Round trip distance: 4.4 miles
Hiking time: 5 hours
High point: 11,000 feet
Elevation gain: 1,300 feet
Best hiking time: Summer through early fall
Maps: USGS 7.5 minute series Vail Pass

Elevation profile

For more information: White River National Forest, Dillon Ranger District, 680 Blue River Parkway, Silverthorne, CO  80498. Phone (970) 468-5400; http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver/

Getting there: Take I-70 west through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Drive past Frisco to the Copper Mountain ski resort exit (Exit 195, Colorado Highway 91). Get on the exit ramp and look sharply to your right for a small pull-off for a few cars. The trailhead is on your right just before you cross the bridge over I-70. If the parking area is full, cross the bridge and park at Copper Mountain, then make your way back over the bridge to the trailhead. The trailhead is directly across the interstate from the Copper Mountain tennis courts. There may be a sign that says Uneva Pass/Gore Range Trail.

You will be hiking on the Gore Range Trail, which winds its way through Eagles Nest Wilderness. The Gore Range, Gore Creek and other landmarks bearing that name derive from Irish baronet Sir St. George Gore who hunted in the Rockies in the 1850s. The tale says that he traveled in real style and was served meals on fine bone china and drank vintage wine from crystal goblets.

The Gore Range Trail extends north for about 50 miles to south of Kremmling. Its southern terminus is at Copper Mountain. This southern section is also known as the Wheeler Trail. Here in this section lie two charming lakes known as Wheeler Lakes. The lakes, like the Wheeler Trail and Wheeler Flats, the area around Copper Mountain, derive their name from John S. Wheeler who arrived in Colorado in 1859 with other gold prospectors.  Eventually he moved to Summit County and established a hay ranch in the meadow that is now Copper Mountain ski resort.

Begin hiking northwest from the trailhead. There may be two paths but they merge in a few hundred feet. The ascent is rather steep as you scramble from the notch created by I-70. The trail levels off as it takes you through aspen and pine forest. After 1 mile, there is a U.S. Forest Service register nailed to a tree. Sign in.  When you reach a clearing turn around and enjoy the view of Copper Mountain, Lake Dillon and the Ten-Mile Range.

At 2 miles bear right as the trail forks. In another 0.25 mile you will reach the first of the two lakes.  The meadow and the lakes offer a lovely spot for some dog frolicking and a picnic lunch. If you have the energy, walk about 0.5 mile past the upper lake to a ridge for a panoramic view of the Continental Divide to the northeast.

Uneva Pass lies 2.5 miles to the northwest.

Return the way you came.