One of the best—and most accessible—wildflower hikes in the region is the Rustler’s Gulch trail. Just driving to the trailhead up Gothic Road is a spectacular experience, and once you head off the beaten path and up the singletrack, the views just get better.

Is it really worth the effort to get out of your car and go for this hike? Travel Crested Butte says that you need to “add Rustler Gulch to your bucket list.”

"There aren’t many hikes that can compete with the amazing variety and abundance of wildflowers you’ll find here,” they continue.

Cultivated and Wild takes it even further, saying "Rustler Gulch might be the most beautiful hiking trail in Crested Butte. It has it all. Meadows bursting with wildflowers. Roaring streams and plunging waterfalls. Glorious mountain peaks. If you’re visiting Crested Butte, you need to hike this trail.” What an endorsement!

The hike begins in the trees, crossing several streams as it meanders along the valley bottom. After climbing through the forest, the trail breaks out above treeline at over 11,000 feet, with views of a stunning mountain ridge in front of you.

At the conclusion of the hike, “front and center is Precarious Peak, which stands at 13,306 feet,” according to Cultivated and Wild. "It’s joined by the Golden Tops and Cassie Peak. Many small waterfalls tumble down the cirque walls but another highlight of this trail is the large waterfall to the left of the trail near the end.”

This trail is an out-and-back route, so turn around and return the way you came… and enjoy the stunning views of a totally different mountain ridge!