By Shannon Lukens.
The Routt Recreation and Conservation Roundtable is from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. The Buff Pass Community meeting is to discuss what to expect this winter at the Buff Pass-Dry Lake Trailhead. A lot of it is about the reconfigured parking lot and the $5 per day parking fee. There is also a $30 Annual Forest Day-Use Pass available at the US Forest Service office in Steamboat on Weiss Drive. Storm Peak Brewing will be there to provide free beer, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
A press release from the US Forest Service says, “Buffalo Pass is a premier winter recreation destination for snowmobilers, skiers, and recreationists. Public access and opportunities are managed locally by the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District (HPBE), with the help of Routt Powder Riders, who groom a large network of snowmobile trails, Steamboat Powdercats, who create and maintain a network of designated groomed motorized routes within the winter backcountry permit area, and Routt County, who provides plowing and search/rescue.”
Some Social Media pages are saying that the meeting is to discuss whether snowmobiling will be allowed to continue on Buff Pass. Matthew Mulica is the Senior Project Director of the Keystone Policy Center, who is organizing the meeting. We asked whether motorized access and usage of snowmobiles on Buff Pass is being discussed. He tells Steamboat Radio News, “Confirmed that this is not a topic we’ve ever discussed and not a topic for this meeting.”
Press Release from U.S. Forest Service; Dec. 9, 2024.
Recreation site improvements to greet Dry Lake visitors this winter
Multiple updates have been made to the popular Forest access point near Steamboat Springs.
(STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.) December 9, 2024 – The Routt National Forest wants winter recreationists to be aware that trailhead and parking lot improvements are complete at the Dry Lake recreation site just northeast of Steamboat Springs on Forest Road 60 (accessing Buffalo Pass).
The most significant change is construction of a one-way directional road moving traffic counterclockwise between two parking lots with improved parking design.
The upper lot was expanded to accommodate diagonally parked small trailers and vehicles, while the lower parking area was engineered for diagonally parked larger trucks and trailers. Overall, lot functionality has been improved, permittee parking has been separated, and a better user experience is anticipated.
As of Dec. 15, Dry Lake is transitioning to a day-use fee area, requiring a $5 vehicle/day-use fee. Alternatively, visitors can use the Annual Forest Day-Use Pass ($30/year) or their America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year). The Forest’s annual pass can be used at all day-use sites throughout the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and the America the Beautiful Pass can be used for entrance fees at Federal public lands throughout the United States.
These management changes are part of a multi-year, multi-partner effort to address parking congestion and overcrowding issues at the well-used access point for the Buffalo Pass area.
A good example of additional efforts are the Know Before You Go pages on the Steamboat Chamber website, which were created to assist the public in assessing the situation at the Dry Lake parking lot/trailhead. A live webcam, made possible by the Routt Recreation and Conservation Roundtable, is featured on that site.
After observing the current parking situation online via the webcam, users should develop a backup plan in case parking is unavailable where expected. The Dry Lake parking lot has limited space, so consider shuttles and carpooling or find a different destination for the day. Options include, but are not limited to: Spring Creek, Emerald Mountain, Rabbit Ears Pass, Dunkley Pass, Seedhouse, and Columbine. Users should verify in advance whether trailheads offer motorized or non-motorized access.
Buffalo Pass is a premier winter recreation destination for snowmobilers, skiers, and recreationists. Public access and opportunities are managed locally by the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District (HPBE), with the help of Routt Powder Riders, who groom a large network of snowmobile trails, Steamboat Powdercats, who create and maintain a network of designated groomed motorized routes within the winter backcountry permit area, and Routt County, who provides plowing and search/rescue. These partners provide services and often maintain resources that may not otherwise be available to the public. The Rabbit Ears Pass/Buffalo Pass winter recreation map provides additional details.
Visitors to Dry Lake are reminded to yield the right-of-way to snowcats on trails and that camping overnight at the trailhead is prohibited, as it impedes Routt County’s ability to successfully plow the area.
Area snowmobile information is available from the Colorado Snowmobile Association.
The Routt Recreation and Conservation Roundtable (RRCR) is hosting a Dry Lake/Buffalo Pass Community Meeting on Thurs., Dec. 12 at the Steamboat Springs Community Center, 1605 Lincoln Avenue. The event runs from 6:30-8 p.m. and Forest Service personnel will be in attendance to discuss the Dry Lake trailhead/parking lot.
For information on responsible and safe winter recreation in the Steamboat Springs area, as well as National Forest access, contact the HPBE Ranger District at (970) 870-2299 or visit our website. Additional information is available on social media: @FS_MBRTB on X or @FSMBRTB on Facebook.
-USDA-
