Motorcycle Riding. The Byers Peak rises up to 12,000 feet, and its height allows hikers to enjoy the stunning views at the top. ATV Riding. The trail south from Bottle Peak winds its way down into the Fraser Experimental Forest and the Byers Peak Trailhead. The Byers Peak Wilderness area boasts 23 miles of high-elevation trails rewarding hikers with sweeping views as they traverse the alpine tundra of Grand County. Byers Peak Wilderness Area Camping is permitted throughout this wilderness area, but campers must follow the guidelines set with the Sulphur Ranger District: 970-887-4100. Generally they are not mapped on current maps as motorized roads or 4x4 trails, and if they are mapped at all they will be mapped as hiking or horse trails. The 23 miles' worth of trails are largely above timberline, offering hikers some of the best ridge hiking and scenic views in the state. Easy hike about 3 hours to the summit. Hiking. Hiking Trails Byers Peak Trail. The campground offers amazing views of the Byers Peak mountain range & campsites see a lot of sunshine. OHV Riding (>50”) Nordic Skiing. Vacation rentals available for short and long term stay on Vrbo. Despite this, hikers have praised the trail for being well-maintained and having amazing views at the summit. The Byers Peak Trail traverses the entire length of the wilderness, from Bottle Pass to St. Louis Peak, with hardly a dip below treeline. Trail on West Saint Louis Creek in Arapaho National Forest, Byers Peak Wilderness, CO. Get Here. Camping and Backpacking Information. That being said, the three mile hike to the old trail head was still beautiful. The main attraction of the Byers Peak Wilderness is the alpine tundra. There simply is no finer alpine ridge hiking to be found than in Byers Peak Wilderness. Rising above a scene rich with extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton Range stands monument to the people who fought to protect it. If you plan to head deep into these back country areas please come prepared. Backcountry Camping in the Fraser Experimental Forest and Byers Peak Wilderness. Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply.Leave No Trace principles:Plan Ahead and PrepareTravel and Camp on Durable SurfacesDispose of Waste ProperlyLeave What You FindMinimize Campfire ImpactsRespect WildlifeBe Considerate of Other VisitorsRegulations:Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. Dispersed camping in the Fraser Experimental Forest is restricted to between 100 feet and one mile of St. Louis Lake, and within the Byers Peak Wilderness. The trail is about 1.8 miles and is rated as difficult by hikers. Abundant with wildlife, campers, hikers and sightseers should be aware of moose, bighorn sheep, and bear, as well as a vast variety of other animals. No … This trail is very popular and measures just over nine miles long. Despite having only two main trailheads, there are many routes and loop hikes available. Byers Peak is a very popular peak, but doesn't rec… The pika is a close relative of the rabbits and hares, with two upper incisors on each side of the jaw, one behind the other. The wilderness has a popular hiking trail known as the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Loop. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from June until November. Hunting birds on this hike meant trekking past dusky grouse habitat for ptarmigan way upland. Byers Peak Wilderness hard (28) Length: 4.9 mi • Est. This is more of a choose your own adventure experience requiring slightly more work but offering even more reward. In an age of "...increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization,..." you play an important role in helping to "...secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness" as called for by Congress in the Wilderness Act of 1964. The Byers Peak Wilderness now contains a total of 8,095 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. Biking. Byers Peak Wilderness encompasses 8,801 acres in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Grand County containing a variety of eco-zones from low-lying lodgepole pine forest and riparian drainages to alpine tundra fields of over 12,000 feet in elevation. While a portion of the trail is on a closed off forest service road, a majority is on steep singletrack through forest and then climbing above tree line on rocky terrain. Horseback Riding. When you disperse camp you decide how far removed you want to be & how much work you want to put in. Discover 4,054 vacation rentals to book online for your Byers Peak Wilderness, Fraser trip. The Buffalo Peaks Wilderness is probably most famous for its forest environment and unique wildlife. Option 2 - Dispersed Camping . In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a specific area. Dispersed camping is allowed on most of the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears … © 2000 - Overall, this hiking trip will take the average person two or three days to complete. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Colorado. The 8,913-acre Byers Peak Wilderness was established by Congress in 1993. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Views worth the effort are available from atop the peak itself, accessible via the Byers Peak Trail, a distance of 8.6 miles round-trip from the trailhead. Just one possibility is to combine Byers Peak with Bills Peak. In 2020 the Williams Fork Fire burned a significant percentage of the Byers Peak Wilderness Area during summer. The Vasquez Mountains are home to two of Colorado's wilderness areas: the Vasquez Peak Wilderness in the south and the Byers Peak Wilderness in the north. Trailhead: Byers Peak Trailhead. Byers Peak Wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation. Yes, that is correct, you will find there are many old logging roads and old 4x4 jeep trails that you may find in some areas winding throughout a designated Wilderness Area, but they are closed to anything but foot and hoof traffic. Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities.How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). All of the Wilderness is in the state of Colorado. It’s no surprise that this wilderness has a very popular hiking trail, conveniently named the Byers Peak trail. The Byers Peak Wilderness’s greatest strength is no doubt its namesake peak. Trails in Vasquez/Byers Peak Wilderness - 12 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Dig deep into your summer by giving back in Colorado's Byers Peak Wilderness. 2020 Snowshoeing. The Byers Peak Wilderness now contains a total of 8,095 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. The 8,913-acre wilderness was established in 1993 and named after its highest point, Byers Peak. Hikers have rat… In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. Activities: Hiking, Backpacking Byers Peak might not be a Colorado 14er but it is formidable. Last Chance I've had Byers Peak Wilderness on my list for some time now. Overview Byers Peak is one of the most visible peaks in the Winter Park & Fraser Valley. Byers Peak Wilderness was named after William N. Byers, who founded Rocky Mountain News, Colorado’s first newspaper. The property is entirely within the boundaries of Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest in Grand County, but is actually part of a 100,000-acre roadless complex (with Vasquez Peak Wilderness on its southern boundary with the Williams Fork-Ptarmigan Peak roadless area south of that). I went with a group of students this past fall and started to hike Byers Peak, only to turn back due to snow. It is also the highest point in the Byers Peak Wilderness Area. Hiking and camping opportunities exist within this national forest's impressive acreage, with two designated wilderness areas: Byers Peak and Vasquez. It is a great choice for hikers and campers as it offers secluded locations that people looking for an escape from urban life would definitely appreciate. Dig deep into your summer by giving back in Colorado's Byers Peak Wilderness. Mountains that led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park where you can explore over two hundred miles of trails, float the Snake River or enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place. Go early so you are headed back home by 2pm. The loop features a range of terrain including forests, meadows, and creeks. In addition to the Byers Peak trail, the wilderness … Snowmobiling. That being said, the three mile hike to the old trail head was still beautiful. This solitude filled and little-visited wilderness receives nealy zero attention that there are a number of problem areas that are developing near the Lake Evelyn Trailhead. Easy half day hike to the summit of Byers peak Drive several miles back from the town of Fraser to reach the trail head for Byers Peak. Secure payments, 24/7 support and a Book with Confidence guarantee This area, north of Steamboat Springs, occupies nearly 160,000 acres managed by the U.S. Forest Service. I went with a group of students this past fall and started to hike Byers Peak, only to turn back due to snow. Hikers will climb nearly 3,000 feet on the way. Byers Peak was named after William N. Byers, the first mayor of Hot Sulphur Springs and the founder of Colorado’s first newspaper, the Rocky Mountain News. Most recently, I did the St. Louis Lake hike. More Byers Peak Trail is a 9.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Winter Park, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Being rock-gray in color, pikas are seldom seen until their shrill, metallic call reveals their presence. Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer. In 1993 the Byers Peak Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. Byers Peak Wilderness contains 23 miles of trails offering panoramic views and some of the finest ridge hiking in the state. Like. Along with the alpine tundra, you also have several scenic lakes that you will see along the way. Click here for additional regulations or contact the agency.Contact Information:SULPHUR RANGER DISTRICT9 TEN MILE DRIVEPO BOX 10GRANBY, CO 80446Phone: 970-887-4100Our Office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The highest is Byers Peak with an elevation of 12,804 feet accessible via the Byers Peak Trail. Most recently, I did the St. Louis Lake hike. About one half of Byers Peak consists of alpine tundra, and in that fact lies the great attraction of the area. The Byers Peak Trail climbs 4.4 miles to the summit of Byers Peak in the Byers Peak Wilderness Area. These are mountains of the imagination. Byers Peak was named after William N. Byers, the first mayor of Hot Sulphur Springs and the founder of Colorado’s first […] The Capita UltraFear Snowboard has logged more screen time than any other board in the Capita lineup, making an... Price subject to change | Available through Backcountry.com. The entire Byers Peak Wilderness area is breathtaking! T he trail is rated “Hard,” so come prepared and know your personal limits! The highest is Byers Peak with an elevation of 12,804 feet accessible via the Byers Peak Trail.  US-Parks.com Inc. All Rights Reserved. Byers Peak stands out as a prominent, highly visible mountain to the west of the town of Fraser in southern Grand County, and is an easily identifiable and beautiful landmark. Though Byers Peak Wilderness is small in acreage, only the undeveloped head of the Fraser Experimental Forest separates this Wilderness from Vasquez Peak Wilderness, making it a part of a much larger roadless region of Colorado. In 1993 the Byers Peak Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. For the more adventurous, or those in better physical condition, the Byers Peak Wilderness also offers trails to Bills Peak and Horseshoe Lake. The entire Byers Peak Wilderness area is breathtaking! Byers Peak Trail . 2 h 45 m Please note that roads in this area close every winter and reopen sometimes as late as early July. The 8,913-acre wilderness was established in 1993 and named after its highest point, Byers Peak. 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