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Gunsight Pass
1 reviews
5 of 5
This is an unusual ride for Crested Butte in that there's no singletrack, only a jeep road. Still, this is a great ride, more fun and more challenging than some of the more popular singletrack routes. From the junction with Upper Lower Loop Trail it climbs steadily for some 8-10 miles to Gunsight Pass, elevation 12,100 feet. Portions are rough; the descent can be painful because your bike will bounce around over stubborn rocks. Snowfields may block your way near the top. When you get to the top, turn around, because the routes on the south and west side of Mt. Emmons are too hard to follow unless you're with someone who knows them.
This is a difficult ride. Be prepared for the risks of thunderstorms, cold weather, and isolation. Snowfields can be dangerous; you can fall through them to rocks below. Be careful.
From the northwest corner of Crested Butte, take the unpaved road out to the Lower Loop Trail, a singletrack. You'll soon come to a junction with the Upper Lower Loop Trail, another singletrack; go left to take that trail. Upper Lower Loop ends at a jeep road, which is the route to Gunsight Pass. Turn left and go uphill some 3,000 vertical feet.The Alpineer bike shop in Crested Butte sells a map that shows the route to the pass.
Reviewed by: imtnbke
,
Cross Country Rider
, from Oakland, Calif., USA
Summary: This is one of the best rides I've done at Crested Butte. The scenery is majestic, particularly near the top. I like to climb, however, and I'd had about two weeks to get acclimated. You might not feel as enthusiastic about the miles of climbing through thinner and thinner air to the pass. The surface is rough in places, and it hurt on the descent (I have a softtail). But those familiar with the Pine Mountain Loop in Marin County should feel right at home.
Recommended Route: The route is described in the introductory part of this page. At the pass, there's a footpath that may go to the summit of Mt. Emmons. I walked up it only partway so I don't know where it ends up.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Dyke Trail, 403.
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