Turn right and make another right and drive about .2 mile east. From the trailhead, the trail follows a ridge dividing the Piney and Red Sandstone drainages while traveling though lodgepole pine and aspen groves. A welcome sight after a pretty challenging at times hike. Top ways to experience Booth Falls Trail and nearby attractions. But perhaps the best value comes from Pitkin Creek, which climbs via singletrack to Pitkin Lake at 11,400 feet. Access:Parking is very limited at the trailhead; do not park in undesignated areas. 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. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Follow the road for about 0.4 miles and take a left at the trail sign to continue on the North Trail (Cortina Lane to Buffehr Creek section). Youll get a ticket. The trail ends on Davos Road. connected to the .gov website. 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 freeEast Vail blue line shuttle, runs every 30 minutes from the Vail Transportation Center to the Booth Falls stop. 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. 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. 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 trailhead is located around 9,075 feet. Scenic vistas of Mount of the Holy Cross and Battle Mountain are prevalent throughout the hike. We got some sun, but mostly cloudy with rain & hail! But wilderness is managed differently. . From Denver, take I-70 west to Vail and exit 180, your first exit on the right. Access:The Gore Valley trail is accessible from various points throughout the Town of Vail. Turn right and proceed east on the North Frontage Road for 0.5 miles to Buffehr Creek Road. Travel intensifies to the base of a rockslide (2.7 miles : 10,272'), then makes another short, steep burst to a second crest over a large meadow where a major tributary joins Pitkin Creek (2.95 miles : 10,420'). Every trip I have had the pleasure of taking into the Gore Range has left me sore, battered and bruised. Epic hike. Turn left at the yield sign onto Chamonix Lane. Turning right at the last junction allows you to loop back to Cortina Lane via Garmisch Drive. Beautiful memory made today hiking this gorgeous trail featuring wide open views of the surrounding rocky mountains! Boot Lake 16. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Only used to identify you to ProTrails. Turn right onto the north frontage road and continue to the trailhead on the left side of the road before the Pitkin Creek Townhomes. 36 Lake, Stephen 15 Lane, Libby 52 Mason, Beverley 3 Mullally, Sarah 44 Nelson, Hugh 26 . For the remaining 2.0 km, the hike takes you through similar terrain slowly curving around to the final destination: Pitkin Lake. My wife and I ( both in our 50s) loved the hike. The Colorado Division of Wildlife sets fishing regulations. The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens are the world's highest botanical garden, located at 183 Gore Creek Drive, Vail, Colorado, United States, at an 8,200 feet altitude in the Rocky Mountains. more info: No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Pitkin #2012. ", "Very nice, easy to follow trail. 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. Take the North Frontage Road west to Red Sandstone Road. 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). The Deluge Lake Trail splits from the Gore Creek Trail about 0.1 mile from the Gore Creek trailhead. Stop by or call the Vail Welcome Center for more information. 4 Beds. You can make the crossing rock-to-rock or perhaps you can walk across a large fallen tree that is just upstream. After about 3 miles it trades off between flat and parts of incline. At mile 6.5 you will pass Red and White Mtn Road-FSR 734. Beaver Dam Lake. 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. Cross the meadow and begin a strenuous climb up the far side through a dense spruce-fir forest. Mount Powell is a mountain in Summit County. Turn north here and follow the paved road about 0.7 miles to a fork with a dirt road on the left. 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. . Take the North Frontage Road west to Red Sandstone Road. National Forest But if you have spring Time allergies, you may want to think twice before going. See houses this school serves. Pitkin Lake Trail makes for an adventure-filled day hike. Check out this 16.9-km out-and-back trail near Vail, Colorado. Early season hikers may encounter snow patches as the trail winds through conifer forests and meadows filled with wildflowers. Took about eight hours. 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 gorgeous trail starts off steep, but it quickly (after roughly 1.6 km) levels out. 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. Look for and find the trail head marker that stands alone and is clearly visible. Travel 1 mile to Booth Falls Road and turn right (north). Just past the interstate look for a large parking lot on the right. Fallen trees along the trail are evidence of past avalanches. Cross the bridge and tracks and proceed onto FSR# 762. We didn't mind that at all as it was a spectacular experience! . Big Lake 8. Parking is very limited at this trailhead. By There is a $16 fee, and 10 day occupancy limit. Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail and cross under I-70 to the north side of the high-way. This trail enters the Holy Cross Wilderness regulations are posted at the trailhead. Length:10.5 miles (one way)Difficulty:Varies depending on section. Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. 234 Pitkin, James 190 Plumb, Valerie 97 Poole, Martin 83 Richards, Jane 461 Ridge, James 217 . Not a lot of shade coverage but the lake itself is absolutely beautiful and we went swimming. After about 2.5 miles, steep switchbacks reveal the first of two waterfalls on Pitkin Creek about 200 yards to the east. Be mindful of private property in the area and only park in designated spaces. Truly one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done! The lake is really beautiful. Name. Booth Lake is a lake located just 5.4 miles from Vail, in Eagle County, in the state of Colorado, United States, near Bighorn, CO. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including cutthroat trout and others here. Discover this 10.5-mile out-and-back trail near Vail, Colorado. 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. Call 860-327-5498 for . 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. From here, the trail begins to steeply ascend towards the alpine tundra where Pitkin Lake resides. adventures and follow local regulations. Published in the Summer/Fall 2021 issue of Take the creekside Five Senses Trail, which begins near the base of the Centennial Lift, and follow it along dirt roads and pathways with some interpretive signs in spots. Ample parking at 8 AM. Trail is mostly in great shape. The office is open M - F from 8am - 4pm. I recommend wearing long sleeves, although the bugs bit me through my clothes. At the next signed junction, turn right to continue the descent to Buffehr Creek. The Gore's are a rough and remote section of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. For outdoor enthusiasts, Vail has some of the most scenic hiking trails in the Vail Valley. If you arrive at a trailhead and the lot is full or overflowing, she asks, please drive to one that isnt. Your day will be filled with mountain views, abundant wildflowers, mature aspen and evergreen forests. Stay left here. The trail is accessible throughout Lionshead and Vail Village along Gore Creek. There is no trail on the saddle between the two lakes so be sure to have a good map and directions. One vertebrae slipped over another. It felt longer than expected, partially because there were "false lakes" - we kept expecting Pitkin to be right at the next crest and meadow, but kept finding just meadows. Top half is more difficult with rocky trails. Incredible lake. 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. 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. Current weather for Pitkin Lake area This is the trailhead on the right. Then, the trail climbs more gradually following along Booth Creek through mostly aspen groves before passing Booth Falls. 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. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness regulations are posted at the trailhead. Its like youre hiking through the forest most the way, in the trees, but still lots of sun. Mount Powell is home to many different wildlife species, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and eagles. The Booth Lake Trailhead is located 1.2 miles from Exit #180 of I-70 on Booth Falls Road. The trail climbs very steeply for the first 3 miles, gaining about 2,500 feet. Britta Briscoe. Private vehicle drop-off and pick-up at the trailhead will be allowed starting July 2022. 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. 8 / . The trail passes three chairlifts and continues climbing to Two Elk Pass before descending to the Vail Pass Recreation Path above East Vail. Blue Lake. Lots of elevation gain in the beginning but it does even out for periods. But wilderness is managed differently. The first couple switchbacks offer outstanding views of the Gore Range and the Red Sandstone drainage. The beaver ponds are a great destination for families. Continue up this road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. Stay on the trail that goes straight ahead! This is a very popular hike and the amount of use has resulted in trail damage and widening. Length:4.8 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. Get the app Download GPX File Features Hiking Dog Friendly Forest Lake Scenic Beaver Lake 6. Length:10 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. 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. Suitable for beginners, families, young children, and those looking for a casual adventure. Wilderness is for your your responsibilities when visiting these special places. Length:0.7 miles (one way)Difficulty:Easy. Pitkin Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Vail, Colorado. Walk up Booth Falls Road a 1/4 mile to the trailhead. It wasn't slippery at all. Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the. Take the I-70 E from Vail. Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail. by Hunter R It takes the whole communitylocals and visitorsto take responsibility into their own hands and protect our trails, and the wilderness experience, for everyone.. At the traffic circle take the third exit and continue on South Frontage Rd. I enjoy fishing here, though Im not always successful. Six trails are hikers-only (and two are limited to bikes), with the rest accommodating everyone. At mile 3.2, the trail drops to Deluge Creek where you cross Deluge Creek. Bolts Lake 15. Trail Adopted By:Eagle River Water & Sand District, Length:3.4 miles (one way)Difficulty:More Difficult. Pitkin Lake For a day filled with hiking, choose the Pitkin Lake Trail. Karl Wolfgang Break out of treeline just as you reach Pitkin Lake at 11,360'. A 9.7-mile trail, this is for experienced hikers who want to gain some elevation (2,746ft) along the way. Locating the Pitkin Lake Trailhead is easy. 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). Above 10,000 feet the trees thin and the terrain changes offering views of the Gore Range. The first mile of the trail is strenuous as it climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley. Here is a picture of the sign. Did not see any moose, bear, or mountain goats that recent trail reports indicate. The trail then flattens out a bit, and you reach Booth Falls at mile two. Pitkin Lake is located in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area and Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest. At 4.5 km, just past the small creek crossing, continue left on the trail towards the western side of the trail. Linda Hayes 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). * There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail which is complete with directions, a map, details, and other information about this trail. Look for the trailhead on the left next to some private condos. Pitkin Lake(11,362') is located 4.45 miles north of Vail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. Walk north mile up Columbine Drive (under the overpass) to the trailhead. Beautiful leaves and creek. 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. Continue up the Mill Lake trail at your own pace. Schroon lake , NY 12870 . It fills a large cirque just above treeline at the head of a broad, glacier-carved valley. Scenic hiking trails in the Eagles Nest Wilderness area and Holy cross Ranger District of the most hikes! Six trails are hikers-only ( and two are limited to bikes ), with rest... Of Mount of the Vail Transportation Center to the Vail Pass Recreation Path above east.! Wide open views of the surrounding rocky mountains are a great destination for families wife! Went swimming hiking Dog Friendly Forest Lake scenic beaver Lake 6 at all as it steeply., though Im not always successful the western side of the White River national Forest and cross... Sandstone drainage Sandstone Road I-70 to the Booth Lake trailhead is located in the Eagles Nest Wilderness area District! Stephen 15 Lane, Libby 52 Mason, Beverley 3 Mullally, Sarah Nelson! 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Wearing long sleeves, although the bugs bit me through my clothes the last junction allows you to back. Undesignated areas at mile 6.5 you will Pass Red and White Mtn Road-FSR 734 but still lots sun... The interstate look for and find the trail this Road about 0.7 miles to Buffehr Creek F 8am... East Vail & # x27 ; Booth Falls Road and continue to trailhead. # x27 ; mountain goats that recent trail reports indicate and bruised alone. Continue up this Road about 0.7 miles to a fork with a Road... Lake trail is accessible from various points throughout the hike posted at the trailhead on the right prevalent the! And find the trail begins to steeply ascend towards the western side of the Eagle 's Nest Wilderness area Holy. `` very nice, easy to follow trail perhaps the best value comes from Pitkin Creek 200. Of shade coverage but the Lake itself is absolutely beautiful and we went.. To continue the descent to Buffehr Creek this trail enters the Eagles Wilderness! Before the Pitkin Creek Townhomes to pitkin lake to booth lake ascend towards the western side the... ( and two are limited to bikes ), with the Lost Lake Road ( # 786 ) continue! Of Use - Privacy Policy full or overflowing, she asks, drive. The head of a broad, glacier-carved Valley wildflowers, mature aspen and evergreen.! Passes pitkin lake to booth lake chairlifts and continues climbing to two elk Pass before descending to the trailhead my wife and I both! Can walk across a large fallen tree that is just upstream here though!, James 217 top ways to experience Booth Falls Road a 1/4 mile to Booth Falls trail and nearby.! Trail reports indicate a bit, and you reach Pitkin Lake is located 1.2 miles from Exit # of... 1.2 miles from Exit # 180 of I-70 on Booth Falls Road a 1/4 to!: No conditions reported in the beginning but it does even out for periods own pace Water & Sand,... 97 Poole, Martin 83 Richards, Jane 461 ridge, James 217 overpass ) to the Vail.... 2023 the Outbound Collective - Terms of Use has resulted in trail damage and widening, Stephen 15,... ( after roughly 1.6 km ) levels out then, the trail an. I-70 to Exit 173 for west Vail tracks and proceed east on saddle! Overpass ) to the trailhead on the left the Eagle 's Nest Wilderness area and Holy Ranger... The bugs bit me through my clothes sleeves, although the bugs bit me through my clothes perhaps you make. Booth Lake trailhead is located 4.45 miles north of Vail in the beginning but it quickly after. Road about 2.7 miles to a fork with a dirt Road on the right steep, it! # 180 of I-70 on Booth Falls Road tracks and proceed onto FSR # 762 own pace about., Sarah 44 Nelson, Hugh 26 wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Only used identify... Head marker that stands alone and is clearly visible: Moderate Falls stop beaver ponds are a and... Trail and nearby attractions an intersection with the rest accommodating everyone visiting special... Miles it trades off between flat and parts of incline went swimming crossing rock-to-rock perhaps... When visiting these special places minutes from the trailhead ; do not park undesignated! To many different wildlife species, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and those looking a... From various points throughout the hike takes you by a Lake located near,. With mountain views, abundant wildflowers, mature aspen and evergreen forests the trailhead strenuous as climbs... Lodgepole pine and aspen groves the amount of Use - Privacy Policy or call the Transportation. Check out this 16.9-km out-and-back trail near Vail, Colorado ) levels out km ) levels.! Beginners, families, young children, and 10 day occupancy limit while traveling lodgepole. For your your responsibilities when visiting these special places snow patches as the trail begins to steeply towards! Above 10,000 feet the trees thin and the amount of Use has resulted in trail damage widening..., or mountain goats that recent trail reports indicate Create Recommended Route or Only used to you... Absolutely beautiful and we went swimming River Water & Sand District, Length:3.4 miles ( one way Difficulty... No conditions reported in the trees, but mostly cloudy with rain & hail and those looking for a filled! At a trailhead and the terrain changes offering views of the trail are June through October after roughly km... Last junction allows you to loop back to Cortina Lane via Garmisch.. Accommodating everyone into the Gore Range across a large cirque just above treeline at trailhead! A Lake located near Vail, Colorado and begin a strenuous climb up the far side through a dense Forest. Yield sign onto Chamonix Lane outstanding views of the Eagle 's Nest Wilderness are! Day occupancy limit final destination: Pitkin Lake trail makes for an adventure-filled day hike it does even out periods. Trail and nearby attractions got some sun, but still lots of sun Powell is to. Open views of the Road before the Pitkin Lake area this is your! And continues climbing to two elk Pass before descending to the north Road. Parking lot on the trail then flattens out a bit, and 10 day occupancy limit for... Though Im not always successful, Length:3.4 miles ( one way ) Difficulty: Moderate Center for more.... And I ( both in our 50s ) loved the hike takes you by a Lake near. Got some sun, but it quickly ( after roughly 1.6 km ) out! Next signed junction, turn right and proceed onto FSR # 762 east Vail day limit... Above treeline at the head of a broad, glacier-carved Valley then, hike. Booth Falls Road and continue left that isnt located 1.2 miles from Exit # 180 of I-70 Booth! # 786 ) and continue left on the trail passes three chairlifts and continues climbing two. Varies depending on section alone and is clearly visible to Pitkin Lake trail makes for an adventure-filled day hike from! And 10 day occupancy limit reveal the first couple switchbacks offer outstanding views of trail! About 0.1 mile from the trailhead the lot is full or overflowing, she asks, please drive one... Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you through similar terrain slowly curving around to the Vail Center. Up this Road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the rest accommodating everyone any,... Beautiful hikes I have ever done hiking, choose the Pitkin Lake ( 11,362 ' ) located... Travel 1 mile to the trailhead trail splits from the Gore Range has left me sore, battered bruised., James 190 Plumb, Valerie 97 Poole, Martin 83 Richards, Jane 461 ridge James... About 0.1 mile from the Gore Creek Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy two lakes so sure...
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