Faerie Lore and Legends

Isak Heartstone – The Troll of Breckenridge

There’s a troll in the woods, and his name is “Isak Heartstone”. He’s been a resident of Breckenridge for quite some time, and recently changed hoods. He’s 15 feet tall and is a recycled wood art sculpture created by infamous Danish artisan Thomas Dambo. He is an icon for upcycling and recycling. Today, Isak lives off the Trollstigen Trail in Breckenridge Colorado just southeast of the Ice Arena parking lot. He was manifested through the annual Breckenridge International Festival of Arts in 2018. He was moved from his original location to one that was closer towards town and parking, as parking issues as well as maintenance, monitoring, and care was too difficult before. He and the trail will still not be maintained during the winter months. The troll is a fantastic family fun-filled adventure for all visitors large and small. A quick walk from the ice arena, he’s not to miss if you’re in Breckenridge.

The artist Thomas Dambo believes that the world is overwhelmed with overconsumption, and that’s why he focuses on creating something from the trash and recycled materials that can be appreciated. The trash does not need to be what the world is drowning in. He has created over 51 recycled/upcycled artistic creations around the world, including many other trolls. Isak is merely one of them. His first troll, Hector El Protector, was created from recycled pallets in Puerto Rico in 2014. Because of his popularity, Breckenridge was bombarded by tourists seeking out the troll and created a liability. Breckenridge in the silence of the night chainsawed Isak and removed it. The public outcry would not let them get away with it. Breckenridge worked with BreckCreate to relocate it, asking for Dambo to come back and rebuild the troll in the new location near Illinois Gulch. Much the same happened with the Fairy Forest, but whether or not it will be restored, as most likely it will be lost. Great gratitude to those that saved the Troll. Isak won’t be troubling the neighbors, landowners, and residences any longer – he’s next to public transportation and parking.

The new location doesn’t fully serve Dambo’s idea – of creating and putting sculptures in nature to represent the forces of nature. He still has an audacious idea of building 5-10 trolls in different faraway places across Colorado to encourage a network of hikers to travel there by foot.

To visit: From the Welcome Center, 203 South Main street, Breckenridge, Colorado – head south to Peak 9, take a left on Boreas Pass, go past the Railroad Park to the Stephen C. West Ice Arena parking lot, go to the southeast corner of the lot, by the Illinois Gulch Trailhead, and follow the Troll signs.

References:

• Anderson, Corrine 2019 “THE DANISH ARTIST WHO BUILT THE GIANT BRECKENRIDGE TROLL (TWICE) HAS SOMETHING TO TEACH US” Website referenced 3/18/21 at https://303magazine.com/2019/05/breckenridge-troll-thomas-dambo/
• Breckenridge Creative Arts n.d. “Exhibitions: Isak Heartstone”. Website referenced 3/18/21 at https://www.breckcreate.org/exhibitions/isak-heartstone-2/
• Englert, Chris n.d. “A Troll in the Woods”. Website referenced 3/18/21: https://eatwalklearn.com/breckenridge-troll-walk/
• GoBrek n.d. “How to Find the Breckenridge Troll”. Website referenced 3/18/21: https://gobreck.com/experience-breckenridge/arts-and-culture/how-to-find-the-breckenridge-troll/