High altitude travel tips for Gunnison and Crested Butte

High altitude is an important consideration when visiting the mountains in Colorado. Crested Butte’s elevation is 8,907’ and Gunnison’s elevation is 7,710’. Visitors coming from lower elevations sometimes take time to adjust to the altitude. Keep reading for high altitude travel tips.

Please note: This blog is not offering medical advice and is not a substitute for speaking with a healthcare professional. If you think you have altitude sickness, please contact a medical professional.

What is altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness occurs at altitudes above 8,000’ where the air pressure is reduced, and oxygen levels are lower.

What causes altitude sickness?

Any activity that requires gaining elevation can cause altitude sickness.

Risk factors for altitude sickness in Gunnison and Crested Butte

Visitors coming from sea level run the highest risk of experiencing altitude sickness. One of the best high-altitude travel tips for people coming from sea level is to avoid strenuous activities for the first couple of days of a trip to allow for acclimatization.

Tips to help avoid altitude sickness in Gunnison and Crested Butte

Gradually gaining altitude and taking it easy at the beginning of your trip can help. Don’t jump right into big, active days outside. Start with lower altitude trails before progressing to higher ones.

Staying hydrated is also an important high-altitude travel tip. Make sure you’re hydrated before, during and after gaining altitude. Limiting alcohol and caffeine can help with staying hydrated. Eat light meals, and get plenty of sleep and rest. Use sun protection such as sunscreen or a hat and wear loose-fitting clothes on the trail.

What to do if you experience mild altitude sickness?

If you feel sick from your travels, take some time to rest and rehydrate before doing any activity. Book a treatment at a spa or oxygen bar to refresh. If you develop symptoms while on the trail, get to a lower elevation as quickly and safely as possible. If you’re camping and exhibit signs of altitude sickness, move your camp to a lower elevation or book lodging in town.

How to avoid altitude sickness in Gunnison

Gunnison is a high desert environment that sits at 7,710’. Because Gunnison’s elevation is lower than Crested Butte’s, staying or recreating in Gunnison before going to Crested Butte can help with acclimatization. Before tackling anything strenuous, allow yourself time to adjust. Take this opportunity to discover all Gunnison has to offer.

Shop at the stores downtown, catch some music or attend an event. Good outdoor options include mellow activities such as walks, short bike rides and fishing. Find specific ideas of things to do below.

 Mellow Gunnison summer and winter outdoor activities:

• Walk the Van Tuyl Loop.
• Ride Evan’s Loop, Luge, Buddy Bear or another easy trail at Hartman Rocks.
• Bird watch on Neversink Trail along the Gunnison River.
• Fly fish the Taylor River.
• Have a beach day on the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir.
• Visit a park, play pickleball or go sledding.
• Watch people surf the waves at the Gunnison Whitewater Park.
• If you brought your dog, visit the Jorgensen Park dog park.
• Rent a boat on Taylor Reservoir
• Stargaze at Hartman Rocks.

Mellow Gunnison town activities:

• Find souvenirs on Main Street.
• Take a class taught by a local artist at the Gunnison Arts Center.
• Visit the Pioneer Museum and learn about Gunnison’s history.
• See if the Gunnison Library is having any talks or presentations that interest you.
• Browse galleries full of art inspired by the area.
• Go to the Saturday morning Farmers Market.
• Set up a picnic at Legion Park for Music in the Park.
• Check out the mural at IOOF Park to learn more about Gunnison.
• Sing karaoke or play bingo at a local bar.
• Cheer on a Western Colorado University team.

How to avoid altitude sickness in Crested Butte

Crested Butte is an alpine environment with an elevation of 8,907’. Altitude sickness is more common in Crested Butte than Gunnison because the elevation is higher. Before hiking a 13,000’ peak or going on a backcountry adventure ride, give your body time to get used to the thin air.

Crested Butte’s historic downtown is lined with shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Elsewhere in town, parks, spas and yoga studios, theatres, and the Center for the Arts can help keep you occupied while adjusting.

Mellow Crested Butte summer and winter outdoor activities:

• Stroll Woods Walk.
• Bike Lower Loop.
• Paddle board the Slate River.
• Take in stunning views with a walk on the paved Rec Path.
• Drive to Gothic and visit the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory.
• Walk Brush Creek Trail for immediate views of summer wildflowers and fall aspens.
• Ride the smooth singletrack and mellow grades of Tony’s Trail.
• Snowshoe Town Ranch, a flat and free trail groomed by the Crested Butte Nordic Center.
• Ride Teddy’s Trail.
• Ride the Silver Queen lift up and down in the summer for 360-degree views of the Gunnison Valley.

Mellow Crested Butte town activities:

• Go on a historic walking tour of Elk Avenue with the Crested Butte Museum.
• See live music at the Center for the Arts.
• Shop for souvenirs and art downtown.
• Attend a yoga class.
• See a movie at the Majestic Theatre.
• If you have kids, take them to the Trailhead Children’s Museum.
• See a show put on by Crested Butte Mountain Theatre.
• See a local band play at a bar.
• Dance to the music at the free Alpenglow Summer Concert Series.
• Spectate the Alley Loop, a Nordic ski race and costume party.

FAQs about high altitude travel tips

Q: What season are you more likely to get altitude sickness in?

A: The risk of altitude sickness is common all year in high altitudes. There is not a time of year when people are more likely to get altitude sick.

Q: What can I do before a trip to help with altitude sickness?

A: Make sure you’re hydrated before you get here! Arriving to a high-altitude destination properly hydrated is one of the best ways to stave off altitude sickness. Training and getting in shape for the activities you’re doing on your trip will also help. Familiarizing yourself with altitude sickness symptoms can help you manage them immediately. Hydration tablets or electrolyte gels can help with dehydration recovery. Visiting a spa or oxygen bar once you get here can also help.

Q: How long does it take to adjust to high altitudes?

A: Most visitors adjust within a day or two.

Q: Who is most likely to experience altitude sickness?

A: Visitors coming from sea level have a high risk of altitude sickness. People who overexert themselves at the beginning of a trip or don’t drink enough water are also at risk. However, anyone staying or recreating at a high altitude can be susceptible to altitude sickness, regardless of activity or where they traveled from. Be mindful of your activities and pay attention to your body.

Q: What can I do while adjusting to the altitude?

A: While you adjust, stick to short hikes or bike rides close to town. Most trailheads near town are short and flat with minimal elevation gain.

Each town in the Gunnison Valley has a unique dining, shopping and art scene. Eat some good food, buy souvenirs and browse historic downtowns while adjusting.

Q: What activities are more likely to cause altitude sickness?

A: Any activity in high altitude environments can cause altitude sickness. What matters is the difficulty level and elevation gain associated with the activity. Proper preparation and paying attention to your body should allow you to do all the activities you want to do.

However, it’s important to remember that altitude sickness does not have to be tied to an activity. Simply going to a higher altitude can cause symptoms. Taking it easy at the start of your trip and staying well-hydrated are the best ways to avoid altitude sickness.

Local resources for altitude sickness

Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) is the largest health care provider in the Gunnison Valley.

GVH services include:

GVH Mountain Clinic in Mt. Crested Butte
Urgent care center, walk-ins
Address: 12 Snowmass Road Axtel 100, Mt. Crested Butte, CO 81225
P: 970-349-0321

GVH Emergency Room
711 North Taylor St, Gunnison, CO 81230
P: 970-641-1456

GVH Urgent Care
707 N Iowa St, Gunnison, CO 81230
P: 970-648-7105

Plan a trip

Other considerations for a trip to the mountains include booking flights, finding a place to stay, planning things to do and deciding where to eat. Do all of this and more with our trip planning guide.