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Emerald Mountain Trail Network - 2 members in 6 triplogs have rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
6 triplogs
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Jul 23 2025
avatar

 Guides 99
 Routes 1,484
 Photos 16,072
 Triplogs 1,374

male
 Joined Jan 07 2017
 Fountain Hills,
Quarry Mountain, CO 
Quarry Mountain, CO
 
Hiking avatar Jul 23 2025
DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,374
Hiking5.51 Miles 1,444 AEG
Hiking5.51 Miles   2 Hrs   1 Min   2.76 mph
1,444 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Emerald Mountain Trail Network
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I have spent a couple of days in Steamboat Springs, CO to do some peakbagging, and was preparing to leave town this morning and thought that I'd first see if there were any peaks of interest nearby. Lo and behold the trailhead for Quarry Mountain (elevation of 8,258 feet and prominence of 1,080 feet) was only a couple of miles from my hotel, so I thought that I would check it out.

I drove to the Blackmer TH and started hiking. This was a road walk to the summit of Quarry Mountain, which has a couple of antennae on it -- this was basically a mini Mount Ord hike.

The road is closed off to motorized vehicles, and is part of the Emerald Mountain Trail Network. The area is popular with hikers, runners, and mountain bike riders. There are a number of named and maintained trails in the area. Most trails are multi-use, but I noticed that a couple were for mountain bikes only.

On the way up I met someone who said that there was a momma and baby moose up at the next trail junction, about 1/2 mile away. Unfortunately the moose were gone by the time that I got there.

The road was well graded and was easy to hike on, and it turned out to be an enjoyable hike.

Synopsis
This isn't the greatest hike in the world and is not one that will be the focus of a trip to Colorado, but if you find yourself in Steamboat Springs this trail network is worth checking out if you are looking explore the area and get some exercise.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
_____________________
Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there
  10 archives
Nov 21 2022
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Winter walk, CO 
Winter walk, CO
 
Hiking avatar Nov 21 2022
chumley • Triplogs 1,993
Hiking4.19 Miles 951 AEG
Hiking4.19 Miles   1 Hour   14 Mns   3.64 mph
951 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Yampa River Core Trail
Emerald Mountain Trail Network
Partners none no partners
Quick morning walk up the mountain to get the heart rate up and give Macaroni some snow time -- only his second time ever! :y:

Mistimed the start and rolled into my zoom meeting about 20 minutes late. :sweat: ](*,)
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
Feb 19 2021
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Emerald Mountain Trail NetworkNorthwest, CO
Emerald Mountain Trail Network
Northwest, CO
Hiking avatar Feb 19 2021
chumley • Triplogs 1,993
Hiking5.72 Miles 1,579 AEG
Hiking5.72 Miles   2 Hrs   49 Mns   2.09 mph
1,579 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Another day out the door and up Emerald. As with previous trips, started with Blackmere but cut over to try out Lupine. I'm not sure when these irrelevant switchbacks would ever make sense. Not on snow, and not on a bike at anytime of year or in any direction. Some nice views though. Made the last push to the quarry on Little Moab. Apparently it's got a lot of bare rock under the snow. Either way, it's steep, but short. I decided to bag the peak and make the final push via Lane of Pain, an aptly named trail as the slope seems to double from Blackmere and really grinds. My planned return was via Morning Gloria but it had not been groomed and not a single user had broken the trail. Given my daylight limitations I opted for a descent on Quarry Mtn and some offtrail track that had been broken before me and led directly down to Hudson before taking the Prayer Flag road over to Larrys where the broken trail seemed to deviate from the map and I got some time on Tbar too. Finished up in the dark with the lights of the Yampa Valley sparkling in the reflective snow of the surrounding mountains.
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
Feb 13 2021
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Emerald Mountain Trail NetworkNorthwest, CO
Emerald Mountain Trail Network
Northwest, CO
Hiking avatar Feb 13 2021
chumley • Triplogs 1,993
Hiking4.20 Miles 967 AEG
Hiking4.20 Miles   1 Hour   24 Mns   3.00 mph
967 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Attempted to keep up with Steven and Elsie on a straight shot up Blackmere. The grooming was nice and flotation wasn't necessary. It got a little soft toward the top and traction would have helped. As such we turned around at the quarry and headed back down for lunch.
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
Feb 08 2021
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Emerald Mountain Trail NetworkNorthwest, CO
Emerald Mountain Trail Network
Northwest, CO
Snowshoeing avatar Feb 08 2021
chumley • Triplogs 1,993
Snowshoeing4.67 Miles 1,084 AEG
Snowshoeing4.67 Miles   2 Hrs   22 Mns   2.03 mph
1,084 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After big effort in deep snow yesterday, I opted for the quick and "easy" alternative out the front door for my after work breath of fresh air. After making quick work of the ascent on Blackmere, I cut across on Blair Witch -- an enjoyable singletrack traversing through pine and aspen. I continued the singletrack by heading down via MGM which was masterfully groomed by a singletrack trail machine that I wish the ASNF had! Finished off with Orton back to Blackmere.
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
  1 archive
Feb 05 2021
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Emerald Mountain Trail NetworkNorthwest, CO
Emerald Mountain Trail Network
Northwest, CO
Snowshoeing avatar Feb 05 2021
chumley • Triplogs 1,993
Snowshoeing3.03 Miles 781 AEG
Snowshoeing3.03 Miles   1 Hour   35 Mns   2.00 mph
781 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Needed to get my trail legs on and settled on the groomed Blackmere Trail which climbs steadily toward the quarry. I opted for a stretch on the singletrack Orton Trail, but it ended up getting too deep to make an enjoyable ascent, so I cut back to Blackmere. I got caught enjoying the weather and surroundings and realized it started to get dark before I even reached the summit. So I turned around and headed back down as night fell. Winter Carnival is on hold due to Covid, but they still had fireworks which I enjoyed from the banks of the Yampa.
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
  3 archives
average hiking speed 2.38 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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