Gore Range

Description

Elevation: - Approx. 12,000' maximum elevation
Location - North of Vail in Colorado.

Trip Report(s)

I did a solo weekend trip up behind Mt. Powell in July, 1998. Starting at Lower Cataract Lake, I backpacked up the Surprise Trail to Surprise Lake. From there I took the Upper Cataract Trail by Upper Cataract Lake at the base of Eagles Nest (13,091'), following the trail from the lake on around past Mirror Lake and on up into the cirque, camping in a meadow at just a little under 11,000' at the base of Mt. Powell (13,534') and Eagles Nest. One of my memories of this trip was that it was the buggiest place I've ever been! The mosquitos in the meadow were very intense - so much so that I spent most of my time either moving from place to place in a vain attempt to get away from them, or huddling in the tent for respite until I could no longer stand being cooped up in the middle of such a gorgeous place and would go back outside, just to then wander around waving the mosquitos away from my face again. And this was with being generously slathered down with insect repellant! The valley was very wet and I was probably the biggest mammal around, so they divebombed me continuously.

On Sunday I then hiked from the meadow up to a pass at 12,000' just to the west. From there I could see Vail to the south, and had good views of various ranges to the west, north and east, with beautiful views of Eagles Nest, Mt. Powell and the rest of the cirque. After that I came down, broke camp and hiked out without incident, other than getting briefly lost around Upper Cataract Lake due to the multitude of unmarked trails around it and a little lake nearby. Some route finder I am - I get lost on trail, but not off! :-)

I want to go back and climb Mt. Powell! It's a great looking peak in a beautiful, rugged range. Photos follow.

Photos

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