Crested Butte - Day 3

Day 3 - Heather and I took off early to go ride the famous "Trail 401". We had ridden it years before on a previous visit and our memories were filled with stunning views, waist high wildflowers, and endless downhill singletrack. Heather knew that broken finger or no, she was going to ride it again. So as SCAQ and Cailan went to a playground in Crested Butte, we started up the beautiful alpine road to the trail. The trail starts several miles past Crested Butte near a town called Gothic. An interesting place known mostly as the base for the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (There was lots of flannel walking around there). We pulled into a parking area and were the second vehicle there. It was time to unload the bike and dog and hit the road!

As we slowly pedaled up the road, we were reminded of two things:
1) We were ever so much higher in elevation than our home in Junction, and
2) This really is one of the most visually stunning places we have ever been.


We had missed the official "Wildflower Festival", but there were still plenty of lupines left to look at.



Nearing the top of the road, we came to a small glacier (no pic, sorry) and a rather pretty lake. Unfortunately, the road turned uphill notably to go around it, so Utah didn't get to drink it and we had to work harder.





Once you leave the road the singletrack trail goes up - I mean really up for a while. It was steep enough that we were often reduced to either riding about 30 feet at a time (stopping to breathe) or else we just walked. Eventually it tops out in a lovely alpine meadow where we could snack and recover a bit.



It really has a top-of-the-world feel.



Then comes some big fun: we rolled the big red bike down a 18" wide path that clung to the side of the slope. Screaming through wildflowers and switchbacks for miles and miles.



Here's a view that shows the slope and Mt Crested Butte in the distance.


That is where the story should end, but it doesn't. The trail then levels off about halfway along. That was followed by lots of difficult muddy climbing and a bit of frustration. Fortunately, I didn't get pictures of either.

Heather, Utah, and I were all pretty tired from the end of 401. We returned to the cabin looking forward to a bit of food and a rest. Instead we found a whole pack of people ready to go out and hit another trail. Fine - twist our arms... We all ate some lunch and loaded up for one of our favorite group rides, Lower Lower and Upper Lower. As this was everyone's second look at the trail, confidence was high. Here are the Roarks crossing a group of roots. First Abbey (who was frequently in the front of the pack!)


Next Shaun.


Then with a bit more concentration, and excellent form, Cindy.


Followed by Quinn, who is showing the family concentration trait that comes from Cindy.


The great thing about taking Cailan biking is that with snack breaks you often get snuggles as well.