A Stroll in the Woods - My World Colorado

Last week, a friend and I hiked the Peaks Trail

from Peak 7 in Breckenridge to Peak 1 in Frisco.

The trail begins along Cucumber Creek,

at about 9,600' in elevation.

We hike through lush greenery.

Lodgepole Pines tower above us.

Old Man's Beard Lichen,

eerily back-lighted by the sun,

hangs from some of the trees.

Wooden bridges span the three streams along the route.

Cucumber Creek, Bartons Creek, and Miners Creek

all tumble past the trail.

Moist areas foster the growth of fungi.

Here, Puff Balls nestle on the forest floor.

Intricate umbels of Cow Parsnip

raise their drying heads.

As temperatures drop to freezing overnight,
grasses turn red under the groves of aspens.

Leaves are quickly changing from green to lime, to gold.

Asters bloom in profusion.

Purple, white, and yellow wildflowers
lead us down the trail.

Silvery stumps are Nature's sculptures.

The majestic old-growth forest

is quiet and mostly deserted.

The hike ends at 9,100' in elevation.

The trail follows the contours

of the Tenmile Range.

It is listed as "Moderate" in the guide books.

However, since it never exceeds 10,100' in elevation

and is mostly a gently rolling dirt path,

the hike is easily accomplished if

a person is able to walk about 7 - 10 miles.

Since we started on Peak 7 instead of Peak 8,
we walked 7.5 miles in 4 hours,
taking time to enjoy the views and our snacks.

In the summer, the Peaks Trail is popular

with hikers, runners, and mountain bikers.

In the winter it is a cross country ski trail.

The Peaks Trail offers a beautiful stroll in the woods.

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Here is a symphony provided by Cucumber Creek.