This close-to-town hike is a popular one with the locals for a quick getaway. The trail is moderate on foot, and the steady uphill gradient provides a great workout. Finish with a refreshing dip in the lake or just admire the abundance of trout who make their home there.
Highlights: | Aspen, lake |
Difficulty: | Moderate |
RT Length: | 9 miles |
Approx. Time: | 4-5 hours |
Elevation Gain: | 1,957 feet |
Max Elevation: | 10,598 feet |
Trailhead Elevation: | 8,940 feet |
Travel Time to TH: | 5 minutes |
Click photos to view multi-season gallery
Directions
Drive west on Elk Ave, turn left on Second Street and go to the Nordic Center parking lot. There are no signs indicating the trailhead, walk southwest on the gravel road on the south side of the Nordic Center, around the corner. There are trail signs from that point on.
Route
Start at the Crested Butte Nordic Center in Town. Hike behind the building on a doubletrack heading Southeast [1]. This eventually leads to a road and the first trail sign directing you to take a right on this road. Just under a half mile later, another sign will direct you to the left and the start of the Green Lake trail singletracks [2]. The climb starts here and doesn't relent much. Switchback your way up the mountain through the dark timber [3] steeply at times until getting dumped out to another road [4]. A sign directs you to take a right on this road. About 1/2 mile on the road, another sign directs you to get back onto singletrack to your left. Wind your way up through the dark timber and enjoy the rugged trail on the way. The trail eventually starts opening up, stay straight at the intersection for Carbon Creek trail [5]. Once at the lake [6] marvel in its beauty, enjoy a swim, and get ready to turn around and hike back the way you came.

Trail Map & Profile




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