GoreRange.info

Up Deluge is the way to run this loop. It can be a bit rough as a downhill for an ending to a long trip. If you’re doing Valhalla, I highly recommend visiting Grand Traverse first and then running the ridge to Valhalla. Be ready to travel on snow. Camp at Deluge lake. Day 2 would put you up on snow pass followed by a mellow class 3 to Snow Peak. There’s a heard of about 20 goats that hang in those parts. Maybe less after this past winter. Its a technical deal traversing from snow pass to hail. Safer route is down past snow lake and up the west facing drainage. Once you’re at about 12k’ you work your way NW towards hail. Again, be ready to travel on snow. You might consider Zodiak View after Hail…since you’re up there. The tarns south of Zodiak view make a great camp site. Day 3 might start with a viewing and snack at Gore Lake. Red Peak and Red Buffalo Pass are possible options also. The last leg of you trip will be on the Gore Ck trail back to the car. I wouldn’t concern yourself too much with the bears. They won’t be interested in being up in the alpine…too much snow and the food is better in and around east vail. Precautions? Keep the safety on if you bring a gun and, as somebody famous once said, ”take your protein pills and put your helmet on.” Oh, and don’t forget your sunscreen!

The only people I’ve ever heard of bringing guns are hunters, so I’d strongly advise against that. As for bear spray and all that precaution, here’s what I do (and this is just me, you might not be comfortable with this): I don’t bring anything special. I’ve hiked a lot in the region and haven’t been bothered once. Going with someone else is an extra bonus ’cause all your talking will encourage the bears to keep away. As for the food, I just hang it high in a tree, tied in a plastic bag. Very old school, but I’ve only once (I think) had anything mess with it (and then it was just little rodents .

BTW, what issue of Backpacker magazine was this in?

marmot- thanks for your advice! i hope we get to see the goats! we are both getting really excited! yah i think we have both decided to just stick with the bear spray and odorproof bags…since we already bought them!
theron- thanks for the peace of mind also! i think we are a lil more at ease now. all you ever here is ”bear country” even thought the few times that we have been hiking in colorado we have never come across one either! the backpacker magazine is march 2011 page 58. it has a beautiful picture of gore lake looking out towards snow peak.

Got to admit, it was that article that made me take a look here. I’m concerned about their slap happy idea of ”then roller coaster to snow pass” with a full sack of camping gear ” from Hails. I’d like to know what that ridge is classed like, as they (Backpacker) forget to mention anything about it and only mention the easy grade scramble on the main peaks. I have read that the ridge line is more technical. Anyone done it? Does it need any rappels or rope sections? I was going to do this ridge from Snow Pass to Hails, but I’ll have my tent etc with me. Thanks in advance