Discover bikepacking in Colorado with Gearhead

Discover Colorado bikepacking with Gearhead’s Guide to Bikepacking. If you’re looking for challenging riding and stunning scenery, check out the Gunnison Valley for bikepacking! The video follows gravel bikers on a route from Gunnison to Pitkin to Crested Butte. This four-day route covers 215 miles and boasts almost 22,000’ of vertical gain. Keep reading to get travel tips, lodging help and a gear guide for your bikepacking trip.

Watch the Video

Watch the video below to see Gearheads Marie and Jono bikepack through the Gunnison Valley from Gunnison to Pitkin to Crested Butte.

The project

Backcountry.com and Gunnison Crested Butte teamed up to feature one of the Gunnison Valley’s best bikepacking routes. Backcountry.com Gearhead athletes Marie and Jono take you on a 215-mile four-day adventure through high desert sage fields, over scenic mountain passes and along high-alpine trails.

Meet the riders:

Marie Young

Marie rode a Santa Cruz Stigmata gravel bike. She also had 50mm Continental Adventure Terra tires. She had a handlebar bag, saddle bag and frame bag for her gear. For water, she used a hydration pack and had two bottles on her frame. Follow along with Marie’s adventures on her Instagram.

Jono Ertz

Jono rode an Enve Mog gravel bike with 50 mm Continental Adventure Terra tires. He carried his tent in a dry bag strapped to his handlebars. The rest of his gear was in a seat bag, a frame bag and a top tube bag. He carried his water in a hydration pack and had two bottles on his fork. See what Jono is up to on his Instagram.

Both Marie and Jono were satisfied with their bikes and tires for this route. They agreed that a hardtail or full suspension mountain bike would also work; it would just be a bit slower. They don’t recommend riding it with tires smaller than 45.

Why is Colorado a great gravel biking destination?

Colorado offers thousands of miles of gravel roads to explore via gravel bike for Colorado bikepacking. The large state is right in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, providing iconic scenery and a bevy of small, charming mountain towns. The Gunnison Valley, in particular, is one of the best gravel biking destinations in the whole state; 36% of dirt and gravel Forest Service roads in Colorado are located in Gunnison County. There is almost an endless number of gravel biking routes to ride.

Bikepacking in the Gunnison Valley

The Route – Gunnison to Crested Butte

This Colorado bikepacking route connects Gunnison, Pitkin, and Crested Butte for a challenging and ecologically diverse ride. The route boasts 215 miles and nearly 22,000’ of vertical gain. This four-day bikepacking trip takes riders on steep climbs and past amazing views through some of the Gunnison Valley’s small mountain towns.

Day 1: Gunnison to Cathedral

The first day of the bikepacking ride is 50 miles with 5,300’ gain. Before heading out of Gunnison, stop downtown for coffee and breakfast. The Gearhead crew stopped at Tributary, a coffee shop and roastery on Main Street.

The climb out of Gunnison provides expansive views of the high desert around town on nice gravel. From the gravel, the route hops onto paved road for a long descent. About 25 miles in, the landscape morphs into piñon and juniper before changing into wide-open plateaus.

Look for colorful wildflowers in early summer. Cathedral is an unincorporated community made up of a handful of cabins resting in a valley. Water refills are available at stock tanks and creeks right before Cathedral.

Enjoy phenomenal stargazing while camping for the night. Camp at Cathedral Ranch Cabins, a property that caters to bikepackers. Pitch your tent or rent a cabin. Either way, you can enjoy a hot shower and visit the resupply store for anything you need.

Day 2: Cathedral to Pitkin

Day two presents a challenge with 64 miles and 5,900’ of elevation gain. The ride begins by climbing a mix of chunky and smooth gravel on Los Pinos Pass. The sharply ascending doubletrack opens into panoramas of spikey granite peaks. Your hard work climbing will be rewarded with flowing descents past alpine lakes and beaver ponds. Make a pitstop in Ohio City, a partial ghost town with many original buildings still standing.

The ride from Ohio City to Pitkin, your stop for the night, is mostly pavement with a gradual climb. Grab dinner in Pitkin – you’ve earned it! The Pitkin General Store, the Stumbling Moose Lodge and the Bon Ton Bistro offer dinner and drinks to fuel you after a long day on the trail. You’ll also want to resupply water and food in Pitkin.

Camp at Pitkin Campground, a first-come, first-served Forest Service site, or splurge on a hotel room in town. If you camp, be aware of bears. Hang your food with a bear bag or make use of a bear cannister if you have a support car.

Pitkin is a former mining town that now has a small year-round population that nearly doubles in the summer. Settled directly in the Gunnison National Forest, Pitkin offers incredible access to the outdoors. Hiking, fishing, mountain and gravel biking, off-roading, snowmobiling, and skiing are all easily accessible in Pitkin. A growing downtown offers dining, shopping and lodging options.

Day 3: Pitkin to Mosca Campground

Day three includes a 46-mile ride with ~4,900’ of elevation gain. Begin the ride on shady gravel roads before ascending Cumberland Pass. The pass climbs to wild country with views of tall mountain ranges on the horizon. Mining relics line the dirt roads you’re riding, harkening back to the Gunnison Valley’s past. Stop to filter water where streams cross the road.

Cumberland Pass is popular with off-roaders; get an early start and be mindful on your ride. The descent into Tincup is pretty rough. Pick your line carefully and take your time. Take a break in Tincup to see the old mining and get a snack before heading towards Taylor Park.

Stop for the day at Mosca Campground on the banks of Spring Creek Reservoir. Pitch your tent among pine trees with a babbling creek nearby.

Day 4: Mosca Campground to Crested Butte Loop

The final day of the ride features 55 miles of pedaling over ~5,200’. Once you leave the Mosca Campground, the route rejoins the Sage and Saddles Loop south to Taylor River Road. Ride alongside the river to Jack’s Cabin Cutoff. Eventually, you’ll loop back to Highway 135 and ride pavement north to Crested Butte. Stop in Crested Butte for water and something to eat before continuing to Slate River Road towards Yule Pass.

Pump your legs up long switchbacks as expansive views of the Elk Mountains and verdant alpine meadows open up. Turn right on Schofield Pass Road and descend toward the former mining town of Gothic. Ride through Gothic (stay on the road to avoid disturbing any Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory experiments!) back to Crested Butte.

Head to Elk Avenue for a cold beer and a hearty meal after four days on two wheels. Treat yourself to a hot shower and a comfortable bed by booking a room at an inn, a vacation rental or a cozy cabin in Crested Butte.

More bikepacking routes in the Gunnison Valley

Sage and Saddles

Sage and Saddles is a week-long bikepacking loop that showcases the epic high desert, canyons and mountains around Gunnison, Colorado.

Pitkin Passage

The Pitkin Passage is a weekend loop that is 100% dirt, climbs six mountain passes and explores some of the Gunnison Valley’s coolest ghost towns.

Bikepacking gear recommendations

• Gravel bike
• Storage — options include frame bags, handlebar bags, seat bags, saddlebags, racks, baskets and panniers
• Tent or shelter
• Sleeping bag and pad
• Lightweight camp kitchen setup and food
• Water bottles and water filtration system such as purification tablets or water filter
• Food
• Repair kit for bike and tires
• Biking clothes such as riding shorts, a jersey or wool shirt, wool socks, cycling shoes, helmet, cycling gloves, and sunglasses
• Camping clothes, including layers for rain or cold nights and camp shoes
• Headlamp
• Map or navigation system
• First aid kit
• Bell to signal on shared-use paths

Plan your trip

Find flights, things to do before and after your ride, and places to stay with our trip planning guide.