Mountain Biking--Vail Valley Trails
Beginner Trails
Tigiwon: 16 miles. Start riding from the gate at Gore Creek campground. Ride about two miles toward Vail Pass and look for the Two Elk trailhead on the right. Ride over Black Gore Creek and under the interstate. From here, the trail starts to climb. This section of the trail to Two Elk pass is difficult and strenuous due to the steep grade. As the riders near the pass they are rewarded with great views of the surrounding mountains.
From the pass, the single-track descends into the Two Elk drainage. The trail passes through Vail’s famous Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin as it continues west. The route intersects with the Sleepytime trail at the bottom of the Orient Express chairlift. Stay left through this section and rejoin the single-track. From here, the ride becomes more technical and riders must negotiate rocks, roots and an occasional drop-off. The trail ends on the south end of Minturn near the shooting range.
Two Elk ride
West trailhead parking: Drive west on Interstate 70 Exit 171 Minturn. Head south on Highway 24 for about 2.5 miles to Cemetery Road. Turn left on Cemetery Road and continue to a fork. Take the right fork and when the road forks again, take the left fork and continue driving to the end of the road.
East trailhead parking: Drive east on Interstate 70 to Exit 180 East Vail. Turn right and take Bighorn Rd to Gore Creek Campground. Parking is available along the road.
Gore Valley Trail: The Gore Valley Trail is a paved multi-use path that stretches almost 10 miles from Dowd Junction to East Vail.
Drive on Interstate 70 to Vail Exit 176. Go west on the south frontage road and park at the Lionshead parking structure. Access the Gore Valley Trail through Lionshead Village.
Eagle Valley Trail Edwards: The Eagle Valley Trail can be ridden in either direction from the Riverwalk in Edwards. Going east will take riders 2.0 miles to Squaw Creek Rd. This section of trail parallels Highway 6; first on the south side and then crossing over to the north side at the traffic light in the trailer park. Be cautious; this area is heavily used by pedestrians.
Going west will take riders first along the Eagle River and then later along the north side of Highway 6. The trail eventually joins the river again as it cruises into Avon.
Drive Interstate 70 west to Exit 163 Edwards. Parking is available in the Edwards Riverwalk Center.