Colorado · Hiking · Eagles Nest Wilderness

Gore Lake

3.5 mi
round trip
1,213 ft
climb
11,389 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Gore Lake open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Gore Lake is a moderate out-and-back hike in Colorado's Eagles Nest Wilderness, part of the Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest. The trail runs about 3.5 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,213 feet, from a low point of about 10,170 feet to a high of about 11,389 feet. The Forest Service manages the land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Climax weather station, at a similar elevation, show July highs around 67°F with lows near 40°F, and snow is common from November through April. The trail is on natural surface, and the route is closed to bikes and horses. The open season runs roughly from late May to late November. Nearby, the Gore Range Trail for mountain biking is about 1.2 miles away, and the Gore Creek hike is about 1.5 miles off. Gore Creek Campground sits about 3.7 miles away, and Pitkin, a lake fishing spot, is about 5.4 miles away.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go

    Best time to visit Gore Lake

    No month here meets our mild-weather rule. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    2. Feb

      29° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    3. Mar

      35° / 8°

      14 wet · 14 snow

    4. Apr

      40° / 15°

      13 wet · 13 snow

    5. May

      49° / 25°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    6. Jun

      61° / 34°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    7. Jul

      67° / 40°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      64° / 39°

      15 wet

    9. Sep

      58° / 32°

      11 wet · 2 snow

    10. Oct

      47° / 21°

      9 wet · 7 snow

    11. Nov

      35° / 11°

      12 wet · 12 snow

    12. Dec

      27° / 3°

      15 wet · 15 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Climax, CO, 17.8 mi away at 11,344 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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