Summer boarding, The ultimate guide to Hiking the 4th of July bowl on Peak 10 in Breckenridge

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Back country Skiing and Snowboarding can be dangerous, even in the summer! Please have a plan, partner, proper knowledge, and equipment when going into the back country

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Normally when someone thinks of summer, winter activities are the last thing that come to mind. If you do think of snowboarding, Mt Hood in Oregon or Coppers summer park in Colorado are probably what come to mind. However for the back country enthusiast looking to do something different, the fourth of July bowl on Peak 10 in Breckenridge Colorado is a way to combine hiking and snowboarding (or skiing) for a fun back country summer day trip. If you’re not into summer skiing or snowboarding this is also just a great summer hike to do too.

In this post I’ll be going over how to get to the trail, what to expect, safety precautions, what to pack, and time frame for the hike. Alright let’s gooo..

Where does the Peak 10 hike start

First you’ll want to drive up the dirt road on Peak 9. If you head north on highway 9 to Breckenridge you’ll want to end up on Park Avenue and then take a right on Village road. You’ll then take a left into the Beaver Run parking lot about halfway up Village Road. Parking is free in the summer for those who have more then one car in their group.

You’ll want to have a good AWD vehicle as the road is somewhat rocky and steeper towards the top. If you’re vehicle doesn’t have good clearance I would park at the Peak 9 restaurant and start your hike from there. If you have good clearance you can drive all the way up to the green gate. Stay on the Peak 9 road all the way until you park. There will be a couple turn offs when taking the road, such as the Stables and Chair Lifts, but just stay on the road.

How long is the Hike

From your car to the top of Peak 10, it takes about 2-2.5 hours on the way up and about an hour back down if you ride the bowl, depending on your speed. Add about another 45 minutes if you only do the hike, without skiing or snowboarding. Below I listed some of the trail stats, starting from Mercury chair on Peak 9

• 5.8 miles out and back

• 2007 feet of elevation gain

• Trail Coordinates- 39.474291, -106.049371

• 13,6340 feet peak elevation

What is the best time of day to go

The earlier the better, as afternoon thunderstorms can pop up in Breckenridge! Anytime you’re doing an exposed hike above tree line it is best to do it in the morning. This is also a safer time to ride the bowl as well because the snow is typically more stable. When things start to heat up that’s when you can see wet slides.

If you can time it right later in the evening would also be a good time to go as long as the weather is good. Golden hour would a pretty cool experience if you can pull it off!

Is it safe to do the hike and bowl solo

I would ride with a partner that you trust who has good back country knowledge and experience! Someone who also has their shovel, beacon, and probe. It will give you peace of mind when maneuvering some of the more technical parts of the hike and riding the bowl.

What should we pack

Since the 4th of July bowl is in the backcountry, I would pack you’re shovel, beacon, and probe to start as well as extra layers, sunscreen, and even bug spray. I’ve listed items below that would make this hike more enjoyable. The weather can be unpredictable in this kind of environment so I’ve listed items below to make your trip more enjoyable. Make sure you also have Hiking Poles! Right before you drop in you have do some rock scrambling and the poles will make all of the difference!

• Hiking Shorts or Pants

• Hiking boots

• Burton snowboards Rain Jacket

• Mid-weight base layer

• Sunscreen/chapstick

• Water (Hydrapak works great)

• Snowboard, Skis, and boots

• Good Socks for Hiking and riding

• Bug spray

• Sunglasses/Goggles

• A ball cap and beanie

• A good hiking backpack. I really like the AK Dispatcher backpack to fit all of my backcountry equipment. It also has straps so you can keep your snowboard attached to the backpack

• A pair of snow pants. You’ll throw these on at the base of Peak 10 as the temperatures start to get much cooler at this point in the hike. I personally like anything Gore-tex because it is a lightweight, durable shell.

• Hiking Poles

What is the weather like

Thunderstorms in Colorado can show up in the afternoon, therefore you’ll want to get an early start for this hike. It also will start to get cooler as you get closer to the Peak. One thing you’ll also want to be cautious of is high winds. If it’s too windy at the top I would recommend turning around and trying the hike on another calmer day. I had to turn around my first try at this hike because of extreme winds towards the peak.

Are there wildflowers

Summer wildflowers will be in full bloom if you go during the suggested time window! Wildflowers in the mountains are what make it feel like summer after a long winter.

What is the hike like and what should we expect

What’s cool about this hike is you follow a service road in a series of switchbacks all the way to the top, so it isn’t confusing and a pretty smooth trail to the peak. As you make your way, you will come across a couple patches of snow at the bottom. This is where having a good pair of hiking boots and hiking poles will help! Because you’re at a high elevation it helps to have a lightweight jacket or long mid weight shirt.

After the snow patches you’ll hike for a little bit more until you reach the base of the summit where snowmelt is running down the mountain in the form of a creek. This is a good time to throw on your snow pants and take a break. Take in the views, drink some water, and eat some snacks if you packed them. This part of the trail is where there will be a number of switchbacks and about an elevation gain of 1,150 feet.

Once you hike to the top you’ll want to throw on your snowboard boots where there is a flat patch of snow. This will be right before you hike the ridge! It’s important to have your hiking poles at this point and you’re board strapped to the back of your pack. You’ll want to have the best footing possible for this. The top part down to where you drop will be all rocks so make sure to take it slow.

Once you get to the snow, find a good area to strap in and then pick a good line to drop. The turns will be slushy, but it’s still really fun. There’s even a few small jumps towards the bottom that you can hit if interested. Towards the bottom will be really slow, so you might have to skate a little with your back foot, with the other foot strapped into your board.

What is the snow like

The snow won’t be great, it will be hard to carve as it is pretty soft! However, overall it’s still a worthwhile experience to be snowboarding in July

What months can we ride the bowl or do the hike

If you are just looking to do the hike, the best time of year would be late May through late September. If you’re looking to ski or snowboard the bowl. Early June through Mid-July will be the best time of the summer. It all depends on snow coverage and how late of a winter season Colorado had. The snow starts to get pretty patchy around Mid July.

Should we hang out in Breckenridge after

There’s a lot to do in Breckenridge in the summer! Catch a local concert, walk around town, or grab happy hour at a local restaurant. My favorite place for happy hour or just dinner in general is Radicato, right where the town square is.. That’s the fun thing about doing this hike is.. you can do it early and then hang out in town after.

That’s it for hiking the Fourth of July bowl off Peak 10 in Breckenridge. If you have any questions or information to add, leave a comment below! Thanks for checking out the blog and I’ll see you on the next post.

Best Colorado Hikes, Making your way to Lost Lake near Buena Vista

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Chaffee county Colorado, one of the most unique areas of the state with mountains, alpine desert, river activities, and of course plenty of hiking trails. Small towns Salida and Buena Vista in the county both offer tons of outdoor recreation. A favorite hike for many just outside of Buena Vista, is the Lost Lake trail. Recently rerouted and turned into an actual trail with a parking lot (I guess before it wasn’t an official trail), Lost Lake offers scenic mountain vistas, alpine forest scenery, and of course at the top a beautiful high alpine lake. If you’re able to get up early enough to hike this trail at sunrise, it’s even more magical. In this post I’ll be going over how to get to the trail, best times to hike it, trail info, and what makes this trail unique. Alright letsss dooo thisss.

How to get there and where to Park

You’ll want to head west on Cottonwood Pass, just outside of Buena Vista which will be through a series of switchbacks until you see the trailhead on the left. It’s about a 20 minute drive from Downtown. Parking will be a dirt lot right at the trailhead and can fill up during the summer and on weekends when the weather is warmer.

Is this a difficult trail

I would rate this trail as a beginner to intermediate as there isn’t too much elevation gain, yet you will have to hike over a rocky part of the trail as you reach the top of the lake. Below I listed the trail stats.

Elevation Gain: 423 feet

Distance: 3.3 miles out and back

Time: Depending on speed I would say 1.5-2 hours

Dogs allowed?: Yes, but on leash.

What is the trail like and what should we expect

The trail starts off on what appears to be an old road that will be about a mile long before you see a sign on the right that says Lost lake 3/4 of a mile. From there the trail goes through the woods on a series of switchbacks. Enjoy the pine trees, mountain views, and sunlight (depending on the day).

Once you get through the woods, the trail opens up to some amazing 360 degree views of the surrounding peaks. This is where the trail gets somewhat rocky so having good hiking footwear will make a big difference! You’ll get to a point where you’ll be able to see Pikes Peak off in the distance.

As you trek up to the lake the trail might get somewhat confusing as you a pass the rock field on the left, just remember to stay to the right and the trail will lead you right to the lake. Please follow signage around the lake and stay on the trail.

Once you make it to the lake hangout and enjoy the beautiful backdrop surrounding this area. The most scenic view in my opinion is actually towards the back of the lake.

Are there Wildflowers on this Hike

In the summer there are! From Mid June until Late July is the best time to catch wildflowers here. Although there aren’t many you will still see some along the way as you hike up to the lakes.

When is the best time to hike Lost Lake

In the summer and fall, from about late June-through the end of September. I like fall the most with this hike because of all the golden colors around the lake. You won’t be able to do this hike in the winter because Cottonwood Pass will close!

Can you Fish and/or Camp at the top

Fishing is permitted as long as you have a Colorado fishing license. However there is no dispersed camping allowed at the top of the lake. Also, please follow the signage that is posted around the lake to make sure people stay on the trail. The reason Lost Lake was recently rerouted was because of heavy erosion and damage to the surrounding natural habitat.

What makes this hike so special

The lake is different then any other high alpine lake I’ve seen in Colorado with a rock type island in the middle and a turquoise blue type color. The color comes from different mineral deposits in the area. At sunrise there more than likely won’t be anyone up at the lake, which is what makes it even more surreal. The majority of people will do sunrise hikes for local 14ers such as Mt. Princeton or Mt. Yale.

What should we pack

It depends on the time of year and time of day that you go, but for a sunrise hike I listed items that I wore below

• Burton AK Baker down Jacket- It was pretty cold when I hike it so used the Expedition Baker Down, however there are other options for a down jacket, such as the midweight Baker down, great for the majority of sunrise or sunset hikes.

• Hiking boots- Your Local REI or outdoor store should be able to get you fitted. I recently bought a pair of La Sportiva’s and really like them

• Rain Jacket- Just in case, you never know when weather will roll through in the mountains

• Hiking Pants- Anything lightweight that has stretch will work great. I personally like Fjallraven outdoor pants.

• Water Bottle- Stay Hydrated!

• Sunscreen- Gotta apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before you go hiking! I personally like Sun Bum because it is none-greasy.

Looking for other outdoor adventure in Buena Vista? Check out, how to spend 4 days in BV Colorado. If you have any questions or info to add drop a comment below and I’ll see you on the next post!