The Crested Butte Hiking Guide

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Starting in May and going through October, the hiking season is a great time to explore the surrounding mountains of Crested Butte. Known as the wildflower capital of Colorado, CB is an incredible place to experience summer flowers set against unforgettable mountain landscapes.

Beyond summer, golden aspens shine in late September and October, and the Gunnison National Forest with its five wilderness areas keeps conditions pristine and the experiences memorable.

Trail Picks of the Week

Week of July 21

From the Trail

Jul 19

Latest Trail PhotoPearl Pass

The Big Day

Gothic Mountain It's beautiful right now! Extreme·7.4 miles·Est. 5 hrs

With Kids

Lower Loop Catch the late season bloomers Easy·7 miles·Est. 3 hrs

Featured Hike

Saturday

July 25

Living Journeys Summit Hike

Celebrate·Support·Remember

27 years of community cancer support on Mt. Crested Butte, and every route counts: summit, base, or ride the lift both ways. Tickets are $40 and include the lift.

Event Details

Hikers celebrating at the Mt. Crested Butte summit sign during the Living Journeys Summit Hike

Find Your Trail

Difficulty

Length

Your Day

Features

403 to Viewpoint: 3.3 mi, 646 ft

Anthracite Mesa Summit via Washington Gulch: 1 mi, 381 ft

Aspen to Crested Butte (West Maroon): 10.2 mi, 3,265 ft

Augusta Lake: 10 mi, 2,602 ft

Augusta Mountain: 12 mi, 3,411 ft

Baxter Gulch to Mineshaft: 5.7 mi, 1,226 ft

Beaver Ponds via Ohio Pass: 1.1 mi, 187 ft

Brush Creek: 4.29 mi, 315 ft

Cascade Mountain: 8 mi, 2,567 ft

Caves Trail: 1.25 mi, 883 ft

Cinnamon Mountain: 1.96 mi, 965 ft

Copley Lake: 3.5 mi, 1,096 ft

Copper Lake: 9.5 mi, 1,638 ft

Crested Butte to Aspen (West Maroon): 10.2 mi, 2,357 ft

Crystal Mill: 7 mi, 1,365 ft

Daisy Pass: 4.8 mi, 1,852 ft

Deer Creek Trail (Full): 9.1 mi, 1,909 ft

Deer Creek Trail to Viewpoint: 6.9 mi, 1,394 ft

Devil’s Punchbowl: 2 mi, 640 ft

East Maroon Pass: 11.4 mi, 2,064 ft

Emerald Lake: 0.75 mi, 10 ft

Frigid Air Pass Loop: 9.3 mi, 2,722 ft

Gothic Mountain: 7.4 mi, 2,332 ft

Green Lake (Mt. Axtell): 9 mi, 1,957 ft

Green Lake (near Irwin): 5.5 mi, 1,365 ft

Gunsight Pass: 14 mi, 3,150 ft

Horse Ranch Park Loop: 5.45 mi, 1,102 ft

Horse Ranch Park to Viewpoint: 3.5 mi, 641 ft

Judd Falls: 1 mi, 166 ft

Long Lake (Meridian Lake): 2.4 mi, 515 ft

Long Lake (Meridian Lake) High Point: 1.4 mi, 512 ft

Long Lake Steep Approach: 0.5 mi, 280 ft

Lower Cement Creek Trail: 4.3 mi, 342 ft

Lower Loop: 7 mi, 640 ft

Lupine Trail: 7 mi, 888 ft

Mt CB Summit from the Base: 11.25 mi, 2,672 ft

Mt CB Summit from the Lift: 1.6 mi, 1,248 ft

Old South Park Railroad Grade: 2 mi, 355 ft

Peeler Lakes: 15 mi, 3,084 ft

Rec Path: 4.6 mi, 428 ft

Rec Path to Tony’s Loop: 6.5 mi, 554 ft

Red Lady via Copley Lake: 10.4 mi, 3,391 ft

Red Lady via Gunsight Pass: 15 mi, 3,437 ft

Red Lady via Scarp Ridge (Summit): 8 mi, 2,914 ft

Redwell Basin: 9 mi, 2,188 ft

Rustler Gulch: 7 mi, 1,850 ft

Scarp Ridge Middle Loop: 4.3 mi, 1,576 ft

Scarp Ridge Summit: 6.9 mi, 2,491 ft

Scarp Ridge Western Approach: 6.1 mi, 1,250 ft

Skyland-Bridges Loop: 4.6 mi, 443 ft

Snodgrass Mountain: 6.09 mi, 1,421 ft

Snodgrass Trail: 3.6 mi, 832 ft

Swampy Pass to Viewpoint: 3.36 mi, 965 ft

Teddy’s Trail: 1.8 mi, 292 ft

Teocalli Mountain: 6.3 mi, 3,137 ft

Three Lakes Loop via Lost Lake: 3 mi, 578 ft

Tony’s Deli Loop: 7.1 mi, 623 ft

Tony’s to Upper Upper Viewpoint: 2.8 mi, 461 ft

Walrod – Caves Loop: 5 mi, 930 ft

West Maroon Pass: 7.8 mi, 2,312 ft

West Maroon Three Pass Loop: 10.8 mi, 3,214 ft

West Maroon to Hasley Pass Loop: 5.5 mi, 1,816 ft

Whetstone – Upper Upper Loop: 2.7 mi, 443 ft

Woods Walk: 2.9 mi, 213 ft

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Prime Time

Where to Drop Your Pack

Peak season weeks sell out fast and ahead of time. Hotels, inns, cabins, B&Bs, and rentals, all within striking distance of the trailheads. Every good hike ends somewhere with a shower.

Browse All Lodging

The Printed Guidebook

All 31 routes, walked, photographed, and mapped by us. Directions, elevation profiles, and honest difficulty ratings for every hike. Built for where the signal ends: no battery, no bars, no problem.

31 Essential Crested Butte Hikes guidebook by Joshua Futterman

Get the Book

Go Deeper

The Wildflower Guide What is blooming, where, right now. Updated all season. ›

Camping Guide Over 600 campsites Restaurants Refuel after the hike Shops Gear and gifts Guides and Services Rentals and guides

Common Questions

Do you need a permit to hike in Crested Butte?

No permit is needed for day hiking on the trails in this guide. A few trailheads have small lots, so arrive early or keep a backup in mind.

When is the best time to hike here?

Most trails are clear and dry from late June into September. High routes hold snow into early summer, and the wildflowers peak around mid July.

Are dogs allowed on Crested Butte trails?

Yes. Dogs are welcome on nearly every trail here, leashed. Leash law applies in the wilderness sections and through Gothic, and you pack out the waste.

What is a good first hike if you are new to the area?

Set the trail finder to Easy. Those routes are shorter, gentler, and close to town, which gives your lungs a day to adjust to the altitude.

When do the wildflowers peak?

Peak bloom usually lands in mid July, give or take a week with the snow year. Our Wildflower Guide tracks what is blooming, and where, in real time.