401 Snowplug

Every week, I'd ask around.  What's the status of 401?  Whenever people call to say they're coming to visit, the question on their lips is always: Is 401 rideable?  The answer always came back that people were riding it as an out and back, but that the summit of Schoefield was still snowpacked.

Finally, it was July 20th, it was time to go give it a look.   Here's what I found.

The road is drivable up until right before Emerald Lake.  The road is officially closed there and turning around is precarious, so if you're shuttling, park at the rock outcropping where it won't take a 15-pointed turn to turn your vehicle around.

The snowplug itself is about 50 feet long and at least 20 feet deep.  I would highly doubt that it's going to melt out this year before the snows start again in earnest.

Once past the snowplug, it's easy cruising to the summit, where surprisingly, the bugs weren't too bad on a sunny Wednesday late-morning.  The final climb up to the meadows is littered with snowbanks and deadfall though, so be ready to do a little bit of hiking. In all honesty, it's not bad.

Once to the top, it's classic 401.

There's one snowplug on the trail, but nothing to write home about.  The skunk cabbage is high and thick and the flowers are beautiful.  Since so few people have ridden the trail this year, the brake bumps are minimal and the sight lines are low.

There's a reason this trail is a classic.  There's really nothing quite like it.

Weekend Trails Update

Ah July.  I was just recently talking to a friend who moved to Crested Butte in 2008, the last BIG snow year.  He said that that year, Trail 401 was rideable as a loop on July 4th.  This year, it's past July 4th and reports are still coming in of snow banks up high.  Guess it did snow a good bit.  On the plus side, if you're willing to wade across the river, 401 can be ridden as an out and back.

Other high trails are starting to come into form.  The classic Reno/Flag/Bear/Deadmans loop is passable, though there are some impressive mud bogs on Bear.  Looking across the valley, Hunter is looking good and Double Top looks passable, but don't quote me on that as I haven't actually been up there.  I've just looked from afar.

It looks to be another great weekend in the Butte.  Get out and enjoy it!

Trails Update - June 30

Well, it's nearly July.  Let's see how trails are doing.

Reno/Flag/Bear - I have a report that it's good to go.

401 - Reports say that the snow is still sign deep at the top of the pass but it sounds like the intrepid souls made it through the snow and were able to ride the trail, for the most part.

Waterfall Cut-off - Dry with lots of downed trees and some pretty precarious stream crossings.

Cement Creek Trail - WET

Lower loop - Mostly dry, not muddy.  Finally.  

The ridges up high are starting to look bare.  I'm hoping to try to get up to the Double Top area this weekend to see what there is to see.  Pictures to come.

Monday Trails update - Deadmans/Reno

I set out to do a bit of snow scouting this weekend.  From afar, some of the mid-elevation trails are starting to look dry, so I did a bit of exploration up Cement Creek.

First stop was to check out Reno Ridge Road.  Cement Creek road is clear (with some water crossings) all the way to Reno.  I stopped there, but judging from snowline, it's clear a good ways farther up.  Trail 400 probably needs a good bit of time still, but we'll just have to keep an eye on it.

I started up Reno road, dodging some snow but making decent progress until 10,200 feet, or 3-4 minutes of pedaling up the steep part after the first switchback.  Then I found this.

I'm guessing it may be passable farther up, but I didn't particularly feel like going for a postholing adventure.

Next up was Deadmans.  As expected, the switchbacks are clear until about 10,200 feet.  The saddle is at 10,700 ft and with a bit of post holing and patience, it's climbable.  The backside needs some love and time though.  

Parts are good.  Other parts...are wet.

I would classify the south face of Deadmans as 'Not ready yet'.  It may take a bit of time to dry out and repair the trail.

Farther up valley, Snodgrass is still closed as of Saturday and Lower Loop is still muddy but other trails are riding well.

The CBMR bike park is also open and lifts are running.

Monday, June 13 Trails Update

I remember driving down to Gunnison from our little abode up here in CeeBee South, thinking that trails up here are never, ever going to melt out.  I love Hartmans, I really do, but I spend my time dreaming of big loops up in the alpine, CeeBee-style.  It's been a slow process, but we can see the snowline receding on Whetstone, roads are getting plowed, and I'd like to think that sooner rather than later, we'll just be laughing about the winter of 2011 that just wouldn't let go.  So, without further ado, the trail conditions as I know them (check out the side tabs for past trail and road conditions):

New Road Openings:
Kebler Pass is OPEN.  This means one thing - CSA trucks bringing fresh veggies from Hotchkiss and Paonia will be in town soon.

Cement Creek is dry for a few miles past the Deadmans Parking lot.  Then there are some snowplugs and flooding.  Probably a good idea to stay away until the flood danger goes down.

New Trails:
Lupine Trail - Rumor has it that this trail is RAD.  And dry.

Snodgrass - Looks dry from a distance.  Possibly good to go.

409 - Free of snow but has a lot of downed trees from a not-so-gentle winter.

Strand - Dry and good to go.  A few mud puddles are still lurking, so please ride through them, not around them.  Keep our single track single.

Deadmans - Bottom looks dry.  I'd guess it would go for a bit as an out-and-back.

Double-Top - Looks completely snow covered.

If you know otherwise on any of these trails, or know of something else is dry, please leave a comment!  Any beta is always appreciated.

Trails Update - June 8th

After a weekend of stellar weather, trails are starting to melt.  Keep in mind, these are purely my own observations and what I gather from talking to people, so I'm sure that other stuff is dry, I just don't know about it.

Roads
Slate - Dry to within a mile of Pittsburg
Gothic - Plowed to Judd Falls/Copper Creek parking lot
Cement Creek - Dry until at least the Deadmans trailhead and most likely farther.  I just ran out of time.
Kebler - I have no clue

Trails
Caves - Dry and beautiful
Warm Springs - Dry and beautiful
Tonys/Upper/Upper upper/Whetstone - Good to go
403/401 - Covered in snow
Strand - About to go check it out, I'll update when I get back.

Snow
Prior to this weekend, it was prime corn harvesting season and with the roads drying out, car access to many of the bigger peaks is opening up for the sled-less. 

 

Mineral Point and Augusta - taken very late May

Trails Report for May 28, 2011

After a spring that long-time locals called 'the worst ever', summer seems to finally be descending on the Gunnison Valley with a string of days without precipitation this weekend and temperatures that will create ideal corn skiing conditions up high and will finally start melting out the Crested Butte trails.

For Gunnison, Hartman Rocks is riding fantastic with all of the trails open.  Watch out for grazing cattle and make sure to keep all gates closed.

Farther up valley, Cement Creek is drying out nicely with the roadside trail dry and Caves very nearly ready to go.

In Crested Butte proper, Tony's has been described as 'tacky' and reports are coming in that Upper Loop is dry with Upper-upper only being blocked by a handful of snow-plugs.

Get your riding shoes on CB folk because summer is coming!  We hope to be bringing you a weekly trails report as the snow-line recedes and the dirt bakes in the summer sun.