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Flash of Gold 1022.1

Intermediate
 4.5 (67)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Northwest Rockies
  4. …Steamboat Springs
  5. Buffalo Pass
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“Incredible switchbacks up towards Buffalo Mountain. ”

David Wittlinger
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11.7

Miles

18.9

KM
Singletrack

10,126' 3,087 m

High

8,197' 2,498 m

Low

2,080' 634 m

Up

280' 85 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

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

Mar 20, 2023: 2022 Annual Report

Feb 28, 2023: 2023 Middle School Street Smarts Bike Safety

Feb 28, 2023: E-Bike Distribution Program Announcement

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

Shared By:

David Wittlinger
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 67 votes

#1

in Buffalo Pass

#81

Overall
  4.5 from 67 votes
5 Star
69%
4 Star
24%
3 Star
3%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
3%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Buffalo Pass

#32

in Colorado

#81

Overall
8 Views Last Month
14,611 Since Jul 11, 2017
Intermediate
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Photos

Golden ferns along Flash of Gold trail
Oct 11, 2017 near Steambo…, CO
GEM Trail
Dec 9, 2019 near Steambo…, CO
Entering the Aspens
Jul 9, 2018 near Steambo…, CO
September gold.
Oct 19, 2018 near Steambo…, CO
Flahses of gold... on Flash of Gold!
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

5 Comments

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Weather

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All Clear 7 days ago
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Check-Ins

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 Vogelsberg
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!

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Stewarded by Routt County Riders