Heading Over Red Buffalo Pass

We started off summer 2020 strong (and early!) with a backpacking trip from Silverthorne to Vail over Red Buffalo Pass (Day 1, Day 2)! There was a fair amount of early season snow and water still, but we managed. This was a trip we’d been eyeing for a while, and it was nice to finally get out there and try it. We also had the pleasure of hiking with Mark and Carolyn, Boulder-area friends. (Many photos in this set are actually theirs. : )

We’re pretty familiar with the beginning of this trail up Willowbrook Creek to the waterfall. After that though, we definitely transitioned into adventure mode. We walked through a beautiful alpine valley separating Buffalo from Red peak, and eventually crested the pass separating the two. We had a nice view of the high point we reached while hiking with Jill on Eccles Pass (see Catch Up #1 post). The weather at the pass was incredible, and we enjoyed a bit of respite before continuing on.

Heading down the west side of the pass was easygoing for a while, until the trail disappeared underneath snow cover. We ended up relying fairly heavily on GPS maps, and did pretty well for the most part – including a 100yd glissade-ish slide down a snow-covered creek in order to get back on track. We ended up camping in a meadow a few miles beyond the pass. We found a dry stand of trees among the waterlogged grass, and happy set up tents / took a nap / read. (We also discovered some animal bones and bear droppings, so that worked against the relaxation slightly – but we survived.)

The next day was primarily a descent into East Vail, plus an out and back to Gore Lake. We’d planned it as an optional spur, and decided to check it out given the weather, timing, and energy levels. (After surviving a river crossing – very cold and slippery, but we made it!) While the spur definitely contributed to the soreness, it was a good decision. Most of the landscape on the way up was in full-on spring, with rich meadow+forest all around. The lake itself was striking – mostly but not fully icy still, and sitting in the middle of rugged Gore Range mountains. Getting back to our main trail, the rest of the hike down took us through pine and aspen forests, along a rushing creek, and eventually down to the trailhead. Noelle and Phillip had generously drove our keys over to the car (since I’d accidentally left them in Silverthorne when we departed), so we were able to wrap up the trip without figuring out that potential extra complexity.  : )