This run is a green run that is easily accessible from the Snowflake Chair that is in our backyard. You can lap this run with your kids, friends, or other family members by riding Rip’s Ride. It’s a great learning area with an easy tree run separating it and Trygve’s Run. This trail was named after a real life town from the mining era located on Boreas Pass, now a ghost town with a few half-standing cabins.
Map of Breckenridge’s Peak 8
Log cabins
Just like in Dyersville, the area where Breckenridge is located was full of log cabins, dotting the landscape. People were hopeful that they would find riches here; some were lucky. You can find ghost towns of these cabins like in St. Elmo, or you can look at the modern cabins today that are inspired by the mountainous style.
French Gulch: Dilapidated buildings occupy an area in French Gulch, near Breckenridge (Summit County), Colorado. Original creator: 1942; Wolle, Muriel Sibell, 1898-1977. Denver Public Library Special Collections, X-3182.
Snow covered cabin in Breckenridge during the Big Snow of 1899: A cabin is buried under snow during the winter of 1898-1899. Handwritten on the reverse: "cabin in Breckenridge Big snow 1899". Original creator: 1899 (Creation); Unidentified. Agnes Miner Collection; Gift, Colorado Springs Ghost Town Club. Breckenridge History, Colorado.
Two men and a burro with mill or smelter buildings in the background, west of Breckenridge: Two well-dressed men and a burro stand outside a rough hewn log cabin by the Blue River, west of Main Street, Breckenridge, Colorado. Wagons are parked nearby. Looking southwest with Colorado and Southern (C&S) railway boxcars and mill and/or smelter buildings in the background. Original creator: Circa early 1900s; Westerman, Otto. Breckenridge History, Colorado.
East face of house at 123 South Ridge Street, Breckenridge: Handwritten on reverse: “Abbett's, Block 12, Lot 9, Building 97, East face.” Original creator: 28672; Unidentified. Town of Breckenridge Inventory of Historic District Structures, 1975-1980. Breckenridge History, Colorado.
Edwin Carter's log cabin in Breckenridge: Edwin Carter's log cabin residence and museum in Breckenridge, Colorado. Title quoted from handwritten text on the reverse: “The old Carter museum showing Peak 8 Breckenridge.” Original creator: 1900s (Creation); Westerman, Otto. Agnes Miner Collection; Gift, Colorado Springs Ghost Town Club. Breckenridge History, Colorado
Snow covers a wood-frame building, log cabin and outbuildings: Snow covers the roofs of wood-frame building, log cabin and outbuildings. Probably a homestead in Montezuma or Peru Creek area in Summit County, Colorado. Mountains in the background. Original creator: 1920-1929 (Creation); Sayre, Robert H.. Robert H. Sayre Collection. Breckenridge History, Colorado.
A modern touch
At Wedgewood Lodge, we want to give you a distinctive look into the past history of Breckenridge. Each photo in your historical gallery is unique to your stay and took countless hours to curate. There are stories to tell about Breckenridge and Summit County today as well, and the following photos have been shot by Julia Anna Moore.
Winter 2010
From aerial imagery, you can see the vast expanse of the White River National Forest. Can you point out Breckenridge and Copper Mountain?
From aerial imagery, you can see the vast expanse of the White River National Forest. Can you point out Breckenridge and Copper Mountain?
Summer 2020
In the midst of the pandemic, historic wildfires hit the state of Colorado. Most of my photos during my short walk on Boreas Pass had a hazy red undertone, representative of how my lungs felt even just going a short distance. The air quality was terrible, I’m surprised you could even see these mountains at all.
Duo of the Colorado Rockies framed by Evergreens. You can see the haziness as these photos were taken during the historic 2020 wildfires.
Duo of the Colorado Rockies framed by Evergreens. You can see the haziness as these photos were taken during the historic 2020 wildfires.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
Summer 2022
Storms in Summit County roll in like clock work during the summertime, so you better do all your fun outdoor activities before lunch. Sometimes the rain blows over quickly, sometimes it lasts until sunset, creating a beautiful pattern in the sky.
The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.
The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.
The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.
The mountains below are some of the same mountains you saw in some of my above photos from the 2020 wildfires. Notice the clarity in the air as the sun sets, lighting the mountains up with alpenglow. 2022 was a very wet year, a large contrast from the year of COVID-19.
A panoramic view of the White River National Forest.
Autumn 2022
A small snowstorm turned the peaks white in September, and I ran out of my front door to get the clouds leaving the mountains as the sky cleared. The excitement of ski season set in.
The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.
The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.
The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.
Winter 2022
The picturesque Hoosier Pass in dark greens and grays as snow falls, creating yet another perfect powder day for Summit County.
A hazy snowstorm blows over the mountains, creating the atmosphere of cozying up at home with a cup of tea.
A hazy snowstorm blows over the mountains, creating the atmosphere of cozying up at home with a cup of tea.
Winter 2023
A fluffy snow had fallen all day, and as the sky cleared up in time for sunset. The alpenglow lit up the mountains before the sun sank behind the mountains creating a hazy blanket of darkness over White River National Forest.
Loveland Pass is the perfect place to take in the view, just be sure that you have 4WD if it’s been snowing and park off the road in the parking lot.
A hazy sunset paints over Loveland Pass
Strings of alpenglow touch the Pali Lift at Arapahoe Basin
Strings of alpenglow touch the Continental Divide
The alpenglow disappears and the blanket of darkness settles.
During the storm you see below in Summit, conditions were windy, rough, and cold. While most people chose to stay in, I ran up the mountain with my camera.
Imperial Express Chair during a white out at Breckenridge.
Want to take a piece of Summit County home with you? We will ship any of the prints from Julia’s gallery straight to your house. We offer different sizes and framing options. Reach out here.
Quandary is a short black diamond below Snow White and Lake Chutes. It’s only accessible by dropping in from above or taking 6-Chair and traversing across. I recommend only advanced skies attempt any runs on 6-Chair because all the trails have variable terrain and a lot of bumps.
Map of Breckenridge’s Peak 8 and 9
Quandary Peak
This peak was named in the 1860s when a group of prospectors discovered a metal on the mountain that they were unable to actually identify. They found themselves in a quandary, or a state of perplexity. It’s now one of the most climbed 14ers in Colorado, and is the highest summit of the Tenmile Range in Colorado, standing at 14,271 feet. It offers a relatively easy ascent via the East Ridge trail (Class 1), making it popular among hikers and backcountry skiers. If you decide to climb Quandary, please go early and go prepared. Summiting a 14er is not to be taken lightly.
Mountain Range, from Hoosier Pass, Colo: View east from Hoosier Pass in Summit County, Colorado; shows felled timber, tree stumps, and Mosquito Range mountains including Mount Bross, Mount Lincoln, North Star Mountain, and Quandary Peak. Original creator: [1910–1930?]; Haines Photo Co. (Conneaut, Ohio). Denver Public Library Special Collections, Z-1033.
View of Quandary Peak and the Tenmile Range, southwest of Breckenridge: View looking southwest from Boreas Pass, above Breckenridge, Colorado. Pictured far left is Quandary Peak, the highest summit in the Tenmile Range. Original creator: Unknown; Westerman, Otto. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.
Headwaters of McCullough Gulch: Newspaper clipping. Original creator: 1994; M. John Fayhee. Summit Daily.
View looking southwest over the town of Breckenridge: Southwest view overlooking toward the town of Breckenridge. Snow-covered peaks of the Tenmile Range (including Mt. Quandary, Mt. Helen, Peak 10 and Peak 9) in the background. In the foreground is a wood structure. Handwritten on the reverse is “Breckenridge Colo.” Original creator: 1890s (Creation); Unidentified. Agnes Miner Collection; Gift, Colorado Springs Ghost Town Club. Breckenridge History, Colorado.
A modern touch
At Wedgewood Lodge, we want to give you a distinctive look into the past history of Breckenridge. Each photo in your historical gallery is unique to your stay and took countless hours to curate. There are stories to tell about Breckenridge and Summit County today as well, and the following photos have been shot by Julia Anna Moore.
Winter 2010
From aerial imagery, you can see the vast expanse of the White River National Forest. Can you point out Breckenridge and Copper Mountain?
From aerial imagery, you can see the vast expanse of the White River National Forest. Can you point out Breckenridge and Copper Mountain?
Summer 2020
In the midst of the pandemic, historic wildfires hit the state of Colorado. Most of my photos during my short walk on Boreas Pass had a hazy red undertone, representative of how my lungs felt even just going a short distance. The air quality was terrible, I’m surprised you could even see these mountains at all.
Duo of the Colorado Rockies framed by Evergreens. You can see the haziness as these photos were taken during the historic 2020 wildfires.
Duo of the Colorado Rockies framed by Evergreens. You can see the haziness as these photos were taken during the historic 2020 wildfires.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
Summer 2022
Storms in Summit County roll in like clock work during the summertime, so you better do all your fun outdoor activities before lunch. Sometimes the rain blows over quickly, sometimes it lasts until sunset, creating a beautiful pattern in the sky.
The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.
The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.
The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.
The mountains below are some of the same mountains you saw in some of my above photos from the 2020 wildfires. Notice the clarity in the air as the sun sets, lighting the mountains up with alpenglow. 2022 was a very wet year, a large contrast from the year of COVID-19.
A panoramic view of the White River National Forest.
Autumn 2022
A small snowstorm turned the peaks white in September, and I ran out of my front door to get the clouds leaving the mountains as the sky cleared. The excitement of ski season set in.
The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.
The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.
The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.
Winter 2022
The picturesque Hoosier Pass in dark greens and grays as snow falls, creating yet another perfect powder day for Summit County.
A hazy snowstorm blows over the mountains, creating the atmosphere of cozying up at home with a cup of tea.
A hazy snowstorm blows over the mountains, creating the atmosphere of cozying up at home with a cup of tea.
Winter 2023
A fluffy snow had fallen all day, and as the sky cleared up in time for sunset. The alpenglow lit up the mountains before the sun sank behind the mountains creating a hazy blanket of darkness over White River National Forest.
Loveland Pass is the perfect place to take in the view, just be sure that you have 4WD if it’s been snowing and park off the road in the parking lot.
A hazy sunset paints over Loveland Pass
Strings of alpenglow touch the Pali Lift at Arapahoe Basin
Strings of alpenglow touch the Continental Divide
The alpenglow disappears and the blanket of darkness settles.
During the storm you see below in Summit, conditions were windy, rough, and cold. While most people chose to stay in, I ran up the mountain with my camera.
Imperial Express Chair during a white out at Breckenridge.
Want to take a piece of Summit County home with you? We will ship any of the prints from Julia’s gallery straight to your house. We offer different sizes and framing options. Reach out here.
George’s Thumb is a double black diamond run on Peak 8. There are many rocks through the middle of this run so either enter at the top and go far left or go down Imperial Ridge and enter below the rocks. It’s a fun open space to do big turns and is recommended only for advanced riders. This run is named after George Gruber, a retired ski patroller. In the 1980s, George was assigned to accompany a photographic crew taking publicity photos of the ski area. During a shoot, only George’s thumb appeared in a photo intended for ads. Despite this, the ski area used the photo on the front of the next year’s trail map, and the ski patrol named the area George’s Thumb. This story comes directly from George and his wife, Melissa, with thanks to Mike McCord, and the original story can be found on the Summit Daily.
Map of Breckenridge’s Peak 7 and 8
A sneaky businessman
In the 1870s and 1880s, while silver mining was predominant in Breckenridge, prospectors continued searching for lode-gold deposits, particularly in French Gulch, north of Breckenridge. Unlike rounded grains, the placer gold here appeared as sharp-edged wires and leaves, hinting at a nearby lode deposit. In 1879, prospector Harry Farncomb discovered a rich eluvial gold deposit in French Gulch, the source of the placer gold. To avoid a gold rush, Farncomb kept his find secret, quietly staked a claim named Wire Patch Placer, and slowly acquired adjacent land. A year later, he deposited 300 troy ounces of gold in a Denver bank, prompting a rush to French Gulch, only for miners to find Farncomb already owned the richest ground. This unit focuses on French Gulch, which can be still explored today.
Mount Gyot at the head of French gulch: View of Mount Guyot at the head of French Gulch, southeast of Breckenridge, Colorado. Title quoted from handwritten caption on card mount: “Mount Gyot [sic] at the head of French gulch.” Original creator: circa 1880s-1903 (Creation); Westerman, Otto. J. Frank Willis Photograph Album. Breckenridge History, Colorado.
French Gulch: Dilapidated buildings occupy an area in French Gulch, near Breckenridge (Summit County), Colorado. Original creator: 1942; Wolle, Muriel Sibell, 1898–1977. Denver Public Library Special Collections, X-3182.
French Gulch dredge dumps: Piles of dredged up material sit in French Gulch, near Breckenridge (Summit County), Colorado. Original creator: 1942; Wolle, Muriel Sibell, 1898–1977. Denver Public Library Special Collections, X-3185.
Wagons haul ore from Wellington Mine and Mill operations in French Gulch, east of Breckenridge: The separating and concentrating mill at the Wellington Mine on the north side of French Gulch, east of Breckenridge, Colorado. Circa 1911. Several two-horse team wagons haul processed ore from the mill. In the foreground piles of lumber and round logs are stacked along the dirt wagon road. Original creator: Circa 1911; Unidentified. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.
Men outside the Blue Hill Mining Company’s boardinghouse at the Minnie Mine, east of Breckenridge: Men stand outside the Minnie Mine and Mill boardinghouse on Mineral Hill in French Gulch, east of Breckenridge, Colorado. The one-and-half story log building featured a shingled, side gable roof and exterior wooden stairs. A wooden boardwalk fronts the building. The Minnie Mine and Mill was owned by the Blue Hill Mining Company from 1890–1904. Original creator: Unknown; Unidentified. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.
Sawmill operations at the Extenuate (X10U8) Tunnel, east of Breckenridge: Piles of logs and finished mine timbers are stacked throughout the property. Original creator: Circa 1900s; Unidentified. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.
A modern touch
At Wedgewood Lodge, we want to give you a distinctive look into the past history of Breckenridge. Each photo in your historical gallery is unique to your stay and took countless hours to curate. There are stories to tell about Breckenridge and Summit County today as well, and the following photos have been shot by Julia Anna Moore.
Winter 2010
From aerial imagery, you can see the vast expanse of the White River National Forest. Can you point out Breckenridge and Copper Mountain?
From aerial imagery, you can see the vast expanse of the White River National Forest. Can you point out Breckenridge and Copper Mountain?
Summer 2020
In the midst of the pandemic, historic wildfires hit the state of Colorado. Most of my photos during my short walk on Boreas Pass had a hazy red undertone, representative of how my lungs felt even just going a short distance. The air quality was terrible, I’m surprised you could even see these mountains at all.
Duo of the Colorado Rockies framed by Evergreens. You can see the haziness as these photos were taken during the historic 2020 wildfires.
Duo of the Colorado Rockies framed by Evergreens. You can see the haziness as these photos were taken during the historic 2020 wildfires.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.
Summer 2022
Storms in Summit County roll in like clock work during the summertime, so you better do all your fun outdoor activities before lunch. Sometimes the rain blows over quickly, sometimes it lasts until sunset, creating a beautiful pattern in the sky.
The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.
The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.
The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.
The mountains below are some of the same mountains you saw in some of my above photos from the 2020 wildfires. Notice the clarity in the air as the sun sets, lighting the mountains up with alpenglow. 2022 was a very wet year, a large contrast from the year of COVID-19.
A panoramic view of the White River National Forest.
Autumn 2022
A small snowstorm turned the peaks white in September, and I ran out of my front door to get the clouds leaving the mountains as the sky cleared. The excitement of ski season set in.
The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.
The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.
The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.
Winter 2022
The picturesque Hoosier Pass in dark greens and grays as snow falls, creating yet another perfect powder day for Summit County.
A hazy snowstorm blows over the mountains, creating the atmosphere of cozying up at home with a cup of tea.
A hazy snowstorm blows over the mountains, creating the atmosphere of cozying up at home with a cup of tea.
Winter 2023
A fluffy snow had fallen all day, and as the sky cleared up in time for sunset. The alpenglow lit up the mountains before the sun sank behind the mountains creating a hazy blanket of darkness over White River National Forest.
Loveland Pass is the perfect place to take in the view, just be sure that you have 4WD if it’s been snowing and park off the road in the parking lot.
A hazy sunset paints over Loveland Pass
Strings of alpenglow touch the Pali Lift at Arapahoe Basin
Strings of alpenglow touch the Continental Divide
The alpenglow disappears and the blanket of darkness settles.
During the storm you see below in Summit, conditions were windy, rough, and cold. While most people chose to stay in, I ran up the mountain with my camera.
Imperial Express Chair during a white out at Breckenridge.
Want to take a piece of Summit County home with you? We will ship any of the prints from Julia’s gallery straight to your house. We offer different sizes and framing options. Reach out here.
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