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A great cross country descent when you're tired of lapping the gondola.


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Map Key

10.7

Miles

17.3

KM

40%

Singletrack

10,308' 3,142 m

High

7,743' 2,360 m

Low

367' 112 m

Up

2,578' 786 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

32%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

Enjoying all that free downhill vertical from the gondola rides, but tired of the crowds or looking for something a bit more cross-country? This is a great alternative. Cougar Ridge is another great option nearby and has been rebuilt with bikes in mind.

Description

From the Eagle Bahn gondola, head west on the paved path (Eagle's Loop) to its farthest point. Pass some warning signs (saying that you're leaving the ski area), and head through meadows straight down the beautiful ridge. You eventually come to an unsigned intersection: the right branch is the Matterhorn Trail (harder, but a shorter loop that ends in West Vail). This Game Creek Trail ride takes the left branch, which turns back sharply to the left and heads into lower Game Creek bowl. A pleasant descent through the aspens ends near the creek in a peaceful meadow.

You now follow the creek all the way down to Minturn. There's one short technical section where a rock slide covered the trail, but otherwise it's smooth sailing.

The trail end is kind of weird - basically in somebody's back yard - but it's completely legal (with National Forest signage and all). From here, follow the neighborhood road to the bike path and cruise back to the gondola for another lap!

Contacts

Shared By:

Nick Wilder

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 8 votes

#4

in Vail Resort

#2337

Overall
  4.0 from 8 votes
5 Star
13%
4 Star
75%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#4

in Vail Resort

#357

in Colorado

#2,337

Overall
5 Views Last Month
12,526 Since Nov 2, 2012
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Wildflowers in July
Jul 6, 2013 near Minturn, CO
It's like a powder day on your bike!  Superb trail in superb aspens.
Apr 12, 2013 near Vail, CO
Outrunning a rain shower, heading down the top portion of Game Creek from the top of Vail Mountain.  So sweet!
Jul 9, 2017 near Vail, CO
So close to the top!
Oct 7, 2019 near Vail, CO
Fantastic flowers in July
Jul 9, 2013 near Minturn, CO
July flowers on the Gore Creek Valley Trail
Jul 6, 2013 near Vail, CO
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Current Trail Conditions

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