VC50 COVID19 Protocol
Hike Name: Ptarmigan Loop / Kinkinnick Trail
RT Mileage: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 767 feet
Level: Blue
Pace: 1.0 miles per hour
Meeting Time: 9:15 am at bottom of gondola in Lionshead
Hike Start Time: 9:45 am Top of Eagle’s Nest
Approx. End Time: 4 hours
Location: We will meet at the bottom of Gondola 19 (Eagle Bahn) and ride to the top of Eagles Nest
Hike Description:
This is the perfect time of year to do this hike for the wildflowers and the views. We will begin our hike at the top of Eagles Nest and head to the Ridge Route trail. The trail surface is generally packed dirt and wide. The trail intersects with Ptarmigan Loop near the top but officially ends at the summit of Game Creek bowl.
Ptarmigan Loop trail is a mostly flat loop that can be done in either direction. The trail surface is smooth packed dirt so you can safely raise your eyes to admire the abundant flowers and look for late season mushrooms. Salute the two carved wooden figures and share their views of Mt. Holy Cross, Meadow Mountain, Gore Range and the back bowls of Vail.
We will travel along the ridge of Sunlight trail and connect to the Kinnkinnick Trail. We will enter the woods for the relief of dense forested shade. Keep an eye out for mushrooms here in the fall and for scattered rock formations which make for fun scrambling. We will descend the trail gradually with gentle switchbacks and end up at Mid Vail for lunch and a ride down the gondola to complete the hike. (Note that our end point is Vail Village rather than Lionshead, with a short walk or bus ride between the two.)
Special Instructions:
Important: All participants must have a lift ticket to ride the gondola.
Lunch: We will stop at Mid Vail for lunch. Bring your own or you can purchase lunch at the BBQ.