Tenmile

13,583 acres (21.2 square miles)

How to get there
The proposed Tenmile Wilderness Area is located 2 miles west of Breckenridge and 3 miles south of Frisco.

• From the west, you may enter this proposed Wilderness 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 proposal 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 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 proposed Tenmile Wilderness Area 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 proposed Tenmile Wilderness 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 proposed Wilderness 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 just to the north of the area. As seen from Copper Mountain, the backcountry skiing potential is impressive. Unlike many of the proposed Wilderness Areas in the Hidden Gems Campaign, 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 Canada lynx, a state-endangered and nationally-threatened species, which often cross I-70 from here to reach the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area.

The northern boundary of this area was drawn to exclude the Wheeler Trail to accomodate the interests of the mountain biking community.

Potential threats
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.