Lower Loop to Upper Lower Loop Lollipop

This is a great beginner loop that will get you up in the Slate River drainage into pristine wetlands, Paradise Divide view sheds, giggly fun single track.   This ride starts and finishes right at the edge of the Town of Crested Butte making access a snap!  Starting in the Northwest corner of Town, Butte Avenue turns into Peanut Lake Road (at the dirt right at the edge of Town).  This beginner road is a great warm up and will take you past signs to get you to the Lower Loop. At the very beginning, there is an option for the ‘Wide Path’ or the single track – they both take you to the start of the Lower Loop and Upper Lower Loop.  Go right onto the Lower Loop and enjoy riding alongside the Slate River. At the end of the single track, you will come upon a road – Gunsight Road.  Turn left up the road and climb a little bit (easy grade) to the 2nd switchback where you pick up the Upper Lower Loop.  Turn left onto the single track and enjoy stunning views of Gothic Mountain, Mt. Crested Butte, the Lower Loop and Slate River below you, and eventually the sleeping little hamlet of Crested Butte. On the way home, you can take the Woods Walk (easy) or go back on Peanut Lake Road.