For a map of the trail, please visitHiking Project. It ascends through meadows, aspen, and conifer forests, offering views in all directions until it meets the Whiskey Creek trail at mile 2. Staying left takes you to Red Sandstone Road via the Buffehr Creek trail. Blue Lake 14. Fishing is notoriously good at Pitkin Lake. Continue up this road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. The trail will pass through several boulder fields, and then cling to a very steep slope as it climbs through aspen woods. 10,030 elevation. Length:3.7 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. 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). The Pitkin Lake Trailhead is located .3 miles east of Exit #180 from I-70 on the North Frontage Road. Boot Lake 16. Continue for another 200 m and you will reach the creek, rushing on your right. Trail Adopted By:Eagle River Water & Sand District, Length:3.4 miles (one way)Difficulty:More Difficult. (38.39.347N 106.34.528W) Both the trail head sign and hiking trail are clearly visible in the large open area. Campfires are permitted for dispersed camping in the backcountry, with potential seasonal restrictions. Six trails are hikers-only (and two are limited to bikes), with the rest accommodating everyone. 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. This portion of the trail passes through forest and meadows and crosses Red Sandstone Creek. Turn north here and follow the paved road about 0.7 miles to a fork with a dirt road on the left. Vail Mountain offers many miles of hiking trails that are both accessible from Vail Village and Lionshead, as well as from Mid-Vail and Eagles Nest/Adventure Ridge. LockA locked padlock There are spots for about 8 cars at the trailhead. The hike is very beautiful, peppered with wildflowers and aspens. The trail climbs very steeply for the first 3 miles, gaining about 2,500 feet. Please respect private property rights. United States government. per group (up to 8) Smartphone Driving Tour between Boulder and Vail / Breckenridge. Length:10 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. Piney River, Booth Creek, Pitkin Creek, Bighorn Creek, Deluge Lake, and Gore Creek are within the Eagles Nest Wilderness. It fills a large cirque just above treeline at the head of a broad, glacier-carved valley. Access:No parking at the Booth Lake Trailhead for the 2022 season. 5. Continue north approximately another 1/2 mile, ascending a series of switchbacks, to the North Trail junction and stay right. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Directions: From Vail, continue east on I-70 to exit 180. Robert Kagan - George A. Kasem - John Kasich - John Katko - Thomas Kean - Thomas Kean mlaji - Joseph Warren Keifer - Kenneth McKellar - Fred Keller - Frank B. Kellogg - James A. Kelly - Laura Kelly - John F. Kennedy - John L. Kennedy - Kerry Kennedy - P. J. Kennedy - Robert F. Kennedy - Ted Kennedy - John W. Kern - John F. Kerry - Harley M . The steep, high-elevation hike takes adventurers about 11,500 feet above sea level to Booth Lake, a body of water high in the mountains. It fills a large cirque just above treeline at the head of a broad, glacier-carved valley. We got some sun, but mostly cloudy with rain & hail! and 1 other. Above 10,000 feet the trees thin and the terrain changes offering views of the Gore Range. Travel intensifies to the base of a rockslide (2.7 miles : 10,272'), then makes another short, steep burst to a second crest over a large meadow where a major tributary joins Pitkin Creek (2.95 miles : 10,420'). Take the right turn off Highway 76 and begin the beautiful drive up the Gold Creek Road. 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. We backpacked it and the trail in was definitely a challenge but the way back was super chill. . The Pitkin Lake trailhead parking area only holds about 15 cars, and there's no overflow parking because it's in the middle of a neighborhood. If camping overnight, please visit the Ranger Station to learn about Holy Cross Wilderness regulations. Stay left here. Walk up Chamonix Lane to Arosa Drive to Cortina Lane for 1 mile and you will see the Davos Trailhead. 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). Need more inspiration? But wilderness is managed differently. 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. 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. The alpine lake at the end of the trail is stunning! Map showing recreational areas. We didnt see much wildlife, but that could have been because of the snowfall. Summer and fall hikers should find an open trail. Meadows were a carpet of color. The freeEast Vail blue line shuttle, runs every 30 minutes from the Vail Transportation Center to the Booth Falls stop. Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail. After ascending through the fallen trees of an avalanche chute, youll quickly leave the valley floor behind. Trailhead is on right side of the road. Discover this 10.5-mile out-and-back trail near Vail, Colorado. Several spots for a pup to grab water. 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. Did see 1 bear in the distance and 2 moose on the trail, so I recommend keeping your pup on leash. 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. . Access:Parking is extremely limited at the trailhead. Length:4.8 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. From these points you'll also have great views back down valley that reveal hidden meadows, ponds and streams. At the bottom of the descent, turn left and follow the trail to the Buffehr Creek bridge. At the top of the switchbacks, take the right fork to stay on the North Trail (the Buffehr Creek Trail departs the North Trail and heads left/north). The Booth Lake Trailhead and parking area are located .2 miles up Booth Falls Road. 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. 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. (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). If you hike this trail, go to the very end. Follow the well-distinguished trail as it meanders onto the western slopes of the valley. 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. Merge right and travel south 2.7 miles and turn left onto Cemetery Road. 18. The Gardens are open to the public year-round. This day hike begins as a steady climb through aspen trees for the first mile. 3.0 km in, the trail becomes heavily forested; however, it soon opens up to a beautiful meadow with even better views of the Gore Range. Call 860-327-5498 for . The trail bends northwest through an expanding alpine landscape and shoots up the valley's west side through the vestiges of treeline (4.0 miles : 11,072'). Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 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). Went Friday at noon and saw 4 other groups total in all 10miles. Other gardens include the Children's Garden and Schoolhouse Garden. Views span from the Gore Range to Tennessee Pass. Whether you're looking for a short day hike or a longer backpacking trip, the Eagles Nest Wilderness has something to offer. 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. Walk up Buffehr Creek Road a 1/4 mile and you will see the Buffehr Creek Trailhead. The Minturn Mile is best accessed after spending the day at Vail, but can be done so with skins and skis from the base. However, the bugs are extremely bad. Bowl of Tears 19. When we lived in Colorado, Rick and I hiked to Booth Lake in July 2012 (without a pack). After passing a beaver pond on the right, cross Buffehr Creek. The trail begins from the south end of the parking lot near the white house. 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. That means being flexible. After a series of small switchbacks, at 4.0 km, look out towards the east to see the first of two waterfalls along Pitkin Creek. Name. Big Pine Lake. Pitkin Lake Trail makes for an adventure-filled day 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. Definitely a challenging hike and the last bit to the lake is a solid incline as well. 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. Turn left and continue to the trailhead on the left. Dogs are permitted on the Pitkin Creek Trail and within the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. Take the North Frontage Road west to Red Sandstone Road. National Forest After enjoying your well-earned time at the lake, follow the same trail back, through Pitkin Creek drainage, to finish your hike! At about 3.75 miles in the trail crosses the west fork of Pitkin Creek and there is a large campsite past that crossing. . The trail continues to climb gently and then curves around into a drainage of mixed pine and aspen. Stay right here. The trail climbs through forest and meadows past Booth Falls, a 60-foot waterfall. You will see and experience a lot of phenomenal scenery during this hike. Trip Reports Whether you're baitcasting, fly fishing or spinning your chances of getting a bite here are good. I enjoy fishing here, though Im not always successful. Follow Us. Fishing is permitted along Pitkin Creek and at Pitkin Lake with a valid Colorado fishing license. The trail then flattens out a bit, and you reach Booth Falls at mile two. Take the I-70 E from Vail. After enjoying the waterfall, leave the valley of meadows and hike up another steep section of the trail. Alpine Lake Hike If you have all day, take a classic Colorado hike to a pristine alpine lake. It felt longer than expected, partially because there were "false lakes" - we kept expecting Pitkin to be right at the next crest and meadow, but kept finding just meadows. $7.99. Did not see any moose, bear, or mountain goats that recent trail reports indicate. Big Pine Lake 9. connected to the .gov website. I'm guessing it's the fall foliage. At 4.5 km, just past the small creek crossing, continue left on the trail towards the western side of the trail. The area is characterized by its high mountain peaks, forests, and rivers. Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. Access:From Exit 176 for Vail, travel west about 1 mile on the North Frontage Road to Red Sandstone Road. Eagle is an extremely outdoorsy town that has abundant recreational options for everyone. 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). Bolts Lake 15. After about 2.5 miles, steep switchbacks reveal the first of two waterfalls on Pitkin Creek about 200 yards to the east. 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. Two night max stay. For outdoor enthusiasts, Vail has some of the most scenic hiking trails in the Vail Valley. I had to turn at the 2nd brook. Took us (2 25YO female) about 2:50 to get to the top. ( Wonderful hike! This description will assume you have access to the lifts at Vail by parking at one of the many resort/town parking areas. In 2010, the campsite was not well-used. Pitkin Lake sits around 8.0 km in, dramatically surrounded by tall, gray granite walls and alpine tundra. 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. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. The variety is great so spend time stopping and looking both going and coming. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Ample parking at 8 AM. Trail is mostly in great shape. 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. Do not take the trail to the left. After passing the sign, the trail continues to strenuously climb for another kilometer before leveling out. 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. Will not show on comments list. Walk up Booth Falls Road a 1/4 mile to the trailhead. Continue up this road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. Booth, Izzy 402 McIsaac, Debbie 396 Mynett, Rebecca 290 Nay, Tina 433 Nichol, Lynn 403 Norris, Fiona A bit buggy up at the lake, but nothing horrendous. Epic hike. This is a beautiful 60 ft waterfall that allows for easy rock climbing and hiking through the stream upstream of the falls. 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. Pitkin Creek Trail Town of Vail Hiking Information for Pitkin Creek Trail Length : 4.8 miles (one way) Difficulty : More Difficult The first mile of the trail is strenuous as it climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley. Join a supporting community of travelers and adventurers sharing their photos and local insights. Join the fun on weekends, when the lively crowds are always . To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. Well worth going out there. It is a long hike to the lake. The gorgeous trail starts off steep, but it quickly (after roughly 1.6 km) levels out. Length:7.0 miles (one way)Difficulty:More Difficult. Continue onwards to Booth Lake for a real butt-busting challenge with killer scenery. But wilderness is managed differently. Share sensitive information only Quickly, youll cross a large bridge as Pitkin creeks rushes below. After a strenuous set of switchbacks, youll reap your first watery reward 2.5 miles from the trailhead (a cascade 200 yards to the east), followed by another waterfall a mile beyond and finally, after another 1.3 miles, Pitkin Lake.Distance: 4.8 miles each wayElevation gain: 2,921 feetDifficulty: DifficultGet there: From the Vail Village or Lionshead parking structures, take the East Vail Blue Line to the Falls at Vail bus stop; follow Fall Line Drive uphill a quarter mile to the trailhead. Falls stop Creek pitkin lake to booth lake and within the Eagles Nest Wilderness area ( one way ) Difficulty More... Smartphone Driving Tour between boulder and Vail / Breckenridge stopping and looking Both going and coming miles. From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail, Colorado yards to the Lake. An avalanche chute, youll quickly leave the valley of meadows and crosses Red Creek! 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