 |
| It was nice to end the day in this warm and cozy spot. |
Our driver, Mike, made the usual pit stop at the Conoco Service Plaza, off I-70, at Downeyville, before heading on through Frisco, arriving at the Nordic Center (NC) just before 10 a.m.
This Nordic Center offers guests 27 KM (16.7 mi.) of groomed Xcountry and 10 KM (6.2 mi.) of snowshoe trails. There is a skating pond adjacent to the rear deck, plus the facility also offers horse-drawn sleigh rides.
After obtaining trail passes, it was outside to cinch into day packs and snowshoes or skis. The crisp morning air seemed inviting, and the winds could barely be felt. Overhead a bright sun cast a warm beam across the late winter landscape, from it's perch in a near cloudless sky.
 |
| The NC, at left, is located at the bottom of Gold Mine Gulch. Ten Mile Range is in the background. |
The day began for snowshoers by stepping out from the NC to a junction with Heidi Ho Trail, a 1.5 KM (.9 mi.) span heading south from the building. There, we remained on a parallel course with Gold Run Trail following the groomed Xcountry trail, while gradually gaining elevation over the next 2 KM (1.2 mi.).
 |
| On trail with Ten Mile Range in the distance. |
Soon after crossing Gold Run Road, trail snakes by a number of upscale residences. Wait...I'll change 'upscale' to rustic but pricey. According to local realtor listings, these places can cost 2.3 million and more.
The sound of a carpenters hammer could be heard through the morning air. Maybe a contractor doing some renovating. Later, the screeching of a circular saw was heard through the snow covered pines. Maybe a resident adding another pricey element to his getaway. It makes me curious of how many of these places are full time residences vs those where people only come for weekends or extended vacations.
The next junction is with a trail called Jessie's. Named for the once profitable Jessie Mine and Mill, this 2 KM (1.2 mi.) trail meanders through the upper reaches of Gold Run Gulch. The mine at one time produced tons of ore including some gold. It operated until the early 1900's, as many such operations did around Breckenridge.
 |
| Wood beam skeleton is all the remains of the once thriving Mill as mounds of mine tailing dot the slopes. |
All that remains today is the skeleton of timbers from the huge 40 stamp mill. On the slopes behind and around the gulch, one can see mine tailings peeking out from snow drifts.
In it's hey day, mine and mill operations brought people to this area and the mountains around Breckenridge to work. The result was a town called Preston. Although it was a small mining town, it had a large boarding house, saw mill, and general merchandise store. One unique shop for this mountain town was a millinery shop operated by the wife of the owner of the mill.
At its peak in 1875, Preston had 150 residents. Plus it had its own post office. By 1900, the once lucrative mining industry went bust and the town of Preston was deserted.
 |
| A star burst is caught amid the landscape. |
Most of the land in the area was first claimed by mining companies. Three of those companies had their offices in tiny Preston. On the perimeter of town were a number of cabins where men who worked in the mines lived.
One ruin from Preston is still visable through the deep snow. A collapsed roof, can be seen just off trail adjacent to the mill ruins.
We would continue on the groomed trail up Gold Run Gulch, 5 KM (3.1 mi.). It would bring us to an overlook spanning better than a 240 degree view of the magnificent ten mile range. It would also serve as the spot for lunch. A man on Xcountry skis arrived asking if the faint trail leading away from the overlook came out between here and the NC. I assured him that it did. He and I both elected to return via the groomed trail.
 |
| Fellow snowshoers take a quick break after their descent from the overlook. |
Meanwhile, those in our group who chose to Xcountry today, did so on the manicured trail system. The conditions could not have been ordered any better for outdoor winter activity. Deep snow base (3' to 4'), with a recent light layer on top added, likely overnight. Little to no wind and as bright a day as any in Colorado.
On return to the Nordic Center, some shoers decided to go through the forest for a different view of the landscape. They would meet me later at the junction of the forest trail and groomed trail.
 |
| A staffer clears snow from the skating pond. |
On my way down slope from the lookout, a number of ambitious men and women on Xcountry skis huffed and puffed their way up slope to the top. They could barely get out a "Hello" or a "Hey" as they passed.
A number of those out for the day had their pet dog(s) with them. The four legged guys seemed to thoroughly enjoy being out.
One woman found a stick. Tossing it into the deep snow off trail, her dog raced out to retrieve it, then struggled to post hole it back to its master for yet another toss in the opposite direction.
This was truly a wonderful day at one of the states finest winter playgrounds.
On the return ride to Denver, a para-skier was spotted on Lake Dillon, outside Frisco, and a number of ice fishing huts as well. As the Ten Mile and Gore ranges faded behind us, fond memories of the day at Breckenridge filled my mind. They will always be there to recall again and again.
Total Miles = 9.7
No comments:
Post a Comment