Meadow Mountain

Solid climb up largely doubletrack/fire road. Rocky and fairly long, all very do-able, but it'll work you. Once you reach the cabin at the top, the trail turns into awesome singletrack. Meadows, wildflowers, really fast stuff into some tighter turns through aspens with a bunch of roots thrown in throughout. Great downhill after that big climb. Bit of a bummer you have to finish out the ride on the road, but the actual trail (namely downhill) makes up for it.

I'd give this 4.5 stars. Beautiful ride, long, 2200 ft sustained climb that's all very doable if you have the legs and lungs - not too steep or technical. Great downhill, mostly non-technical with occasional rooty or loose rock sections. Singletrack is tight and overgrown in places, making it a little blind. The final drop to the highway is steep, rutted and loose - kind of cheats you out of all the climbing you did at the start of the ride.

Solid trail. 2000' VF climb on jeep road. Popular for sure.

Talked to the Holy Cross Rangers today and they said the singletrack is no longer open due to a portion being located on State land and it not having the proper zoning for bicycle traffic...

Wonderful ride, went all the way up and found that at Line Cabin the singletrack downhill section is posted closed and you will be fined, I went down anyway, no fines great ride! loved the narrow singletrack can roll down it fast and stay on track. the first half of the uphill is the hardest, second half has some flat areas where you can breathe.

This is a very solid ride. In true Colorado fashion the first half is all doubletrack uphill and the second half is all singletrack downhill. The altitude makes a big difference on this giant climb, topping out close to 10,000 ft. Just as you hit the peak and begin questioning why you are putting yourself through something like this, you start to descend the downhill side and are rewarded for your hard work. The downhill is one of the most fun runs I've ever done simply because of how smooth and flowy it is. The scenery changes about four times which makes this place unique. At the top of the descent is tight winding turns through chest-high grass and flowers. The next section runs through pine trees with minimal rocks and roots. After that is an aspen grove that will undoubtedly make you stop and admire. The last bit of the trail is dry and rocky similar to many front range trails.

Some downed trees on Whiskey Creek and the final descent to HYW 6 is rutted and sketchy - enjoy the ride!

It's a bit of a grind going up (long, not challenging), but so worth it. Fun, fast, scenic, good variety and can be as challenging as you want to make it. NOT TO BE MISSED!

I fell in love with this trail. During the peak of summer this is one of the most scenic trails in Vail valley. Crazy meadows progresssing into forest, then dumping you back into blazing single track through more meadows. Super fun to blast down the single track in head high grass hoping you are ready for the next turn! Climb is only hard because it is longer, but great views the whole time. Not to mention the downhill is long and has some fun tech sections. If you want to take a shortcut back to your car...hang a right at the fork just after the fallen trees near the bottom.

Great climb (@ 3 mi of fire road, no big obstacles), stay right at the wooded fork in the fire road. Last hill climb is a tough but short one (18+%) with a rest at the cabin soon to come. Whiskey Creek downhill is the greatest reward in the valley!! Fallen tree near the beginning a bummer; grass/brush is very overgrown and makes every turn an adventure. Recommend the left fork near the bottom to take you through Eagle-Vail.

This trail is rad - one of the best in the area. Be prepared for 1:15 of straight climbing on a rocky old fire-road, but the singletrack descent is a worthy reward. Less drops that Paulie's Plunge, better flow than the Vail Mtn. trails. Tall grass & lush undergrowth can limit visibility - so it do it more than once to learn the route, for best results :)

There is a fork in the trail 3/4 the way down. Both forks are rutted, left (W, the "standard' route) is a longer option, all singletrack, but is a rutted trench in places. Right (E) is a steep & rocky fireroad, loose & rutted, but it shaves off some time and distance.

SICK Trail! Downhill section is ideal for all those who love fun, twisty singletrack through meadows and aspen groves.

CAUTION:Sheep Herd protected by Dogs Roams the upper meadows. DOGS will chase you away, and hurt bad. IF YOU SEE THE SHEEP JUST TURN AROUND AND GO BACK THE WAY YOU CAME. Its a bummer, but not worth taking the risk of getting mauled in my opinion. Holy Cross Forest Service said they will be there through September. Stop by the Office at the start of the trail and they can give you the most current information on the flock. Trail is worth riding!! Dont Let sheep deter you from checking out of the best singletracks in the eagle valley!!!

Super fun downhill! The uphill is long and not too interesting but the views are incredible. I loved this trail.

Park at the Holy Cross trailhead, as described in other reviews. I have added a GPS track for the trail. NOte the trailhead is GPS waypoint.
Double track going up, but it really is a single track, since it is not used by vehicles. Cabin at top.
Downhill single track on the other side is quite steep in spots, and very rooty in the aspen groves. Would not recommend this when wet. Note the left turn about 2/3 way down, and a right turn at the bottom, to go around the high school on the east side. (west side deadends now with building) The downhill freaked my wife, who is a good rider, so pay attention going down. Good workout going both ways; legs going up the 2500 ft vertical gain, and hands braking going down. Not my favorite, but glad I rode it.

Awesome and diverse trail. This is one of my favorite trails the country. For overall enjoyment it is up there with Soquel Demonstration in northern Cali (totally different type of trail - but I like it all - equally memorable). The ascent is constant uphill on fireroad. the views from the top are incredible. Gore range, wild life and the pond at the top is breathtaking. If you descent on the minturn side there is some tough and technical downhill. Descent on the Avon side and you get wonderful singletrack. It is a diverse trail. Lot of fun - stop by Minturn Saloon for a drink after.

This is a must do ride in the Vail Area. The climb is nothing to write home about but the descent down the other side is one you will remember for the rest of your life.* Review edited 7/20/2007