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North Trail: Eastern Section

Intermediate/Difficult
 3.5 (12)

Lovely singletrack through aspen groves with big views.


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Map Key

1.5

Miles

2.4

KM

Singletrack

9,418' 2,870 m

High

8,598' 2,621 m

Low

820' 250 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

17%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Trail is subject to a USFS seasonal wildlife closure from 4/15 - 6/20 to protect deer and elk during calving season

Description

Note that the North Trail is three fairly distinct trail segments: this one, North Trail - Middle Section, and my favorite North Trail - Western Section.

This trail can be ridden point to point in either direction, though it's almost always used as a downhill finish to Son of Middle Creek. So I'll describe it three ways:

1. From the intersection with Son of Middle Creek, go west down fairly dense aspen forest with more nice views of Vail and Mount of the Holy Cross. It's fast, smooth, and pretty easy - rated intermediate going up or down.

2. From the same intersection, you can also go east. This direction has a skinnier, steeper trail that sees much less bike traffic. The narrow trail has steep drop-offs and a couple rock steps that you might need to walk. It's mostly intermediate going downhill, but probably advanced going uphill.

3. Going point to point in either direction works too, and either way you'll have a big climb and a big descent. West to east is the easier direction, and you'll get a longer singletrack descent.

This trail gets pretty hot in the middle of the day in summer - it's fairly exposed on the full south-facing slopes.

Contacts

Shared By:

Nick Wilder with improvements by Sam Chipkin

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 12 votes

#8

in Vail

#12778

Overall
  3.5 from 12 votes
5 Star
17%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
50%
2 Star
8%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#8

in Vail

#1,311

in Colorado

#12,778

Overall
1 Views Last Month
1,172 Since Jun 6, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
33%
22%
44%
0%

Photos

Great views on a nice descent through the aspens.
Jun 6, 2013 near Vail, CO
The transition from Son of Middle Creek to North Trail.
Oct 12, 2015 near Vail, CO
View of Vail Village
Nov 6, 2012 near Vail, CO
View of the Lionshead part of Vail
Nov 16, 2012 near Vail, CO
Towering aspens
Nov 16, 2012 near Vail, CO
North Trail has some great aspen forests.
Sep 16, 2016 near Vail, CO

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 74 days ago
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Check-Ins

Nov 2, 2017
Raúl Gross
Aug 5, 2016
Jacob Tubbs
Jul 11, 2016
All Rado
Aug 30, 2013
Gustav Wold