Where the Creek Leads

Lens-Artists Challenge #418: Memories

Memories have an interesting way of playing with our minds. Big or small, they stay vivid when they play an important part in our lives. That was true of this short, scenic trail in Breckenridge. We first hiked it in the summer of 2023, and when we returned to Colorado this fall, we found ourselves reliving those memories. The season had changed, and so had the trail. It felt like the perfect place to feature for this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge, hosted by Tina: Memories. She says, “Some of our fondest memories were made during our travels.” I wholeheartedly agree with her. Please look at Tina’s post for more directions and to enjoy the beautiful memories she shared.

On our way back from Boreas Pass, my husband, Keith, and I made a quick stop at the Snowflake Trailhead. Tucked at the base of the Snowflake Lift, near where Four O’Clock Road meets Kings Crown Road, this short trail climbs gently for about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to Sawmill Reservoir. You may see it called the Snowflake Trail or the Sawmill Trail, but I’m going with the name on the sign at the parking area. On that first visit, we hiked all the way to the reservoir and back. This time, the reservoir wasn’t the goal. What drew us back was the creek and the wooden bridges that cross it, so we followed the water for a while and turned around before reaching the top.

The trail is not steep. The ground is soft and covered with pine needles, and the sound of Sawmill Creek keeps you company the whole way. For me, the biggest attractions are the many wooden bridges and the small waterfalls along the trail. In late September, the shrubs lining the creek were turning yellow and gold, adding a touch of fall color to the evergreen forest.

This was my first stop for a long exposure along the creek. I hadn’t brought a tripod, so I rested my camera on a bridge to keep it steady and shot at 1/4 second. Being that close to the water was both peaceful and refreshing.

Three years ago, I photographed this same bridge and wanted to reshoot it with subtle fall colors. The ground was soft, and dappled light added to the scene’s mood. This time, we were the only people around. If you look between the leaning tree trunks, you can spot Keith enjoying this serene walk.

Near the end of our trek, twin wooden bridges led us deeper into this wonderful forest-bathing experience. Only a gentle breeze and the soft flow of the creek beside the trail broke the quiet. Just past these bridges, a ladder would have taken us up toward the reservoir. Instead, we turned around. My best guess is that we covered 1 to 1.5 miles (1.6 to 2.4 km) before heading back.

On the way back, I made one more long exposure, again using a bridge to steady my camera, this time at 1/15 second. I experimented with several compositions and chose this diagonal cascade, framed by yellowing leaves, as my favorite.

Sometimes the best part of a trail isn’t where it ends. On this visit, the reservoir could wait. The creek was the whole story. We relived it with joy.

If you go: The trailhead sits at the base of the Snowflake Lift, off Four O’Clock Road. Parking there is very limited, with only four spaces, so consider walking or biking from downtown Breckenridge or taking the Breckenridge Free Ride bus (yellow route). The trail is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) one way to Sawmill Reservoir, with a few hundred feet of elevation gain, starting at roughly 10,000 feet (3,050 m). It’s for hikers only; mountain bikers use the nearby Reservoir Trail instead.

I want to thank each one of you who led the Lens-Artists team and me to some great destinations. The responses to my challenge were nothing short of spectacular. I hope you will also join this week’s challenge. Don’t forget the “lens-artists” hashtag. It helps everyone find your response in the Reader.

Next week, John will feature a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in then to learn more about the challenge. Please see this page for more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history. If you don’t want to miss any future challenges, please consider subscribing to the team members’ websites. Here they are:

• Tina of Travels and Trifles.
• Patti of P.A. Moed.
• Ann-Christine of Leya.
• John of Journeys with Johnbo.
• Anne of Slow Shutter Speed.
• Sofia of Photographias.
• Egídio of Through Brazilian Eyes.
• Ritva of Ritva Sillanmäki Photography.
• Beth of Wandering Dawgs.

That is the story behind the shots. For more like this, enjoy these related stories: Breckenridge, Colorado, Fall Foliage, Landscapes, Lens-Artists, Sawmill Creek, and Snowflake Trailhead. Until the next shoot, keep chasing the light and the wonders it reveals.

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Sources

• Sawmill Trail — MTB Project — https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/6545888/sawmill-trail
• Three Easy Hikes From Downtown Breckenridge — GoBreck — https://www.gobreck.com/trip-ideas/hiking/three-easy-hikes-from-downtown-breckenridge/
• Trail Highlight: Sawmill Trail — Breckenridge Grand Vacations — https://blog.breckenridgegrandvacations.com/trail-highlight-sawmill-trail
• Sawmill Reservoir — COTREX (Colorado Trail Explorer) — https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/157970