From the west trailhead, the trail follows a ridge dividing the Piney and Red Sandstone drainage while traveling through lodgepole pine and aspen groves. Where the trail forks to the left to Piney Lake... go straight.

Once at Lost Lake, continue 3/4 mile on the trail to reach the east trailhead. This portion of the trail passes through forests and crosses Red Sandstone Creek.

This trail passes through an area that was logged in 1987-88. This demonstrates that National Forest land is used for a large variety of activities and resources.

TRAIL TIPS

The heavy use this trail receives has caused an impact on this peaceful mountain lake. Please remember to pack out all trash. If camping in this area, use a backpacking stove and camp at least 200 feet from the lake.

If accessing from the east trailhead, Lost Lake Road has many spurs and it's easy to get lost. Throughout three junctions, always take a left until the trailhead appears.

Directions from Vail: From the main Vail roundabout, travel west on North Frontage road for 1 mile. You'll see a sign on the right side of the road marked "Piney Lake/Red Sandstone Road". Turn right at the sign. At 3/10 of a mile from the turnoff, follow the road to the right as it makes a hairpin turn and continues up the mountain. At 6/10 of a mile from the turnoff, you'll see a sign for Piney River Ranch at the beginning of a dirt road (FDR 700). To access the west trailhead, continue for 6 miles on Red Sandstone Road, passing Lost Lake Road. The west trailhead is located just before the intersection with FDR 701.To access the east trailhead, turn right off Red Sandstone Road onto Lost Lake Road. This road has many spurs and it's easy to get lost. Throughout three junctions, always take a left until the trailhead appears.

Directions from Beaver Creek: Travel east on I-70 to the main Vail interchange. From the interchange, travel west on North Frontage road for 1 mile. You'll see a sign on the right side of the road marked "Piney Lake/Red Sandstone Road". Turn right at the sign. At 3/10 of a mile from the turnoff, follow the road to the right as it makes a hairpin turn and continues up the mountain. At 6/10 of a mile from the turnoff, you'll see a sign for Piney River Ranch at the beginning of a dirt road (FDR 700). To access the west trailhead, continue for 6 miles on Red Sandstone Road, passing Lost Lake Road. The west trailhead is located just before the intersection with FDR 701.To access the east trailhead, turn right off Red Sandstone Road onto Lost Lake Road. This road has many spurs and it's easy to get lost. Throughout three junctions, always take a left until the trailhead appears.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: Summer through Early Fall (NOTE: Seasons vary depending on snow depth and weather) .

Red Sandstone/Piney River Ranch Road - Red Sandstone Road provides the main access to a large area north of Vail. The road begins in the town of Vail and is passable in two-wheel drive vehicles.