Hiking Project Logo

This long traverse above Vail Pass provides a great deal of scenery for not much effort.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.2

Miles

3.6

KM

Point to Point

11,513' 3,509 m

High

11,015' 3,357 m

Low

584' 178 m

Up

89' 27 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Description

This well-established trail is not on many maps and does not see much traffic. It climbs from its junction with the Corral Creek Trail, traverses the hillside within the Eagles Nest Wilderness, and eventually reaches a peaceful saddle at the boundary between Eagle and Summit Counties.

The initially unpromising-looking trail begins with a moderate climb up through a mini-valley that has seen extensive logging in the past. Some of the remaining tree stumps are cut low to the ground (as you would expect) but others are cut much higher, leaving 15 foot high stumps. Either loggers were much taller then, or they did this logging with a lot of snow on the ground! Leave this tree graveyard behind and begin the lengthy traverse across open hillsides. The trail is clear and easy to follow.

Scattered rocky patches, tree copses, and curious troughs keep this trail interesting. Keep looking about as the great views of the Gore Range, Seven Mile Range and Holy Cross appear and change beguilingly along this route. The trail ends at a quiet but windy saddle where you can peer over into the next beautiful drainage. A bowl with a couple tiny ponds lies below and impressive mountains loom in the distance. This saddle is formed by a ridgeline descending from Uneva Peak's flank.

Note: It is a good idea to wear bright orange in the fall to be seen by hunters.

Contacts

Shared By:

Megan W

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 2 votes

#17

in Vail

#28662

Overall
  3.0 from 2 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
50%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#17

in Vail

#2,400

in Colorado

#28,662

Overall
3 Views Last Month
372 Since Sep 6, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
50%
50%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Picturesque marshy depression on the northeast side of the saddle.
Sep 6, 2015 near Frisco, CO
Along Corral Creek Trail
Jul 26, 2020 near Copper…, CO
Views of the east side of the Gore Range
Sep 6, 2015 near Frisco, CO
Views south and west towards Shrine Pass.
Sep 6, 2015 near Frisco, CO
Great views of the Gore Range.
Sep 6, 2015 near Frisco, CO
The doubletrack narrows through the wooded sections of trail
Sep 6, 2015 near Frisco, CO

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 29, 2020
Stephen Pack
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.