Booth Creek TH to Piney Lake (with bike shuttle)

[rdp32]

I'm considering sometime doing a one-night backpacking trip in which I start at Booth Creek TH and end at Piney Lake, then ride my old mountain bike back to the starting point. I have two questions for anyone who is familiar with that area:

1. Should it be relatively easy to ride a bike from Piney Lake to Booth Creek TH? I'm guessing it is all do-able (and mostly downhill) based on the map, but I have never been there in person.
2. I'm assuming this route would be best done in the direction described, going up and over East Booth Pass from Booth Lake (probably camping near Booth Lake). If the other direction is for some reason preferred, or if a different route is better (West Booth Pass?), please let me know. Or if there are other areas along the route with better campsite options than Booth Lake, please let me know as well.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

[docjohn]

Right on, the road from Piney down to Vail is usually filled with bicyclists, be aware of dumb drivers of cars. You can easily navigate your way to Booth trailhead.

[Tornadoman]

One thing to note, the last time I was at the Booth Creek TH (a couple years ago) it was a day use parking lot only with signs saying that no overnight parking was allowed. I know there is overnight parking just south of the interstate near the East Vail exit which isn't too far away.

[Bill G]

The car /bike part is fairly simple. Getting from Booth Lake to Piney Lake if you've never done either before---not so much. There is no trail and the scramble is either class 3 or class 4. Major scree fields. It's doable but it may suck.

[rdp32]

Thanks all. I'm assuming the Piney side would easier to find a safer spot to stash the bike (just chained to a tree or something)? I've never been there, but I'm guessing it gets less traffic over there?

Although it sounds like East Booth Pass may be too hard for me based on Bill G's comment. I don't mind the "no trail" part (I actually like it), but the Class 3/4 sounds a little harder than what I wanted (for some reason I was thinking that pass would go at Class 2+/3-; not sure where I got that impression from)

[Barnold41]

Like Bill said, there's really no "easy" way down from that side. Typical Gore steep af. The views are incredible from E. Booth Pass, tho.

[Jorts]

Like Bill said, there's really no "easy" way down from that side. Typical Gore steep af. The views are incredible from E. Booth Pass, tho.

Came back through East Booth last autumn after doing the Rockinghorse from U to P. It didn’t exceed 2nd class. People exaggerate.

[Jorts]

Thanks all. I'm assuming the Piney side would easier to find a safer spot to stash the bike (just chained to a tree or something)? I've never been there, but I'm guessing it gets less traffic over there?

Although it sounds like East Booth Pass may be too hard for me based on Bill G's comment. I don't mind the "no trail" part (I actually like it), but the Class 3/4 sounds a little harder than what I wanted (for some reason I was thinking that pass would go at Class 2+/3-; not sure where I got that impression from)

You’ll be fine. It’s not 4th class. 2+/3- is accurate.

[rdp32]

Thanks all. I'm assuming the Piney side would easier to find a safer spot to stash the bike (just chained to a tree or something)? I've never been there, but I'm guessing it gets less traffic over there?

Although it sounds like East Booth Pass may be too hard for me based on Bill G's comment. I don't mind the "no trail" part (I actually like it), but the Class 3/4 sounds a little harder than what I wanted (for some reason I was thinking that pass would go at Class 2+/3-; not sure where I got that impression from)

You’ll be fine. It’s not 4th class. 2+/3- is accurate.

Thanks jorts. Maybe I'll go for it after all. If anyone else has any opinions on East Booth Pass (or West Booth Pass, for that matter), please chime in