Rabbit Ears Pass Summit

The pass takes its name from Rabbit Ears Peak, a distinctive formation where two columns of hard volcanic rock stand side by side atop a ridge, the eroded remnants of an ancient volcanic vent. From the highway and the surrounding country the twin pillars really do resemble a pair of upright rabbit ears, and they have served as a landmark for travelers crossing these mountains for a very long time.

The rock is a piece of the region's volcanic past, harder than the material that once surrounded it and left standing as the softer rock eroded away. A trail leads up toward the formation for those who want a closer look, and the sight of the ears standing against the sky is one of the signature images of the drive to Steamboat.

Rabbit Ears Pass carries US 40 over the Continental Divide, the great backbone of North America that separates waters flowing toward the Atlantic from those flowing toward the Pacific. Rain falling on one side of this pass begins a journey to one ocean, and rain on the other side heads for the opposite coast, a fact that gives the crossing a quiet grandeur.

What makes this divide crossing special is how gentle it is. Instead of a sharp, narrow gap, the pass spreads across a high plateau of meadows, ponds, and forest, so travelers cross it almost without noticing the height. That broad, open character is exactly what makes it such a welcoming place to stop, walk, and play in every season.

In the warm months the pass is a haven for hikers, with trails leading to lakes, meadows, and viewpoints, and the high meadows erupt in wildflowers in summer. The gentle terrain is ideal for easy walks, wildlife watching, and taking in the vast mountain scenery, and lakes near the pass offer fishing and quiet picnicking.

In winter the pass becomes a snow-country favorite. Heavy, reliable snowfall and the open, rolling terrain make it a popular spot for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and backcountry play, with plowed pullouts serving as trailheads. Its accessibility right off the highway makes it one of the easiest places in the region to get out into deep mountain snow.

The forests and meadows around the pass are home to elk, mule deer, and moose, which have become a common sight in the region's willowy wetlands, along with smaller creatures and a variety of mountain birds. Watching for moose in the marshy areas near the pass is a favorite pastime, and drivers should stay alert for wildlife on the road.

Summer is brief and beautiful, with wildflowers, long days, and afternoon storms typical of the high country. Fall lights the aspens gold across the slopes, a spectacular show on the drive to Steamboat. Winter is long and snowy, transforming the pass into a wonderland, and spring comes late, with snow lingering on the high meadows well into the warmer months.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.