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Holy Cross Ranger District

Quick Facts

Gore Creek General Forest Area

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

The Gore Creek General Forest Area includes the entire Gore Creek drainage, which runs from Dowd's Junction, up through the town of Vail, to Vail Pass and the Gore Range. Gore Creek Campground is the one developed campground in the area. Vail Ski Area is included here. At least a portion of the following roads lie in this area: Red Sandstone Road, Shrine Pass Road, Mill Creek Four-wheel drive road, and Davos Four -wheel drive road. The area includes a large portion of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. The Vail Pass/Tenmile Canyon Bike Path begins here. The Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area is located at the top of Vail Pass.

Some of the numerous recreational activities in the Gore Creek General Forest Area include hiking, backpacking, mountain climbing, camping, fishing, four-wheel driving, hunting, scenic driving, mountain biking, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

Directions from Vail: The Gore Creek General Forest Area surrounds the town of Vail, from the mouth of Gore Creek at Dowd's Junction to Vail Pass.

Directions from Beaver Creek: Travel east on I-70 to Vail. The Gore Creek General Forest Area surrounds the town of Vail, from the mouth of Gore Creek at Dowd's Junction to Vail Pass.

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Free of snow. Updated: 1999-07-19 17:25:00.0

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Forest Areas	Gore Creek General Forest Area	Yes

Related Activities

Davos Four-Wheel Drive Road - This short road on the west end of Vail is most popular with mountain bikers. It offers great views from the radio tower at the end.

Eagles Nest Wilderness-Vail side - The Eagles Nest Wilderness straddles the Gore Range, to the east of Vail. The western portion of the wilderness area lies in the Holy Cross Ranger District and the eastern portion lies in the Dillon Ranger District.

Gore Creek Campground - This campground sits along Gore Creek, just east of Vail, at an elevation of 8700 feet.

Meadow Mountain/ Line Shack Trail - This trail follows an old road from the Holy Cross Ranger District Office, up Meadow Mountain to a small cabin known as the Line Shack.

Mill Creek/Benchmark Four-Wheel Drive Road - This scenic four-wheel drive road begins right in Vail and travels to the top of the Mill Creek drainage. It is used frequently by mountain bikers and hikers.

Red Sandstone/Piney River Ranch Road - Red Sandstone Road provides the main access to a large area north of Vail. The road begins in the town of Vail and is passable in two-wheel drive vehicles.

Shrine Pass Road - The Shrine Pass Road is an improved gravel road which runs from Redcliff, over Shrine Pass, to the top of Vail Pass.

Vail - Vail is the largest single-mountain ski area in North America. Its back bowls are legendary. The town offers outstanding dining, shopping and lodging.

Vail Pass Trail - The Vail Pass Trail is a paved recreation trail. It runs from Vail, over Vail Pass to Copper Mountain, where it links to the Tenmile Trail.