Gore Lake - 12.2 Miles Round-Trip

Gore Lake (11,414') is located 6.1 miles north of Vail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness. It fills a large basin at treeline beneath Snow Peak (13,024'), Willow Peak (13,357') and Red Peak (13,189').

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The hike to Gore Lake follows Gore Creek 4.2 miles east before breaking north up a steep gulch that levels in a string of alpine meadows below the lake. Gore Lake is compelling for its abundant cutthroat trout, idyllic setting and isolated location deep in the Gore Range:

The Gore Creek Trail heads east through intervals of meadow and aspen, joining Gore Creek briefly over a cascade (.9 miles : 9,075') before edging back up the north valley wall.

Travel eases to a bridge (1.8 miles : 9,517'), then undulates ruggedly in dense forest that breaks at a long opening in the valley cleared by avalanches (2.0 miles : 9,521').

Talus and scree along the path were brought down from steep slopes above, now clear of timber and a good place to see wildlife moving about.

The trail re-enters dense lodgepole (2.45 miles : 9,733') and moderates to a lazy oxbow in the creek (2.7 miles : 9,802'). Lush grasses, wildflowers and shade highlight this mild segment.

The trail steepens to another major clearing (3.2 miles : 9,908'), then eases back into a pristine swath of spruce and fir by the creek (3.5 miles : 9,945').

This next mile offers better fishing access and camping terrain, logistically desirable overnight locations before the strenuous push to Gore Lake or Red Buffalo Pass.

The Gore Creek Trail reaches the Gore Lake Trail split at the foot of another opening in the valley and turns sharply north (4.2 miles : 10,194'). It steepens on a twisting climb beside a creek before leveling in a high subalpine forest (4.75 miles : 10,794').

Travel steadies through an expanding alpine landscape where the trail may be faint, washed-out or snow-covered in places.

The trail generally favors the gentle west side of the meadow before making a counter -intuitive turn up the steep and cluttered west ridge (5.4 miles : 10,975'). It begins a shifting climb to a large cairn and hairpin turn (right) just below the lake (6.0 miles : 11,341').

A short climb through the last of treeline leads to the SE shore of Gore Lake (6.1 miles : 11,414'). The perimeter and slopes above are easy to explore. Anglers will find good fishing along the outlet, and in a number of outlying ponds. Scramble up the west shore for panoramas across the Gore Lake basin, Ten Mile Range and Sawatch Range.