From the lakeside trails in Dillon to doggy social hour on Main Street, enjoy the outdoors with your furry friend at one of the many dog parks and walking trails in Summit County. The area offers an array of parks ranging from off-leash creekside open space to a fully fenced park right in downtown Breckenridge and everything in between. The trail follows the road for a ways and starts past the gate that is across the road.
Feel free to utilize this trail map for reference to trails below or additional trail options.
Breckenridge
FRENCH GULCH
Gold was discovered in French Gulch in 1860 by French Pete. This valley proved to be wildly rich in gold, silver, lead and zinc. You will see the remains of many mines in this area, as well as the rounded rock piles left by dredge boats. Mt. Guyot will come into view as the road traverses Humbug Hill. You will pass several privately owned cabins, then continue southeast on a pleasant rolling run with a spectacular view of Bald Mountain. To access, go up French Gulch Road (County Road 450) and HWY 9 at the 7-11 store. After approximately .5 miles the road forks, take the right fork into the subdivision. The road turns into County Road 2. Travel through the subdivision and then straight along the road. Continue to the end of the maintained road, park in the parking area (3.9 miles total from HWY 9).
SALLY BARBER TRAIL
The Sallie Barber Mine is located on the south rim of French Gulch on Barney Ford Hill. The Breckenridge Daily Journal claims the Sallie Barber Mine was established in 1880 by a group of Bald Mountain miners, while The Mining Directory of 1883 shows it was opened in 1882 by G.T. Metzger, a Breckenridge resident. Both accounts agree it was a small but long-time producer of zinc and other minerals, and an important part of Colorado's Gold Rush era. The mine site has multiple interpretive signs describing its occupational and operational history, and much of the original mining equipment is on display.
From the trailhead, follow French Gulch Road .1 miles north to a split for Sallie Barber Road - Marker 2651. Bear right downhill through the metal forest service gate, shortly past which the trail - now a groomed service road - crosses a creek, makes a hairpin turn north and climbs toward the mine. Snowcapped peaks to the west emerge through a healthy pine forest as you gain elevation. The trail itself is rather uneventful until cresting in a clearing at the Sallie Barber Mine and Historic Site (1.45 miles : 10,728').
Sensational panoramas from the site include Mineral Hill (10,891'), Brewery Hill (11,370'), Humbug Hill (11,031') and Farncomb Hill (11,337'). The trail continues past the mine, descending 1.35 miles through a mixed pine forest to the end of Sallie Barber Road (2.8 miles : 10,440').
B&B TRAIL
B&B is a relatively forgiving out-and-back trail at 1.5 miles with just under 300 feet of vertical gain. It's also easy to access, which makes it a perfect intro ride for kids.
Like most of the French Gulch routes, B&B has two main trailheads. The first is on the west end of the trail and can be accessed from the B&B parking lot, found about 2 miles up French Gulch Road. The second is on the east end, found about 3 miles up the road directly across from the Reiling Dredge Trailhead lot (the starting point for Minnie Mine, Side Door and more). Both routes are enjoyable, but the starting direction all depends on your style of riding or hiking. If you're a climber, start from the westernmost trailhead. If you're a descender, start at the easternmost.
The trail then weaves over double-track and wide singletrack for 0.75 miles. Halfway through is a stop overlooking the Reiling dredge boat, one of more than a dozen abandoned structures left by Breck's founding miners. The gulch and surrounding dredge remains are visible through pine trees for almost the entire ride, broken up by only a few brief sections that lead away from the gulch.
After leaving the dredge boat overlook, the trail continues on for another 0.5 miles, passing the V3 turnoff and another Turk's connector along the way. The final stretch weaves down a mellow hillside before popping out in a dredge rock gully directly behind the B&B Trailhead lot. If you are biking, ride back up French Gulch Road to your car.
CRYSTAL LAKES TRAIL
This 8-mile hike in White River National Forest is a truly beautiful hike, and dog friendly. From June to September, wildflowers will be in full bloom across the alpine meadow. Enjoyable creek
which criss-crosses the trail along the way will provide a nice cooling area and cold drink of water for your pup-friend to stay cool and hydrated. Plan a full day for this hike, and enjoy the marvelous views.
GOLD RUN NORDIC CENTER
At just a small cost, enjoy the slopes in winter with your furry friend. Peabody Placer as well as Preston Loop are both intermediate, dog-friendly trails. The Gold Run Nordic Center also offers skijoring clinics where you and your pup can learn the basics at an extra charge. In addition, this center offers ice skating, sleigh rides, club house restaurant, snowshoe trails, and ski lessons.
SPRUCE CREEK TRAIL/MOHAWK LAKE TRAIL
This trail offers a variety of scenery as it climbs through lodgepole, spruce and fir forests and eventually to Lower Mohawk Lake which is nestled against the mountain walls. Beyond this lake the trail continues a short distance to Upper Mohawk Lake where you can enjoy views of Mt. Helen and the rugged southern section of the Tenmile Range. Please stay on the established trail above treeline, the alpine tundra is very fragile. It is approximately a 7 mile round trip hike with 1,700 ft elevation gain.
Blue River
BLUE RIVER BIKEWAY
The Blue River Bikeway is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Previously an unused railroad corridor, this "rail-trail" is now a great place to walk Fido in Breckenridge!
MCCULLOUGH GULCH
A glacial lake that lies above a series of majestic waterfalls, offers a serenity and beauty that is unsurpassed. McCullough Gulch Trail is a 2.8 mile hike in White River National Forest that will take about 2 hours to complete with Fido. 1.6 miles into this hike you will come across the turquoise Upper Blue Reservoir and the nearby falls.
QUANDARY
The ideal trail to let fido nab his first fourteener. Located just south of Breckenridge, with a decent hiking grade and picturesque views of the surrounding 14ers, this trail is not to be missed. 6 miles in length and the summit at over 14,000ft this trail is for the athletic!
Frisco & Dillon
OLD DILLON RESERVOIR
Built in the 1930's, the Old Dillon Reservoir was constructed to supply water to the original town of Dillon. A short hike up the hillside, will bring you to the lodge pool surrounded lake. While small in comparison to the new reservoir, Lake Dillon, it does not disappoint in views and calm waters.
CHIHUAHUA GULCH AND LAKE TRAIL
This 6.1 mile hike is part of the White River national Forest. With small ponds and a stream along the way, this is one of the more enjoyable ventures for your pup, allowing him/her to stay cool and refreshed!
STRAIGHT CREEK
This 4 mile hike travels within White River National Forest along the i-70 corridor. A 3 hour jaunt, this serene hike is usually quiet with not many other hikers. A perfect spot to get the dogs some exercise and a swim in Straight Creek.
RECREATION PENINSULA
This is a high use area so dogs must be on leash or voice control. There is a frisbee golf course and numerous trails to bike and hike on. The ultimate plus is the access to the reservoir for hot doggies. No swimming allowed for people.
FRISCO NORDIC CENTER
You and Fido can enjoy a self-guided snowshoe adventure along the snowshoe trails or skiing on peaks 6 and 7. Just keep your pup on a leash during your winter fun. High Country Dogs also offers public skijoring lessons at Frisco Nordic Center on occasion. Hours and rates may vary by season, so please check info before planning your winter adventure!