Wellington (Room 521)

Julia Anna Moore
Jan 1
5 min read

How to get to Wellington

Many of Peak 9’s runs were named directly after mines around Breckenridge, and this one is no exception. Wellington Mine had valuable zinc, copper, and silver and now it can live on as a seemingly unseen run on the map. It’s somewhere near the popular Country Boy run, which is a blue on Peak 9, but could be kind of like Ego Lane, where you have to fall into the right conversation with the right person to know the lore about where it is.

Wellington Mine

Wellington was the largest mine in the Breckenridge area. It opened in the 1880’s and closed in 1972, which is quite late, lead being responsible for about 60% of the value of the mine. It’s incredible that mining lasted that long knowing that many mines went under way earlier in the century. It was probably helpful that it was vital during World War II for its high-grade zinc ore. Here are some scenes and people from this mine.

Eight miners in dusty work clothes and helmets pose in a dimly lit cave. One holds a dog. The setting is gritty and rugged, evoking resilience. — **Underground at the Wellington Mine in 1949:** Bud Enyeart is the third from left in the back row. *Original creator: 1949; Unidentified. Courtesy Enyeart family.*

Man in dark clothing and hat stands in front of a large industrial building with a chimney. The setting is mountainous and rugged. — **A man poses outside the Wellington Mine and Mill, near Breckenridge:** A man wearing a bowler (derby) hat stands on the dirt road outside the Wellington Mine and Mill operations in French Gulch, east of Breckenridge, Colorado. Behind him is a massive mine waste dump. In the background on the hillside are the Oro Shaft buildings. *Original creator: Circa June 1913; Unidentified. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

Industrial mill with smoking chimneys surrounded by rocky terrain and hills. Text reads "Wellington Mill, Breckenridge, Colo." — **The Wellington Mine and Mill in French Gulch east of Breckenridge:** The Wellington Mine and Mill in French Gulch east of Breckenridge, Colorado. An electric tramway brought ore from the upper (or Wellington) level down to the mill. In view in the background (between the lower mill’s smokestacks) are the buildings of the Oro Shaft. *Original creator: Circa 1900s; Unidentified. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

Snow-covered landscape with a large wooden building labeled "Wellington Mill." Hills and sparse trees are in the background. Monochrome image. — **The Wellington Mill, east of Breckenridge:** The Wellington Mill in French Gulch, east of Breckenridge, Colorado. Handwritten caption on the front: “Wellington Mill”. *Original creator: circa 1930s-1940s (Creation); Unidentified. Breckenridge History Photograph Collection. Breckenridge History, Colorado*

Logs stacked near wooden buildings at Wellington Mine, Breckenridge, Colo. Mountainous backdrop under cloudy sky; vintage black-and-white. — **Sawmill operations at the Extenuate (X10U8) Tunnel of the Wellington Mine in French Gulch east of Breckenridge, Colorado:** Piles of logs and finished mine timbers are stacked throughout the property. Circa 1900s. *Original creator: Circa 1900s; Unidentified. Summit Historical Society Collection. Image created by Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

Man stands in front of industrial buildings and machinery, wearing a hat and suit. Smoky background and wooden structures visible. Black and white. — **A man at the Wellington Mine and Mill, near Breckenridge:** A man dressed in a suit coat and hat, and wearing pants tucked into tall, laced boots, stands on the dirt road outside the Wellington Mine and Mill operations in French Gulch, east of Breckenridge, Colorado. Behind him is a large stack of lumber and finished mine timbers. Smoke fills the view in the background. *Original creator: Circa June 1913; 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?

Aerial black-and-white image of a mountainous landscape with valleys and ridges. Snowy peaks are visible, creating a dramatic contrast. — 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.

Tall evergreen trees frame a distant mountain range under a hazy sky, creating a tranquil and serene natural landscape. — Duo of the Colorado Rockies framed by Evergreens. You can see the haziness as these photos were taken during the historic 2020 wildfires.

Tall evergreen trees frame a distant mountain under a clear sky. The scene conveys a tranquil, natural atmosphere. No text visible. — Duo of the Colorado Rockies framed by Evergreens. You can see the haziness as these photos were taken during the historic 2020 wildfires.

Distant mountains against a hazy, pinkish sky with dark pine trees in the foreground, creating a calm and serene atmosphere. — More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.

Purple flowers with yellow centers bloom in a garden. Green leaves and more blurred flowers are in the background, creating a serene mood. — More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.

Bird perched on evergreen branch against a cloudy sky. The scene is serene, with muted greens and soft light, creating a peaceful mood. — More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.

Chipmunk perched on a fallen log, nibbling something in a sunlit forest. Background is blurred with green and yellow foliage. — More hazy photos of the landscape on fire.

Hazy mountain view with a forest of tall, slender trees in the foreground under a soft, muted sky, evoking a serene mood. — 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.

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.

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.

Mountain landscape at sunset with snow-dusted peaks and pine trees in the foreground. Dramatic orange and pink clouds fill the sky. — 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.

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.

Snowy mountain peak behind lush, autumn-colored forest with yellow and green trees. Overcast sky adds a serene, tranquil mood. — The first snowfall in September, the aspens on Peak 8 already ready to drop their leaves for wintertime.

Snow-capped mountain under cloudy sky, surrounded by autumn-colored hills with scattered trees. A tranquil, scenic landscape. — 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.

Snowy cabin surrounded by tall pines, with a parked SUV in front. Overcast skies create a serene, wintry mood. — A hazy snowstorm blows over the mountains, creating the atmosphere of cozying up at home with a cup of tea.

Foggy forest landscape with tall evergreen trees. The background is misty, creating a calm and serene atmosphere. No visible text. — 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.

Snowy mountain range at sunrise with purple and pink clouds, highlighting the peak. Forested lower slopes add contrast. Serene mood. — A hazy sunset paints over Loveland Pass

Snow-covered mountain with evergreen trees, a ski lift, and a small building at the peak. The sky is clear, creating a serene atmosphere. — Strings of alpenglow touch the Pali Lift at Arapahoe Basin

Snow-covered mountain peak with a forest below, bathed in warm sunset light. Clear blue sky above, creating a tranquil and majestic scene. — Strings of alpenglow touch the Continental Divide

Snowy mountains with a sign reading "White River National Forest" in the foreground. Overcast sky and serene, wintry landscape. — 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.

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.