Crested Butte info needed please

[Tech Tonics]

I'm going to be camping near Crested Butte for 4 days the first week of August with a friend.

Most of the time I've spent in CB has been during the winter, I've passed through in the summer and camped on Kebler Pass.

This is my first trip there to mountain bike, so I've never ridden any of the classics. We'd like to ride Tues-Thurs with most likely a short ride on Fri.

A few questions:

-We'd like to camp just in the NF...no need for amenities. Is there a magical place to camp that would be riding distance from both trailheads and downtown bars and restaurants? Maybe up above the ski area (dirt road still called Gothic Rd?) I know this would put us out of an easy ride from town, but would be do-able for riding to and from camp? Is it a zoo up there in the summer with RV's and Texans?

-Anyone want to show some Santa Fe'ans some trails please feel welcome to. We're not ride-at-max-heart-rate-lycra-clad-leg-shavers but we are fans of 20-30 mile rides and enjoy technical trails.

-Can you recommend other than 401? I've heard 401 isn't really the best ride anyway (Deadman's? the 420?)

-What about a good map? I saw a map by a company called "Latitude 40" that looked cool...like a blown up Aspen-CB map. Does it provide enough detail? I'd like to not have to buy 6 different USGS quads if I can avoid it.

Thanks.

[squirrelmurphy]

Check out 14erskiers.com, Goldenboy put up a sweet guide to trails around CB. Pick up the latitude 40 map (get the one that doesn't show north of aspen, it has a much more usable scale), or borrow one when you're around, and you'll be good to go.

I would probably camp up Slate River, just out of town, but there is also great camping up Cement Creek near the Deadman's trailhead (ps you should ride reno-flag-bear-deadman's) which would also give you access to 409.5, strand ferris and 402, and other cool stuff like star pass and eccher gulch.

401 is cool and a great ride and absolutely worth doing, just don't do it on a weekend. I think there were some 40 cars at the TH today. Ugh.

Shoot a pm when you're around, maybe we can meet up for a ride.

[Tech Tonics]

yo, thanks squirrel

I'll grab a lat 40 map. I'd rather own one than borrow as I like adding good maps to my collection.

we won't be riding at all there during the weekend. We'll be at the Phish shows in Red Rocks, then riding Monarch on Mon or Tues, then into Crested Butte. Probably going to ride 401 one day and the reno-flag-bear-deadman (420?) the other, then a shorter ride on fri before rolling out of town.

Both Slate ck and cement ck are NF car camping? Safe enough to leave tents up while we're out riding?

I'll send you a PM when we're in town. I think we should have one laptop between us.

thanks again.

[smmokan]

Deer Creek and Doctors Park are great, and for your "shortish" ride on Friday, there's a great circuit you can do right from town with Upper, Lower, and either Snodgrass or Strand.

Really, you can't go wrong around there. Oh, and don't ride with Goldenboy if you're not up for the max-heart-rate thing. I made that mistake last summer.

[squirrelmurphy]

Just drove up Washington Gulch, and there are some of the more beautiful NF camping spots I've seen up there. That would give you perfect access to ride a 403-401-snodgrass loop one day. Doctors is definitely a good one. It's a bunch of vert, but not that long a ride. If you could set up a shuttle, riding Reno Ridge-Bear Creek-Doctors would be a pretty sick day. Deer creek has amazing views, but is definitely more cross country (uphill both ways) than a bunch of the other classic rides around here. Good short rides are Strand, Ferris Creek, and my favorite, Green Lake. I'll pm my #.

[Z]

Squirrel has you dialed, definitely go for washgulch or slate if you can find a spot (which midweek you probably can). Good compromise if your looking to get into town too. Good crew here to ride with, we're all after-work riding midweek but I'd be happy to ride some trail with you.

Defintely get the epics, but a day just connecting rides from town is quite worth it too. Can get alot of good descent for the work put in. Lunch and a beer is always a good break too.

[Tech Tonics]

you guys rule! thanks for all the beta.

I will be sending pms/making phone calls while we're there, also buying post-ride beers

if you're ever down in NM let me know and I'd be happy to return the favor.

[rometheworld]

Reno>Flag>Deadman's

But get a map, or at least better directions than I had. I was lost for about 6 hours.

[goldenboy]

Plenty of good advice here. Normally I'd say you were spot-on with your rides, but here's what CBMBA is currently saying about Reno/flag/bear:


"The cattle are making this loop a negative experience. That is why we are posting it not recommended. Even motorcyclists are appalled at the damage. 500 head of cattle were brought into this area the week of June 21st. If you ride here expect lots of pock marks, trail degredation and keep your mouth closed on the downhills (green mud)- kna i'msayin.

You can write comments to the USFS in Gunnison, 219 N. Colorado, Gunnison Co 81230 make sure to say attn. Mark Hatcher if you are disappointed by the decision to allow sooo many cattle to be in this area.

Better to ride up the Deadman's Switchbacks ( no Motos this direction ) and do Cement Mountain and Rosebud as a loop. Or ride Reno Ridge to Deadmans."



Currently, I'd find something else. I'd go with 409 and a half. Green lake, especially since you can do it mid-week would be another good call.

If you camp on wash gulch or slate, you might as well do 401 from there and skip gothic road on the way up. Bring a little cash and get an ice cream in Gothic..

Find a good spot on Slate and you could weave your way home after beers in town. Lots of good camping, for sure, and I wouldn't be too concerned about leaving a tent, either. Hope that helps and I'm sure any of us would ride with you if we're not working.

[Z]

Deer Creek

Description: One of my least favorite rides anywhere, cross country types might actually like this ride, since it completely lacks a worthwhile downhill. The views are nice at least. I think I haven’t ridden Deer Creek in 7 years, a streak I hope to continue. Equally sucky the opposite direction.

this shit is funny.

franks area code = (h8 h8 h8)

[backcountry1pr]

this shit is funny.

franks area code = (h8 h8 h8)

hahaha. So true. "God Damn Bugs"

[Crinkle]

I just got back last night from CB. We rode Reno/flag/bear/deadmans, IT WAS FUCKING AMAZING. There was no serious damage. There were a few corners that were trashed from being wet and moto traffic, besides that, it was TITS. I want to call it best ride ever. It did suck when we came accross some douchenozzels that were riding up deadmans on motos, but besides that our crew of 6 loved it.

make sure you get the CB/taylor park Lat 40 map, the aspen/cb one isn't nearly as good, as it does not clearly mark what is singletrack/moto/4x4.

[goldenboy]

this shit is funny.

franks area code = (h8 h8 h8)

Funny cuz it's true (about Deer creek, that is). At least I'm usually smiling when I'm hating, so I'm just joking around. Plus writing that guide would be a lot less fun if I wasn't writing stuff like that.


Crinkle, it's good to hear that the cows have moved on and Reno is riding nice again. It was pretty bad earlier. I guess CBMBA needs to update their conditions page..

[Tech Tonics]

okay, sweet! thanks crinkle! so I think we'll be Weds 401 (and other loops off it if we have time and no monsoons) Thurs Reno-Flag-bear-deadmans and Fri Green Lake. Hoping I can find the CB/Taylor Lat 40 map here in Santa Fe...if not I'll have to find it when I get to CO.

thanks again to everyon's advice. Once I get a map I may have some specific where-to-camp questions.

ps. my friend is a pansy. is there anywhere that a couple of dirtbags can shower once while we're there? 6 pack or meat to cook over a fire for trade.

[bagtagley]

Damn gb, that's a kickass guide.

I wanna go ride Whitepine!

[Crinkle]

we camped on Cement Creek, which was killer for us, big spot for the dogs, right next to the creek and on the road of deadmans ride (quite a few miles out side of town, but Gothic was packed and i don't like official campgrounds. As for showers, buy one of those "shower bags" fill it in the creek and leave it in the sun during the day, then you have a warm shower when you get back to camp or swim in the creeks (which is what i did)

[cptpowder]

Your such a fag. You just wanna watch me shower. ew.

Honestly though Im good with a dip in a river.

[squirrelmurphy]

Just found this, another great guide. Less description, but google maps (terrain available) and mileage/vert measurements for all the local rides. Instant bookmark, can't believe how much quality info is in there. Other locales as well. Wow.

[Tech Tonics]

i finally got a map and have a question for you guys...

so if we camped in Washington Gulch we could ride up Wash Gulch road in the AM, then take 403 east from there (N. of Gothic Mtn, TH near an old mine?) over to the Gothic CG area, then up Gothic Rd before we hop on 401? then down 401 to the Snodgrass tr (590) which takes us back over to Washington Gulch wherre then we wind back up to camp? Is that right?

or we take the Wash Gulch Rd (to 811/734?) past Paradise Basin to end up at Schofield Pass?

thanks for all the help. this map is like porn. can't. freakin'. wait.

[goldenboy]

i finally got a map and have a question for you guys...

so if we camped in Washington Gulch we could ride up Wash Gulch road in the AM, then take 403 east from there (N. of Gothic Mtn, TH near an old mine?) over to the Gothic CG area, then up Gothic Rd before we hop on 401? then down 401 to the Snodgrass tr (590) which takes us back over to Washington Gulch wherre then we wind back up to camp? Is that right?

or we take the Wash Gulch Rd (to 811/734?) past Paradise Basin to end up at Schofield Pass?

thanks for all the help. this map is like porn. can't. freakin'. wait.

Yeah, it's the same as the snodgrass-403-401 loop I describe on my blog page, just with a different trailhead/order.

mtnbikerskierchick helped me get some 401 helmetcam footage from a couple of weeks ago up here, if you need to get a little more psyched: (I couldn't figure out how to imbed it here, so here's the link where it is embedded:
http://www.14erskiers.com/blog/2009/07/401-helmet-cam/

[Crinkle]

nice work frank, the trailside grass was WAY higher when i was there 2 weeks ago, that or the perspective is different cause the camera is higher up.

[JeffreyJim]

I'll be there then too. Grey Frontier w/topper. Giant Reign X w/Lyric and a Giant Trance

Say hi if you see me...

[Tech Tonics]

nice...will you be camping? we'll be in two cars...a blue tundra with a white tool box/yeti 575 and a green suby with a motolite. most likely camping up Washington Gulch.

[JeffreyJim]

Yeah, camping outside of Gotic probably...never know though...

[squirrelmurphy]

Sounds like you guys are dialed. Hit me up when you're around, maybe we can meet up for a ride. If anyone was on the fence about riding it, I just did a green lake lap, and it is still the most fucking fun trail going.