Sonya Dalrymple

When we lived in Breckenridge, we loved getting outside to hike everyday! It’s so easy to find a beautiful trail! My favorites always included water.

As hiking season approaches again this year, I wanted to consolidate a quick list of my favorite hikes with links to AllTrails. Please feel free to share with any friends who are traveling to Breck, and let me know of any favorites I may have missed!

Short

• Sawmill Creek Reservoir (can do every day :) 
• Illinois Gulch to Little Mountain
• Sapphire Point
• Windy Point
• Lower Windy Point to secret spot by the water

Blue River

Blue River has most of my favorite hikes in Summit County! Lower McCullough Gulch is short – just 2 miles, but worth it to bring a drink and enjoy sitting on the big rock in the middle of the creek with majestic views of Quandary Mountain. 

McCullough Gulch may require a reservation and a shuttle, but has a beautiful waterfall and upper lake. And if you’re feeling strong, check a 14er off your list, and hike up Quandary Mountain. Be prepared with plenty of water, snacks, good shoes, and warm layers.

Mohawk Lakes – If you have a 4×4, you can skim off a couple miles of this trail by driving as far as you can. There are upper and upper lakes if you have time, if not, the Continental Divide waterfall is worth stopping at different points for multiple views, and at least make it to first lower and upper lake. (There are about 3 more past that, but it gets pretty remote!)

• Lower McCullough Gulch
• McCullough Gulch
• Blue Lakes
• Mohawk Lakes
• Hoosier Pass – we like parking at the Continental Divide and then crossing the street to the other side. The trail takes you up to a beautiful view of the whole range. You’ll see a kairn as the main road trail hooks to the left, but follow the cairn trail through the trees and beyond until you get to a post sticking up in the ground, turn around, and enjoy the views. :) Fun fact, I broke my thumb on this trail one Easter when I was trying to cross-country ski up it. :( 

Silverthorne/Wildernest

• Lily Pad Lake – a simple classic trail.
• Willow Creek Falls – if we had to pick, this is our favorite trail in Summit County. Bring extra water, and save it for the climb back up. There’s about 1/2 mile rocky decline/incline towards the beginning/end of the trail, but it’s worth it! Bring poles if your knees are weak.

Frisco

• Rainbow Lake – simple, easy, classic trail
• Mt. Royal – steep incline, short, but bring water

On way to Leadville

• Clinton Gulch Dam Reservoir – easy 2 mile loop with amazing views and very little incline
• Mayflower Gulch – kinda rocky trail, but view at the end is nice with an old cabin and open windows

On way to Vail

• Shrine Ridge Trail – gorgeous 360 views of the Gore Range
• Willow Lake
• Officer’s Gulch