Eagles Nest Wilderness Trails

Eagles Nest Wilderness Trails

Few areas overcame such overwhelming odds to become designated wilderness as did Eagles Nest. A formidable array of powerful interests lined up against the Eagles Nest Wilderness legislation in 1976: the U.S. Department of Transportation, Kaibab Industries (a major timber company), and the Denver Water Department. Each desired substantial changes to the proposed area, so much so that if all had been accepted, they would have eviscerated the area’s wild qualities. Fortunately, the coordinated efforts of conservationists prevailed and today the serrated peaks, knife-edged ridges, valleys, forests, and waterfalls of the Gore Range remain intact. The forbidding topography of this range presents a significant obstacle to travel. Most trails dead-end in high valleys, often beside jewel-like alpine lakes. Only two trails cross the range, one each at the north and south ends of the wilderness, leaving the craggy core wild and empty. Unofficial routes crisscross several high passes, but most hikers stick to the numerous valley hikes. Despite the topographic severity, the U.S. Department of Transportation initially preferred a route for I-70 that ran in a straight line west from Silverthorne to Vail, blasting across Red Buffalo Pass and down Gore Creek. More reasonable heads prevailed, and the interstate highway was routed along the existing path of US 6, preventing the excision of the southern quarter of the wilderness. This trail guide includes descriptions of Bighorn Creek, Deluge Lake, East Meadow Creek, Pitkin Lake, Booth Lake, Slate Lake, Lower Cataract Lake, Piney River/Soda Lakes/Elliot Ridge, Lower Cataract Lake to Piney Lake, and Gore Creek to Red Buffalo Pass to Uneva Pass.

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