Home

The Northwest Colorado Snowmobile Club maintains 105 miles of groomed trails in the Routt National Forest north of Craig and south into the Flat Tops.

The Craig Snowmobile System is in the Bears Ears District of Routt National Forest in Northwest Colorado. Trailheads of maintained trails leading into the Black Mountain and California Park areas of the Elkhead Mountain Range are conveniently located about 11 miles north of Craig on Colorado Highway 13. A southern segment leading to the Beaver Flat Tops and the Baldy Mountain areas is about 15 miles south of Craig on Colorado Highway 13.

Trail elevations range from about 7,000 feet to more than 10,000 feet with snow depths of 4 to 10 feet from late November through April. The area has a wide variety of terrain and scenery, including steep mountains, stands of spruce, fir and aspen trees, and scenic overlooks of the Yampa Valley.

At lower elevations, trails pass through many large, open parks and meadows and over gently rolling hills. Most wildlife is below the 8,000-foot elevation during the winter months.

About 85 miles of trails are maintained on county and forest roads, with an additional five miles of marked-only trails on forest routes.

Trails are well marked and cleared, and signs marking a snowmachiner's location stand at all trail intersections for rider reassurance.

The trail numbers coordinate with the relative degree of difficulty. No. 1 trails are the easiest. The most difficult trails are identified in red. However, changing weather conditions such as heavy and sudden snowfall, wind and drifting snow can temporarily increase the difficulty of even the best trails, and the snowmobile club urges all riders to constantly exercise caution when riding mountain terrain.

Guided tours are available. More information can be obtained from the snowmobile club at P.O. Box 3, Craig, CO 81626. n