Summer boarding, The ultimate guide to Hiking the 4th of July bowl on Peak 10 in Breckenridge
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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
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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
Mid-weight base layer
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.
