Whiskey River (Room 529)

Julia Anna Moore
Jan 2
5 min read

How to get to Whiskey River

I’m unsure how Whiskey River was named, but it’s a cool one. This is an advanced run on Peak 7 that can lead you to The Dunes, Xanadu, or Delirium, which will take you to Peak 6 base. It’s a wide open space above the tree-line and it’s a fun way to travel across the five peaks of Breckenridge.

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*

Illinois Gulch

The Illinois Gulch District, considered part of the Breckenridge District by Vanderwilt (1947), initially saw hand-worked placer mining as described by Ransome (1911). Hydraulic mining later created a large pit in the area. Parker (1974) mentions a bedrock shaft started in 1898, but otherwise, only placer mining activities are noted. The Breckenridge Troll, located by the Stephen C. West Ice Arena parking lot, is the start of the trail that travels up Illinois Gulch. If you’re visiting in summer, it’s a beautiful area to explore on foot.

Snowy landscape with two wooden cabins surrounded by pine trees on a hillside. Logs scattered in foreground. Overcast, wintry mood. — **Puzzle Mine in Illinois Gulch, southeast of Breckenridge:** The Puzzle Mine workings in Illinois Gulch (Illinois Park), southeast of Breckenridge, Colorado. The small railroad trestle or bridge uphill from the mine was located between Hookeye Curve and the Gold Pan trestle. *Original creator: 1920–1929 (Creation); Sayre, Robert H.. Robert H. Sayre Collection. Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

Railroad tracks lead to a tunnel in a forested area by a lake. The image is sepia-toned with visible text reading "Snow Sheds." — **Railway snow shed in Illinois Park near Breckenridge:** Narrow gauge railroad and snow shed over the tracks at Hook Eye Curve in Illinois Park near Breckenridge, Colorado. *Original creator: circa 1880s-1903 (Creation); Westerman, Otto. J. Frank Willis Photograph Album. Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

Historic black-and-white photo of Breckenridge, showing a small town with scattered houses, surrounded by hills and trees under a cloudy sky. — **Breckenridge:** View of Breckenridge, Colorado, looking northeast shows frame or log dwellings and commercial buildings, including the Catholic Church, and the Gardner residence. Landmarks include Barney Ford Hill, Illinois Gulch, and the grade of the South Park Railroad. *Original creator: 1881; Unidentified. Denver Public Library Special Collections, X-1948.*

A group of men in work attire pose on logs in front of a wooden building in a forested, hilly area, conveying a rustic, historical mood. — **Group portrait of men at the Ouray Mine site in Illinois Gulch near Breckenridge:** Mine workers sit or stand by a log stockpile for a group portrait at the Ouray Mine site in Illinois Gulch, east of Breckenridge, Colorado. Behind them is a wood frame building or sawmill. Handwritten on the reverse: “Ouray Mine, Breckenridge.” *Original creator: Undated (Creation); Unidentified. Agnes Miner Collection; Gift, Colorado Springs Ghost Town Club. Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

Snowy mountain landscape with winding road, dense pine forests, and distant peaks under a cloudy sky, creating a serene, winter atmosphere. — **View of the railroad trestle and railway tracks on Barney Ford Hill in Illinois Park:** View looking northwest towards the Tenmile Range with Illinois Gulch (Illinois Park) in the foreground. The Gold Pan trestle can be seen with the railway line curving around Barney Ford Hill. The Dunkin Mine is on the right. Southeast of Breckenridge, Colorado. *Original creator: 1920–1929 (Creation); Sayre, Robert H. Robert H. Sayre Collection. Breckenridge History, Colorado.*

Rustic wooden cabins nestled in a snowy forested hillside. Tall pine trees surround the structures, creating a serene and isolated atmosphere. — **Washington Mine [stamp mill]:** View of the Washington Mine stamp mill in Illinois Gulch near Breckenridge (Summit County), Colorado. Original creator: [1904?]; Unidentified. Denver Public Library Special Collections, X-62410.

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.