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LoJ: #632 (Pre-LiDAR: NR) / 13,005' Peak 8
N 39° 28' 21.95", W 106° 06' 09.25"
(Not Field Checked)
Peak Summary
Peak 8 was formerly considered a high ranking 12er before Lidar measurements increased its elevation by 18 feet to 13,005 ft. It's an easy Class 2 hike from the Breckenridge side that utilizes the ski runs to obtain the summit with a surprising amount of wildflowers.
Peak 8 Breckenridge Route
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Peak 8 Breckenridge TH
From I-70, take either of the 2 exits for Frisco and head south on CO 9 for Breckenridge. When you come to the roundabout just north of town, head west onto North Park Ave. which will soon turn south. Continue south .7 mile to a major intersection. Turn right (west) here onto Ski Hill Road. Follow the road as it winds its way up to the Peak 8 Base area. There is a sizable parking lot across from the Grand Colorado Lodge, but day parking here may not be allowed. If not, continue north on Ski Hill Road toward the Peak 7 Base area and just beyond the Grand Lodge, there is an official trailhead with limited parking at the coordinates provided. Parking here will increase hiking distance just a little.
Camping
There will be no authorized camping anywhere near the trailhead and car camping overnight here will likely not be allowed. The closest campsites will be those available just out of Frisco on Lake Dillon or other campgrounds around the lake. Reservations are highly advised for any of these.
Click thumbnail to view full-size photo + captionRoute Description
Year Climbed: 2013From the trailhead parking, work your way back around the lodge and walk somewhat south to locate the Colorado Super Chair lift. The hike uphill begins here. If you were able to park in the lot across from the Grand Colorado Lodge, the lift will be back behind the lodge and can save a little bit of walking. Another possibility as shown on our map is to hike from the trailhead up a road that heads uphill to the SW, and crosses under one lift and then leads over to another lift. This will be the Rocky Mountain Super Chair Lift. Both lifts will lead up towards the Vista Haus mid-mountain restaurant, but the hiking will be less steep if you cross on over to the left (south) side of the Colorado Super Chair where there are intermediate runs up to the Vista Haus restaurant.
Once you've made your way to the Vista Haus, follow a dirt road west & upwards that stays near the broad ridge to a fork. Take the right fork that will follow and cross the ridge as it heads to a ski patrol facility/building. There's no need to go all the way to the building. As the road crosses the ridge, just begin hiking directly up the ridge that will lead all the way to the summit. As you near the summit, you will pass the terminus of the Independence Super Chair lift, located just a short distance down from the summit.
The summit has a human-built large, protective rock barrier to thwart the high winds that may often be found here. You can gaze down upon some of the Copper Mountain ski runs and I-70 far below. There's a nice view of the ridge over to Peaks Nine and Ten, which some climbers may wish to include with Peak 8, but which have a separate write-up on this site.
For the descent, simply return as you came and if in July or August, enjoy the abundant wildflowers.
One other note: If you really want to make this a quick and easy summit, come in the winter when the lifts are running and hike to the summit from the Independence Super Chair lift. It will only cost you the price of a ski ticket!
Additional BETA
Links to other information, routes & trip reports for this peak that may be helpful. -
