That's right...just because it's July doesn't mean the skis have to come off! Our friend Witt proposed that we hike up Peak 10 and ski a slope locally known as "Fourth of July Bowl". Most years, the slope is marginally skiable on July 4th, but this year the heavy snow in the mountains enabled us to ski it on July 17th. We drove to the top of Breckenridge Peak 9 area, then hiked up 2,047 feet to the top of the actual Peak 10 (at 13,633 ft) before dropping down for 1,000 feet of summer skiing. And in case you're wondering how the snow was - it was as good as you could ask for in July! (Which is to say, it wasn't very good....)
Sunrise at the top of Peak 9 (in Breckenridge...not the actual peak) A 4Runner in its natural home ...a Ski Area boundaryWitt Brian A fox trots up the trail The fox was obviously not intimidated by us Sunrise over the town of Breckenridge Ascending towards the top of Peak 10 and Fourth of July Bowl Looking back towards Peak 8 Someone drops into Fourth of July Bowl This section had an angle of 37° - steeper than any run in Europe! The rocks added...excitement.Witt watches the skier descend down the bowl An old miners cabin near the Briar Rose mine on Peak 10 In the distance, Torreys (left) and Grays (right) are visibleLisa and Witt look out over the Crystal Lake valley. Quandary Peak in the distanceAscending the ridgeline of Peak 10 The Peak 10 radio tower Witt and Brian ascend the snow on the ridge Looking down over the slope Lisa, Witt, and Brian on the summit of Peak 10 (13,633 ft) A flag atop Peak 10 Crystal Lake down below Peak 10 Looking down the other side of Peak 10 towards Copper Mountain Looking north up the Tenmile range towards Dillon Reservoir 5 other skiers drop in Lisa below the gnarliest section of rocks Looking at the upper portion of the bowl The snow was very mottled and a mix of soft corn snow and ice, making skiing a big challengeLisa Witt, making us all look bad Witt, making us all look bad Lisa Brian Lisa Riding the last bit of snow back to the trail Lisa skis out the last bit of snow Resting after the descent Peak 8 Descending towards Breckenridge Lisa with the summit of Peak 9 in the background A Parry's Primrose Lisa takes a flower photo Lake Chutes on Peak 8 Lisa and Witt Looking up at Fourth of July Bowl from the town of Breckenridge