Fondly known as “The Last Great Ski Town," Crested Butte is a winter sports wonderland. Come June however, all the snow melts away and a wonderful new green landscape takes over the mountain. Rivers and streams fill with cool, clean water, and wildflowers bloom as tall and thick as the snowfall that covered the mountain just three months earlier. All 1,547 acres of the Mt. Crested Butte resort area become a haven for mountain bikers, hikers, climbers and anyone who wants to shake off the stiffness left by winter and come out in the warm mountain sunshine. I am a rookie when it comes to mountain life. I was born and raised in Oklahoma but moved out to Crested Butte upon receiving an internship with Adaptive Sports this summer. I have come on vacation to Colorado with my family more times than I can count, but never have I lived in a place where there was a trailhead to an alpine lake within 100 yards of my front door. I want to make the most of my time here and say that I took advantage of every opportunity to immerse myself in the Crested Butte culture. Therefore, I have complied a bucket-list of things I have deemed “must-dos” while I am here in Crested Butte. My time is limited seeing as summer only lasts through August, but I am determined I can check everything off this list and upgrade from rookie to rocky mountain vet! You can share your Crested Butte summer bucket list with the hashtag #CBbucketlist on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Hike Mt. Crested Butte from the base to the peak. This hike climbs over 2,000 feet from the base to the peak and provides the most spectacular 360 view of the area. Successfully bike Snodgrass (AKA no walking the bike!). This trail has steep climbs and (for a beginner like myself), some white-knuckle downhills. This trail is a fantastic hike but completing the trail on a bike is a whole different story. Run in the Gothic to Crested Butte Run, Walk, or Crawl 1/3 Marathon on 4th of July. My dad competed in this race many years ago when my family came up for vacation. Now I hope to run it with him when he visits me here in Crested Butte! Luckily the race is mostly downhill. Eat at every restaurant in the town of Crested Butte at least once. There is nothing better than a delicious meal prepared by someone else after a full day on the mountain. Crested Butte has so many types of food that simply deciding where to go may be the most difficult part. Ride my bike to work. I live on Belleview and normally take the shuttle up to the mountain office, but at least once I would like to brave the steep ascent to our mountain office on my bike. The Rec Path leading from the town of Crested Butte to the mountain office is less than three miles, but mostly uphill. It should all be worth it after work when I can easily coast down and enjoy the scenery. Let us know your #CBbucketlist!
