Crested Butte in Summer: Wildflowers and Everything Else
Crested Butte hosts a Wildflower Festival every July. It has done this for more than 30 years. The town takes it seriously because the wildflowers are serious. Entire mountainsides turn purple, yellow, red, and blue in July. Lupine, columbine, Indian paintbrush, and dozens of species most people cannot name cover the valleys from town to the passes in every direction.
But the wildflowers are not the only reason to come here in summer. They are just the reason to come in July specifically.
Getting There
Crested Butte is 4 hours from Denver. Take I-70 west to Gunnison, then north on Highway 135 for 28 miles. The last stretch follows the Gunnison River through a narrow valley and the town appears at the end of the road. Literally. Highway 135 dead-ends in Crested Butte. There is no passing through. You came here on purpose.
Fly into Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport if you prefer. It is 30 minutes south of town. American and United run flights from Denver and Dallas in summer.
The Wildflowers
Peak bloom varies by year. The sweet spot is usually the first two weeks of July. Some years it shifts a week in either direction. The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival typically runs the second and third weeks of July, with guided hikes, workshops, and garden tours.
The best wildflower hike is the trail from Gothic to Judd Falls. Gothic is a former mining town 7 miles north of Crested Butte, now home to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. The road is paved and the trail is flat. In peak bloom, the meadows between Gothic and Judd Falls are carpeted in wildflowers so thick you cannot see the ground. Two miles round trip. Easy enough for anyone.
For something longer, hike to Rustler Gulch. Eight miles round trip from the Gothic trailhead, gaining 2,000 feet. The upper basin opens into a massive alpine meadow surrounded by peaks. Mid-July, this is one of the great wildflower hikes in North America.
Brush Creek Trail and the Slate River Road area are also excellent and less crowded than Gothic.
Mountain Biking
Crested Butte claims to be the birthplace of mountain biking. The claim is contested by Marin County, California. Both have a case. What matters is that Crested Butte has some of the best singletrack in the country.
The 401 Trail is the flagship ride. 13 miles with 1,800 feet of climbing. It starts high in the Gothic valley and traverses alpine meadows with views of the Elk Mountains. In July, you ride through wildflowers the entire way. This is on every list of the top mountain bike trails in America for a reason.
Lower Loop is the local after-work ride. 7 miles of flowy singletrack through aspen groves. A good warm-up or a good ride on its own.
Teocalli Ridge is for experienced riders who want exposure and technical terrain. A ridge ride at 12,000 feet with steep drops on both sides. Not for everyone. Spectacular for those it is for.
Rent bikes at Big Al's Bicycle Haven on Elk Avenue. Full-suspension mountain bikes run about $80 to $120 per day depending on the bike.
Kebler Pass
Drive Kebler Pass Road west from Crested Butte. It is 30 miles to Highway 133. The road is dirt and well-maintained, passable in any car. It climbs through the largest aspen grove in North America. In summer, the aspens are green and the meadows are open and wide. In fall, the entire road turns gold. Both seasons are worth the drive.
Stop at Lake Irwin, 3 miles up a spur road from the main route. A small lake at 10,200 feet ringed by wildflowers in July and aspens in September. There is a campground here if you want to stay.
The road closes in winter. It is typically open from late May through November, depending on snow.
Where to Eat
The Secret Stash. Creative pizza in a Victorian house on Elk Avenue. The Notorious F.I.G. has fig preserves, prosciutto, gorgonzola, and truffle oil. It is the best pizza in the valley. Pies run $22 to $30. The upstairs lounge has good cocktails and a different vibe from the dining room.
Slogar. Family-style fried chicken and skillet corn bread. This has been the special-occasion restaurant in Crested Butte for decades. The menu is simple. Fried chicken or steak. Sides come with it. Dinner is about $35 per person. Reservations recommended. Cash or check only.
Montanya Distillers. A rum distillery on Elk Avenue with a full cocktail bar. The Sacre Bleu, made with their Platino rum, is the order. They do small plates that pair well with the drinks. It is the best bar in town.
The Brick Oven. Pizza and calzones for when you want a solid meal without a long wait. The calzone with Italian sausage and roasted peppers is a local favorite. Most items under $18.
Camp 4 Coffee. Start your morning here. Strong coffee, baked goods, and the kind of energy that a small-town coffee shop should have. On Elk Avenue near the four-way stop.
What Else
The town itself is the attraction. Elk Avenue is one main street of painted Victorian buildings. Three blocks long. Everything is walkable. The population is about 1,800 and it feels that way. You will see the same faces at the coffee shop and the bar and the trailhead.
The Crested Butte Mountain Theatre puts on shows in a converted church. The Crested Butte Arts Festival runs in early August. First Friday gallery walks happen monthly in summer.
The ski resort runs a chairlift for mountain bikers and hikers in summer. A lift ticket gives you access to alpine trails and saves you the climb up. A single ride is $25. An all-day pass is $45.
The Gunnison River below town has decent fly fishing, particularly in late summer. Western Rivers Flyfisher in Crested Butte can set you up with gear and a guide. Half-day guided trips run around $350.
When to Come
Late June: Trails are clear, wildflowers are starting, town is waking up. Shoulder season pricing on lodging.
Early to mid-July: Peak wildflower season. The Wildflower Festival runs. This is the busiest time of summer. Book lodging months ahead.
August: Wildflowers fade but the trails are in prime condition. Mountain biking is at its best. The Arts Festival brings a weekend crowd.
September: Aspens turn gold. Kebler Pass is the main event. Nights get cold. Some restaurants start seasonal hours. The town gets quieter, which some people prefer.
Crested Butte works all summer. But if you can only come once, come in July. The wildflowers earn it.