Home to a handful of major ski resorts within its boundaries, Summit County is most widely known as a popular winter destination. But with biking, kayaking and hiking options on the summer menu, June through September might tie for the best season to visit.
The collection of hiking trails here are among the finest in Colorado, with two of the three major mountain spines that converge in the area seeing relatively little traffic due to a dearth of the state’s popular 14,000-foot peak hikes. Parts of the Gore, Tenmile and Front Ranges collide in Summit County, providing classic panoramic views for the towns of Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco, Keystone and Silverthorne.
Finish your adventure with live music in the mountains
1. Mohawk Lakes
Among the easier trails in the area is Mohawk Lakes, a 6.6-mile route beginning 2.5 miles south of downtown Breckenridge at the end of Spruce Creek Road. It ascends 1,700 feet past a picturesque waterfall and several mining structures dating back to the late 19th century, reaching Lower Mohawk Lake just shy of 3 miles from the trailhead. A short hike further up the mountain brings you to Upper Mohawk Lake, which sits in a bowl due east of Pacific Peak and has sweeping views of the valley below.
2. Upper Cataract Lake
Upper Cataract Lake, an 11-mile roundtrip trek to an equally beautiful high-mountain pond, is slightly more difficult. Starting at the Surprise Lake trailhead 25 miles north of Silverthorne, a steady climb ensues, passing Surprise Lake on the left and catching a calendar-worthy glimpse of Cat Lake straight ahead before veering left and reaching Upper Cataract.
The view is mesmerizing, with 13,432-foot Eagles Nest Peak—named after the surrounding wilderness area—reflecting off the calm water.
The view is mesmerizing, with 13,432-foot Eagles Nest Peak—named after the surrounding wilderness area—reflecting off the calm water. Hikes with these stunning rewards are not without risks, however, with afternoon thunderstorms, warm mountain air and steep trails to consider.
3. Peak 1
A trail that emphasizes this last point more than most is Peak 1, located in the Tenmile Range near Frisco. Despite reaching only 12,805 feet in elevation, the hike matches the intensity of its taller neighbors with a four-mile ascent up lung-busting vertical inclines. The imposing peak provides sky-scraping views of Summit County without the crowds that usually accumulate elsewhere in the region. To the north is Buffalo Mountain and the Gore Range; to the east, sprawling Lake Dillon; and to the southwest, the green, treeless summertime slopes of Copper Mountain.