Hiking Trails

Trails are open at Crested Butte Mountain Resort for both hiking and Mountain biking. You can start at the base area and hike up. Or you can ride either the Red Lady Express Lift or the Silver Queen Lift to access an assortment of hiking trails.

Two of the most popular trails start from the top of the Silver Queen Lift:

Summit Trail
Hike to the peak of Mt. Crested Butte and get a breathtaking 360-degree view of the valley. The first section of the Summit Trail climbs fairly steep terrain and ends at the picnic shelter (0.25 miles). From the picnic area to the 12,162' peak of Crested Butte Mountain, the trail is steep and crosses loose and broken rock. Follow trail signage to the summit (0.25 miles). Total round-trip distance is 1 mile. Plan on 1 hour to reach the peak (at an easy pace). Caution: thunderstorms typically hit early-afternoon in the mountains. You do not want to be on the peak during a storm. So plan accordingly and get an early start.

Silver Queen Trail
This trail follows a road from the top of the Silver Queen Lift which winds down toward the top of the Red Lady Express lift. Ride the Silver Queen lift up, and then take the Red Lady Express lift back down. Or the trail can be done in reverse starting at the top of the Red Lady Express lift, ending at the top of the Silver Queen lift. 2 miles. If you start at the base are and hike to the top, total distance is 4.3 miles.

CAUTION: Hikers may be encountered on trails:
Hikers: please allow bicyclists and horses to pass
Bikers: please respect hikers and horses and make your presence known well in advance

Be Prepared

Elevation
There is about 50% more ultraviolet radiation at 10,000 feet than at sea level. Always wear sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm. Also, there is a third of the oxygen here that there is at sea level. Please take this into account when planning your activities.

Water
Keeping hydrated is the best way to deal with high altitude. Drink plenty of water while hiking. Do not drink from streams!

Adequate Clothing
The weather in the mountains changes quickly. There is usually at least a 10-degree temperature difference between the bottom and the top of the lifts. Hiking shoes are advised. A waterproof windbreaker is recommended, as well as a light jacket.

Environment
Please leave wildflowers for other to enjoy. Stay on designated hiking trails and give the fragile ecosystem an opportunity to thrive.

WARNING
Hiking in the mountains can be a challenging outdoor sport. While efforts have been made to provide for your hiking pleasure, you are in a mountain environment that requires alertness, common sense, and caution. Changing weather conditions, variations or steepness of terrain, natural and man-made obstacles, and other dangers or conditions that may be encountered are inherent risks that are part of the challenges of hiking. You must hike within your own ability. You are using the premises at your own risk. Hiking is potentially dangerous. If you become lost, you may be held responsible for the cost of search and rescue. Anyone who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be prohibited from the use of the premises.

IN CASE OF ACCIDENT
Report accidents at the base of the Silver queen lift or at any of our designated on-mountain emergency telephones. Dial ext. 2317. Cell phones dial 970-349-2317. After lift operation hours dial 911.

LIGHTNING AND THUNDERSTORMS
Summer storms are frequently accompanied by lightning. If you get caught in an electrical storm, head for the top of either the Silver Queen or Red Lady Express lifts or the base area, which ever is closer.

If you cannot make it to shelter, follow these rules:
* Stop riding and separate yourself from your bike.
* Stay away from water, including streams, small ponds and large mud puddles. Avoid the highest ground or the highest object in an area.
* Avoid hilltops, open spaces, wire fences, power lines and chairlifts.

ON-MOUNTAIN TRAFFIC
Crested Butte Mountain sees a good deal of on-mountain maintenance and improvements during the summer months. Vehicles and work crews may be encountered at any time any where on the mountain