Looking south from around Peak One.
The mountains surrounding Breckenridge and Frisco are part of a sub-range of the Colorado Rockies known as the Tenmile Range. These peaks frame the Blue River Valley and Lake Dillon and not only provide a scenic backdrop for everything in the area, but contained within them is a cool ridge that allows for a huge linkup of summits known as the Tenmile Traverse.
This route follows the spine of the Tenmile Range along a ridge of summits that are named by number, from one to ten. You can follow the north-south ridge in either direction but most parties like to start with Peak One above Frisco and head south, finishing with Peak Ten above Breckenridge.
The route, click to enlarge.
One advantage to tackling the ridge in this southerly direction is that all of the technical or exposed sections of the ridge are encountered between Peak One and Peak Four. Beyond Peak Four the ridge is much more broad and gentle, at times runnable.
Starting at Frisco allows you to move through the trickier terrain earlier in the day. If you found yourself in bad weather and had to bail on the route, which is usually more common later in the day, it’s much easier to make an escape off the ridge out between peaks 5-10.
Nearing the summit of Peak One, Lake Dillon can be seen in the valley below.
On the summit of Peak Two.
From Frisco, follow the well-defined trail uphill for about 2 miles and around 2000 vertical feet to gain the ridge. Continue the slow grind uphill, eventually reaching the 12,805 foot summit of Peak One. From there the rest of the day unfolds before you. As far as the technical section between peaks 1-4 are concerned, you can stick to the ridge to make things more exciting, or drop down to the side to pass any cruxes below. We found the route difficulties were never above Class 3. Beyond Peak Four the route is mellow along the broad ridge.
Nearing the crux of the ridge, a feature locals call the Dragon. It can easily be passed by descending and traversing below it on the right.
Once past Peak Four the terrain is much easier.
Peak Ten is far out to the left.
Once at Peak Ten descend the summer service roads down to town and arrange to get back home. We hopped on the free Summit Stage bus which runs every 30 minutes and took us right back to downtown Frisco and our truck.
Hiking some talus near Peak Nine.
On the summit of Peak Nine.
Christy on the final summit of the traverse, Peak Ten. From here it was long jaunt down the ski area to the town of Breckenridge below.
Total stats from our Gaia map app:
18.3 miles
6857 vertical feet
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