A Hiking Day Full of Surprises – August 17th 2026
The morning breaks with a flawless, deep blue sky. The air smells of fresh pine resin and dried mountain grass, while the sun already gently warms the skin. The thermometer feels like 22 degrees Celsius (72°F) – perfect hiking weather in the Rocky Mountains. A light, intermittent breeze provides a welcome cooling as footsteps echo along the paths around Rabbit Ears Pass. The route is originally intended to lead directly to Rabbit Ears Peak, but the lack of a signpost at the parking lot unexpectedly steers the day in a different, wonderful direction.
The path forks to the left and leads directly onto the picturesque Ginny’s Trail. What begins as a navigational error quickly turns into a stroke of good fortune. The trail hugs the shore of the idyllic Dumont Lake. With every bend the path describes, a new, even more fascinating perspective of the deep blue water opens up. The blue of the lake rivals that of the sky, nestled within the warm gold and soft green of the wide alpine meadows and wetlands. This vastness is contrasted by the dark, pointed silhouettes of the conifers standing like sentinels along the shore. By the wayside, delicate wildflowers sway in the gentle breeze, adding pops of color to the autumn-like yellow of the grasses.
Impressions of Dumont Lake
In the distance, high above the rolling hills, the actual destination of the day finally emerges: the prominent double peak of the “Ears,” rising into the sky like the ears of an attentive rabbit. A glance at the digital map reveals that about half a mile away, a path leads back toward the main trail. Well, almost. To get there, nature demands a little adventure. At a promising spot, the route goes off-trail, heading steeply up into the dense forest for about 250 to 300 meters. The forest floor springs beneath the soles while light breaks through the thick canopy in scattered rays.
Once at the top, the online map shows the exact position of the trail, but there is no sign of the actual path. The undergrowth has completely reclaimed the terrain. As the motivation to climb even further uphill without a trail fades, the decision is made to turn back: after a good 400 to 500 meters of descending through the rugged terrain, patience is rewarded – suddenly and out of nowhere, the Rabbit Ears Peak Trail crosses the path.
A look back reveals the immense height that has already been conquered by this point. It is now 10:54 AM. After an hour and a half of hiking, the scale of the wide arc made through the terrain truly becomes clear. Dumont Lake has shrunk to a small, sparkling sapphire lying deep down in the valley, framed by an endless sea of dark green coniferous forests.
The Climb Above the Tree Line
The trail now leads through the alpine zone, where the trees become sparser and the landscape turns rugged. Craggy, rocky slopes alternate with steep grassy ridges. On the horizon, puffy white fair-weather clouds slowly drift across the deep blue sky, casting moving shadows onto the undulating mountain ridges.
At this point, the surroundings offer a wonderful backdrop for unforgettable photos. The volcanic nature of the region becomes unmistakable. Dark pine forests cling stubbornly to the steep flanks of the wavy ridge line, while bare rocky ledges tower above them. And then it shows itself in its full glory: the mighty, volcanic rock tooth of Rabbit Ears Peak, watching majestically over the endless forests and bearing witness to the fiery past of this landscape.
From the viewpoint, the gaze sweeps reverently into the distance. To the north rises the striking, almost perfectly symmetrical pyramid of Hahn’s Peak. Beyond it stretch the endless, bluish-shimmering mountain silhouettes of the Rocky Mountains in the soft midday light, while far below, the Yampa Valley lies in the haze of the distance. It is a moment of absolute silence and boundless freedom.
At the Summit of Rabbit Ears Peak
After these wonderful shots are captured, the descent back to the car begins. The official trail proves to be a challenge on the way back as well – in some places it is heavily overgrown and barely recognizable in the thick greenery. The relief is all the greater when the clearing with the parking lot comes back into view and the familiar car is reached. A well-deserved, hearty lunch outdoors rounds off the hiking adventure before the drive through the spectacular mountain scenery continues toward the hotel in Steamboat Springs.