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Enjoy the slightly more "quiet" side of Vail Mountain on this path that crosses fewer roads and bike trails.


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Map Key

2.3

Miles

3.7

KM

70%

Runnable

10,125' 3,086 m

High

8,577' 2,614 m

Low

32' 10 m

Up

1,580' 482 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (8°)

53%

Max Grade (28°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail is brand-new and may not be fully open to the public. Trails at Vail in general are subject to closure or rerouting during the summer due to the snowmaking enhancement project.

Runner Notes

Fairly skinny trail, not much room to pass other users. Soon after it was created (Spring 2019), this trail surface was scraped forest floor -- meaning it was lumpy, unpacked dirt without many roots or rocks exposed. This surface will become compacted with use, and runoff is likely to uncover more roots and rocks over time.

Description

Created in the spring of 2019, this trail is a welcome addition to runner options on Vail Mountain. The Cabin Trail seems perhaps less iconic and not quite as visually pleasing as the nearby Berrypicker Trail, but it still features nice Gore Range views and abundant wildflowers. On the plus side, the Cabin Trail feels more secluded than Berrypicker due to its distance from the circus-like atmosphere of Eagles Nest and runners need not cross as many mountain bike trails.

This trail can be completed in either direction. Starting from the top, look for a marker on the Main Vail dirt road, just downhill from where chairlifts 3 & 4 depart mid-Vail. Initially, the trail descends steeply down a ridge while paralleling a ravine. This gully drains a lot of snowmelt and is a pleasant accompaniment for the start of your trek. Shady forest here protects patches of snow along the trail in springtime. Soon you'll cross this stream at a hairpin bend of the Main Vail dirt road. Traverse level ground for a time above the road, cross the road again, and then dip back into the shady forest.

After a steeper section, the trail crosses under Gondola One a few times. For the next section of trail that parallels the gondola path, the steady hum of the gondola partially obscures the otherwise noticeable birdsong. Some good views of Golden Peak and the Gore Range are available where the forest canopy opens to let in more sunlight into small meadows. Overall, the trail is moderately steep with many small ups and downs, winding around boulders and between trees.

After a few small stream crossings, the ground gets boggy in places providing habitat for more wildflowers. Persevere though a couple of less appealing areas (where the trail encounters piles of downed trees and scattered limbs), because the highlight of the trail is coming up next! Arguably the best part of the Cabin Trail is near the bottom, where it meanders through a huge grove of mature aspen trees. These stately specimens shade a dense undergrowth of delightful wildflowers. Savor the burbling brook nearby.

All too soon, you emerge onto the "Head First" ski run and descend to the Main Vail dirt road where the trail abruptly ends. To reach Vail Village via Strawberry Lane, go downhill to the east.

Although the Cabin Trail only reaches Mid-Vail, it makes a nice link-up when combined with Kinnickinnick at the top and the lower part of Strawberry Lane. In this way, you can create a great top-to-bottom running experience!

Flora & Fauna

Lupine, columbine, and other wildflowers abound. Deer.

Contacts

Shared By:

Megan W

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 3 votes

#5

in Vail Resort

#11920

Overall
  4.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#5

in Vail Resort

#1,066

in Colorado

#11,920

Overall
2 Views Last Month
3,113 Since Jul 10, 2019
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

Gondola One with the Gore range in the background.
Jul 10, 2019 near Vail, CO
Lots of spring runoff flows through this ravine.
Jul 10, 2019 near Vail, CO
That all used to be snow!
Jul 10, 2019 near Vail, CO
Peek-a-boo views of the Gore Range to the east.
Jul 10, 2019 near Vail, CO
Beautiful large grove of mature aspens.
Jul 10, 2019 near Vail, CO
Lupine and other wildflowers line the lower reaches of the Cabin Trail.
Jul 10, 2019 near Vail, CO

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