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1.(9022ft,mile00) START-END EAST ALTERNATE: Dillon Reservoir, connects to Loveland Pass profile 2.(9075ft,mile) START-END EAST: downtown Frisco, biketrail trailhead is near I70 west of town 3.(9708ft,mile) Wheeler Junction east of Copper Mountain Resort. Enter resort on main road and find bike trail at west end of town 4.(9973ft,mile) junction with Searle Pass trail 5.(10384ft,mile) junction with Ptarmigan Pass trail 6.(10554ft,mile) TOP: Vail Pass 7.(9562ft,mile) bike route joins service road 8.(8168ft,mile) START-END WEST: center of Vail 9.(7796ft,mile) bikepath is at end of road, south of Interstate 10.(7745ft,mile) START-END WEST ALTERNATE: Dowd Junction, joins with Tennessee Pass profile

Approaches

From East. Most cycling clubs begin a ride over the pass in Copper Mountain. The paved trailhead is easiest to access by car at that location. But then you skip the ride through Tenmile Canyon, a great chance to warm up, and a nice little climb in its own right. The profile starts all the way back at Dillon Reservoir. This very first part also makes for a pleasant ride along the lake, but hardly increases the elevation gain. The first point on the profile connects to the Loveland Pass profile.

The biketrail from Copper Mountain quickly climbs to treeline. It continues through alpine meadows, crosses into a large space between opposing lanes of the Interstate, does a few switchbacks ( careful on the downhill ! ), and delivers the riders to an elaborate restroom facility at the top.

From West. The town of Vail is usually thought of as a start or end on the west side. But including the part to Dowd Junction increases the climb significantly. A biketrail connects the western end of  Vail on the south side, with Dowd Junction. The last point on the profile connects with the Battle Hill Summit and Tennessee Pass profiles.

A bike path on the north side of the valley stretches through most of Vail Village. Going up the pass, biking traffic funnels onto the I70 service road. It crosses south of the Interstate, and after the first short steep climb becomes a biketrail. As the path climbs further, it parallels the Interstate in close proximity on its north side, treating the cyclist to smells of burnt break pads and straining engine noise. Along the top the trail leads along a small lake, onto the service road to the elaborate rest facility for tired drivers, who had to work so hard to get to the top. 

Tours

Dayrides. There is no shortage of organized dayrides over Vail Pass. Riding the pass over and back makes for a comfortable day, even if you start back in Frisco. Some ski clubs also do this as an overnight ride, indulging habits for soaking in a bathtub during the afternoon ( referred to in this context as jacuzzi or hot tub ), and staying at Vail ski condos. Such a ride measured 53 miles (m1:95.07.29). Vail Pass is also part of the Copper Mountain Triangle, a route over Vail Pass, Battle Hill Summit, Tennessee Pass and Fremont Pass. Furthermore Vail Pass is cycled as finishing touch of the "Triple Bypass" ride. This somewhat longer event requires an entrance fee and also covers Squaw Pass, Juniper Pass and Loveland Pass. Mountain bikers will also include parts of Vail pass when riding over Shrine Pass, Ptarmigan Pass or Two Elks Pass. See those pages for more details.

Three Day Road Tour: An three day tour that includes Vail Pass goes like this. Day 1: From Fairplay cross Trout Creek Pass and ride uphill to Leadville. Day 2: Cross Tennessee Pass (another non climb) to Vail, climb Vail Pass to Frisco. Last Day: Cross Hoosier Pass back to starting point. Many other overnight options exist. Measuered milages: 75,72 and 43 miles (m1.92.06.19-21).

Extended Road Tour: Vail Pass is bound to be on an extended cycling tour between Denver and the central Rockies of the Arkansas Valley. It does not have to be. Alternatively, you could go over Fremont Pass. But who could  resist this classic bikeroute ? On the east side the route connects with Loveland Pass, on the west side with Battle Hill Summit.

History

Historically speaking, Vail Pass is a recent development, notwithstanding that today, it's the most popular point on the most important traffic corridor heading west, I 70. But the state was very different in the 1870s. Leadville was the most important city and all roads lead to Leadville. This meant traffic coming up Tenmile Canyon turned south over Fremont Pass. It was not until long after the economic importance of Leadville had diminished, that a direct route west became important enough to justify a road over this pass.

Modern Highways (<Monarch Pass):  The highway department had already made an attempt to name a pass after the Chief engineer of the highway department, Charlie Vail. But the name wasn't popular. In fact it was rejected by the people outright. A year later, the highway department tried again, and this time with more success. 

In the 1930s Denverites ability to travel straight west took a giant step forward. Loveland Pass was transformed into a modern road. Now there was enough traffic to justify a route heading straight west. Beginning in the summer of 1940 travelers could continue from Loveland Pass over a brand new Vail Pass. This time the name "Vail" survived.