Advanced & Expert Hikes

EXPERT HIKES

Expert hikes are suitable for people who are very physically fit, and who incorporate running, cycling, or other strenuous exercise into their schedule on a regular basis. You should be comfortable traveling at a pace of3 miles/hour… uphill! Plan on traveling 5-8 miles (or more) on steep, often rocky terrain, and expect some off-trail hiking across talus slopes. Footing can be tricky and many ofthese hikes contain creek/river crossings and include traveling across areas that are narrow and exposed to cliffs/drop-offs. Elevation gain/loss can exceed 1500 vertical feet (very steep!). These hikes are not suitable for anyone with medical issues that prevent them from exerting themselves or who have a history ofaltitude sickness when traveling to mountain areas. Sturdy hiking BOOTS, complete rain gear (jacket & pants), sunscreen, bug spray, hat, 2 liters ofwater, and substantial snacks and lunch required. Hiking poles recommended. Read event descriptions carefully to learn ifsandals/river shoes are required. If you have traveled to Crested Butte from sea level, it is recommended that you spend at least 24 hours in Crested Butte prior to your event departure time to acclimate to the altitude change.

Deer Creek to Gothic Level: Expert Length: 9+ miles with steep, rocky, and exposed terrain With its expansive mountain views, lush wildflowers, and numerous aspen groves, Deer Creek Trail is a perfect choice for our all-day wildflower adventure. We’ll traverse the East River Valley from south to north, ending in Gothic townsite. We’ll stop by Rocky Mountain Biological Lab’s Visitor Center for souvenirs and ice cream (bring $$) before heading back to Crested Butte. Transportation to/from trailhead included. #H12 / Saturday, 7/11 / 7:30am-4pm / Cassidy Cichowicz / $125

Famous Crystal Mill Level: Advanced –Expert Length: 8 miles with sections ofsteep, rocky terrain Hike to the most photographed place in Colorado, the historic Crystal Mill, constructed in 1893. We will take you down a secret trail past the infamous “Devil’s Punchbowl”, where rushing water and a plethora of alpine wildflowers line the road. Bring some $$ to spend in the tiny town of Crystal. Transportation to/from trailhead included. #H63 / Friday, 7/17 / 7am-4pm / Nancy Vogel & Camille Polster / $150

Guide’s Choice – Full Day Level: Expert Length: 7 miles with very steep, rocky, and exposed terrain. Must be comfortable hiking offtrail! Hi-clearance/4-Wheel Drive vehicle required. Join us for an adventure to one of Crested Butte’s most scenic locations. We’ll take you to a place where the flowers are the best. Expect to hike most of the day off-trail! Ages 16+. #H06 / Friday, 7/10 / 6:30am-4pm / Colorado Backcountry / $110 #H51 / Thursday, 7/16 / 6:30am-4pm / Colorado Backcountry / $110

Guide’s Choice – Half Day Level: Advanced-Expert Length: 4 - 5 miles with very steep, rocky, and exposed terrain. Must be comfortable hiking offtrail! Hi-clearance/4-Wheel Drive vehicle required. Join us for an adventure to one of Crested Butte’s most scenic locations. We’ll take you to a place where the flowers are the best. Expect to hike most of the day off-trail. Ages 16+. #H13 / Saturday, 7/11 / 7am-12pm / Colorado Backcountry / $90

Hike to Aspen Level: Extreme Length: 11 miles with very steep, rocky, uneven terrain and exposed areas Creek crossings required -- bring sandals/river shoes! Join us on a trip over Colorado’s most scenic mountain pass! From the Crested Butte side of the Elk Range, we’ll ascend West Maroon Pass, cross the Elk Mountain Divide, then descend beneath the dramatic flanks of Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak. This hike is easily Colorado’s most spectacular wildflower adventure – the combination of lush vegetation, alpine tundra, and colorful geology are unrivaled. We’ll enjoy dinner in Aspen (meal not included) and return to Crested Butte via shuttle. Ages 16+. #H65 / Saturday, 7/18 / 6am-10pm / Colorado Backcountry / $325 #H80 / Saturday, 7/25 / 6am-10pm / Colorado Backcountry / $325

Poverty Gulch, Daisy Pass, & Oh-be-joyful Valley Level: Expert –Extreme Length: 8+ miles with very steep, rocky, uneven terrain and exposed areas. Creek crossings required -- bring sandals/river shoes! This adventure has it all! Waterfalls around every corner. Wildflowers of every variety blanketing steep hillsides. Dramatic mountain views extending for miles from the Maroon Bells to Scarp Ridge. We’ll start at Poverty Gulch, head up Daisy Pass, and descend into the Oh-be-joyful Valley. It’s a hiking experience you won’t forget. Transportation to/from trailhead included. #H27 / Sunday, 7/12 / 7:30am-4pm / Molly Murfee / $125

Red Lady Summit Level: Expert Length: 10+ miles with very steep, rocky, uneven and exposed terrain This route from the Scarp Ridge trailhead offers spectacular 360-degree views and an unparalleled hiking experience. We’ll walk through wildflower covered hillsides and past dramatic ridge exposure on our trek to the prayer flags at the summit of Red Lady (Mt. Emmons), one of the most recognizable peaks in the Crested Butte area. #H38 / Monday, 7/13 / 7am-4pm / Tom Zeiner & Jeff Delaney / $95

Rustler Gulch Level: Advanced-Expert Length: 5-6 miles with steep, rocky terrain, mud, and creek crossings. Creek crossings required -- bring sandals/river shoes! One of our favorite hikes through meadows and pine forest to a beautiful alpine basin. A plethora of waist-high flowers and elusive beauties abound, including monkey flower, parry’s primrose, & bog orchid. A variety of rushing water distinguishes this trail and establishes a habitat rich with riparian flora. #H44 / Tuesday, 7/14 / 7:30am-3:30pm Nancy Vogel & Camille Polster / $85 #H74 / Sunday, 7/19 / 7:30am-3:30pm / Katie Lyons / $85

Scarp Ridge Level: Advanced-Expert Length: 4 miles with steep, rocky, and uneven terrain Join us for this incredible hike above Lake Irwin. You’ll traverse across wildflower-covered hillsides and climb above treeline to reach one of the most spectacular ridges in the Elk Mountains. The views include six 14,000 ft. peaks and one of the most abundant and diverse displays of wildflowers in the Gunnison Valley, often including masses of alpine sunflowers. #H11 / Saturday, 7/11 / 7:30am-2pm / Hedda Peterson / $85 #H56 / Friday, 7/17 / 7:30am-2pm / Leanne Benton / $85

Trail 403 to Gothic Level: Advanced-Expert Length: 5 miles with some steep, rocky, and uneven terrain The Trail 403 has one of the best displays of wildflowers in area along with spectacular views. Hike this trail one-way through wildflower-filled meadows to the high point, then head down through spruce and fir forests to the campground north of Gothic. Shuttle to/from trailhead included. #H23 / Sunday, 7/12 / 8am-2pm / Hedda Peterson / $115

Waterfalls and Wildflowers of North Pole Basin Level: Advanced-Expert Length: 6 miles with steep, rocky, and uneven terrain Hi-clearance/4-Wheel Drive vehicle required. Explore pristine spruce-fir forests, alpine meadows, and cascading waterfalls of North Pole Basin. In July 2013, this area was made accessible to the public through joint efforts of Crested Butte Land Trust and Rocky Mountain Biological Lab. Join seasoned naturalists on an all-day adventure to this hidden valley. Ages 12+. #H81 / Sunday, 8/9 / 7:30am-4pm / Rick Reavis/Vinnie Rossignol / $85

Wetlands and Wildflowers of Ohio Peak Level: Advanced-Expert Length: 5-6 miles with steep, rocky, and uneven terrain. Requires some scrambling! Enjoy stunning scenery and spectacular vistas on this hike. It begins in a high mountain meadow filled with wildflowers and continues on an unimproved trail to a little-known waterfall. We’ll observe beautiful mountain wildflowers and riparian areas along with gorgeous views of the Ohio Creek Valley. Opportunity to climb Ohio Peak if time permits. #H53 / Thursday, 7/16 / 8am-3pm / Lynn Cudlip / $90

Wildflowers of West Maroon Pass Level: Expert Length: 6-8 miles with very steep, rocky, uneven, and exposed terrain Hi-clearance/4-Wheel Drive vehicle required. Join Colorado Backcountry on an exciting adventure in the stunning valley beneath West Maroon Pass. We’ll explore this amazing valley using a collection of trails and then head up to the summit of West Maroon Pass. You can expect amazing wildflowers, challenging hiking, extraordinary views, and an unforgettable experience. Ages 16+. #H32 / Monday, 7/13 / 6:30am-4pm / Colorado Backcountry / $110 #H58 / Friday, 7/17 / 6:30am-4pm / Colorado Backcountry / $110

(top) 2019 Photo Contest Fifth Place (bottom) 2019 Photo Contest Fourth Place

Photo: Elk Raven Photography Photo: Tom Kingsford