Published in the Summer/Fall 2021 issue of Pitkin Lake For a day filled with hiking, choose the Pitkin Lake Trail. 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). Take plenty of water and some snacks. Photography by Current weather for Pitkin Lake area Aspens are starting to pop but many are still green-so colors should be at peak in another week or 2. If you hike this trail, go to the very end. The views from the top of this steep trail include Vail Mountain, Mount of the Holy Cross, and beyond. See houses this school serves. We dont want to tell people they cant use the wilderness; its really beneficial, says Bazan, manager of Wilderness and Trails for the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District. Quick Info: Pitkin Lake Trail. 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. The trail climbs through forest and meadows past Booth Falls, a 60-foot waterfall. . Stay on the trail that goes straight ahead! Access:Parking is very limited at the trailhead; do not park in undesignated areas. To access the trailhead, drive 4 blocks South to the end of 2nd Avenue from Frisco's Main Street. This day hike begins as a steady climb through aspen trees for the first mile. 855 Horse Ranch Dr, Snowmass Village, CO 81615. Very rewarding once you get to the meadows. 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. After about 3 miles it trades off between flat and parts of incline. Vail-Beaver Creek Magazine. Access:Parking is extremely limited at the trailhead. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Holy Cross Ranger District 24747 US Highway 24 Minturn, CO 81645 970.827.5715, White River National Forest 900 Grand Ave. P.O. At the signed junction with West Grouse Creek trail at 1 mile, keep left. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Only made it half way. Stay left here. Pitkin Lake Trail Want to report conditions for this trail? Directions: From Vail, continue east on I-70 to exit 180. Grades moderate past .3 miles (8,955') on a grassy slope between thick aspen stands and the creek. Walk down North Frontage Road for 200 yards and you will see the Trappers Run Trailhead. After winding through another drainage, the North Trail begins its descent into Buffehr Creek via a series of switchbacks. 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. An official website of the Turn right and proceed east on the North Frontage Road for 0.5 miles to Buffehr Creek Road. See theVail Mountain Hiking Websitefor more information. Overall though insanely beautiful and a great backpacking spot. Photography by Dogs are permitted on the Pitkin Creek Trail and within the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. Fossil Ridge is behind the lake and rises to 12,749 elevation. LockA locked padlock At 4.5 km, just past the small creek crossing, continue left on the trail towards the western side of the trail. Pitkin Lake is located 4.45 miles north of Vail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. Hike uphill through aspens and thimbleberry to an intersection with the Village to Village trail. Being from the valley of the sun, Arizona, the altitude acclimatization took us an extra hour but other than that, went perfect! Take the right turn off Highway 76 and begin the beautiful drive up the Gold Creek Road. Stop by or call the Vail Welcome Center for more information. Styled by Turning right will take you to the remainder of the North Trail. In 2010, the campsite was not well-used. Length:4.9 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. At mile 3.0, the trail enters a large meadow where the Piney River and Meadow Creek merge. Continue north approximately another 1/2 mile, ascending a series of switchbacks, to the North Trail junction and stay right. 10,030 elevation. Walk up Buffehr Creek Road a 1/4 mile and you will see the Buffehr Creek Trailhead. This is a very popular hike and the amount of use has resulted in trail damage and widening. Its muddy the last mile and a half so be prepared with the right shoes. Park your vehicle in a manner that permits traffic to pass up the two wheel trail that continues upward. It is about 5 miles one way and can take anywhere from 5-8 hours round trip with most people taking around 6 hours. Where the trail switchbacks, please stay on the trail and do not cut the switchbacks. Pitkin Lake sits around 8.0 km in, dramatically surrounded by tall, gray granite walls and alpine tundra. Whether you're fly fishing or otherwise your chances of getting a bite here are good. After about 2.5 miles, steep switchbacks reveal the first of two waterfalls on Pitkin Creek about 200 yards to the east. Trail Adopted By:Vail Public Safety, Vail Recreation District, East West Partners, Town of Vail Employees, Marriott Streamside, Length:3.73 miles (one way)Difficulty:Easy. I've never seen it this crowded. Then, the trail climbs more gradually following along Booth Creek through mostly aspen groves before passing Booth Falls. 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. Walk up Chamonix Lane to Arosa Drive to Cortina Lane for 1 mile and you will see the Davos Trailhead. Really liked this trail, different from many others. After a mile, it crosses a bridge over Middle Creek in a cool spruce/fir forest. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Pitkin Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Vail, Colorado. Another lake near Vail is Booth Lake, which is paid with a significant waterfall. The first couple switchbacks offer outstanding views of the Gore Range and the Red Sandstone drainage. Exit here and turn right (south). They are such cute chubby animals. 1 in the county of Pitkin and Sta. 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. Started at about 0840, 51 degrees and sunny. Smartphone Driving Tour between Denver & Vail / Breckenridge. Campfires are permitted for dispersed camping in the backcountry, with potential seasonal restrictions. Jane Gendron, Cindy Hirschfeld, and Ted Katauskas, 12/15/2021 It's located just past the Gore Creek Trailhead and holds 25 campsites with picnic tables and fire grates. Its like youre hiking through the forest most the way, in the trees, but still lots of sun. for 2.5 miles, turn right into the small parking lot next to the Nordic ski track. Length:3.5 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. The alpine lake at the end of the trail is stunning! Length:3.7 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. Did not see any moose, bear, or mountain goats that recent trail reports indicate. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We strongly encourage taking the freeEast Vail blue line shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes, from the Vail Transportation Center to the Columbine stop. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. ", "Wildflowers at the top were at their peak!!! 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. There is limited parking at this trailhead. Yeah, that is a solid ascend! 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 . 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. 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. The streams are easy to cross, use the stones as stepping stones to cross & youll be A-ok. Courtesy Photos, 06/24/2021 Amazing in the fall. You will be crossing streams & water puddles right on thr trail. 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). per group (up to 8) Smartphone Driving Tour between Boulder and Vail / Breckenridge. Please obey parking signage. Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure. After passing a beaver pond on the right, cross Buffehr Creek. Easy parking. 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. Alpine Lake Hike If you have all day, take a classic Colorado hike to a pristine alpine lake. It seemed a lot longer than 4.5 each way- but was worth it. Scenic vistas of Mount of the Holy Cross and Battle Mountain are prevalent throughout the hike. In a quarter mile, the you will reach the parking area for Pitkin Lake Trail. Established in 2008, this West Town sports bar's popularity helped launch a local empire, the Fifty/50 Restaurant Group. From the trailhead, walk 1/8 mile to the signed North Trail/Davos Trail junction and take a right onto the North Trail. After ascending through the fallen trees of an avalanche chute, youll quickly leave the valley floor behind. 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. Mount Powell is a mountain in Summit County. Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the. Alicia Lake Reservoir 3. Blue Lake 13. The trail ends on Davos Road. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. I had to turn at the 2nd brook. At mile 1, the Wash Holland trail veers right. Booth Creek Falls, whose intertwined torrents plunge 60 feet, has earned its rep as Vails most dramaticand popularcascade. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. The trail then reaches the sections high point. The trail enters into Vail Golf Course area and continues up Vail Pass to the east and continues to the west, connecting to the Eagle Valley Regional Trail, a 10-mile trail to Edwards. 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). Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 8 min to complete. Travel 1 mile to Booth Falls Road and turn right (north). For those not wishing to camp in the backcountry, there are several developed campgrounds within the White River National Forest. Blodgett Lake. Saw one hiker moments after getting to lake, saw one more moments after we started down trail. Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. The trail takes you to another high alpine meadow filled with pine trees and numerous small creek crossings. There should be a Forest Service sign indicating this is Red Sandstone Road #700 (Reset your odometer here). Access:Travel west on I-70 to exit 171 for Minturn, Leadville, and Highway 24. 900 Grand Ave. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness regulations are posted at the trailhead. Box 948 Glenwood Springs CO 81602 970.945.2521. Here is a picture of the sign. From westbound I-70, exit #180 and turn right (east) on the north frontage road. Please consider other hiking trails listed on this page if this trail is likely to be very busy. Plenty of parking available. Not highly traveled. Took about eight hours. Range: Gore Range Coordinates: 39.642967, -106.303029 Elevation: 8,450' Road Difficulty . Pitkin Lake. Access:Travel west on I-70 to exit 171 for Minturn, Leadville, and Highway 24. Beaver Lake 6. Beaver Dam Lake 5. 234 Pitkin, James 190 Plumb, Valerie 97 Poole, Martin 83 Richards, Jane 461 Ridge, James 217 . Do not park in undesignated areas; there are only fifteen designated parking spaces. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. At Arosa Drive, turn right and veer right onto Davos Trail. Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. We decided to hike this trail today b/c said sunny all day. Less torrential, but still satisfying, are the falls along Pitkin Creek, one drainage over from Booth Creek. * There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail which is complete with directions, a map, details, and other information about this trail. Bolts Lake 15. A year later, when the pandemic idled Vail Villages festival season and a statewide lockdown sent locals and Front Rangers into a get-outdoors frenzy, 50,560 hikers (a 63 percent increase) stomped up the Booth Lake Trail, leaving illegally parked SUVs clogging both shoulders of Booth Falls Road, as well as piles of trash and biological waste from humans and off-leash dogs. Mapcarta, the open map. . Turn north here and follow the paved road about 0.7 miles to a fork with a dirt road on the left. Several spots for a pup to grab water. This trail offers excellent views of the surrounding mountains. Please respect private property rights. 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. Turn right onto Red Sandstone Road and proceed for 1.3 miles to a gate and the second of two intersections with the North Trail. After a number of false summits, the trail reaches Pitkin Lake, nestled beneath an arc of gray granite in the alpine tundra. Popular year-round, the trail is family and dog friendly. Follow the well-distinguished trail as it meanders onto the western slopes of the valley. 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 incline is pretty gradual. Overnight camping in the wilderness requires a permit. Early season hikers may encounter snow patches as the trail winds through conifer forests and meadows filled with wildflowers. Simply Fixable offers the most reasonable prices for its in Lake Ronkonkoma NY. Only passed about eight other hikers all day long. Bowl of Tears 19. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness, which has special regulations to protect wilderness resources. Supervisor's Office By Follow Us. Such a good trail! The Meadow Mountain trail follows an old logging road above Dowd Junction. United States. From the trailhead, the trail follows a ridge dividing the Piney and Red Sandstone drainages while traveling though lodgepole pine and aspen groves. A vault toilet is available. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Horses are permitted on the Pitkin Creek Trail. Quickly, youll cross a large bridge as Pitkin creeks rushes below. Access:No parking at the Booth Lake Trailhead for the 2022 season. You'll find excellent backcountry camping terrain at the Pitkin Creek confluence (2.95 miles), and in the rolling alpine meadows below Pitkin Lake. For outdoor enthusiasts, Vail has some of the most scenic hiking trails in the Vail Valley. Take a moment to appreciate the pristine, clear water before passing on your way up to Booth Lake. After enjoying your well-earned time at the lake, follow the same trail back, through Pitkin Creek drainage, to finish your hike! But wilderness is managed differently. Lots of huckleberries! Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. There is one water crossing not far from the lake. Share sensitive information only Together these gardens contain about 2,000 varieties of plants, including over 500 different varieties of wildflowers and alpine plants. 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. 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. Trailhead is on right side of the road. 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 . Check out this 16.9-km out-and-back trail near Vail, Colorado. 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). Travel .3 miles to the Pitkin Lake Trailhead parking area. The area is characterized by its high mountain peaks, forests, and rivers. After enjoying the waterfall, leave the valley of meadows and hike up another steep section of the trail. At the roundabout, take the Spraddle Creek Road exit. The Pitkin Lake Trail climbs 2,886' in several steep stages into the upper valley, where the landscape opens to rolling alpine meadows on the approach to Pitkin Lake. Youll follow Pitkin Creek for a couple hundred meters through dense foliage. Continue up the Mill Lake trail at your own pace. - Paul Theroux Walk east 1/3 of a mile up Bighorn Road (under the overpass) and you will see the Deluge Lake Trailhead first, then Gore Creek Trailhead farther down the road. Take the next right on to Cortina Lane, which will take you to the trailhead. For a map of the trail, please visitHiking Project. Parking is very limited at this trailhead. Top ways to experience Booth Falls Trail and nearby attractions. Bring lots of water!! more info: No conditions reported in the past 7 days. From the fork, both forks climb steeply though spruce and fir forest into the alpine tundra. Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure. Enjoy apres ski or summer evenings on the private deck which features a fire pit and private 10-person hot tub. The beaver ponds are a great destination for families. $7.99. Be the first to leave a review! 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