Lake Eileen Trail
Durango to TH
29 Miles
Gain
1150 Feet
Condition
Poor
Region
Trail Length
4.2 Miles
Part of the Vallecito, Colorado area.
Lake Eileen Trail: Moderate to Difficult. The four-mile round trip hike gains 1,140 feet in elevation and takes approximately four hours. To access the trail, take CR 501 north of the lake and look for the Forest Service Work Center; a trailhead sign is visible from the road. Park on the east side of the road, the trailhead is on the west (opposite) side. The trail passes through aspen forests to the small, shallow lake covered by water lilies and surrounded by aspen trees. A short climb to the ridge gives you great views of the lake and forests.
Map & Directions
Map Coordinates: 37.45505, -107.570153
Where's the Trailhead?
dIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD
Parking Near Vallecito Lake Trailhead
From 9th Street & Main Avenue in Durango, head north on Main Avenue (Highway 550). Turn right on 32nd Street (CR 251) and continue. Take another right onto CR 250, and then a left at the light onto Florida Road (CR 240). Continue on CR 240 for 11.8 miles, then turn right to stay on CR 240 for 2.8 more miles. Turn left onto CR 501, and continue for 9.7 miles. Turn left onto CR 500 then turn left where the Vallecito Creek Trailhead will be on your right.
Trailwork
help build our trails!
National Trails Day | Saturday, June 4th
Join us to help build a New Trail on Animas Mountain on June 4th from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please click below to register.
Love the Trails Like a Local
Say Hi
Greet all trail users by saying hi when passing on the trail.
Announce Yourself
Say "on your left" as approaching other trail users from behind.
Pick Up After Yourself
Pick up after yourself and your pet. Please don’t litter.
Keep Dogs on a Leash
Keep your dogs on a leash or leave them at home. Off-leash dogs are not allowed on City Open Space and are the number one source of trail conflict.
Stay on the Trail
Help protect natural areas and habitats by staying on established trails. Creating "social trails", cutting switchbacks, or ignoring trail closures leads to greater erosion and impacts on ecosystems.
Give Uphill Traffic the
Right of Way
Uphill traffic always has the right of way. Downhill traffic must be in control, especially around blind corners, to avoid coming in contact with uphill traffic.
Check Conditions
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Give Back
Donate to Durango Trails or volunteer for trailwork to help give back to the trails you love.
