Gore Range Trail, south approach : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Getting There

Direction to Gore Range Trailhead:

Drive west on I-70 to Exit 196 Vista Point Scenic Rest Area (this exit is accessible only from the westbound lanes of I-70). Go to the southern parts of the rest area and find the trailhead sign.

Please note that the first 0.75 miles of the trail parallels I-70 until it reaches the Exit 195 ramp. You will find "No Parking" signs immediately in front of the trail on this ramp. To save the 0.75 mile hike, some people park on dirt pull-offs on this ramp but you are much better off parking at the designated parking area at the Vista Point.

Route Description

All distances are per my GPS

Place	Elevation	Distance
Vista Point TH	9650 ft	zero miles
Exit 195 Ramp	9680 ft	0.75 miles
Wheeler Lakes Spur Trail	11050 ft	2.30 miles
Lake 11350 ft	11350 ft	1.20 miles
Lost Lake	11590 ft	1.10 miles
Uneva Pass	11900 ft	0.85 miles
Sneva Summit	12242 ft	0.30 miles
Total	-	6.50 miles

Hike south on the trail Parallel to I-70 on the other side of the pond. After 0.75 miles, you will reach Exit 195 Ramp. The trail turns west and then north going up the slopes in a forest of aspens that further up turns into pine trees. When the trees allow it, you will have views of Copper Mountain Ski area to the south.

As you go higher, the noise of the highway fades away. At around 10800 ft, you will reach the top of a hill where there is a flat meadow. The trail then continues in the pine forest to reach the signed junction with a spur trail to Wheeler Lakes. You can follow the spur trail 0.15 miles to reach the first Wheeler Lake.

Wheeler Lake

Continuing up the main trail, at 11350 ft, you will reach a couple of nameless lakes. If you go to the other side of the lakes, you will be able to see Sneva.