Tony’s Trail is one you can hike straight from your front door. It’s located right next to town and connects to awesome aspen-filled trails that hug Crested Butte mountain. This is a perfect choice for fall hiking or for those who don’t have access to a vehicle.
Tony's Trail - Deli Loop | Out & Back Viewpoint | |
---|---|---|
Highlights: | Wildflowers, Mountain Vistas, Aspen | Wildflowers, Mountain Vistas, Aspen |
Difficulty: | Moderate | Easy |
Length: | 7.1 miles | 2.8 miles |
Approx. Time: | 3 hours | 1.5 hours |
Elevation Gain: | 623 feet | 461 feet |
Max Elevation: | 9,455 feet | 9,276 feet |
Trailhead Elevation: | 8,872 feet | 8,872 feet |
Travel Time to TH: | 5 minutes | 5 minutes |
Click photos to view multi-season gallery
Directions
From the 4-way head east on Elk Ave until you are on the edge of town, cross the cattle guard and enter what looks to be a private farm. It is roughly a mile from the cattle guard to the start of Tony’s, in between you will go under a black gate. Tony’s Trailhead will be on your left.
Route

Tony’s starts as a gradual climb [1] with switchbacks through sage brush and a variety of wild flowers, eventually reaching the junction of the Upper Loop and Upper Upper Loop trails [2]. From the junction, take a right and follow a relatively flat trail to the next junction. Take a left here onto the first trail before you reach the barbed wire fence. This is the new Upper Upper reroute recently installed. It is a glorious, aspen filled path that ascends toward a grand vista.
The views open up to reveal Whetstone Mountain, a golf course, Lake Grant, and the town of Crested Butte. This is a good spot to turn around for the out & back. Further ahead there is another junction [3]. Take a right to start descending the Whetstone Vista Trail through some more aspen trees. About 2/3 of the way down, you’ll cross a road and finish the trail with a bunch of switchbacks. From the Whetstone Vista trailhead [4], it’s a stroll down Brushcreek Road past the golf course until you reach a small parking lot on the right side near the highway. Hop on this path, which turns into dirt and the Deli Trail and heads back toward the town of Crested Butte.

There are NO dogs allowed on McCormick Ranch Property. You cannot get to Tony's Trail or leave Tony's Trail with a dog. Thats the East end of Elk Ave, across the cattle guard, all the way to Tony's.

This is a popular bike trail so watch out for bikers. When riding, yield to horses, hikers, and uphill riders. Don't ride trails when muddy and bike to the trailhead if possible. Be considerate to other users, the land, and local landowners.

- Practice Leave No Trace
- Pack out all trash to trash cans located along the route
- Pick up trash you find to keep the loop clean
Trail Map

Enjoying this trail? Help support the people who maintain it. Donate to the Crested Butte Conservation Corps.
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