We'll send you our best vacation deals, too. A short and scenic drive north out of Crested Butte will get you to the trailhead. If you feel like you’re working hard, it’s because you are. Map. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.

A short and scenic drive north out of Crested Butte will get you to the trailhead. Subscribe to the official Gunnison Crested Butte newsletter for blog updates. Not only are you climbing, but you top out at 11,330 feet. As you near the end of your ride, pay attention to the trail signs and be respectful of private property. Whether you’ve had the 401 Trail on your bucket list or are just learning about it, here’s what you need to know about Crested Butte’s iconic high country ride. Lots of intermediate mountain bikers can be found spinning their way up to behold shoulder high flowers, fast single track, and heavenly views of Mount Crested Butte. This ride definitely gets you up there. Park at the Judd Falls trailhead just past the ghost town of Gothic and hit the road once more, but this time on your bike. 401-trail ← Previous Next → Stay Connected! As you make your way to the end, you’ll pass through pine forest, a creek crossing and aspen groves. Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail. Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer.

Riding among giants.

Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden. If you opted for a shorter ride and parked at this trailhead, then you will take the road down and across a creek back to your car. Your bike might need a good wash after this ride. Crested Butte Trails Map - 2nd Edition. So do we! From the highest point of the ride, the Maroon Bells are visible. The 401 Trail is Crested Butte, Colorado’s, most popular mountain biking trail.

Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support. The trail is smooth, steep singletrack that switchbacks as you climb about 600 feet in the next 1.3 miles. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself sharing the trail with a cow or two.

Mountain Bike Map: Cortez, Delores, Mancos & Rico. The trail is one of the best in Colorado, providing miles and miles of fast downhill singletrack and endless beautiful views. Trail Riders 401 trail is Crested Butte’s most famous trail for good reason. It provides the ultimate test of bike handling while running an exposed narrow ridge line along the Maroon Bells Wilderness boundary.
The sticker-covered Schofield Pass sign indicates you’ve made it to the top of the pass. It has a little bit of everything from buff singletrack descent through wildflowers and aspen forests with exceptional alpine vistas.

You’ll pass through fields of wildflowers, aspen groves and also be challenged with narrow trails that hug the hillside. Crested Butte: Mountain biking for the soul, 2018 Bucket List: Southwest adventures that will make for one epic year, Four Corners Hidden Gems: Seeing is Believing. Heading out of the pines on the steep uphill climb. After the big traverse, you’ll drop into aspen groves and wind your way through smooth singletrack that’s broken up by rooted and rocky sections that’ll keep you on your toes.

Be careful here, as some spots are more exposed than others. From Rustler Gulch you will make one final push to around 10,184 feet, with the descent equal to the elevation gained in this last climb. Toward the end of the ride is a rocky drainage that you might need to walk your bike across.

Love our blog?

The 401 Trail is Crested Butte, Colorado’s, most popular mountain biking trail. The 401 is either ridden as a 13.6-mile loop or an 8.3-mile shuttle, with the option to drop out at Rustler Gulch to cut off the last 3 miles. Score Time + 0. pavementhum (Aug 13, 2017 at 16:04) Dry except for isolated puddles + 0. wunderlost480 (Jun 26, 2018 at 15:53) Is the second climb worth the final descent on this one? A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. Take your time, drink lots of water, and bring some sort of camera. Terrance Siemon. While many opt to ride the 401 in the summer for the fields of wildflowers, fall is just as excellent for the changing aspens. Yes, I'd like to sign up to receive the Official Gunnison-Crested Butte newsletter by email. Proceed with caution, and walk your bike if you need to.

Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. 401 serves up some pretty epic singletrack as well, with wildflowers that can brush your handlebars or even your helmet. After about 5 miles of downhill, you’ll come to the road crossing of Rustler Gulch. As you start your descent and head south, Mount Crested Butte becomes more prominent in the distance. North of Crested Butte and Gothic Townsite, the Trail 401 is one of the premier singletracks in the US. If you love mountain biking, the 401 Trail of Crested Butte should be in your bucket list. The intended direction a trail should be ridden. For the next 4.5 miles, you will gradually make your way to the summit of 10,707-foot Schofield Pass. We respect your privacy and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. Once at the top of Schofield Pass, you might want to take a quick breather before tackling the biggest climb of this ride. 7 Reviews & Comments.

403 and 401 Loop Trail is a 21.1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Crested Butte, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate.

Mount Crested Butte as seen from the 401 Trail.

Dirt road climb to top of pass, and single track becky clive to top of 401 and great descend into gothic valley. The downhill starts off steep, then begins to ease into a fast and narrow singletrack that runs across the hillside. Before you know it, you’re out of the trees and surrounded by 360-degree mountain views of the Elk Range. While many opt to ride the 401 in the summer for the fields of wildflowers, fall is just as excellent for the changing aspens. As you turn a corner on the long downhill, you’ll come across a rocky, exposed section. The steep section at the beginning of the downhill is extremely rutted, with several other sections throughout the trail having rutted spots as well. The trail is primarily used for nature trips, bird watching, and mountain biking and is best used from May until September. Advanced If there’s ever talk of Crested Butte mountain bike trails, 401 is likely to be on the list – and for good reason.The trail brings you up above tree line, showcasing the East River Valley’s gorgeous surrounding mountains and landscapes. Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Also, keep an eye out for cow patties on the trail.