French Gulch Snowshoe

Distance: 3-6 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 10,280-10,880 ft
Elevation Gain: 600 ft
Dogs: Off leash
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Tags: #Breckenridge, #snowshoe, #coloradooutdoors

There always seems to be lots of snow on a French Gulch snowshoe. 

French Gulch, near Breckenridge CO, is a lovely snowshoe whose gradual ascent is suitable for both beginners and more experienced snowshoers looking to get their winter activities started. It seems to be used less than some of the other trails in Summit County and is off limits to snowmobiles.

Map to trailhead. Red arrows show the route. 

Parking area

You get to the trailhead up French Gulch Road, which starts at the 7-eleven just south of Breckenridge. This road is usually plowed but snowpacked in the winter. It travels by a new subdivision and several mining ruins before dead ending into a large plowed parking lot with kiosk. 

Steep hillside to the left

French Gulch on a cloudier day

The trail starts up the road to the left of the kiosk. Shortly thereafter, another road splits sharply off to the right. This road will take you to the Sally Barber Mine, a snowshoe to a mining ruin on a hill. The initial part of the route passes several large homes before breaking out into the open with views of Mt. Guyot dominating the southern sky.

Mt. Guyot (13,376 ft ) is visible for much of a French Gulch snowshoe

Further up the road is a large avalanche chute that should be crossed with caution. Before that, however, there are numerous places to leave the road and frolic in deep snow.

A final view of Mt Guyot

Cucumber Gulch

Distance: 3.4 mile exploration
Elevation: 9,800 ft
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Date Hiked: 26 July 2015
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: On leash only (critical wildlife habitat). No dogs allowed in the center of the gulch.
Restrictions: Not open until after July 1st of each year to protect calving Moose and migratory birds.
Tags: #Breckenridge, #ColoradoHiking, #Wetland

Boardwalk and waterfall in the scenic Cucumber Gulch, Breckenridge.

Cucumber Gulch is a protected wetland located underneath the gondola in Breckenridge. There are numerous summer trails that circumnavigate the area and a couple of places that extend inwards for views of the many Beaver ponds that make the Cucumber Gulch so unique.

Winter Trail Map of the Cucumber Gulch Area. Not every trail listed exists in summer. In particular, the Beaver Meadows Trail, which crisscrosses the area in winter is wet and impassible in summer. 

The trails around Cucumber Gulch are marked by the Breckenridge Nordic Center, which is closed in summer except for special events such as weddings. You get to the Nordic Center a few miles up Ski Hill Road on the Highway 9 bypass.  The trails are marked with signs and maps at each numbered location (see map). The names of the trails are not always evident, so it might be useful to print out a map before you go.

The upper forested section near the nordic center carpeted in wildflowers. 

While there are lots of ways to follow the trails down to the wetlands, I did a major exploration of the area. From the parking lot I headed to the right until I reached signpost #4, and then took the Gold Digger Trail through the Pines blanketed in Lupine. The Gold Digger Trail loops around and eventually heads southwest (uphill).

Example of a trail sign

At signpost #23 the Willow Trail and the Gold Digger Trail converge at a interpretive site that is often manned by local graduate students studying the area. They can discuss the feeding habits of the Beaver, Moose, and Muskrat that call the wetlands home.

Walking on the Gold Digger Trail

From this spot, the Willow Trail enters the woods and becomes dark and root bound. It is easy walking however around the north side of the wetlands to signpost #29, where there is another overlook. At this point the summer route heads north on the Engleman Trail and passes under the Gondola at signpost #33. I turned around at signpost #35 and retraced my steps to signpost #18 where the Willow Trail branches off of Gold Digger Trail.

At a wetland viewpoint

From signpost #18, I traveled down to Josie's Cabin and signpost #17 for scenic view looking up the wetland itself.  From there I returned to the nordic center.

The wetlands are directly under the gondola. 

Beaver lodge

So why all the fuss? Cucumber Gulch is a fen wetland. Fen wetlands are peat forming wetlands that can take up to a 1000 years to develop. This type of rare wetland occurs when water bubbles up to the surface. The water saturated grounds support a plethora of plant life. Cucumber Gulch is also located in the center of one of the busiest ski resorts in Colorado. Home to a zoological treasure trove of wildlife, it is simply a unique yet fragile place. While other trails in Breck can be dry and warm, Cucumber Gulch is moist and shaded. If you go, say hi to the Beavers for me.

Josies' Cabin

Wheeler Lake

Distance: 6.8 miles round trip
Elevation: 10,980 ft - 12,162 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,182 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
No Dogs: Off Leash
Date Hiked: 14 August 2010
Updated: 28 September 2015
Tags: #coloradooutdoors #hiking #breckenridge #mountainlake

A hiker lounges at Wheeler Lake near Breckenridge

Wheeler Lake near Breckenridge is a high alpine lake surrounded by the lofty peaks of Mt. Lincoln (14,286 ft), Mt. Democrat (14,148 ft), and North Star Mountain (13,614 ft). The "trail" follows a jeep road with heavy 4x4 traffic. As such the route is very rough, with large loose rocks that are hard to walk on. There are also large road ponds that never seem to dry out. As a consequence, hikers have periodically made social trails through the willows on the side of the road.

Montgomery Reservoir

Parking area near the pumping station. The trailhead is around the bend to the left.

Looking up the creek while standing on a metal bridge over the water diversion.  That is North Star Mountain in the distance. 

The trailhead for Wheeler Lake is located on the western side of Montgomery Reservoir on the southern side of Hoosier Pass. If coming from Breckenridge, you will see a dirt road on the right coming towards you. The very sharp entrance to this road is approximately 0.5 miles from the pass itself. Follow the road down to the reservoir and then take the road the travels around it. You can park where a water diversion tunnel enters the lake or continue on the rough, single-lane road around to the back of lake. Near the pumping station is an area for about 15 vehicles. The hike begins up the road toward the large aluminum-sided mining ruin.

Heading up the trail. First stop a large mining ruin.

Another antique

Starting up the rocky road

After the mining ruin, the route rises steadily through trees and occasional vistas until you reach the broad open valley. From this point on the views only get better. Mt. Lincoln dominates the south, Mt. Democrat is located at the end of the valley, and North Star Mountain guards the northern side. All three of these peaks are bare, talus covered massifs. The valley itself is filled with willows that will look stunning in the fall.

Looking up at Mt. Lincoln

Looking down the valley

Typical road pond with social trail off to the right. 

Wheeler Lake is an obvious glacial remnant. It sits atop a broad shelf on the north side of the valley and is obvious from a distance. The road splits on the western side of this shelf with a small two-tire road heading off towards Mt. Democrat and a steep, very rocky road heading up the shelf. This portion of the route is like walking on a stream bed. The rocks are large, round, and filled in with dirt, pebbles, and small streams. Be advised there are several false shelves before the main shelf, which is quite large. The lake itself is nestled at the very back.

View of Mt. Democrat

Stream pouring down from the lake

Road heading up to the lake

The area around the lake is very scenic. On this trip, wildflowers carpeted the meadows surrounding the lake, and a small picturesque stream drifted slowly through a rock garden to the right. Hikers lounged in the sun on several of the broad flat rocks that dotted the shoreline while a large group of 4x4ers chatted by their vehicles. Climbers on the summit of Mt. Lincoln were visible against a startlingly blue sky.

Looking back down the valley

Another view of Mt. Democrat

At the lake. It is a bit if walk after ascending the last shelf. 

Note that while the trip back down the trail is not too difficult, the loose rock can pose a slip hazard. Waterproof boots, poles, and ankle-high boots are recommended. Long pants will also protect from willows.

Rock garden to the right of the lake

Finally, Wheeler Lake (singular) is not to be confused with Wheeler Lakes (plural) near Copper Mountain.

Mohawk Lakes

Distance: 6.4 miles round trip (lower lake), 7 miles round trip (upper lake)
Elevation: 10,400 ft - 11,825 ft (lower lake)/12,100 ft (upper lake)
Elevation Gain: 1,700 ft (upper lake)
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked: 10 August 2013

Serene Lower Mohawk Lake near Breckenridge Colorado

Mohawk Lakes near Breckenridge Colorado is the most crowded trail I have ever been on. The hordes at a Justin Beiber concert were nothing compared to the bridal parties, backpackers, and children in Keds that covered every nook and cranny of the route. At times you had to turn side ways just to pass.

The parking lot looking up the road towards the 4x4 parking lot, another 2 miles further on

Start of the Spruce Creek Trail

This makes no sense to me, because while the lakes themselves are just lovely, the first two miles of the route are either up a very rocky 4x4 road or through a dank, mosquito infested forest. The only thing I can figure is that every hotel in Breckenridge must advertise Mohawk Lakes as THE must do hike in the area. If it were me, I would send them to Black Powder Pass or Crystal Lake off of Hoosier Pass. They are much easier on the paws for hiking novitiates and stunning to boot.

Typical segment in the trees. On this trip it was muddy, humid, and filled with mosquitoes.

While I have the means of skipping those first two miles, I foolishly chose to do the entire hike (up through the trees, down via the road) because I needed the extra exercise. Never again. I would rather run a marathon first and then do that segment.

Where the Spruce Creek Trail intersects the end of the road

Follow the road around the bend

The trail then heads back into the trees at this small sign.

You get to Mohawk Lakes via the Spruce Creek Trailhead located 2.6 miles south of Breckenridge via Spruce Creek Road. While the parking lot is large, all those tourists have to park someplace and the cars were extended far down the road. If you don't have a 4x4, take the route through the trees. It starts at the trail sign on the left. If you do have a 4x4, you can continue onwards. There are many places to park along the way but few at the very top. Get there early if you want a coveted spot.

The most intact cabin you will pass

Looking back down the valley to the east

1.6 miles up the Spruce Creek Trail is the turn off for the Wheeler Trail, which will take you to Frances cabin, one of the local backcountry huts. After two miles, the route through the trees dumps you at the upper parking area near a water control building. Hop onto the road and follow it for 30 yards until it bends to the left. There the trail reenters the trees.

The start of the wall

This part of the route winds in and out of the trees, traversing a few small meadows before passing as the turn off to Mayflower Lake at 2.4 miles and the ruins of an ancient cabin a little further on.

One of the many switchbacks on the final climb to the lower lake. There were about 11 people sitting along the trail on the left.

After a few more switchbacks, the route starts to climb up a wall with a dramatic waterfall on the right. There are numerous places to side track to the falls or admire the views back down the valley. This wall is steep, 500 feet in 0.5 miles, and you find yourself huffing and puffing not to mention cursing as you ascend. On more than one occasion I felt tempted to take my boot and just kick folks off the mountain side. Tourist dollars be damned! Some of these folks had no business extricating themselves from the hotel pool.

Looking down on the waterfall, which is actually quite long and continues for quite a distance down-slope.

Someone created this attractive cairn overlooking the valley.

Once on top, the trail levels out at a dramatic mining ruining (3.0 miles 1,257 ft gain) with cables and a large wheel. The route then follows the outlet from Lower Mohawk Lake, traversing flat rocks until the lake itself comes into view (at 3.2 miles and 11,825 ft).

The mining ruin viewed from a hundred yards closer to the lake

Outlet from the lake

Shallow Lower Mohawk Lake

Lower Mohawk Lake reminds me a lot of Mills Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. It is broad, flat, filled with rocks, and bordered by twisted trees. To the west a large shelf rises sharply. The left side of this shelf contains the upper lake, which is deeper in both color and topography.  I really like Lower Mohawk Lake, however.  It is different from many of the other alpine tarns I have visited. The shallow waters, elongated shape, and broad rocks along the shore are conducive to heavy navel gazing.

Heading up to the upper lake

Upper Mohawk Lake comes into view at eye height.

Looking down on Upper Mohawk Lake

Upper Mohawk Lake is a short half mile and 300 ft further up the trail to the left. While the lake itself is not as lovely as Lower Mohawk Lake, I get into serious arguments with friends about this, the approach is really fun. The views downward make the shelf really stand out and the final two steps to the lake occur at eye height...you literally come up under the lake. The walls around the upper lake are tall with lots of places to sit and admire the view.

Looking down on Lower Mohawk Lake

So the key to enjoying Mohawk Lakes is to avoid the crowds by going in the early spring when the trail is partially obscured by snow or in the fall after the children have returned to school. For varieties sake, we took the road back down, but that is just as long and is very rocky. Neither route, the road nor the trees offers much in the way of redeeming value. Sometimes life is just that way, you have to endure the mundane for the sake of the sublime.