Hiking into the toxic forest...

sounds more exciting than the kids thought it was!  However, the adults managed to enjoy themselves.  The flatlanders did very well for their first hike starting at 9500 ft.  We were introduced to J's 'hiking face'.  I will have a picture of this on a later hike. Contrary to how she looked (tortured by her Aunt Jess) she did fantastic!

We ran across this abandoned snowmobile.  J had to get in some sisterly love!  Hopefully, Q didn't get any ideas.

 We found a great spot to hike up and watch the town's fireworks for the Fourth of July.  

We ran across some old mining cabins, equipment, and sites around the toxic forest. The seepage from the mining must have killed most of the trees around there.

 Heading back down we came across this cute little mushroom!

Hike: Middle Flume to the Toxic Forest
Trails Used: Middle Flume to Slalom to Middle Plume

Distance: 5.95 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Overall average: 2.2 mph
Overall Time: 2 hr, 39 min
Total Ascent: 947 ft.

Mohawk Lakes

Mohawk lakes just outside (south) of Breckenridge is easily one of the most beautiful hikes around.  Even better you don't have to drive far to get there or even hike a long ways.  It is very steep so be prepared.  We drove in as far as you could go (get there early) so that we didn't have to walk on the road at all.  This made it possible for us to make it to the top with young children.

The many waterfalls along the hike are gorgeous.

 The views from the top are spectacular.

Make sure to keep going so that you see the upper and lower lakes.  Once you get so high you can explore but be careful of the tundra!

 Mining equipment is everywhere as well as some cabins.

And no you Texans this is NOT a chair lift and never was!

The wildflowers were abundant.

 Aster

 King's Crown

  Columbine

We were lucky enough to see this marmot.

 My dad caught this fish on the upper lake.

Hike: Mohawk Lakes

Trails Used:  Mohawk Lake

Distance: 3.52 miles

Difficulty: Moderate (short but steep climb)
Overall average: 1.2 mph
Overall Time: 2 hrs, 57 min
Total Ascent: 1226 ft.

Run/Hike: Boreas Pass to True Romance Mine 

Trails Used:  Boreas Pass Trailhead to True Romance Mine and back to house

Distance: 6.83 miles

Difficulty: Moderate
Overall average: 5.0 mph
Overall Time: 1 hr, 21 min
Total Ascent: 1026 ft.

Mayflower to Clinton Gulch Loop Trail

The view down the jeep trail is beautiful.  Views of Fletcher Mountain, Atlantic and Pacific Peaks are spectacular.  Rather quickly you run into old mining buildings and holes.

 The wildflowers as always are pretty nice.

Fairy Primrose

 Globeflower:

 A little ways down the trail you come across the old Boston Mine cabins.  We had fun exploring inside them.

The kids liked checking out the pit toilet of the cabin above.  

 Our lunch spot:

 Break Time!

 Bartlett Mountain and Clinton Peak:

 Clinton Gulch Dam & the Robinson Tailings Pond

 A last cabin before we looped around:

Hike: Mayflower to Clinton Gulch Loop Trail

Trails Used:  Mayflower to Clinton Gulch Loop Trail (within 5 miles of Copper Mountain Ski Resort)

Distance: 5.03 miles

Difficulty: Moderate
Overall average: 1.5 mph
Overall Time: 3 hrs, 25 min
Total Ascent: 1229 ft.