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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	33 trail reviews
Status: Closed updated 11/11/11 by Wesley456	Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 14 miles	Global Rank: #2
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 197	Wishlist: 261
Avg. Speed: 6.98 mph	Avg. Time: 2hr 48min
Elevation Gain/Loss: +2,677/-2,470 ft
1 trail check-ins

 

Kessel Run in Fruita

 

Monarch Crest Trail in Salida

 

Rampart Reservoir in Woodland Park

 

Mount Herman Trail in Monument

 

  
reviewed by stumpyfsr on November 16, 2011

Scenery is breathtaking. The trail itself is just a cow path. I've expected a bit more of the trail rated #2. There are many other trails in the area worth of try.

  
reviewed by ukraine on September 29, 2011

Not empresed at all. Nice views, great steep uphill and waste of climbing,straight boring long downhill. Not fun anless you're old or new to mtb. And watch out for catle and there's duty.

Similar Trail: Get road bike and use it!

  
reviewed by jmonnahan on September 22, 2011

Absolutely amazing from the views to the narrow singletrack to the handlebar high wildflowers

  
reviewed by davefourtwenty on August 30, 2011

This is a beautiful ride that offers some of the best views in Colorado. The climb up the pass is pretty basic on a dirt road but as soon as you get to the single track you are in for some seriously steep climbing. The climb is fairly short and once you're up the ride down is fast and breathtaking. You decend through a few different eco-systems which makes the ride that much more interesting. This is a must-do if you're in Crested Butte. That said, I have trouble understanding how the trail is ranked so high globally. While it does offer the best views in the state I would say the riding is very easy and not challenging at all. If you want a little excitement to the ride I would definitely add the last little section at the end as this portion offers the only slightly technical riding on the whole trail.

  
reviewed by mahanjoe@gmail.com on August 29, 2011

We camped at the Base of the trail at the Gothic Campgroud...super fun! The road up the trail is not hard at all...there is currently still a slab of snow that you walk your bike over, but its more fun than anything! once the single track starts you will climb for about 15 minutes till you get to a meadow with AMAZING views of Maroon Bells and CB... the downhill is super fun, and not hard at all...it is more consquential than hard, and once you get down into the aspens again its game on to go as fast as you can! if you camp where i did, the singletrack will dump you out on a 4x4 track where you bike across a river, and you are 100yards from home!

Similar Trail: Meadow Mountain

  
reviewed by mtbgreg1 on August 12, 2011

I think the fame of this trail comes primarily from the epic grandeur of it all! It is so remote, so high up in the mountains, the views are so incredible, the mountains are so big, the singletrack is so sweet, the downhills are massive.... The only things I didn't like about this ride were the climbs (but those are a necessary evil) and the wildflowers. Seriously, why does everyone seem to love the wildflowers? Sure, they were pretty for a little while, but then I just wished that I could see the trail! The trailside vegetation is so tall and overhanging that you have to severely limit your speed because you can only see about 5 feet in front of your tire, even though you can see the mountain range on the other side of the valley. Obviously, there's nothing that can be done to fix this, I just wonder why everyone seems to enjoy them so much.... But still, this trail is absolutely epic and an absolute must-ride!

  
reviewed by Hawkeye1846 on August 8, 2011

I rode this trail yesterday after years of hearing the hype. The scenery was good but the trail disappointing. The uphill road to the trailhead is a warmup for the steep singletrack uphill. Then you get to the downhill and give it away with a few switchbacks. What's the big deal with the wildflowers? Growing up in NE Iowa this time of year the flowers or weeds are this tall as well. Then the downhill isn't continuous singletrack? The downhill singletrack didn't seem worth the climb. I don't want to bash this famous hyped up trail but go try anything in Summit County. CB was very impressive, everyone is on a bike or doing something outside.

Similar Trail: Yellow River(IA)

  
reviewed by hammerlegs on July 31, 2011

OK trail. Rode this trail for the first time in July 2011 because I had heard this trail was so awesome. Other than the views I didn't see anything so great about this trail. I have ridden trails more fun where I live in northeast Kansas.

  
reviewed by GimmeAraise on July 22, 2011

rode up 401 then back down the other day, muddy spots but all and all wonderful! the connector from Schofield is open but muddy and one large tree still left to remove!

  
reviewed by jwbeuk on June 29, 2011

It will not be open for the 4th however there are a lot of great trails in the area which are open. See http://www.cbmba.org/ and click on trail conditions to get accurate updates on what you should, and should not ride.

* Review edited 7/5/2011

  
reviewed by stammer34 on June 27, 2011

What do you think -- 401 going to rideable this 4th of July weekend (2011)? Thoughts welcome.

  
reviewed by Haebe04(WSC) on January 24, 2011

Great scenery!

Similar Trail: Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge

  
reviewed by baber3000 on September 7, 2010

What a beautiful fun fast trail. It was very rewarding as after the monster climb you get to do about 35mph for ever it seemed. The next climb was not as much fun but agin it never fails that the rewards kept coming!!!

Similar Trail: Doctors Park and Hazard County Trails

  
reviewed by Jeremy_Katz on August 29, 2010

Fun stuff. Friend ridng in front of me almost smakced into two huge bucks. First day of Archery season hmmmm. Beautiful scenery, quick downhill. Only one washout where we had to get off bikes. Did I day fun?

Similar Trail: Prospect/Alta/Sunshine off Gondola in Telluride

  
reviewed by winstead on August 23, 2010

This is the best trail I've ever ridden! The climbs are hard but doable and the downhills are really fun. The views are fabulous. You have to ride this trail.

  
reviewed by kuala_tahan on July 14, 2010

Absolutely killer trail. Nice big climb at first (1500 feet or so, at altitude), but not unmanageable or required to walk, both on road and singletrack. Beautiful views the whole way up. Up top, amazing panoramic views. Then the fun starts. Ridiculously screaming singletrack for about 7 miles down. Took me I think 20 minutes to get down 7 miles. Wide open on the side of the mountain at first, then starts getting nice and tight (literal, singletrack, super tight) through brush whipping against your legs, then through a beautiful aspen grove. Always going way too fast to appreciate any of it, but an amazing trail. Nothing technical at all, just FAST. Thought this was the best singletrack I had ever ridden until the next day in CB, when I rode Reno-Flag-Bear-Deadman.

Similar Trail: Reno-Flag-Bear-Deadman

  
reviewed by fatkidwithasthma on July 8, 2010

Was just in CB this weekend. Trail 401 is awesome, with awe inspiring views, awesome climb at the beginning ( long climb if you start at the parking area and pedal up the pass to the trail head), amazing downhills with some great exposure. Officially one of the top trails I have ever ridden. Not really technical, but worth every second just for the views. It is not currently closed, but a 100 ft. section of the road up to the trail head is covered with snow. We were able to drive it in a Subaru WRX wagon.....so as long as you have AWD you should be okay. The initial climb the trail head at the top of the pass has a pretty significant section with a lot of downed trees from winter storms. You will have to hike a bike through a good bit of the first 3/4 mile. If you are ever in Crested Butte......you have to ride this trail. If you don't, well you are definitely missing out on an amazing experience. Cheers!!! overall- not a super technical trail, but the altitude and climbs will kick you in the gut if you aren't ready for it.

Similar Trail: Monarch Crest trail

  
reviewed by mtbgreg1 on April 28, 2010

@ziraga, trail 401 is high up the mountains, and i imagine it is still impassable due to snow. But i don't know for sure what the issue is with the "closed" rating

  
reviewed by ziraga on April 27, 2010

is it closed? wtf?

  
reviewed by Shermerhorn on September 16, 2009

Loved it on 9/8/09, though how is it no one else has mentioned the cows? I thought one was a bear out of the corner of my eye since I was still way up there...then later a bull just wouldn't get off the trail even when I asked nicely. See pics.

  
reviewed by chgolf64 on August 10, 2009

By far the sickest trail in CO, the uphill is rough because of altitude, but the downhill is out of this world! We hitchhiked to the top the second day just to ride again.

  
reviewed by shizants on August 10, 2009

it's hard to find a more scenic ride

* Review edited 8/10/2009

  
reviewed by rwbuff78 on August 3, 2009

wildflower tunnels at 20mph great ride. if i was going to die next week, i would want to ride it again before i go

  
reviewed by AboveTheRidge on July 22, 2009

A buddy and I just got back from riding 401 on 7/17. Trail was spectacular, BEST I've ever ridden. The ride up Gothic Rd was slow, but not hard. The next 15-20 minutes uphill on the trail after reaching Schofield pass weren't too bad either. For an East Coaster, the elevation got to me a bit, but the trail was phenomenal and worth every crank to get there. Will add to the plethora of photos once I get them resized. Trail is very clean with only one or two hairy switchbacks where the trail seems to drop off the side. Relax with a beer at Eldos in downtown CB once done!

* Review edited 7/22/2009

  
reviewed by versplatch on July 9, 2009

Did 401 a couple of weeks ago. Hike a bike over snow from the top of Schofield to the top clearing, perfect after that. Scenery and dh is top notch. Such a great ride.

  
reviewed by krystyly on August 18, 2007

Don't be fooled...this trail can be a real challenge for beginners like myself, but it was sooo worth it. The scenery was out of this world and in the end it was pretty rewarding, This trail really has anything you could ask for...flowery meadows, plush forests, lakes, streams, Aspen Glens, challenging climbs, and some great downhill. You can't not love it!!

  
reviewed by utedude on July 26, 2007

I am simply speechless! Wow! That was by far the best trail I have ever done! It is a thrill ride, scenery show, and overall just pure singletrack. Wildflowers surround you bracing your fall down the thousand foot drop to your right! Crested Butte is south and the marroon bells wilderness northeast withe the rest of the beautiful elk mountains occupying the seemingly endless range of incredible scenery. Now to the trail: extremely well maintained, strenuous climbs, just the right balance of fast flying and technical sections, diverse landscape and a great aerobic workout. Overall, I would highly recommend this trail to a rider with any experience at al as it is the best I have ever done!

Similar Trail: Falcon trail, Rampart Reservoir

  
reviewed by arnolda14 on June 5, 2007

This is the best mtn biking trail in the known universe. If you like the idea of descending at more than 25 mph through a meadow of wildflowers that grow as high as your shoulders with sanguine red mountains as your backdrop, this is the place to do it. You'll need to be in moderately good shape even though the uphill is maybe not as bad as some say. It's probably more a matter of the altitude, so do make sure you acclimate if you're not used to being in the high country and take the time to learn a little about altitude sickness.

Similar Trail: There's nothing else like it.

  
reviewed by BobinConifer on May 13, 2007

There are many reasons this trail regularly gets ranked as the best trail in Colorado. The scenery is mind blowing, there is some decent exposure for thrillseekers, the wildflowers are historic and the single track is like butter. I've ridden this trail probably a dozen times and the only complaint I have is sharing Gothic Road with sight seeing Texans. If you have the legs and lungs a great alternative is to drive up Washington Gulch (the turn-off is between Crested Butte & Mt. Crested Butte) and ride 410 between Mt. Blady and Gothic Mountain. This is a pretty short, boney mostly downhill ride that adds a lot more singletrack to the trip. Once your on 401, be sure to do the extension (at Rustlers Gulch) there's a short climb before getting to the rest of the great single track. Another alternative is to add a scenic mile or two at the top of Schofield Pass (instead of taking the right onto the singletrack at te trailhead) just continue straight for another few miles along the dirt road. You'll drop down into Schofield Park and ride through the old ghost town before getting to a perfectly photogenic waterfall.

Similar Trail: Dyke Trail

  
reviewed by beckijhn on August 4, 2006

The uphill was killer (this is my first year - ouch) We parked at Gothic and rode up the pass and then up the singletrack. The downhill was awesome - the views terrific! We took the second loop (approx 5 miles, 3 or so of those were UP and the downhill was mostly road. I want to do this one again this year, without the additional loop - bailing at the first parking lot and going back down to Gothic.

  
reviewed by rocketbracket on July 28, 2006

pretty smooth trail with amazing scenery like snow covered peaks, waterfalls, alpine lake . not technical at all . i give it 8 for the views since i'm from florida . you'll climb slowly pass 10,000 ft and then about mile down to the parking. 401 trail is short, maybe few miles, but i believe if you can hook up with some locals at the parking lot they can sure link it with other trails to make the whole experience last longer.

  
reviewed by trek7k on August 2, 2005

Good catch bonked, I'm not sure why this only had a 5! I initially reviewed this and I meant to give it a 10, everything is better now ;)

* Review edited 1/31/2011

Similar Trail: Monarch Crest.

  
reviewed by bonkedagain on August 2, 2005

Whoa! How did this get bumped to a rating of 5?! This is definitely a "must do" ride for anyone visiting CB. Riding thru wildflower tunnels with some plants over 7' tall is an experience you wont find in many other places. The scenery is fantastic and the lower section thru the aspens going into Rustler Gulch is fast and flowy. You can continue past Rustler Gulch to Judd Falls, but that portion of the trail is pretty average singletrack that grunts up and down the mountainside. This is not a technical ride, so go elsewhere if that is what you want, but if you just like getting on the bike and enjoying a nice trail with awesome views then this is a great place to go.

* Review edited 9/23/2011

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