Headed up to Crested Butte next weekend with a group and I'm looking for good ideas for freshening up the trip. Ussually we do 1 day on 401, 1 big day on Reno-Flag-Bear-Deadman's (RFBD), and a quick spin on Strand Hill twice on the day we drive back. I'm looking for suggestions for the best trails to hit that we've been missing.
We are going to keep RFBD as a day and are probably going to do 401 as our drive back day, but we need an all-day ride for Saturday. the group is highly technical and we are looking for something in the 20-25 mile range. To give you a gauge, we consider Monarch-Rainbow to be an 8, but Monarch-Greens Creek to be a 9.5. We love the Whole Enchilada, Sourdough-Little Raven-SSV, and Curt Gowdy.
I'd like a ride like the Upper-Upper, but much longer. I'd like to shy away from a huge climbing day since we'll be burnt out from RFBD.
On the table now are Double Top and Deer Creek from north to south, but I'm clueless on both.
I would add the rosebud gulch option for the RFBD day. I did it for the first time this summer and it was well worth it!
One option would be to ride from town and do Tony's > upper > upper upper > deer creek > back to town. OR..... If you need more, you could throw in canal > strand bonus > strand after upper and before deer creek. OR... Snodgrass over to Washington Gulch after deer creek on your way back to town. Any of those combos would be about a 25-30 mile day.
On Upper Loop, it is blocked and signed that the trail is private property and it directs you through the housing division (on pavement) to get to Brush Creek Road. You can, however, still take Upper/Upper to reach the road.
On Upper Loop, it is blocked and signed that the trail is private property and it directs you through the housing division (on pavement) to get to Brush Creek Road. You can, however, still take Upper/Upper to reach the road.
Check out the Gunni Spur of the CT (not just docs park, but including it at the end)
Start on trail 424 (GSCT) along road 748 (up Spring Creek road, past the reservoir)
Follow the GSCT and finish with Docs.
There is also a section of the GSCT just north of Texas Creek, and east of Taylor Park near Cottonwood Pass. I havent done this section, but it looks intriguing on the map.
How is Deer Creek this time of the year? I've always wanted to ride it - but read its a better early summer ride - apparently the cows slop it up later in the summer.
How about lower, upper upper, canal, strand/strand bonus and finish off with Teocali? Probably take up at least half a day and keep you close to town. Another one would be to ride from Cement Crk over on 409.5 to brush creek, ride Deer Creek to Gothic, then go knock out 401 and ride back to town, sounds deadly, I have never done it.
One I can attest to is Reno, Flag, Bear, Rosebud, then Doctors park over into the cottonwood area. You will need a shuttle or be willing to ride miles of pavement, but it's a biggie, and I think the descent off of doctors is the best in the area.
Check out the Gunni Spur of the CT (not just docs park, but including it at the end)
Start on trail 424 (GSCT) along road 748 (up Spring Creek road, past the reservoir)
Follow the GSCT and finish with Docs.
We did this ride a few years back and 424 was COMPLETELY raped by motorized vehicles. I even wrote to the Gunnison Ranger District to express my disappointment at the destruction allowed to happen on this section of trail. It *could* be a stellar route to hook up with Dr. Park... but as it was when we rode it, it was a f**king mess.
An idea if your still around to read this is to just park at Doctors then climb the road or drive another car to Deadmans....then do Deadmans/Reno/Flag/Bear to a left on Deadmans to car/road ...eat...hang...then finish off with Doctors..Full figure 8 is 44 miles..about 7500 ft or so in climbing....if you leave a car at bottom of Doctors and one at Deadmans...about 36 miles...this is my plan very soon.
An idea if your still around to read this is to just park at Doctors then climb the road or drive another car to Deadmans....then do Deadmans/Reno/Flag/Bear to a left on Deadmans to car/road ...eat...hang...then finish off with Doctors..Full figure 8 is 44 miles..about 7500 ft or so in climbing....if you leave a car at bottom of Doctors and one at Deadmans...about 36 miles...this is my plan very soon.
Climbing the dirt road is epic with dust from cars/trucks/trailers.
I'd strongly advise driving Spring Creek road, at least to the reservoir, if possible.
Climbing the dirt road is epic with dust from cars/trucks/trailers.
I'd strongly advise driving Spring Creek road, at least to the reservoir, if possible.
No doubt Holmes...will be leaving a car at the Bottom of Doctors and one at Deadmans. As early as I like to start, I would think it would not matter but I'm saving a buddy on the singlespeed who is visiting from sea level, the legs needed for the final climb up to Doctors on 550 after doing the Deadman/Reno/Flag/Bear loop. :thumbsup:
also treating him to Greens Creek off of the Crest the day before, more CB for 2 days after and maybe some Breckenridge to finish him off.
after much hemming and hawing I talked him into a 32x22 since I couldn't convince him on gears. He may hate me on the descents but will love me on the climbs, specially after 5 days and many vertical feet of climbing.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
15.4M posts
515.2K members
Since 1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!