Description

The newest trail in Crested Butte that's not _just_ a mere reroute is known as "Baxter Gulch." Just finished in late 2018, Baxter Gulch allows riders to create an epic loop with the Green Lake and Carbon trails that's accessible directly from downtown Crested Butte.  While you can pedal this loop in either direction, it's difficult to argue with the quality of the downhill on the fresh Baxter Gulch trail.

This newly-dug singletrack swoops and flows through trees and alpine meadows, railing through perfectly-sculpted corners and several sets of low, flow-inducing berms.  Lower down, the bench cut singletrack weaves across the mountainside, alternating between deep, dark forest and sunny fields of wildflowers.

This hand-built trail took years to complete! "Traversing across the hillside, bench cut trail has been tediously put in through drains and steep embankments over the course of 6 years to get to the USFS boundary and some more tame terrain to work with," said Dave Ochs in an [interview with Singletracks.com](https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-trails/newest-trails-10-best-us-mountain-bike-destinations/2/). To get to this epic descent, climb up the Green Lake trail from downtown Crested Butte.

This trail can be steep and awkward in places, which makes getting it out of the way first a blessing in disguise.

If you want to visit the lake, carry on past the Carbon trail all the way to Green Lake itself, located in a bowl below a massive, rocky alpine ridge. Once done with your snack at the lake, turn left on the Carbon Trail and head toward Baxter Gulch.

Some of the climbs along this section of singletrack are quite rocky and difficult, but the tough climbs lead to stupendous views of Whestone Mountain, Mount Crested Butte, and the entire valley spread out below you! Once you've passed the epic viewpoint, it's all about that sweet, sweet descent down Baxter Gulch.

Enjoy!