Type: Road, Out-and-back
Difficulty: 5 / 10
Altitude: 10,383 ft
Elev. Gain/Loss: 596 ft / 596 ft
Dog Friendly: Yes
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Unknown
Filed Under: Cycling, Hiking, Running
This is an excellent run, snowshoe, or backcountry (but well-used) x-country ski route in all seasons. Many locals frequent it with their families and dogs for a little hiking outing, particularly between the winter closure and the onset of serious snow. Snowmobile users arrive when the snow base layer thickens around January 1.
From the trailhead parking area, simply run up the road, an old rail grade that took mining trains from Breckenridge into South Park in the earlier days. You get southern exposure on the roadcut and have nice views of the tarns and mountains south of Breck to Hoosier Pass most of the way.
It climbs steadily but in a very mellow fashion up to Baker's Tank, an historic water tank that the steam locomotives used for resupply at 10,859'. Turn around here, or continue on up to the Pass several miles further on. This is great for a shorter run when you're in town and don't mind the chance of unconsolidated snow making it a slower-than-usual run.
Combine this run with the Illinois Gulch run for a 10-mile loop that starts right in town for added fun.
From the Conoco station on the south end of Breckenridge (the last stoplight before you leave town on US9), turn east and head up Boreas Pass road. The road is paved until the winter trail closure gate, a few miles up - there are no turns, just lots of twists on the road.
Park at the trailhead on the east side of the road and run the old railroad grade as it meanders SE towards Boreas Pass and Southpark.
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Oct 20, 2007 by fdrd
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