Son of Middle Creek Trail Guide

The trail isn’t named for a person. It’s named for a geological event that happened roughly ten million years ago, when a massive landslide dammed the creek and created a lake that eventually drained. You’re riding through the scar tissue of a mountain.

That’s the reality of Son of Middle Creek. It’s not a gentle stroll through the woods. It’s a nine-mile loop that demands respect, and it’s currently sitting at the top of the list for anyone with a mountain bike and a death wish for their quads.

Here’s the thing though: most people don’t realize they’re standing on a historic debris field. The trail follows the path of that ancient avalanche, winding through aspen glades and rocky plunges that offer some of the best views of the Vail Valley you’ll find on a single ride. But the view is secondary to the grind.

The route starts at the Spraddle Creek trailhead, just off the main Vail exit roundabout. It’s a convenient spot, sure, but it’s also a logistical headache if you’re not prepared. You park your car, and then you head west on North Frontage Road, turning onto Red Sandstone Road. You drive up until the pavement ends and the dirt begins, hitting that second switchback where the real work starts.

The first two miles are on FS 700, a large dirt road that doubles as a thoroughfare for cars. It’s dusty. It’s a grind. You’re sharing the space with vehicles heading toward Piney Lake, and the noise of engines cuts through the silence of the forest. It’s not exactly the immersive experience hikers might expect, but it’s the price of admission for the technical stuff that follows.

Once you hit the intersection for Piney Lake, you take the right turn toward Lost Lake. A few hundred feet later, you’ll spot the trail on your right. This is where the singletrack begins.

The difficulty rating is intermediate, which is a polite way of saying it will hurt. The elevation gain is 1,646 feet. You’ll climb through pine forests, cross a few streams, and tackle several false summits that make you think you’re almost at the top, only to keep going. The time estimate is 1.5 to 2 hours by bike, but if you’re dragging your gear or stopping for photos, you’ll be out there longer.

And then there’s the descent. It’s ripping. It’s twisting. It’s the kind of downhill that makes you forget about the climb you just endured. You’ll take the right-hand route at the T-junction, dropping down the North Trail before reconnecting with FS 700. From there, it’s another 1,000 feet of downhill that dumps you back at your car.

If you want to make it harder, you can extend the ride. Just past the turnoff, you can continue to Lost Lake. It adds about 11 miles to the total, creating a challenging, rocky loop. Hikers love this version because it’s less crowded than Piney Lake. It’s a quieter alternative, a chance to escape the crowds without leaving the Vail valley.

The trail is closed from April 15 to June 20 for wildlife protection. That’s not a suggestion. It’s a rule. The RA Nelson and Town of Vail employees who maintain the trail want to make sure the elk and deer aren’t trampled during calving season. Respect the closure.

This is a summer ride. It’s a dirt road and singletrack mix. It’s technical, it’s rocky, and it’s beautiful. But it’s not easy. You’ll sweat. You’ll dust off your knees. You’ll wonder why you didn’t just stay on the frontage road.

And then you’ll do it again. Because the view from the top, looking down into the valley, is worth the burn.