Copyright: USDA Forest Service The Tenmile Range

The hiker may want to leave a car at both ends of the trail because of its length. Pack adequate water, as there is very little along most of this route. Plan your trip to be off the high ridges by afternoon, as violent thunderstorms are common in the summertime. A map and compass are recommended for this route.

Narrative:
Walking up the Peaks Trail gives hikers the opportunity to observe beaver ponds and a wetland habitat along Miners Creek. From the Peaks Trail/Miners Creek Trail intersection, Miners Creek Trail goes up to high mountain meadows in a bowl beneath Tenmile Peak. The trail from here becomes more primitive as it climbs to over 12,000 feet and runs along near the top of the Tenmile Range. The trail through here is marked with rock cairns (large rock piles)- look ahead for these to keep oriented. The alpine ecosystem is extremely fragile. Please be careful in this area to protect the plant life. The trail then drops into the forest to the intersection with the National Wheeler Trail. The National Wheeler then goes down to the Wheeler Flats Trailhead, located near Copper Mountain.

Horseback Travel Recommendations:

This trail is suitable for horse use, but all water must be carried.

Directions from Frisco: At the I-70 Frisco Main Street exit, #201 turn toward town. Immediately past the I-70 interchange and before you cross Tenmile Creek is a parking area to the right. Park here and follow the bike path into Frisco. After roughly 1/2 mile (just past Second Street), the Peaks trail will take off to the right (look for a blue diamond on a tree, across a small clearing). Follow the Peaks Trail for approximately 4 miles to the intersection with Miners Creek Trail. In the Rainbow Lake area, watch for the small hiker signs to help you through this busy area.

Directions from Copper Mtn: From the I-70 Copper Mountain Exit, #195, turn toward Copper Mountain. Just beyond the I-70 interchange, turn left into the Wheeler Flats trailhead. Park here and follow the gas line path 1/4 mile to the stock drive bridge. Veer left and continue up the trail 3 miles to the Miners Creek Trail junction.

Directions from Vail: Follow I-70 19 miles east to the Copper Mountain Exit, #195 and turn toward Copper Mountain. Just beyond the I-70 interchange, turn left into the Wheeler Flats trailhead. Park here and follow the gas line path 1/4 mile to the stock drive bridge. Veer left and continue up the trail 3 miles to the Miners Creek Trail junction.

Directions from Beaver Creek: Follow I-70 28 miles east to the Copper Mountain Exit, #195 and turn toward Copper Mountain. Just beyond the I-70 interchange, turn left into the Wheeler Flats trailhead. Park here and follow the gas line path 1/4 mile to the stock drive bridge. Veer left and continue up the trail 3 miles to the Miners Creek Trail junction.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: July through October (NOTE: Seasons vary depending on weather conditions.) .

Peak One Campground - Peak One Campground is located along Dillon Reservoir between Frisco and Breckenridge. This campground offers numerous services and facilities.

Pine Cove Campground - Pine Cove Campground is located along Dillon Reservoir between Frisco and Breckenridge in the Peninsula Recreation Area.

Tenmile Meadows Trail - The Tenmile Meadows Trail is located south of Frisco. The Peaks and Miners Creek Trails are followed to reach Tenmile Meadows, at the base of Tenmile Peak and Peak 3.

Wheeler National Recreation Trail - The Wheeler National Recreation Trail leads from McCullough Gulch, south of Breckenridge, over the Tenmile Range to Copper Mountain.