Spruce (Room 404)

Julia Anna Moore
Jan 1
3 min read

How to get to Spruce

Spruce on Peak 8 was simply named after spruce trees (my favorite is the Colorado Blue Spruce). Its a wide run with rollers but can be busy on packed days. It connects to Ego Lane at the bottom, giving your legs a rest after some difficult turns. See how many species of spruce trees you can spot. You can get there by taking the Peak 8 SuperConnect or Colorado SuperChair. I recommend this for advanced skiers only.

Ski resort trail map showing various ski runs in blue, black, and red lines through mountainous terrain with tree symbols, names, and symbols. — *Map of Breckenridge’s Peak 7 and 8*

The beautiful nature that surrounds us

This unit is named Spruce because it represents just one incredible part of the ecosystem that is the Colorado Rockies. Your living room features our human changes to the environment over the years. It’s important to recognize just how much the ecosystem has been altered to support a population of people. All of these places still exist, see if you can find them on the map and go visit. Don’t forget to practice the Leave No Trace Principles if you go into the wilderness.

Man walks inside a narrow canal in a forest. Another man stands near a table with tools. Dense trees in the background. — **No title:** No description. Original creator: March 7, 1991; Mary Marks. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.

Newspaper article titled "Checking in on some of the county’s lesser-known peaks." Features "In the Woods" by Tom Jones with compass graphic and portrait. — **Checking in on some of the county’s lesser-known peaks:** Newspaper article. *Original creator: July 25, 1993; by Tom Jones. Summit Daily.*

Newspaper page showing ads for skis, gardening supplies, and snow equipment. A man trims logs with a chainsaw at Francie's Cabin construction site. — **Despite delays, Francie’s Cabin set to open next fall:** Newspaper article. *Original creator: November 13, 1993; By M. John Fayhee Daily News Staff Writer. Summit Daily.*

A tall waterfall cascades down rocky terrain surrounded by dense forest. The image has a faded, vintage look, highlighting nature's serenity. — **Spruce Creek falls:** Spruce Creek Falls (Continental Falls) south of Breckenridge, Colorado. Title quoted from handwritten caption on card mount: “Spruce Creek falls.” *Original creator: circa 1880s-1903 (Creation); Westerman, Otto. J. Frank Willis Photograph Album. Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

Sepia-toned image of two wooden buildings in a rural landscape with stacked lumber in the foreground and mountains in the background. — **Spruce Creek hydroelectric plant, south of Breckenridge:** Spruce Creek hydroelectric plant, almost 4 miles south of Breckenridge, Colorado (on present day Highway 9). Built in the summer and fall of 1900, the plant generated electricity for the Gold Pan Mining Company pit and the Goldpan shops. By summer 1901, the town of Breckenridge and independent mine companies began purchasing electricity. In view is a water ditch and diversion headgate, and a large pile of stacked square logs. *Original creator: Early 1900’s; Unidentified. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

A sepia-toned landscape features snowy mountains, a wooden building in the foreground, and a valley town nestled among trees. Calm atmosphere. — **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.” *Circa 1890s. 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.

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.

Mountain peak bathed in orange sunset light under dramatic clouds. Dark foreground contrasts with vibrant sky, creating a serene mood. — The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.

Orange and gray clouds fill the sky during sunset, creating a dramatic and serene atmosphere. No text visible. — The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.

Moon in a twilight sky with dark clouds and hints of pink and blue, creating a calm and serene atmosphere. — The sun sets in July after a thunderstorm kissing Bald Mountain with alpenglow.

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.

Snow-capped mountain under a cloudy sky, surrounded by dense green forests. Yellow foliage in the foreground adds a touch of autumn. — The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.

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.