Pros:
Let me disclose my bias: I picked up disc golf in Missoula, Montana, so for me mountain disc golf is disc golf. That said, when I first played Frisco 13 years ago after playing lots of park courses on the front range, it was a dream! I loved the way every hole felt like it was completely isolated from the rest of the world, I loved the thick forest and the smell of the trees, and I loved the layout and challenge. As has been lamentably noted often enough in other reviews, the disastrous pine beetle plague did serious damage to the forests of Summit County in the middle part of the last decade. Peak One wasn't spared, and a lot of dead blue trees had to come out. I was skeptical when I came back to play for the first time after the dead timber got yanked, but after just a couple of holes it became clear to me that the course was, and is still, a delight.
Here's the stuff I like:
1) Insert all the things people say about quality course design here. Diversity, elevation change, good use of topography, intuitive flow, shot variety, doesn't cross itself up, etc. With very few exceptions, it's clear that the course was designed with an understanding of the way people play in mind. For a course so old, it still plays remarkably well even with the tremendous advancements in disc technology.
2) The course has lots of fun quirks. Why not have a teepee, some ski slope signage, and a handful of goofy traditions that can be picked up and embraced simply by striking up a conversation with a local?
3) Great sense of community. This course gets a lot of traffic, which can sometimes be a con, but the players here get it. I've played Peak One a lot, and I've never had anything but good experiences. The regulars know they've got a good reputation and they'll go out of their way to uphold it.
4) It's pretty. Not kind of pretty; insanely pretty.
5) The tee boxes and baskets are in good shape. Sometimes well-used courses are terribly beat up, but everything here is in good working order.
6) There are tons of variables. To me, a cruddy course is one where you know, within a stroke or two, what you're going to shoot before you even walk on to the first tee. If there are no variables in play, there's no reason to keep showing up. Peak One doesn't have that problem. Winds picking up and dying down on the same hole, irritatingly placed trees, and sometimes forgiving/sometimes not roughs will give you significant swings in scores.
Cons:
Building and maintaining disc golf courses is hard. As always, I offer my gentle critiques with a spirit of respect and appreciation to everyone who has busted their back to make the course happen.
That said, here are some things that could be better.
1) I'm a sucker for nice signage. I think it adds so much to a course to have attractive signs that artfully communicate the details of each hole. Good tee signs are like appetizers that whet the pallet for what comes next. For such a beautiful course the signage is inadequate. With so many regulars playing, I'm sure most people on the course at any given time could play the thing blindfolded, but even for the old vets I think better signs would improve the experience.
2) Erosion is a problem on some holes. This isn't the best for safety or for maintaining the land. Some type of erosion control/retaining walls will probably be needed moving forward.
It's a compliment to the course that this is an issue.
3) It's busy. If you know that's part of the deal, it's no big thing, but if you aren't used to waiting to play this will be a very different experience than you get on most courses.
Other Thoughts:
Tips:
1) Label your discs. There's a decent chance you'll lose one, and a great chance you'll get a call back the same day if you've got your name and number on all your plastic.
2) Pack water. It's a long trek and there's nowhere to rehydrate along the way.
3) Bring the full bag. You'll need all your shots and probably some discs you haven't even thought about using in ages.
4) Let people play through. There are some locals who cruise through this course. Don't rush your own experience by hurrying on their account; instead pull up a seat, soak in the views, and say hello as you let them pass. The extra time will only make the experience better.
5) Take time to say hello. There's a great DG community here and it'd be a pity not introduce yourself.
Summit County is a great place to be in the summer and Peak One makes it even more attractive for those of us who enjoy this sport. At over 15 years old, this course is inching toward becoming a Colorado classic. It's certainly among the very best free mountain courses in the state.