This trail climbs from East Vail into Eagles Nest Wilderness alongside Gore Creek. There are some short steep sections that wind through meadows and aspen groves which change to spruce-fir stands as the elevation increases. Also look for a wide variety of wildflowers in season. Particularly during spring runoff, Gore Creek rages down the drainage with its series of fast moving cascades. A short hike along the creek can provide pleasant picnic spots or great fishing opportunities. My brother Dave and I hiked the lower Gore Creek Trail on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 beginning at 7:00AM and finishing about 9:45AM. Our plan was to climb to the first view of Gore Range, then return along the same path.

You can take Gore Creek Trail 12 miles farther and 3,000 feet higher into Eagles Nest Wilderness, but I had an appointment with the highway later in the day. Since this was the last day with my brother after nearly three weeks on the road, we wanted to get in one last hike. It seemed only right that we do it in his backyard. Our plan was a lot less than 12 miles.

As usual, we were up at the crack of dawn to begin. Usually this is to enjoy the golden hour after sunrise, but there was another reason for this hike. There is very limited parking at the trailhead, and the spots are taken rather quickly. Vail PD will ticket if you aren’t in designated parking.

Securing the first spot, we hit the trail shortly before 7:00. Dave warned me that this trail is a series of short, very steep climbs, followed by brief level stretches, then more climbing. He was right. Within the first half mile we had already climbed 300 feet.

I’ve been to the Rocky Mountains many times in July for the abundant wildflower display, but early June seemed to me to be, well, too early. So I was very pleasantly surprised with the number and wide variety of blossoms that greeted us. Plus, they were already fully bloomed out so early in the morning. The wildflowers wake up early here. The balsamroot in particular was really putting on a fantastic display.

The lower mile of Gore Creek Trail takes you through a young aspen forest. At this time of year, the leafing was a brilliant almost lime green. Combined with the golden rays of the sun, it made a verdant essence that pulls you deeper and deeper into the woods.

At the half mile mark you reach a clearing that affords views of the Vail Valley behind you. The eastern shoulders of Vail Mountain, with its many avalanche chutes, stand tall above. Some snow still remained on the highest of the knobs.

Soon you also begin hearing the telltale rushing sound of moving water as you approach Gore Creek. The forest begins a change to spruce-fir up here. Combine the compelling evergreen scent with the freshness of cold, crisp Rocky Mountain rushing water for an aromatic sensation.

The flowers, the creek, and the trees create a pleasant, fresh fragrance.

The trail makes a short dip of about 50 feet, then resumes climbing in earnest, a total of 400 more feet over the next mile. The trail takes a more direct route up the drainage, while Gore Creek twists and turns along its descent. This means you leave the creek, then return to its banks every few hundred yards.

Since I had an eight hour drive ahead of me later in the day, our goal was to only climb until we had the first view of the majestic Gore Range mountains ahead of us. One final push over perhaps the steepest rise yet got us there, just past 1.5 miles up. There’s a great outcrop at this point with plenty of comfortable seats.

It was time for a snack, and to enjoy the views in every direction. Ahead, you can follow the drainage up and into the valley at the base of the massive peaks of Gore Range. Behind, the snow capped summit of eastern Vail Mountain is a reminder that skiiers were there just a short six weeks before. There is also the everpresent sound of Gore Creek.

We were seeing other hikers now, some just out for morning exercise with their dog, others in full backpack and plans to camp far up in Eagles Nest Wilderness. It was a glorious day for hiking… bright and sunny, with a mild chill in the air to keep you from overheating while exerting. That’s what is great about Rocky Mountain hiking in Spring.

Despite wanting to go further, because of later plans it was time to turn around. There were even more flowers out on the way down, and the sky was turning that deep, rich Rocky Mountain blue.

As I spent this final hour on the trail with Dave, I thought about the many adventures we had been on the last 17 days. We saw all the major sights in western South Dakota including The Badlands, Wind Cave, Mount Rushmore, Cathedral Spires and Custer State Park. We checked out Devils Tower in eastern Wyoming, and crossed the Snowy Range Scenic Byway in the southern part of the state. Then we got to experience the grand stateliness of Bryce Canyon and the stark rocky desert at Capitol Reef.

Walking through this lush aspen woodland reminded me of the contrasts in geology and plant life of the American West. Here, we were strolling through the freshest water-fed forest. We had also seen barren landscapes that hardly see a drop of water. Yet all so exceptionally beautiful in many, many different ways. I invite you to go back and review the Trail Reports from the last couple weeks so you can experience this enjoyable journey with us.

I still had one more solo hike planned, in Arkansas, on my way back east, but this was it with Dave. I am extremely grateful to him for sharing this outstanding trip. We had many great experiences, saw lots of wild things, and once again renewed our mutual love of the great outdoors.

Summarizing Gore Creek Trail, we barely scratched the surface of what is available here. As mentioned, you can go 12 miles into Eagles Nest Wilderness. There is even another trail up there to Deluge Lake that will really test your stamina. But if you’re visiting Vail Valley and looking for a lovely few hours trek into the woods, this one is highly recommended. Bring a picnic or a fishing pole and enjoy some Rocky Mountain relaxation.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

This trail follows the McCullough Creek drainage up the gulch beneath the massive summit of 14,225′ Quandary Peak. It starts on an old mining road south of Breckenridge, CO, then changes to single track trail as it climbs the gulch. You’ll pass through pine and fir forest, get splashed by White Falls, marvel at the colorful granite, and count the variety of summer wildflowers along the way. Watch too for mountain goats among the talus, a common sighting. Picturesque Upper Blue Reservoir sits at the top of the drainage offering a refreshing respite and a great spot for lunch and pictures. My brother Dave and I hiked McCullough Gulch Trail on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 beginning at 7:30AM and ending about 12:30PM. Our plan was to hike to Upper Blue Reservoir, then return. Depending upon energy reserve you can go farther.

It is my understanding that the trailhead for McCullough Gulch used to be at the dead end of Forest Service Road 851, then was moved back to the gate for awhile, and is now posted all the way back at the forest road fork. We were the first ones to arrive, so we just picked a place to park on the side of the FSR.

As we discovered through the morning, based upon the popularity of this trail, I can see why this was done. By the time we had completed hiking and returned to our car, there were more than a hundred vehicles parked for the next quarter mile on the service road. That would be totally unmanageable with the original trailhead. It would be a traffic nightmare. So I strongly recommend you arrive early to secure parking, even on a weekday.

As you walk the forest road, look to your left to see the ridge climbed by those hikers who are tackling one of Colorado’s fourteeners: Quandary Peak. The massive crest stands tall above McCullough Gulch and is never out of sight along this trail.

Now that the Forest Service has added an additional half mile to the length of this hike, walk the forest road until you reach the original trailhead, marked with a now dilapidated kiosk. Veer left at the kiosk and begin the climb that won’t abet until you reach Upper Blue Reservoir. Through a series of switchbacks, the old mining road crosses McCullough Creek providing an opportunity for pictures or a refreshing splash.

You will reach an old homestead on the left at the mile mark where the Forest Service is also doing vegetation remediation in hopes of returning the land to its native condition. Look for a crystal clear tarn another quarter mile beyond that is a captivating reflective pool. Unfortunately dead fall now litters this pond hampering its former beauty. I just caught the white tail of a deer leaping through the forest as we approached the pool.

There is a spur trail on your left that goes downhill to Lower Blue Reservoir. This lake is surrounded by willow thickets and is difficult to approach, so you may want to save yourself the exertion of reclimbing the hundred feet to the primary trail.

At the 1.5 mile mark you cross a talus field, then approach a large granite hillside that signals your arrival at White Falls.

This magnificent view of the pinnacles of Quandary Peak standing high above White Falls is a fine example of what Rocky Mountain scenery is all about.

Besides the rushing cascades of White Falls, this area is also home to an abundance of wildflowers including indian paint brush, bluebells, and the Colorado state flower columbine. You will walk on the light colored granite most of the rest of the way, so keep your eye out for the trail signs that aid with route finding.

For the next 0.4 mile the trail climbs very steeply alongside McCullough Creek. I don’t mind telling you I got quite winded through this stretch. There are, however, many overlooks along the way that provide a moment of rest and marvelous views back down the gulch, or of Quandary Peak high overhead. We reached unmelted snow at this elevation as we also passed through the treeline.

Two miles up you reach the relieving sight of Upper Blue Reservoir, a stunning alpine lake. We paused for a few moments to take in the splendid view, and to catch our breath after the tedious climb. There are a number of great view points along the boundary of the lake, so we walked around searching for a nice spot for lunch. Dave laughed and said it was obvious I wasn’t a skier when I slipped and fell on my keister while crossing a snow field.

Rock outcrops are all around providing ready-made picnic tables as well as great perches for time-lapse video. Dave went to another outcrop a hundred yards away so we could take ICU — UCMe pictures of each other. Upon returning, he told me the story of his near demise crossing a creek on the way to the end of the lake.

You can continue hiking quite a bit farther. To reach the upper valley, follow the narrow trail along the north shore of the lake. It undulates ruggedly over outcrops and several marshy inlet streams to the far west side, where you’ll begin another steep, twisting climb that generally traces the lake’s main inlet falls. You can climb an additional 800 feet to another series of alpine lakes. We saw a few brave souls heading that way, but most of the other hikers seemed to be content with Upper Blue Reservoir.

When we got back to the east end of the lake there was a nice wildlife surprise waiting… two mountains goats, a nanny and her yearling. It was quite apparent they were used to people because there were some getting within 20 feet for that prize selfie. Me, I try to respect the space of wildlife, so I stayed about 75 feet away and used my zoom lens.

By now the sky was beginning to cloud up, so it may have been wise that we didn’t head to the upper lakes several hundred feet farther above. On the descent we took a few short spur trails that offer close viewing of fast cascades along McCullough Creek. The crowds of hikers were really coming non-stop now. We quit counting at 200. Pretty amazing really for a Tuesday.

Judging by the crowd we wondered if our car would be blocked in when we got back. Fortunately, that was not our fate. We were astounded by the number of cars that lined FSR 851 as we drove back toward Breckenridge.

Summarizing, McCullough Gulch is a short, steep climb along a whitewater creek that passes multiple waterfalls and winds through aromatic evergreen forest. The views both above (of Quandary Peak) and below (down gulch) are quite picturesque. Depending on your endurance, you can continue well beyond our destination to make a complete day of it. You may want to consider doing this hike in spring or fall as it is obviously overcrowded in summer.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

This marvelous example of Rocky Mountain vistas starts, oddly enough, directly beside Interstate-70 at Colorado’s 10,585′ Vail Pass. The trail winds through forest and meadow, then climbs steeply above treeline to Uneva Ridge, 1,500 feet above. Along the way you will enjoy breathtaking views of four distinct mountain ranges as you pass into Eagles Nest Wilderness, and experience the high mountain air. If you still have some energy left, you can continue to either Uneva Pass, or Uneva Peak, another solid 500 feet higher. Regardless of your turnaround point, expect a good workout, and great fun. My brother Dave and I climbed to Uneva Ridge on Friday, July 14, 2017 beginning at 6:45AM and ending about 1:45PM. Our plan was to hike to the summit of Uneva Peak, but with me still acclimating to the 12,000 foot elevation, we stopped at Uneva Ridge.

This unnamed trail dives into a pine and fir forest and begins climbing for the first quarter mile until it spills into a vast, wide-open valley that runs for miles between the interstate and Uneva Ridge. Look for herding wildlife to be grazing here in early morning and late evening. The trail in White River National Forest is also used by cross country skiers in winter as evidenced by the blue blaze marks high up on trees.

Once in the open, the double-track trail parallels the meadow for close to a mile. There is an oddity here: tree stumps that stand anywhere from four to eight feet high. We wondered if this area was logged decades ago, and they just happened to cut the trees when there was quite a bit of snow on the ground, resulting in the tall stumps. Vail Pass certainly gets a lot of snow.

It isn’t particularly quiet here, as you’re still in close proximity to I-70. Don’t worry though, that will improve as you continue. Behind you, to the south, are the imposing Jacque, Atlantic and Pacific peaks. Still covered with a large amount of snow in July, I had to get a closer look. I put the telephoto lens on my camera for a series of shots of these impressive pinnacles.

We discovered a wealth of wildflowers along the pathway, including multi-colors of indian paintbrush, large swaths of bluebells, robins plantain, giant dandelion, and the aptly-named elephant heads. This somewhat goofy, tall purple flower has multiple florets per stem that mimic the appearance of an elephant’s trunk and floppy ears. I was fascinated by these every time we happened upon a cluster.

The light is stunning just a couple hours past dawn as it peeks above the mountain ridges and through the boughs of the fir trees. They call it the golden hour. Another feature of early morning is the gradual warming of the air. It was 44°F when we started, even in mid-July. As we approached Corral Creek winding through the picturesque valley, there was a mist rising slowly from the stream bed, likely to return as rain later in the day in another valley not far away.

After a mile or so in this luscious meadow valley, the trail once again enters the evergreen forest and begins its serious ascent. Look for large bushy arrays of bluebells here. I’ve never seen so many in one place. The noise of the interstate begins to dissipate and the songbirds become more evident.

At the end of a steep rise, the trail pops once more into the wide open as you enter the boundary for Eagles Nest Wilderness. On your right is a talus field, breakdown from glacial activity millennia ago. If you look very closely, you will discover the rocks here are home to collections of Colorado’s state flower, the beautiful columbine.

Columbine or aquilegia grow annually in the high country of the Rocky Mountains and are known for their stunning colorings and spurred petals.

Beyond the talus slope you will see Corral Creek descending from the snow fields above. Lined with blackfoot daisies, it is quite the floral scene. As you cross the creek, look to your left (west) for the first view of the Sawatch Range and the giant Mt. of the Holy Cross, one of Colorado’s famous 14ers. We took our first break here, pausing for a timelapse video, a snack and a breather.

The exertion begins in earnest now. As you climb the drainage from Corral Creek, you are above treeline and headed into a large bowl below the shoulders of the Uneva Ridge. Topping the rim of the bowl, you’ll see it is still filled with large snow fields. We managed to wind our way around the snow, avoiding the likelihood of post-holing through the melting white stuff.

You pass through a willow thicket, and then the trail simply disappears. From here on you’re crossing alpine tundra on one large grassy mountain meadow. Small wildflowers dot the surface of the rounded, rolling ridge. The terrain is steep, very steep. We created our own switchbacks by walking in a zigzag pattern up the expansive ridge.

With this being my first hike on this visit to Colorado, and also the first hike after an unplanned ER visit caused by a previously unknown adult-onset allergic reaction to cashew nuts, I tired very quickly. It became apparent to me that our goal of reaching Uneva Peak would be, shall we say, unreachable. I managed to press forward to the crest of the ridge, but that was it for me.

This point was still quite rewarding. We could see the spiked peaks of the Gore Range to the north and the Tenmile Range and Uneva Pass to the south. To the west is an even better view of Mt. of the Holy Cross and the Sawatch Range, and to the east are even more tall summits of the Front Range. We stayed here for half an hour, eating lunch and taking a few selfies, including the one at the top of this post. We could see the tiny silhouette of the alpine jogger who had passed us earlier now at the summit of striking Uneva Peak.

The wind began to freshen, and the clouds were moving faster as the morning approached afternoon. There’s a saying in Colorado that is a very good rule of thumb for summer safety. “Be off the mountain by noon.” It was time to heed that advice as the thunderstorms come fast and furious to the Rockies in summer.

Descending the tundra was so much easier than was the ascent, and a lot quicker too. Thank goodness my knees aren’t bothering me yet like with so many hikers, so I much prefer the down to the up. The sun was playing peek-a-boo as the clouds thickened. There were even more wildflowers out now that the morning chill was gone and the warmth of the sun opened the blossoms.

We stopped a couple of times for brief breaks along the way, but mostly the return trip was uneventful. As we got within a mile of the trailhead we could once again hear the drone of the interstate, signalling our return to civilization. It is hard to go from wilderness to commotion in just a matter of minutes.

Summarizing, people who live in Colorado and hike regularly would probably call this a moderate hike to 12,522′ Uneva Peak. It is an 8-mile round trip with just over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. I can do that too, at home, 6,000 feet lower. But the first day out after being sick, this one wore me out at the 6-mile and 1,500′ mark. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the forest and the wildflowers, and especially the vistas in every direction. Access is quite convenient. This was a good one.

Thanks to Dave for the video summary above.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Fog and low-lying mist is very common in the Southern Appalachians. It is a product of the rainforest effect. Fog is highly unusual in the Rocky Mountains, but that’s what greeted Dave and I as we hit the trailhead to climb Shrine Ridge. It was somewhat of a dreary, forlorn scene as we walked from mountain bog to spruce forest to high meadow on our way to the ridgeline. Shrine Ridge has wide open vistas of three mountain ranges including Sawatch, Tenmile, and Gore… but not on this day. We visited Shrine Ridge Trail on Friday, September 30, 2016 beginning at 9:30AM and ending about 12:00PM. Our plan was to climb to the crest of Shrine Ridge. When we saw it was socked in fog, we decided to cut the hike short at the meadow below the ridge.

It was 35°F. when we arrived at the trailhead, and it remained there pretty much through the entire morning as we hiked. A light drizzle was settling on the willows and spruce as we walked, and it too would persist for the duration. Not what you hope for when you visit the Colorado Rockies, but rain is needed everywhere. That’s why we carry rain gear, right?

There is a pit toilet available at the Shrine Ridge parking if you need some last minute relief. The Shrine Ridge trailhead is perhaps 50 yards up the gravel road from the parking area. The first quarter mile of the trail is built up with mounded dirt and gravel. This is a mountain bog area, so perhaps the old trail occasionally got inundated with seasonal wetness.

Look for willows along the trail side. They were in catkins phase as we passed in late September. Earlier in the month, these willows would have been displaying bright yellow on their leaves. Mostly brown this day. You reach the bottom of a little drop in the trail and come upon one of the beaver ponds. There are several in the open meadow, but this one is the closest.

After passing 1 Beaver Lane, the mounded trail resorts to traditional tread and begins its climb up and into the spruce/fir forest. This is a very popular trail, so the tread is quite worn, and exposed roots can be a problem. Just keep one eye on the ground so you won’t trip or slip.

The spruce trees are magnificent, 50-60 feet tall, they remind me of the ones you see brought to the White House lawn for Christmas each year. When the rain would come down a little harder, Dave and I would find a seat on a log beneath the heavy boughs of the spruce waiting for it to abate somewhat.

There were more people on the trail here than our previous hike on the day before. We weren’t the only crazy ones out in the cold and rain. One time when we were huddled under a spruce grove, we remained quiet and still as a group of three other hikers passed by. They never had a clue we were there. Makes me wonder how much wildlife I miss on my weekly hiking excursions by simply not being aware of my surroundings.

Here we are, comfortable and dry beneath a giant spruce grove protected from the elements.

About a mile and a half up the trail, perhaps a little farther, you break the forest and walk into a large mountain meadow beneath the imposing form of Shrine Ridge. The trail continues to the right and then makes a steady climb approximately 2-300 feet to the ridge line. Having been there years ago, I can report that the vistas are remarkable from the crest of Shrine Ridge.

From the ridge you can see the Gore Range to the north, the Sawatch Range and Holy Cross Wilderness to the southwest, the Tenmile Range and Copper Mountain ski area to the southeast, and the Flat Top Mountains to the west. It is a wonderful viewpoint.

Not so on this day however. The entire length of the ridge was shrouded in fog. We knew it would be futile to climb up there hoping for some views. In fact, the clouds totally enveloped us in every direction, completely unusual for the Rocky Mountains.

So we decided to explore the meadow instead. At least a hundred acres in size, the meadow was covered in shin-high (wet) grass. It sits in a bowl beneath the curved wall of Shrine Ridge. This would be a great place to bring your family in summer. Let the dog run free. Throw the frisbee. Put down a picnic blanket. If you come real early in the morning you are likely to see elk or deer grazing in the field.

We weren’t grazing in the field, but we did stop long enough to pose for a selfie.

On the way back, we decided to walk through the spruce forest rather than make another pass through the wet grass. We found an ideal log beneath the canopy and enjoyed our sandwiches. The forest floor was alive with a bright green ground cover that was even turning red near the edges of the meadow.

Once we got back to the Shrine Ridge Trail, it became immediately evident that several more hikers had joined the fray. We continued to see groups of 2-3 the rest of the way back to the car. There was still no evidence of sunshine, or the clouds trying to lift, so our decision to forego Shrine Ridge remained a good one.

When we got back to the car, we continued about another two miles down Shrine Pass Road to a Forest Service pullout with a view platform of Mount of the Holy Cross. Unfortunately, on this day, it too was completely socked in clouds and fog. You can’t win ’em all. Later in the day, 4:00 turned out to be nice and sunny, so I snapped a picture of some cottonwood trees in peak autumn regalia.

Summarizing Shrine Ridge, this is an easy hike to do if you don’t go all the way to the top of the ridge. Even if you do, it is still only moderately hard. The meadow below the ridge is a great place for the whole family to spend a day recreating and relaxing. If you make it to the top on a clear day, the views in every direction are what you expect from high mountain hiking in the Rockies. Access is conveniently located no more than a half hour drive from Vail.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

The U.S. Forest Service has done a nice job of building trails up the watersheds that drain into the Town of Vail. Included among these is Spraddle Creek, located across I-70 from Vail Village. The reward at the top of the ridge is a mountain meadow that overlooks Vail, Beaver Creek ski mountain, and the Holy Cross Wilderness far, far away. Hike in late September for an extra treat of peak golden aspen color. My brother Dave and I enjoyed Spraddle Creek Trail on Thursday, September 29, 2016 beginning at 9:00AM and ending about 1:30PM. Our plan was to take Spraddle Creek Trail to where it spills into a grassy mountain meadow, returning the same way.

Living in the Southern Appalachians as I do, I am able to enjoy the lovely autumn colors of the maple, oak, hickory, poplar and many other hardwood trees that are native to the area. The Rocky Mountains don’t have the same variety, but the astounding aspen forests put on quite the show themselves. Vail, Colorado is truly one of the most beautiful regions when it comes to dazzling aspen finery.

In the introduction above I mentioned the trails that climb the watersheds around Vail. Others my brother and I have hiked during previous visits to his neck of the woods have included Booth Lake Trail, a nice one with an exciting waterfall and beautiful alpine lake, and Bighorn Trail that reaches all the way up into Eagles Nest Wilderness. Now, add Spraddle Creek Trail to this list.

The other trails mentioned above are in the East Vail section of town. Spraddle Creek is directly across from central Vail. Make a short trip up Spraddle Creek Road to the hiker’s parking at Vail Stables. The trailhead is behind the forest road gate. On maps this trail may be designated as Spraddle Creek Road. Roughly the first mile of the trail is sandy — a consequence of horse traffic from the stable (watch your step lest your boot tread become mired with you know what) — as it gently climbs above the stable.

You come to a hairpin turn after less than a half mile, reversing to a westerly direction. There is a short spur trail to the right that leads to a marvelous view of the Gore Range looking east up the valley. We decided to save that for our return from the destination. And that destination is a high mountain meadow more than 1,200 feet above that overlooks the Vail ski mountain and its cousin Beaver Creek to the west, as well as the tips of some of the tallest peaks that jut from Holy Cross Wilderness.

In addition to Engelmann spruce, fir and aspen trees that are abundant along Spraddle Creek Trail, it is also lined with low-lying bush type plants that are in seed this time of year. Some that we observed include the pulsatilla pasqueflower, yellow goatsbeard, and fizzynotions (a flowering plant in the sagebrush family).

After about a mile, the trail hardens from sand to dirt as apparently the horses go a different direction. For a few hundred yards it also flattens out somewhat. Since this was my first day in town, it made a nice altitude acclimatization trail for me.

Roughly a mile and a half from the trailhead we reached the remains of an old cabin. Because hunting has been popular in this area in decades past, the cabin was likely hunter’s quarters at one time. Deer and elk are abundant here in the summer, and the ridge along the eastern boundary is Canada lynx habitat, as well as home to bighorn sheep and mountain goats.

Dave stands in what is left of an early 20th century cabin on Spraddle Creek Trail. The roof was completely gone, but the sidewalls, hewn from massive evergreen trunks, were still in good shape.

Soon after passing the cabin, the trail curls to the north and enters a luscious aspen forest that hugs both sides of Spraddle Creek. You can’t really approach the creek itself because it is surrounded by impassable willow thickets. From an environmental perspective, this area has critical importance as a buffer between urban development in Vail and Eagles Nest Wilderness to the south and east.

We seem to have caught the aspen forest at peak golden glory. Combined with the azure blue sky and bright sunshine, the brilliant golden glow made me put on my sunglasses. The trail once again begins a moderate ascent along the creek. Watch for deer in this area as they frequently come to feed on the grass beneath the aspen canopy. Also, turn and look behind you for occasional views of the ski slopes on Vail Mountain.

The higher we got, the more dense the aspen forest. A gentle breeze was rustling the gold leaves, providing a visual understanding of why they are called quaking aspens. The goatsbeard seed tops were in abundance on this day. If you aren’t familiar; think of a giant dandelion. The cottony seeds are whisked on a gust and planted furlongs away for next year.

A bit past two miles you reach a trail junction. Take the south (right) fork here. A left/steeper fork continues a little further toward Bald Mountain which is itself a pretty popular local climb. The trail also levels once again, and the evergreens become more abundant. Instead of fallen aspen leaves carpeting the trail, now it is pine and spruce needles. Stroll through the breathtaking aroma for a half mile and then you see the clearing.

The forest opens up and the abundance of Vail spreads out before you. This large open meadow is prime habitat for elk, so approach quietly and you may be fortunate to witness a few grazing before they see (or smell) you. The views are incredible.

Dave and I pose for a selfie in the mountain meadow where we chose a spot for lunch.

Directly across the valley you can see the massive expanse of the Vail ski mountain. Golden Peak (named for its proliferation of aspen trees) is directly across. To the west you can make out the slopes of Beaver Creek ski resort, 15 miles distant. Between the two is the jagged peak of Mt. Jackson. As you’re peering at the scene in front of you, it’s one of those WOW! moments.

After lunch, we decided to continue on up the ridge a little ways, perhaps another quarter mile. We found ourselves once again surrounded by bright yellow aspen quaking in the breeze. This would be a great place to bring your whole family with a picnic basket and blanket in the summer. Open meadow, ideal for running toddlers and pups, combined with breathtaking alpine vistas. What more could you want?

Soon, we decided I probably shouldn’t overdo on my first day. After all, we were only about 200 feet short of 10,000 elevation. I live at 2 thousand and hike at 6, so the air is a bit thinner than what I’m accustomed to. So we turned around to begin our descent off the mountain.

The return was uneventful. Just gorgeous weather, stunning scenery, aromalicious forest, and great company. That’s all. We took the spur trail at the hairpin that I mentioned above for a great view of the ribbon of I-70 piercing through Vail and Gore Range far in the distance.

When we got back to the car, they were loading up all the horses at Vail Stables into trailors. Turns out this was the last day of the season. Winter comes fast in the Colorado Rockies.

To summarize, all-in-all a very delightful hike above Vail, and one that was perfect for me to get used to the higher elevation in the Rocky Mountains. This hike is doable in all seasons, but be sure to bring ice traction in winter. It’s a great trek for the whole family, one I’m sure the youngsters would enjoy too. Best of all, if you’re visiting Vail for some other reason, it is conveniently nearby.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

I went to the Colorado Rockies in late September-early October with the expressed intention of being there for the autumnal yellowing of the aspen trees. It’s a gorgeous sight, the leaves take on a golden glow that shimmers in the breeze. Well, mission accomplished. My brother saved East Lake Creek Trail for the last hike of my visit, one that walks for miles in and among both young and mature aspen forest. Most of the younger trees were revealing their peak shining moment, and the larger, older trees displayed that in-between green and yellow hue that is also quite striking. The trail wanders through White River National Forest and onward into Holy Cross Wilderness, but on this day we were merely out to enjoy the forest. Our hike occurred on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 from 8:45am to about 1:15pm. The plan was to take East Lake Creek Trail to East Lake Creek, then return.

Normally, I use this space to give you a trail report. This time I’m going to mix things up a bit and let the pictures tell the story. For example, the drive up West Lake Creek Road from Edwards to the trailhead passes through beautiful horse country. The East Lake Creek Trail itself is in excellent condition. Whoever the trail volunteers are do a remarkable job. Aside from that though, the trail is really unremarkable. It’s just a nice stroll through a spruce/aspen forest. Ah, but the time of year made all the difference on this particular hike for us.

About half an hour after we started we happened upon a grouse on the trail. Amazingly enough, the grouse didn’t take flight, it simply ran up the trail. Comically this continued for several minutes as the grouse would scurry a couple hundred feet up the trail, then turn to see if we were still following. Finally I suppose it realized we weren’t going away, so it did. Eventually the trail begins a downward trek through another magnificent aspen stand into the East Lake Creek Valley.

When you reach the valley level, you enter Holy Cross Wilderness. The terrain is more open in the valley, and the ground cover is more of a scrub. There is a rocky outcropping in the middle of a large meadow that is a great place for pictures, or a break, or whatever your little heart desires.

Not far past the outcropping you will reach East Lake Creek. That is where we had lunch by a pond along the creek. The East Lake Creek Trail continues into the backcountry wilderness for another four miles, but we ended our outward adventure here, and headed back.

By the time we finished lunch, took some panoramic photos and chatted with some other hikers, it was afternoon. With the sun now higher in the sky, the lighting for the photography on the way back was completely different. We weren’t shooting directly into the sun like we were in the morning, and the sky was a brilliant royal blue that is one of the enjoyments of high altitude hiking. Some of the scenes along the way were exactly what I was hoping for when I planned this early fall trip to the Rockies. If you should find yourself in Central Colorado in early October in the future, treat yourself to East Lake Creek Trail.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Beginning on Columbine Dr. in East Vail, CO, the Bighorn Trail climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley, then more gradually climbs up through stands of aspen and pine. The trail passes beaver ponds and the remains of old mining camps as well as Bighorn Creek. Near the halfway point, be sure to turn around because the views of Vail and Bighorn drainage behind you are exceptional. You will reach Bighorn Falls and your first glimpse at Grand Traverse Peak in the Gore Range, then make another steep climb through willows and a boulder field. The reward at the top is an alpine wonderland at the foot of Grand Traverse and an old, rustic log cabin. This hike occurred on Monday, September 30, 2013 from 8:00am to about 3:30pm. Our plan was to take Bighorn Trail to the log cabin, then return the same way.

I would consider Bighorn Trail a four-phase hike. When we started out, my brother warned me that the first half-mile would be a steep, difficult climb up and out of the Vail Valley. He was right. You will be breathing hard in short order. After the first 20-30 minutes, though, the trail mellows out in phase 2 for a gentle ascent through breathtaking stands of aspen and pine.

One of my goals for a late September visit to my brother’s home in Vail was to enjoy the changing of the season. There isn’t much more beautiful than an aspen forest in full autumn regalia. As we would pause occasionally to rest during the initial ascent, the best views of the golden aspen were behind us, on the south side of the valley. Many of the trees on that side were already in peak color because they get less sun during the day.

About five minutes into the hike we entered Eagles Nest Wilderness, and would remain for the rest of the hike. Wilderness typically means no trail signs and no trail blaze, but we did see the occasional cairn in the hard-to-follow places.

On this north side of the valley, most of the aspen were still green, but the higher we continued, the more color we began to notice. There is also a certain appeal to the mixed color trees as the leaves begin that gradual transformation of hue.

Reaching the more gentle ascent section of Bighorn Trail is a welcome relief. Breathing returns to normal. It is easier to hold the camera steady. The next mile to mile and a half is mostly in forest. For a summer hike, this would also be a nice respite from hot sun.

The pine bark beetle has really done a number on the lodgepole pine in this area of White River National Forest. It’s easy to distinguish the grey, dead trees from the few still unaffected. Collapse and blow down are a major safety issue for hikers, so keep your eyes and ears open as you proceed on the otherwise lovely terrain.

About an hour into our hike we reached a particularly thick and healthy aspen grove. Mostly young, toothpick-like trees, they were backlit by the early morning glow of sunshine coming from behind us. It created an unusual scene, almost as if the grove was generating its own light.

Not far past, about 1.5 miles into the hike, you’ll reach a rocky outcropping that is a nice place to rest, have a snack, and turn around for the fantastic view of Vail Valley behind you. We called it simply The Overlook.

At the two mile point, the next feature along the trail is a visit to Bighorn Creek. You will enter a thick, dark pine grove that is right alongside the creek for a hundred yards or so. Soon after, the trail leaves the forest, is back out in open country, and begins phase 3 of this hike. Get ready to stretch your legs and burn your lungs again. It gets hard.

In the third mile you will climb an additional thousand feet. The trail passes through open meadows and stands of subalpine fir and Englemann spruce, and offers the first glimpse of the Grand Traverse, a continuous 12,000 foot ridge connecting North Traverse Peak and Grand Traverse Peak in the Gore Range. It is incredible. I reported earlier about views of the Grand Traverse from across the valley. Well, this is up close and personal. You’re right there, surrounded by the giant peaks.

We passed a beaver pond and Bighorn Falls. Unfortunately you can’t really get to the waterfall without a major bushwhack through willow thickets so fierce you would no doubt return with your clothing in shreds. That assumes you make it back.

There are several boulder fields along the way, including one about two-thirds of the way up phase 3 that requires serious scrambling for close to 100 yards. The good news, though, is the view back down the Bighorn drainage. That’s the photo at the top of this post. Be sure to click it for a larger image. We took a five minute break here to enjoy the view and to catch our breath from the intense climbing.

We began to transition from subalpine to alpine ecosystem and what few aspen remained at this elevation were now totally golden. The mountains surrounding us now were snow covered, and as we topped the climb the Grand Traverse, in all its magnificence, was in clear view. For me, this is what Rocky Mountain hiking is all about. There is so much. Forest and rocks and mountains and sky and water and colors and…

The fourth and final phase of this hike begins as the trail mellows again. You walk at the base of the Gore Range alternating between stands of spruce and grassy meadows. It’s still another half mile to the destination, but by now it’s an easy stroll among the massive peaks that surround you. We paused for a few selfie photos and to enjoy the full sensual delight.

The destination is an old homestead cabin that is actually on private property. Not really a problem, because no one comes here anymore except hikers. People must have really been short back then, because goofy ol’ me walked right into a cross beam with my forehead. Saw stars too. We found some rocks to sit on in a nearby meadow and enjoyed our well-deserved lunch. My brother told me a story about another time he was here, sitting on the porch, when a hiker with a lounge chair on his back approached, put the chair on the porch, and departed without saying a word. Go figure.

As you will see in the photos below, by now the weather was near perfect hiking weather… sunny, cool with a light breeze. Add in the marvelous visuals and we were having a great day. We were to learn a lesson about hiker communication on the way down though.

We made our descent through phases 4 & 3 without incident, although I did take a small tumble when trying to find the perfect spot for a zoomed-in photo of Bighorn Falls. Stepped in a hole. And the dang photo turned out lousy anyway. Peh.

When we got back to the pine-spruce forest near Bighorn Creek, we decided we wanted to take some time for creek photography. All we said to each other was, if we get separated we’ll meet back on the trail. Mistake #1. We bushwhacked through the forest to find that perfect spot.

We each marked out a section of the creek to try to work with the high contrast environment and spent 15 minutes hoping for the best. At one point my brother dropped his cap in the creek, and amazingly it didn’t end up all the way to the Colorado River. I had enough, so I looked at him and nodded that I was heading back to the trail. He nodded acknowledgement. Mistake #2.

I never saw him again for the next hour. I assumed that he was on the trail ahead of me, and he assumed that I was on the trail behind him. In actuality, the opposite turned out to be true. I chose to continue down the trail, figuring I would catch up with him eventually. Mistake #3. He chose to backtrack, looking for me. Mistake #4.

As I continued down the trail, the sun was lowering in the sky and made for lovely photos through the aspen groves. But still no sign of my brother. By now I was beginning to think he must be behind me, so I slowed my pace to give him a chance to catch up. And I tried to call and text him cell phone to cell phone.

Unfortunately he didn’t have a cell signal. Different carrier from mine. Anyway, to shorten a long story, he went back and forth on the trail for half an hour looking for me. In the meantime, I was on my merry way off the mountain. He finally found a cell signal when I was only five minutes from the end, determined where I was, and said okay, I’m half an hour behind you.

Up top, in the info section, I mentioned there being other hikers, and wishing they were more attentive. During all of this confusion I passed a hiking couple that my brother would later encounter. He said to them, if you see a guy with a yellow cap tell him where I am. These other hikers didn’t think to mention they had already seen me. Mistake #5.

Suffice to say, we did a better job of communicating the rest of the week whenever we separated on the trail. Lesson learned.

This is a hike that I was actually unable to complete 33 years earlier, when I was 27. ‘Course I was a smoker and lazy sloth back then, but I only made it to the end of phase 3 and didn’t want to go any farther. My body just had enough. So I was pretty proud that I could accomplish something at 60 that I was unable to do at 27.

To summarize, this is really a beautiful trail with just about every kind of scenery that hikers look for. It is hard. There’s no question about that. But you expect trails to be hard in the high elevation of the Rocky Mountains. We were out for 7.5 hours but stopped for lots of pictures and had that communication snafu. You can certainly do this hike in a lot less time, but why would you? Just enjoy Bighorn Trail for the absolutely stunning scenery.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Bowman’s Shortcut is an easy-to-get-to trail that tops a ridge that enables views of three different mountain ranges — Sawatch, Gore, and Tenmile. You’ll start out climbing through a pine forest with occasional glimpses of the distant peaks through the trees, then reach the bald ridge and the magnificent views of some of Colorado’s highest mountains. Cross country skiers use this trail to reach Commando Run, and summer hikers can connect to the Two Elk National Recreation Trail. For us, it made for a delightful access to panoramic Rocky Mountain scenery. This hike occurred on Sunday, September 29, 2013 from 8:45am to about 2:25pm. Our plan was to take Bowman’s Shortcut to the summit of the bald ridge, then return.

I asked my brother, who has lived in Vail for 35 years, what would you call this place along Bowman’s Shortcut Trail? He said, “The ridge top where we had lunch has no name that I know of. The two high points along the bald ridge where we first stopped for several pictures and then again for lunch are 11,710 and 11,696 feet. If I was going to call the area something I’d say it’s a high ridge west of Shrine Pass and southeast of Vail’s Back Bowls. Or, some might even call it part of Battle Mountain, which is marked on the map to the southwest.”

“I don’t know why it’s called Bowmans Shortcut. In the winter the trail is a smallish section of Commando Run which is a long cross country ski touring trail that starts in Vail Village and goes all the way to Vail Pass. (The full length of Commando Run is not a hiking trail in summer. It’s marked with blazes for winter use.) Maybe it got the summer shortcut name because it’s an alternate route connecting from Shrine Pass (Lime Creek Road) to Two Elk National Recreation Trail which starts along the bike path two miles up Vail Pass and ends in Minturn (or vice versa). Had we continued on the trail we would have reached the Two Elk Trail junction in another mile or more. “Bowmans” might have some kind of hunting connotation or something.”

“The spot where we had lunch is less than a mile from the top of Pete’s Express Lift which serves Blue Sky Basin, the newish ski expansion area south of Vail Mountain. Walking to the top of the lift would have been about a 200 foot drop, directly west. The hiking trail continues north to the junction. But nobody would be alpine skiing there since it’s 200 feet higher than the lift.”

So, apparently the destination for Bowman’s Shortcut doesn’t really have a name, but I’m here to tell you, it sure is scenic. The trail starts out relatively level in a pine grove off Lime Creek Road. There was still snow on the ground from the storm that moved through two nights before. The trail parallels the road for about a quarter mile, then begins its ascent.

The first view is of Tenmile Range. The trail begins a series of switchbacks as it climbs about 600 feet over the next mile. First the switchbacks are long, then as the trail gets steeper, they shorten. The higher we got, the deeper the snow got, probably about four inches. Finally, we decided it was time to put on the Yaktrax.

We reached a point about half way up where the view behind us, of the Gore Range, was stupendous. As we continued the switchbacks, there were alternating views of Tenmile and Gore, often peeking through the pines. Quite the scene. We topped the ridge and the ascent was gentle the rest of the way. It’s still another mile through the forest to the open meadow or bald ridge, but with a fresh coating of snow, the woods were lovely.

In the east, we call a round, treeless mountain top a bald. I’ve also seen that term used in the west, but have also heard “open meadow.” It is considerably more unusual in the Rockies simply because the Rockies are so, well, rocky. We emerged from the woods to the large open meadow where the faint snow-covered trail heads north-northwest. Make sure to keep the Gore Range in view to your right.

The ridge top is simply surrounded by massive mountain ranges. To the southeast is Tenmile and the area around Copper Mountain ski resort. More to the southwest is the Sawatch Range. Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, the highest peaks in Colorado, are clearly visible, as are Mount of the Holy Cross and Mt. Jackson. To the north, and closest, is the Gore Range and the stunning Grand Traverse. This mile-long open ridge we were walking is a photographer’s dream.

By now, we didn’t really care where the trail was. It was easy to navigate through the snow. We looked for optimum viewing locations, and also tried to stay out of the wind. That wind was producing a nice show in the sky, as the clouds were forming with that lenticular forward wall. I’ve been coming to Colorado to visit my brother for more than three decades, have seen the Gore Range hundreds of times, and I must say this view from the bald ridge is the best view of Gore Range I have seen.

The photo at the top of this post is a closeup of the Grand Traverse and Grand Traverse Peak. You may click it for a larger image, but the picture hardly does the view justice. The scene is wide and expansive. You can see Eagles Nest and Mt. Powell on the northern end of the range, all the way to Buffalo Mountain and Uneva Peak to the south. Combine that with the lenticular clouds and I was in awe.

We continued mushing through the snow to a wooden marker at the northwest end of the meadow. You can continue down into the woods and reach Two Elk Pass. Instead, we pulled up a couple rocks in the snow, plopped down, and had our lunch. I’m usually not a big fan of snow, particularly when I have to work, but on this day the snow was perfect. It totally enhanced the scene.

While we were enjoying our meal and the scenery, a couple of mountain bikers came riding by on their way to Two Elk. They weren’t as happy about the snow. My brother took time to teach me some of the landmark names as we studied the full expanse of the Gore Range before us.

After lunch, it was time to explore the landmarks on the south side of the ridge. We identified the Homestake Reservoir and the Lake Constantine vicinity where we had been hiking just a few days before. The full length of the Sawatch range was in view, with especially good looks at Notch Mountain, Holy Cross, and Mt. Jackson.

Moving farther east along the ridge, we came to an opening with the best views toward Leadville and beyond to Elbert and Massive. It was like a geography lesson of Central Colorado in one beautiful afternoon. My brother setup his tripod for a panorama while I simply marveled at the natural beauty that surrounded us.

When we reached the eastern end of the ridge, we encountered a group of four hikers just leaving the forest with the same looks of awe on their faces that we must have had a little more than an hour before. This eastern end of the ridge has the best view of Tenmile Range. The ski slopes of Copper Mountain are clearly visible as well.

The descent back through the forest was just as pleasant as we recognized our boot tracks in the snow from the morning climb. I did have one unfortunate tumble as the rubber strap of my Yaktrax got snared by an exposed root tip. I went from being up to being down in a matter of microseconds. But after dusting myself off, everything seemed to be in working order. Later, we just laughed at the total randomness of it all. I can hike for another 20 years and that will never happen again.

We had one more stop to make on our way back home. We headed back down Lime Creek Road to Shrine Pass Road. Not far away is a short trail to the Holy Cross Scenic Overlook Deck. It’s no more than a few hundred yards to what is more commonly referred to as Julia’s Deck, named after the woman who lobbied to have this marvelous structure built.

It’s a large wooden deck, much like the one in your backyard, that is covered at one end for rain shelter, and has a magnificent view of Mount of the Holy Cross. Despite being far off the beaten path, it was obviously quite popular, judging by the number of others who were there as well. We struck up a conversation with a couple who had just hiked Notch Mountain earlier in the morning.

To summarize, this short, moderately easy hike along Bowman’s Shortcut Trail offers some of the most scenic vistas I have seen in my years of exploring the Colorado Rockies. You don’t have to drive 25 miles into the wilderness to get to it (only about 9), access is easy from I-70 at Vail Pass. The bald ridge makes for convenient viewing, and I would imagine this large mountain meadow is absolutely loaded with wildflowers in July. This is a hike that is most likely doable by all ages, so bring the kids and the grandparents with you.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Booth Lake Trail begins at Booth Falls Road in East Vail, CO and ends at Booth Lake. The trail climbs up the Booth Creek valley through mostly aspen groves before passing the 60-foot Booth Falls. Beyond the falls the trail winds through conifer forests and meadows filled with wildflowers. Above 10,000 feet the trees thin and the terrain changes offering views of the Gore Range. The last 1/4 mile to Booth Lake is steep and rocky. This hike occurred on Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 8:00am to about 9:30am. Our plan was to see what the overnight fresh snow presented in the aspen forest.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.