Please respect private property rights. Breakfast at Pitkin's has been a family tradition for generations. But very few people made the trip there. You can make the crossing rock-to-rock or perhaps you can walk across a large fallen tree that is just upstream. A bit buggy up at the lake, but nothing horrendous. Popular year-round, the trail is family and dog friendly. From here the views to the south and west of Holy Cross Wilderness and the Gore Range are excellent. Take the I-70 E from Vail. 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. Map Information, White River If camping overnight, please visit the Ranger Station to learn about Holy Cross Wilderness regulations. How To Get There The Pitkin Lake Trailhead is easy to reach from Vail. Take a moment to appreciate the pristine, clear water before passing on your way up to Booth Lake. Early season hikers may encounter snow patches as the trail winds through conifer forests and meadows filled with wildflowers. Lots of huckleberries! Stay right here and descend the Son of Middle Creek trail to the Spraddle Creek trailhead on the north side of the I-70, Exit 176. Your day will be filled with mountain views, abundant wildflowers, mature aspen and evergreen forests. The variety is great so spend time stopping and looking both going and coming. A little muddy near the top. Published in the Summer/Fall 2021 issue of The Gardens are open to the public year-round. The Meadow Mountain trail follows an old logging road above Dowd Junction. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 8 min to complete. Ted Katauskas Beaver Dam Lake. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/specialplaces/?cid=stelprd3825863. The trail then flattens out a bit, and you reach Booth Falls at mile two. The views from the top of this steep trail include Vail Mountain, Mount of the Holy Cross, and beyond. Incline is hard at points, I like that :) Lake was beautiful. Hike uphill through aspens and thimbleberry to an intersection with the Village to Village trail. There should be a Forest Service sign indicating this is Red Sandstone Road #700 (Reset your odometer here). Name. The trail ends on Davos Road. From Buffehr Creek, climb steeply for approximately one mile on an open hillside. The Pitkin Trail, along with its fellow nearby trails (Booth lake, Bighorn Creek, Deluge Lake, and Gore Creek), is an exciting all around, out and back, trail that journeys to Pitkin Lake. Not very busy at all. We strongly encourage taking the freeEast Vail blue line shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes, from the Vail Transportation Center to the Columbine stop. First mile is little work but it levels out nicely. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness regulations are posted at the trailhead. At mile 1, the Wash Holland trail veers right. Wearing proper foot wear will enhance your hiking experience. The freeEast Vail blue line shuttle, runs every 30 minutes from the Vail Transportation Center to the Booth Falls stop. Get the app Download GPX File Features Hiking Dog Friendly Forest Lake Scenic 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. Obtain their Colorado Fishing Regulations handbook for regulations. I've never seen it this crowded. From these points you'll also have great views back down valley that reveal hidden meadows, ponds and streams. Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. The parking lot for Son of Middle Creek trail is 100 yards ahead on the left. After 1.3 miles of climbing, keep right on the North Trail. This day hike begins as a steady climb through aspen trees for the first mile. The beaver ponds are a great destination for families. We didnt hike the entire whole thing but super awesome! Lots of elevation gain in the beginning but it does even out for periods. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Trail Photos This stunning 4-bedroom home was designed by Lake Flato Architects and features beautiful custom furnishings. Piney River, Booth Creek, Pitkin Creek, Bighorn Creek, Deluge Lake, and Gore Creek are within the Eagles Nest Wilderness. It ascends through meadows, aspen, and conifer forests, offering views in all directions until it meets the Whiskey Creek trail at mile 2. ) or https:// means you've safely 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. 1 Self-guided Tours from $27.00 per adult Vail and Beaver Creek Premium Ski Rental Including Delivery 9 Rentals from $224.15 per adult Glenwood Hot Springs Tour Bus Tours from $575.00 per group (up to 4) Bike Tour or Mountain Bike down Vail Mountain from $120.00 per adult Private Car Service from Vail or Beaver Creek to Denver Int'l Airport (DEN) 2 The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Contact Information The trail climbs very steeply for the first 3 miles, gaining about 2,500 feet. Take plenty of water and some snacks. Vail-Beaver Creek Magazine. Every trip I have had the pleasure of taking into the Gore Range has left me sore, battered and bruised. 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 town is surrounded by town-owned open space and has several panoramic trails for all types of skills and ages. Photography by 900 Grand Ave. It seemed a lot longer than 4.5 each way- but was worth it. Six trails are hikers-only (and two are limited to bikes), with the rest accommodating everyone. Break out of treeline just as you reach Pitkin Lake at 11,360'. Booth Lake is a beautiful lake tucked away in an alpine cirque with fantastic wildflowers. Trail Adopted By:Manor Vail Lodge (East) and Slifer Smith & Frampton (West). Need more inspiration? The first 4 miles of the trail climbs alongside Gore Creek. The descend was steep and my back got badly injured shortly after, so I could neither walk or stand for many months after that hike. Pitkin lake trail in East Vail, Colorado is similiar to the popular Booth lake trail in that the final destination is a scenic mountain lake. Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail and cross under I-70 to the north side of the high-way. Incredible lake. Mount Powell is home to many different wildlife species, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and eagles. Staying left takes you to Red Sandstone Road via the Buffehr Creek trail. 10,030' elevation. Turn to the north and proceed on North Frontage Road to Red Sandstone Road #700. 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. Wildflowers were awesome! At mile 9.1, you will cross the Piney River and see a trailhead for Lower Piney River Trail - FDT 1885 on the left. Agreed, Booth Lake and that area are absolutely gorgeous. Do not park in undesignated areas; there are only fifteen designated parking spaces. There are several different trails to explore, each offering its own unique scenery and challenges. LockA locked padlock Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail. Pass through many meadows, often filled with wildflowers for 2 more miles to Booth Lake. Then, the trail climbs more gradually following along Booth Creek through mostly aspen groves before passing Booth Falls. Turning right will take you to the remainder of the North Trail. This trail is so pretty. Linda Hayes 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. 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. 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. Read More Download the Outbound mobile app Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. Well worth the effort to reach the lake, which is deep and crystal clear. Continue for another 200 m and you will reach the creek, rushing on your right. After a mile, it crosses a bridge over Middle Creek in a cool spruce/fir forest. This is also a popular spot for picnics and camping. See houses this school serves. Bus Tours. Turn right and proceed east on the North Frontage Road for 0.5 miles to Buffehr Creek Road. Fallen trees along the trail are evidence of past avalanches. Length:7.0 miles (one way)Difficulty:More Difficult. That trail is longer, more arduous, and leads to Boulder Lake. After passing the sign, the trail continues to strenuously climb for another kilometer before leveling out. After about 20 minutes, youll arrive at a couple of fishing ponds followed by an equipment storage yard, but dont worryfrom here the trail gets a lot more scenic, with one section circumnavigating Grouse Mountain. There is no trail on the saddle between the two lakes so be sure to have a good map and directions. Had the trail and lake to myself early on a Saturday! Merge right and follow Highway 24 south for approximately 1 mile. Be the first to leave a review! Do not park in undesignated areas; there are only four designated parking spaces. This description will assume you have access to the lifts at Vail by parking at one of the many resort/town parking areas. Managed by CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE ASPEN SNOWMASS, LLC Jennifer Fulton. Follow CR771 north to the Gold Creek Campground parking area which is 6.80 miles north of Ohio City. Insect repellant and sun screen are nice in season. Wearing proper foot wear will enhance your hiking experience. (38.39.347N 106.34.528W) Both the trail head sign and hiking trail are clearly visible in the large open area. 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. It's a short distance before the trail makes a left turn to begin a steep ascent out of the valley to Pitkin Lake. The trail takes you to another high alpine meadow filled with pine trees and numerous small creek crossings. By Summit County - Eagle County - Clear Creek County, Buffalo Mountain - Lily Pad Lake Trailhead: Buffalo Mountain, +2,886' net elevation gain (+3,054' total roundtrip elevation gain), "We ended up going to Pitkin when the parking at Booth Creek was full ( terrible parking there - 8 spots). Follow this rough, dirt road about 1.8 miles until it ends at the trailhead. 7 miles by watch GPS. The trail will pass through several boulder fields, and then cling to a very steep slope as it climbs through aspen woods. 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). Hike 1/4th mile and you will see a metal sign-in box beside the trail at 38.39.584N 106.34.718W. Info: Pitkin Creek Trailhead has 17 parking spaces. Beautiful leaves and creek. This is a charming place to walk around, shop, look at the stunning architecture, or enjoy a delicious meal. 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 As the grade steepens on the final approach, you cross into the Holy Cross Wilderness, where youll soon find Beaver Lake, ringed with conifers and sparkling under that blue, blue Colorado sky.Distance: 3 miles each wayDifficulty: ModerateElevation gain: 1,776 feetGet there: From the base of Centennial, follow the Five Senses Trail along Village Drive and then Elk Track Road until the road ends. The Gore Creek Campground is located 2.5 miles east of Exit 180 from I-70 on Bighorn Road. There is limited parking at this trailhead. If visiting the ranch, you can drive further to their parking lot. 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. Stop by or call the Vail Welcome Center for more information. 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. Usually we run into 2-3 groups, but yesterday we probably ran into 30 groups of people. Proceed north from the roundabout on the north side of I-70. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. More information at www.hikevail.net. Continue up this road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. Bus to Hike:Take the freeSandstone busand get off at the Vail View/Red Sandstone bus stop. The Minturn Mile is best accessed after spending the day at Vail, but can be done so with skins and skis from the base. Walk north mile up Columbine Drive (under the overpass) to the trailhead. The trail winds through meadows and aspen groves which change to conifer stands as the elevation increases. We are calling this the "lower campsite." At 4.5 km, just past the small creek crossing, continue left on the trail towards the western side of the trail. 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. Saw lots of mountain goats and a snake. Vail Mountains west side, and Game Creek Bowl, are scribbled with summer hiking and mountain biking trails. East and West Partner, at 3,977 m, reside above the lake. The trail gradually climbs 600 feet to the trails high point then drops slightly to Lost 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. Trailhead is on right side of the road. Two night max stay. Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. 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. The trail to Booth Lake, just like the Pitkin Lake Trail, is strenuous. Stay right here. There is a porta potty. Look for and find the trail head marker that stands alone and is clearly visible. Difficulty: Moderately strenuous. Details:Including directions, a map, and other information can be found on thisprintable Recreation Quicksheetfrom the Forest Service. At the signed junction with West Grouse Creek trail at 1 mile, keep left. I enjoy fishing here, though Im not always successful. East and West Partner, at 3,977 m, reside above the lake. Three hours up, 2 hrs 35 min down. begging to be jumped into if not for the chill. The Booth Creek Falls trail is particularly stunning in autumn when the aspens are glowing and golden. Continue onwards to Booth Lake for a real butt-busting challenge with killer scenery. With a round-trip hike of almost 11 miles and an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet, this wonderful hike is another one in the Vail area that is a must-do venture. ", "Hiked to Pitkin Lake yesterday. Missouri Lakes, Fancy Lake, Booth Lake, Pitkin Lake, Piney Lake and the Seven Sisters Lakes are a few choices that make for an unforgettable experience. Cross the bridge and tracks and proceed onto FSR# 762. Trail Adopted By:Howard Head Sports Medicine, Length:4.8 miles (one way)Difficulty:More Difficult. Beautiful hike! At mile 3.0, the trail enters a large meadow where the Piney River and Meadow Creek merge. 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Of climbing, keep right on the north Frontage Road to Red Sandstone Road and proceed for miles... Gaining about 2,500 feet reach Booth Falls at mile 1, the trail climbs gradually... North from the roundabout on the trail winds through meadows and aspen groves passing., which is 6.80 miles north of Ohio City aspen SNOWMASS, LLC Jennifer Fulton s REAL. As you reach Pitkin Lake trailhead is easy to reach from Vail &! Has been a family tradition for generations by parking at one of the Holy Cross Wilderness regulations Vail Transportation to. Winds through conifer forests and meadows filled with wildflowers it ends at the Vail View/Red Sandstone stop! Please visit the Ranger Station to learn about Holy Cross Wilderness and the second of intersections... Average of 6 h 8 min to complete of Ohio City miles climbing. On a Saturday, each offering its own unique scenery and challenges wildflowers, mature aspen evergreen. 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