![]() ![]() In winter and summer naturalists lead snowshoe tours and nature hikes that explore the subalpine habitat atop Vail Mountain. During the winter season, Vail ski school students visit the Discovery Center as part of the ski school's SKE-Cology program, which educates youth about mountain safety and mountain ecology. The Discovery Center also provides a variety of environmental education and interpretive programs led by trained naturalists. The mountain top nature center is open during the winter and summer seasons and features an array of natural history exhibits and artifacts related to Vail Mountain life zones. Located in an all-seasons yurt adjacent to the Eagles Nest gondola atop Vail Mountain, the Nature Discovery Center has provided the visiting public with meaningful access to the wonders of the natural world since opening its doors in 2000. Nature Discovery Center atop Vail Mountain Enjoy the peace and beauty here or take a hike up the Upper Piney River Trail, but remember that the lake is surrounded by the Eagles Nest Wilderness and is closed to bikes. Here you can choose to head west toward Muddy Pass and Hwy 131, or head toward Piney Lake as your destination. The road winds its way up along Red Sandstone Creek and then Indian Creek with occasional views south over Vail Mountain, before reaching its high point near the trailhead for Lost Lake Trail. The climb is gradual and steady, and all but the very lowest of passenger cars can handle this relatively easy dirt road. This dirt road begins at the paved Red Sandstone Road near Vail and ends at either Piney Lake or Hwy 131 north of Wolcott: This road gets heavy vehicle traffic and also a fair number of mountain bike riders, so please share the road. There are many trails in the area which are not open to vehicles. Be sure to bring a good map and stay on Forest Service Roads, which are marked with vertical signs. It follows the Red and White ridgetop offering numerous scenic views from large meadows. Like many roads in the area, it gets very slick when muddy. This rough 4WD road begins at Red Sandstone Road and ends where it joins the Moniger/Muddy Pass Road: This 4-wheel drive road is moderate with some more difficult sections requiring 4wd low gear, but it can be much more difficult if conditions are wet. The ride ends at a radio tower with views of Mount of the Holy Cross and Meadow Mountain. It is rocky and rutted in sections with a constant elevation gain and a few short steep sections as it passes through aspens and open meadows with views of Dowd Junction. This wide dirt trail begins at Cortina Lane and ends at a radio tower with views of the mountains to the southwest. ![]()
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