Trail Mix Events
(BIFA) Breckenridge International Festival of Arts
Illinois Creek Trail • Iowa Hill Trail • Little Mountain Trail • Moonstone Trail • Reiling Dredge Trail
FREE WITH REGISTRATION
Trail Mix weaves together the natural beauty of Breckenridge with moments of artistic discovery—inviting hikers and bikers to encounter pop-up performances, outdoor installations, and guided mindfulness experiences along scenic local trails.
IN CASE OF RAIN:
In the event of rain or an approaching storm, the performance will be delayed by 15 minutes. If the weather clears up, the performance will continue as planned. If the weather does not improve, we will cancel the performance. Thank you for understanding!
Music:
From classical strings to mandolin melodies, enjoy live music in unexpected places. Tree-O—a rotating trio featuring cellist Russick Smith, violinist Karen Lauffer, and mandolinist Kevin Larkin—performs half-hour sets from platforms nestled in the pine canopy. Local musicians also bring a variety of genres to the trail, creating a soundscape that blends beautifully with the natural surroundings.
Theatre:
Catch exclusive excerpts from The Great Divide, a new folk-inspired musical exploring the roots of Colorado. Performed live along the trail before its full debut at Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, this original production offers a moving glimpse into the state’s early days.
Guided Hikes:
Slow down and reconnect with the natural world through bilingual mindfulness hikes and forest bathing experiences. Led by mental wellness practitioners, these reflective journeys encourage presence, awareness, and a deeper sense of calm.
Artist Talks:
Go behind the scenes with a series of guided trail talks led by featured BIFA artists. Hear directly from the creators as they walk you through their outdoor installations, sharing the stories, inspirations, and creative processes behind their work.
Co-presented with Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, Building Hope, and local artists.
Trail Directions
Illinois Creek Trail
Trail Difficulty: Beginner
From Blue River Plaza, travel south on Main Street. Turn left on Boreas Pass Road. The Stephen C. West Ice Arena will be on the right. The trailhead is located at the far east end of the arena’s parking lot. Once at the trailhead, take the trail on the right (west) to follow the trail exhibit and find the trail mix performance area. Please allow at least 5 mins to get to the performance area from the trailhead.
Iowa Hill Trail
Trail Difficulty: Intermediate
From Blue River Plaza, travel north on Main Street. At the roundabout, continue north on Highway 9. At the second stoplight, turn left onto Valley Brook Road and then turn right onto Airport Road. Travel 0.25 miles and the trailhead will be on the left directly after the Public Works facilities. Parking is available in the dirt lot. To find the performance area, follow the trail to the left to find the signs at the performance area. Please allow at least 5 minutes to get to the performance area from the trailhead.
Moonstone Trail
Trail Difficulty: Advanced
From Blue River Plaza, travel south on Main Street. Turn left on Adams Avenue for three blocks and then take a right onto Harris Street. Follow Harris to Carter Park. The trail begins on the east side of the parking area. The Moonstone trailhead will be about .25 miles up the trail, which can be accessed via the stairs or switchbacks. Once at the trailhead, follow the signs to the performance area. Please allow at least 15 minutes to get to the performance area from the trailhead.
Reiling dredge trail
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
From Blue River Plaza, drive north on Main Street for two blocks and turn right onto Wellington Road. Follow Wellinton Road 1.1 miles to the intersection of Wellington and French Gulch Road. Stay right and follow French Gulch Road as it turns to dirt, then continues past the Country Boy Mine on the right. The parking lot for the Reiling Dredge trailhead is 1 mile past the Country Boy Mine on the left. The entrance to the trailhead is directly across the street from the parking lot. Follow the bridge across the creek to the Reiling Dredge and enjoy many of the intersecting trails in the historic mining district.
Little mountain trail
Trail Difficulty: Advanced (Black Diamond)
From Blue River Plaza, drive south on Main Street and turn left onto Boreas Pass Road. Continue for about half a mile until you reach the Stephen C. West Ice Arena on the right. Park in the arena lot and head to the far east end to find the trailhead. Take the Trollstigen Trail to your left and follow the path past Isak Heartstone (the Breckenridge Troll). Continue straight through the wooden fence opening and follow signage for “Little Mountain” to complete the loop.
Performance