We have enjoyed picnic lunches at one of the many peaceful, secluded picnic areas at Fish Creek Falls. After our picnic, we walk down the trail, an easy 10-minute walk down to the falls.
The thundering waterfall plunges 283 feet and sprays water gently over us as we cross the wooden foot bridge on the trail. We have taken many family photographs right on the bridge.
On the path, we met a senior Forest Service volunteer host, who proudly told use that she has completed the 10.4 mile hike several times to Long Lake. "I walk two miles every day in the summer, " she says "and in the winter, I swim."
Some of our family continued upward from Fish Creek Falls on the Routt National Forest trail and climbed several more miles. Routt National Forest comprises nearly 1.5 millions acres of aspen and conifer forests and mountain meadows, all crossed by miles of trails, which are great for mountain hiking.
TO GET TO Fish Creek Falls from downtown Steamboat, follow the signs from 3rd and Lincoln to Fish Creek Falls Road and drive three miles to the parking lot at the end of the unpaved road.