Best Trails to See Aspen Trees near Breckenridge Posted on October 6, 2022 - 12:53 pm by Stacy Sanchez Fall Hiking in Summit County This post is a sampling of options and my opinion on what just may be the Best Trails to See Aspen Trees near Breckenridge. After a summer full of rain, the fall colors in Breckenridge have arrived later than usual. I first moved to the high country in 1995 and have noticed that the fall colors tend to peak around the middle of September each year. The leaves are not guaranteed to peak at that time, and several weather factors and events can play into their longevity and brilliance. For example, one year an early snowstorm fell for a few days and the majority of the leaves turned brown and dropped rather quickly. Aspen Trees near Breckenridge, Colorado - Fall 2021Watch this video on YouTube This summer the rain fell a lot and the leaves have slowly turned yellow, behind their normal pace. I’m not exactly sure of the science behind why that is, but it is early October now and the colors are still spectacular. And, we have haven’t had any major weather events to hasten or expedite the color change. Regardless, I’m writing this blog, noticing our web traffic has increased on an older blog, Aspen Trees in Breckenridge, Colorado, and thought it was time for an updated blog that shows off some of my newer pics and videos. A Quick Walk Through the Aspen TreesWatch this video on YouTube Best Trails to See Aspen Trees near Breckenridge I’ll do a quick summary and work off the original list I posted about. You can expect many trail users along the way as you explore the forest. Please be alert, as mountain bikers or fast runners could be coming down hill and around blind corners at any moment. Take the ten essentials for any outdoor outing in the high country terrain. Ready for the suggestions? Ok, here they are. Boreas Pass Road and Aspen Alley These two fall classics are the top two in this line up. And, they will be busy. Start your day at the Breckenridge Troll, Isak Heartstone, near the Stephen C. West Ice Arena and Rotary Snowplow Train Park. Take your pics with the troll and get back in the car and take a drive up the old railroad line that is now Boreas Pass Road. You’ll pass the trailhead parking (another great hiking option, but not so many aspen on that section as Aspen Alley) and after a short drive, you’ll arrive in a spectacular setting of panoramic views of the Ten Mile Range, a fabulous tunnel of aspens, and you can continue to the summit of Boreas for a few moments in the alpine. Aspen Alley is gorgeous and you can watch a video below. Boreas Pass Road Aspen Alley in Breckenridge, ColoradoWatch this video on YouTube Little Mountain A new reroute climbs the north face of the hill side and is quite rocky and includes some advanced terrain, meaning high steps in spots that may require the use of hands and feet at the same time. Once you arrive at the top, you will be able to enjoy almost 360 degree views of the surrounding area. To the south is the Blue River valley towards Hoosier Pass, Baldy Mountain to the east, the Breckenridge Ski Resort and Ten Mile Range to the west and to the Williams Fork Valley to the north. Hoosier Pass Drive south of Breckenridge and arrive at Hoosier Pass, and you’ll have passed Quandary Peak, a 14er (14,265 foot peak) and will have a few choices to explore fall views from an alpine perspective. For something different, keep going south to explore the towns of Alma and Fairplay. Look for Otto’s food cart in Alma, or continue on to explore the eateries near historic South Park City, like Casa Sanchez. Lomax Placer For a quick and easy access walk around historic buildings and trees, the Lomax Placer Mine Site has some old cabins. You can find it right off of Ski Hill Road, just past the skiers bridge that crosses overhead. There is a parking lot for easy access too. Park and take some nice pics with the family! Lomax Pacer Mine French Gulch Trails Drive up Wellington Road from Main St., and take the right when the road forks. Continue past the Country Boy Mine and choose between three trailheads, the B&B, the Reiling Dredge and the Sallie Barber Mine. Numerous loops, out and backs and connections offer multiple options for leaf peepers. Fall Hikes around Lake Dillon Seeing the water and trees together is a special treat and one easier hike is the Old Dillon Reservoir, right off of the Dillon Dam Road. Also, look up the Frisco Peninsula trails , Rainbow Lake and the Dillon Nature Preserve for airy views across the lake. Lily Pad Lake Trail The parking is on a frontage road near the eastern Frisco I-70 roundabout on/off ramp, and that leads up and through some tall and amazing aspens where you can arrive at a family favorite, Lily Pad Lake. Montezuma Road Take the right fork towards the Gondola parking lot at the Keystone Resort and head up Montezuma Road for a scenic drive up to quirky and colorful town of Montezuma. Lots of aspen trees line the drive that some opt to bike instead of drive. Jeeps and OHVs park at the far end of town and continue up to higher alpine roads that criss cross the landscape. Kenosha Pass Other Fall Leaf Peeping Around Colorado Over the years we’ve spent some time driving around and have been lucky to see fall colors in other places outside of Summit County. Here’s a sampling of adventures that await you, your friends and family. Vail SteamboatKebler PassEstes ParkMaroon BellsTellurideTwin Lakes / LeadvilleKenosha Pass Contact us with Trip Planning and Mountain Habitat Searching If you’ve found this blog, chances are you’re planning a trip to the Breckenridge area. There’s a ton of information online these days, but feel free to use the contact form below to send us a message about any trails you see in the blog or elsewhere. We are also Breckenridge Real Estate and Property specialists that help families find the perfect property to call home, and to be able to spend time in the mountains. Make memories in the aspen trees, on the slopes and around the various towns of Summit County, Colorado. Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.
Sledding and Tubing in Summit County, CO Posted on January 12, 2022 - 1:51 pm by Stacy Sanchez Sledding Hills in Breckenridge Planning a family ski trip to vacation this winter in Breckenridge or Summit County? If so, then you’ll want to bookmark this page to make the most of your time and mix it up. What I mean is, skiing is hard work and can be tiring, so it’s good to take a day off to rest the legs, or you can visit these sledding hills before or after your time on the hill. Whatever you choose as your agenda, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the different choices for free and paid options to sled around the county. We’re going to start with the sledding options in The Kingdom. Of course, the weekends are busier, so if you have a choice, I’d say go early or go late and expect some sleds in community “take one, leave one” type set ups, but those could all be taken or even broken, so don’t rely on those. If you’re staying at a rental property, I would ask your host if there are sleds on site to borrow, or if you’ll need to purchase your own. If you need to purchase some quickly, the small, but expensive, grocery store near the post office is the closest option. Next would be the City Market near the gondola. Over in Frisco is Walmart and in Silverthorne is Target. Equipment List Whether you go to Breck or somewhere else, your day will be much more fun if you bring the following items. BACKPACK – to carry on the hill, or just leave it in the car if it’s relatively close by to get to. SNOW CLOTHES – to wear while sliding down the hill. You’ll get hot walking back up, so a ball cap with a brim and a hooded jacket is my headwear of choice.EYE PROTECTION – to shield your eyes from UV and from flying snow when you put your feet down to slow down / steer. Goggles or sunglasses work just fine. Maybe stash a glass cleaner cloth in your pocket to wipe off snow. GLOVES OR MITTENS – to keep your hands warm. Bring an extra pair because these will probably get wet and cold.BOOTS – these should be waterproof or be prepared to have cold feet. You can wear normal shoes, but you will be more comfortable in snow specific footwear. SUNSCREEN AND LIP BALM – to protect your exposed skin from the wind and sun.SNACKS – stash any food you don’t want to freeze in an inside pocket to keep warm. THERMOS – of hot chocolate goes a long way on keeping the little warm and energized for the day. Carter Park The classic and most popular sledding hill in Breck. Find directions and more information about this option by clicking here. Bonuses for this location include a dog park, and a set of covered picnic tables and even Town-maintained bathrooms. Parking is limited so be prepared to walk from town, if you’re staying nearby, or be patient as cars come and go. Runway Sledding Hill on Fraction Drive Find directions to the newest option by clicking here. I recently went with a favorite little person and we went by Carter Park first and it was super busy. We did about 8 runs before heading to this park, which was considerably less busy. We must’ve hit it just right, as it got busier as we finished up, which was close to when the ski lifts closed. Other sledding in Breckenridge – Country Boy Mine Sledding at the Country Boy Mine is also new, and is a privately owned company, and is not affiliated with the Town of Breckenridge. What they do offer looks amazing and super fun! I cannot attest to this experience, but here’s a video I found that shows what it may be like. Click here to learn about this and other options at the Country Boy Mine. Read more about the sledding hills around town on the GoBreck website by clicking here. Extreme Sledding at Country Boy MineWatch this video on YouTube Sledding and Tubing Hills in Frisco – Frisco Adventure Park Lift-assisted or Traditional options are available here. This is a more beginner friendly area, with options to go nordic skiing and snowshoeing on the popular Frisco Peninsula recreation area. Click here to learn more about option in the Town of Frisco. Sledding Hills in Silverthorne – Rainbow Park Near the Silverthorne Recreation Center is Rainbow Park. In addition to a traditional playground for the kids, it has a big soccer field that turns into a nice and easy slope for sledding. Tubing at Copper Mountain Just west of Frisco, before you head up Vail Pass, is the Copper Mountain Resort. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, you can check out Woodward and even go tubing. Click here for info on the tubing pricing and details. Tubing at the Keystone Resort In addition to tubing at the Keystone Resort, there’s an awesome kids section and snowfort (not available for winter /21-22)! Click here for information on tubing at Adventure Point. Other Sledding Hills in Vail and Beaver Creek During my searching for links and information I found this link that explores options to the west. Worth a look if you’re sharing time on your winter vacation in Breck with Vail and Beaver Creek. Have fun, be safe and happy sledding! Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.
Fall Hiking Near Breckenridge – Photos and Videos Posted on October 26, 2020 - 5:08 pm by Stacy Sanchez It’s been a super busy summer for Breckenridge Real Estate, but we did find a bit of time to take clients to some of our favorites, which you can see in videos in this post titled Fall Hiking Near Breckenridge. There are many places to see the trees change colors, and once they’re finished up high near Breck, you can travel around the state for an additional few weeks to get other locations changing. We tend to change the earliest and other lower elevations take longer than we do. So, bookmark this post to revisit next summer and make a plan to travel around and see the colors. Summit County Real Estate is Breaking Records If you would like to read a few articles about how sought after homes and properties are around Summit County, then please click the following links to read more. You can also follow our Facebook page to see timely posts as they come out. We do share to our social feeds much more often, so please follow, like and share out posts as you see fit! If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell real estate in the Breckenridge area, we are local experts that know the neighborhoods, and understand the rental and property management scene as well. We can help guide you through the differences between the town and also the different factors when considering a fixer upper versus something newer or with less items to upgrade or replace. https://www.facebook.com/mountainhabitatbreckenridge/posts/2696332563958593?__cft__[0]=AZVHGqBt_oJJsd-kja2wrh7Xm22YlA_qt9gt66vVNjXY01rr2IK7ZVcZrMbMLpkR-dBxFnU7tY1vl9VXeQLAn57NW7dVlsWbvzFbO2GsZGkUuhFLCtQ90sQLzgMKvFIr-llbs0W3RBmpqP85qVz8FZuQ2RSUObFK3ajxM1c_2J5-ZQlPdT5GvoVbfLbwH8eAEXo&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R Breckenridge is the 5th Hottest Market for Real Estate in the Country! Aspen Alley in Breckenridge Probably the most popular trail for viewing the aspen trees is the aptly named “Aspen Alley” trail in Breckenridge. A winding uphill trail will connect with Boreas Pass road, another popular spot for panoramic views of the Blue River valley while meandering through a short, yet dense tunnel of aspen. Go mid-week for less crowds on both of these trails. Folks were wearing masks too, as the trail is narrow at times. https://www.facebook.com/mountainhabitatbreckenridge/posts/2706331199625396?__cft__[0]=AZXtzBEbuB9yqWYAZ_1LP7ntkHN24Pa1TuNLbg9cNPT8-st8qFBujOJGmulPWiSy5u8sZP5rvphylaWc3p4stE_jizJkCCFT_20wLX4WcvmcYrbkUcS61BE0-ttjtoB9Drch5rqAt-BunrtoS9i5mWqXNYV8dHG2rGyJtLdOxdSsZ_rppoEE3bH1dvlEb2fxNxQ&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R https://www.facebook.com/mountainhabitatbreckenridge/posts/2710268015898381?__cft__[0]=AZV_t_7PC7c5lWWOyWEO4cqGYE5WM33ElXaq4ZVO5DMDCMCHMtJbeuhZgo6HM4FwT_sFshKV6UDGGm3sc5FZtq2WveCeGiuQUOhqlHTjhBak7f-tlgDzyCTBYniGKWSIZi4l-R35JQrbrbxAoR1aDDYiUDJLk53ZldIots-tjPMSctIq0qXku6leDr3MEe8czyaQ4L_2PFManQzwlg2QkXw1&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R https://www.facebook.com/mountainhabitatbreckenridge/posts/2707253356199847?__cft__[0]=AZW4dqfOZ6VOHL3uEIZf3XY1mx9dgoPAEHYqIPxtBHr4Q0xn1ZPwokELGcuSqBqTHYChuWPdT4EQtCdDBt5dzH-6QSrfFw_yZvGPoZ97T5_PG5VaYSGRgkSjOcZ8DgUCzZ6tz338lcPIK2UjZ_TmwfFuMi_hSVYtWSUuuk57YbuZbjM-0BRrlLYDvQHjQotIov4&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R French Gulch in Breckenridge Another popular hiking and mountain biking area in Breck are the trails in the French Gulch area. An easy way to check out the trees is to simply drive or mountain bike up the main road. Single track trails line both the north and south side of the valley for exploring. Historic signage can be found near points of interest along the way. https://www.facebook.com/mountainhabitatbreckenridge/posts/2708089696116213?__cft__[0]=AZWBrHJntTjWqTDvQELmjzjT6q4eI6yUzTzF0E_RHKU7p7xSoNdbetThpZUxJaFE4Iy60P0__M1KoPYfHjX696OBjmbHeX7yhBQ24FuEwa7hCYxhtSwPSghDPUJTS0LtdzfWlQZ0b0cB9ieltLNI2CHm95PaH1l55HsadiRsgVR2VXMWRTmo_wQLICTCdi3nuOg&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R Exploring Salida and Steamboat We really didn’t go anywhere since COVID came around, but we finally took some quick overnights around the state. One night near Salida and another night at Steamboat. We took our bikes to Salida and then soaked in the hot springs. At Steamboat we did a long hike to Fish Creek Falls. We sat outside on the large deck at Aurum and felt safe, with river views of the Yampa. We are advocates of being as safe as possible, and we do adhere to the strict mask and gloves protocols when previewing and showing properties to clients in Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Dillon, Keystone, Frisco and Silverthorne. We also work with property management companies to make sure properties aren’t occupied when scheduling showings. Please contact us to learn more about how you can invest in a remote working property that is a smart investment right now. Live your dreams and buy a home in the mountains! https://www.facebook.com/mountainhabitatbreckenridge/posts/2713927285532454?__cft__[0]=AZV8NIS8jyD1ZZnVJ4xQP4woLKC-_JqSjJIl9YWD3lT7EZAUOTpMrKcBLq9SmbUfI1Yv0x4nOL_aWJmUS5cORC0fgoJRzwr7VGoqF-S3Aog27i31taKnuHFcpHyZWWzt7YMjAqs41s2d5tGV3ARpvNu7FFt2DZddRc9C8sVFNMTZ641IRdSTT6pCo_VJGBLZiYZtBcyt4tc6_q6-jot05FS6&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R https://www.facebook.com/mountainhabitatbreckenridge/posts/2718125898445926?__cft__[0]=AZW5EqijVHd-PLeiaZj–XIFJo-iEsyqbHJCG9Ev8bKdlQ65SDqCXGso0Mg4ikQnAWy4exswP5_NVjMD_ANCN2pG84m_DjZQoj9TUHM1kgUHARBzSErNP6CnNepfkr7mZnW6hr5IjYb1JwHXcVxleM12zhT3Z6eyF3Et2ES6iPML_oqOBu_ClO9l3R08o6MXM7tSMQoGw4VxEV3vRr5O9HPF&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R Hiking Near Steamboat, CO https://www.facebook.com/mountainhabitatbreckenridge/posts/2718651991726650?__cft__[0]=AZUo6-3fiiS79NAXGe6eaKkwJ-a_1Tu0GFez_Uz6x4LG_bBcfo_3-_F-uSRS3yqM3XWidS7zhuX7sW92iCk9UqvvxKrQimZqDs_Ieu6yoEZP1G7Kz4eSPVX6Qe_8t2-Spy4ePY7RXp9s7yT64L0YCJ2uvgSaqJ0UXPtBsXlAwrCb9Bdxo9TlajTLQ2OlwXRxmCs&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R Photo taken near Salida, CO https://www.facebook.com/mountainhabitatbreckenridge/posts/2724836631108186?__cft__[0]=AZV88gfAwz6WKae5p9_yF_NWqoZktPJ1iKUkgbFTbw-ymap305J0qzX5tU3lbgzP6kLDPdlEjuvzDgAOf42XN0aaP3gLIgjZfJ32xZAnwKGDnDyH709Z4CULBIgyKcMdrzVJyNTaFGMwbB7nY2xW5eDke6mjiuQCOeKPwFJm_oQBY0lveeurPs-k2GZIyqrrd0E&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R Photos taken near Steamboat, CO Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.
Wildflower Hikes near Breckenridge, Colorado Posted on June 30, 2020 - 8:45 pm by Stacy Sanchez This post is about a few Wildflower Hikes near Breckenridge, Colorado. It’s warm and sunny these days up in the high country, and there’s even a drought like condition out there. So, be careful with backyard fires (Breck homes need a permit for fire pits now) and enjoy the summer with a few choice hikes. If you haven’t been yet, check out a sampling of Lower Cataract Lake, Shrine Ridge and Mayflower Gulch through our videos below. If you’d like other suggestions for wildflower hikes, or want to check out some prime property that has access to meadows filled with wildflowers, send us a message through out contact page, or call Dina, who is an avid wildflower lover. We know lots of neighborhoods in the Summit County area, including ones that have singletrack criss crossing them, including our own listing at 1144 Discovery Hill. Click here to see details about that new build in The Highlands in Breckenridge. Lower Cataract Lake Just 16 miles north of Silverthorne is Green Mountain Reservoir and the roads that lead to the trailhead of Cataract lakes. The lower lake is enough for most people, and is a nice loop around a lake. It has a few ups and downs, but most would call it a relatively flat hike. It has some of the largest Columbine fields I’ve ever seen, and not that far into the hike. So, if you’re pressed for time, head to the left and you’ll find those within about 15-20 minutes. This is an off-the-beaten path hike, so look it up on the map,and fair warning, you’ll be out of cell service when you’re up there, but most might consider that a good thing these days! Colorado Wildflower Hike: Lower Cataract LakeWatch this video on YouTube Shrine Ridge near Vail A very popular hike, but for good reason. Parking at Vail Pass is plentiful, but you will also see all those people on the trail too. Everyone takes the same route and are generally friendly, so be patient and step to the side on tighter trail sections. Lots of big open meadows will be crossed on the way up to the higher part of the trail. Once you’ve gained the ridge, you can choose to go left or right and explore. Bring some snacks and cold beverages for a picnic. Pack a rain jacket and keep your eye on the clouds. Descend if you start to feel the wind pick up quickly and hear rumbling in the distance. Most showers pass fast, so hunker down under an umbrella and it’ll soon be over. Head down to Vail for a nice dinner, or stop in Frisco for the closest town in Summit. Either way, you’ll have lots of fun choices. Foote’s has ice cream and an outdoor space if you are craving something cold after a long, hot hike. Shrine RidgeWatch this video on YouTube Mayflower Gulch near Copper Mountain On the way towards Leadville from Copper Mountain is a superb hidden valley called Mayflower Gulch. It’s literally the backside of the mountain range that includes the Breckenridge Ski Resort and some even ski here in the winter. But, in the summer, a nice walk on a road brings you to a set of dilapidated cabins and roads and trails continue if you’re motivated. Most turn around at the cabins, but we recommend bringing some snacks and going higher up and to the right. There you’ll gain the ridge and will be able to look at the magnificent Gore Range in the distance. Afterwards, head up to Leadville for lunch or dinner, or back down to Summit County and choose from one of the many craft breweries like Angry James in Silverthorne, or Outer Range in Frisco. Other classics include Dillon Dam Brewery, the Breckenridge Brewery and Broken Compass. Mayflower Gulch 2015Watch this video on YouTube Breckenridge Real Estate and Property When you’re up in Summit County and want to look at Rocky Mountain real estate, just let us know what your dream home set up is all about and we’ll see what we can do about finding you that perfect fit for your family. Live your dreams! Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.