Steamboat Springs, a location I’ve yet to see, was the plan for celebrating this year’s birthday. Luckily, a friend suggested a stop along the way. About 22 miles southeast of Steamboat is a side road off US-40 (Rabbit Ears Pass) to Dumont Lake. It’s just a short drive to the lake; let’s go! I’m sure the alpine lake is lovely and we could possibly see wildflowers. POSSIBLY??!! We could not have scripted a wildflower hike this beautiful!
Steamboat Springs, Ski Town USA, is best known for their winter sports and producing more Winter Olympic athletes than any place in North America. So why go to Steamboat in the summer? Number one, I don’t ski, but mostly because of the waterfalls and wildflowers! Now that’s what I love! Today we are heading to Fish Creek Falls, less than four miles from downtown Steamboat where we are staying. The trails and services are maintained by the US Forest Service in Routt National Forest and they have done a wonderful job.
Here we are at the Fire Wave/Seven Wonders Trailhead. Well, actually we couldn’t find the Fire Wave Trailhead, so we are across the street to do the 1.8 mile loop in the other direction. It is about 8am and only two other cars in the large parking lot. Fire Wave is a major feature here in Valley of Fire. We will get there toward the end of our hike. Here we go!
Exploring Cottonwood Canyon Road in April 2017, I could find no way down into the Cottonwood Narrows at this northern end. No signs, no trails, just wandering around finding four to six foot drops into the canyon. I can jump down, BUT how do I get back up? Good to think ahead. Hoping the access they created for us is easy. Come on along into the Narrows!
Here we go . . .