Breckenridge Colorado, The Ultimate hiking guide to Mohawk Lakes

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If you’re looking for amazing hiking trails in Colorado, Summit County in the summer and fall will have some of the best hiking in the state. Old mines, alpine lakes, mountain views, and waterfalls are handful of reasons to wake up early to go hiking on any one one of the many different trails in the area . Just outside of Breckenridge is a fun day hike and an entry level backpacking hike called Mohawk Lakes. No overnight permits needed and it’s a doable hike in one day.

In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Mohawk Lakes, trail details, what to expect, and overnight backpacking info. Alright lets do thisss.

Where is Mohawk Lakes

Located in the White River National Forest of the Rocky Mountains, Mohawk Lakes is in Blue River Colorado, just outside the town of Breckenridge. Part of the Ten Mile Range, this trail is a favorite for locals and visitors. Other towns nearby are Fairplay, Alma, Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne.

Coordinates for the trailhead

39.437050, -106.050660

How to get to Mohawk Lakes

The starting point for Mohawk lakes will be at the Spruce Creek Trailhead off of highway 9, 10 minutes south of Breckenridge. If you take I-70 or 285 you’ll end up on highway 9 and then turn onto Spruce Creek Road. From there you’ll pass by a number of houses in a neighborhood and drive up on a dirt parking lot. On the weekends the trailhead gets pretty crowded so try to get there really early or around noon to beat the crowds. It’s ok to park on the side of Spruce Creek Road as you’ll notice plenty of vehicles leading up to the trailhead on busier days.

Below I listed times and distances from major areas in Colorado to the trailhead.

Denver

• I-70: 1 hour 45 minutes/84 Miles

• 285: 2 hours 10 minutes/106 Miles

Boulder

• I-70: 2 hours 25 minutes/90 Miles

• 285: 2 hours 45 minutes/117 Miles

Colorado Springs

• US 24 W to CO 9 N: 2 hours 8 minutes/103 Miles

Fort Collins

• I-25 South to I-70 W: 3 hours 15 minutes/144 Miles

How long is the hike?

It really depends on your speed, but for day hiking it has taken me about 6 hours round trip to the top lake, which includes hanging out at each lake for a little bit. I’m sure it can be done in a much quicker time frame, it all depends on your speed.

Elevation Gain: 2,106 feet/642 Meters

Distance: 8.4 Miles/13.5 Kilometers

Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Trail Type: Out and Back

Can families with children do this hike

Definitely, I’ve seen a number of families on this trail with kids and even moms and dads with the backpacks that carry toddlers or infants in them.

Best time to Go

Depending on the snow year, End of June through late October. If we get a lot of snow that season, then the trails usually are not free of snow until late June. On the flip-side, if it starts snowing early in the fall, trails may not be as easy to hike, making it less enjoyable. I’ve been in September as well as in the summer and both are some of the best times of the year to hike this trail. Fall is a nice time in Breckenridge to hike any trail because of the leaves changing, so that’s also something to consider when deciding when to do the hike.

Like anything, weekends will be a lot busier as well as mornings. I would either try to go really early in the morning or mid day as long as there aren’t any afternoon thunderstorms in the forecast!

Are dogs allowed on the trail

Yep, you will see dogs along the way, most are off leash too. Always try to keep your dog in site if off leash, because there is plenty of wildlife in the area!

Are there Wildflowers

In the summer, yes there will be spots along the trail that will have wildflowers! Usually Mid June through Late August, depending on how much rain summit county receives. Surprisingly there were still wildflowers when I hiked this, as it was really dry summer.

Can you Backpack this trail

Yep, it is a great trail if you just got into back packing and want to test out your equipment and get use to your pack. No overnight permits are required and you also do not need an overnight parking pass to leave your car at the trailhead. Make sure to check fire restrictions in the area if you decide to build a campfire!

There are a couple areas at the second lake that you will be able to backpack at with man made fire rings too. Just make sure to pack out all trash, camp at least 200 feet from the water, and dig a hole for human waste.

Trail Details and how to access the Upper Lake

Once you’ve parked your car you’ll want to look for the Spruce Creek Trailhead, located on the left side of the road right after the main parking lot area. This part of the trail takes you through a wooded area until you reach the first lake.

As you walk through the woods, you’ll pass by an opening on the right side that opens up to some of the best views of the hike, overlooking part of the Ten Mile Range. This is also a perfect resting point if you aren’t use to the elevation!

From there you’ll continue on the Spruce Creek Trail until you hit Spruce Creek Road (the same road where you initially parked, but much farther up the mountain). This road will take you to the start of the Mohawk Lakes Trail:) The first lake you’ll come up on is Mayflower Lake, follow the signage for a slight detour to access this lake.

Once you get back onto the Mohawk Lakes trail the elevation gain gets a little more intense and it also becomes a little more difficult to know if you’re on the right trail or not. My best advice is to look either at a map on All Trails (download ahead of time due to lack of service) or to follow the signage and trail as best as possible. There will also be incredible waterfall views as you make your ascent to the Lower Lake. Lower Falls Vista will be near a couple historic mining structures, while Continental Falls will be on your way up to the lower Lake on the right side of the trail. Again, there will be signage along the way to access these waterfalls.

Be very cautious when visiting the Continental Falls and don’t get too close to the edge. The cabin will also make great shelter if it starts to pour rain. A nice hideout as there isn’t any coverage from the cabin.

After you pass the waterfalls you’ll continue to hike up steeper areas of the hike. The trail will begin to level out and that’s how you know you’re approaching the lower lake. The lower lake has an open backdrop surrounding it, perfect for photography. As mentioned earlier this is a great spot to set up for camping if you back packed up to the lake.

If you camped at the lower lake and are motivated enough, I would recommend waking up early to catch the sunrise!

Now that you’ve made it this far, keep going! and head up to the last part of the hike, the Upper Lake. This will be about 15 minutes from the Lower Lake and the climb isn’t too bad. You’ll hike one last small climb before you reach the top. There’s plenty of places at the top to take in the scenery, chill, and eat a snack. You’re also allowed to fish as long as your Colorado fishing license is up to date.

Weather can get cold and windy this high up in the Colorado mountains (even in the summer), so always pack a warm lightweight puffy jacket.

Quite the view when hiking above the top lake.

If you’re interested, keep walking past the Upper Lake and the trail will continue. I didn’t hike it all the way, but I felt some of the best mountain views were on this part of the hike with even more smaller alpine lakes.

What to Pack

1. Rain Jacket- Weather shows up at any given moment in the Mountains, always pack a lightweight rain shell.

2. Sunscreen- Hiking at a high altitude=increased sun exposure so make sure to apply this at least 15 minutes before you venture out. I like Sun Bum, which can be found online at Hansens surf shop out of Encinitas California.

3. Hiking Poles- Although these might seem “uncool”, they help a lot with balance and footing when hiking. Head over to REI or your local outdoor retailer, as they have a great selection.

4. Hiking Boots- Proper footwear is a must. There is a ton of options when it comes to hiking boots. These can also be found at REI or your local outdoor gear shop.

5. Water- Make sure to pack plenty of water. I like the packable Hydrapaks or if it’s a hot day make sure to pack a Hydroflask.

6. Outdoor Clothing- Although outdoor clothing can be expensive it does last a long time. It will be more lightweight, moisture wicking, and more stinkproof when doing stuff outdoors. Try to stay away from anything cotton. I personally like Fjallraven and Mountain Hardwear, but Patagonia, Burton, North Face, and Columbia all make great stuff.

The Descent

Watch your footing as you make your way back down the trail. Please note uphill hikers have the right of way. When you come to the point of taking the Spruce Creek trail back to the parking lot, and want a quicker hike down, take the service road from earlier.

Please note, if you don’t feel like hiking all the way to the Lower Lake or top lake you can take a detoured trail (Mayflower Lakes Trail) from Mayflower Lake, back to the parking lot.

Looking for more Colorado adventure? Check out Leadville, another small mountain town in Colorado not far from Breckenridge. Thanks for checking out the Blog and I’ll see you on the next post.

The Ultimate Buena Vista Colorado Guide (How to Spend 4 Days)

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Looking for a warmer part of Colorado close to the mountains with around 300 days of sunshine every year? Buena Vista is one of the coolest towns I’ve been to in Colorado and after you read this post I hope it inspires you to visit this unique corner of the state. Located right on the Arkansas river and at the base of the Collegiate Peaks (the largest concentrated area of Colorado 14ers in the state). What makes BV so unique is the high mountain desert-like climate in town with a high alpine climate just minutes outside of town up Cottonwood Pass.

Combine these two different climates and you have a number of different outdoor activities to choose from. In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Buena Vista, where to stay or camp, outdoor recreation activities, and what to expect. Coool, lets do this..

Where is Buena Vista

Buena Vista is southwest of Denver and in between Twin Lakes and Salida. Coming from the front range there’s two main routes to take, either Highway 24 through Leadville or US 285 through Fairplay. Both will be scenic drives through the mountains, making the start of your trip more exciting in my opinion. For flying, the closest major airport will be Denver with other airports being in Colorado Springs along with Eagle. I listed miles and distances from major areas in Colorado below.

Denver- 123 miles/2 hours 15 minutes

Colorado Springs- 93 miles/2 hours

Breckenridge- 60 miles/1 hour and 15 minutes

Boulder- 134 miles/2.5 hours

Where to Stay

There will be a number of places right in town or walking distance to town. BV has a number of side streets and neighborhoods not far from the Main street that run through town. I stayed in a nice two bedroom condo that I booked on VRBO that was a 1/2 mile to Main Street.

Another place I’d recommend staying is the Surf Hotel and Chateau, place looks awesome. With an in-house restaurant and Lobby bar, the idea is to combine the outdoors with European style luxury hospitality. They have live a music venue outside, as well as an indoor ballroom for weddings and events. If you want a more secluded experience next door is the Chateau with cottage style units.

Where can you camp

There will be paid campsites as well dispersed campsites. I booked a campsite at one of my favorite campgrounds, Ruby Mountain, right on the Arkansas River, overlooking the collegiate peaks. They have bathroom facilities, picnic tables, and a fire grate to cook food over or to have a campfire.

To book this site go to Colorado Parks and Wildlife >Camping Reservations>Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area>Site List. There will be different campgrounds to choose from with Ruby Mountain and Railroad Bridge being the closest paid sites to downtown BV. To look for dispersed camping (free) download apps Dyrt or Gaia.

Buena Vista Day 1 Itinerary

Walk along the Arkansas River Trail

Once you’ve checked in and gotten settled, I recommend first doing a small walk along the Arkansas River. Park at the Whitewater Park and follow the River Trail. You will probably come across kayakers and river surfers! This trail is a little over 1.5 miles if you do the entire loop.

If you want more views of the mountains, check out the North Trail -> Broken Boyfriend Trail in the same vicinity. It will have more elevation gain and require hiking footwear. This one will start right where the bridge is and can be biked or hiked.

I like taking the service road back and then the Whipple trail down to the parking lot. The road is a fun one to catch a sunset for your first night in town.

Dinner at Crave

One of my favorite restaurants in Colorado is Crave. It is a Pizzaria along with italian influence menu items. During the summer I recommend walking in and putting your name on a list or expect a wait. The vibe inside is authentic with a brick building and open kitchen so you can see your pizza being hand tossed from house made pizza dough. Crave is also a really awesome place to grab lunch, as they open at 11am.

Catch a movie at the local Drive In Theater

Built in 1966, The Comanche theatre is one of 8 Drive in theaters left in Colorado, with only 320 left in the entire country! For point of reference, in the 1960’s there were over 4,000. If you’ve never gone to a drive-in theater it is a really cool experience. The theater is open Friday-Tuesday in the summer and weekends only after Labor Day with movies starting at dusk. You’ll park your car, set the radio station to the correct channel, and watch the movie from you’re vehicle.

Comanche will sell the typical movie theater snacks; popcorn, candy, hot pretzels, and pizza. Movies alternate every week with weekends being the busiest time to go. You can arrive early, grab a spot, hang out and watch the sunset before the movie starts (if you didn’t catch a sunset in town). The theater is right outside of town on Highway 306 and is the highest drive-in theater in the country.

Buena Vista Day 2 Itinerary

Grab Breakfast at Cool River

Located on the East Side of Main Street, close to the river, this was my favorite coffee shop in town. The lighting in the morning is amazing and if you grab a window seat there will be surrounding town and mountain views as you drink your coffee or eat breakfast. There’s a lot of home made options and they have an awesome in-house bakery with Gluten Free as well as vegan options.

There’s also a full breakfast and lunch menu, not a bad place to start your day off.

Go Rafting

This area of Colorado will have some of the best rafting in the state, book a half day or full day rafting trip. I went with River Runners, 10 minutes from the downtown area, however there are a number of different rafting companies to book with. Lunch will be provided for full day raft trips and the raft company will provide full transportation to and from the river.

For beginner to intermediate rapids there is Browns Canyon and for people looking for a more intense raft trip there is Royal Gorge and Numbers! Rafting season runs from about Late May-Early September with the best rapids being late spring to early summer. A good snow season will effect how good the rafting summer will be, as the snowmelt eventually ends up in rivers and streams.

I’ve done Royal Gorge in the past and although it is a beautiful area the rapids are more intense. This rafting trip I went with Browns Canyon. Good for families as well as people who’ve never gone rafting before. Browns Canyon is mix of rapids with slower scenic areas. There was even an area along the river where our guide let us jump from a boulder called “jump rock.”

Dinner at Eddyline Brewery

After a day on the river grab a drink and food at Eddyline Brewery. There’s two locations, a restaurant and a Brewpub, both on the opposite ends of each other in town. Eddyline’s story started in 2009 making wood fired pizzas and brewing beer for the outdoor enthusiast looking to relax after a day of adventure. The Brewery has a nice hang out vibe and there’s a back patio for those nice summer evenings.

Sunset at Cottonwoodpass

One of my favorite things to do in Buena Vista is to catch the sunset up on Cottonwood Pass. Get on West Main Street, which turns into Highway 306 and take this road all the way to the top of the pass. There will be a few switchbacks towards the top so take it slow! The parking lot will be on the left. Bring a blanket and hang out in the parking lot or you can hike to the look out point, not far from the parking lot. You can see part of the Collegiate Peaks off to your right in the distance as the sun sets.

If you get to the top of the pass early enough you can hike part of the Colorado trail too. Follow the trail from the parking lot and it will eventually take you across a ridge with surrounding mountain views, which is part of the Gunnison National Forest! For help with navigating download All Trails Route #1978 Cottonwood South. The top of the pass is where the San Isabel National Forest and Gunnison National Forest meet, which is part of the Continental Divide!

The Continental Divide is the topographic line that separates drainages either to the Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean. It goes down the spine of the highest points of the Rocky Mountains from Alaska all the way to Mexico. Water either eventually ends up in the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic.

Buena Vista Day 3 Itinerary

Breakfast at Blend

I would say this is the healthiest place to eat in all of Buena Vista. Amazing smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, wraps, and baked goods. If you plan on going for a long hike in the morning or mid day, this is a good place to get some good fuel before you hit the trail. The inside is also a good spot to get some work done if you need to, with a cafe lounge type atmosphere.

Hike Ptarmigan Lake

Once you are fueled up grab your hiking boots and get on Highway 306 again, the same road to Cottonwood pass. On the left, 14 miles west will be the Ptarmigan Lake trailhead. Parking can be limited at times, especially on weekends! This trail will be 6.1 miles out and back with 1,466 feet of elevation gain, so pack a good water bottle and some snacks.

I wrote a blog post on this trail specifically, check out a complete guide on Ptarmigan Lake.

Happy Hour at Terrace on Main

End the afternoon at Terrace on Main from 4-5 pm with drink specials for cocktails, wine, and beer. Grab a seat on the rooftop that overlooks the town and mountain peaks. There is also a bites menu with appetizers and a small desert menu with ingredients from locally sourced farmers. What I liked about Terrace on Main is they keep it simple yet have an inviting atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.

Buena Vista Day 4 Itinerary

Sunrise Hike at Lost Lake (or Sunset)

Recently re-routed with a new parking lot at the trailhead, Lost Lake is a must if you like hiking and are in Buena Vista. If you’re able to wake up early enough for sunrise, it is so peaceful and chances are there won’t be anyone up at the lake or on the trail.

The elevation gain is only 423 feet with some rocky areas as you approach the lake so make sure you have good hiking boots! The trail is close to 3.5 miles round trip and takes about two hours or more depending on speed and time at the lake

Coffee at Joyful Bakery and Coffee

This small coffee shop on the East side of town, will have a number of different drink options as well as a small amount of breakfast items. I liked how peaceful and quiet it was compared to restaurants in downtown BV. It’s a great place to go in the morning to start the day or after you’ve hiked Lost Lake.

Check out the shops downtown

Most small towns in Colorado will have a downtown area filled with eclectic shops and if you have time I recommend walking around to see if there’s a store or two you’d want to pop into. Two of my favorite shops in BV are Trailhead and CKS. Both will have lots of outdoor gear for adventures, but also a number of different clothing/lifestyle goods too. CKS will have most of what you would need for river/water sports activities while Trailhead is directed more towards the hiker, backpacker, and camping enthusiast.

Lunch at Simple Eatery

Inside Trailhead will be a lunch and dinner place with indoor and outdoor dining. They have healthier options with salads, soups, and sandwiches as well as artisan baked bread if you want to take something to go!

Mount Princeton Hot springs

End the trip by relaxing at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs! There will be different areas that you can soak in including; Chalk Creek, the Soaking Pool, and the Infinity Pool. The backdrop when hanging out in the infinity Pool is Mount Princeton with an elevation of 14,200 feet! These pools are a combination of rain and snow melt mixed with geothermic water that comes from the different fractures in rock.

The creekside pool will be right along the river with a more natural hot springs feel to it. The soak pool and private pools will be more like swimming pools. The infinity pool is pretty awesome as it overlooks Mount Princeton and the surrounding peaks! This pool can also be rented out privately. If you’d like to go more then a day, there is lodging, dining, and even a small grocery store on site.

Dinner at Viking Burger

A newer area and restaurant in town, Viking Burger’s menu consists of unique burger options, signature cocktails/mocktails, and sides as well as options that are vegetarian/vegan. They also have a rooftop seating area and bar!

Other Restaurants in BV

Buena Vista Roastery Cafe- Right in downtown BV, with usually a line out the door in the summer. This is not a bad place to get some work done or grab a cup of coffee in the AM.

K’s Old fashion Burgers- BV in the summertime is something special. Stopping in at K’s old fashion burgers mid day after being on the river all day or hiking a trail hits the spot. They’ve been around since 1955! Shakes, Fries, and burgers will be their main menu items.

Roosters Crow Cafe- Looking for a diner style breakfast? Roosters Crow cafe serves breakfast and lunch and has that old school feel to it with prices that are affordable.

Wesley and Rose- Inside the Surf Hotel, this lobby restaurant and bar will serve cocktails, starters, and some awesome seasonal dinner items. Wesley and Rose also does private events as it is a perfect place to rent out for a group.

Night Life/Bars in BV

Not much of a night life in Buena Vista however there is a small amount of bars throughout the town. Main Street Tavern will most likely be open the latest on Friday and Saturday nights. They have pool tables and sometimes live music.

Also near the Surf Hotel is Coyote, a bar with Mezcal, beers, and wine. Small bites and craft beers can also be found here with a Mexican vibe.

Biking- Lot’s of different mountain biking trails in BV, this place is a hub for biking enthusiasts (especially when spring rolls around).

Browns Canyon National Monument- Located just past Ruby Mountain Campground, this national monument has hiking trails, views , and colorful rock outcroppings all around. National Monuments were first initiated in 1906 and are a way to protect, conserve, and restore landscapes with lots of diversity and science. Parking is free at the trailhead, but not the Ruby Mountain recreation area. There will be trails along the river and through the Canyon. It’s honestly somewhat confusing in areas, but grab a map at the trailhead to decide what route you’d like to take. There is private property in the area so try to obey and closed areas you might come across.

River Surfing- Challenging, but fun! There is river surfing in Salida and at the Adventure park area in Buena Vista. There is going to be the Staircase Wave which is more challenging to pop up on along with the new Pocket 2.0 Wave near the Surf Hotel. The Staircase Wave requires a board with a lot of volume as it is a paddle in wave. For more skilled surfers, running and jumping to get on the wave is a possibility. For rentals, go to CKS. They offer wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, and leash rentals!

This experience is what makes you feel like you are in a surf town.

Salida the next town over has an awesome larger wave (Scout Wave) right in town near the surf shop Bad Fish,. It runs from about Mid May through late August depending on river flow. Be cautious during high water times such as early June, when the mountains have all the snow melt run off. Bad Fish offers demos, but you would need to rent a wetsuit elsewhere in town.

Shot by Katie Young

Shot by Katie Young

Fly Fishing- The Arkansas river is not only great for rafting and river surfing, but also there’s a number of places to go fishing. Upriver and Ark Anglers will be your two main fly shops. Rent equipment or book a guide for a day. A guide, although more expensive will know the best spots to cast a line.

St Elmo Ghost Town- Once a mining town in the 1800’s that eventually became abandoned, the historical buildings are still up-kept today so visitors can experience what life might have been like in this time period. It’s a fun way to spend an hour or so walking around, reading the different historical facts.

Collegiate Peaks Overlook- Right outside of BV is the Collegiate Peaks Overlook as you’re leaving town going to Breckenridge, the entrance will be on the left. Kind of creeps up on you, but just look for the sign. This area is run by the state of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, so there is a day use fee. There’s picnic tables, grills, and some areas will have shelters. No camping allowed! If you just go up there for sunset, I don’t think you’ll have to pay a fee, but maybe double check signage when you enter the area.

Looking for more Colorado adventure in the summer? Check out the town of Leadville, not far from Buena Vista! Thanks for checking out the blog and I’ll see you on the next post. It’s cool to connect with everyone so if you have any questions or comments to add please leave them down below.