Use Moderate
Difficulty More Difficult
Length 8 mi. (13km.)
USGS Map Minturn
Trail Beginning 8,020 ft. (2445 m) Two miles south of Minturn on U.S. 24 at Tigiwon Road. Proceed down road for half mile to trailhead and parking
Trail Ending 10,400 ft. (3169 m) at Halfmoon Campground
Highest Elevation 10,400 ft. (3169 m) at Halfmoon Campground
Attractions and Considerations
Tigiwon Lodge is a beautiful old lodge built in the 1930's to accommodate people making the annual pilgrimage to Mt. of the Holy Cross. The cabin offers good shelter for a winter overnight stay. If an overnight trip If an overnight trip is planned, please call the Forest Service in advance for reservations. The trail cresses part of the Elk's winter range. Observe these animals from a distance so as not to disturb them. The only negative to this trail is that the Forrest Service has opened it for use by snowmobiles.
Narrative
The trail follows the Tigiwon Road to Halfmoon Campground. The grade is gentle in most places. At mile 6 Tigiwon Lodge and outhouse are reached. From here outstanding views of the Gore Range and Vail's Back Bowls are possible. The trail continues for two more miles to the campground. A popular spot in the summer, this is the trailhead for hikes to Mt of the Holy Cross and Notch Mt. Eight miles of uphill touring could take all day, so leave early. The return trip should take only a third as long, as one is able to glide smoothly down the road or through the open meadows off the trail.
This trail takes you deep into the Nation Forrest and far from help. Although the terrain is fairly easy, skiers inexperienced in winter backcountry travel should not attempt this trip!
. Groups making this trip should:
Use heavy
Difficulty Easiest
Length 11 mi. (17km.)
USGS Maps Vail Pass, Redcliff
Trail Beginning 10,580 ft. ( 3225 m) Ten miles east of Vail at the summit of Vail Pass exit # 190 of I-70. Park in the upper parking lot.
Trail Ending 8,680 ft. (2646 m) At the town of Redcliff
Highest Elevation 11,090ft. (3380 m) at the top of Shrine Pass.
Attractions and Considerations
You will need to arrange a shuttle to take this route. If you have your own vehicles you can leave one in Red Cliff. If you only have one or no vehicle, you can use a taxi to run you shuttle. Vail Taxi (800-480-9104 or locally 476-taxi) has some 10 passenger Taxies that are often used for shuttles. You will need to make your taxi reservations 24 hours in advance.
A popular trail for both local and Front Range skiers, it's easy access and gentle terrain. A rest stop with toilets and warming hut is at the parking area. Snowmobilers also frequent the area often. This heavy use has required that the Forest Service install toilets along the trail. This was done to maintain the water quality in Turkey Creek, which is the town of Redcliff,s water supply. Please use the facilities provided. This trail offers excellent views of Mt. of the Holy Cross.
Narrative
Though the trail is 11 miles long, most intermediate to advanced skiers can make the trip in a day. This is possible because there are only two miles of uphill to Shrine Pass, then nine miles of downhill to Redcliff. The trail follows Shrine Pass Road and Turkey Creek through Spruce-Fir forests and Open meadows.
Once in Redcliff a traditional Mexican fiesta usually takes place at the Reno Cafe. This is a good place to stay warm and have something to eat and drink while you wait for your shuttle. They have a phone there to call the taxi and let them know you are ready.
Use Moderate
Difficulty Pando Loop - Easiest, No Name Loop - Moderate
Length 2.5 mi. (4km)
USGS Map Pando
Trail Beginning 9,200 ft. (2804 m) Twelve miles south of Minturn on U.S. 24 at No Name Road
Trail Ending 9,400 ft. (2804 m) Back at the parking area on U.S. 24
Highest Elevation 9,400 ft. (2865 m)At Camp Hale Overlook
Attractions and Considerations
An overlook provides and excellent view of the Pando Valley and Camp Hale area. An interpretive sign explains that the extensive ice ponds you see once provided refrigeration for th trains of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway. One of the few existing Camp Hale buildings is also visible. Camp Hale is where the Army's 10th Mountain Division trained to endure the severe winter conditions of Alaska and the mountains of Northern Italy during WWII.
Narrative
Skied separately or in conjunction with the No Name Loop, the Pando Loop provides an area for a half day tour. The marked trail follows a slide slope through lodgepole and aspen until mile 1.5 where the trail ends at the Pando Overlook.
Use Light
Difficulty More Difficult
Length 7 mi. (11.2km.) One Way
USGS Map Vail West
Trail Beginning 8,400 ft. (2560 m) In Vail turn off of the North Frontage Road. Follow the road to the road closure gate and park there.
Trail Ending 10,100 ft. (3078 m) at Lost Lake
Attractions and Considerations
Due to past timber sales, this trail offers many excellent open areas suitable for cross-country skiing. Excellent views of the Gore and Sawatch Ranges are abundant. Snowmobiles may be encountered on the first mile and a half of road due to to the commercial snowmobile guide service that is located on Red Sandstone Road.
Narrative
The trail begins at the Forest Service road closure on Red Sandstone Road #700 . It follows this road for three miles to the junction with Lost Lake Road #786. The trail follows Lost Lake Road for four miles to the Lost Lake Trailhead. One more mile, and the trail ends at Lost Lake. After the junction at Lost Lake Rd. three more junctions are encountered. The LEFT fork should be taken in each case. Lost Lake is a popular place to hike or drive to in the summer. However, due to it's distance for the parking area (15 miles round trip) it receives less use in the winter and is suggested for skiers in good physical condition.
Use Moderate
Difficulty More Difficult
Length 5 mi (8.3km.)
USGS Map Vail Pass
Trail Beginning 10,549 ft. (3196 m) A quarter mile past Vail Pass on I-70 West bound, at the truck parking
Trail Ending 10,269 ft. (3111 m) Near I-70 where Corral Creek crosses under the highway, one and one quarter miles fro the top of Vail Pass
Highest Elevation 11,000 ft. (3333 m) At the beginning of Corral Creek
Attractions and Considerations
One of the earliest areas to get snow in the fall. Due to it's high elevation, et offers touring as early as November. Corral Creek trail is a good alternative to Shrine Pass in this same area.
Narrative
From the truck parking a short climb up a hill takes one to the Corral Creek drainage. The open and wide slopes of the drainage provide a pleasant downhill ski. The trail ends a I-70. The return uphill trip is marked and follows an old road. In addition to this route, there is a lot of open area to select you own.
Use Moderate
Difficulty Most Difficult - Easy
Length The longest trail is 6 miles. Other trails cut across the loop and provide shorter routes.
USGS Map Leadville North, A map of the trails is posted at the trailhead.
Trail Beginning 10,600 ft. (3231 m) Twenty-three miles south of Minturn on US 24. Directly across the road for the Cooper Hill Ski Area, at the summit of Tennessee Pass.
Trail Ending 10,600 ft. (3231 m) back at the trailhead.
Highest Elevation 11,400 ft. (3475 m ) At the Continental Divide
Attractions and Considerations
The trail offers excellent views of the Eagle River Drainage to the north and the Arkansas River drainage to the south. From the top of the trail, three prominent fourteen thousand foot peaks can be seen; Holy Cross, Mt. Massive, and Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado.
The Mitchell Loops are a great FREE place to ski through the woods. Take I-70 to the Minturn Exit #171. Then head south on route 24. The trailhead is at the top of Tennessee Pass, across Rt.24 from Ski Cooper. At the trail head there is a map showing several loops. The trails are almost always packed out, and the rolling terrain is beginner to intermediate in difficulty. Total distance from Vail is about 30 miles. This is a very scenic drive but, don't try it in bad weather!
For the most up-to-date information on these trail visit the nordic center at Cooper Hill across the road. This is a good place to check in and make sure you have the right waxes for the day, or visit their snack bar. The Cooper Nordic Center (719) 486-3684 also provides groomed trails for a reasonable fee.
Before going out in the back country during the winter you should know something about avalanches. You can start your education at the Cyberspace Snow and Avalanche Center.
You can pay to use the x-country track at Beaver
Creek, or at Cordillera, or you can ski on the track on the Vail
Golf Course for FREE.
The track at Beaver Creek is called McCoy Park (970) 845-5313
and it is accessible only by riding Chair 12. It is very nice
and because it's up on the mountain, sometimes the conditions
are better. McCoy Park offers 18 trails and 32-Kilometers of machine
maintained track.
The track on the Vail Golf Course (970) 479-4391 is machine maintained and usually in great shape. You can ride the free bus form The Vail Transportation Center to The Nordic Center or you can walk from Golden Peak to the end of the track, about 1/2 mile, and just hop on. Ski rental and instruction, from the Vail / Beaver Creek Nordic Ski School is available at both McCoy Park and on the Vail Golf Course.
The Ranch at Cordillera Nordic Center (303) 926-5100 has a machine maintained track with easy, intermediate, and expert terrain. They have rentals available, and offer packages that include use of their sap (hot tub, pool and sauna) guided tours, lessons,Gourmet lunch, and a moonlight ski and snowshoe tour. A fee of $ 8. for adults and children (8-12) ski for FREE. You will need a car to get to Cordillera. The access road is located 4 miles west of Edwards. Call them for directions.
For the adventurous nothing can compare to
Backcountry Hut to Hut Skiing. The European tradition of hut-to-hut
skiing can now be enjoyed in the mountains of Colorado. Huts located
in spectacular settings, perched high on mountain ridges with
magnificent views, provide skiers a cozy shelter at day's end.
The backcountry hut system offers access to a wide variety of
ski touring and deep powder skiing.
The 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, a not-for-profit
organization, was created in 1980 by volunteers, to build a backcountry
ski hut system in the mountains of Colorado between Aspen, Leadville and Vail. The Hut
System encompasses a variety of 18 accommodations linked by over
300 miles of trails, with an average distance of 6 miles between
huts. The Forest Service recognizes that the public trails that
access the huts generally require the use of at least intermediate
backcountry skiing skills. Good physical conditioning and a knowledge
of backcountry travels will ensure and enjoyable trip. Each hut
sleeps approximately sixteen people and huts are booked to capacity;
therefore they may be occupied by more than one group. Huts are
equipped with wood burning stoves for heating and cooking, propane
burners, photovoltaic lighting, cooking and eating utensils, kitchen
supplies, mattresses and pillows. Skiers should bring a sleeping
bag, food, and personal and emergency gear. Hut fees are $ 22.
per person per night. For more information follow this link to their site an fill out their information
request form. Start early on this project and get your reservations
made early, or you may be disappointed...
An alternative to the 10th Mountain huts is the Hidden Treasure Yurt. One of the advantages to staying at the yurt is that you reserve the whole yurt for you group. The Yurt offers access to:
Excellent Alpine Hiking & Mountain Biking in Summer (4-WD access to within 1/4 mile of yurt (New York Lake Trailhead) in the summer, ( 26 mile drive from town of Eagle) , Year-Round Mountaineering, Easily accessible majestic views of The Gore Range, Vail/Beaver Creek Ski Mountains, The Eagle Valley, The Flatttops, Snowmass Ski Area, The Maroon Bells and beyond.
Awesome Backcountry Skiing & Boarding in Winter & Springtime (6.5 mile moderate ski/snowshoe tour from Yeoman Park located 16 miles from Eagle). Terrain includes everything from steep north facing tree skiing to mellow open slopes above timberline.
Amenities include Propane 2-Burner Stove & Lights, Large Woodburning Stove, All Cooking & Eating Utensils, Comfortable Beds, Chairs & Dining Table.
Guests only need to bring their own sleeping bag, personal clothing & supplies, food and drink mixes.