This week’s ski tour takes us to the site of an old mine above Breckenridge — the Sally Barber Mine. With two trailheads you have several options for an extended tour. I chose to start at the trailhead in French Gulch, ski to the mine and continue on to the second trailhead before turning around and retracing my tracks. This made for a pleasant and slightly longer outing on this generally gentle roadbed, suitable for novices (note, though, that there is one short section of the route, as you drop southwest from the mine, that is a little steeper and may require a good, strong snowplow).
Several exhibits located near the mine buildings provide information on the mining history of the area. (Note: This tour combines segments of routes 95 and 98 from Dave Muller’s book “Colorado’s Quiet Winter Trails,” CMC Press.)
Hike description
From the French Gulch parking area begin skiing east up the road into French Gulch. After 0.1 mile take the fork to the right on Forest Service Road 265.1. This road initially parallels the French Gulch road until it crosses the creek at mile 0.2 and starts a long, rising traverse to the southwest. Continue to climb gradually up to the mine at mile 1.4, located on the shoulder of a ridge.
After spending a few minutes checking out the exhibits, continue southwest along the roadbed as it drops quickly for one third of a mile, crossing Australia Gulch before leveling out. The remaining ski to the Sally Barber Road Trailhead, reached at mile 2.7, is gentle and pleasant. Retrace your tracks past the Sally Barber Mine to return to your vehicle.
Dave Cooper is the author of “Colorado Snow Climbs: A Guide for All Seasons.”
The Details
Getting to the trailhead: To reach the French Gulch trailhead, from Colorado 9 at the north end of Breckenridge, take County Road 450 east for 0.4 miles to the intersection with Reiling Road. Turn right on Reiling Road and reach a T-junction at mile 1.1. Turn left on French Gulch Road and continue to a large, signed parking area on the right hand side a total of 3.9 miles from Colorado 9. To reach the Sally Barber Road trailhead, from the intersection of Colorado 9 and the Boreas Pass Road at the south end of Breckenridge, turn east on the Boreas Pass Road and drive 2.0 miles to Baldy Road. Turn left onto Baldy Road and drive to Sally Barber Road at mile 2.9. Turn left onto Sally Barber Road and reach a small parking area on the right at mile 3.2.
Hike Statistics: The trail, 2.7 miles one way, gains 410 feet up to the Sally Barber Mine and loses 280 feet as you descend to the Alphabet Lane Trailhead. Difficulty: Generally an easy ski trail on a wide roadbed with one short section after passing the Sally Barber Mine that averages 13 degrees for one third of a mile and may require a strong snowplow to descend.
USGS Quads: Breckenridge, CO; Boreas Pass, CO.
