Kinnickinnick

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Mostly smooth dirt surface, a little off-camber in a few places.

From the top of Gondola One at Mid-Vail, head downhill towards the 10th Restaurant. About 1/2 way to the restaurant, pick up the skinny path heading uphill towards the west. The initial 50 feet on the Kinnickinnick Trail have been re-routed to share with the beginning of the Meadows Loop Trail. Signs at the junction direct Kinnickinnick hikers southeast and behind the 10th Restaurant. The first half of Kinnickinnick criss-crosses many ski runs and remains fairly exposed through flowery meadows. Don't be put off by the occasional steep sections in the beginning, the trail eases considerably after crossing some adorable mountain streams.

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. The smooth trail gains elevation gradually with gentle switchbacks, finally ending at a junction with the midpoint of Sunlight Trail.