Crested Butte Hikes

Crested Butte, Colorado. September 2015

Oh Be Joyful Trail to Garfield Pass.

Access: From Crested Butte, travel north on Gothic Road and take a left on Slate River Road just outside of Crested Butte. Drive 4.5 miles on the well-maintained dirt road and look for the Oh-Be-Joyful Campground turn-off on your left.

At the start of the hike you ford the Slate River at the OBJ campground. Bring a spare pair of water shoes/Teva’s , then switch to your hiking boots after crossing the river. This trail follows an old mining road up above the side of Oh Be Joyful Creek, climbing fairly steeply for a brief time. Once you hit the vantage point above the Oh Be Joyful falls, the trail mostly flattens out and becomes narrower.

The trail climbs through wide valleys with incredible views. I came across a few free range cattle, a large buck, and marmots. Heading up to the pass, take the spur trail on the right to Blue Lake. Then double back and continue up to the pass for more amazing views. A full day hike.

East Maroon Pass Hike.

A great wilderness hike with dramatic views and high elevation.

Access: From Crested Butte, take Gothic Road 317 past the ski area, then past Gothic about 0.5 miles to the marked trailhead. Park at the lower trailhead on Gunnison Road 317 and walk up the road. If you have a high-clearance vehicle you can drive up the road about a half mile to the upper trailhead.

There are several water crossings on the hike, a trekking pole will come in handy when fording the streams. After a half mile you will come to Judd Falls. It is five miles total to East Maroon pass. The last few miles is strenuous with steep grades. At the base of the pass you hit beautiful Copper Lake and tree line. I recommend continuing a little ways over the pass toward Aspen. You will be rewarded with amazing mountain vistas. Keep an eye on the weather, you do not want to be caught above tree line of clouds are moving in. The weather can change quickly in the mountains.