Mount Powell Summit Trail
The Gore mountains stand out as some of the most beautiful and geologically significant peaks in Colorado. The Gores were pushed up by faultblocks and further shaped by heavy glaciations. As a result, you have a hybrid range that has jagged peaks and glacial cirques, with terrain that reveals an occasional fossil to the keen-eyed hiker. Powell is the highest of these mountains, yet it has no standard route to its summit—which is part of its appeal. You make the summit in three pushes: a steep climb up a densely overgrown hillside, a steep climb up the basin to Knee-Knocker Saddle, and the final summit push up the steep Heart-Knocker Hill. The summit feels like an eagle’s nest, with views of wilderness to the north and the Vail Ski Area to the south.
Driving Directions
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Directions to: Mount Powell Summit Trail
print directionsTrail Statistics & Information
| Activity | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Nearby City | Vail |
| Length | 10.2 mi |
| Elevation Gain | 4,930 ft |
| Skill Level | Difficult; Class 2 |
| Duration | 7–10 hours |
| Season | June–September |
| Trailhead Elevation | 9,368 ft |
| Top Elevation | 13,534 ft |
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