In the heart of the White River National Forest and
adjacent to the Flat Tops Wilderness
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Scenic Byway |
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| (Click on images on this page for a larger view) | ||
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| This is an old sod-busters house at the east end of the "Flat Tops Trail". The Flat Tops Trail is an 82 mile drive and takes about 2 hours without stopping. Meeker and Yampa, the route's two endpoints, embody the rugged individualism that lies at the heart of western lore. Ripple Creek Lodge is approximately at the half way point on the "Trail". Of course you will want to stop and enjoy the history and excellent views along the "Trail". Bring several extra rolls of film for this scenic journey. | ||
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 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. |
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| View from Dunckley Pass | ||
| As you hike or ride through the Flat Tops, look and listen for signs of squirrels, woodpeckers, bluebirds, jays and elk in the new forest. | ||
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| View from Ripple Creek Pass | ||
Chaos created this scenery! About 50 million years ago ancient sea beds in the western end of the continent began to rise and the magnificent Flat Tops were born. Beginning about 24 million years ago, fissures opened on the earths surface and molten lava blanketed and flattened the land. This was followed by the Ice Age, which brought massive glaciers that gouged out the valleys and amphetheaters. When the glaciers receded, about 10,000 years ago, this spectacular scenery was unvieled. Today, the Yampa, White River and their tributaries continue to erode the White River Plateau. This spot can be found at the top of the Ripple Creek Pass. Look for the turn off on the south side of the road just west of the top of the pass. |
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adjacent to the Flat Tops Wilderness
Call: 970-878-4725 email:
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