Click on photo to see part of the trail loop into Trail Creek
Estates.
In the distance are Little and Big Gravel Mountain. There is a
groomed
trail that runs through the meadows at the base of the snowy
ridges. If the
day is young and the weather is fair, you can enjoy this high and
exposed
area. Directly in front is the upper reaches of Trail Creek
Valley. The
easiest trail into it is narrow and about a hundred yards to the
left along
the southern edge of this open area. There is another route that
heads off
to the right through the gap in the aspen grove shown above.
Scroll down
for detailed maps. You leave the groomed trail here and need to be
careful.
There are a couple of narrow bridge crossings over the creek to
challenge
you if you take the gentle looking northern route.
Scroll down for a drawing of the trails as seen from the white
clearing
directly across the valley.
The white area in the center of the map is the clearing shown in
the photo
at the top.The portion of the loop to the left (north) feels like
the easiest
trail until you get to the two bridge crossings near the sharp jog
in the lower
middle. The trail to the right (south) is narrow, steep and
winding as it crosses
the contours. It quickly gets you to where the paths level out on
the valley floor.
The drawing above is looking to the south. The long valley to the
right is Trail
Creek Valley. The routes into the valley shown here form a loop.
The groomed trail
is the straight one down the middle and running off to the left
towards Idleglenn and
Lake Granby shown in the distance. Scroll down for a wider map.
This map has north at the top and covers a lot more territory. The
Idleglenn staging
area is off the map to the right. The lower left portion of the
map shows the County
Road 41 for cars and trucks into Trail Creek Estates. It is not
designed for snowmobile
or off-highway vehicle use. Below are links to three homes for
sale in the Trail
Creeks Estates area. The presentations for these homes include
additional maps.
The upper left portion of the map shows the National Forest route
into and out of
Trail Creek Estates.
Click on the map to be on the trail descending into Trail Creek Estates.
Grand Lake Trail Grooming has created an excellent foldout
map of the trail system that can be picked up for free from
retailers or
the Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce. Donations are appreciated
and can be sent to Grand Lake Trail Groomers, Inc., P.O. Box 1247,
Grand Lake, CO 80447.
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