Mayflower Gulch: Wildflower Filled Mountain Valley near Copper Mountain, Colorado

One of Dina's favorite places to go take a hike during the summer is Mayflower Gulch.  You need at least a few hours to make the drive, hike in, and gain the ridge.  You also have to have a clear weather window, as you're quickly in the alpine, meaning not much cover for inclement weather.  

When you're in Breckenridge, you see the Ten Mile Range stretch out before you.  Most folks have never seen the backside.  You've probably heard of the Sky Chutes, as the letters, "S, K, and Y" can be seen in the mountain range from Copper Mountain. 

Once you park, you hike for about 40 minutes before finding the cabin in the mouth of the basin, with a road leading up to the right that gains the ridge.  Another road goes further back into the basin, but eventually fades out when it reaches the old mines that the road was built for.

Even in during the summertime, the higher elevations can hold snow.  The air loses 3 - 5 degrees per 1000 feet of elevation gain.  this patch of snow was still too slippery to continue following the snow, so we backtracked to find a suitable place to gain the ridge.

If you are planning a wedding or family outing to the Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Keystone areas in Summit County, ask us how we can help you find the resources you need to plan for the best photos and experience possible!  Please contact us and mention the Mayflower Gulch blog.  Thanks for reading.