Top of the Rockies and Steamboat

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I've been doing a lot of homework on my planned trip to Steamboat Springs starting Monday July 8. The plan is to drive in Denver around on 470 West, and get off at the Morrison exit where I will take another look at the Red Rock Amphitheater and then head West on Hwy 74 again where I will take another look at Evergreen, then continue on Hwy 74 to I-70.

At I-70 I will head West again with a quick stopover at Genesee Park to take a look at the buffalo herd, then to the Loveland Pass Exit US Route 6, where I will take it up over the pass, instead of using the Eisenhower Tunnel, and then down the other side and into Dillon and to Frisco. At Frisco I will take a look around and check out the town as well as some dispersed camping on FR 1000. After Frisco I will continue West on I-70 again to Wheeler Junction where I will head South on Co. 91 on the Top Of The Rockies Scenic Byway to Leadville. It ought to be getting a bit late in the evening so I will head out to Turquoise Lake to one of the many NFS campgrounds there.

The next day the plan is to check out Leadville a bit and then ease back North on US Route 24 back to I-70 at Dowds Junction, so this diversion coupled with my last trip in which I drove over Independence Pass to Aspen will have me having driven almost all of the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, http://www.topoftherockiesbyway.org/map-guide

At Dowds Junction I will probably go west on US 6 instead of I-70 to Wolcott, where I will ease North again towards Steamboat on CO. 131. I am considering when I get to State Bridge cutting across on the Through Road and through Gore Canyon of the Colorado perhaps stopping at the Pumphouse campground which is a rafting put in point for the Upper segment of the Colorado River.

After overnighting at the Pumphouse Campground (if a spot is available) I will ease into Kremmling the next morning and then go North on 40 to Steamboat Springs. I will camp somewhere in the vicinity of Steamboat Springs for a few Days. I have several campgrounds I am looking at to camp while I am there.

Below is a bit of information I have collected on Steamboat FYI.

Steamboat Springs Information

http://www.steamboat-chamber.com/

http://www.steamboat-chamber.com/signature-events/hot-air-balloon-rodeo

http://www.steamboat-chamber.com/concerts/strings-music-festival/music-on-the-green

Bud Werner Memorial Library – 1289 Lincoln Avenue – Internet access - Free

Steamboat Springs Health and Recreation Center – 136 Loncoln Ave. – Hart Springs flows into it. - http://steamboathotsprings.org/

Yampa River Botanic Park 1000 Pamela Lane Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

Several hot springs are located around Steamboat in various city parks – a walking tour map is available at the visitor center

Strawberry Hot Springs – 7 miles north of downtown at the end of Co. RD. 36 http://www.strawberryhotsprings.com/

Strawberry Springs review -

http://voices.yahoo.com/strawberry-park-hot-springs-steamboat-springs-colorado-3605401.html?cat=16

Rodeo performances are held on Fridays and Saturdays at the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena located at historic Howelsen Hill. Rodeo performances begin at 7:30 pm and run approximately 2 hours. 501 Howelsen Pkwy, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487



Dry Lake Campground – USFS campground 6 miles from Steamboat – No drinking water – Northeast on CR 36 then East on CR 38. $10 night

Pearl Lake State Park – camping $18 a night - http://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/pearllake/Pages/PearlLakeStateParkHome.aspx

Steamboat Lake State Park – 28 miles north of Steamboat Springs on Routt County Road 129 at 8000 ft.

183 campsites. $18 a night or $22 an night with electricity. http://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/steamboatlake/Pages/SteamboatLakeHome.aspx

Stagecoach State Park – 19 miles South of Steamboat – Head 3 miles south on US 40. At Co. 131 turn Southwest and go 6 miles to Routt Co. Rd. 14. Go South to about 5 miles to the park. 92 campsites which range from $10 to $20 a night. http://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/stagecoach/Pages/StagecoachStatePark.aspx

Medicine Bow – Routt National Forest - Hahns Peak/Bears Ear Ranger Station 57 10^th St.

Fish Creek Falls – 4 miles from downtown Steamboat in Routt National Forest – Turn right off Lincoln Ave. onto 3^rd street, go one block and then turn then turn right again onto Fish Creek Falls Road.

For those on a budget who want to stay in a motel room instead of camping the downtown motor lodges are the best bet

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