[4] From petrographic evidence there appears to have been one period of lava flows and this surface can be seen at Rabbit Ears Peak.

The name is taken from nearby Rabbit Ears Peak, a mountain in Jackson County, CO in the Park Range to the north that is prominently visible from the east side of the pass during good weather.

Large-scale outbreaks of spruce beetle have long been an important component of the dynamics of subalpine forests in Colorado.

[7] The winter snowpack provides a seasonal habitat for many non-hibernating burrowing animals such as voles, lemmings, and shrews.

The snowpack helps to make a subnivean zone, which is a porous material composed mostly of air acting as a reliable thermal insulator.

These established boundaries decrease conflicts between users and seasonal closures related to snow depth and animal wintering ranges.

[8] The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service managing the Routt National Forest has not only implemented boundary regulations, but they have also put into effect regulatory practices designating the start of the snowmobile season when the unpacked snow depth equals or exceeds 30 cm (12 inches).

[8] There have been limited studies regarding the effectiveness of the current management plan with respect to an adequate snow depth that would minimize the potential impact motorized winter recreationalists have on this seasonal habitat.

The pass also hosts the "Ride the Divide" Mountain bike race that takes place from Montana to Mexico every year.

[10] The trail over the pass begins at 10,038' (3060 m) at Base Camp Trailhead and ends at 9250' (2819 m) in the Medicine Bow National Forest, WY.

[11] Somewhat unusually, the highway over Rabbit Ears Pass has a gently rolling character in the vicinity of the summit.

[5] There is a single runaway truck ramp on this last stretch for truckers whose brakes become hot while descending the grade.