Today we did our weekly Wednesday hike. We were south of Breckenridge in an area called Mohawk Lakes, a round trip distance of about 7 miles. The trail starts near Spruce Creek Road and follows Spruce Creek itself about 3 1/2 miles up hill, gaining 1700 feet of elevation in the 3 1/2 miles.
The last mile or so is a stiff climb at about 11,500 feet, so it is a lung popping hike. Coming down the same hillside that you are going up is a spectacular waterfall called the Continental Falls. It gives you good reason to stop and enjoy looking at it while you catch your breath. Even though it is June, we had to hike over patches of snow and all the creeks were running fast, carrying the snowmelt down to the lakes. In another couple of weeks the wildflowers will be blooming and it will be even more beautiful, but today it was a little early for a lot of flowers.
There is an upper Mohawk lake, about another half mile of steady climbing, but there was a lot of snow on the trail at that elevation and we decided not to do it this time, so we stopped at Lower Mohawk Lake.
There are many mining relics near the lakes and several old log cabins, one of which is used as a storm shelter. It had an interesting chimney made of corrugated iron and I had to wonder how efficient that once was. Perhaps the people inside got terribly smoky. It is difficult to see in the photo below. Note the mountains behind. The views from here were awesome!
There is a story in the copy of the Summit Hiker, our hiking bible written by Mary Ellen Gilliland, about an old miner found dead in one of the cabins in 1920. His only companion, a cat, was stretched out on the windowsill, frozen stiff. I can't help but think that the miners must have lived some pretty tough lives! No gore-tex, no insulated boots, no indoor plumbing and no heat unless you cut the firewood yourself. Nice views, clean water, and glorious summers though.
On our way up we passed irrigation gates at the Spruce Creek diversion, and it reminded me that almost all of our water in Summit County ends up elsewhere. Our residents and visitors enjoy looking at it, sailing on it, fishing in it and rafting on it, but in the end, it goes into the Colorado river and from there to Utah, Arizona and maybe a few drops make it to California. There is also a diversion that takes water to Denver, emptying into the South Platte river. The Roberts Tunnel pulls it out of Lake Dillon, moves it under the Continental Divide, and empties it on other other side of the divide near Shawnee, Colorado. 
The photo to the left is Lower Mohawk Lake, and it is fairly shallow. The water in it is icy, but is a great place to refresh tired feet. It only takes about 30 seconds to dip them in and get them ready for the trip back down. The dog that was hiking with us really enjoyed standing in it and cooling off after the long hike up.
Lake Dillon, a much larger, man made lake, was actually built by the Denver Water Board, specifically to store water for Denver. They own much of the water in it and most of the land around it. That is why Dillon is one of the few lakes that doesn't have lots of houses and condos all around it. Next time those of you that live in Denver take a shower, water your lawn or brush your teeth, think of Summit County, the Mohawk lakes and Continental Falls. Perhaps you will remember how much I enjoyed looking at that water as it made its way downstream to you.
Comments (4)Subscribe to CommentsComment