A Much-Needed Getaway

After rainy and unpredictable weather the weekend prior, I was determined to get the van out to the mountains with Ringo and Kaisa a couple times before summer ends. With a small break from running before starting my Leadville 100 training this September, I felt relieved to focus less on finding the perfect running routes and more on enjoying the trip. My plan was simple: find good places to park the van, relax, sightsee, and hike around with Ringo (that would also be a good option to double park since Aubrey would be joining me Saturday night).

Late Start, But On the Road: Breckenridge Bound

We left later than I had hoped on Friday afternoon, partly due to poor preparation on my part and last-minute work that needed to be completed before heading into the mountains with unreliable service. Nevertheless, we hit the road around 5:30 PM. The drive to Breckenridge is always stunning, winding through the scenic mountain roads of Arapaho National Forest, White River National Forest, and Pike National Forest. 

Navigating the Challenges of Dispersed Camping

Given the fire restrictions in Arapaho National Forest, I decided to find dispersed camping in White River NF or Pike NF. I’m learning that finding good dispersed camping spots isn’t always easy. Often, these areas aren’t well-mapped online, so it takes a bit of scavenging, word of mouth, or trial and error to find the right places.

A Scenic Stop in Silverthorne: Stretching Our Legs

Our first stop on the way to Breckenridge was in Silverthorne. While I wasn’t committed to running, I still wanted a nice evening hike with Ringo to enjoy the scenery and take a break from driving. We chose a trail about 10 minutes from the main road, which offered a gorgeous overlook of the Dillon Reservoir called the Ptarmigan Trail. We hiked for a mile or two before heading back to the van, which gave me time to adjust some things inside and feed the fur babies. We caught a stellar sunset over the reservoir and relaxed.

The Breckenridge Dilemma: Finding a Place to Park

As we arrived in Breckenridge, the challenge of finding a place to park for the night became apparent. For those who haven’t been to Breckenridge, it’s a beautiful mountain/ski town, but not exactly a “park anywhere” kind of place. My options were to either backtrack to the Safeway at the beginning of town or discreetly park somewhere off the main drag and hope not to get a ticket (or disgruntled homeowner that didn’t want a strangle van in front of their house). With no service to guide me, I chose the latter, finding a small spot on a residential street where we “made camp” for the night.

A Relaxing Morning in Breckenridge

The next morning was peaceful and relaxing. After getting dressed, I headed into town with Ringo and went to The Crown coffee shop and enjoyed a lovely walk with Ringo along the Riverwalk.

I spent some time researching dispersed camping spots near town and found a promising area connected to a hiking trail just 10-15 minutes from Main Street on Boreas Pass Road TH #10. The road runs perpendicular to a nice hiking trail as well, so I was happy I’d be able to get a nice afternoon hike in with Ringo before settling into a site.

Finding the Perfect Campsite

We made our way to the dispersed camping area, which was a beautiful mountain road with 28 campsites overlooking gorgeous peaks in the distance. Since there are no reservations with dispersed camping, it’s always a gamble whether you’ll find a spot, but we were lucky. I found a site near the entrance that would accommodate Aubrey’s car when she joined us later. It was the perfect spot—secluded, with stunning mountain views, where we could relax and enjoy dinner before calling it a night.

A Cozy Evening with New Friends

Aubrey arrived just in time for a quick jog before a small mountain storm rolled in. After the storm passed, we cooked a classic camping dinner of instant ramen and chik’n chunks, powered by my Jackery battery and water boiler. We were also fortunate to have some friendly camping neighbors who invited us to sit by their fire when the sun went down. We spent the evening chatting about everything from conspiracy theories to women’s health, hybrid work structures, and enjoyed some s’mores. It was the epitome of camping culture—sharing beers, snacks, and stories with strangers who quickly became friends. Ringo also made a new best friend, Otter, a cute little dog who belonged to our neighbors.

Early Morning Hike: Preparing for the Summit

Despite a few interruptions during the night due to a random Ringo stomach ache, we woke up early to head out for our hike. After a bit of a rushed morning, we were finally on our way to the trailhead, coffee in hand, ready for the day ahead up Mount Silverheels.

Conquering the Trail: A Challenging Summit

The hike was challenging—much harder than I anticipated. Although it was a popular area, the trail was discreet, and we lost it several times. However, the effort was worth it as we reached the summit and took in breathtaking views, including the iconic 14’ers in the National Forest. Ringo did amazingly well, but the rocky terrain took a toll on his paws. On the descent, he became sore, so I carried him in his K9 Sportsack Backpack for about 3-3.5 miles—a workout I was not prepared for and won’t forget. Even still, I was pretty psyched that he got an almost 14’er under his belt, we ended up climbing 13,800ft over 9.2 miles.

Time to EAT.

After our “chill” Sunday hike, we headed back to Breckenridge for some well-deserved food. We woofed down our huge Beyond Burgers from Empire Burger on the main strip—absolutely delicious! (And excellent service… highly recommend this place!) I decided after a little internal debate to head back to Denver to get ready for the week since I’d be traveling the following weekend. We grabbed a coffee and with full stomachs, headed back to Denver.

Reflecting on the Journey: Lessons Learned

Despite the traffic on the way home, we made the most of it by stopping to take in the views and enjoy the ride. I also reflected on another great trip in books, and excitement for the next. Every van camping adventure teaches me something new, from the importance of prepping beforehand (something I’m continually learning to do better… like creating offline maps to navigate areas without service, to packing checklists that ensure I have the essentials without overpacking).

Grateful for the Adventure

Overall, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to explore and create more adventures on the run. Each journey adds to my experiences, and I can’t wait for the next one.