Wild Skies Colorado Cabin Rental

Located in the heart of the Flat Tops Scenic Byway

This by way cuts through the heart of the original White River Plateau Timberland Reserve set,aside in the late 19th century as the second unit of what eventually became the National Forest system. Two decades later, in a foreshadowing of the 1964 Wilderness Act, development of any kind was banned around Trapper’s Lake (the “Cradle of Wilderness”). The area’s history of preservation and multiple-use land management makes for pristine scenery and superlative wildlife viewing. Yet this remains very much a “working” byway, dotted with active mines, ranches, and timber-producing woodlands. Meeker and Yampa, the route’s two endpoints, embody the rugged individualism that lies at the heart of western lore.

Flat Tops Trail Colorado Scenic Byway

Length: 82 miles. Driving time: 2 hours.

“Land of Many Uses” Theodore Roosevelt

During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, many settlers arrived in northwestern Colorado. Along with settlers, were those who came strictly to make money, sometimes resulting in overuse of the land’s rich natural resources. As a result, federal laws were passed to set aside ‘Forest Reserves’ to protect and manage the land. The White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway are part of the 2nd Forest Reserve in the United States.

While hunting in the area, President Theodore Roosevelt learned of the adverse public sentiment toward the ‘locking up’ of the land. In 1897, the Organic Act was passed which mandated that the government provide timber, clean water and opportunity for other commodity production for the benefit of the public. This lead to the creation of the U.S. Forest Service.
This byway cuts through the heart of the original White River Plateau Timberland Reserve, set aside in the late 19th century as the second unit of what eventually became the National Forest system. Two decades later, in a foreshadowing of the 1964 Wilderness Act, development of any kind was banned around Trapper’s Lake (the “Cradle of Wilderness”). The area’s long-standing history of preservation and multiple-use land management makes for pristine scenery and superlative wildlife viewing. Yet this remains very much a “working” byway, dotted with active mines, ranches, and timber-producing woodlands. Meeker and Yampa, the route’s two endpoints, embody the rugged individualism that lies at the heart of western lore.

Access

The Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway receives from 2 to 10 feet of snow in any given snowstorm and over the winter season can receive anywhere from 15-45 feet of snowfall and the byway is not maintained for automobile use from the end of rifle season 4 until around Memorial Day or after. However, the trail does make an excellent WINTER SCENIC BYWAY and is open to snowmobile and cross-country ski use. 

Weather

An elevation change from 6,200 feet to over 10,000 feet causes distinct differences in climate between the valley floors and the mountainous areas. Summer afternoon temperatures range from the low 70’s to the low 90’s, while nights are cool and range from the 30’s to the upper 50’s. Summer days normally begin with sunshine, but thunderstorms often form by late afternoon. These usually last for a short time and skies clear quickly for a fresh and cool afternoon.

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Corridor Management Plan

Flat Tops Trail Corridor Management Plan – March 1994
Special Considerations:
Fill tank in Yampa or Meeker.
Roads muddy when wet.
The Flat Tops Scenic byway is closed in the winter on the west side at approximately mile marker 31. There is a parking lot located at the closure for those engaging in winter activities such as snow shoeing and snowmobiling. The byway is closed on the East side at Dunkley Pass.