Grouse Area Trails
This loop links Grouse Creek, Half Nelson, Meadow Mountain, Full Nelson, Grouse Lake, Haymeadow and the Ditch Trail into 10.2 miles with 2,300 feet of climbing. In 2022 the VVMTA extended Full Nelson to connect West Grouse Creek with Grouse Lake and built the Ditch Trail from Haymeadow to Grouse Lake, opening more of the lower Grouse Lake trail to bikes. West Grouse Creek and Grouse Lake both deliver rocky, fast, technical descending, while Haymeadow is exposed doubletrack. Add Whiskey Creek and Everkrisp for the 20-mile, 4,500-foot Meadow Mountain MEGA.
10.2 mi
2,300 ft gain
1 hr 45 min
Advanced
Highlights
- Rocky, fast technical descending
- Multiple shorter loop options via Full Nelson
- Extendable to the Meadow Mountain MEGA
- Wilderness boundary above the bike-legal section
Trailhead & parking
Grouse Trailhead, Highway 6 and 24
Park at the Grouse trailhead on Highway 6 and 24, about half a mile from I-70. If it's full, park across the street at Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea.
Directions- Season & conditions
- Best midsummer to late fall; late spring can be muddy.
- About this data
- Distance, elevation, difficulty, time and route details are stated in the article. Coordinates from public map data.