We decided to head up backpacking into the Gore Range last weekend in a route known as the Deluge Lake Loop. The first day had us hike from east Vail up to Gore Lake, about 7 miles and 3000 feet from the trailhead (wonderful fun in the heat of the afternoon). The second day we bushwhacked up and over a ridge to arrive at Snow Lake, then continued trailless up and over a ridge known as "Snow Pass". The descent down to Deluge Lake was an exciting route on a faint "trail" crossing scree and talus chutes. Once at Deluge Lake, we followed a trail all the way back to the trailhead, although parts of this trail could definitely be defined as "vertiginous". All in all, it was a beautiful weekend!
