brings you to Steamboat Ski Resort at the top of Buddys run. Turn left on the resorts dirt road, stay left at the Storm Peak lift, then within a minute or so turn right onto Pete's Wicked Trail.

After a few minutes, Cathy's Cutoff will turn right off Pete's Wicked Trail. Transition to easy flowing singletrack through the aspens and over a few rocks on Cathy's. Turn right at the intersection to continue the ride on Sunshine, or take the longer way down Pete's Wicked Trail for even more singletrack. From either trail, there are many routes down the lower half of the ski area, check the Mt. Werner page for other routes.

You'll pedal briefly uphill gently on Sunshine and then descend through more beautiful aspens to link up with Chisholm Trail. Stay left here and descend very quickly to the Thunderhead gondola via Why Not Road.Have a snack and catch your breath here - there's still more exciting descending ahead.

From the gondola looking west, ride down Spur Run, an access road that takes links to Valley View. Turn right to get back onto singletrack.

The route contours up and down initially with a bit more climbing than expected. There are rocky sections mixed in with random roots so be prepared to mash pedals through some tough sections.

From here the route breaks out into the open and rolls through a slabby section of granite. The break in the trees is brief as the trail ducks back into the forest. There's a few more open sections before a longer descent into a series of turns and switchbacks. This portion of the route intersects Rustlers Ridge twice - it's good to be trail aware here. Downhill riders will have speed and be seeking airtime in this area.

After more traversing, contouring and descending, Valley View turns across the slope under the gondola and then wraps around to the north. It's a slightly confusing intersection - stay between the Thunderhead hiking trail signs and head downhill.

The lower sections of Valley View are fast with long runs connected by a few switchbacks. The trail itself is not as engaging as the upper reaches but does provide great views of Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley.

Valley View finishes at a service road. Turn right and continue downhill to a major intersection with Wrangler Gulch.

Finish the ride on the fast and flowy trails of Wrangler Gulch and EZ Rider.

See you at the base!