The Continental Divide Trail travels roughly north/south through the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest to the east of Steamboat, from Rabbit Ears Pass to the border of Wyoming. Between Rabbit Ears Pass and Buffalo Pass, the CDT meanders through the mountains and winds its way past several beautiful lakes, from Dumont Lake in the south, past Fishhook Lake and Lost Lake, and up to Summit Lake at Buffalo Pass. North of Buffalo Pass, the trail enters the scenic Mount Zirkel Wilderness, where it climbs up above the treeline and passes along the flanks of Mount Ethel and Lost Ranger Peak.

South of Rabbit Ears Pass, the CDT follows Hwy 40 and Hwy 14 for a combined 14 miles before venturing onto dirt Forest Service roads and then finally following singletrack. CDTC is working with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to fill in this significant gap and move the CDT off of the highway and onto public lands. Learn how you can help here.

Dumont Lake Campground
Take US-40 East to Dumont Lake Campground. From here you can hike northbound on the CDT to Rabbit Ears Pass.

Buffalo Pass
From downtown, take 6th St northeast to N Park Rd. Make a left on N Park Rd, then right onto Strawberry Park Rd. Turn left on Routt County Road 36, then right onto County Road 38. Follow County Road 38 for 10.8 miles, then turn right onto FR 60. At Buffalo Pass, you can hike south on the CDT towards Rabbit Ears Pass, or follow the trail north into the Mount Zirkel Wilderness.