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Backpack & Fish The Mohawk Lakes

Breckenridge, Colorado

4.0/5
based on 2 reviews

Details

Distance

6.8 miles

Elevation Gain

1940 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Brendan Armesy

Amazing scenery with a rewarding end. Great views at both lakes especially for pictures. Moderate hike with a small part that required scrambling. Vast amount of space to explore. Duration: 6.8 miles round trip with a 1,940 foot gain in elevation.

The trailhead is located a few miles out side of Breckenridge Colorado. The trail starts at 10,390' and the first two miles are spent walking through a mix of fir, aspen, and spruce trees until the trail goes parallel to Spruce Creek Road and eventually crosses it and continues over a small dam (just follow the signs).

At this point the trail becomes slightly more strenuous. There is a small creek crossing and at the Mayflower Lake split there are the remains of a small mining cabin. Old mining equipment will be a frequent sight from here on out.

As the trail steepens, it begins a zigzag up the mountain and finally the trail will break out of the forest. Along the way there is a in tact mining cabin where the hikers can seek shelter if a storm comes. Past that is where the trail will split so hikers can see Lower Continental falls.

Just before Continental Falls is Mayflower Lake, which is a good spot to set up basecamp. It's below the Mohawk Lakes and under the treeline, so it gets a little less weather than further up the trail.

Once you're continuing back on the trail, you can take hikers pass or you can follow a mining cable that leads up the mountain and eventually to Lower Mohawk Trail. A great place to take in the view both above and below the lake or to grab lunch or a light snack before heading on up.

Following the trail to the left, it is only a 0.4 mile hike and a 260' elevation gain to get to Upper Mohawk Lake. Despite the short distance to get there it's less frequented by families. From Upper Mohawk Lake, hikers are greeted with a view of the valley below as well as Lower Mohawk Lake and all the surrounding mountains. The trail will continue into the tundra and a few other small lakes.

A small caution (from personal experience) is to be weather conscious, because at 12,000' the weather can change before you know it.

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Features

Fishing
Photography
Backpacking
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Forest
Lake
River
Waterfall
Wildflowers
Wildlife

Backpack & Fish The Mohawk Lakes Reviews

Did an overnight backpacking/fly fishing trip here last weekend- it’s a totally different (and magical!) world once the dayhikers are gone. Set up base camp by Mayflower Lake on Saturday for some great fishing, then poked around the old mining cabin and waterfalls Saturday evening once it quieted down. Hiked up to lower Mohawk Sunday and it was crazy busy with people. Easy to se why, as it’s an amazingly gorgeous alpine lake (even though the fishing’s not as hot).

Did this with a few friends last summer. It was a straightforward trip, great for beginners! Very beautiful at the upper lakes, lots of good fishing. Only con was that on a summer weekend it was very busy with day hikers.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Day Hike to Lower & Upper Mohawk Lakes

Hike to & Stay at Francie's Cabin

Lower Crystal Lake via Crystal Creek Road

Spruce Creek Loop

Ski or Snowshoe to Section House Hut

Hike Baker's Tank Loop