West Elk Wilderness

Posted on May 11, 2012 by colorado wilderness

Of the larger wilderness tracts in Colorado, the West Elk is perhaps the least well known. Nevertheless, the visitor is offered scenic vistas of dark volcanic breccia worn into spires, towers, stone walls and castle-like formations of immense size. Long valleys and sun-dappled aspen forested slopes offer unique scenic beauty to the intrepid hiker. The West Elk wilderness is particularly well suited for alpine backpacking, as it offers unspoiled scenery, long ascending trails, and with no fourteeners, freedom from crowds.

The northern portions of the wilderness contains the twin peaks, East and West Beckwith mountains, and the Anthracite Range. Further in, the rugged West Elk Mountains’ long ridges radiate out from the center and are in turn separated by forested alpine valleys.

The fifth largest wilderness in Colorado, the West Elk wilderness is located in the Gunnison National Forest. near the town of Gunnison, Colorado.

Visiting the West Elk Wilderness

From Gunnison, the West Elk Wilderness can be accessed via forest service roads that join state highway 135, such as Ohio Creek Road (USFS-730). Access to the northern side is via Cnty-Rd-12 from Crested Butte, also known as Kebler Pass Road.

The best times to visit the West Elk wilderness is in the summer and fall. The aspen forests turn color in late September into mid October. For more hiking tips, typical weather in Colorado and other visitor information, visit our Colorado Backpacking Guide.

Mill Castle

View from Mill Castle Trailhead - West Elk Wilderness

Recommended Hikes

Stormy Pass – The Mill Castle Trail offers the best views of the “castle” formation that can be seen (albeit from a distance) when travelling on Ohio Creek Road. Both USFS 727 and 728 offer access to one end of the trail. Access to the USFS-727 and 728 from Ohio Creek Road. To hike the entire trail, leave a parked vehicle at one of the trailheads.

Lost Lake - A short hike from Lost Lake Campground, Lost Lake and nearby Dollar Lake are two small alpine lakes located at the foot of scenic twelve thousand foot East Beckwith Mountain. Take County Rd. 12 from Crested Butte over Kebler Pass to County Road 706 to reach the campground and the trailhead. See map here.

Nearby Wilderness Areas

Raggeds Wilderness, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Fossil Ridge Wilderness. See other Colorado wilderness areas.

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Eagles Nest Wilderness

Posted on October 29, 2011 by colorado wilderness

The snowcapped peaks of the Gore range are a familiar sight to the skier on Vail mountain, and to the motorist driving over Vail Pass on I-70. The Gore range runs in a north-south direction from near Copper Mountain to near the town of Kremmling. Much of the rugged interior of the Gore range is contained within the boundaries of the Eagles Nest Wilderness.

The Eagles Nest Wilderness preserves pristine montane forests, high altitude tundra, the clear streams of Piney River, and Gore Creek along with arguably the most rugged and steep terrain within the state of Colorado. Many of the peaks attain heights over 12,000 feet, the highest of which is Mt. Powell at 13,560 ft.

The west side is most easily accessible from the town of Vail, Colorado. On the east side the cities of Silverthorne, and Frisco are a gateway to the wilderness. Highway 40 runs north along the eastern edge, making the eastern side more accessible to hikers. The northern edge is bounded by the town of Kremmling.

When to Visit

You can visit the Eagles Nest Wilderness at any time of the year, although the best months are between the months of June and September. Higher elevation mountain passes may be impassable to foot travel early or late in the season due to heavy mountain snow fall. See our Colorado Backpacking Guide for more information on the Colorado backcountry.

Recommended Hikes

Red Buffalo Pass to Eccles Pass via Gore Range Trail (Multi-day Backpack)

This (2-4 day) shuttle hike requires leaving your car at either the Meadow Creek trailhead or the Uneva Pass/Gore Range Trail trailhead near Copper Mountain. Start from the Gore Creek/Deluge Lake Trailhead on of Big Horn Road head up the Gore Creek trail to Red Buffalo Pass. There is an optional detour here to Gore Lake. A spectacular view awaits you at the pass. Head south on the Gore Range Trail towards Eccles Pass, passing several lakes/tarns. Eccles Pass is my favorite, with awesome views of the Ten Mile Range to the south.

Below Eccles Pass, you have the option to take the Meadow Creek trail (shortest) back to civilization… or continue south on the Gore Range Trail over Uneva Pass to the trailhead at I-70/Copper Mountain. [2-4 day backpack/strenuous ]


View Red Buffalo Pass – Eccles Pass Trek in a larger map

Piney Lake & Upper Piney Lake (Easy Hike)

Near Vail, scenic Piney Lake abuts the peaks of the Gore Range and the Eagles Nest Wilderness. Upper Piney River Trail takes you to Upper Piney lake and a waterfall at mile 2.5. This hike is popular as it is accessible from Vail via a drive up FR 700. Take Red Sand Stone Rd. to FR 700 and follow it to the lake.

Wilderness Map

I recommend Trails Illustrated Map #108 (Vail, Frisco, Dillon) for backpackers and backcountry visitors. Do not enter the backcountry without a map and a good idea of where you are going.

Nearby Wilderness Areas

Holy Cross Wilderness, Sarvis Creek

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