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Welcome You’ve made it to paradise. We seek adventure here, in whatever form fits. For some it’s hiking one of the valley’s tallest peaks, for others it’s mountain biking from dawn till dusk. And for some it’s helping their kids catch their first trout on the Gunny. We invite you to be just that, a kid again. While you’re here, jump in a cold stream and scream. Skip rocks. Soar through the trees on your bike and yelp with delight. And don’t forget to marvel in the beauty of this place. You may have noticed the Summer Visitor’s Guide got a little facelift. We’ve modernized the format and layout to make it even easier to find what you’re looking for. We’ve packed it full of useful information to make your trip here unique and memorable. And we’re giving you beta from locals in our Pro Tips – their favorite rides, trail runs and more. Consider this a guide to summer fun. Writer Seth Mensing teaches us about the magic of fly fishing. News editor Mark Reaman shows you how to enjoy summer in the Butte. Learn how to SUP with writer Alissa Johnson. While you’re here in paradise, I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone. If that means unplugging for a weekend and sleeping under the stars or learning a new mountain sport – go for it. You won’t regret it.
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inside
PHOTOS: LYDIA STERN ,PAT ADDABBO, ALEX FENLON,& MELISSA FENLON
biking in the butte
Dean Dillon Gives back
life in miniature
be a kid
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real estate report
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alpenglow recipes
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www.crestedbuttenews.com • www.thepeakcb.com Publishers. Jill Clair & Melissa Fenlon Editor Melissa Fenlon
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Writers. Alissa Johnson Mark Reaman Seth Mensing
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Summerbliss | by mark reaman T
PHOTO: LYDIA STERN
here’s an old saying in Crested Butte: “You come for the winters but stay for the summers.”
For a lot of the people living here in the valley, the idea of skiing the Rocky Mountains attracted them to the valley. The funky small-town ski resort found a place in most ski bum hearts. But if those who came in the winter decided to come back for any part of the summer, there’s a good chance they put down roots. And with good reason. As the white of winter recedes with rising temperatures, the valleys open up. And so do the opportunities. The streams begin to flow and the wildflowers emerge from a winter’s sleep. The days get longer and the activities more plentiful. The trails that were hidden beneath powder turn into mountain biking and hiking adventures. The town parks that were quiet between November and May reawaken with the energy of children and families and visitors. Now, understand that you won’t be alone here in the summer—unless you want to be. While Elk Avenue or the Base Area in Mt. Crested Butte will teem with people between June and September, these towns are surrounded by literally millions of acres of public land. You can walk from Third and Elk to a United States Wilderness area in about an hour. You can climb any number of mountains or take a hike to Aspen. And if you veer off the trail just a little, you will find the solitude of the high country.
There are quiet lakes to be discovered. Peaks to be bagged. Rivers to be explored. Night skies to be awed by. You can get out there alone or find a group. Raft the Taylor or fly fish the Gunnison. Take a standup paddle board down the Slate River or onto Blue Mesa. Jeep the old mining roads or bike the web of trails that cover the valley. If you are reading this in town, I’ll lay good money that you have noticed people here like bikes. There are mountain bikes of all shapes and sizes. The 26-incher, the 29-incher, the 27-and-a-halfer. Every worker has a “Townie” to get around and every once in a while you might find yourself in a “Townie Takeover” that stops traffic on Elk and cruises through the bars and businesses of town. Those usually start at 4:20. Go figure. The mountain bike scene is old school. Crested Butte is considered one the founders of the mountain bike movement and there are more than 750 miles of single track to choose from in the area. From the classic 401 that is consistently chosen as one of the best mountain bike trails in the country to the high-desert singletrack of Hartman Rocks outside of Gunnison, there’s an abundance of trails to challenge the beginner and the expert. And if you want downhill, the trails in the Crested Butte Mountain Resort Evolution Bike Park are getting bigger, better and badder every summer. If it is people you want, stay in town. You’ll be elbow-to-elbow with thousands of people watching one of the most interesting Fourth of July parades in the country.
continued on page 22
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Adventure
Get out and ride Here’s a sampling of some all-time favorite mountain bike rides for each ability. This valley is teeming with world-class trails. Mountain biking is a way of life in Crested Butte. It should be, since CB is one of the founders of the sport. For more info on local trails, head to the Tourism Association’s new site, www.mtbhome.com. You can get the downlow on all the trails. And you can always pop into one of the area’s bike shops or outdoor retailers for maps and guidebooks. Their knowledgeable staffs will be able to get you spinning in the right direction. Or you can call a local guide company for personal excursions.
Expert trails Reno/Flag/Bear/Deadmans Ride from town for a good, flat eight-mile warmup or drive up Cement Creek Road (Crested Butte South) to the bottom of the Deadmans switchbacks. This long ride entails a 2,700 foot cumulative elevation gain and a true challenge starting with a dirt road climb and on to a diverse array of singletrack before a 30-switchback descent back to Cement Creek Road. Trail 401 Widely known as a Crested Butte classic. Length depends on whether the start is Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte or just past Gothic at the Judd Falls trailhead. 2800 foot cumulative elevation gain starting with a steady climb to the top of Schofield Pass and then on to singletrack. The trail, with two early exits, officially ends at the upper Judd Falls trailhead. Steep climbs and descents, consistent and long downhills.
Intermediate Rides Strand Hill 17 miles round trip from town out Brush Creek Road. 1,500 foot cumulative elevation gain. Once to the double track, it’s all up and then all down on spectacular singletrack. At the bottom, take a hard left onto the Canal trail for even more back down to Brush Creek Road. Some steep descents. Upper Loop These trails can be accessed from Mt. Crested Butte on Hunter Hill Road or by riding east of Crested Butte on Elk Avenue to Tonys’ Trail. While the Upper Loop has long stretches of beginner terrain, it also has its challenges which, depending on the experience level, may require some walking. The trail provides some of the best views of Crested Butte. A great afternoon excursion.
The Lower Loop Ten miles round trip starting north of town on Peanut Lake Road (accessed from Butte Avenue). One of Crested Butte’s most popular trails, recently reopened to the public. An excellent choice for the novice or for those of you looking for a more mellow yet very scenic ride. Great for wildflower viewing. Some rocks may require getting off the bike. Brush Creek Road See a little of everything and go as far as you feel like on this road that starts just two miles south of Crested Butte. Creek crossings, peaks all around, plenty of places to eat a picnic lunch. The road gets progressively steeper and rougher as it leads on up toward Pearl Pass and more remote singletrack around the Friends Hut and Star Pass.
The best after-work ride
Name: Aaron Huckstep (“Huck” to everyone around here) Occupation: Mayor, Lawyer, event organizer (through Elk Mtn. Events) Years in Crested Butte: 8 Favorite after work ride: Leave my house, head across the Town Ranch to Tony’s Trail, then left on the Upper Loop towards the mountain...and one more go at the rock step on the way up. At the pavement, I head down to Saddle Ridge and to the Lupine Trail, for both the Upper and Lower Lupine. At the Slate River Road, I head towards Paradise Divide, crossing over the Slate at the Gunsight Bridge and head to the Upper Lower Loop and on to the Budd Trail then back home. The Lower Loop is an “unofficial” town park, and seeing all my friends’ smiling faces (along with a bear once) while riding out there makes the perfect end to the ride. Then a beer anywhere outside makes a perfect end to the day!
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PHOTO: PAT ADDABBO (BIKER), COURTESY (HUCK)
protip
Beginner Rides
WEDDINGS, EVENTS, TENTING
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Ride. Survive. Repeat.
Anytime you’re in the backcountry, you want to be prepared. Mountain biking is no different. The good folks at Big Al’s Bike Shop suggest bringing the following essentials to make sure you can survive your summer ride. SPARE CHAIN LINK. Chains break. Bring a spare chain link just in case.
ZIP TIES. Like Mastercard, don’t leave home without them.
MULTI-TOOL. It’s a tool. That does multiple things. Hence, multi-tool.
SPARE DERAILLEUR HANGER. Gears are good. Losing gears is bad.
SPARE SHIFTER CABLE. What good is a derailleur without a cable?
BAND AIDS/NEOSPORIN. Rocks tend to leave a mark.
DUCT TAPE. Need we say more?
And don’t forget at least one spare tube (two preferably), tire irons, a patch kit, and a mini pump. 10 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
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2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 11
Bike Care 101 Whether you are visiting here or you live here, you ride hard in this valley and the trails take their toll on our bikes. There are several top-notch bike mechanics in the area that can take care of any major mishaps but there are some things you can do at home. Let’s face it, bikes are spendy and these small tips from a handful of local mechanics will help keep your bike rolling smoothly throughout the summer and hopefully for several seasons before you have to drop another chunk of change on a new ride. Whether you hammer 4-5 days a week or get out once or twice with the occasional epic ride thrown in the mix, a little bit of the right attention goes a long way and can help prevent mechanicals during your ride. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Name: Mark Cram, Alpineer Years working on bikes: 20 years as a bike mechanic Favorite ride in the valley: Doctor Park. The trail has so many flowing and fast turns which always puts a big smile on my face. Best way to clean mud off a bike (why you shouldn’t just hose it off with high pressure hose: I think the best way to clean mud off a bike is to lightly spray the bike (the mistier the spray the better) and then get some good sudsy water and give it a good scrub. Scrubbing is your friend. Using a high-pressure hose will remove much needed lube from your bike, drastically reducing its life span. Then just use a little misty spray of water to clean off the bike. How often should your chain be lubed? Your chain will run the best if you lightly lube after every ride. This lets the lube set up on the chain so it will last longer and attract less dirt.
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PHOTOS: PAT ADDABBO
Name: Kipp a.k.a. the Bulldog Years working on bikes: I have been a bicycle mechanic for eight years now and am the service manager at Big Al’s. Favorite ride in the valley: My favorite rides change every year, summer of 2013 it was RenoFlag-Bear-Deadmans but last summer it was definitely Teocalli Ridge. They just re-opened it and the trail builders did an excellent job rerouting the trail to not only make it longer but also have more variety. Plus, it is on an awesome mountain and the overlook at the top of the trail is stellar. When should you get new tires? When to get new tires can be a tricky one depending on how much you ride and what you ride. I like to replace mine every month and a half since I ride a lot but for the everyday rider every 2-3 months should be fine. Is it best to ride from town or start at a trailhead? The great thing about Crested Butte is you can choose to ride to a trailhead on singletrack and dirt roads or you can just drive to save some mileage. I like to ride and connect more singletrack to the given trailhead and ride back to town. It makes it more of an adventure and makes it that much more rewarding when you get back to town for a beer.
T
he area boasts the largest mountain biking trail system in the United States with more than 750 miles of mostly singletrack trails and a jam-packed calendar of biking events for 2015. For example, the Crested Butte Big Mountain Enduro is the only U.S. stop of the Enduro World Series and will be the country’s biggest mountain biking event in 2015. Since the 1970s, when locals started retrofitting old Schwinn paperboy bikes with multiple gears, Crested Butte has been known as the home of mountain biking. Crested Butte is one of only five communities in Colorado to have the prestigious gold designation from the League of American Bicyclists.
Biking events PHOTO: LYDIA STERN
Crested Butte is a dream come true for mountain bikers.
Crested Butte Bike Week – June 25-28 Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte are the proud hosts of the world’s oldest mountain bike festival, the 35th Annual Crested Butte Bike Week. Scheduled for June 25-28, the festival kicks off with beginner, intermediate, advanced and women’s specific clinics and an amateur film night on Thursday, followed by the Chainless World Championship (a 7-mile ride down Kebler Pass on cruiser bikes without chains) on Friday. continued on page 14
Small classes, great professors, and a full liberal arts curriculum in Gunnison, deep in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Western delivers a private college experience at a public university value, on a spectacular campus 30 minutes from Crested Butte. Whether you’re studying athletes in our High Altitude Performance Lab, strapping on waders to learn about stream ecology, or immersed in our legendary petroleum geology program, we’ll tailor your education to meet your career goals.
western.edu
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 13
SAVING PARADISE PENNIES AT A TIME 1% for Open Space businesses collect a voluntary 1% donation on products & services for open space projects in Gunnison County
Biking events
Please give your support by patronizing the following businesses A Daily Dose Alpengardener Altitude Painting Ananda Massage Andrew Hadley Architect Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven Blackline Entertainment Bliss Community Chiropractic Casa Bella CB Card Company Cement Creek Ranch Clear Rivers Holistics Clear View Window Washing Creekside Spa Crested Butte Cartoon Map Crested Butte Commercial Building Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum Crested Butte Mountain Resort: Butte 66 The Ice Bar at Uley's Cabin Paradise Warming House WoodStone Bar and Grille Jefe's Crested Butte Rental and Demo Center
Thin Air Sports White Room Apparel Logo’d at Crested Butte Logo’d at Grand Lodge Camp CB Spellbound Pizza Co. Ten Peaks Crested Butte News Crested Butte Nordic Center: GORE-TEX® Grand Traverse GORE-TEX® Grand Traverse Mountain Run and Bike Crested Butte Property Management Crested Butte Wildflower Festival Donita’s Cantina Double Shot Cyclery Dragonfly Anglers Dragon Sheet Metal EastWest Econometrics Elk Mountain Lodge Gas Café Grubstake Gallery Gunnison Country Shopper Gunnison Country Times Gunnison County Electric Association Gunnison River Festival Heather Elliot/Graphic Designer Holly’s Ride Guides I Bar Ranch Interior Visions Irwin Guides Ivy Walker Studio J.C. Leacock Photography Karyn Adelman Acupuncture Kimbre Woods Photography Le Bosquet Lynn Moore, Moore for Your Money
Main Street Clinic Mikey’s Pizza (Crested Butte) Mikey’s Pizza (Gunnison) Montanya Distillers Mountain Colors Mountain Spirits Munchkin’s Music and Dance Nathan Bilow Photography Office for Resource Efficiency Energy Wise Business Program Oh Be Dogful Pet Ranch Paragon Gallery Pema Dawa Pioneer Guest Cabins Red Lady Realty RMBL-The Gothic Store Rocky Mountain Trees and Landscaping Ruben’s New Mexican Restaurant Sea Level Spa Strand Supper @ Sunflower The Guild with First Ascent Coffee Roasters and Mountain Oven Organic Bakery The Mountain Store The Sunflower Think Local First! Third Bowl Homemade Ice Cream Third Eye Photography Timberline Mechanical Timothy White Studio Townie Books Travel CB Why Cook?! Wintertide Design & Production Yoga for the Peaceful Yogawrap Spine Support
continued from page 13 The weekend is all about the Fat Tire 40 mountain bike race on Saturday and Crested Butte Mountain’s downhill race on Sunday. Free shuttle rides to premiere area trails are available throughout Crested Butte Bike Week, and new for this year is a $5,000 cash purse for the Fat Tire 40 as well as for the Growler. Bridges of the Butte – June 27-28 The annual Bridges of the Butte 24-hour townie tour helps wrap up Crested Butte Bike Week in true Crested Butte style with many riders in costume. This one-of-a-kind ride benefitting Adaptive Sports Center starts on the afternoon of June 27 and ends the afternoon of June 28, looping through downtown and meandering across the town’s bridges. Participants can sign up solo or as a team. Pinnacle Bike Race Series – July 1-29 Crested Butte Mountain hosts the free Pinnacle Bike Race Series on five Wednesday nights from July 1-29 in tandem with the free Live! From Mountain Crested Butte concerts held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the ski area base. The series features cross-country and downhill races for all ages and abilities that start at 5:45 p.m., with kids’ races beginning at 5:15 p.m. Register on-site at the slopeside Butte 66 starting at 4:45 p.m. Crested Butte Big Mountain Enduro – July 31-August 2 The three-day Crested Butte Big Mountain Enduro on July 31-August 2 is part of the Yeti Cycles Big Mountain Enduro Series and will include a heavy pro field and offer the largest cash payout of any 2015 BME event. During this only U.S. stop of the 2015 Enduro World Series, riders are challenged with three days of racing, with big climbing transitions that take them to the top of the world overlooking majestic peaks with a total elevation gain of more than 21,000 feet and averaging 25 miles per day. This race is a true test of mental strength and fitness. Grand Traverse Mountain Run & Bike – September 5-6 The second annual GORE-TEX Grand Traverse Mountain Run & Bike, September 5-6, is the fair-weather version of the legendary Gore-Tex Grand Traverse backcountry ski race from Crested Butte to Aspen. The course is similar to the winter route, approximately 40 miles with similar elevation gain/loss; however, the September 5 trail run starts at 6 a.m. in downtown Crested Butte on Elk Avenue and finishes at Ajax Park in Aspen and the September 6 mountain bike races departs Ajax Park at 8 a.m. and finishes at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Outdoor enthusiasts can sign up for one or both of the September races, and those who are truly hard core can shoot for a triple crown win!
www.1percentforopenspace.org 14 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour – September 12-13 The 39th annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour on September 12 – 13 is the oldest mountain bike event in the world and takes riders from Crested Butte to Aspen via Pearl Pass. In 1976, the first group of 15 or 20 cyclists from Crested Butte rode one-speed town bikes over the 12,705-foot Pearl Pass to Aspen in response to a group of Aspenites riding motorcycles over the same route, parking in downtown Crested Butte and setting out to meet local women. The Crested Butte rowdies pulled up in downtown Aspen in front of the historic Hotel Jerome. By the early 1980s, the expert ride had grown and become a weeklong festival known as Fat Tire Bike Week. Today, Crested Butte Bike Week is held in June and the Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour is in September.
SUP? The View from the Water S ta n d U p Pa d d l e B o a r d i n g i n C r e s t e d B u t t e
by Alissa Johnson Standup paddle boarding—or SUPing—may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of summer in Crested Butte. But follow the rec path to the Slate River or head to Irwin Lake, and you will see SUPers taking to the water. It offers a whole new way to take a break from the trail and take in the mountain views. We asked two of the Gunnison Valley’s homegrown SUPers what you need to know when you give it a try: Gabe Martin, owner of Colorado Freeskier, and Christie Hicks, manager of Wilderness Pursuits at Western State Colorado University. It turns out that when it comes to outdoor recreation, SUPing is as versatile as it gets. You can head to the lake for a relaxing afternoon, paddle one of the local rivers, and even brave class III or IV whitewater (with a helmet and PFD, of course): Choose Your Own Adventure Hicks has been SUPing for several years and says that the versatility of the sport makes sense when you consider its origins. “Stand up paddle boarding started on the ocean... There’s something about being on a huge board with a paddle that lets you catch waves that surfers really can’t. And then stand up paddle boarding started moving to the rivers, and in Colorado, the rivers are our oceans,” she said. Hicks has seen SUPers paddle everything from flat water to class III and IV whitewater, and many paddlers surf waves at the whitewater park in Gunnison. For beginners, however, she recommends Blue Mesa Reservoir or Lake Irwin. “Flat water SUPing is really good for beginners, for kids, for yoga, or for anything like that—just to get out and paddle around,” she says. Martin agrees. He started offering rental boards at Colorado Freeskier three summers ago, and he typically sends new paddlers to Irwin as well. Yet any high alpine lake will do. “If you get out to one of the lakes around Crested Butte, it’s magical with the views. Most of the summer, you still have snow on the peaks, and it’s peaceful,” he says. You can float with friends and share a beer, or paddle the lake for a great workout. And, if you’re in the mood to explore, you can head to the local rivers. Where you go will determine what kind of board you’ll need.
FLAT WATER SUPING IS REALLY GOOD FOR BEGINNERS, FOR KIDS, FOR YOGA, OR FOR ANYTHING LIKE THAT—JUST TO GET OUT AND PADDLE AROUND
Choosing the Right Board Around the Gunnison Valley, SUPers tend to use two kinds of boards: hard stand up paddle boards made of fiberglass or a composite plastic, and inflatable boards. According to Hicks, the hard boards tend to be better for flat water and places where you won’t run into rocks. “They’re more stable, so if you’re going to Blue Mesa, that’s great. It’s a problem if you take it to the rivers and hit a rock and have to repair it,” she says—stand up paddle boards are hard to repair. That’s where inflatable boards come in. They glide well, can handle the rocky rivers, and according to Martin, work well for nearly any kind of SUPing you’ll encounter around Crested Butte. He finds they’re also lighter and easier to hike into more remote lakes. “We only do inflatables,” he said. continued on page 16
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 15
SUP? continued from page 15 And while some paddlers opt for smaller, shorter boards to surf in places like the Whitewater Park, the longer, wider, and thicker the board, the more stable it’s going to be. Finding Your Balance While Hicks jokingly calls standup paddleboards “stand up and fall over boards,” it doesn’t take long to get your balance and feel comfortable. Unlike a surf board stance, on a standup paddle board, you face the front of your board and keep your feet parallel to one another. “You want a nice wide stance, feet hip distance or a little wider, and keep the knees bent. As soon as you lock the knees out, that’s when you fall,” Hicks says. “The paddle is the third point of contact, so in moving water especially, keeping your paddle in the water will give you more stability than lifting it out.” Martin says that starting out on your knees can give you a sense for the balance before you begin to stand. “At first, people assume that it’s going to be hard or
they’re going to fall in,” he said. “If you can stand on one foot with a stick in your hand and balance, you can paddle board.” Picking Your Destination Hicks and Martin recommend Irwin Lake, Blue Mesa Reservoir, and high alpine lakes like Emerald and Long Lakes for beginners, paddlers looking to relax and hang out, or those who want a workout. “You’re constantly flexing, working your fine twitch muscles, and from the waist up, you’re using that paddle and twisting to get a good workout for your core, sides, and shoulders,” Martin says. At the north end of the valley, paddlers ready to take to the river can start with the Slate River. During early summer, Martin likes to put in at the rec path (by the bridge) and take out at Skyland for a mellow, 3.3 mile stretch of river. He also recommends putting in at Gunsight Bridge and floating through the bird sanctuary, where wildlife sightings are common. If you’re up for a little more current, stand up paddle boarders can head down valley to the Gunnison River. Two options include Almont to Garlic Mike’s (there’s a
take-out just down stream from the restaurant, on the west side of Highway 135), or put in at Garlic Mike’s and take out above the Whitewater Park. Hicks and Martin have both paddled some of the rowdier sections of river, including the upper Taylor and the whitewater park, but don’t recommend it unless you’re experienced with whitewater and SUPing. “You can really scare yourself,” Martin says. Hicks adds, “Make sure you’re prepared to get wet if you’re on the river. We recommend a helmet and PFD in any sort of moving water.” She also said that leashes must be quick release to make sure you can don’t get caught up in your board in moving water. Enjoy the View Whatever route you choose, stand up paddle boarding offers a whole new perspective of the Gunnison Valley. As Hicks said, “It’s a really fun and easy way to get on the water. It’s relatively low equipment—all you need is a bathing suit, a board and a paddle, and you can go out to the lake. It’s good core exercise, it’s good balance exercise, and it really offers as much or as little challenge as you want.”
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Nina Morrow
Greg Davis
Jane Johnson
Beauty, Art and Inspiration at 8,885 feet The CBAF is an annual, nationally recognized festival, celebrating the visual and performing arts, whose proceeds provide for a year round sustainable arts outreach program for the community of the Gunnison Valley.
18 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
Where the real world
won’t go by Seth Mensing
When I was boy it was pressed pants and a tie. Now it’s a pair of waders and a widebrimmed hat. Back then it was the sound of a pipe organ and the sight of big oak doors and an usher there to shake my hand. Now I listen for the birds and walk through a wall of willow branches, gripping a piece of cork. I know no more of God now than I did then, but the searching often feels the same. There’s a routine and the feel of strange clothing that signals an occasion. And there are all the signs that you’ve found yourself in someplace different. Sacred, even. When you stand in a trout stream, it’s not unlike sitting in a church pew. It’s a place you go to be part of something so much bigger than yourself. You have to understand that a trout stream is more than just water and fish. It’s an event, a phenomenon. It’s a place where a host of conditions have come together over eons to create something unique and fragile. It’s a place that’s mostly uncontaminated, so new to its journey through the world that it still shelters primordial insects and the fish that have evolved so perfectly to feed on them. And since water isn’t something easily created or destroyed, when you step into a trout stream you become surrounded by the timeless and eternal, part of a planetary circulatory system that preceded and made possible our time here on earth and will be here long after that time is up. And while a stream may outlive us, its condition is constantly changing, from season to season and storm to storm. Through it all, it’s a place that sustains life at every level, from the humble midge to the angler trying to imitate it and the fish giving chase. It’s a place where we can see our connection to the world at large even as we see a reflection of ourselves.
Then you have the trout. Without them, the lessons of the stream might go unnoticed by people less inclined to sit for hours on the bank or stand in the water aimlessly. The trout sometimes rise to tiny insects near the surface or chase smaller fish into the shallows, making them easy to see. They’ll even jump for food, wholly crossing over into our world for the briefest moment. To see something is often to want it, and to see a trout offers a challenge to anyone willing to try for one. But be careful. When the bugs hatch en masse, every sip they take looks almost exactly like the last one did. To offer anything else is to be refused by keen eyesight and a wariness borne of being prey as well as predator. Stalking a trout is no less immersive than hunting any game, requiring heightened senses of observation and an attention to detail rarely required in our modern world. A misplaced cast or an unnatural drift of the imitation can be all it takes to force the game on to the next likely spot and the next willing player. But when you offer a fair imitation in a natural way, matching the rhythm of the fish’s movements with a well-placed cast and connect with a trout, it signals a primal response. For so much of our history it was a response reinforced by the promise of food. Now that fish just means success and the reward is holding its power in your hand, then watching its beauty swim away. Just as a trout stream is more than only the sum of its parts, the experience of angling for trout is about more than simply water, flies and fish. It’s also an opportunity to immerse us in an alien world and escape the real one. As a fishing guide, I hear it from clients repeatedly. I hear that the place and the pursuit of trout take just enough of the mind to keep the internal commentary quiet and thoughts of daily life at bay. I guide anglers every year whose professional lives consume their relationships, their thoughts and sometimes their health. But when they step into a stream to fish for trout, all of that melts away and I see doctors and lawyers and bankers and adults of every stripe fade into children, consumed by their own curiosity and awe. It reminds me that Izaak Walton penned The Compleat Angler through the brutality and carnage of the English Civil War, finally publishing that seminal work in 1653, just two years after the war ended. There is something about the world that drives us deeper into nature and something about nature that provides us with a deeper understanding of the world. It’s why today my sanctuary is a stream.
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 19
calendar
May
22-25– Memorial Day Sidewalk Sale downtown Crested Butte 23-24– The Original Growler mountain bike race at Harman Rocks, Gunnison 30– Kids Fishing Derby, Jorgensen Park, Gunnison
June
1-15– Williams Cameron “Weaving the Void – Baskets in Space” art show at the Center for the Arts 7, 14, 21, 28– Crested Butte Farmers’ Market, Elk Avenue & Second Street 10– Schiff Dance Collective at the Center for the Arts 12-14– Gunnison River Festival 15-29– Blair Garth’s “Colorado Colors” art show at the Center for the Arts 16, 23, 30– Summer Concert Series at I Bar Ranch, Gunnison 17– Ride the Rockies overnight in Crested Butte 22– Alpenglow concert, Red Mountain Park, CB South 24-26– Bicycle Tour of Colorado in Crested Butte
25-28– Time Spans Mini Festival, Crested Butte Music Festival 25-28– Crested Butte Bike Week 27– Trailhead Children’s Museum’s annual SplatterDash color fun run, downtown Crested Butte 27-28– Adaptive Sports Center’s Bridges of the Butte 25-August 9– Crested Butte Music Festival 29– Alpenglow concert, Center’s outdoor stage 29-July 13– Sean Crossen’s “The Abstract Life” art show at the Center for the Arts 30– Hot Buttered Rum at the Center for the Arts
July
1, 8, 15, 22, 29– Live! From Mt. Crested Butte concert series, base area 1, 8, 15, 22, 29– Pinnacle Bike Race Series, CBMR 1, 8, 15, 22, 29– Public Policy Forum of Crested Butte 2– Black and White Ball, Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum
2– ArtWalk at participating Crested Butte galleries 2-12– Bailey Hosier & Laura Elm ceramic art show at the Center for the Arts 3– Pat Green performs at the Center for the Arts 3, 8, 12, 16, 23, 30– Summer Concert Series at I Bar Ranch, Gunnison 4– 47th Annual RMBL Gothic to Crested Butte Run, Walk or Crawl 1/3 Marathon, Gothic to Crested Butte 4– Independence Day Pancake Breakfast, Parade, Live Music & Fireworks, Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte 4-12– 115th Annual Cattlemen’s Days, Gunnison 5– Richie Furay Band plays at the Center for the Arts 5, 12, 19, 26– Crested Butte Farmer’s Market, Elk Avenue & Second Street 6, 13, 20, 27– Alpenglow free outdoor concert, Center for the Arts Crested Butte 10-11– 14th Annual Caddis Cup FlyFishing Tournament, Crested Butte Land Trust 13-19– Crested Butte Wildflower Festival 13-20– Elizabeth Overholser’s “Wild-
flowers from the Mountain Side” art show at the Center for the Arts 14-August 16– Judith Cassel-Mamet & Laura Elm’s art show at the Center for the Arts 16– 20th anniversary Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy celebration with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at I Bar Ranch 17– KBUT Fish Fry, Crank’s Plaza 17-18– Gunny Grass Festival, I Bar Ranch, Gunnison 18– Grin and Bear It Green Lake Run 20– Hands on Artists’ Books: A Mobile Artists’ Book Exhibition at the Center for the Arts 20-27– Megan Craver’s “Split Agriculture” art show at the Center for the Arts 22-26– Writing the Rockies: Gunnison Creative Writers Workshop, Western State Colorado University 23– ArtWalk at participating Crested Butte galleries 23-26– Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival Presented by Center for the Arts Crested Butte, Crested Butte 25– 17th Annual Living Journeys Summit Hike & Mountain Half-Marathon, Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Mon thru Sat 8:00 - 5:30 thru August 28
camps for kids who rip! all-day action sports fun for kids 6 & up
groms sessions DH & XC MTB clinics for kids 7 & up
groms private lessons bike & skate lessons from novice to expert www.gravitygroms.com .gravitygroms.com gravitygroms@gmail.com 970.765.6771 602 2nd St. - the CB Nordic Center next to the skatepark
gunnisonriverfestival.com
Gunnison White Water Park Gunnison River Taylor River
20 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
26– 41st Annual Art in the Park, Legion Park, Gunnison 27-August 3– Kathryn Barry’s “Summer in Crested Butte” art show at the Center for the Arts 28– Nahko and Medicine for the People play at the Center for the Arts. 31– Soul Rebels play at the Center for the Arts 31-August 2– Crested Butte Arts Festival, Elk Avenue 31-August 2– Crested Butte Big Mountain Enduro
August
September
4– KBUT Radio Kampout, I Bar Ranch, Gunnison 4– Syllables & Sound: An Evening of Local Musicians and Writers at the Center for the Arts 5– Mt. Crested Butte Chili & Beer Festival, base area 5-6– GORE-TEX Grand Traverse Mountain Run & Bike 6, 13, 20, 27– Crested Butte Farmer’s Market, Elk Avenue and Second Street 11-12– 25th Annual Super Fly Fishing Tournament hosted by Gunnison Angling Society, Almont 12-13– 39th Annual Pearl Pass Mountain Bike Tour from Crested Butte to Aspen 13-14– Wooden Nickel Golf Classic, Club at Crested Butte 13-19– Vinotok fall harvest festival 14-September 28– Becky Chappell’s “The Great Outdoors” art show at the Center for the Arts 24– ArtWalk at participating Crested Butte galleries 24-27– Crested Butte Film Festival 26– Camp 4 Coffee Cart to Cart trail run, Crested Butte Mountain Runners
PHOTO: LYDIA STERN
2, 9, 16, 23, 30– Crested Butte Farmer’s Market, Elk Avenue and Second Street 2-3– Adaptive Sports Center’s CB Open golf tournament and gala 3-18– Tierney Miller’s “Moments Between” art show at the Center for the Arts 3, 10, 17– Alpenglow free outdoor concert, Center for the Arts 4– Rising Appalachia plays at the Center for the Arts 4, 6, 11, 13, 18– Summer Concert Series at I Bar Ranch, Gunnison 5, 12, 19– Live! From Mt. Crested Butte free outdoor concerts, base area 5, 12, 19– Public Policy Forum of Crested Butte 6-9– Gypsy Jazz In Paradise - mini-festival of Crested Butte Music Festival 8– Comedy Night at the Center for the Arts featuring Troy Baxley 8– ArtWalk at participating Crested Butte galleries 15– Black Sheep performs at the Center for the Arts. 18-31– Jennifer Jung’s “Water, Earth and Sky” show at the Center for the Arts
18-September 27– Megan Craver and Laura Elm’s art show at the Center for the Arts 21-23– Gunnison Car Show 22– High Octane Arts & Crafts Festival, Gunnison 22– The Dustbowl Revival plays at the Center for the Arts. 31-September 14– Devon Cone “Belonging” art show at the Center for the Arts
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 21
Summerbliss continued from page 7 In Gunnison, Cattlemen’s Days is one of the oldest gatherings of rodeo and ranching in America. Every Monday in town and every Wednesday on the mountain, there are free concerts with some top-name acts. You won’t be alone at either the Alpenglow concerts in Crested Butte or the Live! from Mt. Crested Butte performances at the bottom of the ski lifts. But you will have a great time. The Crested Butte Music Festival holds hundreds of performances each summer. There are concerts geared to the
protip
lover of classical music or opera and those who love Gypsy jazz. The Crested Butte Arts Festival brings in top-flight artists from around the country in August. Elk Avenue is closed and the pace slows down. Chances are good you’ll see plein air artists plying their trade on the streets of town or back in the quiet valleys any time of the summer. It is amazing how much art is emerging throughout the community in the summers. Crested Butte has always been
known for its cuisine and in summer you can enjoy it outside. You can take a seat on Elk Avenue or outside in Mt. Crested Butte. You can pack a picnic and head to the park or the backcountry and enjoy a bite and a glass surrounded by nature. You can get a basic burrito or sandwich or choose from some of the finest dining in America. Or just grab a cup of coffee and watch the world go by. It is quite an interesting world here in the summer.
there’s the weather. While your friends are battling 100-degree days back at home, the daytime temperatures here in Crested Butte usually top out in the 70s. Perfection. At night, you’ll want a jacket. You’ll be happy to post a picture of that on social media to make your friends envious. There’s another old saying in Crested Butte and Gunnison. “Every good summer day here is like seven great days anywhere else.” True.
So that’s just a taste of why people like it here in the summer. Oh yeah—
unforgettable
Name: Mike Horn Occupation: Editorial Director at Buttery Agency & StokeLab Years in Crested Butte: 12 Most unforgettable summer moment in Crested Butte: Snowboarding the glacieresque snow plug at the Slate River’s headwaters in July, after spending the night sleeping under the stars atop Yule Pass. I was in the midst of snowboarding every month for nearly three years, and this particular mission was less about the turns and more about keeping the streak alive. Eric Dishmon and I rose with the sun and rode the riverbed downvalley until there was nowhere left to turn.
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Enjoy your time here.
M
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Introducing R IB EX
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Photo: Trent Bona
ADVENTURE SCENIC TOURS
Ghost Towns • Old Mining Camps Snowfields • Paradise Divide TWO TRIPS DAILY 8:30 a.m. to Noon & 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Minimums Apply / Reservations Required
970.641.5074 / 800.822.4844 Alpine Express operates under special use permits from the U.S. Forest Service in the Gunnison National Forest
Experienced Guides
Trailhead Service:
Outdoor gear, clothing and accessories for all of your adventures on and off the mountain.
West Maroon / East Maroon $12 per person By reservation only 970.641.5074 Alpine Express Shuttle Service available for other locations INCLUDING ASPEN
OPEN DAILY 9 AM - 6 PM
Bike Shuttle Service Available • Door to Door Airport Services Available
MOUNTAINEER SQUARE BREEZEWAY
970.349.4045
OPEN DAILY 10 AM-4 PM AT THE BASE AREA IN MT. CRESTED BUTTE NEW HANDS-ON EXHIBITS! MUNCHKINS MUSIC & ART (AGES 0-3 WITH A PARENT) Tuesdays & Wednesdays, June 16-August 19 10-11:30 a.m. $16/day, $78/6-pack, $100/10-pack
LITTLE INNOVATORS (AGES 3-5) Monday-Friday, June 8-August 21 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $48/day
ART & SCIENCE CAMP (AGES 5-8) Monday-Friday, June 8-August 21 9 a.m.- 3p.m. $48/day
MUSEUM EXPLORERS (AFTER CAMP CARE FOR AGES 3-8) Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 9-August 20 3-5 p.m. $20/day
ADVANCED ART CAMP (AGES 9-12) 2-day sessions on Mondays & Tuesdays June 15-August 11, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $100/session
ADVANCED SCIENCE CAMP (AGES 9-12) Wednesdays, July 1-29 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $50/day
FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE
WWW.TRAILHEADKIDS.ORG 970.349.7160
Where playful adventures begin.
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 23
Get out and hike No matter why you have come, nor how long you will stay, your trip to the Elk Mountains won’t be complete without a quiet walk along one of the magnificent singletrack trails surrounding Crested Butte. Here are a couple of our favorite hikes. Don’t forget to pack a rain jacket, sunscreen and stay hydrated and well fed out there. Have fun!
OH-BE-JOYFUL CREEK
PHOTO: ALEX FENLON
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate LENGTH: 4-12 miles round trip ROUTE: up and back Named for one of the passionate red ladies of the mining days, Oh-Be-Joyful creek flows from the heart of the Ruby Range in the Raggeds Wilderness down to the Slate River. If you like mountains, trees, streams, wildlife and flowers, you will fall in love with Oh-Be-Joyful. To find this beautiful valley, drive north out of Crested Butte on Gothic Road over the Slate River bridge. Take your first left on Slate River Road and go 5 miles to the Oh-Be-Joyful Campground. Park here and wade across the Slate River. Follow the mining road for less than two miles
protip
to the Wilderness boundary. Oh-Be-Joyful Creek runs parallel to the trail on your left. Continue up the valley as far as you wish. The trail climbs gently for many miles on the north side of the creek, passing through colorful wildflower meadows, dark sub-alpine forests, and lush creek-side wetlands. Near the head of the Valley, the trail splits, with Blue Lake nestled at the top of the Basin on your left, and Democrat Basin and Oh-Be-Joyful Pass to your right.
WEST MAROON PASS DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: easy uphill walk, but long! LENGTH: 8 miles round trip ROUTE: out and back West Maroon Pass is perhaps the most traveled hiking route between Crested Butte and Aspen. The trail is long, but the rewards are worth it taking you through beautiful open meadows and into the red sedimentary rocks high up in the Elk Mountains. The hike itself is not difficult nor is the trail difficult to follow; however, it does climb a substantial amount of vertical and that can make for a long day. To reach the West Maroon Pass trailhead, take Gothic Road through Mt. Crested Butte, past the Town of Gothic and eventually over the top of Schofield Pass. From the top of Schofield Pass, you will encounter several switchbacks before descending into the meadow called Schofield Park. Just after you drive through a creek, you will see a turn-off and campground on your right. This is the West Maroon Pass trailhead. After a short walk through the trees, the trail begins climbing switchbacks past the ruins of an old mill. Continue upwards until the trail levels out somewhat and parallels the river. The trail traverses up the side of the valley for two and a half miles, gaining considerable altitude as you go. The trail swings around the basin to a more northeasterly direction, still climbing, switching back upward again through lots of fairly thick willows. The switchbacks will deposit you on another level part of the basin. Stay on the right-hand fork to keep on West Maroon Pass, swinging left out of the meadow in the rocks. At this point you are only a couple of switchbacks through the high bowl from the top of West Maroon Pass. If your plan is to go on to Aspen, head downhill over the pass. Otherwise, after soaking up the views of the Elk Range, head back the way you came.
Just one thing
Name: Jeff Scott Occupation: Inventor/Thinker Years in Crested Butte: 10 If you do just one thing in Crested Butte, it has to be… If you are visiting during the warmer months and the river flow is low and navigable by foot; my recommendation is to wade up/down the Slate River and skip rocks in the early evening. It’s dinner-time for the fish, so check out the herons and beavers, either around Gunsight Bridge or the Rec Path Bridge. Great locations up and down the Slate River from these points to sculpt/build river-rock stacks and drift wood sculptures. Making art from nature, give it a try! I’ll see you out there.
24 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
Books in the Wild We asked Arvin Ram, owner of Townie Books for his favorite books that celebrate wilderness. Here are his picks: Rewilding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence by Marc Bekoff Rewilding refers to restoring habitat and helping animal populations rebound but Marc Bekoff reverses the idea and applies this to people in his new book. In an increasingly less nature-connected society, Bekoff makes the case for the importance of nature in our lives and for our planet. Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout by Philip Connors Joining the pantheon of outdoor writers like Edward Abbey and Norman Mclean, Philip Connors cements his presence as an important voice for wild places in his award winning book, Fire Season. Living for a decade for months at a time, keeping watch over the most fire prone area in America, Connors shares his personal experiences on being inexorably connected to the land in every way possible. The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko What has seemed like a tall tale told by river guides for 30 years, comes to light with first hand accounts of what it was like to ride the canyon at the highest and fastest it will ever be due to a chain of fluke occurrences. Along with the amazing story of the men who ran the canyon in record time, Kevin Fedarko also weaves the natural history of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, and the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. All the Wild that Remains: Edward Abbey, Wallace Stegner, and the American West by David Gessner How we talk, argue, and consider the modern west can be traced to two figures in American letters- Edward Abbey and Wallace Stegner. Author David Gessner parses the connections and influences of both men and their legacy as the west faces its biggest challenges of drought, extraction, and our own insatiable love for wild places. River Notes: A Natural and Human History of the Colorado by Wade Davis A short, heartbreaking and at once renewing story of the lifeline of the west, Wade Davis’ River Notes is a beautiful primer on the Colorado river. Terry Tempest Williams puts it best in her praise for the book, “River Notes is a literary and historical testament to change, one that believes in the sustaining power of reciprocity over greed, while giving us an adventure story through time.”
Register online: western.edu/es 970.943.2885 • extendedstudies@western.edu
Wednesdays at Western
Explore. Experience. Learn.
June 17 – August 19, 2015 Affordable single-day courses every Wednesday with Extended Studies
EXTENDED STUDIES
Hiking, Biking, Art, Photography, Geology, History, Horseback Riding and more.
Open for Public Viewing Every Friday and Saturday evening From June 12th
through September 12th. Gates open at sunset. Evenings consist of a brief astronomy-related lecture with multiple telescope viewing opportunities after dark. Admission is by donation and reservations are not required. Private parties can be arranged.
For more information go to www.gunnisonvalleyobservatory.org
Carpe Noctem – Seize the Night! 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 25
arts and entertainment
“I AIN’T HERE FOR A LONG TIME, I’M HERE FOR A GOOD TIME...”
— Here for a Good Time, by Dean Dillon, G. Strait, and B. Strait
by Dawne Belloise
PHOTO: LYDIA STERN
W
ith long silvery hair and distinguished lined features carved by life’s turns, Dean Dillon, the wizard of country music songwriting is proud to call the Gunnison Valley home. He gives back to this community in a huge way by hosting the Tough Enough to Wear Pink concert each July. It’s a fundraiser during Cattleman’s Days that is dedicated to providing local funding for breast cancer awareness, prevention, education, support and breast screenings and equipment. Before Dean made it to country songwriting stardom, his life started with hard beginnings as the son of a waitress mom and a truck driver dad in Lake City, Tenn. “We were poor,” he says of his family, with two sisters named Faith and Hope. “We didn’t know it. I grew up with my grandparents until I was five because my mother went north to find work,” he explains in a soothingly calm drawl that inspires you to slow down and breathe. “Mom remarried and moved to Detroit. Back in those days everybody in the east went to Detroit for the auto factory work. The good money was in the north,” Dean says. From Detroit, the family moved back to Tennessee and the young ten-year-old boy was again dropped off, this time in Virginia with his stepfather’s mom for a year, “because there wasn’t enough room for me to go back [to Tennessee] with them. I was odd man out. When you’re ten years old and you don’t feel you belong to anything, it’s hard.” The young composer turned to his guitar for solace. “I got my first guitar when I was seven years old. I loved it. I slept with it.” He smiles, and it’s easy to understand the camaraderie between a boy and his best-friend-guitar being much like that of a child and his teddy bear. Dean still has that first tiger-striped Stella guitar. February 9, 1964 was the day The Beatles changed America and pop music culture exploded with screaming girls and launched a whole generation of dreaming boys. “I saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan as a child and I knew I wanted to do that,” Dean says of the Fab Four’s influence on him. “In the beginning, I had a few lessons to show me the basics of it but I’m pretty much self-taught. When I was 14 years old I entered a talent show in Knoxville; it was between me and a flaming baton twirler and she dropped the baton...” he chuckles. The talent show winner got to appear on a local TV variety show. “I went in to do the show and they asked me to come back every week.” Dean was on a roll, his talent evident. He also had a band, called The Kountry Kings, who would set up on a big flatbed truck to play grand openings of mobile home lots, which were associated with the weekly TV shows he was performing on. “I made great money back then—$150 a week all through high school,” he recalls. “We’d still do the TV show on Fridays. With weekends off I’d go to the civic auditorium in Knoxville and see everybody who was anybody—The Eagles, Carol King and James Taylor, Allman Brothers. Here I was, playing all this country music, drawn to the country for the lyrics but influenced melodically by rock. I’d go to school in the mornings with an eight-track listening to Merle Haggard singing Okie from Muskogee while smoking a joint,” Dean laughs about the contrasting aesthetics of his ’70s world. Fresh out of high school in 1973, Dean remembers his first ride as he hitchhiked to Nashville to continue on his musical path. “I caught a ride with a hippie in a ‘66 Chevy station wagon. In those days those station wagons had a compartment in the back, and he had it stuffed full of pot.” Although he had no idea where Nashville’s famed Music Row was when he first arrived on the scene, he started banging on doors, and that landed him a gig at Opryland USA. “That’s where I was discovered as a songwriter. I was backstage writing and John Schweers came backstage and asked me if I was a songwriter,” he recalls. “I played him some songs and he took me to his publisher, Tom Collins, and they signed me as a songwriter.” He was thrilled with the chance to make $50 a week doing what he loved. “We didn’t have quotas but you had to be there nine to five, five days a week. It was a job, that’s what we did, we were songwriters writing songs.” A few years later in 1979, Dean had his first number one record on the country charts as a songwriter with Lying in Love with You, recorded by Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius. It was to be the first of many hit songs. When he first arrived in Nashville, Dean met up with fellow songwriter Frank Dycus, and the duo wrote Unwound, which became a top ten song for the then-unknown country singer George Strait. “We were sitting outside at the house on Music Row popping Budweisers when George Strait’s manager pulled up. They were looking for songs for him,” he says. continued on page 29
26 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
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PHOTO: LYDIA STERN
TOWN SHUTTLE - June 13-September 20
continued from page 26 Dean explains that most songwriters pitch their tunes to known artists with track records and stats. “Nobody wants to pitch a song to an unknown. But we didn’t care about that philosophy. Strait cut six of our songs on his album and he never forgot that we gave songs to a nobody. Every time he went to record an album he’d call us.” Dean’s long-time writing partner, Frank Dycus, passed away in November 2012. Dean proudly notes that 40 years and 54 songs later, Strait, now known as the King of Country, is still recording songs they often co-write with Strait’s son, Bubba. “We just had another number one hit recently, called Here for a Good Time,” he says of the up-tempo tune that is easily recognizable to even those who aren’t familiar with country music. Along the way, Dean has had his songs recorded by everybody from Wayne Newton to the Marshall Tucker Band. Dean discovered Crested Butte back when BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc., the agency who collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters) used to sponsor Country in the Rockies, a week-long concert and events benefit for breast cancer research. “BMI brought me out here 20 years ago to do a show and I kept coming back year after year.” He also met his wife Susie Sellers [now Dillon], a local Buttian, out here nine years ago, which also contributed to his yearly return. When the late Jimmy Clark asked him to play the Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink (the local breast cancer fundraiser) show, Dean initially said no. “I just wanted to hide away and enjoy my time off,” he explains his understandable reluctance. After Jimmy died, his son CJay Clark and Jim Swaim then asked Dean to help out. When he discovered that all the funds raised were staying in Gunnison County, Dean decided he wanted to be part of it.
DeanDillon
EVERY 20 MINUTES — 7:35 AM to Midnight Crested Butte to Mt Crested Butte STOP TIMES FIRST BUS Old Town Hall :15, :35, :55 7:35 AM 6th & Belleview :20, :40, :00 7:40 AM 4-Way Stop :21, :41, :01 7:41 AM
LAST BUS 11:35 PM 11:40 PM 11:41 PM
FREE SHUTTLE! FREE SHUTTLE! FREE SHUTTLE!
Mt Crested Butte to Crested Butte Mountaineer Square :00, :20, :40
8:00 AM
SU SCH
12:00 AM
EXPRESS BUS - June 26-August 9
TOWN SHUTTLE - Jun 22
“I threw myself headlong into it, as did Susie. And every volunteer we could get to put this together. The easy part for me was that I had to provide the entertainment. All I did was call up some of my songwriting friends.” Dean was instrumental (no pun intended) in getting the BMI sponsored Songwriters Festival to Crested Butte with all the proceeds also going to fund local breast cancer awareness, education, free mammograms, and equipment. Music has been Dean’s whole life for his entire life. “I live, eat, breathe songs. It’s all I’ve ever done, it’s all I’ve ever loved to do,” says the 2002 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. Just last November at the 2013 BMI 61st Country Music Awards, he received the prestigious lifetime achievement Icon Award, the highest recognition for composers. Despite his fame and rags to riches life, Dean has remained genuine, with a warm sparkle and smile for everyone and he’s still humbled by the world around him. “I love it here,” he says of his Gunnison Valley life that he connects to in every aspect, “and I really love the ranchers, hard working, quiet, salt of the earth people. These people are living a way of life that not many will live in the future.” This summer’s TETWP Concert is Tuesday, July 7 at Mountaineer Square in Mt. Crested Butte. It features Dillon, along with Tim Nichols and Jeffrey Steele.
Crested Butte to Mt. Crested Butte EVERY MINUTES 7:35 AM to 9:35 PM The Express Bus operates a non-stop service every 20 20 minutes from– the Crested Butte to Mt Crested Butte 4-Way Stop in Crested Butte to Mountaineer Square STOPin Mt. Crested Butte TIMES FIRST BUS Old Town Hall :15, :35, :55 7:35 AM from 12:10 PM until 6:30 PM daily. 6th & Belleview :20, :40, :00 7:40 AM Mt Crested Butte to Crested Butte Mountaineer Square :00, :20, :40
GOTHIC BUS - June 8-August 16
8:00 AM
EVERY 40 MINUTES – 9:35 PM to Midnight
Crested Butte Mt Crested Butte Mountain Express also offers service to Gothic Townsite for a to limited duration STOP FIRST BUS in summer months. Visit www.mtnexp.org or callOld (970) for detailed 9:35 PM Town349-5616 Hall 6th & Belleview 9:40 PM schedule. Mt Crested Butte to Crested Butte Mountaineer Square 10:00 PM
TOWN SHUTTLE
September 21-Ski Area Opening TOWN SHUTTLE Apr 8-Jun 21 & Sep 3-Ski Are EVERY 40 MINUTES Crested Butte to Mt Crested Butte STOP Old Town Hall 6th & Belleview 4-Way Stop Mt. Crested Butte to Crested Butte Mountaineer Square
EVERY 40 MINUTES Crested Butte to Mt Crested Butte STOP FIRST BUS FIRST OldBUS Town Hall LAST BUS 7:35 AM 6th AM & Belleview 10:55 PM 7:40 AM 7:35 Mt Crested to Crested 7:40 AM Butte11:00 PM Butte Mountaineer Square 7:41 AM 11:01 PM
8:00 AM
GOTHIC BUS - Jun 10-Au CB to Gothic CB to Gothic From 4-Way Stop From Mountaineer Sq 8:00 AM 11:20 PM
G Fro
MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY 8;30 AM 8:40 AM 12:30 PM 12:40 PM Mountain Express info FRIDAY 8;30 AM(970) 349-7318 8:40 AM line 12:30 PM 12:40 PM ofcPM(970) 349-5616 5:00 5:10 PM SATURDAY AND SUNDAY www.mtnexp.org 11:00 AM 11:10 AM 5:00 PM 5:10 PM
All buses are wheelchair accessi For ADA Paratransit, call (970) 3
mountain express ▪ info line (970) 349-7318 ▪ ofc (970) 349-56
All buses are wheelchair-accessible. For ADA Paratransit, call
For more information on Tough Enough to Wear Pink, visit www.cattlemensdays.com. photo by Lydia Stern
(970) 349-5616
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 29
Non-stop festivals and special events this summer
SplatterDash fun run – June 27
Fourth of July celebration – July 4
Start your summer with a splash of color by running the Trailhead Children’s Museum’s SplatterDash! The family-friendly fun run takes place on June 27 in downtown Crested Butte. There are 1K and 5K courses to run while you get sprayed with colored pigment. For more information and to register, visit www.trailheadkids.org.
What’s more quintessential Crested Butte than the annual Fourth of July parade? The Fourth of July is an explosion of fun in Crested Butte. The day kicks off with the Crested Butte Fire & EMS Department’s Pancake Breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the fire station in Crested Butte. Or look more to your athletic side at the 45th Annual Gothic to Crested Butte Run, Walk or Crawl 1/3 Marathon beginning at 8 a.m. in Gothic, winding through the aspen woods and meadows to Mt. Crested Butte and ending in downtown Crested Butte. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) based in Gothic. Online registration is available at www.active.com or go to www.rmbl.org for a registration form and information. Expect funky, fun and good-natured laughter as people line Crested Butte’s Elk Avenue to take in the spectacle of the July 4th parade, which begins at 11 a.m. Stick around downtown for live music, a food court and old-fashioned games like the log saw competition, pie eating contest, three-legged race and more after the parade. As part of the Crested Butte Music Festival (CBMF), a free patriotic concert by Boston Brass, one of the world’s best brass ensembles, begins at 4 p.m. on the Crested Butte Center for the Arts’ outdoor stage. Then head up to Mt. Crested Butte’s base area for a gorgeous fireworks display.
19th Annual Crested Butte Music Festival – June 25-August 9
PHOTOS: PAT ADDABBO & LYDIA STERN
Now in its 19th season, The Crested Butte Music Festival (CBMF) continues the tradition of presenting bold new approaches to music that is as exceptional as the picturesque mountain setting of Crested Butte. Over a seven-week period, the Music Festival will introduce two new mini festivals and inspiring artists who are transforming their arts and offering captivating events, educational programs for all ages and more. From the One World to Gypsy Jazz in Paradise to Home Soirées and Symphony and Opera concerts, the Music Festival has something for everyone. For more information and tickets, visit www. crestedbuttemusicfestival.org
Public Policy Forum – July 1-August 19 The Public Policy Forum of Crested Butte presents a series of speakers each summer, presenting and discussing significant contemporary issues. It’s a volunteer-run organization that offers all of its events for free on Wednesdays from July 1 through August 19 at 7:30 p.m. The speaker series takes place at the Center for the Arts, except for the July 15 and July 22 presentations, which will take place at the Crested Butte Community School. More info at www.crestedbutteforum.org.
Black and White Ball – July 2 Put on your finest black and white and head to the annual summer street dance fundraiser for the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum on Elk Avenue.
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115th Annual Cattlemen’s Days – July 3-12 People who love the authenticity of the West should plan on attending the 115th annual Cattlemen’s Days at Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center and various venues around Gunnison. The event features a county fair, parade, concerts, dancing, a horse show, cowboy poetry, horse races, cowboy church and of course rodeo events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. continued on page 32
Photo: Trent Bona
our journey begins this summer 120 elk avenue, cb 970 349 2446 chopwoodmercantile.com
NEW
TIN CUP MINING Co.
Pan for treasures and gemstones!
CAMP CB Outdoor exploration, mountain sports, and Adventure Park activities for ages 3 – 14. The nursery is perfect for ages 2 months – 3 years. 9 am - 5 pm, June 13 - September 13 MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES
KIDS
summer fun for
Guided adventures for ages 7 – 14 including: Canoeing, Rafting, Archery, Fly Fishing, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Ropes Course, Zipline Tours, Disc Golf, Rock Climbing, Paddleboarding, and Swimming in Blue Mesa. Mon. - Fri. 9 am - 5 pm, June 8 - August 28 Mountain Adventures operates under a special use permit in the Gunnison National Forest, and is an equal opportunity service provider.
To book Camp CB or Mountain Adventures: 970.349.2211 ridecb.com/kids Advance reservations are highly recommended. All activities are weather dependent and subject to availability.
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 31
festivals and special events protip
Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival – July 23-26
continued from page 30
Take in some culture Name: Jim Schmidt Occupation: I drive people to and from the Gunnison airport and in the summers to and from weddings every Saturday night hoping they don’t puke on the bus. Years in CB: I drove into town on my motorcycle Arts Fair Weekend in 1976 and never left. Favorite place in CB to take in some culture: As President of the Public Policy Forum of Crested Butte, I can count on receiving intellectual culture every Wednesday night all summer. I love the music brought to town whether it’s the Alpenglow (the most relaxing events all summer on Monday evenings), the offerings of the CB Music Festival, or bands playing on the street Fourth of July and Arts Festival weekends. Sitting anywhere on Elk Avenue, whether a bench or an outside restaurant patio, is a great place to take in the culture of the town, though it changes by the hour and by the season.
Family-friendly activities are spread throughout the nine days of Cattlemen’s Days festivities, including rodeos scheduled for the evenings of July 9-11 and a Tough Enough to Wear Pink Concert and Auction on July 7, followed by the special TETWP rodeo on July 9. For more information, call the Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce at (800) 8148893 and visit www.cattlemensdays.com for a complete schedule.
28th Annual Crested Butte WildFLOwer Festival – July 13-19 The historic mountain town of Crested Butte, which was designated the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado” by the state legislature in 1990, hosts this colorful festival during the peak of wildflower season. More than 200 individual events such as photography and art classes, 4 X 4 tours, hikes and flower identification walks, garden tours, cooking seminars and more focus on the magnificent sight of miles and miles of wildflower fields in the area. For more information, call (970) 349-2571 or visit www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com.
The Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival strives to create a wine and culinary festival that complements the array of amazing offerings in the towns of Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. This festival is the perfect excuse to visit this scenic and captivating area. Featuring a selection of seminars, fine dining winemaker dinners, a Farm to Table dinner, champagne brunch, and more, there is something for everyone. The signature event, the Grand Tasting, presents over 500 select wines from 25 wineries and distributors, food demonstrations, and this year, artists painting en plein air throughout the venue. This event is put on by the Center for the Arts in conjunction with Larimer Associates.
14th Annual Caddis Cup Fly Fishing Tournament – July 10-11 Fish the award-winning waters of Gunnison County for Crested Butte Land Trust’s 14th Annual Caddis Cup Fly Fishing Tournament July 10-11. The tournament provides a wonderful way to improve your cast, meet new folks, and soak in the scenery—all while helping to preserve the incredible lands and waters in Gunnison County. For more information, visit www.cblandtrust.org.
SUMMER SPEAKER SERIES July 1- August 19, 2015 All events are Wednesdays at 7:30 and are FREE • Locations as noted below for each date www.crestedbutteforum.org
July 1 “CRESTED BUTTE VS THE REAL WORLD; RESORT TOWNS’ CHALLENGING FUTURES,” Myles Rademan; With degrees in law and urban planning from NewYork University, he has served as the Director of Information for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, on the board of the Park City Community Foundation, and as town planner for Crested Butte and Park City. He currently serves on the Park City Chamber Board and the Utah Ski and Snowboard Association. He has his own consulting company and speaks nationally & internationally about resort town planning & growth. CB Center for The Arts.
Z
THE
Z
PUBLIC POLICY FORUM OF
CRESTED BUTTE
July 8- “THE MONEY IN POLITICS DISASTER: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?” Trevor Potter, JD ; Counsel to the presidential campaigns of G.H.W. Bush and John McCain; former Chairman, US Federal Election Commission; President, the Campaign Legal Center. CB Center for The Arts. July 15- “THE SUPREME COURT: THE MOST DANGEROUS BRANCH,” Richard Allen, JD; former counsel in the Office of the US Solicitor General; Senior Counsel to the Washington D.C. law firm Zuckert, Scoutt & Rasenberger, LLP; CB Community School, 818 Red Lady Avenue. July 22- “WHY WE DROPPED THE BOMB AND WHO MAY BE NEXT,” William Lanouette, PhD; former senior analyst for the US Government Accountability Office; author of books and articles on the military and civilian uses of atomic energy. CB Community School, 818 Red Lady Avenue.
July 29- “SECURING OUR NATION AND PROTECTING OUR PRIVACY IN THE AGE OF GLOBAL TERRORISM,” Mark Udall, Senator from Colorado 2009 – 2014; former member US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; climber of Colorado’s 100 tallest peaks. CB Center for The Arts. August 5- “IS AMERICAN’S DEMOCRACY WORKING,” Mark McKinnon; media advisor to Republican presidential campaigns and for former Texas governor Ann Richard’s campaign; columnist for the Daily Beast; co-founder of the No Labels Foundation. CB Center for The Arts. August 12- “EPIDEMICS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: WILL THE MICROBES WIN IN THE END?” Joel Gallant, MD, M.P.H.; Medical Director of Specialty Services, SW Care Center, Santa Fe, NM; Adjunct Professor at the Johns Hopkins University and University of New Mexico medical schools; frequent panelist at the Conference on World Affairs, Boulder, CO. CB Center for The Arts. August 19- “THE GREAT DIVIDE: THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF COLORADO WATER,” Stephen Grace, screen writer and author of “Dam Nation: How Water Shaped the West and Will Determine Its Future” (a Colorado Book Award Finalist), “It Happened in Denver”, “The Great Divide” and “Colorado: Mapping the Centennial State through History.” CB Center for The Arts.
Thank you to those who make our speaker events possible: Gold/Underwriters: Beverly & Balie Griffith, Tom & Stephanie Seymour / The Tulsa Community Foundation, Stephen & Cynthia Smith Silver: Dale & Valerie Stahl, Al & Kate Vogel, John D. Belkin, Esquire and Carol Ann May & Jim Saindon Granite: Robert Fine & Marsha Goldstein, Mary & John Ellis, Henry & Sandra Estess, John & Margie Haley / The Planetary Trust, Hugh and Catherine Harris, Tom & Karen Jensen, Mark & Sarah Kaufman, Wendy & Mavis Kelsey, Steve Polan & Elizabeth Roistacher, Jim & Delrena Sides, Lawrence & Venise Stuart, Tim Wirth, James & Ruth Keene, Chuck & Cathy McGinnis, Cliff Barnhart
32 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
Living Journeys Summit Hike and Half Marathon – July 25 The Living Journeys Summit Hike & Half Marathon starts at the base area of Crested Butte Mountain Resort at 8 a.m. on July 25. The challenging course (approximately 13 miles) will include uphill, rolling cross-country and plenty of downhill on a combination of jeep roads and singletrack in Mt. Crested Butte. All funds raised go directly to individuals living with cancer in Gunnison County. For more information and to register, visit www.livingjourneys.org.
42nd Annual Crested Butte Arts Festival – July 31-August 2 Crested Butte Arts Festival is one of the biggest weekends of the summer, drawing world-class artists from all 50 states and several international exhibitors. Open-air booths line the five-block center of Crested Butte’s National Historic District, featuring 175 of the nation’s finest visual artists along with live music and entertainment, an art auction, gypsy lounge and artist demonstrations, children’s activities, and a beer and wine pavilion. The festival kicks off on Friday evening from 5 p.m. until dusk and continues on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (970) 349-1184 or visit www.crestedbutteartsfestival.com.
Crested Butte Open – August 2-3 The Adaptive Sports Center hosts its annual
fundraising gala and golf tournament August 2-3. For more information on the events and the ASC, visit www.adaptivesports.org.
Mt. Crested Butte Chili & Beer Festival – September 12 Get into the spirit of autumn with the annual Mt. Crested Butte Chili & Beer Festival held on September 12 at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort ski area. Heat up by sampling great chili prepared by area cook-off contestants, cool off with beers poured by more than 25 microbreweries and savor live music all afternoon. For more information, visit www.cbbeerfest.com.
Crested Butte Film Festival – September 24-27 Taking place annually the last weekend in September, the Crested Butte Film Festival presents more than 90 films during the peak of the fall foliage season. Expect beauty inside and out with four days of the best of international cinema, coupled with filmmaker talks, visiting actors, parties and easy transport on foot and bike between three downtown venues. Films to be screened include narratives, documentaries, outdoor adventure and short films, plus a free children’s program. Several ticketing options make it easy and affordable to enjoy all four days, and passes are on sale now at www.cbfilmfest. org. Individual tickets will be sold at the door. For additional details, visit www.cbfilmfest.org.
protip Stretch your legs Name: Jen Greene Occupation: Owner of Paradox Footwear Years in CB: 18 Favorite morning run close to town: My very favorite morning run is the Upper Loop. I usually hop on my townie and ride east on Elk Ave. A couple blocks up, it turns into a dirt road. At the end of the dirt road, look for a trailhead marked Tony’s Trail. I start running here. When I get to the intersection at the top of Tony’s Trail (about a mile up) I head to the right. I usually run all of the Upper Loop and if I’m feeling like more, I’ll add on the Whetstone Vista Trail or the Upper Upper Loop Trail, both of which are clearly marked. The aspen trees are big and beautiful all along this trail and bring a lot of peace and joy to the start of my day!
ACTION ADVENTURES ATV rentals
Where the pavement ends...the fun begins HALF-DAY AND FULL-DAY ADVENTURES
4 seat polaris rzrs for the entire family NEW FOR 2015:
the polaris ace single seater
(legal for 16 years old and up) Call for reservations
970.349.5909
info@actionadventures.com
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Main office located below Christy Sports at the Ski Area 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 33
CENTER FOR THE ARTS Crested Butte, Colorado
606 Sixth St. (970) 349–7487
Nathan Bilow Photography
Live! From Mt. Crested Butte
Music in the Mountains It’s Monday night in Crested Butte, and that means one thing – Alpenglow! The Center for the Arts hosts the Monday night free concert series on its outdoor stage June 22 through August 17. Incredible acts take the stage as children and adults alike boogie down or relax on picnic blankets. The concerts start at 5:30 p.m. rain or shine.
June 22 – Rebecca Frazier and Hit & Run Rebecca Frazier and Hit & Run earned their reputation as one of the tightest groups performing when they became the only band to win the top triumvirate of major bluegrass band contests at the Telluride, Rockygrass, and SPBGMA Festival Band Championships. Handspun yet motor-driven, their repertoire features original flatpicking guitar manifestos, ballads, folksy Americana, and barnburning originals coupled with the pure, soprano tones of a woman who has matured through seasons of heartbreak, loss and love. This concert is at Red Mountain Park in Crested Butte South.
June 29 – Quemando Quemando spices up Alpenglow with the sultry sounds of salsa. With band members from Mexico, Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico, Quemondo conjures the true, authentic roots of this sensuous musical genre. The eight musicians energize the stage with instruments ranging from a Cuban style drum kit, timbales, congas, bongos, guiro, maracas, shakers, bass guitar, piano, trombone, bass trombone, tenor saxophone, flute, alto saxophone, trumpet and flugelhorn.
July 6 – The Delta Saints There is something sinisterly devout about The Delta Saints’ Psychedelic Voodoo Rock and Roll – a dirty, grinding roots revival harnessing the brackish delta current into something gripping and bold. Alternating between raucous melodies and slow-burning odes to the devil, The Saints haunt the
stage with searing harmonica, howling vocals, funk-laced bass lines, and blazing guitar riffs.
the delta saints
Every Wednesday night from July 1 through August 19 you can head up to the base area in Mt. Crested Butte and boogie down to some amazing music. From rock and roll to country, bluegrass and blues, the lineup this summer is set to bring some stellar entertainment to the Live! From Mt. Crested Butte concert series. Concerts start at 5:30 p.m. at the Red Lady Stage. Food and drink are available for purchase. In addition, the Evolution Bike Park and resort’s Adventure Park are open until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays to coincide with the concert series. Twilight Rides for the Red Lady Express for biking and scenic rides start at 4:30 p.m.
July 13 – Seryn Nashville-based Seryn is gaining national attention for their use of traditional Appalachian sister folk and medieval choral sparrow hymns in non-traditional ways, their combination of spacey ambiance with strong choral harmonies, and their poignant pop sensibilities with driving rock drums and hints of shoegaze and electronica, all of which keep their sound progressive, relevant and emotional.
continued on page 41
July 20 – Roxy Roca Austin-based Roxy Roca is a nine-piece powerhouse of Southern Soul Funk with a James Brown showmanship, pure energy and raw aggression that explodes on stage with all cylinders. Inspired by the music of Motown greats from Marvin Gaye to Otis Redding, Roxy Roca fills the audience’s ears with trombone, tenor sax, alto sax, drums, guitar and the spirited vocals of frontman Taye Cannon.
July 27 – The Railsplitters The Railsplitters scale new heights through an enthusiastic and contagious bluegrass with rapid tempos, unusual instrumentals and good-time breakdowns. Using powerful vocals, enchanting harmonies, and masterful instrumentals, The Railsplitters have the kind of raw power and abandon that can raise mountains and even a few eyebrows.
August 3 – Colin Lake Seattle native Colin Lake’s passion and innate feel for roots music found fertile ground in New Orleans where his powerful vocal style and soulful touch on the guitar and lap steel owe heavily to countless blues greats. Yet Lake also captures the songwriter’s unique musical vision, delivering penetrating lyrics with soul and gritty sincerity.
rebecca frazier August 10 – Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds serve up a saucy sonic brew of seriously funky rock, blues, gospel, and soul that’s loud, fun and joyinducing. Armed with nine musicians and an arsenal of harmonica, guitar, bass, trumpet, saxophones and drums, this New York based hard soul collective is rambunctious and righteous with boisterous horns and bluesy grit. Led by the passionate pipes and sassy swagger of Arleigh Kincheloe, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds have shared the stage with heavyweights from Gov’t Mule to Galactic at festivals from Bonnaroo to the Voodoo Music Experience.
samantha FISH
Lukas nelson
August 17 – Sundy Best Folks might call it country. But the Kentucky-bred duo of Kris Bentley and Nick Jamerson more aptly name themselves “Appalachiadelic folksoulrock’n’roll.” With Jamerson on an acoustic guitar and Bentley on a cajón drum, the two capitalize on their sparseness, delivering a raw yet powerful down-home sound that could only come from childhood friends.
Jason eady 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 35
community
Life. In Miniature.
36 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
By Dawne Belloise
PHOTOS: LYDIA STERN
M
ining and trains formed the world of Crested Butte’s early history and by the Roaring 1920s, the small town’s dirt streets were bustling with activity and the air hung heavy with the pungent odor of coal and its black dust. Horses still trotted through the streets, saloons were hopping and most of the town’s population, predominantly immigrants of Croatia, the Slavic countries and Italy, worked in the mines. Tourism was nonexistent and everyday living was far tougher. The Crested Butte Heritage Museum decided to preserve this era in the form of a diorama, reserving space for the exhibit’s creation when the museum opened its doors on Elk Avenue in 2003. Several residents and museum board members were passionate about having a scaled train exhibit that would depict the busy town in its mining heyday and thrill tourists, train enthusiasts, locals and wide-eyed children. Many volunteers stepped up to contribute both funds and their artistic talents. Mike Fahrlander built the exhibit’s 12x18-foot platform, while artist Susan Anderton researched historic photos and maps for inspiration and direction in painting a mural and details. The scene is set in the glory of autumn when impending stormy skies contrast and illuminate the brilliant gold aspens on Gibson Ridge, and Whetstone Mountain already dusted with snow. Since the table for the diorama is far too small to represent the entire area, the town is compressed—there isn’t room for all of the buildings of the era, or the streets, so the creators chose Elk Avenue, Sopris, Maroon and Belleview east to Fourth Street, then jumped straight away to the train depot on Seventh Street and west to First Street. The museum put an ad in the paper calling for volunteers to build the scaled model. Of the many who answered, Dave Watkins and Tom Bielefeld constructed the majority of the historic recreation. Crafters made many of the buildings from scratch, using innovative materials that weren’t from prefabricated kits. In other instances, they extensively modified kits to recreate the buildings and structures. They found blueprints of the old water tower, Town Hall and depot, and created them all from scratch. They build all the houses except one from kits ordered from the Walthers Model Railroading catalog. Builder Dave Watkins recalls how excited the crafters and fully engaged train enthusiasts were. “It’s really cool, because they build from scratch, not from kits, and the serious ones are in their basements
building alternative universes, stick by stick,” he says. “Since they don’t make prefab Crested Butte buildings, we built the town stick by stick, looking at historic photos and plans.” Watkins laughs about having to pop up out of the center of the diorama town like Godzilla to access the various features. The original dozen or so people who answered the call for volunteers worked together to vote on the details of the exhibit. Watkins points out, “We made decisions on the landscaping, what kind of materials to use, and budgeting.” He says many people contributed a good portion of the materials and got involved. “We all voted to use the HOn3 gauge, the narrow gauge version of the HO gauge, which is what most trains sets are.” Watkins explains they chose that size because the scale is more historically appropriate to the actual railroad that came up to Crested Butte. “All the railroads that came through the mountains had to be narrow gauge to get through the canyons and up steep grades. The engines were smaller.” Although the material is made to look like the natural setting, much of it is synthetic because synthetic materials can last longer than natural materials, such as real sticks or dirt, which will eventually deteriorate. For example, Coal Creek is made with a clear-coat finish, specifically designed for train display use. Ground cover, grasses, foliage, and trees are all made with materials to mimic nature. When Tom Bielefeld made the Big Mine’s coke ovens, he designed the mold himself and cast it out of plaster. He built 60 percent of buildings from scratch and, according to Watkins, they “kit bashed” to modify prefab models into the appropriate Crested Butte era. “We picked the 1920s because that was when the town was at its peak, to mid-1930s, [when] the Big Mine was producing coke and coal, and then trained the coke over to Pueblo to make steel from it. It’s when the demand for steel was great. This town was doing good,” says Watkins. There are thousands of little details, including bears with cubs, a piano being delivered to Frank and Gal’s saloon on Elk Avenue, and an elk head being delivered to the Elk Head Bar. There’s a man checking the underside of his boot after stepping in horse droppings, another man driving a wagon carrying pistols, a murder of crows, and a polka band getting ready to oompah. There are a few out-of-place items such as the still next to the Big Mine—the only place it would fit in the diorama. This was, after all, the Prohibition era, but town folks made their own libations, growing their own hops, making dandelion wine and hard cider. Therefore the builders felt the inclusion of a still was an authentic portrayal of everyday life. continued on page 38
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 37
continued from page 37 “Everything was a struggle up here,” Watkins says, “the weather, people wore wool most of the year and burned coal, they were poor. People relied on the train for supplies, news, food, everything. And the train was big in the cattle industry and influential in making the industry grow.” Watkins explains that with the train, ranchers were able to send their cattle to market without having to drive them hundreds of miles. Although Crested Butte had a decent number of cattle, mining was the main industry in the north end of the Gunnison Valley. Originally, back in the town’s glory days, there were 40 train cars running coal out of Crested Butte, but that many cars wouldn’t work in the limited space of the exhibit so the cars are merely representative of a historical display—otherwise the train would derail constantly. Deposit a quarter into the diorama’s coin box and about eight cars, including the caboose, will circle through the tiny town. The engines recall the same ones that ran up the valley, right down to the same call numbers as on the sides of the original ones. Part of the table display is built to kids’ level so they can easily peer into the exhibit to see the train going around. “Kids love trains,” Watkins grins. The train diorama is an ongoing project of upgrading and maintenance. Watkins says, “We hope to be finished enough with all the details in the display in the near future and we will always maintain and portray the train as historical as possible—that’s our goal.” He says crafters will perhaps refurbish the structures they built ten years ago, those that need to be upgraded or historically corrected.
PHOTOS: LYDIA STERN
The people of the Colorado Train Museum in Golden, which started their diorama in the 1940s, have told Watkins there’s always something that can be upgraded and made more historically accurate. So, “Tom and I get together several times a year for maintenance and discuss changes or cleaning that need to be accomplished. Igor (a.k.a., Michael Klein) was key in getting the electrical work done, and setting up the electrical things that needed to happen.” The diorama is the result of the combined efforts of many people, says Watkins. Among others, Bill Oberling, Matt Hudson, Dave McGuire, Marilyn Phillips, Gerald Smith and Molly Minneman have helped in the past decade. To witness the past unfold in the Crested Butte Heritage Museum’s exhibit that is 1920s Crested Butte is to hop onboard a train forever circling through time, past the two-story outhouses, both familiar and unrecognizable buildings, alleys and saloons, the laughing children and barking dogs, the hard-working new-comers who would become our cherished old-timers from whom the town’s history is created and their stories woven into the fabric of our present.
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Wildflower Festival July 13-19, 2015
A Summer of Fun and Learning With Western Extended Studies EXTENDED STUDIES
Wednesdays At Western June 17 - August 19 Affordable, single-day courses every Wednesday. Hiking, Biking, Art, Photography, Geology, History, Horseback Riding and more! Online registration western.edu/es.
Summer Teacher Institute June 9 - 21 The Summer Teacher Institute offers a variety of courses designed specifically for K-12 educators who want to enrich their existing curricula. Opportunities include hands-on, individualized activities, instructional enhancements, and outdoor classrooms. Contact the Extended Studies Office for registration information.
Boston Brass Music Camp June 28 - July 2 A one-of-a-kind Extreme Brass Music Experience for motivated brass students looking for an Extreme learning situation and Extreme outdoor adventure in an Extremely beautiful setting, right in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Register online at western.edu/music.
Writing the Rockies July 22-26
Writing the Rockies offers fresh and expanded events on popular genre writing, poetry, publishing and screenwriting. The conference has an exciting line up of keynote speakers. Register online at western.edu/wtr.
western.edu/es
www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com Save the date!! The 2016 Festival will be July 11-17
For more information or registration assistance, contact Extended Studies: Taylor Hall 303, 970.943.2885, or email us at extendedstudies@western.edu.
Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy
Join us for a
20th Anniversary Celebration
July 16th Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
To learn more or make a donation:
www.gunnisonlegacy.org 307 N. Main St. Ste 2H Gunnison 970.641.4386
at the Ibar Ranch
To create a legacy for future generations by preserving ranching & conserving ranchlands
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 39
Your Story Starts Here
BACKCOUNTRY CANNABIS NOW OPEN FOR RETAIL CANNABIS SALES
ORGANICALLY GROWN WIDE VARIETY OF STRAINS LARGE SELECTION OF EDIBLES, TOPICALS, CONCENTRATES, ACCESSORIES, AND MORE!
BEST PRICES IN TOWN FOR LOCALS AND VISITORS!
$16 GRAMS $47.50 4 GRAM FAT SACK EIGHTS $78.75 FOR 7 GRAMS $141 1/2 OUNCE $237 FULL OUNCE
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9AM-8PM 970-349-7350 329 BELLEVIEW AVENUE UNIT A, NEXT TO DIAMOND BLUE POOL & SPA
for all of your wedding planning needs find our wedding guide at
GunnisonCrestedButteWeddings.com for inquires on membership: weddingcouncil@gmail.com
photo by Alison White
ONE LOVE CRESTED BUTTE, STAY LIFTED SENIOR & VETERANS’ DISCOUNT : PLEASE ENJOY RESPONSIBLY : MUST BE 21+ WITH A VALID I.D.
The Mt Crested Butte Town Center Community Association presents: FROM MT. CRESTED BUTTE
LIVE!
www.LiveFromMtCB.com
FREE Wednesday Concert Series July 1 - August 19, 2015
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Red Lady Stage at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort July 1 - Todo Mundo (World) July 8 - Jason Eady (Country) July 15 - Humming House (Americana) July 22 - Samantha Fish (Blues) July 29 - Pokey La Farge (Early Jazz/Ragtime) August 5 - Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real (Rock) August 12 - Zongo Junction (Brooklyn Afrobeat) August 19 - Trout Steak Revival (Bluegrass) 40 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
photo omlightphotography.com
WE’VE MOVED TO 327 ELK Yoga Teacher Trainings Private Instruction Retreats Meditation Boutique
Mention this ad to receive 10% off a class pass or boutique item!
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327 Elk Ave
349-0302
Live! From Mt. Crested Butte continued from page 35
July 1 – Todo Mundo Todo Mundo blends the musical flavors of Spanish Rumba, Reggae, Brazilian, Balkan and Middle Eastern styles into an irresistible groove that has been moving dance floors and connecting with audiences across the world since 2009. Their music and performances possess explosive energy that celebrates life, with the aim of connecting with people from all over the world, and encouraging them to live in the present, as one.
July 8 – Jason Eady Jason Eady is a charting Texas-based country and Americana singer and songwriter. From Mississippi, his earliest love was country music. But he was exposed to a wealth of sounds from the lower Delta region: blues, soul, vintage R&B, and swamp rock.
July 15 – Humming House Humming House embodies what’s right about 21st Century Nashville. They weave together threads of Music City’s folk, soul, and bluegrass legacies. It’s in their acoustic instrumentation, presenting mandolin, fiddle, acoustic guitar and bass in fresh roles.
July 22 – Samantha Fish Kansas City-based Samantha Fish has been on a major roll ever since she teamed up with Cassie Taylor and Dani Wilde on Ruf’s 2011 release, Girls with Guitars, and fueled by the trio’s Blues Caravan tour of Europe and the U.S., created an international buzz in the blues world. Later that same year she recorded Runaway, her solo debut, which mixed gutsy riff-blues rockers like “Down In The Swamp” with the mellow small-hours jazz of “Feelin’ Alright,” while marinating her songwriting in the groove of the Rolling Stones and even tipping a hat to Heart.
L E T U S S H OW YO U T H E
B R AV E N E W WO R L D O F L E G A L M A R I J UA N A
C O LO R A D O ’ S F I N E S T R E C R E AT I O N A L C A N N A B I S S TO R E
Outstanding selection of high quality marijuana, edibles, concentrates and topicals. Locally owned, grown and operated.
OPEN DAILY Must be 21 + with valid ID
July 29 – Pokey La Farge Incorporating elements of early jazz, ragtime, country blues, Western swing, and beyond, Pokey LaFarge has created a vibrant, deeply expressive body of work that embodies an expansive musical vision and vivid storytelling sensibility that are wholly his own. He’s also earned a reputation as a tireless, uniquely charismatic live performer, winning a loyal international fan base that regularly packs his rousing, celebratory live shows.
C R E ST E D B U T T E
August 5 – Lukas Nelson Lukas Nelson and his band P.O.T.R. (Promise of the Real) are an American rock n roll group based out of California. Lukas first picked up the guitar at age 11 to honor a promise he made to his father and was able to teach himself the craft by playing along to classic Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix songs. Now at age 24, Lukas is building his following the old fashioned way by touring year round and delivering high energy performances to fans across the country.
August 12 – Zongo Junction Generating a well-deserved buzz in NYC’s exploding afrobeat scene, Zongo Junction electrifies dance floors wherever they perform. With five horns, and a six-piece rhythm section, audiences can’t help but move no matter where the band is playing. Zongo Junction takes the stage 11 strong. “The only thing Zongo Junction has to do to start a legitimate dance party is show up and plug in – anyone within a square block earshot of this Ford-tough funk factory would be hard pressed not to join in the hoopla” says the Bay Area’s SF Station.
August 19 – Trout Steak Revival Trout Steak Revival has earned a place in the mountain states bluegrass scene, performing to sold-out audiences, winning the 2014 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition. From beginnings as an informal jamming unit during treks through the peaks of the Front Range, Trout Steak Revival has evolved into one of Colorado’s most tightly knit, hard-driving bluegrass bands. Their brand of heartfelt songwriting blends dynamic musicianship with intricately woven harmonies, all tied together with the unmistakable sound of their years of friendship.
WINNER!
2 0 1 4 C B B L A Z E R ’ S BA L L
Top 3 Flowers, 2nd Place Concentrates, People’s Choice
WINNER!
2 0 1 4 B E S T B U DT E N D E R
Crested Butte News Best of the Butte
42 3 B E L L E V I E W AV E N U E CRESTED BUTTE 9 70 . 3 49. 6 6 4 0 S O M A C O LO R A D O . C O M
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 41
N
town of Crested Butte
To Mt. Crested Butte
Butte Avenue
To peanut lake
Teocalli Avenue
**
Gothic Avenue
Rainbow Park
Maroon Avenue Chamber/ visitor’s center
* *
Historic District
*
elk Avenue
Old Town Hall
sopris Avenue
Mountain Express Bus Route Town Park Space Commercial Zone
center for the arts
*
red lady Avenue
* Mountain Express Bus stop
To Gunnison
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Emergency Services Emergency Crested Butte Marshal’s Office Mt. Crested Butte Marshal’s Office Gunnison County Sheriff Crested Butte Fire Protection District Crested Butte Search and Rescue Gunnison Valley Hospital
42 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
Transportation 911 (970)349-5231 (970)349-6516 (970)641-1113 (970)349-5333 (970)349-5028 (970)641-1456
Mountain Express Alpine Express Town Taxi
(970)349-7318 1-800-822-4844 (970)209-0509
Around Town Chamber of Commerce Crested Butte Town Hall Mt. Crested Butte Town Hall Gunnison Country Chamber
(970)349-6438 (970)349-5338 (970)349-6632 (970)641-1501
9th
Belleview Avenue
*
8th
*
7th
Whiterock Avenue
6th
5th
4th
*
3rd
2nd
1st To kebler pass
Town Park
COLDWELL BANKER BIGHORN REALTY We’ve Been Real estate leaders in the valley for over 30 years
Reggie Masters 970-596-3568
Cathy Steinberger 970-275-6257
Dan McElroy Owner/Broker 970-275-2534
Glena Galloway 970-596-0139
ay W e4 p h t to At S
Chris Kopf 970-209-5405
Heather Featherman 970-209-9875
Don Bunnell 970-275-3710
Heidi Jobson 970-275-2841 Rachael Baskfield Miller 970-596-4423
Tisha McElroy-Swan 970-209-1998 Pete Nichols 970-275-1176
Tom Walker 303-862-1334
Steve Mills 970-596-0292
Michelle Gerber 970-275-2384
Tammy Armour 970-596-2265
Fred Sandusky 970-209-8753
Bob Kray 970-349-5313
Eric Roemer 970-209-1596
Heather Peterson 970-275-5408
Kim Rose 970-209-2888
Ross Tunkey 970-209-9046
Vicki Church 970-209-7058
Meet our team of local real estate professionals We know this valley We know this market g Mountains, Rivers, Trails... Whether Buying or Selling 970.349.5313 • 305 Sixth Street • Downtown Crested Butte Visit our webcam at www.bighornrealty.com
BIGHORN REALTY Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
T
here’s no shortage of fun for kids of all ages in Crested Butte. Take a look at some of our favorite things to do with the kiddos, big and small.
Hit the playground You won’t believe how picturesque the playgrounds are in Crested Butte. Hit Town Park, right behind the Center for the Arts for a playground, a softball field, horseshoes and volleyball. It’s a treat to be right in the heart of town and let the kids run free. The newest playground in CB is Rainbow Park on Eighth Street, in between Maroon and Elk. The view doesn’t get any better than this. Let the kids tackle the climbing rock, play a little bit of soccer on the field or make their way up the spider’s web at the playground. PHOTOS: PAT ADDABBO
Head to the river We love to walk to the river from Rainbow Park. It’s just a short walk to the Rec Path behind the soccer field. Go cool off at the river under the bridge. You can follow the Rec Path all the way to Mt. Crested Butte, too!
Photo: Trent Bona
Fun for kids
Music in the mountains Take the kids to some free concerts this summer. Alpenglow at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts is every Monday night from June 22 through August 17. Let the kids dance to their heart’s content, rain or shine, starting at 5:30 p.m. On Wednesday nights, free concerts continue up on the mountain at the Live! from Mt. Crested
Butte series. Bring the kids to the shows at the Red Lady stage at the base area Wednesday nights from 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 1-August 19. This year’s free Divine Family Young People’s Concert on July 11 features Trout Fishing In America, the longstanding and yet seemingly unlikely musical partnership of Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet. The duo is known as the “Lennon and McCartney of kids’ music,” earned four Grammy nominations and recently released the CD Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers. Come early to the Big Mine Ice Arena and enjoy activities with The Trailhead Children’s Museum, face painting by Linda Powers and more starting at 10 a.m. (concert will begin at 11 a.m.) The Music Festival also presents the Opera Children’s Chorus, a three-week, tuition free program designed for children ages 7 to 17, presents a concert of choral favorites on July 15 and “Getting To Know The Sound Of Music” on July 25, a children’s version of the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Head to the Trailhead The Trailhead Children’s Museum, located at the base area offers hands-on exhibits and programs in the arts, sciences and creative play for children and families at the base area in Mt. Crested Butte. There are classes galore at the Studio, check the website for a full schedule of art and science offerings. Head outdoors and play at the Musical Instrument Garden or climb and slide at the Trailhead Tree House. For more information, visit www.trailheadkids.org.
®
RENTAL & DEMO CENTER DEMOS Half and All Day demos featuring SPECIALIZED® downhill and XC mountain bikes for men, women, and kids of all ages.
EVOLUTION COACHING Ride with an experienced
get more
coach and learn tips and techniques to boost your skills and confidence. Demo, lift, and lesson package available.
TREASURY CENTER
970.349.2211
8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Weds. & Fri. 8:30 am –7:30 pm
ridecb.com
30 miles of lift-served downhill and XC trails, Skills Zone, and numerous natural and man-made obstacles.
44 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
Action On the mountain The Adventure Park at CBMR is a great way to spend a day or afternoon with the entire family. The activities in the Adventure Park include mini golf, a bungee trampoline, climbing wall, and liftaccessed disc golf. This year the kids can check out what it was like to be a miner at the new Tin Cup Mining Co. on the mountain. Kids can prospect for gems at the mining sluice. At the top of Red Lady lift this summer is the all new 3D Archery Course where kids 7 and up can practice their archery skills. And get the kids bouncing on the Zero Gravity BagJump. The resort will be setting up two scaffolding at 10 feet and 20 feet for kids and adults to jump into the cloud-like bag of air. CBMR also runs Mountain Adventures for kids. More information on the program can be found at www.mtcbmountainadventures. com. Gravity Groms Headquartered in the town of Crested Butte, Gravity Groms leads camps for kids ages 6-15. The camps run all summer long and include biking, skateboarding and hiking. Email gravitygroms@gmail.com for more information. Town sports The Crested Butte Parks and Recreation Department has no shortage of summer activities for kids. Programs are designed with ages in mind; some are for a couple hours, others are all day adventures. Programs include baseball, tennis, gymnasitcs, soccer, field studies, and Kid’s Live camps. Schedules and registration information can be found at www.crestedbutterec.com. Pinnacle Bike Series Crested Butte Mountain hosts the free Pinnacle Bike Race Series on five Wednesday nights from July 1-29 at the ski area base. The series features cross-country and downhill races for all ages and abilities that start at 5:45 p.m., with kids’ races beginning at 5:15 p.m. Register on-site at the slopeside Butte 66 starting at 4:45 p.m. CB Development Team Crested Butte Devo is a new nonprofit program that focuses on mountain biking skill development, while building life skills. Programs are available for kids ages 8-14. Find more info online at www.crestedbuttedevo.com. Junior Golf and Tennis Clinics The Club at Crested Butte holds Junior Golf and Tennis Clinics for kids from July 7-August 6. This summer, the Club is hosting a Junior Masters program and a Junior Golf Academy. Call the Club at 349-6127 for more information.
Learning never stops Old Rock Library The Old Rock Library is a true Crested Butte
gem. The library hosts its annual summer reading program, this year titled “Every Hero Has a Story.” Free programs are offered on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. for kids ages 3-7 and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. for 8-12 year olds. Regular storytimes continue all summer on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. for babies and toddlers and on Fridays at 11 a.m. for ages 3 and up. And for a real treat, take the kids to the library on Friday nights in August and September for Outdoor Movie Night. For more info, visit www.gunnisoncountylibraries.org.
protip Kid’s Outing Name: Janna Hansen Occupation: Parks and Recreation Director for the Town of Crested Butte Years in Crested Butte: 20 Be sure to take the kids to… Rainbow Park. The views are spectacular, there’s a pavilion for family picnics, and between the playground, open field space for lawn sports, and climbing boulder, there’s something fun for everyone. Just head east on Elk Avenue until you hit 8th Street, then take a left.
RMBL Kid’s Nature Camp Through nature awareness games, hikes, art and literature, RMBL kids have fun learning about the science and ecology of this spectacular mountain setting in Gothic. Campers learn how to observe, appreciate and ask questions about mountain ecosystems. Camp is for children ages 4-12 and runs from June to mid-August. Each week a new topic is investigated. For more information, visit www.rmbl.org. Mountain Heritage Museum Walk back in time at the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Let the kids learn about the history of Crested Butte, from the coal mining days to the beginning of the ski area. There is an amazing train display that the kids will love! The Museum is located in town on Elk Avenue. CB Mountain Theatre CBMT is offering a two week Summer Intensive Theatre Workshop for Youth from June 22July 2 for kids ages 6-12 and 13-18 led by Jamie Stambaugh. Call the Mountain Theatre for more info at 349-0366. Dance! Crested Butte School of Dance presents Dance in the Mountains from July 6-17. Classes are for all levels ages 6-adult in contemporary, hip hop, ballet, jazz, tap, elements of dancemaking and more. More info is available at www. dancecrestedbutte.org. Celebrate the Beat The Joyful Arts Camp will be held from June 29-July 10 for kids ages 5-13. The camp culminates with a performance. Find more info at www. ctbeat.org.
protip Take the kids for a ride Name: Amy Nolan Occupation: Mom and Executive Director of the Crested Butte Development Team Years in Crested Butte: 14 Favorite mountain bike rides to take the kids on: Beginner’s Ride – Lower Loop with a Gunsight Bridge picnic! This trail offers amazing views with no sustained climbing or technical sections. Intermediate Ride – Up Tony’s Trail to Upper Loop/Whetstone Vista out Brush Creek Road to Strand Hill. Head back Brush Creek Road to Skyland to catch the connector trail to Upper Loop for a fun finish down Tony’s Trail. Advanced Ride – Head out Lower Loop to Slate River Road to climb up Lupine Trail out to Gothic Road and head up to the CBMR maintenance garage where you will find the Lower Meander Trail. Take the Lower Meander up to Meander Trail where you will connect with Columbine Trail. Columbine is a super fun downhill that makes all the climbing worthwhile. From Columbine cut out on the CBMR service road just above the base area until you pick up the homeowner’s trail to Hunter Hill to the Upper Loop and down Tony’s Trail back to town.
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 45
Activities in paradise Action Adventures ATV WHERE THE PAVEMENT ENDS...THE FUN BEGINS. Half Day and Full Day ATV and Polaris RZR Side by Side Adventures. Four Seat Polaris RZRs for the entire family. New for 2015 the Polaris Ace Single Seater... legal for 16 yr-olds to drive. A Fun and Exciting Alternative to Standard ATV and Jeep Rentals.The Action Experience...Your Adventure Starts Here. Located Slopeside at the Ski Area below Christy Sports. Call (970) 349-5909 for info and reservations. www.actionadventures.com
Adaptive Sports Center The Adaptive Sports Center (ASC) has provided life-enhancing outdoor recreation to people with disabilities and their families since 1987. This summer we offer the following activities: mountain biking, handcycling (on-road and off-road), whitewater rafting (one-day and multi-day trips), canoeing, open water kayaking, sailing on Blue Mesa, hiking, camping, rock climbing, horseback riding and our challenge course. Join us any day of the week for downhill or cross-country mountain biking on beautiful Mt. Crested Butte. Reservations recommended for all activities. We will also custom-tailor outdoor adventures for families, groups and individuals. Group pricing and scholarships are available. The ASC is located on the lower level of the Treasury Center on Mt. Crested Butte and at 325 Belleview in the Town of Crested Butte. For more information about activities and special events, or to register, call (970) 349-2296, email info@adaptivesports.org or visit www.adaptivesports.org.
Adventure Park Enjoy Mini Golf, Rock Climbing, Bungee Trampolines, the Coke Zero Gravity BagJump, and new Tin Cup Mining Co. sluice. The Adventure Park is located at the Mt. Crested Butte base area and is fun for the entire family. Adventure Park activities include a covered mini-golf course, bungee trampoline, climbing wall, airbag jump and New Tin Cup Mining Co. Activities can be purchased à la carte or take advantage of the Adventure Ticket and enjoy unlimited access to chairlift rides and all Adventure Park activities. Tickets are available at the Adventure Center in Mountaineer Square and at the Specialized Rental & Demo Center located in the Treasury Building. Opening for the summer season on June 13.
Alpine Express Welcome to Alpine Express! We specialize in transportation between the Gunnison/ Crested Butte Airport or the Montrose Airport, and the Towns of Mt. Crested Butte,
Crested Butte, Gunnison and outlying areas. In the summer season we request a 48-hour advance reservation to provide service to and from the Gunnison/Crested Butte Airport. Year-round, service to or from the Montrose Airport is available by reservation (minimum trip charges apply). Charter Service is available for service from Denver, Colorado Springs and Grand Junction. Local & long distance charters are available year round for all types of special occasions including weddings. Please call us to assist in planning those special events. New this summer – Let our 16 passenger Unimog 4-Wheel Drive Tour Vehicle take you to the incredible heights of the Elk Mountains where you can enjoy a special day in our wonderful high alpine environment. (800) 822-4844 / (970) 641-5074 www.AlpineExpressShuttle.com.
Art Studio of The Center for the Arts The Art Studio is a space devoted to art – from the tables that host a variety of art modality classes and workshops, to the walls and shelves that display the art of local artists and art instructors. We find it a truly inspiring little nook. Throughout the summer, ASCA offers classes and workshops in painting, drawing, ceramics, jewelry making and more. We also host art exhibitions - rotating shows featuring work by local and regional artists from Crested Butte and the vicinity. This summer, we are also open for painting pottery Wednesday - Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m. Visit the Center’s website at www.crestedbuttearts.org or call The Art Studio directly at (970) 349-7044 for open Gallery, Studio, and Painting hours or to register for classes and workshops.
Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven is a locally owned and operated bike shop in downtown Crested Butte. We have an extensive rental and demo fleet with bikes for the whole family. Our experienced service department is always ready to get you back on the trail quickly. Come see us at Big Al’s and our friendly staff will help you find the gear and information you need to explore the extensive biking in Crested Butte. Big Al’s Bicycle Heaven is located at 207 Elk Ave, (970) 349-0515, or www.bigalsbicyclheaven.com
Camp CB – On-Mountain Summer Adventures for Kids This summer your kids’ favorite ski instructors are sticking around the mountain for a whole different adventure. For the older kids, the Camp CB Summer Adventure program combines outdoor exploration, mountain sports and Adventure Park activi-
46 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
ties. For the younger ones, the Camp CB Nursery is the perfect spot to spend a day away from the parents. No matter the age, Camp CB has the perfect summer program for your little ones. The nursery begins at 2 months and Camp CB has age specific programming for ages 3-14. Open 7 days a week June 14 through September 13, 2015. For more information or to make a reservation, call (970) 349-2211. www. ridecb.com/camps.
Colorado Adventure Rentals Ride the top trails in Colorado on our ATVs and snowmobiles. Surrounded by majestic mountains and pristine beauty, you will experience the best of the Colorado Rockies. Our location is ideal for accessing a variety of trails, from the high alpine experiences in Crested Butte and Taylor Park, to the high desert environment of Gunnison, Almont and the Blue Mesa area. Explore off-road trails and mining roads dating back to the 1800s. There are over 2,000 miles of ATV, jeep, and 4-wheel drive trails in the Gunnison Basin, which provide access to spectacular mountain scenery, aspen forests, diverse landscapes, wildlife, rivers and creeks, and ghost towns. Choose from half-day to full-day adventures. Rental rates include insurance, helmets and instruction. We provide rentals in Gunnison, Crested Butte, Taylor Park, Blue Mesa, and Grand Junction/ Grand Mesa. Rent and ride out from many locations. Rates start at $99. (970) 641-3525 rider@coloradoadventurerentals.com www.ColoradoAdventureRentals.com.
CORE CORE fitness studio offers personal training, small group training, a yoga for athletes class and circuit classes for all abilities. Ginny Turner is the owner of CORE and has 15 years experience personal training, she is currently an ACSM Certified Exercise Specialist. Check out the current class schedule, list of instructors and more at corecrestedbutte.com or like us on facebook at Facebook/CORE. CORE is located at 502 Belleview Unit B above A Daily Dose juice bar. Call Ginny with any questions at (970) 901-4413
Crested Butte Arts Festival July 31-August 2 Come help the Crested Butte Arts Festival celebrate their 43rd year, featuring 175 of the nation’s top visual artists in a picturesque outdoor setting. Staged on Historic Elk Avenue, the Crested Butte Arts Festival (CBAF) includes children’s activities in “Art Alley”, delectable fare at “Culinary Court”, music and entertainment on the Ragged Mountain Stage, educational opportunities with Artist Demontrations, a gypsy lounge featuring
Montanya cocktails and art opportunities for adults, award winning brews & wines from Oskar Blues Brewery and The Naked Grape inside the beer & wine pavilion and an Art Auction, with proceeds benefiting art education and outreach in the Gunnison Valley. The Festival will be open Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission and parking are free and accessible. See for yourself why the CBAF is one of the top art festivals in Colorado and ranked 35th in the country! For full schedule, ticket information and lodging please visit www.crestedbutteartsfestival.com.
Crested Butte Community Yoga Coop If you love a good yoga class and like to go where the locals go, check out the CB Community Yoga Coop! We are a group of local yoga instructors dedicated to the growth and awareness of yoga in our community. There are a variety of classes offered such as Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Restorative Yin-Yoga-Nidra, Hatha Yoga and Guided Meditation. Our teachers have a wide background in the study and practice of yoga and love offering a space for others to find awareness of the breath, mind and body. The classes are affordable and offered in different locations around town. To find information on the class schedule, class descriptions, location and teacher bios please visit our website at www.cbyogacoop.com
Crested Butte Parks & Recreation The Crested Butte Parks & Recreation Department offers year-round activities for people of all ages. Summer has arrived, and with it a great assortment of sports and activities including pre-registration and drop-in activities. If you came here for the views, renting a park pavilion is the perfect choice for your next family picnic or birthday barbecue. Welcome to paradise, and let Parks & Recreation help you revel in it. As always, remember, dogs are not allowed in parks. For more information on your next adventure, visit www.crestedbutterec.com or call the Parks and Recreation Department at (970) 349-5338. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Crested Butte Mountain Theatre The Crested Butte Mountain Theatre is the longest continuously running community theatre on the Western Slope of Colorado. The theatre provides an open avenue for creative expression through community participation in all aspects of theatrical productions and fosters the growth of theatre as an art form through
high-quality contemporary, classical and original productions. The Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, home of the Mallardi Cabaret Theatre, is located downtown in the historic Old Town Hall at Second and Elk. We offer a diverse season schedule of plays, adult and children’s workshops, youth programs, film and musical events throughout the year. Crested Butte Mountain Theatre enters its 5th decade of educating, enriching, and entertaining our community. Located at 403 Second Street, please visit www.cbmountaintheatre.org or call (970) 349-0366 for more information.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort 18th Annual Pinnacle Summer Race Series Crested Butte Mountain Resort is host to the 18th Annual Pinnacle Summer Race Series. The popular race series is geared for fun and competition, from beginner to expert riders and is FREE for all racers. Cross-Country, Downhill and Kids specific races will be held each week. The crosscountry races consist of varying lengths and difficulty to challenge riders of all abilities on Crested Butte Mountain’s network of singletrack bike trails. Downhill races will utilize the courses used during
the Big Mountain Enduro and other gravity fed trails. The races take place on Wednesday evenings at 5:45 p.m. (register on the Butte 66 deck at 5 p.m.) and are tentatively scheduled for July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Pizza or pasta, beer and prizes follow each race for competitors. For racers needing lift access, reduced price lift tickets will be available at registration.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort - Summer Chair Lift Rides and More! This summer, come UP to the mountain. Take a summer chairlift ride and hike to the peak or rent bikes and cruise the Evolution Bike Park trails on the mountain. For something new and different, try the archery course off of Paradise lift or the disc (Frisbee) golf or the Tin Cup Mining Co. in the Adventure Park. The Silver Queen Express and the Red Lady Express (with bike attachment) lifts are open daily June 13 – September 13 and then Friday –Sunday only September 18 - 27. With Free LIVE! From Mt. Crested Butte concerts, Free Mountain Bike races and extended Red Lady lift and Adventure Park hours, Mt. CB is the place to be on
Wednesday nights. Start your weekend off right, with our Friday twilight Red Lady Lifts from $30 – 7 p.m. Twilight tickets are $7 and include a beer or soda from Butte 66 on Wednesdays and Fridays. Lift tickets are sold at the Specialized Rental and Demo Center located in the Treasury Building and at the Adventure Center located in the Mountaineer Square Courtyard (970) 349-2211. The Adventure Center can book all of your vacation needs from disc golf rentals to spa treatments.
Crested Butte Movement Center The Crested Butte Movement Center is a multidisciplinary fitness and wellness studio specializing in small group and private training. We offer small group classes in Pilates, Strength Training, Yoga, Redcord, Group Reformer, Sport Performance and more. Our private and shared private lessons are results oriented, goal driven, and designed to create lasting changes. In addition we have Nutrition Coaching, Fascial Stretch Therapy, Massage and The Rolf Method. We are your one stop shop for comprehensive fitness and wellness. Our intimate studio is fully equipped with
Pilates apparatus, Core Align machines, Kettlebells, Weights and everything you need for a complete transformational experience. Initial Fitness and Nutrition consultations are always free. 301 Belleview Ave, Unit E/F, (970) 903-0188. cbmovementcenter@gmail.com
Crested Butte WildFLOwer Festival When in the Wildflower Capital of Colorado, do what the Buttians do! Take it all in, all season long! The 2015 Festival runs from July 13-19 at the Crested Butte Community School. With hikes and walks, garden tours, birding and butterflying, photography and art classes, cooking workshops, and backcountry jeep and van tours, you can experience the diversity of our wildflowers at a speed and style that suits you. Visit our onsite and online “Blossom Boutique” for unique gifts, books and cards, and clothing. If your trip brings you to Crested Butte before or after the week-long Festival, we have events starting in June and going through September. Check us out at www.crestedbuttewild flowerfestival.com and (970) 349-2571, or email us at info@cbwildflower.com. continued on page 48
Perception is reality. get clear Get adjusted!
bliss
a community chiropractic cafe
walk-ins welcome.
Dr. Mimi Chatwood & Dr. Aaron Peterson 226 Elk Avenue | crested butte | 970.349.7474
photo JC Leacock
HIGH ALTITUDE EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY* MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCE Two-year residential program in the high Rocky Mountains of Gunnison, Colo. A First-of-its-Kind program in an extreme, breathtaking environment
For information, contact: Dr. Christina Buchanan 970.943.2027 | western.edu/haep chbuchanan@western.edu
State-of-the-Art facilities
Apply online at western.edu/graduate
Study Exercise Physiology in extreme conditions Instruction by renowned faculty
*CCHE approved, HLC accreditation pending
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 47
Activities in paradise Crested Butte Zipline Tour Take your mountain adventure to new heights this summer with the Crested Butte Zipline Tour. This one of a kind adventure includes five ziplines ranging in length from 200 – 300 feet connected by features or “events” such as suspended wood bridges and towering platforms. The guided zipline tour is an approximately two-hour-long experience for only $62 per person (plus tax). Group discounts are available, call (970) 349-2211 or stop by the Adventure Center in Mountaineer Square for more information or to make a reservation.
Crested Butte School of Dance DANCE IN THE MOUNTAINS July 6th -17th 2015! Classes for all levels and ages 6-adult! No performance, just straight up DANCE! Incredible, professional, local teachers offer classes in Contemporary, Hip-hop, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Elements of Dance-Making, Afro-Jazz and more! Whether you aim to strengthen your technical skills, try something new, or simply have fun, these classes are sure to get ya groovin’. Our local teachers specialize in such an array of styles and genres, we are thrilled to share our studio with YOU! Check the website for teacher bios, the full schedule and to register – www.dancecrestedbutte.org. Classes are held in the pump room studio, 3rd
and Maroon Aves in Crested Butte. Come dance with us!
Dragonfly Anglers Dragonfly Anglers, established in 1983 celebrates its 33rd year of guiding in the valley! The most complete technical fly fishing outfitter offering the finest gear and providing the most outstanding Guide Services for every type of fly fishing in the region! Float the Gunnison River or walk-wade numerous productive streams including the worldrenowned Black Canyon of the Gunnison Gorge! Take advantage of an extensive inventory of travel and fishing apparel. We carry brands like Simms, Patagonia, Ex Officio, Tilley, Costa Del Mar, Sage & Scott Fly Rods, Abel Reels, Waterworks-Lamson & more! Licenses & authorized Simms equipment rentals always available. (970) 349-1228 or (800) 491-3079
Elevation Spa Come experience the world class, 11,000 sq. ft. Elevation Spa and Fitness Center at Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s Elevation Hotel, located just steps away from the ski slopes. With nine treatment rooms available for massage therapy, body wraps, and facials, a fitness center stocked with cardio
Feeling the Altitude? YOU NEED ACLI-MATE! Go Higher! Feel Better!
machines and strength training equipment, a swimming pool, hot tub, steam room and sauna, the Elevation Spa easily accommodates you and your friends and family as you indulge together in a day at the spa. After receiving your healing treatments, you will leave the Elevation Spa with the overall feeling of wellbeing that inspired you to visit the mountains in the first place. Take advantage of our complimentary valet parking during your spa visit or ride the free town bus to the base of the ski area and arrive just steps away from the Elevation Hotel. Please call (970) 251-3500 to make an appointment today or visit our website at www.elevationspa.com.
Evolution Bike Park Progress your riding on our 30 miles of single track at the Evolution Bike Park. From familyfun green trails with whoops and berms to exhilarating advanced and expert trails, the Evolution Bike Park is designed for the development and improvement of riders of all ability levels. The Park experience begins at the base area in the Specialized Demo Center where the expert staff helps outfit clients with the size and style of bike to match their riding level and goals. The Park includes over 30 miles of lift-served singletrack cross-country
and downhill trails as well as a Pump Track in the base area to sharpen your skills. Bike uploads are available on the Red Lady Express Lift daily June 13 – Sept 13 and Friday - Sunday from Sept 18 - 27. Enjoy extended hours on Wednesdays and Fridays until 7 p.m. otherwise closing at 5 p.m. Lift tickets can be purchased in the Demo Center. The Pinnacle Bike Races on Wednesday nights feature the Evolution Bike Park trails offering beginner to expert categories with specific courses for XC, DH and kids plus it’s FREE.
Fantasy Ranch Horseback Adventures Looking for a great vacation adventure? Look no further! Get a true taste of the Rocky Mountain West on a one and a half hour, half-day or full-day trail ride. Ride up into the mountians crossing wildflower fields and winding through aspen groves. For reservations or more information call (970) 349-5425. Come experience Crested Butte’s beautiful backcountry by horseback! www.fantasyranchoutfitters.com
Gravity Groms Camps for Kids Who Rip! Gravity Groms Camps for Kids Who Rip are for kids ages 6 & up. Grom is short for
ELEVATE YOUR EDUCATION GRADUATE PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE IN LOCAL STORES AND ONLINE AT ACLI-MATE.COM for more information about mountain health, contact Dr. Roanne Houck ND, Acli-Mate’s founder and formulator at The Main Street Clinic
970.641.5363
Master of Arts in Education Master of Arts in Creative Writing* Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Master in Environmental Management Master of Science in High Altitude Exercise Physiology* Gallery Management and Exhibits Specialization Graduate Program* *CCHE approved, HLC accreditation pending
western.edu/graduate
Discover Gothic in thisGothic Summer! Visit RMBL
From HistoricIndulge Mining Your to Cutting-Edge Ecological Research Inner Scientist and Store Visitor Visitor CenterCenter and Store
Open Daily June 5 - September 25 Guided Tours of pm Gothic Hours: 9:30 am - 5:00
SIGN UP FOR ART LESSONS AT THE ART STUDIO! Painting • Drawing • Ceramics • Jewelry And So Much More!
Free Tours Daily at 11:00 am Adult Science Programs Kids Nature Camp& nature Visit www.rmbl.org for details about science
Also stop in to paint pottery Wed–Sun, 1–5 p.m., browse in our gallery, or schedule a private art lesson or event.
programs and special events for all ages! 970-349-7231 photos by Nathan Bilow
48 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
Located at 111 Elk Avenue (970) 349–7044 • CrestedButteArts.org
grommet: surfer slang for kids who rip. The Groms enjoy 3 big adventures daily including mountain biking, BMX jumps, skateboarding, hiking, disc golf, model rocket launches, cooling off in rivers, playing in mud, orienteering, trail maintenance and much, much more! Open Mon - Sat with drop-off & pick-up between 8-9 a.m. & 4:30-5:30 p.m., allowing kids (and parents) to play all day. For more information visit www.gravitygroms.com, email us at gravitygroms@gmail.com, call us at (970) 7656771, or find Gravity Groms on Facebook. We guarantee your kids will be tired, dirty and stoked at the end of each day!
Groms Sessions For Groms ages 7 & up who want to progress their MTB skills to the next level, Groms Sessions are focused DH or XC MTB clinic-format day camps, Mon through Sat, all day, all summer long. Our coaches are the highest caliber in their sport and are crazy about working with kids. Groms learn how to climb & pace like an animal on ascents, how slower & smoother can be faster on descents and how to tune and maintain their bikes & gear. For more information visit www.gravitygroms.com, email us at gravitygroms@gmail.com, call us
at (970) 765-6771, or find Gravity Groms on Facebook. We’ll help your Groms become the MTB athletes they want to be!
Groms Private Lessons From never-ever novices to competitivelevel, expert bike riders & skateboarders we offer private lessons to get your kids rolling or help them progress to the next level. Our coaches are positive, fun, encouraging and extremely knowledgeable in their expertise. We’ve taught so many kids to ride bikes & skateboards and progress to extraordinary levels and we’re so proud to keep counting successes. Private Lessons are for 1-4 kids and are available at hourly and daily rates. For more information visit www.gravitygroms.com, email us at gravitygroms@gmail.com, call us at (970) 765-6771, or find Gravity Groms on Facebook. Can’t get your kid to ride or want to help them hit the next level? We’ve got ya covered!
a wave, learn at our free Education Kids Zone or race for stardom; everyone has an opportunity to get wet and have a super weekend in June, as we “Celebrate Our Rivers”. Jonathan Waterman prologues the festival with a talk on June 11; a Community Float to the White Water Park brings all to the Friday night Fish Fry on the banks of the Gunnison with live music. Saturday features a full slate of river events for spectators and paddlers. Don’t miss World Tour 2015 Reel Paddling Film Festival at dusk Saturday. Rest up and get ready for more action on the rivers Sunday. The festival is sure to start with a blast and end with a splash, it’s a great way to kick off the summer season here in Gunnison Country! All details can be viewed at gunnisonriverfestival.com, and search for us on your social media sources. For more information please contact Joellen Fonken, (970) 275-3516.
Gunnison River Festival
Gunnison Valley Observatory
Liquid fun for everyone! at the 12th annual Gunnison River Festival, June 12 – 14, 2015. Whether you’re wanting to try out a standup paddle board, have your pup jump for big air, get sticky on
Open for Public Viewing every Friday and Saturday evening from Friday, June 12th through Saturday, September 12th. The facility gates open at sunset. Evenings consist of a brief astronomy-
related program and multiple telescope viewing opportunities. Admission is by donation and reservations are not required. The Observatory is also available for a fee by reservation for private viewing parties. The Observatory is located south of Gunnison at 2804 County Rd 38 across from the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area. From Gunnison, travel West on Hwy 50, turn left before crossing the Gunnison River onto County Road 38, continue around the airport runway then head south about a mile. The Observatory will be on your left. For more information on programs and visiting the Observatory go to www.gunnisonvalleyobservatory.org or call (970) 642-1111.
Handlebar Bike Shop Downhill. Dirt Jumping. Cross Country. Skateboards. Here is your bike shop. An adventure for you and the family awaits at Handlebar Bike Shop, now located at the 4-Way Stop in Crested Butte. Find the flow with a rental from Crested Butte’s premier downhill bike shop. Safety gear and trail knowledge will start every ride off right. Stocked with award winning Norco continued on page 50
DANCE IN THE MOUNTAINS TWO-WEEK INTENSIVE JULY 6-17, 2015
bicycle retail rentals & repair (970) 251-9169 | HandleBarBikeShop.com 315 6th Street in the OUTPOST building
CLASSES FOR AGES 6 TO ADULT INFO@DANCECRESTEDBUTTE.ORG
484-885-9951
DANCECRESTEDBUTTE.ORG explore the local trails with the
Colorado Laser Spa
Crested Butte Mountain Runners
visit www.cbmountainrunners.org for the 2015 Schedule
The Gunnison Valley’s Premier Med Spa, Featuring:
NEW! IPL Photofacial
NEW! Laser Hair Removal
Medical Weight Loss
Juvederm® Dermal Fillers
Botox® Cosmetic
CO2 Fractional Rejuvenation
www.coloradolaserspa.com
970-641-0149
234 N. Main St., Gunnison 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 49
Activities in paradise Performance Bikes and Intense Cycles. With a wide variety of skateboarding gear and accessories. Gearing up for getting down? handlebarbikeshop.com, 315 6th Street in Crested Butte. (970) 251-9169
Live! From Mt. Crested Butte, Summer 2015 Wednesdays, July 1 - August 19. The Mt. Crested Butte Town Center Community Association presents Live! From Mt. Crested Butte, a free outdoor summer concert series. Each Wednesday, between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. there will be live music on the Red Lady Stage located at the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Bring a picnic and blanket and enjoy fresh new sounds at 9,380 feet. Dogs and outside alcohol are not allowed. Beer, wine and food will be for sale. For a complete schedule visit www.LivefromMtCB.com.
Living Journeys Welcome to Living Journeys. Living journeys provides financial assistance, emotional support and enrichment to Gunnison Valley residents living with cancer. If you or a family member has cancer, living journeys can help. Financial grants can help offset lost wages and costs associated with cancer treatment. Support groups and private therapy provide emotional support and tools to promote wellbeing through diagnosis and treatment. Enrichment programs allow individuals and families to experience adventures together, recharge, adapt and enjoy life through diagnosis and treatment. Resources connect cancer patients and their caregivers and families to professionals and services that can help ease their burden. Visit www.livingjourneys.org or call (970) 3492777 for more information.
Mountain Adventures The longest running summer day-camp program in Crested Butte now includes the added benefits of access to the Adventure Park and Lifts as well as the guided excursions throughout the Gunnison country. Experience the mountains, rivers, lakes, crags, trails and scenery as a part of a canoeing, rafting, fly fishing, mountain biking, ropes course, hiking, ziplining, rock climbing or Blue Mesa adventure. Check the schedule at www.mtcbmountainadventures.com for what trips are going out each day. Mountain Adventures is available to 7 – 14 year olds Monday through Friday, June 8 until August 21 Due to the nature of this program, availability is limited. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling (970) 349-2211.
Mountain Runners The Crested Butte Mountain Runners hold a series of 12 trail runs throughout the summer on various trails in the Crested Butte area. Experienced or first time trail runners are welcome to attend. Distances vary from 5 to 20 miles with all runs on dirt roads or single track trails. The cost of entry is $5 and refreshments are provided after each run. For a full schedule please go to www.cbmountainrunners.org or call Martin Catmur at (970) 349-5326.
Scenic River Tours, Inc. Let us show you a great adventure! Fun, family float trips, exciting whitewater trips, walk/wade or float fishing trips, powerboat fishing on Taylor Reservoir, rock climbing instruction, kayak and duckie trips. Check out our great deals on Crested Butte Adventure Park/Rafting Packages and Zipline/Rafting packages. Professional, knowledgeable, friendly guides. River equipment sales, service, rentals and shuttle service. T-shirts, hats and souvenirs. Serving Crested Butte, Gunnison and Lake City since 1977. Offices at 703 W. Tomichi in Gunnison and mile marker 7.5 in Taylor Canyon. For information or reservations give us a call at (970) 641-3131 or check us out on the web at www.scenicrivertours.com. Great whitewater is only 20 minutes away!
RMBL Summer Science Programs SUMMER SCIENCE TOURS - Meet our scientists and learn how the science at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory impacts your life! Tours run every Thursday morning from July 9 through August 27, and every day during Geek Week August 3-7, 2015. Each program includes a moderate walking tour starting from the town of Gothic and is led by RMBL scientists. Tours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., $45 per person includes lunch at our new Community Center. KIDS NATURE CAMP - Explore the natural environment of the forests, meadows and mountains surrounding Gothic! Through science experiments and research, nature awareness games, hikes, art & literature, children have fun learning about ecology while meeting and working with real scientists. Programs take place on weekdays for ages 4-12, and every day of the summer is unique. Find out what makes science fun! For information about all RMBL programs and events, visit our website at www.rmbl.org or call (970) 349-7420.
Specialized Rental and Demo Center Get the perfect ride at the Specialized Rental and Demo Center. Located in
50 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
the Treasury Building at the base of the ski area, the Rental and Demo Center caters to every level of biking enthusiast and features top of the line downhill, cross-country, women’s and kid’s specific mountain bikes. Stop by and find out which of Specialized’s latest line is right for you. Daily clinics and workshops are also available to enhance your mountain bike experience. Ride with an experienced coach and learn tips and techniques to boost your skills and confidence. Both Cross-country and Downhill specific clinics are available. Lesson, lift and Demo packages are available. Call (970) 349-2278 for reservations or more information.
The Center for the Arts The Center for the Arts is home to popular signature events and a wide variety of indoor and outdoor attractions. Visitors young and old enjoy a yearround schedule of live music, dance and theater performances as well as art exhibits, monthly film offerings, visual arts workshops, speakers and much more. As the premier visual and performing arts venue in the region, The Center for the Arts hosts events throughout the year on our outdoor stage, expansive indoor auditorium, and at the Piper Gallery, a popular in-house gallery for local and regional exhibitions. In addition to our popular signature events, including Alpenglow, Tour de Forks, Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival and Winter Season, the Center also proudly serves as a premier events venue for local community organizations. Together, we bring attractions such as film screenings and music festivals to Crested Butte. www.crestedbuttearts.org. (970) 3497487.
Thin Air Sports (970) 349-4045. Mammut – Eider – Lole – Ibex –– Sorel. Your before, during and after adventure outfitters. Clothing and accessories for all of your year-round adventures on and off the mountain. Open 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Located in the Mountaineer Square Breezeway.
Three Rivers Resort and OutFItting Looking for adventure on your vacation in Crested Butte? We offer a variety of activities: raft, fish, stand up paddle, kayak, zip line, horseback ride, 4WD tour, Jeep rentals. We are your adventure headquarters. Visit our Orvis fly shop, store and restaurant at Three Rivers Resort in Almont. Call (970) 641-1303 or www.3riversresort.com.
Trailhead Children’s Museum Explore! Create! Play! Learn! The Trailhead Children’s Museum offers hands-on exhibits and programs in the arts, sciences and creative play for children and families. Discover our Blockyard, Dig Pit, Dark Room, Lego Grand Prix, Science Lab, All You Can Create Art Bar, Garden to Grocery, and more. This summer, don’t miss daily drop-off Art and Science Camps for ages 3-11! Looking to spend time outdoors? Check out the Trailhead Tree House outdoor climbing structure and the Melodic Musical Garden. Located at the base of the ski area in Mt. Crested Butte. For more information please contact The Trailhead at (970) 349-7160 or visit our website at www.trailheadkids.org. Admission is $8 per person.
WildFLower Spa Conveniently located in the Grand Lodge, the Wildflower Spa unites the healing arts with Mother Nature. Schedule a treatment today and enjoy a naturally relaxing and healing spa experience. The Wildflower is an affordable spa, with 3 treatment rooms where we offer Massage, Facials and Waxing. Each treatment is tailored to meet your needs, whether your goal is to relax, feel more beautiful, or find relief from aches and pains. Complimentary use of the steam room, pool and hot tub is included with any spa treatment. Please visit our website at www.thewildflowerspa.com to see our menu of services or call (970) 349-8063 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Yoga for the Peaceful YOGA FOR THE PEACEFUL is a green, grassroots community studio owned by Monica Mesa and Juliet Stillman. We are a Bhakti studio devoted to the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba to “Love everyone. Serve everyone. Remember God.” Our studio is dedicated to providing many different styles of yoga for all types of people. We honor all spiritual traditions, unity in diversity, local and global activism, and provide a warm atmosphere for personal growth and development. We feature talented and soulful teachers, inspirational workshops, local and global retreats, and a 200-Hour Prana Vinyasa Teacher Training program through Shiva Rea’s Samudra Global School of Living Yoga. We have a small boutique featuring unique and high quality yoga lifestyle products from eco-conscious companies. We are proud to be a family owned business providing YOGA FOR EVERYONE! 327 Elk Avenue (we’ve moved!) (970) 349-0302. www.yogaforthepeaceful.com.
Sam Lumb
970.275.2448
Sam.Lumb@SothebysRealty.com Knowledge and Experience
535 Journey’s End Rd. Crested Butte Outstanding thirteen room (6 bd/7.5ba) mountain home situated a short walk from downtown Crested Butte in a promontory location w/ broad, majestic, mountain horizon views. $4,595,000. Co-listed with
809 Elk Ave. Crested Butte New 5 bd 4.5 bath home on the park and along the greenway in CB. Luxury home by Faust Builders includes lots of artisan ironwork, stone fireplaces, premium finishes and great protected views in all directions. $1,950,000.
Cathy Benson
650 Journey’s End Rd. Crested Butte
.22 acre building lot with open space on 2 sides, elevated views to Crested Butte and the mountain horizon. Only a short walk to the hockey rink and Downtown Crested Butte. $975,000
26 Appaloosa Rd., Wildhorse
Luxury residence w/ 4 bedroom 4.5 baths in a quiet location 5 minutes from Gold Link lift. Extensive log detailing, ample family room, junior master, beautifully furnished throughout and ready to move in. $1,095,000
Red Mountain Ranch
Home in the aspens on 35 horse-friendly acres, 3 bedrooms and a 1,700 sq. ft. barn, prime Crested Butte Mountain & south valley views, convenient living in a private, forested, location. $1,539,000
304 Horseshoe Drive
Attractive Mt. Crested Butte home on the fenceline w/ great views from living, dining & kitchen. Includes 2 bedrooms, fireplace, cherry kitchen, basement w/ window & a 1-car garage. $499,000
Condominium Properties GRAND LODGE 567 — Terrific mountain view, owner’s closet, top floor, overlooks the pool, base area epicenter. $113,000 22 Riverbend Drive
Only a short distance from Town on new pedestrian path, 2 bd/2ba on .36 ac., generous windows, lofty living room, great views, new kitchen & bath, 1-car garage. $539,000
Whetstone Business Park
13 acre commercial/residential business park land located 2.5 miles south of Crested Butte. Development previously approved. $1,395,000
Hidden Mine Ranch
Beautiful, private 35 acres located only 2.8 miles from Town. Includes Hidden Mine amenities w/ East River fishing, 550 ac. open space, horseback trails and National Forest boundary. $650,000
Land Opportunities MERIDIAN LAKE MEADOWS — 1 ½ ac. homesite 240’ of Natl. Forest boundary, level, paved street, quiet, trees. $379,000 1555 SIOUX RD WILDERNESS STREAMS — 7.9 ac. lakefront homesite, aspens, meadow. $229,000
GRAND LODGE 368 — Super convenient complex w/pool, fitness, spa, restaurant. Attractively priced. $64,900 PLAZA 131 AT MT. CB — mountainside 2/2, fireplace, 1,040 sq. ft., quality complex $238,900 619 GOTHIC AVE. #5 — studio w/ 592 sq. ft. nice kitchen & bath, W/D, atrium patio $164,000
WILDERNESS STREAMS LOT. 15 — Easy access, elect. & phone, springs, fabulous views, trees, elevated. $159,000 SKYLAND HOMESITE — 215 Trent Jones Way, .36 ac. on the fairway, level, great views, only 3 miles to Town on paved roads. $250,000 761 SKYLAND DRIVE — Half-acre homesite, near Grant Lake, level, elevated with lake & mountain view. $395,000 1759 BRYANT AVE. — Crested Butte South, .39 acre, elevated, views, spring brook, nice neighborhood. $64,800 135 CISNEROS LANE — Crested Butte South, elevated, level, high side of the street, aspen grove, views. $84,000
401 Elk Avenue Crested Butte 970.349.6653
PHOTOS: LYDIA STERN, ALEX FENLON
real estate
A Time of Steady Growth
T
By Alissa Johnson
ake a quick look around Crested Butte, and it doesn’t take long to notice some high profile development projects in the works: a new commercial building on Elk Avenue, an affordable housing complex as you drive into town, and plans for a new Center for the Arts. Yet with memories of the recession still fresh, it’s easy to wonder if things have really turned around. The answer appears to be yes. The numbers confirm that construction is on the rise and real estate is on the move. As inventory shrinks in Crested Butte, surrounding areas are seeing increased activity, increased prices, fewer lowerpriced single family homes, and—after years of low activity—movement in land sales. Gunnison real estate is hopping too,
a trend that some experts attribute to the state of the market in Crested Butte. The buzz has some buyers wishing they’d bought sooner and others feeling the pressure to buy.
From stabilization to growth The local real estate market noticeably stabilized in 2012, when the total sales volume reached about $100 million from Almont to Mt. Crested Butte. In 2013, that figure rose to $150 million, and in 2014, it reached $165 million. And while sales grew at a slower rate in 2014, Benson Sotheby’s International Realty agent Channing Boucher attributes that to a slow but steady rise in prices. “Home prices are starting to rise. Sellers are starting to push prices up, and people are demonstrating a willingness
to pay the replacement cost and higher,” Boucher said. What’s most notable is that the trend is spreading beyond town. Places like Crested Butte South are seeing a steady rise in home prices as well. According to real estate broker Gary Huresky, also with Benson Sotheby’s International, “The new wave of inventory [in Crested Butte South] is coming in slightly higher, based on sales over the winter.” It has become difficult to find single-family homes under $500,000. continued on page 54
30 CINNAMON MOUNTAIN ROAD IN MT CRESTED BUTTE
908 CAMINO DEL RIO IN DOS RIOS
214 SIXTH ST UNIT 12 CRESTED BUTTE
Gunnison River frontage! Majestic 4bd/3.5b home, huge living Incredible mountain view! Ski in/ski out location in Mt. area & 3 car garage in Dos Rios. Short cart ride to Dos Rios Crested Butte w/4bd/3.5b home with hot tub, gourmet Golf Course! $989,000 kitchen and massive see through fireplace! $1,200,000
Penthouse Office Condo, central to Crested Butte at the 4-Way Stop and Town Bus Stop. Beautifully remodeled, immediate possession and motivated seller. $269,000
291 W. COTTONWOOD ROAD ON THE GUNNISON RIVER
1055 CAMINO DEL RIO ON THE GUNNISON RIVER
ON COUNTY ROAD 743 LOST CANYON ROAD
4+ acres, rustic barn, riverfront, fenced & zoned AG! Develop- 2.33 acres on the beautiful Dos Rios Island. Two level, ment potential or build your dream home! $475,000 “rustic elegant” log home has a 2,200 sf deck right on the Gunnison River & near Dos Rios Golf Club. $999,000
40 acre “in holding” surrounded by Gunnison National Forest. This vacant, mountain hideaway is off the grid but with easy, seasonal access & spring rights. Zoned AG. $169,000
Mindy Costanzo Broker/Owner 970.209.2300
Mindy@CrestedButte.net GunnisonCO-RealEstate.com
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 53
“TOWN IS IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT, AND AS IT GOES UP SO DO THE OUTLYING AREAS” continued from page 53 “Town is in the driver’s seat, and as it goes up so do the outlying areas but just not as much as town,” Huresky explained. The construction industry has also turned a corner. Building and Zoning director Bob Gillie says that construction rates in town have returned to pre-recession levels. Last year, the building department issued 80 building permits, just five shy of the peak in 2004. And during May of this year, the building department had 30 active permits compared to 12 the year before at that time. “There is a real mix of projects this year from new commercial and affordable housing to some substantial historic renovations,” Gillie said.
Low inventory a factor
PHOTOS: TOM T STILLO
PHOTO: ALEX FENLON
According to Molly Eldridge, owner of Red Lady Realty, the first four months of 2015 saw 99 real estate transactions compared to 74 last year. This year, “Our biggest issue is lack of inventory,” she said. There were 32 single family homes for sale in town last spring and only 16 this May. In Mt. Crested Butte, there were 146 condo and townhomes on the market last May, and 111 at the start of the month this year. “There are only five single family homes with year round access from CB South north on the market for under $500,000 and eight more between $500,000 and $600,000. Less expensive condos without high dues are also few and far between,” Eldridge explained. continued on next page
MOLLY ELDRIDGE Owner 970.209.4234
DOUG KROFT
970.209.0373 STEVE MEREDITH
970.349.5007 MAGGIE DETHLOFF
970.209.7880 JOE GARCIA
970.209.4034 DIANE ARONOVIC
970.209.0405 SIGRID COTTRELL
970.596.2596 JOYCE ROLOFF
970.209.4895 215 Elk Avenue RedLadyRealty.com
DEEP ROOTS u NEW GROWTH 54 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
970.349.5007
continued from previous page Boucher confirmed that the inventory of available homes and vacant land in Crested Butte is at its lowest point in 10 years, and that’s driving activity in places that haven’t seen it for years. Red Mountain Ranch, Crested Butte Meadows and Smith Hill are seeing activity. “Listings that have literally sat on the market for years are selling,” he said. Gunnison is in on the action, too, where 40 residential properties had sold and another 42 were under contract as of May 10 this year.
Vacant Land, the Luxury Market, and Commercial Speculation In some cases, the low inventory is driving people to purchase vacant lots. As of early May, three new homes were under construction at Buckhorn Ranch, with two more to follow. Eighteen lots had sold in Crested Butte South, with nine new construction projects approved, including two commercial developments. According to Chris Kopf of Coldwell Banker Bighorn Realty, “The lack of inventory available for
sale at the lower end of the market right now is why we have seen a significant number of lots sold during the ski season, 45 versus 19 last year, and 27 two years ago.” The Luxury Market also seems to be seeing more activity. Initially slow to pick up, Eldridge noted that by April 2014, there had been only four sales over $1 million. Fast forward a year, and that number had grown to nine during a similar time period, with more under contract. Kopf and Eldridge agree that there’s room for activity in that segment of the market. With more than 70 luxury residences available, there’s still a good inventory available. “I think we will see significant activity in this segment this summer,” Kopf said. The other segment that seems to be making a comeback is commercial speculation. Joel Vosburg, realtor with Keller Williams, gives several examples in Mt. Crested Butte that indicate developers are getting back in on the action. “There is activity on high density properties in Mt. Crested Butte, with actual speculation going on,” he said. “It’s not just individuals. Developers are starting to creep back into the market.”
Pressure to Buy? While the improved market is a welcome change for many, some buyers are wishing they’d purchased sooner. Eldridge says that a lack of inventory paired with slow and steady growth has given some people a sense of remorse. “We’re certainly seeing buyers wishing they had bought earlier,” Eldridge said. And Huresky feels “people (especially CB South land buyers) are seeing this movement and feeling as if they have to get a hold of something.” There was a similar pattern in 2006, before the market went through the roof, but Huresky believes the jump won’t be as crazy this time around. “People are smarter with their money after the last crash and the banks are tighter to work with,” he said. And all around, Eldridge believes that this market offers something for everyone. “It is a good time to sell because demand is good and a good time to buy because values are increasing and should continue to do so. People who want to hold on to their property can feel good about that too,” Eldridge said.
“THIS MARKET OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE”
CRESTED BUTTE
STRONG TEAM
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SUPERIOR SERVICE
Offering: Fuel, car wash, snacks, housewares, lawn & garden, camping & fishing supplies, outdoor sports, and all your DIY project supplies
Have two of Crested Butte’s most successful and respected realtors work together for you. With their combined energy, creativity, dedication and experience they’ll be sure to meet your real estate needs. Maggie Dethloff
607 6th St, Crested Butte 970-349-5305
BROKER CNE, e-PRO, RSPS 970.209.7880 Maggie@RedLadyRealty.com
Joe Garcia
BROKER GRE, e-Pro 970.209.4034 Joe@RedLadyRealty.com
www.truevalue.com/crestedbutte
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 55
The Crested Butte Real Estate Report by Doug Duryea So, how is the real estate market doing? A question many realtors are frequently asked is, “How is the real estate market doing?” Most realtors would love to say that real estate is doing “awesome,” and many may be tempted to report just that. Some may declare that it is a “Buyers” market or a “Sellers” market. Or, it may be said that the market has not met previous forecasts, however… What do the statistics say about what is happening in Crested Butte real estate? What are some of the facts? Let’s take a look at some of the different sectors of the Crested Butte real estate market to see how each is doing. Single Family Homes Mt. Crested Butte Single-family home sales in Mt. Crested Butte. Average “sold” prices are as follows: Year Number of Homes Sold Average Sale Price 2000 4 $437,250 2001 10 $454,590 2002 17 $648,522 2003 15 $695,389 2004 26 $709,769 2005 28 $819,446 2006 11 $1,078,846 2007 11 $1,088,409 2008 13 $1,515,096 2009 13 $1,212,108 2010 12 $641,908 2011 22 $882,068 2012 19 $875,166 2013 22 $1,034,055 2014 25 $683,890 2015 (first four months) 5 $771,400
Town of Crested Butte In the town of Crested Butte the average sold price of a single-family home has varied widely: Year Number of Homes Sold Average Sale Price 2000 20 $427,496 2001 13 $579,288 2002 9 $423,778 2003 23 $424,095 2004 29 $675,833 2005 26 $951,467 2006 25 $937,323 2007 9 $942,666 2008 12 $1,037,750 2009 19 $820,368 2010 20 $745,075 2011 17 $1,197,367 2012 25 $633,140 2013 26 $912,836 2014 29 $1,028,630 2015 (first four months) 10 $893,800 continued on page 59
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PHOTOS: LYDIA STERN
Currently, the average asking price for the 42 active single-family homes in Mt. Crested Butte is $1,568,154. Prices range from $310,000 to $4,600,000.
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LUXURY HOME WITH VIEWS 21 Trent Jones Court, Skyland 3 Bd/3.5 Ba, MLS #39040, $995,000
MOUNTAIN HOME WITH VIEWS 28 Meadow Drive, Meridian Lake Meadows 3 Bd/3 Ba, MLS #39040, $795,000
LUXURY HOME IN OVERLOOK. 7 Peakview Drive, Mt. Crested Butte 4 Bd, 3.5 Ba, MLS #38931, $1,795,000
35 ACRE RETREAT, SLEEPS 18+ 1060 Kebler Pass Road 6 Bd/5.5 Ba, MLS #32766, $2,750,000
QUALITY REMODELED & FURNISHED 15 Cockleburr Circle, Mt. CB 3 Bd/2 Ba, MLS #37827, $499,000
LUXURY TOWN HOME IN SKYLAND 3 Mountain Horizons Dr., Hole #6 3 Bd/3.5 Ba,Furnished, MLS #38564, $669,000
SKI-IN/OUT FURNISHED CONDO 18 Snowmass Road, Gateway #104 2 Bd/2 Ba, MLS #38396, $450,000
CHARMING HOME IN PITCHFORK 303 Horseshoe Drive 3 Bd/2 Ba, MLS #38919, $429,000
CHRIS KOPF
Previews® Property Specialist (970) 209-5405 ChrisKopf@BighornRealty.com www.ChrisKopf.com
See Additional Listings, and Crested Butte Real Estate Market Reports at ChrisKopf.com
Each office independently owned and operated
BIGHORN REALTY
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 57
PMPCBNewsSVG15_Layout 1 5/11/15 4:18 PM Page 1
Unlock Paradise
Privacy, Tranquility and Mountain Views
NEW LISTING!
Move up to 7 Glacier Lily Way You’ll be amazed with the expansive views from the home and deck. Immaculate 3 bdrm, 2 bath home with vaulted ceiling in LR and pitched ceilings in kitchen-diningden area and master bedroom. Upscale appointments and move-in condition. Home is on 1.13 acres that backs to dedicated green space. $795,000
95 Willow Lane, Crested Butte
0.80 acres | 4,742 sq. ft. | offered furnished Listed and marketed by Mindy Sturm• $1,650,000
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CALL, CLICK, CONNECT. Search the MLS and view property at
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318 Elk Avenue | Suite 15 Historic Downtown Crested Butte, CO
970.349.6114
234 N. Main Street | C3 100 Downtown Gunnison, CO
970.641.7000
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Joyce Roloff Broker, CNE, RSPS
970.209.4895 joyce@redladyrealty.com
783 Forest Lane
76 Dragon Lane | Riverfront
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 3,818 SqFt | $1,225,000
4 Bed | 2 Bath | 2,400 SqFt | 14.4 Acres | $869,000
Gary Huresky Realtor 970.209.2421 274 Shavano Street
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2,422 SqFt | $569,000 58 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
Gary.Huresky@SothebysRealty.com
CrestedButteSales.com
Whetstone Vista | Lot 9
1.9 Acres | Off of Brush Creek Rd | $249,000
The Crested Butte Real Estate Report continued from page 56 Currently, in the town of Crested Butte, there are 15 active single-family listings, ranging in price from $495,000 to $2,690,000. These homes have an average asking price of $1,131,200. Skyland/Country Club area The Skyland, golf course area has seen the following activity: Year Number of Homes Sold Average Sale Price 2004 3 $1,280,833 2005 10 $1,302,750 2006 10 $1,541,400 2007 3 $1,683,333 2008 0 0 2009 3 $1,520,000 2010 7 $905,357 2011 8 $813,862 2012 4 $651,250 2013 6 $939,500 2014 2 $1,412,500 2015 (first four months) 2 $767,500
PHOTOS: ALEX FENLON
There are presently 13 single-family homes for sale in the Skyland/Country Club area with an average asking price of $1,538,769. Prices range from $790,000 to $2,995,000. CB South Average sold single-family home prices in CB South have experienced the following: Year Number of Homes Sold Average Sale Price 2000 n/a $293,167 2001 n/a $373,181 2002 n/a $325,053 2003 18 $336,611 2004 23 $355,826 2005 30 $477,697 2006 21 $533,714 2007 16 $518,906 2008 8 $503,125 2009 9 $450,500 2010 8 $371,178 2011 20 $337,580 2012 15 $374,050 2013 20 $396,870 2014 16 $396,909 2015 (first four months) 5 $438,780 continued from page 61
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 59
In-town Luxury on Coal Creek
BIGHORN REALTY
Sanctuary for me. Legacy for them.
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated
311 Teocalli Avenue Town of Crested Butte One-of-a-kind west-end location in town, on Coal Creek, with unobstructed views of Mt. Crested Butte and the surrounding peaks. Major renovation in 2009, built to a high level of modern-day luxury and Five Star energy efficiency. 311 Teocalli is offered fully furnished and is effectively a brand new house. A private oasis quietly tucked in at the end of the road where Teocalli Avenue meets the creek, yet only three blocks to the heart of downtown Crested Butte. Three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, 2,720 square feet plus attached one car garage. Gourmet kitchen, huge view windows, and two balconies overlooking the creek and beyond. Soak in the hot tub right on the creek. This is paradise. Offered at $1,985,000.
J Reeser Architect
custom home and ranch architecture
Ross Tunkey
Broker Associate
ross@bighornrealty.com Cell 970-209-9046 Office 970-349-5313
office: 970-641-4740 | jreeserarchitect.com
High Country
Window Cleaning, LLC Window Cleaning PROFESSIONALS since 1986
Premier Slope Side WestWall Lodge
Excellent Workmanship, Outstanding Service... Just ask around.
Give John & Eric a call today.
970.349.1411
Luxury residences located at the base of WestWall lift. Beautiful high end finishes with knotty alder trim and doors, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, gas fireplace, oversize closets and walk-in laundry room. WestWall ownership comes with its privileges including the extensive amenities the onsite Alpine Club has to offer. After a long day of outdoor activities, utilize the heated pool and hot tub, his/hers steam rooms, Nautilus fitness, ski valet, full sized ski lockers and private members’ lounge with an inviting lobby hosting a full service experienced front desk staff. The heated underground parking includes a generous owners’ storage closet. Conveniently located on the shuttle route and walking distance to the base area. A303 Residence - 3 BD / 3 Bath $1,149,000 C301 Residence - 4 BD / 4 Bath $1,950,000 For additional photos and features exclusive to this premier property, please visit website at: www.cbliving.com or call for your own personal tour of current listings of this unique opportunity.
Meg Brethauer
Broker Associate, Crested Butte Resort Real Estate Mobile: 970-209-1210 mbrethauer@cbmr.com www.cbliving.com R E S O R T R E A L E S TAT E
60 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
The Crested Butte Real Estate Report
continued from page 59 There are currently 12 single-family homes for sale in CB South ranging from $369,000 to $949,000, now averaging $605,416. Condominiums/Townhomes Mt. Crested Butte Here’s a look at what’s happening with Mt. CB condos: Year Number of Condos Sold Average Sale Price 2000 37 $252,650 2001 70 $237,142 2002 59 $262,994 2003 65 $237,198 2004 193 $260,852 2005 140 $364,407 2006 47 $473,432 2007 118 $690,544 2008 35 $482,097 2009 54 $353,558 2010 62 $332,174 2011 89 $225,565 2012 77 $254,062 2013 94 $260,468 2014 131 $253,451 2015 (first four months) 18 $222,666 Currently there are 111 condo/townhome units for sale in the MLS system in Mt. Crested Butte, ranging in price from $52,500 to $1,950,000. The average asking price for a mountain condo is currently $370,067.
Town of Crested Butte The condo/townhome market in the town of Crested Butte has witnessed the following growth statistics over the last few years: Year Number of Condos Sold Average Sale Price 2000 22 $237,764 2001 6 $232,750 2002 11 $237,773 2003 14 $244,107 2004 25 $297,296 2005 23 $402,826 2006 11 $518,444 2007 4 $503,613 2008 7 $521,714 2009 12 $358,283 2010 10 $301,440 2011 6 $208,729 2012 9 $303,500 2013 10 $268,278 2014 11 $426,250 2015 (first four months) 5 $326,840 There are presently 14 condos/townhomes for sale in town ranging from $130,000 to $1,095,000 (average asking price is $400,600). continued on page 62
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Custom Property Protection Certified Locksmiths
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HEATHER WOODWARD Realtor®, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty Colorado Heritage 211 Elk Avenue | Suite B | P.O. Box 1788
970.596.1394
Heather@TheHeatherWoodwardTeam.com www.TheHeatherWoodwardTeam.com
CA R B O N M O N OX I D E D E T E C T I O N • C C T V W I T H R E M OT E V I E W I N G
Colette E Kraatz Broker Associate
Crested Butte Resort Real Estate Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225
970-349-4991 Office 970-376-7304 Mobile ckraatz@cbmr.com www.cbliving.com Selling Crested Butte and Gunnison’s Finest Properties
Lucky enough to call Crested Butte my home!
Consistent Communication | Expert Negotiations High Level of Customer Service Call me today for your private consultation.
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 61
The Crested Butte Real Estate Report
CB South There are a few condo/townhomes in CB South. Sales statistics here show the following in recent years: Year Number of Condos Sold Average Sale Price 2000 7 $139,700 2001 8 $198,188 2002 7 $152,000 2003 7 $198,614 2004 37 $193,588 2005 23 $270,346 2006 19 $565,000 2007 10 $316,610 2008 9 $334,720 2009 7 $302,285 2010 6 $210,558 2011 18 $110,000 2012 11 $164,945 2013 16 $166,600 2014 9 $255,222 2015 (first four months) 4 $187,750 Presently, there are six condos/townhomes for sale in CB South ranging in price from $119,000 to $499,500, with an average asking price of $262,650. continued from page 61
PHOTO: ALEX FENLON
Skyland/Country Club area The condo/townhome market at the Skyland/Country Club area has witnessed the following sales figures: Year Number of Condos Sold Average Sale Price 2000 17 $358,529 2001 17 $441,852 2002 9 $486,111 2003 20 $295,439 2004 21 $375,233 2005 20 $312,585 2006 12 $732,075 2007 10 $704,250 2008 7 $800,625 2009 5 $307,500 2010 6 $441,150 2011 9 $380,555 2012 15 $384,821 2013 11 $476,043 2014 6 $681,833 2015 (first four months) 0 0 There are currently six condos/townhomes for sale in the Country Club area ranging from $450,000 to $845,000, averaging $695,493.
62 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
Vacant Lots (up to 5 acres) Mt. Crested Butte Vacant land sales in the Mt. Crested Butte area have seen the following activity: Year Number of Lots Sold Average Sale Price 2000 n/a $190,000 2001 n/a $200,000 2002 n/a $177,250 2003 23 $231,565 2004 45 $292,661 2005 31 $473,448 2006 18 $738,547 2007 11 $840,455 2008 3 $691,667 2009 2 $602,500 2010 4 $173,250 2011 6 $187,083 2012 21 $224,176 2013 13 $156,000 2014 13 $271,590 2015 (first four months) 5 $306,000 There are currently 47 active land listings for sale in Mt. CB, ranging in price from $50,000 to $951,600, with an average asking price of $435,502. continued on page 64
Rare opportunity to own at Hidden River Ranch
796 Hidden River Road, Crested Butte
• Riverfront property on 5 acres • Fishing rights on the East River • 4 miles from downtown Crested Butte • Spectacular 360• views • 4 Bedroom/ 4.5 Bath/ 2 Car Garage / 3579 sqft Common Area Amenities: • Horse pasture • Stocked fishing pond • 170 acres of open space • On-ranch caretaker
Offered at $1,595,000 MLS# 39097
Heather T. Peterson (970) 275-5408
heather@bighornrealty.com www.bighornrealty.com
BUY & SELL WITH MICHELLE! Michelle Gerber
Resort and Second Home Specialist Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource ePro Certified
Call Me TODAY!
970•275•2384
MichelleGerberRealtor@gmail.com www.bighornrealty.com www.MichelleGerber.com
BIGHORN REALTY Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
305 Sixth Street
Downtown Crested Butte at the 4-way Stop 970-349-5313
BIGHORN REALTY Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
GRAND LODGE CONDOS Base area turnkey condos with many amenities. Full ownership with rental income. Studios, 1 & 2 Bedrooms from $50,000
THE LODGE AT FISHING CABIN ON MOUNTAINEER SQUARE THE RIVER Mountain residences at base of Located on Taylor River. 1 ski area. Strong rental income Bedroom + sleeping loft. Three with extensive amenities. Rivers Resort managed with Starting at $399K great rental program $169,900
Molly Eldridge Broker-Owner
CRS, ABR, RSPS, SFR
(970) 209-4234
molly@redladyrealty.com
MollyInCrestedButte.com
948 RIDGE ROAD Private homesite with 3.64 acres in Skyland overlooking golf course. House plans for 6 BD home included $795,000
GOLF COURSE HOMESITES Skyland community 2 miles from downtown. Great views, fishing rights, clubhouse with ski amenities. Starting at $135K
HIDDEN MINE RANCH 35 Acre homesites just outside of town. Gated community with 550+acres of shared recreational land. Starting at $285K
Meg Brethauer
Broker Associate, Crested Butte Resort Real Estate Mobile: 970-209-1210 mbrethauer@cbmr.com www.cbliving.com R E S O R T R E A L E S TAT E
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 63
The Crested Butte Real Estate Report
continued from page 62 Town of Crested Butte Residential lot sales in the town of Crested Butte have seen the following: Year Number of Lots Sold Average Sale Price 2000 12 n/a 2001 6 n/a 2002 1 n/a 2003 9 n/a 2004 12 $375,910 2005 18 $554,528 2006 12 $475,329 2007 5 $736,750 2008 5 $678,750 2009 3 $418,333 2010 5 $399,350 2011 6 $469,333 2012 7 $371,571 2013 7 $631,642 2014 5 $466,435 2015 (first four months) 6 $483,000 There are now 13 vacant town lots for sale with an average asking price of $1,021,000 (ranging from $439,000 to $3,250,000).
PHOTOS: LYDIA STERN, ALEX FENLON
Skyland/Country Club area The Skyland area has seen the following land sales activity over the years: Year Number of Lots Sold Average Sale Price 2003 9 $199,111 2004 42 $197,086 2005 44 $333,739 2006 15 $396,217 2007 7 $391,357 2008 4 $320,000 2009 5 $258,833 2010 4 $217,475 2011 4 $54,025 2012 5 $240,500 2013 3 $116,665 2014 5 $179,800 2015 (first four months) 3 $75,000 As of May 1, 2015, there were 35 active homesite listings in the Skyland/ Country Club area with an average asking price of $372,257. Prices range from $60,000 to $1,250,000.
64 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
continued on next page
PHOTO: LYDIA STERN
The Crested Butte Real Estate Report
continued from previous page CB South Residential vacant land prices in CB South shot up tremendously in 2005, but have been dropping most recently. Here are the statistics for this area: Year Number of Lots Sold Average Sale Price 2000 37 $62,169 2001 20 $60,408 2002 17 $76,376 2003 23 $67,235 2004 70 $80,039 2005 49 $174,003 2006 18 $196,711 2007 11 $172,667 2008 7 $143,143 2009 6 $71,000 2010 2 $77,000 2011 13 $37,238 2012 13 $43,807 2013 9 $43,861 2014 13 $62,153 2015 (first four months) 15 $52,800 There are currently 30 residential lots for sale in CB South averaging $92,505 per lot. Prices range from $38,500 to $199,000. continued on page 66
ENJOY UNOBSTRUCTED MOUNTAIN VIEWS! Luxury upgraded 3 bedroom/3 bath, 1,946 Sq. Ft. Lodge at Mountaineer Square Unit offers slopeside convenience and numerous amenities including fitness club, hot tub, sauna, indoor/outdoor pool, underground heated parking, and ski and snowboard storage to name a few. $895,000.
MILLER CUSTOM HOMES LLC
Willy Miller 970.209.4392 www.millercustomhomescb.com
WALKING DISTANCE TO THE SLOPES AND SUMMER CONCERTS! This 3 bedroom/2 bath, 1,284 Sq. Ft. Evergreen condo features, a gorgeous rock fireplace, numerous upgrades throughout, is fully furnished and move in ready. This top floor corner unit has wrap around decks, mountain views and easily sleeps 8+. Priced to sell at $345,000. WALKING DISTANCE TO THE SLOPES! This upgraded 2 bedroom/2 bath, 951 Sq. Ft. Redstone condo SLEEPS 10 thanks to its spacious bonus loft. This condo is move in ready and includes a full furniture, linen and kitchen package. Priced at $232,000.
Crested Butte has been my family’s home for over 100 years. Let me help you make it yours. Cindy Ervin
Broker Associate Mobile: 970-209-5233 cervin@cbmr.com / www.cbliving.com
photo by Alex Fenlon
•residential •commercial
•new construction •remodels 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 65
The Crested Butte Real Estate Report continued from page 65 Ranches/11+acre sites Ranches and tracts of land between 11 to 45 acres in the Crested Butte area (CB area = Rural CB, CB South, Town of CB, Mt. CB & Rural Mt. CB). Statistics show the following in this market: Year Number of Parcels Sold Average Sale Price 2000 10 $352,700 2001 7 $313,000 2002 3 $371,667 2003 11 $428,955 2004 35 $380,003 2005 35 $911,943 2006 10 $971,700 2007 11 $1,250,591 2008 7 $1,019,286 2009 4 $1,410,000 2010 3 $758,000 2011 4 $277,250 2012 4 $287,500 2013 9 $442,111 2014 4 $260,000 2015 (first four months) 0 sold
Get the
BIG PICTURE & PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
Currently there are 55 listings of ranches/11+acre parcels in the CB area, ranging in size from 11 to 45 acres. These parcels have an average asking price of $937,277 per homesite. Most of the larger parcels can be found at the Danni Ranch, Whetstone Mountain Ranch, Red Mountain Ranch, Trappers Crossing, Roaring Judy Ranch, and The Smith Hill Ranch. Overall picture Overall, real estate sales in all categories (residential, vacant land, ranchland and commercial) have resulted in the following numbers in the Crested Butte area: Year Number of Listings Sold Average Sale Price 2000 414 $90,723,414 2001 246 $65,546,541 2002 240 $64,932,448 2003 311 $93,986,592 2004 723 $212,509,165 2005 627 $309,479,724 2006 294 $204,764,749 2007 283 $195,843,989 2008 155 $109,126,355 2009 160 $84,438,857 2010 172 $80,472,462 2011 275 $107,199,003 2012 265 $102,499,018 2013 329 $144,299,223 2014 328 $146,822,075 2015 (first four months) 98 $34,430,500 continued on page 68
Find YOURSELF in a kitchen that fits
from one of the most trusted names in Crested Butte
DOUG KROFT BROKER, GRI, CNE With over 35 years of local real estate experience, let Doug’s knowledge and sound judgement work for you. His training, service, and in-depth understanding will provide you with the unique perspective to gain the edge in this ever changing real estate market.
(970) 209-0373 DougKroft.com Doug@redladyrealty.com 66 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
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46 Willow Court, Skyland Custom-built with fishing rights. $1,350,000
657 Ridge Road, Skyland Majestic views on 1.74 acres. $1,250,000
322 Wapiti Lane, Butte Pastures Spacious Living w/ 4 Bedrooms. $1,175,000
4 Ruth’s Road, Crested Butte Premium, quiet location. $1,100,000
829 Red Lady, Crested Butte Attractive Home w/Artistic Finishes + Apt. $1,092,000
24889 Highway 135 20 acres w/Ranch Home & Caretaker Dwelling. $950,000
251 Neville Way, CB South Spacious Log Home on 1+ Acre. $949,000
92 W. Silver Sage Enjoy big views and fishing rights. $790,000
420 Slate River Drive, Rivergreen Contemporary Home + Apt. on Golf Course. $790,000
322 N. Iowa Street, Gunnison Quaint historic home with 1,000+sq. ft. garage. $645,000
37 Kubler Court, CB South 4 Bedrooms + 3 Car Garage. $629,000
310 Meridian Lake Drive 4+ bedrooms with open living + family room. $640,000
28 Snodgrass, Meridian Lake Park 5 Bedrooms in Aspen Grove. $589,000
11 Castle Road, Mt. Crested Butte Luxury town home-close to the slopes. $659,000
81 Anthracite, Mt. Crested Butte Forever views and easy ski access. $399,000
32 Treasury Road, Mt. Crested Butte Walk to skiing – Quiet Cul-de-sac. $235,000
Call Maggie Dethloff RSPS, E-pro, CNE
970.209.7880
Maggie@redladyrealty.com www.CrestedButteNow.com
Red Lady Realty’s Top Producer 2012, 2013 & 2014
PHOTO: LYDIA STERN
The Crested Butte Real Estate Report
continued from page 66 As of November 1, 2014, there were 46 properties under contract totaling approximately another $19 million in potential closed sales. As of May 1, 2015, there were 45 properties under contract totaling approximately another $29 million in potential closed sales. Crested Butte real estate sales have been off to a great start so far in 2015. The first quarter statistics show that sales dollar volume is up 43 percent over the first quarter of 2014, but slightly below first quarter 2013 figures. There has been a fairly even mix of the types of properties that have been selling, with single family homes, condos/townhomes and vacant land all receiving a good amount of interest. Vacant land sales resulted in 40 percent of the transactions that took place in the first three months of 2015. Typically vacant land does not see as much activity during the winter months when there are a few feet of snow on the ground, but due to the continuing decrease in house/condo/townhome inventory we are seeing more buyers shop for vacant land, even during the winter. Also interesting to note is the even spread of real estate activity throughout the Crested Butte valley. While Mt. Crested Butte and the Town of Crested Butte realized slightly more sales during 1Q 2015, properties in rural Crested Butte and Crested Butte South also witnessed a good share of closings.
It was a fantastic 2014/2015 ski season. While we didn’t have the big snow we had hoped for the resort did a great job of grooming the slopes and doing the best with the snow that we had. Skier visits and lodging bookings were up over last year and great fun was had by all at the resort. We are optimistic that we will continue to experience more robust real estate activity this summer. Our inventory levels continue to drop throughout the area and foreclosures and short sales are pretty much non-existent. Interest rates remain very low, and builders and developers are very busy with new homes and projects. All these are very encouraging signs of continued strength in our market. Consider the special nature of Crested Butte– its unique wilderness setting, its deep history and amazing collection of people. Account for the fact that many people continue to buy homes in destination resorts. Look at the commitment of the community, local government, Crested Butte Mountain Resort, area businesses, developers and non-profits in the valley. Add it all together and your opportunity to live in this enchanting place is here and now. The above figures and data were taken from Gunnison Country Association of Realtors’ MLS system. Doug Duryea is the Managing Broker for Crested Butte Resort Real Estate in Mt. Crested Butte, CO. He can be contacted at 970-275-2355, dduryea@cbmr.com or www.cbliving.com.
In partnership with our sales team, present these fine properties
Belle Chalet
Redefining the Modern Mountain Home Exclusive Brand New Subdivision Offering Five Luxury Ski-in/Ski-out Custom Homes Construction Starting this Summer Inquire Today!
11 Belleview Drive, Mt. Crested Butte Four Bedrooms | Three and a Half Baths 3,455 Sq Ft | Expansive Elevated Lot $1,475,000
Katy Mattson Benson Sotheby’s International Realty katy.mattson@sothebysrealty.com Katymattson.com | 970.275.4601 68 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
16 Walking Deer Lane
Very Rare Opportunity for a Custom Home Under $2 million in the Exclusive Prospect Neighborhood. Easy Ski Access | Four Bedrooms | Six Bathrooms | 3,800 Square Feet $1,997,500
Jesse Ebner Keller Williams Realty Colorado Heritage jesseebner@kw.com | JesseEbner.com 970.901.2922
Statistics Temperature
Median Age
Crested Butte Average Temperatures Low High January 4.0° 28.4° February 0.9° 32.2° March 7.0° 38.4° April 18.0° 46.9° May 27.7° 58.7° June 33.2° 70.4° July 38.3° 75.4° August 37.5° 74.0° September 30.1° 66.2° October 20.6° 55.9° November 8.4° 41.8° December 1.9° 31.0°
1990 2000 2010
Elevation
Population 7,703 ft. 8,025 ft. 8,515 ft. 8,885 ft. 9,350 ft. 9,500 ft. 10,000 ft.
30.2 30.6 34.4
Animal Population Cows Sheep Deer Elk Beaver Antelope Big Horn Sheep Dogs in Crested Butte
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
30,713 7,924 17,000 10,300 1,500 290 700 329
Crested Butte 1,603 1,555 1,560 1,522 1,487 1,497 1,502
Mt. CB 765 847 864 873 801 799 805
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Crested Butte $1,887,237 $2,060,743 $2,170,959 $2,115,764 $1,930,976 $1,963,859 $1,781,910 $2,217,714 $2,600,600 $2,865,854
Mt. CB $1,365,105 $1,721,819 $1,602,354 $1,667,226 $1,259,780 $1,490,169 $1,592,005 $1,273,520 $1,504,508 $2,093,739
Assessed Valuation 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Crested Butte $103,108,270 $103,625,840 $106,712,940 $106,373,220 $84,931,910 $83,983,950 $79,564,700 $79,288,000
Mt. CB $160,881,610 $165,912,960 $171,604,450 $172,236,500 $106,732,960 $108, 922,510 $77,740,440 $77,931,160
Education Crested Butte Community School Enrollment 2005 - present 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 K 32 47 50 56 49 59 43 1st 33 34 56 52 58 50 63 2nd 37 37 33 56 50 54 54 3rd 31 40 44 38 55 51 52 4th 40 33 44 46 37 55 51 5th 29 43 37 45 41 37 57 6th 35 26 46 36 41 39 36 7th 27 37 29 46 32 40 42 8th 22 28 32 35 47 30 42 HS 83 78 102 105 109 136 131
2012 43 41 75 54 56 53 58 36 41 135
2013 44 41 74 53 56 54 58 38 40 137
2014 60 62 48 40 71 49 59 49 60 150
Crested Butte Building Permits 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
68 85 59 66 58 88 45 58 67 67 62 80
PHOTOS: LYDIA STERN, ALEX FENLON
Gunnison Almont CB South Crested Butte Mt. Crested Butte Gothic Irwin
SALES TAX
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 69
Picnic Perfect
A
Alpenglow concerts have become one of Crested Butte’s most quintessential summer activities. Dancing, picnics with friends, good music and the most magical of backdrops make for one unforgettable night in the mountains. The free concert series put on by the Center for the Arts started small, believe it or not. Originally the concerts were held at the Depot in town on the small stage. With support from grants and the Town of Crested Butte, Alpenglow has grown to what it is today – a town-wide party every Monday night. The Center for the Arts Executive Director Jenny Birnie says, “Alpenglow is one of the rare events in Crested Butte that truly brings all community members together. At each show, I love to look out and see tourists, second homeowners and locals comingling and hanging out together. At Alpenglow, we are united as a group of people that loves Crested Butte and everything it offers.” Her favorite Alpenglow memory is when the March Fourth Marching Band performed for KBUT and the Center’s joint 25th anniversary Alpenglow
bash. The ‘performance’ started with a parade down Elk Avenue.“At 5:30 the field was full and the parade came around the corner with another 500 people following behind, it was crazy. When you looked out at the crowd, there was not a single patch of green grass to be seen. Everyone had such a great time, I will never forget it!” she says. These free concerts give families an opportunity for the kids to run around with friends, toss a football or dance the night away. It’s also a place for friends to throw out a blanket on the lawn and put out one amazing spread of food. Each Alpenglow has a cash bar with revolving specials and featured local food vendors for a perfect picnicking experience. Some of the local restaurants who will be serving up their finest include Marchitelli’s, the Teocalli Tamale and Mountain Oven. But why not bring some of your own appetizers to make the picnic perfect. Five of Crested Butte’s favorite chefs and caterers are sharing some of their go-to starter recipes. From a healthy green hummus to classic bruschetta to a smoked trout dip, you’re going to love trying these appetizer recipes at your next Alpenglow concert.
“My favorite thing about Alpenglow is the music, of course! But also the conversation and gorgeous backdrop of our valley.” –Ashley Odom, Feast and Merriment
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Ashley Odom, Feast and Merriment:
Antipasto Skewers
Mozzarella Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes Watermelon Olives These appetizers are easy to build and can have an assortment of ingredients. You can use peppers, olives, watermelon, peaches, fresh heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, goat cheese truffles or whatever you have on hand to skewer. The trick is the basil oil that you brush on top of them with a little salt-and-pepper and it brightens up the flavors tremendously.
basil oil 1 1/2 c. fresh basil leaves 3/4 c. EVOO Blanch the basil leaves in boiling water for 10 seconds. Pat try with a paper towel and toss into a blender with the olive oil and purée with a pinch of salt and pepper. Strain through a fine sieve and store in fridge. Will last three days. Let stand at room temperature before using for about half an hour.
Smoked Trout Dip 16 oz. sour cream 2 fillets smoked Trout 6 dill sprigs 1/2 red onion 1/2 c. capers Juice of half a lemon Put all ingredients into food processor, season with salt and pepper, serve with toasted baguette, tortilla chips, crudités or crackers. All of these items will make your picnic more interesting, add your favorite cured meats, wild game sausages and assorted cheeses to round it out. Have fun and eat enough because you can always dance it off!
Rose Reyes, kater:
Porky Pig Meets Sponge Bob (My Take on a BLT)
One of the easiest and most refreshing things I like to prepare is crab. I prefer lump crab because of it’s texture but claw meat is just as good! The best part of this recipe is you can you use bread, crackers or lettuce cups as your medium for your crab… Pickled Tomatoes 1 1/2 c water 1 c sugar 1/2 c white wine 1/2 c red onion sliced 1 t pickling spice 1 c cherry tomatoes Crab 1/4 c mayonnaise 1/2 t lemon zest 1/2 t Togarashi (Japanese seven spice powder) 14 oz lump crab S&P to taste 4 slices of french bread Lettuce Cups or Crackers of your choice 1 avocado pitted 6 slices of bacon Micro herbs or baby lettuce Make pickled cherry tomatoes and red onion: Combine all ingredients except for the tomatoes in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Transfer the mixture and tomatoes to a mason jar and allow them to cool in the refrigerator until chilled, preferably overnight. Combine the crab in a medium bowl with the mayonnaise, lemon zest and togarashi. Gently fold in the crab with a rubber spatula making sure everything is coated. Divide crab mixture and top with pickled tomatoes and onion, bacon, avocado and micro herbs or baby lettuce.
Dana Zobs, Crested Butte Personal Chefs:
Green Hummus
1 bunch kale, chopped 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas 1-2 cloves garlic 3 T tahini 3 T lemon juice 2 T olive oil, plus more to garnish 1 t salt, plus more to taste In a medium size pot over high heat boil 4 quarts of salted water and drop in kale for 30 seconds. Drain kale into a colander and place immediately in a bowl of ice water. Remove and squeeze dry to remove most of the liquid. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, combine remaining ingredients with kale. Purée ingredients on high for 2 minutes, occasionally stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Taste for salt and add more if needed. Mixture should be smooth and flavors balanced. Serve with Carrots, Radishes, Crackers, or Bread. Serves 6 people
Goat Cheese and Sweet Pea Tart 1 recipe tart or piecrust 2 oz goat cheese 1/2 lb sweet peas (shelling peas), or sugar snap peas blanched 1 T olive oil basil coarse salt and pepper
Josephine Kellett, Creative Catering:
Mediterranean Paté
This recipe can be served as a canapé or as spread on bread and vegetables. The Mediterranean tapenade is incredibly versatile, can be used as a topping for chicken, fish, pasta sauce or as an appetizer as used in this recipe. For the Tapenade: Pulse separately in the food processor or chop, just until chunky the following items: One 12-ounce can quartered plain artichoke hearts (drained) ½ cup softened sun dried tomatoes or roasted tomatoes ½ cup roasted red bell peppers 1 cup assorted pitted olives 1 medium yellow onion, diced and sautéed ¼ cup sautéed garlic Mix together with: ¼ cup capers ¼ cup lemon juice ½ tsp. oregano 1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar 2 Tbs. fresh chopped basil 2 Tbs. fresh chopped parsley ½ cup extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper Flatten on a platter: 4-6 ounces plain goat cheese Spread tapenade on the goat cheese, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and fresh chopped basil. Serve with toasted French bread rounds and endive spears. Extra tapenade freezes well or refrigerated up to 2 weeks.
Preheat oven to 375° Roll out tarts into small rectangles (2” x 4”) and place on a parchment lined sheet pan. Spread with goat cheese and top with peas. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake 12 – 15 minutes. Top with Basil, salt, and pepper. Eat that day. Serves 4 - 6
Michael Marchitelli, Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle:
Tomato basil crostini Diced fresh tomatoes Diced red onion Crushed garlic Basil Olive oil
Keep it simple, combine ingredients and top on grilled bread.
“My favorite thing about Alpenglow is seeing all the different parts of our community in one place.” – Dana Zobs, Crested Butte Personal Chefs
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 71
PHOTO: NATHAN BILOW
Tour de Forks Summertime
Tour de Forks events are the delectable, signature fundraising series for the Center for the Arts Crested Butte. Throughout the 20 Tour de Forks events of the summer, food and architectural enthusiasts visit a variety of private homes and dine on epicurean delights. Dining is an experience, as the hottest trending chefs from Crested Butte, Kansas City, Denver and Boulder strut their stuff in the freedom of Tour de Forks to showcase their greatest and most creative talents. The Tour de Forks was the brainchild of Center for the Arts volunteer Jackie Kingsbury back in 2000, founded to capitalize on those perfect Crested Butte summer days and nights. Everyone wants an excuse to throw a summer party in paradise, right? So, Kingsbury reasoned, why not raise money for the Center for the Arts at the same time? The concept is simple—throw a dinner party at a gorgeous home in the mountains, feature one of the town’s amazing chefs and get volunteers to be the servers. The formula has been a recipe for success. The sold-out summer parties started out at 13 events and this summer they are up to 18, says Marj O’Reilly, this year’s Tour de Forks chairperson. “I’m just amazed at the generosity of these homeowners,” explains O’Reilly. “I call them and say, ‘Can I bring 30 strangers over to dinner at your house?’ And they say, ‘Of course!’” The Tour de Forks parties range from a bucolic fly-fishing excursion and lunch to a wine-tasting sit-down dinner. O’Reilly says part of the success of the series has been the distinctiveness of each event. “People who come to Crested Butte are so interested in doing things,
they are eager to get involved and try anything,” she says. This year, the homes range from sharp modern décor and design to exquisite historic renovations. Throughout the Tour you may travel from Crested Butte to Hidden River Ranch to Ohio Creek. One evening features farm to table cuisine, another a Julia Child opera performance. Here you can learn cooking techniques during lunch, or see artifacts from the sport of skiing dating back to the 1800’s after dinner. Full details on each Tour de Forks event can be found on the Center’s website at www.crestedbuttearts. org. Or, stop by the Center’s box office to pick up a complete brochure. Reservations are required. June 24 – Grand Beginnings Chef / Owner Michael Marchitelli of Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle at Anita and Bill Vallett’s home in Prospect. July 9 – Dramatic Flair Chefs Lon and Stewart Lane of Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions at Debby and Doug McQueen’s home in Skyland. July 14 – Ski History Haus Executive Chef/Owner David Wooding of Bonez and Pastry Chef Meg Antonczyk of the Dogwood Cocktail Cabin with tours of historic ski artifacts at Kathy and Paul Hooge’s home in Mt. Crested Butte.
great f ood cold be er open ev eryda at 11:30a y m
like us on faceboo k! SOUPÇON RESTAURANT A FRENCH-AMERICAN BISTRO (970) 349 - 5448 127 Elk Ave. A (reservations requierd) (reservations required)
72 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
continued on page 74
An Eating, Drinking & Lodging Landmark Since 1881
BEST PLACE FOR DINNER IN CRESTED BUTTE
H H Daily Happy Hour H H KIDS EAT FREE w/Adult Entrée Purchase Steaks • Burgers Seafood • Salads • Full Bar
On the Gunnison River
You’ve driven by for years... Now it’s time to stop in and treat yourself
All-U-Can-Eat Breakfast! H
Omelets to Order H
Bottomless Mimosas Located on the corner of 2nd & Elk H Downtown Crested Butte Just Steps from The ‘Old Town Hall’ Bus Stop H Reservations (970) 349-6645 Check out our online menu at www.CoalCreekGrill.com
LOG CABIN ON THE OUTSIDE - CASUAL FINE DINING ON THE INSIDE
2674 N. Highway | 135970.641.2493 | www.garlicmikes.com
Come enjoy our alpine menu and
CRESTED BUTTE 611 3rd Street 970.349.1110 Next to the skate park
GUNNISON 303 E. Tomichi 970.641.1110
Outdoor patio seating
FULL MENU AT MIKEYSPIZZA.NET
new look. Featuring custom stone oven pizza, pasta and signature grill items. Play some billiards on our open table. NEW! Cocktail service to the swimming pool and hot tub! Open daily, serving breakfast, après and dinner.
970.349.8030
GRAND LODGE CRESTED BUTTE, MT. CRESTED BUTTE 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 73
Tour de Forks Summertime continued from page 72 July 16 – Riverside Refuge Executive Chef Elise Wiggins of Panzano at Murrie and Nick Chirekos’ home in Hidden River Ranch. July 21 – Riverside Feast at Wilder on the Taylor Chef/Owner Andrea Frizzi of Il Posto at Wilder on the Taylor. July 26 – Quintessential Mt. Crested Butte Chef/Owner Michael Marchitelli of Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle at Maureen and Keith Gamble’s home in Mt. Crested Butte. July 28 – Contemporary Cultures Chef / Owner Troy Guard of TAG at Christina and John Davenport’s home in Mt. Crested Butte. July 30 – Mountain Cabin Hideaway Executive Chef/Owner David Wooding of Bonez and Distiller / Owner Karen Hoskin of Montanya Distillers at Brenda and Brad Harwood’s home in Crested Butte. August 1 – Modern Shades of Colorado Chef Rose Reyes and Sommelier Terann Wight at Michelle and Bobby Warner’s home in Crested Butte. August 4 – Evening at Rock House Ranch Executive Chef/Owner Mike Busse of Garlic Mike’s with evening concert by Dean Dillon at Ann and Bob Osborne’s home in Ohio Creek.
August 9 – Chez McCay Bon Appétit Chef and Diva Elizabeth Bond of Diva Catering with Pianist Derek Cardin featuring a Julia Child and food-inspired opera performance and live painting by Rhonda McCay at Rhonda and David McCay’s home in Red Mountain Ranch. August 11 – An Architect’s Touch Chef / Owner Ashley Odom of Feast & Merriment at Sarah and Doug Wells’ home in Mt. Crested Butte. August 13 – Progressive on Anthracite Chef Chris Schlaudecker of Uley’s Cabin prepares a progressive dinner at the homes of: Kennedy and Martin Garcia (appetizers); Jim Runner and Banu Buriyeva (salad); Pat and Bill Schroeder (main course); and Olivia and Tom Popplewell (desserts by Olivia Popplewell). August 16 – History Reinvented Chefs Dana Zobs and Stacee VanAernem of Crested Butte’s Personal Chefs at Cathey and Don Humphreys’ home in The Reserve. August 18 – Locavore Shangri-La Executive Chef/Owner Kalon Wall of Supper at the Sunflower at Denise and Blake Hawk’s home in Crested Butte.
CB’S ONE AND ONLY SUSHI BAR
321 Elk Avenue | 970.349.5457 | LILSSUSHIBARANDGRILL.COM
AMERICAN STYLE BISTRO CUISINE WITH SPECIALTY MARTINIS AND COCKTAILS Open Monday thru Saturday 5:30 Happy Hour Daily 5:30 - 6:30 Late Night Happy Hour Thursday thru Saturday 10:00 - Midnight 122 w. Tomichi Ave. | Gunnison | 970.641.4394 | BLACKSTOCKBISTRO.COM
74 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
August 24 – Dawn to Dusk Golf Challenge Golfers raise $1,000 in sponsorship money for playing 100 holes of golf. Golf at 7 a.m. Player & Sponsor Celebration Party with Colorado small plates and spirits at Kathy and Andy Rector’s home following with music by Doctor Robert. Party at 4 p.m. Sponsor a golfer for $100 to join the party! August 26 – Cooking Class Luncheon with Optional Hike Chef/Owner Spencer Hestwood of Ginger Café at Gloria and Ren Kern’s home in Skyland. Optional hike at 10 a.m. Luncheon and Cooking Class at 11:30 a.m. August – 31 Chefs on the Edge See local Chefs Jason Vernon of Soupçon Bistro, Matthew Smith of Lil’s Sushi Bar & Grill, and David Wooding of Bonez compete against three visiting chefs with emcee Michael Marchitelli. September 3 – Backcountry Retreat Chef/Proprietor Jason Vernon of Soupçon Bistro at Susie and Asche Ackerman’s home in Roaring Judy Ranch.
Elevation Hotel & Spa Trent Bona photography
Dinner Nightly 5:30 Happy Hour at the Bar and Sushi Bar 5:30 - 6:30 Patio Happy Hour 4:30 - 5:30 (Starting June 27 - End of August)
August 20 – At Nature’s Edge Executive Sous Chef / Owner Luke Martin of Blackstock Bistro at Mary and Marti Richter’s home in Roaring Judy Ranch.
9380’
Our signature restaurant, 9380 Prime, featuring our all-American menu, serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Relax and get cozy beside the outdoor fire pit at 9380 Prime. Catch up with friends after an exhilarating day full of new adventures and awesome activities over cocktails served on our expansive deck, all at the base of the mountain.
PLAY | DRINK | DINE | REPEAT
Elevation Hotel & Spa | 500 Gothic Rd | Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225 970.251.3000 | 866.JOY.2SKI | elevationresort.com
PHOTOS: PAT ADDABBO
Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival
T
he annual Crested Butte Wine & Food Festival returns this summer, striving to enlighten and educate wine and foodie experts and novices with a variety of wine seminars, elevated dining events, and food pairings from July 23-26. Whether you’re a dedicated oenophile or someone who would just like to make it through a wine selection list at a restaurant without feeling lost, there is an event at the Wine & Food Festival for you. And whether you’re drawn to a summery melon undertone of the Chardonnay or a tobacco richness of the Syrah, you will find something here to excite your palate. Local and visiting sommeliers and chefs structure the backbone. Venues are a variety of local restaurants and other downtown locales. The signature event for the festival in the summer is the Grand Tasting with over 500 select wines from 25 wineries and distributors. From exploring Summer Wines with Sommelier Aaron Tomcak, to Wine Blending with Blanchard Family Wines’ founders James and Mark Blanchard, there is a tasting for every palate. There’s also a film about wine, guided hike and gourmet lunch, bike tour and historic town tour. All seminars are spread throughout local restaurants with both visiting and local sommeliers and chefs lending their expertise and talent. All of the tasting isn’t just about the grape, however, as there are several fine dining opportunities as well, such as the Winemaker and Farm to Table Dinners, and Bursting with Bubbles Champagne Brunch. Many of the tastings additionally have food pairings accompany them provided by the talented roster of chefs from Crested Butte and beyond. The bonus of the festival is that not only does it serve as an excellent opportunity to learn about wine and dine on fabulous food, but funds garnered from each event help financially support the Center for the Arts. The center provides a home for the arts in Crested Butte with live performances in music, dance, theatre, and comedy, as well as classes in the visual arts and dance. With a core value of accessibility, inclusiveness and diversity to the arts, the center strives to create a facility whose doors are open to everyone. For more information, and the festival’s full schedule, visit www.crestedbuttearts.org.
Crested Butte’s only local brewery, restaurant and live music venue!
Hand-crafted smokehouse specialties, hearty salads, roadhouse-style burgers. Delectable milkshakes,
FREE WIFI!
for adults, and for the whole family.
HAPPY HOUR
Daily 3-7 pm
AWESOME lunch specials, Wednesday through Sunday for the latest music line-up and more, check out
www.E l d o B r ew Pu b . c o m Non-Smoking 349-6125 215 Elk Avenue
Serving daily from 11 a.m. 970.349.2999
SLOPESIDE, TREASURY CENTER - MT. CRESTED BUTTE 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 75
The sun has fallen behind the mountain, the night breeze is cool and your belly is full from dinner but you are not quite ready to call it a night. Maybe you feel like socializing with friends a bit longer, meeting some new fun folks, playing pool or listening to live music. If so, Crested Butte has a veriety of fine watering holes for your late night pleasure. The Brick Oven, located on Elk Avenue next to the Post Office has a great big deck and outdoor bar as well as an indoor bar. They have many beers on tap and heat lamps outside to keep you warm while enjoying an adult beverage on a nice Rocky Mountain summer night. The Eldo Brewery & Tap Room, upstairs next to the Post Office, is a great place to sample some tasty home brews. On any given night, there are five or more to choose from. During the season, the Eldo will host fairly well known bands three or more times a week that start at 10 p.m. They also have a pool table and a foosball table for your gaming needs. The Kitchen at the Eldo cooks food into the night hours so if you have late night munchies, that is a good option. The Eldo is open until 2 a.m. most nights. Up Elk Avenue over the bridge just past Second Street you can find Kochevar’s, a historic Crested Butte saloon that has withstood generations of drinkers. The building is still owned by the Kochevar family, one of the first families of town. You can also enjoy a game of pool or darts while you are there. Kochevar’s is open until 2 a.m. most nights. The Talk of the Town, just in from the corner of Third and Elk is a bar for the more boisterous crowd. They have two pool tables upstairs, darts, foosball, video games and a juke box. The upstairs bar also opens on busier nights and every so often there will be some live music. A full night of comedy and drama can be found at the Talk.
Providing excellent dining for over 18 years.
LUNCH & DINNER: Daily 11 a.m. to 9-ish
Gourmet Mexican Fresh Burrito Bar
311 1/2 Elk Avenue
970.349.2005
PHOTO: LYDIA STERN
A Night on the Town
Try the award-winning Montanya Distillers’ rum. Their tasting room is right on Elk Avenue. Their “obsessively-crafted, high-mountain” rum is served in their hip tasting room, where friends can kick back and try one of their 22 cocktails. The Princess Wine Bar is probably the mellowest of the late night venues. Located on the south side of Elk between Second and Third streets, the Princess offers live acoustic music with some favorite local musicians about three nights per week. Enjoy specialty martinis and a fresh atmosphere at the Princess. In the alley behind the Post Office is the Dogwood Cocktail Cabin. The atmosphere is rustic hip. They have a warm environment and classy cocktails. The Dogwood is open until midnight most nights. continued on page 81
Local*Natural*Non-GMO*Organic For One Stop Shopping! NO Chemicals, Antiobiotics, Hormones REAL FOOD! Always Have Been, Always Will Be!
voted best customer service & best margarita 2007 - 2014
www.teocallitamale.com
Many gluten-free options available
GREAT Italian food.
Nightly dinner specials.
804 N. Main, Gunnison (970) 641-5928
(In Mountain Meadows Mall)
FREE Wi Fi
“We’ll meet ya’ at the Steep”
Hours: 8am to 7pm
208 Elk Ave. Downtown CB
(970) 349-7007 Private chef service
Catering
Large party to-go’s
411 3rd Street • 970-349-7401 reservations recommended 76 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
Build your own Bloody Bar Sat. & Sun. 11am - 4pm with our delicious award-winning mix and fabulous selection of garnishes!
VOTED Crested Butte’s BEST Bloody Mary & BEST Burgers
DAILY FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS
Bacchanale Italian Kitchen
Donita’s Cantina
Re-invented in 2012 by the culinary team that launched django’s, the new Bacchanale offers a seasonal menu of creative, simple and delicious Italian flavors. Every Sunday we feature the best of what’s available locally and at our farmer’s market at our Bacchanale Family-style Dinner. You can explore new wines each week on Tasting Tuesdays, and every night starts with a B-Happy hour! Dinner served nightly from 5-10 p.m. Reservations accepted online at www.thebacchanale.com. 209 Elk Avenue, downtown Crested Butte (970) 349-5257.
JOIN US TONIGHT! Darn Good Madefrom-Scratch Mexican Cuisine! Our family owned Mexican eatery has been a Crested Butte favorite for 35 Years! A meal starts with Donita’s legendary salsa and house-made chips, always free! Try a quenching Fresh Lime 100% Agave Tequila Margarita. The Cantina menu features ample delicious portions of enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas, tacos and other Mexican favorites with fillings such as slow-cooked shredded beef, carne asada, marinated grilled chicken, gourmet veggies and pulled pork. Our meals are smothered in our Gluten-Free Spicy Green Chile and Red Chile Molido Sauces. Folks rave about our Nightly Dinner Specials always our Best Seller!! Donita’s marinated fajitas will not disappoint and choices include sushi-grade ahi with jalapeño mayo, seasoned shrimp, fresh local veggies, grilled marinated flank steak and chicken breast. The homemade desserts and ice creams are fantastico. MANY VEGAN, GLUTEN-LESS and VEGETARIAN OPTIONS! Expect friendly speedy service and we are KID/SENIOR FRIENDLY! Donita’s Cantina is one of the largest venues in Crested Butte, ideal for large parties and rehearsal dinners. We accept reservations for groups of 8 or more. Go to www.donitascantina.com for all our FULL MENU, Happy Hour Deals, the CantinaCam (Check out the local weather), gift certificates and hours. Dinner served nightly. TO GO FOOD/Reservation/Info number (970) 349-6674 330 Elk Avenue, Downtown Crested Butte.
Brick Oven Pizzeria & Pub Enjoy our 30 craft beers on tap on the Best patio in town. Featuring pizzaby-the-slice, deep dish & thin crust specialty pizzas. Now serving STUMPTOWN Coffee all day long as well as Coffee Cocktails. Gluten-free crust and non-dairy cheese available. Appetizers, Subs, Juicy Burgers and the Best Salad Bar in town with over 30 fresh items and homemade dressings. Watch your favorite sports on one of our large HDTVs and enjoy daily Drink Specials. Lunch and Dinner served everyday from 10 a.m. til 10 p.m. Dine in, take-out, take & bake and FREE DELIVERY on all menu items, (970) 349-5044. Come visit us Downtown, the locals hang-out for over 22 years. www.BrickOvenCB.com
Camp4Coffee Denver Post says, “Best Coffee in Colorado”.“Best of the Butte” award every year. Stop by our historic license plate coal shed- the most photographed place in town and see for yourself! Locally roasted and fresh every day. Take a bag home! We ship all over to satisfied customers. We ship for FREE when you buy 5 pounds. www.camp4coffee.com.
Coal Creek Grill Come Sit on our Sunny Outdoor Creekside Deck. Breakfast/Lunch/ Dinner & Full Bar! All-U-Can-Eat Breakfast Daily. Bottomless Mimosas. Kids Menu. Delicious Lunch & Dinner includes Sandwiches, Salads, Burgers & Steaks. Colorado cuisine; trout, buffalo, venison & elk. Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon Salad. Best Chicken Wings & Nachos in town. Frozen Margaritas. Daily Happy Hour. Come sit by the river and enjoy the fabulous views. Menu or book on line www.CoalCreekGrill.com (970) 349-6645.
Eldo Crested Butte’s full service bar, restaurant, live music venue and only brewery! The Kitchen in The Eldo serves barfood: awesome burgers, homemade veggie burgers, sandwiches, salads, hand-cut fries, beer battered onion rings and fried pickles. Now serving wraps and new entrees! Open at 3 p.m. (970) 349-6125.
Kochevar’s Saloon Kochevar’s Saloon. A piece of Crested Butte history. Come join us for great Beer, Whiskey, Cocktails, delicious pub fare and an ambiance that can’t be beat! Open seven days and nights a week, and serving food until very, very late in the evening! Come relax with us after your Crested Butte Adventure and enjoy Crested Butte’s oldest Saloon! Like us on Facebook! (970) 349-1388.
PHOTO: ALEX FENLON
dining out in the high country
Last Steep Bar & Grill
Voted Best Bloody Mary and Best Burger. A true Crested Butte Original named after one of our favorite ski runs on the mountain. A family owned and operated restaurant, our specialties include freshly made salads, awesome appetizers, sumptuous sandwiches, fine desserts and the coldest beer in town. We’ll take care of those late night no-food blues. We are a smoke-free environment; however, we do have a smoking deck and patio for warmer months. Check out our daily “chalkboard specials”. Weekly specials include Build Your Own Bloody Marys on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free WiFi. We’ll meet you at the Steep! Open daily at 11 a.m. til late, located in downtown Crested Butte at 208 Elk Avenue. (970) 349-7007 Check out our website: www.thelaststeep.com.
Le Bosquet Restaurant Breathtaking views and mouth watering food since 1976...and just getting better. Now offering many of our entrees in half portions! Entrees include a nightly fresh fish special, rack of lamb in a red wine garlic sauce, hazelnut chicken in an orange thyme cream sauce, and of course our steak frites with the world’s best french fries. Vegetarian entrees, small and large cheese fondues (the kids love it!), a 20 item small plate menu, crisp
salads, great soups and break-yourdiet desserts add to your choices. Quality, consistency and friendliness are our trademarks. A full bar and Wine Spectator award-winning wine list will round out an evening to remember. A three course twilight menu and children’s options are also available. Open nightly at 5:30. Reservations helpful. (970) 349-5808. 6th and Belleview in Majestic Plaza. Plentiful parking and at the bus stop. Visit www.lebosquetrestaurant.com for a full menu and more info.
Lil’s Sushi Bar & Grill CB’S one and only sushi bar! We are open 7 nights a week at 5:30 p.m. and offer our Happy Hour every night at the Sushi Bar & Bar from 5:30-6:30 p.m. We also offer a Patio Happy Hour starting June 27 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. running until the end of August. We are a casual “family friendly” restaurant that promises to provide you with an incredible dining experience. Although we are known as having the best sushi in town, we offer an array of seafood and meat entrees, as well as options for the kids! Our fish is of the highest quality, on our doorstep within 24 hours from the docks—it doesn’t get any fresher than that in the Rockies!!! Reservations recommended (970) 349-5457 Located in the Historic District 321 Elk Ave. website lilssushibarandgrill.com.
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 77
Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle Join your host, Michael, for traditional, regional Italian cuisine passed down to Michael from his grandmother. In our cozy, relaxed atmosphere, you can enjoy dishes ranging from unique pasta and sauce combinations to seafood, veal, chicken and elk. Gourmet homemade desserts and a full bar and wine list. Open nightly from 5 p.m. Downtown C.B. Reservations recommended (970) 349-7401.
Mikey’s Pizza Takeout and delivery. Everybody loves Mikey’s Pizza! We offer pizza by the slice, specialty pies, pasta, oven baked sandwiches, fresh salads and a variety of appetizers. We also serve breakfast all day with fatty breakfast burritos and egg sandwiches. Located across from the skate park, you can come pick it up or let us deliver to you. We are open 7 days a week. Delivery every night at 5 p.m. Mikey’s pizza slices and breakfast items are also sold at True Value. Come check out the all new Mikey’s Pizza in Gunnison! Offering the same great food, drinks and sunny deck seating! Located at 303 East Tomichi Ave. A full menu can be viewed on our website at www.mikeyspizza.net. Call it in for quicker pick up. (970) 349-1110 in Crested Butte or (970) 641-1110 in Gunnison.
Paradise Café Under new ownership! Check us out in our new location at 435 Sixth St. next to the Alpineer. Now you can get breakfast all day from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.! Enjoy all your favorites like Maui pancakes, French toast, and Huevos Rancheros. Tie it all together with an espresso, latte, or hot cider. Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. -2 p.m. Feast on a burger or salad on our outdoor patio with the BEST views in town, or just saddle up to the bar and relax with a Bloody Mary. Free WI-FI! (970) 3495622.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Desserts extraordinaire: 16 fabulous flavors of ice cream, fine chocolates, home made fudge, hand dipped caramel apples, sugar free chocolates, fresh baked cookies, illy® cappuccino, espresso, kid’s candy, bottled and fountain drinks, gourmet jelly beans, assorted chocolates in wooden gift boxes
with the Crested Butte logo, other gifts and white chocolate dipped dog bones. We are located downtown at 314 Elk Ave., Crested Butte. Open late.
your orders and we’ll have them ready. Open Daily from 11 - 6 p.m. 6th and Belleview, in Majestic Plaza next to Le Bosquet. (970) 349-5858.
Ryce Asian Bistro
Wooden Nickel - Bar and Steakhouse
Born from more than 40 years of combined restaurant experience, Ryce brings the best and greatest variety of Asian foods to Crested Butte. Specialties from Japan, China, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as sakes, champagne, and creative martinis; a casual atmosphere with patio and riverside dining available. Open Daily, Lunch and Dinner at 120 Elk Avenue. www.ryceasianbistro.com. (970) 349-9888.
Soupçon Soupçon is a romantic petite bistro located just off Elk Avenue on Second Street behind Kochevar’s Bar. We feature traditional French technique using local ingredients married with the finest cuisine from around the world. Please call for a reservation for an unforgettable experience in one of the most picturesque settings in the country. Seatings at 6:00 and 8:15 nightly. (970) 349-5448. www.soupconbistro.net.
Teocalli Tamale Tasty margaritas, handmade tamales, a great selection of burritos and tacos, affordable prices and lightning-fast award-winning service…what more could you ask for? Our fresh salsas range from a mild pico style to our hot, spicy chipotle. Burritos feature slow-cooked spicy beef, grilled steak, chicken or fajitas to our Thai burrito. Try our specialties like our baja fish tacos or tamale plate, fresh lime margaritas and a wide array of Mexican beers. Many gluten-free options. Dine in, take-out. Located at 311 1/2 Elk Avenue. Open Everyday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.-ish. (970) 349-2005.
Why Cook?! Offering already prepared foods so... Why Cook?! Easily microwaveable or oven-heated meals are available in generous single portions from $6.99. Please call ahead for larger quantities. Lasagnas, stroganoff, shepherd’s pie, chicken parmesan, and meatloaf are some favorite standards. You will also find a variety of salads as well as gourmet cheeses and pâtés, all natural deli meats, fresh and frozen soups, breads and desserts. Design your own sandwich or choose a specialty sandwich for here or one for the road. Please call in
78 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
The original and best steakhouse in Crested Butte since 1981, the iconic Wooden Nickel, one of the few remaining historic, ski-town bars, is known for serving the finest steaks in town. The Nickel specializes in USDA Prime graded, tender Filet Mignon, N.Y. Strip. Rib Eyes and our famous, succulent Prime Rib. Our menu additionally features Elk Tenderloin, Rack of Elk, Alaskan King Crab, BBQ Pork Ribs, Pork Chops, Rack of Lamb, fresh grilled seafood and fresh garden salads. The largest and best Burgers, Buffalo Burgers and Chicken Fried Steak add to your menu choices. Giant Lobster Tails and a variety of Surf and Turf specials are available nightly. The historic bar offers a wide range of martinis, your favorite liquors and, to complement your meal, a select wine list at attractive prices. Please join us for your special evening out at Crested Butte’s oldest bar and best steakhouse. Classic yet casual. Bar opens at 4:00 p.m. with Happy Hour till 6:00 p.m. Dinner till 10:00 p.m. —222 Elk Ave. Downtown Crested Butte—Open yearround. Reservations please call (970) 349-6350 after 4 p.m.
Mt. Crested Butte 9380’ Spirits & Food with Altitude Elevation Hotel, Mt. Crested Butte. A contemporary spin on the ski lodge. Serving something for everyone, all with subtle twists to intrigue your palate and keep you coming back for more. The large deck with its slopeside fire pit and outdoor bar is the perfect location for an après drink. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. For reservations, call (970) 251-3000 or go to www.9380prime.com.
Butte 66 Come and enjoy one of the best views of the mountain from the elevated sun deck! Serving classic roadhouse style burgers, a special in-house BBQ, shakes and a variety of casual fare. Open daily at 11 a.m.
django’s There’s always something new to experience at django’s! Nationally recognized for our globally-inspired menu of artful shared and small plates, we start each season with a unique new menu that evolves weekly. Your culinary journey will explore Spanish and Mediterranean favorites, weave in local specialties, modify the classic preparations and introduce you to new foods and flavors. We also feature an extensive wine list and ‘al fresco’ courtyard dining all summer, so you won’t want to miss it. Dinner Tuesday - Sunday 5-10 p.m. Reservations accepted online at www.djangos.us. Mountaineer Square, Mt. Crested Butte (970) 349-7574.
Jefe’s Jefe’s is Mt. Crested Butte’s most convenient spot for an on-the-go lunch or afternoon ice cream break with the kids. Enjoy a fresh-made burrito or taco. Jefe’s is conveniently located in the breezeway of Mountaineer Square and open daily from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The WoodStone Grille Located in the Grand Lodge, The WoodStone Grille serves breakfast daily from 7 - 10:30 a.m. and dinner nightly from 4 - 8:30 p.m. The Woodstone Grille features a generous morning breakfast buffet and casual dinner fare. Call (970) 349-8030 for reservations or information.
Almont Three Rivers Smokehouse Come to Three Rivers Resort in Almont for the best ribs and BBQ plus fantastic salads, sandwiches, soups, hand-cut fries and a great patio atmosphere. Call for nightly dinner specials and enjoy our outdoor bar or sit around the patio campfire. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Memorial Day Weekend to Late September. Call (970) 641-1303 or www.3riversresort. com.
Gunnison Firebrand Delicatessen Established by the Magnus sisters in 1995. We feature a variety of healthy foods for breakfast & lunch. Try our
dining out in the high country family-his staff. Offering a riverfront garden setting for luncheons and early afternoon weddings and rehearsal dinners. Dinner nightly. Gunnison’s Favorite Patio Location. Located in Gunnison where Highway 135 crosses the Gunnison River. Float and Dine Dinner Packages. Call (970) 641-2493 for reservations and information. www. garlicmikes.com.
Garlic Mike’s
The Café at Gunnison Vitamin
GUNNISON’S BEST RESTAURANT AND BEST CHEF for MANY YEARS!! Featured on the Travel Channels’ FOOD PARADISE! Cozy cabin on the outside. Casual, award winning fine dining inside. Most heard by new guests: “We have been driving by your location for years, and we are so pleasantly surprised with the atmosphere and food!!” Savor the smell of sautéed garlic that fills the air. Explore all the delectable options of our enticing menu. Eat, drink and be merry. Come to enjoy the warm atmosphere and incredible Italian dishes custom-created by chef and proud owner, Mike Busse and his extended
The Café at Gunnison Vitamin & Health Food serves delicious Breakfast Sandwiches and Burritos with a free cup of coffee all day long. Local favorites include a lineup of Signature Sandwiches, Salads, Noodle Bowls & Brown Rice Bowls, as well as Signature Smoothies, Boba Pearl drinks, Grab’n Go Deli items, Camp 4 espresso drinks and baked goods. Gluten & Dairy Free, Vegan & Vegetarian always available. Real Food made to order from natural, organic and non-gmo foods. Open Mon-Sat 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 804 North Main, Gunnison (next to City Market in the Mountain Meadows Mall) (970) 641-5928
The Bean Coffeehouse & Eatery The Bean Coffeehouse & Eatery is THE local coffeehouse! Featuring organic fair trade coffees and teas, fresh vegetable juices and smoothies. Delicious crepes, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, organic salads, and pastries accompany our drinks, with a variety of healthy snacks and treats to satisfy your cravings! Wireless internet access, a sunny deck and an eclectic art wall complete the experience! Open 7 days a week at 120 North Main St in Gunnison. www.thebeancoffeehouseandeatery. com. (970) 641-2408
serts featuring our Gunnisack cookies! Lunch & Dinner Monday – Saturday Kids Menu, Vegetarian Features, Full Bar 142 N Main St. (970) 641-5445 Check out our weekly specials at: www.thegunnisack.com
Gunnisack 2011 & 2012 PEOPLE’S CHOICE “BEST RESTAURANT” Check out our Gunni-on-the-Go shop for some Gunnison “Scratch made Goodness”cakes, pies, breads and more. Unique, from scratch recipes with a southwestern flair, ground-in-house Angus Beef Burgers served on house baked buns! Steak, Salads, Samiches, Atlantic salmon, Tortilla Wraps, House-made Des-
PHOTO: ALEX FENLON
famous waffles, homemade muffins, giant cookies, flavorful soups and gourmet deli sandwiches. We have beer, locally baked bread, vegetarian fare, and gluten free options. Open Wednesday - Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located at 108 N. Main, Gunnison next to Tomichi Cycles. (970) 641-6266. Eat in/Take out/Downtown Gunnison delivery.
because everyone deserves
w w w. c r e s t e d b u t t e n e ws . c o m
to enjoy the butte from everywhere.
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 79
“Best Coffee in North America” Quantas Magazine
Camp 4 Coffee serves World Renowned Coffee and fast Breakfast Burritos, Croissants and Sausage Biscuits - to go. We also Serve a Variety of Muffins, Quick Breads, Fruit Squares, Granola Bars & Brownies.
Crested Butte Crested Butte South Mountaineer Square Best take home Gift in the Butte. When you buy 5 pounds, We ship for FREE....
Al Smith
Order your fresh beans from
www.camp4coffee.com
A Night on the Town continued from page 76
• Don’t forget to drink a lot of water. At this high altitude, alcohol kicks in quite a bit faster. • Catch a free ride on the Mountain Express. Cut out the schedule on page 29 and get to town and back to your lodging establishment on one of the painted buses. • Getting ready for a night out on the town in our mountain temperatures means still dressing warm on summer nights. Don’t forget your coat. • Before you head home for the night, double-check your belongings to make sure you left with everything you came in with. • Check out the Crested Butte News’ Weekly section and calendar to find out about all the happenings while you’re in town. • Bands in the evening typically start at 10 p.m. and pack up by 1:30 a.m. • Have fun out there.
protip The magic Name: Skip Berkshire Occupation: Retired Years in Crested Butte: 17+ The magic of Crested Butte lies in...The community and the landscape! The incredible sense of community and the soul enriching landscape. Both of these qualities make living here extremely pleasurable. The connectedness to so many people we consider friends. The age demographic is richly spread between young and old – all active and passionate about this place. There is a comfort in living here that is special. The authentic lifestyle that exists in the Valley, the human scale of the ranching, the wonderful hay meadows as you travel Highway 135, the incredible mountain vistas, the limitless recreational opportunities, the historic towns; each unique with genuine character. Who would want to live any place else?
Photos: Nathan Bilow
Of course almost all of the restaurants in town have great bars to enjoy, which are open earlier in the evening and will close by 9 or 10 p.m. If you are wondering what’s going on at any place around town, check out the billboards located in front of the post office, at Clark’s Market and various other places around town. You can also check out the community calendar and music calendars in each week’s issue of the Crested Butte News. The Mountain Express is a free shuttle that runs between Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte. It runs until about midnight every night of the week so you can be a responsible drinker. You can see the full schedule on page 29 of the Visitor’s Guide. The town taxi can also be contacted for a limited number of rides when the Mountain Express stops running. And remember to drink plenty of water. Alcohol has a greater effect on EVERYONE up here at 8,885 feet above sea level. Have fun and be safe out there.
Tips for a rocking good time
This 2 hour adventure includes 5 ziplines connected by wood bridges and towering platforms. Open daily, weather permitting. Advance reservations are highly recommended.
ridecb.com/zip
ZIPLINE tour
Adventure Center 970.349.2211
2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE ||| 81
Crested Butte...By the Numbers
401
Epic trail. Epic views. Epic experience.
1880 the year Crested Butte was incorporated
49
30
18 175
djs on air each week on KBUT Community Radio elevation of Crested Butte Mountain:
miles of downhill trails at CBMR Size of this year’s graduating class:
12,162
feet
31
weeks of the farmers’ market
artists at the Arts Festival
110 150
5,590
ducks in the Crested Butte Rotary’s rubber ducky race
1.9 12
scientists at RMBL in July
artists from
million acres in Gunnison County
different countries at the Crested Butte Music Festival
Denis B. Hall was emcee of the Fourth of July parade for
...and there’s only
82 ||| 2015 SUMMER visitor’s GUIDE
31
1
years
Crested Butte
Representing Crested Butte’s Finest Properties
455 Oversteeg Gulch Road Red Mountain Ranch Custom Home with Barn $1,750,000
163 Silver Sage Drive Paradise Divide Views & Close To Town $2,750,000
928 Gothic Road The Avery Mountain Chalet $1,650,000
391 White Stallion Circle Captivating Views at Buckhorn Ranch $849,000
102 Sopris Avenue Charming West End Historic Home $895,000
327 Elk Avenue Mixed Use Opportunity on Elk Ave $975,000
A LIMITED COLLECTION OF LUXURY MOUNTAIN HOMES ON THE SLOPES OF MT. CRESTED BUTTE COLORADO
The Black Jack Model $1,498,000
Channing Boucher
Broker Associate Benson Sotheby’s International Realty 970-596-3228 | CrestedButteBroker.com
The Gold Dust Model $1,525,000
10 Aspen Lane | $1,495,000
1202 County Road 317 | $1,375,000
6 Bed | 5.5 Bath | 4,906 SqFt | 0.40 Acres
189 Wild Rose Lane | $899,000
3 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,872 SqFt | 48.1 Acres
4 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 3,151 SqFt | 1.35 Acres
59 Cinnamon Mtn Rd | $1,795,000 4 Bed | 4 Bath | 4,822 SqFt | 1.05 Acres
1 Silver Lane | $895,000
6 Bed | 5 Bath | 3,736 SqFt | 0.42 Acres
11336 Taylor Canyon Rd | $895,000 2600 Roaring Judy Ranch | $895,000 4 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,709 SqFt | 10.0 Acres
WestWall Lodge | $615,000
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 3,216 SqFt | 40.11 Acres
2 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 1,693 SqFt | Unit A302
Land Offerings
San Moritz Condos
Unit P303 $498,500 | Unit K104 $260,000
Chateaux Condo | $279,900
665 Red Mountain Ranch Rd - 36.6 Ac - $850,000 1363 Red Mountain Ranch Rd - 35.1 Ac - $545,000 Lot 36 - Summit Subdivision - 0.72 Ac - $395,000 825 Skyland Drive - 0.47 Ac - $350,000 Lot 7 - Summit Subdivision - 0.37 Ac - $299,000 43 Ruby Drive - 0.81 Acres - $289,000 84 Stream View Lane - 0.49 Ac - $225,000 38 Ruby Drive - 0.58 Ac - $196,000
Corey Dwan Realtor 970.596.3219
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 1,270 SqFt | Unit 208B
Corey.Dwan@SothebysRealty.com
Buttes Condo | $348,200
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,460 SqFt | Unit 514
Columbine Condo | $235,000
1 Bed | 1.5 Bath | 522 SqFt | Unit 1103
CrestedButteCollection.com