by Michele Kadison

Hahn’s Peak, with its 11,000 foot pinnacle dominating the sky, was founded in 1865 during the Colorado mining boom and was considered the original county seat of Routt County near Steamboat Lake. The village boasted the first school and post office in the county and was famed for its jail called the Bear Cage.

Just 25 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Hahn’s Peak retains its notoriety for its old time jail that housed one of America’s most famous outlaws, Butch Cassidy early in his career.

After the mining craze began to die down, Hahn’s Peak became a ghost town until a homesteading ranch took over the area. But people were still fascinated with the history of the village and slowly the old buildings began to be reconstructed alongside contemporary log cabins and houses. Now, with its aura of a quiet residential town, Hahn’s Peak Village offers visitors a sense of what historic residential life is all about. No snowmobiles, dirt bikes, or ATVs are allowed in the town, helping to preserve the peace that makes the place so special.

The Little Green Schoolhouse, a national historic site that has been carefully maintained by the Hahn’s Peak Historical Society, houses the local museum. Here you can really get a sense of the history of the village. Pick up the brochure that provides a self-guided walking tour through the Village where you can see many of the original buildings that are still in operation. Please refrain from getting too near the old log cabins, as these are working residences belonging to the locals.

Besides its historic value, a visit to Hahn’s Peak Village is a must for its exquisite views of Steamboat Lake. With Steamboat Lake State Park surrounding the area, you can enjoy the many activities that make this destination so ideal for vacation activities such as camping, fishing, and hiking.

The Routt National Forest is an ideal campground area where you can drive along the trails and pull off where you want to set up your site. Take any one of the dozens of roads in the area, all which were used by miners of the past, to enjoy hiking or mountain biking. Sections of the hiking and biking trail system are known as Elkhorn Stock Driveway and Wyoming Trail, which were commonly used in bygone times for cattle and sheep drives by the local cowboys and ranchers.

With great activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, wildlife observation, horseback riding, mountain biking; the entire area around Hahn’s Peak and Steamboat Springs is one of the best vacation destinations in Colorado. Add the famed Steamboat Springs Ski Resort for winter sports and you can have a real vacation heaven right here on Colorado Rockies earth!

Directions: From Steamboat Springs, 6th and Lincoln (US 40), head northwest on US 40 1.7 miles. Turn right on Elk River Road (county road 129) & go 24.4 miles. Turn right on Main Street (county road 113).
Little Green Schoolhouse Museum: 970-879-7291, open summer season, May thru September

Mountain Biking Loops

• Hahn’s Peak Lake / Nipple Peak Loop (21 miles, with shorter variations)
• Crane Park / Elkhorn Mountain Loop (14-1/2 mile, with shorter variations)
• Circle Bar Basin Loop (6-1/2 miles)

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