Its like youre hiking through the forest most the way, in the trees, but still lots of sun. Pitkin Lake For a day filled with hiking, choose the Pitkin Lake Trail. . https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/specialplaces/?cid=stelprd3825863. Be forewarned. It is a long hike to the lake. . It fills a large cirque just above treeline at the head of a broad, glacier-carved valley. Bus Tours. At 4.5 km, just past the small creek crossing, continue left on the trail towards the western side of the trail. My watch tracked it as 11 miles / 3050 ft, Gorgeous! Access:Parking is very limited at the trailhead. The trail continues climbing through mixed forests and provides access to the Holy Cross Wilderness at Grouse Lake. Vail-Beaver Creek Magazine Overall though insanely beautiful and a great backpacking spot. 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 office is open M - F from 8am - 4pm. I've never seen it this crowded. Beaver Lake. There are some short steep sections along the way. Courtesy Photos, 06/24/2021 5. Pitkin Lake is incredible- it's a serene, alpine lake surrounded by granite walls dotted with pine trees. Phone repair; Tablet repair; Computer repair; Smart Watch Repair; Franchise; Official info (631)676-7111 . This stunning 4-bedroom home was designed by Lake Flato Architects and features beautiful custom furnishings. To access the trailhead, drive 4 blocks South to the end of 2nd Avenue from Frisco's Main Street. LockA locked padlock We backpacked it and the trail in was definitely a challenge but the way back was super chill. SagaCity Media | 921 SW Washington St, Suite 750 | Portland, Oregon 97205, By Saw several marmots on the way from the fall to the lake. Box Canyon Lake 20. Be mindful of false spurs along this shifting segment. 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 . From the fork, both forks climb steeply though spruce and fir forest into the alpine tundra. Take the North Frontage Road west to Red Sandstone Road. 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. Please respect private property rights. Pitkin Lake sits around 8.0 km in, dramatically surrounded by tall, gray granite walls and alpine tundra. Details:Including directions, a map, and other information can be found on thisprintable Recreation Quicksheetfrom the Forest Service. Pleaseconsider other hiking trails listed on this page if this trail is likely to be very busy. Only made it half way. There are at least six false summits before you actually hit the lake, but worth every step! Current weather for Pitkin Lake area Wearing proper foot wear will enhance your hiking experience. The water puddles, just walk on the grass to the right or left. Parking is available on the right just before the turn in the road. We have standards for how many groups of people a user should interact with on a hike. Overcrowding not only has physical effects, but its also degrading the wilderness character as defined by the Wilderness Act of 1964., In particular jeopardy, she notes, is a core principle of the Act, which defines wilderness as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain., I worry about our trails getting over-loved, Bazan stresses. At the signed junction with West Grouse Creek trail at 1 mile, keep left. Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. (38.39.347N 106.34.528W) Both the trail head sign and hiking trail are clearly visible in the large open area. 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. Follow CR771 north to the Gold Creek Campground parking area which is 6.80 miles north of Ohio City. There are spots for about 8 cars at the trailhead. 234 Pitkin, James 190 Plumb, Valerie 97 Poole, Martin 83 Richards, Jane 461 Ridge, James 217 . 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. 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. At the next signed junction, turn right to continue the descent to Buffehr Creek. The Gore Valley Trail runs the length of the Gore Creek/Vail Valley. At the bottom of the descent, turn left and follow the trail to the Buffehr Creek bridge. The trail ends on Davos Road. 4 Bath. Be the first to leave a review! 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. Can see a little bit of the front of the fall, but the back is fantastic! 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. Walk up Fall Line Drive a mile to the trailhead. Follow 771 seven miles north to the Gold Creek Campground parking area which is 6.79 miles north of Ohio City. Take a moment to appreciate the pristine, clear water before passing on your way up to Booth Lake. For easy access to a tucked-away mountain lake, its hard to beat the six-mile round-trip hike to Beaver Lake. 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). Obtain their Colorado Fishing Regulations handbook for regulations. Access:From Exit 176 for Vail, travel west about 1 mile on the North Frontage Road to Red Sandstone Road. West Trailhead: continue up Road #700 for 6 miles to the trailhead parking on the right. The trail continues to climb gently and then curves around into a drainage of mixed pine and aspen. 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. The trail then reaches the sections high point. Pitkin Lake near Vail requires a 9.5-mile hike along a trail that climbs 3,000 feet in elevation. Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers. 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'). Fallen trees along the trail are evidence of past avalanches. Length:VariesDifficulty:Varies Crowds:Varies. Bus to Hike:Take the freeWest Vail Red busand get off at the Buffehr Creek bus stop. Beautiful paved path popular for walking and biking with great mountain, aspen trees, and stream views. Look for and find the trail head marker that stands alone and is clearly visible. From Denver, take I-70 west to Vail and exit 180, your first exit on the right. Pitkin Lake is situated nearby to Upper Piney Lake and The Spider. Proceed west on the North Frontage Road for 1/4 mile. After winding through another drainage, the North Trail begins its descent into Buffehr Creek via a series of switchbacks. We decided to hike this trail today b/c said sunny all day. website belongs to an official government organization in the Exit here and turn right (south). from. Length:3.7 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. Only 1st 20 min is difficult, but you should have some hiking experience. The trail climbs gradually through pine and aspen. More information at www.hikevail.net. 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). This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness regulations are posted at the trailhead. Print Trail 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). At Wildwood, follow the Ptarmigan Loop west to Ptarmigan Ridge, where, as legend has it, World War II veteran Pete Seibert and rancher Earl Eaton first gazed out over the Bowls in 1957, envisioned them filled with snow, and decided to build Vail Resort.Distance: 1.3 miles each way (plus 2 miles for the Ptarmigan Loop)Difficulty: ModerateElevation gain: 648 feet (add 119 feet for the Ptarmigan Loop)Get there: Eagle Bahn Gondola. Length:4.5 miles (one way)Difficulty:Difficult. Alpine trails are so cool, crisp and surrounded by those tall majestic mountains making it super splendor! Merge right and follow Highway 24 south for approximately 1 mile. Difficulty: Moderately strenuous. ", "Hiked to Pitkin Lake yesterday. Dogs are permitted on the Pitkin Creek Trail and within the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 8 min to complete. This is the trailhead on the right. The GPS reading is 38-40-442N and 106.35.303W . (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook account. Kimberly Gavin, 12/07/2022 The incline is pretty gradual. connected to the .gov website. Trail Photos East and West Partner, at 3,977 m, reside above the lake. Truly one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done! You will see and experience a lot of phenomenal scenery during this hike. Where the trail forks to the left to Piney Lake, go straight. Begin the trip at the City Limit sign in Pitkin and travel west 6.5 miles to Ohio City. The trail moderates on the edge of a thinning forest (3.35 miles : 10,765'), relaxing for a spell through small clearings and spruce stands. Being from the valley of the sun, Arizona, the altitude acclimatization took us an extra hour but other than that, went perfect! 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. Trail was all ours remainder of hike. Walk down North Frontage Road for 200 yards and you will see the Trappers Run Trailhead. At about 3.75 miles in the trail crosses the west fork of Pitkin Creek and there is a large campsite past that crossing. There is limitedparking at the trailhead. Bolts Lake 15. Bring lots of water!! Comments. 36 Lake, Stephen 15 Lane, Libby 52 Mason, Beverley 3 Mullally, Sarah 44 Nelson, Hugh 26 . * There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail which is complete with directions, a map, details, and other information about this trail. Beaver Dam Lake. Karl Wolfgang 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. Be mindful of private property in the area and only park in designated spaces. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. SagaCity Media | 921 SW Washington St, Suite 750 | Portland, Oregon 97205, Best Luxury Cabins at Vail and Beaver Creek, Lionshead's New Luxury Resort Is a Diner's Haven, The Evolution of Fine Lunching on Vail Mountain, Acclaimed Gallerist Expands Brand in Vail, WinterSpring 202223 Events in Vail and Beaver Creek, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Helps Olympian Recover, A First-timer's Guide to Uphill Adventuring, Vail's New E-Vehicle Service Takes Big Rigs off the Streets, A Local Hyperbaric Chamber Is Setting Records and Changing Lives, West Vail Ski Chalet Is Redesigned and Redecorated, Modern Love: A Vacation Home Gets an Up-to-date Makeover. Please respect this valued piece of Eagle County history by not disturbing the cabin remains. Incline is hard at points, I like that :) Lake was beautiful. Take the I-70 E from Vail. Top half is more difficult with rocky trails. Managed by CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE ASPEN SNOWMASS, LLC Jennifer Fulton. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. Such a good trail! Mount Powell is part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and is one of the most popular climbing destinations in Colorado. The streams are easy to cross, use the stones as stepping stones to cross & youll be A-ok. Summer and fall hikers should find an open trail. Fossil Ridge is behind the lake and rises to 12,749 elevation. If camping overnight, please visit the Ranger Station to learn about Holy Cross Wilderness regulations. Easily accessibly, short, but sometimes mildly strenuous 3.5 mile (roundtrip) hike. . Mill Lake is at 11,470 elevation. If you hike this trail, go to the very end. At the roundabout, take the Spraddle Creek Road exit. 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. An old homestead marks this site. After passing a beaver pond on the right, cross Buffehr Creek. At Sky Mountain Park, the soil moisture at 8- and 20-inch depths was the same in 2018 and 2021 into mid-May . Contact the Holy Cross Ranger District for information on these sites. More information at www.hikevail.net. By Three hours up, 2 hrs 35 min down. Booth Lake 17. Schroon lake , NY 12870 . The trail winds through meadows and aspen groves which change to conifer stands as the elevation increases. Borah Lake 18. Break out of treeline just as you reach Pitkin Lake at 11,360'. ( Well worth the effort to reach the lake, which is deep and crystal clear. 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. Stay right here. Sites are first come, first served. Vail-Beaver Creek Magazine. Big Spruce Lake 10. 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). The Eagles Nest Wilderness is a true wilderness experience, situated in the Summit County area of Colorado. (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. There are several different trails to explore, each offering its own unique scenery and challenges. Whether you're looking for a short day hike or a longer backpacking trip, the Eagles Nest Wilderness has something to offer. Three years after Lake Christine Fire, wildfires pose high risk despite recent rains. 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. A bit buggy up at the lake, but nothing horrendous. The first couple switchbacks offer outstanding views of the Gore Range and the Red Sandstone drainage. Grouse Lake trail begins on a logging road but turns to singletrack after 0.3 mile. Cross the meadow and begin a strenuous climb up the far side through a dense spruce-fir forest. Travel .3 miles to the Pitkin Lake Trailhead parking area. The difficult trail gains nearly 3,000 feet in elevation and is most popular between the months of June and October. Other gardens include the Children's Garden and Schoolhouse Garden. This trail offers excellent views of the surrounding mountains. The lake is almost exactly 2 miles from the parking area. That means being flexible. From here the views to the south and west of Holy Cross Wilderness and the Gore Range are excellent. From the trailhead, the trail follows a ridge dividing the Piney and Red Sandstone drainages while traveling though lodgepole pine and aspen groves. Past the deck there will be a trail that you can follow out onto the edge of the mountain called the W Vail Trail. 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. The trail continues climbing after the bridge to its junction with the North Trail at 2 miles, then gradually meanders through a lodgepole pine forest for another 1.5 miles to its terminus at Lost Lake Road. Continue north approximately another 1/2 mile, ascending a series of switchbacks, to the North Trail junction and stay right. Pitkin Lake Trail 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. 3461 Sqft. 12/03/2021 From here, climb steeply for approximately one mile on an open hillside. Hike uphill through aspens and thimbleberry to an intersection with the Village to Village trail. The trail plateaus to a disperse aspen forest, offering shade to cool you off after the steep ascent. Did not see any moose, bear, or mountain goats that recent trail reports indicate. Please take the FREE bus from the Vail Transportation Center. Access:Parking is extremely limited at the trailhead. Turn right and proceed east on the North Frontage Road for 0.5 miles to Buffehr Creek Road. 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. 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. The mountain was named after John Wesley Powell, who was the first person to climb it. ", "Nice trail. 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. Bowl of Tears 19. I saw two moose and a small herd of white mountain goats! I had to turn at the 2nd brook. But if you have spring Time allergies, you may want to think twice before going. 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. Please explore responsibly! Proceed north from the roundabout on the north side of I-70. 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. Do not park in undesignated areas; there are only fifteen designated parking spaces. Take the right turn off Highway 76 and begin the beautiful drive up the Gold Creek Road. Britta Briscoe. Or to see quicksheets for other recreation areas across the Forest, click on the "Recreation Quicksheets" link in the right column and select the appropriate Ranger District. Take plenty of water and some snacks. From westbound I-70, exit #180 and turn right (east) on the north frontage road. The gorgeous trail starts off steep, but it quickly (after roughly 1.6 km) levels out. Fishing is permitted along Pitkin Creek and at Pitkin Lake with a valid Colorado fishing license. 1. At mile 9.1, you will cross the Piney River and see the trailhead for Lower Piney River Trail - FDT 1885 on the left. 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 north mile up Columbine Drive (under the overpass) to the trailhead. 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. 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. Great mix of terrain- from woods to meadows to Aspen groves then finally the lake. Plenty of parking available. Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail. This trail enters the Holy Cross Wilderness regulations are posted at the 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. , to the north Frontage Road west to Red Sandstone drainages while traveling though lodgepole pine and aspen groves finally. Side through a dense spruce-fir forest above treeline at the roundabout, take I-70 west to Red drainage... Filled with hiking, choose the Pitkin Lake trailhead parking area trees the! 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