Crested Butte (12,162'), the mountain

[ColoradoGuy]

Questions about Crested Butte (12,162'), the mountain...

After reading http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/hiking-info#crested, it appears the "standard route" is to take the ski lift 80% up the mountain. Then it's followed by a 0.5 mile trail with a 600 ft. gain. Anyone ever done this?

Questions:
-Do I have to ride the ski lift to get up there?
-Can I drive partially up the road? And hike on the road? (And will my 2WD make it?)
-Any attractive alternative routes?

I get the sense my climb will be more like a touristy, Disneyland experience, but I do want to summit this mountain! Thanks friends. :D

-Steve

[highpilgrim]

it appears the "standard route" is to take the ski lift 80% up the mountain

Why not just climb it? What makes the lift part of the route?

[DanR]

There's some good info on SP about using the service road to walk up:

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-crested-butte/549925

[ajkagy]

if i were you, i would park at the base of the ski area and take one of the trails from there. riding the lift up 80% of the way was meant for tourists or people that are generally out of shape, but want to get to the top.

http://www.skicb.com/cbmr/SiteAssets/fi ... ailmap.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is the summer trail map, enjoy

[ColoradoGuy]

There's some good info on SP about using the service road to walk up:

http://www.summitpost.org/mount-crested-butte/549925

Ahhh. Thanks for the link!

if i were you, i would park at the base of the ski area and take one of the trails from there.

I'm with you, but ... there is no trail! There's merely a road - a long one that winds it's way back and forth. I'm no fan of that, but I guess that's the route I'll take. I may drive up the road a bit to shorten it, and that's where I was coming from with my original post. This reminds me of Mt. Antero's lame "standard route."

Thanks again for the input though. Happy trails!

[highpilgrim]

I'm with you, but ... there is no trail!

Hike up the ski trails. Pick the ones that you like the steepness of and just go up. No need for the road.

[gb]

You can do better than the lift or the road if that isn't what you're into. One option is to climb the E slopes- start from Brush Creek. If you find an abandoned trail/road that leads from Upper Upper towards the summit, so much the better. There is no reason to take the road either- hike up under a lift and try to find some $ and other lost goodies. You can park at the top of Prospect rd and then hike under the Paradise lift from there. Then there's always "guides ridge". http://www.crestedbutteguides.com/page.cfm?pageid=18932

[ColoradoGuy]

Good discussion. Looks like I'll be up there for a day on July 4 weekend.

I'll figure out a respectable way to get up there.

[ajkagy]

You can do better than the lift or the road if that isn't what you're into. One option is to climb the E slopes- start from Brush Creek. If you find an abandoned trail/road that leads from Upper Upper towards the summit, so much the better. There is no reason to take the road either- hike up under a lift and try to find some $ and other lost goodies. You can park at the top of Prospect rd and then hike under the Paradise lift from there. Then there's always "guides ridge". http://www.crestedbutteguides.com/page.cfm?pageid=18932

Frank, is the guide ridge a class 4/low class 5 climb? I'm pretty new in town and haven't gotten out to explore much of the climbing nearby yet.

[peter303]

Why not just climb it? What makes the lift part of the route?

I've done the non-technical hike couple times all the way from the base. Its just not that interesting until you reach treeline.
Its more interesting to hike north to one of the major Elk passes like East Maroon Pass.

[gb]

Frank, is the guide ridge a class 4/low class 5 climb? I'm pretty new in town and haven't gotten out to explore much of the climbing nearby yet.

I haven't done it personally, but yeah, that's my impression. It's definitely been done without rope. Pretty sure there's a couple of bolts along the way as well. Welcome to town.

[sclarson]

My mom and I climbed it last year in August. Parked at the base of the resort, and walked the service road up and then hiked up the scree trail to the top. The resort will let you ride the lift down for free if you hike up, which my mom and I did at her choice Pretty easy hike up and down imo, and great views of the Elks/Bells/Castle/etc from the top.

Hope that helps!

--Scott