Crested Butte Trails: Upper Loop via Tony’s Trail
If you want more of a challenge as opposed to the Recreation Path, the Upper Loop is a fantastic way to get from Crested Butte to Mt. Crested Butte. This easy access combination of trails is just east of town. You will climb through sage brush, and aspens with views of town and surrounding mountains.
| Highlights: | Aspen, Wildflowers |
| Difficulty: | Intermediate w/Technical Expert Section for MTB |
| Length: | 3.3 miles |
| Elevation Gain: | 540 feet |
| Max Elevation: | 9,472 feet |
| Trailhead Elevation: | 9,117 feet |
Click photos to view 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. The two trails total 3.3 miles, and will put you out in Mt. Crested Butte on Hunter Hill Rd.
Route
Tony’s starts as a gradual climb that switchbacks through sage brush and a variety of wild flowers, eventually reaching the junction of the Upper Loop and Upper Upper Loop trails. At the junction, take a left to start ascending the Upper Loop. You will be challenged with a few rock gardens, and power climbs (technical section).
The views showcase the town of Crested Butte and the surrounding mountains, and the trail is full of wild flowers from early spring all the way to the fall. It is also a fantastic trail to catch the leaves turning in the fall. After the main climb, you will be greeted with a short but fast downhill before you hit Hunter Hill Road.
Notes
This is one of the first trails to melt out and open late in the season. Watch out for a lot of pedestrian traffic lower down, along with dogs.
Trail Map & Profile
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.
Enjoying this trail? Help support the people who maintain it. Donate to the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association.
