Eagle County Colorado Cross Country Ski Trails
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White River National Forest
Available for both Cross Country Skiing,
Snowshoeing, and Snowmobile, the 5.63 mile Cooper Loop offers
excellent views of the Eagle River drainage, the Arkansas River drainage,
and 3 fourteen thousand foot peaks, Mt. of the Holy Cross, Mt. Massive,
and Mt. Elbert which is the 2nd highest peak in the 48 contiguous states.
Cooper Loop begins at Cooper Hill Ski Area and follows a road
(first mile) along a ditch to a ski lift outhouse. Following a
creek and then uphill along the ski runs to the Continental
Divide from mile 1 to mile 2, Cooper Loop begins a downhill
along a small creek at 2.5 miles and continue on to a public use
tent. Cooper Loop then travels along a
4WD road that is narrow and steep in some places. At mile 3.3 a junction is
reached, take the right fork. The trail continue for another 2.3 miles along
the 4WD road back to the ski area. To reach Cooper Loop from Vail Colorado, travel west along I-70 to exit
171 for Minturn, Leadville, Highway 24 and turn right (south). Continue
along Highway 24 for 23 miles to the Cooper Hill Ski Area on the left at
Tennessee Pass.
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