Holly MandarichMay 14, 2020ColoradoComment

72 Hours in Crested Butte

Holly MandarichMay 14, 2020ColoradoComment

72 Hours in Crested Butte! Where to camp, what to hike and everything in between!

This article was originally published on The Outbound back on July 29th, 2017.

Below you’ll get a glimpse and itinerary of what our girl trip, weekend warrior getaway, to Crested Butte was like! You’ll find a recommended camping overview, along with a recommended hike! Each day, you’ll see a play by play of our experience.

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I documented this lil weekend getaway so if you too are in a pinch for time, can experience the beauty that we discovered!

Recommenced Camping: There is a variety of camping in Crested Butte, we found our spot off of Slate River Rd. - Slate River Rd. goes back about 15 miles up to Paradise Divide, after the divide it starts to curve back down toward the town of Gothic. All along the way you’ll find camping off the side of the road whether you fancy primitive camping or uniformed camping (Oh Be Joyful). There are some truly EPIC campsites once you start the climb up Slate River Rd (Just about 10 miles back.) If you decided to venture up the pass, you will need a 4x4 vehicle, the first few miles of the road are drivable by 2 wheel. This truly is an epic drive, so be sure to take in the sights along the way to finding your campsite. *Be cautious there are signs as to where you are allowed to drive your car off the road. We learned the hard way on this one, with backcountry parking tickets ($200 each yikes)!*

Recommenced Hike: In our weekend getaway in CB, we ventured to explore the Blue Lakes trailhead (Also known as Oh Be Joyful Trailhead). Which just so happens to be located at Oh Be Joyful campground on Slate River Rd! (So you won’t have to venture far from your campsite.) To access the hike, you’ll need to be comfortable crossing the river, either by foot or with a trusty 4x4 vehicle. There is some parking before the river crossing, if you choose to wade by foot. Reference photos below for detail of the river crossing. Round trip the hike is about 15 miles (7ish, each way). The beginning of the hike has a climb 500 ft and then flattens out through some valleys before a final push of 1500 ft in the last 1.5 miles to high alpine lake!

Tip: Pick up a free map of the area in downtown Crested Butte on Elk St. The maps are everywhere - and you'll need one if you want to explore the fun 4x4 roads in the area. Also, ask the locals about 4x4 road conditions before venturing, they'll know better than the internet!

Excited about this weekend getaway? Book your flight into Denver here.
Need wheels for your trip? I always recommend grabbing a rental car so you can explore those rugged 4x4 roads. You can compare prices and book one here.

Day One: Town & Setup Camp

* Nowadays with the influx a people I recommend you head up and grab your campsite before wrapping up your day!*

If you arrive into town early, grab a pick me up and finish up your remote work at Rumors.
Dinner at The Secret Stash, will leave you feeling full of happiness from a truly unique experience! The Pizza is a 9/10, the atmosphere is a 15/10, almost like a gypsy / India / 20’s / mystical vibe. Curtains, culture and good people!
A beer at The Eldo will have you soaking up all the good feels from the locals, in the event that there is a show, i'd recommend grabbing your campsite and coming back into town for the jams!
A run to the store and off to Slate River Rd. - not but 3.2 miles east on your way toward the ski resort. Be sure to abide by the signs, camping is CLEARLY marked.
Arrive at camp, and enjoy your night under the stars by campfire light!

Day Two: Hike

Wake up, hop in your adventure rig and head over to Oh Be Joyful campground.
The Blue Lakes Trailhead (or Oh Be Joyful trailhead) is just across the river at the campground, you will see the sign! If you have a 4x4 vehicle - cross the river, (see photos for point of reference) if not, park in the campground and wade across!
Eat breakfast!

Begin the hike from the parking lot.

You’ll start through a lighter, almost gladed forest. Not but a couple hundred feet in, the trail turns right and you start to climb. Once you're out of the forest, you'll follow the trail along a cliff/river edge. Waterfalls tower high above you in the distance, cascading down from the mountains. You'll pop in and out of trees for another mile or so—always be looking up!
There’s a bit more climbing and a curve to the right before you hit the wilderness sign. After that, the trail flattens into the most majestic wildflower valley you've ever seen. This stretch lasts for the majority of the hike (about 3 to 4 miles). Again, you'll spot waterfalls to your left the whole way, with mountains that look like nothing you've seen before. In the far distance, you'll see a ridge—that's where you're headed.
After walking through the flowers, you'll eventually reach a gate. I’d guess this is about halfway—just something to mentally note. Continue on through the valley until you hit forest again—this is where the climbing picks back up. At a fork, you’ll go left, into the basin where tree line breaks and waterfalls pour down from every direction. Straight ahead, there’s a waterfall spilling from the mountain in the middle—your lake is up there.
Follow the trail through the bottom of the basin and begin the switchbacks. The majority of the climb happens here, but the lake at the top is worth every single step

Take a dip in the lake - and eat your lunch!
Your hike out is all downhill, I'd estimate 2-3 hours to get back to the trailhead.
Head back to camp, eat and celebrate, revel in the joy and magic that the Butte provides!

Day Three: A fun Drive and coffee before you head out!

Wake up, pack up. Eat breakfast!
If you’re not already camping on Slate River Rd. near Paradise Divide, hop in your 4x4 and head to the top—the views are incredible. We were there in mid-July, and the connecting road down to Gothic had been avalanched out. But if it’s clear when you go, take that route back into town for a stunning loop.
After your Sunday drive, grab a beverage at Camp for Coffee, it’s absolutely superb. Then dink around town for a bit - before heading back to your place of origin.