devil's causeway hike

A wonderful hike that's about 3 miles from the car park to the top of the mountain where you find the Devils Causeway. The Causeway is a 3 foot wide rocky cliff that scares some people with it's 40-50 foot drops either side. The view from the top are amazing as you are higher than most peaks in the area and you get a great view of the Flat Tops.

Our group hiked all the way up and some were able to cross the narrow section. Even if you don't go across (and I couldn't), it is a beautiful and pretty steep climb.

Unforgettable experience!You have three choices - out and back (about 6 miles), loop day hike (about 11 miles) or backpack (pretty much as many miles as you'd like).Trailhead to causeway - about 3 miles one way with 1,400 feet of elevation gain. Lots of wild flowers in late June, so the journey was beautiful. The trail climbs gradually through the trees and passes near Causeway Lake. All along, though, you have great views of the Flat Tops. Shortly after passing Causeway Lake you hit a series of switchbacks that take you to a saddle between two of the Flat Top mountains (even in late June there was snow blocking the trail on the final switchback). After the saddle is where the fun really begins. Follow a social trail STRAIGHT UP (to the left). You are now on top of the ridge that joins the two mountains . . . and soon after you come to the Devil's Causeway - approximately 50 feet long and varying from 3-5 feet wide. And this isn't a dirt trail - you're scrambling across uneven rocks - with 1,000 foot drops on either side.If you're good with heights or scrambling (or both) you shouldn't have a problem crossing. We had a couple of experienced mountaineers with us that helped the less experienced across. Then again, there was a couple in front of us, and the husband was carrying their baby in a baby-backpack (hopefully social services isn't reading this). Just an amazing experience.If you want to do the loop (get a decent topo map and you can see the trail) continue on past the Devil's Causeway. You'll hike for miles on top of a flat top mountain - just a different experience than any other hike we've done in Colorado (or any state for that matter). You eventually find a vague trail that takes you East off of the plateau and back towards the trailhead. This loop is approximately 11 miles, with all of the difficult elevation gain in the first 3.Tips: Bring plenty of water for the loop (or water treatment). Bring BUG SPRAY! In late June, the mosquitoes were plentiful and thirsty!Trailhead: The road to the trailhead is pretty easy to follow. It is fine for "normal" passenger vehicles. Definitely wouldn't recommend it for cars with low-profile tires or sport suspensions - it is rough and washboard for most of the way. There's an outhouse at the trailhead, but no water spigot.

I liked the trees but the rain limited our visibility of the sky and the treeline was receding. Parking lot has a raccoon named Gus that will dance for food but we didnt see him. I would advise visiting on a sunny day for best results.

Leave your dog at home....the main attraction of this hike is crossing a high rock outcropping that overlooks the valley...if you have to crawl on your hands and knees to get across it is worth it. However, most pets have more sense than humans so this hike is not one they should accompany you on.

Take a right if you are not sure if you will be able to cross the Causeway, take a left if you are daring.

I have hiked all over the country and this has to be one of the best short (difficult) hikes ever. I f you have someone that is afraid of heights take them the long way and give them the option of 6 miles back or 1.5 miles down when they get to the causeway.

Did the hike up to Devil's Causeway- hike is nice with a steep section that goes over the pass. Got to Devil's Causeway- what a view and the exposure is about 1500 feet on both sides. They say the Causeway is 4 feet wide but it felt more like 2 feet in the middle.Have to admit that I kept my hands on the rock at all times and moved very cautiously.

We set out to hike this last year but got started late, around 10 a.m. As we got close to the top, a storm came over the ridge and caught us off guard. We ended up hiking all the way down in a hail and lightning storm! We learned our lesson and started out EARLy this year. We were on the trail by 8:30. We made it all the way to the top, and my husband and father-in-law even crossed the Devil's Causeway. My mother-in-law and I chose just to watch them as the causeway is narrow and rocky with vertical drops on both sides. The hike is challenging but well worth the views. A great day trip from Steamboat Springs as Yampa is not far. Check out Antlers Bar for a cold drink when you get down the trail!