North Trail Snowshoe (Red Sandstone Road West)

Distance: 4 miles round trip
Elevation: 8,240 ft - 9,040 ft
Elevation Gain: 800 ft (net) 919 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: On leash but many off
Tags: #snowshoe, #winter, #coloradooutdoors, #vail

A typical segment on the North Trail...this time looking back to the east and a hillside covered with Aspens. 

North Trail, across the valley from the Vail Ski Resort, is 11.5 miles long but with parking lots interspersed every 3 to 4 miles, you can easily break it up into segments.  On this trip we started at the parking lot on Red Sandstone Road and headed west.

Map of the entire North Trail

Trailhead

In all honesty we did not even know that this trail existed until we decided to try and snowshoe up Red Sandstone Road out of Vail. In looking at the trail map we noticed North Creek and ended stopping at the trailhead on our way up just out of curiosity. When we discovered that Red Sandstone Road was 100% snowmobiles, as evidenced by the caravan of trucks and trailers parked all along the road, we decided to try the North Trail instead.

Looking south on an early switchback 

Looking at Red Sandstone Road and Vail 

This segment of the North Trail switchbacks and switchbacks up the north side of Vail Valley in an seemingly endless procession. In fact the switchbacks are really only about a mile and the views of Vail are rather revealing. At 1.5 miles the trail entered a beautiful and extensive Aspen Grove (fall hike anyone?) that is deep within a quiet crenelation further from the noise of I-70.  For a short hike this would make a suitable destination although there was no place to sit down. We decided to continue for another half mile to see where the trail led and ended up eating lunch on a nice log protruding from the snow with views of Mt. Holy Cross to the south and the Gore Range to the east.

The view from an upper switchback

Looking back to the east.  Note the narrow trail and steep hillside. 

It was obvious from the well packed trail that this route is popular with the locals. Because of the steepness, and narrowness of the route, we wore our Microspikes, which had all the grip we needed.  Do not attempt this trail without some sort of gripping footwear or you will slide down the hillside faster than a gold-medal winning toboggan team!

The Aspen Grove at 1.5 miles

The view of the Gore Range from our lunch spot at 2.0 miles

While not a wilderness experience, this trail was fun and practically balmy on a sunny day. We saw only two people the entire time.  I will have to check this trail out in the fall.  Note that the trail is closed from April 15th - June 15th for wildlife preservation.

Below is a shameless ad for the Microspikes we wore on this trip.  They really are a winter essential.

Lily Lake

Distance: 0.9 mile loop
Elevation: 8,930 ft
Elevation Gain: none
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes
Dogs: No, National Park
Date Hiked: 7 July 2013

Lily Lake with Mt. Meeker, Long's Peak, and Estes Cone in the background 

Lily Lake on the outskirts of Rocky Mountain National Park is a handicapped accessible stroll filled with views of Long's Peak, Estes Cone, and Twin Sisters. Suitable for families and older folks, I took my parents there and was agog at the baby ducklings, swooping Peregrine Falcons, and fluffy blue clouds. Just lovely.

Looking up at Lily Ridge, which is not in the park. There is a 1.7 mile trail that ascends the ridge.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels are always willing to pose for the camera. Just don't feed them!

While Lily Lake won't get your heart rate up, it will put you in a contemplate mood. From the numerous oil painters lining the shore and fishermen floating on their pontoons, it was obvious that others felt the same way.

Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) along the trail

A log bench allows for repose along route. Twins sisters soars in the background. 

You get to Lily Lake from Highway 7 at the Twin Sisters Trailhead. There is a small parking lot at the lake itself and a larger one for Twin Sisters across the street. Cars whip by at bone crunching speed so be careful crossing the road. We arrived at 10:00 am and a half a hour later both lots and all the slots along the road were filled. Who were these people? Lilly Lake is not exactly in the main part of the park.

The smooth, gravel trail is suitable for all abilities.

These Mallard ducklings were a hit as they drifted near the shore.

One of the many painters we saw.