Backpack & Fish The Mohawk Lakes

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.