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Mountain Biking Trails

Enjoy the extensive network of mountain bike trails that cover hundreds of
miles around Crested Butte and the surrounding Gunnison National Forest. These
suggested self-guided tours are described as leaving Mt. Crested Butte Town
Center. Accurately depicted topographical trail maps, which detail these trails
and others available in the area, are available at local mountain bike shops.

Some trail descriptions can be found below the chart. Trail Report >>

Legend

Easy Single Track - Smooth with occasional obstacles. May include some
moderately steep sections.

Adv. Single Track - May include steep, rocky, hairpin switchbacks;
exposure; slope-sided sections. Requires sensible use of brakes, good terrain
reading ability, proper shifting techniques.

Portage - Carrying your bike over unrideable sections.

Private Property - Trails subject to closure at any time due to cattle
grazing or other reasons. Stay on designated trail.

Car Pool - Reduced pavement or dusty gravel road section.

Mileage - Round trip distance.

Elevation Gain - Difference between lowest and highest points.

Ratings

Novice - 5 to 15 miles/about 2 hours. Rider does not have to be in great
physical condition.

Hard Novice - 10 to 20 miles/2 to 3 hours. Includes some single track
riding, some climbing and descending with occasional steep and or short rocky
sections.

Intermediate - 15 to 25 miles/3 to 5 hours. Requires more single track
riding experience and more stamina. Usually involves more climbing and some
technical sections.

Hard Intermediate - Up to 30 miles/4 to 6 hours. No more technical than
intermediate, but climbs are longer and steadier.

Advanced - 25 to 30 miles/4 to 6 hours. More technical single tracks and
occasional portaging. Requires strong stamina.

Expert - 30 miles or more/5 to 7 hours. Highly technical single tracks.
Steeper and longer climbs that may require portaging. Rides along at a quick
pace and require excellent stamina.

Novice


Paved RoadGraded RoadRugged Dirt RoadEasy Single TrackAdv. Single TrackPortagePrivate PropertyCar PoolLength (miles)Vert. Rise (feet)
Gothic 12 800
Pittsburgh 18 300
Snodgrass (lower) 5 200

Hard Novice


Paved RoadGraded RoadRugged Dirt RoadEasy Single TrackAdv. Single TrackPortagePrivate PropertyCar PoolLength (miles)Vert. Rise (feet)
Gunsight Loop 13 600
Irwin Lodge 23 1,800
Mt. CB Loop 6 200
Snodgrass 9 400
Upper Loop 12 600

Intermediate


Paved RoadGraded RoadRugged Dirt RoadEasy Single TrackAdv. Single TrackPortagePrivate PropertyCar PoolLength (miles)Vert. Rise (feet)
Farris Creek 20 1,000
Farris to Strand Hill 20 1,500
Gunsight Loop •• 13 600
Oh Be Joyful 17 1,100
Poverty Gulch 20 1,500
Splains Gulch 22 1,400
Strand Hill 18 1,500
Washington-Slate 22 2,100

Hard Intermediate


Paved RoadGraded RoadRugged Dirt RoadEasy Single TrackAdv. Single TrackPortagePrivate PropertyCar PoolLength (miles)Vert. Rise (feet)
Dyke Trail
16 1,000
Middle Brush Creek 20-30 1,500-2,000
Paradise Divide 30 2,600

Advanced


Paved RoadGraded RoadRugged Dirt RoadEasy Single TrackAdv. Single TrackPortagePrivate PropertyCar PoolLength (miles)Vert. Rise (feet)
Green Lake 14 1,700
Reno/Flag/Bear 22 3,000
Teocali Ridge 25 2,000
#401 24 2,000
#403 20 2,700
#409 26 1,200

Expert


Paved RoadGraded RoadRugged Dirt RoadEasy Single TrackAdv. Single TrackPortagePrivate PropertyCar PoolLength (miles)Vert. Rise (feet)
Gunsight Loop
13 600
Gunsight Pass •• 22 3,200
Reno/Flag/Bear 22 3,000
#410 30 3,000

Gunnison Area Bike Rides

Bike Rides Rating Approx. Miles Approx. Altitude Gain Comments
Maggie Pass Easy 15 700' Nice loop. Smooth roads.
Lower Lost Canyon Easy 15 1000' Good out and back trip.
Alan Lane/ Cranor Hill Easy 10 200' Easy pavement-dirt roads.
Radio Tower Loop Easy 2 300' Nice short loop. Some technical terrain.
Long Gulch Easy 12 from hwy 700' Old mine sites.

McIntosh/ Steers Loop Moderate 12 750' Great views of Gunnison
Signal Peak Moderate 14 1000' Return down the Colorado Trail.
Rage in the Sage Moderate 20 1500' Famous race course.
Big Mesa Moderate 25 1500' Nice views of Gunnison.
Almont Loop Moderate 25 2000' Set shuttle to avoid pavement riding.
Kazar Basin Moderate 8 from hwy 400' Great lakeshore ride.
Becks Moderate 1/2 100' Fun single track.
Luge Moderate 1 100' loss Part of "Rage" course.
Upper Luge Moderate 2 150' loss Fast, smooth single track.
Dry Gulch Moderate 10 from hwy 1000' Good loop.

Cabin Creek Difficult 25 2000' Long loop-some pavement.
Agate Creek Difficult 20 2000' loss Great technical downhill singletrack.
Sidestep Difficult 3/4 100' Technical slickrock
Freefall Difficult 1/2 100' loss Steep, technical downhill.
Outback Difficult 1 1/2 100' Fun roller coaster single track
Dave-Mos Difficult 1 1/2 200' Technical single track
V-Drop Difficult 1/2 200' loss Steep downhill
Ring Dyke Trail Difficult 3/4 100' Fun slickrock
Fossil Ridge Difficult 30 3500' Best done with shuttle. Soon to be wilderness.
Powerline Hill Difficult 1 1/2 350' Switchbacks!
Wiensy'z Difficult 1 75 New trail.
Lands End Difficult 30 3000' Long, high altitude loop.

Distances are from town and back unless noted.

TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS

Expert Bike Rides

Reno/Flag/Bear

22 miles round trip. 2700 feet cumulative elevation gain. A true
challenge. This ride is a combination of the Reno Divide, Flag and
Bear Creek Trails. There will be a carpool to the trailhead on Cement
Creek Road for this ride.

Teocalli Ridge

25 miles round trip. 2200 feet cumulative elevation gain. Plenty
of intermediate and advanced single track make this a challenge.

Trail 401

24 miles round trip. 2800 feet cumulative elevation gain. This one
is a favorite among those who frequent the trails around Crested
Butte. It's difficult, but well worth the effort. It offers a lot
of advanced single track.

Intermediate Rides

Farris Creek

20 miles round trip. 1400 feet cumulative elevation gain. A great
intermediate ride off of Brush Creek Road.

Green Lake

14 miles round trip. 1700 feet cumulative elevation gain. One of
the more convenient rides around. The trailhead is located right
in town.

Snodgrass

10 miles round trip. 900 feet cumulative elevation gain. One of
Crested Butte's most well-known trails. Offers some beautiful scenery
and a chance for some of the best wildflower viewing around. _Open
partial season only._

Strand Hill

17 miles round trip. 1500 feet cumulative elevation gain. A local
favorite with plenty of single track riding.

Washington Gulch to Slate River

22 miles round trip. 2000 feet cumulative elevation gain. Graded
dirt road takes you west of town on Washington Gulch Road and returns
to town via Slate River Road.

Beginner Rides

Pittsburgh

16 miles round trip. 800 feet cumulative elevation gain. This ride
takes you out Slate River Road to the old Pittsburg Townsite. Entire
ride is on dirt road.

The Lower Loop

10 miles round trip. One of Crested Butte's most popular trails,
recently reopened to the public. An excellent choice for those new
to the sport or those of you looking for a more mellow yet very
scenic ride. Great for wildflower viewing.