It is no secret that Colorado is chock-full of beautiful and exciting small towns, but a beautiful and exciting small town that actually specializes in hikes? That can only be found in this Colorado town that is a true hiker’s paradise:
Tucked away in the scenic Rocky Mountains is the charming community of Crested Butte; a quintessential Colorado ski town that features more than just the popular slopes.
Crested Butte is the perfect blend of tall peaks and lush valleys, with beautiful vistas everywhere you look. The cliff-side trails are some of the most scenic in the state!
Nicknamed the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado," the Crested Butte area is particularly beautiful in spring when the hillsides turn into a vibrant quilt of blooming wildflowers.
You can drive right up within a mile of the lake, so it's just a quick 0.75-mile jaunt along this path that has blooming wildflowers along the way and a gorgeous mountain lake at the end.
Lost Lake (pictured above) is definitely a highlight of this 2.8-mile trail, but you'll also discover a lovely tumbling waterfall and, if you time it right, vibrant aspens igniting the trail around you.
For a moderate-level hike, head for Rustler Gulch.
If you hit the trail at just the right time (late July to early August) you'll be treated to beautiful mountain views and an endless field of wildflowers. The round-trip length of this trail is about 7 miles, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore and stop to smell the flowers!
Gothic Mountain is certainly a sight to behold, and there are two different trails that offer either an easy or hard way to see it.
The easy route, which starts from Route 403 and travels to a viewpoint area, is only 2.7 miles long. If you're up for a challenge, take on the strenuous climb to the top - which is 6.4 miles of steep elevation gain.
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The panoramic view of the peaks from the top of Gothic Mountain is worth it, but this trail is definitely meant for experts.
It’s hard to deny the natural beauty surrounding Crested Butte, so it only makes sense that this place would be a hiking mecca! For more information about the trails mentioned above, as well as dozens of others to explore, you’ll find all the information you need on the Travel Crested Butte website.
