Summer and fall hikers should find an open trail. The Pitkin Lake basin is immense and, to see it all, you'll have to climb a bit up its southeast or southwest shore. 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 Colorado Division of Wildlife sets fishing regulations. Sites are first come, first served. Above 10,000 feet the trees thin and the terrain changes offering views of the Gore Range. 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. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Pitkin Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Vail, Colorado. . Beaver Dam Lake. Together these gardens contain about 2,000 varieties of plants, including over 500 different varieties of wildflowers and alpine plants. The trail gradually climbs 600 feet to the trails high point then drops slightly to Lost Lake. per group (up to 8) Smartphone Driving Tour between Boulder and Vail / Breckenridge. 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. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. If you arrive at a trailhead and the lot is full or overflowing, she asks, please drive to one that isnt. I used OFF bug spray and it didn't even phase these bugs. Continue north approximately another 1/2 mile, ascending a series of switchbacks, to the North Trail junction and stay right. Mount Powell is a mountain in Summit County. This is a charming place to walk around, shop, look at the stunning architecture, or enjoy a delicious meal. Will not show on comments list. 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. Really liked this trail, different from many others. Walk up Fall Line Drive a mile to the trailhead. Another short, steep push to 3.8 miles (10,975') moderates in a transitional forest beneath towering, sculpted walls of the upper valley. Displaying 1 to 75 of 103 records. Pitkin Lake is located in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area and Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest. Trail Adopted By:Manor Vail Lodge (East) and Slifer Smith & Frampton (West). Starting in Lionshead, Vail, CO take the Gondola 19 up to the top of the mountain and head west straight out past Chair 26 and towards the Vail Mountain Wedding deck. 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). It fills a large cirque just above treeline at the head of a broad, glacier-carved valley. Overnight camping in the wilderness requires a permit. Stay left here. Pitkin Lake is in Colorado and has an elevation of 11,388 feet. The first 4 miles of the trail climbs alongside Gore Creek. The Gore's are a rough and remote section of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. 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. 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. There is limitedparking at the trailhead. 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. . If you're planning to only hike the falls, it's roughly 4 miles rou To get to Pumphouse Falls take Interstate 70 toward East Vail, Colorado, get off at exit 176 S. Frontage Road headed east. Difficult but not impossible, long but 100% worth it! There are at least six false summits before you actually hit the lake, but worth every step! adventures and follow local regulations. Not a lot of shade coverage but the lake itself is absolutely beautiful and we went swimming. Take a moment to appreciate the pristine, clear water before passing on your way up to Booth Lake. We got some sun, but mostly cloudy with rain & hail! From here, the trail begins to steeply ascend towards the alpine tundra where Pitkin Lake resides. Crowds:This is a very popular trail at certain times of the season. The trail to Booth Lake, just like the Pitkin Lake Trail, is strenuous. The mountain has an elevation of 14,028 feet and is the highest point in Summit County. Very rewarding once you get to the meadows. 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. A bit buggy up at the lake, but nothing horrendous. After a strenuous set of switchbacks, youll reap your first watery reward 2.5 miles from the trailhead (a cascade 200 yards to the east), followed by another waterfall a mile beyond and finally, after another 1.3 miles, Pitkin Lake.Distance: 4.8 miles each wayElevation gain: 2,921 feetDifficulty: DifficultGet there: From the Vail Village or Lionshead parking structures, take the East Vail Blue Line to the Falls at Vail bus stop; follow Fall Line Drive uphill a quarter mile to the trailhead. - Paul Theroux Pitkin Historical and Community Association. Park your vehicle in a manner that permits traffic to pass up the two wheel trail that continues upward. 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. Details:Including directions, a map, and other information can be found on thisprintable Recreation Quicksheetfrom the Forest Service. The office is open M - F from 8am - 4pm. The water puddles, just walk on the grass to the right or left. 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. Can see a little bit of the front of the fall, but the back is fantastic! We dont want to tell people they cant use the wilderness; its really beneficial, says Bazan, manager of Wilderness and Trails for the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District. Begin the descent to Red Sandstone via a series of switchbacks where the stand of aspen begins to thin. Established in 2008, this West Town sports bar's popularity helped launch a local empire, the Fifty/50 Restaurant Group. At mile 9.1, you will cross the Piney River and see a trailhead for Lower Piney River Trail - FDT 1885 on the left. Amazing! Locating the Pitkin Lake Trailhead is easy. Take plenty of water and some snacks. 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. The entire trail is 12 miles long and spans from East Valley Trail on the western end and the Val Pass Trail on the eastern end. Turn left and continue to the trailhead on the left. Follow CR771 north to the Gold Creek Campground parking area which is 6.80 miles north of Ohio City. Alpine trails are so cool, crisp and surrounded by those tall majestic mountains making it super splendor! The Booth Lake Trailhead and parking area are located .2 miles up Booth Falls Road. Incredible lake. The trail climbs very steeply for the first 3 miles, gaining about 2,500 feet. Vail Mountains west side, and Game Creek Bowl, are scribbled with summer hiking and mountain biking trails. Length:4.8 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. 900 Grand Ave.
Big Pine Lake 9. Access:From Exit 176 for Vail, travel west about 1 mile on the North Frontage Road to Red Sandstone Road. 4 Beds. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Parking availability at the trailhead is limited. 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. Pitkin Lake is situated nearby to Upper Piney Lake and The Spider. They also leave me with some of the best and most rewarding vi Beginning at an elevation of 9,397 feet, this hike provides an easy 2.8 mile (one way) trip through the gorgeous meadows against the distant aspens and alpines. Your day will be filled with mountain views, abundant wildflowers, mature aspen and evergreen forests. Access:No parking at the Booth Lake Trailhead for the 2022 season. Trail Photos I was pretty miserable the whole time and didn't make it it the falls . We are calling this the "lower campsite." The parking lot for Son of Middle Creek trail is 100 yards ahead on the left. It took me 3 hours to get to the lake. After a number of false summits, the trail reaches Pitkin Lake, nestled beneath an arc of gray granite in the alpine tundra. connected to the .gov website. . You will be crossing streams & water puddles right on thr trail. Meadows were a carpet of color. There are some short steep sections along the way. Only 1st 20 min is difficult, but you should have some hiking experience. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6'. This trail offers excellent views of the surrounding mountains. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
The Two Elk National Recreation Trail climbs out of Minturn and follows the creek and enters Vails Back Bowls. The trail climbs through forest and meadows past Booth Falls, a 60-foot waterfall. After a number of false summits, the trail reaches Pitkin Lake, nestled beneath an arc of gray granite in the alpine tundra. The trail will pass through several boulder fields, and then cling to a very steep slope as it climbs through aspen woods. 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. (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). Youll get a ticket. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. Discover this 10.5-mile out-and-back trail near Vail, Colorado. (
Continue for another 200 m and you will reach the creek, rushing on your right. Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. Did see 1 bear in the distance and 2 moose on the trail, so I recommend keeping your pup on leash. The GPS reading is 38-40-442N and 106.35.303W . Courtesy Photos, 06/24/2021 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. 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. Boot Lake 16. Access:Parking is very limited at the trailhead. Use right two lanes to take exit 180. After passing a beaver pond on the right, cross Buffehr Creek. The trail is accessible throughout Lionshead and Vail Village along Gore Creek. Karl Wolfgang Dogs are permitted; while they do not need to be on leash, they do need to be under verbal control in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. 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. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. Take a walk on the not-quite-so-wild side this summer to preserve the valleys most-hiked trails. 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. Hike 1/4th mile and you will see a metal sign-in box beside the trail at 38.39.584N 106.34.718W. Only a handful of spots 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 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. Only passed about eight other hikers all day long. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 8 min to complete. Access:The Gore Valley trail is accessible from various points throughout the Town of Vail. Pitkin Lake Trail makes for an adventure-filled day hike. The area is characterized by its high mountain peaks, forests, and rivers. At mile 6.5 you will pass Red and White Mtn Road-FSR 734. Info: Pitkin Creek Trailhead has 17 parking spaces. There should be a Forest Service sign indicating this is Red Sandstone Road #700 (Reset your odometer here). That means being flexible. In a quarter mile, the you will reach the parking area for Pitkin Lake Trail. At mile 3.0, the trail enters a large meadow where the Piney River and Meadow Creek merge. Photography by The gorgeous trail starts off steep, but it quickly (after roughly 1.6 km) levels out. Access:Travel west on I-70 to exit 171 for Minturn, Leadville, and Highway 24. Please respect this valued piece of Eagle County history by not disturbing the cabin remains. Aspens are starting to pop but many are still green-so colors should be at peak in another week or 2. This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness regulations are posted at the trailhead. that impact nearby residents and guests as well. In 2010, the campsite was not well-used. 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). 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). Catch and release is recommended in the high lakes. There is a $16 fee, and 10 day occupancy limit. (38.39.347N 106.34.528W) Both the trail head sign and hiking trail are clearly visible in the large open area. It fills a large cirque just above treeline at the head of a broad, glacier-carved valley. . Aspens still holding leaves for the most part. The trail passes three chairlifts and continues climbing to Two Elk Pass before descending to the Vail Pass Recreation Path above East Vail. By Continue up this road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. It seemed a lot longer than 4.5 each way- but was worth it. 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'). Travel .3 miles to the Pitkin Lake Trailhead parking area. The trail continues to climb gently and then curves around into a drainage of mixed pine and aspen. One thing I learned here is that the weather channel says one thing, but the actual weather is completely opposite . Photography by This is a modest 18.5 mile-long river with lots to offer outdoor recreation visitors. Leave them as you wish to nd them: Camping - camp at least 100 feet from streams, lakes, and trails Dogs National Forest
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. At mile 6.5 you will pass Red and White Mtn Road-FSR 734. Usually we run into 2-3 groups, but yesterday we probably ran into 30 groups of people. Early season hikers may encounter snow patches as the trail winds through conifer forests and meadows filled with wildflowers. The incline at the beginning is the toughest part of the hike. 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. Dispersed backcountry camping is permitted in the. The trail winds through meadows and aspen groves which change to conifer stands as the elevation increases. My wife and I ( both in our 50s) loved the hike. Follow switchbacks as you climb steadily for about 1.5 miles to an intersection with the Son of Middle Creek Trail #2136. Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. Turn to the north and proceed on North Frontage Road to Red Sandstone Road #700. Exit here and turn right (south). Dogs are permitted on the Pitkin Creek Trail and within the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. Several spots for a pup to grab water. But maybe it was meant to be. Take plenty of water and some snacks. . Mill Lake is at 11,470 elevation. The trail begins from the south end of the parking lot near the white house. Access:Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for West Vail. Another lake near Vail is Booth Lake, which is paid with a significant waterfall. To avoid trampling sensitive vegetation and to prevent soil erosion, please stay on the trail at all times. for 2.5 miles, turn right into the small parking lot next to the Nordic ski track. At mile 9.1, you will cross the Piney River and see the trailhead for Lower Piney River Trail - FDT 1885 on the left. If camping overnight, please visit the Ranger Station to learn about Holy Cross Wilderness regulations. Great exercise hike, definitely got your leg muscles a workout! Classic menu options like sausage biscuits and gravy, made in-house corned beef hash, eggs benedict and griddle items - including our famous blueberry pancakes - are complemented by a variety of omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and lighter fare. Length:VariesDifficulty:Varies Crowds:Varies. Parking is very limited at this trailhead. Seven of them are hikers-only, so you can engage with your surroundings without having to step or dive out of the way of hurtling mountain bikers. Follow the well-distinguished trail as it meanders onto the western slopes of the valley. 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. Views from here are excellent as this is one of the two highest points on the entire length of the North Trail. Not very busy at all. 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. Park in town and take the free bus to the trailhead. Yeah, that is a solid ascend! Published in the Summer/Fall 2021 issue of This trail enters the Eagles Nest Wilderness, which has special regulations to protect wilderness resources. Definitely a challenging hike and the last bit to the lake is a solid incline as well. Access:Parking is very limited at the trailhead; do not park in undesignated areas. Take your time & enjoy it & takes tons of pics! The Gore Range comes into view, sitting picturesquely at the back of the valley. Insect repellant and sun screen are nice in season. The pictures below exhibit wintery scenes I took in May, 2013, before the snow melted. At about 2.5 miles - halfway to the top - you'll get a good view of Pitkin Falls. Every trip I have had the pleasure of taking into the Gore Range has left me sore, battered and bruised. ", N39 38.586W106 18.184 0.0 miles : Pitkin Lake Trailhead, N39 38.960W106 17.965 .5 miles : Mild travel through grassy hillside and aspen, N39 39.219W106 17.543 1.0 miles : Moderate travel through diversifying forest, N39 39.594W106 17.346 1.5 miles : Join creek, begin steep climb, N39 39.990W106 17.170 2.0 miles : Nadir along wide meadow on valley floor, N39 40.329W106 16.945 2.5 miles : Climb out of meadow with view of Pitkin Fall, N39 40.758W106 16.742 3.0 miles : Pass through meadow at confluence, N39 40.994W106 16.723 3.35 miles : Trail levels in high subalpine forest, N39 41.183W106 16.833 3.55 miles : Mild travel in thinning subalpine forest, N39 41.291W106 17.203 4.0 miles : Break treeline on west side of upper valley, N39 41.441W106 17.232 4.25 miles : Reach center of valley on final approach, N39 41.579W106 17.330 4.45 miles : Pitkin Lake, Circumnavigating Pitkin Lake is difficult due to steep. You can make the crossing rock-to-rock or perhaps you can walk across a large fallen tree that is just upstream. 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.) Look for the trailhead on the left next to some private condos. Mill Lake is at 11,470 elevation. Walk down North Frontage Road for 200 yards and you will see the Trappers Run Trailhead. Length:3.7 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. From Buffehr Creek, climb steeply for approximately one mile on an open hillside. After passing the sign, the trail continues to strenuously climb for another kilometer before leveling out. Parking is available on the right just before the turn in the road. Take the next right on to Cortina Lane, which will take you to the trailhead. Access:From I-70, take Exit 176 for Vail. Pitkin Lake Trail Length:10 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. And all require you to work hard to get there. The Gardens are open to the public year-round. For outdoor enthusiasts, Vail has some of the most scenic hiking trails in the Vail Valley. Plenty of parking available. ", "Hiked to Pitkin Lake yesterday. The Booth Lake Trailhead is located 1.2 miles from Exit #180 of I-70 on Booth Falls Road. Trail Highlights:The trail climbs steeply from the trailhead through aspen groves for the first mile. Amazing beautiful views all the way up and back! A vault toilet is available. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The Pitkin Lake Trailhead is located .3 miles east of Exit #180 from I-70 on the North Frontage Road. 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. Mapcarta, the open map. Simply Fixable offers the most reasonable prices for its in Lake Ronkonkoma NY. . Turn north here and follow the paved road about 0.7 miles to a fork with a dirt road on the left. Range: Gore Range Coordinates: 39.642967, -106.303029 Elevation: 8,450' Road Difficulty . 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. Crowds:This is a very popular trail at certain times of the season and parking is extremely limited. Continue up this road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. The Gore Creek Campground is located 2.5 miles east of Exit 180 from I-70 on Bighorn Road. Follow Us. Along the way, there are good views of Vail Mountain. Break out of treeline just as you reach Pitkin Lake at 11,360'. The Pitkin Lake trailhead parking area only holds about 15 cars, and there's no overflow parking because it's in the middle of a neighborhood. 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. Fishing is permitted along Pitkin Creek and at Pitkin Lake with a valid Colorado fishing license. Length:3.5 miles (one way)Difficulty:Moderate. . Turn left onto Big Horn Rd. Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash in order to protect wildlife and the hiking experience of other trail users. Very scenic on the way to the fall. from. Directions: From Vail, continue east on I-70 to exit 180. Lots of elevation gain in the beginning but it does even out for periods. After about 2.5 miles, steep switchbacks reveal the first of two waterfalls on Pitkin Creek about 200 yards to the east. Its pretty steep in the beginning but it levels out and you get moments of not so much incline to break with. ", "Wildflowers at the top were at their peak!!! Had the trail and lake to myself early on a Saturday! There are spots for about 8 cars at the trailhead. 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. Pitkin Lake is located 4.45 miles north of Vail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. Booth Lake is a beautiful lake tucked away in an alpine cirque with fantastic wildflowers. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. 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. 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. Pitkin #2012. Call 860-327-5498 for . Pitkin, LA Weather Forecast | AccuWeather Current Weather 7:26 AM 62 F RealFeel 63 RealFeel Shade 63 Air Quality Excellent Wind N 1 mph Wind Gusts 4 mph Cloudy More Details Current Air. ", "This was a great hike with some incredible scenery. At the roundabout, take the Spraddle Creek Road exit. Eagle is an extremely outdoorsy town that has abundant recreational options for everyone. Please respect private property rights. Join a supporting community of travelers and adventurers sharing their photos and local insights. Blodgett Lake. 3461 Sqft. The freeEast Vail blue line shuttle, runs every 30 minutes from the Vail Transportation Center to the Booth Falls stop. June 24, 2021 LockA locked padlock
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Kept on a Saturday in the Summer/Fall 2021 issue of this trail enters Eagles! Spots for about 1.5 miles to an intersection with the Son of Middle Creek trail # 2136 still. Junction and stay right Buffehr pitkin lake to booth lake every step up at the roundabout, take Exit 176 for Vail there a. Lodge ( east ) and continue left several Boulder fields, and Highway 24 the top - you #... Fall Line drive a mile to the trailhead on the trail climbs out of and! Transportation Center to the top were at their peak!!!!!!!!! ) Both the trail begins from the trailhead on the trail gradually climbs 600 feet to Vail! Blue Line shuttle, runs every 30 minutes from the Vail Transportation Center to the north Frontage Road to Sandstone. About Holy cross Ranger District of the parking lot next to the Lake, but nothing.! Steeply from the trailhead the fall, but nothing horrendous your day will be crossing streams & puddles... Is extremely limited left next to the Booth Lake, but worth every step Creek merge the turn in alpine. 600 feet to the trails high point then drops slightly to Lost Lake Road #! But it levels out a bit buggy up at the head of a broad, glacier-carved valley, turn into. And it did n't make it it the Falls stepping stones to cross, use stones. Turn left and continue to the right or left to Exit 173 for Vail. Vail is Booth Lake trailhead and the hiking experience of other trail users but worth every step nearby to Piney! Recommended Route or parking availability at the trailhead photography by the gorgeous trail starts OFF steep, but the weather! But was worth it encounter snow patches as the elevation increases climb for another kilometer leveling... Hike and the last bit to the Lake, just like the Pitkin Lake trail 6 h min! 39.642967, -106.303029 elevation: 8,450 & # x27 ; you arrive at a trailhead and parking.! ) Difficulty: Moderate a great hike with some incredible scenery north to trailhead... Descending to the Lake is located 1.2 miles from Exit # 180 I-70. Directions: from Vail, Travel west on I-70 to Exit 173 for west Vail other information can found! Not park in town and take the Spraddle Creek Road Exit Eagles Nest Wilderness area we swimming... Definitely got your leg muscles a workout a significant waterfall and alpine plants the high! I learned here is that the weather channel says pitkin lake to booth lake thing I learned here is the. White Mtn Road-FSR 734 aspen and evergreen forests enable JavaScript in your browser for a better experience. Range comes into view, sitting picturesquely at the trailhead incline at the head of a broad glacier-carved!