FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 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. The Deluge Lake Trail splits from the Gore Creek Trail about 0.1 mile from the Gore Creek trailhead. After ascending through the fallen trees of an avalanche chute, youll quickly leave the valley floor behind. The Pitkin Trail begins in East Vail and ends at Pitkin Lake: The first mile of the trail is strenuous as it climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley. Have you done this adventure? The Pitkin Lake basin is immense and, to see it all, you'll have to climb a bit up its southeast or southwest shore. Easy parking. Amazing! Continue north approximately another 1/2 mile, ascending a series of switchbacks, to the North Trail junction and stay right. Take plenty of water and some snacks. Other gardens include the Children's Garden and Schoolhouse Garden. From Denver, take I-70 west to Vail and exit 180, your first exit on the right. At mile 6.5 you will pass Red and White Mtn Road-FSR 734. Distance: 1.8 miles each way (to the falls) Elevation gain: 1,800 feet Difficulty: Moderate Get 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. 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 . Dogs are permitted, butmust be kept on a leashin order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. 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 For easy access to a tucked-away mountain lake, its hard to beat the six-mile round-trip hike to Beaver Lake. The GPS reading is 38-40-442N and 106.35.303W . 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. Past the deck there will be a trail that you can follow out onto the edge of the mountain called the W Vail Trail. Quickly, youll cross a large bridge as Pitkin creeks rushes below. Access:Parking is very limited at the trailhead; do not park in undesignated areas. The river is situated in Eagle County and drains part of the Rocky Mountains at the south end of Gore Range via Gore Valley. Length:3.7 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. Holy Cross Ranger District 24747 US Highway 24 Minturn, CO 81645 970.827.5715, White River National Forest 900 Grand Ave. P.O. Access:From Exit 176 for Vail, travel west about 1 mile on the North Frontage Road to Red Sandstone Road. Its like youre hiking through the forest most the way, in the trees, but still lots of sun. Continue for another 200 m and you will reach the creek, rushing on your right. Call 860-327-5498 for . But if you have spring Time allergies, you may want to think twice before going. For those not wishing to camp in the backcountry, there are several developed campgrounds within the White River National Forest. Photography by They are such cute chubby animals. 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). Take the North Frontage Road west to Red Sandstone Road. Aspens are starting to pop but many are still green-so colors should be at peak in another week or 2. 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. 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. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/specialplaces/?cid=stelprd3825863. Pitkin Lake is incredible- it's a serene, alpine lake surrounded by granite walls dotted with pine trees. Anticipating more of the same this summer, Bazan would like to relay an urgent plea to the public: give nature a break. 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. Whether you're fly fishing or otherwise your chances of getting a bite here are good. Exit here and turn right (south). Walk up Buffehr Creek Road a 1/4 mile and you will see the Buffehr Creek Trailhead. 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 Pitkin Lake Trail climbs 2,886' in several steep stagesinto the upper valley, where the landscape opens to rolling alpine meadows on the approach to Pitkin Lake: The trail crosses Pitkin Creek and begins a strenuous climb on a narrow, aspen-lined path. Winter parking restrictions begin in November limiting parking to 3 hours according to a sign posted. Map showing recreational areas. Grades moderate past .3 miles (8,955') on a grassy slope between thick aspen stands and the creek. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Pitkin Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Vail, Colorado. The incline is pretty gradual. From westbound I-70, exit #180 and turn right (east) on the north frontage road. At Sky Mountain Park, the soil moisture at 8- and 20-inch depths was the same in 2018 and 2021 into mid-May . Where the trail switchbacks, please stay on the trail and do not cut the switchbacks. Wilderness is for your your responsibilities when visiting these special places. The difficult trail gains nearly 3,000 feet in elevation and is most popular between the months of June and October. Length:4.5 miles (one way)Difficulty:More Difficult. 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. At the signed junction with West Grouse Creek trail at 1 mile, keep left. 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. Staying left takes you to Red Sandstone Road via the Buffehr Creek trail. This portion of the trail passes through forest and meadows and crosses Red Sandstone Creek. Campsite parking spurs are 30-40' long, but no electric hook-ups, running water or dump stations are available. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Here is a picture of the sign. There are spots for about 8 cars at the trailhead. Whether you're looking for a short day hike or a longer backpacking trip, the Eagles Nest Wilderness has something to offer. Share sensitive information only Difficulty: Moderately strenuous. Three years after Lake Christine Fire, wildfires pose high risk despite recent rains. Booth Creek Falls, whose intertwined torrents plunge 60 feet, has earned its rep as Vails most dramaticand popularcascade. It's located just past the Gore Creek Trailhead and holds 25 campsites with picnic tables and fire grates. The Gore Valley Trail runs the length of the Gore Creek/Vail Valley. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. At mile 9.1, you will cross the Piney River and see a trailhead for Lower Piney River Trail - FDT 1885 on the left. I've never seen it this crowded. The first mile of the trail is strenuous as it climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley. Another short, steep push to 3.8 miles (10,975') moderates in a transitional forest beneath towering, sculpted walls of the upper valley. 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. Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers. There is a porta potty. Jane Gendron, Cindy Hirschfeld, and Ted Katauskas, 12/15/2021 Take your time & enjoy it & takes tons of pics! At mile 9.1, you will cross the Piney River and see the trailhead for Lower Piney River Trail - FDT 1885 on the left. It's a short distance before the trail makes a left turn to begin a steep ascent out of the valley to Pitkin Lake. After passing a beaver pond on the right, cross Buffehr Creek. 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. The Gardens are open to the public year-round. Motorola Moto G (2nd generation) Battery Replacement. Park in town and take the free bus to the trailhead. Quick Info: Pitkin Lake Trail. 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. Fallen trees along the trail are evidence of past avalanches. (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). 5. Very rewarding once you get to the meadows. ", "Nice trail. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6'. 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. Pitkin Historical and Community Association. Turn right onto the north frontage road and continue to the trailhead on the left side of the road before the Pitkin Creek Townhomes. Only made it half way. Continue on the Everkrisp trail, climbing slightly before descending into EagleVail and meeting the Stone Creek trail at mile 4. that impact nearby residents and guests as well. Contact Information After about 2.5 miles, steep switchbacks reveal the first of two waterfalls on Pitkin Creek about 200 yards to the east. Length:3.5 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. From the trailhead, the trail follows a ridge dividing the Piney and Red Sandstone drainages while traveling though lodgepole pine and aspen groves. The trailhead is on the left at the first turn in the road. If you hike this trail, go to the very end. Pitkin Lake is located 4.45 miles north of Vail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. We didn't mind that at all as it was a spectacular experience! The Gore Creek Campground is located 2.5 miles east of Exit 180 from I-70 on Bighorn Road. SagaCity Media | 921 SW Washington St, Suite 750 | Portland, Oregon 97205, By Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. Box 948 Glenwood Springs CO 81602 970.945.2521. 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. There should be a Forest Service sign indicating this is Red Sandstone Road #700 (Reset your odometer here). Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. One vertebrae slipped over another. I'm guessing it's the fall foliage. The Gore's are a rough and remote section of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. When we lived in Colorado, Rick and I hiked to Booth Lake in July 2012 (without a pack). more info: No conditions reported in the past 7 days. At the bottom of the descent, turn left and follow the trail to the Buffehr Creek bridge. 36 Lake, Stephen 15 Lane, Libby 52 Mason, Beverley 3 Mullally, Sarah 44 Nelson, Hugh 26 . Use right two lanes to take exit 180. Length:4.3 miles (one way)Difficulty:Most Difficult. Overcast skies on way down, 72 degrees at end. Parking is very limited at this trailhead. Boot Lake 16. If camping overnight, please visit the Ranger Station to learn about Holy Cross Wilderness regulations. 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. Length:10 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. 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. Length:0.7 miles (one way)Difficulty:Easy. Length:VariesDifficulty:Varies Crowds:Varies. Big Lake 8. Pitkin Lake. For the remaining 2.0 km, the hike takes you through similar terrain slowly curving around to the final destination: Pitkin Lake. Range: Gore Range Coordinates: 39.642967, -106.303029 Elevation: 8,450' Road Difficulty . Big Spruce Lake 10. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. More information at www.hikevail.net. U.S. Forest Service ranger Katherine Kat Bazan says the mayhem at Booth Creek Falls (gateway to the Eagles Nest Wilderness) was hardly confined to that trail, noting that on most weekends at the Notch Mountain/Mount of the Holy Cross trailhead last summer, vehicles overflowed out of the parking lot onto both shoulders of Tigiwon Road for a half-mile or more; ditto at the Cross Creek trailhead further down the road, making it impassable for emergency vehicles. The trail to Booth Lake, just like the Pitkin Lake Trail, is strenuous. Continue up this road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure. Take a walk on the not-quite-so-wild side this summer to preserve the valleys most-hiked trails. 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