We assembled the Gunsight Loop as an easy overnight that meanders through some of the largest aspen groves in Colorado, while still ensuring that there are plenty of fishing opportunities to be had. Think of this loop as a teaser for places you’ll want to go back to.

• Steamboat Springs to Trailhead: 11mi
• Day 1 Distance: Approx 104mi
• Day 2 Distance: Approx 71.8mi
• Approx Total Mileage: 175.8mi*

Nearby Camping:
Steamboat Springs KOA 
Pearl Lake State Park
Hahns Peak Lake
Seedhouse Campground
Stagecoach reservoir

Provisions:
City Market – Steamboat
Safeway – Steamboat

Fuel:
Kum & Go – Steamboat
Conoco – Steamboat

*this route may change due to conditions/closures/etc

Buffalo Pass

Boasting some of Colorado’s deepest snowpack, Buffalo Pass sits 11 miles outside of Steamboat Springs, just north of Mt. Werner and tops out at 10,400 above the historic ranching and ski community. The aspen covered western slopes give way to spruce-fir forests as you traverse from west to east.

The site of industry, play, and tragedy, the pass still serves as a quick getaway for both winter and summer activities and is the only alternative route to Rabbit Ears Pass over the Park Range and into Middle Park.

Wolford Mountain Reservoir

Constructed in 1996 to bolster the reserves of the Colorado River Basin, Wolford Mountain Reservoir is home to your typical array of Colorado trout species but also provides opportunity to fish for Kokanee Salmon. Holding 66,000 acre feet the Wolford Mountain Reservoir provides critical downstream storage for endangered fish habitat during drought years.

Stagecoach Reservoir and Lost Resort

Dedicated in 1989 by local legend and designer JohnFetcher, Stagecoach Dam holds back the Yampa River to form Stagecoach Reservoir; a 36,500 acre foot storage basin. The dam also provides power generation for nearby homes, fish structure downstream, and provides water reserves for agriculture and ranching down valley.

The “lost” resort  at stagecoach was destined to be a 3,500 acre resort featuring five base areas, 22 double chairs, 34 subdivisions, golf course and small mainstreet, until the projects backers Westinghouse Credit Corporation fell on hard times. Today the remnants of the ski runs that were cut on the proposed area summit are still visible.