Tenmile Traverse

The Tenmile Traverse spans 12 peaks of the Tenmile Range from Mt. Royal (Frisco) to Peak 10 (Breckenridge) with roundtrip mileage ~19 without a car shuttle and using the convenient Summit Co. free bus. Min. and max. elevation is 9,095 feet and 13,633 feet respectively.

The following peaks are included:

Mt. Royal (10,502 feet), subpeak of Peak 1

Mt. Victoria (11,785 feet), subpeak of Peak 1

Peak 1 (12,805 feet)

Tenmile Peak, aka Peak 2 (12,933 feet)

Peak 3 (12,676 feet)

Peak 4 (12,866 feet)

Peak 5 (12,855 feet)

Peak 6 (12,573 feet)

Peak 7 (12,655 feet)

Peak 8 (12,987 feet)

Peak 9 (13,195 feet)

Peak 10 (13,633 feet)

Most of the route is a hike, and there are many bailout points. The only scrambling section of the traverse is between Tenmile Peak (Peak 2) and Peak 4. Dave Cooper (Colorado Scrambles) calls this Class 3-4, heavy on the 3. The routefinding here is not very difficult even in the absence of cairns. The rock is a little chossy, so take care. I wore running shoes but am comfortable on this type of terrain.

THE ROUTE

Start: Mt. Royal (10,502 feet)

There are several trailheads for Mt. Royal. Having used the one at the end of 2nd Ave. in Frisco, I wouldn't recommend it for first-timers, especially if a predawn start is planned. I found only one sign with Mt. Royal (quite high up), and there is a bewildering array of sidetrails. Because I started after first light, I was able to link my way up to Mt. Royal with signage. The normal start is the official Mt. Royal trailhead, close to where Main Street crosses under I-70. From the lot, head left on the bikepath until you reach the Mt. Royal/Mason Town trail. Follow the trail around the south side of the mountain to its summit.

Mt Victoria (11,785 feet)

From Mt. Royal, follow a faint trail which emerges above treeline to the summit of Mt Victoria. Depending on which way you go you may pass an old cabin site.

Peak 1 (12,805 feet)

There is fairly defined trail from Mt Victoria to Peak 1. Don't forget to gaze back at the immense Dillon Reservoir.

Tenmile Peak (12,933 feet)

As you head toward Peak 2, the ridge becomes more defined but still on easy terrain.

Peak 3 (12,676 feet)

Now the fun begins. The terrain becomes more difficult with Class 3 scrambling around and on blocky fins. There are several ways to go with varying difficulty. After the fin section is the tower section known as "The Dragon". Again several ways to go here (class 3-4).

Peak 4 (12,866 feet)

On the approach to Peak 4 you'll encounter a true (but easy) knife edge ridge.

Peaks 5-8 (12,573 to 12,987 feet)

There is nothing particularly notable here as you hike though meadows along the top of the ski resort. It is a good place to run if you're feeling up to it.

Peak 9 (13,195 feet)

Gaze upon it and weep. There is a major saddle (~600 foot loss in elevation) between Peaks 8 and 9. After the saddle, hike the steep slope past the false summit before finally reaching the top.

Peak 10 (13,633 feet)

The good news here is that after Peak 9, Peak 10 will seem easy. You'll have another, shallower saddle, but the slope is much friendlier than Peak 9.