Trail Report
 For many of us, summer seems to be slipping away, but for us in Gunnison & Crested Butte our trails are OPEN, in great shape and will likely be through October! Late August and September are in some ways the the best time to ride in this area for a few reasons. 1) The wildflowers are still in bloom and are reaching record heights. Be sure to read the wildflower report or ask a local where the best "show" is before you get out there. 2.) Our late-summer weather pattern is favorable for all day rides at higher elevations. 3) Hopefully you have your summer legs under you so you can ride all day!
If our Scenic Byways
and country roads are the kind of "trails" you are more interested in, check out
some of the many Road Biking options around Gunnison County. Our area roads are a great place to enjoy the spectacular
mountain scenery. So check out the NEW Road biking page!
Please
continue to use common sense and respect our trails by staying off them
if they are wet, or where posted for Sage Grouse Habitat, cattle
closers, private property, or otherwise.
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trail openings, important closures, trail related events, and more.
Happy trails!
Gunnison
 Recent rain showers have packed in some of the sandy areas and the trails are riding fast! The 24 hours in the Sage race course is pretty darn smooth right now, so if you are planning on coming out to watch, support or compete you won't be disappointed. I have been amazed at how well the trail system is holding
up. A big thanks goes out to all who have worked to make this 70+ mile
single-track and 100 mile trail system sustainable!
The Gunnison Trails
group has helped create some new routes and improve existing trails so
be sure to ride ‘em all! If you have questions about specific closures
please contact the Gunnison Field Office for the Bureau of Land
Management at 970/641-0471 M-F 9am - 5pm. Please close any gates behind you.
For details on how to get to Hartman Rocks visit our Hartman Rocks Page.
If you want to explore some other areas around Gunnison, stop by a local bike shop for recommendations in the Signal Peak and Ridgeline Trail systems above Western State College!
Hartman Rocks IS 99% OPEN! (Aberdeen is closed for Sage Grouse)
The Gunnison Sage Grouse Closures are in effect from June 15 - Aug 31.
*Sage Grouse Closures on the Aberdeen Loop
and other trails are a compromise measure that was identified in the
management plan to reduce disturbance in those stream side habitats
during the critical brood rearing time for Sage Grouse. We chose this
seasonal closure rather than complete closure of the trails to try to
maintain as much single track trail as possible. But we need your
compliance with the seasonal closure to prove that recreationists can
respect seasonal closures to reduce the impacts of their use on other
critical resource values. If the closures are not respected then it is
unlikely that similar attempts at compromise will be considered in the
Basin Wide Transportation Planning effort that is now underway. Your
cooperation will help ensure more riding opportunities. Thanks. Arden
Anderson
 OUTER AREA TRAILS:
Crest Trail - OPEN
Timberline Trails - OPEN
Canyon Creek - OPEN
Agate Creek - OPEN
Flying Dutchman - OPEN
Low Line Trail - OPEN
Crested Butte and Surrounding Trails
TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS AND RATINGS >>
 Lower Loop OPEN
The Upper Loop, the Upper Upper, and Whetsone Vista OPEN
Walrod Cutoff / Trail #418 OPEN
Strand Hill OPEN
Farris Creek / 402 OPEN
Deer Creek OPEN
Doctor's Park OPEN
Trail #409 OPEN
Trail #412, #405.2a, #405 and #409 1/2 OPEN Trail #405 OPEN
Reno/Flag/Bear/Deadman- OPEN, This trail is riding much better than in earlier reports. One good sized rut on Bear Creek. The
USFS OHV Crew did some trail work on the Flag descent the week of the
July 20th.
Dyke Trail OPEN-Ride the Kebler Pass Wagon Road to access this ride from town.
With the mag chloride dry, Kebler Pass road is dust free. Trail is
riding beautifully. This is also the site of the CBMBA 11th Annual Work Weekend 8/23-24.
Teocalli Ridge OPEN- Great flowers! The trees have been removed on the descent.
Cement Mt. Trail OPEN
401- OPEN
403 OPEN
Snodgrass OPEN- please yield to all horses!
Additional trials exist and may not be listed here, but these represent the most popular and or are the best indicators of conditions. Stop by a local bike shop for maps and trail conditions before you ride!
NEW LIFT-SERVED TRAILS ON MOUNT CRESTED BUTTE
A new trail has been added to the back side of the mountain and is great access to and from Snodgrass. ALSO there is a new free ride trail near the Gold Link Lift.
Crested
Butte Mountain Resort offers an assortment of lift-accessible
single-track trails for all levels of mountain biking. The Red Lady
Express lifts carries passengers and their bikes (lift ticket required). So ride the lift to access all of the trails described below and get ready for some fun-filled riding!
(Note: You can also ride on the mountain for free if you do not take the lift and you ride up the trails.)
 » Download the Summer Trail Map in a PDF document
CBMR Mountain Bike Trail Descriptions
Aspen Park
- From the top of the Red Lady Express lift, this trail is a wonderful
descent through huge aspen groves. Or start from the base area, climb
Houston, then turn right at the intersection with Aspen Park. 2.5 miles.
Avery Trail
- From the top of the Red Lady Express lift, follow Aspen Park, then
descend intermediate single track until linking with Houston. 0.8 miles.
Buckley Trail - Accessed from Aspen Park, Buckley is an intermediate single track which links back to Houston in the base area. 0.5 miles.
East River
- From the top of the Red Lady Express lift, follow Houston to the
intersection with East River. Enjoy a gentle a gentle ride along a dirt
road with views of the Elk Mountain Range. This is an out and back
trail. 1.8 miles each way.
Houston - From the top
of the Red Lady Express lift, this trail descends to an intersection
with the East River Trail. Enjoy a gentle ride along a dirt road with
views of the Elk Mountain Range. This is an out-and-back trail. It can
be accessed from the base area by climbing Houston to the intersection
with East River. 2 miles.
Painter Boy - Accessed
from Houston and East River, the lower section of Painter Boy is a
great alternative to Houston for intermediate and advanced riders. The
upper section of Painter Boy is a meandering single track through
beautiful stands of aspen. 1 mile.
Prospector -- New for 2007! --
2+ miles of nectar single-track meandering through aspens and
wildflowers. This intermediate trail takes you to Gothic Road and
finishes at the Snodgrass trail-head. Ride the trail as an out &
back or take Gothic Road back to the base area. 2+ miles.
Rollercoaster
- From the top of the Red Lady Express lift, follow Aspen Park for a
short distance, then descend an advanced road until linking with
Houston. 0.7 miles.
Upper Sink Trail - This intermediate single track connects Houston with the Sink Trail. 0.25 miles.
Waterfall
- This trail lives up to its name! Accessed from Aspen Park, this
expert single track is an exhilarating short cut which connects back to
Aspen Park. 0.5 miles.
Wood's Trail - New for 2007! - A
freeride downhill trail with man-made features throughout the trail. The
trail is closed to hikers and horses. Ride at your own risk.
CAUTION: Hikers may be encountered on trails:
Hikers: please allow bicyclists and horses to pass
Bikers: please respect hikers and horses and make your presence known well in advance
CBMR Suggests- Be Prepared
Elevation
- There is about 50% more ultraviolet radiation at 10,000 feet than at
sea level. Always wear sunglasses, sunblock, and lip balm. Also, there
is a third of the oxygen here that there is at sea level. Please take
this into account when planning your activities.
Water - Keeping hydrated is the best way to deal with high altitude. Drink plenty of water when biking. Do not drink from streams!
Adequate Clothing
- The weather here changes quickly. There is usually at least a 10
degree temperature difference from the bottom to the top of the lifts.
A waterproof windbreaker is recommended, as well as a light jacket.
Environment
- Please leave wildflowers for other to enjoy. Stay on designated
hiking and biking trails and give the fragile ecosystem an opportunity
to thrive.
WARNING
Mountain biking is a challenging, outdoor sport. While efforts have
been made to provide for your bicycling pleasure, you are in a mountain
environment that requires alertness, common sense, and caution.
Changing weather conditions, variations or steepness of terrain,
natural and man-made obstacles, and other dangers or conditions that
may be encountered are inherent risks that are part of the challenges
of bicycling and hiking. You must ride within your own ability. You are
using the premises at your own risk. Mountain biking is potentially
dangerous. Helmets are required while biking within Crested Butte
Mountain's boundaries. If you become lost, you may be held responsible
for the cost of search and rescue. Anyone who is under the influence of
alcohol or drugs may be prohibited from the use of the premises.
IN CASE OF ACCIDENT
Report accidents at the base of the Silver queen lift or at any of our
designated on-mountain emergency telephones. Dial ext. 2317. Cell
phones dial 970-349-2317. After lift operation hours dial 911.
LIGHTNING AND THUNDERSTORMS
Summer storms are frequently accompanied by lightning. If you get
caught in an electrical storm, head for the top of either the Silver
Queen or Red Lady Express lifts or back down to the base area, which
ever is closer.
If you cannot make it to shelter, follow these rules:
* Stop riding and separate yourself from your bike.
* Stay away from water, including streams, small ponds and large mud
puddles. Avoid the highest ground or the highest object in an area.
* Avoid hilltops, open spaces, wire fences, power lines and chairlifts.
ON-MOUNTAIN TRAFFIC
Crested Butte Mountain sees a good deal of on-mountain maintenance and
improvements during the summer months. Vehicles and work crews may be
encountered at any time any where on the mountain
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