Date Hiked: September 19, 2025

Distance: 1.4 mi (RT)

Elevation Gain: 120 ft

Elevation Min/Max: 8,280 to 8,401 ft

Trailhead Lat/Long: 40.53437, -106.78496

Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service

Fee: Yes

Directions:

From Hwy 40 in Steamboat Springs, head north on 5th ave and bear right onto Maple Street. Turn left onto Amethyst Drive which becomes Routt County Road #36. Turn right onto Routt County Road #38, Buffalo Pass Road, for 3.5 miles to the Trailhead and large parking area. The Trailhead is located to the south of the road.

Hike Description:

The Buffalo Pass Area northwest of Steamboat Springs is a local hot spot for outdoor recreation, mainly hiking and biking.  In Late September this area becomes the place to be for fall colors.  There are a wide variety of trails with varying degrees of difficulty and all of them feature stunning aspen groves and brilliant forest floors full of ferns…pardon the alliteration…

The Panorama Loop Trail is a great introduction to Buffalo Pass.  The trail starts at the main parking area and heads up a small hill for open views of the surrounding mountains. The trail climbs the hill via switchbacks and begins in aspen forest and reaches the summit with sparse trees and open views. The trail continues down the south slope of the hill and quickly re-enters the aspen forest. The trail then loops around to the east with nice views looking down into Spring Creek Canyon. As you approach the trailhead, the trail joins up with the Spring Creek Canyon trail (another wonderful hike in the area) to finish up the 1.4 mile loop.  

Panorama Loop, along with the Fiddlehead Loop, are the two options for quick and easy hikes at Buffalo Pass.  Both hikes start at the same trailhead and this area gets quite busy in the fall, but once you are out on the trail, there is plenty of open space to spread out and enjoy the scenery.