A moderately challenging three mile hike at the 10,000-foot level climbs through Lodgepole pine forests frequented by a variety of birds, and crosses hillside streams surrounded by summer wildflowers. Sapsuckers, flickers and woodpeckers are drawn to beetle-damaged trees along the way, and, with luck, birdwatchers could spot the uncommon yellow-crowned American Three-toed Woodpecker.
Summit County, near Denver, Colorado
Aptly-named Summit County, Colorado, is sparsely populated, with most residents above 9,000 feet. One of Denver's primary winter sport playgrounds, Summit County is home to four major ski areas, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin, a magnet for skiers from around the world.
Increasingly, the county is also becoming well-known as a destination for summer visitors. The high mountains offer alpine hiking, blue-ribbon fishing, mountain biking, swimming and golf. Ski resorts keep many gondolas and chairlifts running through the summer, offering access to upper-elevation trails and biking runs.
Summit County, home to White River National Forest and Eagles Nest Wilderness, is also a great place for summer birding. Year-round resident birds such as the Gray Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Pine Grosbeak and Mountain Chickadee, are joined by dozens of breeding and migratory visitors, including three hummingbirds, numerous warblers, woodpeckers and other species. Summer is also when alpine wildflowers are at their peak.
Rock Creek Road and the Gore Range Trail
Silverthorne lies at 9,035 feet on the north side of Interstate 70, just 60 miles west of Denver. The Blue River campground is nine miles north of Silverthorne, on the right side of highway 9. Directly across from the campground is Rock Creek Road, which leads three miles back to the Rock Creek trailhead. This road is quite rocky and rough, and a high-clearance vehicle is preferred.
From the trailhead parking lot, at 9,670 feet, Rock Creek trail leads into the Eagles Nest Wilderness. At just four tenths of a mile, the signed, narrow Gore Range trail intersects with the main trail. If one were to continue on the main trail for another six tenths of a mile, an unsigned path to the left leads through a beautiful meadow to Rock Creek and the abandoned site of the Alfred M. Bailey Bird Nesting Area. However, to reach Boulder Lake, turn right on the Gore Range trail.
The Gore Range trail climbs gently, reaching a seasonal stream crossing at three-quarters of a mile from the parking lot. Groves of mature Aspen stand above the trail, wildflowers surround the stream area and an open meadow lies below. At 1.6 miles, the trail crests at 10,150 feet, and then drops steadily to the lake, at 9,813 feet, 2.8 miles from the parking lot.
Birds along the Gore Range Trail and at Boulder Lake
Adult and newly-fledged Red-naped Sapsuckers are common along the early part of the trail, as are Northern Flickers and Hairy Woodpeckers. On the slope leading to the crest, birders should look for Gray Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Dark-eyed Junco, American Robin and Cordilleron Flycatcher.
Birds to watch for on the downhill side of the crest include Mountain Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill and the elusive American Three-toed Woodpecker. The Three-toed is similar to the much more common Hairy Woodpecker, so one should carefully check apparent Hairy Woodpecker sightings. A darker, more mottled back, and the unmistakable yellow crown of the male distinguish the Three-toed.
Birders should look for American Dipper along Boulder Creek, and should check the lake and shoreline for water birds, such as Green-winged Teal.
Summer Wildflowers along the Gore Range Trail
Wildflowers are abundant along the trail, especially in wet areas at stream crossings, along Boulder Creek and at Boulder Lake. A rainbow spectrum of colors are found, from the bright-white Alpine Phlox, lemon-yellow Broadleaf Arnica, Giant Red Paintbrush, pale-blue Harebell to the ink-purple Monkshood.
Other common and photogenic flowers include Fireweed, Western Aster, Rocky Mountain Goldenrod, Prickly Rose and Alpine Yarrow. Less common, but worth searching for, are the delicate Mariposa Lily and the Colorado state flower, the Colorado Blue Columbine.
Summer Birding in the Colorado Mountains
Summer Colorado birders are treated to a wealth of resident and migratory birds, including fledglings and uncommon species, like the American Three-toed Woodpecker. Alpine wildflowers peak at the same time, providing added incentive for birders, and one of the better locations to experience both is the Gore Range trail to Boulder Lake.
For more information about summer birds and wildflowers in Colorado, see the following articles:
Birding Lower Cataract Lake near Silverthorne in Summit County
Wildflowers and Birds on the Loveland Pass Loop Trail
The Wildflowers and Birds of McCullough Gulch near Breckenridge
Wildflowers and Birds at Lily Pad Lakes near Silverthorne
Birds and Wildflowers on Shrine Ridge Trail near Vail
Summer Birding at Keystone Ski Resort in Summit County
The Summer Hummingbirds of Keystone
Mt. Evans and Goliath Natural Area near Idaho Springs
The Rufous Hummingbird, Aggressive Copper-colored Hummer
Bob Bowers - A lifelong naturalist and amateur ornithologist, Bob's avocation is studying, photographing and writing about birds.
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