Summit County Citizens Voice

Vail Mountain's bike trails are open for the summer.

Resort working on new intermediate and beginner bike trails for next summer

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — In a sure sign that summer has finally arrived in the Colorado high country, Vail Resorts announced last week that the Grand Traverse — a signature mountain bike trail on Vail Mountain — is  open for the season.

Trails crews worked until late in the week to remove the last bits of snow from the ridgetop ride that features spectacular views of the Holy Cross Wilderness and the Gore Range.

From Eagle’s Nest, the 4.9 mile trail starts out easy as it loops through Game Creek Bowl and becomes increasingly difficult as it wraps around the top of Sun Down Bowl. Mountain bikers can exit Grand Traverse at Wildwood or Patrol Headquarters to Kloser’s Klimb.

“With the Grand Traverse now open, summer has officially arrived for mountain bikers in the Vail Valley,” said Julie Rust, director of Vail Ski Patrol and the summer signs and closures crew. “Our team has been working hard to remove the last few remnants of winter on the trail and it’s now in great shape for riding.”

Rust and others from Vail Mountain are working closely with the U.S. Forest Service and the International Mountain Bicycling Association on adding two new gondola-served mountain bike trails in an effort to enhance the lower- and intermediate-level mountain bike experience.

The first new trail, appropriate for lower-level riders, will begin at Eagle’s Nest, winding west below the upper portion of the Eagle Bahn Gondola through the trees. The second trail, geared toward intermediate riders, will also begin at Eagle’s Nest, wrapping below the Eagle Bahn Gondola toward the western side of the mountain. Both trails will connect midway down the mountain allowing riders to continue on to Lionshead. Construction on the trails is underway this summer with access beginning next summer as conditions permit.

Bike hauls are available on the Eagle Bahn Gondola. All hiking and biking trails are currently open for the summer season with the exception of the Kinnickinnick and Sunlight hiking trails, which will open as conditions permit. Trail updates are posted in the Vail Village and Lionshead base areas as well as at Eagle’s Nest.

As always, guests are reminded to obey all posted signs and closures. Helmets and sturdy shoes with a good tread are recommended for bicyclists at all times and all bikes must have two working hand brakes. All mountain bikers must obey the National Off-Road Bicycle Association code, printed on Vail Mountain’s summer trail map.

Filed under: biking, Colorado, recreation, Ski Resorts, Summit County Colorado, Vail Resorts Tagged: | Colorado mountain biking, mountain biking, Summit County News, Vail Grand Traverse trail, Vail mountain biking