North of Vail and Frisco sits the Gore Range on the White River National Forest with the majority of Bighorns being found within the Eagles Nest Wilderness. The unit was closed after the 2007/2008 winter which significantly reduced the population. Significant improvement in age class recruitment has allowed Colorado Parks and Wildlife to reopen the unit with an estimated population of 50 bighorns.

All recreational users are required to adhere to special Wilderness Restrictions within the boundaries of the Eagles Nest Wilderness. Expect extremely high recreation traffic during the summer and early fall due to the proximity of Vail and the Lake Dillon Complex. Be aware that many peaks in the Gore Range are spires reaching elevations over 13,000 feet. You will earn the trophy ram you harvest.

Mount Powell with an elevation of 13,534 feet is the tallest peak in the Gore range. Think of pictures of the Grand Tetons near Jackson Hole and you can visualize the numerous 12,000 and 13,000 foot peaks of the Gore Range. Mountains that resemble a serrated saw blade best describe the Gores. Tumbling streams bring snowmelt eastward to the Blue River and westward to the Eagle River. Numerous alpine lakes sit in 10,000 to 11,000 foot basins below avalanche chutes and sheer rock wall faces. This is an area more vertical than horizontal with knife-edged ridges, deep valleys, jagged peaks and dense forests below timberline.

Alpine basins are covered with a stunning collection of wildflowers, lichens, moss and grasses. Avalanche chutes have willows and grasses. Below timberline are stands of spruce, fir, lodgepole pine and aspens. Willows line creek bottoms along with oak brush and mountain mahogany. South facing slopes have large stands of aspen combined with grasses.

There is excellent hiking and backpacking on approximately 180 miles of trails easily reached from trailheads near Silverthorne, Frisco and Vail. Be aware that this is very steep and rugged terrain which makes travel challenging. There are two trails that cross the entire range; Upper Cataract Lake to Piney Lake across the north, a distance of 15 miles, and Gore Creek to Red Buffalo Pass to Uneva Pass across the south, a distance of about 19 miles. A number of County Roads that head west connect with Colorado Route 9 between Silverthorne and Kremmling.

A number of improved campgrounds can be found in this portion of White River National Forest near Green Mountain Reservoir, Lake Dillon and Gore Creek, by Vail. Dispersed camping is allowed with specific restrictions within Eagles Nest Wilderness. Vail offers an extensive number of lodging options including five star accommodations, simple to extravagant cafés and restaurants, world class medical facilities and 24/7 gas and diesel. Kremmling offers a limited number of motels, cafés and 24/7 gas and diesel. Silverthorne’s variety is less than Vails but not by much. A wide variety of motels, café’s, restaurants, medical facilities, gas and diesel are available.