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Adoption Status: NOT ADOPTED
6,383 acres (10.0 square miles)
How to get there
The Tenmile roadless area is located 2 miles west of
Breckenridge and 3 miles south of Frisco.
- From
the west, you may enter this area from the Wheeler Flats Trailhead (39), which
is located at the junction State Highway (SH) 91 and Interstate 70, near the
entrance to Copper Mountain Ski Area. This section of the Wheeler Trail is part
of the Colorado Trail, and goes south along Tenmile Creek before entering the
roadless area and making a climbing traverse to timberline. To stay on the
Colorado Trail, turn left at treeline onto Miner’s Creek Trail (38), which
climbs to the Tenmile ridge and make sits way north toward Frisco. Or stay on
the Wheeler Trail, cross the divide and head southeast. This trail goes all the
way to Hoosier Pass on SH 9, although it can be accessed in between by roads
from Blue River.
- From
Frisco, either drive south up Miner’s Creek Road (FS 1000), or hike/bike up the
Peaks Trail (45) next to it, to reach the Miner’s Creek/Colorado Trail (38).
You can also reach this location by hiking up the Gold Hill Trail (47), which
begins at SH 9 two miles south of Dillon Reservoir. This is the route taken by
the Colorado Trail.
- From
Breckenridge, take SH 9 two miles south and turn right onto Spruce Creek Road
(FS 800). From near the end of this road, you may get onto the Wheeler Trail
(39), which climbs northwest into the roadless area above Breckenridge Ski
Area.
- The
USGS 7 1⁄2' quads for the Tenmile RA are Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Frisco,
and Vail Pass.
Setting
The Tenmile Range is a high, narrow, peak-studded divide
that separates Tenmile Creek from Blue River. The Tenmile roadless area
occupies most of the crest and western slopes of the range. These slopes plunge
dramatically to Tenmile Creek and make a spectacular scenic view from the
Copper Mountain Ski Area. The Tenmile divide is an outstanding alpine landmark
that features Tenmile Peak (12,933 feet), Peaks 3 through 10 (12,438 to 13,633
feet), Crystal Peak (13,852 feet), and Pacific Peak (13,950).
The terrain consists of very steep west-facing slopes
divided by numerous glacial cirques that funnel into narrow avalanche paths
through the timbered lower slopes. The forest is mostly comprised of Engelmann
spruce and subalpine fir. Much of the area is above treeline, and supports an
alpine environment dominated by tundra and scree. Elevations in the unit range
from 9,700 feet along Tenmile Creek to 13,950 feet on Pacific Peak.
What’s special about it?
The awesome alpine terrain of this area has limited
development and it retains a wild and natural character despite the many roads
and mines around it. The incredible scenery and close proximity to Copper Mountain,
Breckenridge, and Frisco make this a very popular recreational destination in
the summer and winter. The famous Colorado Trail runs across the area. The Vail
Pass-Tenmile National Recreational Trail skirts the northwestern boundary. As
seen from Copper Mountain, the backcountry skiing potential is impressive.
Unlike most roadless areas, this one receives little hunting traffic in the
fall.
The forested portions of the unit support elk, deer, and
bear during the summer. Bighorn sheep and mountain goats live along the Tenmile
ridge. The unit is also prime habitat for the endangered Canada lynx, who often
cross I-70 from here to reach the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area.
Potential threats
Expansion of Breckenridge Ski Area, extending it further up
toward the Tenmile crest, will encroach upon the area and increase human
traffic year-round (Breckenridge is a four-season resort). Development of
patented mining claims that occur on the southeast and southwest borders of the
unit will have a similar effect, and will make it more difficult for wildlife
to migrate.
Other info
The Tenmile roadless area is actually 27,787 acres in size,
but 21,404 of these acres were excluded by the USFS from the official unit
boundary. This massive 77% size reduction was justified by a lack of solitude
and high potential for development. Regardless, these acres are roadless and it
is inappropriate to exclude them from the inventory of this on-the-ground
condition.
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