Steamboat Mountain Biking: From Rabbit Ears to Soda Mountain

(Last Updated On: August 14, 2016)

Steamboat Springs will always hold a special place in my heart. I had some of my first powder skiing there as a child and I frequented it regularly during my college years (and beyond) for various freestyle skiing competitions – oooh, yeah, those good ol’ bumps on Voodoo. My first 24-hour mountain bike race was even there. Even though it was over a dozen years ago, I remember it well, especially freezing my ass off at night.

That said, for all the skiing I’ve done in the Steamboat Springs area, I haven’t given the riding much justice. So, after our friend Larry visited Crested Butte, he insisted I come up to Steamboat and sample their goods. He had a special ride planned out for us. We would ride from Rabbit Ears to Soda Mountain and then back to town.

From Rabbit Ears, we started out following a road that climbed above Dumont Lake which gave us some magnificent views.
Mountain biking near Rabbit Ears

Fog hovered in the valley below, while the Gore Range rose above it in the distance.
Views of Gore Range from near Rabbit Ears.

A view of Dumont Lake below.
Dumont Lake near Rabbit Ears.

We then hopped on the Wyoming Trail which started off as a fun descent, and then become more cross-country.
Mountain biking the Wyoming Trail near Steamboat Springs.

We rode by quite a few alpine lakes, including this one – Fish Hook.
Mountain biking near Fish Hook Lake near Steamboat Springs.

And Elmo.
Mountain biking by Lake Elmo near Steamboat Springs.

A few more shots of Larry on the Wyoming Trail.
Larry Fontaine mountain biking near Steamboat Springs.

Larry Fontain Mountain biking near Steamboat Springs.

Instead of taking the turn off the trail toward the Steamboat ski area, we continued on the Wyoming Trail to Buffalo Pass.
Mountain biking near Steamboat Springs

Larry Fontaine mountain biking near Steamboat Springs

Brittany Konsella mountain biking near Steamboat Springs.

Approaching Summit Lake.
Brittany Konsella mountain biking near Steamboat Springs.

We stopped for a rest near Summit Lake.
Mountain biking near Summit Lake near Steamboat Springs.

We continued up on the Buffalo Pass Road where we veered off on a single track to head up toward Soda Mountain. The single track is unmarked, not well-traveled, and pretty hard to find.
Mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

We climbed up the thin trail toward the top of Soda Mountain. Larry.
Larry Fontaine Mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

Larry Fontaine mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

Me.
Brittany Konsella mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

Then the trail got really faint.
Mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

Mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

Then there was the down – a fun descent off of Soda Mountain.
Larry Fontaine mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

Brittany Konsella mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

Larry Fontaine mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

Larry Fontaine mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

Brittany Konsella mountain biking Soda Mountain near Steamboat Springs.

Brittany Konsella mountain biking near Steamboat Springs.

Brittany Walker Konsella

Aside from skiing, biking, and all outdoorsy things,Brittany Walker Konsella also loves smiles and chocolate 🙂 Even though she excels at higher level math and chemistry, she still confuses left from right. Find out more about Brittany!

Summary
Steamboat Mountain Biking: From Rabbit Ears to Soda Mountain
Article Name
Steamboat Mountain Biking: From Rabbit Ears to Soda Mountain
Description
A modification of a classic- find out what it's like to ride from Rabbit Ears to Buffalo Pass to Soda Mountain & then back to the town of Steamboat Springs!
Author

Brittany Walker Konsella

Aside from skiing, biking, and all outdoorsy things, Brittany Walker Konsella also loves smiles and chocolate :) Even though she excels at higher level math and chemistry, she still confuses left from right. Find out more about Brittany!

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