Crested Butte 2024
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Today
will be a process miles day - from home in Fort Collins to the campsite
near Crested Butte Colo with the group. The group, some members are
already in the area, have not found a campsite for everyone. Once
that's found, I'll receive directions to the site. Most of us are
camping and some are hoteling in Gunnison. I debated taking US-285 vs. I-70. The I-70 route would add an hour or so but is multi-lane, which would allow for the jeep to easily run slower allowing traffic to pass. In the end I took 285 and traffic was not of much issue. Heading into the mountains on a Sunday has most of the traffic headed the other way. Yellow line from Fort Collins through Fairplay and Gunnison Colo to Crested Butte Colo |
| Downtown Denver with Pike's Peak on the horizon. |
| US-285
is looking GREEN. This will be true for the trip - water is around,
some clouds, some rain (but not too much), and flowing streams in the
mountains. We're not dry and brown right now. |
| This old work truck with two dirt bikes passed me a bit ago - they want to get to the trails as fast as it can get them there. |
| Pop over Kenosha Pass and round the corner to the flat expanse of South Park. |
| Nearing Buena Vista |
| Years ago (2015-08-01) I headed up that valley to some trails. |
| Heading south from Buena Vista. We'll pop over this close ridge and turn right to head over Monarch Pass. |
| Up
Monarch Pass the forest was harvested in a new pattern that caught my
eye. Instead of a horizonal pattern it's up and down. I'd think erosion could be worse with this pattern. |
| Up at elevation - sealed snack bags puff out. None burst from the pressure. |
| Over Monarch and down to the gentle curves near Sargents Colo |
| US-50 headed towards Gunnison - a nice grassy valley. |
| Through Gunnison, we're headed north to Crested Butte Colo |
| Crested
Butte, 12,162 Ft The ski runs are on the north side of the mountain. The town is to the left and Camp 1 is on the right side. |
| Full of fuel, we're heading to camp. |
| At camp, some folks were scanning the hills for wildlife. An Elk across the valley. |
| Panorama Click for a larger size Camp 1 |
