Jan 28, 2024
Written By: J.Couch
If you are looking for a fun and scenic way to enjoy the winter in Colorado, but don’t ski or snowboard, you might want to try snowshoeing. Basically, hiking in the snow with big contraptions strapped to your feet and ski poles to help you balance if needed. Breckenridge is a charming mountain town that offers a variety of outdoor activities, from skiing and snowboarding to sleigh rides and ice skating. But one of the best ways to explore the natural beauty of Breckenridge is by snowshoeing on its many trails.
We were recently staying the weekend in Breckenridge and one of our go to trails in Breckenridge, summer or winter has been the snowflake trail. Partly because where we stay it’s right up the street and very convenient to get to.
It starts at the base of Snowflake chair lift and leads up to the Sawmill Reservoir. The trail is about 3.5 miles round trip and has an easy to moderate difficulty level. The trail is well marked and groomed. If you don’t have your own snowshoes, you can rent snowshoes and poles in town at one of the many ski shops or the Nordic center.
We normally take the trailhead that goes straight up the mountain under the ski lift and along the creek. It cuts towards the south across a couple bridges and then you can go up a set of stairs that brings you to Sawmill reservoir. The trail takes you through a forest of pine and aspen trees. Along the way, you might spot some wildlife, such as deer, foxes, or even moose. In the past we have not seen any of these other than a fox that was curled up, sleeping in the snow under the trees. The only other time we saw some wildlife, we saw a moose standing in the parking lot of the grocery store. We have however heard of others seeing a lot of wildlife along the way. The trail also passes by a lot of the homes up in that area that seem to get snowed in during the winter.
The highlight of the trail is the Sawmill Reservoir, a frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered Peak 7 and Peak 8 mountains in the background. It’s a very pretty view. The reservoir is a great place to take a break, have a snack, and enjoy the tranquility of nature. There are a few benches down by the lake where you can sit and rest but during the winter most of them are covered with snow. You can also walk around the lake and admire the different perspectives of the landscape before taking the road/ski run that takes you back towards town and the bottom of Snowflake ski lift. This trail is normally pretty quiet and flat so there are not a lot of skiers. We just walked on the side to stay out of the way just in case. You can also go up further from here but we never have. Maybe next time.
The Snowflake trail is a perfect choice for snowshoeing in Breckenridge on a clear sunny morning. You will love the crisp cool air, the deep powdery snow, and the bright blue sky. The trail is suitable for beginners and experienced snowshoers alike, and it offers a wonderful way to experience the winter wonderland of Breckenridge.
Thanks for wandering with us,
The Wandering Couchs
