Prospect Trail
Pros: fun descent though trees with some amazing mountain views
Cons: a couple of steep climbs (give yourself time to acclimate to the altitude!)
Prospect trail includes several short steep climbs, amazing mountain views and a fun and flowy downhill section through the trees. The first 4 miles of this ride contains almost all of the climbing, some of which is pretty steep (especially if you’re not acclimated to the altitude), but this trail is worth it!
Take your time and enjoy the scenery on the first part of this ride – you’ll want to catch your breath after the climbs. You’ll zigzag your way past several chair lifts and through some beautiful forest to get to the start of the downhill near the teepee near the top of Lift 10 (Ute Park Chair).
If you want to add 2 miles, take the (left) upper loop through Prospect Basin. We opted for the shortcut (right) straight through the trees. The trail is mostly downhill from here, traversing through forest and occasionally opening to ski runs that allow stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The last part of the rail trail opens on a big downhill on a loose and rocky ski run. The trail ends near the gondola station.
Getting there: (from the top of the Station St. Sophia Gondola)
- Ride up past the top of Coonskin Chair (#7)
- Pass the bottom of Lift 12 and through the forest to Rockslide Ridge and Lift 11.
- Continue to the teepee near the top of Lift 10 (Ute Park Chair).
- If you want to add 2 miles, take the (left) upper loop through Prospect Basin. We opted for the shortcut (right) straight through the trees.
