Trail of the Week: Third Gulch-LOV Connection-Abram’s Gulch in Eagle
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Vail Valley Bike, Hike and Outdoor Adventures Magazine.
DISTANCE: 5 miles
ACTIVITIES: Biking and hiking
DIFFICULTY RATING: Intermediate
TIME: 1 hour
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ELEVATION GAIN: 900 feet
TYPE: Doubletrack and singletrack
SEASON: Closed Dec. 1 to April 15 for environment and wildlife protection.
PARKING: Start at the Arroyo Trailhead and parking lot in Eagle Ranch. If you’re riding from downtown Eagle, parking in the lots behind the businesses on Capitol Street.
DESCRIPTION: With its smooth, rolling climbs, scenic ridges and challenging switchbacks, there’s a lot to like about Eagle’s LOV Connection. This trail is nearly 3 miles and connects two of Eagle’s popular riding areas, allowing riders to link trails for more mileage or create a shorter loop that can be completed in an hour.
This trail is equally fun ridden both ways, but we suggest starting from the Arroyo Drive trailhead, where riders can also access the Eagle Ranch Loops and a number of other trails. From the trailhead, ride up Third Gulch, an uphill doubletrack. You won’t climb for too long before you spot the turnoff for LOV Connection to your right. From here LOV Connection features the forgiving dirt, sagebrush-and-pinon landscape and high desert climate that is typical of the area.
LOV Connection ends at an intersection with the Abram’s Gulch Connector. Head uphill on the connector for a short distance to reach Abram’s Gulch. From here, head back into town by heading downhill for a fast, steep, twisting descent. If you’re looking for a challenge, peel off from Abram’s Gulch partway down and pedal uphill on Abram’s Ridge, one of Eagle’s toughest but most rewarding climbs and a gateway into the area’s backcountry rides.
