Most Colorado mountain towns are best known for epic skiing. However, after spending the last week in Breck with Mike’s family, even the most expert skiers in our group agreed: summertime in the mountains is the best. From whitewater rafting to hikes for all levels, Breck in the summer offers more fun activities and variety. Plus, none of it requires a pass that costs $100+ per day...
For any readers still in Colorado, we strongly recommend you make it out to Breck this summer if you can. The late spring months of seemingly unrelenting rain that we all complained about have left Breck 50 shades of green (and I can only assume it’s the same for other neighboring towns). Locals told us it’s more lush than they’ve seen it in years.
If that doesn’t persuade you, hopefully the following list of summer activities will.
Fly Fishing
We’re new to fly fishing but it only took a day to get hooked. Horrible puns aside, for a minimal investment* you can find some great fishing spots in and around Breck.
*a day’s worth of flies will cost about $30 at most shops and a single day permit is $8 in Colorado. Mike and I both bought starter rod kits for about $150 each but you can also rent gear for much less.
The Breckenridge Outfitters/Orvis on Ski Hill Road was a very helpful resource - they sold us permits and gave solid advice on which flies were hitting. We ended up fishing on the Blue River right off State Highway 9 at the intersection of Valley Brook St. You can park at the Rec Center and there’s plenty of space on the banks for non-fishers to hang out and drink beer.
Horseback Riding
Only a few from our group went horseback riding while in Breck but having done it in a few different mountain towns before, I can tell you it’s definitely a must if you have time. In Breck, our riders paid $65 each for an hour and a half guided tour. Horseback riding is a great way to experience western nostalgia and outdoor scenery without an exhausting hike. Which of course brings us to…
Hiking
There are countless amazing hikes in Colorado but before this week we hadn’t hiked much in Breck. Luckily, the three hikes we did were all unique and rewarding - well worth the effort.
- First, we hiked the Mohawk Lakes trail, a seven mile stretch with minimal elevation gain so the visitors used to sea level were able to enjoy it, too.
- Next, we upped the ante slightly and hiked McCullough Gulch, a 3 mile trail with twice the elevation gain. While it was steeper, it was still fairly easy and we were rewarded at the top when we reached a high alpine lake. (This was also where we met that friendly, photobombing mountain goat.)
- Finally, after warming up with the first two hikes, the Denverites left the east coasters for an afternoon and trekked Quandary, a “fourteener,” meaning the summit is above 14,000’. While it was the most challenging by far, with just over 3,000 ft elevation gain in only 3 miles, that made it the most rewarding - especially for first-timers Grace, Andrew, Chris and Fox.
Disclaimer: Even though Quandary is said to be the easiest of Colorado’s 53 fourteeners, we’d still recommend starting with a more moderate hike if you’re unsure and want to test your endurance. (Price for all hiking: free)
Mountain Biking
Just because there isn’t snow on the slopes doesn’t mean you can’t speed down them for an exhilarating rush. Mike and his brothers have become avid mountain bikers in the past few years. They love it for both the thrill and the exercise. A day pass to ride at Breck is $32, although there are also free trails around.
Shooting
After all, this is the “wild west.” One morning of the trip was spent at Summit County Shooting Range. Despite going to Breck dozens of times, none of us had heard of it until this trip. To get there, put the dump in your GPS (seriously!) and then continue past it, following signs for the range. You’ll need to bring your own ammo and gun(s) but everything else you need, from free ear plugs to lounge chairs, is provided.
Whitewater Rafting
Those who know the Peres brothers won’t be surprised to hear that we spent one day floating the Colorado River. Matt brought both of his boats - the big 14 footer with his new oar rig and the smaller 9 footer. Whitewater rafting is a great family activity since it’s scenic, mellow and exciting, all rolled into one.
Expert tip: Take the time to pack something delicious for lunch. Everyone was stoked to pull off on a bank beach and eat fajitas in the middle of the day. It’s the re-fuel needed to paddle through the next few hours.
Since we already had all the necessary gear, this one was also free. However, guided trips aren’t too pricey and are definitely worth it if you’ve never gone before.
Pontoon Boating
This is actually something we did as a day trip with our incredible friends (shoutout to Chrissy) the weekend before Breck. We planned on doing it again with the family but, after three days of hiking, we ran out of time. Had we had an extra day, this definitely would have been the activity of choice. It’s easy to rent boats for four hours out of either the Dillon or Frisco marinas. Then, bring your people, snacks and booze and you’re all set to jet around the lake, checking out islands, getting some sun and stopping to let anyone feeling particularly brave jump into the frigid water. With a full group (about 12 per boat) it costs $25 per person.
It’s honestly too easy to get to seven - there’s so much to do! Aside from the fun outdoors stuff listed above, I’d be remiss if I neglected to mention the awesome downtown area with street after street of shops and restaurants. You could easily spend a day (or a few) meandering through town, trying on cowboy boots, tasting local beers and sampling delicious food. (Of all the tasty meals we had throughout the week, a stand-out was crepes for lunch from Crepes a la Cart on Main Street!)
So, are you daydreaming about a summer vacation in Breck yet? If you are and have questions for us, or if we forgot anything, drop us a comment below or an email at theyearbetween@gmail.com.
