Hikes at the top of Vail Ski area

[Eph 2 5]

Later this summer we're planning to take one of the gondolas to the top of the Vail ski area. Are there hiking trails at the top? If so, do they give you better or different views than what you see at the top of the gondola ride? It looks like there are great views of the Gore Range from the top of the ski area. Thanks in advance for your help.

[peter303]

You start getting great views when get above the treeline.
And if you walk to the top of a ridge and beyond you often see something nice and different.

[mtnmaneric]

Here's your Vail Mountain summer trail map:

http://www.vail.com/~/media/Vail/Files/ ... ailMap.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ridge Route to Sunlight down to Mid-Vail would make for a nice loop!

[Chicago Transplant]

You can hike the short Eagles Loop trail for great Holy Cross Views, and then take the Ridge Route across the back of Game Creek for views to the west, and come back on the Grand Escape trail for views of the Gore. If you wanted to, you could hike Fireweed from Eagle Bahn to the new Gondola One and ride both Gondolas, or even hike Berry Picker all the way down to Lionshead. I've done some these with my parents in the summer and they enjoyed it, not as much work as hiking uphill!