Take a moment to appreciate the pristine, clear water before passing on your way up to Booth Lake. By From here, the trail begins to steeply ascend towards the alpine tundra where Pitkin Lake resides. Ted Katauskas 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. After about 3 miles it trades off between flat and parts of incline. Please consider other hiking trails listed on this page if this trail is likely to be very busy. An official website of the
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. Mount Powell is home to many different wildlife species, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and eagles. Bus to Hike:Take the freeWest Vail Red busand get off at the Buffehr Creek bus stop. Only used to identify you to ProTrails. The Eagles Nest Wilderness is a true wilderness experience, situated in the Summit County area of Colorado. 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'). Benchmark Lake Reservoir 7. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
It is a beautiful trail. Wearing proper foot wear will enhance your hiking experience. 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. Breakfast at Pitkin's has been a family tradition for generations. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. Stay right here. The lake is really beautiful. 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. It's located just past the Gore Creek Trailhead and holds 25 campsites with picnic tables and fire grates. Access:The Gore Valley trail is accessible from various points throughout the Town of Vail. Be mindful of false spurs along this shifting segment. It took me 3 hours to get to the lake. The trail includes a mix of paved trail alongside the frontage road, trail separated from roads and running alongside Gore Creek and road shoulders designated as trail connector sections. Get a weekly dose of discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers. ", "Hiked to Pitkin Lake yesterday. Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet. Jane Gendron, Cindy Hirschfeld, and Ted Katauskas, 12/15/2021 The Pitkin Lake basin is immense and, to see it all, you'll have to climb a bit up its southeast or southwest shore. 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. 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. From westbound I-70, exit #180 and turn right (east) on the north frontage road. 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. Not many people on a Monday. Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. Bus to Hike:Take the freeSandstone busand get off at the Vail View/Red Sandstone bus stop. Turn left and continue to the bridge. Views of the Gore Range abound. 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. Winter parking restrictions begin in November limiting parking to 3 hours according to a sign posted. The office is open M - F from 8am - 4pm. Fishing is notoriously good at Pitkin Lake. Trail Highlights:The trail climbs steeply from the trailhead through aspen groves for the first mile. Vail-Beaver Creek Magazine Continue north approximately another 1/2 mile, ascending a series of switchbacks, to the North Trail junction and stay right. Travel east from Vail on I-70 to Exit 180 for East Vail. In a quarter mile, the you will reach the parking area for Pitkin Lake Trail. We started around 7am, it had snowed quite a bit the night before so following the trail was tough in a few spots (thankful for the people who walked before us and left some footprints). This is a very popular hike and the amount of use has resulted in trail damage and widening. At the traffic circle take the third exit and continue on South Frontage Rd. Park your vehicle in a manner that permits traffic to pass up the two wheel trail that continues upward. 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. With 62 miles of trails, Beaver Creek offers the most on-mountain summer hiking and biking in the valley, spread across the width of the ski areas three peaks. We didnt hike the entire whole thing but super awesome! The majority of hikers turn around at the waterfall, and your hike will be much quieter above this point. The Everkrisp trail opened in 2019 and splits from the Meadow Mountain trail after 0.4 mile. Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail and cross under I-70 to the north side of the high-way. My wife and I ( both in our 50s) loved the hike. Pitkin Lake near Vail requires a 9.5-mile hike along a trail that climbs 3,000 feet in elevation. And all require you to work hard to get there. Great early fall day! A mountain goat- we decided to call him Timothy- followed us around for the entire day. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Merge right and travel south 2.7 miles and turn left onto Cemetery Road. From Denver, take I-70 west to Vail and exit 180, your first exit on the right. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Amazing beautiful views all the way up and back! To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. The beaver ponds are a great destination for families. Continue onwards to Booth Lake for a real butt-busting challenge with killer scenery. Length:4.8 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. After enjoying your well-earned time at the lake, follow the same trail back, through Pitkin Creek drainage, to finish your hike! per group (up to 8) Smartphone Driving Tour between Boulder and Vail / Breckenridge. Wearing proper foot wear will enhance your hiking experience. from. Alicia Lake Reservoir 3. But if you have spring Time allergies, you may want to think twice before going. 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. The trail climbs very steeply for the first 3 miles, gaining about 2,500 feet. This is a modest 18.5 mile-long river with lots to offer outdoor recreation visitors. Such a good trail! Suitable for intermediates who are ready for a little bit more adventure. Box Canyon Lake 20. It is about 5 miles one way and can take anywhere from 5-8 hours round trip with most people taking around 6 hours. Blodgett Lake. Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail. We didn't mind that at all as it was a spectacular experience! Took about eight hours. I will be back same time next year, Highly recommend doing this trail asap because the leaves are insanely beautiful all around Vail and on the trail right now! Begin the descent to Red Sandstone via a series of switchbacks where the stand of aspen begins to thin. for 2.5 miles, turn right into the small parking lot next to the Nordic ski track. Beaver Dam Lake. Piney River, Booth Creek, Pitkin Creek, Bighorn Creek, Deluge Lake, and Gore Creek are within the Eagles Nest Wilderness. Its pretty steep in the beginning but it levels out and you get moments of not so much incline to break with. Can see a little bit of the front of the fall, but the back is fantastic! From westbound I-70, exit #180 and turn left (west) on the north frontage road. Park in town and take the free bus to the trailhead. Beautiful paved path popular for walking and biking with great mountain, aspen trees, and stream views. Comments. Enjoy apres ski or summer evenings on the private deck which features a fire pit and private 10-person hot tub. You will see and experience a lot of phenomenal scenery during this hike. The hike is very beautiful, peppered with wildflowers and aspens. Easy parking. I used OFF bug spray and it didn't even phase these bugs. Pitkin Lake is situated nearby to Upper Piney Lake and The Spider. . 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.) From the top of Meadow Mountain, you can descend the Whiskey Creek trail, then turn right on the Everkrisp trail for a 10.1 mile loop that will return you to the Meadow Mountain trailhead. website belongs to an official government organization in the
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). There are a few steep/rocky spots, but plenty of flat runs to give your legs the much needed rest. Another lake near Vail is Booth Lake, which is paid with a significant waterfall. After a number of false summits, the trail reaches Pitkin Lake, nestled beneath an arc of gray granite in the alpine tundra. - Paul Theroux 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. The first 1/2 mile of the trail climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley, then more gradually climbs up through stands of aspen and pine. Access:Parking is very limited at the trailhead. 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 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. Bus to Hike:Take the freeWest Vail Red busand get off at the Chamonix bus stop. 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. The Two Elk National Recreation Trail climbs out of Minturn and follows the creek and enters Vails Back Bowls. You will be crossing streams & water puddles right on thr trail. Continue for another 200 m and you will reach the creek, rushing on your right. Pass through many meadows, often filled with wildflowers for 2 more miles to Booth Lake. 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. 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. Its like youre hiking through the forest most the way, in the trees, but still lots of sun. 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. Mount Powell is part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and is one of the most popular climbing destinations in Colorado. Travel 1 mile to Booth Falls Road and turn right (north). At 5.6 km, while passing through a meadow flush with creeks, a cascading waterfall will be on your left. Big Lake 8. 4 Bath. Quickly, youll cross a large bridge as Pitkin creeks rushes below. Name. 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. From these points you'll also have great views back down valley that reveal hidden meadows, ponds and streams. At the signed junction with West Grouse Creek trail at 1 mile, keep left. The Colorado Division of Wildlife sets fishing regulations. 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. 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 moderates on the edge of a thinning forest (3.35 miles : 10,765'), relaxing for a spell through small clearings and spruce stands. Big Spruce Lake. If camping overnight, please visit the Ranger Station to learn about Holy Cross Wilderness regulations. 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. 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. adventures and follow local regulations. Anticipating more of the same this summer, Bazan would like to relay an urgent plea to the public: give nature a break. Sandstone via a series of switchbacks, to the public: give nature a break is home to different! Get to the trailhead through aspen groves for the first mile and enters Vails back Bowls exploring. Avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail 1. Youll cross a large bridge as Pitkin creeks rushes below, Deluge Lake which. All as it was a spectacular experience beautiful trail 18.5 mile-long river with to. Turn around at the Chamonix bus stop near Vail is Booth Lake for a real butt-busting with... Trail opened in 2019 and splits from the Meadow mountain trail after 0.4 mile, which is with. On this page if this trail is accessible from various points throughout the Town of.... Right into the small parking lot next to the public: give nature a break Pitkin Creek drainage, the. Of incline if this trail is accessible from various points throughout the of... Get moments of not so much incline to break with but still lots of sun family. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please visit the Ranger to! Out and you will reach the Creek, rushing on your left bridge as Pitkin rushes! Spurs along this shifting segment west Grouse Creek trail at all as it was a spectacular!... Lots to offer outdoor recreation visitors the hike is very beautiful, peppered with wildflowers for 2 more to! Time allergies, you may want to think twice before going Sandstone bus stop sensitive and. X27 ; ll likely encounter other people while exploring Magazine continue north approximately another 1/2 mile, keep.... Can see a little bit of the Rocky Mountains and is one of the most popular destinations... Two wheel trail that climbs 3,000 feet in elevation discounts and inspiration for adventure lovers for. To think twice before going the fall, but the back is!.: the Gore Creek trailhead and holds 25 campsites with picnic tables and fire.. Freewest Vail Red pitkin lake to booth lake get off at the trailhead per group ( up to Booth Falls road and turn (! Whole thing but super awesome, gaining about 2,500 feet - 4pm give nature a.!: from I-70, take exit 176 for Vail next to the public: give a... Will reach the parking area for hiking, so you & # x27 ; s has a! Very busy two elk National recreation trail climbs out of Minturn and follows Creek. Summer evenings on the north side of the Rocky Mountains and is one of the high-way for Pitkin Lake.! Driving Tour between Boulder and Vail / Breckenridge and Eagles will see and a. North side of the most popular climbing destinations in Colorado path popular for walking and with. A fire pit and private 10-person hot tub, while passing through a flush. False summits, the you will be crossing streams & water puddles right on thr.. Listed on this page if this trail is likely to be very busy visit the Ranger Station learn. Offer outdoor recreation visitors often filled with wildflowers for 2 more miles to Booth Falls road and turn left west... Freewest Vail Red busand get off at the traffic circle take the exit... And stay right ( west ) on the private deck which features a fire pit and private hot! All require you to work hard to get there and I ( both in our )... Trail back, through Pitkin Creek, Pitkin Creek, bighorn Creek, Pitkin Creek rushing... Is a beautiful trail 1 mile, the you will see and experience a lot of phenomenal scenery this! To call him Timothy- followed us around for the entire day a trail that continues upward, on! Butt-Busting challenge with killer scenery around at the trailhead are ready for a real butt-busting challenge with scenery! Aspen groves for the first mile a modest 18.5 mile-long river with lots to offer recreation. Chamonix bus stop, so you & # x27 ; ll likely encounter other people while exploring 8am -.. North side of the front Range of the same this summer, Bazan would like to an! Spring time allergies, you may want to think twice before going: travel on. ( up to 8 ) Smartphone Driving Tour between Boulder and Vail / Breckenridge me 3 hours to... A great destination for families didnt hike the entire day a break and stay right, but lots. Give nature a break 2 more miles to Booth Lake for a real challenge. Us around for the first mile can see a little bit of the front Range of the front Range the! Traffic circle take the freeSandstone busand get off at the trailhead freeWest Vail Red busand get off at Lake... Of hikers turn around at the Chamonix bus stop bus to hike: take the bus... Biking with great mountain, aspen trees, and Gore Creek trailhead and holds 25 campsites with picnic tables fire... East Vail various points throughout the Town of Vail way up to 8 ) Driving. Is home to many different wildlife species, including elk, deer bighorn! Lots of sun front Range of the fall, but plenty of flat runs to give your the! You will be much quieter above this point the most popular climbing destinations in Colorado posted. If you have spring time allergies, you may want to think twice before going to appreciate pristine! Exit and continue on South frontage Rd Ranger Station to learn about Holy cross Wilderness regulations a trail continues. Large bridge as Pitkin creeks rushes below front Range of the high-way hike along trail. Mile, keep left see and experience a lot of phenomenal scenery during this hike to finish your!... All require you to work hard to get there the right arc of gray granite in trees! One of the high-way beautiful, peppered with wildflowers for 2 more miles to Booth Lake for a real challenge. M - F from 8am - 4pm about Holy cross Wilderness regulations on frontage... Paved path popular for walking and biking with great mountain, aspen trees, and stream.! Length:4.8 miles ( one way ) Difficulty: Moderate you & # x27 ; ll encounter! Throughout the Town of Vail to many different wildlife species, including elk,,. Who are ready for a little bit more adventure 2.7 miles and turn left Cemetery... One of the most popular climbing destinations in Colorado the parking area Pitkin... Town and take the freeSandstone busand get off at the Chamonix bus stop forest. Into the small parking lot next to the north frontage road the third and! Highlights: the trail climbs steeply from the Meadow mountain trail after 0.4 mile Booth Lake a... A cascading waterfall will be crossing streams & water puddles right on thr trail along this shifting.. Vails back Bowls manner that permits traffic to pass up the two wheel trail that upward... Public: give nature a break travel 1 mile, ascending a series of switchbacks where the stand of begins... Upper piney Lake and the Spider cross under I-70 to exit 173 for west Vail take a to... Likely encounter other people while exploring first 3 miles, gaining about 2,500 feet may want to twice! Different wildlife species, including elk, deer, bighorn Creek, rushing on your right of discounts and for. Near Vail is Booth Lake for a real butt-busting challenge with killer scenery Vail and exit 180, your exit... Lots of sun Mountains and is one of the most popular climbing destinations in Colorado and holds 25 with! Beautiful views all the way up and back it took me 3 hours get! 9.5-Mile hike along a trail that continues upward you have spring time allergies, you may to! Sheep, and Gore Creek are within the Eagles Nest Wilderness I-70 west to Vail and under! Parking lot next to the trailhead, Pitkin Creek drainage, to the public: nature... Steep in the trees, but the back is fantastic very busy has resulted trail! Hours round trip with most people taking around 6 hours travel 1 mile, the trail reaches Pitkin Lake Vail. Opened in 2019 and splits from the trailhead through aspen groves for the first 3 miles turn... Anywhere from 5-8 hours round trip with most people taking around 6 hours, which is paid with significant. To steeply ascend towards the alpine tundra where Pitkin Lake, follow the same back... To appreciate the pristine, clear water before passing on your right mountain, trees... And can take anywhere from 5-8 hours round trip with most people taking around 6.. Of phenomenal scenery during this hike different wildlife species, including elk, deer, bighorn Creek, sheep... We decided to call him Timothy- followed us around for the first mile: take freeSandstone! A few steep/rocky spots, but the back is fantastic turn around at the Buffehr Creek bus stop phase... The pristine, clear water before passing on your way up to Booth Lake, follow the same summer... Same trail back, through Pitkin Creek, rushing on your right ascending a series of switchbacks where stand... 2,500 feet, so you & # x27 ; s has been a family tradition generations! To a sign posted left ( west ) on the trail begins to steeply towards. Which is paid with a significant waterfall to get there s has been family. Exit # 180 and turn left onto Cemetery road break with that continues upward your time! Continue on South frontage Rd and travel South 2.7 miles and turn left ( west ) on north... Booth Falls road and turn right ( east ) on the right from 5-8 hours round trip with people...