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

New Mexico: Kitchen Mesa

Distance: 4.23 ft round trip with side trips
Elevation: 6,498 ft - 7,100 ft
Elevation Gain: 602 ft (net), 1,054 ft (cumulative)
Date Hiked: 25 October 2014
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes in the registration area
Fees: $5.00/person
Tags: #newmexico #hiking #georgiaokeeffe #entradasandstone

Pedernal Mountain from the top of Kitchen Mesa. Pedernal was painted by Georgia O'Keeffe so many times she became its spiritual owner. 

The Kitchen Mesa hike out of the Ghost Ranch in northern New Mexico is a superlative journey to the top of an Entrada sandstone monolith reminiscent of the national parks in Utah. The route passes by a dinosaur quarry, through a desert valley, up a class 2 rock chimney, and along a high ridge with views as far as the eye can see.

Split of the Box Canyon trail and the Kitchen Mesa trail

Heading into the valley

Crossing the quarry

Ghost Ranch was the home of the painter Georgia O'keeffe. It is now a retreat center used for weddings and conferences. There are several museums on site. The physical address is 1708 Highway 84, Abiquiu, NM. It is located 40 miles west of Espanola on U.S. 84 between mile markers 224 and 225. You'll need to drive to the main building and pay the daily entrance fee before heading out to the trailhead.

Typical lower section trail segment...Sagebrush and grasses

The trail consists of two parts. The lower section travels through Sagebrush and grasses with views of the towering Entrada sandstone cliffs. A short but steep section goes over the red hill where the famous Coelophysis fossil was discovered. This quarry is now a National Historic Landmark. Interpretive signs provide a little more information about this dinosaur.

Looking back down the valley

Heading up to the rock chimney

Climbing the rock chimney

The upper section begins at 1.2 miles (573 ft gain) via a 15 ft rock chimney that is doable for anyone with modest fitness and the ability to use both hands and feet. From the top of the chimney, cairns guide the way to the actual end of the mesa, which looks down on the ranch.

Following the rock cairns 

On top of the mesa heading towards the end

Skeleton of a tree on the top of the mesa

The route to the end of the mesa travels through sparse Juniper and Pine with many social trails to the edges. The soil underfoot changes as you cross several different sedimentary layers. The layer near the end is a sharp, white composite that looks like snow but feels like a bed of nails.

Looking down into the haze

Looking down onto the ranch

Hiking Kitchen Mesa is a great way to explore the jagged and colorful O'Keeffe country.  O'Keeffe captures the emotional impact of the area in a way that no camera can. Colors blend into smooth lines. Definition is reduced but the beautiful New Mexico scenery remains.

Gerald's Tree by Georgia O'Keeffe captures the essence of a Juniper skeleton