Travelers flock to the mountains of Colorado for stunning scenery and all the outdoor recreation that comes with it. Vail is especially blessed with a location close to three different mountain ranges that offer adventurous trails, soaring views and much more. But aside from them being part of the greater Rocky Mountains, how familiar are you with mountain names in Colorado? We’ll help you get the lay of the land.
We spoke with accomplished local mountaineer Ellen Miller, a trail ambassador for the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance who has summited Mount Everest twice, to share her local tips and favorite spots.
According to Miller, “Vail is at the doorstep of three magnificent wilderness areas: Holy Cross Wilderness, Eagles Nest Wilderness and Flat Tops Wilderness. For Vail visitors, having access to three wilderness areas is notable and very special. It’s the Wilderness Act’s 60th anniversary in 2024; this designation is important for ensuring that land will remain pristine for generations to come.”
As you explore and enjoy the outdoors, be sure to adhere to the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace, which aim to protect our beautiful spaces. This includes staying on designated trails, leaving everything as you find it, packing out all trash, exercising caution with campfires and respecting wildlife.
Let’s dive into which mountain ranges are in Colorado near Vail, how to experience them and what their special features are.
Vail Mountain (aka Vail Ski Resort)
Vail Village and Lionshead Village are tucked into the base of 11,570-foot Vail Mountain, home to the world-class Vail Ski Resort. Whether you want to ski, snowboard, hike, mountain bike or just take in the views, you can ride Gondola One or Eagle Bahn Gondola up to the top. Vail’s seven Legendary Back Bowls offer piles of powder for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders, along with sweeping vistas of the surrounding Colorado mountain peaks, including the Sawatch Range and Mount of the Holy Cross. You can also appreciate the beauty from the resort’s on-mountain decks and restaurants.
Insider Tip From Ellen Miller: “Vail Mountain hiking trails are beautiful and two of them can be easily accessed from the base. Strawberry Lane to Cabin Trail starts in Vail Village and Berry Picker starts in Vail Village or Lionshead, and hikers can ride the gondola down. For bigger views, hike or take the gondola up to access the Ridge Route to Ptarmigan Loop, Sunlight or the Northeast Rim Trail.”
Gore Range
To the north and east of Vail you’ll find the Gore Range, identifiable by its serrated and jagged ridges. The pointy, 13,041-foot Grand Traverse Peak is the backdrop to many photos of Vail Village and is part of the Grand Traverse along with North Traverse Peak, an 11-mile alpine ridge scramble. Though it’s a challenging trek, the payoff is breathtaking views of Vail Valley below. Tucked throughout the Gore Range are a number of idyllic alpine lakes you can hike to, including Lost Lake, Booth Lake, Pitkin Lake, Deluge Lake and Gore Lake. But for an easier outing, drive to Piney River Ranch on the shore of Piney Lake, where you can admire the view of 13,586-foot Mount Powell, the highest peak in the range. It’s also a great spot for paddling, fishing or even an overnight stay in the glamping tents.
Much of the Gore Range around Vail also contains the Eagles Nest Wilderness, with some of the most rugged terrain in Colorado. Backpackers love the challenging trails and, if you want to try mountaineering yourself, enlist the expertise of Paragon Guides. On the south end of the Gore Range is Vail Pass, where you can stop off at the scenic overlook and get a look at the Tenmile Range in the distance to the southeast.
Insider Tip From Ellen Miller: “The Gore Range can be experienced by hiking on one of the stunning East Vail trails. The wilderness has specific regulations so be sure to ‘know before you go’ by planning ahead and knowing special concerns for the area you will visit. These wilderness trails are considered challenging hiking. The cabin on the Bighorn Creek Trail is an excellent destination and the alpine lakes at Pitkin and Gore are beautiful and make perfect longer outings. Views of the Gore Range from the top of Uneva Peak are magnificent. The trailhead for Uneva starts at the top of Vail Pass and enters Eagles Nest Wilderness.”
Sawatch Range
Head southwest of Vail and you’ll meet the northern end of the Sawatch Range. Don’t let the gentle contours of these peaks fool you — it’s actually where to find some of the highest mountains in Colorado, including 14,433-foot Mount Elbert. The closest fourteener to Vail (peaks in Colorado that are more than 14,000 feet in elevation) is Mount of the Holy Cross, which stands at 14,005 feet and is recognizable by the cross-shaped snowfield on its face. Ensconced in the Holy Cross Wilderness, it’s a very challenging hike to reach the summit. Luckily, there are some easier-to-reach vantage points to view it from afar, including nearby Notch Mountain. On the southeast side of Vail, soak up the views amid summertime wildflowers from Shrine Ridge Trail or the Mount of the Holy Cross Observation Site. Also known as Julia’s Deck, it’s easily reached by a 1/8-mile accessible trail from a small parking lot on Shrine Pass Road.
Insider Tip From Ellen Miller: “The Sawatch Range is like the roof of Colorado, being home to 15 peaks over 14,000 feet! The name Sawatch is a derivation from a Native American word roughly meaning ‘water of the blue Earth.’ Along Highway 24 near Minturn, visitors can easily access Holy Cross Wilderness from the following trailheads: Grouse Lake, Martin Creek, Cross Creek and Tigiwon Road.”
Tenmile Range
Farther south on Highway 24 — also known as the Top of the Rockies scenic byway — you’ll see the Tenmile Range to the east. This extension of the Mosquito Range, separated by the Continental Divide, served as a training ground for U.S. soldiers during World War II. What’s now Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument is where the Army’s 10th Mountain Division prepared for battles in the snowy mountains of Italy. These days, visitors won’t see any remnants of the training camp, but interpretive signs on a self-guided tour help you explore the site. It’s also prime for outdoor recreation, including hiking, ATV rides, Nordic skiing and snowmobiling.
Insider Tip From Ellen Miller: “The Tenmile Range is home to five Centennial peaks (the top 100 highest Colorado mountains). Hiking and backcountry-ski opportunities are abundant! The Mohawk Lakes area and Mayflower Gulch offer beautiful hikes and opportunities for views and wildflowers.”
More About Vail Valley’s Ellen Miller
Ellen Miller has worked and lived in the Vail Valley for more than 30 years and is known as the first American woman to climb Mount Everest from both sides, Nepal and Tibet. She is the founder of the Vail Mountain Winter Uphill Race and was named the 2021 Volunteer of the Year by the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance. In the summer, she volunteers as a trail ambassador and leads wilderness-education hikes for the VVMTA, or you can find her volunteering for the Town of Vail as a Vail Trail Host at wilderness trailheads. Skiing uphill and hiking are her passions, and she still loves climbing to altitude on the beautiful higher peaks close to Vail.