Re
d Sandstone Road #700
Length:
10.65 miles (one way)
Trail Use: Moderate
Difficulty:
Easiest
Open To: XC, Snowshoe, Snowmobile
Beginning Elevation:
8,354 feet
Ending Elevation: 9362 feet
Elevation Gain:
+1008 feet
USGS Map(s): Vail West
Access from Vail
: Exit I-70 at Vail exit 176 and take the
North Frontage Road west to
Red Sandstone Road. Turn right and follow to the winter road closure gate and park here. Be aware that there is not a lot of space for snowmobile trailers, however.
Attractions/Considerations
:
This road accesses
Piney
Lake at the foot of
Mount
Powell. The last 1/3 mile of this mapped route is privately owned by Piney River Ranch. Please respect their rules and be aware that they do run commercial snowmobile tours up this route. The Red Sandstone area consists of 63 miles of roads usable for snowmobiles. Any forest road in the area can be used except where signed for closures. Excellent views of the Gore and
Sawatch
Ranges are abundant.
Trail Highlights
:
Follow the road about 2.7 miles to an intersection with the
Lost Lake Road (#786) and continue left. At mile 6.5 you will reach another intersection. Here the
Moniger Road (#701) will split to the left. Stay right and continue to Piney Crossing at mile 9.1 where the road crosses the
Piney
River then reaches one last intersection. Meadow Creek continues straight, but turn right to reach
Piney
Lake.
Make sure to respect any signs when reaching the private property just before the lake.
