This summer, I loved hiking from the Caves Trailhead up to Point Lookout in Crested Butte, Colorado. This exciting trail is for intermediate to experienced hikers and offers spectacular views of alpine mountain valleys, aspen forests and of the towns of both Crested Butte and Crested Butte South. Every summer, I visit Colorado to escape the Texas heat.
This year, I visited Vail, Aspen and Crested Butte - in that order - and I have spent a lot of time in mountain towns.
In my opinion, Crested Butte's adventurous hiking and captivating wildflowers far surpass those of its Western Colorado counterparts.
I have written about Crested Butte's famous mountain treks before, including my intense climb up Gothic Mountain to enjoy its spectacular views towards the peak.
However, I have discovered a new favorite hike, which involves starting at the famous Caves Trailhead, technically in Crested Butte South.
The Crested Butte website describes the Caves climb as "Steep & Strenuous," which is entirely accurate since you are ascending 883 feet in about 20-30 minutes.
Hiking poles are absolutely a NECESSITY, as is good physical fitness, especially at an elevation of 9,000 feet above sea level.
When you reach this sign for the split between the Walrod-Caves loop (to the right) and the 409 (to the left), HEAD TO THE LEFT.
Most hikers either climb back down Caves or continue on the 5-mile Walrod-Caves Loop; however, this year we took the advice of a well-known local and headed left towards the 409, which would connect ultimately with Point Lookout.
This decision involves taking on the additional challenge of another 876 feet of elevation ascent.
As we alternated between aspen forests and wildflower valleys, we enjoyed the scenery and did occasionally need to step aside for bikes (the 409 is technically a mountain biking trail, so do be courteous and observe proper trail etiquette).
Once you climb the ridge and arrive in the Brush Creek valley, you enjoy a walk a wildflower meadow that stretches for at least half a mile.
As we approached the summit, I snapped a picture on Snapchat and recorded the elevation - you can see downtown Crested Butte in the far bottom center of the photo:
All in all, at a rapid pace, we covered approximately 4 miles in two hours.
After enjoying the crisp mountain air and the view of downtown Crested Bette, we reluctantly headed back down the same way we came.
Ideally, we would have brought sandwiches and more water with us (one bottle was not nearly enough after the steep climbs).
Later that night, we participated in the ultimate carb loading session at Secret Stash pizza, one of my favorites.
Their selection of pizzas is world class, and true to my Texan roots, I always get the Texas Biggin' - a pizza with traditional sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, Canadian bacon, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms & black olives.
To read more of my travel-related articles, check out the Travel and Wanderlust section of this website.
Sounds like you were able to enjoy that pizza guilt-free!