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Vail, CO: Red Buffalo Pass
Explore Colorado's Gore Range on this 12.4-mile shuttle hike that begins in Vail, crosses Red Buffalo Pass, and drops into Silverthorne.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Colorado (CO) |
| Distance: | 12.4 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Vail East, Willow Lakes, Vail Pass, Frisco |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
Day 1: Drop a car off at the Buffalo Cabin Trailhead in Silverthorne, then drive to the Gore Creek Trailhead in east Vail. From the trailhead, hike east on a narrow dirt path that parallels Gore Creek. The route climbs steadily as it travels through small meadows and fragrant forest. Less than 2 miles in, cross Deluge Creek on a narrow log footbridge and continue east. After 4.2 miles, hike past the graves of Andrew and Daniel Recen, who died in 1912 and 1917, and turn right. Cross Gore Creek on a log jam and continue another 0.7 mile to an expansive meadow rimmed by rugged peaks. Spend the night here.
Day 2: Climb 2.3 miles to the top of Red Buffalo Pass, a broad and grassy saddle with striking views of Buffalo Mountain and Red Peak. From here, descend grass-covered slopes into the South Willow Creek drainage. The trail skirts the northern slopes of Buffalo Mountain before leaving the South Willow Creek drainage at mile 10.6. The final 1.7 miles of the trip travel southeast; you'll cross a handful of creeks and encounter one last climb that ascends through open forest. The route ends at the Buffalo Cabin Trailhead; pick up your shuttle car and return to the Gore Creek Trailhead.
-Mapped by Kim Phillips
TO TRAILHEAD: Start: From Vail, take exit 180 and merge onto Big Horn Rd. Follow 2.2 miles to parking pull-out on left.
End: From Silverthorne, head south on Wildernest Rd. In .9 mile, continue on Ryan Gulch Rd. Go 2.5 miles to parking pull-out on left.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
RBP01
| Distance: 12.36 mi | Points: 721 |
Points of Interest
RBP001
Location: 39.627796, -106.275076Drop a car off at the Buffalo Cabin Trailhead in Silverthorne, then drive to the Gore Creek Trailhead in Vail. Follow the Gore Creek Trail to the northeast.
RBP002
Location: 39.628539, -106.273294Bear right at Y-junction. The Deluge Lake Trail veers left.
RBP003
Location: 39.629581, -106.261858The trail travels near Gore Creek (look for a series of cascades ahead).
RBP004
Location: 39.630044, -106.258553The trail curves to the south and enters conifer forest.
RBP005
Location: 39.629052, -106.256370Good campsite by river.
RBP006
Location: 39.629008, -106.247930Pass raspberry bushes along the trail.
RBP007
Location: 39.628945, -106.246741Cross a narrow, split log bridge.
RBP008
Location: 39.626565, -106.225026High bushes flank both sides of the trail.
RBP009
Location: 39.625243, -106.220155Look west for views of Gore Creek and the wooded valley.
RBP010
Location: 39.625111, -106.204770Bear right at Y-junction and cross Gore Creek on a log jam. Side trip: Turn left to visit the graves of Andrew and Daniel Recen.
RBP011
Location: 39.625202, -106.204909A worn log marks the graves of Andrew and Daniel Recen.
RBP012
Location: 39.625546, -106.193856This sprawling meadow is a prime location for a campsite.
RBP013
Location: 39.621417, -106.188655The trail skirts an expansive meadow on the left.
RBP014
Location: 39.620111, -106.186112Pass a potential campsite in the trees.
RBP015
Location: 39.617594, -106.183807This massive boulder offers sweet views to the west.
RBP016
Location: 39.621728, -106.176399Red Buffalo Pass: This grassy pass overlooks the Gore Creek drainage and the South Willow Creek drainage. Next, drop down the east side of the pass.
RBP017
Location: 39.618813, -106.174101Bear left off the trail, heading east.
RBP018
Location: 39.619472, -106.170646Pick up the trail and hike north.
RBP019
Location: 39.623326, -106.168785Cross a cascading creek.
RBP020
Location: 39.628418, -106.152488Cross a bridge.
RBP021
Location: 39.630177, -106.136137Stay straight at 3-way junction.
RBP022
Location: 39.631555, -106.135024Pass through aspen groves.
RBP023
Location: 39.632440, -106.130902Continue straight, heading east.
RBP024
Location: 39.632432, -106.127543Turn right at 3-way junction.
RBP025
Location: 39.631366, -106.126792Cross 3 bridges in the next 200 feet.
RBP026
Location: 39.627631, -106.127780An old ditch parallels the trail.
RBP027
Location: 39.627358, -106.123198Tackle a final steep stretch that climbs through the trees.
RBP028
Location: 39.625374, -106.121808At the top of the climb, the trail crosses a boulder field.
RBP029
Location: 39.623534, -106.119251Continue straight at 4-way.
RBP030
Location: 39.620193, -106.109937The route ends at Buffalo Cabin Trail. Pick up your shuttle car at the parking pull-out and drive back to the Gore Creek Trailhead.
RBP031
Location: 39.619732, -106.110238Park your shuttle car in the parking pull-out on the side of the road.
View of the Gore Range
Location: 39.626467, -106.223950© Kim Phillips
Gore Creek Trailhead
Location: 39.627807, -106.275038© Kim Phillips
Eastern Views on Gore Creek Trail
Location: 39.629145, -106.268000© Kim Phillips
Views East on Gore Creek Trail
Location: 39.629987, -106.253964© Kim Phillips
Log Bridge
Location: 39.628961, -106.246462© Kim Phillips
Gore Range
Location: 39.626467, -106.223950© Kim Phillips
Gore Creek Trail
Location: 39.625467, -106.221485© Kim Phillips
Views West on Gore Creek Trail
Location: 39.625268, -106.219854© Kim Phillips
Quiet Forest
Location: 39.624437, -106.209030© Kim Phillips
The Recen Graves
Location: 39.625259, -106.204619© Kim Phillips
The Recen Graves
Location: 39.625226, -106.204791© Kim Phillips
Meadow
Location: 39.624921, -106.205349© Kim Phillips
Rocky Outcrop
Location: 39.624978, -106.205220© Kim Phillips
Trail Junction
Location: 39.625102, -106.204630© Kim Phillips
Meadows
Location: 39.625540, -106.193751© Kim Phillips
Campsite
Location: 39.625416, -106.193612© Kim Phillips
Campsite
Location: 39.625309, -106.193579© Kim Phillips
Meadow below Red Buffalo Pass
Location: 39.620153, -106.186684© Kim Phillips
Gore Creek
Location: 39.620153, -106.186684© Kim Phillips
View from Rock Outcrop
Location: 39.617582, -106.183698© Kim Phillips
Gore Range
Location: 39.617450, -106.181445© Kim Phillips
Views near Red Buffalo Pass
Location: 39.622375, -106.178323© Kim Phillips
Climb to Red Buffalo Pass
Location: 39.622251, -106.178269© Kim Phillips
Views near Red Buffalo Pass
Location: 39.622144, -106.178205© Kim Phillips
Red Peak
Location: 39.621794, -106.176519South Willow Creek Drainage
Location: 39.621794, -106.176519© Kim Phillips
Descent into South Willow Creek Drainage
Location: 39.622605, -106.175694© Kim Phillips
Gore Range Trail
Location: 39.623053, -106.169257© Kim Phillips
Gore Range Trail
Location: 39.622896, -106.169525© Kim Phillips
Creek Crossing
Location: 39.623367, -106.168689© Kim Phillips
Buffalo Mountain
Location: 39.623850, -106.165030© Kim Phillips
Buffalo Mountain
Location: 39.628501, -106.151378© Kim Phillips
Trail Junction
Location: 39.630181, -106.136055© Kim Phillips
Giant Boulder
Location: 39.631845, -106.133572© Kim Phillips
Trail Junction
Location: 39.632424, -106.127425© Kim Phillips
Ditch
Location: 39.627639, -106.127662© Kim Phillips
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