Crested Butte - August 19th, 413 Trail

Since Amanda and John were heading back to Boulder on Sunday, Amber and I decided to go and check out a trail up near Cottonwood Pass that we had been wanting to ride for a while.

We didn't know anything about the trail other walking the start of the trail a couple of weekends ago where it looked like it would be great riding.


It had a really nice mix of technical (rocky mostly) sections and nice buffed loamy riding. We assumed that it would be an out and back trail so everything we road up we would also be able to ride back down on the way back.


The trail looked like it was mostly used by motor bikes but the condition of the trail was excellent with very little of the loose rock that you often find on trails that motor bikes frequently use.


We didn't see anyone else on the trail which was somewhat surprising since there were 4 other vehicles at the trailhead.


This was a great section to ride up and even more fun on the way back.


Riding in the dark timber is always good times.


There were a couple of stream crossings as well each with it's own technical challenges - all in all some really excellent riding.


We also crossed a couple of rocky sections as moraine rockfall crossed the trail. The most technical of them we didn't get any photo's of as we were to busy riding it. On the downhill run through it it was ridable and very enjoyable on the way back we pushed our bikes but it would be conceivable that it could also be ridden.


The grade of the trail was also very well built as there was very little very steep stuff and mostly you just stayed in the seat and keep turning the pedals.

Unfortunately after about 3 or 4 miles the single track turned to double track and headed down a steep torn up ATV trail. It looked like it went all the way to a valley that would have taken us back to the Taylor Res. We decided to turn around and just enjoy the return trip.


The ride back was really sweet with fast and smooth sections broken up nicely by some techy descents and some techy climbs.


You couldn't help but have a smile.


This was one of the water crossings with a nice little technical exit over a collection of rocks.


It was fun to go up and even more fun to come down!



All in all it was a fun little ride that we will have to research to see how to add more length to and come back and explore some more.