Grouse Lake Trail #2127

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Check out nearby Minturn when you're finished before heading back to I-70.

Good footing for running. No loose rocks. Several easy to navigate creek crossings.

The trail starts from a parking lot on US 24 and follows a dirt road for about 0.5 miles. Along this section is access to Haymeadow to the east and Meadow Mountain to the west (via the Half Nelson Trail # 2120.1B ). Shortly after entering the woods and becoming singletrack the trail has a fork. West Grouse Creek Trail #2129 to the right and Grouse Lake Trail #2127 to the left. Follow #2127 to the left. It will follow Grouse Creek (crisscrossing it several times) all the way to Grouse Lake.

At about 1.7 miles is an intersection with another connector trail to Meadow Mountain (Full Nelson Trail heading west). At about 1.9 miles is an intersection with an unmarked trail at a "No bikes beyond this point" sign. This trail heads back north along the top of the eastern ridge of the valley and connects with Haymeadow. Be careful not to take this trail by mistake on the way down. It's not a big deal if you do because you'll end up back at the same parking lot. This trail offers good access for skiing Haymeadow.

The trail enters the Holy Cross Wilderness just before reaching the lake. Be sure to complete a self serve permit here if you plan to stay overnight. Once you reach the lake there are views of Grouse Mountain and plenty of places to dispersed camp.

Aspens and lodgepole pines galore. Wildflowers in the summer. Elk, mule deer, moose, black bears, pikas, gray squirrels, chipmunks. I'm not great at identifying birds, but I heard many calls, saw magpies, and birds of prey.