Trail Guides
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Segment 1: Dunraven TH to Walden
Redline Route
The Northern Terminus is located 7 miles north of Estes Park at the Dunraven Trailhead. From there, the route follows the North Fork Trail into Rocky Mountain National Park, climbing over Stormy Peaks Pass into the Pingree Park area. It then uses forest service roads to connect to the Comanche Peak Wilderness, the routes high point and reenters the National Park before descending into the Cache la Poudre River valley. After passing Peterson Lake, the route follows additional forest service roads until crossing Highway 14 and entering the Rawah Wilderness followed by the ridge along the Medicine Bow Trail. The segment finishes with a descent into the North Park basin, continuing along country roads before using Highway 125 to walk into the town of Walden. Updated 7-19-2025
Dunraven TH to Walden - Redline (90.7 miles - 146.0 km)
Rocky Mountain National Park Bypass
Have a dog? Worried about overnight permits inside the park? Don’t want to worry about park regulations?
This route uses the Bulwark Ridge Trail, which departs the Dunraven Trailhead parking lot dew west. The Bulwark Ridge Trail has minimal water as it crosses over Signal Mountain before descending via the Signal Mountain trail to Pennock Creek. Then, using the Forest Service roads, it reconnects to the Redline Route for a short period before using the Flowers Trail to bypass Comanche Peak. The second half of this bypass requires fording the Cache la Poudre River, a very large river crossing. Updated 7-1-2025
Rocky Mountain NP Bypass (Cyan) (28.3 miles - 45.5 km)
Mummy Pass Alternate
The Mummy Pass Alternate is a lower alternative to the Redline Route and begins shortly after passing the Tom Bennet Campground. It uses the Emmaline Trail and Mummy Pass Trail to cross over Mummy Pass before reconnecting to the Redline Route, bypassing high elevation and exposure over Comanche Peak. This route passes through Rocky Mountain National Park. The Mummy Pass Trail is closed inside of RMNP (June 2025). Updated 7-19-2025
Mummy Pass Alternate (Low Route) (Purple) (9.2 miles - 14.8 km)
Medicine Bow Bypass
The Medicine Bow Bypass descends via the McIntyre Creek Trail and is useful if caught in a storm along the exposed ridge of the Medicine Bow Trail, where there is some of the most exposure to the elements. This alternate also has more water opportunities.. Updated 2-16-2025
Medicine Bow Bypass (Low Route) (Blue) (9.1 miles - 14.6 km)
Jack Dickens Alternate
This alternate descends from the Medicine Bow Trail via the Jack Dickens Trail before continuing on dirt county roads. It is a shorter and more direct route into the town of Walden and the end of Segment 1. This route bypasses the majority of the epic exposed ridge along the Medicine Bow Trail and the 4 mile hike along Highway 125. It is about 12 miles shorter than the Redline Route and is a good option if caught in stormy weather or short on food. Updated: 3-6-2025
Jack Dickens Trail Alternate (Orange) (18.4 miles - 29.6 km)
Segment 2: Walden to Hwy 40
Redline Route
The route continues out of Walden along Highway 14/125 before turning onto county roads to the North Lone Pine Trailhead, where the route connects a web of trails within the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness including the Grizzly-Helena, Bear Creek, and Gold Creek trails. Near Gold Creek, this route provides access to Mt. Zirkel, a 12,100ft (3688m) peak that provides epic views of the surrounding area, including Big and Little Agnes Mountains. The route then joins the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) along the Wyoming Trail before departing it near Dumont Lake, where the route continues on roads to Highway 40 (Rabbit Ears Pass) and hitching access into Steamboat Springs. The trails along this segment are maintained by the Friends of Wilderness (FOW), based in Steamboat Springs. The Bear Creek Trail will be getting a workover the first week of August 2025. Updated 7-21-2025
Walden to Hwy 40 - Redline (65.1 miles - 104.8 km)
Lone Pine Alternate
This alternate begins at the North Lone Pine Trailhead, where this route continues on the forest road to the Kathrine Lake Trailhead and the Lone Pine Trail before rejoining the Redline Route at the top of the ridge along the Wyoming Trail. This alternate is 7 miles shorter than the Redline Route and bypasses the Gold Creek Trail and access to Mt. Zirkel. This trail in maintained earlier in the season by the FOW. Updated 3-7-2025
Lone Pine Alternate (Orange) (4.5 miles - 7.2 km)
Lost Ranger Alternate
This alternate utilizes the Grizzly-Helena Trail to meet the Lost Range Trail, a beautiful and challenging trail up Red Canyon which rejoins the Redline Route before it goes over this segment’s high-point. This alternate is 6.8 miles shorter than the Redline route and bypasses the Gold Creek Trail and access to Mt. Zirkel. This trail does not see much travel and isn’t maintained every year. The FOW hope to get to this trail in 2025. Updated 3-7-2025
Lost Ranger Alternate (Purple) (8.9 miles - 14.3 km)
Rainbow Lake Alternate
This alternate also uses the Grizzly-Helena Trail to meet the Rainbow Lake Trail, one of the more popular trails in the region as it passes along the shores of Rainbow Lake, a gem in this region. The Rainbow Lake Trail climbs to meet the Redline Route past this segment’s high point. This is a great alternate if staying below treeline for the day is a good idea. This alternate is 1 mile shorter than the Redline Route and bypasses the Gold Creek Trail and access to Mt. Zirkel. Due to it’s popularity, the Rainbow Lake Trail is among the first to be cleared each year by the FOW. Updated 3-7-2025
Rainbow Lake Alternate (Pink) (17.8 miles - 28.6 km)
Newcomb Creek Alternate
This is the main low route alternate for segment 2, bypassing just about all of the terrain above treeline along with access to Mt. Zirkel. This Alternate utilizes the Grizzly-Helena Trail to meet the Newcomb Creek Trail, which climbs to meet the Redline Route below treeline. This alternate is 4.8 miles shorter than the Redline Route. The FOW will be giving the Newcomb Creek Trail a workover the first week of August 2025. Updated 307-2025
Newcomb Creek Alternate (Blue) (22.6 miles - 36.4 km)
Steamboat Spring via Fish Creek Trail
Utilize the Fish Creek Trail (7.1 miles) and paved city roads (3.4 miles) to hike into Steamboat Springs instead of hitching. This route is 10.5 miles one-way and begins 7 miles north of where Segment 2 ends at Highway 40. Updated 2-16-2025
Steamboat Springs Via Fish Creek Trail (10.5 miles - 16.9 km)
Segment 3: Hwy 40 to Yampa
Redline Route
The route continues south of Highway 40, using the forest roads to meet the Routt Divide Trail, where it connects to another forest road that meets the Silver Creek Trail and the Sarvis Creek Wilderness. Then it descends and joins the Great Divide Bike Route along a dirt county road, where the route then crosses the Morrison Divide on the Morrison Divide Trail and past The Slide before joining forest roads. The segment ends with approximately 4 miles along highway 31 leading into the town of Yampa. Updated 7-21-2025
Hwy 40 to Yampa - Redline (56.9 miles - 91.6 km)
Oak Creek Alternate Part 1
This shorter route follows the Sarvis Creek Trail to Stagecoach Reservoir and Stagecoach State Park. From there, it uses county roads and Highway 31 to reach the town of Oak Creek, which offers more services than Yampa. This route bypasses Yampa and includes an additional section in Segment 4 where it rejoins the Redline Route. Updated : 7-21-2025
HWY 40 to Oak Creek Alternate (Blue) (37.7 miles - 60.7 km)
Routt Divide Bypass
A lower, slightly shorter route that offers more water access later in the season but is entirely on Forest Service roads. Updated: 3-7-2025
Routt Divide Bypass (Cyan) (11.6 miles - 18.7 km)
Segment 4: Yampa to Glenwood Springs
Redline Route
The route follows county roads to the Routt National Forest, where forest roads connect to trails within the Flat Top Wilderness near Sheriff Reservoir. Inside the Flat Top Wilderness, the route links several trails that cross notable features like the Devil’s Causeway and the rim of Wall Lake, then ford the White River before entering the White River National Forest. From there, it continues past Bison Lake and Heart Lake Reservoir before joining the Transfer Trail, a scenic 4x4 road that leads to the Transfer Trail Trailhead and the Southern Terminus, located about 3 miles above the town of Glenwood Springs. Updated 7-21-2025
Yampa to Glenwood Springs - Redline (91.7 miles - 148.4 km)
Oak Creek Alternate Part 2
This alternate leads from Oak Creek along county roads to the Routt National Forest, where this alternate rejoins the Redline Route. In total, this alternate is 14.7 miles shorter than the Redline Route.
Updated: 7-21-2025
Oak Creek to Glenwood Springs - Alternate (Blue) (90.1 miles - 145.0 km)
Causeway Bypass
A low route bypassing the Devil’s Causeway crossing. This alternate is useful if weather conditions don’t suit going across the Causeway or if heights are a challenge. Updated 3-8-2025
Causeway Bypass (Low Route) (Orange) (5.1 miles - 8.2 km)
White River Bypass
This alternate avoids needing to ford the White River, which can run high in the early season or during big snow years. Updated: 7-20-25
White River Bypass (Cyan) (10.1 miles - 16.3)
Stillwater Shortcut
From the town of Yampa this alternate is a direct shot to the Stillwater Reservoir and the Mandall Lakes Trailhead, where this route rejoins the Official Route at Mandall Pass, just before the Devil’s Causeway. This alternate is 10.5 miles shorter than the Redline Route and provides the option to take the Causeway Bypass before this alternate rejoins the Redline Route. Updated 3-8-2025