Facility · Colorado ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
White River National Forest (NF) · Open Access
The Pitkin Trail begins in East Vail and ends at Pitkin Lake: The first mile of the trail is strenuous as it climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley. The grade levels out somewhat as the trail passes through mature aspen groves and spruce-fir forests and a series of moraines from an ancient glacial retreat. After about 2.5 miles, steep switchbacks reveal the first of two waterfalls on Pitkin Creek about 200 yards to the east. After a number of false summits, the trail reaches Pitkin Lake, nestled beneath an arc of gray granite in the alpine tundra.
* There is a printable Recreation Quicksheet for this trail which is complete with directions, a map, details, and other information about this trail. Or to see quicksheets for other recreation areas across the Forest, click on the "Recreation Quicksheets" link in the right column and select the appropriate Ranger District.
39.64308, -106.30307 · 39°38'35.1"N 106°18'11.1"W
Typically 77°F in Jul, down to 28°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 29 | 33 | 42 | 49 | 60 | 71 | 77 | 74 | 67 | 54 | 38 | 28 |
| Low °F | 7 | 9 | 17 | 24 | 31 | 36 | 42 | 41 | 34 | 25 | 15 | 7 |
| Precip in | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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