Leadville Colorado, How to spend a Four day weekend

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Looking for easy trail navigation? Check out Alltrails; an app with trail reviews, navigation, and trail stats. Predownload trails in case of no service.

Looking to check out a hidden Colorado area that has lots of cool outdoor recreation and history? Although places like Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspen, Crested Butte, and Telluride are amazing, it’s always nice to visit somewhere new that still has a lot of cool activities to offer. Less than two hours from Denver is Leadville Colorado a small mountain town with a community feel that has local restaurants, surrounding mountain views, and plenty of outdoor recreation. Leadville Colorado considered the highest incorporated city in North America, stands at 10,158 feet.

Once a bustling mining town, today you can still see lot’s of mining history as you explore the area. In this post I’ll be going over where to stay, where to adventure, and places to eat in your four days in Leadville Colorado. Alright lets doo thissss

Where is Leadville

Pretty close to central Colorado, Leadville sits at 10,158 (highest incorporated city in North America) and is in between Breckenridge and Buena Vista. If you’re coming from Denver or Summit County, you’ll take highway 91 past Copper Mountain and over Fremont Pass. The drive is pretty scenic and make sure to be careful when driving at night as there are a lot of deer. I listed times and distances from major areas. If your driving from Vail you can also go through Minturn to get there.

Denver- 2 hours/101 miles

Breckenridge-50 min/39.5 miles

Vail- 47 min/43 miles

Where to Stay

There are some awesome campgrounds close to the downtown area and also right on Turquoise Lake. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time (months in advance) for spots right on the lake. You can go to recreation.gov to make a reservation. I stayed at the Molly Brown site, and it had everything you needed for camping; a firepit, picnic table, and bathrooms.

If camping isn’t you’re thing, there’s also lodging options within walking distance to downtown. I stayed in a Tiny Home that I booked through VRBO as rates were pretty inexpensive and the units themselves are modern on the inside and a walkable distance to town. They come equipped with all the essentials you would need for a four day trip here.

Leadville also has larger lodging options too, if you have a bigger group, or just want something bigger then a Tiny Home. The Delaware Hotel, right on Main Street has been around since the 1800’s! With units that sleep 3 people all the way up to 9 people.

When is the best time visit

Early June through early October is the best time to visit Leadville. If you do visit in the winter there is Ski Cooper nearby as well as snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling.

What should we pack

Rain Jacket- Rain is common in the mountains, especially in the afternoon. I like Burton Rain jackets because they keep me dry and Burton also has cool designs.

Hiking Footwear- If you plan on doing any of the hikes I listed below you’ll want to have really good hiking footwear.

Bug Spray- You’ll need this, especially around Turquoise Lake

Lightweight Puffy Jacket- Temps drop at night at high elevations! If you want a jacket that is packable and doesn’t take up space. Any lightweight down jacket will work great.

Sunscreen- The sun at high altitudes is more damaging to your skin, make sure to always pack this!

Leadville Colorado Day 1 Itinerary

Walk around downtown

Once you’ve checked in to your accommodations, I recommend walking around the downtown area. Downtown Leadville is pretty unique and there is a historic feel as you venture through town.

Grab Dinner at High Mountain Pies

Once you’ve checked out the town a little, head over to the my favorite pizza shop in the mountains, High Mountain Pies. They have a killer back patio in the summer, with live music too on certain nights. The Pizza is incredible, so expect at least a 45 minute wait during busier nights.

Sunset at Turquoise Lake

Located just 15 minutes outside of town, this lake got its name from past turquoise mine deposits. The lake itself has a trail that is 13 miles around the entire lake with different entry points. I liked the entry point near the Molly Brown Campground. Right before you enter the campground there’s a parking lot on the left for the Nature Walk Hiking Trail. This trail will take you right to the lake with some pretty awesome views of Wildcat Mountain, Lyle Benchmark Peak, and Galena Mountain!

The beached areas are great for exploring around or just grabbing a blanket to watch the sunset. During the day the lake is also home for activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and Stand UP Paddle boarding. Make sure to pack bug spray if you catch a sunset at the Lake!

Leadville Colorado Day 2 Itinerary

Grab Coffee at City on a Hill

Located right on main street, Uphill has a variety of coffee and espresso options as well as some baked goods and breakfast items too. It has a cool ambience on the inside and you can expect the inside to fill up with coffee enthusiasts and working professionals throughout the morning and afternoon. They also have a location in Canon City Colorado.

Take a Mining Tour

There’s a few places in Leadville that you can do a tour of the Mining history in Leadville. The Matchless Mine is Located right in town and they offer self guided tours or guided tours. During the late 1800’s most of the Silver in the world came from Leadville as well as the Matchless Mine;

Originally discovered by a man named Horace Tabor, the Matchless Mine was producing 25 tons of Silver/Day with a profit of $1,000 dollars in the late 1800’s ($254,000 today) . You’ll take a tour of the mining area including the Matchless Mine itself as well as the home of Baby DOE, who was the mistress of Tabor.

Ride the Leadville Train

A great activity for families or couples, the Leadville train runs year round. In the summer they offer am and pm times (mid June-Mid August), with times being more limited into the fall and winter. The train will take you through Prospect Mountain with views of the Sawatch Mountain Range including 14ers Mt Elbert and Mt Massive. They offer indoor and outdoor general seating as well as your own private lounge car if you want to pay more. The ride in total is about 2-2.5 hours with concessions on board too.

Grab Dinner at Treeline

Open Wednesday through Sunday from 3:30-9, Treeline is locally owned and has been around since 2017. They offer a wide variety of starters and entrees with local Colorado ingredients as well as a full cocktail, beer, and wine menu. You can make a reservation ahead of time for outside or inside dining and make sure to check out the rooftop patio that overlooks downtown Leadville.

Leadville Day 3 Itinerary

Hike the Timberlake Trail

Close to ten Miles west of Leadville, just past Turquoise Lake, this trail is awesome to hike early in the morning before people fill up the small parking lot at the base of the trailhead. I would pack sandals with you as there is a point in the trail where you have to cross a creek and your hiking boots will get wet. You’ll start the hike off by walking through the Holy Cross wilderness and about halfway to the lake it will open up and you’ll have some awesome views of Galena mountain on your right.

Once you get to the top, either find a place to hang out and relax or you can walk around part of the lake. You’re also allowed to fish at the top, just make sure to have a registered Colorado fishing license. Overall the hike is pretty moderate and doesn’t take very long, which is what I liked about it. Below I listed some trail details.

• 4.3 Miles out and back

• 869 Feet of elevation gain

• Dogs allowed, but on leash

• Best time to hike it is June-October

• Takes about 2.5 hours to complete

Grab coffee at Zero Day

Originally started by two backpacking enthusiasts who met on the Colorado Trail, the name is derived from the term Zero day, which means a rest day if someone is backpacking a trail. The two eventually decided to buy the coffee shop and provide a place for locals to hang out in. It’s honestly a perfect spot to post up and get some work done if you need to. They also sell a small amount of outdoor gear in the shop which is pretty cool.

Along with coffee there are also baked goods and breakfast burritos. Friday-Sunday the bar is open with beer and wine options from 5-9. The shop has a cool local vibe and I would def recommend checking it out if your in Leadville.

Check out the shops downtown

Like many Colorado mountain towns, Leadville has a number of cool shops to check out. One being Melanzana, a local outdoor clothing brand that is made and started in Leadville Colorado. In order to shop here, you must schedule and appointment months in advance! Although, you are still allowed to walk around and check out what they have to offer, including the factory process of how their stuff is made.

Also make sure to check out local small businesses Galena and Elevation goods. Galena is a local outdoor clothing company and Elevation goods will have locally made home goods (soaps, candles, blankets) as well as Colorado Mountain Apparel. If your looking for an outdoor gear specific store, go to Leadville Outdoors and Mountain Market. They’ll have packs, camping gear, backpacking gear, footwear, and outdoor clothing.

Lunch at Golden Burrow

A staple in downtown Leadville, The Golden Burrow has a classic diner look on the inside with diner items that are all plant based. The restaurant was purchased in 2020 by locals Marcee and Dan who renovated the inside but kept the same old school feel. Their goal is to make a better planet by providing opportunities for their employees as well as cutting out meat consumption. The food is honestly great and the service is awesome. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner depending on the time of year, just make sure to check the hours ahead of time before you show up!

Hike Mayflower Gulch in the evening for Sunset

This is one of my favorite hikes I’ve done in Colorado because it isn’t too hard, yet takes you to some amazing historical cabins with surrounding mountain views in all directions. Because this is a popular hike, if you go in evening, there will be a lot less people on the trail. Pack some snacks, bring a headlamp, and enjoy the trail.

This trail will be off of highway 91, about 20 minutes from downtown Leadville with a pretty decent size parking lot. The trail starts off with a slight incline through the woods and then ends up at the old mining area. Straight ahead is the Iconic Fletcher Mountain and if you turn around, you’ll be able to see Tucker Mountain and Jacque Peak.

The best part about this hike are the old mining cabins as you get above tree line. This is my favorite area to walk around and catch golden hour. I listed some trail stats below.

Trail Stats

Route Type: Out and Back

Elevation Gain: 1,548 Feet

Length: 6.1 Miles

Dogs Ok

Time: About 3.5 Hours

Best time to hike: Year round however in the winter you’ll need snowshoes and understand that you can’t snowshoe past the cabins without proper avalanche knowledge and gear!

Leadville Day 4 Itinerary

Fly fishing

Start your morning off with Colorado Fly Fishing Guides, whose shop is located right in downtown Leadville. You’ll get set up with waders, boots, and a reel/pole for the day. The guides are very knowledgable and down to earth. You’ll go out with a guide and they’ll be able give you plenty of pointers to catch fish on the river.

They offer 2 hour, half day, and full day sessions. I went with half day as it is a good amount of time to get a feel for fly fishing. If you’re a complete beginner they will give you a casting lesson at a local pond spot. A good way to understand the basic fundamentals of fly fishing!

Once you do a casting lesson, the guide will take you to a river spot in the Leadville area and you’ll wade through the river, casting and searching for fish. It’s a pretty fun experience catching fish with mountain backdrops.

Lunch at Buchi Cafe

After fly fishing grab lunch in downtown Leadville at Buchi Cafe. Open until 3 pm their menu is inspired by Cuban Cafes. Enjoy the outside patio in the summer or grab a window seat at the High Top table inside. Another recommended lunch spot in town is Tennessee Pass Cafe.

Check out the Mining Museum

For $15 you can check out Leadville’s Mining history as well as the history behind mining in the surrounding area. They have exhibits on the tools used, minerals, old mining towns, and the overall history of Mining in Colorado and out west. Sometimes you get rain in the mountains and this is a cool activity to do indoors.

Walk the Mineral Belt Trail

An easy walkable path around the town of Leadville as well as some old mining spots, this is a path that can be walked, ran, or biked on. It’s about 12 miles total on a paved path, but I parked my car just past the Matchless Mine on the right and started walking at Mile marker number 2. You don’t even have to go the whole way. It’s nice to just walk two or three miles in the evening. Mount Massive, Elbert, and Prospect Mountain will all be in the background as you walk the path mixed with old mining structures.

Grab a drink at Two Mile Brewery

End your trip at Leadvilles only Brewery, Two Mile. It has a local hangout feel and they also have small menu if your hungry for classic bar food. With the nights being longer in the summer it’s nice to grab a seat outside and have a cold one at high altitude.

Other Activities in Leadville Colorado

Monarch Mine

This was probably one of my favorite things to check out in Leadville. Monarch Mine is just outside of the downtown area surrounded by other old mines. The road can be a little rocky and steep so I would recommend having AWD. It took me about 30 minutes, but I’m a slow driver lol. I recommend going in the evening when the light is golden a few hours before the sun sets.

Fish hatchery

Located on 3,072 acres, the fish hatchery ensures that Colorado has healthy trout populations! The hatchery is open Monday-Friday from 7am-3:30am. There are also hiking trails nearby along with areas to fish, hunt, and picnic if you chose to.

Bike the Mineral Belt Trail

Rent and E-bike or regular bike at one of the bike shops downtown and bike the Mineral Belt trail that I mentioned earlier. Bike shops in town include; Leadvelo Bicicasa, Cycles of Life, and E-Bike Leadville. I rented a bike at Leadvelo for 4 hours, which is about the time it took to Bike around the entire Mineral Belt trail with breaks in between.

Silver Dollar Saloon

Opening in 1879 a lot of the original building is still intact today. As you walk in, it’s like a walk through time with pictures and old memorabilia. Even if you don’t drink it’s worth checking out.

Hike Mt Elbert

If you’re ok with waking up at 4am and hiking the tallest Peak in Colorado, then this is for you. Depending on the route you take, Elbert can be a challenging hike but with very rewarding views thoughout. Just make sure to start early due to afternoon thunderstorms! For a complete guide check out the blog post I did on Mt. Elbert.

That’s it for a four day trip to Leadville and if you have any questions or info to add leave a comment below. It’s always cool to connect with other people looking to get outdoors! Looking for other Colorado trips? Check out Twin Lakes not too far from Leadville, for hiking, camping, hanging out at the lake, and kayaking.

Summer boarding, The ultimate guide to Hiking the 4th of July bowl on Peak 10 in Breckenridge

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Back country Skiing and Snowboarding can be dangerous, even in the summer! Please have a plan, partner, proper knowledge, and equipment when going into the back country

Looking for easy trail navigation? Check out Alltrails; an app with trail reviews, navigation, and trail stats. Predownload trails in case of no service.

Normally when someone thinks of summer, winter activities are the last thing that come to mind. If you do think of snowboarding, Mt Hood in Oregon or Coppers summer park in Colorado are probably what come to mind. However for the back country enthusiast looking to do something different, the fourth of July bowl on Peak 10 in Breckenridge Colorado is a way to combine hiking and snowboarding (or skiing) for a fun back country summer day trip. If you’re not into summer skiing or snowboarding this is also just a great summer hike to do too.

In this post I’ll be going over how to get to the trail, what to expect, safety precautions, what to pack, and time frame for the hike. Alright let’s gooo..

Where does the Peak 10 hike start

First you’ll want to drive up the dirt road on Peak 9. If you head north on highway 9 to Breckenridge you’ll want to end up on Park Avenue and then take a right on Village road. You’ll then take a left into the Beaver Run parking lot about halfway up Village Road. Parking is free in the summer for those who have more then one car in their group.

You’ll want to have a good AWD vehicle as the road is somewhat rocky and steeper towards the top. If you’re vehicle doesn’t have good clearance I would park at the Peak 9 restaurant and start your hike from there. If you have good clearance you can drive all the way up to the green gate. Stay on the Peak 9 road all the way until you park. There will be a couple turn offs when taking the road, such as the Stables and Chair Lifts, but just stay on the road.

How long is the Hike

From your car to the top of Peak 10, it takes about 2-2.5 hours on the way up and about an hour back down if you ride the bowl, depending on your speed. Add about another 45 minutes if you only do the hike, without skiing or snowboarding. Below I listed some of the trail stats, starting from Mercury chair on Peak 9

• 5.8 miles out and back

• 2007 feet of elevation gain

• Trail Coordinates- 39.474291, -106.049371

• 13,6340 feet peak elevation

What is the best time of day to go

The earlier the better, as afternoon thunderstorms can pop up in Breckenridge! Anytime you’re doing an exposed hike above tree line it is best to do it in the morning. This is also a safer time to ride the bowl as well because the snow is typically more stable. When things start to heat up that’s when you can see wet slides.

If you can time it right later in the evening would also be a good time to go as long as the weather is good. Golden hour would a pretty cool experience if you can pull it off!

Is it safe to do the hike and bowl solo

I would ride with a partner that you trust who has good back country knowledge and experience! Someone who also has their shovel, beacon, and probe. It will give you peace of mind when maneuvering some of the more technical parts of the hike and riding the bowl.

What should we pack

Since the 4th of July bowl is in the backcountry, I would pack you’re shovel, beacon, and probe to start as well as extra layers, sunscreen, and even bug spray. I’ve listed items below that would make this hike more enjoyable. The weather can be unpredictable in this kind of environment so I’ve listed items below to make your trip more enjoyable. Make sure you also have Hiking Poles! Right before you drop in you have do some rock scrambling and the poles will make all of the difference!

• Hiking Shorts or Pants

• Hiking boots

• Burton snowboards Rain Jacket

• Mid-weight base layer

• Sunscreen/chapstick

• Water (Hydrapak works great)

• Snowboard, Skis, and boots

• Good Socks for Hiking and riding

• Bug spray

• Sunglasses/Goggles

• A ball cap and beanie

• A good hiking backpack. I really like the AK Dispatcher backpack to fit all of my backcountry equipment. It also has straps so you can keep your snowboard attached to the backpack

• A pair of snow pants. You’ll throw these on at the base of Peak 10 as the temperatures start to get much cooler at this point in the hike. I personally like anything Gore-tex because it is a lightweight, durable shell.

• Hiking Poles

What is the weather like

Thunderstorms in Colorado can show up in the afternoon, therefore you’ll want to get an early start for this hike. It also will start to get cooler as you get closer to the Peak. One thing you’ll also want to be cautious of is high winds. If it’s too windy at the top I would recommend turning around and trying the hike on another calmer day. I had to turn around my first try at this hike because of extreme winds towards the peak.

What is the hike like and what should we expect

What’s cool about this hike is you follow a service road in a series of switchbacks all the way to the top, so it isn’t confusing and a pretty smooth trail to the peak. As you make your way, you will come across a couple patches of snow at the bottom. This is where having a good pair of hiking boots and hiking poles will help! Because you’re at a high elevation it helps to have a lightweight jacket or long mid weight shirt.

After the snow patches you’ll hike for a little bit more until you reach the base of the summit where snowmelt is running down the mountain in the form of a creek. This is a good time to throw on your snow pants and take a break. Take in the views, drink some water, and eat some snacks if you packed them. This part of the trail is where there will be a number of switchbacks and about an elevation gain of 1,150 feet.

Once you hike to the top you’ll want to throw on your snowboard boots where there is a flat patch of snow. This will be right before you hike the ridge! It’s important to have your hiking poles at this point and you’re board strapped to the back of your pack. You’ll want to have the best footing possible for this. The top part down to where you drop will be all rocks so make sure to take it slow.

Once you get to the snow, find a good area to strap in and then pick a good line to drop. The turns will be slushy, but it’s still really fun. There’s even a few small jumps towards the bottom that you can hit if interested. Towards the bottom will be really slow, so you might have to skate a little with your back foot, with the other foot strapped into your board.

What is the snow like

The snow won’t be great, it will be hard to carve as it is pretty soft! However, overall it’s still a worthwhile experience to be snowboarding in July

What months can we ride the bowl or do the hike

If you are just looking to do the hike, the best time of year would be late May through late September. If you’re looking to ski or snowboard the bowl. Early June through Mid-July will be the best time of the summer. It all depends on snow coverage and how late of a winter season Colorado had. The snow starts to get pretty patchy around Mid July.

Should we hang out in Breckenridge after

There’s a lot to do in Breckenridge in the summer! Catch a local concert, walk around town, or grab happy hour at a local restaurant. My favorite place for happy hour is Aurum, on Ridge St., one street off Main. That’s the fun thing about doing this hike is.. you can do it early and then hang out in town after.

That’s it for hiking the Fourth of July bowl off Peak 10 in Breckenridge. If you have any questions or information to add, leave a comment below! Thanks for checking out the blog and I’ll see you on the next post.