Gore Lake Trail is a challenging 13 mile hike located in the Eagles Nest Wilderness, just a few minutes from Vail Ski Resort in Colorado. The hike is difficult, climbing 3,200 feet in elevation from a starting elevation of 8,500 feet. As the name suggests, the hike ends at Gore Lake, perched in the midst of craggy Colorado peaks.
The hike is made even prettier in the fall, when the changing color of leaves provide vibrant pops of color. No matter what time of year, this hike is a great way to experience the Colorado wilderness.
Hiking to Gore Lake was one of my favorite hikes in all of Colorado! In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the hike, including acclimating before you go, where to camp nearby and what to expect from the hike.
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Gore Lake Hike
Gore Lake Hike | At a Glance
- Hiking distance | 13 miles
- Elevation gain | 3,200 feet
- Estimated time | 6-8 hours
- Difficulty | Hard
- Crowd levels | Medium
- Fees | None
- Why you’ll love it | A challenging day hike up to a beautiful alpine lake is even better with fall colors
- Trailhead & Road Conditions | Small parking lot just past Vail Ski Resort
- Dogs | Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
- When to go | The trail can be accessed July through October but September is peak foliage colors
Highlights
- Fall foliage is spectacular
- Minimal crowds for a Colorado hike
- Gore Lake is a magnificent alpine lake
Lowlights
- Very difficult if you’re not acclimated to the elevation
Acclimating before you hike
The Gore Lake hikes starts at an elevation of more than 8,000 feet and ends at an elevation of nearly 11,400 feet. It is important to make sure you are properly acclimated before you hike.
Try to spend a few days in Colorado before you take off on your hike and make sure to drink plenty of water and hike slowly.
Gore Lake | Trail Guide
Getting to the Gore Lake Trailhead
The trailhead for Gore Lake trail is located 10 minutes from the Vail Ski Resort, on Vail Pass off Interstate 70. The parking lot is small, but there is plenty of space to park on the street just past the trailhead.
To find the trailhead by GPS, look for Gore Creek Trail (not Gore Lake Trail) located just next to Gore Creek Campground.
Hiking along Gore Creek
For the first four miles, you will hike on Gore Creek Trail, following Gore Creek the entire way. The trail winds through a forest of beautiful Aspens nestled in the heart of a valley.
The first half mile immediately starts out with a steep climb that may make you question your decision to take on this hike. Soon enough the path levels off to a steady and consistent, but less grueling, incline.
The scenery is incredible, especially in the fall when the leaves are bright yellow and underlying bushes are vivid red.
The final ascent
At 4.3 miles into the hike, you will come upon “the graves,” a good place to camp if you are backpacking. Look for a sign for Gore Lake, and take a sharp left. This is where the trail once again becomes very steep.
The next mile is non-stop incline, brutal especially if you are not accustomed to the elevation, like me! I really struggled here, but the views of the mountains peaking out from behind the pine trees and the vivid pop of the yellow Aspens helped to ease the pain and motivate me to keep pressing forward.
The trail flattens out for a brief time before one last sharp incline for a tough final half mile push up to the lake.
Arriving at Gore Lake
After one last steep climb, you will finally make it to your destination, Gore Lake, and will quickly realize the beauty is worth the pain. The turquoise waters stretching out in front of the mountains rising up on the opposite side of the lake make for the perfect place to rest after a long hike.
The return hike
When you are ready to head back, retrace your steps to return to the trailhead. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to get back to your car before dark.
Gore Lake | FAQs
How difficult is the hike to Gore Lake?
This is a challenging day hike. How difficult you find the hike will vary depending on whether you are acclimated to the altitude in Colorado. When I hiked Gore Lake, I had traveled from Virginia just a few days before, and found the hike significantly more challenging than usual due to the high elevation.
When is the best time to hike to Gore Lake?
The best time to hike to Gore Lake hike is from July through October, when there is no snow on the ground.
September would be my personal recommendation because the changing colors of the Aspens is simply stunning. I hiked in mid September and it was prime fall foliage season. In early October, you may still catch some of the fall colors, but the leaves are likely to be more sparse – it’s hit or miss.
Where should I stay near Gore Lake?
The Gore Lake trailhead is only minutes outside Vail, Colorado, making it a great hike if you are staying at the ski resort. The trailhead is also about a 50 minute drive from Breckenridge and two hours (without traffic) from Denver. Keep in mind that the traffic on I-70 from Denver gets backed up on weekends, so anticipate an extra hour or so if you are planning to make the drive before hiking
Can I camp near the trailhead?
Yes! There are several options for camping within 30 minutes of the Gore Lake trailhead.
Dispersed camping at Shrine Pass
I camped at Shrine Pass, which offers free dispersed camping and is located 25 minutes from the Gore Lake hike trailhead. The area was beautiful and remote – I couldn’t see another soul from my campsite.
Pro Tip | The road leading to the campsites is very rocky and you will likely have to pull your car off the road to park. It’s best not to drive a small car. 4WD is recommended, but not necessary to reach less remote spots.
Gore Creek Campground
There is also a traditional campground conveniently located right at the trailhead that offers designated campsites and has restroom facilities. The sites come equipped with a picnic bench and fire pit, and the nightly fee ranges from $25-$27.
However, there are only 34 campsites so book early.
Can I backpack to Gore Lake?
Yes! Camping is permitted by the lake or at “the graves” located on the righthand side of the trail about 4 miles in.
While advance permits are not required for backpacking, you must fill out a registration form available at the trailhead for overnight use. Please be aware that fires are not permitted in this area.
Other Useful Resources
Looking for more great hikes in the United States? Check out these resources for more inspiration!
Questions about hiking to Gore Lake? Let us know in the comments section below!
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