Winter is coming to an end and spring is nearly upon us. We’ll take you through the best springtime hikes.
At The Porches it’s not hard to find someone willing to share their love for Steamboat or their favorite outdoor activities. Our staff has such a passion for this special place we get to call home and there is nothing we love more than helping others experience it.
We caught up with Paige from our front desk as she shares her favorite spring and summer time hikes.
Tell us how you ended up in Steamboat.
I played competitive softball growing up and road-tripped with my family from Illinois to Denver for Softball Nationals when I was a freshman in high school. I remember seeing the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and feeling this sense of home away from home.
I knew I wanted to be in Colorado, and a few years later, I started my freshman year of college at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. I ended up transferring to Steamboat and continuing my education at Colorado Mountain College, because nothing compares to a small town tucked away in the mountains. And having class sizes go from 300 to 30 was a nice touch, too.
What do you love about Steamboat?
I am overwhelmed with gratitude when I think about the reasons why I love Steamboat. The sense of community, the smiles at the grocery store, the hoots and hollers from the trees on an epic powder day, the kindness and compassion from your neighbor that is pure and genuine. There is magic here, and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else but here at this point in my life. The Yampa Valley Curse is real, but I don’t think it’s a curse at all. Every day I feel more and more blessed to be here.
Tell us about your time at The Porches.
Being a team member of The Porches staff is like entering a new family. I started working at The Porches 4 winters ago, and I immediately felt welcomed. Every member of The Porches team holds a special place in my heart. My time at The Porches wouldn’t be the same without all of the amazing owners and guests we are so fortunate to have as well. They, too, make The Porches the special community that it is.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Like many of your typical Steamboatians, I love to ski, snowshoe, hike, raft, camp, backpack… you get the idea. If it’s outside, I’m in. I’d say my very favorite thing to do in my spare time is practice yoga. I am hoping to one day share my love of yoga with the rest of my community and become a yoga instructor here in the Valley.
Paige’s favorite spring hikes:
Uranium Mine Trail
Located at the Fish Creek Falls parking lot this 1.5 mile trail offers incredible views of the Fish Creek Canyon.
Sarvis Creek Trail
Sarvis Creek Wilderness Area is located is the southern part of Routt County. This 10.1 mile trail is heavily forested and provides an excellent escape into nature without straying too far out of town.
Hahn’s Peak Trail
Just north of Steamboat Springs near Clark, Colorado you’ll come across the majestic beauty that is Hahn’s Peak. This 3.6 mile trail takes you to the top of Hahn’s Peak and offers amazing views of northern Routt County.
Paige’s favorite summer hikes:
Mica Lake
A bit of a farther hike the Mica Basin Trail is an 8 mile hike located in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. This hike is best during the peak summer months from June to September.
Fish Creek to Long Lake
By far one of the most popular hikes in Steamboat Springs is Fish Creek to Long Lake. This 11.7 mile hike features the rushing water of the Fish Creek Falls throughout the hike.
Red Dirt Trail
Another favorite hike in northern Routt County is Red Dirt Trail, a 12.7 mile hike that can be accessed as early as May.
For more information on hiking trails and other spring activities in Steamboat please contact The Porches concierge.