MTB TR: Star Pass, 8-5-2007
MTB TR: Star Pass to Block and Tackle, 8-5-2007
goldenboy, mtnbikerskierchick
Well, this probably should be in the Sproket Rockets forum but I figure the Ski/Snowboard forum could use a bit more stoke so I posted it here instead.
Star Peak is a distinguishing mountain that can be seen from the valley between CB south and Crested Butte.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...G_3089star.jpg
It rises above the valley to 13,521 feet high. It's impressive SW face offers incredible couloirs which tantalize skiers like me in the winter. To it's south west, lies Crested Butte. But if you cross over Star to the North you'll end up in the Cooper Creek Basin (near the Lindley Hut) which will lead to you Ashcroft near Aspen.
The ride we chose to do is as follows:
Began at the Deadman's TH on Cement Creek road.
Followed this road for a ways (also called FS 740) until we turned onto TR 583 (also called Crystal Mtn Trail).
We followed this trail to a pass that went beside Crystal Mountain, and then continued to follow it to TR 400.
TR 400 lead us to Star Pass, near Star Peak. We followed TR400 down for miles into the East Brush Creek drainage (it would eventually lead to Brush Creek Rd). But we turned off of it on TR 545 (also called Block and Tackle) which took us up and over a ridge and back into the Cement Creek drainage. We followed the FS road back to Deadman's TH.
Heading up Cement Creek Rd.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w..._2976FS470.jpg
The flowers were amazing as we headed up the road.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...977flowers.jpg
Views from the road.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...wsfromroad.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...minguproad.jpg
Going up Crystal Mtn Trail, TR 583.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...2984TR538b.jpg
This trail was particularly difficult to ride and I ended up hiking most of the way up it. The trail is relatively steep, but you could ride it if the trail weren't so deeply and narrowly cut due to the motor bikes that peruse and erode the trail. The steep sides of the trail made it difficult to ride because my pedals kept hitting, or if my front wheel drifted an inch or so to the side of the middle my whole balance was thrown off. Goldenboy took a pic of how rutted the trail was here:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...90deepruts.jpg
More pics of Crystal Mtn Trail.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...wnthetrail.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...ardthepass.jpg
Me coming up to the top of the first pass.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...ptothepass.jpg
Goldenboy's bike on top of the first pass. Crystal Mtn is to the exact left of this pic (not in the pic). Looking across, you can see Star Peak to the left of the spires.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...91starpeak.jpg
Closer look at the impressive Star Peak, seen from the south-east.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...94starpeak.jpg
Looking down the direction we came up to the first pass.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...wndrainage.jpg
Heading from the first pass to the second pass (Star Pass).
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...tostarpass.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...tostarpass.jpg
The last part of the trail to Star Pass was a hike-a-bike.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...ofstarpass.jpg
A SW or West view from Star Pass.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...1lookingSW.jpg
Heading down from Star Pass (TR 400).
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w..._3015TR400.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...IMG_3017gb.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...IMG_3018gb.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...IMG_3021gb.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...IMG_3025gb.jpg
We were on TR 400 for miles! This pic shows me, still on TR 400, with the SW side of Star in the distance. Not long before we were just beside this mountain!
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...bscandstar.jpg
As soon as we got onto TR 545 (Block and Tackle) things got pretty burly. Goldenboy plotted his route.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...ottingline.jpg
And then he went for it!
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...034TR545BT.jpg
The trail took us up and up
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...IMG_3037gb.jpg
And then down down down :)
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...aidedtrail.jpg
The above pic shows the common braided trails, caused again primarily by motor bikes in the area.
Goldenboy going down Block and Tackle, with the Cement Creek drainage at the bottom.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...3043downBT.jpg
The ride took us 5 or so hours with stops. Several parts of the single track going up were often hike-a-bikes. So, if you do this, be ready for some hike-a-bike! The views and the downhills make this journey worth it though!
