Cougar Ridge

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildflowers

This trail was rebuilt (through October 2020) and is MUCH better than it used to be!

This trail can be enjoyed in a number of ways. The first and probably most popular way is to start from the bottom of the Game Creek Trail in Minturn, turn onto the Cougar Ridge Trail after about .4 miles, and continue to hike up until you reach a very scenic overlook which offers a view of the whole Minturn valley. You can then return back down the way you came. Another option is to hike this trail from the bottom to the top and connect into the Grand Traverse trail which accesses Vail Mountain. From there you can take a number of different routes. Lastly, if you prefer walking downhill, you can take the gondola from Vail up to Eagle's Nest where the Grand Traverse trail begins. You can take the Grand Traverse trail to Cougar Ridge and then walk all the way down to Minturn and find your way back to Vail. No matter which way you choose to enjoy this trail it offers beautiful views, and nice forests. Be on the lookout as mountain bikers use this trail often in the downhill direction, and can be moving quickly at certain parts of the trail. Keep your head up and your headphones out.