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A nice, relatively quick loop right from Vail Village.


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Map Key

7.8

Miles

12.5

KM

45%

Singletrack

9,669' 2,947 m

High

8,259' 2,517 m

Low

1,469' 448 m

Up

1,469' 448 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

The singletrack is closed closed May 1 - June 20th

Overview

Working your way up Red Sandstone Rd isn't great - there can be a lot of cars on weekends, but you get a surprisingly long and fun singletrack for all that work. Cool views of the ski area, but you definitely won't feel like you're off in the wilderness.

Description

Starting at the Spraddle Creek Trailhead near the main Vail exit, grind your way up Red Sandstone Rd. The grade is moderate, but it's over 1,500 vertical to gain, so take your time. On weekends, cars can be annoying, but the road is wide and fairly safe for them to pass.

After a couple miles, you come to a fork in the road. Red Sandstone goes straight (the left option) and you would follow it to get to Bufferhr Creek trail or to the Piney Lake area. For this ride, you take the right option, which is called Lost Lake Road.

Stay on that road for only a couple hundred feet, and look for the singletrack (signed) heading off to the right.

The trail is a pleasant climb for 200 more vertical feet, and then the descent starts. The forest in this area is partially dead (pine bark beetles), but most of it is spectacular aspen groves. Smooth singletrack and great views abound.

After a couple miles of descending, you reach the North Trail (East). Take a right to get back to Red Sandstone Road and a short descent to where you started (shown here). Alternatively, take a left on the North trail for a longer option that includes more singletrack and a longer descent. This will spit you out right at the main Vail highway exit. Take the frontage road a couple tenths of a mile back to your car.

Contacts

Shared By:

Nick Wilder with improvements by Brian Gillette

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 11 votes

#3

in Vail

#2692

Overall
  3.5 from 11 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
55%
3 Star
45%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#3

in Vail

#399

in Colorado

#2,692

Overall
1 Views Last Month
6,976 Since Oct 10, 2012
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Photos

An Aspen alley on Son of Middle Creek.
Oct 12, 2015 near Vail, CO
Great views on a nice descent through the aspens.
Jun 6, 2013 near Vail, CO
A great trail for fall color.
Sep 16, 2016 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

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