White River National Forest · Colorado

Government

5.1 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 1980 · trail class 3 · typical grade trail_grade · tread 18-24 inches wide · hiking, bike · seasonal: hiking 06/21-05/14

Government TH #1980 the Forest Service's write-up

The Government trail crosses Maroon Creek via a pedestrian bridge and turns left onto a residential street. It then leaves the road and begins a steep ascent with switchbacks until reaching Buttermilk Ski area. The trail alternates between aspen groves and ski runs (signs are present to guide you across the runs). Beyond the ski area the trail climbs slowly through rolling terrain, passing through aspen, lodgepole pine, and flowered meadows where wildlife can often be seen. The trail ends at the Snowmass Ski area. The trail is not a loop so a car shuttle is recommended. It's an enjoyable day hike or mountain bike ride through aspen groves. This is a hike where a car shuttle is helpful. It is also known as Brush Creek Trail and is a popular cross country ski trail in the winter.

Restrictions Government Trail is closed for elk calving from May 15 - June 27. The Government Trail is outside the Wilderness but borders private property. Before you go out, check into the route, it's condition, ownership of land, posted areas,regulations and the following rules:* DOGS MUST BE UNDER VOICE CONTROL out of consideration for both other people and wildlife.

This hike on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in White River National Forest

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About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.