Baxter Gulch -> Green Lake
Crested Butte's newest trail is an instant classic!
Difficult Trail Running
- Distance
- 25 km
- Ascent
- 927 m
- Descent
- 927 m
Run the Elks: Crested Butte’s Best Trail Running Routes
Crested Butte boasts hundreds of miles of superb alpine singletrack that's perfect for trail running.
Trail Running Easy, Moderate, Difficult
Description
"The trails that have made Crested Butte world-renowned for mountain bikers are also a haven for trail runners," writes CBMountainRunners.org. "From mid-May when the snows are receding through the summer when the wildflowers are breathtaking to the fall as the aspen leaves turn golden, the trails in the area always astound with their beauty."
The web of singletrack trails surrounding Crested Butte is simply massive. Trails run from the valley floor up high into the mountains in every single direction, forming an intricate network that allows runners to either travel a couple of miles, or potentially a hundred! The only limits to the epic routes you can create near Crested Butte are your fitness and your imagination.
The routes chosen for this guidebook provide an excellent sample of the best runs, ranging from super easy (like Lower Loop) to long and arduous (like the Grand Traverse Mountain Run). And if you fall somewhere in between the two, you have no end of options to choose from!
Routes included
Green Lake Out-and-Back
A steep climb directly from downtown Crested Butte leads to a scenic alpine lake.
Moderate Trail Running
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 584 m
- Descent
- 584 m
Snodgrass
Run through a stunning aspen grove and beautiful meadows.
Easy Trail Running
- Distance
- 9.2 km
- Ascent
- 258 m
- Descent
- 258 m
Trail 403 from Schofield Pass
Climb to the Trail 403 overlook the hard way.
Difficult Trail Running
- Distance
- 8.4 km
- Ascent
- 549 m
- Descent
- 549 m
Teocalli Ridge Loop
A scenic loop route on the Crested Butte classic Teocalli Ridge.
Difficult Trail Running
- Distance
- 19 km
- Ascent
- 730 m
- Descent
- 730 m
Grand Traverse Mountain Run
Famous point-to-point race route from Crested Butte to Aspen.
Difficult Trail Running
- Distance
- 65 km
- Ascent
- 2.3 km
- Descent
- 2.5 km
Scarp Ridge -> Mount Emmons
Traverse a stunning alpine ridge to reach the summit of 12,401-foot Mount Emmons, the Red Lady.
Difficult Trail Running
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 1 km
- Descent
- 1 km
West Maroon Trail: Aspen to Crested Butte
Beautiful backcountry run between two of Colorado's most famous mountain towns.
Difficult Trail Running
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 964 m
- Descent
- 708 m
Lower Loop
A flat, easy, but incredibly scenic trail run directly from downtown Crested Butte.
Easy Trail Running
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 200 m
- Descent
- 200 m
Lupine Loop
A rewarding loop from downtown Crested Butte with flowy singletrack and beautiful views.
Easy Trail Running
- Distance
- 20 km
- Ascent
- 485 m
- Descent
- 484 m
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