Grouse Lake Trail #2127
Length:
4.56 miles (one way)
Trail Use: Moderate
Difficulty:
Moderate to More Difficult
Open To: XC, Snowshoe, Snowmobile (until last .2 miles)
Beginning Elevation:
7,835 feet
Ending Elevation: 10,698 feet
Elevation Gain:
+2,863 feet
USGS Map(s): Pando
Access from Vail
: Travel west on I-70 to Exit 171 for Minturn, Leadville, and Hwy 24. Exit here and turn right (south) onto Hwy 24. Proceed south about 1 mile and the trailhead parking lot on the right is immediately after the
Trail Highlights
:
The trail follows a dirt road for the first .25 miles. At this point the road curves left, but the trail continues straight to a junction at .7 miles. At this junction, the longer West Grouse Creek Trail goes right, and the Grouse Lake Trail goes left. Follow this trail along Grouse Creek passing through aspen, pine, spruce, and fir forest and a series of meadows as you get closer to the
Lake . The trail crosses water 6 times and has several steeper sections that are all fairly short. The final climb brings you into the Holy Cross Wilderness and to
Grouse
Lake .
A marsh stretches beyond the lake toward the foot of
Grouse
Mountain and rock fields dominate the west side of the lake.
