With limited trailhead access on the east side of the Gore Range, hikes in this area tend to be long. This week’s outing is no exception; an extended but pleasant walk along the Gore Range Trail to access a high mountain lake surrounded by rugged peaks typical of the Gores.
Because of the gentle nature of the Gore Range Trail, this may qualify as one of the easier 16-mile mountain hikes you will ever take. If you have time, you may also want to visit the nearby Willow Lakes.
Hike Description
From the trailhead, hike northwest along the Mesa Cortina Trail, crossing an open meadow after 0.1 miles. Be sure to stay on the main trail in this meadow; don’t take the branch trail to the left. After 2.6 miles, the Mesa Cortina Trail intersects the Gore Range Trail (signed, No. 60) immediately after crossing South Willow Creek. Turn right (north) onto the Gore Range Trail and follow this historic trail as it gently undulates through the forest, crossing several drainages before reaching another signed trail junction 5.8 miles from the trailhead. Shortly before this junction you should catch a few tantalizing glimpses of one of the more impressive peaks in the area, East Thorn Peak (13,333 feet), which rises west of Salmon Lake.
Leave the Gore Range Trail here and turn left on the Willow Lakes Trail (No. 36). Note that the USGS map doesn’t show this trail junction in the correct spot. After 1.6 miles on the Willow Lakes Trail, you will come to another trail junction.
The right fork is signed to Salmon Lake (No. 36.1A), our destination. Follow this trail and arrive at the west end of Salmon Lake in another 0.5 miles.
Dave Cooper is the author of “Colorado Scrambles: A Guide to 50 Select Climbs in Colorado’s Mountains.”
The details
Getting to the trailhead: From
the Silverthorne exit (Exit 205) off
Interstate 70, go north and almost
immediately turn left (southwest)
on Wildernest Road. Go 0.2 miles
to Adams Road. Turn right (north)
and almost immediately make a
left (west) onto Buffalo Mountain
Drive. Follow Buffalo Mountain
Drive for 0.8 miles to its intersection
with Lakeview Drive. Turn
right (north) on Lakeview Drive
and drive 0.4 miles to Aspen Drive.
Turn left on Aspen Drive and continue
0.1 miles to the Mesa Cortina
Trailhead parking area. Note that
this trailhead is in a residential
area. Please be considerate of the
local residents. It would be a
shame to lose access to this trailhead.
Hike statistics: Trailhead to Salmon
Lake (11,188 feet): 3,100 feet
of total elevation gain in 15.8 miles
round trip.
Difficulty: An easy but long trail
hike.
USGS Quad: Willow Lakes, Colo.;
Dillon, Colo.
