Southern Cross (Room 310)

Julia Anna Moore
Dec 30, 2025
3 min read

How to get to Southern Cross

Southern Cross (and Northstar) refer to the stars in the sky and geographic directions. When these runs were cut out during Breck’s early days, they were the southern-most and northern-most runs. Breckenridge has clearly expanded a lot since then. You can get there either by taking the Peak 8 SuperConnect from Peak 9, or if you’re taking Snowflake from our backyard, you will have to connect to Colorado SuperChair. Southern Cross and the neighboring Psychopath feature steep and narrow trees, so only go in here if you’re a confident advanced tree skier.

Ski resort trail map shows multiple peaks and trails marked in colors. Text highlights Peaks 7 and 8. Snowy mountains and trees in background. — *Map of Breckenridge’s Peak 8*

The authentic writers of Breckenridge

Much of history is written in a romanticized way, and in this case, the Gold Rush of Breckenridge has been painted in a positive light. Two women, named Belle Turnbull and Helen Rich, wrote about the hard and normal parts of life of Breck’s early days. After retiring from their professional lives in the front range, they turned to focusing their energy on writing, starting their literary careers after the age of 50. Belle and Helen found inspiration in Breckenridge’s sweeping vistas and the dying industry of gold mining and held out through the time that Breck almost became a ghost town. Their home is located on French Street. You can read more about Helen and Belle here. This unit mostly focuses on Belle, while another unit focuses on Helen.

A woman poses in a sepia-tone portrait. She wears a light dress with lace collar, looking calm. Cursive text on the image reads "Emery." — **No title:** Drawing of Belle Turnbull. *Unknown date, unknown creator.*

Elderly woman in fur-trimmed robe sits thoughtfully at a desk with pen in hand. Lit lamp and books in background create a cozy ambiance. — **Belle Turnbull at her desk in her later years:** Belle Turnbull, Breckenridge, Colorado author, sits at her desk with her chin resting on her left hand. The elderly woman wears a dark brocade coat trimmed in sheepskin. On the desk is a ceramic lamp topped with a fabric lampshade. *Original creator: Circa 1950s-1960s. Unknown creator. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

Snowy log cabins surrounded by trees, with mountains in the background. Text reads "The Season's Greetings" on a vintage postcard. — **Holiday postcard shows Helen Rich and Belle Turnbull’s log cabin on French Street in Breckenridge:** Holiday postcard shows a snowy landscape and Helen Rich and Belle Turnbull’s log cabin on French Street in Breckenridge, Colorado. Printed below the image are the words: “The Season’s Greetings.” *Original creator: Unknown date; Westerman, Otto. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

Two people in coats stand outside a building with a door. They hold hats, smiling. A small dog is at their feet. The mood is cheerful. — **No title:** Helen Rich and Belle Turnbull. *Original creator: Unknown date; Unknown creator. Credit: Denver Public Library.*

Two women stand in a garden beside a log cabin. One wears a plaid shirt with overalls, the other a dress. Snowy mountains are in the background. — **No title:** Helen Rich and Belle Turnbull. *Original creator: Unknown date; Unknown creator. Credit: Denver Public Library.*

A woman in an elegant, long dress sits on a wooden chair, holding her chin with one hand. The monochrome setting is simple and calm. — **No title:** As found in Colorado Magazine, 1979; After completing high school in 1904, Belle Turnbull “was shipped East to acquire culture,” but she vowed to return to the more adventurous West. Here she posed in her senior prom gown. My description: Belle Turnbull’s photo as it appears on the cover of “Unsung Masters.” *Original creator: Unknown date; Unknown creator.* *Found in Colorado Magazine p. 21, 1979*

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.

Snowy mountain peaks at sunrise, bathed in soft pink and purple light. A serene, peaceful atmosphere with a pastel sky overhead. — A hazy sunset paints over Loveland Pass

Spring 2022

A fluffy snow had fallen all day, and as the sky cleared up in time for sunset. Pinks and purples stretched over the peaks as the temperature dropped, welcoming in the night.

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.

Snow-covered mountain with pine trees, ski lift, and a clear sky at sunset, casting warm light on the peaks. Peaceful winter scene. — Strings of alpenglow touch the Pali Lift at Arapahoe Basin

The sun sets, lighting up the Continental Divide that has grown quiet as guests have left the resort for the day.

Arapahoe Basin is an advanced mountain at the other end of the county.

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.