Crested Butte Singletrack - 5 Day Guided Mountain Bike Trip

DAY 1

We’ll begin our journey right from the bike shop in Mt. Crested Butte. Majestic Crested Butte Peak (12,162 feet) rises sharply above town and over the course of the week our tour will take us on a complete circumnavigation of this landmark. We start by riding to the Snodgrass Trail which is like surfing through the aspens! This will take us to the Lupine Trail and then the Gunsight Connector which will take us to our camp tonight at the fantastically picturesque Oh Be Joyful Campground. A good portion of today’s riding is on Crested Butte Land Trust land, purchased from the Stock family. The Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association spent two years planning this purpose-built trail which goes through beautiful meadows and aspens. The Crested Butte community rallied and came out and over 200 volunteers built this trail in one weekend. It is a fun, sinuous flowing trail with a few climbs and spectacular views, and a perfect way to start out the week. TOTAL MILEAGE: 15 miles

DAY 2

After packing up camp we will start our day on the Lower Loop and a quick ride right through town. Next we jump on Tony’s Trail which will take us to the Upper Loop and Whetstone Vista. This leads us to the Brush Creek Valley. From here, Teocalli Mountain is visible as are parts of the Deer Creek area, giving us a tantalizing preview of what is to come in the days ahead. We’ll top off our water bottles at the Veltri family spring before riding through the beautiful flowers and aspens of Strand Hill. A big smile and hearty appetite are sure to come as we settle into our camp for three nights among the aspens at approximately 9,500 feet. TOTAL MILEAGE: 15 miles

DAY 3

With the mighty 13,209 foot Teocalli Mountain as our backdrop, we ride out this morning on a singletrack tour of Teocalli Ridge. This is a classic by anyone’s standard largely due to the epic downhill. But, of course, what goes down must first go up. So climbing is the name of the game right out of camp. We ride both singletrack and doubletrack up and alongside the picturesque West Brush Creek, past beaver dams and fields of incredible wildflowers. The moderate climbing continues through willows and across streams until reaching the base of the big climb! Here the climb begins in earnest across the face of Teocalli, culminating at around 11,300 feet. Once we top out and have a hearty break, one of the most fun downhills in all of Colorado will return us to our layover camp where we’ll continue with the “eat-sleep-ride” credo. Get the picture? TOTAL MILEAGE: 12 miles

DAY 4

After a hearty breakfast, we will ride one of the best, must-do rides in Crested Butte- Strand Bonus to 409 to Point Lookout. These newer trails offer some of the best riding in Crested Butte. After a challenging climb and from the top, we’ll get some of the best views of the valley from Point Lookout. On this trail, we’ll flow up and down while zipping through wildflower meadows. Then we’ll have a super fun and fast descent. Our cozy camp will be waiting for us. Nothing like relaxing in camp after an enjoyable day on the bike! TOTAL MILEAGE: 15 miles

DAY 5

After fueling up and breaking camp, we will head out on a spectacular point-to-point ride that includes beautiful Deer Creek. It is a beautiful ride that will challenge us with steep climbs and twisting switchbacks-- the singletrack just won’t stop! The views from the trail encompass the Crested Butte ski area and beautiful Gothic Mountain. Riding into the old mining town of Gothic, one can hardly imagine it once supported a population of nearly 8,000. At its height Gothic had several hotels, brothels, saloons, a smelter, three sawmills, a public school and a dancehall. Today, Gothic is home to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and supports several hundred in the summers, but only a few hardy souls through the long winters. At the end of our ride we will have completed our circumnavigation of Mount Crested Butte and be ready to say good bye! TOTAL MILEAGE: 15 miles

Be sure to bring everything on this list. We have carefully developed this list to ensure your comfort on the tour regardless of the weather. If you are prepared for extreme weather, it is an adventure. If you are not prepared it can be a serious problem.We recommend the layering system, including a wicking or long underwear layer, an insulating layer and a weather barrier for wind and rain. This list reflects that philosophy. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable so be sure to bring all the warm clothing and rain gear listed!

HOW TO PACK: The bulk of your gear and clothing will ride in the Western Spirit support vehicle (preferably in a large duffle bag) and will not be accessible during the day.

For this trip, you will need a riding pack and optional day bag:

•  Your riding pack may be a hydration pack, but needs to carry 2-3 liters of water, rain gear, other warm clothing, and food for the day. You may be away from camp and the support vehicle all day and need to be self-sufficient.
• A small day bag is optional and may be used to store things you’d rather not ride with, but would like to have access to during the day. This day-pack will remain with the support vehicle and may not be accessible, depending on the day.

WHAT WE PROVIDE: ✓ meals, snacks, water, electrolyte drinks, non-alcoholic drinks ✓ camp mugs, all kitchen and dining ware ✓ 1 cycling water bottle ✓ camp chairs ✓ solar showers ✓ sunscreen & bug spray ✓ bike stand and lube ✓ guides bring their own tools ✓ first aid kit with basic medications

BRINGING OR RENTING

• bike (Our rentals come with flat pedals. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.)
• helmet (gratis w/rental bike)
• tent
• sleeping bag
• sleeping pad

CYCLING CLOTHING

• cycling shoes
• 3 - 5 pair cycling shorts
• 3 - 5 cycling shirts
• long sleeve cycling shirt
• long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
• cycling socks
• windbreaker
• tights or leg warmers
• 2 pair cycling gloves (1 pair full length for warmth)
• rain jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
• rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
• warm layer (lightweight synthetic puffy jacket or long sleeve fleece shirt)
• sunglasses or other eye protection

CAMP CLOTHING

• camp shorts
• shirts
• warm socks
• long underwear, top and bottom (wicking layer, not cotton)
• 2 pairs warm long pants
• long-sleeved fleece or sweater
• Pile or down jacket (insulating layer)
• warm gloves and hat
• brimmed hat or visor
• bathing suit (for solar showers on the trip and at the hotel before/after your trip)
• hiking shoes
• sandals
• rain gear to wear in camp

PERSONAL

• toiletries
• medication (daily and emergency)
• towel
• biodegradable soap
• wet-wipes
• flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
• sunglasses
• optional day bag
• stuff sacks or reusable grocery bags (or separate compartments for your dry bag)
• cash for tipping guides: your guides work as a team and share all of their gratuities. A tip of 10-20% of the price of your trip given to either one of your guides when you return to civilization is a great way to say thanks for a job well done.

OPTIONAL

• camera, extra batteries
• binoculars
• alcoholic or any of your favorite beverages (your guides will pack these)
• books or maps
• we encourage you to turn your devices off, but if you cannot, please bring a way to charge them. We recommend a portable USB charger with 1-2 charges. Also, putting your phone on airplane mode to save power is recommended.

Driving Crested Butte is about 210 miles southwest of Denver, (about a 4.5 hour drive), 155 miles west of Grand Junction (about a 3 hour drive) and 28 miles north of Gunnison, (a half hour drive) on Colorado Rte. #135. There is parking available while you are on the trip.

In the summer months a few alternate routes exist into Crested Butte. Kebler Pass Road opens around Memorial Day. It’s a good gravel road that connects Crested Butte to Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Delta and Grand Junction.

Cottonwood Pass Road offers a fair weather route into the Crested Butte area from the East. Cottonwood begins as Colorado Rte #306 in Buena Vista, heading West off State Hwy. #24. On the East side of Cottonwood Pass, the road has been paved. West of the pass the road can get washboardy and dusty, but the views, as you descend in to Taylor Park make the drive worth while.

Flying into Gunnison, CO Airport Code: GUC Gunnison is 28 miles south of Crested Butte. Alpine Express runs shuttles to Crested Butte by reservation only. Call 800-822-4844, www.alpineexpressshuttle.com

Flying into Montrose, CO Airport Code: MTJ Montrose is 92 miles from Crested Butte. Alpine Express runs shuttles to Crested Butte by reservation only. Call 800-822-4844.

We recommend staying right in the town of Crested Butte so that you can walk to all of the restaurants and shops.

Christiana Guesthaus: 970-349-5326, 800-824-7899

Nordic Inn: 800-542-7669, 970-349-5542

Elk Mountain Lodge: 970-349-7533, 800-374-6521

The Inn at Crested Butte: 970-349-2111

The Grand Lodge: 970-349-8000, 888-823-4446 This hotel is next door to the bike shop in Mt. Crested Butte.

TAXI SERVICE

Alpine Express: 970-641-5074 or 800-822-4844

The Mountain Express: 970-349-5616 Free bus service runs from town to Mt. Crested Butte and can accommodate your bike. Check at your hotel for the schedule.

We love biking and traveling as much as you do! For over 30 years, we’ve been in the business of bike guiding and we’ve honed every little detail to give you the highest quality bike trip on the market. We’ve cherry-picked the best mountain bike trails and road rides so you can immerse yourself in the stunning landscape of the American West. We go the extra mile to make sure you have the most fun on your bike!

At Western Spirit, our staff is the heart of our company. Our guides love what they do, and are dedicated to providing you with a memorable vacation. Each of them has received extensive training in backcountry travel, cooking, natural history, and first aid, not to mention their cycling and mechanical skills. They are committed to helping people experience the outdoors and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Their attention to every detail leaves you free to enjoy the riding.

It’s our philosophy that everyone in our busy world needs to get outside more. We know it’s tough to squeeze it all in, but with Western Spirit we’re here to make it as easy as possible. Our friendly office staff is just a call away to help you find the perfect trip for you. We believe in getting away from it all, spending rejuvenating time in nature, and most of all, having a lot of fun!

The trip price includes food and drinks for the trip, guides, support vehicle, campsites, permits, and any entry fees into national parks and public lands.

Not included are: rental fees (bikes and camping gear), alcoholic beverages, gratuities for your guides, and applicable sales tax. If you would like to bring alcoholic beverages we will store them for you at the appropriate temperature.

Your total tour cost will include your trip fee, appropriate rental fees and applicable sales tax

We provide water, coffee, teas, electrolyte drinks, and assorted soft drinks. We cannot provide alcohol. You are welcome to bring your favorite alcoholic beverages and our guides will store them at the appropriate temperature. We’ll keep the beer cold while you’re out riding!

Yes! From lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day, we’ve got healthy and delicious food to fuel your fun. Food is one thing we take pretty seriously and we get rave reviews from our guests.

Our guides are amazing backcountry chefs and will prepare all your meals. All snacks are included. We’re sponsored by Clif Bar, and provide you with plentiful bars, snacks and electrolyte drinks. If you have specific favorite riding snacks, however, please bring them with you.

Yes, no problem! We are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions, and we do it frequently. Our guides are masters at making sure everyone is satisfied. Please let us know when you fill out your forms so our guides can accommodate you and your needs. It is good to be specific (e.g., vegetarian but prefer tempeh over tofu) to help the guides with meal planning.

We wish we could tell you exactly, but Mother Nature is quite unpredictable as you may know. Our trips are designed with the best weather in mind, and follow the seasons—desert trips in spring and fall, and mountain trips in the summer. By sticking to our packing list that we’ve designed for you, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes our way (bringing rain gear almost assures it won’t rain, right?).

Most of our permits allow us to take 13 guests and 2 guides, although many trips are smaller than our maximum allowed. Our Maze permit in Canyonlands National Park is more limited with only 7 guests and 2 guides to maintain the remote wilderness experience.

For mountain bikes, we use the Specialized Stumpjumper ST 29ers. For road bikes, we use the Specialized Diverge E5 Elite. All our rental bikes come with flat pedals, a helmet, and one water bottle cage. We provide the water bottle and all the bike repair gear.

If you’re renting a bike from us, you do not need to show up early. Please meet at the scheduled time and we will fit you to your rented bike then.

All Western Spirit rental bikes come with flat pedals. If you have clipless pedals (e.g., SPD, Crank Brothers, etc.), you’re welcome to bring them along with your shoes. We swap out pedals all the time!

The packing list will tell you how to pack, since it depends on which trip you are on. Overall, we use a 3-bag system:

Camping gear and personal items for camp (gets packed away in the morning and is inaccessible throughout the day), Small daypack (stays in vehicle and is accessible throughout the day, e.g., extra layers, prescription medications, extra snacks, etc.), Hydration pack you wear (all things you readily need, right there on your back). We recommend a 2-liter hydration system (e.g., Camelbak) to carry the things needed during the day (water, snacks, lunch, rain gear, extra layer, sunscreen, camera, etc.), and to easily hydrate without stopping.

Nope! We provide spare tubes (for 26”, 27.5” and 29” wheels), lube, tool kits, and pumps.

Certainly! If you bring camping gear, please bring a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. We’ll provide everything else you need. Don’t worry about the camp chairs—we bring those too!

Please make sure all your gear is in excellent, working condition before you head out on your trip. If you’re bringing your own bike, please make sure it has been tuned up and is in excellent riding condition before the trip.

Yes! We rent tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. Sleeping bags are thoroughly washed between trips. The following prices are for the whole trip:

2-person tent – $40 Sleeping bag – $35 Sleeping pad – $15 Total $90

We offer solar showers which are a nice way to rinse off and refresh yourself, but it is not enough water to take a full-fledge shower. The showers are not private, so please bring a swimsuit and your own towel. Showers are dependent on water resources, which may be restricted if it’s a hot desert trip. Some campsites have streams and lakes available for swimming. We also recommend wet-wipes to refresh after a fun day on the bike.

It’s not a glamorous topic, and we know this can be a subject of concern and embarrassment for some. We make it as easy and sanitary as possible! If we’re camping in designated campsites, we use the pit toilets available in the campgrounds. If we’re camping in the backcountry, we obey by the pack-it-in-pack-it-out rule. We set up a portable toilet lovingly called “the groover,” and put it in a private location with a stunning view. We provide a hand wash system for clean up.

Please join us! We get solo travelers all the time and going on a bike trip is a great way to meet like-minded people. Many of our guests end up as lifelong friends after a Western Spirit trip.