Lost Dog  
Maps
GPS:
                   
USGS 7.5' Map: Farwell Mountain
Statistics:
Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time:
Easy 3 FR433, FR43 6.55 9,400 ft. NA 1 hour
County: Routt
Adopted by:      
Managed by: Routt National Forest,
Hahns Peak / Bears Ears Ranger District
925 Weiss Drive
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487-9315
970-870-2299
Summary: Lost Dog leaves the Seedhouse campground and trailhead area to head north toward Mount Zirkel Wilderness. It passes the Stiletto, FR44, road which connects with Farwell Mountain, FR409, road.
Attractions:  
Seasonal
Closure:
Forest Service - from December 2 to June 14
Best Time: June - May be drifted at higher elevations
July - Best
August - Best
September - Best
October - Possible snow drifts
Trail Heads
Accessed:
 
Camping: There are dispersed campsites along the southern part of the road.
Base Camp: This would be a good area to base camp and explore the roads and motorized trails in the area.
Fall Colors: Average - There are a few aspen groves in the area.
Navigation: From Steamboat Springs, CO, head northwest on Lincoln Ave toward 8th Street for 1.7 miles. Turn right onto County Road 129/Elk River Road and go 17.7 miles. Turn right onto Seedhouse Road and go 4.7 miles. Continue straight to stay on Seedhouse Road and go 0.8 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 400/Seedhouse Road and go 3.7 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 433 the Lost Dog road.
History:
Description:
Starting from the Seedhouse road, just past the Seedhouse Campground, you will be on a wide single lane road that will head north along the east side of the North Fork of Elk Creek. The road will head through some open areas as it climbs above the creek. You will come into a forested area and pass an intersection on the left, FR433.1A, which has two dispersed campsites. Staying on the Lost Dog road you will continue into some open areas again following the contour of the land.
Looking south

photo by:
Adam M

The next intersection will be with English Creek, FR434, on your right. Just past this intersection you will cross over English Creek, a small creek. Next you will pass a dispersed campsite on the left. The forest will fill in a little bit into the open areas as you head north.
Middle section

photo by:
Adam M

The road will drop down into a small drainage and cross Lost Dog Creek. On the other side you will climb up into the forest to top out onto another rolling ridge. You will pass another dispersed campsite on the left as you made a wide sweeping hairpin turn. The road will continue to climb up the rolling ridge following the countour of the land. You will come into a more forested area before passing FR43 on your right. This is a very short spur road with no camping sites.
Road narrows a bit

photo by:
Adam M

After this intersection you will come out in the open again and the road will be a bit narrower. In less than a half mile you will pass the Stiletto, FR44, road on your left. Continuing to the right the road will climb along the ridge above timberline for two miles before ending just short of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness boundary. No trailhead is here, just the end of the road.
Data updated - May 19, 2024     4WD Road driven - September 5, 2023     Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2024