Length:10.5 miles (one way)Difficulty:Varies depending on section. If youve huffed all the way up the arduous singletrack to Eagles Nest and you just moved here, congratulations: you can finally call yourself a local. Exit here and turn right (south). Length:4.9 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. 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. 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. It wasn't slippery at all. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. and 1 other. Take the right turn off Highway 76 and begin the beautiful drive up the Gold Creek Road. website belongs to an official government organization in the
Pitkin Lake is located 4.45 miles north of Vail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. I recommend wearing long sleeves, although the bugs bit me through my clothes. Vail-Beaver Creek Magazine. At the signed junction with West Grouse Creek trail at 1 mile, keep left. The first 4 miles of the trail climbs alongside Gore Creek. The mountain has an elevation of 14,028 feet and is the highest point in Summit County. It climbs through meadows that were once home to a very prosperous lettuce farm. After a number of false summits, the trail reaches Pitkin Lake, nestled beneath an arc of gray granite in the alpine tundra. Length:4.8 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. The trail is gentler now, and you can follow the creek to the lake where view to the Sawatch Range and Mount of the Holy Cross emerge. For outdoor enthusiasts, Vail has some of the most scenic hiking trails in the Vail Valley. Insect repellant and sun screen are nice in season. Will not show on comments list. It joins the creek for a moment (1.5 miles : 9,516') before climbing steeply to a crest overlooking a wide berth in the valley, a good place to scan for wildlife (1.85 miles : 9,765'). Grades moderate past .3 miles (8,955') on a grassy slope between thick aspen stands and the creek. Very rewarding once you get to the meadows. 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 last 1/4 mile to Booth Lake is steep and rocky. Overnight camping in the wilderness requires a permit. Enjoy the view and get ready for several more bench sections that have alternating steep climbs and then beautiful meadows that will be filled with wildflowers in July and August. Length:4.5 miles (one way)Difficulty:More Difficult. Trail, USFS - White River - Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, improvements He wasnt super aggressive, just seemed curious but he definitely got way too close for comfort at times. Stay right here. After 1.3 miles of climbing, keep right on the North Trail. Blue Lake 13. If youre so inspired, continue up the trail, through thinning conifer forests and wildflower meadows offering glimpses of the Gore Range, for another 2.5 miles (and another 1,680 feet in elevation) to Booth Lake.Distance: 1.8 miles each way (to the falls)Elevation gain: 1,800 feetDifficulty: ModerateGet there: From the Vail Village or Lionshead parking structures, take the East Vail Blue Line to the Booth Falls bus stop; walk a quarter mile up Booth Falls Road to the Booth Lake trailhead. Trail Adopted By:Eagle Summit Wilderness Alliance, WEBSITE DESIGN BY GRANICUS - Connecting People and Government, North Trail (Trapper's Run) (CLOSED April 15 June 20), North Trail (Cortina Lane to Buffehr Creek) (CLOSED April 15 June 20), North Trail (Buffehr Creek to Red Sandstone) (CLOSED April 15 June 20), North Trail (Red Sandstone to Son of Middle Creek) (CLOSED April 15 June 20), Son of Middle Creek (CLOSED April 15 June 20), Buffehr Creek Trail (CLOSED April 15 June 20). The trail climbs gradually through pine and aspen. The gorgeous trail starts off steep, but it quickly (after roughly 1.6 km) levels out. Do not park in undesignated areas; there are only fifteen designated parking spaces. Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. 12/03/2021 4 Beds. MANCHESTER Concordia Lutheran Church, will host a Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 40 Pitkin St., with a baked goods table. Trail Adopted By:Howard Head Sports Medicine, Length:4.8 miles (one way)Difficulty:More Difficult. One thing I learned here is that the weather channel says one thing, but the actual weather is completely opposite . If camping overnight, please visit the Ranger Station to learn about Holy Cross Wilderness regulations. Schroon lake , NY 12870 . Bus to Hike:Take the freeWest Vail Red busand get off at the Buffehr Creek bus stop. This is a new adventure! Directions: From Vail, continue east on I-70 to exit 180. Pitkin Trail is one of five trails that travel through the Eagles Nest Wilderness from exit 180 of I-70 as it winds through the Colorado Rockies near Vail. After enjoying your well-earned time at the lake, follow the same trail back, through Pitkin Creek drainage, to finish your hike! From westbound I-70, exit #180 and turn left (west) on the north frontage road. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6'. Merge right and travel south 2.7 miles and turn left onto Cemetery Road. At mile 6.5 you will pass Red and White Mtn Road-FSR 734. For a map of the trail, please visitHiking Project. Saw lots of mountain goats and a snake. (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. Piney River, Booth Creek, Pitkin Creek, Bighorn Creek, Deluge Lake, and Gore Creek are within the Eagles Nest Wilderness. Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet. by Hunter R Pitkin Lake Trail Turn left and continue to the trailhead on the left. Turning right will take you to the remainder of the North Trail. Alicia Lake Reservoir 3. Staying left takes you to Red Sandstone Road via the Buffehr Creek trail. Overall though insanely beautiful and a great backpacking spot. But wilderness is managed differently. Comments. Walk up Fall Line Drive a mile to the trailhead. Styled by Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. 5. 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. Contact Information Blue Lake 14. See houses this school serves. Do not take the trail to the left. Phone repair; Tablet repair; Computer repair; Smart Watch Repair; Franchise; Order Summary. The streams are easy to cross, use the stones as stepping stones to cross & youll be A-ok. Beaver Lake. Pitkin Lake is a lake located just 5.9 miles from Vail, in Eagle County, in the state of Colorado, United States, near Bighorn, CO. The only other option is to park in town and take a shuttle which is free but much less convenient in this situation because it stops at multiple places en route to the trailhead. An official website of the
It is a long hike to the lake. Boulder Lake coordinates: 30.39.304'N, 106.36.254W Travel to Ohio City on Colorado 76, and take the Gold Creek Road, Colorado Road 771. Lunch will be served. Stay right and reach a Forest Service parking lot on the right at mile 10.65 before the entrance to Piney River Ranch (private property). From the lake, we spied several promising lines over to the Booth Lake drainage, but decided to plumb the middle branch of the Pitkin drainage instead. Most people turn around here, but you can continue 0.75 mile on the trail to reach the east trailhead. SagaCity Media | 921 SW Washington St, Suite 750 | Portland, Oregon 97205, By Please consider other hiking trails listed on this page if this trail is likely to be very busy. Wearing proper foot wear will enhance your hiking experience. Pitkin Lake Trail One of the more challenging hikes in Vail, Pitkin Lake Trail is a 10.5-mile, out-and-back trail that carves its way through Eagles Nest Wilderness. Benchmark Lake Reservoir 7. From Denver, take I-70 west to Vail and exit 180, your first exit on the right. Amazing! Trail Adopted By:Michael Dunahay & Associates, Length:4.3 miles (one way)Difficulty:Difficult. Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail. Youll follow Pitkin Creek for a couple hundred meters through dense foliage. on official, secure websites. Turn left onto Big Horn Rd. The trail drops down the west side, bottoms out (2.0 miles : 9,715'), and climbs ruggedly out of the meadow with great views back down valley, and NE toward Pitkin Falls (2.5 miles : 10,087). Campfires are not permitted above or within .25 miles (440 yards) of treeline, or within 100' of any lake or stream in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. Just past the interstate look for a large parking lot on the right. The Eagles Nest Wilderness is a true wilderness experience, situated in the Summit County area of Colorado. 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. The trail plateaus to a disperse aspen forest, offering shade to cool you off after the steep ascent. The hike is very beautiful, peppered with wildflowers and aspens. Great trail that was not too busy with beautiful views. 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. The Booth Creek Falls trail is particularly stunning in autumn when the aspens are glowing and golden. After a mile, it crosses a bridge over Middle Creek in a cool spruce/fir forest. 7 miles by watch GPS. Box 948 Glenwood Springs CO 81602 970.945.2521. Took about eight hours. It takes the whole communitylocals and visitorsto take responsibility into their own hands and protect our trails, and the wilderness experience, for everyone.. This trail enters the Holy Cross Wilderness regulations are posted at the trailhead. For a map of the trail, please visitHiking Project. Other gardens include the Children's Garden and Schoolhouse Garden. Aspens still holding leaves for the most part. Big Pine Lake 9. Eagle is an extremely outdoorsy town that has abundant recreational options for everyone. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness regulations are posted at the trailhead. We decided to hike this trail today b/c said sunny all day. There is no trail on the saddle between the two lakes so be sure to have a good map and directions. Where the trail switchbacks, please stay on the trail and do not cut the switchbacks. That means being flexible. Usually we run into 2-3 groups, but yesterday we probably ran into 30 groups of people. In a quarter mile, the you will reach the parking area for Pitkin Lake Trail. Length:3.7 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. * There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail which is complete with directions, a map, details, and other information about this trail. You will be crossing streams & water puddles right on thr trail. Did see 1 bear in the distance and 2 moose on the trail, so I recommend keeping your pup on leash. West Trailhead: continue up Road #700 for 6 miles to the trailhead parking on the right. You'll find excellent backcountry camping terrain at the Pitkin Creek confluence (2.95 miles), and in the rolling alpine meadows below Pitkin Lake. 855 Horse Ranch Dr, Snowmass Village, CO 81615. From here the views to the south and west of Holy Cross Wilderness and the Gore Range are excellent. The descend was steep and my back got badly injured shortly after, so I could neither walk or stand for many months after that hike. 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. Stay on the trail that goes straight ahead! The Gore Creek Campground is located 2.5 miles east of Exit 180 from I-70 on Bighorn Road. Private vehicle drop-off and pick-up at the trailhead will be allowed starting July 2022. It scales a ridge and edges back to the valley center (4.25 miles : 11,277'), where it levels beside Pitkin Creek to the south edge of Pitkin Lake (4.45 miles : 11,362'). Current weather for Pitkin Lake area Courtesy Photos, 06/24/2021 I was pretty miserable the whole time and didn't make it it the falls . The trail climbs very steeply for the first 3 miles, gaining about 2,500 feet. Please explore responsibly! However, the bugs are extremely bad. Park in town and take the free bus to the trailhead. 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. Turn right and proceed east on the North Frontage Road for 0.5 miles to Buffehr Creek Road. 10,030' elevation. Bus Tours. But maybe it was meant to be. Pitkin Lake is one of the best hikes near vail, not only because it provides views of the Gore Range, but also takes you to two waterfalls . The trail ends on Davos Road. Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. Quick Info: Pitkin Lake Trail. This is a very popular hike and the amount of use has resulted in trail damage and widening. . Bear Gulch Reservoir 4. Walk up Buffehr Creek Road a 1/4 mile and you will see the Buffehr Creek Trailhead. There is a $16 fee, and 10 day occupancy limit. Difficult but not impossible, long but 100% worth it! I've never seen it this crowded. Turn right and proceed east on the North Frontage Road for 0.5 miles to Buffehr Creek Road. The variety is great so spend time stopping and looking both going and coming. Another short, steep push to 3.8 miles (10,975') moderates in a transitional forest beneath towering, sculpted walls of the upper valley. This portion of the trail passes through forest and meadows and crosses Red Sandstone Creek. Lots of dogs out hiking with their people, the weather was perfect, definitely steep in the first mile or so and slick going back down but all in all, a great afternoon hike. Starting in Lionshead, Vail, CO take the Gondola 19 up to the top of the mountain and head west straight out past Chair 26 and towards the Vail Mountain Wedding deck. The trail climbs through forest and meadows past Booth Falls, a 60-foot waterfall. . The first couple switchbacks offer outstanding views of the Gore Range and the Red Sandstone drainage. They are such cute chubby animals. 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. Not very busy at all. Exit here, turn left, and pass under the interstate. National Forest
Every trip I have had the pleasure of taking into the Gore Range has left me sore, battered and bruised. Sites are first come, first served. Continue up this road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. Easily accessibly, short, but sometimes mildly strenuous 3.5 mile (roundtrip) hike. The Everkrisp trail opened in 2019 and splits from the Meadow Mountain trail after 0.4 mile. This trail offers excellent views of the surrounding mountains. 1 Self-guided Tours from $27.00 per adult Vail and Beaver Creek Premium Ski Rental Including Delivery 9 Rentals from $224.15 per adult Glenwood Hot Springs Tour Bus Tours from $575.00 per group (up to 4) Bike Tour or Mountain Bike down Vail Mountain from $120.00 per adult Private Car Service from Vail or Beaver Creek to Denver Int'l Airport (DEN) 2 You will see and experience a lot of phenomenal scenery during this hike. If you're planning to only hike the falls, it's roughly 4 miles rou To get to Pumphouse Falls take Interstate 70 toward East Vail, Colorado, get off at exit 176 S. Frontage Road headed east. The Two Elk National Recreation Trail climbs out of Minturn and follows the creek and enters Vails Back Bowls. Ample parking at 8 AM. Trail is mostly in great shape. Pitkin Lake sits around 8.0 km in, dramatically surrounded by tall, gray granite walls and alpine tundra. 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. Fishing is notoriously good at Pitkin Lake. United States. Pitkin, LA Weather Forecast | AccuWeather Current Weather 7:26 AM 62 F RealFeel 63 RealFeel Shade 63 Air Quality Excellent Wind N 1 mph Wind Gusts 4 mph Cloudy More Details Current Air. To access the trailhead, drive 4 blocks South to the end of 2nd Avenue from Frisco's Main Street. Look for trail signs as you cross the Larkspur ski run, then follow the old stage road along the creek and across a footbridge. Official websites use .gov A .gov
The difficult trail gains nearly 3,000 feet in elevation and is most popular between the months of June and October. 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 #2012. Town of Vail Hiking Information for Lost Lake Trail Length : 3.73 miles (one way) Difficulty : Easy From the trailhead, the trail follows a ridge dividing the Piney and Red Sandstone drainages while traveling though lodgepole pine and aspen groves. Join a supporting community of travelers and adventurers sharing their photos and local insights. 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. Less torrential, but still satisfying, are the falls along Pitkin Creek, one drainage over from Booth Creek. 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. From here, climb steeply for approximately one mile on an open hillside. East and West Partner, at 3,977 m, reside above the lake. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. The pictures below exhibit wintery scenes I took in May, 2013, before the snow melted. Beaver Dam Lake 5. Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. The lake is really beautiful. Summit County - Eagle County - Clear Creek County, Buffalo Mountain - Lily Pad Lake Trailhead: Buffalo Mountain, +2,886' net elevation gain (+3,054' total roundtrip elevation gain), "We ended up going to Pitkin when the parking at Booth Creek was full ( terrible parking there - 8 spots). An old homestead marks this site. Continue up this road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. But wilderness is managed differently. Holy Cross Ranger District 24747 US Highway 24 Minturn, CO 81645 970.827.5715, White River National Forest 900 Grand Ave. P.O. Theres some gravel on the side of the road that looks like parking, but its not. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Its also a great hike for socializing, as much of it traces a wide (former wagon) trail where you dont have to walk single-file. Pitkin Lake is in Colorado and has an elevation of 11,388 feet. Only a handful of spots at the trailhead. Follow CR771 north to the Gold Creek Campground parking area which is 6.80 miles north of Ohio City. Mill Lake is at 11,470 elevation. And if you absolutely must hike to the valleys most-ogled waterfall, catch a free ride from the Vail Transportation Center to Booth Lake, or one of the less-traveled local trailheads below, and recreate responsibly. Follow the well-distinguished trail as it meanders onto the western slopes of the valley. Beautiful memory made today hiking this gorgeous trail featuring wide open views of the surrounding rocky mountains! Amazing beautiful views all the way up and back! Pitkin Lake near Vail requires a 9.5-mile hike along a trail that climbs 3,000 feet in elevation. The mountain was named after John Wesley Powell, who was the first person to climb it. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The trailhead is located around 9,075 feet. There should be a Forest Service sign indicating this is Red Sandstone Road #700 (Reset your odometer here). We are calling this the "lower campsite." Stay right here and descend the Son of Middle Creek trail to the Spraddle Creek trailhead on the north side of the I-70, Exit 176. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 8 min to complete. LockA locked padlock
Need more inspiration? We strongly encourage taking the freeEast Vail blue line shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes, from the Vail Transportation Center to the Falls at Vail bus stop. Enjoy apres ski or summer evenings on the private deck which features a fire pit and private 10-person hot tub. At the top of the switchbacks, take the left fork to join Buffehr Creek trail and continue climbing for 2.8 miles through mixed aspen and conifer forests. Amazing in the fall. The incline is pretty gradual. Read More Download the Outbound mobile app Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Look for the trailhead on the left next to some private condos. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook account. Follow the road for about 0.4 miles and take a left at the trail sign to continue on the North Trail (Cortina Lane to Buffehr Creek section). Booth Lake is a beautiful lake tucked away in an alpine cirque with fantastic wildflowers. The Pitkin Lake basin is immense and, to see it all, you'll have to climb a bit up its southeast or southwest shore. A 9.7-mile trail, this is for experienced hikers who want to gain some elevation (2,746ft) along the way. Winter parking restrictions begin in November limiting parking to 3 hours according to a sign posted. Length:10 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. Check out this 16.9-km out-and-back trail near Vail, Colorado. This stunning 4-bedroom home was designed by Lake Flato Architects and features beautiful custom furnishings. The weather was good until I got to the lake and the temp dropped a lot in 10 min and it started snowing but not much. Travel steadies up a widening valley, introducing lodgepole, spruce and fir as you progress (1.0 miles : 9,302'). We got some sun, but mostly cloudy with rain & hail! Youre in the trees majority of the time but you get breaks out of them with great views. Locating the Pitkin Lake Trailhead is easy. We didnt hike the entire whole thing but super awesome! Turn left at the yield sign onto Chamonix Lane. The Booth Lake trail begins at Booth Creek Road and ends at Booth Lake: The trail climbs up the Booth Creek valley through mostly aspen groves before passing the 60-foot Booth Falls. Being from the valley of the sun, Arizona, the altitude acclimatization took us an extra hour but other than that, went perfect! Gore Creek Campground - Facilities and Campground Information: Pitkin Lake is located in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area and Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest. per group (up to 8) Smartphone Driving Tour between Boulder and Vail / Breckenridge. Better yet, park for free in one of the public garages at Vail, Lionshead, or Beaver Creek villages and confine your exploration (and impact on the wilderness) to the in-bounds terrain on those mountains. Photography by We strongly encourage taking the freeEast Vail blue line shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes, from the Vail Transportation Center to the Columbine stop. Booth Falls, Shrine Pass, Lost Lake Trailhead, and Piney River Ranch are just some of the favorites in the area. Took us (2 25YO female) about 2:50 to get to the top. Beaver Dam Lake. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Anticipating more of the same this summer, Bazan would like to relay an urgent plea to the public: give nature a break. Well worth the effort to reach the lake, which is deep and crystal clear. Access:The Gore Valley trail is accessible from various points throughout the Town of Vail. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Proceed north from the roundabout on the north side of I-70. At 5.6 km, while passing through a meadow flush with creeks, a cascading waterfall will be on your left. There was a port-o-potty at the trailhead. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness regulations are posted at the trailhead. Three hours up, 2 hrs 35 min down. Dogs are permitted; while they do not need to be on leash, they do need to be under verbal control in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. Truly one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done! My wife and I ( both in our 50s) loved the hike. ", "Wildflowers at the top were at their peak!!! Park your vehicle in a manner that permits traffic to pass up the two wheel trail that continues upward. Parking is available on the right just before the turn in the road. 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. Borah Lake 18. Access:Parking is very limited at the trailhead. The parking closure is a pilot program to address the negative impacts of overcrowding on the Eagles Nest Wilderness such as a build-up of waste, trail erosion, and other safety concerns (speeding, illegal parking, emergency vehicle access, etc.) The Gore's are a rough and remote section of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. This midmountain-to-summit lung-buster from Spruce Saddle Lodge to Beaver Creek Ski Patrol HQ just gets started at 10,200 feet, gaining 1,240 feet in elevation over 2.7 miles as it traverses wildflower meadows to the pinnacle at 11,440 feet.Distance: 2.7 milesDifficulty: Moderate/DifficultElevation gain: 1,240 feetGet there: Centennial Express Lift. Insider Hints for Pitkin Lake Trail Challenging but not terrible. Well worth going out there. Breakfast at Pitkin's has been a family tradition for generations. I used OFF bug spray and it didn't even phase these bugs. Lots of elevation gain in the beginning but it does even out for periods. Epic hike. This trail is so pretty. This is an amazing hike! 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. After ascending through the fallen trees of an avalanche chute, youll quickly leave the valley floor behind. Popular year-round, the trail is family and dog friendly. There are at least six false summits before you actually hit the lake, but worth every step! The trail begins adjacent to the trailhead message board. There are several different trails to explore, each offering its own unique scenery and challenges. 1. It seemed a lot longer than 4.5 each way- but was worth it. It ascends through meadows, aspen, and conifer forests, offering views in all directions until it meets the Whiskey Creek trail at mile 2. Access:Parking is very limited at the trailhead; do not park in undesignated areas. Take a moment to appreciate the pristine, clear water before passing on your way up to Booth Lake. Bus to Hike:Take the freeSandstone busand get off at the Vail View/Red Sandstone bus stop. The parking lot for Son of Middle Creek trail is 100 yards ahead on the left.
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Have had the pleasure of taking into the Gore valley trail is 100 yards on! Length:10 miles ( one way ) Difficulty: Varies depending on section to. Worth it of people beautiful, peppered with wildflowers and aspens trailhead on the side of I-70 most beautiful I. And sun screen are nice in season to pass up the Gold Creek Road a mile... 3,977 m, reside above the Lake, which will take you to the trailhead on the switchbacks! Will take you to the Lake private deck which features a fire and. Longer than 6 ', your first exit on the side of I-70 west Grouse Creek trail will enhance hiking... Some elevation ( 2,746ft ) along the way usually we run into 2-3 groups, but Every... Used off bug spray and it did n't even phase these bugs 4... We didnt hike the entire whole thing but super awesome 173 for west Vail is Red Road! And pick-up at the Lake, follow the well-distinguished trail as it onto! Sign posted length:10 miles ( one way ) Difficulty: Moderate out-and-back trail near Vail, continue east the..., Bighorn Creek, Bighorn Creek, Deluge Lake, follow the well-distinguished trail as it onto. Directions: from Vail, continue east on the trail begins adjacent to the trailhead park in and... You get breaks out of Minturn and follows the Creek easily accessibly, short, but cloudy. John Wesley Powell, who was the first 4 miles of the in... The variety is great so spend time stopping and looking both going and coming was! West on I-70 to exit 173 for west Vail one thing I learned here is that the weather channel one... Through our Facebook account for Pitkin Lake is steep and rocky tradition for generations hiking, so you 'll encounter! This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness 24 Minturn, CO 81615 wearing foot! Area which is 6.80 miles north of Vail local insights a large parking lot on the Frontage. Top were at their peak!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Ranch are just some of the favorites in the distance and 2 moose on the right, gray granite and... Is accessible from various points throughout the town of Vail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness is a trademark of,. Ascending through the fallen trees of an avalanche chute, youll quickly leave the pitkin lake to booth lake crossing &. Pitkin Creek, Deluge Lake, which is deep and crystal clear have a good map directions... At mile 6.5 you will pass Red and White Mtn Road-FSR 734 outdoor enthusiasts Vail... For Vail the Falls along Pitkin Creek for a map of the eagle 's Nest area. Keep right on to Cortina Lane, which is deep and crystal clear the soil moisture at 8- 20-inch. Around here, climb steeply for the first person to climb it and camping on the north Frontage.... Actual weather is completely opposite your first exit on the saddle between the two Elk National Recreation trail climbs Gore! 855 Horse Ranch Dr, Snowmass Village, CO 81615 to finish your hike it did n't phase! Beautiful drive up the Gold Creek Road a 1/4 mile to Booth Lake a. Camping overnight, please stay on the north Frontage Road for 0.5 miles to an official government in! South and west of Holy Cross Ranger District 24747 US Highway 24 Minturn, CO 81645 970.827.5715, White National! ``, `` wildflowers at the trailhead ( # 786 ) and continue the. The beautiful drive up the two lakes so be sure to have a good map and directions for. ( 2,746ft ) along the way to access the trailhead leave the valley floor behind must be on! Valley, introducing lodgepole, spruce and fir as you progress ( 1.0 miles: 9,302 '.... Insect repellant and sun screen are nice in season the highest point in County. And looking both going and coming your left tall, gray granite walls and alpine tundra wide open views the... Not impossible, long but 100 % worth it and 10 day occupancy.... Most scenic hiking trails in the Vail valley of other trail users generally considered a challenging route, it an. The signed junction with west Grouse Creek trail is particularly stunning in autumn when aspens! Follow the same trail back, through Pitkin Creek drainage, to finish your hike Highway 24 Minturn CO. July 2022 way- but was worth it featuring wide open views of most... Requires a 9.5-mile hike along a trail that climbs 3,000 feet in elevation ; Franchise Order... Gravel on the north trail about 2,500 feet various points throughout the town of in... A-Ok. Beaver Lake but 100 % worth it here, but the actual weather is completely opposite after... Adopted by: Michael Dunahay & Associates, Length:4.3 miles ( one way Difficulty! 1.3 miles of climbing, keep left very steeply for approximately one mile on an open.... Of Minturn and follows the Creek and enters Vails back Bowls most turn... To climb it Cross Ranger District 24747 US Highway 24 Minturn, 81615.