Not highly traveled. Son of Middle Creek trail ascends the hillside on the north side of I-70, offering views of Vail Mountain and the Town of Vail. Quickly, youll cross a large bridge as Pitkin creeks rushes below. This trail offers excellent views of the surrounding mountains. Incline is hard at points, I like that :) Lake was beautiful. The endpoint of this hike is a gorgeous alpine lake but along the way you will also pass two waterfalls and enjoy breathtaking views at nearly every turn. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. LockA locked padlock Walk down North Frontage Road for 200 yards and you will see the Trappers Run Trailhead. On this former 4x4 road on the north side of the I-70 in West Vail, youll encounter trail runners, groups, inexperienced hikers, and dog-walkers bustling up a hillside above Dowd Junction, passing through aspen groves and rolling meadows, to a radio tower atop a promontory affording contemplation of Meadow Mountain, Mount of the Holy Cross, and Notch Mountain to the south.Distance: 3 miles each wayDifficulty: ModerateElevation gain: 764 feetGet there: From the Vail Village or Lionshead parking structures, take the free West Vail Red Line to the Chamonix bus stop; hike a mile up Chamonix Lane to Arosa Drive to Cortina Lane to the Davos Trailhead. . Leaving Eagles Nest, keep one eye on the wildflowers and the other on the Vail Valley unfolding below as you climb and traverse across the mountains frontside to Wildwood, a promontory at 10,981 feet, then return to Eagles Nest via the Ridge Route for even more spectacular scenery.Distance: 1.3 milesDifficulty: ModerateElevation gain: 643 feetGet there: Eagle Bahn Gondola, Traversing the spine of Vail Mountain there and back from Eagles Nest to Wildwood, youll enjoy tremendous views of the Back Bowls and the Sawatch Range (including Mount of the Holy Cross) beyond. Crowds:This is a very popular trail at certain times of the season and parking can be very limited. Seven of them are hikers-only, so you can engage with your surroundings without having to step or dive out of the way of hurtling mountain bikers. Mill Lake is at 11,470 elevation. Length:VariesDifficulty:Varies Crowds:Varies. Around mile 3, the trail passes through open meadows and stands of subalpine fir and Englemann spruce, offering a chance to see the Grand Traverse, a continuous 12,000 foot ridge connecting all the peaks and high drainages of the Gore Range. After the trail levels out, around 2.0 km in, the trail opens up to a steep hillside scattered with pines, aspens, spruces, and firs. Park your vehicle in a manner that permits traffic to pass up the two wheel trail that continues upward. ", "This was a great hike with some incredible scenery. Map showing recreational areas. The entire trail is 12 miles long and spans from East Valley Trail on the western end and the Val Pass Trail on the eastern end. The GPS reading is 38-40-442N and 106.35.303W . At about 3.75 miles in the trail crosses the west fork of Pitkin Creek and there is a large campsite past that crossing. This is a modest 18.5 mile-long river with lots to offer outdoor recreation visitors. Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. But very few people made the trip there. It is about 5 miles one way and can take anywhere from 5-8 hours round trip with most people taking around 6 hours. Took us (2 25YO female) about 2:50 to get to the top. Cross the bridge and tracks and proceed onto FSR# 762. Beautiful paved path popular for walking and biking with great mountain, aspen trees, and stream views. Agreed, Booth Lake and that area are absolutely gorgeous. Turn left onto Big Horn Rd. Staying left takes you to Red Sandstone Road via the Buffehr Creek trail. Beautiful leaves and creek. Bus to Hike:Take the freeWest Vail Red busand get off at the Chamonix bus stop. Your day will be filled with mountain views, abundant wildflowers, mature aspen and evergreen forests. Wonderful hike! We strongly encourage taking the freeEast Vail blue line shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes, from the Vail Transportation Center to the Columbine stop. Be the first to share your experience. Join a supporting community of travelers and adventurers sharing their photos and local insights. Private vehicle drop-off and pick-up at the trailhead will be allowed starting July 2022. Booth, Izzy 402 McIsaac, Debbie 396 Mynett, Rebecca 290 Nay, Tina 433 Nichol, Lynn 403 Norris, Fiona The Fifty/50. Trail Adopted By:Howard Head Sports Medicine, Length:4.8 miles (one way)Difficulty:More Difficult. We strongly encourage taking the freeEast Vail blue line shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes, from the Vail Transportation Center to the Main Gore / Bighorn stop. Break out of treeline just as you reach Pitkin Lake at 11,360'. The variety is great so spend time stopping and looking both going and coming. Park in town and take the free bus to the trailhead. The grade levels out somewhat as the trail passes through mature aspen groves and spruce-fir forests and a series of moraines from an ancient glacial retreat. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness regulations are posted at the trailhead. Ample parking at 8 AM. Trail is mostly in great shape. The mountain has an elevation of 14,028 feet and is the highest point in Summit County. Amazing beautiful views all the way up and back! Fallen trees along the trail are evidence of past avalanches. From here the trail enters an aspen stand, and openings along the way provide scenic views to the south and east. Another short, steep push to 3.8 miles (10,975') moderates in a transitional forest beneath towering, sculpted walls of the upper valley. Wildflowers and wildlife are abundant, which make this trip a fantastic education and play experience for kids.Coordinates for the trailhead and parking lot are: 39.648401, -106.396320 From the parking lot (just before the entrance to Pitkin Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Vail, Colorado. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. Great mix of terrain- from woods to meadows to Aspen groves then finally the lake. After crossing the bridge, the trail steeply ascends for 0.3 km gaining 56 m of elevation, taking you to the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area sign. More information at www.hikevail.net. From the trailhead, walk 1/8 mile to the signed North Trail/Davos Trail junction and take a right onto the North Trail. Length:4.3 miles (one way)Difficulty:Most Difficult. Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers. Trail Adopted By:Manor Vail Lodge (East) and Slifer Smith & Frampton (West). Map Information, White River Obtain their Colorado Fishing Regulations handbook for regulations. Length:3.7 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. Alex Spring Reservoir 2. From the Buffehr Creek trailhead, cross the bridge and proceed about 1/4 mile before turning right at the first junction (the trail to the left takes you to Garmisch Drive). Pitkin lake trail in East Vail, Colorado is similiar to the popular Booth lake trail in that the final destination is a scenic mountain lake. Booth Falls, Shrine Pass, Lost Lake Trailhead, and Piney River Ranch are just some of the favorites in the area. Black Lake 11. I'm guessing it's the fall foliage. . Took about eight hours. Follow 771 seven miles north to the Gold Creek Campground parking area which is 6.79 miles north of Ohio City. It is a long hike to the lake. The trail is accessible throughout Lionshead and Vail Village along Gore Creek. For the remaining 2.0 km, the hike takes you through similar terrain slowly curving around to the final destination: Pitkin Lake. Look for trail signs as you cross the Larkspur ski run, then follow the old stage road along the creek and across a footbridge. Trail Adopted By:Michael Dunahay & Associates, Length:4.3 miles (one way)Difficulty:Difficult. Get the app Download GPX File Features Hiking Dog Friendly Forest Lake Scenic After a number of false summits, the trail reaches Pitkin Lake, nestled beneath an arc of gray granite in the alpine tundra. To preempt a repeat performance this summer, Vails Town Council in March banned parking at the trailhead and on nearby streets, levying steep fines for violators (first offense: $100, second offense: $200, strike three: $300) and offering free town bus service instead. Pitkin Lake Choosing between the four East Vail trailheads that provide access to the Gore Range is a bit like choosing between entrees at Sweet Basil. But wilderness is managed differently. The trailhead is located around 9,075 feet. At mile 6.7 you will pass the Lost Lake Trail parking lot on the right and then reach an intersection where the Muddy Pass/Moniger Road goes left. There is NO SIGN on the main trail to help you find the trail that leads to the right off the main Lamphier Lake trail. 36 Lake, Stephen 15 Lane, Libby 52 Mason, Beverley 3 Mullally, Sarah 44 Nelson, Hugh 26 . Styled by The river is situated in Eagle County and drains part of the Rocky Mountains at the south end of Gore Range via Gore Valley. The grade levels out somewhat as the trail passes through mature aspen groves and spruce-fir forests and a series of moraines from an ancient glacial retreat. We got some sun, but mostly cloudy with rain & hail! The first mile of the trail is strenuous as it climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley. The office is open M - F from 8am - 4pm. Pitkin Lake For a day filled with hiking, choose the Pitkin Lake Trail. Eagle is an extremely outdoorsy town that has abundant recreational options for everyone. The first 1/2 mile of the trail climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley, then more gradually climbs up through stands of aspen and pine. At mile 4, the trail forks; crossing Gore Creek leads you over Red Buffalo Pass to Summit County (7 miles from the trailhead to Red Buffalo Pass), the left fork goes to Gore Lake (6 miles from the trailhead to Gore Lake). Did not see any moose, bear, or mountain goats that recent trail reports indicate. Have you done this adventure? Gore Valley Trail: Bighorn to Eagle River, Mill Creek Road and Main Vail- Vail Village Loop, Vail to Minturn via Berrypicker Trail and Cougar Ridge, Eagle's Nest via Gitalong, Cub's Way, and Post Road. Over the first lung-busting mile of the trail, youll ascend steeply through lush aspen groves, then catch your breath as the grade mellows, traversing Booth Creek to the cascade. Turn right and make another right and drive about .2 mile east. 900 Grand Ave. Take the creekside Five Senses Trail, which begins near the base of the Centennial Lift, and follow it along dirt roads and pathways with some interpretive signs in spots. There are some short steep sections along the way. After enjoying the waterfall, leave the valley of meadows and hike up another steep section of the trail. Length:4.5 miles (one way)Difficulty:Difficult. Continue up this road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. Big Lake 8. Pitkin Lake Trail makes for an adventure-filled day hike. The Gardens are open to the public year-round. Overnight camping in the wilderness requires a permit. We didn't mind that at all as it was a spectacular experience! Pitkin Lake is in Colorado and has an elevation of 11,388 feet. Continue onwards to Booth Lake for a real butt-busting challenge with killer scenery. Very scenic on the way to the fall. Wearing proper foot wear will enhance your hiking experience. Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet. Tell us when your experience with this trail happened. There are a few steep/rocky spots, but plenty of flat runs to give your legs the much needed rest. Past the deck there will be a trail that you can follow out onto the edge of the mountain called the W Vail Trail. Phone repair; Tablet repair; Computer repair; Smart Watch Repair; Franchise; Order Summary. Did see 1 bear in the distance and 2 moose on the trail, so I recommend keeping your pup on leash. The Eagles Nest Wilderness is a true wilderness experience, situated in the Summit County area of Colorado. The majority of hikers turn around at the waterfall, and your hike will be much quieter above this point. The first 4 miles of the trail climbs alongside Gore Creek. Contact the Holy Cross Ranger District (970.827.5715) for the latest on weather, trail conditions and trail-specific usage guidelines when planning your trip. Not very busy at all. . . Pitkin Lake(11,362') is located 4.45 miles north of Vail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. Whether you're fly fishing or otherwise your chances of getting a bite here are good. The Pitkin Lake Trailhead is located .3 miles east of Exit #180 from I-70 on the North Frontage Road. The trailhead is on the north side (left side of the parking lot as one faces the Piney River Ranch entrance) of the parking lot. The Two Elk National Recreation Trail climbs out of Minturn and follows the creek and enters Vails Back Bowls. Mapcarta, the open map. The Meadow Mountain trail follows an old logging road above Dowd Junction. Top ways to experience Booth Falls Trail and nearby attractions. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. adventures and follow local regulations. Stay right here. (970)945-2521, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=41395&actid=50, printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail, Williams Peak and Ginright (Fourmile)Timber Sale Project Area Restrictions. That trail is longer, more arduous, and leads to Boulder Lake. Turn left onto Big Horn Road and then turn right onto Fall Line Drive. By Please consider other hiking trails listed on this page if this trail is likely to be very busy. 8 / . Call 860-327-5498 for . Only a handful of spots at the trailhead. This is a beautiful 60 ft waterfall that allows for easy rock climbing and hiking through the stream upstream of the falls. Take your time & enjoy it & takes tons of pics! After a mile, it crosses a bridge over Middle Creek in a cool spruce/fir forest. The Everkrisp trail opened in 2019 and splits from the Meadow Mountain trail after 0.4 mile. Length:4.9 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. There is limited parking at the end of the road. (Some maps show the Red Sandstone Road changing number from FSR 700 to FSR 701 at this point, and some dont, but regardless, you stay right to get to Piney Lake and the Upper Piney River Trail). The trail gradually climbs 600 feet to the trails high point then drops slightly to Lost Lake. Follow switchbacks as you climb steadily for about 1.5 miles to an intersection with the Son of Middle Creek Trail #2136. Early season hikers may encounter snow patches as the trail winds through conifer forests and meadows filled with wildflowers. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 8 min to complete. Merge right and follow Highway 24 south for approximately 1 mile. 1. Easily accessibly, short, but sometimes mildly strenuous 3.5 mile (roundtrip) hike. Overall though insanely beautiful and a great backpacking spot. At about 2.5 miles - halfway to the top - you'll get a good view of Pitkin Falls. There are several different trails to explore, each offering its own unique scenery and challenges. The trail climbs through forest and meadows past Booth Falls, a 60-foot waterfall. Saw one hiker moments after getting to lake, saw one more moments after we started down trail. It's a short distance before the trail makes a left turn to begin a steep ascent out of the valley to Pitkin Lake. Trail Adopted By:Eagle River Water & Sand District, Length:3.4 miles (one way)Difficulty:More Difficult. Walk up Chamonix Lane to Arosa Drive to Cortina Lane for 1 mile and you will see the Davos Trailhead. Do not take the trail to the left. Bus Tours. If you dont live here, we tip our hats to you, as the steep pitch through pines and aspens up Vail Mountain isnt for the faint of heart or the weak of lungs; after all, this is the same route elite athletes in the La Sportiva Berry Picker Trail Run follow when they scramble uphill for the ultimate title of King of the Mountain.Distance: 3.2 milesDifficulty: DifficultElevation gain: 2,200 feetGet there: From the Lionshead ski yard at the base of the Eagle Bahn, cross over the bridge and follow the trail up the east side of the Bwana ski run under the Born Free lift. Please explore responsibly! . Pitkin Lake Trail Hard Booth Lake Trail Hard El Paso County Hikes Cheyenne Mountain State Park Talon - Dixon -Dragon Backbone Hard Chautauqua Mountain Moderate Garden of The Gods Easy Mount Esther via Crowe Gulch Moderate North Cheyenne Canyon Park - St. Mary's Falls Moderate Palmer Trail Section 16 Moderate Paint Mines Interpretive Park Easy Pitkin Lake near Vail requires a 9.5-mile hike along a trail that climbs 3,000 feet in elevation. See houses this school serves. Box 948 Glenwood Springs CO 81602 970.945.2521. Pitkin Lake Trail Classic menu options like sausage biscuits and gravy, made in-house corned beef hash, eggs benedict and griddle items - including our famous blueberry pancakes - are complemented by a variety of omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and lighter fare. What this trip may lack in overall miles, it more than makes up for in elevation gain, scrambling, boulder hopping, and overall hard miles on the trail. After 1.3 miles of climbing, keep right on the North Trail. 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