Gold Hill Trail (the one near Breckenridge)

Distance: 5 miles round trip to the summit
Elevation: 9,100 to 10,315 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,215 ft
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash
Date Hiked: 16 June 2008

Views of the Tenmile Range at the beginning of the trail

Gold Hill is an easy trail near the Breckenridge ski resort that I do whenever I go up for our annual climate conference. I have never made it to the summit because I am invariably doing this trail in the evening after work. I have a general idea of things, however, and feel I can describe it sufficiently.

Clear cutting

The clear cut area was filled with log piles and heavy equipment. That is Mt. Baldy in the distance.

The photos in this post are actually from 2008. I have held off blogging this trail because it is too disturbing for me. Like the proverbial ostrich with its head in the sand, I am trying to ignore the fact that that vast majority of the Ponderosa Pines in Summit County, and the rest of Colorado for that matter, are dead and or dying. The cause of this destruction is the Pine Beetle. This diminutive little creature, no larger than the nail of one's pinky, is responsible for the death of over 7 million acres of prime forest and it is not done yet.

Looking back down the trail to the east

Standing in the clear cut looking south

While a natural part of the forest ecosystem, drought and overly dense forests have added to the beetle's potency. Huge strands of forest along all the major road ways, throughout the ski resorts, and deep into the wilderness are now a sickly brown. The beetle, sometimes thousands of them, burrow under the bark. The feed, live, and breed there. This chokes off the nutrient supply for the tree, quickly killing it. Since the beetles prefers live trees, they quickly move on, only to kill again.

A close up of the Tenmile Range

Downed trees from a previous attempt to thin the forest

Management of the beetle is impossible over the many acres affected and may not even be a wise choice considering the natural aspect of the outbreak. Restoration now seems to be the main effort. Gold Hill is a prime example of what I have been observing in other parts of the state. The first portion of the trail takes the hiker through a clear cut area in which every tree is being removed. The bare hillside is stark, foreboding, and cluttered with piles of logs. When I hiked this trail in June of 2008, I could not help but ask myself if this was the future of all of Summit County. If so, the future is dire for the locals who live there and the transients who come and spend a lot of money to enjoy Colorado's bounty.

One of the few places on the trail with a view

After transiting the clear cut zone, the Gold Hill trail winds its way through thick forest. Tree trunks litter the ground in droves. These dead trees are not beetle kill but are the results of an earlier attempt to thin the forest. Even with that effort, the forest is like a wall. Only occasional glimpses of peaks can be seen from the dark, sinister interior. The trees still standing are visibly dying, however, like all the others in the state. Their crone-like branches droop, lifeless and austere. A good wind, and they will be flattened, or so it seems.

Crossing a slight open area in the forest. You can see how tightly packed the trees are

We wandered continually upwards through the dark forest until we ran out of time and had to turn around. I am guessing we were within a quarter of a mile of the small bump that is the summit of Gold Hill. It was actually a blessing to be able to escape from the darkness and back out into the clear Colorado evening.

A clear view of Mt. Baldy

While Gold Hill is considered a classic Colorado Hike, there are so many other incredible hikes that I am hesitant to recommend this one. Its primary advantage for me is that it is snow free in June, while other trails like Quandary Falls can be a soggy mess. I have also done this trail as a hiking interlude while biking between Breckenridge and Frisco. The trailhead is right on the bike path. Certainly the earlier downed forest is interesting to see.

Heading back down the logging road and returning into the light

Mayflower Gulch to Gold Hill

Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation: 10,996 ft -11,980 ft
Elevation gain: 1,040 ft
Date Hiked: 27 July, 2008
Bathroom at the Trailhead: No
Dogs: Off leash

The ruins of the Boston Mine stand out against the jagged contours of peaks surrounding Mayflower Gulch.

Mayflower Gulch near Copper Mountain is one of the most stunning hikes in Summit County and is one of my favorite spots to photograph wildflowers. We usually go up at least once every summer to check it out. It never seems to disappoint. 2008 was no exception. The fields were filled with many different species, the clouds were building, providing much needed shade to photograph the colorful ones, and the weather was sublime.

The trail to the back of Mayflower Gulch is a road that quickly disappears into the trees and heads steadily but not outrageously upwards.

Flowers grace the base of one of the cabins of the Boston Mine.

You get to the Mayflower Gulch trailhead by turning off of I-70 at the Copper Mountain and heading towards Leadville. There is a large parking lot on the left around 7 miles up the road. Because of the berm, you may not see it until you pass it. While packed in the winter, there is usually parking available in the summer.

There are many mining remnants in Mayflower Gulch

Looking down on the Boston Mine from part way up the road to Gold Hill.

The trail follows a rocky road (that you can drive if you want) for two miles. Occasional views and mining ruins along the way entertain the hiker but most likely you will be watching your footing and avoiding the streams that pour down during the melt off.

The cabins of the Boston Mine seen from the road to Gold Hill

The real fun begins when you exit the trees and enter into Mayflower Gulch's bowl. The picturesque jagged peaks and old cabins of the Boston Mine great the hiker at this point. I am often torn between lounging here to admire the view, continuing up the back bowl to the other ruins, or turning right and heading up the hill to Gold Hill. On this trip, we did it all until the threatening weather finally made us turn for home.

The further up Gold Hill you go, the farther back into the Gulch you can see.

In the summer, the slopes of Mayflower Gulch are verdant green and covered in wildflowers.

The route to the back bowl is quite obvious, simply follow the road.  From two thirds of the way to the end, there are several choices.  You can follow the road itself, bushwhack up the hill to the left, or climb the trail to the right that deadend into an old mine shaft.  All present stunning views back down the valley. Note the mileage listed on this post does not include the diversion to the back bowl. [Note: in 2010, the route to the mining ruin in the far back bowl was closed off for safety reasons].

View from Gold Hill looking south

View from Gold Hill looking southwest towards the Climax Mine retaining pond

Taking a right turn at the cabins and heading up the road to Gold Hill is also a fantastic way to explore the area. In the winter this is a bushwhack but in the summer you can follow a dirt road to the top. Most years there will be a slight scramble over the remaining snow cornice. 2008 was no exception.

View from Gold Hill looking southeast

Looking west across the broad ridge of Gold Hill

Many of the most beautiful wildflowers grow along the broad slope that borders the road to Gold Hill. I like to shove my telephoto lens into the grasses and play with bringing into focus various layers of the flowers. There are so many, it is hard to choose.

The mountain to the west

Once you get to the top of Gold Hill, you might just forget the flowers since the views from the ridge of Gold Hill are extraordinary. The green meadows to the south remind me of the Sound of Music. If you listen carefully, you can hear the opening strains of that musical and I swear Julie Andrews is about to come twirling out into the open.  You are going to want to linger here, so bring lunch and enjoy the phenomenal scenery.  Slightly southwest, you can see the giant retaining pond of the Climax Mine. While not a pretty wilderness sight, its colors do make a nice contrast to all verdant greens.

The mining ruin at the back bowl.  This area is now closed to the public.

White Crowned Sparrow (Zontrichia leucohyrus) nests in the central mountains of Colorado. It feeds on the ground scratching backwards with both feet simultaneously.

Some of you may have already seen my winter Mayflower Gulch post. Summer or winter, Mayflower Gulch is a destination not to be missed.  As a few parting shots I'll include a few obligatory flower pictures to get you motivated.

A close up of Indian Paintbrush

Purple Larkspur

Monkshood (Aconitum columbianum), Bistwort (Bistora bistortoides), unknown yellow aster, Aspen Daisy (Erigeron speciosus)