Summit County - The Name Says it All About This Adventure-filled Area

The epitome of mountain views, adrenaline pumping activities and mountain lodging, welcome to Summit County Colorado, the county named for its myriad of mountain summits. It's a place to hang loose and unwind, with four major ski resorts and over 42 extensive hiking trails with brilliant panoramic views. The county shows off a wide spectrum of summer and winter activities for all of the family to enjoy; mountain biking, ATV tours, horseback riding, river rafting and kayaking. Summit County also has some of the only casinos in Colorado.

Back in the mid 1800s John H. Gregory made the first major gold strike in the Colorado territory. His discovery caused an explosion in the population bringing it to 20,000 people and this tremendous boom was just two months after his find in 1859. Most of the new population came to seek their claim of the riches that were pulled from the mountains. The county later became known as “the richest square mile on earth” and indeed many of the newcomers did find their fortune in the following 30 years. Millions in gold, silver, and copper were extracted from the hills before the boom went bust. It wasn't until October of 1991 that gambling was legalized in three historical mining towns restoring the chance for visitors and locals to strike gold once again.

Summit County has also been dubbed “Colorado's Playground” attracting 3.4 million visitors and skiers yearly to enjoy its legendary mountains. Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin are the four top-of-the-line ski resorts of Summit; all are within just minutes of each other. These four extensive ski resorts are also an easy drive from the Denver International Airport, so no need to scour the countryside looking for a great place to stay. The resorts offer almost every recreational activity conceivable, some exclusive to the seasons, of course, like ice fishing in the winter.

Hiking in Summit is best suited for the summer weather; visitors come from all over to hike in the expertly carved trails that spread throughout the county. The trails range in challenge from beginner to advanced, intermediate being the average choice for young adults and athletes of all ages. Recently there have been some new trails that have opened, one being “Nightmare” on the Baldy Mine tour loop. It's a 7.25 mile round trip cut path passing by many historic ruins, mainly gold mines, of which there are seven total on the trail. You start your journey on this path at Sally Barber Mine, and once you reach Corporal Mine you know your half way there, circling back to the beginning.

Gold mining history in Summit County is a big part of life among locals and is expressed all over the city. In a very clever manner the County shares this history with all who come by providing free bus transport. The buses are all named after various historical figures of Summit County, such as the bus named “Oliver” which is named after Oliver Milner who built the first cabin in St. John in 1865. Oliver's reputation didn't end there either; he became first mailman who ran mail from St. John to Breckenridge as well. In the winter the buses are fitted with ski racks to accommodate the mass of skiers and snowboarders. During the summer bike racks take over showing how important these traditional activities are in the Summit lifestyle. If you're up for the challenge, stop by, borrow a helmet or a pair of skis for a winter or summer of adventure.