Dowd Canyon already being enjoyed by bikers, paddlers
Ken Hoeve/Courtesy photo
The Gore Valley Trail through Dowd Junction enjoyed its earliest ever opening last week, part of a swath of hard trail openings in the town of Vail. Soft trails surrounding the town including the North Trail, Buffehr Creek and Son of Middle Creek trails will close for elk calving season on April 15.
The Gore Valley Trail represents an important connection in Eagle County — it’s the only way through Dowd Junction between Vail and EagleVail besides Interstate 70.
Spring openings for the Gore Valley Trail also come with increased dangers on the trail if more snow comes this season. Users are advised to use extreme caution during or after storms due to snowplowing activity on Interstate 70.
The trail will need to reclose again April 6-20 due to work being undertaken by the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District.
The Eagle River through Dowd Canyon has also seen activity from paddlers in recent weeks. Local kayaker Ken Hoeve paddled it on Saturday and confirmed it was runnable, but said catching it on the right day could be difficult this time of year.
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“The Eagle definitely isn’t on a schedule,” he said. “It’s more about its mood — you need to catch it while it’s feeling generous, however long that may be.”
