Trail Overview
This well-maintained two-lane road travels east from the Breckenridge area through the historic French Gulch mining district. The broad gravel surface winds through a mixture of dense pine and spruce forest, large stands of aspen, grassy openings, and willow-covered drainage areas, with several locations providing excellent views of the surrounding mountains. The corridor played an important role in Breckenridge's mining history after gold was discovered in French Gulch in 1860, and numerous historic mine sites and structures remain throughout the valley. Several trailheads and parking areas provide access to hiking and biking trails, including the Lincoln Townsite Trailhead, which provides access farther into the historic mining landscape. The surrounding forest and wet valley habitat also provide good opportunities for viewing wildlife, including moose.
Difficulty
This well-maintained gravel road has no major technical obstacles. Potholes, washboards, and scattered loose gravel may create minor rough sections, but the road is suitable for most vehicles under normal dry conditions.
History
The Breckenridge area was heavily shaped by the Colorado Gold Rush beginning in 1859, when gold discoveries brought prospectors into the Blue River and surrounding gulches. French Gulch, Georgia Gulch, the Swan River, and nearby mountains became important mining areas containing placer operations, hard-rock mines, settlements, and eventually large dredging operations. Several settlements once existed throughout this backcountry. Lincoln City developed in French Gulch, where placer claims and later hard-rock mines operated, while Parkville developed near Georgia Gulch and briefly served as the first county seat of Summit County. Hydraulic mining later buried the remains of Parkville beneath mining debris. Many of the roads traveled through the area today follow corridors originally used to reach mines, settlements, and other operations that supported Summit County's mining industry.
