10 Summer Hikes in Crested Butte Colorado

Crested Butte is home to many beautiful hikes in the summertime once the snow melts. Coined the wildflower capitol of Colorado, the wildflowers are something to witness! It does take special planning to be able to see wildflowers in Crested Butte due to blooming season.

Crested Butte hiking is extremely accessible in the summertime, which is nice because you don’t have to drive far to get epic hiking done. Not only that, most of the hikes in Crested Butte are great for the entire family.

On this blog post you will be able to properly plan your summer trip to Crested Butte for extraordinary hiking!

Before we dive into the best hikes in Crested Butte, lets talk about Leave No Trace.

Leave No Trace Principles are as follows;

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare: know before you go! Especially in Crested Butte, beware of weather patterns and closures.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: stay on the trail! Don’t make new trails and don’t walk on wildflowers.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly: clean up after yourself and do not litter on the trail.
4. Leave What You Find: do not take home wildflowers for your bouquet and do not pick them.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts: beware of campfire closures due to heat and wind patterns. Properly put out your campfire before bed.
6. Respect Wildlife: Crested Butte is home to bears, moose, marmots, and more. Keep a safe distance. If you have dogs, keep them on a leash.
7. Be Considerate of Others: hikers going uphill have the right of way. Be sure to not have your speaker blasting on a hike and be mindful of trails shared with mountain bikers.

If you want to see wildflowers in Crested Butte, the lower elevation blooms typically the last week of June and the first couple weeks of July. Even though the wildflower festival doesn’t kick off until the second week in July, I have found the 4th of July week is the best time for lower elevation hikes. With that being said, there are always flowers to be found in Crested Butte, just may have to adventure to higher elevations if you arrive later in summer.

Weather in the summertime in Crested Butte averages 65-75 degrees, with rain and thunderstorms. With the elevation, be mindful of wearing sunscreen, and drinking plenty of water!

Travel to the town of Gothic to witness this beautiful waterfall with stunning mountain views. Early July witness lupine, columbine, and skunk lilies in bloom. This hike is great for the entire family. There are two trailhead options, one from Upper Judd Falls Parking Lot, and the lower Judd Falls parking. If you have a high clearance vehicle you can make it to the upper lot which shaves off a mile.

Trail Length: 2.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 462 feet

Dogs: Allowed on leash

This is arguably one of the best and most popular hikes in Crested Butte Colorado. In early July, the wildflowers will be the best in the area. Lupine trails along Teddy’s Trail, and Mules Ears blanketing the hillside in a glorious yellow. This trail system is a choose your own adventure type-hike to the summit or take a stroll and head back to the parking lot.

Be mindful of horses that neighbor this property. Often times they are left to roam freely in this area and are quite friendly.

Trail Length: 5.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,594 feet

Dogs: Allowed on leash

If your in the area early to mid-July, this trail is easily one of the most beautiful for wildflowers. I hike it the first week in July and witness the most variety of wildflowers compared to other hikes! Keep in mind this is a popular mountain biking trail so be sure to yield to bikers and keep dogs on a leash.

Trail Length: 4.29 miles

Elevation Gain: 315 feet

Dogs: Allowed on leash

These trails are the best to witness the aptly named, Lupine! Early season Lupine blooms on this trail with beautiful aspen covered forests and mountain views. Choose your own adventure on this trail and make it as short or long as you’d like! Mountain bikers like to use this trail so keep that in mind.

Trail Length: 7.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 987 feet

Dogs: Allowed on leash

Take the chair lift most of the way to the summit of Mount Crested Butte! Arguably one of the smallest summits to stand on, but worth the effort to get there. Plus, ride the chair lift down with ease. Keep in mind the chair lift does close at 2PM so plan accordingly!

Trail Length: 1.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 705 feet

Dogs: Not allowed

This is a popular lake to visit, and for good reason. The views from town on Kebler Pass are stunning, and worth a drive even if you don’t complete the hike. Follow the trail around the entirety of the lake. Pro-tip: hike to the waterfall next to the parking lot-simply follow where the bridge is as a trail runs alongside that.

Trail Length: 2.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 98 feet

Dogs: Allowed on leash

This hike is perfect for the entire family! Keep in mind that this trail intersects private property and the hike itself has limited parking. Follow the signs and there shouldn’t be any issue getting to the lake. Aptly named Long Lake, the lake is a great place to cool off on a hot summer day. Be mindful of staying on the trail to preserve wildflowers.

Parking for this hike is in a residential neighborhood next to Meridian Lake near the dam. Follow signs through the gate past the houses.

Trail Length: 2.4 miles

Elevation Gain: 515 feet

Dogs: Allowed on leash

There is an additional strenuous route that is .9 miles past the first parking area. Walk a narrow plank 280 feet up for half a mile to get to the lake.

If your looking for a more strenuous hike with epic views, this is the one for you! Keep in mind that trail conditions to change as the snow melts, making this a more advanced route. Often times there are water crossings, snow patches, and muddy trails especially in late June early July. This is a very exposed trail so it is advisable to start early with plenty of water or a filter to fill up along the way.

Trail Length: 13 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,148 feet

Dogs: Allowed on leash

This is a great hike in town for the entire family or for beginner hikers. With sweeping views and wildflowers in early July, its a casual stroll in the sunshine. Important to note, this is a very popular trail for mountain bikers so expect it to be muddy or difficult to hike after rain storms.

Trail Length: 2.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 177 feet

Dogs: Allowed on leash

For those looking for a more strenuous hike with sweeping views and less people, Scarp Ridge is a great option. Bonus-it’s a loop trail that starts at Lake Irwin. You can double down on the adventure day by cooling off in the lake afterwards or watching sunset from above the lake.

Trail Length: 3.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,430 feet

Dogs: Allowed on leash