However at this time of year it is a very different proposition as you can't ride the road to the single track and the flowers are not out yet.
Packed and ready to leave our camp spot up Slate River Rd.
We started at the Avery Picnic area and you are climbing very quickly via a private (but accessible) road until you turn onto the 401 trail.
401 as an out and back is the trail that makes it very reasonable to bring a camera as an excuse to take amazing photos while you recover your breath.
The trail conditions were excellent just like the previous day out near Deadmans.
There was still some sections of snow amoungst the trees, but we only had to walk 4 sections in the entire ride before we turned around very high on the trail.
The lack of wildflowers is more than compensated by the amazing views.
Of course - climbing up one of the classic flowing downhills takes some effort.
But it was pretty easy to sit back in the saddle and grind the climb while being distracted by the scenery.
and the panoramic views.
the lower part of 401 also has some nice little descent sections until you really start the climb up to above the treeline.
The last time we did 401 was late in the spring last year. That time around we were coming downhill amoungst vegetation close to chest height.
This time around not even the Aspens had sprouted yet and that made for some heart breaking glances if you looked to far ahead up the trail.
But you knew there was a huge reward waiting if you just kept going and spinning the pedals.
Climbing, climbing, Climbing.
Did I mention that the views made it easier?
Ok, so they didn't really make it easier but they sure did look amazing.
Almost at the top of the steep climbing that most people remember as the switchbacks in the aspens.
This seems like a good place for a lunch break!
The single track along the steep slopes feels even more exposed as you crawl up it at a snails pace happy you have a camera to bust out and use as an excuse to recover some breath.
You have to keep telling yourself - what you climb up you can race down on the way back.
Just keep telling yourself that....
Burning thighs at over 11,000'
As we got further along the trail the snow started to appear on the open slopes.
And eventually across the trail.
But there is still plenty of clear trail to ride.
We eventually turned around as our laziness got the better of us combined with more frequent snow.
Good times, now we could turn downhill and start the descent.
I think there is something about the altitude at Crested Butte that makes camera's stop working once you start riding downhill.
I had to really force my camera to do it's job and take some photos.
It was made easier to convince the camera to do it's job when it was shown another nice view.
But it was really hard to make it work amoungst the aspens.
The descent on 401 is one of those trails that just makes you love riding your bike...
and makes you love being alive!
And you end with a smile on your face.
I actually changed my mind and moved 401 as an out and back up the list. I think it pushed out Doctor Park and made it to number 2 or perhaps even number 1 position in my list. I need to go ride those two later in the spring to confirm my assessment.
Doing 401 early in the season as an out and back is an absolutely must do ride for anyone who loves mountain biking. We did not meet or see another soul on the entire ride. It was solitary, beautiful riding at it's very best.
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