Game Creek Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

This is a tough climb or descent, but if you're looking for some solitude away from the ski area, this is a good bet. You can start at the top by riding the gondola, or go up and down from Minturn.

If doing it one-way from the top of the ski area: leave the ski area and leave the crowds behind as you head down the ridge west of Eagle Bahn gondola terminal. You'll be on top of the ridge for a while in great aspens. Turn left at the one intersection (the Matterhorn trail goes to the right). Follow an old road to a beautiful meadow and Game Creek. Follow the creek down mostly easy trail for quite a while until near the end, where you leave the creek and pop out in a small neighborhood right in Minturn.

Though the trail is not hard, it feels much more remote than most Vail trails and is something of an adventure.

The aspen forest is spectacular, and depending on the time of year, you might find wildflowers, elk, deer, moose, and maybe a snake on a sunny rock.