Frisco trails better than Gore Creek?

I do not think that the scenery in and around Gore and Deluge Lakes, and up Gore Creek, for that matter, is in any way inferior to the scenery on the Frisco side.

The Gore Creek campground is "fine." It's actually quite lovely, but it is pretty close to the interstate, and the sites are a little closer together than in some mountain USFS campgrounds. But it is wooded and scenic. But it sounds like you'll be gone all day day-hiking, so I would be perfectly happy there, if I were you. The campground hosts are pretty activist there, in terms of bear safety and other regulations. So if you're planning to hammock camp, I'd recommend yuo make good and sure that your set-up will pass muster.

Those trails from the East Vail trailheads can get a little crowded on weekends, but so can the ones close to Frisco.

If I were you I'd stick to your original plan, or at least follow up with the friend about what the heck they meant by that.

If time and weather allow, I highly recommend the side climb up to Snow Pass from Deluge Lake, BTW.

I'm not a hammock camper, but my understanding is that rangers/campground hosts, etc occasionally tell people they cant use their hammocks because they do not have the approved setup, etc--it might harm the trees, and so on. That's all.

cweston, that makes sense. I'll double check with them first. Thanks for the heads up.

Lamebeaver, I'll be renting a car when I fly into DEN. Probably something simple since I don't need a 4x4 to get to that campground.

mrdanner I'm sort of a local on the Frisco side and I think you are getting good advice here. Given your goals and interests, sticking with your plan makes sense. I can't advise on the hammock-in-Gore-Campground technicalities, but I generally agree that it's a better spot for you than the Frisco-side CGs.

Know that Gore Lake area will be busy. Also know that they are starting a huge I-70 improvement project this summer on the west side of Vail Pass. I really don't think it will affect things this summer -- I believe it's mostly design and prep work they are doing. But in the following 2-3 summers there will be a lot going on. It will be much-needed widening and improvement of the roadway, the bike path (which is already wonderful), watersheds, and wildlife travel ways. There is a surprising amount of wildlife in there, including elk, bighorn sheep, and the Canada Lynx, which has been reintroduced to that area.

One thought if you want to do a point-to-point hike is that I gave some hikers a ride back from Gore TH (at the CG) to Meadow Creek TH near Frisco one time. They had a very nice hike over Eccles and Red Buffalo passes. You could do it in reverse from your camp with a shuttle or hitch back, for example. Those are very nice passes, and great places to see mountain goats. Enjoy! Let us know how it goes.

mrdanner: If you're new to mountain goat country...

1) You'll generally know if they're around, in the summer, anyway, because you'll see their white wool on bushes, branches, and rocks here and there.

2) If goats are around, be sure to pee well away from your camp. The minerals/salts in human urine attracts them, and they will root and dig and lick pretty relentlessly where people have peed.

3) They're fun to have around camp, but they aren't very afraid of humans and can be quite persistent: once they take up residence in your camp, they might not want to leave. If you keep a neat camp with all your gear in one area that you can easily keep an eye on, it makes for a more relaxing goat encounter. I think they are more curious than anything--they seem more interested in people and gear than in food, in my experience.