Mount Werner Out-and-Back

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E-Bikes Not Allowed

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This out-and-back takes you to the summit of Steamboat Ski Resort, on Mount Werner.

You'll first climb up the side of a canyon. You'll then be greeted with grueling switchbacks up Pioneer Trail. You'll then ride along a service road through a stunning aspen forest up to Rendezvous Lodge. Finally, you'll ride up more switchbacks to the ridge at the top of the mountain. A short doubletrack ride will take you to the Summit of Mount Werner, complete with extraordinary views.

Check out the ski run signs at the top, they are much taller when not buried in snow!

The route starts halfway up Zig Zag at the Burgess Creek Road Parking Lot. After riding on the service road for 50 feet, take a left on Zig Zag. This trail will take you up Steamboat's "BC Ski Way" ski run. It's quite steep, as it goes straight up with no switchbacks.

The trail slowly turns right until a split off to Pioneer Trail. Turn left at this intersection, but stay right at the next junction just across the bridge. You'll then proceed to switch back up a south face filled with scrub oak and juniper. Eventually, the trail will begin to switch back across the north face, where you'll have great views in a beautiful aspen forest. When you reach the top of the switchbacks, you'll head south, crossing lots of ski runs.

After going south, you'll be greeted with a six-way intersection on Rainbow Saddle (four service roads and two singletrack trails, Moonlight, and Pioneer Trail). Take Duster service road, the second road on your left.

Duster is a flat service road through another beautiful aspen forest that will take you to Rendezvous Lodge, which does NOT operate in the summer. When you reach the lodge, take the first turn on your left. It should be a doubletrack trail. Continue up for about 50 yards. Turn right on Sunshine trail.

Continue up Sunshine. Make sure not to turn until Cathy's Cutoff. There are many unmarked trails that you could accidentally turn on. Turn right on Cathy's Cutoff.

Cathy's Cutoff is an easy half-mile trail that will take you up to Pete's Wicked Trail. When Cathy's Cutoff dead ends at Pete's Wicked Trail, turn left.

A steep, technical climb will follow. Once you reach the pine forest after going under the lift, the trail will become even steeper, as well as turning into doubletrack. This section goes directly up Steamboat's "Highline" ski run. Pete's Wicked Trail will eventually dead end at a service road. Turn left on the road (NOT THE DOUBLETRACK).

The road is flat until you reach the top of Storm Peak Challenge road. Continue straight, you'll ride up to the top of the Morningside Lift. After a short descent, you'll have reached the final climb to the top of Mount Werner.