Colorado's Spectacular Gore Range

Colorado's
Spectacular
Gore Range

Located in the Eagles Nest Wilderness

A section of Ripsaw Ridge with Peak "L" in the distance

Trip Reports:

Gallery of large photos

3D Views:

Photo highlights

Welcome to my website devoted to Colorado's Gore Range, a mountain refuge situated in the Eagles Nest Wilderness north of Vail. Although the region is relatively small, there is plenty of opportunities for hiking, climbing, and other similar outdoor activities. From high vistas around, hikers and climbers gaze upon this range noting the dense packing of rugged unnamed peaks and sawtoothed ridges.

Nestled between these high and often impenetrable walls lie hidden pristine lakes, raging creeks, and lush flora. Indeed this is arguably the most beautiful spots in Colorado but you have to pay the price of long treks to arrive at these secluded spots.

There are several short day hikes that touch the fringes of the Wilderness that are very popular and enjoyable. The remote peaks, however, are what makes the range special. The best way to get to know the range is with multi-day trips that penetrate the deepest sections of the range.

I've included several trip reports to various peaks in the Gore Range. While there's plenty of other great spots in Colorado, I'm find that I enjoy the exploratory nature of these peaks; there are hardly any available photographs or trip reports so visiting new hidden spots in this wilderness is a thrill similar, I would imagine, but less risky, to those who first set foot here. If you're looking for the same thing, ignore my trip reports, grab a map and your good wits, and go!

Photo Highlight:

(above) A view of the "Straight Arrow Couloir" on Peak "H". I haven't climbed this, but it looks pretty good, doesn't it?

The Gore Range really does have a different feel from most other ranges in Colorado. It is an geologic anomaly in the context of it's surrounding ranges. First of all, the mountains themselves have a distinct character: Most of the peaks consist of high points along consistently steep ridges, so the opportunity for ridge running and traversing is unequaled. The mountains are also very densely packed and it takes a much longer time to get a sense of the terrain. There are only a handful of named summits. It took me a relative long time to correctly identify and label the peaks and valleys. The rock is generally solid (as far as Colorado goes); the central and northern region seems the most stable from my experience. Be prepared though: there's plenty of rotten rock, choss, and scree slopes. The vegetation here, especially in the central valleys, is much more lush and green than most spots in Colorado. Varieties of flowers and plants grow very densely here. Because the valley walls are so steep, the range retains snow into late spring and early summer, which make for healthy creeks and impressive falls. A lot of the peaks, instead of the usual talus and scree, are instead supported by emerald green, narrow grassy ledges which makes for fun climbing and hiking.