Name: Flash of Gold 1022.1
Rating: 4.6

Toolbox

Plan in onX Backcountry

Driving directions
Download GPX File

Know This Trail?

Upload a photo

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Family Friendly Younger riders may struggle a little on the climb, especially as it gets higher. But will have a great time in either direction on this beautiful trail if you turn around when everyone is ready.

Open June though October. This is a multi-use trail, so be on the lookout for other trail users and yield appropriately.

Description

Flash of Gold is part of an expanding trail network. The lowest part of the trail is moderate with many switchbacks and vistas on the way up or down. Riders can bask in the scenery as the singletrack travels through the trees, fern groves, and open hillsides. Many of the turns are very man-made and bike park-ish. At mile 4.45 the trail meets the Flash of Gold to BTR Connector and the end of the first phase of construction.

The trail soon transitions to hand-built singletrack where it crosses over Spring Creek. In general, it's more technical and narrow. Ahead, the trail overlaps with FS Road 301 for a series of switchbacks. On riders right (south), past the third switchback, the trail has been constructed using 2A tax funds generated by hotel room taxes in Steamboat.

The steady climbing keeps going through big alpine meadows on the south-side of a tree dotted knoll. Around mile 8.3, the trail again overlaps a short section of road to complete a few switchbacks (you can bailout to FS Road 301 by turning left). Pretty soon Flash of Gold heads into the rocks for an expert riders dream. This final section links several sections of doubletrack with singletrack to deliver riders to the end of FS Road 306.1A. From there, it's a short pedal to connect with FS Road 306 and then to Buffalo Pass Road 60.

Contacts

Local Club: Routt County Riders

Jun 23, 2026: Finding Common Ground on Gravel Roads

Jun 23, 2026: Empowering Our Riders: A Community-Driven Vision for E-Bike Safety This Summer

May 4, 2026: Trail Counter Report 2025

Land Manager: USFS - Medicine Bow/Routt National Forest - Hanhs Peak Bears Ears District Office

Shared By:

David Wittlinger

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.6 from 78 votes

#2

in Buffalo Pass

#43

Overall

4.6 from 78 votes

5 Star		69%
4 Star		24%
3 Star		3%
2 Star		1%
1 Star		3%

Trail Rankings

#2

in Buffalo Pass

#18

in Colorado

#43

Overall

8 Views Last Month

14,611 Since Jul 11, 2017

		0%
		4%
		72%
		12%
		13%
		0%

Add a Photo

Photos

Oct 11, 2017 near Steambo…, CO

Dec 9, 2019 near Steambo…, CO

Jul 9, 2018 near Steambo…, CO

Oct 19, 2018 near Steambo…, CO

Aug 5, 2022 near Steambo…, CO

Beautiful aspen trees in the fall during a ride on Flash of Gold.

Sep 28, 2021 near Steambo…, CO

6 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 4 hours ago

Update Conditions See History

Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 12, 2026

sothpaw

Thank you again to the locals who bailed me out with a spare tube!

Aug 15, 2026

Bryan R

Jun 21, 2025

Alex Garhart

4.5mi

Sep 15, 2024

Sheri Vernier

Sep 14, 2024

David Schmid

Sep 13, 2024

Sheri Vernier

Jul 24, 2024

Andrea Sinclair

The best! Turned around just before the trail hits the road due to boulder fields where we did a lot of walking. Started at 645 and only saw 5 people

Jul 5, 2024

Mitch Jones

Sep 30, 2023

Pam Lo

Jul 22, 2023

Caleb Elliott

Did this as the uphill for Soda Mountain

Jul 21, 2023

Stephanie F

19mi

Oct 8, 2022

Dave Manago

All-time Fall-time

Oct 7, 2022

Patrick Burns

Didn't climb it all, but this is an amazing yet super chill way to ride a bike up hill. Probably a drag dh, unless you are into that sort of thing.

Oct 4, 2022

Madeline Koutnik

So fun! Third ride 10mi — 2h 10m

Sep 4, 2022

Jeremy Orr

amazing scenery 11.2mi — 1h 33m

Aug 3, 2022

Ryan MD

Absolutely gorgeous trail. Mostly needs endurance to bike it. Such an immersive experience and a great time! 13.1mi — 2h 05m

Aug 3, 2022

Nick Wilder

Superb trail!

Sep 25, 2021

Nicole Harty

Sep 5, 2021

Kiffer Creveling

Oct 2, 2020

Nick Nedostup

20mi — 3h 30m

Sep 19, 2020

Nuts Von Crazy

Unbelievably fun. 20.5mi — 5h 00m

Sep 14, 2020

M K

Jul 18, 2020

Matt Stamerjohn

great smooth switchbacks

Jun 20, 2020

Kritty VR

12mi

Sep 17, 2019

Darwin Longfellow

Sep 7, 2019

Wade Carroll

Aug 30, 2019

bennett davenport

Aug 3, 2019

Jesse Erickson

Jul 6, 2019

Lee Blazek

Gtg

Sep 30, 2018

Meridith Burrows

Turned around at junction 11mi — 3h 30m

Sep 30, 2018

Adam Burrows

Sep 25, 2018

Brian Geiman

14mi

Sep 24, 2018

Brian Geiman

7 up 7 down 14mi

Sep 23, 2018

Susie C

Sep 22, 2018

Patrick Deyette

out and back 20mi

Sep 6, 2018

Dana M

Sep 4, 2018

Sasha Neal

Sep 2, 2018

Adrian Belinne

Aug 28, 2018

Robert Exum

drove shuttle halfway up the trail. started going up the trail the wrong way for 1 hr then turned around and went back down about 5 mi to dry lake cg 5.5mi

Aug 11, 2018

Colleen Lyon

Jul 28, 2018

Mack Haugh

Jul 22, 2018

Eric Locat

Jul 7, 2018

Fred Gibson

great trail...Thunder storms preventive a complete out n back...more technical as you near the top 14.6mi — 2h 40m

Jul 5, 2018

Matt Ross

Jun 30, 2018

Thomas Pyke

Jun 20, 2018

Private User

Sep 20, 2017

Alex Mcnair

Sep 17, 2017

Thomas Pyke

Sep 9, 2017

Private User

Aug 20, 2017

Lauren Marie

w/ Pat, Matt, Ben & Sarah. 10.5mi

Aug 19, 2017

Private User

Nearby Recommended Routes

Emerald Mountain Advanced Loop

9.1 mi 14.7 km • 1,490' Up 454.15 m Up • 1,486' Down 452.89 m Down

Steambo…, CO

2020 EMERALD MOUNTAIN EPIC PRESENTED BY HONEY STINGER 10-Mile

10.3 mi 16.6 km • 1,548' Up 471.91 m Up • 1,527' Down 465.32 m Down

Steambo…, CO

2020 EMERALD MOUNTAIN EPIC presented by HONEY STINGER - Half Marathon

13.6 mi 21.9 km • 1,611' Up 491.04 m Up • 1,585' Down 483.13 m Down

Steambo…, CO

2020 Emerald Mountain Epic presented by Honey Stinger Marathon and MTB

27.1 mi 43.7 km • 3,180' Up 969.29 m Up • 3,155' Down 961.76 m Down

Steambo…, CO

Berms and flowers are plentiful on the Rotary trail.

Beall - Ridge - Rotary Loop

15.8 mi 25.5 km • 2,169' Up 661.06 m Up • 2,152' Down 656.06 m Down

Steambo…, CO

The Divide Trail/Mountain View

26.0 mi 41.9 km • 1,699' Up 517.92 m Up • 4,343' Down 1323.73 m Down

Steambo…, CO

Your Rating:
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites:	Add To-Do · Your List

Flash of Gold 1022.1

“Incredible switchbacks up towards Buffalo Mountain. ”

11.7

18.9

10,126' 3,087 m

8,197' 2,498 m

2,080' 634 m

280' 85 m

4%

15%

Toolbox

Know This Trail?

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Family Friendly Younger riders may struggle a little on the climb, especially as it gets higher. But will have a great time in either direction on this beautiful trail if you turn around when everyone is ready.

Description

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#2

#43

#2

#18

#43

Photos

6 Comments

Comment Type:

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

Emerald Mountain Advanced Loop

2020 EMERALD MOUNTAIN EPIC PRESENTED BY HONEY STINGER 10-Mile

2020 EMERALD MOUNTAIN EPIC presented by HONEY STINGER - Half Marathon

2020 Emerald Mountain Epic presented by Honey Stinger Marathon and MTB

Beall - Ridge - Rotary Loop

The Divide Trail/Mountain View

Stewarded By

Join the Community! It's FREE