Adventure through Continental Falls and Mohawk Lakes Trails
Hiking the Best Trails in Breckenridge: The Ultimate Guide
Looking for an adventurous hike just outside downtown Breckenridge? Look no further than the Continental Falls and Mohawk Lakes Trail, a fan-favorite trail in the area. From lush pine forests to multiple alpine lakes, this trail features some of the most breathtaking views Summit County has to offer. But be warned, the distance and elevation gain vary greatly depending on your starting and ending points, making it tricky to provide exact figures. To get a better idea of what you're in for, consult All Trails or CoTrex with your specific route in mind.
Trail Stats
- Distance: 3-10 miles (depending on your route)
- Elevation Gain: varies greatly
- Route Type: out and back
- Difficulty: moderate-difficult
This trail is home to a total of 7 lakes in the valley, in order: Mayflower Lake, Lower Mohawk Lake, and Upper Mohawk Lake, followed by four unnamed lakes. Parking access depends on your vehicle type, with three separate parking areas available.
The difficulty of this hike depends on your parking choice and desired turn-around point. However, with its high elevation, it's always best to prepare yourself before embarking on this trek.
Continental Falls Hike and Mohawk Lakes Trail
Start at the Spruce Creek Trailhead using this AllTrails listing as a reference (either follow the road up to the true trailhead or traverse the forest to the same point). From there, follow the trail through a conifer forest for an easy, slight incline. Once you reach the west side of the parking area, you'll find a trail post leading you to Mayflower Lake and the base of Continental Falls, a decently steep and moderately difficult section of the hike.
To reach the lakes from the base of the falls, follow the trail to the clearing with the old mining cabin. From there, follow signs for Mohawk Lakes and keep westward. The trail features switchbacks that go up the height of Continental Falls. You can opt for the switchbacks for an easier climb, or cautiously scale the rocks near the waterfall for a closer look. Just remember to tread lightly and stay on established trails!
If Lower Mohawk Lake is your final destination, there are great rock formations nearby for a well-deserved rest and snack break.
To reach Upper Mohawk Lake, continue along the left side of Lower Mohawk Lake, keeping left at the split in the trail approximately 2/3 through the lake's length. The trail will start gaining elevation again, winding its way up past tree line to Upper Mohawk Lake. From Lower Mohawk Lake, it's not much farther and is well worth the effort if your ability level allows.
The remaining lakes are more spread out and difficult to reach, but they offer increased solitude and even better views if you're up for the challenge.
Directions to Continental Falls and Mohawk Lakes
Head south out of Breckenridge on Hwy 9 and turn right onto Spruce Creek Road. Take two left turns to stay on Spruce Creek Road and follow it to the first parking area. If you have a 2WD vehicle or one with low clearance, this is your parking spot. From here, it's about a 7-mile round trip and an elevation gain of 1,700 feet to Upper Mohawk Lake.
If you can make it to the upper parking lot (most standard 4WD vehicles should handle it), you'll save about 3.6 miles round trip. There is also a middle parking lot available if you can manage the uneven, rocky road. Choose the parking area that best suits your comfort level.
Take Note
- This trail is heavily trafficked, so plan ahead and start early to ensure you secure a parking spot and can fully enjoy the scenery.
- If you're a fly fisherman, there are beautiful cutthroat trout in both Upper and Lower Mohawk Lakes. They prefer dry flies, so don't forget to pack them! Remember to respect the delicate alpine environment and practice catch-and-release fishing using only flies, not bait.
- always bring lots of water and layers, as weather can change quickly and unexpectedly at high elevation. Start early so you can return below tree line by mid-afternoon. Learn about essential hiking items and Colorado mountain hiking safety tips.
- Driving from the lower parking lot to the uppermost point saves a significant amount of mileage (about 3.6 miles round trip), so it's worth making the effort if you can handle the road conditions.
- Due to numerous social trails, we recommend downloading the trail route to help stay on the main trail.
The Verdict
This trail is a must-do for any outdoor enthusiast visiting Breckenridge! Not only does it offer amazing forest views, stunning alpine lakes, and awe-inspiring mountain vistas, but it also features one of the best waterfalls in the area: Continental Falls. To top it all off, Upper and Lower Mohawk Lakes offer excellent fly fishing opportunities. Just remember to practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve this beautiful area for future generations.
Nearby Hikes
- Blue Lakes (easy)
- McCullough Gulch (moderate)
- Hoosier Pass & Crystal Lake (easy-moderate)
- Lake Emma (moderate)
- Quandary Peak & Decalibron 14ers (difficult)
Now that you have the low-down on the Continental Falls and Mohawk Lakes Trail, lace up your hiking boots and embrace the adventure! Good luck, and happy hiking!
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- After a challenging hike on the Continental Falls and Mohawk Lakes Trail, rest by the rock formations near Lower Mohawk Lake, set up a tent, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains before nightfall.
- To make the most of your sports equipment, pack your fishing rod to catch cutthroat trout in Upper and Lower Mohawk Lakes, ensuring to practice catch-and-release fishing and use only flies as bait.
- To prepare for the varying weather conditions when hiking at high elevation, remember to pack plenty of water, layers, and essential hiking items, and start early toensure you return below tree line before unexpected weather changes.
