Breckenridge Colorado, The Ultimate hiking guide to Mohawk Lakes

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If you’re looking for amazing hiking trails in Colorado, Summit County in the summer and fall will have some of the best hiking in the state. Old mines, alpine lakes, mountain views, and waterfalls are handful of reasons to wake up early to go hiking on any one one of the many different trails in the area . Just outside of Breckenridge is a fun day hike and an entry level backpacking hike called Mohawk Lakes. No overnight permits needed and it’s a doable hike in one day.

In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Mohawk Lakes, trail details, what to expect, and overnight backpacking info. Alright lets do thisss.

Where is Mohawk Lakes

Located in the White River National Forest of the Rocky Mountains, Mohawk Lakes is in Blue River Colorado, just outside the town of Breckenridge. Part of the Ten Mile Range, this trail is a favorite for locals and visitors. Other towns nearby are Fairplay, Alma, Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne.

Coordinates for the trailhead

39.437050, -106.050660

How to get to Mohawk Lakes

The starting point for Mohawk lakes will be at the Spruce Creek Trailhead off of highway 9, 10 minutes south of Breckenridge. If you take I-70 or 285 you’ll end up on highway 9 and then turn onto Spruce Creek Road. From there you’ll pass by a number of houses in a neighborhood and drive up on a dirt parking lot. On the weekends the trailhead gets pretty crowded so try to get there really early or around noon to beat the crowds. It’s ok to park on the side of Spruce Creek Road as you’ll notice plenty of vehicles leading up to the trailhead on busier days.

Below I listed times and distances from major areas in Colorado to the trailhead.

Denver

• I-70: 1 hour 45 minutes/84 Miles

• 285: 2 hours 10 minutes/106 Miles

Boulder

• I-70: 2 hours 25 minutes/90 Miles

• 285: 2 hours 45 minutes/117 Miles

Colorado Springs

• US 24 W to CO 9 N: 2 hours 8 minutes/103 Miles

Fort Collins

• I-25 South to I-70 W: 3 hours 15 minutes/144 Miles

How long is the hike?

It really depends on your speed, but for day hiking it has taken me about 6 hours round trip to the top lake, which includes hanging out at each lake for a little bit. I’m sure it can be done in a much quicker time frame, it all depends on your speed.

Elevation Gain: 2,106 feet/642 Meters

Distance: 8.4 Miles/13.5 Kilometers

Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Trail Type: Out and Back

Can families with children do this hike

Definitely, I’ve seen a number of families on this trail with kids and even moms and dads with the backpacks that carry toddlers or infants in them.

Best time to Go

Depending on the snow year, End of June through late October. If we get a lot of snow that season, then the trails usually are not free of snow until late June. On the flip-side, if it starts snowing early in the fall, trails may not be as easy to hike, making it less enjoyable. I’ve been in September as well as in the summer and both are some of the best times of the year to hike this trail. Fall is a nice time in Breckenridge to hike any trail because of the leaves changing, so that’s also something to consider when deciding when to do the hike.

Like anything, weekends will be a lot busier as well as mornings. I would either try to go really early in the morning or mid day as long as there aren’t any afternoon thunderstorms in the forecast!

Are dogs allowed on the trail

Yep, you will see dogs along the way, most are off leash too. Always try to keep your dog in site if off leash, because there is plenty of wildlife in the area!

Are there Wildflowers

In the summer, yes there will be spots along the trail that will have wildflowers! Usually Mid June through Late August, depending on how much rain summit county receives. Surprisingly there were still wildflowers when I hiked this, as it was really dry summer.

Can you Backpack this trail

Yep, it is a great trail if you just got into back packing and want to test out your equipment and get use to your pack. No overnight permits are required and you also do not need an overnight parking pass to leave your car at the trailhead. Make sure to check fire restrictions in the area if you decide to build a campfire!

There are a couple areas at the second lake that you will be able to backpack at with man made fire rings too. Just make sure to pack out all trash, camp at least 200 feet from the water, and dig a hole for human waste.

Trail Details and how to access the Upper Lake

Once you’ve parked your car you’ll want to look for the Spruce Creek Trailhead, located on the left side of the road right after the main parking lot area. This part of the trail takes you through a wooded area until you reach the first lake.

As you walk through the woods, you’ll pass by an opening on the right side that opens up to some of the best views of the hike, overlooking part of the Ten Mile Range. This is also a perfect resting point if you aren’t use to the elevation!

From there you’ll continue on the Spruce Creek Trail until you hit Spruce Creek Road (the same road where you initially parked, but much farther up the mountain). This road will take you to the start of the Mohawk Lakes Trail:) The first lake you’ll come up on is Mayflower Lake, follow the signage for a slight detour to access this lake.

Once you get back onto the Mohawk Lakes trail the elevation gain gets a little more intense and it also becomes a little more difficult to know if you’re on the right trail or not. My best advice is to look either at a map on All Trails (download ahead of time due to lack of service) or to follow the signage and trail as best as possible. There will also be incredible waterfall views as you make your ascent to the Lower Lake. Lower Falls Vista will be near a couple historic mining structures, while Continental Falls will be on your way up to the lower Lake on the right side of the trail. Again, there will be signage along the way to access these waterfalls.

Be very cautious when visiting the Continental Falls and don’t get too close to the edge. The cabin will also make great shelter if it starts to pour rain. A nice hideout as there isn’t any coverage from the cabin.

After you pass the waterfalls you’ll continue to hike up steeper areas of the hike. The trail will begin to level out and that’s how you know you’re approaching the lower lake. The lower lake has an open backdrop surrounding it, perfect for photography. As mentioned earlier this is a great spot to set up for camping if you back packed up to the lake.

If you camped at the lower lake and are motivated enough, I would recommend waking up early to catch the sunrise!

Now that you’ve made it this far, keep going! and head up to the last part of the hike, the Upper Lake. This will be about 15 minutes from the Lower Lake and the climb isn’t too bad. You’ll hike one last small climb before you reach the top. There’s plenty of places at the top to take in the scenery, chill, and eat a snack. You’re also allowed to fish as long as your Colorado fishing license is up to date.

Weather can get cold and windy this high up in the Colorado mountains (even in the summer), so always pack a warm lightweight puffy jacket.

Quite the view when hiking above the top lake.

If you’re interested, keep walking past the Upper Lake and the trail will continue. I didn’t hike it all the way, but I felt some of the best mountain views were on this part of the hike with even more smaller alpine lakes.

What to Pack

1. Rain Jacket- Weather shows up at any given moment in the Mountains, always pack a lightweight rain shell.

2. Sunscreen- Hiking at a high altitude=increased sun exposure so make sure to apply this at least 15 minutes before you venture out. I like Sun Bum, which can be found online at Hansens surf shop out of Encinitas California.

3. Hiking Poles- Although these might seem “uncool”, they help a lot with balance and footing when hiking. Head over to REI or your local outdoor retailer, as they have a great selection.

4. Hiking Boots- Proper footwear is a must. There is a ton of options when it comes to hiking boots. These can also be found at REI or your local outdoor gear shop.

5. Water- Make sure to pack plenty of water. I like the packable Hydrapaks or if it’s a hot day make sure to pack a Hydroflask.

6. Outdoor Clothing- Although outdoor clothing can be expensive it does last a long time. It will be more lightweight, moisture wicking, and more stinkproof when doing stuff outdoors. Try to stay away from anything cotton. I personally like Fjallraven and Mountain Hardwear, but Patagonia, Burton, North Face, and Columbia all make great stuff.

The Descent

Watch your footing as you make your way back down the trail. Please note uphill hikers have the right of way. When you come to the point of taking the Spruce Creek trail back to the parking lot, and want a quicker hike down, take the service road from earlier.

Please note, if you don’t feel like hiking all the way to the Lower Lake or top lake you can take a detoured trail (Mayflower Lakes Trail) from Mayflower Lake, back to the parking lot.

Looking for more Colorado adventure? Check out Leadville, another small mountain town in Colorado not far from Breckenridge. Thanks for checking out the Blog and I’ll see you on the next post.

Snowboarding on your first Day, Top Tips and Advice

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

I remember the first time I went snowboarding, Mad River Mountain in Ohio. All my friends were signing up for middle school ski club and so of course my brother and I signed up too. Buying used equipment at our local skate/snowboard shop Sunsports, we were set up to go every Tuesday and Thursday after school. After a day or two of learning how to make it down a run, I was hooked. Something about riding down the mountain on a snowboard, it’s different, a freedom like feeling. No coaches telling you what to do or how to do it, just you, your board, maybe some friends, and the mountain (or Hill lol).So maybe you’ve thought about giving snowboarding a try or you’ve been considering switching over from skis for a day to see what it’s all about. One of the most rewarding activities you’ll get into is snowboarding (also pretty challenging at times).

Riding a snowboard will teach you a lot of life lessons through your successes and failures on snow.! It’s also a great way to meet other like minded people who want to spend time outdoors in the winter. Who knows, you might even meet some of your lifelong best friends through it. In this post I’ll be going over the basic fundamentals to get started with snowboarding, what gear to wear, renting equipment, and lastly what you can expect. Alright lets gooo.

What should I wear

I’m not going to lie, snowboarding gear is EXPENSIVE. However, there are ways to make it affordable if you’re not looking to spend a whole lot of money. Consignment shops, holiday sales, sales on previous years gear, and getting a job at a ski resort (resort employees get discounts on winter gear) are all ways to save money on snowboard gear. If you’re unsure on if you’ll like snowboarding or not I would go the route of cheaper before you invest a bunch of money into the sport. Below I listed the items you’ll need for your first day.

• Jacket- This needs to be waterproof and have some warmth. If you’re starting out, it’s better not to get too technical on gear and to have something that will keep you warm as well as dry on the mountain!

• Snow Pants- These also need to be waterproof and warm. A good pant to start with is Burton’s Cargo pant. They make this pant in tall sizes and also short sizes. The Burton women’s Society Pant is also a great starter snow pant.

• Goggles- You’ll need these to protect your eyes from snow, wind, and sun. Oakley, Anon, Smith, and Giro all make great goggles for someone starting out.

• Gloves- Gotta keep your hands warm when on the mountain or strapping into the board. Hestra and Burton will offer some great options that last longer then one season. If you don’t want to spend too much, Walmart or Amazon will sell more affordable options that will also keep your hands warm for the day.

• Helmet- The majority of people wear a helmet on the mountain and rental shops will include them in your rental package. Although not a requirement, I would highly recommend wearing one.

• Ski socks- Stay away from Cotton! Anything that has wool or polyester will be able to wick moisture and keep your feet warm!

• Base Layers- Wear these under your pants and jacket. Again stay away from anything cotton! Burton will make some of the best base layers. Since they offer a lot of options, I would recommend a mid-weight option.

Should I use protective equipment other then a helmet

It doesn’t hurt to wear protective equipment with being new to snowboarding, Burton makes wrist guards, knee pads, and impact shorts

Sizing

You’ll want the board to be shorter as it is easier to turn. Boots should be snug, about a half size down from your normal tennis shoes. Bindings will have a boot size range you’ll need to follow. Binding sizes come in Small, Medium, and Large.

Key Snowboard Terms

Stance Width- The width between your feet on the snowboard.

Bindings- What keeps your feet attached to the snowboard.

Binding Angles- Bindings will have numbers on them that correlate with how each foot is angled on the snowboard. This is a personal preference for every snowboarder.

Regular- Riding down the mountain with the left foot forward

Goofy- Riding down the mountain with the right foot forward

Base- The bottom of the snowboard

edges- The sharp metal part that goes around the entire snowboard

Topsheet- Top of the snowboard

Straps- The parts that go over the snowboard boot, locking in the boot to the binding.

Highback- A Part on the binding that supports the back of the snowboard boot.

Channel- A way to mount snowboard bindings to the board using only two points of contact for each binding.

4 Hole pattern- A more traditional way to mount snowboard bindings to the board using 4 points of contact for each binding

Heelside- Edge of the board where the heels of your snowboard boot are

Toeside-Edge of the board where the toes of your snowboard boot are

Skating- Pushing the snowboard with your back foot to get from point a to point b. Your lead foot will be strapped into the binding when doing this.

Stomp Pad- a grippy pad that is placed in between the bindings towards the middle of the snowboard. It helps with stability when getting on and off a chairlift.

Can you rent gear for Snowboarding

Yes! However for most places you’ll only be able to rent the board, boots, and bindings. Some shops will rent the jackets and pants, but I have found those places to be few and far between. Goggles and gloves you will always have to buy.

I recommend renting an LTR set up for your first day. LTR stands for Learn to Ride. The set up will be much softer and more playful, allowing you to learn the basic fundamentals of snowboarding. For busier times of the ski season make sure to, make a rental reservation in advance through the ski resorts website!

Is Step ON worth trying on my first day

You can, however, since Step on Boots and Bindings are more performance oriented the flex will be stiffer. A stiffer set up makes it harder to initiate a turn on a snowboard if you have never done it before. I think LTR is still the way to go on your first day. If you like snowboarding after trying it, Step Ons are great for getting in and out of a board without having to deal with straps.

Do you recommend taking a lesson

I definitely recommend taking a lesson on your first day. Resorts will typically offer half day, full day, and group or private lessons. They will be able to teach you the basic fundamentals of snowboarding as well as how to use your snowboard gear. However! Lessons can be expensive so hopefully this guide will help you as well.

How much is it to snowboard on the mountain

Ski resorts require a lift ticket or season pass to be able to snowboard on their mountains. You can pick these up at the base of the resort. If you plan on snowboarding for more then 3 days, I would recommend buying a season pass ahead of time (spring and summer will be the cheapest prices on passes for the following season). To save money and time, purchase your lift ticket(s) ahead of time online at the ski resorts website. Resorts also only sell so many ski passes, so the earlier the better when buying a pass.

Depending on the resort and location lift tickets can cost anywhere from $50 a day to over $200 a day.

Where should I start once I have all of my snowboard gear

Alright so you picked up your gear, and you are all set up for your first day on the mountain or hill. I would say 99% of ski resorts have a beginner area where you can learn the basics. I wouldn’t even try to get on the ski lift until you have tried the beginner hill, which will more then likely have a magic carpet. Look on the trail map or talk to someone at the ticket office to find out where the beginner area is!

What should my binding angles be set to

I would say +9 and -9 degrees for your bindings is a good start with the stance centered in the middle of the board or at reference. Each binding should be angled out slightly. Your board will also have reference points for the stance so you know if it is centered. It’s also helpful to have someone at the shop where you bought the board at, to set it up. Your bindings will have numbers on them in increments of 3, look for the 9 on both bindings. If you are really short, bump the stance width in and if you are really tall, bump the stance width out.

For rentals, the shop will set the board up for you, but it doesn’t hurt to double check how they set the board up!

How do I get into the snowboard and decide which way to ride down hill

With snowboarding you’ll either ride down the hill right foot forward or left foot forward. There’s a number of different ways to find out which way you slide sideways down the mountain. Examples include, what foot you use to kick a soccer ball with, which foot goes first if someone were to push you, and the list goes on. However! I would say the best indicator is.. the foot you use to strap into the board first, will more then likely be the lead foot used to go down the mountain!

The easiest way to get into your bindings, unless you have Step-Ons, is to sit down. Clear the snow off your boot and binding and start to crank down the toe and heel buckles. Once both feet are strapped in, see if you can pop up off the ground and balance yourself over the snowboard. If standing up is easier for you try that instead when strapping in.

What next once I’m strapped in

The first run will probably be challenging and be prepared to fall! Falling is part of the learning process. Your main goal on the first day is to get a sense of balance between your snowboard and the snow, understanding somewhat how the board turns.

Beginner Tips to help with getting down the hill or Mountain

You’ll want to first learn how to stop on your heel edge. Do this by putting pressure on the heel edge with both feet as the board slowly moves down hill. You can go straight and then stop with your heel edge once you get comfortable. Please note, this will take some practice! Another way to practice getting comfortable stopping heelside is to ride down “falling leaf”, meaning you go heelside the whole way down the run, while slightly going forward with your front foot then going forward with your back foot.

Once you start to feel comfortable with your heel edge try see if you can go toe edge. You’ll do this by putting pressure on the toes of your snowboard boots and toe edge of the board, while looking downhill. Again, this will take some practice. If you can’t get this on the first day, keep trying!

The key to any board sport is to try to get to a place where you have a good center of gravity and balance. To do this flex the knees a bit and try to maintain an athletic stance. Note, you don’t need to be athletic to snowboard, but try to understand that being centered over the snowboard will drastically improve your day and prevent falls.

Skating on your Snowboard

This is where you push with your back foot to get from point A to B. You don’t really need to learn this on Day 1, however as you progress and start to ride a chairlift it’s important that you know how to do this! Practice at the base of the mountain on a flat surface. It helps to have a stomp pad in the middle of your board for balance and stability.

Linking “S” Turns

S Turns are where you essentially make an S in the snow as you ride down the mountain. This is the last beginner fundamental in snowboarding, so if you're able to do this on the first day, that’s pretty amazing. Combine the heel edge and the toe edge together to link turns which will allow you to ride down the mountain more smoothly. The key to doing “S” turns is to look in the direction that you want to go.

How to get on the Chairlift

If you feel comfortable enough to ride the chairlift on your first day, go for it! The easiest way to get on is to skate up to the line and then look behind you as the chair is approaching. Take a seat and when everyones ready, put the bar down. Either rest your board on the footrest connected to the bar (some chairlifts only have the bar) or put your foot under the heel cup of your binding (see photos below).

How to get off the Chairlift

Once the lift approaches the top, lift the bar up, put your back foot in the middle of the board, push off the seat cushion, and ride straight. Try to be graceful when doing this and avoid getting tangled with other people and your board!

Where to buy a snowboard

Hopefully you caught the bug and want to buy a set up! If so, welcome to the Dark Side as they say. There’s a number of different places to buy a board, boots, and bindings with the best being your local snowboarding shop! Shop employees will be the most knowledgable and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction based on your size, skill level, and type of snowboarding you are interested in. To find the nearest shop, google “local snowboard shop.”

If you don’t live near a snowboard shop, then your next best option is online. Most online sites will have tools and customer service that will be able to assist you in buying a set up. Below I listed a number of great local snowboard shops and their location.

Darkside- Vermont

Tribute- British Columbia

Underground- Breckenridge Colorado

Gravity- Copper Mountain Colorado

The Boardroom- Ellicottville New York

Wave Rave- Mammoth Mountain California

Radio Boardshop- Aspen Colorado

That’s it for how to enjoy your first day on a snowboard. Just remember snowboarding is challenging at first, but stick with it and you’ll have a new activity and a way to spend time outdoors! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below! It’s always cool to connect with people:) Interested in taking a snowboard trip? Check out Steamboat, an authentic mountain town with awesome terrain (including beginner), amazing restaurants, and of course natural hot springs.