Trip
Backcountry Nordic Skiing – Brown Gulch
This is an Easy II cross-country ski trip near Breckenridge. The trail used to be seldom used. The circle trail is through trees and snow covered with an option for lunch in the sun sitting on an old wooden rail fence. Our trail time will be 1.5 - 2 hours.
Contacts
- Tue, Mar 10, 2026
- Rocky Mountain Over the Hill Gang
- Backcountry Nordic Skiing
- Adults
- Easy
- Mileage: 4.0 mi
- Elevation Gain: 200 ft
- Pace: easy
- 9 (9 capacity)
- FULL (3 capacity)
- Cancellation & Refund Policy
After a pleasant gentle uphill ski, we will have the option for a 100 foot side trail to a mine Adit that was started to connect the Cashier and Mayflower mines but did not go very far before money ran out. Then a short steeper uphill section wide enough for side-stepping or herringbone up. Then a short narrow section before a left turn down to a bridge over a small frozen creek. After crossing we will take a brief break. If we have more experienced skiers in our group, they have the option to be led by our co-leader, Suzanne McClain, up a straight, narrow, brush filled trail to see a couple of cabins that are part of an old mining camp. This option is much faster coming back downhill with much less room for slowing. I will be staying with the main group. We will have one more experienced skier with us also, Andrew MacGregor.
Meet at Wooly Mammoth Park & Ride (Pole MM) at 8:30 (hopefully rush hour is about over). You may drive or carpool. The RT distance is 100 miles.
We will make two pit stops: the first at the Visitors Center in Georgetown and the second at the Safeway store at the first SL in Frisco, use the restroom, buy any lunch food and then head to the parking lot from there.
Doubtful, but we'll check traffic and weather ahead in case we need to pick an alternative ski site.
The trailhead is 4.2 miles east on Tiger Road which is a left turn at the SL north of Breckenridge. The new parking lot now has room for maybe 10 cars, depending on whether it has been plowed.
Required Equipment
My skis have metal edges and herringbone cuts on the bottom. But I usually put on a Blue or Green "glide" wax (modern colors might vary) rubbed in above and below the herringbone with a cork.