Trail difficulty
Blue
Elevation Gain
1,430.00 ft (435.86 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
5.77 mi (9.29 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Son of Mill Trail is a great introduction to incredible mountain biking near Vail. You'll gain almost 1,500 feet as you grunt up Red Sandstone Road only to be rewarded by a ripping descent through the aspen-trimmed mountain meadows on tight twisting single track all the way back to town. The route described here is a loop that can be made into several different rides if you want to continue to Lost Lake and beyond.

In the fall, the golden aspens light up the trail with their brilliant hue. The trees are so thick in some sections that the entire forest turns a pale yellow in the late afternoon. The trail is smooth and narrow with tightly packed dirt to help you maximize speed and optimize the fun on the way down. There isn't much in the way of berms, rocks, or tech moves; nothing but smiles from the moment you crest the hill and head back down the mountain toward town. 

Vail is a bustling little city with an almost magnetic attraction for outdoor enthusiasts. Besides hiking, biking, and skiing, Vail offers a rich tapestry of festivals, markets, and kid-friendly adventures not to be missed if you have extra time to spend. Once you've finished with the Son of Mill Trail Mountain Bike Loop, head into town for a bite to eat and to check out this quintessential Rocky Mountain town.

Join the effort to protect these places

Conservation Colorado has worked with communities around the state for over 50 years in pursuit of its mission - to protect Colorado’s environment and quality of life by mobilizing people and electing conservation-minded policymakers. It fights to protect the air, land, water, and people of Colorado. Their collaborative approach and focus on electing pro-conservation officials has yielded successes in addressing climate change, supporting clean energy development, conserving water resources, and protecting our public wildlands and rivers.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Beautiful route through aspen groves. Ride from Vail. Smooth, fast downhill flow.

Cons

Red Sandstone Road can be busy on the weekends.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Trailhead Elevation

8,635.00 ft (2,631.95 m)

Features

Bird watching
Wildlife
Big Game Watching
Big vistas
Wildflowers
Big Game Watching

Suitable for

Hiking
Horseback

Location

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