Pitkin Lake Trail

Pitkin Lake is the biggest climb of the East Vail creek trails: nearly 3,000 feet in 4.8 miles from the interstate to a lake at 11,300 feet under the Gore Range peaks, with two waterfalls on the way and the Eagles Nest Wilderness for all but the first few hundred yards. It is a full day from a trailhead a few minutes off I-70, and it is quieter than Booth Falls because the lake is farther.

From the trailhead beside the interstate, the trail climbs briefly to escape the road noise and settles into the Pitkin Creek valley, following the creek through aspen and then spruce. The first waterfall, a cascade over a rock band, is about 2 miles in, and the trail steepens above it. The second falls, higher and louder, comes at about 3.5 miles where the valley narrows.

Above the second falls the trail climbs through the last of the trees into open meadow and willow, and the valley opens into a cirque with the Gore peaks on three sides. Pitkin Lake sits at the head of it at about 11,300 feet, with a small island and cliffs behind. Return the same way; the total is 9.7 miles.

Take I-70 exit 180 for East Vail, go north under the highway, and turn right on Fall Line Drive; the trailhead lot is a small paved area at the end of the road near the Pitkin Creek townhomes with about 17 marked spaces and a portable toilet, and the Forest Service asks hikers to park in town and ride the free Vail bus to East Vail instead, because the lot fills and street parking is ticketed. Parking is limited to the lot and enforced; the town bus stops nearby on the frontage road. No fee or permit. Booth Falls, Gore Creek, and Deluge Lake trailheads are all within 3 miles along the same frontage road.

Dogs are allowed on leash in the wilderness, which is most of the route. The climb is long for young kids. Carry two liters and a filter; the creek is beside the trail most of the way. The trailhead is at 8,500 feet and the lake is nearly 3,000 feet higher, so people just arrived in Vail feel it. The creek crossings above the second falls run high in June. Vail is 5 minutes away with every service, and the Vail hikes page has the neighbors: Gore Lake, the other big East Vail day, and Upper Piney River Falls, the flat one.