Kris, Moose & I road tripped out to Colorado in July to enjoy some mountain time and cooler weather to escape the heat wave covering most of the rest of the country.
We arrived in Denver and spent a few days there visiting family and friends then checked off a bucket list item by seeing the Avett Brothers at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Then we went on to Crested Butte for 9 days, then on to Telluride for 7 days with the goal of just immersing ourselves at these two great mountain towns before finally making our way back east. Commentary, photos and a video below...
See my Telluride blog post here.
Visiting with our friends Kirk & Re in Nashville on our way west
Middle America
Dust storm in eastern Colorado
When we pulled into Denver, it was 102 degrees!
Visiting our niece Grace & her boyfriend Gabe in Colorado Springs
Visiting our friends Neil & Connie in Lyons
Enjoying some time & a drink with our friends at award winning Spirit Hound Distillers
Checking out Red Rocks Amphitheatre during the day before that night's show with the Avett Brothers
A fun hike on the Red Rocks Amphitheatre property with our friends Dan, Jen & Corbin
pre-show tailgate!
Dan & I
Kris & I
Jen & Kris
What a beautiful evening and great show by the Avett Brothers
Then it was on to Crested Butte, where the paved roads casually turn to dirt in every direction and without warning. Where every house in town has multiple bikes lined up out front and not a single one is locked. Where you can park for free around town (no meters or pay by app here). Home to Secret Stash (if you know, you know). Locals bike and walk everywhere. Where there are insanely beautiful and gigantic summer wildflowers and endless trails with something for everyone. It might top out at 80 degrees one day if there’s a heat wave. Biking (& other worthy outdoor pursuits) paradise.
MTB trails ridden: 401, Snodgrass/Lupine/Lower, Doctor Park (guessing they call it that because if you fall on this trail, it’s a visit to the doctor?), Dyke, Teocalli Ridge, CB Rec/Upper/New Deli/Tony's, and Strand Hill.
MTB trails ridden: 401, Snodgrass/Lupine/Lower, Doctor Park (guessing they call it that because if you fall on this trail, it’s a visit to the doctor?), Dyke, Teocalli Ridge, CB Rec/Upper/New Deli/Tony's, and Strand Hill.
My CB MTB stats:
401 (twice) - 13.5 miles, 2021 ft elevation gain + 9 miles (did shorter loop option the 2nd time), 1650 ft ele gain
Doctor Park - 19.2 miles, 2477 ft elev gain
Dyke - 14 miles, 2265 ft elev gain
Teocalli Ridge Loop - 11.5 miles, 2149 ft elev gain
401 (twice) - 13.5 miles, 2021 ft elevation gain + 9 miles (did shorter loop option the 2nd time), 1650 ft ele gain
Doctor Park - 19.2 miles, 2477 ft elev gain
Dyke - 14 miles, 2265 ft elev gain
Teocalli Ridge Loop - 11.5 miles, 2149 ft elev gain
Snodgrass/Lupine/Lower (did point to point shuttle) - 17.5 miles, 1400 ft elev gain
CB Rec Path (towing our dog Moose) - 6.2 miles, 300 ft elev gain
Upper/ New Deli Loop (+ CB Rec Path & Tony's Trail) - 15 miles, 1200 ft elev gain
Strand Hill - 8.1 miles, 1015 ft elev gain
9 rides - 114 total miles & 14,477 ft total ascent
Let’s just say I think I died and went to mountain biking heaven.
In CB day to day, we were between 8,900 - 11,000+ ft elevation. Acclimating in the Denver area a few days beforehand certainly helped. Moose enjoyed the cool weather and seemed to acclimate to the altitude fairly well, as did we.
In CB day to day, we were between 8,900 - 11,000+ ft elevation. Acclimating in the Denver area a few days beforehand certainly helped. Moose enjoyed the cool weather and seemed to acclimate to the altitude fairly well, as did we.
We stayed at the Old Town Inn and really liked it. They have some pet friendly rooms and had great service. We enjoyed their hot tub as well as the separate outdoor patio where we would sit outside and enjoy the nice weather over food or a drink or a book. It was a great location where we could easily walk to get groceries, shopping and restaurants....plus close access to nearby trailheads for hiking or biking.
For what it's worth, Crested Butte has been wrestling with similar housing, livability and growth challenges as Charleston and other attractive places to live. The local Crested Butte News editor wrote a great piece about their specific challenges and his perspective on it. I was so taken by it that I recommend it to anyone who is worried about their own local town’s similar challenges. For a great read, here it is:
For what it's worth, Crested Butte has been wrestling with similar housing, livability and growth challenges as Charleston and other attractive places to live. The local Crested Butte News editor wrote a great piece about their specific challenges and his perspective on it. I was so taken by it that I recommend it to anyone who is worried about their own local town’s similar challenges. For a great read, here it is:
Enjoy this scenic video with only the natural sounds of the outdoors (no music)
Gearing up for 401 Trail
Emerald Lake - view on the climb up to the 401 Trail
at 11,102 ft elevation at the top just before the fun downhill begins
Wildflowers galore
401 Trail - mountain biking bliss - this trail is considered one of the most famous and scenic alpine trails in the country, for good reason.
Back to Emerald Lake post-ride to hang out
our boy, Moose
One of the many fun weird interior decorations inside Secret Stash (amazing pizza). I also highly recommend Teocalli's Tamales next door for their fresh tamale dishes.
Elk Avenue with Mount Crested Butte in the late day light background
Hiking on the Lower Trail along the Slate River
There was a little bit of smoky wildfire haze from the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park's south rim fire. After a few days, the skies turned blue again even though the fire wasn't contained.
Mount Crested Butte
Snodgrass Trail through aspen forest
Looking down on the town of Crested Butte from the Lupine Trail
Elk Avenue
the climb up Doctor Park (mile 11 of the arduous 14 mile climb)
cows at close to 11,000 ft elevation
technical rocky downhill section at the end of Doctor Park Trail
Lake Irwin
Lily Lake - a nice short hike outside of Crested Butte, with its own canoe for public use at the lake
A house on the east end of town facing Mount Crested Butte
All the homes had bikes out front and not a single one is locked - so good to see
Mount Crested Butte
Crested Butte Arts Center
east end neighborhood houses
Elk Avenue
Lake Irwin
Not a bad camping spot
Dyke Trail
Ran into a couple of hikers with llamas on their way to a campsite
Starting up to Teocalli Ridge
view at the top of Teocalli Ridge Trail
My 4Runner is way down there somewhere
Looking back up to where I just biked down from
Pulling Moose on the Crested Butte Recreational Path
Upper Trail views of the town of Crested Butte
New Deli Trail
Elk Avenue
Slate River with Moose
Biking up to ride 401 again
my trusty steed is 5 years old - Yeti Cycles SB130 TLR
4Runner & bike are both a bit dirty
Looking back up at the 401 Trail up on that mountain that I just came down from
Snodgrass Trail hike
Love the aspens
Strand Hill Trail
A snapshot of the wildfires in North America at the time we were in Crested Butte. We were fortunate to not have any real impact from area wildfires during our visit.
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