Length:
9 miles (one way)
Trail Use: Moderate
Difficulty:
More Difficult
Open To: Hiking, Horseback
Beginning Elevation:
7,835 ft.
Ending Elevation: 11,086 ft.
Elevation Gain:
+3251 ft.
USGS Map(s): Minturn, Grouse Mtn
Access From Vail
:
Travel west on I-70 to exit 171 for Minturn and Highway 24. Turn right and follow Hwy 24 south for approximately 1 mile to the trailhead, which is located on the right side of the Highway. The trailhead is located across from the
Meadow
Mountain
Business
Park.
Trail Highlights
:
From the trailhead follow the dirt road through pastureland for approximately 1/4 mile where the road turns left. The trail begins here and continues straight before reaching a fork where the
Grouse Lake Trail goes left. Stay on the right trail, which quickly enters dense stands of conifers. The trail climbs rapidly, passes
Waterdog
Lake at 4.5 miles, enters the Holy Cross Wilderness at mile 4.6, and passes
Olsen
Lake at mile 5.4. At mile 6.8, you will pass the junction with the seldom used Grouse
Mountain Trail just before crossing the north ridge of
Grouse
Mountain. From here the trail descends to
Turquoise
Lakes and the headwaters of Beaver Creek.
Comments
:
Side trips can include
Waterdog
Lake,
Olsen
Lake, and the
Grouse
Mountain summit. Maps are highly encouraged, as you will be traveling off trail.
Grouse
Mountain offers views of the Sawatch and
Gore
Ranges. During the spring and summer months, wildflowers are in bloom at the many open fields and slopes that are found along the trail.
