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When people usually think of Breckenridge, it is primarily as a ski town. But the phrase, “…moved here for the winter and stayed for the summer,” holds a lot of truth. The summer season in the mountains is routinely gorgeous, and there is more to do than you’d think.
Early in the summer, right after the ski resorts close, is a great time to dust off the golf clubs and hit the driving range. Usually, the weather is warming up and the skies are clear, so if the snow has melted away, go get your swing back in shape!
Another activity that works really well for the early summer season is getting out on your bike. Road cycling enthusiasts will usually find clear roads and little traffic as the spring break season is winding down. Watch out for freak storms that could drop unexpected snow, but otherwise, the weather is ideal for getting back into summer bike shape. Boreas Pass Rd is a great ride with beautiful views of the Ten Mile Range as a reward.
Once all the snow is melted (or at least mostly melted), an array of other opportunities to adventure open up. Just name your favorite outdoor hobby and chances are you can find it in Breckenridge. Hiking? Check. Biking? Check, check. Fishing? Of course. Camping? Duh. Off-roading? Yep. You can even get in some boating down the road in the Dillon Reservoir.
Some of the best and most accessible hiking is right in town and around Summit County. Our favorites include:
- Mohawk Lakes – This hike winds through some high alpine terrain then scales a granite face while passing mining ruins from the early days of Breckenridge. The hike ends with several high alpine lakes that are ripe for fishing, lounging or just enjoying the views. Wildlife can be encountered as well so please keep your distance.
- Peaks Trail – This is a multi-use trail starting at the base of Peak 7 and stretching all the way to Frisco. If you’re in the mood for a day hike with everything from lively creeks to wide-open high alpine meadows to old growth forest, this is the hike for you.
- Quandary Peak – This is the closest 14,000’ mountain to Breckenridge and is a great hike for those considering getting into hiking Colorado’s tallest peaks. By no means does that make it a beginner hike. Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water. A rain jacket wouldn’t hurt as well considering the weather at that elevation changes extremely rapidly. However, the long uphill hike is worth the price of admission. If you’ve never been on top of a ‘14er’ the views are absolutely spectacular.
Biking is one of the most popular summer activities in Breckenridge and in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado as a whole. If you’re interested, you should check out one of our previous blogs: Back in the Saddle for all the gory details. A great resource that is cited in that blog is MTB Project. It will let you know the best trails around town and where they’re located.
Golf is a great way to pass the time during the summer and Breckenridge has a world class course with three 9-hole options. The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and offers three very different types of golf. The Bear course is a links-style nine hole course that is open. The Elk Course is considered a mountain course with lots of elevation change and challenging natural obstacles. This is the most difficult of the three 9-hole options. Then, the Beaver Course is a combination of the other two and is unique and fun with slight elevation changes and a challenging layout.
If you’re more of an off-road enthusiast, Breckenridge and the surrounding areas offer great trails and stunning views from the tops of Peak 10 as well as access to several alpine lakes around the area. Most of these trails require four-wheel drive and a good amount of clearance and are not recommended for a passenger car. They can also be covered in snow early in the summer as it takes a month or two for the snow to truly melt away.
So, regardless of your leanings when it comes to summer outdoor adventures, chances are that Breckenridge has something to offer. Come see what it’s all about here in the high country of Colorado!
