Trail of the Week: North Trail in Vail
DISTANCE: 5 miles
ACTIVITIES: Mainly biking, hiking allowed
DIFFICULTY RATING: Advanced TIME: 1 hour
ELEVATION GAIN: -2,800 feet
TYPE: Singletrack
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SEASON: Mid-summer and fall
PARKING: This trail can be done as part of a big loop or a shuttle ride. Park at the Vail Village or Lionshead parking garages or the U.S. Forest Service parking lot outside of Minturn on U.S. Highway 24.
Known as the “summer Minturn Mile,” this rollicking backcountry descent from Vail Mountain’s Back Bowls into Minturn echoes the famous Minturn Mile backcountry ski route.
Cougar Ridge starts from the Grand Traverse trail on Vail Mountain, where you’ll see a left turn fork and warning signs that you are leaving the resort property.
Cougar Ridge is one of the best downhill mountain bike rides in the Vail Valley, offering 4 miles and 2,000 feet of descending to Minturn. The first part of this trail is relatively mellow, with gentle turns and nice mountain views through meadows and pine forests. In the summer of 2020, in partnership with the Forest Service, the VVMTA hired professional trail builders McGill Trails to reroute the trail and build 1.75 miles of fun, fast and flowy trail. Toward the bottom, you’ll spot a turnoff for Lionshead Rock, a well-known local landmark that overlooks Minturn and the surrounding valley. Take in the views before heading to the bottom, where Cougar Ridge intersects with Game Creek Trail. Head left into Minturn to pedal by road back to your car, or hang right to continue on Game Creek Trail, which heads back up to Vail Mountain.
LOCAL TIP: End this epic loop at the Minturn Saloon, where you can keep up the winter tradition of finishing your backcountry adventure with Mexican grub and a margarita.
