Crystal-Star
The Crystal Peak and Star Pass loop ranks among Crested Butte’s beefiest mountain bike routes. Peaking at 12,300 feet, this high-alpine epic packs a punch. Jeff Kendall-Weed rides with local icon Dave Ochs, the executive director of the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association. While they catch their breath on the Crystal Peak trail climb, Dave gives Jeff a lay of the land, pointing out that the town of Aspen lies just beyond the peaks to the north. Dave also mentions that the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association, known as CBMBA, made history as the first mountain biking club and now maintains more than 500 miles of trails on the north side of Gunnison County.
After topping out at a saddle, Jeff and Dave take in the blooming July wildflowers and the stunning vistas above treeline. They descend Star Pass, Double Top and Hunters Creek, with Jeff showing off his signature manuals down the steep, rocky trail that most riders simply hang on for.
To explore more trails near Crystal Peak and Star Pass, peruse our guide to the Cement Creek trails near Crested Butte.
More Gunnison and Crested Butte mountain biking videos
Watch more videos to get stoked about riding here!
- Fall down the rabbit hole and ride through Wonderland (which looks a lot like Crested Butte…) with pro rider Micayla Gatto. Film by Matchstick Productions.
- Watch the two Born From Junk films to immerse yourself in the outlaw origins of mountain biking in the Gunnison Valley, from riding klunkers down Pearl Pass in the ‘70s to racing in the first Rage in the Sage event at Hartman Rocks in the ‘80s. Films by Buttery.
- Follow pro rider Carson Storch and newcomer Jesse East on a romp through the Gunnison Valley starting from Jesse’s classroom at Western Colorado University. Film by Matchstick Productions.
