Review Date
August 30, 2006

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: BonkedAgain ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is kind of an interesting ride; definitely has good views at the top and the high alpine riding is enjoyable. But, you do an awful lot of climbing just to burn it off in the brakes on the west side of the pass. The downhill really isn't that great, and it seems shame to grunt up that much mountain to just coast down the other side (and ride a bike path, then ride uphill some more). All-in-all, too much pedaling without enough thrills for me.

Recommended Route:
Be aware that there is development going on at the south end of the Peaks Trail. When you hit the trail-head on the road to Peak 8, go uphill to the right (you won't like that idea by the time you get there) to the Peak 8 base area, or, go downhill and keep a sharp eye out for trails into the woods and you can get thru the trails in the Nordic Center.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
The east side of the valley has tons of great riding (Colorado Trail, etc.) or, ride down the Peaks Trail, which is way more fun than riding up it like you do in the described loop.

Review Date
July 29, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: scwoodCO ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a pretty fun loop. I wish I had read about the Miner's Creek variation before I set out on the ride as it sounds more interesting than going left at the intersection straight down to Copper.

Pros:
- nice views
- good grade to climb on a single-speed till the last few loose steep bits above treeline
- not a popular trail apparently as I rode it mid-morning on a late July Saturday morning and did not run into a single other rider
- the Wheeler trail was pretty faint - hardly any erosion damage which is nice
- kinda interesting to be on the top of Wheeler pass where you can look down into the town of Breck and then look off the other side and see ski trails at Copper
- most of the ride down the Copper side was nice, not too rough and I never felt nervous about exposure and don't remember any particularly technical sections

Cons:
- the climb up the jeep path was pretty hard to ride in some sections above treeline (loose and steep) before the intersection with the Wheeler trail
- EZ routefinding, just stay on the most widely-traveled dirt road from the bottom of the Beaver Run chair till you get just above the Mercury lift then keep going up the road till you see the clearly-marked Wheeler trail on the right. You will be able to see the switchback up to the saddle very clearly from here
- the spin back to Breck was kinda dull
- the top part of the descent down the Copper side was a narrow ditch that was not much fun to ride

All in all it was a nice ride and I would do it again. I was riding alone so I didn't make too many stops and it took about 3 hrs 40 mins door to door riding back on the bike path on a SS.

I give it an overall 4 due to the high altitude, great views, and solitude. The actual riding merits more like a 3.

Review Date
August 2, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: nickw ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
5K feet of climbing, two 12.5k passes and a whole bunch of above treeline riding. It's an epic, all right. Start early to avoid the thunderstorms.

A friend and I did this earlier this year. Start in the town of Breck at the base of the ski area. Ride up the fire road to the top of the Peak 9 lift(s) - from there, a double track jeep road leads up towards the summit of Peak 10. After you get above tree line and after a few switchbacks you intersect the singletrack Wheeler Trail. Head north on the Wheeler Trail - you'll dip down a few hundred feet and traverse a bowl in front of Peak 10, then head back
up on some steep switchbacks to the top of the first pass between Peaks 9 and 10.
From there, head back down the west side of the 10 mile range on the Wheeler trail, around the back side of Peak 9. After about 1500 feet of descending and back below tree line you'll intersect the Miner's Creek Trail (part of the Colorado Trail). Continuing straight on the Wheeler Trail at this point will lead you to Copper Mtn - have a shuttle waiting, take the bus, or be prepared for a long spin back on paved trails if you take this option. Otherwise, head up the Miners Creek Trail - it's a slog as it once again winds above tree line and meanders pretty close to the ridge line of the 10 Mile Range for a while. Eventually you cross back over the ridge between Peaks 5 and 6. Stop to savor the view of Breckenridge on one side and all of Copper Mtn on the other. Descend back down on the Breck side, passing once again below tree line.. a few thousand feet down and back in the woods, intersect the Peaks Trail. Turn south on the Peaks Trail and spin your way back through the woods to the ski area and the town of Breck.

Pictures can be found at:

http://www.thewildes.com/play/bikes/MinersCreekTrail/Miners.jsp

Bring lots o' water, food, sunscreen, and start early to avoid the t-storms.

Recommended Route:
Breckenridge->Top of Peak 9 Ski Area->Wheeler Trail->Miner's Creek Trail->Peaks Trail->Breckenridge

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Other segments of the Colorado Trail.

Review Date
October 26, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 2 votes

Review Date
October 13, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 1 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes